Vol IV, No.1 December, 2000
A VISIT TO HEIDELBERG
What is conjured up by the words "A Visit to Heidelberg"? What immediate images flash into your mind upon seeing or hearing such a phrase? Passing In Review would like to get such impressions from you. So, forthwith (or at least by the time you finish with this newsletter), take pen--or pencil--or typewriter--or computer in hand and send your views to The Editor, Passing in Review, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201 -or- email: obfusa@rt66.com.
The picture below is NOT a current one. The editor of the newsletter took it back in 1957. SEASONS GREETINGS!
YOU CAN VISIT HEIDELBERG TODAY!
For most of us the idea of a visit to Heidelberg is simply that: an idea. Except for those who are still in Europe or those who have been able to travel back to Deutschland, wandering through Heidelberg still remains in the realm of imagination for most of us. And until the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association makes the trip to Germany--presently projected for 2004--visiting Heidelberg will continue to be a sojourn in our minds, a calling up of images from the time when we were with the USAREUR Headquarters Band. But there is a way to obtain some current images of the place where so many of us left our hearts. That's by checking in on Heidelberg on the Internet, where the city on the Nekar, the place of Patton Barracks, has a website that includes a great deal of information and pictures. At URL http://www.neu-heidelberg.de/english/links.html you can find information dealing with the Castle, about museums, hotels, restaurants, boat trips on the Nekar, even maps of the city. So for those of you who would like to bring yourself somewhat up-to-date regarding Heidelberg, so as to go at least a little way past memories, you're urged to take a look at "our" city's website.
This newsletter won't get to you in time for you to dash out and take part in the following activities noted on the website. So, you'll just have to snap your fingers and feel regretful that you didn't manage to make arrangements to attend the following activities, currently provided on the website.
Concert tip: Christmas concert at Rococo theater in Schwetzingen
On Saturday, 9 December 2000 at 6 p.m. the Mozartgesellschaft Schwetzingen e.V. (Mozart Society of Schwetzingen) will put on a Christmas concert with Baroque soloists from the German Southwest at the Schwetzingen Palace Theater. For tickets and information, call the Schwetzingen Zeitung at Tel. +49-(0)6202-205520.
Only until 10 December: Exhibition in Heidelberg Palace
The special Exhibition "Grasping for the Crown - The Palatinate near the Rhine in the Middle Ages can only be viewed for a few more days. The exhibitors have thought up something special for Nicholas' Day, 6 December. On this day admission to the exhibition is free! In addition an extensive special program (in German) with a children's auction and a "real" soldier from the Palatinate Electorate, a "real" military scribe and a "real" Seckenheim war serf. A program of guided tours for adults and children completes the exhibition, on which an opulent companion book (there are only a few copies left!) has been publisheed.
From the President of the 33rd ABAA
and Coordinator for the Next Reunion
We've tallied up the replies from the questionnaires that were sent to you, we've gotten a fair response. Not all of you responded, however, and we're hoping to maximize that. By now those of you who did NOT send in the questionnaire should have received either a postcard or an e-mail message regarding the reunion June 21, 22,23,24 2001. Please take a moment to respond. And we hope your response is "I'll be there!". --Lorelei Giddings
Michael Shahan, tuba (69-72) wrote as follows: Here is some information about us since our tour ended with the 33rd. By the way my membership check is in the mail, you probably already have it. I'm a little slow in sending this info.
"I left the 33rd AB in December 1971. I went back to college at
West Virginia University. By 1978 I had degrees in chemistry and
dentistry. Went back into the Army for a general practice residency after
dental school and stayed until my retirement in 1996. I had assignments in
Texas, Oklahoma, Washington state, Honduras, and again in Germany. I was
trained as a periodontist at Fort Gordon, GA at Augusta, GA (never did see
the Masters) and the Army was kind enough to let me get a masters degree at the
Medical College of Georgia while we were there. After retiring from the
green machine I taught at Case Western Reserve University for a time, then
opened a private practice in periodontics in my home state of West
Virginia. I'm married to Debbie, she was my wife while we were at the
33rd. We have one son Patrick, age 11. Also, currently, two cats and
4 hermit crabs (it used to be 6, but we had a problem).
