Crossroads of America Scout Band Newsletter

CROSSROADS OF AMERICA

SCOUT BAND NEWS
 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

APRIL 2003

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 

Band Welcomes New Members

If you know anyone else who would like to share their talents with the band be sure and invite them to a Sunday rehearsal. Remember, we award an extra 5,000 band bucks to the member who brings a new member to rehearsal!

Congratulations to Band Members recognized at Pioneer District Dinner

Several band members were recognized at Pioneer District's Annual Recognition Dinner in February. (The band's Crew is registered in Pioneer District.)

Debbie Wheat was recognized with an Outstanding Service Award.

Carol Wiker was recognized with a Share of Stock in Pioneer District. In addition, Carol was recognized for receiving her wood badge beads in 2002.

Buddy McLaren was recognized for receiving his wood badge beads in 2002.

Doug Whitcomb was recognized with the District Award of Merit.

Howard Foster was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award.

500 Activities Fast Approaching

There will be another newsletter towards the end of April / first of May that will detail all the activities during "race month" in Indy. For advance planners here is what we know now:

Mini Marathon -- we will be playing for the runners as we have the last several years. The race is Saturday, May 3. We will report early in the morning, but be done well before noon. We have requested the same location that we have been at for the last two years (10th and Bellview Street).

Race Day -- Pre Race Pageant we will be participating in this event again this year. Arrangements have been made for those that want to stay overnight at Camp Belzer to do so. We will be hosting units from Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana again this year. As many of our band members and adults that can be at Belzer will be a great help. Contact Bob Wiker or Buddy McLaren at 356-9678 if you can help. We will be leaving EARLY race day morning and will only have the ONE meeting location -- Camp Belzer. We have already been instructed that we cannot have a second meeting place on the west side or have people try and join us as we enter the track.

Parade -- at this time we will NOT be marching in the parade on Saturday prior to the race. However, as we have seen in the past this is subject to change. The newsletter that will be published nearer to race weekend will have final details.

John - Doug & Debbie's

Wacky Fun Column

What is John and Doug's (and NOW Debbie's) Wacky Fun Column you ask?!?!?! Well, it is a spot designated to be entertaining as well as informative about the band! I hope YOU enjoy it as much as we do! And remember it's sponsored by Rocker's Unlimited!

John and Doug welcome Debbie Wheat as a full time member of their column staff -- after all she has been helping out all along and has been in charge of Doug's thing at rehearsals! You know Doug's thing -- the can that all Trivia question answers are deposited to until the monthly drawing.

Wacky Trivia

Answer the trivia question about the band and YOU can win a prize! Please email your answers to Doug Whitcomb at pdw@iquest.net or mail him at 1697 South 700 West; New Palestine, IN 46163. Winner will be listed in next newsletter.

This newsletter's question:

Which member of the Scout Band had the honor to sit in and play with the legendary Billy Joel?

Answer will be in the next newsletter.

Last newsletter's question:

What was the color of the first band uniform?

The first formal uniform of the band was White.

Did you get it right? Doug had many responses and most of them said tan or khaki! But the winner of the prize is Howard Foster.. Congratulations Howard! Who will be our next winner?

Now for some fun.... Below is a Band WordSearch game. No prize for this -- just fun and refreshing.

D S G T Y L K J V E X U
F R E N C H H O R N A I
L W U I E G D J U O P N
I C U M M G J E B H C C
P F Q Y S I Y O R P L D
E T U L F W E W E A A M
O E N O H P O X A S R H
L P M M R E T S Q U I R
U M L H B A R I T O N E
J U E B Z T U W D S E T
V R C G S X M L U F T O
C T R O M B O N E Z I P

Words in the search:

Baritone    Oboe
Clarinet    Saxophone
Drums    Sousaphone
Flute    Trombone
French Horn    Trumpet

Thanks for visiting John - Doug & Debbie's Wacky Column -- see you in the next issue -- and remember this column is sponsored by Rocker's Unlimited!

Training Center Opening

The band has been asked to take part in the opening ceremony and dedication of the building in June.    The Council Training Committee is coordinating the activities for this event which is scheduled for Monday evening June 16. More details will be coming as we get closer to the date. We can use this event as our "pre-tour rehearsal" night since we will be departing just three days after this event. Carol Wiker serves on the Council's Training Committee and she will keep us informed as to the details and the role the band will have in this dedication.

Section Leaders

At the last BBBC Board meeting, the concept of section leaders was discussed and a plan was made to implement adult and youth member to serve as "Section Leaders". There are two main goals in this plan: (1) Have someone to call the members of their section (both youth and adult) to encourage participation in band rehearsals and activities. (2) On any given Sunday, Howard may ask for sectional rehearsals and each section would work independently.

We have "appointed" Section Leaders (and this is their first notification). If as time goes on, the person[s] want help or would like to see someone else appointed to work with the section that can be done within the section. For now, here are the appointed Section Leaders: Woodwinds: Deb Estes and Adam Shepherd Low Brass: Dana Hanson and Dusty Reed Trumpets: Janet Foster and Margaret Estes French Horns: Bill Schofield and Carlton Harrison Percussion: John Valdez and Andy Murphy

Each leader will be provided with a list of members within their section. To start we should have a thorough calling campaign to see who is interested in being active in the band and at what level regularly, occasionally, just for special events and / or for tours only.

