Tom W. Johnson *
Illustrious Sir Tom W. Johnson
Potentate - 1980
Let’s get off to a GR-RR-Reat start commented Illustrious Potentate Tom W. Johnson as he took over the reigns of Arabia Temple for 1980. He pledged 12 months of leadership based on Philanthropy, Fidelity, and Fellowship.
A thousand or more Nobles and their ladies attended the annual Inaugural Ball on February 2nd to honor the Illustrious Sir and his lady Lou.
The TSA mid-winter meetings were held at Galveston on February 1st & 2nd with Potentate Johnson and his Divan and a good delegation of Arabia Nobles in attendance.
The Brenham Shrine Club had their annual pancake supper on February 15th for the Hospital Benefit.
The Temple units paraded in the Montgomery County GoTexas parade at Conroe on February 16th and the Nasa Shrine Club had their Wild Game Dinner on February 23rd.
An official visit was made to the Montgomery County on March 6th and the units participated in the Colorado Valley Shrine Club parade at Columbus on March 8th.
The first Bingo was held on March 12th and the first cold sands ceremonial was held March 15th. Potentate Johnson’s goal for the year was 580 in 80. 102 new nobles joined Arabia on this date. A hot sands ceremonial was held on March 22 and was followed by a Dance honoring the Out of Town Shrine Clubs. Hospital Benefit Day was held on March 29, and it was also the occasion of the official visit by Most Worshipful Sam E. Hilburn, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas.
An official visit was made to the San Jacinto Shrine Club on April 1st and the units participated in the South Houston parade on April 5th. The Double Eagle Ranch was the scene for the Easter Egg Hunt on April 6th and the Family Picnic on April 13th.
With 310 nobles voting on April 21st a necessary two-thirds vote was cast for the proposed addition to the Mosque. All units will now have a room of their own.
The Potentate made his official visit to the Nasa Shrine Club on April 23rd and the Temple units paraded in the La Porte Parade on April 26th. The Portugal Tour to Lisbon, Estond and Madeira departed on May 1st. On May 10th the Temple units participated in the Brenham Parade. The Provost Guard sponsored a benefit gourmet Stabian Dinner on May 2nd. The first Family Night was held on May 10th.
The ladies of the uniformed units honored the First Lady Lou Johnson at a Brunch held on May 17th at the Temple Ballroom. A new milestone was reached on this date when the 11,111th member was honored at an All the Way in One Day ceremonial. In May, Tombo replaced Bingo.
On May 18th the Units were on Parade in preparation for the upcoming TSA meetings.
An official visit was made to Lufkin on June 7th.
The TSA meeting was held on June 12 thru 15 in Austin and Arabia Temple showed that, without a doubt, they were the GR-RR-REATEST. First place trophies were won by the Legion of Honor, and the Motor Corps Red Racers. Second place trophies were awarded to the Concert Band, Bowlers, Chanters, Clowns, Motor Corps Red Racers, and the Provost Guard. Third place trophies were awarded to Stage Band, Drum Corps, Golfers, and the Provost Guard.
A York Rite Festival was held on June 21st and was followed by a hot sands ceremonial on June 28th.
On June 26th the Divan, Past Potentates and the Board of Directors looked on as Potentate Johnson broke ground for the new addition to the Mosque.
The Imperial Council meetings were held in Cleveland, Ohio from July 7th to July 11th and again Arabia’s units competed. First place trophies were awarded to the Motor Corps Hondas, Motor Escorts, and the Patrol. Second place trophies were awarded to the Motor Corps Red Racers, Motor Escorts and the Patrol.
The Caribbean Cruise Carnival departed on July 19 for St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and other ports.
Six busloads of Arabia’s Nobles were on hand at Schulenburg on August 3rd for the annual parade and the Out of Town Shrine Club picnic was held on August 27 at the Double Eagle Ranch.
Official visits were made by Potentate Johnson to Baytown on August 22nd and to Brenham on August 25th.
The Bowlers annual Labor Day benefit tournament got underway on August 29th.
An official visit was made to the Southeast Shrine Club on September 10th. It was reported that the 1980 Benefit had exceeded $500,000.
A cold sands ceremonial was held on September 13 and was followed by a dance featuring the premiere performance of Arabia Temple’s New Stage Band the Arabia Connections. 68 new nobles were created.
The Scandinavian Storyland tour departed on September 18th to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Family Night on September 27th featuring Stupendous Circus Acts was well attended.
An Official visit was made to Wharton County on September 30th.
A Stupendous Shrine Circus Kickoff Dance sponsored by the Clown Jewels on October 4th ushered in the 1980 Shrine Circus which opened on October 9th and continued through October 19th.
It was reported that, for the first time, Shrinedom had experienced a net loss in membership and the Imperial Council initiated the Pride Pin program.
An official visit was made on October 23 to the Brazos Valley Shrine Club. The Temple units participated in the Bay City parade on October 25th and that evening a Western Dance was held for the Out-of-Town Shrine Clubs.
An Official visit was made to the Fort Bend Shrine Club on November 4th. A gala Legion of Honor Ball on November 8th was well attended and the last Tombo of the year was held on November 12th.
The Las Vegas trip departed on November 21st for four days at the Riviera. The Directors Ball on November 22nd and the Provost Guard Christmas Dance on November 29th ushered in the holiday season.
The Montgomery County Shrine Club officers were installed on December 4th and the Brenham Shrine Club officers were installed on December 8th. The annual visit to Colorado Valley was made on December 10.
The weekend of December 14th and 15th was a memorable one for Arabia Temple. 152 new nobles were created. The first line signers became members of the Corner Stone Club with their candidate. The cornerstone laying of the new wing was held on December 14th and attracted 650 nobles and their ladies. R.W.J.W. Chandler, PGM leveled the cornerstone and the Temple units participated in the program.
Family Night was held on December 20th featuring Santa Claus and entertainment for all.
The great year of 1980 closed with a New Years Eve gala Ball. Potentate Johnson’s year closed with the Drum Corps Presidents Ball and the Patrol’s Potentates Ball and a Nobles Memorial Service held on December 11th.
