How & When The Racine Kilties Really Were Organized
By George Fennell. Copyright 2007.
I took the opportunity to travel down to Kenosha, WI on Monday, November 6, 2006 to talk to Harald Kahlert, the
Kilties first drum major way back in 1936. One of the questions that I asked him was how long were the Kilties in
existence prior to their first public appearance in Racine’s 1936 Fourth of July parade. Harald told me that they
were in existence for probably 2 years prior to July 4, 1936.
This was a surprise to me as I believed that the Kilties were organized sometime in the fall of 1935. Although I had
no direct knowledge of when the Kilties actually were organized, I based this belief on the fact that the Kilties
celebrated their 25th anniversary in 1960 and they celebrated their 40th anniversary in 1975. Most of the Kilties
own promotional literature during their history as a Junior drum and bugle corps also stated that the Kilties were
organized in 1935.
There also was the school of thought that the Kilties were first organized in 1936. The Kilties Alumni celebrated the
Kilties 50th anniversary with a reunion in 1986 and the Kilties Sr. drum and bugle corps celebrated the Kilties 70th
anniversary during 2006. Of course, one could say that they were really celebrating the anniversary of their first
public appearance.
Harald also explained to me that the Kilties made public appearances prior to Racine’s 1936 Fourth of July parade.
The Kilties performed wearing white shirts and white pants. This was also a surprise to me!!!
After talking at length with Harald I thought that Harald’s memory was pretty good, but this information contradicted
newspaper articles and other written Kilties promotional information. So I thought that I ’d do some research based
on this new information. Although I still have been unable to find any information regarding any public appearances
by the Kilties prior to July 4, 1936, Harald was right about the Kilties being organized about two years prior to their
first public appearance in Racine's 1936 Fourth of July parade!!! After doing some research this is what I found out.
During the summer of 1934 American Legion week was held at the Racine Y.M.C.A. Camp Anokijig, a boys summer
camp located about 90 miles North of Racine on Little Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County, WI. Ray Vance was the
camp director at that time. The American Legion week was held from Friday, July 27, 1934 through Friday, August
3, 1934. During this week the American Legion had many experts as instructors at the camp. Each instructor was
thoroughly trained in the subject that he was teaching. Such things as rifle instruction and horsemanship were
taught by these American Legion instructors.
However, and more importantly, J. E. Asplund and Chester Nelson were on hand during this week to teach the boys
drumming and bugling. Both J. E. Asplund, who taught the boys drumming, and Chester Nelson, who taught the
boys bugling, were members of the Racine American Legion Post 76 drum and bugle corps. The intention at the
time was to train some boys at Camp Anokijig in drumming and bugling so that they could help with the different flag
ceremonies.
What happened was that a large number of boys turned out to learn drumming and bugling at Camp Anokijig during
this American Legion week. A creditable drum and bugle corps was reportedly developed in only a few days. It was
at this time that discussions for organizing a “Y” drum and bugle corps was first discussed. Legend also has it that it
was during this time when the boys and the founders of the Kilties were sitting around a campfire at Camp Anokijig
and discussions were taking place about what uniforms the boys should wear. Scotty McCreadie, also a member of
the Racine American Legion Post 76 drum and bugle corps at Camp Anokijig for American Legion week, said
definitively, “Let’s put ‘em in kilts!”
After the American Legion week at Camp Anokijig in 1934 the Racine Y.M.C.A. received many continuing requests
from both parents and boys to organize a “Y” boys drum and bugle corps.
As a result of this interest it was announced in the Sunday, October 14, 1934 issue of the Racine Sunday Bulletin
newspaper that the Racine Y.M.C.A. was organizing a “kiltie outfit”. The boys’ drum and bugle corps would probably
also include bag pipes in addition to the drums and bugles. It was also stated that “the Racine American Legion
Post 76 drum and bugle corps will cooperate in this venture and supply the drum and bugle instructors“. All boys
interested in forming such an outfit were invited to meet at the Y.M.C.A. on Monday night, October 15th at 7:30 p.m.
