Voice
Lone Tree 9-26-2013
Lone Tree
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 37
September 26, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlonetreenews.com
‘Pirates’ prompt lockout
Youths were dressing up to get free doughnuts By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com
Highlands Ranch High School marching band members twist and shout and play at the Sept. 18 band showcase at Parker’s Sports Authority Stadium. Photos by Virginia Grantier
Showcase steps right up at stadium Rain stays away from marching-band event By Virginia Grantier
vgrantier@ourcoloradonews.com They played on the football field for almost four hours — and never dropped the ball. Every marching band in the Douglas County School District, all nine of them, showed up to play at a Sept. 18 band showcase at Sports Authority Stadium in Parker. And ultimately — even though three of the bands are brand-new, and each had strengths and weaknesses — all had a “really neat moment … had a great moment on the field” that people in the crowd of about 600 recognized, said Orlando Otis, band showcase organizer and Legend High School band director. This was the school district’s third annual band showcase, but it’s really the first, because the other two were rained out. The showcase is meant to be a way for the bands to experience a live crowd and hone skills early in the season, Otis said. Under gathering clouds, the showcase started after the bands, in about an hour’s time, were able to unload trucks, get dressed, warm up and prepare to play. The wind made things like practicing the throwing of flags and catching them challenging, but as the leader of one band reminded her squad, “Ponderosa (High School) does not drop a toss,” she yelled into the wind. To help keep hair just right and hats on heads, there was some intense hair-spraying and the use of a hair-glue product. And even then, at least one person was seen gamely marching in formation, hands clutching a clarinet, as her hat turned Tower-of-Pisa-like, slipping, nearly blocking her vision. The new bands, still building their programs and not participating in the state marching band competitions this year, are Mountain Vista and ThunderRidge, both from Highlands Ranch, and Castle View
The sighting of a crew of suspiciously attired individuals — one bearing a machete — prompted a lockout at Highlands Ranch High School Sept. 19. It was lifted about 15 minutes later when sheriff’s deputies learned the machete was plastic, and the suspects were teens decked out for International Talk Like a Pirate Day. The youths reportedly had set their nautical sights on the Lone Tree Krispy Kreme, which awarded free doughnuts to properly attired swashbucklers and scallywags. Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies confronted the young buccaneers near Cheese Ranch. “We contacted them and ultimately determined they were dressed like pirates, heading to Krispy Kreme,” Sgt. Ron Hanavan said. Highlands Ranch High School Principal Jerry Goings was alerted to the lockout at about 10:30 a.m. during a district meeting. Pirates continues on Page 5
Chamber chief leaves group Director headed organization during 2013 Taste of Lone Tree By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com
All nine of the high school marching bands from Douglas County’s public schools got together for a showcase, a chance to perform in front of a crowd early in the season. Pictured are some of Chaparral High School’s performers. High School from Castle Rock. The other six at the showcase were veteran competitors. Their showcase participation was another chance to prepare for the state marching band competition in mid-October at Colorado State University’s football stadium. Those bands are from Chaparral, Douglas County, Highlands Ranch, Legend, Ponderosa and Rock Canyon high schools. Unlike the usual football-stadium atmosphere, at the showcase, “you could hear a pin drop,” when a band was about to start playing, Otis said. Otis said he was moved by how supportive the kids were of other bands. “Students were clapping for every single band … kids that don’t know each other. “That’s pretty tremendous,” he said.
Lone Tree Chamber Executive Director Linda Harmon, on the job for seven months, resigned Sept. 24. Chamber founder and board member Donna Russell will serve as interim director during the search for a new leader. Russell and chamber chairman Tim Kelly declined multiple opportunities to comment on Harmon’s resignation. Harmon also did not return calls requesting comment. A press release signed by Kelly said Harmon “has elected to pursue other opportunities where she can best use her talents.” Harmon was at the helm of the chamber during the problem-plagued 2013 Taste of Lone Tree. The well-attended two-day event suffered from a downturn in restaurant participants; inadequate staffing, food and alcohol; and muddy, rain-soaked grounds that delayed its Aug. 11 opening. Some local business owners and participants sharply criticized the event, prompting the chamber to host a debriefing session with them. Chamber officials have not yet said whether the event, which had been held annually for six years, will continue. The chamber’s release thanked Harmon for helping rebrand the chamber’s logo, reorganize the office and boost memberChief continues on Page 9
Marching band members’ hairstyles have to be uniform and often take a lot of hairspray and hair “glue,” it was explained as Rock Canyon High School musician Hil Probasco, 14, got the treatment.
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