The Informer (6-12-63)

By: Les Dahlstedt
DCN 6-12-63

It's good to be back again with all my old friends at DCNews--- hope to make this a permanent stay. I won't waste any time, so let's get on to the news.

The SYRACUSE BRIGADIERS are looking forward to a big '63 season. Reports are showing that this up-state senior corps has made terrific progress, and have their eyes out for a certain N.Y. corps. Anyway, it's good to have the "Boys from Syracuse" back on the scene.

Irwin KINGSMEN have put together what may be a show to end all shows. Just recently, four ex-Queensmen have joined the ranks.

Late congratulations to ST. ROCCO'S CADETS on their acceptance into Penn-Jersey, and to SELDEN on their acceptance into Tri-State.

My thanx to Dave Shaw for the GARFIELD schedule. Seems that the boys from Garfield will again have a busy season. So far 32 contests have been booked. By the way, the Champs have a few surprises in store for you.. watch for them. Just got the late word that Dave Shaw is ending up his hitch with Uncle Sam in our 49th state... welcome back Dave.

The CRITERIONS have recently gone through some pretty bad times, and if things continue as they have, the corps may not be with us this year. At any rate they are being replaced at their request by CARVER at the Wanderers' contest on June 29th in New Rochelle.

Those of you who remember the DONS of Long Beach, Calif., will also remember that this corps, who many say were the predecessor of Hawthorne, has been disbanded for many years. Well, only recently the corps was re-organized. At present they will use only 26 horns. There is much hope for fielding somewhere around 36 - 39 horns shortly tho. Besides this, there is a plan to start two junior corps. More on the Dons in later issues.

Saw the SUNRISERS new uniforms and liked them very much. This corps has an all-new sound, and much can be expected from them in the future.

Tommy Martin has been recently added to the instructor's role of the MIRACULOUS MEDAL corps of Ridgewood, N.Y.

The Smithtown FREELANCERS have just struck into some Long Island luck... two experienced snare drummers have recently joined. Many people have the idea that Smithtown won't be on the field this year. Well, as far as I know, such thoughts never were founded truth, and the corps WILL be competing this year.

The MID-ISLANDERS of Floral Park, N.Y. have started on a 5 minute exhibition drill. We would like to see this corps make it, but according to the corps management, a competing corps and drill will not be permitted to exist. It's a shame when you have a corps that could, with a little work, and perseverance become one of Long Island's future powers.

Now that we've seen the recent break-up of Reilly, this writer feels and hopes that the corps won't be out of action too long. It takes MORE than a loss of sponsorship to break up a corps of Reilly's stature.

At the end of last season, when the Queensmen broke up, their sister corps the MARIANETTES, tried to keep things running by merging what was left of the Queensmen with themselves.... after a while when things didn't work out, ALL drum corps activity was dropped in the church. However, word reached me a few days ago that the Marianettes are back together-- as a parade corps this year. Next year the corps will again compete. These girls deserve a lot of credit for what they have gone through, and I'm sure that when they hit the line next year many people will remember their story.

That's it for now... see ya soon.