End of an Era
On Oct. 8, 2025, Marquis of Granby Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps held what may be its last Wednesday night practice. In reality, it was an opportunity for current members, instructors, leadership and parents to say farewell. Several members have since moved on to other junior corps and will continue honing their remarkable skills.
While the assets and legal organization currently remain intact, operations became untenable due to many of the struggles outlined in my last Drummer article. The remaining board members met in November to discuss an exit strategy and timeline for the dissolution of the organization.
Ultimately, barring a team of passionate leadership coming forth to resurrect the operations of the beloved Marquis of Granby, we will donate the remaining assets to other junior Fife and Drum corps and organizations that support the rich tradition of Fife and Drum. The current timeline would involve disbursement of assets beginning in the fall and concluding before Dec. 31, 2026, with the final tax return being filed in 2027.
We are also hoping to hold a gathering for alumni families and instructors this summer. Stay tuned for more information on that as the summer approaches. Meanwhile, if alumni or community members have any interest in discussing the future of the organization, please reach out to me at director@marquisofgranby.org
Yours in the ancient spirit,
Kimberley McCord, Treasurer 2022-present and Director 2015-22
Traffic cameras – a slippery slope
Traffic cameras are more evidence of America’s descent into fascism. Our constitution guarantees the right to a free society without fear of government harassment or interference. Traffic cameras instill fear and intimidation by the government and are a major assault on the constitution. The ills of our society are the cost of freedom and can be addressed by other means.
Government’s promise that they won’t be used for nefarious purposes of gathering information on its citizenry is deceptive and meaningless. Just look at the income tax strategy. They promised, “Most will pay little or nothing. It’s just so the rich will pay their fair share,” but year after year with the stroke of a pen they broke all their promises and now everybody is paying full tax on everything.
It will be the same with cameras. First 10 miles over the limit, then five, then any infraction, improper signaling, lane changes, tailgating, etc. You will find them on telephone poles on your street so they know when you leave, when you get home, where you go, who you see, where you shop and bank. All fed into an electronic file, effortlessly available to the government or hacker at their fingertips.
All evil must do to succeed is convince you it’s for your own good. Our privacy has been compromised enough. Monitoring our behavior, the main goal of fascism, [with] complete control over every aspect and detail of our lives.
Philip W. LaPointe