Today is Tuesday, July 24; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Lawrence, KS

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Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Sausage
Banana or orange
Fruit cup
Meal 2
Mac and cheese
Coice of one of the following:
Chicken Breast
Salisbury Steak
Ham, turkey, cheese sandwich
Chicken salad
Meal 3
Cheeseburger bar
Baked beans
Seasoned fries
Peaches
Meal 4
Pizza
Salad bar

Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9 Wake
9:15 Stretch
9:45 Meal 1
10:45 Sectional
12:45 Meal 2
1:45 Laundry
5:45 Meal 3
6:45 Visual
8:45 Warm up
9:15 Ensemble
10:45 Meal 4
12 Lights out
Today's Cooks
Jody G., head cook
Jack W.
Donna M.

Guest cooks Lisa P.,Steve P., Brock L., Debbie L., and Kris S.

Today's News
If you are looking for something to bring for the corps for home show or Naperville, consider 180 bottles of Gatorade. The corps gets so much “bang for the buck” out of the big bottles of Gatorade with the July/August heat coming. The good lasts them well into rehearsal.


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

Today is Monday, July 23; it's a show day

We are in Enid, OK

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Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Bagels with cream cheese
Ham slices
Cheesy eggs
Fruit
Meal 2
Glazed Chicken
Minnesota green beans
Craisin Salad
Croissants
Meal 3
Salisbury Steak
Garlic mashed potatoes with gravy
Corn
Ice cream for Bob’s birthday



Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
10:30 Wake
10:45 Stretch
11:15 Breakfast
12:15 Sectional/warm up
1:30 Ensemble
3:15 Lunch, Pack, Load
5 Depart
5:25 Warm up
7:24 Gate
7:44 Performance
8:30 Meal 3
10:30 Depart
Today's Cooks
Jody G., head cook
Jack W.
Donna M.
Lorrie M. leaves today
Guest cook
Carol M. --Drake’s mom
Today's News
Happy Birthday Alex R! And Bob D. Free day was a hit. The kids appreciated a day in air conditioning. The corps arrived in Oklhoma early, making great time on the road. They received some bananas(thanks for responding so quickly), but apples, oranges, grapes,etc. would still be appreciated. A few rain storms have come and gone through Enid today, but they still hope to get Ensemble in before leaving for the stadium.


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

A request from the cooks

As the corps heads back toward the midwest, the cooks have put out a call for fresh fruit. Anything but watermelon would be greatly appreciated because they do have some watermelon left. They'd like to have some before they leave the midwest and head due west to Pasadena. Thank you in advance for caring about our kids.

Today is Sunday, July 22; it's a free day

We are in San Antonio, TX

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Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Blueberry Muffins
Choice of 1 must go:
eggs, sausage biscuit, French toast
Fruit cup



Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:30 Wake, Breakfast, Pack, Load, Clean
11:05 Full Corps Meeting
11:30 Depart for San Antonio
9:30 Depart for Oklahoma
Today's Cooks
Jody G., head cook
Jack W.
Donna M.
Lorrie M.
Lori C. leaves today

Today's News
Thanks to Lori for a great stint as head cook. Rest up! This notice on the old cooktruck--No floor time tomorrow in Oklahoma. Live out of carry on until Lawrence. Have fun in the sun on Free Day.



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

Final Tour Itinerary posted

The itinerary for the final part of the season was posted today on the Colts site. There are some really nice "notes from the road" that Greg posted at the end of the itinerary. Check it out at http://www.colts.org/news/news.cfm?news_id=193.

It's Saturday, July 21. It's a Show Day

We are in San Antonio, TX

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
French toast
Bacon
Sausage
Meal 2
Lasagna
Lettuce Salad
Watermelon
Cheesy Biscuits





Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7:15 Wake
7:30 Stretch
8 Breakfast
9:30 Ensemble
11Meal 2, Pack, Load
12:45 Leave for Stadium
1:20 Warm up
3 Gate
3:24 Performance
Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Jack W.
Lorrie M.
Jody G.
Donna M.

Today's News
Meals 3 and 4 will be determined by the results from the day show. Kids and cooks psyched about the new changes put in at Natalia. Go Colts!

