Majorette

Doris Mae Hoey Snyder, an Annapolis resident who performed as the head majorette for the Baltimore Colts Marching Band and later formed the Washington Redskinettes, died Dec. 18 at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center after suffering an aortic dissection. She was 85. Mrs. Snyder was born in Baltimore. She grew up in Pigtown and attended Southern High School in Federal Hill, where she learned her majorette skills, and Anne Arundel Community College. She became a majorette for the Colts Marching Band in 1947, one of six original members of the group.

Doris Mae Hoey Snyder, an Annapolis resident who performed as the head majorette for the Baltimore Colts Marching Band and later formed the Washington Redskinettes, died Dec. 18 at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center after suffering an aortic dissection. She was 85. Mrs. Snyder was born in Baltimore. She grew up in Pigtown and attended Southern High School in Federal Hill, where she learned her majorette skills, and Anne Arundel Community College. She became a majorette for the Colts Marching Band in 1947, one of six original members of the group.

It's been some months since my high school reunion. I don't know why I waited so long. The determination slipped away with almost the same momentum as the passing years. Maybe my reluctance had something to do with the number. Even now, I'm gasping for breath when I say it was the 50th anniversary of my graduation from Claymont High School, just outside Wilmington, Del. I had spent only two years there, but I remember it well: the sub shop next door to the school where I had lunch every day (a Philly cheesesteak and a chocolate Tastykake)

It's been some months since my high school reunion. I don't know why I waited so long. The determination slipped away with almost the same momentum as the passing years. Maybe my reluctance had something to do with the number. Even now, I'm gasping for breath when I say it was the 50th anniversary of my graduation from Claymont High School, just outside Wilmington, Del. I had spent only two years there, but I remember it well: the sub shop next door to the school where I had lunch every day (a Philly cheesesteak and a chocolate Tastykake)

Doris Snyder and Marge Schmidt are twins with an identical and lifelong passion for pigskin.One of the six original majorettes for the Baltimore Colts Marching Band in 1947, Mrs. Snyder has followed the Colts, the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Stallions with a cheerleader's enthusiasm ever since.Selected as a Colts majorette in 1948, Mrs. Schmidt twirled a baton alongside her sister for the next 14 years.When the Washington Redskins wanted a majorette squad in 1962, they tapped Mrs. Snyder to organize it.When the Colts left Baltimore in 1984, Mrs. Schmidt cried as she watched television reports showing the moving vans driving off into the snowy night.

Barber wins highest Toastmasters honor Toastmasters International President Dilip Abayasekara recently awarded Col. Jesse Barber, project manager for Alternative Technologies with the U.S. Army's Chemical Materials Agency at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, with the highest Toastmasters honor at the District 18 Conference held in Emmitsburg. The award is given to Toastmasters who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills to help others in their self-development. Barber received Advanced Toastmaster Silver and Advanced Toastmaster Gold designations this year and has won club, area division and district trophies in speech competitions during the past two years.

What began as an effort to speed up Baltimore's Preakness Parade has grown into an angry dispute between the parade's out-of-town producer and some of the city's black marching bands."

The 23rd annual Westminster Fallfest steps off tonight with a music-filled parade through downtown Westminster from Dutterer Family Park to East Middle School. The parade, which begins at 7 p.m., features Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Brandon Stokley as grand marshal. The two-hour event highlights more than 60 groups and organizations including the Liberty, Francis Scott Key and Westminster high school marching bands, Westminster Police Color Guard, McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey Bear, Westminster 4-H Club, several majorette groups, and local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Westminster Fallfest parade, usually held on a Wednesday night as part of opening festivities, will be held at 3 p.m. today. The 25th anniversary parade will assemble on Monroe Street and begin marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, east on Main Street to Longwell Avenue to East Middle School. Motorists should expect delays if they are traveling in the area during parade time. The parade will feature about 60 units, including Westminster police and fire officials and vehicles; antique fire and police vehicles; local municipal and high school bands; dance teams; motorcycles; 4-H clubs; floats; church groups; civic, public and health organizations; gymnastics groups; day care centers; majorette and drum corps marching units; color guards; cheerleaders; and businesses.

HOLIDAY PARADE:Tomorrow's Thanksgiving Parade, which steps off at 11 a.m. at Pratt and Eutaw streets, is a salute to children.Marching bands from Walbrook, Frederick Douglass, North Harford, South Carroll and North County high schools will provide the excitement and rhythms, in addition to several drum and majorette bands, among them the Cherrettes Marching Band, the Baltimore Rockers and the Charm City Challengers.The Clown Corps and performances by the Top Flight Gymnastics Group and the Ebony Angels Double-Dutch Jumping Rope team will grab children's eyes.

