Thanksgiving and Black Friday

      This has always been a favorite holiday of mine. When I was younger and living in Ridgewood we would always have tremendous meals of turkey with all the trimmings and pumpkin pie made from scratch by my mother. Now I am the one making the turkey and the pies for my family and this process brings me as much joy as simply eating them use to. The Ridgewood High School football team used to play in Fairlawn on Thanksgiving but a quick look at the schedule had them in Paramus yesterday, another old rival. There used to be a tradition at the High School where the effigy of "Freddie Fairlawn" was burned the day before the game. I wonder who they burn these days to fire up the faithful and show school spirit? I liked this holiday also because there was always the last lingering bit of autumn in the air, a crispness without being too cold to be outside. The calendar may have stated that autumn had another month to go but we knew from experience that winter was upon us. It's funny how we didn't know what Black Friday meant in terms of its significance to retail shoppers everywhere in these United States. Back then all it meant was a day off from school and maybe the chance to play some football. Ignorance was bliss and who cared if we missed a deal on a Tickle Me Elmo doll or an I-Pod?

Jack Elwood Day

     I have been following this one for a few years and decided today that a blog entry was long overdue. Jack Elwood taught me Driver's Education and was my track coach during my senior year at RHS. I think about him everytime I am driving on the NJ Parkway. His sage advice about staying in the middle lane and keeping an eye on cars coming at you from the left and the right has remained with me these last 30 years. I know that for a teacher this is what they strive for so I just want to thank Jack and let everyone know about his current battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. The following is from the newsletter published by the Ridgewood Board Of Education. 

      To subscribe: ps.eNews is a publication of the Ridgewood Public Schools. To unsubscribe, email http://webmail.dickinson.edu/create?listserve@ridgewood.k12.nj.us and type in the subject line: unsubscribe rps.enews. Previous issues are archived on the district website: http://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/. Please note: In compliance with State of New Jersey law, no archived issues will carry students' names or pictures. Please send comments to http://webmail.dickinson.edu/create?jreilly@ridgewood.k12.nj.us. JACK ELWOOD DAY - 5K WALK/RUN The Fourth Annual Jack Elwood Day and 5K Walk/Run will take place on Sunday, October 29, 2006, at the RHS field from 8 AM to Noon. The event raises funds to help defray medical expenses for longtime Ridgewood teacher and coach Jack Elwood. Elwood is suffering from ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. Last year the event raised around $58,000. As always, participants will show their support by wearing Elwood T-shirts. The ceremony will start promptly at 9 AM, followed by the run/walk at 9:30 AM. All participants receive a t-shirt. Please send $20 checks (payable to "RHS Association) to Elwood Day, c/0 Nancy Reilly, RHS, 627 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood NJ 07451.

Ridgewood Farmer's Market

I had a short but sweet visit to Ridgewood today for the express purpose of visiting the Farmer's Market that sets up on Sundays in the parking lot of the train station. We stayed long enough to buy some of my favorite produce: Jersey Tomatoes and Corn. As an added bonus they had 3 guys from Bella Mozzarella in Fairlawn making fresh Mozzarella on site. Combine this cheese with the tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and I was in heaven when we returned home. I also had an ear of white corn that was so good it didn't need to be cooked.

The corn was just as good as the ears we used to buy from Mr. Lester when he had his farm next to Graydon Pool. When I think about him plowing his fields as late as the 1970s with a horse I am usually at a loss for words. Year after year I'm sure all the "sensible" people told him to sell his farm and retire. I don't know if it was stubbornness or he just liked the hard work, probably a combination of the two, but there he would be out walking behind his horse in his corn fields. This sort of man is next to impossible to explain to the current young residents of Ridgewood, and my 10 year old nephew who lives in Ridgewood now is no exception.

I should really know better and not try too hard to explain the past to young people, unless they ask. Ridgewood was an entirely different place 30-40 years ago when I was growing up. Moms stayed at home, divorce was not so rampant, and obesity was the exception and not the norm. I should just realize that when you have a Sony GameBoy, high speed Internet access, and all advantages now afforded to Ridgewood School children you usually don't spend much time thinking about the fact we all stand upon the shoulders of the giants who came before us. Mr. Lester was one such giant, and the visage of him behind the horse usually comes to my mind at this time of year whenever I bite into an ear of Jersey corn.

APeX Art Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ

      Please check out this site for the APeX Art Gallery in Asbury Park, NJ. It is co-owned by Dennis Carroll, retired Art Teacher at GW and RHS. He also served as Supervisor of Art for all the Ridgewood Schools before his retirement after 35 years of service. I don't get to thank former teachers often enough, and I know very few people who do, that's why this link is here. My wife and I journeyed down to Asbury Park a couple of weeks ago and visited his gallery. We also bought a print called "First Snow" that depicts the former Casino on the Asbury Park boardwalk. I am so glad we have the photo as the real Casino has seen better days after having its roof cave in. From the site Beyond The Palace: "The Casino sits at the south end of Asbury Park's boardwalk. In its glory days, it held a large theatre on one side, and a carousel and other amusements on the other. Contrary to some beliefs, it was never a gambling establishment." Oh yeah, if you ever get the chance to thank a former teacher who helped you along the way towards adulthood you should do it as its a great feeling.

The Ridgewood Blog

     Please check out this very lively blog https://theridgewoodblog.blogspot.com/ I mention it especially for those who are far away from Ridgewood and long to feel apart, if only via cyberspace.

Why A Ridgewood High School Class Of 1977 Blog?

