On Founders Day, it’s not about who will win, but who will SWIM
When you live in South Florida, the leaves don’t fall from the trees in November. Citrus fruits do. So it’s always hard at this time of the year to believe it really is fall. But then along comes Founders Day at Lynn and suddenly you’re a believer. There’s something about the smell of roasted, syrup drenched corn that now says “fall” to many of us. Oh, and the smell of lake water on cotton.
This year, organizers of our fifth annual Founders Day have upped the saturation point on the day’s most popular event (Canoe Challenge) by adding a new “Anything That Floats” category to the mix, along with a costume competition. That means you’re likely to see someone navigating the lake between the administration building and Old Lynn on a recycle bin or a Gilligan-style raft of coconuts and bamboo shoots (use your imagination – and local materials – here, people). Me? I’m showing up early to ensure I get my kettle corn and a good spot on the south bank to watch the madness unfold.
A Sun-Sentinel photo from the 2007 canoe challenge. Man overboard!
As in year’s past, the buzz on campus isn’t about who will win, but who will swim. President Ross, along with CIO Chris Boniforti and senior vice president Greg Malfitano, had one of the wettest runs on record back in 2007 (that’s our president above with a drier team – sorry Chris and Greg – back in 2006). And last year, I saw a bunch of students in banana suits all but park their canoe on a fountain head. Good times.
Of course, my third favorite part of the day (behind the canoe races and outdoor breakfast) is the evening picnic. This year, keep your eyes on two-year-old Eli Hughes on the carnival games circuit. Kid’s got an arm (a gift he didn’t inherit from his father, I’m sorry to say). Consider yourself warned!
As for those of you who are canoe challenged, any predictions?