SALAAM JUL - AUG 2018

S H R I N E R S I N T E R N A T I O N A L
J U L Y - A U G U S T 2 0 1 8
Salaam
The Newsletter of the Al Amin Shriners
In This Issue
CBCA coaches and players enjoy
annual Al Amin Fish Fry
BBQ Cook Off
raises funds for
Al Amin
Jones named as new
President of TSCA
Outreach clinic is
held in LaFeria,
Texas
Al Amin Shriners
2001 Suntide Road
Corpus Christi, Texas 78409
(361) 241-5353
www.alaminshriners.com
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Al Amin Shrine hosted a fish fry on Friday, May 18, 2018 for the
Coastal Bend All Star football team players and coaches ahead of
the annual East-West All Star Football Game at Buccaneer Stadium
on Saturday, May 19.
PP James Woods stated, "To everyone who helped with the Al
Amin East-West All Star game, I couldn’t attempt to thank
everyone who helped. I understand it was a team effort. I might be
down, but I’ll be back. Tom and Bob, you stepped up and took
charge. All I can say is, Nobles, Thank You from the bottom of my
heart."
A L A M I N S H R I N E R S | J U L - A U G 2 0 1 8

The Al Amin Shriners held an
IBCA Sanctioned Bar-B-Q Cook-
Off on June 1st - 2nd at the 534
River Bend Club outside Sandia,
TX. There were many
participants and some delicious
food was prepared and judged.
There were also vendors, live
music, a motorcycle ride, and a
live auction.
Cook-Off raises funds for Al Amin
Overall the event
raised over $20,000 and all
proceeds will remain with Al
Amin.
Many thanks to everyone who
attended and volunteered to
make this a successful event.
Al Amin Shrine would like to thank all of our sponsors and auction donors for their generosity:
Riverbend 534 Club
Broken Spoke Auctioneer & Consulting
4 Big Equipment
Felix Fojtik Auctions
Brush Country Ghostriders Alice Chapter
Parker Lumber
CC Rentals
Toler Field Services
Polk Production Technologies, Inc.
Karl and Mary Schumaker
Alan Ardoin
97.5 KFTX Real Country
Joe Torres
Bob Hershbach
Jeff Boltz
Ironhorse Tools
L&F Distributors
IBCA
Carroll Weaver, Contractor
A5 Ranch
Lightning Bolt Productions
Jeff Squared
Shirley Pannell
Largarto VFW
Qwik Stop
Flowers Baking Co.
Lowman Construction
King Productions
Alice Car Club
Camper Clinic
Cameron Equipment
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AL AMIN SHRINERS | JUL - AUG 2018

