The Maroon Vol. 3… No. 50
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Comments & Suggestions: https://linktr.ee/maroonsonline
“Bringing us all to a place we don't want to lose."
Observer: Citizens’ Park
Macky’s New York: Mary Goes Round
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame: Made For & Inspired By RHS Alumni
Project Arrow: Creating An Online Home For RHS Arrow Yearbooks
Mark Porro: A Cup Of Tea On The Commode
M + A NYC: Mighty Are We As One
Vintage Bergen County: Ridgewood Opera House
In Memory Of Our Classmates & Faculty: Photographs & Memories
James Stroker: Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Ridgewood Library Bolger Heritage Center: Lester Farm
Kathy & Ross Petras: You’re Saying It Wrong
RHS Class of 1968: 55th Reunion October 6-8, 2023
RHS Class of 1973: 50th Reunion, Oct 7 at the Hilton, Woodcliff Lake
RHS Class of 1993: 30th Reunion October 7, 2023
RHS Class of 1983: 40th Reunion, October 14, 2023
Observer
Citizens’ Park
The Village of Ridgewood has had a number of successful land acquisitions in its history. The Lester Stables in 1976 was the last one of note. The Zabriskie-Schedler property is the last one of any kind.
Of course, Citizens’ Park is one of the best gifts the Village has ever received. It involved residents of Ridgewood taking a bank loan to buy the property and make it ready for public use. Not sure why the Village has since deviated from this kind of transaction. The Village government has little or no expertise in land purchases, and the deals they make are always inflated to market value. Why the Village is competing for land and buildings with private citizens is beyond my comprehension.
Before the Schedler-Zabriskie purchase there was the purchase of land from the Habernickel family. Originally purchased in 2004 for roughly $7.4 million, the 10-acre former horse farm at 1037 Hillcrest was completed in 2012 and named Habernickel Park.
If the Village can afford this type of largess that’s fine. Though we ought to remember Citizens’ Park and that real estate purchases at market rates are not the only way to create open space.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
June 19, 2023 - Jackson Heights
Mary Goes Round
Went on a walk with my friend Lois today
We did the Corona to Woodlawn walk under the 7 train - it's an amazing 2 mike walk that has at least 15 countries represented - I drank in at least 3 of them.
And so as we walked past 82nd street...I shot this into a thick plastic box set up on the west side of the street that earlier today sold Aerepas to the passing public.
Pure reflection with subway stairs - my hand with blue band aid in photo
Time 645pm
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
Citizens’ Park Commemorative Stone
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Made For & Inspired By RHS Alumni
Visit the RHS Hall of Fame
Digital Printing for the RHS Hall of Fame provided by Tim Boucher, RHS 1988
Project Arrow
Creating An Online Home For RHS Arrow Yearbooks
Details To Be Available in July, 2023
Digital archiving by Michael Culver, RHS 2002, and his firm 1Row.com
Mark Porro
A Cup Of Tea On The Commode
Want a great summer read? Get yours now!
M + A NYC
Mighty Are We As One
M + A is a destination devoted to art, artists, artisans and design. We are inspired by art as it relates to design: the soul, the spark that ignites beautiful ideas. We are equally as motivated by craft traditions passed down from generations.
Shop home décor and wearable accessories at www.mplusanyc.com
Ridgewood Opera House
Vintage Bergen County History
A 1900 postcard view of The Opera House in Ridgewood (also known as Ridgewood Hall). From 1875 to 1883 Ridgewood was at a standstill. Few houses were built, and the population was slow in growing. Something was lacking – a proper place for people to gather and find social pleasures. The Ridgewood Hall and Park Association was formed, and in 1892 the group acquired the land between Prospect and Oak Streets (south of East Ridgewood Avenue). On May 3, 1893, the grand opening of the Ridgewood Opera House took place featuring “a vaudeville in one act,” entitled “The Loan of a Lover,” and a laughable farce, “Boots at the Swan.” The auditorium with a stage, drop curtain, and scenery was designed so that every visitor could obtain a full view. The building was heated by steam, and the lighting was with gas. There was even a bowling alley in the basement.
As the center of social activity, the vote to create the “The Village of Ridgewood” took place at Ridgewood Hall in November 1894. The location became the source of entertainment for the surrounding area. Performance entertainers, acts, and musicians were booked from the vast pool in New York City. They would arrive by train, perform, stay at the nearby Ridgewood Hotel, and then return to the city. Local groups would also perform at the Opera House, and balls and other events were held there (the seats were folding chairs and the floor was flat). Woodrow Wilson also gave a speech there (while he was Governor). In the days before movies, “Illustrated Lectures” were very popular (glass slides in a projector shone the pictures on a screen). When the moving picture arrived, this became Ridgewood’s first movie theater. In January 1952, demolition of the Ridgewood Opera House began. The location became the Van Neste Square Bus Terminal. – Tim Adriance
In Memory Of Our Classmates & Faculty
Photographs & Memories
A gift from RHS Class of 1961
James Stroker
Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
Ridgewood Public Library
Bolger Heritage Center
Lester Farm
We return with a #randomimagefriday of Andrew Lester at his farm.
In the 1890s the Mastin family owned and developed property near the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Maple Avenue, which once included a large Victorian farmhouse and 12 acres of farmland.
Andrew Lester inherited the farm in the 1930s and farmed the property for many decades. Mr. Lester’s death on June 17, 1976 marked the passing of an era in Ridgewood ‘s agricultural roots.
The Village of Ridgewood purchased 12 acres of the Lester property in August of 1977. One month later, tragedy struck as a fire destroyed the Lester residence. According to the
Bergen Record, the fire was reported at 10:40pm and burned for three hours until the house collapsed.
Eventually it was decided to move The Stable away from the brook and flood plain, and relocate it closer to Maple Avenue at the site of the former Lester residence.
On June 2, 1982 Lester Stable was re-opened to the public after a restoration project. Operations of the Lester Stable was returned to the Village of Ridgewood, who continues to be responsible for its maintenance, upkeep and many uses. That year, Ridgewood’s Parks and Recreation Department made The Stable its home, where staff continues to work today. The Parks and Recreation Department holds various events and programs at The Stable, and preserves its history as well.
For more information on The Stable, the Mastin and Lester families,
and the history of the Village of Ridgewood, please visit us at
The Bolger Heritage Center at the Ridgewood Public Library. Contact us at 201-670-5600 x135 or heritagecenter@ridgewoodlibrary.org
Kathy & Ross Petras
You’re Saying It Wrong
Ross & Kathy’s podcast: You're Saying It Wrong is a podcast that looks at what we get wrong—and what we sometimes get right—when it comes to this English language.