SHRINER MARCH 2017

AL MENAH SHRINERS OASIS OF NASHVILLE DESERT OF TENNESSEE
P.O. BOX 78545 • NASHVILLE, TN 37207 • 615.226.7766 • 1.877.505.7764
VOLUME 36 • NUMBER 3 • (PUBLISHED MONTHLY EXCEPT JUNE & JULY) • MARCH 2017
INSIDE
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE
ISSUE
Page 2
Potentate’s Message
Page 3
Divan Messages
Page 4-5
Vidalia Onoin Sales
Page 6-7
Center News
Page 8
Ladies Golf
Tournament
Black Tie Affair
Page 9
Easter Egg Hunt
Page 10
Notices
Page 11
Poker Tournament
Page 12-13
News from Lexington
Page 14
News from Cincinnati
Back Page
Black Camel
Lexington Dedication
Ceremony

Al Menah Temple
Oasis of Nashville
Desert of TennessEE
P.O.Box 78545 •• Nashville, TN 37207
Phones 1.615.226.7766
1.877.505.7766
www.almenahShriners.org
The Publication Committee
The Divan/Board of Directors
Potentate .. ................... Frank Hester
Chief Rabban .. .......... Horace Perkins III III
Assistant Rabban .. .........Randy Williams
High Priest & Prophet .. ......... Scott Jones
Oriental Guide .. .......... Donnie Drayton
Treasurer .. ....................... Wes Frye
Recorder ...................Robert Daniel
Editor ..................... Maurice Smith
Published monthly except June and July
www.almenahShriners.org
PAST POTENTATES
*Charles Barham
*John E. E. Patton
*V. K. K. Stevenson
*John D. D. Whalley
*W. F. F. Hunt
* Jack Norman, Jr. Jr.
*J. *J. Pink Lawrence
*Albert Bennett
*Ed R. R. Burr
*Clyde R. R. Watson
*J. *J. Harry Murphy
*Marshall S. S. Whitley
*Charles N. Rolfe
*James J. J. White
*Paul DeWitt
*G. Cooper Holt
*E. M. Kelly
*J. *J. Coleman Hayes
*Joseph Higgins
*Donald R. R. Dunning
*Ira E. E. Parker
*J. *J. P. P. Foster
*Martin S. S. Roberts
*Gale Robinson
*R. C. C. Derivaux
*C. V. V. Cramb
*Oren A. A. Oliver
*J. *J. Nelson Bryan
*Lee L. L. Gamble
*Robert Battle
*R. R. R. Clark
*Jerry N. Tate
*William Raine
*Fred H. Gay, Jr. Jr.
*Hugh F. F. Smith, Jr. Jr.
James A. A. Campbell
*W. A. A. Bryan
*Claude G. Southall
*Charles L. L. Cornelius
*W. B. B. Lawson
*W. Bush Herbert
*Gale Robinson
*Marshall Hotchkiss J. J. Dudley Phillips
*Jess B. B. Templeton
*M. Norris Jenkins
*T. A. A. Springfield
*James F. F. Scalf, Jr. Jr.
*James G. Stahlman
*William B. B. Jones
*J. *J. Clark Akers
Jack C. C. Phelps
*R. E. E. Baulch
*David P. P. Brumfield
*Thomas E. E. Doss
*Zack S. S. Parrish, Sr.
Kerbela Temple ‘28
*Robert E. E. Newman
*Maurice Weinberger
George Cook
*S. N. Allen
*R. Parker Graham
*W. B. B. Hager
H. Parker Toler
*O. Lynn Meek
*R. T. T. McNaney
*Jack Norman
James L. L. Ham
*James J. J. Vaughn
Charles H. Williams
*C. H. Smith
William D. D. Jones
*Fred C. C. Laskey
John L. L. Weaver, III
*Ivo A. A. Burton
Gale B. B. Robinson
*T. W. Bray, Jr. Jr.
Joe Bell
*James R. R. Cox
Ronny L. L. Greer
*Paul R. R. Jarratt
Charles E. E. Cardwell
*J. *J. Sumpter Anderson J. J. Franklin “Jay” Scalf, III
*Hugh W. Robertson
Conley Dykes
*M. T. T. Gossett
David Smith
*Joe C. C. Carr
Jim Cain
*James T. T. Hayes
*Mike Martin
*E. Lee Bennett
Johnny Dudley
*Orris E. E. Davis
David Wantland
*Raymond H. Leathers
Melvin Meadows
*Hilry H. Shaffer
Dennis Belford
*James N.
David Vaughn
Stansell
Carl E. E. Barnes
Mike Van Sant
Jeff Head
2
** Deceased
Spring is on the way with Daylight Savings Time just around the corner and Spring
officially beginning this month. This is my favorite time of year when the trees and flowers
come to life and everything seems to have a renewed spirit. Let us take this time to
rededicate ourselves to our obligation and our mission. Thank you for all your hard work
and dedication that makes Al Menah successful.
If you missed our Valentine Dinner and Dance last month, you missed a great time.
Thanks to Frank Wilson and Geoff King, their committee and the Kitchen committee
for a great event. And a special thanks goes to the Demolay and Rainbow Girls for all
their help. Congratulations to Randy and Emily Byram for winning the “Not So Newlywed
Game”; I think that was the highlight of the evening!
Thanks to Vernon Blackburn and the Clown unit for sponsoring the Super Bowl Party,
a good time was had by all. And thanks to Van Miller and the Motor Corps for sponsoring
the Dayton 500 Party, another good time of fun and fellowship.
The Divan was honored to be invited to attend the Demolay Sweetheart Dinner and
Dance last month. It’s really special to be able to see all the enthusiasm these young men
have and to see the support from so many of the other fraternal organizations.
This month we will be attending the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Erin. This is a great
event and we look forward to a big turn out from our Nobility. A special note of gratitude
goes to Houston County Shrine Club for providing a great breakfast for everyone. Our
Paper Sale Caravan will be heading out at the end of this month, March 27th thru 31st.
We look forward to seeing the Ambassadors and Nobles in all the outlying counties as
we get prepared for our annual Paper Sale. Also this month is the annual Grand Lodge
Session, March 23rd and 24th.
The Potentate’s Ball is April 7th & 8th please RSVP to the Temple office prior to March
24th. Cost is $25.00 per person. A lot of hard work is being put into this and we hope
you will join us for this special evening.
I would like to welcome all the new Nobles that have joined Al Menah this year. So
far we have had 14 Master Masons join our fraternity and 15 Nobles have been restored.
We have initiated several of these new Nobles at Shrine Club meetings and are willing
to continue to do so. FYI, we will be initiating several new Nobles at Wisdom Lodge in
Erin, TN before the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. If you know of a Master Mason that is interested
in joining our fraternity, let’s get them on board. Give me a call and we will be glad
to come to your Shrine Club. The initiation fee is $100.00. Remember all you have to do
is “Ask a Master Mason to be A Shriner”.
Nobles and Ladies thank you for all you do for Al Menah and our Shriners Hospitals
for Children.
Yours in the Faith,
Frank Hester, Potentate
“Pride, Passion & Purpose”

