News From the Top - February, 2025

St. Patrick’s Day is coming. So let’s review several options:

No…. we can’t get together to do a parade. We have to keep that memory box of that idea on hold for now. But we do have (4) four options to celebrate our patron saint and the visit, and see our friends who in most cases shared a lot of our youth.

1.MILWAUKEE AREA GATHERING
Free pizza and great music at Milwaukee’s Organ Piper Pizza (4553 S. 108th Street), on Sunday, March 16 starting at 4:30 pm until 8:30 pm. The Corps is buying the pizza, and for those wanting liquid refreshments, a cash bar is available. Come on time or come later. We want to see everyone and hear about their life’s adventures. All flavors of pizza will be served until 8:30 pm. Wear GREEN. Wear your Corps jacket or shirt. See people you haven’t seen in years…. Diana Kuupinski (#214), John Schoenknecht (#444), Murray Davis, and Roman & Sue will also be there!

2. CHICAGO AREA GATHERING
For those living close to Chicago or any area for that matter, on March 17th from 3:00 – 7:00 pm, our Drum Major, Ms Jackie Bilder (#1787), has a very successful business called, “Natural Law Bar & Grill” located at 13404 Olde Western Avenue, in Blue Island, IL. She will have a complimentary buffet for everyone!

3. PIONEER POWER PACK BINGO!!!
The Pioneer Bingo will be having a special “Power Pack” Session on Saturday night, March 15th, in Milwaukee (Cudahy) starting at 6:00 pm … 2 regular Sessions plus The Progressive Jackpot, and the Power Pack. The total prize money for the evening will be $4,000,00! Or more, depending on the Progressive. So, have a night out (You deserve it!) Try to win, and meet the many people who support the games…. TAJ PALACE 3665 EAST GRANGE AVENUE CUDAHY 53110

4. BELLE CITY BRASS!
Before our Pizza Party on Sunday, March 16, go to Kenosha and listen to the Belle City Brass Band’s Irish Concert. Admission is a donation. Enjoy a first class performance by this group founded by former Pioneer arranger Ken Norman and now headed by former Pioneer Brass Instructor (1982 – 1994), Jim (Mertz) Mertins. His whole family participated. Eric (#1028) is now a member of this band and is an awesome euphonium soloist! There are about 50 brass musicians. The concert begins at 3:00 pm at UW Parkside Frances Bedford Concert Hall, after-which we will travel to the pizza Party in Milwaukee. The entire weekend will be filled with guaranteed satisfaction!

PIONEERLAND WEDDING
This past June Drum Major (Little Bear) Nick Fugh and Madiline Bruens were united in marriage in a beautifully decorated building at Pioneerland. White wall panels filled the hall. White area paper streamed from the ceiling. The all-purpose garage was completely reformed into a giant wedding hall. About 170 people, mostly from Illinois, were in attendance. Nick and Manny welded a huge metal heart together. Today Nick and Madiline live in Fisher Illinois. Nick is the owner of his welding shop. He also helps farm for his grandfather’s as well as the farm’s neighbor’s huge area of corn.

BUS COMPANY IS GROWING
KB Bus Company, who park their buses at Pioneerland,. Now with 9 beautiful late model MCI motorcoach buses. they built a heavily insulated wall and ceiling area to have a warm space to take care of routine maintenance and repairs in a warm environment,

NEW ENTRANCE GATE TO PIONEERLAND.
A new heavy duty sliding entrance gate has been installed at the vehicle entrance of Pioneerland.
While it only looks locked, its purpose is to keep unwanted visitors such as truckers making u turns as well as local people who come to dump their used tv’s, couches, and you name it, onto the land.

DAVE RICHARDS
In October, Mr. Dave Richards, having run with Pioneer, a very successful “Judges’ Reunion” in Racine, WI. passed away from a heart attack. Dave was St. Pat’s first brass instructor as well as arranger. He was a very talented musician. He also was a mailman for the U.S. Postal Service in Milwaukee. Dave also worked with many of the top Corps in the activity. He used his abilities to make some very highly entertaining Corps shows! He also was recognized as a great brass judge it many band and Corps contests throughout the country.
At Dave’s funeral, a tape recording of Dave singing some church hymn solos. “A Closer Walk With Thee” described the feeling of everyone in the ceremony. His beautiful tenor voice and his thoughtfulness while sharing his talents and memories, with his wealth of his knowledge and experiences, made him truly an iconic leader of the drum and bugle Corps activity.
Dave, you are truly missed!

 MILWAUKEE SENTINEL NEWSPAPER FROM OCTOBER 22, 1876

RB NOTES….
This building was what we know of as the school. You can see the stained glass window frames in the gym. There’s not a lot of changes to the building as it still continues to be useful.. We were very blessed to have had the use of this building from the time our St. Pat’s Corps began. “Irish Coffee” sure has changed today.