News on this page....Scroll down - February 20, 2008
~ Jonathan's Story
~ Reunion 2000
~ Reunion 2000
Yalesville Fife & Drum Corps: News
Jonathan's Story - December 31, 2005
Whether you are a Yalesville Alumni or a member of the fife and drum corps community, then you most likely know Jonathan's family. Please read on and find it in your heart to help...
Jonathan is the great-grandson of Eleanor Borek, long time director and instructor for the Yalesville Jr. Corps. He is the grandson of Dan and the late Donna (Borek) Murphy, both members of the former St. Paul's Drum Corps, great-nephew to Lori (Borek) Paul, long-time member of the Yalesville Corps and current member of The Connecticut Blues Drum Corps, nephew to Colleen (Murphy) Tondalo, Yalesville fifer and son to Paul and Bonnie (Murphy) Narducci. Bonnie is and has been a fifer with Yalesville for many years.
On May 16, 2003 and at the age of seven months old, Jonathan was a laughing, smiling child who was full of energy that morning, until hours later when Jonathan and his family would be changed forever by a silent, cruel and little known disease. His little body became limp with labored breathing and he was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital's Emergency Room with Mom and Dad by his side. The fight to save his life that night was to be the first battle for his family. Since then, each of Bonnie and Paul's long days have been filled with fear, love, pain, signs of hope and uncertainty. Through the strength of their love as a family they have been coping as best they can.
Jonathan was diagnosed with Acute Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological syndrome caused by inflamation of the spinal cord. Doctors believe that Jonathan's own immune system attacked his spinal cord while fighting off a routine childhood virus. As a result of this syndrome, Jonathan has a tracheotomy and is on a respirator 16 hours a day to help him breathe. At a time in a child's development when exploring the world through movement is such a joy. Jonathan has been paralyzed from the neck down, is unable to cry audibly or speak and receives his nutrition through a feeding tube. Jonathan spent nearly one year in the hospital at the onset of his illness and now receives round the clock care from his parents, great-grandmothers, family and friends at home.
Jonathan's prognosis is uncertain. Bonnie and Paul are very private and humble people, and therefore it is difficult for them to ask for help. Unfortunately, the realities of Jonathan's long term care are ever present and that is why they have found it necessary to turn to friends, family and their community for support. In 2004, a fund was set up to help Bonnie and Paul cope with the financial aspects of Jonathan's needs. Non-tax deductible contributions may be made by sending a check or money order payable to:
The Jonny Jar
c/o Webster Bank
64 South Main Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
As of late 2005, donations to The Jonny Jar have helped Bonnie and Paul purchase a handicap accessible minivan, take a trip to the Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD for medical evaluation and pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Jonathan turned three in October 2005. He is a young boy who enjoys puzzles, books, trucks, trains, music and especially his family. He has already learned to identify colors, ABC's and numbers from 0 to 10. Jonathan is preparing to go to preschool in April 2006 and his teacher has been coming to the house every week to work with him.
Jonathan has begun to shake his head "yes" and is now moving his shoulders! These are incredible achievements for him. Although Jonathan still has a trachea in place, he is beginning to verbalize. He says "AH" when indicating yes, and shakes his head to communicate "NO". Jonathan continues to work with therapists three times a week. He works very hard in every session and has been able to stand and walk with assistance.
At home, Jonathan spends time in special stander, which utilizes gravity to strengthen his leg muscles, and helps strengthen his bones.
As Jonathan continues to grow, so do his needs. His doctors and therapists want him to be in an electric wheelchair by the age of four, which they feel is important for his growth and independence. Although this will be wonderful development for Jonathan, it presents some challenges for his family.
In order to accommodate Jonathan's growth, Bonnie and Paul's existing 900 square foot home, built in 1956, must be drastically changed. The hallway will be removed, and both Jonny's bedroom and the kitchen enlarged to give him room for mobility. The new addition will consist of an accessible bathroom for Jonathan, including specialized bathtub, roll-in shower, toilet and sink. Also, a new family room will be constructed and the old family room will become Jonathan's therapy room. These renovations will give Jonathan the ability and freedom to move himself easily throughout the house.
The cost of this project is estimated at $100,000 and construction is slated to begin in Spring 2006. Please find it in your heart to help Jonathan's family. They are hopeful that through donations, they will be able to raise the funds necessary to make this renovation a reality. Like all parents, Bonnie and Paul love their son very much. It is important to them that they create a home environment that enables Jonathan to develop and grow into a happy, healthy and intelligent boy. We ask that you keep them in your prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read about Jonathan's story. For more information on Acute Transverse Myelitis please visit: www.myelitis.org
Jonathan is the great-grandson of Eleanor Borek, long time director and instructor for the Yalesville Jr. Corps. He is the grandson of Dan and the late Donna (Borek) Murphy, both members of the former St. Paul's Drum Corps, great-nephew to Lori (Borek) Paul, long-time member of the Yalesville Corps and current member of The Connecticut Blues Drum Corps, nephew to Colleen (Murphy) Tondalo, Yalesville fifer and son to Paul and Bonnie (Murphy) Narducci. Bonnie is and has been a fifer with Yalesville for many years.
