Volume Springfield, Massachusetts 3, Issue 8 December 2016

InsIDeFlorence HolIDay ParaDeHonorIng noble JIm brazeaus

P1, P14

central mass sHrIne clubP1, P15

Fall ceremonIal Dec 10neW! rIDers Degree

P8

Potentate’s messageP2

From tHe recorDer, sHrIne lIFe cycles P3, P4

melHa unIts & clubsP6, P7, P8, P9

melHa laDIesP11

eVent calenDarback Page

Central Mass Big On Fun And Fellowship

Melha Honors The Memory Of Noble Jim Brazeau At Florence Parade

Photo Mike Robinson. President Ray and Illust Bob mugging for the camera.

By Michael RobinsonThe Melha Shrine Clubs are

organized geographically for those Shriners who are not lo-cal to the Shrine Center. Cen-tral Mass Shrine Club borders the eastern part of the Shrine’s ‘Oasis’ or jurisdiction. We share Worcester with Aleppo Shrine. Worcester “Wustah” is sort of like the Shrine DMZ.

Central Mass is a small club by and I don’t hear about activi-ties on a regular basis. Vince and Joanne Bradley convinced me, at Chief Rabbans’s Night, that I needed to broaden my education. So here I am driv-ing out to the hinterlands on a Thursday night for their monthly meeting. Dinner is at

Continued on page 15

Photos by Bert Krasner & Carla Wessels. Kurt Brazeau, co-owner of MurDuff’s Jewelry, serving Dunkin Donuts and coffee to Melha Shriners before the parade.

By Michael RobinsonNoble James Brazeau’s pass-

ing this past February was a big loss to Melha Shrine and the Legion of Honor. But if you look further than our organi-zation, Jim’s passing created a larger tear in the fabric of his home town, Florence, MA, and its business community. He was considered the heart and

Continued on page 14

Photo by Bert Krasner. Craig Kazan clowning around at Rays of Hope

2 melha shriners

POTENTATE’S MESSAGE

tHe oFFIcIal PublIcatIon oF melHa sHrIners,

sHrIners InternatIonalCAMELHA

Available on the Web atwww.melhashriners.com

EDITORMichael Robinson

editor@melhashriners.com860 748-8128 (c) - 413 567-2138 (Hm)

CAMELHA DEADLINE 12TH OF THE MONTH

Forward UNIT EVENT information for advance publication and public news releases. ‘NEWSPAPER ENTERTAIN-MENT CALENDARS’ need info submit-ted 2 weeks prior to event.

all content [Articles, Event No-tices, Event Photos] for the CAMELHA must be submitted by E-MAIL OR HARD COPY on or before the 12th of the month preceding publication.

All Classified and Billboard Ads must be submitted by the 1st of the month.

note: eDItor reserVes tHe rIgHt to eDIt all coPy.

sHrIners HosPItals For cHIlDren516 Carew Street - 413-787-2000Springfield, MA 01104Imp Ralph W. Semb P.P. ....Chair. Bd. of Trustees Emeritus.

melHa bD. oF goVernor membersGeorge Sachs, Joseph Surprenant, Edward Geoffrion, Craig Kazin, Gary SurprenantJason Freeman, Associate MemberEmeritus Members: Robert W. Clarke, Raymond Kalita, Edward B. Briggs, Edward Shore Jr. P.P., James Spear Jr.Chairmen Emeritus: Allen Zippin, P.P, Charles Weaver, P.P., Philip E. Thomas P.P., David Burstein

sHrIners burns HosPItal-boston51 Blossom StreetBoston, MA 02114-2699617-722-3000

melHa bD. oF goVernors membersDean WhalenRuss Mitchell, PPEmeritus Members: Saul Michaelson, Robert Spaulding P.P.

MELHA SHRINE BUILDING133 Longhill Street Springfield, MA 01108Tel.: ............................... (413) 736-3647Fax ............................... (413) 731-9572Philip E. Thomas, P.P. - Recordere-mail: .... recorder@melhashriners.comDebra Collins .......................... Secretary

Office E-mail: recorder1@melhashriners.com

OFFICE HOURS8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday

MELHA WEB SITEwww.melhashriners.com

PAY WITH CREDIT CARDMelha honors Visa, MasterCard and

Discover cards. Minimum amount charged must be $20.00. You may also pay online at our web site.

use it for: Dues, Melha Events, Fezzes, Melha

Trips, etc.

2016 DIVAN

Potentate ............Edward ‘Brian’ Connor413-636-4270Chief Rabban ............. Raymond Turrini413-297-8111Asst. Rabban ............... Robert Wogatske413-575-7788High Prst & Prophet ... Glenn Surprenant413-583-8991Oriental Guide ................... Daniel Smith413-531-3542Treasurer ................Ronald Gagnon P.P.413-568-4402Recorder ..............Philip E. Thomas P.P.413-736-36471st Cerem. Master .............. Leo Plourde413-348-3889Chief Director ....................Alan Stratton413-323-02682nd Cerem. Master ......Jeffrey Hastings413-896-7548Marshal ............................. Garth Parker413-265-9996Capt. of the Guard .........Randy Wessels508-344-4472

I hope that everyone in our Melha Family had a Happy Thanksgiving. And with the parade season over and Veter-ans Day, Balloon Parade and the last parade of the year, Florence, in the history books, I want to thank all the units and clubs for a successful season. Now, its time to focus on the big events in December - the upcoming Ceremonial, Fezti-val of Trees, and the Memorial Service.

