Fez Sez June 2013 Page 1

FEZ SEZ

Al Azhar Shriners, 5225 – 101 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T3L1S4 Phone: 403-239-0030 Fax: 403-239-4334 Email: office@al-azhar.ab.ca Website: www.al-azhar.ab.ca

FROM YOUR POTENTATE

Dear Nobles and Ladies, I want to welcome our ten new Nobles to Al Azhar Shrine. I hope you all had a great time and that it will be

memorable for you. You have all the privileges of a Shriner. Please attend all the Shrine Unit meetings so you can

decide which one you will have fun with. It is important to join a Unit and keep active within the Shrine. At our

stated business meetings we have supper prior to our meetings please bring your wife or girlfriend she will enjoy

the ladies meeting. Keep your wives involved.

Thanks to my Aides for assisting in the Friday and Saturday functions. Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks to the Nobles and the Ladies of the Mounted Patrol great job and many thanks for all your work for the

Nobles and Ladies luncheon, mixer, and supper.

At the time of writing I have no update on Christian; who we all met on Friday night. I know ILL Sir Graham and Lady

Sheila said the family appreciated all our best wishes and they enjoyed themselves greatly; especially the horse

which Christian was able to touch. We wish them well. Please keep them in your prayers.

Parade season is upon us and I hope all Units will enjoy the hospitality of all the small communities; they all enjoy

having the Shriners in their parades. I did state in the March Fez Sez, families can join the Shriners as long as it is in a

four wheel vehicle. Please make sure you are safe and little ones are properly looked after.

There are several important dates you should try to attend at the Shrine. Sunday June 23rd 11 till 4 will be our

Funfest at the Shrine. Please bring the family or grandchildren. We’ll go rain or shine. If you want to join the

Shriners at the Calgary Stampede Parade July 5 and have fun and come out and ride the Hospital wagon. All you

need is a Fez, smile and western wear. The next important date is July 24 to July 28. Al Azhar will be hosting the

Pacific Northwest Shrine Association in Lethbridge. We will have Shriners from Montana, Washington, Idaho, BC,

Saskatchewan, Alaska and Alberta. Come and enjoy the competitions, food, and camaraderie. The committee has

been working very hard to make this a special occasion and you can help by joining us in Lethbridge. If you enjoy

golf and want to work for the Shriners Hospital for Children, come join me in Las Vegas October 17 to 20 2013 when

the Fed Ex Cup season starts. I’m leaving October 12 for the Pro/Am golf and practice rounds. You have to work but

fun is the object of being present. Bring your Fez and a Smile.

We will be getting our Web page started and hope it will be up and running by year end. We will announce when

the site is running.

The Shrine Centre is beginning to look better each day with flowers being added and we will be asking help to paint

the Gazebo, picnic tables, hand railings and a few other items that come up. More hands make less work; be proud

of your Shrine Centre.

In closing I want to encourage you to attend your Blue Lodge this is where we get our new Nobles after they

become Master Masons.

Yours in the Faith, Gordon Brewer

Inside: Part 1 Shrine Centre News/Info – p2-7 SHC Canada News – p8-12 Upcoming Events – p13

PNSA 2013 Registration – p14

Part 2 Club/Unit News – p1-6 Discover Scotland – p7 Inspiring Iceland – p8

Spring Ceremonial Memories – p9 Petition – p10

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NEW AL AZHAR SHRINE CENTRE WEBSITE We recently signed a contract with Allan D Media to create a new “Al Azhar Shrine

Centre” website.

The purpose of the new website is to promote our beautiful Shrine Centre as a place for

weddings, retreats, seminars, parties and other corporate and community gatherings.

The Divan hopes that this initiative will generate additional revenue and help us keep

dues at current levels for years to come.

