Today is Thursday, July 17; it's a show day

We are in Houston, TX

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
English muffins
Bacon or sausage
Applesauce

Meal 2
Corn dogs
Chips

Meal 3
Meatballs and noodles
Salad
Corn

Meal 4
Garlic and herb chicken
Green bean casserole
Pudding



Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
(not complete schedule)
7:50 Wake
8 Breakfast
11 Meal 2
2:30 Meal 3/pack/load
4:30 Depart for stadium
6 Warmup
7:54 Gate
8:04 Perform
9 Meal 4


Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Lori Con.
Cindy S
Jack W
Dale C
Sue H
Lisa M
Lori Cof.

Amy W drives
Hugh C drives

Today's News
"So hot, it's not even funny."

The corps got in on time last night (about 3:45 a.m.), so everyone got some floor time.

The Colts are working out today at the "biggest middle school stadium you ever saw." Still working on cleaning the show and making sure all the changes work the way they want them too.

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 16; it's a show day

We are in Abbeville, LA

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Eggs
Sausage patties
Oranges and bananas

Meal 2
Breaded pork patty
Tater tots
Corn

Meal 3
Chicken Alfredo
Broccoli
Garlic toast
Pistachio salad
Birthday treats from Matt M's parents

Meal 4
BBQ pork or chicken sandwiches
Cole slaw
Potato salad
Baked beans
Pears



Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8 Wake
8:10 Breakfast
9 Vis
12 Meal 2
1 Sectionals
2:30 Ensemble
4 Meal 3/pack/load
5:45 Depart
6:45 Warmup
8:45 Gate
8:55 Perform
9:40 Meal 4
11 Depart

Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Jack W
Dale C
Sue H
Lisa M
Lori C

Amy W drives
Hugh C drives

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Matt M and Steven I!

The corps had a great day yesterday, even though, as Jody G said, "It was hotter than a pistol. Oh my gosh!"

The cooks hurried to get ahead and all the hot stuff prepared before it got too hot, so they actually had time last night to sit down and watch the corps rehearse. They saw the changes to the closer and some musical changes but didn't get to see a run-through of the entire show. "It's going to be pretty doggone cool," Jody says. "I can't wait to see them tonight."


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 15; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Abbeville, LA

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Bagels/waffles
Cream cheese
Cereal

Meal 2
Leftover sandwiches
(chicken teriyaki, sloppy joes, salisbury steak, butt chops)
Marvelous mac & cheese
Bananas and grapes

Meal 3
Ham
Scalloped potatoes
Cole slaw
Green beans

Meal 4
Pizza ala Jody
Lettuce salad
Chocolate chip brownie


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
10:30 Wake (see notes below)
10:40 Breakfast
11:30 Visual
2:30-3:15 Brass lunch
2:45-3:30 Percussion and guard lunch
3:15 Brass sectionals
3:30 Percussion and guard sectionals
5:30 Meal 3
6:15 Warmup
6:30 Ensemble
8:30 Inside music rehearsal (no lights)
9:30 Body review (?)
10:30 Meal 4
11:30 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Jack W
Dale C
Sue H
Lisa M
Lori C

Amy W drives
Hugh C drives

Today's News
The corps was very late getting in after an overnight fuel stop inconvenience. So the cooks didn't get any down time at all after a 9:30 arrival and 10:30 breakfast. (Go cooks! You rock!)

No laundry today, since the corps had already decided to do laundry on their free day and continue to hit rehearsals hard.

Last night's performance was great, and I hear it was a little different start to the show. Don't know if I should give away the surprise or not.... They're working on a re-working of the closer today, reportedly.

A huge thanks goes out to John G for everything he's doing to help the corps this week. You're great, John.

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 14; it's a show day

We are in Fort Walton Beach, FL

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles and bagels
Bacon and sausage
Cereal
Fruit

Meal 2
Cockroach sandwiches (don't ask me)
Tater tots
Corn

Meal 3
Chicken Teriyaki
Craisin salad
Peas and carrots
Butter and herb rice

Meal 4
Ravioli
Bread Sticks
Fruit


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
6:50 Wake
7 Breakfast
8 Rehearsal (unspecified)
11:30 Meal 2
12:30 Warmup
1:15 Ensemble
3:15 Meal 3/pack/load
5 Depart
5:45 Warmup
7:45 Gate
7:57 Perform
8:45 Meal 4
10:30 Depart

Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Jack W
Dale C
Sue H
Sebastian S
Shanna S


Amy W drives
Hugh C drives

Today's News
Please, please, please if you are going to be anywhere close to the corps over the next few days (Louisiana or Texas), please bring donations of fresh fruit. The cooks are out and are having to buy it on the road. Please help out if you can.

The corps rode out a "very, very large thunder and rain storm" yesterday before they could leave for free day. (I could hear the rain when I called to talk to Sebastian. A number of the cooks were closed up in the trailer to stay dry.) But the storm blew over and "then everyone went to the beach and now they are rehearsing again all day."


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 13; it's a FREE DAY

We are in Fort Walton Beach, FL

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Bacon
Cereal
Applesauce

Meal 2
Salisbury steak
Mashed potatoes (and other leftover potatoes)
Corn

Meal 3
No cook truck provided meal 3 today – free day!

Meal 4
Ravioli
Bread Sticks


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:45 Breakfast
10:30 Laundry
2:00 Meal 2 (lunch)
2:50 Full corps meeting
3:30 Free day!
9:00 Busses return to housing site
9:30 Meal 4 (snack)
11:00 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Jack W
Dale C
Barb P
Sebastian S
Shanna S
Sue Hallahan (drove a bus to laundry this morning to give the bus drivers a break)

Amy W drives

Today's News
A slight inconvenience this morning – the corps arrived on time, but at tomorrow’s show site, not today’s housing site! No problem - the cooks worked another one of their miracles by completing breakfast in 20 minutes!

Its 102 degrees and HUMID. Luckily, the members are going to Pensacola Beach (change of location) for their free time this afternoon – I bet the water will feel great! I also hear there is an air show scheduled for the area today, featuring the Blue Angles – very cool.

Jody said the school has great air conditioning – good thing! A few of the cooks may go to the beach, while the others will make a grocery run, and spend the rest of the day relaxing somewhere cool!

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

Posted by Rod. It’s been great to post this week – talking to the cook truck everyday makes me feel in a small way that I am still on tour!

