Andy Cahill

A farewell tribute from David Rorty:

"I have too many great times spent with Andy Cahill to mention....for too many reasons. My first sushi experience was with Andy at Tawarwa in Ramsey. The first and only time I was forced to make egg nog at 2am Christmas Eve with real eggs was with Andy. The first and only time I made egg rolls from scratch was with Andy. The first and only time I was pulled over by a cop and admitted I was drunk and the cop let me drive away...was with Andy. The first and only time I hauled a 1/2 keg of beer up to Pine Meadow Lake was with Andy. The first and only time Leyden's Father Jack yelled at us to keep off his dune was with Andy. The first and only time the same Jack Leyden served us beer, wine, sangria and sandwiches was with Andy. My first camping "trip" as owner of Pork Island was with Andy. Many of the best Turkey Bowls were with Andy. I would never had helped jam entire Christmas trees in Leyden's lit basement fire place if it were'nt for Andy. I will never miss some one so much that I have'nt seen for so long if it were'nt for Andy. Thank you for so much fun and so many great times Andy. Love- Dave

Parking Meters, Telephone Booths, and Mailboxes

It cost me $0.25 to park in Ridgewood for 15 minutes this morning. The Bank (HSBC) I was hoping to deposit a check at via the ATM had been moved to Ramsey. What do we do about the parking meters? Already we have a scandal in Ridgewood where someone in charge of counting the money has lost their job. If we rip them out then the local shopkeepers will park for free and the parking situation might grow worse. If we rip them out and install devices for paying on every block or so then the upfront costs might prove too daunting for the idea to pass. Folks, this is just about parking meters! The village reportedly faces projected deficits as a result of salaries, benefits, and pensions that will raise property taxes 40% over the coming years. I realize the days when teachers and policmen living in Ridgewood are long gone, but how about anyone making under $250,000 a year? The telephone booths in the village are a minor problem, these could be removed or fitted for cellular connections, if they aren't already transporting cellular data. Mailboxes have been going away for over 35 years and I understand this trend will not change. The village needs to figure out ways to raise money and not taxes. The consequences are too dire to contemplate. Peace.

RHS Class of 1963 50th Reunion

Best of Luck!

Ridgewood N. J. Class of 1963 Fiftieth High School Reunion

Our reunion is scheduled for:

October 18, 19 and 20, 2013

RHS Class of 1963 50th Reunion

RHS Learning Commons

Take a peak at what the plan is for the RHS library: RHS Learning Commons

Bicycle Inspection Day

It was usually a Saturday morning in the early autumn when we would line up our bicycles at Willard School and have them inspected under the watchful eye of the Police and a few local Dads. As my father was a lawyer, the Principal, Dan Daley, would often ask for his assistance. My Dad would give each bicycle a sturdy twist of the handle bars, then check the chain and the condition of the tires. If the passed these cursory tests then the bike was given a license.

One year when I was in the 6th grade and was the current Safety Patrol Captain for our class, I was asked to join the inspection team. I mostly kept the kids in line and looked to see that they knew where the serial number was on their bicycle so they could complete the license application form.

In latter years I can remember riding down to the Police Station on a prescribed day and having an officer complete the same type inspection. I can't remember ever having anyone question me as to whether I had a license but I do know that it made me feel official and law-abiding when I knew that my bike was officially licensed.