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.

The weather was perfect on 18 November for our Santa Claus parade in Belleville.  My grandson from the military David Shirk used his new 2018 Silverado truck to pull our Legion of Honour “People Mover” float in the parade.  Lady Kathy Shirk and her team prepared the upper lounge with a christmas treee, and made sure that there was lots of chili, stew, cheese/pickle trays and deserts available for those who traveled in the parade. After some brief moments of aniexty the Camel Herders were able to get their float moving while others Nobles and Ladies remained warm and  very cherry in the club motorhome. We even had some of our Nobles and their Ladies from the Trent Valley Shrine Club in the parade and at our Chili Night feast.  Thank you to everyone who made this happen and those who got involved with the spirit of the season.

Noble Ken Campbell managed to put it all together for our Bantam Hockey Tournament season this year. We had a nice visit from one of our Shriner children Aurora as well. Nobles were busy with the setup and greeting our many visitors as well as supplying gift bags and water for the teams. Mayor Elect of Belleville His Worship Mitch Panciuk was also on hand for the official puck drop ceremony at 11:15 a.m. A big thanks to all of our sponsors and to the Nobles and their ladies who helped at this very important event.

Another day of our three day hockey event with many Nobles and a few Ladies helping out where needed. Now that the Canadian Tire BBQ was over from Friday we could concentrate on having fun on Saturday. Go Shriners Go!

As your President I would like to personall thank the following Nobles and their Ladies who helped at our Bantam Hockey Tournament over the weekend: Bert Newman, Bill Bedford, Bill Black, Bill Richardson, Brian Cook, Brian Käuk, Bruce Ferguson, Calvin Thomas, Clarence Stevenson, Clive Allan, Don Gillis, Doug MacLaurin, Doug Rutledge, Erika Campbell, Jim Hemlin, Jim Preston, Joan Hemlin, Joe Johnson, John Bonnin, John Hopkins, John Neil, Kathy Shirk, Ken Campbell, Leon Hill, Leonard Bedford, Lise Richardson, Lloyd Kellett, Otto Nungesser, Ron Bailey, Ron Hitchlock, Roy Todd.. Without your support this weekend would not have been a great success for us and our hockey teams.

I would also like to thank the following Sponsors for placing ads in our hockey booklet this year: Bain Excavating, Bob W. Wood Construction Quinte Ltd., Drossbach, Tim Hortons Bridge & Dundas St Belleville, Star Trophies, CIBC Darryl DaSilva & Collin Myers, The RibCage BBQ, Bourbon Street Pizza Co., Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre, Belleville Toyota, McDonald’s North Front St. Walmart & Hwy 62 Madoc, Branch 110 Royal Canadian Legion, Smitty’s “King of Appliances”, Wendy’s North Front St Belleville & Alkenbrack St. Napanee, W.T. Hawkins Ince. Cheezies, Branch 99 Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 160 Royal Canadian Legion, Quinte First Credit Union Joe Bell, Belleville Shrine Club Clown Unit, Papa Johns, Home Hardware Picton, County Camo, Split Second Printing, Tyendinaga Computer Sales, Wilkinson & Company LLP, Empey Tire, Shoeless Joe’s, 418 (Belleville) Wing RCAF Association, Quinte Air Supply Kevin DeMille, Gilmour’s Meat Shop & Deli Wyatt Whitehead, Hotch’s and Son’s Auto Parts, Wellington Pharmacy Christa Smith, Albert College, Prinzen Ford John Carney, The Boathouse, Star Auto Glass & Upholstery, Ron’s Quality Cars Ron Bailey, Barry Swan Specialties Inc., A& B Precast Charles Buckley, Clark’s Automotive, Hawley’s Garage, McCurdy Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd Percy Pearce, RT Marketing David Down, M&A Towing, Mr Running Board Joe Towns, Wellington on the Lake Golf Course, Baybridge Tire & Automotive Rob Haynes, Dewe’s Independent, Critter Clips Angie MacDonald, J&P Marine Service Justin Farrell & Paul Randle, A&W North Front St. Bryan Rhodes, Stan’s Fix-it-Shop Ltd Bernie Robar, Holgate Tire & Battery Ltd. Adam Holgate, Geen’s Pharmasave, Build-All Contractors, Parsons Cleaners & Launderers Ltd, Branch 509 Royal Canadian Legion, Hockett’s Collision, D.I.Y. Factory Outlet, Metro, Buy-Rite Auto Sales Gary R. Veinot, Back in Motion Dr. Tracy Bray, Sean & Tim McKinney Remax, Peter Smith Chevrolet Buick GMC, Select Services Paulette Stacey, Tom Belch & Sons Building Contractors, Bill Hopkins Garage Ltd, Sugarbush Vineyards Robert & Sally Peck, Brian Rosebush Heating and Colling, Belleville Beer & Wine Ken Ridge, Belleville Starter & Alternator & Batteries Rick Woodcock Nat Blanchard & Al Johnson, Sparky’s Auto, Greg Sudds West City Honda, The Duke of Edinburgh Unit 201 Army Navy & Airforce, Winmar Property Restoration Specialists, Reid Bros. Truck Service Inc.

We should also recognize those Nobles and Ladies who took out ads in our Bantam Hockey Booklet this year. All ads helped the Belleville and District Shrine Club cover the costs of running the Bantam Hockey Tournament. Special thanks to: Leonard & Marjorie Bedford, Al Rushlow, Jim & Mary Preston, Kathy Shirk, John & Vada Bonnin, Doug & Katie Rutledge, Doug & Lesley MacLaurin, Ron & Audrey Carter, Special Lady Peggy MacGregor, Sheila & Lloyd Kellett, Barrie & Marlene Willis, Ralph Bullock, Calvin & Sheila Thomas, Don Greer, Morley & Jean Allen, Harold & Bea Newton, Otto & Kendra Nungesser, Bill & Gwynn Bedford, Clive & Sandra Allan, Brian & Carol Käuk, Special Lady Eileen & son Kevin Freeman, Barb & Bruce Ferguson, Donald “Trout” Douglas & his granddaughter Jennifer Wickman, Rob & Bonnie Wigmore, Ken & Erika Campbell, The Goldie family, Don & Velda Gillis, Bert Newman, Jack & Celine Hellberg, Bill & Debbie Black, Leon & Dorothy Hill, Special Lady Marilyn Hackett, Bill & Lise Richardson, Clarence & Gayle Stevenson, Wanda & Ivan Clare, Gary & Elaine Smithrim