NEW YORK CITY
Thanksgiving Theatre Trips and Spring Choir Trips
NYC Trip 2013 - A brief synopsis...
On Wednesday, November 21, seven Bedford High School Theatre students, three moms, one dad and myself began our trek to NYC for our theatre weekend. We have been planning this for many months and our day has finally come. About 10 days prior to our trip, I get a phone call from Leslie Gamble, one of the moms accompanying us, and we talked about doing something to help out with the Hurricane Sandy Relief. I hesitated at first figuring that we really did not have enough time to collect donations and how would we transport everything!? Well, Leslie was persistent and I also felt that we should do a small part as we were traveling into the area.
I sent a Facebook message to my friends that live on the east coast and asked if they knew of any people in need. I thought that we could give some relief to a few people directly which would be a mighty cause for our small group. Laura Amico, a good friend of mine and a teacher in Hoboken, NJ contacted me and said that Hoboken was hit hard and a specific shelter have their hands full. That shelter is the Hoboken Shelter. Right downtown and a part of the St. John's Lutheran Church. Our specific cause was met and we began our donation efforts.
We began a donation drive the next day! I talked with members of my choirs and theatre students to bring in what they could. We made flyers to hand out, we sent out press releases and WNWO NBC TV put our claim on the air! Almost immediately donations began coming in. Laura sent me a list of specific items in need and we focused mainly on those items, yet we would take anything. During the week, I found out that the BHS Student Council were working to raise funds for Sandy also. They were selling cookies during the lunch hours in which all the money would be donated to Hurricane Sandy. I talked with the advisor, Bob Weaver, and we decided to team up. The BHS Student Council kids raised $750! That, along with other donations from our efforts brought our total money donations to $2100. We bought $1800 worth of Home Depot Gift cards and $300 was used for traveling expenses. Jason Gorr, from Steve Rogers Ford donated a van in which we loaded up with the many donation items. My students sorted and loaded the vans on Tuesday night before Thanksgiving, and we were ready to begin our trek.
I am amazed by our community and how many people can come together quickly to help. I thank each those people who contributed large and small. Thank you!
At 6am, we loaded and began our journey. We traveled all day and as we got closer we started to see the skyline on New York City. We took the Newark Parkway and came in from the south side of Hoboken. The area is very industrialized and many roads were under construction. As we winded through the roads, relying on the GPS on my iPhone, we noticed the piles of sand bags that sill remained on the side of the roads. I could just imagine this place engulfed with water. We found the Hoboken Shelter and unloaded our vans. Jacqueline, the manager of the shelter, met us at the door and was full of joy!! After we unloaded and took a few pictures an overwhelming feeling came over us. We did something! Was it going to fix everything, no, but it sure will make a difference in a few peoples lives and we gave our students an experience that would hopefully roll over into their lives as they learn to continue to help with their own charities in the future. Our students experienced something that many others will never experience.
Our New York City Theatre Trip happens every two years over the Thanksgiving weekend. This trip is very special each time and our students and adults that attend are filled with the joy of theatre, the taste of NYC cuisine and a glimpse of a vivid culture that you cannot experience unless you do it! We attended four Broadway shows, eat at four different New York restaurants, took a tour of Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios, we visited the World Trade Center Memorial Site, we saw Lincoln Center, Strawberry Fields, Central Park, ate a Knish and NYC pretzel, walked down 5th Ave, Rockefeller Center, the tree, Times Square, went to the top of the Empire State Building, took a cab ride, stretch limo ride and a subway ride or two, went to Little Italy, Chinatown and Soho. We met cast members, bought I Love NY t-shirts, ate Lindy’s cheesecake and by the end of the trip, started to "tawlk like a new yawker!!" Each person will have their own story to tell. This is my 12th trip with students and I get a kick out of it each time.
This year’s trip was very special as we added the side trip to the Hoboken Shelter. We did not plan this and hopefully we will not have to again. I mean that in a good way... No more hurricane Sandy's!
To our three adult chaperones, Mrs. Kim Davis and Mr. & Mrs. Doug King for taking on responsibility and ensuring that our students were safe. To our 7 students, Kamryn Frantz, Madyson Davis, Kassidy Krimmel, Adrianne Cook, Ashley Jacobs, Kaylee Kirtos and Harrison King for attending this trip and its my hope that you have grown from this trip and learned a new appreciation. You are all awesome!
Mark Smith
Choral/Theatre Director
Bedford High School
On Wednesday, November 21, seven Bedford High School Theatre students, three moms, one dad and myself began our trek to NYC for our theatre weekend. We have been planning this for many months and our day has finally come. About 10 days prior to our trip, I get a phone call from Leslie Gamble, one of the moms accompanying us, and we talked about doing something to help out with the Hurricane Sandy Relief. I hesitated at first figuring that we really did not have enough time to collect donations and how would we transport everything!? Well, Leslie was persistent and I also felt that we should do a small part as we were traveling into the area.