The Ceremonial is the big-gest and most important event

we celebrate every year. I’m hoping that everyone will make every effort to be there for our newest Brothers to share in their initiation into our Temple. I have great faith in Al Stratton, Chief Director, and his team of Directors and oth-ers who will continue the tradi-tion of making the Ceremonial memorable for all.

Awaiting the final counts for this year’s Feztival of Trees, I am so glad that Ill. Bill Faust has made this event such a big success. With the newly designed web site and adver-tising campaign, I’m sure that this will continue to grow and become a holiday tradition for many area families for years to come.

Also, i would like to con-gratulate the recent installa-tion of all of the Worshipful Masters of the area lodges. I wish them well for a success-ful year. Please stop into your

lodge when you can and look for that one Mason that is look-ing for something more; as you know, new Shriners are always welcome.

On October 29, I had the honor to attend the installation of officers at Esoteric Sher-wood lodge which is also my lodge. A special congrats to Worshipful Anthony Leroux being installed as Worshipful Master. That same evening, I also attended the Oriental Band Halloween Party. Great job to Chris Parker and Rich-ard Smart for putting on a great time.

The year is quickly coming to a close but there’s still alot to be done. If you plan on attend-ing dinner before the Annual Meeting, please get your reser-vations into the office as soon as possible. An amazing dinner has been planned and I would like to see as many as possible join us for the meal. It’s hard to

believe that it’s almost time to install the new Divan and offi-cers for 2017.

On behalf of my lady, Shel-ley, I want to wish everyone Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Thank you to all of those Nobles that made this year so much fun and exciting; words cannot express my gratitude. Thank you for allowing me to be the Potentate of the best Shrine there is. I am blessed to be among all of you Nobles, my Brothers. And for Shelley, to be a part of this great organi-zation, it was an honor and she is grateful for those who acted as her mentor, her friend and her sister during this process.

See you soon!

Brian E. ConnerPotentate - Melha Shrine

December 2016 3

FROM THE RECORDER

Well, we are heading down the home stretch through the holiday’s and hopefully with good weather. I hope you can attend the Fall Ceremonial on Saturday, December 10. There is room for everyone. We have quit a few candidates that will be initiated and hopefully their mentors, 1st line signers, and all the unit and club members can be there to congratulate all the new nobles and to welcome them into our great shrine family. It will be a fun day.

Many events have been planned and I hope you can take advantage of them and have a great time.

Just around the corner after our New Year’s party is our Annual meeting on Friday, January 6, 2017. I would en-courage all the new members to plan on being at this event as we elected new temple offi-cers and to listen to the various reports. A wealth of knowl-edge can be received from this meeting that comes around once a year.

We are still open to receiv-ing new members. If you have someone in mine and need help, give me a call in the of-fice.

To your families, your of-fice staff wishes you all a very

PAST POTENTATES OF MELHA SHRINE

Name YearCharles Miller * ................................ 1897-1902William H. Titus * ............................. 1903-1904H. Leroy Woodward * ................................1905Charles L. Young * .......................... 1906-1907Robert P. Cunningham * ................. 1908-1909Fred R. Brown * ........................................1910Frank E. Ladd * ..............................1911 - 1912Albert E. Taylor * .......................................1913Hugh J. Buckley * ......................................1914Fred A. Eldred * .........................................1915Albert E. Lerche * ............................ 1916-1917Franklin A. Latimer * ........................ 1918-1919Walter H. Damon * .......................... 1920-1921Fred C. Smith * .........................................1922Harry H. Caswell * .....................................1923Charles F. Watson * ..................................1924Charles A. Frazer * ....................................1925John A. Webster * ........................... 1926-1927Walter S. Pease * ......................................1928George M. Hendee * .................................1929Harry A. Spaight * .....................................1930Carl P. Reilly * ...........................................1931Edward S. Chase * ....................................1932Arlan M. Spencer * ....................................1933Paul H. Hosmer * ......................................1934Henry K. Fruch * .......................................1935Walter E. Perry * ............................. 1936-1937John G. Rose * ..........................................1938Norman P. Dempsey * ...............................1939Alfred J. Bird * ...........................................1940George W. Streeter * .................................1941William L. McCleary * ................................1942George G. Carr * .......................................1943William E. Grobe * .....................................1944Earl C. Daniels * ........................................1945Dr. George W. Gray * ................................1946Donald H. Mudd * ......................................1947Wesley G. Stephens * ...............................1948Otto C. Kuhrt * ...........................................1949Theodore A. Wiel * ....................................1950Donald A Bartlett * .....................................1951James Matthew * ......................................1952Chester W. Haynes * .................................1953V. Frank Greis * .........................................1954Fred S. Conkey * .......................................1955Ralph F. Beaudry * ....................................1956Wayne H. Latham * ...................................1957Bennett W. Benson * .................................1958Norman R. Vestor * ...................................1959Jule Kaufman * ..........................................1960Robert E. Samble * ...................................1961Richard C. Zoller * .....................................1962Elliot Anderson * ........................................1963

