amysnook

BTW, you do not have to be a current or former Buccaneer to join us. Anybody can sign up and have a relaxing mid-winter vacation.

The Reading Buccaneers have set up their second fundraising cruise. The cruise will start on February 7, 2015 for 5 nights in the Western Caribbean. Visit the Facebook group at 2015 Reading Buccaneer Cruise to see the itinerary and prices along with a registration form for the cruise. The 1st deposit of $25.00 per person, per cabin, is due on or before 11/2/2013. The next payment isn't due until Fall, 2014!! We are setting up an excursion in Jamaica to an all-inclusive resort which would be an adder to the price of the cruise. If you have any questions, please call Bob Cardaneo, Cruise One, at 1-800-519-0050. Don't be stuck at home shoveling snow; join us in the warm, sunny, Carribean! Bob Cardaneo, ACC CSS Vacation Specialist Long Neck, DE T: (800) 519-0050 T: (302) 945-4620 F: (302) 549-1013 E: rcardaneo@cruiseone.com

Big W: Thank you for your kind words. Tom Moore is one of many people I can ask to do a thankless job like parking cars who say, "Sure, I can help with that," although he had other duties to attend to. People are surprised that chairing an event like this is an unpaid volunteer job. My payment is when I see the crowd response for ALL corps, not just the home team, but for the Class A and Open Class corps, and seeing folks in their 80s and 20s in awe at the performances. Drum corps is well-loved in Reading (even if some folks here think we're a semi-pro football team. ) See you in Annapolis.

Thanks for the nod, Jeff. Agreed on the parking. We try to get as many on the lots as we can. At least the surrounding streets aren't full of residents' cars and there's space for stadium goers. Exeter Music Association does a great job on concessions. This show helps them get through their band season. We've always invited local high school music organizations to provide concessions to help them out. See you in Annapolis.

Both reserved seats ($18) and General admission ($15) tickets will be sold at Exeter Township High School stadium, 201 East 37th St., Reading, Pa., beginning at 10 a.m. today through show time. If you ordered through mail or PayPal over the last week, your tickets are being held at Will Call. The Exeter Township Music Association will be offering a variety of food at the concession stand. Come early and enjoy some delicious Berks County cooking.

It also sucks for the show sponsor. All that time and effort expended over the last year, only to have the show cancelled for a problem over which the sponsor has no control. I've been there, and I feel their pain.

Last three days to buy tickets for Big Sounds via PayPal. Ordering online ends Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the stadium the day of the show, this Saturday, August 24, beginning at 10 a.m.

Removed since first post actually did get posted.

Windsor Regiment is not in the Reading show, but White Sabers are. I heard it from a reliable source.

There's still time to order tickets through the mail for next Saturday's Big Sounds in Motion. Orders can also be placed through PayPal until Friday, August 23. Tickets will be held at Will Call for pickup. www.bigsoundsinmotion.com Tickets will be sold at the stadium the day of the show beginning at 10 a.m.

Big W, I'm shocked and appalled that you haven't gotten your ticket yet! I worry about you when you don't order early. I have a few 50 yard line seats left, but they're in the first seven rows. Boarding will commence immediately, ye scurvy dog!

Don't forget to buy your tickets for Big Sounds, coming up fast on Saturday, August 24, 6:50 p.m. at beautiful Exeter Township High School Stadium. Purchase by mail or Paypal using your credit card. Visit www.bigsoundsinmotion.com for more information.

Agreed, Tom. Friday and Saturday were great days to be involved in drum corps. The Downingtown Classic committee and the Downingtown Music Boosters work well together and share the passion of music. Kudos to Minnesota Brass for making that arduous bus trip and performing like they just had a 10 minute ride. See you all next year.

Thank you, Jeff. Downingtown West Band Director, Ed Otto, my co-chair, is a blast to work with. His parents and band members were a huge help. The community gets behind the show, too, not to mention the High School Principal, three weeks on the job and already a big fan (he presented one of the awards). Can't tell you how awesome it was to have seven corps rehearsing on the campus. All fields were able to be walked to on the track that wound its way between and around them. Thanks to everyone who attended. It was an honor to have Gil Silva and Red Corso make the trek from up north. Thank you to those of you who bought your tickets early. It saves the chairmen the heart attack of sweating out the gate. You can imagine the expense of bringing corps in, especially from several states away. It's good to know before show day that your bills are all but paid. I'm sure there are plenty of suggestions for our committee. We try to tweak things every year to make it better based on what we observe. We're already talking about next year's show and have a few new irons in the fire. Hope to see you all back in 2014.

OH! Is it "If I Recall Correctly?"

Okay, I know what BITD means, but what is "IIRC?" Not up on these abbreviations like you youngsters.

Better yet, have him order his tickets through Paypal and indicate in the comment section how many wheelchair/companion spaces he'd need (one companion per wheelchair). The space will be reserved with his name. This is how we've always done it with wheelchairs so that folks who buy their tickets early are guaranteed a spot in the limited wheelchair area. You can never predict how many folks buying tickets at the gate will need wheelchair spaces.

There is a handicap area in the stands. Have him ask about it at the ticket booth. There is room for one companion to sit on the bench next to him.

You've seen all the hype in the rankings thread about the placement of the Open Class and Class A corps. Come see the head to head competition this Saturday, July 27 in Downingtown to personally witness what many can only speculate about. Lots of good match-ups going on that you won't see again until championship weekend. Visit www.downingtownclassic.com for ticket information.

Yes, he is scheduled to be there.

Only 9 more ticket shopping days until one of the most anticipated competitions of the season: Reading Buccaneers, Minnesota Brass, Cadets 2, Bushwackers, White Sabers, Shenandoah Sound, Sunrisers. Don't miss out! Ticket information can be obtained at www.downingtownclassic.com. Order via mail or through Paypal. Avoid the long lines at the gate and be first in line at the concession stand! Corps are all rehearsing on the fields surrounding the stadium, so come early and spend the day watching some of the best drum corps DCA has to offer!

Big W, please stop by and say hello. Was glad I finally got to meet you last year.

This Friday, July 12, is the last day to make your reservations at the official hotel of the Downingtown Classic, the Holiday Inn Express, Exton, and receive the $99 per night rate. The rate changes back to $159 a night on Saturday, July 13. Mention the Downingtown Classic group when you make your reservation. Visit www.downingtownclassic.com for additional hotel information. After watching seven awesome drum corps blow you away, you're going to be glad for the five minute drive to the hotel so you can recover for the drive home.

At indoor championships in Wildwood, it gets worse every year. It was to the point where the screamers were screaming before a toss was made, then had to quiet down pretty quickly when a toss was dropped. It's very annoying to have this constant high-pitched screaming practically every time a guard member on the floor moves his or her arm. It seems they think they're influencing the judges. Can't imagine the judges need the audience's help to know when something is done well or is false hype. This happens at every level, novice to world class.