I didn’t start off the year with a project in mind, it just happened that way. During a hospital tour Lloyd and I decided that any money given to me would go towards the hospital classroom. I will suggest that they purchase a Smartboard as this technology has been around for many years and children are quite used to having one in their classroom. As a teacher, I feel that it is essential if the tools and equipment that children use in the hospital school be the same as they would use in their home school.

Within a couple of weeks we were visiting other clubs across Newfoundland Labrador. The visit to Lewisporte started the ball rolling and I was presented with a donation of $1000.00. Noble William Kennedy suggested that since we did not have to pay for our delicious meal we should “pass the fez” and the money will go towards my project. I was presented with another $340.00. I was feeling blessed with all the kindness and generosity. The next day we headed to Gander where the Gander Shrine Club presented me another $500.00. I was overjoyed!

Upon arrival at home I was quick to learn that Smartboards are being replaced by new technology in Newfoundland Labrador schools. This new technology was what I wanted for the hospital classroom.

Our Summer Ceremonial was hosted by Boot Shrine Club in August. At the banquet on Saturday night, I was presented with $1000.00. Again I was overjoyed with the club’s generosity. A visit to the Long Range Shrine Club in Corner Brook was held in October. There I was presented with $500.00 towards my project. We visited St. John’s Shrine Club, Trinity Conception Shrine Club and Compass Shrine Club where I was presented with $500, $200, and $250 respectively. Again I was overjoyed with their generosity and enthusiasm about my project. In December Lloyd and I, along with Noble Laurence and Lady Helen, visited The Boot Shrine Club for their annual installation of officers. There I gave them a little presentation about my project. At the end of the night one of the Nobles gave me $50 to add to my amount. Then the Boot Shriners decided that they would give me extra money to bring the total to $5000.



On Thursday I will present the last installment at the Hospital Board Meeting in Montreal. Thanks to all of you for making this “accidental project” such a success!

On September 17, 2024, it was the honour and privilege of the Long Range Shrine Club (LRSC) to host nearly 60 Nobles and Ladies of the Arab Shrine Club from Topeka, Kansas, USA.

The current Chief Rabban, Keith Bricker, reached out to Mazol and indicated they would be visiting the City of Corner Brook on a cruise ship on that date and would like to visit with Nobles in NL. At this point, Mazol’s Past Potentate Ill. Sir Paul Rose contacted me and advised of the visit and asked if we could arrange to have someone greet them. 

The Nobles of LRSC (Ian Osmond, President; John Buckingham, Vice-President; Tom Goulding, Treasurer; Joe Sheppard, Director; Shawn Ehler, Candidate; Lodge Corner Brook member Harley Anderson) planned a social and luncheon at Bennett Masonic Hall in Corner Brook for that afternoon.

Much to the delight of visiting Nobles and ladies, the lunch comprised local moose soup, a selection of sandwiches, and a variety of pastries containing local in-season berries.

Following lunch, all Nobles and Ladies were treated to a tour of the Lodge Room and a visit/chat with members of LRSC and one member of Corner Brook Lodge. It was great to meet and fellowship with all the visiting Nobles and Ladies and discuss the subtle differences and similarities between Shrine Clubs from the two areas. The visiting Nobles included members of local Clown units, Shrine Motorcycle units, Parade units, Divan members, and even a Past Grand Master from Kansas.

It was a great pleasure for LRSC to host the group from Kansas, and we were offered a return of hospitality should we ever be in their neck of the woods."

The St. John's Shrine Club Fall Sweep has a different look for 2024. In previous years the Grand Prizes have ranged from new vehicles to Quads and ATVs. This year after much internal discussion it was decided that the Grand Prize would be a Collectible Vehicle. Opinions were mixed on what type of vehicle would have the necessary public appeal to generate the sales necessary to make this annual initiative a success. Illustrious Sir Rolly Card has led this project from the start and was the leading proponent of the Collectible car idea. He met with Hickman Automotive Group to identify a potential vehicle to put up on tickets. It was decided to choose a 2007 Pontiac Solstice, a dark green two-seat convertible. The vehicle was in impeccable condition and was certified by the dealer. Apparently, there were only 700 vehicles in this color produced in 2007. Hence enhancing its collectible appeal.

