February 2024
We just finished our January 2024 Installation of Officers last Stated Meeting. It was quite different as Potentate Hammack was in a wheelchair with his leg in a full cast. We didn't see a way we could get all that done with Bill's injury. But visiting with him he told me he was going to "cowboy up" and be there. So ... we did and he was. It really went well all things considered. I do wish Bill all the luck in the world and feel very good about his loyalty and commitment to our great cause. I hope everyone supports our new Potentate's efforts.
Two days later the Daughters of the Nile had a visit from the Supreme Queen. Our Chief Rabban gave the welcoming speech. The Cooking Unit served a delicious roast beef meal topped with two Jerry Sloan cheese cakes. I do believe she was impressed.
We have dates for the O.G. Trip - February 22-24. We will be staying at Margaritaville. We are securing a bus again. We need to get 30+ paying souls to make this work. Remember, it's open to any guy, Shriner or not. The cost is $100 each. You get a bus ride there and back, beverages included while on the bus. We will also have a hospitality room with beverages and light snacks. Wheels up at 4pm Thursday the 22nd and returning Sunday
the 25th at 10am sharp. Call Cathy at office to reserve your spot.
We will also have our annual Super Bowl Party, February 11th starting at 3pm. Bring a covered dish if possible. We will have the boards ready. This is also open to anyone, Shriner or not. Want to show off our Temple and this is a good time for it. Kids are welcome as well. Let's have some fun and win some money!
Our next Stated Meeting will be 2-13-24. We had fifty-two Nobles at Installation. Had several we haven't seen in years. It was very good to see these faces again. Let's try to reach that number attending our next Stated Meeting.
This next item was talked about in our last Divan Meeting. There are some Nobles that think it takes $50,000 plus dollars to run for Potentate. This may have been the case in the past BUT I can assure you that is not the case now. We feel that several good potential Potentates may have opted not to get on the Divan because of this. I would have no problem sharing what I spent and didn't spend if anyone is interested. I'm sure several recent Past Potentates would do the same. This is not a plea for any type of action but we thought the word needed to get out. We are not playing the same game as 50 years ago. The Temple needs good people with good ideas. Again, if you have any questions - ask us.
Last, I'm sure most everyone received a request from Imperial to send money to the East-West All Star Football Game. At our last meeting, P.P. Mark Reed asked me about "passing the hat" and send the proceeds to Imperial as a donation by Maskat. I read the letter to the present Nobles and to our surprise we gathered $669 to support the game to be played at the Cowboy practice field in Frisco, February 1st. Thanks to all, it will show Maskat as a great believer and supporter. Good idea Mark!
Fraternally,
Calvin Carlton
P.P. Recorder
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January 2024
Well we are looking at Christmas and the end of the year. Where did this year go? Father Time please slow down.
We had our elections at last night's Stated Meeting. All officers will step up to next position and Matt Spradlin is our new O.G. I have high hopes for Matt and feel very comfortable that a good choice has been made. Please congratulate him next time you see Matt.
On December 4th we had our annual Foster Kids Christmas Party. We faced declining numbers with this event over the last several years. We have already been looking at what can be done differently. Any suggestions, just let us know.
We will take down Christmas decorations December 28th at 5pm. We sure need help with this. If we can get 8-10 folks out it will be short work. Help us out if you can.
We had a great fundraiser last Saturday the 9th. Blue Cross Blue Shield updated their office chairs again. We wound up with about 200 chairs. 102 were sold to their employees at $25 each with all money going to Maskat. That was $2,550 for about 3 hours work. These are quality chairs if any Noble is interested. $25 each - first come, first served. Call Cathy in the office to get hooked up Thanks to the Nobles that helped move chairs and a very special thanks to Roy Cheney for getting this event lined up. Atta boy Roy!
We also had another fundraiser December 2-3 at Bridwell Ag Center. 6 trees were decorated and displayed with $2 tickets sold to raffle the trees and gifts off. We were very busy selling tickets. This was Bill and Kathy's child and it paid off. Over $1,100 was made after expenses. I believe the groundwork has been laid for a bigger and better event for next year. Good job Bill, Kathy, Linda Christoff, and the Nobles and Ladies that also helped.
As printed in last month's Wildcat we will have about 8 suspensions at the EOY because of non-payment of dues. These folks are 2 years behind and most we can't get ahold of. This will take us below 380 members.
Our next Stated Meeting is January 9,2024. We will install all the new officers and it is Ladies Night. So bring your special gal and let's congratulate our new Divan. Dinner/Drinks/Cake will be served. Come on out.
Bill (C/R, upcoming Potentate) Hammack is going to have a "Meet Your Divan" event January 13th. Drinks and food will be available. Starts at 6:30pm. Come out and let's show our new Potentate some support.
Last, our traditional Happy Hour is December 21st followed by the 1st one in 2024, January 18th in our own Oasis.
You guys are a special group and all very close to me. Please have a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Fraternally,
Calvin Carlton
P.P. Recorder
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December 2023
Our last Stated Meeting was 11-14-23 with 46 Nobles in attendance. Our next Stated Meeting will be December 12, 2023. Dinner at 6:30, meeting at 7:30. At our December meeting we will hold our Election of Officers of the 2024 year.
Again, we have one Noble that has stepped up to run for Oriental Guide. As I have said, this limits our options for any diversity. We will simply get what we get. We have asked and pleaded for Nobles to run with no response. That's all I have to say about this!
Something very positive, our Rib Cook could not have gone better. Terry Martin and Mark Patterson ran this event with help from another 5-6 Nobles. We cooked 156 slabs of ribs at $25 per slab and sold every one of them. I can attest these were as good a rib as you will find. Our plans are to cook 180 - 200 slabs next year. We made over $1900 - in a 1 day event. Good job to all!
The Potentate announced we will decorate the Temple November 26th at 1 pm. This has been on the calendar for a year. We will need all additional help for a short project. This is one we really need our Ladies to help with. Please come out and give us a hand - it won't take but a couple of hours if we have some help. We will take down on December 28th, starting just after work at 5pm. Help will be needed then as well.
Let's outline some upcoming events:
Chief Rabban Bill Hammack is running and event December 2-3. FEZtival of Trees during Wichita West VFD Christmas Show at J.S. Bridwell Hall. Drop by and see what it's all about.
The Foster Kids Christmas Party is December 4th, 6pm at the Temple. We will buy the gifts and food December 3, 1 pm at North entrance of Wal-Mart on 1-44. We will then go to the Tempe and wrap gifts. We will feed all Hot Dogs/Hamburgers/Chips. This is a special time for those kids and Maskat. We will have Clowns and Santa, come out.
In closing, I want to wish all Nobles and their families a Happy Thanksgiving. Let's get together on the 26th to decorate the Temple trees and make it look good. Potentate Knox will be forced to buy drinks.
Happy Holidays
Calvin Carlton
P.P. Recorder
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November 2023
We had our Stated Meeting October 10th, there was 42 Nobles signed in for the meeting. A good meal was served by cooking unit. We handed out service awards to 9 Nobles present. There were 11 Nobles that could not attend that were due awards. We will make arrangements to get their pins to them. Thanks to all for their many years of service. Our next stated meeting will be November 14th.
Because of scheduling issues we had to cancel our upcoming Ceremonial on October 14th. We will reschedule this again in the Spring of 2024. We brought in a new member last meeting, that gave us 7 new nobles for the year. Good Job guys !! The Golf Unit had their Christmas Party at WinStar Resort and Casino. A good time was had by all that attended. The name of the resort was not changed so I am guessing no one WON BIG... Small Christmas again girls ---- Sorry.
We are having a Taco Dinner tonight at the Provost Guard building on the Shrine Land. There are several items to be drawn for after sold with proceeds going to the "Clean the Tank Fund". Let me also say that all the funds to do this has been raised by Jerry Sloan and a few other Provost Guard members. There is no Temple funds used in this project. Good luck down the final stretch guys. The Provost Guard attended the Clay County Pioneer Reunion Parade and have plans to attend the Veterans Day Parade also. Staying busy!!
Looks like we are having a successful Rib Cook Nov. 4th. All ribs we plan to cook are sold. If you haven't paid please do so. We have had one Noble announce his intention to run for O.G. If anyone is interested in running for the line please announce by the next Stated Meeting. Elections will be in December Stated Meeting. You will also need someone to present your qualifications and desire to hold office. If you have any questions please stop any Divan member and ask. You will get an answer or we will get you one.
