It’s hard to believe how fast time passes. This will be my final mes-sage to all of you as Potentate of Te-bala Shrine. Barbara and I have had a very rewarding and fun filled year, visiting with all the Nobles and their Ladies at all the different Shrine functions and socials, not only at Tebala, but at other Temples and trips out of state. Our most recent trip was a 7 hour drive to Cincinnati Shrine Hospital, a very enjoyable and rewarding trip……”Kids ‘R’ Key”.

 In my messages this past year, I’ve tried to keep everybody up-to-date on events attended, etc. I don’t think there was one message that I didn’t mention the good food we enjoyed at all the Shrine functions and socials. Must be that’s what Shriners do best.

 The Silver Fizz, a tradition for many years, was fantastic! We had an attendance of over 300 guests! The food was great, as always, by Hoffman House, and the entertainment by the Belvidere High School Choraliers, was enjoyed by all. What a wonderful way to get everybody in the Christmas spirit. The Children’s Christmas Party was another success, thanks to the Babcock’s for all their work in planning this special event for the children.

 I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everybody who helped with any of the socials or events this year. I don’t want to name individuals because I might miss somebody, so I’ll just say one big THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY who helped in any way. One or 2 people cannot do it alone, it takes teamwork. You all helped make the events and socials such a success and a great time.

 My Lady Barbara and I say “thank you” for making 2011 a year for both of us to remember the rest of our lives.

 Yours in the Faith,

Bill Robertson, POTENTATE

Chaplain’s Message:

I’ve read many self-help books over the years written by individuals who tell me I can do what I love and the money will follow, or follow my passion and my dream will mysteriously come true. To some extent, that is true. However, they often fail to mention something that EVERY entrepreneur faces, at one point or another, and must be mentioned to have a complete picture of what it takes to live a dream: SACRIFICE.

 Whether an entrepreneur, an artist, or someone simply seeking to give back, there is always the re-quirement of sacrifice

 Many do not want to hear this important truth. But the truth is that if we want to do something new, we must give up something old. If we buy new clothes, we must send some old ones away. This stems from the laws of attraction and life balance. And since living life fully is partly about manifest-ing, it is important to know that manifesting requires sacrifice.

 Yes, we must have our intention. We must have no doubt; or, better, absolute faith. We must not lis-ten to the critics except possibly when the critics are spot-on the money with their advice. But what we must also know is what we will need to give up in order to live out our dreams and live life fully.

 Our willingness to sacrifice is directly related to our desire to move ahead. If we are unwilling to sacrifice then we are not willing to make changes where necessary. We will instead tend to hang on to everything out of fear which results in watching our dreams and goals in life pass us by.

 The spiritual teaching of life instruct us that we must go the extra mile, turn the other cheek, help those less fortunate, practice the golden rule, etc.. When we are walking this path in life we will consistently find ourselves in the right place for opportunities to experience greater happiness and fulfillment to become revealed.

 One of the great things about our fraternaity is we are directly associated with an International Or-ganization committed to helping the less fortunate. Nothing else is more important than this en-deavor. For it is through our efforts that a person who would otherwise not have as good an oppor-tunity to live a blessed life and be a blessing takes place.

 We should never, ever, lose sight of this tremendous blessing. Each individual that you meet in the Shrine, is part of this great endeavor and deserves your personal encouragement and support.

 Choose this day to make certain these individuals know you respect their efforts. That you are proud of their efforts for they are in fact helping you be a better person. It is my prayer that you ex-perience a great year in 2012.

 I am reminded of a wonderful poem that goes something like this. “Wonderful, Wonderful, Fortunate you, This is the year that your dreams come true.” The poem continues on, however I do not remem-ber the rest of it. Suffice it to be that this is your year, this is my year, this is our year to experience the fulfillment of our dreams. May we all have the wisdom to make the proper sacrifices necessary for their fulfillment.

 Blessings

 Your Chaplain

 Rev. Les McClelland

 Wow!    What a great haunted house (Karnival of Karnage) this year.   We had record breaking attendance two different nights with over 1100 each night.   That is fantastic!   Thank you to all who helped make this year’s haunted house such a great success.

