Name:
Bill Richards
Years:
1953-2002
Position:
Fetal-Upright
Date:
6/21/2002
Comments
Hey hey hey! It's Friday the 21st! We're packing up the Stealth with
everything it will possibly hold and heading to Anne's Place. After a
few last minute instructions to our four kids, (PLEASE don't do what
I would have done under the same circumstances!) we will hit the
road. See you all there! Bill & Rosemary
Name:
J Stark
Years: 75-77
Date:
6/21/2002
Comments
Hi, I recevied a very nice letter from Lori (Horn) Hayes. I thought
she would like it if I shared it with you on the web site. Sincerely,
John S.
June, 16, 2002 Dear Imperials Reunion Committee, So Thrilled to hear
about the 25th Reunion! So dissapointed that I cannot be in
attendance. I will be on vacation in North Conway, NH. Believe me, if
this hadn't been planned well in advance, I would be with you. As
most of you probably know my sister, Suzi passed away to cancer in
1993. She would have loved to be at this reunion. We both attended
the 1st Reunion tegether. Please give everyone my regards. I hope you
think about another reunion in the future! I'd be willing to help.
OK? Suzi and I will be with you all in spirit. Have a wonderful time!
Sincerely, Lori (Horn) Hayes
Name:
Debbie LaCasse Odachowski
Years:
1975-1977
Position:
color guard
Date:
6/22/2002
Comments
Dear John and all those attending the Pembroke Imperials reunion, I
am so sorry that I will not be able to be there today to help you all
celebrate the wonderful years we spent together. I will be having my
daughter's Sweet Sixteen party. That means hosting the Norwood High
Marching Band at my home. I hope you all have a wonderful time. John
and committee, you did such a wonderful thing getting all of us back
together. The web site is great. It has given us all the opportunity
to reconnect with old friends. I hope that there will be another
reunion in the future so that I many be able to attend. John, the
pictures from the reunion will make a great addition to the photo
album. Have a wonderful day I will be with you in spirit. Debbie
Name:
J. Stark
Position:
Mostly horizontal after yesterday
Date:
6/23/2002
Comments
Thanks for the kind words and thoughts, Debbie!
Name:
Will
Years:
Bobby Isaac thru Richard Petty
Position:
restrictor plates are no fun
Date:
6/23/2002
Comments
John, Cap and everyone else. Great job on the whole thing. even the
weather was right. What a blast from the past. All those faces, all
those memories. I hope its not another 25 years before we do this
again. ........Billy
Name:
Brian Wadley
Years:
76-77
Date:
6/23/2002
Comments
To the organizers and support staff. The reunion was awesome. Great
to see so many make it.It was so much fun to find out how old friends
are doing. Hope it's not 25 years till next one! Brian
Name:
Paul Millette
Years:
The Glory Years
Position:
Drumline
Date:
6/23/2002
Comments
Great fun the time just flew by. Seeing Al and Billy playing again
was fantastic. Seeing everyone was beyond words. To those that could
not be there remember there is always next year. By the way next year
it will be "VFW Champs" 30 years later. To all that worked so hard to
bring this off what can be said beyond GREAT JOB.
Name:
Tom Foley
Years:
don't remember
Position:
don't remember
Date:
6/23/2002
Comments
The reunion was a great time! Thanks to John Stark, Cap & Ann,
attendees, and everyone else that helped make this happen. It was
great to see a lot of old friends.
Looking forward to the next one!
Tom
Name:
Joe & Sandy Foley
Email:
lathropers@...
Years:
1968-2002
Position:
Back out West
Date:
6/23/2002
Remote User:
Comments
Hey All,
What can I say? To look back from the top of the stairs to the beach,
and see you all around a fire ordered up by non other than Jim
Staples Sr. !! Our stay was way too short, but what a time we had.
Our thanks to all who made this happen.
Joe & Sandy
Name:
J. Stark
Email:
Years:
75-77
Position:
Relieved, Contented & Happy
Date:
6/23/2002
Comments
OK, Guys, now it's all behind us and since I must have rambled in my
little speach yesterday, I'll organize my thoughts here!
I truly appreciate all the thanks I've been receiving! But I can't
accept the thanks without mentioning all the heroes of the event, and
I will later in this post.
