•    Look for our tentative 2010 parade schedule around March. There is still time to get West Suburban Shrine Club’s Roaring ‘57s in your parade; click here to contact our pit crew chief.

Wednesday Evening, 3 March, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Saturday Evening, 13 March, at 6:30-8:30 p.m. (open libations); 7:30 p.m. (dinner begins):

33d Annual Medinah Shriners’ Dixieland night. In the main ballroom of our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Musical entertainment and dancing all evening. For US$55.00 per person with reservation (US$70.00 at the door if available - the last three years have been sold out), you get your choice of fish or Shrinedom's largest cut of prime beef.  Proceeds benefit the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. Tables of eight in the Music Room or ten in the main dining room are available. Reserve now, as it sold out last year. Dress is casual attire with fez. Ladies and guests are welcome. Click here for an informative flier and reservation form.

Saturday Evening, 20 March, at 4:45 pm (reception in conference centre foyer atrium); 6:00 (introduction of Divan & Cabiri in grand ballroom); 6:45 (dinner); 8:30-11:00 entertainment & dancing); 11:30-? (hospitality suites open):

Medinah Potentate’s Ball. At the Hyatt Regency O'Hare (by Nobles' popular request), located at 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue, in Rosemont. The hotel recently completed a 61-million-dollar renovation; everything is new. Dance to the music of The New Odyssey Band. Tickets are US$99.00 per person. Parking is free. Units, committees and Shrine clubs will be able to have their own hospitality rooms like in the good old days. Rooms are available at the "Medinah Potentates Ball" discount rate for US$85.00; ring the Hyatt at 847-696-1234. Menu will be posted once published. Nobles’ dress is black tie (for those of you from Rio Linda, ‘black tie’ means a tuxedo [preferred] or a dark suit & solid-colour tie [acceptable]) and, of course, your fez! Ladies’ dress is eveningwear. Click here for an informative flier and reservations form. Deadline for reservations is 5 March 2010.

Wednesday Evening, 7 April, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Friday Evening, 16 April (exact time to be announced):

Reception for the Imperial Potentate & Illinois Grand Master, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Imperial Sir Jack H. Jones and Most Worshipful Grand Master Richard L. Swaney will be honoured at a joint reception and dinner. All Grand Lodge line officers will be in attendance. All Illinois Scottish Rite and York Rite officers have been invited, along with all current potentates of GLSA temples. Price is US$40.00 per person; tickets for Medinah candidates for the next day's ceremonial (and their ladies) are only US$20.oo per person. Attendance is strictly limited to the first five hundred paid reservations. Don't miss out on this historic event. Reserve by calling Bonnie in the office at 630-889-1400.

Saturday, 17 April, at 8:00 a.m. (registration & tours); 9:00 (stated meeting); 10:00 (ceremonial); 11:00 (potentate’s pageant); 12:30 (lunch):

Medinah Shriners’ stated meeting and full-form ceremonial. At our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Bring your dues card. Guests of honour include Imperial Sir Jack H. Jones, Most Worshipful Grand Master Richard L. Swaney, Most Excellent Grand High Priest Joseph H. Santisteban, Most Illustrious Grand Master Earl F. Wys, and Right Eminent Grand Commander Joseph W. Lucas. Let’s make them and Medinah’s new nobles feel welcome; let them know they are in the company of brothers on this side of the hot sands! Demonstrate to them the glory and fellowship that are the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Medinah Shriners, and the West Suburban Shrine Club! Because of the potentate’s pageant, please wear your red WSSC shirt and slacks (not denim) (bring white trousers in case you draw marching duty). No jeans nor t-shirts (as outerwear); each is forbidden. Are you a Master Mason who would like to join us? Click here to contact Medinah's 2nd Ceremonial Master (& West Suburban Shrine Club’s webmaster), Noble Dave Miley. Find out more about the Shrine here!

