Vermont Bigelow & Utah's Brigham Young line

This month, our Church Organization celebrates Pioneer Day. Tomorrow, I will play pioneer songs that were sung as the Latter Day Saints walked with their only belongings in their handcarts. We will all dress in Pioneer clothing and pull our own handcart across the property. We will educate the children by talking about our ancestors which also were apart of the journey to Utah. I have distant relatives that were original Pioneers that walked from Illinois to Utah to escape persecution. Many lives were lost, but to them it was walking through the dessert just as the Jews did along with Moses to find a place to worship and be safe.

.....This is not my direct line, but my 2nd Bigelow cousin 5 generations ago. Muriel Bigelow's Mother was Madeline Young. Her father was born in Gorham, Maine and her mother was from East Livermore, ME. The Bigelow's came from England, but settled in Massachusetts.

It all began with Nahum Bigelow, born in Brandon, VT on February 19, 1785. As a common New Englander, his family were farmers and stock raisers. With true Yankee restlessness, he decided to try something with greater promise and speedy wealth. With a peddler's pack, he travelled from place to place until he came to Lawrenceville, Illinois. Nahum was middle-age at 36 when he met, Mary Gibbs who was just 12 years old. They married on December 2, 1826.

Their first child, Mary Jane (October 15, 1827), the second was a son named Hirum (May 20, 1829). Then came Lucy (October 3, 1830) the best looking of the family. Then Asa Elijah (Feb, 2, 1832) and in a short time Lovina (March 24, 1834).

When Lovina was a baby, rumours of a new religion of Joseph Smith and followers came to the farmhouse in Lawrenceville. The mysterious golden Bible and revelations from God were often spoken about by friends and neighbors.

Another son, Liola (October 4, 1835) was born. Shortly afterward two elders from the church came with the Book of Mormon preaching the new gospel to the Bigelow family. On Jan. 19, 1838, Sariah was named by her mother, Mary Gibbs, after the mother of the Lamanite and Nephite nation. Mary receive the gospel in her heart long before her and her family's baptism.

After many years of thoughtful prayer and bible study did Nahum, wife, and older children get baptized on April 29, 1839. After this another son, whom they named Moroni (September 1, 1840). They next moved to Mercer County, Illinois where Daniel was born on March 18, 1842. The family moved Lawrence to Coles County 10 years previously. They lived in North Illinois for another 4 years which was still quite a distance from the body of the Church in Navoo. Nahum decided to move once more and in the year 1843 bout 160 acres of prairie land. He was was only 18 miles from Navoo in Hancock County.

At this time there was religious persecution from those that hated and took abuse to Church members. Encouraged by the Governor (Ford) mobs would gather and set fire to hay stacks and barns of unsuspecting Mormons. Hiding behind the trees, as the husband would rush out to save his property, the men would shoot the Mormon leaving him to die in the arms of his wife and children. All this while Nahum would quietly go about his work, another child was born named after the Prophet, Joseph Smith (July 4, 1844). The Church's leader died June 1844.

In early fall of 1845, the members of the church were advised to move into the city of Navoo for protection. The Governor and new President Brigham Young made an agreement that he would gather the saints and move them beyond the borders of Illinois if they would go unmolested. Thousands of people moved far west. However, there were still people with homes outside the city, that were given permission to return and gather their crops if they felt brave enough to do so. The Governor promised protection, but suggested that when the state militia was not present, President Young should have a militia organized to help themselves. It was so done.

Nahum, quietly returned with his family to his farm, not ever having fear of man, was protected by the Mormon militia. It was not long that the plague had settled some of the children and at length attacked the father as well. The faithful mother went from bed to bed attending the wants of her sick children.

Surviving threatening mobs, standing trial at Carthage, near death pranks of poison to his family, he himself finally died after 5 years of living and suffering with pain. It was due to a neighbor poisoning him with arsenic-tainted coffee. He died in 1851. Loving hands and aching hearts did the rest—all that was left to do. As he waited to see the Prophet one more time just before his passing, his spirit left his body just as Brigham's carriage arrived at his home. And thus in the cemetery at Salt Lake City lies one of the sturdy Bigelow family who died for his family, his religion and his God! Mary Gibbs Bigelow died 19 April 1888.

