News Page - 2001
Marty's Goldenaires has moved to a new host location where we hope to include some new and exciting features for our visitors. The move to "martysgoldenaires.org" has happened faster than anticipated so I hope you will all check in for new additions. In the mean time thank you for your patience as construction continues here at our new site. GG
Park Falls, WI - FlambeauRama Parade
Once again we had the pleasure to perform at the FlambeauRama in Park Falls, WI. Sunday August 5th dawned with clear blue skies, and temps already in the 70's. Temps moved quickly into the upper 90's with heat indices of around 105. Needless to say this was not ideal marching weather. Fortunately a steady breeze helped the Corps to endure the heat. There was a very good crowd of spectators this year and they were most appreciative of our appearance (as was the announcer). Once again the crowd moved in as we formed the "Corner Routine" and performed most fittingly in front of the railroad tracks. Then on to the big top for an abbreviated performance (due to the effects of the heat) for a large audience. Afterward, we crossed the street for quick refreshments, and ended our day at the Park Falls American Legion Post. It is rumored a few members obtained and utilized an impressive number of "refreshment tickets", while most of us headed for home or other destinations. Personally, I enjoyed sitting in the sprinkler, a cold Blue, and a relaxing evening on the deck.
Special thanks goes out to our Park Falls sponsor . . .Thanks Jim!
GG
Iron River, MI - Fireman's Tournament
Thursday July 26th, the bus loaded at 3:45 under clear blue skies and a pleasant temperature of 74 degrees. We hit the road at 4:10 and arrived in Iron River at 5:30. A quick stop at McDonalds ( a few members head to the Riverside for pizza) and on to line-up at the school. This parade route heads down a big hill (thankfully not up) turns left, and ends downtown. Janesville Fife & Drum, Ishpeming Blue Notes and West Iron Co. school band are other musical units in this Fireman's Dress Parade. The Blue Notes are fielding 24 horns tonight and they sound awesome. Their percussion section is especially impressive.
The reviewing stand is at the end of the parade route this year. We stop there to perform the corner routine and at the request of spectators, a couple more pieces. The Blue Notes performed a concert immediately following and we finsihed up with a combined Corps performance of the Blue Notes arrangement "Never Walk Alone". The sound of the combined Corps 47 horns was spine tingling as usual, and as always, a highlight for both Corps members and audience alike when we have a chance to perform en masse.
After a quick stop in a downtown establishment for refreshments, we proceeded to The Depot where we were requested to perform. "The Depot Restaurant & Bakery" incorporates 2 authentic train cars that were commuter cars from Long Island, New York. Complete renovation of the cars (black walnut flooring, cherry wall paneling and pressed tin ceilings) make this a place to put on your "must visit" list when traveling in the Iron River area. We enjoyed performing for the hundreds of patrons here, and wish to thank our hosts the Shepich's for the invitation and their hospitality.
The bus was loaded up and we headed back downtown where it was decided to perform in the nightshirt parade. Various stages of uniform dress included shorts hats and spats only, sash only in non-standard locations, and other variations. An impromptu version of Yellow Submarine was whipped up for this parade, with both instrumental and vocal sections. The order of the evening was scatter drills, strange formations, some color guard members became baton twirllers with golf clubs, and the infamous parade rest positions. The crowd on the streets were heard singing Yellow Submarine long after the parade was over so I think we left a lasting impression (good or bad, I can't be sure).
After the Nightshirt Parade the bus was loaded for the return trip to Bessemer where we arrived approximately 1:30 a.m. In all the trip was a good time for all members. Our thanks to the Firemen for their invitation.
GG
Two Harbors, MN
Saturday July 7th dawned clear and warm. Bus loads at 8:15, am with an 8:30 departure. A call to Ed Hocking at 8:25 got him up and scrambling to make the bus. Arrival in Two Harbors around noon. Quick lunch and change, and we're ready to warm-up. Two Harbors hosts a large parade and we typically wait quite a while before stepping off. This year the organizers had the units moving at a good pace and our wait was short. As always, a large and appreciative crowd lined the parade route. The corner routine was well received. Located on the shores of Lake Superior just north of Duluth, you never know what the weather will bring. Today hardly a breath of air stirred, the skies were clear and it was a sultry 88 degrees. After the parade we performed in the VFW to a very packed house, this audience was very appreciative with standing O's.
