UMass Concert and War Reenactors

UPDATE - September 30 - October 6

-- Return to Alma Mater - for Lily's Concert

Lily Wright

My niece Lily has enrolled as a Commonwealth Honors College student at UMass - Amherst, my alma mater, as a music performance major. She has trained all her young life on the flute, piccolo, and (while no one was watching) the piano. She turned down full scholarships at various schools, including Clark University, in order to attend UMass. This was unexpected but understandable. Lily is determined to do things her own way and she believes the instructors, the atmosphere, the challenge for her at UMass will meet her high standards. I know she will do well.

She graduated 2nd in her class at South High School in Worcester (Salutatorian) and it was one of the many events in her life that Patti and I attended. We have been to concerts at Mechanics Hall, recitals at private studios, etc. She has been committed to her music since a very young age. That she has succeeded so well is not surprising as I have observed her hard work and dedication over the years. This past week I had the opportunity to hear her perform, including a featured performance on the piccolo, at the Fine Arts Center at UMass - Amherst. By the way, as I listened to Lilly's featured performance on stage at the Fine Arts Center, I recalled that I had attended a concert about 40 years ago at the same facility where I heard Andre Previn conduct the London Symphony Orchestra. Just saying.

During my visit to UMass for the concert and after a bit of research I learned a lot more about the Commonwealth Honors College program. While the program has been around since 1999 in one form or another, the major growth for it came about five years ago when a $192 million capital project was completed providing housing for up to 1,500 students and a complete academic building compound designed to bring a "college" atmosphere to the program.

The concert was great and Lily's featured role on the piccolo was the second time I had heard her take control of a concert audience with such a small, delicate instrument. It really was remarkable. Can't wait for the next concert, which is early November. 

-- Collings Foundation War Reenactors Event 

Tanks approach and fire cannons

The allies storm the enemy positions

Patti and I have become fans of the Collings Foundation over the years as it allows us to learn more about antique automobiles, historical military aircraft, and the characters and personalities that make up some of the most interesting histories of our country and the world. This year we attended the WWII reenactment of "The Battle for the Airfield," on the weekend of October 6 & 7, 2018. In past years, although we have attended other events, we never were able to include this special event on our calendar. This year, we made it. This presentation involved over 300 re-enactors representing US forces, British forces, "enemy" forces and their support teams. 

The "show" takes place at the Collings Foundation facility in Hudson, MA. The "battle" proceeds in front of the thousands of visitors gathered on the hillside to one side of the "airfield." The enemy is dug in on one end and the "allies" approach with tanks, half-tracks, troop carriers and infantry. At a crucial point in the battle, the British special forces emerge on the flank from the woods and help overpower the enemy. The booming explosions made Patti jump time and time again. The smoke from the rifle fire, howitzers, and vehicle cannons filled the air with acrid smells that hung in the air long after the half-hour battle was over. It was indeed a spectacle. It was more than I expected from the re-enactors who were all wearing uniforms and equipment that they have collected on their own. 

 -- One Year Ago, Patti Took Flight over the "Battle for the Airfield" location

Patti after her own air show performance

This year's visit was all about visiting the reenactors in their tents and camps along the airfield and watching as the allies attempted to take the airfield from the enemy. But, last year, Patti took the opportunity to get some pilot training in the WW II fighter trainer at the Collings Foundation show. Her pilot was Robert Collings, Jr., the Director of the Foundation.

When she was 3,000 feet over the airfield she asked if he would take her on some barrel rolls and inverted flight. He agreed and then subsequently agreed to repeat the maneuvers. From the ground, we could see the aggressive flying and were hopeful that Patti would be okay. Later, she said it was no worse than a roller coaster. Imagine!.

Walter Cronkite
A Reporter's Life

Reading Update: In 1996, the iconic newsman, Walter Cronkite of CBS News, wrote a biography that is part history and part lecture on the decline of the legitimate news gathering in this country. Although written over 20 years ago, the observations he made in the book still stand in the glaring dum-down taking place in our country. 

"A Reporters Life," by Walter Cronkite should be mandatory reading for anyone who wants to understand how the integrity of the newsroom has sunk so low that talking heads on television are a national embarrassment. Cronkite takes the reader back to WW II, the post-war challenges and the episodes of the 50's, 60's, and 70's that mark the decades when news coverage began its slow, dark decline.