Brigham Young married Mary Jane, his first daughter, in 1847 with little courting at the unknown country called "the West" Winter Quarters. It is where the Saints crossed snowy mountains and icy rivers in February to nest during the Winter before making the last part of the trip to Salt Lake. She stayed, and married to Brigham in Salt Lake City and bore three daughters.

Eudora Lovina "Dora" Young born on May 12, 1852. She died on November 21, 1922. She had two marriages and lived in Spokane, Washington.

Susa Amelia Young was born on March 18, 1856. She died on May 27, 1933. She was also twice married and remained in Provo, Utah.

Rhoda Mabel was born Februray 22, 1863 and died on September 20, 1950.

Lucy moved into the Lion House in 1855, until it was finished and remained there until President Young moved her and her family to St. George in November 1870, where she remained until 1892. Lucy did considerable missionary work in the Sandwich Islands and other places. She died in 1905.

As for the future of Nahum and Mary's other children:

Nahum, the first son, married Mary Mecham in Provo. He was asked to move to Dixie and grew a huge family in Arizona.

In the next Summer or Spring of 1948, President Young came back for more Saints, he asked to take Lucy (2nd daughter) with him. Lucy, however, divorced him and remarried four other times. She had one daughter at age 40 and died 6 months later.

Asa, with his family, is living in Provo. He is the same brave, fearless soul, and like all those with Bigelow blood in their veins, is conscientious and cautious to a marked degree. A loving father and kind husband, he is known as a good neighbor and honest friend. His numerous children have grown up under his wise watch and care.

Lovina married John Witt and settled in Heber City, Utah. Her large family are mostly married and settled down.

Liola, who was singularly intelligent and a spiritual child, died in his youth in Illinois on August 15, 1845. He had the black canker, which took his under jaw bone cut and five teeth. When Mary Gibbs (the mother) went to visit the same summer to see her parents, Liola died while she was gone. He was so bad that the neighbors came in and sat up with him. They were also there after he died. He had spasms. The family had blessings by President Young.

Sariah married a Mr. Daniel Cook and had several children. They had several misfortunes. Finally losing her reason, she died in this condition in Fairfield, Utah, in 1877.

Moroni—a loving, jovial, bright soul—was married to Elvira Mecham and had four children, one dying in its infancy. He was called on a mission to the Eastern States in 1868. On his return home he was murdered while crossing the Missouri River. He was thrown overboard by some dangerous desperadoes, presumably for the money which he carried.

Daniel married Miss Permelia Mecham. Together they have reared a fine little family. His family is a large one, but his affection and watch care reach out over every part and individual thereof. Whoever knows, honors and respects Daniel Bigelow.

Joseph Smith was the last child and lived only a few short months, dying during the violent persecutions which raged in Illinois.

America's Roadside in Smyrna, Delaware.

On the roadsides of America, you will find many attractions, signs, and statues. It's the ones that are of past years that always seem to stick out. However, as our little towns of Smyrna and Clayton grow, it gets new owners, new buildings, and new businesses. The old gets moved, cleaned up or transformed. Recently, in Smyrna we had two landmarks recently move. Smyrna residents, would mention these "marks" when giving directions to visitors.

1. The Smyrna Diner offers all the dinner classics, from the all-day breakfasts to liver and onions to belly warming chicken and slippery dumplings. It recently moved up the road to a larger location, but it still offers that delicious diner food.

The original diner was a 1965 Paramount trailer, which replaced a 1954 smaller diner. Later the diner's future exterior was covered with wood. Located in Cleveland, OH, A collector of vintage diners purchased it to restore, then to resell.

So many people here have great memories of being in this place. My memory was from the blizzard of 1978. We were visiting Dad for the weekend and he was delivering us back from his apartment in Newark. By the time we got to Smyrna, the roads were impassible. We had to stay in the diner for a few hours before the snowtrucks came. We stayed in the Sheraton in Dover overnight. They didn't plow the backroads of Smyrna (only 5 miles away) until the next day.

The new location is right off our highway bypass route to heading to the beaches.

2. Once a small travel agency named Traquility Travel, now an Antiques store, had a very strange looking statue just outside its doors. The 3000 pound 11 ft. fiberglass horned statue with red eyes, seemed to the same size as the 12 foot tall small brick 2 room building. Only Smyrna townspeople knew what is was from where it came.

It came from Hollywood's set of the 1955 movie The Prodigal starring Lana Turner. It's supposed to be a Babylonian
Fertility God Demon. After year of environmental wear and tear, the snake head has fallen off.

