Colts Fan Network

Anybody signed up for the new Colts Fan Network?

You can take a look at what's on the free part of the network by going here and poking around.

Check it out and let us know what you found.

Today is Saturday, May 31; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Delhi, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Scrambled eggs
English muffin
Sausage link

Meal 2
Goulash
Applesauce
Green beans

Meal 3
Chicken fried chicken
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Peas and carrots
Watermelon

Meal 4
Soup
Mustgoes
Banana pudding


Today's Schedule
8 Wake
8:10 Stretch
8:40 Meal 1
9:40 Vis
1 Meal 1
2 Vis
4 Sectionals
6 Meal 3
7 Warmup
7:30 Music ensemble
8:15 Ensemble
10 Meal 4
11:10 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Penny D, head cook
Luba S
Patty T
Debbie L
Betty H
Loras H
Bill S
Dan L from Minnesota dropped off his Colt and decided to stay the weekend and help the cooks

Today's News
The cooks have had zero opportunity to hear/see the show preparation so far, since in Platteville all the rehearsals were quite a hike away at the stadium. They thought the situation would be better in Delhi, since we're usually parked right beside the football field. No so much. Because of all the school buses parked near the bus barn, the kitchen truck is set up on the opposite corner of the school, away from the field. (Insert sad face here)

Since the sun came out yesterday, there were a few more sunburns reported this morning among the corps. Apply sunscreen. Reapply often.

Last night's move went well. The corps got in to Delhi about 12-12:30, just about on schedule. The cooks had gone ahead to get the kitchen truck set up, so they were already there.

Corps crew assignments have been posted for the summer, so the kitchen truck packing crews, the field lining crews, the cleanup crews, etc. are formed and ready to perform. Go field liners. (Don't forget to save breakfast for them)

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

Today is Friday, May 30; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Platteville, WI

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Blueberry muffins
Bacon
Hashbrown patty

Meal 2
Hamburgers
French fries
Carrots

Meal 3
Ham
Scalloped potatoes
Corn

Meal 4
Corn dogs

Today's Schedule
7:50 Wake

8 Stretch
8:30 Meal 1
9:30 Vis - Full corps
1 Meal 2 for group #1
1:20 Meal 2 for group #2
2 Vis with music in stadium
5:30 Leave for kitchen truck
5:40 Meal 3
6:40 Warm up
7:10 Ensemble
9 Warm down/stretch
9:20 Leave for kitchen truck
9:30 Meal 4, pack & load
11 Depart for Delhi, IA

Today's Cooks
Penny D, head cook
Luba S
Patty T
Debbie L

Today's News
Food drop day!!
The food drop was done by 9 a.m., even though it was raining cats and dogs when the truck was scheduled to arrive at 6 a.m.

Sounds like things are progressing, even though the weather has not cooperated very much so far. Good news is that the rain has stopped now and seems like it's likely to hold off the rest of the day.

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

Today is Thursday, May 29; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Platteville, WI

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Egg bake with ham
Banana or orange

Meal 2
Pulled pork
Baked beans
Chips
Mixed fruit
Carrots, celery sticks and broccoli

Meal 3
Chicken breasts
Broccoli-cheese rice pilaf
Veggies

Meal 4
Deluxe nachos

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Stretch
7:40 Meal 1
8:40 Vis - Guard on side field; horns and drums in stadium
12 Horns and drums Meal 2
12:20 Guard Meal 2
1 Vis - horns and drums in stadium
1:20 Guard to side field
3 Sectionals - Percussion in stadium
5:10 Meal 3
6:10 Warm up
7:10 Music ensemble
8:10 Full ensemble
9:50 Warm down/stretch
10 Leave for kitchen truck
10:10 Meal 4
11:15 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Luba S, head cook
Peter H
Penny D
Patty T
Debbie L
Christine B

Today's News
Rain is today's word. It started after meal 1 and the radar shows much more on the way. We had a new bus driver arrive yesterday. His name is Dwight and he is from Maryland. I hope he won't mind the turtle mascot jokes.

Thanks for the watermelons that were donated. During our Wal*Mart grocery stop on Monday, I saw that they looked good and were reasonably priced. I guess someone else thought so, too.

