The Value of Blogs

Blogs As A Disaster Relief Tool

Though not directly applicable to my memories of Ridgewood philosophy it does serve to remind us all of the Blog's possibilies. -Paul

As noted in Technology Daily this morning:

Two researchers at the University of Maryland have proposed that the federal and state governments use Internet-based communities built around blogs, social networks and collaborative "wikis" to aid disaster relief, Nature.com reports.

RHS Distinguished Alumni

     RHS LAUNCHES DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD PROGRAM RHS principal Jack Lorenz announced that his office is now accepting nominations for the newly initiated Distinguished Alumni Award. Chosen on the basis of their achievements in their fields or contributions to society, the award winners will have plaques hung in their names in the main vestibule at the Heermance Place entrance to the building. 

     "The purpose of the wall is to recognize alumni who have distinguished themselves through their achievements in their fields or contributions to society," said Lorenz. "The recognition wall will serve as an inspiration to students attending RHS each year." In the first year, he said, the program will recognize several distinguished alumni posthumously to reflect the early history of RHS.

     The public is invited to participate in the nomination process. Please send nominations to RHS, Distinguished Alumni Selection Committee, c/o Principal's Office, 627 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood NJ 07451. Nominations should include a detailed description of the nominee explaining why the candidate should be honored as a Distinguished Alumni of RHS as well as the individual's special recognitions, honors, awards, or accomplishments. The deadline is Friday, March 23, 2007. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognition program will be held on a biannual basis, alternating with RHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Ridgewood Is A Restaurant Town

     This is so painfully obvious that even someone who is visiting Ridgewood for the first time would be able to tell on a simple drive through town. What they might not notice are the people who live in Ridgewood who are overweight, especially the school children. I hypothesize that there is a direct correlation between the number of restaurants in town and the number of school children who are corpulent. This can be corroborated by the increase in families who have both parents working, thus they have less time to devote to cooking and eating at home. My hunch is that if people could make the time to eat at home and cooked their own meals then kids might not weigh so much above average. Of course, it doesn't help that children spend time passively watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Internet. I hate to sound like an old fogey but since there weren't a lot of video games 30 years ago when I was growing up in Ridgewood, and no easily accessed Internet, we went outside, or were ordered out by our parents, and couldn't simply recline statically to play. I like to cling to this idea that we played outside a greater share of the day than kids do now. Do I consider that my childhood environment was healthier for kids than the current one? It certainly was different and seemingly centered around outside activities. Though I don't begrudge kids their video games and Internet access as we saw our fair share of TV, too. I only wish kids would spend their time behaving like kids, and less like couch potatoes because it shows all too often when you take the time to look and you notice their portliness.

The Upper Ridgewood Community Church

     It's been five years since Ana and I were married in the Upper Ridgewood Community Church. Of all things, we were married on a 70 degree afternoon in late January. It was so warm we took our wedding photographs outside without our coats! This is the very same church I was confirmed in and attended while living in Ridgewood. We held our reception in one of its rooms that had been recently expanded and renovated and used to hold my Sunday School classes. They even gave us permission to drink wine and champagne to go with the reception for the 50 or so invited guests. All in all it was what one guest called a "grown-up wedding reception" as we did it simply yet elegantly, and in an environment that was convenient for all. What could have been easier than to leave the church, walk down a hall, then be handed a glass of champagne with a strawberry floating in it? If you had told me all those years ago while I was attending Sunday School that I would one day be married and drinking inside those same four walls I never would have believed it. The best part is that I still smile when I think of the fun we had that day, and the fun we continue to have in our married life.

Dr. Bitzer

It wouldn't be a complete blog about my memories of Ridgewood if I didn't mention my dentist, Dr. Bitzer. Dr. Raymond Bitzer has been my dentist all my life, even when I haven't lived in the immediate vicinity of his practice. Seeing him and his son, Bruce, who joined the practice in the late 80's has always been a good reason for me to return to Ridgewood for a visit.

It may sound eccentric to continue to see the same dentist but I have always appreciated their skills and honesty. The few times I have had to see other dentists they have always said the same thing, "You need to have your wisdom teeth removed." When I tell this to Bruce and his father they always ask the same question and follow it with the same recommendation, "Are they giving you any problems? If not, leave them alone."

This kind of integrity combined with the chance to catch up on the news of Ridgewood always leaves me feeling better in both body and spirit. I know most people have trouble seeing a visit to the dentist in this light but it works for me.

The Next Class of 1977 Reunion

When we do have another reunion this is how I hopefully will look:






That's me and my dog Angus in a park in Forest Hills, NY circa 2006.

As for the next reunion, all I can say is that they take a tremendous amount of time and effort. Unfortunately, I travel too much to work on the next planning committee but would be glad to do what I can remotely. That is to say, I will maintain our web site and blog.

Please look me up in the old phone book when you hear any news.

Your classmate from years ago,

Paul