Education | Information Bravo

The Minuteman Marching Band will participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City this Thursday, their first appearance at this legendary event. It will be such a thrill for the 400 band members, their families, their supporters, and all of us in the UMass community. I know that the “Power and Class of New England” will do us proud, in this, our 150th anniversary year.

I found out from the UMass website that the band would be practicing this evening and decided to stay in Amherst after work so I could see them. It was very cold and raw, so when I left the office, I bundled up before heading toward the Mullins Center on Commonwealth Avenue. As I approached the athletic fields, I could hear the band tuning their instruments in the distance; then around 5:30, they began to move toward the Southwest Residential Area. Camera in hand, I hurried across the street as they turned from the softball fields and started to march up Massachusetts Avenue.

Night had fallen by then, and it was quite dark. As you know, I don’t really know how to operate my camera, and although these shots are terrible due to the poor lighting, I’m posting them anyway. Band members were not in uniform so they looked like a ragged, sorry bunch. I walked beside them on the sidewalk as they marched toward Haigis Mall, playing their standards: “God Bless America,” “Fight Mass,” and “Sweet Caroline.” I must say, despite the darkness and sub-freezing temperature, they sounded wonderful, and I was glad to be there.

Sam the Minuteman follows the color guards who carry the flags

Here’s part of the brass section

Lights and movement, right?!

On Thursday, turn your TV dials to NBC, and watch for the Minuteman Marching Band in front of Macy’s Herald Square at 11:24 am. I know the weather won’t be balmy, so let’s hope it’s at least tolerable, as the show will go on.

Those of you who are long-time readers of this blog might remember that two years ago I wrote a post about Founder’s Day, in which I mentioned that UMass would be celebrating its sesquicentennial in two years. That day has arrived! There’s been a barrage of publicity this year about this milestone, and I’ve enjoyed reading the timelines and pondering the numbers. You should really take a look at the 150 Years section of the UMass website; there is some fascinating material here. I don’t subscribe to the Boston Globe, which devoted a special section to the 150th, but I do receive the alumni magazine, which also devoted an issue to the 150 year history of the University.

Of course I RSVPd that I would attend the Founder’s Day picnic, which was held today on the lawn outside Goodell. I went early, and the lines moved quickly. People often mention the wait, but remember that they have to feed a huge crowd, and I think they manage quite well. Of course this is not Michelin restaurant dining, but I thought the food was actually very tasty. They made an effort to serve locally grown food, and there were vegetarian options, which is important to me. As usual, I looked forward to the desserts: cookies, cupcakes, ice cream, and more.

I won’t be around for the 200th, but I’m sure the University will. Go UMass!

Here’s a random sample of photos I took today: