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Jim Whyte, Pipe Major
Jim Whyte succeeded Ernie Lackey as Pipe Major in November 2008. He joined the Atlantic Watch in January 1996 at the suggestion of his wife, Patty, during the band’s performance at a First Night celebration in Red Bank. Jim rose slowly through the ranks, making Corporal in 2001, and Color Sergeant three years later. Although this is Jim’s first and only pipe band, he has been a student of music for nearly fifty years, and has played woodwinds with such diverse groups as the Fleet Sonar School Band, Key West, FL, the Bath Municipal Band, Bath, ME, the Navajo Nation Band, Window Rock, AZ, and the Ocean Grove Summer Band. He is a Navy veteran and currently works for the US Army as a Computer Engineer. He lives in Red Bank with his wife, Patty, a member of the Band’s Color Guard. |
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Larry Story, Drum Major Larry Story has been a member of the Atlantic Watch since 2000. Larry rose through the ranks as a drummer, playing both snare and bass drums. His true love is the bass drum which he played while competing with the band at the World Pipe Band Championship in Scotland in 2005. He still keeps up his skill level with the bass drum and often teaches classes to other bass drummers in other bands. Just prior to taking the rank of Drum Major, he held the rank of 1st Color Sergeant. The former Chief of the Freehold Township Fire Co., Larry also gained marching experience with various fire departments and served in the US Coast Guard and was a member of their Top 16 Drill Team. He lives in Freehold with his wife Susan, who supports all that he does with the band, and will even march with Larry at some parades. |
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Ginnie Morningstern, Band Secretary Ginnie Morningstern is the Atlantic Watch's long serving Secretary. Ginnie has been playing the bagpipes since 1984. She joined the newly formed Atlantic Watch in May, 1993. As Secretary, Ginnie does more than take minutes at Officer's and General meetings. She is responsible for checking attendance at each band event and tracking each member status. She is also charged with broadcasting news and announcements to the membership. In addition to her duties as Secretary, Ginnie serves as a piping instructor and was a member of the Competition Band. As Sergeant Major, she leads the band in the absence of the Pipe Major. Ginnie has piped with the band in Scotland, Bermuda, New Orleans and Hawaii. |
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Gary Saphire, Band Agent Gary Saphire joined the Atlantic Watch in the fall of 2004. His daughter, Erika joined him in early 2005 playing the tenor drum. Gary replaced Al Baker as band agent in the July 2011. Gary has served as event coordinator for the band and enjoyed organizing the annual "Get Your Irish Up" with the event committee. He has enjoyed playing with the band in Scotland, Canada, Ticonderoga. He is pleased to play with the Atlantic Watch's competition band. Doc enjoys all things Celtic and is currently a student of the Irish language.
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Tom Curtis, Treasurer Tom Curtis joined the band in 1997, after hearing a neighbor playing the bagpipes in his backyard and learning that the Atlantic Watch met in Red Bank and offered bagpipe lessons. He was elected treasurer in Nov 2010. He has traveled with the band to Scotland and played in numerous parades and events in the tri-state area. He is a physicist, retired from Bell Labs and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab. He lives with his life partner, Barbara Nevius, in Red Bank, NJ. In addition to piping, he enjoys sailing, tennis, golf and reading. |
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Len Calabro, Band Quarter Master Len joined the Band in 1996 and after one year was elected Quartermaster. In addition to having the responsibility of the Band's Award winning Color Guard, he is well known for his ability to provide Food & Refreshments when the Band is "on the road" touring. Len also served as Logistics Coordinator for the Bands many Celtic Festivals. He is no stranger to large organizations and enjoys the challenges. He is a Municipal Planning Board member, an Officer with a Volunteer Fire/Rescue Service and a Dive Team Member.
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Don Chaiken, Publicity Agent Don Chaiken stepped in to fill the vacancy at Publicity Agent when Susan Walsh relocated out of the area. He hopes to continue the job with the same skill and zeal that Susan exhibited. He is aided in his attempt by his decades of professional writing and his love of Celtic music. With no prior piping or marching experience, he came to the band as a complete novice and learned to play the bagpipes as a member of the Atlantic Watch. Over the following years his hard work earned him “Most Improved Piper” award as well as the rank of Sergeant. |
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