Something amusing happened the day of the synchro show.....

I've known for a few weeks that the pictures I took for today's blog entry would be at the Middlesex Pool. This evening was the 39th annual synchronized swimming show starring the Middlesex Aqualytes and my niece was preforming for the first time. Because I wasn't missing out on seeing the performance (having been in the show myself as Aqualyte and staff member over the years) I took some books with me as I prepared to wait out the day. I shouldn't have bothered because soon after arriving, I was pleasantly surprised to see Herr Weigel show up with his daughters Wendee and Bridgette and a few of his grandchildren. I could explain that Mr. Weigel was first and only pool manager of the facility until he officially retired and my brother Jim took over seven years ago - but I think the following few pictures illustrate that fact better than I can adequately describe.

If you're a family member, friend, or have dropped in on my blog from time to time, you already know that Jim is the guy in the orange t-shirt. If you hung around the pool in Middlesex at all in the past 45 years, there's no doubt who speaks the voice of wisdom from years of experience.

Managing a facility like the Middlesex Pool is more than just a summer job. Just ask my sister in law who is often secretary when the home phone gets ringing about appointments and purchase orders during the "off season". Both men have enjoyed satisfying public school teaching careers - but the pool is a year round responsibility. Even though Jim grew up at the pool as swimmer, lifeguard, coach, and assistant manager, there is nothing like getting an opportunity to sit at the feet of the former captain who will forever remain respected for his integrity and his dedication to running a tight ship at the pool.

Bud Crede is a member of the pool commission and has been a face of the pool as long as I can remember - and as a kid, I was probably in the 8th, 9th and 10th synchro shows!

This September, just after the pool closes for the season on Labor Day, construction will begin on resurfacing the pool. It'll be great for Jim come spring time when he won't be painting the pool for the coming season ever again. But that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to do with plans about any and every sort of detail.

And if anyone knows the details of this place, it's Mr. Weigel.

He's affectionately called Herr Weigel because
he spent his teaching career teaching German.

The pool staff was also bilingual back in the day; "Ja, mein Herr" could often be heard spoken by lifeguards, coaches, assistant managers, and possibly even a commissioner or two.
I am just sorry I didn't get a picture of Mr. Weigel with his family members so you could also know what a devoted dad and granddad he is. The entire Weigel clan just returned from an Alaskan cruise and it was a delightful surprise to catch up with Wendee and Bridgette as well as meet their children before they left for more family adventures late in the afternoon.

Come evening, things were prepping for the Aqualytes to do their thing. Sarah agreed to pose with her coaches and the other girls who were in the routine working with her. Until this evening, I never completely appreciated the full extent two college aged women do to pull off a water recital in about 6 weeks time. After an intro clinic at the start of the summer, the coaches figure out an hour's worth of programming, music editing, choreography, sequin sewing, hair and makeup for about 50 girls ranging in age from 7-18 before having to deal with getting lifeguards to light the show or dealing with nervous stage fright from young beginners.

Luke was way up past his bedtime by the start of the show but he wasn't missing seeing his sister do her thing for the world!

Deckwork at the start of "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles.

And there was a float in the routine - how cool!
Good job, Middlesex Aqualytes!