An Update from Scott Ratzke

Good Afternoon Ferko,

As you all know by now Mum Season has arrived! Our actions at this point in the year determine what prize we get on New Year’s Day. We have an amazing show that our theme committee has come up with this year. It’s up to us to execute it! This brings me to one quote:

“A person’s life is determined by their commitment to excellence”

This quote is hanging up in our club above our bar along with many others. We need to be excellent in everything we do from here until New Year’s Day. This is not asking for perfection, nobody is perfect and there will be plenty of mistakes made, but if we give it our all and commit to excellence then I have all the faith in the world in each and every one of us to achieve our goals of getting back in the top 5 this year. With the right attitude and dedication, we can win this parade. But, it all comes down to our commitment to excellence. If we want to be the best, we must practice like the best. This starts with attendance during drill and music rehearsal, as well as giving Matt and myself full attention during rehearsal. We are completely aware that life does get in the way of things sometimes, and you might have to miss a rehearsal here or there. If that’s the case, please text either Matt or myself so we are aware and can still run an efficient rehearsal. This goes for every member taking a suit this year.

Also, I would like to dedicate everything we do with this year’s theme to Jimmy Waldin. Jimmy has been a pivotal member of this organization for over 25 years. He’s a Ferko Hall of Fame member and, in his time in this band, he has done so much not only for the band but for the members of the band as well. Jimmy is a perfect example of someone who is committed to excellence for Ferko and himself each and every day. Jimmy wants nothing more then to be able to March with us on New Year’s Day, but due to his ALS he is unable to march this year. This is why we should do everything from here on out for Jimmy. When you wake up on a Sunday morning and you don’t feel like getting out of bed, don’t do it for yourself—do it for Jimmy. When you find 30 minutes at the end of the day  of free time to practice your instrument but you just don’t want to do it, don’t do it for yourself… do it for Jimmy. He’s going to be watching us New Year’s Day, rooting us on—let’s make him proud and show him that the Ferko String Band is back where it truly belongs!

It Takes All Of Us!

-Scott Ratzke Jr.