MOMENT IN HISTORY

By Ken Hutchinson

On May 13, 1948, 16 members of the Lalla Rookh Grotto Scotch Bagpipe Band sojourned to Hamilton, N.Y. for the Founders Memorial Dedication Ceremonial. With them were the Patrol, Color Guard, Greeters, as well as a large number of Prophets.

In that year the Supreme Council contribute $32,000 in a form of recognition to the Founders. This included a Memorial Hall, Achieves Room, with a stage and unique lighting effects. Complete with a fez alcove, for the displaying a fez from each Grotto in the realm, and oil paintings of the founders are on display in the ante‑room.

The drive for this memorial was launched at the national convention at Columbus in 1947. The two day program on Friday included a village and Colgate campus tour, followed by visitation and dedication of the founder’s graves in Woodlawn and Colgate Cemeteries. A large parade was started at 2pm Saturday. Beside our own, there was a German Brass band from Elmira, others from Syracuse, Binghamton, and Hamilton. Also the Hamilton Central School band and the Fountain Fire Company drum and bugle corps, along with many Grotto units marching.

Immediately afterward the dedication ceremonies were held at Schine's State Theater. Remarks were made by Grand Monarch J.R. Hollinger, the Grand Master of N.Y. State and many others. Many of our members will remember the bus trip to Hamilton in 1996 and the ceremonial we conducted there. "Now you know the rest of the story."