THEM THAR HILLS - Sons of the Desert Tent No. 281

Welcome to the THEM THAR HILLS tent, Number 281, of the Sons of the Desert!

The Sons of the Desert is the international Laurel and Hardy appreciation society and strives to perpetuate the memories and movies of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

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The Sons of the Desert was founded in 1965 by John McCabe, Al Kilgore, Orson Bean, Chuck McCann, John Municino and with the blessing of Stan Laurel himself.Since that time, more than 300 chapters have joined the fold and we are proud to be the 281st"Tent". Each tent is named after a Laurel and Hardy film and, since we are here in the heart of the Catskills, we felt that Them Thar Hills was an appropriate appellation!

The Sons meet at the Chelsea Rialto on Briggs Highway in Ellenville, NY. We look forward to growing our membership and are confident that there are fans of "The Boys" in the area anxious to satisfy their need to enjoy the timeless comedy that originated at Hal Roach Studios. In addition to Laurel and Hardy, we enjoy the antics of Our Gang (aka The Little Rascals), Charley Chase, Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly, W.C. Fields, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin,and all the great comedians of the golden age.

Our first meeting for 2019 (our tenth anniversary year) will be Sunday, April 7th, at 3:00pm. Our film program will include a newly restored print of Stan & Ollie's silent short WE FAW DOWN; The Boys making a guest appearance in the Thelma Todd - Zasu Pitts comedy ON THE LOOSE; and Laurel & Hardy's classic feature BLOCK-HEADS. After the films we will head to The White Wolf Restaurant for some fine dining.

Of course, a Sons meeting is much more than merely watching movies. The primary reason for getting together is, well, getting together! Below is the Constitution's instruction as to how the Sons of the Desert annual meeting should unfold:

1. Cocktails.
2. Business meeting and cocktails.
3. Dinner (with cocktails).
4. After-dinner speeches and cocktails.
5. Cocktails.
6. Coffee and Cocktails.
7. Showing of Laurel and Hardy film.
8. After-film critique and cocktails.
9. After-after-film critique and cocktails.
10. Stan has suggested this period. In his words:
"All members are requested to park their camels and hire a taxi;
then return for 'One for the desert'!"

We mix up our monthly meetings with meals, snacks, and rendezvous at local hot spots. And all members will receive information about, and be eligible to attend, the International Conventions, which take place every-other year in locations all around the world. The 22nd International Convention will be hosted by The Night Owls Tent and will be held in Providence, RI, in 2020.

Dues for membership in the THEM THAR HILLS Sons are $20. annually for individuals and $35. annually for families (couple and one child between the ages of 12 and 18; $5 for each additional family member). Guests are welcome but are asked to pay a $2. guest fee. After guests join us for two meetings they are asked to join as a regular member. And don't let the "Sons" of the Desert mislead you - gals are more than welcome as members and are encouraged to join the fraternity!

Our meeting dates for 2019 are as follows:

April 7th
May 5th
June 2nd
July 7tht
August 4th
September 8th
October 6th