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One of my favorite stories happened in the early years at
Yuba City. Needless to say Barrie spent long hours at school. On one occasion
we had some friends from out of town visiting us. I decided to give them a
tour of the city. As we were cruising around town I gave a running commentary
to acquaint our guests with the outstanding features of our new hometown. Craig
was a baby and Brent was about 2 1/2 or 3 years old. As we neared the school
Brent's face lit up and he proudly announced to our friends, "That's where DADDY
LIVES!" Both of the boys became very familiar with the YCHS music wing. We took
fast food to "Daddy" on many occasions when meetings, rehearsals, marching
practice and other related teaching responsibilities turned his 8 hour day into
12 hours. Hanging Tree There is a fun story regarding the circumstances around
the delivery of a gift the band presented to us one year. I believe the tree
sitting activity was near the end of Barrie’s first year at YCHS when the
students wanted to surprise him. They showed up at the house and hid in the
back yard to await his arrival. Some perched precariously on the limbs of our
walnut tree awaiting Barrie! Students were sitting on, hanging from, or
squeezed into whatever it took to surprise him! Raining On The Parade! One other event that I do remember happened at the beginning of a football game. The band was spread across the field and had just struck up the Star Spangled Banner when low and behold, the SPRINKLERS came on! Many players found themselves standing in the direct line of watering action. Observing from the stands my heart sunk, yet the band remained in its disciplined formation playing without missing a note as my eyes teared up. Upon completion of the anthem a damp and dripping band filed off the field to the drum cadence. Barrie left for the locker room to gather towels for his brave and stoic bunch. The grounds keeper swore to Barrie that he had turned off the watering timer that was set for 8 o’clock each evening! Written by Lois Wells |
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