New Jersey Beefsteak

I played football in 9th grade (I hadn't discovered running yet) and wrestled through 11th grade. In that time, I remember two end-of-season sports banquets catered by Hap Nightingale. Nattily dressed waiters with gleaming silver trays delivered endless portions of buttery steak on bread points. We would eat and eat and eat, the wrestlers particularly happy to be free of weigh-ins.

At the time, I had no idea I was participating in a unique Bergen - Passaic County tradition: The Beefsteak. This New York Times piece is a great reminder:

“Once you start going to beefsteaks, it’s an addiction,” said Al Baker, a Hasbrouck Heights policeman who had organized the evening’s festivities to benefit the Special Olympics. “You’ve got the tender beef, butter, salt, French fries, beer — all your major food groups. But it’s very unique to North Jersey. I go to other places and nobody’s heard of it.” [...]

Their business office is the house’s cramped basement, and the tenderloins are grilled over hardwood charcoal in the driveway before being taken to the beefsteak venues. From this unlikely command center, the Nightingales catered over 600 beefsteaks last year, going through 88,000 pounds of tenderloin in the process.

New Jersey has so many charming and unique traditions. I should probably spend a little Google time trying to figure out what was so magical about the Jersey tomato.

TV Antennas

Today is the last day for analog transmission of television signals. In other words, no more antennas. The FCC has mandated that from now on the only form of TV is going to be digital.

It reminds me that I had the opportunity recently to prattle on to a 20 year old on the subject of how it was when I was growing up (a theme on this blog if you haven't guessed). Here are some of the differences:

1. We had fewer channels on the TV to choose from and we had no remote controls. In our house we would alternate every thirty minutes among ourselves as to who would choose the next show, and get up to change the channel.

2. We had rotary phones with no answering machines or caller id. Not to mention we sometimes used pay phones because we had no cell phones.

3. Vinyl records.

4. We read newspapers and couldn't rely on The Internet for our news.

I stopped at this point because the guy's eyes were glazing over and he was probably sitting there wondering how boring a childhood I must have had. This no doubt was the same expression I had when my parents and grandparents explained how it was in their day.

The point here is that as we witness the rapid evolution of our means of communication, there are some things like reminiscing about our childhoods which will not change. I only hope to be able to use the current systems of communications, like this blog, to hammer home this point and to collect some memories of a simpler age before we grow too old to remember.

This idea was captured in a poem, in another time, by William Butler Yeats. This is a favorite poem of mine, and one which I have committed to memory:

William Butler Yeats. b. 1865

When You are Old

WHEN you are old and gray and full of sleep
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead,
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

Ladies of 1977 in Las Vegas

These ladies had the right idea by getting together in Las Vegas to renew old acquaintances and celebrate 50th birthdays.

Young Entrepreneurs 2009

An article in today's USA Today wrote about how teenagers were having trouble finding jobs, and were starting their own businesses.

It just reminded me that the more things change, the more they stay the same. In the 1970's we all had to work, because there were very few Fast Food joints and retail establishments who needed us.

As a bit of review, the boys mostly did the leaf raking, lawn mowing, and snow shoveling; the girls mostly did the baby sitting. Though I made a good amount of cash babysitting for neighbors between the ages of 12 and 14, at $1.00 an hour.

I think it is great that kids today are discovering their entrepreneurial smarts. This can only speak good things for them as they learn business skills and burn off excess calories.

Update: Class of 1979 30th Reunion

Here is the latest news on the 30th Reunion of the class of 1979. It was taken from their web site. I like the idea of a tour of RHS, especially if you haven't been back in the last 30 years or so to see if they have changed the combination of your locker. The improvements to the building and the addition of new Science facilities are all pretty amazing.

1. Friday Afternoon Tour of Ridgewood HS
(June 5th)

Kick off reunion weekend at 5 pm on Friday at the RHS Student Center. Tour the school with your classmates and Student Ambassadors. This is a great chance to see all the changes at RHS as well as reminisce about the previous century. Park and enter at the Little Theater entrance off Ridgewood Ave.
2.Friday Evening at the Elk’s Club in Ridgewood
(June 5th)

Beginning at 8:00pm till 1:00am there will be festivities at the Elk’s Club, 111 Maple Ave. This gathering will feature live music provided by many of our classmates who are still “rockin” after all these years! This was a highlight of our 25th weekend. Cost is $10.00 at the door. All are welcome!
3. Saturday Golf Outing
(June 6th)

We have organized a Golf Outing on Saturday at the Crystal Springs Resort (Great Gorge Country Club about a 45 minute drive from Ridgewood). Tee times will begin at 9:30am and we should be done by 2:30pm. Register for golf here. Cost is $113.00 which includes green fees, cart, and box lunch.

4.Saturday Night 30th Reunion Dinner
(June 6th)

At 7:00pm our Official Reunion Dinner celebration will commence at the Banquet Room of the Brick House restaurant, 179 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff. We have the banquet room till 11:00pm (They also have a bar that is open till 1:00am!). The cost for the evening is $99.00 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and an open bar.

5. Slide Show for Saturday night!

We are in the process of putting together a "slide show" that will be played throughout the Reunion dinner and would like you to share some of your favorite pictures from your high school daze. To have your pictures be part of this slide show, simply scan you photo’s and email them to cjdittrick-kg3f@post.me.com.
6. Lodging

We have reserved a "block" of rooms at the Doubletree Hotel in Mahwah, NJ for $109.00 per night for both Friday and Saturday night (either night or both). This rate also includes free round trip shuttle to and from the Brick House Restaurant on Saturday night. Their phone number is 201-529-5880, and their website is www.mahwah.doubletree.com. Just mention that you are with the "Ridgewood High School Class of 1979" to get the rate.
7. Getting the word out!

The reunion committee has tracked down as many of our classmates as we could find (email addresses, Facebook, MySpace, RHS website, you name it!). Please help us find some of the remaining missing classmates by viewing the attachment to this email and scanning it to see if there is someone whose email address you know. We would appreciate it if you could forward this email to them as well as providing our "email address guru" Dave Granata at d.granata@comcast.net with their email address so they will get any updates. Dave has painstakingly gathered and organized as many email addresses as we could collectively find and we appreciate your help in spreading the word. You can also direct them to the official RHS alum website, where updates and links are posted. www.alumniclass.com/ridgewoodhsnj

RHS-TV Sports

It caught my eye when I walked by the door of their studio in Ridgewood High, but it never dawned on me that they were broadcasting sporting events. My how times have changed. He is a link to a slideshow of pictures which begins with Head Football Coach Chuck Johnson, RHS 1970:



RHS-TV Sports Season 7

It wouldn't have made a huge difference in my life if there had been TV coverage as I ran Cross Country and Track. My sports lack the drama which exists in Football or Basketball, and can't be captured easily on a TV screen. Though I imagine TV is a big thing for the cheerleaders when the cameras focus on them, and of course for the athletes and coaches when they are being interviewed.

According to Wikipedia, "Ridgewood High School athletics are broadcast locally on RHS-TV Sports, a student-produced sports television network, every Tuesday night at 8PM throughout the school year."

Class of 1999 Reunion

The class of 1999 is having a reunion. No mention of the date except that they have engaged the firm of REUNIONS UNLIMITED, INC. to help plan and organize the reunion. This is all I could find on the Internet:

REUNIONS UNLIMITED,INC. is a professional reunion planning enterprise with much experience. Please fill out the bottom of this letter and send it back to

REUNIONS UNLIMITED, INC. P.O. Box 150,
Englishtown, New Jersey 07726.

