One photo says it all ...

Stories from our gathering during Memorial Day Weekend 2010 will follow as the week progresses - in the meantime, here's the photo which, for me, best describes the day ... for those of you on Facebook, stop by my profile to see a full album.


All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Quick Notes: Memorial Day 2010

We're back!

Energized by gathering with some Saints Sibs over the weekend, it's time for a couple quick notes.

There hasn't been a new Scribblings entry since the beginning of January, yet some (many) of you keep visiting every day to see if I've written something. Not sure what to make of that, but I do gather some reassurance from it.

There's a lot going on corps-wise these past few weeks - and I'm not talking about on the field. While I won't get into the whole G7 vs DCI hoopla here, I will say that it has resurrected a WHOLE bunch of stuff inside me about the role DCI played in corpsdom when we marched together ... 'nuff said on that.

ANYWAY, there are stories to tell from the gathering down the shore over the weekend. I'm moving around my photos storage on my hard drives right now, so once that's stable and I process the images from the weekend, I'll be back.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Looking Ahead in 2010

Ever see the movie 2010 with Roy Scheider, Helen Mirren, and others? Written as a sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey, space exploration was portrayed in ways still beyond our technological capabilities.

So, what in the world does this have to do with Saints Scribblings???

Plenty. Or maybe not.

I'm not much of a New Year's resolutions kind of person. Never really have been. I do set personal and professional goals, though, and that's what I'm asking each of you to do. Arthur C Clarke had a vision of the future, and described it well enough for multiple books and movies. How about us, in this place that you visit?

What do you want Saints Scribblings to become by the end of the year? I have some ideas, but want to hear yours first. I know there are PLENTY of you out there who check in regularly (daily or more often), even during the extended periods of time when life has gotten in the way of my postings. Don't worry - I'm not asking you to contribute (although it's always welcome!).

What would you like to see here?

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!

Twelve Days of Saints Christmas 2009

Since it took me two years
to write this - so sad
It's posted again
Gee, I hope you're not mad ...

Even though it's recycled
Not embarrassed to say
I hope you enjoy this
On your Christmas Day!

Patty Antol, Maureen Fastuca, and Lorraine Fastuca with their Festivus Poles


For Christmas again this year, the Saints Drum Corps gave to me ...

Twelve mellophones
Eleven snare drummers
Ten years in Wildwood
Nine dancing girls
Eight flags a flashing
Seven Swan arrangements
Six baritones
Five parades in one day ...
Four rifles spinning
Three lost bus drivers
Two shiny cymbals
and a website from Rocky Chiocchi.

Merry Christmas - corpsdially yours from jo!

Happy Holidays 2009

I've been missing, I know -

Scribblings just a tad stale.
But I'm back, on this Wednesday
To share an old tale ...

It's time for what's become our own Saints Classic: Heard a Horn Before Christmas.

Enjoy!

jo

Saints: Heard a Horn Before Christmas
by JoAnne Parente

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, and 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 - don’t get into a crash -
The cadet blue and gold finished off with a sash.

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

“You really must hurry to see who are 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 each knocked out a tooth!

Each face looked so young, an image to astound.
Was I the only one here who’s 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, “Going on 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.
“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 ...” 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!

Annex gathering, September 2007

With love to you all – corpsdially yours from jo!

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!

Tuesday Trivia: July 7, 2009

We had two members respond to last week's Tuesday Trivia - here it goes:

What corps used horns from the disbanded Saints in their DCI Championships alumni performance?

From Jimmy Pic:
27th Lancers - Foxboro MA, 1994

From Jackie Bodzas:
No one, they went right to the Smithsonian.


We have a winner!

As Pic correctly pointed out, 2-7 used our horns at the 1994 DCI championships. Want proof? Check this out - around the 5 minute marker if you don't have time to watch the whole video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5877723053704824367
(27th Lancers - Once More in '94)


Now, for next week's question:
Name the first roster of instructors for the Saints.

Remember ... prizes, prizes, we have no prizes!


Ready to send in your answers? Click here to submit, or if that doesn't work, send them to joparente DOT saintsdrumcorps AT gmail DOT com by the end of the day (whatever your time zone) on Monday, July 13th.

All for now - corpsdially yours from jo!