Hot News

Updated Saturday, August 02, 2008 10:53:09 PM

Latest information is at the top.

August 17                   Chapel of the Four Chaplains Brunch- Carlisle War College-Sunday Brunch at 10 a.m. Read the story of the Four WWII Chaplains who gave their lives on the US Army Transport Ship Dorchester. http://www.fourchaplains.org  

August 22-24              Gettysburg National Military Park-- Living History at the PA Monument with the National Regiment Scouts loved this one last year. (This may be a good Saturday day trip, given the start of school on August 25.)  

Sept. 6-7                      Gettysburg National Military Park-- Living History at the PA Monument with the PRVC  

 Sept. 13-14                  Lancaster Historical Society Civil War Encampment TBA (BSA Explorer Post 1863 event—the candlelight camp tour is a big hit with visitors and family. Lancaster Hist Soc is a FDC supporter)

 

Sept. 20                       Pre-competition Exhibition, Tournament of Bands Lancaster Catholic HS Field.--early afternoon brief engagement –

 

Sept 20-21                   Old Fashioned Days? -- Conoy Park  (Sunday -short appearance if possible)

 

October 3-4                Willow Valley Retirement Community living history on the grounds of an historic farm (paid event)

 

October 10-12            US Army 3rd Reg’t “Old Guard” JR Fife & Drum Workshop, Fort Myer, Arlington VA (Fantastic event hosted by the very best fifers and drummers in the world) Registration opens in August! We will group register.  See video at  http://www.army.mil/fifeanddrum/about.html

 

Oct. 17-19                   Battle of Cedar Creek, Middletown VA (great event that we usually can’t make) http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrID=45852  

                                     

Nov 21-23                   Remembrance Day Parade Weekend, Gettysburg

 

 

 

 

TROOP 53 FIFE AND DRUM CORPS NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Mike Cassidy, Assistant Scoutmaster
BSA Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps
(& Field Music 1st PRVC/30th PVI)
P.O. Box 63; 104 East High St.
Maytown Pa 17550
h.717-426-3941
c 717-368-1235
newrycassidy@comcast.net
 
BSA Troop 53 at Battle of Gettysburg

Twelve scouts and three leaders from Boy Scout Troop 53 in Maytown participated in the 145th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg on July 3-6. The event hosted over 11,000 Civil War reenactors from all over the country who reenacted many of the battles that took plce as part of the three day battle of Gettysburtg on July 1-3, 1863. The event was held at the Redding Farm, three miles north of Gettysburg on Table Rock Road. Thousands of visitors were present on each day of the battle and well as dozens of Civil War era merchants called "sutlers." 
 
The Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps normally portrays the field music of the 1st Pennsylvania Reserves who in participated in the 1863 defense of Little Roundtop and other engagements. For the reenactment the Fife and Drum portrayed other unit including New York Volunteers who defended Cemetery Ridge against the main assault of of Confederate forces under the command of General James Longstreet in what would be know as Pickett's Charge. The scouts slept in period tents and ate period appropriate camp food including hardtack- the famous Civil War hard crackers so often derided by the troops.
 
In addition to participating in battle reenactments, the scouts entertained visitors  the Sutler's area and grandstands with Civil War music. Several older scouts also attended a reenactors dance held Saturday evening.
 
Any boy aged 11-17 may join Boy Scout Troop 53 and the Fife and Drum Corps. There are also opportunities for boys aged 14-21 to participate with the Fife and Drum through a scouting Explorer Post or Venture Crew. interested persons should contact Troop 53 Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Cassidy at 426-3941 or newrycassidy@comcast.net 
 

 

 

 

BSA Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps / Field Music 1st PRVC

Tentative 2008 Civil War Reenactment & Appearance Schedule

 The Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps was featured in the August 2007 issue of Boys’ Life magazine proudly portraying the Regimental Field Music of the 1st Penna Reserve Volunteer Corps (PRVC) at Gettysburg. We are the Field Music for the Pennsylvania Reserve Battalion and associate with the BSA Explorer Post 1863 in Lancaster and the Lancaster Co. Civil War Living History Association (which includes Co B, 1st PRVC). We have also joined with other reenactment groups at public living history events on the Gettysburg Battlefield.

