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July 23rd 1975 - July 23rd, 2000

The history of a Club would be rooted in its accountability to a parent organization. This is, with respect to the Muskoka Shrine Club, the Shrine of North America, which was formed in 1922 and, with the purpose of helping children in need.

The Shrine Network developed into a total of 22 Shriners Hospitals, 19 Orthopaedic Hospitals, 3 Burns Institutes, provided free medical care to children, free transportation to and from the hospitals, free housing for the parents of these children and, as well, remained very active in research to have the best means available to accomplish this.

Shrine Clubs served an area representing this cause, and it became imperative to our Muskoka Men that the area of Muskoka should have this great philanthropy available to us.

Early records indicated that Shrine involvement by Muskoka began in 1968 when Brent Nelson joined the Barrie Club. It was, however, obvious that the seeds of our present Muskoka Club were sown and spawned within the Orillia Shrine Club.

The Orillia Club was formed in 1971. there were 48 Shriners registered with 3 from the Muskoka area and, in the year 1972 the Muskoka contingent had grown to 8 members.

The year 1972 would appear to be a pivotal one in that Glen Coates negotiated to purchase a fire engine 38 pumper from Beamsville and, the birth of our "Muskoka 38 Unit", within the Orillia Club, was official in the month of April, 1972.

The intervening years to 1975 gave the Muskoka Members new experiences in meetings, in organizing and planning events, in developing crests, dress codes, regalia, etc. and, with increasing member involvement.

Inevitably a Muskoka Club would be formed. A letter was delivered to our Shrine Potentate on July 15, 1975, requesting permission to form a Muskoka Shrine Club. the approval was received on July 23, 1975, but, stipulating that 25 Nobles in good standing were required and, that Club boundaries should be very clearly defined, that complete by-laws must be set and, all of these required approval from head Office. This was accomplished, reported to the Potentate, and approved on September 15, 1975.

The first election of Officers for the Muskoka Club was held on November 19, 1975, and, the Club was officially born. There were 55 registered members. Our first President was Ralph Boothby, the Orillia Club presented official flags and a banner to the Club and, the parades and events began.

THE YEAR 1976 WAS INAUGURAL AS FOLLOWS:

1. The "Muskoka 38 Unit", well established, now under the responsibility of the Muskoka Shrine Club, showed its full colours in all events and parades.

2. The first Muskoka Shrine Club Circus was organized and presented successfully on June 4, 1976. Noted that admission costs were only children $1.75 and adults $2.50 but, all children for the 11:30am show were admitted free as a result of Muskoka Merchant participation and elementary school involvement - a real kiddies treat.

3. The Muskoka Tartan was officially adopted as a part of the Club's dress code and, remains as a favourite to this day.

4. A 100 Million dollar Club was formed and registered with the purpose of generating revenue for the Shriner's Hospitals.

5. A Gala Day was held to celebrated and honour our Shriner's Ladies.

6. An Autumn Club event was initiated as the "Corn and Wiener Roast", a real enjoyable day which in later years was presented as a "Bar-B-W and Pot Boil" and, still held yearly referred to as the "Corn Roast".

7. The first Annual Shriners Christmas Cake sales drive was initiated in 1976, it proved very successful as an exceptional household product and as a Club Fundraiser and, continues to be an annual mainstay. 

8. This year was capped off with a regal Christmas Party involving Shriners, Shriners Ladies, Guests from our Toronto Temple, and, it remains a popular, pleasing, annual event.

The Shrine Club presented these events again in 1977 without significant change but, with great zeal and, returned to the Communities their favour of a very colourful, favourable contingent in many yearly parades.

YEAR 1978 PRODUCED 3 NEW EVENTS, ALL ENHANCING THE COMMUNITY AND THE CLUB.

1. The month of June brought forth a Club Spring Golf tournament at the Huntsville Downs, was a great get-together day, was later developed as the "Shrine Bowl" and, proved to be a real fun day with as many as 40 golfers participating.

2. The month of September say the presentation of a second golf day, held in Bracebridge this time, and again still remains popular.

3. The Muskoka 38 Unit, a Unit within the Shrine Club, presented its first major event entitled "The Monte Carlo Night and Wild Life Dinner", in the month of November at $12.00/person and, was a complete sell-out as an impressive Fundraiser. The event was later promoted as "The Wild Game Night" and, remains as a very successful "stag night" presented each November annually.

The Club flourished, very actively in the events and parades, and they felt that the Community should somehow be rewarded more as thanks for the support of the Shriners. This developed in 1981 as "A Gala Extravaganza" presented as the "Surf and Turf". Ernie and Marion Jackson spaded their way through organizing and planning, came up with a super, reasonable evening, with Big Band music, with an exceptional lobster and beef meal and, with the trimmings to befit a King. It was the talk of the town and, remains an annual sold-out event.

The first recorded "Pancake Brunch" appears to be year 1982 and, also still approved as a good, enjoyable outing.

The Shrine Club aggressively planned bus trips, boat trips, upgrading events, more involvement in parades and, all in the name of raising more monies to help children in need while having fun doing this. The Shrine Club roster, by year 1983,had grown to 110 registered Shriners and 7 honoured Ladies.

The next major addition tot he Club was "Muskiteers Unit". this was formed and registered in 1990 by Bruce Shane, had only 3 initial members, but is still seen in all parades as the Clubs Motorcycle Riders (small Hondas) and, now as a contingent of 8 riders with 10 members.

Year 1993 revealed the formation of a third Club Unit, known as "The Clown Unit", initially with 7 members, a very active and popular unit, has grown to 9 members and, remains a creative, exciting group for kiddies enjoyment.

The year 2000 brings our Club to 25 years of service with a complement of 123 registered Shriners and 39 honoured Ladies.

• The Shriners attend to an average of 8 parades per year.

• Hold 6 annual events for fellowship.

• Attend to 10 monthly executive and 10 monthly member meetings each year.

• Sponsor 6 major fund raising yearly events 

And, continue to do this enthusiastically to raise monies to provide free treatment for Muskoka children in need of treatment at our Shriner's Hospitals.

The Muskoka Shrine Club will continue to work on this great philanthropy in the future and, will continue in their belief that "No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops to Help A Crippled Child".

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