Fun Fest 2009 Update

 

Hey, fellow clowns,
 
We had a great time in Pigeon Forge at Fun Fest and Guess What??? We brought home 3  first place trophies.  How great it is to be a clown!!!!  We got a little bit wet at the parade, but what fun it was seeing the smiles on the faces of the young and the young at heart.  We also had a ball at breakfast where we got to serenade a sweet lady with a birthday song on her 90th birthday.  That was a treat.  Then of course all the kids there had to come over to meet “REAL” clowns.  We had a ball.  You couldn’t have a better time than at Kerbela’s Fun Fest.  It’s a real shame that more of the clowns aren’t able to attend.  There is so much to do and so  many new friends to make and old friends to catch up with. 
Summer will bring lots of opportunities to get out and clown, so I hope  to be seeing you out there from time to time.  If not before, see you in September in VA Beach.
 
Jake Hensley,
Beni Kedem Clowns

2009 Golf Tournament

On Friday, May 15, the 2009 golf tournament was held.  Here’s a video of just some of the highlight’s from the day’s events:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSIdVZfL0yw

January 2009 Meeting Minutes

Logan Shrine Club Meeting Minute January 9, 2009

Respectfully Submitted by Ernest Martin III, Club Secretary

 

Officers for the new year

The January meeting of Logan Shrine Club was held on January 9, 2009, postponed from the regularly scheduled meeting date on the first Friday of the month, due to the holiday weekend.

 

 

 

 

Prior to the meeting, Beni Kedem Potentate, Sam Kapourales, installed the officers of the club for the 2009 year.  Additionally, the potentate gave the obligation to Jay Lester, who the club welcomes as a new noble.

 

Social hour began at 6 p.m., with a Prime Rib dinner prepared by Noble Rick Grimmett and others of the club.  Larry thanked those involved with the dinner.

 

The meeting was called to order by President Larry Chafin.

 

Club secretary Ernest Martin read the minutes of the previous meeting.  With no objections, the minutes were approved as read.

 

The treasurer’s report was moved to be dispensed.  The motion was seconded and passed.  This will allow Noble Joe Gray more time to get the treasurer’s report together after the busy holiday season.

 

Letters of Communication were read by club secretary Ernie Martin.  One letter was about the upcoming burn awareness campaign, which is the first full week of February.  The second letter was from Lexington Shriner’s Hospital, thanking the club for the stuffed animals the Logan club collected and donated. 

 

Larry shared that burn awareness week is coming up and the club has stickers, posters, coloring books, etc., and Larry has tried to contact the fire departments to gain access to middle schools to share burn awareness information with the students. 

 

Dave Jeffrey, from the membership committee, reports Beni Kedem has taken in 45 new members in the last year, in the whole state.  Logan club brought in 17 new members last year.  The club has won the membership drive trophy and it will be on display here next year.  Larry and Dave each won a prize in the membership drawing for the top line signers of new members petitions last year.   Dave also recognized new Noble Jay Lester, and said that Rick Elton has turned in a petition this evening, and will receive the obligation next month.  June 13^th in Williamson will be the Shriners ceremony.  Any member who hasn’t been through the ceremony is encouraged to do so, and all are invited to attend.  The average age of a Shriner is 65 and our club needs to continue bringing in new members.  Our club is doing well, with dedicated members, and we need to continue the good work.  Dave says the membership goal for the club for this year is 30,and he challenged each  member to bring a Master Mason who isn’t a Shriner to the club.

 

 

 

 

Larry encouraged our members to support each of the appendant bodies:  Eastern Star, Scottish Rite and others of the fraternity.

 

Jay Lester and Jay Mullins reported on events upcoming for the club.  There will be a Valentine’s party on Saturday the 14^th at 7:00 p.m. for the club.  There will be catered dinner and dance, with a DJ.  Invitations will be mailed, with RSVP.

