Crossroads
of
America
Scout Band
Newsletter
January 2000

 

SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE EDITION -- JANUARY 2000



BAND WELCOMES GUESTS AT OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 16TH

The Crossroads of America Scout Band welcomes everyone who visited rehearsal on Sunday January 16th! Even with the Colts Playoffs going on, we expect a good response from the mass mailing as many calls have been received about the great schedule the band has for the year 2000. In the next issue of the newsletter all those who have become members of this great organization will be highlighted in the "new members" section.

Being new to the band, your first exposure might be intimidating -- rest assured that as you attend rehearsals on a regular basis
and begin to make new friends in the band you will gain confidence and have an enjoyable experience. Many of the "old timers"
felt just like you when they first joined, but now express how much the Scout Band has helped them gain confidence in their
musical abilities and the great times they have had in performances and on tours. If you get a chance, talk with some of the
members who have been around awhile and you will find that they are glad they stayed with the band. We know that you are
busy with school, troop and church activities -- but come around on Sunday as often as you can. YOU DO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE. Your parents can stay and meet other band supporters, or they can take care of errands during the 1 hours we
are at rehearsal.

For those that are new to the band and as a refresher for those that have been around awhile, it's appropriate to take a snapshot
view of the band's rich heritage. After all, February will mark the beginning of our 83rd year of operation! Celebrating 83 years of
Scouting and music in central Indiana -- THE OLDEST continuously organized Scout Band in the world!

The band was organized in 1917 as a drum and bugle corps by F.O. "Chief" Belzer, the first Scout Executive in Indianapolis.
Chief Belzer organized the group to play at summer camp at Camp Chank-tun-un-gi as Camp Belzer was formerly named. In the
1920's the corps evolved into a full concert and marching band participating in many patriotic programs, displays, parades, and
council functions.

The band takes its show on the road each year during its annual tour. Tours have taken the band to 46 of the 50 states in the US,
Mexico, Canada and England. We have performed at Disney World, Universal Studios, Williamsburg, Washington, D.C., three
World Fairs, National Order of Arrow Conferences (NOAC) and National Jamborees in 1950, 53, 57, 60, 64, 69, 73, 77, 85, 89,
93 and 1997. The band has played for five Presidents of the United States and the Queen of England.

The band's 1999 tour took us through the Deep South, performing at Elvis's Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Natchez Trail in
Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama, the State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, Universal Studios of Florida. The highlight of the tour
was performing at Kennedy Space Center celebrating the 30thanniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon. We had the
opportunity to meet several of the astronauts who walked on the moon!

We welcome you and invite you to come back each Sunday. We know everyone can't be here each week (it's NOT like school),
but that makes us unique too! We NEVER have the same band except when we go on our annual tour. Join us when you can
and if you have questions or concerns don't be afraid to ask.

 RCA Dome Concession StandThe band's chief money earning activity is providing manpower for two concession stands at the RCA Dome.

Our booths are #142 and Nacho Express #141 ( just inside Gate 1). Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer to work an event.
There is a limit to the number we can use -- so it's a "first-come -- first-served" basis for signing up to work. "Uniform" consists
of dark (preferably black) pants, white shirt and band hat. Those that work an event earn $25.00 that goes into their personal
account with the band. This account can be used for band tours, outings or other scouting related activities.

There are several events in the next few months, so new members (or their parents) can still earn money for your account. There
are a few (about 22) of the band at the booth on this open house date since the Colts are hosting a Playoff game. If the Colts
winning ways continue AND Jacksonville loses, the Colts will host the AFC Conference game on January 22 or 23 and we will
be called on to work. If we don't have a Colts game that weekend, we DO have the Monster Truck Jam on Saturday January
22nd with a report time of 5:00 pm. (This event will be rescheduled to February if the Colts are playing at home.)

Other upcoming events are: Super Cross Saturday February 12th. Thunder in the Dome on Saturday March 11th. And the NCAA Men's Final Four on Saturday April 1 and Monday April 3.

If you have questions or want to sign up for an event contact our Ways and Means Chairman, Sylvia Schofield at 897-3809.

Band's Venture Crew -- Recharter

The Belzer Band Booster Club sponsors Venture Crew 559. This unit was established (as an explorer Post) in the early 1960's. As the program has evolved, females aged 14 - 21 were able to join the Exploring/Venturing programs.

The Crew recharters in February, and all those youth and adult members whose PRIMARY registration is with the Crew, must
make arrangements with Keith Hartzog, Treasurer to pay the annual $8.00 fee. ALL females MUST be registered with this or
another Crew to participate in the band. Youths or adults who have a primary registration in another scouting unit may "multiple"
into the Crew if so desired.

BBBC -- What IS It?

