THE ALEPPO TEMPLE (AAONMS) SHRINE
ORIENTAL BAND NEWS FOR THE YEAR
1998
The above is the official 1998 picture of the Aleppo Temple
(AAONMS) Oriental Band.
The above is a picture of WILLIAM G. (BILLY) MANCHESTER in
uniform taken in 1995.
The above is a picture of WILLIAM G. (BILLY) MANCHESTER in
1997 at the Band's HOLIDAY
PARTY.
Much
to everyone's surprise, on January 2, 1998, notice was received from the
MANCHESTER family that the BLACK CAMEL had visited them and had taken our Fellow
Bandsman, WILLIAM G. (BILLY) MANCHESTER to the eternal oasis. BILLY was a most
accomplished member of our Band and Masonry in general. He was a 33rd Degree
Mason, a Past Most Wise Master of Mount Olivet Chapter of Rose Croix, a Past
Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, a member of the Royal
Order of Jesters, the Oriental Band's Parade Director, and had a host of other
accomplishments to his name. BILLY was one of our more talented musette players
and the sound of his horn will be missed.
THE ALEPPO TEMPLE (AAONMS) ORIENTAL BAND MOURNS THE PASSING AWAY ON JANUARY
2, 1998 OF WILLIAM G. (BILLY) MANCHESTER, A MEMBER OF THE BAND.
The
Aleppo Temple (AAONMS) Shrine Oriental Band recommenced its practice schedule in
early January and we were pleased to discover some new faces in our ranks. Some
of our new members also expressed an interest in playing the musette (a Middle
Eastern horn). Recent losses in the musette area made the interest of these new
members that much more appreciated.
Interest was been shown by other
individuals in joining the Band and we look forward to their eventual
participation and involvement with the Band as well.
On January 31, 1998
the Band participated in an Aleppo Temple Shrine Ceremonial (Initiation) and
Installation of Officers. At the Ceremonial we were proud to present five
trophies to our Potentate which we had won through our efforts of the preceding
year. The trophies represented a Second Place Award for our Parade Performance
at the Imperial (National Convention) Session which was held in St. Louis,
Missouri and four (4) First Place Awards, representing First Place in all
categorires competed in, for our Stage Performance, Parade Performance, Duet
Performance, and Overall Performance at the Northeast Shrine Oriental Band
Association (NESOBA) competition held in Bangor, Maine.
The above is a picture of AL ROSE, ALEPPO TEMPLE POTENTATE
1998-99.
Our Congratulations go to
our new Potentate, Al Rose (pictured above) and his Divan. We look forward to
working with them throughout the year and having an enjoyable
time.
Spring arrived in New England and we began our parade schedule
accordingly. Things got off to a slow start, but we looked forward to a full and
complete year. In the meantime the operative words continued to be: practice,
practice, practice.
On February 1, 1998 ARRON [WEBSHEIK(c)] BUDNITZ
declared his candidacy for ASOB OFFICE. We, in the Band, supported this
candidacy and encouraged others to give due consideration to it as well. We felt
that WEBSHEIK(c) had something to contribute by way of leadership skills as well
as to the advancement of ASOB in general. Regrettably, the voting delegates of
ASOB chose alternative officers for the organization.
The above is a picture of THOMAS J. SHORT, JR.
On February 19, 1998 we held our annual business meeting at
a local restaurant at which time a new slate of officers was elected for the
current year. As President, we elected THOMAS J. SHORT, JR. (shown above - as
well as in the BANDSMAN OF THE MONTH SECTION). We look forward to a productive
and fun year during TOM’S tenure and congratulate all the other officers elected
as well.
