Ridgewood High School - Class of 1973

Fairlawn Water Tower Update

2011-11-01T19:04:00.000-04:00

Nick Lagos has been in touch about the evening of the infamous Fairlawn water tower. Nick - great to hear from you and your perspective on that night especially since you were one of the lucky 4 to go to the top!

I will add more details here shortly. Nick gave me some info and I will get in touch with Scott Gutting for more.

Bob Haworth I need info from you too since you were there!

Watch for an update in a couple of days!

RHS Candids!

2011-08-09T23:49:00.000-04:00

Some RHS candids - well obviously some are from the yearbook - this is all designed to get you pumped up for the reunion! You never know who you might see! You'll be glad you came!

Above in front l to r: Anita Simos, Elaine Erickson. Back l to r: Beth Daly, Linda Eklof, Ellen Phillips, Cathy O'Neill, Beth Perdue. Photo used courtesy of Cathy O'Neill.

Above Darleen McGrath enjoying a smoke on "campus". Hey smoking was allowed during our senior year!

The bus pass - I think my homeroom was 232 and the bus was 259 - or vice versa.

Above Ridgewood's favorite bar - Espo's!

Above Barbara McCutcheon busy as work!

A great profile shot of Ellen Phillips - can anyone identify the other girl?

My Sister Ginny with 2 RHS Prom Dates!?

2011-08-09T23:31:00.000-04:00

My sister was popular and I do remember guys wanted to date her. I also recall my father chasing one such guy named Pete down our driveway! ("Black Pete" was the name my dad gave him!) Is one of these guys Pete?

Anyway, here's a photo of my sister's senior prom night - who actually took you Gin? Waiting on my sister to supply the guys names!

More 1973 Memories!

2011-08-09T23:23:00.004-04:00

Leslie Pope, Connie Snow, Kathy Stella and many others put a "Senior Memories" book together right before we graduated. Sometimes WE wrote the "bullet" memories and sometimes others wrote them for us.

Here's another sampling of individual memories:

Jack Wolfstirn - Getting up, One day without the BK, On the case.

Karen Eide - Her smile, School 5 days a week, Coming to school every day, A bear.

Scott Gutting - "Gut", Winning a track meet, A high hurdler, One painted Fairlawn water tower!

Lauren Ladd - Roof jumping, Dark corners, Having lots of real friends, Accepted and One large climbing type tree!

Carmen Maganelli - Burping, Minority groups, Carmen as Mrs. Joe Namath, Waitress at the Turnpike, One pair of farmer jeans.

Silly I know but its still fun finding this stuff! Kinda gives you a little look at what we were like!

5 RHS Girls with the Best Smiles!

2011-08-09T23:03:00.002-04:00

Actually I hate picking the "best" but you have to admit these 5 girls easily had (have) the best smiles - if you were hanging out with one of these girls - you were, well....happy! Hey 3 out of the 5 on the list are Glen School girls - we had the best! Hey I know - these girls weren't the only ones with the best smiles!

I didn't pick the guys - I'll leave that to one of the girls - Terri? You wanna take that?

Here are the girls:

Karen Eide

Ann Rimmer

Chickie Lynch

Jan Potdevin

Cathly O'Neill

Earth to RHS: Don't Lose Sight of Your History!

2011-08-09T22:59:00.007-04:00

I was recently passing through Ridgewood again and stopped by RHS to see what's been going on. There never seems to be a shortage of construction projects there these days. As I write this they're adding new stands on the visitor side of the football field which is nice but I fear it will obstruct the great view of the field as you walk along the wall on Heermance Place. The turf field looks great - though the heart misses the real grass (but not the drainage problems though!) They have construction fencing all over the place again - obviously I know this is temporary. I will make it there again next Saturday on our way to a family party so Jennie and I will be able to take more pictures!

Above are the new stands going in on the vistors side - needed but will it obstruct a nice view?

