Dinner:   Last Friday evening my wife, a friend and I shared a delightful meal with Jean Turco-Glowinski.  Jean traveled to McHenry and helped us enjoy our favorite Thai restaurant.  The evening was filled with laughter, political bantering, swapping “Gary Stories”, and visiting with former students who stopped by to give hugs and catch up.

Jean, as you might recall, was instrumental in securing travel arrangements for Royal-Air members in 2002.

Jean told us (as we knew) that the highlight of Gary’s illustrious drum corps career was his experience with the Caballeros Alumni.  I have to agree, but I do have three more highlights:  Donning the RA uniform for the first time in 1967; wearing the Kilt and marching with the Kilts (especially in 1997); watching the “long blue line” prepare to take the field in Oswego in 2002; and, of course, playing the “rumps” and “Espania Cani” (a dream I have held since 1960 Legion Nationals).

Ghilardi Benefit:  As you know, the benefit for Mike Ghilardi is scheduled for January 31 in Villa Park.  Donations are needed.  I plan to donate a pristine piston-rotor soprano that was used by the Guardsmen, and I might also donate my piston-rotor baritone..a horn that is in almost perfect shape…also a Guardsmen horn…we purchased these horns in the late 80’s when we put together a parade corps, “Group Therapy.”  Some RA members might recall we, along with the Guardsmen, played at a Royal Air picnic in the early 90’s.

Kilties:  Looking forward to hearing the Kilties present part two of “Renaissance.”  I do hope this year’s show has a couple more “impact points.”  I also hope that someday the Kilts will play the complete chart: “Coming Home from the Sea”, from Perfect Storm: a chart that I believe is perfect for the Mad Plaid.

John Opager:  I recently discovered that I have a friend who is a long-time friend of John Opager and has not seen John in over 20 years.  I contacted John to let him know, so John asked me to give him a phone call.  John and I spent over 30 minues on the phone sharing stories about Cavies and RA...plus other stuff.  It was a great half hour. John  will try to get to one of the next pizza nights.

Merle Beebe:  Recently, someone sent me a copy of the 1954 Midwest Drum Corps News.  Madison was the power house followed by Norwood, Grenadiers, Kilties, Gladiators and Cavies.  The author referred to Madison as "Beebe's boys", so I contacted Merle who tells me that C.H. Beebe, the corps director, was probably his grandfather's brother, although there is some dispute about that...just thought it was interesting.

SDCA: We in McHenry are abuzz in anticipation of hosting a Small Drum Corps Association show at our July “Fiesta Days” weekend.  Not sure who is scheduled to perform, but the corps will also help to revitalize our annual parade which has been so lackluster since it has gotten so difficult to find marching musical groups for parades.

SDCA has a number of shows scheduled.  Check their calendar at http://www.thesdca.org for more information.

 Slainte’