Today is Saturday, July 12; it's a show day

We are in Orlando, FL

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Blueberry muffins
Sausage
Mustgoes

Meal 2
Sandwiches (turkey/ham)
Pasta salad
Fruit cup

Meal 3
Baked pasta
Meatballs
Garlic toast
Lettuce salad

Meal 4
Butt chops (a corps favorite!)
French fries
Gatorade


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:00 Wake/eat
10:00 Visual - Brass/percussion (main field) / guard (secondary field)
1:00 Brass/pit meal 2
1:15 Guard/percussion meal 2
1:30 Brass main field
1:45 Ensemble
4:15 Eat/pack/load
6:00 Depart
6:30 Warm-up
8:35 Gate
8:45 Perform
9:20 Meal 4
11:00 Depart

Today's Cooks
Jack W / Jody G (just arriving), head cooks
Sebastian S
Shanna S
Dale C (just arriving)
Sue H (just arriving)
Debbie L (leaving)
John B (leaving)
Kathy H (leaving)
Patty T (leaving)
Brock L – driver (leaving)

Amy W drives

Today's News
Hot and humid! Many staff and members felt last evening’s performance was the best this year! Yet the judge’s assessment did not seem to match. During an all corps meeting, this was discussed. Taking a page right from the book of “all we can control is how hard we work at perfecting what we do”, the members decided to make a slight scheduling change over the next few days.

Tomorrow is a free day and Tuesday was scheduled as a laundry day. In order to create additional rehearsal time, the members decided to combine laundry with their free day. This reduces their free time tomorrow, and provides a full, uninterrupted day of rehearsal on Tuesday. I couldn’t be prouder to be a Colt!! – okay, I know I am really not one, my son is, but it sure feels like I am!

The cooks really won’t be going to Disney World, but apparently Frank will be grilling some of his famous steaks for the cooks tomorrow!

Thanks to Brock L, a van driver for this past week, who is leaving today. With the cook shortages, he really pitched in with all the food truck activities, in addition to driving all night. Many thanks to Brock and everyone else who pitched in extra this past week!!!

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

Posted by Rod

Today is Friday, July 11; it's a show day

We are in Valdosta, GA

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
English muffins
Sausage

Meal 2
BBQ beef sandwich
Chips

Meal 3
Parmesan chicken
Pasta salad
Fruit cup
Cake

Meal 4
Nachos & cheese


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:00 Wake/Eat
9:30 Staff meeting / Corps meeting
10:00 Stretch
10:20 Visual
11:30 Sectional
12:45 Brass meal 2
1:00 Guard and percussion meal 2
1:15 Brass sectional
1:45 Ensemble
3:15 Eat/pack/load
5:00 Depart
6:00 Warm-up
8:09 Gate
8:19 Perform
9:00 Dinner
11:00 Depart

Today's Cooks
Jack W, head cook
Sebastian S
Shanna S
John B
Debbie L
Patty T
Kathy H

Brock L drives

Today's News
Last night on the way to the show the corps traveled through drenching rains, but luckily, the sun came out by the time they arrived at the show site. The corps and cooks are a little tired after some of the long drives the past few days, and the hot weather. Orlando is looking to be close to 100 degrees for tomorrow – yikes!

Jack said the full corps meeting this morning was scheduled in order to review and refine issues with the show. It’s an amazing process of continual assessment, improvement and repetition. Think “check, adjust, reset” – thousands of times… Go Red Team!

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


Posted by Rod, your VCT tour guide for just a few more days, when Captain David returns to the helm.

Today is Thursday, July 10; it's a show day

We are in Milton, GA

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
French toast
Bacon
Hash browns
Left over pancakes

Meal 2 (very light snack due to schedule)
Fresh fruit
P B & J

Meal 3
Ham
Scalloped potatoes
Green beans
Dinner roll

Meal 4
Brat or hot dogs
French fries


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:30 Wake
8:40 Breakfast
9:30 Visual
11:00 Sectionals
12:15 Meal 2 (light snack)
12:45 Ensemble
2:15 Eat/pack/load
4:00 Depart
7:14 Warm-up (it’s a long drive to the show site)
8:14 Gate
8:24 Perform
9:00 Meal 4
11:00 Depart

Today's Cooks
Jack W, head cook
Debbie L
John B
Kathy H
Patty T
Tricia G
John G

Brock L drives

Today's News
It is 95 degrees and sunny in Milton. The same luck was not present during the show last night. DCI.org reports the show as being rained out, and it was, but not before the Colts performed. It began raining and storming during their performance, and they barely finished. The corps stayed at the stadium and the busses were brought to them, to stay as dry as possible. The rain did stop after a while, but thunder was still audible, so the remainder of the competition was cancelled.

Staff was pleased with the Colts performance last night. One tuba player slipped and fell during the show on the wet grass, fortunately without injury to self, others, or horn.

Jack was already looking ahead to Saturday when the corps will be in Orlando – he joked that he wanted Jody to know the cook truck might be empty on that day – why’s that, I asked – “We’re going to Disney World!”

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

Posted by Rod

I get emails

This one comes from Greg O, traveling with the corps.

From Greg, the quote of the season so far.

A spot at the end of the show where all 12 tubas have to hit a file exactly on the 50 yard line - and if they don't, everyone in the stadium will see it - and they weren't all getting in - Mikey Cowan, our visual co-caption head said, "Tubas, every time you don't hit that file, God will kill a puppy!" They haven't missed it since!

Classic!

Greg

Today is Wednesday, July 9; it's a show day

We are in Columbia, SC

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Pancakes
Bacon
And yes, Tater tots!

Meal 2
Chicken sandwich
Peach or Plum

Meal 3
Ravioli
Breadsticks
Lettuce salad
Fresh fruit cup

Meal 4
Nachos and cheese


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:30 Wake
8:40 Breakfast
9:30 Visual
11:15 Sectionals
12:30 Brass meal 2
12:45 Everyone else meal 2
1:00 Sectionals
1:30 Ensemble
3:00 Eat/pack/load
4:50 Depart
5:30 Warm-up
7:34 Gate
7:44 Perform
8:15 Dinner
11:00 Depart

Today's Cooks
Jack W, head cook
Kathy H
John B
Debbie L
Patty T
Kathy (Guest cook – from Tampa)
John G. (Guest cook from AL)

Brock L drives

Today's News
It is 90 degrees, with clear and sunny skies – welcome to summer! The corps arrived at 2:30 AM, and everyone got some floor time.

Thanks to the people of Swannanoa, NC for donating $250 of fresh fruit.

Posted on the cook truck: Help Wanted – free room, board and transportation; see the country!

Many thanks to our two guest cooks who drove over to lend a hand.

