The first weekend of February was the start of the visitations for 2010. Ill. Sir Gilbert, Lady Gail, Chief Rabban Doug Hall and Lady Hélène traveled down the turnpike, on the first weekend of February, to Framingham MA where they attended Aleppo's visitation. Thirteen of the 15 Potentates in the Northeast attended and a great time was has by all.

Friday evening everyone enjoyed a Western themed party that included a buffet dinner followed by dancing to the sounds of the band Crisis.

Saturday morning we visited the Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston. We were shown a video on the hospital and then took a small tour. Ill. Sir Gil, along with the drivers of the vans, got to have their picture taken with one of the patients that was leaving the hospital. The Mom was so thankful for all that the Shriners had done for her son that she felt the need to take the picture.

Upon our return to the hotel, a luncheon was held in the hospitality suite. They had quite a spread set out for us. Afterwards we headed off for waltz lessons. There were a few reluctant nobles that were dragged to the course by their Ladies, however, when they arrived and got into the swing of things they thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Potentate’s Ball in the evening was a great success with over 300 people in attendance. We were all given clown noses to wear in honour of one of the members of the clown unit that had passed away. Dancing to the sounds of Hush followed.

The weekend concluded with a breakfast on Sunday morning where the Potentate of Aleppo handed out honourary certificates to the visiting Potentates.

Aleppo certainly knows how to throw a party!

We look forward to our 2nd visitation to Melha at the end of February.