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A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
5
November 21, 2012
I
NKSTER
- P
LYMOUTH
The
Plymouth-Canton
Educational Park Marching Band
(PCMB) was among the 12 nation-
al finalists in the 2012 Bands of
America Grand National
Championships at the Lucas Oil
Stadium in Indianapolis Nov. 10.
The Plymouth-Canton band, the
onlyMichigan band to be included
in the prestigious list of 12 high
school bands, made its twenty-sec-
ond appearance as a National
Finalist in the 36-year history of
Bands of America. More than 500
marching bands participate in
Bands of America competitions
leading up to the 4-day annual
event in Indianapolis, Ind.
Carmel High School from Indiana
was named the Grand National
Champion.
The
Plymouth-Canton
Marching Band, led by Director of
Bands David Armbruster and
Associate Director Jonathan
Thomann, came in 12th place out
of 87 bands last Saturday evening.
The 172-member band wowed the
audience with the 9-minute pro-
gram titled “The Last Dance” par-
ticularly when a giant grey shroud
depicting a dark cloud was pulled
over the entire band and across
the stadium field. The music in
the program included “What a
Wonderful World” by Louis
Armstrong, and “Time in a Bottle”
by JimCroce.
This year, the Plymouth-Canton
band also reclaimed their Flight I
State Championship status on
Nov. 3 at Ford Field. The
Plymouth-Canton musicians also
were named Bands of America
Pontiac Regional Champions on
Oct. 6.
“Everyone's floating on cloud
nine right now,” exclaimed
Armbruster after the award. “It
was a very good year for the band.
They set some really high goals
and they achieved them.”
The students returned from
their trip on Sunday afternoon to
cheers, banners, and car horns.
With unseasonable warmweather,
the Plymouth High School park-
ing lot was transformed into a sec-
ond celebration as the students
disembarked the buses, unloaded
equipment and props, gathered
their luggage, instruments, and
finally headed home. But first, the
Plymouth-Canton Drumline did
one final presentation for the
crowd of students and parents
gathered around.
Along with Plymouth-Canton,
three additional Michigan bands
participated in the Grand
National Semi-Finals including
Jenison High School, Rockford
High School and Walled Lake
Central HighSchool.
The Plymouth Canton High
School Marching Band comprises
172 students from Plymouth,
Canton and Salem High schools.
In 1990, 1991, and 1999 PCMB was
named
Grand
National
Champions at the Bands of
America National Competition,
earning the first place title over 93
other bands from across the
nation.
Plymouth Community United Way and
the Plymouth Whalers are hoping it will
rain a torrent of teddy bears after the hock-
ey team scores its' first goal against the
Kitchner Rangers Saturday, Dec. 1, at
Compuware Arena, 14900 Beck Road in
Plymouth.
This year, the 13th annual Teddy Bear
Toss will not only provide toys to brighten
the holidays of needy children, but pay trib-
ute to the five branches of the United States
ArmedForceswithaSalute toOurHeroes.
After the second intermission, local rep-
resentatives, on behalf of the military
branches, will receive certificates of thanks.
Active and veteran soldiers with military
identification will be admitted to the game
free. Discounted $10 tickets are available
for their familymembers.
Fans at the game will have the chance to
show their appreciation by writing post-
cards to thank soldiers for their service.
Formore information, call Pat VanDusen
at (734) 453-8679, ext. 7.
For tickets, call (734) 453-8400 or visit ply-
mouthwhalers.com.
Last year, more than 800 teddy bears
were thrown onto the ice creating an ava-
lanche of stuffed animals.
This year, fans are being asked to bring
an abundance of bears to top that total. The
funbegins at 7:05 p.m.
Visit www.plymouthunitedway.org to
learn about a variety of ways to give and vol-
unteer.
Serving the Plymouth and Canton com-
munity since 1944, the Plymouth
Community United Way strives to address
human service needs for individuals and
families.
Annual ‘Teddy Toss’ will
benefit Salvation Army
From hotcakes to backpacks, Starfish
Family Services in Inkster has upcoming
events to help parents and children in the
area.
One of the first will be an annual holi-
day tradition when McDonald's franchise
owner Jon Campbell serves hotcakes and
sausages to all the families gathers for the
Parent Empowerment Program at 9 a.m.
Dec. 1. Last year, more than 100 parents
and children filled an elementary school
gymnasiumfor the event.
This year, Chicks for Charities, of
Canton Township, will return to take holi-
day photos of families at the event which
will take place at 30000 Hiveley Road in
Inkster, theStarfishheadquarters.
Children at Starfish Family Services
who are on the federal free and reduced
price meal program will receive a back-
pack of food to take home for 38weekends
during the school year.
The backpack food includes easy-to-
prepare, ready-to-eat foods, like granola
bars, juice boxes, macaroni and cheese
and oatmeal.
Starfish will distribute the backpacks
to 50 children beginning Dec. 3 at the
organization headquarters, 30000 Hiveley
Road.
For more information about this pro-
gram, visit http://blessinginabackpack.org/.
That program will be followed by a
food distribution to Starfish families on
Dec. 8.
Additionally, Starfish is looking for peo-
ple in the community to join the Adopt-a-
Family program and help them during he
holidays. The benefactors will be provid-
ed a list of needs, clothing sizes and other
information to help them provide gifts for
a needy family during theholidays.
For information on the Adopt-a-Family
program, call (734) 728-3400, ext. 3345.
Starfish announces local programs to aid children
Everyone's floating on cloud nine right now.
It was a very good year for the band.
They set some really high goals
and they achieved them.
”
Plymouth-Canton band is ranked in top 12