Serendipitous meetings with dear friends

Sometimes it’s just best to not plan. Sometimes just meeting old friends by chance is best. Take Friday for example.

I met up with two former students on Friday, while having lunch during a workshop day. I was teaching my annual InDesign class, went with Debbie Stevens for lunch (she’s an administrative assistant in the office of Curriculum & Instruction), and bumped into Steven & Amy Hasse Morgan. Steve was a lead in the very first All-School Musical I conducted, back in 1983, with Dean Simpson directing. Amy was a member of the Marching Band Color Guard and Concert Choir, and graduated a few years after Steven. I “beached it” with the Morgans for many summers in the ’80’s and ’90’s, enjoying their hospitality at their beach house, next to the Hasse’s, in Cape May Point. Amy’s younger sister, Pam, was also a member of the Music Department, and her older brother, Ed III, was the officiant for our Ebersole-McVey wedding in 2007. On the Morgan side, the youngest sibling, Lisa, was a Color Guard Captain, member of Concert Choir, and cast member of several All-School Musicals. I attended all four Morgan weddings – Rick, David, Steven and Lisa – in one 13-month period. Now that was a marathon.

I also have a wonderful history with my lunch date, Debbie Stevens. She served as Music Parents President and as a member of our Todd Alloro Memorial Commission Committee in 2000, and her son, Matt, was not only a member of the NVOT Marching Band and All-School Musicals, but also directed several of the All-School Musicals at Demarest. She was responsible for the Music Parents purchase of our Long Ranger outdoor microphone system, which has served the Marching Band for almost 25 years. Her husband, Chuck, teaches with me at NVOT.

I’m grateful for bumping into these friends and renewing our friendships!