SHRINERS INTERNATIONAL January 2017

The

ArabianHouston, Texas

ArabianOfficial Publication ofARABIA TEMPLE

PO Box 420549Houston Texas 77242

or10510 Harwin Drive

Houston Texas 77036Telephone: 713-664-3437

Fax: 713-664-3439www.shriners-houston.org

Office Hours: 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 PM, M-F

ARABIA SHRINE CENTER DIVANTony Macias (Rosa).....………….....…PotentateLaris Nolan (Linda)………….………..Chief RabbanDavid Janda (Donna)… .…..……..Assistant RabbanJohn Arnold (Tracey).……High Priest and ProphetRuben Robles (Bea).….....…….......Oriental GuideDennie Jackson (Elaine)…..……..……. TreasurerJohn Olivarri, P.P.(Grace)……...…........ Recorder

IMPERIAL REPRESENTATIVESJerry Gantt, P. P. .………..……Past Imperial PotentateTony Macias…….……..……..….….……....... PotentateLaris Nolan. ..…………….…...….……...Chief RabbanDavid Janda.……...…………….....….Assistant RabbanJohn Arnold...…………………… High Priest & Prophet

BOARD OF TRUSTEESClarence Wittwer………..………………………….2016Rudy Staudt………………………………….2014-2016Phillip Christie………………….….……..….2015-2017David Harvey………….……….…..….…… 2015-2017Claude Eichenour………………………….. 2016-2018Keith Ward….………………………………. 2016-2018

ARABIA CIRCUS OFFICETelephone 713.664.7210

David Janda .………………………Circus Chairman

ARABIA BUSINESS OFFICETelephone 713-664-3437

Amanda Abohlman ……………….……Office ManagerAbohlman@shriners-houston.org

To ensure your article is included, pleaseSubmit your article to:

pweasley1004@gmail.com

BAYTOWNRusty Mayfield281-426-5091

BRAZOSVALLEY

Monty Yawn281-739-2192

BRENHAMKeith Kilgore

979-777-8606

COLORADOVALLEY

Glenn Leist361-594-3643

FORT BENDAndrew Hopman

GULF COASTJames Mathes

HOBBYO.R. Lee

281-814-8553LAKE

HOUSTONDouglas Foster

MONTGOMERYCNTY.

Cam Lipe

NASA AREADon Billings

281-338-6676

NEW CANEYJim Clark

281-654-2860SAM HOUSTONMichael Dowden

936-662-0327

SAN JACINTORicky Pena

713-545-9204

SOUTHEASTRichard Klemme

713-559-4994TOMBALL

AREAAlbert Hyde

832-266-8650WALLERCOUNTY

Jimmie Hooper936-931-2504WESTSIDEJason Levin

281-371-2531

WHARTONL. RobertGuerrero

979-282-9000

ARABIANKNIGHTSJohn Orn

281-328-3097

BOWLERSBill Hawkins

281-481-8016

CIRCUSROUSTABOUTS

Dale Dickman936-581-3347

CLOWN JEWELSDoug Dudley713-882-9925

DIRECTOR’SSTAFF

Bill Hawkins281-481-8016

FLYING FEZJoe Ortega

713-494-6723

GOLFERSBob Sharpe

281-440-0788

GREETERSRaul Rubalcaba832-922-5904

HOT RODSBenjaminLaBlanc

281-871-2295LEGION OF

HONORRick Villareal713-436-3426

MOTORCORPS

James Hunt281-464-0748

OASIS CLUBAlford Sweat

281-443-0931

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ORIENTAL BANDClarence Wittwer

832-221-9506

PATROLJames Gorden713-644-2090

PROVOSTGUARD

Bill Hawkins281-481-8016

SHENANIGANSRay Derrington936-336-8405

SPORTSMENDavid Harvey281-203-0022

YABANPreston Brown281-216-8772

UNIT HEADS

SHRINE CLUBS

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Dear Nobles and Ladies,

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for allowing me to serve as your Potentate for2016. This has been a very good year for Arabia Temple, as well as for Rosa and me. We haveheld many events and successfully put them together with the help of all the nobility. All the repairsand improvements are completed, and I am happy to tell you, that without the support and love thateveryone has shown Lady Rosa and myself, it couldn't have been done.

