Weekend Wonderings: DCI East

Saturday, in the park - I think it was the 32nd of July ...

OK, you all know I can be flexible when it comes to the number of days in a month (xref: Saints Scribblings, March 2009).

ANYWAY, gentle reminder - we're gathering in the park near J Birney Crum Stadium today at 3 pm ... only an hour from Saintsville.

Take 287N to 78W to exit 55 (Cedar Crest Blvd) towards Allentown. Follow S Cedar Crest Blvd for about a mile, and make a right onto Hamilton Blvd (Rt 222N). About 3/4 mile later, you'll see the park (and, probably, a dozen corps going through their warmups). We'll be between the pond and the pool (W Hamilton / Ott). If you get there and need to find us, my cell is (spelling out to avoid the spammers) nine zero eight, two two nine, seven one five four.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for ... you get it. No excuses that you don't want to go to the show - just don't go to the show!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: The Aftermath

Exhale ...

My brain is screaming at me to do some more Scribbling, but I'm looking for some input first.

What do you want to see out here?

What will compel you to respond like you did for March Moments?

What is the one thing that will get those of you who read this every day to actually send something in as well?

Ready to send in your ideas? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

Have a great weekend everyone!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Valentine's Day 2009

This post will be taking a twist you probably won't expect.

There are two people who have been part of my life who stand out when it comes to remembering me on Valentine's Day. I also shared a room with each of them, but only slept with one of them.

The first, hands-down, has celebrated more Valentine's Days with me than anyone. The second was known for sending me very mushy cards on the holiday, signed either "Your Rochester Lover" or "Guess Who?"

The first? Karen. She and I shared a room for 17 years, and a bed for about 7 of them.

The other? Our dear uncle, Walter Kelly. The sharing-the-room thing happened during the two years I handled public relations for DCA. They had a policy back then that would only cover half the cost of a hotel room when traveling out of the area to go to shows. That was fine for the rest of the board, but as the only female, they refused to make what's now known as a politically-correct reasonable accommodation. Uncle Walter, ever the gentleman, came to my rescue and offered to share a room with me.

As you can imagine, it was quite the scandal - and I loved every minute of it. Richard, who I was dating at the time, even got a big kick out of it. I still have some of those cards from Walter tucked away in a special place, and treasure them along with my memories of that dear man.

On this holiday weekend, spend a bit of time with some good thoughts of those who were part of your life back in our Saints days. I send my love to all of you and those you hold dear.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Connecting Here in Scribblings

There's nothing profound about this entry.

There is, however, a great amount of gratitude associated with it.

See, every day I check the stat counter for Scribblings. Actually, saying I check it is an understatement. I look to see how many people have been here for a visit several times a day, and that's probably even a low estimate.

I also know that some of you visit this blog at least daily. While I can't be sure what value you find in investing your time here, I'm thrilled that you do. It's the closest I come some days to what it felt like to be on the starting line, watching all those people in the stands waiting for us to begin.

Does this speak to how dull a life I lead these days? It's up to you to decide.

In any event, thanks for stopping by.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Remembering

There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes.
(Dr. Who)

By now, word has probably reached you about Lorraine Porowski's passing. While I didn't know her as well as many of you, I spent enough time around her to know that she kept it real and reminded us that we were, after all, kids. The nature of what we did in corps was serious stuff - precision beyond belief under the aerobic pressures of marching and social pressures of performing in front of thousands. She provided that escape valve for me and others, leaving us convulsing with laughter beyond repair.

We don't know too much about what Lorraine was up to post-Saints much beyond that she's survived by her mother and had become a mother herself. This not-knowing is true for lots of members of our corps family. While it's unfortunate, it's also a gift - remembering her and others through the lens of who we were back during our days together is a cool thing in so many ways.

Lorraine, thanks for letting me be 19 once again!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Favorite Saints Christmas Memory

remember this holiday card?

We spent a lot of Christmas holidays together ... parades in Metuchen and Woodbridge, our annual parties in the Annex (including receiving our 5-year medals), singing Christmas carols on the way to color guard / ensemble shows (Althea, still remember the alto parts?), Mrs. Antol's Saints cakes, visiting each other's houses, and the like.

My favorite memory? Hands-down, it has to be the warm-to-the-touch Christmas tree procured each year under questionable circumstances ... and then donated to the nuns in the convent when we were finished with it. If there's anyone out there NOT in the witness protection program who's able to fill in more details, I'd love to run the full story.

So, what's your favorite Saints family holiday memory? Send it along to joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

PS - Jackie and Peaches, thanks for sending in those trivia questions. We'll pick up Tuesday Trivia again after the holidays.

