NO. 9 ON THE ROAD- STRATEGY- GIVE UP A TEN

            September has arrived, number nine on the road to 2009.  The months do go by, and the clock moves  even faster before this road will come to an end. What has been planned on paper will now take shape in the form of daily and weekly sessions both indoors and outdoors.  For many mummers to road just to reach to September, has been with many set backs, raising the needed funds has not been easy. Fund raising requires a variety of direct communication to the public.  Sponsorship is also on a down side, as the current state of the economy requires a deli gent inventory as to where any dollar is spent.  Likewise for the mummers themselves, raising a family, plus the other debts that the cost of living throws at them, money for mummery can also face major cuts. But, whatever the financial set backs, you can be sure that when the road to 2009 reaches January 1, those who are known as mummers, those who have struggled to reach that street, will go up that street in the true tradition of this way of a mummer.

 

            Strategy for mummers has always been a plan, and this plan, is to bring to the street, a theme, with color, costumes that catch the eye, and a presentation that will sell it  In the past, when mummers like Chick Veasey arrived, he always put forth a stunning and colorful suit whether it was when he was captain of the Satin Slipper Fancy Brigade or when he paraded in the Handsome Costume category. Although he no longer goes up the street, Chick for many years made costumes and mummer dolls.  Like wise for Bruce Andrus, who carried large creative and colorful entries in the Handsome Costume category, and when he could no longer parade, he created many an award winning entry's for the Golden Sunrise Fancy Club. Likewise the same for John Lucas, now the main administrative head of Golden Sunrise, John still keeps his hands in designing many frame and trio entry's.  The late Bill Doyle, made and carried without wheels many award winning frame suits for Golden Sunrise. The tradition set by him of no wheels is till carried on these days by his two sons.  Mark Wray, retired captain of Hog Island Fancy Club, changed the look and presentation for Fancy Club Captains with a creative never before seen presentations that brought him many first prizes.  Jimmy Donaghy, retired captain of the South Philadelphia String Band, always presented himself with every step that the theme required.  Jimmy performed for the crowds, and the crowds loved him. Bob Shannon Jr., recently retired from Quaker City String Band, known as the good will ambassador, his presence at the head of the band, plus entertaining the crowd, brought him many loyal fans.  Like wise for Bill Speziale, former captain of Ferko, his choreographic abilities became a legend and brought him many a first prize string band captain status.  The late John Lavigna, captain of Liberty Clowns Comic Club, was a smooth master of bringing forth creative and colorful presentations to the Liberty's look on Broad Street.  Bill Isaccs is a legend, no words can ever capture this master mummer. Bill's creative hands and ideas brought the Downtowners Fancy Brigade, an organization that he founded to crowds that screamed bravo at their New Year's Day presentation.  When the late Bill "Grand Marshall" McIntyre founded the Shooting Stars in 1947, a legend was born.  The early years found him doing what ever was needed to keep the Stars on the street. Bill used to say, "Broad Street is where we perform, but Second Street is our home".  One must keep in mind, the past had many creative individuals who with their hands, and guts to make that street, paved the way for many to continue that road today, the road to January 1.  In my next column, the mummers of today, those daring men and women, who continue the legacy of yesterday, but with a touch of today.

 

            Can you give me a ten?  Ten dollars for a one year membership.  The membership for the Mummers Museum.  The building at Two Street & Washington Ave., needs money for much needed repairs.  If every mummer came forward with a ten dollar bill and secured a one year membership, this would be a much needed blessing for a structure that has the past, present and the hope for mummery for the future.  Even though your club, band or brigade may be a museum member, what is needed is individual contributors.  We can't afford to lose the Mummers Museum.  Call the museum at 215-336-3050,to find out more, or mail your ten dollars to the Mummers Museum, Two Street & Washington Ave. Phila. Pa. 19147.  Attn: Membership.  Or if you will be at the weather permitting String Band Concerts that are held on Thursday, 8pm, as Trilby performs on September 11 or on September 18, when the Hardly Ables will perform, you can bring your ten then.

 

        Mummers String Band Association's "String Band Weekend In North Wildwood" is set for this Saturday, September 6.  Starting around 4:45pm, the following String Bands will perform along Olde New Jersey Avenue, Greater Kensington, Hegeman, Woodland, Polish-American, Avalon, Ferko, South Philadelphia, Quaker City and Fralinger.

 

        The Mummers Chorus is set to add their voices during September, first this Saturday in North Wildwood as part of the String Band entertainment.  Then on Tuesday, September 9, at Citizen Bank Park, when the Phillies play the Florida Marlins, they will sing our National Anthem.  On Tuesday, September 16, the Mummers Chorus will entertain a group pf Irish Boxers, professional fighters from Ireland.  The event will occur at the Saints Mummers Club, Swanson & Jackson Streets.

 

           On the "Good & Welfare Status", Ferko String Band recently presented the 2008 Jimmy King Memorial Scholarship to Alejandro Arroyo from Roman Catholic High.  Jimmy Kind who died in 1998, was the cousin of Tommy, Joey, Bob, Ronnie and the late Jimmy "King James: King.  On Sunday, September 14, Ferko will be leading a "Walkathon", through the streets of Bridesburg to help raise funds for a young girl who was recently diagonsed with muscular dystrophy.

 

            Mummers are mourning the recent passing of John Herms.  John who spent his many mummer years parading with various Fancy Brigades(Chas. Ray, Avenuers,and Saturnalian) was recently a marshall with Downtowners. He was also a veteran member of the Mummers Chorus.