DOWN BUCKET
The Newsletter of the Okommakamesit V.F.A.

With a little help from our friends
Brief histories of our teammates within the N.E.S.V.F.L.:

Clichés & Kudos
By Earl Doliber

Do you have a favorite (or hated) sports cliché? If so, Im sure you could insert it somewhere in the story of this years grand, but ultimately frustrating Okos season. By now I assume most of you have read or heard about our exciting pursuit of the New England States Veteran Firemans League Championship. In our last newsletter I reported that we were in a virtual tie for first place and thats where we finished. (The phrase virtual tie meaning second place.) The final standings left the Protection of Newbury with 628 5 ¼ and the Okos at 624 8 ¼.

Due to head winds at the final two musters the season was pretty much over after the New Market event on August 9th. We gave it one hell of an effort in Salisbury Beach and nearly prevailed in Warrren, RI. In fact, we did prevail in Warren; we beat our two closest rivals, the Protection and Governor Bradstreet by nearly twenty feet! We got a large amount of local press coverage and had a good turn out. When it came our turn to pump the brakes were full and spirits high. (Here comes the cliché barrage, so it may be time to leave the room.)

We gave a hundred and ten percent. We won the battle but lost the war. Even our opponents gave us an A for effort, but we could not control the weather and time ran out on our season. Close, but no cigar. So close and yet so far, and, of course, there was good news and bad news. First the good news; we convincingly won the muster and with it the highest prize money paid all season. A large group of friends and Oko members had come together to win the event we needed to win. The bad news; due to a change in the layout of the field and the winds of that day we could not advance the score needed to win the championship.

This, the best Okos season since perhaps 1922, was exciting right up to our last stream. While we knew the needed 203 foot score was pretty much impossible when the other Class A machines were mired in the 170s, yet another cliché came to life. Do you believe in miracles? For just a few minutes I did! When we managed 197 feet on our second shot I began trembling. Something came over me and I truly believed this could happen. Maybe Tom Rhoades spirit could find us thirty seconds of just calm air. But you cant fool Mother Nature. Foreman Rick Bartlett had already found the best break in the wind our fifteen minutes would allow and we would finish the season a few feet behind the Protection. Congratulations! A close second! Well, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades

I never thought I could feel bad about winning a muster; but then, Ive never had much practice with by how much before.

Kudos

Traditionally in this season wrap-up edition we name names and this year is no exception. The danger in this is that someone will be forgotten and become alienated. I certainly hope this will not be the case and I apologize in advance if Ive left someone out. Ive asked the Foreman and the President to add their thoughts on the year and perhaps a name that slips by one of us will be picked up by another.

First, I think you should all know that your elected officers were at virtually every muster and there from the early morning get go. Harold Hansen, Rick and Gary Bartlett, Mike Butler, Carol McGaughey, John Spanks, Robin Symonds and myself along with Ross Goodwin and Joyce LaChapelle got the machine to the four corners of New England and marched in the muster parades. This dedicated bunch marched in the rain with a color guard and even managed to win three parade prizes over the season. Your officers take your trust seriously and we share a friendship and enthusiasm that is truly something special. Because I chased publicity and courted the newspaper reporters my name perhaps appeared most often in print, but this is a total team effort with contributions by all.

There is so much more to this sport than meets the eye. To the casual observer, its pretty much a large-scale pissing contest, a testosterone festival of middle-aged men in a bit of frenzy. It is that, but below the surface are dozens of tasks and adjustments that go on during muster play. The Foreman is in charge and when he can handle the mental checklist fully and calmly, things go smoothly and look easy. Rick Bartlett has done an outstanding job balancing a ton of enthusiasm with the right amount of calm reasoning. Given todays untrained crews combined with many opinionated and verbal veterans, just backing the machine into the chocks and water tank can turn ugly if it is not a tightly controlled exercise. To control your own excitement and remember the details such as watching the pressure gauge rather than the stream is almost impossible. To ignore forty eager pumpers yelling for action while you wait for a favorable wind is a skill that comes hard. To avoid a panic shot at the two minute warning is a near superhuman feat and despite just a few years experience Rick has a pretty solid grasp on all of this. He has had some help on top from brother Gary Bartlett and Gary has filled in admirably when called upon to act as foreman.

Joyce LaChapelle and Gary also deserve credit for the many hours theyve put into cleaning and polishing the engine and acting as our caterers this season. The machine looked great at every muster and the deli selection was a wonderful change from the usual burgers.

