June 2023

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June 2023

Area Representatives

AREA A: George Jackson/Doedy AREA F: Michael McDade

1299 N. Parker Road 301 Sherwood Circle
Greenville, SC 29609 Rock Hill, SC 29730
864-884-3048 803-493-4528
doedyj@gmail.com MichaelMcDade47@gmail.com
Clubs: Greenville, Golden Strip Clubs: York, Great Falls, Chester
JUNE 2023 QUARTER 2
AREA B: Tommy Brashears/Kim AREA G: Ron Staggs
THE COMMENTATOR is devoted to the interest of Hejaz Shriners 274 Peach St. PO Box 50072
and the Masonic Fraternity. News articles and pictures referencing Inman, SC 29349 Greenwood, SC 29649
the Nobility, Units or Shrine Club activities are welcome. 864-415-2384 864-980-2924
All communications regarding editorial content or advertising tbrashears.tb@gmail.com ron.staggs2924@gmail.com
should be emailed or USPS to: Clubs: Sp-burg, Mid-City, Chesnee Clubs: Abbeville, Greenwood

HEJAZ COMMENTATOR hejazcommentator@gmail.com AREA C: Richard Doby/Jamie AREA H: Wayne Keenan

PO Box 3668 Office Ph: 864-277-4386 131 Cleggan Rd, Apt. 201 101 Briarwood Rd
Rock Hill, SC 29730 Easley, SC 29640
Greenville, SC 29608 Office Fax: 864-277-4389
803-287-9326 864-449-6043
Doby.richard@yahoo.com fluffyandweiner@att.net
Divan Clubs: Jackson (Lancaster) Clubs: Blue Ridge, Pickens

POTENTATE
Byron Sheppard/Michele
530 Lester Parrish Rd,
Batesburg 29006
803-730-8069
Byronsheppard11@gmail.com
HIGH PRIEST & PROPHET AREA D: William Rosser/Diane AREA I: Johnathan Godfrey
Jamie Smith 508 Friendship Church Road 3139 Union Hwy
2100 Adelaide St. Honea Path, SC 29654 Gaffney, SC 29340
Newberry, SC 29108 864-934-5019 864-425-0611
803-348-8235 William.rosser@michelin.com hejazgodfrey@gmail.com
nightmvs@yahoo.com Clubs: Anderson, Tri-City Clubs: Cherokee, Union

AREA E: Gene Norris/Jo AREA J: Barry Koon P.P./Fay

CHIEF RABBAN ORIENTAL GUIDE
3372 Mountville Road 14149 C.R. Koon Hwy
Jimmy Moser Stephen Schram Mountville, SC 29370 Newberry, SC 29108
105 Ivey Dr 1516 Main St 864-994-4965 803-924-1800
Liberty, SC 29657 Rock Hill, SC 29730 jrnorris@embarqmail.com bkoon@backroads.net
864-915-8224 803-517-4215 Clubs: Laurens, Woodruff Clubs: Saluda, Newberry
Jimmymoser32@gmail.com stephen.schram@hejazshriners.com
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
ASSISTANT RABBAN TREASURER David Williams/Tasha
864-607-5603
Ben Martin/Tonya Billy Ackerman P.P./Rhonda
davewill@aol.com
18 Poplar Springs Dr 9215 Hwy 76
Mauldin, SC 29662 Prosperity, 29127
864-421-3094 803-924-5871
benpd158@yahoo.com billyackerman@cs.com

RECORDER
Gene Parker IMPORTANT DATES AND SUBMISSION – DEADLINE 8/10/2023
Advertise your event in the COMMENTATOR! Send in 5our forms, ads, and pics!
135 Dogwood Lane
Duncan, SC 29334 Email Articles to: hejazcommentator@gmail.com
864-497-0547
Gene.parker@hejazshriners.com
Hard Copy: PO Box 3668, Greenville, SC 29608 The
Potentate’s
All photos should be .jpg format. You may submit camera ready ads. All Nobles, Units and Clubs are
encouraged to send in articles and pictures for publication in the Commentator.

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June 2023
The
Potentates
Message
Wow!!! Hejaz continues to raise the bar! Since the great start to 2023 at the
first of the year, we have just kept the momentum going and made a
statement along the way! So in March Greenville decided to invite Hejaz to
their St. Patrick's Day Parade.....what happened?......You guessed it! Hejaz
showed up in large numbers and in the words of the parade officials, “The
Shriners made this parade"! From there we had car shows, rabbit suppers
and Grand Lodge where I was honored to have the privilege to Fez our
newly made Grand Master, our own Most Worshipful Stephen Hames!
Then May comes along and Sprung Spring right on in with a fantastic
Statewide Tri-Ceremonial in Myrtle Beach, SC!!! This was an event to be
remembered!!! Being the first of its kind in over a decade was special within
itself, but the show that was put on for not only the new nobles that were
being made, but for this city as well with all three temples representing
exceptionally well in the huge parade there! Again, we were added to the
civic parade which this time was The Sun Fun Parade, but again the Shriners
stole the show! Shoot.... we even had one of the Potentates (ME) ride with
two temples and got caught jumping a go-cart over a hearse during the
parade!!! in between all of this Lady Michele and her entourage put on a
tremendous Ladies program and luncheon that was absolutely
awesome!!! Not to brag.....(I am a little partial) but our Hejaz Director Staff,
Chef's Unit, Ritualistic Divan, Rags and Rods, and many other units and clubs
knocked this thing out of the park!!!! There was no doubt in anyone's mind
as to who took the reins and led this team of horses to the promised land!!!
Next so as not to slow our momentum, we went the next weekend to
Batesburg-Leesville (my hometown)to participate in The SC Poultry Festival!
We had a great representation of Hejaz Shriners and Jamil Shriners that
again stole the show!!! They gave us our own section of the parade allowing
us all to come through together with our Potentate (ME) leading us
through! There were Rags and Rods, Widows Sons, Motor Corp, Hillbillies,
and the hit of the parade....our own Hejaz Drifters!!! Kenny Slawson got
front page coverage on one of the local papers!!! We had the Side by Side
on sight with Jimmy Moser, Chris Crumpton, J-Bo Jennings and Patrick
Kelley selling tickets, B-L Lodge 138 and Byron Rikard provided food for us
all as they helped yours truly run The #1 World's Best Chicken Cooking
Contest the remainder of the day!!! All of the above concluded that night
with a fireworks show bigger than Time Square on New Years Eve!!!
We have made a few more meetings and outings but this was a pretty good
representation of the great couple of months we have had since our last
communication. Now it's time for us to get ready for some fun with Unit
and Club events across the realm for June. Along the way we will add The
Georgia/ SC Exchange Masonic Event on the 19th and everybody......please
support our 2023 Hejaz Family Day at Newberry Shrine Club on the 24th.
We need to help the guys out there with the festivities they have planned
and the Hillbilly degree that will follow. Keep a lookout on our Hejaz 2023
page for updates. Then we will be heading to Charlotte for the Imperial
Session. We need everyone to help us show up and show out for outgoing
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Imperial Potentate, our own Imperial Sir Kenny Craven the first week of
July!!!
In closing, I think that the biggest part of all of this has been continuing in
all of these endeavors with Unity.....Friendship.....Fellowship.......and
Brotherly Love!!! If you have been with us as we have travelled and
visited......keep coming!!! If you haven't.....jump on the Hejaz Train and start
now!!! Keep up the great works, support your Temple, Clubs, and Units so
we can continue to support our hospitals and children!!!
As always "Ain't No Jazz Like Hejaz"!!!
Yours in the Faith,
Byron Sheppard
Hejaz Potentate 2023
The
Recorder’s
Column
Greetings Nobles and Ladies,
Since the last publication of the Commentator, it has been a busy few
months. We had three big game feasts in March and April - the Woodruff
Shrine Club Rabbit Supper and Cherokee Shrine Club Quail Supper in March,
Union Shrine Club Rabbit Supper in April, a PACKED house at all three.
The circus was held March 26th – April 2nd in Spartanburg and Anderson,
even though the attendance was down from the past, I think it did well as
were back in the public’s eye with Hejaz Temple Shriners showing what we
do for Shriners Children’s. Hopefully we can get back to the days where we
had to turn people away because of Fire Marshall occupancy rules. Also
thank you to all that came and worked on the shows and helped in all
capacities, it’s you that made it a success.
The 2nd Quarter Business meeting was held at Greenville Shrine Club on
April 19th. There was a good attendance there. In the meeting it was voted
on and passed to make 119 Beverly Rd, Greenville SC 29608 our permanent
address. This had to be done because the address of our charter has us
listed as “200 Ranch Rd Mauldin SC”.
Then on April 28th we were in attendance to witness our New Grand Master
of SC being installed in Greenville, SC. Congratulations to our own Hejaz
Nobles Steve Hames of Blacksburg becoming our new Grand Master and
Tommy Watson of Welford our new Deputy Grand Master.
Then to round things off we were at Myrtle Beach last weekend May 5 th &
6th for a Spring Tri Ceremony with Jamil and Omar Temples. Hejaz showed
up and showed out with 32 candidates and the Director Staff doing an
outstanding job with the area they had to work with the current restraints.
June 2023
We had a total of more than 9 units participate in the parade on Saturday
which was held in coordination with the Myrtle Beach Sun Fun Parade.
We have a lot of events coming up over the summer so be on the look-out
for the announcements on Facebook and the Hejaz Blast web site
(https://www.hejazshriners.com/home) under the calendar of events.
Finally, we have the 2023 Imperial Session coming to Charlotte during the
July 4th week and with a parade at the ZMAX raceway on July 4th. If your
unit wants to be in it, please contact the Temple before May 31st, this is the
cutoff date for entering. As of right now there are rooms (only kings left)
available going through the Temple for the AC lofts downtown Charlotte,
cutoff date for the rooms June 9th. The Temple office will be closed July 3rd
to July7th.
So, in closing I hope you all have a great Memorial Day in remembrance of
those that gave their all for us and a fun and safe summer.
Fraternally yours
Gene Parker
Hejaz Recorder
The
Chaplain
Speaks
Who is Your One?
I have recently been pastoring a small church in the middle of nowhere if
I’m being honest. This church has had its fair share of ups and downs. What
used to be a packed-out house on Sundays got down to just 5 members.
When they reached out to me to start preaching, I was a little nervous but
felt like that’s where the Lord wanted me.
I instantly started inviting my friends and family to attend. Before I knew it,
there was a nice little crowd that came out. This got me thinking… a small
church, in a small town that doesn’t have all the “bells and whistles” that a
lot of churches have - yet, such a big God still showed up. Not necessarily
my doing, or the visitors filling the pews, but a sense of revival in this church
in the first time for years – thanks to the Holy Spirit.
I wonder if we all as Christians made an effort to encourage our brothers
and sisters in Christ to not only attend church, but grow closer with their
walks with Christ – how much of a change would we see in this world?
I titled this article “Who is your One?” Right now, I want you to think of
someone that has been distancing themselves from God. You probably
already have a name in your head. Maybe that person is a family member,
a friend or possibly even yourself. Whoever it is, encourage them to just
“start”. Start going to church on Sunday. If they are already a churchgoer,
invite them to a Bible study. Thanks to technology today, we can host a
Bible study together from the comfort of our home.
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Such an easy task with such a grand impact. If everyone reading this chose
“their One”, the pews would fill up on Sunday; the dust would be wiped
from the Bibles and the Spirit of God would be back in many homes. With
all the bad things going on in the world today, bringing Jesus back to the
front of mind would surely change things.
Jesus says in John 15:16-17, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should
abide, so that whatever you ask the father in my name, he may give it to
you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
When we do what the Lord commands us, there are many things we can be
grateful for. Our sins are forgiven, we have salvation and eternal life. Our
lives on earth change and the change for good becomes visible. I have
learned about the visibility in my own life. When I began preaching, many
people said to me “something has changed”. At first this statement
bothered me, but I realized there was a change – and the change was for
the better! Don’t get me wrong, I still sin every day, but I try to be better
than I was the day before and live for Him.
We can’t be Christians 1 day a week and be someone else the remaining 6
days. This too, is visible and I believe it is one reason church attendance is
at an all-time low. With that, I encourage you to find your “One”, reach out
to them and let Jesus be visible through you. Something as simple as a text,
an encounter at work, an afternoon meal – ask the Lord to show you your
“One”. Don’t be intimidated. You are doing what God has called us to do.
If 100 people reading this take it to heart this week, we have changed 100
lives and the Lord becomes “visible” in them, who in turn change 100 more.
I love you all and thankful for what the Lord is doing. As always, I am praying
for this fraternity, it’s members and families, and I cannot wait to see what
God is going to do in the future. If you find yourself in need, my heart is
open ,and I am always willing to pray.
Thanks ,and God Bless,
Chaplain Brayden Couch
Liam is a Shriners Kid
Prior to January 2021, Liam was falling every ten steps. “He had no balance,”
said Melissa, Liam’s mom. “His muscles were so tight; he could not walk
correctly.”
Liam became a Shriners Children’s patient seven years ago after Melissa
searched tirelessly for answers to his condition. “When we first began
seeking answers, we were constantly told ‘we don’t know’ and pushed out
the door.” Living in Boston at the time, Melissa then took Liam to Shriners
Children’s Boston. “We knew Shriners Children’s Boston wasn’t an
orthopedic hospital, but we were desperate for answers, and for the first
time, we weren’t turned away.”
With 12 neurologists running extensive genetic testing on Liam, they soon
had a diagnosis — KIF1A Associated Neurological Disorder (KAND).
Affecting only 400 people worldwide, KAND is a rare neurodegenerative
June 2023
disease often causing cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and
epilepsy. However, symptoms, severity, and progression of the disorder
vary by individual, as the disease does not affect any two people the same
way.

“When we learned of his

diagnosis, we were moving
to North Carolina. We
were very discouraged, as
we did not want to be
turned away from another
facility because of his rare
disease.” Upon arrival at
their new home, they
searched for the closest
Shriners Children’s. Upon
finding Shriners Children’s
Greenville, Melissa made
an appointment.

“The first time we met Dr.

(Lauren) Hyer she said, ‘I
don’t know much about
this disease, but I do know
how to treat you.’”
Utilizing the motion analysis center, which collects and analyzes movement-
related data, like gait analysis, to treat children with neuromuscular,
acquired, or congenital disorders — Liam’s care team was able to pinpoint
the treatment necessary to give Liam a fulfilling life. Since then, Liam has
undergone seven surgeries – many to release his tightened muscles –
bracing, ankle foot orthosis (AFO), and lots of physical and occupational
therapy in the hospital’s in-house rehabilitation department.

Now, Liam can walk unassisted. “For the first time in his life, he is walking
heel to toe and hardly ever falls.” Not only is Liam walking on his own, but
he has found a new sense of independence. “Before coming to Shriners
Children’s, he could not dress himself. Now, he wants no help. He always
says, ‘I’ve got it, mom.’”

When Liam isn’t visiting the hospital, he enjoys being active— a big one, his
mom says, is participating in his gym class without having the assistance of
a walker or holding onto someone’s hand. Even bigger — last year, Liam
won gold in shot put at the state games for the Special Olympics.

“Shriners Children’s has changed the whole trajectory of his life. They are
his heroes.”

With a recent move to their new home in Ohio, Liam’s care journey
continues with the help of his care from across the system — receiving
physical and occupational therapy at Shriners Children’s Ohio while keeping
his orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Lauren Hyer, at Shriners Children’s Greenville.

“One thing I’ve realized at Shriners Children’s is they will find a way, and if
there isn’t one already, they will make it.”

