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Ridley Alumni Band
Announcement - Mar. 1, 2008
Hi There One and
All,
There was talk a while ago about an alumni band getting together
for a performance and now just might be the right time. The community
chorus under the direction of John Waldie, (also a band alumnus), is
putting on a concert on Saturday June 14, 2008. He has asked me
if it would be possible to put together an alumni band to join them.
Hence this letter to all.
It seems like a perfect opportunity for us involving only about
five selections on our part as we would share the stage with the chorus.
This means less prep time for us. Since the concert is taking place
on Flag Day, our focus will be on patriotic music or music about
America.
Are you interested? Here are the pertinent stats as I see them
now: We will meet on Wednesday, March 26, 7:30 p.m. in the chorus room
of the old high school for an informational meeting to confirm rehearsal
dates, instrument balance, instrument needs and parts to be played.
Rehearsals would take place at the old high school (now the community
center) on the following dates:
Tuesdays, April 22 and 29, May 20, and June 3, all starting at
7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Final rehearsal – Thursday, June 12, hopefully at the
new high school with the concert on the 14th, also at the new high
school. (We may plan a short rehearsal on the day of the concert for any
late comers, to do a run through and acquaint them with the seating and
program.)
There are a total of 5 rehearsals, so each is obviously
important; however, if you cannot make one or two (as long as your chops
are in shape) it’s not a big deal. For those of you who live a
prohibitive distance away but have kept up with your instrument, I will
even mail a folder of the music for you to practice on your own. (I
would even be willing to contact the Ramada to get group rates for those
traveling and staying over.)
Right now, information is the key! ALL alumni are invited to
participate, from Moses up to the current graduating class! Just follow
the link
www.ridleybandreunion.com/alumni.htm to visit the Alumni Band Page
and fill out the registration form to join us!
The registration form will provide us confirmation of your involvement, instrument you play, your
honest appraisal of your playing level TODAY (oh jeez), whether you have
access to an instrument or would need one to borrow, (this may be
difficult, but I will do my best to find extra instruments).
By the way, we had many alumni who did not hear of our recent
reunion until after the event, so in order to avoid the same
disappointment again, please pass this information on to anyone in your
address book, whether you are participating or not!
We hope that RAMP, guard members, family and friends will attend
and join us afterwards at a local watering hole to celebrate the event!
More info on that will follow as it becomes available. So, what do you
say?
Consider joining us!
Rick |
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Band Reunion Postscript
Oct. 14, 2007
From Mr. S.
Well, here we are, the day after the reunion and I am sitting
here in a daze, so honored at the outpouring of affection and well
wishes from everyone, thrilled at how wonderful the event went, and yet
so incredibly sad that it came and went by so quickly.
How can I encapsulate the evening in a short sentence or
paragraph. I cannot, that is simply not possible. The night seemed
almost like Christmas, a year in the preparation, such anticipation, and
after what seemed a short time of magical celebration it was over and we
returned to our daily lives. But the memories are so sweet, the DVD that
Dave made is so memorable, the contributions by Lee in all of the
organization and record keeping were invaluable, as was the total
efforts of the entire committee, Carol, Dianne, Andrea, Mark, Rich, and
Helene. You may never know what they went through in the past year to
make this evening right for you.
The re-connections with all of you was the absolute best.
So many people doing so much, so many people coming so far, and
just so many people. 220 attendee's. I am humbled and had to take the
time to thank you once again.
In the next few weeks I will go over the lists, confirming those
who were interested in the possibility of creating and being part of an
alumni band. The success of that project really depends on the numbers
interested, the balance of players, availability of certain instruments
that you may not own, availability of rehearsal space, and so on. Only
time will tell. Should anyone have changed their minds about their
participation in an alumni band, whether to drop or add, please contact
Dave or Lee so that they can keep the list updated.
Next on the "to do" list . . . Please send any pictures that you
took at the reunion, whether they are stills or video, to Dave and
during the next several weeks he will continue to update the website.
We also welcome any and all comments on how you felt the evening
went. We will post those and use your critiques to improve on our next
gathering.
