There are a number of photos included in this newsletter that are stripped out when it is converted the “Word” format. If you wish to view it with the photos included contact me (tugger@telus.net) Van Zor editor and I will forward you the original E-mail. ---GT---

Having chartered a bus for the members of Sadir Khan Grotto to attend the Northwest Grotto Association Convention, our journey to Richmond, B.C. was very enjoyable. We shared the bus with three members and three ladies from Chelminar Grotto in Yakima, Washington. Box lunches were provided the passengers at a minimal charge, with water and soft drinks on hand. Both our boarder crossings were very smooth and uneventful.

I heard nothing but favorable comments regarding the convention from the Sadir Khan members who attended. Our Grotto had the majority of attendees from any single Grotto. However, the members from the California, Arizona and Nevada Association made a really good showing. The President of that Association was present at the event. Four officers from Sadir Khan Grotto were on the bus, the Monarch, Chief Justice, Master of Ceremonies, and the Secretary

The Grand Monarch, with three of his line officers, was present for the convention. Grand Monarch Pool is a delightful gentleman who spoke about the urgent need to obtain members in the various Grottos. The advice from him was to contact the Blue Lodges and make every effort to influence those members to participate in Grotto activities by becoming Prophets.

It was with much sadness that the wife of Past Grand Monarch, Bob Black was not present at the meeting due to serious illness which caused her to be hospitalized during the convention. Our prayers are with Bob and Betty at this difficult time in their lives.

Sadir Khan's Past Monarch, Tom Upchurch was installed as the Chaplain for the Northwest Grotto Association. I am sure he will do justice to that important position. Our Doctor of Smiles, Chuck Rigsby received some valuable information regarding forthcoming plans for dental care, by Grotto and the Shrine. More information on this will be coming soon.

As your newly installed President, I intend to put forth every effort to insure the Northwest Grotto Association has a productive and successful year.

The members of Van Zor Grotto would first of all like to express their most sincere thanks and gratitude for all the Prophets who attended the Northwest Grotto Convention held in Richmond B.C. We were of course very pleased to host the Convention thanks to the tremendous work done by Prophet Ed Taychuk and his many helpers. Even more memorable for us was the fact that we also celebrated our 50th Anniversary as a Grotto. To mark the special occasion our Grand Monarch, Robert Pool and his Lady Elizabeth were in attendance and even went so far as to assist us in making our current Grand Master a Prophet at Sight. I am certain he was impressed because he later told me he would find time to attend as many of our meetings as he could in the future.

I hope that all who attended the Convention had a good time and enjoyed the good weather. I know that I was impressed with the comradeship and warm feeling that we shared. For those of you who have never experienced the fun of a Convention such as this I highly recommend you to try it. I know you will like it and come back again.

Our summer has come and gone and now we are preparing to initiate two more members at our first meeting in September. This makes 5 members that we have initiated this year and it is very encouraging for us to see this happening. I just hope that others hear of the good that Grotto members do and that more will want to join our ranks as well.

Rather than just have meetings we have been busy having functions were the members can get together and socialize just to have fun. We have had a Pitch and Putt Golf game plus a River Boat Cruise and a Sunday afternoon brunch at a cozy restaurant. None of these functions were fund raisers but rather just an opportunity to get together for fun and socializing.

I trust that everyone else has also had a good summer and a promising start for the next meeting and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting many of you again.

I am sending you a picture of our Monarch, Bob McSween with his Lady, Eileen because he has just made, I believe, history in the jurisdiction of British Columbia and Yukon. (see recent pics page)

At the recent Grand Chapter Sessions of the Grand Chapter of British Columbia and Yukon, Order of the Eastern Star, Bob was installed as the Grand Sentinel. This means that in 3 years Bob will be the Worthy Grand Patron. In other words, in 3 years he will be the first Past Grand Master to become a Worthy Grand Patron. I think this deserves hearty congratulations from his Brethren in the Grotto. I don't think this has happened before, at least not in our jurisdiction, and I am looking forward to his term in the Grand East. He will be sitting in our Grand East on the 100th anniversary of the Order of the Eastern Star being established in British Columbia and Yukon. Regards, Daphne Keith

The staff of Doernbecher CDRC Dental Clinic along with Gul Reazee Dr. of Smiles displaying the check for $170,000.00 presented by President Allan Betker of the Humanitarian Foundation to Dr. Peter Lax, who was speaker at the Foundation's Thursday evening program at Convention. With this infusion the clinic survives and becomes part of the Oregon Hospital Dental School whereby the Pediatric Post Graduate students will be spending much more time in the clinic and learning about our program in the effort to bring bigger smiles to these special needs children where ever they choose to start their practice after graduation.

The Shrine Hospital here in Portland has embraced the Shrine-Grotto cooperative effort to help reduce the number of cleft-lip palette children with one patient already completed and ready for surgery.

As you know Tacobat Grotto is dark July and August, the only thing we would like to congratulate the new officers of the NWGA. Also we will help in looking for your replacement.

