I don't know as I agree completely that discipline disappeared after the '83
season. There's a tremendous difference between externally applied
discipline for its own sake and teaching corps members to have enough self
discipline and pride to work hard. I marched from '83 to '87 (the years that
supposedly fell apart). We worked very hard - and Northern Aurora only
narrowly missed making top 25 my last year. We had some excellent
instructors who made  a lasting impression on me. No, we weren't a big
powerhouse corps - but I honestly don't believe that it was all or even
mostly due to discipline issues. Money (a lack of it) was a huge factor. I
want to see Northern Aurora back on the field so that it can be a positive
part of more young people's lives.
----- Original Message -----
From: Tammie Merchant <tmerchant@...>
To: <sagalumni@onelist.com>
Sent: Friday, November 05, 1999 9:35 AM
Subject: RE: [SAA] next SAA newsletter


> From: "Tammie Merchant" <tmerchant@...>
>
> Corp will never mean what it did when I was in it.  I truly believe that's
> why it fell apart.  My first year was 83.  It was very strict.  Mistakes
> often resulted in standing at attention for long periods, doing pushups,
> other chores. . . . .I remember one time having to go with 4 other people
to
> wash ALL the uniforms at the Laundromat as a punishment. . .I have no idea
> what I did. . don't remember.  But you knew all the work was for an
> excellent end result.  It resulted in self discipline and respect for
> others. . . in 84 the rules changed.  That was the year it all fell apart.
.
> . .the next year it became the Northern Aurora. . and no offense to anyone
> from NA, but it never again became the powerful Corp that it was.  Granted
> we weren't the cream of the crop. . . but we had some excellent shows!!
It
> lost its appeal to me after 84. . .I started in 85, but dropped out due to
> the lack of discipline of other Corp members. . the weren't showing up on
> time. . .mouthed back to the instructors. . it just wasn't the same.    I
> really miss what it was.
>
> tm*-----Original Message-----
> tm*From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps
> tm*[mailto:naurora@...]
> tm*Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 12:23 AM
> tm*To: sagalumni@onelist.com
> tm*Cc: sagalumni@onelist.com
> tm*Subject: Re: [SAA] next SAA newsletter
> tm*
> tm*
> tm*From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps
<naurora@...>
> tm*
> tm*At 9:59 PM -0600 11/2/99, Murgaty@... wrote:
> tm*
> tm*>We could bring up the idea of a parade corps again.  We may even want
to
> tm*>schedule another meeting to plan a parade corps.  I have a high
> tm*school or 2
> tm*>to recruit from.  I'd bet I could get a good 20-30 kids to join.
> tm*>
> tm*>Paul
> tm*
> tm*When do you think would be a good time to schedule such a meeting?
After
> tm*MCBA Finals, definitely, but not during the Holiday Season.
> tm*Maybe we should
> tm*come up with some ideas via email before we all meet to discuss.
> tm*(Considering our frequency of meetings and all...) Goals, timetable,
> tm*leadership, etc.
> tm*
> tm*I'd definitely like to see a parade corps start up, even if just to
have
> tm*something to march in myself. :)  Seriously, though, I think that if we
> tm*could get DCI-aged kids involved, we'd have a good veteran base
> tm*for when NA
> tm*gets back on its feet competitively. That's what I see as our major
> tm*obstacle for getting new members into NA, or any membership at all. If
we
> tm*have a decent veteran base from the parade corps, especially in horns,
> tm*we'll have the jump on rebuilding. Considering that all our past NA
vets
> tm*have aged out, moved on to other corps, or lost interest, we'll
> tm*be starting
> tm*from scratch in the membership department. If we as alumni can instill
in
> tm*the less-experienced parade corps members What It Means To Be In
> tm*Drumcorps,
> tm*so much the better - they'll pass that along to the new members of the
> tm*competitive corps, once it gets rolling. (Is our goal still 2001
> tm*for that?)
> tm*
> tm*(BTW, Bob isn't subscribed to this list yet, so once we come up with
> tm*something definite, one of us should run it past him... Paul...)  ;)
> tm*
> tm*Diana Cook, webmistress
> tm*http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/
> tm*
> tm*tm*
>
> >

From what I understand, the discipline reemerged about 88.  By the time I
joined in 90, Ric Roberts had made sure that discipline on the field was high
and more importantly, PRIDE was high.  We missed the world title by 1 or 2
tenths that year.
     Trends in a corps ebb and flow, talent comes and goes, discipline waxes
and wanes, but the pride felt within the membership is what determines the
groups longevity and legacy.

Paul

Corp will never mean what it did when I was in it.  I truly believe that's
why it fell apart.  My first year was 83.  It was very strict.  Mistakes
often resulted in standing at attention for long periods, doing pushups,
other chores. . . . .I remember one time having to go with 4 other people to
wash ALL the uniforms at the Laundromat as a punishment. . .I have no idea
what I did. . don't remember.  But you knew all the work was for an
excellent end result.  It resulted in self discipline and respect for
others. . . in 84 the rules changed.  That was the year it all fell apart. .
. .the next year it became the Northern Aurora. . and no offense to anyone
from NA, but it never again became the powerful Corp that it was.  Granted
we weren't the cream of the crop. . . but we had some excellent shows!!  It
lost its appeal to me after 84. . .I started in 85, but dropped out due to
the lack of discipline of other Corp members. . the weren't showing up on
time. . .mouthed back to the instructors. . it just wasn't the same.    I
really miss what it was.

