August 2009 - Mocha Shriners

August 2009 8/6/09 10:21 AM Page 14
Mocha Road Runners
On May 18 the Mocha Roadrunners started the 2009 parade
season by being one of several Shrine Units to participate
in the Victoria Day Parade in Woodstock. The Roadrunner
Unit is led in the parades by Noble Harry Lawry who is in
his 83rd year and is presently the senior statesman in this
Unit. Harry joined the Mocha Shrine in 2003 in Chatham
and has been a Roadrunner since 2003. He enjoys his race
car, which is a converted ATV that was modified by Noble
Leon Roth. Being a part of all our parades, he is counted on
to be our pace car driver. Harry often shares a car trailer and
ride with another Roadrunner, Noble Carl Ohrling, who
sees that Harry is safely in attendance. Most of Harry’s
working career was spent in the RCAF. He enlisted in 1942
and spent 34 years in the service before retiring in 1976
with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He worked with the
ground crew as an engineering officer and served 4 tours in
Europe. Presently, he resides in Tavistock.
If you have an opportunity to visit with Harry he is always
willing to discuss his R.C.A.F. days, his Roadrunner car
and being a member of the Shrine.
Our Unit started the Woodstock parade with 11 cars and
quickly was reduced to 9. Our new vehicle, “The General
Lee” lost a wheel very early into the parade, due to a faulty
bolt. Another new vehicle, “Boss Hog” had to drop out due
to a brake problem caused by following to close to others
and having to stop suddenly. Both of these cars will be
repaired by our main mechanic and coincidently, the creator
of these cars, Noble Leon Roth. One can expect surprises
during parades as there can be many mechanical
failures. In our Spring Ceremonial in Leamington we had
10 vehicles in attendance but Noble Doug Richardson
developed car failure and was towed through part of the
parade by Noble Peter Ebel. Our Roadrunner Unit has visited
Pine Lake, and then we entertained the many spectators
in Cambridge and Stratford for the July 1st festivities. Look
for the Roadrunners to appear in Simcoe on August the 1st
and in Teeswater on August 3rd and several more. All vehicles
will be in fine running form and ready to bring enjoyment
to all onlookers. Come and visit with us and be part
of the feztivities.
Submitted by Noble John Parker
Unit News
A Fez Good Feeling Anecdote,
While on a courier run, I was instructing Noble Ron
McNicol what was to be done in my absence. While at one
bank, he was observed by one of the tellers. The following
day while visiting the same bank the same teller
approached me and asked if I were a friend of Ron McNicol
whom she saw me with the day before. I told her that he
was and that he would be working for me in the future.
“Oh!” she said, “I assume you must also be a shriner?”
“Yes”, I said.
She said, “I thought you must be.”
It is great to be recognized as a Shriner and in the company
of other Shriners. Perhaps we should all develop goals
that would have us known as a Shriner like Noble Ron
McNicol has already accomplished. He is known in his
community for his work for the Shrine’s Children and for
the Mocha Shrine.
Submitted By Noble John Parker
Articles for the next
issue of Mocha News
DEADLINE: OCT. 15
Please type submissions
or email to
mochashriners@rogers.com
Page 14 August 2009 MOCHA NEWS