On January 18, 1782, Daniel Webster was born in the New Hampshire town of Salisbury, now a part of Franklin. As we traveled down the highway towards 
Concord, I gave the town a mental wave when we passed the exit for Franklin. When we pulled in to the hotel parking lot, little did we know that Governor John Lynch had proclaimed October 17, 2007 as Marine Band Day in New Hampshire.The concert was our fifth consecutive gym job, but energy was high thanks to our warm welcome at Hopkinton High School. Entering the gym after Charles called “On Stage!”, we found a previously frigid and empty gymnasium filled to the rafters and significantly warmer. Three rows deep across the width of the gym, band members from the elementary, middle school, and high school cheered, all dress in white shirts and black pants or skirts. The audience gave us a standing ovation just for entering the gym. Sara introduced the Governor and his wife, making the announcement that it was Marine Band Day. The crowd was one of the most responsive and animated we had seen in a while. A few of the middle schoolers on the front row were a little disruptive during Sara’s announcements, but on the whole, the audience response was hearty and welcoming.
During intermission we found a veritable feast waiting for us in a makeshift Green Room. In addition to the food, a fifth grade student named McKayla had filled 
goodie bags with Halloween Candy for each member of the Band. The walls were decorated with the artwork of a fifth grade class welcoming the Band to Hopkinton and thanking us for the concert. After intermission, Sara had McKayla stand so we could thank her for her efforts.Back in the gym after intermission, the heat was nearly stifling, with doors to the outside being propped open. The junior hecklers-in-training continued their efforts on the second half of the program, but Sara was prepared. After El Salon Mexico, Sara launched into the Harold Arlen Songbook, delighting the audience with Get Happy. As she transitioned to Blues in the Night, Sara made her move.
My mama done tol’ me, when I was in pig-tails
My mama done tol’ me, hon…
a man he will sweet talk and…
Sara singled out the most vocal the boys and leaned in, face to face, singing directly to him.
Give ya the big eye, but when the sweet talkin’s done
Looking helpless, giggling, and blushing to the tips of his ears, he leaned as far back as could, sliding down in his seat.
a man he will sweet talk and…
Sara singled out the most vocal the boys and leaned in, face to face, singing directly to him.
Give ya the big eye, but when the sweet talkin’s done
Looking helpless, giggling, and blushing to the tips of his ears, he leaned as far back as could, sliding down in his seat.
A man is a two-face, a worrisome thing
who’ll leave ya to sing
the blues in the night...
The audience roared with laughter, as did any band member not playing. Sara strolled away, the entire audience in the palm of her hand. She made her way to the opposite side of the band and had a group of young boys nearly beside themselves wondering who she might single out next. They were poking each other, blushing and giggling. I imagine the disappointment was fairly keen when she finished the tune without more audience interaction.
The applause was deafening at the end of her solo, but after the encore, she had the audience on their feet cheering loudly. From out of the crowd came little McHayla trotting to the front of the crowd, thrusting a bouquet of roses into Sara’s hands, her face serious with purpose.
Morning brought early showers, but the rain had passed by the time Karen, Chris and I set out to walk. We walked up Main Street in search of the large cemetery we had located on Google Maps. Cemeteries are great for walking, with winding roads and little or no traffic, although the drivers here are so nice they will motion for you to cross even when they have the green light. There were some steep hills in store for us, but it was peaceful with brightly colored trees and scampering squirrels.
The State House was not far from the hotel, on a live, thriving Main Street. Statuary filled the grounds, a large statue of Daniel Webster holdng the place of honor in front. Our stay in New Hampshire is brief; one stop on the way to Maine, and one on the way back as we head to Massachusetts.
who’ll leave ya to sing
the blues in the night...
The audience roared with laughter, as did any band member not playing. Sara strolled away, the entire audience in the palm of her hand. She made her way to the opposite side of the band and had a group of young boys nearly beside themselves wondering who she might single out next. They were poking each other, blushing and giggling. I imagine the disappointment was fairly keen when she finished the tune without more audience interaction.
The applause was deafening at the end of her solo, but after the encore, she had the audience on their feet cheering loudly. From out of the crowd came little McHayla trotting to the front of the crowd, thrusting a bouquet of roses into Sara’s hands, her face serious with purpose.
Morning brought early showers, but the rain had passed by the time Karen, Chris and I set out to walk. We walked up Main Street in search of the large cemetery we had located on Google Maps. Cemeteries are great for walking, with winding roads and little or no traffic, although the drivers here are so nice they will motion for you to cross even when they have the green light. There were some steep hills in store for us, but it was peaceful with brightly colored trees and scampering squirrels.
The State House was not far from the hotel, on a live, thriving Main Street. Statuary filled the grounds, a large statue of Daniel Webster holdng the place of honor in front. Our stay in New Hampshire is brief; one stop on the way to Maine, and one on the way back as we head to Massachusetts. 
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