As usual, our schedule was always subject to change and with
those changes often came some interesting opportunities for us to participate in
some events. The Olympics in Nagano, Japan gave rise to one such occasion as one
of the Gold Medal Olympians from the United States, Nikki Stone, is a resident
of Westboro, Massachusetts. Westoboro decided to honor their resident Olympian
with a parade that was scheduled for March 22, 1998 and the Oriental Band was
asked to participate in it. We were happy to accept and the hospitality of Jim
Harvey, a member of the BAND, a resident of Westboro and, in our opinion,
another Gold Medal Contender, made the day a most enjoyable one despite some
adverse weather. Both before and after the parade JIM opened his house to us and
provided us with refreshments galore. We thank him for his hospitality for the
day. A good time was had by all - even on the short notice we had of the event -
and we think that everyone appreciated our efforts on the streets. As an
additional nicety of the parade, ROBERT W. HALEY, a new member of the BAND, made
the event his parade debut with us. We all enjoyed seeing BOB on the street and
look forward to many more parades with him. Additionally, GEORGE GIBNEY (who had
recently retired from parading) decided to join us for the day and parade.
GEORGE gave a great effort and performance, but at the conclusion of the parade
he concluded that his original decision to retire from parading was the right
decision to go with. Nonetheless, we enjoyed having GEORGE back in the ranks and
we suspect that he will be making some additional parade appearances in the
future (despite what he says), though on a limited basis.
On March 23,
1998, the BAND participated in a All Masonic Day event at Aleppo Temple. The
event saw representatives from every conceivable Masonic and collateral body
come together in unity to show those in attendance what the Fraternity and its
collateral bodies are about and what they have to offer. The BAND was delighted
to participate in this event and it put on a well received
performance.Regrettably, at the conclusion of the day, Gerard (Jerry) Neault
took ill with what later developed into a relatively serious problem. We are
happy to report, however, that Jerry is well on the road to recovery and we look
forward to his rejoining us for some of our future events. WEBSHEIK(c) recently
visited with Jerry and he wanted to convey his appreciation for all the cards
and well wishes sent to him during this time. WEBSHEIK(c) also recently returned
from Lynchburg, Virginia and the SASOBA Hill City Jamboree and ASOB Mid-Winter
Meeting, where many people inquired of Jerry’s condition as well and to whom
Jerry sends his thanks as well for their concern.
On April 20, 1998, the
Oriental Band commenced its more formal parade schedule by participating in the
Patriots' Day Parade in Lexington, Massachusetts which commemorates the Battles
of Lexington and Concord which were at the start of the American Revolutionary
War. At the start of the parade route lives a group of families who
traditionally welcome the Shrine paraders (including the Oriental Band) to a
picnic. Unfortunately, this year, because of schedule and work conflicts, the
family was unable to put on the picnic. We, nonetheless, took the opportunity to
drop by and express our appreciation to the children of the family and also took
the opportunity to express our best wishes to the families on a giant sign they
had posted in front of their house. We are hopeful that the tradition will be
revitalized and continue to look forward to visiting with these families and
enjoying the day with them in the future - picnic or not. If you are ever in the
Lexington, Massachusetts area around Patriots' Day, please be sure to take in
the parade - it really is something worth seeing.
The above is a picture of a happy CHARLIE SALIE (our
Director) holding our MASOBA Competition
Award.
We
participated in the Middle Atlantic Shrine Oriental Band Association Competition
which was scheduled for May 1-3, 1998 and were successful in that pursuit as
evidenced by the pictures above and below this paragraph. We took a First Place
Award for our competition and we also won the Duet Competition Award - the team
of Charlie Salie and Bob Browne continues to be unbeatable (this is despite that
fact that Bob experienced a serious hand accident over the winter). We enjoyed
meeting many fellow Bandsmen from other Oriental Bands that we do not regularly
have an opportunity to fraternize with and hearing their Bands. A good time was
had by all and congratulations go to the members of PYRAMID TEMPLE ORIENTAL BAND
who orchestrated the event.
The above is a picture of Charlie Salie and Bob Browne
receiving the MASOBA Duet
Award.
