Buccaneers Hall of Fame Inductees 2005

[Jeff Zehner]

Buccaneers Hall of Fame Inductees 2005

A Long Tradition of Service and Support Continues

Nov 8, 2005 - On Saturday November 26th, at the Buccaneer Banquet, the following distinguished Buccaneers will be inducted into the Buccaneer Hall of Fame. The class of 2005 will be honored by the addition of Randy Kershner, Joel Miller, Curt Rissmiller and Lois Tierno.

Randy Kerschner

Randy began his association with the Buccaneers as a social member on the “Old Bucs” bowling team. In 1983 he was finally able to join the corps where he played soprano for two years. In 1984 and 85 he also served as Business Manager for the corps. If you name the people who have had a big impact on the financial well being of the corps over the years you have to mention Randy. Randy worked tirelessly as the founder and organizer of the Reading Mini Grand Prix beginning in 1990 which was sponsored by and raised a large amount of money for the corps. The Grand Prix was a popular event in the city for many years. Randy has also been the prime force in making the Big Sounds in Motion show an annual success for many years. Both events have made large contributions to keeping the corps alive financially. Through Randy’s efforts the corps has remained active in the public and business communities of the Reading area. He has also contributed to the activity as a whole by being a member of the DCI East executive committee since 1986 and has served as a judge for bands and drum corps through his association with the Cavalcade, USSBA, Midsouth, and CIDA judging associations. He currently is a judge for the Musical Arts Conference and Vice President and a judge for the Mid-Atlantic Judges Association. Randy’s past and continuing efforts for the corps have earned him membership in the Buccaneers Hall of Fame.

Joel Miller

Joel began his musical marching career with the Wyomissing band in 1965. In 1966 Joel joined the Jr. Buccaneers and stayed until 1972 as a bass drum player, tenor, snare, and double bass player. In 1969 he began assisting John Cassidy as a percussion instructor with the Keystone Regiment D&B Corps. In 1974 he marched with the Crossmen as a marching player of a 32” tympani. Joel’s marching career ended after 1974, but began again in 1993 when he joined the Buccaneer Alumni as a tenor and snare drummer where he continues to the present. Joel once again picked up the drums (sort of) in competing corps when he joined the pit section of the Buccaneers in 1995. But some may argue that Joel began contributing the most to the Buccaneers in 1996 when he became treasurer. His untiring efforts turned the finances of the corps around and were a big part in the rise of the corps to its present day position with improved equipment and uniforms. Joel also made a great contribution to the financial health of the corps with his efforts as co-chairman of the corps sponsored Mini Grand Prix for two years, and until the present as Buccaneer coordinator of the Berks Jazz Fest. His efforts in the Jazz Fest have exposed the corps to many people in musical associations, helping in spreading the name of the Buccaneers and opening many doors to people who have helped the corps. Joel’s efforts for the corps and the standing of the corps in the community have earned him membership in the Buccaneers Hall of Fame.

Curt Rissmiller

Curt is one of those people who has been and continues to be a fixture with the Buccaneers. During his fifteen years with the corps, which included coming back in 2005 to fill a hole in the trumpet line, Curt has played in the soprano, alto and mellophone sections and he has been the section leader for a number of those years. Curt also served on the executive committee as membership manager for two years and public affairs manager for two years. He was very involved in helping run the mini-grand prix for the corps from 1990 to 1997, and he worked hard to keep the corps alive through a few of the leaner years in the early 90’s. For a long time Curt lived near Buc field and often housed a large number of out-of-town members which made his life rather interesting but was very helpful in keeping members in the corps. Curt is a very intense person and is never satisfied until he has perfected his marching and his music. Section members often came to him to work out parts and learn from one of the best. For his efforts as a dedicated member and tireless worker for the corps for many years, Curt has earned his membership in the Buccaneers Hall of Fame.

Lois Tierno

Lois joined the Bucs in 1985 and has been a very active member over the past 20 years, a length of service to the corps not matched by many. She began her drum corps career (career is a good word to use) at the ripe old age of 13 when she joined a fife and drum corps. Eventually she joined an indoor color guard and in 1981 color guard of the Archer-Epler Musketeers. She was active with Archie thru 1984, and in 1985 joined the Buccaneers. In her tenure with the Buccaneers she has marched in the color guard (1985 - 87), served on the executive committee as treasurer (87 - 89) and secretary (90 - 91), and presently (since 1999) runs the support staff as the support staff coordinator. Her efforts in the support staff role are unequaled with coordinating all the volunteers for preparing food and feeding the corps, uniform fittings, sewing, making flags, transportation of equipment, and general advice to the members needing help or council. She is also an advisor to the executive committee. Jim Gruber has said many times that the corps would never have gotten so far without her help. She has chaired the scholarship committee the past several years, and was part of the design committee for the present uniform. Lois and her husband Lou, a current Hall of Fame member, have housed many corps members over the years during the season, and treated them as part of their extended family. Her efforts for the corps have consumed countless hours of her time and resulted in the terrific presentation of the corps look over the last few years. Lois’s has more than earned membership in the Buccaneers Hall of Fame.

Edited November 9, 2005 by Jeff Zehner

[TennTux]

Congratulations to this years Inductees!

Tony B)

[ACustom19]

Well deserved by all.

[TomMoore]

All four are truly inspiring Bucs who make me work that little bit harder and give that little bit more of myself to this organization because of their example. I'm sure there's a Randy, Joel, Curt and Lois in every corps. I'm just grateful that I can call them fellow Buccaneers.

So well deserved.

Congratulations!

[Mick Krackin']

Congratulations to all the new class of Buccaneers Hall of Fame members. It's an honor to be a part of an organization with such great people involved.

I would like to especially thank Lois Tierno for her exceptional dedication and willingness to go WAY above and beyond to make sure that the Buccaneers had everything they needed to be successful for many years.