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See some pictures from the clown unit's more recent history below. Just click on the event name Circus Holiday Party CSSCA July 4th in Wamego Clown Picnic Halloween Party Potentate's Ball Old pictures Arab Shrine Clown History Article appeared in the Volume 50, Number 3 in June 1995 issue of Arab Antics Written by Duane Montgomery Since this is the 50th anniversary of Arab Antics, it seems appropriate to retrace the history of the Arab Shrine Clowns. In 1950, Potentate Paul E. Rogers asked Harold Jasperson and Raymond Krueger to assist him and the Shrine Band to entertain the Nobles and their Ladies on a railroad trip to a Central States meeting in St. Louis. In St. Louis they visited the Shrine Hospital. While there the Band performed circus music. Harold Jasperson and Raymond Krueger clowned around in costume with toy musical instruments entertaining the children. They were the first Arab Shriners to wear clown costumes. A seed had been planted for a clown unit. The next year in 1951, three clowns marked the beginning of a new Clown Unit. These three clowns were Nelse K. Nelson, Julius Rafflelock, and Harold Jasperson. There was some feelings that clowns should not be permitted to participate in Shriner activities. But, at the Central States the Imperial Potentate told the clowns, "If you take the Band and the Clowns out of the parade, you might as well cancel the parade. People love Clowns." During the first years, the unit primarily participated at Ceremonials. Since that time the unit has grown both in size and in numbers of activities they participate in. We are now active in Central States Shrine Clown Association (CSSCA). We have individual make up competition, team skit competition and unit competition in the yearly Central States shrine Convention. Since 1981 our unit has gained respect from larger temples and have brought back numerous trophies. The clowns are very active in supporting temple activities. We participate in ceremonials, parades, serve as Bell Hops at the Potentates Balls, and autograph program books for the kids at the circus. The clowns also are in charge of the Hillbilly Degree of which all proceeds go to the Children's Travel Fund. Currently we are proud that the Potentate E.I. "Andy" Anderson was an active member of the Clown Unit. We point with pride, too, that we have two other members serving on the Divan this year - Larry Pressman, High Priest and Prophet who was president of the Central States Clown Association in Denver in 1993; and Tom Jeter was appointed to Marshall this year. We want to mention that Everett "Bubbles" Washburn has been a member of the Clown Unit for 35 years! He is still active and we are enriched by his presence. Five past members of our unit served as Potentates of Arab Temple. They are Harold Jasperson, Nelse K. Nelson, E Leslie Scrinopskie, Harlan Whiteley, and Albert Jackson, Jr. The clowns also take pride in the fact they bring smiles and laughter to people of all ages. One of the most rewarding things is bringing a smile to a child's face. We are a very active group and have lots of fun. We host breakfast with Santa each year. We always have good representation at the circus. Some members work every performance each year. We enjoy our mystery Trips and try to have one every month or so. One of our most memorable trips was our recent trip to Cricket's Loft in Spring Hill, Kansas. So like they say, if you want to have a good time and lots of laughter - "Be a Clown! Be a Clown!" I loaded the 1995 Antics Article because it was a history that was already put together. Obviously, the article above is a starting place. Since this article was written in 1995, there have been more clowns who have served the temple as Potentate. Larry Pressman in 1998, Larry Bryan in 2003, and Ron Scrinopskie in 2006. If all goes as is currently scheduled, Pat Devlin will be Potentate in 2009, and Bob Swafford in 2013. The history will be a continuing work. I would welcome any old pictures or articles that you might have. Pictures that are labeled would be the best.
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