Rufus W. Peckham
Illustrious Sir Rufus W. Peckham
Potentate - 1993
The Shrine year of 1993 got off to a Bodacious beginning on January 23, 1993, at the Inaugural Ball in the Arabia Temple Ballroom, with music by Buddy Brock’s “Big Band”. The Divan, consisted of Illustrious Sir Rufus W. Peckham, Chief Rabban Richard E. McNeal, Assistant Rabban Ted A. Mosshart, High Priest & Prophet, J. Fred Loofs, Jr., Oriental Guide Robert P. Hunt, Treasurer Virgil E. Wise, and Recorder Arthur B. Stone, Jr. The Inaugural hotel was the Astroworld Hotel.
The first out of town trip for the Divan was to mid-winter in Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 5th and 6th.
In the month of March, the units’ mid-winters were held and the Illustrious Sir joined the Patrol in San Antonio for their Stated and National Mid-Winter Convention. On March 13, 1993, we had our first Shrine Ceremonial.
The month of April got off to a fast start with the Circus Dance on April 3rd. Our circus was held in the Astroarena on April 14th through 18th. On the 24th, we went to La Porte for our first parade of the year.
May 7th, a party for the Shrine Orthopedic Hospital was held in the ballroom. The first bingo night was May 12th. The First Lady, Cheryl Peckham, was honored in our ballroom on May 15th. The Circus Awards Dinner was held on May 21st, and Memorial Day was honored by the Illustrious Sir and the Legion of Honor at the Veterans Cemetery.
On June 13th, Arabia Temple had Units on Parade and an open house getting ready for T.S.A. and Imperial.
The Past Potentates held a Cabiri Club Dance on July 24th.
We were proud of our units’ performances at T.S.A. and Imperial. The winners were: Patrol, 1st place, T.S.A. and 1st in parade and 2nd place in drill, Imperial; Clown Jewels, 1st place individual, T.S.A., 2nd place, individual, Imperial; Band, 2nd place, T.S.A.; Golfers, 1st place, T.S.A.; Legion of Honor, 1st place, parade and 2nd place, pad, T.S.A.; Oriental Band, 2nd place, parade and concert, T.S.A., 2nd place, competition, Imperial; Provost Guard, 2nd place, Imperial; Motor Corps, three 1st place, touring bikes; and Drum Corps, 2nd place, solo, Imperial.
September 8th, Hospital Benefit Meeting. On the 11th, Shrine Ceremonial. September 18th, Fiestas Patrias Parade and Dance, September 22nd, second bingo night, and September 25th, Shrine Club Dance.
October 2nd, Hospital Benefit Day, Shriners took to the streets for the hospitals. October 9th, Bay City Parade and official visit. October 16th, new Houston Orthopedic Hospital groundbreaking. October 20th, circus kick-off. October 23rd, Luncheon Club’s Annual Ladies Day Luncheon in honor of First Lady Cheryl Peckham.
November 10th, last bingo night. November 13th, the Legion of Honor Military Ball. November 14th, Staff Party and the 20th, Tomball Parade and official visit.
December 18th, last Ceremonial for the year. New Year’s Eve Dance on December 31st, with Buddy Brock’s Big Band music.
