Maroons Online Vol. 1… No. 45
Acta non verba
Observer: Morning After RHS Graduation Rituals
Macky’s New York: Decisions, Decisions
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHSAA: Orchard School 2021 Graduates
RHS TV Club: Annnnnddd We’re Back 🤠🎥✨
RHS New Players Company: In Concert
Observer
Morning After RHS Graduation Rituals
All during one’s time in the Ridgewood Public School System you are told stories about past graduations (the streaker in 1973). At first it doesn’t feel like it will ever happen to you. The more time you spend in school, the more stories you hear. Then you start listening and contemplating specifics about the outdoors ceremony, the formal party afterwards, and the morning swim in Graydon Pool. The morning swim at Graydon I never looked forward to because I knew the water was cold on a hot day, and at 5 AM is wasn’t going to be any warmer.
What they don’t mention, or at least I can’t recall, is the party after the formal party which the parents setup at BF Middle School. You do know it’s happening by the time you are a senior but it tends to be overshadowed by all the other hoopla around wearing a white tuxcedo or long white dress during the graduation ceremony.
The final graduation ritual that was talked about was only for the stalwarts because it meant driving to the Jersey Shore and spending the day at the beach after little or no sleep. This wasn’t as hard as I thought and prepared me well for all-nighters in college. The ocean that day was delightfully refreshing and the perfect topper to a grand night of parties. Not sure if that trip to the shore contained the meaning of life or any earth shattering revelations, but it certainly gave my life a lift. I was momentarily free for a few month from the classroom grind. My life appeared to be entirely in front of me. I felt that my classmates and I had accomplished a difficult feat and we had been given a nice send-off for whatever lay ahead of us. Besides a college graduation from a 4-year, residential Liberal Arts College, there really is nothing in our lives to compare a high school graduation with. Whether you took part in all the post graduation rituals or not was the first real decision of adulthood. If you can still recall some of these events and see their merit, then that is what they would have told you was called wisdom.
Macky’s New York
June 11, 2021 - Times Square.
Decisions, Decisions
Try the salmon...I hear it's delicious.
Shot against a black granite wall on 43rd street looking south.
Time 5pm.
#mackysnewyork
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
Memories By Macky
June 20, 1983 - Bayhead, New Jersey
I shared this picture last night with my friend Dana Habernickel Koenig (seen here on shoulders) and I couldn't help thinking to myself that this very well could be the greatest picture of all time - similar to Rembrandt's painting "The Night Watch"...this image masterfully captures a moment in time with a long list of local characters.
The picture was taken the day after the 1983 Ridgewood high school graduation - although this was my brother Charlie's class (Charlie seen just to the right of Dana)...I considered many...if not most...to be my friends (FYI - I was class of 85).
So...after the formal graduation party...they all decided to continue the celebration and all drove down to Dana's house for a few days of stupidity and friendship - seeing there is lots of Champagne...and knowing this group...I believe this to be sunrise cocktails - of course...not a parent in sight - kids were kids - different times for sure.
So let me tell you what I really like most about this picture...why I'm posting it...what has me going back every now and then just to look at it...its a simple concept but one often lost and it's all about that look of pure joy on these fresh faces - that's the real stuff people and I simply love it - hope it brings a big ole smile to your face - I know it does to mine every time I see it.— with William Peay and 10 others.
I have no words as eloquent as Macky’s. Though this photo from the Summer of 1977 at the Jersey Shore shares the same pure joy on fresh faces that Macky described above.
RHSAA
Orchard School 2021 Graduates
Orchard’s Class of 2014 reunites to celebrate their 2021 high school graduation. Congratulations to all and welcome RHS graduates to the RHS Alumni Association!
RHS TV Club
Annnnnddd We’re Back 🤠🎥✨
Did someone say it’s gettin hot in here? Cause the RHS TV Crew brought the heat tonight live streaming an Orchestra Concert! You find us back at work on Thursday and Friday! linktr.ee/rhstvclub
New Players Company
In Concert
Peace