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June 2023

Upcoming Events in Our Realm

ALL EVENT DETAILS CAN BE FOUND ON THE HEJAZ SHRINERS BLAST PAGE

JUN JUL AUG

June 1 Spartanburg Zajeh Ladies
June 3 Greenwood Divan Night – Western
June 3 11th Annual Cove Waterfall Outdoor Degree
June 3 864 Fight Club Pay per View MMA Event
June 3 Chester SC Steak Dinner
June 3 EMPIRE LODGE Spaghetti Supper 5:30p
June 3 Jackson Shrine Club Benefit Ride
June 8 Union Steak Supper 7P
June 8 Golden Strip Shrinettes 7P
June 9 Newberry Country Steak Supper 5-8, $10 pp
June 9 SC/GA Masonic Exchange – Blue Ridge SC
June 10 & 11 Repticon and Animal Trade Show
June 10 Newberry Boat Run
June 10 Great Falls Horseshoe Tournament Noon
June 10 Centere Lodge Car Show
June 11 Rags & Rods Cruise In
June 13 Laurens City Speedway Race
June 16 Cherokee WING NIGHT 6-8
June 16 Jackson SC Cornhole Tourney
June 17 Daughter of the Nile Queens Tea
June 17 Newberry Hillbilly Days
June 17 Rock Hill Caffeine and Gasoline Cruise In
June 17 Directors Staff Fun Run
June 17 Noble Freddie Prince Benefit
June 17 Greenwood Boat Run
June 17 & 18 SE Punk Flea Market
June 20 Woodruff Ladies Group 6:30 Din/7:30 Mtg
June 22 Cherokee Shrine Club Steak Supper 7pm
June 24 York Shrine Club SHAG Night
June 24 Newberry Family Days
June 24 JAMILE Hoe Down
June 26 Daughters of the Nile 6P Din/7P Mtg
June 28 Greenville Southern Belles 6:30P
June 30 Jackson SC $2500 Giveaway
July 1 Chester SC Steak Dinner Aug 3 Spartanburg Zajeh Ladies
July 1 Tri-City Hash Sale Aug 4 & 5 Spartanburg Rodeo
July 4 Spartanburg BBQ Sale Aug 5 Chester SC Steak Dinner
July 6 Spartanburg Zajeh Ladies Aug 5 Great Falls Hillbilly Days
July 6-8 Greenwood Festival of Discovery Aug 10 Golden Strip Shrinettes 7P
July 9 Daughters of the Nile Supreme Queen Visit Aug 8 Woodruff Ladies Group 6:30 Dinner/7:30
July 10 Daughters of the Nile Supreme Queen Meeting
Hospital Visit Aug 12 Old Bag Auction
July 10 Tri-City Hash Sale Aug 13 Greenwood Family Day
July 13 Golden Strip Shrinettes 7P Aug 18 Cherokee WING NIGHT
July 15 Widow Sons Benefit Run Aug 19 FEZAPALOOZA
July 15 Rock Hill Caffeine and Gasoline Cruise In Aug 19 Rock Hill Caffeine and Gasoline Cruise In
July 15 Greenwood Hillbilly Days Aug 19 Spartanburg Benefit Run
July18 Woodruff Ladies Group 6:30 Dinner/7:30 Aug 19 Newberry Charity Bike Run
Meeting Aug 19 Ft Inn Masonic Car Show
July 21 Cherokee WING NIGHT 6-8ti Aug 26 Greenwood Annual Par 3 Golf Tourn
July 22 Great Falls-Kershaw Rolling on the River Aug 26 & 27 Lego Brick Convention
June 22 Build A Bear Workshop Aug30 Greenville Southern Belles 6:30P
July 22 Jackson SC Race at Lancaster Speedway Aug 28 Daughters of the Nile 6P Din/7P Mtg
July 26 3rd QUARTER BUSINESS MEETING
July 26 Greenville Southern Belles 6:30P
Official Call
The Quarterly Business Session of HEJAZ Shriners will be held:
QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING
Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 7:00PM
at Greenville Shrine Club, 119 Beverly Road, Greenville, SC 29609. The purpose of
this meeting is to receive and ballot on petitions and act on temple business.
ATTEST: Gene Parker Yours in the faith –
Illustrious Byron Sheppard
Potentate

SEND YOUR EVENTS TO:

SAVE THE DATE
Sept 9 Greenwood Oyster Roast 6p
Sept 16 Newberry Catfish Tournament
Sept 22 Oktoberfest BINGO
Sept 28 Cherokee SC Fall Quail Supper 7p
Black = Shrine Club Events (Bold TEMPLE)
Maroon = Hospital/Imperial Events
Follow us on FACEBOOK! HEJAZ 2023
October 6 Clays for Kids
October 1-6 Potentate Trip to Costa Rica
Oct 14 Spaghetti Supper/Auction
Nov 4 Clubs & Units Awards Night
PINK = Club Ladies Groups
PURPLE = GSC Event Center Public Events
HejazCommentator@gmail.com
Nov 9 Cherokee SC Rabbit Supper 7p
November 11 Kubota GIVEAWAY
BLUE = Holidays
Green = Daughters of the Nile/LOSNA
Events

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June 2023

Shrine Club Listing

Abbeville Shrine Club Sec: Jeffrey Langley Phone: 864-444-7292
855 Shrine Club Road Treas: Jamie Mitchell Pres: J.T. Smith
Abbeville, SC 29620 Meets: 1st Wednesday VP: Ricky Chapman
Phone: 864-378-3237 Greenville Shrine Club Sec: Wayne Keenan
Pres: Danny Moore 119 Beverly Road Treas: John Hall
Sec: Art Lloyd Greenville, SC 29609 Meets: 4th Monday
Meets: 3rd Monday Phone: 864-244-6200 Saluda Shrine Club
Anderson Red Fez Pres: Todd Scott 1035 Johnston Hwy.
1920 Broadway Lake Road VP: John Brazell Saluda, SC 29138
Anderson, SC 29622 Sec: Jeff McLeroy Phone: 803-960-4743
Phone: 864-760-3488 Treas: Don Tucker Pres: Lewis ”Bart” Cochcroft
Pres: Kenny Slawson Meets: 2nd Wednesday Sec/Treas: David Padgett
VP: Tommy Blackwell Greenwood Shrine Club Meets: 2nd Tuesday
Sec: Matthew Allen 402 Shrine Club Road Spartanburg Shrine Club
Treas: Perry Sutherland Greenwood, SC 29646 1450 Fernwood-Glendale Road
Meets: 4th Tuesday Phone: 864-993-2100 Spartanburg, SC 29307
andersonredfez@gmail.com Pres: Terry Lecroy Phone: 864-583-4879
Blue Ridge Shrine Club VP: Travis Simmons Pres: Wayne Amaker
429 Shrine Club Road Sec: Chad Teague VP: Terry Fowler
Seneca, SC 29679 Treas: Jay Reynolds Sec: Tommy Brashears
Phone: 864-324-1155 Meets: 4th Monday Treas: Gordon Rhinehart
Pres: Greg Bright Jackson Shrine Club Meets: 1st Thursday
VP: Eric Beebe 179 Shrine Moose Drive Tri-City Shrine Club
Sec: Joseph Bryson Lancaster, SC 29721 4047 Shrine Drive
Treas: Robert Walker Phone: 803-287-9326 Honea Path, SC 29654
Meets: 1st Tuesday Pres: Richard Doby Phone: 864-993-2582
Cherokee Shrine Club VP: Grady Usher, Jr Pres: Scott Jones
151 Shrine Club Road Sec: Kevin B. Blackmon VP: Jody Freeman
Gaffney, SC 29340 Treas: Michael “Sarge” Pate Sec: Mark Smith
Phone: 825-421-8418 Meets: 2nd Tuesday Treas: Greg Smith
Pres: Scott White Laurens Shrine Club Meets: 3rd Thursday
Sec: John O’Donald 1156 Shrine Club Rd. Union Shrine Club
Meets: 3rd Thursday Laurens, SC 29360 2731 Lockhart Hwy.
Chesnee Shrine Club Phone: 864-983-2545 Union, SC 29379
198 Shrine Club Road Pres: Mike Ficklin 864-466-7183
Chesnee, SC 29323 VP: Howard Burgess Pres: Jimmie Carter
Chester Shrine Club Treas: Randy Hillman Vice Pres: Johnathan Godfrey
2321 Pressley Road Meets: 1st Tuesday Sec: Dennis Broome
Chester, SC 29706 Mid-City Shrine Club Treas: Richard Denton
Phone: 803-427-8886 1470 Fort Prince Blvd. Meets: Last Monday
Pres: Derrick Plyer Wellford, SC 29385 Woodruff Shrine Club
Sec: Barry Bruce Phone: 864-439-6988 201 Aiken Road
Sec/Treas: Jimmy Larkin Pres: Jabb Owens Woodruff, SC 29388
Meets: 3rd Tuesday VP: Terry Burrell Phone: 864-476-2313
Golden Strip Shrine Club Sec: Brett Moore Pres: Dale Wilson
2567 Whatley Circle Treas: Marshall Jones VP: Danny Ray Satterfield
Mauldin, SC 29662 Meets: 1st Wednesday Sec: Steven Ashley West
Phone: 864-238-9655 Newberry Shrine Club Treas: Cameron Lathlean
Pres: Tim Couch 196 Shrine Club Road Meets: 3rd Tuesday
VP: Paul Goldstein Newberry, SC 29108 York Crescent Shrine Club
Sec: David Williams Phone: 803-944-5104 2065 McConnell’s Hwy
Treas: Tony Crescenzo Pres: Jarrett Waites Rock Hill, SC 29731
Meets: 2nd Thursday VP: Wayne Campbell Phone: 803-242-0468
Great Falls Shrine Club Sec: James Mack Pres: David Harllee
3162 Lingale Acres Treas: James Mack Vice Pres: Dwain McDowell
Great Falls, SC 29055 Meets: 4th Tuesday Sec: Alex Harllee
Phone: 803-209-2518 Pickens Shrine Club Treas: Danny Mitchum
Pres: Joey Langley 831 Griffin Mill Road Meets: 1st Thursday
VP: Bradley Gibson Pickens, SC 29671

