William G. (Bill) Lane *
Illustrious Sir William G. (Bill) Lane
1990 - Potentate
At the annual election held in December 1989, William G. “Bill” Lane was elected Potentate for the 1990 Shrine year. His installation to that prestigious office was at the January 1990 Stated Meeting. In that 1990 marked the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of Arabia Temple, a year of total fun-filled activities involving as many of the 9,000 plus Nobles who cared to partake was planned for Arabia Temple’s Diamond Jubilee. Fun, Friendship and Fellowship were the goals for 1990.
The year began with the Inaugural Ball which was held in the Temple Ballroom. The attendees danced to the great musical renditions played by Buddy Brock and his orchestra. The ballroom was a “Sea of Shells” decorated with diamonds, pearls and sea creatures. It was truly an entertaining and relaxing evening in which all enjoyed. It was a great ball and a great way to kick off the activities for 1990.
Following the Inaugural Ball, the Divan settled down to business, and each began working on his assigned projects. In February, the Divan Mid-Winter was held in Galveston. This was a gathering of all Divans of the Texas Temples of the Texas Shrine Association. The meetings were chaired and conducted by the President of the Texas Shrine Association, Bill Lane. This gathering of Potentates and Divans not only provided for an exchange of information but allowed the Potentates and Divans an opportunity to socialize and to become better acquainted with each other.
The month of February also included the Potentate’s Official visit to the NASA Shrine Club; the Go-Texan Parade in Conroe and the Mardi Gras Parade in Galveston. The 1990 Circus Program was off and running and so were the temple bingo games. The temple, the units, and Shrine Clubs were in full bloom.
The month of March came in like a roaring lion with unit mid-winters throughout the state, including two in Houston. Arabia Temple was well represented at each of the unit mid-winters. We paraded in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, had circus registration and our annual circus dance. At the March Stated Meeting, the ladies were invited to join their Nobles for dinner, after which they were entertained by a musical group. Also in March, the Divan, at the request of the Imperial Potentate, attended an Imperial Seminar held in Tucson, Arizona.
April 1990 brought us another successful circus. Two back-to-back — the five-day circus had proven itself again. Success breeds success and all of our Nobles worked shoulder to shoulder for the success we needed. We worked hard and that work paid dividends. Following the circus, the Potentate and Divan made their official visit to the Lake Houston Shrine Club where a very enjoyable evening was had by all. Of course, there were the unit meetings and food galore. During the last week of April, the Potentate, his lady Barbara, and thirty-six Nobles and ladies enjoyed a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Naturally, more food and drink and, of course, shopping. The unit practices were underway in preparation for T.S.A.; the temple was a flurry of constant activity.
May 1990, more of the same — busy, busy, busy. T.S.A. was fast approaching and every unit was sharpening their skills and proficiency. The temple paraded in Brenham at the Mayfest Celebration and the First Lady’s Luncheon was held at the Warwick. It was a very memorable occasion for Barbara and was a very classy presentation.
June 1990 brought the big event to Houston — T.S.A. Everything was in readiness and the T.S.A. Director Generals and Staff, who had worked for the better part of a year, were truly ready for the big show. Arabia Temple was ready to shine and did. Bill Lane was one proud Potentate and T.S.A. President. First place trophies and awards were won by the Legion of Honor, Motor Corps and Band, Stage and AAA; second place trophies were awarded to the Patrol, Drum and Bugle Corps, Provost Guard, Bowlers and Golfers; third place awards went to the Bowlers, Provost Guard and Motor Corps. Many, many first and second place individual awards were presented to the Provost Guard Pistol Team and bowlers. What an occasion — What an event — At the close of T.S.A., the attending Imperial Officers and Masonic Officers, as well as the Potentates and Divans of the thirteen Texas Temples, had nothing but praise to lavish upon Arabia Temple. Following T.S.A., it was on to the “Windy City”, Chicago, for the Imperial Session. Traveling with the Divan and their ladies were members of the Staff, as well as the Patrol and Motor Corps. When the competition at Imperial was completed, the Arabia Patrol had won two first place trophies and the Motor Corps had won two first place trophies. Two of our great units returned home with four first place trophies. What a “haul”. June and early July proved to be great months for Arabia Temple. “We strutted our stuff.”
After the Imperial Session, Arabia Temple celebrated its 75th Anniversary on the 14th of July. The activities began with a bar-b-que at the Double Eagle Ranch and ended with a stage show/dance at the Arabia Temple Ballroom. Following our 75th celebration, temple activities slowed down during the later part of July and August which gave everyone a chance to catch their breath. The activities that did transpire during this time period included the Potentate’s St. Lawrence Seaway cruise, the Arabia Squares Anniversary Dance, the annual Schulenburg Parade and a Legion of Honor Dance. Otherwise, all was quiet on the Shrine front.
Shrine activities picked up again during September and October. The units participated in the Fiestas Patrias and Rice Festival Parades. We had excellent public turn outs at both, and the Shrine did shine. Fish frys were sponsored by the San Jacinto and Baytown Shrine Clubs, as well as the Legion of Honor. The Oriental Band had their formal dance which was most enjoyable. The Motor Corps and Arabian Knights sponsored a country western dance which had excellent attendance from our Past Potentates and nobility. The Annual Hospital Benefit Drive was successful in bringing in additional funds for our hospitals. Following the benefit drive, we had our 1991 Circus kick-off. During September and October, the Potentate and Divan also made official visits to the Wharton Shrine Club, Ft. Bend County Shrine Club and Brazos Valley Shrine Club. Fun and fellowship was in great abundance at all of the Shrine Clubs. Another event worthy of mention was the presence of the United States Marine Corps Band, “The President’s Own”, at the Arabia Temple Ballroom. The ballroom was filled and the music was superb. It was truly an afternoon to remember.
November 1990 brought us one of the finest Legion of Honor Military Balls. The ballroom was beautifully decorated, and the uniforms of the units worn by the many attendees added greatly to this annual ball. Everyone enjoyed the music of Manny Green, and the ball was total success. During November the Director’s Staff had a fish fry and a dance; the Artisans presented their Past Presidents at their Past Presidents Dance and the Luncheon Club paid homage to our ladies at their annual Ladies Day Luncheon. Arabia Temple’s units also participated in the annual Tomball, Texas parade during the month of November, and the Potentate and Divan made their official visit to the Tomball Shrine Club.
The month of December was filled with holiday parties and food, food and more food. Everyone was in the holiday mood and spirit. The total year was filled with this mood and spirit which was the Potentate’s goal when he was elected to the position of Potentate. 1990 started a new decade and Arabia Temple came to the forefront to meet the challenges and to enjoy what Shrinedom has to offer in the future. Arabia Temple and its membership are the greatest and this great fraternity will live on long after Potentates pass on to their reward. The Shrine, it's fun, fellowship, and philanthropy offer so much to so many. All of us should be proud to be Shriners and members of Arabia Shrine Temple.
As 1990 closes, may there be continued peace and harmony in our world, country and temple. It’s easier to work together than against each other. 1990 was a great and exciting year — let’s all strive for the same during 1991-2000.
Es Selamu Aleikum
