Happy Patriots Day Newton. Share your Marathon Day stories here.
16 Comments
Ralph Ranalli
on April 17, 2017 at 1:26 pm
For the second year in a row, my daughter Maddy and her NNHS classmate Sophie held their awareness-raising Gender Equality Lemonade Stand on the Marathon route today. The suggested donation for “men’s” lemonade is $1, which “women’s” is 80 cents, reflecting wage gap statistics which show that in the workplace, on average, women earn 80 cents for every dollar men make for equivalent work. I’m proud that both of them put themselves out there in service of others for something they believe in.
Another totally fantastic day. Great weather for the race watchers, not as great perhaps for the runners (and with that breeze along Comm. Ave. you couldn’t just see the runners, you could smell em too!)
Really folks? 118 comments on a recent thread about the charter commission (granted many of them are by a guy who doesn’t even live in Newton) but only Ralph and I have anything to say about one of the very best things about Newton?
I will say that, as I biked to work (20 miles to Framingham), the nasty headwind I faced going West made me think of the runners, and how it would be favorable to them in spite of the warmer temps. I hope all had a good time.
Mark Marderosian
on April 18, 2017 at 2:37 pm
@Greg. Sorry for your sake about the lack of response but to each their own on putting the day on a list of “best things about Newton”. I spent the day working so I could afford the high rate of subscribing to Village14.
@Mark: What the heck is wrong with you? I didn’t say you had to agree with me! I’m happy to argue about which day is best and maybe even start a poll about it if there’s enough interest.
Groot Gregory
on April 18, 2017 at 3:14 pm
I was out at mile 17 for a few hours and saw from the elite men to the first of wave 4. Lots of cheering from the crowd and does make living in Newton special on Patriots day. Of course watching from Newton means running into other residents leading to talk of Newton Politics but those conversations are being addressed on other threads. FYI, I take the day off, having a discount rate for my V14 subscription.
Bryan Barash
on April 18, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Had a great time out in front of city hall, perfect view! And for bonus, I got some lemonade, then posted their very cool lemonade stand on Facebook, only to find out it was Ralph’s daughter. Small world!
Jane Frantz
on April 18, 2017 at 6:05 pm
I love Marathon Day and wouldn’t miss it for anything!
Newtoner
on April 18, 2017 at 7:10 pm
I took the day off for this and enjoyed every minute. Indeed the best day of the year in greater Boston.
Ann
on April 19, 2017 at 9:01 am
@Greg: I’ve been watching the Boston Marathon for 35 years, and every year, I’m reminded that it’s so much more than a race. It’s the perfect confluence of spring weather and a public holiday that brings neighbors out to greet each other after hunkering down for the winter. It’s a 26 mile festival that celebrates the athleticism of the elite runners and the courage of the amateurs. It’s about personal stories and struggles, all played out for hundreds of thousands of bystanders to witness. Runners come from around the world and down the block — some run to compete, some to remember, some to fight demons, and the spectators welcome each of them with love and support. The Marathon is about community and it’s a rare moment where everyone is on the same side. It truly brings out the best in everyone.
Jerry Reilly
on April 19, 2017 at 9:03 am
@Greg , Boston Marathon overrated, sad. Too many people, race is way too long. Too many amateurs. Ties up traffic and Hopkinton is a pathetic place for something this size.
Boston 100 Yard Dash would be much better event. Who wants to watch runners for hours?
TheWholeTruth
on April 19, 2017 at 5:55 pm
Patriots Day used to be my favorite holiday. So much to do….
You could go watch as men with muskets chased men in red back to Boston along the Battle Road. You could go to Concord and enjoy a parade that epitomizes what it means to be an American. An early morning trip to Fenway to watch the only morning baseball game in the country…and enjoy a sausage because sausage is a breakfast food. Or you could walk to anywhere along the Marathon route in Newton and enjoy seeing all that Spring has to offer in New England. But alas I can no longer do any of that. Four years ago it all changed. Now, as a public safety professional, I get to spend from 6am to 6pm trapped inside a building making sure that nothing bad happens to everyone as they enjoy the day. I hate those cowards for taking this day making it a security nightmare. I hate those cowards for taking MY holiday away.
Thank you, TheWholeTruth, for helping keep us safe.
I’ve loved Patriot’s Day since I moved to Boston for college and lived along the race route – not only for the Marathon but for all the re-enactments. When I was married I lived in Lincoln and my ex- was part of the local Minuteman troop.
Since 2013, when I spent the afternoon hearing all the sirens which brought me back to being in NY on 9/11, I spend Patriot’s Day on edge and am relieved when it’s over. I hope and expect that will eventually fade and I’ll be able to enjoy it again. Like TWT, I hate that those people for ruining this day for me.
isabelle
on April 25, 2017 at 4:34 pm
Thank you, Ann for a good recap of what the marathon means: so much more than a race.
