The Januuay/FebruaryMessenger 2020 Volume XXXIII, Number 1 Welcome to the ALL NEW Messenger!

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Congratulations to Illustrious Sir Joe Rodgers and Lady Melissa! Appointments Attorney: Jack Harnett (Melissa) :: 850-627-7647 Accountant: Dewey Jetton (Judy) :: 850-627-9528 Building/Equipment: Lamar Bowden, Sr. (Elaine) :: 850-509-0682 Editor-In-Chief: Corey Mathews (Billie) :: 850-294-3776 Hospital Chairman: Bobby Brantley (Patti) :: 850-508-2885 Housing Chairman: Lamar Bowden, Sr. (Elaine) :: 850-509-0682 Imperial Relations: Mac McLendon P.P. (Sue) :: 850-524-4620 Insurance: John Hunt (Cindy) :: 850-385-3636 Chartered July 6, 1989 Membership: Corey Mathews (Billie) :: 850-294-3776 Trans. Chairman: Herschell Blanchett (Annelle) :: 850-567-1319 Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Monday – Thursday Chaplain: Charles Sanders (Brenda) :: 850-584-7571 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Friday Shrine Club Presidents Telephone: 850-385-3010 Fax Number: 850-385-5909 Madison Shrine Club Meets 2nd Thursday of each month. Brad Johnson: 850-929-2008 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 37130 Mayo Shrine Club Meets 2nd Thursday of each month. Tallahassee, FL 32315-7130 Steve Maples: 850-728-9030 Physical Address: 1805 North Monroe Street Perry Shrine Club Meets 4th Thursday of each month. E-Mail Address: [email protected] Charles Sanders: 850-838-6447 Web Site: www.marzuqshrine.org Wakulla Shrine Club Meets 1st Tuesday of each month. Ashley Newell: 850-879-4031 Information for Hospital 1-800-237-5055 USA shrinershospitalsforchildren.org Past Potentates 1989- Illustrious Sir Joseph Gillespie Shriners International 1990- Illustrious Sir Charles Watson* 813-281-0300 1991- Illustrious Sir L. Gary Wright shrinersinternational.org 1992- Illustrious Sir Elvoy Land 1993- Illustrious Sir Roland Miller 1994- Illustrious Sir R. Michael Sims Temple Officers 1995- Illustrious Sir Troy Thompson* Potentate: Joe Rodgers (Melissa):: 850-843-3543 1996- Illustrious Sir Ivan Rowell 1997- Illustrious Sir Claude “Buddy” Tooke Chief Rabban: John Gatlin (Sherry) :: 850-694-6466 1998- Illustrious Sir Roger Bertrand* Assistant Rabban: Jeff Hofmeister (Sissy) :: 850-510-4467 1999- Illustrious Sir Bob G. Smith 2000- Illustrious Sir James “Jim” McPherson* High Priest & Prophet: Corey Mathews (Billie) :: 850-294-3776 2001- Illustrious Sir C. Ray Burke* Oriental Guide: Ashley Newell (Jennifer) :: 850-879-4031 2002- Illustrious Sir D. David Sessions 2003- Illustrious Sir W.L. “Mac” McLendon Treasurer: Lamar Bowden, Sr. (Elaine) :: 850-509-0682 2004- Illustrious Sir Tommy Greene* Recorder: W. Ben Hart, PP (Virginia) :: 850-528-9102 2005- Illustrious Sir Keith Lawson 2006- Illustrious Sir R.D. White 1st Ceremonial Master: Patrick Whitt :: 850-295-1244 2007- Illustrious Sir Gordon Hancock 2nd Ceremonial Master: John Willoughby :: 850-295-1731 2008- Illustrious Sir Garry Smith 2009- Illustrious Sir Cecil Oswalt* Marshall: Ben Jones :: 850-673-7888 2010- Illustrious Sir Dough Knowles Captain of the Guard: David Tranchand :: 850-519-1875 2011- Illustrious Sir Wes Prine 2012- Illustrious Sir Keiffer Lindesy Outer Guard: William Dunne (Delores) :: 850-878-7590 2013- Illustrious Sir Randy Mullaly Parade Marshall: John Willoughby :: 850-295-1731 2014- Illustrious Sir Richard Joy, Sr.* 2015- Illustrious Sir Terry Herring Chief Aide: Clark Byrd (Paulette) :: 850-545-1239 2016- Illustrious Sir W. Ben Hart Executive Aide: Beau Rodgers (Julia) :: 850-843-3379 2017- Illustrious Sir Bobby Brantley 2018- Illustrious Sir Calvin Cone Personal Aides: Bill Palmer :: 850-838-7944 2019- Illustrious Sir Bennarr Revell Audie Towles (Anna) :: 850-843-3474 Deceased (*) 2 The Potentate’s Message

Dear Nobles,

I am honored to serve as your Potentate for the 2020 year and thankful for the Nobles who came out to support me. Lady Melissa and I are looking forward to representing Marzuq this year.

The Divan that was elected and the Nobles who were appointed are eager to continue moving our Temple forward. We have a dedicated group and with everyone’s help I feel confident we will make this year a great success. It is my goal to see our fundraising efforts increase and our Temple grow.

Our Ball this year is scheduled to be held March 6th and 7th. The theme for the Ball is “Country Comes to Town” and is country and western casual. Friday night, March 6th, will be casual country and western wear and Saturday night, March 7th, will be dressy country and western bling. We would love for everyone to come out and have fun filled weekend.

I would also like to mention the Hillbilly’s St. Patrick’s Day Dance is on March 21st. This is sure to be another opportunity to socialize and have a great time. Make plans now to attend!

I would like to say thank you once again for your confidence in me. I am humbled and will do the best job I possibly can. Please do not hesitate to contact me any time if I can help you in any way.

Sincerely, Joe Joe Rodgers Marzuq Shriners Potentate 2020 Visit MarzuqShrine.org Table of Contents $100 Million Club ...... 5 The Messenger Bikes & Trikes ...... 5 Advertising Rates Birthdays ...... 10 Black Camel ...... 11 Calendars ...... 16 Size Price per Year Divan ...... 4-6 Full Page ...... $1,200 Hillbillies...... 7 1/2 Page ...... $600 Potentate’s Ball ...... 9 Potentate’s Message ...... 3 1/4 Page ...... $300 Messenger Ad Rates ...... 3 Messenger Boosters ...... 11 1/6 Page ...... $200 The All New...The Messenger ...... 8 1/8 Page (Business Card) ...... $175 Upcoming Parades ...... 11 3 Chief Rabban Assistant Rabban John Gatlin Jeff Hofmeister

Dear Nobles, Dear Nobles,

I want to first express Thank you for your what an honor it is to confidence to place me have been selected the as Assistant Rabban for past several years to his year. Congratulations represent Marzuq and all to all the Divan and staff the Nobles as part of their who will serve our year Divan. This year is no of the 2020 Shriners with different as your Chief Rabban. The Divan has started Illustrious Sir Joe Rodgers this year off strong in planning fundraising activities, as Potentate. monthly meetings and other opportunities to grow the Temple. I am requesting all your support for the My first order will be to help with the Potentate Ball upcoming Springtime Tallahassee Breakfast in the on March 6th and 7th. Illustrious Sir Joe Rodgers and Park fundraiser March 11th as well as a repeat of our First Lady Melissa have a casual theme which will Easter sale of smoked pork. There will be several mean wearing some jeans. If yours are a little tight, opportunities for Nobles new and old (in tenure) to might I suggest some jean therapy. If your jeans are help with these activities. I challenge each Noble to inherited, like one leg shorter, you may just have to identify someone that would make a good Shriner and put your best foot forward. work to get them into our Temple by years end. Next for the Assistant is the Breakfast in the Park For the past two years, your Temple has raised over Cooking for the Tallahassee Springtime Group. 10k each year and sent to the Tampa Hospital because Negotiations are under way. I hope that all who have of our Golf Tournament fundraiser. We have already cooked in the past will be willing to cook again this secured Columbus Day 2020 as this year’s golf year. Hopefully all still have their cooking pots and tournament date, so start getting your teams together gas grills. This event takes true grit and any problems and identifying sponsors. with the eggs means the yoke is on us. The date will be in later March and will be out soon. I want to congratulate Joe Rodgers and all the members of the Divan, on their election and look The Easter Bunny will be out after the smoke clears in forward to working with the Potentate, Divan as well April. We are going to smoke a batch of Boston Butts as the Clubs to make 2020 a year to remember. as a fundraiser and distribute them Thursday April 9th before Easter Sunday. Again, thanks to all who have shown support and confidence toward me in filling this role. We are set to have a great year.

