Scimitar The The Rhode Island Shriners Newsletter April 2017 Volume 18 Issue 4 From the Potentate Hello Shrine Family, Time flies when you are having fun. One quarter of my term is complete. Karie Lyn and I have been everywhere and we’ve taken many of you with us. I hope more of you will join us. I thoroughly enjoyed the Florida Luncheon and will make every effort to attend again next year. The Correia’s and Kinsley’s joined Karie Lyn and myself as we traveled to Sphinx Shrine Center for their Margaritaville Night. Fun and laughter pursued. Illustrious Clark Cate participated in a regional membership call on Monday February 27. Very interesting to hear how different Shrine centers tackle membership. I will say manpower is the biggest way to solve membership problems. I believe we are well on our way with our membership team, which will only continue to grow. We lost two events due lack of participation. Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday Take Out Fish and Chips. Reservations in a timely manner are a must. Our Divan meeting on Monday March 6 was extremely productive. We received our New Queen of Hearts permit and set up our August 12 Ceremonial. I would like to thank Arthur Chapman, Gil Fontes, and Illustrious Leon Knudsen for taking the lead on this. Arthur has reached out to fill the remainder of our ritual cast. Our next rehearsal for the Ceremonial will be Tuesday April 25 at 6pm. I will continue to be at the Shrine Center every Wednesday night from 6pm to 8pm to promote our Shrine and answer any questions you may have. Our first night of the Queen of Hearts was held on Friday March 10. There is a guaranteed winner every Friday night. Tickets are $10 for 6 chances. The Clowns have completed the St Patrick’s Parade circuit with parades in Newport, West Warwick and Providence. Temperatures were extremely cold, but we had great time. A special thank you to Whipple” Twinkle Toes” Crossman. Whip is one our many members that just do it. No complaints, no age restrictions, or mobility issues. He just does it. Thank you Twinkle Toes. Our St Patrick’s Day Celebration is still something to talk about. Imperial Staff and Hillary continue to amaze. Susan McLeod completed the evening. The Oriental Band headed up to Holyoke, MA to join the Melha Oriental Band for the Nation’s third largest St Patrick’s Parade. What an amazing experience. Please join us next year. Past Potentate’s Fundraiser on Friday March 24 was very enjoyable evening. Lots of laughter, which is desperately needed at our Shrine center. Saturday April 1 was the Children’s Dyslexia Center’s A Fools Paradise Fundraiser. Great event! Looking ahead, our Divan meeting will be Wednesday April 5 beginning at 6 pm. The week of April 3 thru April 6 we will be stuffing eggs for the Adult Easter Egg Hunt at 6 pm. Please join us and help with this event. Friday April 7 is the first of two Adult Easter Egg Hunts. Help will be needed in all aspects of this event. From finding eggs to redeeming prizes. All hands on deck. Week of April 10-13 we will be stuffing eggs for the Adult Easter Egg Hunt at 6 pm. Please join us and help with this event. Friday April 14 is the last of the two Adult Easter Egg Hunts. Again All Hands on Deck ! The Imperial Room hosts Easter Brunch on Sunday April 16. (401)-467-7100 to reserve. We will be making a trip to the Aleppo Shrine Circus on Saturday April 22. We will leave our Shrine Center at 8 am to make the 10 am show. (401) 662 5315 if you would like to join us. Ceremonial Ritual Degree team will meet on Tuesday April 25 at 6 pm. Saturday Morning April 29 will be the Shrine Quarterly meeting beginning at 9am. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 am at a cost of $10 per person. Ladies Activity group will also meet on that Saturday morning. This Saturday morning meeting will allow us to have our Quarterly meeting on off Masonic days, giving the Masonic community no excuse not to attend. There will be no Divan meeting on Monday May 1. We will conduct our meeting after the Saturday April 29 stated continued on page 2
Transcript
ScimitarThe
The Rhode Island Shriners NewsletterApril 2017Volume 18 Issue 4
