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Rod & Kustom
By Noble Gerry McArthur
he Rod & Kustom Unit annual general meeting and
dinner was held on November 22, 2009, at Larter’s
TGolf and Country Club in St. Andrews. The meeting
was held before dinner with all members present. We
welcomed our Potentate, Illustrious Sir Don Thomson.
Several reports were given about the year’s fund-raising
activities which supported Khartum Shriners. Several members
collected aluminum cans and licence plates; and sold
raffle tickets, calendars, and Christmas cakes. Collectively,
the unit sold many cakes, with Emil selling the most.
Unanimously approved were donations for 2010,
including the Parade to Glory, the Khartum Khronicle, and
the Circus Daddy program. President Emil thanked all
members for participating in parades and fund-raising. He
gave a report on attending the ceremonies for the incoming
Shrine members and the reception for the new potentate. He
was accompanied by Lady Irene. Discussions were held
about fund-raising for 2010 with a
garage sale still being contemplated.
President Emil has an idea for a great
fund-raiser and this will be discussed
at the next general meeting. The next
order of business was the election of
officers for 2010. Illustrious Sir Don Thomson was scrutineer
and the following nobles were elected:
President:
Vice President:
Secretary-Treasurer:
Road Captain:
Emil Solypa
George Janzen
Gerry McArthur
Dennis Deley
A round of applause was accorded the new executive.
President Emil advised members that a unit meeting
would be announced soon. Sectretary-Treasurer Gerry
asked members to forward material for the upcoming
Khronicle. That concluded the meeting and the the members
retired to the restaurant for cocktails and dinner.
Guests at the dinner. L. to r.: Illustrious Sir Don Thomson, Lady
Dawn, and David Podolchuk
An octet of diners. Clockwise, from l.: George, Sera, Irene, Emil,
Dennis, Leslie, Peter, and Illustrious Sir Don
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Enjoying the dinner. L. to r.: Noble Gerry, guest Sherry, Lady
Tetiana, and guest Kim
Tables were arranged by the fireplace and the members
picked their own seats. Present were President Emil
and Lady Irene, Noble Peter Savinkoff and Lady Leslie,
Noble George Janzen and Lady Sera, Noble Dennis Deley
and Lady Jo-Ann, and Noble Gerry and Lady Tetiana.
Tetiana was leaving in December to visit relatives and
friends in Ukraine and Russia. Guests at the dinner were
Illustrious Sir Don Thomson and Lady Dawn, Lori and
Alan Hopkins (Gerry’s daughter and her husband), longtime
friend and supporter of the unit Bill Higham and
guest Kim, and David Podolchuk (introduced by Gerry as
a prospective member for the unit) and his lady Sherry
Benson-Podolchuk.
Illustrious Sir Don Thomson gave a short review of
Khartum’s past year and some of the ideas for 2010. Lady
Dawn talked about her fund-raiser “Angels Amongst Us”
and many of the beautiful pins were sold. Members who
enjoyed the prime rib dinner are still talking about it. A
pleasant evening was enjoyed by everyone. It all ended
with Merry Christmas greetings and good wishes for the
coming year.