4th of July Memories

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The 4th of July is just about here. Although Memorial Day heralds the official start to the Summer season, the 4th of July seems to be a bigger celebration. People flock to the beach, have backyard cookouts and scout out a good place to view the fireworks. All rites of the Summer holiday.

I am sure everyone has a special memory of this holiday. Does it involve a spectacular display of fireworks, a great cook out or a sunburn from too many hours on the beach?

In my case it is a memory that spans a decade or more. And it was all done from the comfort of our living room. I absolutely loved watching Arthur Feidler conduct the Boston Pops Orchestra. The Pops always did a 4th of July concert on the Charles River Esplanade and it was broadcast on many PBS stations. Thousands of people would pack picnic suppers, grab a blanket and head to the grassy areas to wait for this free concert. A great display of  fireworks on the Charles River followed the performance.

Arthur Feidler was the conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra for 50 years. That was longer than the 17 previous conductors combined. He is credited with making music fun and interesting. He was known for his popular and light classical programs.  And although I am tone deaf and had no idea what they were playing, watching him conduct was a thrill in itself.

The July 4, 1976 concert is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest single audience for classical music concert. 400,000 people attended that concert. July 4, 1976 was a very special year.

Arthur Feidler was a spirited little man who always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye. He had a head of white hair that sometimes seems a bit unruly. He just had fun with his orchestra and himself. One of his biggest likes was watching the Boston firemen do their jobs. He often went to see firefighters at work when there was a fire in the Boston area. On his 75th birthday, his family presented him with his very one full sized fire truck....wonder where you keep something like that.

Arthur Feidler died in 1979. A 32 cent stamp was created in his memory. And for me, the music was no longer the same. He was followed by John Williams as conductor of the Pops. Certainly another great conductor, but in my eyes, not an Arthur Feidler. Somehow the 4th of July has lost a bit of its sparkle

CULTURE: AMERICAN STYLE

As the 4th of July approaches, I have been thinking about what defines American culture. Or does the United States even have a specific/dominant culture? Some feel the U.S. has no true culture compared to the "older" civilizations of Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. I searched the Internet for answers. One website dealing with worldwide culture, etiquette, customs and protocol stated that: "America is ultimately a nation of immigrants and as a result is a cultural mish-mash in every sense of the word".

It's true that America is a nation of immigrants. Only about 1% of the population is Native American. But is the Country a mish-mash? The definition of mish-mash is a "jumble". A jumble is described as: "a mass of things mingled together without order or plan". I think it can be safely said that the U.S is not without order or plan. The children of the various immigrants all go to school (for free). Those who become citizens vote, pay taxes, and serve jury duty. With each successive wave of immigrants, there is a blending of old ways with new ideas.

How do people in other countries view American culture? Most know Americans from television shows, movies and music. (Which is a rather scary thought, considering much of our entertainment attempts to derive humor out of extreme stupidity). Though sometimes exaggerated, American values do come across in those venues. Beliefs such as human nature is basically good, accomplishments and winning are important, and individuals have the right to choose what is best for them, even if it means going against the group.

Americans are often thought to be too direct and informal, striking up conversations with strangers, or commenting on the behavior of other people's children. We are curious and will stop and gawk at traffic accidents, or watch long and tedious car chases on television. Foreign visitors are confused by our complex list of social rules about where and how much to tip. (So are most Americans). A bathroom is where the toilet is, and may or may not include a bathtub. Women do not go topless on the beach. Americans do not know how to barter or haggle (except for cars). We do not bribe anyone in a position of power unless we want to take the chance of being arrested.

The United States does have a culture. How do I know for sure? Because every 4th of July, without fail, Americans celebrate. We put out our flags, dress in red, white, and blue, have barbecues, and watch fireworks. We are not a mish-mash, but a Country with a deep sense of being American that is not always easy to put into words.