Here’s hoping that you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Personally, I ate too much (and Marilyn agreed with that).
The Feztival of Trees was lots of fun. We had Santa and Mrs. Claus visit and the children were so excited to see him. There were 100 trees displayed, and we are beholding our Oriental Guide, Brett Hunter for taking on the task of chairing the event. We also cannot forget the numerous nobles and their ladies who volunteered their time and efforts to make this a success.
New carpet runners have been put down at the rear and side exits of the main hall. With the winter weather now upon us, this should cut down on the amount of snow, slush and salt that gets tracked into the building. They will help keep our carpet cleaner, while still maintaining the good looks of the hall.
We’re planning on getting the carpet in the main hall cleaned this month. Our present cleaning crew does a wonderful job here and they have the industrial equipment to tackle the shampooing. It’s the consensus of the Finance Committee that we do this on an annual basis. We’ve got a beautiful hall, and it should be kept up.
Please don’t forget to come to your annual Bektash meeting on the 18th of December. This is one of the most important meetings of the year. You will have the opportunity to vote for your incoming officers and we need your input on the upcoming 2024 budget. Light fare and refreshments will be available for your enjoyment. Come early and visit with your Brethren for a while. It’s always fun to catch up on the goings on at your Shrine and we look forward to seeing you there.
Hopefully, you have now paid your dues for 2024. It’s $110.00 per year to belong to one of the greatest organizations in the world. If you find yourself in financial straits or having difficulty paying, I implore you to contact the office so we can work things out. My door is always open if you need to discuss your situation. Anything you divulge will be kept in strictest confidence.
As we approach the upcoming Holidays…whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, or other celebration, it’s important to remember our blessings. Keep those less fortunate in countries facing turbulent times in your thoughts and prayers. We should be so thankful to be able to go about our daily lives enjoying our freedoms and being able to worship in our own ways.
Isn’t it great to be a Shriner and a Mason?
Tom Brison, PP, Recorder