Weekend Wonderings: A Week Later

What is it about what we had together that prompts - even compels - us to reconnect?

Our time marching with the Saints, for many of us, represented our only corps membership experience. Some enriched our ranks having marched other places, and others moved on to other corps (either junior or senior) after leaving.

And then, there's the story about the guy from Blessed Sac who was convinced he'd make our mellophone line as a walk-on ...

I digress.

There's something about our shared experiences as Saints that, 41 years after we started and 31 years after we last fielded a corps, still pulls us together in ways corps today just don't. It even evokes an incredibly deep Guest Book posting from the person who's arguably the instructor most closely identified with our summer successes.

Whatever it is, I'm glad for what it is, and I'm glad you continue to stop by Scribblings for a visit. I'm as excited to see how many of you pop in to check out what's going on here as you might be when there's a new posting.

Thanks for being part of my family. See you at the next Reunion, if not before.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: The Morning After ...

Man, oh, man, where to begin?

Just some disconnected ramblings for today ...

First, some shout-outs ... the Reunion Committee (what a crew you all are!), Mike the Caterer at Sewaren (not to be confused with Warren) Park, our ever-supportive family at Post 471 (extra thanks for bailing us out on the need for ice at the picnic!), and on a personal note, to Leslie and the staff at Somerset Medical Center for sewing me back together in time to see all of you yesterday.

Sometime over the next couple of days, I'll compile a list of everyone who joined us over the weekend. For now, I just wanted to make sure I had something out here for all of you to read (especially you, Mickey, when you get back to work on Monday!).

Someone asked me last evening what could be done to pay back the Reunion Committee in some way for all the work that was done - if I wasn't clear about it then, I will be now: HELP PLAN THE NEXT ONE.

Finally, a bit on legacy passed down from one generation to the next ... we had the privilege to honor Ray "Mr. C" Chmieleski, Uncle Tony Fastuca, and Alvina "Mrs. Chez" Chesnovitz last evening for their "actions (which) served to foster a corps family which still enjoys, over 40 years later, the days when the Saints came marching in." Among the many lessons they and all the other supporting parents shared, we learned generosity of spirit.

To those of you who kicked in some extra cash to make it possible for others to join us, as well as helping out one of our Saints siblings who lost everything in a fire last week, I am humbled by your actions. You challenge each of us to do more, living out our mantra in being Saints for one another, even 40 years later, because that's what family does ...

Love to you all!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Blue and Gold Pages, and some other stuff

This is an idea that Rocky and I tossed around over a year ago ... for a couple of different reasons, it's popped up in my head again this morning.

How often have you struggled with finding the right person to do some work for you? From landscaping to a Chief Financial Officer, picking the best from many (sometimes hundreds) of possibilities can be daunting.

How often have you struggled in letting folks know you're looking for work? From landscaping to a CFO, getting the word out there that you're looking for a gig (or a full-time job) can be daunting.

That's where the Blue and Gold Pages would come in ...

Think of it as a two-way Yellow Pages for those of us who marched in the Saints: If you have something to offer (products, services, or yourself for a job), you list your business (or yourself!). If you're looking for a product, a service, or someone to hire, you post your need. In either case, you can check out what's available, or what people are looking for.

Look at it this way - there's little to hide since we all knew each other back when, umm ... well, you fill in the blank! We also know what we've become, and the great potential that comes from working together.

Sound like something you're interested in? Let us know at saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com.

And now for something completely different ... today marks the one year anniversary of us gathering at Menlo Park Mall for the first time in a long time. The meeting was SUPPOSED to be about planning a reunion, but to no one's surprise, was all about reconnecting with family (click here to read the Scribblings entry from that night).

So, have you signed up for the Reunion yet? It's easy - click on this link to get started!

Finally, to Babe and Bill (my father and father-in-law), to all you guys with kids, and to all my other friends and family members with daughters and sons, a Happy Father's Day to you!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: We're Back ... and so is the Reunion!

And then we awakened from a long winter's nap ...

All it took to shake me from my lethargy was to hang out at the Mall with some of you last evening - at any given point, the companions at the end of my journey down 287 (during Friday rush hour, no less!) included Denise Normandia Dube, Jimmy and Barbara Pic, Kathy Ponik Donnelly, Myrna Batista, Billy Meyer, Pete Chez, and Ferd. There were about 20 more of you who were in touch this past week in response to our e-mail blast - be assured that I shared your greetings with everyone present.

