Sip & Paint Fundraiser supports Montrose Marching Unit Alumni Band

2-4-26

By Louis Gauthier
MONTROSE — After a week when snowbanks towered along sidewalks and parking lots and temperatures struggled to reach the single digits, the banquet hall of the Montrose VFW offered a welcome respite from the cold and strong winds that buffeted the region as community members gathered to stretch their creativity and paint for a cause.

For a few hours on Feb. 1, local residents came together to support the Montrose Marching Unit Alumni Band at a Sip & Paint fundraiser. The gathering wasn’t just about escaping the cold; it was about raising funds to help the band continue its journey to Philadelphia this summer, where it will represent Montrose and Susquehanna County on the world stage at America’s 250th birthday parade on July 3.
A shared sense of fun and purpose was instilled by the hosts, local couple Michelle and Eric Lusk, who brought creativity and laughter to the afternoon. Lusk, an Emmy Award–winning television special effects artist— recognized for his work on the show “House” — painter, and tattoo artist, led participants with an easygoing coaching style, while Michelle ensured the atmosphere remained welcoming and upbeat.
Known for operating the popular attraction Hellstead Manor, the Lusks also make a point of giving back to the community by regularly hosting Sip & Paint fundraisers to help organizations reach their goals. The couple, who moved back to the area in 2009 after spending more than 12 years in California, are always looking for ways to support local causes. Michelle Lusk shared that they “love to see people excited about raising money for a good cause,” and that they have fun doing it.
The subject for the event was a floral bouquet painted in bright red, white and blue hues. The theme was intentional, with Michelle explaining that for each of their Sip & Paint events they try to pick something that fits the event or time of year. She noted the colors this time were chosen to “reflect both the band and the Fourth of July,” adding that they also wanted to create something people could display in their homes.
The idea for the fundraiser was sparked in part by a conversation Michelle had with Darleen Wood, a 1992 Montrose High School graduate and member of the Montrose Marching Unit Alumni Band. Wood, who is entering her eighth year with the Scare Cast at Hellstead Manor, mentioned the band’s opportunity to march in Philadelphia, and Michelle quickly offered to help organize a fundraiser.
Wood reflected on her years in the band, saying they “were kind of a big family,” and added that the community response to the Philadelphia trip has been overwhelmingly positive. “People seem very excited for us,” Wood said, noting that the afternoon allowed her to “combine a couple of activities I like, the band and painting.”

Also in attendance was former Montrose High School Band Director Dean Houck, who led the high school marching band from 1973 to 1996. Houck shared how he was hired to start the marching band program in Montrose and recalled a time when the band numbered nearly 200 members, with almost one out of every four students in 9th through 12th grades involved.
Houck credited the band’s success to strong community support, highlighting that the band under his leadership always had a “very very active band parents organization” that included community leaders “who were very influential and positive community influences.” Remarking on how the alumni band still exemplifies a spirit of community and togetherness from their days as high school students, he said that the band regularly practiced two nights a week and on Saturdays. Often competing on Saturdays or Sundays, Houck said, “we were like a family because we were always together.”

Al Evans, a 1988 Montrose High School graduate and trumpet player in the high school and now alumni bands, echoed those sentiments, explaining how valuable the group’s travel experiences to compete were for many students. “For some, it was the first opportunity to travel outside the area,” Evans said.
Those trips included a journey to England in 1993 and a performance in Washington, D.C., for George H.W. Bush’s 1989 inaugural parade, which Houck jokingly referred to as “the coldest parade ever.”
Houck also shared that the alumni band will debut a new musical composition at the Philadelphia parade and again in Montrose the following day. The piece, titled Amber Waves, was written by former Montrose band member Chris Johnson. Houck credited Johnson with bringing the alumni band to the attention of Philadelphia parade producer Todd Marcocci. After Johnson posted a video of the group performing in the 2025 Montrose Fourth of July parade, Marcocci took notice, ultimately inviting the alumni band to march in the Philadelphia parade.
As the painting portion of the afternoon got underway, Eric guided participants through the color palette and brush techniques they would use. Budding artist Kathy McGadden, of nearby Jessup Township, said the event was a chance to “get out, have a good day, be with people, and get a painting too.”
The room at the VFW was filled with laughter and conversation as attendees Irene Warner and Judy Murphy shared their enthusiasm. “We love it,” Warner said, while Murphy added, “Eric is good at teaching these things so everyone has a good time.”
Supporting the community was a theme echoed by Andrew and Victoria Smalley. While Andrew Smalley praised Eric as an artist and instructor, Victoria Smalley said, “when we heard about it (the event) we wanted to do what we could to help out — this is amazing.”
They had previously been out to support the alumni band fundraising efforts being driven by local business Donuts and Ammo, and Victoria said that this was their first exposure to the band and “decided that we were coming (to the Sip & Paint event) no matter what.”
By the time the event ended participants had accomplished far more than coloring in a canvas. It had brought residents together to celebrate a proud local organization, and help the Montrose Marching Unit Alumni Band get one step closer to sharing its talents on the national stage in July. More information on the band and their journey to Philadelphia can be found at https://www.facebook.com/MMUAlumniBand/.