Were you ever in the Dowagiac Chieftain Band?

If you were and were unable to attend the FIRST ANNUAL REUNION on Saturday, Aug. 21, you really missed something special.

There were 80 past members present covering the years from 1948 (Marilyn Ropp) and including 1983 (Carol Novak).

What an evening. Included in this party were past band directors  R. E. Bowling, Bud Andersen,  Norman Vance, Rich Bressler, Tom Stansifer and current director C. J. Brooks.

Memories were heard throughout the room all evening.

As you know, this reunion was for band members 1960 through 1973.

Linda Gardner and Linda Nelson did a fantastic job putting this all together.

Some of us came in after the initial meetings were held and enjoyed being a part of the planning.

During the evening Mr. Stansifer asked the directors to share some of their memories and, of course, there were many, one being apples on the front porch, TPing of trees, etc.

Others renewed old friendships.

Mr. Andersen did remark that he had been waiting 40 years for something like this to happen and he was sure not disappointed.

C.J. thanked past directors for setting the standards for the past bands and hopes to keep them going.

Our thanks go out to all attendees.

We hope you had a good time and will come back for the next reunion (bigger most likely).

We are hoping to cover all the bands from when the Chieftain Band began up to the present day.

Thank you last, but not least, Kyle Belew and his crew at the Wounded Minnow.

The food was excellent and the staff was great.

Thank you for all your help prior to the reunion and during.

It couldn’t have been done without  you.

Thank you all.

Excellent job by all.

Sharon Deal Harnden

Class of 1960