Thanks given to band and supporters (08/17/06)

To the editor:

Please allow me a few minutes to make a final accounting for the Marching Patriots' recent State Fair contest appearance.

1. Our final score of 89.80 is the highest score ever recorded by the Marching Patriots.

2. This was our 30th consecutive appearance in the Sweet 16 and our 18th consecutive appearance in the elite top five, both State Fair records.

3. The percussion section was ranked fourth among the other bands, their highest ranking ever.

4. The color guard was ranked fifth among the other bands.

5. The band as a whole won the music caption in both the morning and the evening show.

My thanks as a band parent to each staff member for making this summer a fantastic experience for my daughter and my thanks as a staff member, to my fellow staff members for once again allowing me the privilege of working with an incredible staff and an amazing group of band students.

One person in particular needs special recognition. This was Cheryl Guise's 2nd summer with us and, once again, her contribution to our program was incredible - not just on the percussion side but also in increasing the band's musicianship as a whole.

In addition, Cheryl "stepped up to the plate" and took on some of my marching responsibilities when I got sidelined with a cellulitis (all better, thanks to Alice Bruggeman) and some of Kelly Smeltzer's music responsibilities when he was down with a crushing sinus infection on the first day of band camp.

Cheryl is an integral part of our band's success and I hope that we get to work together for many years.

Once again, thanks to the Marching Patriot staff and the most amazing group of kids in Jay County for another great summer.

Pete Vogler, band parent and member of the Marching Patriots band staff

Great help

To the editor:

The committee for the Women's Building at the Jay County Fair wants to thank everyone who helped this year in any way.

We don't want to miss anyone, so we won't name names, but you all know who you are.

There were 48 people who donated prizes for the drawings. There were 73 people who entered exhibits on Friday and Monday, and there were 379 entries.

The number of cotton balls was 108 and the number of marshmallows was 171.

I would not have made it if John Garlinger and Jim Slack were not there to help me (Evelyn).

See you next year.

Phyllis Johnson, Jessie Hodge and Evelyn Slack

Women's Building Committee

The facts

To the editor:

I can't stand on the sidelines as Dick Cheney makes comments suggesting that Connecticut voters are supporting Al Qaeda.

The facts:

•Five years after 9/11, the Bush administration has failed to keep us safe.

•The war in Iraq has diverted attention from protecting America from terrorism. This past week 9/11 commissioners said Iraq is distracting from security at home.

•The war in Iraq has inflamed the whole Middle East and is helping Al Qaeda attract new recruits. Osama Bin Laden is still on the loose.

•Katrina showed all of us that the Republicans aren't able to protect America at home. The Republican Congress hasn't followed through on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

•Republican political attacks during last week's terror threat are outrageous.

Don't let the Republicans get away with this, voters can express their anger with Katrina and Iraq. Now is the time to take a stand.

Derek Manson

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