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Volume1, Issue 9
online at www.melhashriners.com
Inside
Burns Brigade
Chief Howard Vincent Passing,
Unit Votes to Disband
Melha Shrine Memorial Service
Honors Fallen Nobles
High Priest & Prophet Turrini commented that this particular service had a
deeper meaning for him by the loss of close
friends Nobles Howard Vincent and Jack
Davis; two Nobles that made a difference
in his life.
Potentate Bill Faust, Melha‘s Legion of
Honor, Military Band, Chief Rabban Dave
Butterfield, Recorder Phil Thomas PP, 1st.
Ceremonial Master Glenn Surprenant, and
Marshal Dan Smith all participated in this
solemn event.
Nobles Art and Jeff Hastings and Noble
Ron Archer added their special touch to the
service.
Thank you ‘Forget - me - Nots’ for
sharing your Nobles with us over the
many years. Your loved ones will be sorely
missed and will always be in our hearts.
Lady Denise Turrini, assisted by the
ladies of the Divan, served light refreshments afterwards. It was heartening to see
the show of support for the families of our
fallen Brethren. May they rest in peace.
P6
2015 divan installation
Public Installation of new
Divan and Festivities
P4
Annual clothing drive
Marceau directs winter clothing
drive for the homeless
P8
POTENTATE’S MESSage
P2
FROM THE RECORDER
Annual Meeting Information
P3
Black Camel
P3
MELHA UNITS
p6-p8, p10
MELHA CLUBS
p11
MELHA SHRINE Center
p4,p5,10
MELHA SHRINE Ladies
p11
EVENT CALENDAR
back page
December 2014
High Priest & Prophet Ray Turrini Presides over service
On Sunday, November 9, 2014 Melha
Shrine’s High Priest & Prophet, Ray Turrini, convened the ‘Annual Memorial Service’ at the Shrine Center. This service is
held each year to honor Melha’s fallen
Brethren and Nobles. Shrine membership
was reduced by 32 this year.
Melha extends its thanks to the Rev.
Ronald Jackson for stepping in for the late
Father John Debonville, a longtime friend
of the Shrine who presided over past Memorial Services.
Melha Memorial Service altar
POTENTATE’S MESSAGE
Greeting
Nobles
and
Ladies, Here we are again
another month has gone by. The
month of November just flew
by. It was quite a month here
at Melha. All of the visitations
are done for the year. We had
the Veteran’s Parade on the
11th. I thank all who marched
to honor our Veterans. I want
to thank our Legion of Honor
for leading our units in all our
parades. To all of you THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
to our great country and to
Melha.
The memorial service this
year was well attended, if you
have not come to this service as
a member of Melha you should
try and make an effort to come.
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
MELHA SHRINERS, SHRINERS
INTERNATIONAL
CAMELHA
Available on the Web at
www.melhashriners.com
EDITORS
Russ Mitchell, P.P.
Email:........ [email protected]
Mike Robinson
Email:........ [email protected]
Tel Wk :.............................. 860 684-6226
Tel Hm : ............................ 413 567-2138
SPECIAL NOTICE
All copy submitted for publication must
be submitted by e-mail and received
before the 12th of the month preceding
publication. All Ads must be submitted
by the 1st of the month.
The Editors reserve the right to edit all
copy.
It is truly a wonderful service to
remember and honor the brothers we have lost. I know the
families that attended are grateful for all of those who are in
attendance. Debbie and I would
like to thank Ray and Denise
Turrini for all the hard work
they put into this year’s memorial service. It was a touching
remembrance for all the Nobles
we lost in the past year.
The Feztival of Trees committee is hard at work getting
everything in order for the
years Feztival of Trees. We
want to thank all the units and
everyone who has sponsored
a tree for this year. We hope it
will be bigger and better than
last years. Please tell everyone
you know about this event.
Come down to your Shrine
Center and see it transformed
into a beautiful and “FEZ”tive
wonder land. And don’t forget
the Melha Kid’s Christmas Party on December 14th.
We will be celebrating the
New Year here at Melha, so
don’t forget to make your reservation for New Year’s Eve at
Melha. Please make sure you
get your 2015 dues paid and atMELHA SHRINER CENTER
133 Longhill Street Springfield, Massachusetts 01108
Tel.: . ............................... (413) 736-3647
Fax ................................. (413) 731-9572
e-mail:..... [email protected]
Debra Collins............................ Secretary
OFFICE HOURS
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
MELHA WEB SITE
www.melhashriners.com
PAY WITH CREDIT CARD
Melha honors Visa, MasterCard and
Discover cards.
Minimum amount charged must be
$20.00.
