 Highlanders — Bangor, Maine
2006 Officers
Ernie Smith, President
Brent Kelley, Vice President
Cliff Wells, Secretary
Lance Trundy, Treasurer
Wayne Giffard, Quartermaster
Mike Murphy, Director At Large
Jim Gillan, Reporter
W.Tom Sawyer, Drum Major
Paul Hazard, Pipe Major
Wayne Giffard, Drum Sergeant
Dick Trott, Pipe Sergeant
Lance Trundy, Drum Corporal
Eric Doak, Pipe Corporal
W. Tom Sawyer, Divan Representative
Unit Members
Al Baker,
Eric Doak,
Dick Findlay,
Mike Grant,
Ken Hall,
Paul Hazard,
Mike Murphy,
Tom Seymour,
Brian Smith,
Ernie Smith,
Dick Trott,
Cliff Wells,
Wayne Giffard,
Brent Kelley,
Lance Trundy
Link to Anah Highlanders website Click here
Monthly Column
James Gillan - Reporter
December already! Another year gone by and as I sit looking at the title, "The Highlanders", I am struck with the thought that the title doesn't really tell who we are. So I am going to change my usual format and address that thought.
First and foremost we are Masons, second we are Shriners, and third we are the Anah Shrine Highlanders, which are made up of pipers, drummers and a drum major. This begs the question how does our piping and drumming complement the fact that we are Masons and Shriners? I think that a review of our year's activities should answer that question.
First and foremost we started off in December with a concert to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. As always we are introduced as the Anah Shrine Highlanders. (No mistaking who we represent). The concert was held at the Brewer Super Walmart. Next on the agenda was the Black Camel Ceremony at the January Ceremonial. This is probably the most moving thing that we do, and something we feel is our duty.
In February we again did a concert for the Children's Miracle Network, this time at the Brewer Auditorium. We feel these concerts are important not only to the children who benefit from the program but for us to let the public know that as Masons and Shriners, We Care!!!!
March was busy, but all in one day. On St. Patrick's Day we arose early to be at WABI-TV studios for 4:00 AM. We appeared on the morning news starting at 5:00AM. This afforded us the opportunity to talk about the Orthopedic and Burns hospitals and to tell about the upcoming screening clinic. (When the clinic was held WABI did a small feature on it). We followed the TV appearance with a concert at Woodland Convalescent Home in Brewer. The guests at the home are well aware of who we are and what we stand for. We closed out the evening with appearances at the Sea Dog and Geaghan's in Bangor. It is surprising how many people approach us at these appearances and ask about joining our unit. In the past this has led to new members. After March we got into our graduation and parade schedule. We conducted graduates at both Husson College and College of the Atlantic.
Our parade schedule for the summer has already been noted in previous Anahgrams, but the June Ceremonial and the Northeast Field Days are worth mentioning again as these are two things we feel are our duty.
Sandwiched in between these things were the wedding of the daughter of our base drummer, the Shrine Trot, the Fredericton NB, Canada, Highland Games and the Maine Highland Games. Once again we are properly introduced at the latter and gain valuable exposure for Masonry and the Shrine.
Before, after, and in between, the above-listed events we practiced on Sundays when we didn't have a parade or concert the previous day. Practice times are 3:00PM until 8:00PM. The practice ensures that we are proficient enough to represent the Shrine in the community and strengthen our ties as brother Masons and Shriners. Also, in the past few years we have had five new pipers join us that also were Entered, Passed, Raised, and became Shriners. Two of these brothers now serve as officers in their lodge. We raised all five plus the son of one of our members.
So that is who we are and also what we do. And to borrow a phrase that we have all heard.
"May We Ever Walk and Act As Such"
Merry Christmas to you all!
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