THE POTENTATE'S WORD
Richard Gamewell - Potentate 2018
Greetings Nobles and Ladies,
Since the last Salaam was published, the Shrine Temple
has been very active. In May we had the Football Fish Fry
for the Players and Coaches on a Friday evening. Past
Potentate James Woods was honored for his many years
of dedication and supporting the East West Games at this
event but was not able to attend. The East West Football
Game was held on Saturday at the Buccaneer Stadium
and it was supported by many Shrine Units who sold
tickets and the Shrine Divan who sold the Football
Programs.
The Clown Unit has had its Clown Casino Night. The
Nobility and Ladies along with the Al Amin Divan were out
in full support. It was a great event and was a lot of fun.
The Shrine BBQ Cook-Off was held on June 1st & 2nd
on the other side of lake Mathis in Lagarto at the 534
Riverbend Club. It was a great success. We had over 121
auction items in the “Live Auction” which raised over
$20,000. 00. This was a Fraternal fundraiser. We had 25
Cook-off teams. Thanks to all the Sponsors, Shriners,
Divan, Ladies, volunteers, and auction item donors who
made this a huge success. We will be having a “Thank
You Party” coming up. More details will follow later.
.
The TSA Tyler Conference was held June 7-9th. It was
also a huge success for Al Amin. Many of our Units
competed and won and placed in many events. Thanks to
all our Shiners who went to TSA Tyler and the Ladies for
their support.
Our upcoming Imperial Session will be held in July in
Daytona Beach, Florida and the Al Amin Shrine
Representatives (Potentate Richard Gamewell, Chief
Rabban Tom Mehrens and Assistant Rabban Mike King)
will be attending along with their wives for support. A full
report of the session will be given to the Nobility when we
reassemble September 14th.
Al Amin has received word from the “South Texas Opry”
that after 27 years of performing at Al Amin, they will no
longer be playing at the temple. We will miss them and all
the followers that enjoyed the great music that the Opry
Band provided for many years. We wish them all the best
with “God’s Speed and Blessings” in whatever endeavors
they seek.
Please check your Calendar and Social Media for
upcoming events.
It was a pleasure to inform you on all the above
happenings. Please keep all our Shriners and Brethren in
your thoughts and prayers; we have some that are very
much in need of our prayers currently.
Respectfully Yours,
Richard Gamewell
Potentate 2018
2018 Divan AL AMIN
Potentate - Richard Gamewell
(361) 816-1009
potentate@alaminshriners.com
Chief Rabban - Tom Mehrens
(361) 443-7685
chiefrabban@alaminshriners.com
Assistant Rabban - Mike King
(361) 696-1585
asstrabban@alaminshriners.com
High Priest & Prophet - Cody Paul
(361) 756-7106
hp.prophet@alaminshriners.com
Oriental Guide - Vacant
Treasurer - Marcelo Cantu
(361) 241-5353
treasurer@alaminshriners.com
Recorder - Roy Cantu
(361) 241-5353
recorder@alaminshriners.com
Brandee Lowman
Office Administrator/Marketing
Coordinator
officeadmin@alaminshriners.com
marketing@alaminshriners.com
Barbara Schroeter
Webmaster/Salaam Editor
webmaster@alaminshriners.com
salaam@alaminshriners.com
GUN SHOWS
Remaining show dates for
2018
July 21 - 22
August 25 - 26
September 15 - 16
November 3 - 4
December 1 - 2
Dates are subject to change.
Please confirm before
attending.
Proceeds are for the benefit of Al
Amin Shriners activities. Payments
are not deductible as charitable
contributions.
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AL AMIN SHRINERS | JUL - AUG 2018

