Hirsh N. Schwartz *
Illustrious Sir Hirsh N. Schwartz
Potentate - 1970
The Mayor of Schulenburg, Hirsh N. Schwartz, became Potentate of Arabia Temple in 1970.
Following a gala Inaugural Ball at the Rice Hotel, Illustrious Sir Hirsh looked forward to a productive year and devoted much of his time to securing a new Mosque for Arabia Temple.
It was predicted that ground would be broken for the new Temple that year.
The Uniformed Units paraded in Columbus, Victoria, and Conroe.
Blood donors were urgently needed for the Shriners Burns Institute.
Hirsho parties had started and unit spring formals were held regularly on Saturday evenings.
On March 24th, Imperial Potentate J. Worth Baker was honored at a dinner at the Westwood Country Club.
In April, 115 novices became Nobles of Arabia Temple at the Spring Ceremonial.
The first showing of “Disney on Parade in Texas” was presented at the Coliseum for the Crippled Children’s Benefit.
Tours were scheduled to:
Greece, Athens, and Rome – June
Spain – December
Galveston hosted All-State that year. Inclement weather cancelled the parade, but Arabia’s Bowlers and Provost Guard won first place trophies.
The Divan and a group of Nobles and ladies traveled to Indianapolis for the Imperial Council sessions in July.
Aubrey G. Graham of Khedive Temple was elected Imperial Potentate.
A large crowd attended a family picnic at the Cypress Fairbanks Gun Club on August 23rd.
A change in the by-laws to raise dues to $43.50 failed; however, in October a resolution passed to begin construction on the first phase of the Temple project, supported by a $10 increase in annual dues.
With the introduction of “All-The-Way-In-One-Day” classes at Scottish Rite reunions, along with York Rite festivals and cold sands ceremonials in the Shrine, membership efforts were greatly enhanced.
Arabia Temple mourned the loss of Illustrious William G. Vollus, who died on September 23rd. Potentate in 1935, Noble Vollus worked diligently with the Crippled Children’s Clinic and was the first and only producer of the Crippled Children’s Pageants.
In October, the ceiling in the ballroom collapsed and it could no longer be used. Stated meetings were scheduled at the Scottish Rite Temple and the units were advised to seek meeting places outside the Temple. In November, Potentate Schwartz announced that ground breaking for the first phase of the new Mosque would be on December 20th.
Again, all previous records were broken in Circus advertising and ticket sales, and the 1970 Arabia Shrine Circus was an outstanding success. The Fall Ceremonial produced 491 new Nobles. The year closed with a record 601 new members in Arabia Temple which exceeded the goal of 500 set by the Potentate at the beginning of the year.
A large crowd of pleased and enthusiastic Nobles and ladies were on hand for the ground breaking ceremonies on Sunday, December 20th, at the Braeswood and Brompton site for the new Mosque.
With the Christmas Party for the children at the hospital, a most significant and outstanding year came to a close for Illustrious Sir Hirsh N. Schwartz. It was noted that Potentate Schwartz had served 14 months — longer than any other Arabia Potentate.
