Grottoes of North America name local Mason as grand monarch

BERLIN CENTER — Edwin Shawver of Berlin Center was elected grand monarch of the Grottoes of North America and installed on June 13 during a ceremony in Peoria, Ill. He will serve as presiding officer and head of all grottoes in the United States and Canada.

Shawver was monarch of Aut Mori Grotto in Youngstown in 1989, and president of the Ohio Grotto Association in 1997. He is a member of Aut Mori Grotto Clown Unit, where he is known as Pierre, and a member of Western Star Lodge 21 F&AM in Boardman, St. John’s Commandery in Youngstown, and several other Masonic bodies.

Shawver is retired from Local 377 and ABF Freightlines. He lives in Berlin Center with his wife, Barbara. The Shawvers have two children, Scott and Dawn, both of Berlin Center.

The Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, whose subordinate bodies are the grottoes, is an organization of Master Masons and is dedicated to charity and the care of others. One of its charities is providing dental care for children with special needs.