JimF-LowBari

LOL, Tried to explain it to my parents after the first time we went. Finally I gave up and said "Hershey Antique Car Show with dogs". (Yet another alternate universe) Being decades long members of the car club and volunteering at the Fall Fiasco... err Fall car show, they got it. Think the response was: "Oh they're nuts too!". :P So far my high point at the dog show is having a Champion Bulldog head butt me in the knee cap 'cause he wanted petted. :o There's a reason why Bulldogs look like they have hard heads... They DO!!! Owner just looked over and said "He's been a mess since they quit judging him. You can pet him if you want". :P

D'Oh... Finally realized there are TWO big events going on in H-burg that weekend. Besides SIB, there are a series of dog shows being held at the Farm Show building all that weekend. Don't laugh, a <bleep> of a lot of people from all over the country attend and part of it has been show on Animal Planet. Went a few times when we were trying to decide what kind of dog to get and it's as far from reality as drum corps. (Did I say that out loud? ) Horns, drums and doggies in hotels that weekend. NOT a good mix as our dog hides when I get my horn out. :sshh:

Geez never thought of us being part of the Western fringe of DCA. Tough enough holding down the Southern Border after the Yankee Rebels broke up... B)

LOL, here's one that I think was missed. Footnote to 1957 American Legion Senior scores on www.srcorps.com. "The following corps were DQ'd for not declaring their Non-Vet Members: Reilly Raiders Archer-Epler Musketeers Harvey Seeds Rebels" Not sure of exact rules on what percentage of corps members had to be post members and/or veterans. But considering this DQ'ed the 1st, 3rd and 7th place Prelim corps, I'm sure this was interesting to be at.

Recently - Crusaders, Sun and Sky 'cause I've been around that long to remember better times for those corps. Any year - Who ever comes in last to kick some butt the next year. Shenadoah Sound - just because..... From my time - Rochester Phoenix. Tore the RCA to shreads in 1975 and then hit top 5 at DCA without (far as I know) attending any DCA shows. They were the last corps on at 1975 Prelims and according to legend the only people who saw that performance were friends of the corps and whoever stuck around to watch Blessed Sac, Sr. Few hours later they had to come out and do it all over again at Finals (Prelims and Finals same day). And it was hot that afternoon at Prelims as we were on a few corps earlier.

:P I joined Westshore when they opened the gates big time to the female set and under 21 crowd. Really a culture shock to the long time members. :sshh: And being 16 years old I was either part of the problem or part of the solution depending on your point of view.

Yeah, what are women (pronounced "wimmin") doing in Senior corps anyway. :P And in honor of Jimbalya: Archie and Reilly are merging?? (Followed by poll of when the first fight will occur). And for the guy who posted above : Westshoremen are merging with Bonnie Scots. Wonder what new name they will pick as "Westshoremen-Bonnie Scots" or "Bonnie Scots-Westshoremen" is just too #### long and confusing.

We have two members of my corps with Kingsmen. So THAT'S why they were late for practice last Sunday. One muttered something about "Stopping at the Post Office to shift the stuff back to Cali!!!". Is that the Blue Rock Jr or Sr uniforms, they were SO different, Eh?

Have we ever met Fran?? Oh yeah, enought times that you know me. :P

And the rest of your post shows that one size does not fit all when comparing the NE to other areas of the country regarding All Age corps. Dang, All Age corps ain't established in other areas like the Northeast so things have to be handled differently. Whatever it takes to work should be followed.

Doubt I'll be at the party. :( Gotta get up early for the breakfast next day and just hope my wife can make it thru the whole concert with her knee replacement. Them Forum seats ain't got that much leg room. Plus will probably be standing (at the bar :) ) for the Mini Corps show as it might be sold out and I never got a ticket.