7
June 2023

Shrine Unit Listing

WALKING UNITS Gerald Reeves Sec: Mike Rowe
Characters Cell: 864-444-6169 Treas: Wayne Helms
Frank A. Owens Treasurer: Kenneth Lothridge Lil’ Monster Trucks
864-276-7423 Chaplain: Troy Bennette Captain: Nick Anderson
Peanut6066@gmail.com Ronnie Powell 864-832-6525
Hejaz Honor Guard photoggcr@aol.com Lieutenant: Kyle Reece
David C. Newman Provost Guard Sec/Treas: Sid Guiterrez
Cell: 864-706-8175 Bill Owens Motorcycle Escort
Lady11@charter.net 864-243-1779 Captain: Chad Burger
Hejaz Warriors Bjokart2@yahoo.com 864-630-8663
Gordon Rhinehart Lieutenant: Don Gilstrap Sec/Treas: Clark Roach
864-804-8852 Sec/Treas: Jim Strange Sportsmen
Lieutenant: Gene Jordan Ritualistic Divan Steve Leagon
Secretary: Danny Rodgers Justin Thompson 864-492-6426
Treasurer: Tim Sizemore Cell: 864-982-5981 leagonsteve@gmail.com
Abiffhiram284@gmail.com Lieutenant: Jonathan Godfrey
SPECIAL UNITS Asst Director: Heath Burgess Sec: David Phillips
Astro-Nuts Sec: Ricky Chapman Treas: Roger Scruggs
John Brazell Road Runners Rags and Rods
864-616-6416 Gene Parker Jeffrey Pence
john@osborninc.com 864-497-0547 843-995-8396
Lieutenant: Ray Welch Tolare55@gmail.com Hejaz Drifters
Secretary: Scott Banta Secretary: Martin Street Captain: Charles Cleveland
Treasurer: Jerry Milliken Treasurer: Lou Crissone 864-318-0392
Chefs 2nd Thursday EO Month Lieutenant: Tommy Blackwell
K. Mark Smith Temple Staff Sec: Byron Shaw
864-389-2029 Roy Sosebee Treas: Kenny Slawson
Kmarksmith001@gmail.com 864-419-8170
Director's Staff Libbisosebee@att.net
864-303-4919 Wheelchairs
Director: Elmo Gregory Johnny Robinson
Lieutenant: Richie Massey 864-908-0067 Call Sharon at the Temple Office, sign
Secretary: Everette Whitmore Hillbilly Clan #2 Motorcade out the box – sell it and bring back the
Treas: Keith Vaughn Spartanburg money! $2 for World’s Finest and
Hospital Guides Freddie Garrett M&M’s; $3 Pecan Logs
Doyle Hundley 864-680-0636
864-423-8296 Lieutenant: Michael “Omar” Poteat
Lieutenant: Ted Sanders Secretary: Charles Gowen
Sec/Treas: Ed Pool Treasurer: Teddy Edwards
Past Masters Hillbilly Clan #2 Motorcade
Buster Reid Woodruff
864-906-0927 Terrell W. Martin
bussareid@aim.com 864-978-2113
Past Potentates Lieutenant: Richard Thomas
Billy Ackerman Sec/Teas: Marvin Reid
803-924-5871 MOTORIZED UNITS
billyackerman@cs.com Hejaz Looney Toons
Barry Koon, PP Alan Holbert
Sec/Treas: Sherwood Kaiser, PP 864-923-4801
Past Presidents holbertalan@yahoo.com
Ken Wells Hot-Wheels
864-444-1739 Charlie Dixon
Photographers 803-230-7428

8
June 2023
2023 few things that didn’t go right – from the
outside looking in it was a flawless execution!
Spring Tri-Ceremonial

Hejaz-Jamil-Omar
If you are old enough to remember the A-
Team, you are probably familiar with Colonel
John “Hannibal” Smith saying, “I love it when a
plan comes together”. That is EXACTLY what
happened in May at the 2023 Spring Tri-
Ceremonial. This was quite an undertaking for
the three temples and the first time it has been
done in over 10 years. Hours and hours of
planning and assigning tasks resulted in an
awesome display of brotherhood and unity!

As people settled in on Friday, the parking

area, lobby, pool, and beach were abuzz with
Candidates and Shriners anticipating the
weekend activity kick-off party. Jamil Shriners
Chef Unit provided a full-on taco party for all to
enjoy and the Hejaz and Omar DJ’s had the
dance floor rocking. Looking around the room
the intermingling of Temples was a sure
giveaway this was going to be something
special.

In the early morning hours Saturday, Clubs,

Units, Candidates and Leadership lined up to
be a part of Myrtle Beach’s Annual Sun Fun
Festival Parade officially kicking off the
summer season at the beach. As the parade
progressed, it was clear our three Temples had
found the right place to promote our Temples
and our Philanthropy. Our entertaining groups
were so appreciated by the crowd!

Our very own Lady Michelle Sheppard planned

the Ladies Luncheon with guest speakers,
Divan appearances and gifts for every lady
through donations from the three Temples.
Using all her resources and help, she was able
to coordinate an informative and fun program.
Not to mention the food prepared by the Hejaz
Shrine Chef’s Unit was fantastic!

It was then off to the beach for some quick sun

before the Rose and Fez Ceremony that night.
Collectively we had 32 candidates ushered into
the Shrine that night. You could see the pride
of each of them knowing they survived the
Second Section put on by the Hejaz Directors
Staff with our very own Assistant Rabban, Ben
Martin playing a “special” part.

