MARLBOROUGH – More than 100 alumni and guests were on hand for the Dukes Drum and Bugle Corps and the Duchess Drill Team Reunion on Nov. 11 at the Loyal Order of the Moose on Fitchburg Street.
“This reunion was a reunion where some of us hadn’t seen each other for 50 years,” said Laura Brissette, a member of the committee.
There were many families attending the reunion who had several members in attendance who had marched with the corps, including the Phillips, DiTommasos, Morgans, Foleys, Leahys, Thebados and more.
Also included in the reunion guests was their enthusiastic drum corps fan, Bob Spirio of Marlborough, who travelled with them and attended every show.
The friends, family, former instructors and quartermasters of the corps and drill team mates, back in the day, dined on an Italian dinner.
Featured at the event was a display of the uniforms they had worn as well as flags and a very large memorabilia table displaying old photos, program books, badges, instruments, equipment and more.
The Drum Corps and Drill team were organized in 1964 by the Rev. Thomas Curtin of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Marlborough. They entered the field of competition in 1965.
Hundreds of kids participated in the drum corps and drill team and later in the Junior Dukes. In the circuit, each were champions many times over.
The groups were also seen in all the local parades and competitions.
Members of the reunion committee included Laura DiTommaso Brissette, Ralph Belmore, Sue Ponti, Dan Caruso and Karen Gaucher Widener.
The group is planning another reunion in 2025 to celebrate their 60th anniversary of taking to the field of competition.
MARLBOROUGH MAYOR Arthur Vigeant joined members of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation , Marlborough Recreation Department, Marlborough Department of Public Works, members of New England Sports Center and family and friends of Wes Tuttle to unveil the new scoreboard at the Dek Hockey Rink at Ghiloni Park. Special thanks went to H. Larue Renfroe, owner of New England Sports Center, for his generous donation of the scoreboard in memory of former NESC General Manager Herbert “Wes” W. Tuttle.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Marlborough High School students selected for this year’s Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association Festival. They are: Lianna Denney, chorus; Dylan DuPont, chorus; A.J. Jimenez, chorus; and Devin O’Rourke, jazz ensemble.
MARLBOROUGH RESIDENTS can drop off their Christmas trees at the following locations from Jan. 8 until Jan. 19, 2024:
• Memorial Beach parking lot – Causeway Street (off Hosmer Street)
• Back entrance road to Ghiloni Park – 265 Boston Post Road East (entrance near Fire Station 3)
• Parking Area – 45 Jefferson Street (across from Kelleher Field)
• Jericho parking lot – 410 Brigham St.
• Felton Conservation Area parking lot – 798 Elm St. (near the Fish and Game/Muddy lane)
Please make sure to remove all ornaments, lights, and any other decorations prior to placing at collection site. No artificial trees accepted.
There will be signs in the immediate vicinity to direct you to the designated disposal area.
For further information, please contact the DPW directly via email at dpw-[email protected] or call the DPW at 508-624-6910.
If drop off doesn’t work for some Marlborough residents, members of the Marlborough Junior Woman’s Club will pick up your tree between Jan. 8 and 19 for a $20 donation. Email your name and address to [email protected].
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Jan. 5 – Ed Clancy
Jan. 7 – Judy Reynolds
Jan. 9 –Caitlin LeDuc
Jan. 10 – Barbara Hogan
Jan. 12 – Joanne Bonin
Jan. 13 – Mary Lou Vanzini and Joe Tunnera
Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan. 16 – Katherine Hennessy
Jan. 17 – Linda Oak