Thinking back to Saturday, My only regret was that I was too worried
about details and I didn't seem to have enough time to talk with
people enough and catch up with what is going on in their lives.
After all, 25 years is so much longer than the 12 hours we had
together Saturday.
I think I did get more time however, than some of the other unselfish
people who helped and stayed at their posts to help insure a great
day. This was done at the expense of their own good time.
I just want to sincerly thank -from the bottom of my heart- the
following people (in no particular order):
Number one: The attendees! Without all of you it obviously would not
have been a success.
Rich Capelotti, Thank you for your huge contribution and hospitality
of the perfect and beautiful venue! You also have been so dynamic and
enthusiastic with contributing media, logistics, securing permits,
hiring the band, anecdotes and wise cracks (very funny ones too)!
Thanks for your energy, we could not have pulled it off without you
and Anne and your blessings. We certainly could not have done such a
quality event at $35 without you. We all appreciate it so completely!
Missy Benoit, for spending most of the reuinion shuttling people back
and forth and never once complaining. (Missy kept insisting to me
that she was having a great time, in spite of spending most of the
day on a bus.) Missy shopped for all the food, donated a school bus,
donated her time at the reunion and the meetings, disposed of most of
the reunion refuse. Special thanks also goes out to the Hanover Dump!
Nancy Moody, In looking back at the guestbook archives, I believe it
was Nancy who was the first to mention the reunion idea on 10/6/01.
It was Nancy who knocked some sense into my thick head by making me
understand that this should be a strictly Imperials -and not South
Shore Drum Corps- reunion. You were so correct, Nancy! I am wiser
now. It was Nancy who kept us on task about planning in a timely
manner.
Nancy also donated the candles, tablecloths, balloons, and
decorations, which I never got a chance to tell her were great!!
Nancy also spent the whole day at the registration table. Nancy, also
thought to send my wife flowers on behalf of the Reunion Committee so
I could come to the reunion without feeling guilty. I'm learning
flowers can go a long way Nance! Thank you Nancy, my new found close
friend.
Thanks to Dot Cox, for all your planning help, Media contributions
through the Pembroke Mariner and the wonderful Imperials banner! I
had always remembered you as a nice kid, now I have a much better
understanding for how warm and caring a person you are.
Thanks to Val Kroon for writing that wonderful article and
contributing some of the recordings which made it to the re-mastered
CD. I can tell Val misses the corps days deperately and is passionate
about the Imperials.
Pam Berrigan and Rosemary Richards, who also spent the whole day
unselfishly at the registration tables. You were real troopers!
Thanks for pinching my cheeks again, Rosie, just like you used to in
1975! It brought me back in time because I don't believe anyone else
has ever pinched them quite as hard as you did/do!! At least you
didn't pull my hair this time LOL :-).
Marty Cahill, Thanks for donating all your time at the meetings and
all the logistical help you contributed in order the food got to the
Cape and refrigerated, in order so as not to have a repeat of
Ontario, Canada, 1974!!
Paul Millette, For donating time at the meetings and for scanning the
scores of photos we now have. Paul's work will unfold in the coming
months on this website.
Thanks to Bill Richards for his wealth of archival material and the
Championship Trophy! Nice horn playing, by the way; still!
Jeanne McGillicuddy for contributing some other of the recordings
that made it to the CD and also great photos that are now all on the
site.
Paul O'Keefe for marketing help (Posters and invites) and networking
help.
Thanks to the other people who regularly came to the planning
meetings: Jim Staples Sr., Bill Evers, John Sullivan, Bill Cullity,
Geoff Church, did I miss anyone?
Oh, God, I fear I left someone out! If I did, here is my humble
apology, there was just so much help. Oh shit, ya.. Thanks Mike
Conroy for finding the remaining $225.00 in the cash box and the
address records that I left on the table because although I didn't
think I was drunk, I must have been!!!
Ok, Another regret.... I've made new friends and rekindled old
frienships through this experience. How am I ever going to see all
you people on a regular basis? Can anyone give me some suggestions?
If the suggestions are half as good as the ones that were given for
the reunion, then we will find out some way to stay in touch!
The last 4 months have been a great ride! I advise everyone to read
the archives! It's fun to see the progression up to and culminating
with the hugely successful reunion!!