Sunday, 18 April, at 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon:

Medinah Shriners’ all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast & huge bake sale. Open to the public. In the main ballroom of our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, milk, and orange juice. The price is only US$6.00 for adults & children twelve years of age and older, and US$3.00 for children aged two to eleven years. Proceeds benefit the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. Click here for an informative flier.

Friday-Sunday, 30 April – 2 May:

Medinah Shriners’ annual onion sale. West Suburban Shrine Club will sell sweet Vidalia^® onions at the following locations:

Emerald Bay Jewelry and Design, located at 3749 Grand Boulevard, in Brookfield; and

Willowbrook Lanes, located at 735 Plainfield Road, in Willowbrook.

Our tentative schedule will be from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., on Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, or until we sell out, whichever comes first. Click here for delicious gourmet recipes and Vidalia® Onion Committee recipes for your Vidalia® onions. Proceeds inure to the benefit of the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible.

Wednesday Evening, 5 May, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Saturday, 15 May, at 11:00 a.m. (reception & cash bar); 12:00 noon (luncheon); 1:30 (fashion show):

Medinah Shriners’ annual ladies luncheon & fashion show, in the grand ballroom of Drury Lane Oak Brook, located at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets are US$50.00 per person, with tables of ten available. For reservations, please contact Lady Arlene Frank or Lady Coletta Baumann. Click here for an informative flier and reservation form. Proceeds benefit First Lady Pat Beidar's project at the Chicago Shriners Hospital. Reservations are due no later than 20 April. Click here for an informative flier and reservations form.

Monday, 31 May, at 9:00 a.m.:

Wauconda’s Memorial Day parade. Medinah-wide participation. Muster at 9:00 a.m. at the Wauconda Public Works Garage, located on Main Street at North Avenue, in Wauconda. Uniform is your choice of red or blue WSSC parade shirt, and wear your fez! Bring white trousers in case you draw marching duty. An afterglow will be held at the American Legion Hall, located at 551 S Main Street, in Wauconda. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible.

Wednesday Evening, 2 June, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Sunday, 6 June, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (event); 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. (picnic buffet) [all times tentative, based upon previous years]:

Medinah Shriners’ annual picnic at the Brookfield Zoo. We're going back to the world-famous Brookfield Zoo, located at 8400 31st Street (south-west corner of 31st Street and 1st Avenue), in Brookfield [31st Street is a.k.a. “Oak Brook Road” to our DuPage County brethren]. This is a fantastic bargain and an outstanding event for the whole family. For only US$12.00 per adult, US$10.00 per child over 2 years of age, you get parking in the north lot, zoo admission, admission to the children’s zoo, the dolphin show (assuming Seven Seas renovations and reopening is on schedule), and a two-hour picnic buffet in the Oak Grove picnic area. The zoo has undergone extensive renovations and expansions over the past decade, with massive new exhibits opening each year. This year, the new bear habitat has recently opened. The dolphin show is anticipated to have reopened by then. Dress is casual and sans fez. Make your reservations straight away. There is a strict cut-off date [to be announced of for reservations; no Medinah packages will be available after that date. ring your family. Dress is casual.

Sunday, 27 June, at 12:00 noon:

Geneva’s Swedish Days grand parade. Medinah-wide participation. Muster at 12:00 noon at, par usuál, the Kane County government centre, located at 719 South Batavia Avenue, in Geneva. Uniform is blue WSSC parade shirt, and wear your fez! Bring white trousers in case you draw marching duty. Step-off is at 1:00 from the forward staging area. This is a great parade; the spectators are out in force even on the hottest of days, and they love to see us. The streets are wide, with plenty of room for our best show formations. Where else can you see a combination lemonade stand / rubber chicken stand? As always, there will be an afterglow back at the Government Centre. Please click here to review the protocol guide, with useful reminders about fez wear and parade cars. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to drive a Roaring ‘57, march, carry the banner, provide a convertible, or ride in a convertible. Click here for more information.

