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Home > FFAB > President

President`s Soap Box	Printer Friendly Version

This page will be used by the FAB President (Connie Jacobs) to express her views and opinions on many topics...like GET INVOLVED!

10/31/2004

WOW!!

What a show.

Congratulations Ferndale Golden Eagle Marching Band!

10/24/2004

As the Marching Band prepares for the State finals this week, I feel compelled to take a few minutes to express how incredibly proud we all are of this group of kids.

In Marching Band you donï¿½t sit on the bench. You donï¿½t rely on your star player to make the point. Everyone is in the game. Everyone is scoring points. Therefore, everyone has had to work incredibly hard to come this far.

Anyone who has seen ï¿½Pandoraï¿½s Boxï¿½ knows how good these kids are. Guard, Pit, Drumline, Winds, commanded by Gordon and Maryï¿½ they are all outstanding.

Iï¿½ve watched these kids over the past six months work very hard to become the class act that they are today. Iï¿½m not speaking of just their awesome job on the field; Iï¿½ve watched these kids off the field too. The support they give one another, the respect they show the other bands is indicative of what a great group of kids we have here. For example, at the last show, Ferndale and Harrisonï¿½s changing rooms were right next to each other. The Ferndale band was finished and just about to leave, waiting outside the rooms, when a number of the Harrison kids (who had just finished competing) walked through the crowd of Ferndale kids. Do you know what our kids did? They smiled and applauded the Harrison kids! The respect that they showed the musicians from a rival school brought tears to my eyes.

To Roger, Elon, Jason, Colleen, Joe, and the rest of the staffï¿½ THANK YOU! You have led our children through an incredible experience this year. The respect and patience you show as you work with our kids is phenomenal. You have shared far more than your knowledge and experience, you have shown our kids how to be good, caring, people. You must love them because I know you certainly donï¿½t do it for the money. Ferndale is incredibly lucky to have you on our team.

Personally, I donï¿½t need a group of judges at State Finals to tell me where Ferndale ranks. The Ferndale Golden Eagle Marching Band is #1 in my book. Thank you students, staff, and volunteers. You make the whole community proud!

Thanks so much to everyone that responded to our cry for help this past weekend at the Ferndale Art Fair. What a great group of people to give up their precious free time to help the FAB make some much-needed funds! I am very grateful to Bridget Maiorana, Pat Corrigan, Karen King, Mikki Kolar, Mary Korson, Bruce Bethuy, Cindy Chouinard, Vicki Brennan, Carol Olsen, Amy Jo Johnston, Jon Taisey, Amanda Jacobs, Hannah Tavalire (aka "Salsa Girl"), Cassie & Jasmine Johnston, Erinn Reeves (two shifts!), and always-to-be-counted-on Tammy Dengate. Thank you all so very, very much!!

8/29/2004

Fundraising, fundraising, fundraisingï¿½ and Interlochen Band Camp. What a great summer it has been!

Big thanks need to go out to all the ï¿½Flamingo Flockersï¿½, especially Tammy Dengate, Joan Weidner, Liz Pfleger, and Michele Podzikowski (and their ï¿½understandingï¿½ husbands). The final tally for flockings was about $2,500 for the Marching Band general fund.

The FAB concessions, headed up by Bruce Bethuy, have become a staple at the Ferndale Music in the Park series. It wouldnï¿½t be the same without a jumbo hotdog and chips from Bruce and his crew. Thanks!

The FAB booth at the Ferndale Art Fair was the ï¿½happening placeï¿½ this year. Our clearance sale of old Marching Band t-shirts and sweatshirts, along with some general merchandise from the General Store brought in over $500 for the FAB. Big thanks go out to everyone who volunteered to work this two-day event: Megan Chouinard, Jene Dupuis, Mary Fraser, Andy Hubert, Amanda Jacobs, Jawan Jackson, Donna Luo, Nate Papi-Wark, Laura Podzikowski, Daina Salayon, Bruce & Judy Bethuy, Pat Corrigan, Pat Fraser, Laura Mahler, Carol Olsen, Michele Podzikowski, Laurie Scott, and Kathy Wildfong. Thanks, guys!