From the desk of...
From the desk of...
From the desk of...
CHIEF RABBAN
HIGH PRIEST AND PROPHET
CHIEF RABBAN HIGH PRIEST AND PROPHET
I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s
Day! Now it’s time for the
much fun! Thanks to the commit-
The Valentine’s Dinner/Dance was so
CHIEF RABBAN HIGH PRIEST AND PROPHET
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Erin,
tee members that really worked
TN on March 18th, and time for
hard and made the party fabulous!
Thank you to the DeMolay,
fun and fellowship with our Nobles
from Houston County.
Squires and Rainbow Girls for
serving our food. An awesome
Grand Lodge is just around the
group of young men and ladies that
corner on March 22nd and 23rd.
are always so gracious to assist AMT
Please make time to attend.
with our activities!
The Divan is busy, but it’s an honor to
We have been visiting lots of Shrine
serve the Nobles of Al Menah, so it’s time well spent. I’m
Clubs and continue to visit more in the upcoming
looking forward to the Potentate’s Ball on April 8th. Try months. The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Erin is March 18 and
to attend and support your Potentate!
we are looking forward to a good turnout by AMT. The Paper
2017 Ringmaster Club Memberships are now available, Sale Caravan is March 27-31. AMT is planning on visiting
and it’s an amazing deal you don’t want to pass up! For Shriners Hospitals for Children Medical Center in Lexington
$150, the Nobles receive a Ringmaster shirt, cap, 4 VIP for Hospital Day Open House on May 21. Anyone that is interested
in sharing in the festivities with AMT in Lexington,
seats for the Shrine Circus and 1 entry to the Ringmaster
Breakfast. The ladies membership is $125 and includes a please, contact the AMT office to reserve your transportation.
Please, see the Shriner for more details or call the AMT
Ringmaster shirt, tote bag, 4 VIP seats for the Shrine Circus
and 1 entry to the Ringmaster Breakfast. Order forms
office. This will be an amazing trip to the Lexington Shiner’s
hospital where we can see directly how our contributions
are available from me, the Ringmaster Committee and the
help provide children with awesome healthcare!
Shrine office. Please support your temple and the Shrine
High Priest and Prophet
Circus by purchasing a Ringmaster Membership.
Scott Jones Chief Rabban
Again, thank you for your support!
Chief Rabban
ASSISTANT ASSISTANT RABBAN RABBAN
ORIENTAL GUIDE GUIDE
Horace Perkins, III
Good evening from the Land of OG!
Valentine’s Day has come and gone
and I hope some of you didn’t miss
your once a year chance at getting
ASSISTANT RABBAN ORIENTAL GUIDE lucky!!
IMPERIAL SESSION 2019
Wow what a “GREAT TIME” it going
to be 8,000 to 10,000’s Nobles
of the Shrine Fun...Fellowship....
Parade.... Market Place....Music
“ALL” to take place in DOWN-
TOWN NASHVILLE
Many of our Nobles have ask
about a Block Of Hotel Rooms for
Men & Women of AlMenah. So we
need to know if you are wanting to stay downtown during
the Imperial 2019 Session, The room are Going Fast.....Call
and put your Name on the list today.
Assistant Rabban
Randy Williams
I fell up the stairs the other
day and the only thing I was
mad about was that I managed to
break my cigar, although I did bust
another body part or two. As I was
lying there contemplating wheth
er I needed one of those little rescue buttons, I
thought, “This must be what it’s like to grow old.” And
then I forgot why I was going up the stairs to begin with!!
Finally, it hit me that I was on my way upstairs to write
this monthly newsletter. It only cost me one cigar and this
big ugly bruise on my backside, so I hope y’all are happy.
As I sat in front of the stone tablet with my hammer and
chisel, I couldn’t think of anything to say so why don’t y’all
come out to the Erin parade on March 18 and celebrate St.
Patrick’s Day? Don’t forget your green bloomers.
Oriental Guide
Donnie Drayton.
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3

