Claire McMullen: Patient of Dr. Amer Samdani BY CANDACE McMULLEN
3 CommentsClaire is a 16-year-old girl who was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis at the age of 12. She initially developed a right sided rib thoracic prominence and right shoulder elevation that prompted further evaluation. At the time of initial diagnosis, she presented with a 37 degree thoracic and 22 degree lumbar curvature. Claire was initially treated conservatively with a Boston Brace for a year and a half and then on-going monitoring of the curve progression. In June 2018, during a routine follow-up, Claire’s thoracic curve progressed to 59 degrees…an 11 degree change in a six month period. Her pediatric neurosurgeon recommended surgical correction. Along with the increase in curvature, she was experiencing increased back pain with simple activities of daily living and balance difficulties.
In the weeks that followed that visit, I spoke with several people who highly recommended Dr. Amer Samdani at Shriner’s Hospital of Philadelphia. A second opinion was scheduled with Dr. Samdani shortly thereafter. We were so fortunate that Dr. Samdani agreed to evaluate Claire. At our first visit, we fell in love with Dr. Samdani! He was so thorough, confident and patient as he explained her treatment options, risks and benefits with each option. At the end of that visit, Claire insisted (and her dad and I agreed) Dr. Samdani perform her surgery. While the wait for his surgical schedule is typically six months or more, due to a cancellation we were offered a surgical date the following month. We immediately accepted!
Claire is now 14 weeks post spinal fusion T4-T12 and doing quite well! She now has a very minimal thoracic curve. Our experience with Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia has been nothing but great! Claire is still in the midst of her recovery phase and hasn’t yet returned to full function, but she is progressing as expected. She recently started ballet class, something she has always wanted to do! She is looking forward to a full release to return to all of her favorite activities…pain free!
No parent wants their child to endure a major surgery but, as a nurse and a mother, I am so grateful that we were blessed to have Dr. Samdani, his surgical team, and the staff at Shriner’s Hospital to guide and care for us through this journey!
Knights of Columbus and Calliope Clowns Present Check for 40th Consecutive Year
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For forty consecutive years, the Hollidaysburg Knights of Columbus and the Jaffa Calliope Clowns have been holding a chicken barbeque to raise funds for the Shriners Hospital For Children – Philadelphia. To mark this milestone, several members of the KOC traveled along with the Jaffa Shriners to the open house held on Saturday June 22nd in Philadelphia to make the check presentation. The KOC along with several members of the Jaffa Calliope Clowns presented Chairman Jon Swartz with their check. Over the 40 years, their donations have totaled $147k. Thank you KOC and Calliope Clowns for your support of the Shriners Hospital for Children – Philadelphia!
May – June 2019 Potentate’s Message
Leave a CommentNobles, Families, and Friends of Jaffa Shriners,
As we head into the summer months, it is impossible not to reflect upon the great successes we have had through the first half of the year at Jaffa. Our fraternity has so many things to be grateful for. Our events have been well attended, our fundraisers continue to exceed their goals and every day our magnificent home, the Jaffa Mosque, continues to be a visible symbol to our community, and to the World, of all the good we as Jaffa Shriners represent.
We had a tremendous circus this year under the direction of fellow Jaffa Shriner, Billy Martin. I would like to acknowledge the great work the Circus Committee, our Units & Clubs, and the countless Nobles, families, and friends of Jaffa who volunteered their time, talent, and means to make the Jaffa Shrine Circus successful each and every year. Attendance was up from last year’s circus, with over 26,000 guests attending the 80th Jaffa Shrine Circus. I must recognize a couple individuals who take the helm of leading our Circus Committee. As the co-chairmen of our circus, Jerome Eckardt and Jeffrey Lynn Putt’s leadership in planning our circus was evident in its execution. As I have stated in a couple of speeches, a goal without a plan is just a wish. Our circus committee, and these two Nobles, plan our circus on a 12-month cycle and its success can be directly attributed to the organizational work and planning of all those involved. I would also like the thank Jobel Court and Dorcas Temple, PJ Simpson, Mike Colledge, John & Sue Bollinger, Randy & Chad Irwin, Tom Patz, John Grove and Alan Sipes for taking on individual sub-committee tasks in helping organize our circus. Job well done!