 

One possible fund-raiser is raffling off a car.  Jay L met with Wally Thornhill, who will sell us a car at cost, and will not make a penny off it.  This will cost about 17K.  The tickets will be $25 and if every member sells a book of 40 then we break even, everything over that is our profit.  The car will be shown at 3 locations, including at Beni Kedem during the boy’s basketball tournament, here during the Freedom Festival, and possibly taking the car to Tennessee for a festival there.  The car will be given away on August 30^th.  If the ticket sells are short the club will be able to extend the deadline for the car giveaway.  There was much discussion about this idea, especially focusing around the idea of the car giveaway compared to the TV giveaway.  The members discuss the possibility of not moving to a 17K expense from a 1K expense for a fundraiser.  Some members mentioned the possibility of keeping the TV giveaway, along with the golf tournament, which has been proven fundraisers for the first half of the year, then doing a different or new fundraiser during the second half of the year.  No motions were made on this potential new fundraiser. 

 

Motion was made and seconded that we scheduled golf tournament and TV fundraiser for the first half of the year, and have a new fundraiser in the second half of the year.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Noble Dave Jeffrey said that he would donate a set of good golf clubs, woods and irons, and bag, so that it could be raffled off at the golf tournament. 

 

Discussion was held about the possibility of renting the club for public use.  With a noble and family having  no charge for the building, but determining a possible charge for the public.

 

Joe Gary announced January 24^th is a commandry inspection, with meeting next week, and the York Rite needs some participation and help.  The chapter is about to fold. In a year about half the meetings can’t be held, because there’s not enough people to even open the meetings.

 

Scottie Johnson brought up the idea of putting some lit signs on the outside of the building.  These are the lighted box light signs that are lit up when a meeting is on-going in the club.  The cost is about $750 per sign and this is the price quoted both on the internet and from Just Sign Here company.  Roger Grimmet is donating $500 to kick off the purchase of these signs and other club members pledged some money to help with this. 

 

Nobel Jim Fienkhemel from Charleston came to speak to the club regarding the clown alley.  Clowns are a unique unit. Most units in the Shrine are military type unit, with each guy looking just like the guy next to him and marching in step.  The clowns are all about being their own unique thing.  Clowns have come from the Potentates not wanting them in their temples, to being the leading attraction in most temples.  Clowns are a performing organization, with each member performing in the way that best represents their personalities.  Their two greatest audiences are young children and older adults.  A clown does not drink, smoke or eat while in makeup and performing, because a clown becomes a part of your youngster’s life as a cartoon character.  Once the show is over the clown has another 45 minutes or so to get cleaned up and make up off, plus they’ve put in about an hour before getting ready.  Consequently, the clowns have a harder job and sometimes a seemingly larger commitment.  Not everyone is cut out to be a clown, but the first time a clown puts the makeup on and entertains it’s a feeling like no other.  Clowns need to be a ham who enjoys entertaining people.  When you put on the makeup you’re not hiding yourself, you’re showing yourself as a performer.  Any member who THINKS they’d like to be a clown, they will help.  He also recognized Jake Hensley, who is an officer in the South Atlantic clowns, and advised the unit that we will need to be behind Jake when he has his year of presidency. 

 

The meeting closed, with the entertainment committee meeting afterward to set dates and the clown alley meeting afterward. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clowns to Host Training Day

On March 9th, Tony Jones from TNT clown supplies will be at the Logan Shrine Club for an evening of education and fun for all old, new and people considering being a clown.  The evening approximate start time is 7 pm.    The education begins with his expertise on make up.  He will have products available for people who have allergies as well as ideas for new faces.  He is also going to teach a few skits both 1 man and group.  Please come on down and join the fun.

A Future Clown is Born!

Alec is born

Alec Ezechial Hensley Mullins made his world debut on December 12, 2008 at 3:12 p.m., weighing in a 8 lbs, 12 oz, and21 inches long.  His momma is Jessica Hensley, daughter of Noble Jake and Lady Diane.  The proud grandparents are already thinking up clown names, and Bug Dust and Bug Dust’s Lady can’t get enough of their family’s new edition.  Congratulations to the entire Hensley Family! 