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

New sidebar feature

We've put in a new sidebar feature called 'Member Blogs and Websites.' The first is from Sarah Q. Her dad uses it to keep Sarah's supporters informed of what she's doing this summer. There are pictures and videos and lots of cool stuff. Check it out with the link at right.

Are you doing something similar for your Colt this summer? Let us know and we'll add it to the list. It's a good way to let gramma and grandpa, aunts and uncles, sponsors and friends catch up with what's going on with your Colt.

Today is Wednesday, May 28; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Platteville, WI

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Bagels or Muffins

Meal 2
Sloppy Joes
Tater tots
Corn

Meal 3
Mozzerella Chicken Patty
Spaghetti
Salad
Garlic toast

Meal 4
Soup and sandwich
Chicken soup or tomato soup
Ham or turkey sandwich

Today's Schedule
7:50 Wake

8 Stretch
8:30 Meal 1
9:30 Vis - Guard on side field; horns and drums in Stadium
12:20 Horns and drums leave for kitchen truck
12:30 Horns and drums Meal 2
12:40 Guard leaves for kitchen truck
12:50 Guard Meal 2
1:30 Vis - horns and drums in stadium
1:50 Guard to side field
3 Sectionals
5 Leave for kitchen truck
5:10 Meal 3
6:15 Warmup
6:45 Music ensemble
7:20 Full ensemble
9 Vis
10 Leave for kitchen truck
10:10 Snack
11:10 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Luba S, head cook
Penny D
Patty T
Debbie L
Peter H
Christine B

Today's News
Cornfield: Day 2. Kids seem to be doing well, getting used to the walk back and forth to the UW-Platteville stadium. Improvements are still being made to the athletic areas, so there's some construction to detour around at times. A minor inconvenience.

Both the corps and the cooks seem to working out the kinks today. Just what cornfield is for.

It's warmer today, so thanks for sending the warm thoughts the cooks' way.

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

Home show help needed!

If you're planning to be at the Colts' home show June 26, please find a little time in your day to volunteer to help with the various tasks required to put on a show of this size. There are several areas that need your help.

E-mail Lori C (jlconnolly2@yahoo.com) for details, or just send your inquiries to me at the email address in the right sidebar and I'll pass them along.

Thanks to everyone for helping out!

David

Today is Tuesday, May 27; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Platteville, WI

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Biscuits and gravy
(Pepper gravy for vegetarians)
PBJ
Cereal
O.J.

Meal 2
Breaded pork patty
Mac & cheese
Veggies

Meal 3
Salisbury steak
Mashed potatoes & gravy
Veggies

Meal 4
Pretzel with cheese
Cake with hard sauce

Today's Schedule
7:50 Wake
8 Stretch
8:30 Meal 1
9:30 Vis in Stadium
12:20 Horns and drums leave stadium for kitchen truck
12:30 Horns and drums Meal 2
12:40 Guard leaves stadium for kitchen truck
12:50 Guard Meal 2
1:30 Vis/horns and drums on side field
1:50 Guard to stadium
3 Sesctionals
5 Leave stadium area for kitchen truck
5:10 Meal 3
6:15 Warmup
6:45 Ensemble
8:30 To field house for sectionals at 8:40
10:30 Personal time – Work on dot books!
11 Snack
12 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Luba S, head cook
Patty T
Beth D
Cindy S
Penny D
Debbie L
Peter H
Bill S

Today's News
Send warm weather! (The cooks won't be saying that by the time we get to Kansas...)

Monday's parade went well, as did the trip to Platteville. The corps is working into its daily tour routine now. You'll notice the 10-minute "walk to and from the stadium" times included in the schedule.

