Hi Everyone,

The nice folks at Argyle High School allowed me to tap into their internet line to send a quick update of Surf happenings from on the road.  Last night, The Surf earned a score of 64.7 in their first ever World Class competition. From where I sat, the corps looked amazing!  The crowd rewarded the first competitive effort of 2009 with a standing ovation.  Comments from the crowd were very positive.  A security guard working at the event summed it up with a comment to her friend, "That was hot!"

Backing up a little, here's a recap of what's happened since I joined the corps in Stroudsburg on Saturday night:

Our caravan departed Stroudsburg late Saturday evening and traveled overnight to one of my favorite housing/rehearsal sites, Herkimer High School in Herkimer, NY.  The Herkimer hosts are very accommodating and the townspeople are supportive of the corps.  The setting is very lovely with a stream that runs between the school and the rehearsal fields with a connecting foot bridge.  The field sits in a little valley with a flat topped hill that provides a great viewing position for staff and fans.  BUT,  just beyond the field is probably the biggest draw of this site - a SUPER WAL-MART.  I'm guessing that none of you live anywhere near one of these exquisite beacons, judging by the reaction of the members when they learned they could actually visit Wal-Mart during our stay in Herkimer!  After some floor (sleeping) time, the corps spent a solid day of rehearsal on Sunday.  After rehearsal on Monday, the corps performed a stand-still exhibition in Utica, NY where they were treated to a spaghetti dinner by the local American Legion.  A well-deserved night off for the food crew!

On Tuesday, on and off rain showers dampened the ground, but not the spirits of The Jersey Surf as they prepared for the night's performance.  After packing up and leaving Herkimer, we traveled to Rome where the horn line warmed up at the home of a local Surf fan.  Friends and neighbors brought their lawn chairs to listen to the backyard mini-concert.  After the "Drums Along the Mohawk" show, we boarded the buses/trucks/motor homes and vans in our caravan and traveled to our current housing sight in Argyle, New York.  Tonight's show will be in Fort Edward, NY after which we head to Massachusetts in preparation for tomorrow's performance in Beverly.  

The mood from members and staff right now is pretty upbeat after a good first showing as a DCI World Class corps.  I'm so proud of what they've accomplished.  If you haven't seen the show yet, you will be amazed by the professionalism and showmanship of this wonderful group of young men and women.  I hope to get to see many of you during our travels .  Stop by the souvie wagon and say hi to Bill and me.  (Be sure to have a buck for a duck!)

All the best,

Terri Ives

Volunteer Coordinator

Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps