March Moments 2009: March 40 - Memories from 1974, Chapter 6

March 40 - Memories from 1974, Chapter 6
by Jim Trimblett

(Editor's note: March doesn't end until we all decide it does - the ultimate antithesis of aging out. As long as entries for March Moments keep coming in, March keeps going, too.)


This is a postscript to yesterday's “Did this really happen?” story.

If Pic’s story is true, I’m sure the trooper’s exact words would have been, and I quote, "I hear tell you boys been ridin’ bear ass at high speeds."

Of course, because I wasn’t there, that would only be speculation.

Thanks for the great story Pic.




Comments or questions about our March Moments series? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

March Moments 2009: March 26 - My First Time, Chapter 6

March 26 - My First Time, Chapter 6
by Craig "Clav" Stephens


I still remember how incensed (no pun intended) I was when we marched into the Garden State championships and saw off to the side the Crossmen burning a Saints T-shirt on a cross.

I vividly recall the memory of stomping on Crossmen and Bridgemen buttons as we headed towards the field.

I remember inspections.

My most vivid memory is seeing The Saints for the first time. It was at the Garden State Championships. The only reason I could even tolerate going to the show was because, well ... it was at Wildwood.

I watched with detached boredom the expected drudgery of one corps after another.

Then The Saints took the line. I knew I should look interested as my brother was marching (The Skull aka Art Stephens).

Then 6 notes were played that took my breath away and changed my life forever.

I know ... dramatic much? LOL But it's the truth. For if I had not heard that off the line I'd have never met my wife.

I blame ya'll and will never forgive you!!

LOL

j/k

Sort of ... *whistles*



Interested in submitting your own favorite memories for March Moments? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

March Moments 2009: March 13 - My First Time, Chapter 2

March 13 - My First Time, Chapter 2
by Pete Crafts


This is not a favorite marching moment by any means.

It was June 1973. Pic had talked me into joining and I had only been to a few practices. I took the ride to the Meadowlarks show in Secaucus. There were a few holes in the show and somehow the ladies put a uniform together for me and I was asked to just hold a horn and march through the show.

I was so proud how I made it through and boasting how I marched lifting my legs high. Then a few weeks later someone came up with a photo from Moe Knox pointing out how I was out of step. I swear to this day it was Ed Philpot in that photo.

Take care!

Pete Crafts


Interested in submitting your own favorite memories for March Moments? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia: From Where, To Where

As a warm-up to some new Trivia questions submitted during the Christmas break, here's an easy one:

What corps did you march with pre-Saints? How about after?

This is more data mining that real trivia, truth be told. I could start the list, but because I never marched before or after my blue-n-gold years, it just didn't seem right for me to be telling your stories ...

So, how about it? Click here to respond.

Thanks!

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Dream Jobs

If you're already making money "doing" corps or something related to the skills you picked up back then, think of this Scribblings entry as some sort of validation if you'd like.

For the rest of us, here are two questions for you: If someone told you at this moment that your ideal job in corps / guard is available to you for the asking, what would it be? Also, do you take it, or keep doing what you're doing right now?

Here are some revisionist criteria to consider, if needed, to help you to dream a bit and decide if working in corps or guard is for you:

• You're physically / mentally healthy enough, and have all the skills needed to do the work.
• If you'd like to do it full-time, you can afford to do the work without pay, or they're paying you more than enough to do it.
• If you're interested in part-time work, the schedule around everything else that you want or need to do will accommodate the gig with no problem.
• Corps and guard culture (for lack of a better term) is exactly what you want it to be - like we remember it from the mid-70s, as it progressed during the 80s, as it is now, etc. (This item was added for those who just don't like what corps and guard have become.)
• The important people in your life are fully supportive of your decision to take the gig.

If I've left something off the list that poses a potential barrier for you, feel free to add it as you consider your career change ...

I haven't thought about this topic in quite awhile. Time spent over the past few weeks has brought me back there, and I find myself wondering. If you're looking for my answer, you'll have to wait a bit - I want to savor the possibilities for just a tad longer before making my decision.

I hope you'll share your dreams with us - feel free to use the Comments area below, the Guest Book on www.saintsdrumcorps.com, or get in touch with me directly at joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

PS: In case you're wondering, right now there are 47 people registered for the November reunion. About 20% are members who are coming in from outside the greater Jersey metropolitan area. The first wave of people who registered can be found in last week's Tuesday Trivia (scroll down below). An updated list will be posted here as part of the October 16th Tuesday Trivia, so stay tuned!

Insistence, Persistence, Ownership

Yesterday brought a bit of insight to me about something that I don't think I truly understood before about the phenomenom we know as the Saints.

As part of other conversations we were having, I asked Jimmy Pic what it was about the Saints that attracted him when he joined. Since I signed up for the Saints as an original member without a lick of marching experience, I was curious to see why someone would leave another corps to be part of us -- especially since getting to Fords and Woodbridge for rehearsal wasn't exactly a walk around the block for him [Side note to Pic -- please don't walk along 287 to get to Fords anymore!!!].

Pic was very free and open about sharing his experiences with the Silver Lancers, a corps which was a valid competitor of ours for many years. His primary reason for coming to the Saints was to be on the field -- we were competing that summer, while his first corps was only marching parades.

As we continued our discussion, though, the difference between the corps was much more than a decision to be on the field. To summarize everything Pic explained, it really boils down to three words: insistence ... persistence ... ownership.

I thought the things he described about us happened in all the corps we competed against -- I was wrong! I just know how much the three concepts were such a big part of how we created our excellence ...

Insistence is all about the getting-in-your-face attitude we had when it came to what we did. Be it musical notes, cadence, equipment position, or whatever, we challenged each other to do it right, or to do it better. We weren't afraid to tell each other when things needed to be fixed.

Persistence is when we got together to hold our own rehearsals outside of regular practices. How many of us gathered at each other's homes to go over some particularly difficult piece of music or equipment work? Most of us. Were the instructors there to help us? Probably not.

Ownership is each time one of us suggested something better, something extra we could be doing with drill, equipment work, or whatever. We weren't soley dependent on the powers in charge to create who we were. Our unique stamp as members was found in every part of what we did when we performed.

What a lesson ... thanks, Pic!

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia - September 25, 2007

It's Tuesday again!

Before we get underway, here's a Tuesday Tribute ... about 7 months ago, one of our members had an extraordinary idea -- to set up a tribute site to all the members of the Saints. Today, we pay tribute to Mark Chiocchi as he celebrates his birthday -- best wishes Rocky!!!


Now, last week's question and answer ...

• One of the songs in our repertoire that was NOT used in field competition was the Theme from the Mickey Mouse Club. Why did we learn it to begin with?
  
  The Woodbridge Center management requested it. They were bringing in Mickey Mouse as part of a promotion, and as our sponsor, they wanted us there to provide additional entertainment. It was such a hit that they repeated the promotion several times over the years.
  
  Another regular Woodbridge Center gig for us was playing just before their July 4th fireworks show (held a day or two before since the mall used to be closed for the holiday). That usually involved performing our field show while climbing over spectators who refused to stay behind field markers that were set up.

Winners?

• In first place, Rich (Ferd) Ponik: Wasn't it that Mickey Mouse was coming to Woodbridge Center?


• A close second was Mark (Peanuts) Scotto: If I remember correctly the Mickey Mouse song was played at some function in front of Woodbridge Center Mall. I remember being there, it was 1976 or 77. I also think I had a picture of that day which is posted in the photo section or it may have been someone else's.


• Most creative answer was Billy Meyer: To make fun of the National Judges Association, for their inability to recognize the greatness that was The Saints as compared to some lesser competitors. We played it each time we got sc**wed.
  [Side note from jo: While this really did happen, it wasn't the reason we added it to our repertoire. It just came in very handy for those types of situations, and not just in NJA!]