Keep in touch, send additional email addresses of grads who are
not currently on our list. One recurring comment I heard at the reunion
was . . . "where is so and so", "did anyone contact her or him", and the
simple answer is that we cannot contact someone who we do not have an
address for. So continue to help us out there.
And finally, send a note to your BRAC members, their efforts in
launching this evening was huge, their time away from their own families
was considerable and their concern for you having a great night was
always uppermost in their minds.
I'll close with a quote from my speech . . . .
"The quality of life is not determined by the number of breaths you
take, but rather by the moments that take your breath away!" And you
left me breathless!
Stay in touch . . . . . . love ya! Rick
Swallow - Oct. 14, 2007 |
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Band Reunion News Oct.
1, 2007
Hi to all,
Well this is it, the last call as it were to get your form and
check in to the reunion committee. Less then one week is left until the
due date and the week after that is the actual event. Here is some info
that should excite you . . . .
Thus far we have over 160 confirmed / paid attendee's and another
30 + who have verbally committed, although they have not yet sent in
forms and money. Each decade, as well as staff and RAMP parents are well
represented. All we need now is for you to join us for it to be a
complete evening.
Don't forget to bring your camera's that night and be sure to
share the pictures with Dave Emplit so that we can add a post-script to
the website showing all of the pictures. Also, we now have collected all
of the shows from 1985 through 1993, as well as some cameo's of camp and
the "Stoned Wheat Thins", so the DVD project is moving along very
nicely.
Bottom line is that we are looking for an incredible night of
memories and fun, so we sure hope that you will be able to join us.
Please respond ASAP, and I look forward to seeing you all Sat. Oct. 13.
Rick |
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Fellow Band/RAMP Alumni:
WOW! We're down to our last (2) weeks with only (1) left in which
to send in your monies. We have scheduled to meet with the Ramada Monday
morning, 10.08.07 to finalize our plans for our reunion. To that end, we
will need to be IN RECEIPT of all monies by Sunday afternoon which means
via USPS by Saturday, 10.06.07 and "drop offs at Lee's house" by Sunday,
10.07.07. I'll check my mailbox Sunday night for all the "stragglers",
not a problem.
Any and all "fence sitters" will, I'm afraid, be sorry on Sunday,
10.14.07 they sat this one out. Trumpets, units and woodwinds are many,
we picked up a few more flutes and BELLS! WAY TO GO BELLS!!!!!!!
I think we may need to add another table to accommodate more RAMP
members, HOO-RAH for RAMP! (As has been the case for (35) years, we
could ALWAYS use some more "bones"! I could be partial.)
We've attracted some more "newbies" who've sent in their RSVP's
and want to let them know and remind others, the attire for the evening
is "casual/business casual" and as always... UNDERWEAR IS OPTIONAL!
Weather is expected to be dark.
Attendees will be coming from Minot, ND... Manhattan Beach, CA...
Kissimmee, FL... Ashburn, VA... Palm Beach Gardens, FL... Oceanside,
CA... Ormond Beach, FL... St. Louis, MO... Albequerque, NM... Marietta,
GA... New York, NY... Ware, MA... Fayetteville, NC... Stoney Point,
NY... Lewes, DE... Swedesboro, NJ... and ALL points in between.
Again, the response to our idea for a Band Reunion has, quite
frankly, been overwhelming thanks to YOU, Band and RAMP alumni. It's our
hope that a truly FUN time will be had by all with great food, plentiful
drink and fond memories.
Thank you, Lee Harper - '73 Trombone |
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Band Reunion Postscript
Oct. 14, 2007
From Mr. S.
Well, here we are, the day after the reunion and I am sitting
here in a daze, so honored at the outpouring of affection and well
wishes from everyone, thrilled at how wonderful the event went, and yet
so incredibly sad that it came and went by so quickly.
How can I encapsulate the evening in a short sentence or
paragraph. I cannot, that is simply not possible. The night seemed
almost like Christmas, a year in the preparation, such anticipation, and
after what seemed a short time of magical celebration it was over and we
returned to our daily lives. But the memories are so sweet, the DVD that
Dave made is so memorable, the contributions by Lee in all of the
organization and record keeping were invaluable, as was the total
efforts of the entire committee, Carol, Dianne, Andrea, Mark, Rich, and
Helene. You may never know what they went through in the past year to
make this evening right for you.
