Preamble - Alex's friend Nick Shedlock asked Alex to play in his band for Senior Day. Nick lives across Montgomery Avenue from us, and in fact we hear him practicing drums regularly. Nick wrote the music and lyrics to a song Wish You Well, and was missing a base player. Knowing that Alex plays guitar, he asked Alex to play base for the performance. Alex used a borrowed base to practice including his music part, and was ready to go within a couple days. After several band practices and Senior Day practices, Nick (guitar and vocals), Bryan Sachaczenski (guitar) and Ian Brace (percussion) and Alex did play on Thursday, Senior Day. They were a hit!! And they were selected for performance at graduation !!!
- Unexpected Development - Steve's daughter Katrina had not been feeling well for some time, and a few days earlier learned that her gallbladder had to be removed. Unfortunately, she became very sick and needed emergency surgery. She was transferred from Scranton to the Geisinger Hospital in Danville on Thursday. Steve spent most of Friday with her in Danville; the surgery went very well, and he stayed to talk with her after she woke up.
- Edie & Jon - It was lovely to have Edie McCausland and Jon Dodge join us for graduation festivities. We have spent happy weekends visiting in Webster, MA since Alex was a pre-schooler, and this was their first visit to Northeast PA to visit us. Rather than staying with us, they checked into the Comfort Inn (near Wal-Mart in Pittston) about 4 pm on Thursday. Edie and Jon had a pizza dinner with Robby and me here at home the night before graduation (while Alex was working at Fox Hill, where he is now handling the salad & sandwich bar). Robby helped with the house tour - they seemed to like our place, which reminds them of 14 Hill Street in Webster (and we think were built about the same time).
- Visit to Wilkes-Barre Etc. - On graduation day, while Alex was at practice and busy with other preparations, Edie, Jon, Robby and I went to downtown Wilkes-Barre. We parked on S. Franklin Street in front of the Westmoreland Club, and walked around looking at the former St. Stephen's Church rectory - now owned by the local Historical Society. Edie was particularly interested in looking at the house, which was your great grandparents' (Burke and Phyllis Rivers) home from the late 1940's until 1972 (just before Hurricane Agnes & the flood). Edie has fond memories of visiting a few times as a child, with her parents John (Phyllis's brother) and Teresa McCausland and sister Nikki. She remembers the dining room, red kitchen and handsome from staircase (as I do), and upstairs layout (I remember one bedroom). We walked down the Westmoreland Club parking lot to look at the large backyard, which I remember as well. (I also remember having fun on a toddler riding toy, on the walkway immediately next to the church.) We went on to walk through Kirby Park, and drive around Harvey's Lake.
- Meanwhile...... Alex had graduation practice starting at 9 am. It was over by 11 am, when he and his bandmates went to the football field to set up equipment and do sound checks for their performance - this took quite some time, working in the hot sun (90+ degrees and humid). Due to the weather forecast, a decision was announced that graduation would be indoors at the gym. The boys then packed everything up and moved gear to the gym. As of @2 pm, Alex was still waiting in the gym - having been told that graduation might be switched back to the stadium. He was quite unhappy about this, but had told his pals that he would have to leave @3 pm regardless. Luckily, he had managed to get a fresh shirt & drink mid-day. After our trek to Harvey's Lake, Edie and Jon went back to the hotel and I brought green & gold balloons from Balloon Works to decorate the front porch.
- Mizu Sushi - I picked Alex up at the gym just before 3, and we headed to Pittston to pick up Edie & Jon who stayed at the Comfort Inn (by Walmart). We made it to Wilkes-Barre for our Hibachi dinner right on time at 3:30. Aunt Pam joined us, and we had a nice time watching the cooking display. Alex had sushi, which he shared with me and Aunt Pam - delicious. ..... as was the rest of our meal, including selections of scallops, lobster, tuna, chicken and steak ! I got some nice pictures, and left the restaurant happy with full stomachs. Alex, I think your favorite gift was a new set of dry flies from Edie & Jon - you looked thrilled. You've been making out like a bandit, with gifts from Uncle Jason, Uncle George, Aunt Pam, Brud, Grammie, Aunt Diana and Aunt Julie. Robby headed off with Aunt Pam.