Now, for this week's question, compliments of Goober Chez:

• Name all the rooms in the Annex.
  [Side note from jo: Goober just wanted a count. That was WAY too easy! If you don't have a name for the room, a description of where it is and how it was (or is) used is acceptable.]

Submit your answers to joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com. Please use TRIVIA in the subject line or I may miss your response when it comes time to name the winners!

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Monday MatchUps - The Wargo Files pt 1

So much to cover today!!!

First, both Gary Deren and Jeff Slater, each mentioned in previous Monday MatchUps, posted contact information this past week. Welcome Home Jeff and Gary!

Next, some folks not at the Menlo Park Mall gathering back in June were with us at the Annex last Friday ... just scroll down for a list of names as well as a group photo. See www.saintsdrumcorps.com for meeting minutes and LOTS more photos!

Finally, Mike Wargo, you're the man! Among other treasures, he brought with him a stack of membership applications and rosters ... many of the names never appeared in any of my previous sources, so I have a pile of work ahead of me to update the roster for the website.

In the meantime, here are ten of the members from the Wargo Files who, up until now, have not been mentioned anywhere on the site. The year and section listed is from the original membership application. If you know how to reach any of them, contact me at joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com. Thanks!

• Marlene Doscher (color guard, 1975)
• Jamie Mark Farkas (horn line, 1976)
• Katherine Gray (color guard, 1975)
• Laura Grimaldi (drum line, 1976)
• Michael Santa Maria (horn line, 1975)
• Joe Silverstein (horn line, 1975)
• Robin Sterling (drum line, 1976)
• Gerilyn Tomko (color guard, 1975)
• Kevin Ward (horn line, 1974)
• Wayne Ward (horn line, 1974)

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Weekend Wonderings: Going Home

The Annex was -- is -- a place filled with many significant memories from my teens and early twenties. A few of us can actually claim to have attended school there -- my seventh grade classroom (which became the kindergarten once the New School opened) was one of the few places in the building to which we DIDN'T have access while practicing there with the Saints.

Our growth as a corps was measured by how much room we needed to rehearse. In the earliest days, the cafeteria served us well -- twirlers on the stage, drummers in the Ice Cream Room, big guard in the back, horn line in the center, guide-ons in the side aisle. Soon, we graduated to the Annex, and even spilled over into the New School gym on Friday nights for a lot of years. I still find it a bit amusing that the name of the Annex was changed during those days to the Parish Center -- given that we had sole use for three weeknights during the winter season, and parts of the weekend the entire year, I don't think many in the parish really "centered" there like we did.

While we might have had a vague sense of it back then, having access to the parish buildings was a true gift. In particular, having the Annex as a regular place to gather, rehearse, store equipment, and everything else -- free but for the yearly donations made by the corps back to the parish -- made it easier for us to grow and succeed at what we did for those ten years we were together.

Since our reunion in October 1980, very few of us have had the chance to go back and spend real time in the Annex. The notable exception? Any of the guys who are members of the Knights of Columbus Council associated with Our Lady of Peace Parish -- and I know of at least one!

As I'm preparing for our reunion meeting this evening, my mind keeps wandering, leaving me to wonder ... Will it still look the same? What room will we meet in? Who will show up tonight who wasn't with us at Menlo? Will we get any planning done???

Expect a postscript sometime later this weekend, as well as some additions to the Photo Gallery on www.saintsdrumcorps.com ...

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia - September 11, 2007

Last week's results ... the overwhelming winner is Althea Mazar! Champ, since your answers are more thorough than mine, I'll use yours!

• Part 1: In what city were the competitions held?
  Wildwood
• Part 2: What was the name of the field where the competitions were held?
  Maxwell Field
• Part 3: What two field competitions were held that weekend?
  There were at least 3 - State American Legion Jr., Sr., and Color Guard
  (note from Jo -- I was only looking for guard and corps ... Thea was more precise)
• Part 4: Who was the weekend's sponsor?
  American Legion
• Part 5: Who was our first sponsor?
  Father and Son (I think) Post 324, Edison
• Part 6: Who was our last sponsor?
  T. Nulty Post 471, Iselin
• Part 7: What were you required to do on Saturday afternoon?
  March the parade down Atlantic Avenue
• Part 8: Besides the reviewing stand, what was one required "stop and play" location for the parade?
  Kellys until they closed during the parade due to "shenanigans" by the "seniors", then the Garden State Bar. FYI - Kellys is open again during the whole weekend now that we "seniors" are better behaved.
  (note from Jo -- either Kelly's or the Garden State were acceptable answers. Thea included both)
• Part 9: Where did most of us go on Saturday evening?
  The Boardwalk, after going to the hotel where our Legion Post stayed (the Olympic) to play a concert
  (note from Jo -- either the concert or the Boardwalk were acceptable answers. Thea included both)

A close second place is awarded to Judy Stewart Sgammato, who only missed the name of our first Legion sponsor. Honorable mentions go to Priscilla French Lyons, Alan Goober Chesnovitz, and Jackie Bodzas.

This week's trivia question -- an easy two-parter:

• Part 1: What horns did we replace with when we bought our mellophones?
• Part 2: What was the major defining characteristic about the players in our mellophone line that made it unique in corpsdom at the time?

Send your answers to joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com -- please use Trivia in the Subject area. Thanks!

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Numbers ...

First, do you remember your corps number? Not only do I remember mine (84) and Karen's (114), there are many others I can recall quicker than my cell phone number. Oh, the times I could be putting those brain cells to better use these days, you know?

There was a post out in the DCA Forum of DCP today about drum corps families ... not how we're all like family, but the people you marched with who are related to you. Many of you may not realize that Karen and I have four other younger siblings who never marched, and there are lots of you out there who many of us think of as only children since we never saw your "other" brothers and sisters.

After I read some of the posts, I got to thinking about how many people in the Saints were actually related to someone else either marching in or instructing the corps, not to mention those who ended up related through marriage who weren't otherwise connected through family. A quick scan of the roster out on www.saintsdrumcorps.com turned up around 155 siblings / cousins / children -- almost half the names. Pretty remarkable if you ask me!

One last thought on numbers -- have you voted yet for your favorite Alumni shirt design? You have 6 to choose from, and you get to rank them from your most to least favorite. The survey is out on the home page of the site, and will be limited to the first 100 responses.

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

PS -- late breaking news ... here are some more numbers to remember: 9-21 from 7-9 ... reunion planning meeting at the ANNEX!!! stay tuned for details over the next few days ...

Tuesday Trivia - August 21, 2007

First, drum roll please (or street beat, whichever suits your fancy) ...

Last week's question: What does NJJCGEA stand for, and how many chapters were there?

With an exact answer is Jimmy Pic ... National Judges Jr. Color Guard and Ensemble Association. There were 5 Chapters. PS: Where are the Championship Flags?

Pic, I have no answer on the current location of the flags. If anyone knows, respond here.

Other notable and memorable entries:

• Bill Meyer -- National Judges Juried Color Guard East(?) Association
• Jackie Bodzas -- New Jersey Junior Color Guard Eastern Associates
• Priscilla French Lyons -- New Jersey Judges Color Guard Eastern Association but I am probably way off! And I think there was 5 chapters??? Now don't I sound positive!!!
• Choosing to stay anonymous -- I would hope they stood for fair, honest, and impartial judging, but ... and there were 5 chapters where that did or didn't happen.

Thanks to all our contestants!

Now, for this week's question:

Chris Quadt, one of our first drum majors and member of our horn line, was not an original member. As a matter of fact, one of the membership rules had to be changed to allow her and others to join. What was the rule?

Send in those answers by Monday, August 27th to joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com.

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Music, et al

More often than not since www.saintsdrumcorps.com has been up and running, my drive time has been filled listening to the shows I downloaded from the site and burned to CD.