The re-connections with all of you was the absolute best.
So many people doing so much, so many people coming so far, and
just so many people. 220 attendee's. I am humbled and had to take the
time to thank you once again.
In the next few weeks I will go over the lists, confirming those
who were interested in the possibility of creating and being part of an
alumni band. The success of that project really depends on the numbers
interested, the balance of players, availability of certain instruments
that you may not own, availability of rehearsal space, and so on. Only
time will tell. Should anyone have changed their minds about their
participation in an alumni band, whether to drop or add, please contact
Dave or Lee so that they can keep the list updated.
Next on the "to do" list . . . Please send any pictures that you
took at the reunion, whether they are stills or video, to Dave and
during the next several weeks he will continue to update the website.
We also welcome any and all comments on how you felt the evening
went. We will post those and use your critiques to improve on our next
gathering.
Keep in touch, send additional email addresses of grads who are
not currently on our list. One recurring comment I heard at the reunion
was . . . "where is so and so", "did anyone contact her or him", and the
simple answer is that we cannot contact someone who we do not have an
address for. So continue to help us out there.
And finally, send a note to your BRAC members, their efforts in
launching this evening was huge, their time away from their own families
was considerable and their concern for you having a great night was
always uppermost in their minds.
I'll close with a quote from my speech . . . .
"The quality of life is not determined by the number of breaths you
take, but rather by the moments that take your breath away!" And you
left me breathless!
Stay in touch . . . . . . love ya! Rick
Swallow - Oct. 14, 2007 |
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Band Reunion News Sept.
24, 2007
Fellow Band Peeps:
I'd like to bring you up to speed on plans for our reunion. We
are close to having 300 contact names thanks to EVERYONE'S efforts in
getting the word out. We're closing in on our goal of at least 175
attendees and that will continue to rise.
RAMP will be well represented filling about (3) tables so far,
Drums, Trumpets and Units seem to be leading the way... LET'S GO
TROMBONES!!!!!!!!!! Plenty of Woodwinds, a couple Cymbals and a Bells
for good measure, WAY TO GO!
Song requests have been dribbling in, the DJ's collection IS
extensive but if you have YOUR song request please email it in to Dave
Emplit to assure it being played.
We've picked up about 20-30 "newbies" since our last update,
soooooooooo... attire for the evening is casual/business casual. We ask
that you leave your sneakers and T-Shirts at home and, once again,
underwear IS optional!
Singles have edged out the couples but the margin remains tight.
Every effort is being made to make the evening one that will be
talked about for WEEKS (if not months) to come, a reunion by which all
others shall be judged. To that end, please continue to contact those
whose names do not appear on our "Distribution" page and encourage them
to attend. Please let them know.....
THE DEADLINE FOR DEPOSITS HAS
BEEN EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 5, 2007!!!!
Thank you, Lee Harper -
'73 Trombone |
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Band Reunion News Sept.
16, 2007
Band Alumni:
I am happy
to announce the extension of the deadline for the return of your
Invitation from 09.15.07 to 10.05.07, another (3) weeks.
Response to
our Ridley Band Reunion and invitation has been overwhelming with
another 15-20 people finding out about it in the last couple weeks alone
and asking if there was any possibility of extending. Add to that number
another 20-30 with verbal commits and the need is obvious. This was not
an unexpected turn of events by the Reunion Committee and we are glad to
oblige. For anyone wishing for an extension... YOU HAVE IT!
BRAC will
be meeting Fri night and will plan to do so on a more frequent basis to
ensure that the reunion goes off without a hitch and that an enjoyable
time will be had by all. I believe I can speak for the BRAC and say this
has truly been a "labor of love". Your participation will be the icing
on the cake with people coming from MA, CA, NM and FL.
The website
has EXPLODED with over (8100) hits, additions to our "Bios" and "Pics &
Vids" pages have drawn several comments which you can find on our
"Discussion" page and should check out, Dave Emplit has performed above
and beYOND the call of duty with assembling the information and creating
our website... KUDOS TO DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Stay tuned
for Newsletter broadcasts as information warrants.
Thank you, Lee
Harper - '73 Trombone |
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Band Reunion News Sept.
