Ed Rooney's
Merry-Corps-Round
DCN Aug. 8, 1962

COLUMNISTS CAROUSEL - - Already we're going to start yr day off with a joyous note - - Without doubt you've heard about the recent BLESSED SAC - GARFIELD fracus, well, F'get it! They've kissed and made up and everything in North Jersey is back to serenity ...... And we're also happy to report that the extra hours put in by WILF BLUM and PAUL BAUER have NOT been in vain -- Seems the SCOUTHOUSE scores have been climbing up and UP each time out -- and we'll sure be happy to welcome them back to the top of the fold and soon.......To yr list of MUCH improved corps, add the name of the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION "Reveries" - They've just finished 'knocking-over' the CAMBRIDGE CABALLEROS and have now set their guns toward KEVINS --- hevvvvvvins!.........That HY DRITZER's a busy one----- to date we count 20 songs being played by a variety of corps ---- all from the pen of clever HY (and that DOESn't include those 'clipped' by well meaning (???) instructors from FLEETWOOD, RICHMOND etc. discs).........FREVINSAKES!.......Wots this about Florida's GOLDCOASTERS (who are Minneapolis bound) using their wives and sweeties as color guardears -- Does this fit in with Nat'l rules???........If bands are yr cup of tea (you saw Beantown's ST. WILLIAM"S at last yrs. DREAM) wait'll you see the same area's ST. AGNES........... Despite doctors orders to slow down, ole faithful BOB BOYLE is still in their giving his 'all' to BLESSED SACRAMENT quarter master duties (he's one of FR GARNER's greatest assets)........ ED FITZGERALD and TOMMY McDONOUGH putting much time and effort into Brooklyn's up-and-coming RIDGEMEN --- Fellow colomist JACK DEACY is the veddy happy drum major fr the group....... Long range plans are in the works fr a new Senior corps in the Boston area (but not until 1964) -- Understand there'll be instructors from 3 local Jr. outfits cracking-the-whip........... Much talk wayyyyyy down South about a Jr. corps raiding the other struggling units of the sector --- Promises of long trips etc. etc as the bait ---- But let's face it sweeties, we ALL have our problems.......... and my problem is how to get you to finish reading this column without falling asleep, so WAKE UP and let's march on to section two.

COVERING THE DRUM CORPS BEAT
The OPTIMISTs are veddy gleeful since their victory over BLESSED SACRAMENT at Rome, NYork........ ALL AMERICAN conclave set fr Nov. 2-4 at Rochester....... And we're happy to report that GARFIELD will -- that's wot we said - WILL - be at this yrs DREAM......... NORWOOD PKs very fast and dif'rnt drill a RICK MAASterpiece...........DON ANGELICA readying his trousseau fr the coming 'walk down the aisle' and he's soooooooooooooo nervous!...... BOB BARRETT (ex Major at ST. MARYs - Beverly) will be ordained to the priesthood come February)......The DEBONAIRES have stepped into # 1 spot amongNEngland's all-gal outfits --- They're now ready to chase the AUDUBON loverleeees over the starting line.....Many ST. VINNIE guys in the WOODSIDER line-up.........KEVINs cutie-concertime-major CAROL FOLEY due to defend her VFW Nat'l Major title at Minneapolis........ RUSS BELL's decision to step down from the HAWKS drivers seat hasn't dampened his enthusiasm for this fast-moving corps...... Loveable ole' DAVE SHAW has talked his Uncle Sam into giving him a slight furlough at nationals-time --- Leave it to DAVIE!..... The OPTIMISTS morale up 100% due to their win over BLESSED SACRAMENT at Rome NYork..... KEVINS new Mass. Legion champs........Many midwesterners see the CAVALIERS topping the Chicago lineup at the VFW Nat'ls but the loyal ROYALAIRE rooters (and some optimistic NORWOOD PKers) are pooh-poohing the very thought....... And talk about rushing the season --- One live-wire Jr. corps has already sent out invites to its 1963 Individuals show..... The MONARCHS (Pittsfield, Mass.), a new Jr. outfit, is due for happy headlines if they keep going at their present pace.....And the PRESIDENTS, from Greenville, Tenn. suh!, are looking and sounding miiiiiiighty fine........ YANKEE REBELS will be in the DREAM line-up along with ARCHIE, REILLY, HAWTHORNE and the SKYLINERS...... Never saw so many Juniors SOOOooo ready for a Nat'ls as we have in the VFW roster ---- Wotta show it should be!.......Latest edition of the Hamilton OPTIMISTS "Expression" takes on a very professional appearance....... 'SCOTTY' CHAPPEL has returned to the PRINCEMEN fold after yrs and yrs and yrs...... Jersey VFW State scores oooooofly close ---- GARFIELD: 86.90 and BLESSED SACRAMENT: 86.10 (The big G was top in everything but drums)........Better behave at the VFW Nat'l as yr fav'rit ole colyumist will be looking fr ALL sorts of juicy gossip fr next month's column (If yr thinking of doing anything newsworthy, make sure we're around to see it)......... And we just CAN't sign off 'til we tell you about a sign we saw at a recent contest --- "All children NOT in arms MUST have tickets" ----- and doesn't that conjure up a picture of a mother staggering up to the box-office with her 16-yr old son in her arms ---No! Sorry!-----See you creatures at Minneapolis.