Shriner's Expo

[Bill Howell]

A fellow Shriner sent me this and it looks like a great event. I plan to attend and anyone close in North Carolina might want to check it out.
http://www.raceworks.com/coverage/2007/expo/ad1/

[ProdigyCustoms]

Hummm!

[69keith]

This is a great cause. I'm a Shriner and our unit raises money to transport the kids to Greenville for FREE care of crippled and burned children. Money is no good at this hospital, the care, transportation,meals, and lodging is FREE. It is paid for by donations and special events like this one. Support your local Shriner Event when you can...
Keith Crigger
Kazim Shrine Center
Kazim Character Unit
2007 New River Shrine Club President

[Bill Howell]

Hi Keith, finally another Shriner on the board. It was getting lonely in here.
This is good info to know.

[69keith]

Bill,
When is SASA coming back to Pigeon Forge?
Keith

[Bill Howell]

Sept. 2008

[6'9"Witha69]

I can just see Bill on a little scooter wearing the hat!! lol

Now we need a photochop . . .

Or the real picture . . .

[68fusion]

It's a good show ....mostly local stuff. We take about 5 cars every year and has been good for biz.

Hey Bill would like to meet you and let you check out some of our work!

[DJ Mabe]

I'm from Greensboro and I will probably be in town then. I would love to swing by the show, check out the cars, parts and meet some of you guys. Do I have to find someone that will let me borrow one of those funny looking hats so that I can get in?

[69keith]

The're called a FEZ... your just jealous because you don't have one...LOL

[Bill Howell]

I look cute in my FEZ....

[go-fish]

Are Shriners like Masons or something? What is the society's main function, secret? I think it's pretty cool what they do for the sick kids. I always told my wife if we hit the lotto St. Judes is getting half. It's all about the kids. Thanks guys.

[ProTouring442]

"Why she come runnin' right through the dinner with nothin' on bu your fez coy"

"Coy, you the only one's got a fez with a propeller on the top"

"Yeah, yeah, and she was yellin' out the secret code too, coy; we gonna have to change it now"

I love that song!

I am such a geek!!!

I'll have to see if my dad can go, looks like fun!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

[Bill Howell]

Are Shriners like Masons or something? What is the society's main function, secret? I think it's pretty cool what they do for the sick kids. I always told my wife if we hit the lotto St. Judes is getting half. It's all about the kids. Thanks guys.

I will take the high road here and try to answer the best I can.
Sure, sometimes Shriners get a bad rap as far as being partiers, but the truth is, Clowning, riding go carts or whatever else you see a Shriner do is serious business, and is all about the kids. As Keith has said, we offer medical services to burned kids and kids born with orthopedic (sp?) problems. Color, race, creed, or social status has nothing to do with who comes or who is gets treatment. And above all, your money is no good at a Shriner's hospital. Yes, Shriners are all Masons. Not all Masons choose to become a Shriner, but all Shriners must first be a Mason.
There are no real secrets to Masonary, except ways we can recognize one another and our obligation to each other. We do have monthly meetings and talk about upcoming events, fundraisers and about others that need assistance. The big difference between Masons and say the local Rotary Club (of which I am also a member) is that a Masonic organization will help someone annonymously and the Rotary Club will take pictures and post it in the newspaper. For exsample, a couple years ago, our lodge heard about a child that needed a special car seat because of a birth defeat, as I remember it was MS or something similiar. We passed the hat for the $900, one of our members bought the car seat, delivered it to the family and that was it. No dog and pony show, just got business done. The down side of this is people do not realize what we do unless they are directly effected so we get accussed of being some secret society or something. Of course, here in the Bible belt, we get a bad rap in some church groups too, but that is because they are ignorant to the facts. Masonry does nothing that you would be ashamed of, nor does it interfere with your duty to your family, neighbor or self.

One question that has not been asked but I am sure will be is this, we do not solicit new members. To be one, you must ask.

Shriners then are just an extention of Masonry, with a focus on helping Children that need us get the help they need to have a better life.

So, to conclude this, I am proud to be a Mason and a Shriner. I do take it serious. I promise you this, you may see me cut the fool, you may even see me take a sip of an Adult beverage now and again.
However, I promise you this, it will never be when I am wearing a FEZ or when I am representing the fraternity.
Thanks for asking though. Our fraternity is getting older by the day because the younger generation is either too busy or never hear what I have just said here. I hope both the Shrine and Masons in general can learn how to tap into the younger guys coming behind us or the kids that count on us now will not have the support they need one day.

How was that Keith??

[jfman]

I'm curous about the shriners too ? All I know is that they wear funny hats.

[Damn True]

Bill, are you the "Illustrious Potentate"?

"How did you get that big 'ol Harley up on the high-dive?"

[Bill Howell]

Bill, are you the "Illustrious Potentate"?

No, this is a very serious responsiblity and I am not committed enough to give that much time and money to be Potentate on the local Temple.

[ProTouring442]

No, this is a very serious responsiblity and I am not committed enough to give that much time and money to be Potentate on the local Temple.

Ray Stevens asked for permission before writing/singing that song. I think the cool thing is that he was given permission. Any group that can make fun of them selves, or give permission for someone else to do so is OK in my book!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

[ProTouring442]

A question... Does anyone know if there will be wheelchairs available at this show? My wife cannot walk long distances anymore (Multiple Sclerosis) and we would like to attend.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

[Bill Howell]

Bill, I am not sure, however, you can probably inquire at their website to see. Also, I plan on coming over, and have a wheelchair from when Melinda was wheelchair bound for three years(wreck). Let me know if you need it and I will bring it. Also, local medical suppy houses rent them really cheap, and your insurance may even pay it. Check with her Doctor.
Let me know if you need anything.