Two Centuries and a Half Young
Today is the 250th birthday of Amherst, Massachusetts. When I arrived at the Amherst Starbucks this morning, looking out the window I felt sure the parade would be cancelled by heavy rains.
But despite Amherst's reputation in some quarters as a heathen haven, God stopped the rain in time for the festivities to get underway on time. Among the spectators was local libertarian leader Terry Franklin.
Springfield was represented by this Cat in the Hatter.
Politicians onhand included State Rep. Ellen Story and Congressman John Olver.
Of course Emily Dickinson had to be represented, and she was by school children marching with placards bearing Miss Emily's poems.
Northampton sent their most distinguished emissaries - The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Among those participating in the parade was the Amherst Survival Center. I marched with them.
Amherst blogmaster Larry Kelley was covering the scene.
He was taking a picture of me.
Amherst used to be a section of the town of Hadley, which sent this float to honor their rebellious offspring.
250 years ago you might very well have seen a family looking just like this walking down the street.
Of course Motown Bennie was there.
A local bear perched atop the Cowls Lumber truck.
A plan for the next 250 years.
Scene from a commercial nightmare.
Today's Video
The UMass Minuteman Marching Band (above) was among those participating in today's Amherst birthday parade. Here they are in 2001 doing White Rabbit.
4 comments:
I planned to go to the parade but thought it would be raining. Great coverage Tom!
Great pics, Tom. I looked up from my own camera too late to snap you marching with the Survival Center, taking photos. Glad I saw you, though!
Tom,
What the hell happened to that beautiful woman, Grace Slick? I realize Phil Lesh will be 70 soon, and we're all getting old, but what the hell? Was she a meth head? Man alive!
Currently I am DXing domestics using the E-1 sitting in my lap propped up against the steering wheel. It is run off its own batteries and the antenna input is the cable coming from the Quantum Phaser. I don't notice any difference when I set the E-1 down on the seat next to me. Tonite I'll make a test by setting the rx down, getting out of the truck and disconnecting the head phones to make 100% sure that I have no contact with the rx and if there's any change in null or signal level I'll report back.
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