HISTORY
Written by: Don Scott (Founder)
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In 1967 the Flying Dutchmen Drum Corps was established.
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As a parent to Drum Corps, I was interested in establishing a feeder Corp as my second son showed interest in playing. The Flying Dutchmen Board of Directors liked the idea and offered to share their practice hall (Newtex cleaners Storage Room on Charles Street in Kitchener). As the Dutchmen had just changed uniforms, we were offered their shirts and caps. This was the very beginning, in the summer of 1969. With 10 new recruits (boys between 10 and 12 years of age) a name had to be suggested. Since it was to be a feeder corps for the Flying Dutchmen, I suggested the Dutch Boys.
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However there was a supermarket in Kitchener/Waterloo called Dutch Boy so I approached the president and co-owner for permission to use the name. The owner, Mr. Frank Beresford listened to my story and before I finished explaining what we were doing, he brought out a chequebook and wrote a cheque for $1000. The name was established and even a sponsor. Later, we received a sponsorship from the Order of the Odd Fellows organization, thanks to Jack Turner, who was helping teach the horn line. Our other instructor was Stan Young whose son also marched with the Flying Dutchmen. A year later, the corps required an instructor to teach marching. One evening while practicing on the Cameron Heights football field, Peter Vanderkolf whose son played cymbals, offered to help teach marching.
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Two years later, Louise Vanderkolf and other mothers came up with a new uniform, consisting of lederhosen, red vests and real alpine type hats with white feathers. The same year an all girl colour guard was incorporated into the program. These young ladies wore authentic dirndls of red, white and green. At this time the music theme was German tunes and went over big especially in the KW area. This was the beginning of a very successful Drum Corps.
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On the Road with the Dutch Boy Cadets
As members of Class C Drum Corps, the corps soon won many contests in Ontario. The early highlight was winning the Canadian National Championships three straight years at the Canadian National Exhibition. During a Civic Reception at the Kitchener City Hall, the Corps was presented with their first bus. Thanks to the City, Local Fire Department and Fire Inspector Ken Smiley who did the organization.
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We were invited to many US contests in Michigan and Ohio where the Corps had several successes. In Marion Ohio, the Corps had placed 3rd in the first year attending the US Open and 2nd at the second year. The members then wanted to stay with the Cadets and the relationship between the Flying Dutchmen and the Cadets parted ways. Now with the membership of the corps in their mid teens, the organization had to keep them interested. In 1974 a tour to Germany was planned with 110 marching members. The corps performed in Munich at the Olympic Stadium during a half time soccer game, Munich Rathouse (City Hall), Canadian Forces Bases in Laar and Baden Baden. This was the first time a drum corps had performed outside of North America. In 1976, the corps changed it”s uniform and Bavarian styled pants were added for the horn and drum lines for competitions and those cold Christmas parades. Other Changes along the way. In the fall of 1976, it was decided to amalgamate the Flying Dutchman and the Dutch Boy Cadets into one marching unit. The K-W Lions Northstar Drum Corps was formed. This corps had a short life span of only 2 years before disbanding. In 1977, The Cadets of Dutch Boy was formed by the Northstar Youth Organization, as a feeder corps to the Northstar.