Twenty-eight boys showed up at the first meeting of the Kilties drum and bugle corps at the “Y” on Monday evening,
October 15th, 1934. This group was made up entirely of boys from the Y.M.C.A. ranging in age from eight to 14
years old.
The Kilties first rehearsal was held at the downtown “Y” on Friday, November 2, 1934, after the Racine American
Legion Post 76 drum and bugle corps returned from the American Legion’s national convention at Miami, FL.
Members of the Racine American Legion Post 76 drum and bugle corps were then available to instruct the Kilties.
At first the Kilties were loaned drums and bugles from Racine’s Washington Junior High School, as that school’s
drum and bugle corps had folded. Organized in 1927, the Washington Junior High School drum and bugle corps,
known as the “Pioneers”, were Racine’s first junior drum and bugle corps. They were active at least through 1932.
When the Kilties were first organized the mothers and fathers of the boys volunteered their services, each forming a
group co-operating to the end that instruments and uniforms might be provided. Various activities to raise funds
were conducted by both the mothers and fathers clubs.
At the head of the "Mothers" club was Mrs. B. J. Smollen as president. Other officers of that club were Mrs. Charles
Moran, vice president; Mrs. Arthur Slaasted, secretary; Mrs. Walter Keller, treasurer. Directors were Mrs. F. W.
Foreman, Mrs. R. Thomas, Mrs. William Sweetman and Mrs. Royal Schaefer.
A. M. Baker was the president of the "Dads" club, and the other officers were Harry Cox, vice president; Charles
Moran, secretary; B. J. Smollen, treasurer. Directors were Arthur Slaasted, Louis Bondelin, William Sweetman,
Royal Schaefer. B. J. Smollen was designated as business manager.
The Racine Kilties continued to practice on Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the downtown Y.M.C.A. On Friday,
December 26th, 1934, at 7:30 p.m., however, a Christmas party was held instead for the boys of the Kilties drum
and bugle corps.
The Kilties drum and bugle corps had their first drill rehearsal in the gym at the downtown Racine Y.M.C.A. on Friday
evening, February 1st, 1935 at 7:30 p.m. Oscar Gerlat was the Kilties’ drill instructor. There were now over 40 boys
in the Kilties.
For the summer of 1935 music rehearsal was scheduled on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. while regular drill practices
were scheduled on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m.
Interestingly the Kilties advertised for a “good base drummer” in the Sunday, June 23, 1935 issue of the Racine
Sunday Bulletin newspaper.
By September of 1935 the Kilties membership had grown to over 60 boys. Wednesday night rehearsals were
eliminated for the school year, however Thursday night rehearsals at 7 p.m. continued in the “Y” gym. At this time
Royal Schaefer was chairman of the drum corps committee, Scotty McCreadie was now the drill instructor, Al
Asplund the drum instructor and Oscar Gerlat the bugle instructor.
By January of 1936 the Kilties now had a growing waiting list. The Kilties first public appearance was set for
Memorial Day, however, the Kilties still didn’t have enough money to buy uniforms. Rummage sales and dinners
were regularly being held by the Kilties Mothers Club to raise the money needed to purchase uniforms.
One of these Kilties Mothers Club rummage sales was held on Saturday, February 15, 1936. Mrs. Frank Seibold
was chairman of the committee in charge of it. Other members of this committee included Mrs. Charles Moran, Mrs.
Roy Schaefer and Mrs. Art Slaasted.
On Thursday, February 20, 1936 the Kilties Mother’s Club held a Mothers and Fathers party at the Y.M.C.A. when
they held their monthly meeting. All parents of members of the Kilties drum and bugle corps were invited to this
party. The entire “Y” building was used for this party. Activities included bowling, swimming, open gym, movies, dart
ball, and other social games. Refreshments were also available.
