Aleppo Shriners

09/03/2026

From the Aleppo Archives: Sad News

Aleppo mourns the passing of Past Potentate (2006), Illustrious Alexander "Al" D. Campbell.

Al was always a supporter of the Archives and Museum and donated a number of items including his Imperial Representative Jewels from the many years he attended the Imperial Sessions as a Colorado Rep. A long time member of the Aleppo Shriners Pipe Band, Al was proud of his Scottish heritage. I was glad for the opportunity to reconnect with Al a couple years ago at a meeting of his adoptive Egypt Shriners after his move to Florida.

Rest in Peace Illustrious Noble.

Details of arrangements will be shared as they are received.

08/27/2026

From the Aleppo Archives: movies!

Did you know we have a youtube channel?

We created a channel in order to have a central location to share our historic and current videos. We have uploaded the historic videos we have digitized and collected as well as some more recent parade and ceremonial videos we have collected.

Be sure to share and send us any old videos you may have, we keep equipment to work with many types of old media!

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

08/25/2026

ALEPPO UNIFORMED UNITS MEETING
Wednesday – September 2nd, 2026

** LADIES ARE ENCOURGED TO JOIN LADY BOBBIE IN THE POTENTATES SUITE **

Dear Noble:

The next Aleppo Stated Meeting & Uniformed Units Meeting will be held at the Aleppo Shrine, 99 Fordham Rd., Wilmington, MA on Wednesday September 2nd, 2026 at 7:00PM in the
Harvey J. Waugh Fez Room.
The following, plus any other business that may come before us,will be on the agenda.
Please take due notice and govern yourself accordingly!

KINDLEY WEAR YOUR FEZ!

PLEASE TURN OFF OR SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES THAT MIGHT DISTURB OUR MEETING

• Prayer ~ Noble Geoffrey Trainor
• Pledge of Allegiance ~ Lieutenant Colonel Carl Ohlson, Jr.
• Parades ~ Chief of Staff Paul Watts, Sr.
• Membership ~ Noble Steve Dalrymple ~ My Chip-Child ID Program ~ Sunday, September 13th, 2026 ~ 10:00AM-3:00PM Aleppo Shriners Ladle-Off ~ Saturday October 17th 2026 ~ 3:00PM-7:00PM
• Marketing and Communication ~ Noble Doug Dodge

• North Shore Shrine Club ~ Oriental Guide/Club President Brian Fallon ~ Clam Bake & Potentates Reception – Sunday Sept. 6th, 2026 @ 11:30 ~ Ipswich Masonic Lodge, 70 Topsfield Road, Ipswich, MA Phantom ~ Friday Oct. 23rd, 2026 @ 6:00PM ~ North Shore Music Theater, Beverly, MA ~ Tickets $60
• Aleppo Oktoberfest ~ Friday Sept. 11th, 2026 @ 6:00PM ~ Oriental Guide Brian Fallon
• Trivia Night ~ Wednesday September 16th, 2026 @ 6:00PM ~ Free of Charge ~ Noble Patrick Ventola
• Aleppo Cycles Unit ~ Comedy Night ~ Friday October 2nd, 2026 @ 6:00 ~ Tickets $25.00 ~Cycle Captain Cesar Contreras
• Shriners Children’s New England ~ Cheers for Children ~ Friday Oct. 16th, 2026 @ 6:30PM ~ MGM Springfield, MA ~ Illustrious Clifford Critch
• Shriners Children’s Boston Haunted Walk ~ Sunday Oct. 18th, 2026 between 10:00AM-12:00Noon ~ The Garden at Elm Bank, Wellesley, MA ~ Illustrious Robert Brown
• Ladies Garden Party ~ Sunday October 11th, 2026 @ 11:30AM ~ $35.00 per person ~ Lady Bobbie Gardiner
• Aleppo Feztival of Trees ~ Friday November 13th through Sunday November 15th, 2026 ~ Lady Laura Veo
• Aleppo Shriners Swing Band Holiday Party/ Pot Luck Dinner ~ Tuesday Dec. 6th, 2026 ~ Doors Open @ 6:30PM ~ Reservations Contact Noble Mike Friedland (617)902-0987

