May/June/July 2019 Cover Photo courtesy Charlie Shinn, All Sports Digital 2 Arab Antics Elective Divan Potentate Steve Kramer Chief Rabban Larry Dain Assistant Rabban Kurt Lawson The Shriner’s High Priest & Prophet John Cahill Pledge Oriental Guide Jeff Neal “I Pledge Allegiance to my Flag and Treasurer Kim Komarek the Country for which it stands, one Recorder Alan Holt, P.P. Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.” Appointive Divan First Ceremonial Master Ron Potter Second Ceremonial Master Keith Bricker ARAB ANTICS Marshal David Tillotson The Official Publication of the Arab Shriners Membership Director Josh Barr IN THIS ISSUE Pubic Relations Director Rick Smith From the Potentate .................................... 4 Captain of the Guard Bob Weibel From the First Lady .....................................5 Outer Guard Gary Ashton Units ........................................................... 12 Chaplain Mark Varble Imperial Session ......................................... 33 Imperial Council Representatives Steve Kramer, Potentate UPCOMING EVENTS Larry Dain, Chief Rabban May Kurt Lawson, Assistant Rabban 11 LOH Spagetti Feed At Large, Brad Koehn, P.P., Imperial Treasurer 13 Stated Meeting Alt: John Cahill, High Priest & Prophet 24 Hors d’oeuvres by Topless/Nobelles Alt: Jeff Neal, Oriental Guide 27 Memorial Day June Central States Shrine 7-8 Shrine Bowl Dodge City Association Representatives 13 Brew Day & Dinner Steve Kramer, Potentate 16 Fathers Day Larry Dain, Chief Rabban 28 Hors d’oeurves by Divan Kurt Lawson, Assistant Rabban 30 Imperial Session Begins Don Horttor, P.P., Past President July CSSA Alt: John Cahill, High Priest & Prophet 1-5 Imperial Session Arab Shriners Building Trustees 4 Independence Day 13 Hospital Screenings Day Howard Marlow Jeff Miller 21 Antiques Ice Cream Social Steve Lavin Jerry Hutley 26 Hors d’oeurves by Antiques The Antics is published quarterly by the Arab Shriners, 1305 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, Ks 66612. Publisher: Steve Kramer. Editor: Andrea Hartzell. Email: [email protected] For advertising rates and information: [email protected]. May-June-July 2019 3 From Your Potentate of which has already been make this a special night. A special done. This event takes all of thank you to Ill Sir Jim and Lady us to make it happen and we Barb Whitehead for putting it all thank you all for participating together. again. Special recognition We have some great events to goes to Circus Chairman Kurt look forward to in the next few Lawson and Lady Bev for months. The Kentucky Derby chairing this event. Jeff Neal party, May 4th, is a new event and and Lady Jolene executed a promises to be an event you don’t wonderful evening for the want to miss! Thanks go to Ill Sir Circus Appreciation Dinner. Paul and Lady Diana Clarkson and Many thanks were given that their crew for their hard work evening, but Lady Peggy and putting this event together. I would like to say Thank You again. A special thank you to The Shrine Bowl will be in Dodge Josh and Tessa Barr, owners City this year on June 8th. Come It seems like this year is flying of Graystone Painting, and the out and enjoy the game! by so quickly! We have had Arab Shrine Clowns for sponsoring CSSA will take place in Sioux City, some great events, with more to the dinner. IA this year. Please make plans to come. We had a great Potentate The Players Appreciation Dinner, attend to enjoy all of the events Reception which was well and support the Motor Corp and attended and enjoyed by all. planned and set-up by Keith Bricker and Lady Patty, was a great the units participating in the Lady Peggy and I would like to competitions. thank everyone who helped in event again this year. Thanks to The Golfers will be at Village the planning, set-up, decorating all who helped and participated. Greens for the annual Shriners and working the event. A special St. Patrick’s Day parade was a Children’s Hospital Benefit Golf thanks for Lonnie Spiker and his memorable event with great food Tournament on June 17th. The lady, Jan for chairing this event. It and drinks available at the Shrine success of the event is credited was a celebration for the Temple afterwards. Thanks go out to largely to our sponsors and and a time to meet the elected Kampy and the kitchen crew and contributors, and of course the and appointed leaders of Arab Provost Guard. The second annual golfers, with proceeds going to Shrine. The next major event Garage Sale was an overwhelming the Shriners Hospital for Children was the Circus, which I believe success! Thanks to Karen