The technology du jour when we marched together means the bulk of our recorded memories are only available in print or audio (we've only been marginally successful in tracking down the few people who filmed some home movies over the years). While there's an occasional sound of rifle clackers or flags shwishing on old tapes and albums, what makes vivid memories possible after all these years are those of you who were in our horn and drum lines ... I can still recall guard work we did because I can still hear the music you made.

During my active Saints years, a soundtrack for my own musical tastes was burned into my being. The Latin rhythms from George Lopez, the ever-so-patient first musical notes pried from us by Sonny Cataneo, the explosive growth of talent nurtured by Bucky Swan and George Tuthill -- there's no doubt when you look at my ever-expanding musical collection that they all, as well as some significant others during my corps time, played a huge part in creating the sounds and cadences I still carry with me.

There's no adequate way to say THANK YOU after all this time ... know that I carry each of you in my heart and soul for being such a big part of my life.

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Monday MatchUps - 3 Years or More

Good Monday Morning To You!

Each of these members marched 3 years or more ... neither they nor their immediate family members have yet contacted www.saintsdrumcorps.com, nor the Saints Hotline (732-479-1987). If you have any ideas on some way to contact them, please let me know at joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com. Thanks!

• Mary Ann Chingeri (Twirlers, Color Guard)
• Tracy Davis (Color Guard)
• Carol Kraemer (Color Guard, Horn Line)
• David Lucas (Drum Line)
• Joe McGlynn (Horn Line)
• Jody Squires (Color Guard)
• Bill Stokely (Drum Line)
• Kathy Winters (Horn Line)
• Diane Wolf (Horn Line, Color Guard)
• Bruce Zolnowski (Horn Line)

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Milestones - Major, Minor, or Somewhere In-Between

What a day!

First, around 4:30 this morning, I prepared to head into the crawlspace of our home for my first bona fide Tornado Warning ... in case you ever wondered if those pesky Emergency Broadcast Announcements serve any useful purpose, I can assure you that they do ... of course, Richard was out of town for the whole thing!

Next, I realized what day it is ... besides being 1 year until the opening of the Beijing Olympics, it's also the 33rd anniversary of Richard Nixon announcing on television that he was departing the presidency on August 9, 1974. Why is this so embedded in my memory? Because I was here in Jersey, in isolation, while many of you were in Lynn MA at the World Open ... that week was the first time my heart was broken (over missing tour, not because of Nixon!).

Finally, I noticed that we've now had 100 members officially contact us since www.saintsdrumcorps.com has gone live. Cathy Meyer -- congrats on being #100!!!

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia - results from July 30, 2007

Here are the answers from last week's Tuesday Trivia:

• What was the name / title of the first award won by the Saints?
  BEST MARCHING UNIT
• What did we do to receive it?
  WE PERFORMED THE PINWHEEL IN FRONT OF THE REVIEWING STAND
• What was the prize?
  A PEWTER BEER MUG
• When was it, and where were we?
  1968, AT FREEHOLD RACEWAY
• Who has the award? (I don't have the answer to this, but would like to know!)
  NO ONE HAS OWNED UP TO THIS YET
  

Here are the results!

The winner this week was Pete Chez, who submitted his answer while in Hawaii:

• JO, great question, I was playing cymbals on this day. The award was Best Marching Unit, we did the pinwheel, we won a beer mug, at freehold racetrack I think in 69. I have no idea who has it.

A close second, along with the Creative Fundraising prize, is awarded to Jackie Bodzas:

• The award was a Beer Mug for the best marching unit that: 1.showed up 2. finished the entire parade 3. wore uniforms that matched 4. played a complete song/same song with most everybody in a similar key 5. marched in the same direction as the rest of the participants
  
  The MUG is on a shelf in Ray Chemileskis’ kitchen, holding – pencils, rubber bands, a button, 3 pennies and a ticket stub to the 1979 Dream.
  
  Seriously, if Mr. C does not have it, and it is found, we should raffle it off, and forward the proceeds to the reunion fund.