Committees appointed for this occasion included: Program and refreshments: Mrs. W. P. Sweetman, Mrs. Rodger
Rost, Mrs. Jake Stoffel, Mrs. B. J. Smollen, and Mrs. William Dupuis. Reception committee: Mrs. F. W. Foreman,
Mrs. Charles Moran, Mrs. Roy Schaefer, Mrs. Art Slaasted, Mrs. Chris Sondergaard and Mrs. Paul Kahlert.
Preceding some Thursday night rehearsals during 1936 at the Y.M.C.A. the members of the Kilties were invited to
swim from 6:30 p. m. until practice began at 7:00 p.m.
The Kilties were unable to meet their goal of having their first public appearance on Memorial Day on Saturday, May
30, 1936. I believe that it was because their uniforms were not ready yet. Since the Kilties were organized over 1 ½
years ago, it had been quite an effort by both the Kilties Mothers Club and Fathers Club to raise the money needed
to purchase the Kilties uniforms . It was the during “Great Depression” and the Kilties were still short of the funds
needed to purchase their uniforms. Fortunately in the spring of 1936 the Racine Kiwanis Club came to the Kilties
rescue by donating the funds out of their treasury to complete the uniforms. However, the boys and parents
supplied their own white shirt and tam.
The timing of the Racine Kiwanis Club's donation, however, didn't leave the Kilties with enough time to get their
uniforms made in time for their goal of having their first public appearance on Memorial Day on Saturday, May 30,
1936. The uniforms were made by a local dressmaker who was assisted in the taking of measurements and other
tasks by the mothers. The uniform consisted of a white shirt, an imported sporran and tam, and a tie, tartan and
kilt of Royal Stewart plaid, a red plaid.
Heading the Kiwanis committee co-operating with both the Kilties Mothers and Fathers Clubs was Dr. Edwin
Baurenfiend.
As a mark of appreciation on the part of the mothers and dads of the boys, it was decided to name the group "The
Kiwanis Kilties." On the bass drums was painted the emblem of both the Kiwanis club and that of the YMCA.
Dress rehearsal in preparation for the Kilties first public appearance in the July Fourth parade in Racine was held on
Thursday, July 2, 1936.
Seventy-two boys were trained at this point, but not all participated in the activities and were uniformed at this time.
For the Kilties first public appearance in Racine's Fourth of July Parade in 1936 appeared 48 boys.
The Racine Boy Scouts drum and bugle corps were awarded first place in marching in Racine’s 1936 Fourth of July
parade while the Kiwanis Kilties drum and bugle corps of the Y.M.C.A were awarded first place for appearance.
Parade Judges were: F. Lee Norton, A. W. Moe and Dewey Christensen.
A full corps picture of the Kilties taken immediately after the 1936 Racine Fourth of July parade on the steps of
Memorial Hall appeared in the Racine Journal-Times, Monday, 07-06-36, along with the article " 'Kiwanis Kilties'
Make Debut in Racine's July 4 Parade." The photo caption below this photo listed the members of the Kilties
appearing in this photo as:
Harold Kahlert, drum major; Melvin Anderson, Bob Asplund, Kenneth Allen, John Black, Don Foreman, Frank
Peterson, Thomas Rost, Raymond Seibolt, Edward Sondergaard, Richard Sondergaard, Arthur Square, Don
Sweetman, Bob Thoemke, Robert Baker, Dean Baker, Harry Cox, William Dupuis, Don Evans, Franklin Fritchek,
Richard Jandl, Jack Jorgenson, Walter Keller, Kenneth Killberg, Dale Kirk, Clyde Kratochvil, Esmond Moran , Roger
Rost, Donald Schaefer, Billy Schaefer, Jimmie Thoemke.
Arthur Slaasted, William Smollen, Harry Sorenson, Jerry Svoboda, Don Peterson, John Sorenson, Warren Frost,
Jack Bandelin, Robert Thomas, Craig Davis, John Harrits, Victor Jensen, Donald Peterson, George Rudat, Wallace
Hansen, Jerome Larsen, Billy Spreeberg, Neil Rose, Billy Firehammer, Gilbert Foreman, Roger Foreman, Bobby
Moat, Allen Judd, Thomas Work, Julius Narfy, Dick Hudson, Bobby Lyman.