Alec's first visit with Santa

Christmas at the Club

December has been a busy month for the Logan Shrine Club.  The clowns helped collect toys at the local Wal-Mart for the Toys-for-Tots program.  The club also held its first ever (and hopefully annual) Chrismas dinner and dance.  To check out pics from both events, click on the link to the You-tube video featuring scenes from the club in December.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ3vPnJK9Sk

Meeting Minutes December 200

Logan Shrine Club Meeting Minutes 12.5.08

Respectfully submitted by Ernest J Martin III, secretary

 

The regularly stated December meeting of Logan Shrine club was held on December 5, 2008.  The meeting was called to order by club president, Larry Chaffin.  Lady Tracy Baisden said grace before dinner and social hour.  Dinner was steak, baked potato, salad, rolls and desert.  Steaks were grilled by the nobles.

 

Larry expressed thanks to everyone who came out early and helped in the kitchen, and thanked his wife, Kathy Chaffin, for all that she’s put up with in the last couple years. 

 

Larry continued the December tradition of recognizing some people from the club who have made a difference in the year.  Recognized were Noble Jake Hensley, and his lady, Diane.  Larry also recognized Billy Ray Chafin, and his lady, Cathy.  Joe Gray and his lady, Laura, were recognized. 

 

Our special guest from Beni Kedem shrine temple is brother and noble John Campbell, from Charleston.  He commended the club on the progress of the building here in Logan.  John said he wants to be #1 always, because no one remembers #2. 

 

John said that he was here to talk to us about bread. John gave a lesson about choosing how our life will be, using bread, as an illustration – knowing how to handle the dough, putting up with heals, having crust by going through the fire, etc. His speech was inspiring to the entire membership. 

 

Larry reminded the members that there is a stated session at Beni Kedem on December 11^th where election of officers will be held.  All nobles are encouraged to attend. 

 

Larry spent a bit of time reflecting over the past year.  It’s been a little over the year since we’ve been in this building, and the work in the building has been tremendous.  The club held three shrine fests this year:  one each  in Man, Logan and Chapmanville.  The club has had a few strong fundraisers this year, and will make contributions to the transportation fund and other programs of Beni Kedem by the end of the year.    

 

Larry announced that the club will be getting a new hospital van right away, as ours is getting some mileage on it.  The club always needs drivers, as there are a lot of patients we transport each month.

 

 Motion was made and seconded, to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting, which was the October meeting.  The November meeting was canceled, due to members participation in the Shrine Circus. 

 

Scott Johnson gave the treasurer’s report.  $8134.52 is the total we have right now in the club accounts.  He gave a breakdown of what has been recently deposited.  The report was accepted by the club.

 

Noble Keith Gamble from Fayetteville North Carolina is demitting to Beni Kedem temple, and once that occurs he can come in as an affiliate to our club, and is welcome here at any time.

 

Elections for officers for the 2009 year were held.

Billy Ray Chafin made a motion to change the by-laws of the club to allow the president to continue in place, especially in light of the fact that vice president Scotty Johnson is not able to accept the presidency.  The motion passed unanimously, and Larry was elected president for 2009 by unanimous vote.

 

Scott Johnson was nominated and seconded for vice president, passed unanimously for the 2009 year.

 

Joe Gray was nominated and seconded for club treasurer, and voted unanimously.  This motion separated the treasurer’s office from that of vice president.  This motion passed, and Joe was elected for 2009. 

 

Ernie Martin was nominated and seconded for club secretary, and he was elected for 2009. 

 

The officers of trustees have the responsibility of being trustees for the building.  Serving for 2008 have been Riley Jo Evans, James Taylor and Dick Williams, and a motion was made and seconded and passed to carry these same officers into the 2009 year. 

 

The goal for 2009, will be membership – both for the shrine club and for the blue lodge, as well.