We made short work of the basics needed to get this summer's reunion up and running. While Billy graciously agreed to handle PR for the event once some of the final details are confirmed this coming week, I can tell you that we're planning a day-in-the-park and a night-at-the-Post type event for July 19th. Prices will be family-friendly, with a discount offered for those attending both events.

Both events will be catered, so that means (drum roll please!!!) NO SET UP AND CLEAN UP FOR US !!!

In the meantime, keep your eyes open for e-mails, guest book entries, and more stuff here in Scribblings.

Thanks again to Jackie for jumping in during my Scribblings Sabbatical ... anyone else out there who's interested in helping out with Guest Writer Wednesdays, let me know.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Heard a Horn Before Christmas

Here's the whole thing at once ... my gift to all Saints, near and far, with us or not ...

Heard a Horn Before Christmas - a la Saints Drum and Bugle Corps
(with apologies to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas!)

Heard a horn before Christmas, still asleep in our house.
Then my husband yawned, and puzzled, mumbled to me, “It’s Mouse.”

“Jo, get to the Annex, with no time to spare
They’re letting us march again. I know that you care.

“We have lots of horns, and drums with new heads,
And flags, rifles, sabres, SO GET OUT OF BED!”

My only reaction was, “Mouse, is this crap?
If you woke me as a joke, I’ll give you a slap!”

“Jo, just listen to all of us making a clatter
The cops are here now to find out what’s the matter.

“Your uniform’s here - we bought them with cash -
The cadet blue and gold finished off with a sash.

“It’s not black and orange, you’ll be relieved to know
Since we left that stuff behind us long, long ago.

“You really must hurry to see who is here.
Saints one and all, our family so dear.

“There’s Rocky, and Bluto, and Mongo, and Pic,
And Peaches, and Pebbles, and Goober, and Mick.

“You realize, of course, there’s too many to name,
But we put the word out, and by hundreds they came.

“We’re playing and twirling and marching so tall
We’ll top all the captions, and walk away with it all.

“What’s slowing us down is the buses need fixin’
Jackie’s going to paint them – 50 gallons he’s mixin’.”

I shook my head slowly, trying to recall
When it was that we aged out, once and for all.

The pain in my head – thought I’d poked out my eye.
To march again at this age? Should I give it a try?

Got down to the Annex after drinking a few
Cups of tea, of course (what, did you think I meant brew?).

Folks were outside, and inside, and up on the roof
Rifles holding their mouths ‘cause they knocked out a tooth!

Each face looked so young, an image to astound.
Was I the only one whose age didn’t turn around?

Wait a minute now! The trick must be in the boot!
So I struggled and struggled to stick in my foot.

Someone inside the hall yelled, “Everyone, back!
It’s time to stop practicing – we all have to pack.

“The buses aren’t dry, so we’re taking a ferry.”
I said, “For our tour? Isn’t that a bit scary?”

“Of course it makes sense, Jo, everyone knows
It’s the best way to travel when going to shows.”

My boots didn’t fit, my brain was like jelly
The jacket and skirt didn’t cover my belly.

What gives? All the rest were their same old self
As they each grabbed their shakos from up on the shelf.

Wait! Who was that there, just a bit up ahead?
“Uncle Walter, is that you? I thought you were dead!”

He stood with the drum line, his life’s love and work.
“Jo, watch what you’re saying – they’ll think you’re a jerk!

“I’m here to help Bucky, George Lopez, and Rose,
And Ralph, Tony, Frank, and ...” It was then I just froze.

What a dream I was having, what a wish I was making.
The time of my life was just there for the taking.

I awoke Christmas Eve, just a bit after seven.
My dream was a gift that came straight from heaven.

We still have great photos and memories too
And we talk with each other ‘til our faces turn blue.

Still, what can I get you, with Christmas tomorrow?
Lots of love, luck, happiness, and no trace of sorrow!

May your gifts include health, wealth, and absence of strife
As the New Year unfolds – wishing you a great life!

With love to you all - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: A Week Later - part 2

Look who I had lunch with today!

What a great way to finish out Mini Reunion week ... to hang out in yet another diner (Jersey - gotta love it!) with Saints family.

Getting a chance to catch up with Mrs. Chez was great fun - exchanging stories, getting some input for future Tuesday Trivias, and setting up a time to interview her for an upcoming Saints Stories are just small parts of how we spent the nearly two hours together.

Names, names, did we toss around names! Among them was Margaret DiGaetano ... let's just say that she and Mrs. Chez will be having a date together soon ...

Expect to see a couple more pictures from our time together out on www.saintsdrumcorps.com very soon.

