"Volunteer of the Year"

Masons Ahead

Everyone who’s driven down Highway 202 in Tehachapi, Calif. lately has noticed the same thing: Masons hard at work. 

Three years ago, Tehachapi Lodge No.313 decided to donate their time for a unique and important cause – the beautification of local roads. Members established the lodge’s Adopt A Highway program, and scheduled bi-monthly workdays. 

It’s a tradition that’s stuck. Twice a month since then, members and their families can be found picking up trash along two heavily-traveled miles in the Tehachapi Valley. The lodge wears Cal Trans orange vests with a special twist – each boasts a bold square and compass on the back. 

The community has noticed. “Many of the residents on the Highway 202 wave a thank you to our members,” says Junior Warden Ron Jones, P.M. 

Last week, members were praised by Cal Trans as well: The lodge was named a Cal Trans “Volunteer of the Year” for their efforts. 

Photo: Tehachapi Lodge No.313’s Adopt A Highway sign on Highway 202 in Tehachapi, Calif.

Summer Shrine Bowl Games

More on Shrine Football games:
The 39th Annual Illinois High School Shrine Game is scheduled for July 13, 2013 at Tucci Stadium on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University.  http://ilshrinegame.com/ 

UNI-Dome to Host 2013 Iowa Shrine Bowl http://www.iowashrinebowl.org/
The Cedar Valley Sports Commission and the University of Northern Iowa Athletic Department have reached an agreement with Iowa Shrine Bowl to host the 41st annual all-star football classic at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The game will be played Saturday July 27th, 2013.

The Kanasas Shrine Bowl will also be played July 27 at the Yager Stadium, Washburn University, 1700 Southwest College Avenue, Topeka, KS 66621 http://www.kansasshrinebowl.com/

This is the season for Shrine Football! There are many Shrine Bowl games across the country to honor players from pee-wee to college all ending with the Oldest Shrine game the East/West Shrine Game in January.

In our last post we gave you the story of the Nebraska Shrine Bowl. This week end is the 40th annual Wyoming Shrine Bowl http://wyoshrinebowl.com  and next month is the Montana Shrine bowl game( link is on the side of this page)

Most of these games are for the benefit of Shriners Hospitals for Children some also help a local charity check with your local Shrine club to find a game in your area and go out and have some fun and help the kids from your home town. Oh you will see some great football also many of these players have gone on to play/ star in collage and in the NFL.

I will be posting more information about Shrine Bowl games as I get it.

2013 Nebraska Shrine Bowl Football Classic

2013 Shrine Bowl enlightened Decker & Murray more than the game itself

By Jane White

KEARNEY — Even though the scoreboard showed the North defeating the South at the end of the 2013 Nebraska Shrine Bowl Football Classic Saturday, the Shrine Bowl game is one event where everyone involved comes out on top.
The North won the game 9-3 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney's Foster Field, but a full week of activities promoting and supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children left both teams' players and coaching staffs in the "winners" category.
In the game, the South took the early lead as Beatrice's Zach Decker kicked a 29-yard field goal with 1:01left in the first quarter.
The field goals were set up when the South recovered a North fumble.
The North tied the game in the second quarter as Norfolk Catholic's Jordan Bellar connected on a 33-yard field goal.
Neither team scored again until Millard North quarterback Isaac Aakre hit South Sioux City's Nate Rogers with a 21-yard touchdown pass in the final period. The PAT kick failed, leaving the score at 9-3.
For both Decker and Norris' Terrill Murray the true meaning of the Shrine Bowl hit home long before the final seconds ticked off the game clock.
Decker, who was listed as a defensive back, as well as a kicker and punter, for the South team, and Murray, who played defensive end, joined the South team a week earlier at Doane College in Crete for the start of camp.
Both players were excited about their opportunities heading into the eight-day event.
"It's a great honor to be part of the Shrine Bowl," Decker said. "The coaches nominate you for not just your athletic ability, but also for your character and that's what I've been working for all my life."
"I was really excited and happy to support this really good organization and to represent my school,"Murray said.
Decker said he'd talked to previous Shrine Bowl players from Beatrice about their experience.
"They said it was probably the best thing they've experienced in their whole life," Decker said.
Both Decker and Murray had high expectations when it came to the camp.
"They put on the perfect camp for us," Decker said. "It was a perfect week for us."
Murray said he didn't realize initially how "big" of an event the Shrine Bowl was.
"I didn't realize how big it actually is and how important it is for these kids," Murray said. "It's a really good deal."
After checking in Saturday, the players were treated to a family picnic that night.
The teams started working out Sunday, scrimmaged Monday and had more practice sessions on Tuesday.
Wednesday, both the South and North teams traveled to Shriners Hospitals to see what the proceeds from the game go toward. The South team flew to Chicago, while the North west to St. Louis.
Thursday was media day and more practices.
On Friday, the teams traveled to Kearney, and Saturday brought the annual Shrine Bowl parade and then the game.
"We've been really busy and working hard," Murray said.
Wednesday's trip to Chicago was the highlight of the week for the players.
"We got to go to the Shrine Hospital and it was a really cool experience," Murray said.
Murray said players had a chance to tour the hospital's facilities, which were impressive.
"We also got to meet some kids and see what they have to go through," Murray said.
Decker said he was "shocked" by the arcade and recreational facilities at the hospital.
"They have an arcade room," Decker said. "We also played wheel-chair basketball with a couple of the patients there.
"I was shocked how good they were."
What Decker learned about the patients, however, went beyond their gaming skills.
"Their attitude about everything is so positive," Decker said. "That's something we need to see and be more positive and not negative."
Murray said the Chicago trip changed his attitude about playing in the Shrine Bowl game.
"It made me want to work harder for these kids," Murray said. "We know what we're playing for now."
While Decker said he "knew" he'd be playing for the Shrine Hospital patients, the trip brought that point home.
"Those kids would do anything to play on this field," Decker said. "We're blessed to be out here playing for those kids."
Both Decker and Murray said they will take lessons earned during the Shrine Bowl week with them as they continue on.
Decker will be going to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, this fall and playing football for the Mustangs. He plans to major in business administration.
Murray is headed to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study electrical engineering. He said the fact he's not playing football in college made the Shrine Bowl game even more special.

