(August 7-10, 2025)
Much of what goes on in AMOS meetings is light hearted, and often downright silly. However, some seriousness arises as the few reports, nominations, and voting just happen to occur.
The Supreme Sanctorum of the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans took place at the historic Menger Hotel (haunted) which is surrounded by the Alamo ruins and museum grounds with the fabled San Antonio Texas River-Walk and its myriads of fun places to shop, eat and cruise the waters.
Forty Samaritans and Sheiks arrived from as far away as the Bahamas and as close as Austin Texas for this 100th anniversary of AMOS. Many took the degree of Perfection, and everyone took the lost, ancient Aztec-themed degree of (Fraternity) that John Woolsey (TX) resurrected the scripts for.
The Supreme Sanctorum’s, Supreme Monarchos, Charlie Stephenson (TX) relinquished his mantle to Brett Hurliman (OR) from Oregon where next year’s Supreme Sanctorum will take place. And we all just kept throwing coins at the spittoon at the feet of the Supreme Ali Baba. The Ali Baba often had to duck, and often cursed, as coins were curled his way.
The antics of Thursday through Saturday culminated in everyone cleaning up nicely into suits and tails for the dinner installation on Saturday night.
Some wives attended and enjoyed the socializing after the short number of hours that that the sanctorum convened. Afternoons were often open for “anything”. We also learned about the fascinating lives of us members. Some had ranches where they built race cars. Another was the master mechanic who ran a university machine shop for researchers. And many more shared about their skills and crafts that makes America the awesome diverse place that it is.
Missing were members from Canada, although we sang the Canadian national anthem anyway. We heard about the very large AMOS contingents in the Philippines. The good of the order resounded with jokes, puns and many fun short stories especially from the Baja Mar Sanctorum of the Bahamas. The Bahamian contingent also shared their Bahamian anthem-song.
For this sanctorum we even named our Owl mascot. His public name is Rex. His sanctorum name is the reverse of the Xerxes Sanctorum. We even resolved to change the voting-word “yes” to this name when we wanted to pass a motion.
Then we left. Went home. And said good bye to the 100+ heat. It felt good to cool down.
— by Tom Blackburn, Xerxes 321,
Cupertino 70
