lindap Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Did you know Peter marched in Guelph Opti-Knights? I didn’t until now! http://www.optimists-alumni.org/photos/displayimage.php?album=192&pos=0 An ad from the 1976 Information Drum Corps newsletter; Paul drew cartoons and Peter photographed :) I’ll keep looking for Guelph Opti Knights stuff for your FB and your reunion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildWilly55 Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 Did you know Peter marched in Guelph Opti-Knights? I didn't until now! http://www.optimists...album=192&pos=0 An ad from the 1976 Information Drum Corps newsletter; Paul drew cartoons and Peter photographed :) I'll keep looking for Guelph Opti Knights stuff for your FB and your reunion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildWilly55 Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 Hi Linda----yes both Peter and Paul marched Opti-Knights----one crew kinda took off for Toronto Optimists (Peter and Paul McCusker, Ed Martin)--and one crew kinda took off for Del (Mark and Glen Bailey, Niko Vanderslus, Archie O'Connor, John Astins) in 1972. After 1972 most everyone that left Opti-Knights went to Del as did a lot of Toronto Optimist. It all kind of inter collapsed upon it self. With escalating costs the corps could not mantain themselves anymore---and people just kept moving to the remaining corps that had both financial equipment available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindap Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Hi Linda----yes both Peter and Paul marched Opti-Knights----one crew kinda took off for Toronto Optimists (Peter and Paul McCusker, Ed Martin)--and one crew kinda took off for Del (Mark and Glen Bailey, Niko Vanderslus, Archie O'Connor, John Astins) in 1972. After 1972 most everyone that left Opti-Knights went to Del as did a lot of Toronto Optimist. It all kind of inter collapsed upon it self. With escalating costs the corps could not mantain themselves anymore---and people just kept moving to the remaining corps that had both financial equipment available. Hi WildWilly. Sorry I’m responding late. I’m in another zone and watching lots and lots and lots of winter guards on Fan Network. I’ll relate a few tidbits. Debbie and I joined Scarborough Firefighters fall of 68. We bugged and bugged our younger brothers to join drum corps. In 71 or 72 my brother finally joined a drum corps, De La Salle Oaklands. He was friends with a guy in Del who started drum corps with London Midlanders. I got to know the Midlander boys, 2 of whom marched in Anaheim Kingsmen in 74, one of whom plus another taught Alberta All Girls. Fast forward in time … 9 of us flew over 2,000 miles to see DCI finals in 2010. Brenda and I went to the drum corps museum where I think I saw a Guelph Royalaires uniform. The museum was fantastic! We then proceeded to our seats but I asked Brenda to stop by Steve Vickers' table so I could say thanks for the History of Drum Corps books that I ordered and received. At that moment in time, guess who is also approaching Steve? It was Al Murray! We had a quick chat and in no time we were back in our seats ready for more drum corps. Small world hey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindap Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I don’t have a lot for Guelph Opti-Knights. You’re listed in the 1969 program but there’re no program notes. I’ll check newsletters next. Here’s the 1973 Nationals Program, Optimist Knights (Opti-Knights), Guelph Ontario, photo courtesy of Eric McConachie (photo may be of 72?) (photo is also on some old corps photos thread) Program notes; “… corps formed in 1961 … this year they are marching 31 bugles, 14 drums and a colour guard of 25 …music is ‘A man a Horse and a Gun’, ‘If You Knew Suzy Like I Knew Suzy’, ‘Watermelon Man’, My Way … instructors – bugles Glenn Bailey and Mike Hendy, drums – Rich Dimod, drill – Bob Mondy and Jim Hutchinson’ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildWilly55 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 If the truth be known Guelph actually had 4 Canadian Championship Drum Corps. I have learned this from Ian Erb who is another Drum Corps fanatic from Opti-Knights. They where as follows: The Red Lions--(sponsored by the Red Chevron Club in Guelph)--Jr. B or standstill champs from the 60's Ajax Sea Cadet Corps--Jr. B standstill champs in the 60's Opti-Knights Drum Corps--1971 Jr. B M&M champions Royalaires--Several time Canadian Senior Corps Champs Amazing little trivia bits you find out along the way!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 If the truth be known Guelph actually had 4 Canadian Championship Drum Corps. I have learned this from Ian Erb who is another Drum Corps fanatic from Opti-Knights. They where as follows: The Red Lions--(sponsored by the Red Chevron Club in Guelph)--Jr. B or standstill champs from the 60's Ajax Sea Cadet Corps--Jr. B standstill champs in the 60's Opti-Knights Drum Corps--1971 Jr. B M&M champions Royalaires--Several time Canadian Senior Corps Champs Amazing little trivia bits you find out along the way!! If anyone would know, it would be Ian. He lives and breathes drum corps history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindap Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Wow, 4 corps from one town/city! Thanks guys! Um … WildWilly and I have the same 1973 flyer (aka brochure) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindap Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 From a 1969 drum corps program that I kept all these years. Have a great get together Guelph Opti-Knights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildWilly55 Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 (edited) This site seems pretty quiet---but I have some new scanned pictures!!! 1968 Opti-Knights (I think this one is already posted)(one double base and a set of timbali's) This one is new--the 1969 Opti-Knights (Note the double base drums--cut in half real base drums!!)--Heavy!!! This is the Canadian Jr. B Champion 1971 Guelph Opti-Knights The 1974 Guelph Opti-Knights Downtown Guelph after winning the 1971 Jr. B Championship. Our colour guard uptown Guelph 1971 Edited July 6, 2012 by WildWilly55 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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