Day 336: Finale

Schoolhouse Rock concluded tonight and not a minute too soon.  Most of the adults and high school students were counting the minutes!  The performers were not focused and made more mistakes, but their families loved it and the lessons they learned made the time spent very worthwhile.  It would be wise to require kids to sign a behavioral contract if they do another show next year.  

I took the cast photo, but it is not good quality.  The spotlight was too intense in the center and I wished I had my other lens.  I'll have to work on this type of shot so I'm prepared for Millie.

On a disappointing note, only twelve families came to the Quest parent meeting this morning.  We expected 30-40 since 83 kids signed up.  I hope more attend the other meetings next week.  Maybe Quest for 8th graders will just fade away from lack of interest.  

Day 335: Interplanet Janet

Schoolhouse Rock, Jr. 

The show was a great hit on opening night!  They sold 375 tickets and the audience was really responsive.  One of my favorite moments is when our friend Mark plays the role of Interplanet Janet.

Interplanet Janet!  

Day 334: Mike and Mike

Tonight Steve, Julius, Tony and Erik honored two men who have dedicated a total of 75 years to training EMTs.  Our entire region has benefitted from their contributions.  Thousands of EMT students  have gone on to work with local rescue squads, commercial ambulance services or in emergency rooms.  Some were citizens who simply wanted to be prepared for emergencies.   Think of the lives they have impacted! 

Mike P. served as an instructor for the past 35 years and has spent many more years in the fire service.   A World War II veteran, Mike V. was an instructor for 40 years.  During the war, he earned a Purple Heart and a Silver Star.  A few years ago he was recognized by NYS as the longest continuously serving EMT in the entire state.  

What remarkable role models they are!

Erik, Tony,  Julius, Mike V., Mike P., Steve

Day 333: Backstage of Schoolhouse

Backstage crew

Directors

The preview assemblies went very well and the performers really rose to the occasion.  Having an audience makes all the difference!  

A water emergency occurred in the village today and complicated life for everyone.  Apparently a pump failed at the water disposal so a chemical was not added and the water quality failed inspection.  The pump is repaired now, but we must boil water until at least Friday.  All after school activities were cancelled, so the Quest parent meeting had to be postponed.  

Day 332: Schoolhouse Rock dress rehearsal

Another musical!  Putting on a middle school musical staffed by high school students and a few adults has been an outstanding idea.  We have seen remarkable growth, not only in the performers, but also in the students behind the scenes.  Veterans of HS musicals are directing, choreographing, managing props, lights, sound and the stage crew.  More importantly, they are teaching the younger students so that when they arrive in high school, they will have a strong foundation already.

Day 331: Long ride home

I quickly finished reading The Lotus Eaters by Tatiana Soli while on the train today and then had little to do.  The wifi signal on the train was so weak that I could not delete any of the photos from my blog so that I could enter photos for the last few days.  Many short delays lengthened the trip, but at least this time, everyone was really pleasant.  Traveling east on Tuesday, most of the passengers were students, but traveling west this morning, gray hair was predominant.

We were sorry to say goodbye to the boys and April, but we know they have happy, busy lives to return to and we will see them again in just a month.

I took a math lesson from a help site and figured out that if I export the photo in the smallest size, it will be free because Blogger does not count a photo under 800 x 800 pixels.

Day 330: Reflections

Their pilgrimages complete, thousands of 20 and 30 somethings rolled colorful suitcases through the train stations.  One hand on the bag, the other scrolling on a cellphone, their tired faces reflected little but the coming work week.  The holiday over, they were absorbed in resuming their routines.

Strolling along 34th St., we watched little children and their parents marvel at the animated displays in Macy's windows.  Faces lit up and smiling, the kids ran from one window to the next.  It was so  crowded that all of the pictures include reflections of buildings across the street and the sausage cart parked nearby.

We said our goodbyes in the subway station after seeing Life of Pi and having dinner at the Skylight Diner near 34th St.  Colin and I got seasick from the motion of the film and missed about an half hour in the middle of the film.  Everyone was moved by the story and the high quality animation effects.  The book is on my shelf, so I'll have to read it since I can't watch it.

Tomorrow we all return to our routine lives.  It was far less stressful for all of them that we traveled to NY instead of them trying to drive back and forth.  A busy week awaits us since we have four parent meetings for Quest coming up, as well as the middle school musical.