The new website will have links to Clubrunner, SHC and Shriners International

NEXT STATED BUSINESS MEETING The next Stated Business Meeting will be held on September 26. Stated Business

Meetings have been moved to the 4th

Thursday for the remainder of this year to reduce

the conflict with Fraternal Meetings

Picture courtesy of Noble Al Hannah

Your 2013 Divan POTENTATE GORDON BREWER P: 403 241-7713 E: brewpogo@telus.net

CHIEF RABBAN BRIAN SHIMMONS P: 403 949-4490 E: bws195@telus.net

ASSISTANT RABBAN ROBERT NEWMAN P: 403 948-6161 E: newtfam@telusplanet.net

HIGH PRIEST & PROPHET BYRON NELSON P: 403 253-6659 E: byronwnelson@shaw.ca

ORIENTAL GUIDE KARL FRASER P: 403-312-2545 E: karltfraser@shaw.ca

RECORDER GARTH BORDER P: 403 239-0030 E: recorder@al-azhar.ab.ca

TREASURER W.G. (BILL) MILLER P: 403 686-0801 E: wmiller10@shaw.ca

JUNIOR PAST POTENTATE KENT GALBRAITH P: 403 217-6769 E: callkent@telusplanet.net

Fez Sez June 2013 Page 3

CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE

With PNSA coming up in late July in Lethbridge I

thought it would be a great time to relay a story

about the PNSA in 2000 when Spokane hosted it.

Noble Wayne Capper and I headed down in my

pickup and pulled up to the US Customs booth at

Kingsgate, BC. The young lady (at my age everyone is

younger!) asked where we were going and the

purpose of our trip.

When we stated “A Shrine function in Spokane” she

stepped backwards into her booth and never said

anything for perhaps 20 or 30 seconds and stared at

us. Quite honestly I had serious concerns. I knew it

wasn’t me so it must have been Noble Wayne. She

re-approached my truck and said “I was a single Mom

living in Spokane with 3 daughters. One of them

required surgery which the Shriners did at no charge

to my daughter. I have nothing but good to say about

the Shriners. Have a safe trip.”

As always, we had a fabulous time at PNSA and if you

get a chance, ask Noble Wayne about the Saturday

evening party in the host centre’s hospitality suite

and the golf trophy. It’s a great story.

Anyway, when we returned to the Canadian border

inspection booth, the girl greeted us warmly and said

“How was your Shrine function in Spokane?” The

obvious question to her was “How did you know?”

and she said “The girl at US Customs is my friend and

she put it in the computer. Have a safe trip.” We got

a mile down the road and Noble Wayne looks at me

and says, “She never asked how long we had been

away, if we had anything to declare or any of the

other typical questions.”

It was true.

You may never hear it but Shriners are extremely well

respected in the public’s eye. See you in Lethbridge

and be sure that you got your registration in and your

hotel registration made because they are filling up

fast.

In the Light of Grace

Noble R Dean Cowan

Chaplain 2013

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RECORDER’S RAMBLINGS

Nobles & Ladies, well, summer is finally here, along

with our usual June rains, which , although hard on

some of our social events, certainly makes our Shrine

Centre lands vibrant and green.

Our PNSA planning committee has been working very

hard to get things ready for our upcoming event in

Lethbridge July 24 to 28.

Have you registered?

We are still looking for more participation from the Al

Azhar Nobility. If you can make it to Lethbridge for

this important event, which as you know , we only

host every 12 years or so, it would be appreciated by

all. Let’s show the Shriners from the Pacific Northwest

that Al Azhar is a great and friendly host.

Our recent ceremonial, which was held at the

Mounted Patrol Fezdome brought us ten new

Shriners.

We welcome all of you to our fraternity and

encourage you all to become active members. Please

feel free to contact us here at the Shrine Centre if you

have any questions or concerns.

We also remind their sponsors to stay in contact with

our new members to ensure they have easy access to

visit units and clubs and also to participate in Shrine

Centre events.

Finally, a bit of advice to us all from well-known

author and philosopher Alma Barkman, which I

thought worth sharing with you…

“Wood Pile Logic”

The old axe looked at the edge of the year: there are

four long seasons, twelve long months and fifty two

weeks lying near.

The axe’s job was to split them up into days and hours

and minutes, his one concern that he not grow dull,

unaware of the paradox in it.

For the sharpest minds and the keenest edge accrue

to the busiest folks who are kindling fires, warming

friends , instead of counting strokes.

