Backward! Turn Backward! Oh! Time in your flight!

And make me a child again! Just for tonight!

That’s how my wife Annette and I felt when the Concerts by the Bay was transferred to the Waterfront to the McGinnis  School, the old PAHS, because of the threat of rain. We felt we were like students again. The seats were the same. Except this time they were padded. The murals on the walls were the same which always inspired us dreamers.

And the clock over the stage was still stuck at 10:36. Doesn’t anyone ever bring the clock up to date? I guess they do not have to because the music of the Garden State Symphonic Band directed by Chris Pederson is so great and soothing that it puts us all in a dreamlike state. No matter where or how we listen to the music it is always wonderful!

We were especially thrilled by the singing of Vocalist Erin Hill who did not need a microphone when performing renditions of old favorites like Danny Boy and Glocca Morra. It was also great to greet fellow music lovers like John and Anne Mulvey of South Amboy. We were also saddened by the passing of  Steve Cserr and Nate Witken.

My high school class started its senior year with an assembly in this same auditorium the day after Labor Day. World War II had broken out a few days before. This put a  more serious cast on our proceedings. The halcyon days were over! I remember Mr. Roseboro stating it took about 2 ½ years for us to enter WWI. Sho’ nuff! It took almost that time until Pearl Harbor. One of the almost 200 casualties was Red Grant for whom the 87th Regatta was held that weekend in the bay.

Thanks!
– Peter Book a.k.a. Pedro Libro