Pitt State University Clinic and Show

We have had a very pleasant stay at Pittsburgh State University in Kansas. Great Midwestern summer heat and a balmy evening for the clinic and show.

The clinic was held Tuesday evening for several hundred band camp HS students that were housing at the university. They got to go on the field with the hornline for warm-up exercises and the color guard got to try a little guard work with the Crusader Guard on the field. They all seemed to be in awe of the experience and showed their appreciation on Wednesday nite during the show. It was a warm reception indeed and the corps put a great performance on the field.

We were treated to a pizza special at one of the local shops after the show and finally departed Pittsburgh at about 12:30AM bound for St. Charles , MO and Lindenwood University.

Lindenwood is another 5 star facility and we will do another clinic here tonite before moving on to Murfeesboro, TN.


In Kansas, there was some repair work for the volunteers. Flags take a real beating on the field and there was many hours of sewing to do. The corps uniforms were also taken in slightly since many of the members have lost inches and shed pounds--it is a well know fact that Crusaders are some of the most well tailored players on the field in DCI.

Everyone is working toward the big show this weekend in Atlanta and then the big home show in Lawrence. We all look forward to seeing the home crowds again before we move on to finals.

We're changing over several volunteers again this week so fresh new faces to pick up the torch.

My big announcement is waiting for a coordinating activity by the Crusader web team--soon though.

Enjoy the photos

Curt

Pttsburgh KS, PSU ****

It is 8:00PM and I am now up and showered for the "day". Last nites drive up Texas, across Oklahoma and into Kansas, was long, even though it was only 360 miles. It took us 8 hours after the stops for coffee and a wake up. The schedule changes from daytime to nighttime are what is the most problematic for the drivers--like a permanent swing shift.

The facility here is Pittsburgh State University--nice field, and convenient housing with locker rooms. Later tonite the corps is getting a pool break and then an Ice cream bar for snack. It will be well received since the temps are pushing 100+ heat index.

Everything is functioning again, including the generator on the kitchen truck. We repaired a melted circuit breaker on the genset. When wiring gets loose from vibration, it begins to arc and it melted the breaker terminal--lucky we knew when it happened as it could cause a fire if left un-attended.

The corps just got done with a pool-block in the big pool here--they deserved a little break from the heat and work. The snack tonite is a ice cream sundae bar.











Tomorrow there is a clinic for 600 band camp kids in the main stadium. The corps likes it because it is a slightly less rigorous day for them, albeit they are beginning to get up for Atlanta.

Here is a pix of me on the gator and the presentation of my special gift from the front ensemble. Pix courtesy F. Leible.

Curt

Denton, TX * * * *

Just a note after a long run up to Denton. We left the show in San Antonio at 12:00 arrived in Denton at 6:30 AM Slept until 1:00 and leave here beginning with ESL at 3:00 Show tonite and then a LONG run up to KS.

Minor setback in our climb up the ladder l;ast nitebut tonite might set the record straight with another head-up meeting with Blue Knights.

Stay tuned for a major announcement here.

Later,

Curt

Houston, TX

We stayed in Benham, TX at Benham, HS overnite. It was a very nice school and the corps enjoyed the hot but nice day. In the evening, we covered the 60 miles to the show site and enjoyed a rare last-of-the-nite performance and encore. The corps performed perhaps the best show of the season so far. The stadium is a marvel and the sound is extremely good.

Today we are in San Antonio with a rehearsal day prior to the regional show tomorrow. Then it is another long drive to Denton, and on to Pitsburgh, KS. Total of about 750 miles in two nites.

WE just got the generator problem fixed and the utility car is now able to be used again.


In Lafayette, we had a belated birthday for a couple of members, and there are lots of family and friends here in the mid-south.

Enjoy the pictures and I'll update again soon.

Curt

Texas Loop--in Houston, We've had a problem!

Now just outside Houston, Tx in Benham. Nice housing site about 60 miles from the show tonite. We are on late (10PM) so it will be another late nite drive of 5 hours up to San Antonio.

The shows in Lafayette at University of Louisiana, and Ocean Springs were excellent--the corps is performing well and getting things cleaned up--hopefully judging will get us back on the upswing again soon.

A couple of nites ago, we had a vibration-induced melt-down of the circuit breaker on our main food truck generator. It looked like the coolers would be down but Tom managed to jury rig the system to get the food service back up and running. We found the parts and will get them installed in the next day or so.

