The Sheikhs and Samaritans of Xanadu #321, AMOS, normally of Mountain View, instead had their November meeting on location in Knights Ferry, generously hosted by Stanislaus Lodge #170. The change of venue meant a LOT of driving for those coming up from the Bay Area, but it also meant the chance to view (and ride) one of Samaritan Fred Dolling’s fascinating fraternal props – a wooden camel that had once been wired up to deliver an electrical shock to whatever prospective member sat on it. Today’s initiations seem rather tame compared with what our forebears must have experienced. Probably for the best, though.
The meeting also featured an election of officers. Samaritan Ernie Albice, previously nominated for nearly every office in the Sanctorum, eventually narrowed down his options by declining them all, save for Grand Counselor, which he, Fred Dolling, and Sheikh Chuck Schubert all contended. The offices of Grand Monarch, Vice Grand Monarch, Registrar, and Banker went uncontested, and were filled by Joseph Ouellette Jr, Tom Blackburn, Michael Greenzeigher, and Mason Wolf.
The contest for Grand Counselor was close, requiring multiple ballots, before finally being won by Fred Dolling. Ernie Albice did not leave without an office, however, as Sheikh Potolsky successfully convinced the Sanctorum to create the new office of “Ernie Albice” by standing rule, and then nominating Ernie Albice to it. He then won the office unopposed, though it is not yet known what responsibilities the office entails.
In truth, despite the remoteness for many of the attendees, the November 16th meeting in Knights Ferry was actually the best attended meeting all year. In addition to Fred Dolling, who lives in Knights Ferry, we also saw Mason Wolf, Michael Crile, Michael Greenzeiger, Paul Milleson, Ernie Albice, Ron Myres, Joe Brennan, Adam Potolsky, and by zoom we had Andrew Crockett, Joseph Ouellette Jr, Chuck Schubert, and Henry Rosenthal.
— by Mason Wolf