Wednesday, 30 June, (precise times to be announced):

Southwest Side Shrine Club's 1st Annual golf outing, to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. At Silver Lake Country Club, located at 14700 South 82nd Avenue, in Orland Park. Open to nobles, ladies and guests. Many events on and off the course will provide opportunities to win prizes: Hole-in-one on each course, closest to the pin (men & women), longest put (men & women), longest drive (men & women), highest score (foursome), lowest score (foursome), straightest drive (men & women), betting holes, split-the-pot raffle at dinner, and a silent auction at dinner. Breakfast is at check-in, featuring doughnuts, rolls, coffee & more; lunch is on the course, with hot dogs, chips, pop, and beer; dinner consists of steaks barbecued to order on the patio, garden salad, baked potatoes, vegetables, a coffee table and more. There will be an open bar for three hours before, during and after dinner. Proceeds benefit the World's Greatest Philanthropy - Shriners Hospitals for Children. Click here for an informative flier.

Saturday-Thursday, 3-8 July:

136th annual Shrine Imperial Council session, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in fabulous Toronto, Ontario. Hosted by Ramses Shriners. Come and cheer on many of Medinah Shriners’ marching units as they compete to be the best in all the Shrine. Toronto, Ontario is starting to roll out the red carpet for you right now. The city is truly excited that the Shriners are coming to town. The people of Toronto love us for what we do for kids through our Shriners Hospitals, plus the parades and pageantry that we will display while we are there. “Toronto Unlimited” is the theme of your host city. It is one of the premier cities in North America in terms of cultures, the diversities of attractions, and opportunities for enjoyment. As they say, Toronto is a “world within a city.” Spend a few minutes clicking onto the links in the session’s web site to wet your appetite about coming here 3-8 July 2010. You’ll see why thousands upon thousands of Shriners went there in 1989 and made it the largest Imperial convention and longest Shrine parade ever! While there, see the famous Shrine Peace Memorial dedicated during the 1930 Imperial Council Session (and tentatively planned to be re-dedicated at this year's convention).

Wednesday Evening, 7 July, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Saturday Evening, 17 July, (time to be announced):

First Lady Pat's 1950s Sock Hop, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Details will be posted when published. Remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls.

Sunday, 18 July:

Medinah Shriners’ all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast & huge bake sale, at 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Open to the Public. In the main ballroom of our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee, milk, and orange juice. The price is only US$6.00 for adults & children twelve years of age and older, and US$3.00 for children aged two to eleven years. Proceeds benefit the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. Click here for an informative flier.

We may split the unit, with one team of four cars attending the Medinah car show, and the other team of four cars earning our keep at a parade:

Medinah Shriners’ 3rd Annual Car Show, at 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (open), 3:00 p.m. (trophies awarded). At our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. All are welcome to enter (nobles, family, friends, neighbours, and the public). Enter your car for only US$15.00 (if postmarked no later than 10 July; otherwise, the registration fee is US$20.00). Food and beverages will be available; please leave your coolers at home. Proceeds benefit the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. Click here for an informative flier and registration form to display your classic car. For more information, ring 630-899-1400. WSSC uniform is blue WSSC parade shirt, white trousers, and wear your fez! Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there.

Wednesday Evening, 4 August, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Saturday, 7 August, exact time to be announced:

Medinah Shriners’ annual chilli cook-off. At our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Details will be posted when published. Proceeds benefit the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. For more information, ring 630-899-1400.

Sunday, 8 August, time to be announced:

Roundy Jewel brunch. The Medinah Shriners honour those nobles who keep Medinah strong by sponsoring new nobles, and present them the Roundy Jewel and/or appurtenances thereto, at this annual brunch. At our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Named for Imperial Sir Frank C. Roundy, 1899-1900 Medinah Potentate and 1907-1908 Imperial Potentate, the jewel is scimitar-and-crescent-shaped, suspended from a neck ribbon of red, yellow and green. Subsequent awards are recognized by appurtenances in the shapes of coloured arches and a star, suspended below the crescent. Details will be posted when published.

