Firemans Christmas - Cahaba Shrine Center

Cahaba Shrine Center provided the Huntsville Fire Department the use of the center for their annual Fireman's Christmas party that supports handicapped children and adults each year. Also supporting the event each year are the Cahaba Shrine Buffoon unit. Picture here are Skeeter (Bill Claus), Patches (George Pipes), Mayor Tommy Battle, Chi Chi (James Szeredy), Sam the Patriot (James Brakefield), and Oreo (Roy Wilkerson).

Patches with one of the many children who attended this event. I think it's fantastic that the fire department provides such a community service as this, let alone all the selfless dedication they provide on a daily basis to all of us under their care. It was also great to see the Mayor in attendance and intermingling with everyone there. I'm sure he is terribly busy with running the local government, for him to take time out of his schedule to participate speaks volumes about his character and dedication to the community.

  
   
Oreo and Sam the Patriot doing balloon art. This was the first time Sam the Patriot attempted to tie balloons and under Oreo's tutelage he was tying swords and hats for many of the kids. I need to work with him on his clown name - it;s almost too long to type!



  
Skeeter with one of his many admirers. Just look at that little girl admiring this fine Joey!



And lastly, here is my good friend and traveling companion Chi Chi providing "I hugged a clown" stickers to anyone and everyone that came near enough to get a hug from him.Chi Chi came to Cahaba from a clown unit in El Paso Texas and we are proud to call him a member of our small alley here in Huntsville.

Much thanks to our unofficial photographer Cricket (Regina) who I may have to give a raise in pay if she continues to take such good pictures as these and the remainder that can be found at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/cahaba12/FiremansChristmasParty

 



Huntsville Christmas Parade

This morning Cahaba Shrine participated in the annual Huntsville Alabama Christmas Parade. Representatives of the Motor Corp and Clown Unit, along with Potentate Ill Sir Charles Beck arrived this morning at 11:00 and the parade started promptly at 12:00.

Chi Chi, Sam the Patriot, U.S. Coast Guard Panda Bear, Patches, and unidentified Coast Guard individual pose for pictures during the parade lineup. It sure was cold this morning!

Patches bumping noses with one of the more intelligent participants at the Huntsville Christmas Parade. This Blood Hound was very Clown Friendly and really wanted to join the unit but he didn't have a current dues card so Imperial rules didn't allow us to take him. So sad! 

Here's a few pictures of our Motor Corp Unit. They had a ball in the parade doing all sorts of drills and entertaining the public with the precision that is reflected in the many trophies they have won at Dixie and Southeastern conventions.

Here come the clowns! Patches, Chi Chi, and Oreo taking the clown cart for a ride. The parade was about a three mile trek and while we all walked and entertained the many children along the way with our clown antics it was nice to be able to take a periodic break and become motorized.

Here comes Smokey in one of the best looking prowlers you'll ever lay your eyes on. These little cars can really scoot around and Smokey has a special talent for taking out unsuspecting clowns who make the error of getting to close to his figure eight drills. Sure is a good thing he graduated from the motor cycles to the car! :)

And one final picture that says it all. This is really what it's about for Shriners and most especially Shrine Clowns. This little lady came running and gave this old clown a very large hug. A great finish to a very satisfying day in Huntsville Alabama!

Additional pictures of this event can be found at the following:


http://picasaweb.google.com/cahaba12/HuntsvilleChristmasParade#

First Time Makeup Class

James (Sam the Patriot) Breakfield had his first makeup session with Patches, Bubbles, and Skeeter last Friday night (December 3rd) prior to our officer election meeting. James is from Hartsel Alabama and one of the most recent additions to our Cahaba Shrine Buffoon Unit.



Oneonta Christmas Parade

Last night Chi Chi,, Cricket, and Patches made the long trip to Oneonta Alabama from Hazel Green and met with our Cahaba clowns at the annual Oneonta Christmas parade. Oneonta is almost a two hour drive from where we live but it's one of the best parades on our calendar and we always look forward to attending.

The above photograph includes James Szeredy (Chi Chi), Dennis Thomas (Buggsy), and Patches. Unfortunately Mitch Adams (Smooch) was off gallivanting with the children and not available when our shutterbug expert Cricket took the photo.

After the parade most of the Cahaba attendees met at a local garage and had a fantastic feast including sandwiches, chili, and refreshments. This has become a tradition at the Oneonta parade and the fellowship is something we look forward to every year. It's what makes this parade special in our minds and hearts.

Tomorrow night we have our election of officers at Cahaba Shrine with their investment into those offices in January. Here's a picture of our current Potentate Ill Sir Charles Beck along with two overstuffed clowns at the post parade feast. Notice the guy on the left looks like he might have eaten a bit much!

It;s always cold at the Oneonta Parade so we look for all sorts of ways to stay warm. Pictured above are three of our Cahaba ladies (Dyann Newby, Bobbie Robertson, and Marcia Burns) attempting to keep this old clown from running back to the car heater! I should have taken this picture and made Cricket (Regina) get in this picture but I'm such a ham!!!
We have a whole string of events coming up over the next few weeks so stay tuned and check into my blog for new pictures, hopefully reflecting other clowns and participants. Saturday we have parades scheduled for Huntsville, Ardmore, Bridgeport, Stevenson, Hollywood, Shefield, and Grant. We will also have the annual Fireman's Christmas event on Sunday.

Here's location of these and other pictures from the Oneonta Parade:

http://picasaweb.google.com/cahaba12/OneontaChristmas#

St. Jude Give Thanks 5K Walk

Today we got to play with all the kids, young and old, in the Saint Jude 5K walk. Those in attendance included Chi Chi (Jim Szeredy), Checkers (James Robinson), Oreo (Roy Wilkerson), and Patches (me). Accompanying this motley crew was our trusty unofficial photographer Cricket (Regina). We had a great time entertaining the children as can be seen in the attached photo's.

For more Photo's click on the following: http://picasaweb.google.com/cahaba12/SaintJudeWalk#

St. Jude Give Thanks 5K Walk

This Saturday, November 20, 2010 volunteers will again be enaged in the St. Jude 5k walk at Huntsville Madison Square Mall. Contestants will begin registering at 7:00 a.m. at the food court entrance with the walk scheduled to start at 8:30 and closing, awards and recognition ceremony scheduled for 9:30. All activities will be concluded by 10:00 a.m. when the Mall officially opens.

I did this event last year solo but this year it looks like we will have a few more clowns in attendance to meet and greet the walkers and volunteers. Should you have any questions about the schedule, participation, or St. Jude in general contact the following:

Judith Londene

Alabama State Council ESA

St. Jude, Sr., Coordinator

H: 256-851-0791  C: 256-361-3476

Veterans Day Parade

Today the Buffoon Clown Unit of Cahaba Shrine Center were joined by other Nobles from Cahaba Shrine along with thousands of other like minded individuals to celebrate the contributions made by our veterans from the past all the way through the current era. This was a very well attended civic event that reflected the patriotism that is still alive and well in our fine country. What a thrill it was to participate.

http://picasaweb.google.com/cahaba12/VeteransDayParade#