Bowers named to top post of Anah Shrine

Tony Bowers
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — They may wear red fezzes and are most commonly known for their annual circus, but the Shriners organization is far more than that.
    And now the Anah Temple Shriners have a local man serving as their leader.
    Tony Bowers of Sherman Mills was recently sworn in as the new potentate for the Anah Temple Shriners, which covers an area from Fort Kent to Lincolnville and Skowhegan. Bowers was initiated with a ceremony in Bangor in January that was attended by more than 300 people.
    “It’s a lot of work and a huge area to cover,” Bowers said. “We have about 3,500 Shriners and our main function is to raise money for the burns and orthopedics hospitals for children. As the years have gone by, I have learned there are actually many people in this area that have been helped by those hospitals.”
    As potentate, Bowers will now be responsible for managing all aspects of the Anah Temple. The Kora Temple governs southern Maine.
    “I need to make sure that everything is running smoothly,” he said. “We have a lot of committees that meet for the various circus performances and parades.”
    Bowers is a member and Past Master of Molunkus Lodge No. 165 of Sherman and a member of Monument Lodge No. 96 of Houlton and the York Rite Bodies. He joined Anah Shriners on June 21, 1986 and is a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Bangor Court No. 150. Bowers was appointed Outer Guard in 2001 by Potentate Guy Chapman.
    The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, more commonly known as Shriners, were established in 1870 as an independent body to the Free Masons. The group changed its name to Shriners International in 2010.
    Shriners are perhaps best known for their work with youth through the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Shrine Circus, which was formed in 1906 and travels to nearly 120 cities per year in the United States, is one of the top fundraisers for the 36 hospitals located around the country.
    The circus remains one of the largest fundraisers for Shriners. This year’s northern event is scheduled for May 3-5 in Presque Isle.
    Parades are another source of revenue and the Anah Temple has 30 units that participate in parades and other events throughout the summer. Shriners driving lobster boats, mini-bikes and go-karts, as well as marching band units are a familiar and popular sight.
    “All patient care is free to children under the age of 18,” Bowers said. “It’s mostly burns and orthopedics, but they also do cleft palate work and rehabilitation work.”
    Bowers estimated there were 900,000 Shriners throughout the country.
    “There are a lot of dedicated people who donate a lot of time and energy,” Bowers said.
    On June 14-16, a ceremonial event will take place in Houlton featuring all members of the Anah Temple converging on the Shiretown. Bowers said the last time a Shrine convention was held in Houlton was 1967, when Herschel McIntosh served as potentate.
    The ceremony is a time when new candidates are considered to become Shriners. Degree work, where candidates explore more about the Shriners, will be held at the Millar Arena. Bowers said he anticipated about 500 people will be coming to Houlton for the conference.
    For more information on Shriners, visit www.anah shriners.com.