Long Island News

By Rosemary Feliney
DCN Sept. 12, 1962 issue

Hope I don't make too many enemies with my comments about the NY State Legion Competition. Sure hope to see some changes (Not only in the weather) next year.

Selden's competition on Aug. 18th was the biggest yet on the Island. Standing room only. The first corps on the field was the Allied Nautical Cadets of Centereach, an exhibition corps, who have only been on valve bugles for about 8 months. Their rendition of "Way Marie" brought back some pleasant memories of the old "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Days".

The first corps in competition was St. Brendan's of Newark, N.J., playing "Moon River", "Younger than Springtime", and "I Only Have Eyes for You" to the dipping of the colors.

Not having seen St. Vinny's of Madison, N.J. for about a dozen years (when they were first organized on straight horns), I was in for a surprise. "Tonight", "My Romance", "Let's Face The Music" and "When I Fall In Love" went over very well. Are the soles of the "Woodsiders" painted black?

The other corps on hand were: St. Lucy's, Newark with three drum majors; Bridgeport PAL; NY State Amer. Legion Champs, Our Lady of Loretto; and the NY State American Legion Sr. Champs the Skyliners, who put on an exhibition along with the host corps, Selden.

The moon really played tricks that night. When Loretto came out garbed in orange, the moon was an orange color; and by some coincidence, when the Selden Golden Knights came out the moon changed to gold.

Out of curiousity, how many corps does Hy Dreitzer write for? I lost count about umpteen ago.

It sure was great meeting so many of you at the Dream.... And those of you who missed it, suffer, suffer. Saw some people from Florida, Canada, Minnesota and Alabama. It was like old home week for the former members of the Skyliners. They all got together. Of course, our old favorites the Skyliners, Garfield, Audubon, Blessed Sacrament, Hawthorne and Archie-Epler were back again. The Conn. Hurricanes were on hand for their first appearance at the Dream, and they looked mighty good in their new uniforms, playing "Mariah", "Battle Hymn of the Republic", "I've Got Plenty of Nothing", and "Tonight".

Wish I could become a "Yankee-Rebel". Power plus, that's what they have. Among other numbers, the "Stripper" went of the biggest. Between the "Stripper" and the Skyliners "Twist", the audience was in an uproar.

Getting back to Long Island -- Flash -- There is an attempt being made to organize a Jr. Corps at Lake Ronkonkoma and much talk of organizing a Sr. Corps in the Mid-Island area.

Buttehorn Brothers, VFW, Fife Drum and Bugle Corps sounded wonderful at practice a couple of weeks ago. If they ever go into M&M, the competition they could give other corps would be tremendous. Currently a parade corps, instructed by my old friend, Frank Mangan, the fife, drum and bugle combo's on "Taras Harp", "Lady Be Good", and "My Love For A Lassie" are sweet music to all ears.

If any new corps is interested in purchasing some uniforms, contact Mr. Everett Baldwin, Bethpage, L.I., N.Y.

Two new corps on the LI scene - the Patricia Park Pacers of Bay Shore, L.I., and the Saxton Knights of Centereach directed by Mike Auletta.

The Mainliners of Floral Park really have a wonderful benefactor who supplied them with a new set of drums a few weeks ago. Can't wait to see them in their new uniforms, recently purchased, and the new drums.

The Farmingdale Falcons look great in their new uniforms. Corps Director is Jim Crosby; Drum Major is Barbara Vascati. The sticking in the drum section is tops.

Know how the Marianettes (not Marionettes) of St. Albans got their name? They were formed in the Marian Year.

The Pequa Squaws Color Guard Team also have a B squad, which will be giving the regulars some competition mighty soon.

Still waiting to hear from the girls of the Emerald Cadets, Rochester, color guard - formerly the Pt. Pleasant Cadets and the 1962 Jr. Open International Canadian Color Guard Champs.

Sorry to miss the Shelburne Sentinels Sr. Drill Team at the State Comp. Former State Champs from 1958 to 1961, they couldn't compete due to lack of men.

That's about it for now. Why not drop me a line or two.