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of America Scout Band Newsletter |
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|
of America Scout Band Newsletter |
BAND WELCOMES GUESTS AT OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 20th
The Crossroads of America Scout Band welcomes everyone who joined us on January 20th! Being new to the band, your first exposure might be intimidating-- rest assured that as you attend rehearsals 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 a while 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 hours we are at rehearsal.
For those that are new to the band and as a refresher for those that have been around awhile, its appropriate to take a snapshot view of the band's rich heritage. After all, February will mark the beginning of our 85th year of operation!
Celebrating 85 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 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 47 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 the Arrow Conferences (NOAC) and National Jamborees in 1950, 53, 57, 60, 64, 69, 73, 77, 85, 89, 93 and 1997. The band performed at Kennedy Space Center in 1999 for the 30th anniversary of the first Lunar Landing. The band has played for five Presidents of the United States and the Queen of England.
The band's 2000 tour pointed us west and took us to Philmont Scout Ranch. From Philmont we headed to Albuquerque, New Mexico, then through the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest and the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Then on up to Zion and Bryce National Monuments in Utah and we finished at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt lake City, Utah. Last year we headed east and visited Norfolk, Virginia and toured Williamsburg, Jamestown and the Naval Base. From there we stopped in Asheville, North Carolina and toured the Biltmore Estate.
2002 will take us north to Canada! We will leave Indianapolis and head to Portland, Maine. From there we will take a ferry ride to Yarmouth Nova Scotia and head on to Halifax, taking in the International Tattoo that features over 2000 entertainers in an inside arena. From Nova Scotia we head to Prince Edward Island (PEI). All along the way we will perform concerts and have a chance to meet other Scouts and Scouters.
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 STAND
The 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" for signing up to work. "Uniform" consists of black pants (no jeans), white collared shirt (we can provide one for $3.50) 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 parents) can still earn money for your account.
UPCOMING DOME EVENTS
Saturday, January 26, 2002--Monster Truck Jam -- Report time is 2:00
PM
Sunday, February 9,2002-- Supercross Motorcycle Report time is 11:00
AM
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.
Notices have recently been sent out to all registered members of the crew asking if they want to recharter. Current personal account statements have been sent also. If you do not have money in your personal account, but want to recharter you MUST send a check to the BBBC for the $8.00 by January 25, 2002, otherwise you will be dropped off the charter.
If you are a multiple member of the crew and you do not let us know
of your intention to remain with the crew, you will be dropped.
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 colorguard.
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 band may join the BBBC membership at anytime. Just see Keith Hartzog, Treasurer to pay your dues.
The BBBC own 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:
WELCOME NEW BAND MEMBERS
We welcome the following new member who has joined the band since the last newsletter.
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, and camp stoves. The "BIG"ticket item auctioned at the annual picnic is an EXPENSE PAID TOUR for the next year. Shawn Smock was the high bidder at our 2001 picnic and will be going on the 2002 expense paid!
At a 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. Heather Scanga, 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. Each youth can bid on items based on the amount
of band bucks available in their buck account.
Concert to Celebrate Scout Week
The band will have a Scouting Anniversary Concert in February with the location yet to be determined. There are several thoughts to make this an EXTRA SPECIAL event since it will mark the beginning of our 85th year! The band has traditionally recognized Scout Sunday as the anniversary of the band's founding. Come and join us as we celebrate our 85th birthday!
Ink Cartridge Recycling Project
Our friends at the Duchess County Scout Band in New York passed on a great money earning project for the band. All proceeds from this activity go into the band's general fund. All you have to do is recycle ink cartridges from printers, fax machines or other type office equipment.
Debbie Wheat is chairing this activity and you can contact her for the details. Those that work in offices can set this up to collect cartridges and get them to Debbie. She is bundling them and sending them off. It doesn't cost the band anything and we get $2.00 per cartridge that is returned for recycling. This is a way a lot of our parents or alumni could help out by getting this project set up and collection points established in several large offices throughout the central Indiana area. Give Debbie a call if you are interested.
Pioneer District Dinner
Adults who would like to attend the Pioneer District Dinner January 24 at the Indianapolis Marriott -- contact Keith Hartzog (897-5726) to arrange for tickets ($15.00 each). Dinner is at 6:30 PM -- program starts at 7:45PM.
2002 Tour Plans being Made
The plans for the 2002 tour are progressing -- WILL YOU BE A PART OF THE BAND'S HIGH ADVENTURE? Dates are July 4 - 14, 2002 and the cost is $650.00 per person... Price includes transportation, all meals and lodging and admissions to the attractions we will be visiting.
We will depart Indianapolis and head to New York for the first night, then on to Portland, Maine. We will spend a day in the Portland area and then board a ferry that will take us across the Atlantic to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. We will head on to Halifax where we will take in the Nova scotia International Tattoo! (Info at www.nstattoo.ca) From there we head into Prince Edward island, New Brunswick, and back home. There will be concerts and sightseeing all along the way. The tour is limited to fifty and playing members will have first preference.
If you are interested in joining the band on tour, please see Bill
Schofield and pick up an application. Seats are going fast and we will
not add another bus -- only one for this trip!
Kudos for the Month
Everyone who attended open house as a new member.
All band members who came and welcomed our new members and made
them feel at home.
January Dates
20 Open House 2:00 PM Warren Central High School
24 Pioneer District Diner 6:30 PM
26 8:30 AM Make Pizzas that were sold Downey Avenue Christian
Church
26 Monster Truck Jam at RCA Dome Report Time 2:00 PM -- call Sylvia
27 1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
27 2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal Warren Central High School
30 7:00 PM BBBC Board Meeting Schofield's House
February Dates
1-2 Scout Auction / Tradoree at Fairgrounds
3 1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
3 2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal Warren Central High School
3 TURN IN PIZZA MONEY
9 Suprercross at RCA Dome -- Report time 11:00 AM -- call Sylvia
to work 542-8057
10 1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
10 2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal Warren Central High School
17 1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
17 2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal
17 PIE SALES BEGIN
23 Band Night at the ZOO ? (TBA)
24 2:00 PM Band Anniversary Concert -- Location TBA
27 7:00 PM BBBC Board Meeting
March Dates
3 1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
3 2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal
10 1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
10 2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal Warren Central High School
17 1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
17 2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal Warren Central High School
23 PIE PICK UP AT BELZER
24 1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
24 2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal Warren Central High School
27 7:00 PM BBBC Board Meeting
31 NO REHEARSAL
