JerseyDigger29

Hey, Fran. I heard your comment about the difference in the reception in Wildwood this year compared to last as I was trudging up to the stands from far, far away on Park Boulevard. Glad you didn't need to use your megaphone this year. Seriously, those of us in Wildwood are so glad to see you all come to our famous little burg. I personally wish we could have shows at Maxwell Field every week. But I guess even that would get boring, there are many other great drum corps towns out there. (They just don't have our boardwalk). I heard one very enthusiastic comment from someone in the stands after the last exhibition that bears repeating over and over. You know the exhibition I'm talking about... You had to have seen it. It was the one that had the entire audience hyperventilating and clutching their chests to try and control their heartbeats. You know, the exhibition with the so-called "old" guys in it... "The Cabs Alumni was worth the entire price of admission all by themselves!" Way to go, guys. I have never seen such a fantastic performance so early in the season in my life. If this is how you perform at the first show, you should "destroy the house" at the last one. God, I wish, I wish, I wish my knees would cooperate so I could get my horn back out there on the field. Thom

Hello out there again to all our corps buddies from your friends in Wildwood. I just wanted to let everyone know that there will be a fresh new breeze blowing through the stands at historic Maxwell Field when the Caballeros once again bring their party to the beach on June 18th. If you thought the reception you might have experienced from the city the last two years left a whole lot to be desired, take heart. There's a new drum corps sheriff in town and he's a big, big fan. On May 10th, former Mayor Ernie Troiano and a brand new, unified, team of partners made a clean sweep in the municipal election, soundly defeating all other contenders, including the last mayor and commissioners. Ernie - the top vote-getter in this election - was unanimously selected to once again serve as mayor by his two team mates, Pete Byron and Anthony Leonetti. Also, because of a winning referendum on the ballot this year, the next election will be moved from May to November in order to save the city some money. Which means, my friends, that Ernie, Pete and Tony will get to serve in office for at least four - AND ONE-HALF YEARS. Count 'em! So, be assured, folks, your friendly drum corps buddies in the Wildwoods are all set to give you a big welcome back to our little island once again. Come on down, sit a spell, and enjoy. I understand there's a whole bunch of really cool corps joining the Cabs this year. Jeez, somebody hold me down... Thom Fontannaz

Looking forward to seeing y'all tomorrow at historic Maxwell Field. A fond advance welcome to our southern brothers and sisters from the Carolinas. This will be their first visit to our legendary little resort - "the Wildwoods, NJ: The true birthplace of Rock and Roll and the Doo Wop Capital of the World." (Not to mention the "Drum Corps Capital of New Jersey"). Bet y'all "southerns" didn't know that the Wildwoods is actually about 25 miles or so BELOW the Mason Dixon Line, so that makes us one of you. Y'all enjoy now!!! Thom

Just wanted everyone to know that there is a brand new restaurant in town - just opened today! And it's only two blocks or so to Maxwell Field. Russo's famous restaurant at Park Boulevard and Davis Avenue was sold and torn down last year. It has now been reborn as the ICE HOUSE Restaurant and "rooftop" open-air bar. I just drove by and saw the first customers eating and drinking their hearts out on the rooftop. Looks like a cool place. (Get it? Ice House. Cool place.) Anyway, this is only the third open-air rooftop bar/restaurant in the Wildwoods. The other two are Flip Flopz in NW and the Deck at Holly Beach at Pacific and Oak avenues. Don't want to detract from all the partying at Kellys, but this guy at the Ice House put a lot of time and money into a new business at a time when many people can't. Check it out, if you can. Take care -Thom

Soooooo glad you're all coming. But don't forget guys, we got you all beat! Mayor Ernie, Andy Vaden and myself are here alllll the time. Darn, we miss you guys when you're not in the Wildwoods..... Thom

I can't wait!!!! It's been a long, cold, wet, winter and I miss my Drum Corps. You should all know that the Cabs Alumni came to Wildwood High School and Maxwell Field for one of their camp weekends in April, and just between you guys and me, these guys are one really honkin' corps. My God, I thought the walls of my dear old alma mater were going to collapse. Loved it!! If the Cabs Alumni are this good, I can't wait to see all the other corps, too. My heart needs a little exercise. Thom

S.U.T.A!!!!

The Rockford File?