Our unsung hero award goes to our President, Harold Hansen. Most often seen in the background, Harold is our mechanic and chief engineer. He shies away from the limelight and on muster day youll find him driving the truck in the parade and manning the brakes in competition. Photographs get taken of the men on top of the engine or the guys holding the play pipe while one of our shining stars is pumping his heart out, listening to and feeling the pulse of the machine. Many people have commented upon how well the Oko pumps. Most of that credit belongs to Harold.

Harolds wife Margo helps the organization in so many ways that also go unseen. She produces these newsletters. She and Carol oversee our very successful lottery. Shes hostess to our parties and a smiling, laughing friend to us all.

Our pipe crew, I believe, is the equal of any in the league (yes, even those guys) and worthy of mention. Jim Ellingwood of the Vixen and Derry, NH has been a special friend, teacher and confidant for over a decade now. Dave Falconi and Ralph Sherman of the Union #1 have been there for us for many years, bringing experience and confidence. (The Union also won in Warren, RI which was a shared thrill for us all.) It is very hard to balance three guys with big egos for a two-man job; but weve managed to do it with good humor and great success. Ross Goodwin has contributed his experience and willing hands both as pipe man and backup this season. Dave Martin has also been a willing backup when needed. Gentlemen, I thank you all.

This is starting to feel like Oscar night and Im running on too long (cue the orchestra), but before I get nudged off the stage there are others who require mention. Our former Co-Foremen John Crosby and Jim Hazell made it to most of this years events, bringing both experience and enthusiasm. The Marblehead Fire Department was well represented by the Bartlett brothers, Brendan Sheehan, Jason Gilliland and Rick DiGiammarino. DiGi helped recruit local firefighters effectively at several events. Jim Foss and his family, John Spanks and Robin Symonds are perhaps often thought of as Gerry folk but always with us when it counts. Our own Mike Butler and Carol McGaughey campaign the Atlantic but pump the Oko. We had some cameo appearances by Jerry Rubinos son Paul in Falmouth, Maine and Oko alumni Tom Tudal in Rhode Island

I would also like to mention a few personal friends who helped make this a great year for me. The Lacey Boys and Renz Jennings who between them logged about 8,000 miles to attend the Newbury Muster and contribute to our longest stream of the year. They now understand all my talk about the politics in mustering. They came from Phoenix, Kansas City, Washington, D.C. and Binghampton, NY for the event and certainly shamed other friends I cant drag out of Marblehead.

Joe Lerner who made the two hour trek to RI just to hold a flag just because were friends, and Mike Bernstein who always seems to bring a little luck to our efforts in southern New England.

More and more like the Oscars
Id like to mention my wife Fay who rarely attends a muster but has the patience to understand my addiction and the wisdom to let it be.

Finally, a reminder that this season was dedicated to Tom Rhoades. In the spring newsletter we expressed the hope that Toms spirit might arrange for a few breaks. Maybe with his help we could win the long overdue championship in his memory. There was no Hollywood moment, no minor miracles or divine intervention, but Toms spirit indeed remains with us. We have the hope. We were competitive to the seasons last stream and I believe our efforts would have made Tom proud. We will be back next year with Toms memory in our hearts and his plaque on the Okommakamesit. With a crew of Marbleheaders like we had in Warren at every muster, we would be unstoppable.


Foremans Report 2002
By Richard Bartlett

The Okommakamesits 2002 N.E.S.V.F.L. season has been dedicated to the memory of Tom The Ultimate Oko Rhoades, who passed away last winter.

Last years strong showing in the Class A division of the N.E.S.V.F.L. gave us high expectations going into this season. On the schedule for this year were 6 musters. The first muster was in Waltham, MA. The Foreman (yours truly) had to leave early due to a family wedding, but left the troops in good hands. My brother Gary Bartlett took over the duty of Foreman. Gary had never been on top calling the shots. He did a terrific job in terrible conditions. The wind was in his face and it rained most of the day. We came away with a fourth place (176 1) finish ($125.00) and a third place parade prize ($10.00.)

The next muster was in Falmouth, ME. We had rain again, but no wind. We were the last tub to pump (on grass which turned into a muddy mess.) We did our best and finished in third place (198 9) ($150.00) and also placed third in the parade ($10.00.)

The next stop was in Newbury, MA (No parade.) The Okommakamesit had a decent crew and threw a stream of 220 3 ½. This stream (our longest of the season) was good enough for second place ($175.00.)

The Oko went to Newmarket, NH for our next muster. Another second place finish with a stream of 205 7 ¾ ($175.00.)

