Forrest St. Clair *
Illustrious Sir Forrest St. Clair
Potentate - 1979
The 64th Potentate of Arabia Temple, the Illustrious Forrest St. Clair, stated that the goals for 1979 would be Harmony, Cooperation and Participation. The first event on the Arabia calendar of events was a hot sands ceremonial on February 10th which was followed by the Inaugural Ball Tremendous on February 17th featuring the Buddy Brock Orchestra. Membership was offered on the installment plan-nothing down-12 months to pay.
A family night on March 10th featured the Bayou Banjo Club and the Astroworld Chrystal Palace Show. The units paraded in Columbus and Bingo got underway again on March 14th. The units participated in the St. Patricks Day Parade.
Another Hot Sands was held March 24 and was followed by a Nobility Dance featuring Mundo Earwood. The gold medallion award for membership was reinstated. A benefit Skate-A-Thon was held on April 1st and was followed by a successful Benefit Day on April 7th with a goal of 409,000 in “79”. The 1979 Circus got kicked off on April 11th.
Two tours got underway in April. The Egypt Adventure and the Orient Discovery.
Past Potentate Jim Hughes was appointed Recorder for the balance of the year and Noble Maurice C. Elsberry was elected Oriental Guide. Assistant Rabban, Noble David A. Weaver and Recorder John W. Sizemore both of whom had resigned.
The Temple units paraded in La Porte on April 28th and a mini Hot Sands ceremonial was held at the Brazos Valley Shrine Club.
Another Family Night on May 12th featured folksinger Chris Muller an Impressionist Mike Vance and other entertainers.
A cold sands ceremonial was held on May 19th and the ladies of the units of Arabia Temple honored the first lady, Gladys St. Clair with a luncheon at the Braeburn Country Club. Imperial Sir, Warren F. Weck Jr. visited the Temple on May 20th.
In June TSA meetings were held in Fort Worth and was attended by one of the largest contingents ever with the units performing magnificently. Another mini-hot sands was held on June 23.
The Temple units paraded in the Friendswood Independence Day parade on July 4th. In July the Imperial meetings were held in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was the greatest ever. Every unit attending (5) brought back honors for Arabia Temple. Our units captured one 3rd place award, 2 second place awards and 4 first place awards at the National level. In addition to the Field Competition Arabia Temple was recognized with a standing ovation for raising more money for our Hospitals in 1979 than any other Temple in North America.
Arabia Temple tours departed in July for the Candian Rockies, Alaska and a European Adventure to Paris, Switzerland and Florence.
The Illustrious Sir and his lady Gladys were honored at the Artisans Hospital Benefit Dance on July 28th.
August instead of a hot, dull month was full of activity. An official visit was made to the Nasa Shrine Club on August 4th and the units paraded in Schulenburg on August 5th. The Past Masters and the Motor Escort had a Western dance and the Oriental Band had a formal dance. Official visits were also made to Brenham and Baytown. The Bowlers annual Labor Day bowling tournament for the Hospital Benefit got underway on August 31st. The Scandinavian Storyland Tour departed on August 30 for Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.
September got underway with the Patrol Harvest Western Dance featuring music by Pappy Selph.
Stars of magic provided the entertainment at Family Night on September 15th with Senator Clauder was the Master of Ceremonies.
A cold sands ceremonial was held on September 22 and was followed by the Greeters and Bowlers costume dance.
A great day for Arabia Temple occurred on September 25th with the sale of the South Main property. The Temple was now debt free.
Circus time was here again with the Circus worker registration underway on September 26th and the Clown Jewels Costume Dance on September 29th. The Circus moved in on October 2nd and continued thru October 14th.
An Appreciation Dance was held far for the out town Shrine Clubs on October 20th featuring Mundo Earwood and his country western orchestra. An official visit was made to the Brazos Valley Shrine Club on October 25th. The Montgomery County Shrine Club held their Deer Hunters Ball on October 27th for the Hospital Benefit.
The 3rd annual Las Vegas party for the Hospital Benefit was held on November 3rd.
The Potentates official visit to the Fort Bend Shrine Club was made on November 6th.
The Legion of Honor Formal Military Ball was well attended on November 10th and on November 14th a Holiday in Hawaii Tour departed on November 21.
An All the Way in One Day ceremonial on December 1 attracted 111 new Shriners and was followed by the Artisans Christmas Dance.
A “First Time” for Arabia Temple our own Bowl game on December 1st “The Battle For the Bayou Bucket” and for the Hospital Benefit between University of Houston and Rice University.
A Caribbean Cruise to Santo Domingo, St. Thomas, Nassau departed on December 9th.
A family Christmas Night was held on December 22 and the year ended with a New Years Eve Dance plus Black eyed peas & cornbread.