tm*-----Original Message-----
tm*From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps
tm*[mailto:naurora@...]
tm*Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 12:23 AM
tm*To: sagalumni@onelist.com
tm*Cc: sagalumni@onelist.com
tm*Subject: Re: [SAA] next SAA newsletter
tm*
tm*
tm*From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps <naurora@...>
tm*
tm*At 9:59 PM -0600 11/2/99, Murgaty@... wrote:
tm*
tm*>We could bring up the idea of a parade corps again.  We may even want to
tm*>schedule another meeting to plan a parade corps.  I have a high
tm*school or 2
tm*>to recruit from.  I'd bet I could get a good 20-30 kids to join.
tm*>
tm*>Paul
tm*
tm*When do you think would be a good time to schedule such a meeting? After
tm*MCBA Finals, definitely, but not during the Holiday Season.
tm*Maybe we should
tm*come up with some ideas via email before we all meet to discuss.
tm*(Considering our frequency of meetings and all...) Goals, timetable,
tm*leadership, etc.
tm*
tm*I'd definitely like to see a parade corps start up, even if just to have
tm*something to march in myself. :)  Seriously, though, I think that if we
tm*could get DCI-aged kids involved, we'd have a good veteran base
tm*for when NA
tm*gets back on its feet competitively. That's what I see as our major
tm*obstacle for getting new members into NA, or any membership at all. If we
tm*have a decent veteran base from the parade corps, especially in horns,
tm*we'll have the jump on rebuilding. Considering that all our past NA vets
tm*have aged out, moved on to other corps, or lost interest, we'll
tm*be starting
tm*from scratch in the membership department. If we as alumni can instill in
tm*the less-experienced parade corps members What It Means To Be In
tm*Drumcorps,
tm*so much the better - they'll pass that along to the new members of the
tm*competitive corps, once it gets rolling. (Is our goal still 2001
tm*for that?)
tm*
tm*(BTW, Bob isn't subscribed to this list yet, so once we come up with
tm*something definite, one of us should run it past him... Paul...)  ;)
tm*
tm*Diana Cook, webmistress
tm*http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/
tm*
tm*tm*

I like that idea.  I often wonder what my "family" is doing now.  Although I
notice most of them are not on the corp alumni list. . . . .I think we need
to do some searching!!!
Tammie

tm*-----Original Message-----
tm*From: Kari Braman [mailto:k_braman@...]
tm*Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 7:05 PM
tm*To: sagalumni@onelist.com
tm*Subject: Re: [SAA] next SAA newsletter
tm*
tm*
tm*From: "Kari Braman" <k_braman@...>
tm*
tm*I don't know how easy this will be, but how about doing a semi interview
tm*with an alum, make it into a summary type of thing and have that
tm*be a part
tm*of the newsletter.  It's interesting to read what people from
tm*the past are
tm*doing now.  We could have more than one person interviewed, and post
tm*several, I suppose.  We do this at work, and it's a great way to
tm*get to know
tm*my coworkers.  I think it'd work, in this case, too.
tm*
tm*Kari
tm*
tm*
tm*>From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps <naurora@...>
tm*>Reply-To: sagalumni@onelist.com
tm*>To: Saginaires Alumni Mailing List <sagalumni@onelist.com>
tm*>Subject: [SAA] next SAA newsletter
tm*>Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 17:18:03 -0500
tm*>
tm*>Hey, all.  I'm getting ready to start on a new newsletter,
tm*since we haven't
tm*>sent one out since July.  Not much to say on the NA front, so I
tm*figured I'd
tm*>throw it out to all of you.  If you'd like to suggest an article for the
tm*>newsletter, please throw your ideas out into the forum.  If
tm*you'd like to
tm*>write an article, even, we'll give you a by-line. :)
tm*>
tm*>What would you like to know about?  We could do some history if
tm*you'd like,
tm*>with the help of Bob and some alumni. We could give the lowdown on
tm*>Northcoast Academy, the SYO winterguard.  And we could remind
tm*everyone that
tm*>there's a big collection of trophies at the corps hall that
tm*need new homes
tm*>with loving alumni.
tm*>
tm*>I'd like to get the newsletter out to everyone by mid-December, at the
tm*>latest, so please get your ideas in the open fairly soon.  I'm
tm*anxious to
tm*>see what we come up with!
tm*>
tm*>Thanks,
tm*>
tm*>
tm*>Diana Cook, webmistress
tm*>http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/
tm*>
tm*>
tm*><< text3.html >>
tm*
tm*tm*

<< When do you think would be a good time to schedule such a meeting? After
MCBA Finals, definitely, but not during the Holiday Season. Maybe we should
come up with some ideas via email before we all meet to discuss. (Considering
our frequency of meetings and all...) Goals, timetable, leadership, etc.>>

Well, I still think Sundays would be best, as they are still my best bet for
a consistent, reliable day off.  I also think that before the Thanksgiving
holiday would be best, so we can get the groundwork established early.
Though NA would only be a parade corps this year, I'd still like to get
things started as close to Thanksgiving as possible.  That would mean
November 14th and 21st as my preferred dates (or the soonest possible Sunday
after that).
I have ideas for goals, timetables, etc., but those are best left for the
meeting to be discussed and played with.

<<Seriously, though, I think that if we could get DCI-aged kids involved,
we'd have a good veteran base for when NA gets back on its feet
competitively. That's what I see as our major obstacle for getting new
members into NA, or any membership at all. If we have a decent veteran base
from the parade corps, especially in horns, we'll have the jump on
rebuilding.>>

NA has a strong presence in at least 3 bands I know of this year that would
be ripe for the picking of new recruits.  Biance George, Kinney Mahoney, and
myself were at West Bloomfield this year, my sister Valerie, Alecia Smith and
Kurt Kennaugh were at Dondero, and Tim Rugenstein, John Hartwick, and I
believe Dave Armbruster as well were at Lakeland.  With such a strong
presence in such fine bands, getting a starting membership of 40-60 should
not be too difficult...with the right presentation and persistence.