But this day - Aug 6, I wanted to show my daughter Jennie "our" courtyard (hey once you've graduated Ridgewood High School you always refer to it as "our this" and "our that"). We walked into the courtyard around back (a courtyard I fondly remember) and I was struck by how terribly different it looks - how wrong it looks. Its so cramped and is a hodge podge of modern tables and seemingly directionless - a mess despite construction. It also appears to be nothing more than a storage area, pass through area, etc. Granted there is construction going on but honestly there is simply no courtyard anymore - gone are the flowers and the reason for the courtyard in the first place. Look at the pictures in 1973 of what the courtyard looked like - it was condusive to meeting with fellow students or class officers about issues, studying outside during a free period and was pleasing to the eye.

Above is a photo of the "new" courtyard and student commons as it appeared in 1962. It was part of a huge expansion that included the new library above the commons, the new industrail art wing, the new gym wing and a renovated older building. Much thought went into what the end result would be and it succeeded.

Below are photos of the courtyard and student center as they appeared in 1973 - whether it was the winter or the fall you could enjoy the view of the courtyard from the student center and the classrooms above and in the good weather you could enjoy this great outdoor space to relax or study.

The landscaping too was a major appeal.

Above is a sunny view of the courtyard from inside the student center.

Above: leaving the student center or the "block" and heading to class.

Above: as many did, here is the Student Congress posing for a picture just outside the student center.

I realize the lack of space and the need to build as much as possible in what space you have but I hope the school doesn't lose sight of its history - an extraordinary history. Its a school in a town that has much to be proud of.

The old crossway to the industrial arts wing and the boys gym - the windows to the cafeteria are on the far left. I used to take auto mechanics in the industrial arts wing - I don't know why but I ended up not going - didn't cancel the class - just didn't go! Kevin Harper told me for weeks and weeks Mr Mitchell would call my name during attendance - "Flannery - Flannery - Flannery....he's not here Mr. Mitchell!" - it was pretty funny because he literally did that for weeks - I think on purpose - I was a mystery guy so he had fun with it - I finally caught up with him when I graduated and we laughed about it!

In August 2010 I made a trek down to meet up with John Wescott, Jim Ranton, Arne Olsen, Dave Burdick, Roger Sweeney, Fern Gomez and Dave Vanderbush. As told previously in this blog, Dave Vanderbush took us on a great tour of RHS before lunch - thanks again Rusty for arranging all of that! One of the things he pointed out was this gorgeous plaque - this huge heavily laquered, wooden plaque that listed the names of those RHS students who served in World War II. Apparently, this incredible piece of school history had made its way to the dumpster. This was all during another construction project last year - you know, out with the old, in with the new without pausing to say "Wait a minute, this is a piece of the school's history!" As with anything - wars, poiltics, local history - one can never forget the past in order to properly move forward to the future - forgetting can have devestating effects.

Well, Dave told us that a teacher actually saw this huge plaque near the dumpster and rescued it and found a place for it just across from the entrance to the cafeteria - allelujah! It is sad though that it takes the second thought or someone passing by the dumpster in order to save it.

Above is the World War II plaque (rightfully HUGE plaque) honoring RHS students who served during World War II. It was thrown away and saved and hung in a place of prominence across from the cafeteria.

Hey I was pro-RHS when I went there but am more so today. Obviously I understand the full-speed ahead-thinking but you can do that and still preserve history AND do new construction all while keeping the old RHS architecture in mind. Take the courtyard clock for instance - it's not in keeping with the look of the school and even if you like the modern look of the clock, there was really no imagination in its construction - not for a school with as rich a history as RHS. Yeah, I know I'm begging comments here I suppose but don't get defensive on me BOE! Hey having said all this you guys did a phenomenal job on the gym wing!

The clock in the courtyard - just doesn't fit.

Hey Board of Ed before I get sent protesting comments - don't take this all the wrong way - probably many of you didn't even grow up in Ridgewood - but no matter where you live the top priority should always be: grow but preserve - and that can mean architecture, a way of life, status as a town with top schools, limiting over-zealous growth, keeping a plaque - you've got a rich history Ridgewood - it doesn't cost any extra really - you don't even need a grant - to protect it!