13, 2007
Band Geeksters:
ONE MONTH TO GO!!!!!!!!!!
Just want to pass along MANY thanks to all who have sent in their
deposits for the RIDLEY BAND REUNION after Labor Day... my mail came
today bundled with a RUBBER BAND! AWESOME!
Word of mouth has helped tremendously, must have been all those
Ridley people down the shore who've come back, its great.
We're OVER 7600 hits on the website, we have a few more Bios on
our BIOGRAPHIES page and the Pics 'n Vids have received a LOT of
interest. Dave "Gates" hopes to put a montage together for us on DVD...
INCREDIBLE job Dave, thank you VERY much for your efforts.
Much has been made of my reference to, "Bird" with weary queries
about the dreary theory being... WHO'S "BIRD"? People, especially you
"young" ones, Rick was nicknaming everybody back in the day so we
nicknamed him "Bird". Why you ask, well a "swallow" is a bird. Now
THAT'S the story of who "Bird" is and why.
A couple inquiries on attire.... Casual/business casual is the
attire for the evening. We're requesting you leave your sneakers and
T-Shirts home and lest we forget... UNDERWEAR IS OPTIONAL!
SONG REQUESTS! The form is available on the website, I encourage
all who wish for "their" song to be played that they fill out the form
and email in to Dave. The DJ has about every song ever written but I
know us, one of us will request that one, special Bulgarian polka and he
won't have it! Fill it out and ZIP it in!
Until the next update, we have ONE MONTH TO GO GANG! Anyone who's
name you DO NOT see on our list, email them... CALL them... ROUSE them
from bed in the middle of the night and tell them to get on board. We
don't want to leave anyone behind when "the bus pulls out!"
Weather for the evening is looking good... promises to be dark!
L8r, Lee Harper - '73
Trombone |
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Sept. 10, 2007 - Band Reunion News From Rick Swallow
Hello to all,
Response to
the reunion has been coming in steady. Many have sent in checks and
reserved rooms and many more have verbally committed. It has been a joy
to hear from past staff and RAMP members as well as front and band
alumni. Emails have been racing back and forth and reconnections are
being made, even as I write this note.
We are in the
midst of a project to collect as much video of band performances as well
as pictures to complement all of the years past. It is a monumental task
that the entire planning committee has taken on (Dave Emplit in
particular) and we could use your help. If you have, or know someone who
has access to any video's that were taken of camps or comps, I would be
most grateful if you would send them to me, (guaranteed to be returned)
so that we can copy them and add them to our files. We are planning to
put everything we can collect (photos and videos) on a DVD that will be
available at the reunion.
As a matter
of fact, Dave has gone so far as to post videos both on our website at
www.ridleybandreunion.com/videos.htm as well as on "You Tube" at
www.youtube.com/emplitdw
where you can go to and view past years' shows! Now, who would not want
to see all of those years displayed to the world!? Seriously, a complete
collection of performances over the years would indeed be rewarding and
send a huge message that the Ridley Raider Band WAS
and IS for
real. If you have any videos or pictures that you could lend to us to
copy and add, we would all be grateful. Contact Dave at
Dave@RidleyBandReunion.com.
By the way,
if you have not yet checked out the website, do it! We have had over
7000 hits to date and I will bet that we pass 10,000 before the reunion.
The interest in this is phenomenal! In the past two weeks, I have run
into four different band alumni who had not heard of the reunion or the
website. All four expressed interest in attending. I mention this
because there are still many who may end up being left out of the
gathering despite our efforts to get the word out. So, if you have
addresses or can contact anyone else, please do so.
I have never
seen such a spontaneous explosion of interest in anything like this and
I can only attribute it to the closeness and brotherhood we have all
felt in being a part of "OUR"
organization. I cannot wait to see all of you at the reunion. By the
way, if you have not yet signed up, there is still time. Go to the
website for the information and RSVP form and send it to Lee Harper. If
nothing else, check out the website at
www.ridleybandreunion.com
to join in the fun and the memories.
I wish you well and hope to see you there! Rick Swallow |
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Sept. 3, 2007 -
Fellow Band Geeks: WELCOME BACK from your Labor Day holiday!!! Trusting
your summer was fun and safe, now you have the reunion to look forward
to!