On May 16, 2003 and at the age of seven months old, Jonathan was a laughing, smiling child who was full of energy that morning, until hours later when Jonathan and his family would be changed forever by a silent, cruel and little known disease. His little body became limp with labored breathing and he was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital's Emergency Room with Mom and Dad by his side. The fight to save his life that night was to be the first battle for his family. Since then, each of Bonnie and Paul's long days have been filled with fear, love, pain, signs of hope and uncertainty. Through the strength of their love as a family they have been coping as best they can.
Jonathan was diagnosed with Acute Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological syndrome caused by inflamation of the spinal cord. Doctors believe that Jonathan's own immune system attacked his spinal cord while fighting off a routine childhood virus. As a result of this syndrome, Jonathan has a tracheotomy and is on a respirator 16 hours a day to help him breathe. At a time in a child's development when exploring the world through movement is such a joy. Jonathan has been paralyzed from the neck down, is unable to cry audibly or speak and receives his nutrition through a feeding tube. Jonathan spent nearly one year in the hospital at the onset of his illness and now receives round the clock care from his parents, great-grandmothers, family and friends at home.
Jonathan's prognosis is uncertain. Bonnie and Paul are very private and humble people, and therefore it is difficult for them to ask for help. Unfortunately, the realities of Jonathan's long term care are ever present and that is why they have found it necessary to turn to friends, family and their community for support. In 2004, a fund was set up to help Bonnie and Paul cope with the financial aspects of Jonathan's needs. Non-tax deductible contributions may be made by sending a check or money order payable to:
The Jonny Jar
c/o Webster Bank
64 South Main Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
As of late 2005, donations to The Jonny Jar have helped Bonnie and Paul purchase a handicap accessible minivan, take a trip to the Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD for medical evaluation and pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Jonathan turned three in October 2005. He is a young boy who enjoys puzzles, books, trucks, trains, music and especially his family. He has already learned to identify colors, ABC's and numbers from 0 to 10. Jonathan is preparing to go to preschool in April 2006 and his teacher has been coming to the house every week to work with him.
Jonathan has begun to shake his head "yes" and is now moving his shoulders! These are incredible achievements for him. Although Jonathan still has a trachea in place, he is beginning to verbalize. He says "AH" when indicating yes, and shakes his head to communicate "NO". Jonathan continues to work with therapists three times a week. He works very hard in every session and has been able to stand and walk with assistance.
At home, Jonathan spends time in special stander, which utilizes gravity to strengthen his leg muscles, and helps strengthen his bones.
As Jonathan continues to grow, so do his needs. His doctors and therapists want him to be in an electric wheelchair by the age of four, which they feel is important for his growth and independence. Although this will be wonderful development for Jonathan, it presents some challenges for his family.
In order to accommodate Jonathan's growth, Bonnie and Paul's existing 900 square foot home, built in 1956, must be drastically changed. The hallway will be removed, and both Jonny's bedroom and the kitchen enlarged to give him room for mobility. The new addition will consist of an accessible bathroom for Jonathan, including specialized bathtub, roll-in shower, toilet and sink. Also, a new family room will be constructed and the old family room will become Jonathan's therapy room. These renovations will give Jonathan the ability and freedom to move himself easily throughout the house.
The cost of this project is estimated at $100,000 and construction is slated to begin in Spring 2006. Please find it in your heart to help Jonathan's family. They are hopeful that through donations, they will be able to raise the funds necessary to make this renovation a reality. Like all parents, Bonnie and Paul love their son very much. It is important to them that they create a home environment that enables Jonathan to develop and grow into a happy, healthy and intelligent boy. We ask that you keep them in your prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read about Jonathan's story. For more information on Acute Transverse Myelitis please visit: www.myelitis.org
Reunion 2000 - June 3, 2000
On June 2nd and 3rd, 2000, the Yalesville Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps and more than 40 alumni of both the senior corps and well renowned Yalesville Juniors participated in Wallingford's Jubilee 2000 parade. Former members came home to Wallingford, Connecticut from such places as Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina and New Mexico. All for a chance to relive a few moments from the past, renew old friendships and even to make some new ones. Many of the alumni brought their spouses and families for the chance to show off their talent and to give them the opportunity to see how they spent their earlier days. It seemed that, at every turn of a corner along the route, there was a familiar face cheering us on. You could feel the excitement and sense of pride - not only in those of us marching, but in all those who had supported us during our early drum corps days, and who now came to watch us, sixty strong, as we proudly marched in Yalesville's hometown of Wallingford.
