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(Click to see photos)


November 2008
Fall Ceremonial & Panama 90th Anniversary

On 1 November at 11 AM, the Fall Ceremonial was conducted at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City.  There were 25 candidates from 9 states in Mexico, a first.  An honored guest was the Imperial Potentate, Imperial Sir Douglas Maxwell, and his Lady, Patricia.  Following the Ceremonial, tours of the hospital were provided for the new Shriners as well as family and friends.  

At 8 PM on 1 November, the Potentate’s Ball was held at the Raddison Pariaso Hotel.  The new Shriners were presented with their Fez, and a wonderful dinner and dancing followed.  A great time was had by all, and the fellowship demonstrated by everyone made for a super evening!

On 22 November, Abou Saad Shriners of Panama held a celebration of their 90th anniversary.  Approximately, 20 Shriners and their ladies from Anezeh were in attendance with one candidate for the initiation.  Shriner Clubs were represented from Guatamala, El Salvador, Honduras, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuadro, Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay.   Also, in attendance at this event was the Imperial Potentate and his Lady.  A great time was had by all, including a tour of the Pacific side of the Panama Canal.  Obviously, Shrinedom is well, and growing in Central and South America!

September 2008
Dia del Niños Heroes (Day of the Children Heros)

On September 13th, Mexico annually pays tribute to the Heroic Deed of those six cadets of the Heroic Military College who defended the Chapultepec Castle, giving their lives to preserve freedom. And so on that date this September, the Shriners of Anezeh Temple celebrated those children that we care for and admire: the children heroes of our Shriners Hospital.  On the afternoon of Saturday, the 13th of September, we celebrated the 32 girls and boys with a Mexican fiesta.  There were Lottery games, gifts, "Super girl" and "Super boy" uniforms, and delicious hot tamales with hot "atole" drink made with chocolate and cinnamon.   All of the Anezeh Divan was present at the event, including our Potentate Denny Strole and his Lady Dagmar, traveling from Guadalajara.  The always active members of "the Patrol" did great work, adorning the reception lobby of the of the Hospital with small Mexican flags and many serpentines of colors green, white and red.  The children were surprised and full of joy when they saw the decorations.  Also invited to the fiesta were the fathers, mothers and little brothers and sisters, there to visit, and of course, the ladies of Social Work, who always support and care for our beloved "Children Heroes" of the Shriners Hospital.

May 2008
"Hospital Day" Celebration at the
Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City

On Sunday, 18 May 2008, Hospital Day was celebrated at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City.  The festivities began at 11:00 A.M. with a happy welcome by Anezeh’s Recorder, our beloved Noble Victor Montalvo.  Following the introduction of the Hospital Board, and the Hospital Administrator and Chief of Staff, the program started.

A young patient, Jesus Antonio Valdes, was introduced and he walked onto the stage under his own power, and give thanks to all the personnel of the Hospital: doctors, nurses, therapists and of course to his mother for her patience and to have brought him to our Hospital where he received wonderful care that allowed him to climb the steps to the stage.  Jesus has 4 prosthesis that have replaced his  extremities.  Jesús, who has now left the Hospital, received an emotional and warm applause from the public.

Next, we were surprised by a young patient athlete "karateca" girl named Luz Michell Lima who provided a wonderful routine of "katas" along with her small teammates of the Martial Arts.  Luz once suffered from muscular atrophy, and today she received the recognition of all those present, who applauded her progress.

When this exciting act was finished, Anezeh’s Clown Unit,  "TACOS AL ATAQUE" started its performance, receiving frequent  outbursts of laughter and thunderous applause of all those in attendance.

When the clowns finished, Hospital guides began to form groups of interested people for tours of the Hospital. Altogether there were 870 visitors, who enjoyed each the tours by these expert guides. After the tours, everyone was invited for refreshments, hot-dogs, snacks, etc. in attractively decorated stands arranged to give considerable color to the celebration of the Hospital. This was  a time for the visitors and the doctors, nurses, and workers of the Hospital as well as Clowns and many nobles of Anezeh Shriners to meet enjoy the festivities. This concluded the great celebration of the Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City.

"Day of the Children" Celebration at the
Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City

On the first Sunday of each month the Anezeh clown unit, "Tacos to the Attack," led by unit president, Noble Agustin "Windies" Martinez put on a show for the children at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City.  Sunday, 4 May 2008 was no exception as the Patrol Unit led by Noble Hector Morales, P.P., joined in to make the Mexican holiday, "Day of the Children", a really special event. The clown show lasted about one hour, and the children laughed and applauded each skit!  After the clown show, the children, their families and friends formed a line leading to a special treat of hot dogs, buns, and all the trimmings!  While in line they received candies and books.  It was was a special Sunday, and we happily met with 39 in-patient children, with their parents, brothers and sisters, and some relatives.  Over 700 "hot dogs" were prepared by the Patrol Unit of Anezeh Temple, and served by the Shrine Ladies of Anezeh.  There were jokes, happiness and unforgettable moments to share with our children, their families, and the Hospital personnel that joined us. 

When the children returned to their rooms, our Potentate’s wife, Lady Dagmar Strole, supported by several Nobles and Ladies, gave to each one of these children a quilt, hand made by the ladies of the Ajijic Quilt Guild.  It was wonderful to see the happy faces of the children, and their parents, when they received these beautiful gifts. 