<<(BTW, Bob isn't subscribed to this list yet, so once we come up with
something definite, one of us should run it past him... Paul...)  ;)>>

I just forwarded him the past few messages and added him onto this message's
string. Just use the 'reply to all' from here on out and all should be hunkey
dorey.

Paul

Exactly what I was thinking.  Good idea about having it on the website, too.


>From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps <naurora@...>
>Reply-To: sagalumni@onelist.com
>To: sagalumni@onelist.com
>CC: sagalumni@onelist.com
>Subject: Re: [SAA] next SAA newsletter
>Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 22:38:09 -0600
>
>An alumni interview sounds like an interesting idea... What questions
>should the alum answer?  Where they're from, when and what they marched,
>their most memorable moment from drumcorps, and what they're doing now?
>Something like that?
>
>Also - if we do this, what does everyone think of having it as a form on
>the alumni page?  "Be a Featured Alumni" sort of thing?  That way, we (or
>I) wouldn't be picking people only I find interesting, or people I know.
>
>Sounds like a good idea to me.  Let's run with it!
>
>
>At 6:04 PM -0600 11/2/99, Kari Braman wrote:
> >From: "Kari Braman" <k_braman@...>
> >
> >I don't know how easy this will be, but how about doing a semi interview
> >with an alum, make it into a summary type of thing and have that be a
>part
> >of the newsletter.  It's interesting to read what people from the past
>are
> >doing now.  We could have more than one person interviewed, and post
> >several, I suppose.  We do this at work, and it's a great way to get to
>know
> >my coworkers.  I think it'd work, in this case, too.
> >
> >Kari
>
>Diana Cook, webmistress
>http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/
>
>
><< text3.html >>

At 9:59 PM -0600 11/2/99, Murgaty@... wrote:

>We could bring up the idea of a parade corps again.  We may even want to
>schedule another meeting to plan a parade corps.  I have a high school or 2
>to recruit from.  I'd bet I could get a good 20-30 kids to join.
>
>Paul

When do you think would be a good time to schedule such a meeting? After
MCBA Finals, definitely, but not during the Holiday Season. Maybe we should
come up with some ideas via email before we all meet to discuss.
(Considering our frequency of meetings and all...) Goals, timetable,
leadership, etc.

I'd definitely like to see a parade corps start up, even if just to have
something to march in myself. :)  Seriously, though, I think that if we
could get DCI-aged kids involved, we'd have a good veteran base for when NA
gets back on its feet competitively. That's what I see as our major
obstacle for getting new members into NA, or any membership at all. If we
have a decent veteran base from the parade corps, especially in horns,
we'll have the jump on rebuilding. Considering that all our past NA vets
have aged out, moved on to other corps, or lost interest, we'll be starting
from scratch in the membership department. If we as alumni can instill in
the less-experienced parade corps members What It Means To Be In Drumcorps,
so much the better - they'll pass that along to the new members of the
competitive corps, once it gets rolling. (Is our goal still 2001 for that?)

(BTW, Bob isn't subscribed to this list yet, so once we come up with
something definite, one of us should run it past him... Paul...)  ;)

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

We could bring up the idea of a parade corps again.  We may even want to
schedule another meeting to plan a parade corps.  I have a high school or 2
to recruit from.  I'd bet I could get a good 20-30 kids to join.

Paul

An alumni interview sounds like an interesting idea... What questions
should the alum answer?  Where they're from, when and what they marched,
their most memorable moment from drumcorps, and what they're doing now?
Something like that?

Also - if we do this, what does everyone think of having it as a form on
the alumni page?  "Be a Featured Alumni" sort of thing?  That way, we (or
I) wouldn't be picking people only I find interesting, or people I know.

Sounds like a good idea to me.  Let's run with it!


At 6:04 PM -0600 11/2/99, Kari Braman wrote:
>From: "Kari Braman" <k_braman@...>
>
>I don't know how easy this will be, but how about doing a semi interview
>with an alum, make it into a summary type of thing and have that be a part
>of the newsletter.  It's interesting to read what people from the past are
>doing now.  We could have more than one person interviewed, and post
>several, I suppose.  We do this at work, and it's a great way to get to know
>my coworkers.  I think it'd work, in this case, too.
>
>Kari

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

I don't know how easy this will be, but how about doing a semi interview
with an alum, make it into a summary type of thing and have that be a part
of the newsletter.  It's interesting to read what people from the past are
doing now.  We could have more than one person interviewed, and post
several, I suppose.  We do this at work, and it's a great way to get to know
my coworkers.  I think it'd work, in this case, too.

Kari


>From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps <naurora@...>
>Reply-To: sagalumni@onelist.com
>To: Saginaires Alumni Mailing List <sagalumni@onelist.com>
>Subject: [SAA] next SAA newsletter
>Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 17:18:03 -0500
>
>Hey, all.  I'm getting ready to start on a new newsletter, since we haven't
>sent one out since July.  Not much to say on the NA front, so I figured I'd
>throw it out to all of you.  If you'd like to suggest an article for the
>newsletter, please throw your ideas out into the forum.  If you'd like to
>write an article, even, we'll give you a by-line. :)
>
>What would you like to know about?  We could do some history if you'd like,
>with the help of Bob and some alumni. We could give the lowdown on
>Northcoast Academy, the SYO winterguard.  And we could remind everyone that
>there's a big collection of trophies at the corps hall that need new homes
>with loving alumni.
>
>I'd like to get the newsletter out to everyone by mid-December, at the
>latest, so please get your ideas in the open fairly soon.  I'm anxious to
>see what we come up with!
>
>Thanks,
>
>
>Diana Cook, webmistress
>http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/
>
>
><< text3.html >>

Hey, all.  I'm getting ready to start on a new newsletter, since we haven't
sent one out since July.  Not much to say on the NA front, so I figured I'd
throw it out to all of you.  If you'd like to suggest an article for the
newsletter, please throw your ideas out into the forum.  If you'd like to
write an article, even, we'll give you a by-line. :)

What would you like to know about?  We could do some history if you'd like,
with the help of Bob and some alumni. We could give the lowdown on
Northcoast Academy, the SYO winterguard.  And we could remind everyone that
there's a big collection of trophies at the corps hall that need new homes
with loving alumni.

