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.
***
The Sons of the Desert was founded
in1965 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
PatsyKelly, W.C. Fields, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin,
and all the great comedians of the golden age.
Our next meeting will be Sunday, October 2nd. We are moving our meetings up to 3:00pm for the fall season. Our program will include Laurel and Hardy's 1933 puzzler ME AND MY PAL; Tex Avery's HAPPY GO NUTTY; Charlie Chaplin in his Mutual classic THE FLOORWALKER; Our Gang in SHRIMPS FOR A DAY; and Stan and Babe batting cleanup in DIRTY WORK. After the show we will head to the Cattleman's Grill for supper.
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 21st International Convention will be hosted by The Chimp Tent and will be held July 12-15, 2018,
in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here is a link to the Convention website: https://www.laurelandhardy2018.com/
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
eachadditional family member). Guests are welcome but are asked to pay a $2. guest fee.
Afterguests 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 membersand
are encouraged to join the fraternity!
Our remaining meeting dates for 2016 are as follows:
October 2nd
November 6th
December 4th
Our meeting dates for 2017 are as follows:
March
5th
April 2nd
May 7th
June 4th
July 2nd
August 6th
September
10th
October 8th
November 5th
December 3rd
If you're interested in joining the fun,
or need DIRECTIONS to the
Sons,
please write to:
Ray Faiola
Grand Sheik
Sons of the Desert - Oasis # 281
or Right-Click
HERE and download a Membership
Application!
Click below to print our membership
flyer:
Right-Click HERE
and download the original Sons of the Desert Screed!
Meet the Officers:
Grand Sheik - Ray Faiola
Vice Sheik - Jim Gebhard
Secretary - Dianne Krulick
Treasurer - Steve Krulick
Delegate-at-Large, Sergeant-at-Arms and Official Kibitzer -
StanRubin
Kibitzer Stan Rubin whiled away his hours
creating this "silent butlers" of Stan
and Ollie
wearing genuine woolen wardrobe!
Click Here to Visit our Photo Album
Click Here to read about
a visit by Sons Founding Member
ORSON BEAN
Click Here to listen to
the Theme Song of THEM THAR HILLS,
"The Old Spinning Wheel"
Click Here to listen to
"We Are The Sons Of The Desert"
Click Here to listen to
"The Dance of the Cuckoos"
Click Here to View Craig Marin's
portrait of "The Boys",
cherished art hanging in the Them Thar Hills gallery!
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Links
Click to OPEN (PDF) or
Right-click to SAVE a
complete set of
Screening Programs
from Them Thar Hills 2009-2015
CLICK HERE to view pictures of
The Sons marching
in
the 2011Ellenville July 4th
Parade!
CLICK HERE to view pictures of
The Sons marching
in
the 2010Ellenville July 4th
Parade!
CLICK HERE to view pictures of
The Sons marching
in
the 2009Ellenville July 4th
Parade!
THEMTHAR HILLS on Facebook
The Intra-Tent Journal
SONS OF THE DESERT
NewYork Founding Tent
The Laurel
andHardy Forum
The Laurel and Hardy Magazine
Founder ChuckMcCann's
Website
The Nutty Nut News Network
Bowler Dessert - a U.K. Dish
ofL&H Mishigas
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Contents copyright
2016 by themtharhills.org
