BBS Day 6

Congratulations to all candidates!  The inaugural went very well, and all oaths of office have been administered - today marks the day when all agencies will be operating on their own.  It's been a long week getting everyone together and forming this governmental structure at BBS, but I'm very proud to see all the boys involved and taking in the experience.

Speeches from Justice Ann Walsh Bradley and Gov. Scott Walker were very well received, and I also am proud of the band that has come together to support all of the assemblies.  From where we came from earlier in the week having never played together before, we're now a great group and am very grateful for everyone's willingness to play during this week.

Two more days!

BBS Day 5

Another day has wrapped here in Ripon, and we're edging ever closer to inauguration and a wind-down of activities at Badger Boys State.  It has really been a fulfilling week so far on many levels, and I'm very interested to see who will be representing the State this year as governor. 

Wednesday evening saw the candidates speak and take questions as part of convention after everyone took part in the BBS state photo.  There were many moving stories by the candidates, but I hope everyone remembers to vote smartly.  Always take all factors into account!  Make sure you're informed!  :) 

The band is nearly ready to go for Thursday night - we'll have one more rehearsal to run the songs, and then we'll be set.  We also will have student conductors participating on Friday and Saturday, so the guys are also looking forward to that.  I'm always smiling about having them take part - for some its a thrill of a lifetime to conduct a band this size.  We'll see how it goes!

Speakers on tap at the inaugural include Ann Walsh Bradley and Scott Walker.  Sure to be good!

BBS Day 4, abbreviated

Sorry this post is getting here a bit later than planned - and it will be abbreviated since Tuesday activities are usually scaled back for me. 

Was a much cooler 4th day at BBS, which was very welcome by everyone.  The humidity was much lower and being outside was actually fun so many of the meetings and group events were enjoyed under the sun.  I got quite a bit of work done in the morning (had to discover what happened to the Col. Bogey March as almost all of my copies of it vanished) and then after lunch prepped before my afternoon rehearsal.  I was once again short on players but by late rehearsal time had about 75%.  This always happens and we're coping as best as we can with the former band numbers for Thursday and Friday.  I had a very nice evening though, as we had no assembly and I was able to catch up and spend time with two of my best friends.  Very fun.

We're back on schedule today with rehearsal and an assembly tonight before the state conventions.  Here we go!

the end of BBS Day 3

So, I decided to treat myself after the evening assembly tonight:

What do you think?

Got to see some rain this morning as the day got started - a nice change from the heat we've been having so far.  I always enjoy it when it rains...just calm and peaceful.  I got my work for the morning done, and then was able to meet up with a friend and former colleague from WLC who works near here - enjoyed some lunch and caught up.  My afternoon rehearsal was a bit sparse to start (as athletics began today) but eventually I had about 80% of the group arrive.  Always tough to run our more formal pieces without the full group, but that will be the norm now for the rest of the week.  We'll make it.

Tonight's assembly keynote featured Wisconsin's Attorney General, J.B. Van Hollen.  He's a very good guy and had a very personal message to share with the boys tonight about public service (I like the fact that he's a St. Olaf grad).  We also saw the city mayors and the state patrol get sworn into office.  County campaigning will soon begin!

BBS - Day 2

Gotta love Wisconsin weather - it's after 10pm and still 86 degrees.  My allergies are not having a good experience with it so far tonight.  Oh well...

A very successful Day 2 at BBS is now winding down.  The band did another excellent job tonight, and we even managed to put together the color guard portion in rapid speed.  I'm continually amazed at the gifts and talents the guys have at playing their instruments - such an impressive experience to be a part of.  Swing March was the hit of the evening - seemed as though the assembly really enjoyed it.

Tonight's featured speaker was Jim Santelle, the US Attorney for Eastern WI.  He's a former badger boy and has also been a city and county counselor in the past.  Was great to hear him - we ran into each other prior to my afternoon rehearsal and it was nice to chat for a little bit.  His experience working with the Justice Department in Iraq is fascinating, and speaks volumes about his knowledge and character.  To be able to advise and lead a new judicial system in a foreign country is an amazing accomplishment.

More fun in store for tomorrow...