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

Today is Monday, May 26; it's Memorial Day

We are in Dubuque, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Eggs
Muffins

Meal 2
Sub sandwiches
Chips
Snack bars
Veggies & dip

Meal 3
Pizza

Meal 4
TBD


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
(subject to weather conditions)
8:30 a.m. Wake/eat/pack/clean school
10:25 Get on buses or into your cars
10:30 Depart for Colts Center
11 Unload battery and tubas at Colts Center and pit eat immediately
11:30 Truck and pit to Washington Park and set up. Lunch and dress in half uniform
12:15 p.m. Walk to Jackson Park (Kitchen truck to Platteville)
12:30 Sectional warmup
1:15 Full ensemble at Jackson Park
1:30 Parade begins. Colts are last. Step off about 1:45
2:30 (time approx) Summer Premier Concert
4:30 Equipment truck arrives at Colts Center. Load brass instruments and then uniforms on truck
5:15 Full corps meeting
5:45 Depart for Platteville
6:15 Arrive. Unload buses completely. (They will leave with your stuff if you don't)
6:45 Dinner at food truck. Buses depart (See, I told you)
7:30 Sectionals outdoors
9:30 Visual indoors
11 Snack
12 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Jody G
Gywen M (Barry’s mom)
Barry M
Cindy S
Melanie H
Ann J
Tom J
Katie J
Barb P
Jim J
Kay T
Vicki D
Lisa M
Dan B
Pat R
Debbie L
Brock L
Rod R
(And others. Thanks to everyone who helped. Sorry if we missed anyone. Tell me and I'll add them!)

Today's News
Well, the partly cloudy skies and soft breezes got a lot less partly and a lot harder later on last night. There were storm warnings for the area, so the corps sat in an interior hallway of the school for a while until the threat passed. It rained very hard and it was extremely stormy nearby. But everyone is safe. The trailers were closed tight well before the drenching rains hit and everyone (well, almost everyone -- some of us volunteers couldn't help venturing out to check out the storm first hand) stayed snug and dry, if a little warm in the closed-up school.

Music and guard sectionals continued inside after the threat of heavy weather had passed. There was still rain and lightning in the area when time came to load so, as always, we erred on the side of safety and put off loading until this morning. Not a problem. Not even an inconvenience.

Volunteers had finished re-sealing the equipment trailer in the afternoon. The new sealant got a pretty good workout last night.

Even with the minor delay, the new guard uniforms got fit. They are beautiful. No, you can't see a picture. Michael Cessario was making sure there were no cameras around to spoil the surprise that's coming for the fans who turn out for the Colts shows this year. You can't imagine the cool, creative rabbits the Colts are going to pull out of their hat this year. It is indeed a great Night and Day to be a Colt.

Thanks to all of Sunday's volunteers. There was so much going on in the school kitchen, in the kitchen trailer, in the souvie trailer, in the sewing room, at the Colts Center, in the school hallways and classrooms that it was hard to keep up with it all. In fact, I couldn't, so here's an all-encompassing thank you to the parents and volunteers who turned out to help. You weren't here? You're really missing something. Make sure you come out and help for at least a day this year. Do it for you. And for the Colts.

I know I forgot something really cool about yesterday that I'll add later. But there was so much going on, it was hard to keep up.

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

Today is Sunday, May 25; it's a May camp day

We are in Dubuque, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
French Toast
Bacon

Meal 2
Taco Salad
Corn
Peaches

Meal 3
Chicken
Potatoes & gravy
Carrots
Pudding cups

Meal 4
BBQ Pork Sandwiches
French Fries


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8 a.m. Wake/eat
9 Stretch
9:45 Sectionals
10:30 Visual/brass and percussion
12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:15 Visual - brass and percussion; guard and pit sectionals
5 Dinner
6 Full corps meeting in main gym
6:30 Sectionals
7:30 Music ensemble outside
8:45 End rehearsal - move indoors
9 Sectionals
10:30 Load all percussional and tubas on truck; brass cases on truck empty; guard equipment on truck (except parade flags) Load all possible personal items in buses or cars. Keep you uniform parts and your uniform hanger with you on the bus.
11:15 Snack
12:15 a.m. Lights out

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Jody G
Gywen M (Barry’s mom)
Barry M
Cindy S
Melanie H
Ann J
Tom J
Katie J
Barb P
Jim J
Kay T
Vicki D
Lisa M
Dan B
Pat R
Debbie L
Brock L
Rod R
(And others. Thanks to everyone who helped. Sorry if we missed anyone. Tell me and I'll add them!)

