Today is Saturday, June 14; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in South Wayne, WI

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Blueberry muffins
Half a banana or apple

Meal 2
Chicken nuggets
French fries
Fruit cocktail

Meal 3
TBD (Carole had left and Jody G had not arrived by the time the call came)

Meal 4
TBD


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Stretch
7:45 Breakfast
8:45 Sectionals
11:45 Meal 2
12:45 Activities depend on field conditions.
5:15 Meal 3
6:15 Activities depend on field conditions.
Rest of day TBD, depending on weather

Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Bill S
Luba S
Judy H
Carole B
Patty T
John B
Cindy S
Margot W
Peggy F

Today's News
Things have finally dried out a bit for the Colts, with a day and a half now of no rain. The daily schedule has been up in the air because of rain and wet conditions, but they hoped to be on the main field for Vis by mid-afternoon and possibly ensemble tonight.

Because of a lack of a dry field to work out on last night, the corps got to go to bed early (10 p.m.) They were up at 7 today and ready to go again.

Thanks to Carole, who left today after a week as head cook. She left a note on the cooktruck that said, in part: "It is always hard to leave such a talented, energetic group of people. You are truly and inspiration." She closed with: "Have a great summer. Happy eating. Go Red Team."

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

Today is Friday, June 13; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in South Wayne, WI

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
French toast
Sausage

Meal 2
Chicken pot pie
Applesauce

Meal 3
Meatloaf
Cauliflower surprise
Rhubarb cobbler (donated)

Meal 4
Mustgoes
Chocolate surprise


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Stretch
9 Depart for South Wayne
10 Arrive
10 Staff meeting
11 Sectionals
12:30 Meal 2
1:30 Vis
5:15 Meal 3
6:15 Ensemble
"Rehearsal ends when we are finished"
(So, Meal 4 is after that)

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Peggy F
John B
Kay T
Cindy S
Judy H
Margo W
Patty T
Sue L
Ryan L

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Garrett W!

Travel was this morning because of flooded roads and other weather-related inconveniences. The corps, as usual, rolled with it and were out doing visual rehearsal in South Wayne when the cooktruck call came through this afternoon.

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

Today is Thursday, June 12; it's Summer Premier

We are in Platteville, WI

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Sausage
Peaches or oranges

Meal 2
Chicken gravy over biscuits
Corn
Raspberry applesauce Jell-O

Meal 3
Beef and noodles
Mashed potatoes
California vegetables
Chocolate dessert

Meal 4
Mustgoes


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:20 Wake
8:30 Stretch
9 Breakfast
9:50 Transit to stadium
2 Meal 2
3:30 Ensemble
5:30 Meal 3/dress for performance
7 Warmup
7:30 Colt Cadets perform
8 Colts perform
10 Meal 4/shower/load
11 Depart

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
John B
Kay T
Cindy S
Judy H
Margo W
Patty T
Sue L
Ryan L

Today's News
It's pouring down rain in Platteville. Baaaaaaah! "That's really nothing new," Carole says.

The cooks grilled the pre-cooked brats and dogs for the members last night. They bought the grill about 5 p.m., had it assembled and were feeding the kids by 6. Colts cooks are amazing.

Speaking of amazing, so is the show. Every report I've heard from people who have actually seen the performances is just glowing. Carole says the first time she really saw the show was last night. "It is just amazing," she said.

The cooktruck crew sends out a big 'thank you' for the donation of grapes and oranges. Nice change from bananas and watermelon. Please keep the donations of fresh fruit (including bananas and watermelon -- nothing against bananas and watermelon) and fresh veggies coming. Makes a great complement to the other great things the cooks are making for the corps.

There was cake and ice cream for birthdays yesterday. No birthdays today, though.

Send good thoughts for a dry spell late afternoon and evening so they can get the performance in!

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

Today is Wednesday, June 11; it's a cornfield performance day

We are in Lancaster, WI

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Sausage and cheese bagel
Seasoned potatoes
Bananas, grapes, oranges

Meal 2
Ham & potatoes
Peas & carrots
Pears

Meal 3
Brats or hot dogs
Potato salad
Fruit salad

Meal 4
Potato nachos
Ice cream for birthdays!


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7:20 Wake
7:30 Stretch
8:15 Breakfast
9:15 Sectionals
12:45 Meal 2
1:45 Vis
6 Meal 3
7 Warmup
7:30 Dog & pony
9:45 Stretch/warmdown
10 Meal 4
11:30 Depart for Platteville

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Judy H
John B
Kay T
Cindy S
Margo W
Patty T

Today's News
Happy birthday, Tim B and Keenan!

It's raining. Bah!

Last night's show in Belmont was great. Good crowd. Great show. The Colt Cadets performed too. That was great too.

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

Belmont photos

Lots of photos from the Belmont Brass 'n' Brats performance on Sarah Q's blog and website. Use the link under 'Member Blogs and Websites' at the right.

Enjoy! And thanks to Jeff for posting the pictures.

Today is Tuesday, June 10; it's Brass 'n' Brats day

We are in Belmont, WI

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Southwestern steak and egg bake
Potato oles
Half a banana

Meal 2
Western chicken pizza
Salad

Meal 3
Chicken patty
Cornmeal casserole
Carrot coin salad

Meal 4
(Biggest meal of the day)
Ham balls
Party potatoes
Cheesy broccoli
Peach dessert


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7:30 Wake
7:40 Stretch and run
8:15 Breakfast
9 Sectionals
10:30 Ensemble
12:30-1 Brass meal 2
12:45-1:15 Percussion meal 2
1-1:30 Guard meal 2
1:40 Ensemble
3:30 Meal 3/pack/load
5:30 Depart for Belmont
7:30 Colt cadets perform
8 Circus (?!) perform
8:30 Colts perform
9 Ensemble
9:45 Depart for Lancaster
10:30 Meal 4
11:30 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Judy H
John B
Kay T
Cindy S
Margo W
Patty T
Sue L
Ryan L
Allen

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Kyle L!

Today is Brass 'n' Brats day, so it's a full one. This is the first day we've had that illustrates why we refer to Meal 2, Meal 3, Meal 4. Today, Meal 2 is really the snack. And Meal 4 is really the big meal of the day, which would make it dinner. I'm not sure what that makes Meal 3 at 3:30 in the afternoon. And that's why it's Meal 2, Meal 3, etc. Welcome to Drum Corps!

After all the bad weather, the corps (and cooks) were enjoying an "absolutely gorgeous" day. The sun is shining and the kids are out on the field. Ya-hoo! It's nice and cool in Wisconsin, so that helps too. Last night was pretty too. Carole said there was a great sunset. "The clouds were just beautiful -- if clouds can be beautiful when it's been such a rainy tour so far."

The school has been a delight. The cooks even got to bring chairs outside and "do some of our prep sitting down for a change."

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

New cook calendar

A new cook calendar was posted this morning. It has some more people added to the helper list, changes in locations (like South Wayne, WI, for Dodgeville at the end of the week), and TBA locations filled in.

Download the new schedule by clicking on the link in the right sidebar.

Today is Monday, June 9; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Lancaster, WI

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Sausage
Biscuits and gravy
Half a banana

Meal 2
Chicken wrap
Hash browns
Fruit

Meal 3
Salisbury steak
Mashed potatoes
Baked beans
Veggies

Meal 4
Corn dogs
Green bean casserole
And what was described as "fruit dessert cookie thing"


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
To come

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Judy H
John B
Kay T
Cindy S
Margo W
Patty T
Sue L
Ryan L

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Kendall K! (not yesterday, like I had at first)

Food drop!

But the big news is: IT DIDN'T RAIN TODAY. (At least not yet) That's awesome. The cooks say, "The corps is going to be happily on the field tonight."


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

Today is Sunday, June 8; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Lancaster, WI

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Biscuit and gravy
Mixed fruit

Meal 2
Carole's homemade lasagna
Lettuce salad
Garlic toast or breadsticks
Brownies and leftover birthday cake

Meal 3
TBD (Meal 3 and Meal 4 menus depend on what's left in the fridge. Cooks are trying to clean out leftovers before the food drop on Monday.)

Meal 4
TBD


Photo by Rod R.

Today's Schedule
8:35 Wake
8:45 Breakfast
1 Meal 2
6 Meal 3
9:45 Meal 4
11 Lights out
(The rest of the schedule was dependent on the weather. Most of the day was probably being spent in sectionals and ensemble work inside the Lancaster school. See news below)

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Kay T
Dale L
John B
Cindy S
Patty T
Margo W
Sue L
Ryan L

Today's News
Happy Birthday, ! (no, not Kendall's birthday today. I got it wrong. It's June 9. Bad blogger. Bad)

It's been raining since the corps left Dubuque last night. (No, not absolutely constantly. It wasn't raining when the cooks went out to start breakfast this morning, but it was absolutely pouring by the time the cooks carried the biscuits and gravy inside to serve.)

The corps was "spread out all over the school" this morning, using a couple of gyms, the band room, and lots of other rooms for rehearsals. Looks like they'll be there most of the day. Enough with the rainin', already.

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

Check out Michael Cesario on DCI Field Pass

DCI Hall of Famer and Colts program consultant Michael Cesario is the guest on dci.org's Field Pass. Hear Dan Potter's interview with Michael by clicking here.

Today is Saturday, June 7; it's CARWASH DAY

We are in Dubuque, IA

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
English muffin or waffles
Bacon
Apples, oranges, grapes, or peaches

Meal 2
Sack lunch for car wash

Meal 3
Meatball subs
Italian spaghetti salad
Green bean casserole

Meal 4
English muffin western chicken pizza
Party Baked Beans
Birthday cake for Matt B.