The night didn’t end there. Raffles, 50/50’s

worth over $700 and music and dancing were
all part of the fun. All in all, there were very

9
June 2023

10
June 2023
2023 Spartanburg Rodeo
This AIN’T Our First
Rodeo…. It’s our 2nd!
We are excited that the rodeo is back for its
2nd year! Last August, the rodeo was a huge
success, filling the stands & bringing in over
200 contestants from throughout North
America. Due to its success, proceeds from the
rodeo enabled donations to Shriners
Children's, Hejaz Temple, and the Spartanburg
Shrine Club.
Our 2022 rodeo was nominated for 'Best New
Rodeo' of the International Professional Rodeo
Association and placed in the top 5. Speaking
of awards, at that same awards event in
Oklahoma, our very own Hejaz noble Eugene
Fowler competed and won first place in both
the Comedy and Barrelman competitions. In
case you're wondering, the Barrelman
competition is all about bullfighting & keeping
the riders safe.
Eugene will be back with us in 2023 with that
same award-winning comedy act. The 1928
Ford Model A that he uses in his act has a bit of
Hejaz history. The car was used by Noble &
retired rodeo clown, Charles Poteat in the
Hillbilly Unit, and the original Bums Unit before
it became a rodeo act. Last year, Charlie
performed his act for the final time, publicly
announcing his official retirement during our
rodeo. After the rodeo fans were gone, he
tossed the keys to his protégé with a grin
(maybe a tear) and the words, "You better take
good care of her!" And it seems as though
Eugene has done just that.
notch contestants from all over the US and To get your own website like this
beyond. You can also count on award winning, contact stephen.schram@hejazshriners.com
family friendly entertainment on both Friday & There is a cost to your Club/ Unit, but it is very
Saturday night. low cost and affordable, don't hesitate if you
are interested.
We look forward to seeing all Nobles and their
families on August 4th & 5th, 2023 at 7:30 pm
at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in 2023 Asst. Rabban
Spartanburg. Adult tickets will be $20, kids 4-
Leadership Conference
12 will be $10, and kids 3 & under get in free.
Tonya and I , along with Jimmy Moser attended
Find details on ALL EVENTS at the Assistant Rabban Leadership Seminar in
www.hejazshriners.com/blast Tampa, FL in March. Funded by Kosair for Kids
Send your event details to Charities out of Louisville Ky, this seminar was
blast-managers@hejazshriners.com designed to prepare upcoming leaders (both
husband and wife) for their year as Potentate
Hejaz Communications and Lady. We covered topics such as Financial
Stability, the importance of a 5 yr. plan and
As promised, Hejaz Communications has been
plan transparency for upcoming Divan
evolving over the past few months and we are
members, sustainable fundraising, and events.
proud to say our Hejaz Shrine Family is
adopting all the new avenues of information It was exciting to hear how our philanthropy is
spectacularly! adapting to market conditions and making long
term decisions based on data. Our patient
Our new website www.hejazshriners.com is
count and recognized patient care continues to
under constant review with the EVENTS page
grow and get international acclaim. We’ve
available for larger event information hosting.
expanded our hospitals outreach and we are
Our BLAST emails are getting great reviews for
helping more kids by having outpatient clinics,
being informative and keeping people up to
which in turn drives the costs to treat per child
date on what is going on in our realm.
down! Our hospitals are alive and well and I
If you are an organizer and you want to include have full confidence in the team surrounding
your event in the BLAST then send details such this direction.
as when, where, what, cost, description, a flyer
if you have it and who to contact if the reader
wants more info. Send the email to
✓ blast+managers@hejazshriners.co
m
✓ We will also email a copy of the Table
of Contents each week if you
subscribe here
✓ www.hejazshriners.com/subscribe

And the Traveling Sands Blog keeps

This year, the rodeo promises to be at least as
successful as last year. Treadway Rodeo
Company will return this year to bring their
champion animal athletes and drawing in top
entertaining stories and event pictures
flowing. If you would like to contribute to the
Traveling Sands, don’t be discouraged if you
are not a “writer”. Send in your details/pics
and let one of us write the article for you.
Show off all the great things your club or unit is
doing!
Our next task is to find a way to keep an all-
encompassing calendar more automated. Stay
tuned! And finally, if your club or unit would
like a dedicated website, we have an effortless
way to set that up as part of the Hejaz Shrine
site. Have a look at this one:
https://hotwheels.hejazshriners.com/ .
11
We learned our Temples are a great part of the
Shriners Children’s strategic growth plan and at
the Temple level, we need to continue to focus
on raising money for the hospitals, but also on
recruiting, retaining, and relating to our
membership. Our Nobles are becoming vastly
different in ages. We have men of the “average
Shriner age” (around 70) but also men joining
in their 30’s. We should continue to adapt our
events, communication methods and the way
we do business around these changing
demographics.
June 2023
One of the great parts of a seminar like this is
hearing all the successful Shrine fundraisers
and events shared with us by the other
Temples represented here. As for Tonya - Every
night was filled with all the things she’s learned
about event planning, protocol, mentorship
and how our ladies are the backbone to what
we do. She participated in Lady Judy Burkes,
Do’s and Don’ts Fashion Show…. Look out
ladies – she has some new ideas coming!
Lastly and most importantly, EVERY Shriner is a
Mason. We all took the exact same obligations
at the altar. As Shriners, let us never forget
these obligations to our fellow Shriner/Mason
brothers. We are all on the level and we should
always treat our fellow brothers with dignity
and respect, and especially Brotherly Love. Be
a part of the solution in a way that shows you
are a Mason first and foremost.
-Ben Martin, Assistant Rabban, Hejaz Temple
ROCK ME! 23!
2023 Imperial Session
The 149th Imperial Session is only a few weeks
away! The annual Shriners celebration will be
held July 2-6, in beautiful Charlotte, North
Carolina. There's so much to see and do in
Charlotte, and we hope you have a chance to
explore the city while you're visiting. Learn
more about Charlotte.
We have many great events planned for
Nobles, Ladies and their families to enjoy.
Check out the links below for more information
on how you can participate.
Learn More
All Nobility Evening with Joe Nichols
Award-winning country music artist Joe
Nichols, known for Good Day for
Living and Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,
will perform at the All-Nobility Evening.
Get Tickets
Music, Fun, Games and More at the Public
Opening
Help us kick off the 149th Imperial Session at a
fun, upbeat Public Opening on Sunday, July 2,
at 3 p.m. The event promises to be full of fun
and fellowship and will be the perfect start to
your time in Charlotte.
Showoff Your Skills in the Cornhole
Tournament
Get your team ready for the cornhole
tournament. All Nobles, ladies, friends and
family members are welcome. Proceeds