Are they kidding about using snail mail? We used this firm for our 20th and it was fairly unanimous that for a more personal and memorable reunion, the job should be done by the class itself.

I hope the class of 1999 has a great time but I won't be surprised if they do all the hard work themselves for their 20th.

Class of 1984 Reunion is October 16-17 2009

This was on Facebook on the Ridgewood High School Alumni Discussion board:

"Class of 1984 - Our 25th Reunion will be October 16 - 17. There will be an evening event on October 16 at the Elks Club in Ridgewood. On Saturday, October 17 there will be tours of RHS for anyone interested followed by a Home Football game. Saturday evening there will be dinner at Biagios on Paramus Rd. Please spread the word and contact me for additional info or to make sure we have your contact information. Thanks!"
Kelly Kennedy Coakley - Coakley42@aol.com

Wretched Excess

I was driving through Ridgewood today, with the a plan of stopping at the Library to take a peak at the NY Times and use the facilities. As I was getting out of my car I couldn't help but notice that the town was chopping down the pine trees behind the Kassau Band Shell.

As a bit of background, anyone who has run track at Ridgewood in the last 50 years has come in contact with these trees, their lower branches, and their pine needles. They appeared healthy to my semi-professional landscaper's eye so I watched and waited for a moment to ask the tree trimmers why these majestic old trees were being cut down.

The guy I finally asked, much to his credit, was very polite. I believe he had been asked this same question countless times today. He told me the town was taking down the trees to expand the Band Shell in order to put in bathrooms. I thanked him and went on my business.

I can't say I am a tree hugger but I am a thrifty Scot. The fact that during a Depression the town would choose to spend money on chopping down trees in order to install bathrooms strikes me as a bit much. If this is the only way they can think to prime the pump and put people to work, then they need to think again.

Oh yeah, last word I heard the price tag for the bathrooms was $250,000. And no mention of what it will cost to maintain the bathrooms. It made me stop and think about what we did when I lived in Ridgewood. That was a no-brainer: we used the bathrooms at the Library. ;-)

The Roslyn Road Salem Ridge Gang

I just added another Glen School related link to the side bar on the right. The Roslyn Road Salem Ridge Gang has a lot to read for being such a new member of the Blogosphere.

Citizens Park is 40 Years Old

On one of my infrequent trips to Ridgewood today, I stopped by Citizens Park to pay my respects to the rock. It is a large stone which no doubt was unearthed when the ground was being contoured into a baseball field. It has a bronze plaque with the names of the citizens of Ridgewood, who in 1969 put up the money to purchase the land which they later named Citizens Park. My Dad's name is included, as well as numerous others. I wish I had taken a picture.

The creation of Citizens Park was one of those gestures so typical of the people who Tom Brokaw calls the "Greatest Generation." I am sure they thought it was simply a matter of course. My Dad and Mom never talked about, even though on this site in 1971 my Dad coached my Little League team to a division championship. We were their throughout the spring of that year and not once did he shed his usual modesty and show me the stone.

In retrospect I have come to believe that the men and women of the "Greatest Generation" simply knew in 1969 that the price was right for the land and agreed that if they just ponied up enough money between them it would be a place which could be used by generations to come. They were right and now it is a stellar baseball field with a good amount of park land around it for strolling and simply watching the world go by. This act of foresight may well be taken for granted by the current townsfolk, though anyone with a sense of history knows better.

Today, when I ponder acts of benevolence like this. in the light of our current economic climate. it makes me wonder if we will ever be able to act like this again. It is a gloomy thought which usually passes quickly as I remain an optimist, and know the economy will right itself as it always does in these United States.

On my journey today, I also visited Van Nest Square in the center of town. It was renovated in the 1990s by the "Greatest Generation" as a kind of last defining act by the group of people who had shaped Ridgewood for well over a quarter century. I should have taken a picture of their stone.

We need memories of these people if only to serve as a reminder of what a small group of people can do when they put their minds to it. I tried to Google both sites but have yet to find any mention of these charitable acts. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if there were no mentions on the Internet because that was just how they rolled.

Yankees 2009

I was just checking out the Yankees web site to see the price of Season Tickets. For about $26,000 you could get a Field Level ticket to all 81 home games. They will throw in a free Yankee Yearbook, too. This is $325 per ticket. Family of four would cost a cool $104,000. I believe you get free parking but it may only be in the preferred garage and you would still pay.

Want something to eat during the game? I haven't seen the prices but I understand the options are diverse. The Hard Rock Cafe menu states how many calories each item has but not the price. There is also a NYY Steakhouse which I understand they want to franchise. The 16oz Filet goes for $49. Want some Bearnaise Sauce on that Steak? An extra $6. Shrimp Cocktail is $16. Like a cognac to finish the meal? Remy Martin Louis xiii will set you back $225 a glass.

Does anybody else think this all is insane?

My first experience at Yankee Stadium in the 1960s was in the above mentioned Field Level seats, which were wiped down by Union users before we sat in them. You won't see any Union ushers at the new Stadium. Those guys were pensioned off years ago, instead we have Stadium Security who will point you to your seats. Though heaven help you if the seat is wet or has junk on it because they don't care.

Fortunately, I am able to watch all the games on TV but you have to wonder what would possess anyone to purchase such a package or go to the stadium to eat. I can hardly wait for the news media to begin interviewing these people who will be seating behind home plate for a mere $2625 per seat.

The last time I went to Yankee Stadium in 2004 I sat in the bleachers for $12 and had a couple of $2 Buds before the game in the bowling alley across the street. I noticed that Bleacher Seats are now $14 and that the decade old ban on beer in the Bleachers has been lifted. Hope some corporate tickets come my way from somewhere because I'm not paying for any of this wretched excess.

Play Ball!

Don McLean Summer of 1977

I saw him on the pier at South Street Seaport in the Summer of 1977.

This occurred before we lost the Fulton Fish Market and Sloppy Louie's Restaurant, 92 South Street New York City (NY).

The Fulton Fish Market is now in the Bronx and Sloppy Louie's is still advertising the fact that their linens are unused. Sorry to say they are gone, too.

NY Knicks and Rangers of the 1970s

My late Dad used to procure tickets for my brother and I from a partner of his for NY Knick and Ranger games during the 1970s. My parents would let us take the train into NYC and then would drive in to pick us up after the game. They must have figured since we were born in NYC we could handle ourselves, and they were spot on.

We sat in the "nose bleed seats" which had a price of around $6.00, which is pretty cheap when you consider that court side seats now fetch as much as $2500 each. These seats were located directly behind the Newspaper writers and we listened attentively to all their conversations, as much as we watched the games. There was a memorable comradeship among all those of us who had to sit up in "Heaven" at the World's Most Famous Arena that delights me to this day.

The Knicks in those days were a very good team, and tonight at Madison Square Garden they are honoring the old time Knicks. There have been some very good players since then like Patrick Ewing, Bernard King, and Charles Oakley but no championships.

The thing I remember about the Rangers was that on Sunday afternoon games which were being televised on TV the players would all slick back their hair so they would look good for the cameras. Nobody wore helmets in those days.




Here is a picture from that era of two of the three members of the GAG line.
The GAG line was a famous ice hockey line for the New York Rangers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It consisted of Jean Ratelle at center, Rod Gilbert on right wing and Vic Hadfield on the left side. They became famous for playing on a great New York team that never won a Stanley Cup. The GAG line was an acronym for Goal-A-Game line.

