slate belt corpsman

No different here in the Lehigh Valley either! Many very very good high school bands, but where do those that are into drum corps go? - out of the area! Chieftains were here but little support and Blue Eagles Alumni are still here with no support. Bucs Alumni, even though not really in the Lehigh Valley get some but with the draw the Bucs Alum should be busting at the seams. And now with Emmaus Sentinels up and running, initial rehearsals have had a good response, but they also, like the Bucs Alum should be exploding with talent. So western Pa., aside from Reading, we too have some rough times getting a good competitive unit on board.

You have nothing to complain about! These pics are absolutely great. For those of us that did not get there, now we have those Kodak moments. I did this show twice way back when with the Bangor Yellow Jackets and then in the 70's with the Wind Gap Blue Eagles and can tell you that this was probably the most fun show I was ever in. I will continue looking for your great photos in the future. Keep up the outstanding photography. [ quote name=NanciD' date='Jul 1 2008, 01:04 PM' post='2279544] Allergy eyes should not take photos. It just doesn't work very well. Suppose it didn't help that I was way up at the top of the stadium either. Oh well, got lucky on a few shots. Amazing... I took tons of pics... but, these were the only ones that I could possibly post. Hey! One good thing about these pics... you don't have the Fisher Price PA system screaming / crackling / Hissing in your ears! lol "Parade of Champions" '08 Barnum Festival Thumbnails here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30432143@N00/...57605916404438/ You can click on a pic to open it up. Once you are looking at a pic - right on top it says, *All Sizes* you can click on that to see it larger. Although, I doubt that you'll want to with many of these. Sorry. Below, I'll list the individual Corps links. You might want to bookmark your Corps link.... as I go to shows... I'll add more pics to each Corps' set. My apologies to the Bushwackers... between allergies and camera issues... I didn't get any shots of you. Catch ya next time! Rochester Crusaders: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30432143@N00/...57605916840814/ Atlanta CorpsVets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30432143@N00/...57605921565129/ Connecticut Hurricanes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30432143@N00/...57605917205388/ Park City Pride Alumni: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30432143@N00/...57605917277196/ Reading Buccaneers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30432143@N00/...57605922371327/ Hawthorne Caballeros Competing Corps: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30432143@N00/...57605922306807/ Cabs Alumni: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30432143@N00/...57605921098733/ As soon as I get the chance... I'll post the Barnum Parade shots here too. I haven't even checked those yet. (crossing fingers)

91 years young - Albert Ronca from Roseto, Pa. Albert marched with, until last winter, several drum corps, community bands, etc. He still did do taps at this year's Roseto memorial day services. There are also several guys well into their 70's with the Emmaus Sentinels and still moving and playing like youngsters!

If you're gonna pay that kind of money, gee let me know. Lot's of $$$ for a 2 hour parade. Maybe if you're in Allentown and going to Erie then the bucks are worth it, that is if the corps is also! However, I've been involved with parade committee that would pay twice as much as that for mummers, and what do they get??????

Real nice job - lots of fun looking at all of them. When you do DCA banners, any chance of getting some alumni's done also? Maybe Emmaus Sentinels? And Westshoremen? Keep up the great work.

He might march well but can he play poker?????

Free food again!!! And knowing that CHEF Tracy made it makes it even better - a great cook she is by any standards. Brad - I feel that the drum corps world should send a special thought to one of the Sentinels members and wife of horn instructor Josh Long - his wife Becky had some serious health issues last weekend and is in ICU at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Josh is hoping that she can soon get into a rehab facility and work toward getting back on her feet. Not sure of exactly what happened to her but thank God she will recover, even though it will be a long road back for this 27 year old.

Yes that's Harold! Now he's tooting the sop with the Sentinels and he still has it even after all these years!

Erie is a great show site, but Allentown is still for best for DCA championships, especially now with much more lodging appearing on the scene and the proximity for the east coast corps and ABE airport just a few miles up the road from the stadium. It's a shame no one can take over and put in a bid for them.

No problem with the delay. I marched with the Wind Gap Renaissance (named changed from Blue Eagles) back from 1973 - 1980. Now doing Westshore Alumni and Emmaus Sentinels where we have an old Brass Factory with us - Harold Collins - does his name ring a bell to you?

Has anyone heard any info on the Music Express lately? I tried getting into their website from various sources and keeping getting nothing? Did anything happen to this fine group that maybe I missed out on?

Although I never, in all my years in drum corps, did get to meet Hy but if he is the patron saint, then guys like Jim Prime, Sr. (my mentor) and Tru Crawford must be part of Hy's angel brigade. A generation of true blue drum corps affectionatos.

You might be tired and you might be old but sure as hell the Belvederes Alumni looked pretty darn impressive to me. The hard work, desire and positive attitudes has paid off. Glad you're back. I'm with the Emmaus Sentinels and we're shooting to have the same look and appeal you guys do. Keep going and hope to run into you in the near future.