Fraternally, Thanks to all our Nobles, Ladies and families for their good work and support. John Sincerely, John Gatlin Marzuq Shriners Chief Rabban 2020 Jeff Jeff Hofmeister Marzuq Shriners Assistant Rabban 2020 4 $100 Million Dollar Club High Priest & Shriner’s Healthcare for Children has provided Prophet lifesaving and life-changing medical care to more Corey G. Mathews than 1.4 million children---regardless of their ability pay. My Fellow Nobles, As costs increase, Shriner’s Healthcare needs your help, more than ever, to provide more specialized Let me start off by saying care, offer medical education and conduct more what an honor it is to have research. Too many people believe that if they been re-elected to the cannot donate a large sum, their gift will not count. Divan, and especially as Yet, every bit helps. To encourage donors to High Priest & Prophet for the coming year. I am looking forward to serving with contribute, the HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR a great leadership team, under the direction of our CLUB was established in 1972. esteemed Potentate, Illustrious Sir Joe Rodgers. The club is named for its goal of adding 100 million dollars to the endowment fund through gifts or My goals are simple. First, as HP&P, I believe it is bequests of $100 or more. By adding this bequest my duty to be more than just the officer who asks or gift to your will or sending monety today, you blessings of the GAOTU, but also to be here for our will become a member of this elite club and receive Nobility to listen, share, and seek harmony. So, please recognition from the Imperial Potentate for your do not hesitate to reach out to me in this capacity. contribution. Send your contribution today to Ill. Sir Ben Hart, P.P. at Marzuq Shriners, Post I also want to vigorously pursue our mission of having Office Box 37130, Tallahassee, FL 32315-7130 fun and helping kids. If we can create more engaging and join the more than 70 members of Marzuq and fun events/activities, we will be able to grow our Shriners who are already in the club! ranks from good men and Masons. In doing so, we will have more fun and be able to help more kids. I know that Illustrious Sir Rodgers shares this vision and I pledge to work tirelessly to fulfill his vision.

Finally, I ask that you take Imperial Sir Sowder’s charge to heart to identify JUST ONE man who is worthy of joining our ranks. It is no secret that the Black Camel and life’s superfluidities are shrinking our numbers and those of Shriners everywhere. Only if we pledge to reverse this trend now, can we turn the The Bikes and Trikes Unit tides and restore our ranks to the full size and esteem of Marzuq Shriners keeps that we once so rightfully earned. the wheels turning for any Shriner. The Unit mixes I look forward to working with each of you to bring fun in parades and other these goals to fruition over the course of the next year. events, meeting the last Monday of every month. Yours in Faith, No ride? No problem. Join the Unit and we will find you a two or three-wheeled form of transportation. Less than four wheels takes balance and leaning. Corey Corey G. Mathews That is exactly what the Bikes and Trikes Unit is...... Marzuq Shriners High Priest & Prophet 2020 lean and balanced. 5 Oriental Guide Recorder J. Ashley Newell W. Ben Hart, P.P

Greetings, Greetings Ladies & Nobles,

It is a new year here at I hope your 2020 has started Marzuq and we have lots favorable for you. Thank planned to do already. you, Nobles, for once again Please attend Blue Lodge placing your confidence in and get at least one new me by re-electing me your member for theShrine. Recorder. I am honored to continue in service to If everyone gets one, membership will be where we Marzuq, and here to help you. Your Divan is planning need it. an excellent year, led by Illustrious Sir Joe Rodgers.

Parade season also started February 8th in Elsewhere in this issue of The Messenger you will Crawfordville for the Valentines Parade. Check the find a list of parades we will be participating in this calendar, come out and support / join one of our year, and information on Illustrious Sir Joe and Lady Parade Units and have fun! Also attend the Ladies Melissa’s Potentates Weekend. Mark your calendars Nights and the are Club Events. and save March 6th and 7th and plan to help them celebrate “Country Comes To Town”. It promises For this is all about having fun and helping kids! to be a fun time for all. Also, the Dixie Shrine Association Annual Convention will be May 13th- Sincerely, 16th in Panama City Beach. Please contact me if you would like to secure a room for one or more night in our block.

Ashley Yours in Faith, J. Ashley Newell Marzuq Shriners Oriental Guide 2020 Ben W. Ben Hart, P.P. Marzuq Shriners Recorder 2020

REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR 2020 DUES!!!

6 Marzuq Shriners Hillbilly Clan No. 121 Well, 2019 is gone and begin another decade. Wow, we must be getting old, didn’t we just do this? There have been lots of ups and downs for everyone this year and we will pray for a happy, healthy new year.