Use it for:
•Dues
•Melha Events
•Fezzes
•Melha Trips, etc.
tend the annual meeting. This
is your Shrine Center please
show your support to all of the
Nobles who you elect to lead
Melha into the future.
The final numbers are in for
two of the big events that took
place this year, the Circus and
the Northeast Field Days. We
had a good circus this year. As
always Hamid Circuses put on
a great show. Ill. Al Zippin and
Jim Spear did a great job for
Melha. Our circus came in at
$54,400.00
The Northeast Shrine Association committee lead by
Ill. Pete Spaulding did a great
job. NSA2014 returned an
$8,000.00 profit to the Melha
Shrine Center. Thanks to all
who helped to make both of
these events a great success.
As always thanks for all you do
for your Shrine and Hospitals.
In this holiday season, Deb and
I wish extend to all our Nobility and to our extended Melha
Family a joyous and happy
Christmas and Hanukkah and a
safe and healthy New Year.
Yours in the Faith
Bill Faust, 2014 Potentate
&
GOLDEN
FEZ ROOM
RENTALS
Contact the
Recorder’s
Office.
DIVAN OFFICERS
Potentate...................William Faust
413-786-1272
Chief Rabban................ David Butterfield
413-519-5498
Ass’t Rabban...................... Brian Connor
413-636-4270
High Priest Prophet................ Ray Turrini
413-297-8111
Oriental Guide..............Robert Wogatske
413-575-7788
Treasurer..................Ronald Gagnon P.P.
413-568-4402
SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR
CHILDREN
516 Carew Street
Springfield, MA 01104
413-787-2000
MELHA BOARD OF GOVERNOR
MEMBERS
David Burstein: Chairman, George
Sachs, James Spear Jr., Joseph Surprenant, Edward Geoffrion
Gary Surprenant, Associate Member
Allen Zippin, P.P: Chairman Emeritus,
Charles Weaver, P.P.: Chairman
Emeritus,
Philip E. Thomas P.P.: Chairman
Emeritus
SHRINERS BURNS HOSPITALBOSTON
51 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114-2699
617-722-3000
MELHA BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MEMBERS
Dean Whalen
Russell Mitchell, Associate Member
Saul Michaelson, Emeritus Member
Robert Spaulding P.P., Emeritus
Member
2
BUTTERFIELD
AUDITORIUM
Recorder.................Philip E. Thomas P.P.
413-736-3647
1st Cerem. Master...... Glenn Surprenant
413-583-8991
2nd Cerem. Master...............Ed Geoffrion
413-537-8801
Chief Director..........................Al Stratton
413-323-0268
Marshal....................................Dan Smith
413-531-3542
Capt. of the Guard................ Leo Plourde
413-348-3889
TRUSTEES
Kevin LaPlante: Chair.413-626-9990
Michael Santos.........413-246-2804
David Duncan...........413-348-8766
Jack Greaves...........413-246-2804
John Scribner...........413-323-7729
Alan Couture............413-537-1657
ADMINISTRATORS
Saul Michaelson: Chair..... 413-537-5759
Nick Creanza..................... 413-596-2577
Cary Miller......................... 413-567-0514
Stan Rubenstein................ 413-567-0618
Ron Gagnon...................... 413-568-4402
Melha Shrine Center
From the recorder
Stated Meeting
Notice
Our Grand Master M.W.
Harvey J. Waugh through his
membership committee announce a One-Day class. The
One-Day Class will be held in
our area at Meadows Lodge in
East Longmeadow. The date
for this class is March 7, 2015.
This announcement provides us
as Shrine Masons an opportunity to create brothers that are
unable to attend evening lodge
schedules or the time to spend
going through the usual three
month period along with Lodge
of Instruction.
So, if you have a potential
candidate in mine it is advised
that you contact your lodge
Secretary and submit his name
for the One-Day class NOW.
The process within the lodge to
review and vote on application
will require time.
I hope that you have the opportunity to attend some of the
events at Melha during the holiday season, the committees are
working hard on their projects
for you to have fun and enjoyment. It’s your Temple and we
need your support.
Black camel
Noel Sweeney
December 2014
Wednesday December
17, 2014 7:30 pm, for
the purpose of conducting the business of Melha Shriners, as well as
balloting on individuals
for initiation, obligating
candidates, and for the
dissemination of information to the membership on matters relating
to current Shrine events.
To vote on the 2015 Budget. All Nobles are invited
to attend. Unit and Club
leaders are required
to attend. Proper attire
is required and please
wear your Fez.
Ill. William Faust, Potentate
Attest Philip E. Thomas, P.P.
ANNUAL MEETING
Friday, January 9.
2015 at 7:00 P.m.
