Our Current Bus (Off the Road)

in need of Replacement

     I remember my mother asking me what instrument I would like to play...when I said the drums I thought she was going to faint (we had a piano, organ, and a guitar already in the house).  It just so happened that The Groton News ran a story about the Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps that very week.  My mother brought me to rehearsal where I met Mr. Jim Patterson, long time Director of Nutmeg.  I joined and immediately started taking lessons from Mr. George Chapman.  After passing my first 12 songs I joined the drum line.  I spent 6 years in Nutmeg, made life long friendships, and have traveled extensively performing fife and drum music both in the U.S. and abroad. 

     If you are lucky, you can be in fife and drum for the rest of your life...I am that lucky. TL

     There have been several busses over the years transporting Nutmeg from state to state and even Canada.  We have been as far north as Maine and Canada, far west as Michigan, and far south as Florida.  We have performed at both DisneyWorld and Epcot Center, marched in the Orange Bowl Parade in 1976, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, PA, Alexandria, VA, Rockville, MD, New York City, NY, Boston, MA, Providence, RI, New Haven, CT, and Hartford, CT.  We have performed at Independence Hall, Fort Ticonderoga, Colonial Williamsburg, Mystic Seaport, West Point, Governor's Island, and our hometown Fort Griswold.

     Most of our favorite memories are on the bus traveling to or from one of our many performances.  Jam sessions, pillow fights, "bus surfing", sing alongs, and long talks in the back of the bus about life and our futures.

     Sadly our 1984 Bus is off the road and we are currently trying to replace it with a more dependable vehicle. 

     We look forward to performing anywhere we get invited and can make the trip!

Favorite Trips

1. Maine Lobster Festival
2. Orange Bowl Parade
3. Old Guard Musters
4. Alexandria, VA Scottish Christmas Walk
5. Colonial Willaimsburg, VA
6. Revolutionary War Tour of 1992
7. West Point Half time Performances
8. DisneyWorld 1976, 1980, ?????
9. Epcot Center 1996
10. New York City St. Patrick's Day Parades (1989-Present)

     This section is still under construction...

      The history of the corps as I know it, began in 1948 at the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department.  In 1964 the corps reorganized and became sponsored by the Groton Lodge of Elks.  

Directors:

1. Mr. Patterson
2. Mr & Mrs LaCourse
3. Mr & Mrs Sadler; Mr. Masters
4. Mr & Mrs Johns; Mr & Mrs Pollard
5. Mr. Steadman
6. Mr. Goddard
7. Mrs. Nixon  

   We are seeking more information and names of all Nutmeg  & Poquonnock Bridge Alumni to compile an accurate history and database for years to come.  Please contact us and add you stories and friends at nutmegfifedrum@aol.com

Musters!

Nutmeg has hosted many musters...

1. 1971 - Fitch High School
2. 1972 - Fitch High School
3. 1980 - Mitchell College
4. 1981 - Mitchell College
5. 1990 - Washington Park Groton
6. 1991 - Washington Park Groton
7. 1992 - Washington Park Groton
8. 1993 - Washington Park Groton
9. 1998 - 50th Anniversary Washington Park Groton
10. 2003 - Fort Griswold Groton
11. 2004 - Fort Griswold Groton
12. 2006 - Fort Griswold Groton
13. 2007 - Fort Griswold Groton
14. 2008 - Fort Griswold Groton (Saturday August 30)