 FDC events are in Bold. Troop 53 and other scouting events added in italics.

Many FDC events are appropriate for visitors--Scouts, Cubs or families.

Contact Mike & Jeanne Cassidy 717-426-3941 for more information.

UPDATED: April 28, 2008

 January 25                  Cub Pack 150 Pinewood Derby, Waldorf School Gym, Marietta

March 1                       TR 53 Ski Roundtop Trip (and Pack 68 Blue and Gold)

 March 6                       TR 53 Indian Ceremonial Team/Pack 150 Blue and Gold  

March 14-16               TR 53 French Creek Weekend (see note about PRVC Drill weekend)  

March 28                     TR 53 All Night Bowling (early morning March 29, Midnight to 7am)  

April 5                         TR 53 Hersey Bears Night  

April 6                         TR  53 Court of Honor, E-Town College . FDC to perform  

April 18-19                  TR 53 Pequea overnight backpacking trip (Note Date Change)  

April 20                       P. Cassidy’s Eagle Court of Honor-Donegal Presbyterian Church 3:00 pm                       

April 25- 27                 Neshaminy (Campaigns of 1863), Bensalem, Pa.  PRVC & Mifflin Guard http://www.28thpvi.org   

May 3                          Mayfest -Maytown Historical Society Saturday abt. 12:00 PM-2:00 PM? These FDC supporters would like some of the boys to play for this event  

May 16-18                   U.S. Army War College - Heritage Days, Carlisle , Pa

                                    PRVC Event (Note Conflict)  

May 16-18                   PA Dutch Council Camporee, Camp Bashore

 (MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS May 24-30)

May 23                                    TR 53 Decorate Marietta Cemetery w/ American Legion (5:45 pm-evening)  

May 24                                    Mount Joy Memorial Day Parade 1 pm also a Troop 53 event  

May 26                                    TROOP 53 Sausage Stand at Maytown Memorial Day Street Fair- 8am-3:30 pm

Marietta Memorial Day Parade, Cemetery Memorial (with Explorer Post 1863 and PA Reserves Color Guard) 10 am- 1pm

Dedication of Civil War Markers on previously unmarked graves of 7 soldiers of US Colored Regiments at Bethal AME Church , Fairview Ave , Marietta , TBA afternoon—LUNCH Provided

TR 53 street cleanup at about 3:30 pm  REFRESHMENTS AT CASSIDYS

Maytown American Legion Parade 5 pm  (also a TR 53 even)t  

May 30                        Sons of Union Veterans Lancaster Cemetery Memorial

Lancaster and Greenwood Cemeteries Friday evening  

June 6-8                      Gettysburg National Military Park-- Living History at the PA Monument with the PRVC (OA Weekend conflict; we will try to find leaders for this event)                                    

June 13-14                  TR 53 Battleship New Jersey (date change created conflict)  

June 13-15                  National Field Music School (optional. abt. $120 per musician—some other Mifflin Guard young musicians may be attending) Petersburg VA , (Conflict) www.nationalcivilwarbrassmusic.org/NationalCivilWarFieldMusicSchool  

June 17                       PA Dutch Council Recognition Dinner, Eden Resort. Oregon Pike, Lancaster- 6:30 pm (Tues). Flag ceremony and opening in CW Uniform  

June 22-28                  Tr 53 at Camp Rodney --summer camp

FDC will play at Retreat and Campfire  

July 4-6                       145th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg (This is a BIG event.)

http://www.gettysburgreenactment.com/battle.htm  

July 26-27                               Landis Valley ?(National Regiment/ 53 PVI event TBA)  

August /TBA                 Tr 53 White Water Weekend with campout on Antietam Battlefield  

August 22-24              Gettysburg National Military Park-- Living History at the PA Monument with the National Regiment (School Conflict? Weekend before school starts) Scouts loved this one last year.  

