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March 2005 Volume I - 05-03 WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

FROM THE BEGINNING Ravens Roost No.1 started in 1957 as Colts Corral #1. Under the leadership of Leo Novak and Ed Loud, and along with the blessings of Don Kellett, general manager, and Ray Gilland of the Colts, the era of the Baltimore Football Fan Club was birthed. The first official meeting was May 18, 1957 at Hahn's Hall on Washington and Jefferson Streets in Baltimore City. Meetings were held twice monthly during the football season, and once monthly during the off-season.

The Colts Corral Logo Some of the famous visitors to the Corral meetings in the early years included Don Kellett, Weeb Eubank, Joe Croghan, L.G. Dupre, John Steadman, , Art Donovan, Bailey Goss, Joe Bellino, and other players on the Navy football team.

In October 1957, Colts Corral #2 was formed with Hurst Loudenslager as president. 'Loudy' as he was known, was instrumental in the formation of the Council of Colts Corrals in 1964. 'Loudy' was a Colts fan icon in the 60's and 70's. By July 1959 the football fervor had grown to four Corrals.

In 1961 Corral #1 had its first Annual Appreciation Dinner for the Colts Head Coach Weeb Eubank and his coaching staff. This event continued for many years.

During the late 1950's, 1960's and early 1970's, Colts Corral #1 was a leader in booking trips to out of town games by charter airplane, bus, or train. Members could earn free trips by selling a set number of raffle tickets. As a result many members were able to attend games via this method. Cities visited over the years included Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis, Green Bay, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York, Washington D.C., , Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, and New Orleans. Several of these cities were visited many times.

Minneapolis 1967

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Chicago 1960

A FAMILY OF FANS Jean Luckabaugh, current president of Ravens Roost #1, joined the organization in April 1960. She remembers when, "Corral #1, along with four other Corrals, joined in common bond to form 'the Council of Colts Corrals' in the early 1960's. Council Corral Presidents met monthly, as we do today, to discuss ways to support professional football in the Baltimore area. In addition to the Annual Convention in Ocean City, and once in downtown Baltimore in 1977, there was the Annual Bull and Oyster Roast, which continues to this day with the Ravens Roosts, and the Colts Corral Bowling Jean Luckabaugh (2nd left) & the Coral at a game in 1960 League. We also attended each other's events. These were and still are great ways to meet and make friends with fellow football fans across the city, the state and nearby Pennsylvania and Delaware."

Interesting tid-bits from those early years

Hahn Hall rental for 2 meetings in September - $6.00 Raffle tickets for a turkey - 3 tickets for 25¢ First away trip to Detroit 10/20/1957 - $32.00 for hotel room, round trip bus, and game ticket Washington D.C. Trip 11/10/1957 - $6.50 for bus and game ticket

We've come a long way !

THE TWO-MAN HORSE Colts Corral #1 was also noted for the two-man horse, which was led around the infield during all home games. The 'Horse' also traveled to many of the away football games. Colts Corral #1 was invited to bring the horse onto the field during halftimes in almost every city they visited.

Corral #1 Horse with the real horse "Dixie" In late 2004, Ravens Roost #1 contributed the Colts Corral #1 Horse to the Babe Ruth Museum for display in the new Sports Legends at Camden Yards Museum. We look forward to seeing it there, along with other memorabilia from the original Corrals and the new Ravens Roosts.

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THE LEAN YEARS During the lean years of 1983 to 1996, after the Baltimore Colts left town, the Corrals supported other football activities such as: The Baltimore Stars, and the Baltimore Stallions of the League. "It was different attending football games in the heat of July and August", Jean says, "but we reveled in having two Championship years with the Stallions, including winning the one of those years."

BACK TO THE FUTURE From the heartbreak days of '83, the members of Roost #1 were one of the lone watchmen helping to keep the Baltimore football flame alive. They The 'Horse' on the field in Cleveland 1962. With the horse is Ed Loud were part of the small herd of Colts fans helping the RAVEN rise to the new era of Baltimore football fandom, the COUNCIL OF ROOSTS.

From the early days to the present, Corral #1, now Ravens Roost #1 - PARKVILLE, has contributed many thousands of dollars to educational organizations, little league teams, Kernan Hospital, the MD School for the Blind and many other local charities.

"Today our group is small", says Jean Luckabaugh , "but Baltimore Ravens Roost #1 continues our devotion with the Baltimore Ravens Football Team and looks forward to future Championship years."

Council 'Cudos' to Ravens Roost #1 for helping keep the dream alive and getting it all started

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