Damascus Shrine was known for many years throughout the country for having an outstanding band. About 1994 it underwent a hiatus that lasted 16 years. In mid 2009, then Potentate Bruce Chilton asked Noble Frank Russell to put together a band for our Temple. Frank undertook the project and today has a nucleus of 26 experienced bandsmen. The band continues to look for additional musicians. Frank urges all of you to contact any Shriner Mason or Blue Lodge Mason who might be a potential member. If you know someone who would be an asset to the band and is not yet a Mason, encourage him to apply to his local Lodge and become a Brother. The bandsmen provide their own instrument, except for sousaphones and percussion.

The band plays for formal and informal events at the Temple. For some of the informal events, the band invites family members of the musicians as well as the Ladies of our sister Masonic organizations to play with the band. Frank is aware that bandsmen have family and employment concerns that have to be considered. Plans are in the works for the band to present a program, to include the Shrine Clowns, several times a year throughout our area as a fund raiser for the Shriner Children’s Hospitals. It has been asked to play on August 7 as part of the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Sunday afternoon concert series. From a time standpoint, the band tries to maintain a schedule that averages about once a month for a commitment.

While the band plays some standard marches, it also plays patriotic songs, songs of our military services and some standard old time familiar songs. The band is there to support the Damascus Temple and for its members to have fun and be there to play what it plays well. It has even been known to play “The First Noel” in the off season.

Anyone interested in joining the band should contact Noble Frank Russell (315-331-7621) or call the Damascus Shrine Center (585-671-7701).

The Damascus Wheelers originated as a group that rode black 350 Honda Night Hawks in all the Shrine Parades. The Nobles that owned the motorcycles bought them and the uniforms at their own expense and used them exclusively to be a part of this Unit. It is unknown when the Unit started or much information about it as formal records were not kept.

The Unit we have today uses the original name and the same Logo as the original Wheelers but that is about the only similarity. The current format of the Damascus Wheelers reformed in 1997 by authority and permission of the then Potentate Erwin M. Newell. The founder held the Presidency for a number of years until the Unit had enough members to fill the officers stations.

The group today is alive and well and in fact one of the more active of the Clubs and Units in Damascus. The Wheelers meet the fourth Tuesday of every month with the exception of December. In December they typically support other Shrine Clubs that hold Holiday Parties and attend theirs. The qualification for membership is that you are a Noble of the Shrine and that your dues with the Shrine are current. Any Shrine Mason belonging to any Temple can join and we do have members from at least 3 other Temples that are Wheelers. The other qualification is that you either have to own a motorcycle or wish you did. If you own a motorcycle you are not required to own a type or size. ALL motorcycles are tolerated.  The annual dues are $5.00 and this typically includes free admission to an annual picnic.

The meetings are always casual and little business is discussed. Events and other business are delineated via a monthly publication entitled the Wheelers Gazette. The Wheelers have never had a meeting that their spouses were not encouraged to attend. The dress code is biker casual and Fezzes are not worn or required to be worn. The Wheelers typically meet in a different restaurant each month and the majority of the communication is done via a Google email list. At this writing there are 106 email addresses on the list.

The Wheelers have many fun activities including their infamous HOGG DEGREE, their annual Poker Run to raise money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children, their annual picnic, Halloween Events and a Euchre Tournament to name a few plus many rides and purely social events. The whole purpose and goal of the Wheelers is to be the best social unit they can be and they do a good job at it.

If you would like any information about the Wheelers you can contact the 2017 President:
Sean Noonan
Phone   585-261-6311

As a Shrine Mason you can become part of the Directors Staff Unit engaged in the mission of helping children while having fun.

SHRINE DIRECTORS STAFF UNIT

As a Shrine Mason you can become part of the Directors Staff Unit engaged in the mission of helping children while having fun.

The Directors Staff Unit was approved for all shrine centers in 1919. In December 1951 the Directors Staff Unit was established in the Damascus Shrine. The Unit is responsible for preparing the Shrine for all meetings and to return it to its original condition after the meeting.

The Directors organize and participate in skits for the installation of new members. This ensures that candidates for the Shrine receive a proper welcome into the Nobility.

Some members attend the yearly National Shrine Directors Staff Association of North America Convention which is held in a different city each spring. We enjoy a parade, meetings, sightseeing trips, entertainment events and plenty of shopping for Shriners and their ladies.

The Director maintains a 1940 fire truck for the Unit which is used by all Shriners for a number of local parades and other fundraising events for the Shrine Hospitals. The fire truck is used to promote the awareness of children’s needs while having fun and spreading some joy.

The Nobility go on field trips to the local Shrine Children’s Hospitals in addition to enjoying parades, picnics and restaurants to support the mission.

The Directors Staff has a monthly dinner meeting at a local restaurant each month except July and August. We have a speaker every few months to keep the meetings interesting.

The Directors Staff presently meet at: The Yellow Mills Diner 2534 Route #31 Palmyra, NY. We meet at 6:00 PM to enjoy a meal together and each person orders off the menu. Ladies and guests are encouraged to attend the meetings.