However, it was sold for $4000 to a town in Lumberton, New Jersey. It seems that the new neighborhood doesn't care for it as much as Smyrna, DE.

According to the which newspaper you read it is either a god of fertility, rain, or a giant demon. Either way, it is definitely Pagan and people are up in arms about it. They have referred to it as "despicable" "demonic" and "an eyesore". Even though its head can only be seen over the fence, which extends out near the side of the property, it is not wanted. One neighbor even complained that it scared the horses that are stabled next door. In fact, the township has ordered the new owner to remove it and place it in his backyard where its head can not be seen by passersby. However, the owner wanted to use it as a tourism attraction. Curiously, the local paper mentions that is wonders why the item was located next to a travel agency in the first place, or why the new owner spent $6000 to move it a neighborhood where he knew it would piss off his neighbors.

In Smyrna, the statue was a landmark, with a lovely plastic palm tree right beside it, located across the road from the only Delaware Rest Area built in 1937. There was only a picnic table and a place to park.

I mean, who wouldn't want to travel to some remote island and find that in the jungle, right?

Nunsense is Habit Forming.....

NUNSENSE
at the Smyrna Opera House

Friday & Saturday, September 10 & 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 12 at 2:30 p.m.

Nunsense begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show, so they take over the school auditorium, which is currently set up for the eighth grade production of “Grease.” Here we meet Reverend Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices; a streetwise nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is a wannabe ballerina; and the delightfully wacky Sister Mary Amnesia, the nun who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. Featuring star turns,tap and ballet dancing, an audience quiz, and comic surprises, this show has become an international phenomenon.

CAST

Reverend Mother Regina: Barbara Bigelow
Sister Mary Hubert: Amanda Tusio

Sister Robert Anne: Amy Biang

Sister Mary Leo: Victoria "Nicki" Hodgson

Sister Mary Amnesia: Kathleen Baber

Director(s): Barbara Bigelow & Marissa Parker
Choreographer: Missy Anspach
Lights/Sound: Jim Cantillon, Tish & Rick Schuman
Stage Manager: Rocco Mastroserio

Wild Turkey in Delaware?

No matter what your paid position is at Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources, you never know what you are going to hear or see! This morning I had to go to our Enforcement Protection Office for Air & Waste Management to update software on a few of the Emergency Responders laptops. I drove up, parked the car, and found these two guys hanging out in the parking lot. They were curious about me, but stayed their distance, as I them. However, when one of the Enforcement Officers came out to see if I was safe, they went absolutely crazy and tried to attack him. I think they have a sixth sense of the fact that he goes turkey hunting in his spare time (go figure).

I've never seen a live turkey other than on a farm, or in a zoo. You know, the basic caged bird view. Talk about about a Wild view.....when I got back to my office, I checked my email as usual. (Read below the photos)

Subject: Survey for Wild Turkey in Delaware

Hello DNREC,
The Division of Fish and Wildlife is launching a new, volunteer-based survey to track the distribution and reproductive success of wild turkeys in Delaware. If you see turkeys on your daily commute, while you are out in field, or on that weekend birding trip – we would love to know about it! The survey starts today and goes through the end of August. We asking volunteers to record the location and number of gobblers, hens, and poults (young-of-the-year) they see during the course of their day. The attached file contains an observation data sheet, map, and brief instructions.

Of course, I was reminded of the sign I saw in the Aquarium

on Monday........and watched my footing!

My 4th of July Weekend 2010

Hope everyone had a wonderful 3-day weekend, like me! While Matt as with his Dad this weekend, I invited my friend & coworker Grace to spend the weekend with me. On July 2nd, on Friday evening, she followed me home after work. We had quick dinner, and then attended the performance of the Romford Drum and Trumpet Corp. at the Smyrna Opera House. The 4th of July Smyrna/Clayton committee sponsored them to come and march in our parade this year.

The Corps is a youth military style band, based in the London Borough of Havering. As one of the oldest independent youth marching bands in the country, it has a proud history, with performances throughout the U.K., France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Gibraltar and the U.S. It has also had the honor of performing in the presence of every member of the Royal Family including a performance at Buckingham Palace. This concert will feature a mixture of marches, film music, original compositions and popular music.

