THE ALEPPO TEMPLE (AAONMS) SHRINE
ORIENTAL BAND NEWS FOR THE YEAR
2008
The above is the official logo of the Aleppo
Temple (AAONMS) Oriental Band.
Following our winter/Holiday recess, practise resumed on
January 10, 2008 in anticipation of the ANNUAL INSTALLATION CEREMONIAL to be
held on January 26, 2008 at the ALEPPO Auditorium in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
The Holiday Break was a relatively momentous one with near record snowfall and
cold, the completion of A PERFECT REGULAR SEASON PERFORMANCE BY THE PATRIOTS, a
spectacular ongoing season for the CELTICS and BRUINS and continuing fond
memories of the RED SOX year that was. In addition the recess saw LESTER OSHRY
become a DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER and ROBERT LEMERISE become married - our
congratulations (and sympathies) go to both. With all that is going on, it seems
as if the stars are aligned for another great year for the BAND and we encourage
everyone to come out and share it with us. To add to the auspicious omens that
abound, our first rehearsal of the year was exceptionally well attended and
everyone was in good form. Members who had been experiencing some difficulties,
personally and/or healthwise, seem to have come through those matters well and
made appearances also. In general, the enthusiasm which exists around the BAND
simply continues to grow and it shows in our performances as well as amongst the
members when we get together - it truly is something to behold.
STEPHEN G. ERIKSEN - 2008
ALEPPO POTENTATE
On January 26, 2008, the BAND participated in the
ANNUAL INSTALLATION CEREMONIAL at the ALEPPO Auditorium in Wilmington,
Massachusetts. Due to a number of conflicts and other reasons, the turnout for
the BAND was smaller than expected. Those who did turn out constituted a well
balanced BAND, nonetheless, and our performance was unimpeded and appreciated.
CONGRATULATIONS are extended to all who were installed - we look forward to a
good year with them.
On February 2, 2008 a good contingent of BAND
MEMBERS performed at the ALEPPO POTENTATE'S BALL in Framingham, Massachusetts.
It was both an honor and a tribute to the progress that we have made in the past
few years to be selected for this event and it was our pleasure to perform
there. Our performance was well received and we think that we actually attracted
a new member to our BAND as a result of it. Along the travels of some of our
members we have acquired some finger cymbals. The problem is that we have had no
one to play them - because it really is difficult to play a horn, beat a drum,
or play any other instrument along with playing the finger cymbals because you
need your hands to play those other instruments as well. Uncertain as to who was
going to play the finger cymbals, we arbitrarily chose the new POTENTATE'S wife,
LADY LYNNE, and what a show she put on! We are doing everything we can to secure
her services and induce her to become a member of the BAND and are even
considering changing our name to something like "LOVELY LADY LYNNE and the
ALEPPO ORIENTAL BAND"! With the performance that she put on, we are even willing
to consider second billing. We are even willing to give her husband liberal
visitation rights and such other rights as LYNNE will permit. Who would have
guessed that we were in the midst of such talent. Needless to say, we had a good
and enjoyable time at the BALL and hope that everyone enjoyed our and LYNNE'S
performance and we think that they did. The year is off to a good start and we
are continuing on the roll that we have been on for the past few years - there
must be something in the New England air. We continue to look forward to a good
rest of the year as well.
On February 3, 2008, one of our members, ERIC
HOLT, held a (what we hope will become an ANNUAL) SUPERBOWL GET-TOGETHER.
Needless to say the outcome of the game was not what was expected or hoped for,
but all had a good time, nonetheless! As is all too often said around this neck
of the woods there is always next year!
On February 5, 2008, a contingent
of BAND members participated in LESTER OSHRY'S first fraternal visit to his
MASONIC home lodge, BLUE HILL LODGE, in Canton, Massachusetts. We have visited
this lodge before and have performed there previously and are beginning to view
the LODGE as a home away from home. All went well for the evening and everyone
enjoyed our performance and the other events of the evening. As usual, a good
time was had by all. We also congratulate LESTER on getting his term off to a
good start and wish him the best throughout its duration.
After two failed
attempts by GIDGET (SEE THE UPDATE BELOW AS TO WHAT
GIDGET IS UP TO NOWADAYS), the TACO BELL DOG, to secure the Presidency, we have
decided to throw our support in the 2008 Election to the GEICO GECKO and
encourage all to consider the candidacy as well. As a derivative of foreign
countries we are confident that the GECKO has a good understanding and solution
to the IMMIGRATION and ILLEGAL ALIEN issues facing the country; has exercised
sound fiscal restraint in seeking to reduce insurance costs which undoubtedly
can be extended to national economic issues; has a sound understanding of
insurance and how to market it which we believe can be the steppingstone to a
new comprehensive health insurance approach; and is the GREENEST contender we
know of. The candidate is untarnished by prior government service or religious
convictions; represents a class of beings that has never suffered a mortgage
foreclosure; has as much foreign policy background and experience as many other
candidates; and has universal appeal. Who can ask for more! "GO GET'M GECKO" is
the new campaign slogan that we encourage all to rally around.
On May
26th the BAND participated in the WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS MEMORIAL DAY PARADE.