It is tough to put into words the gratitude Tiffany and I have for all those who helped with the Potentate’s Reception this year. Everything from the decorations, to dinner & entertainment, to the amazing renaissance outfits everyone wore made the day something we will never forget. I would like to express gratitude to our unit uniformed officers and the units who participated in the grand pageant and those who performed on the floor. As always, you continue to look and sound great and remain the standard in all of Shrinedom. I would like to acknowledge Lanny and Lynne Edwards, Butch & Shelly Garman, Scott & Angela Sipes, the Colyer family, Jim Burchfield and his father and all of the aides this year for the long hours put into making the day so memorable. We truly transformed our banquet hall into a medieval castle and I am pleased to report no one had to be rescued from the moat.
Our hospital fundraisers continue to do well each year. We finished up with our Hospital Crusades and our very first Jaffa Walk For Love at the beginning of June. Both fundraisers were well supported. Thank you to the units & shrine clubs of Jaffa, as well as Jobel Court & Dorcas Temple, for continuing to raise awareness of our hospital system within our communities. We will have close out reports and pictures on both of these fundraisers in the next Jaffa Journal.
Mark your calendars on July 20, 2019 at 2 p.m. for the Jaffa Charity Hockey Game at Galactic Ice in Altoona. Cheer on your very own Jaffa Hockey Team as they face off against the Washington DC Firefighters in a charity game for Shriners Hospitals for Children. If you have never been to a hockey game before, do not forget to bring a blanket to sit on in the ice rink…those aluminum bleachers can get cold.
Bringing in new members is a key element to the future success of Jaffa Shriners. On July 20, 2019, after the charity hockey game, our Membership Committee will be hosting Jaffa Community Day at the Jaffa Shrine Center. This is an opportunity for you to bring your friends, neighbors, and family to a Jaffa sponsored event. The event begins at 5 p.m. and will include free food, refreshments, games and entertainment suitable for the entire family. Let’s show the area we care about our mutual success in the future and encourage good men to make a difference in our community by becoming a Jaffa Shriner. Keep in mind the 20th Masonic District will be hosting a One Day Masonic Journey in November 2, 2019 at the Jaffa Shrine Center. All three blue lodge degrees will be performed in the morning with Scottish Rite degrees and the Shrine Ceremonial being conducted in the afternoon. Petitions need to be turned into their lodge secretaries by their September Stated Meetings.
Today is a great day to be a Shriner! Tomorrow will be the same. Thank you to the entire Jaffa family for all you do for our great fraternity. Let’s share our experiences at Jaffa with our friends and neighbors so they might want to join in with the fun and fellowship. By including our families and communities in our activities, Jaffa will continue to serve central Pennsylvania and all of Shrinedom for many years to come.
Yours in the Faith,
Jordan W. Settle
Potentate – 2019
March – April Potentate’s Message
Leave a CommentNobles, Families, and Friends of Jaffa Shriners,
As we move into the middle of April, I cannot help but reflect on what we have been able to accomplish in the first three months of the year. Four of our major fundraisers have already finished and have proven to be some of the most successful years we have seen. Most of us are still recovering from a busy circus week in which we will cover the details in our next journal.
I would like to thank the entire Sports Show and Truck Raffle committees for the tremendous planning and execution in making both of these fundraisers so successful. Our Sports Show, under the leadership of Buddy Daughenbaugh and David Dick, will present final numbers and checks to each of the units at the April Unit Head meeting. According to our records, this year’s Sports Show fundraiser is the best year the units have had in its 38-year history. Our Truck Raffle also had another very successful year in supporting the operational needs of our fraternity. I would like to extended a special thanks to Paul Frederick and Jim Paul who co-chaired this fundraiser for a second year. Ed Zwolski of Clearfield, PA was the lucky winner of this year’s Truck Raffle. Thank you to all who helped sell tickets!
As we move forward in supporting our philanthropy this year, we have a number of fundraisers for everyone to get involved in. Our Hospital Crusades will be held on June 7th & 8th and we will conclude our weekend with Jaffa’s very first Walk For Love on June 9th. On July 20th the Jaffa Hockey Team will be facing off against the Washington DC Firefighters in a charity game supporting our hospitals. Let’s help spread awareness of our hospitals within our community. Remember, we make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. More information on these events are later on in this journal.
The “Shrine On” Capital Campaign has officially kicked off and we have had a tremendous response the first two weeks. In this short amount of time we have received over 40 individual donations totaling over $20,000. We are extremely grateful in the amount of support our Nobility and their families provide for fundraisers such as this. You are the key that will help us unlock our tomorrow. Your generosity of time and means help us demonstrate the values we as Freemasons hold dear to our hearts within our families and communities. FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY. If you have not seen your name in this month’s capital campaign contribution page, rest assured it will be in the next journal.
