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.