These are the old Guest Book entries from the old Guest Book. They are newest to oldest. Enjoy!!!
Dennis Kauffman, CSB
Detroit, MI
Hello Everyone:
I have tried my best to
adjust my schedule so as to be able to join you for at least a part of the
reunion this weekend, but it just is not working for many reasons.
Our Basilian community here at
Catholic Central just moved into a new residence over the Labor Day weekend
and things have not gone as smoothly as planned with the move.
Our football team is off to a great
start this season, having won their first three games by scores of 49-0;
35-0; and 49-0, all against some very good teams.
This Saturday we play our arch-rival, Brother Rice H.S., in what is
promising to be quite a matchup.
It's comparable to an Aquinas-McQuaid game of the '60's.
Also, I am to preside at our Senior
Mass and Blessing on Sunday morning, which involves all of our senior
students and their parents. If I were to come to the reunion I would have
had to take the day off on Friday and would still have had to return to
Detroit on Saturday because of the Mass on Sunday morning. Anyway, I hope
that all of you have a wonderful reunion.
I would have loved to have seen you all and seen and heard how the
years have treated you. I hope
someone will take pictures and post them somewhere for all to see. God bless
you all.
Dennis Kauffman, CSB
September 16, 2009
Dan Kinney, Durham, NC
Now that Dave Rigby is present and accounted for the
Class of 69 Color Guard family is whole once again.
:) Our 40 year reunion is
coming up in two weeks and although we all won't be able to attend we can
take solace in knowing we are all alive and well and just an e-mail or phone
call away. The power of the internet is truly amazing. Let’s all try to stay
in touch going forward. The only person still un-accounted for too my
knowledge is Steve Martone from the class of 1970. Hopefully one day he too
will stumble upon the website and will sign the guestbook. Keep hoping and
keep checking back. I'm am looking forward to a great reunion weekend. I
will see everybody soon.
Dan Kinney
September 2, 2009
Dave Rigby, Cape Coral Florida
How's this for luck! I found this site by accident and
now it's time for an update - we all know where my where-a-bouts are! I
moved to Florida in 2003 after the company I worked for 16 years started the
layoff process and downsizing. I managed to miss 3 rounds but finally got
caught in the fourth series of layoffs. Marti and I decided to pack up and
move into a winter vacation condo we bought in 97 - getting away from crappy
job prospects and the winters. We have 2 super daughters and 1 grandson -
our oldest is getting married this coming January. Our youngest is a Captain
in the Air Force soon to pin on her Major Oak Leaf in December. Her husband
just pinned on Major in August 2009. Marti
and I ended up getting out of condo life and built a house in 2007 but we're
still doing the decorating , but it's home. Marti is currently Director of
Nursing for the Lee County Jail and I'm still working in marketing as a
database analyst. It's good to see so many have signed the guestbook. Thanks
Dan for making it easier for all of us to keep in touch. Regretfully I will
not be able to make it to this year’s reunion due to scheduling conflicts.
Take care to all.
Dave Rigby
August 31, 2009
John Palermo, Rochester, NY
Again, many thanks to you Dan for all your efforts both
in creating this website and putting this Alumni Reunion together. My wife
and I are looking forward to hosting the general get together and seeing
many of the Guard Alumni from over the years (as well as their wives,
friends and significant others). As you know anytime we get together the
stories that are told and perceptions of experiences related leave us always
with that strong bond of friendships never to be duplicated from any other.
See you and all those who come soon.
John Palermo 67'
August 22, 2009
Tom Albright, Zürich, Switzerland
Dan (and Bob),
Wow! I feel like I'm in a time tunnel! You have
accomplished something great here. Congrats, and thanks for the memories!
My thanks also go to my lifelong friend, John Castelein, for alerting
me to this website a few weeks back but, more importantly, for getting me
interested in joining the AQCG 42 years ago.
It was an honor to carry the sabre for a couple of years (after a
mediocre career on rifle ... couldn't keep my day job). I remember going to
the Nationals in New Orleans ('68) where the cockroaches were big enough to
climb the stairs in our accommodations (an abandoned military barracks where
we got a great deal. We were 4th in the country there thanks to Jim Allen's
leadership and a fine team, and we were able to repeat that accomplishment
in '69 in Atlanta, building on the momentum. My fondest memories are of
Father Whitley's pursuit of excellence (that he instilled in all of us,
although we made his face red), and our pursuit of the Sherburne, Camillus,
Kearney, Wavette, et. al. gals.
Now I really know why I joined CG instead of the baseball team ...
Sincere best wishes to all,
Tom Albright (retired
AQ; Kernel - '71)
Married, 2 children (17 and 12 years)
Zürich,
Switzerland
August 12, 2009
John P. Hall, Youngstown NY
Great site. I ‘ know how I missed so many happy hours. Was I supposed to turn in my uniform?