Then, last nite at the show, after a non-remarkable load of the car onto the trailer at ESL, the ignition key would not turn. The interlock was jammed from either the shift lever or steering column. We worked on it for an hour or so and finally got the car to roll off the trailer but it is locked up now and at the dealership for repair. It took some special scurrying to get it back onto the trailer straight by pushing it up without a way to steer! ( some of my passengers now believe I NEVER have the ability to steer!)

Our show tonite will be in a another very large relatively new, stadium. It seems that the energy level is high among the kids--they now have a sense for what it takes to do well nite after nite. Orlando was a unique surprise and I think they want to experience it some more.

I got a very special surprise in Ocean Springs. After the show, I heard my name being called--the pit had gathered and presented me with a signed key from a marimba as a thank you for my support. IT brought me to tears as each of them thanked me individually--a great moment I will remember forever--thanks guys! Pix to follow as soon as we transfer them from a different camera.

THE BLOG GOES INTERNATIONAL!!!!
That's right! I learned from the web analysis that the blog is being read in Japan, Europe, and South Africa now! Cool!

BIG show this Saturday--San Antonio regional. Check with DCI.org for recordings, videos, and scoring matrix. This is where we start getting sorted and ranked in a serious way--San Antonio, Atlanta, Murfeesboro, Allentown, then Indy. Its time.

Check out the link to the right to see hundreds of quality pictures by Ed M. from Orlando--thanks Ed.

Bye for now, pix later.

Curt

WOW!

Orlando is behind us and we are here in Alabama en route to Ocean Springs, MS. Orlando was a tremendous success. I simply cannot describe the emotion that overwhelmed the corps on the field as they first came out of the tunnel. The roar that came from the crowd was so loud we couldn't hear each other during the pit roll-on. The kids were beyond words and responded with an awesome show.

Dozens of you came around to say "Hi" and to tell me you read this blog--thank you. The dinner and after glow at the bowl were a huge party and everyone had a great time.

We managed to bump our scores again last nite in Ft Walton Beach and are now working toward the showdowns in San Antonio.

In general, our housing has been much better than we experienced last season. Today, we are housed in a brand new church building that was never occupied--then acquired by the high school. Daphne HS--high school of our snare line leader, Angela. The site is superb--4-5 stars for sure. The local support group and school administrators arranged for breakfast and lunch as well so the kitchen staff had a bit of a break.

For a change, the weather is beautiful today--clear and hot--less humidity. We also are on a string of rather short runs between venues so I might be able to catch up a little on the pix and stuff.

The corps is getting healthy and we're cleaning feet, as the visual staff says--on to the regionals in San Antonio!

More to follow,

Curt

DAY 14-21

Lions and Tigers and BEARS! Oh My!

We pulled into our housing site in Clifton NJ at about 3AM and the equipment truck parked in a back lot--as he was pulling in, a small black bear was rummaging around in the dumpster--Later that day, we were warned about going to near the woods as there was a mama bear and several cubs eating berries. Now we're in N. GA and the whole corps had to view a reported Black Widow spider on the wall. Well we DID cross the Mason-Dixon line this week!




The parades and home turf shows in NH and Mass were much fun--enthusiastic crowds and good eats courtesy of the Crusader board and support machine.



When we got to NJ, we discovered a blown turbo charger seal on the kitchen truck tractor so it was towed away. The corps left for the show without the kitchen. The drivers took delivery of a loaner truck and pulled into the show site just as the corps was wrapping up their show--after three trips back and forth to the housing site. The loaner then got exchanged later that nite on our drive through Richmond, VA on the way to Chesapeake.

We're starting to have our share of sick kids now as the weather turns toward the hot and humid side. Fewer hard injuries and more of the flu-like stuff.


We have been in a continuous weather pattern of daily rain with shows on wet fields. Often the rain hits again as we transit to the next site so often makes the nite drives a little more challenging. The corps doesn't seem to slow up much unless it gets real ugly--they are becoming a solid, cooperating family, with each job now well understood and meshed into the whole. Loading and unloading is going much faster and we can actually get our stuff on and off the fields in the required time.




The five hour overnite runs are getting to seem short--the 8-11 hour runs are long no matter what.

Orlando is coming up in a couple of days and we are just starting to see the transition in volunteers. It will be a nearly 100% turnover in Orlando. Like the Corps members, our volunteer group has become a solid building block. Arlene, Frank, John, Betsy, Linda, Sue, Alice--its a great community now--a little battle ragged, but solid. We welcome Susan, Jackie, and Scott along with a couple of others I don't know yet, over the next couple of days.

We just got in to Pickens HS in Jasper, GA for our show in Alpharetta tonite. THe show in Columbia, SC was cancelled after the second corps performed due to a severe lightning/thunder storm in the area. This School is wonderful, with great showers, A/C, and washer-dryers for the staff--yippeee!--clean undies!


Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA was also a marvelous site--it is a relatively newly constructed college of 4800 students and exquisite VA federalist architecture. All of the building interiors looked like 5 star hotels! Solid cherry and walnut floors and panels, columns, etc. We did a full day of clinics for the local band camp held at the university and were treated to breakfast the first day and B,L,D, on the second day. The food was excellent in the student center and it was on real plates with metal cutlery and CHAIRS----YESSSS!



I'm looking forward to seeing many of you in Orlando--definitely stop and say hello--I hang out on the pit gator prior and after the shows--come by and see the underbelly of the tour!

Enjoy the parade pix and some from the NJ show, and CNU/Chesapeake.

See ya in a couple of days!

Curt

Day 9 -14, New England Loop

So there was a short rehearsal block in Van Buren after the corps slept in. After rehearsal, laundry day and a mall visit was the day end before another long drive into New York. The kids got done with the laundry quickly and had several hours to visit Wal-Mart and a number of restaurants. Spirits were high as we all began the 490 miles to Fort Edwards, NY. We are holding the spread in points to several high rated corps and the New England loop continued that trend.

As soon as we hit home turf, the Boston board and volunteer machine spooled up and gave the kitchen staff a well deserved break. The corps was treated to home-baked goods, desserts, and main courses of grilled burges, BBQ'd chicken, coos-coos, muffins, and the works.


The home shows were also a real boost for the energy level on the field--spontaneous standing "O's" and cheering erupting at every show--and not just at the end either! This show is gathering alot of buzz and it keeps getting cleaner.

In Nashua, NH, we got a food delivery. The corps uses a food supply service and gets several deliveries throughout the summer. It is off-loaded from the delivery truck and must be packed away on the kitchen truck. This was a large order--419 cases of frozen, cold, and dry goods. It took several hours of hard work to get it packed away but we made the show departure time of 4:00PM. The Nashua show was mainly for open division corps but the crowd was extremely enthusiastic to have the Crusaders entertain them. Several old time alums and fans offered that this was the best BAC show they had ever seen---ever! That is so cool!

Endicott College near Beverly was an amazing show site--high-end homes (estates) right on the shore with spectacular views and steep hills. We used the pit gator to shuttle ALL of the pit equipment up and down the steep hills.

Today, Friday, July 4th, we are in Manchester by the Sea for parades. This morning, the corps divided into two parade units and went off in the pouring rain to march the routes. They are both back now and having some down time and food prior to departure at 3:00PM for another parade and then our drive down to NJ. We will be temporarily leaving behind the home show crowds and supporters for our East Coast loop down the coast, Orlando, then Texas before returning to Lawrence, for the East Coast Classic.

I hope to again be more regular with the pix. Enjoy!

Sorry for the blurred pictures..it has been quite dark and my camera just isn't fast enough to stop the motion.

Curt

DAY7-8, Racine and Madison, WI *** & ***

MOSQUITOES!

sorry this is late getting to you..I'm getting the hint that there are alot of folks out there checking for updates multiple times per day.. That and strangers coming up to me at shows saying: "you're the Blog Guy..I recognize you from your picture!"

We had a long drive from Belding, MI to Racine. The weather was fine but the roads are a challenge--especially going through the Chicago area. The Loop is a real treat in a circus caravan! I heard lots of complaints from the sleeping passengers about the rough ride but we got through to Racine in about nine hours. Pulled in in daylight and slept until it was time to go to the show.
The show site was a real mess of traffic and we got blocked into a neighborhood with the trucks and unloaded on the street. On the field, the mosquitoes were thick. It had rained a lot and they were swarming. The state bird of Wisconsin must be the mosquito! The bites are just now healing up.

The next day, we headed about three hours up the road to Madison and the big stadium. For many of the corps rookies, it was their first time in a big stadium and I think a few were star struck. It is a pretty intimidating venue and a great college campus. We were very close to the tunnel entrance and the show went well but not spectacular.

We have been in a continuous pattern of rain every day with clear bright mornings and thunderstorms building in the PM. It rained VERY hard at Madison housing site--West HS, which reminded me of the movie Dead Poets Society. Very old classic architecture, wood floors and wood moldings everywhere. It hailed and the wind blew over the practice tower for the third time this season. But it cleared and the show went as scheduled and the weather was wonderful.




We left Madison for the return trip to New England with a layover day again in Van Buren, OH. This was another 400Mile plus trip so took another 9 hours for the trucks. We got into Van Buren at about 10:00AM Eastern time. The kids got a little extra time in Van Buren.

Next time...

Curt