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

Posted by Rod

Today is Tuesday, July 8; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Swannanoa, NC

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Bagels
Fresh fruit (apple/orange)

Meal 2
Grilled cheese
Tater tots

Meal 3
Meat loaf
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Green beans
Pudding cup

Meal 4
Pretzels and cheese
Cake


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:30 Wake
9:40 Breakfast
10:30 Visual
1:45 Meal 2
2:45 Sectionals
5:30 Meal 3
6:30 Warm-up
7:00 Ensemble
9:15 Snack/pack/load
11:00 Depart

Today's Cooks
Jack W, head cook
John B
Debbie L
Patty T

Brock L drives

Today's News
The corps arrived at 8 AM this morning. Cooks got busy right away while the members got a little floor time. The mountains are beautiful, although the corps slept as they drove through them!

Staff was pleased with the show last night; much better than the night before. Additional changes were made to the show last night, with more to come. Way to go Colts!!!

Jack wanted to send a personal thank you to Lori C for the food drop yesterday – 285 cases of food! How they got all that loaded with only four of them, in the rain, while continuing to serve and cook, I’ll never know. Way to go cooks! And Jack jokingly wanted Jodi to know that he may have used some of her food as it was the last to enter the freezer – no worries – lots of chicken nuggets left!

Thank you to those who recently dropped off donations at the cook truck: cookies, fresh fruit (apples, oranges, and grapes), and Gatorade. Also thanks to the Colt Cadets for donating 5 bags of already cut fresh fruit!

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

Posted by Rod

Today is Monday, July 7; it's a show day

We are in Louisville, KY


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Hash browns
Sausage

Meal 2-3
Chicken breast
Spaghetti
Fresh fruit cup
Breadsticks

Meal 4
Pizza
White cake


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
11:00 Wake
11:10 Breakfast
11:30 Staff meeting
Noon Visual
1:45 Sectionals
3:15 Ensemble
5:00 Eat/Pack/Load
6:50 Depart
7:15 Warm-up
9:30 Perform
10:00 Dinner
Midnight Depart



Today's Cooks
Jack W, head cook
John B
Debbie L
Patty T

Brock L drives

Today's News
If you are in the area for the next few days, stop by the cook truck and lend a hand. They are several cooks short and could use the help. After arriving at 6 AM, and finally getting the cook truck settled around 7 AM, the cooks got busy right away; no floor time. Add to that breakfast was at 11:10, and wouldn't you know that at that exact moment the food drop arrived, and it started to rain!!! For those who have dealt with a food drop before, you know it takes four people several hours for just that process! Yes, Greg, just an inconvenience - we know. Seriously, drop by if you can help.

The corps got some floor time after arriving, and I could hear them rehearsing when I talked to Jack this afternoon. Mike had a meeting with the vets last night after the show in Michigan City. There was a grocery store next to the bus parking area last night - I saw many kids from all corps returning with bags of goodies!

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

Posted by Rod - David's taking a well-deserved break :)

Today is Sunday, July 6; it's a show day

We are in Michigan City, IN

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Egg wrap
Bacon or sausage

Meal 2
Hamburgers and toppings
Potato wedges

Meal 3
Chicken nuggets
Chips

Meal 4
Meat pasta
Bread sticks


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7:30 Wake and breakfast
8:30 Sectionals
11:45 Meal 2
12:45 Ensemble
2:30 Meal 3/pack/load
4:15 Depart for stadium
4:30 Warmup
6:37 Gate
6:47 Perform
7:30 Meal 4
11 Depart for Louisville

Today's Cooks
Jack W, head cook
John B
Judy H
Debbie L
Patty T

Dale and Connie C helping

Brock L drives

Today's News
Jack W is going to be down two cooks tomorrow. If there's anyone close to Louisville who could stop in and help, that'd be greatly appreciated. I think they're also scheduled for a food drop.

The corps got 4 to 5 hours of floor time after they go in to Michigan City, so that was good. They had a great show last night in Michigan and are still going strong.

The weather in Michigan City is great today. Sunny, but with a cool breeze.

They are sharing the school with the Colt Cadets and Spirit, so Dale C said there were drums and drum corps kids everywhere.

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

Kalamazoo Video

For those of you who have subscribed to the Colts Fan Network on DCI, there is a great video of the Colts performance in Kalamazoo last night. The video was taken from a high camera angle, giving a good view of the shapes and patterns created by the drill. And the audio quality is pretty good as well.

I just got off tour this weekend, and desperately want to go back, but alas, work calls... How cool it was to be able to watch this video last night.

I'll be in Michigan City tonight to see the show live one last time before finals. Getting up for work on Monday after only a few hours of sleep could be a challenge - but not really, it's just like tour!!!

Today is Saturday, July 5; it's a show day

We are in Kalamazoo, MI


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Pancakes
Hash browns
Sausage patty

Meal 2
Butt chop
Chips
Fruit cup

Meal 3
Salisbury steak
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Corn

Meal 4
Sloppy joes
Chips
Pudding cup


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
10 Wake
10:10 Stretch
10:40 Breakfast
11 Staff meeting
11 Vis
1 Meal 2
2 Sectionals
3:30 Ensemble
4:50 Meal 3/pack/load
6:35 Depart for show
7:12 Warmup
9:12 Gate
9:24 Performance
10 Meal 4
12 Depart

Today's Cooks
Jack W, head cook
John B
Judy H
Lori C
Pat R
Peggy F
Toni H
Debbie L
Jeff V
Patty T
Dale C
Connie C

Brock L drives

Today's News
The corps got in very early this morning, so there was a late wakeup and a compressed show-day schedule today.

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 4; it's parade day!

We are in Vernon Hills, IL

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Breakfast wrap
Sausage

Meal 2
Sack lunch

Meal 3
Pizza party

Meal 4
Scalloped potatoes and ham
Mustgoes


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
6:15 Wake
7 Breakfast
8:15 Corps A leaves for parades
8:45 Corps B leaves for parades
8:30 Meal 4
10 Depart

Today's Cooks
Lori C, head cook
Peggy F
Debbie L
Jeff V
Patty T
Jack W
Jody S
Rod R
Luba S
Pat R
Toni H

Brock L drives

Today's News
Thanks to the parents of Garrett and Laura C. who are sponsoring today's pizza party after the Northbrook parade for birthdays.

Seen on the side of the cooktruck: Kick ass. Love you all. Jude.

Seen on the side of the cooktruck: If you can't read this, we may have your contacts.

Parade day. Lots going on. Lots of on and off the bus. Lots of cook changes.

