Vol 1…No. 25
Observer: Distinguished Alumnus
Macky’s New York: Tiger Goods And The Side Hustle
Ally Stroker’s New Project
Ridgewood Village Council Report— 28 March 2021
RHS New Players Company News
RHS TV
Paul Cortellesi, RHS 1979
Observer:
In the past I have enjoyed nominating people for the RHS Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni award. It hasn’t been hard because you know them when you see them or read about them.
The pandemic has taken some of the joy from the nominating process because we don’t know when there will be an official award ceremony. These biennial parties are filled with speeches and bonhomie that leaves everyone feeling better about themselves.
To quote from the RHSAA site about the award:
The Distinguished Alumnus Award honors alumni who have typified the Ridgewood High School tradition of excellence and brought credit to the high school by their personal accomplishment, professional achievement, or humanitarian service.
I usually have a couple of people in mind though I only nominate one at a time.
For what it is worth, I’ll tell you now that Paul Cortellesi, RHS 1979, gets my vote. All I had to do was read about his humanitarian service to the City of New York during the onset of our Covid pandemic and I was convinced. Scroll down in this Ezine to read exactly what he did. You quite probably will come to the same conclusion as I did.
Paul stood tall when the city was in an extreme crisis. I was living within its borders when the chaos nearly overwhelmed us. Little did I know that we had a civic leader who left his cozy home in New Jersey and risked his life. At one point working 41 straight days. When it was over all he could say was that he would do it again, no questions asked.
Now that is my ultimate idea of a Distinguished Alumnus. I don’t ever expect any RHS graduate to do the same in order to receive my vote in the future, but we can all claim Paul as our touchstone for any future acts of personal or professional achievement we might contemplate. Thanks, Paul!
Macky’s New York
March 27, 2021 - Greenwich Village
Tiger Goods And The Side Hustle.
Although the tables might be empty in front of Minetta Tavern...there is plenty of action on Minetta lane as a guy calling himself Tiger Goods...who is dressed professionally with full PGA tour shirt...pants...hat and even logo covered gloves...not glove but gloves is offering $100 to anyone who can pitch...with a golf club...one of 5 square wiffle balls into a small box about 30 feet away - cost is $20 - it's like being on the carnival boardwalk at the beach only this side show is attracting even more freaks and suckers with me of course being both of em - I'm already out $40 but I think I figured out the trick - I'm 3rd on deck after the girl seen here with the good follow through - come on now...step right up and take a swing.
Shot looking through the plastic lining of the outdoor dining area just south of Minetta Lane on Macdougal street looking north with Macdougal Street Ale House in reflection.
Time 430pm
For the record...since I posted this I have learned the genius behind all the fun is @tigerhoodnyc not Tiger Goods but in keeping with the silliness of the entire situation...I'll keep the title as is.
#mackysnewyork
Ally Stroker’s New Project:
So fun getting in the studio with @prhaudio to read the audiobook for The Chance to Fly! Can’t wait to share - you can sneak a listen at the link in my bio! I even got to sing a little in the book!
Pre-order The Chance to Fly here: linktr.ee/alistroker
#chancetofly#penguinrandomhouse#audiobook#abramskids
Ridgewood Village Council Report
Councilwoman Pam Perron
28 March 2021
At Wednesday’s Village Council meeting, we voted 4:1 for new pickleball regulations. I voted against the measure because it embraces too many limitations at once, is contrary to the Parks & Rec mission, and sets a bad precedent in blocking public access. We also discussed the possibility of a renewable government energy aggregation program, which could potentially provide cheaper electricity with a renewable component to Ridgewood residents. Green Ridgewood will continue to explore this option. Next on the agenda was whether to allow a pilot at Park West Tavern using bollards to create an outdoor dining corral. A councilmember expressed concern for diners’ safety.
The Village is expecting $4.6 million from the State over the next 2 years. It remains unclear whether this money can only be used for COVID-19 relief; however, it will benefit the community regardless. We also talked about the Schedler property, which is a 7-acre property including a house and field. Discussion centered around the berm, fencing and plantings as depicted on the most recent plans. Regarding the Gatehouse at Habernickel Family Park, the Council majority agreed to go out for an RFP (request for proposal) and to get quotes for needed repairs & improvement.
RHS New Players Company News
Junior New Players Company - Summer 2021
The Junior Company is an intensive theatre program for Ridgewood District students who have completed grades 4-8 and who are interested in acting. Students will learn and develop acting skills through theater games, workshops, character development classes and scene work. The program culminates in performances of original plays commissioned from New Players alumni.
The program involves a 3-week session, Tuesday July 6th – Friday, July 23rd. Students must attend each session without interruption. Students may be asked to discontinue the program if absences occur.
Sessions are held from 10:00-2:00 during weeks one and two and from 10:00-3:00 during week three. The program culminates in a full performance. Rehearsals and performances are at Ridgewood High School.
The Junior Company is taught by advanced high school theatre students under the supervision of New Players Company staff members.
The tuition fee for the 2021 Junior Company is $800.00 payable at the time of the application. You may pay with a check made out to NPC Association.
RHS TV
RHS Tiny Desk #2 December 2019
Featuring: Division of Space
RHS Alumni : Paul Cortelessi, RHS 1979
This was an incredible sacrifice. Thank you for sharing your expertise when and where it truly was needed. Read it for yourself and you’ll agree.
29 March 2020
My Office for the Duration: The Podium at MSK’s COVID-19 Command Center.
Last week I was redeployed to act as the Command Center Manager for the duration of the Hospital’s response to this crisis. Deb Keniston Cortellesi is the Country Mouse while I am the City Mouse. In a normal world, being set up in a Manhattan hotel would be a dream opportunity, but this is far from normal.
Be safe out there folks. Once this is over we’ll have a party for the record books.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
In his own words one year later:
A year ago I moved into the hotel in Manhattan for what was to become 10 weeks of supporting the Command Center and then the two ICU floors that managed our most critical COVID patients.
It was an incredible period in my life. 41 days straight without a day off - working with some of the best minds in the biz as we designed the protocols around protecting us all from something I hadn’t heard of two months earlier.
The letters, care packages, and calls were essential in helping me get through it. 7:00 every night the streets echoed with cheers.
When I packed my bags and finally went home in June, the team looked around and realized how successful we had actually been - none of us, or the clinicians we supported got sick.
I’d do it again in an instant.
Peace