Songs of the Seventies

I am sitting at my desk today with my iPod set to Shuffle play, and it is apparent how much our teen years form tastes that never go away. In the space of three hours, the following songs came up at random:

“It’s Too Late” by Carol King.
Though we really did try to make it . . .

“Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack.
Strumming my pain with his fingers . . .

“Killer Queen” by Queen.
Dynamite with a laser beam . . .

“How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor.
It’s like sugar sometimes . . .

“Jet Airliner” by the Steve Miller Band.
Don’t take me too far away . . .

“Incident On 57th Street” by Bruce Springsteen.
“Spanish Johnny you can leave me tonight but just don’t leave me alone . . .

“I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight” by Atlanta Rhythm Section.
“Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide . . .

“Holly Holy” by Neil Diamond.
Sing it out, sing it strong . . .

”Tequila Sunrise” by the Eagles.
Take another shot of courage . . .

I listened to all these songs just this morning, not 30 years ago. Sure, there was some newer stuff interspersed in there (mostly country and folk music), but that’s a heck of a heavy dose of the 70s for one morning. Kinda felt like watching one of those Time Life infomercials.

“But wait, order now and we’ll also send you this bonus CD!”

Summer of 1977 at the Jersey Shore

Many thanks to Paul Ruck for posting countless photos on Facebook from our time at RHS. If you aren't a member then I suggest you join, if only to see the photos.


It calls to mind the old Simon and Garfunkel song, "Bookends":

Time it was, and what a time it was, it was

A time of innocence, a time of confidences

Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph

Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you

Some Vintage Ridgewood Photos!

Here's some vintage Ridgewood photos I recently found. Some are not dated and others are. I love finding old photos of Ridgewood! Enjoy!

Above is an undated photo of students in class at George Washington Junior High School.

Above photo shows students in the cafeteria at Ridgewood High School - undated photo.

Above is a photo of Oak Street Ridgewood - the original caption was dated 1933.

And finally here's a photo of former New York Yankees pitcher Jim Bouton painting in his spare time inside his Ridgewood NJ home. It was said that Bouton had over 100 paintings in the house at the time - circa 1964. Bouton used to get his haircut at Johnnie's Barbershop in town!

RHS 1977 on FaceBook

Even though I am now a card carrying member of AARP I am not too old to see the charm of FaceBook. I have found many old pals and am enjoying the virtual connections we are maintaining.

Maybe in a highly transient society that is a good thing, who knows? I believe it is harmless enough and is certainly better than no connections at all. I also believe the whole process of connecting via the Internet will get better and more complicated as the build-out of high speed broadband Internet access starts to catch up to countries in the Far East. All good things come with a price. We will all just have to be on our guard and not post too much information for the general public or future employers to see. The Internet remembers everything, for good or for bad.

Let's just have some fun with it, and someday people will look back and see that this was the entertainment we enjoyed during the Depression of 2007-2010, much like people playing Monopoly during The Great Depression of 1930s.

Freedom of the Web

As an added comment on my earlier post regarding the decline of Newspapers in America, I have to quote another source. This is worth mentioning in a blog like this which "recollects in tranquility" those powerful feelings we felt while growing up. Hopefully we are still amused by the pictures and moments described here.

I mention it because a pal of mine, Frank James, is the editor of the Chicago Tribunes Washington Bureau and the source of this information.

Frank's work has repeatedly reminded me of the fact that Newspapers in America deserve our consideration because they have provided innumerable services over the years. Who can forget the first time they were able to read The New York Times, The Bergen Record, or The Ridgewood Herald News through without anyone having to explain it to them? Maybe this occurred as late as college but it still happened none the less. This defining moment is being lost on a generation growing up with their primary source of information as The Internet. In my opinion, they need to be reminded of our simpler time and the less technological method in which we all shared our news. Please don't get me wrong, I am a firm believer in the potential of The Internet, as it affords me a lifestyle I have always dreamed about here in New York City.

My point is we need to pay attention to the decline of newspapers in America. They do not deserve an unceremonious send-off. We need to figure out a way to keep them relevant and profitable.

Without further commentary here is the piece which inspired this post:

...increasingly, Americans, free to roam like the buffalo, are turning to the Internet for their news.

Before anyone celebrates the decline of newspaper readership and the increase in Internet viewership, it's worth considering the financial resources that strong newspapers and magazines bring to bear in the investigation of corruption in government, wrongdoing in private life and abuse of power in general.

The business model of the Web-site and the resources it takes to publish one aren't likely to sustain the sort of prize-winning journalism that Americans have come to cherish as a national tradition and indeed expectation. There are several strong newspapers behind this Web-site, for instance - struggling with the economic troubles that have besieged the national in general, for sure, yet still robust enough to deliver the sort of journalism that brought to light the corruption of the former governor of Illinois.

The Pew Research Center has found that, among those surveyed last year, just 39 percent of Americans said they had read a newspaper the day before, either in print or online. That was down from 43 percent in 39 percent in 2006.

The proportion reporting that they had read solely a print version of a newspaper fell by roughly a quarter, from 34 to 25 percent. And the 14 percent of Americans who said they had read a newspaper online was up 9 percent.

"The balance between online and print readership changed substantially between 2006 and 2008,'' Pew reports. "In 2008, online readers comprised more than a third of all newspaper readers. Two years earlier, fewer than a quarter of newspaper readers viewed them on the Web. This is being driven by a substantial shift in how younger generations read newspapers.

"In 2008, nearly equal percentages in Generation Y (born 1977 or later) read a newspaper online and in print; 16% said they read only a print newspaper, or both the Web and print versions, while 14% said they read a newspaper only on the internet, or both online and in print. In 2006, more than twice as many in Gen Y said they read a printed newspaper than the online version (22% vs. 9%).

"There is a similar pattern in newspaper readership for Generation X (born between 1965 and 1976). In 2008, 21% read only a print newspaper, or both an online and a print newspaper; 18% read a newspaper only on the Web, or both online and in print. In 2006, 30% of Gen X read a newspaper in print, while just 13% read a web version.

"Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and the Silent/Greatest Generations (born before 1946) continue to read newspapers at higher rates than do those in younger age cohorts.

"However, the proportion of Baby Boomers who said they read a newspaper yesterday slipped between 2006 and 2008, from 47% to 42%. The decline among Baby Boomers has come entirely in print readership (from 42% to 34%).''

Class of 1979 30th Reunion

According to Greg Van Houten over at the RHS Alumni Group on FaceBook,

The RHS Class of 1979 is having a reunion June 5-6, 2009. Check rhs alum site for details.

When I track down a web site or blog I will post it. To date I have refrained from including sites like Classmates.com and Reunion.com because they charge for their services. Let's be clear, I have nothing against people making money. I am simply very old school and believe the information should be free. Call me an idealist but that is how I believe the information will best be disseminated. Face it, we are in a Depression and everyone is watching their pennies. Why charge for a service when a "free" blog like this one can do the same job?

As an FYI regarding the Class of 1979 Reunion, good luck trying to find the link over at the Ridgewood Public Schools site. It appears they go out of their way to avoid mentioning the word "alumni" for fear we will reappear. ;-)

We might even go as far as to offer some suggestions or ask that our reunion information be posted. Fortunately, we have sites like this one to pick up the slack. Given the nature of The Internet, I am sure more are on the way. Just go look at FaceBook and you will see numerous sites devoted to connecting graduates from elementary school on up. Though it looks like we have our work cut out for us if we ever want to tie them together into an RHS portal. I am up to the challenge and will continue to do my part. I hope you will also.


25 February 2009 Update: The Class of 1979 Reunion link

I have included it with the others on the right side. Thanks to Greg Van Houten for sending it along.

