Many of you have been asking, “What is the NSA?”. It’s the Northeast Shrine Association, of course, comprised of 16 Shrine Temples in New England area and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Every year in the early spring we get together to discuss what’s happening at Shriners Childrens, meet to exchange ideas and lay out the plans for the Fall Field Days. Each Temple takes a turn hosting the meetings and the Fall Field Days. In 2023, it’s Bektash’s turn at the helm.
Mark your calendars because the Fall Field Days are the highlight of the NSA activities, and are scheduled for August 10 -12, 2023. We are planning a parade in Concord with numerous activities for all nobles and their families. There will be motor corps, clown, and band competitions at New Hampshire Technical Institute. All the attending Temples will be marching in the parade with their Units and Divans on Saturday.
There will be an NSA Lady’s Program which tentatively includes a local trip and a luncheon. Our headquarters Hotel for all the events is the Marriott Courtyard in Concord where the big awards banquet is being held on Saturday night. For the latest information, please visit our website: northeastshrineassociation.com. We will be updating the information as it becomes available.
We are looking at some improvements to our building. The sound system in the smaller hall tends to go silent when most needed. (A Past Potentate confided with me that if the amplifier gets a resounding slap, it starts working again!) A company has agreed to look at it and give us a quote on the repairs/replacement.
Bektash has signed a contract for a brand-new copier. The old one is five years old, getting a bit tired and has lots of mileage on it. With the trade in, and negotiations, we will save money on the new lease. We use this copier/printer for publishing the Bektash News and is highly relied upon in our day-to-day responsibilities. It’s also used to print flyers for the Fez-tival of Trees, the Eggstavaganza, Bingo etc.
Your Finance Committee has asked me to inquire about a new electronic key system for the building. It will work pretty much the same as the credit card keys you use at a hotel. I don’t have all the details on this new technology but will report back to you in our June issue of the Bektash News.
The parking lot repaving project is still underway. We’re presently working with different paving companies getting quotes and negotiating prices. Hopefully, we will be able to get started with the work within a month or so. It all depends on the weather!
Well, that’s about all I’ve got to tell you about this month.
It’s great to be a Shriner!
Tom Brison, PP, Recorder