I'd like to get the newsletter out to everyone by mid-December, at the
latest, so please get your ideas in the open fairly soon.  I'm anxious to
see what we come up with!

Thanks,


Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

I like it also. . .I wish there was a way to find more of the long lost
Saginaires. . .I miss my "family"!!  There aren't many on the list of alumni
from the years I was in (83-84).
Tammie

tm*-----Original Message-----
tm*From: Murgaty@... [mailto:Murgaty@...]
tm*Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 1999 5:56 PM
tm*To: sagalumni@onelist.com
tm*Subject: Re: [SAA] Revamped NA Website - Beta
tm*
tm*
tm*From: Murgaty@...
tm*
tm*Looks good, Di!  As soon as MCBA Finals are done with, we'll
tm*strt the gears
tm*moving again and maybe see about getting a parade corps out for
tm*this summer.
tm*Nice improvements to the page!
tm*
tm*Paul
tm*
tm*tm*

Looks good, Di!  As soon as MCBA Finals are done with, we'll strt the gears
moving again and maybe see about getting a parade corps out for this summer.
Nice improvements to the page!

Paul

Hello, Alumni!

I'm beginning to revamp the NA website and would like your input.  Check
out the new site at:

http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NAtest/

Not all the links work (yet), but the general site design is how I think it
will end up.  It *is* a frames site, so be forewarned.

Changes in the new site:
- direct link to Northcoast Academy's website
- page devoted to Saginaires Eagles
- new graphics and layout
- plus whatever else you suggest!

Thanks for your help in redesigning the website, and be sure to check out
the alumni section!

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

Hey, all.  I'm sure I've sent this out once already, but I just received it
again.  So, I figured I'd send it out again.  This sounds like an
interesting project, so feel free to forward this on to anyone you know who
might not want to save *their* patches.  (I know I personally want to hang
on to mine...)

>From: "Bill Haas" <excard69@...>
>To: <naurora@...>
>Subject: Patches
>Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 19:24:07 -0400
>
>Hello,

My name  is Ian Haas.......My Grandmother is trying to make a Drum Corps
Patch Quilt out  of as many patches as we can find.......I have been
contacting everyone under  the sun to find them......right now I have about
100 patches from all over the  world......but that is only a fraction of
the amount that is  needed.....Basically, I am looking for any and all
patches having to do with the  activity in any way as I can find, and I was
wondering if you could help us  out at all.....When this project is
finished it will be displayed at DCI Finals  as well as DCUK Finals and a
full page add will be displayed in the DCW  newspaper showing a picture of
this quilt and a list of the organizations and  people who helped along the
way........If you have any questions whatsoever,  please do not hesitate to
write me back at my personal e-mail address: iansoprano_96@...
......I Thank  You for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.......

Yours Truly, Ian Haas Suncoast
95' Magic
96'-98' Colts
99' Madison Scouts Hopeful  00'-03'

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

>From: "Bill Haas" <excard70@...>
>To: <naurora@...>
>Subject: Please Help
>Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 22:06:17 -0500
>
>    Hello,
>          This is  Ian Haas.....My Grandmother is going to make a quilt of
>Drum Corps  patches.....she was the first in our family to the
>activity...my family has been  in the activity for over fifty years so you
>can imagine. I am trying to piece  together as many as I can find, you can
>imagine how hard they are to come  by....I was wondering if you could come
>up on any ideas on where to find  some...I appreciate your time and
>help.....basically I am looking for any  patches having to do with the
>activity in any way....Thanks alot...If you have  any patches or any idea
>on how to get any, please don't hesitate to write me back at
>iansoprano_96@...  ....Thanks again :)   Yours Truly,
>Ian Haas
>Magic 96'-98'
>Colts   99'

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

Hey, all!  We at the SAA are working on a Saginaires/Northern Aurora 35th
Anniversary video, scheduled for release in August of 2001.  If you have
any footage of rehearsals, tour, or the DCI Finals videos from the years
you marched, it would be great if you could make copies and send them our
way.  We need video, photos, and audio, so anything you can contribute will
be welcome.

Also -- if you'd like to share stories on the video, and you have a
videocamera, videotape yourself telling corps stories and send us the tape.
You could be on the 35th Anniversary video!  If you don't have a
videocamera, send an audio tape, and we'll use it as a voiceover with video
and pictures.  Or, if you show up to any of the upcoming alumni functions
(and if Paul remembers to bring his videocamera), we could tape you at the
corps hall.  What better backdrop than the big white barn? :)

Thanks, everybody.  If you have anything you'd like to send (copies are
fine, you needn't risk your originals if you don't want to), reply to this
message and I'll send you the address.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

Hey, all.  I'm interested in your feedback about the website, and one area
in particular.  Go to the NA page (http://welcome.to/northernaurora), and
click on the word Alumni on the right-hand side (just above the plug for
the picnic).  This will take you to my vague beginning of an SAA site.  I'm
still working on it, but I'd love to get your input.

Let me know what else you'd like to see here!  I intend to move the alumni
listings to this directory, so they'll branch off of this page instead of
the NA page.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting some new ideas from
you all, and I hope to see you at the picnic this Saturday!

Thanks,

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

The Saginaires Alumni Association Newsletter
                    Volume 2, Number 3 -- July 1999

             Corps Hall - 6730 Bay Rd. - Saginaw, MI 48604
(517) 791-4431 - naurora@... - http://welcome.to/northernaurora
                                 -----
       Paul Keiser, Co-chair - 23116 Pilgrim - Hazel Park, MI 48030
                    (248) 691-0320 - Murgaty@...
                                 -----
    Diana Cook, Co-chair/Webmistress - (419) 352-7283 - di@...

