In 1969, in a small section of the Mountain Lakes Community Church, the seeds of a school were sown. A group comprising of seven students, one teacher, and a handful of aids was formed with the goal of educating hard-of-hearing kids. Over the years, the population of this group grew – in 1972, the faculty moved to 10 Lake Drive for more space. The Lake Drive program had humble beginnings, but the seeds sown 50 years ago have grown and blossomed. The program now incorporates about 90 students; additionally, students from outside the town can apply to enter.
On the 5th of October, the rich history of Lake Drive was celebrated with good cheer, drawing hundreds of people (some hard of hearing, some not) to celebrate the triumphant bicentennial.
The moment I strolled through the entrance, a group of cordial volunteers sporting vibrant blue t-shirts greeted me. Those volunteers – a few of which were students – proved to be the backbone of the event, working diligently to organize, plan, and manage the festival.
Booths and stands, seemingly ubiquitous, lured passersby with products, causes, and activities. While the parents bought their meals from the food trucks, the kids hit up the ice cream truck. A raffle promised a shiny new tricycle for any three winners, an opportunity that few children in their right minds would pass up. “Karen and Crum’s,” whose colorful and intricate stand illuminated the site, sold an array of hand-made, well-priced crochet dolls, one of which I bought. Another booth sought to educate teenagers about the signs of abuse, offering support through informative, thoughtful flyers.
When I stepped onto the grassy play area, the scenery shifted from bustling stands to activities surrounded by jubilant children. Along with the playground, children were lured by legos, face painting, hula hoops, and more. Around 3 PM, children and adults alike trickled into the basketball court and took their seats on fold-up chairs. The grand finale then began.
Patrick Fischer (http://www.deafpatrickfischer.com/) from Connecticut, also known by the playful moniker “Mr. Shiny Head,” was a master of slapstick. For his act, he used facial expressions, illustrious gestures, and ASL — with a narrator providing an English translation — to imitate three dogs. Patrick pretended to throw a tennis ball to each dog, one of which was deaf, but did not release it, much to the confusion of the animals. These tricks kicked off three unique stories, which not only demonstrated Fischer’s immense comedic talent, but his skill in the art of storytelling.
Decades after its intrepid inception, the Lake Drive program has maintained its dedication to educating the hard-of-hearing, and doing it well. Therefore, the festival proved to be not only a celebration of the school’s history, but an opportunity to spread the branches of the deaf community while sending a message of unity. And, after all, was that not the intent of the school’s very creation?
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