Ways And Means News

Dome -- Pizza Sale -- Pie Sale

The RCA Dome season is OVER! Thanks to everyone who has helped out at the dome this past season. The BBBC Board is looking hard at this activity going into next year. For whatever reasons, we have had a difficult time getting the required help for each event. We need to recruit additional help from the parents and those over the age of 16 if we want to continue this fund raiser. The money earned helps pay for people's trips, scout camps, high adventure trips, and the scholarships we make available for the band's tour. It also pays for the truck, insurance, instrument repair and other activities of the band. We realized over $14,000.00 this past year (18 events). We have looked at other alternatives, but nothing can deliver this amount of money in the amount of time required. The problem is -- it's always the same people stepping up to help -- if you're willing to help out next season, please let Shirley Wiker know (487-9412). We will need to make a decision by June when the new contracts with the Dome is issued.

The first ever Chicago Pizza Sale was a good start! Pizzas were delivered at rehearsal on Sunday, March 30. If there is enough interest we may offer another pizza sale prior to tour so those wanting to earn some extra money to pay the tour fee will have that opportunity.

The Fruit Pie Sale is wrapping up. Pie sheets have been out since March 16 and are due back to Shirley Wiker at rehearsal on Sunday, April 6. Pies will be delivered on Saturday, April 12 at Schofield's house (5423 Mark Lane) and will be available for pick up anytime after 10:00 AM. If you cannot pick them up on Saturday, please let Shirley or Bill know this in advance. Money for pies is due at rehearsal on Sunday, April 27.
 

Sympathy Extended to Wikers

As this newsletter was being prepared, it was learned that Bob and Carl Wiker's mother passed away while visiting their brother in Nevada.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Wiker families during this time of sorrow.

2003 Tour to Tetons / Yellowstone

Time is getting closer for the band's departure to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park! BUT WE STILL NEED MORE BAND MEMBERS TO SIGN UP FOR THE TOUR!

A lot of you have indicated an interest and have said you want to go or are planning to go -- BUT WE DON'T HAVE YOUR APPLICATION! As of this writing, there are fifteen (15) people signed up to go -- are you one of them? Check with Mr. Bill to see if your application is on file. We need to have at least 25 - 35 people signed up (with deposits made) by the April BBBC Board meeting.

Reservations have been made and approximately $2,000.00 in deposits have been sent to the Tetons and Yellowstone for lodging. In order to get any of the deposit money back, cancellation or release of some of the rooms we have booked has to be done BEFORE May 15!

We have cabins in Grand Teton National Park in the Coulter Bay Village area (near the lake, hiking trails and great views of the Tetons). And as the arrangements for deposits were being made at Yellowstone, they had cancellations and we now have been moved from the Mammoth Springs area, to Premium rooms in Old Faithful Inn -- overlooking Old Faithful and the boardwalk around the visitor's center.

This will be a great tour but we need YOU to make it happen. We are planning on performing here in Indy before we hit the road on the 19th, and then on to points west. Concerts will take place in Scout camps, as well as the national parks. Plans are being made to do a repeat performance at the base of Mount Rushmore at the amphitheater prior to the lighting of the monument at nightfall. Those that were with us in 1998 remember that as a pretty awesome experience. Ask Howard how it felt to be directing the band with George, Abe, Tom and Teddy watching his every move!

Shakedown for tour is scheduled for Sunday, June 1 at Warren Central from 12 noon to 5:00 PM. At that time you will be issued your tour T shirts, hat and tour guide. We will have one more rehearsal after shakedown, and two performances (June 16 and 19) and then it's on the road again!

If you want to be a part of this excitement be sure and get your application from Mr. Bill at rehearsal.
 

April Dates

6    2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal
WCHS Orchestra Room
PIE SHEETS DUE IN TO SHIRLEY WIKER

12    PIE PICK UP AT SCHOFIELD'S HOUSE AFTER 10 AM. (542-8057) Address is: 5423 Mark Lane

13    1:00 PM Dixieland Rehearsal
1:30 PM CREW 559 Meeting
2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal
WCHS Orchestra Room

20    NO REHEARSAL -- EASTER SUNDAY

26    Lawrence Little League Baseball Parade
Report at 9:45 AM At Belzer Middle School
(56th Street across from Lawrence Central High School.) Parade lines up at 10:15, starts at 11 and will be through by noon.

27    2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal
WCHS Orchestra Room

30    7:00 PM BBBC Board Meeting
Schofield's House

May Dates

3    Mini Marathon (10th & Bellview Streets)

4    2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal
WCHS Orchestra Room

11    NO RHEARSAL -- MOTHER'S DAY

18    1:00 PM CREW 559 Meeting
2:00 PM Full Band Rehearsal
WCHS Orchestra Room

25    500 RACE report 5:00 AM to Camp Belzer

28    7:00 PM BBBC Board Meeting
Schofield's House

Advance June Dates

1    12 Noon Tour Shakedown at WCHS

15    NO REHEARSAL -- FATHER'S DAY

16    Pre-tour Concert for Opening of Training Center at Camp Belzer

19    Concert for Cookout on Circle ? Prior to tour

19-29    TOUR TO TETONS / YELLOWSTONE

CHECK THE BAND'S WEBSITE FOR UPDATES: www.scoutband.com

(HOST: TOM O'NAN)