In and around Deerfield, Mass
June 14, 2008
Bryce Voter Lambert was my Sophomore English teacher. Upon learning that Mr. Lambert was to be my English teacher, my father stated, "I hope you did your summer reading!"
Mr. Lambert passed away last December. This memorial service was held in June after Reunion Weekend.
This was the original menu from the Hotel Northampton, where we stayed. You can't see it at this resolution, but the broiled swordfish was $1.50 and the baked stuffed lobster was $1.75.
A sculpture in a neat little park next to the Hotel Northampton:
My brother said that if we were doing dinner in Northampton that we had to eat at Bueno Y Sano.
Yes, Daniel, I got the "grande".
It really doesn't look it in this pic, but it was the size of the plate! But it was good.
Historical marker in Old Deerfield:
The marker at this site is a geocache. I've finally done one in Deerfield. Now don't you try to cheat! I edited out the info you need to claim this as a "find". You'll have to visit Deerfield to claim this one as a find!
It was reunion weekend, so there were cars in places that they wouldn't normally be, such as in front of the library:
Looking at the entrance to the athletic facilities:
Getting ready for the traditional reunion clambake. I should have taken Mr. Howell's advice and crashed the party
The Memorial Building:
Sitting area in front of, and doorway leading to the Headmaster's office. I was only called there once. Wonder if my parents know about that. ;)
Front of John Williams House and the door which is the emblem of Deerfield Academy:
And now some pictures from inside the new science building. What an amazing building!
There used to be a track here:
The path to my beloved island and river. It is said that inscribed on a tree somewhere on The Island are the words: "Remember the Deerfield Duck". Do you remember the Deerfield Duck? I do, Mr. Ginns!
This part of the river was much deeper when I was a student (in fact one year I did a project that looked at maps of the river over the years and I predicted that in the near future my island would be an island no more. Sad to say, it looks like I was correct). We had a rope bridge from that stand of trees on the right to the island. The river used to be deep enough to safely dive in at that point, either by choice, or by others shaking the ropes. I got quite fast at getting across the rope bridge. ;)
The faculty apartment side of Barton Dormitory. I was amazed the first time I saw Mrs. Ginns hand-feed a wild squirrel from that doorstep.
The old cemetery. Some classmates spent an interesting night atop the mass grave in the corner with a Ouija board on Feb 29 (the anniversary of one of the bloodiest Indian raids).
The path leading down to the Lower Level:
On the Lower Level:
The seal in the trophy room:
It's got a fancy name now, but to me it will always be the pool:
The Main School Building:
The green in front of the Main School Building. Scaife Dormitory in the background. Mr. Lambert used to play croquet here. One time he was so focused on beating my Proctor, Stu, that I actually won!
The Arms building:
The Classroom building:
Entrance to the Memorial Building. The glassed-in walkway and the fine arts building on the right didn't exist way back when.
The Deerfield Boy. And yes, like so many times before, I rubbed his nose for good luck.
The murals in the lobby of the Memorial Building. I remember Mr. Lambert telling us about these, and the murals in the lobby of the Dining Hall, and that these were the only existing copies of the originals which reside in the White House, or something to that effect. I'll have to find out when I go back for my reunion next year.
Head of School and my mother's friend from P.A., Margarita Curtis, spoke at the memorial:
My classmate Richard Palmgren delivered one of the eulogies:
It was an amazingly emotional weekend. I wasn't expecting that. I should have. Deerfield has always been and will always be a special place for me.
One of the other highlights came as I walked towards the new science building (heck, the old one held some fantastic memories for me).
There was a teacher I had hoped to see at my reunion 4 years ago, but I somehow missed him. I was hoping to catch him this weekend.
I was not sure I'd recognize my Astronomy and Physics teacher; it had been nearly 20 years since I'd last seen him. My wife and I turned the corner and I heard a voice. That voice. That voice I heard numerous times pointing out stars and night sky features on the ceiling of the planetarium. That voice that drilled Newton's Laws of Physics into my head. Before I even saw his face I knew I found Mr. Howell.
Mr. Howell, thank you again for taking the time to reminisce about the old times with me and my wife, and for convincing us to get up oh-so-early for the Sunday morning planetarium show. I can't promise that we'll make it to the one during my reunion weekend, but in case we do, you wanted me to remind you that we saw the one this year. ;)
Thanks again, Mr. Howell, and indeed all of Deerfield.
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