If you're interested in joining the fun,
or need DIRECTIONS to the Sons,
please write to Ray Faiola at:








Our next meeting will be Sunday, April 7th, 2024 at 3:00pm







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 next meeting will be on Sunday, April 7th, at 3:00pm. In addition to our signature short THEM THAR HILLS, We'll have a silent classic YOU'RE DARN TOOTIN', Stan and Babe's appearance on THIS IS YOUR LIFE, Betty Boop in MINNIE THE MOOCHER, and W.C. Fields in THE GOLF SPECIALIST. After the films we'll head to Tony & Nick's for dinner.
















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.








Dues for membership in the THEM THAR HILLS Sons are $25. annually for individuals and $40. 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 2024 are as follows:

SUNDAY April 7th (Begin D.S.T.)
SUNDAY May 5th
SUNDAY June 2nd
SUNDAY July 7th
SUNDAY August 4th
SUNDAY September 1st
SUNDAY October 6th
SUNDAY November 3rd (End D.S.T.)
SUNDAY December 1st




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

Delegate-at-Large - Kevin Miller







The late Stan Rubin whiled away his hours
creating this "silent butlers" of Stan and Ollie
wearing genuine woolen wardrobe!






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 2009-2022






















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 2024 by themtharhills.org