Mark Mercer – I graduated in 1983 and
was a member of the drum line from 1980 to 1983. I can’t believe
that was almost 25 years ago. Where did the time go? The news of the
reunion brings back lots of old memories with “old” friends. I’m
sure we all remember the band practices in the parking lot, the
football games, the bus rides, the competitions, and of course, Band
Camp, like it was just yesterday. Since graduating, I have been busy
with the adventures of life which have taken me to various places
away from Ridley, such as Hawaii while in the Army, Maryland as a
police officer, and Texas as a paramedic and college at the
University of Texas. Along the way (16 years ago), I met and married
my beautiful wife, Kari, and have 4 gorgeous daughters. We settled
in Texas, however, my adventures didn’t stop there. Some highlights
since then were assisting NASA during the Columbia shuttle disaster,
providing security and medical needs for FEMA in New Orleans during
hurricane Katrina, conducting security operations with the US
Department of Defense in various locations of Iraq during 2005, just
to name a few. At the beginning of 2007, I returned to Iraq and
currently work at the US Embassy in Baghdad for the State
Department’s Diplomatic Security Service. (Yea, me! For those of you
who knew me, I already know what you are thinking.) Because of this,
I regret to say, I will not be able to attend the reunion, but wish
Rick, my old friends, and everyone else the very best as they laugh
and reminisce about all the great times they had over the
years. Have fun and I wish I could be there. Hope to see you in the
future. I can be reached at
mercy601@yahoo.com .
Keri
Merlino (Meyer) - Hi all! I am a graduate of the Class of 1995, one
of the last classes to have the opportunity to have Swallow as our
marching band leader! The last season that I had him was the fall of
1992, we performed what we called the best show Robin Hood! I was a
member of the Silk Squad, formerly known as the Color Guard, for 4 years
(2 of those under Swallow). Diane Brochet was our marching instructor!
My years in the band were some of my most memorable years in high
school, and I made many friends in the Color Guard. Kevin and I were
married in 2005, and we do not have any children yet. I am currently a
Pre-Kindergarten teacher in Newtown Square, and I attend Neumann College
for my Master's degree. My husband owns and operates his own land and
hardscaping business, if you need any work done, let me know! I know
that I am part of the younger end of the reunion, but I am looking
forward to seeing everyone, especially the original "band geeks" as my
Uncle Clem, I mean Uncle Dave, calls them. We joke with my grandmom that
she is one of the original band parents!
Darlene
Nusbaum (Markley) - Hello, fellow band members My name is
Darlene (Nusbaum) Markley. I attended Ridley Band in 1986 when Mister
Swallow and Charles Millar were a team. Now Charles is a team with my
sister Brenda. I remember all the fun at band camp when we all found out
how cool Charles and the gang were (hehe), and the trip to Disney was
great also. I am married to my high school sweetheart. I have boy's
Francis is my oldest he recently joined the ARMY and passed Boot CAMP.
We moved back to Ridley 3 years ago and I am so glad to be home. Can't
wait to see you all again. MRS.DARLENE MARKLEY
Pam
Pecko - Hello to all fellow former Ridley Band-ites! I graduated in
1984, and, not to cause a family feud with my lovely cousin Dianne
Hilferty (Brochet), WE were perhaps the best class! After high school I
earned my BA in Music Performance at the University of the Arts in
Philly. In 1988 I went to Budapest, Hungary for graduate studies and
while I was a student I also began teaching at the American
International School of Budapest in 1990 . Since then I have lived,
taught, and performed in Hungary, Portugal, the US, England, Kenya,
Turkey, and now Poland. In August 2005 I began a new position at The
American School of Warsaw where I head the Fine Arts Department and
teach instrumental music. Have a wonderful reunion, and congratulations
on the excellent organization. I'd love to be there. Best Wishes to you,
Rick!pampecko@yahoo.com
Tom
Waldie / Jill Kirkpatrick -
Tom Waldie 1979
Trombone/Jill Kirkpatrick(Waldie)1980 Flute. This one time at band
camp.....we had our first kiss through Jill's cabin screen. After 25
years of marriage, we are still best friends and are close to many of
our "old" Raider Band buddies. We have two wonderful sons; TJ, who's
just joined the working world after graduating from Acradia University,
and Kirk, who is a junior at Wesley College. Both boys played for
Swallow at Grace Park and in Ridley Middle School's band, but gave up
school music to concentrate on sports and other activities. (Their
loss!) We loved our days in the band, from the NYC St. Patty's Day
parade and dinner at Mama Leone's to the muddy Allentown finals, Hershey
Park and Busch Gardens/Williamsburg, Va. Looking forward to seeing all
of you on the 13th.
Carol
West - I graduated in 1973 after marching in the Drill Team for four
years. I've been teaching elementary school for the past eight years. I
still live in the area and have one son, who attends Widener University.