benefit First Lady JJ Craven's fundraising
program, The World is Your Oyster
Register Your Team
Ladies Luncheon Honoring First Lady JJ Craven
Ladies, join us for a luncheon celebrating our
First Lady JJ Craven and her fundraising
program, The World is Your Oyster.
Get Tickets
The Biggest Shriner Parade of the Year
Whether you are spectating or participating in
the Imperial Parade, you're sure to have a great
time! The parade will be at the zMax Dragway,
and transportation will be provided from
Uptown Charlotte
Register Your Unit Sign Up for Parade
Transportation
Taste the Finest Shrine Taproom Brews at
Brewfest
Members of the International Association of
Shrine Taprooms will be providing their special
home brews for guests to sample. Food trucks
with food, water and soft drinks available for
purchase.
More to experience at the
2023 Imperial Session
• Marketplace
• Shriners Zone
• Membership Summit
• Unit Competitions
View the full schedule of events
Visit ImperialSession.com for all your Session
information and updates!
Remember to check the site regularly for
schedule and event updates.
12
Hejaz Shrine Temple
Imperial Schedule of Events
2023 Unit Competition Schedule
(Imperial Session Attendees are Encouraged to
Attend the Unit Competitions)
Saturday, July 1, 9am, Motor Corps
z-Max Dragway, 6570 Bruton Smith Blvd.
Concord, NC.
Saturday, July 1, 9am-4pm, Clowns
Charlotte Convention Center.
Tuesday, July 4, 11am, SCOTS
Charlotte Convention Center Concourse.
MARKETPLACE
Saturday-Thursday, July 1-6, 9am-6pm;
Shriners Zone, Charlotte Convention Center.
CHURCH SERVICE
Sunday, July 2, 1pm
Charlotte Convention Center, Hall C.
PUBLIC OPENING
Monday-Thursday, July 3-6, 8:30am, Imperial
Session of Shriners International, Charlotte
Convention Center, Hall C
LADIES LUNCHEON
Crown Ballroom.
Online Tickets Available
https://imperialsession.com/2023-ladies-luncheon/
or Call Hejaz Shriners Office for Details
PARADE
Tuesday, July 4, 7:30pm, z-Max Dragway, 6570
Bruton Smith Blvd. Concord, NC
(Hejaz Pre-Registration through Hejaz Shriners
Office. Line-Up 5-7pm).
PAGEANT
Wednesday, July 5, 8:30am,for Incoming
Imperial Potentate, Charlotte Convention
Center, Hall C
ALL NOBILITY EVENING
Wednesday, July 5, 8:30pm, Joe Nichols
Concert, Charlotte Convention Center, Hall C
($25.00 Online Ticket for Each Attendee
https://imperialsession.com/2023-all-nobility-
evening/ Doors Open at 7:00pm)
Hejaz Membership
Update
We have awesome news! For the first quarter
of 2023 Shriners International showed a
positive Membership Growth! As a national
effort, if ALL SHRINERS brought in 457 new
June 2023
Candidates before the end of June, we would
have 2 straight months of POSITIVE GROWTH
in Membership! This is huge!
As we can see from our Tri-Ceremonial, just our
three temples brought in 85 of that
457! South Carolina Shriners Keep Rocking It!!
As far as Hejaz goes, we have a positive
Membership net-growth of 26 Shriners
2023. We need to keep pushing membership,
membership, membership to all that we see.
Illustrious Sir and Trustee Doc Stewart gave us
a great “elevator pitch” for the hospital and
why you would want to become a Shriner at
the Tri-Ceremonial in May, “You need to have
several elevator speeches ready to go: one for
the masons, one for the shrine and one for the
hospitals. This quick pitch should be limited to
30 to 60 seconds – like you are riding from the
Lobby to the 6th floor. I suggest finding a few
things that mean a lot to you as far as statistics.
When you are giving your elevator speech and
there is excitement in your voice, everyone will
want to listen! Do it with passion, clarity, and
focus. You have ONE elevator ride to tell them
about the best fraternity for men and the
World’s Greatest Philanthropy! Make it count!
Direct listeners to the website
www.beashrinernow.com or
www.lovetotherescue.com and exchange
contact information so you can follow up!
That’s how YOU can share OUR story!”
If you have friends that used to be in the
Shrine, let’s reach out bring them back
in. Have an awesome start to the summer and
help us Rock 23.
Temple Projects
Hejaz Shrine Circus
Once again, the Hejaz Circus came to town in
Anderson and Spartanburg this March/April.
Thanks to the Circus Committee and many,
many Nobles and Ladies manning the front
door, backstage as well as the concession and
novelty sales tables, this event went off
without a hitch! There
are not enough words to
say about the dedication
of all the volunteers to
our Temple and to the
event itself except to say
seeing all the smiling
children’s faces and tasting that FRESH Cotton
Candy was payment enough!
Illustrious Sir Byron and Sherwood Kaiser, PP
even donned make up and clown suits as part
of the festivities. (Proof in the Pic Section )
Kubota Raffle
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION @
https://www.hejazshriners.com/kubota-raffle
Kubota Raffle Ticket Sales continue to be a
focus for fundraising for 2023. Potentate
Byron Sheppard has brought us the KUBOTA
RT520 4WD with a Trailer! Tickets are $10
each or $50 for 6-Tickets. The Kubota will be
drawn for at the Greenville Shrine Club on
Saturday, November 11, 2023.
Illustrious sir appointed
Project Chairman, Chris
Crumpton (803-944-2249)
and Assistant Project
Chairman Jason “J-Bo”
Jennings (803-924-8548)
to head up the efforts around coordinating
ticket deliveries, scheduling the Kubota for
events and promoting awareness in the
community! That’s right – this thing is going
MAINSTREAM! So grab you some tickets from
Chris or J-Bo, get the Kubota out to your local
festivals, shopping centers, church functions –
13
anywhere there is a crowd. Chris and Jason
can take care of the details. Contact them
today!
Fezapalooza
The Second Annual Fezapalooza kicks off
August 12 with 12 HOURS of ENTERTAINMENT
for only $20 per ticket!!! The Hejaz Temple
Event Center will host indoor event featuring
SIX bands, cash bar, vendors, snacks and menu
items provided by Lakeview Grill. The festival
starts at Noon and the party is on until 12AM.
Email fezapalooza@hejazshriners.com or call
David Williams for more info or sponsorship.
Clays for Kids
The planning wheels
are turning with the
Clays for Kids
Committee in
anticipation of the
Annual event at
Clinton House. Last
year was a little
“damp” with a hurricane blowing during the
event, but despite the weather a record
amount of money was raised for Shriners
Children’s Greenville! The title sponsor,
Presidio, was so impressed with the event –
they signed up to sponsor the next year on the
spot!
As always, this event requires an incredible
amount of YEAR-ROUND dedication getting the
awesome raffle prizes the event is known for,
orchestrating the teams for the day and
keeping everyone on schedule in order to
enjoy the maximum amount of shooting and
fun in one day!
If you are interested in sponsoring this
incredibly successful event – there are plenty
of opportunities! Clay Cart #2, Refreshment
Cart #3, Boiled peanuts, Entertainment,
Beer/bar/Beverage, Morning Donut and as
always RAFFLE Sponsors are still needed.
Find more information in the flyer on page 5 of
this publication!
Clubs & Units
Greenville Shrine Club
Greenville Shrine Club has been moving and
grooving this spring with events to raise money
for improvements and a remarkable invite that
June 2023
raised awareness for our Temple as well as Mid-City Shrine Club Jackson Shrine Club
provided some incredible fellowship and fun!

