Shriners hold ceremonial in County Mars Hill native feted

MARS HILL – Liquid sunshine drizzled for a time and then came down in torrents, but nary a soul of the hundreds lining the parade path on Saturday left Main Street during the Anah Temple June ceremonial parade.

Residents thronged to the parade honoring Richard Hallett, a Mars Hill native elevated to the post of Illustrious Potentate of the Anah Temple. The weekend ceremonial welcomed 84 new members to the order.

Traditionally, the ceremonial parade is held in the hometown of the reigning potentate, according to public relations director Mike Crawford. The weekend ceremonial was being held in neighboring Presque Isle.

Saturday morning was for Hallett in Mars Hill, where the population of 1,500 was increased by nearly half by the nearly 700 Shriners from throughout Maine.

The parade had some 37 units of Shriners, featuring officials representing many facets of their organization, their clowns, their minicars, their mini four-wheel-drive vehicles, motorcycles and 18-wheeler replicas.

Main Street, although there was no red carpet, had the welcome mat out for one of their favorite sons. Signs welcoming people and celebrating Hallett’s reign and the Shriners hung in most business windows.

Flags were flying in the brisk wind. Umbrellas, ponchos and other rain gear were the uniform of the day. Shriners marched proudly and sang loudly to the music of the Scottish Highlanders and the colorful Oriental Bands.

“It’s liquid sunshine,” proclaimed Crawford, who was under cover of an 18-wheeler roofed van halfway up the parade roof. “It never rains on an Anah Temple parade.”

On the other hand, rain is a must in Mars Hill for parades, according to Town Manager Ray Mersereau. “We planned this weather,” he said. “We’ve never had a parade when it didn’t rain.

“Dick is a local boy who lived here most of his life,” Mersereau said. “His elevation to potentate is the culmination of his life, years of hard work for the work he has done.

“He’s a very dedicated man,” he said. “Dick has done a lot of work for the Shriners and the kids they serve.”

Many along the parade route, some seeking the cover of business front awnings, called to Hallett by his first name as he rode aboard a two-wheeled dolly carried along by Shriners.

Gov. John Baldacci led the parade, marching in the drizzle and rain.

Crawford said nearly 700 Shriners from Waterville north attended the weekend ceremonial. It probably was the first time ever that the parade was held in Mars Hill, according to Crawford and Mersereau.

On Saturday night, the group was to congregate at the Presque Isle Forum for their ceremonials and weekend ending feast. Crawford said more than 600 people were expected for the feast.

Hallett was born, raised and educated in Mars Hill. He graduated from the Aroostook Central Institute there in 1955 and worked for the Federal-State Inspection Service from 1956 to 1976, between his time in the military. Since 1976, he has been involved with potato sales. He is semiretired, but still working part-time for Maine Potato Growers.

He has been a member of the Masons for nearly 50 years. He has held many posts, including president of the Aroostook Shrine Club. He was appointed to the Anah Temple staff in 1985 and rose through the ranks to Illustrious Potentate, a post to which he was elected in January.

The Shriners operate 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. They provide free medical care to children under age 18 with orthopedic, burn and spinal injuries.

Their 2006 hospital budget, funded by member dues and projects, was reportedly $605 million.

Crawford said that in 2005, 30 children from Aroostook County received services at Shriners hospitals. Most children from Maine get services from hospitals located in Springfield and Boston, Mass.

Anah Temple, based in Bangor, hosts six regional Shrine Clubs from Waterville to Aroostook County.