I want to update you all on the latest of news. Our website is closing
in on (6700) hits, FANTASTIC! Word is spreading among us with assistance
from Class websites (i.e. '73, '74 etc) which is helpful, flyers, Cable
TV announcement and general "word of mouth" are all proving their worth.
SONG REQUESTS: You'll find the link for our SONG REQUEST form
that you can easily fill out, send back to Dave Emplit and we'll pass it
along to our DJ. Our DJ has one of the most extensive libraries around
but don't assume he has YOUR song. Rather than be disappointed I
encourage you to shoot us a REQUEST!
BIOGRAPHIES: This page has grOWN over the last few weeks and YOUR
biography will help build a SUPER page. Please submit and let us know
how your doing... a "past" and "recent" pic are appreciated.
PICS 'n VIDS: If anyone has band related photos and/or videos
they would like to contribute, please contact Dave Emplit and he can
make that happen... check out his work on our PHOTOS / VIDEOS page.
SPOUSES/SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: This question has been raised, "How
many are bringing spouses/SO's"? Well, we're currently running 40/60
couples/singles... this is YOUR CALL! Whatever will keep you talking
days/weeks/months after the reunion is probably the best decision.
ATTIRE: All we are asking is that you leave your sneakers and
T-Shirts at the gym, casual or business casual attire would be great!
Underwear is OPTIONAL!
RAMADA RESERVATIONS: Room reservations can be made through their
"Group Reservations" desk which is open Mon-Fri, closed weekends. BOOK
NOW if you haven't already done so.
We ask if you know of any past band member during the Swallow years who
may not have been contacted, please direct them to our website (www.ridleybandreunion.com).
Look for future updates as news warrants, our next BRAC meeting is
scheduled for 09.07.07.
L8r, Lee Harper '73
Trombone |
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July 20, 2007 - Today marks
the 6 month anniversary of the Band Reunion website. It is still a work in
progress and will continue to evolve and change as time goes on. To date we have
over 4500 visits to this site since going online on Jan. 20th. We now have over
250 email and snail mail addresses and we are less then three months away from
the reunion.
This weekend a newsletter will go
out to the distribution list containing an invitation by Rick Swallow to join us
for a night of fun, memories, re-acquaintances and band style celebration on
October 13th. The invitation and RSVP form can also be found on this site simply
by clicking on the Invitation / RSVP
link.
Take Care, Dave |
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June 12, 2007 -
Summer is now officially upon us and many are planning their three and four
digit $$$$ vacations. This is an excellent time to put into perspective how much
return you will get from the $60 ticket to the band reunion. For those who have
the extra cost of airline and hotel accommodations, think about combining the
band reunion with weekend visits to family and friends who are still in the
area. Start shopping now to get the cheapest airline tickets.
The RSVP
announcement for the reunion will be sent out to the distribution list in early
July, so keep an eye out for it.
A biography page has
been added to the website for those who would like to post some information
about themselves for others to see. Feel free to tell us as little or as much
about your life since high school as you feel comfortable disclosing. Throw in a
small photo or your email address if you'd like others to see what you look like
now or would like to receive emails from your old friends.
Simply email your
bio text and (optional) photo to me at
Dave@RidleyBandReunion.com and I
will post it alphabetically on the Biographies page. Keep in mind that you must
already be on our distribution list and your bio must be sent from the email
address you gave us when signing up for the distribution list to ensure
authenticity. Dave |
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June 2, 2007
- Ridley Band Alumni: I wanted to bring you up to speed on the latest. The Band
Reunion Action Committee (BRAC) will be meeting in July at which time the final
touches will be put on plans for our 1st annual band reunion on October 13, 2007
being held at the newly remodeled Ramada in Essington for which ALL details can
be found at our Ridley Band Website.
Much preparation has gone into making this a reunion by which ALL reunions shall
be judged. A choice of (3) fine meals, lodging at a discount for us, an
"entertainment package" 2nd to none and... AND... OPEN BAR! Yes friends you
heard correctly... an OPEN BAR!
Our list of alumni has been growing thanks to the efforts of all of you... the
word IS spreading. We look forward to a great evening, memories, reminisces, old
friends and general good time... for "shits 'n giggles"!