John P. Hall
August 12, 2009
E.J. Ricotta, Planet Tucson
Wow, talk about a blast from the past!! Anybody
remember running up the Washington Monument with me?
E.J. (a.k.a. Eddie, a.k.a. Ric) Ricotta, Tucson AZ
August 11, 2009
Karyn Turner, Sherburne Colorguard, Rochester, NY
Hello to all of the AQ Guard!! Such fond memories came
flooding back as I was watching the AQ Signature Moves all over again...we
worked so hard to compete against you...no wonder so many Sherburne girls
had crushes on those sharp looking guys in uniforms!! Thanks for putting the
website together and including us in it as well!
That was a great time! I am living right here in Rochester now and
looking forward to seeing many of you at your reunion in September.
Karyn Turner
August 9, 2009
Jim and Kathy Allen, Pittsburgh, PA
We are thrilled to sign in and say hi to all of you.
Kathy and I are doing great three children, all grown (duh) and two
grandsons. We plan to come to
the 40th and catch up with many of you.
See ya
Jim and Kathy Allen
August 5, 2009
John Castelein,
Rochester, NY
I was tipped off recently by a friend to check out this
web site and what I found amazed me.
This is an incredible collection of memories.
A really fantastic job.
It did my heart good to see the names and pictures of both my brothers, Jim
Castelein '65 (Color Guard) and Dan Castelein '67 (AQ Band)- both are
deceased. Among my many memories is Mr. Kinney who would always say “Shoot
the sherbert to me, Herbert”; Dan, I will send an e-mail with my
recollections of New Orleans (don't want to clutter up the Guest Book.
Thanks for doing this. Now that
I know about it, I'll pass it on to others.
John Castelin
July 9, 2009
Steve Roeger, Rochester (scottsville)
Very nice job with the class of 73. Brought back a lot
of good memories. Let me know when the locals get together next, I wouldn't
mind meeting some of the “older guys”.
Steve Roeger
June 12, 2009
Ben LaCorte, Cary, NC
Dan:
Phenomenal job! Give my thanks to Bob.
You both did a very first class job with the class of '72, '73 and
there were some '74 shows tucked in there too.
Whoever timed the rifle line's “off the line burst of color”; with
the music in the third video, all I have to say Bravo!
Very very nice! You guys
can edit my home movies anytime, especially the nearest and dearest ones.
And thank you for the website in general.
With much gratitude.
Ben LaCorte '73
May 4, 2009
Bob Colby, Atlanta, GA
I just converted some 1972/1973 video of the color
guard for this site and I must say I was completely bowled over. John Hall
('70) and I 'invented' flag twirling but you guys mastered it. And the
rifles were fabulous. It really made pine all over for the good ole days.
Dan should have that video posted soon. great job, guys.
Bob Colby
April 16, 2009
Mike Fullam, Mifflinburg, Pa.
Jym Ellison and Pizza Paolotto, email me. We had many
memorable times, as did our “ancestors” from the 60's.
I believe beers are in order!
Great website!
Mike, dee drummer for da guard
October 11, 2008
Frank
Paolotto, Washington, DC
Dan and other of class of 69. Thanks for all your time
and work on this. I was a freshman your senior year. I remember carrying
flag stands with Jym Ellison, phone books and Atlanta. I do get back to
Rochester at times so keep me informed. Also the class of 73 gets together
at times.
Thanks Again
Frank
Paolotto
September 7, 2008
Mary Kay (Hamill) Mitchell, San Francisco
Nice site, Dan...Great to see you boys all remember
your Glory Days so fondly.
Mary Kay (Hamill) Mitchell
August 21, 2008
Troy Burkman,
Austin, TX
I just found out that I work with Bob Colby (one of
your alumni) and I told him that I marched with the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle
Corps from Rosemont, Illinois. I just recently marched in their 60th
Anniversary Alumni Corps at the DCI World Championships and ran into several
Alumni who remember the Aquinas Color Guard- so I wanted to congratulate you
all on your upcoming 40th Anniversary and I am glad to see your photos and
videos on this site. Thanks for keeping this alive and I wish you all the
very BEST! SPLOOIE!
Troy Burkman
August 19, 2008
John Palermo, Rochester, NY
Great additions to the site, Just came back from a road
trip out west. My son and I went on a excellent adventure to Denver. I
helped him move there. Had a chance to visit with Don Brookins for the
fourth of July our mini reunion and western connection.
hope to see you all at the next Aq
Guard watering hole reunion in Rochester.
John Palermo
July 7, 2008
Bernie Dick, Rochester, NY
Terrific website!
