Monday December 6, 2010

If they say you are only as good as your latest project, I want you to know that the Shriners are GOOD, REAL GOOD!!!!!!!!

The Annual Shriners Holiday Party was held on Saturday at the Shrine Center. Over 320 Nobles, wives, family and friends were in attendance, and I could not be happier over the results. The entire team that worked hard the last several months created a unique event, held in our own home and set the bar for future events. I congratulate them all, especially my wife, Carrie, who envisioned an event and made it a reality.

The Holiday Party is usually the last event of the year, but thankfully we continue with the Shriners Festival of Lights, which is getting more popular every evening.

We are now one week away from the Annual Election of Officers, next Monday the Nobility will choose their leaders for the ensuing year. How important is it to elect a slate of officers that have committed themselves to be unselfish and work as a team for the betterment of our Shrine. I trust that our nobility has seen what teamwork accomplished this year and realize the importance of a cohesive group of men. I look forward to see our future set, and confident of the results.

This week remains busy. This evening I will be attending the Director's Staff X-Mas Party at the Shrine Center.

Tuesday afternoon will see a couple of meetings in the evening.

Wednesday: I have been invited to join the Past Potentates in their annual dinner, perhaps they will see it themselves to "vote" me into their august group.

Thursday and Friday are currently free, can you believe that.

However, Saturday is busy with two Lodge Installations that I will attend, one at Walled Lake Lodge, followed by Utica-Macomb Lodge. Two active Shriners are being installed as Worshipful Masters of these lodges, and I wanted to be able to support the beginning of their terms as Master.

Some Good News: The University of Michigan Wolverines Football Program are celebrating their return to a New Year's Day Bowl Game. The Mississippi State Bulldogs is our challenger in the Gator Bowl and I like the match up. I hate to see our fan base so divided about the future of our program, however, I am a believer in Rich Rod's vision and to finish the year with 8 wins and a bowl victory will alleviate some concerns. GO BLUE!!!!

I usually do not speak about other programs that I do not follow, however, I have to say that I believe that the Michigan State University Spartans were unfairly eliminated from participating in a BCS bowl game. They will settle with a match up against a coach who last took them past 10 wins, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide (ROLL TIDE!!!!). I am a fan of Saban and his success and have always been a fan of the Tide, so I am picking Alabama, because I believe that they are a better team.

However, is it not great to see three Big 10 teams in the BCS top 10 poll. I really beleive that the Big 10 can match up with any SEC team, the so-called elite conference in the NCAA. I am looking forward to the bowl games, there seems to be some real good match ups, but I still steadfast in my belief that a playoff system works better. Can anyone legitimilly argue that an unranked University of Connecticut football program deserve to be in a BCS game, are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!

Here is to a good week.