1887 Map of Ridgewood

The USGS map below shows sections of Bergen and Passaic counties in 1887. Ridgewood is in the upper lefthand corner. Many of the main roads still used today are discernable, including Maple, Ackerman, Linwood, Glen, and Ridgewood Avenues. There is a small pond shown near the Ho Ho Kus "Creek" which would be expanded in the 1930s to create Graydon Pool. Many more old maps, including the same area in 1900, are available here. I love old maps, and could while away hours at that site perusing the way things used to be.

101 Posts

I just noticed that there are 101 postings to this blog. I guess that is some sort of a milestone to be celebrated. The responses from RHS alumni across the country have been very heartening and I truly believe this blog will evolve into something with "durable significance" as one of my old professors at Dickinson College used to say.

Please keep an eye on our progress, and don't let the current economic climate dissuade you from doing some reminiscing. In 1974 we had an energy shock, price controls, and much higher unemployment. We made it through those troubled times and we will survive this panic, too.

It might just be best to dwell on something else for a time. I often find it soothing to ponder what the best and brightest minds have written. For instance, consider what William Wordsworth believed were the origins of poetry. He makes the point that "poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility." I wouldn't want to say that the quality of my blogging can be compared to the effort which a poet must put forth, though the origins could be from the same source. My recollections regarding Ridgewood are produced during my more tranquil moments, and they do suggest an overflow of powerful feelings for a town which I visit more often in my mind than I do via automobile.

Hopefully I will regain a more balanced view in the future and have more reason to see Ridgewood as it is today. No question the changes have been staggering over the last 30 odd years. The funny thing is that during the times I am able to cruise Ridgewood Avenue or drive by my old house on Glenwood Road, I do find some things which haven't changed a bit. Maybe the lesson is that as we grow older recollections of our childhood can and should be brought to light, if only to give us a prospective on where we are heading in our adulthood. In other words, you won't know where you are going until such time as you fully understand where you have been.

The Bucket List

I am anything if I am not flexible. This falls under the category of "Keeping Your Fingers on the Pulse of the Internet" and thus deserves our attention. I give a big shout out to Joe Farrell, my new friend on Facebook for tipping me off. It is one more way for to tell our stories, the theme of this blog if you haven't figured it out.

An X goes next to those you have done. On many sites you are supposed to send these to your friends. I will be charitable and not fill up your inbox. If you are here voluntarily then you are already my friend. Thanks.

Things you have done during your lifetime:
(X) Gone on a blind date - Yes.
(X) Skipped school - Yes, especially after I turned 18 and could call in my own excuses.
(X) Watched someone die - My father on 20 December 2008
(X) Been to Canada - Montreal and Quebec in the summer of 2005. I would return again in a heartbeat.
(X ) Been to Mexico - No.
(X) Been to Florida - My Mom resides in Sarasota.
( ) Been to Hawaii - No. it's too long a ride from the East Coast. Maybe when I have retired and can spend a week in San Francisco first.
(X) Been on a plane - Can you say, Frequent Flyer?
( ) Been on a helicopter - No, though it looks like fun.
(X) Been lost - Many times before my wife bought me a GPS (Garmin).
(X) Gone to Washington, DC - I lived in the area for almost 5 years. It still is a favorite city of mine.
(X) Swam in the ocean - Mostly in the Atlantic.
( ) Swam with Stingrays - No.
( ) Cried yourself to sleep - No.
(X) Played cops and robbers - Always liked being a cop. I still resemble one and am often stopped on the NYC when I wear my NYPD shirt. I try to be helpful but always remind people that I am not a cop and only a NYPD supporter.
( ) Recently colored with crayons - No.
( ) Sang Karaoke - No.
( ) Paid for a meal with coins only - No
(X) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch - with my family 40 years ago. My Dad was from Missouri.
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't - Just like everyone, I does this sometimes.
(X) Made prank phone calls - Up until the age of 8.
(X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans - Once and witnessed two drunks fighting in the middle of the street at 7 in the morning. It is a great food town and I will go back.
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose - Many time while in K-12 in Ridgewood.
( ) Laughed until you peed yourself - No.
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue - Yes, and I still like the taste of them.
( ) Danced in the rain-naked - No
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus - In the 60s and he always seemed to deliver at least something which I asked for.
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe - Just this past Christmas by the love of my life, Ana.
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone - Yes.
(X) Blown bubbles - Yes, my dog likes to chase them.
( ) Blown bubbles in the freezing winter and watched them solidify-- No
( ) Exploded bubbles filled with natural gas in HS science class - No
(X) Gone ice-skating - Many times and on Coles Pond, too.
(X) Gone to the movies - There is nothing like a Matinee.
( ) Been deep sea fishing - No
(X ) Driven across the United States - Once
( ) Been in a hot air balloon - No
( ) Been sky diving - Not a chance in the world.
(X ) Gone snowmobiling - Yes
( ) Lived in more than one country - No
(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets - Summer of 1977.
(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish - Yes
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser - No, but it's on my list.
( ) Seen the Grand Canyon - No, but it's on my list.
(X) Seen the Statue of Liberty - Yes, and have been in the crown.
( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle - No, but it's on my list.
( ) Been on a cruise - No interest.
(X) Traveled by train - Yes on both commuter and long distance. I still want to try a sleeper car.
(X) Traveled by motorcycle - Never again.
(X) Been horse back riding - Never again.
(X ) Ridden on a San Francisco cable car - Once and I will do it again this spring.
(XX) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World - Once in 1974.
(X) Truly believe in the power of prayer - Yes, who I am too dispute it?
(X) Been in a rain forest - Only at the Central Park Zoo
( ) Seen whales in the ocean - No
(X) Been to Niagara Falls - Once.
( ) Ridden on an elephant - No
( ) Swam with dolphins -No
( ) Been to the Olympics - No
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China - No
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf - ?
( ) Been spinnaker flying - ?
( ) Been water-skiing - Once and I fell down repeatedly.
(X) Been snow-skiing - Smuggler's Notch.
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey - No
( ) Been to the Louvre - No, but it's on my list.
( ) Swam in the Mediterranean - No, but it's on my list.
(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game - Go Yankees!
(X) Been to a National Football League game - Go Giants!
(X) Swam with sharks - No
(X)Done something nice for someone for no reason - Yes, it's called, Paying it Forward."

The Ridgewood News

I received a copy of The Ridgewood News this week from Rick Flannery (Thanks!) which contained a terrific article about efforts being made to reconnect Glen School alumni. Unfortunately, the paper is not online so you will have to buy a reprint. This can be accomplished by calling 973-569-7017, or via email to reprints@northjersey.com. It ran on Page A4 on Jan. 30, 2009 and was titled "Blogger hopes to Reconnect Glen School Alums." It was featured in The Ridgewood News in Vol. 89, No. 5.

I wish The Ridgewood News was online as that is how I receive the majority of my news these days. Don't get me wrong I still love the feel of a newspaper and nothing makes me happier than buying The New York Times first thing in the morning. It's just that I don't rely upon newspapers the way I once did, the way we all once did.

The real problem with Newspapers is obvious: they can't be printed and distributed fast enough to keep up with the Internet. I understand this but it doesn't lessen my desire for them to survive in some other form. An online version to me is the next step they must take to survive, and most major newspapers have already done this.

