THE ALEPPO TEMPLE (AAONMS)
SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND NEWS FOR THE YEAR 2009
The above is the official logo of the Aleppo Temple (AAONMS) Oriental Band.
Following our winter/Holiday recess, practise resumed on January 15, 2009 in anticipation of the ANNUAL INSTALLATION CEREMONIAL which was to be held on January 24, 2009 at the ALEPPO Auditorium in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
At our January 22, 2009 rehearsal discussions were undetaken with regard to the 2009 IMPERIAL SESSION in SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS and the 2009 NORTHEAST SHRINE ASSOCIATION MEETING to be held in BURLINGTON, VERMONT. Indications from those discussions are, absent any change, that we will not be attending the IMPERIAL SESSION but we are planning on being at the NORTHEAST SHRINE ASSOCIATION MEETING.
ROBERT F. SMITH - POTENTATE OF ALEPPO SHRINE - 2009
On January 24, 2009, the BAND participated in the ANNUAL INSTALLATION CEREMONIAL at the Aleppo Auditorium in Wilmington, Massachusetts. There was a nice turnout of members and that contributed to a good performance which was appreciated by all. CONGRATULATIONS to everyone in their respective new offices. We are looking forward to a good year.
For some strange reason JANUARY has seemed to become one of our better recruiting months and this year was no exception. This year we attracted to our ranks a member of the ALEPPO DIVAN, DENNIS REEBEL. We welcome DENNIS to the BAND and look forward to his participation with us.
Our "snow-birds" returned to a few surprises this year, including a change in our DIRECTORSHIP and increased membership.
Towards the end of February, ROB JOHNSON, decided to step down as DIRECTOR of the BAND for some positive family reasons which required his attention and he was replaced by ROBERT (BOB) HALEY as our new DIRECTOR. ROB has promised to continue his participation with the BAND to the extent possible.
BOB HALEY brings a wealth of skill and enthusiasm to the leadership of the BAND which we are all looking forward to being a part of.
In addition to DENNIS REEBEL, another new member has joined the BAND and we would like to welcome aboard STEPHEN HOFFMAN. STEVE comes to us from the MELHA ORIENTAL BAND (a physical move warranted the change, but we believe that the real reason was that he undoubtedly was unable to take the sound of the notorious accordion which accompanies that Band anymore!) with some expertise playing the musette. At his first meeting with us, he was already up and going and that was quite satisfying to see. He is making good progress adapting to our way of doing things and learning some of our songs and he is recovering well from "accordion shock"! We all look forward to his participation with the BAND. WELCOME ABOARD, STEVE. STEVE would also like to extend regards to the MELHA BAND and his friends at MELHA expecially those members who read these updates.
On April 2, 2009, the BAND held its ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING and everything was found to be in order. It was especially enjoyable to see STEVE CAPPERS drive down from MAINE to attend and to reassert his commitment to the BAND with a vow to try to attend practise more frequently and to try to attend more events.
Our parade schedule for the year, so far, is fairly bleak - the economy has wrought its toll.
A medium sized but balanced contingent of members participated in a Parade in NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS on MAY 17, 2009. The weather was ideal and the crowd was enthusiastic and receptive. It was a great way to start off our parade schedule and gave us an opportunity to see how our float weathered the winter. All indications are that some minor repairs may be warranted and we are hoping to attend to them during the summer.
On May 24, 2009, a good sized BAND participated in the SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS MEMORIAL DAY PARADE. Weather forecasts for the day were foreboding but all inclement weather stayed away for the duration of the parade and the parade, though long, was another enjoyable experience for us and hopefully for the crowd that was assembled. Special note should be made of the participation of STEVE CAPPERS who came down from MAINE to be with us for the day.
On May 25, 2009, another good sized BAND participated in the WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS MEMORIAL DAY PARADE. WILMINGTON, being our hometown, it is always enjoyable to give a little back to them in appreciate of their putting up with us for the rest of the year as well. The weather was an ideal Spring Day - warm but not hot (mid-70's F.) with bright sunshine and low humidity and that made the Parade that much more enjoyable and easier to do. The weather apparently also drew the crowd out as well and they were appreciative of our efforts and performance. Once, again, STEVE CAPPERS came down from MAINE to participate with us and left promising to try to make future rehearsals and Parades.
It was good to see STEVE CAPPERS peforming in the MEMORIAL DAY PARADES and it was also our pleasure to perform in them in honor of those for whom the day is set aside.
On June 13, 2009, we participated in a SHRINE CEREMONIAL in WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS which saw the first performance with us of STEPHEN HOFFMAN. STEVE has been adjusting well to our versions of the tunes we play and is picking up the subtleties quite rapidly. STEVE and the BAND put on a commendable show and all appreciated it. As has been happening more frequently, a few of the new initiates dropped by and expressed an interest in the BAND and we are hoping to be able to welcome some of them to the BAND in the future.
GREGORY R. MOISTER
On a somewhat sad note (because we never like to see someone leave the fold), Band Member, GREG MOISTER, informed us at our practise on June 18, 2009 that, because of his recent retirement and pending move to Florida, he was obliged to resign from the BAND. We all wish GREG the best in retirement and hope that he enjoys the move. We have reminded GREG that it is a short airplane flight from Florida to Boston and that he could still make it to our weekly practises and is more than welcome to do so. We believe that GREG is taking the matter under advisement!
On June 25, 2009, FERNANDO PALOMO informed the BAND that personal matters required his taking a leave of absence from the BAND. We look forward to seeing FERNANDO back as soon as possible and will miss him in the interim.
On July 16, 2009, several of the more industrious members of the BAND got together early before practise to do some maintenance to our float. All went well and we are looking forward to utilizing it in the near future.
EARL T. SPICER
On July 18, 2009, the BAND was informed that the BLACK CAMEL had visited the SPICER residence and had taken EARL T. SPICER to the Eternal Oriental Band. Words cannot fully explain what EARL meant to our BAND. He was a stalwart and industrious worker for the BAND and one of its most dedicated members. He had been with the BAND for over 40 years and admirably served it in many capacities. He was also active in both the NATIONAL (ASOB) and NORTHEAST REGIONAL (NESOBA) Associations of Oriental Bands. In many ways, EARL was our conscience and our guide - we didn't always agree with him, but we always welcomed and respected his input. EARL leaves the BAND with a legacy that is admirable beyond compare and a void that will never be filled. With EARL'S passing the BAND has lost a part of its essence and soul and he will be missed by us and, undoubtedly, by many others. The Oriental Band World has, quite simply and sadly, lost one of its most diligent and devoted members, the likes of whom it is improbable that we will ever see again.
GIDGET - THE TACO BELL DOG
On July 21, 2009,the BAND received notice of the passing away of our favorite candidate for the office of PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, GIDGET, the TACO BELL DOG. At the time of her death we were still considering supporting GIDGET for a third candidacy in 2012 and are disappointed that her loss will deny us the opportunity to do so. ADIOS AMIGO.
RONALD J. HENDERSON joined the BAND on July 23, 2009 and we look forward to his participation with us.
On August 15, 2009 we held our annual lobster bake get together in Gloucester, Massachusetts. We had a good turnout and everyone enjoyed the day especially since it was a perfect day to be sitting next to the harbor and getting a refreshing breeze off of it to cool things down. Once again, NICK MARKOS was instrumental in bringing the event about and he did his usual great job at it.
We anticipate participating in the LABOR DAY PARADE in MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS on September 7, 2009, and the COLUMBUS DAY PARADE in REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS on October 12, 2009. We will also be going to BURLINGTON, VERMONT in late September (September 24th-to-27th) to attend the NORTHEAST FIELD DAYS and to defend our NORTHEAST TITLES. We will also be performing at an ALEPPO Ceremonial on November 14, 2009 in WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
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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