The Maroon Vol. 2… No. 68 Friday, September 2, 2022
“Bringing us all to a place we don't want to lose."
Observer: Ambition Of The Laudable Kind
Macky’s New York: Bottle Rocket
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame: Save The Date: Nov. 5th 2022
RHS Tired Teens: Later School Start Times
M + A NYC: Mighty Are We As One
James Stroker: Walnut & The Coach
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Kathy & Ross Petras: You’re Saying It Wrong
Observer
John Adams once wrote of his wish that American youth would have an ambition for great accomplishment. "I would to God there were more ambition in the country," said Adams to a young Ralph Waldo Emerson, "ambition of that laudable kind to excel."
Thinking back on my own youthful endeavors, steeped in the mellower light of reminiscence, I can’t say that I was exactly the sort of youth our former President Adams lamented for. I was a late bloomer in Life, who now sees more clearly as to what it means to possess a laudable ambition to excel.
My current inspiration stems from my first hearing Acting Superintendent of Ridgewood Public Schools Dr. Leonard D. Fitts. This occurrend last Spring when he spoke at his first Board of Education meeting. He hypothetically asked whether the Village had ever considered forming a U.S. Olympic Training Center. A typical one is an all-weather, complex to train athletes. It would support their efforts to excel in Olympic archery, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, soccer, softball, field hockey, tennis, track and field, and cycling. I believe Dr. Fitts mentioned this to ascertain the level of complacency among the residents, and if anyone had been thinking outside the box.
Ridgewood is a Village of immense talent and resources. An US Olympic training center is not beyond the scope or our imagination. Instead of allowing neighborhood shopping malls to slowly languish and go out of business, why not transform one into a training center, albeit a small one. Not every sport has to be included at first and more than one location could be one day dedicated to the project. Neighboring towns and parochial schools would also be welcome.
An US Olympic training center appears like an huge undertaking on first glance, but like the Village’s first high school, which eventually was repurposed as the Board Of Education offices, our forebearers started small and they let ambition unfold until larger facilities were needed. The process would mirror to some extent the observation made by Frenchman Alex de Tocqueville, who wrote Democracy in America following a nine month visit to the United States in 1831-32. He wrote extensively about the American phenomenon of forming " associations " of all types including professional, social, civil, and political.
Nothing really has changed since Adams time or in Tocqueville’s prescient observation. Big ideas need room to develop and the contribution of financial support and volunteer resources to begin their journey towards reality.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
August 29, 2022 - Upper Westside
Bottle Rocket
As the ice cream man patiently leans out the window of his truck...a mom tries to narrow down the exact icecream cone her kids want - if she asked me...I'd go with my old time standard...the rocket pop - oh how I loved those as a kid.
This is a pure reflection shot on 60th street west of 11th ave looking east.
Time 230pm
#ny1pic
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
Clinton and West Ridgewood Ave
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Save The Date: November 5, 2022
Visit The RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame & Order Tickets for 2022 Inductees Banquet
Digital Printing for the RHS Hall of Fame provided by Tim Boucher, RHS 1988
RHS Tired Teens
Later School Start Times
M + A NYC
Mighty Are We As One
M + A is a destination devoted to art, artists, artisans and design. We are inspired by art as it relates to design: the soul, the spark that ignites beautiful ideas. We are equally as motivated by craft traditions passed down from generations.
Shop home décor and wearable accessories at www.mplusanyc.com
James Stroker
Walnut & The Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
Grandfather Falls, the highest waterfall on the Wisconsin River.
Kathy & Ross Petras
You’re Saying It Wrong
Talk about synchronicity! It’s #FrankensteinDay … and publication day for our newest book, A History of The World Through Body Parts (and Mary Shelley’s husband’s heart plays a part in there …) Chronicle Books
Ross & Kathy’s podcast: