Shriners Parade

Shriners International Historic Preservation Project

2012-01-30T10:31:00.001-08:00

Shriners International is in search of historic Shriner photographs, film and video to help promote our anniversary year in 2012. We encourage you to explore your temple's archives, storage room or even the attic of your home to see what treasures you might discover. Our greatest need is for photos from 1872 - 1962.

We prefer that photographs be submitted electronically to aflenghi@shrinenet.org. If you have a large number of photos, please be sure to e-mail them in a compressed folder. If you choose to physically mail your photos or a photo CD, send them to Shriners International Headquarters, Attention: Amanda Flenghi, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Please note that we will not be able to return photos to you. By submitting photographs, you acknowledge that you or your temple are the owner and that you consent to the reproduction or use of the images by Shriners International Headquarters.

For film or video, please e-mail aflenghi@shrinenet.org. In your e-mail please describe the content, the year it was recorded and the format of the film or video.

2012-01-25T09:33:00.001-08:00

Shriners Hospitals for Children Begins Annual Burn Prevention Campaign

2012 safety campaign focuses on teaching children and families to Be Burn Aware, especially at home

Feb. 5-11, 2012 is Burn Awareness Week, and during this week, Shriners Hospitals for Children® will begin its annual burn prevention campaign. This year’s focus is on teaching children to “Be Burn Aware,” especially at home. Information and materials pertaining to the effort can be found on the health care system’s website dedicated to burn awareness and prevention, www.burnawareness.org.

Homes are the sites of thousands of burn injuries to children every year, including scalds and fire-related injuries. Many of these incidents could have been easily prevented by following and implementing some basic safety tips.

“At Shriners Hospitals for Children, preventing burn injuries and providing burn awareness education is an ongoing, yearlong effort,” said Peter Armstrong, M.D., chief medical officer, Shriners Hospitals for Children. “In 2012, our campaign, ‘Be Burn Aware,’ focuses on teaching children ways to avoid burn injuries at home.”

The campaign introduces two new child-friendly characters who showcase and share our messages: Boots and Brewster – a caped, cuddly bear and a googly-eyed teapot. In the materials, the pair leads children through the various rooms of a house, pointing out dangers, and how to easily correct or avoid them.

Previous years’ efforts have emphasized prevention of gasoline and gasoline-related burn and scald injuries.

Shriners Hospitals for Children encourages everyone concerned with keeping children safe to visit www.burnawareness.org for important burn prevention tips and information on how to order the free materials, which are available in both English and Spanish.

About Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenShriners Hospitals for Children® is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

2012-01-20T12:06:00.001-08:00

Al Kaly Shriners elect new Potentate

Ledger Staff Report The Lamar Ledger

Al Kaly Shriners have elected and installed Gary V. Seas as Potentate (President/CEO) of Al Kaly Shriners in Southern Colorado.

Seas was born in Pueblo, Colorado and is a third generation Coloradan. His mother's family immigrated to the Rocky Ford and Sugar City area a the beginning of the twentieth century. He and his wife Donna have been married since 1976. He has four children, two sons and two daughters as well as four grandchildren.

Seas received his business education in southern Colorado and worked in retail management for over 40 years in various locations in Colorado. Seas is presently employed as a manager and specialist for H&R Block and is also an Associate Broker for Werner Reality Inc.

As Potentate, his goals are membership, family participation, "having fun and helping children, and spread the word about the great work the Shriners do." The Shriners treat a variety of conditions which include: orthopedic, spinal cord, burns, cleft lip and pallet and other conditions. All care is provided regardless of the patients or parents ability to pay. On average there are approximately 400 children from Southern Colorado who are receiving help from the Shriners Hospital system. Anyone who knows of any area child who might need assistance may call the Shrine Hospital Representative Barney Miller, (719) 936-5529. An average of 250 children a years is helped in the Al Kaly location.

Rushton fulfills childhood promise to his father

2012-01-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

Published on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Kern Valley Sun, George Stahl/Special to the Sun

This year, the Tournament of Roses Parade was held on Monday, Jan. 2. The parade started as America’s way to celebrate the New Year in 1890 through the street of Pasadena. In 1902, the Rose Bowl college football game was added to help offset the costs. The 2012 event, with the theme ‘Just Imagine,’ marks the 123rd consecutive parade.

In 1950, a seven-year-old boy living in Indianapolis, looked at his father while they were watching the Rose Parade on TV and said, “Someday, I’m going to be in that parade.” His father laughed and then, realizing the young man was serious, reminded him of just how far California was from Indiana. “Not to mention the horse you’ll need, and all of the stuff that goes with it,” his father quipped.

Dr. Denny Rushton’s father, Art Rushton, was a foreman at the General Motors plant by day and what Denny described as a ‘horse trader’ in his spare time. On their 11 acres in Indianapolis, the senior Rushton, a Shriner, boarded eight to 10 horses at any given time. His son attributes learning “everything he knows about horses” from his father and training other peoples’ horses starting at an early age.

Rushton’s father told him that one of his dreams was to ride in the Rose Parade, too. Sadly, he never had the chance to make that dream a reality. But that seven-year-old boy has come through on his promise. This year, local dentist and Shriner, Denny Rushton proudly took his place in line atop his palomino, Hooker Sky.

Rushton rode with seven fellow Shriners of the Al Malaikah Temple (Temple of the Angels) in Los Angeles, where he has been a member for seven years. The Shriners ride in many parades to bring awareness of Shriners Hospitals for Children. Shriners Hospitals treat children with orthopedic conditions, spinal cord injuries, burns and cleft lip and palate. There are 22 hospitals throughout the United States, Canada & Mexico. These hospitals provide evaluations, hospital stays, surgery and outpatient care at no cost to the families. They ride so children can be healed.

In honor of what would have been Roy Rogers’ 100th birthday, the Rose Parade featured a float entitled, “Happy Trails.” The float was a compilation of Roy Rogers’ life and contributions to America. It was led by 100 Palominos and their riders, one of which was Rushton.

The Shriners hadn’t had a place in the parade for several years. Each time they put in their application for the Silver Mounted Patrol Unit to participate, they were not accepted. That is until this year when the committee of the Rose Parade was introduced to Dr. Rushton’s wife, Marie. Through some not-so-timid persistence and a lot of Marie’s Texas hutzpah, those seven riders from the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine were granted their place in front of the Roy Rogers float.

In her many conversations with the committee, Marie was quick to point out that in 1950, one of the newest members of that time to the Shriners was none other than Rogers himself. The famous cowboy rode with the unit in many parades, including the Rose Parade. What better tribute to the man than to have his fellow Shriners ride to honor his life. The committee had no choice but to see the logic in her argument, and the Silver Mounted Patrol, led by their President, Dr. Denny Rushton was accepted as part of the 82nd entry of 2012’s Tournament of Roses Parade.

Art Rushton passed away in 1983. Denny, however, said that he knew his father was looking down on him that day. Even though they were there that Monday morning to honor the memory of Roy Rogers, Rushton said that he thought of his father during the entire five and one-half-mile ride, and that he was riding as a tribute to Art, to honor his promise to him as his father and a fellow Shriner. It may have taken 62 years for that seven year old boy to make good on that promise, but he did it in a big way. Just Imagine.

100 Return to AZ

2012-01-18T16:24:00.001-08:00

Hundreds of family members and friends cheered and waved balloons, American flags and homemade "Welcome home" posters as 100 Arizona soldiers returned Sunday from a year's deployment in war-ravaged Afghanistan. The happy homecoming, marked by hugs, smiles and tears, occurred in a soaring National Guard airplane-maintenance hangar south of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport after a patient wait for the troops' flight from its stop in Fort Dix, N.J. It was the return of the Casa Grande-based A Company of the 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion of the Arizona Army National Guard.

For those who could not attend, it was simply awesome. Picture your Potentate, Past Potentates, Divan Members, and other Shriners (Ladies included), joining forces with the Patriot Guard Riders to make a Living flag line 100 strong. As the plane containing our men and women of the 422^nd approached the hangar, all the Bikes (formed in an “Honor Lane”) came to life, accompanied by the lights and sirens of the support vehicles. The ramp was placed, the door was opened, and 100 men & women deplaned. Once formed up, they dropped their packs as we all cheered. The hanger doors slowly opened, revealing a sea of fellow soldiers, families, and friends. As our Brother and sisters moved to embrace loved ones, the escort members withdrew a respectful distance to allow them a little elbow room. The “Controlled Chaos”, tears, cheers, and the flashing of cameras made for a memorable experience. Noble Keith Seplak (Lucky The Clown) was reunited with his Lady Teresa, Family, and Friends. Welcome Home to you!

What a great Day. What Great People.

God Bless America

Tom Sheldon

2012-01-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

Disabled students raise funds by collecting pop-tops, delivering them to Shriners Hospital

Published: Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 + -

Shriner's Hospital is the beneficiary of a fund-raising effort by severely disabled students in Canyons District.
Ten students at Jordan Valley School, the majority of them in wheelchairs and unable to communicate without electronic devices, on Friday, Jan. 13 will visit Shriners, a hospital that focuses on helping children with orthopedic conditions, to deliver 30 pounds of pop tops they have collected at home and school.
The school bus, equipped with a wheelchair lift and other safety devices for the District?s special-education students, will arrive at the hospital at 10:45 a.m. The students have been collecting the pull-tabs, which the hospital then recycles for cash, since the beginning of the year.
Throughout the project, the students have participated as much as they are able, given their physical abilities and limitations. A lot of the pull-tabs have come from such products as Ensure, which the students are given for nutrition.

Masonic Symbol on Sign Links Masons to Shriners Hospital

2012-01-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

IT IS NO SECRET that Shriners and Shriners Hospitals for Children are steeped in tradition. Symbols of the fraternity and traditions that built the World’s Greatest Philanthropy are proudly displayed on the sign that stands on the corner in front of Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California. These symbols – the Square & Compass and the Silent Messenger – serve as reminders that the spirit of Shriners Hospitals for Children is rooted deeply in our social fabric.

Square & Compass

The Square & Compass that appears on the base of the hospital sign is the Masonic symbol. The Board of Governors at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California added the Masonic Symbol to the hospital sign in 2011 to show the link between Shriners and Masons. All Shriners are Masons, thereby members of the world’s oldest and largest fraternity. Many of our nation’s founding fathers, including George Washington, were Masons. The Masonic Order began in Europe, when Masons were organized in lodges or guilds and were taught to use tools to work in stone for construction, and evolved into an international fraternity devoted to building a better society. The Square symbolizes the belief that Masons should meet all brothers on the square – treating all alike with trustworthiness, honest and fairness. The Compass represents the Masons’ belief that it is important to define limits or circumscribe their desires. The Square & Compass symbolize tenets that transcend time and cultures.

Silent Messenger

In 1870, a group of Masons in New York City decided to expand their fraternity to include a special club devoted to fun and philanthropy. That group is now known as the Shriners. In 1920, the Shriners voted to focus all their philanthropic efforts on providing children with polio and other orthopaedic problems access to the finest medical care. The Shriner walking with a child in his arms is the Silent Messenger, and it symbolizes the Shriners’ desire to make a difference in the lives of children through expert medical care. While the image of the Silent Messenger can be found at all 22 Shriners Hospitals, its meaning goes beyond the work takes place inside Shriners Hospitals for Children. When all is said and done, the Silent Messenger stands as a symbol of shared hope and the universal desire to make the world a better place by transforming the lives of children.

Together and as one the Masons and the Shriners are working to build caring communities.

Pictured Above: Known as the Silent Messenger, the statue of the Shriner walking with a child stands above the Square & Compass, the Masonic Symbol, at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California.

Shriners Hospital for Children to hold Clinic

2012-01-16T09:22:00.000-08:00

OGDEN — Children with bone, muscle or joint problems are invited to participate in a Shriners Hospitals for Children screening clinic to evaluate services for which they may qualify.

The clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Ogden Masonic Temple, 1240 20th St.

The hospital lists a number of conditions they target for helping children. They include brittle bones, cerebral palsy, clubfoot, hip conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, limb deformities and length differences, neurological disorders, rickets, scar revisions, scoliosis, specialized plastic surgery, spina bifida, spine conditions, sports injuries and stuff joints.

According to information released by the hospital, children are eligible to receive care if they are younger than 18 years and have a treatable orthopedic condition.

Income, financial status and/or insurance coverage has no impact on eligibility for services.

For information, call Jim Sweet at 801-791-5564 or Carl Fauver at 801-266-0315.

By Staff

Standard-ExaminerContributed

Sun, 01/15/2012 - 9:50pm

2012-01-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

Book on Masonic history in Taft now on sale

Zoom

Photos

Doug Keeler/Midway Driller

Ken Cooper talks about his book a the Chamber of Commerce Sit 'n Sip. Ken Anderson is in the background.