We started our reunion with a rehearsal on June 2nd at the Yalesville VFW (a long time practice site for our corps). After separate section practice, the reunion corps practiced together. It was an emotional experience for many. To appreciate the sense of emotion, we witnessed Eleanor Borek, fife instructor of the Yalesville Juniors for thirty-three years break down in tears, overwhelmed with pride and honored at how well the corps was playing together. Doug Quigley, fifer and son of well-respected drummer and drum instructor, the late Hugh Quigley, wrote in a letter after the reunion, "...There was another moment that moved me. At the Friday night rehearsal when the drummers joined the fifers, they sounded just like my dad's drumming. The power, the sharpness, and the clean execution so much like Hugh. It was as if he was communicating to us all through those drums. I fifed very little of the first two songs. Through the sounds of those drums, I felt very close to my father in a way I never have since he left us. I thank you for making that moment possible..."
The late Hugh Quigley taught the Yalesville Junior corps from 1968 until 1988 when the junior corps disbanded. Eleanor and Hugh also instructed the senior corps for a period of time.
Under the instruction of Eleanor Borek and Hugh Quigley, the Yalesville Juniors garnered the Connecticut Junior Ancient State Championship nineteen times between the years 1961 and 1985, often competing against ten or more junior ancient corps. The Yalesville Juniors then went on to capture fourteen Northeastern Championships competing against champion junior ancients from other area associations. Having won it seven times, the corps earned the honor of keeping a St. Francis trophy, a perpetual trophy awarded to the senior or junior drum corps with the highest playing and appearance mark of the day at the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association Annual Convention. The junior corps, although no longer in existence, continues to hold the record for first place wins in the Junior Ancient class according to records published in the Northeast Drum Corps News. The corps had also earned the distinction of being one of the premier championship corps of the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association.
Although the alumni who returned on June 2nd and 3rd, 2000 spanned several decades, they had all been taught by the same instructors, thus it was as though this "reunion corps" had played together for years. It was a tribute to Eleanor Borek and the late Hugh Quigley that so many former members returned for this event and still played as the champions they once were.
The reunion corps gathered the next morning for a group photograph before the parade. The current members in uniform and the alumni donning Yalesville Reunion tee shirts. Following this most memorable parade, the corps, alumni and family members gathered for a picnic. It was a time to reminisce about the past, look at old photo albums and scrapbooks, exhange addresses (postal and email), eat, drink and of course, what would a drum corps reunion be without a JAM! It was truly a memorable day and one that won't soon be forgotten.
We started our reunion with a rehearsal on June 2nd at the Yalesville VFW (a long time practice site for our corps). After separate section practice, the reunion corps practiced together. It was an emotional experience for many. To appreciate the sense of emotion, we witnessed Eleanor Borek, fife instructor of the Yalesville Juniors for thirty-three years break down in tears, overwhelmed with pride and honored at how well the corps was playing together. Doug Quigley, fifer and son of well-respected drummer and drum instructor, the late Hugh Quigley, wrote in a letter after the reunion, "...There was another moment that moved me. At the Friday night rehearsal when the drummers joined the fifers, they sounded just like my dad's drumming. The power, the sharpness, and the clean execution so much like Hugh. It was as if he was communicating to us all through those drums. I fifed very little of the first two songs. Through the sounds of those drums, I felt very close to my father in a way I never have since he left us. I thank you for making that moment possible..."
The late Hugh Quigley taught the Yalesville Junior corps from 1968 until 1988 when the junior corps disbanded. Eleanor and Hugh also instructed the senior corps for a period of time.
Under the instruction of Eleanor Borek and Hugh Quigley, the Yalesville Juniors garnered the Connecticut Junior Ancient State Championship nineteen times between the years 1961 and 1985, often competing against ten or more junior ancient corps. The Yalesville Juniors then went on to capture fourteen Northeastern Championships competing against champion junior ancients from other area associations. Having won it seven times, the corps earned the honor of keeping a St. Francis trophy, a perpetual trophy awarded to the senior or junior drum corps with the highest playing and appearance mark of the day at the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association Annual Convention. The junior corps, although no longer in existence, continues to hold the record for first place wins in the Junior Ancient class according to records published in the Northeast Drum Corps News. The corps had also earned the distinction of being one of the premier championship corps of the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association.
Although the alumni who returned on June 2nd and 3rd, 2000 spanned several decades, they had all been taught by the same instructors, thus it was as though this "reunion corps" had played together for years. It was a tribute to Eleanor Borek and the late Hugh Quigley that so many former members returned for this event and still played as the champions they once were.
The reunion corps gathered the next morning for a group photograph before the parade. The current members in uniform and the alumni donning Yalesville Reunion tee shirts. Following this most memorable parade, the corps, alumni and family members gathered for a picnic. It was a time to reminisce about the past, look at old photo albums and scrapbooks, exhange addresses (postal and email), eat, drink and of course, what would a drum corps reunion be without a JAM! It was truly a memorable day and one that won't soon be forgotten.