Photo by Rod R.

Today's Schedule
7:15 Wake/breakfast
8:10 Full corps meeting
8:30 Depart for car wash
4 Pick up from car wash/showers
5 Dinner
6:15 Depart for laundry
9:30 Wal-Mart stop
10 Snack
10:30 Pack and clean
11:30 Depart for Lancaster, WI

Today's Cooks
Carole B, head cook
Dale C
Vicki D
John B
Cindy S
Patty T
Margo W

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Matt B
Friday was fairly uneventful. (Which is a good thing) The fields in Dubuque were wet, so there was no field time. (Which is not a good thing), but the corps got lots of work done in sectionals. (Which is a good thing) Then they went for a night on the town in Dubuque, which the cooks described as "movies, shopping, and all that." I was afraid to ask what the "all that" entailed. What happens on free night, stays on free night....

Also according to the cooks, the corps "became human for a short period of time" with real people clothes, hairdos, and such.

New head cook starting today. Welcome, Carole B! And thanks to Lori for a good week on tour, despite lots of rain and storms and threats of storms.

The cooks would like you to know that donations of fresh fruit and vegetables would be greatly appreciated this week on tour. In fact, that would be appreciated any week on tour. Fruit and veg gets pricey when you have to buy it on the road, so please bring fresh stuff the corps members would eat. No specific requests; just a general call for fruits and veggies. Thanks for the outpouring that I'm sure this request will bring.

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

Today is Friday, June 6; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Dubuque, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Bagels
Sausage patties

Meal 2
Beef noodles
Green beans

Meal 3
Fajitas
Fiesta rice
Grapes

Meal 4
(free night snack)
PBJ
Mustgoes


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:20 Wake
8:30 Stretch and run
9:15 Meal 1
9:45 Staff meeting
10:15 Vis
1 Meal 2
2 Sectionals - guard on the field
3:30 Ensemble
5 Meal 3 and a shower
6:30 Depart for movies/free time
12 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Dale C
Vicki D
Betty H

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Vince T and Michael H

Great show in Cresco last night. All the drill is now on the field. Now they start cleaning. And cleaning. And cleaning.

Pretty uneventful trip from Cresco to Dubuque, with an on-time arrival of 2 a.m.

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

Today is Thursday, June 5; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in Cresco, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Egg bake
Hash browns

Meal 2
Burgers
Broccoli rice
Peaches (Somehow, after looking on the equipment truck yesterday, I knew there'd be peaches today)

Meal 3
Orange pork
Scalloped potatoes
Carrots

Meal 4
Pizza
Leftovers


Photo by Rod R.

Today's Schedule
8:30 Wake
8:40 Stretch
9 Meal 1
10 Block 1
1:30 Meal 2
2:30 Block 2
6 Meal 3
7 Warmup
7:30 Performance
8:30 Ensemble
9:15 Stretch/warmdown
9:30 Snack/pack/load
11 Depart for Dubuque (scheduled arrival approx. 2 a.m.)

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Vicki D
Debbie L
Betty H (leaving today)
Dale C
Loras H
Leeta

Today's News
Happy Birthday Katie M!

There's actually sun out for the Colts today. Thanks, Cresco!

There were rain and storms last night for the bus trip from Delhi, but everybody got in fine and just about on time at 2:45 a.m. The Colts were out on the field this morning and hoped to get the remainder of the show on the field today if possible. If not, tomorrow for sure.

The weather held off yesterday in Delhi so the Colts got about 60 pages of drill done, pretty much making up for the time lost to showers this week. Way to go Colts.

I can tell you from being there, they covered a lot of ground on the field and in the dot books yesterday after they finally had the chance to use the football field. It all showed up magnificently last night in their dog and pony performance for the community. The stands were packed at the high school as the Colt Cadets and the Colts showed off their 2008 shows-in-progress. I'll tell you, both shows are something special.

The drill for the Cadets seems a little more ambitious this year, and the charts are rockin'.

If you loved them in '06 and '07, the Colts are going to blow you away in '08. They already have a presence and poise that fill the entire field. The show music is fun and familiar, but the arrangements take a new twist on the tunes. This show will make you smile. It will move you. Wait 'til this brass line blows you off the back of the stands. They showed some real power last night. Wow. And they'll again send the crowd home humming the melodies.

And they played Freebird as the encore. I was in heaven, as those of you who know me can imagine. Too bad I had to come home last night and go back to work this morning.

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

More Pictures

David and Rod's picture galleries from the Memorial Day weekend are now posted for your viewing pleasure!