And, that ended the "Day of the Children" celebration, a special day for our children at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City. 

APRIL 2008
The Western Shrine Association Convention 

A major Shrine event occurred in San Diego, California from 16 – 20 April 2008:  The Western Shrine Association Convention!  The President of the WSA this year is Illustrious Sir Ken Short, the Potentate of Al Bahr Shriners of San Diego, CA.  As the host for this grand event, Al Bahr Shiners did a wonderful job, planning and executing the function.  This is a great opportunity to renew old friendships and make many new ones.  The WSA is composed of 17 Temples in the Western United States and Mexico.  The members are:  Aahmes Shriners (Livermore, CA); Al Bahr Shrine (San Diego, CA); Al Kader Shriners (Portland, OR); Al Malaikah Shrine (Los Angeles, CA); Aloha Shriners (Honolulu, HI); Anezeh Shriners (Mexico City, Mexico); Asiya Shriners (San Mateo, CA); Ballut Abyad Shrine (Albuquerque, NM); Ben Ali Shrine (Sacramento, CA); El Bekal Shriners (Anaheim, CA); El Kalah Shriners  (Salt Lake City, UT); El Zaribah Shriners (Phoenix, AZ); Hillah Shriners (Medford, OR);  Kerak Shriners (Reno, NV);Sabbar Shriners (Tucson, AZ); Tehran Shriners (Fresno, CA); and Zelzah Shrine (Las Vegas, NV).

In attendance were three Imperial Officers:  Noble Doug Maxwell, Deputy Imperial Potentate, and his lady Pat;  Noble Alan Madsen, Imperial Oriental Guide, and his lady Cheryl; and, Noble Gary Bergenske, Imperial Outer Guard, and his lady Anne.

Anezeh Shriners were represented by Noble Denny Strole, Potentate, and his lady Dagmar, Noble Luis Gerardo Ortiz, Chief Rabban; Leon Portman, Assistant Rabban; Noble Graham Paull, Oriental Guide, his lady Sheila; Noble Victor Montalvo, P.P., Recorder, and his lady Sylvia;  Noble Jesus Reyes and his lady Margarita; and Noble Victor Varela, and his lady Vivian.

This convention was both informative and fun!  Simply exchanging information with other Shriners is a great experience, we all seem to face the same difficulties!  At the business session, Imperial Sir Doug Maxwell provided a wealth of information on what the Joint Boards are looking into to improve our fraternity. 

Those Anezeh Shriners in attendance marched in the parade (see photos), and in the clown competition, our own Assistant Rabban, Noble Leon Portman (Joy), won first place (see photos).

Next year the WSA will be in San Jose, California!  If you are able to attend, I know you will find it a rewarding experience.

MARCH 2008
Spring Ceremonial

On 29 March 2008, the Anezeh Shriners Spring Ceremonial was hosted by the Lake Chapala Shrine Club in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, at the Hotel Real de Chapala.  The 11 candidates from the Lake Chapala area and Mexico City arrived Friday afternoon, and were hosted by the Shriners of the Lake Chapala area in their homes.  An informal dinner was attended by many on Friday night, and on Saturday morning, the Ceremonial started at 11:00 AM.  Concluding at 1:30 PM, the Ceremonial was followed by a mixed grill “comida” at the Hotel Real de Chapala.  Prior to “comida”, the flags of the Shrine, Panama, Canada, United States, and Mexico were presented with the national anthems played.  Following the flag ceremony, the Shrine pledge of allegiance was presented by the Assistant Rabban, Noble Leon Portman.  Each new Shriner then received his Fez with the assistance of their Lady or friends in attendance.  Assisting the Potentate in the Fez presentation was the Chief Rabban, Luis Gerardo Ortiz.  The new Nobles are:

          Victor Varela                   Samuel Raul Camacho
          Norm Dysart                    Raul Camacho Erago
          Dean Burke                     Eduardo Atzayacate
          Bill Colgate                     Jose Grajales
          Jack Norman                  Francisco Candano
                             Dwight Bowen

Congratulations to all of you, and welcome to the Shriners!

FEBRUARY 2008
International Shrine Clown Association – Mid-Winter Convention

In Irving, Texas, 7 – 9 February 2008, the ISCA Mid-Winter took place with a wonderful array of Shriner Clowns!  Anezeh Shriners were well represented by the clown unit, “TACOS AL ATAQUE.”   Led by the clown unit president, Noble Agustin Martinez Sibaja [WINDIES], the unit did extremely well in the competitions held at the Mid-Winter.  Please see the photos of this event, and note that the clowns do “clean-up” nicely in their tuxedos!

Here are the results:

JANUARY 2008
3 Kings Day 'Fiesta'

On January 6, 2008, 3 Kings Day was celebrated at the Shriners Hospital in Mexico City! The Patrol and Clown Units of Anezeh hosted quite a “fiesta”! (See photos).

In the main Hospital reception area, the children had an opportunity to see the TACOS AL ATAQUE (clown unit) in action. Following that the Patrol has sweets and cake for all the children. Later, quilts provided by the Ajijic Quilt Guild were given to the children to use while in the Hospital and to take home with them.

Thanks to all the Anezeh Shriners who helped put on this wonderful event!