 

There was some discussion about fund raisers for the upcoming year.  Beni Kedem won’t be doing the cash calendar for the upcoming year, so we’ll need to be more focused on our local fundraisers.  Especially the TV raffle and the golf tournament have been our biggest fundraisers, so we’ll need to be planning for these soon.

 

Motion was made and seconded that the club’s yearly contributions be made equally divided to the hospital and the transportation fund, as has been the custom in the past.  The motion passed.

 

Tomorrow night is the last WV home game, and there will be a club party to watch the game.  There will be hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill. 

 

Jay Mullins mentioned that he’d like to have a shrine dinner for the Shriner’s kids – party here at the club.  The club will also maybe have a sweetheart dinner in February for the club, and Jay will be meeting with anyone who wants to stay to help plan.  Eventually the membership agreed that it’s too late too plan a children’s party, but there will be an adult Holiday dinner dance on Saturday, December 20^th, here at the club, with Jay Mullins getting a DJ arranged, and Tracy Baisden arranging catering.  Ernie will send out invitations by mail so members can RSVP to have a more accurate account for dinner. 

 

 

October 2008 Meeting Minutes

Logan Shrine Club Meeting Minutes 10.3.08

Respectfully submitted by Ernest J. Martin III, Secretary

 

Logan Shrine club held a regularly stated meeting on October 3, 2008.  The meeting was called to order by club president Larry Chaffin.  Social hour began at 6:30 p.m., with the blessing for the meal being given by Tracy Baisden.  Wyandotte area troop 4774 and 4772 Daisy and Brownie troop were special guests of the club, presenting the nobles with over 5 dozen bears collected for the hospital.  Joe and Laura Gray, Roger Dempsey, Kathy Chaffin, Jake Hensley, Jay Mullins and Dave Jeffrey helped provide the meal for the evening. 

 

Amber Gore was a special guest speaker, sharing information about her daughter Hillary, a Shriners child.  She was born Dec 28, 2005, and around 4months it was discovered Hillary wasn’t moving the right side of her body well.  Hillary’s pediatrician didn’t believe that she was ill, and said that her parents were overly concerned.  After 3 months Hillary’s pediatrician referred her to a neurologist, who with an MRI diagnosed that Hillary had had a stroke in the left side of her brain.  The Shriner’s helped Hillary with braces and other help, and helped the family financially.  At this point they’ve been to the hospital 14 times, and they’re very thankful for the hospital.  She is in arm, hand and leg braces, and as she grows new braces have to be made.  During Hillary’s stay at the hospital she was given a bear, something that her mother needed more than she did.  The bear drive was very important to the whole family, and Hillary collected 333 bears with help from her friends, and has donated them to the club. 

 

Financial update was given by Scott Johnson – there is $7,816 in the bank right now.  The club won’t start another fund raiser until the first of the year, other than what Roger has going right now.  The TV fundraiser will start after the new year.  Roger is selling tickets on two half and half drawings.  In the first drawing there are 30 tickets at $100 apiece, to pay for the TV.  One winner gets $1500 and the other half pays the cost of the TV.  The other drawing will have $1500 will go to a person whose number is drawn out.  The other drawing they’ve sold 17 tickets and they’ll sell 30 tickets and the club will make $1500 and $1500 for the winner.  At the end of the year the club makes donations to the Beni Kedem hospital fund and transportation fund.  At the end of the year assessment will be made in regards to how much the donation will be.  This year the club will take into account the expenses of the club and getting this center set up.  The cost of the club now will basically be rent and utilities.

 

The bear drive is being quite successful this year.  We estimate the club has collected around 3000 bears during this drive. 

 

The Shriner’s picnic had plenty to eat, great games, and several children there. 

 

There was a tail gate party in the club for the Marshall WVU game, which was very successful.

 

Roger Muncy came in 3^rd place for character clown.  Larry came in first place in the hobo category  at the South Atlantic Clown Association. 

