Erick M. Coleman Sr. will bring back the aura of the ancient kings of Egypt when he is installed as the 88th Potentate of Sinai Temple No. 59 today at the Sharonville Convention Center.

        Mr. Coleman represents Masonic history borne out of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America. A potentate is the highest branch of Prince Hall Masonry, which was started in Cincinnati 154 years ago.

        “I am coming into an office that represents a century and half of benevolence and charity,” said Mr. Coleman, a Microsoft engineer. “I expect to continue and expand on that tradition.”

        He will be installed at 9 p.m. during the Temple's Annual Potentate Ball at the center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville.

        Through the years, each potentate accepts the responsibility of raising the temple's community awareness higher through community and charitable work.

        And each potentate likes to dress for the ball to reflect ancient Egyptian culture.

        Mr. Coleman will wear long Egyptian baggy pants, a vest, an aba, a turban, gold pointed shoes and a tassel, all spiced with blue and gold.

        Cynata Turner of South Fairmount made the wardrobes for Mr. Coleman and for her cousin and outgoing potentate Otis Elam Jr.

        The flamboyant dress style started with Irvin Deese when he was installed in 1981.

        “I wanted to come in dressed like an Arabian sheik,” he said. He wore a white and gold Arabian wardrobe. He couldn't find a camel, so he rode a white horse into the Cincinnati Convention Center to be installed.

        In 1982, when he was elected to a second term, he rode in a red chariot, dressed in purple, red and gold Arabian sheik attire.

        Susan Redman-Rengstorf, vice president of development and public affairs of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the First Unitarian Church, Reading Road and Linton Street, Avondale.

        Mrs. Redman-Rengstorf will speak on “Lighting Freedom's Flame.”

        The event is sponsored by the Cincinnati Women's Political Caucus. The program and the parking are free.

       Allen Howard's column runs on Saturdays. Call: 768-8362. Mail: The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

City's oldest black church honors 3 who nurtured it
Ohio leading tobacco fight
Gas station pumps Ludlow's spirits
Spinney Field proposal sacked
DARE dares to alter formula
SAMPLES: Rude and crude
Friend testifies about breakup
Man gets at least 63 years in killings
Soldier's patience rewarded: Medal came after 33 years
Criminal checks now mandatory
School drug charges filed, raised
Sister Cookie to lead the way
HOWARD: Neighborhoods
MCNUTT: Arts festival
Bill would add violent felons to DNA database
Blandford still says conviction was unfair
Check-cashing bill reconsidered
Different fates may await bills
Experts: Reporting bullies the only way to end abuse
Fairfield school levy looms
Former GM worker says he lied
Group seeks tribe label
Health agency names interim chief
Hospitals win OK to open beds for flu
House passes tuition help for foster kids
Maineville police chief sues to keep force intact
Man dies in Hamilton shooting
Meeting sought over OxyContin
Men scarce on campus; recruitment considered
New boss at health department
Shirey interviews for job in Texas
State takes action to redirect agriculture
Vendors want Wallace's Bookstores to pay
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report