John Baird * ..............................................1964Carl B. Martin Jr. * .....................................1965H. Edward Baker * ....................................1966Harold E. Kjoller * ......................................1967George Aronson * .....................................1968Maurice M. Chaffin * .................................1969Dr. Kenneth E. Nicholson * .......................1970Robert W. Nothacker * ..............................1971Jean R. LaCroix ........................................1972Phillip E. Taylor * .......................................1973John M. Samson * .....................................1974Maurice H. Baitler * ...................................1975William G. Kavaney * ................................1976Edward W. Bock * .....................................1977John R. Lundgren * ...................................1978Robert D. Davis * ......................................1979Kenneth E. Emery * ..................................1980Robert A. Meffen .......................................1981Jack A. Butterfield * ...................................1982Allen G. Zippin ..........................................1983John E. Bethel* .........................................1984Joseph A. Harrison* ..................................1985Donald J. Lohnes * ....................................1986Imp. Ralph W. Semb .................................1987Gordon J. Smith * ......................................1988Clyde O. Hooper Jr. * ................................1989David Skolnick * ........................................1990W. Douglas Spingler * ...............................1991Richard C. Bewsee ...................................1992Norman T. Maagero ..................................1993Arthur E. Hastings .....................................1994Edward W. Shore Jr. .................................1995Sheldon M. Titcomb ..................................1996Charles H. Weaver ....................................1997Philip E. Thomas .......................................1998Robert G. Spaulding Jr. .............................1999David J. Gates ..........................................2000Edgar W. Gelinas ......................................2001Edwin A. Os * ............................................2002Robert H. Marshall ....................................2003Anton E. Koss ...........................................2004James W. Marceau ...................................2005Tom D. Fielding .........................................2006Kirk E. Burkins ..........................................2007James H. Blevins ......................................2008Ronald R. Gagnon ....................................2009Jeffrey S. Goodless ...................................2010Russell D. Mitchell ....................................2012Edward F Griffin ........................................2013William Faust ............................................2014David F. Butterfield ...................................2015E. Brian Connor ........................................2016*deceased

MELHA SHRINEBeverage Manager ...........Dick MarceauBanquet Manager ............. Debra Collins

TRUSTEESAlan Couture(Chr.) .......... 413-537-1657Jack Greaves .................. 413-527-7355Michael Santos ................ 413-246-2804Richard MacGreggor ....... 413-896-5447John Scribner .................. 413-323-7729Anthony Langone ............ 413-205-9953

ADMINISTRATORSNick Creanza (Chr.) ......... 413-596-2577 Cary Miller ....................... 413-567-0514 Jeffrey Gopin ................ 1-774-452-2110Ron Gagnon .................... 413-568-4402Edward W. Shore III ........ 413-746-6442

Merry Christmas, Happy Ha-nukkah, and a Happy New Year.P.S. Your 2017 dues should be paid before December 31, 2016.

LIFE CYCLES

$100 MILLION CLUBIn memory of

Harvey Foumier from the Melha Military Band

In memory of rodney s. richardson

from the Melha Military Band

In memory of thomas Harly

From Kirke & Nancy Henshaw

BLACk CAMELrobert m. evans

sverre n. maagero samuel b. norton Jr.

rodney s. richardson John stanhope

Paul tessierDec. bIrtHDays

marc newman ......................................12/1John terault Jr ....................................12/1Jason yagodzinski .............................12/1gregory Wentworth ...........................12/2norman maagero PP ..........................12/3arthur Hastings PP ............................12/3michael lukakis ..................................12/3mark Feder ...........................................12/3tom Fielding PP ..................................12/4Frederick anderson ...........................12/4angelo Puppolo Jr .............................12/4germain tetreault ...............................12/5James Hodgen ....................................12/5kerry ruiz ............................................12/6raymond Dumas Jr ............................12/6c.a. Ingram ........................................ 12/7John burns ..........................................12/8robert benson ....................................12/8martin surabian ..................................12/8robert allard .......................................12/8Joseph buchholz Jr ...........................12/8John Drumm ........................................12/8Wendell Carduff ..................................12/9stanley Heaton Jr ...............................12/9Joel marchand ....................................12/9alfred ohlson ....................................12/10David cohen ......................................12/11Vincent stracuzzi .............................12/11kirke Henshaw ..................................12/11leslie lohnes ....................................12/11bradford June ...................................12/11alan kinsley ......................................12/11Walter bradley sr .............................12/12Henry Decoteau ................................12/13

Continued on page 4Melha Shrine Feztival of Trees

MELHA SHRINE

4 melha shriners

purpose of the Election of the Poten-tate, Chief Rabban, Assistant Rabban, High Priest & Prophet, Oriental Guide, Treasurer, and Recorder for 2017.