DINNER: 5:45 P.M.
MELHA SHRINE
Nobles:
This Annual Meeting is
called for the purpose of the
Election of the Potentate, Chief
Rabban, Assistant Rabban,
High Priest & Prophet, Oriental
Guide, Treasurer, and Recorder
for 2015. Also an election will
be conducted for one (2) Trustee
and one (1) Administrator. We
will elect four representatives
to the Imperial Council for one
year. We will hear the reports
of the Temple and to act on any
other business that might come
before the Temple. Anyone
interested in a voting position
should contact the Melha
Recorder at 413-736-3647.
William Faust Potentate
Attest: Philip E. Thomas
PP. Recorder
Section 206
Sec. 206, The printing, circulating
or distribution of resolutions, letters,
tickets or other devices by a Noble or
Nobles, suggesting, recommending,
opposing or containing the names of
proposed candidates for office in the
Temple, is hereby prohibited. For any
violation of this section, the Imperial
Potentate shall suspend the offending
Noble or Nobles until next regular
session of the Imperial Council, and
he may, in his judgement declare the
election of such officer or officers void
and order a new election.
ALL NOBLES OF MELHA
ARE CORDIALLY
INVITED TO ATTEND
THIS MEETING.
PLEASE NOTE: All Unit
rooms will remain closed and
unoccupied from 7:00 p.m.
until conclusion of the Annual
Meeting. Admittance by 2015
Dues Card
Election Regulations
325.11 Election Regulations.
(a) Electioneering. A candidate for an
elected office in a Shrine temple may
print, publish and circulate during the
year he is seeking the elected office,
a résumé consisting of his educational
background, his vocational history, and
his Masonic and Shrine record. Except
as provided in the prior sentence,
the printing, publication, circulating
or distribution of resolutions, letters,
telegrams, tickets, email or other devices, by a unit, club, Noble, or group
of Nobles, suggesting, recommending,
opposing, or containing the names of
proposed candidates for office in the
temple is prohibited.
(b) Expenditures Prohibited. The expenditure of money for gifts, favors, or
entertainment on behalf of a candidate
for elected office is prohibited.
(c) Violation. For any violation of (a)
or (b), the Imperial Potentate may
suspend any offending Noble, and he
may declare the election of the officers
void and order a new election.
(d) Notice. At least one week prior to
the annual meeting or any election,
the temple Recorder shall mail to each
member a notice thereof containing
this section.
Appointments Last For One Year
For the information of uninformed members of the Nobility, when a Potentate’s
term of office expires, all appointments made by him during his administration
TERMINATE, according to Imperial Code.
Such appointments include ALL appointed Officers, Potentate’s Aides, member
of Committees and their Chairmen. Special Appointees, Directors, Assistant
Directors and all members of the Potentate’s staff. Some uninformed Nobles
have mistakenly believed or assumed that their appointments are permanent.
Each Potentate, when installed in office, must make his own appointments. The
Potentate has the power and authority under Imperial Shrine Law to replace every
appointee; or he may, if he believes it to be in the best interest of the Temple,
retain all appointees by reappointment.
Traditionally, for the sake of efficiency, many Nobles of demonstrated ability are
continued in Office, but this is at the will and pleasure of the incoming Potentate.
In no case is he, or can he be bound by his predecessor. By the same token in no
case can any Potentate bind his successor.
Courtesy requires that a Noble holding an appointive office, position or assignment tender his resignation to the incoming Potentate. If it is the will and pleasure
of the incoming Potentate to that the Noble is to continue in his office or position
by reappointment, he will be notified by the Potentate to that effect. In the event
a Noble is NOT appointed for the ensuing year, he should return the insignia or
emblem of office to the Recorder.
3
MELHA SHRINE center
Divan Public Installation
Jan. 10th at 2:00 P.m.
please JOIN US in
welcoming the incoming
2015 potentate and divan
at the Butterfield Auditorium
4
Melha Shrine Center
MELHA SHRINE center
December 2014
5
MELHA SHRINE UNITS
Burns Brigade
City, NJ. This was given to us
at the annual Fire Chief’s show
by Bill Judd
The Melha Burn’s Brigade held at the Big-E in June by Retired Chief and Noble Charles
Maurais of Ashland, MA.
