This is the Assistant to Ruby Begonia reporting from the toasty confines of Turner Hall. The operative word here IS 'Toasty', as the outside temps as they were last year are quite frigid tonight. Most are here, though, despite the date change due to last week's bad weather, and are eager to partake of the evening festivities and camaraderie.
The event, this past Saturday, February 16, 2008 was the Annual Awards Banquet for the 1st Brigade Band hosted by Heritage Military Music Foundation, at Turner Hall in Watertown.
Band members began gathering, for cocktails and conversation, shortly after six. During the time before dinner, they were treated to a "slide show" of pictures from the recent Washington, DC outing to display historic instruments for a Marine Band Concert in Alexandria. Dinner was supurb as usual, from the Turner Hall kitchen.
After dinner the first event was awards, given out by Managing Director David Woolpert, Bandmaster Jon Condon, and HMMF President Ted Tweed. The new members were acknowleged, and two members received one-year medallions. Three members received 5-year awards, nine received 10 year awards, two received 15 year awards, one received a 20 year award, and three received 25 year awards. Photos below. Of the members participating this year, 72% have been members for 5 years or longer.
Next, member Deb Gilbert updated the membership on the new Heritage Hall curtain project - to quilt new curtains for the Hall windows. To be honest, although the current curtains (converted surplus bedspreads) do the job, their appearance does leave something to be desired, and they add an interesting yellow glow to the room in the daytime. Soon, however, with the help of a number of band members who are making quilt blocks, the rehearsal space windows should get a much needed decorative face lift. Most of the blocks are based on actual, historical quilts made during the Civil War, and some have interesting stories attached to them. We look forward to the new decor.
When the awards were bestowed and business concluded, Bandmaster Emeritus Dan Woolpert gave a summary of the trip out east. Participants Dusty Duesterhoeft, Bob Webster, Ed Pierce and Nancy Campbell followed with short explanations of the various activities undertaken on the way and while out there, from the rehearsals at the Marine Barracks Annex, to the sight-seeing trips on the off day, and the ensemble and band concerts on Sunday. Pictures accompanied the narratives, and were capped off by the viewing of the video shot of the Marine Band ensemble playing the period horns before the Marine Band concert. Several ovations were given to the players who had mastered the antiques in such a short time.
The festivities concluded, all headed for home around 10 PM. 'Till next year!