I sent a Facebook message to my friends that live on the east coast and asked if they knew of any people in need. I thought that we could give some relief to a few people directly which would be a mighty cause for our small group. Laura Amico, a good friend of mine and a teacher in Hoboken, NJ contacted me and said that Hoboken was hit hard and a specific shelter have their hands full. That shelter is the Hoboken Shelter. Right downtown and a part of the St. John's Lutheran Church. Our specific cause was met and we began our donation efforts.
We began a donation drive the next day! I talked with members of my choirs and theatre students to bring in what they could. We made flyers to hand out, we sent out press releases and WNWO NBC TV put our claim on the air! Almost immediately donations began coming in. Laura sent me a list of specific items in need and we focused mainly on those items, yet we would take anything. During the week, I found out that the BHS Student Council were working to raise funds for Sandy also. They were selling cookies during the lunch hours in which all the money would be donated to Hurricane Sandy. I talked with the advisor, Bob Weaver, and we decided to team up. The BHS Student Council kids raised $750! That, along with other donations from our efforts brought our total money donations to $2100. We bought $1800 worth of Home Depot Gift cards and $300 was used for traveling expenses. Jason Gorr, from Steve Rogers Ford donated a van in which we loaded up with the many donation items. My students sorted and loaded the vans on Tuesday night before Thanksgiving, and we were ready to begin our trek.
I am amazed by our community and how many people can come together quickly to help. I thank each those people who contributed large and small. Thank you!
At 6am, we loaded and began our journey. We traveled all day and as we got closer we started to see the skyline on New York City. We took the Newark Parkway and came in from the south side of Hoboken. The area is very industrialized and many roads were under construction. As we winded through the roads, relying on the GPS on my iPhone, we noticed the piles of sand bags that sill remained on the side of the roads. I could just imagine this place engulfed with water. We found the Hoboken Shelter and unloaded our vans. Jacqueline, the manager of the shelter, met us at the door and was full of joy!! After we unloaded and took a few pictures an overwhelming feeling came over us. We did something! Was it going to fix everything, no, but it sure will make a difference in a few peoples lives and we gave our students an experience that would hopefully roll over into their lives as they learn to continue to help with their own charities in the future. Our students experienced something that many others will never experience.
Our New York City Theatre Trip happens every two years over the Thanksgiving weekend. This trip is very special each time and our students and adults that attend are filled with the joy of theatre, the taste of NYC cuisine and a glimpse of a vivid culture that you cannot experience unless you do it! We attended four Broadway shows, eat at four different New York restaurants, took a tour of Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios, we visited the World Trade Center Memorial Site, we saw Lincoln Center, Strawberry Fields, Central Park, ate a Knish and NYC pretzel, walked down 5th Ave, Rockefeller Center, the tree, Times Square, went to the top of the Empire State Building, took a cab ride, stretch limo ride and a subway ride or two, went to Little Italy, Chinatown and Soho. We met cast members, bought I Love NY t-shirts, ate Lindy’s cheesecake and by the end of the trip, started to "tawlk like a new yawker!!" Each person will have their own story to tell. This is my 12th trip with students and I get a kick out of it each time.
This year’s trip was very special as we added the side trip to the Hoboken Shelter. We did not plan this and hopefully we will not have to again. I mean that in a good way... No more hurricane Sandy's!
To our three adult chaperones, Mrs. Kim Davis and Mr. & Mrs. Doug King for taking on responsibility and ensuring that our students were safe. To our 7 students, Kamryn Frantz, Madyson Davis, Kassidy Krimmel, Adrianne Cook, Ashley Jacobs, Kaylee Kirtos and Harrison King for attending this trip and its my hope that you have grown from this trip and learned a new appreciation. You are all awesome!
Mark Smith
Choral/Theatre Director
Bedford High School
NYC 2012
WEDNESDAY November 21, 2012
6:00AM: Load and Leave BHS (Travel via 15 passenger van & Mini-Van)
Mr. Smith and Mr. King will be driving.
Pack SMALL and LIGHT! Share hairdryers, etc.
3:00PM: Deliver donations to The Hoboken Shelter... for Hurricane Sandy Relief
4:30PM: Check-In at the WELLINGTON HOTEL 871 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
www.wellingtonhotel.com
6:00PM: Dinner at ELLEN’S STARDUST DINER
8:00PM: Broadway Musical MAMMA MIA! Winter Garden Theatre
THURSDAY November 22, 2012 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
AM: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade – Our hotel is right on the parade route!!
The parade starts at 9AM (If you want to secure a “good” spot, you will need to get on the street by 7AM at the latest!