Finally the Burn’s Brigade
was still going because that’s
was what Howard wanted. Due
to lack of members and attendance at our meetings, on the
second Monday in November
we discussed the direction of
the Burn’s Brigade. By a vote
of the members present, we decided this would be our last and
to disband the Melha Brigade
started in 2001. Thank you to
all that have support and assisted us in our ventures. Be Burn
and Fire safe and take a moChief Howard Albert Vincent
ment to think about how Howwas saddened with the pass- ard touched your life, we have!
ing of our Chief Howard Albert
Clowns
Vincent. Noble Howard was
By Jerry “Fix-It” Ducharme
part of the Brigham Lodge in
I had thought October was
Ludlow and passed on August
going to be a slow month. I
14, 2014 and was involved with
was wrong. Started the month
so much. He was Past Master of
at Travelers Woods in BerRoswell Lee Lodge, very much
nardston. Next day Fall Foliage
involved with our Springfield
Parade in North Adams with a
Shriner’s Hospital, the Eastern
great turn out by the unit. Jo Jo
Star and so
from Utica also made an apmuch more.
pearance at that parade. FolEveryone
lowing weekend we welcomed
who
knew
Pedal for Pennies at the ShriHoward,
ners Hospital. The next Friday
loved
him
there was a paper drive at Food
and would do
City in Turners Falls. At the
anything for
Franklin County Pumpkin Feshim,
think
tival David Kuklewicz raised
a 1904 Springfield
about
that,
Melha medal
over $700 for the hospital by
what a Noble,
selling raffle tickets for an afShriner, friend and just a great
ghan made by his wife Tammy.
person we should have all
We supported the Sphinx clown
learned from. Howard we will
unit by attending their gig at
miss you, but you will be in our
the Brown’s Festival in Windhearts forever.
sor Locks, CT. Randall Farms
In Howard’s memory the
was well attended on the 18th
Burn’s Brigade presented to
and 19th, and on the 24th and
Shriner’s Hospital a two hun26th we had a few clowns at
dred dollar donation in Howthe Bernardston Scare Crow in
ard’s name and to Melha we
the Park event where Raymond
presented, at the monthly stated
Redfern aka Brass Buttons (or
meeting, a 1904 Springfield
BB?) did his first gig, where, I
Melha medal from the impemight add, he did an outstandrial convention held in Atlantic
ing job.
6
The above was submitted by
none other than our “on his way
out” chief Jonathon “ Dimples
“ George. how bout a warm
round of applause? Ok enough
of that and this article for this
month. Until next time “BumpA-nose”
DRUM CORPS
by Jim Marceau, PP
“Here Rests in Honored
Glory an American Soldier
Known But to God” Every time
I see that inscription on the
tomb of the unknown soldier in
Arlington Cemetery it gives me
goose bumps. I was fortunate
enough to have been part of the
Melha contingent on our recent
Legion of Honor Washington
trip for the laying of a wreath
at the tomb for Veterans Day. I
was also able to visit the Gettysburg battlefield for the first
time, something I had wanted
to do for years. Add that to visits to several of our national
monuments, and the result was
a weekend well spent. Kudos to
my brother Dick for once again
organizing an outing long to
be remembered. If any of you
have never visited our nation’s
capital, I strongly suggest that
you consider going so next
year. It makes you proud to be
an American--a feeling I hope
is shared by all the politicians
who work there. Seeing what
they do all too often, I somehow doubt it.
As you can see, we have
reached the quiet time of the
year. No parades or contests.
Social life prevails at the Center. Time to learn a new ensemble piece for the spring show on
April 18, 2015. Please come to
rehearsals and keep Ron sane!
Speaking of Ron, I am going to make a bold prediction that he will once again be
elected president of the unit. I
do so because his was the only
name nominated for the office!
Those of you who don’t know
Ron Mongeon (his last name
rhymes with...nothing in particular), who don’t deal with him
on a regular basis or see how he
runs the Drum Corps are...luckier than the guys in the Corps!
Somehow the words “warm”
and “fuzzy” never come up
when talking about our beloved
president, but we all like him.
And as he always tells us, he is
“cute, too!”
Why am I picking up vibes
of malcontent among some
of the members of our Ladies
groups? They feel unappreciated by us. Guys, we have to
do everything we can to make
them feel welcome at Melha.
They do a lot for our hospital
and for our Temple. We are in a
position now where we all must
pitch in to keep the building on
a solid financial footing. The
ladies are feeling the membership pinch just as we are. Lets
all work together, please. We
can support their events and activities a little more. They have
been supporting ours for years.
It was nice to be able to
present a check for the hospital
at the last stated meeting. The
money was earned through our
participation at the Small Drum
Corps Association Exhibition
held in Pittsfield in October. As
I told the audience that day we
rely on support from other organizations to keep our hospitals working efficiently. Thank
you to all those who helped
bring that project to fruition.
Time to call it a day...and a
year! As we enter the Christmas
Season, I would like to extend
the best of Holiday Wishes to
all, be their beliefs what they
may. There is something about
the time of year which seems to
bring out the best in us. May the
light of the season, be it from
bulb or candle, remind us of
that divine light which brings
peace on earth.
