Paul Cummins

for MARCH 2001

Hello again!

Is anyone else suffering from spring fever besides me? I'm sick and tired of cold and wintry…bring on spring! Our March Band Member of the Month hails from the chair right next to mine (to my left, of course) in the trumpet section. Without Mr. March in the seat next to mine in band, the whole band experience as I know it just isn't the same. To make that statement even more beautiful, he recently told me the very same thing.

Paul Cummins is a wonderfully funny (like a clown, but with worse jokes, ha!) and likable man. Knowing that he has worked hard with the Tinley Park fire department for many years only makes him more admirable. I guess I should stop now, so everyone doesn't get the impression think that I am secretly in love with him. Please read about my friend, fellow goofball, and Mr. March, Paul Cummins. (Woo hoo!)

Gleefully admitted,
Linda Riha

First name: Samuel …please call me Paul. In which town do you live? Tinley, is there any other? How do you make your living? I am the Site Manager for an Ink Vehicle Manufacturing Company. Akzo Nobel is a large multinational company, with 70,000 employees world wide. How long have you been a member of the Arts Alive Band? I became a member in approximately 1989. I tore my ACL playing basketball on Monday nights (with the TP police and firefighters) and felt that at my age playing in the band might be less hazardous to my health, little did I know. Paul and his wife Marcia are always “looking out” for good times! What instrument(s) do you play? I attempt to play the trumpet. Basically I listen to Dan and Linda and try to play the same thing, unfortunately they are playing different parts. How long have you been playing it/them? Since 3rd grade!!!!! That's almost before trumpets had valves (Ron Skala would remember those days!) Paul is known internationally as Tinley Park's finest firefighter and provider of free T-shirts. Are you involved in any other musical groups, either inside or outside the Arts Alive system? If so, which ones? The Arts Alive jazz band has been a rewarding experience. It's so much fun to stand behind trombone players and try to make them go deaf. (Thanks Paul! - Webmaster Mike) What do you like most about this group? I must agree with Linda that the diversity of the group, including backgrounds, age, etc. make it an exciting time. Describe your best/favorite band moment. Drinking (free) beer, on stage, while playing in the concert band, in "Düdelsheim" Germany and still being appreciated by the audience was outstanding. How can you beat that? Paul enjoys driving through town in his “apparatus”. What are your hobbies? I am a Captain on the Tinley Park Fire Department and am responsible for the 54 members of Company 1 at station 1. Perhaps if you live in Tinley I have visited your house at one time or another. I have been with the department since 1976. I teach at the Third District Fire Academy and am a member of the Third District Hazardous Materials Response Team. (Yes, we are the weird guys that go out in those funny blue, "plastic suits", when someone spills something yucky by accident or on purpose.) I am also a member of the Historical Commission for the Village of Tinley Park. What is your favorite Jell-O flavor? Any Jell-O that has a kick to it! Is there anything else you want your band friends to know about you? Terry Elliot [a clarinet player in the band] and I went to High School and played in the band together. I can remember many times that I had to get Terry out of trouble with the Blue Island PD. Chant TER-RY!, TERRY!,TERRY! I really appreciate the support of all those loyal relatives, of all the Band members, who selfishly follow us (around the world) from concert to concert supporting our efforts. My wife Marcia and two sons Ryan and Aaron have been to many an event and for that I am grateful. So make sure that all of you [band members] thank Mom, Dad, Spouse, Kids, Ex-wives, etc.