A Patriot Remembers

A Patriot Remembers Old records spark memories

Irecently decided to review my old vinyl record albums and came across one that brought me back to the month of August. As one who writes about things we cherish and reminisce about, the Neil Diamond album entitled “Hot August Night” triggered my recollections about this summer month.

As I continued to review my albums, I came across Gordon Lightfoot’s “Old Dan’s Records,” and my mind escaped to the music, events and weather in August. We all had our favorite memories of August concerts at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the recollections of our lawn experiences. Concerts by Lightfoot, Neil Diamond, John Denver, Jimmy Buffett and the Hollies strike a rich chord with me. I recall some of those August events at SPAC while listening to the performers and remembering the vicious thunderstorms that pelted the patrons on the lawn. I do not recall any event not being most pleasant with large satisfied crowds.

I then drift off to August and Saratoga Race Track at a time when there was only betting win, place and show. The only exotic bet was the daily double,

which was picking the winners – Onion. The racing museum of the first two races. This addin Saratoga is special for the ed rush traffic on the Northway horse fans and resurrects some before the 1 p.m. post time. fascinating memories. There were grandstand seats at the top of the stretch that On the national level, I did did not cost anything. not like August for the There were no TVs Atomic Bomb on or any picnic area. The horses were favorites in books to us by Frank Hiroshima, which was reported the first week of the month. In high race fans. Dr. Fager, Damascus, DeSorbo school I did a term paper on Spanish Riddle, the second bombas well as the jockey ing at Nagasaki on of Angel Cordero Jr., Aug. 9. Among the Bob Ussery, Manny Ycaza tragedy we hardly ever hear were worth the money. Unof the triumph of VJ Day fortunately, one of the greatest (Victory in Japan) on Aug. 14, horses, Secretariat was beat in 1945 that brought an end to the Travers in 1973 by a horse World War II in 1945 (the 75th that brought tears to your eyes Anniversary this year). Maybe August 2020 will bring an end to a World Wide Virus.

As I mentioned in prior articles, I was a baseball and softball umpire for 25 years. August brought many summer baseball and softball leagues into their playoffs. As a Little Leaguer in the ’50s, our season might go into August as you competed with other leagues. As these sport seasons ended, the thought of football double session and school beginning emerged.

Sometime a nice summer evening at a camp site, fishing in the evening or ice cream cones and milk shakes were an August diversion. My wife was a school employee, and she had the summers off so we could spend time in New Orleans with her brother who lives there. New Orleans in August has the proverbial hot August nights.

Maybe if you ramble though the old possessions you’ve accumulated, it will bring back a heartfelt memory and it will seem like yesterday.

Frank is a freelance writer and guest speaker. Contact fomservice.com The author is a Capital District resident and freelance writer and guest speaker. Contact him at fomservice.com

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