As usual, it was our pleasure to participate in the ceremonies especially in our
hometown. It is our way of thanking the town for hosting us throughout the year
and also a way of participating in the solemn events of the day. Though our
float remains a work in process, we were able to utilize it for this PARADE and
the crowd responded well to it. A good turnout and good weather made the day all
that much more enjoyable.
On June 7, 2008, the BAND participated in a
CEREMONIAL (Initiation Ceremony) at the ALEPPO Auditorium in Wilmington,
Massachusetts. There was an exceptionally good turnout of members. In the days
building up to the CEREMONIAL we experimented with new marching routines and
they were tried out during the CEREMONIAL with resounding success. Many of the
bystanders came by to compliment us on our performance for the day and we were
pleased to have added something to the festivities.
We took a few weeks
off at the beginning of July for a variety of reasons and came back to start
practising for the NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION (NESOBA)
competition to be held in Manchester, New Hampshire on August 23, 2008. We are
looking forward to competing in the event and hope to continue our winning
ways.
UPDATE: In the meantime, we have learned
what has become of GIDGET, the TACO BELL DOG, whom we have supported for
PRESIDENT in the past two campaigns. It seems that GIDGET has (temporarily)
given up politics to go into acting (possibly under a pseudonym - we have yet to
see credits attributable to her). She and her relatives will be starring in
BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA which is expected to be released in September or October
(how appropriate - just in time for elections) of this year. We encourage all to
go out to see the movie and contribute to GIDGET'S coffers because we believe
that the acting stint is merely a steppingstone to the Governorship of
California and eventually another run for the PRESIDENCY (imagine an
actor/actress PRESIDENT who has been Governor of the Golden State!)
ALAS
and AT LAST, our upcoming performance schedule has taken on some form. As they
say "when it rains it pours" and for us in the NORTHEAST it has been raining a
lot this summer. One local meteorologist has gone as far as to promulgate a
POUGHKEEPSIE THEORY because it seems that locations SOUTH of POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW
YORK are experiencing a normal or dry summer while those NORTH of POUGHKEEPSIE
are seeing precipitation that is exceeding the normal averages by as much as 15
inches - so far! In addition there have been all types of strange weather
phenomena around our area for the early part of the summer including an
inordinate number of tornado sightings! Though the weather may have been a
factor in the early relative dearth of performances, that really seems to have
been a minor consideration because we are prepared to perform in rain, snow,
sleet, or hail and have done so at one time or another. It should therefore come
as no surprise that the real sticky point has been local finances and the
inability of many sponsors to support some of the parades that we have done in
the past (yet another reason to vote for the GECKO). However, our rest seems to
be coming to an end. Through the diligent efforts of the responsible parties at
ALEPPO, we now are scheduled and/or have performed as follows:
On August
16, 2008 the BAND did its ANNUAL LOBSTERBAKE in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Once,
again, NICK MARKOS came through with all the preparations and all were happy
with the event. With this event coming so close to our upcoming participation in
the NORTHEAST FIELD DAYS everyone should be on notice that we are coming into
that event well fed and raring to go.
THE 2008 ALEPPO NESOBA BAND
and ALEPPO POTENTATE
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JAMES HARVEY, ERIC HOLT,
RUSSELL STOUFFER, RICHARD LEMERISE, AL RICHARDS, MAURICE KIPNIS, ROBERT HALEY,
JOHN KELLEY, POTENTATE: STEPHEN G. ERIKSEN, LESTER OSHRY, DIRECTOR: ROBERT
JOHNSON (kneeling), ARTHUR FINK, ARRON BUDNITZ, THOMAS SHORT, EARL SPICER and
FREDERICK POULIOT - MISSING: JACK ZIMMERMAN)
THE RESULTS ARE IN AND
....(DRUM ROLL, PLEASE), IT'S OFFICIAL, THE ALEPPO ORIENTAL BAND has, once
again, prevailed in the NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION ANNUAL FIELD
DAYS COMPETITION which was held on August 23, 2008 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
THE BAND WON FIRST PRIZE AWARDS FOR THE FANTASY (i.e. GENERAL MUSICAL/CONCERT)
COMPETITION, THE PARADE COMPETITION, and THE DUET COMPETITION (FEATURING ROBERT
HALEY AND JACK ZIMMERMAN). It also received THE BEST OVERALL BAND AWARD.
Needless to say, we were happy with our performance. We would also like to
congratulate the other BANDS that participated in the event on their
performances. This year we were especially impressed with the performance of
TUNIS ORIENTAL BAND - only three (3) of their members made the trip from OTTAWA,
CANADA to Manchester, New Hampshire and, despite that, they put on an extremely
credible performance - so good, that they took SECOND PLACE (against
substantially larger BANDS) in the FANTASY. It was a high risk gutsy performance
that exemplified the spirit and teachings of the BIBLICAL story of DAVID and
GOLIATH and it was an effort that really paid off for them and one that should
be an inspiration for other small Oriental Bands that might otherwise choose to
not compete or perform because of their size. TUNIS put that excuse to rest once
and for all and proved that it is QUALITY not QUANTITY that ultimately prevails
and they had a good time doing it as did the audience who were greatly impressed
with the performance that TUNIS put on. Later, in the afternoon, we also
participated in the NORTHEAST SHRINE ASSOCIATION FIELD DAYS PARADE and had an
enjoyable time doing that as well. Next year, we will be going to BURLINGTON,
VERMONT (with a little bit of concern because that is closer to TUNIS'S home
area and we can only imagine what more than three of them might be able to do!)
to defend our titles.