In November we had a wonderful evening at the home of Geoff & Nancy Hunt. LOTS of food, a warm fire and great participation! Thanks!

Marzuq Hillbillies are still busy and are looking forward to several things this year. First, I want to mention that we DID participate in the Tallahassee Christmas Parade again this year. While we had a very small group, we enjoyed ourselves and did represent Marzuq. Geoff pulled the wagon, Mac rode shotgun and spotter, Sue, Nancy and Sissy waved like crazy along with Fezzy the Bear representing Shrine.

Along with us were Ben Hart & Jeff Hoffmeister on their scooters. We had sandwiches, chips, Nancy’s wonderful cinnamon and apple bread and were finished decorating just a few minutes before we joined parade in position 14. We were thrilled to hear people shouting to us and we joined in all of the Christmas excitement.

Please make a note that our annual Valentines Party at the Shrine, sponsored by the Hillbilly Clan has been moved. The party has changed to a St. Patrick’s Day Party and will be held on March 21. We have the “band” scheduled and are planning great food and decoration. Please plan to attend! Also if you are willing, please help us out with decoration and food preparation. Give Sue a call at 893-8105 as the date gets nearer so that we can plan on some wonderful dishes. It doesn’t have to be green! How I remember Tommy Greene’s green eggs!

Of course there will several things for the best Hillbillies in the world to participate in this year, and we will keep you posted. You are welcome to join, ask a friend to join and become a member of this great unit. Very little work, lots of food, lots of fun and includes not only the Shriner, but his Lady as members. Please watch the Messenger and your e-mails for information. Happy New Year one and All!

With Hillbilly Love,

Geoff Hunt, Rabban Mac McLendon, PP, Keeper of the Quill

7 The ALL NEW...The Messenger Corey G. Mathews, Editor-in-Chief

For some time now, The Messenger has been the focus of considerable discussion. Growing production costs, combined with stagnant or decreasing revenues, has made our newsletter something that I think we can all agree it was never intended to be…a financial burden.

After many years of dedicated service, Rick and Frankie Allen have retired from their roles as Editor. Please join me in thanking them for their tremendous contributions to our Nobility in this capacity over the years.

We have taken this transition opportunity to reconsider every aspect of The Messenger, and what the future holds in store for it. Accordingly, you will notice several immediate changes, beginning with this issue, that we hope you will welcome, which include: - The format of The Messenger has been redesigned to make it more modern, reader-friendly, and concise. It is our hope that you will find these changes attractive and it will reduce the size of the newsletter, saving both printing and postage costs. - We are going to email links to every issue to every Noble and interested party for whom we have email addresses. If we do not have your email address, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO: [email protected]. We will also continue to post the issues on our website. - If you are happy to receive The Messenger electronically, we ask you to let us know so that we can take you off our print-distribution. This will save us time and money! - If you continue to want to receive it via mail, and you are financially able, we ask you to consider becoming a Messenger Booster by contributing $35 per year to defer our costs. Let me clear this up before there is any confusion – if you still want the print copy and do not become a Messenger Booster, you will still receive it. Also, if you have previously made a multi-year contribution to Messenger Boosters, you will still be recognized. We are not trying to charge or punish anyone, but rather, ask those to help who are able. - If you know of any local businesses who would like access to more than 500 Nobles, Ladies, and friends that receive The Messenger every-other month, please encourage them to reach out to me at [email protected]. There may be other changes forthcoming, which we will consider as we proceed and learn more about how we can best deliver, and you can best receive the important information about what is happening with Marzuq Shriners. To that point, please send any information about yourself, your Club, your Unit, your Lodge, your Appendant Body, or other aspect of Shriners or Freemasonry that you believe would be of interest to me at [email protected]. Remember that this is your newsletter and it is most valuable when it contains your news that your fellow Nobles and Ladies want to hear.