Rave reviews came in on the Smoked Bologna

Sandwich raising money for new picnic tables.
The fun had at the St. Patrick’s day parade was
off the chain and all due to a relationship
garnered by Greenville Shrine Club. Ol’ St.
Patrick would have been proud to see Main
Street lined solid with folks cheering on the bag
pipes, many floats, and organizations – one of Say Hello to Colonel Elmo Gregory (Kentucky
which was the Hejaz Temple! Our Shrine Units that is)
showed up and showed OUT with a sea of
green for a good city block. We had over 100
participants in the parade and this event
brought a great deal of positive awareness to
our Temple and our Hospital and more
importantly it promoted unity!

Keep up the good work Greenville Shrine

Club! WE SEE YOU!!

Blue Ridge Shrine Club

Mid-City Shrine Club donates $2k from their

hash sale!
Happy 75th Birthday Billy Hill!

York-Crescent Shrine
Club

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Photo Credit: Van Davis

14
June 2023
Abbeville Shrine Club
GREAT NEWS! Abbeville County Shrine Club is
seeing rebirth! We are inviting all Nobles to
come check us out! Remember you can belong
to more than one Shrine club! And you need
not live in Abbeville County. We have several
Nobles that have recently joined that are
committed to growing membership and
fellowship! We meet on the 3rd Monday of
every month at 7pm. We do not meet in July
or December.
PLEASE JOIN US! We are looking forward to
seeing you!
Fraternally your Brother/Noble,
Peter Narducci 860-601-3765
Art Lloyd 864-378-3237
Woodruff Shrine Club
The Woodruff Shrine Club is continuing to stay
active in the community and raise awareness
for Hejaz Temple and the great work at
Shriners Children’s Greenville! Concerts
featuring The James Radford Band, Rutherford
County Line, a Car Show and the Pit Boss
Smoker giveaway have kept everyone busy
over the past few months for sure!
Stay tuned for our summer events and Nobles
& Ladies please attend our meetings on the 3rd
Tuesday of the Month!
Greenwood Shrine Club
Greetings from the Beautiful Shoreline on Lake
Greenwood! 2023 is flying by! President Terry
LeCroy, Lady Debbie and the fellas in
Greenwood have been busy this spring.
Our 15th Annual Chili Cookoff in Memory of
Noble Aaron Smart on 2/25 was a huge success
again this year. A big thank you to all the cooks,
Shrine Family and community that supported
the event. We had 18 Chili Chefs participate
this year and Mr. Chris Wade and Noble Jason
Crawford were crowned the Chili Kings for
2023. These guys won tasters choice and the
official judging, so you know that was some
good Chili! Nobles Jeremy Davis, Chris Griffin
and Johnny Hanna were the 1st losers (just
kidding), 2nd place , and Noble Travis Costello
and Michelle came in third. A lot of great chilies
were enjoyed by all and over $4000 was raised
to support the club. Great work Travis
Simmons Project Chairman Lady Noel and Lady
Gwen Smart for pulling it all together again, I
can’t wait for next year!
April is a month where Greenwood Shrine Club
does some serious SHINING by hosting the
Burton Center Easter Egg Hunt at the Club.
Past Potentate Joe Scott “Boss Hogg” started
the event in 1986!!! On 4/1 we dyed 150
dozen eggs
and on 4/2
we hosted
150 clients
and support
staff from
the Burton
Center for
Illustrious Sir Joe "Boss Hogg" Scott our 37th
at the 37th Annual Greenwood SC Annual
Burton Center Easter Egg Hunt Easter Egg
Hunt. A special Thanks to the Kiss family who
always help with the event! I bet there were
15 or more of them there this year. And I’m
here to tell you we couldn’t have done it
without them. A big Shout out to DJ Barry
Merrifield who again this year donated his
services and assistance with the event and to
all the Nobles, Ladies and family that helped!!!!
15
After dancing and enjoying a hotdog lunch the
kids picked up every one of those 150 Dozen
Eggs!!!
Our spring Jam Fest Concert to benefit
Shriner’s Hospital was held on 4/29 and over
$1200 was raised for the hospital. Noble Jason
Brooks led the efforts again this year and his
hard work paid off. We were blessed with
great weather and a lot of Great Music. Special
thanks to all the bands who participated Tracie
and Byron, Coronacre Band/Goldman Sauce,
Honky Tonk Revolution, Cody Gurley, and
Magic. The Music flowed on Coker’s Cove and
fun was had by all. Still can’t believe those kids
were swimming this early!!!
By the time this is published we will have had
out 21st Annual Greenwood Shrine Club
Shootout Golf Tournament at Star Fort Golf
Course. Noble Scooter Edmunds Gwd Shrine
Club Resident Golf Pro has been hard at work
again to make this event a great success. We
always have a lot of fun chasing that elusive
little white ball! Another team will get their
name added to the lore of Greenwood Shrine
Club and added to the old Cedar Trophy.
We will also have had the pleasure to host
Potentate Byron Sheppard and Lady Michele
for our western themed Divan Night on 6/2.
I’m sure I will have an update of a lot of fun and
fellowship celebrating all the hard work
Illustrious Sir Byron and his team have done as
well as President LeCroy and Lady Debbie and
the Nobles and Ladies of Greenwood Shrine
Club this year! We love an excuse to have a
Family get together!!!
July 6-8 will bring on the Festival of Discovery
BBQ festival in uptown Greenwood. We have
been fortunate enough to partner with the City
of Greenwood to participate and be able to sell
tickets on our Temple and Club Raffles the last
several years. We park cars and help direct
traffic and spread joy to all the folks we get to
talk to too and the City sets aside a spot at the
event for us. It’s a win-win! If you want to eat
great BBQ, hear great music, and hang out with
a great bunch of Nobles add this event to your
calendar.
7/15 will bring on our annual Hillbilly rite of
passage at the club. Our brothers from the clan
will descend on the backyard to bring flatfoot
Nobles to the Sublime Degree of a Master
Hillbilly. We always have a lot of fun with this
event and love helping our brothers into the
Clan!! By July the bathtub in the back yard is
June 2023
ready for our newly made hillbillies to take last a lifetime if you let it! We invite each of
their yearly bath and wear those new you to come join us in Greenwood we are
storebought overalls! Honor the Cobb!! always looking for new members! Let’s all help
Illustrious Sir Byron and Lady Michelle make
Our Annual Family Day at the club will be 8/13. the slogan “Rise with Me and Rock 2023” one
We will have a day of fun and fellowship at the to remember!!!!. As always until we see you
club to enjoy the backyard and each other! down by the waterfront under the Palms on
Come on out and enjoy it with us!!! August Beautiful Lake Greenwood,,, Happy
26th will also bring on our Annual Par III Golf Shrinning!!!!
Tournament. Noble Scooter Edmunds is Contact Pres: Terry LeCroy 864-993-2100
spearheading the tournament again this year terry.lecroy221@gmail , Sec Chad Teague 864-
at Ware Shoals Golf Club. This is a two-man 980-4886 teague.chad@yahoo.com Tres Jay
tournament and is always a lot of fun. Reynolds 864-554-5716
jreynolds759@gmail.com VP Travis Simmons
September is Oyster Roast Month! Noble 864-323-5140
Jeremy Davis is the head shucker again this tsimmonsusedautoparts@gmail.com 1st VP
year. If you have not had the pleasure to Jason Brooks 864-413-9328 Area Rep Ron
attend this event add it to your calendar. It’s a Staggs 864-980-4886
careered event and Due to our limited parking, ron.staggs2924@gmail.com for additional
we only sell around 350 tickets so get your information on projects and events at
tickets before it sells out! It’s a great night of Greenwood Shrine Club
food, music, and fellowship. Memorials to Shriners
Union County Shrine Club
Children’s
October will bring the fall ceremony to
Greenwood! Noble Jeremy Davis and the fellas
Greenwood Lodge Robert Alan Walters
have been hard at work getting ready for all of
#91 AFM
you guys to come hang out in Greenwood. We
In Honor Of
look forward to helping our New Nobles to
Ned Gregory II John & Monie Bean
come into the greatest Fraternity in the World. Susan Spurgeon David Padgett
Illustrious Sir Byron and Lady Michelle have
dedicated the fall Ceremony in Honor and
Memory of Illustrious Sir Wayne “Uncle
Woody” Bragg who was a big supporter and We do not lose the ones
Chester Shrine Club we love, they only
member of Greenwood Shrine Club and Noble
Aaron Smart a dedicated member and Past go before…
President of Greenwood Shrine Club. Where there is everlasting life, where
sorrow is no more.
Lastly Congratulations to all the nobles that
went through at the beach! It’s a journey that
And there the soul will always live,
you will never regret taking and one that will and peace is everywhere
We do not lose the ones we love God
takes them in his care

Melvin K. Younts
Pickens Co. Shrine Club Les Hodge
W James Martin, Jr
Challenge Coins for Sale! Hoyt L. Bryant
$10 per coin and $5 to ship Thomas P. Clary, Sr
Contact JT Smith! Vernon Jacob Livingston
William L. Medlock
Vernon N. McGaha
Jarrett Steven Masters
Leonard H. Green
Max A. Phillips
William F. Galloway
Edward W. Baier
Dewey O. Glymph
Mark Brashier
16
June 2023
Great Falls Shrine Club Jackson Shrine Club Laurens Shrine Club
Greetings from Flopeye! We completed our
40th anniversary crappie tournament with
huge success!
We had 63
teams compete!
It is hard to
believe one
project was able
to survive 40
years. Thanks to
Nobles Tommy
Henson and
Joey Eudy for
co-chairing for all these years. We raised over
$8500! Thanks for all our sponsorship, the
fishermen, and our members support, without
you this tournament could not have been this

good , y’all and thanks for your generous

support.
Our next event will be our “Rolling on the River
Benefit “ on July 22nd at Sutton’s Landing , due
to our Lake being low and unsafe for travel ,
We will have a one-day event at Sutton’s. It
will be the same format as usual with a $25 per
person entry fee that entitles you to a T-shirt ,
hamburger dinner and a chance to win $400,
$300, $200,and $100 prize drawings. This will
be a Shriners Children’s Project from Great
Falls and Kershaw Shrine Club. We will start
registering at 11:00AM with live entertainment
by J Keith Williamson and the band Diamond in
the Rough playing until 7:00 PM. Come on out
and spend the day with us while we support
our kids!
Tri-City Shrine Club
Thriving in '23! Look at the Tri-City SC
Showing up and Showing OUT! 11 NEW
MEMBERS!
Golden Strip Shrine Club
Golden Strip is the small club packing large
impact in our Temple and in their surrounding
communities. Recently, a few tricks of the
trade were revealed from their leadership and
ladies around how to promote unity and grow
your base outside the Shrine.
Let’s start with unity. Golden Strip conducts all
business in a way that allows topics to be
openly discussed with respect to the floor and
the agenda while promoting advanced
awareness to the participants and the
moderators. This in turn builds respect for one
another’s opinion and allows for business to be
handled and moved forward instead of just

Cherokee Shrine Club

spoken about at meetings. Not to mention

after every monthly meeting the group goes to
dinner with their spouses at a local restaurant!

