RHS Athletic Hall of Fame: Paul Ferraro

Mission:
To honor the athletic achievements of RHS student athletes, coaches, teams, and individuals who are deemed to have had a major and lasting impact on the athletic program at RHS. The Hall of Fame recognizes these individuals’ accomplishments as beacons to others, that they may clearly see and be inspired by the outcomes of lives lived in love of sport and competition.

Here is the link to the RHS web site for Paul Ferraro, son of another Hall of Famer Mario Ferraro:
http://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/index.cfm?sid=6&nav_id=10478&sub_nav_id=10602&ArticleID=29106

"Acknowledged as one of the greatest two-way football players in the school’s history, he was acknowledged as a first-team All-Decade linebacker for the1970s by The Record and was a two-time first-team linebacker on the All-County, All-Suburban and All-NNJIL all-star teams. He was the first single-season 1,000-yard rusher in school history and held the single- season rushing record of 1,079 yards (accomplished in nine games) for 28 years."

RHS Athletic Hall of Fame: Becky Deetz

Sports were always a big part of my life and certainly deserve a number of entries to this blog. To keep things rolling here is an article about Becky Deetz being inducted into the RHS Athletic Hall of Fame. This is the link to the Ridgewood Public Schools web site:

http://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/index.cfm?sid=6&nav_id=10478&sub_nav_id=10665&ArticleID=29655

"She held the Bergen County indoor and outdoor high jump records for 23 years, the state outdoor standard for 8 and the indoor for 10, with leaps of 5-feet 8 inches outdoors and 5 feet 8 ¼ inches indoors. She won the 1975 Bergen long jump and high jump titles and the 1976 long, triple, and high jump titles in the group meet. "

More Graydon Pool

As Paul noted, my Dad ran Graydon for all of my childhood. It's interesting to read Paul's perspective on Dad's management style and remember Dad's thought processes during those years. First, some thoughts about Graydon. As Paul observed, during the time Dad was in charge, there were no fences at all. There it sat, acres of natural swimming pool, in the middle of a town of 25,000, in the middle of a county of several hundred thousand. Now think about that: you can't put a 15'x25' pool in your yard without a fence, but Graydon was surrounded by nothing but sandy beaches and grassy banks, in the midst of as dense a population as one might find west of the Bronx. Well, Dad took his responsibility for the safety of Graydon swimmers very seriously. He was responsible for everybody on that piece of property, and he had very little control over who wandered onto the grounds. I remember one day a small child fell off the wall and under the water, while his mother chatted on the beach. Dad scooped him up, but came home haunted by the fact that he had seen it happen before the child's mother. That was the nature of the time, and Dad accepted the responsibility. But it also forged his adherence to rules and regulations. Ironclad rules were his mechanisms for accepting responsibility for a big swimming pool in the middle of town. Later on, when I became a lifeguard, I learned to appreciate Dad's approach to rules. It removed the arbritary nature from the job. Rules are rules, and nobody can throw sand, not even your buddy from school. I learned a lot about leadership, responsibility and consistency from Dad. I learned many years later from other former guards that he taught the same lessons to just about all that passed under his leadership at Graydon. (As an aside, one summer I also learned to decline the advances of an "older," probably mid-20s, married woman - wheee!!) At RHS, Dad merely demonstrated and administered his authority. At Graydon, he took the opportunity to teach it. I wish more people could have known the teaching side of Dad. All that said, I do have other Ridgewood stories, so I promise my contribution to this blog will not become a tribute to Dick Flechtner!