I'm convinced the Imperials are a class outfit. I should never ever
forget that and I will never forget my friends.
Today, I began working on my wife to host an appreciation barbeque at
my home in the extreme near future, for the reunion committee; and,
thanks in part to the flowers you sent, she seems all for it!!
Talk to you all soon!!
John Stark, Proud Imperial
Name:
Dave Rockett
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
To sum it up, WHAT A FRIGGING BLAST! It was great seeing everyone.
Special thanks to John, Cap, his lovely wife Ann and the committee.
It's amazing how easy it was to feel comfortable with such a large
group of people that you haven't seen in such a long time. It truly
felt like FAMILY. It will be a long time before the memories of the
day fade if in fact they ever do. I got the feeling that many of our
lives took an immediate turn for the better the day we put on the
uniform of "The Imperials of Pembroke" I know mine did.
Hope to see you all again in the not too long future.
Dave
Hope to see you all again in the not too long future.
Dave
Name:
Jackie Alquist
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
Dudes, what a great time. It was wonderful to have seen you guys,
Mitchell, Lisa, Denis, Michelle, Glenn, Matt, Geoff, Marty. Glad that
you were all there. Thanks to to all the people who's names I have
heard for years, it was wonderful to have met you all finally. Thank
you to Mr and Mrs Stark and all the commitee members for all your
work.
Name:
Cap
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
What can I say 72 hours and 6 hours of sleep.I have to say thanks to
Missy and her husband for helping to remove most of Mount
Trashmore.Bill for the Friday night concert John will be recieving
orders from several neighbors for CD,s.Everyone that stayed the
weekend you would not no that 200 people had just been here the night
before.If anything turns up on the M.I.A. list you will be getting a
call.Mike for finding the cash and the order list,s Pembroke,s
accounting at it,s finest.And thanks to everyone that helped pull
this off.And Mr. Staples for still being able to handle 200 Drum
Corps members somethings will never change.
Name:
Tom Hall
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
A Special Thanks to John & Cap and all those who closely helped you.
What a great time. It was really nice to see everyone after all these
years, I hope we can do It again. Good bye for now, Tom
Name:
Janice Richards
Years:
Nine Years & Some
Position:
Still here...
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
Hi everyone! Wow! What a great time! Incredible! Fun! Huge laughs! So
MANY faces! So many stories! I could FEEL THE LOVE! (Can I get an
amen?) I only wish I'd been able to get there at noon and not 5:30.
The time just flew! And while I got to say hello to many, many
people, I didn't have a chance to catch up with alot alot alot of
people. What a nice time! And a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped
put it together. And it was so nice to hang out on the beach, watch
the bonfire and swap stories with old, dear friends. You set a
standard in my life for what "friendship" really means. Thanks and
see you soon - I hope. Janice
Name:
geoff church
Years:
68 74
Position:
percussion
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
I would just like to thank those responsible for the organization of
the reunion. I had a blast, and showed that I still know how to make
an entrance. Praise God it was a beautiful day, the weather perfect.
My only regret was that I had to leave early. anyway I agree that we
should do this again. Quincy is right next year is the thirty year
anniversary of the national championship(hint hint)
Name:
Jeanne McGillicuddy
Years:
72-77
Position:
Date:
6/24/2002
Remote User:
Comments
When they called our annual drum corps show the "Cranberry Blast",
who knew how appropriate the name would be all these years later -
that's definitely what Saturday was. And how appropriate, too, that
it started with a parking lot party and a rowdy bus ride. Some things
just never change. Thanks again to everyone who worked so hard so the
rest of us could enjoy ourselves and relive so many memories - and to
Daryl, Lynn, Jeannine, Denise, Annie, and Donna - I hope I'm not the
only one with sore wrists...
Name:
Lisa Parker Jones
Years:
1973-2002
Position:
Thrilled
Date: 6/24/2002
Comments
Oh my God what an incredible day. My face still hurts from smiling.
It was so awesome to see all of you and to be part of a wonderful
day. Thank you to all that got this together (John, Ann, Cap, etc - I
hope we can do it again soon. Thanks to Missy who got us there and
back. Still feels like family!