I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who supported our spring-cleaning projects over two Saturdays in March. We had over 60 people take time out of their busy lives to help put two coats of paint on every wall in the main level of the Jaffa Shrine Center in preparation for our circus guests. We even had a crew with excavation equipment help create over 100 parking spots in the upper parking lot by clearing away over-grown trees and brush. If that wasn’t enough, we also had a crew clean out a large storage area within the building filling two roll offs in the process. Thank you for everyone’s efforts in keep our home beautiful.
If you have not heard yet, the Right Worshipful Grand Master of Pennsylvania has given the 20th Masonic District permission to conduct a One Day Masonic Journey in our building on Saturday, November 2, 2019. If you know of good men who are interested in going through a one-day class, reach out to them about joining our great fraternity. Petitions will be due to your lodges by your September stated meeting.
We would also like to welcome Jaffa’s new Chef, Bud Smith to our team. Many of you had a chance to meet him over the past two months. He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the food industry from throughout the world. His culinary arts experience extends not only throughout the United States, but also Brazil, Morocco, Spain.
As we look forward to the rest of the year know that each day is a great day to be a Shriner. In life two things define you; your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything. Be proud of what we have been able to accomplish together. Jaffa Shriners was yesterday, is today, and will be tomorrow a beacon of brotherhood and compassion within our community. It is these two principles which lead good men to our organization and what drive us toward that relentless pursuit of supporting the greatest philanthropy in the world.
Jordan W. Settle
Potentate – 2019
Legacy: The Colyer Family
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Our story starts with Randy Colyer, who has successfully served our community as the owner of Greenwood Pools and Spas since 1987. He joined our Shrine in November 2003 and became a member of the Provost Guard. Randy was Provost Guard Secretary from 2006 until 2008 and as a result of a successful business background he was the assistant Chairman for several years circa 2008 and took on the daunting role of Gun Raffle Chairman from 2016 until present day.
Randy also finds time to contribute his business experience to fund raising for the transportation of kids to Shriners hospitals as a member of the “Q”, and was Camaxtli in 2014. He is a valuable Shrine member and his attitude and tireless efforts are evident in making our Shrine run smoothly and efficiently. Randy’s tireless efforts with Shrine events and many fund raising efforts encouraged his two sons to follow in the Colyer family tradition and beliefs and became Masons and ultimately Shriners in 2016. Son’s Ryan and Zach also work with their dad at the family run Greenwood Pools and Spas; they joined our Shrine and the Provost Guard in 2016. They are both active Provost Guard members and are following in their father’s footsteps in working and helping with the production and success of the Gun Raffle, Circus and Sports Shows.
Ryan was recently given the prestigious award of Noble of the year for his tireless efforts in working our many Shrine events and fund raising efforts. He was always on hand to offer his assistance and could be seen working long after everyone had gone home. His attitude and dedication to the success of our Shrine deserves praise. Youngest son Zach is also in our Provost Guard and is a valuable and much needed youthful addition to the growth of our Shrine. Like his brother, he too is always busy with preparations and the behind the scenes hard work in making our many events the success they deserve. He was instrumental in the organization and set up for the Kiddies Christmas party and is following in the Colyer family Shrine traditions.
I encourage families like the Colyer family to come forward and be recognized as we appreciate each and every one of our extended families. Should you wish to become involved in the Legacy Program or to learn more, please contact:
Kevin Law, Highlander & Legacy Program Chairman klaw@nationwidecustomhomes.com 919-730-1257
Jaffa Standard Bearer Award Recognizes Two Outstanding Shriners
Leave a CommentUncle Dave Peterman
Throughout the community and our Shrine family, he is affectionately known as “Uncle Dave.” David Paul Peterman was born May 31, 1953 in Altoona, Pennsylvania and graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1971.
At the tender age of 13, Dave began working with his dad, Glenn, at Peterman’s Gulf on Beech Ave. & 4th Street in Altoona. Shortly after graduation, he opened D. Peterman Auto Repair on 22nd Ave. & 9th Street. The business is currently located in Juniata, and has grown to include auto sales, detailing, towing and Uncle Dave’s Pop Shop where you can frequently meet up with a Shriner friend for coffee & conversation, a Longbranch hot dog or scratch a lottery ticket.