Happy birthday, Smitty. It was mine, too. It seems some great people were born on this day, huh. You, me, Cheryl Ladd.... Who? have a happy one - Thom

Jim - I agree. As you can tell from my corps photography, I prefer candid action shots of the performers, as close as I can get. I want to see the expressions on their faces. I want to experience the blood, sweat, and tears they put into a show. As well as all the love and joy. This kind of corps photography is a lot more pleasing to me than the standard drill shots from the stands. Although, all us older guys have to admit we were all raised on those great Moe Knox photos of classic drills and formations. I particularly loved Garfield's Peace Sign, Blue Rock's Baby Elephant, Casper's sunburst, Santa Clara's Bottle Dance, and Phantom's "Rockford File." Oh, and I bought my share of Moe's senior corps photos, too. Maybe I should have been a photographer back in the 60's and 70's when photography actually sold. Take care - Thom

No problem, Fran. You're a busy kinda guy. Take care - Thom

Can't tell the horn's size by the picture so much, but it looks a little like a standard cornet. Is this horn's introduction intended to add more voices, or tones, to the standard wind ensemble (with drums, of course)? Or is it just someone's attempt to sell a new horn they invented? Personally, I always thought drum corps could do some amazing things with herald trumpets, too. With or without the valves. Thom

Hey guys, I finally have my photos ready from the Wildwood show last Saturday night. Just in time to whet your appetite for this coming weekend, I hope. Sorry it took so long but editing 122 pictures for uploading takes a while. Hope you like them. Pictures were taken from field level. Rather than post 122 pictures here, I've loaded them onto my photography website for easy viewing. Just click on "galleries," "2008 Drum and Bugle Corps," and then on "Cabs Beach Party." There are 3 pages of photos and unfortunately they don't scroll between pages. When pics start to repeat, close the current page and choose new pages. Again, hope you like them. BTW, I got a very special photo of the Caballeros Competing Corps' "Chief Roadie." I liked the pic so much I added it to the Front Page of this week's Wildwoods Reporter for the entire world to see. If someone out there can reach little Erik, let him know he's now an international star on the Wildwoods newspaper. Hope he likes the photo. Here's the shot of Erik: www.TheWildwoodsReporter.com And here's the show pictures: www.DigitalDazzlePhotography.ifp3.com Thanks, Thom Fontannaz

Thanks, Rich. See you at the Cab Alumni camp in Wildwood in April. I'll also be at the Cab competing corps camp, of course. That's in May, I believe. BTW - Big news this year for the Caballero DCA show in June. Senior corps competition is finally returning to the grass of Maxwell Field, according to Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano. By showtime, the field will be completely reborn since the last time we were all there. It has the new larger stadium bleachers - WITH AN ACTUAL PRESS BOX, for all those judge weanies last year who thought twice about sitting on a hi-lifter. And the brand new Wildwood Community Center behind the field will be complete. Also, some of you may not know the story about the new grass on Maxwell Field: The grass was produced by a turf farm in South Jersey and was originally destined for Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc. But the mayor made a call to them just before the shows last year and "convinced 'em" that Wildwood was desperate and needed it first. So, of course, Wildwood - and Drum Corps - got the great grass. Green Bay got theirs later. Don't know about the official lineup yet, but I understand it will be pretty cool. Could we finally be seeing a "Bush" in Wildwood? And not that George "W" clown either! (Just my opinion). Thanks, Thom

Rich - Wow! Wish I was still in Chicogoland so I could be there with you all. Tell the Baur brothers and all my former corps buddies from the Regal Valients and Chicago Connection days that I miss them a lot. Take care -Thom Fontannaz (Sop)!

Oh, here's another question I forgot to ask: Remember the hospital tent that always sat in the south end zone? Haven't had to use that contraption since the advent of Wildwood night shows. Don't know if anyone "current" remembers, but Wildwood Legion at times rivaled a DCI semi finals show, there were more than a dozen corps competing in one day - and that was just the juniors. They also had a seniors competition, which of course the Cabs always seemed to win. Because the shows were in the daytime and the bigger corps performed later in the afternoon, a whole lot of kids passed out and had to be rushed to the hospital tent on stretchers. I remember one time there must have been more than 30 kids being treated for heat exhaustion in that tent. Another time, the inside of the tent was a wall of "maroon," it was overflowing with "Garfield" Cadets. Some wise man - or instructor - back then had a saying: "if you HAVE to pass out, make sure you do it at attention!" Thom B)

Love all those memories. Anyone have the pleasure of snapping your horn up on the inspection line only to lose your mouthpiece. When someone eventually handed it back to you because you were NEVER allowed to flinch at inspection - or God forbid - retrieve your own mouthpiece, it was covered in about an inch of lime. Yuck! I remember one of the all girl corps members, maybe Bon Bons, or Paramus Mountettes, or Stardusters, marking time so high her pants started falling down, and watching an embarrassed chaperon run out on the field to pull them back up. The poor girl cried all the way back to her bus - but she never stopped marching! Ah, memories... Thom B)