By Doug Keeler

Taft Midway Driller

Posted Jan 12, 2012 @ 02:43 PM

Last update Jan 12, 2012 @ 04:25 PM

It started out as a historical project for the Taft-Midway Masonic Lodge's 100th centennial, but it turned into a much bigger project for Mason and historian Kenneth Cooper.
It turned into a huge book chronicling 266 total years of history for four lodges in the Taft area and with it, a huge piece of the history of Taft, the Westside and the oilfields.
Cooper's work is published in a book called “Freemasons in the Oilpatch, the Collective Histories of Four Masonic Lodges Chartered within Taft-Midway Lodge No. 426 Free&Accepted Masons.”
Cooper presented a program on the history at the centennial celebraion on Oct. 25.
A first printing of 250 numbered copies has been completed and the book is on sale for $30 at the Taft District Chamber of Commerce office, K.C. Photography and the West Kern Oil Museum.
Cooper spoke about the work Wednesday morning at the Chamber of Commerce Sit n' Sip.
After he started, he saw the scope of the work that laid ahead.
“I told my wife 'What have I done,” he said. “I started it so I've got to finish it.”
Cooper has strong ties to the community. He was born here in 1947 and lived here until he moved in the 1950s. He is the nephew of McKittrick rancher Stanley Cooper.
“I have very fond memories of Taft,” he said. “I put some of those in this book.”
Kenneth Cooper has experience as a Masonic historian. He chronicled a similar history for the Maricopa lodge, which grew out of the great California Gold Rush in the 19th century.
He drew parallels between Maricopa and Taft.
“There were two great epochs for California – the gold rush and the oil boom,” he said.
Taft was incorporated in 1910.
The first Masonic Lodge, Midway Lodge No. 426, was chartered the next year, and celebrated its anniversary in October,
As Taft grew, so did the Masonic brotherhood.
Before long, there were four lodges in the area – Maricopa, the Temblor Lodge in Fellows, the Midway Lodge and the Taft Lodge.
All four have since merged into one.
By the1920s, the Masonic Lodges were the center of social life.
Fraternal organizations were popular in the early 20th century, and the Masons and their related organizations – The Order of Eastern Star, Demolays, and Job's Daughters – served as a center for social life for many residents.
The list of Masonic officers in the local lodge reads like a who's who of Taft as the lodges and community flourished.
People like Milton Grant Ross, Walter Wahl, Robert Abner Smith, Weldon Jones, George Henry Stewart and Pete Gianopulos served as worshipful masters of the lodges.
They were also leaders in Taft's business, schools and local government.
“The lodge and the community fed off each other,” Cooper said. “The community gave it the members, and the lodges gave back to the community in the form of leaders.”
Cooper's book is an exhaustive history of Masonry in the area, with membership lists, photographs and photos of lodge leadership. It also carries accounts of some of the the biggest events in the 100 years of Masonry in Taft, including a visit by state worshipful Grand Master Earl Warren in 1936. Warren went on to be governor of California later Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
In 1940, a Masonic ceremony held at Mt. Abel drew 1,500 Masons to the mountains south of Taft.

2012-01-13T09:40:00.000-08:00

Name of club: San Jacinto Masonic Lodge No. 33

When formed: 1899

Current president: The current Master is Jim Ridley.

Number of members: 110

Club’s mission: The mission of Freemasonry in California is brotherhood, community involvement and self-improvement through education, family values, moral standards and charity. Masons invest in children, our neighborhoods and our future.

Area served: This lodge shares the San Jacinto Valley with the Hemet Lodge, but its membership is open to any qualified male.

Meeting time and place: Monthly dinner and business meetings are held at 6 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 131 E. Main St., San Jacinto.

Current projects: The lodge has adopted Megan Cope Elementary School to provide some of the essentials that the teachers need after the state cut back its funding. The lodge also has joined with the Grand Lodge of California in a special project to provide books to children in the first through third grades.

Notable accomplishments: The lodge has shipped more than 600 care packages to U.S. troops overseas in the war zone. Each year the lodge provides up to three $500 scholarships to local students. Proceeds from its annual golf tournament are used to help needy families during Christmas. Each year, more than 1,000 children are processed through the lodge’s child ID program where they are fingerprinted and their photos taken in case some sort of emergency arises.

Quote: “I consider myself a lucky man to have joined this fraternity when I did. It has added that elusive element to my life that had been missing,” said Bob Snyder, past master,

Information: 951-654-7958

If you have an idea for a Club Corner profile, contact Assistant Metro Editor Nikie Johnson at 951-763-3461 or njohnson@PE.com

Racers & Shriners can't wait for summer

2012-01-06T09:06:00.001-08:00

Racers, Fans Gear Up For Ice Cold Shriners Bowl At Lanier

BRANDON REED

– JANUARY 5, 2012POSTED IN: SHORT TRACK, STOCK CARS

The fifth annual Ice Cold Shriners Bowl will be held this weekend, Jan. 7-8, at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, GA. Photo courtesy Lanier National Speedway

For the fifth straight year, Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Georgia will play host to the Ice Cold Shriners Bowl, headlined by a 100-lap Pro Late Model feature, on Sunday, Jan. 8.

Despite the event’s name, forecasters are calling for temperatures in the low to mid 60s for the race weekend, as area race fans get the chance to see the first racing in North Georgia of the year.

Also on the line for Sunday’s competitors is a track provisional for the Pro Late Modle portion of the upcoming CRA SpeedFest event slated for later this month at LNS.

Rose Parade Pictures

2012-01-03T14:47:00.000-08:00

Fiesta Bowl Parade Saturday

2011-12-29T12:18:00.001-08:00

Nobles,

It’s nearly time for the Fiesta Bowl Parade and I certainly appreciate everyone who has volunteered to meet at the Temple or elsewhere and carpool to the Fiesta Bowl Parade. Unfortunately for us, the Fiesta Bowl Parade Committee has seriously slashed the number of parking passes for El Zaribah this year, but I can tell you that this same committee is also trying their best to help El Zaribah while in the parade as well as trying to afford us more TV coverage. We were thrown a couple of other curves for the parade that we had to deal with but most of the Nobles have chosen to take a positive approach to our roadblocks as opposed to pulling out of the parade. We’ve learned a lot from these complications this year and I am quite sure the Divan will act on them for the following years in a positive manner.

The Divan and the Most Worshipful Grand Master, are doing their part to help and will meet at the Temple to carpool. We have a 12 passenger van and at this time have 5 seats available if you would like a ride. We will depart the Temple at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning for the parade. If you would like to ride with us, please contact me via my cell phone number below.

We’re looking at a low temperature of 48 degrees and a high temperature of 72 degrees on Saturday.

Don’t forget, at the end of the parade we will head back to El Zaribah for Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, Slaw, Beans, Chips and desserts. Your spouses are also welcome to join the Divan Ladies, who will open the Temple at 10:00 AM with hot chocolate, coffee and snacks. The parade begins at 11:00 am on ABC Channel 15.

Thank you again for supporting El Zaribah and the 2011 Fiesta Bowl Parade.

Fraternally,

Tom Calvin, Potentate

El Zaribah Shriners

2011-12-27T13:41:00.000-08:00

Is It What's WRONG With These Kids? Or What's RIGHT With These Kids?

Jeffrey Gitomer

Kids!
I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!
Kids!
Who can understand anything they say?
Kids!
They are disobedient, disrespectful oafs!
Noisy, crazy, dirty, lazy, loafers!
While we're on the subject:
Kids!
You can talk and talk till your face is blue!
Kids!
But they still just do what they want to do!
Why can't they be like we were,
Perfect in every way?
What's the matter with kids today?

Those are the lyrics from the song "Kids," from the Broadway play Bye Bye Birdie, written by Lee Adams. And while you may think they were written about today's generation of kids, the song was written in 1959 - more than 50 years ago. In 1959 there was no computers, cell phones, Internet, Super Mario, cable TV, or fax machines - and of course no iPods.

Most companies have multi-generational salespeople and multi-generational customers. The more experienced salespeople and sales managers are always criticizing or blaming youth for what they are not, what they don't bring to the table, what's wrong with them, and why they're not more like "us."

It's referred to as a "generation gap." And for the most part it's self-imposed. Self-imposed generational gaps are caused by a failure to understand, embrace, and communicate. An easier way to describe it is: "It's not like what we do, therefore it's wrong." And that statement can be made from one group to another and vice-versa.

FACT: Generation gaps are timeless. They apply to EVERY generation of kids and adults for the past 200 years.

These days, people over 40 have tried to segment kids by category. Gen-this or gen-that. How about "gen-smart" or "they're a generation smarter than we are"?

How about "gen-impatient" or "they're a generation with no patience for anyone (including employers - maybe even including you) who doesn't get it"?

Montana Shriners bring Cheer

2011-12-27T09:05:00.001-08:00

The Shriners Hospital has the power to cheer people up, regardless of the time of year, but they made the holiday season even more cheerful for a few football players by naming them to the 2012 East West Shrine Game All Star roster. The game will be played July 21, 2012 in Great Falls. It is one of the oldest high school all-star football games in the United States. Scroll down to see the roster.

Hit Of The Week: former Shrine Game All Star Matt Miller, the former Capital guy, now playing for Boise State, played a big role in the Broncos beat-down of Arizona State. He caught a touchdown, then later in the half he threw one...and his team won easily over a few guys with Montana ties themselves...56-24 the final.

Masons hold installation of officers

2011-12-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

Masons hold installation of officers

Pull Tabs » Shrine Club of Southeastern Mass

2011-12-23T10:56:00.000-08:00

Pull Tabs » Shrine Club of Southeastern Mass

What is you Shrine club doing to raise money for the Shriners Hospital for Children or the Transporation Fund?

Pull-Tabs for Kids

The Shriner’s collect the pull-tabs for four reasons, first, it allows others to help without additional cost to them. Second, because it allows people to help while keeping the can which they can still turn back in to recover the full redemption fee. Third, by recycling the aluminum, the Shriner’s are being environmentally friendly (It requires approximately 15% of the energy to recycle the already refined aluminum rather than mine new aluminum). Most importantly, it also is another way to help kids receive world class-care at the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. The Aleppo Shriner’s (our parent organization) have collected over 15 tons of pull tabs and have raised over $310,000 in a single year to provide transportation to the Shriner’s Hospitals. The Shrine Club of Southeastern Mass recently submitted over 2 1/2 tons (about 5.8 million pull-tabs) to be recycled. Because our goal is continuing we need your help by dropping off pull-tabs

LeeAnn Has held Car-Ne-Fair at the SHC-LA several times

2011-12-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

Three Humanitarians Help Kids Read

Zahra Universe- Recording Artist, Lee Ann Butler-Owens- Lullalee Founder(reading non-profit) Sandy Masin ( Give the World your Heart- non-profit) Raise awareness for positive Teen Messages in 2012. Masin and Butler-Owens, co-authored " Journey to Lushland". A book for all to read. Zahra just released her CD Falling in Love.

"My heartbeats and music really connected with Lee Ann and Sandy heartbeats to help launch their book for a great cause for children worldwide,” Zahra announced.” What’s better than kids falling in love with reading while counting their positive heartbeats to focus on learning? This is a song unto itself with never ending lyrics.”
“In a world where children are faced daily with a barrage of negativity, Happy Heartbeats Counter™ Journey To Lushland encourages children the means of connection by all the positive things that they and others do each day," stated Sandy Masin, Founder of Give The World Your Heart, a 501(c)(3) non-profit company. "This creates a positive, self-satisfying atmosphere for learning and life. All you really have to do is very simple. Just take a little time, get involved, record your heartbeats into the counter and enjoy what you did that day."
"I see counting total positive heartbeats as a fun way to maintain the trust of a child’s focus to learn with educators and parents alike" remarked Lee Ann Butler Owens, founder of Lullalee Productions and Services. "Many children just need positive influences in their lives to learn and our book Journey to Lushland delivers this important message"
About Zahra Universe:
With tremendous vocal and piano talent, songwriting skills, looks and determination, Zahra has her own style and place in the music world combining all of these aspects for an incredible and powerful message. To speak through her music, have fun, and get the world involved in a variety of humanitarian issues facing our world of today and tomorrow is the constant goal.
Zahra first hit the pop-music scene with her R&B/pop club and radio hits "Drop" and "Up in da Club". Now with a twist of dance-pop flavor, Zahra bursts through the club speakers and music airways with her dance/pop singles and 3D music videos "Falling in Love" and "Dancin by the Fire" which will be followed by more hit tracks from her forthcoming album in 2012. Just like the title, this hot album is full of modern dance rhythms, explosive lyrics, strong yet sensual vocals, with a touch of mystery and exotic spice.
About Give The World Your Heart
Give The World Your Heart, Inc. (www.GTWYH.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit company, founder and producers of Give The World Your Heart TV (www.GTWYH.TV) an Internet TV Channel dedicated to the community of people interested in participating in positive, healthy activities to help themselves and others improve the planet and tally their heartbeats while doing so.
Give The World Your Heart TV viewers enjoy positive motivational programming, live webcasts, music video, documentaries and shows from participants from all over the globe, that encourage viewers to send their heartbeats in an effort to grow a new health heartbeat counting measurement called Total Gratitude Heartbeat Counter.
Recently announced a new Diabetics study for participation in our DEEPEST activities and count heartbeats for the world heartbeat counter will Feel Better, reduce HbA1C levels, show more daily glucose levels in normal range and report feeling better both physically and emotionally. See replay of press release found here.
Give The World Your Heart key focus is on positive programs for kids including wellness and lowering obesity.
Lullalee Productions and Services
Lullalee/PS 501(c)3 operating in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, has a six year history of community service delivering art and literacy programs and special events that have touched the lives of thousands of children and their families. Lullalee has donated over $700,000.00 in books and services to children nationwide.