*****
George Hines (70-72) wrote to recommend that the following names be added to
our "unknown" list.
Fred Wagner
71-72 Trumpet
Jay Livesay
71-72 Tenor Sax
David Wood
71-72 Flute
*****
Stan Cornett (85-88) wrote to provide a bit of information about a few former 33rders. He indicated that he believes Ernie Thomas, Percussion in the mid to late 80s, is living in the area of Ft. Bragg, NC, that Denny Stone, Trombone, 70-73 is living in the Virginia Beach area, subsequent to retirement from SOM as a CW3 or 4. He also noted that Steve Birckhead, Saxophone, is presently living in the Norfolk area.
Scott Phoenix (73-75) wrote recently to thank the secretary-treasurer for an update, then said: "I have enjoyed contacts with people in the band. One fellow, David Lovine, is even in Heidelberg at Patton Barracks! He says the band is now in Schwetzingen. It's interesting to see that a Lt. Col. is the officer in charge. That bumps things up the scale a bit, doesn't it?"
UPDATE ON 33RDERS
(The newly "found" and address changes)
GOMES, Frank
B. clarinet (55-56)
MEYERSON, Don, drums (54-56)
VILLANI, Gabe, drums (56-58)
WALTON, Hilary
(Smyth), French horn (Sep 92-Sep 96)
WALTON, Steve, tuba (Jan 94-Jun 97)
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About the 33rd Army Band Alumni Association
The 33rd Army Band Alumni Association is a not-for-profit organization that has been developed to provide a means for former members of the USAREUR Band to be in contact with one another via the quarterly newsletter Passing in Review and through periodic reunions. The organization's website: http//:www.rt66.com/~obfusa/33rd. Webmaster for the site: Dee Tonning, 2265 Tawny Woods Pl., Boise, ID 83706. E-mail: dtonning@aol.com
Persons who are not former members of the 33rd Army Band but who are interested in participating in the activities of the alumni association are welcome as associate members. Annual dues for all members is $15, payable to the 33rd ABAA and sent to the secretary-treasurer.
Current officers of the association
President: Lorelei Giddings, 4323 Longfellow Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55407. Tel: 612-729-4413. E-mail: oboemuse@uswest.net
Vice-President: Gene Karjala, 10810 St. Croix Trail North, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047. Tel: 651-433-4351 E-mail: karja002@tc.umn.edu
Secretary-Treasurer, Membership, and Newsletter Editor: Frank Schlatter, 3111 Futura, Roswell, NM 88201 Tel: 505-622-6898 Fax: 505-622-1611 E-mail: obfusa@rt66.com
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THE PHOTOS ON THE PAGES THAT FOLLOW
Scott Phoenix (73-75) provided the pictures that are on the
succeeding pages.
1-In the chow line picture taken at Patton Barracks, the
identified 33rders are, from right to left: Roberta Schmitt, David Lovine, Dan
Rickard, Bob Davies (obscured), Al Price, and Brad Smith (facing away)
2-The
picture identified as a Bensheim Fest during the "Stars and Striped
Forever" includes from left to right: Roberta Schmidt, Connie Riepl, Dana
Canales, David Lovine, James Bennett, Alberto DeLeon.
3-This photo shows the
band in a Tournai, Belgium square playing in front of a statue in the summer of
'75.
4-The fourth picture shows the band at the Bremer Musikschau der Nationen
2-26 Jan. 1975, CWO Bilhartz directing.
5-The picture of the band in the
courtyard of Heidelberg castle as depicted in a "Freundschaft"
program, was taken in the summer of '74.
AND SPEAKING OF PICTURES--If you haven't visited our website lately, you may have missed some additional pictures that Dee Tonning, our webmaster, has put there. Check them out! Furthermore, if you have some pix for the newsletter, please send them to the editor. If you wish them returned, just say so, and they'll be sent back after they are "published". Also needed for our website: pictures of the Commanding Officers of the 33rd. Send them to either Frank, the newsletter editor, or Dee.