The next day we had breakfast at the Smyrna Diner. The first small diner was originally placed in 1954, but then replaced by a 1965 style silver Paramount. However, it was sold to a diner collector in Cleveland, Ohio. The new diner restaurant now resides about a mile south of its original location. My next blog posting will be about the changing scenery and history of Clayton, Smyrna. I have fallen in love with my own community. It is such an iconic "little home town" that is proud of its traditions.

After breakfast we headed north to Battery Park in New Castle. It's a middle sized park that faces the Delaware Riverfront looking towards New Jersey. The Park has basketball & tennis courts, playground, and a one mile walk/bike path. It also has an old ticket booth from the Frenchtown railway. On a windy day you might even spot a New Castle sailing member paddling out to their sailboat. We had a great walk and stopped to talk with older folks sitting under trees, or the dog owners with their cute pups. After the walk, onwards to the Farmers Market for fresh Amish meats, cheeses or South American fruits right off the boat heading up to Philadelphia, or local vegetables.

Sunday, Grace accompanied me to church. When I play piano in Sunday School, she teaches the children how to sign the songs they learn. In fact, they've learned so much from her visits that they can sign most songs on their own. It is so fun to watch her get excited and see the children reflect her joy in their faces. Later that night, we watched the fireworks on TV in NY, DC, and Philadelphia.

On Monday, we celebrated our Independence Day starting with the parade! The parade began at 9:30am and it was already 89F. We hit 102F that day and decided to stay in the shade under a nice tree. Our little town has the oldest running traditional 4th of July parade in the state. We have most beautiful baby contests, pretty leg contests, dog contests, and of course, the famous lawnmower races! The festivities start with the Smyrna Harrington Realty Association putting miniature American flags up and down every main street in Smyrna. At 10:00 a.m., we have the most awesome parade. Smyrna and Clayton take turns hosting the parade since the 2 towns together are smaller than most small towns. We have police cars, fire trucks, pageant winners, girl and boy scouts and our local sports teams strutting their stuff.

After the parade, we joined another co-worker and best friend, Gerald Mood for lunch. A movie was next on the agenda, in Dover. It was nice to spend a cool afternoon together. We agreed that although we were not happy with the movie, it was a blessing to have a wonderful place to work that gave us the paid holiday to do with what we want.

NJ Camden Waterfront

On Monday, June 28th Matt and I invited Chandler McNeil to visit the Camden NJ Waterfront. Chandler's mother offered her family pass card to the Aquarium. We packed up and spent a cloudy hot 96F day inside! This particular aquarium have wind turbines installed on the roof, which are actually called "Wind Architecture." They generate clean and green electricity for the Camden Waterfront. We had fun walking around looking at the fish, hippos, sharks, jellies, touch tanks: stingrays, sand sharks, and starfish.

If you do a 360, you can see the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Aquarium, City of Philadelphia across the Delaware, and the Old RCA "Nipper" Manufacturing building. Presently, the remaining part of the huge building was made into luxury condos. The backpack radios that Buzz Aldren used on the moon were made in the building.

Usually, during the hot summer days we take day trips to historical places, museums, and points of interest. Matt had not seen Chandler in nearly six months. They were very happy to "hangout" together and talk. They are growing so fast, and are the best of friends. However, it is hard to connect with each other during the school year, as well as the summer family schedules. They certainly made the best of it! This is what ALMOST 14 year olds look like!

We had fun using the camera my mother gave me for my birthday!

Joy In The Journey LDS Singles Conference

This past weekend, I attended an LDS Singles Conference in Germantown, MD at the Seneca Stake Center. It is not far from Washington, DC. One of my best friends, Dawn McNeil, who is also a single mother (of 3) came along with me. She is also a church member but recently moved to Elkton, MD. Her oldest son, Chandler, is Matthew's best friend. We haven't had the opportunity to connect since her move last summer. When I told her about the conference, we decided to go together and leave the kids at home with their dads. It was the first time we've spent more than a day together. We stayed in the Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center on the 8th floor overlooking a picturesque lake . The hotel was flush along a boardwalk that lined the lake and included a pedestrian-friendly shopping and entertainment center. We had fun walking and taking in the scenery.

We arrived Friday evening on June 25th and connected with quite a few attendees at a nice dance complete with DJ at the church and stayed until about midnight. The next morning, after breakfast, we went back to the church to join a roundtable discussion about the Conferences theme:

Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy.....Send a Gleam Across the Wave
"How Great will be your joy..."

"And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me..,

how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me.