Graydon Pool

We used to go to Graydon Pool quite a lot up until the time I was in the 6th grade. It was an all day affair with various set routines. We arrived in the morning and always sat on the "shaded side" with the big trees and where my Mom would meet up with her friends for an all day chat. Us kids would then swim until lunchtime and after a sandwich the Moms would have us religiously wait one half hour before we went in the water again. Nobody wanted us to cramp up and drown was their stated reason. In the afternoon there was always a visit to the ice cream truck and the gum ball machines and then we went home. Going to Graydon was an activity which used up all our daily allotment of youthful energy. I'm sure the Moms appreciated it because there would then be less trouble getting us to go to bed. It's funny reflecting back on all of this and thinking how different things are today. Women then didn't have to explain to anyone why they were housewives. Today they would have to explain why they aren't working at some career. Times certainly have changed. One other memory of Graydon: the Head Lifeguard, Richard Flechtner. His word was law and there were few who would dispute it. If they did they were usually given a stern lecture and might even be escorted off the premises. This was in Graydon Pool's heyday. Before the cheesy looking fence was put up, before everyone had a pool of their own, and when Graydon was a place to meet one's friends. It was a considerably more difficult place to manage than it is today. For one thing you can tell by looking that fewer people use the pool and there are more people on hand to maintain order. Though when I used to go there was always one man who maintained order among the pool goers and the lifeguards and that was Mr. Flechtner, Kurt's Dad. I never crossed him then and I kept this up when I met him once again at Ridgewood High School where he was the Athletic Director. He was the sort of person I didn't want to argue with because I knew he was going to be right and I had seen so many try and fail in this fruitless endeavor. It was always better in my mind to cut him a wide track and marvel at the efficiency with which he managed the pool.

Acid Trips

     I have two vivid memories from the late 60s: Walking across the bridge over the Ho Ho Kus Brook from the Graydon parking lot, there were several naked stoned-out teenagers lying in repose in the brook. Dad told me they were "very tired." I learned later that they had been to Woodstock. My dad came home from RHS, disgusted that he had to spend his lunch hour "guarding" the faculty coffeepot. It seems the RHS Principal was afraid the students might "spike it" with LSD. I am glad I missed out on THAT nonsense!

Hi Folks

Tis I, co-blogger Kurt Flechtner. I know many RHS grads from the 70s probably remember my dad, Richard Flechtner (AKA "Dick").

Ridgewood was, and still is, an amazing place. I hope I can bring a new perspective for you all as I drag out my father's memories and augment them with my own.

Thanks to Paul for starting this blog, and I hope I can help him draw more RHS grads in to remember our special time there.

Two New Links!

I've added a co-blogger, Kurt Flechtner, a link to his blog, and a link to the Molly Ahearn blog. Both of these fine folks are members of the class of 1978 and have excellent blogs of their own.

I hope you check them out and enjoy their contributions to the Blogosphere.

Ridgewood High School Newspaper

      I was asked to answer a few questions by a writer for the High Times, detailing differences in school life in the 1970s and now. The writer had come across this blog for the RHS class of 1977. Here are the questions and my responses. I told him I was highly opinionated but all and all very supportive of Ridgewood High School. We'll see how well he understood this when the article appears before Christmas. I'll post a link in any event. 

     Alex Pajusi School Life Features Article Q: How has school life changed from when you went to RHS? A: In the 1970s life was surely different. 1. Moms stayed at home and were around when we came home for lunch from elementary school. 2. Kids were skinnier because our mothers made us go outside to play. 3. Kids had part-time jobs like delivering newspapers, raking leaves, cutting grass, and shoveling snow. These jobs gave us a sense of what it takes to succeed in life and exposed us to all sorts of types of people in their neighborhood. These sort of jobs are also the best way to help children learn positive work ethics. 4. Kids were not over-scheduled and we had to figure out our own “play dates.” 5. Kids in elementary school were part of the Safety Patrol. I was a Captain and it taught me lessons in citizenship that I cherish to this day. I still have the Honor Squad pin they gave me in the 6th grade. We patrolled in all kinds of weather and believed it to be a normal part of life to make small sacrifices for others. The Safety Patrol has since been replaced by retirees who receive pay. Q: Are these changes for the better? A: No. Moms are overworked, children are obese, and there is less interaction among neighbors. The Safety Patrols have been disbanded. Q: What did you like most about school when you went? A: Competing in sports and hanging out with my friends were always my favorite activities. Whether it was ad-hoc games in the school yard or organized teams, these were the things I enjoyed the most. Q: What did you like the least? A: Sitting in class when there was a substitute teacher. Q: What were some of the fads and trends when you went to school? In the 60’s there was a time when all the boys parted their hair down the middle and grew it long on the sides. There was also the yo-yo. In the 70’s we dressed in terrible looking bell-bottom pants. Q: How have the buildings changed? A: All the schools have cafeterias and the kids in elementary school have to stay in school at lunchtime. I do like all the computer equipment and the high-speed networks, though I am biased as that it what I do for a living http://www.forsythe.com. Q: Are the class offerings different? A: More computers. Q: Was there ever any school spirit? (Since school spirit presently is very low) A: There was always a sense of spirit but it’s more something you recognize after you graduate than while you are attending school. Whenever we have a class reunion we always marvel at our school spirit. Don’t be concerned you will notice this too. Peace.