For the benefit of our guests and new members and their families, this newsletter will attempt to answer frequently asked questions about the band and its operation. The first is the BBBC...you will see and hear this referenced many times.

BBBC is short for Belzer Band Booster Club, Inc. which is incorporated in the State of Indiana and is the band's "owner /
sponsor". The BBBC is comprised of the parents or any other interested parties of the Band. Membership dues in the BBBC are
$5.00 per person per year. Generally dues are collected at the annual picnic; however ANY adult interested in supporting the and
may join the BBBC membership at anytime. Just see Keith Hartzog, Treasurer to pay you dues.

The BBBC owns all the band's equipment and manages all of its assets. In addition, the BBBC sponsors Venture Crew 559. The
BBBC is managed by a Board of Directors that meets monthly and conducts the business of the corporation and the band. The
Board meetings are generally the last Wednesday of the month. Questions or concerns can be addressed to any board member,
BBBC members are welcome to attend any board meeting. Current Board members are:
 


500 Festival Update

The 500 Parade application and the application to participate at the 500 Race activities have been submitted.  No response as yet from the Band Selection Committee. There are close to 100 committed to march with the band as a color guard

Welcome New Band Members

We welcome the following new member who has joined the band since the last newsletter:


 Tour Statements

Everyone who has submitted an application for the 2000 tour has received a statement from Keith Hartzog. At the last BBBC Board meeting it was decided that each participant should be kept up to date on their "tour account". If you are planning on joining the band for its annual tour, get an application in as soon as possible, and make any payment arrangements with Keith (897-5726 or 542-8057).

 Band Bucks -- "Monthly Checks"

Several years ago the BBBC initiated a "Band Buck" program where each YOUTH member who attends an event receives a band buck. As the youth members accumulated these band bucks for rehearsal attendance, performance attendance, etc., periodic auctions are held where only band bucks can be used. Items auctioned have included patches, luggage, camp stoves. The "BIG" ticket item auctioned every year is an EXPENSE PAID tour. This is auctioned at the annual picnic. The BBBC sets aside a portion of the earnings from the RCA Dome to provide a fully paid tour for one youth member each year.

At the September BBBC Board meeting, the youth presented an idea to make changes in the band buck program. This
was done to assure an equal "playing field" for all youth members so that a single member has the same chances as
"multiple member families" when it comes time for the auctions. Shawn Smock, Youth Treasurer is responsible for
maintaining a "band buck account" and issuing monthly checks to youth members. The amount of the monthly check is
dependent on the amount issued at each rehearsal and the youth member's attendance at that month's activities. When
an auction is held, the youth member will only be able to use the money he or she has in their OWN account at that
time.

For those who still have the green band bucks, remember they must be turned in to Shawn by January 31st and
converted to your "account".   The previous band bucks will have no value after the 31st of January.

 February 6th Concert to Celebrate 90th

The band has been asked to participate in the 90th Anniversary of Scouting Celebration to be held on Sunday February 6th on the Circle. Details are not completed at the time of this issue, information will be passed on at rehearsals and at the website. What we do know is that it will be Sunday February 6th around 1:00 p.m. on the circle. (Inside the Bank One building if weather is bad.)

2000 Western / Philmont Tour

Plans are progressing for the band's annual tour to Philmont and points west! At this writing we have 54 applications in hand and more that are pending. The dates of the tour are June 24th - July 2nd. The buses are chartered and lodging arrangements are completed. An exciting program is in store for all participants.

We head to Cimarron, New Mexico and will spend three days in the Philmont area. All meals will be at Philmont.
Arrangements are made for a tour of the Villa, Seton Library, Kit carson Village, Trading Post and a day hike out from
Six Mile gate to the dinosaur footprint and the petroglyphs. We will also be attending a Philmont Campfire and we are
working on having a Buffalo "chuckwagon" bar-b-que. Concerts will be given in Cimarron and at the Villa.

From Philmont we head to Albuquerque, New Mexico, then through the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest and Grand
Canyon in Arizona. Then on up to Zion and Bryce National Monuments in Utah and finish at the Mormon Tabernacle
in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cost for the tour is $500.00 per person and covers all transportation, lodging, meals, admissions. Contact Bill Schofield
for an application (542-8057). All applications need to be in by February 29 with payment made by May 31st. If finances
are a problem please contact Bill or Keith and arrangements may be made. There is a limited amount of financial
assistance available.

Kudos for the Month

Maurice Heitzman who was honored with the Silver Beaver Award.

Crystal Heitzman who received staff honors at the Civil Air Patrol Fall Encampment -- Indiana Wing at Grissom Air Force Base.

January Dates
 


February Dates
 


March Advance Dates