On September 1, 2008 we participated in a LABOR DAY
PARADE in MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS. It was a hot but dry day and the PARADE route
was lengthy, curvy, and hilly which gave us a greater appreciation of our
decision to do our parades on a float and confirmed that the decision to do so
was a good one. The turnout was good for the BAND and for the spectators and,
just as we did last year, we left them dancing in the streets to our music.
There is one young lady in MARLBORO who traditionally does an outstanding
bellydance for us as we go by and her performance makes the PARADE that much
more entertaining for all who attend. There is talk amongst the members of the
BAND of trying to recruit the young lady as a permanent member of the BAND - but
membership rules unfortunately (to everyone's loss) do not allow that. Come to
the PARADE next year and treat yourself to our (and, hopefully, the young
lady's) performance!
The FOURTH ANNUAL AMESBURY FIREMEN'S CHILLI COOKOFF
took place on September 14, 2008 and, as has been the case in the past, several
members of the BAND assisted at the event. For the third year in a row, rain
threatened the event but this year the precipitation turned out to be a rather
pleasant intermittent drizzle which cooled off the intensity of the heat
associated with the event. The drizzle did nothing to discourage the crowd that
showed up or the enthusiasm of the entertainers and it was also encouraging to
see the event expanding on several fronts including more competitors. A slight
change of venue made parking much easier than in the past and provided greater
space for the increased number of competitors and the increasing number of
partakers. The more open space also allowed the spice of the chilli to more
freely waft through the air and infuse it with its own tell tale aroma beckoning
unto all who passed by and few who fell under its spell walked past without
dropping in. Needless to say, the event was another success and its growing
appeal to all bodes well for the future. We look forward to particpating in next
year's COOKOFF and encourage all to start stocking up on your antacids
now!
On September 20, 2008 we participated in the EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS
HOMECOMING PARADE. Perfect weather, an enthusiastic crowd, and a good turnout of
members made the event an enjoyable one for everyone involved.
On OCTOBER
3, 2008, BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHA hit the local screens and rave reviews were
heard about it. Rumor has it that there may be a well deserved OSCAR in the
works. We hope that everyone will have an opportunity to partake of the film and
will enjoy it.
On October 4, 2008, we participated in an ALEPPO
CEREMONIAL in WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS. A good turnout and an enthusiastic
audience made for an enjoyable day.
On November 3, 2008, a small but
sufficient contingent of Band Members participated in a SCOTTISH RITE EVENT held
in WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS. We have been doing this for the past several years
and have found it to be a mutually enjoyable experience for all who attend and
this year was no exception. Good food and good fellowship always make for a good
combination and both were in ample abundance this year just as has been the case
in the past.
On November 4, 2008, voters went to the polls and,
unfortunately, chose to not support our candidate, THE GEICO GECKO. Based on
movie performances in BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHA, we are giving due thought to
supporting GIDGET, THE TACO BELL DOG, again, in 2012 though we are also hearing
rumblings that the AFLAC DUCK might be interested in being a candidate as well.
CONGRATULATIONS are extended to all who prevailed with their respective
candidacies.
The weather was relatively great into the beginning of
December and we were all looking forward to returning to FALMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
to participate in their HOLIDAY PARADE and to enjoy our ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY.
But, as the time drew nearer, reports of some messy weather for the weekend
loomed. We were all hopeful that we would make it through the weekend unscathed
- but such was not the case. The weather held for our HOLIDAY PARTY and a good
number of members and spouses turned out for another enjoyable festive event
that can only be characterized by good food, good times, and good fellowship -
all of which tend to follow the BAND. Unfortunately, the weather did not hold
into the PARADE DAY and a cold downpour of rain and sleet had the PARADE
officials wondering what to do. Ultimately, it was decided to cancel the PARADE
and we were both disappointed and a little relieved to not have to go out in the
mess that was upon us outside. The decision to cancel the PARADE was a wise one,
because the storm ultimately brought some significant icing and power outages
througout the area. Next year, we hope that things will go better for
everyone.
Following the FALMOUTH events, we took a break from our
practise and performance schedule in order to attend to the various HOLIDAY
matters that abound at that time of year. We anticipate returning to our
practise schedule in early or mid-January, 2009 in order to prepare ourselves
for our anticipated participation in a JANUARY 24, 2009 ALEPPO INSTALLATION
CEREMONIAL at the ALEPPO SHRINE BULDING in WILMINGTON,
MASSACHUSETTS.
Work continues on our parade float and we hope to have it
completed sometime this year - once that is done, we hope to be able to post
some pictures of it.
Our parade schedule continues to develop and any
changes will be posted.
ADDITIONAL NEWS WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN RECEIVED.
CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR UPDATES.
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