Maroons Online Vol. 1… No. 83
Acta non verba
Observer: The Time That Is Given Us
Macky’s New York: Pre-flight
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame 2020 Inductees Dinner: October 30, 2021
M + A NYC: Shibori 18" Square Pillow
James Stroker: Some Mules Refuse To Be Buried !!
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Tom Gorman: The Year Of Gratitude
Observer
The Time That Is Given Us
“To open one’s heart—at any age—is a courageous and beautiful act.”
We are all given a certain amount of time on this planet. No do-overs, from what I understand. It’s OK for us to agree to disagree on this article of faith and remain cordial. I’m not claiming a corner on the market for wisdom. Opposing opinions are valuable to me. I intend these missives to instigate thinking and contribute to friendly engagement.
I’ve been pondering lately how Hall of Fame ballplayers, be they women or men, understand what it takes to have success. I think it comes down to their intuitively grasping better than most of us how our bodies and skill sets change as we grow and diminish as we age. They know this happens to everyone, but that people can still be effective if they acknowledge the fact and compensate for the changes. These people make the most of their time while they are able to still play or coach the game with enthusiasm. Their self knowledge is the difference that gives them an advantage over other athletes and coaches. It allows them to excel to levels unknown by the common participant.
I think you can apply these habits and insights to other areas of life, especially after your own playing or coaching days are over. It requires perseverance, a bit of luck, and alot of hope. HOPE is something Distinguished RHS Alumnus James Stroker likes to talk about: Hold On Possibilities Exist. These possibilities aren’t always obvious so its good to be reminded about them. Jim has even gone as far as to quit being a Life Coach and has assumed the new title of Hope Coach. A nice transition for Jim as he approaches his 70th birthday.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
October 22, 2021 - Howard Beach, Queens
Pre-flight
A man anxiously stands in the front of the unmanned monorail as a new day dawns and a new adventure begins.
This is a reflection off the side glass looking east between terminal 4 and 5 at JFK Airport.
Time 740am.
#mackysnewyork
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
I did this when it first opened years ago.. It was winter and ugly... Everything was still under construction..
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame 2020 Inductees Dinner
October 30, 2021
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame Nomination Form
Visit The RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
M + A NYC
Shibori 18" Square Pillow
M + A’s Shibori Pillows in dark indigo cotton canvas look great on their own or mixed with our clamp dye and block print pillows. Designed in Brooklyn, made in Jaipur, India by master artisans.
We love the quality of the cotton canvas -- it’s fine and dense at the same time, with a dry hand. We pre-wash and dry it to give it an interesting texture and simultaneously reduce the amount of shrinkage on the customer’s end. All are slightly different due to the nature of the handwork, and precisely what we love about them.
Another thing that we love is that the art continues on the back. Pillows aren’t 2D, so whenever possible we have made the back as compelling as the front so you get an interesting view from every angle.
Details:
100% Cotton Canvas
18” Square
Pre-washed to bring out the beautiful texture of the weave
Hidden coconut shell button closure on back, with cotton pom pom detail
Designed in Brooklyn, Made in India
Down alternative pillow insert made with 100% polyester fibers
Care:
Machine wash with cold water separately, on the gentle cycle. Only use non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry low. Warm iron as needed. Mild shrinkage after wash.'
James Stroker
Some Mules Refuse To Be Buried !!
https://www.jscoachingteam.com/
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
This is where I stationed myself for a sunset picture on Friday night. This is at the mouth of Ash Creek, looking southwest down the Lake Superior shore at the Porcupine Mountains. I had a hot tip that the sunsets can be great here, and that I should be set up at six o’clock, so that’s what I did. When it got to be 6:10 and there was no sign of a good sunset, I decided that it must be too cloudy of a sky for there to be any sunset, so I packed up and left and started on the one hour drive back to my motel.
After a half hour of driving, I noticed a lot of pink developing in the southwestern sky, then a lot more pink, and then, holy cow, the sky and clouds lit up like bright balls of cotton candy, and it just kept getting better.
This is why I don’t like to chase after sunsets. It rarely works for me. The problem on this particular evening was that the spot I was taking the picture from was just a couple of miles into the eastern time zone, and the sun was supposed to set at 6:00 central time. My cell phone clock had mysteriously switched to eastern time, so when it said it was 6:00, it was actually only 5:00 central time. I gave up an hour early.
It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re out and about and doing this and that, but I still had to ask myself “Jim, how can you be so stupid?” But then, the same thing happened to me the next night, so the answer to that question is “It’s real easy, Jim. You can do it.”
I still like this photo though.
Tom Gorman
The Year Of Gratitude
Thomas Gorman, Ed.D. Special to NorthJersey.com USA TODAY NETWORK – NEW JERSEY
Following what has been an extraordinarily challenging period in education, as we adapted and pivoted without any clear sense of what to expect next, we have finally reached a point where schools are beginning to resemble the vibrant learning and social communities they were before the pandemic struck. On September 1, the Ridgewood Public Schools (RPS) opened, and this year, we are grateful to be operating on the typical full-day schedule with lunch. During my visits to the buildings during the first weeks of school, I saw excitement and enthusiasm. There was a real “buzz” that could be heard throughout classrooms and buildings -- the way it ought to sound. Students reconnected with their classmates and teachers. Parents greeted each other and caught up on the drop-off line. And the “hope” we held onto last year became “gratitude,” the RPS theme for this school year.
To ensure a successful start, faculty and staff planned and prepared throughout the summer. Nearly half of the faculty engaged in the district’s summer professional development program, which was aligned with the goals of the Strategic Plan. Our custodial and maintenance staff were hard at work getting our buildings cleaned and freshened up with new paint and flooring where needed. Two larger summer projects were the high school switch gear electrical system replacement and the resurfacing of the track at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. I am grateful for our dedicated staff who always give above and beyond and continually strive to maintain our tradition of excellence.
Helping our students feel comfortable for the start of school was a top priority. To ease any anxiety, tours were held at each school for students who had been remote last year or who simply wanted to get reacquainted with the building before opening day. Principals created Welcome Back videos to review what to expect at school and to let families know how excited we were to come back together. And, a public parent forum offered an opportunity to ask questions about the safety protocols and procedures for the school year. I am grateful that our students were at ease and ready to learn.
As I walked through the hallways, I saw engagement, curiosity, and social interaction. Our young learners are back on the carpet for circle time, a popular time of the day to hear a story or practice mindfulness. Middle school and high school students are diving into new material and working collaboratively. The sounds of music and singing are filling the air. Outside of the classroom, students are engaging in activities and athletics. Opening events such as the annual RHS Club Fair/Back-to-School Barbeque and elementary Back-to-School Picnics were a huge success. Sporting events have come to life with cheering spectators. I am grateful that our community can connect and share these experiences.
For parents, the start of the school year means evening events like Back-to-School Night. This month, my wife and I attended our 39th and final Back-to-School Night! At the end of the evening, we sat outside of Ben & Jerry’s and reminisced about the wonderful experience our children have had in the Ridgewood Public Schools. Many things stood out in our minds -- Immigration Day, Revolutionary War Encampment, Washington D.C. trip, choir performances, athletics, and electives that sparked excitement in our children’s eyes. But more importantly than these “big” moments were the day-to-day interactions and experiences that nurtured growth at different stages of their development. We are personally grateful for the faculty and staff and all of the experiences that have launched their college careers and prepared them for a lifetime of learning and contribution.
John F. Kennedy once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” I know that this year I will be incorporating gratitude into my daily routine...there is much to be grateful for.
Thomas A. Gorman, Ed.D. is Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools. RHS 1987
Peace