Murat Shrine Circus

Mini-Mystics
Dave Alspaugh
Recently, I was asked what it took to
become a Mini-Mystic. Simple question,
but I found it more difficult to answer than
I had thought. Let’s see. Where do I begin?
Ralph Simpson.
Many clubs or organizations require
members to be a certain height and body
build. Could that be my answer? Looking
over the current drivers in the Club, I’d
have to say this does not hold true for the
Mini-Mystics. Ralph Simpson and Dan
Gillahan are rather large people, while
Brian Biehn and Ron Bailey are shorter
and much smaller. Not much similarity in
that respect.
Then maybe, it’s a good head of
hair. Larry DeVoss qualifies there with a
full beard to go along with lots of hair, but
wait … Joe Inabnitt proves that hair’s not
a factor since he has none.
Could it be the type of work a person
does? Hey, maybe we have something
here. Ray Miller, Dan Gillahan, Lin Coner,
Bob Coner, Ron Bailey, Scott Earl, Jeff Duff
and Randy Bell are all electricians. That’s
Scott Earl and Bill Sparks.
almost half of all of the drivers. But alas,
this theory doesn’t fly either. Mike Pearcy,
Club president, works for the Indianapolis
Star newspaper, Bob Torrance has an air
conditioning business, and I design and
sell kitchen cabinets. Oh well, I thought I
was making some progress.
Being employed at a steady job was
considered, but Bob Rash, Jerry Waid, and
Col. Jack Brown shot down that idea since
they are retired.
Living in Johnson County or around
Franklin was also considered. Dave Cade,
John Miller, Marlin Prince, Bob Shoup and
Bob Torrance all live in the area.
Meanwhile, Jim Montgomery lives on the
west side of Indianapolis, Mike Pearcy in
Southport, Bill Sparks in Trafalgar and Jeff
Kondy in Indianapolis. Being a Mini-
Mystic means you can live wherever you
like.
Maybe, just maybe, being good
looking and having lots money would do
it. Ha! Don’t know about all the Mini-
Mystics, but I couldn’t qualify in either of
Mike Pearcy and Joe Inabnitt.
these areas. As a Club, we have to agree
that none of us are good looking or rich.
So, what is it that makes someone a
Mini-Mystic? I have finally come to the
conclusion that all a person needs to be a
Mini-Mystic is: a current paid dues card to
the Murat Shrine; a current paid dues card
to the Johnson County Shrine Club; and a
current paid dues card to the Mini-Mystics.
Those three things can make you a
Mini-Mystic. Taking it a step further, you
can become a driver by purchasing one
of the miniature Corvettes. With the car,
you’ll have to have a means of hauling it
to and from the various parades. Finally,
you have to donate 25 to 30 Saturdays a
year to parade for the kids.
Well, that’s what I see makes up a
Mini-Mystic. You can be retired, overweight,
skinny, bald, poor and not so
good looking, even an electrician and still
qualify as a Mini-Mystic. To all our current
drivers, keep up the good work and
good luck with all the parades in 2007.
NexGen
Wishing you the very best in this
New Year! Wow, here it is February
already. We have enjoyed the holidays,
and the Indiana Ice games were a success.
Thanks again to all of the officers
for their hard work. Congratulations to
Ryan Lentz and Andrew Speere, two of
our newest members. If you are a Noble
under the age of 46, please come out
and see what NexGen is all about! We
meet the second Tuesday of each
month, have dinner in the Oasis around
6:30, and then adjourn to our meeting
room at 7 p.m.
Just a reminder about future
events around the Shrine: February 23 –
Little Pig, March 10 – Potentate’s Ball,
March 17 – Monte Carlo Night. So come
out, have fun and make friends which
will last a lifetime.
May God bless all of you.
Mike Smith
2007 NexGen President Michael
Smith and Lady Annette.
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THE MURAT MAGAZINE