6/27/2004

I finally spent some time to learn how to update the website (Thanks Tim!) and I can make my first entry (which may or may not be good news to everyone else)ï¿½

I certainly have some serious thanking to do. First and foremost, to Bruce Bethuy for his tireless efforts as President of the FAB in the first year of itï¿½s existence. As all parents know, a babyï¿½s first year can be pretty rough on Mommy and Daddy (almost as rough as those pre-teen/teenage years). ï¿½Daddy Bruceï¿½ certainly took good care of ï¿½Baby FABï¿½.

In addition to ï¿½Daddyï¿½ we have a whole group of ï¿½Auntsï¿½ and ï¿½Unclesï¿½ that need a heartfelt thank-you! Those individual that make up our FAB Board of Directors have spent countless hours establishing the organization by developing the by-laws (that was fun!ï¿½not), filling out paperwork, heading fundraising efforts, and generally stepping in to keep the mission of the Fine Arts Boosters alive while the organization becomes a working entity. Thanks guys!

Even though school is out for the summer, it doesnï¿½t mean that the FAB is on vacation.

The Marching Band committee, chaired by Jon Taisey is just getting going. I heard the band practicing the music from the new show at their last mini camp and I couldnï¿½t believe how great they soundedï¿½ and theyï¿½re just getting started. I canï¿½t wait to see ï¿½Pandoraï¿½s Boxï¿½ (this yearï¿½s show). The Marching Band (which includes the Color Guard and Pit) has 142 members this year (last count)ï¿½ thatï¿½s over 10% of the entire High School!! While weï¿½re talking statistics, 7 out of the top 10 graduates in 2004 were Marching Band members. The co-valedictorians, Elise Butler-Pinkham and Nathan Wiley were both Marching Band members. Nathan, who also received the prestigious ï¿½JFK Scholarshipï¿½, was one of the Marching Band Drum Majors last year (third year in a row that a Drum Major has won this award!). There just isnï¿½t enough room on this page to start listing the rest of Nathan and Eliseï¿½s accomplishments, as well as the rest of the 2004 graduates. What an outstanding group of kids! We will certainly miss them all. It sure says a lot about the Fine Arts programs at Ferndale when you have this level of participation. Which is exactly why the support of these fine programs is so critical!

In addition to the Marching Band committee activities, the FAB will be operating a concession stand at the Ferndale Music in the Park series at the Kullick Community Center. The dates and performers are listed on the FAB Event Calendar. If you want to help hawk hot dogs contact Bruce Bethuy.

Weï¿½ll also be having a booth at the Ferndale Art Fair in August. If you would like to be a part of that event (weï¿½re looking for fundraising ideas) please click here to drop me an email.

One final thought... getting involved is FUN! That`s true for students, parents, and community members. I joined the FAB in the first place because I thought it was important to support the Fine Arts in the Ferndale School District since my own two daughters were (are) very active in music and theatre. I stay involved with the FAB because I feel like I`m actually making a difference and having a GREAT time doing it!! Please come join in the fun. The more the merrier (and the less actual work we all do).

Connie

The new board of Directors have elected it`s officiers. click here for info.

4/20/04
I would like to take this opportunity to THANK everyone that has helped make THE FAB a success this past year!! I am sure you will all show your tremendous support of our new President, Connie Jacobs and all of the other officers of THE FAB From this point on, this page will belong to the New President! Congratulations Connie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4/8/04
The 1st Annual meeting was a success! A new Board of Directors was elected by the membership, and the new Board has set a date for it to meet for the purpose of electing itï¿½s Officers according to our by-laws for the next year. click here to see the new board of directors. Also the new FAB Marching Band Committee is planning an organizational meeting for the 21st of April in Mr. Smiths room. Check this site for further details.

