April Dream Partner e-News
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Our Very Own Jeff Dyer
For as long as anyone can remember, Wilton's town bagpiper, Glenn Shattuck, has suited up in his kilt. He put on his Glengarry hat and green hose to play the pipes — marching proudly in the annual Memorial Day Parade.
And for as long as Jeff Dyer of Orange can remember, he wanted to "learn to the play the pipes" of his Celtic and Scottish ancestors.
Dyer this year replaces Shattuck, now in his 80s, who moved to Long Island and is no longer the lead bagpiper in Wilton. Parade organizers tried to find a local bagpiper to take his place but failed.
"Finding a replacement bagpiper is probably the toughest of all," said parade Chairman Bing Ventres, recent commander of the Wilton American Legion Hall for 27 years. He took over as head of the 2011 parade after years on its Board of Trustees. "We're going to miss Glenn ... but we are thrilled to have Jeff Dyer."
He didn't have to look far to find Dyer, 48, of Orange, lead bagpiper and musical director of the Connecticut Shriners Pyramid Bagpipers. The group has marched in the Wilton parade as Shattuck's backup and is celebrating its 40th year.
The parade, scheduled to start at 10 a.m. at the Executive Campus Office Building on River Road, will proceed on its 1.25-mile route up Old Ridgefield Road to Ridgefield Road, Route 33, and finish at Hillside Cemetery on Route 7. There will be a solemn ceremony at 11 a.m. honoring the town's deceased veterans. Ventres said there could be a flyover during the ceremony by the Connecticut Air National Guard, 103rd Air Wing. Dozens of town bands, groups and individuals will march in the parade, expected to draw more than 1,000 spectators.
"I love playing at these parades," Dyer said. "It's what America is all about." He came to the bagpipes later in life, learning to play as an adult. Dyer was cast to play during the recent filming of a movie in Bridgeport that included a scene of a cop's funeral.
Parade Co-Chairman Patty Sweeney, senior vice president of the Wilton Bank, said the parade has "become one of Wilton's true legacies."
And for as long as Jeff Dyer of Orange can remember, he wanted to "learn to the play the pipes" of his Celtic and Scottish ancestors.
Dyer this year replaces Shattuck, now in his 80s, who moved to Long Island and is no longer the lead bagpiper in Wilton. Parade organizers tried to find a local bagpiper to take his place but failed.
"Finding a replacement bagpiper is probably the toughest of all," said parade Chairman Bing Ventres, recent commander of the Wilton American Legion Hall for 27 years. He took over as head of the 2011 parade after years on its Board of Trustees. "We're going to miss Glenn ... but we are thrilled to have Jeff Dyer."
He didn't have to look far to find Dyer, 48, of Orange, lead bagpiper and musical director of the Connecticut Shriners Pyramid Bagpipers. The group has marched in the Wilton parade as Shattuck's backup and is celebrating its 40th year.
The parade, scheduled to start at 10 a.m. at the Executive Campus Office Building on River Road, will proceed on its 1.25-mile route up Old Ridgefield Road to Ridgefield Road, Route 33, and finish at Hillside Cemetery on Route 7. There will be a solemn ceremony at 11 a.m. honoring the town's deceased veterans. Ventres said there could be a flyover during the ceremony by the Connecticut Air National Guard, 103rd Air Wing. Dozens of town bands, groups and individuals will march in the parade, expected to draw more than 1,000 spectators.
"I love playing at these parades," Dyer said. "It's what America is all about." He came to the bagpipes later in life, learning to play as an adult. Dyer was cast to play during the recent filming of a movie in Bridgeport that included a scene of a cop's funeral.
Parade Co-Chairman Patty Sweeney, senior vice president of the Wilton Bank, said the parade has "become one of Wilton's true legacies."