St. Patrick’s Day is coming. So let’s review several options:
No…. we can’t get together to do a parade. We have to keep that memory box of that idea on hold for now. But we do have (4) four options to celebrate our patron saint and the visit, and see our friends who in most cases shared a lot of our youth.
1.MILWAUKEE AREA GATHERING
Free pizza and great music at Milwaukee’s Organ Piper Pizza (4553 S. 108th Street), on Sunday, March 16 starting at 4:30 pm until 8:30 pm. The Corps is buying the pizza, and for those wanting liquid refreshments, a cash bar is available. Come on time or come later. We want to see everyone and hear about their life’s adventures. All flavors of pizza will be served until 8:30 pm. Wear GREEN. Wear your Corps jacket or shirt. See people you haven’t seen in years…. Diana Kuupinski (#214), John Schoenknecht (#444), Murray Davis, and Roman & Sue will also be there!
2. CHICAGO AREA GATHERING
For those living close to Chicago or any area for that matter, on March 17th from 3:00 – 7:00 pm, our Drum Major, Ms Jackie Bilder (#1787), has a very successful business called, “Natural Law Bar & Grill” located at 13404 Olde Western Avenue, in Blue Island, IL. She will have a complimentary buffet for everyone!
3. PIONEER POWER PACK BINGO!!!
The Pioneer Bingo will be having a special “Power Pack” Session on Saturday night, March 15th, in Milwaukee (Cudahy) starting at 6:00 pm … 2 regular Sessions plus The Progressive Jackpot, and the Power Pack. The total prize money for the evening will be $4,000,00! Or more, depending on the Progressive. So, have a night out (You deserve it!) Try to win, and meet the many people who support the games…. TAJ PALACE 3665 EAST GRANGE AVENUE CUDAHY 53110
4. BELLE CITY BRASS!
Before our Pizza Party on Sunday, March 16, go to Kenosha and listen to the Belle City Brass Band’s Irish Concert. Admission is a donation. Enjoy a first class performance by this group founded by former Pioneer arranger Ken Norman and now headed by former Pioneer Brass Instructor (1982 – 1994), Jim (Mertz) Mertins. His whole family participated. Eric (#1028) is now a member of this band and is an awesome euphonium soloist! There are about 50 brass musicians. The concert begins at 3:00 pm at UW Parkside Frances Bedford Concert Hall, after-which we will travel to the pizza Party in Milwaukee. The entire weekend will be filled with guaranteed satisfaction!
PIONEERLAND WEDDING
This past June Drum Major (Little Bear) Nick Fugh and Madiline Bruens were united in marriage in a beautifully decorated building at Pioneerland. White wall panels filled the hall. White area paper streamed from the ceiling. The all-purpose garage was completely reformed into a giant wedding hall. About 170 people, mostly from Illinois, were in attendance. Nick and Manny welded a huge metal heart together. Today Nick and Madiline live in Fisher Illinois. Nick is the owner of his welding shop. He also helps farm for his grandfather’s as well as the farm’s neighbor’s huge area of corn.
BUS COMPANY IS GROWING
KB Bus Company, who park their buses at Pioneerland,. Now with 9 beautiful late model MCI motorcoach buses. they built a heavily insulated wall and ceiling area to have a warm space to take care of routine maintenance and repairs in a warm environment,
NEW ENTRANCE GATE TO PIONEERLAND.
A new heavy duty sliding entrance gate has been installed at the vehicle entrance of Pioneerland.
While it only looks locked, its purpose is to keep unwanted visitors such as truckers making u turns as well as local people who come to dump their used tv’s, couches, and you name it, onto the land.
DAVE RICHARDS
In October, Mr. Dave Richards, having run with Pioneer, a very successful “Judges’ Reunion” in Racine, WI. passed away from a heart attack. Dave was St. Pat’s first brass instructor as well as arranger. He was a very talented musician. He also was a mailman for the U.S. Postal Service in Milwaukee. Dave also worked with many of the top Corps in the activity. He used his abilities to make some very highly entertaining Corps shows! He also was recognized as a great brass judge it many band and Corps contests throughout the country.
At Dave’s funeral, a tape recording of Dave singing some church hymn solos. “A Closer Walk With Thee” described the feeling of everyone in the ceremony. His beautiful tenor voice and his thoughtfulness while sharing his talents and memories, with his wealth of his knowledge and experiences, made him truly an iconic leader of the drum and bugle Corps activity.
Dave, you are truly missed!
MILWAUKEE SENTINEL NEWSPAPER FROM OCTOBER 22, 1876
RB NOTES….
This building was what we know of as the school. You can see the stained glass window frames in the gym. There’s not a lot of changes to the building as it still continues to be useful.. We were very blessed to have had the use of this building from the time our St. Pat’s Corps began. “Irish Coffee” sure has changed today.
St. Patrick’s Parish History
St. Pat’s Color Guard
Larry Madrano # 467
Nick & Madiline’s Wedding
Nick & Madiline’s Wedding
Remember this? Let Roman know if you have a great memory
1983 Pioneer Drumline
Better Every Day !
Roman & Jesse Philips #727
Roman & Drum Major. Nick
Nancy & Randy’s Wedding
Pio Semi Where was this photographed?
Sue & Cecil
St Pat’s Patch
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY CECIL!
