I saw the longtime New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter today. His body had betrayed him at the age of 39, in a similar way to how the Hall of Fame Yankee Mickey Mantle's body betrayed him in his early 30's. Both of these crowd favorites have had to confront the same options most weekend athletes have to consider every time they attempt a game best played by boys: "Is this the last time I play before calling it quits?"
For me the last game came when I was 30. I was playing on the Mall in Washington, DC on a beautiful June afternoon. The game was meaningless and I was a substitute for a team that was losing in the 5th inning. When I jogged out to right field I saw the Washington Memorial on one side and the Capital on the other. It occurred to me that if this were the last time I ever tried to be a baseball player that I couldn't have picked a more picturesque location.
As it so happened I had the opportunity to bat first in the top of the 6th inning. The starting pitcher had been sent to the showers with a 15 run lead so my opponent was a relief pitcher simply trying to end the game quickly. He tossed me a beautiful high arc pitch which I watched cross the plate. He seemed puzzled as to why I hadn't swung at this thing of beauty and proceeded to toss me another in exactly the same manner. This time I swung as though it was my last time at bat on this earth. The ball traveled high and far over the head of the center fielder. I sped around the base paths just as I had done as a youth and was safe at home plate. I had scored one last time.
After the game was over the manager called me and asked if I wanted to continue playing for his team. I gave it some thought and said no. It was too pretty a memory for me to have and nobody would ever truly understand it anyhow.
I had stopped playing the boys game. It's exactly what I would have wished for Mickey Mantle when I watched his final games and the ball no longer carried into the seats as it once had. It is also how I felt for Derek Jeter when I watch him labor today, and hit into two double plays. If only he could see himself in hindsight then he might just imagine that his best days are behind him and that anything else he might do on the ball field would be less than memorable.
In some ways I was luckier than both Derek and Mickey, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
August BBQs
When the days start growing shorter and the nights have an autumn crispness about them, I am often reminded of the BBQs we used to have on our backyard patio. The kids would drink soda and eat hamburgers and hotdogs on the run. The adults would have more contemplative beverages and sit around our picnic table eating salad along with their charcoal cooked entrees.
It was only many years later that I grew to understand how they could sit and just talk for hours on end. We would innocently come up to the table from time to time and ask what they were doing and if they wanted to catch fireflies or investigate something but their response was always the same: you kids go on and play, we are having a nice time just talking.
My parents and their friends were happy to watch us play and be with one another. It's only in hindsight do you see the wisdom inherent in these simple pleasures from another era. A time where no cell phones were around to interrupt the conversation or computer games to distract the kids. We were all outside where it was cooler than in the house. Bedtimes were only enforced when we had run out of energy and the adults felt compelled to go home. Nobody wanted the night to end but we all knew there was only so much one could have of a good thing. Whether it was a rapid sequence of children's games or the more the more sedate pace of adult's conversation; we all knew these nights had to eventually come to an end.
August BBQs were times we reluctantly gave up when school began just after Labor Day. We could have done one or two more in September but the days would have been even shorter and the nights might be too cool for extended conversations. It was easier in August to hold a BBQ with our neighbors, and if it rained we could laugh it off and move under the cover offered by our garage. In September the pace seemed quicker and we were less tolerant for inconsistencies in the weather. While the waning days of August had us feeling more capable of handling the elements. We knew the summer was almost over and the time for BBQs accompanied by long conversations around the picnic table was fleeting. These particular occasions come racing back to mind whenever the August nights begin to feel relaxed and the summer's heat only a mild distraction. I realize now that my preference is for the picnic table and the adult conversation. Though an August BBQ will also make me a little envious of the children who can run till they are exhausted, and from time to time ask the adults if we want to stop our talking and join them in their discovery of the neighborhood.
It was only many years later that I grew to understand how they could sit and just talk for hours on end. We would innocently come up to the table from time to time and ask what they were doing and if they wanted to catch fireflies or investigate something but their response was always the same: you kids go on and play, we are having a nice time just talking.
