41 Seaver Way

Today the ballpark in Queens which I will always think of and call Shea Stadium is going to receive a new streeet address. These are so common in NYC that it's not big news. Though for a disfunctional NYC entity like the NY Mets it is at least something for them to crow about. The team is currently unwatchable, just like another team owned by a trust fund baby called the NY Knicks.

The ballpark’s street address will now be 41 Seaver Way, a tip of the hat to Seaver’s jersey number, Council Member Francisco Moya said. It's all part of the "Miracle Mets" 50th anniversary celebration. You might recall this team was not considered a threat to accomplish anything more than winning as many games as it lost. Instead, they surprised everyone and beat a hugely favored team from Baltimore in the World Series. All the games were played during the afternoon so we had to ask our teachers if we could listen on our transister radios.

1970s Air Travel

     This was economy class seating on a Pan Am 747 in 1970. It resembles a TV or movie set to me as I have never seen anything like it. I can easily recognize this era in transportation, one where people chose "dressing up" as their mode travel by air. Fifty years later people wear flip-flops on the plane to make the required removal of shoes by airport security more bearable. 

     What's ironic about this comparison is that planes today travel faster but the lines to board them are longer than ever and growing longer due to TSA regulations and an increased number of flights and people flying.

Laura Fleming

     My classmate Laura is well known for many things, among them honesty, compassion, and selflessness. We worked together planning our 35th RHS reunion and share a common interest in history. She discovered my blog on her own, which ought not be a surprise as she is an Advanced Placement history teacher at RHS. She suggested to one of her students to interview me for the high school newspaper and I gladly told the paper how things have changed over the years. It showed Laura at her best as a teacher, always looking to help her students improve their capacity to understand the general relations of particulars. In this case, an original contribution to the school newspaper regarding high school life now and when she and I were growing up together in Ridgewood. I was humbled to be asked for an interview and remain grateful to her for allowing me to be a source for her students' education.

     During my weekly visit to Facebook I read the following news about her recent health diagnosis:


     "For over 35 years, Laura Fleming (RHS Class of 1977) has dedicated her working life to the students at Ridgewood High School. Whether it’s through imparting her knowledge in U.S. History, World History or European AP classes or as advisor to the History Bowl and Political Discussion Clubs, Laura has made a difference in the lives of thousands of students and in some cases, their children!  She’s also lent her time to supporting veterans by organizing events for Memorial Day and Veterans Day.  Her colleagues have also benefited from her willingness to share both her time and expertise.

     Now, it’s time for the community to help make a difference in the life of LauraFleming.
Why?  Laura was recently diagnosed with Metastatic Uterine Leiomyosarcoma, Stage 4.
Having been through a roller coaster of emotions--as well as appointments, tests and procedures--over the past few months.  Laura has now begun treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering to fight this rare cancer.  She knows the battle won’t be easy, but she is ready for the fight."

A photo from our 35th Reunion. Lenni Maguire and Laura Fleming.

 https://www.mightycause.com/story/Bgz7ig

D-Day 75th Anniversary

D-Day warriors entering the boats to liberate Europe, 75 years ago: