Mocha February 2011.indd - Mocha Shriners

UNIT NEWS
Trumpet Band
If you want happiness for a month - get married.
If you want happiness for a year - inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime - help someone else.
(Chinese Proverb)
Isn’t that the truth? This is why we, as
Shriners, feel happiness as we raise funds
for Shriners Hospitals and hopefully our
Mocha Shrine Centre as well (without
which we would not have a base to achieve
that goal). Why not join the Mocha Shriners
Trumpet Band and feel the extra satisfaction
of playing a horn, drum, glockenspiel
or even carrying a flag? We practice
Monday evenings at 7:30 so come and
check us out. As a matter of fact, now is a
good time to join us as we start practices for
the 2011 season. I can guarantee a warm
welcome. The cost of becoming a member
is a real bargain - only $10.00 per year and
the instruments and uniform are supplied
(except the shirt). Functions and socials are
always arranged in a first-class manner and
at a low cost, many times even subsidized.
In 2005 the band was asked to play at the
dedication of the new Shriners Children’s
Hospital in Mexico City and Graham Paull
and his wife, Sheila arranged this trip.
Graham is a member of our band but resides
in Lake Chapala and in 2012, on the occasion
of his pending installation as Potentate
of Anazeh Shrine Centre in Mexico City, he
and Sheila have again offered their organizing
talents to arrange another trip. Because
the last trip was so successful, the 2012
opportunity is open to all so if you are interested,
contact PP Owen Coles for more
information (Cambridge 519-654-0117) or
E-mail: oncoles@sympatico.ca. And if this
isn’t exciting enough, Jack Baskey will be
our President that year….ooooh! Now I ask
you, if that isn’t a reason to join our unit,
support one of our own plus an opportunity
to have a working vacation in Mexico, I’ll
eat my Fez!!
On a personal note, in 1983 after our Spring
Ceremonial in Kitchener, I was encouraged
to join a unit and although I had never
played a trumpet, I was caught up in the
excitement of being given the opportunity
of actually learning. And guess what….I’ve
been playing ever since and have even participated
in competitions! Surprisingly this
success story applies to a few of our members.
If I can do it, so can you. All you
have to remember is: Step #1 become a
Shriner; Step #2 join the Mocha Trumpet
Band and Step #3 have fun galore parading
and traveling with a bunch of great guys
(and gals) and last but not least, no experience
required - we’ll teach.
I won’t go into the successes the band
achieved in 2010 as I have talked about that
in past issues. No doubt other units were
also successful in achieving their objectives,
much to the pleasure and appreciation
of our outgoing Potentate, Illustrious Sir
Barry Snider who not only supported our
band but lead Mocha Shrine Centre to a
prominent year which was recognized by
Tampa. I would however like to mention
our unit’s donation of $400.00 to purchase
leg braces for Leah, a local girl from Port
Rowan. Leah is doing well and will continue
to be under the care of our Montreal
Shriners Children’s Hospital for a few
years. This was not just a contribution from
our band but recognition for all Mocha
Shriners for which we can all be proud.
The band will have another successful year
under our new Executive: President, Gary
Davidson; Vice President, Jack Baskey;
Secretary, Dave Williamson; Treasurer,
Don Gellatly; 1 year Member-at- Large,
Ron Henry; 2 year Member-at-Large, Dick
Berday and last but not least, Director,
Stew Taylor. Four members of the Divan
installed this Executive on Monday,
December 13, 2010. Jack Baskey and his
committee have revised our By-Laws so
now President Gary can make sure members
toe the line.
cont'd on page 12
MOCHA NEWS February 2011 Page 11