Today was actually a little warmer than yesterday, but it's always windy in Buffalo so it feels colder. Many years ago, we started marching in this parade because one of our members, Brian, has an uncle in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Even though Brian no longer marches and Uncle Bill now spends his winters in Florida, the AOH is nice enough to continue to hire us to march in this parade.

We didn't have a color guard, but we did have Mike H. lead the way carrying a flag decorated with a leprechaun. Mike is a cheerful ambassador for Kelley's Heroes. He marches with a spring in his step and waves to spectators. Mike has had related experience as a banner-carrying elf in Toronto. When Mike isn't needed in color guard, he also plays alto sax.

Since we were in Buffalo, Margaret's niece, Krissy, was able to join us on flute. Krissy is a music student at Buffalo State College. It's hard to believe that this is her senior year! At the end of the parade, she gave Don H. a break by trading her small flute for his big sousaphone and carried it part way back to the parking garage. That counts as a good deed for the day.

The remainder of woodwinds were Karen R. on clarinet, Margaret and Steve on alto sax, and Jack and Maria on tenor sax . For brass, we had Matt H., Bob and Mike W. on trumpet, Scott M. on trombone and Don on sousaphone. For percussion, we had Don S. on snare drum and Jon on bass drum.

Our next event is the Cal-Mum Youth Baseball Parade on April 28. See you there!