(If anyone knows the whereabouts of Farkel Hollis please let him know of the
event.)
Thank you, Lee Harper - '73 Trombone |
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April 29, 2007 -
The BRAC
met last Friday night and nailed down a few more details relating to our
upcoming reunion. Dave informed us of a new format for the DISCUSSION PAGE at
the site AND... PHOTOS from the '70's, '80's and '90's have now been posted. As
more pix are gathered they'll be posted, which leads me to my next request:
Anyone who has BAND
related photos/slides preferably close shots (we seem to have TONS of group,
line and distance shots) or candid pix would be much appreciated. If you can
scan them and send them that'd be great, if not, Dave or I could make
arrangements to pick them up, scan them, and get them back to you post haste.
Next request: Anyone
who knows a past RAMP member who served during "The Swallow Years", would you
please extend an effort to contact them. The RAMP "network" may not be as finely
honed as the band member's, so please let them know of the reunion and that
their presence IS welcome.
We are closing in on
(3000) hits to the website (WAY TO GO DAVE) and the list of email/snail
addresses has exceeded (220) and growing. With final edits made to the RSVP form
Fri night, expect to see that showing up in your mailboxes early July.
Don't forget, spouses/friends ARE welcome, food will be plenty, entertainment
package AWESOME, and.... OH BY THE WAY... OPEN BAR! L8r, Lee Harper - '73
Trombone |
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Feb. 17, 2007
- Today marks the introduction of the Discussion forum, which is going to be a
fun way for all us band alumni and friends to put out messages that can be
viewed and commented on by all. Hopefully it will generate some communication
between some of us who have lost touch over the years. If this turns out to be a
success I will consider adding a band chat room, which will be even more
spontaneous and will provide real time chatting amongst the people logged in.
My next priority
will be to get some band photos up on the site. I have lots of photos to scan
and organize and am always looking for more to add to our collection. Feel free
to contribute with any photos you might have by scanning them in and sending
them to
me.
On another note, on
our 23rd day online (Feb. 13, 2007) we exceeded 1000 hits or views of the site.
In the same time we also grew our distribution list by 22% over a number that
had previously taken eight months to accumulate. The power of the Web is a real
thing. Please continue to spread the word so we can make the reunion a real band
party!
Our next committee
meeting is scheduled for Mar. 9, 2007. Anyone with ideas or suggestions that
they would like to be discussed at the meeting should drop
me
an email. Dave
Emplit |
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Jan. 20, 2007 - This is the
official launch of the Reunion website. It is a work in progress and will
continue to grow between now and the reunion and even after the event. Any website or
reunion feedback or ideas should be sent to
me as
site webmaster and a member of the reunion committee.
The last committee meeting
was held on Jan. 12th, 2007 and several issues were addressed regarding
the promotion of the event. An important item on the table was the final
cost per person for the reunion. We wanted to keep the price as low as
possible while providing a memorable night for all. The meal is a nice sit-down
affair and the DJ entertainment is excellent. The music entertainment will be
balanced between both the interests of band members as well as our
guests. Our intent is for your guest to have as much fun as you do. They
will be dancing their butts off while you are busy reminiscing with your
"old" buddies. Feel free to dance your butt off too, if that
is what works for you.
The final decision was
between a cash bar and an open bar. This decision made a $10 difference
in the overall cost ($50 cash bar versus $60 open bar). It would have
been a simple matter to keep the cost at $50 by going with the cash
bar, but we reasoned that most band members (generally being party
animals) with livers still intact will probably have at least two or
three drinks during the night. At that point your cost that evening will begin to
exceed the $10 difference. So here's the plan. We spend the extra $10
for a ticket and drink our faces off! Rooms will be available at
discount rates and there are plenty of other inexpensive lodging choices
within walking distance. If you're flying in call the Ramada for their
free shuttle. We're going to party down like only the band knows how!
Find a pickle jar
somewhere and start putting your extra change into it. By this summer you should
have enough money to afford the cost. The dress is casual, so don't
buy any new clothes. This is going to be a celebration worthy of the
"Swallow Years". Anyone who was part of those years will know what I
mean.
I hope to see you there.
Dave Emplit |
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