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Dennis W. Stamper |
1995 Past Potentate
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Motto: "Winning With Teamwork" |
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1995 was a year of first for Oleika Temple. Many Temple goals were set by the Potentate that would challenge the general membership and the elected Divan. Potentate Stamper began the year with one of the many first for our temple. In January, the first ever "Installation Ball" an open installation of not only the Potentate and Divan, but all clubs and unit officers was held. On January 14, more than 300 Nobles, Ladies and guest attended the installation and reception. The Temple was off to a good start. Among other first of the year. On March 4, the first ever "Joint Scottish Rite and Shrine Ceremonial" was held and created 135 new Nobles. Among the new Nobles Created were Noble Barry McKinley, Jr., at the age of 21, and Noble George W. Fugate, Sr., at the young age of 101. The March class was named in honor of Noble George Haymond. In April, another first, our shrine circus was taken on the road under a "Big Top" tent. The 1995 circuses included yet another first, 24 billboards were purchased to advertise "Shrine Circus Coming" to town. The circus was a big success and produced a net revenue of $119,000 for the temple. In May, the Nobles and Ladies went on the road for a fun trip to Branson and included two sold out charter buses. On May 20, the Potentates Ball was held at the Holiday Inn North located in Lexington with 408 Nobles, ladies and guest attending. The ball was followed by a great Hospital Day on Sunday, May 21. On June 10, another ceremonial was held at the temple and was named in honor of Noble Murrell Stamper, First Ceremonial Master and father of Potentate Stamper. Potentate Stamper said, "Dad was a very proud father that day!" In July the Temple attended the Imperial Session held in Indianapolis, Indiana. All Temple units attended the parade and Oleika had a great showing. In September, Noble Gordon F. Cook was elected as the 7th vice President of the SESA. Many great parades were held in the fall of the year and another first for Oleika occurred in Whitesburg, Kentucky, the location of our Temple's Fist "Hospital Mini Clinic" in support of our local Lexington Unit. In addition, our Temple received several improvements to include; a new air conditioner, new parking garage for our hospital vans, and parking lot was sealed to name only a few. Thje annual paper drive was held and the potentate set a goal of $100,000 for this event and for the first time the Temple exceeded our goal. On October 7, another ceremonial named in honor of Noble Thomas R. Flanery. The Potentate's trip was held aboard the SS Ocean Breeze in the Caribbean. In December, came another Cermonial named in honor of Noble James Bingham, Past Potentate. With the December Cermonial Oleika had 202 new Nobles for the year, the best effort in membership in over a decade. The year came to an end and Noble Dennis Stamper, who served as our 88th Potentate and still holds the record as our youngest potentate during our first 100 years. Potentate Stamper served as our 88th Potentate at the age of 34. Potentate Stamper honored the folling Nobles for their outstanding service at the December stated meeting: Noble James Dooley as "Rookie of the year"; Noble Charlie Owens received the "Potentates Award"; and none other than Noble Billy R. Webb of London was named as "Shriner of the Year for 1995". At the January 1996 stated meeting, Potentate Stamper said, "My parents, Murrell and Virginia, gave me the love and support that has allowed me to accomplish many of my dreams." In addition, he stated that the goals of his year as Potentate were accomplished only by the membership working with our Ladies with a true since of TEAMWORK. Potentate Stamper concluded his term of office by saying: In 1995, "Coming together was our beginning, staying together was our progress, but working together was the secret of our success." He expressed his sincere thanks to the membership for an outstanding year and passes the gavel. |
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