Peter, thanks for lunch ... Mrs. Chez, thanks for everything you've done for all your kids!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: A Week Later

First, thanks go again to Billy Meyer for his wonderful post-Mini Reunion rendering for this week's Guest Writer Wednesday. I haven't heard from him in a few days, so I'm guessing he must be out on a writer's tour or something as a result of how popular his piece is!

This week has felt like the time between Christmas and New Year's Day, since Saints family gatherings have continued for many of us beyond last weekend. My sister Karen and Lisa got together one night, Maureen Fastuca and I met at Felix #9 (OK, OK, Bridgewater Diner!) on Wednesday, Jimmy Pic stopped by to see Chris Morosoff yesterday (happy birthday again Pic!), and some of us will be gathering at the Princetonian Diner on Rt 1 tomorrow for lunch with Mrs. Chez (see today's entry from Peaches in the Guest Book on www.saintsdrumcorps.com).

Before the memories fade from these past 7 days, make sure to send in your recollections for an upcoming Saints Scribblings. In case you're not sure where to start, here's the list of suggestions that was shared on the handouts last Friday:

• general impressions about the weekend
• someone you connected with
• what it took for you to get here (literally OR figuratively!)
• the menu (be the first Saints Food Critic!)
• a moment that really stood out for you
• what it was like attending as a guest who had no prior affiliation with the Saints
• anything else that will help others get a sense of what the experience was like FOR YOU

If you weren't able to be with us, you can write about how it felt to see the pictures or read the Guest Book entries.

The most important thing is that the rest of your family wants to hear about your experience. We're looking forward to reading all about it!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Where did the time go? part 4

On repeating with Weekend Wonderings for today's entry - yes, it's Monday, but since I took today off, it's still the weekend for me!

The grin actually started around 4:30 on Friday evening. I made a planned stop at the Post to check out the sound system before heading over to Karen's place. When I walked into the room and saw everything already set up, the whole thing became real for me. There it was, the eleven tables all set with blue and gold cloths - AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THE WORK FOR ONCE! Fast-forwarding a bit to the end of the night, and it was a pleasure leaving and not having to do the cleanup and breakdown either! Kudos to the entire Post staff for taking care of us while we were there.

Unlike rehearsals when no one would be there on time, I was surprised (OK, shocked) when some half-dozen folks were in the room far in advance of the 7 pm time recommended to the Reunion Committee. Many hands made quick work of the few details we needed to address. A special thanks go to Terry Chez for bravely facing all of the arriving members at the welcoming table - Peter, you are one lucky man to be married to a gem of a woman!

Around 8 pm, everyone settled in (temporarily, I assure you!) for some acknowledgements of those who joined us for the evening, the presentation of a small token of our appreciation to Rocky Chiocchi, and remembrances of those members of the Saints family who are no longer with us. Additionally, members of the Reception Committee (Jimmy Pic, Karen Parente, and Billy Meyer) shared some information about weekend actitivies planned for all to enjoy. Billy also shared some insights into how well respected the Saints are as a corps by those with whom he has had contact in the senior corps ranks over the years. Finally, Mike Wargo reminded us all how important Ray Chmieleski is to all of us, and let everyone know how age and the passage of time helps us to better appreciate those who have been instrumental in our lives.

Dinner consisted of salad, rolls, and a buffet of sausage and peppers, Italian stuffed shells, lemon herb chicken, and Shrimp Scampi. A cake which read The Saints 1967-1977 Happy Memories was served as dessert.

While the bulk of the entertainment for the evening was the chance to catch up (or just say welcome) to everyone present, a music mix of "regular" versions of corps numbers and guard music played in the background all evening. Attendees received a "mini mix" CD of the four hour-long set.

Also adding to the festivities for the evening were the many photographs displayed and the chance to enjoy memorabilia set up by several members. In addition, samples of the newly designed Alumni staff and T shirts were on display (contact Jimmy Pic for ordering info until we get it posted on the website).

I'll share some final thoughts and impressions on the weekend in tomorrow's Scribblings entry. In the meantime, here are just a few photos temporarily here for you to enjoy until Rocky gets a chance to start posting what will be hundreds of shots out in the galleries on www.saintsdrumcorps.com.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Where did the time go? part 2

Boy, did I need a nap!

It's been a busy day so far. Since I was so tired from last evening, I made sure to take notes as the day progressed. I've tried my best to capture highlights from the events I attended, as well as document some phonecalls I've received.

Again, keep in mind that I was VERY fatigued, and my handwriting is a bit sloppy. If some of these details are a tad off, well, let me know!