Today is Wednesday, June 4; it's a cornfield performance day

We are in Delhi, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Meal 1
Waffles
Bacon
Oranges/Bananas
Cereal

Meal 2
Chicken Nuggets
French Fries
Orange Salad
Mustgoes

Meal 3 - with Cadets
Ravioli
Breadsticks
Corn
Lettuce Salad

Meal 4 - with Cadets
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Baked Beans
Brownies


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Meal 1
7:45 Meeting
8:10 Vis
12:30 Meal 2
1:30 Vis
2:30 Warmup/ensemble
5:30 Meal 3
6:30 Warmup
7:30 Performance
9:30 Snack/pack/load
11 Depart for Cresco

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Vicki D
Debbie L
Betty H
Dale C
Loras H
Jane B
Leeta
Jody S
David S

Today's News
It's foggy, wet, cold, and kind of miserable this morning. Because of all the rain, the schedule lacks the normal level of detail. (This was later edited to include the entire schedule -- not posted until the afternoon, which turned out to be dry. Yes!) The details will be worked out based upon the weather and the fields drying out. Today's scheduled performance with the Cadets will probably be in the gym. Send sunshine. (The sunshine sending helped. The performance was held outside, on the football field. Thanks for all the good thoughts.)

A short vis block (without any instruments or guard equipment) is taking place on the Delhi field this morning. The kids are holding up well and are looking forward to the car wash on Saturday. Current forecast for the car wash is 85 and partly sunny.

For those that have been on the cooktruck during the last few days and were wondering - a repairman is due today to fix the knob on the griddle that is leaking gas.

Happy Birthday today, Kelli D! And Happy Birthday yesterday, Beth H!

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

Today is Tuesday, June 3; 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
French toast
Sausage links
Cereal

Meal 2
Beef stew
Caesar salad
Applesauce

Meal 3
Coq aux peche (Peach chicken)
Cheesy potatoes
Carrots
Pumpkin bars

Meal 4
Quesadillas
Fiesta rice


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Stretch
7:40 Meal 1
8:40 Vis
12:40 Meal 2
1:40 Vis/sectionals (weather permitting)
5:30 Meal 3
6:30 Warmup
7 Music ensemble
7:30 Ensemble
9 TBA
9:45 Stretch
10:05 Meal 4
11:15 Lights out
[If it continues to rain -- which it was this morning -- the corps possibly will have down time. Maybe even a movie. :) ]

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Vicki D
Debbie L
Dale C
Loras H
Leeta

Today's News
It was raining at breakfast time this morning, so the French toast was served inside. They were expecting rain in Delhi off and on all day. And for a couple of days. (Many of the rivers in Iowa were flooding today because of all the rain we've had and overnight storms. It's been so wet in Delhi that they still can't use the field.)

Debbie says there's a positive side, though. "Nobody is getting sunburned today!"

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

Today is Monday, June 2; 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
Biscuits and gravy

Meal 2
Chicken sandwich
Potato wedges
Watermelon

Meal 3
Spaghetti
Garlic bread
Corn
Tropical fruit

Meal 4
Butt Chops (Yes!)
Pasta salad
Cottage Cheese


Photo by Jim J.

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Stretch
7:40 Meal 1
8:40 Sectionals
12 Meal 2
1 Vis at the stadium
3 ? (Something but we don't know what)
5 Meal 3
6 Warmup
7 Music ensemble
8 Ensemble
9:45 Warmdown
10 Meal 4
11:15 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Vicki D
Debbie L
Betty H
Dale C
Loras H

Today's News
The report from the truck today: It's a really great day. Everybody's doing fine.

Lori says the corps rehearsed in the mayor's backyard yesterday. (With all the wet conditions, the field has not dried enough to get on it for very long) Lori says: "They were able to put a field out there and rehearse. The field at the school has been wet."

They were on the field for a while today, but it rained later in the morning, so it cut that short.

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

New pictures

There are also a bunch of new photos from cornfield tour on Sarah Q's blog. Check out the link in the right sidebar.

Send more pictures

We now have a few incredible photo galleries from May camp, thanks so far to Jim J. and Dan B. Check them out using the links in the right sidebar.

I know there were more people there with cameras, so make a Picassa, Facebook, or other gallery and send me a link, please.

Today is Sunday, June 1; 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
Pancakes
Bacon

Meal 2
Brats or hot dogs
Pasta salad
Sauerkraut
Peaches

Meal 3
Meatloaf
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Green beans
Pears

Meal 4
Breaded pork sandwich
Mac and cheese
Cake

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Stretch
7:40 Meal 1
8:40 Sectionals
12:30 Meal 2
1:30 Vis (tentative)
5 Meal 3
6 Warmup
6:30 Music ensemble
7 Ensemble
9:45 Stretch/warmdown
10 Meal 4
11 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Patty T
Debbie L
Betty H
Loras H
Dan L
Peggy F
Dale C
Penny D

Today's News
Bill and Luba left this morning. Thanks, Luba, for a great first week!

It's a beautiful day in Delhi. Keep sending the good weather their way! A storm system seemed to be gathering steam last night but it skirted Delhi, mainly staying north of U.S. 20. Some sprinkles around and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees, but that was all.