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

We are in San Antonio, TX

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Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Pancakes
Orange Cranberry Muffins
Fruit

Meal 2
Chcken Salad Sandwiches
Must go starches:
Chips
Macaroni Salad
Augratin Potatoes
Cookies
Meal 3
Mustgo Meats:
Pork Chops
Pulled Pork
Chicken Nuggets
Hot dogs
Left over brisket
Broccoli Cheese
Birthday Cake


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
10:30 Wake
10:35 Stretch
11:15 Meal 1
!2:15 Sectionals
1:45 Visual
4:30 Meal 2
5:30 Warm-up/Sectionals
7:30 Ensemble
9:30 Reheasal Ends
9:45 Meal 3
11 Lights out
Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Jack W.
Lorrie M.
Jody G.
Donna M.
Guest cook
Shari H Age out parent

Today's News
Only 3 meals today because the corps slept in. Last night’s brisket was a great success. All plates were piled high with the delicious food. Thanks Cindy and family! Today’s birthday celebration is for Matt H. Happy birthday.

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

Today is Thursday, July 19; it's a show day

We are in Dallas, TX

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Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Eggs
Bacon

Meal 2
The local band boosters are grilling hot dogs and sausage on a stick
Watermelon
Mac and cheese

Meal 3
Cindy S. and her family are doing up a real Texas BBQ for the Colts with brisket and chicken
“It’s going to be a major Texas barbecue with lots of leftovers,” Lori says.


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:30 Wake
9:45 Stretch
10:15 Breakfast
11:15 Vis
12:30 Warmup/sectionals
1:40 Refill water jugs
2 Ensemble
3:35 Meal 2/pack/load
5:10 Depart for stadium
6:10 Warmup
8:11 Gate
8:31 Performance
9:15 Family style Texas BBQ
11 Depart

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Jack W.
Lorrie M.
Jody G. and Donna M. arrive

Greg has been helping out on the cooktruck too.

Today's News
Happy Birthday Nathan R. and Kayla K.

Lori says the corps was really excited about last night’s 80-plus score. Go Colts!

She also says it’s a pretty quiet day for the cooks, with two meals getting the benefit of outside help and donations. Thanks to everyone for helping feed the greatest kids in the world!

Great Texas weather to greet the Colts. A great breeze and a temperature in the 80s.


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

Today is Wednesday, July 18; it's a show day

We are in Fayetteville, AR

Click for weather report and forecast.



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
French toast
Sausage links

Meal 2
Chicken strips (donated by Tyson Foods)
Greg-fried hash browns
Fruit

Meal 3
Pork chops
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Green beans
And maybe Little Debbie snack cakes (also donated)


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:30 a.m. Wake
9:45 Stretch
10:15 Breakfast
11:15 Vis
12:30 Warmup and sectionals
5:15 Depart for stadium
5:50 Warmup
7:54 Gate
8:14 Performance
9 Dinner
11 Depart

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Jack W.
Guest cook Lisa P.
Greg
Jude
Mary
Mike
And others

Today's News

Hooray for all the “guest cooks.” Way to pitch in and help! Lori was amazed and really pleased. “I looked around and said, ‘Where did they all come from?’”

The corps got in about 7:30 a.m. “It was very scenic coming in,” Lori says. “It was really pretty.” See why I miss home so much?

It is an amazing day. The parents of Carrie from the trumpet line brought in a whole food drop from Tyson Foods. (Carrie’s dad apparently works for Tyson, which is headquartered in nearby Springdale, AR) They brought hamburgers, glazed half chicken parts, hot dogs and Little Debbie treats. They also brought “chicken strips hot off the production line” which the cooks promptly served for lunch. And fruit. Thanks so much!

Jude put in a lot of changes for the guard yesterday for the closer. “It’s been a good, productive day all around,” Lori says.


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

Today is Tuesday, July 17; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Carbondale, IL

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Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Egg sandwich
Hash browns
Banana or orange

Meal 2
Turkey or ham sandwiches
Chips
Jell-O snack packs
Watermelon

Meal 3
BBQ pulled pork sandwiches
Pasta salad
Peaches


Photo by Patty A.