My parents and their friends were happy to watch us play and be with one another. It's only in hindsight do you see the wisdom inherent in these simple pleasures from another era. A time where no cell phones were around to interrupt the conversation or computer games to distract the kids. We were all outside where it was cooler than in the house. Bedtimes were only enforced when we had run out of energy and the adults felt compelled to go home. Nobody wanted the night to end but we all knew there was only so much one could have of a good thing. Whether it was a rapid sequence of children's games or the more the more sedate pace of adult's conversation; we all knew these nights had to eventually come to an end.
August BBQs were times we reluctantly gave up when school began just after Labor Day. We could have done one or two more in September but the days would have been even shorter and the nights might be too cool for extended conversations. It was easier in August to hold a BBQ with our neighbors, and if it rained we could laugh it off and move under the cover offered by our garage. In September the pace seemed quicker and we were less tolerant for inconsistencies in the weather. While the waning days of August had us feeling more capable of handling the elements. We knew the summer was almost over and the time for BBQs accompanied by long conversations around the picnic table was fleeting. These particular occasions come racing back to mind whenever the August nights begin to feel relaxed and the summer's heat only a mild distraction. I realize now that my preference is for the picnic table and the adult conversation. Though an August BBQ will also make me a little envious of the children who can run till they are exhausted, and from time to time ask the adults if we want to stop our talking and join them in their discovery of the neighborhood.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
What Has Happened To August
It used to be a truism that the month of August felt long, hot, and dull. Then Labor Day would come and after that we would go back to school. This was a good thing as our K-12 schools, even my college dorm, were not air conditioned.
Now I see posts on FaceBook of my friends taking their kids to college. The fact that they are taking them to school is not indicative of anything or surprising, but the fact it is the middle of August suggests something has changed in our way of life.
I realize school being in recess in the summer months is a remnant of our agrarian economy and that children at one time had to work to bring in the crops. Then we grew into an industrial economy and children were eventually outlawed from working in factories so the summer months were free for them to grow up and discover things on their own. August in particular was a time for family vacations and if you weren't on vacation or had already been, the month of August could seem quiet in the neighborhood. You had to look around hard for things to do and leave your comfort zone, maybe talk and play with kids you usually wouldn't associate with.
As I like to tell my nephews when I make these sort of observations, my childhood was not better or worse than what they are going through. It is only different, and change is something we all have to accept and deal with.
This August I have already taking my vacation at the Jersey Shore so I am looking around hard for things to do, just as I sometimes had to do as a kid. Thank goodness for air conditioning and that I can read about the changes going on in our society on the Internet. Otherwise, I would be outside trying to experience things for myself. This wouldn't be a bad thing, only different for what currently passes as living and growing up.
Now I see posts on FaceBook of my friends taking their kids to college. The fact that they are taking them to school is not indicative of anything or surprising, but the fact it is the middle of August suggests something has changed in our way of life.
I realize school being in recess in the summer months is a remnant of our agrarian economy and that children at one time had to work to bring in the crops. Then we grew into an industrial economy and children were eventually outlawed from working in factories so the summer months were free for them to grow up and discover things on their own. August in particular was a time for family vacations and if you weren't on vacation or had already been, the month of August could seem quiet in the neighborhood. You had to look around hard for things to do and leave your comfort zone, maybe talk and play with kids you usually wouldn't associate with.
As I like to tell my nephews when I make these sort of observations, my childhood was not better or worse than what they are going through. It is only different, and change is something we all have to accept and deal with.
This August I have already taking my vacation at the Jersey Shore so I am looking around hard for things to do, just as I sometimes had to do as a kid. Thank goodness for air conditioning and that I can read about the changes going on in our society on the Internet. Otherwise, I would be outside trying to experience things for myself. This wouldn't be a bad thing, only different for what currently passes as living and growing up.
Lawrence Welk
It would be difficult to exclude The Lawrence Welk Show from any collection of remembrances from the 60s and 70s. His show was a stalwart on Saturday nights and in our house when my Dad's mother was visiting the set was invariably tuned to the show come 7:30 PM.