I owe particular thanks of gratitude to the 2016 Divan and their Ladies and the Members of the Staffand their Ladies, and I'm asking everyone to give all their support to your new officers for 2017.

Being The Potentate of Arabia Shrine Temple brings me total satisfaction and experience andcompletes another chapter in my life and at the same time opens up the next journey.I'm Proud to be a Shriner, and to be able to fulfill happiness to those Kids by changing their livesand giving them hope.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Fraternally,Tony Macias

Notice is hereby giving that the next regularly scheduled meeting of Arabia Temple will beheld Monday JANUARY 09,2017. 7:00 pm

Dinner at 6:00 pmPublic Installation of Officers in the Ballroom

Wear your fez - 2017 dues card required.

John Olivarri, PP Tony MaciasRecorder Potentate

A Living Memorial Lives OnLest we forget our Hospital Benefit Programs are year round by virtue of their continuing needs.“A LIVING MEMORIAL” can add meaning to your remembrance for a friend or loved one and willhelp a physically challenged child to walk or a burned child to live. “A LIVING MEMORIAL” willanswer parents’ prayers. More and more of our members are taking advantage of the postagepaid memorial envelopes for such tributes.

I respectfully ask and urge you to support this portion of our Hospital Benefit Program.

John Arnold, High Priest & Prophet

2016 Benefit Chairman

“LIVING MEMORIAL” envelopes can be obtained through the Temple Office.

The following is a list of DONORS:

Kubena Funeral Home Betty Van Way Chess & Sheila NecessaryVana Boring Services Donald & Marilyn Diamond Robert & Sharon BallardArabia Bowlers Shirley Mitchell Lonnie & Suzanne HamrickC E Jones Family SW Kammeraad Shirley MeyerSue & Dave Hankins Charles & Faye Rau Sheryl DeWittJim & Juanice Meadows Bill & Marina David Robert & Mary Lu EppsErnest Chandler John & Patsy Hermann Bill & Sandra IveyThe Robinson Family Dorothy Morse Kathy FrazierClare Hauser Louis Read Jean Sitterle

IN MEMORY

Gerald Sitterle Corri D Stark Weather David ChappelNancy Porter Jackie Cottrell Harry StarkBrad Wendell Iris Cox Ken GoedekeDr. T O Walton Jr Michael Waites Keith JacobsCrystal Enderli Bill McKeown Jim Hanks

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WELCOME NEW NOBLES!

Noble Lady First Line Signer

Jose Cabral Tony MaciasGabriel Mendez Michael SampsonChristian Moore Corky Bynum

Deaths 11/22/16 – 12/21/16

Ira William “ Bill” McKeown

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Imperial Sir/Illustrious Sirs & Fellow Nobles and Ladies:

I thank you for your help, support and vote of confidence to be your next Potentate. We as a Divanare together and ready to move forward in a positive fashion. The elections are over, the holidaysbehind us, and it’s time to start the New Year off right.

I would like to thank all the units and clubs who participated on Calendar Day to help finalize the2017 calendar. We hope to have the calendar printed and ready by installation night. We are currentlyworking on the roster and need your help to ensure that we have any current information that mayhave changed from last year. If any of your personal information has changed, please contact theTemple and talk to Melissa Freeman (713) 664-3437.

Now Linda and I are beginning to plan the Inaugural Ball, it will be a Cajun Night to remember. Butas the year goes on we will be doubling the number of upcoming magic shows. I feel this extra incomewill help the shrine center. We will also start targeting our paving garden in front of the Shrine Center.In the month of April, I am planning a Cajun Festival, followed in the month of September by a MexicanFiesta.

You have a great Divan and an even greater staff to work with. As they tell us at Imperial, our mainpurpose is to have fun. If we do that, the Circus and raising money for our hospitals will be easy.Please plan on supporting a club or unit this year. They are the life blood of Arabia.

Let’s take every opportunity to promote the Shrine with our Masonic brothers. I feel we should have more involvement in the displaying of our various units and Shrine Clubs outfront showing our support of the Shrine Center. Linda and I are committed to giving our total supportto Arabia Shrine Center for 2017. May you all have a very prosperous and Happy New Year. Goodhealth to all.

