PITTSBURG — Is it great to be a Shriner? According to George Mitchell, it’s feztastic. He should know. As the imperial potentate of Shrine International, he’s the highest-ranking Shriner on the planet. Mitchell, of Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada, was elected during the 2010 Imperial Council Session, held July 4-8 in Toronto. Among his first duties was a stop in Pittsburg for the Kansas Shrine Bowl. “I’m kind of a new man on the block, but not really,” Mitchell said. “There’s a 10- or 11-year line, so you have lots of time to prepare for this, and lots of support.” But it’s still a big job. Mitchell serves as president of the Board of Directors for Shrine International and chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. “We’ve got our staff and 22 hospitals,” Mitchell said. “We get enthusiastic, but it’s very easy. This is the world’s greatest philanthropy. It’s one of government’s failures that it’s not looking after these kids. What the world needs is more Masons.” more Game attracts Shriners' head - Pittsburg, KS - Morning Sun