Next up for the Kiwanis Kilties was their first performance at a drum and bugle corps show. At 7:30 pm on August
5, 1936 the Kilties opened the drum and bugle corps portion of Racine's fifth annual music festival sponsored by
the Journal-Times at Horlick Athletic field. This is how the Journal-Times described the drum and bugle corps show
in the newspaper the next day:
"Promptly at 7:30, the 262,000 watt battery of floodlights was turned on, and after a brief introduction by Dr. Walter
D. Gearen, who is in charge of the drum corps portion of the program, the Kiwanis Kilties of the Y.M.C.A. swung onto
the field, their highland plaids adding to the brilliant color of the setting. It was their first appearance at a music
festival, and they drew hearty applause as they drilled briefly in front of the green-banked stage that faced the
grandstand. "
"Next came Racine's Armenian drum corps in their blue and white. As the applause marking their drill died down,
the Boy Scout corps marched on to prove to the friendly crowd why this corps ranks as the finest in the Midwest and
won first place honors at the Chicago music festival in Chicago last year."
"Last of the drum corps to appear was the old Racine favorite-the Boys of '76 of the American Legion. Appearing
for the first time in Racine in their gold and white West Point dress uniforms, they presented snappy drill
maneuvers, climaxing their appearance with a drum and bugle concert of classical numbers."
The weather man provided fair weather for the 3,500 spectators and more than 750 musicians and singers that took
part in the music festival. A bright white moon lent its splendor to the general impressiveness of the spectacle.
As in past years, the festival program was broadcast by WRJN radio under the sponsorship of S.C.Johnson and
Son, Inc. for those unable to attend.
All tickets were $1 each and were available at the Journal-Times office in advance.
On Friday, August 21, 1936, the Mothers club of the Kiwanis Kilties drum and bugle corps went to see the Cubs play
at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill. Mothers could invite daughters and friends. Mrs. Frank Siebolt handled the
planning and took the reservations for this trip.
On Thursday, September 3, 1936 the Kiwanis Kilties made their first appearance at the Racine County Fair at Old
Settler's Park in Union Grove, WI. The Kilties performance was part of the Grandstand Show for this evening. The
evening program opened at 7:15 pm with a half hour concert by the Racine Musician Union band. The Kilties
performed at 7:45 pm and the Journal-Times had this to say about their performance in an article the next day:
"Wearing their Scotch plaids, the Kiwanis Kiltie drum and bugle corps of the Y.M.C.A., under the direction of "Scotty"
MacCreadie, entertained before the grandstand last evening, drawing enthusiastic applause from the capacity
audience."
The Kilties performance was followed at 8:15 pm by the Hocking-Jones Rodeo & Circus and by a fireworks display
at 9:30 pm.
The 14th annual Racine County Fair was held on Sept. 1, 2, and 3, 1936 at Old Settler's Park in Union Grove, WI.
Admission was 25 cents with children under 14 free. Grandstand admission was 25 cents to all at night, it was free
during the day.
On Monday, September 7, 1936 a crowd estimated at more than 10,000 people swarmed into Midway Park in
Racine to participate in the annual Labor Day celebration.
The early part of the day was taken up with a big parade starting at 10 am followed by miscellaneous programs at
the park in the afternoon. A band concert by the WPA Band, sports and games for the children, and a ball game
between two girls teams entertained the picnicers until 4:30 when Senator Robert M. LaFollette arrived from
Janesville to give the principal address.
The musical organizations appearing in the parade included the Boy Scout drum and bugle corps; the WPA Band;
Racine American Legion Post 76 drum and bugle corps; the Fireman's Band; and the Kiwanis Kilties drum and
bugle corps.
NOTE: I mentioned the names of the parents involved in the Kilties Mothers and Fathers Club to give us an idea of
who’s parents were involved with the Kilties during the early years of the organization of the Kilties. We owe these
parents many thanks!