My odyssey started in ‘82. Unexpectedly, sometime in May Went to rehearsal to see an old friend, But I took a horn home that day.
It had been several years since I last played a note, Wasn’t sure I could do it again, but dear Dennis Dewey said, “Don’t worry Pat… You used to be good way back when!”
So off I did go to Sunrisers Land. Twas a strange and wonderful place, but not at all like my old junior corps days Before my knee needed a brace.
The instructors were interesting to say the least, the likes of which I’d never seen. A blind man wrote drill, and Mojave taught horns, and the guard? (prob’ly run by a queen)! Oh but what fun it was, sweating it out, on the pavement of Old Hofstra U.
Then came the Runway, or Jack-in-the-Box, where Milton was eating for two.
Just for the heck of it, I’ll take time to tell a short ‘quip that was one of the best...
That ’86 practice when Ray yelled, “Hey, ‘Becca… your ass is eating your dress!!!”
And who could forget we who came running back to rehearsal, a bouncing our things, the larger of us got a boom-ba-ba-boom. But me, just a ping-pa pa ping!
Sure, we had differences, the work made us tense, at times we just wanted to quit, but the end of the day would eventually come and of course, we’d go out and get lit!
My memories are endless that special first year. Don’t know where to even begin, so I’ll skip to the end, where I know you’ll recall ’82 finished up with a win!!
The friends that I made are the best in the world. Didn’t know I could have so much fun. No matter what happens, wherever I go I’ll treasure my years spent with Sun.
Patty Antol, 1982-82; 1985-1988: Mellophone
I have so many nice memories of my “Sunrisers Years,” busily sewing flags and uniforms for some of the greatest people I have ever had the privilege of associating with.
The first thing that comes to mind is how proud I felt the first time I saw Tony Cataneo on the podium wearing the new white uniform I had finished just the day before, and how proud and excited I always felt watching those flags in performance at the contests. I wish I had a camera on that unbearably hot day in Springfield when we surprised the corps after rehearsal with several coolers full of cold watermelon.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome, so loved, and so special, like any other member of the corps. I’ll never forget you!!
Grace Antol, 1982-1989: Corps Seamstress and Flag Maker (Patty Antol’s mom)