Last item, the Temple Happy Hour will be November 16th in our Oasis. Starts at 5pm and lasts until we leave. Come out and enjoy our new Oasis.
Sincerely,
PP Calvin Carlton Recorder
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October 2023
We had our Stated Meeting last night with a very good meal served by the Cooking Unit, free I might add. It was good to see everyone after being dark so long. A lot was covered but the most exciting part is we had 52 Nobles sign in attendance. Haven't seen those numbers in a Stated Meeting in quite some time.
Let me start with the Steak Cook we had Sept 2nd at the land on Hatton Rd. There was 27 steak cookers in competition. This was the smallest turnout we have had at this event. Several reasons were given to us when asked. Economy, gas pricing, Electra dropping out, and finally simply too HOT. We had just enough Nobles to put this on with no issues. We will really take a hard look at this event before committing to 2024. It was the first year we lost money (steaks up 50 also). More on this later.
Next the Circus, we had a very small amount of people show up to watch the show. The Temple had less than 5 Nobles in the stands and didn't have enough Shriners to cover the sale of color books. Brian Gaylor got the Burkburnett FFA students to help as a community service. Thanks to them we had enough people to cover the stands. Also we had only 87 Noble tickets sold, 69 of them were All Stars. This and color book sales are our only income to the Temple. Guy's this won't work, that is 196 Nobles that didn't buy tickets. Enough said I!!
We have a Ceremonial upcoming October 14th for our new members. We need some help putting this on. Please contact the office or our Potentate. We also are asking for the nobility to attend. It's scheduled for 2PM, we will have snacks available after and the bar will be open after as well. Ladies are welcome to attend also.
We will not be cooking Turkeys this year, we will be cooking Terry Martin ribs. $25 per slab, same as last year. 140 slabs will be available for sale. Call Cathy at the office to secure your ribs.
Keep in mind we need to think about an O.G. for next year. If you are thinking about running simply contact any Divan member and we can explain the Timeline to announce and answer any questions you may have. Thanks
Our next Stated Meeting is October 9th at 7:30, dinner at 6:30. This will be Ladies Night and presentation of awards. Watch for a calling post for additional information.
Happy Hour at the Oasis will be Sept 21st and October 19th. Please come out and enjoy our new Oasis.
Fraternally,
PP Calvin Carlton Recorder
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September 2023
Well folks it has been a very long very hot summer but it's time to get back together and make some things happen. By the time this comes out we will have had our Steak Cook-Off and the Shrine Circus.
Let me talk about the Steak Cook-Off. This is a special event that does not take much manpower from Nobility. It's not a huge money-maker but has the possibility of growing within the competitive steak cooking community. Come if you can come; Saturday the 2nd of September between 9 and 10am.
Now the Circus, as last year it will be at the Mounted Patrol Arena on 369. It's a one day event but we must have more people helping with the selling of Color Books. Last year we simply didn't have enough Nobles to cover the stands as needed. So ... here is the ask, come help with the sale of the Color Books - your Temple needs you. September 4th - 5:30pm - at Mounted Patrol. One last item on the Circus. The only way Maskat makes ANY money on the Circus is sale of Color Books and Noble ticket sales. As of today, sales on Noble tickets are 40 less than last year. Please if you haven't purchased your Noble tickets, call Cathy at 940-766-4511 and do so. These events will help keep the doors open and
dues as low as possible.
We are having our Shrimp Boil this Saturday the 19th at the Temple. Doors open at 2pm and will be there until 5pm. This is NOT a fundraiser. It is totally paid for by our Potentate Mike Knox. Open/Free Bar and free shrimp. Check out the expansion of the Oasis with a different twist. I think you will like the changes!
I am missing all you guys and look forward to the next Unit Council meeting Wednesday, September 6th, 6:30pm in the Oasis and our Stated Meeting Tuesday, September 12th. Dinner at 6:30pm, meeting at 7:30pm.
Not too early to start thinking about officers for next year.
