Occasional Musings by Kevin Russell
O hushed October morning mild…..* September 30, 2019 My dining room table has become one big gear salad as I prepare for my upcoming trek along the North Country Trail in Vermont. “Heed the call, bring it all.” Of course, October is always more of a challenge being a shoulder season. One day it is Indian Summer and the next arctic-like. You know, if … Continue Reading →
Out through the fields and the woods…* September 23, 2019 Last Saturday, I completed another reconnaissance for my upcoming adventure to traverse the Vermont section of the nation’s longest National Scenic Trail – the North Country Trail (NCT) on October 1 through the 4. It is never a trip wasted to visit one of the most interesting parts of Vermont, the Champlain Valley. So, … Continue Reading →
Yet knowing how way leads on to way….* September 16, 2019 Today, I made my first visit to the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in Vermont. This is the gateway to the Long Trail (LT) as designated by the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT). Perhaps you recall the story of my discovery of the NCT in western Pennsylvania while on tour this summer if … Continue Reading →
August 31, 2019 As I am in my sixty-fifth year, I have begun to enjoy the fruits of my labor and have semi-retired. In Vermont, that means I only have seven sources of income this year. Of course, I am not really idle, managing one remaining sidewalk project as Municipal Project Manager. I also teach skiing in the winter, coach high school golf in … Continue Reading →
Two days of traveling home to Vermont on Sunday morning following DCI World Championships and a myriad of other things have kept me from keeping you posted. In other words, I have been slacking in the writing department again. I did take some time to amend previous posts with more depth and interest, and I finally posted my write-up on Finals Day before the … Continue Reading →
August 10, 2019 Today will be the final competition for DCI this season. Yesterday’s Semi Finals competition has resulted in a close race within the ranks of the top 12 corps. The top scoring corps was once again the Blue Devils from Concord, CA, the perennial champions having won eighteen since their founding in 1957, the most of any corps. Their mission statement says … Continue Reading →
August 9, 2019 Well, yesterday was a whirlwind day of final travel leg to Indianapolis, restocking the cooler and checking into the hotel directly across from Lucas Oil Stadium the location three days of marching music’s major league world series. I decamped (such as it was sleeping in the car) from the Mounds State Park and streamed into the city on the concrete rivers … Continue Reading →
August 7, 2019 Last night I opted out of post rehearsal merriment at Buffton University and drove the Silver Bullet to the well-secluded nature preserve parking lot owned by the university and spent another night of blissful sleep within her inner sanctum. The bug screens for the back windows that I purchased worked their magic providing ventilation without the bugs. Tonight I will do … Continue Reading →
August 6, 2019 I am on the campus of Bluffton University in Buffton, Ohio. This campus is under siege by the Boston Crusaders whose ranks are spread out among the many fine campus halls under the welcome shade trees. The sopranos are in one quad, the baritone in another. Tubas are in a field behind the stadium and the mellophones are somewhere. The percussion … Continue Reading →
August 3, 2019 “This mouthpiece is like a [deleted] flame thrower.” – Donny Allen, trumpeter, educator. I’m sitting in Allentown, PA with brother Garry and friend Donny. It is 2:00pm and we are in anticipation of night two of the Mecca of drum corps. Donny is trying out different mouthpieces in the park (ing lot) behind the Ham-Fam Restaurant a block away from J. … Continue Reading →