The World Wide Web has grown from a medium that people would simply read to one that people can read and respond to. This blog being linked to the rhs1997.net web site gives readers an appropriate place to log their comments and opinions on any topic they like, possibly reconnect with people that they have not communicated with in a long time, and/or organize events like our reunions.

The fact we are expecting to live longer than previous generations and that our children will one day move out to raise families of their own gave me the inspiration for the web site. I say this because I am pretty sure that it will be the people who knew us when we were young that we will want to reconnect with as we grow older.

Just my 2 cents. Your mileage will vary.

RHS 2006

Do You Recognize Any Of These Retiring Teachers?

I sure do recognize my eighth grade English Teacher, Mrs Berrian.


What's more the Interim Superintendent of the Ridgewood Schools was my first Physical Education Teacher, Mr. Titus.

If you check out the staff directory I bet you will find some of your old teachers. I can only tip my hat to them all for their dedication and perseverance.

Parkway South Shore Points

       This sign on Route 17 South never fails to stir my heart, especially during the summer months. Every time I see it I envision some grand time at the Jersey Shore. Of course, I always conveniently forget the sunburn and the sand that would have to be swept out of the car afterwards. These annoyances don't matter when I start to thinking about the waves, boardwalks, and carefree times a trip to the shore always symbolizes to me. I remember pretty clearly when it was that I started feeling this way. It was exactly 30 years ago, when my friends and I could make the drive down ourselves unsupervised by our parents. At first it was a feeling of daring that I felt. Now it has simply becomes a lovely routine. The times were not always good. There was the time Senior year when we cut classes and our car broke down at the shore. The parents of our driver had to be summoned to bring us home. In any event, the good times far out-weighed the bad. One of the best was the classic ride down to the shore after we graduated from RHS. We had been up all night as is the custom and we spent a glorious day in the sun and sand. I can't remember ever being so tired and happy all at once. I probably never will feel this way again, though I can always hope and dream. This memory in particular always crosses my mind whenever I see that sign: Parkway South Shore Points.

The 4th Of July in Ridgewood

     This day's activities begin early with the parade through the downtown shopping area. The locals will place their chairs on the street on July 3rd to save the best spots along the parade route. They also will put up their American flags to remember the original reason for having a celebration on this day. Though I don't make it back to see the parade as often as I would like I do tend to stand in the same place by the train station in order to be in easy walking distance to the Smith Brothers Saloon. You see, the 4th of July is the only day of the year when drinking beer in the street is condoned, let along encouraged. It is a rebellious act I admit but one that brings everyone a good bit of satisfaction and reminds me ever so slightly of the courage our ancestors in the 18th century had to have possessed to even consider fighting the strongest nation in the world at that time. This day's festivities end with the fireworks show at Vets. This display has grown so popular in recent years that admission is charged and parking is at a premium near all the good viewing spots like the high school football field and the high ground overlooking the town, often referred to as "the View." I really can't put my finger on why people remember the 4th so fondly but I'll hazard a guess that it has something to do with the official beginning of summer and a lot less to do with drinking on the street while watching a parade or the detonation of fireworks. It has much more to do with the hopefulness that the beginning of summer usually suggests. There are the summer vacations to look forward, school is out, and right on schedule we develop amnesia as to how hot and sticky July and August can be. It helps to be an optimist in general but in particular at this time of year. This is before the succession of hot and sunny days makes us long for some cool autumn nights. It is before the promise of our vacation is vanquished, and long before we wish the children were back in school. It is the 4th of July and everything is good. Here's hoping you still can look forward to and enjoy these moments. I succumb to their lure every year and am never disappointed when I recollect them on cold winter nights. Happy 4th of July!

You Can Go Home Again

     I was reminded of this idea before our 25th Reunion in 2002. It had been 5 years since I had moved back to the Ridgewood area, albeit I was living in Queens at the time, and I was trying to come to terms with the old notion of whether or not you could go home again. Of course, the author Thomas Wolfe would tell you no and I had long held this opinion. This may have been part of the reason why it took me 20 years to move back. I had visited on innumerable occasions though never for very long. What finally prompted me to change my mind? I guess the realization that we all leave for a reason, whether it be to attend college or by virtue of the fact your parents sold the home and moved away. We also all return to see our homes for various reasons, ideal curiosity or just an attempt to see if you feel the same about your surroundings. In any event, you can go home again though only for as long as it takes you to remember why you left in the first place. After you remember this you can see and feel that all has changed around you and about you. This is a good thing and well worth feeling. It is no substitute for the feelings you had while growing up but it is a sign that you have grown up! So by all means, go home again. Look for the reminders of what you knew to be your home and cherish their memories. Then remind yourself that you are grown and it is up to you to create new memories.

Please Check Out The RHS Class Of 1976 Reunion Web Site!

      This is a site that must be seen to be believed. The number of pictures alone will keep you transfixed for at least an hour or more. They even included everyone's yearbook photo, bad haircuts and all. Check out: www.rhs76reunion.com The only thing I would suggest to improve it would be to add a blog and a link to Cafe Press. I say add a blog because it will help people to communicate with one another in the long run. This new age we are entering is all about communicating and reconnecting with people. I will revisit this theme often. I say add a link to Cafe Press so you can let your creative side blossom. The Cafe Press will allow you to upload digital images in order to create your own memorabilia. What's more, they allow you to do it at a very reasonable price and you don't have to order tons of merchandise in order to qualify. This is the Internet at it's best!