No Florida A&M University Marching 100 until 2013.
At least.
Whoa.
Monday's announcement comes as no surprise, given the grim details that have emanated from the ongoing investigation into the marching band's hazing culture after the death of a drum major last year.
Yet it still has to be a shock to the band's legion of fans.
That includes yours truly.
I first saw the Marching 100 perform in Delray Beach in 1995 and loved it.
Then we went to Tampa last Septemberto watch them perform at the FAMU-USF game at Raymond James Stadium.
We didn't care about the game.
It was the band we wanted to see.
In fact, our seats were just a few rows behind where FAMU's band was sitting.
Not only did we get to enjoy one of their rollicking halftime shows, we were able to hear them play throughout the game.
Two months later, drum major Robert Champion died of injuries he allegedly suffered from hazing after FAMU's annual showdown with Bethune-Cookman at the Citrus Bowl.
Eleven band members face felony charges in that November hazing death.
The subsequent revelations about the physical punishment involved in the hazing rituals have been stunning and baffling.
What is the point?
I don't get it.
It's also been revealed more than 100 bandmembers weren't even enrolled at FAMU when the incident took place --- including three bandmembers charged in Champion's death.
Unbelievable.
It's right the Marching 100 program should be suspended until further notice.
A young man's life was taken.
The multipronged investigation into those circumstances, the band's finances, its infrastructure and the program's direction is vitally important if the marching band is to have a future.
This is a dire situation that must be straightened out.
It's not just a FAMU institution at stake.
It's an American institution.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Mother's Day brings reflection for family
My sister Maureen was amidst raising her three boys out in Oregon.First there was Kevin, then Patrick and finally Brendan.
Great Irish names.
Anyway, Mo had just gone through another row with her brawling brood when she said something that resonates still.
Especially on Mother’s Day.
Her words, I’m sure, made our sainted mother howl in heaven:
"I don’t know how Mommy didn’t strangle all of us."
Hear, hear.
She certainly had her hands full with me — even though I’ve always thought I was a good kid.
Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Two new Marines from Manatee County
Among the folks honored April 27 at Westminster Tower & Shores Centenarian Celebration were Lida Ferguson,Wilma Blazek,Viola Johnson, Mabel Holliday,Mabel Bowen, Marge Regner,Josephine Saenger and Marie Landon.James Eason, a 2011 Palmetto High grad, and Nathan Haberer, a 2010 Braden River grad, finished Marine basic training and graduate Friday from Parris Island, S.C.
Eason’s parents Pam and Tim and sister Lindsey and Haberer’s parents Robert and Stacey and brother Ben are proud.
Eason’s parents Pam and Tim and sister Lindsey and Haberer’s parents Robert and Stacey and brother Ben are proud.
Jim (Kern) Edwards, husband Ryan and their families will be playing catch up Friday.
Married last November, the couple had no reception or celebration because Ryan was leaving for Air Force basic training.
So they’ll celebrate the wedding, his graduation and their departure for New Mexico and Holloman AFB.
Married last November, the couple had no reception or celebration because Ryan was leaving for Air Force basic training.
So they’ll celebrate the wedding, his graduation and their departure for New Mexico and Holloman AFB.
Babs Warren is retiring after 42 years in local banking. Husband Dennis’s honey-do list just got a whole lot longer. Cheers from daughter Luci Hartmann.
A month ago Shake Pit’s marquee bore a message from a young lad asking a young lady to Manatee High’s prom.
Ta-dah!
Devan Pearson will be taking Alessandra Kraus to Saturday night’s bash with a possible stop at Shake Pit on the way.
Ta-dah!
Devan Pearson will be taking Alessandra Kraus to Saturday night’s bash with a possible stop at Shake Pit on the way.
Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Manatee mini-reunion in nation's capital
It is a small world, all right.
Just ask Mary Jane Shiplett.
The Manatee County High Class of ‘51 alum was among a contingent of Bradenton folks who were visiting Washington, D.C., last week during a five-day tour.
On Saturday they visited the World War II Memorial where she and pal Pat Russell heard a marching band.
So they went over to check it out.
“I thought, hmmm, those uniforms look awfully familiar,” Shiplett said.
Russell thought so, too.
“I think that’s Manatee High,” she said. “Why, it is Manatee High.”
Sure enough, it was the Marching Canes performing at the Memorial as part of their own four-day tour of the nation's capital.
“We were clapping and carrying on like a bunch of kids,” Shiplett said. “To go that far and see them. Such a proud moment.”
Just ask Mary Jane Shiplett.
The Manatee County High Class of ‘51 alum was among a contingent of Bradenton folks who were visiting Washington, D.C., last week during a five-day tour.
On Saturday they visited the World War II Memorial where she and pal Pat Russell heard a marching band.
So they went over to check it out.
“I thought, hmmm, those uniforms look awfully familiar,” Shiplett said.
Russell thought so, too.
“I think that’s Manatee High,” she said. “Why, it is Manatee High.”
Sure enough, it was the Marching Canes performing at the Memorial as part of their own four-day tour of the nation's capital.
“We were clapping and carrying on like a bunch of kids,” Shiplett said. “To go that far and see them. Such a proud moment.”
Monday, May 7, 2012
Monday morning meeting with a crane
Ever get stared down by a sandhill crane?
Didn't think so.
It happened to me Monday morning.
I was more than halfway through my thrice-weekly, hour-long walk, heading west along the north side of Tallevast Road when the staredown took place.
There the critter was, standing on the grass inside the sidewalk and looking right at me.
Not just looking, but taking a few long strides in my direction.
What was up with this?
I kept walking and thinking this critter -- a male sandhill crane I assume -- was acting like I'm invading its turf.
Turned out I was.
I glanced to my right and, lo and behold, there was another adult sandhill crane -- the mama --and beneath were two chicks scurrying along the grass.
So I hurried past the feathered family, giving them all the room they'd need.
As I drove to work a little while later, I looked over and the cranes and chicks were still there, grubbing in the grass.
Up ahead were an older couple heading east on their morning walk.
Watch out, folks, I said to myself as I drove on.
Didn't think so.
It happened to me Monday morning.
I was more than halfway through my thrice-weekly, hour-long walk, heading west along the north side of Tallevast Road when the staredown took place.
There the critter was, standing on the grass inside the sidewalk and looking right at me.
Not just looking, but taking a few long strides in my direction.
What was up with this?
I kept walking and thinking this critter -- a male sandhill crane I assume -- was acting like I'm invading its turf.
Turned out I was.
I glanced to my right and, lo and behold, there was another adult sandhill crane -- the mama --and beneath were two chicks scurrying along the grass.
So I hurried past the feathered family, giving them all the room they'd need.
As I drove to work a little while later, I looked over and the cranes and chicks were still there, grubbing in the grass.
Up ahead were an older couple heading east on their morning walk.
Watch out, folks, I said to myself as I drove on.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Commissioner's sacrifice counters criticism
The photo shows a young pilot and his jet fighter, its fuselage punctured with holes big and small.
A caption reads: “I’ve been shot at by professionals.”
The pilot is Larry Bustle.
His words referred to North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun crews who kept trying to kill him during the Vietnam War.
They don’t allude to the recent sniping of some of Bustle’s fellow Manatee County commissioners.
Their words may sting, but they’re not lethal.
Nor is their aim as good.
Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.
A caption reads: “I’ve been shot at by professionals.”
The pilot is Larry Bustle.
His words referred to North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun crews who kept trying to kill him during the Vietnam War.
They don’t allude to the recent sniping of some of Bustle’s fellow Manatee County commissioners.
Their words may sting, but they’re not lethal.
Nor is their aim as good.
Read more Sunday in Mannix About Manatee on Bradenton.com.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Blue Pickles new softball champions
Big ups to the Falkner Farms Blue Pickles, newly crowned Miss Manatee 8-Under division and tournament champions at Lakewood Ranch. They are Ella Branham, Delany Falkner, Jillian Herbst, Leah James, Brooke James, Ryen Knauer, Kimberly Koelsch, Riley O’Neill, Hannah Ott, Valeria Pankey and Faith Ross.Grandma Gaye Gibbons and great grandma Fran Ferrill brag on Haiely Williams’s induction into Southeast High’s National Honor Society.
Yvonne and Slip Markiewicz and their supporters have teamed up for the second annual Walk for Lupus Now Sunday at Lowrey Park Zoo. Yvonne has battled lupus for six years. Publix folks raised $700 with a car wash behind the Westgate store where Slip is grocery manager. Tonight there’s also a drawing at 7:30 p.m. at Gecko’s, 4310 State Road 64 East. Proceeds go the Lupus Foundation of America.
Manatee High’s Class of 1987 is planning its 25th reunion. Contact Kacey Thibodeau Bloski at bloski@verizon.net or 941-812-1362.
Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.
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