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ON THE ROAD WITH THE RODE RIGS
by Dennis Conrad
Summer is finally here and it’s been spectators snapping photos as fast as their Illustrious Sir Bill Branthoover at the
warm and rainy so far, but that hasn’t fingers could push the buttons on their quarterly meeting in August a check for
stopped the Rigs from taking their show cameras. Two days later found us in $4,000 for Erie Gives Day for the Erie
on the road. We have been burning up the Kennedy Township for their firemen’s Shriners Hospital. That’s what it’s all about
roads all across the Pittsburgh area with parade we really had the crowds going sometime I think we lose sight of our
the pedal to the metal and the Black smoke with our hair-raising maneuvers. Our last purpose which is to help the Children get
pouring from the twin exhaust stacks of stop in August was down in Carmichael, the Best possible care in the world and to
our mighty Freightliners. We’ve been PA, for their King Coal parade it’s a bit help one another.
entertaining the crowds everywhere we go. of a drive, but well worth it the people of If you are interested in joining a
The new Jeeps have been a tremendous Carmichael roll out the red carpet when motorized unit that has loads of fun then
hit and Tom’s new Double Tanker is really the mighty Rigs roll into town. As usual gives us a call. We will be more than happy
nothing less than fabulous the people are the streets of town are packed with to sit down and tell you all about the Rode
just amazed. spectators’ elbow to elbow clapping and Rigs.
August has been another busy month for cheering as we put on our traveling road Call either John Handshue,
us starting with the Shrine Masonic family show. In between parades we have been President at 412-877-4263 or E-mail
picnic at Kennywood Park. Joe was again practicing hard for the up coming Mid- jjhpm@aol.com or Dennis Conrad
co-chairman of the event and asked the Atlantic Shrine Association competitions Secretary/Treasurer at 412-956-2245 or
Rigs to run the children’s games we had in Virginia Beach in hopes of bringing E-mail denmel238@yahoo.com.
a blast as always. The kids competed in back some trophies and bragging rights. Remember...
a coloring contest and then the money We will be competing in the obstacle Keep on Truck’n for the Kids
scramble and what’s a picnic without the course and precision drill competitions
old water balloon toss and then finishing and this year we will be competing with
up with races. All the kids were winners our trailers on for the drill. This will be the
and had a great time. After the kids races first time that any mini eighteen-wheeler
we also included some races for the adults unit has competed with trailers attached.
and let me tell you it wasn’t a pretty sight We will also be competing for our seventh
at all, but it was all in fun and everyone straight first place in the parade
had a good time. I would like to Thank the competition.
Daughters of the Nile for providing some September is going to be another busy
of the prizes for the kid’s games. What’s a month for the Rode Rigs after we come Donation to potentate $4,000
picnic without food and we had lots of it home from M.A.S.A. we will be Erie Gives Day
again this year a regular buffet everything participating in parades in Evans City,
from Hot Dog & Kielbasa to Meat Ball Shrine Circus Parade, Harrison City, Etna
sandwiches, Perogies, salads, cookies, pies 150 anniversary, Shaler Home coming and
and cold drinks. If you went home hungry Mt Pleasant Glass festival parade just to
it was your own fault. The climax name a few
of the day is the giant Shrine parade Our unit is always busy either parading
through Kennywood Park with thousands or participating in some sort of event at
of people lining the parade route cheering the Shrine Center we like to be active and
and clapping it was a Great Day to be a that’s what it’s all about. Being as active
Shriner. as we are helps us to support the Erie
Our next stop was over in the Morning Shriners Hospital for Children and also
Side section of Pittsburgh for the St. our Shrine Center. Do to the hard work
Raphael festival kick off parade and as and dedication of the members of our unit MASA practice
usual the streets were packed with we were able to make a presentation to
The Voice of Syria October 2018 42