Today's Schedule
9:30 a.m. Wake
9:45 Stretch
10:15 Breakfast
10:45 Staff meeting
11:15 Percussion and brass to stadium
11:30 Vis
2 Sectionals
2:45 Guard to stadium
3 Meal 2
3:30 Ensemble
5:30 Rehearsal ends
6 Corps returns to housing site
6:30 Meal 3/clean/pack/load
9 Depart

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Carole B. and Mathilda D. leave today
Jack W.

Today's News
The corps got in about 6:30 a.m.

Seems to be bus maintenance day today. 853 was having the brakes seen about (although Lori thought that had already been taken care of) and 828 was departing for Dubuque. Another bus was meeting them halfway and returning in time to get the corps back on the road.

Jude was the guest cook last night. He helped serve dinner. Thanks Jude!

Tim C., a former tuba player, was in today helping on the cooktruck.

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

Today is Monday, July 16; it's a show day

We are in Sevierville, TN

Click for weather report and forecast.



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Egg bake
Bagels

Meal 2
Parmesan chicken
Scalloped potatoes
Lettuce salad

Meal 3
Spaghetti
Bread sticks
Green beans
“And anything else the cooks can come up with”


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:30 a.m. Wake
9:45 Stretch
10:15 Breakfast
10:45 Staff meeting
11:15 Vis
12:15 p.m. Warmup/sectionals
1:15 Ensemble
2:45 Meal 2/pack/load
4:30 Depart for stadium
4:50 Warmup
6:48 Gate
7:08 Performance
7:55 Meal 3
11 Depart

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Carole B.
Mathilda D.
Jack W.

Today's News
Happy Birthday Matt M!

It’s sunny and hot in Tennessee today.

Today is the 21st anniversary of the opening of Dollywood park, which is less than 10 miles down the road from where the Colts are housed.

Note on the cooktruck: Member jackets are made. Ordered and paid – OK. Should be ready at homeshow. Ordered and not paid – see Mary. Not ordered and not paid – see Mary.

Note from Greg on the cooktruck: The showers are in the community center. Straight ahead to the street. Right one block. Next to the police station. So behave yourselves.

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

Pictures

Since I'm going to be away for much of the rest of tour, I will not be able to put together galleries of photos and post them on the website. (I'm leaving Friday for 8 days on tour; then I'm back for 4 days; then gone again for 10 to California)

I'll do up the ones I've already received (thanks Patty) and you can continue to send pictures to speer.david@gmail.com and I'll get to them when I can. But "when I can" may not be until I'm back from California after finals.

The best way for us to get pictures posted quicker may be how David O. and Jim M. did it. (See their galleries Oswego by David O., Michigan City by David O., and Varna photos by Jim M. at right) They set up their own online galleries at Yahoo photos and Flickr and just sent me a link to them. That allows you to edit your galleries yourself and allows me to get them posted to the site quicker.

You can make free online galleries at Flickr, Yahoo Photos, snapfish, Kodak, and several other places. It's pretty quick and easy and it will allow us to have more pictures up for the kids to look at when they get home from tour.

Thanks. And please keep shooting.

David and the rest of the Virtual Cooktruck staff

Today is Sunday, July 15; it's a show day

We are in Charlotte, NC

Click for weather report and forecast for Charlotte



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Pancakes
Sausage
Waffles

Meal 2
Fruit cup
PB&J

Meal 3
Pork patty sandwich
Cheese fries
Cottage cheese or applesauce

Meal 4
Chicken pot pie
Pears
Cookies


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:30 Wake
9:45 Stretch
10:15 Breakfast
11:15 Vis
12:20 Sectionals/warmup
1:30 Snack (grab-n-go)
1:45 Ensemble
3:15 Lunch/pack/load
5 Depart for show
6 Warmup
7:55 Gate
8:15 Performance
8:55 Dinner
(rest of schedule TK)

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Carole B.
Mathilda D.
Jack W.

Today's News
Happy Birthday Megan M!

