Summer 2009 Arabian Newsletter - Arabia Shrine Temple

ARABIA SPORTSMENBy: Rudy StaudtThe Sportsmen Unit held our best FishingTournament ever on May 16th at MatagordaHarbor Marina. We had 220 fishermen competingfor over $5,000.00 in cash and prizes. Theweather cooperated this year and we weighedin plenty of large fish. Several trout were over 7pounds. After paying the bills, we show a profit ofover $15,000.00. Thanks to everyone that camedown to help with set up, refreshments, sponsors,weigh-ins, take down of the canopy and clean up.A very special thanks to Potentate Ken Aldridgeand the Divan members that helped us make thisa big success.If you haven’t signed up for our annual WhiteWing dove hunt, time is running short. We arehunting the same location as last year, Castroville,TX. Contact Ron Whitmore if you are interested.Room reservations are hard to find the closer itgets to dove season. The guide says that we willbe hunting over grain fields and, as of this time,there are plenty of birds.James VanMeter and I went to two SportingClay tournaments on May 29. The first onewas held at West Side Shooting Range. It wassponsored by the company that will be helpingour unit put on a tournament on August 15. Theirtournament benefited the Muscular DystrophySociety. With their help, we hope to have between300 and 500 shooters at our tournament whichwill take place at American Shooting Range. Nextwe went to a tournament held by the Scottish Ritebenefiting Rite Care. Their first ever tournamentwas held at the Greater Houston Gun Club. RonWhitmore and other members put on a veryenjoyable tournament. The competition was great,two shooters shot a perfect score and a shoot offwas held.By the next issue, I hope to report on anothersuccessful fishing trip to Lake Calcasieu inLouisiana. Our last twoplanned trips were rainedout. If you wish to be put ona list for our next trip, contactSherman Markowitz.At our May meeting, we were treated to chiliand hot dogs, compliments of James VanMeter.He wanted to try out a new chili recipe for nextyear’s chili cook off in Willis, TX. Judging by thecompliments, I think that he has come up witha winner. For our prospective members, we stillmeet at the Shrine Center on the second Tuesdayof each month.SAVE THE DATETHE FIRST LADY’S LUNCHEONHONORING LADY SHARYN ALDRIDGEWILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 31, 2009AT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF HOUSTONMORE INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW INTHE SEPTEMBER ARABIANIF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALLBETTY WEBER AT 713-899-0404DOUBLE THE BENEFIT - WILLIS CHILICOOK-OFFBy: Dale DeFoor, High Priest & ProphetThanks to all the Nobles and Ladies for theirsupport of the 25th Annual Willis Chili Cook -Off onMarch 20-21. The Shriner’s Hospital for Childrenreally benefited this year as the American Legionannounced that they would “match” all proceedsfrom the cook-off, the cakewalk, and the auction.Special thanks to the brave souls that judgedthe Bloody Mary’s, the beans and of course, thechili! Thanks to all the Ladies that made cakes forthe cakewalk and all the donations to the Shriner’sLiquor Wagon were also appreciated.Also, a special thank you to Ginny Spalding forthe delicious breakfast tacos and to Jim Spaldingand Sherman Markowitz for bartending. A great big“thanks” goes to Ronnie Odell and to “Skeeter” forall of their efforts selling raffle tickets for the liquorwagon. We made $2,075.00 on the wagon!4