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Appendix II to "To Kill a Squirrel" A Continuation of The Unofficial History of the Sudbury Minutemen By Ray Duven, Bryon Bausk, Les Longworth Dan Tanona, Joe Bausk, Bob Childs March 1991 |
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Again, a few of us got together, with pen and drink in hand and attempted to set down, before age and faulty memory found us, some of the events that have kept Sudbury Companies Militia and Minute tradition alive and well.
We recognize that is impossible to remember all that
transpires in any year's march or meetings. We welcome
any and all additions to this record. Just jot down your
recollection. (We may clean up the language though as
younger eyes may see this). If you have any photos that
can easily be copied in black and white or cartoons of the
time, please contact any of the listed culprits.
A list of the men who "stood in" as Colonel: 1980 Col Dan Tanona Dan Tanona, " Warsaw Blackie ", organizer of the Trojan Horse, had a very interesting (strange) year. It started with the organization of the 4th Middlesex Militia so that we could join in more battle reenactments. We were also struck with OSHA Regulations that wouldn't quit. Remember: Palmer True's " Musket Mule " (the colonial version of a machine gun) Mark Dodge showing what the well equipped musketman would carry, but not very far The end, hopefully of the Williamsburg Movies The never ending meetings The passing of Al Bonazolli, our first Colonel and Frank Grinell and Ray Clark's moving obituaries Drills for Yorktown The girl in the yellow sweater Sher Rol Trio's musical debut at the Ball. (Several demanded double their money back) Burial of Nancy at the Fair Party, and the Old Guards disbelief in the activity Refusal of Sudbury to be a part of Concord's parade Lt. Colonel Dacier ALMOST got the National Guard to build a bridge over the Assabet River First year our own Parson said a prayer in the Center -- SAY A-MEN ! 1981 Col Ed Schow Our beloved "Easter Bunny" Colonel as the 19th fell on Easter Sunday that year. We still had a great turn out. Ed marched us thru hill and vale (Lincoln Conservation Land) as Concord wouldn't give permission to set foot on their streets. We had ceremonies at Hardy's Hill and we took busses to the bridge for our usual noisy activity. Remember: Jelly beans in the road apples First year of the road signs (Longworth and Zschau) Easter lilies in muskets Great weather for a change Women invaded line of march (excited by Joe Bausk) No smoking in Conservation Land -- drinking o.k. Cranes music at fair -- a touch of class -- didn't last long Meetings held in the 18th Century Ballroom for the first time 1982 Col Dave Sagrent Dave had an interesting year with the re-election of not one but two staff officers -- was this a field coup? Dave got new mugs for Colonels -- his was gold with rubies and diamonds, the rest were pewter. Dave also got the replica of Colonel Ezekiel How's sword and he gave such a fancy salute to the reviewing stand in the Concord Parade that there was some question if it was really Sudbury going by, this was soon cleared up by the troops. Remember: How the Colonel went one way at the end of the parade and the troops went another, that was the start of a sometimes tradition. Ear protectors and safety goggles Les Longworth's cartoons Best run food booth at the fair (Dave imported a professional) Last meetings in the Main Dining Room -- never again? 1983 Col Don Dacier Don's march started in rain and cold and got much worse. By the time we left Dakin Farm it had started to sleet and snow. We had received word that Concord had canceled its parade. Gleefully (but wet) we went on in the sleet, snow, rain, earthquake, etc. Remember: Mud (and stuck vans) at Barrett's Farm Don dancing in the puddles, up to his knees Joyce Maclnnis chastising Magrath's son for using "foul and unseemly language in the presence of our camp followers" The decision to never go this way again Mark Dodge's hat and red stain all over Bob MacLean's orange hair (his hat lost it's dye) 600 pound capes and plastic bag raincoats 1984 Col Ray Duven Ray had a year that started with excellent weather at the fair and went downhill thereafter. The January meeting was canceled due to an unscheduled snow storm (shades of Colonel Gray) but things got worse. There was a great deal of rain in March and April and all of Duven's plans to cross the Assabet at Bob Bowen's failed. The cause way leading to the North Bridge was under several feet of cold water. The Colonel, however, had a secret weapon in the person of Newt Hinckley who proposed to part the water for us. Naturally when Sudbury learned that the Concord selectmen decreed that the parade had to change route, saying you could not possibly cross the bridge due to high