UPDATE: the visitor football stands are looking nice!

The 1972 Football Banquet - Class of 1973!

2011-08-07T16:10:00.001-04:00

Our senior was capped off by a lot of things not the least of which was winning the NNJIL title! Here are some photos for the 1972 football banquet. The girls too!

Thanks Rusty Wescott for supplying these!

Above the committee - made up of all the dedicated dads!

Below, the players.

Nice job you guys!

First 40th Reunion Meeting Was Held!!

2011-03-10T16:22:00.002-05:00

Well we got together back in December for our first 40th reunion meeting - after all the laughs and inevitable memories and a few drinks we finally talked about places.

Attending were John Wescott, Frank Petrucci, Terri Dimodugno, Jack Wolfstirn and Rick Flannery (missing that day was Tom O'Connor). We met at the Village Grill in Waldwick. We will be meeting again in April! Frank is back in New Jersey!! Frank's another one of those ageless classmates - can you age please!

Hey you're not gonna want to miss this one everybody - its gonna be good! Teachers will be there too!

Above l to r front row: Jack Wolfstirn, Terri Dimodugno, Rick Flannery. Back row: John Wescott and Frank Petrucci.

Sharon Muster Where Are You? and Other Favorite Teachers!

2011-03-06T21:16:00.004-05:00

So I get to RHS - Sept 1970 - feeling as I always did with something new - intimidated! In a big school one moves in different ways - I was both nervous and psyched at the same time. Definitely up for it - hoping the food would be better than BF. Knowing we would finally meet up with everybody from GW. Many of those kids you already knew from baseball, church, scouts, etc. Despite my seemingly "wacky" outside appearance - army jacket, beads, etc - I loved being part of the RHS experience. Both friends and teachers would play a huge roll in my final public school years.

Enter Sharon Muster - Spanish teacher 10th grade. Sharon wasn't a hec of a lot older than us - she even at times seemed one of us - understanding and all the rest. Here was a teacher that was extraordinary to me. It didn't take long to realize that she cared about what she was doing - it wasn't a chore. She also cared about students who she thought also cared but struggled for various reasons. Sharon Muster followed my progress throughout high school - ended up watching me graduate on the football field on June 20, 1973 - and what a thrill it was that she was there. I must admit I had a bit of a crush on her!

Other teachers who were standouts for me at RHS were Judith Pinder (History), John McCutcheon (Asst Principal) and Robert Honsinger. These educators took a personal interest in my accomplishments (or lack there of!) and I appreciate it to this day! I was thrilled to find and hook up with Robert Honsinger on Facebook last year - I get a kick out of going back to 1973 in my mind and thinking how amazing it would be to walk into 1973-Honsinger's office and say "Hey, see you on Facebook in 40 years Mr. H!"

Mr. Mac - well he barked loud but what a caring educator! You'd want him for a friend, for a father, a brother - what an awesome man. Sadly Mr. Mac passed away years ago and Miss Pinder - well she must be around somewhere. Sharon Muster where are you? If anyone knows the whereabouts of "Miss" Pinder and Sharon Muster please advise!

Click on the photos to enlarge.

How cool would it be to have Honsinger, Muster and Pinder at the 40th reunion?

Who Said It? #1

2011-03-06T20:22:00.002-05:00

Alright guess which classmates said the quotes below. One hint for each. Good luck!

"Everything is funny as long as it happens to somebody else!" Hint: red hair.

"One man's insanity is another man's norm." Hint: a cheerleader.

The reunion will be here before you know it you guys! It's gonna be a whole weekend of fun!

Answers can be found in our yearbook.

Dear Graduating Senior................

2011-03-06T13:01:00.004-05:00

Among my papers (saved by mom!) - I found a mimeograph from May, 1973 signed "Senior Class Officers". It was the month before graduation - we were busy those last couple of months - another prom, getting our yearbooks, the graduation and the parties. The letter is too light to copy so I will type it here just as it was typed then.

How things change - it cost the guys $8 for their complete tuxedo - everything!

