A marching band telegram

for Coltrane Carlson’s 30th birthday

Coltrane suprisedFriday was a perfect day for a parade, even early in the morning, and while it wasn’t quite a parade, the Greene County High School marching band was in downtown Jefferson for a special occasion… a 30th birthday.

The Jefferson Rotary Club has such a great history of supporting student activities that when Rotarian Doug Rieder (wearing light shirt) approached band director Becky Greiner last fall with the idea of a marching band version of a singing telegram being on the club’s auction, she couldn’t  turn him down. Rieder  put in the high bid at the auction, and he surprised his Raccoon Valley Radio co-worker, newscaster Coltrane Carlson(wearing dark shirt), with the marching band telegram Friday. (Carlson’s actual birthday is Sunday, April 19.)

Band for ColtraneCarlson said he wondered what was going on when he came around the corner near his office and saw police cars. A news story? Well, why not? It’s not everyone who gets a marching band to play for his birthday.

The 2015 Rotary auction is Nov. 13. Whether or not there’s a marching band telegram up for auction, there will be plenty to bid on, with all proceeds benefiting worthwhile charitable projects in Greene County.

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