NEWSLETTER

Vol. XI, No. 1

MARCH 2004

WE'VE HAD AN EMAIL PROBLEM


As most of you know, we're trying to maintain an Association email list to help put out information in a more timely manor.  It allows us to get out information those of you without email don't see until a newsletter is published, and in more detail.  The system works great, as those of you who've been receiving our emails will confirm.
However, we had a computer crash a couple of months ago.  When we installed our backup, we discovered the backup was some months old (that will never happen again!).  So, we lost any updated email info furnished to us since that backup was made.  We know this because emails that never used to bounce back are now being returned as undeliverable.  We sincerely apologize.
In the last few weeks, we've sent several Association emails  about members illness, and deaths in the Association family (unfortunately).  We feel bad  those members whose addresses we lost in the crash are not getting the info.  If you have not received any emails from us lately, you're probably one whose

email is not correct on our list.
Please take a moment and send an email to thegrossbergs@cablespeed.com - say hello so we know it's not a virus or junk mail.  Even if it's only one line, we'd be happy to hear from you so we can make sure you are listed correctly with us.  We'll respond with a thank you.  And, if you are not yet on our list, we'll be glad to have you join us.
Here are some of the members whose emails are regularly bouncing back to us.  Guys, take a quick minute and send us your new email!

Richard A. Barz
Chuck Booker
Dave Bragunier
Abel Cortinas
Burton E. Hardin
Art Himmelberger
Lawrence D. Hiner
Scott Holbert
Dave Kuehn
Jerry F. Lee
Jim McFalls
Dennis P. McGuire
Deborah L. Menzel-Price
Curtis P. Miller
Harvey G. Phillips
Ron Rosenbaum
David L. Stagg
Willis Traphagan

Carlyle Weber
James K. Woodel

Guys, lets hear from you with your current email so we can get you back on the list.  And, anyone else who would like to be on the list, please email us, as above.  We'll be glad to add you, and you'll be in the know sooner about Association and Field Band stuff.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience.  We'd like to get everything corrected as soon as possible.

Inside . . .

Commander's Call  page 2
Sound Bites             page 3
Sad Notes                 
page 4
Welcome Aboard     page 4
Sick Call                  page 4
Treasurer's Report  page 5
Looking Back          page 5
Upcoming Events   Page 6


"To the Grassroots and Beyond"

 

2

 

3

SOUND BITES
(Notes from all over)
                               by Joe Greco

Terrence H Bartholomew
(Class of 1961, Saxophone):  Terry and Otto Blankle are playing together in the Sunshine City Band in St. Petersburg.  Terry did a little reminiscing about the 1958 Far East Tour.  One of the stops was Okinawa.  He remembered when Sam Fricano hit the jackpot in the NCO Club.  Speaking of Okinawa, Terry's son Ben has recently become a Warrant Officer in the USMC and is currently the Commander of the Marine Expeditionary Forces Band in Okinawa.

William Beckman (Class of 1988, French Horn):  Bill and his wife Lynda decided to sell their home in Denver and move to the Panhandle of Florida where they eventually want to retire.  They are soaking up the sun, playing a little golf and working on the house.  Bill said he found a concert band to play in and made contact with the local symphony.  New address:  (please see print Newsletter for address, phone number and email address).

Theodore Blumenthal (Class of 1969, Trombone):  Ted put out a CD, "The Adventure in Jazz Orchestra Celebrates Christmas."  Go to www allaboutjazz.com for a great review of the CD.


Harry G Meyer (Class of 1983, Clarinet):  Harry joined the ranks of the triple, or is it quadruple retirees (he did work for Koons making big bucks for a few years).  We want to wish you all the luck in the world on your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th retirement.  Mary, how are you going to live having Harry under you feet all day?  Mary decided Harry should have a new car for his retirement, his "old" Lexis (1999) was not good enough so she bought him a 2004 Green Mercedes SUV.  Harry, you've come a long way from the 1958 Chevrolet.  CONGRATULATIONS.

Marshall Ocker (Class of 1957, Arranger):  We've had an alert out for Marshall.  It seems John Renzi, Earl Mays, Sam Fricano and I (Joe) had been trying to locate him, phone disconnected, wrong address.  Where-o-where can the little boy be????  I finally tracked him down.  He and his wife, Lennie, moved out of Maryland to the beautiful Sunshine State.  Wishing you both luck and happiness in your new home.  If you want to get in touch with Marshall, his address is (please see print Newsletter for address and phone number).
 
Steve L Martin (Class of 1996, Vocalist):  Steve is still working as the Business Manager for the New York State Convention and Cultural Events office in Albany, New York.  He sends his best to all.
 

John Renzi (Class of 1961, Oboe):  John just wanted everyone to know he is feeling great after a long stay at a hospital rehab center for that knee "problem."  John says "Life is good."

John Riccobene (Class of 1954, Vocalist):  John has been inducted into the Casino Legends Hall of Fame along with such performers as Trini Lopez, Vikki Carr, Charo, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and Mayor Oscar Goodman.  Congratulations, John.

David H Sheetz (Class of 1959, Trumpet):  Dave expressed in his sound bite what the Association is all about.  He said he still stays in touch with the 1957-1959 trumpet players, and the USAFB was one of the most rewarding musical experiences of his life.  Dave is enjoying life with his wife, Debra, teaching privately, doing clinics and lectures.  He was appointed Vice-President of the Donald S Reinhardt Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving scholarships.