I would be lying if I said I enjoyed watching the show in those days but through the wonder of reruns I can now say I do appreciate the professionalism which the show exhibited. Lawrence Welk conducted the orchestra and no doubt had a hand in every aspect of the show which bore his name. Yes, the clothing was loud but they started broadcasting in color in 1967 so they had to give people who had spent the big bucks on a color TV something for their money, right?
The music was tame but it had a well-rehearsed look and the shots of the audience always confirmed these were the tunes they came to hear and sometimes get up and dance to. Accroding to our pals at Wikipedia: In 1996, Welk was ranked #43 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time. the show was on the air from 1955 to 1982. His "Champagne Music" has never gone out of style for some folks and probably never will.
I would be lying if I said I enjoyed watching the show in those days but through the wonder of reruns I can now say I do appreciate the professionalism which the show exhibited. Lawrence Welk conducted the orchestra and no doubt had a hand in every aspect of the show which bore his name. Yes, the clothing was loud but they started broadcasting in color in 1967 so they had to give people who had spent the big bucks on a color TV something for their money, right?
The music was tame but it had a well-rehearsed look and the shots of the audience always confirmed these were the tunes they came to hear and sometimes get up and dance to. Accroding to our pals at Wikipedia: In 1996, Welk was ranked #43 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time. the show was on the air from 1955 to 1982. His "Champagne Music" has never gone out of style for some folks and probably never will.
RHS 1977 Picnic at Dunkerhook Park
Friday, August 16, 2013
RHS Class of 1978 35th Reunion
Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 35th Reunion Details
Tell your friends!! It is time to get tickets to the RHS Class of 78 35th Year Reunion!.
Go to the Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 Facebook Page to connect with friends, view updates to this document and see who is coming to reunion!
When: 7 to 11PM, Saturday October 12, 2013 Where: Biagio's Ristorante, 299 Paramus Rd, Paramus,
http://www.biagios.com/
What: Buffet Dinner, Cash bar
Cost: $50/per person*
Deadline; Limited number of tickets, so to assure your spot, sign up early! Deadline September 30th. (After September 30th, contact Pam Eilers Smith directly, at PamSmith416@yahoo.com.
No tickets are planned to be sold at the door.)
How to Pay: Go to www.paypal.com and send the money to rhsreunion1978@gmail.com.
See bottom of page for more detailed payment instructions.
Accommodations:
Hotel-
If you need accommodations, rooms have been set aside at the:
Hyatt Place Fair lawn/Paramus
41-01 Broadway (Route 208 North)
Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA, 07410
Tel: +1 201 475 3888—
Ask for Kim Klapper and the RHS Class of 78 block of rooms to get the $129/night rate.
http://fairlawnparamus.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
Private Home-
Alternately, we are soliciting volunteers in the area who would like to host out-of-towners.
Contact Pam Eilers Smith at PamSmith416@yahoo.com for more details.
Transportation: Free shuttle service will be available to transport people to the Hotel at the end of the night.
Volunteers!
1) Volunteer Housing hosts—Do you have an extra room and want to share? Host classmates for the night or weekend! Contact Pam Eilers Smith at PamSmith416@yahoo.com
2) Party Host(s) Do you live in the area and want to organize a party for Friday night or a get together during the day Saturday? Send a message to Susan Hersperger Bernegger on Facebook to post it on the Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 Facebook page or contact Pam Eilers Smith at PamSmith416@yahoo.com.
3) Photos- Start gathering digital photos to be part of a slide show. Stay tuned for details.
4) Other ideas welcome! Know teachers who may want to come? Have other ideas? Feel free to go to the Facebook page Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 to post ideas and reconnect with friends. If you have ideas for the facebook page- please send a FB message with suggestions to Susan Hersperger Bernegger.
Contacts: Contact Pam Eilers Smith at PamSmith416@yahoo.com. Or send a message on facebook to Pam Eilers Smith, Alison Deetz Taylor or Susan Hersperger Bernegger.