And counter to claim, the year never ends.

There is always more wood to hew – Yet those with

the fewest axes to grind are those with the most to

do!

Nobles and Ladies, we wish you a fun and eventful

summer, and look forward to seeing many of you on

the parade circuit over the next few months!

Garth Border

Your Recorder

Jim Scott

Manager Commercial Sales

Cam Clark Ford Sales Ltd. Bay 1, 925 Veterans Blvd

Airdrie, AB. T4A 2G6 jim.scott@hotmail.ca Bus: 403 888-9311 Having the Right Vehicle For

Fax: 403 948-4503 Your Business Is Our Business

Gold Award Winner

Call for this month’s retail special

_______________________________________________

Habitat for Humanity has volunteer opportunities.

Habitat’s homeownership model empowers families by

providing a “hand-up, not a hand out”. Through volunteer

labour and donations of money and materials, Habitat

builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside

homeowner (partner) families. We could certainly use your

help.

Allie Fraser

Volunteer Coordinator

403-253-9331 ext 239 http://www.habitatsouthernab.ca/

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WELCOME TO OUR NEW NOBLES Ill Sir Gord Brewer, his Divan and Al Azhar Nobles welcome our newest Nobles

Ronnie Altares, Taber Anta, Claudio Barcelo and Lady Olga, Jeremy Eberwein, Andrew Fraser, George Garbutt and

Lady Margaret, John Graham and Lady Susan, Alan Hannah, Gary Long and Lady Beth, Allan Roemer and Lady Kathy

and Chet Amen

We also welcome our newest Associate Members Lorne Weaver and Lady Marlene and Rob Spillett and Lady Gillian

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW GRAND MASTER

On Saturday June 15, RWBro. (and Noble) John Cameron was Installed as Grand Master of

the Grand Lodge of Alberta. John is a long-time member of Al Azhar and the Vintage Car

unit.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

LOST IN THE DESERT

If you have a current address or

phone number for any of the

following

please contact the Recorder’s

office

Name Last known location

Hunter, Seth Elmer Kelowna, BC

Konczak, Walter Okotoks

Mackey, Douglas Trinidad & Tobago

Owen, John G. Nanoose, BC

Rowland, R.R. Qualicum Beach, BC

Shapka, Steve Calgary

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2013 marks the 100th birthday of fellow Mason and Shriner Red Skelton

The year 2013 marks the 100th birthday of fellow Mason and Shriner of 58 years,

Richard “Red” Skelton. Red was a member of both the Vincennes Blue Lodge in Vincennes, Ind. and Al Malaikah

Shriners in Los Angeles.

A tribute to Red – who was often celebrated as the “world’s greatest clown” – was held at the Red Skelton Museum

Clown School – on the campus of Vincennes University in Vincennes, Ind., June 4-9, 2013. Many Shrine clowns and

fraternity members took part in the commemoration of the life and legacy of Red Skelton. For more information

about the event and the Red Skelton Museum, please visit the Red Skelton Museum website.

The Legacy of Red Skelton

Born the son of a circus clown in 1913, Richard “Red” Skelton was destined to entertain the world. By age 15, Red

was employed as a full-time entertainer, with assignments ranging from vaudeville to circus performances. It was

not long until Red’s slapstick comedic parodies captured the American public’s attention. In 1941, Red premiered

his own radio show, The Raleigh Cigarette Program. Ten years later, CBS adapted the popular program for

television, with Red as their first host televised in color.

By the 1950s, Red had expanded his performances and appeared in more than 30 MGM films, which included

Having a Wonderful Time and Bathing Beauty. In addition to being a television and radio entertainer, Red was also a

famed interpretive clown and, in 1989, was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in Baraboo, Wis.

Near the end of his life, Red enjoyed the fine arts of writing, music and painting. Some of his best work is displayed

at the Red Skelton Museum, including scrapbooks and photos of his eclectic life. Brother Red is buried at the Forest

Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, Calif.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHECK YOUR DUES CARD

IF IT DOES NOT SAY 2013 …

PLEASE REMIT YOUR DUES TODAY

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SHC CANADA NEWS

Nobles and Ladies,

It gives me great pleasure to present our first ever

major fundraising initiative for the Shriners Hospitals for

Children- Canada “Exceptional Care for Exception Kids”

Campaign.

Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada has stood at

the foot of Montreal’s Mount Royal for almost ninety

years as a glowing beacon of hope, helping children

afflicted with neuromusculoskeletal disorders that defy

the odds and overcome seemingly insurmountable

challenges. A bilingual establishment providing elective

pediatric orthopaedic treatment to young patients from

Quebec, the rest of Canada, the U.S. and beyond, the

hospital has earned international recognition for its

exceptional care and unique, family-centred approach.

Since opening its doors in 1925, our institution has

literally changed the lives of generations of children and

their families, trained hundreds of doctors, nurses and

other health professionals, and made research

breakthroughs that have defined best practices in

pediatric orthopaedics worldwide.

Ours is indeed not just another hospital. Thanks to our

exceptionally dedicated and expert staff, in addition to

providing the utmost in patient care, we have served as

a comforting and compassionate home away from home

for the thousands of children and their parents who

have come to us for treatment from Quebec, the rest of

Canada and far beyond. Today, however, in view of the

increasing demand for our care and services and of ever-

changing patient needs, we have set our sights on a new

era in our proud history — an exciting era of growth and

renewal that will see us take our world-class patient

care, research and teaching to new heights of

excellence.

Construction has begun on a new state-of-the-art

hospital on the McGill University Health Centre’s Glen

Campus site that will be more than double the size of

our current facility and equipped with the most

advanced medical apparatus and technologies. The

hospital will also feature a number of new specialty

units that will enable us to meet a broader range of

patient needs. In addition, it will have significantly

enhanced research and teaching capabilities and will be

in a better position than ever to recruit the finest

pediatric orthopaedic surgeons and health professionals

from around the globe.

The Campaign objective is $130 million, including the $3

million Francis Glorieux Chair in Pediatric

Musculoskeletal Research. Thanks to a generous pledge

of $97 million from Shriners International, our campaign

pledges now total $111,321,364. Of course, the

ultimate success of a fundraising endeavour of this

scope depends on the support of devoted friends and

members of our hospital family, compassionate citizens

and caring and concerned individuals and corporations.

That is why we are appealing to you now to consider a

gift to our “Exceptional Care for Exceptional Kids”

campaign. Your gift will enable us to continue to build

on our proud tradition of helping children defy the odds

and give every child a chance to realize their dreams. In

order to recognize your generosity, donors will be

offered unique Naming Opportunities and Donor

Recognition Programs, in the new hospital, by way of a

plaque strategically placed in a designated area, (rooms,

halls, floors), as well as a mention on the official

campaign donor wall which will be located in the main

entrance.

Children from Canada, the U.S. and from around the

world have benefited from the hospital’s ground-

breaking research and innovative treatments. Above

and beyond world-class care, they have found a home

away from home, a place where their disabilities do not

define who they are, but are merely a stepping stone to

becoming the most productive, active and autonomous

adults possible. Now more than ever, Shriners Hospitals

for Children – Canada is positioned, through its

affiliation with McGill University, as an international

leader in pediatric orthopedic care.

You are part of a unique group who share the belief that

each child deserves a chance to realize his or her

dreams. I sincerely hope that we can count on your

invaluable generosity and support. For more information or for those wishing to make a

donation to the campaign, please contact either myself

at (403) 541-0123 or our Campaign Regional Vice-Chair

in Calgary, Gordon Berard at (403) 620-8030. Thank you

Sincerely,

Bill Miller P.P.

Member Board of Governors

Shriners Hospitals for Children- Canada

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MORE SHC CANADA NEWS

More good news ! Two weeks ago, Peter Letko had a Western swing during which he made several calls including,

Canadian Pacific, Suncor Energy Foundation, Canadian Natural Resources, Husky Energy and Telus. For two of these

calls namely, Suncor and Husky, he was accompanied by our incoming Vice Chair, Bill Miller. Late yesterday, he

received an email from Husky Energy announcing that they were making a $75,000 pledge to our Campaign ! Hats

off to Peter and Bill. I am sure there is more to come.

