Hi Everyone!

I must admit, I haven't checked this Discussion Page in several weeks but I just thought I would take this opportunity to extend warm wishes to all of you as well as your families and friends for a very Merry Chrismas and a Happy, Healthy %26 Prosperous New Year! May God Bless each and every one of you and I hope we can all get together again soon!!Take care!! Peace!!

Love,
Di

I just found out about the reunion today (11/20/07). My mom was Googling, found it, and called me. Darn!! I can't believe I missed it!!

Yes, it's me, Mellie of the the mellophones. Ridley's first soloist who couldn't read music!

Athough I only had the pleasure to march with the band one year, I'll never forget it. Crossmen Alums on the staff Buddy (semour), Chuck millar, Bill patrick...Hey, there's a CAA meeting tomorrow night (wed 11/21/07) check out our website http://www.crossmenalumni.org. Those were good times.

Bob W? I hear you're looking for me. Give me a shout.

Wow, the reunion was an absolute blast for me!!! Seeing everyone from my high school days and the years I was on staff took me way back, felt like it was yesterday! Everyone looked GREAT! Raider Bandos age well!!

The night went so fast, I didn't want to leave (I was there when they were flicking the lights off and on to get us the heck out of there). We have to do it again!

A special thanks to BRAC for an OUTSTANDING job, you have reunited the family we all belong to.

BTW, RKS, you da' man!!!!!!

Good afternoon, I have a Ridley Band lineage question of sorts. Does anyone recall Mr. Hoffman of Edgewood Elementary fame? I was curious how long he gave music lessons in the Ridley School District. I took clarinet and saxophone lessons throughout my elementary years with Mr. Hoffman and I recall how I begged him to get me in the district band. I still don’t know how difficult it was to be “in the band”, but he presented clarinet sheet music to the Beatles “When I’m 64” as a “Test”, which I supposed I passed. He played it after me and he was truly great. This was an interesting piece to play in the 6th grade, in 1985.

To all. I am sincerely sorry I was not able to attend the party. I reviewed all of the pictures. Man, you guys had a GOOOOOD time. It was also nice to see some of the faces in the shots, Edson, Rocco, Sister Edson, Seymour Mark Landon, and everyone else.
The shots of the guest of Honor were very reflecting to me. Rick, you were always able to inspire the best out of all of us. To this day I can still reflect on sooooo many great memories. Rick, What am impact you had on my life. I just want to thank you, and thanks for the memories. Sincerely!!

I enjoyed looking at the pictures so much. Dave, thank you for doing this for us.
It is much appreciated.

Well, I guess I'll echo the sentiments of everyone else and say that Saturday night was truly a night to remember. It was great seeing folks I hadn't seen since high school, great hearing what everyone has been doing after all of this time, and great hearing how music and Rick Swallow have influenced all of our lives. Rick, you were right when you said this was always a "family" and you could feel that in the room on Saturday. I look forward to the next time we can all get together again. Great work by BRAC, Dave, Rick, and Lee. A heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible

Holy Smokes! What a blast from the past. 30+ years. It was awesome to see my fellow band members. I think we all look the same?! Congrats to Dave, Lee, Rick %26 all of BRAC. A fine, fine evening.

Wow.....what an incredble evening! Thanks to BRAC for their efforts to pull so many great people together. I realized later in the evening that i had an ear to ear smile that just wouldn't stop! Most of all....Rick, you absolutely were an inspiration to us all, and it was a beautiful thing to see all those people there to acknowledge that. I got a bit sad when i realized on the way home that there so many of you i missed.....next time!!! Again, great job BRAC!

It's Monday already. What's taking Dave so long to get the pictures posted? (ducking fast)

Yeah, the night was an incredible time, the smiles, the jokes, the laughter,and the many kind compliments from everyone all made such an impression on me and is now in the memory bank of my absolute favorite times. 220 was incredible for attendance, but I am looking to make the next one go over the 300 mark. Please keep the new names and contact addresses coming in. The more we have, the more we can include! Love all of ya! Thank you . . . . Rick

That party was THE most fun. The committee did an awesome job of arranging the party and getting the word out. The work load for Lee and Dave must have been enormous. Did you guys actually work for a living while arranging all of this? And what a tribute to Rick Swallow. He was an inspiration to our children when they were in their most vulnerable years. He challenged them and worked them and allowed them to participate in other activities outside of band but still had their loyality. When he talked about the band family, the band hallway and other memorable spots-you could see the faces walking down memory lane with him. Thanks again for a wonderful evening.

What a sensational nite ! 20 lashes to those who missed it . To all those from '79-80 Ain't we lookin' good !!! And how about our show making it to the DVD! Special thanx to whomever dug THAT out of the heap.(However I'm a tad pissed that my mace toss in Cordoba was left on the editing room floor- Fire the cinematographer !)
Although Swallow was very humble in his words, we all truly owe him a debt of gratitude for he accomplished what teachers are supposed to do. He made a difference in the lives of all who were lucky enough to have him. There was a great amount of joy in that room. I'm glad I could bring a few smiles to those whose memories stuck with me . Does this make me a band geek historian ?!? A few more names who should have been there : Crazy Mary Widdowson, Jennifer Pitcairn, Karen Voll, Diane Garling, Carol Thompson, and to Jim Baksi you ARE on a list just not this Website :) Again gracious thanx to BRAC in doing a tremendous job .Can't wait till the next one!

The reunion was so much fun. Everything was first class. Thank you
BRAC for all of your effort in making the night such a success.

Sincere thanks and congratulations to all of BRAC! It was great to see so many faces and recall so many memories. Well done!

Sorry I can't make the big event tonight. Big goings-on at work this weekend. Do any of you ex band members still play? I need a tenor sax player with some minimal improv abilities for an 11-piece little-big band I play in (mostly non-paying). Also, I'm very disappointed that Bob Willoughby didn't mention me in his lists...

Hey... is anybody still checking these???? i can't wait to see all of you Saturday night. Question - does anybody remember the origin of the King OF Ing??? You'd think i would have some clues, since i AM the ruler of the kingdom!!!!!!!

Band Geeks: It gives me GREAT pleasure to announce that as of tonight, Sunday, 10.07.07.... we have 200 people attending our reunion! I am expecting several more checks next week and with Columbus Day being a fed holiday, can wait until Tue/Wed for their RSVP's. THANK YOU ALL, we'll see ya Sat night!

Has it been determined if we can pay at the door? Those of us who work an on call basis need to be able to get in if our schedules free up!!! I can't miss this event, it'll just kill me not being able to see all the band geeks that have grown up to be adult band geeks!!! LOL

Hope the answer is YES and I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Bob

Betsy... admission deposit for all other (188) attendees is $60. I would suggest you mail us your depsoit and feel free to pay for your "roomies" as well. Looking forward to meeting you.