 Barbara and I recently had the opportunity to go to the Cincinnati, OH Shrine Hospital.  We met a lot of people and visited with a lot of familiar faces.    Besides a nice dinner on Friday night and a tour of the hospital Saturday, we found out that although the Cincinnati Hospital is well known for their world-class burn care, it is also a recognized leader in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as complex wound conditions.   It was a very informative and educational trip.

 Tebala took in 1 new member at the Fall Ceremonial.   Congratulations to the new Noble, Christopher Owens, Grandson of Jerry Owens.   A very nice dinner, catered by Hoffman House, followed the Ceremonial .  The Ceremonial dinner was combined with the Thank You dinner for everybody who has helped at any of the events this year, and we also gave pins and certificates to 5 of our 50 year members.  Congratulations also to our 50 year members.

 Again, I encourage all Nobles and their families to come out and enjoy the events planned for the rest of the year.   The Silver Fizz will be Sunday, December 4, and the Children’s Christmas party will be Sunday, December 18.  Both of these events will be from 11 AM to 2 PM.   I welcome your attendance and look forward to seeing and talking with you at these events.

 Yours in the Faith,

Bill Robertson, POTENTATE

At this writing, we’re enjoying the nice temperatures of fall with beautiful fall foliage.   I think this is the prettiest fall I’ve seen in a few years.

The first Tebala fish fry was a little different  than any of our other social events.  We had fried and baked cod with all the trimmings served family style, with an ice cream sundae bar for dessert, and the Tebala Klowns performed their magic.   It was a lot of fun.

 The Potentate’s Ball, “Jewels ‘N’ Jeans” was very nice.   We had a  good time with lots of good food prepared by Hoffman House and a good band.  I felt very  honored  to have had  5 Past Potentates from Tebala  attend the Ball.   Thank you, gentlemen, for attending.   Also in attendance  was  the Potentate of Mohammed Shrine, the Mohammed Chief Rabban , the  High Priest & Prophet of Mohammed  and  the Past  Most Worshipful Grand Master of the state of Wisconsin.

October also brings the haunted house, better known as the Karnival of Karnage.  Several  of our Nobles, and a lot of the haunted house actors, put in a lot of time and hard work in building the Karnival of Karnage.   We had good attendance and the weather  was  good.   Greg and his crew did a great job with keeping everybody fed.    Thanks to everybody who helped with the Karnival of Karnage in any way.   It’s teamwork that makes these functions turn out so well.  Should have a report at our November Temple Meeting.

Mark your calendar for the Fall Ceremonial and the Nobility Thank You Dinner, both to be on Saturday, November 19, 2011, with a combined dinner at 12 noon, and the Silver Fizz Brunch to be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011, from 11 AM to 2 PM.   We will have a wonderful buffet and an omelet station, all prepared by Hoffman House.   We’ll have Christmas music and the Belvidere High School Choraliers will entertain us with their beautiful holiday singing!   And don’t forget the Children’s Christmas Party to be held at Tebala Shrine, Sunday, December 18, 2011, for all Nobles’  children and grandchildren.

Again, I encourage all Nobles and their families to come out and enjoy the events we have planned for the rest of the year.  I welcome your attendance and look forward to seeing and talking with you at these events.

Remember    “Kids ‘R’ Key”.

Yours in the Faith,

Bill Robertson, POTENTATE

 “As we continue to improve ourselves in Masonry, we are indeed improving life.  We know from history that without ideals to guide us, the garden of a man’s life will not grow into a place of beauty.”  (Stanley F. Maxwell)

 When I read these words recently I couldn’t help but reflect upon my own journey in masonry and how over the years, through trial and error, sources of encouragement from within our fraternity as well as from the finest lady a man could ever have as a wife I have slowly evolved into the person that I am today.   There is absolutely no way I could go back and express my sincere thanks to all these individuals.   I cannot even remember many of their names let alone their faces.   And yet, I,  as your chaplain am called to reach beyond the ordinary not only as a Mason and Shriner but also as an Ordained Minister.

 I therefore express my appreciation to each member of our great Tebala Shrine Fraternity and our Masonic Fraternity, who has been a source of encouragement here and now in my life.   It is my prayer that we all strive to improve ourselves by following the tenets of our Masonic Fraternity and in so doing we will allow the garden of our life to grow into a place of beauty.