 Nebraska Shrine Bowl South team members Zach Decker of Beatrice, at left, and Terrill Murray of Norris, pose with honorary south team captain and Shriners Hospital patient Ty Gorton of Syracuse.  Jane White/VOICE News 
             voicenewsnebraska.com

Shriners International Awareness Day June 6th

Hello Nobles.  

Shriners everywhere should mark their calendars and make plans to participate in Shriners International Awareness Day on June 6. The date recognizes the day the Imperial Council was formed – June 6, 1876,

On this day every year, Shriners are asked to wear their fez, if appropriate, or hat, shirt, pin or other item with the fraternal logo to help recognize fellow Shriners and increase awareness of Shriners International. 

 Shriners Hospitals for Children® - wants you to know how important you are to us! 

Whether it is driving a child to receive care at our hospital, taking a group on a tour, fundraising to help continue providing expert pediatric orthopaedic care to families, lending your talents to a department or simply bringing a smile to a child’s face, our Shriners efforts on behalf of our children go beyond measure. 

Zelzah Shriners in Las Vegas will be Celebration Shrine Awareness on June 8th with a Screening  Clinic , Child ID and program with many City Officals and Doctors from the Shriners Hospital.

What is your Shrine Temple, Unit, Club doing?

On June 6  and the weekend we will be on the lookout for a little something special from you in recognition of Shriners International Awareness Day, and the whole year long! Be proud of your great fraternity. Be proud of the work you do.

Fundraising Events that Benefit Shriners Hospital for Children- No. Calif.

Music! Sports! Food & Fun!

2013 Fundraising Events that benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Northern California

“A Tropical Affair” Firefighters Gala Saturday, June 22nd • 6 - 11 p.m.
Outdoor Event • 21 and Over
Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California Will feature music and a variety of food & beverages provided by local business sponsors ffburn.org/2013-gala

Friday Alfresco
July 26th • 5 - 8 p.m.
Will feature live local music and fabulous food vendors on-site
$10 for General Public & $5 for Club Members BogleWinery.com

Summer Band Block Parties
July 6th & August 3rd Open Air Live Music and Raffle CrepeEscapeSacramento.com

Tuesday, October 1st
Greater Sacramento Area
Volunteer to make a positive difference in the lives of children.

For more information, contact Mindy Tran (916) 453-2321 or mtran@shrinenet.org

3rd Annual Shriners Hospitals for Children Gala & Golf Tournament
Sunday, October 20th & Monday, October 21st Granite Bay Golf Club Sacramentoadja.com 

Outdoor Degree on a Plateau

Brethren all,

 

St. John Lodge No. 18 in Pioche, Nevada will be holding a rather unique event on August 10, 2013.  We will be holding a combined special communication to receive and welcome Most Worshipful Richard M. "Mike" Hoaglin on his Official Visit and also be conferring a Master Mason Degree outdoors at a mine site located just outside of Pioche.  Because of scheduling problems on the original date for the OV the Grand Master thought that doing some different would be fun!  This will be a joint visitation with Caliente Lodge No. 38.

 

We would like to welcome as many of you who would like to make the drive to Pioche to make this special event a real experience.  First, know that the dress for everyone will be VERY casual and comfortable.  In August the temperature at 6,800 feet is about 20 degrees lower than Las Vegas, but out in the sun it is still very warm.  Everyone should wear wide brim hats to protect the head, the ears from the sun.  Several brothers brought umbrellas to protect from the sun last year.  The site is on a plateau overlooking a vast valley, you can almost see all the way to Utah from the site, it is truly beautiful, almost breath taking.

A lite lunch will be provided, usually Jim Kelley's specially prepared hot dogs and other snacks.  We will have plenty of iced down bottled water, but you are welcome to bring a small ice chest if you like.  You can bring your own comfortable chair too, but we will have metal folding chairs available.

The plan is to meet at the Lodge building in downtown Pioche at 10:15 A. M. and then caravan out to the mine site where the Lodge will be set up.  We try and keep the set up close in, small so everyone can hear what is going on.

Following the reception of the Grand Master, his Grand Officers and his address we will then proceed to do the Master Mason degree on Steve Lineroad, the brother of the Junior Warden in St. John Lodge.

I am in charge of putting together a degree team and am asking for anyone who would like to participate in the degree work to send me an email and let me know what you would like to do.  Some parts have already been filled, but we like to have stand-bys just in case.  The Grand Master is going to do the lecture for the degree.

Last  year we had a nice crowd for the outdoor degree and we hope to have more Brothers come up this year because it is such a unique event.  It will be a great day of fellowship on the mountain!

Also, if your Lodge is planning on attending, give me a heads up on just how many may be coming so Jim Kelley can make sure we have ample supplies on hand to see that everyone gets fed.  Prince Hall Masons visited us last year and we hope they come back this year.  We have extended invitations to Cedar City and St. George lodges as well.

More information will be made available as we get closer to the event.  But make your plans now and make your intentions known as early as you can, we want to be prepared.

 

Mike Reinhardt P. M.

avoicemike@aol.com

mreinhardt@fletcherjones.com

oasislodge41@aol.com