BRAZIL —
The sound of water jugs gurgling was music to which the marching band could play.
A convoy of buses lined the parking lot of North Clay Middle School on Wednesday, where members of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps practiced for this weekend’s championships in Indianapolis. The brown withered grass they found on the soccer fields was expected, members said. But a boil order on Brazil’s water supply threatened to sizzle their hopes for rehearsal amid temperatures in the upper 90s.
Executive director Bob Jacobs said the boil order was a real surprise.
“Even a blind man can tell when the sun is shining, and it was pretty crunchy out there,” he chuckled inside the team’s air-conditioned RV.
In the end though, community support from Wabash Valley groups came gushing through, and the New Jersey-based group begins competition in Lucas Oil Stadium today.
Jacobs explained the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps boasts about 150 marching musicians between the ages of 14 and 21. Drawing from the 400-mile radius surrounding Philadelphia, it hosts auditions in the winter for the summer touring season, which contains more than 15 events ranging from parades to competitions. This weekend, the group competes in the Drum Corps International World Championships, and has been using the North Clay Middle School facilities as its rehearsal spot since Monday.
The team soon realized they require between 750 and 1,000 gallons of water per day, as musicians march about for hours in the sun, and meals are cooked at the site by parents and supporters. Boiling that volume of water was simply impossible given the circumstances, he said.
“We serve 800 to 1,000 meals a day off our food trucks,” Jacobs pointed out, adding parents of his musicians were calling in with concerns.
Dale Anderson, spokesman for the Wabash Valley’s American Red Cross Chapter, said the lack of water posed an immediate problem, and one which his agency could help resolve.
“It’s sort of an extraordinary circumstance. When you’re responsible for that many kids, you definitely need water,” he said, adding the members are about 800 miles from home and couldn’t just call their families for an extra jug.
Anderson called Angel Falls Water, a water bottling company in Clay City which uses a reverse osmosis process to purify public water. Lori Miller, who owns the company with her husband Rob, said their team had trucks loaded full of containers ranging in size from 20 ounces to 5 gallons.
“It was a fairly good sized order for as short of a notice as it was,” she laughed. “But we got it together at the last minute.”
Anderson said the marching band unloaded the trucks like “a little army of wheels,” passing jugs one to another in a line.
“It’s an amazing group. They’ve been on the road since June,” he said.
Wednesday evening, Drum Major Jon Lacy was among those drinking his share from a jug as the group rehearsed.
“It’s nothing new. We’ve certainly had to deal with our fair share of heat this year,” the 21-year-old said, remarking this season’s tour took the group as far west as Texas and all along the South.
A student at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Lacy said the Clay County heat that afternoon was dry, which seemed better than if it were humid.
“But I remember this being a little greener last year when we were here,” he quipped.
The City of Brazil has been on a boil order since Monday, when a 12-inch water main broke in town. Personnel at the town’s water office said the boil order should be lifted no later than Friday.
For Jacobs, the week presented a “teachable moment,” as the students were told to consider that only in developed countries such as America is such an occurrence considered uncommon.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Water for the Surf: Jersey Surf band member Zach Doyle, 17, of West Orange, N.J., downs some water during a break from practice Wednesday at North Clay Middle School in Brazil. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza)
-
Water cooler array: Members of the Jersey Surf Bugle Corps practice with their water jugs set in front of them Wednesday at North Clay Middle School in Brazil. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza)
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Keeping the band hydrated: Water bottles stand at the ready for thirsty Jersey Surf band members Wednesday at North Clay Middle School in Brazil.
Discussion
Liquid Band Aid: Community support flows for 150 New Jersey-based musicians practicing in boil-order stricken Brazil
Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps competing in world championships in Indy
- News
-
-
Back home again: Items from vaudeville stage and Terre Haute native sent to Historical Society
The staff at the Vigo County Historical Museum are excited about the arrival of priceless items used by Terre Haute-native Rose Fehrenbach and her husband, Edward Pierce, to promote their Vaudeville acts in the early 20th century.
-
Husband charged in Archer homicide
Terre Haute Police have found local reports of domestic violence between a Terre Haute man and his wife, whose body was discovered wrapped in a tarp and dumped in an Ohio ditch.
-
National Road panels dedicated
Rewind to the mid-1800s, when the trotting of a horse and buggy on National Road could be heard alongside the voices of people heading west, searching for opportunities.
-
Pence sets agency priorities
Following a directive from Gov. Mike Pence, state agency heads are reorganizing some of their top priorities to better reflect the first-year governor’s “roadmap for Indiana” plan for improving the state’s economy, infrastructure and health.
-
Another I-70 traffic snarl: Three injured in two related crashes
Three people were injured Monday afternoon from a pair of crashes on Interstate 70 that temporarily closed the highway and diverted traffic into Terre Haute.
-
Terre Haute man still hospitalized after scooter/car crash
A Terre Haute man remained hospitalized Monday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after his scooter struck a car early Saturday on Wabash Avenue at 25th Street.