Please come out on Jan. 9, 2017 for Installation and support of your elected Divan, let’s start theNew Year off with a bang.

Fraternally yours,Laris Nolan, Potentate (elect)

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From the CHIEF RABBAN’s SeatBy Noble Laris Nolan

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Looking on as the Assistant RABBAN and General CircusChairman

By Noble David JandaThe year has closed out and we are looking forward to 2017.

Take the time to reflect on 2016 and remember the great times you had.

Me and my Lady will continue to work hard for the Circus, Arabia Shrine and keep the best interestof the nobles in our decisions.

I and my Lady are looking forward to serving as your 2017 Circus Chairman and Lady. We havethe greatest crew behind us (Arabia). With your hard work and dedication, it will be great. We sawthat with the first turn in. Thanks for being there and the great words everyone gave us.

If you missed the first turn in, mark your calendar for the second turn in on Wednesday January18th at 6:30pm for refreshments and 7pm for dinner. We had a free raffle and gave away a circust-shirt, circus visor, circus cap, a small bottle of crown and a bigger bottle of crown and we willcontinue this at each turn in.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year and gave thanks to God forliving in a country that we are free to choose and thank him for all our blessings.

My Lady and I want to thank our Committee Chairpersons and their spouse and our committeepeople for the hard work they have done already.

Keep Brother Bill McKeown’s Family in your prayers.We have lost a Mason, Scottish Rite Shrine Brother, who was dedicated and worked hard to helpchildren in our Shrine Hospitals. He gave his all for the Shrine Temple, Clubs and Units. He will besorely missed.

MAY GOD BLESS THE 2017 CIRCUS, ARABIA TEMPLE AND ALL OUR NOBLES AND LADIES.

Fraternally yours,

David Janda, Chief Rabban (elect)

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Reflections from the High Priest and ProphetBy Noble John Arnold

At our December Stated meeting at the Shrine Center, we were fortunate to have 3 checks turnedin for the hospital.

The Lake Houston Area Shrine club Held their annual gun raffle and with all their hard workpresented a check for $21,000. Next the Arabian Knights turned in a $17,000. check from theirannual Trail ride/BBQ Cook off.

A private donation check was turned in for the amount of $10,000. And David Kangas turned inagain his monthly collection check.

What a fantastic way to end the year with the funds going to the support of our hospitals. I wouldlike to take this opportunity to thank all the clubs and units for their support throughout this year.

Congratulations to all the newly elected officers of the units and Shrine Clubs.We look forward to working closely with all of you in the upcoming year.

Fraternally,John Arnold, Assistant Rabban (elect)

The Oriental Guide’s OutlookBy Noble Ruben Robles

Lady Bea and I have enjoyed 2016 as your Oriental Guide and Membership Chairman. I wouldlike to thank each and everyone of you for your support in making this year a success.

You have elected me as your High Priest and Profit during 2017, and my responsibility will beBenefit. We have a lot of Benefits planned for the year. On February 8, 2017 we will have our2017 Hospital Benefit Kickoff Dinner at the Houston Shriners Hospital with a Social at 6:30 anddinner at 7:00.

I would like to have an Officer or representative of every Arabia Unit and Shrine Club to attend theBenefit Kickoff Dinner with your Lady.

I encourage each Unit and Shrine Club to have a Hospital Fund Raiser during 2017.

RSVP to Melissa at 713-664-3437 by February 3RD.

Fraternally,Ruben Robles, High Priest and Prophet (elect)

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From the desk of the RecorderBy John V. Olivarri, P. P.

As this year goes out it’s hard to believe we have gone through another year here at the center. Wehave seen the end of our law suit, made it for another Gold status in membership, and units/clubsare working to stay busy. The sad part is we have lost several nobles to the black camel who reallymade things bright around here. These nobles made a difference in membership goals, circus sales,and helping to strength units and clubs. Now it’s time for some other nobles to take the time, talent,and dedication they have to fill the gap left by these men.