We
did our traditional "double-header" duty for Memorial Day by performing in two
Memorial Day Parades - one in Wilmington, Massachusetts and another in Medford,
Massachusetts. the weather was fine and the crowds were enthusiastic and that
always makes for a good time. It is always our pleasure to participate in these
parades and contribute in honoring those people for whom the day is set
aside.
On June 13, 1998 we performed at an Aleppo Temple (Initiation)
Ceremonial which was billed as a FAMILY DAY. There was a nice turnout for the
day, despite some inclement weather, and a fun time was had by
all.
Inclement weather precluded our performance at the Grand Master of
Massachusetts Masons Country Fair on June 14, 1998. We always enjoy our trips to
the Massachusetts Masonic Home in Charlton, Massachusetts where the Fair is held
and are disappointed that we were unable to participate this year.
The above is a picture of THE ALEPPO TEMPLE ORIENTAL BAND
TEAM that went to Orlando, Florida in
1998.
The Aleppo
Temple (AAONMS) Shrine Oriental Band left Boston on June 27, 1998 to participate
in competition at the Shrine Imperial (National Convention) Session in Orlando,
Florida. We looked forward to making and renewing many friendships as well as
competing.
We competed in Orlando and were pleased to receive a SECOND
PLACE AWARD for our STAGE performance and a FIRST PLACE AWARD for our PARADE
performance.
We had a fun time in Orlando as well and did manage to
renew friendships with many of our fellow Bandsmen of other Bands and we enjoyed
their performances as well. We would like to congratulate all who participated
and all who won in their various competitions. We would also like to thank our
POTENTATE, AL ROSE, for his attendance at the ASOB ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING for
the purpose of nominating our candidate, ARRON [WEBSHEIK(c)] BUDNITZ, for ASOB
OFFICE.
We returned from Orlando on July 2, 1998, and picked up our
parade schedule as follows.
On July 13, 1998 we participated in the 1998
"Say it With Music" Series of Summer Evening Concerts at the Cohen Florence
Levine Estates at Admiral’s Hill in Chelsea, Massachusetts where we had the
pleasure of performing for the staff and residents of that facility.
Arrangements for the evening were made by Jack L. Zimmerman, a member of the
BAND. Everyone had a wonderful time and all enjoyed the
evening.
Massachusetts is home to two of the Shrine medical facilities.
It is questionable as to whether there are any finer facilities than the Shrine
Hospitals located throughout the country. They and the work they do are central
reasons why we are willing to put in the time and effort that we do as Oriental
Bandsmen. We have long been wanting to perform at the local (Boston) Shrine
Hospital and arrangements were made this year for us to sponsor a "Make-Your-Own
Ice Cream Sundae Party" for the staff and patients and to perform as well. On
July 18, 1998 we arrived at the Shriner’s Burns Hospital in Boston and we all
had a great time. The expressions of appreciation from the staff and patients
renewed our conviction that our’s is one of the most noble and worthwhile
efforts that can be undertaken. The feeling of satisfaction also convinced us
that this type of performance should be done on a more regular basis.
The above is a picture of C. PAIGE CULLEN taken at the
March, 1998 ALEPPO
CEREMONIAL.
On
July 18, 1998, notice was received from the CULLEN family that the BLACK CAMEL
had visited them and had taken our Fellow Bandsman, C. PAIGE CULLEN to the
eternal oasis. PAIGE was an accomplished member of our Band and an excellent
musette player. PAIGE had taken ill shortly after the March, 1998 ALEPPO
CEREMONIAL and ultimately succumbed to that illness. PAIGE was one of the
quieter members of the BAND and a close friend of GEORGE GIBNEY. He and the
sound of his horn will be dearly missed.
THE ALEPPO TEMPLE (AAONMS) ORIENTAL BAND MOURNS THE PASSING AWAY ON JULY 18,
1998 OF C. PAIGE CULLEN, A MEMBER OF THE BAND.
We are happy to
report that Jerry Neault continues to make tremendous progress in his recovery
from his recent affliction and has rejoined us for our practices.
