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- Photos by Rick James nd h TWOSECTION BUWIVIANVILLI±, UN'1'AiIIEJJ, W1~I>NI~SDAY, APRIL 14, 1976 by Margaret M. Killeen -#Who's the leader of the Band That's good for you and me? B-0-W-M-A-N-V-I-L-L-E Bowmanville Band, Mr. Tremeer! (to the tune of Mickey Mouse) That's the spirit that went along on the two Travelways buses as they travelled all night with ninety-three ex- pectant passengers who had left a large crowd of well wishers at Bowmanville High School on the Thursday pre- vious to the Winter Break when the B.H.S. Band set out on its 3500 mile excursion to DisneyWorld in Florida. Even as we waited, only a short time, for the one lucky student who had hopefully placed her name on the last minute call list, we all wondered just what lay ahead on a trip with so many apparent difficulties. Several of the band members were really not well enough for such an exhausting experience; the freezing ram and snow gave a dismal beginning to a trip which was starting at the end of a school day; and the very mixture of age groups, class- mates, friends 'and only acquaintances which would be spending at least twenty-four hours in the close confines of a bus, ail caused some appre- hension as our cheery bus drivers, Ralph and Earl started out the journey which we in Bowmanville had anti- cipated and worked towards for the last six months. However, we were not long on the road before those eager teenagers were settling in to a night of games, songs, tricks and fun and the teachers and chaperones got down to the serious business of worrying what they'd got themselves in for. By the time we reached the U.S. Customs at about two 'k.m. we had left the bad eather behind, had done ery little sleeping, were becoming better acquainted and suddenly seemed to sense the smallness of our group as we were individually asked to provide identification before gaining entrance to our neigh- bouring country. When our second drivers, Howard and Bob, came on duty at about 5 a.m. all fresh for a new day, we, the all night travelIers were beginning to feel the cramps, aches and pains that come from trying to sleep in curled up, and sitting up positions. It had been a long night. However with the new sunny day came the excitement of new scenery from the fine Highway No. 75 and the hope of a good breakfast. As we approached Lexington, Ken- tucky we began to see the magnificent white-fenced horse farms with grass so green, and wild plum and forsythia already in blossom. Then we ail seemed to realize just how far we'd driven in the darkness. Our breakfast stop was fairly long but it also served as great time for stretching aegs, cleaning up a bit and changing travelling compan- ions and we did enjoy hearing the slow southern conversa- tion from those in the restaur- ant and gift shop who 'hought we ail talked much too fast. Back on the buses and on through Dog Patch ( a large pottery factory) near London, Kentucky where we also saw truckloads of coal being haul- ed through the town. We considered dropping in on the "Hatfields and the McCoys" as we passed the small mountain huts built on ledges in the rough, very poor and sparsely forested areas of Tennessee. We were quite aware of the serious problems they are having with erosion as we noted the tree planting, and even their attempts to save the soil along the highways by spraying with a kind of straw and chaff which stili clung to the evergreen plantings. We saw cattle grazing on small hillside farms and were glad as we approached the state of Georgia to see a leveling of the land and to notice their red soil which reminded this writer of P.E.I. What a thrill it was as we all tried to locate the right Howard Johnston's Motel in Atlanta, Georgia, (even with ail our back seat drivers) to see finally, a large neon sign spelling out "Welcome Bow- manville Band" and to be greeted, as we stepped off the bus after riding twenty-five or six hours by our own Mr. Wolff! And did we ever "Welcome their beds"'. Saturday morning we ail got an early call and proceeded through Georgia to complete our trek to Florida. We noticed pecans for sale picnicking along the roadside and even a questionable sign "Let's get out of the U.N." - all Aers that we were no n Canada. ,iust comment on the fabulous cafeterias of the South as we visited several. Their enormous roasts, cap- able bus boys, large quantities of food and even cloth napkins were very unusual to regular Canadian tourists. As we arrived in the state of Florida early after lunch on the warm, sunny, Saturday the lovely, gently rolling farm scenery was only marred by one billboard after another advertising tourist attrac- tions, highway safety and conservation, and even gun control. Naturally we were impressed by the extensive- ness of the orange groves as they covered the white and dry looking land on both sides of the highway, as far as the eye could see. Even to people who are accustomed to large orchards and big farming operations this is a sight worth remembering. We were surprised by the large beef herds which are in Florida. Somehow it never occurs to many of us that the southern vacationer's para- dise is also a very productive agricultural area with highly specialized farms especially in citrus, dairy, beef cattle and field crops. Our accommodations in Orlando, Florida were splen- did and what quick change artists we all turned out to be, for that Welcome Dinner was attended by 95 of the neatest, best-dressed tourists who ever lined up for a buffet. After a short rehearsal, some visiting with a band from Tennessee, some swimming and fun, we all settled down to enjoy our stay in Florida. The chaper- ones had a good time too. Silver Springs: This is one of Florida's large, ancient Lime- stone spring areas which really bas a South Sea atmosphere with its magnifi- cent sub-tropical flowers, palms and cypress trees. Our band paraded smartly and played well for a short concert here but unfortunately the extreme heat, length of trip etc. took their toll on some of the Band members and all were relieved when uniforms were removed and everyone dispersed to enjoy the glass bottomed boats for viewing the boiling up of the springs many feet below, fish, turtles, rare underwater plants and to hear that this is the site of many well-known movie pro- ductions which incidentally have left many remnants of underwater and jungle movies and commercials for the tourists' enjoyment. The jungle cruise and rep- tile institute with wild boars, ostriches, alligators and snakes also provided views of subtropical existance very new to many of us. This was a splendidly relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon for our Band who had really earned a treat, Walt Disney World This is a completely new kind of vacation experience which is indeed very worth- while for all ages - an entire community of 27,000 acres designed at a cost of almost six million dollars. Walt Disney's ideajust previous to 1965, included the need foran expansive area of land with full control of the environment to ward off any unsuitable elements and also plenty of room for future expansion to satisfy growing public needs. Since Florida already attract- ed millions of tourists who travelled mostly by auto- mobile from as far west as the Rockies, Disney decided that this was the perfect setting to compliment his already exist- ing Disneyland in California. How right he was! As our two Travelways buses approached the climax of our six months work project we found ourselves in very heavy traffic enroute to this marvellous feat of construc- tion with its hotels, beautifully landscaped lawns and amuse- ment centre and maze of roads and side roads leading to its various centres. How- ever, we were quickly direct- ed to our destination - a behind the scenes parking lot which would be the starting place for the big parade - our very reason for being there. After a short briefing by a fine co- ordinator, we were instructed to do the only "stupid" thing of our day to walk la twos out of this very private area. With our free passes (earned by the Band, of course> came the instructions of how to best put them to use and without a doubt, they were well utilized by the Bowmanville visitors. The only unfortunate part of the day for the Band members was the waiting time they spent ln that private area where, of course, they were unable to see very much of the parade. This daily, larger- than-life parade of characters is assembled to depict the entire 200 year history of the United States and that day our band came, in ail its splen- dour, at the very conclusion of the procession, just after the band from Tennessee which had cheered us on over at Orlando at our Saturday evening rehearsal. We understand that our band is the first Canadian High School group to perform in this Bicentennial parade and it was certainly obvious from the cheers of the crowds of over 50,000 people who were present that day that Canada was well represented among the spectators. We were well received to be sure! To begin to comment on all the tremendously exciting attractions that we viewed that day would be hopeless. BHS band in action at Daytona Shopping Centre. Tiki Bird House at Disney World. More dancing bears at Disney World. Jim Vandergaast, Sandy Kernp and Angus Francis on drums, with Howard Anyan in the background. The special effects, animation and variety of attractions beyond description are in this place where it's next to impossible to tell the real from the unreal. I will just conclude by saying - a day's visit to Walt Disney World is well worth any person's trouble to get there and better still would be a longer stay. John F. Kennedy Space Centre The J.F. Kennedy Space Centre is the major U.S. centre within NASA for the development of launching philosophy, technology, pro- cedures, and launching facil- ities for space vehicles, scien- tific meteorological and com- munications satellites. Besides its very interesting and complicated scientific appeal it was a surprise to us to discover that this centre which consists of an area of 17,000 acres is also a preserve for game and wildlife, an old Indian burial ground with ancient lighthouse which only adds to the great value of such a tour. Perhaps the most interest- ing part of our two hour visit here was to stand in the actual Launch Control Centre with its thick concrete walls and heavy steel door to protect the 250 people who man the buttons, dials, guages and gadgets which control the departures of such exciting communication satellites as the one we saw in readiness for launching on Thursday, March 25. We also viewed the 3rd stage of Saturn 5 rocket at Kennedy Space Centre eight acre assembly building - a mammoth steel structure which is the third largest building in the world where seventeen space vehicles have been constructed to date. The launching of Apollo il from this site which carried man to the moon received the most publicity of any single world event to this date. Because of the security regulations we did seem to be whizzed past several of the areas where work is la progress for the Revolution- ary transportation system - the Space Shuttle which hope- fully will be launched in 1979. We wondered if, by then, our Band might be ready for outer space. Daytona Shopping Mall Since most band mothers likely received a souvenir from Daytona they will be assured that our Band did spend most of one day there, as well as a few good Canadian dollars. The Band played a fine concert inside the Mail to an appreciative audience - many of whom were Canadian and because of a Canadian radio broadcast in Florida, several Bowmanville and Oshawa res- idents had made a point of being on hand for the event. Our visit to Daytona Beach was a bit disappointing in that the weather was very over- cast, windy and cool but that did provide a relief to the chaperones who had read and heard of many unsettling developments in that area the night before. However, the rugged B.H.S. folks all took the opportunity to test their skills at body surfing and The imposing Castle at Disney World. found it an exhilerating ex- executed by our fine drivers miles. At any rate, as we'd perience. who, ne doubt, were as predicted, we ioued into Home Again pleased as we were to have Bowmanville and its cold, With all our places of missed the tornade which was gusty damp weather, iight on interest covered we enjoyed predicted for Dayton. As time and for the mest part, at another big complimentary usuai, with travel, it neyer least, ail feit that it had been buffet dinner, purchased seems as far on the retura 10 days well spent and a oranges for Mom and Dad, trp. Or maybe it was the Winter Break te remember. had a long swim, took some Anyan jokes; the bubble gum "Bowmanville Band, Mi, sun and watched as all the contests; the assorted card Tremeer baggage was stowed away games with or wîthout Forever we Wiihold or into the buses and wished we gambling, the undercover banners high were just starting our Winter plans for how te get iid of Cere along and sing asong, Break again. chaperones that helped us la and join la harmony The trpe back was safely passing the time and the B-O-W-MrA-NsV GI, o, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY,- APRIL 14,1976