Over the last two years Arabia has created over 200 new nobles. We welcome these men and askthem start their journey and visit our hospitals to see what our mission is. Here at the center we havean abundance of talent that we can share to keep our traditions alive. So as 2017 begins make aresolution to come to our monthly stated meetings to see your center, and visit a unit or club to seewhat we have to offer.

Grace and I wish all of you a prosperous and “Happy New Year”.

Sincerely yours;John V. Olivarri, P. P. Recorder (elect)

The Colonel’s CalendarBy Ricky Pena

Please mark your calendar for the events listed below:

Memorial Services in the Ballroom – January 8, 2017 at 2 PM

Staff Orientation - Prairie & Braeswood Room – January 8, 2017 at 4:30 PM

Installation of Divan Officers as well as all Clubs & Units afterwards - January 9, 2017 at 6 PM

2nd Circus Turn In - Braeswood Room - January 18, 2017 at 6:30 PM

Inaugural Ball - January 28, 2017 at 7 PM. Please RSVP to Melissa at 713-664-3437

February Notice

Conroe/Willis/The Woodlands - Go Texan Parade & Go Texan Stampede 2017 February 25, 2017starting at 1;00 P.M.

Colonel’s CornerBy Ricky Pena

Hello, my fellow Nobles and Ladies. My Lady Naomi and I hope that Each of You and Your Familieshad a Wonderful and Blessed Christmas, and we want to Wish Each of You and Happy New Year.During 2016 we were blessed to be your Colonel and during that time we have met some amazingNobles and Ladies along the way and have made some long lasting friendships. We will both cherishthis year for years to come, and we are looking for an exciting year in 2017.

We want to Thank Each of Your for Your Support during 2016, and Your continued support in 2017and the years to come.

Our Election of Arabia Temple Officers was held on Monday December 12, 2016. During the electionsI was elected by the Nobility as Your 2017 Oriental Guide Elect. Naomi and I feel so humbled andhonored that you have the faith in us to serve on the DIVAN.

There is a lot going on at Arabia, so I encourage you to get active in a unit or a club. I promise youwill not be bored, and the fellowship is amazing.

I'm a phone call away; you can call me at 713-545-9204 with any questions that I may be able tohelp you with. If I don’t know the answer - I’ll get it for you. If you call me and I don’t answer my phone- I may be at work, a meeting, etc., so please leave me a message with your name and call backnumber, and I will call you back as soon as I can.

Sincerely,

Ricky Pena, Oriental Guide (elect)

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Nobles, Ladies, All,

I want to inform all of our Web Site users that new emphasis is being placed on the Arabia Temple’sWeb Site, www.shriners-houston.org, this year. We will be bringing those new features to you througharticles like this. It is our hope that the Web Site, does in fact become a useful tool to all who visit.

We will be using this space as an opportunity to bring our users, descriptions and how to informationas new tools and features are added to the website.

We have attempted to make our Web Site as user friendly as possible, and at the same time moreuseful and informative for our nobles and visitors. With that in mind we want you to have a moreenjoyable experience with our site.

The Presentation is designed to allow all visitors access to all information that is open to the public.In general, this includes information for our nobles and visitors about our Divan, our units and clubs,our newsletters, pictures, links to other organizations, and a calendar of upcoming events. As mostof the features have been on the site for some time you may be familiar with them, but the activecalendar is the new feature for January.

This new feature, the active calendar, will be available to all visitors. Upon reaching the Websitesimply move down the home page to the titled “Upcoming Current Events.” Here will be found all theevents for Arabia Temple for the next 7 days.

Also as beneficial as this may be, addition features this brings, is each unit and club has their owncalendar, displaying their own events. These unit and club calendars will be visible to all andaccessible simply by using the Arabia Units and Arabia Clubs tab on the left of the page and selectingthe unit or club of interest.Here you will find important information about the selected unit or club as well as displaying therespective calendar. Also, each of these calendars will roll up to one Master calendar that will displayall events related to Arabia Temple. This calendar can be found by going to the Resource optionon the left and selecting Calendar. This will give the Calendar of events as it relates to Arabia Templeas a whole.