Carole says the corps got a police escort out of town in Monroe (in a good way. Kind of like we did in Michigan City. The traffic control allowed the corps buses, trucks, and vans to get out of town as a unit. Thanks again, Monroe)

Everybody in the Colts road family is pretty happy today, Lori says. The corps was “bouncing all over the place” yesterday before, during, and after the Atlanta show. “They knew they were probably going to play twice, but when it really happened, it was cool.”

Despite an almost total turnover in people, the cooks are “actually ahead of schedule today.” By mid-morning, everything for the day was underway and the cooks were figuring out ways to transport it to the show site. Way to go cooks!

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

Colts make evening show in Atlanta

This from dci.org:

11 Drum corps took the field this afternoon at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the first half of the Coltrin & Associates DCI Southeastern Championship. Boston Crusaders (79.950), Colts (78.625), Glassmen (77.375) and Spirit from Jacksonville State University (75.550) had the four highest scores of the afternoon, and will advance to the evening show....

Click on the post title above to go to dci.org and read more.

Wooooooooooooo-hooooooooooooooo. Go Colts!

Today is Saturday, July 14; it's a show day

We are in Atlanta, GA

Click for weather report and forecast for Atlanta



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Bacon
Hash browns
Fruit

Meal 2
Rollups
Orange
Homemade cookies


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
5:45 a.m. Wake
6 Stretch
6:30 Breakfast
7:30 Warmup
8 Ensemble
9:35 Snack/pack/load/pickup lunch/contras on the staff bus
11:20 Depart
12:50 Warmup
2:30 Gate
2:50 Performance
4 Food provided by DCI

Today's Cooks
Carole B and Lori C, head cooks
Polly H., Judy H., Cindy S., Peggy N., Pam W., and Donna S. leave today
Mathilda D.
Jack W. and Randy B. arrive today.

Today's News

The corps is sad to say goodbye to Monroe. They got great help from everyone at the school and in the community. “It couldn’t have been better,” Carole said. “It was the best place to stay.”

And great weather didn’t hurt, either. Thanks Monroe! For everything!

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

Today is Friday, July 13; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Monroe, GA
It’s Iowa State Fair Day on the cooktruck

Click for weather report and forecast for Monroe



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Frosted sticky wicky buns
Bacon, egg and cheese biscuits
Apple, banana or orange

Meal 2
Corn dogs
Jack’s salad
Watermelon

Meal 3
Meatballs on a stick
Baked beans
Orange sherbet salad

Meal 4
Iowa State Fair beef sundae
Cheesy green beans
Pound cake with peaches (thanks to Anne G.)


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8 Wake
8:15 Stretch
8:45 Breakfast
9 Staff meeting
9:30 Drumline to buses for transportation to stadium
9:45 Vis
12:15 Guard and percussion to stadium
5:45 Dinner
6:45 Warmup
7:15 Ensemble
9:15 Snack
10:15 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Polly H.
Judy H.
Cindy S.
Peggy N.
Pam W.
Donna S.
Mathilda D. arrives today

Today's News
The Colts couldn’t use the stadium where they are staying last night because the football team was using it, so the MAYOR OF MONROE found them another one to use. One with “huge, high bleachers” that gave the visual staff a wonderful look at the drill, Carole says. No wonder she says “we’re still being treated like royalty.”

She said the Colts look “absolutely breathtaking” and that there is still new stuff being added and refined. Cool.

Speaking of cool, it’s been really nice weather for the Colts in Georgia. “This is nothing like the Georgia weather I remember from two years ago,” Carole says.

In case you’re wondering, breakfast tomorrow is at 6:30.

Go Colts.


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

Today is Thursday, July 12; it's a rehearsal and laundry day

We are in Monroe, GA

Click for weather report and forecast for Monroe



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Quiche
Fruit salad
Gigantic muffins provided by Anne G.

Meal 2
Rollups
Jell-O
Banana salad
Gatorade

Meal 3
Taco salad
Spaghetti-vegetable salad
Apple or orange

Meal 4
Bagel pizza
Mustgoes
Brownie sundaes


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:30 Wake
9:45 Breakfast
10:45 Stretch and sectionals
1 Lunch
2 Laundry
6 Dinner
7 Warmup
8 Ensemble
10 Vis
11 Snack
12:15 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Polly H.
Judy H.
Cindy S.
Peggy N.
Pam W. and Donna S. arrive today

Today's News
The corps was “treated like royalty” when they arrived in Georgia. (Thanks, Anne G.) “Everything imaginable has been provided for us,” Carole says.