May 22, 1973

Dear Graduating Senior:

This letter is to help answer any questions that you may have concerning apparel for Graduation on Wednesday, June 20.

It has been traditional that girls wear long white dresses and carry a bouquet of red roses. Guys have customarily worn white jackets with white shirts, red carnations, and black ties, pants, and shoes. This tradition will be carried on this year. It is up to the girl to supply herself with her own dress. Both guys and girls will be informed at a later date of arrangements made for the flowers.

The boys, if they'd like to, can rent all they need from Biltmore Tuxedos. Biltmore will supply white jacket, white shirt, black tie, black pants, studs and cufflinks. The complete charge will be $8.00.

For your convenience, the man from Biltmore will be here tomorrow, Wednesday May 23, during tenth period and after school to measure the guys for their outfits. Please have your money ready tomorrow and if you pay by check please make it payable to Biltmore Tuxedos.

If you have any questions please see Mr. Gregg.

Thank You Very Much,

Senior Class Officers

Just a reminder our big 40th reunion is now about 2.5 years away - don't miss it!!!!

Extra Extra - The High Times!

2011-03-06T11:37:00.006-05:00

The High Times - a great school newsletter and monthly magazine. I'm not sure when it was started but it was always fun to read when we were at RHS! I have a couple of issues in my collection but wasn't smart enough to keep 'em all! If anyone has any issues from 1970-71, 1971-72 or 1972-73 - PLEASE let us know!

The issue highlighted here is our last one - from June, 1973. The staff was made up of Penni Reilly (Editor in Chief), Connie Snow, Dave Goddard, Jan Koper, Chris Muller, Evie Romm, Chris Li, Mary Jo Macchi, Fred Strype, Nancy Sullivan, John Frei, Holly Bogdanffy, Fran Recht, Mary Kiley. The staff was advised by Mrs. Carol Derven.

It was always filled with local ads. Among them of course were Perdue's Sport Shop which was incredibly supportive RHS.

Above is one of the many ads that RHS Hall of Famer Walter Perdue ran in support of our schools and our sports programs.

Above an ad run by our favorite after-games, after-school, after-whatever burger place - The Fireplace!

Featured at this writing is a great article by Managing Editor Connie Snow about William Leach - our longtime principal. Our graduating year - 1972-1973 - would be Mr. Leach's last. Also an article by Chris Muller about the retirement of longtime teacher Newell C. Gillan - he taught at RHS for 46 years! Finally the "Where Will They Be Next Year?" feature - which lists most of our plans for our immediate future.

Please click on the above article to enlarge it.

Above is an article by Chris Muller about longtime RHS teacher Newell C. Gillan. Please click on the above article to enlarge.

Above and below is the annual final issue feature "Where Will They Be Next Year?" - at the time, I couldn't believe it was about us - it all went so quick! While I attended Ramapo College, I did not finish college. In addition to Ramapo I also attended Pace University and Western Connecticut University. Please click to enlarge.

Note - if you use any images or writings from this blog please just credit where you got them from - thanks!!

Some Photos I Found!

2011-02-08T02:16:00.003-05:00

One feels funny posting pictures of themselves but here's a few I found from the archives! I have a home movie of our graduation too - I have to get it transferred - its great! I will post it when I get it done.

Rick enters high school! I can't believe I still have this card - wow was I a skinny kid then! The card was used for various things including the student store.

Above, Rick Flannery around junior year.

Above, RHS graduation day June, 1973. L to r: Mark Meneghin, Bruce Meneghin and Rick Flannery.

Above, Bruce Menghin and I graduation day June, 1973.

Above me before the graduation procession to the football field. I have always thought that our graduation was unique - to this day the guys still wear white jacket tuxedoes and the girls white gowns and roses - it had to be quite a sight to see 658 seniors make their way down from the ivy-covered walls to their seats.

Above, yours truly getting my RHS diploma from the superintendent, Principal Bill Leach and one of the best - John McCutcheon.

Graduation Nite and Senior Prom RHS Class of 1973!

