River’s Edge hosts Shriners

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Shriners

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The annual gathering of the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club was held in Somerset at the River’s Edge Supper Club on Sept. 12 to elect officers that will lead their organization for the coming year.

President Mike Kastens welcomed the Shriners, including a number of newly initiated members from all over the St. Croix Valley. Secretary Rod Rommel of River Falls briefed the 55 plus Nobles in attendance on last year’s business. Noble Kastens introduced Treasurer Jack Thomas of River Falls who reported on the income at the various fund raising efforts conducted by the club.

Among the events sponsored every year by the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club are the Annual Gun Show, Onions Sales, the Magic Show and the Little East West Shrine Game, which is scheduled this year for Sept. 29 in River Falls.

Doug Hoffman and Dave Vold of River Falls gave a report on the upcoming game and parade. The Oasis, which has become a popular event before each parade and game, will start at 8:30 a.m. at the American Legion in River Falls this year. The parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. and will include the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Homecoming parade. The game between the UW-RF and Oshkosh starts at 2 p.m.

Shriners from all over the valley are seeking sponsorships for this, their major fund raiser, for all Shrine Club fraternal charities, including the Shriners Hospital for Children.

The nominating committee presented their slate of officers, which included returning president, vice president, secretary and treasurer and two new board members, Jeremy Fussy of Baldwin and Milt Helmer of Beldenville.

The evening was made extra special with the appearance of this year’s Zor President Larry Riemenschneider of Amery. President Riemenschneider told the Nobles they should be extremely proud of their activities in the St Croix Valley, saying “St. Croix Valley is considered one of the premier clubs in Zorland.” He said out of the 45 clubs in the state St. Croix Valley ranks in the top four.

Riemenschneider also commented the Zor Roadrunners, under the leadership of Capt. Jerry Wilkens of River Falls, for their fine representation at area parades. In his report, Roadrunners Captain Wilkens reported their unit received a first place of all motorized parade units at Winona’s Steamboat Days and was presented with the People’s Choice Award at the Ellsworth Fire Department Parade.

Riemenschneider said he believes in General Patton’s thinking of being a leader whose is out in the field. In keeping with that, he said he is trying his best to visit as many smaller Masonic lodges in the state to make contact with the front line troops.

It was reported that Noble Bob Hering of Roberts has been instrumental in helping to gather together six barrels of pop tops (over a half at ton) for the Shriners Hospital for Children. The pop tops are cashed in and the funds used to provide wheel chairs for the children at the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Tags: communities, somerset