From the PotentateHello Shrine Family,
Time flies when you are having fun. One quarter of my term is complete. Karie Lyn and I have been everywhere and we’ve taken many of you with us. I hope more of you will join us. I thoroughly enjoyed the Florida Luncheon and will make every effort to attend again next year. The Correia’s and Kinsley’s joined Karie Lyn and myself as we traveled to Sphinx Shrine Center for their Margaritaville Night. Fun and laughter pursued. Illustrious Clark Cate participated in a regional membership call on Monday February 27. Very interesting to hear how different Shrine centers tackle membership. I will say manpower is the biggest way to solve membership problems. I believe we are well on our way with our membership team, which will only continue to grow. We lost two events due lack of participation. Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday Take Out Fish and Chips. Reservations in a timely manner are a must. Our Divan meeting on Monday March 6 was extremely productive. We received our New Queen of Hearts permit and set up our August 12 Ceremonial. I would like to thank Arthur Chapman, Gil Fontes, and Illustrious Leon Knudsen for taking the lead on this. Arthur has reached out to fill the remainder of our ritual cast. Our next rehearsal for the Ceremonial will be Tuesday April 25 at 6pm. I will continue to be at the Shrine Center every Wednesday night from 6pm to 8pm to promote our Shrine and answer any questions you may have. Our first night of the Queen of Hearts was held on Friday March 10. There is a guaranteed winner every Friday night. Tickets are $10 for 6 chances. The Clowns have completed the St Patrick’s Parade circuit with parades in Newport, West Warwick and Providence. Temperatures were extremely cold, but we had great time. A special thank you to Whipple” Twinkle Toes” Crossman. Whip is one our many members that just do it. No complaints, no age restrictions, or mobility issues. He just does it. Thank you Twinkle Toes. Our St Patrick’s Day Celebration is still something to talk about. Imperial Staff and Hillary continue to amaze. Susan McLeod completed the evening. The Oriental Band headed up to Holyoke, MA to join the Melha Oriental Band for the Nation’s third largest St Patrick’s Parade. What an amazing experience. Please join us next year. Past Potentate’s Fundraiser on Friday March 24 was very enjoyable evening. Lots of laughter, which is desperately needed at our Shrine center. Saturday April 1 was the Children’s Dyslexia Center’s A Fools Paradise Fundraiser. Great event!
Looking ahead, our Divan meeting will be Wednesday April 5 beginning at 6 pm. The week of April 3 thru April 6 we will be stuffing eggs for the Adult Easter Egg Hunt at 6 pm. Please join us and help with this event. Friday April 7 is the first of two Adult Easter Egg Hunts. Help will be needed in all aspects of this event. From finding eggs to redeeming prizes. All hands on deck. Week of April 10-13 we will be stuffing eggs for the Adult Easter Egg Hunt at 6 pm. Please join us and help with this event.Friday April 14 is the last of the two Adult Easter Egg Hunts. Again All Hands on Deck ! The Imperial Room hosts Easter Brunch on Sunday April 16. (401)-467-7100 to reserve. We will be making a trip to the Aleppo Shrine Circus on Saturday April 22. We will leave our Shrine Center at 8 am to make the 10 am show. (401) 662 5315 if you would like to join us. Ceremonial Ritual Degree team will meet on Tuesday April 25 at 6 pm. Saturday Morning April 29 will be the Shrine Quarterly meeting beginning at 9am. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 am at a cost of $10 per person. Ladies Activity group will also meet on that Saturday morning. This Saturday morning meeting will allow us to have our Quarterly meeting on off Masonic days, giving the Masonic community no excuse not to attend. There will be no Divan meeting on Monday May 1. We will conduct our meeting after the Saturday April 29 stated
continued on page 2
April 2017 RI Shriners2
The SCIMITAR is published monthly
by the Rhode Island Shriners One Rhodes Place,
Cranston, Rhode Island 02905.Publisher
Robert O’Brien, P.P.