Victor M. DruryVictor M. DruryVictor M. DruryVictor M. Drury

Campaign Director & Senior Director of Development

Directeur de campagne & Directeur senior du développement

Tel: (514) 282-8264

Cell: (514) 998-5730 Fax: (514) 842-7553

Email: vmdrury@shrinenet.org

Fez Sez June 2013 Page 10

MORE SHC CANADA NEWS

SENT ON BEHALF OF PAUL E. FRANK, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Good afternoon Gentlemen,

Since I am running for Imperial Outer Guard and if I am successful I will have to resign my position as Chairman of

the Board. As a result of this the Executive Committee met prior to the May Board meeting and selected Gino

Berretta to assume the position of Board Chairman and Bill Miller to assume the position of Vice Chairman of the

Board of Governors of the Canadian Hospital.

If for some reason I am not successful in July, these positions will take effect on January 1, 2014. The positions of

Board Secretary and Treasurer will remain the same for the remainder of this year.

It has been a pleasure and honour to have served with all of you for the past 8 1/2 years.

Yours in the Faith,

Paul

CONGRATULATIONS PP BILL

Al Azhar Donations to Shriners Hospital for Children for 2013

Donations made to date this year are:

$4,965.00 sent to Hospital from Shrine Office

$20.000.00 Legion of Honor

$10,000.00 Clown

$25,238.58 Mounted Patrol

$15,000.00 Directors Staff

$50,238.58 Waiting approval from Gaming Commission

$55,203.58 Year to date if all approved.

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DAUGHTERS OF THE NILE

Did you hear the news?!

Sakkara Temple No. 115 Daughters of the Nile

During the period April 1, 2012 to March 15, 2013 Made the following donations through its Charitable Giving Program to support the Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Canada:

Cash Donations via Stepping Stones to Happiness, My Gift Program, etc. $73,053.31 Value of Items Donated to Hospital i.e. quilts, afghans, pillowcases, etc. $8,876.69 TOTAL DONATION $81,930.00 At the Supreme Session of Daughters of the Nile, being held in Grapevine, Texas, June 16 - 20, 2013, Sakkara Temple will be receiving an award for their outstanding contributions. Thank you for your generosity and support. (Submitted by Linda Cathrea, Junior Past Queen)

CONGRATULATIONS TO SAKKARA TEMPLE!

We thank our other SHC partners. Please

support them

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Christian de la Cruz’s Adventure Begins Christian, from Mexico, was born with no ears. The best hospital in the world for correcting this defect is SHC

Canada in Montreal. Al Azhar sponsored him as a patient. He and his parents flew from Mexico City to Calgary

accompanied by Ill. Sir Graham Paull and his Lady Sheila and were our special guests at the May 24 Ceremonial

Mixer. The next morning, they were off to Montreal to start his treatment. Christian loved the horses! The family is

so thankful to Al Azhar and SHC

NOBLES, WE DO

GREAT WORK!

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Upcoming Events

SHOW & SHRINE

June 22

SUMMERFEST

June 23

IMPERIAL SESSION

June 29- July 4 Indianapolis

STAMPEDE PARADE

July 5

PNSA 2013 – LETHBRIDGE

July 24-27 Lethbridge

http://www.pnsa2013.org

STATED BUSINESS MEETING

September 26

SHC OPEN

LAS VEGAS, NV

October 14-20

OKTOBERFEST

October 26

FALL CEREMONIAL & JOINT

INSTALLATION

November 16

STATED BUSINESS MEETING

November 28

CHIEF RABBAN MEETING

November 30

STAMPEDE PARADE

JULY 5

To all Nobles

If you want to ride in the

Stampede in the Hospital wagon

Contact me or the office so I can

let Wayne Morsky know who will

be on the wagon for the Shrine

Hospital. We are not with Shrine

but Heavy Horse hitch. Wear a

smile and a Fez with western

wear

Gordon Brewer

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