Fraternally,
PP Calvin Carlton Recorder
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August 2023
Let me start with saying "ThankYou" for all the calls, cards, food, and prayers during my Mother's illness and passing. I know everyone goes through these times with family members but it really was comforting to know that there was a special group offering that level of support. I just hope I have been there for each of you in the way all have been for me. One more big "THANK YOU" and I will move on.
We did have the Oil Bowl since we last met. It was again a success. Weather was an issue during the game with a rather lengthy delay but the game was finished. If it's not 110 degrees it's raining. That's the one thing we can't control. I'm sure Greg will have some good numbers for us to review during our next meeting.
Several Nobles attended Imperial July 2-6 at Charlotte, NC. C/R Bill Hammack was our voting delegate. He will report on some key items that was on the floor and outcome of each. I will drop this, $20 per capita vote did pass with some drama!! Bill will explain.
There was a 238th Birthday Party Saturday 15th at Shrine land in honor of Jerry and Bev Sloan and Joe Kirk. Good time was had by all and great food as usual. I believe the age breakdown was Jerry (50), Bev (49), and Joe (139). Joe you do look good for your age!! Happy Birthday again.
We had the carpet cleaned at the Temple. Thanks to all the folks that helped move all the "STUFF" so that could be completed.
Finishing touches are being done to the Oasis. If you haven't seen it -- it will wake you up. If you like the carpet, I picked it out. If you don't your Potentate picked it out alone . . .
One last thing, we have a Potentate Party August 19th at the Temple, 2pm. It's a Shrimp Boil with all the goodies and an OPEN BAR. This is in lieu of a Potentate's Trip. Come out and help spend some of the Potentate's money.
Our next stated meeting will be September 12th, 2023. Dinner at 6:30 with meeting stating at 7:30. Hope so see ya there.
Fraternally,
PP Calvin Carlton, Recorder
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June 2023
Well, here we go. Update on the Oasis, carpet is to be here in the next week and hope to have it installed ASAP.
As discussed in the last stated meeting, we have interest in selling up to 2 acres of the land to Faith Lodge for building a new facility to the south of our parking lot. This is early stages and talks have just started. Stay tuned.
TSA is just around the corner and will be over before we get together again. Will report on results later.
After we return from TSA the Oil Bowl weeks starts. Agenda will be sent out from the Office. Football and basketball games will be on June 17th. We are back at Memorial Stadium for Football again. Please purchase your Noble tickets from Cathy.
Also upcoming is our Maskat Crawfish Boil on May 20th, 2-5pm, $15 per person at the Temple. Hope we have as much fun as we did last year. Moving to recent special events, our Maskat Golf Tournament was again a great success, 22-24 teams played and everyone received a prize or door prize. We will end up making between $8,000-$8,500 after expenses. Need to send out a big "THANK YOU" to all the volunteers, sponsors, and most of all, Players.
The Provost Guard has had several fundraisers for the development of the tank on Hatton Road land. First, the Tex-Mex dinner on April 15th then the High Tea April 29th. Both were very successful and money makers. Per Jerry Sloan, the funding is over half way complete with no Maskat funding! Good work and Good Luck guys. The Provost Guard also had their Fun Shoot April 22nd. It was well attended with a lot of visiting Temples participating. The Provost Guard has been busy.
On a somber note, I want to say one last good bye to PP Mark Terry. Thank you for your service to our Temple and the cause. You will be missed. Also Imperial Potentate Bill Bailey passed away May 7th.
We again had 44 Nobles attending our last Stated Meeting. June will be the last before going dark.
The Temple will be closed Monday, May 29th, to observe Memorial Day.
Fraternally,
PP Calvin Carlton, Recorder
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May 2023
We are well into the Spring season. We have had several successful special events since our last Wildcat.
First we had a good showing at the Unit Council Meeting and was able to address several issues before presenting to Nobility. We also had 45 Nobles at the Stated Meeting last month. The Cooking Unit paid for and served a good meal (free) before the meeting. It's really good to see the Nobility coming around again, and we had another new member
come in on top of that. All good news.
The Easter Egg Hunt was a very well attended event. The Clowns did a great job with the children. The Nobility really stepped up and helped move tables/chairs/trash cans. Joey brought his big cooker out and we had the ladies serving. Lots of full baskets leaving with smiles on those kids faces. We did good guys. Thanks a bunch.