To date, ticket sales in the Avalon Mall have been very positive and running ahead of previous years. The draw date will be at the Mall on Saturday, December 28^th. Tickets are $10, or 3 for $20.

Did you ever wonder what it’s like to be a first-time patient and family going to Shriners Montreal for an initial appointment? It can be quite intimidating. Fear not, as we are so fortunate to have someone like Audra Smith coordinating their welcome arrival at Trudeau International, accommodations Downtown, transportation to and from the Hospital in addition to other support services as needed Audra has been at our Montreal Hospital for 34 years. For most of that time, she has been Shriners Hospital Co-Ordinator of Patient Transportation and Accommodation. What this involves is allowing every patient the opportunity to experience Shriner’s Magic as soon as they board their flight to Montreal.

Audra works very closely with our Office Manager Karen Finn, once an application is approved, to ensure a seamless and unique experience, tailored to each child’s specific needs and the length of their stay. Prior to travel the family receives a special letter outlining what happens on arrival in Montreal as well as a detailed brochure about the Hospital and its services.

The Connection interviewed Audra earlier this month as it is so obvious that she is a vital cog in the wheel of Hospital support. It is noteworthy that before Audra, her role was performed by a Quebec Social Services officer. Since assuming her position Audra has grown it to where it is today, offering our patients a very smooth, minimal-stress experience. She strives continuously to make things easy for our children and is committed to ever-improving Shriner's “wrap-around” care.

The Nobles of Mazol and our patients greatly appreciate all the help and assistance Audra provides on each and every visit.

Again, this year, the Harold W. Duffett RV Shriners Park (The Park) operating committee was pleased to welcome the Potentate, Ill. Sir Lloyd Collins and other members of the Divan, Chief Rabban Lawrence Pike, Assistant Rabban Bill Kennedy, and Oriental Guide Ted Diamond In the picture below they are shown sitting in the new outside shelter.

The Park looks forward to the Potentate and Divan visit each year, as it coincides with the last big function of the season, Labour Day weekend. The Park is not a club nor a unit of Mazol Temple. It operates as a commercial operation managed by an operating

committee responsible to the Charitable Trust of Mazol Temple. The visit of the Potentate and other members of the Divan is not one of their normal annual club visits as they get to interact with the patrons of The Park. While these patrons of The Park are not Shriners, most of the seasonals of The Park have become great Ambassadors of the Shriners Children’s Hospital Philanthropy and raise money over the years which is donated to the Patient Transportation Fund (PTF).

The weekend started with a successful bake sale at the Rec Center, followed by a Meet and Greet that evening.

On Saturday morning, there was a successful fundraising motorcycle ride by three patrons of The Park. The three motorcycle riders, Sterling Hobbs, Joe Hickey, and Noble Roger

MacDonald rode to Gander and back. While in Gander, they paid a visit to the Gander Shrine Club where they were treated with some refreshments.

The picture below shows the three riders before their ride when one of the patrons of The Park, who is a minister, gave a short blessing for their ride. This is an event that has replaced the annual bike ride of another patron, Wayne Hounsell, who did it for several years as a fundraiser. The motorcycle riders plan to do it next year but with more riders.

While the motorcycle riders were gone on their ride to Gander, there was morning coffee

held at the Rec Hall. Shortly before lunch, the riders returned to a large welcoming group of park patrons who were all ready to have a soup lunch at both the Rec Hall and the Outside Shelter.

The following two pictures show that there was a great turnout for the return of the motorcycle riders and the soup lunch.

On Saturday afternoon some games were open to all patrons and visitors of The Park. Games included shuffleboard, cards, and darts.

Saturday night saw one of the highlights of the weekend when a Music and Skit Show took place. It was coordinated and emceed by a patron of The Park, Doreen Noseworthy, with the help of many volunteers. This was the first year for this event and it is hoped that this show will become an annual event. The following picture is all participants in the show

which was taken during the finale. 

