THE - 2009 - BAND - NEWS

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.

SEE GIDGET IN ONE OF HER MOST FAMOUS ROLES by Clicking Here (TURN OFF THE MUSIC FIRST)

SEE A MESSAGE FROM GIDGET by Clicking Here (TURN OFF THE MUSIC FIRST)

RONALD J. HENDERSON joined the BAND on July 23, 2009 and we look forward to his participation with us.

A SEAGULL ENJOYING THE TRANGUILITY OF GLOUCESTER HARBOR BEFORE THE THE BAND'S ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) - JIM AND JANET HARVEY, NANCY AND RUSS STOUFFER, AND FRED AND BEVERLY POULIOT AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

(FROM LEFT TO RGHT) - BEVERLY POULIOT, NICK MARKOS, JANICE SHORT, JOHN KELLEY, NIKKI KELLEY, BOB LEMERISE, AND RICK LEMERISE, SR. AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) - JOHN KELLEY, NIKKI KELLEY, AND BOB HALEY AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

NICK MARKOS AND TOM SHORT ENJOYING THEMSELVES AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

LESTER OSHRY AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

RON HENDERSON AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING
WITH JOHN KELLEY BEHIND HIM AND BOB HALEY IN THE BACKGOUND

MARYLOU AND PHIL KEANE AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

AL AND ELINOR RICHARDS AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

NICK MARKOS AT THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING

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. NICK MARKOS, with the assistance of JOHN KELLEY this year, were instrumental in bringing the event about and they did a great job at it.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) - JOHN KELLEY (STANDING), ROB JOHNSON, ART FINK (IN BACKGROUND - SEATED), RICK LEMERISE, SR., AND JIM HARVEY AT THE MARLBORO PARADE

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) - RON HENDERSON, ROB JOHNSON, ART FINK, AL RICHARDS, JIM HARVEY, TOM SHORT, JACK ZIMMERMAN, AND FRED POULIOT AT THE MARLBORO PARADE

We participated in the LABOR DAY PARADE in MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS on September 7, 2009 and had a great time there. The weather was perfect, the crowd was large and enthusiastic and our turnout and reception were large. But all was not perfect. Our greatest disappointment was the failure of one of our more enthusiastic fans to appear this year. For the past several years there has been a young lady who puts on an incredible dance routine to our music and this year she was not present in the crowd and she was missed. Secondly, the powers that be failed to acquire enough of certain nourishing goodies to keep us all happy. Generally that would be a really bad omen for a parade, but not this year as the parade itself invigorated our spirits and brought us to new levels of performance. Originally, when we went to a float, we tried a small float and found that to be a bit crowded. Fortunately that was a good thing, because our membership has maintained itself and the turnout for this parade found us crowding even the larger float that we do use. This parade also saw Stephen Hoffman and Ron Henderson making their first parade appearances with us (Steve has performed with us previously at a Ceremonial which was indoors) and both peformed admirably. As those who read our accounts undoubtedly know, we make every effort to entertain and perform and this parade was no exception as Steve Hoffman provided us with a bit of humor by having his seat collapse underneath him in the middle of a song. Being the trouper that he is, he just continued playing even though he had to do it from the floor of the float on his back. He didn't miss a note on his musette and then he got up and continued on as if nothing had happened. You had to be there to appreciate the moment.

STEVE HOFFMAN AT THE MARLBORO PARADE - BEFORE HIS SEAT COLLAPSED

RICK LEMERISE, JR. (LEFT) AND BOB GOODWIN AT THE MARLBORO PARADE

We participated in the NORTHEAST FIELD DAYS in BURLINGTON, VERMONT during September 24th to September 26th, 2009. Our participation included competition at the NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION (NESOBA) Competition where we successfully defended our titles with a FIRST PLACE finish in the FANTASY Competition and by having BOB HALEY and JACK ZIMMERMAN prevailing in the DUET Competition. There were a variety of new rules to abide by this year which included seeing the elimination of PARADE Competition and the elimination of an OVERALL Competition. Nonetheless, we prevailed in all Competitions available and feel comfortable that we would have done well in any others that may have happened. The weather was a beautiful early autumn day which invigorated us all. Competition had a very different feel to it this year. Some of the Bands that traditionally compete in the NORTHEAST had conflicts or simply did not show up. Of particular note amongst the missing were MELHA Oriental Band and TUNIS Oriental Band (whom we were very much looking forward to seeing again this year). Nonetheless, the Bands that did compete, though smaller in size than us (we had a large turnout for the event - everyone was hoping to get some foliage viewing in on the way to and from Burlington and we weren't disappointed - it wasn't quite peak, but it was nice), were well balanced and credible contenders whom we applaud for their efforts. As seems to be the case more frequently than not, we added a little novelty and humor to our routine, when our cymbals player for the day, RICK LEMERISE SR., managed to bend one his cymbals out of shape while we were performing - fortunately he and we were able to make it through our performance and in a fashion that only had a minor, relatively unnoticeable, impact on our performance. An impressive crowd of onlookers, including ASSOCIATION OF SHRINE ORIENTAL BANDS (ASOB) PRESIDENT, DON MOORES, and his LADY, GLENDA (both of whom it was great to see); NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND PRESIDENT, JEFF MOORES; various DIVAN MEMBERS from a variety of SHRINES, including ALEPPO'S POTENTATE, CHIEF RABBAN, ORIENTAL GUIDE, AND ALEPPO'S SECOND CEREMONIAL MASTER, respectively, BOB SMITH, JEFF ARNOLD, DENNIS REEBEL, AND DAVE RAYMOND; and SEVERAL PAST POTENTATES OF ALEPPO including, AL FLIGHT AND STEVE ERIKSEN, were all in attendance as well to enjoy the Competition as were others, including, especially, our fellow BAND MEMBER, DAVE WHITE (who now lives in the Burlington, Vermont area - despite which we continue to remind him that it is only a four hour drive to practise and we continue to encourage him to come - we believe that he is considering the matter - ONCE A BANDSMAN, ALWAYS A BANDSMAN!). It was good to see Dave and catch up on things with him. Following the Competition, the BAND participated in the PARADE associated with the NORTHEAST FIELD DAYS festivities of the weekend and were joined by one of our newer members for it. We would mark the PARADE as the first performance appearance of DENNIS REEBEL and look forward to his participation in many more events with us.