-
Overpass repairs causing Interstate 70 lane restrictions
Repairs to the Frye Road overpass in southeastern Vigo County has caused a restriction to the left lane of Interstate 70 between the 13- and 14-mile markers, about two miles east of the Indiana 46 exit.
-
Indiana woman condemned for killing at 15 is freed
A woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for taking part in the torture and murder of a 78-year-old Bible studies teacher was released from an Indiana prison Monday after growing to middle age behind bars.
-
Grant will let Vigo Library evaluate map collection
The Vigo County Public Library has received a $2,000 grant to evaluate its historic map collection, a library official announced Monday.
-
Four juveniles caught on elementary school roof; one injured jumping off
Police say a juvenile was lucky to have suffered only a broken leg after jumping from the roof of a Vigo County elementary school – dropping about 30 feet to the ground.
-
Farmersburg man sentenced after guilty plea in rape case
A Farmersburg man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to a rape that occurred at his parents’ residence in May 2012.
-
Still no information being released on Rosedale homicide
No new information was being released Monday afternoon concerning a Rosedale homicide.
-
Fathers take time out to spend quality time with children, grandchildren
A big, circular white cloud rose up through the tall atrium as Mike Woods held his 4-year son, Nathan, Sunday at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum.
-
On Friday, hit the park and raise funds for skateboarders
The On-board United Initiative — O.U.I. for short — has scheduled an all-ages fundraising event Friday in honor of national Go Skateboarding Day.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Sentencing law could benefit juveniles
Monica Foster is a longtime public defender who’s been pushing uphill in the legal system for a long time. So, when she says the General Assembly is making progress protecting the rights of the disenfranchised, it’s worth stopping to listen to her.
-
Mastering the art of Gardening
The Wabash Valley Master Gardeners group gathered over the weekend to marvel at each other’s gardens on its annual garden tour. The event was a chance for master gardeners to showcase their labor of love, meanwhile sharing stories about their plants.
-
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: June 17, 2013
The Vigo County Health Department inspected the following food establishments May 28-31:
-
Lawn mower fire destroys barn
A lawn mower that caught fire was cited as the cause of a fire that destroyed a single story barn Sunday in the 2000 block of North Chamberlain Street, said Harold Osborn, assistant fire chief of the Lost Creek Township Fire Department.
-
Wabash Valley residents vie for spot on Wheel of Fortune
Ellen Fujawa of Zionsville wants to be on the popular syndicated Wheel of Fortune game show.
-
No ID yet on body found in Rosedale home
Sheriff Mike Eslinger said his department is waiting to obtain an immediate family’s confirmation of a woman found dead in a home in the 2900 block of West Rosehill Lane.
-
Vigo School Corp. eliminating bus transportation for middle school sports teams
The Vigo County School Corp. will no longer provide school bus transportation for middle school athletic events, starting with the 2013-14 school year.
-
B.J. RILEY: Fathers are an inspiring figure
Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a salesman. In grade school, I was so excited about selling candy bars or candles or whatever the chosen product.
-
‘24/7 Dad’ program focuses on key fathering characteristics
Terre Haute resident Aaron Poarch grew up without a father. His stepfather died when he was a teenager and just quite recently met his biological father.
-
Blues mosaic fundraiser to benefit Boys & Girls Club
A photographic mosaic, featuring images of the Blues at the Crossroads Festival from 2004 to 2012, was unveiled Saturday as part of a fundraiser to benefit the Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club.
-
Meeting June 18 to discuss cleanup of former Coke, Carbon site
The public can learn more about plans to clean up the former Terre Haute Coke and Carbon brownfield site Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Booker T. Washington Community Center
-
South Vigo Jets teams raising money for trip
The Terre Haute South Vigo Jets Varsity A and Junior Varsity B teams have qualified for national competition and are working to raise funds to help cover expenses.
-
United in Service: 300 volunteers take part in United Way’s Day of Action
As a graphic designer for Clabber Girl, Denise Turner usually sits in front of the computer most of the week. But as a volunteer on Friday’s Day of Action, she was outdoors spreading mulch at a community garden.
-
Police investigating Rosedale homicide
Parke County authorities are investigating a homicide at Rosedale.
Sheriff Mike Eslinger confirmed Friday afternoon that police had been called to a home in the 2900 block of West Rosehill Lane on a report of a dead person. -
Homicide suspect’s father: ‘I am so sorry’
The father of a Jasonville man charged with murder broke down in tears following his son’s appearance in Greene Superior Court on Friday morning.
-
African Methodist Episcopal Church reaches out to youth through Sunday School
How to make church relevant for today’s young people is a challenge that some dedicated pastors and youth ministers are willingly taking on this weekend in Terre Haute.
- More News Headlines
-
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Robot Action Connected to Human Thought
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Today in History June 18
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies
NBA FINALS: Spurs Win Game 5, Lead Series
