The Ridgewood Maroon Vol. 4… No. 19
Wednesday, February 27, 2024
“Bringing us all to a place we don't want to lose."
Observer: Presidential Physical Fitness Test
Macky’s New York: The Whisperers
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
Our Classmates: 50th Reunion RHS 1974
James Stroker: Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Mary Zisk ‘68: Around The Village
Kathy & Ross Petras: You’re Saying It Wrong
Ridgewood Library Bolger Heritage Center: Ridgewood Play House
Observer
Presidential Physical Fitness Test
Do you recall the first time you climbed the rope to the gymnasium ceiling? I sure do. It’s a great view at the top. Though you realize at the top that you are on your own. You still had to shake, shiver, and shimmy down to the floor.
If you attended an American public school (K-12) between 1966 and 2012, you encountered the Presidential Physical Fitness Test in Gym class. The test consisted of a series of physical challenges, such as the mile run, sit-ups, pull-ups, and the sit-and-reach test. Tice Chase Phys Ed teacher at GWMS included the rope climb in our routine.
Some people say the original test also included a softball throw, which mimicked throwing a grenade.
The test was discontinued in 2012 and replaced with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, which focuses on promoting lifelong physical activity and healthy habits rather than just measuring physical fitness.
One reason given for discontinuing the program was that it had become too competitive, and it might have. I remember the program as having more civic under tones. Everyone tries to get better so we will all be better. It was less about the how earning the distinction might look on a college application. It was more about being healthy and strong so you could contribute to society. A seemingly quant idea that never goes out of fashion.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
February 23. 2023 - Greenwich Village
The Whisperers
As three women whisper nonsense to one another their dogs do the same and all the while the clouds whisper overhead trying to make sense of it all.
Shot on William F. Passannante Ballfield just east of 6th avenue and north of Houston street looking south with World Trade Center One in the distance.
Time 745am
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
Independence Day 1910—Ridgewood Avenue & Broad Street
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Made For & Inspired By RHS Alumni
2024 RHS Atheltic Hall Of Fame Inductees Banquet:
October 26, 2024
At The Brick House, Wyckoff, NJ
Social hour will again be 6:00-7:00 PM with a sit-down dinner and induction ceremonies scheduled for 7:00 - 10:00 PM.
The class of 2024 are:
Lynne Collazo Class of 1989 CC & Track
Tyler Rhoten Class of 2002 Basketball
Kelci Smesko Class of 2012. Lacrosse
Brett Sowers Class of 1994 Lacrosse
Patricia (Putnoky) Piotrowski Class of 1996
Gymnastics as Athlete and Head Coach.
Chuck Johnson Class of 1970. Head Football Coach.
Ticketing for Reservations will be available soon through our on-line reservation portal.
Visit the RHS Athletic 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
A collaborative effort by Ridgewood High School and the Ridgewood Public Library. The Arrow Yearbooks from 1898 through the 1940s are now online.
Digital archiving by Michael Culver, RHS 2002, and his firm 1Row.com
Mark Porro
A Cup Of Tea On The Commode
Arrived in bookstores everywhere on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023. Now save $3.15 on Amazon. Also available in eBook, Large Print, and audio book formats. Check it out here.
M + A NYC
Mighty Are We As One
Artisanal | Small Batch | Designed in NY
Shop home décor and wearable accessories at www.mplusanyc.com
Our Classmates
RHS Class Of 1974 Reunion
RHS Class of 1974 save the date! We are organizing our 50th Reunion (OMG!) for the weekend of September 20 to 22, 2024.
If you want to attend, please email us at RHS1974Reunion50@gmail.com so we can send you an invitation through RSVPify. No need to commit at this time.
James Stroker
Hope Coach
Ever feel like you’re just checking off tasks but missing the magic? ✨
Leadership isn’t about the tasks we complete but the inspiration we spark in others. This quote captures it perfectly: true impact isn’t measured by our achievements but by how we empower those around us to surpass their own expectations. It’s about the unseen influence that propels our teams to new heights, proving that the essence of leadership is not in directive, but in transformation.
Reflecting on those who’ve inspired us can be a powerful reminder of the kind of leaders we aspire to be. Here’s to those who lead by example and inspire greatness in us all.
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
Out with the old and in with the new. My February shop project this winter was a kitchen pub table that Jenni has been wanting for several years. Because our house is so full of furniture right now, the rule is that anything I make needs to replace a piece that’s already in the house. So we’re selling the old kitchen table and chair set on marketplace for $50, and replacing it with this new pub table and stools. The table I built. The stools we purchased from our local furniture store.
Mary Zisk ‘68
Around The Village
Opened in 1937, our Warner Theater has closed. My painting remembers pieces of the past—the vertical marquis that was removed in the 80s and a poster of the last movie I saw “Barbie”. My first movie in the 50s was “Around the World in 80 Days” and I sobbed at the end of “Old Yeller”. Thanks for the memories.
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.
Ridgewood Library Bolger Heritage Center
Ridgewood Play House
Douglas MacLean and Shirley Mason starred in "Let it Rain" which was released in 1927. This image is of the Play House which was located in Wilsey Square, Ridgewood NJ. It opened in November 1913 for social, civic affairs and movies. But it closed its doors in 1929 and never reopened as a theater.