Monday, May 12, 2014
 
"TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME" - I DID - 73 YEARS!
SIDE BAR - For the past few weeks I have not had anything that I was inspired to make a post about - Today is different - I have TWO posts that I want to share with you.

FIRST:

How did I go back in time 73 years? I have heard songs and seen movies that tell, and show, you how it can be done. Well, here's my story!

Brooksby Village offered residents the opportunity to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra perform at Merrimack College in North Andover. Transportation was provided and the cost was minimal.



As soon as I learned about this opportunity I called and made a reservation for myself and a friend. Space was limited so I didn't want to miss out on what I expected to be a great evening!

It was the greatest!

MY GLENN MILLER HISTORY

When I was a teenager I could not get enough of The Glenn Miller Band with their unique jazz sound and their great vocalists.


Image: High School Yearbook

When they appeared in Boston my friends and I would make a day of it, go in early, get the best seats available, sit through the movie until "the show started." Just seeing the band perform once was not enough! The plan was to pack a lunch and when the movie came on again some of us stayed and got better seats and some of us went to the lounge and had our lunch! Some of us even did our homework there!

I still remember the thrill I had before the show started, the curtain was closed and the band started to play "Moonlight Serenade"- the curtain opened and there they were!

"Wow!"

Spending one day at the movie house was great but NOT ENOUGH! What we did was "SKIP SCHOOL" and spend another memorable day with the Miller Band.

But we weren't through yet.

Once we left the theater we knew where the players would exit the theater and we'd be there to get their autographs. That way we got to know their names and the instruments they played.

For the longest time I would buy Downbeat Magazine to be updated on their appearances and their lives.

Now, 73 years later I got see the band again.

The feeling of anticipation and excitement was there, the band played that wonderful music, and it brought back so many wonderful memories.

The highlights of the evening were far too many for me to mention here, but I can't resist mentioning just a few - Pennsylvania 6-500, String of Pearls, At Last, and In the Mood!

I remember jitterbugging to In The Mood and knowing that we would have to keep dancing for a long time until that number was over!



The evening also made me aware that wonderful music stays alive!

NOW FOR MY SECOND POST OF THE DAY

MOTHER'S DAY

When Mothers Day comes around I know I'm going on a mystery ride.

Sometimes I guess where we are going, sometimes I don't. It's a fun thing we do. One thing I know is, we never go to a restaurant where we have to wait. My son and his wife always manage to pull that off.

When the day came, we headed north. OK, that wasn't too difficult for me, I figured we'd be going to New Hampshire or Maine, probably Maine.

I was right! Kittery, that's where there are many outlet stores. We shopped at a few places. Crate and Barrel got a little of my business.

Now it was time to eat - We were fortunate to walk into a restaurant and be seated right away.

The fun part of that dining experience was "trying at least a half dozen samplings of Maine beers. I'm not a drinker so when I go out with Steve and Carol I ask for a small glass, that way I can join in on the sampling.


None of the beers were to my liking but it was fun trying.


Let me tell you, I slept well last night!


Comments:
I'm jealous. I would have loved to see the Glenn Miller band. What memories you have of them. Fantastic.
 
I smile as I read your sharing.
Love music and you had a
great Mother's Day
I did too :)
 
An interesting Mother's Day and you look so happy and back to your old self!!
 
My dad taught me to dance to all the Glenn Miller songs you mentioned. I am crazy about Glenn Miller too, so thanks for writing this. I particularly love PA-6-5000 since I had a phone number as a kid with a KI-9 code for Kingsbridge-9 in the Bronx NY.
 
My phone number as a kid was BE-4, for Berea 4 (Ohio)---great memories. Loved the music, too, altho it was my parents' music---they are 89 this year :)

Glad you had a nice Mother's Day--
 
THANK YOU!! for sharing the Glenn Miller music...it brought memories to me as I also Jitterbugged to " In the Mood". Now I could hear it in my home. Good Music never dies it does stay ALIVE!

Mothers' Day is Super because it makes us feel so Special. How come childrens' Day is EVERYDAY?
Nanci
 
That was particularly lovely!
 
Millie my toes tapped in time to the music and the smile grew bigger on my face. My Mom and I shared the love of the music back then and I still enjoy it now. Thank you for sharing it with us.

momma

 
What a treat, the Glenn Miller Band. I was thinking when you mentioned Pennsylvania 6500 that young people probably have no idea what the reference is.
 
While I am a generation or at least half a generation behind you, I still enjoy the big band sounds. So pleased for you to have this pleasure! Your son and daughter in law seem to enjoy being with you so much. And the beer sampler bowl looks beer on the half shell!!! Also, good to see you looking so chipper!!!
 
I posted a link to this on the Glenn Miller Orchestra Facebook page and they wrote back:

"I have often written I feel the GMO is in the memory business bringing memories alive while making new memories from the music of the Glenn Miller Orchestra library and the American Songbook. I read your mother blog. Please thank her from all of the GMO."
 
It's almost a week since I saw the Glenn Miller band perform and you know what, - I'm still flying high - the music and the memories are so strong.

And today I received this meaningful note from the band!

What a special group of people they are, they do help keep the memories alive!
 
Good times, then and now!
 
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