                    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Greetings, Alumni!

   Things are really starting to snowball with the Saginaires Youth
Organization and optimism is quickly spreading throughout the drumcorps
community about Northern Aurora's inevitable return to the field.  Word of
the corps' alumni revival is spreading.  I have personally received
inquiries from drumcorps fans throughout the state who are eager to help in
any way they can!
   There is no doubt that this organization is again rising like a phoenix
from the ashes and is destined for glory again.  Much of this, however,
will depend on you, the alumni.  In this issue you'll learn about upcoming
events, projects, and fund-raisers, all of which are planned with fun as
the primary goal and fundraising as a secondary  but very important goal.
All of this will depend on your participation to make them successful!
   So come on out and join us for some (or all) of our upcoming events!
They promise to be a great time and worth the trip!  Hope to see you this
summer!

Sincerely,
Paul D. Keiser (Bari 90-94)
Co-chair, Saginaires Alumni Association

                    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

2nd Annual Saginaires Alumni Picnic

   Planning on or thinking about going to the DCI Midwest show in Toledo?
Here's a bit more incentive: The Second Annual Alumni Picnic will be held
in Toledo on Saturday, July 24th, just before the show!  Here's a great
chance to catch up on old friends, make some new ones, and get hyped up for
what promises to be a GREAT show!
   The picnic will begin at 3pm at Ottawa Park in Toledo, less than a mile
northeast of the Stadium and right across from the Toledo Hospital.  If you
need directions, see the Northern Aurora webpage at
http://welcome.to/northernaurora.  You can also call the Toledo City Parks
Dept. at (419) 936-2872.
   The cost is $7 per person (to help defray food costs), but if we get
twenty-five people to attend, we may be able to get a group discount on
tickets!  An RSVP to Paul Keiser or Diana Cook is greatly appreciated, but
not required.  See you in Toledo!

                    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Saginaires Alumni Ensemble Forming

   Miss performing?  Enjoy hanging out with fellow drumcorps fans?  Don't
have the time for a competitive senior corps?  Check out the Saginaires
Alumni Ensemble!
   We are looking for a few people who enjoy playing to start a performing
group.  The goal is to help raise money, increase exposure, and gain
support for the Saginaires Youth Organization and its ensembles, while at
the same time providing the alumni with an opportunity to stay involved
with the organization in a fun and rewarding way.
   This ensemble will not be a drumcorps, per se; it will participate in
parades, festivals, and perhaps an independent concert or two, but
incorporate no field drill.  Instrumentation will be drumcorps style, using
the corps' three-valved G bugles and possibly concert percussion.
Membership is open to anyone who wants to join, regardless of age or corps
affiliation.  There is no financial obligation (with the possible exception
of purchasing a "uniform" T-shirt and hat), little time commitment, and no
salesperson will visit you.
   The first rehearsal and meeting of the ensemble was on Sunday, July 11th
at the corps hall, and all who attended were excited about performing
again.  The next rehearsal will be sometime in late August to September.
If you're interested in picking up a drum, flag, or bugle again and having
some fun with old (and new) friends, drop a line to Paul Keiser at the
number or e-mail above.  Please include your name, years marched,
instrument or equipment, and preferred weekend dates for the next rehearsal.

                    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

First Work Day/Barbecue a Success!

   On Saturday, June 12, alumni from Northern Aurora, Saginaires Eagles,
Saginaires, and Northcoast Academy Winterguard all met at the corps hall
for an afternoon of food, fun, and yes, even work.
   Much of the afternoon was spent clearing out the upstairs storage area.
It was much like rummaging through grandma's attic.  Every few minutes
someone would shout, "Oh wow!  I remember these flags!" or "I remember the
show this trophy came from!"  When the alumni finally decided to break for
lunch, there was a pile of old guard equipment, drums, horns, and dusty old
trophies dating back to the first years of the corps.
   Inventory was started on what equipment was left and, thankfully, all but
a few horns are accounted for.  Most of the old guard costumes and
equipment were salvageable and may be reused in future corps or winterguard
shows.  The uniforms need a good cleaning, but are mostly in good shape.
   After working for a few hours, lunch was served.  Hungry alumni feasted
on potato salad, burgers, bratwurst, chips, pop, etc., (apologies to the
vegetarians --  veggieburgers are on the next shopping list), and everyone
sat and chatted about old come-from-behind victories, rainy parades,
potato-head judges, and 'shortcuts' that took an extra 3 hours.
   At the end of the day the alumni met to decide the next steps for the
organization and plan upcoming events.  Overall, quite a lot was
accomplished and, despite the heat, a good time was had by all.
   The next Alumni Work Day/Barbecue is set for July 31st at 1pm, and
promises to be even more fun and productive with more alumni participating.
See you there!

                    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Want a piece of Saginaires History?

   During the recent cleanup of the corps hall, the piles of old trophies
were assembled, and it was discovered that we have a heluva lot of old
trophies!  Many will go into a trophy case, but keeping all of these
trophies, many of which are showing their years, is rather impractical.
Therefore, the call goes out to alumni!
   Rather than simply throw these priceless pieces of drum corps memorabilia
away, we are asking you, the alumni, if you want 'em!  Trophies from as far
back at the 60's are available to you!  Come by the corps hall for one of
our upcoming events and hunt for a trophy from your favorite show or
parade!  A voluntary donation is requested.  Help the Saginaires and take
home a piece of your history!

                    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

DCI Live Broadcast Party!