Now for upcoming events. The Provost Guard will have a Fun Shoot Saturday 22nd. This is an Open Shoot for Shriners
and non-Shriners. This will be in the book by the time you read this. Planning has been good and have no reason to expect anything but a great event. Update later.
I want to speak of the efforts to raise money to clean the tank at the Hatton Road land. There was a Tex-Mex Dinner at the Provost Guard building last Saturday 15th of April. It could not have been any better. The food was great and was attended by 95 people purchasing tickets. Great time and great food!! ALSO the High Tea is 29th of April. Tickets are $30 each. This is geared toward the ladies and very close to selling out. Proceeds going to clean tank at the land. Again more after event.
Our Unit Council/Divan meeting is scheduled for May 3rd, 6:30 in the Oasis. Please Join us for a small but filling meal provided by our Potentate. The Stated Meeting will be May 9th. I hope we can top the 50 Nobles attendance mark. We have 2 more Stated Meetings before we go dark. Wow, going fast.
We have our largest special event coming May 5th, the Shrine Temple Golf Tournament at River Creek Golf Course. 1 pm shotgun start with the 4-person scramble format. Ed Hall and Gordy Antill have collected a ton of prizes. Grab a non-Shriner and call Cathy to put a team in. This is one of the fun ones so don't miss it. More later on results.
The last special event in May is our Crawfish Boil on the 20th, 2-5pm at the Temple. $15 per person, all you can eat. This was well attended last year. If you missed it, don't do that again. There are several people who can show you how to peel and eat if needed. Again, one of my favorites. Greg and Joey will man the cookers with help from several other Nobles. Make plans to attend this one.
TSA is upcoming June 8-10 in Fort Worth. Cathy has all the information and how to sign up. We really would like to see a good attendance. It won't get any closer until we host it again.
As you see there is a lot going on. Come out to your Temple for fun and fellowship! Thanks.
Fraternally,
Calvin Carlton, PP Recorder
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April 2023
It is the season and we have started filling up our Calendar every month. With the Potentate's Ball and Divan Mid-Winter behind us, we are looking toward several Shrine activities and Fundraisers. I feel we just finished one of the most fun OG Trips that I have ever attended. We secured the bus for the trip and it was good to be together on the trip to Shreveport and back. We had an OG and a half walking, and we kept them busy. Golf was fun and we had one of the most informative Hospital tour in a long time. Of course we gathered for Chicken Wings after the tour that lasted several hours. We had about fifteen nobles attend this lunch. Good times were had by all. We plan on securing the Bus again next year and are hoping to get thirty plus people on the bus. Let's start planting the seed now!
Note - We have Happy Hour at the Temple every third Thursday, every month. Join us for some snacks and fun
for a while.
The Easter Egg Hunt is April 8th at the Shrine Land on Hatton Road. This is open to all Shriners and guests.
Bring the family out for Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and chips. Good time to showcase the Shrine at a fun event.
Golf Unit upcoming events - Golf Mid-Winter is April 19-21 in Fredericksburg, Texas, followed by the Shrine Golf
Tournament May 5th at River Creek. We need help selling additional hole sponsors--see Ed Hall or Gordy Antill.
The Cooking Unit will sponsor a Crawfish Boil May 20th, 2-5pm, $15 per person. Good event to bring non-Shriner
out and even dip into several Blue Lodges for people to invite. This is fun and very popular; don't miss this one.
Call Greg or any Cooking Unit member with questions.
TSA cost has increased, as expressed in Stated Meeting; the cost is now $100 per Noble and $25 for spouse. The Temple will pay $50 (1/2) of Noble fee if attending. It's in Fort Worth this year - very close to us. Let's have
a good showing. Call Cathy for details.
Our Potentate has a project that was brought to Unit Council and was passed unanimously. We talked to Nobility
last Stated Meeting as well. This is the expansion of the Oasis. The plan is to expand into the Clown Unit room
and put up the Crap Table and Blackjack tables. We see several advantages including rentals. Any questions,
please ask any Divan member.