8 9 January February 1 Charlie F. Newell 18 Gerry F. Allen 3 John C. Gebhard 17 John P. Iadanza James A. Stephens Robert L. Fisher, Jr. Stewart A. Ulmer 4 Jack Harnett 2 Kenneth E. Boles 19 James C. Browning Roy A Hibbs 18 David Narezo Kenneth E. Cooksey, Jr. Thomas J. Young John H. Michalski Stephen D. Moon, Jr. 21 Anthony K. Oladell 3 John H. Crane 23 Essa P. Kassees 6 Ernest L. Causseaux 22 Harvey R. Sweeney Anthony C. Millender 4 Henry Mizrachi 24 Brantley S Clark Richard M. Sims, P.P. Scott D. Flowers 5 Scott P. Hunt Melvin L Wilber 23 Richard T. Sirmons 7 Broward Sapp 6 John M. Russi 26 John W DuBose John O’Keefe 25 Dale W. Lambers Fountain C. Cone, Jr. 8 Howard H. Schleich James W. Moon, Jr. George A. Cirioni 27 Gary J. Smith, P.P 10 Fary L. Lee, Jr. 7 D. D. Sessions, P.P. 27 Martin A. Towles 9 Wallace T. Fountain 28 William R. Rogers 11 Alvan J. Pickels 14 Donald B. Jackson David A. Merrill Robert Westbrook Homer Q. Melgaard III 29 Franklin L. Bowden, Jr. 16 Joel J. Byrd, Sr. 16 Phillip W. Lindley 31 Marvin E. Buchanan

10 Be A... Messenger Booster The Messenger needs your support!

The Nobles and Ladies below support The Messenger with a $35 contribution per year to cover our printing and distribution costs. 2035 2021 Keith Lawson, P.P. Buddy & Susie Tooke, P.P.

2019 2029 2020 Ashley P. Beggs Charles W. Maddox Ted & Nancy Turza John Hunt, Jr. John L. Chapin William B. May Yvonne Hutto 2026 Joe L. Cook Robert L. Mixon Warren Roddenberry Joe & Linda Gillespie, P.P. Carole C. Abbot Roland F. Coppola, Jr. Pat H. Murphy Kathy Morgan 2024 Calvin & Sharon Cone, P.P. Joe. L. Giles E. Edward Murray, Sr. Ava Martin Harold A. Gokey Joseph B. Partin Corey & Billie Mathews 2022 Join the club! Mail your Elmer A. Haire Harold W. Pearson Ben & Virginia Hart, P.P. payment for $35 per year Mac & Sue McLendon, P.P. of membership to: R.D. & Linda White, P.P. In Memoriam Marzuq Shriners Broward & Babs Taff, Jr. PO Box 37130 “Es Selamu Aleikum” Dewey Jetton Tallahassee, FL 32315 Upcoming Parades Contact Parade Chair John Willoughby at 850-295-1731 to join or start a Parade Unit! 02/08 Wakulla Valentine’s Parade Crawfordville, FL 02/15 Fiddler Crab Parade Steinhatchee, FL 03/14 Camp Gordon Johnson Parade Carabelle, FL 03/28 Springtime Parade Tallahassee, FL 04/04 Horseshoe Beach Parade Horseshoe Bch, FL 04/25 Down Home Days Parade Madison, FL 05/16 Dixie Shrine Assn. Parade PCB, FL 06/14 Watermelon Festival Parade Monticello, FL 07/06 Imperial 2020 Parade Kansas City, MO 10/03 Honey Bee Parade Hahira, GA 10/10 Pioneer Day Parade Mayo, FL 10/24 FL Forest Festival Parade Perry, FL 11/07 Veterans Parade Crawfordville, FL 11/11 Veterans Day Parade Tallahassee, FL 12/04 Christmas Parade Perry, FL 12/05 Christmans Parade Panacea, FL 12/05 Nighttime Holiday Parade Tallahassee, FL 12/12 Christmas Parade Shady Grove, FL 12/12 Christmas Parade Mayo, FL 11 12 13 14 15 Post Office Box 37130 Tallahassee, Florida 32315-7130

The ALL NEW...The Messenger See Page 8!

RSVP for Events to Marzuq Shriners Office at: Reservations Required! [email protected] or 850-385-3010

January Ferbuary

01/07 Wakulla Shrine Club 02/04 Wakulla Shrine Club 01/09 Madison Shrine Club 02/08 Wakulla Vaentine’s Parade 01/09 Mayo Shrine Club 02/13 Madison Shrine Club 01/15 Divan Meeting 02/13 Mayo Shrine Club 01/16 Stated Meeting (Nobles Only) 02/15 Fiddler Crab Parade 01/17 East/West Shrine Game Banqt 02/19 Divan Meeting 01/18 East/West Shirne Game 02/20 Ladies/Family Night 01/18 Wakulla Bandits Cookout 02/27 Perry Shrine Club 01/23 Perry Shrine Club