On
August 1, 1998, KIM SALIE, one of the daughters of CHARLES SALIE, our DIRECTOR,
had her wedding. The Band was there and participated in the festivities. What
better way to begin a life of wedded bliss than to be serenaded by the tunes of
an Oriental Band. We all had a most enjoyable time and feel that the crowd
enjoyed our brief performance as well. Next year Charlie’s other daughter has
scheduled her wedding - we hope to be there for that special occasion
too.
On August 8, 1998 the Aleppo Temple (AAONMS) Shrine Oriental Band
took part in the parade which preceded the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Game in
Hanover, New Hampshire. It was a brutally hot and humid day and we were
unfortunate enough to be placed last in the Parade - but we made the most of it
and everyone enjoyed our performance. The Parade also marked the marching debut
of one of the newer members of our BAND, LESTER OSHRY. No complaints were heard
from Lester after the Parade, so we believe he survived it well. The Maple Sugar
Bowl Game is a Shrine sponsored football game of high school all-star athletes
from Vermont and New Hampshire. The parade which precedes the game saw many
units from many different Shrine Temples throughout New England and other places
parading. Included in those units were other Oriental Bands from the region. The
Band always looks forward to supporting this Shrine effort and we enjoyed seeing
our fellow Bandsmen from other Shrine Temples. A good time was had by everyone
including the spectators. This event is regularly scheduled for the second
Saturday in August, so if you should find yourself in the Hanover, New Hampshire
area on the second Saturday of August in the future, do yourself a favor and
take in the day's events.
The above is a picture of JORDAN KRIGEST.
On August
13, 1998 JORDAN KRIGEST, a twenty-plus year Member of the BAND, announced his
retirement from the BAND. JORDAN has, for the past few years, been spending half
a year in Florida and the other half in Massachusetts and has decided to make
Florida his full time residence. JORDAN has been an active percussionist with us
and we will miss his presence. JORDAN promises to keep in touch and we look
forward to hearing from him occasionally. JORDAN has also indicated that he may
consider becoming a member of the AMARA TEMPLE ORIENTAL BAND. If he should do
so, then we would regard this as AMARA’S gain in which we are happy to
participate in this fashion. We all wish JORDAN the best in his future
endeavors, thank him for his many years of service and hope that he will keep in
touch and have occasion to visit us once in a while.
On August 16, 1998,
we participated in a parade in Salem, Massachusetts. It was HOT and HUMID and
the parade route seemed a bit longer than usual. It was also an election year in
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and politicians were out in droves. Despite
all of the foregoing negative factors (including the politicians) and the
reputation the Town has for witchcraft, we did a bit of our own “spell binding”
there and really enjoyed the parade. The parade marked the intitial parade
participation of another new member of the BAND who was present for his first
marching experience. We were all delighted to see BERNARD D. HUTCHENS join us
for the day and look forward to many more events with him. No complaints were
heard after the parade from him and we take that to be a good sign especially
since he did show up for practice after the parade as well. In attendance to
watch the parade was the young Maine girl whom we have taken on as our special
cause - she was there with her mother and brother - all of whom enjoyed meeting
the members of the BAND. They also expressed their appreciation for our support
and engaged in a little picture taking. Following the parade we all converged on
the premises of our beloved and fearless leader, Charles Salie, for a
traditional post-Salem Parade Salie picnic. We were joined at the picnic by the
young lady who is our special cause and her family - it was really good to see
her and them be able to participate as fully as they did and to observe the
progress that the young lady is making on her road to recovery. Everyone had a
great time at the picnic as well and were most thankful to the Salies for
opening their tents to us weary wanderers of the desert.