Also an election will be conducted for one (1) Trustee and one (1) Administra-tor. 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 inter-ested in a voting position should contact the Melha Recorder at 413-736-3647.

Edward B. Connor PotentateAttest: Philip E. Thomas PP. Recorder

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 2017 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 distri-bution 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 ex-penditure of money for gifts, favors, or entertainment on behalf of a candidate for elected office is prohibited.

62 - Bylaws (Iowa)(c) Violation. For any violation of (a)

or (b), the Imperial Potentate may sus-pend 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 YEARBy Philip E. Thomas, P.P. Recorder

For the information of uninformed members of the Nobility, when a Po-tentate’s term of office expires, all ap-pointments made by him during his administration TERMINATE, according to Imperial Code.

Dec. bIrtHDaysContinued from page 3Harry Ishler........................................12/13kenneth curry ...................................12/13Joseph ryan .....................................12/13John stone ........................................12/13sumner barr ......................................12/14mark Dwight ......................................12/14alexander Hindmarsh Jr .................12/15robert Wheeler .................................12/15Fred slattery Jr .................................12/15John Wilkinson sr ............................12/16James cooper ...................................12/16robert taylor sr................................12/17kevin o’connor ................................12/17george sachs ...................................12/18thomas Duclos .................................12/18stephen burrall Jr ............................12/19Harry Durant..................................... 12/20William koss .................................... 12/20James stephenson.......................... 12/20richard sutphen Jr ..........................12/21mark brainard .................................. 12/22oren Howard .................................... 12/23John thomas ................................... 12/23David ramsdell ................................ 12/23norman Peloquin ............................. 12/23melvin Johnson ............................... 12/24miguel Hollander ............................. 12/24steven Dietz ..................................... 12/24craig kazin ....................................... 12/24gerald Ducharme Jr ........................ 12/24robert solin ..................................... 12/25gary spear........................................ 12/25albert Williams ................................ 12/25Douglas taylor ................................. 12/26kenneth lapierre ............................. 12/26William boisvert .............................. 12/26kenneth Pauze ................................. 12/26Frederick rempp Jr ......................... 12/27David ritchie .................................... 12/27William mc clure .............................. 12/28John eisenbeiser ............................. 12/28William Isenhart ............................... 12/28Walter lother ................................... 12/28alfred Varelas .................................. 12/29Donald cherry .................................. 12/29christopher malcuit ........................ 12/29tom newman .................................... 12/30russell streeter ............................... 12/30Jason Polonsky ............................... 12/30bruce Perkins ...................................12/31richard macgregor ..........................12/31David kuklewicz ...............................12/31

Such appointments include ALL ap-pointed Officers, Potentate’s Aides, member of Committees and their Chair-men. 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 of-fice, must make his own appointments. The Potentate has the power and au-thority 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 Po-tentate. 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 of-fice, position or assignment tender his resignation to the incoming Potentate.

If it is the will and pleasure of the in-coming 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.

STATEd MEETING NOTICE

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 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 dis-semination of information to the mem-bership on matters relating to current Shrine events.

All nobles invited to attend, current dues card is required. Units and Clubs leaders are required to attend.

Proper attire is required and please wear your fez.

Edward B. Connor, PotentateAttest, Philip E. Thomas, P.P. Recorder

ANNUAL MEETINGFriday, January 16, 2017 at 7:00 P.m.DINNER: 5:45 P.M. $20.00

melHa sHrIne nobles:This Annual Meeting is called for the

MELHA SHRINE

December 2016 5

MELHA SHRINE UNITS & CLUBS

6 melha shriners

CLOWNSBy Jerry “ Fix-It “ Ducharme

So here it is December al-ready and another year has come and gone. Just like our Divan line changes in the be-ginning of the year so does the Leadership of the Clowns. So lets have a rundown of next years incoming officers shall we. The man keeping the minutes of our meetings wit a smile, just kidding he never smiles, will be Dave “ Patches “ Mereschuk. Next in line is the clown that keeps us in the black, you know and love him the one and only Craig “ Doc “ Kazin. Next we move on to the Second assistants position. The Chief affectionately has a different name for him but you all know him as Bill “ Railz “ MacKinnon. The next guy on the list is the First Assistant. He is the guy that brought you our Murder Mystery evening that went so well and while some people may call him short we call him Rob “ MiS-MaTcH “ Cote’. Last but not least is the clown at the top, the one they call Chief. He is a funny clown and has climbed the lad-der of leadership and now gets to wear the Fez of the Chief Clown for 2017. Oh yeah i al-most forgot to tell you who as I wrote all these compliments about myself, Yes it is none other than myself, Jerry “ Fix-It “ Ducharme. All joking aside I speak for all the incoming of-ficers when I say thanks to all the past years officers and also to every past Chiefs that we lean on for when we need help.

This past year has been in-teresting, different and fun.

I hope that next year we see more guys out an about getting into the grease paint and hav-ing fun. I am looking forward to this coming year and ev-erything it will bring our way. On behalf of the Melha Shrine Clowns I would like to wish everyone out there who reads this a very happy holiday sea-son and a great start to a new year.