This leads me to wonder, what about the local papers like The Ridgewood News? Its been published continuously since 1889 and would be missed if it weren't around any more. Is there a way for it to continue, and be profitable, in this day and age? Are newspapers the sort of thing which should be run by non-profits and thus not be required to make money? Instead, they would be recognized for being a voice in the community which keeps politicians and special interest groups honest. You just have to see all the print being devoted to the ongoing Graydon Pool renovation plans to believe that without The Ridgewood News these sort of discussions would be a lot less open, and the public wouldn't have much input at all.

New Players Company

As an old thespian from my Dickinson College days (Mermaid Players), and as one who helped at GW with props, I couldn't help but add the RHS New Players Company web site to the list on the right of this blog.

The New Players perform at the Little Theatre, a place where my early love of theatrical performances was cemented for life. I vividly remember the first day of school in the 10th grade when they sat us down for a performance of The Fantastics. The performers were, as I recall, from the class of 1974. They were appearing just before they were scheduled to go off to college. Looking back this probably added quite a bit to the inevitable stress behind the performance. All I can think is that it must have been because they loved the material. For most actors this sort of performance would have been asking too much. In any event, The Fantastics has been my favorite musical of all time ever since.

Here is clip of the most memorable song in the show. It was sung by the original El Gallo, Jerry Orbach, with Marvin Hamlisch on the piano.

It's funny to think that some people at the Utube site commented that they didn't know Jerry Orbach could sing. I guess they only thought of him as Baby's Dad from "Dirty Dancing" or from all those episodes he did with "Law and Order" on TV.

Here is the song as they were asked to performed it by Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1988:



Here is some history of The New Players Company from their web site:

In 1972, Jack Boyle, a member of the RHS English Department, founded the New Players Company as a co-curricular activity involving 30 to 40 students who produced two or three plays during the year and another two in the summer. By 1979, the program had expanded to four to six plays during the school year plus a summer program and a special production for children, introduced by Brian Aschinger, who was then the Artistic Director of the Company. In 1986, Rachael Daum and Dennis Carroll, both faculty members at RHS, were appointed co-Artistic Directors. Two more resident directors, both English teachers at RHS, joined the company during the next two years: Lori Barnett in 1987 and Meg Schaefer in 1988. During the 1990’s student participation in the New Players Company steadily increased, until it comprised over 10% of the student body. Also during this period, numerous alumni began to return to the New Players Company to serve as directors and designers, most notably Laurie Sales, who assumed responsibility for running the Junior Company Program, as well as directing one or two senior productions each year. In 2005, Meg Schaefer was appointed Artistic Director of the Company.

RHS Class of 1958

I found a link to the RHS Class of 1958 web site on Facebook. They should be congratulated for celebrating their 50th reunion this past September. It appears they are having some fun with the various features which can be added to a web site. Hopefully they will try a blog out for a good measure. As far as technology suited for announcing, promoting, and communicating news of pending reunions, there is nothing better today than a blog. When something better comes along I will be sure to blog about it and deploy it when the time is right.

RHS Band.org

While I never was a member of the RHS band, I can readily attest to the enthusiasm with which they went about their practices. As a distance runner on the track team I usually saw them as I was going on a run and when we returned. You had to respect them because they had to both play an instrument and do it while in a precision march. If you add in the spiffy uniform they wore, even on a hot day, you have a very physical endeavor. In terms of running it would rank up there with legendary runs we took to Lower Cross on freezing cold days, or running at the Eastern States Cross Country Finals at Van Cortland Park in a pouring rain. Both of these I can now recall with some nostalgia, though they were ordeals which we endured just the same. I can only imagine what it would take to march in the 4th of July Parade when the weather was in the 90's or better.

I added a link to the RHS Bands.org on the right side of this blog as it's a very well developed site for a school-based organization. It appears they have lost none of their ardor, as can also be attested to by the 247 member group I found on Facebook.

President's Day 2009

Until 1971 there were holidays in February honoring two of our most legendary and most written about Presidents: Washington and Lincoln. This all ended when Richard Nixon declared one single federal public holiday. It is observed on the 3rd Monday of February in honor of all past presidents of the United States of America.

When I was attending elementary school the two holidays broke up an otherwise dreary month. They fell on odd days, not just Mondays, and gave us all a respite from the grind. I think the teachers even enjoyed them.

Now with most families needing to send both parents out to work in order to pay the bills, the Monday holiday is the compromise solution. Can you imagine if parents had to juggle their schedules every February so someone would be around to watch the kids who had been given two holidays by their school system? There would be a mutiny and most kids would probably end up at school anyway in some sort of mass day care program.

The offshoot of the one holiday, I believe, is that we spend less time considering our history, and the courage which both Washington and Lincoln had to display as leaders of our country. They were not perfect men but they did rise to the occasion and made critical decisions which shaped our current nation. When we lump all the Presidents together we tend to not make a distinction between the bad and the good ones, the ones who acted timidly and the ones who showed the mettle they were made of.

I know we will never go back to two holidays in February but I do fondly recall the whimsy it provided our schedules. If a snow day occurred somewhere in the middle of the holidays it made the entire month fly by, and then spring would be right around the corner.

Molly Ahearn and Paul Ruck on Graduation Day 1977

I think my Mom had her finger over the camera lens in this one. Molly and Paul were two good pals of mine and it was great to be able to stand for this photo in front of my home on Glenwood Road.

As you all know, the Ridgewood Graduation is a night and day to remember. We start off in the late afternoon all dressed in white, and continue on well through the next day, when the stouthearted among us go to the New Jersey Shore. There are numerous parties throughout the night and innumerable promises to stay in touch forever.

Looking back I fondly recall this wonderful town tradition. It involves seemingly everyone, from parents and family members, to all sorts of people who watched us grow up like ministers and teachers. If you were to pick one reason for raising a family in Ridgewood it would have to be the send-off the town gives its graduates. This is a day that graduates realize they have accomplished something important in their lives. If they are lucky it gives them a momentum for the next stage of their lives, whether it be college, or a working life.

My 8th Birthday Party

I might as well continue posting all the old pictures I own before they succumb to age. No doubt they are not as sharp as those taken with newer vintage cameras but they are priceless none the same.

This is actually a good one circa 1967. From left to right Steve Jewell, Bill Nolan, Ted Gehrig, myself, Jens Larson, my brother Donny, Jay Buckley, and Scott Griswold.

We went bowling that day and were all very pleased to be given Coca-colas and birthday cake, as well as something hot off the BBQ. We cooked with charcoal briquettes, and to this day it is still my favorite way to BBQ. Though any chance I get to BBQ is alright by me as I am a city dweller these days.

Glen School Teacher Search!

Along with contributing on this wonderful blog about Ridgewood, I also do the blog at glenschool1967.blogspot.com. While we are searching for ALL the "kids" that attended Glen School we are desperately searching for teachers or the families of the teachers that taught at Glen School. We also would love to find the families of people like Agnes Larsen (Glen School secretary), George McFall (custodian) and Bea Blumquist (librarian) as well as others.

I am thrilled to report that we have located 5 teachers thus far - 3 as a direct result of the recent article in the Ridgewood News. So lets keep developing this network - as Paul and I have said in emails back and forth we ultimately hope to do the same with the other schools in Ridgewood (Willard, Somerville, BF, etc).

Posted below is a Glen School faculty photo that was recently sent to me by my 3rd grade teacher Amy Beattie-Carvell - enjoy!