2011-01-15T12:59:00.001-05:00

Here's some photos I took at our senior prom and graduation dinner! If anyone has any RHS Class of 1973 photos - of ANYTHING - please let us know. You can contact me at cmad@ntpLx.net. We will want to use a number of photos for a special booklet so please contribute!!!

Above - yes that is the one and only John Wescott senior prom night!

Above photo is Sal Furnari and the adorable Patty Van Lenten!!

Above is Brian Fawkes at our graduation dinner - where are you Bri?

Above is Patty Van Lenten and Sal Furnari senior prom night!

Above are l to r Kevin Harper and Pete Miles graduation night! Where are you Kev?

Above is Eddie O'Hara and Janice Casper senior prom night.

Above is Jeff Lockhart

Above is Paul Rypkema and Patti Woodhouse senior prom night..

Great shot of Brian Fawkes and Sal Furnari - what's in those glasses fellas?!

40th reunion 2013 everybody - you won't want to miss this one!

More from the Betsy Lerner Archive - BF Photos!

2010-12-07T23:50:00.010-05:00

More classics from the Lerner archives! Thanks Betsy! Ben Franklin Junior High!

Steve Bastek and Kim Rickenburg.

Jimmy Appleton and Tad Shepperd.
Karen Eide.

Anita Simos and Katie Knight.

Jill Neandross and Cindy Leather.

Lori Picozzi at her 8th grade formal - Ridgewood Country Club.

The RHS Bus Garage!

2010-09-01T00:33:00.008-04:00

Every school has something traditional tied to it - whether it be a long history of academics, sports, etc. RHS had many things but an annual ritual in the Fall was the painting of the bus garage (it was located right near the football field). As for myself, luckily I was there the night our senior class painted the garge.

In fact that friday night we were supposed to have a "rumble" with Paramus High School (a fight) - we didn't like Paramus much even though I dated a Paramus girl. They were clearly our new rival. They were known as the Spartans - who painted out part of the letter "P" so that it said "Fartans" in the center of their field - not Ridgewood!

Well they were supposed to come to our turf that Friday night and mix it up before the big game the next day. Yes - we beat them that year - in fact most of the football players in my senior class couldn't wait to go to The Fireplace after the game to strut a little! The Fireplace is a great hamburger place in Paramus - just over the border - and it's still there!

Well - while the rivalry was real, Paramus never showed up that night. Despite this, the guys painted away on the roof (McKee, Rodman) - while the rest of us waited on the ground for Paramus to show up.

While we waited and tried to direct things - Ridgewood police cars showed up from seemingly every direction - 3 or 4 cars - and spoiled our party. However one guy wasn't aware of what was going on below - Andy Rodman. Andy continued painting away until we finally got his attention - the police waiting for those on the roof to make their way down.

Above photo, on Paramus game day - the day after painting the gararge and waiting for Paramus to show up at our field! The night before the game, a ton of us met at the bus garage to paint it with the Class of 1973 colors - Willy McKee stands out at the top left corner of the roof!! Photo courtesy of Dave Burdick - taken by Charles Burdick.

Well Andy came down alright - he tried to come down with his paint can but succeeded only to drop his can of bright white paint right in front of a police officer - it splattered all over the guys uniform and shoes - you would have thought that Andy was a dead man but the cop calmly wrote Andy a summons and bill for a new uniform and shoes! It was pretty funny actually.

Sadly we came to find out that the garage burned down a number of years later - the fire abruptly ending a longtime RHS tradition.

Another staple at Saturday football games were the little wooden concession stands - well they didn't burn down - they simply got washed away in the brook behind the stands - the result of a heavy rain storm!

Above photo, 2 of our concession stands at RHS - these would eventually get knocked into the brook, washed away after a record rain. More landmarks gone forever. Watching the game somewhere on the Ridgewood side is me and Robin Sleeman - Class of 1974. Photo courtesy of Dave Burdick - taken by Charles Burdick.

In the summer of 2010, the grass football field became an artificial turf field - wow.

Petrucci & Wescott Catch Up!

