Anah Shriners have a blast in Houlton

HOULTON, Maine — A plethora of clowns, life-sized cartoon characters and of course go-karts were front and center Saturday as Anah Temple Shriners held a parade through the heart of Houlton as part of the Shriners’ three-day Ceremonial Weekend June 14-16.
    According to Tony Bowers, potentate for the Anah Temple Shriners unit, the weekend was a rousing success, with members from throughout the state coming to Houlton. The ceremony is a time when new candidates are considered to become Shriners. Degree work, where candidates explored more about the fraternal organization, was held at the Millar Arena.
Bowers said he estimated nearly 500 members came to Houlton for the conference. The group served just over 275 meals Friday evening and 420 Saturday evening. Many Shriners camped out at the Houlton Community Park fairgrounds, but local motels also benefited from the event.
“I can’t thank the town of Houlton enough for all that it did for the Anah Temple Shriners,” Bowers said. “From Thursday night thru Sunday morning, the Houlton and greater Houlton townspeople came out in droves, which I knew would happen as people here really come out and support these functions in this area. Some Shrine parades don’t get a third of the support we had.”
Bowers said the last time a Shrine convention was held in Houlton was 1967, when Herschel McIntosh served as potentate. Businesses also showed their support for the group.
“The merchants really supported us by helping in any way possible, by donating many items for door prizes,” he said. “The Shriners really appreciated the banners welcoming us to Houlton and the warm friendly reception that all received from the local people. Houlton should be very proud of itself for looking as good as it does and for its always having the welcome mat out.”
He also thanked Bernie Reece, director of the Millar Civic Center, for his help in making the event happen.
“Many Shriners thought he lived at the arena as he was always there and took care of any and all situations very fast,” Bowers said. “There are many people that helped put this weekend together for us and we thank you all. The Shriners really enjoyed Houlton and will be back again.”
Bowers also noted Karen Keber, owner of Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe, generously donated 200 candy fezzes to give to the Shriners. Numerous businesses also donated gift certificates to use for prizes.
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 Temple Shriners on June 21, 1986 and is a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Bangor Court No. 150. Potentate Guy Chapman appointed Bowers to the rank of Outer Guard in 2001.
He was named the Anah Shriner’s Illustrious Potentate, the group’s highest-ranking position, on Jan. 21. The Anah Temple Shriners cover an area from Fort Kent to Lincolnville and Skowhegan.
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, and is an event Bowers looks forward to every year as he gets to dress in his clown alter ego “Toe Tag.”