Like you, Mgwa, I wait for the end of the day and am happy that the couple of sirens I heard were just that, a couple of isolated sirens.
Happy Patriots Day Newton. Share your Marathon Day stories here.
For the second year in a row, my daughter Maddy and her NNHS classmate Sophie held their awareness-raising Gender Equality Lemonade Stand on the Marathon route today. The suggested donation for “men’s” lemonade is $1, which “women’s” is 80 cents, reflecting wage gap statistics which show that in the workplace, on average, women earn 80 cents for every dollar men make for equivalent work. I’m proud that both of them put themselves out there in service of others for something they believe in.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1751140548529795&id=100009015996551
Another totally fantastic day. Great weather for the race watchers, not as great perhaps for the runners (and with that breeze along Comm. Ave. you couldn’t just see the runners, you could smell em too!)
Really folks? 118 comments on a recent thread about the charter commission (granted many of them are by a guy who doesn’t even live in Newton) but only Ralph and I have anything to say about one of the very best things about Newton?
I had to work, sorry.
I will say that, as I biked to work (20 miles to Framingham), the nasty headwind I faced going West made me think of the runners, and how it would be favorable to them in spite of the warmer temps. I hope all had a good time.
@Greg. Sorry for your sake about the lack of response but to each their own on putting the day on a list of “best things about Newton”. I spent the day working so I could afford the high rate of subscribing to Village14.
@Mark: What the heck is wrong with you? I didn’t say you had to agree with me! I’m happy to argue about which day is best and maybe even start a poll about it if there’s enough interest.
I was out at mile 17 for a few hours and saw from the elite men to the first of wave 4. Lots of cheering from the crowd and does make living in Newton special on Patriots day. Of course watching from Newton means running into other residents leading to talk of Newton Politics but those conversations are being addressed on other threads. FYI, I take the day off, having a discount rate for my V14 subscription.
Had a great time out in front of city hall, perfect view! And for bonus, I got some lemonade, then posted their very cool lemonade stand on Facebook, only to find out it was Ralph’s daughter. Small world!
I love Marathon Day and wouldn’t miss it for anything!
I took the day off for this and enjoyed every minute. Indeed the best day of the year in greater Boston.
@Greg: I’ve been watching the Boston Marathon for 35 years, and every year, I’m reminded that it’s so much more than a race. It’s the perfect confluence of spring weather and a public holiday that brings neighbors out to greet each other after hunkering down for the winter. It’s a 26 mile festival that celebrates the athleticism of the elite runners and the courage of the amateurs. It’s about personal stories and struggles, all played out for hundreds of thousands of bystanders to witness. Runners come from around the world and down the block — some run to compete, some to remember, some to fight demons, and the spectators welcome each of them with love and support. The Marathon is about community and it’s a rare moment where everyone is on the same side. It truly brings out the best in everyone.
@Greg , Boston Marathon overrated, sad. Too many people, race is way too long. Too many amateurs. Ties up traffic and Hopkinton is a pathetic place for something this size.
Boston 100 Yard Dash would be much better event. Who wants to watch runners for hours?
Patriots Day used to be my favorite holiday. So much to do….
You could go watch as men with muskets chased men in red back to Boston along the Battle Road. You could go to Concord and enjoy a parade that epitomizes what it means to be an American. An early morning trip to Fenway to watch the only morning baseball game in the country…and enjoy a sausage because sausage is a breakfast food. Or you could walk to anywhere along the Marathon route in Newton and enjoy seeing all that Spring has to offer in New England. But alas I can no longer do any of that. Four years ago it all changed. Now, as a public safety professional, I get to spend from 6am to 6pm trapped inside a building making sure that nothing bad happens to everyone as they enjoy the day. I hate those cowards for taking this day making it a security nightmare. I hate those cowards for taking MY holiday away.
TheWholeTruth: Thanks for your service.
Thank you, TheWholeTruth, for helping keep us safe.
I’ve loved Patriot’s Day since I moved to Boston for college and lived along the race route – not only for the Marathon but for all the re-enactments. When I was married I lived in Lincoln and my ex- was part of the local Minuteman troop.
Since 2013, when I spent the afternoon hearing all the sirens which brought me back to being in NY on 9/11, I spend Patriot’s Day on edge and am relieved when it’s over. I hope and expect that will eventually fade and I’ll be able to enjoy it again. Like TWT, I hate that those people for ruining this day for me.
Thank you, Ann for a good recap of what the marathon means: so much more than a race.
Like you, Mgwa, I wait for the end of the day and am happy that the couple of sirens I heard were just that, a couple of isolated sirens.