July 21 Thank you Drive part 1 – click on the link to see photos

July 21 Thank you Drive – Part 2 – click on this link to see the photos

Considering that the members of our Belleville and District Shrine Club and their families have been staying at home trying to stay safe since mid March of this year during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, President Noble Jim Preston with 1st Vice President Noble Ken Campbell, Secretary Noble Stephen Shirk, Ambassador Noble Leonard Bedford, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada Vice Chairman with the Board of Directors Noble John Neil and Trustee Noble Clarence Stevenson visited some of our essential services in Belleville to show the appreciation of the Shriners.  Visited were the Belleville General Hosptial, Bellville Police Station, Hastings Manor and Belleville Fire Station No. 1.

As many of you are aware our Shrine Club is currently looking at selling our building/property at 51 Highland and looking for a more modern facility that will help reduce our costs and provide easier access for our aging membership and visitors.  Here is a look at the promotional video by EKORT Realtors of our building:

We had a great evening with lots of appetizers during the social time as we celebrated the installation of Noble Jim Preston in the President’s Chair for 2020 as joined by his new Executive.  Present were 69 to include family, friends ,and guests who helped share in this memory for Noble Jim and Lady Mary as well as his brother and his children and grandchildren who were present.

The new Executive are shown in the group photo as:  Front Row: Treasurer Noble Ron Carter, 2nd Vice President Noble Bill Black, Potentate Illustrious Sir Noble Bill Sweet, President Noble Jim Preston, Past President Noble Kenneth Campbell, Ambassador Noble Leonard Bedford, Secretary Noble Stephen D. Shirk. Back Row: Director Noble Brian Cook, Director Noble John Bonnin, Trustee Noble Calvin Thomas, Chairman Noble Lloyd Kellett, Trustee Noble Roy Todd, Director Noble Brian Brian Kauk, Chaplain Noble Bruce Ferguson, Trustee Noble Clarence Stevenson, Director Noble Wayne McFaul, Chairman Noble Bill Bedford, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada Noble John Neil.

There were so many happy and familiar faces at the Potentate’s Ball on Saturday, 13 April in Toronto at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport Ballroom.  The food was excellent and the evening entertainment with a country and western band only added to the enjoyment of the evening.  Hopefully these photos will make you want to attend next year’s Ball so that you can create your own memories.  The photographer recognized many faces but wishes he could remember all of their names.   With so many pictures taken we have to publish this event in two parts.  Here is the first half of the photos.

There certainly was a lot of enjoyment feasting on Noble Brian Cook’s prime rib roast with all the fixin’s as well as the many who sat on the edges of their chairs waiting to see if they would be in the finals for the winning draws of $100, $200 and $600.  Others just wanted to win the many other prizes available in the silent auction.  Everyone had fun and left with full bellies.  Thank you Noble Chief Camel Herder Jim Preston and your stable of Camel Herders for an excellent evening on 6 April 2019.

On Saturday Noble Bill Black and Noble Stephen Shirk sat in the cold continuous drizzle while selling chocolates at Fosterholm Farms Maple in the County festivities.  While on Sunday Noble Jack Hellberg and Noble Calvin Thomas could be found selling chocolates at Hubb’s Sugarbush during the intermitent snow fall.  The Lake Lodge brethren were very busy at Hubb’s making and selling pancakes, sausages with maple syrup, coffee and hot chocolate to the many visitors.  Well done to all this wet and snowy weekend.