Continued on page 7
Melha Shrine Center
MELHA SHRINE UNITS
Melha Shrine Units
From the Whitcomb Family,
I have enjoyed doing the * BUFFET $35.00
we would like to wish you and Camelha, but guess it’s time to
PER PERSON
God bless you, and Rock the yours a happy and safe Thanks- step down. The old saying we * CASH BAR.
giving.
need new blood etc. I will conFez!
tinue to do the Camelha until a * BRING A $2
Highlanders
Flyers
SCRATCH TICKET
volunteer comes forward that
By
Dick
MacGregor
By Katherine Whitcomb
will take over the duties. I will * DRAWING AT END
Another year has passing assist them in any way I can.
As the weather gets colder
OF PARTY.
our thoughts turn to winter and winter is settling in. Hope
Hope to see all our invited
coats, snow shovels, and how all of you had a wonderful guests and Legion members at * RESERVATIONS
MUST, BY DEC. 10
soon some of us can escape Thanksgiving. The Highlander our Christmas Party. RememSouth! We also plan holiday Christmas party is coming up ber keep our troops safe, and * CONTACT BOB
THRESHER
get-togethers with family and or has passed, depending when in our hearts during the holifriends, and this year our family you receive your Camelha. I’m day season, and always GOD [email protected]
will be getting an early Christ- sure everyone had a good time. BLESS AMERICA.
M-413-813-4197
mas present – by the time this The new year will see new ofEven if you don’t march
ficers
installed
on
the
first
Monarticle is published my wife
with us or carry a flag, you are
H-413-544-419
and I will have hopefully wel- day in February. The new slate still a Veteran brother, and a
PAST MASTERS
comed our first grandchild! My of the Temple officers and Di- member of this great Unit. Let
van
will
be
elected
at
the
annual
younger daughter and her husus start the New Year off right, by Richard Poudrier
band are expecting a baby girl, meeting on January 9th. Every- and together as one.
Greetings Nobles,
who is supposed to make her one should make an effort to at- LEGION CHRISTMAS PARTY
I hope the Thanksgiving
To ALL Legion of Honor memappearance sometime around tend this important meeting.
Holiday went well. The holiday
This will be the last article I bers, both uniformed and non- season has begun and with it all
Thanksgiving. An extra-special
will
write for the Camelha. Our uniformed. 2014 Paid up mem- those things that make it a seapresent to put under the tree!
Jr.
Past
Chief, Garth Parker will bers join us for the:
The winter season also ushson we look forward to every
2014 L.O.H.
take
over
this duty for the Januers in the Fez’tival of Trees.
year.
Christmas Party
Last year I helped Malcolm ary paper.
On Sunday December 14,
I would like to take this opCorse and his Lady Winnie set
2014,
members of the Past
* DEC. 14, 12:00 - 15:00
up the Franklin Shrine Club portunity to wish you and your
Masters Unit of Melha Shrine
tree. If you ever want a laugh loved ones a Merry Christmas * LA NOTTE’S RESand the Scottish Rite Valley of
TAURANT E.
come down and watch a bunch and a healthy and happy New
Springfield, their family
WINDSOR, CT.
of Shriners set up a new tree Year.
Continued on page 8
That’s all for now, Mac
from a box – the first one to
look at the directions loses!
LEGION OF HONOR
Speaking
of
escaping
by Richard S Skowron
South, remember the 4th AnNominations for the 2015
nual Melha Winter Picnic, to be
Legion officers were read and
held at the Citrus Shrine Club
all accepted, and are as follows
in Inverness, Florida (468 N
Bob Thresher Commander
Woodlake Avenue). You can
- Lenny Stratton 2nd Lt Cmdr.
call Malcolm Corse at (413)
- P.C. Paul Frenier Person369-4608 for information and
nel officer and Chaplain - P.C.
reservations.
Stanley Heaton Finance Officer
As always, remember to vis- Matt Herman 1st Lt Cmdr. it your Blue Lodges. I recently
Steve Maagero Sgt-at-Arms went to a local Lodge meeting
P.C. Richard Skowron Adjutant
and ended up filling the role of
- Bob Thresher Membership
Junior Deacon, where I found
Liaison
that changes have been made to
LEGION TRAILER
the short form opening. (HapNobles from any Shrine
pily the Senior Warden helped
by Jim Spear
unit,
or Shrine Center, riding
me with the changes in ritual.)
The group who attended the Legion Trip to D.C. the first part
It is always good to keep your the trailer would make the use of November. We left on Thursday by bus and returned Sunday.
ritual memory fresh – think of of the trailer worthwhile.