If you have the chance, check out the Two Harbors Heritage Festival, with numerous activities and a large number of booths it is worth a visit. The old trains are a must to see.
Upon leaving Two Harbors, it was off to Grandma's in Canal Park Duluth for dinner. As always dinner was great. (Thanks George for dinner!) While in Canal Park, some of the guys worked on honing their social skills, so I guess it shouldn't have been a surprise when 2 unknown and attractive females drove by our coach and we heard "Timmmmy!"
It was announced there would be no Wednesday rehearsal the following week. A pleasant reprise after months of practice and an extremely busy week of performances.
GG
July 4th, 2001
Wow, this is July? We all woke to clear blue skies, and temperatures in the 50's!
Ramsay, MI
Beginning a long day of performances, the parade in Ramsay has traditionally been a great start to the day and this year was no exception. One note, this year although a few of the older members had a few cobwebs to clear, everyone was ready to go at lineup time. With a temperature of 61 degrees and a stiff NW breeze, marching was pleasant but I suspect it was a bit cool for the spectators. Ramsay's crowd was exceptional in both numbers and in showing appreciation for our performance.
Wakefield, MI
After a good performance in Ramsay, we piled into our cars and headed to Wakefield, lineup at noon. The breeze remained steady and the temperature had risen to a sultry 64 degrees. Wakefield has always had exceptional crowds lining the streets and this year was no exception. For some reason, we always end up stopping for a few minutes on the back street. It seem some of the local residents prepare for this and again this year they provided water and soft drinks to ease our thirst. This is hometown America hospitality in the finest form. Thank you for your thoughtfulness!
Rounding the corner onto Main Street is always a rush. The crowd lined the street as far as one could see, in places 5 to 10 deep. At the top of the hill we stopped and performed our corner routine to a most appreciative crowd. We again stopped near the end of the route and performed "Georgia's" for another large and appreciative crowd. The performance in Wakefield always gets the Corps' adrenaline rushing and I think this year was exceptional. The applause, hooping and hollering just gets us all fired up.
Our thanks to the Wakefield 4th of July organizers for again putting on an exceptional event.
Bessemer, MI
Line up at the American Legion, 6:00 p.m. For most of the Corps members this is the biggest performance of the year. Expectations were running high and there was an air of excitement permeating the grounds. After assembling in the yard the Corps was moved to the lineup area for the parade. It seems we typically wait an extraordinary amount of time, but the parade organizers really kept the units moving and it seemed step off time came in very short order. Temps were holding in the mid 60's and the breeze persisted but not quite as strong as earlier in the day.
Words really cannot describe the feeling of every member in the Corps when the corner is rounded at City Hall and we look down the street packed with spectators. As we marched down the hill the crowd really showed it's appreciation. Our stop for the corner routine resulted in standing O's and screams for encores. We performed in addition to the Wabash/Chattanooga medley, the Georgia and Boogey Woogey medley's. By now the Corps is so fired up they are performing at a level not before experienced in the Corps' history (inner musicianship?).
The end of the parade route at the American Legion grounds allowed us to catch our breath and refresh ourselves with a short respite before moving to Massie Field for a concert performance. Our Corps director Dan Pitrone told me the parade performance was the best he had ever experienced, I responded with "just wait".
Moving to Massie Field, we waited in line for the Ontonagon Mountaineers to complete their performance. The Mountaineer have been reformed as a Senior Alumni Corps for a very short time, we were really impressed with the sound and the performance they put on. Standing in line, the breeze persisted but the temps are now plummeting, the result was a mass of Goldenaires all shivering from the cold.
It's time to move, we marched into Massie Field and set up in concert formation. This concert puts us in the center of spectators as many move in close to watch. With the crowd only feet form us on all sides, nervousness was running rampant among the ranks. No need to be nervous, no one new where it came from but this performance was unbelievable. People screaming and dancing and cheering and applauding put us over the edge and we had the performance of a lifetime!
