Greetings all!!
I thought I’d change the format a tad this month and give this report a title if you will. Calling this months report, Taking Care of “The House”.
So, along that line, let me start by saying that as I write this it is Tuesday September 22nd. Yes!! A couple days beyond the deadline!! But there are reasons for that!!
Yesterday was the 6 th Annual Lady Amy Golf Tournament and what a great and glorious day it was!! I like to think that this was Amy looking down on all of us and continuing her great legacy of fun and service!! Beautiful weather, course in great shape with more improvements coming. There were plenty of great people, both non-Shriners and their Lady’s and Shriners and their Lady’s participating and helping our great cause. A ton of laughs, great Shrine Hospitality and golf. It sure did beat working!! And the proceeds are going to taking care of “THE HOUSE”!!
Last Friday night was Fun and Fellowship night sponsored by Oriental Guide Rich Cloutier and Lady Wanda. Food there was a plenty, and the cheeseburger toppings, as promised, were amazing!! If you left hungry or not satisfied, it’s your own fault!! National Cheeseburger Day was well celebrated at Bektash!! Great time with several birthdays celebrated too!! Lady Emelie, Lady Rose and First Lady Dixie!! More fun at “THE HOUSE” called Bektash.
One of several highlights from the Stated Meeting was the induction of yet another new Shriner, Grandey West, fezed by his wife Karly. The Nobles also voted in another Master Mason and Past Master of Washington Lodge, Paul Mansur. Paul will be inducted very soon, and we welcome him and Grandey to “The House”!!
Another Stated Meeting topic presented to the Nobility under the guise of building needs was how a 38- year-old HVAC mechanical system has failed and the need to take care of “THE HOUSE” by replacing the unit. While an expense we didn’t anticipate, the Nobility agreed and approved $22,750.00 for this purpose.
The Bektash News was also a topic spoken about. Yes, we have seen some great strides, but we continue to have some errors in content. While minor in nature, they do not reflect on us well. All of us that work on the “News” will do our utmost to be better proofreaders. And if any of you would like to help, please feel free to reach out as, we are always looking for help in “The House”.
Nobles, dues notices have begun to come from Imperial. The first round went out last week in the form of an e-mail notification. Please know that we here at Bektash are always here for you and to assist in making those payments should you require some help.
Along that line, there are currently 22 Bektash Shriners on the verge of suspension for non payment of dues. Please Nobles, know that we are here for you and should there be circumstances we need to be aware of, please reach out. You should never feel afraid or embarrassed to ask for or how we can help. That’s what fraternity is all about. It’s all about taking care of “The House”.
On the Bektash horizon, there is still time to get in on the Tri Visitation at Kora Shrine. Please refer to last months issue if you are interested. The dates are October 23rd thru the 25th.
Our next Fun and Fellowship night will feature a Fall Harvest theme. That will be on SATURDAY OCTOBER 10th here at Bektash!! Offerings from the fall harvest will be the menu for the evening. Come enjoy with your fellow Shrine family!!
The Fez-Tival of Trees is right around the corner and meeting dates and times are in this issue!! The Fez-Tival occurs this year between November 21 st -29th . Please everyone, we need your participation to ensure “The House” remains strong and vibrant!!
And don’t forget the Boston Hospital Haunted Walk occurring on Sunday October 18th at the Garden at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA. Everything you need to know about participating in or donating to this event is at Shriners Children’s Boston – Boston Haunted Walk or htpps://bostonhauntedwalk.org
As I conclude my report for this month please allow me to refer back to my opening and the need to “Take care of The House”.
Nobles, as I spoke during my remarks at the Stated Meeting, I just want touch on the point again of taking care of us, “The House”. We seem to have forgotten that taking care of us, you, the nobility, post our performances, parades or other events is so important. We say that we are a fraternity having fun with a purpose. We should therefore never forget that purpose and fun are of equal importance and not doing both of these, equally, only hurts “The House”.
Yes, our Hospitals and Clinics need our support, but please remember that without “The House” we call Bektash, we cannot help our greatest philanthropy the world has ever seen, Shriners Children’s.
Hoping our paths soon cross when I can personally thank you all for allowing me the honor of being YOUR Recorder,
Fraternally,
Lloyd