3/31/04
NOW IS REALLY THE TIME FOR YOU TO GET INVOLED!! Your School District and YOUR Children need you! ...Please come and join THE FAB and help support our Fine Arts Programs...more info will be presented at the meeting. Click Here for General info Click Here for Candidate Slate

2/12/04
NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO GET INVOLED! As the FAB moves forward, you need to become informed as to how you can make a difference. The 1st step is to attend the General informational meeting on March 3rd, in the F.H.S. media center. There, you will have the opportunity to become an official member of the FAB and become a voting member of the new non-profit corporation. With your paid membership (only $5) you will become eligible to vote at our 1st Annual meeting on April 7th, to elect the Board of directors for next year. IF YOU ARE INTRESTED IN BECOMING A CANDADATE FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS you need to contact the nominations committee of Joan Weindner, Jane McBride, or Rene Shelly before 3/8/04.

1/25/04
ATTENTION GOLFERS and anyone interested in helping THE FAB! The time is upon us to get the ball rolling for the 8th Annual FORE KIDS CLASSIC, June 16th, 2004. WE NEED YOUR HELP! This is the largest fundraising event that we are involved in to date. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, THE FAB and the Ferndale Educational Foundation Co-coordinate this event and share the revenue. You can help us in many ways; we need people to help with DOOR PRIZES, "GOODIE BAGS", EVENT DAY VOLUNTEERS, and coordination of mailings. If you have any experience working on a golf outing, or would be interested in helping, please contact Bruce Bethuy or Theresa Dery @ 248-541-5787. Watch this web site for updates on the event as they become available.

12/10/03
I would like to extend my personal heartfelt thanks to all of you that have expressed your sympathy to me over the loss of my Father this past Friday. Through your encouragement, and the memory of his strong sense of commitment, I will proceed...and so life moves on.
Thank you one and all. Bruce

11/26/03
The DDA has generously offered the FAB the opportunity to run the 2 "warm up" stops during the Ferndale Winter Tale event Dec. 11-14th. We need volunteers to staff two locations from 6-9pm on Thursday and Friday and from 12-5pm Saturday and Sunday. It is up to us to determine what to sell and what to charge...we keep all profits! If you would like to help with this in ANY capacity, for ANY amount of time PLEASE contact Bruce Bethuy

10/28/03
A HUGE THANK YOU AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION IS IN ORDER FOR EVERYONE THAT MADE THIS YEAR`S MARCHING SEASON A SUCCESS! Many people are visible every week; like the GREAT people that make up the PIT CREW, led by the ultimate PIT BOSS Jon Taisey; and the great Hospitality moms, Pat Taisey and Michele Podzikowski; but there are many others who make this marching band season run smoothly. These folks are pretty much "invisible" to the rest of us, and never seem to get recognized for everything that they do...and it is allot!! The asterisk (*) denotes "alumni" parent. (That means their kids have already graduated, yet they continue to dedicate their time for the benefit of OUR kids!!)
Shoe Cleaning (they cleaned all the marching shoes... a section at a time)
Cheryl Moldenhauer, Ken Urban
Uniforms (fitting, hemming, cleaning, mending, and hanging them up properly after every wearing)
Carol Digby*, Sharon Bibik*, Becky Hammond*, Cheryl Moldenhauer
Flags (made new flags and mended....every week)
Carol Digby*, Sharon Bibik*, Connie Jacobs
Guard Outfits (sewed new outfits)
Carol Digby*, Judy Donlin*, Judy Bethuy
Guard Uniform Laundry (this is a biggie, not only did she wash every guard uniform each week, she washed the scarves by hand, and inspected and mended each uniform)
Marie Haener-Patti
Glove Laundry (another biggie, washed every pair of gloves and then matched them back up and placed in each band memberï¿½s assigned bag, each week)
Sue Rowe
Chaperones Carol Digby*, Sharon Bibik*, Carol Olsen, Cheryl Moldenhauer, Connie Jacobs.
(if I have inadvertently overlooked someone, I apologize.please contact me so that I may correct the situation)

10/14/03
THANK YOU to everyone that attended our 2nd annual "Dessert Social" last night. A great turn out enjoyed a beautiful fall evening, wonderful desserts, and a chance to watch the band go through a typical practice session. A 21 pit salute is also in order for every one of the Pitt members that provided all of the fantastic desserts! These parents are extraordinary in all of their efforts they put forth in support of our Marching Band. Donï¿½t forget to come out and watch us perform this Saturday at Lamphere.