The cooktruck freezer is still really full so they are using freezer space at the school until they can use up some things.

It was a pretty uneventful trip from North Carolina and the weather is not as hot in Georgia as it was there. Even so, the cooks are taking advantage of the Southern hospitality and doing some of their cooking prep inside in the air conditioning.

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

Today is Wednesday, July 11; it's a free day

We are in Leland, NC

Click for weather report and forecast for Leland



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Breakfast lasagna
Blueberry or plain bagel
Clementines from Olaf
Grapes or banana

Meal 4
Mustgoes


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:15 a.m. Wake
8:30 Stretch
9 Breakfast
10:15 Beach and play in the morning (I think that’s what Carole said. The cel phone connection was a bit scratchy, though.)
11:15 Free day begins
8:30 p.m. Meet at bus
9:30 Snack/pack/load
11 Depart

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Polly H.
Patty A. leaves today
Judy H.
Cindy S.
Peggy N.
Kay T., guest cook

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Mike F. and Deanna M.!

Carole gave the answers to the trivia questions, but the cel phone signal dropped out about that time. Guess we’ll have to wait until tomorrow, since they’re all on free day.

The cooks are “improvising a lot of our meals” since the cooler and the freezer are each crammed full of food after the food drop yesterday.

Even with the full coolers, the cooks could use more fresh fruit at the next stop.

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

A couple of photos

I read the cook truck blog now and then and was at the July 8th
rehearsal in perkasie... snapped a few photos to email to you.
Enjoy!
Emma Cohen-Joppa

It's Tuesday, July 10; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Leland, NC

Click for weather report and forecast for Leland



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Bagels and cream cheese
Bacon
Bananas
Leftover sausage

Meal 2
Western Chicken Salad
Fruit salad
Garlic bread sticks

Meal 3
Chicken Parmesan
Lettuce salad
Garlic toast

Meal 4
Mexican haystacks
Fruit soup
Sundaes and cookies


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:45 a.m. Wake
10 Stretch
10:30 Breakfast
11:30 Sectionals
2 p.m. Lunch
3 Vis
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Warmup
7 Ensemble
9 Vis
11 Snack
12:15 a.m. Lights out

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Polly H.
Patty A.
Judy H.
Cindy S.
Peggy N.

Kay T. helped today in the kitchen

Today's News
It was a food drop day, so the cooks stayed very busy.

The corps had a great show last night, and now they are – as Carole says – “back with the fire ants and alligators.”

The cooks had trivia questions for the corps today, with prizes for correct answers. They gave me the questions, but not the answers for some reason.
1) What actress lived just across the bridge from where the corps is parked today?
2) What two TV shows were filmed here?

I think I know one of the TV shows. Anybody else have guesses?

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

Today is Monday, July 9; it's a competition day

We are in Warrenton, VA

Click for weather report and forecast for Warrenton



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Homemade quiche from Nathan and Buttons’ Aunt Susan
Banana
Half a peach

Meal 2
Fish fillets with cheese
Mac and cheese
Fruit salad from donated fresh fruit

Meal 3
Chicken fried rice
Asian salad
Watermelon

Meal 4
Pork fritter sandwiches
French fries
Corn
Donated cookies


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:15 a.m. Wake
8:30 Stretch
9 Breakfast
10 Sectionals
11:45 Vis
12:30 p.m. Meal 2
1:30 Vis
2:30 Warmup
3 Ensemble
4:45 Dinner/pack/load
6:30 Depart for show site
7 Warmup
9 Gate
9:23 Stepoff
9:50 Meal 4
11:30 Depart for Leland, NC


Today's Cooks
Polly H and Carole B, head cooks
Olaf leaves today
Patty A.
Judy H.
Cindy S.
Peggy N.


