Ismailia Shriners

This will be my last Smile article as potentate and I really need to thank everyone who has helped me this year. All your support means the world to Lady Suzanne and me. This year has really flown by and I have enjoyed my time as potentate of Ismailia. My motto this year was “more in 24” and I would like to say that I think we accomplished that.

This year we have had more family involvement, more fun, helped more kids both in our area, as well as other areas of NY, by helping more temples with their transportation funds. Last week we had our fall ceremonial, and we welcomed A.J Bienias, Brad Terwilliger, and John McCauley, so when you see these three and their families around the Shrine,
please make them feel welcome. The Feztival of Trees is about to kick off this weekend and I look forward to a very successful fundraiser. Our family Christmas party is December 14 – please get your kids’ and grandkids’ names and dates of birth into the office soon so we can make sure that Santa has a gift for them.

The Election of officers will be held on December 11 and I would like to wish all those running the best of luck and thank them for stepping up to lead our organization into the future. I believe our future looks bright and is in good and capable hands and I look forward to furthering my Shrine journey as a member of the board of governors @ the Springfield Clinic starting in January.

I really need to thank my Lady Suzanne and my son Joseph for all their love and support this year. Without them it would not have been possible to do any of what we did this year. They are my rocks and their patience, understanding and sacrifice of time was second to none. Lastly, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a very Happy and safe New Year. Again, thank you all for your time and support this year and good luck to our new Divan.
Fraternally, Mike P. Ferraro