   On Saturday, August 14th, PBS will be broadcasting the second half of the
Drum Corps International World Championships from Madison, WI!  This being
such a rare event (hopefully less so in the years to come), the Saginaires
Alumni Association will be hosting a DCI Finals party at the corps hall!
Come see DCI's best and brightest on the BIG screen with old friends -- and
meet some new ones!  Just before the broadcast, we will show videos of past
Saginaires groups' performances and maybe some DCI Finals from years past.
Come join in the fun!  (Be sure to pledge your support to your local PBS
station during the broadcast to ensure its return!  The SAA will do our
best to have handy the numbers of Michigan PBS stations.)
   The festivities will begin at 7pm, Saturday, August 14, and
refreshments will be served.  The admission is $10 (to cover the TV rental
and food).  An RSVP to the Corps Hall, Paul Keiser, or Diana Cook is
appreciated, but not required.  See you there!

                    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

This newsletter will be sent out via U.S. Mail to all alumni who have
indicated that they would like to receive SAA mailings.  If you would like
to receive this mailing, or would prefer to have your name removed from
either our electronic or print distribution lists, please send an email to
the Webmistress at naurora@....

This newsletter will soon be available online at
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/alumni

Hope to see you all soon!

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

Dear Saginaires Alumni and Supporters,
	 Following the last  meeting of the alumni association it was resolved
that an alumni ensemble would be started in order to increase camaraderie,
provide exposure, and raise funds for the Northern Aurora.
	 ANYONE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE SAGINAIRES ALUMNI ENSEMBLE
PLEASE E-MAIL ME [Paul Keiser] AT Murgaty@... FOR INFORMATION!
	 The time commitment would be minimal as we would mostly be doing
parades, festivals, that sort of thing.  The rehearsal/gig schedule would
depend on the membership.  This is a project we are very excited about, but
will only happen with YOUR help!  Please respond soon as the opportunites for
performances slip through our fingers the more the summer slips away!
	 I hope you can join us.  The bigger the ensemble, the more fun it
will be!

Sincerely,
Paul D. Keiser

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

Oops...love that multi-mailer thing.
{:^)
Heh, heh...

DI! You put the work day as the 15th on the news section of the web page!
It's the 12th!!!  I guess I shouldn't panic since it's correct on the front
page, but you may wanna correct it.  You come up with a way to get to the
work day yet, like say getting CC or hte short contra player from the glee
club (whose name escapes me at the moment) to come along?  Lemme know.  Talk
to ya later.

-iii<l
Paul

Saginaires Alumni Association Newsletter
volume 2, number 2 -- first issue in print!

If you wish to receive the SAA Newsletter via U.S. Mail, please provide
your mailing address via the alumni form located at
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/alumni/alumniform.html

"The Reports of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated..."

Despite the reports of the ubiquitous rumor mill, the Saginaires Youth
Organization is alive and well and currently in the process of rebuilding
itself.  The organization, while bidding farewell to Joe Kuerzi as Corps
Manager, is still in the process of rebuilding its ensembles, its finances,
and its volunteer base.

The organization's new winterguard, North Coast Academy, successfully
completed their first competitive season in WGI, placing in the Semifinals
of Dayton's WGI Championships under the direction of Steve Yoder.  Although
prospects of fielding a full corps in the year 2000 are slim, North Coast
will be an ongoing stronghold of the SYO into the new millenium, helping to
provide a member base when finances permit.

The SYO's current focus is on getting its finances in order for the
continued existence and success of its ensembles.  On May 2nd, the ad-hoc
Board of Directors of the Saginaires Alumni Association met with Bob
Waskoviak to discuss how the alumni may be of help to the SYO; number one
on the list of suggested areas was fundraising.  One of the possible
fundraising ideas was that of an impromptu alumni brass ensemble marching
in one or more parades during the summer months.  Others which were less
inclusive of alumni included applying for grants and corporate
sponsorships.  Most other ideas required the involvement of members, and
thus are contingent upon reviving the actual corps.

As a way for alumni to initially get involved in reviving the corps and
organization, an Alumni Workday has been scheduled for Saturday, June 12th
at 1:00pm.  Any interested alumni are invited to join the SAA and SYO at
the Corps Hall in Saginaw for cleaning and organizing, refreshments, and a
meeting following the day's festivities.  All local alumni are encouraged
to attend.

For More Information:

Visit the Northern Aurora website:
http://welcome.to/northernaurora

Join the SAA mailing list:
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/sagalumni

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

--------- Forwarded Message ---------

DATE: Wed, 19 May 1999 01:27:03
From: "David McBurney" <davidm@...>
To: dmcook@...

Hi!

I marched in 1977 and wanted to know if anyone has an audio and/or
video-type copy of our show that year? I would love to have one or both,
especially to show our kids. Our oldest son has marched drum corps since he
was 13 in '93 and our daughter joined him in Spirit of Atlanta last year,
but is taking this year off. They always laugh when I tell them about flag
holsters and such, but I let them know it was a great time. We wish the
best for NA and hope to see them back on the field soon.

Please let me know if you can help me, or can put me in touch with someone
who can, and cost if any.

thanks so much,
Val McBurney
Secretary
Heat Wave of Orlando
Sr. Drum & Bugle Corps

--------- Forwarded Message ---------
DATE: Tue, 4 May 1999 18:11:02
From: Wayne Bovenschen <wayneb@...>

Friends:

Just a quick note to let you know that Tricia and I are fine.  We have
been getting email messages all day wondering what happened so I figured
I would send a blanket email to all in our address book.

The video shots of the Oklahoma City tornado were incredible.  Channel 4
(NBC) had a helicopter in the air while the tornado was tearing up
Moore, Oklahoma.  When the tornado lifted, it looked like a war zone.
Seldom does a tornado stay on the ground for very long in a metropolitan
area, but this one was ferocious.  The meteorologists are now saying it
was an F5 tornado - winds close to 300mph.  Yikes!

