Beni Kedem Clowns

  

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!"