Its Onion Time at Al Menah!
Units and Clubs may use this form to provide information for ordering
Onions Units for this fundraiser.
Remember – Deadline for your orders is APRIL 18 th .
Don’t miss this fundraising opportunity for your Unit or Club,
4

Noble’s use this form for taking your Onion orders.
5

CeNter
NeWS
Clowns
Wow, what a wonderful February we
had. Although we didn’t have any dress
outs, we were still very busy. We hosted
the Football party, and it was great right
up to the end, when most of our hopes
for a Falcon’s victory was deflated by the
Patriots.
The Valentines Party was a huge success
with our own Lieutenant Frank “Froggy”
Wilson Chairing the event, and our Director
General and Past Captain Geoff
“Sticks” King as Co-Chair. The dinner
was great thanks to the kitchen staff, and
service at the tables by the De Molay.
The music and dance was enjoyed by
everyone. We even got to see our Illustrious
Potentate Frank Hester’s guitar skills
when he joined the band for some bluesy
rock n roll.
Now that February has come to the
finish line. It is time to head straight into
March. On the 18th we will be putting
on our first makeup for the year, when
we dress out for the Erin St. Patrick’s
Day parade. Then we shift our focus to
the trophies that await us in Canton GA.
At Mid-Winter! Starting with a visit to
Greenville SC. Shrine Hospital on Friday
March 31st and then to Canton GA. For
Competitions on Saturday April 1st and
returning home on Sunday the 2nd.
Its onion selling time again and we are
excited that the customers are already
asking about our delicious Vidalia Onions.
The onions are still $10 a bag and
the dead line for orders to be in is April
18th.
We have a new Reserve Clown! Brother
Adam Evetts. If you see
brother Evetts please give him
a warm welcome.
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God’s Children and their happiness are
my reasons for being. – Red Skelton
James “Puzzles” Chambers
Secretary
Greeters
We have a busy schedule coming up Sat.
3/8 is the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Erin
TN this is a big one and great fun and good
hospitality. Mon-Fri 3/27 – 3/31 is the Paper
Sale Remember both the Paper and
Plaque Sales is an on-going year round
Here is a new way to donate to help our
kids, Kroger will donate, based on your
purchases, all you have to do is register
your “Kroger Card.
Keep in our prayers Charlie Smith who
is recuperating very nicely and all those
that are hurting or ill. As well as all those in
the Armed Forces both in harm’s way and
serving around the world
Lou Becker
Legion of Honor
Al Menah hosted an excellent Valentine
Dinner and Dance. It was fun, the music
and food was good and the company was
awesome. The Legion of Honor was well
represented. If you missed it, you missed
a good one.
We have been asked to post colors for
The Hooligans on Saturday March 11,
2017 at Al Menah. We need volunteers
and we should be there by 10:30am. It
will be an interesting and fun day, they
have also invited our participants to stay
and dine with them
We are looking forward to the Saint
Patrick’s Day Parade in Erin, TN on Saturday
March 18, 2017. This is one of our
favorite parades. Good hospitality before
the parade at the Masonic Lodge. It’s a
very colorful parade with everybody
decked out in Irish green. Always a good
crowd and the weather is usually good.
You don’t want to miss this one!
The SESA Legion of Honor Mid-Winter
is scheduled for 29 March thru April
1, 2017 in Augusta, GA. This should be a
fun trip. No competition at the Mid-Winter,
just meetings, hospitality, a good
chance to get acquainted with other Legion
of Honor units and their members
sightseeing and plenty of good food.
Plan to go with us, it will be a good getaway!
The Legion of Honor has been invited
to the Mule Day Parade in Columbia,
TN on April 1, 2017. Will have more information
at our next meeting but this is
great as we have not been to a parade in
Columbia in many years.
It’s time to be thinking about the Potentate
Ball coming up on Saturday April 8,
2017 at 4:00pm. We will be honoring our
new Potentate Illustrious Sir Frank Hester
and Lady Tracy and the Divan and their
Ladies. This will be a fun time so get your
reservations in, RSVP by March 24.
The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled
for Saturday April 15, 2017 at 10:00am.
This is a family fun time. Come and enjoy.
Bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors
kids, etc. They will love it and love
you for bringing them.
Let’s all continue to pray and support
our hospitals, the children, our military,
police officers, firefighters, first responders
and all who put their lives on the line
protecting us. Also all of us who have lost
loved ones.
May God Bless,
Roy Lindsey
Commander
Provost Guard
The Provost Guard is morning the loss
of a Long-time member of the Provost
Guard, Brother Billy Henderson. Billy
was a good Mason and Shriner. A plaque
in memory of Billy Henderson will be
put on the Provost Guard Float.
The Erin St. Patrick day parade is
March 18th.
The Provost Guard Drill Team will
be competing in the Dixie Shrine Association
May 18th-20th in Panama City