Oh, Happy Independence 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, July 3; it's a show day

We are in Cedarburg, WI

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Biscuits and gravy

Meal 2
Hamburgers
Fries
Pears

Meal 3
Sweet and sour chicken
Rice
Stir fry peas and carrots
Egg rolls

Meal 4 (with Colt Cadets)
Corn dogs
Chips
Applesauce


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8 Wake
8:10 Stretch
8:40 Breakfast
9:30 Vis
12 Meal 2
1 Sectionals
3:30 Ensemble
5 Meal 3/pack/load
6:45 Depart for show
7:15 Warmup
9:15 Gate
9:26 Performance
10 Meal 4
11 Depart for Vernon Hills, IL (Travel time 2 hours, 30 minutes)

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Rod R
Lori C
Pat R
Luba S
Toni H
Loras H
Betty H

Bill S drives

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Miho!

The cooks and staff were working their high-tech solution for getting the schedule together last night. They were texting from van to van so they could have today's schedule put together by the time they arrived in Cedarburg.

Since that happened, the cooks got right in the school and right to bed by 12:30 a.m. And they didn't have to be up until 7 a.m. Hooray for floor time!

The itinerary for the rest of the summer has been mailed to all parents and a downloadable pdf is posted on the Colts site. All the way to Bloomington. Cool!

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 2; it's a show day

We are in Milwaukee, WI

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Strata
Donated grapes

Meal 2
Chicken burgers
Rice/broccoli pilaf
Corn

Meal 3
Nachos
Watermelon

Meal 4
Spaghetti and meatballs
Garlic toast
Salad


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8 Wake
8:10 Stretch
8:40 Breakfast
9 Staff meeting
9:30 Vis
11:30 Sectionals
12:15 Guard meal 2
12:30 Percussion meal 2
12:45 Brass meal 2
1:15 Guard sectionals
1:30 Percussion sectionals
1:45 Brass sectionals
2:30 Ensemble
4 Meal 3/pack/load
5:45 Depart for stadium
6:45 Warmup
8:45 Gate
8:55 Step off
9:30 Meal 4
11 Depart for Cedarburg, WI (45 minute drive)

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Rod R
Lori C
Pat R
Luba S
Toni H
Dale C
Connie C


Bill S drives

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Laura C!

Not much news today. The school is nice, although a bit hard to get around in. Sounds like it would be a building that would be easy to get lost in.

Looks like it might rain, but nothing by mid-day.

The cooks got donations of watermelon, grapes, and cookies today. Thanks for all the donations!

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 1; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Varna, IL

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Bagels
Sausage

Meal 2
Egg salad sandwiches
Fresh veggies
Mustgoes

Meal 3
Fajitas
Refried beans
Fruit salad
Mustgoes

Meal 4
Fish sandwiches
Tater tots
Really mustgoes


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:15 Wake/breakfast
10 Sectionals
1:15 Brass meal 2
1:30 Guard meal 2
1:45 Percussion meal 2
2:15 Brass back to field
2:30 Guard back to field
2:45 Percussion back to field
5 Meal 3
6 Ensemble
7:30 Dog and pony
10 Meal 4/pack/load
11:30 Depart for Milwaukee

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Rod R
Lori C
Pat R
Luba S
Toni H
Betty H

Two parents, Vicki L and Lori C (a different Lori C), dropped in to help. Thanks to all the volunteers!

Bill S drives

Today's News
The corps is working extra hard in this mid-season camp. They got the changes put in yesterday and are cleaning, cleaning, cleaning today. The new stuff is great, I hear.

A former guard member sent two big boxes of cereal for the corps -- Lucky Charms, CocoKrispies, and that sort. For variety.

The cooks organized a water bottle wash and bleach last night. Yum!

Parents donated and delivered today's milk for the corps. That's a really, really big help with milk prices these days. Thanks so much!

Last night's made-from-scratch bread dough pizza was a GIANT hit with the corps. The cooks made enough so that each Colt got two big pieces of regular pizza and a slice of fruit pizza too! Way to go.

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

Colts photos on DCI.org

There are some really nice Colts photos in the DCI gallery from Normal. Check out photos 23-25 and 39-44.

Today is Monday, June 30; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Varna, IL

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Pancakes or waffles
Choice of fruit

Meal 2
Pork fritters
French fries
Corn

Meal 3
(meal 4 from last night, which was changed because of schedule change)
Chicken with dressing
Wild rice pilaf
Fruit

Meal 4
Pizza (homemade) -- cheese or pepperoni
and
Fruit pizza


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:30 Wake
8:45 Stretch
9:15 Breakfast
10 Sectionals
1:30 Brass lunch
2 Guard lunch
2:15 Percussion lunch
2:30 Brass back on field
3 Guard back on field
3:15 Percussion back on field
6:30 Meal 3
7:30 Back to field
12ish Snack
1:15 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Rod R
Lori C
Pat R
Luba S
Toni H
Betty H


Bill S drives

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Rachel D and Adam N!

They are all working hard at change camp. New music to learn. New drill to learn. Old drill to clean. Tons of stuff to work on. Long days for members, staff, and volunteers. Way to go guys.

After laundry day was over, rehearsal stretched into the night. Thank goodness for a lighted stadium. Thanks, Varna! Meal 4 -- first scheduled for 11ish -- was long after that. It was almost like two days in one. Laundry day; then a full day of rehearsal.

The cooks got pretty punchy yesterday after a fairly short night and long stretches of not really knowing when things were going to happen. And it wasn't from drinking from the mystery cups, thank you very much. :) Mary came over and said she and Bob almost moved the semi because the cooks' laughing was keeping them up. Only on tour can you cram two days into one, have hours of indecision, sit around waiting and then work like maniacs to catch up when things do start to happen, change plans at least twice, and still laugh loud enough to amuse everyone around you. If you haven't been on tour yet, maybe you should go yet this year. It's a good year to be a Colt.

The volunteers were helped out yesterday by parents and others who dropped by to help. Thanks to everyone who stopped in to wash dishes, carry stuff, bring donations, and all the other little things you do to help. What better way to spend a summer afternoon?

A lot of work got done on the new souvie truck yesterday too. (I tell you, it was a BUSY Sunday in Varna) The inside of the truck box got painted and is scheduled for a second coat later in the week and more new shelving was put in. Because a 150-member corps means more instruments, more uniforms, and just generally more stuff, lots of the cooks' food and supply storage has been moved from the equipment truck to the souvie truck. The plan is to move all the cooktruck storage to the new souvie truck, so future head cooks plan your days accordingly.