The discussion was about how The Father has mercy and love for us, that he send us his light like a lighthouse to a ship. Will we be willing to go out and rescue any survivors from the ship? How great will our love and spirit be filled if are willing to help many like us?

We were then served lunch. Afterwards, we went to several breakout sessions including: Finances for Today's World, Becoming a Daily Desciple of Jesus, and Communicating Effectively with People. After the last session, we left and rested before heading out for the evening.

Saturday evening was so fun. We were sent to the Folger Pratt Barn on Sugarloaf Mountain Road, where we had a true BBQ dinner complete square dance instruction. We had to hold hands with partners and do-si-do in groups of 4 and 8. There was also country line dancing and regular dancing with the same DJ.

Sunday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and then shared in a very emotional and spiritual testimony meeting that lasted for almost 2 1/2 hours. There were many tears, hugs, and handshakes. Attending members came from Connecticut to Georgia and as far west as Tennessee. We met wonderful singles like ourselves that were parents, non-parents, divorced, never been married, and widowers. The communication and respect given to each other was amazing. We were ages 31+ that shared life stories, trials, and experiences with complete abandon. Dawn and I left feeling full of love and acceptance. As singles in our ward family, we are not always invited to events that are for married couples. We are also small in numbers. As we joined this event we started to feel like there was a place in our organization that would support us no matter our history or circumstances. We certainly found instant family and friends.

Father's Day Weekend!

Happy Belated Father's Day!

and to those men that make

good role models in a childs life.

Father's Day weekend was fantastic! Matthew and I planned to celebrate with Jim on Saturday evening. Matthew woke up in his Dad's house and they spent the day together. It was a warm day, so they mostly stayed inside and made it a relaxing one. By 5pm, Jim drove to my place and picked me up. We drove into the Italian section of the City of Wilmington to dine at his favorite restaurant, Mrs. Robino's Family Style Italian Restaurant. He always orders the spaghetti with red clam sauce and two meatballs, and a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup. Italian bread is also served with olive oil or butter on the side. I love going too. Everything is homemade and the waitresses are friendly. If you're not Italian, you will feel like it when you eat their food.


After the filling meal, we headed towards Rodney Square to the Dupont Theatre, at the Hotel du Pont to see Delaware's All-State Theatre of high school performers perform URINETOWN: The Musical! That's right! No, it's not a misprint. It's a satirical comedy musical about the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and municipal politics. The show also parodies Les Miserables and Annie. It had wonderful music, basic sets, and great performers. We are always surprised at how professional the show is considering the cast is comprised of high school talents. However, it was not our favorite musical. We agreed that musicals can be about anything as long as it a story with music.

The next day was even warmer. Matt and Jim took a dip in their pool for the first time this year. Later, we went out for some lite fare to cease Father's Day. Later that night, we settled in for our favorite Vampire show HBO's First Blood.

Click on the links to hear music from the Urinetown musical, characters from HBO, and the menu from Mrs. Robino's Restaurant!

Facebook .......and it's possibilities!

If you haven't had the opportunity to sign up for Facebook, Do IT! I decided to find out about this.... Facebook phenomenon! Slowly I started building up my list of Facebook friends and by the end of the first month I was connected to 500 people. I couldn't believe it! Work, Church, School, Theatre, Old, New, and Young Friends all at my fingertips. I was having several conversations at the same time swapping stories, family vacations, high school pictures, and updates on our children and relationships.

Recently, however, three amazing connections have happened:

1. My God Brother, Todd Goings Schaffer found my sister and I after almost 20 years. Our families grew apart when my parents divorced. I'll never forget how he re-introduced himself as my brother. He told me how much he missed having two sisters. To talk of that particular year was affirming to us both. There was a feeling of, "No, you weren't insane, it really happened!"

Now I am in daily contact with him. He lives in Indiana, and we plan to reunite next summer in Maine. I have seen pictures of his children and wife. We swap emails of daily life and past remembrances. I am blessed and happy to have him back in my life. We were immediately bonded when were younger. He was very much a part of my life, as a brother, but more like a spiritual brother. After our first two weeks of conversation, I called him just to hear his voice. His mother, Anne Clark, has also reconnected with my mother. She used to babysit for her when she was 5 years old. Todd became our God brother just about 5 years old, if I recall.