Today's News
It was move-into-the-kitchen-truck day. Much cleaning and packing. Plumbing up to speed. Dinner was still cooked/served inside but maybe breakfast at the truck tomorrow. The souvie trailer was getting cleaned, repaired, and organized for the summer. Visual sectionals and ensemble were outside.

It was cloudy off and on all day, with some breeze but not bad. At least up until 6 p.m..........

Lots of flag sewing going on at the center. Lots of uniform fitting going on. Shakos being measured and adjusted. Uniform parts handed out. A good day to be a Colt.

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

Today is Saturday, May 24; it's a May camp day

We are in Dubuque, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Pancakes
Sausage

Meal 2
Meatball Subs
Mac & Cheese
Fruit cups

Meal 3
Ham
Au gratin Potatoes
Green beans
Lettuce Salad

Meal 4
Corn Dogs
Tater tots


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8 a.m. Wake/eat
8:15 Caption head meeting
9 Stretch
9:45 Sectionals
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 Visual/brass-percussion; sectionals guard/pit
5:30 Dinner/staff eat first
5:45 Full staff meeting
6:30 Warmup
7:30 Full ensemble outside
8:45 End rehearsal/move indoors
9 Music sectionals; guard main gym
11 Snack
12 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Jody G
Gywen M (Barry’s mom)
Barry M
Cindy S
Melanie H
Ann J
Tom J
Katie J
Barb P
Jim J
Kay T
Vicki D
Lisa M
Dan B
Pat R
Debbie L
Brock L
Rod R
(And others. Thanks to everyone who helped. Sorry if we missed anyone. Tell me and I'll add them!)
Today's News
It's a bright, sunny day in Dubuque. A good day to be a Colt.

Lots of rehearsing -- sectionals, stretching, music -- set for today. And a full corps rehearsal scheduled for OUTSIDE late this afternoon. Whooooooo!

Lots of volunteer projects scheduled for today too. Kitchen truck had lights last night and the water is ready to be hooked up. An all-systems test will be done this morning after it's finished being de-winterized and then, we're ready for the road. Frozen food was packed in the truck's freezer last night (meat on the left -- pork, chicken, beef top to bottom; bread and veggies on the right; corn dogs piled high in the upper corner) and we started putting on paper goods. Snack last night and breakfast this morning, but we'll switch over to cooktruck operation later today. It's a good day to be a Colt.

Thanks to all the volunteers who are cooking, sewing, shako fitting, cleaning, building, patching, remodeling, and other stuff this weekend. We appreciate every minute you are putting in. A special thanks to Lori and Pat for showing up early last night to get the food drop organized and ready to pack away.

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

Today is Friday, May 23; it's a May camp day

We are in Dubuque, IA

WELCOME TO SUMMER!

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Snack
Pretzels and cheese


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8 p.m. Unload/check in
9 Full meeting in main gym
9:15 Rehearsal
11 Snack
12 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Jody G
Gywen M (Barry’s mom)
Barry M
Cindy S
Melanie H
Ann J
Tom J
Katie J
Barb P
Jim J
Kay T
Vicki D
Lisa M
Dan B
Pat R
Debbie L
Brock L
Rod R
(And others. Thanks to everyone who helped. Sorry if we missed anyone. Tell me and I'll add them!)

Today's News
Pre-season workshop is winding down. May camp starts tonight. It's tour time. Yes!

As always, check colts.org for the latest official word on tour news, housing sites, mail drops, or other corps information.

Report from Pre-Season Workshop

Photo by David S.

Lori has sent a report from pre-season camp in Dubuque. Things are progressing nicely for the guard, percussion, and volunteers. But I'm sure they're all eager for the brass and the rest of us to show up Friday.

Lori said this morning that there about about 70 members at the workshop, so far. The guard and battery have been going to the fields during the day to practice. The pit has stayed at the housing site for rehearsal. And, yes, there are already sunburns.

The weather has been sunny but windy. A good way to start the week.

Lori says she hasn't had a chance to get out and watch the percussion but that the gaurd has been rehearsing some of the dance and equipment work.

Things seem to be progressing right along.