 

New Business:

 

October 9 is the Beni Kedem stated session in Charleston—all nobles are welcome to go and the second Thursday of every month is the stated session in Charleston.  There is always a dinner before the meeting, cost about $5, and then the meeting occurs. 

 

November 6, 7 8 and 9 is the Shrine Circus – on the 9^th is Charleston.  This year the club will take tickets to the schools and deliver them.

 

November 14 and 15 is the tough man contest, and they pay the club $1000 to be ushers for the contest, and we need 10 ushers to do this.  Basically they pay $100 per Shriner.

 

Holiday parties – Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas is coming up.  If there are any ideas for parties talk with Jay and others.  Make sure to let Ernie know about the events so that we can get publicity out to the Shriners.

 

Larry committed the building for an October 19 event for a wedding reception for a $150 donation. 

 

Larry reminded that the next meeting, November 7, is the time for election of new officers.  We need to think about who we want for officers for next year and when someone is asked and nominated try to explain to them how each office should be.  This is something we need to take seriously. 

 

Miscellaneous:

Joe Gray moved that the facility gets a dishwasher and seconded by Dave Jeffrey. Joe discussed the fact that the facility is being used a great deal now, and it’s time to help the club so that we don’t have to stand and do lots of dishes.  Roger and Louise Muncy  mentioned that they are willing to donate an under counter dishwasher, as they are remodeling and have a basically brand new one to give away.  Scotty offered to help find one at a good price.

 

Roger brought up the idea of a bucket drive for the club, modeled after one he saw in Lewisburg

 

Matt Ellis was introduced, one of our newest Shriners.  He wants to become active in the club and has new ideas about fundraising, and has volunteered to be a van driver when his schedule allows.

 

Jake Hensley updated the club regarding the South Atlantic Clown Association meeting.   He thanked everyone from Logan who came down and supported him at the dinner.  Next year it will be at Virginia Beech on the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th of September.  There were clowns competing out of 19 temples.  Jake moved up to second vice president this year.  The meeting will be in Myrtle Beach in 2009.  Logan Clown Alley is going down badly.  We need someone to take it over. This year we’ve done only 3 or 4 functions.  We need to get clowns active, and next month we need to elect officers and we need someone who will help the clowns become active.  If nobody doesn’t take it, Larry and Jake will have to take president in Logan and in Charleston.  Jake offered to help anyone who wants to be a clown figure out make up and create a character and they will invite clowns out of Charleston to come help do make up sessions and develop characters.

 

Jake invited anyone on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of next week go to Knoxville Tennessee to be in the circus there with him.

 

Tracy Baisden invited the club to participate in the LHS homecoming parade next Friday.  Roger Muncy moved that the club be in the parade, Ernie Martin seconded, and the motion was passed.  All members who can are encouraged to attend, wear fez, white shirt and black pants and join the parade.

 

 Scotty moved that the club buy some shirts made up for Logan shrine Club for the officers to wear for public functions.  The motion was seconded by Roger Muncy and it passed. 

 

Larry and Dave have been invited to Tampa Florida to a membership meeting there, to find out new ways to bring in new members to local clubs.  Membership is down nationwide.  There are 22,000 Masons in state of WV, and only have 2,000 Shriners.  We need to get out in the public more, so that more people want to become Shriners. 

 

The meeting was adjourned.   

 

 

September 2008 Meeting Minutes

Logan Shrine Club Meeting September 5, 2008

Minutes

Respectfully submitted by Noble Ernie Martin III, Club Secretary

 

The meeting began with a social and dinner hour.  Noble Jay Mullins cooked spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. 

 

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

 

Old Business

The prospect night had 9 candidates brought in and obligated that evening by the potentate, and there is one more application turned into Charleston with the Noble waiting to receive the obligation.  This event came in under the $500 budget that was allocated.

 

Don’t forget the outdoor bonanza tickets are still available, and are available here in the club at a cost of $25.  There is a party with refreshments on Wednesday, September 17^th, with first drawing at 7:00 p.m. and all are invited.