Back Row l to r: Pat Prescott, Nancy Cook, Rhea Boerner, Pete Gahara, Amy Beattie (Carvell), Jeanette Janicke, unidentified, Miss Trantum (Jones)

Front Row l to r: Alice Coan, Bea Blumquist, Art Linden, Agnes Larsen, Pat DeJongh

Gene Ricci

Here is an article and picture from 1974 featuring Willard School teacher Gene Ricci. This one will make Jim Schoneman of the class of 1974 very nostalgic. It is from the Official Publication of The Ridgewood Public Schools:

"Gene Ricci (pronounced Ritchie) is known in the Willard School area as "the plant doctor." Parents and students bring their ailing plants to school to see if his green thumb can spark new life into a wilting hibiscus or a fading gardenia. Thousands of plants are raised by the children in his sixth grade classroom each year in an elaborate greenhouse he has rigged up along the classroom windows. Because of Ricci's knowledge and enthusiasm for plant life, floriculture has become a popular part of the school's sixth grade curriculum and his plant club has more than forty students on its waiting list.


Ricci is a "late bloomer" in the teaching profession. As a boy growing up in Pennsylvania he learned meat cutting as a family trade. He worked his way through college as head chef at a fashionable restaurant and is still a gourmet cook. He became a bookkeeper and a business manager in the years after his high school graduation in 1944. An opportunity to teach course for an industrial corporation led him ot decide that his real vocation was teaching. He had always had a special rapport with children, and he decided to go back to college in 1960 and prepare himself for a teaching career. He now holds a B.A. and an M.A. from William Paterson College in the field of elementary education with a concentration in mathematics. He has been attending courses in floriculture at the North Jersey Institute of Applied Horticulture to advance his knowledge of botany.


Gene came to Willard as a practice teacher in 1964 and has stayed ever since, first as a fourth grade teacher and now in the sixth grade. In what he calls "The Willard System" he teaches mathematics to homogeneous groups, and science to all sixth graders. The other sixth grade teachers are responsible for language arts and social sciences for the entire grade as well as special sections in mathematics. He feels that this plan gives Willard "the best of team teaching, the best of departmentalization, and the best of the self-contained classroom."

Alison Rosica

This one was taken in the spring of 1977 shortly after I had been accepted to Dickinson College. It was taken at Alison's house, the historic Van Dien's house on Grove Street. The picture doesn't do her justice but I thought I would include it for grins. I had many fun, laugh-filled times at her house my senior year. Her parents were very warm and inviting. They introduced me to Famous Amos, the cookie entrepreneur. Alison's Dad and Mom are the ones who helped make him famous. They are best known for introducing the term "Cause-related Marketing" into our vernacular. In a nutshell, it is a public relations practice that links for-profits with not-for-profits for mutual benefit. This is also known as corporate responsibility, corporate philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility.

From Wikipedia:

In 1979, John Rosica, introduced Wally to Literacy Volunteers of America. From that point forward, Wally Amos has advocated literacy and helped thousands of adults learn to read; in 1987, he also hosted a television series designed to teach others how to read.

Memorial Day Run 1978

This was taken at the Ridgewood Memorial Day Run in 1978, shortly before my family moved out of Ridgewood and back into New York City. I remember this day as being very hot and that more than one person had to be taken to the hospital. The race itself was uneventful for me, except for the fact it was one of the last ones I ran. This was the spring after my freshman year in college and my interests were no longer centered around running, as they had been in High School. This largely had to do with my missing my old running mates and track coaches from Ridgewood, and the fact Dickinson College had much to offer in terms of diversions. It came down to this: going to the track each afternoon for practice didn't really interest me anymore. I had so many good memories from my Ridgewood track days that running with new teammates, and for a coach who actually smoked cigarettes in the locker room, was more of a chore than it should have been. Yes, during our Ridgewood days we froze in the winter, and were rained upon in the spring and fall but it couldn't deter me from remembering those as good times. Who doesn't color their memories this way?

Growing Up In Ridgewood

 

      Like Paul and Kurt I too am drawn into our Ridgewood history! Its probably because I loved every minute of my childhood and my later school years. That's not to say that I didn't have my ups and downs - I had my insecure years - 6th grade, part of 7th then 10th grade. But through it all it was the best!

 

      I have great memories of all 3 schools I attended (Glen, BF and RHS). I was a fun-loving kid and as such my grades always suffered! But I had some great teachers in BF and RHS that always looked out for me - in fact my Spanish teacher from 10th grade - Miss Muster - came to my graduation to watch me graduate! She had faith in me. In my senior year, I did what I should have been doing every year which was ace just about all my classes! The best was when Mr. McCutcheon congratulated me - he always tried desperately to keep me in line - what a great man! Teachers can and do make a difference in our lives.

 

 

Above is an early postcard of our high school.

 

        

     Graydon Pool - wow! There have always been complaints about Graydon but I hope the core of Graydon never changes - it was the best! It had this distinctive smell - it was this combination of Coppertone, the water, the sand. I went there for swimming lessons. I always wanted to be like my sisters and sit on the "grass" - that's where all the high school kids were! My gym teacher Mr. Bookstaver was a lifeguard there! What an approriate place to end one's school years - the traditional early morning dip there before heading to the Jersey Shore after having celebrated all night long on graduation day! When I was little - my dad and I always went downtown on saturday mornings - haircuts, paper store (baseball cards!), liquor store (wasn't a big deal!), Corde Cleaners, Victor's House of Music, Perdue's Sport Shop for baseball stuff, Drapkin's - I mean the list goes on! The memories are many and doing all of that with my dad was so much fun! In my future posts I will try to focus on one facet of this town we love so much! 

 

       Paul was kind enough to invite me as a blogger and I appreciate the invitation! This will be fun!

Garden State Plaza

     When I was a little kid, Garden State Plaza was the shopping mecca, and it wasn't the climate controlled enclosed shopping mall that's there today. GSP started life as, well, a plaza. It was essentially a strip mall, with the stores turned inward towards each other and the parking outboard. I remember going there with my mom around Christmas, and one of the store Santas turned out to be a Graydon Guard, home on his college break. He recognized us, and was asking us all about Dad, and how we liked our house on Wall St. We were amazed that Santa knew exactly who we were and where we lived. After graduating from college, I worked at GSP as a construction coordinator for the enclosure project. It was exciting to get "behind the scenes" at a place I knew so well. I marveled at all the tunnels that allowed trucks to service the stores from below. Later on, the tunnels themselves were converted to retail areas - the lower level of today's GSP.  

Bamberger's was owned by Macy's. This store eventually became a Macy's when they terminated the Bamberger's name. 

  

I didn't know GSP had a grocery store. But here's the proof, the venerable Grand Union (my mom shopped at Kilroy's Wonder Market in Glen Rock). 

   

You knew Christmas was coming when the giant Santa and his chimney appeared in the parking lot.

I Need To Get Back

It's amazing. I am sitting here in Norfolk, Virginia with my wife, daughter, and four large dogs. And the pull persists: how can I get up to Ridgewood?

I need to get back. I want a buttered hard roll, with poppy seeds. I want to run our old "Lower Cross" 6 mile course through Ho Ho Kus. I want a burger and fries from The Fireplace. I want a slice of pie from Renato's or Mama Rosas's. Is Van Dykes Ice Cream still there? I want that, too.

I am reminded of an encounter my late wife Suzy and I had at a local architect's meeting in Williamsburg. We were at Kings Arms Tavern, talking to an architect originally from Syria, now living in Richmond. It turned out he had previously lived in Ridgewood, and when we connected on that, he grew very excited. Calling his wife over to meet us, he excitedly proclaimed "Ridgewood is the most wonderful place we have ever lived!"

Put the dogs in a kennel and start the Jeep. I need a Ridgewood fix. It's the most wonderful place I ever lived.