waters, we had to go through the flood. We arrived in time to watch the parade pass by in the distance. To the cheers of our camp followers and the park rangers we approached the flood, which by now was only one foot deep. Reverend Hinckley raised his arms and his "151 Elixir of life" and on we went. We certainly didn't feel the water and squashed thru the rest of the parade route, happy that we had again foiled Concord's parade & celebration committee. Remember: The second split of staff and troops at the end of the parade First presentation to Frank Koppeis at the fair Incredulous park rangers (new) comment to other rangers (old) "I don't believe this" their answer was "What else did you expect from Sudbury, they always do it right!" 1985 Col Jim Santamaria Jim was the first "East Sudbury" Colonel and with the weather co-operating had a very successful river crossing on a footbridge constructed by our intrepid scout Eric Volheim. We also had the whole march video taped by Raytheon. It was supposed to be part of a missile promotion. Hal Cutler also covered the march with his trusty video camera. Jim's year had memorable events (a few) . Remember: The toll gate at the boat bridge Route committee walked the entire route before the march (first time?) Burma Shave signs Gift of toilet paper to Bob Baun "I survived the boat bridge" button "Bloodless coup" by Hal Cutler as Colonial Fair was canceled by hurricane Clearing downed trees at the Wayside Inn Captain Polly of Horse Troop (Polly Puree) Speaker from "Spirit of Mass." Second year of new tradition, a second coffee stop at Bob Bowen's Concord Minute Company greeting at Toll Gate (we didn't pay) 1986 Col Hal Cutler Hal had to employ a "Bloodless Coup" to become Colonel as there was no fair and no official changing of the guard. Once this was accomplished the year went on as unusual. The march coincided with Concord's Patriots Day Parade - Note: the Birthplace of Liberty now celebrates Patriot's Day (the 19th of April to Sudbury) on the commercial Monday nearest in the tradition of our confused state's leadership. Therefore it is not usual that Sudbury gets to be in Concord's parade (we usually refuse unless it's the 19th). Remember: The wagon for the disabled Business cards replaced jelly beans in the road apples Last year Pop MacLean went on the March Paper bag salute in Concord -- highly successful Bob MacLean struck blind by a horse MacLean had to carry horse last three miles Tours denied access to the causeway -- had to detour Restoration of drum head elections at Colonial Fair Huge turnout at fair 1987 Col Bob Duncan Easter Sunday march again. Bob said we should again go thru Lincoln. We guess he liked the route. Then we continued to the "Bloody Angle", it was the longest march since 1976, the eleven miles seemed like twenty. Remember Snow along the march route Three coffee breaks Last year Bryon Bausk couldn't remember the march First year the 2nd man joined us First year we had elephants on the march! March truly followed Route Committee's route, got lost in the same place Freddy Lawson's rabbit ears First year Colonel's staff infiltrated by Concord Militia Hal Cutler's video of march 1988 Col Dwight Dixon Dwight had great weather for his march and we were able to follow our usual route. The Concord Police now felt that we were "good reliable people". Couldn't be us but we didn't question them. Remember Dixon's Dragsters Reward posters along the way Meetings were somewhat organized (a great change) Dwight"s "small quantity of black powder" in his car, enough to blow up eastern Massachusetts 1989 Col Ron MacInnis Ron's year was memorable for: Disorganized meetings Elf shoes for the Colonel A very rainy march Fog and road map at Route Committee meeting Pit stops every 100 feet Musket salute that blew up the north fire station Concord Parade joined us, we were very wet and cold so we went first without waiting -- great. We told everyone along the route that we were the whole parade Bowen fled his house, but we stopped for coffee anyway Excellent job by Doughnut Dollies and Coffee Cuties as usual, these are the unsung heroes of our march. We would collapse without them Frank K's retirement ceremony at Colonial Fair and reception Bob Purrington the new Innkeeper, does he know what he's in for? Harpsichord player at the Ball 1980 Col Bob Childs Bob is also a Concord Minuteman so now we are truly integrated. Remember: Clone of Newt Hinckley at cemetery Colonel ambushed in march and held hostage, we got hundreds to leave him Kilts in march Lee Swanson's failure to deliver coffee Ben Franklin at Muster and Colonial Fair Lost doughnut wagon enroute to first coffee stop Reopening of Old Bar at Inn Bob Purrington's first horseback ride to Concord Sober guests at Colonel's Dinner -- Bob couldn't understand it Excellent Fair (again) |