LOL, Da Spot has been a landmark for decades and think it used to be where Strawberry Square is now. When the old place was to be torn down all people cared about was if it would reopen. Spot does cater to all types. Years ago my day worked second shift and stopped in at 1AM for a "Spot Dog" or two. Place was empty for a few minutes then a group came in wearing leather jackets with "Pagens M.C." on the back. Guess they were in from Philly for a "business transaction". Local gentry in the afternoon and a cycle gang in the evening, oh yeah.... :sshh:

And each year more places that serve "fire water" open up along Harrisburgs' Restuarant Row (aka Second St). Co-Winky-Dink??? :P

Question to me is if corps try to be "local" only, will they be able to get enough members. When Westshore started doing long distance/weekend only in the late 70s it was because more experience people were coming from disbanded corps or were looking for a better corps. When Westshore broke up and reformed in 1984 (and I got sucked back in), the corps remained long distance because we honestly would not have had enough local warm bodies to field a corps. Wonder if any corps today other than MBI would be able to field close to 100% local members. I'll leave everyone to come up with their definition o f"local".

When Westshoremen were rebuilding in 75/76 we did a lot of judged exhibitions so staff could tell where we needed improvement. Can't totally remember but think some times we paid to be judged. Don't think it was an issue all the time so maybe the extra cost came in when more than 5 corps were competing. Any idea if an extra cost is involved today?

Brought up same point in the Junior Forum in a slightly different way. I was thinking about each horn having a wireless mic as they march. IMO, only thing holding this back is the technology needed to mic up the horns. Then a sound mixer can "tweak" the sound levels of the different voices (and parts within the voices) just like in a recording studio. Great learning experience as the kids wouldn't have to worry about little things like how loud they are playing. And if they are having an off night just turn off the mic. ^0^ Great... it's almost lunch time and I made myself sick thinking about this.

Well I started this off my making a joke about it being sunny during MCLs part of the DVDs (they performed at end of Alumni Spec due to technical problems). This is just an offshoot of the DCA weather problem discussion which is an offshoot of the original topic. No more off topic than the Bush question that followed. Pretty sure 84BDsop is correct and one heckuva part of the DCA history. PS - Fran has also been pleasant to me. Then again I marched with his wife so he has to be nice. Note to self: Buy new sunglasses before SIB. :P

Told this in another thread but relates here. Back when Westshore was almost entirely made up of locals (IOW - before we got good :( ) Winter rehearsals were held Tuesday(?) nights at a local HS. Then when drill season started it was two nights a week (Tuesday and Thursday?) at our favorite parking lot on the island. There was one drill weekend camp each year and we stayed at a motel about 90 minutes from home. Then we started picking up out of towners and out of staters as the Yankee rebels broke up and we started getting better. Then it was 3 or so local weekend camps (Shippensburg Univ) and Friday night rehearsals during the competative season. If a distant show we had about two or so hours to grab something to eat at a all night diner and catch the buses around 1AM. If the show was local, back to the island by 10 (or earlier) to bust butt before the show. Reason for change in schedule was to accomadate the long distance members.

Too bad my dad threw out my grandfathers welders helmet with the extra dark glass. It might have come in handy.......

LMAO, totally forgot to order a ticket for the Mini corps show. Eh, that will just be $3 more into the coffers. Did someone say plenty of Standing Room Only space at the bar??? b**bs

Hey guys, Wally Cream Ales kid (whatever his name is :P ) wants you to know that Westshore's percussion is rehearsing at Susquehanna Twp on friday the 13th around 7 pm. Spread da word....

Just got word from our favorite 100K poster that Westshore's percussion is rehearsing at Susquehanna Twp on friday the 13th around 7 pm. Spread da word....

So if it sounds like my neighbors are having a loud party Friday night, it might not be my neighbors. It might be coming from across the river. :sshh: PS - Closest beer distributor on the West Shore of the river is a mile from my house. :) For everyone else benefit, my brother-in-law has brewed at more places than I can remember. And some of these places are still open. He actually brewed at Victory for a while but it wasn't for too long and Victory is still around (Co-winky-dink? ) One day he got huffy when someone compared his beer to Budweiser. His quote was: "We don't brew for everyone!". Under my breath I said: "Well that's one thing you've succeded at". ^0^

Variation on the taking a test you never studied for dream. Occurs once in a while. My old corps is getting back together and asks me to help out at a show. (Kinda like real life except that I was asked to do parades.) I drive to the place (looks like a mix of Erie and Lewistown, PA stadium) getting there as the corps lines up on the field. I'm handed a uni and horn and told to get in line and do the show (which I have never seen) :sshh:

:P :P and especially... Hey Jim, I just found some of my brother in laws beer in the back of the fridge since ?????. Since he brews heavy duty stuff, it ought to be good and chewy by now.