2011-12-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

Raiderettes at Shriners Hospitals for Children

By Rebecca Corman

Posted Dec 20, 2011Nine Raiderettes spent time with the kids at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Sacramento, Calif.


Nine Raiderettes visited Shriners Hospital for Children.Photo by Tony Gonzales

Recently, Raiderettes Annie, Bess, Chanel, Diana, Kathleen, Lytisha, Mallorie, Sarah Marie, and Tori, visited Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Northern California in Sacramento, Calif. Football’s Fabulous Females performed for the patients and their families, visited the ICU, posed for photos, and spent time in the activities room with the kids. The nine Raiderettes brought positive energy and smiles to the hospital.

According to Catherine Curran, Director, Public Relations at Shriners Hospitals for Children, “Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California provides expert care to children with orthopaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries, burns, cleft lip & palate and scars from any cause. It is one of 22 medical centers in the Shriners system, and it is the only Shriners Hospital that provides care in all disciplines and houses a scientific research program. The Northern California Shriners Hospitals for Children opened in Sacramento in April 1997 and since then more than 45,000 children have benefited from the hospital’s life-saving, life-changing care.”

The Raiderettes wanted to spend time with the patients and bring some holiday spirit. “We’re here at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento bringing the kids some good feelings and visiting all of them, taking pictures, and dancing with them,” said Raiderette Bess. “It’s been a lot of fun and it’s really making us feel great seeing their eyes light up and seeing them having fun. They are so full of energy and so full of life. It’s so awesome to be here.”

Football’s Fabulous Females started out their visit by performing two routines in the activities center where the patients normally go to play and get away from the monotony of their hospital rooms. “It’s kind of a safe area for the patients,” said Activities Coordinator Kristin Barna about the activities center. “They don’t have to worry about doing therapy while they’re here or having a nursing procedure. And it’s also a spot where they get to choose what they do because when you’re in the hospital, you don’t control why you’re here or what happens to you so when they come to our area, they get to choose the things they like to do and participate in. So that’s really important.”

A large group of kids and their parents came to the activities center to watch and meet the Raiderettes. “This is probably one of the largest groups I have seen down here in quite some time,” said Christine Johnson, another Activities Coordinator at Shriners. “I think there’s a few kids today that I saw smile for the first time since they’ve been here, which is really rewarding, especially some of these kids whose injuries are pretty recent and seeing them really open up and light up has been awesome.”


	Raiderette Annie puts a smile on the young patient's face. Photo by Tony Gonzales

Following their performance, the Raiderettes posed for photos before splitting into two groups. One group stayed downstairs to play games and dance with the patients, while the other group went upstairs to the ICU to meet patients who were unable to leave their rooms. “There were a lot of really, really amazing kids we got to meet,” said Raiderette Mallorie. “We spent a lot of one-on-one time with them and then a few of us went up to the ICU to meet some kids that weren’t able to come down. We met the biggest Raiders fan ever. He had a Raiders Snuggie, a Raiders pillow pet, every kind of Raiders hat, everything. It was adorable. On his wall, it was just his birthday, so he had lots of fun stuff in there. And even though he wasn’t able to talk to us, he was smiling the whole time. Parents were really excited to see us here. We’re so happy to be here.”

Having the Raiderettes at Shriners was not only fun for everyone involved, but also important for the patients. “It means a whole lot for the kids to have something different in their day to feel like they’re still connected to the community, that they’re not just isolated in the hospital,” said Barna. “We just have some huge Raiders fans, one kid upstairs particularly. So for him, during his healing process, to have such a positive thing and a big experience in his hospitalization, it’s just something he’ll always look back on and hopefully it’ll bring a positive light to his hospitalization.”

The Raiderettes were happy that they were able to make an impact on some of the patients and their families. “It’s a wonderful feeling because a lot of the kids don’t get to get out and for us to bring some new surroundings for them is a joy,” said Raiderette Tori. “To see how happy they are – we had one little one following us everywhere. It’s fun to be here with them. It was a great day.”

East-West Game Coaches Selected

2011-12-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

Brad Childress and Bobby Ross selected as head coaches of the 87th annual East-West Shrine Game Venerable coaches to lead teams in college football all-star game benefitting Shriners Hospitals for Children ®

TAMPA, Fla. (December 13, 2011) – Brad Childress and Bobby Ross have been selected as head
coaches of the 87 Annual East-West Shrine Game® benefitting Shriners Hospitals for Children.

“We are proud to have two coaches that represent an unbelievable wealth of knowledge of the game
through their collegiate and NFL coaching careers,” said Harold Richardson, executive director of the
East-West Shrine Game. “Most importantly, Coach Ross and Coach Childress are excited to be a part of
this game because it combines great football with a great cause. The players will remember this week for
the rest of their lives.”

Ross and Childress both have impressive records as coaches and are looking forward to the opportunity
to compete against one another for a good cause. While the East-West Shrine Game allows some of the
best college football players in the country to showcase their talents in front of NFL coaches and scouts,
the true purpose of the game is to raise awareness of Shriners Hospitals for Children.

“This is a great opportunity to give back and provide joy to the children at Shriners Hospital for Children,” said Childress. “Helping our next generation both on and off the field is a cause that is very dear to me.”
“Words cannot describe the feeling you get from bringing so much joy into these children’s lives,” said
Ross, who also coached the game in 2008 and is proud to support Shriners Hospitals for Children for a
second time. “I’m so proud to be back coaching the East-West Shrine Game and helping raise money for
a special cause.“

Kick-off is at 4:00 p.m. on January 21, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. To learn more
about the East-West Shrine Game or to order tickets, please visit www.shrinegame.com.

What to do with your airline Miles program

2011-12-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

Shriners Hospitals for Children has been selected as one of the charities to participate in the 10 Million Charity Mile Giveawary program fro US Airlines/Continental. The more votes we receive the more miles we get. Please forward this email to your employees, friends and families and encourage them to vote. We will also be posting this link on our social media sites and sending it to the temples. You will find the link below. Thank you for helping us increase our miles and helping with our transportation funds.

http://10millioncharitymiles.com

Terms & Conditions

The 10 Million Charity Miles Giveaway program begins at midnight, December 14, 2011 and ends at 11:59 p.m., December 31, 2011. During this time frame, you may vote for one of the listed charities to increase the percentage of the miles that they receive. You may vote once per day. Membership in MileagePlus or OnePass® programs is not required to vote for your charity. Each charity is guaranteed to receive a minimum of 25,000 miles. The donated miles will be deposited by January 31, 2011.

Have a wonderful holiday.

Amy Ritzel

Interim Corporate Director of Public Relations

2011-12-15T17:13:00.001-08:00

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid.

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share,

HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...

And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

2011-12-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

Advancing Burn Care Leads to Better Burn Care
13 Total 2012 ABA Abstracts Accepted for Presentation at the annual meeting in Seattle

The Shriners hospital submitted 13 abstracts to the American Burn Association describing various patient care observations, techniques and procedures, new programs and performance improvement initiatives. We recently learned that all 13 abstracts were accepted - a 100% acceptance rate!
The abstracts were authored by many different disciplines with diverse experience in abstract writing. This year’s abstracts also comprised a wide spectrum of practical bedside topics ranging from burn prevention, sleep, nursing and wound care, nutrition, infection control and rehabilitation, as
well as describing some of our new programs like the Remember Me program and the Journal Club. Please join us in congratulating our successful ABA abstract authors/coauthors and let us know if you want to begin a clinical research project in 2012

1. Multi-center Testing of Burn Prevention Teaching Tool for Amish Children
Mary Rieman and Richard Kagan
2. Acute Burns of the Palm: Is Early Splinting Necessary?
Mary Dougherty, Patti Sharp and Richard Kagan
3. Amish Burn Wound Ointment and Burdock Leaf Dressings: Assessments of
Antimicrobial & Cytotoxic Activities Mary Rieman, Alice Neely, Steven Boyce,
William Kossenjans Paula Durkee, Jack Zembrodt, Barb Puthoff an Richard Kagan
4. Remember Me Program: Bridging the Gap between the Hospital and School
Dan Dunlap, Susan Arnold and Richard Kagan
5. Retrospective Exam of the Effectiveness of Zolpidem for Sleep in Pediatric
Burn Patients with a Known History of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Stephanie Cronin, Michele Gottschlich, Lacy Gose and Richard Kagan
6. The Successful Use of a Bridle: A New Way to Wrangle a Pediatric Nasal Feeding Tube
Angela Hardy, Debbie Harrell, Theresa Mayes and Richard Kagan
7. Long-Term Follow-up Fracture Incidence in Children Receiving Vitamin D
Supplementation during the Acute Phase Postburn
Theresa Mayes, Michele Gottschlich, Carmen Brunner, and Richard Kagan
8. The Predictive Value of Nutritional and Inflammatory Indices in Pressure
Ulcer Development in Pediatric Burns
Theresa Mayes, Angela Hardy, Michele Gottschlich, and Richard Kagan
9. The Effect of Healing Touch on Sleep Patterns of Pediatric Burn Patients
Lois Cone, Michele Gottschlich and Richard Kagan
10. Comparison of Sleep Parameters Obtained by Actigraphy and
Polysomnography during the Rehab Phase Postburn
Michele Gottschlich, Theresa Mayes, Chris Allgeier, and Richard Kagan
11. Journal Club Promotes Clinical Research, Continuing Education and
Evidence-based Practice Michele Gottschlich, Laura Fowler and Richard Kagan
12. A Performance Improvement Initiative to Determine the Impact of Increasing
the Time Interval between Changing Centrally Placed Intravascular Catheters
Alice Neely, Mary Rieman, Angela Hardy and Richard Kagan
13. Distinct Phenotypes of Deep vs. Superficial Keloid Fibroblasts in
Keloid Skin Substitutes Transplanted to Mice
Dorothy Supp, Jennifer Hahn, Kathryn Glaser, Kevin McFarland, and Steven Boyce

"We Donate, You Win!"

2011-12-14T11:13:00.001-08:00

Shane Co. Lets Facebook Community
Decide How To Donate $20,000
Shane Co., the largest privately-held jeweler in the
United States, announced its second “We Donate,
You Win!” sweepstakes, hosted on the company’s
Facebook page. The sweepstakes invites the
public to vote for one of three charities including
Shriners Hospitals for Children. At the sweepstakes’
conclusion, Shane Co. will divide a $20,000
donation among those charities in proportion to the
vote tallies.
All entrants will also be automatically entered to win
one of ﬁ ve $500 Shane Co. gift cards. Entrants can
earn an additional chance to win for each person
whom they refer to the contest, with no limit to the
number of entries earned.
• The “We Donate, You Win!” sweepstakes will
run until 11.59 p.m. on December 31, 2011.
• The public is encouraged to enter via www.
facebook.com/ShaneCompany

Zelzah Shriners

2011-12-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of this school its leadership and teachers , not so many years ago ( almost 10 ) I was introduced to this eye opening situation

in the midst of a rich and prosperous city ( Las Vegas Nevada) in the greatest ,most generous country in the world !

I was witness to hungry children (attending school, mostly to get a meal )and devastated adults ( the parents ), Homeless, Hopeless and Destitute.

I Heard the stories of lice and dirt and Teachers having to shower and delice the children and provide clean cloths for them before they could attends school,

These same children returning to school the next day with dirty and old cloths , when questioned regarding the new cloths , they said that dad sold them.

I related this story to the brothers of my Lodge and our Shrine nobles and they reacted positively then and continue to this day providing ,money ,cloths Food and other needs to Whitney schools Children .

So maybe you can understand why I am so proud of the fact that a community can rally around these children and watch them learn

not only what the school teaches but more importantly , what the community Leaders like Bob Ellis and his Wife Sandy have taught them and us all , about generosity and good will !

I now wish we could do something about the other schools in las Vegas that are in the same condition , With the same high percentage of children homeless and destitute.

We may never completely accomplish this but it will not be because we did not try , thank you my brothers and this wonderful community !