Thanks for all of the messages.  We are fine.  Stillwater is 70 miles
from Oklahoma City but we were still up late last night - the storms
didn't stop until mid-morning today.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.....

Wayne and Tricia

For those of you who couldn't make it to today's meeting, here's a casual
rundown of the minutes:

Meeting convened at 3:25pm
In attendance: Bob Waskoviak Sr., Paul Keiser, Kari Braman, Dan Clouse,
Diana Cook

Paul asked Bob: What do you need?
Answer: Money.

Paul responded with a list of fundraisers:
1.) Grants
	 Available from several sources
	 Sonya Keiser offered (via Paul) to write grants -- has experience
	 Smaller (and renewable) ones might be best
2.) Woodward Dream Cruise (festival in Ferndale. MI)
	 Set up bake sale booth (cost=$25)
	 Create alumni brass ensemble, march in parade
3.) Local (Saginaw) Festivals and Parades
	 Alumni brass ensemble in parades
	 Mainly public relations/name recognition
4.) Corporate Sponsors
	 K-mart
	 Arbor Drugs
	 Rite Aid
	 Automobile Corporations
5.) Drumcorps Shows
	 Idea initially rejected -- home show never made money
	 Mainly for public relations & the sake of the activity
6.) March-a-thon
	 In public area/public road, with volunteers holding donation cups
7.) Tag Day (old standby)
8.) Aluminum Can Collection (suggested by Dan)
	 Would need corporate help for massive amounts of cans
9.) Video (Diana's idea)
	 Collect videos from alumni and corps hall
	 Make documentary/collage
	 Suggest $10 donation and supply video free for donation

Q: Does the SYO have equipment?
A: Horns are here and there, no percussion beyond some pit.

Response: 21st Century Drumcorps Foundation -- helps new corps with getting
equipment, may help NA get back on its feet.  Paul will contact the
organization regarding percussion equipment.

Q: Does the SYO have a Board of Directors?
A: Not currently, but interested alumni are welcome to join the Board,
present company included.

Informed Bob of NA webpage, mailing list, and chat room.  He hadn't been
informed by Joe that we even had one.  Diana suggested that Bob keep
contact via email with current info, and he agreed.  Dan had idea to look
for free server space and domain name for NA.  (northernaurora.org?)

Dan's idea: Alumni Workbees
Project ideas:
1.) Clean yard
2.) Landscaping/flower planting
3.) Cleaning/organizing corps hall and property
4.) Move/sell diesel engines

Set date for Alumni Workday: Saturday, June 12th at 1:00pm
Main projects: Organize upstairs of Corps Hall and inventory

Future of organization?
Probably no corps next year -- focus on winterguard again in 2000

Miscellaneous personal notes:
I think that all of us were pleasantly surprized by Bob's reception of the
alumni group.  We all left pleasantly energized and ready to get the SYO
back on its feet.

Personal note to Paul and Dan: *join the mailing list!*  I've been Cc'ing
to you so you don't miss anything. :)
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/sagalumni is the place to go.

Discussion welcomed and encouraged,

Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

Hi, all!

I have about two seconds before I have to get back to work so I can get to
studying.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to read all that's come out
in the last week very carefully and I won't be able to go Sunday (??) cuz I
have a BIG exam next Monday and will be spending most of my weekend with my
best friend, my analysis book.  (But I can't complain--it's my last final
and then I graduate!!)  Hopefully, I can actually READ everything from the
last week come Tuesday and put some thoughts together that don't involve
mathematical equations.

Good luck on Sunday!

Jen

On Wednesday, April 28, 1999 7:53 PM, The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle
Corps [SMTP:naurora@...] wrote:
> From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps <naurora@...>
>
> Paul Keiser has volunteered his home for a meeting place before the trek
to
> Saginaw.  If you would like to meet there at 12:45 and leave your car in
> his neighborhood for the afternoon/evening, we can all meet there and
> discuss how we want to proceed before we head up to Saginaw.
>
> For directions to Paul's house, e-mail him at Murgaty@....
>
> If anyone has an address book (email or snail mail) with alumni
addresses,
> please bring it so these other people can be entered into the database
and
> receive some freebies -- a printed newsletter, once we get fundage for
> mailings, and whatever else we eventually come up with.
>
> Hope to see everyone there!  Bring a fellow alumnus/a/um with you.
  (Sorry
> -- that's the Latin student in me...)  ;)  I'll try to get some film for
my
> camera (which just got fixed, yay!), and I'll get some SAA action shots
for
> posterity -- and heck, who can't use some more pics of the corps hall,
> right?
>
> (...Is the Accident Bus really buried beneath the practice field?)
>
> And one more thing, speaking of buses: I saw one of the corps' Blue Lakes
> buses out in Bowling Green (Ohio) last week!  I was so excited!  (My
> boyfriend didn't understand -- he's not a drumcorps type of guy.  Oh,
well,
> I guess you'll have that...)  That was just kind of an exciting find for
> me, and I thought I'd share...
>
> OK, I'm done now.  See you all in Detroit or Saginaw!
>
>
> Diana Cook, webmistress
> http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Attention small business owners:
> http://www.onelist.com
> Did you know that ONElist is a great way for small business owners
> to stay in touch with their customers?

I will have to meet everyone up in Saginaw, at 3:00.  I have things I can't get
out of Sunday morning into early afternoon.  I agree to all of the suggestions
made by Diana in this email.

Basically my goal is to find out what's happening to the corps, and what Bob's
plans are as far as getting the corp back into competition.  Then.....set ideas
on things we can do to help out.  I know I'll do whatever I can.

Anyways....talk to you all again later.

