THE - 1998 - YEAR - IN - REVIEW
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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