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 29; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Varna, IL

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Sausage
Fruit

Meal 2
Chili dogs
Fries

Meal 3
Shepherd's pie
Fruit
Biscuits

Meal 4
Chicken with dressing
Wild rice pilaf
Vegetables


Home show photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:50 Wake
9 Breakfast
10 Laundry
3 Meal 2
7 Meal 3
11ish Meal 4

Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Rod R
Lori C
Pat R
Luba S
Toni H
Betty H


Bill S drives

Today's News
AFTERNOON UPDATE: Laundry in very rural Illinois on a Sunday morning proved to be more of a logistical inconvenience than originally anticipated. The corps was just taking the field to rehearse at 5:30 p.m. today, so the schedule has been revised. Meal 3 is now at 8:45 p.m. and Meal 4 is 12:15 a.m. Long day for the corps and the cooks too.


The corps got in on time this morning -- thanks to a great job by the members in getting everything loaded and cleaned for an on-time departure last night from Dubuque despite being behind schedule at the Symphony Pops concert. And the cooks. They had to move Meal 4 inside because of off and on showers. They fed the nuggets, chips, fruit, pie, treats, and milk and got everything back out to the cooktruck and cleaned up for the packing crew in record time. The cooks even got a couple of hours of floor time after they arrive in Varna before they were up again to cook breakfast.

The pops concert had to be moved indoors to the gym at Dubuque Senior yesterday afternoon because of high winds. And it was a good thing because it drizzled rain pretty much all evening. (See above) There was a huge crowd for the concert.

The corps is in Varna today. They are starting off with laundry, which entails a long bus ride from the school, so today's schedule is "loose." Meal 4 is at "11ish" because they finally have a fairly dry field with lights to rehearse so they may go late tonight for the changes they are making to an already fantastic show.


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

Today is Saturday, June 28; it's Dubuque Symphony day

We are in Dubuque, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
The best French toast ever
Bacon
Fresh fruit

Meal 2
Orange chicken
Scalloped potatoes
Apple salad
Cookies

Meal 3
Ravioli
Bread sticks
Corn

Meal 4
Chicken nuggets
Chips
Leftover pie and cookies



Colt Cadets home show photo by Tami R.

Today's Schedule
8:15 Wake
8:25 Breakfast
8:45 Staff meeting
9:15 Warmup for brass and percussion; guard sectionals
10 Rehearse with conductor
11 Sectionals
1:30 Meal 2
2:30 Brass leave for rehearsal/guard on field
5 Meal 3
6 Leave for concert (everyone)
10 Meal 4/pack/load
12 Depart for Varna


Today's Cooks
Jody S, head cook
Lori C
Pat R
Luba S
Betty H
Peg L
Lisa P
Terry L
Becky K
Rod R
Toni H
Lorrie M


Bill S drives

Today's News
Thanks to Peg L who just completed a fantastic week as head cook. We’ll miss the ChiPEGlis

To D99: Rodoo is alive and well with us

The corps had a great show in Normal last night and a good trip back to Dubuque for the Symphony Pops concert tonight

The brass and pit set up just outside the cooktruck this afternoon and were tuning up the ballad, much to the delight of the cooks

There were lots of helping hands in Dubuque today and that meant re-arranging and straightening the equipment truck and loading/organizing the new souvie truck. The new souvie truck was getting Colts decals today too. So it was a busy day. Just like always on tour

There were off and on sprinkles and raindrops but nothing by time for Meal 2 to disrupt rehearsals

Mike and Lauren R showed up Saturday to give the uniforms a much needed washing. Penny D and Patty T helped with that monumental task

They look at you funny at Wal-Mart when you buy 48 dozen eggs at once. They sell you the eggs, but they look at you funny

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

Drum Corps Volunteer video

There is a nice video on DCI.org about drum corps volunteers. Hey - this is what we do! OK, it's not about "our" corps, but it was filmed here in Bloomington on the day Barry helped them serve breakfast. By the way, the stadium seen at the end of the video is not the site of the World Championships.

Today is Friday, June 27; it's a show day

We are in Normal, IL

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Sausage biscuit and gravy
Country fried steak
Scrambled eggs
Fresh fruit cups with strawberries and whipped cream

Meal 2
Philly cheese steak sandwiches
Au gratin potatoes
Green beans
Fresh veggies and dip

No meal 3 today


Meal 4
Chili dogs
Chili cheese fries
Pudding parfaits


Home show photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:00 Wake
9:10 Stretch
9:40 Breakfast
10 Staff meeting
10:30 Warmup
11 Ensemble
1:45 Meal 2/pack/load
3:30 Depart for show
5 Warmup
7:07 Gate
7:17 Performance
7:45 Meal 4
11 Depart for Dubuque

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Toni H
Rod R
Becky K
Lisa P
Terry L
Lorrie M


Today's News
Today dawned humid in Illinois and then it just poured rain around breakfast time. But one of the people at the school opened up the cafeteria, turned on TVs and the air conditioning, so the corps got to stretch inside in the A.C. and then have breakfast at tables and chairs. The cooks got to use the school's kitchen serving line to serve breakfast, so sounds like they made the best of it.

Today's schedule is compressed (no meal 3) because of the later wakeup this morning and the show time tonight.

Everybody was pumped after the Colts performance and encore last night. All the corps members had lots of time after the show to visit with family and friends who could make it to Dubuque on a Thursday night. The show itself was super. So colorful and packed with familiar melodies. The 'visiting' corps also were great, so the big crowd got a top-shelf drum corps show last night -- from the Racine Scouts all the way through to the Colts.

The Colt Cadets wowed the crowd too. Their show is a real crowd pleaser this year. Really nice to see them making a big step forward in Open Class. Racine's show was fun. Revolution was a good show to listen to. The Colt Cadets, though, have the whole package. And such an energy level for the home crowd last night. Way to go Cadets!

Carolina has a crowd-pleasing show again this year. Their brass line -- to my admittedly untrained ear -- is great. And lots of familiar music that the crowd can really connect with. Fun. Blue Knights played a very complex show well. Blue Stars have a fun visual show -- you feel like you've watched the Tour de France. Phantom Regiment's show is very, very dark -- but it also connects with the crowd. Overall, I thought this year's shows were way more crowd oriented. At least those in Dubuque last night were.

The Colts really shined last night for their biggest fans. So musical. So colorful. Such a wonderful night to spend 'on the town' with them. Brass, percussion, guard -- the whole thing is coming together so well this year. Yay Colts! (Gush, gush)

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 26; it's HOME SHOW

We are in Dubuque, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Sausage
Fresh fruit

Meal 2
Chicken Alfredo
Bread sticks
Salad
Fruit
Fresh veggies and dip

Meal 3
Brats (provided by the MOM staff)
Mac & cheese
Raw veggies and dip

Meal 4
Pretzels with cheese sauce
Apple pie and ice cream


Photo by Tami R.