Lori and the rest of us send out our thanks to all the brass members who have showed up to help with meals. (Ross, Treavor, TJ, and Miho)

Others who are helping include: Paul R (Colt in 2006), Emily R (Colt 2005-06), Toby (Colt 2004-now), Pat R, Peggy F, Tammy M, Vicki D, Ray, David P, Terry L, Mike, and Kim.

Sorry if we missed any of the helpers. If we did, let us know and we'll send an update!

Here's the meals planned for the pre-season workshop. Looks like the best cooks in drum corps are having a bit of a pre-tour workout too.

Tuesday
Meal 1
Cereal and fruit

Meal 2

Turkey Sub
Chips
Snack bars

Meal 3
Lasagna
Garlic bread
Corn
Lettuce salad

Meal 4
Chicken Nuggets
Tropical fruit cup

Wednesday
Meal 1
Cereal
Muffins

Meal 2
Hot dogs
Pasta Salad
Veggies and dip

Meal 3
Chicken breast
Rice
Green Beans
Cake

Meal 4
Tacos
Fruit cup

Thursday
Meal 1
Cereal
Bagels

Meal 2
Hamburgers
Chips
Apples

Meal 3
Breaded Pork Patty
Cheesy Potatoes
Peas & Carrots
Pears

Meal 4
Sloppy Joes
Brownies

Friday
Meal 1
Cereal
Fruit

Meal 2
Ham Sandwiches
Orange Salad
Veggies & Dip

Oh, the significance of the photo? A semi-deserted Wal-Mart Superstore parking lot always reminds me of drum corps. What thing that you encounter in "real life" always reminds you of drum corps?

Only Five Shopping Days Until Tour

Photo by David S.

I've made Target, Office Depot, sporting goods, and Walgreen's stops in the past few days for tour supplies. (I think it showed great restraint that we passed on the Hulk Hands and the Speed Racer Helmet with motion-activated racing sounds at Target.)

I've also been to the Super Wal-Mart just so I re-familiarized myself with the lay of the land for late-night and food stops.

Sunscreen. Check.
DCT. Check. (It's a brass thing.)
Dot book. Check.
Shoestring. Check.
Pencil. Check.
Bus box. Check.

What did I forget?

P.S. I just printed out a copy of the cook calendar so I could schedule vacation. ("All summer" just doesn't seem to get by as an entry on the work vacation schedule.) Look at all those Fs. Awesome. Although it does remind me of a couple of report cards. At least I got one F+.

Another Debut Camp gallery

Photo by David S.

Photos from debut camp by David S. are posted
(Finally. Gee, barely in time for Memorial Day.)
The link is in the right sidebar.

Look at the Cook Calendar ...

on the right, under Links. Thanks to all of the volunteers that have signed up. You've made this calendar look very good. YOU ARE AWESOME!! However we still need more help. If there are only 3 or 4 cooks listed, we need your help on that day.

On the other hand; if you are wondering what those big, green "F"s mean, that is when there is a full crew and cannot have any more cooks. Count them up and you'll see that there are 14 days when we have a full crew. That is 20% of the days we are on tour - a new record.

If there are days you can help, contact me at colts.cooks@comcast.net. Thanks again to everyone that has volunteered. You are the main reason why we are known to have the best volunteers, and food program, in DCI.

Bill

(P.S. -- this is David -- This calendar looks so awesome!. You volunteers are the greatest. I don't even have to post the "guilt" entry I was preparing to get more of you to sign up. Also, everybody be sure to say a big "Thank You" to Bill when you see him at Memorial Day camp. He puts in so much work and time on coordinating all this. We really couldn't do this without him.)

Attention

Photo by David S.

New Colts Fan Network at colts.org

Got an email from the home office today alerting me to a new "Colts Fan Network" offering through colts.org. Check it out here.

Flags!

Photo by David S.

Colts in DC-eye Gallery

Check out the photo gallery associated with the DC-eye Spring Break '08 Photo Contest. There are photos of Kyle B., Brit P., and Stephanie P.

Debut camp gallery

Dan B. has provided a link to his April camp gallery. View the gallery with the link in the right sidebar.

Brass!

Photo by David S.

I decided that I didn't have to wait to have all the pictures done before I posted some....