MIDIAN SHRINE #1
Shrine Directors Association Convention, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
March 29th through April 1, 2006
Number One Stunt, Best Overall Stunt and winner of the SDA Traveling Trophy
Midian Potentate John Auch, Ceremonial Director Fred Smith, Imperial Potentate Gary Dunwoody,
Midian Directors Staff President, Bart Ogden
Midian Shrine is considered Number One in North America! Illustrious Sir John Auch and Lady Julie along with members of the Directors Staff and Air Capital Eagles attended the Shrine Directors Association of North American (SDA) convention in Pigeon Forge, TN, March 29th through April 1st.
During the stunt competition session Midian had two spots for stunt performances. For the first stunt, Nobles Ed Parker and Noble Mark Brown assisted with the "Fear Factor Spaghetti Feed." Although we cannot disclose the stunt, Ed and Mark made the stunt a howling (a long, loud, emotional utterance) success!! Because of all the shuffling around in preparation, our second stunt became entangled and we were unable to perform it, but President Bart Ogden walked the convention members through its design and purpose.
There were Temples from Florida, California, New York, Canada and everywhere in between. I believe we heard a count somewhere around 400 Nobles in attendance.
During the Presidents Banquet Awards Ceremony the announcer and committee began by giving out the number six trophy and continued upwards, the announcer stated, "and the trophy for the number one stunt performance goes to Midian Shrine, Wichita, KS." Nobles and Ladies, you should have seen Ceremonial Director Fred Smith! He jumped out of his chair so high he could have touched the ceiling sprinklers! I'm not sure if that was a Tarzan yell or just a blood curdling scream, Midian, Number One! After calm was restored, the announcer stated, "and now for the Best Stunt Overall Award; Midian Shrine, Wichita, KS." Nobles and Ladies, you should have seen Ceremonial Director Fred Smith...Cartwheels, twirling like a ballet dancer all the time shouting, yes, yes, yes. After the commotion settled down from all the Nobility and their Ladies seated at the Directors Staff table the announcer continued. For the Traveling Trophy, and the announcer described what the trophy was and what it was for and how it needed to be returned to the SDA Convention in South Carolina, 2007. The announcer stated, "the winner of the SDA Traveling Trophy is; Midian Shrine, Wichita, KS." We picked Fred Smith up off the floor, twice!
Noble Ron Van Etten, President of SDA, 2005-06 and Lady Dorie
Ceremonial Director Fred Smith, Midian Shrine
Seated: Potentate John Auch and Julie, Dorie and SDA President Ron Van Etten (2005-06)
Second Row: Pat Pate, Sharon Gates, Cheryl Sowder, Barbara Scadden, Mary Brown,
Ella and Chief Rabban Delbert Fowler
Third Row: 1st Ceremonial Master David Pate, Directors Staff President Bart Ogden, Beth Smith,
Past Ceremonial Director Ray Scadden, Reta and Ed Parker
Back Row: Gary Gates PP, Ceremonial Director Fred Smith, Jeffrey Sowder PP, Mark Brown