v5-13-- RHS Distinguished Teachers
Long Overdue Recognition
The Ridgewood Maroon Vol. 5… No. 13
Monday, June 16, 2025
“Bringing us all to a place we don't want to lose."
Observer: RHS Distinguished Teachers
Macky’s New York: Life Eternal
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHSAA: Graduation 2025
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame: Portrait Gallery
RHS Arrow: The Online Home For RHS Arrow Yearbooks
Mark Porro: A Cup Of Tea On The Commode
M + A NYC: Mighty Are We As One
James Stroker: Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Howard Liverance: On The Up & Up In Ridgewood
Cindy Myer: Tribute To Rob Myer
Kathy & Ross Petras: You’re Saying It Wrong
Ridgewood Jamboree 2026: 80th Year!
Observer
RHS Distinguished Teachers
In much the same way as the Carroll Art Gallery honors long-time Ridgewood Public Schools teacher, Dennis Carroll, I propose that retired teachers from throughout the history of Ridgewood Public Schools be remembered outside the classrooms they primarily taught in. This could be done in words and or pictures. Maybe a QR code is all that is required.
The Distinguished RPS Teachers Ceremony could be a very generous ceremony and honor at least 50 retired teachers in the initial ceremony, and additional teachers added every year. I would include everyone who had ever worked in RPS schools as eligible for this honor.
What I am suggesting is some overdue recognition. An annual ceremony could be held during Homecoming Weekend with those teachers who can come in attendance. I would hope for an over-the-top kind of celebration with all forms of media involved.
Yes, it’s also time to resume the online posting on YouTube of speeches given by RHS Alumni Association (RHSAA) presidents at graduations and homecoming. Mark Kossick, current president of the RHSAA, is a wonderful public speaker. He should give more than the same tired speech his predecessors gave.
He has already shown us what a competent RHSAA leader is all about. When Mark gave Michael Culver a free hand to update what had devolved into a terrible RHSAA website, he demonstrated once and for all that the RHSAA has a significant role to play in the future of the RHS Alumni community.
In the end all Mark & Michael had to do was correct the numerous mistakes which had been allowed to fester. They erased years of bad memories and set the RHSAA on a new and more responsive course of governance. They clearly understand much more than previous leaders that it shouldn’t take years of complaints to remove hacked code from the RHSAA website or to make updates & corrections. Thank you for your kind attention.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
February 13, 2022 - Union Square
Life Eternal
As I head to New Jersey to attend a funeral...I stop and stare as the snow gently falls on me and at that moment...I could feel the glowing energy of all things once before and all things still to come rush through my heart and for that one second...I could see life eternal.
Shot at the 15th street transverse looking south.
Time: 10:15 AM.
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
First sighting! The new VW Van on Godwin Avenue.
RHS Alumni Association
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
RHS Arrow
The 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 2024 are now online.
Mark Porro
Arrived in bookstores everywhere on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023.
M + A NYC
M + A is a Lifestyle brand known for handcrafted, ethically made, modern home decor and wearable accessories. Artisanal | Small Batch | Designed in NY
James Stroker
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
Raindrops on a red peony.
Howard Liverance
Cindy Myer
Tribute To Rob Myer
One Last Move: A Tribute to Robert Myer
It’s been 20 years since Robert passed away, June 11, 2005. Sometimes I feel that time went by so quickly, but when I look back, it just seems so long ago.
Ridgewood Moving Services was founded in 1966, in a little office at the Elks Club in Ridgewood, with a truck and a couple of guys. The company provided all types of moves and employed every strapping young man that lived within the community, including Robert. Rob worked for the company for many years prior to us meeting in 1983. His aspiration was to own Ridgewood Moving one day.
Robert and I were married in 1985. I had a career in fashion and was very happy in that industry. In 1987, Robert and I bought Ridgewood Moving, under the corporate name of R. A. Myer Corp. Rob was always driven, ambitious, and went after what he wanted (including me).
