April 1992. This was the first year that AFIFI participated in the paper crusade. Donald Nunn was general chairman.

    On 24 Feb. 1992 the Daffodil Valley Shrine Club was formed at Anton's Restaurant in Puyallup. Noble Bill Hammontree was elected President. Illustrious Sir Jean S. Kimbel installed the President and other officers on 23 March 1992. (Note) At this writing the Club has ceased to exist due to lack of participation. As in other such clubs and/or units, members have difficulty juggling their membership in too many clubs or units.

    The Circus was held at the UPS Fieldhouse (47th) with Jim Duplain as Chairman and Jim Conklin as Co-Chairman. 4-5 April 1992.

    27-29 Aug. 1992 the PNSA was held in Edmonton, Canada. Al Shamal Temple was host. The drive up through Jasper/Banff to Edmonton and back through Glacier National Park was well worth the trip. In the parade the colors were carried as follows: William J. Bower, Moila Temple, St. Louis, MO carried the AFIFI colors. John Ward, Sr. of Khedive Temple, Virginia Beach, VA carried the US Colors. Warren D. Olson of AFIFI Temple, Tacoma, WA carried the Canadian Colors with Melvin Bennitt as sword guard. He is a member of the AFIFI LOH. The color guard was commanded by Jay H. Brower, AFIFI LOH.

    1-8 Nov. 1992. The Caribbean Cruise on the ship "Starward" which sailed from San Juan to Aruba, Curacao, St. Thomas, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Led by Potentate Illustrious Sir Jean S. Kimbel and his Lady June. Unless you have been on a cruise ship you would not appreciate the pampering one gets after coming aboard. If you don't gain weight in all probability you have an eating problem.

    Dec. 1992 saw AFIFI with their Festival of Lights for the first time. With approx., 60 figures and 35,000 lights spread over three acres this was a sight to behold. Built by Shriners of AFIFI. Opened on 29 Nov. 1992through2 Jan. 1993. Chair: Noble Donn Brunson; builder; Noble Gordon Wood; Director of Promotion, Noble Luther Fanning.

    1993 - We lost two of our Past Potentates early in the year. On 21 March 1993 P.P. Edvald C. Warner died and in April 1993 Dr. Brandt A. Bede died.

    In March 1993 AFIFI held the Vidalia onion sales which proved to be very successful.

    On 6 April 1993 Imperial Sir Everett M. Evans and his Lady Maxine visited AFIFI Temple in the greyhound bus. The bus was purchased for the Imperial Sir's use in an effort to reach Nobles in the more rural areas of our country.

    2-4 April 1993 in the UPS Fieldhouse AFIFI held the 48th Circus. Jim Duplain was Chairman and Jim Conklin as Co-Chairman.

    On 22 May 1993 the Potentate's Ball was held at the Westwater Inn in Olympia, Washington. The theme was "Orient Trek".

    From 9 June through 12 June 1993 the P.N.S.A. was held in Casper, Wyoming with Korein Temple as host. The drive through Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and the hospitality in Casper was well worth the trip. Our Clowns took top award in the competition. The cannon took first place in the parade. The AFIFI Patrol placed third and the AFIFI Oriental Band placed 1st Casper for small bands.

    The paper drive took place on 25 Sept. 1993. Another fund raiser for the Hospital which has proved successful.

    On 19 Oct in Hong Kong AFIFI gained 13 new Nobles and in Olangapo City in the Philippines AFIFI gained 50 new candidates.

    On 30 Nov. 1993 our membership stood at 2500 Nobles. As in all organizations, membership is the key to success. Will 30 Nov. 1994 show a loss or a gain? Time will tell.

    Dec. 1993 the Festival of Lights was held in the Temple Area. Noble Donn Brunson and Noble Luther Fanning were the driving force for fund raising efforts for the Temple again this year.

    1994 - 12 Feb. 1994. This was the night of the "Sweethearts Ball". The theme was used throughout the hotel in the area of the ball and stairs. This to honor the Potentate, Illustrious Sir William (Bill) Scott and his Lady Dottie. Noble Holly Butler and his family did all the decorations. Very, very nice.

    March and April 1994 was the sweet smell of Vidalia Onions at the Temple. This onion is known throughout the world as a sweet onion. With units and clubs and volunteers, most of the onions were gone in a short time.

     On 7 April 1994 the ladies were invited to share in our stated meeting. The affair was called the Daffodil Social. Perhaps there will be others in the future. Very well attended.

    On 26 April 1994 Tex Beneke and his Orchestra entertained at the Temple Theater. This band and the music were made famous by the late Glenn Miller.

    The 49th AFIFI Circus was held on 25-26 June at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma See following page for the locations and dates of other circuses that were hosted by AFIFI Temple, AFIFI Units and Clubs. Noble Dwight B. Hamilton, Chairman.

    From 9 through 12 June AFIFI had a golf tournament and a Reno night. This was held at Ocean Shores. Everyone who attended had a good time. This is another opportunity to be used again in future years. A four man team from Grays Harbor won. They are: Chuck & Mark Swanson and George Powers allied with Bill Jensen.

    1 -7 July 1994. A first for AFIFI and also a first for the Imperial:

    Imperial Council Session, Denver, Colorado. AFIFI Temple was honored by the Imperial Potentate Elect Burton Ravellette, Jr., when he asked our Potentate William H. "Bill" Scott to bring the AFIFI Legion of Honor Sword Team to Denver. Fifty State Flags were brought in by bearers of Murat Temple Legion of Honor, Indianapolis, Indiana. AFIFI LOH Sword Guard Captained by Graham G. Kent escorted the Imperial Sir into the auditorium. After halting the LOH team was faced inward and formed an arch of steel for the Imperial Sir to be escorted through to the stage. The AFIFI LOH is commanded by Col. Carl L Edensword. For the sake of history will name the guard for this occasion: John C. (Jack) Taylor, PC; Robert E. (Bob) Angel, Morris Worsham, 2nd Lt. of Sword Team; Lloyd W. (Bud) Wallace, Jay H. Brower, Claude S. Cunningham, Melvin E. Bennitt, P.C. Warren D. Olson (Divan) and James E. Childs. After the presentation the team was dismissed and left the room. Seats were held for the team so that they could witness the installation. This was a standing room only affair. The room was packed.

    From 20 to 23 July 1994 the PNSA was held in Bellevue, Washington. The host was Nile Temple of Seattle. Many people enjoyed the yellow school bus rides to various attractions.

   Still to come in 1994 as this goes to press are:
On 24 Sept. 1994 the Paper Crusade.

    In Oct. 1994 the visit of the Imperial Sir Burton Ravellette, Jr.

    On 9-16 1994 a cruise to the fabulous Mexican Riviera.

    Again in Dec. the Festival of Lights.

   As told on page 2 of this history by John Blair, AFIFI has much to remember when the name of Ellis Lewis Garretson is mentioned He was a Past Potentate of AFIFI Temple and the Imperial Sir in 1920. As the Imperial Sir it was he that appointed seven Nobles to a committee. They met in St. Louis 30 Oct. 1920. Their job was to build a hospital for crippled children. On that committee was another Noble from AFIFI. His name was Bishop Frederick W. Keator. (Nothing in the AFIFI records on him). On the committee of seven there was only one doctor. The rest is history. From that modest beginning the Shrine of North America has become the "World's Greatest Philanthropy".


"Aleikum es Selamu!" 
(With you be peace!)

Jay H. Brower 
Historian, Pro-Tem

This history was copied from Volume #2 of the Afifi Temple Year Book 1994.