I hope you find this information useful and will continue to read the Newsletter. As new features andtools are added to the website, we will add articles here and discussions on how to use.If you think of a feature or tool that would be of use or something you would like to see on our websiteplease email me using the link on the home page “Arabia Web Master”.

Thanks,

Arabia Temple Web Master

From the World Wide WebBy Paul W. Easley

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As we move into the last part of 2016, Arabia Shrine Patrol continues to be active with service projectsand sharing the fellowship that Shriners everywhere expect. On December 4th, Patrol held its annualColonel’s party where we enjoyed the company of our friends and shared the joy of this holidayseason.

Of particular note is the Patrol Ladies Christmas project, where every year, we collect donations tohelp the less fortunate First Grade kids at Ketelsen Elementary School. Thanks to you and yourmany kind donations, the Ladies had Christmas gifts for all the kids. We got to sings songs and takesome great, memorable picture that we treasure every time.

We would also like to congratulate Al Sweat on being elected to the position of Patrol Captain forthe year 2017. Al will be joined by elected officers Social Lieutenant Clarence Wittwer, MilitaryLieutenant Todd Smith, Secretary Treasurer Randy Carter, and Drill Lieutenant John McDonald PP.We are looking forward to forming our drill lines early next year and would invite any Arabia Shrinerswho would like to come and join us to come out one Friday night. I hear there is usually a pokergame afterwards.

Dark? Who went Dark this summer? The Baytown Shrine Club has been cooking on all four burnersall Summer and Fall.

· We served Breakfast to 80 of the Clowns for TSA.· We served a fabulous Seafood Boil for 60 members of Khiva.· We served over 400 plates of our special Fried Fish at TSA.· We served over 100 plates for Patrol.· We participated in the Brenham parade.· We participated two 4th of July Parades, one in La Porte and one in Baytown· We have had three stated meetings which were very well attended one we served succulent grilled pork chops and one we served spaghetti ala Weston. All was very well received.· We received a donation for the Ronald McDonald house, about 40 pounds of pull tabs. The donor was presented a nice certificate at the August meeting and the Baytown Sun was in attendance to document the presentation.· We helped John Arnold sell CDs at the Disturbed/Breaking Benjamin concert. Ya’ll come out to the next concert when John calls and Baytown will show you how to sell CD’s. I am telling you, we sold CDs to people that don’t have CD players and didn’t know they wanted CDs.· We feed over 250 staff, doctors and board members at the Hospital in Galveston October 1.· We Collected over $6,500 with an old style paper drive (benefit day) the first two weekends of October. Old River Lodge and Sampson Lodge stepped up and helped as they always have.· We were well represented at the Highlands Parade on October 1. We also thank all of the Arabia Nobles and Ladies that participated in the Parade.· We have had six blood drives in 2016. Three with UTMB and Three with MD Anderson. The last three blood drives with MD Anderson have netted us 82 units.· We made two trips to the flood victims with three loaded to the brim trailers. Food and clothes, and bicycles, and toys and water and lots of good will.· We participated in both the Baytown and Mont Belvieu Christmas parades· We have a donation that will provide all of the bottled water needed for the 2017 Circus.· We have established two new fund raisers, selling ads on the back of chairs:

o One fund raiser for the Baytown Shrine Club ando One fund raiser for the 2017 Shrine Circus (over 20 chairs have been sold for the circus ) Don

Slayton, Marc Miller and Dave Kangas are selling hard. This project is open to everyone, just contact Don or Bobby. We have venues for Circus in Mont Belvieu, Baytown, Pasadena and in Rosenburg.

The 2017 promises to be exciting. Early on we are planning:· A Seafood Fry, maybe oysters will be back, too soon to tell.· A garage sale and look out for word and· A Valentines Day Party

Gotta go, grease is hot and folks are hungry, come out and visit with us every 4th Monday at 6:30. Havesome fun in Baytown.· A garage sale and look out for word and· A Valentines Day PartyGotta go, grease is hot and folks are hungry, come out and visit with us every 4th Monday at 6:30. Havesome fun in Baytown.

Baytown Shrine ClubBy Bobby Wilson

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Arabia TemplePO Box 420549

Houston TX 77242Address Service Requested

NonProfit Org. USPostage Paid

Permit 53 HoustonTexas