There are really countless people , corporations and companies to thank , but one thing you can take to the bank , is that Whitey School Principle Sherrie Gahn and her wonderful team of teachers , volunteers and the children have made sure to send thanks and gratitude to all involved !

They have Left an indelible, Positive foot print in the history of Nevada!

Best regards

Joe Alvarado

2011-12-14T09:26:00.001-08:00

Holidays get jolt with High Voltage Touring Group show in Folsom

By Eileen Wilson, Telegraph Correspondent

Courtesy

Courtesy High Voltage is El Dorado Musical Theatre’s touring group. They will hold a one-night only performance at 7 p.m., Dec. 20, at Three Stages.

It’s the holiday season, and there’s one performance you won’t want to miss.

El Dorado Musical Theatre’s High Voltage Tour Group will light up the stage for one night only, in their annual Holiday Celebration: Cabaret night.

“The Holiday Celebration is a compilation of a lot of songs,” said Debbie Wilson, artistic director and one of the group’s founders.

From haunting strains of “Silent Night,” sung in German, to fun, festive “Mele Kalikimaka,” a Hawaiian Christmas favorite, Wilson said there is something in the show that everyone will love.

“Some of it is really humorous, like ‘The 12 Days After Christmas,’ and some of it is moving, like ‘Tap,’ a story dance about a young boy who is on his own, who wants to spread the Christmas spirit — it’s really lovely,” she said. “Several pieces are a cappella, and some are wonderful songs that you frequently hear, like ‘Carol of the Bells.’”

Jennifer Martin, the troupe’s vocal instructor, looks forward to sharing the season with their audience, as well.

“We are performing some new pieces that have quickly become cast favorites, like ‘African Noel,’ and ‘Feels Like Christmas,’” she said. “The program is quite varied, and includes many a cappella pieces as well as some high energy dance numbers.”

And high energy is nothing knew to this traveling performing group.

“We are a group of 22 people, mostly teens. These performers are our premier touring group — some of the cream of the crop,” Wilson said.

The group recently performed at the California State Capitol Rotunda, and then headed to the Shriners Hospital to bring their Yule time magic to sick children.

“We got to sing at the Rotunda, and also sang ‘Carol of the Bells’ on the Senate floor,” Wilson said.

But it might have been the Shriners’ visit that moved the young performers the most.

“They wheeled kids’ hospital beds to where we were singing,” Wilson said. “The kids and staff kept thanking us, but we were thanking them for letting us share the season.”

For the holiday regulars, there will be repeats of some of the audience’s favorite tunes, while adding several new songs, as well. Wilson said there are some favorites that just beg to be performed every year.

“We have a huge audience; a real mix of people. There seems to be an older generation that has discovered what we do, and they love the old standards. Young kids who come to the show really look up to the performers, and aspire to be performers themselves when they get older,” Wilson said.

One of Wilson’s favorite numbers this year is a rousing tap battle — “a kind of ‘guys versus girls’ number.”

“It’s a difficult tap piece done to music from the Trans Siberian Orchestra,” she said.

While the High Voltage group has performed far afield — on a cruise ship to Mexico, Disneyland, and various Eskaton centers — it may be right here in Folsom and El Dorado Hills that they love to perform best.

“This year the boys will be in uniforms, singing ‘I’ll be Home for Christmas.’ It’s a little remembrance for us all, that we’re fortunate for the things and loved ones’ that we do have,” Wilson said.

2011-12-09T11:45:00.001-08:00

Tipsy soup cups a burn

risk for kids

View Larger

By Wesley Lowery

For The Columbus Dispatch

They’r e cheap, salty and, for many college students, a daily diet staple.

But instant noodles are more dangerous than their inviting plastic-foam containers might suggest. In fact, it’s the container that’s the problem.

“They get a lot hotter than people expect them to and are prone to tipping over,” said Dr. David Greenhalgh, chief of burns at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California.

At least once a week, but often more frequently, Greenhalgh said, his hospital treats a child who has reached up to a counter and been burned by spilling instant noodles or instant soup. Often the child is burned on the head.

With a small base and wide top, many of the containers are constructed in a way that make them especially prone to tipping over, Greenhalgh said.

In 2007, he undertook a study of which soup and instant noodle containers are the most apt to spill.

The study — “Instant Cup of Soup: Design Flaws Increase Risk of Burns” — was published in the Journal of Burn Care and Research. It found that some containers spill at the slightest tip, with the most wobbly falling at an angle of just 17.5 degrees.

One of the most popular varieties, Cup Noodles by Nissin, is among the most likely to tip over, falling at just 22 degrees.

“The frequency of spills is directly correlated to how tall and how wide they are,” Greenhalgh said.

Ohio’s hospitals report fewer of the mishaps than the California hospital.

“We see it randomly, definitely not multiple times a week,” said Shelia Giles, burn program coordinator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

“It usually happens when a toddler pulls it over on themselves or a school-age child spills it on their lap,” she said.

Parents need to keep children out of the kitchen and double-check the temperature of any food given to kids, Giles said. Children’s skin is more thin, she said, so they are more likely to be seriously burned.

“We’ve seen noodle burns in the past,” said Vic Gideon, a spokesman for Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland. “It happens every once in a while, but I’m not sure that we’ve had a case in the last year.”

The Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati sees noodle-related burns a little more often, but still less frequently then the hospitals cited by Greenhalgh.

“We see our fair share of soup and noodle injuries,” said Louise Holker, spokeswoman for the Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati. “But I’d put it at four or five times per month.”

She said, though, that the hospital doesn’t always distinguish between instant soup and noodle burns and any other kitchen burns.

But no matter what the danger — from stove tops to rice cookers to instant soups and noodles — the most important thing is to supervise children.

“We’ve been seeing children with skull burns from kitchens since long before these products came out,” Holker said.

wlowery@dispatch.com

Shriners Replaces Planned Hospital With Outpatient Surgery Center in St. Louis

2011-12-09T11:38:00.001-08:00

Shriners Hospital for Children, based in Tampa, Fla., has scrapped its plan to build a $145 million seven-story hospital in St. Louis and opted to build an outpatient surgery center there instead, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report.

The outpatient surgery center would house two outpatient surgical suites and is expected to open in 2015. Shriners officials decided to scale back its building plans in light of the local need for inpatient services. According to the report, an already existing Shriners Hospital in nearby Frontenac has only one or two patients on some weekends.

The low demand for inpatient services means Shriners will also close its Frontenac facility once construction of the outpatient surgery center is complete. After the surgery center opens, Shriners plans to put the facility up for sale, according to the report.

Shriners and St. Louis Children's Hospital have already reached a preliminary agreement, under which St. Louis Children's facility will be used for inpatient and overnight services.

“Battle of the Badges” Adds Shriners as Beneficiary

2011-12-08T15:41:00.001-08:00

Many thanks to “Battle of the Badges,” a boxing fundraiser, which this year added Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston as a beneficiary. Battle of the Badges is a
joint effort between the Galveston Police Department,
Galveston Fire Department, and County Sheriff Department to raise funds for chosen organizations. This year
Shriners-Galveston and Camp Janus were added as beneficiaries for a total of $4,000 after recommendations from
Raymond Rubio (Mike’s dad/Brenda’s father-inlaw) and nurse Megan Wyers. Also main organizers
Lt. Jorge Trevino, Officer Lewis Jackson, and firefighter
Jim Williams, were happy to include our organizations in
this year’s event. Receiving the $2,000 check ringside at
Moody Gardens in photo right to left are nurses Wyers, Monica Hutson and Patient Care Services director Mary Jaco along with Galveston board member Ray Leloup, upcoming El Mina Potentate
Crickett Easley and Infection Control Dustin Crumby, who is on the Camp Janus board.

Today California Marathon Organizers Bring Thrill of Victory to Shriners Hospital

2011-12-02T09:03:00.001-08:00

(SACRAMENTO) Organizers of the California International Marathon (CIM) are giving kids at Shriners Hospitals for Children® an opportunity to experience the joy of victory.

On Friday, Dec. 2, patients will meet in the hospital’s central activity area at 10:30 a.m., to compete in the Shriners Hospital marathon. Some will run, some will walk, some will use hand cycles and some will race to the finish line in wheelchairs. The CIM organizers will drape a medal around the neck of each child who completes the course. Parents, patients and staff will cheer the contestants as they cross the finish line.

Melisa Callison, a former patient of Shriners Hospitals for Children and competitive runner, will be there cheering, too. Callison, who runs using a prosthetic leg, is running two relay legs in Sunday’s California International Marathon.

Steven Polansky, M.D., and his fellow board members for the Sacramento Running Association proposed the idea for the Shriners Hospital Marathon in 2009. “We had a handful of medals from the 2008 marathon that we did not give away and we felt that could be used in a meaningful way. We connected with Shriners Hospitals for Children and found a perfect fit. The kids are so inspiring and the mini-marathon we have in the hospital play area gives every patient a chance to run their own race,” said Dr. Polansky.

“I wish every runner competing in Sunday’s event could experience the excitement of our hospital marathon,” said Penny Lees, manager of therapeutic recreation and child life at the hospital. “It is so important for these children, no matter what challenges they face, to demonstrate their personal best and experience the thrill of victory.” Lees adds.

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California provides specialized pediatric care to children with orthopaedic conditions, spinal cord injuries, burns and scars from any cause. Any child 18 years or younger is eligible for care, providing the child’s condition is within the scope of services provided. Care is provided regardless of the patients' ability to pay. For more information about Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Northern California, please call 916-453-2000 or visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

2011-12-01T10:01:00.001-08:00

25 Facts You Never Knew About Tailgating

by Staff Writers http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2011/11/30/25-facts-you-never-knew-about-tailgating/

November 30, 2011

For many, tailgating is as much as part of the game day experience as the game itself. While millions will tailgate around the U.S. this year for everything from college football games to Jimmy Buffet concerts, many know little about the history, demographics, and economics of this popular tradition. Read on to learn some interesting facts you can share with other fans at your next tailgating meet up. Some may seriously surprise you and make you see tailgating in a whole new light.

New PR & Social Media Agency for Shrine East West Game

2011-12-01T09:49:00.001-08:00

Pinstripe Marketing Selected as the Public Relations and Social Media Marketing Agency for the East-West Shrine Game

St. Petersburg, FL, November 30, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Pinstripe Marketing, a full-service marketing and communications agency based in St. Petersburg, Florida, was selected as the public relations and social media marketing agency for the legendary East-West Shrine Game® to be held at St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field on January 21, 2012 televised live by NFL Network.

The annual East-West Shrine Game, originated in 1925, and is the longest-running college all-star football game in the country featuring some of the highest-rated NFL draft prospects. Since the inception, 62 East-West Shrine Game alumni have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and from the 2010 game, 52 are currently active on NFL rosters. At the East-West Shrine Game, NFL scouts and coaches have an opportunity to assess the future stars of the National Football League.

More than just a game, it has emerged as a showcase for up and coming NFL talent, but more importantly, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children. As part of their experience, players and coaches visit Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa, where they get to spend time interacting with the kids and developing a philanthropic relationship with Shriners Hospitals for Children that will hopefully endure throughout their careers.

“We selected St. Petersburg to host the game because this community supports Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa and is home to our international headquarters,” said Harold Richardson, Executive Director, East-West Shrine Game, “Pinstripe Marketing was a great fit for us because they know the market, they’re very involved in the community, and they have a proven track record of working with non-profits. It’s a bonus that they’re also college football fans.”

About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. Information about the game can be found online at ShrineGame.com. Follow the East-West Shine Game on Twitter (@Shrine_Game) and Facebook (Facebook.com/ShrineGame).

About Pinstripe Marketing
Pinstripe Marketing, Inc. is a full-service agency specializing in promoting professional services firms including law, finance, healthcare, engineering, technology and more. Services include marketing plan development and implementation, advertising, collateral design, event planning, media buying, web design and public relations. For details about Pinstripe, please visit pinstripemarketing.com. Follow Pinstripe on Twitter (@PinstripeMktg) and Facebook (Facebook.com/PinstripeMktg) for the latest news.

Media Contact: Tamara Whittaker
Pinstripe Marketing
twhittaker@pinstripemarketing.com

What’s New in Erie!

2011-11-28T10:15:00.001-08:00

Shriners Hospitals for Children® December 2011

New Brochure Answers Questions About Transition to Ambulatory
A new brochure has been developed that addresses the many questions surrounding the
pending transition of the Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Erie from an inpatient hospital to
an ambulatory care facility. It is anticipated that this change will be implemented by March 31,
2012.
This new brochure has been placed in a variety of locations throughout the hospital,
such as the Outpatient Clinic, the front Reception Desk and the Drivers’ Lounge. It was developed to help answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding services to be provided, changes that can be expected, access to inpatient care through our partner hospitals and
why these changes are taking place.
By placing these brochures throughout the hospital, we are making them available to
anyone who desires a copy. Staff are also distributing them to patients/families, visitors,
staff, Shriners and others.
Anyone who would like a copy of this brochure is asked to contact Bob Howden, director of public relations, at (814) 875-8782 or at rhowden@shrinenet.org. The brochure is also
available in PDF format and can be emailed.

