Ted A. Mosshart *
Illustrious Sir Ted A. Mosshart
Potentate - 1995
Ted A. Mosshart was installed on January 16th as the 80th Potentate of Arabia Temple by Illustrious Sir Charles A. Easterling, Past Potentate, 1971. The Divan and Staff ladies enjoyed a nice dinner at Kaphan’s. The theme was “The Heart of Arabia Temple”, Shrine Hospitals, membership and welfare of our nobles and ladies. The Inaugural Ball was on January 21st, with music by Manny Green and his violins. Special thanks go to Chief of Staff Milton Jordan and his lady, Jean, and Colonel Delbert Deason and his lady, LaVerne, in decorating the ballroom with red hearts. Noble Jerry Gantt and his workers put up the decorations. The mural of a fall European landscape was painted by First Lady Inge Mosshart. The Potentate introduced his mother, their four children and their seven grandchildren. The weekend was enjoyed by all at the Wyndham Warwick Hotel on South Main. Arabia hosted the big International Gem & Jewelry Show for three days. Noble Russel Norris was appointed Building Manager.
The Divan Mid-Winter was held in Midland for the first time. The Conroe parade was on February 4th. The first official visit for 1995 was at Nasa at the South Shore Harbor Country Club. Chief Ambassador Tom Parkinson and his lady, Nina, had everything planned perfectly. The Arabian Knights had their mid-winter in Houston. Lake Houston official visit was on February 16th at the Kingwood Country Club. The Grotto had their Monarch Ball on February 18th. The Potentate and others attended Charro Days in Brownsville on February 24th and 25th. The Motor Corps, Oriental Band and the Steel Bandits participated in both parades - Texas and Mexico.
Unit mid-winters were held in various cities during March. San Jacinto official visit at the Monument Inn on March 2nd. The American Legion in Willis sponsored a benefit under the leadership of Jack M. Glasscock, H. P. & P. On March 16th, Colorado Valley held their annual circus party in Weimar. Our bus stopped at Kasper’s Meat Market (since 1920) for those German sausages. The St. Patrick’s Day parade, on Richmond Avenue, was on March 18th. Imperial Sir Burton E. Ravellette, Jr. and his first lady, Joyce, visited Arabia during March. The Clown Jewels had their costume circus dance with the Knights of Dixie on March 25th.
Arabia’s 59th Annual Shrine Circus, under the direction of Chief Rabban Fred Loofs was held in April. George Carden was the producer. The La Porte parade was on April 29th. The Arabian Knights held their Annual Benefit Trail Ride on April 28th and 29th.
Waller County official visit was on May 6th. First Lady’s luncheon, honoring Inge Mosshart, was held at the Hilton Hotel Southwest. The Colonel’s lady, LaVerne Deason, and the unit and club presidents’ ladies put on a marvelous luncheon. Most of the ladies wore hats and they sure were pretty.
May 10th was bingo night with new gifts. Montgomery County Shrine Club official visit was at the River Plantation Country Club on May 11th. The Annual Maifest Parade in Brenham was on May 13th, with wonderful barbecue chicken and Blue Bell ice cream. On May 29th, the Band and Legion of Honor performed at the Veterans’ Cemetery on Memorial Day. The inside walls and halls, plus the ballroom were painted. Also, the outside of the building and annex were painted. A new Cannon copier and fax machine and a new postage machine were purchased for our office.
Southeast Shrine Club official visit on June 1. We had a bus load on our official visit to the Lufkin Shrine Club on June 3rd - great catfish. T.S.A. was held in San Antonio. Arabia won its share of trophies. Our headquarters was at the Wyndham Hotel and First Lady Inge hosted a lovely Fiesta Party for all ladies attending T.S.A., with the proper refreshments. On June 15th, we had a bus load for Colorado Valley for the Spring Harvest in Hallettsville, with that fried chicken, home grown tomatoes and fresh corn, plus watermelon. Brenham official visit was June 26th.
Shriner parade on July 1st. The Legion of Honor, Oriental Band and Motor Corps attended. The 121st Imperial Session was in Indianapolis and the Patrol Drill Team won again. The Legion of Honor had their annual Christmas in July on July 9th. Their bus of nobles and ladies visited both hospitals and left many gifts and smiling faces. A great 80th Anniversary/Birthday party for Arabia, with a German theme and food, was attended by over 500. Our own German Polka Band provided the music. Casino Night was on July 29th with a great crowd and great gifts.
T.S.A. and Imperial Victory Dance on August 5th with the Arabia Connections. We had two buses for the Annual Schulenburg Parade on August 6th. The weather was very hot, but Jerry Mikeska’s barbecued chicken and sausage, plus the Shriner hospitality, put everyone in a jovial mood. Baytown had their official visit on August 11th, and the Potentate was presented his lifetime membership in Baytown.
The Legion of Honor had their country/western dance, with the River Road Boys, on August 19th. Arabia and the Scottish Rite sponsored the Festive Board dinner on August 26th honoring our Grand and Blue Lodge officers for the fine job they do each day. On August 28th a group of 45 nobles and their ladies left for 14 days to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A most enjoyable trip, especially when you have a German interpreter in the front seat. Illustrious Sir Ted and Inge spent an additional 16 days visiting other places in Europe. We were all saddened by the loss of Illustrious Sir Fred F. Dexter, Jr. on August 28th.
The Oriental Band held their annual Arabian Fantasy Formal honoring the first lady with the Gus Linderman Band. On September 16th, Arabia was in the Fiestas Patrias parade and dance that night. Bingo was held on September 20th. Our Annual Shrine Club Dance, under the direction of Chief Ambassador Tom Parkinson, was on September 23rd, and a big success. The River Road Boys played good country. The Steel Bandits had a benefit dance at the Chaparral Club on September 30th. Tomball had their official visit on September 28th.
Arabia’s Golf Unit had a big benefit tournament at Country Place on October 3rd. Fort Bend had their official visit at the Fort Bend Country Club on October 3rd. Benefit Day was on Saturday, October 7th. Colorado Valley had their annual benefit meeting in LaGrange on October 12th. On Saturday, October 21st, the Luncheon Club honored First Lady Inge with a luncheon at the temple. Brazos Valley Shrine Club had their official visit at the Briar Crest Country Club on October 26th.
Bingo, with turkeys as gifts, was held on November 1st. Gulf Coast Shrine Club official visit was on November 11th. Tomball had their Christmas parade on November 18th.
Baytown held their annual Christmas night parade on December 7th, and later at the club, that hot chili and those moon pies. We took a bus to Schulenburg and Colorado Valley official visit on December 13th. Several blood drives in Baytown, under the leadership of Noble Elton Rodgers, supplied many pints of blood to our Burns Hospital. Our annual New Year’s Eve dance was well attended and a full breakfast and black eyed peas were served to all in attendance. Manny Green provided the good music.
The Drum Corps held their Presidents’ Ball on January 6th honoring all Past Presidents. The Patrol had their Potentates’ Ball on January 13th honoring all Past Potentates. His unit, the Patrol, presented Illustrious Sir Ted A. Mosshart with his Past Potentate’s fez. On Sunday, January 14th, the Legion of Honor held a Memorial Service for our deceased nobles during 1995. It was a tremendous honor to serve you, the nobility of Arabia Temple, during the year 1995. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.