Aquinas Band, Class of 64
Bernie Dick
June 22, 2008
Cindy Welch, Sherburne, NY Color Guard
So many wonderful memories!!
When I saw our signature pin at the top of your page it was just the
coolest thing! I graduated
1974(rifle) was in the color guard since 1969. Would love to hear from
anybody that remembers the “Sherbune Gals”.
Cindy Welch
June 16, 2008
David Allocco, 1967, Phoenix, AZ
This website, the photos and videos brought back a
number of great memories. I had
the great pleasure of serving as Manager of the Band and Color Guard during
my time at Aquinas. I helped Fr.
Whitley and Fr. Udall with gear and uniforms.
Who can forget Fr. Whitley's Color Guard practice sessions, “Push
Drive, Push Drive!” I remember
going to Washington, DC in 1966.
That was a great trip. Also in
1966 we marched in the Hudson’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit.
We stayed in the same hotel as the San Francisco 49ers.
There were 10 of us whose names were pulled out of a hat, and we went
to the game, sat on the field behind the players, and watched the 49ers beat
the Detroit Lions. My other
favorite memories include playing for President Johnson when he came to
Rochester. We were also the
“warm up group” for Bobby Kennedy when he ran for State Senator.
As the Manager, I watched from the sidelines at the Color Guard
competitions. The State
Championship competition comes to mind.
The Aquinas Color Guard was in the middle of a great performance.
Before it was over I heard a parent from one of the other schools say
to his neighbor, “Look at these guys.
You're looking at the State Champions!”
David Allocco
March 31, 2008
Mike Fullam, Aquinas--Now Pennsylvania
Great job on the site!!
I drummed after Dave Rigby for the next three years and had a
fabulous time. Paul Adamission
was the subsequent drummer to me and I did get to come back from college to
drum one more time as Paul had SAT exams that day.
Paul was in our wedding.
He is now in Orlando Florida. I
followed Dave to the Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. And have taught many,
many drum lines and color guards since then.
Good, great and kinda awful.
I will look for more memorabilia from guard and would love to knock a
few back with fellow guardsmen.
Keep me informed and I'll keep checking the site for updates.
Aquinas evermore!
Mike Fullam
March 29, 2008
Sue Shaw, Rochester, NY
Dan,
I saw your notation in my son's (2005 graduate)
Landmark. It was so nice taking a walk down memory lane with all the
pictures and videos. I attended many of your competitions being a close
friend to Kathy (Rice) Allen and I was a rifle in the Blue Angels with her.
You guys were an AWESOME guard! While I don't recall that many memories of
my high school days, being in a guard, going to competitions, and watching
you guys perform has always stayed with me over these many years. This site
is a nice way to keep those memories going. Kudos to everyone who worked so
hard to put this together.
Sue Shaw (Nazareth '69) March 28, 2008
Larry Behr, Buffalo, NY
Dan,
Really happy to see this, read about it in Landmark
(where my bro Tom has a pic on page 3 this mo. with other Houston alums). My
bro Dave was captain of the CG in '66, so have sent the link to all my
family. Great to see messages from my classmates, all of whom I remember
with much fondness and hope to see at the next reunion (I have not been able
to make one for a long time, sad to say). Take care and my best to all AQ
alums and their families!
Larry Behr
March 24, 2008
Jym Ellison, Rochester, New York
Dan,
Great job on the website, as a freshman when you guys
were seniors you probably don't remember the lower classmen any better than
I do those that carried on the tradition after the class of '72 graduated.
You've done a truly outstanding job putting together the website and I hope
that more former guard members get a chance to view it! Please keep me
posted if any reunions pop up in the future, I'd love to see you guys and
hash over the 69 Atlanta Nationals.
All the best,
Jym Ellison
March 21, 2008
Terry Gleason, Raleigh NC
Dan,
Great talking with you last night and now seeing the
great job you've done with this web site.
So many things I have completely forgotten about in the past 40
years. Look forward to getting together for a drink and the next CG reunion.
Maybe we should start a NC chapter!
Terry Gleason
March 11, 2008
Dan Kinney, Durham, NC
Finally a secure guestbook that hopefully won't be
spammed.
Dan Kinney
February 26, 2008
Dan Kinney, Durham, NC
For those of you who knew Roy Balma I discovered
through a google search which took me to a page associated to the Sherburne
link I have that Roy has passed away. For
anybody who didn't know Roy he was the color guard instructor for Sherburne
and a really great guy and friend. I had hoped through this website that we
might be able to reconnect with Roy someday, but I guess that is now out of
the question. I am still hoping that we can connect with some of the gals
from Sherburne, the Blue Angels, Wavettes, Bishop Kearney, West Genesee
Wildcats or whoever. Thanks for all the positive feedback and keep checking
back often for updates and news.
Dan Kinney
February 26, 2008
John Palermo, Rochester, NY
Dan,
This website, you have created, is a special compliment
to all of those we marched with and those that march after us. I know this
is a labor of love for you and is greatly appreciated by me and anyone who
enters into it I'm sure.
Thank You
John Palermo
November 5, 2007
Phil Knight, Rochester, NY
Ah yes Dan, I did know that Roy passed away and i
apologize for not mentioning it. Also, I found out 2 days ago that Karen
Hobbs passed away this week. It was not in the paper but many of us will
fondly remember her. (Right Bob Andrews????)
Phil Knight
October 26, 2007
Dan Kinney, Rochester, NY
Bring it on Moe.
Dan Kinney
October 26, 2007
Tom Cottrone a.k.a The Moe, Rochester, NY
These are some fun memories that keep popping up in my
mind when I read the new updates. But be warned - you don't want me to bring
out the “Artichoke Notebook”.
MOE
October 23, 2007
Wayne Rabideau, Racine, WI
Dan,
This is such an awesome gesture on your part to help
keep the memories alive. Fabulous job and kudos to Bob Colby as well. Your
message hit home as I read your introduction. You couldn’t have said it
better, shame on us that we haven't stayed in touch. I'm grateful that I
still have contact with some members of the guard such as yourself, (a good
friend for many years as well as godfather to my daughter, Julie) and Tom
(Moe) Cottrone who just happens to be my brother-in-law. One regret I have,
is not making it back for the 30 year reunion in 1999, I will be at the next
major CG reunion whenever, that may be. I have heard some people say they
would never want to relive high school, but I do have cherished memories of
those years in the guard and if there were certain moments to relive I would
have to include those years. I hope all visitors to this page enjoy it as
much as I have.
Wayne Rabideau
October 16, 2007
Terry Brookins, Charlotte, NC
Dan,
Superb effort on the web page and Mr. Colby, thanks for
assembling all of “Whit Johnson's”; historic prose! We were that good and
were led by the senior guardsmen to carry on a great tradition. I'm no
longer able to twirl due to Multiple Sclerosis and am now fighting for
disability rights, having been terminated by my employer, The Speed Channel,
an outfit I helped found 11+ years ago. My current web address is
tbrookins1@carolina.rr.com. I was in Rochester on reunion weekend with my
two older brothers this past September and don't know when I'll be able to
return. I'll have to sell my home down the road in a bit, but in the
interim, I'd welcome an update from any of the best pass-in-review linemates
with whom I was fortunate enough to “eyesright--NOVE!”.
Terry Brookins '70
October 13, 2007
Comments by unknown person
This was such a special time in our lives. Good
friendships, lasting memories. Certainly formative years for us all. Thanks,
Dan for your efforts to connect us and help us recall all of that. It seems
like it was only a moment ago........
Comments by unknown person
October 12, 2007
Comments by unknown person
Dan and crew, Great job with this website. It brought
back many memories of my own with the early days with the Greece Cadets and
following their guard. Time sure does pass quickly.
Comments by unknown person
October 12, 2007
Tom Cottrone a.k.a The Moe, Rochester, NY
Hi Dan. The Website looks very sharp. Great job. I know
it takes you a lot of time to do this for all of us lazy turds out here who
don't keep in touch like we should. Thank you again for that. The color
guard kind of made us a “Band of Brothers” for our brief time at Aquinas.
It's fun to look back at the good times we all had.
Moe
October 12, 2007
Bob Andrews, Rochester, NY
Dan,
The site looks great. Thank you Bob Colby! The videos
bring back so many memories, it's incredible. The picture of myself on the
ground at the State Fair made me laugh out loud. I'm looking forward to
another outing.
Bob Andrews
October 11, 2007
Bob Colby a.k.a Dr Vee, Marietta, GA
Danno,
This is terrific. Now I'll be able to contact ALL my
old girlfriends from Sherburne and Wildcats. Hope they're all still 18 years
old. The video is incredible! Who IS this Dr Vee guy? He's terrific.
Bob Colby
October 11, 2007
Phil Knight, Rochester, NY
Dan,
Once again we must rely on you to keep things going.
You have done a great job with this site. Only you would have thought of
this. Hopefully you will have many, many hits on this site.
Thanks
Phil Knight
October 11, 2007
Bill Correnti, Wilmington, NC
Danno,
This is one fantastic job. So many memories. Sure do
miss not being there for the mini reunions. Would like you to add address
book with e-mails, Phone numbers and locations so that if any one goes on a
trip in our areas they would be able to get a hold of us. Please feel free
to use mine.
Bill Correnti
October 7, 2007