The Jumping into Murky Waters Honorable Mention goes to Jimmy Piccolo:

• You got me on that one, but I would say it either had to be a parade,or a Color Guard title. NJA Chapter 3 1971???

Thanks to the participants!

Do you have a penchant for trivia? Are useless factoids stuck in your head that are screaming to get out? Join the Tuesday Trivia Team by contacting me at joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com.

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia - July 30, 2007

It's Tuesday again!

This is a multi-part trivia question, with most of the answers readily available on www.saintsdrumcorps.com ...

• What was the name / title of the first award won by the Saints?
• What did we do to receive it?
• What was the prize?
• When was it, and where were we?
• Who has the award? (I don't have the answer to this, but would like to know!)

You have until 8 pm EDT on Monday, August 6 to submit your answers. Use Trivia in the subject line and send your answers to joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com.

Again: prizes, prizes -- we have no prizes other than the fame and glory associated with being mentioned in Saints Scribblings!

Good luck!

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

This Weekend: Polls, Travels, et al

First, on Polls: We have something new to try out on the home page of www.saintsdrumcorps.com!

Every Friday (give or take), we'll have a new poll question on the home page, just below the slide show. You can vote once every 24 hours, so vote early and vote often! If you have some ideas to submit for poll questions, send them along to saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com.

BTW, if you posted your vote here in Saints Scribblings earlier today, you need to vote again out on the Saints site. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Next, on Travels: It's been really great seeing how many of us have had the chance to stop in and visit with others while traveling outside the Saints Metropolitan Area. I also imagine some of you who now live outside the area might be back here at some point over the next few months -- let us know, and we can arrange for a quick gathering at the Menlo Food Court or other location of your choice!

Finally, on the Reunion: With summer travels, we won't be trying to gather anyone for a planning meeting until sometime later in August. We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, if you're hoping to be part of the Planning Committee, let me know at joparente.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com if there are certain dates / weeks in August that are better (or not good) for you.

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Wednesday Wishful Thinking ... on the field again

Don't know how many of you check out the postings in Drum Corps Planet (DCP) -- about two weeks ago, "history was made" as the Anaheim Kingsmen took to the field again as an alumni corps. Here's a link to the pictures and story:
http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101040&st=0

What caught my attention is how much the current edition of Anaheim reminds me of when they came east and marched in our Music in Splendor evening show in July 1971 ... I can still picture myself standing at the chain link fence at Woodbridge HS, my jaw dropping as I watched their incredible color guard. They placed first that evening with an 84.something, two full points above Blue Rock and its Baby Elephant Walk (another favorite of mine).

Back then, Anaheim opened my eyes to what the Saints could indeed become. I really don't think I understood that we could grow to excellence before that moment.

Seeing them back on the field, I can't help but wonder what it would take (starting with the energy to get back in shape!) for us to be on the field again in our blue and gold cadet uniforms. No offense to those who marched in 1977, but orange and black just aren't me! It would be nice to just snap my fingers and make it happen ... not sure I have the stamina to actually do it!

Out in our Guest Book today (www.saintsdrumcorps.com), Goober had a simple question for all of us: "Hey Gang, enough parade corps talk. When's the next SAINTS get together?"

The first step was 6 weeks ago -- keep your eyes open for the next one as the summer progresses!

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!

Tuesday Trivia - results from July 3, 2007

Here are the Tuesday Trivia Results from July 3, 2007. Since I have no way to officially validate the results, I'll let you decide who actually won this thing ...

I've included the best guesses from me, Karen, and Rocky in the far-right column -- again, we're doing group guessing! I also used Althea's Music in Splendor program from 1971 -- amazingly, she had written into the program roster which horn each person played that season, as well as who quit and who joined.

Thanks to everyone who participated! Without your interest, there's no sense in doing any of this stuff.

All for now -- corpsdially yours from jo!


If you click on the image, it should enlarge.
If it doesn't and you want the PDF version of the results, feel free to contact me at josaints.saintsdrumcorps@gmail.com.