Good things are happening in the clown unit. It has been an
active first half of 2018. In March, we had two activities on the
same weekend. With great response from all the clowns, we were
able to split up and attend both. First was this year’s Shrine
Circus. The clowns were well represented and provided great
entertainment to all the kids and adults at the circus. I would like
to thank all of the Clowns and Clown Ladies for helping us out.
We could not do it without your support. On the same weekend,
TSCA Mid-Winter was held in Galveston. Alan (Honey) Jones
was voted in as State President. Al Amin Clowns competed in all
competitions and placed in two categories. Michael (Giggles)
Ashcraft placed 2nd for make-up in the Happy Hobo division. Billy
(Bling Bling) Bird placed 2nd for make-up in the Senior division.
We also competed in the Skits and finished right out of the
running. There were some awesome skits. It was a great time
and we made good friends with other clowns from all over Texas.
We had a great turnout for the Charro Days, Portland Windfest,
Buc Days and Shrimporee Parades. Good crowds!
In May, we held our Annual Clown Casino Night. It was a huge
success and everyone had a great time. I would like to thank
everyone for supporting the clown unit. We look forward to doing it
again next year. I also would like to thank all the Clowns and their
ladies that came out and helped. The Temple Casino Night is
scheduled for October 2018. I want to encourage everyone to help
the Temple make it a hit. We all need to support the Temple, all
the Units and each other. I look forward to seeing everyone there.
In June, we attended TSA in Temple, TX hosted by Sharon
Temple. They did a fantastic job! During the Clown Breakfast,
Alan (Honey) Jones was sworn in as President of TSCA. Past
Potentate and Right Worshipful, Paul Underwood, Senior Warden
of the Grand Lodge of Texas was the installing officer. Paul did an
outstanding job. The installation was a lesson in comedy as the
entire TSCA officers added their own twist to the installation. Paul
was a good sport and fell right in with the shenanigans while
telling a funny story about Alan. It was great!
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Clown News
Chief Rabban, Tom (Tree) Mehrens, fezzed Alan. Tree had a
huge smile on his face and so did Alan. It was a fun morning to
say the least.
Al Amin had two clowns compete at TSA, Roy (Bingo) Cantu and
Billy (Bling Bling) Bird. Roy is a great clown and represented Al
Amin very well. We placed in all four competitions. We placed 3rd
in Unit Make-Up and Costume, 3rd in Unit Paradeability, 2nd in
Unit Skit and 2nd in Unit Over All. This earned Al Amin Clowns the
distinction of being the second best Clown Unit in the State of
Texas. I am very proud of Roy. He is a great clown and
represented Al Amin very well.
The President of TSCA, Alan (Honey) Jones, is required to host
TSCA Mid-Winter which will be held in Corpus Christi, TX, from
February 28 – March 2, 2019. The host hotel, Emerald Beach and
Conference Center, will be the location of all events and
competitions. This is a large event that will be attended by all
Texas Shrine Temple Clown Units. We will definitely need all the
help we can get to host this event. Let’s show our support by
representing Al Amin and Alan during this conference.
To help fund this conference, the clown unit has two raffles going
on. There is an Academy® gun and sports raffle for the guys and a
James Avery® raffle especially for the ladies. We are also selling
Red “We Clown for Kids” t-shirts. Please see any clown or clown
lady to purchase raffle tickets and t-shirts.
The Clowns look forward helping and attending all functions we
can between now and the rest of the year. We all need to support
the Temple and help wherever we can.
I would like to thank the Divan and the Divan Ladies for supporting
the clown unit. I know that every Divan member is stretched to the
limit and keeps a very active schedule, but every time we have
asked for your support you have been there. I wanted you to know
that you are greatly appreciated by all the clowns for all the
support you have given us. Thank You!
Last, please keep all those who are ailing in your thoughts and
prayers. We know every unit has individuals they are praying for
as does the clown unit. You never know when someone right
around the corner may need you more than you know. If we can
unite, we can support each other in ways unimaginable. Prayers
and much love to all.
Billy “Bling Bling” Bird
AL AMIN SHRINERS | JUL - AUG 2018

Noble Tom Wimberly,
Sunshine Chairman
361-992-1946
David Alexander
Pete Hinojosa
Vince Muscarello
Ralph Nelson
Tom Wimberly
James Woods
Douglas Havemann
Chick West
Get well soon, we'll miss you!
IN MEMORIAM
William "Bill" Lemmons
James "Jim" Smejkal
Dale Bruce Fansler
William Keas, Jr.
John W. Whitley
Floyd Bandy
Memorial Gifts
South Texas Opry
Canceled
In Memory of John Whitley
From Jean Fourrier
We regret to announce that the
Opry band has decided they will no
longer be performing at the Shrine,
therefore the South Texas Opry has
been canceled, effective
immediately. We wish to thank all
the volunteers and patrons who
have supported this event for many
years.
Hospital van drivers are always
needed. Please contact the office
or Noble James Caughman (CC)
or Gilbert Medina (RGV) if you
can help.
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AL AMIN SHRINERS | JUL - AUG 2018

