Montclair Celebrates committee has cancelled its July 4th parade and picnic in 2021 for the second consecutive year. __S.3__
Montclair, however, paid tribute to its frontline workers and businesses that helped the community get through the pandemic. A caravan toured the streets of Montclair on Saturday as Montclair celebrated Independence Day weekend. The caravan made its way to Glenfield Park’s Wally Choice Center, where officials paid tribute the grand marshal of 2020’s parade, Dan Gill, who has been a Glenfield Middle School teacher since more than 50 years.
Last year , Gill spoke with Montclair Celebrates vice president Tim Barr in a video interview. He talked about his long career, remote learning and how it feels to connect with students.
He said that people will not remember you for the things you did but for how they felt. That’s something every teacher should remember. Even if you think you are teaching, you know, the Revolutionary War lesson, they will come back to you and say, “I remember the time you bent over and split your pants.” And here’s the truth: You laughed at yourself. They learned that it’s okay to laugh at themselves. You can laugh at yourself.
Barr stated that Gill, the father and Montclair resident Brendan Gill had a “fanbase” that spans decades.