Sept. 13-14                  Lancaster Historical Society Civil War Encampment TBA (BSA Explorer Post 1863 event—the candlelight camp tour is a big hit with visitors and family. Lancaster Hist Soc is a FDC supporter)    

Sept. 19-21                  Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps Reunion – Dillsburg, York County .  Reenactors and Descendants PRVC (see below) short appearance an option  

Sept. 20                       Pre-competition Exhibition, Tournament of Bands Lancaster Catholic HS Field.  ---early afternoon brief engagement –  

Sept 20-21                   Old Fashioned Days -- Conoy Township Park ? (one day -short appearance)  

Sept. 26-28                  Gettysburg National Military Park —Grand Opening of the new Park Visitor Center-- Living History at the PA Monument with the Mifflin Guard (HS band conflicts likely)  

October 3-4                Willow Valley Retirement Community living history (paid event)  

October 10-12?          US Army 3rd Reg’t “Old Guard” JR Fife & Drum Workshop, Fort Myer, Arlington VA (Fantastic event for fun and instruction from the very best fifers and drummers in the world) http://www.army.mil/fifeanddrum/about.html  

Oct. 17-19                   Battle of Cedar Creek, Middletown VA (great event that we usually can’t make) http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrID=45852                                      

Nov 1                          Millersville Community (Homecoming) Parade (am paid event)  

Nov 21-23                   Remembrance Day Parade Weekend, Gettysburg

 

Notes and explanations on changes from original schedule:

We are an active Troop! ONLY  TR 53 EVENTS WITH DATES (through Spring) ARE INCLUDED—others will be added to schedule. For example, several TR 53 Bike Hikes are being planned for July and August TBA.  Fall troop events are in planning, i.e. additional campouts and hikes, raft/ kayak trip, Reading Rocks, etc. They will be added to this schedule as soon as dates are available.  TR 53 service projects and events are not generally included.  

April 19                                  Buchanan’s Birthday in April --1-2pm-- is removed from schedule (brief program).  

April 19-20                            New Date TR 53 Pequea overnight backpacking trip

March 14-16                           PA Reserves School of the Battalion, Bedford Village , FDC CANCELED

May 3                                     add Mayfest. We will try to form a small group for this event.  MHS has supported the FDC

May 26                                   add Dedication of Markers to 7 soldiers of US Colored Reg at Bethal AME Church , Marietta ,

June 17                                   add PA Dutch Council Recognition Dinner, Eden Resort. Oregon Pike, Lancaster- 6:30 pm (Tues)

June 28                                  Remove  145th Anniversary of the Burning of the Wrightsville Bridge –sorry but just no way

Sept. 20-21                            add pre-competition exhibition, Tournament of Bands Lancaster Catholic HS Field

October 3-4                           add Willow Valley Retirement Community Living History (paid event)

November 1                            add Millersville Parade is a paid event -- added for consideration 

Dec 7                                      Remove Marietta Christmas Candlelight Tour. Tour will have a WWII theme this year.

 

 SUNDAY September 30, 2007 --Marietta Pig Iron Fest 10:00am-4:00pm at Furnace Road Day Use Area just of Rt 441.  Fife & Drum will play in Civil War uniform at 2:00 pm if there is sufficient interest. Pick up uniforms at 5:30 on Thursday(before fife practice) or at 1:30 on Sunday at the Cassidys. The Wherleys are helping to organize this event. FDC members are welcome to play anytime during the day--contact Wherleys 426-0235.  Community service hours for Citizenship MB. 

 HOW MANY FDC MEMBERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR WEBELOS ACADEMY SATURDAY OCTOBER 27??? 

 NEED TO KNOW FOR PLANNING EVENT.

PS NEW uniform frock coats are in for try ons!!!!!!!!!!!!

 And dont forget Od Guard Oct 5-7

 

 

September 15-16         Lancaster County Historical Society Civil War Living History Weekend--An Explorer Post 1863 event where our help is sorely needed.  Scouts can do one day or the other, if not both.  Explorers may camp overnight—watch for Post 1863 notices. Sat and Sun afternoons plus provide some music for the Sat evening candlelight tour.

                                       

 

                                         THURSDAY ***Pick up uniforms on Thursday evening, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Cassidys or call to make other arrangements.

