HONORING

Austin Area Shrine Club & Oriental Band
Nobles and ladies gathered at the Austin
Country Club, Thursday, Dec. 15th for
their annual Holiday and Installation of
Officers Dinner. In addition to the
beautiful decorations, we
were pleased to have Pam
and Brian Koser entertain
us.
Officers for 2012 are
Max Pecht II, President;
Brad Stout, Vice
Presdient; Bill Newell,
Secretary; Norm
Hecimovich, Treasurer;
Neil Hanson, Business
Manager; and Ross
Mickelsen, Band Director.
The officers were installed
by Divan Representative
Bruce Thomas.
Out of town guests
included Potentate John
Brockman and Lady
Audrey, Bruce Thomas and Lady Terri, and
Frank Peterson.and Lady Beverly.
Noble Bill Newell announced that the
Shrine Club did quite well for the Salvation
Army again this year. With the donations
from the Austin Shrine Club and Oriental
Band, along with what was collected the
Officers for 2012 were sworn in by Bruce Thomas. Left to right, Neil
Hanson, business manager; Bill Newell, secretary; Norm Hecimovich,
treasurer; Ross Mickelsen, band director; Brad Stout, vice president; and
Max Pecht II, president.
total was just short of $3,900.00 to be used
for the local Salvation Army Food Shelf.
A two for one grant request to
Minnesota Masonic Charities brought in
another
$7,700.00. This
brought the total
Masonic
contribution for
the Salvation Army
Food Shelf to
$11,550.00. The Austin
Area Shrine Club has
been a key part of the
Salvation
Army and
their Kettle
Campaign Neil Hanson
since the
mid-1950’s.
President Pecht
summarized the year by
highlighting our projects and
activities for 2011. We had a
very busy and productive year.
We also exceeded his
membership goal and brought
in 6 new members in 2011.
We were pleased to have three
of the new members attending
their first Holiday Dinner with
us.
Other activities during the
evening included awarding door prizes and
an auction.
The evening concluded with comments
from Divan Representative Bruce Thomas
and Potentate John Brockman.
The next meeting will be Thursday
January 12, 2012. Details will be provided
by the calling committee.
Neil Hanson, Business Manager
Needed: A few good men to provide a Color Guard for all
Osman official parades and ceremonials. We are also a social
group and work at the Circus. Call Jim at 651-455-3110.
The Osman Shrine Cycle Corps is a precision
drill team made up of Shrine Masons with a
passion for riding and performing.
If you’re interested in joining us, call the office 651-452-5660
or Jerry Schmidt, gnbschmidt@aol.com
Norm Hecimovich of the Shriners hands a pair of $200 checks
from both the Shriner’s Oriental Band and the Austin Shrine
Club to Lt. David Amick of the Austin Salvation Army during the
Kettle Kick-off November 11. The Shriners manned all the
kettles on Dec. 2. Last year, the Shriners raised about $3,250,
and they secured matching grant to bring the total to about
$6,500. The club is looking to secure the grant again. “It really
helps the Salvation Army,” said Shriner Norm Hecimovich.
(Courtesy of Austin Daily Herald.)
P a g e 2 0 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 2