Nobles, Illustrious Sirs, Ladies and Friends of Bektash
Lady Mili and I would like to congratulate and welcome our newest Nobles that joined the Bektash family at our Summer Picnic on July 22nd. Congratulations Noble Nikolai Kozulin. Welcome to the Bektash family. We look forward to seeing you often.
With all the rain that we have had this summer, I want to thank all the parading units for braving the elements and getting out there and being Shrine Proud even in the pouring rain. Several units have marched in the rains when possible. Many cities and towns have cancelled parades. But the ones that did not, we stuck it out. Thank you Nobles.
We also want to thank Ill. Brent Norris PP and Lady Tracey for yet another fun packed picnic. The annual picnic was well attended and it was very nice to see some faces of Nobles that have not visited us in a long time. As usual, there were plenty of shenanigans and games enjoyed.
During the summer picnic, we held a brief Hillbilly meeting where we elected new officers for the clan. It will be great to see the Hillbillies return again. And just in time to have them parade along with us at the Northeast Parade on August 12th.
Several Bektash Nobles and Ladies went south to the 149th Imperial Session in Charlotte NC this year. We had 14 in attendance. As your elected representatives, Chief Rabban Alan Fillingham and I participated in the voting during sessions. You will find a detailed writeup from me in this edition of the News.
I would like to take note though that the increase on the Per Capita passed with an amendment. The original article presented was for a Per Capita Increase of Thirty Dollars. After much discussion and several amendments presented on the floor, the Article passed with a TWENTY dollar increase. This per capita increase will reflect in our annual dues here at Bektash. This increase is long over due and had a great deal of support from most of the Temples attending Imperial Session. This is the only was that we can sustain ourselves for the foreseeable future.
I had the pleasure of attending the annual Rainbow Grand Assembly on July 30th and presented them a donation along side Noble Dave Walters from the Monster Trucks/High Rollers. Later in the month I attended the NH Rainbow Grand Officers & Representatives reception July 29th and gave them a brief presentation on the Shrine and our Hospitals.
Once again, I highly encourage all Nobles to come out and volunteer for our Northeast Shrine Association Fall Field Days coming up this month. Come parade with us was we host this year. If you cannot parade, come help with making this an event that will leave an impression on the city and our counterparts from around the Northeast. Signup for the Ladies luncheon and meet with Shrine Ambassador, Kaleb as he speaks at the ladies luncheon.
Just after we close up our Fall Field Days, and take a little time to rest up, our newly formed Cigar Smoker Club, N.O.A.H, will be hosting our 3rd Annual Cigar Smoker at our hall on August 26th. A great meal is planned as well as a Silent Auction and door prizes. Registration is available on our website.
The annual Masonic unity picnic at Wellington State park is scheduled for Sept 17th this year. All bodies are invited. I hope to see you all there too. There is a flyer in this edition of the News
September 22nd , we have our 3rd Annual Lady Amy Freeman Memorial Golf Tournament. Registration will be up on the website soon. So get your teams ready and your swing all tuned up.
And just as we thought we would miss our counterparts, in October, we have our Tri- Visitation with Anah and Kora Temples. This year being hosted by Kora. The event will be held at the Poland Springs resort and planning is underway still with Kora. More details are coming out soon.
Paul M Little
Potentate 2023