Music ensemble was at the top of the hill near the school last night. Reports are that they gave the neighborhood quite a concert. Especially the people who live right across the street from where the corps set up the standstill....

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

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....

Thanks for a great Spring Debut!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2008 Colts Spring Debut camp and performance such a wonderful time. But this time the biggest thanks go out to all the young people who performed Sunday at Senior High. What a great afternoon!

Of course, the performers could not have done it without all you wonderful Colts volunteers who cooked, painted, sewed, cleaned, and did so much more to make the weekend camp a success.

But remember. We still need YOUR HELP FOR SUMMER. There continue to be weeks on the summer cooktruck schedule that are so thin you could strain soup through them. Please get in contact with Bill to get on the summer schedule. You'll help! You'll have fun! You'll get to share a little part of the summer with your Colt and 149 other great young people!

Bill's email is listed at the right and you can download the summer schedule while you're over there looking around. Check out the DCI news about the Colts and just generally hang out and have a good time.

But don't forget to get on the schedule.

Josh Turner on dci.org

Josh Turner of the Colts was featured in the DC-Eye feature on dci.org.

Camp today!

Spring debut means tour is right around the corner. Looking forward to seeing everyone at camp. Make sure you read the April camp entry over at the official Colts website for all the details.

Be sure to check colts.org before you leave for any last-minute news. Don't check here. We'll be gone.

DCI Field Pass: Bianca Vocke - Echoes of Morning

This is now available on the DCI website. By the way, there is also a beautiful picture of Bianca in the DCI wall calendar I got the other day (as Greg mentions in the interview).

Interview with Greg Orwoll

Tuesday's DCI field pass was an interview of Greg Orwoll by Dan Potter about his career in Drum Corps and his recent election to the DCI 2008 Hall of Fame. The interview provides some insight into the early days of Drum Corps, DCI, Greg's experiences, and a very accurate description of the Colts' way of running a Drum Corps. Here is the link: http://www.dci.org/audio/2008/field_pass/042208_fieldpass.mp3

I believe I heard Thursday's DCI field pass will preview "Echoes of Morning" - the Colts commissioned work in memory of Bianca Vocke.

CONGRATULATIONS, GREG!! You deserve the recognition and accolades. See all of you at camp this weekend.

New cook calendar

An updated cook calendar is available for download by clicking the link in the right sidebar. Bill says everything is looking good except for the first two weeks of cornfield (Memorial Day camp to June 7) and the week from Natalia, TX, (San Antonio) to Atlanta (July 20-26).

That doesn't mean there aren't still plenty of openings and opportunities for you to help. Contact Bill before Spring Debut Camp this weekend to get your spot on tour. His contact information is in the right sidebar.

Congratulations Greg Orwoll!

As you can hear for yourself if you go to dci.org and listen to Dan Potter's exclusive announcement in his Field Pass podcast, Greg Orwoll has been selected as one of the people to be inducted in 2008 into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. (I was tipped off to the announcement by one of my staff spies.)


Yipeeeeeeeeeeee!

The entire Virtual Cooktruck Staff and volunteer operation of the Colts sends out a gigantic "way to go, Greg." A heartfelt personal thanks from us for the support and encouragement Greg has given to our efforts over the past few years. We love you, Greg, and we're not ashamed to say so! Can't wait for Greg's official induction at DCI finals in Bloomington.

In the same 2008 class is Jenny Acheson's dad -- DCI executive director Dan Acheson. Congratulations, Dan!

Questions

Photo by Rod R.

Eyes

Photo by Rod R.

Updated Cook Calendar

An updated cook calendar for the Colts' summer tour has been posted. Click on the link in the right sidebar that says Cook Calendar 2008 to download it to your desktop.

Even though some weeks are filled (yes!), we still need your help to make this summer a success for the 2008 Colts. Email Bill (his address is listed in the right sidebar) and get your spot on tour.

Thanks again to everyone who has signed up already. Let's see if we can complete the calendar before April camp!

The Colts Virtual Cooktruck Cheerleaders

Big move

In case you haven't heard (how could you not have heard?), DCI Finals will not be in Indy after all, but a few miles down the road in Bloomington. Go to dci.org for details.

More drill camp photos

Rod's batch of photos from March drill camp are up. There's a link in the gallery area in the right sidebar.

Drill camp photos

Dan B. has submitted the first set of drill camp photos. The link is in the 2008 Photo section at the right.

Still time to sign up for tour

Help!

We still need LOTS of volunteer help for summer tour.

If you haven't got your summer completely planned already (How hard can that be? Just look at the tour schedule and you'll see where you need to be every weekend....), at least get in touch with Bill and get your tentative dates on the calendar. There's a link to his email in the right sidebar.