RHODE ISLAND SHRINERSOne Rhodes Place, Cranston, R.I. 02905
Office Extensions:Potentate/CEO, Domenic DiStefano...............#14Recorder, Paul Healy .....................................#16Secretary, Pat Deitch ......................................#10Treasurer, Walter Phaneuf ..............................#15Bookkeeper, Elaine Williams..........................#18Sales, Hillary Williamson................................#13Bar..................................................................#11Kitchen............................................................#12Patrick Gordon................................................#17Chef Chris.......................................................#19Charities (Sue Bowering).................................#21Charities (Leon Knudsen)................................#25
ELECTED OFFICERS 2017Potentate...............................Domenic DiStefanoChief Rabban.........................Donald WilliamsonAssistant Rabban................. Frank DiMascio P.P.High Priest & Prophet...................Robert St. Jean Oriental Guide.................................Alan KinsleyTreasurer......................................Walter Phaneuf Recorder..............................................Paul Healy
APPOINTED OFFICERS 2017First Ceremonial Master...........James Conway Jr.Marshall.................................Norman Messinger Captain of the Guard......................David BradleyChief Director..................................Robert ChaseMilitary Aide.................................Stephen KempChief Aide.................................Michael BarbozaMembership Chariman.................Clark Cate P.P.
communication. Saturday May 6 will have a Public relations event at Seekonk Speedway starting at 8 am. If you can spend a few hours manning our table it would be appreciated. Car show is also spectacular. May Breakfast and Vendor Marketplace will take place Sunday May 7. Imperial Room will cook and we, the Nobility will serve. Vendor spaces are available for purchase. (401) 467 7102 to reserve space. Chinese Night and Chopstick Auction is Friday May 12 . Dinner is at 6pm. $35 per person for meal and play all night chopstick.
Alan and Ann Kinsley have returned from Oriental Guide seminar and have much information to share. I encourage you to talk with them and feel the energy and knowledge they have obtained. The leadership team is working on a capital campaign to invest in the future of our building. Primary discussion is a back up generator system and an adding a permanent bar to the Imperial Room to start. I hope to have details of the campaign prepared for our Saturday April 29 Stated Communication. Friday June 23 is our Strawberry Festival and Blue Lodge night. If you know a Brother who would reflect honor on our institution, please invite him. Letters will be sent to the Blue Lodge shortly announcing this event. Reservations are required. We are also looking for opportunities to talk about the Shriners. Not only to the Masonic community, but the entire world. If you know of groups that would like to know more about what we do, please let your leadership team know.
I have always enjoyed my time as a Shriner. My family has taken an active stance with our membership. I hope you will do the same. I have talked with many of you and hope to talk to many more. Communication has been limited from the Nobility lately. Your leadership team has an open ear. Please take advantage of this.
Start stretching those legs. Parade season is around the corner.
Warm Regards,
Domenic J DiStefanoRhode Island Shriners Potentate
April 2017 RI Shriners3
Hospital News
Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Springfield recently launched a monthly Sports Health and Medicine clinic focusing on training, injury prevention and the care of children and adolescents with sports injuries. As the only pediatric orthopaedic experts in western Massachusetts, the medical staff is excited about expanding services to the area’s athletic population. Dr. Julio Martinez- Silvestrini, who is heading up the program is board certified in sports medicine and has more than 14 years of experience treating sports and musculoskeletal injuries at Baystate Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.As a former athlete, Dr. Martinez- Silvestrini understands the urgency and passion of sports participants. As a trained physician, he also maintains perspective on the need for recovery and complete healing of the injured patient. Sports injuries are unique in that athletes desire to return to the court or field quickly and safely.Dr. Martinez-Silvestrini has extensive experience with nonsurgical care of injuries related to the performing arts, exercise and athletics. He received his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico, and completed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency through Puerto Rico University Hospital. In addition, he completed a sports medicine fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Dr. Martinez-Silvestrini holds the Sports Health and Medicine Clinic on the first Friday of every month at the Springfield Shriners Hospital. The patients have access to ancillary services such as physical and occupational therapy, bracing (including custom-built orthotics), a state-of-the-art motion analysis center and, if necessary, early referral for surgical evaluation.
Springfield Shriners Hospital Initiates New Sports Health and Medicine ProgramIn conjunction with the Springfield Shriners Hospital’s new Sports Health and Medicine clinic, a certified athletic trainer, Brianna Santiago, MBA, LATC, has been hired who also acts as Sports Health and Medicine Coordinator. Brianna works with school and community based sporting programs with children from ages 5 to 18 to provide athletic training services at events such as football, basketball and soccer games, or wrestling matches. She will develop and offer courses for coaches and parents on safe training for youth athletic programs at the hospital and at local schools from prehab to rehab.