2. Debbie Compton (now Ferraro) former high school upper classmate. She graduated in 1980. I graduated in 1983. She was the coolest girl in the school. She had a 80s rock hair cut and listened to the Rolling Stones and met Nikki Six of of Motley Crue. You never starred at her sideways, because she'd stare you down and call you out. If she liked you, she told you so. I met her when we both signed up for our musical "Mame." I was in the chorus, and still shy. She was Mother Burnside - loud and proud. I remember having a few conversations with her, but always wondering what it would be like to hang out with her on a Friday night. It never happened until last Friday night at the Wilmington Clifford Brown Jazz fest. We met face to face three weeks ago. We planned to meet for lunch. How did this happen? Facebook conversations, postings, updates, photos, and the list goes on. We have music, faith, and other interests in common. Little did we know we were living only a few miles from each other during the 90s. Almost 35 years, and we smiled as we first greeted. She was a mom, and so was I. She looked like me now. We spent almost 8 hours together reminiscing about our teenage lives. We shared our experiences of our growing pains and feeling all the stronger for it and testifying that we wouldn't change a thing.

3. Scott Raybuck was a high school crush, friend, band and drama classmate. He was one of my first friends in the new 8th grade Smyrna school. He played the clarinet, and sometimes went out for the high school musicals. He was in sports, and we had a few classes together. We also met at the town dances. He was quite the ladies man. In the 11th grade, I went stag to help at the Senior prom dance. Scott asked me to slow dance with him during one of the last songs that evening, even though he had a date. We never "officially" dated, but had an intimate close friendship. After we graduated, he decided to enlist in the Army. I moved to New Castle, DE with my family.

It wasn't until recently that he found me on a classmate website. We emailed each other quick notes saying Hello. He is now happily married with children living in Clarksville, Tennessee. He brought his family out to Ocean City, MD for an early summer vacation. On his way home, last weekend, I spent time with his family at his parents home. I met his lovely wife, two adorable girls, and we got to know each other. Scott and I caught up on each others lives. It was strange looking at gray hair, wrinkles, and chubby cheeks. Still, we had fun remembering our friends from school. Before the night was over, we were giggling like we were back on the band bus. He hadn't spoken of his teenage years of school to his family until our reunion. It was interesting watching him slowly reveal some fun moments he'd remembered. As we took pictures and said so long, we were back to being us, as Scott reminded me. The best part of the visit, was being told by his young daughters, that they'd never met anyone their Dad's age that was So Coooool!

After meeting with my classmates Debbie and Scott, I instantly felt as if I got a part of my heart back? When I was 14, I was so shy and wanted to be part of something. I wanted to be accepted and loved. I had no idea that I was accepted. I felt out of place, as most teens do. I was trying so hard to fit and gave my friends a part of me.

There are more future connects that will happen with Facebook friends. I will not let possibility pass my door. Life is too short not to have an opportunity to feel young again - days of romance, laughter, smiles, giggles, and friendship.

Do you have any recent connections with old friends? I would love to hear about them!

In the Heart of Wilmington

My friend Debbie, her son, and I attended the Dupont Clifford Brown Wilmington Jazz Festival. Renowned jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown was born in Wilmington in 1930. He started playing at the age of 12. He obtained a music scholarship from the University of Delaware, which at the time, had no music program. He attended Maryland State College, wrote and played with their jazz band. He started sitting in with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, and Charlie Parker. In 1952 he had his recording debut, and then formed his famous duo Roach and Brownie. However, he died at the age of 25, in 1956 in the wee hours he was travelling to a gig to meet Roach. His wife drove the car off a wet Pennsylvania highway.

The festival is held outdoors in the heart of Wilmington in Rodney Park (named after Caesar Rodney). It is the only free jazz festival that lasts for seven days. I was so happy to finally have the opportunity to go.

My friend and past classmate Debbie is a rockin' bass player. She invited me to see Marcus Miller with his band perform this past Friday evening on 6/18/10. He is a musician, composer and producer of many works of music. His proficiency on the bass is world and well-regarded.

He has continued the developing and refining the technique known as "slapping" by using his thumb. Also his fretless bass, has inspired many musicians by taking the electric guitar music and bending it into many musical situations. He has written for many of the greats: David Sanborn, Luther Vandross, Spike Lee's movies, Grover Washington Jr. and the great Miles Davis.

After the concert was over, we waited in line until midnight to buy CDs which he signed. He shook our hands and thanked us for coming to see him play. It was nice to meet Marcus and his band members. Another amazing evening which I will never forget.