If you've already signed up for a week in the kitchen truck, thank you so much. It really helps to get the plan together early. Now, when is your second week on tour going to be? Everybody can share an extra day or two. :)

If you are a parent and you haven't signed up yet, let me share a little secret. You'll really be missing something special with your Colt if you don't spend some time on tour with him or her this summer. It is a special time for your Colt, and the dirty little secret only the volunteers know (well, one of the dirty little secrets only the volunteers know...come on tour to hear some of the others) is that it means as much or more to you as it does to your kid. It is really a "life peak" for many of the volunteers who go along with the Colts for a week or two during the summer. And it makes the incredible "life peak" your Colt will experience this summer that much higher when you're there to share it with them. (Come on parents and volunteers. Here's your opening to share your own incredible summer moments with the corps and what it's meant to you. Post a comment.)

Not a parent? We've had aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, friends, and former Colts join us for at least a week during the summer. If you love the Colts and have reached the age where you're too old to march, you're welcome.

Get in touch with Bill. Get on the truck. Let's have fun.

The Virtual Cooktruck Marketing and Promotions Staff

Where you staying in Indy?

Mr. Orwoll suggested that it might be useful to have a central place for Colts parents and fans to say where they plan to stay in Indianapolis for finals.

For hotel rooms for finals, he's recommending that you go through the DCI web site. (Although he also says the Embassy Suites downtown is getting some Dubuque traffic.)

There will be drum corps people crawling all over downtown Indy for finals week, so if you want to let the Virtual Cooktruck know by emailing David (use the link in the right sidebar), we'll start keeping a list and posting it here.

My technical people will no doubt come up with a really cool way to do this. (Won't you Cheeks?)

Thanks for a great drill camp

From all reports (which is all I have to offer after spending the weekend with my other kids on the far north side of Chicago while the corps was on the far south side -- an hour away even by traffic-free freeway), drill camp in Chicago Heights was a super time for Colts and volunteers. (I haven't been in contact with my staff sources, so I can't speak for them. Anybody want to weigh in?)

The facility worked well, with at least as much room at the school for an indoor "field" as at the Sterling facility we've been to the past few years and lots more other room for rehearsals, volunteers, cooking, sewing, etc. Be sure to say thanks to Sarah for having us visit her school.

Thanks to all the volunteers who showed up for the first road trip of the 2008 tour. Lots of cooking. Lots of flag sewing. Lots of other stuff (guard gun stripping and painting, for instance.) This corps thing depends you -- the volunteers who will follow the Colts anywhere and support the members.

The corps played and marched for Sunday afternoon's show. The drill was described as "fast" and "cool." Can't wait to see it myself. (It may warm up enough in Dubuque to see some of it outside by the end of April but the way things have gone this winter and spring, I wouldn't hold my breath.) No one I've talked to had a negative thing to say about the weekend.

I'd appreciate it if those of you who were there would let me know just how great is was to be there. Or just leave a comment and have your own say.

Drill camp schedule

Friday
8 p.m. Move in
8:30 Registration (registration actually was moved to snack)
9:30 Sectionals/brass in field house one; percussion in field house two)
11:30 Snack (in building 3)
12:30 a.m. Lights out

Saturday
8 a.m. Wake/eat
9 Cals on indoor field
9:45 Marching basics (all in main fieldhouse)
10:45 Assign numbers and hand out drill dots. Go over teaching process
11 Set up “Starting line”! (teach drill)
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 Visual – all
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Meeting for everyone – indoor field
7 Visual – all
10 Snack
11 Lights out

Sunday
8 Wake/eat (Roll up bags and move as much of your personal belongings to your vehicles as possible. If you did not drive, place along wall)
9 Cals – indoor field
9:45 Sectionals – indoor field
11:15 March and play
12 Lunch
1 p.m. Visual ensemble on indoor field
2:45 Final run through of show
3 Final meetings, announcements
3:15 – 4 Clean, pack, load

Next rehearsal is April 27-29 in Dubuque. Debut weekend!

Drill camp menu

Friday snack
Hot dogs
Chips

Saturday breakfast
French toast
Fruit

Saturday lunch
Pulled pork
Pasta salad
Green beans

Saturday dinner
Stew
Biscuits
Lettuce salad
Peaches

Saturday snack
Sub sandwiches
Tomato soup
Chicken noodle soup

Sunday breakfast
Egg bake
Sausage

Sunday lunch
Lasagna
Bread sticks
Lettuce salad
Pudding cup

My set of March camp photos

I finally got my act together and posted my pictures from March camp. The link is in the right sidebar.

More March camp photos

Rod R. has sent in a great set of photos from the March camp in Dubuque. Click on the link in the right sidebar to see them.

Drum Corps Lingo

There is a fun posting on DCI.org called "Do You Speak Drum Corps?" It could be helpful reading for new parents who might not know the lingo we use in corps. This also proves there is such a thing as a "box 5" meal... and someone last year thought we were pulling her leg!