 During the month of December we will all be preparing ourselves to celebrate the holidays of Christmas.   May your days of celebration be filled with great joy and happiness.   May your days of Christmas bring warmth, love, and acceptance.   May your commitment to the tenets of our fraternity and the guidance of the Supreme Ruler of the universe produce great rewards for all those you interact with.

God’s Blessings to one and all,

Happy Holidays

Rev Les McClelland

Chaplain

]Tebala Temple

815-222-7943 Phone

lesmcclelland@comcast.net

November is almost here and I am like the Rabbit saying “I’m Late, I’m Late, for a very important date!”  I cannot believe October is half way over and November looms on the horizon.   I must get better with my time management skills.   I know all of you don’t have that situation to contend with, do you?  (smile)  Truth is we all have to contend with the issue of time.   The fact is God, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe has provided all of us with the same amount and it is up to each of us to utilize it wisely.   This is a gift that has been freely given and must be freely received and valued in order for the intrinsic blessings contained within to be realized.

What does the word GIFT really stand for.  It’s not a very big word however it can mean the world to the recipient.   It does not matter if it is a small act of kindness shown to a neighbor in need or writing a check to one’s favorite charity, it produces a good feeling within.

Wikipedia indicates “A Gift is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return”.  Have you received a gift recently?  Have you given a gift recently?  There are many reasons that gifts are given.  The reasons can run from a sense of gratitude for what has been experienced to fulfilling a previous commitment to someone that is respected.

God has provided all of us with the gift of life.  However, we all have the responsibility of living this life that has been given to us.  According to the scriptures we are instructed to be fruitful.   From my perspective that means I have been given the authority to live my life in a manner that is beneficial to others.   The more I achieve this lofty goal the greater joy and happiness I am blessed in experiencing.

Since this is November, let me introduce you to the tremendous opportunity we all have of experiencing increased joy and happiness this month.   This opportunity is presented to us through the act of “Truly being Thankful”.   No matter what we are confronted with in life we have reason to be Thankful!.   If one would simply take a moment to list all the reasons for being “Thankful” it could fill a ream of paper.  The reasons could range from something like “eye-sight” to “hearing” to “feeling (such as experiencing love, joy, happiness” or being mobile (meaning able to walk on your own) ”, having memory, empathy, etc., etc., etc..  I trust you get the picture.   You will notice that I have included something that you might have been expecting to see like “money”.  Money, in and of itself, cannot provide any of us with the gift that makes life worth living.   It’s intrinsic value is determined by what the rest of the considers its value to be.   That value will by its very nature constantly vacillate.   The real blessings in life occur when one taps into the spiritual realm of living and connects with the source of all life and allows that awareness to find expression through our actions with whatever resources we might have at hand.

It is my prayer that in this month of November we all remember some of the reasons we have to be thankful.   These reasons will not have anything to do with a football game, a baseball game, employment or lack thereof.   It will be more reflective of knowing you have been provided with the “Breath of Life” that makes everything else possible.

May God’s Blessings Bless You beyond measure,

Your Chaplain

Rev. Les Mcclelland

Here’s hoping Santa doesn’t take a shovel to the reindeer stalls to fill your stocking!

 “Tis the season to be jolly, so let’s start it off with the Silver Fizz!  Next up will be the Kids’ Christmas party.  Get those little ones signed up soon!  Before you know it, you will be ringing in the New Year with a new Chief Aide!  Give him the same support you gave to me!

  Remember, if you choose to arrange it – the World, You can change it! 

 May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off of your thighs!

 I hate to admit it publicly, but on a recent trip to Hayward, Wisconsin, I was outfished by the Potentate.  Must have been beginner’s luck!  My year as Chief Aide is rapidly coming to an end, but there are still important dates coming up.  There is the Scottish Rite Reunion and the Fall Ceremonial.  If you have any candidates in mind, please get them signed up.  One of my favorites is the Silver Fizz on the 4^th of December.  Bring your family and friends for a really great time.

 I can’t thank all the Nobles and Ladies personally, but please know that your time and talents are truly appreciated.

Remember, if you choose to arrange it – the World, You can change it!