There were 50 plus folks led by Richard and Dianne Marceau.
CAMELHA REPORTER
it as brain training!
A great time was had by all.
Continued from page 6
Legion Trip To Washington
D.C.
December 2014
7
MELHA SHRINE UNITS
Melha Shrine Units
Continued from page 7
and friends will be attending
the Holiday Gala at the Salem Cross Inn located in West
Brookfield, MA. It promises to
be an evening of seasonal songs
with the cast dressed in 19th
century period costumes. A
Traditional New England Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings will be the fare of the
evening. But best of all, it will
be a great opportunity to experience the warmth of fellowship
when family and friends of our
brethren get together. Our Holiday Gala is our premier events
which we enjoy every year.
At our November meeting
the Assistant Rabban, Brian
Connor, dropped in for a visit.
It is always a treat to have a
member of the Divan attend
one of our meetings. Special
Kudos goes out to Ill. Bob Marshall, who attends our meetings
when his busy schedule allows.
Our units members, as
noted in the last article, have
been busy installing officers
not only their district but also
in other districts when called
upon. They are also responding to requests to help out with
degrees when lodges are short
of officers. Our President, Mark
Muller who is also active volunteer, commends those who
are participants.
Our unit notes the passing of Wor. David Levin. Wor.
Levin was a past master of
William Whiting Lodge which
was located in Holyoke, MA..
William Whiting Lodge is no
longer in existence. Wor. Levin
was master of William Whiting
Lodge the same year I was master for the first time in Mount
Tom Lodge in 1981. Our unit
extends condolences to his
family.
The Election of officers, the
new appointments in Grand
Lodge and the Feast of Saint
8
John are held in December. For
those District Deputies whose
terms are up, we thank for their
service and look forward to
welcoming the new District
Deputies.
On behalf of the president, officers and members of
the Past Masters Unit, I wish
all the nobles and their families of Melha Temple a Very
Happy Holiday Season and a
Healthy and Prosperous New
Year. REMEMBER TO SUPPORT YOUR BLUE LODGE
AND SHRINE AND GET INVOLVED
Melha Golf League
Riders
by Mike Greenberg
Fellow Riders: This is my
final article as the Melha Riders Correspondent. I have been
writing this column since the
inception of the Riders back in
1998. It has been a sometimes
frustrating but usually rewarding experience watching the
Riders grow and mature over
the last 15 years. The Riders
are a great and colorful group
and there is always good material to choose from. It has been
a genuine pleasure to write it
all down. Now it is time for
someone else to assume this responsibility and keep the Club
entertained and informed. I will
say, it isn’t as easy as you think
coming up with something creative, informative and amusing
month after month so… you
got what you got. To those who
offered praise I thank you. To
those that criticized, (usually
the ones who never did anything but complain) rather than
tell you to stick it, I instead offer that you now have the opportunity to offer your services
to the cause and see if you can
do better.
A new slate of officers is
Continued on page 10
photo by Phil Thomas. Left to right: Junior player Garth Parker, most valuable player and winner of
the “A” division Neil McElwey, Steve Burrall Division “B” winner, Dick MacGregor league statistician
holding the league trophy, Treasurer David Ramdell and League President Mark Dunn. Absent from
photo is Wayne Vangness division “C” winner.
by Phil Thomas
The Golf League had its
31st banquet at Melha on October 31st with 22 Nobles attending, A great meal was served
by Tony and Penny’s. It was
decided at the meeting the golf
league would continue to play
at East Mountain Country Club
at 3 PM on Friday’s. It was also
agreed that Nobles 70 and older
could play from the senior tees
if they so desired.
The next season will start in
March 2015. Looking for new
members. See you all next season on the green. Have a great
holiday season.
Clothes For The Homeless
By James Marceau
A reminder to all Nobles,
family, and friends that the
Clothing for the Homeless
Drive is in
full swing
until January 31,
2 0 1 5 .
The collection
box is in
place behind the
stage as a drop off for warm,
gently used clothes. White cotton socks would be very appreciated. Here is your chance to
clean out that closet and donate
all the articles you have been
keeping for no particular reason. They would be better used
keeping a homeless person
warm this winter. Don’t forget,
there are homeless women and
children too. May God bless
you for you generosity.
Melha Shrine Center
MELHA SHRINE clubs
Berkshire Shrine
Club
by John Fiske
The Berkshire Shrine Club
will be meeting November
12,2014 at the Mystic Lodge on
116 South St., in Pittsfield,Ma.
The Social will be at 6pm with
the dinner at 7pm. The cost is $
12.00 pp.
The Club has just finished
a busy Fall season of parades.