Today's News
Goodbye Alf. After several weeks on tour, our biggest Dutch fan (in many, many ways) leaves today. We treasure every moment you are with us, big guy, and all miss you terribly when you have to go.

It’s hot, hot, hot in Virginia today. And so are the Colts. I heard them rehearsing when Polly called from the cooktruck today and I immediately wanted to be back on tour. “If you could hear the music I’m hearing right now,” Polly said, “it would take your breath away.”

As you can see by the menus above, the cooks have gotten lots of donations over the past few days – too many to thank you individually, but know that all the volunteers and the Colts appreciate every one of them. And bring more fruit. The corps went nuts over the fresh fruit salad today again, Polly says.

The show last night in Allentown was fabulous. The audience loved it. The kids were happy. The staff said all good things. Even the judges didn’t have anything bad to say. Keep doing it, Colts.

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

Today is Sunday, July 8; it's a competition day

We are in Allentown, PA

Click for weather report and forecast for Allentown



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Egg casserole
Bananas

Meal 2
Italian chicken
Au graten potatoes
Barbecue beans
Grapes and bananas

Meal 3
Sloppy Joes
Cabbage & cauliflower salad
Lemon cake - this time for real!
Grapes



Photo by Patty A.

Today's Schedule
6:30 Arrive
9:00 Wake
9:15 Stretch
9:45 Breakfast
10:45 Visual
12:00 Sectionals
1:15 Ensemble
3:00 More food
4:45 Depart for show
5:45 Warm-up
7:35 Gate
7:55 Step-off
8:30 Dinner
10:30 Depart


Today's Cooks
Polly H, head cook
Olaf
Patty A.
Judy H.
Cindy S.
Peggy N.


Today's News
It's Hot! And it's not a "day at the beach." The corps is determined to have a good show tonight. Also, we say goodbye to Olaf tonight. The members (and the cooks) will miss him!. Thank you, Olaf, for taking time away from your family to fly across the pond and spend so much time working for your corps. Everyone appreciates it. Keep in touch - we will see you again in two years!

The reason the corps didn't have lemon cake last night, although it was on the menu, is because someone donated individual ice cream cakes for all the corps members. We have been receiving fabulous donations, including several donations of bottled Gatorade for the whole corps, watermelon, peaches, fresh blueberries, and a couple of donations of grapes and bananas. Thanks to everyone who has donated! We've had enough grapes an bananas for a couple of days... variety is good! Also, powdered Gatorade is helpful.

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

Today is Saturday, July 7; it's a competition day

We are in Massillon, OH

Click for weather report and forecast for Massillon



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Katie P.'s homemade Amish-style Friendship Bread
Breakfast mustgoes

Meal 2
Chicken patty sandwich
Chips
Green bean cassarole
Fresh fruit - bananas or apples

Meal 3
Beef stew
Peaches
Lemon cake


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
10:15 Wake
10:30 Stretch
11:00 Breakfast
12:00 Warm-up/sectionals
1:30 Ensemble
3:15 Lunch, pack, & load
5:00 Depart
5:20 Warm-up
7:14 Gate
7:34 Perform
8:00 Snack
9:45 Depart for Perkasie, PA

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Olaf
Patty A.
Polly H.
Judy H.
Brock, Debbie, Jody, David, Bill and Luba leave today
Cindy S. and Peggy N. arrive today

Today's News
Happy Birthday Matthew C.

Polly H. is taking over as head cook today. Many thanks to Jody S. for her second tour of duty as head cook, and to all of the other departing cooks from this week.

Last night's show was great, with all of the changes in. The crowd was stunned following the new section in the Bartok, and the corps received the usual standing ovation. Also yesterday, recent Colts alum Katie P. donated bread and served as a guest cook, working her tail off for the entire day - pancakes through snack. She concluded that being a Colts Cook is harder than caryring a Contra. Katie, who will soon be leaving to teach English in Japan, attempted to write the menu on the board in Japanese, much to the amusement of our Japanese corps members. Apparently the translation for "chips" turned out something like "hard potatoes, but easy to break."

It was an eight-hour drive to Canton/Massillon and the corps lost an hour due to the time change. As a result, the corps slept in until 10:15 this morning and there are only three meals today. It's a beautiful day in Canton.

