Congratulations to Noble Ken Campbell installed as our President for 2019. His Lady Erika has proven that she will be his greatest supporter. There were 96 Nobles and Ladies in attendance to show their support for Ken and his new Executive. Ceremonies were conducted by Rameses Potentate Illustrious Sir Noble Jed Handy accompanied by First Lady Christine. Other Divan Nobles in attendance were Chief Rabban Noble Bill Sweet and his Lady Barbara, Oriental Guide Noble Joe Johnson and his Lady Joyce as well as other Nobles who are member of our Club. The Chief Rabban conducted the election of Noble Jim Preston as our new 1st Vice President. Also in attendance representing the Mayor’s office was Ward 2 Councillor Bill Sandison with his wife Christine. We would like to thank the Nobles and Ladies from the Kingston and Trent Valley Shrine Clubs who attended to also show their support. President 2018 Noble Stephen Shirk and Lady Kathleen were happy to give up this position. Noble Stephen will continue as the Secretary for the Belleville and District Shrine Club for 2019.

This was an opportunity for Noble Stephen Shirk to try out his fancy new digital Canon Camera with bluetooth, etc.  Had to delete many pictures that were not so good however still managed to find some good photo opportunities.  Congratulations to Illustrious Sir Noble Jed Handy on being installed as our newest Potentate and the best to our outgoing, now Past Potentate, Illustrious Sir Noble Thomas Woodrow.  Also to be congratulated was the election and installation of our newest Oriental Guide Noble Joe Johnson who comes from both the Oshawa and Belleville Shrine Clubs.  Now we have to find a new 1st Vice President for Belleville.  The weather was great and the ceremony was again memorable.

With 81 Nobles, Ladies, Special Ladies and Guests from the Lakeshore and Trent Valley Shrine Clubs in attendance we saw a great end of the year for our President 2018 Noble Stephen D. Shirk and his Lady Kathleen on 19 December at their Annual Christmas Dinner Meeting. There were gifts given, prizes won, especially the 20 lb Turkey won by Lady Celine Hellberg as well as those other lucky 18 winners who walked away with their turkey for Christmas Dinners. A big thanks to everyone who supported Noble Stephen, Lady Kathleen and his Executive this past year and the best to President Elect Noble Ken Campbell and his Lady Erika for their year in 2019.

On Tuesday, 04 December 2018, the Belleville and District Shriners and their Ladies took part in the Rameses Holiday Magic Show at the Empire Theatre were many children and their parents watched magic acts and feats of agility. A special thanks to Noble Joe Johnson for performing the introductions at the beginning of the show and thanks to the following for attending: Noble Leonard and Lady Marjorie Bedford, Noble Brucer Ferguson and Lady Marilyn Hackett, Lady Joyce Johnson, Noble John Bonnin, and Noble Wayne McFaul who worked on the sound system. Noble Roy Thompson was also their with his grandchild. President Noble Stephen Shirk was present to help give out program booklets and the souvenir Anti-Bullying ruler/bracelet.

We were very rushed when the Belleville and District Shrine Club attended the Wellington Santa Claus Parade at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Tweed Santa Claus Parade at 12:30 p.m. and then over to Marmora for their Santa Claus Parade at 2:00 p.m.  We appreciated that there was no rain and that we had good clear skies for most of these events however it was starting to become overcast by the end of the last parade.  Thanks Nobles and Lady Jennifer Wickham for supporting our Shrine Club for the day.  Now only one more Santa Claus Parade to go in Stirling on Friday, 7 December 2018 at 6:30 p.m.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the weather is excellent for that parade.

As the President of the Belleville and District Shrine Club Noble Stephen Shirk visited the Algonquin Shrine Club, Orillia Shrine Club and Lakeshore Shrine Club for their local elections.  This was followed by our Belleville and District Shrine Club Elections on 28 November 2018. The best to all of the new Executives out there for 2019.  Hopefully we will get to many of the other Installations as well.