I’m a big fan of traditions, the cheesier the better. Whether it’s weekly ice cream dates or watching the same silly movies every fall (Hocus Pocus anyone?) or the way we open our presents one at a time at Christmas, I love it.
Somehow, I managed to find a college that was as nuts about traditions as me. Mount Holyoke was crazy about them. We had M & C’s at 9:30 every school night, even when the milk and cookies were replaced with carrots and saltines because of the budget and health concerns. We met for ice cream on Mary Lyon’s grave on Founder’s Day. We do synchronized canoeing to celebrate graduation (yeah, I even planned it for my class).
But nothing compares to my favorite tradition: Mountain Day.
Mountain Day is a special day for the MHC community, a spontaneous holiday that begins with the bells ringing incessantly early in the morning to announce that all classes are canceled, all obligations are dismissed, and ice cream (served by the college President) is waiting for you at the top of the 935 foot “mountain” that bears our name.
Sally and the City 