The Shrinettes use these same principles in

their separate meetings. As a group they were
able to put an idea to the floor, create a plan
around the talents available and produce a

17
June 2023
Temple Project to assist in providing much
needed funds to our Leadership! Let’s hear it
for the LADIES! PS – contact any Shrinette for
tickets to sell at your public facing event!
is successful – we want to hear about it! Let’s
share the knowledge!
With two parades behind us, we are looking
forward to many more down the road.
If you would like more information on the unit
or how to join, call or text Charles Cleveland
(864)-318-0392

Hot Wheels

Newberry Shrine Club

Astronuts
The Astronuts are raising the bar for
fundraisers AGAIN! Offering a Pheasant
Hunting Expedition at Grubers Hunting
Preserve on November 17 & 18, 2023. Tickets
are $5.00 or 5 for $20.00. The trip includes
lodging and meals and is worth over $1000
Another innovation involved the GS Shrine dollars! More info can be found on Hejaz Blast
Club joining the Mauldin Chamber of or by calling John Brazell at 864-616-6416.
Commerce. Why would a shrine club do this?
They are not a business. It costs money and we
Past Masters Unit
are trying to raise money! The Chamber of
Commerce is a great way to connect to
important business owners in the community.
One of these business owners is our very own
Jeff Pence, owner of Rooster Tattoo. In 2023
he suggested the Club join the Mauldin
Chamber of Commerce as a way to raise
awareness and teach local business owners
about the great work of the Shrine. Recently
they were asked to participate in the annual Ritualistic Divan Unit
golf tournament a part of the 19th Tee. Several
Past The Hejaz Ritualistic Unit is looking for new
members took part in fixing beverages, selling
candy and pecan rolls and explaining who and
Potentates members! Do you have an affinity for degree
Unit work? Do you want to have a hand in every
what we do. The networking opportunities Noble’s Initiation? Do you want to be a part of
were numerous, and they made a lot of in the rejuvenation of an integral unit within the
roads with business and individuals that will fraternity? Well look no further!
certainly help the fraternity grow as well as Drifters Unit
support events around the hospital. Several of
the people we met were involved in the city
planning of events as well as opportunities to
participate in in these events. Golden Strip
events are now sent out to the over 2000 non-
shrine emails, there is a spot at the table at
Chamber meetings for GS to speak about
future, and ways they can make a positive
community impact.

These are just a couple of great ideas from a
small club. If your club is doing something that
As a new unit, we are having fun finding our
way and learning to ride. We are proud to have
veteran Nobles join and help us on our journey.
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This Unit is small but has Hejaz Directors Staff Rags and Rods Unit
the potential to be a
huge production and a
true standout at
ceremonials with hard
work and committed
members!
Could that be you!?
Anyone interested please contact

Asst. Dir. H.R.U.- Justin Thompson “Notorious”

(864) 982-5981

2nd Annual
Ritualistic Golf
Tournament
June 4th – 9am

Rolling Green Golf Course

Shotgun Start
CAPTAINS CHOICE $80 per Player, $320/Team
PAYOFF 1st $700; 2nd $400; 3rd $200
Door Prizes, 50/50 and Raffles

Road Runners Unit

REMEMBER
THIS? Shrine Bowl of the
Carolinas
CIRCA 1975
The Shrine Bowl of
Each Shriners Temple has a special unit of
transporters called the Road Runners. For each the Carolinas
trip, they pick up a local child and their family
Hillbilly Clan #2 wrapped up their
and transport them to and from the hospital season with the
for treatment. This unit is a DIFFERENCE Annual Volunteer
MAKER in the patient experience with Shriners Awards Banquet at
Children’s vs. other hospitals. Jamil Shrine Center
this May. Our own
Franky Suttles was confirmed on the board as
Hejaz Warriors Unit 4th Vice President and High Priest and Profit,
Jamie Smith was appointed Game
The Hejaz Warriors are looking for new
members! Join us on the 2nd Weds of the
month at the Spartanburg Shrine Club to see
what our great unit is all about!

Past Masters Unit

The Past Masters Unit needs YOU! Did you
know any Shriner can join the Past Masters
Unit and be a part of the unit putting on degree Chairman for 2024. Longtime contributors of
work? Contact Kenny Slawson for more the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, and
information 864-760-3488.
congratulations to Coach Sam Story, Charles

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June 2023
Britt, and Champ Champion on being accepted
into the Hall of Fame Class of 2022!
unified answer – an elevator “pitch” if you will.
Daughters of the Nile is another way a Shriners
Lady can impact our patient lives through
direct contribution. It is a sisterhood of women
dedicated to bettering ourselves and the world
around us by having fun!
With that said, if you are a member or were a
member, we encourage you to reconnect and
help us grow our sisterhood, contribution to
the hospital and have some fun doing it. Check
out our calendar below and contact us with
your ideas!
Anderson, SC and given a white fez specially
designed by Lady Linda Figler, Grand High
Priestess of the Ladies Oriental Shrine of
America. Several other officers were also
installed in the ceremony. The ladies took
great care to decorate the lodge and make it
inviting for families as well as their Masonic
and Shriner gentlemen.

Al Ansar #117 Calendar

June 17 Queen’s Tea, Ft. Inn
Masonic Lodge
July 9 Supreme Queen Visit, Al
Ansar #117 2pm Ceremony; LOSNA is a group of Lady Shriners that work to
LADIES!! July 10
5pm Banquet
Supreme Queen Hospital
support Shriners Children’s. They host several
fundraisers every year that benefit the children
Visit and the hospitals and are always looking for
August 12 Old Bag Auction ladies to join our shrine court. We thank all the
Sept 29 OKTOBERFEST BINGO Masons and Shriners who support us and
Oct 14 Spaghetti Supper appreciate them very much. The Masons,
Oct 22 Shriners Children’s Shriners, and their wives are always welcome
“Never doubt that a small group of Candidate Visit to come and join us at our open events. We
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the Oct 23 Pecan Orders Due would like very much to have the Ladies as
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever Nov 4 Al Ansar Gown Sale members too.
has.” -Margaret Mead Nov 18 Thanksgiving Bake Sale
Accolades
Al Ansar Temple #117 is on the move in 2023,
trying new things and attracting new members
thanks to renewed interest in our mission and
a rebranding of our message. The St. Patrick’s
Day Corned Beef
Dinner and Bingo
was a hit, and we
are planning a
bigger event for
Oktoberfest!

On July 9th,
Daughters of the Nile received 100/100 Rating
Supreme Queen Vicky Tabor Hill, Merak
from Charity Navigator! Working and Giving
Temple #104, Waco, Texas will visit Al Ansar Noble Ron Staggs and President Terry Lecroy
with Confidence!
#117 during her annual tour. The event will be Present Vickie Fern Mother of Noble Chris Griffin
marked by a special ceremony for our new with a Gold Leaf Award for her dedication and
candidates and a dinner that evening. The support of Greenwood Shrine Club. Thanks For all
following day Temple members will
Ladies of the you do Miss Vickie!!!!!
accompany the Supreme Queen on her visit to Oriental Shrine
Shriners Children’s Greenville along with
representatives from other area Temples in the
Southeast.

And of course, you won’t want to miss our Old

BAG Auction. Last year was a blast and this
year we have some very special prizes!

Speaking of new candidates, so many of our

new candidate wives are asking, “What is the Lady Sue Young was elected as the High
Daughters of the Nile?” and we now have a Priestess for the 2023 of Crescent Court 106 ,
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June 2023
Gatorade Player of the Year Grant of $1,000 to
the hospital.

Green, who has committed to play for Clemson

University, was joined by his parents and The
Clemson Tiger to present the check.

Ron Staggs President 2022 receives his Past

Presidents Plaque from 2023 President Terry Lecroy

Taylors Lodge #345 with a $1100 donation to

Hejaz Temple

Shriners Children’s
Greenville

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – The South

Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year made a
donation to
the Shriners
Children’s
Hospital.

Jarvis Green,
a senior
running back
at Dutch Fork
High School
and a past
participant in the Shrine Bowl donated his

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