Eileen and I have been busy visiting all of the Shrine Club and Unit meetings. It's great to get out and see all of the Nobles and Ladies that regularly attend the meetings, many of whom we don't see regularly at Temple events. If you have never attended a Shrine Club Meeting or haven't been to one lately, there is no time like the present to get started. Come on out and attend a meeting we would love to see you. See some old friends and make some new ones. Look in this issue of the Oriental News for a listing of Shrine Clubs and Units and contacts for each. Get out and have some fun!
Speaking of attendance, when was the last time you attended a Blue Lodge
meeting? As we were all admonished by the Orator when we were created
nobles, "Your first duty has always been, is now, and will forever be, to
your Masonic Lodge" we should all aspire to regular attendance at Lodge
meetings. Many of our Lodges are
struggling to survive due to dwindling membership. Improving meeting
attendance and growing our Blue Lodges is something we need to address, and
we cannot do that without being active ourselves. Always remember that we
cannot survive as a Temple without a strong foundation of Masonic Lodges.
The Potentate's Ball is coming up on March 6, we hope to see as many of you
as can attend this function. Come on out and enjoy the fellowship and
hospitality that Oriental Temple is known for but most of all, have some
fun!
This year, we will be publishing a photo directory or "yearbook" for the first time in several years. Members will be contacted by Summerfield Studios to arrange for a portrait sitting. There is no cost associated with the portrait for the directory and you will be offered an opportunity for personal and family portraits. Each club and unit will be accorded a page in the book so take as many photos as you can this year so we can share our memories of the years activities.
Have you made your reservation for the Imperial Session yet? We hope to have
as many of you as possible, join us in Toronto in July. Toronto is a
beautiful city that has many cultural, shopping and entertainment options.
Contact Gaylord Hawley at (744-0581) and make your reservation now.
The Spring Ceremonial will be held at the Comfort Inn at Lake Placid on May
14-16. Join us for a fun weekend and meet our newest Nobles and their
Ladies. Get those membership petitions in to the Recorder as soon as you
can. We would like to have them in hand so we can vote on them at our stated
meeting on April 14.
Are you a user of Facebook? We now have an Oriental Shriners Facebook page.
Just search on Oriental Shriners and become a fan. We will be posting event
information and photos on the site.
That's all for now, I hope to see you at a Club, Lodge, Unit meeting or a
Temple event. Come on out and have some fun!
Let's Have Some Fun !
Jerry
McGarvey, Potentate