Hey, guys, sorry it took me so long to get my pictures together for you but here they are. As someone who has experienced the glory and tradition of lying on the ground to look "UP" at drum corps at Wildwood's Maxwell Field since 1963, and experienced last year's successful Jersey Surf home show in which a lot of us were able to view the show sitting on the field on lawn chairs, I would like to ask how everyone liked this year's improved field. What did you all think of the new stadium bleachers - which just happened to be completely installed the very afternoon of the show. And how about the field changes? 1) Mayor Ernie Troiano was proudly telling everyone at the show that the new grass on the field was "Hijacked" from the Green Bay Packers. Apparently the grass was on the way to Lambeau Field from a NJ contractor and Ernie said something like Wildwood shoud have first preference, or something to that effect. Anyway, Maxwell got Green Bay's new grass. No more muddy craters in the end zones and in the middle of the field as in decades past. 2) He fulfilled his promise to return the field to the traditional west side as it has always been. Unfortunately the new state of the art press box wasn't done in time for the show and the judges had to use a high-rise lifter. I understand a couple of those "big weenies" had some hight issues and were afraid to use it. Well guys, next year will be better. 3) Don't know if you heard, but the night before the show three out-of-town morons were arrested by Wildwood's Finest for trying to steal several pounds of unfinished bleachers aluminum. Our new bleachers almost didn't happen if these three idiots hadn't been caught and sent to jail. (Drum corps: 1 - Bozos: 0)! 4) What did you think of the view of that incredible ferris wheel behind the corps performances? Especially after dark? 5) And sorry for the continuing construction behind the field of the city's new first class community center. That should be done by next year's first show. In addition to REAL rest rooms. Well, what did you all think? We drum corps Wildwoodians are still working on our "work in progress." And we want to impress you even more next season. Thom b**bs www.TheWildwoodsReporter.com P.S. Here's the link to some of the better show pictures. No need to log in. Just click on "galleries," and then on "Drum Corps 2007." I also have all of my pictures available from the Wildwood shows dating back to 2005. Enjoy! www.DigitalDazzlePhotography.ifp3.com P.P.S. Here are a couple of special shots of the new bleachers so you can visualize the difference in size, as well as a pic of the Bridgemen DM's receiving their "GIFT" from the Surf. The distinguished gentleman in the second picture is Andy Vaden of Wildwood and the Caballeros Alumni staff. He is a local show coordinator and is checking out the new field before the show:

Hey, guys. Everyone having a good hot drum corps summer? For all those of you out there who didn't get enough Wildwoods senior drum corps at the Caballeros' Beach Party in June, I have some great news for you: Junior Corps is coming back to historic Maxwell Field, the traditional site for many decades of New Jersey junior and senior action in the state AL and VFW championships. Historically, those shows all showcased the best of the Garden State, but this Saturday, we'll all get a chance to see some great competition from several of the best juniors from all over the northeast - as well as one fantastic group of old fogie senior "alumnites," (I just made that word up)! - Bayonne's Bananas, the Bridgemen!!!!! b**bs The Jersey Surf Junior Corps (Wildwoods' official ambassadors) will hold their annual Sounds of the Surf Summer Classic at Maxwell Field, 4000 Park Boulevard, on Saturday night. The gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7, according to the DCI website. General admission tickets will be $15. What is really neat about this show is that Mayor Ernie Troiano has finally been able to fulfill his promise to return Maxwell Field to its historic drum corps traditions. The city has purchased close to 1000 new state of the art "stadium" bleacher seats. No longer will we have to force ourselves like sardines into Wildwood's old football field seating. The new stadium bleachers, which are currently being installed, appear to be at least three times higher than the old seats. So get ready to relax - until you feel the need to jump up and down, of course. Also, he made good on his promise to return the corps performances to the WEST side of the field, as everyone over 40 can remember fondly. So, what do you think? New stadium bleachers, brand new press box, and performances back on the west side of the field? Ah, tradition. Oh, one other tradition to speak of. No one "official" has mentioned this, but from me to you: Although we have a lot more bleachers, I'm hoping for an overflow turnout to send the excitement through the roof - uh, to the sky! So, if you want, or if you come late, just in case there's a lot more people than usual, why not bring your lawn chair - just in case. Here's the official lineup. (The list comes from DCI's website, the announcement about the Bridgemen I received in a call to the Surf's show coordinator): * Jersey Surf - Camden County, NJ * Spartans - Nashua, NH * Raiders - Wayne, NJ * Vision Elite - Brooklyn, NY * Spirit of Newark - Newark, NJ * Targets - Springfield, MASS * Citations - Burlington, MASS * 7th Regiment - New London, CT ** Bridgemen Alumni in exhibition I'll be there. You? Thom Fontannaz B) TheWildwoodsReporter.com