 

                                         SATURDAY Meet at Cassidys at 12:30  will return by 5:30pm

                                         SATURDAY EVENING Patrick, Kyle, and Fifenheimer will perform for the evening candlelight tour       from 7 - 10 p.m.  Any FDC member is invited to participate but must have own transportation.

                                         SUNDAY      Meet at Cassidys at 1:00  will return by 4:00pm

                                         Scouts may also meet us there if you have Civil War Uniform.  Just let us know.

 

 

October 5-7                 US Army 3rd Reg. “Old Guard” JR Workshop, Fort Myer , Arlington VA. We have five scouts going –Casey H., Darian E., Josh R., Adam N., Matt B. plus  Mr Cassidy, Mr Erb, Mr Neideigh & Donald Heminintz. We will arrange for rooms--one for the boys and one for adults. Report on cost to follow.

                                    SCOUTS MUST REGISTER ASAP ONLINE AT http://www.army.mil/fifeanddrum/workshop07_registration.html

                                          Officially registration is closed but they will take Troop 53 late ( I have turned in names)

 

 

 

October 13                  Millersville Homecoming parade --FDC will not participate this year

 

 

 

 

Great Job at the Millersburg Bicentennial Parade on Saturday!!  The applause was continuous. We received many compliments from the other reenactors/musicians and many people along the parade route. The musicans of the 11th PVI said we could play with them anytime.
 
 Thanks to Ben Andrick, Josh Jensen, Tommy Ness, Auburn Wherley, Kyle Rodenhauser, Matt Bortner, Patrick Cassidy, Adam Neideigh, Casey Hungler, Darian Erb, & Donald Heminitz
 
Thanks also James Meisenbach, Don Pentz and others from the Explorer Post 1863 and Augie from the 1st PA Reserves.
 
I didnt see any news coverage about us except a very brief piece of film of a drum and some feet belonging to one of the guys from the 11th.
 
But in case you missed it our Lancaster New Era coverage is still online
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/208576
 
Also the Columbia and other county editions of the Mechandizer have run our story that appeared in the Mt Joy Edition earlier.

 

 

THIS WEDNESDAY August  22         The reporter and photographer from Lancaster New Era will be at the Cassidys for pictures of the FDC. We will use that time for Scouts to pick out their uniforms for the Brittany's Hope Weekend!!!  If needed make other uniform arrangements let us know.  Meet at the Cassidys at 6:00 pm.

 

August 25 - 26                     Brittany ’s Hope Reenactment Weekend, Elizabethtown PA (Charity Event)

Due to many conflicts we will not stay overnight.  Meet at the Abel Home "Stone Gables" 1160 North Market St (just north of E-town) in Civil War Uniform... Saturday 9 am-5pm -- bring money for lunch or we will make a pizza run. Sunday 12 noon until 2 p.m?

 

 

REMEMBER THESE EVENTS!  If we have not heard from you, let us know asap!

 

September 1                         Millersburg Bicentennial Parade--A big paid event for us!

                                                We will have to leave the Cassidys by about 8:00 am returning mid afternoon.

                                                Explorer Post 1863 is helping with color guard and civilians to expand our impression.

                                                The 11th PVI Fife and Drum from Gettysburg will fill out our numbers. But it is our show!

                                                AM snacks and a lunch stop  provided no charge. 

 

September 15-16                 Lancaster County Historical Society Civil War Living History Weekend--An Explorer Post 1863 event where our help is sorely needed.  Scouts can do one day or the other, if not both.  Explorers will camp overnight. Mark your calandars and stay tuned.  NEW ADDITION TO SCHEDULE

 

October 5-7                          US Army 3rd Reg. “Old Guard” JR Workshop, Fort Myer, Arlington VA

We need to put in reservations NOW or at least very soon (scout uniform)

 

October 13                           Millersville Homecoming parade --a possible paid event  ANY INTEREST?

                                               Donald Heminitz and Mr Rorabough can be there but Cassidys can not.

 

November 16 - 18                Remembrance Day Weekend, Gettysburg , PA  

                                                If parents are interested in staying overnight Fri &Sat talk to the Cassidys NOW

 

December 2                          Marietta Christmas Candlelight Tour