The story goes that a bunch of Philadelphians booed Santa Claus once and even threw snowballs at him (no, really).

It's doubtful New Londoners would be that overt. More like passive aggressive. They might whisper behind his back, "Yeah, so what does he do the other 364 days of the year besides eat?"

This is why, when days of true appreciation happen upon the 06320, we must discuss.

And so it was Monday at Muddy Waters, the Bank Street eatery that doubles as the city's central artery, where a ceremony honoring Mr. and Mrs. New London, otherwise known as Joe and Nancy Baude, brought a nice crowd, infectious smiles and the occasional tear.

The reason for honoring them? Nothing in particular. Or maybe everything in particular. This was the brainchild of Donna Vendetto, Louie Pica and Susan Devlin, who realized that 60 years of marriage and a lifetime of caring about the 06320 merited a salute.

Mayor Passero read a proclamation. Cameras and phones recorded all the shapes and forms. And when it was over, all partook of the — nice touch here — green and gold cake that proved in brevity there is poetry: "Thank You Joe and Nancy."

Nancy Baude spent years running the Parks and Recreation Commission. She was instrumental in New London's successful foray with the two turf fields at the high school. New London wouldn't have its stately sports complex without her.

Joe has been a fixture at games for years, watching his children and grandchildren — and surely other people's children and grandchildren — play. He's also been part of the daily floor show at Thames Barber Shop — Louie Pica, proprietor — where sports, politics and town gossip make for priceless entertainment.

History alone suggests that Joe and Nancy Baude are forever difference-makers in their city. But it's more than that. They pass the ultimate tests of sacrifice and selflessness. They personify what turns cities into communities.

They kept caring even when their kids weren't playing anymore.

We know the drill in virtually every community: Many parents are in it while their kids are. Then they pass the baton and are off to their children's next endeavor. But the great ones stay. The Baudes never left. They are New London. And whether you may have agreed or disagreed with them over the years — sources say Nancy is a hard marker — their passion is to be respected.

"Thank you," Joe Baude said to the crowd, fighting back tears Monday, just after removing the New London cap that longtime friend and former New London High football coach Jim Buonocore gave him for the occasion. "New London is about friends. A lot of good friends."

Devlin, Pica and Vendetto succeeded in celebrating the lives of two icons while they're still alive to see it. No small feat there. The city has lost some wonderful people in recent months. Lefty MacDougall and Helen LeBeau come to mind.  And while many bon mots came their way in tribute, the words were, alas, posthumous.

The Baudes got to see how much New London cares live and in color Monday afternoon. Bravo to everyone involved.

There was much to digest. Selflessness honoring selflessness. Maybe Pica, Vendetto and Devlin realized that the Baudes have been there for everyone else the last 60 years, so maybe it's time to be there for them. With an act of compassion deserving of a trumpet blast.

New London has the reputation of spinning its wheels furiously, but often failing to gain traction. But there's no place that cares about its own more. We may be a bit nitpicky at times, sure. But once a Whaler ...

Let the record show that May 21, 2018 went down as Baude Day in the 06320. Long overdue and well deserved. We can all learn a lesson from one of the city's longest-running marriages:

What if we all cared about New London as much as they have?

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro