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ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING:Rittman Indians Marching Band


The year 2000-2001 was my daughter, Sylva's, junior year of high school. I knew that Larry Boggs'(former announcer) daughter was about to graduate from high school the year before, and I told Sylva that if Ed Sims needed a new announcer, I would gladly do it for them. He told her that he would try me out for a few weeks...

As I have begun my eighth season as the announcer for the Rittman Indians Marching Band, I realize that a few weeks can be a long time. I also realize that I am using what little broadcast training that I remember to do some good and hopefully positively impact the lives of some very important youth that reside in my town, Rittman, Ohio.

Having spent my high school years as a football player(actually, riding the pine), I didn't have much respect for the halftime entertainment at the games. I was of the opinion, as are many, that band members aren't athletes, and don't need to be in shape. I have found out differently by being associated with this band.

The band works out in the hot summer weather and is on the field in the cold rain of late October. They lug around heavy instruments-BizDecision was a tuba player, ask him. The Rittman band is a show band and they show some great coordination, which takes a ton of practice.

This year when all is said and done, the band will perform in 5 home halftimes and 7 shows.

Supporting this band is the parent group, which I have tagged as the World's Greatest Band Boosters(tm). I'm sure that band boosters from other districts may disagree with me, but what the heck, this is my blog. This group provides chaperoning for the shows, refreshments for the band and the visiting band after halftime shows and runs a concession stand during the home games. They also do an excellent job of raising funds to help alleviate the participation fees necessary because of budget cuts in the past few years.

They have also done a great job of taking care of their announcer, the loudest announcer in Northeast Ohio.

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