Search Results

< Back James Heineman Potentate August 2023 Hello All, June has passed and we had a week or so off after TSA and then headed to Charlotte North Carolina for the Imperial Session on June 28. We dropped our puppies off at our daughters, spent the day with her family and headed to Charlotte on the 29th. We took 2 days to get there, had a nice drive and the weather was good, but the traffic was a mess on the Atchafalaya River Basin Bridge in Louisiana and a little way out of Charlotte. We made it to the hotel in Charlotte on July 1st, got our room and checked in for registration. The rest of the day was going to the marketplace and meeting up with our divan and hanging out. With around 4000 Shriners in attendance, the restaurant at the hotel was overwhelmed, service was very slow to almost nonexistent, but we survived. July 2nd was the Public Opening and Imperial put on a good show. There were performances by several patients, and all did themselves proud, what a great show. They worked hard and gave a wonderful performance. After the opening, we went to our 2024 Reno Reception and watched a presentation for the 2024 Imperial Session along with food and drink and met with our Texas Counterparts, it was a nice evening. 2024 Imperial in Reno will be great with Imperial celebrating our 150th year. July 3rd started the day off with the Texas Breakfast and presentation of gifts to our Imperial Ladies. The morning started early, was in the room by 6 am. After breakfast, our Divan went to the Imperial Session. The Session lasted 3 full days starting on July 3rd and finished on July 6. We took part in the Imperial Session Parade on July 4 at the Zmax Dragway. Our Ladies were in the stands and made some noise when we passed by them, it was fun. There was a Brewfest on July 2. Got to taste a couple beers, didn’t stay out long, too hot to wait in line for the beers. On Wednesday, the 5th we were introduced to the National Patient Ambassadors, Gianna and Juan, what a great couple of young adults. We were able to get good seats for the Joe Nichols concert on the last night. Then we met up with some of our Texas counterparts for a few drinks. Always fun with our Counterparts. During the Session, Illustrious Sir Chuck and I voted on many items and the one that everyone was concerned about was the increase in our per-capita tax. The first vote failed and was brought up the next day to do a revote. There were amendments to the proposal and the result was the increase was changed to $20 from $30 which passed this time. It was a needed increase to make sure we were going to survive in the future. The next Imperial Divan was voted on with everyone moving up and the new Imperial Outer Guard elected was our very own David Hamm from Sharon Shrine. Congratulations goes out to Imperial Sir David; may your journey be a fun and rewarding one. Congratulations to Imperial Ed and his First Lady, Jolynn, and the rest of the Imperial Divan The drive home was good with a few rainstorms before we made it back to Texas. We picked up the puppies and made it back home safely and a bit tired. Looking forward to our Pizza, Pitcher & Puzzle fundraiser on August 12th. Get your team together and join us for a fun afternoon. For more information see the flyer in the Chariot. Signing off for now, James Heineman Chief Rabban "Stay Ben Hur Proud" heinemanja@yahoo.com (281) 923-5890

< Back Sam Stimson Ph.D. Recorder More Information Coming Soon recorder@benhurshrine.org (512) 796-4179

< Back Fred Maynard High Priest and Prophet August 2023 Late June and July has been a busy Shrine month for me and Lady Traci. We ended June with a trip to our home in Kentucky, while there we had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Potentate’s Ball celebration at El Hasa Shrine Temple in Ashland, KY. Illustrious Sir TJ Toler & Lady Tina had a wonderful weekend full of events that even included having a live camel at the Saturday afternoon luncheon before the Arabian Nights themed ball. We had the opportunity to meet and hangout with some of our OG counterparts from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. We followed this up with an amazing trip to the Shiners Imperial Session in Charlotte where we met Shriners from all over the world. Sitting in on the Imperial session business meetings was interesting and gave me some insight into how Shriners International operates. I attended two membership seminars, both of which dealt with how to form new clubs and units to meet the needs and wants of our membership. I attended a seminar on branding for Temples, Units, and Clubs. We also had the pleasure of attending the International Association of Legions of Honor meeting that was held during the Imperial session. If you have never had the opportunity to attend an Imperial Convention, you should make a plan to get there. There is so much fun and fellowship to have with our Shrine Brothers and their Ladies. It is always the first week in July so get out of the Texas heat and take a vacation. Next year’s convention will be held in Reno, NV so it should be a great time. Fred Maynard Oriental Guide "Stay Ben Hur Proud" Fred.maynard@att.net (512) 422-0452

< Back James McConnell Chief Rabban August 2023 Nobles and Ladies Well July started off with a 2800-mile trip to Charlotte for Shrine Imperial session. We were gone almost 2 weeks with side trips to Kentucky and Arkansas for short visits with family and friends on the return trip. The Imperial session was a lot of fun and work. Meeting old and new friends, sitting in sessions, and watching business being done. Congratulations to our new Imperial Potentate Ed Stolze and our other Imperial officers, and our new Imperial Outer Guard David Hamm from Sharon Shrine in Tyler, TX. The one item affecting everyone will be the increase in dues to imperial by $20. I know this will affect some people harder than others but it is necessary for Imperial to operate by the numbers presented. August will be busy and hot as well, with parades in Johnson City and Fredericksburg, check the Chariot for other activities. Remember Shriners come from your lodges, so be sure to support and attend your blue lodges. Fraternally Jim McConnell Assistant Rabban "Stay Ben Hur Proud" jemcconnel@gmail.com (512) 750-5242

< Back Bill James Treasurer More Information Coming Soon billjjames1@gmail.com (512) 925-6676

< Back Ricky Hayes Oriental Guide More Information Coming Soon ​ ​