To the Community:

June 29, 2022: On Saturday, June 18th, Bronxville High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2022.

The same night and into the wee hours of the next morning, the Class of 2022 attended its “All Night Graduation Party and Breakfast” — a Bronxville tradition. This year, the graduates danced the night away on Fordal Road as if they were celebrating on the island of Mykonos.

At the end of the party, the students and parents (escorted by the Bronxville Police) were excited to parade behind a bagpiper to the breakfast (another Bronxville tradition). Nearly 200 graduates and parents were lined up awaiting the memorable march. But, sadly, by 2:30 am, it was clear that the planned piper was a no show.

When word got out in the crowd about the absentee bagpiper, Chris Krieg, who lived down the street from the party and whose daughter is a Bronxville grad, said “my neighbor is a bagpiper—I’ll call him!” With that, Chris woke up Duff Blair. “I need a favor…please get out of bed…The Class of 2022 needs you to be their bagpiper.”

“On a scale from one to ten, how important is this?” Duff asked.

“It’s like an eleven!” Chris said.

So, Duff, who moved to Bronxville a couple of years ago with his wife, Rory, and three small children, jumped out of bed. Rory texted Katie Krieg, “He’s putting his pipes together” and then she asked if it he could skip the kilt?

“We don’t care if he wears his pajamas!” Katie responded.

Five minutes later, a sleepy Duff walked up Fordal to meet the officers, parents and still energetic Class of 2022. He then led the crowd through the streets of Bronxville to their breakfast on Midland Avenue, saving a beloved Bronxville tradition!

Only in Bronxville does someone know a neighbor who is a bagpiper who would get out of bed at 2:30 am to ensure that our graduating seniors have the perfect end to their high school experience.

“I wasn’t conscience enough at the time to comprehend what a cool thing it was for me to be a part of their special night. But, upon reflection, it was such an honor.”        

Thank you, Duff Blair. You have shown that it takes a Village and you have the job next year!

Sincerely,

Patricia Knox

Editor's note:  MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.

Editor's note:  MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.