So early I missed the grease trucks

I've said before, one of the benefits of being in NJ is being able to use the libraries of my various alma maters. This morning, I returned a few loans to a main branch of the Rutgers University Libraries on College Avenue. I didn't use the Alexander Library too much during my undergraduate days over on Cook Campus. However, when I began taking education classes I as an non-matriculted masters student during my public school teaching days I began to get acquainted with it. It's still highly relevant to my research and work in Christian Education. Ironically, the books I borrow directly from Alexander would have to be secured via inter-library loan if I was still residing on the campus in Virginia. So all things considered, it works pretty nicely to my advantage that I have the Alexander Library at my disposal - plus it's rather conveniently located within my Central Jersey jaunts. And an added bonus benefit is that my occasional trips to College Avenue allow me to reminisce at the RU "grease trucks" and get a cup of cocoa or a cheesesteak! But alas, this morning, I was on campus so early AND it was semester break that the grease trucks weren't even open yet that I didn't bother to stop and photograph them....so I passed on by, forced to stick to any New Year's resolutions I made about eating healthier.

Hallelujah!

Over the last three years, Bill Wallace has nurtured a dream. Attending the Winter Concert at our alma mater, Piscataway High School, during his daughter's years here, he has longed to sing the Hallelujah Chorus as an alumnus (as we did back in the day). Tonight, in his daughter's Senior year, that dream was realized. Last winter, he spearheaded a campaign to "Bring Back the Hallelujah Chorus" to Piscataway. In the year long process he underwent to garner support from alumni to come back and sing, he did more than restore Handel's piece to the Winter Concert. He renewed old friendships, made new connections and helped many of us who are products of Piscataway's music program recall a very special memory from our youth. Even though there are only a half dozen of us pictured above, there were close to 2 dozen alumni from across the span of time who joined the Concert Choir for their final numbers, "Still, Still, Still" (its the newest alumni piece) and the "Hallelujah Chorus". From the looks of it on Facebook, there were a number who are geographically challenged but were singing with us in spirit. The students did a great job throughout the evening and singing Handel for the first time, but it was especially gratifying to hear how impressed they were by the alumni voices who helped bring the concert to a satisfying finish.

And in good form we went out to celebrate the fact that we pulled it off! We let Bill and a few others take time to be with their families, but Duane Hand was happy to be the rooster in the hen house (we were joined by his wife and their photographer daughter Skylar) as we spent the rest of the evening remembering past choir directors, plays, performances, and other shenanigans of our youth. Thanks, Bill, for putting this evening together and all the memories associated with it!

On the Banks of the Old Raritan

This afternoon I was a crazy person running errands and took a few minutes respite at my brother's house. On the spur of the moment, Luke and I thought we would go find a Rutgers banner for my 5:00 picture. Sarah decided to come along and we ended up not only finding a great banner for our photo but getting visitor parking just outside the new football stadium. I was in shock; parking has always been difficult enough at Rutgers but to see 8 spaces specially designated just outside the stadium for cars without RU permits was unbelievable! Suddenly the banner on a stockade fence was out done by the possibilities that awaited us inside the Center. Its greeting lobby is a shrine to the birthplace of college football. Rutgers won that first game against Princeton 6-4 which was played in New Brunswick on November 6, 1869. Until their break out season three and a half years ago, the joke was Rutgers didn't do much winning after that.

The lobby was very inviting and Luke was quite proud that he could jump into the middle of the R without touching any red. Accomplishing such tasks as a four year old is a big deal.

Student athletes done with their workouts pointed out a few attractions that we didn't see tucked in the corners of the lobby panels.

Introducing new recruit Sarah!

And Luke!

When I was in school here tailgating lasted throughout the game and you only wandered into the stadium during the third quarter if the home team was winning. Real football was played on Sunday afternoon when the professionals took the field in the NFL. When I went to seminary in Kentucky ten years ago, I not only received a theological education, but was schooled in college sports and what it meant to people from Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Living in North Carolina and Virginia since then has only broadened my education. Then, four years ago, Greg Schiano brought the team out of obscurity and suddenly Rutgers paraphernalia is marketable in New Jersey.

We really had fun but it is the missed photo opportunity that has me feeling a bit chagrined right now. As the kids were posing by the mural, Coach Schiano came around the corner with his young daughter. He said hi and shook my hand on his way out as Sarah was bouncing on one foot near the elevator to make it look like she was running with the team on the field. I was so surprised to see him that it wasn't until he was out the door and into the parking lot before I realized I could have asked him to pose with the kids. Argh. Maybe next time!

I'm including the RU alma mater for fun - only the chorus reflects inclusive language since in 1766, when Rutgers was founded, women weren't typical candidates for higher education. My how things have changed.

My father sent me to old Rutgers,
And resolv'd that I should be a man;
And so I settled down,
In that noisy college town,
On the banks of the old Raritan.

(Chorus)

On the banks of the old Raritan (my friends)
Where old Rutgers evermore shall stand,
For has she not stood
Since the time of the flood,
On the banks of the old Raritan.


Then sing aloud to Alma Mater
And keep the scarlet in the van'
For with her motto high
Rutgers' name shall never die
On the banks of the old Raritan.

(Chorus)

On the banks of the old Raritan (my friends)
Where old Rutgers evermore shall stand,
For has she not stood
Since the time of the flood,
On the banks of the old Raritan.