At this time the Oko V.F.A. was in second place for the Class A Championship with 2 musters left. We were 3 9 out of first place.

On to Salisbury Beach. The wind was not in our favor. We had a persistent headwind all day. Even with a decent crew, we could only throw a stream of 163 10. That stream was good enough for fourth place ($125.00.)

The last muster of the season was held in Warren, RI. President Hansen and I went to the drawing of pumping positions the week before the muster. We also went down to the muster field and were shown the layout. Upon our arrival the day of the muster, we were told the layout of the muster field was changed to accommodate a better pumping platform. This change made the muster field play into a headwind that at times was a crossing wind, not the best conditions to try to win a Class A Championship. With the help of many new and old friends, the Okommakamesits biggest crew of the season won the season finale, but came up short in our quest for the Championship. Earlier in the day, the Protection, who lead the Championship race, did not better their worst stream. The Okos knew what was needed to get the Championship that has eluded us since 1922. We needed a stream of at least 202 7. With the wind not cooperating, our first stream was only in the 170 range. We built up pressure and waited. The wind suddenly changed direction and we took advantage of it. The crew gave all they had; the pipe crew hit the paper. We pumped a stream of 197 1 ¾. Good enough to handily win the muster ($400.00), but not enough for the Championship. The crew was totally exhausted; nobody had anything left to give. That was the best we could do on that day. The Oko also collected third place in the parade ($50.00.)

The season was a huge success. We had the best season since we won the championship back in 1922. We missed winning the Championship by only 3 9!!! Our prize money totaled $1,220.00 for the year.

Harold Hansen has been working on the hand tub over the years and the hand tub is in top shape and working great! We have the best pipe men in the league!! This year, Earl Doliber, Dave Falconi, Jim Ellingwood, Ross Goodwin, Ralph Sherman and Dave Martin assisted throughout the year on the play pipe. The Marblehead Fire Department assisted the Oko this year. Rick DiGiammarino was the leader in recruiting pumpers from other fire departments. Gary Bartlett assisted the Foreman this year. Joyce LaChapelle was in charge of the food and beverages. Margo Hansen, John Spanks, Robin Symonds, Jim Foss and his family assisted the Oko. Other organizations that helped us were the Union with Flash, the Tiger with Richard Harclerode, the Atlantic with Mike Butler and Carol McGaughey, and the Vixen with Jim and Brenda Ellingwood. Last but not least, I would like to thank my wife Deara.

Congratulations to the 2002 Class A Champions, The Protection and to the Class B Champions, the Hancock.

Presidents Message
By Harold Hansen

The 2002 season has ended, Tom, we almost did it! We won the last muster in Rhoade Island but we didnt take the Championship, however, this has been one of the best seasons in a long time.

The tub worked great and we had the best crews.

Id like to thank Foreman Rick Bartlett for his leadership, Gary Bartlett and Joyce LaChapelle for the best lunches and elbow grease. Thank you to the pipe crew Earl Doliber, Dave Falconi, Jim Ellingwood and the men that back them up. Thanks also to the troops on the brakes John, Frank and Richard Irons, Nancy NanNan Snyder, Jon Penni, Ross Goodwin, Jim Hazell, John Crosby, Mike Butler, Carol McGaughey, Flash from the Union, The Tiger, the Gerry, John Spanks, Jim Foss.

Thanks also to the Marblehead Firefighters who support us especially Rick The Recruiter DiGiammarino and Jason Gilliland. Thanks to Paul Deane for keeping us up-to-date on our website (www.okos.org) and thanks to Margo for putting up with me!

Thanks to everyone (I know I didnt list everyone) who has helped and supported us over the years.

Many thanks and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Robin Symonds.

Finally, lets not forget the person that keeps the Oko organization functioning and organized, through his tireless efforts as Secretary. Informed as our Editor-in-Chief of this Newsletter, long-time devotee of the Okos, and all around good guy, Earl Doliber. Earl thanks for all you do for the Okos.

First Dues Notice

Its coming up on that time of year again. Okos memberships renew January 1st for those of you who havent taken advantage of our Life Membership program. Annual dues remain at only $10.00 and $50.00 gets you in for life. Our generic order form and membership application/renewal is enclosed. You can renew early and begin your Christmas shopping at the same time. As always donations of any size are encouraged and greatly appreciated.

Election November Meeting

November is our election month and a full slate of officers will be voted upon. Come join us and help guide the future of your association.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Okos Hall, 222 Washington Street, Marblehead. The 50/50 drawing is held at the end of each meeting.