Name:
Janet Clarke
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
John, Cap and all the rest of you who helped to put the reunion
together "JOB WELL DONE". I am sure that I speak for many of us when
I say that it really felt like a "family" reunion. It didn't take
long for all those wonderful memories (and some that we try to
forget) to bring back that bond we all shared. There is truly nothing
like Drum Corp. and the people that where in it.
Thank you to everyone who has made a set of footprints on my heart.
You all helped shape my life and for that I will be forever indebted.
(that includes you too Rosemay and MaryAnne). Can't wait to do it
again, hopefully sooner than later. Some of you will be hearing from
me soon, as I don't want to lose contact again.
Take care of yourselves and God Bless.
Janet
Name:
Annie Nee
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
Over the last 25 years I've often thought of all of you, when
reminiscing about the good, bad, happy, sad, and incredibly fun times
of my teenage life in the Imperials. Seeing everyone on Saturday was
absolutely wonderful and I've spent the last few days with a smile on
my face and a very warm feeling in my heart thinking of you. How nice
it was for everyone to still be so comfortable with each other after
all these years. After filling in the blanks since we all saw each
other last, i.e. marital status, children, jobs, etc., conversations
inevitably went straight to stories and memories of our younger days.
Saturday was a very special day for me - a 12 hour bus ride down
Memory Lane with my drum corps brothers and sisters and stand-in Moms
and Dads. Thanks so much for more memories to add to my collection!
Name:
Nancy Davidson Moody
Email:
nancy692@...
Years:
1973 - THE BEST!
Position:
color guard
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
Wow! My head is still spinning from that awesome reunion, and it has
nothing to do with the pineapple juice and rum! Thank God for Cap and
Anne, who were so gracious to host us, and for John Stark's boundless
energy. I wish he could bottle it and sell it! (BTW, he could have a
second career as a music critic for Rolling Stone). And Saint Missy,
the Patron Saint of Bus Drivers, has earned her place in heaven…talk
about selfless. It was so good to see everyone I had known while I
marched, and to get to know some of the people who were Imperials
before and after I was. Volunteering on the committee was a wise
decision…I got to know these great people and reacquaint with Billy
and Rosemary Richards (my old bus-buddy) and the rest of the
committee. To everyone I had the pleasure of spending time with,
thanks for making it such a memorable day! Hope to catch you all at
some point in the future, whether at another reunion (volunteer...you
won't regret it!) or a show, or whatever. Keep in touch! Nancy
Davidson Moody
Name:
Vicki (Keith) Rich
Email:
vickiintexas@...
Years:
mid 70's
Position:
Color Guard/Drum Major
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
I am so glad I found this web site. I really wish I could have been
at the reunion, its sounds like it was a blast. I'm not sure how many
of you will remember me as I was only in the junior corps. I was
surprised to recognize so many names in the guest book. Some of you I
marched with and others were instructors. Could someone post pictures
from the reunion, so those of us who could not attend can see
everyone. I look forward to hearing from someone. Vicki
Name:
Paul O'Keefe
Years:
1973-1977
Position:
Soprano
Date:
6/24/2002
Comments
Finally back in Florida. What an incredible day! I wouldn't have
missed it for the world. I just regret that I wasn't able to say
hello to so many friends. Suddenly it was time for good -byes and I
wasn't finished saying hello. I felt like my family was breaking up
all over again that's when I realized just how strong our emotional
bonds were to each other. The Imperials ARE something very special
and I am glad I was fortunate to be a part of it. It is the total
experience we all search for.
All the best!
Paul
Name:
phee
Date:
6/25/2002
Comments
I have to first say to Rick & Anne Capelotti there is definately a
place in heaven for you both your generousity was overwhelming and
much appreciated!! The prior posts pretty much sum it up. We had a
wonderful time and a ton of laughs. To Donna Meek (ever hear of
valium, lol)I can't put into words my appreciation to all of you who
worked so hard to pull this off. (ME not being able to put anything
in words is a first huh) I look forward to future posts and will
chime in now and again. Again my thanks love phee
Name:
Lisa Parker Jones
Email:
lpjones@...
Years:
the best
Date:
6/25/2002
Comments
Vicki Keith?! No sir! It's wonderful to hear from you. Wish you could
have made it. It was the best time - like a family reunion without
the arguments (HA). There were plenty of people you would have knows,
the Cahills, the Creedons, Jackie McDonald, the McGinnis, just to
mention a few. Hope all is well and, maybe you'll make the next one!
Name:
Gina (Provost)Tempesta
Years:
lots
Position:
color guard
Date:
6/25/2002
Comments
Hey -a BIG thanks to everyone who made Saturday possible. I can't
beleive it went by so fast - still didn't even get to catch up with
everyone I wanted to-so many familiar faces so little time! So nice
to see everyone looking so wonderful after all these years. (To Jim
Staples,send me your e-mail address when you get a chance). I'm still
waiting to here if I can get August 1st off for the Crusaders show in
Lowell - if so anyone who wants to head up with me and or Cid is
welcome(maybe we can turn it into a mini reunion). Thanks again and
hugs to anyone I missed-Gina
Name:
Eddie and Patti (Simons) Rogan
Date:
6/25/2002
Time:
5:56:28 PM
Comments
Just a note to say how much fun we had Saturday. We had to leave
early because our daughter was visiting from Florida, and with the
news we had received that morning from her(she's engaged), we wanted
to spend some time with the two of them. We're game for another
reunion. Let us know when and where. Thank-you to everyone
responsible for putting this together. Patti
Name:
Lisa Archer
Email:
Lfieee@...
Date:
6/25/2002
Comments
WOW!!!!!!! To say the reunion was great is simply an understatement!
It was fantastic and many many thanks to those who put this together.
Cap, your place is gorgeous and a better venue could not have been
found. Your generosity was boundless. John, again all I can say is
WOW and thank you doesn't do my appreciation justice.
When are we doing this again???? huh huh huh???
xoxoxoxoxoxox...Lisa
Name:
Nancy Davidson Moody
Date:
6/25/2002
Comments
John, I wish I could take credit for the reunion idea, but if you
look just a bit further back in the archives, Patty (Simons) Rogan
actually first proposed the idea on June 24, 2001, more than 3 months
before I mentioned it. I was simply ready to hop on the bandwagon!
Kudos to Patty for starting it all!
Name:
Dennis O'Neill
Years:
too few
Position:
left handed wingnut
Date:
6/26/2002
Comments
early monday morning i was dreaming i was on the boy's bus and we had
just pulled into the parking lot for some night show. Ned Creedon was
telling me to wake up, we're here and Steve Fox and Marty Cahill were
laughing at me cause I fell asleep before the we got there, again.
Just then the alarm went off and I had to pull myself back into the
real world. since saturday I have been reliving memories of my time
in The Imperials. How tough it was at times, when I felt like I
couldn't go on. Yet not once did I ever want to quit. I remember
being on that dreaded school bus when Mike Serilla woke me up because
we could see the Statue of Liberty all lit up, and I was seeing two
of them from being so tired. it was great to see everyone. I only
regret having to leave early and not being able to spend more time
other than to say hello. I apologize for not saying goodbye to
everyone, but I tried to stay as long as possible and I made it to my
gig in Rhode Island just in time to set up! Whew!! Perhaps when we
all get together for the 30th VFW championship anniversary I'll tell
you what it was like working for Barry Manilow for 3 years, or how I
met Ozzy Osbourne or the earthquake I was in( tornado, flood,
wildfire, name it I survived it!). John, Ann, Cap, Nancy, Missy and
everyone, you all did a great job. My Dad has quite a large slide
collection that I will be scanning soon and pictures from the reunion
will be developed this week. Dennis, #21
Name:
Donna Meek
Years:
70's
Position:
horn line
Date:
6/27/2002
Comments
Great time at the reunion (at least the parts I remember).
Name:
jim o'neill
Years:
1968 - 1975
Position:
the untalented
Date:
6/28/2002
Comments
Sometimes in life, there are events that happen both consciously and
unconsciously that trigger significant changes in a person's life. I
suppose the act of defining the unconscious events would require
intensive soul searching, or an expensive financial investment in
therapy. What is truly amazing, however, is to know in the moment as
events unfold around you and a tingling sensation pulses throughout
your body, that your life is about to change for the better. I feel
such intense pride for having been part of something as wonderful as
the twenty-fifth year reunion of the Imperials. I think the only
thing that will keep me away from the next one (that is a gimmie) is
to be in jail...or some such thing. Thanks again for everyone who had
a hand in this amazing event, it was wonderful.
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