Erie Names New Nurse Manager For Surgical Services Department
Michelle Battko, RN, has been selected as the new nurse manager of surgical services at
Shriners Hospitals for Children—Erie. Michelle has been a staff nurse at the hospital for the
past nine years, starting in the Extended Post Anesthesia Care Unit (EPACU)/Inpatient Unit, to
her most recent position of RN3 in both the operating rooms and Outpatient Clinic. Michelle
began her new duties on Nov. 14.
Michelle is a graduate of the Saint Vincent School of Nursing in Erie and is currently
working on her masters degree in nursing at Gannon University in Erie.
An avid horse enthusiast, Michelle serves as co-district commissioner of the Lost
Hounds Pony Club in Edinboro, PA, an organization for individuals ages 6-25, designed to help
them gain knowledge of all aspects of horse riding, care and management.

2011-11-28T10:00:00.001-08:00

Child advocate helps connect kids to hospital

Steven Wyble/Columbia Basin Herald

Hal Gruver

Hal Gruver is the new child advocate for the El Katif Shrine temple in Spokane. Gruver represents children in Grant County and surrounding areas who qualify for treatment at the Spokane Shriner Hospital

By Steven Wyble,
Herald staff writer

MOSES LAKE - Hal Gruver loves kids so much, he can't say no to an opportunity to help them.

When he had a chance to become the Spokane Shriners Children's Hospital child advocate for Grant County, he jumped at it.

In 2009, Shriners International considered closing five of its 22 nonprofit children's hospitals, including the Shriners Hospital in Spokane.

The hospitals weren't seeing enough patients to stay afloat, says Gruver, a member of the El Katif Shrine temple in Spokane. The hospitals escaped closure by pledging to actively recruit children to be treated at the hospitals. The hospital needs to treat 1,200 patients per year to stay functional, he says.

Gruver, who has been a Shriner for 25 years, became the child advocate for Grant County in May. He is also an advocate for children in some areas outside the county, such as Ritzville, Rock Island and Moxie. Since taking on the child advocate role, he has approached more than 30 children in and around Grant County about being treated at the hospital, he says.

As a child advocate, Gruver answers parents' questions about the hospital and actively solicits children who qualify for the hospital's services, he says. If Grant County residents are interested in being treated at the hospital, living so far from it makes it difficult for Grant County residents to know who to contact, he adds.

Shriners Children's Hospitals provide free treatment to qualifying children under 18. Many parents don't seek treatment for their children's medical problems because they think they are too expensive to treat, or think their children will grow out of them, says Gruver, adding that they may not know that Shriner hospitals can help.

Gruver follows in the footsteps of Bob Trask Sr. and Richard Zorn, Grant County's previous child advocates.

"From my standpoint, it's a real honor to be asked to follow their work and do as good a job as they have done," said Gruver. "They set very high standards for me to follow."

Many areas, such as Wenatchee and the Tri-Cities, have screening clinics to look for children that may benefit from the services offered by Shriners Hospital, says Gruver.

"We haven't had a screening clinic in Moses Lake for at least 10 years," he says. "This is kind of a substitute for it, so they at least know how to get ahold of me."

While most of the children Gruver has contacted are from Moses Lake, he's also contacted kids from Othello, Moxie, Harrington, Mattawa, Quincy, Royal City, Benton City and Rock Island, he says.

For more information, call the El Katif Shrine temple at 1-509-624-2762 or 1-800-369-2762. Or call Hal Gruver at 509-766-0164.

Shriner hospitals treat individuals 18 or younger with any of the following conditions: Scoliosis, dislocated hips, club feet, cerebral palsy, cleft lip or palate, absent arm or leg, meylodysplasia, Oseogenesis Imperfecta, short legs, rickets, Legg Perthes disease, fractures, sports injuries, burn scars and variety of neuromuscular diseases.

2011-11-23T10:53:00.001-08:00

Shriners Hospitals for Children to Participate in 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade

"Soaring for Kids" Float Brings a Message of Hope and Achievement

Shriners Hospitals for Children will participate in the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade.

We are proud to be associated with an organization that shares our belief in the power of the human spirit, and to have this opportunity to share our message with such a vast audience

Los Angeles, CA November 22, 2011

Shriners Hospitals for Children® is proud to participate in the 123rd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. The Shriners Hospitals for Children float entitled, "Soaring for Kids” will be among the many floats, bands, and equestrian shows seen by millions of spectators around the world.

This year’s Tournament of Roses theme “Just Imagine…” celebrates the power of imagination, inspiration and determination to encourage people to reach higher and try harder.

“The Tournament of Roses’ theme embodies the same spirit of hope and achievement – of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieving more than believed possible – which our patients display every day,” said Douglas Maxwell, president and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children. “We are proud to be associated with an organization that shares our belief in the power of the human spirit, and to have this opportunity to share our message with such a vast audience.”

The festival began in 1890 and features flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians and, since 1902, the Rose Bowl college football game, produced by the nonprofit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. The Rose Parade will be broadcast live by: ABC, NBC, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, KTLA-CW and Univision. Don’t forget to tune in on Jan. 2, 2012, at 8 a.m. PST / 11 a.m. EST.

About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children® is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

11-28-11 Masons’ installation in town of El Dorado

2011-11-22T15:31:00.001-08:00

INSTALLATION OF NEW OFFICERS:

Masons, their wives and families and friends and the public who live in the vicinity of Hiram Lodge 25, town of El Dorado, are invited to the Installation of Officers for the Masonic Lodge. The installation will be on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. at the Lodge, 6201 Main St., El Dorado. There will be a light luncheon after the ceremony. Please RSVP by calling Dusty Deryck at 530-621-1222 or Brian Kennedy at 530-621-3702. Dress is “business suit.”

Shriners helping lives

2011-11-22T09:56:00.001-08:00

By JAMIE A. HUNT

FOR THE RECORDER November 21, 2011

Ten families from Porterville and surrounding communities took advantage of the free annual screening clinic offered by the Fresno Tehran Shriners at Sierra View District Hospital on Saturday, from 9 a.m. until noon.

Tom Crosno, the Recorder for the Shriners organization, talked to children and their parents while he compiled paper work from preliminary screenings to submit to the board of medical doctors at the Sacramento Shriners hospital.

“If the doctors believe they can help a child,” said Crosno, “they will set up an appointment for the family in Sacramento. If the doctors can help, they will start their procedures. All assistance remains free to the parents or families.”

Most attendees on Saturday had been referred to the clinic by their local schools, a few from Terra Bella and Woodville. Refreshments available for families to enjoy while they waited at the clinic.

Crosno and his wife, Elaine, have been involved with the Shriners from 1977. “They do about six screening clinics a year at local hospitals”, said Crosno. This year they have done four or five, because Tom, a tall vigorous 70-year-old, is recovering from a recent heart attack.

One family, Rick Newman, and his daughter, Cheyenne, came late to the clinic. As he talked to Elaine, he and Cheyenne were sent straight through for her preliminary screening and interview with Tom, who filled out the appropriate paperwork for the doctors.

Because the clinic did not have a medical doctor available on Saturday, Elaine explained that the Shriners were only doing paper work to submit to the doctors in Sacramento.

According to Kurt Jauss, the elected Shriners Potentiate, the organization created their Children’s Hospitals in the 1920’s to originally help children with polio, and through the years they have continued to help children get treatment and recover from many more diseases.

“The goal of the Shriners is to take care of children from birth to 18,” said Jauss, “You look at those kids and realize that’s who you are helping. And all those small aches and pains that you have become insignificant.”

The Shriners organization has become a medical service group with 22 hospitals across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their efforts are entirely funded by donations, and the medical intervention and operations they provide at the hospitals is superior.

“I promise to deliver to these children,” said Jauss, whose father drove for UPS for 46 years. “If we can help families, we are here.” Another motto he said is, “You never stand taller, than when you bend down to help a child.”

Newman had sought help years before for his daughter, but was told that the Shriners could not do anything.

But when Jauss spoke with him about Cheyenne, he told him that the Shriners had been treating cleft palate for the last five to six years, since 2006. So it is a fairly new treatment.

Jauss is the Shriners Potentiate for one year, and said, “If any child comes to us with a problem that will not allow them to have a full life, we will take care of them. Our aim is to give a child a better life.”

“Ten families today. This clinic is a good help to the community, and we appreciate the help from Sierra View Hospital,” said Crosno, “We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Later in the day, over the phone Rick Newman spoke. He said, “My daughter Cheyenne, was born with a cleft lip.”

“The Shriners have given me and my family a little more hope about getting the procedures done that will help my daughter. We will hear back from the doctors in four to six weeks, if they can help Cheyenne.”

“I guess it is totally up to the doctors in Sacramento.”

Cheyenne needs to have a bone graft before she is 16, according to her father, and will need braces and a nose reconstruction.

As a single parent and veteran, Newman is trying to get healthy families insurance coverage for Cheyenne. But he says with medical prices so high, it is a struggle.

“The Shriners have helped a lot of people,” said Newman with emotion, “and I hope they can help my daughter.”

For more information about the Shriners clinics and hospitals, call the Tehran Temple in Fresno at 559-251-1991.

RECORDER PHOTO BY CHIEKO HARA

Kurt Jauss removes a sign after the Shriner's clinic on Saturday at Sierra View District Hospital in Porterville.

2011-11-18T09:16:00.001-08:00

Gala & Golf Raises $20,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children

The Sacramento Chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association and Granite Bay Golf Club presented Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Northern California with a check for $20,587.70 at the hospital's Very Merry Shriners Hospital Thanksgiving on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.

The funds were raised at the first annual Cool California Nights Gala-Shriners Hospitals for Children Golf Tournament held at Granite Bay Golf Club in October. The two-day event was hosted by Randy Bartlett, president of the Sacramento Chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA), JD Firestone, secretary of ADJA, and Brad Cady, head golf professional at Granite Bay Golf Club. Joel Lerman, M.D., accepted the check on behalf of the hospital.

About Shriners Hospitals for ChildrenShriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. For more information visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Two named to Shriners' all-star team

2011-11-17T09:04:00.001-08:00

Thursday, November 17, 2011 Mountain Home News

Two Mountain Home Tigers have been named to the East squad for the 16th annual District III High School Shrine all-star football game, sponsored by El Korah Shrine of Boise.The contest will begin at 2 p.m. Nov. 25 at Eagle High School's Thunder Stadium.

The game will be preceded by the eight-man football game at 11 a.m. where four members of the Rimrock High School Raiders will take part -- Clay Cantrel, Oscar Gomez, Nathan Black and Jorge Mondragon.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students with activity card (or 12 years old and under).
Proceeds benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the El Korah patient travel fund.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 hospitals that provides specialized care to children under the age of 18 with orthopaedic, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip or palate. All services are provided at no charge to patients.
For more information on the all-star game, call 343-0571.

PORTERVILLE,Ca

2011-11-11T08:55:00.001-08:00

Shriners planning screening clinic

THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER

The Shriners are holding a free clinic at Sierra View District Hospital to screen children who might be in need of its services.

The screening clinic will be held 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The requirements for the children to be screened are:

- The child must be under the age of 18 years old

- Bring a copy of his/ her birth record

- Bring a copy of immunization record

- Bring any available medical records

The patients are seen on a first come first served basis.

The following are types of some of the common conditions that are treated at Shriners Hospital: Scoliosis Brittle Bone Disease, Burns, Cleft Palute, Orthopedic problems of Cerebral Palsy, Hand problems, Back problems, Limb Deficiencies, Growth problems, Spina Bifida, Myelodysplasia, Club foot, Dislocated hip, leg length.

87th Annual East-West Shrine Game Announces New Radio Team

2011-11-10T09:13:00.001-08:00

Play-by-Play Sports Properties, LLC today announced its decision to partner with Skyview Networks for radio distribution and automation of the 87th Annual East-West Shrine Game to air January 21, 2012 at 3:45 pm EST. The game, which includes college senior football stars and National Football League (NFL) coaches, donates game proceeds to its title holder, Shriners Hospitals for Children.

“Skyview is a leader in satellite distribution and radio station automation. We are proud to be working with them on this premier national broadcast," said Joe Bourdow, chairman of Play-by-Play Sports Properties.

The 87th Annual East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida will be produced by Play-by-Play Sports Properties, LLC and distributed by Skyview Networks to select radio stations across the United States and streamed live on the Tune In Radio App for smartphones and mobile devices. This is the first time in some years that the game will be carried live on a radio network.

“We are enthused that Play-by-Play Sports Properties reached out to us for this exciting event,” said Matt Stys, vice president new business development for Skyview Networks. “The East-West Shrine Game is a great tradition in college football and we are proud to be part of the 87th annual game.”