DIRECTORSBy Frank Watson

Well we have had a beautiful fall and now are looking for-ward to Thanksgiving, and the December Holidays as well as a New Year. This year has gone by in a flash and we have been as busy as was planned. I want to thank all that have partici-pated in the events of the Mel-ha Center over the year. The Directors Unit has shown their leadership at the SDA Confer-ence, Circus, Red Sox Game, The Ballroom Dance, Support of the Hospital events, and our charge of providing tours at the Hospital.

The month of December looks to be a busy month. Once again Vincent Bradley and his wife Joanne are putting togeth-er a Christmas tree to be donat-ed by the Directors for the Fez tival of Trees Nov 25th – Dec 4th. If you haven’t been to this display please find the time, I know you will enjoy the beauty of the many trees.

We will hold our monthly meeting on Dec. 8th with a dinner and a visitation with the residents at the MASON-IC HOME in Charlton, Ma. Bus transportation and dinner

in the Grand Masters Din-ing Room will start at 5PM at Melha with dinner at 6pm at the home and return to Melha by 9PM. Cost is $25.00 and is open to all units. Contact to of-fice by Dec. 2nd We have only 47 seats at the Home so make your reservation early.

The Melha ceremonial will be under the direction of Allan Stratton, Chief Director on De-cember 10th. Please support Al in this program as we are given the charge to setup and assist in putting on the activities for the day.

CHARLTON HOSPITAL TRIP INFOBUS DEPARTS MELHA @ 5 PM - DINNER IN THE GRAND MASTERS DINNING ROOM @ 6 PM - VISIT WITH RESIDENTS - 7 PM to 8 PM - RETURN TO MELHA @ 9 PM - COST $25.000

DRUM CORPSby Jim Marceau,PP

Well here we are at the end of another busy year. And an eventful one it was, too! Before I forget, I would like to extend warm holiday wishes to all of you from all of us. We are a diverse group, but all are in search of light at this time of year, be it from candle or bulb. Yet we all know that the true source of light is the heart. So mote it be.

It seems that everyone is put-ting on a degree at Ceremonial, everyone, that is, except the Drum Corps. I proposed this

Continued on page 7

MELHA SHRINE UNITS & CLUBS

December 2016 7

unIts & clubsContinued from page 6idea for a fund-raising degree to President Ron the other day. The candidate is blindfolded and led into a darkened room.

We smack him up side the head with a bass drum mallet and take his wallet. We then dump the unconscious body into the dumpster and feign ignorance! Ron said the last part would be easy and that he would think about it.

The parade season ended in Florence, but the demand for the ensemble continues. We still need you at rehearsals as in the past. See you there. In the meantime, enjoy the holi-day season, have a great New Year, and Rock the Fez!

FLYERSBy Lance Whitcomb

The cold weather is upon us, and the snow can’t be far behind – it’s almost time for me to go south with the rest of the snowbirds! While I am looking forward to visiting the various Lodges and Brothers that I have met over the years, I will miss my grand kids – they change so fast when they are so young…

I’m sure that this year’s Fez-tival of Trees was a big suc-cess; it’s always fun to see all of the different themes. And of course our Fall Ceremonial is fast approaching!

Like always, remember to stop and visit your local Ma-sonic Lodges. As we look toward a new year and a new Potentate, the future of our organization – and our hos-pitals – rests in the hands of those young men beginning

their journeys into the Masonic Brotherhood.

From my family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season, and a safe and joyous new year.

HIGHLANDERSBy P. C. Corey LaCrosse

Hello Brother Nobles. I hope everyone had a great Thanks-giving I know I personally put on a good 2 or 3 or 10 pounds in a day. I call it preventative measures, insulation for a cold winter. I’m betting all of our snowbirds are enjoying the beach weather and Palm trees and not missing frozen Noses, or Toeses, or anything in be-tween. But I’m sure they know they are missed.

The annual election of offi-cers was held at the November Business meeting; next year’s slate of officers is as follows: Worthy Chief – P.C. Garth Parker, Deputy Chief – Nobel Anthony (Tony) Langone, As-sistant Chief – Ill. David But-terfield, Secretary – Noble Mark Mueller and Treasurer - P.C. John (Jack) Burns. Con-gratulations Brothers and your fellow Highlanders wish you all the best for success in the coming year.

Melha’s Ceremonial is Dec 10th. I hope every Highlander that is capable to do such is planning to attend. This is not only a great time to welcome our new Nobles into the shrine it’s also a great opportunity to make an impression on them and invite them to join the ranks of the Highlanders.

The Highlanders’ Holiday party is Monday December

19th in the Butterfield audito-rium 7PM with a social hour starting 6PM. The Dinner will be catered by Noble John and Lady Phyllis Thomas who always put on a great meal. Please contact Deputy Chief William Butman by December 14th for reservations.

I wish all Highlanders, La-dies, Nobles and their families Happy Holidays, the best of wishes for which ever festivi-ties you celebrate and a Very Happy New Year.

In closing I want to remind all MELHA Nobles the High-lander unit room is open every Monday night and all are wel-come. So, come on down, have a drink, see some old friends or meet some new ones. Support the Shrine center and our units. MELHA is our HOME, let’s keep it vibrant.

LEGION OF HONORBy P.C Richard Skowron, Adju-tant

I have been the Camelha editor for the Legion of Honor, and this is got to be the hardest article I’ve have had to write.

We have lost many Legion Members in the past all are missed. Last week we lost a Steve Maagero who I am sure everyone knew him as a great Shriner, Legion member and friend. He was a person who would help in any way to any-one in need. Steve battled his illness for a time with brav-ery, never complaining and through it all, still had a love for life. I know that Steve is at peace and is organizing those Legion Member in that

Continued on page 8

MELHA SHRINE UNITS & CLUBS

8 melha shriners

unIts & clubsContinued from page 7celestial Lodge above. We love you and will miss you. God bless Eva and the family for their heroic efforts with Steve and his health challenges.

While the Legion’s annual trip to Washington has passed we give kudos to P.C Dick Marceau and Lady Diane for always organizing a wonderful event that has so much mean-ing to our veterans.

The Unit thanks P.C. Dick Marceau and Lady Diane along with Noble Bruce Puti-nas, and his lady Pam for put-ting together our entry for the Feztival of Trees and to them and all those working to make this such a successful event. Anyone Legion member that can help in some way, please give Bill Faust a call. I’m sure he’ll need a slot filled.

Remember always that free-dom is not free. God bless our troops and a personal con-gratulations to President-Elect Donald Trump.

ORIENTAL BAND

By Andy L. ParkerHello fellow bandsmen and

all, hope all is well this fall time of year. I will work on getting our tree ready for the Feztival but will have to rope in Gary and Bobby. Florence parade will be over by the time this comes out. I’m still waiting for more phone calls, where are you? Remember, we have band practice Friday nights! Where is Paul Gluck when you need him? (sqeezebox)

Another great time was had at our halloween party, Richie, your the best! Did hear a ru-mor about a Valentine dance. If Richie is running it, will be good time for sure! (we even had butter this year!).

We did have a nice dona-tion made to ladder of smiles from Mark G, thank you. Ev-ery little bit helps. Mike A, you gotta work on Smitty, we need him. Our President is out west so tomorrow night we should spend, spend, spend, before we have nothing. Just another rumor floating about. Talked to Mike R. today about creat-ing a Go Fund Me page. Maybe we can raise a few dollars for

the Temple. Our band func-tions seem to do quite well fi-nancially. If the Temple and a few more units that had more functions and the money was directed to the Temple (not hospital) I think it would help us all around. Just a thought.

Happy Thanksgiving and we all are so lucky to be in this country, free, safe and with food in our bellies. With what other people in other parts of the world are living through, we have so much to be thank-ful for. That’s why it’s hard for me to keep bitching! (It’s just me) Thank you Lord for the chance to go to work, to share good times with friends and family, and most of all, to sup-port an organization that does such good work for all. God Bless.

PAST MASTERSBy Richard A. Poudrier

Greetings nobles, By the time you read this article, the holiday season would’ve offi-cially begun. Our 45th Presi-dent has been elected and Thanksgiving but a memory. Between now and new year is the busiest time of the year.

Since we haven’t had our PM Unit’s meeting prior to this article. I cannot report on it’s outcome. However, I can say at that meeting the slate of offi-cers for 2017 will be presented and voted on. More informa-tion as to the results in my next article.

Our unit’s dues bills have been sent out and you probably have received them by now. I lost my printer when it came time to make out and mail the

dues bills. With the help of my lady Susan we were able to ad-dress the envelopes by hand. I thank her for aiding me in this time of need. When you get your dues bill. Make your checks payable to the: Past Masters Unit and mail them back to Melha Shrine Center, 133 Longhill St., Springfield, MA 01108-1499 attn: PM Unit.

On behalf of our president, Joe Wescott, the officers and members of the Past Masters Unit, I wish all the nobles and their families a happy healthy holiday season.

BERkSHIRE SHRINE CLUB

by John H FiskeThe Berkshire Shrine Club’s

Christmas Party will be held on Dec. 17, 2016 at the Bass Water Grill in Cheshire, Ma. The social starts at 1 pm with the dinner at 2 pm. The Club is participating in the Feztival of Trees. If you haven’t had a chance to go to the Feztival, it is a fun experience for every-one. It is so nice to see 60+ decorated trees in one place.

The Club would like to wish each and everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

PIONEER VALLEY SHRINE CLUB

by Michelle GreavesSawasdeeka (hello) the

PVSC went to Exit 7 to see “Little Women” on October 30th. What a wonderful pre-sentation, the acting and sing-ing was out of this world, they were absolutely awesome.

Continued on page 9

The Famous Norwegian Smooch! Steve Maagero planting one on Skowie.

December 2016 9

MELHA SHRINE

THE RIdERS dEGREEAfter the Ceremonial Din-

ner. Sign up in advance with either Pres. Rick LaMotte 413-219-3333 or VP Rick Carter 413-237-3612. Tickets $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Indicate T-Shirt size when you make your reserva-tion.