Did you know• The first Imperial Session was held on June 6, 1876, at
the Masonic Hall in New York City.
• In 1949, at the 75th “Diamond Jubilee” Imperial Session in Chicago, Illinois, President Harry S. Truman, a Shriner, spoke to the crowd about foreign policy.
• In 1888, the 14th Imperial Session was in Toronto, Ontario, Canada – the first one to be held outside of the United States.
• The largest Shriners parade of the year occurs during Imperial Session.
• Shriner units such as horse patrols, clowns, bands, chanters and motor corps take part in friendly competition every year at Imperial Session.
• In 1920, at the 46th Imperial Session in Portland, Oregon, Past Imperial Potentate Freeland Kendrick proposed that the Shriners build a hospital for children.
Did you know?
April 2017 RI Shriners4
News from the Grand Lodge of RI
Official Visitation Schedule: M∴W∴ Grand Master Stephen T. McGuire Tuesday, April 11, 2017– Washington Lodge
Past Potentate's Comedy Night
Alway a good time at the Shrine!!! The Potentate takes a pie to the face in stride.
Group Shot!!!!!! Past Pote’s present.
Great job, Andy and Janet!!!
April 2017 RI Shriners5
April 2017 RI Shriners6
April 2017 RI Shriners7
Oriental Band7:30 pm
Oriental Band7:30 pm
Oriental Band7:30 pm
Oriental Band7:30 pm
Divan Meeting6:00 pm
Legion of Honor7:30 pm
Artisan’s/Motor Corps7:30 pm
Queen of Hearts 6 pm
Queen of Hearts 6 pm
Queen of Hearts 6 pm
Temple Guard11:00 am
Ladies Luncheon11:30 am
Director’sStaff 7:00 pm
Clown Unit9:30 am
Easter Egg Hunt 8:00 pm
Easter Egg Hunt 8:00 pm
Melha Pote’s Reception
Melha Pote’s Reception Grand Master’s
visit to Washington # 3
Easter Sunday Brunch
Shrine Stated Communication w/Breakfast
Grand Master’s Testimonial Quonset O Club
Oriental Band7:30 pm
Oriental Band7:30 pm
Oriental Band7:30 pm
Oriental Band7:30 pm
NoDivan Meeting
Legion of Honor7:30 pm
Artisan’s/Motor Corps7:30 pm
Temple Guard11:00 am
Ladies Luncheon11:30 amDirector’s
Staff 7:00 pm
Clown Unit9:30 am
Oriental Band7:30 pm
Divan Meetingafter Stated Meeting
Queen of Hearts 6 pm
Queen of Hearts 6 pm
Queen of Hearts 6 pm
Queen of Hearts 6 pm
Children’s Dyslexia CenterA Fools Paradise
Karnak Shrine Visitation
The SCIMITARRhode Island ShrinersOne Rhodes PlaceCranston, R I 02905
Up-Coming Events:
Don’t Forget The Queen of Hearts
Friday Nights6-8 pm
April 2017
Sunday, April 1 ~ Children’s Dyslexia Center Fundraiser Friday, April 7 ~ Adult Easter Egg Hunt Friday, April 7 thru Sunday, April 9 ~ National Cherry Blossom Parade Washington, DCSaturday, April 8, 2017 ~ Melha Pote’s Reception Tuesday, April 11, 2017 ~ Grand Master’s visit to Washington # 3 Friday, April 14, 2017 ~ Adult Easter Egg 5pm. - 11pm Sunday, April 16, 2017 ~ Easter Sunday Brunch Served 10:30 am – 2:30 pmSaturday Morning April 29, 2017 ~ Shrine Stated Communication w/Breakfast May 3-4 Tampa, FL ~ Shrine PR SeminarMay 4-7 Melha Shrine Circus May 5 - May 7 ~ Sphinx Vistation Sunday, May 7 ~ May Breakfast and Vendors Marketplace Friday, May 12 ~ Chinese and Chopstick Auction May 12 - 14 ~ Karnak VisitationSunday, May 14 ~ Mother’s Day Brunch