March camp tidbits

Dan B. has posted a gallery of March camp pictures. (The link is in the right sidebar. Go take a look.)

And don't miss the comments on the posting below. (So go click already)

The Virtual Cooktruck 'Chillin on the West Coast' Crew

Thanks for a great March camp!

First off, something that I regularly neglect until someone else does it for me. A huge thank you to all the volunteers at March camp. We couldn’t do it without you – and wouldn’t want to!

Whether you cooked, sewed, helped at check-in, cleaned, painted, sold souvies, or did any of the other things that got accomplished over the weekend, the Colts and the corps’ volunteer organization appreciate all your efforts.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming. (There’ll be pictures, even though I missed most of camp celebrating birthdays. But we’re in California working at the moment and ….)

March Camp Menu

Friday snack
Nachos

Saturday breakfast
Pancakes
Bacon
Cereal

Saturday lunch
Hamburgers
Pasta salad
Corn
Fruit cup

Saturday dinner
Ham
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Carrots
Cake

Saturday snack
Corn dogs
Veggies and dip

Sunday breakfast
Egg McMonas
Cereal

Sunday lunch
Chicken teriyaki
Rice
Green beans
Lettuce salad



March camp schedule

Friday, March 7
7:30 p.m. Unload equipment/registration
9 Full corps meeting in gym
9:30 Rehearsal
10 Parents meeting
11:30 Snack
12:30 a.m. Lights out (everybody in main gym because of the cold)

Saturday
8 a.m. Wake/eat
9 Brass/percussion stretch in main gym; guard depart for rehearsal facility
9:45 Brass (music); percussion marching; pit in cafeteria
12 Lunch for brass/percussion
1 p.m. Low brass – marching; high brass – music; percussion in music rooms
1:15 Guard lunch at Fulton
3:30 Low brass – music; high brass – marching; percussion in music rooms
5:30 Guard returns for dinner
6 Dinner
6:15 Full staff meeting in music room
7 Full corps meeting in gym
7:30 Guard depart for rehearsal; music ensemble in main gym
9:30 Full brass (movement) main gym
10:30 Guard departs for Washington school
10:45 Snack
11:30 Lights out

Sunday
8 Wake/eat (daylight saving time)
9 Brass/perc stretch in gym; guard in aux gym
9:45 Guard in main gym; brass music; perc in music rooms; pit in cafeteria
11:15 Lunch; front ensemble move to main gym
12:15 Guard in aux gym
12:30 Perc in main gym
12:45 Music ensemble
2 p.m. Dog and pony performance
3 Meeting
3:15 Clean/pack
4 Dismissed

Yipee! . . . It's Camp Week

And it looks like the weather is going to cooperate.

There is an updated Cook Calendar 2008 on the right listed in the Links. Take a look and pick your favorite time to tour on the cooktruck. Thanks to everybody that has already volunteered. It is greatly appreciated by the kids.

After this weekend, we will be on tour in less than 80 days. If you are coming to camp, track me down to discuss when you can tour. Or if you are not going to be there, I'm always available at colts.cooks@comcast.net.

Bill

Camp tomorrow!

Go to colts.org for more info on housing and for last minute updates.

Vanessa, Liz, & Rachel on DCI.org

Once again, Colts on DCI.org! Click here.

No Camp this weekend; that's not a problem ...

it's just an inconvenience. So inconvenient that I missed all of my Colts' friends so much that I wore my Colts jacket yesterday as I shoveled snow when it was a -30 windchill.

The good news is that I got to update the cooks calendar with all of the tour changes that Mike Grimes was ready to distribute to everyone at camp. Take a look at the new calendar (in the LINKS area in the right sidebar) and you'll see some new locations - yes, we have a show in Houston, not Dallas. Not everything is set in stone (welcome to Drum Corps), but it is becoming less fluid.

We still have many openings during tour for cooks and drivers. Parents (friends, alumni, supporters), take a look and see when we're going to be close by so you can join tour. Members, talk to your parents about supporting you by going on tour. Or if you're really gutsy, sign your parents up when you want them there!

As soon as you pick your dates, contact me at colts.cooks@comcast.net. Come join the fun; you won't regret it. And remember this - volunteers never age-out.

Bill

NO CAMP THIS WEEKEND!

The bottom line is that February camp for Colts has been canceled because of snowy weather.

But you need to go to colts.org and read the entire post. There's lots of information there that you need about your Colts membership and responsibilities. Go. Now. Read it.

The Virtual Cooktruck Staff

(Thanks to Bill for the phone call)

Dubuque Weather Forecast, IA

Updated Cook Calendar

An updated, and expanded, summer tour Cooks calendar is available on the Cook Calendar 2008 link to the right.

The expanded part is the need for volunteer cooks during the Pre-season Workshop the week before the Memorial Day camp. As you can see on the calendar, we have many dates that need to be filled. The optimum number needed each day is a Head Cook and 5 cooks.