The game itself is the oldest continuing college footballAll Stargame showcasing the nation's top players and has included NFL greats such as Tom Brady, John Elway and Brett Favre. The game also benefits the work of 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Radio stations interested in carrying the 87th Annual East-West Shrine Football game are encouraged to contact Play-by-Play Sports Properties, LLC for details at joe.bourdow[.]playbyplaysportsproperties.com..

About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children (shrinershospitalsforchildren.org) is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.

About Play-by-Play Sports Properties, LLC
St. Petersburg based Play-by-Play (playbyplaysportsproperties.com) was founded in 2009 by retired Valpak President and longtime national franchise executive Joe Bourdow and veteran North Carolina broadcaster Patrick Kinas. The emerging company is active in minor league baseball, college sports, general sports marketing and innovative forms of digital distribution.

About TuneIn
Formed in 2010, TuneIn (tunein.com) is a free service that lets people listen to any music station, talk show or sporting event in the world from wherever they are. TuneIn offers over 50,000 AM, FM, HD and Internet radio stations and 1.2 million on-demand streams from every continent. TuneIn is available on all major smartphones, tablets, connected home stereos, smart TVs, and online. The company is based in Palo Alto, California.

About Skyview Networks
Skyview Networks (skyviewnetworks.com) currently provides the broadcast services for over 50 professional and collegiate sports organizations and produces and delivers Arizona News Radio and California Headline News. Founded in 1995, Skyview is based in Scottsdale, Arizona and focuses on providing broadcast network solutions to professional and collegiate sports and syndicated radio. Skyview Networks’ services include satellite distribution, full network automation, affiliate relations, inventory management systems and advertising solutions for radio, television, print, signage and web.

Helping Children Live The Best Possible Life

2011-11-10T09:08:00.001-08:00

(NAPSI)—Every year there are 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries (SCI) in the U.S. Approximately 10 percent affect children under age 16.

The implications of SCI last a lifetime, point out the experts at Shriners Hospitals for Children®, often resulting in some degree of paralysis and disruption of the body’s voluntary and involuntary actions.

In addition to providing expert medical and rehabilitative care, it is important for caregivers to be aware of and meet the developmental, social and educational needs of children and adolescents with spinal cord injuries to ensure they have the best opportunity for a full, satisfying life.

In the mid-1980s, Shriners Hospitals for Children established the nation’s first SCI rehabilitation programs specifically designed for children and teenagers. Shriners Hospitals for Children is involved in spinal cord injury research, including quality of life studies, the refinement of diagnostic standards specifically for pediatric injuries and studies to understand the complexities of regenerating the spinal cord.

Patients participating in these programs—at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Chicago, Philadelphia and Sacramento, Calif.—receive the complete range of services.

The family-centered rehabilitation program is interdisciplinary, offering each patient a complete, easily accessible care program. The treatment team may include a variety of surgeons and other physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, therapeutic recreation specialists, psychologists, social workers and dietitians.

Exercise and activity-based rehabilitation, including aqua therapy, pet therapy and adaptive sports, are important parts of the effort. These activities build strength and stamina and increase social interaction, confidence and independence. Some of the hospitals also offer specialty camps emphasizing aspects of health, fitness and independence.

In addition to providing the best, most innovative care possible, the hospitals are involved in several research efforts involving SCI.

Currently, the hospitals are funding 10 research and clinical studies involving different aspects of SCI, ranging from cell repair to quality of life issues. In addition, researchers at Shriners Hospitals for Children share their expertise through academic affiliations at noteworthy institutions and by providing opportunities for postdoctoral researchers.

Shriners Hospitals for Children depends on donations to fund its research programs. For information on ways you can support this effort, visitwww.donate2SHC.org.

Magnets will help keep scoliosis patient out of the operating room.

2011-11-09T16:57:00.001-08:00

Portland, Ore.- Surgeons at Shriners Hospitals for Children^®-Portland have received FDA compassionate approval, to use the Phenix Rod for the first time in North America. Beckem Nimmo, born in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada will be the first recipient.

The Phenix Rod, made of cobalt chrome, is a growing rod inserted next to the spine for the treatment of early onset scoliosis. Surgeons insert the metal rod and attach it to spine at both ends of the spinal curve. Unlike other growing rod systems which require surgery every six months to lengthen the rods, this specially designed rod can be gradually lengthened from outside of the skin, avoiding the need for general anesthesia and an incision. Parents have a magnetic device they hold over their child’s back and rotate to extend the rod. They turn the magnet once a day to lengthen the rod by 0.2mm. Over time the rod grows with the child, avoiding the need for repeat surgery to manually lengthen it.

The magnetic growing rod was designed by the French engineer Arnaud Soubeiran and used successfully in Australia and Europe. Soubeiran came personally to Portland to educate the family about the rod lengthening procedure.

Beckem is a curious and determined 5 year old who lives every moment in the present, but his life is not without complications. Born with a rare neurological disorder he has already endured surgery to release a tethered spinal cord and several noninvasive treatments for severe infantile scoliosis including a specialized casting technique and halo traction which have helped slow the progression of his curve.

“Beckem is such a great candidate for this special rod because of his age, size and the severity of his spinal curve. His additional medical issues made repeat procedures requiring general anesthesia particularly difficult,” said his surgeon J.Ivan Krajbich M.D.

In patients who have reached skeletal maturity the course of treatment is to fuse the vertebra together, however in children the course of treatment is considerably different.

“Kids are not just little adults, you can’t treat them the same way you would an adult. They need to grow and have room for their organs to grow with them too,” said Dr. Krajbich.

Beckem’s family chose to come to Shriners Hospitals for Children^® in Portland to receive care for Beckem, because of the high quality of the spinal deformity program in Portland and the lengthy wait for surgery in Vancouver, Canada.

Shriners Hospitals for Children^® is the only pediatric hospital system in the United States that provides care and services regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. Shriners Hospital is one of the largest pediatric sub-specialty health care systems and has the one of the largest full-time staff of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in the U.S.

Thanksgiving’s 10 Most Memorable Football Games

2011-11-08T15:41:00.000-08:00

Looking back in history gives us some great games played on Thanksgiving Day. If you are a football fan, check out this web page for some great history "(http://www.onlinecertificateprograms.org/blog/2011/thanksgivings-10-most-memorable-football-games/)

MetLife Donates $15,000 to Shriners Hospitals for Children

2011-11-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

STEPHEN LEVY, MANAGING Partner of the MetLife New England Financial office in Foster City, Calif., donated $15,000 to Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Northern California during a special ceremony in the hospital’s Central Activity Area on Friday, November 4, 2011. The grandson of a Shriner, Mr. Levy has been an agent with MetLife New England Financial since 1983. MetLife recognized Mr. Levy with the 2011 MetLife Good Business Practices Award, which came with the honor of donating $15,000 to a charity of choice.

“I have always admired the work done by Shriners and Shriners Hospitals for Children. My grandfather and stepfather were active in the Shrine fraternity, and I grew up admiring their service and commitment to others. When I embarked on my career at MetLife, I had the honor of working with Robert Haas, a fellow MetLife agent who served on the board of the Northern California hospital and was deeply involved in building the Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento,” said Mr. Levy.

Snoopy, a perennial favorite and face of MetLife, posed for pictures with patients, and MetLife provided Snoopy picture frames to hold the keepsakes.

The donation supports Shriners Hospitals for Children in its mission to advance the lives of children through expert treatment, teaching and research. At Shriners Hospitals for Children, there are no barriers to care. Admission is based on age and diagnosis, and any child under 18 is eligible for care providing the child’s condition is within the scope of services provided. As a regional pediatric medical center, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California serves children throughout California and the Western United States. If you would like to learn more about how you, too, can make a positive difference in the lives of children, contact Alan Anderson, Director of Development, by calling 916-453-2009 or sending email to asanderson@shrinenet.org.

Something for Everyone: Nancy and Mariana are just two of the many hospital patients who had their picture taken with Snoopy during the donation celebration. Joining Stephen Levy, Managing Partner of MetLife New England Financial, were (from left) Margaret Ash, Kim Levy, Alex Levy, Kevin Le, Snoopy, Stephen Levy, Gary Kiddie, BJ Bartleson, Alan Anderson and Stephen Robinson.

El Zaribah New Ritual Team and New Masonic Lodge

2011-11-08T09:59:00.001-08:00

Nobles,

We had a great turnout at our organizational meetings for both the new Ritual Team and possible new Masonic Lodge last evening. A total of 14 Nobles showed up for the meeting, however, there were others that had contacted us who wanted to be there but could not. All toll, we have approximately 25 Nobles who are interested in both the establishment of a Ritual Team and a new Masonic Lodge located here in our building. Just think of it, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a Charter Member of a Masonic Lodge. I have just contacted the Grand Lodge of Indiana, as my “Mother Lodge” is in Terre Haute, and learned that Indiana does allow “Plural Membership” and therefore I can become a Charter Member of our new lodge. Now this is exciting.

We have scheduled a practice for the Ritual Team on the 2^nd Monday in December, the 12^th, at 7:00 PM at the Temple. I believe our Lodge Room is being used that evening so we will find another room to meet in.

If you have yet to contact us but are still interested in being a part of either the Ritual Team or the starting of a new Masonic Lodge, please contact myself, Ed Stolze or Gerry Massey.

Fraternally,

Tom Calvin, Potentate

El Zaribah Shriners

2011-11-07T09:12:00.000-08:00

Sioux Falls Shriners Commemorate SD Girl

by Jason Rantala

The El Riad Shriners in Sioux Falls had a special guest at their meeting today. They were joined by 20-year-old Paige Stolsmark.

To the Shriners, she has a special place in their hearts, since she's someone they helped raise money for the majority of her life.

Your first time at a Shriners meeting, a few things may stick out.

The hats, for one...and the music.

...And probably the clowns.

However, that's all just part of it. Today the El Riad Shriners of Sioux Falls are meeting in part to commemorate the end of a lifetime of cleft lip and palate procedures for one 20-year old from South Dakota.

"Growing up, kids would ask me about it and I felt uncomfortable about it,” said Stolsmark.

And the amazing part, the Shriners paid every cent of her travels and procedures at the Shriner’s hospital in Chicago.

"As the surgeries went on and I was more confident about my looks and everything,” said Stolsmark.

It's all part of the Shriners mission: Raising money for the healthcare costs of sick and injured kids.

If you look at Paige today, you can hardly tell there was ever an issue.

"It's great to be finished with all my procedures like I'm confident in how I look and I'm so thankful for everything that they've done for me,” said Stolsmark.

Doctors recommended Paige and her family to the Shriners when they learned about her cleft lip and palate at 5 months old.

The Shriners have had such an impact on Paige and her family, that her father is actually joining today.

"It's just a great fraternal organization, lots of great people that spend their time away from their families,” said Rolland Stolsmark.

While she says she'll miss the doctors and the trips to Chicago for treatments, Paige says she's incredibly grateful, and says she hopes to someday give back to the organization that gave so much to her.

Paige is currently a sophomore at USD and is majoring in health science.

Someday she hopes to go back to the Shriner's hospital in Chicago and work with children.

Halloween Fun at Shriners Hospitals for Children Portland

2011-11-04T17:13:00.000-07:00

A very long standing tradition, the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Portland has celebrated Halloween every year in high style. Halloween is a fun day for all; staff, volunteers, friends of the hospital and most importantly, the patients. Most departments get together weeks in advance plotting out their theme, collaborating quietly on decorations and costumes. This year, Illustrious Sir Greg Jenkins and Lady Mavis and Noble Gene Stiles and Lady Bunny spent part of the day at the hospital, judging the costume contest and making the rounds to determine which department won the best decoration theme. Research, Rehab Services, Care Coordination and Materials Management all took prizes in the decorating and costume contest. The newest member to the team, Patch ‘aka Snow White’ Patchin took the prize for best individual costume; sporting a yellow chiffon dress and jaunty black wig.

Trick or treaters visited all the participating departments within the 7 floors of the hospital. Patients, their siblings and children of staff members were able to safely trick or treat and show off their costumes. Spiderman, Star Trek troopers, princesses and Snow Whites were in plentiful supply throughout the day, visiting those areas that chose to participate. Yummy treats for the trick or treaters were supplied again this year by our anonymous donor group who so generously brings in several large bins of ‘top shelf’ candy.

2011-11-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

Thaddeus Sherman Masonic Lodge presents awards

BY: Contributed


Hiram Award recipient Jerry Harbick with his wife, Liv. Standing behind the Harbicks is Rod Smiley, Master of Ceremonies. Freemasons from the King David, Thaddeus Sherman and Atascadero Lodges at the recent Hiram Award Dinner. Courtesy photos.

The Thaddeus Sherman Masonic Lodge No. 196 held its second Hiram Award Dinner on Oct. 26.

