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Potentate' s Message
First of all, I'd like to thank you all for electing me as your Potentate at the June meeting. The circumstances were unexpected, but I will strive to serve the Shrine and Nobles and move forward with your continued support.
July was a busy month. On July 4th, the Motor Patrol participated in Columbia's Parade, along with PP Vic Fettig, who invited me to ride in the side car of his beautiful motorcycle. They day was hot, but we had a great time!
On July 11, the Motor Patrol participated in the East Hampton's Old Home Days parade, with Charles "Chip" Seagrave driving Noble Dave Fraser and Hospital Transportation Director Jack Adler in his beautiful classic convertible.
I then traveled to Tampa with Recorder Eric Pogg,PP, Chief Rabban Dave Rutter & Lady Sara for the 2026 Imperial Session. I was honored to install PP Weston Bedore as President of IASMC at their Installation dinner at Imperial.
We had our Sphinx America 250 Picnic July 25. 27 nobles and family joined us for great food and fellowship. Ill. Sir Rick White, PP won the special raffle of a Betsy Ross American Flag afghan made by Barbara Rioux and Joy White won a cooler bag. Ill. Sir White & Joy were lucky! The other raffles were a crochet camel, a small Fezzy Bear and a condiment set. Thanks to the donors of raffle prizes.
We had great weather and we really enjoyed the day. I want to thank CR Dave Rutter and his Lady Sara along with AR Marvin Troelsen and Eric Pogg, PP for all their help with this event.
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New Imperial Potentate
Lawrence J. "Larry" Leib, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, was elected Imperial Potentate, part of the 13-member body that helps govern the Shriners fraternity, during the Shriners 2026 Imperial Session held July 12-16 in Tampa, Florida.
As Imperial Potentate, Leib is focused on strengthening temples, growing membership and ensuring that every member understands the value of belonging to the fraternity. He believes the path forward begins with brotherly love - checking in on one another, mentoring new members, welcoming families and building relationships that extend beyond meetings and events. He also believes Shriners should proudly share the story of who they are and what they do, serving as ambassadors for a fraternity and philanthropy that change lives every day.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Leib grew up in a family where service to others was simply a way of life. Family remains the foundation of Leib's life. His children, Caitlin, 24, and Jenner, 22, are among his greatest sources of pride, and he credits family with helping him maintain perspective throughout his career and years of volunteer leadership. He is also supported by his Lady, Debbie Binder. To Leib, the Shriners fraternity is an extension of the family unit - a brotherhood built on friendship, support and a shared commitment to the fraternity's core principles.
Congratulations Imperial Sir!
| Per Capita Tax Increase approved | One of the items voted on and approved at the 2026 Imperial Session was an amendment to the Imperial Bylaws regarding the Per Capita Tax (PC). The Amendment is as follows: | Here is the calculation explanation: | |
Sphinx 2027 Dues will reflect the $4 PC Tax increase, so your total Sphinx 2027 Dues will be $134. The Temple part of your dues did NOT increase this year
You can avoid the PC Tax increase and any future increases in the Per Capita Tax by purchasing a Per Capital Tax Life Membership (PCLM) before December 31. The cost of the PCLM is currently $1,500, it will increase after December 31 to $1,620.
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Shriners Children's New England | | |
"We came to Shriners Children’s because we wanted Abby to be treated by people who understood both the medical side and the human side of cleft care."
Amanda, mother of Shriners Children's New England Patient
During pregnancy, Abby’s mom, Amanda, had an ultrasound that revealed she would be born with a cleft lip and palate. A cleft lip occurs when the upper lip does not properly form as the fetus develops in the womb. A newborn’s smile will have an opening that may extend into their nose. Similarly, a cleft palate occurs when the tissues that form the roof of the mouth don’t join together before birth.
Abby became a patient at Shriners Children’s New England when she was just 12 days old and had surgery to repair her cleft lip at three months old.