2017 Fall Ceremonial Honors the following Nobles:

Jeff goodless, PP george sachs bert krasner

for their tireless and self-less efforts to always promote and create awareness for Melha Shrine and for the bet-terment of the Fraternity.

unIts & clubsContinued from page 8

We are planning another trip to Exit 7 on December 11th to see “A Christmas Carol”.

Please put this date on your calendars, Saturday February 11th, 6:00pm. We are hav-ing our annual “Get together party”, at the Butterfield Au-ditorium. This year instead of having Pizza we hope to have lasagna, salad and garlic bread. Come one come all to see what we have planned for the up coming year, we are also open to your suggestions. Delicious food, great fellowship and even a fun Chinese auction. We hope to see you there.

We have several ideas for next year; Exit 7 in April “The Producers”, bus trip to Salem, bus trip to the Casinos, the

Trolley Museum in Windsor Locks, Tokyo House diner, bus through Bright Nights, New Years Eve Party 2017. These are a few ideas we are consid-ering, we are also open to any suggestions that are brought up on the floor at the annual “Get Together Meeting”. So put your thinking caps on and bring some more ideas. We are always open for more sugges-tions.

This is the Holiday Season when family and friends get to-gether. We the PVSC wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a pros-perous and healthy New Year. If you are traveling stay save, if you are not enjoy. Please think and pray for those men and women who are in harms way.

The PVSC is a club of men Clown Unit Feztival of Trees Entry

and women, who get together for fun and fellowship. You do not have to be a Shriner to join in on the fun. So invite your friends to join in our various events, the more the merrier.

La Kxn (good bye)Pho

MELHA SHRINE SHORTS

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The directors Visit the Green Monster

Photos By Vince Bradley. Melha Directors trip to Fen-way Park August 28 2016 Pam Gates. went home with a sou-venir ‘foul’ ball.

28th Annual Melha Winter Picnic In FloridaBy Tony Koss, PP

Since 1979, the Melha Shri-ners have enjoyed a winter picnic somewhere in Florida. It gives us the opportunity to meet with Melha Snowbirds as well as Shriners that are local and from across North Amer-ica.

Join us on Sat., Feb. 4, 2017 at the Venice Shrine Club in their new pavilion on 151 S. Auburn Rd., Venice, FL 34292. Social hour starts at 11:00am. Lunch, catered by the famous Gold Rush BBQ, will be served at 12:00pm. The cost is an unbelievable $13.00 per person. Don’t miss this this event. RSVP with payment by Jan. 21, 2017 to: Tony Koss, 468 Spindrift Dr. S, Venice, FL 34285 or call 413-589-9518. We look forward to see-ing you here in beautiful Ven-ice, Florida.

Melha Golf League Annual Banquet

Melha Golf League had their Annual Golf Banquet at Melha’s Butterfield Audito-rium with 26 members attend-ing.

High Team Scorers, L to R Jack Greaves, Neil McElwey, Mike Sands, Paul Hayes

aboVe: New ‘Feztival of Trees’ parade banner displayed on Hadji’s ramp truck.

leFt: Melha Shriners with hospital staff & guests sup-porting 2017 Radiothon at Shriners Hospital. Photos by Bert Krasner & Carla Wessels

December 2016 11

MELHA SHRINE WOMENAHLEM TEMPLE 84

By Audrey MillgateThe Good News! We wish

you all Happy Holidays!And the other Good News!

You have not missed Ahlem’s Holiday Dinner. The dinner will be held at 5:00 PM on January 5, before session, at the Melha auditorium, enter-tainment to follow dinner. The price for a scrumptious dinner of chicken and all the fixings is only $15. Guests are most welcome to celebrate with the ladies of the household.

A request from Chaplain Martha Bither to all of our household, please remember to send notice of all of your oc-casions for joy – new family members: births, marriages, etc. – graduations, honors, and other achievements. In this way the whole temple can come together and rejoice with you. We will still be there for you in your times of sorrow and illness but we also want to be there for the fun stuff. Brag about those children, grand-children and great-grandchil-dren, etc.!

Queen Faye would be so very happy if the temple presented her with lots of candidates for her last Ceremonial, which will take place on February 2 at the regular session. For this to happen we need lots of pro-posals in process. There are so many ladies who would jump at the chance to support Shri-ners Hospitals, if they were only asked. Presume that every eligible lady you meet will say yes and maybe you will not be disappointed.

FORGET-ME-NOTSBy Edith Sweeney

Our group met on Nov. 18th at Olive Garden. Our wish to all for Happy, healthy holidays and 2017. If Mother Nature is kind, our next meeting will be on March 17th, location to be determined. Stay tuned for details..

Ahlem 84 Ladies Support Melha Legion of Honor at Veterans day Parade

By Michelle GreavesSix Ladies from Ahlem 84

DON joined with Melha Le-gion of Honor at the Veteran's Day Parade in Springfield. It was a cool and very windy day.

A perfect day to show support and honor our own members who served their country with distinction. Thank you for your service gentlemen.

Photos By Bert Krasner

Melha Clowns Entertaining at the Rays of Hope Event

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MELHA SHRINE

December 2016 13

MELHA SHRINEMELHA SHRINE

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MELHA SHRINE

Why Advertise in the 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.

Florence ParaDeContinued from page 1

soul of every neighborhood he lived in. James wore many hats in his life; a US soldier, carpenter, fire fighter, realtor, educator and a retailer. If you asked the members of Melha, they would tell you that one of his favorite hats to wear was his Fez as a Shriner.

MurDuff’s Jewelry Store

has always been an epicen-ter for the Melha Shriners to meet and get organized. An array of fresh donuts and hot coffee awaited them in the warm store front. Of course the Brazeaus never minded if you browsed the merchandise while you were drinking your coffee, being that Christmas was right around the corner.

MurDuff’s Jewelry was estab-lished by relatives Ed Murphy and Rita Duffy in 1946, and the name came from the com-bination of Murphy and Duffy.

James and Sigrid Brazeau bought it in 1982. His son Kurt and daughter Christine, took over the business over 20 years ago, and have still kept up this breakfast tradition that dad started years before.

This Holiday parade is con-sidered very short compared to the others, but Melha Shriners love coming here. It’s quaint and short, looping once around the downtown mercantile area and ending back where it start-ed. This year, though, it was different; a little melancholy. As the Legion of Honor’s Color Guard marched past their friend’s jewelry store, their faces turned left and they saluted their brother James Brazeau. I know that gesture was how we all felt too.

December 2016 15

MELHA SHRINEcentral massContinued from page 1 the well known Publick House in historic Sturbridge, not too shabby. I finally found the pineapple room which was empty! Wait! is this the wrong day? No, there’s a Fez on the back table, and raffle tickets, and a cash bag. I checked the Fez, no Shriner under it. I came too early, whew!

President Ray Ronander came into the room. He’s tall, with a salt and pepper beard and a big smile. He immediate-ly made me feel very welcome, bought me a beer and made sure I had meatloaf dinner and not fish (this is getting better all the time). Members and wives started to filter in and fill the seats. Some not familiar others were: the Wogatskes, Gagnons

and Forchettes; Bob Marshal and Jeff Hastings. It wasn’t lost on them that I was wear-ing a tie and suit coat. “Wow, Mike you clean up well” said one. The Bradleys came in and immediately placed me at their table with Bob Marshal as my dinner date. Hey, he’s a great conversationalist! (Digres-sion: If you like the Red Sox, or want to enjoy one heck of a day trip, I recommend Vince’s Bus Trip to the Green Monster in 2017. He organizes, fills the bus, pushes the flyers and you may even catch a ball *see photos.) So, are you starting to see a theme here?

Dinner was great and very reasonable. The club is also looking at a possible Shrine fund-raiser dinner at the Pub-lick House. I definitely will be

signing up for that event.Ray runs a lively and fun

meeting even without a gavel. Before adjournment came the choosing of the night’s raffle winner.

Now I’m thinking that Stur-bridge is really not that far and, well, the dinner was rea-

sonable especially if I brought my wife. It’s a Thursday, no weekend traffic. Central Mass Shrine Club may be a small club in numbers but it is a very big club on Fun and Fellow-ship. After all, isn’t that what we are all about?

Melha Calendar of EventsDecember 2016Thu Dec 1 to Sat Dec 4 ..Feztival Of Trees [BA]Fri Dec 9 7:00 pm ............Special Meeting [BA]Sat Dec 10 10:30 am .........Fall Ceremonial [BA]Sun Dec 11 12 pm ... kid’s Christmas Party [BA]Sat Dec 17 1:00 pm ..Berkshire Club Christmas

PartyWed Dec 21 7:30 pm ......... Stated Meeting [BA]

Sat Dec 24 Christmas Eve

Sat Dec 24 Chanukah 1st Night

Sun Dec 25 Christmas Day - Merry Christmas

Sat Dec 31 New Years Eve

January 2017Sun Jan 1 New Years DayFri, Jan 6 5:15 PM ........................ Melha Annual

Meeting - Dinner $25. Meeting 7:30 PMFri, Jan 6 6:00 PM .........Chief Rabban’s Lady’s

DinnerSat, Jan 7 3:00 PM ............... Divan Installation

MELHA SHRINERS133 Longhill StreetSpringfield, MA 01108-1499

Non Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSpringfield, MA 01152

Permit No. 211

Sun, Jan 15 .. Potentate’s Appreciation DinnerMon, Jan 16 6:30 PM ............ Board of DirectorsSat, Jan 21 6:00 PM ...........Uncle Milty’s Game

Supper [BA]Mon, Jan 23 6:30 PM ................Circus Steering

CommitteeWed, Jan 25 6:30 PM ........... Board of DirectorsWed, Jan 25 7:30 PM ..... Melha Stated Meeting

[BA]Sat, Jan 28 6:00 PM .......................... Unit Head

Installation - Unit Head Photos 5:00 PM

BA = Butterfield Auditorium SHC = Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield