Quick Quiz ... Which two words in the English language will cause a Central student to giggle uncontrollably? If you answered Moustache May then you are a tried + true Centralite! Or at least someone that was a part of the BCC family from 2008 to 2011.
Unlike its charitable cousin Movember, Moustache May (MMay) emphasized the "fartsy" rather than the "artsy". It was about giggles, laughs, grins and smiles. MMay was a 31 day photographic celebration of follicular fantasticness that superseded all other endeavours. It was a phenomenon whose tentacles stretched across North American, creating a brotherhood that survives today, thanks largely the quality of individuals involved coupled with the easy access of Social Media. A quick Google search would bring you to the web site (CLICK) that was the hub of the creative genius. Birthed in the creative minds of a handful of web-brilliant types in the Nashville area, Moustache May started out as a Whiskerino, a celebration of facial hair, but quickly built momentum and surfaced in 2007 as an on-line phenomenon full of youthful (although, not all youthful) testosterone-laced humour spiced with acerbic wit. Blossoming from a handful of followers in 2007 to the hoard-qualifying numbers of 2011, MMay met its bitter end on June 1st, 2011 when the original caretakers felt overwhelmed by its nuclear rise as it became an all-consuming task to maintain. The sadness lasted a few days into June, but those that were involved soon embraced the experience like prom infused memories of high school times gone by.
In the case of Central, the excited buzz was palpable throughout the entire month, bringing grins and giggles to staff and students alike. Of course, the greatest glee was reserved for those innately involved and the creative muse percolated throughout the day as ideas for photos were dissected and critiqued.
Like any good spectacle, you need a program to sort out the players:
aka The Continuum Transfunctioner
Drew was the co-initiator , along with Kris Gilewicz, having stumbled across the Moustache May web site in 2008. If you know Drew personally, you know that he rarely does anything half way, meaning he was "all in" when it came to his personal celebration of Moustachiness. Not one to shy from the spotlight, nor to avoid pushing the envelope, Drew embraced his role as creative spearhead and all around crazy dude.
aka Simcoe County Chopper
As a fellow initiator, with a level of creativity surpassed by few, Kris was equally enthusiastic about his personal celebration of Moustachiness. While not quite at Drew's level of zaniness, he is a very close second, turning heads and prompting giggles with every posting. Always a willing co-conspirator for shenanigans and hijinks, Kris embraced the challenge of daily photo posts with the same zeal and passion ... and can grow a stache in about 3 days!
aka Art Vandelay
Joining Drew and Kris as the force behind the BCC chapter of MMay, Shaun brought his own personal brand of lunacy to the celebrations. Affectionately coined a "Naked Mole Rat" by yours truly, Shaun's largest obstacle for MMay shenanigans was the absence of body hair. Not to be outdone, he embraced his short comings, albeit using a telephoto lens for photos. If there's a 3rd part to Yin/Yang, Shaun would be it, as he, Kris and Drew are like "peas in a pod". God Bless their wives!
aka EasyRider
I was brought into the fold in 2009, and quickly set about the task of matching the zany antics of my Masters, much like a young Padawan. I was the elder, though not necessarily wiser, statesman of the group and I feel that I almost matched their zaniness factor, perhaps upping the ante here and there. My MMay experience was fully supported by my entire household with my own children begging to assist wherever they could. During the 3 years I was involved, I forged friendships with a number of my fellow moustache celebrators, and stay in contact through social media.
The BCC Moustache May supporting cast included our fellow hell raisers Jay Malandrino, Craig Banks, Frank Cunsolo, and Kyle Sweezey ... Sweezey's pencil thin Clark Gable effort was noteworthy.
Yet another reason why the staff at Barrie Central were a tight-knit, fun loving, crazy bunch who loved teaching and living life to the fullest. I miss both my Central "peeps" and all the belly laughs we shared around the Camelot table in the staff room.
Editor's Note:
A few months after the demise of MMay, my saint-of-a-wife allowed me to experiment through my own personal Whiskerino ... A YEARD, or year-long beard! I cultivated it like a prize begonia, but a deal is a deal and it fell victim to the barber's shears. If I behave really well, perhaps she'll let it resurface? Hmmm.
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