• Last night's post-Post party: That's what you would call it, right - the party after the party at the Post? ANYWAY, I didn't make it to Riffy's in Woodbridge (I was back here typing at the time, remember?). I did hear, though, that Maureen and Lorraine Fastuca forgot their brother Mike was with them, and headed back to Lorraine's house without him. There are a couple different versions of what happened after that which we'll leave to your imagination.
• Saturday sunrise: About the same time Billy Meyer was getting back to the Marriott Courtyard near Raritan Center, he saw Peter Boyle. Billy's still looking for the contact information he was given - he'll keep us posted.
• Saturday morning: My sister Karen took the whole hosting thing a bit further than most of us expected. After everyone arrived at the diner, she invited all to follow her to what our nephew Timmy calls the "big yellow house" in Fords, where our parents treated the crew to a nice breakfast. That's her story and she's sticking to it.
• Saturday afternoon: Again, this is one of the events that I missed. Mary Balderose was feeling better, so she was able to join a few people for the afternoon activity. Apparently, the Saints should have had a bowling league back in the day. Not only did Mary make two 7-10 splits, if it weren't for a spare in the first frame, Mike Fastuca would have thrown a perfect game. Wish I had been there for that!
• Saturday early evening: Band show host Jimmy Pic received reports that as people were arriving at the Meadowlands for the final two divisions of bands this evening, the corps formerly known as Garfield was seen warming up in the parking lot for a standstill exhibition. I'll be waiting for any of you who attend tonight's show to let us know how that went.

Time to finish waking up from my nap and start editing some of those photos.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Did He Know?

Following All Saints Day on the liturgical calendar is All Souls Day, a time to reflect and remember those we've lost.

With all the Saints stuff going on lately, I've spent some time thinking back on those who had the greatest long-term influence on the skills I developed and the person I've become. Many of them have been mentioned in prior Scribblings entries, so I'm just going to focus on one person today: H. Worth Ake.

As I've probably mentioned before, Mr. Ake was the person who encouraged me to take on the position of the Saints Public Relations Director while I was still just a junior in high school. I remember that the Saints Guard, in particular, was a tad irritated with Drum Corps News over its lack of coverage of our progress in NJA, as well as nary a mention of the rest of the corps. I wrote a letter to Worth and heard back in a flash.

There was no coverage, he said, because the requests for information from the Saints were going unanswered. He asked me to respond to some questions, and the rest is history.

I've been thinking about Worth quite a bit these past couple of weeks. Michael Boo, who does more than a bit of writing these days about corps, requested that church-based corps provide some input for an article he was putting together for DCI.org. The target was for the piece to coincide with All Saints Day.

Church-based corps AND on All Saints Day? It was like Worth was screaming down from heaven at me, and he wouldn't let me rest until I sent in enough information to Mike for us to be included.

The result? DCI.org is publishing a three-part Fanfare series titled The saints come marching in, and we're featured in the November 2nd edition (in case you haven't seen the article yet, click on the title).

Did Worth know way back in the early 1970s what his encouragement would mean? Could he have realized that his patience in working with me really helped to nourish a lifelong love of writing? Someday, I hope to have the answers (as well as to find out what the "H" stood for!).

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Connections

Here it is, an almost-rainy Friday morning here in Central Jersey, and I'm thinking 'bout all of you.

This time, eight months ago, you might have been a passing thought or memory. Now? Well, you're even filling up my daybook! In some cases, we're connected more now than we were when we marched.

Let's see - this week alone, I've been on the phone with Lisa (and will see her today), Althea, Pic, and Jackie, and have exchanged e-mails with another dozen or so of you. I've been squeezing in my own consulting work (thanks, Pic, for the referral!) around Saints stuff. While it should really be the other way around, it's what needs to be right now with the mini-reunion coming up. How did the parents who helped run the corps back then do it all?

Each time I see the response counter go up in Survey Monkey, it's so much fun! Yes, I do realize that probably doesn't speak well of what my life is like, but I assure you that's not really the case. Even Richard (who probably won't be joining us) gets excited with me as I call across the hall to him with each new name (and stories to go with them!).

As I mentioned in an e-mail this morning, I'm blown away by how many of the Saints Are Marching In from places far and wide to join us on November 9th.

If you're still on the fence about joining us, now's the time to do it. Special note to the Florida folks: You can still grab flights from under $200 out of most of the major airports (and only $118 from Miami!) on Continental. There may even be better deals out there with some of the other carriers.

For those who will be with us, see you in two weeks!!! For the rest, we'll try our best to share pictures and words that will make you feel like you were part of it all ...

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!