We have one more the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The
details will be available at the
meeting. We have had a really
good season. There has been
more brothers in the parades
and there has been a good selections of vehicles.
We had our annual meeting
at the Jail on Oct.8th and voted
our new officers for 2015.
President: Dave Waltermire
- 1st Vice President: Les
Rhinemiller - 2nd Vice
President: Kurt Haswell
- Secretary: Kevin Lehrer Treasurer and Parade Captain:
Mark Feder - Circus Chairman:
Bob Waltermire - Paper
Drive Chairman and Camelha
Correspondent - : John FiskeChaplin: Walter Bradley
We Thank these Nobles for
stepping up and making the
Club a Super organization. We
would like to give a special
Thank you to Shaun and Dick
Murphy for their support of
the Club during a very difficult
time for them
Sunshine
Notice:
On
Nov.13 Noble Chuck Gardner
will be under going major surgery. We send him our Prayers
and Best Wishes
First is New Years Eve.
[SEE OUR FLYER] What a
party this going to be, sit down
dinner, live band, and new
and old friends both Shriner’s
and non Shriner’s. All this for
99.00 per couple. Reservations
are a must. Call Ed Gillis at
413-531-3121 or Bob Salmon
at 860-623-4511. We need to
know menu choices and how
many in your party. Checks
may be made payable to PVSC
or by credit card by calling the
Melha office. The cut-off date
is 12/20/14. Hope to see all of
you there.
On January 7 2015 PVSC
will host our annual member
and possible new member pizza night. All members of melha
are welcome. Ten dollars per
couple gets you pizza and your
yearly dues. WHAT A DEAL.
We will be electing officers for 2015. The nominating
committee has chosen: Jack
Greaves: pres. - Marc Babilonia: 1st vice - Bob Salmon:
sec - Harry Ishler: treas. We
need someone to step up for
2nd vice. We will also be talking about events for 2015.
That’s it for now hope to see
everyone on New Years Eve.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL
Italian American
Club
by Roy Martin
The Next Italian American
Club Meeting will be December 12. all nobles are welcome
and encouraged to come down
and join the fun and fellowship
of this group. You do not have
to be Italian
Pioneer Valley
Shrine Club
by Bob Salmon
Hello from the pioneer valley. It getting colder, the leaves
are gone and hello winter. Lots
of information this month so
lets get started.
December 2014
9
MELHA SHRINE center
Melha Units
continued from page 8
scheduled to assume command
of the Riders in 2015. President
Mike Cote will lead. 1st VP
Rick LaMotte, 2nd VP Felix
Parker, Secretary Dan Swiecanski (hope I spelled that one
right) & of course Howie “two
ply” Shapiro continues to serve
as the numbers cruncher and
bill payor. Yes Howie likes seeing money come in and whines
when it goes out but that is the
sign of a good Treasurer. On the
subject of money, the Hospital
Run for 2014 raised over 13K!!
The holidays are fast approaching and that means the
wheel barrel of cheer is in high
gear. The drawing will be held
on Dec. 8th @ 9 PM at Maximum Capacity in Chicopee.
For the final time I will say
bring in your bottle and buy
or help sell some tickets. The
money from this fund-raiser allows us to continue to do what
we do. Whether you are waiting for Santa Claus or the Hanukkah Armadillo to bring you
some new chrome this holiday
season, my sincere wishes for a
happy and healthy holiday season to you and your families.
The End
Grand lodge of
MAssachusetts
one day class
It’s
Not
Too
Late?
Membership
Gold in 2015
The
ONE
DAY
CLASS on Mar. 7 seems a
long way off but the reality is
that, the end of Dec. is when
all the paperwork is due:
• Have you done an
Investigation?
• Have you done a
background check?
• Have you Published
your candidates in
the lodge bulletins?
If you answered no to
any of these questions, contact your Lodge Secretary
and let’s get to the FINISH
LINE!
UNCLE MILTY’s 2015 MELHA GAME
DINNER AUCTION Jan. 17, 2015
1. UNCLE MILTY’S PRIVATE DINING ROOM FOR TEN.
2 SERVED FAMILY STYLE
FIRST BY A WAITRESS.
3 THREE DRINK TICKETS PER PERSON
4 THREE RESERVED PARKING SPACES
5 TWO COMPLEMENTARY BOTTLES OF WINE
6 FIVE MEAT PIES TO GO
All bids must be sent to the Melha Recorder’s office
by mail to UNCLE MILTY’S AUCTION, 133 Longhill
Street, Springfield, MA 01108 and postmarked no later
than January 8, 2015 or by E-mail [email protected] no
later than January 8th, 2015. Minimum bid is $1,000. Bid
winner will be announced on January 9, 2015.