• Recorder Ill. Stephen Eriksen: Aleppo Stated Meeting ~ Wednesday December 2nd, 2026 @ 7:00PM (Before Uniform Units Meeting) Aleppo Shriners Installation of Officers ~ Saturday January 2nd, 2027 @ 10:00AM Aleppo

• Presentations
• Introductions
• Final Comments by Aleppo Potentate ~ Roger T. Gardiner
If a Head of Unit cannot make this meeting, please send a member of your unit to represent the unit.
Fraternally,
COLONEL DAVID A. FINK
Commanding Officer

08/20/2026

From the Aleppo Archives: never enough fezzes!

We're always happy to get another fez we didn't have before! This one was acquired recently for the collection. It is similar to the Degree Staff Surgeon fez we have in that the unit name is embroidered instead of jeweled. In this era (c.1960s) it was much more common to have jeweled fezzes. We even have a couple Arab Patrol fezzes and one Chanters fez which were embroidered like this but which had rhinestones added by hand afterwards.

Similarly to the Surgeon fez though, this suffers from a problem where the embroidery for some reason weakened the wool felt and it has split around parts of the claws, scimitar, and a few letters. It is missing the sphinx head, but we always keep a few spare parts in stock, so we can find an appropriate one for it (probably the straight sided version).

One thing that is definitely noticeable is that from the interior of the unit name letters being embroidered through the lining, we can tell this was added to the standard fez rather than at time of production. Having your standard fez embroidered would always be a more affordable alternative to purchasing an entirely new jeweled fez.

08/18/2026

Founded in 1974, the Aleppo Shrine Minutemen are a one-of-a-kind part of Shriners International as the only Minutemen unit in the fraternity.

This dedicated group brings history to life through Revolutionary War-era uniforms, flags, drums, and musket demonstrations while participating in 30-40 parades, ceremonies, and community events each year. Their commitment to excellence has earned them opportunities to present the colors at Fenway Park, support events honoring Medal of Honor recipients, and serve as the official Masonic colonial militia for local America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

With a reputation for being active, family-friendly, and tightly knit, the unit continues to attract members who are looking to do more than join a group. They’re looking to be part of something meaningful.

08/18/2026

From the Recorder's office

Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 7:00pm, in the Harvey J. Waugh Fez Room. Our 3rd Quarter Stated Meeting.

Our bylaws require at least one Stated meeting per quarter. At this Stated Meeting, the Potentate will call on the Chief Rabban to let us know about the 2027 Imperial Session, the 2027 Northeast Field Days, and the Chief Rabban’s trip. As is the custom at our Stated Meetings we will also be voting on new candidates’ initiation and giving a review of changes in membership since our last meeting. Tickets are not required but your Fez and current dues card are a MUST. See you at the Stated Meeting.

Following the Stated meeting, Colonel Dave Fink will hold the monthly Uniformed Units meeting.

Thanks for reading Wicked Important Stuff,

Steve

08/17/2026

FUN ON THE CAPE this weekend - NSA 2026

08/17/2026

🎉 Join Us for the Shriners Parade! 🎉

The Barnstable Police Department invites everyone to come out and enjoy the Shriners Parade! 🇺🇸🎈
📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM
📍 Main Street, Hyannis

Bring the family, grab a spot along Main Street, and enjoy an afternoon filled with fun, music, colorful floats, and plenty of community spirit! 🎺🚓
We look forward to seeing everyone there! 💙
Come out and support the Shriners and enjoy a great Cape Cod tradition!

08/13/2026

From the Aleppo Archives: MacArthur Letters

Following up on the MacArthur flag post a couple weeks ago, we are pleased to share a collection of letters and related papers we have in our archives which are correspondence between Frederic "Buck" Dumaine and Noble MacArthur and his wife Jean

The entire collection can be viewed at the link below:

https://archive.org/details/Aleppo-Shriners-MacArthur-Correspondence/1957-02-09%20letter/

08/13/2026