Remembered Spaces

We carry with us footprints of vanished places; houses we moved out of years ago, ice cream stores like T&W (Terwilliger & Wakefield) that went out of business, bars like Espositos which stopped serving, neighborhoods where only the street names remain the same. This is the long gone geography of Ridgewood.

These were places, and I'm sure you all could add many more, we knew almost by intuition until they vanished, leaving behind only the strange sense of knowing our way around a world that no longer can be found.

Thanks to Verlyn Klinkenborg for the inspiration.

Homage To Small Hometowns

Ridgewood will always be a small town to me. No matter how many restaurants it has and how few empty lots remain without a McMansion.

I saw this today on the James Lileks site:

"If you grow up in a small town, your love is inevitably unrequited. Which is why you return, the grey swain, flowers in hand. Remember me?"

If anybody could ever sum up why I have a blog and a web site devoted to the Ridgewood High School class of 1977 James Lileks could. He is a writer living in the midwest who loves New York city for the same reason I do: The Buildings! Please visit his web site. You won't regret it.

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

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

      This has always been a favorite holiday of mine. When I was younger and living in Ridgewood we would always have tremendous meals of turkey with all the trimmings and pumpkin pie made from scratch by my mother. Now I am the one making the turkey and the pies for my family and this process brings me as much joy as simply eating them use to. The Ridgewood High School football team used to play in Fairlawn on Thanksgiving but a quick look at the schedule had them in Paramus yesterday, another old rival. There used to be a tradition at the High School where the effigy of "Freddie Fairlawn" was burned the day before the game. I wonder who they burn these days to fire up the faithful and show school spirit? I liked this holiday also because there was always the last lingering bit of autumn in the air, a crispness without being too cold to be outside. The calendar may have stated that autumn had another month to go but we knew from experience that winter was upon us. It's funny how we didn't know what Black Friday meant in terms of its significance to retail shoppers everywhere in these United States. Back then all it meant was a day off from school and maybe the chance to play some football. Ignorance was bliss and who cared if we missed a deal on a Tickle Me Elmo doll or an I-Pod?

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.

Why A Ridgewood High School Class Of 1977 Blog?

The World Wide Web has grown from a medium that people would simply read to one that people can read and respond to. This blog being linked to the rhs1997.net web site gives readers an appropriate place to log their comments and opinions on any topic they like, possibly reconnect with people that they have not communicated with in a long time, and/or organize events like our reunions.

The fact we are expecting to live longer than previous generations and that our children will one day move out to raise families of their own gave me the inspiration for the web site. I say this because I am pretty sure that it will be the people who knew us when we were young that we will want to reconnect with as we grow older.

Just my 2 cents. Your mileage will vary.

RHS 2006

Do You Recognize Any Of These Retiring Teachers?

I sure do recognize my eighth grade English Teacher, Mrs Berrian.


What's more the Interim Superintendent of the Ridgewood Schools was my first Physical Education Teacher, Mr. Titus.

If you check out the staff directory I bet you will find some of your old teachers. I can only tip my hat to them all for their dedication and perseverance.