Kari

>From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps <naurora@...>
>Reply-To: sagalumni@onelist.com
>To: Saginaires Alumni Mailing List <sagalumni@onelist.com>
>CC: murgaty@..., dan_juan_demarco@...
>Subject: [sagalumni] Sunday, May 2nd at 3:00pm - meeting
>Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 16:23:41 -0400
>
>From: The Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps <naurora@...>
>
>Bob Waskoviak has agreed to reserve Sunday, May 2nd at 3:00pm for a meeting
>between himself and the SAA.  Our goal here is to figure out how we alumni
>can help the SYO get back on its feet.  Some thoughts that have been thrown
>out already are:
>
>1.) Is there a Board of Directors?  Who are the current members of the
>Board?  How does one get a position on the Board?
>
>2.) Tax-exempt status -- free info on the internet says the SYO hasn't
>renewed the paperwork.  This could be a problem if it's not rectified soon.
>
>3.) Plan of attack for renewing the SYO?  Fundraising, recruitment,
>staffing, planning?  (We can help on all fronts.)  Any timeline?  There
>have been suggestions from alumni to try to field a corps by the year 2000.
>
>4.) Cleaning corps hall as a first step.  We're willing, just set a
>date (preferably a Sunday).  We can supply volunteers, even if only a few.
>
>
>Also, amongst ourselves as the SAA, we need to elect a board of directors.
>The original founders of the alumni association were myself (Diana Cook),
>Paul Keiser, and Dan Clouse, with Kari Braman jumping in early on.  There
>has been a small group of about seven individuals that showed interest in
>the organization, but the SAA Board needn't be limited to these few people.
>
>
>I have been nominated as Secretary by default, as I am webmaster, created
>the alumni database, and have all the vital info on my computer.  :)  Apart
>from that, someone needs to be Treasurer, and I suppose we should have a
>Chair or Co-Chairs.  I do hesitate to get too caught up in bureaucracy, but
>these three positions are vital, in my opinion.  Treasurer, at least, as we
>as the SAA currently have no bank account or monetary clout.
>
>As for the Sunday meeting, my vote is that we who live in the southerly
>portions of the state meet at a given place and carpool up to Saginaw.  I
>hate to volunteer anyone's house (Paul...), but if anyone can think of a
>good place for people to leave their cars in the Detroit area (scoff,
>scof), run it past all of us.
>
>Any further thoughts about what we need to discuss with Bob?
>(Has anyone here seen The Blues Brothers?  "We'll go talk ta Bob.")   ;)
>
>
>Diana Cook, webmistress
>http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>You can now easily share photos and documents with your fellow list members
>http://www.ONElist.com
>Check out our homepage for details on how to use our new shared files feature!
>


_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

Paul Keiser has volunteered his home for a meeting place before the trek to
Saginaw.  If you would like to meet there at 12:45 and leave your car in
his neighborhood for the afternoon/evening, we can all meet there and
discuss how we want to proceed before we head up to Saginaw.

For directions to Paul's house, e-mail him at Murgaty@....

If anyone has an address book (email or snail mail) with alumni addresses,
please bring it so these other people can be entered into the database and
receive some freebies -- a printed newsletter, once we get fundage for
mailings, and whatever else we eventually come up with.

Hope to see everyone there!  Bring a fellow alumnus/a/um with you.  (Sorry
-- that's the Latin student in me...)  ;)  I'll try to get some film for my
camera (which just got fixed, yay!), and I'll get some SAA action shots for
posterity -- and heck, who can't use some more pics of the corps hall,
right?

(...Is the Accident Bus really buried beneath the practice field?)

And one more thing, speaking of buses: I saw one of the corps' Blue Lakes
buses out in Bowling Green (Ohio) last week!  I was so excited!  (My
boyfriend didn't understand -- he's not a drumcorps type of guy.  Oh, well,
I guess you'll have that...)  That was just kind of an exciting find for
me, and I thought I'd share...

OK, I'm done now.  See you all in Detroit or Saginaw!


Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/

Bob Waskoviak has agreed to reserve Sunday, May 2nd at 3:00pm for a meeting
between himself and the SAA.  Our goal here is to figure out how we alumni
can help the SYO get back on its feet.  Some thoughts that have been thrown
out already are:

1.) Is there a Board of Directors?  Who are the current members of the
Board?  How does one get a position on the Board?

2.) Tax-exempt status -- free info on the internet says the SYO hasn't
renewed the paperwork.  This could be a problem if it's not rectified soon.

3.) Plan of attack for renewing the SYO?  Fundraising, recruitment,
staffing, planning?  (We can help on all fronts.)  Any timeline?  There
have been suggestions from alumni to try to field a corps by the year 2000.

4.) Cleaning corps hall as a first step.  We're willing, just set a
date (preferably a Sunday).  We can supply volunteers, even if only a few.


Also, amongst ourselves as the SAA, we need to elect a board of directors.
The original founders of the alumni association were myself (Diana Cook),
Paul Keiser, and Dan Clouse, with Kari Braman jumping in early on.  There
has been a small group of about seven individuals that showed interest in
the organization, but the SAA Board needn't be limited to these few people.


I have been nominated as Secretary by default, as I am webmaster, created
the alumni database, and have all the vital info on my computer.  :)  Apart
from that, someone needs to be Treasurer, and I suppose we should have a
Chair or Co-Chairs.  I do hesitate to get too caught up in bureaucracy, but
these three positions are vital, in my opinion.  Treasurer, at least, as we
as the SAA currently have no bank account or monetary clout.

As for the Sunday meeting, my vote is that we who live in the southerly
portions of the state meet at a given place and carpool up to Saginaw.  I
hate to volunteer anyone's house (Paul...), but if anyone can think of a
good place for people to leave their cars in the Detroit area (scoff,
scof), run it past all of us.

Any further thoughts about what we need to discuss with Bob?
(Has anyone here seen The Blues Brothers?  "We'll go talk ta Bob.")   ;)


Diana Cook, webmistress
http://members.tripod.com/~mcook/NA/