Tribute to the Flechtners at Glen School Blog

     A very nice tribute to co-blogger Kurt's parents appears over at the Glen School Class of 1967 blog. I don't know how many teachers and staff live in Ridgewood currently but it would be interesting to make a comparison between now and the 1970s. I will point out the obvious and state that a parent with a short commute will spend more quality time raising their children than one stuck on a train, bus, or in a car. Having parents close to home and in our schools also made it harder to get away with things like cutting school. I've heard more than one story about a school secretary spotting a forged excuse note and calling the home to verify. It truly made kids think twice before pulling such a stunt.

The Ridgewood News

     According to Rick Flannery of the Glen School Class of 1967 blog, The Ridgewood News will be publishing an article about Glen School today. I'll post about when I see it. They contacted me regarding the idea I floated for a database of former teachers and wondered how it was coming along. I had to confess that the project was too daunting to consider without the full cooperation of the Ridgewood Public Schools. They have all the information and it comes down to whether or not they want to take the time to share it. I'm sure there are privacy issues involved so I don't want to criticize them too much. I just wish they had a greater sense of history and wanted to credit the former teachers for all their hard work. I also think it would be an excellent way to create interest in the Ridgewood School system. It might even lead to increased contributions from alumni for scholarships, supplies, and equipment. This is how private schools do it and I see no reason why a Public School System couldn't market itself in the same manner. In addition, The Ridgewood News has been very supportive of Rick's quest to find out what happened to the teachers he had while growing up. He told me yesterday that he located his 1st and 2nd grade teachers, as well as his Gym Teacher. Keep up the good work! 

     This longing, I'm slowly finding out, to ascertain the whereabouts of former teachers is a fairly common one. I received a piece of email from Jim Schoneman, class of 1974, who had been trying to find references to Gene Ricci on the Internet. His search turned up an old post of mine regarding this Willard School teacher from the 1960s and 1970s, and he was moved to write me. He also reminded me of the "Love Taps" on the top of the head he used to give students with the ring he wore. I don't think any teacher would try that today for fear of a law suit. Though in the 1960s and 1970s Gene Ricci used it to great effect to endear himself to students and parents alike.

Fates of Our Former Teachers

     It came to my attention from Rick Flannery over at Glen School Class of 1967 that somebody besides me was interested in what happened to all our old teachers. I propose to collect this information from all the schools and include teachers, custodians, administrators,and secretaries of the post WWII era. I am still mulling how this could be presented on the web and what sort of privacy issues I will come across. Some people who are still alive may not want anyone to know their whereabouts. We will deal with these sort of issues on an individual basis and respect people's wishes. As a start maybe we could just find out how long and what years they taught at particular schools. If anyone has a legal and methodical way to do this sort of searching please let me know. More information on this subject to come.

Glen School 1967

We have a new link for 2009. I guess my hope has been answered in the very best sense of the term. The new site is for the Glen School Class of 1967. It might be a little before my time, but time and space are transcended on the Internet, so who cares? After reading the following post I will certainly be an avid reader.

I was thrilled to learn over the past year that I was not alone in this weird craving for memories of Glen School. The Class of 1969 (Margaret Silvers, Doug Terhune, Scott Yates and so many other familiar names) definitely gave me the inspiration. The HoHokus Class of 71 (K-8th grade) actually found out the fates of their custodians, teachers and most of the kids. Even though every one of us was different - together we were quite a group. Even if we did go our separate ways after 1967, the affection I have for everybody - particularly my Class of 1967, has never left. So many of us have had wonderful experiences and great careers and wonderful families but the simplicity of our life at Glen School really rings true. It doesn't matter if its 1967 or 2007, the innocence - if you're lucky to experience it - is priceless. You obviously can't go back - there have been too many other worthy experiences in our lives but its fun to peek at the past - and hopefully it makes you feel good. While I realize some classmates don't want to bother, and others don't want to be found, I do hope you at least sneak some peeks at the blog and remember something that was special.

This is spot on! Thanks for reaching out and hope that more people will do the same. We are all in this together.

Ho-Ho-Kus Kids

      The kids from Ho-Ho-Kus were no longer bussed to Ridgewood High School after I graduated in 1977. Rumor had it that the Real Estate professionals working in Ho-Ho-Kus were telling prospective buyers they could live in Ho-Ho-Kus and pay Ho-Ho-Kus taxes, which were less than in Ridgewood, and yet receive a Ridgewood education. This rumor, true or not, caused an uproar in Ridgewood and eventually led to denying all Ho-Ho-Kus children a Ridgewood education.

       This was too bad on so many levels. The kids from Ho-Ho-Kus were good kids, whose parents shared the same commuter trains and buses into New York City with the Ridgewood parents. From my experience they were well educated by the long Ho-Ho-Kus school and were a true addition to the educational experience of us all. They participated in sports and all the social organization at RHS. What more could people ask of them? Oh yeah, the tax dollars their parents paid were lower than in Ridgewood. Though last time I looked Ho-Ho-Kus wasn't Ridgewood in terms of tranquility and space. Ho-Ho-Kus has always been ringed and intersected by highways and main thoroughfares like Franklin Turnpike. Ridgewood is quite bucolic in comparison.

       My point being that after all these years what was really accomplished? Not much as far as I can tell. The town of Ridgewood became more provincial after the Ho-Ho-Kus kids were sent to other local high schools. These kids had a charm from their being educated all together in the lone school K-8. Ridgewood was probably the only town in the area with the sophistication to see it and appreciate it for what it was: some precious which these kids will always share and remember. I wonder now if the people in Allendate who host students from all over at Northern Highlands High School know what I am referring to. Sadly, I don't think they do.

Three Hopes for 2009

      To maintain a blog one has to be an optimist. You have to be comfortable with the idea that something you might write could inform or inspire, and that people might be drawn to you again after just one such moment of clarity. The more pessimistic blogs may well be correct in their outlook but who wants to read them on a regular basis? My three hopes for 2009 are these: 1. Be optimistic. This is easier said than done but one which pays off in terms of your health and I believe your pocketbook, too. A negative attitude grinds people down and repels people from you. It is hard for a decision maker to give a raise or a promotion to somebody they don't want to be near, to name one example. 2. Consider all the various forms of social networking, no matter how immature they are at the present. By this I mean, look at how you use your phone, computer, and television set to see how they are converging and how they might help you to stay in touch with friends, family, and the community at large. Look at how children are using their cell phones and their MySpace pages to interact and wonder if there might be some way you could do the same, to either make money or to further the efforts of a church or school organization. 3. Let me know if I can be of help. Again, this is easier said than done but don't let it stop you from reaching out to me or some other optimistic soul. This could be as simple as searching on LinkedIn or picking up the phone and calling. In this Internet age it's easier than you know to find people. What's more, once you find someone you both might be pleasantly surprised by the responses.

John McCubbin

      My Dad will always be in my mind all about Baseball, Boy Scouts, BBQs, and the PTA. He coached my brothers and I in baseball, and when we were through he headed up the Ridgewood Baseball Association (RBA) for a year. One of his favorite mementos was the paper weight they gave him for his long years of service. He was an Eagle Scout himself and encouraged us all to do the same, though only my older brother, Peter, made it to the same lofty plane as he did. He loved to BBQ and the site of him flipping burgers on a summer evening was an annual ritual. His friendship with Dan Daly, the principal of Willard School, set the tone early on regarding the importance he placed on education. His participation at the PTA meetings after he had been at work all day in NYC further showed us that working hard at school was something he expected. We will be spreading his ashes next week at Arlington Cemetery. No service will be held as per his request.