Parkway South Shore Points

       This sign on Route 17 South never fails to stir my heart, especially during the summer months. Every time I see it I envision some grand time at the Jersey Shore. Of course, I always conveniently forget the sunburn and the sand that would have to be swept out of the car afterwards. These annoyances don't matter when I start to thinking about the waves, boardwalks, and carefree times a trip to the shore always symbolizes to me. I remember pretty clearly when it was that I started feeling this way. It was exactly 30 years ago, when my friends and I could make the drive down ourselves unsupervised by our parents. At first it was a feeling of daring that I felt. Now it has simply becomes a lovely routine. The times were not always good. There was the time Senior year when we cut classes and our car broke down at the shore. The parents of our driver had to be summoned to bring us home. In any event, the good times far out-weighed the bad. One of the best was the classic ride down to the shore after we graduated from RHS. We had been up all night as is the custom and we spent a glorious day in the sun and sand. I can't remember ever being so tired and happy all at once. I probably never will feel this way again, though I can always hope and dream. This memory in particular always crosses my mind whenever I see that sign: Parkway South Shore Points.

The 4th Of July in Ridgewood

     This day's activities begin early with the parade through the downtown shopping area. The locals will place their chairs on the street on July 3rd to save the best spots along the parade route. They also will put up their American flags to remember the original reason for having a celebration on this day. Though I don't make it back to see the parade as often as I would like I do tend to stand in the same place by the train station in order to be in easy walking distance to the Smith Brothers Saloon. You see, the 4th of July is the only day of the year when drinking beer in the street is condoned, let along encouraged. It is a rebellious act I admit but one that brings everyone a good bit of satisfaction and reminds me ever so slightly of the courage our ancestors in the 18th century had to have possessed to even consider fighting the strongest nation in the world at that time. This day's festivities end with the fireworks show at Vets. This display has grown so popular in recent years that admission is charged and parking is at a premium near all the good viewing spots like the high school football field and the high ground overlooking the town, often referred to as "the View." I really can't put my finger on why people remember the 4th so fondly but I'll hazard a guess that it has something to do with the official beginning of summer and a lot less to do with drinking on the street while watching a parade or the detonation of fireworks. It has much more to do with the hopefulness that the beginning of summer usually suggests. There are the summer vacations to look forward, school is out, and right on schedule we develop amnesia as to how hot and sticky July and August can be. It helps to be an optimist in general but in particular at this time of year. This is before the succession of hot and sunny days makes us long for some cool autumn nights. It is before the promise of our vacation is vanquished, and long before we wish the children were back in school. It is the 4th of July and everything is good. Here's hoping you still can look forward to and enjoy these moments. I succumb to their lure every year and am never disappointed when I recollect them on cold winter nights. Happy 4th of July!

You Can Go Home Again

     I was reminded of this idea before our 25th Reunion in 2002. It had been 5 years since I had moved back to the Ridgewood area, albeit I was living in Queens at the time, and I was trying to come to terms with the old notion of whether or not you could go home again. Of course, the author Thomas Wolfe would tell you no and I had long held this opinion. This may have been part of the reason why it took me 20 years to move back. I had visited on innumerable occasions though never for very long. What finally prompted me to change my mind? I guess the realization that we all leave for a reason, whether it be to attend college or by virtue of the fact your parents sold the home and moved away. We also all return to see our homes for various reasons, ideal curiosity or just an attempt to see if you feel the same about your surroundings. In any event, you can go home again though only for as long as it takes you to remember why you left in the first place. After you remember this you can see and feel that all has changed around you and about you. This is a good thing and well worth feeling. It is no substitute for the feelings you had while growing up but it is a sign that you have grown up! So by all means, go home again. Look for the reminders of what you knew to be your home and cherish their memories. Then remind yourself that you are grown and it is up to you to create new memories.

Please Check Out The RHS Class Of 1976 Reunion Web Site!

      This is a site that must be seen to be believed. The number of pictures alone will keep you transfixed for at least an hour or more. They even included everyone's yearbook photo, bad haircuts and all. Check out: www.rhs76reunion.com The only thing I would suggest to improve it would be to add a blog and a link to Cafe Press. I say add a blog because it will help people to communicate with one another in the long run. This new age we are entering is all about communicating and reconnecting with people. I will revisit this theme often. I say add a link to Cafe Press so you can let your creative side blossom. The Cafe Press will allow you to upload digital images in order to create your own memorabilia. What's more, they allow you to do it at a very reasonable price and you don't have to order tons of merchandise in order to qualify. This is the Internet at it's best!