I really believe all can be attributed to the audience. Growing up in Drum Corps, I've had the chance to observe many fine performances, but I can't honestly say I have ever experienced or seen another Corps' support by the area communities and residents. It is you folks that make Marty's Goldenaires what they are and we thank you all!
By the way, Dan changed his mind; the concert performance was better than the parade performance.
GG
GG
Hayward WI. Musky Festival On Sunday June 24th, 2001 we had the privilege to again perform in Hayward's Musky Festival. This has been an outing we have participated in for a very long time and we always look forward to this trip. Hayward is primarily a resort community located in northwest Wisconsin. The area abounds with lakes, most notably the famous Chippewa Flowage which is known for exceptional musky fishing.
This year, the weather promised to be hot and humid, but by step off time, it was mostly cloudy with a temperature of 74 degrees and a southerly breeze, although the humidity remained high. They Hayward Festival organizers did a great job again and the spectator crowd seemed larger than any I can remember.
With a warm-up in Cook MN, we were ready and this performance was probably the best we've had in Hayward. The crowd warmed up with the Corner Routine in front of the reviewing stand, and response during the concert after the parade was outstanding! The hundreds of spectators really got the guys fired up.
After the concert, barnstorming commenced with a performance in the Moccasin (you have to stop in here to see the world record Musky and wildlife taxidermy displays). After a few refreshments in the Moccasin we proceeded to the Veterans Building for the final performance of the day. Hmm..., upon entering there were perhaps 20 people gathered in the hall, but that grew to about 100 once our performance began.
Our day completed with a stop at Famous Dave's resort for a relaxing dinner.
To the people of Hayward, visitors, and event coordinators we extend our heart felt thanks. We look forward to many more performances in Hayward.
GG
Cook Minnesota
On Sunday June 10th we had the pleasure of performing in Cook, Minnesota. Located in northern Minnesota, this quiet little town of 622 is set in a pretty area of conifer, mixed hardwood and lakes just south of International Falls on Highway 53. In addition to the parade, the Timber Days festival was host to many concessions and attractions in the city park. A nice crowd filled the approximate ¾ mile parade route and we enjoyed performing in a street concert immediately following the parade. Barb Hegg and the parade organizers were efficient and this was a well orchestrated parade.
Loading the coach at 7:00 a.m. in Bessemer it was 58 degrees and raining. We were wondering what to expect, but during a 15 minute stretch break in Superior, the rain was ended, and by the time of arrival in Cook about 11:40 a.m. it was partly sunny, humid, and perhaps around 80 degrees.
After a quick change in the school, we ran through the “Corner” music for Rich. Then spent about ½ hour in the parking lot working on the “collapse” and “Rubic’s Cube”. With that done, we had another 30 minutes to relax before stepping off. We also ran into the Chisholm Drum & Bugle Corps whom we usually see in Two Harbors, MN.
After the parade, refreshments seemed in order, so we began “Barnstorming” with the VFW where we played for a large and appreciative crowd. After 30 minutes and the start of a quench to our thirst, we moved onward to “The Old Muni”. Upon entering, we encountered a pleasant surprise. This place was rocking, and the Inn’s patrons made many requests for pieces they heard outside. Best received were the “Georgia Medley” and “In the Mood”. This is definitely the type of hospitality we enjoy and we express our thanks to the proprietor, Jack Luecken.
Before we knew it Tim L. had made reservations at Grandma’s (Canal Park in Duluth) for 45. (The magic of cell phones.) After a delightful dinner (try the Cajun Chicken Fettuccini) a quick stop at Presidents and we settled in for the last 2 ½ hours of the ride home. I can only assume the remainder of the ride was pleasant for I can’t recall (I hope I didn’t snore too loudly!)
Thank you Cook Minnesota, for your hospitality. Next stop an old favorite, The Musky Festival in Hayward, WI in Sunday June 24th. See you all there!
1st Performance was a hit!
Our first performance of the 2001 season was a hit. The special concert at St. Sebastian's for Natalie Wagner's 100th birthday was well received and a special treat for all of us who were priviledged to perform. Thanks Natelie, our sincere wishes for many more!
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2001 Rehearsals Begin!
This page last updated: Saturday, February 17, 2007