In addition to touring this summer as a cook, we also have the need for volunteers to drive our 15 passenger vans that transport the cooks overnight.

If you are intersted in volunteering to be a cook or a van driver (or just have some questions), contact me at colts.cooks@comcast.net.

Bill

Mike F. in dci.org photo

Mike F. is featured in a DC-Eye photo at dci.org.

(Thanks, Lisa)

January camp photos

Photo galleries from January camp are (finally!) up and running. Click on the links in the right sidebar to view.

Cool videos!

This isn't directly related to the Colts, but someone has posted a 1977 DCI documentary on Youtube. If you want to know what corps looked like 32 years ago, check it out. These videos provide a great overview of the activity and some nice historical perspective. Parts 2 and 3 talk quite a bit about the volunteers who make the whole activity run. And part 2 has an interview with Bob Lendman, who now lives just down the road from Barry and me!

"On The Starting Line" Part 1
"On The Starting Line" Part 2
"On The Starting Line" Part 3

Jackie P. on DC-eye

Yeah! Check out Lisa's great photo here.

January camp schedule

Friday
7:30 p.m. Registration/unload
9 Full corps meeting – all members, parents, staff
9:30 Brass in main gym; guard in multipurpose room; percussion in music rooms; pit cafeteria
9:45 Parents meeting
11:30 Snack – wear your nametag
12:30 Lights out – men in main gym; women in downstairs gym

Saturday
8 a.m. Wake/eat; full staff meeting
9 Brass/percussion stretch in main gym; guard leave for Fulton Elementary
9:30 Brass rehearsal; individual auditions begin; snares and cymbals marching; bass/tenor music wing; pit cafeteria
11 Bass/tenor marching; snares/cymbals in music wing
12:30 p.m. Brass/percussion lunch
12:45 Guard lunch at Fulton
1:30 Individual brass auditions continue; trumpets/mellos marching; baris/contras multipurpose room; percussion music wing; pit cafeteria
3:30 Individual auditions continue; baris/contras marching; trumpets/mellos multipurpose room
5 Guard pickup
5:30 Dinner; staff meeting
6:30 Full corps meeting
7 Guard depart for Fulton; individual auditions continue; percussion sectionals; brass in main gym
9:30 Music ensemble
10:30 Guard pickup
11 Snack
Midnight Lights out

Sunday
7:30 a.m. Wake/eat
8:30 Brass/percussion stretch; guard in multipurpose room
9 Guard in main gym; brass in multipurpose room; percussion in music wing; pit in cafeteria
11:15 Brass lunch
11:30 Percussion lunch
11:45 Guard lunch
12:15 p.m. Brass in multipurpose room
12:30 Percussion in music wing
12:45 Guard main gym
2 Dog and pony
3 Meeting in main gym
3:15 Clean/pack
4 Dismissed

January camp menu

Friday snack
Chicken nuggets
Tater tots

Saturday breakfast
Biscuits and gravy
Fruit
Cereal

Saturday lunch
Butt chops
Green bean casserole
Chips
Fruit cocktail

Saturday dinner
Parmesan chicken
Broccoli cheese rice
Bread sticks
Pudding cups

Saturday snack
Mini pizzas
Mustgoes

Sunday breakfast
French toast
Sausage
Cereal

Sunday lunch
Sloppy joes
Cheese Potatoes
Corn
Peaches

Newspaper Article

So there I was, leaning against the wall in the gym yesterday early afternoon, just watching the brass rehearse, when a nice lady walks up to me and asks me if I was a parent and if she could ask me a few questions. "Yes I am, and I'd be glad to", I said.

Well, it ended up that Mary was a reporter, and she did not know anything about drum corps or the Colts. By the time we finished talking (for over 30 minutes), Mary knew plenty, and after she saw the performance, I think she was blown away.

No doubt Mary had serious column inch restrictions to deal with, because easily less than 10% of the information I provided her was printed. But she wrote a very nice article for the Colts, in the small space she had!!

Check it out here.

DCI newsfeed

New in the right sidebar is a newsfeed from dci.org. The latest headlines will automatically update directly from the Drum Corps International website thanks to our new blog tech "Cheeks."

Let us know how you like it.

I just had time to check...

This week we went over 200,000 visitors to the virtual cooktruck since we started. Thanks to everyone who has helped out over the past few years to keep this thing rolling.

On the road again ... and headed for 300,000.

The Virtual Cooktruck Staff

Camp this weekend

Camp is at Washington Middle School. Get the rest of the details from colts.org.

Remember to check over there for last minute announcements concerning camp. Don't look here. Most of us will be on the road.

DCI Story re: U.S. Army All-American Marching Band

Click here to read about the U.S. Army All-American Band, which included one of our own, Aaron S. I missed the television performance.
Jim