Beach Fla. This is the first time that Al
Menah Temple has participated in the
Dixie Shrine Association. This means
more trophies for Al Menah Temple.
Come on out and cheer these guys
on.
Secretary
Ken Loftis
Motor Corps
What a great month February was, the
month of L-0-V-E! What does LOVE
mean to you?
“
Love is patient, love is kind. It does
not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it
keeps no record of wrongs. Love does
not delight in evil but rejoices with the
truth. It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.” Let’s
spread a little Brotherly Love as we make
our way into a new month!
March Happenings! In like a lion,
out like a lamb comes the month of
March. With it comes holidays, parades,
basketball and Spring!!
March 11 – Motor Corps Dinner Outing
– 6:30 pm Cherokee Steak House
and Marina – 450 Cherokee Dock Road,
Lebanon, TN.
March 18 th – Erin Parade – 7 AM Leave
from Al Menah
April 7 th and 8 th – Al Menah Shrine Potentate’s
Ball – “Unforgettable, A Black
Tie Affair” - Must RSVP no later than
March 24 th
DID YOU KNOW? March 17: St. Patrick’s
Day turns the Chicago River green,
and too many livers cirrhosis-damage-brown.
And on this day in 1973,
Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon”
first hits the Billboard Top 200 chart at
number 95. A mere 14 years later 736
Chart Weeks to be exact), it finally leaves
the top 200 for the first time, setting a
still-unbroken world record. (You’ve got
a long way to go, Adele.)
Food for Thought: “…We Masons
are among the fortunate ones who are
taught to meet together with others of
opposing or competitive ideas and yet
respect each other as Brothers.” – author
unknown
Journalist
“Fat Rabbit”, PC
SHRINE CLUB NEWS
Cumberland Hillbilly Clan No. 151
We are off and running in 2017. We had
our first gathering of the year on January
28 th where we elected our 2017 officers
and initiated 11 new Hillbillies (7
Shriners and 4 Shrine Ladies). We have
scheduled gatherings for April 29 th and
September 30 th .
All of our Hillbillies are Shriners, but
not all of our Shriners are Hillbillies. If
you fall in the latter category April 29 th
and/or September 30 th would be a great
opportunity to change that.
If you have any questions about the
Hillbilly Club, please contact me (Alvin
Hill, Jr.) at (615) 473-6327 or email me
@ l_alvin_hill2@yahoo.com. We also
have a Facebook page where we post
tidbits of information. Some of it may be
useful.
We look forward to seeing you at our
gatherings!
Cuz Little Al
Keeper of the Quill
Hendersonville Shrine Club
We need to take our hats off and say
THANKS to the Valentine Party Committee
for an outstanding party. The
steaks were great, decorations were
beautiful and the band was awesome.
Start making your plans now for the
Potentate’s Ball on Saturday, April 8 th .
This is a big event honoring our Potentate
and his Lady. Call the temple
office now to make your reservations
for your table and tickets. Don’t miss
this one! It is a great evening for food,
fun and fellowship honoring our Potentate.
Start making your plans now for the
first parade of the year on Saturday,
March 18 th for the St. Patrick’s Day
Parade in Erin, Tennessee. It’s always
one of our biggest and best parades of
the year.
The Shrine Paper Sale Caravan will
start Monday, March 27 th and our first
stop is Hiram Lodge in Franklin. We
visit as many Lodges as possible, telling
the Shrine story and how these papers
make it possible to help our kids
throughout Middle Tennessee, and if
they have a kid in their community
who needs our service through our
hospitals, call the temple for more
information to get started for our service.
We finish our week on Friday,
March 31 st at White House.
Our club would like to invite all the
Nobles and their ladies in our area to
join us for our next meeting. It will
be March 20 th at the Black-Eye-Pea,
164 East Main Street in Hendersonville.
We meet at 6:00pm for food and
fellowship and our meeting starts at
7:00pm. Make your plans to join us
next month. We need your ideas and
fellowship on how to make our club a
bigger and better club.
As we go about our daily lives, let us
remember to thank God for this great
country of ours and the freedom that
we enjoy daily, our health, our families
and bless the kids we care for through
our Shrine Hospitals. Be with those
sick and those who have lost loved
ones as well.
Boyd C. Parnell
President
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8
AL MENAH LADIES GOLF TOURNAMENT
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH 2017
CHEEKWOOD GOLF CLUB
Four Golfer Scramble--Entry Fee $60.00 per player
Putting Contest, Lunch, Prizes 1st ,2nd, 3rd,and Hospitality
9:00 am Shot Gun Start
Lunch and Prizes at finish of Play
PLAYERS
NAME_________________________PHONE______________________
NAME_________________________PHONE______________________
NAME_________________________PHONE______________________
NAME_________________________PHONE______________________
INFORMATION Contacts: Al Menah Office 615-226-7766
Entry Deadline Friday September 1st 2017
Sign up early Maximum players 48 ---12 Teams