Uncle Dave began his masonic career when he joined DeMolay in 1967 & held several offices. He was raised a Master Mason in Hiram Lodge No. 616 and joined the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Altoona and joined Jaffa Temple in 1977.
Through the years, he has served on the appointed Divan under Illustrious Sir Lou Deschamps, he was an assistant chief aide for a number of years and was the co-chairman of the Jaffa Hospital Crusade in 1980 under Illustrious Sir Fred Imler. He is a charter member of the Jaffa Antique Car Club, and a member of the Jaffa Cycle Corps. In 2013, along with a group of Nobles & their ladies, the Jaffa Kiddies Christmas Party Club was revitalized. Uncle Dave served as secretary for several years.
Dave is also a member of Order of Quetzalcoatl Colotic #91, serving as Camaxtli in 2010. He is a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Court No. 70, where he served as Director in 2004.
Uncle Dave and his Lady Carol reside in Bellwood, Pennsylvania and enjoy traveling to their place in South Daytona Beach.
Lanny Edwards
Lanny Edwards was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on August 15, 1943. He graduated Hollidaysburg High School in 1961 and then joined the United States Army in 1963 becoming a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, achieving the rank of Sergeant (E-5).
He worked for Veeder Root in Duncansville, Pennsylvania for 43 years before retiring as the waste treatment manger in 2009.
Lanny was raised a Master Mason in Portage Lodge No. 220 in 1974 and joined the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Altoona the following year. In December of 1975, he joined Jaffa Temple and immediately made an impact. He is a Life Member of the Jaffa Calliope Clowns where he served as Clown Director for 9 years. He is also an associate member of the Jaffa Legion of Honor.
Lanny served in the capacity of Chief Aide for an astounding 15 Potentates and has rightfully achieved the title of Chief Aide Emeritus.
He is a member of Oder of Quetzalcoatl Colotic No. 91 and a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Court No. 70 where he served as its Director in 2002.
In 2013, along with a dedicated group of Nobles and their Ladies, Lanny revitalized the Jaffa Kiddies Christmas Party for less fortunate children in Central Pennsylvania and currently serves as the organization’s President.
Outside of Freemasonry is an active member of Lakemont Methodist Church where he serves as Head Trustee. He also enjoys camping, hikes, and bike rides with his Lady Lynne.
Lanny and Lynne reside in Lakemont and have 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
Jan-Feb 2019 Potentate’s Message
Leave a CommentNobles, Families, and Friends of Jaffa Shriners,
I am honored and humbled with the opportunity to serve our Temple as the 116th Potentate of Jaffa Shriners in 2019. I would like to thank our nobility for their continued trust and support in myself as well as our entire divan as we lead Jaffa into the future. I want to acknowledge everyone who had something to do with our annual business meeting, elections and 50-year pin ceremony. The day was a tremendous success with over 470 people in attendance, all capped off with an amazing prime rib dinner smoked for 24 hours by our very own Buddy Daughenbaugh.
Congratulations to Illustrious Sir Bob Baranik and his Lady Sue for a tremendous year and thank them for their dedication to our Fraternity over the last 5 years. Their leadership has kept our fraternity on the path of success; one that we will continue to grow upon.
There are so many great things we have here at Jaffa to be proud of. Most notably our nobility. You represent what is great about Jaffa and I am honored to call you brothers. Every room you walk into is better because you are there! Remember, the two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. The men who proudly wear a fez were born to be Shriners and the world is better for it.
I have had the opportunity to travel throughout the country visiting various temples, all of which hold Jaffa in such a high regard. We received one of the best compliments of our nobility at fall MASA last year when our Imperial Chief Rabban, Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder, stated Jaffa was the best temple he has ever seen in a parade. Jaffa receives compliments like these all of the time from Shriners everywhere. Be proud to be a Jaffa Shriner! Let’s always focus on the positives in every aspect of our lives. Remember, a negative mind will never give you a positive life.
It is not a hidden secret that our declining membership is our number one problem and concern at Jaffa. We have an exciting year planned for 2019. One that will include our families and our communities; both of which are essential to our future success. Let’s enjoy our events with our families and friends so that others see the fun and progress we make each and every day. We are confident that when others see what Jaffa has to offer, men will ask how to start their mystic journey. For us to prosper, we will need both our family and community. Though our future is uncertain, it is bright. No matter what path life leads us down, I promise you we will go down it together.