2010-08-31T23:36:00.006-04:00

Above photo: Back row l to r: Mr. Yennie, Jerry Guarente, Tom Matte, David Porro. Front row l to r: Jeff Lacker, John Wescott, Frank Petrucci and Mark Graham. Where are the Graham's?

Frank Petrucci - when I met Frank I was convinced my Mom started me in school too early - I'm a November birthday and started kindergarten at the age of 4. Petrucci was a guy you looked up to at that point in your life - he was obviously more mature than I was and had it going on with the girls - which was always important!

Frank moved on easily in life - it always seemed easy for him. Everything he did impressed me. When we all graduated 6th grade (Glen School) and went to Ben Franklin Junior High School, I still felt behind these guys!

Recently Frank and John Wescott got together for lunch and to catch up on old times. Frank was easily one of those classic Ridgewood guys - he's doing what you would think he's doing - he has horses and lives in Florida and still looks great!

I had actually hoped to join up with Frank recently this summer but it didn't work out. He was recently up from Florida to take care of some personal business - unfortunately we missed each other but will catch up soon.

The point of these stories is that if you were RHS Class of 1973 you just have to be part of the reunions - there is no excuse to miss the opportunities to get together with these important people in our lives. After all this time, we're all past the "impress our fellow students" stage of the reunion drill. It's all about sentiment now - and if you give it a chance you'll be surprised how cool it is. Artie Brierley knew how cool it was..................

Anyway, John & Frank met up for lunch recently and I had to include the picture and update. There are still many that haven't even come to a single reunion yet - go for it you may be surprised!

August, 2010 - John Wescott and Frank Petrucci catch up recently. Frank I still want to know what "Granny and the wodka bottle" pertains to!

Another Mini Reunion - with Sweeney, Vanderbush & Gomez!

2010-08-21T21:58:00.010-04:00

I gotta hand it to Wescott - if you ask him, "Hey I wonder where Coach Sweeney is?" or "How great would it be to see THIS guy!" - just ask and you shall receive! On Sat August 21, 2010 we had yet another mini reunion - and this one was fun! Like most of these things, the time goes way too fast.

Above, from l to r: Jim Ranton, John Wescott, Arne Olsen and Dave Burdick - watching the 2010 RHS varsity scrimmage at Brookside.

Head Coach Roger Sweeney, Coach Fern Gomez, Coach and former Athletic Director Dave Vanderbush, John Wescott, Jim Ranton, Arne Olsen, Dave Burdick and I met up at RHS - (yeah I know I wasn't a football player) but John was nice enough to include me and what a blast! I wish I knew these guys better when we attended RHS.

Above, l to r: Coach Fern Gomez, Head Coach Roger Sweeney and Dave Burdick watching the varsity scrimmage.

While we waited for Coach Sweeney, Dave Vanderbush gave us a great tour of the old school - you name it and he took us there! He had some great stories - endless stories - you would think the coaches and teachers had more fun than we did at RHS!

Above, part of the Vanderbush RHS tour! The locker room has not changed at all except for the doors on the lockers - amazing! Like stepping back in time!

Once we hooked up with Roger Sweeney we headed over to Brookside where the current JV and Varsity teams were practicing and scrimmaging. Current Varsity football coach Chuck Johnson - RHS Class of 1970 - knew we were coming over and almost as soon as Roger Sweeney turned the corner, the varsity guys came running over and in single file individually paid their respect to Sweeney. It was honestly a classy moment in the history of Ridgewood sports and despite having my camera I neglected to take a shot of it - honestly I can't believe I missed it!

Above, Coach Johnson and squad took time out to greet Roger Sweeney - very classy! L to r: Roger Sweeney and Chuck Johnson who played for Roger and graduated RHS Class of 1970 and followed in Sweeney's footsteps!

We watched some of the scrimmage and decided to head over to "The Office" for lunch in downtown Ridgewood on Chestnut Street. The laughs were many and the things these coaches remember are priceless.

Above, some "Maroons"! From l to r front row: Coach Fern Gomez, Dave Burdick, Head Coach Roger Sweeney, Arne Olsen and Bob Groat. L to r back row: Stacey Williams, John Wescott, Jim Ranton and Rick Flannery.