AL AMIN Shriners
Rio Grande Valley Transportation
by Gilbert Medina, PP, RGV Transportation Coordinator
Having Fun & Helping Kids
The AL AMIN Shrine Transportation program is in constant communication with the Houston Shriners Hospital for Children. The
program includes transportation of patients and parents plus meals, hotel accommodations, and maintenance for six (15)
passenger vehicle vans.
In the month of April 2018, AL AMIN Shrine Transportation made 11 trips to Houston Shriners Hospital, with 53 parents, 55
patients, used 16 vehicle vans, 28 volunteer drivers, meal cost $2,082.19, fuel cost $1,535.19, hotel accommodations cost
$2,164.50 and travel from Rio Grande Valley to Houston Shriners Hospital round trip was 9,147 miles.
Also, on April 25, 2018, AL AMIN Shrine Transportation had a health care Outreach Mini-Clinic with medical staff traveling from
Houston Shriners Hospital for Children to RGV Shrine Club in La Feria, Texas. There were 16 patients plus parents, meal cost
$285.45, used 3 vehicle vans, 4 volunteer drivers, fuel cost $144.00 and travel 664 miles from International Bridge to La Feria.
In the month of May 2018, AL AMIN Shrine Transportation made 7 trips to Houston Shriners Hospital, with 45 parents, 45 patients,
13 vehicle vans, 23 volunteer drivers, meal cost $1,925.98, fuel cost $1,416.90, hotel accommodations cost $1,962.63, and travel
from Rio Grande Valley to Houston Shriners Hospital round trip 7,562 miles. We had 3 van trips canceled by Shriners Hospital.
Also, we had 3 bus trips with one patient & parent each trip. The 3 bus trips cost $210.58 each way.
In the month of June 2018, the Houston Shriners Hospital for Children scheduled 9 vehicle vans trips to Houston. Also, we
scheduled 2 trips to the hospital to pick up medical records for the Health Care Outreach Clinic at the RGV Shrine Club La Feria,
which was held on June 7-8, 2018. On Thursday, June 7, we had 73 patients plus parents. We scheduled four vehicle vans to
transport patients from Hidalgo International Bridge to La Feria. The clinic was busy from 8:00 AM to 5 PM.
On Friday, June 8, we had 22 patients plus parents and a Charter Bus with 12 patients with parents from Monterrey, Mexico.
Anezeh Shrine Noble Luis Cortez was in-charge of the Shriners patients from Monterrey.
AL AMIN Shrine vehicle van unloading
patients at the Outreach Clinic in La
Feria, Texas. Volunteer Driver Noble Jim
Fox standing by for assistance.
Four AL AMIN Shrine Transportation vehicle vans parked at
the Outreach Clinic in La Feria, Texas.
Lady Jennie Irelan, Noble Dale McMillian, and Lady
Avis Cook volunteer (Record Clerks) for the
Outreach Clinic La Feria, Texas. Noble Dale
McMillian overseeing the Outreach Clinic for a
smooth operation.
The AL AMIN Shrine Transportation Program In the Shriners Transportation Program, we AL AMIN Shrine Transportation Program
depends on donations, fundraisers and strive every day to give this level of would like to thank all of you who continue
volunteer drivers’ commitment. The Shriners compassionate, concerned care to every to support the Shriners Hospitals for
Drivers believe in the Transportation Program patient and family whom we transport to the Children. Because of your generosity, we
and what it stands for and always give 100%. Houston Shriners Hospital for Children. This are able to further our mission in bettering
All this makes their contribution invaluable. is regardless of how routine or complex their the lives of our Shriners patients.
needs may be, and regardless of their ability
to pay.
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Independence
Day
Nile
Sewing
gun show
setup
GUN
SHOW
GUN
SHOW
Nile
Sewing
Nile
Sewing
gun show
setup
GUN
SHOW
GUN
SHOW
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AL AMIN SHRINERS | JUL - AUG 2018

S t a t e d M e e t i n g s
d u r i n g t h e m o n t h s
o f J u n e , J u l y , a n d
The Salaam contains just a portion of the Al Amin happenings. All the latest news and information can be found on our website,
www.alaminshriners.com and on social media.
R E M I N D E R
T h e r e a r e n o
A u g u s t .
Due to a shortage of
help in the kitchen,
there will not be a
meal served before
the stated meetings
until further notice.
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