- JAMES H. RICHARDSON, JR.
- and
- LADY BARBARA
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- “Fraternity -
Philanthropy - In Perfect Balance”
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- Nobles and Ladies,
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- I must begin this article by raving over
the Potentate’s Ball. The decorations, food, band,
and hospitality were all superb. Over 225 were in
attendance, including 84 guests from 14 Temples, 3
current MASA Officers and 2 MASA Past Presidents, 7
sitting Potentates, 10 Past Zem Zem Potentates, and
the Imperial Marshal of Shriner’s International.
Many, many thanks are in order. First, and
foremost, special thanks to Noble Dick Crabb and his
Lady Sue for their leadership of the Activities
Committee, for the wall emblem, the centerpieces,
the table favors, the special Shrine china, the
hospitality, and every other aspect of the weekend.
Many thanks also to Assistant Activities Chair Bob
Pommer and his Lady Carol, and Chief Aide Bill Sopp
and his Lady Patty, who put countless hours into the
weekend. Thanks to the Arab Patrol, the Legion of
Honor, and the Kilts for an impressive opening
ceremony. Thanks to Ill. Sir David Schwindt for
being the Personal Aide to Imperial Sir Gary
Bergenske for the entire weekend. Thanks to Rose
Hepler for painting the wall emblem and Gary Vrenna
for manufacturing the centerpieces. Thanks to Butch
Campbell for being the MC and Red Allen for
organizing the introductions; to Duane Willey for
taking hundreds of photographs all weekend; to Ed
Carr for keeping our guests safe by handling the
shuttle service; to John and J.J. Johnston for the
extensive live decorations; and to Rick Kraus for
hosting a top-notch hospitality room. Thanks to
William Gruver and his staff for preparing and
presenting the finest food and beverage service I
have experienced at any Potentate’s Ball at any
Temple. Finally, thanks to the rest of the Nobles
and Ladies of the Activities Committee, all who
worked very hard to make this a special and
memorable weekend for my Lady Barbara and myself.
It was a smashing success.
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- Many thanks also to the numerous
individuals who volunteered their time to be sure
that the new ceilings were installed before the
Potentate’s Ball. These individuals include Adam
Barner, Tim Barnhart, Gary and Rose Hepler, Dick
Crabb and Sue, HPP Gerry Best and Linda, Ill. Sir
Dave Schwindt, Larry Culbertson, Wally Long, Bill
Sopp, Bob Pommer, Bill Bennett, Jim Ritchie, my son
Jim, and my Lady Barbara and me (hope I didn’t miss
anyone!). The front of our Temple looks as nice as
it looked when it was first built.
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- In addition, there were many other
wonderful events attended at our flourishing
Temple. On June 2nd the Friendship
Dinner had an Italian menu and entertainment by the
Jr. Philharmonic String Ensemble. The next
Friendship Dinner will be on August 15th,
at the Hospital. June 11th brought the
Erie County Steak Fry; June 12th brought
the Ridgeway Parade; June 17th brought
the Brass Band Spring Concert; June 19th
brought the Ismailia Potentate’s Ball, and June 22nd
brought the Venango County Steak Fry. On the
weekend of June 26th all Pennsylvania
Potentates, and their Ladies, were guests of the
Right Worshipful Grand Master at the Grand Lodge
Quarterly Communication in Elizabethtown. My Lady
Barbara and I, with A.R. and PDDGM Keith McKnight
and his Lady Eileen, as well as the DDGMs from our
jurisdiction, all attended, further cementing the
special fraternal brotherhood that exists between
the PA Masonic Lodges and the PA Shrine Temples.
The RWGM was especially interested in the Masonic
Summit that we convened at Zem Zem on February 6th,
and the next Masonic Summit that we will host on
August 14th.
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- From July 2nd, 2010
through July 9th, 2010 my Lady Barbara
and I will proudly lead a considerable contingent of
Zem Zem Shriners and their families to the Imperial
Session in Toronto, Canada. It has been quite a few
years since Zem Zem has made a strong appearance in
an Imperial Parade, and competed for Imperial
trophies. I am extremely proud of the Zem Zem
Parade Units who have made this considerable
commitment.
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- Significant upcoming events include
the Summer Ceremonial from August 20th
through August 22nd; please submit your
petitions now. Fall MASA will be in Virginia Beach
from September 9th through September 12th.
Our Sportsman’s Spectacular will be on September 25th
; please be involved, sell lots of tickets,
and bring all of your friends to this vitally
important fundraiser.
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- Great things are happening at Zem
Zem Temple, and it gives me great pride and pleasure
to be your Potentate for the year 2010.
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Proud to Be a Shrine Mason,
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Jim
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