Midwest Conference of Grand Lodges, Minneapolis, MN - August 12 to 14

We had an excellent time at the Midwest Conference of Grand Lodges in Minneapolis, MN. The representatives of the nine (9) states and one (1) province (that's Manitoba) held their annual meeting at The Northland Inn in Minneapolis, MN from August 12 to 14. This year, there was no church service on Sunday morning to allow the attendees to leave as early as they want.

The Conference started with a dinner on August 12, Friday. Here is a picture of the Manitoba table, less the official photographer, Lady Val.




Here is a picture of the same table, less the JGW, RWB Stano Spina, who took the picture so Lady Val can be in the picture.
We were entertained that evening by a magician, who at one point in his performance, had RWB Stano as his equally entertaining assistant.

The following pictures were taken during the Ladies Program on Friday. While the Brethren met, the Ladies went on a tour of the Masonic Home and attended a Cancer Center presentation.

The Ladies also spent a few hours at the Mall of America where they walked around and had lunch. Some of them were able to shop.

The presentations of the various Jurisdictions on Friday were very interesting and educational. There was also a presentation by MWB Bob Stevens, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, on the use of technology in their operations and in communications.
MWB Earl Washburn, Executive Director of the National Masonic Foundation for Children, also gave a presentation about the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program (MMSAP). More information about this wonderful program can be found at http://www.masonicmodel.org/.
RWB Bob Guthrie of Oklahoma was the keynote speaker on Friday afternoon. He was also the speaker at the Friday evening banquet. Both talks were excellent and received very well by all.

Here is a picture of the Kansas Grand Lodge Officers and Ladies with Lady Mae and me.

This is a picture of the table of our SGW, RWB Doug Webster, his Lady Val, our JGW, RWB Stano Spina, his Lady Linda and their table mates.

This the table of our DGM, RWB Al Hadley, his Lady Carol, our Grand Secretary, MWB Ted Jones, his Lady Shirley and their dinner companions.


 RWB Brian Beermann, DGM of the the Grand Lodge (Minnesota), facilitated the Conference and the banquet, in lieu of MWB Tom Hendrickson, who had a family commitment during the Conference.
Entertainment was provided by The Too People, great duo singing hits from the 70's and earlier.


 
Great pictures of some very lovely couples at the banquet.

 

An excellent Conference - great presentations, fantastic entertainment and wonderful fellowship.
Old friendships renewed, new friendships made, and lots of great memories.

Thanks to Lady Carol and Lady Val for the great pictures.

BBQ of Winnipeg Chapter, Order of DeMolay - August 7, Sunday

My family and I joined the Members and Advisors of Winnipeg Chapter, Order of DeMolay at their BBQ/Picnic on August 7, Sunday at Kildonan Park, Winnipeg. It was an excellent day for a BBQ/Picnic although it showered for a very few minutes. We lucked out because on the other end of the pavilion, the Guimbanians Association, which Bro Arnold Calambacan, Sr and Sis Jenith Calambacan, the parents of DeMolay Arnold Jr, are Officers, were having their Annual Picnic. We were invited to partake of their food - not that ours was not sufficient.

The DeMolays had lots of fun. They knew how to entertain themselves. They played tug-of-war.

Pull! Pull! Pull!

Hey, who's that on the ground? Did he collapse? (He was just resting.)

Preparing  to play football - choosing players for each side.

You, you and you - on this side.

This is the highlight of the day - water balloon fight.

There were lots of water balloons. Lots of fun!

Lots more food - eat! eat! eat!

Let's do this again next year! (And make sure that we are next to the Guimbanians' site!)

2011 Midwest Shrine Association (MSA) in Winnipeg - August 3 to 6

The Shriners came to Winnipeg! The Imperial Potentate, Imperial Sir Mike Severe, joined 700 Shrine Masons  from 14 Shrine Centers, including Khartum (of Manitoba and NW Ontario) at the 2011 MSA Convention from August 3 to 6 in Winnipeg. They held two (2) parades.
Congratulations to Illustrious Sir Fraser Woodward, MSA Convention Officer; Illustrious Sir Gary Saunders, Potentate/CEO of Khartum Shriners; and all those who helped ensure a successful MSA Convention, including the Parades and Competitions. Well done, Nobles!

In the evening of August 3, Thursday, the Shriners paraded along Broadway Avenue from the Legislative Assembly Building to The Fort Garry Hotel. It was an excellent evening for a parade.
This was the lead car for the parade. It followed two (2) Police vehicles, which unknowingly to our driver, were going too fast for the Nobles marching somewhere behind us.

Supreme Queen Laura Richardson of the Daughters of the Nile was in the second car. She enjoyed watching the parade from the sidewalk when she reached the end of the route.

Here is the Manitoba Masonic Family Float.

Imperial Sir Mike Severe, Imperial Potentate of Shriners International, waving to the crowd and enjoying the parade.

The colors party proudly marching with the flags of the first four (4) countries with Shrine Centers U.S.A., Canada, Mexico and Panama). I understand that the flags for the countries with new Shrine Centers will soon be part of the colors carried, presented and displayed at Shrine functions and events. These will be the flags of the Philippines, Germany (or is it EU?) and Australia.







The Pipe Bands from the various Centers marched and played together. That is a sight not to be seen again in Winnipeg for another 14 years.



The Khartum Komedians rode their firetruck.



Representatives of the various Units and Clubs of the participating Shrine Centers put up an excellent parade that Thursday evening.

Here is a rare sight - a marching Oriental Band.

Looking for his Mama.

Someone has to pick up the poop.

In the morning of August 6, Saturday, another Shrine parade was held in the Assiniboine Park. It was a beautiful day for a parade.

Here come the colors.

Imperial Sir Mike Severe, Imperial Potentate of Shriners International, was in town for the MSA.

Here's Todo with the Lapiña girls and Mom, with Dad looking.








Giggles (or is is Gigglz now?) on his motorbike. Some of the Komedians on their firetruck.

Here is the "Editorial without words".

Still looking for his Mama ...

Maybe the Kops can find her.

It was great to see all those various Units and Clubs from the 14 Shrine Centers. These Nobles sure know how to put up a wonderful "show". Looking forward to the next MSA to be hosted by Khartum in 2025.