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

Today is Friday, July 6; it's a competition day

We are in Michigan City, IN

Click for weather report and forecast for Michigan City



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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Blueberry Pancakes
Sausage links

Meal 2
Chicken Nuggets
Scalloped potatoes
Glazed carrots

Meal 3
Chili dogs
Chips
Cottage cheese

Meal 4
Spaghetti
Fruit
Lemon cake


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7:00 Wake
7:15 Stretch
7:45 Breakfast
8:45 Sectionals
10:30 Visual
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Warm-up/sectionals
2:30 Ensemble
4:45 Dinner, pack & load
6:30 Depart
7:00 Warm-up
8:53 Gate
9:13 Performance
10:15 America the Beautiful
10:45 Meal 4
12:15 Deaprt for Canton, OH

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Olaf
Bill S.
Luba S.
Brock L.
Debbie L.
David S.
Patty A.
Polly H. and Judy H. arrive today
Katie P. - guest cook

Today's News
Happy birthday to cook Debbie L.!

If anyone is nearby, willing, and able, the corps can use donations of fresh fruit - grapes, bananas, apples, etc. would be quite helpful.

Last night was a classic Colts Mustgo night. There was a giant scrum and they ate everything - cookies, biscuits & gravy, you name it. There was also a mouthpiece boil and water bottle wash. With the leftovers gone and everything cleaned out, it amounted to a mid-season camp for the cooktruck. The truck is "as ready as the corps" for the second part of the season, and will score well.

The corps received a copy of a wonderful letter from the principal of Midland H.S. in Varna, IL to the Executive Director of DCI. It said the corps was great and the staff and memebrs were easy to work with, so we're invited to return any time.

There are tons of changes to the show, and anyone who has seen it before will be "blown away." David S. and Mary were standing near the souvie truck listening to the horn arc, and it gave them goosebumps.

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

Today is Thursday, July 5; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Michigan City, IN

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Sausage patty

Meal 2
Chicken divine
Tossed salad
Fruit cup

Meal 3
Read beans & rice
Corn
Garlic toast

Meal 4
Real Live Mustgo Night


Photo by Bev B.

Today's Schedule
8:30 Wake
8:45 Stretch
9:15 Breakfast
9:45 Staff meeting
9:45 Full member meeting with Mike & Ray
10:15 Sectionals
10:15 Guard leaves for field 2: take everything you will need; not returning until dinner
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Visual
5:00 Dinner
6:00 Warm-up
6:30 Ensemble
9:00 Rehearsal ends
9:15 Snack
10:30 Lights out


Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Olaf
Bill S.
Luba S.
Brock L.
Debbie L.
David S.
Patty A.

Today's News
Happy Birthday Ryan B!

Yesterday was a big day with all the parades, but it was nice and the parades went well. The corps watched fireworks over about 3 suburbs during snack. Today the guard is about 10 minutes away using some soccer fields. The cooks had to pack up, transport, and serve lunch to them at the remote location, but the guard staff helpped out which was much appreciated. The cooks are chopping onions and green peppers outside in the shade today. The corps is rehearsing in a nice stadium.

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

Today is Wednesday, July 4; it's Chicago area parades day

We are in Chicago, IL

Click for weather report and forecast for Chicago



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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Breakfast wraps

Meal 2
Dominoes pizza

Meal 3
Ravioli
Garlic toast or breadsticks


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
It's parade day, so the schedule is a little crazy and imprecise.

6:30 Wake
7:30 Group "B" leaves for two parades
8:00 Group "A" walks to Vernon Hills parade, then walks back and leaves for second parade
2:30 Full corps in Northbrook parade
3:45 Dominoes delivers to corps in the park
6:00 Full corps in Wheeling parade ("Parade 6")
7:30 or 8:00? Dinner
11:00? Depart

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Olaf
Bill S.
Luba S.
Brock L.
Debbie L.
David S.
Patty A. arrives today

Today's News
Today is "Hug a Brit Day!"

