1966

After Playing in Grantham for five years it was time for me to move on to the Optimists for the next four years. I joined up almost as soon as nationals were over and wore “Green” for the first time in a blizzard up in Sutton doing a Christmas Parade. What a way to begin my new career!!

It was quite apparent that when I joined that there had been quite an exodus from the 65 Corps, the old “Age Out Factor”. “Not to worry” said George Wright, “we’re the Optimists”.  With a crew of stalwarts like Johansson, MacKenzie, Thompson, Kaiser et al we got to work.
 

Our first show of the year was in St. Catharines (my home town) and I remember well the Corps condensing the field show into an arena size floor area. Unbeknownst to me was that the rumour mill had been working over time and that the “word on the street “ was that the Optimists were done! Shortly after our rehearsal time a couple of friends from Grantham came up to me almost breathless to announced that they had never seen the Optimists look and sound so good – the rave reviews began coming in.

Pre-show Inspection (1966)

Our next big moment came about a month later at the Shrine Show and now I knew I had hit the Big Time. The mood of the Corps kind of surprised me as every one seemed pretty calm and confident but what did I know?? I was just a rookie – Mike Thys’ rookie to be accurate. I thought we did a pretty inspired show and a couple of hours later we had beaten the Chicago Royal Airs. Not bad for my first competition. The rest of the year was pretty much a blur except I do remember being billeted with Danny Panessa who was at the time Garfield’s Drum Major. A heck of a nice guy but the rest of the trip was a disaster as we got blown out of that Eastern Circuit big time. It was a long bus ride home. During that season we also had a good rivalry going with St. Joe’s of Batavia. One win for them in Batavia and one win for us in Sarnia – no bragging rights for that season.

Toronto Optimists at the 1966 Shrine Contest

With the season behind us it was now time for Nationals and while we did some fantastic shows over the next four years I have to admit that none was finer than Montreal in 66. Many stories circulated for years over that one and anyone who hasn’t read that story in our Corps History should read it. Friends of mine in St. Joe’s who took in the show said it was all over in about 8 counts as the Corps literally did a show of a lifetime. Now no more Rookie stuff for me – I had earned my championship and there were more to come in the ensuing years.

A special thanks to Barry Bell, what a pleasure to work with such a professional and a man who taught us a lot more than about Drum Corps. To all the guys who marched in 66–it was a hoot and an experience of a lifetime. (by Brian Byrne)

Toronto Optimists (1966)