Maurice C. Elsberry *
Illustrious Sir Maurice Elsberry
Potentate - 1983
I look forward to my tenure in office as your Potentate. This year’s plans will provide fun and fellowship and the challenge to achieve goals in membership, the Circus and the benefit drive. For the first time, the cover of the Arabian portrayed a color photograph of the Illustrious Sir Maurice Elsberry and his Lady Jo.
Key chains engraved with the Noble’s Shrine Card Number were provided by Potentate Elsberry to each Noble at no charge.
A gala Inaugural Ball featuring a Roman Holiday theme, was held on January 29th. An honored guest, Noble R.B. “Bud” Farmer, Commander of the National Legion of Honor was in attendance.
The T.S.A. mid-winter meetings were held in Waco in February and the Temple Units participated in a parade at Conroe on February 12th. The Imperial Sir Dr. Daniel Bowers and his Lady Virginia were the guests of the Potentate on February 20th.
The Wrecking Crew had their Ole Timers Barnyard Dance on March 5th. A Hot Sands ceremonial was held on March 12th. Colorado Valley had an Oyster Fry on March 15th. The Units participated in the St. Patrick’s parade on March 17th. The Legion of Honor had a St. Patrick’s Day Dance on March 19th.
A Hot Sands ceremonial was held at Montgomery on March 26th which was followed by the Artisans Benefit Dance. The Chanters presentation of “The Seven Last Words” was well received in the ballroom on March 25th.
The once in a lifetime South Pacific adventure to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii got underway on March 28th.
The 100 Million Dollar Club program was well under way more than ever before for the burned and crippled children.
The annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children and grandchildren on April 3rd was well attended.
The Bowlers, Motor Corps and Oriental Band hosted a benefit Western Dance on April 9th.
The 1983 Circus Extraordinaire got underway on April 20th with the Circus workers registration on April 20th and the Clown Jewels annual Shrine Circus Kickoff Dance on April 23rd featuring Manny Green and his “Big Band” Sound. The Circus moved in on April 26th and opened on April 28th through May 8th. Potentate Elsberry awarded an Honorary Membership of Arabia Temple to Mickey Rooney, star of stage and screen, for his work in behalf of the Shrine Hospitals, during circus time.
The Patrol had their annual Spring Formal on May 21st and the Arabian Squares sponsored a Benefit Dance on May 28th.
An official visit was made to Bayshore-La Porte on June 1st. Circus awards were presented at a banquet held on June 3rd and an official visit was made to the Gulf Coast Shrine Club on June 4th.
500 Nobles got underway for the T.S.A. meetings in El Paso, on June 7th through June 12th. 13 trophies were awarded to Arabia Units. An official visit was made to Lake Houston on June 16th.
The thirteenth annual York Rite Festival honoring Potentate Elsberry and Most Worshipful Master J.D. “Buddy” Baccus Grand Master of Masons in Texas, on June 18th.
The Units paraded in Shiner, Texas on July 2nd.
On July 3rd Potentate Elsberry and 250 Nobles departed to Denver, Colorado for the Imperial Shrine Meeting. Five units participated and came home with 7 more trophies. Past Potentate Cecil W. Sisson was honored at the Texas breakfast as an Ambassador of Goodwill for the State of Texas by Governor Mark White. Potentate Elsberry presented Imperial Sir, Daniel E. Bowers, M.D. with a check for the benefit of $1,180,000.00.
Past Potentate Walter P. Moore died July 30, 1983, Potentate 1957. New Shrine Clubs – Tomball and Trinity Valley were chartered this year, much to the delight of Potentate Elsberry.
Potentate Elsberry designated July 30th as the date for the J.D. “Buddy” Baccus Hot Sands Ceremonial dedicated to him. This was followed by the Shrine Clubs Western Dance. The 1983 Arabia Temple Picnic was held the next day at the Temple.
The units paraded on August 7th in Schulenburg, and the Hawaii trip departed on August 13th.
An official visit was made to the Baytown Shrine Club on August 19th and the annual benefit Casino Night was held on August 27th and was followed by the Bowlers tournament at the Palace Lanes over Labor Day weekend.
The ladies of the Temple Units honored the First Lady Jo, at a luncheon at the Hotel Meridien on September 10th.
The second annual Benefit Golf Tournament was held on September 12th at Country Place.
Another Blood Drive was held on September 17th and was followed by the Artisans Western Dance.
The Units paraded in Pearland on September 24th and an official visit was made to Wharton County Shrine Club on September 27th.
Another Benefit Golf Tournament for the benefit was approved by the Golfers on October 3rd at the Country Place course.
64 new novices were created at an All the Way in One Day class on October 8th.
October 15th was Benefit Day for Arabia Temple with all units and Shrine Clubs participating. The units paraded in Bay City and the Units Benefit Dance was held on October 22nd.
Potentate Elsberry made his official visit to the San Jacinto Shrine Club on October 24th and to the Brazos Valley Shrine Club on October 27th. The Provost Guard sponsored a benefit dinner on October 28th. The Montgomery County Shrine Club held their annual Deer Hunters Ball on October 29th.
An official visit was made on November 1st to the Fort Bend Shrine Club and the 1984 Shrine Circus kickoff was on November 2nd. On November 5th the units were in parade in League City and the Legion of Honor had a Military Ball featuring the Ricky Diaz Band.
The trip to Mexico departed on November 8th with over 200 Nobles and their Ladies aboard.
On November 19th another Blood Drive was held and the annual Ladies Day Luncheon was held at the Temple. The Provost Guard sponsored their Fall Dance that evening.
The Reno trip departed on November 24th and the Wrecking Crew sponsored their annual Directors Ball on November 26th.
Other events this year were:
12-3 — Wharton Parade – Artisans Past Potentate Formal
12-10 — All The Way In One Day
12-14 — Colorado Valley Christmas Party and Official Visit
12-17 — Temple Family Night
12-21 — Divan, Hospital and Staff Christmas Party
12-31 — New Years Ball
1-7 — Drum Corps Formal
1-7 — Caribbean Cruise Departs January 7th to January 14th
1-8 — Annual Memorial Service
1-23 — Patrol Gridiron