There is a Wal-Mart stop tonight. The corps should get to see the Vernon Hills fireworks tonight, which will be "right out the back door." In fact, they should be able to see fireworks from three or four towns, plus they will likely see them on both sides of the road all the way to Wal-Mart.

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

Today is Tuesday, July 3; it's rehearsal camp day 3

We are in Varna, IL

Click for weather report and forecast for Varna



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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Biscuits & gravy

Meal 2
Pulled pork sandwiches
French fries
Corn

Meal 3
Fajitas
Rice
Fruit salad
Ice cream

Meal 4
Pizza
Lettuce salad


Photo by Jim J.

Today's Schedule
8:15 Wake
8:30 Stretch
9:00 Breakfast
9:30 Staff meeting
10:00 Sectionals: Brass on practice field, Guard in stadium, Percussion on baseball field
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Visual
5:00 Dinner
6:00 Warm-up
6:30 Ensemble
8:00 Snack, pack, clean & load
9:45 Depart


Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Olaf
Bill S.
Luba S.
Gary P. leaving today
Brock L.
Debbie L.
David S.
Mary Lou helps

Today's News
Happy Birthday Rachel G!

Ice cream will be served at dinner because it's been too cool in the evenings to serve it for snack. It's sunny today with a few clouds. The corps has been working hard and has gotten a lot done during this camp, adding some "really cool" parts to the show. David says they will come out of camp "smokin'." They are tanned, rested, ready, and will take the drum corps world by storm. Of course it's a great show already, but "wow, there is some cool stuff coming."

Everyone is excited for the parades tomorrow.

Penny is leaving today. Thanks Penny, for helping to keep the corps looking so good!

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

Today is Monday, July 2; it's rehearsal camp day 2

We are in Varna, IL

Click for weather report and forecast for Varna



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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Cutsom egg souffl'e
Pancake or muffin

Meal 2
Peachy Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Peas & carrots

Meal 3
Brats & Burgers (donated by the host school!)
Chips
Baked beans
Watermelon

Meal 4
Macho Nachoes
cookies


Photo by Jim J.

Today's Schedule
8:45 Wake
9:00 Stretch
9:30 Breakfast
10:00 Staff meeting
10:30 Visual: Brass/Percussion in stadium, Guard on field 2
1:30 Lunch
2:30 Sectionals: Guard in stadium
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Warm-up
7:30 Run-through
8:00 Ensemble
11:30 Snack
12:30 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Olaf
Bill S.
Luba S.
Brock L.
Debbie L.
Gery P.
David S.
Mary Lou helps

Today's News
It was really cool over night, but it has warmed up and it's a brilliant, sunny, nice midwestern day. There are cornfields for miles every way you look, so the corps feels right at home. There are a lot of changes being put into the show, and things are moving along rapidly. Things are upbeat, and there is a great cook crew on board.

The Dubuque food drop didn't happen as planned , so the food drop arrived today.

Penny is sewing.

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

Today is Sunday, July 1; it's rehearsal camp day 1 and laundry day

We are in Varna, IL

Click for weather report and forecast for Varna



Click for larger interactive version of today's map.


Today's Menu
Breakfast
Mayfly Cake
Bacon
Banana

Meal 2
Corn Dogs
Potato wedges
Fruit salad

Meal 3
Beef Mac
Cole slaw
Bread sticks

Meal 4
Pretzels
Ice cream sundaes
Muffins


Photo by Jim J.

Today's Schedule
9:30 Wake
10:30 Leave for laundry
2:30 return from laundry
3:30 ?
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Warm-up
8:00 Ensemble
11:00 Snack
12:15 Light out


Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Olaf
Bill S.
Luba S.
David S., Gary P., Debbie L., and Brock L. arrive today
Mary Lou Miller helps

Today's News
It's a beautiful sunny day and the corps is off to do laundry this morning. Meanwhile, the cooks are re-organizing and cleaning the truck, getting it in shape for the push through July. There have been tons of donations including cookies, fruit, gatorade mix, and cereal. Everything is appreciated, and David says "bring more."

Big thanks to Lori for a fantastic week as head cook. And for managing the food drops and orders and for everything else she does.

Penny D. sewing this week.

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