"Transitions"
Submitted by Joan Goydas-Cerrone

I look in to see every once in a while who has signed in
on the SK site. It's so neat! So many faces I know and
remember fondly, but can't bring back a name to go with
them! Of course I can remember most of the M&M years
people, but from fife...lots of vague memories!

We lost a lot of people during the M&M transition, and then
again just a few years later when all those people who had
"started" the corps got too "old" or started looking for a
more senior corp. I remember very vividly when the fife group
I was with (Blizzards?) were told that we had to change our
instruments- that we were going M&M. It was a very sad and
anxious time for us. I lost good friends then, and again when
drills and practice were too much for some. M&M certainly
was fun and exciting though! Great times, trips, friends!

I remember marching in the St. Patty's Day Parade. Always
the windiest, coldest day of the year. We were only able to
layer clothes under our uniform. Our hands and fingers froze
on the cold metal (later plastic) of the fife. As a drummer,
I can remember feeling the weight of my tenor drum being
made two times heavier by the rush of the city winds. 

What memories. How about 3 hour drills in Sperry's parking lot
regardless of weather. It always seemed soooo hot. Or those
"open the heavens" rain showers. A St. Pat's Day parade with
a twist - marching through green foam in the streets, following
a fire truck with a cross-dresser on top waving to the crowds!
Opened my eyes! Swimming in the crashing waves of Montauk's
beach. Picnics in Alley Pond. The almost overwhelming pride
that we felt when George D. and Fred Petrone would give one
of their fantastic duet shows on the stage for standstill
competitions. They were terrific together! 

Well, lots more to share in the memory dept...save some for later!