Maroons Online Vol. 1… No. 60
Acta non verba
Observer: The Conviviality Of High School Reunions
Macky’s New York: 2nd Class Carriage
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame Induction Dinner: October 30, 2021
Paul Cortellesi On Cooking: Escarole and Beans
RHS 1996, Medha Kirtane: New Jersey's Top History Teacher 2021
Dr. Anne Robinson: Treasures In Mom’s Attic…
Observer
The Conviviality Of High School Reunions
Whether you have never been to a high school class reunion or if you are like me and have been to all of my class reunions (RHS 1977), both approaches to class reunions are appropriate. Yes, I am attempting to hold opposing ideas in my head at the same time, but isn’t that something we learned in high school, if not college?
If you never have been to a class reunion and never intend to go, then you are likely pretty happy with the friends you have made since high school and those you have kept from high school. Going to a reunion is for casual conversations with many people, and a few good conversations with the people you truly like. If you don’t like engaging in the exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions or ideas in rapid fire succession, then by all means skip the burdens of these sort of festivities.
If you go to most all of your class reunions and talk to mostly the same people then you are a normal reunion goer. You find reunions encouraging. Your conversation skills were honed by attending parties too numerous to count and by accepting the fact most of your conversations never come to an acceptable conclusion. All this means is you are a convivial sort of person and will try to make the best showing even in the midst of a raggedy succession of conversations.
I mention all of this because the RHSAA is hosting a Super Reunion October 8-10, 2021. It includes a Friday night home football game and afterwards a pub crawl of the uptown Ridgewood bars. On Saturday there will be a party on the front lawn of RHS with a live band. If your class is scheduling a reunion you’ll be fine as this Super Reunion will end long before any of the evening activities might be scheduled. On Sunday, Jimmy Stroker will lead a morning yoga class on the RHS Football field to help you stretch out and possibly release any toxins acquired over the previous two days of activities.
The beauty of the Super Reunion is that you can go and gawk with only a commitment of your time as remuneration. If you see some folks that you once knew but haven’t kept up with, feel free to ignore them. Or better yet, make their day by remembering their names. A more than casual perusal of your old high school yearbook is recommended for this type of stunt, and if you want to appear as though your memory is as sharp as ever.
Let this weekend be a chance to pause and reflect. You might even enjoy a tour of the high school and marvel at all the changes. Just bring a mask if you want to go inside, even if you are vaccinated. The Super Reunion is not an occasion to try and make your point or demonstrate your command of infectious diseases. Remember you are there to stare. Consider it a costume party with only a mask needed to keep your anonymity safe. The ravages of time on our collective memories will provide all the rest of a disguise you’ll find necessary.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
July 30, 2021 - Bridgehampton
2nd Class Carriage
An homage to Honoré Daumier...one of my favorite painters and storytellers.
Shot in the reflection in the perforated window treatment as that later July setting sun blasted through the bus front window for that just one sec.
Time 630pm
#mackysnewyork
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
RHS Cafeteria circa 2012
RHS Main Gym circa 2012
RHS Scoreboard
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame 2020 Inductees Dinner
October 30, 2021
Order Your Tickets For 2020 Inductees Dinner Celebration
Visit The Online RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Paul Cortellesi On Cooking
Escarole and Beans
Step One:
Spring your 88 year old father from the hospital. He had hernia surgery three days ago.
Step Two:
Wash, slice and steam a head of escarole. When done squeeze, slice again and reserve.
Step Three:
Into a large cast iron pan (that can hold everything). Dice an onion and start it sautéing in several glugs of olive oil. While it is bubbling, add in a family appropriate number of sliced garlic cloves & hot pepper. When nearly done add in two cans of cannelloni beans with their fluid. Mash any that resist - this helps thicken the lot of them.
Step Four:
Start Ditalini’s or other small pastas and add to the above. Add in the reserved double sliced escarole. Let it all bubble adding in additional escarole cooking fluid as needed.
Serve with a grate and a grind.
This is a long time family favorite - and is perfect “Welcome Home” fare.
RHS 1996, Medha Kirtane
New Jersey's Top History Teacher 2021
As a member of the Ridgewood High School Social Studies Department, she has taught a variety of courses including U.S. history, senior seminar and law. She was the head coach of the girls tennis program, is the advisor to the Asian Festival, and serves as one of the faculty representatives to the Home and School Association.
"It is an honor to be part of the Gilder Lehrman family of educators seeking to better ourselves and our craft in order to provide students with the opportunity to grow as historians and citizens of this world," said Kirtane.
Dr. Anne Robinson
Treasures In Mom’s Attic…
Just a brief word about Anne Robinson, RHS 1977. Anne has an eclectic position here at Maroons Online. Her work as a pediatrician has prepared her for any assignment we could ask of her. Currently, she is working with Ridge School teacher Michele Eng on collecting the history of each of the Ridgewood Public Schools. At the same time we have tasked her with researching all the principals that have occupied that role at every Ridgewood school. We’ll update her findings as she makes them available.
A special thank you to RHS Principal Jeffrey Nyhuis, who began his second term as principal of Ridgewood High School in July 2021. His quick thinking provided the light for Anne as she searched for the plaque in RHS, which has the names of all the principals in the 129 year history of RHS.
Peace