9

Notices..............................................................................
Missing Item... HELP!
If anyone has knowledge of what happened to the miniature
Potentate’s Float that was in the Potentate’s Guard room, please
contact Wes Frye (615-519-955). It was planned to make some
repairs and place it in the Potentate’s Guard Display Case in
the Lobby.
Thank you!
Upcoming Events
(as of this publication)
MARCH 2017
Fri/Sat 3/3-4 York Rite Festival
Fri 3/17 ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Sat 3/18 St. Patrick’s Day Parade,
Erin, TN
Wed/Thu 3/22-23 Grand Lodge
Mon-Fri 3/27-31 Paper Sale Caravan
Ladies Only!
Wow!!!! If you missed the Valentine Party last
month, you missed a GREAT time. I know it’s
been said but worth repeating, THANK YOU so
much to the Committee for an outstanding job! It
was so much fun working with each of you.
We appreciate all those that came out last month
to support the ladies’ dinner for which we profited
$85.76 to go towards our goal of buying new
steak knives for Al Menah Shrine Temple. And a
big thanks to the group of ladies that furnished the
desserts, you are awesome!
The Divan Ladies and I would like to invite each
lady to come out and join us on the Noble’s Stated
Meeting night each month, the third Tuesday
at 6:00pm. This month’s meeting (March 21st) we
ask each lady to bring a small baby picture of yourself
from age 0 – 2 yrs of age. We will have a Guess
Who picture game and it’s guaranteed to bring on
some laughs. As usual, we will have 50/50, door
prizes and lots of other Fun!
We are working on some projects to support the
Shriners Hospitals for Children Lexington
and Cincinnati throughout 2017. We
10
APRIL 2017
Fri 4/7 Al Menah Potentate’s
Ball Hospitality, Clarion Hotel
Sat 4/8 Al Menah Potentate’s Ball
Thu 4/13 Maundy Thursday,
Grand Lodge
Sat 4/15 Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 a.m.
Sun 4/16 EASTER
Fri/Sat 4/21-22 Scottish Rite Reunion
Fri/Sat 4/28-29 Scottish Rite Reunion
MAY 2017
May 4 – 7
Paper Sale
will start with collecting travel size board games
i.e. Sorry, Trouble, Clue, Yahtzee, Connect Four
and also card games i.e. Uno, Skip-Bo, etc. during
the months of March and April. These items can
be brought to the Ladies Meeting or given to any of
the Divan Ladies. There will be more details later
regarding future month collections and projects.
Ladies, we appreciate each of you so much for
the support you provide your Noble, our Shriners
Hospitals for Children and for what you do for
Al Menah Shrine Temple. We hope you are able
to come join us on April 8th for the Potentate’s
Ball. For reservations, please contact the office
615-226-7766.
Thank you!
Lady Tracy Hester

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NOTICe:
ALL communications
for the Shriner
should be sent to
editor.amsc@gmail.com
15

Eugene E. Davis
Madison
07/18/29 - 01/17/17
Nobles Visited By
The Black Camel
Robert E. Gooch
Clarksville
11/29/28 - 02/03/17
al MENaH TEMplE
A.A.O.N.M.S.
1354 BRICK CHURCH PIKE
P. O. Box 78545
NASHVILLE, TN 37207
www.almenahshriners.org
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Nashville, TN
Permit No. 1731
Ray E. Cruze
Franklin
06/28/19 - 01/20/17
Edward L. Holton
Columbia
09/18/27 - 01/27/17
Millard P. Austin
Murfreesboro
09/21/31 - 01/28/17
Frank E. Loudermilk
Goodlettsville
11/4/34 - 01/28/17
Anthony L. Morris
Morrison
09/16/53 - 02/06/17
William B. Hooper
Mount Juliet
07/6/26 - 02/11/17
Wayne R. Kuhns
McMinnville
5/23/39 - 02/19/17
Jerry N. Williams
Westmoreland
12/07/42 - 02/22/17 DEADLINE FOR APRIL SHRINER IS IS MARCH 15TH 22ND