James W. Hughes *
Illustrious Sir - James W. Hughes
Potentate - 1972
1972 marked the 100th Anniversary of Shrinedom (A.A.O.N.M.S.). Noble James W. “Jim” Hughes was elected Potentate of Arabia Temple.
His slogan:
“More for you in ’72.”
The year began with a grand Inaugural Ball at the Astroworld Hotel and presentation of Shrinetennial commemorative gold-bordered plates.
A new look for the Arabian newsletter was introduced and a Mobile Blood Bank program benefiting the Shriners Burns Institute in Galveston was started.
“Jimbo,” the popular bingo parties, attracted nearly 500 Nobles and ladies.
Imperial Potentate C. Victor Thornton and his wife Peg were guests of honor at a dinner at the Summit Club during his official visit.
For the first time, the grounds surrounding the new Mosque were used for an Easter Egg Hunt and later for the Shrinetennial Picnic.
The first Temple tour took Nobles and ladies on a 17-day trip to Australia and the South Pacific.
The first Hot Sands Ceremonial at the new Mosque was held on May 6th, named the “Burl Stilwell Shrinetennial Ceremonial.”
To commemorate the Shrine’s 100th birthday, new members received:
A jeweled fez
A gold-bordered commemorative plate
A Shrinetennial coin
More than 100 new novices joined in the first class.
A ceremonial dance at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel followed.
The Disney on Parade show at the Sam Houston Coliseum again benefited Shriners Hospitals.
National Shrine Hospital Day on May 21st brought 300 guests to visit the Houston unit.
Temple trips included:
Las Vegas
Shrine Club visits to Baytown
Lufkin fish fry
Both All-State and Imperial Council meetings were held in Fort Worth, the first Imperial meeting in Texas since 1913.
Arabia units winning trophies included:
Clown Jewels
Drum & Bugle Corps
Motor Corps
Patrol
Provost Guard
Henry B. Struby of Hadi Temple was elected Imperial Potentate.
Temple trips also included:
15-day European tour
Caribbean cruise aboard the MS Skyward
Arabia purchased an A.B. Dick offset press, allowing printing of the Arabian newsletter and circus materials in-house.
A new annex building was completed for Temple units and activities.
The year closed with the Shrinetennial Christmas Dance at the Rice Hotel and a holiday trip to Hawaii.
Membership goals were met with 429 new Nobles in 1972.
