1971 - Huntington Shrine Club organized the "Huntington Shrine Club
Clowns" under the Huntington Shrine Club by-laws. This was to
promote activity of the Nobles of the Huntington area. First
President and organizational leader was Lloyd Loan. Ten charter
members formed this first group of clowns - 2 are still members, Jim Fankhanel
who is still active is Past President of the Unit, Mid Atlantic Shrine Clown
Ass'n. and International Shrine Clown Ass'n. and present Unit Treasurer, and
Cliff Metz who is an inactive clown is Past President of the Unit, Past
President and Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus of South Atlantic Shrine
Clown Ass'n.
Originally all members of the Clowns had to be members of the
Huntington Shrine Club. 1977 - Many Charleston and Williamson area
Nobles had joined the Huntington Shrine Club and joined the Clowns. After
discussion with Warren Upton, Illustrious Potentate and Divan we developed
by-laws to change the status of the Clowns to an independent service club with
the alley structure we now have in place. This of course, was in preparation for
request later for unit status. The request for service club status
was rejected at that time due to internal problems.
In 1979 - The Clowns divided into Huntington and Charleston Alleys operating
separately with Nobles from other club areas expressing interest in clowning. 1981
- Under Henry Glass, Illustrious Potentate, we again revived the unit by-laws
rejected in 1977 and set up the Unit/Alley structure to promote clowning in the
entire Beni Kedem jurisdiction. This was a cooperative project of the
Charleston and Huntington Clowns for the good of the Nobility by promoting
activity in any Shrine Club area. Under the Alley system - the Unit
promoted and formed additional active alleys in Greenbrier Shrine Club, Fayette
and Beckley Shrine Club, Tug Valley Shrine Club, Welch Shrine Club and Logan
Shrine Club. The Alleys have allowed the Clowns to be active in there
individual locals and still work together as a Unit for Shrine events such as
Ceremonials, S.A.S.A and Imperial sessions. At present we have active clowns in
all of our alleys.
The Clowns have been actively entertaining at our Beni Kedem Circus since 1971
and have produced a clown act in the circus for the last 25 years. We have as a
Unit and individually won many trophies for performance, parade and costume and
makeup at regional and imperial competition. We love to entertain because as we
say, "Good Clowns Have More Fun!"
Contact: Jim Fankhanel Jimfankhanel@wvdsl.net