Payment Instructions for Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 Reunion 1. Go to www.paypal.com
2. Click on “Buy”
3. Click on “Make a Payment”
4. Put in your email address in the “from” field 5. Put rhsreunion1978@gmail.com in the “to field”
6. Put $50* for one ticket or $100 if two tickets in the dollar field
7. Hit continue
8. Then log into your account or create a new one if you need to and follow the instructions.
9. Before you hit send- in the “message area” put your name and if you are bringing a guest, your guest’s name.
10. Hit send
The message will say that the money has been sent to Alison (Deetz) Taylor at the rhsreunion1978@gmail.com address.
We will be eventually posting your name on the site when paid!
If you don’t have a paypal account it is very easy to set one up.
It makes it easier for us if you use paypal, but If you can’t we still want you to come! Contact Pam Eilers Smith directly at PamSmith416@yahoo.com.
*Note- If you are anybody you know needs a reduced rate, contact Pam at the above address.
Tell your friends!! It is time to get tickets to the RHS Class of 78 35th Year Reunion!.
Go to the Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 Facebook Page to connect with friends, view updates to this document and see who is coming to reunion!
When: 7 to 11PM, Saturday October 12, 2013 Where: Biagio's Ristorante, 299 Paramus Rd, Paramus,
http://www.biagios.com/
What: Buffet Dinner, Cash bar
Cost: $50/per person*
Deadline; Limited number of tickets, so to assure your spot, sign up early! Deadline September 30th. (After September 30th, contact Pam Eilers Smith directly, at PamSmith416@yahoo.com.
No tickets are planned to be sold at the door.)
How to Pay: Go to www.paypal.com and send the money to rhsreunion1978@gmail.com.
See bottom of page for more detailed payment instructions.
Accommodations:
Hotel-
If you need accommodations, rooms have been set aside at the:
Hyatt Place Fair lawn/Paramus
41-01 Broadway (Route 208 North)
Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA, 07410
Tel: +1 201 475 3888—
Ask for Kim Klapper and the RHS Class of 78 block of rooms to get the $129/night rate.
http://fairlawnparamus.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
Private Home-
Alternately, we are soliciting volunteers in the area who would like to host out-of-towners.
Contact Pam Eilers Smith at PamSmith416@yahoo.com for more details.
Transportation: Free shuttle service will be available to transport people to the Hotel at the end of the night.
Volunteers!
1) Volunteer Housing hosts—Do you have an extra room and want to share? Host classmates for the night or weekend! Contact Pam Eilers Smith at PamSmith416@yahoo.com
2) Party Host(s) Do you live in the area and want to organize a party for Friday night or a get together during the day Saturday? Send a message to Susan Hersperger Bernegger on Facebook to post it on the Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 Facebook page or contact Pam Eilers Smith at PamSmith416@yahoo.com.
3) Photos- Start gathering digital photos to be part of a slide show. Stay tuned for details.
4) Other ideas welcome! Know teachers who may want to come? Have other ideas? Feel free to go to the Facebook page Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 to post ideas and reconnect with friends. If you have ideas for the facebook page- please send a FB message with suggestions to Susan Hersperger Bernegger.
Contacts: Contact Pam Eilers Smith at PamSmith416@yahoo.com. Or send a message on facebook to Pam Eilers Smith, Alison Deetz Taylor or Susan Hersperger Bernegger.
Payment Instructions for Ridgewood NJ Class of 1978 Reunion 1. Go to www.paypal.com
2. Click on “Buy”
3. Click on “Make a Payment”
4. Put in your email address in the “from” field 5. Put rhsreunion1978@gmail.com in the “to field”
6. Put $50* for one ticket or $100 if two tickets in the dollar field
7. Hit continue
8. Then log into your account or create a new one if you need to and follow the instructions.
9. Before you hit send- in the “message area” put your name and if you are bringing a guest, your guest’s name.
10. Hit send
The message will say that the money has been sent to Alison (Deetz) Taylor at the rhsreunion1978@gmail.com address.
We will be eventually posting your name on the site when paid!