12:00PM: Walking Tour – Carnegie Hall, Trump International, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, The Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Strawberry Fields, Central Park, Bethesda Fountain, Alice in Wonderland Statue, Eat a Kinish, Central Park, Zoo, Apple Store, FAO Schwartz, Trump Tower, 5th Ave, St. Pats Cathedral, Saks 5th Ave, Rockefeller Center, Ice Rink, Christmas Tree, NBC Studios, Times Square
2:00PM: Optional Show________________________________
5:30PM: Thanksgiving Dinner at PIGALLE BRASSERIE (French choices Pre Fixed)
790 Eighth Ave. @ 48th Street, New York, NY 10019
8:00PM: Show? Not many offered
8:00PM: Go to top of Empire State Building
FRIDAY November 23, 2012
5:00AM: SHOP!!
7:00AM: SHOP or Subway to South Side Seaport – Wall Street
11:00AM: TOUR OF RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
3:30PM: Meet in Hotel Lobby. Take a 20 minute subway ride down to Brighton
Beach stop. Walk through, explore Chinatown, Little Italy. Eat at Puglia’s Italian Restaurant. Need to buy TWO subway fares!! There and back. A single subway fare is $2.50, so you will need to buy on METROCARD worth $5!! Don’t lose or throw away the card, you will need it for the fare back!!
5:30PM: DINNER @ PUGLIA’s, Little Italy 189 Hester Street
Good Italian eatin!! Get ready to shake your napkin!!
8:00PM: Broadway Musical NEWSIES! Nederlander Theatre
SATURDAY November 24, 2012
7:00AM: Today Show or shop
10:00AM: NBC Guided Tour (arrive 30 minutes prior)
11:00AM: Grand Central Station – Shop.
2:00PM: Broadway Musicals:
BRING IT ON (Kamryn, Madyson, Kassidy, Adrianne, Mrs. Davis)
LION KING (Harrison, Kaylee, Ashley, Mr. King, Mrs. King)
6:00PM: DINNER @ Playwright Celtic Pub (Pre Fixed)
732 8th Avenue NY, NY 10036
8:00PM: Broadway WICKED!
SUNDAY November 25, 2012
9:00AM: Travel Home
Choir Trip Spring 2014
WEDNESDAY November 21, 2012
6:00AM: Load and Leave BHS (Travel via 15 passenger van & Mini-Van)
Mr. Smith and Mr. King will be driving.
Pack SMALL and LIGHT! Share hairdryers, etc.
3:00PM: Deliver donations to The Hoboken Shelter... for Hurricane Sandy Relief
4:30PM: Check-In at the WELLINGTON HOTEL 871 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
www.wellingtonhotel.com
6:00PM: Dinner at ELLEN’S STARDUST DINER
8:00PM: Broadway Musical MAMMA MIA! Winter Garden Theatre
THURSDAY November 22, 2012 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
AM: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade – Our hotel is right on the parade route!!
The parade starts at 9AM (If you want to secure a “good” spot, you will need to get on the street by 7AM at the latest!
12:00PM: Walking Tour – Carnegie Hall, Trump International, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, The Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Strawberry Fields, Central Park, Bethesda Fountain, Alice in Wonderland Statue, Eat a Kinish, Central Park, Zoo, Apple Store, FAO Schwartz, Trump Tower, 5th Ave, St. Pats Cathedral, Saks 5th Ave, Rockefeller Center, Ice Rink, Christmas Tree, NBC Studios, Times Square
2:00PM: Optional Show________________________________
5:30PM: Thanksgiving Dinner at PIGALLE BRASSERIE (French choices Pre Fixed)
790 Eighth Ave. @ 48th Street, New York, NY 10019
8:00PM: Show? Not many offered
8:00PM: Go to top of Empire State Building
FRIDAY November 23, 2012
5:00AM: SHOP!!
7:00AM: SHOP or Subway to South Side Seaport – Wall Street
11:00AM: TOUR OF RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
3:30PM: Meet in Hotel Lobby. Take a 20 minute subway ride down to Brighton
Beach stop. Walk through, explore Chinatown, Little Italy. Eat at Puglia’s Italian Restaurant. Need to buy TWO subway fares!! There and back. A single subway fare is $2.50, so you will need to buy on METROCARD worth $5!! Don’t lose or throw away the card, you will need it for the fare back!!
5:30PM: DINNER @ PUGLIA’s, Little Italy 189 Hester Street
Good Italian eatin!! Get ready to shake your napkin!!
8:00PM: Broadway Musical NEWSIES! Nederlander Theatre
SATURDAY November 24, 2012
7:00AM: Today Show or shop
10:00AM: NBC Guided Tour (arrive 30 minutes prior)
11:00AM: Grand Central Station – Shop.
2:00PM: Broadway Musicals:
BRING IT ON (Kamryn, Madyson, Kassidy, Adrianne, Mrs. Davis)
LION KING (Harrison, Kaylee, Ashley, Mr. King, Mrs. King)
6:00PM: DINNER @ Playwright Celtic Pub (Pre Fixed)
732 8th Avenue NY, NY 10036
8:00PM: Broadway WICKED!
SUNDAY November 25, 2012
9:00AM: Travel Home
Choir Trip Spring 2014