We have two new events planned for this year which are geared to support our great philanthropy. We will be hosting our very first Walk For Love™ on June 9th and on July 20th our Jaffa Hockey Team will be facing off against the Washington DC Firefighters in a charity game at Galactic Ice in Altoona. Help us continue to be a global force for children and join us for these two events. More information on these events will come out in the next journal.
As we look to evolve to keep up with our ever-changing world, we need to look at how we operate to meet modern day needs. Traditionally, we only voted on new members four times a year which corresponded to the four business meetings we are required to have in a calendar year. Moving forward, we will have special meetings the months where a business meeting is not held for the purpose of voting on new petitions and conducting a short ceremonial. The intent is to allow eager Freemasons to become Shriners in a timely manner so that they can become active in our fun, fellowship, and philanthropy. When someone shows interest in our fraternity, let’s keep their motivation moving without delay.
Now that we are a month and a half already into 2019, I would like to thank and congratulate the Co-chairs of the Mountain City Beer & Wine Festival, Scott Woomer and Ryan Baranik for organizing another fantastic event. Despite a winter storm laying 6 inches of snow outside our door on the day of the event, over six hundred guests enjoyed an eventful beer and wine tasting with over 115 different options to choose from. I would also like to acknowledge the entire Mountain City Shiners club for all of their hard work and assistance in making this event such a successful fundraiser for Jaffa.
I would also like to congratulate Lanny Edwards, Uncle Dave Peterman and Lex Harding as being the recipients of the 2019 Jaffa Standard Bearer and Patient Spotlight Awards for exceptional meritorious service to our fraternity and philanthropy. You will find a copy of their bios further in this journal.
Thank you again for bestowing upon me this great honor to serve our temple and I hope to see all of you at the Jaffa Sports Show in a couple days.
Remember, the single most important thing for our success is our ability to work together. Individually we may be weak, but we will always be “Stronger Together”.
Jordan W. Settle
Potentate – 2019
Jaffa Shriners
Former Patient Gives Back!
Leave a CommentALEXA HARDING was born and raised in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. The daughter of Noble and Shriners Hospitals for Children – Erie Board of Governors member Troy Harding and his Lady Sue, Lex began her Shriners Hospitals journey in 2012.
Lex was diagnosed with a double scoliosis curve in her back. After being evaluated by the world-renowned doctors within our health care system, Lex went through nearly two dozen appointments at both our Erie and Philadelphia hospitals as well as two surgeries to fix her medical condition.
During her recovery, she began speaking at a number of events about her surgical journey and the world-class care given to her by our hospitals.
In 2017, looking to give back to the hospitals who gave so much to her, she organized a fundraiser by selling copies of a charcoal piece she created in her high school art class. She then presented a copy to our Erie Hospital as well as gave an inspirational speech behind the piece.
She is a 2018 graduate of Hollidaysburg Area High School and currently attending Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania with a major in Respiratory Therapy with hopes of supporting our hospitals in another capacity, this time as a medical professional. She is also on Gannon’s competitive Dance Team and a member of the Honors Academic Program.
Lex hopes to continue to share her story of being a Shriner’s patient with more people as well as bringing awareness to what Shriners mean to her and other patients.
SHC Named Top Health Nonprofit of the Year
Leave a CommentSHC Family,
Happy Wednesday! I am honored to share the news that Shriners Hospitals for Children was named the top Health Nonprofit Brand of Year for 2018, based on the Harris Poll EquiTrend study.
The annual survey of brand equity, now in its 30th year, compares the brand awareness, or brand health, of thousands of brands from hundreds of categories, including eight for nonprofit organizations, based on consumer responses. These responses measure a range of knowledge and connections, including familiarity, quality social and environmental impact, brand momentum and attachment, and trust, that indicate the health and strength of a brand. Among the Health Nonprofit brands in the study, Shriners Hospitals for Children ranked highest for “trust” — no doubt this is a reflection of our commitment to our core values, in particular “integrity.” Thank you for your personal commitment to our core values.
This is a wonderful milestone for our organization, but it is just the beginning. It is our hope that we will be able to utilize this newfound brand equity to help even more patients throughout the world.
The Harris Poll Award is indicative of the tremendous dedication and commitment our employees, donors and volunteers have for our mission of improving the lives of children worldwide. Thank you for your part in helping us achieve this recognition and for caring for our kids and their families so well. I appreciate everything you do.
John McCabe
Executive Vice President