I am REALLY looking forward to seeing old friends from the
units.........Drill Team - Meg Moorehouse, Bev Shenold, Daria
Lisovitch, Michele LaPorte, Sharon Garling, Kathy Milano, Lorraine
Pedrick, Sharon Dreger, Debbie Petriccione, Polly Politarhos, Donna
Olszewski, Annellen Sacco, Dru Seivard, Barbara Jackson, Donna Wood,
Marianne Towarnicki. Let's not forget the Twirlers and Color Guard
- Janis Ellis, Lisa Mangene, Linda Miller, Nancy Goldhahn, Marie Doelp,
Donna Bruner, Diane DiDomenico, Nancy Widdowson, Margaret Redmond,
Marian Cross, Barbara Contoris, Beth Sylvester, Sue McNeil, Marjie
Brogan, Valerie Butland, Bernadette Gillies, Debbie Bruner, Joyce
Diamond, Varcy Thomas, Debbie Greer, Debbie Mahoney and the many more I
may have forgotten to list.
Bob Willoughby -
Greetings all ! My name is Bob Willoughby. I'm a proud member of the
Class of '80. I can't believe we're FINALLY getting to do this ! I
happened to think that the Class of 80 was one of the stellar groups
that Rick presided over ! If memory serves we were the first to make
T.O.B. finals (remember the mudfest at Allentown?), fund raising for new
uniforms which brought us into the modern era, and some of the finest
horn players that I had the privilege to conduct in front of as Drum
Major. I'm not much of a computer person but if any one knows the
whereabouts of the following, please try to contact them - Cathy Cuff
(Cufflink), Bob Brownlowe (resident stud), George Kerstetter (my partner
in crime), Jeff Buss (resident funnyman), Ruth Waldie (please play
"Piano man"), Jill Kirkpatrick & Tom Waldie (the Golden couple), Ralph
Lutz (all-around talented), John Borghese (all around nice guy), Cathy
Abel (how's the sergeant?!), Matt Morse (you still owe me gas money!)
and especially Michelle Denesowicz whom I will always be indebted to for
getting me into the Crossmen Drum and Bugle corps ! And who could forget
the talented and lovely ladies in the guard. Fran Hess, Patty Cross,
Sharon Booth and Valeri D'Angelo (twirlers without peer!) and numerous
others (remember the trophy haul at Widener I think we won everything!)?
After marching with the Crossmen I had the honor of coming back to teach
the rifle line for one year (hope to see Sawicki and Bucko!). Then it
was onto a career in the kitchen. I opened my own pastry shop and
catering business called Gourmet Productions for 9 years and am now the
Executive Sous Chef at the Peninsula Country Club in Millsboro Delaware.
I am truly excited about the prospect of seeing all of you at the
reunion. Best Wishes to all !
Sandy
Withers (Kulick) - Wow, hard to believe it has been 30 years since I
played in the band! Some of my best high school memories came from that
time. Band camp was awesome as were the competitions. Remember "Peepin'
Dude???" A lot has happened since then. I went on to become a nurse. I
spent a couple of years early on doing a variety of nursing jobs, 20
years working in the OR, 3 years in management, and I am now the
clinical coordinator for the group of eight general surgeons I worked
with while in the OR. This could be the job I retire in...I'm lovin' it.
I married (and divorced 13 years later) and have 2 teenage sons (Paul &
Neil) that are the love of my life. Paul plays a mean electric guitar,
and Neil plays a few instruments with piano and sax being his two
mainstays. Neil plans to go to college as a music major and would like
to compose scores for movies, video games, and commercials. He has
already begun a three movement suite he calls The Pearl Harbor
Suite......the first movement is finished, the second movement is
started....stay tuned. I put my clarinet down after high school but
continued playing my guitar through nursing school until I married and
started a family. Then I ran out of time, however 4 years ago, I started
playing with a contemporary Christian Rock band called Spirit of Grace (www.spiritofgracemusic.com).
I do the percussion toys and back up vocals. It has been great to get
back to music after all of this time. We play every Sunday for the
contemporary worship service at Grace Lutheran Church in Royersford as
well as playing coffeehouses and other events. We recorded a CD called
"New Life" that you can check out at
www.cdbaby.com. I am really looking forward to the reunion and
seeing my band buddies. Talk to you there!
Mark Zerby
- I graduated in 1979 after playing trumpet in the band throughout high
school. Being part of the band helped create some of my best memories
from high school. It allowed me to use my positive energy and transfer
it into musical expression, which was quite a “gas”! As it were, I am
still living in the area. I work in Philadelphia as a Research and
Development Engineer for the Department of the Navy, and have been
employed by the government since 1983. Since abandoning my “evil ways”,
I have become married to a “real saint”, and along the way, acquired a
daughter. Her dreams entail playing the trumpet like Dear Old Dad, and
embarking on a long career in the fast food business……preferably both at
the same time. My hobbies and interests include songwriting, sound
engineering and music production, participation in all sports except jai
alai, and have recently wowed the neighbors with my prowess as an
amateur chicken farmer!! I am really looking forward to seeing some old
“band mates” and tell a few jokes before I forget them……(the
jokes)!
Feel free to email me with any questions, comments or complaints at
Mark@RidleyBandReunion.com.
r, Mark