The history of the Westshoremen

[Jaminbenb]

The Canada story reminded me of Norm a little...I always loved when he started his stories: "When I was in the Yankee Rebels...."

One of his famous ones was about the parties at the hotels they stayed in...

"When I was in the Yankee Rebels, the women would stay back at the hotel, and scour out a few garbage cans, one of them they used to mix the gin for the gin buckets, the other one was for ice and beer..."

One time someone was smoking something not so legal and he commented on it...

"we didn't smoke that marijuana back in the Rebels, I'm sure a few delinquents did, but we all drank...a lot! I don't know what those kids see in that it gives you a sore throat...or so I've heard"

And usually at LEAST once a bus trip, I'd hear:

"Chumley, do me a favor, grab me a pack of those Winstons (or whatever the heck he smoked) from my bag, you're closer....thank ya buddy!"

There was also a story of South Wind punch...Dave Krauss told us about that one also...something about a garbage can, filled with anything "clear" chopped up fruit, topped off with a few cans of Hawaiian Punch and a bottle of "Clear Springs 190"

Fun guy to say the least! he always kept us in line on the bus, yeah, we had fun, but he made sure things didn't get TOO crazy!

Edited February 10, 2012 by Jaminbenb

[Jeff Ream]

Jumping back into 1982 (and talking about Hershey shows of the past) reminded me of the trip to Canada that year...some of the guys that were still around from 1978's trip to "Nawlin's" were telling us how wild of a trip this will be...sure, not the 24 hour excursion that they experienced, but a long azz trip nonetheless. Tales of the get on the bus, get drunk, fall asleep, get drunk again...etc. (i.e. lather, rise, repeat) came out, and we figured we'd (weed ) have a good time heading up there!

One of the things that crossed my mind was when we stopped about an hour from the Canadian border, and the buses all pulled off the side of the road...Larry got on the bus and made the following announcement(paraphrasing, but pretty close):

"We are about an hour from Canada. we will have to go through the border gates, and they MAY come on the bus and search it, that being said, IF you have anything that is 'illegal in nature' please take the time to get rid off it BEFORE we get to the border. we WILL make a stop prior to the border to make sure of this again. Also, we will have a 'bus spokesman' to speak with the border guard. IF the border guard gets on the bus, you will answer any and all questions honestly, and directly. Your bus spokespeople will be Norm and George (the bus driver) If you are asked what country you are a resident of, you will answer 'United States of America'...do you have any questions? Ok, no smart azzed answers, please and please take the remaining time to get rid of any illegal substances you may be carrying"

Well immediately Bus Two became "Jamaica" he didn't say HOW to get rid of it

When we DID finally get to the border (after begging George to hit a drive through) the border guard came up to the bus, George opened the door, and Norm stood on the steps. We heard the guy ask him a few questions (most of Norm's responses were "Yes Sir") the guy then came on the bus and asked "Is everyone on this bus a United States citizen" we all answered "YES!" Then he asked "is anyone a citizen of any other country" (I looked back at Rob Soop, and two people were sitting on him, and keeping him quiet) and we all answered "NO" "Ok, thank you, welcome to Canada!"

And of course, as the bus pulled away, I remembered someone yelling "MOON THEM!"

I DO remember drinking a LOT of beer on that trip, and it was one of the first times I could "legally" sit at a bar and drink to my hearts content!

89...trip to Chicago with a pit stop in Dayton on the way home.

Busses left at 4:30, so of course we were at CV by 2.

feeling no pain by 4.

yelling TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL through every tunnel on the turnpike. Hoov asking if we were there yet every 10 minutes. the first rest stop in Ohio.

I know we listened to a ton of drum corps on the way out as well as First Circle 9 bazillion times.

I dont know what time we got to Chicago, I remember waking up in a McDonalds parking lot. we all got off to stretch, and the next thing we know, Dan has each section going to this bus stop and we're learning the on field warmup.

won the show...more people on the field than in the stands.

load up....however you want to take that...head to Ohio. Get to some Y or Elks or something....sprawl out...wake up, rehearse for an hour, do the show, get on the bus. A few hours down the road we stopped for food at a McDonalds. Needless to say they had this Garfield promotion going on, with lots of things hanging frm the ceiling......except when we left, the ceiling seemed well, just like a ceiling.

next thing you know Bowmnas on the drum bus saying "ok if you took it give it back'. We all sat there eating, looking at him like "WTF Tree?"

he got off the bus and told the cops we didnt have it.

then as we got rolling, the bathroom door opened up and 20 Garfield posters came tumbling out

[Jeff Ream]

The Canada story reminded me of Norm a little...I always loved when he started his stories: "When I was in the Yankee Rebels...."

One of his famous ones was about the parties at the hotels they stayed in...

"When I was in the Yankee Rebels, the women would stay back at the hotel, and scour out a few garbage cans, one of them they used to mix the gin for the gin buckets, the other one was for ice and beer..."

One time someone was smoking something not so legal and he commented on it...

"we didn't smoke that marijuana back in the Rebels, I'm sure a few delinquents did, but we all drank...a lot! I don't know what those kids see in that it gives you a sore throat...or so I've heard"

And usually at LEAST once a bus trip, I'd hear:

"Chumley, do me a favor, grab me a pack of those Winstons (or whatever the heck he smoked) from my bag, you're closer....thank ya buddy!"

There was also a story of South Wind punch...Dave Krauss told us about that one also...something about a garbage can, filled with anything "clear" chopped up fruit, topped off with a few cans of Hawaiian Punch and a bottle of "Clear Springs 190"

Fun guy to say the least! he always kept us in line on the bus, yeah, we had fun, but he made sure things didn't get TOO crazy!

many times I rode to Baltimore with Norm, Dad and Jim Magilton. fun rides for a 6 year old!

[Jaminbenb]

89...trip to Chicago with a pit stop in Dayton on the way home.

Busses left at 4:30, so of course we were at CV by 2.

feeling no pain by 4.

yelling TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL through every tunnel on the turnpike. Hoov asking if we were there yet every 10 minutes. the first rest stop in Ohio.

I know we listened to a ton of drum corps on the way out as well as First Circle 9 bazillion times.

I dont know what time we got to Chicago, I remember waking up in a McDonalds parking lot. we all got off to stretch, and the next thing we know, Dan has each section going to this bus stop and we're learning the on field warmup.

won the show...more people on the field than in the stands.

load up....however you want to take that...head to Ohio. Get to some Y or Elks or something....sprawl out...wake up, rehearse for an hour, do the show, get on the bus. A few hours down the road we stopped for food at a McDonalds. Needless to say they had this Garfield promotion going on, with lots of things hanging frm the ceiling......except when we left, the ceiling seemed well, just like a ceiling.

next thing you know Bowmnas on the drum bus saying "ok if you took it give it back'. We all sat there eating, looking at him like "WTF Tree?"

he got off the bus and told the cops we didnt have it.

then as we got rolling, the bathroom door opened up and 20 Garfield posters came tumbling out

I think Hoover was saying "Are we there yet" in the 80's (the usual response was "TWO MORE HOURS"!)

I was also thinking this weekend about a few trips in 79 when Ben Nebroski (bari) was plooking some blonde bombshell guard chick that ended up being "Lassie" from the Porky's movies... OY VEY was she loud!

[Jaminbenb]

W..I think you're getting two locations/stories mixed up...I vaguely remember the Mormons, but I'm not sure that was Pibody. (was that Canton, with Troutwoman's suit maybe??) 1980 Pibody was the Corps banquet, where everyone took suits and nice dresses, and all that, and we had the corps banquet at the Holiday Inn (the day after the Boston show, after dealing with "Cannon" the hotel security guy (who looked like Frank Cannon) the night before, because the hotel screwed up and didn't put the corps on just one or two floors) I remember since we all "room hopped" this dimwit kept telling us to go back to our rooms, and we kept telling him he wasn't "the boss of us"!

After the banquet, as people were leaving (and half toasted) they were getting tossed into the pool in their suits and dresses, and McShane stood in the window of his room, and did a strip tease (dropping items of clothing as we removed them), when he got to his "underbritches" ($1. to Larry the Cable guy) "Cannon" told him that he better stop there or he was calling the police...to which Tom responded "then I'm gonna jump!" Now while that was going on Steve Bolinger was flashing everyone out of the immediate view of "Cannon".

Not TOO long after that, the staff went to everyone and said we had to leave the hotel, NOW, and to pack immediately, and return to the buses as soon as possible, no goofing around...after we were in the buses, Larry went on each one and said "the hotel management has called the police, if you have stolen ANYTHING at all, even towels, please return it to your rooms, NOW!" And about 5-10 people on each bus got off, and there were pictures, lamps, and other stuff heading back into the hotel. When we finally had everyone again, we left for the parade and there were something like 5-6 Massachusetts State Police cars escorting us out of Pibody.... that was when someone on the back of our bus yelled " MOON 'EM!"

That was also the parade that Dave Krauss (snare, for anyone that didn't know him) marched in a guard skirt and boots (and we all had items of some alcoholic variety in our stick bags, which we partook of every time we stopped)

I have to ask Monica, but I think she also has a picture of us mooning off of some bridge in downtown Boston?!?!

Ok...just talked to Monica (on FB) and she wasn't in the corps yet....wonder who has those photos????

Monica ALSO reminded me that she joined as a bass drummer in 1981 before sliding over to guard. I forgot about that!!!

[JimF-LowBari]

many times I rode to Baltimore with Norm, Dad and Jim Magilton. fun rides for a 6 year old!

Think Jim was the realtor for the buyers when my sister sold her house in downtown (3rd/Emerald) Harrisburg. Knew Magiltons cuz I took swimming lessons form her mom when in elementary school (never knew why). Sis said it was Jim expecting me to talk about the lessons. Instead I said "Oh, those #### Yankee-Rebels getting involved" and her jaw dropped.

Taking a quick break from dog sitting as the 10.5 lb monster had 2 dozen bladder stones removed. Vet told us about no jumping or steps so I have to carry her out and in. BUT.... he forgot to mention that for a week the pup will have to go out "frequently" for about a week since he opened up the bladder. Frequently = once an hour or so and tonite is night #5 of this crap. And with Kris' bad leg I'm the only one who can carry the dog safely.

Should get all my Nah lins thoughts together. Starting with someone (forget who) who thought the buses were leaving at 9 the next morning. Could hear that car hauling butt on PA94 to get to Wolfs parking area. Ending with George "Triple nip" <$1 to Tom Bowman> driving off with my beer in his cooler. That's George "underage as Hell" Huber. And with "2 more hours" Nebrowski, AC breakdown and someone puking on the bathroom floor of bus #2 on the way down. And the ####### waterbugs on the first floor of the hotel, Wolfies "Much-Chuck-####a-U" shogun warrior toy and "We're the only white people here" (grocery/beer store). The way back.... uhhh... I just turned 21 and don't remember much.

[Jaminbenb]

Think Jim was the realtor for the buyers when my sister sold her house in downtown (3rd/Emerald) Harrisburg. Knew Magiltons cuz I took swimming lessons form her mom when in elementary school (never knew why). Sis said it was Jim expecting me to talk about the lessons. Instead I said "Oh, those #### Yankee-Rebels getting involved" and her jaw dropped.

Taking a quick break from dog sitting as the 10.5 lb monster had 2 dozen bladder stones removed. Vet told us about no jumping or steps so I have to carry her out and in. BUT.... he forgot to mention that for a week the pup will have to go out "frequently" for about a week since he opened up the bladder. Frequently = once an hour or so and tonite is night #5 of this crap. And with Kris' bad leg I'm the only one who can carry the dog safely.

Should get all my Nah lins thoughts together. Starting with someone (forget who) who thought the buses were leaving at 9 the next morning. Could hear that car hauling butt on PA94 to get to Wolfs parking area. Ending with George "Triple nip" <$1 to Tom Bowman> driving off with my beer in his cooler. That's George "underage as Hell" Huber. And with "2 more hours" Nebrowski, AC breakdown and someone puking on the bathroom floor of bus #2 on the way down. And the ####### waterbugs on the first floor of the hotel, Wolfies "Much-Chuck-####a-U" shogun warrior toy and "We're the only white people here" (grocery/beer store). The way back.... uhhh... I just turned 21 and don't remember much.

Smoothie had me, and my parents talked into me joining for the second half of 78, since apparently a cymbal player left. When he mentioned that the corps was going to Nawlins.. ..they said NO! So I had to wait until November....

[Jeff Ream]

Smoothie had me, and my parents talked into me joining for the second half of 78, since apparently a cymbal player left. When he mentioned that the corps was going to Nawlins.. ..they said NO! So I had to wait until November....

I was 9. I flew down with Dad.

Tommy Beyer still doesnt remember Bourbon Street

[BigW]

Lots to reply to.

Yes, Benny's lady was hawt. Smokin' hawt. I still remember when she passed out at retreat right after they announced we beat the Hurcs at the Scranton show in '79. Pow! It was like a sniper took her out from the press box!

I was going to get to Norm- I thought though that he passed away a couple of weeks into the 1982 season, and that someone in the corps-Larry, Chuck, Bill et al? delivered a trophy from Clifton to him in the hospital.

I'm sure Larry or Bill can get the year right for us next rehearsal. Al, Norm, Little Pete, all great guys to know and be around, period.

I'll talk more about him later, I still think of him often and fondly- and he's one of those guys who was more than he appeared to be- Retired USN Lt-Commander or Commander and WW2 vet. Dad found that out about him talking to him, and he told me, and I said- "Dad, OUR Norm? Norm from the Rebs, in the Main Guard Norm?" (While thinking quietly to myself, our Norm who gives Rook, Chumley and I beer Norm......)

"Yes!"

"Holy @(%^(&%^!!! WOW!"

He had that straw aussie hat with the big Y-R badge on it he'd wear when he'd drink. I guess it was his warning/signal to all he was rowdy, and I still remember when he told off Fluffy on Bus 1 when she was too much her "normal self", to put it nicely. We all applauded. We'd all had enough, but Norm wasn't PC about it. Another story for a dinner or corps party. Make a list and I'll tell them at the party after Hanover.

[BigW]

The one story I'd heard about Nawlins was when Larry jumped off the diving board during the post contest party and went down to the bottom of the pool and sat there. People got worried when he continued to sit there submerged and someone had to get him out according to the sources that told me.

Jim, can you confirm that?