The above is a picture of GERARD (JERRY) NEAULT and his
wife, DORIS. PRESIDENT and FIRST LADY of NESOBA, 1997-1998
During the
weekend of August 28-30, 1998 the Band participated in the Northeast Shrine
Oriental Band Association (NESOBA) Competition in Springfield, Massachusetts. We
were looking forward to defending our titles and competing with other Oriental
Bands of the Region. We also were looking forward to renewing old friendships
and making new ones. The Meeting of NESOBA marked GERARD (JERRY) NEAULT’S
transition from office as PRESIDENT of the Organization and we congratulate him
on his performance and his successor on assuming the Presidency of the
Organization. Competition was dedicated to DONAT FOURNIER, SR. of MELHA TEMPLE
for his many years of Shrine and Oriental Band service. Well deserved accolades
to DONAT came from many sources including an impressive IMPERIAL entourage. Our
congratulations go to DONAT for his many years of service as well. Competition
was not quite as keen as it might had been had the Canadian Dollar been a bit
stronger and more of our northern friends had decided to participate.
Nonetheless, competition was good. Our stage performance was spectacular as
usual and requests for encores were accommodated with members of the audience
and other bands joining us on stage to do the MACARENA (we have it on the good
authority of Bill Paskaruk, who presided at the event, that the song is, in
fact, a Middle Eastern song). Our DUET team of Charlie Salie and Robert Browne
also put on a splendid show. The parade was excessively long and HOT and HUMID.
Being number 10 out of 15 to step off and not being judged until the last third
or so of the parade made for a bit of disgruntlement, but we survived that as
well and put on a good show for all to see. Participation in the parade seemed
to be quite numerous - it was nice to see that turnout and watch the many Units
that went by before we began parading. The Awards Ceremony, with a Polynesian
Theme, was held later in the evening. We had come to repeat our performance of
last year of First Places in everything and, by the grace of ALLAH, we did it
again. The BAND took a First Place Award for its Stage Performance, a First
Place Award for its Parade Performance, a First Place Award for its Overall
Performance and its Duet Team won the DUET AWARD for the fifth straight time,
making Charlie Salie a five-time straight co-winner of the award and Robert
Browne a two-time co-winner. The Team of Salie and Browne remains undefeated in
Duet Competition. Of additional importance, it has been determined that there
will not be further DUET COMPETITIONS at Northeast Oriental Band Competitions
for the next several years (reasons are uncertain) and this year it was decided
to retire the Award to the winner thereof - with Aleppo Teams prevailing in the
previous four years it was important for us to make sure we brought the Award
back home - and we did. A fun time was had by all. NEXT YEAR IN PORTLAND,
MAINE.
On September 26, 1998 we marched in a parade in Shrewsbury,
Massachusetts which we were asked to participate in. We were told that the
parade is in its infancy as far as Shrewsbury is concerned and that it is
anticipated to be an annual event. Well, they could have fooled us. This parade
was well organized and the route was great - even though it was a little longer
than originally advertised. The crowd was responsive and many came up and told
us how much they enjoyed our presence. We had a good time in Shrewsbury and hope
to be able to return for their next Parade.
On September 27, 1998 we
participated in a parade in Waltham, Massachusetts. It was HOT and HUMID and
STICKY, but the crowd was enthusiastic and supportive of our efforts. It was a
good parade and many of the BAND members commented afterwards that they would
not have to have their uniforms laundered after this parade because they could
just wring them out. We are all hopeful that those members will reconsider about
laundering their uniforms otherwise our next outing could prove to be most
interesting.
In the September, 1998 edition of NA KHABAR MAGAZINE - the
official magazine of the Association of Shrine Oriental Bands - a list of the
top ten nationally ranked Oriental Band cymbals players included our own ARRON
[WEBSHEIK(c)] BUDNITZ. We concur with the inclusion.
On October 2, 1998
members of the BAND enjoyed a dinner play at a local restaurant. A good time was
had by all.
The above is a picture of THE ALEPPO TEMPLE ORIENTAL BAND
parading in Woburn, Massachusetts in
1998.
On
October 25, 1998 the Aleppo Temple (AAONMS) Shrine Oriental Band participated in
the annual Woburn, Massachusetts Halloween Parade. This is a Parade that we
always enjoy doing and we were happy to be a part of the festivities this year.
The weather was ideal - a beautiful autumn day in New England. The crowd was as
enthusiastic as ever and many came dressed in Halloween outfits. Those members
who had threatened to not clean their uniforms after the Waltham Parade did, in
fact, do so and a potentially embarrassing situation was thus averted. This year
the parade was an official Aleppo tour of duty and we hope that it will continue
to be so. That fact and various other factors precluded the parade from also
being the date of our fall get together. Strong sentiment for a get together
following this Parade will be given future due consideration.
On November
29, 1998 the Aleppo Temple (AAONMS) Shrine Oriental Band participated in the
46th Holiday parade in Quincy, Massachusetts. This parade, as long as it is, is
always accompanied by an enthusiastic crowd which makes its length quite
bearable. The parade is and has been done in all types of weather conditions and
we often chant the mailman’s oath days before the event because neither rain,
nor sleet, nor hail, nor snow, nor cold of day keeps us from doing this parade.
This year we were pleasantly surprised though with a nice autumn type of day
which found many of us who dress expecting the worse complaining that it was far
too warm. Following the parade we all sat down to a traditional and very nicely
done collation which often turns into a family type of event with many spouses
in attendance. We have been doing this parade for the last several years and
traditionally regard it as the conclusion of our outdoor parade schedule for the
calendar year and there will be no exception to that rule this year which gives
us all a chance to take a breather, relax and rest and tend to uniform matters
which generally wind up being otherwise neglected - though rumor has it that we
may be getting new uniforms for next year - be sure to look for
that.
With the conclusion of the parading season and the onset of the
Holiday Season, we concluded practicing for the year with the exception of
December 3, 1998 when we convened to return our instruments to the Band Room
from the Quincy Parade. We did, however, have our annual Holiday Party on
December 19, 1998 at the Hilltop Restaurant - a location that we have used
before for this event and which we all enjoy. As usual, the event was well
attended and everyone had a most enjoyable .
On January 30, 1999, we
will be participating in an Aleppo Temple Shrine Ceremonial (Initiation) event
at which we are told will be the Imperial Potentate. The event will also be one
of the first events to be held in our newly renovated auditorium and we are all
looking forward to seeing how everything came out. If you are in town for the
day, come on by - a good time is always had at these events.
On May 1,
1999, there will be a gala re-dedication of the refurbished Boston Shriners'
Burns Hospital in which the Oriental Band will participate along with a host of
other Units from Aleppo and other Temples as well as with numerous dignitaries.
This will not be an event to miss and we would like to encourage everyone who
can make it or expects to be in the vicinity to make an effort to partake in
these festivities.
EPILOGUE
The Year 1998 was a most memorable and unforgettable year.
We started the year with the knowledge of the loss of one of our finer musette
players, Jackie Shallah, and moved into the year only to be hit with another
significant loss in the passing of William Manchester. The one-two punch really
took the winds out of our sails and we were all somewhat dubious as to what the
year would be like. We moved on to March and Gerard Neault was stricken with a
problem that has kept him sidelined to date, George Gibney retired from
parading, Jordan Krigest retired from the Band and moved to Florida, Hiram
Shorter curtailed his parading and Paige Cullen was called to the eternal oasis.
Our parade schedule was, or seemed to be, lighter than usual, new recruits
filled some of the old spots and they worked out well, but the losses still were
felt. We entered various competitions and, somehow, managed to do well in them -
much to the credit of our Director. But the spirit that previously moved us just
wasn’t there, yet we moved on. As we move into the next year we hope that we
will continue to be able to build on our strengths and perform to the standards
we like to maintain and which our audiences expect of us. In the meantime we
regard 1998 as an UNFORGETTABLE YEAR, accordingly, the song which accompanies
this PAGE is called UNFORGETTABLE. WEBSHEIK(c) humbly respects all rights to the
song and no effort is made hereby to circumvent those rights by including the
song herein.
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