ASOB PRESIDENT, DON MOORES, AND LADY, GLENDA, AT THE 2009 NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, JEFF MOORES, AT THE 2009 NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

2009 ALEPPO POTENTATE, BOB SMITH, ENJOYING HIMSELF AT THE NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

ALEPPO PAST POTENTATE, AL FLIGHT (LEFT) AND ALEPPO SECOND CEREMONIAL MASTER, DAVE RAYMOND, ENJOYING THEMSELVES AT THE NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

OUR DIRECTOR, BOB HALEY, AT THE NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) RICK LEMERISE, JR., STEVE CAPPERS, (IN THE BACKGOUND IS ALEPPO PAST POTENTATE, STEVE ERIKSEN), BOB HALEY, AND BOB GOODWIN AT THE NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) RICK (AKA "CYMBALS CRUSHER") LEMERISE, SR., AND RON HENDERSON, AT THE NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

FELLOW BANDSMAN, DAVE WHITE, AT THE NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

SOME OF THE BAND LADIES (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) HENRIETTA GOODWIN, JANET HARVEY, CATHIE JOHNSON, AND SHEILA HOLT AT THE NORTHEAST SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND ASSOCIATION COMPETITION IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT (9/26/09)

CHAMP - THE LEGENDARY LAKE CHAMPLAIN MONSTER

On the evening of October 8, 2009 our rehearsal was suspended so that the members of the BAND could enjoy a social visit with Aleppo's Potentate. Everyone had an enjoyable time at the event and we look forward to future such events from future administrations.

On October 9, 2009, we finalized our formal transition to our new website - this site. We hope that everyone will enjoy the new site and thank everyone who visited our old site. We hope that everything concerned with the new website will continue to function without any problems and we encourage all to communicate with us concerning any problems that are observed. We also continue to encourage everyone to periodically return to the site for the latest updates.

On October 27, 2009 our original BAND WEBSITE which was located at:

HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/ORIENTAL_B

terminated and went dark. Thank you to everyone who visited us there - we hope that your visits were enjoyable experiences. The site concluded with approximately 951,000 visits over some 12 years and we hope that everyone will continue to visit us here at our new site and that those visits will prove to be enjoyable as well. Remember to keep coming back frequently for the most up to date information concerning the Band.

On November 14, 2009 we participated in an ALEPPO SHRINE CEREMONIAL in WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS - all went well and our pefromance, as usual, was appreciated by all in attendance.

On November 27, 2009, the BAND was informed that the BLACK CAMEL had visited the family of JOHN KELLEY on November 25, 2009 and had taken his daughter, DONNA (KELLEY) MURRAY, to the ETERNAL OASIS. The BAND extends its condolences and best wishes to the entire KELLEY family at this time.

On December 1, 2009, a contingent of BAND MEMBERS travelled to BLUE HILL MASONIC LODGE in Canton, Massachusetts to participate in the final Official Visitation of LESTER OSHRY as District Deputy Grand Master of the Seventh Masonic District. Everyone had a great time at the event.

On December 5, 2009, we enjoyed our traditional HOLIDAY GET TOGETHER PARTY in FALMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS. A large turnout and a jolly and convivial atmosphere made for a most pleasant event which was enjoyed by all. Following the Party, on December 6, 2009, we participated in the FALMOUTH HOLIDAY PARADE. The weather was brisk, as usual, and the crowd was large, enthusiastic, and receptive. We hope that we added something to their Seasonal Joy.

With parties and parades out of the way and finding ourselves in the midst of the HOLIDAY SEASON, we will be taking a brief break from our rehearsals which will allow us, individually, to be better able to deal with the many demands of the season and give us a little rest. We anticipate coming back from the break and recommencing our rehearsals in mid-January (January 14, 2010) in anticipation of the JANUARY CEREMONIAL at ALEPPO in WILMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS which is to be held on January 23, 2010 and at which the traditional INSTALLATION of Officers for the year takes place.

Our parade schedule continues to develop and any changes will be posted.

ADDITIONAL NEWS WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN RECEIVED. CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR UPDATES.

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL WHO VISITED US DURING THE YEAR. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL RETURN NEXT YEAR FOR OUR CONTINUING STORY.

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