10
Melha Shrine Center
MELHA shrine ladies
Daughters of the
Nile
by Pr. Olive Larson
A Message from Our Queen:
Merry Christmas and Happy
Hanukkah! It is the most wonderful time of the year. A time
to reconnect with old friends
and family. I realize most budgets these days are very tight,
but you do not have to buy an
expensive gift to say your special, I miss you or I love you.
Pick up the phone, call
someone and say,
“Merry
Christmas or Happy Hanukkah.
I miss you or reminisce about
______ or remember when and
laugh together”. You can mail
a meaningful card already preprinted or written in your own
words. The most important
thing to the recipient is that they
were remembered.
It’s always been about remembering our fellow woman
or man and sharing our love and
compassion with one another. I
wish everyone a Joyful Holiday
Season. Queen Carolyn
Congratulations to Princess
Geraldine Matthews on receiving her 25 year membership
pin.
At our November Session
we celebrated Founders Day.
Our Historian Pr. Ruth Hunter
shared some wonderful memories of our Temple during her
report. It was nice to see so
many of our Past Queens, and
Past Queen Faye Ward of Ankh
Temple in Bangor Maine and
dual member of Ahlem Temple,
left 18 inches of snow in Bangor to be with us.
Thank you to everyone who
helped at the Autumn Days fair
on November 8th.
Change of Dates: Note that
our December Session will be
on Wednesday, December 10th
and also January 7th at the
Shrine Center.
For the Holiday – “Tis heavenly music you must play for
December 2014
heavens child is here today.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah. - From
14th century carol.
FORGET-ME-NOTS
by Edith Sweeney
“Forget-me-nots” wish a
happy holiday season to all.
Celebrate with
family
and
friends
often and share
memories.
Stay
warm
and well! Our
next planned meeting is Friday, March 20, 2015 at a local
restaurant - to be announced
in Feb. please contact Corinne
Pierson, 413-789-8148, Claire
Patruno 413-596-3251 or Edith
Sweeney
esweeney12@cox.
net”
HELMA CT 64
by Anita L. Tetreault
Once more a brand New
Year has quietly and quickly
sneaked up on us, making us
wonder, as we do every January, how it could possibly have
happened. But that’s life, and
most of us actually enjoy the
process, although we don’t admit it.
Thursday, January 8 will be
our first Court meeting of the
year 2015. Let’s see if we can
all attend.
The Traveling Ladies will
meet on Sunday, February 8 at
2 pm at Lady Joyce Frechette’s
house. There will be an election
of officers.
And let’s keep saving those
tabs. Recycling of these tabs,
as we know, gives us the funds
to help the hospitals with the
items they might otherwise not
be able to receive for the care of
the children.
In the picture L-R Helene Calvanese LOSNA, Collette Parsons
Recorder LOSNA, Sue a large contributor and camper, Vicky the
organizer, and Brian Scott Melha Shriner
Kenolie Village Campgrounds is a family campground 12 miles out from Brattleboro VT in Newfane, VT.
They have been collecting
can tabs for apx 5 years now.
Vicky the sister of the campground owner Buster Dowley
has a grandson that is an outpatient of our hospital. Every year
they strive to beat the previ-
ous years donations so that the
children can get much needed
things.
On the Columbus Day
weekend Collette Parsons, Recorder of LOSNA, her daughter, Kathy Hamel, Helene Calvanesee LOSNA ventured up
to collect the tabs and present
a certificate of Appreciation to
the campgrounds.
Why Advertise
in the
Camelha?
• Your business reaches over 1500
potential new customers.
• You help reduce the operating
expenses of your Shrine.
• Network your company with your
fellow Nobles.
11
Melha Calendar of Events
December
1 to 7 Mon - Sun Fez’tival of Trees
31 Wed 6:00 PM New Year’s Eve Celebration at
Melha Shrine Center [BA]
Every Monday Highlanders [BA]
7 Sun 1:00 PM Berkshire Shrine Club Holiday
Every Tuesday Military Band [BA]
Party
[BA] = Butterfield Auditorium Event
8 Mon 6:30 PM Board of Directors Meeting
8 Mon 6:30 PM Franklin Shrine Club December All events are at the Melha Shrine Center unless
noted above. Time and dates subject to change.
Social
10 Wed Daughter’s of Nile Full Session [BA]
11 Thu 6:30 PM Hadji and Directors Dinner
14 Sun Children’s Christmas Party [BA]
17 Wed 7:30 PM Stated Meeting [BA]
18 Thu Daughters of the Nile Patrol Rehearsal
[BA]
25 Thu Merry Christmas - Office Closed
26 Fri Office Closed