Today's Schedule
9:00 Wake
9:10 Stretch
9:40 Breakfast
10:30 Sectionals
12:30 Meal 2
1:30 Vis
3:15 Ensemble
5 Meal 3, pack & load
7 Warmup
9:04 Gate
9:14 Performance
10 Meal 4
12 Depart for Normal

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Rod R
Becky K
Lisa P
Terry L
Lorrie M
And lots and lots of volunteer helpers


Today's News
It's home show, so it's crazy in Dubuque! The cooks are holding up well trying to juggle four meals and all the questions that come up. Pies are arriving for Meal 4. The show volunteers are getting set up and ready for admissions, concessions, etc. Souvie trucks are being moved in, and oh yeah, the Colts and Colt Cadets are rehearsing.

We're actually on site today (at last!) and it's great to see everyone. Lots of parents. Lots of old friends. The show lineup is super. Come on out!

A couple of things I found on the side of the cooktruck today:

There is nothing more dangerous than a group of people with nothing to lose and everything to gain. GET SOME!

All things are possible when you believe in yourself and those around you. The Colts are my inspiration! I believe in miracles and I believe in you!! See you soon. I love you guys.
Ray
And rememeber: Travel safe and be on time.

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

All about maps and a reminder to read colts.org

The maps: Long-time readers of the VCT (virtual cooktruck) know that the daily maps give only an approximation of where the corps is today. Or will be tomorrow. Even though you can go to Google maps and zoom way in -- to street level in some cases -- that's not the way to find out where the corps is today. We don't use the exact address of the housing site to make the maps. I usually just get as close to the city as I can. And sometimes the town listed is the location of the show that night, not the housing site itself.

If you are looking to catch up with the corps, consult the daily itinerary posted at colts.org and sent to all members and parents as the season goes along. Don't try to follow my maps to the Colts. You'll just get lost.

More on maps: If I'm not half-asleep when I'm making them, this is the system I use for this year's Google maps: the red placemark is where the Colts ARE today. The blue placemark is where the WERE yesterday. And the green placemark is where they WILL BE tomorrow. Not that I don't screw up the system sometimes. Also, if for instance they ARE and WILL BE the same place, there'll just be one placemark for that, not two. What color I might use for the "overlap" days is anybody's guess.

colts.org: Please go to www.colts.org for official word on what's up with the Colts. Like for housing changes, updates on where the Colts are staying where there's been no location listed, etc. We don't always get a chance to cross-post things that are up there. And we pretty much think you guys are going there anyway. So it's best to check both sites every day.

Today is Wednesday, June 25; it's a rehearsal day

We are in Spirit Lake, IA

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Hot oatmeal
Cinnamon streusel
Sausage links
Grapes, oranges, apples

Meal 2
Pork fritter or chicken on a bun
Green beans with bacon
Applesauce
Fresh veggies
Fresh fruit

Meal 3
ChiPEGlis
Rice and beans
Salsa and chips

Meal 4
Mustgoes/Wal-Mart run


Photo by Tami R.

Today's Schedule
8 Wake
8:10 Stretch
8:40 Breakfast
12:30 Meal 2
5:30 Meal 3
7:30 Dog & pony show
9 Meal 4
9:30 Wal-Mart run
11 Depart for Dubuque

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Lisa P
Terry L
Lorrie M

Today's News
The show was awesome last night. No problems along the way. The cooks are hoping for some homemade goodies when they get to Dubuque for home show tomorrow.

Wal-Mart run tonight. I'll bet everyone is excited.

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 24; it's a show day

We are in Sioux Falls, SD

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Glorrie-ous fruit and yogurt parfaits
BaGails and cream cheese
Bacon

Meal 2
Beef tips and gravy
Buttered noodles
Corn
Megawatt smiles

Meal 3
Pasta salad
(Bacon ranch or Italian antipasto)
Rolls

Meal 4
Meatball subs
Chips
Mixed fresh veggies
Donated homemade cookies


Photo by Tami R.

Today's Schedule
9:00 Wake
9:10 Stretch
9:40 Breakfast
10 Staff meeting
10:30 Visual
12:15 Brass meal 2
12:30 Guard and percussion meal 2
12:45 Warmup and sectionals
2:10 Ensemble
3:40 Meal 3, pack & load
5:20 Depart for show
5:50 Arrive
7:52 Gate
8:02 Performance
8:30 Meal 4
11 Depart for Spirit Lake, IA

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Lisa P
Terry L
Lorrie M
Peter H
Gail H

Today's News
The corps arrived about 3:30 a.m. after an awesome show in Mankato, MN, last night. Everything is going along great.

The cooks send out their thanks for all the donations they've been receiving, especially the birthday cake and icy freezes last night.




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 23; it's a show day

We are in Mankato, MN

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Egg McLisas
Potato wedges
Fruit

Meal 2
Chicken Terry Aki (that's the way Peg told me to spell it)
Buttered herb rice
Carrots and broccoli and dip
Fruit

Meal 3
Spaghetti pie
Salad
Rolls

Meal 4
Chicken nuggets (with Colt Cadets)
Fries
Cookies
Birthday cake


Photo by Tami R.

Today's Schedule
8 Wake
8:10 Stretch
8:40 Breakfast
12:30 Brass Meal 2
12:45 Percussion Meal 2
1 Guard Meal 2
4 Meal 3/pack/load
5:45 Depart for show
6:15 Arrive at stadium
8:32 Gate
8:42 Performance
9:15 Meal 4 (with Colt Cadets)
11 Depart for Sioux Falls, SD

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Lisa P
Terry L
Lorrie M
Peter H
Gail H

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Brittany J!

The corps arrived about 1:30 a.m. Today in Minnesota is beautiful, with sunny skies and a light breeze. Peg said it is "Absolutely perfect."

Last night's show was really good, and everyone was excited afterward. Peg says the buses were parked about three-quarters of a mile from the cooktruck last night and they didn't have a big crowd for Meal 4 because some of the members decided not to make the walk but to find other things to do with their time. But it was all good.

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

Rockford photos from Tami R.

Tamara R. scores with the first performance pictures of the Colts and Colt Cadets with pictures from the show in Rockford. The links to her galleries are listed at the right. Thanks Tami!

Well, they DO call it Drum Corps INTERNATIONAL, after all

More encouragement by email from far-off parents and supporters. Keep them coming. We'll even print them off and take them to the corps when we can.

Keep going Colts and don't stop believing in yourselves.

Let your dream lead you

It's bean a month + of practice in too nasty conditions (rain - wind - nasty weather)

Now it's time to show them what you are made of.

