Maroons Online Vol. 1… No. 93 Tuesday, November 29, 2021
“Bringing us all to a place we don't want to lose."
Observer: What Is Your Why?
Macky’s New York: The Seasoning Of Change
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame: Accepting Nominations
Paul Cortellesi On Cooking: Spaghetti and Meatballs
M + A NYC: Square Alabaster Tray
James Stroker: Words To Live By
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Superintendent's Column: Everyday Superheroes
Observer
What Is Your Why?
I had some help this past week with putting my own “Why” in words.
I can now rightly say that what gets me up in the morning these days is helping to bring RHS alumni to a place in their past lives they don’t want to lose. The “How” is through a web site & Ezine. The “What” is called Maroons Online.
Our team of volunteers has been working on this remotely for almost a year. We have had no conference calls, and created no slack rooms, or Trello boards. Not that we couldn’t or that these are unimportant, only that it’s been unnecessary.
To date, asynchronous communications has been enough. In a world that is constantly demanding to know what we are doing in real time, and at all hours of the day, good to know that Email and Chat can still get things done.
The lack of the more intense forms of communication utilized by for-profits & non-profits alike has contributed to our making Maroons Online greater than the sum of our individual contributions. It took me a lifetime to grasp this idea and my hope is that the coming year we’ll see it grow and improve.
We are always ready to read your suggestions and act upon them. Thank you for being with us for the ride and providing joy along the journey.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
November 23, 2021 - Washington Square
The Seasoning Of Change
The coldest day of fall so far and I had to stop on my way to the cheese shop admire the crisp beauty - the "seasoning" title has to do with the leaf in front of me that looked to me like a turkey - I guess a few days before Thanksgiving...everything I see starts looking like a turkey - what can I say...Macky likes his turkey and his stuffing and his gravy...lots and lots of gravy.
Shot looking north with arch.
Time 930am.
#ny1pic
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
Christmas lights coming out....
West End Ave....
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Accepting Nominations
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame Nomination Form
Visit The RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame Open 24/7
Paul Cortellesi On Cooking
Spaghetti and Meatballs
We had a wonderful, but far from traditional Thanksgiving.
Our turkey was earlier in the week, courtesy of Quakertown NJ Fire Company-91 Fire/Rescue so we were able to dispense with the norm and change out the menu with some comfort food for the college boys.
Spaghetti and meatballs. We made a simple marinara last night and baked the meatballs. This morning we combined them so they could spend 8 hours on low heat melding together. The pasta was Hazan’s standard: 4 eggs, a dash of salt, & 2 cups of 00 flour. The trick is to have a very dry dough, any stickiness will muck up the extrusion.
A wonderful day that left much time for togetherness.
M + A NYC
Square Alabaster Tray
Simple and elegant, M + A's alabaster tray is where form and function co-exist with one stunning slice of sheer white alabaster. This is one of our most versatile pieces and can take turns as an elegant serving platter and then alternately hold your most cherished trinkets. Ours are made and finished by hand. You can actually see marks where the tools and chisels were.
Made in Agra, India by master artisans
White alabaster with some occasional white threads
7" sq x.75"h
Care:
Alabaster is a soft, porous stone. Wash with gentle dish soap. Dry with a soft cloth.
James Stroker
Words To Live By
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
Finally finished the clocks made from that old growth hemlock we recovered back in October 2020. Ended up with 5 mantle (box) clocks and 8 smaller clocks. That wood is very difficult to work with, because after sitting in the river for 140 years all of the resins leach out, so once the wood dries it splits and warps however it pleases. It's frustrating, but also very rewarding when you see the finished product.
Superintendent's Column
November 2021
Thomas A. Gorman, Ed.D. is Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools. For more information, visit the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.
Everyday Superheroes
Growing up, we all had superheroes that we admired and aspired to emulate on the playground or in our imaginations. With the first superheroes appearing in comics in the late 1930s, we witnessed ordinary men and women transform into beings of super strength, integrity, and compassion, fighting evil and helping those in need. From Superman to Wonder Woman, superheroes have continued to be popular for decades in many forms - comics, movies, and action figures. Many small superheroes probably even stood on your porch this Halloween hoping for a treat. These fictional characters possess many of the qualities and characteristics of “real-life” superheroes we encounter every day.
But who are these real-life superheroes? They are parents and grandparents, teachers and coaches, police officers and firefighters, doctors and nurses, neighbors and friends. Superheroes are all around us!
National Inspirational Role Models Month is a time to reflect upon and appreciate the many role models in our lives who set a positive example. Think back to those early formative years. We all have that special teacher who immediately comes to mind when reminiscing about school - the teacher who went above and beyond to help when we needed it. Some may think fondly of a neighbor who warmly invited them in for milk and cookies when they forgot their key and had to wait for their parents to get home. Others may remember when a grandparent patiently took them for driving lessons, which probably caused a few more gray hairs.
Each day, over 5,600 students enter the doors of our schools, and each year, they spend approximately 1,125 hours in school, not including the many hours engaged in co-curricular activities, athletics, and service projects beyond the school day. In the buildings, students encounter helpful office staff, caring nurses, committed principals, and devoted faculty. The entire staff of the Ridgewood Public Schools works to serve the needs of the children of Ridgewood and cultivate a rich and rewarding learning environment, one that will leave a lasting impact and nurture the characteristics of good citizenship.
Upperclassmen and older siblings are also important role models for younger students. They set an example of how to establish relationships with peers and adults. They teach what it means to be responsible and inclusive through their daily interactions. Each action, whether helping a student who is lost in the hall or tutoring a classmate in a difficult subject, can leave a positive or negative impact on someone else. Students are reminded to always act with kindness and respect, to lead by example, and to be a superhero to someone else.
During this month of Thanksgiving, the three pillars of action defined by the G20 Heads of State and Government Summit held in Rome at the end of October come to mind. People. Planet. Prosperity. World leaders came together to address, identify, and coordinate equitable responses to worldwide challenges as a result of the pandemic. This is an enormous task, one that requires a concerted effort and long-range plan.
In our interconnected, global society, it is essential that we all take steps that will benefit mankind and Earth in order to have a prosperous future. It is not only the responsibility of world leaders to take action. In our daily lives, we can help those in need in our towns and counties by volunteering at community-based organizations and donating to local food pantries - People. We can care for the environment by cleaning up our parks and adopting sustainability practices in our homes - Planet. We can support innovation and equitable opportunities in our schools and workplaces to bridge the divide - Prosperity. Imagine how much better our society and planet would be if everyone considered the future in the actions taken today.
Remember why you looked up to your favorite superhero. Remember the qualities of that character that inspired you. Then, put them into practice in your own life. Each of us has the power to be a superhero - in our homes, in our communities, and in our world.
—Tom Gorman, RHS 1987
Peace