RHS Alumni Art Show at Carroll Gallery

     This is taken from the Ridgewood High School web site. I wanted to put it up as a tribute to one of my favorite teachers and someone who remains a friend. He now lives in Asbury Park and is continuing his good works with the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce. Call for Entries: Fourth Annual RHS Alumni Art Show The Ridgewood High School Department of Art and Design is seeking RHS grads to participate in its annual Alumni Art Show, to be held in the RHS Carroll Art Gallery, Room 135, from December 19-January 9, 2009. Interested exhibitors should contact the Department of Art & Design at 201-670-2803, or e-mail the department supervisor, Chris McCullough, at cmcullough@ridgewood.k12.nj.us. A public reception will be held for the artists on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, from 3-5 p.m. The gallery will be open during school hours for the duration of the show. History "The Carroll Gallery was opened in 2002. It is in room 135, located across the hall from the art studios. It is open all during the school day and for many events after school hours. Numerous exhibitions and installations are on view throughout the school year. Students and staff are welcome to visit. The gallery is named after Dennis Carroll, whose work in Ridgewood as an art educator and supervisor from 1967 to 2002, leaves a tradition of high level artistic vision that elevates the learning experience for students, and provides a nurturing, intelligent, thoughtful process for making art. His passion for art and teaching has given countless students the courage to take creative risks and make personal discoveries beyond the classroom. The gallery is dedicated to the work of future students who will serve as daily reminders of the legacy of an exemplary educator, Dennis Carroll."

Charlie Brown Christmas

 

 

      It wouldn't be Christmas for me if I didn't comment on Charlie Brown. I always watch in real time on TV, though I could certainly buy or rent or steal it off the Internet. By watching it on network TV the old fashion way without Tivo, it seems to give me a sense of reassurance in what is certainly an anxious time for us all financially. I don't know if this is a better ritual than a more modern one but it does allow me to reflect upon something that has not changed, and that is the wonderful lessons which Charles Schultz taught us with his Peanuts gang. One of the most prescient lines is uttered by Lucy when she says that all she really wants is Real Estate for Christmas. I suppose that for the last 40 years this was a good thing, but I wonder if this is what Lucy would be asking for today. My favorite lines are uttered by Linus, one of the more underrated characters in my opinion, who is wise beyond belief for always carrying his security blanket with him. Who among us wouldn't want to carry one of those into a job interview or have it with them when they had to make a speech or presentation? His matter of fact declaration that he could tell Charlie Brown what the real meaning of Christmas is, always helps me keep things in prospective during this mega shopping season. 

 

 

RHS Council of Elders

     The idea I want to put forward is this: The Ridgewood Public Schools need a Council of Elders comprised of RHS alumni. As an example I propose something along the lines of a collegiate Alumni Council which offers advice to their presidents and trustee members. In this case the purpose would be to provide a forum for alumni to discuss with public school officials current policies and practices. These discussions would be grounded in the longer historical perspective which the Elders possess. The Council would serve as a sounding board which could assist current RHS administrators in making informed decisions. As an example of how it might work, the Council of Elders might weigh in on how the current debate regarding the Mathematics curriculum compares with previous debates on the same subject. There are plenty of other examples of how the current generation is attempting to re-invent the wheel so to speak, and could profit from a little prospective. 

     What I am offering is not some new idea. There are plenty of groups seeking to increase the level of grassroots citizen engagement in order to build more vital communities. This would be a prime function of the RHS Council of Elders. Who knows, it might even make Ridgewood a more enjoyable place to live in, and one that people no longer fell compelled to leave once their children have graduated. I think the technology exists to make this idea happen, though what is currently lacking is the experience to use if effectively and in a non-threatening manner. There are plenty of avenues available for criticizing, for instance, via the PTA, the newspaper, and various blogs, not to mention the good old fashion phone call or face to face meeting. What I would like see is advice offered as a guide to action and conduct; nothing which would sound too paternalistic or patronizing. Time will tell whether this is a practical suggestion but I did want to go on record as saying I think it might be useful one day.

Tic Toc

     I'm convinced to this day that my love of the theater began in Ridgewood upon first attending a performance given by Tic Toc. They have been entertaining children for almost 50 years. This is from their website: TIC TOC Theatre & Art is a volunteer organization which was established in 1960 and presents fine and performing arts experiences to students in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, Radburn in Fair Lawn and Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, USA.

$355,500 for Bathrooms at Veterans Field

      These bathrooms probably sounded like a good idea before the recent turmoil in the financial markets. "BE IT ORDAINED by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood, in the County of Bergen, New Jersey that the sum of $47,000.00 is hereby appropriated from the Capital Fund Balance to supplement ordinance 2828 in the amount of $197,000, and ordinance 3014 in the amount of $111,500 for the construction of restrooms at the Kasschau Memorial Shell." I guess the fields at Vets are used so much these days that using the bathrooms in the library and the police station are no longer options. Too bad when they were recently expanding both of these facilities they couldn't have made allowance for some extra bathrooms. If I might pontificate for a moment: these new bathrooms are just a symptom of our current economic malaise, and will be seen in quite a different light when the inevitable budget cuts occur in the village budget. People on the council don't seem to realize that layoffs are the order of the day on Wall Street and that many Ridgewood residents are going to lose their jobs. Tax receipts from Real Estate levies will invariably be less than planned. I remember the recession of 1973-74 which coincided with the first Oil price shocks. In my family we were all warned not to ask for too much as times were going to be tight for a while. There were no real cutbacks in our household expenses, but there was a renewed sense of the need to watch our pennies. Hopefully, the same spirit exists today and the cutbacks won't be too deep. Though I can't imagine how anybody 35 years ago would have thought these bathrooms were a good idea. Just my 2 cents.

A Room With A View

     Our old house on Glenwood Road was adjacent to Willard School. From my bedroom I could see the school yard and tell what sort of sporting events were taking place. Whether this was sledding in the Winter, baseball or stickball in the Summer, football or basketball in the fall, I could glance out and decide whether to get involved. If it was summer this was a no-brainer as we didn't have air conditioning installed until I was in high school. 

     The rest of the year I would usually just go out even if I wasn't old enough to play with who was competing. I liked to watch and learn from the older kids. When it was time to come home for dinner my Mom would invariably stand on our back porch and bellow out our names. She likes to tell this story on herself, and throw in the part about the kids in the school yard who would bellow back if we weren't anywhere on the field. I guess this sort of thing is done now with cell phones and GPS devices. Those electronic devices would have just slowed us down in my day, or gotten lost or stolen. I tell this story because I revel in the implied idea of community which it reveals. People in the neighborhood were looking out for one another. I prefer to believe this was a better idea than the current situation where it requires two wage earners in many cases to pay the mortgage for a home in Ridgewood which is largely empty Monday through Friday. 

      It seems to me that something is missing now in everyone's lives in suburbia, not just Ridgewood. This has happened as a matter of course and can't be reversed. Nobody wants to go back, or can afford to go back, to a simpler time and a less complicated existence. It was an era when school teachers and postal carriers could afford to live in Ridgewood. Their proximity provided an extra level of security to our neighborhoods, and made it that much harder to get away with childish shenanigans. Don' get me wrong, the time I recall had its own disadvantages, too. My Dad wouldn't wish his old 3 hour roundtrip commute to Wall Street on anybody, even if it did allow him to send 3 sons to college and graduate school. All I'm pointing out is that things are different these days, and I believe less inviting for people considering a move to Ridgewood. The tree lined streets remain largely the same but the people inside the houses appear to be strangers to one another, and not as cognizant of what is happening right next store to them.