- A Disappointment - Dad had been in the hospital about 3 weeks, and was released on the morning of graduation. He had planned to make it to graduation, but unfortunately did not feel well enough (and in fact, went back to the hospital emergency room for a time in the late afternoon). Ultimately, it wasn't possible for him to join us - I know he would be very disappointed. I'm sorry that he couldn't see you graduate.
- Graduation - The final decision was...... graduation at the stadium !! Alex's friends moved all the equipment back to the field. With a fresh covering of sun tan lotion on his face and dressed in shorts & a shirt (not appropriate attire), Alex made it back to the stadium just after 5:30 to finish all the arrangements. After a few quiet minutes at the house, Edie, Jon and I drove over to the stadium and parked on Susquehanna Ave. On our walk over to the stadium @ 6:20, Steve called saying that he was leaving Danville. After a sultry day, the evening was breezy and beautiful!! You had picked a great spot in the bleachers - turned out to be right behind & next to Taylor's family! We enjoyed meeting and saying hello to everyone. Taylor graduated Summe cum Laude !! Soon Aunt Pam and Robby joined us. It was exciting and emotional to watch you and your classmates processing just before 7 pm, listening to speeches and - the best part - performances of original poetry & music by you and your 169 classmates. Taylor's Mom, Dad and grandmother took pictures of both Taylor and you - as we did.
- Band Performance!! After a struggle to keep your cap from blowing away, your friend Nick started playing guitar & singing. You did a wonderful job playing base - which you first picked up only 3 weeks previously - and looked SO happy to be up there performing!!! Your previous experience as a Star Boy and with baseball and soccer games must have been a factor. The song was a huge hit with your class, and we madly took pictures through the whole performance.
- Diplomas - Presentation of diplomas started about 7:50. A couple minutes later, Steve called to say he had parked on Susquehanna Ave. and was walking up to the stadium. He walked into the stadium at the end of the "B's", and amazingly heard your name announced as your diploma was awarded! (I was so happy that Steve made the effort to be there!) It was nice to listen as so many of your friends - going back as far as Cookie Corner days - were introduced..... Brian Berti, Conrad Chapple, Steven Dauber, Alex Dolan, Robby Foss, Nicholas Granteed, Colby Kluk, Mike Kuharchik, AJ Lenkaitis, John Joseph Marianacci, Matt Minnelli, Carmen Randazzo, Zack Scrobola, Drew Slater, John Urban, Zach Wishneski and a few girls who you went to preschool or played tee ball with Caitlyn Kraynack, Carrie Pozaic, Julianna Scappaticci. Not to mention, best of all, Taylor Schechter.
- Grand Finale - After Mr. Quaglia's Top 10 quotations and a rousing Alma Mater, the class recessed and gathered at the goalpost, near the stadium entrance. On queue, caps went flying in the air and cheers resounded! It made for great pictures!
- Postlude - We headed down to the field and eventually found you (not easy in the throng!). Alex, it was fantastic to see your joy. We got pictures with all of us, including a great picture of Robby hugging you (that I hope to track down)! Robby was so very happy for you!! You went around to take more pictures with your bandmates and friends, while I took Edie and Jon back to the hotel. I came home to find you showered and ready for the All Night Party. Taylor picked you up @10:15, and you did make it back home shortly after 6 am on Saturday. You slept all morning, then went back to bed for another couple hours & left for a graduation party about 3 pm. You had a good time at the overnight Party - I'm so glad!!
- And Time With Dad - In the evening we visited Dad, who spent his first full day at home. Alex, you wore your cap and gown - and we showed Dad pictures of graduation. You also told us about activities at the All Night Party. You are a thoughtful boy to spend time sharing your special day with Dad.
Citizen's Voice Article
Alex, here you are on your first day of kindergarten (so excited) and getting your diploma !
Alex, here you are on your first day of kindergarten (so excited) and getting your diploma !
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