Lee E. Elmore *
Illustrious Sir Lee E. Elmore
Potentate - 1992
1992 will be remembered by our nobles, “United We Stand”, as one of the best years financially and administratively, ending in harmony and cooperation, along with a smooth transition of leadership into the year 1993. A year like 1992 can only exist through total unification and support by a hard-working Divan, productive Potentate’s Staff, first-class office and other employees, great units, clubs and Shrine clubs. We are fortunate to have these groups and without them our temple could not exist. Also, remember that without the hard-working ladies of the temple, ladies' units, clubs and Shrine Clubs and Potentate’s Staff, we wouldn’t have much fun or very few parties to attend.
Our year started with “May All Your Dreams Come True In ‘92”, and it was a year that all our dreams did come true, beginning with a beautiful Inaugural Ball on January 25th.
We started February with the Motor Corps/Director’s Staff Country Western dance on February 2nd. The Divan attended the Divan Mid-Winter in Tyler, Texas on February 8th. The Band’s Valentine Dance was held on February 14th, and we had circus meetings on February 12th and 26th.
In March, most of Arabia’s units had their mid-winters. The Potentate and Oriental Guide enjoyed the Greeters and Motor Corps mid-winters. We participated in three great parades, Brownsville, Houston Rodeo and St. Patrick’s, with a good attendance.
April, circus month, we had the 4th Clowns Circus Kickoff dance, and the “Bodacious” Shrine Circus April 8th through 12th. We paraded in the Sylvan Beach parade on April 25th and then attended the Provost Guard Western dance.
On May 9th we attended the fantastic Brenham parade. Our dreams did come true with all that Blue Bell ice cream! Units on Parade was held on May 17th in preparation for the upcoming T.S.A. They were all great, with units having Open House after their performances. A very successful Fish Fry was held on May 29th, enabling us to use $6,260.00 on the new roof project. We updated our computer program and equipment, which was approved by the Board of Directors and membership.
T.S.A. was held in Austin, Texas, June 4th through 7th. 300 strong from Arabia attended. Nine units and clubs received trophies - two 1st place, eight 2nd place and seven 3rd place. We were very proud of them all. More dreams came true! A successful temple garage sale was held on June 20th.
The Imperial Council Sessions were held in Orlando, Florida, Disney World, where dreams come true, June 29th through July 4th. The Patrol won first place in drill and 2nd in parade and the Motor Corps won two 1st places, drill and obstacle. A Hot Sands Ceremonial was held on July 25th.
A good crowd attended the “hot” Schulenburg parade on August 2nd. The T.S.A. and Imperial Victory dance, held on August 15th, was very impressive with all the units that brought trophies they won to the dance. A fun time was had at the Legion of Honor Country/Western dance on August 29th.
On September 2nd, the Benefit Kickoff Meeting was held. Lady June’s dreams came true with a beautiful luncheon given by the units and clubs of Arabia in her honor at the Golfcrest Country Club on September 12th. Wonderful entertainment was provided by the Skylarks and Judge Shearn Smith. The Oriental Band honored the Potentate and his lady that evening with their Fantasy Ball. Bingo was held on September 16th and the Fiestas Patrias Ball on September 16th. Lady June and several couples from the temple enjoyed a fantastic trip to Germany and Austria September 16th through the 29th. The Shrine Club Ambassadors Ball was held on September 24th. Great fun with original table decorations and good attendance by the Shrine Clubs.
The Luncheon Club honored First Lady June with a delicious and entertaining luncheon on October 3rd. The Arabian Knights/Motor Corps Western dance was held on October 10th, and the Arabia Connections Halloween dance on October 31st. Benefit Day was October 17th, and was a huge success. On October 24th, the new Shrine Burns Hospital Dedication Ceremonies were held in Galveston. The Circus Kickoff for 1993 was held October 28th.
A hilarious Staff Party, with the “bad” boys giving an unbelievable performance, was held on November 1st. This month had three beautiful formal balls: Provost Guard, November 7th; Legion of Honor Military Ball, November 14th; and Directors Staff Semi-Formal on November 21st. We had fun winning turkeys at bingo on November 18th.
During December, almost all the units and clubs had Christmas parties. Very festive for all. A Masonic Happening Class and Shrine Ceremonial was held on December 12th. The Artisans Past Presidents Christmas dance was held on December 19th. The Staff Christmas Party, held on December 28th, was a very fun way to wind up the parties with delicious food, good entertainment and friends.
The year ended with the New Year’s Eve dance on December 31st. A breakfast of black-eyed peas and corn bread was served making this a very lucky year, with all dreams coming true.