Thaddeus Sherman Masonic Lodge was consolidated in 2009 of two Free Mason Lodges, formally known as Paso Robles Masonic Lodge No. 286 and San Simeon/Cambria Masonic Lodge No. 196.

Following cocktails and a dinner prepared by the Culinary Arts School, the guests were ushered into the Lodge Room, where Master of Ceremonies Rod Smiley opened the evening’s presentation with the introduction of Lodge Master William “Bill“ Mills. Past Masters and current Lodge Officers were then recognized.

Mills formally presented the Hiram Award to Jerry Harbick, a past Lodge Master. Harbick, who was born and raised in Fresno, moved to the Bay Area and attended Foothill College and San Jose State University upon completion of his service in the Air Force. He began several different careers including application and marketing engineer. He was also an antique store owner specializing in antique pinball, jukebox, and slot machines, Snap-On Tool dealer, and Swiss supplier of control systems for Electrical Power Co., where he remained until he retired in 2000. Harbick married his wife Liv in 1993. Upon retiring, the couple decided upon Paso Robles as their permanent residence.

Harbick has served the Lodge in several official capacities over the years, and also belongs to the San Jose Scottish Rite, Al Malaikah Shrine, and San Luis York Rite. He is currently on the Board of Direcors of the Paso Robles Shrine Club, and serves as the President of the Paso Robles Temple Association, which is associated with Thaddeus Sherman Lodge. The Hiram Award was awarded to Harbick after careful consideration by a designated committee.

The history of the Hiram Award was explained to the attendees by David Chesebro, Inspector of the 501st Masonic District and Chaplain of King David’s Lodge No. 209 in San Luis Obispo. The Hiram Award was instituted in 1977 by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of California to provide a means for a Lodge to recognize a member for his devoted service to that Lodge, who has dedicated himself to the principles of Freemasonry without ever seeking recognition for his efforts, and who may or may not have served as an officer. It is not awarded on a yearly basis, but as members are recognized. Over 33 Hiram Awards have been presented since 1981.

The name “Hiram” is defined in the dictionary as a Hebrew noble; also, high in excellence and worth. The name is synonymous with “honorable, renowned.” Excellence and worth are traits highly regarded by the Freemasons, who feel that those possessing such traits are truly honorable and dependable people. Hiram is also the name of a celebrated artist in King Solomon’s time. During the construction of Solomon’s temple, Hiram was entrusted with the supervision over all the workman. Under Hiram’s direction and design, the Temple and everything in it, as well as its appendages were completed.

2011-11-04T10:04:00.001-07:00

Screening Clinic for Care at Shriners Hospitals for Children

The Kitsap Peninsula Shrine Club will hold a screening clinic at Harrison Medical Center, 2520 Cherry Avenue in Bremerton on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. The purpose of the clinic is to screen children who may be eligible for medical care for a variety of orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, as well or muscular-skeletal disorders such as Spina Bifida, Legg-Parthes disease. More than 250 children from the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas have been treated over the years.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding medical education programs. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment, regardless of ability to pay. The Shriners International fraternity founded, and continues to operate this unique health care system.

Former patients are encouraged to visit the Shriners at the clinic, as well as anyone interested in the health of young people. Call (360) 692-7274, or (800) 432-8200 for more information.

2011-11-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

Shriners Patients Make Ornaments for 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree

“Usually the children get to keep their art project, but when we told them their ornaments would hang on the national tree, they were thrilled.”

– Penny Lees, Therapeutic Recreation & Child Life Manager

ORNAMENTS MADE BY patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Northern California are headed for Washington, D.C. According to the National Forest Service, California has been invited to provide the Christmas tree that will stand in front of the United States Capitol for the first time since 1995. The tree selected will stand nearly six stories high and will come from the Stanislaus National Forest in Tuolumne County, a region served by Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Northern California. Adding to the excitement is the fact that ornaments made by patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children will decorate the 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree. While temperatures climbed toward the 100-degree mark this summer, kids at the Shriners Hospital in Sacramento celebrated Christmas in July by making ornaments for the 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree. Working to the theme California Shines, the kids used glitter and glue to make their baubles sparkle. A ribbon that reads Shriners Hospitals for Children finished each of the ornaments that will travel by truck to Washington D.C. in November. The Shriners Hospital creations are among more than 5,000 other ornaments that will adorn the 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree.

“The kids had lots of fun making the ornaments,” says Penny Lees, Manager of the hospital’s Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life program. “Usually the children get to keep their art project, but when we told them their ornaments would hang on the national tree, they were thrilled. It was a real honor to be part of this project.”

If you are interested in learning more about how you can join Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California in building a caring community, please call the Public & Community Relations Office at 916-453-2018

Tell us your Story

2011-11-03T12:27:00.001-07:00

Personal Essay Contest

We know that every Shriner has a story to tell. The 140th Anniversary of Shriners International is quickly approaching in 2012, and this is the perfect time to reflect on our rich history. We cannot think of a better way to do so than by listening to the voices of the men who have made this organization so well-loved and respected.

We would like you to share your story with us by entering into the Shriners International Personal Essay Contest. This essay should be a story from your life as it relates to being a Shriner. A personal essay gives the reader an intimate glimpse of the author’s experience, observations, thoughts or feelings. The individual stories of our members make up the history of our organization and by preserving them on paper you will help us tell the story of Shriners International.

Both Shriner and non-Shriner affiliated judges will read all submissions anonymously and vote for the top three essays. Winners will receive plaques, pins, and both individual and temple will be acknowledged at the 138th Imperial Session in Charlotte, NC, July 2012, in the presence of their fellow nobles. The top three essays will appear in a commemorative anniversary coffee table book that will also premiere at Session.

For contest details and entry form, visit http://www.shrinersinternational.org/Press/PersonalEssay.aspx

2011-11-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

Montana's Masonic history subject of talk at Travelers' Rest

By KIM BRIGGEMAN of the Missoulian |

Font Size:: Default font size; Larger font size

LOLO - Capt. William Clark left a lasting reminder of his presence in Montana on July 25, 1806 - an inscription of his name and the date on Pompeys Pillar in the Yellowstone Valley.

As far as we know, Clark's co-captain, Meriwether Lewis, left no such physical trace behind. But there is something Lewis left here.

On display in a climate-controlled container in Helena is one of Lewis' ceremonial, hand-painted Masonic aprons. No one's claiming he carried it with him on the expedition. But it is believed to be the one he had in his pocket when he died in Tennessee in 1809.

Daniel Gardiner, administrative assistant at the Masonic Grand Lodge of Montana in Helena, won't bring the apron with him to Lolo on Thursday.

"I will not be traveling with the case, which is monstrously huge and prohibitively expensive to travel with," Gardiner said Tuesday with a laugh. But the public is welcome to see it at the Masonic museum at 425 N. Park Ave. in Helena.

Gardiner will have a comparable apron with him when he presents a program on Lewis' and Montana's rich history of freemasonry. It's the featured part of the monthly meeting of the Travelers' Rest Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Lolo Community Center. All are welcome. Donations from non-chapter members are encouraged.

Lewis was initiated and received his ceremonial apron in Aberemarle County, Va., in 1797, at the early age 23. He became the first known Mason to enter what became Montana in 1805, and later helped persuade Clark to join the Masonic fraternity in St. Louis.

Gardiner will share stories and insights on the apron and its symbols, as well as the history of freemasonry. And he'll dispel some myths about Masons and the Montana Vigilantes.

Masons wear their aprons at all Masonic meetings and rituals. Lewis' is made of hand-painted silk backed with linen and measures 14.5 inches by 16.5 inches, according to Joe Musselman's "Meriwether Lewis, Master Mason" on lewis-clark.org.

It was passed down from Lewis' mother to his sister Jane, and through Jane's descendants to the Grand Lodge of Missouri. In 1960 Joseph Hopper bought it and donated it to the Grand Lodge of Montana in Helena.

Gardiner said the apron can be seen as "a representation of all that culminated here in Montana" in freemasonry. The Helena museum is a repository for a dazzling array of artifacts of many of Montana's most prominent men in its formative years.

Cornelus Hedges, Nathaniel Langford, Wilbur Fisk Sanders, Hezekiah Hosmer, Paris Pfouts, William A. Clark ... the list goes on and on, Gardiner said.

"We have artifacts of all of them here because they were all active Masons, and many of them were Grand Masters," Gardiner said. "Basically it's a Who's Who of all the early famous pioneers of Montana."

2011-11-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

Shriners stop by Gilroy to collect toys for sick children

By Dispatch Staff

On Sunday, the Shrine Nomad caravan passed through Gilroy, en route to the Shrine Children's Hospital in Sacramento.

They collected six barrels of toys from Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Hollister, mainly from popular restaurants such as Sandy's in Gilroy, Betsy's in Morgan Hill and Jerry's in Hollister. The toys will be given to the children at the hospital on Christmas Day.

Kern County Shrine Club & Youth Football

2011-11-01T11:48:00.001-07:00

Youth football

The Kern County Shrine Club will be teaming with Golden Empire Youth Football on the GEYF's big football day, Nov. 19 at Indepenence High, starting at 10:30 a.m.

The Shriners will have their Kern County Shrine float in a parade preceding the day's games, with Bakersfield College football players, Golden Empire Youth Football players, Shriners, Shriner clowns and Shriners on scooters participating in the parade. Last year the Shriners generated $5,500 for the Shriners' Hospital for Children.

UpDate on "The Night of the Child"

2011-10-28T13:05:00.001-07:00

We're down to fifteen(15) days away from "The Night of the Child" and we've got a wonderful night planned for everyone. The committee has been meeting all year and we believe we have put together a program and appearance of the Shrine that you have never seen before and that you will be proud of. The dress for the Benefit is Black tie. Our definition of this is tuxedo or suit.

I want to say a special "THANK YOU" to all of those that have attended our monthly preparation meetings and involved in so much to make this happen. I'd like to say a special thank you to one of our Divan members, Ed Stolze who puts together our audio/video and music production and it is some production. Without his support and involvement, we would not see the production that you will see.

If you don't have a table or you have someone that you think might want a table, we can still get you a table in the next couple days. After Friday, November 4th, we will cut off getting anymore tables due to layout and final preparation. We will have to have your money and application in our hand by November 4th to be registered. If interested, please call Mick Degn at mdegn40669@aol.com. You can also get tickets on line at www.nightofthechild.org Lets fill the Shrine Auditorium with a lot of folks and show what we do for the kids and why as Shriners we have the passion to help our kids.

Remember "The Night of the Child" is a Benefit that is put on for the kids and all the money that is raised from this Benefit goes to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. In the past this money has been used for the transportation of our kids to the hospitals, clinics,etc. It doesn't get any better than that.

At this time, our Chairman's have identified the help that they need for the evening or if not, they might be contacting some of you.

Again, thank you for all your support for Night of the Child and for all of those involved in making it happen.

Mick

Sjoroos to coach All-Star Game

2011-10-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

Posted: October 27, 2011 - 12:09am

Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire

Juneau-Douglas coach Rich Sjoroos talks to quarterback Philip Fenumiai this season

By Klas Stolpe

JUNEAU EMPIRE

Juneau-Douglas football coach Rich Sjoroos just can’t get rid of his players after the season.

Known as a top Railbelt Conference coach, Sjoroos has been recognized state-wide with his selection to coach the Al Aska Shriners’ 34th Annual North-South Football Classic at the Dome in Anchorage on Saturday, and a number of his senior Crimson Bears were chosen to play.

“It is pretty neat,” Sjoroos said. “And to share it with the kids for such a good cause is even better. Sometimes we are overlooked in Southeast or treated like a separate state so we are enjoying this.”

It is the first time a Southeast coach has been selected and, like they have done all season, seven Crimson Bears “have his back” on the field. They are: center Warren Eckland, lineman Velepoto Enele, linebacker Lah Fifita, running back Jerick Ibias, linebacker Alex Matheson, Junior Nauer and wide receiver Sean Niumataevalu.

“I think it is pretty cool for our seniors,” Sjoroos said. “I am glad I get to coach these guys for one more game too. It is neat to watch them put the pads on and get one more shot to play some football.”

Sjoroos’ roster also includes senior all-star football players from Dimond, North Pole, Service, South Anchorage, West Anchorage and West Valley. Crimson Bears’ JV head coach Angelo Katasse will assist along with Service’s Corey Lindamood

Wasilla head coach Kent Rilatos, Chugiak’s Duncan Shackelford and Colony’s Richard Farber will coach the North team of seniors from Bartlett, Chugiak, Colony, Eagle River, East Anchorage, Palmer and Wasilla.

“It is fun to watch the kids getting together in practice with the other schools,” Sjoroos said from Anchorage. “All their different background getting together and spend some days together. Everybody puts their rivalries aside and straps it on to play football for a good cause.”

Dimond’s Nathan Stevens, the Cook Inlet Defensive Player of the Year, will get to team up with JD’s state defensive player of the year Lah Fifita. Service’s offensive weapon Alan Busey will be in Sjoroos’ backfield, this time on purpose.

Sjoroos also stated, “They must get more sunlight up here because some of these West linemen are huge.”

The Shrine Game is held one week after the high school football championship games. The classic brings together the state’s best seniors.

Last year was the first ever Alaska boys’ football game held indoors and this year a girls’ flag football (10 a.m.) and a boys’ small/medium game (noon) were added. The large school begins at 2 p.m.

The games benefit Alaska children with medical needs. The Shrine game motto is “Strong Legs Run, So Weak Legs May Walk.” The proceeds of the game go directly to support Shriners Hospitals for Children, which currently treat over 700 of Alaska’s children.

Detroit Lakes native receives Sam Sar Award

2011-10-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

By: Vicki Gerdes, DL-Online

El Zagal Shrine potentate Ron Beckpresents AL KROGSTAD with the Sam Sar Award at the Shriners’ Oct. 11 statedbusiness meeting in Fargo. Both Krogstad and Beck are members of the DetroitLakes Shrine Color Guard.

Though he likes to call himself a “worker bee” when it comes tohis work for the Detroit Lakes Shrine Color Guard, that doesn’t mean AlKrogstad’s contributions to the local unit of Fargo’s El Zagal Shrine gounnoticed.

Quite the contrary: Earlier this month, at the Oct. 7 statedbusiness meeting of El Zagal, the Temple Potentate, Ron Beck, presentedKrogstad with the Sam Sar Award — the highest award that any Shrine Noble canreceive.

“Al has been an active member (of the DL unit) for many years, andhas held an office with the Color Guard as treasurer for many years,” saidBeck, who like Krogstad, is from Detroit Lakes.

“He works behind the scenes and is always there to do what ever ittakes. It gave me great pleasure to confer this award to Al, as I am also amember of the DL Color Guard and I consider Al a good friend.

“It is Nobles like Al that make the Shriners the greatestphilanthropy on earth.”

“I was totally, totally honored to receive this,” Krogstad said ofthe honor. “The Sam Sar is an award that isn’t handed out real often.”

A member of the DL Shrine Color Guard for the past 14 years,Krogstad has twice been named Shriner of the Year (2001 and 2006); and was alsotwice honored as Mr. Behind-the-Scenes (2007 and 2010).

He has walked in all of the area parades in which the local Shrineunit has participated, including events in Detroit Lakes, Frazee, PelicanRapids, Vergas, Perham, Menahga and Lake Park.

“I’m active in most of the Shrine activities,” Krogstad said.

As Beck also noted, he served as treasurer of the local Shrineunit for eight years, 2000-08.

Before he became a Shriner, Krogstad was a member of the localMasonic Lodge in Detroit Lakes.

“You have to be a Mason before you can become a Shriner,”explained Krogstad, who was raised to the level of master mason in the localMasonic temple 15 years ago — a prerequisite for becoming a Shriner.

“Some choose to stay with the Masons, and some become Shriners,”he added.

Krogstad chose the latter, in part because of the Shriners’commitment to helping kids.

“That’s what the organization is all about,” he said. “The ShrineHospitals allow kids with birth defects and other illnesses to go see the bestdoctors there are available, completely free of charge.”

Krogstad has two children of his own, both grown and living fairlyclose by.

“My daughter is married, with two kids, and lives in Elk River,”he said. “My son owns a computer business in Fargo.”

Krogstad makes his home near Little Floyd Lake, which is alsowhere his business is based.

“I’ve been here all my life,” he said. “I’ve lived in this samespot for the past 33 years.”

Al’s Water Systems offers water conditioning and treatmentservices such as arsenic removal, iron removal and general water softening, aswell as sales, service and rentals of water conditioning units. “I’ve been inbusiness 26 years,” he said.

He first joined the Masons, and then the Shriners, through afriend who was a member and “talked me into it.”

“It’s a good organization to be a part of,” Krogstad added. “Iencourage anyone who is interested in becoming a member to contact a Shrinerand ask for more information on how to join.”

Besides his work with the Shriners, Krogstad also volunteers withthe Becker County Dive Rescue Team.

He earned his diver certification at Tri-State Diving, where healso worked as an instructor for several years.

SHC-Salt Lake

2011-10-27T08:58:00.001-07:00

Shriners offer free health screenings
St. George Daily Spectrum
After the screenings, the doctors may recommend treatment at Shriners Children Hospital in Salt Lake City - another service offered for free. It's a labor of love for the volunteer doctor, Doug Callahan, from Callahan Clinic in St. George.

A brief history of Freemasonry in Taft

2011-10-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

By Kenneth Cooper

Special to the Taft Midway Driller

Taft, Calif. —Here is a brief history of Freemasonry on the Westside compiled by Kenneth Cooper.

The first Masonic Lodge on the West Side was instituted on October 17, 1911, as Midway Lodge No. 426. It first met in the Redmen’s Hall in the Smith Bros. Building, then after two years moved into the Odd Fellows Hall across the street.
Ten years later, the lodge’s first owned Temple was constructed in 1923 on North Street, where it continues to meet.
The second Masonic Lodge chartered was Maricopa Lodge No. 434, which was instituted on February 6, 1913. It first met in the Coons & Price Hall and then in the Palace Hall, but after twenty-four years there it opted to purchase the Odd Fellows Hall where it had originally held meetings. The lodge met in peace until the morning of July 21st when the 1952 Earthquake happened. Of all the lodges on the West Side, their Temple was the only one damaged beyond repair. For five years the lodge met at Temblor Lodge in Fellows until 1957 when the Lodge occupied its newly constructed Temple built on the foundation of the old building.
The town of Fellows was also becoming a bustling oilfield community, so a third Masonic Lodge was instituted there on January 14, 1920. It first met in the Fellows Oil Workers Union Hall, but after a year purchased the Star Rooming House in town and renovated it for a Masonic Temple.
The fourth and last Lodge to be instituted was Taft Lodge No. 516 on December 28, 1921. For a short time it met in the Taft Odd Fellows Hall until the new Temple was built which it occupied with Midway Lodge. It had become necessary for a second lodge in town because of the tremendous number of new member applications.
Each lodge had its affiliated Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star. They were in order of chartering: Maricopa No. 323 in 1913, Taft No. 337 in 1915, Buena Vista No. 364 (Fellows) in 1920, Faith No. 514 (Taft) in 1929.
Other Masonic-related organizations were the Order of DeMolay, Jobs Daughters, Sciots, Commandery of Knights Templar, Royal Arch Masons, High-Twelve, and White Shrine of Jerusalem.
In July 1972, the first of three consolidations occurred when Taft Lodge joined Midway Lodge; thus, causing the name change. Then in 1973 and 1975, Maricopa and Temblor Lodges respectively consolidated into Taft-Midway Lodge. Beginning in 1968, all the Eastern Star Chapters consolidated and currently there are none operating on the West Side.
During the 266-years of combined lodge existences, there have been 2,773 Masons on the membership rolls. All the lodges had very active Masonic and community activities. Some of the most notable ones were a Masonic degree conferred near the summit of Mt. Abel in 1940 for 1,500 in attendance, an eleven-year tradition of annual elk dinners provided by Louis Dopyera, and a program by the renowned historian Frank F. Latta. The lodges made many contributions to their communities, but the most notable was a donation in 1999 to the Taft West Kern Oil Museum to construct an adjacent room.
Only two Masons ever received 75-year membership pins. They were Frederick J. Phoenix in 1975, and Dr. Alexander R. Moodie in 1983. Due to the minimum petition age for membership, a 75-year member would have to be at least 95 years of age.
The longest officer tenure was by Abner B. Smith, a Taft pioneer businessman, who was the treasurer of Midway Lodge for 44-consecutive years from 1923 – 1966.

New Clinic Specializes in Chest Wall Disorders

2011-10-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

Shriners Hospitals for Children® in Canada and The Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) have established a unique, joint national clinic to evaluate and treat children with congenital chest wall deformities. Affecting as many as one child in 1,000, the disorder is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed in toddlers. However, symptoms and the atypical appearance of the chest may appear only as bone growth accelerates in puberty, with resulting health issues as well as problems related to body image and emotional and social withdrawal.

The goals of this clinic are to increase awareness of these diseases and to provide a variety of treatment options for these patients. Read more on the Shriners Hospitals for Children website.

Tips for Trick-or-Treaters;

2011-10-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

Carry a flashlight.
Walk, don't run.
Stay on sidewalks.
Walk in groups rather then by yourself
Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.
Look both ways before crossing the street, and always walk as a group at established crosswalks.
Avoid hiding or crossing the street between parked cars.
Stay in familiar neighborhoods.
Avoid cutting across yards or driveways.
Wear a watch that can be read in the dark.
Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.
Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
Approach only houses that are lit.
Be cautious of animals and strangers. Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.
Accept treats only in doorways, never inside houses.
Say thank you after receiving your treats.
Bring treats home to be inspected before eating any.

Tips for Adults

A parent or guardian should accompany kids whenever possible.
Notify law enforcement authorities of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
After children return home, sort and check all treats. Throw away any spoiled, unwrapped, opened, or suspicious items.
Apportion treats for the days following Halloween.
Make sure that items that can cause choking (such as hard candies) are given only to those of an appropriate age.

Tips for Homeowners

Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, animals, and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater.
Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.
Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini-boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.

The Masonic community hopes you make this a safe and fun Halloween for yourself and all Trick or Treaters! Happy Halloween everyone!

Shriners Parade

Shriners International Historic Preservation Project

Shriners Hospitals for Children Begins Annual Burn Prevention Campaign

Al Kaly Shriners elect new Potentate

Rushton fulfills childhood promise to his father

100 Return to AZ

Disabled students raise funds by collecting pop-tops, delivering them to Shriners Hospital

Masonic Symbol on Sign Links Masons to Shriners Hospital

Shriners Hospital for Children to hold Clinic

By Staff

Standard-ExaminerContributed

Sun, 01/15/2012 - 9:50pm

Book on Masonic history in Taft now on sale

Photos

Ken Cooper talks about his book a the Chamber of Commerce Sit 'n Sip. Ken Anderson is in the background.

San Jacinto Masonic Lodge No. 338

Racers & Shriners can't wait for summer

Racers, Fans Gear Up For Ice Cold Shriners Bowl At Lanier

Rose Parade Pictures

Fiesta Bowl Parade Saturday

Is It What's WRONG With These Kids? Or What's RIGHT With These Kids?

Montana Shriners bring Cheer

Masons hold installation of officers

Pull Tabs » Shrine Club of Southeastern Mass

Pull-Tabs for Kids

LeeAnn Has held Car-Ne-Fair at the SHC-LA several times

Three Humanitarians Help Kids Read

Raiderettes at Shriners Hospitals for Children

East-West Game Coaches Selected

What to do with your airline Miles program

"We Donate, You Win!"

Zelzah Shriners

Tipsy soup cups a burn

risk for kids

Shriners Replaces Planned Hospital With Outpatient Surgery Center in St. Louis

“Battle of the Badges” Adds Shriners as Beneficiary

Today California Marathon Organizers Bring Thrill of Victory to Shriners Hospital

(SACRAMENTO) Organizers of the California International Marathon (CIM) are giving kids at Shriners Hospitals for Children® an opportunity to experience the joy of victory.

New PR & Social Media Agency for Shrine East West Game

What’s New in Erie!

Child advocate helps connect kids to hospital

Hal Gruver

Shriners Hospitals for Children to Participate in 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade

"Soaring for Kids" Float Brings a Message of Hope and Achievement

11-28-11 Masons’ installation in town of El Dorado

INSTALLATION OF NEW OFFICERS:

Shriners helping lives

By JAMIE A. HUNT

Gala & Golf Raises $20,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children

Two named to Shriners' all-star team

Thursday, November 17, 2011 Mountain Home News

PORTERVILLE,Ca

Shriners planning screening clinic

87th Annual East-West Shrine Game Announces New Radio Team

Helping Children Live The Best Possible Life

Magnets will help keep scoliosis patient out of the operating room.

Thanksgiving’s 10 Most Memorable Football Games

MetLife Donates $15,000 to Shriners Hospitals for Children

El Zaribah New Ritual Team and New Masonic Lodge

Sioux Falls Shriners Commemorate SD Girl

Halloween Fun at Shriners Hospitals for Children Portland

Thaddeus Sherman Masonic Lodge presents awards

Tell us your Story

Montana's Masonic history subject of talk at Travelers' Rest

Kern County Shrine Club & Youth Football

UpDate on "The Night of the Child"

Sjoroos to coach All-Star Game

Detroit Lakes native receives Sam Sar Award

SHC-Salt Lake

A brief history of Freemasonry in Taft

New Clinic Specializes in Chest Wall Disorders

Tips for Trick-or-Treaters;