That's about it for this month, OH wait - we had a free chicken-fried steak dinner at Stated Meeting. 43 Nobles
attended! May do that again
Fraternally,
Calvin Carlton, PP Recorder
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March 2023
Well we are off and running with our new Divan in place. It has been a much smoother transition than I expected. We seem to be going the same direction. We have just come off of a couple of rather good events. First the Potentate's Ball, was decorated very nice, thanks Rickie and the girls. Good food, good DJ, casino night was fun as well. Good start to our Potentate and Lady. Next was Divan Mid-Winter in Granbury. Was very informative and returned with lots to think and talk about. Per Capita dues increase surfaced again. It will be voted on at Imperial this summer. There is some Hospital information I will report on at next Stated Meeting on
March 14th.
Lady Rickie has received a lot of support from a lot of the ladies, not just Divan. I want to thank all, but a special shout out to Jody Miller. I know for a fact she has been in the middle of both special events to make sure they looked good and ran smooth. Thanks Lady Jody! Also during Super Bowl, Dee Ann Reed is the guru of the betting boards. From making boards, organizing betting squares, paying out, and just knowing how many supplies needed to pull it all off. Also the Food Bank donation!
Thanks Lady Dee Ann.
As always we need members desperately. We only have 1 vote at Imperial because we dropped below 300 members. Let's shake the bushes and get some fresh ideas in our Temple.
Get ready for a good O.G. Trip. We have the bus again, we have golf, Hospital Tour, bowling, gambling, and good fellowship. Wheels up 2-23-23 @ 4pm. Don't miss it!
Fraternally,
Calvin Carlton, PP Recorder
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February 2023
We are in a New Year and it looks to have some promise. We installed new officers with a new Potentate, Mike Knox. It was good to see some Nobles at the stated meeting we haven't seen in quite some time. We all hope this continues thru the rest of the year. We also have great expectations for Potentate Knox and his lady Rickie. They have planned a fun and interesting Potentate's Ball on January 28th. Hope t see a bunch of Nobles and guests in attendance.
I also want to give a shout out to our outgoing Potentate, Dooby Fox, and Lady JoAnn. They set the bar pretty high for anyone to follow. Dooby, I just want to say from the entire Nobility--it has truly been a pleasure. Thank you both for your service and commitment. Good Luck.
Second big news: If you haven't heard, we had a Noble step up and ask us about running for O.G. Brian Gaylor was nominated and elected into that office last stated meeting. This is Bill and Kathy Hammack's son-in-law. I'm sure most have met him and his wife. They have been attending for years. I think Brian and Manya will be a good addition to the Divan. Glad to have ya'll.
It looks promising on our O.G. trip, everything on target. We need about 25+ people going to justify the cost of the bus. So if you plan to go, please call Cathy at the office and get on the list. I think we will have gun again, and I am looking forward to some fellowship and a Hospital tour.
I want to speak for a minute about membership. We are currently down to 289 Nobles. We did have a good year last year as far as new members, but the Black Camel and suspensions really took it's toll. Please invite some non Shriners to our events just to expose them to what we do. We have the best kept secret in Texas but sure need to let people know!!
Fraternally
Calvin Carlton
PP Recorder
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January 2023
We had 44 Nobles at the stated meeting last night. This was our Election night, and we also brought in one new member and one visitor that is moving his membership to Maskat, for a total of two--great news again!! Our total membership is still hovering above 300 even with the Black Camel visiting almost every month.
Our last two special events went very well with good participation by Nobility. First, the Turkey Cook: We cooked 200 turkeys over a Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving. They turned out great. I have eaten from 2 different ones and both were fantastic. Had a lot of other good comments on the quality, and we made $2,281 for the Temple. The other event was the Foster Kids Christmas Party. We had lots of help purchasing and wrapping the gifts and the cooking unit cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for all. The turnout was a little weak from Parents and Kids, but those who came had a good time, presents, food, and a visit from Santa!!
Our Potentate's Ball is upcoming on the 28th of January. Also scheduled is the O.G. trip; it's on the books for February 23-26.
The last item I want to mention is the Elections. I really don't know what to think or how to address this. We had NO-ONE run for O.G. This is a first for Maskat. Excuses are just that. Excuses. Our current Potentate drove an hour each day 3-4 times a week for 5 years, and many others worked 60 plus hour-a-week jobs while on the Divan--myself included.
I implore someone to tell me where we are missing the boat. We must be doing something wrong.
Fraternally
Calvin Carlton
PP Recorder
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