Inside This Issue

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 2: From the heart - Editor’s experiences... Page 4: Pythian Knights Page 8: Pythian Sisters Page 12: Dokies Page 14: Sunshine Girls Page 16: Nomads Page 18: Junior Order Page 20: Canada Page 24: Hall of Honor Page 30: Updates & Forms Issue number three of four - Year 140 - Pythian International Magazine - July 2004 FFromrom thethe heart!heart! We need to keep things as simple as possible, open the lines of communication as never before in the history of this order, and freely share our efforts, dreams, and learning experiences with fellow Pythians so as to improve our own great organization, and far beyond! In most groups, large and small, there is a lot of self-serving activity, and so much shmoozing, second-guessing, plotting, Yesterday, June 6th, as I was busy backbiting and deceit going on that no one working on my article for this issue, I heard can tell who is being genuine and who is just Garrison Keillor mention the Knights of using some new strategy to get you to follow “Eye on the Universe / Pythias on his “Prairie Home Companion” Sword of Change / them instead of someone else. Heart of the Dragon” radio show. It caught my ear because it seems Who can be taken at his word, when you Original Cover Artwork by: that we are one of the best kept 140 year old can see that instead of listening, they are busy Michael Jay Burke secrets on the planet, sometimes, so it really figuring out what they are going to say next, Editor: Pythian International Magazine stands out when I hear the name mentioned! and how to get the upper hand in the conver- The Editor reserves the unrestricted right to edit, reduce, He introduced Canadian Jazz Guitarist and sation? enhance, clarify, verify the authenticity of, and expand singer Leon Redbone as a member (Grand Very little gets done to help advance the upon, all copy submitted herein for publication in the Pythian International Magazine, so as to fit available space, Poobah, or something) in the Knights of group in a constructive way, because of all focus, ethics, and the “mission” of the magazine. The Pythias, so I of course immediately looked him this game-playing and jockeying for position! covers, along with all internal content, and graphics, unless otherwise noted: copyright 2004, however, “Not- up in our mailing list. Sorry to say, it was just Why not use all this intense creative energy for-profit” full permission is granted for / to, any / all, part of the comedy routine and he was not in for the good of the whole, instead of wasting readers, to copy, use, or reprint, anything that is deemed there, but it still got our name out to the lis- it on a short-lived Ego boost? “worthy” of repeating, that is found within the pages of this Magazine. This is a truly cooperative effort, based tening public again, and that is always a “good Try and remain an objective outside upon the total support and collective talents of our entire thing,” in my books! viewer of such "flexing" and "posturing" as worldwide Pythian Community! We need to build awareness of our goes on at most gatherings, especially “United we stand! Divided we fall!” “presence” in the general public, and one way political gatherings. to do that is to send “press-releases” to all the This Supreme convention should be an Pythian International Magazine local media when you have any kind of event. interesting learning experience for me since I (Registered ISSN 0199-0144) is printed four times a year, Most news media are always looking for items have never been to one before and have never and distributed January, April, July, and October 1, every year, to all Members, and is designed, printed, and shipped, to “fill” dead-spots in their programming and seen all the games, posturing and muscle Nonprofit, “Periodicals,” postage paid from Cheyenne, print, so you just may be in there, if you have flexing illusions that are played out! I am Wyoming, USA 82009 made something available! hoping that I will be pleasantly surprised and Make it easy for them, so they don’t have not see much of that type of testosterone Canadian Circulation is sorted and mailed by: Victor Eng: Director of Distribution for Canada (Drop-Agent) to go looking for a story, and always include displays among Pythians, because I believe 899 Esquimalt Road “contact” information, so that they can clarify that we should be a “cut above” the “normal” Victoria, BC V9A 3M5 any question. groups! Phone: (250) 384-8861 One of the main purposes of the redesign A lot of things bother me about politics email: [email protected] of this magazine is so that it can be used to get and the games played in political power- “Subscriptions” (at $5.00 for one year, and $12.50 for three our name and purpose better known, so use it struggles. One of the most annoying things years) and all “Change of Address” requests and updates for that! Get extra copies, and spread them that I hear coming out of the mouths of should be sent to: around. Leave them at places like coffee shops, candidates, for any office is “If elected I will” Supreme Secretary doctor’s offices, VA and other hospital do this or that! Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias waiting rooms, etc. You can also use them as Well! My question is; If you feel so 59 Coddington Street recruiting tools by giving them to prospective strongly about the issue why haven’t you done Quincy, MA 02169 members in order to illustrate who we are, and something already? Do you think that you can POSTMASTER: what we are about! buy my vote with a promise to do something Please send all returns, corrected and undeliverable Extra copies are always available, for a that you should already be working on? (FORM 3579) to the above address... Thank you! limited time, right after the printing dates, so I would be much more likely to back a contact me, or the Supreme Secretary and see horse who has proven that he is a runner, than Send all articles, photos, and ideas to: Michael Jay Burke if we have any extras available. At this year’s one that stands around bragging about what Editor: Pythian International Magazine Supreme Convention, I plan on bringing as he will do sometime in the future! 3400 South Greeley Hwy. Lot 10 many extra copies as I can find, so that So, why don’t you become known for Cheyenne, WY 82007 USA members who need them can get them. what you do, instead of what you promise? email: [email protected] Any person, at any level, can help bring on For more information, or to view / download a .PDF copy Some of you have expressed an interest in positive change! He does not have to wait! of this publication, please visit: pythias.org knowing why I have expended so much time He certainly does not have to hold it up as - - - - - - - - - - and energy trying to let our readers know more some potential prize, like a flimflam man, to The following Emblems, after a story, indicate the type about who I am, and what my philosophy is. be won only by electing him! of stories / articles that I am seeking as submissions It is so that you can better understand my Just my opinion, but then, I hate politi- for publication in this truly International magazine! vision for the future of this publication and the cal games and think that we would all be a lot order. I will continue to do so in the future, better off if we just took care of the problem because each issue will be read by a different when we discovered it, instead of waiting to and growing audience. use the promise of a cure “if elected!” 2 EEditor’sditor’s PyPythianthian eexperiencxperiences!es! Anyone with some smarts can figure out We need honest, ethical and selfless Since the easiest way that I know of, for what you want to hear, and then promise it, cooperative members, who are not afraid of people to learn, is by emulation of example but it takes true caring to just do what needs change, growth, or open communication, and and metaphor, I feel very strongly that to be done without feeling the need to brag who are willing to be true to the order and to emotional, human-interest stories that touch about it, or use it as leverage to gain power themselves, without greed, jealousy or the heart and teach Pythian principals through over a group! hidden agendas! Self-serving, profit driven, narrative example are critical to the Actions do speak louder than words! power hungry people who create problems, magazine’s purpose, and to our success and and complain all the time, are the opposite of growth! When we see a problem, we should not what we are all about and do not fit, or waste precious time and energy looking for portray to others, Pythian ideals and ethics. I was given up to four pages to use for someone to blame or to make look bad, we purely "editorial" purposes (for expressing my should just get going (openly) trying to Complaints are okay, but you better be opinion)... I have not used nearly that much, figure out the best cure for all involved... Try willing to help come up with an alternative and will not need to, but when I use the space and keep everyone involved up-to-date, as all in the same breath, because we need problem that I do you can bet that it is to remind our things happen, so that no one is blind-sided solvers, not drainers who take joy in fault- members of why we exist, and to illustrate or surprised and made to feel stupid for not finding, creating pain, stress, and problems Pythian principals that need to always be held knowing what is going on in their own Lodge for others! We should be fighting injustice, foremost in our minds.

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