Hassan participated once again this year at the Special Olympics Montana in Great Falls. A great time was had by all at the opening ceremony and at various events throughout the Olympics.

Monarch Roger Cathel was especially proud of the fact that Hassan was able to donate $2500.00 due to the great fundraising efforts of the prophets. Hassan also had a fund raising Old West Shooting competition at Prophet Harry Boughton's house (who was a very gracious host). Several events such as long distance shooting and old west target shooting challenged the prophets and friends throughout the day. A BB Gun event was even on hand for the little cowboys in the bunch! There was a great potluck dinner and the prophets raised money for their charitable works. Discussions are underway for the next fundraising event!

The pre-convention / convention, etc... most of us are so busy with all things Masonic... not to mention work obligations... none of us could afford the time this year..... it will get better..... the time and distances are hurdles for some of us at this time.....as for Hassan Grotto... we are fine... we are even growing.... 3 new members last month and another 3 or more this month... we had a great showing and participation in the Montana Special Olympics (which we have made our primary project...) so Hassan is doing well... we have the same problem that most groups have... it is usually the same 10 - 15 men doing everything.... both in Grotto and outside of it...many of our members are involved in Grand Lodge,

Grand York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine, which all falls at the same time as preconvention / convention..... so it can be tight.... again it will get better....

July 17, 2008 was a very busy day for our Grotto. Seventeen Grotto members and Ladies left Spokane by charter bus at 8AM and traveled to Ellensburg where we picked up six more passengers from CityYakima and we were on our merry way to Richmond, B. C. for the Northwest Grotto Association Convention. All of our comforts were taken care of, especially the great box lunches taken care of by Dale Cooper and Ron Schmidt. We had a choice of cookies along with water and sodas. Very enjoyable lunch.

Our very capable driver, Doug, was pleasant and liked by all, he knew when to make a couple of "stretch your leg" stops. Our border crossing was uneventful; everyone had their passports in good order.

Our Canadian neighbors hosted a very good convention. They had spent a lot of time and effort in the planning of all events for the Prophets and their Ladies, we all appreciated their efforts. Thank You.

Sadir Khan's Secretary PM David Ferguson was installed as Northwest Grotto Association President for the ensuing year. Congratulations Dave. We know he will do an excellent job, he multi tasks very well!

Lots of great ideas were discussed at very informative meetings. We will have pre-convention in Yakima next year with Sadir Khan helping in way possible to keep this program going. Everyone looks forward to the oyster feed and fun each year.

Lots of food. good commardie, new friends and old who made this convention a success. Sadir Khan looks forward to seeing everyone in Spokane July 16, 17, 18 2009. So long for now…. Keep healthy and wise.

Those unable to attend the Monarch's Ball in Richmond, B.C. should know that a wonderful time was had by all! We enjoyed meeting the new GM Bob Pool and his wife Sam. Also many of his officers attended. All were invited to attend the 2010 convention in Portland. It was wonderful renewing friendships and making new ones. Congratulations to Dave Ferguson, new president of NWGA. A fine man and a good friend.

A bit of news regarding our NWGA Secretary Lloyd Fries. It was announced that his term would end in the new year. We regret the loss, as his shoes will be hard to fill! The good news is Lloyd will be President of Grotto's of North America Secretaries Association, congratulations Lloyd!

On the note of progress, 2 new prophets' petitions have been received by Gul Reazee. Our goal is to recruit new members to fill our shoes and to carry on the Grotto that we all enjoy.

Remember our convention in 2010 at the Monarch Hotel. Mark you calendars. Hope all is well, fair winds prevail on all Grottoes. Remember our troops in harms way.

Time is upon us once again to start labor in the quarries of our Grottos. For this correspondent it has been a busy summer, going to Supreme in Hot Springs, North West Grotto Convention and shortly to California, Arizona, and Nevada Convention. It is enjoyable for me to be able to attend and while there visit with old friends and make new ones, forming friendships that last a lifetime.

This summer has not been without a large dose of sadness as we all lost one of the nicest people in the realm this summer, always a bounce in her step, a smile on her face, and a kind word. I am referring to Lady Betty Black who at last could not turn down the opportunity to spend full time with our Lord while she waits for us to join. Through out the International realm she will be missed.

It appears that after 2 issues of the all the Grottos participating with articles in the NW Letter the string has come to the end with 1 not even answering the request. When I started in Grotto there were visitations and huge turn outs for the pre-convention and conventions, now there are no visitations and poor representation to none at all at both of the pre-convention and convention. I hope the Grottos who do not participate expect any better representation to their conventions than they are willing to participate in themselves. The best of all next July we will have someone better piloting this association to bigger and better things.

The Monarch's and Secretaries have received a copy of the proposed resolution to be acted on next year and should be discussed at each Grotto as it will be taken up at pre-convention and then voted on at convention. If the two officers do not have a copy of same please contact me and I will resend.