If you don’t have a paypal account it is very easy to set one up.
It makes it easier for us if you use paypal, but If you can’t we still want you to come! Contact Pam Eilers Smith directly at PamSmith416@yahoo.com.
*Note- If you are anybody you know needs a reduced rate, contact Pam at the above address.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Boys of Summer
It was 40 years ago that we were boys playing the game of Baseball. The year before we had swept aside all opponents in the Village Summer Recreation League. As we began the summer of 1973 our hopes were sky high for a repeat. We had good reason to be confident as our manager was returning for one last hurrah and we had five 14 year old starters in our lineup. After the age of 14 you were deemed to be too old to compete at this level.
There are no known photos from this season, not even an instamatic shot. There are no movies either. We did keep meticulous statistics and these are posted on the FaceBook for posterity. If our statistics were any indication of our seriousness then you wouldn't be surprised that we would rake the infield before home games, put lime down on the foul lines, and plant an American flag in deep Center Field. We didn't go as far as playing the national anthem but that was our only omission.
This was a group of serious Baseball fans. We watched what games that were available, on our mostly black and white TVs, and could imitate most of the well-known batting stances and pitching styles of the era. We also kept up with our favorite teams by reading the box scores in the newspapers and such prized magazines as the Sporting News.
When the dust had settled on our last season together, we had done as we had hoped and expected: swept the league again! The celebration after the last game was short and sweet. The art of pouring champagne on each other was in its early stages and only for World Series winners. We were simply the winners of a small league in a small town. Though on that last day some 40 years ago we felt good none the less. It's probably true that our small accomplishments in life can be among the most memorable and that these help shape our future outlooks and actions, just as much as marriages, graduations, and deaths. Please don't try and tell any of us Boys of Summer any different as we all know you had to be there to appreciate the moment.
There are no known photos from this season, not even an instamatic shot. There are no movies either. We did keep meticulous statistics and these are posted on the FaceBook for posterity. If our statistics were any indication of our seriousness then you wouldn't be surprised that we would rake the infield before home games, put lime down on the foul lines, and plant an American flag in deep Center Field. We didn't go as far as playing the national anthem but that was our only omission.
This was a group of serious Baseball fans. We watched what games that were available, on our mostly black and white TVs, and could imitate most of the well-known batting stances and pitching styles of the era. We also kept up with our favorite teams by reading the box scores in the newspapers and such prized magazines as the Sporting News.
When the dust had settled on our last season together, we had done as we had hoped and expected: swept the league again! The celebration after the last game was short and sweet. The art of pouring champagne on each other was in its early stages and only for World Series winners. We were simply the winners of a small league in a small town. Though on that last day some 40 years ago we felt good none the less. It's probably true that our small accomplishments in life can be among the most memorable and that these help shape our future outlooks and actions, just as much as marriages, graduations, and deaths. Please don't try and tell any of us Boys of Summer any different as we all know you had to be there to appreciate the moment.
Monday, August 05, 2013
RHS 1977 Picnic List
Picnic list:
This is what has been anonymously provided so far.
Park Permit and clean up deposit
1 Weber charcoal grill w/utensils
Package of 64 burgers w/buns
Package of hot dogs w/buns
Rock and roll mystery band
$150 worth of Wilkes deli salads and party platter.
This is a great start. What else can someone provide? Please feel free to email me directly at dcwvt1@gmail.com
Sunday, August 04, 2013
2013 RHS Music Picnic: 10 August
2013 RHS Music Picnic:
August 10th, 2013 at 2 pm till whatever at Dunkerhook Park.
I'm bringing 2 acoustic guitars. 6 and 12 strings. Steven Tenney is bringing something to drum. If there is no power it will be RHS Un-plugged.
The organizers: Doug Walker and Tara Farrell
It would be worth going just to see their smiles.
I'm bringing 2 acoustic guitars. 6 and 12 strings. Steven Tenney is bringing something to drum. If there is no power it will be RHS Un-plugged.
The organizers: Doug Walker and Tara Farrell
It would be worth going just to see their smiles.
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