9/28/03
WOW, WHAT A WEEKEND!! It started with the football game Friday night and just blended into the B.O.A. REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP event Saturday...
1st the football game, THANKS AGAIN to Connie Jacobs and all of her helpers for another Fantastic job running the General Store! The next home game is HOMECOMING Oct. 10th, it should be a huge night!! contact Connie Jacobs if you would like to help out!
A HUGE THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS IS IN ORDER FOR EVERYONE THAT HELPED MAKE THE B.O.A. REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP A GREAT SUCCESS!! This was the first time that we have been involved in "hosting" an event like this and what a fantastic job everyone did. The students that helped out especially deserve a THANK YOU you for all of their efforts and long hours, we couldn`t have done it without them! A special "Golden Eagle" award should be given to Mr. Smith, Matt Rossman, Connie Jacobs and everyone else that spent the entire day, from 5:30 am to "after midnight" helping run this event!! And remember, we pulled this off on such short notice (less than 2 weeks)!! If we get the chance to do this again, with more notice it will be fantastic. I heard a number of great ideas on how we could do even better. THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED MAKE THIS A SUCCESS!

9/21/03
Congratulations to the students and staff for another outstanding performance at the Flushing competition @ Eastern Michigan!! The pit crew and Props were awesome once again also.
Watch for information on how you can do the one thing I am always stressing...GET INVOLVED! Next Saturday, Sept. 27th there will be an opportunity for you to help the boosters in a BIG WAY...watch for news on the home page soon...

9/14/03
The first competition was a great success! As we started the new season, there were a few bumps, but we worked our way through them. Congratulations to the students and staff for an outstanding performance!! The pit crew deserves a standing ovation too. The props were erected (more then once) just to make sure we knew what we were doing!! (although the absence of Jim Chouinard was indeed felt, Jim Pfleger did a great job of keeping us on track.) I want to thank Jon and Pat Taisey for all of their outstanding efforts to keep us well fed and hydrated both during the competition, and especially afterward with the awesome bonfire and eats back at their house! If you donï¿½t know what I am talking about, then you NEED TO GET INVOLVED!!

8/29/03
As our 1st home football game is in the books, (I wish Ferndale had been victorious!) I need to recognize and congratulate some very important people: 1st, our general store coordinator Connie Jacobs and all of her dedicated helpers, Eileen Wunderlich, Tammy Dengate, Laurie Scott and others who stopped by to help! (Don`t worry, this was only the first game and now that people know they can get all of this great band stuff at the home games I am sure that they will support us!!) 2nd is our Awesome Hospitality leaders, Pat Taisey and Michele Podzikowski for providing our kids with some refreshments after their performance. Of course I have to thank the Pit crew for all of their help, under Jon Taisey`s direction, and to Tim Hubert (our webmaster extraordinaire) who secured the donation of our hard hats! (watch for these hats to change as we progress into the season...all I will say is think "Tempered Steel") Thanks to everyone who supports the Fine Arts Boosters in Ferndale!

8/19/03
Thank you to everyone that helped make the 50th celebration a great sucess!! click here for more information

8/4/03
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE GREAT VOLUNTEERS THAT HELPED MAKE THE RECENT ART FAIR CONCESSIONS A SUCCESS!! Thanks to the tireless efforts and generous support of the volunteers from the Fine Arts Boosters, we earned over $330 for this next year!! The volunteers were: Carol Olson, Kathy Wiley, Susan Papi-Wark, Nate Papi-Wark, Maddie Papi-Wark, Laura Mahler, Laurie Scott, Kathy Wildfong, Tim Hubert, Joan Weidner, Cyndi and Megan Chouinard, Jerry and Jan Price, Judy Bethuy, Bill Frazer, Mary Frazer, and Amanda Jacobs. SPECIAL THANKS are also due to Paul Schlottman for letting us use some of his art display tent during the rain; and to Connie Jacobs and Pat Frazer for all of their efforts to help organize this event and put up such a great display!

Thank you to all of our sponsors