Carlyle Weber (Class of 1998, Euphonium):  Carlyle passed on his best wishes to everyone on the 10th Alumni & Retiree Weekend.  He is very busy teaching low-brass and other instruments at about 5 different locations.  Carlyle said he was very thrilled to see the Field Band in March of '03.


 

4

SICK CALL

By Joe Greco


Sam Fricano (Class of 1979, Commander):  Sam and I stay in touch at least twice a month.  He tells me his prostate implant has been very successful.  Why a young guy like Sam retired I will never know.

Jerry Lee (Class of 1981, Sax ):  Jerry's recovery is on schedule.  They reconstructed his left Atria, froze several sections and two days later a pacemaker was installed.  Glad to hear Jerry is starting to play again.

Bob Mason (class of 1993, Stage Support):  Bob had extensive surgery for cancer at Walter Reed.   We want to thank Scott Bauer, Tony Sturba and the Field Band for keeping the Association informed of Bob's progress.  If any of you want to say hello or send a note, he can be reached at (please see print Newsletter for address and phone number). Get well soon, Bob.

VERIFY YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS
Al Grossberg needs your current E-Mail address.  He is discovering a lot of the addresses are not current.  Please E-Mail Al your correct address.  Al's address is: thegrosbergs@cablespeed.com

 

5

A GOOD IDEA

(Funny Stories About The Band)


Robert (Bob) King (Class of 1956, Narrator), came up with a great idea for a "Field Band Story Book."  All of you out there must have at least one funny story about the Band.  It would be good fun reading one of these in each newsletter.  So, how about sending me (Joe) a story or two.

Here's the first of the series:
There was a young kid from New York who had never been west of the Hudson River.  He was getting a real education as the bus rolled along, about the wild life he would see on the trip from a number of very "reliable sources."  He had never heard of a "Jack-A-Lope," a huge Jack Rabbit with horns like a deer. 

The rookie thought this was a huge "fish story," but at least partially bought into it because the guys would keep telling him he had just missed seeing one out of the bus window. 

TREASURER'S REPORT

For Budget Year 2003

Beginning Balance, 1 Jan 2003 $1121.95
Funds received (2003 dues) $
  915.00
Total funds available in 2002 $2036.95

Expenditures

Stamps & Stationary  $ 324.37
Newsletters & Roster Forms $ 427.60
Flowers, Cards, Memorials $ 150.00
Retiree/Alumni Breakfast $   87.90
Total Expenditures 2003 $ 989.87

 

6

CONGRATULATIONS

For those of you who haven't heard, Josef Orosz (Class of 1982, Admin) was married to Ann on November 15, 2003.  Wishing you both health and happiness.

HOLIDAY GREETING CARDS

Received cards from Marshall Ocker (Class of 1957, Arranger), Barry Rosenzweig (Class of 1968, Admin), Al Shumate (Class of 1968, Arranger), and Jerry Lee (Class of 1981, Saxophone) wishing the Field Band Family a healthy, happy, holiday season. 

OLD FRIEND STOPPED TO SAY HELLO

Wolfgang A Schiessl. (Class of 1959, Transportation):  Wolf and his wife Eileen stopped at my house on their way to Florida to visit their children.  Wolf and I (Joe) were in the motor pool so we did some reminiscing.  It was great to see an old friend.

Friday afternoon.  The Saturday picnic menu will be hot dogs and hamburgers, vegetarian fare , beer, wine, soda, water.  Information about signing up for events will be forthcoming.  Please note:  The golf tournament will be held on Friday 20 August, not 13 August.  The golf course is not available on the 13th.  Rather than cancel the tournament, the Band decided to hold it the following week.  Tournament cost will be $55 per person this year (the golf course has raised its prices) and will include lunch.  The lunch will be at 1230, and the shotgun start will be at 1330.  If anyone has any questions, they may be directed to MSG Sue Kelley, the Band's Social Committee Chair.  She can be reached at 410/729-1843, or via email at:  77cmugrad@earthlink.net

LOOK FOR THE FIELD BAND IN YOUR AREA THIS SPRING

60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION


The Band has begun thinking about a 60th Anniversary Celebration, only 2 years away.  MSG Sue Kelley is hoping it can be held in conjunction with the Homecoming Weekend that year, but right now the date is uncertain.  At this point, MSG Kelley is just beginning discussions within the Band about the event.  She feels the party will be in the $50-$60 range per person.  The Band will be having several fund-raisers over the next two years to help defray costs.  The fund-raiser for this

year is an all-new cookbook and apron with the Field Band logo, cost yet to be determined at this point.  MSG Kelley  says "If anyone has any ideas as to location or any other expectations, please let me know."  Her contact information is in the Homecoming Weekend paragraph.

2004 Homecoming Weekend

13-15 August/20 August Golf Tournament


Mark your calendars.  The 11th Annual Field Band Homecoming Weekend will be 13-15 August.  The schedule for the weekend will be similar to past Weekends with one exception as you'll see below.  The rehearsal for the Sunday concert will be on Friday morning as always, and the bowling tournament will be on

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