My son from Longueuil, Quebec, Canada decided to be with your team because

you could be the team to achieve its dream

SO FROM QUEBEC ,CANADA (FAN CLUB)

Have fun and believe in yourselves and make your dream come true

GO COOOOOOOOOLTS

Father and Mother of Vincent Thibert (guard member)

Today is Sunday, June 22; it's a show day

We are in Stillwater, MN

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Cheese/egg wrap
Sausage
Fruit

Meal 2
Mustgo snack

Meal 3
Provided and delivered by Minnesota Brass, Inc.

Meal 4
Vegetable beef stew
Bakery rolls
Brownies


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
9:00 Wake
9:10 Stretch
9:40 Breakfast
10:30 Visual
11:30 Sectionals
12:30-1:00 Percussion snack
12:45-1:15 Brass snack
1:00-1:30 Guard snack
1:00 Sectionals; percussion on field
2:00 Ensemble
3:45 Eat, pack & load
5:25 Depart for show
5:55 Arrive
7:57 Gate
8:07 Performance
8:45 Dinner with Cadets
11:00 Depart

Today's Cooks
Peg L, head cook
Lisa P
Terry L
Lorrie M
Jody G
Bill S
Luba S

Today's News

Peg is the new head cook beginning today. Thanks Jody, for all of your hard work as head cook! What would we do without you?

Last night's show was wonderful. We're off to a good start! We arrived very close to on-time this morning, just after 6:00 am. The school is a very nice facility and the band director brought Caribou Coffee for the cooks. The Colts have a new souvenir truck and it's out on the road now.

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

Yeah Colts! And a word about scores

Congratulations to the Colts on the first competition in Rockford last night. Way to go Red Team!

For those of you new here, a word about scores. We don't do scores on the Virtual Cooktruck. You can get the best, fastest scores from dci.org or by your Colt calling you from the road. You can find places on the Internet to talk about scores, judging, standings, and unimportant stuff like that. I'm sure you can find a Facebook group that will welcome you with open arms. But we don't do that here. Congratulations, yes. Go get 'em Colts and Colt Cadets, yes. Commenting on scoring, judging, the unfairness of the world, please, no.

We're proud of our Colts. We worry about the things we can do something about: keeping them fed, keeping them safe, keeping them healthy. Everything else will take care of itself.

Go Red Team!

Go Red Team!

This came as an email to me, but I think it was intended for the corps, so I'm posting it here.

This is Joe Ready's dad, Neil, out here in Portland, Oregon....the ARGONAUT D&B CORPS ALUMNI & Family want wish the COLTS a GREAT FIRST SHOW and a very SUCCESSFULL SEASON this year.

Later Ready Family GO BIG RED!!!!!

Today is Saturday, June 21; it's a SHOW DAY!!!!!!!!!

We are in Rockford, IL

Click for weather report and forecast

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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Cinnamon streusel
Potato patties
Bacon

Meal 2
l/o casserole or chili con carne
Pretzels
Fruit

Meal 3
Build your own burgers
Potato wedges
Cole slaw
Carrots

Meal 4
Ravioli
Bread stick
Corn
Lemon poppyseed cake



Photo by Rod R.

Today's Schedule
7:20 Wake
7:30 Stretch
8:00 Meal 1
9:00 Visual
11:00 Sectionals
12:30 Meal 2
1:30 Sectionals
2:30 Ensemble
4:00 Eat, pack & load
5:00 Depart for show
6:30 Arrive
8:33 Gate
8:43 Step off
9:00 Snack (w/ Cadets)
11:00 Depart


Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Lorrie M.
Becky K
Lisa M
Bill M
Luba S
Bill S
Terry L

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Sam M!

Thanks for yesterday's donations of oranges, grapes, watermelon, bananas, forks, and spoons. There was a small crowd at dress rehearsal last night. The late change of venue may have contributed to a smaller turnout.

The members are REALLY ready for Cornfield Tour to be over - especially the vets. Yeah! It's a show day! Forget summer solstice - this marks the beginning of summer.


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 20; it's a cornfield tour day - the last of a very long cornfield tour

We are in South Beloit, IL

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Biscuits & gravy
Fruit

Meal 2
BBQ pork sandwiches
Cheesy potatoes
Green beans
Peaches

Meal 3 - at the Stadium
Sub sandwich
Chips

Meal 4 - in S. Beloit
Chicken noodle casserole
Some type of vegitable


Photo by Rod R.

Today's Schedule
7:20 Wake
7:30 Stretch
8:00 Meal 1
9:00 Warm-up
10:30 Ensemble
12:30 Meal 2
1:30 Open... (see news below)

Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Lorrie M.
Becky K
Lisa M
Bill M
Luba S
Bill S

Today's News

Yesterday we received donations of oranges, grapes, and bananas. Thanks so much to those who brought them!

All is going well; the skies are clear and there is no threat of rain. The corps is moving to Harlem Middle Shcool in Rockford this afternoon, where they will be able to use a stadium tonight. Meal 3 will be served there, and they will return to S. Beloit for Meal 4.

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 19; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in South Beloit, IL

Click for weather report and forecast



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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Pancakes
Bacon
Applesauce

Meal 2
Turkey or Ham pasta salad
Cheesy biscuits
Peaches

Meal 3
Pistachio salad
Chow mein/rice
Veggies and dip
Fortune cookies

Meal 4
Sub sandwiches
Chips
Watermelon


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Stretch
7:40 Breakfast
8:30 Sectionals
12 Meal 2
1 Vis/full corps
5 Meal 3
6 Warmup
6:30 Ensemble
8:45 Warmdown/stretch
9 Meal 4
10:15 Lights out


Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Lorrie M.
Becky K
Lisa M
Bill M
Luba S
Bill S

Today's News
Brock and Debbie surprised Carol L with cake for her birthday last night and hung around for a while. Judy and Tom H also visited, and Judy helped in the kitchen truck. Thanks to all the visitors.

We had a couple of offers of fruit donations yesterday and thanks for them. Keep in mind that fresh fruit and veg are a constant need throughout the summer. We're feeding about 200 people a day (counting a full corps, staff, drivers, and volunteers) so plan accordingly.

The staff did a mouthpiece boil and water bottle wash last night. The staff took care of the whole thing so the cooks could concentrate on, well, cooking. Cleaning is good for health.

Overall, everything's going well with the corps and the volunteer operation. A handful of people showed up Wednesday to watch the corps work out and there were about 15 yesterday. So the interest in South Beloit is growing and they expect even more people tonight for ensemble.

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

Finals Housing

Good news! This isn't exactly normal cooktruck material, but I think it is of interest to our volunteers, parents, and fans. The Colts probably won't post this until they publish the initerary for the last part of tour, but it's official: The Colts and Colt Cadets will be housed during DCI Championships week at Batchelor Middle School in Bloomington, IN. We're fortunate to be two of the few corps actually housed in Bloomington.

As you may already know, most (if not all) of the hotels in Bloomington are already sold out for finals. For what it's worth, here are a couple of nearby places where people could stay for at least part of the week. As of today, there seems to be availability for August 5-7 at:

• Wampler House Bed & Breakfast (0.82 mi from the Colts housing)
  
• Eagle Pointe lakefront condominiums
  
• Canyon Inn at McCormick's Creek State Park

And, if you want to go in with friends and spend a bit of money, the Baker Place Guest House seems to be available for the entire week. This is a 3 bedroom upscale condo in the heart of Bloomington.

Today is Wednesday, June 18; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in South Beloit, IL

Click for weather report and forecast



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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Waffles
Sausage
Applesauce

Meal 2
Pork fritters or chicken
Madarin salad
Veggies

Meal 3
Baked ziti
Meatballs
Garlic French bread
Fruit cup

Meal 4
Chicken nugget wraps
Cottage cheese
Surprise


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7 Wake
7:10 Stretch
7:40 Breakfast
8:30 Sectionals/guard on the main field
12:30 Meal 2
1:30 Vis/full corps
5 Meal 3
6 Warmup
6:30 Ensemble
8:45 Warmdown
9 Meal 4
10:15 Lights out


Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Becky K
Lisa M
Bill M
Luba S
Bill S

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Carol L! (She's getting a surprise for her birthday. Shhhhhhhhh. Don't tell)

We interrupt our broadcast for a message from the cooks: DONATE FRESH FRUIT. We've have very few donations of fresh fruit this season and a nice apple, peach, banana, or a slice of watermelon would be greatly appreciated by the Colts. (We now return you to your regular programming)

The food drop is today instead of Thursday. The truck was delayed by construction, high water, and detours but pulled in while I was talking to Bill and Jody on the phone. I reminded Bill to wear his gloves while packing the freezer.

Speaking of high water, Bill says even though the river at Beloit was forecast to rise 4 to 6 inches today, the corps is well away from it and are not in any danger of having to move or anything because of flooding. "Not a problem. Not at all," Bill says.

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

Photos from South Wayne

Jeff Q. (Sarah's dad) has posted pictures the rehearsal show in South Wayne, WI, over at her blog. The link is in the right sidebar. Thanks, Jeff

Today is Tuesday, June 17; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in South Beloit, IL

Click for weather report and forecast



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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Bagels and cream cheese
Bacon/sausage

Meal 2
Chicken nuggets
Mac & cheese
Corn
Fruit cocktail

Meal 3
Marmalade ham
Mandarin salad
Au gratin potatoes
Peas & carrots

Meal 4
Mustgoes


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7:50 Wake
8 Breakfast
9 Laundry
1 Meal 2
2 Vis
3:45 Sectionals
5:30 Meal 3
6:30 Warmup
7 Ensemble
8:45 Meal 4
10 Lights out


Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Lisa M
Bill M
Luba S
Bill S

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Jess D!

The Colts got into South Beloit about 1:30 a.m., a little late but nothing major. And for all you regular Virtual Cooktruck readers, that really does mean nothing major.

It's a beautiful day in South Beloit. The corps is really starting to point toward that first show on Saturday now. The Goal for Today posted on the cooktruck this morning was: "Clean and refine Night & Day."

The cooks are parked so they look out on the school's baseball field. But there is no game, so they are safe from foul balls. (Insert you own joke here.)


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

The Virtual Cooktruck's Own Jim J. in DCI photo album

Jim J. is featured in a photo album at dci.org about this summer's finals at Indiana University. I'm assuming (until he corrects me) that Jim is one of the "local coordinators." He looks so important!

(Thanks, Olaf, for the heads-up)

Today is Monday, June 16; it's a cornfield tour day

We are in South Wayne, WI

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
French toast sticks
Bacon
Applesauce

Meal 2
Chicken nuggets
Mac & cheese
Corn
Fruit cocktail

Meal 3
Chicken teriyaki
Craisin salad
Green bean casserole
Butter and herb rice

Meal 4
Minnesota corn dogs (I think we used to call these Pronto Pups)
Tater tots
Ice cream sundaes


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
7:20 Wake
7:30 Stretch
8 Breakfast
9 Vis
12 Meal 2
1 Sectionals
4:30 Ensemble
6 Meal 3
7 Warmup
7:30 Dog and Pony in member shirts
9:30 Meal 4/pack/load
11 Depart for South Beloit, IL


Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Lisa M
Bill M
Cindy S
Luba S
Bill S

Today's News
Happy Birthday, Curtis B!

It is dry today, although fields are still wet. There are big, puffy white clouds overhead and it is a little cool. People were actually searching out patches of sunshine at breakfast. "You want to be in the sun today, at least right now," Bill says.

The corps worked out on a side field last night because of wet conditions at the main field. They may be able to use the main field tonight for the dog and pony if it dries enough today.

The school officials in South Wayne have been just great. The principal was really welcoming and friendly. Bill made friends with the building custodian (which is always a good thing)

And the town has been wonderful. Lori C's sister has a business a couple of blocks from the school and has been great. The Colts even got 300 buns donated to them. Thanks, South Wayne!

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 15; it's Father's Day

We are in South Wayne, WI

Click for weather report and forecast


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Today's Menu
Breakfast
Bagels and cream cheese
Bananas
Sausage

Meal 2
Salisbury Steak
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Peas or Corn
Diced pears

Meal 3
Chicken Parmesan
Noodles
Corn
Rolls

Meal 4
Pizza
Rhubarb dump cake


Photo by David S.

Today's Schedule
8:50 Wake
9 Stretch
9:30 Breakfast
10:30 Sectionals
1:30 Meal 2
2:30 Vis
6:30 Meal 3
7:30 Warmup
8 Ensemble
10 Stretch/warmdown
10:15 Snack
11:30 Lights out

Today's Cooks
Jody G, head cook
Lisa M
Bill M
John B
Cindy S
Margot W
Peggy F
Luba S
Bill S

Today's News
The new crew is up and running today -- on Father's Day. Yesterday's schedule was kind of scrambled because of the weather, but I'm not sure it even rose to the level of an inconvenience. Flexibility and changes because of the weather are kind of the theme of this tour so far.

Don't miss the comments on Friday's and Saturday's entries. They are priceless. Take note of the discussion of Carole's "surprise" dishes and I laughed my a** off at the fact that Barry "decided he only does that for corps he loves."

The cooktruck is well positioned in South Wayne. The cooks can look out the back door and see the practice field. That's always a bonus and inspiration for the volunteers.


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