Bird's eye view

Check this out: Click Me!!

That would be Magrath.
I guess.
I'm not really sure, since I can't zoom in any farther.
FRUSTRATION!!!!
So close to cool, but not.

Edit: or try This Link for some more picture goodness...almost. There's a super hi-res shot of the turnoff into Magrath though.

Google-tracking

Okay, I've been trying to find people on Google and I propose that for each person from high-school that you find on Google (or the web for that matter) you score 20 points.

Points have no value other than for bragging rights, so you know you want some.

I'll start:

I found Phillip Hovey, Blake Bullock and Brian Hepburn.

60 points for me.
Huzzah!

Okay Dar Is A Wee Bit Mad!

Okay I am having some issues with this… I may not be a “fellow band member”, but as a RESIDENT of Magrath and the School Council Chairperson, and a member of the Band Parent Association, I feel that someone can hear me out. First, I understand, like Shea, that a lot of what Dave says is purely for shock factor, however, when it involves utterly bashing a man who has devoted himself to teaching, the band program, the Spirit of Alberta Marching Band, and the community, it disgusts me. He is a great man who put all these things before his own health. He loved the band program, and put in countless hours of extra time at the school, sometimes he could hardly walk home, and could barely function for days afterward, but yet when he led the band he hid his pain, and I absolutely respect and understand that. He didn’t cause the Band’s “Demise”, he was the one who kept it going, and, I don’t know what parent’s you talked to, but I have sat in on many a meetings, where there have even been tears, because they didn’t know how they would ever replace one Jerry Chatwin. He had the complete support of the school, the students, the parents, and the administrators. When he announced that he was retiring, and it wasn’t because he wanted to, he simply couldn’t do it any more due to his health, they didn’t have any students sign up for band because they didn’t want anyone else. All, the parents came panicked, that we had to find someone who was just as good, and could carry on the Spirit of Alberta, We all knew that the Marching Band was of top priority for Magrath( because we are known for our Spirit of Alberta), and every parent at the Meeting, and the Administrators agreed. There was absolute support. Which is why we have the Band Parent Association. The School Board were even willing to work with us to help us find someone qualified, and give us the extra funding if necessary. We put ads everywhere, Canada wide, throughout the States. We just couldn’t find anyone. The Band Teacher they hired is NOT QUALIFIED, and not what anyone wanted, but we needed someone for the start of the year, as a matter of fact, he is a real piece of work, and the band program is completely dying, let alone a Marching Band. It is devastating. I always thought that my kids would be in the Marching Band, and I am still fighting for it.
As for Jerry, he deserves every award that anyone gives him. He was and is a great person who really dedicated himself to the Marching Band and band program, and it is a great loss that we don’t have him. He is irreplaceable. The students loved him, the parents loved him, the whole town loved him. Even the parades and town programs aren’t the same without the giant Canadian flag, You don’t need to win an award, to prove you are a good leader or a good band. They proved it every time they performed and gave me goose bumps, because they were our Marching Band.
I have said my piece regarding this and that’s what you get for bloggity blogging about something so close to home!

And Mr. C is a great neighbor----------ass!

Bad Stuff

I won't be around for a while... I must sadly deal with some very serious matters.

Dave

Let's all do our duty

The Wikipedia entry for Magrath is lame and uninformative.
Check it out -->HERE<--

Let's come up with something to 'spice it up' a bit.
First off, I vote we remove all references to Pioneer days in Utah and Idaho.

I also noted that there is absolutely no 'local flavour' at all in the entry.

Come on all you danceteria types, you'll dance to anything so let's make this entry an instant club hit.
(Sorry, I've got Dead Milkmen on the brain today)

Don't get mad

Do something about it

Here is the letter I wrote... I thought I would post it here before I sent it.

Mail your reasons to robert.cooney@uleth.ca

I just wanted you to know that Mr. Gerry Chatwin did not in any way found The Spirit of Alberta Marching Band. In fact, it was founded in 1980 by Mr. Steve Brockway. It received international acclaim and accolades in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and California. It’s student led instructional staff was also featured in a Marching Bands of America instructional video on using student leaders to teach music and marching at the highest levels.

Sadly, it was under the “leadership” of Mr. Chatwin that the band went into a horrific downward spiral. As a member, commander, and section leader I have been utterly appalled that this was not only allowed to happen but it was sanctioned and helped to it’s demise by the Magrath School’s administration.

An educational experience machine like Spirit of Alberta had a profound influence on hundreds of kids and shaped them into high functioning, creative, contributing leaders.

I have been waiting for my chance to speak my peace about Mr. Chatwin and his destruction of a great institution. He should be ashamed and you should be as well for honoring his destruction of The Spirit of Alberta. Having him take credit for 8 years of performance and dedication the likes of which he never saw is a slap in the face of every kid who gave up half a school years mornings, after schools, lunches, and Saturdays for something great.

I would be happy if this was passed on to him.

If you would like to ask me any questions I can be reached at



Sincerely

D

Put that in your bagpipes and cram it... band-wrecker

This makes me soooooo mad!!

Check out this release from the University of Lethbridge.
It's right here.
Scroll down until you see Jerry Chatwin.
Can we get a fact checker on aisle 2?
So I guess all those awards we won before '88 don't count now?


For anyone posting for the first time:
I don't know what causes delays for posts to show up on the blog.
Sometimes there's a huge delay and other times the post goes right up.
It's just plain bent.

Chewie has spoken!

Ah yes, Brittany and I have long since known that Chewie's word was the bottom line....what Chewie says, goes. I recall a custom made "visit Regina" postcard with Chewbacca declaring "I love it, it's great!" Of course that was the beginning of a whole new line of Chewie endorsments.

Dave, your words are very kind, so I feel I must acknowledge......but usually taking my photograph is strictly forbidden these days. I'm not sure how that happened, it must have been your charismatic charm.

I e-mailed Amos and told her to check out this site, assuming she is not already a "lurker". I had hoped that posting would encourage other lurkers out there to reveal themselves. C'mon people, everyone knows that you can't make a fool of yourself more than I!

Chewie says, "RAAAWARGH!!"

Since the new Star Wars film is coming out, I figured that I'd send out a big:

May the Fourth be with you!!

...because it's May 4th 2005 and ...
Well, nevermind.
Here's a distracting picture.