SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT...

I've watched Neil Cavuto on PBS and Fox News for years and I have always respected his opinion and especially enjoyed his "Common Sense" segments. Below is one of these segments. It might not mean much to you now but it will in the future. As someone who face the "Big C" and survived my approach to daily life and money has certainly changed. READ AND REMEMBER

Daddy V

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Saving for a Rainy Day

By Neil Cavuto

I don't think I ever met a saver like Al.
In the '80s when everyone was spending, Al wasn't.
When people with his money were buying big homes, Al was staying put in his very small home.
When others in his league bought BMWs and Mercedes, Al bought used Impalas — always Impalas.
When friends traveled the world, Al and family traveled to New York's Catskills.
He was rich by most standards, but frugal by any standard.
"Just in case," he'd tell me. "Just in case. I want to be ready."
And he was — for the downsizing that came and the adjustments that followed.
Al was ready. Al was liquid. Al was rich. Al... was prepared.
For every financial possibility, except the one thing he didn't see coming at all: cancer.
Stage four — non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Bad. Very bad. And fatal, very fatal.
Al is dying. Fast.
The man who feared he might out-live his money will now see his money comfortably out-live him.
All the trips he never took. All the things he never enjoyed. All the treats he never had.
A moot point. A moot life. And Al wonders.
"Maybe I should have splurged a little more." Then he adds, "at least the family's got something."
Which is more than Al can say.
Living testament to the fact it is good to save for a rainy day. It is also good to prepare for the possibility you might never see it.

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES......

Officials today released a police artist's sketch of the seagull believed to be behind the unprovoked attack on Emilie Boyes last month in Connecticut. In addition to the sketch, police have also released details of the PNA (Poo Neucleic Acid) analysis that was performed following the attack.


Following extensive testing, it was determined that the aviary fecal material included special ingredients known to come from a specialized food item called "Scooters" which are only available at a local Indiana restaurant chain called "Scottie's Brewhouse." This has helped police narrow the search area to the state of Indiana. The restaurant chain operates 4 eateries in the state. FBI agent Hoo Phlung Doo reported that his agency is now working to narrow down the exact Scottie's location which should also allow them to narrow the search area for the perpetrator(s). Officials have yet to come up with a motive for the brutal attack although speculation revolves around Boye's association with the color guard program of the Patriot Band in Portland, Indiana. Interim color guard director Pete "Daddy V" Vogler told reporters, "I will not tolerate any of our staff members being dumped on in this fashion. We need to wipe out this problem and get to the bottom of it as soon as possible!" He later added "it is kind of funny though."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LUCIA HART!

Lucia turns 1 on Sunday, January 14th and, after a scary start, it's nice to see that she continues to experience growth and good health. Obviously, she gets her good looks from her mommy!

Daddy V

CONCERT BAND - PAIN OR PLEASURE? IT'S UP TO YOU!

Imagine going into your geometry class and telling the teacher that you only wanted to study circles but not squares. Or you told your biology teacher that you wanted to study plants but not animals. Or you told the driver's ed teacher that (since you are a staunch conservative) you only make right hand turns! How many of you would expect that teacher to give consideration to your request? Unfortunately, many of you in band feel that we should design the band curriculum around your individual wants and desires. In the words of Mr. Humbert, everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die!

Band, believe it or not, is considered an academic subject. Because of this, there are certain guidelines or standards (9 in all) that the band staff must follow. Standards such as these are used to judge the value of each class offered at Jay County High School. If the band staff does not cover these standards, they are directed to do so or the program will be cut. (here are standards for the guard dance class also) Believe it or not, these standards mention nothing about pep band or marching band - they are based solely on music education goals - goals which ultimately should make us better players, musicians, (there is a difference) and, in the long run, better students!

A small reminder for those of you who were around last year. Do you remember Mr. Smeltzer, Ms. Guise and myself standing in front of you on the first day of concert band and stating "this is the first day of getting ready for State Fair" (or words to that affect) Do you remember who won the music caption both morning and evening at last year's State Fair? In was not a coincidence!
So, like it or not, concert band is a mandated program which ultimately will lead to success in marching contests (if that is your goal) or if nothing else, will make you a better musician, student, and a more well-rounded person!
Incidentally, those 9 standards include:

1. Singing alone and with others - Yup! Even in band!
2. Playing an instrument alone and with others - We got this one down!
3. Reading, notating, and interpreting music. Somewhat covered.
4. Improvising melodies and accompaniments.
5. Composing and arranging music within specific guidelines
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
8. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
9. Evaluating music and music performances.

So what do you think? Talk to me, I'm......

Daddy V

SUSPECTS IN BRUTAL ATTACK SPOTTED ON NEW JERSEY BEACH!

An amateur photographer from Seaside Heights, NJ, caught this photo of the two seagulls who may be responsible for the unprovoked attack on Emilie Boyes, Patriot Guard caption head. Boyes, who was attacked while walking on a Connecticut beach with her boyfriend Mark Garringer, could not be reached for comment. Due to the appearance of the suspects in New Jersey, the FBI has been called in. Special Agent in Charge, Hoo Phlung Doo, has offered no definate ID on the suspects but believes that they are of Midwestern origin, possibly landfill gulls. It was hoped that Garringer could help with the identification of the gulls but when asked he replied "I was too busy laughing!"

Doo has asked for help from local law enforcement officials in tracking down these suspects so that a positive poo ID can be made. Meanwhile, Boyes, who is recovering in her suburban Connecticut home, is schedule to meet with a police sketch artist tomorrow.

Anyone with information about this crime should call Poo Stoppers at 1-800-WHO-FLUNGDUNG FREE

LOCAL GUARD INSTRUCTOR ATTACKED ON CONNECTICUT BEACH!

Emilie Boyes, color guard design genius and current color guard instructor for the Patriot Band was attacked by a rabid seagull recently as she strolled the otherwise tranquil beaches of Connecticut. With her loyal boyfriend Mark Garringer close by her side, Boyes was dive bombed by the kamakazi gull who seemed to have her squarely in it's sights! Garringer said he thought he heard the gull exclaim "a present from the South", a possible reference to the fear that Boyes has instilled in the Muncie South guard program, but as Garringer added "it could have been the wind." When Garringer asked Boyes if she needed some toilet paper, she reportedly said "ah, don't worry about it - that bird's miles away by now!" Boyes was not hurt in the attack.

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU, SECRETARY!

OK, Secretary! Quit your complaining and enjoy your boys in green! I guess they are good once in a while!

Daddy V

Comments and Complaints

I've received several complaints and comments from guard members regarding the purchasing of personal equipment, shoes, uniforms, etc. First let me say that, you knew this was to be a relatively expensive activity going in. As I recall, we tell guard recruits to expect to spend between $80 and $90 each summer for costumes and accessories. Sometimes we spend that much, sometimes we don't. The big thing to remember is that you got into this organization for free. Basically, for a band kid to be in band, there was some comittment of money for their instrument, reeds, valve oil, book, sticks, etc. When you walked into guard, you were given a pole and you bought a $15 practice flag. A brand new saxophone retails at $1400 and a brand new trumpet currently retails for about $800. Extra guard eq such as rifles and sabres are normally purchased by the student and the a show rifle or sabre is then provided by the band. In the long run, I think that you will agree it all pretty well balances itself out. My biggest concern with this complaint is this: MONEY SHOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE FOR BAND OR GUARD PARTICIPATION. We are an educational organization which endeavors to allow all who wish to participate to do so regardless of financial need.Resources are available for those with a true need but we are not mind readers. If you have a need or know of someone who does, we need to know so we can help when possible.

A QUOTE AND A CORPS!

YOU WON'T GET ANYWHERE WITHOUT A GOAL

A life without purpose is like a ship without a rudder.
The purpose of a goal is to focus your attention.
Your mind will reach toward achievement only when it has a goal.
There is no achievement without goals.
Establish a goal worth working for.
Your goal will keep you going in tough times.
Always have something ahead of you.
Continuously visualize your next step.
Keep moving after you achieve your goal and set another.
Momentum is maintained by always having something to look forward to.
Constantly give yourself something to work for.
Do what you can do well,
and do well whatever you can do.
You can plant your dream with a goal.

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