Greetings my fellow Nobles,

Last month I visited the Abou Saad Shriners in Panama City, Panama. I'm happy to report their membership is doing extremely well and they are working hard to continue their success. During my visit I was fortunate enough to go on a tour of the presidential palace and meet the First Lady of Panama, Marta Martinelli. One of the First Lady's main focuses is decreasing the infant mortality rate, so she was extremely impressed when she learned about the amazing work of our philanthropy.

I also went on a tour of the Panama Canal and came across a plaque from the Osman Temple of St. Paul, Minn. In 1913, the Osman Shriners held a ceremonial at the bottom of the Miraflores Locks of the canal. This was the first ceremonial to be held south of the Rio Grande and below sea level. As a result of this event, the Abou Saad Shriners went on to form their temple.

Actor Lou Ferrigno was on my flight to Nashville, Tenn., as I headed to the International Association of Shrine Motor Corps (IASMC) meeting. At the airport, Mr. Ferrigno appeared a bit surprised when the Al Menah Shriners picked me up in their clown/hillbilly car. Also in attendance during the IASMC business meeting was Imperial Sir Jim Cain. I would like to thank the Al Menah Shriners for hosting the event and I'm definitely looking forward to the IASMC's big competition at Imperial Session in Charlotte!

My next stop was Baltimore to visit with the Boumi Shriners. Joining me on the trip was Past Imperial Potentate Raoul Frevel. While in Baltimore, I went on a tour of the Naval Academy and had the rare opportunity and honor to raise a flag at Fort McHenry. I must say some of the things I have experienced as Imperial Potentate have been quite amazing.

Imperial Sir Frevel and I then went on a road trip to Philadelphia and New York. In Philadelphia I attended the strategic assessment task force meeting, where representatives from both the Philadelphia and Chicago hospitals gave informative and insightful presentations. In Islip, N.Y., I attended the Mid-Atlantic Shrine Association business meeting. I had an enjoyable time meeting Nobles and I would like to thank the Kismet Shriners for their wonderful hospitality.

Later in the month I was invited back to my alma mater, University of Northern Colorado, to be the keynote speaker for the Beta Alpha Psi banquet. Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary fraternity for accounting majors. Dr. Allen McConnell, CPA, who organized the banquet, is my former accounting professor. Oddly enough, Allen's brother is Illustrious Sir James McConnell, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee. Also in attendance at the banquet was my daughter, Lauren, who is a senior at University of Northern Colorado. She is currently majoring in English and does not seem to be in any hurry to switch to accounting.

Finally, I attended the Morocco Shriners ceremonial in Jacksonville, Fla., with my son, Joe. The Morocco Shriners won the Florida temples' membership contest; the Grand Master of Florida, Jim J. Harris, and I agreed to attend the ceremonial of the winning temple.

There were 30 candidates and the initiation featured several skits from the "Second Section." Potentate Luke Baker was able to raise $140 for the health care system by allowing himself to be hit in the face with a pie. The group then passed my fez around and were able to get $1,265 to see the same thing happen to me. I was not overly excited about getting slapped with a pie, but my son was more than willing to do the honors. By the end of the weekend the temple had raised more than $2,000.

The highlight of the trip was the opportunity to put a fez on my son as he officially became a Shriner. It was definitely one of the proudest moments of my life and something I will never forget.

"Remember Why You Became a Shriner!"

Yours in the Faith,
Michael G. Severe
Imperial Potentate
Chairman of the Board of Directors