Shortly after buying the business, Rob moved headquarters to an office/warehouse in Ramsey, allowing RMS to now offer storage to their customers. He slowly built the business, adding more trucks and equipment. In addition to building the business, Rob and I were building a family. In 1988, we had our first daughter, Melissa, and then in 1990, we had Samantha. They were 16 and 14 when their dad passed away.
Rob also excelled in sports and was quite the athlete, especially baseball. He played on several recreational teams around the community, as well as having a Ridgewood Moving softball team that lasted quite a while. Rob loved all the Philadelphia sports teams: the Eagles, the Philly, and the Flyers.
Throughout the entire football season, we would host Sunday parties with every TV on at full volume throughout the house. His love of sports was very apparent when you walked down into our basement, where you would find three large TVs all next to each other, watching several games simultaneously. Our family joke was when our daughters were young, you might find them downstairs watching Winnie the Pooh, The Care Bears, and The Little Mermaid all at the same time!...
Read the full tribute at https://loom.ly/FDYcOjQ
With love and legacy,
Cindy Myer
President, Ridgewood Moving Services
Kathy & Ross Petras
A compilation of musings to motivate and inspire readers in need of a quick pick-me-up. We all want to be the person who marches into a meeting brimming with self-confidence, unbothered by what others think of them right before making a killer speech. But all too often, crippling self-doubt creeps in. This book is a self-esteem boosting collection of pocket-sized pep talks from successful people in a multitude of fields, including Serena Williams, Stephen King, Helen Keller, Julia Child, and so much more—that will give readers a strong dose of self-assurance.
The RHS sister-and-brother bestselling writing and editing team, with over 5.2 million copies of our work in print. They are the authors of many word-oriented books like New York Times bestseller You’re Saying It Wrong, That Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means, and Awkword Moments, and they do a podcast cleverly (!) titled "You're Saying It Wrong" — about English, etymology, grammar, and language peeves — with NPR affiliate KMUW.
Ross & Kathy’s podcast: You're Saying It Wrong looks at what we get wrong—and what we sometimes get right—when it comes to this English language.
Ridgewood Jamboree 2026
80th Year
Dear Jamboree Friends,
Thank you for all your hard work. This year’s show, Viva Las Vegas, raised a record $294,600. The Jamboree Scholarship Fund announced the recipients of the 2025 Jamboree Scholarships at this week’s Ridgewood High School Senior Awards Ceremony. Forty-four RHS seniors will receive scholarships totaling $244,400. Some students will receive up to 25% of their expected college financial need after other awards from their intended college. The remaining $50,200 raised from this year’s show will be held in reserve for next year’s second-year scholarships. One student will receive the Jamboree 2025 Memorial Scholarship for volunteer service given during this year’s show. Additionally, $62,200 will be awarded later this month to 19 college students who will receive second-year scholarships. This is the fourth year that Jamboree has awarded scholarships to eligible students entering their second year of college. The second-year grant was added in 2022 in consultation with the RHS guidance department to help alleviate the financial burden on students as they continue their college education.
Jamboree continues to be the largest source of scholarships for RHS seniors, having paid almost $2 million in scholarships over the past ten years. These scholarships are need-based and available to ALL Ridgewood High School seniors who complete the application and the requisite uniform financial aid application. As one of the over 200 participants in the show, cast, crew, support and creative directors, you truly help to change lives for many young people in our community. This is the result of ALL our efforts. Each contribution is invaluable. Thank you. This is why Jamboree has continued to grow and prosper for 79 years. We hope that all of you will be back for our 80th show, Lights, Camera, Jamboree! in 2026!
Sincerely yours,
The Jamboree Board of Directors:
Ann Wheaton, President
Carolyn Mullen, Vice President
Jack McArthur, Treasurer
Rosie McCooe, Secretary
Michael Collins
Tom DeVita
Dianne Graham
James Sharo
My distinguished teachers from Willard: Mrs Leach (Kindergarten) Mr. Ricci, Miss Olsen, Mr Daly