It smelled like teen spirit in the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center Tuesday night, where a pep rally was held to commemorate the opening night of High School Musical's two-week Baltimore run. There was a squad from the Baltimore Marching Ravens, performing such fare as "Smoke on the Water" and "Louie, Louie." There was a baton-twirler -- Diane Lynn from 101.9 Lite FM. Lynn is a former high school majorette, though she admitted she was hesitant to send her baton skyward. "I'm afraid I'll hit someone on the head," she said.

Barber wins highest Toastmasters honor Toastmasters International President Dilip Abayasekara recently awarded Col. Jesse Barber, project manager for Alternative Technologies with the U.S. Army's Chemical Materials Agency at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, with the highest Toastmasters honor at the District 18 Conference held in Emmitsburg. The award is given to Toastmasters who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills to help others in their self-development. Barber received Advanced Toastmaster Silver and Advanced Toastmaster Gold designations this year and has won club, area division and district trophies in speech competitions during the past two years.

The Westminster Fallfest parade, usually held on a Wednesday night as part of opening festivities, will be held at 3 p.m. today. The 25th anniversary parade will assemble on Monroe Street and begin marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, east on Main Street to Longwell Avenue to East Middle School. Motorists should expect delays if they are traveling in the area during parade time. The parade will feature about 60 units, including Westminster police and fire officials and vehicles; antique fire and police vehicles; local municipal and high school bands; dance teams; motorcycles; 4-H clubs; floats; church groups; civic, public and health organizations; gymnastics groups; day care centers; majorette and drum corps marching units; color guards; cheerleaders; and businesses.

The 23rd annual Westminster Fallfest steps off tonight with a music-filled parade through downtown Westminster from Dutterer Family Park to East Middle School. The parade, which begins at 7 p.m., features Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Brandon Stokley as grand marshal. The two-hour event highlights more than 60 groups and organizations including the Liberty, Francis Scott Key and Westminster high school marching bands, Westminster Police Color Guard, McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey Bear, Westminster 4-H Club, several majorette groups, and local members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

FREEDOM FIRE STARS Majorette Corps is a proud group of 25 girls with high ambition. They are under the direction of Judi Marlatt, a registered National Baton Twirling Association coach and judge. The girls meet once a week and prepare for competitions and marching events throughout the year. Twirlers spend hours preparing routines, tossing, spinning and catching batons, adding high kicks and dance moves that must be performed with ease. Marlatt's daughter Katie, 10, participates, and has been twirling for eight years.

Doris Snyder and Marge Schmidt are twins with an identical and lifelong passion for pigskin.One of the six original majorettes for the Baltimore Colts Marching Band in 1947, Mrs. Snyder has followed the Colts, the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Stallions with a cheerleader's enthusiasm ever since.Selected as a Colts majorette in 1948, Mrs. Schmidt twirled a baton alongside her sister for the next 14 years.When the Washington Redskins wanted a majorette squad in 1962, they tapped Mrs. Snyder to organize it.When the Colts left Baltimore in 1984, Mrs. Schmidt cried as she watched television reports showing the moving vans driving off into the snowy night.

What began as an effort to speed up Baltimore's Preakness Parade has grown into an angry dispute between the parade's out-of-town producer and some of the city's black marching bands."

It smelled like teen spirit in the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center Tuesday night, where a pep rally was held to commemorate the opening night of High School Musical's two-week Baltimore run. There was a squad from the Baltimore Marching Ravens, performing such fare as "Smoke on the Water" and "Louie, Louie." There was a baton-twirler -- Diane Lynn from 101.9 Lite FM. Lynn is a former high school majorette, though she admitted she was hesitant to send her baton skyward. "I'm afraid I'll hit someone on the head," she said.

HOLIDAY PARADE:Tomorrow's Thanksgiving Parade, which steps off at 11 a.m. at Pratt and Eutaw streets, is a salute to children.Marching bands from Walbrook, Frederick Douglass, North Harford, South Carroll and North County high schools will provide the excitement and rhythms, in addition to several drum and majorette bands, among them the Cherrettes Marching Band, the Baltimore Rockers and the Charm City Challengers.The Clown Corps and performances by the Top Flight Gymnastics Group and the Ebony Angels Double-Dutch Jumping Rope team will grab children's eyes.

The Imagination Majorettes of Odenton will hold Their Third Annual Craft Fair and Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the First Evangelistic Lutheran Church on Piney Orchard Parkway at Odenton Road. Craft items, flea market items, games and baked goods will be available.Donations of baby items, pet food, supplies and cash will be accepted for Florida hurricane victims. No clothing or large items will be accepted.Spaces are available for $15 and tables for $20. For more information or to reserve a space, call 760-4347 or 672-3539.