I got the chance to meet Ruben while I parading in New Jersey with the Blue Eagles Alumni probably 10 years ago. He was introduced to me by Sherwood "Shap" Shaplin. Shap, in my eyes was probably the best baritone horn I've ever heard until Ruben. Shap was a soloist with Sky and Reading Bucs in the 80's. Shap told me Ruben could go one up on him - it was hard for me to believe until I actually stood in front of Ruben at a Sky alum warmup several years later. Wow - what lungs that guy has!!! I've been around and involved with drum corps for close to 50 years and hopefully another 50 so that I get the chance to see and hear performers such as Ruben. Maybe someday we will again crosspaths and I might be able to get a pointer or two from Ruben !!!

Gotta get there early - lousy parking but a very good Italian restaurant (at least it was last time I was there 3 years ago) across the 4-lane.

For our friends out there, can you give a report on last Sunday's rehearsal? All I can say is SUPERB! :

The one that the Sentinels have is the same type that was used at the forum show. I looked at the one in Harrisburg and said, gee I know of someone that has a horn just like that and then it's delivered to the Sentinels. Gary - again, you can ask Butch C. the story of that horn.

Gary - When a few of us got together to start a corps up once again in the Slate Belt area, Roseto opened their doors to us. Roseto was home to the Chieftains Senior corps back in the 50's and early 60's and they gladly accepted to have a corps in their house once again. Well after a few years there, the corps director wanted things his way - you can asked Butch C. of your corps about him and his ways! Anyhow, the management of the Roseto legion set the corps director straight telling him that this was their place and he and the corps were just invited guests - blah, blah, blah - one thing led to another and the corps was left to find a new home - thus the start of the Lehigh Valley Chieftains - basically the same group of people, staff, etc. but now at a new home which if I can recall was in the town of Bath, Pa. Here again the corps director opened his mouth and wanted more than was offered - he wanted the town to give him the keys to the city! Again, out on the streets and then the corps moved to Allentown. This is where myself and eventually others who were sick and tired of this bull that the director was given our supporters, got out. The rest of the Chieftain history is just that, history. So to answer your original question - yes it is the name of the Chieftains that did continue on but in several different locales! Hope this sets the record straight.

Guess I might as well add few more corps to this growing list. I've marched with the following: Roseto (Pa) Troop 36 Boy Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps - Yes Boy Scouts! 1960 - 1962 Bangor (Pa) Yellow Jackets 1963 - 1964, 1970 - 1971 Wind Gap Blue Eagles 1965 - 1967, 1972 - 1980 Roseto Chieftains 1981 - 1992 Blue Eagles Alumni 1993 - 2007 Westshoremen Alumni 2005 - til I can't anymore Emmaus Sentinels 2008 - till when ever - gotta love this corps! really on the move ......... Have also spent some time in Westshoremen in 1980 and marched a few parades with Lambertville Volunteers

Anyone in Westshore Alum have Larry Lichty's phone number? I played bari next to him this year at the forum. He gave his cell phone to me but I inadvertently dumped his number and I need to get in touch with him. You can reply directly to me at my home e-mail carlcimino@yahoo.com if anyone has it. Thanks

What Renaissance Sr. Corps? The one from Pennsylvania? Curious because I also marched with that corps in the later 70's and 80!

Great rehearsal this afternoon. Hornline progressing rather nicely - old timers starting to get back in the groove. This is My Country a rather easy arrangement to say the least but will work rather nicely in a hot hot parade! Corps pretty close to being there, if you know what I mean. Could go out now !!!!!! Hanover, Erie now Emmaus - Pennsy RCA corps on the comeback and all sounding great.

I guess that the power of the media is starting to help the corps. Even with the reporter using the word 'band' throughout the article and used trumpet instead of soprano (this is drum corps not band), things are getting scary! Remember Mighty St. Joe's started very small but wow did things take off. Let the good times roll .............................. Slate Belt Corpsman

Good looking website. Well worth the wait. Of all my 40 plus years in the sport of drum corps, I'm as proud as all hell to be part of this fine fine organization called the Emmaus Sentinels. A great group of gals and guys who are really into it and after only 3 rehearsals. I see nothing but good things for this corps and will do all that I can to make it happen. Carl Cimino aka Slate Belt Corpsman Bangor Yellow Jackets 1963 - 1965 1970 Wind Gap Blue Eagles 1965 - 1967. 1971 - 1980 Blue Eagles Alumni 1992 - 2007 Roseto/Lehigh Valley Chieftains 1983 - 1991 Westshoremen Alumni 2005 - present Emmaus Sentinels 2007 - ............ Lifetime member PADCHOF

Very good first rehearsal - mid twenties in the hornline and 19 drummers - much much better than I expected for the first rehearsal. Several Bucs Alum and former Blue Eagles in attendance with much added support from our friends the Reilly Raiders. Great to see old timer Lou (once cut my hair!) and he got lucky also and won the 50/50. Hornline got thru Theme from the Cardinal and America. Can't wait until next month. Stayed tunes - we've only just begun.......................