To see the full story >>>>click here
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Shriners Children's New England's Cheers for Children Event
Tickets now on sale
Click on picture or HERE
| Click the image below for sponsorship form | | Shriners Children's Boston | | |
"Know that you are not alone; you have an entire team with you. We were overwhelmed, but they were not."
Andrew, parent of Shriners Children's Boston patient
Andrew and Ellen learned their daughter Dottie would be born with a cleft lip, and possibly a cleft palate, during their 20-week anatomy scan. Clinicians recommended a fetal MRI for more detailed imaging and gave the family a list of facilities for the additional testing. Ellen and Andrew called every place on the list to get the procedure scheduled quickly. They heard back first from Mass General, where Ellen had the MRI. While at Mass General, the family also learned about the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, a collaborative program in partnership with Shriners Children’s Boston.
“After the MRI results were in, we met the rest of the craniofacial team, including Dr. Ranganathan and after that, it was an easy decision to bring Dottie to Shriners Children’s Boston for care once she was born,” Ellen said.
To see the full story, >>click here.
| | | Join us for the 7th Annual Boston Haunted Walk at The Garden at Elm Bank in Wellesley, MA, on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Our family-friendly walk and fall festival benefits pediatric burn care, reconstructive plastic surgery, and cleft lip and palate care provided at Shriners Children’s Boston, regardless of families’ ability to pay or insurance status. | | Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars | | |
Buffalo Wild Wings Fundraiser
August 12 - Enfield CT
Mid-Atlantic Shrine Association Fall Meeting - Virginia Beach, VA -
September 10-13
Shriners Children's New England Cheers for Children
October 16 - MGM Springfield
Shriners Children's Boston Haunted Walk
October 18 - Boston
Trunk or Treat - Shriners Children's New England, Springfield
October 30
Sphinx Chief Rabban's Night
November 7 - Warren Lodge, Portland
Sphinx Remembrance Sunday
November 15 - Scottish Rite, Newington
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Have you joined a Sphinx Club?
Sphinx clubs are a great way to get together with Sphinx Nobles and ladies for fun and fellowship and to bring in Masons that may be interested in becoming a Shriner.
We currently have three Clubs:
Kaaban Club, which meets on the first Monday of the month at East Side Eatery in Wolcott. Contact Jay Anthony - jay.anthonyFD@yahoo.com to get on the email list or get more details.
Caravan Club, which meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Athenian Diner in Middletown. Contact Bill Field - bcdfield@aol.com to get more details.
Bedouin Club, which meeting on the fourth Monday of the month at the Groton Townhouse Restaurant in Groton. Contact Marvin Troelsen - marvin_troll@hotmail.com to get more details.
These three clubs cover Western, Eastern and Central parts of our jurisdiction. We are working to re-establish the Northeast Shrine Club. If you are interested in being part of the Northeast Shrine Club, please contact Ill. Sir Joe Piatti at piatti.joe@yahoo.com.
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Sphinx Hospital Transportation News
We are looking for drivers & Ride Alongs to transport Connecticut patients to Shriners Children's New England (Springfield) or Shriners Children's Boston. Drivers leave from Newington, pick up the child and parent/guardian at their home, transport to Shriners Children's and then return them home. Some trips take the better part of a day to complete. Please consider volunteering for this very important job.
Contact Jack Adler at j.adler173@gmail.com
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Sphinx Shriners Caravan Club
The Caravan Shrine Club is a social club open to all Shriners. We also welcome the members' Ladies, as well as the widows of Shriners.
The Caravan Club meets on the Second Wednesday of the month, except July & December at the Athenian Diner II, 864 Washington St., Middletown.
Attendees order off the menu and pay for themselves.
For more information, click here to email Bill Field, President
| | Masonic / Appendant Related Events | | |
Daughters of the Nile
Aisha Chapter
All events take place at Unity Lodge #148, 10 Mason Dr., New Britain
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