Vol 1…No. 29
Observer: Delaying School Start Times
Macky’s New York: A Sudden Burst
Coco Hough: Shepherd’s Pie
“Uncle” Harry Ahearn Award: Past Winners
CNN Article: Delaying School Start Times
Author: Ali Stroker: The Chance To Fly
RHS Maroon & White
RHS 1976: Phil and Melynda Reilly
RHS 2000 and 2001, Meagan Coomber & Courtney Reenstra: Birdlings
RHS 1993, Christina Sharkey Geist: Boombox
Observer:
Delaying School Start Times
This is a national movement.
There is plenty of evidence to back up the claim that starting public school (K-12) at 8:30 AM and ending at 3:05 PM will enhance the health and well being of students. It’s sheer inertia that’s keeping this protocol in force. A pilot program could be started at RHS in September 2021, no matter if the school is operating in sort of hybrid online schedule.
My guess is that we will still be worried about the safety of schools in September. Yes, we will have a majority of the people in this country vaccinated. Though the rest of the world will still be catching up.
The problem is we simply have not been taking our national health seriously. For too long we have been listening to politicians claiming this pandemic is a hoax, despite all evidence to the contrary. Even when a former president and his family contracted the virus there was no reputiation of the false claims or empathy for the 500,000 people who had died from Covid.
Today we all need to consider the last time we have done something for the first time. Please join us as we step up our efforts to persuade the reluctant among us. We are only talking about 45 minutes. 45 Minutes. 45 MINUTES.
Are children are worth it. Our schedules are mutable. The long term health of a generation is not something we should take lightly.
Macky’s New York:
April 15, 2021 - Union Square
A Sudden Burst
The idea of shooting my photos in momentary pools of light and water was something I never knew would be so difficult and rewarding - the idea of capturing the particulars of the subject sometimes gets stripped away and the photo becomes less of this and more of that.
Shot in the green bike path on Park Avenue just south of 16th street looking north.
Time 3pm
#mackysnewyork
Coco Hough
Shepherd’s Pie
INGREDIENTS AND EQUIPMENT BELOW!
NOTES:
- This didn’t thicken QUITE as much as I would have liked. Next time I will add the flour and broth to the meat, combine with my sauteed vegetables in the pan thicken for a few minutes on the stove top before putting it in my baking dish and continuing with the mashed potatoes.
SHEPHERD'S PIE INGREDIENTS:
- 1-1/2 lb ground lamb (or beef)
- 1 large Onion diced
- 1 clove Garlic
- 2 c Frozen corn
- 2 c Frozen peas
- 1 large Carrot diced
- Dried or fresh parsley
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- 1/2 c or less Beef stock
- 2 TBSP Flour
- Optional: 1 TBSP worcestershire sauce and / or 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mashed potato topping
- 2 lbs Baking potatoes
- 1-1/2 c Half and half, cream or milk
- 1/2 stick Butter
- 4 to 6 oz Cheese of your liking (I’m using Parmesan and cheddar)
EQUIPMENT *
- Scanpan - this is my go-to non stick skillet:
https://amzn.to/2YniJKJ
- Potato ricer: https://amzn.to/36u8mZd
- Oval baker (similar): https://amzn.to/2Z4nRn3
- All Clad 4 qt sauce pan (this is my workhorse pan): https://amzn.to/39n653g
(* I recommend only products that I own and love. Some of these links may generate a small commission)
Thank you for cooking with me! xo, Coco
Harry Ahearn Award
Past Winners:
1985: Janet Stemwedel
1986: Tom Dougherty
1987: Tom Stemwedel
1988: David Hyatt
1989: Charlotte Eldridge
1990: David Ferolito
1991: Amy Goebelbecker
1992: Navroz Gandhi
1993: Traci Douma and Jeanne Reilly
1994: Beth Brundige
1995: You Jung Park and Richard Brill
1996: Damon Mahon
1999: Irene Janis
2000: Rory Phalen
2001: Yiktat Fung
2002: Jessica Marinaccio
2003: Joshua Ravitz
2004: Marielle Woods
2005: Ambrose Bierce
2006: Cole Magrath
2007: Dan Callan
2009: Taylor Magrath
Looking for permission from past winners of the Harry Ahearn Award to post their winning essays.
The rules of the contest are the same as always: RHS students can submit a two-page description of an imaginary dinner with the historical figure of their choice. These essays will be read by a panel of their RHS peers and the winner announced in early June 2021 at the RHS Senior Awards ceremony.
Harry Ahearn was an extraordinary teacher and human being (and a recipient of the Princeton University Distinguished Secondary Teaching Award). When he retired, Betsy Golden, RHS 1979, worked with alumni to develop a scholarship in his name. Although Harry died a few years later, in 1991, his legacy continued in the form of that scholarship. $100 to the winner to spend however they like.
Wendy Troxel: Delaying School Start Times
The reasons why it might be more effective to delay school starting times than spend time and money trying to coach children to get them into the best colleges and universities.
Ali Stroker: Today Show Interview
Ali Stroker Talks About Children's Book: The Chance To Fly
RHS Maroon And White Recital
The 58th season of the RHS Maroon & White Recital and Art Exhibition Series continues with an interactive online/video release today. The shift to a virtual recital and gal-lery experience was made necessary by restrictions im-posed due to Covid-19. Music and dance recitals will be broadcast on YouTube, while art exhibits will be presented on a Google Sites. Click below to view the music and dance recital performances and online art gallery.
RHS 1976: Phil and Melynda Raines Reilly
May 4th 1980 in Gatlinburg TN, married one day.
Meagan Coomber & Courtney Reenstra
RHS 2001 & 2000
This is a retail story worthy of your attention. It’s authentic and the owners worthy of our trust.
Meagan and Courtney’s journey began in 1982 when these two “birdies” were hatched to two best friends - their moms. Both raised with all brothers, they naturally adopted each other as sisters. Their family nests have been woven tightly throughout the years. From childhood to motherhood to launching Birdling, they have spent many of their greatest adventures together. The Weekender and the Daytripper were the first bags designed to help moms on the go. Birdling bags are very much geared towards travel, family, and staying organized! Whether you are going on long trips or just everyday outings, we know the bag you carry is the defining element of personal style—and sanity. We hope you venture from the nest often and always with a Birdling in tow.
Christina Sharkey Geist
RHS 1993
This is promoted as a nice gift for a graduating RHS senior, and it is. But it is also much more.
Who wouldn’t like to receive one of these with photos and comments from their childhood friends? NO ONE! This is the Best. Gift. Ever.
Boombox is a “crowdsourced” memory box, organized 100% digitally. The Boombox website works just like Paperless Post or Evite. You can send digital invitations to friends, family, teachers and coaches to add a message to your grad, creating a priceless walk down memory lane. Or, you can fill the box entirely on your own with family and school photos, memories and milestones. Your finished Boombox holds up to 150 custom-designed 5×7 cards, each one capturing a personal and sentimental message, memory or photo for your graduate.
Please place your order 4-6 weeks before graduation to allow time to upload your digital messages and photos, and for the Boombox team to design and print your cards. Printing any of the 3 RHS logos shown here or your child's monogram on the lid of the box is optional.www.boomboxgifts.com
Peace