 

We set up a booth at the arts and crafts fair this year.  The cost was $125 for the booth, and we purchased a black powder rifle from Burgess and Loan to raffle.  We sold 122 tickets at $10 total l cost of gun $345, profit of $265.  Popcorn sold $98 total sales with $51 invested in that, with profit of $46.50  Chuck Hairston won the rifle.  We have $311 total event profit less the $125 for the booth.

 

New Business

The Teddy Bear drive is currently underway.  Ernie has been announcing on the radio and it can be seen here in the club that we’re getting a lot in.  This will last through the month of September, and we hope to have these delivered by mid October.  The hospitals are thrilled to be getting the bears.  Cincinnati wants only the small ones because of the burn patients, while Lexington wants the larger ones for the recreation room.  The hospital will also do a tour of the hospital for up to 15 people and have lunch for us when we get down there.  We probably need to have a special meeting to decide the dates to go down and sort these out to take down.

 

Our upcoming event this Sunday is the picnic.  The event date was changed because the shelter we usually use was already booked.  Larry reported he thought the shelter was booked from year to year and it wasn’t, so everything else was booked on the weekend of the 14^th, and the event date had to change to this Sunday. 

 

Larry encouraged members to bring in ideas for new fund raising opportunities to the meeting. 

 

Larry acknowledged the members who have been working on the facilities recently. 

 

Sept 24 – 28 is the South Atlantic Shrine meeting in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  If you haven’t made reservations and would like to go the Beni Kedem units will stay at Smoky Shadows, and Larry has info on that.  Jake mentioned that the parade steps off at 9:00 a.m., and if you registered make sure that you have your registration ID patch, because you WILL BE pulled out without it, and if you get in without the patch your whole temple will be disqualified.  This is for insurance purposes, because once before there were some non members got into the parade and mistreated some children.  Jake also mentioned the clown competition and if anyone wants to go to the banquet Jake has tickets for $22, at the door they’re $25.  They’ve also added two new things that they didn’t have before.  Last year our unit had 7 winners in the competition.  Larry said so far we’ve registered 8 people at $10 per person, who were on the list.  If you show up in Tennessee they reimburse the club for those that show up.  Ernie Martin moved that the shrine club purchase the tickets for the dinner for those attending the dinner.  Dave Jeffrey seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 

 

Tomorrow at noon there will be master mason degree work, and Larry encouraged members to attend.  There will be refreshments afterward.

 

September 11 is Feast of Tishri at the lodge.  This is the harvest festival, at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7:00 p.m.  Easter Star will provide dinner that night. 

 

Larry mentioned holding a unity night hosted by the Shrine club.  Unity night would entail inviting the officers of all the bodies, for a social evening of dinner and conversation, for the purpose of finding how each body can help each other.  This comes in under the Shrine guidelines as a suggestion that we host something like this. 

 

Jay Mullins has agreed to chair a new entertainment committee, and he will be assembling members for the committee.  Jay said that he’s working on some entertainment for the picnic, possibly some blue grass or country music, and games for the kids.  Ernie mailed close to 100 invitations for the event, so we’re hoping that we’ll have some people come.

 

Financial Information

·         The noble from Florida sent a $50 donation to purchase teddy bears for the drive.

·         A $25 donation from Riley Joe Evans

·         $100 from Jerry and Janice Phillips, Larry’s brother and sister in law.  Larry thanked everyone for the support of the family during the death of Kathy’s father a month ago

·         $25 donation from Jim & Kathy Guy on prospect member’s night

·         $100 from Dave Jeffrey

·         $30 from Oakie McCormick who said he would help in any way. 

 

Scotty has been busy lately so he doesn’t have the financial update but will have one during the quarter.

WVU vs Marshall Game Day

On the last weekend of September the Friends of Coal Bowl was held in Morgantown, featuring the annnual matchup between WVU and MU.  Locally our shriners and their friends and families chose up favorite sides and met at the center for a day of friendly rivalry.  To see scenes from the day check out this vide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2lm3Dmj0Fc