During the show, a cheque presentation (picture below) by Noble Kevin Butt, chair of The Park operating committee, and Paula Cross, Manager of The Park was made to Ill. Sir Lloyd and the other members of the Divan. This cheque represented all donations raised by the patrons of The Park throughout the year and during the events of this weekend. The cheque was in the amount of $13,679.25 (which has grown to over $14,000 by contributions made since Labour Day Weekend). These funds have all been donated to Mazol Shriners for their Patient Transportation Fund. It has become quite evident that The Park has become a place where the general public and in particular the patrons of The Park learn about the great work that Mazol Shriners of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The final event of the weekend was a gospel sing which was held on Sunday morning.

The Park was extremely pleased to welcome Ill. Sir Lloyd and other members of the Divan during this festive weekend. The visit gave them time to relax during their busy schedule while also giving them an opportunity to interact with The Park patrons, who too have

become ambassadors for Mazol Shriners and the shrine children.

Harold W.Duffett Shriners RV park

Nobles and Ladies,

It’s hard to believe another year has gone by in what seems like a flash.

I’m happy to say our ladies have had another productive and busy year. We participated in several profitable craft fairs and held two very successful Teas. These activities allow us to raise funds to donate to our wonderful Shriners children

.

We are looking forward to our annual Children’s Christmas party this month. The looks on their faces when they see Santa warm our hearts and make all our hard work through the year worth every minute.

This has been a year of ups and downs and some uncertainty but in the end, we must always remember that the children are the reason why we will continue to make every effort to do everything we can to help our Shrine kids and to make 2025 a prosperous year for all.

On behalf of the Ladies of the Sabre, I would like to wish you all a Merry

Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Look forward to seeing you all in 2025 at our Annual Installation

Lady Paula Dingle

President, Ladies of the Sabre

My name is Camille and I currently reside in Come by Chance, Newfoundland, Canada. Born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (otherwise known as brittle bones disease), I am 39 years old and was a patient of the Shriners Hospital in Montreal from the age of 12 to 21 years.

Running around and doing typical silly toddler things, I was diagnosed at the age of 2.5 years after a second femur fracture. Throughout my toddler years, I continued to fracture. My orthopedic surgeon at the Janeway Children’s Hospital in Newfoundland advised my parents that a wheelchair would give me more quality of life along with protection from other rambunctious school-aged children.

At the age of 11 I tipped my wheelchair. The impact from this resulted in my right elbow shattering when it hit the pavement and several fractures in my left femur. Surgery repaired my femur - however, my elbow remained severely restricted, regardless of it being pinned together.

In February 1997 my mom called the Shriner’s 1-800 number she had been given, explaining my condition, and asking if I was a candidate. I was accepted for a consultation the following March.

We arrived at the original hospital on Cedar Avenue. Numerous tests were completed shortly after arrival and when we met with the team later in the day to determine if there was any treatment available that could treat my condition they asked, ‘Why is her arm across her chest’. My mom explained that I had a bad fracture the year prior and never regained function as it was so severely broken. The team spoke amongst themselves and quickly advised us that I was a candidate for a new trial drug that was being used to treat Osteogenesis Imperfecta. This treatment has proven to work in some patients to increase bone density.

We left the hospital that day with an appointment and optimism that led us to believe that the function of my right arm would return. The following month, we returned to Montreal where I had surgery to increase my arm mobility and have Pamidronate infusions for the next three days. We wouldn’t know if the treatment proved to provide positive results until the next visit.

Over the next four months, my arm was getting stronger. I could brush my teeth, and the surgery worked. We flew to Montreal for my follow-up appointment I had more energy, slept less, could sit for longer periods, had less bone pain and I was a little more independent. Upon viewing my bone scan we were advised that I had a 60% increase in bone density I continued treatment until the age of 18, until my bone density was in the mid-normal range for my height and size, remaining a Shriners patient until I was 21.

Walking has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, but my muscle mass was never enough to support my body weight. At the age of 24, I started my physio regime. For 6 months I worked on my legs, and before I knew it I was standing.

Fast forward to today – Shriner’s got me on a path that has forever changed my quality of life. Shriner’s has given me independence, freedom, and a lifestyle I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. Today I am no longer wheelchair bound. I walk with the assistance of a cane. I have all but 5% function in my right arm. I can drive. I own my own home. I have a full-time job.

All of this wouldn’t be possible without the Shriner’s organization including all of you who volunteer hours of your time to make a difference in a child’s life, including my own and for that I THANK YOU.