Wednesday Evening, 1 September, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Wednesday Evening, 6 October, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Thursday, 14 October – Tuesday, 26 October:

Potentate's Pilgrimage through the Panamá Canal, Join Illustrious Sir Jerry Wilson, his lady Pat Biedar, and your Medinah Shriners friends on a ten-day cruise aboard Coral Princess, with two pre-cruise nights in exciting Acapulco. Ports of call include Huatulco México, San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, Puntarenas Costa Rica, Fuerte Amador Panamá, Cristobal Panamá, and Ocho Rios Jamaica, disembarking at Fort Lauderdale. Ship activities include pools, fitness areas, internet, shopping, casinos, shows in the Universe Lounge, constant dining options, exclusive Medinah cocktail party, and much more. Meals and beverages aboard Coral Princess and at the Camino Real Acapulco Diamante are included. Click here for a complete brochure, price guide, and reservations form.

Wednesday Evening, 3 November, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Wednesday Evening, 1 December, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Sunday, 5 December, at 8:00 a.m.:

Chicagoland Toys for Tots motorcycle parade. West Suburban Shriners will once again work the intersection of Ogden and Western Avenues, controlling traffic as each tier of several thousand motorcycles, fire trucks, Marine Corps HMMWVs, inter alia pass through on their way north from the Dan Ryan Woods at 83rd Street and Western Avenue, up to Foster Avenue and the Marine Reserve Centre, each one of them carrying toys for needy Chicago-area children. The Chicagoland Toys For Tots motorcycle parade is the largest motorcycle parade in the world, with tens of thousands of bikers – and runs for nearly nineteen miles along the world’s longest street (Western Avenue is 23½ miles long within the city, plus several more miles in the suburbs). Please, no stuffed animals; this is due to health concerns (allergies & hygiene). Uniform is blue parade shirt and unit jacket – and, of course, your fez, so everyone will see the Shriners' participation! You will be issued an orange safety vest on site. Email Petey to let him know you’ll be there to help.

Friday Evening, 31 December 2010 – Saturday Morning, 1 January 2011, 8:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.:

Medinah Shriners’ annual New Year’s Eve party, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison.

Details and price will be posted when published. Proceeds inure to the benefit of the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. Reservations are required; telephone 630-458-0200 for reservations and more information.

Contact the hotels directly for hotel reservations; some suggestions from the Medinah office are: Hilton Garden Inn next door at 630-691-0500 (special pricing at the Hilton Garden Inn if you mention Medinah Shriners' event); Wyndham Northwest (in Itasca) at 630-773-4000; Wyndham Garden Wood Dale at 630-860-2900.

Saturday, 1 January 2011, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.:

Medinah Shriners’ annual New Year brunch, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Start the new year with Medinah over a brunch fit for a king and queen. Details will be posted when published. Proceeds inure to the benefit of the Medinah Shriners and are not deductible. Reservations are required; call 630-458-0200 to RSVP.

Wednesday Evening, 5 January 2011, at 6:30 p.m.:

monthly WSSC stag dinner & annual officer election, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. Wear your fez or pay the fine. And remember that jeans, shorts and t-shirts (as outerwear) are prohibited in the Oasis and in the banquet halls. To ensure we have the proper amount of space and food, please ring 3rd Vice President, Noble Ray Bernard, at 847-975-1059. Board members are required to attend, and will be charged for the meal unless you let Ray know that you will not be there.

Friday-Thursday, 1-7 July 2011:

137th annual Shrine Imperial Council session, in Denver, Colorado. Hosted by El Jebel Shrine. Come and cheer on many of Medinah Shriners’ marching units as they compete to be the best in all the Shrine. Click here for a full schedule.

Saturday Evening, 17 September 2011 (exact time to be announced):

Reception for York Rite Grand Presiding Officers, at our Medinah Shrine Centre, located at 550 North Shriners Drive, in Addison. The Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois, the Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of Illinois, and the Right Excellent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois will be honoured at a joint reception and dinner.

July 2012:

138th annual Shrine Imperial Council session, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hosted by Oasis Shriners. Come and cheer on many of Medinah Shriners’ marching units as they compete to be the best in all the Shrine. Details will be posted when published.