C. S. (Bud) Inscho, Jr. *
Illustrious Sir C. S. “Bud” Inscho, Jr.
Potentate - 1977
“Involvement For All in ’77 will be our goal” stated Illustrious Potentate C. S. “Bud” Inscho, Jr. in his first message to the nobility. A new format was designed for the “Arabian” and a new award, The Crown of Honor, a broad-base jewel of recognition for all hard-working Shriners, was introduced. Monthly Family Nights featuring programs with professional entertainment designed for the entire family would prevail throughout the year.
Fourteen hundred nobles and ladies, plus many out-of-town guests from California to New Jersey, attended the fantastic Inaugural Ball held on February 19th.
The card and domino players were welcomed to play their favorite games in the Red Room, and a new Square-Dancing Club was organized. Twelve free dances, one per month, for the entire nobility were scheduled for the Fantastic Year of 1977. A note of sadness as Recorder John Sizemore was seriously injured in an automobile accident in February but recovered to return to the temple in June.
On April 2nd, with good publicity and the support of over 2,000 volunteer workers, the Shrine Hospital Benefit Day was by far the greatest and most successful ever held in the history of Arabia Temple. The first Easter midnight service was held at the temple on April 9th, at 11:00 p.m., with the Chanters singing Easter hymns and the Chaplain, Rev. Richard L. Irvin, delivering a memorable Easter sermon. The next day, over 500 children thoroughly enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt held at Memorial Park.
Dancing classes were gaining in popularity at the temple and the Blood Bank Drive was well underway for another great year for the benefit of the burned child. At the request of the Potentate, the Legion of Honor initiated a funeral procedure of standing honor guard or to serve as pallbearers for any member of Arabia Temple. Past Potentate Hirsh N. Schwartz was elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children, Houston Unit. The Annual Picnic on May 22nd, featured a wide range of activities, and more than 4000 nobles and families attended this fun day. Good food, games, and music were enjoyed by all.
The Texas Shrine Association was held in San Antonio with all units participating in competition. First place winners included the Legion of Honor, Oriental Band, and the Bowlers. The Provost Guard were awarded five trophies for various competitions in pistol shooting. Arabia’s Chief Rabban Vernon Oswald was elected President of the Texas Shrine Association.
A York Rite Festival was held at the temple on June 18th and was appropriately named the “C. S. ‘Bud’ Inscho Class” in honor of the Illustrious Potentate.
In lieu of personal gifts from the Uniformed Units and Shrine Clubs, First Lady Gwen Inscho asked that a donation be made to a special fund for Arabia Temple. On June 25th, she unveiled a beautiful, seven-foot high, bronze statue entitled “Shrinedom in Action”. It depicted a Shriner holding a little burned girl in his left arm and his right arm around the shoulder of a crippled boy. The internationally famous sculptor, G. Pat Foley, captured the children’s look of love, gratitude and adoration. The inscription, “Dedicated to the World’s Greatest Philanthropy by the Uniformed Units and Shrine Clubs of Arabia Temple 1977”, revealed the generosity of these groups.
Many honors came to Arabia Temple at the annual meetings of the Imperial Council held in July at New York City. Past Potentate William E. Mattison was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees of the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. Past Potentate Charles A. Easterling was elected 4th Vice President of the Shrine Patrol Association of North America and Noble Hoyd E. Brock was elected President of the Association of Shrine Oriental Bands. Noble Fred R. Morrison of Moslem Temple in Detroit, Michigan was elected Imperial Potentate.
It was Hirsh Schwartz Day in Schulenburg on August 7th. Eight busloads and many private carloads of nobles and ladies made the trip to honor our great Past Potentate. A big parade followed with a barbecue resulting in a wonderful tribute to the Mayor of Schulenburg.
Past Potentate Roy W. Bierschwale was elected to the Board of Directors of the Burns Institute in Galveston.
The DeMolay State Conclave was held at Arabia Temple and Potentate C. S. Inscho, Jr. was honored by receiving the DeMolay Active Legion of Honor award.
The 1977 41st Annual Shrine Circus held the spotlight in October breaking all previous records in sales. General Circus Chairman Vernon Oswald was greatly supported by the Texas Circus Circuit Secretary, Arabia’s Circus Coordinator, Jim McMahan.
As we must go to press so that this first history of Arabia Temple can be distributed to the nobility by January, a short update on the plans for the final quarter of 1977 must be given. A new RV Club (recreational vehicle) has been formed as has a new “Southeast” Shrine Club. Their first meetings are yet to be held. A color post card picturing our new mosque will soon be available to the nobility. A beautiful color photo of the statue “Shrinedom in Action” will be presented to all Shrine petition first line signers for the remainder of the year.
Another Memorial Service for all departed nobles of Arabia Temple in 1977 will be held. The highlight of the year will be a 10-day Holy Land excursion, December 20 to December 30, with Christmas Eve being in Bethlehem. New Year’s Eve will be a gala dance at the mosque.