Our special celebration on February 28th, to honor Cecil, was an outstanding success. 85 people attended dinner and offered their experiences with Dr. Austin. Former students, former teachers, family, and Pioneer Alumni and guests were all generous in their praises of his work. He accompanied some drummers from his Oma Ana African percussion group which lit us all up with enthisiasm, We all robustly joined in singing “You Are My Sunshine” and “Happy Birthday.” We continued our party with a great family style meal with broasted chicken, Polish sausage, and all the fixings that went along with it. Barbara (Foloran) Syzmanski made a brief creative book of history about Cecil’s accomplisments and activities to help remind him about Milwaukee Tech High School, UW Whitewater UW Milwaukee, and about the many Corps that he both played in and taught. Some of his history includes being an outstanding wrestler at Milwaukee Tech and University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Cecil earned a Doctor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, He was a high school principal at Milwaukee North Division High School, He was a Professor at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. He also taught many bands, ensembles, and Corps. Pioneer would like to thank every person in attendance that took the time to show Cecil your appreciation for all he did for you and for your Corps. DR. CECIL AUSTIN
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 Barbara Syzmanski (#190), Robert Neuman (#385), Wally Johnson (#440) & Roman Blenski  Sue Blenski & Margie Risch (Zahn)(#195)  Drum head signed by all!  John Schoenknecht (#444), Friedel Cramer (#1054), Murray Davis & Roman Blenski  Dr. Dale Riebesehl, Roman Blenski, Chase Tonar (#2163) & Chuck Brunner (#688)  Dave Poker (#472) & Roman Blenski  Carol Frank (#675), Renee (#?), Ellie Gonzales (#758), Iris Sanchez (#650) & Roman Blenski  Dr. Cecil Austin - Happy 78th Birthday! |
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St. Patrick’s Gathering + Play Bingo!
All alumni are invited to meet, socialize, and play Pioneer Bingo. There will be IRISH snacks, and a history of the Pioneer Corps Jacket. Last year, Mr. Mike Alvard won the $6,220.00 jackpot! This year’s jackpot will be high again. Two large tables will be reserved for all Pioneer Alumni and friends. What a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day together again! The third session will offer (5) $225.00 games after which a snack of Jimmy John’s Subs, Gardetto’s crunchy snacks, and a drink bring the grand total of $4500.00 to be given away that night…Come see the beautiful hall, support your corps, and win some money!!! Don’t forget to wear your Corps Jacket, Hoodie, Corps shirt, and all of the GREEN that you can put on! |
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On March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, the Belle City Brass will perform a Celtic Tribute Concert! There is no admission charge FREE! (donations will be accepted) It takes place at the Sacred Heart Parish at 2201 Northwestern Avenue in Racine, WI The Belle City Brass Band began years ago when Ken Norman (former Pioneer arranger) organized this group. Mr. Jim Mertins now the president of the band. You will remember that Jim Mertins taught the Pioneer hornline in the 1990’s. His two sons became fine brass players with us and his daughter was also a member. The band has about 50 brass players and a handful of percussionists. Most of its members played in Corps during their youth. These outstanding professionals are now or were band and orchestra directors as well as soloists. Sacred Heart’s Parish building has excellent acoustics for music. Yes, you will feel as well as hear the wonderful music. It’s almost as exciting as being at a Corps show, except you will be treated to comfortable seating (not wooden bleachers with splinters 😊) There are no props or jumping around either… I will not be surprised if you hear a tune or two that you played in Corps, because it is a Celtic Irish concert! |
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PIONEERLAND UPDATE
Pioneer Needs a New Entrance Gate Yes again, the grass is becoming green after a mild winter. However, at this time, we need a new entrance gate, even though our signs and the food truck are blocking half the entrance. Semi-trucks from neighboring businesses, see that our entrance is a dead end, so they drive through it, making a U-turn into the color guard field making a mess tearing apart the grass with huge ditch holes from their tires. It is not fun trying to mow the lawn maneuvering around those ditch gauges. We also have people coming into Pioneerland dumping garbage, building materials, old furniture in the back corner. Unfortunately, we are the ones who have to clean up all of the messes ourselves, costing a lot of money. So that is the reason that we need a new gate that we can lock to help prevent most of these challenges. |
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JULY 27….. PIONEER ALUMNI GATHERING! Yes, the time is coming when all Pioneer Alumni are to report to Pioneerland! Since we are about 4 months away, we are giving all of us ample time to keep that special date clear to come. Don’t worry, you will not have to run to the stop sign and back to build up your endurance. The only thing you will need is a healthy appetite and be ready to enjoy some fun with your Pioneer Family! This gathering will take place the same day as the Air Show. I think it is the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds turn to give a lot of excitement! Being a stone’s throw away from the airport, The maneuvers take place from the shore of Lake Michigan to our airport! So between all the festivities of being with our Pioneer Family once again, you will have the extra advantage of viewing a spectacular air show! |
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It has been determined that with the rising cost of maintaining, licensing, insurance, and the ever rising cost of fuel, that is all exceeding the value of our buses. When the time comes that when we get our WGI Winds Group, Drumline, and Color Guard groups together, we can use one of our buses that we have in partnership with the K.D. Bus Company. This company stores their buses here at Pioneerland and have large charters throughout the U.S. They are becoming more successful and known throughout our area. So along with their daily increases of success, they are able to purchase newer vehicles. K.D. Bus Company donates to the Pioneer for using our facilities to park and maintain their vehicles. They have been very neat and helpful in our needs also. |
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VIDEOS / PICTURES Videos and photos from the past years of Corps seasons are available. Just give a call to the Pioneer Office: 414-333-2235 and we will be more than happy to help you!
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Better Every Day! |
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