Hey, guys. Everyone having a good hot drum corps summer? For all those of you out there who didn't get enough Wildwoods senior drum corps at the Caballeros' Beach Party in June, I have some great news for you: Junior Corps is coming back to historic Maxwell Field, the traditional site for many decades of New Jersey junior and senior action in the state AL and VFW championships. Historically, those shows all showcased the best of the Garden State, but this Saturday, we'll all get a chance to see some great competition from several of the best juniors from all over the northeast - as well as one fantastic group of old fogie senior "alumnites," (I just made that word up)! - Bayonne's Bananas, the Bridgemen!!!!! b**bs The Jersey Surf Junior Corps (Wildwoods' official ambassadors) will hold their annual Sounds of the Surf Summer Classic at Maxwell Field, 4000 Park Boulevard, on Saturday night. The gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7, according to the DCI website. General admission tickets will be $15. What is really neat about this show is that Mayor Ernie Troiano has finally been able to fulfill his promise to return Maxwell Field to its historic drum corps traditions. The city has purchased close to 1000 new state of the art "stadium" bleacher seats. No longer will we have to force ourselves like sardines into Wildwood's old football field seating. The new stadium bleachers, which are currently being installed, appear to be at least three times higher than the old seats. So get ready to relax - until you feel the need to jump up and down, of course. Also, he made good on his promise to return the corps performances to the WEST side of the field, as everyone over 40 can remember fondly. So, what do you think? New stadium bleachers, brand new press box, and performances back on the west side of the field? Ah, tradition. Oh, one other tradition to speak of. No one "official" has mentioned this, but from me to you: Although we have a lot more bleachers, I'm hoping for an overflow turnout to send the excitement through the roof - uh, to the sky! So, if you want, or if you come late, just in case there's a lot more people than usual, why not bring your lawn chair - just in case. Here's the official lineup. (The list comes from DCI's website, the announcement about the Bridgemen I received in a call to the Surf's show coordinator): * Jersey Surf - Camden County, NJ * Spartans - Nashua, NH * Raiders - Wayne, NJ * Vision Elite - Brooklyn, NY * Spirit of Newark - Newark, NJ * Targets - Springfield, MASS * Citations - Burlington, MASS * 7th Regiment - New London, CT ** Bridgemen Alumni in exhibition I'll be there. You? Thom Fontannaz B) TheWildwoodsReporter.com

Hey, guys. As promised, here are close to a hundred of my better photos from Cabs at the Beach last Saturday night. Sorry it took me quite so long. A little too busy. There are a couple of photos that may be a little blurred because the corps were moving so incredibly fast. I included them because they were still pretty neat. Amazing about taking corps photos; just as you focus on something great, it's gone. The last one below of the expressions on the drummers' faces at the split second they snapped to a halt was pure luck. I've included three of my favorite photos below in this post as a kind of teaser. The rest of my pics can be seen in a link to my website below since posting them there is a whole lot faster and won't take almost 20 different posts as it would in the forum. A slight word of advice for viewing: There is no need to log into my website at all. Just click on "enter site", click on "galleries," and then click on "2007 Drum and Bugle Corps." There are two separate pages of photos. For larger shots, click on the first photo in line and then scroll through all of them. When a picture repeats, close that page and switch to the second page since the pages won't switch on their own. Well, I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed taking them. Thom www.DigitalDazzlePhotography.ifp3.com Here are the three teaser shots:

Don't worry, guys. I took somewhere around 100 photos or so, beginning at the Cabs Alumni rehearsal ar Fox Park in the afternoon and through the show. I'll get them on as soon as I can. I have a newspaper to put out by tomorrow morning. Once that's done, I'll pass them along. Thom Fontannaz www.DigitalDazzlePhotography.ifp3.com www.TheWildwoodsReporter.com

If anyone is nearby on Friday night - especially at the Caribbean, or in the general area - I'll be working my security shift at Ocean Towers Condos from 3:30 to 11:30 in the NORTH TOWER (Bennett and Ocean Avenue). Just walk up and tap "gently" on the front windows and I'll let you in. I'm affraid this is the only drum corps I'll be able to get on Friday night. Saturday... Well, I sorta told them I'm gonna be sick on Saturday and won't be able to work. I didn't tell them about what's happening at the Convention Center at 6:30. But we all know, don't we? Thom B)

There weren't many. But the ones that were there were mostly on the other side of the street by Memory Lane - out of the sun. Thom B)