and and the Transportation Fund. was one of the best shows, but Howard Marlow and all the Ladies one in which the weather did (and Men) who contributed items We will have another Membership not cooperate, thus lowering and time to make this event Rush Night on June 22nd at attendance an expectations. successful. Spiker’s Oasis. Please bring any The Executive Committee is By the time you receive this potential member to the event working on additional fund Antics, the Potentate’s Ball will as membership is so vital to the raising opportunities and budget be a memory. We thank each and longevity of our Shrine. cutting where possible, some every one of you who worked to continued on page 6 Offical Call of the Potentate Notice is hereby given of a Stated meeting of Arab Shriners at 1305 South Kansas Avenue Topeka, KS for the transaction of such business as may be regularly presented on: ◄Monday, May 13, 2019 ◄Monday, September 9, 2019 ◄Monday, October 7, 2019 4 Arab Antics From the First Lady Looking back on the first quarter was a huge success thanks to of this year makes me smile. The Karen Marlow and her crew Potentate/Divan reception was and the many volunteers wonderful. Thanks to everyone who helped and donated. who made it a success and to The proceeds will be used to everyone who attended. What a purchase much needed items special day for Arab Shrine! around Arab Shrine. The First Ladies Luncheon was By the time we receive this well attended. What a great job Antics, the Potentate/Divan from our very own kitchen crew ball will be past, but I am sure for the wonderful meal! We were it will be a fantastic evening at joined by “Uncle Sam” and “Rosie Arab Shrine. Thanks in advance the Riveter” who entertained the to everyone involved. ladies. Spring is here and we have Once again, Mother Nature did many opportunities in the not smile on our circus. The near future to get together for Peggy Coots circus was fantastic, thanks to fun and fellowship while raising I would be remiss if I did not Jimmy Hamid and his crew and money for our Shrine Center and mention Bingo. What a great all of the Arab Shrine volunteers. our children. group of Bingo volunteers we There is no way to list everyone • May 4th is a new event this have! Come on down to help or who helped, but thank you from year, the Kentucky Derby/ play and eat the yummy food at the bottom of our hearts for the Crazy Hat party the concession stand! You are time and effort you each put into guaranteed to have a great time. making the circus a success. • May 13th –Stated Meeting with the Ladies, Noble of the Ladies, put the Annual Ladies The end of February found us in Year Presentation Trip, September 27-29, on your Panama for the Potentate’s trip. • June 1st- Ladies Brunch with calendar now because plans are Warm, sunny weather greeted us being finalized. and the fun began. From the Rain Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar- In closing, Steve and I feel blessed Forest, down the Panama Canal, the activity will be a fun craft to be a part of Arab Shrine and to the beach, we made so many which everyone can enjoy thank you all for your help, memories at each stop! Thanks • June 8th-Kansas Shrine Bowl support, guidance and friendship. again for joining us on the trip. in Dodge City We are all here for the same The second annual Garage Sale • June 30th -July 4th –Imperial reason, the children. in Nashville, TN STAY CONNECTED with the Ladies of the Arab Shrine On Facebook: Find the Arab Shrine Ladies group and join. Stay Connected!Ladies Email List: If you are not receiving emails about our events, contact the Shrine office at 234-5656 and ask to be added! May-June-July 2019 5 Meet the Divan, corrections Mark was born and raised in the southeast Missouri boot-heel town of Chaffee. After college he moved to the Kansas City area for his graduate studies. In June of 1986 he landed in Topeka. December of 1988 was a blest month for Mark when he and love of his life, Topeka native CG, were married. They have boys: Robert (Joan) in Lenexa, Brain (Manui) in Rainier WA, and Grandboys Spencer and Zach, in Lawrence. Mark’s masonic journey started in 1992 at Seabrook Lodge 285. He joined the Topeka Scottish Rite Valley in 1993 and Topeka York Rite in 2008. He has been a member of Arab Temple since 1993. He was master of Siloam Lodge 225 in 2009. He has been an active member of the Sun Devils since 1993 and served in various roles around Arab. He, also, is a member of the Boaters, Hospital Dads, Order of the Crow, and Clay Busters. He has dual membership in Abdallah Temple, Overland Park.