Right before I left to come down to Ridgewood from Connecticut, I almost took with me an orginal 1972-73 RHS Maroons football jersey I happen to own - I came to have it in December of 1972. The jersey is number 44. Right before we left to head back home, Bob "Beep" Groat and Stacey Williams popped in. Bob Groat who was RHS Class of 1974, was a member of this championship team too (as was Stacey) and his jersey number was 44! The jersey I happen to have was his! Small world. He looks great as does everyone who came - there is something wonderful about revisiting old haunts and going back to your roots but when you do it with guys like were there today, its special. Thanks for including me fellas! Can't wait for more!

Above, Bob Groat's original RHS football jersey - fell off a truck in December, 1972!

John Wescott - thanks for making it happen!

For any classmates reading this blog - you have just got to make sure you come to the BF reunion in 2011 (yes GW is welcome too!) and you better be at the big 40th in 2013 - it promises to be amazing!

Cara Worthington Has Article Published!

2010-04-26T23:32:00.004-04:00

Recently Cara Worthington Fekula Hyson had a fascinating article published in American Diplomacy titled "The Lost Plebiscite: It's Still 1918 in Iraq". If you get a moment you can give Cara a shout (she's on Facebook).

Cara's come a long way since Franklin Speaking!!

Here's the link to the article:

http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/item/2010/0103/comm/hyson_pleb.html

Lot's of Good Things Happening!!

2010-04-26T22:32:00.007-04:00

Above is another RHS classic - James Saporito! What a class!

Well since we wrote about the championship and just since the mini reunion at The Fireplace John Wescott is fired up and searching high & low for long-lost coaches and students from our class! The man does not quit! Tom Nepola also has a few classics in his phone book! Just since April 18 - he has put several in touch with Dan Bradley & Willie McKee! Others include Coach Sweeney (yes Coach Sweeney!!). John has also located Dave Vanderbush, Reamer, Cobb and may get a line on LeBlanc. Patty Van Lenten has also been found - kissy face Patty! Sharon Muster where are you!?

"I can get you in a 4-door with ac, 8-track and fine leather seats for no money down!" Rusty is the man! Prom time at RHS May, 1973!

Our goal is getting bigger! Hey we might even be able to get Wolfstirn to wear a kilt to the 40th!

But don't forget the lead-in to the big RHS 40th is the BF reunion which we are planning! How cool would that be in the old gym - hey Mr. Yennie I'm not running laps around the BF field!!!!

We'll be posting classic names all the time - if anyone knows where people like Tim Stitzer and Bob Whitehead are - and so many others - let us know! Yes there isn't anyone we don't remember!

Just Getting Started! Fireplace Mini Reunion!

2010-04-25T12:28:00.004-04:00

Well, Sunday April 18 some classic guys got together. First at The Fireplace for lunch then later for dinner at Smith Brothers! Other mini reunions are planned too! We were a class of 658 but we are a tight bunch and getting tighter! Despite us all being different we all have the great bond of Ridgewood, NJ and RHS!

Calls were made to Dan Bradley & Willie McKee while at The Fireplace and the guys had a blast! Messages were left with Hopewell and Molyneaux too! C'mon you guys this reunion is irresistible!

Above at The Fireplace Sunday April 18 l to r: Assistant Coach Fern Gomez, Arne Olsen, Jim Ranton, Jack Wolfstirn and John Wescott.

Later at Smith Brothers l to r: Tom Nepola, John Wescott & Jack Wolfstirn.

Come to The Fireplace on Sunday April 18!

2010-04-15T23:44:00.005-04:00

I know this should have been posted a couple of weeks ago but some of us are meeting up at The Fireplace for lunch then dinner at Smith Brothers! 12:30 Sunday April 18!

Thanks to John Wescott's relentless digging he has recently located Paul Attella, Paul Vinroot, Jim Ranton, Arne Olsen and Tom Nepola! Jim and Arne will be at the Fireplace and Tom is supposed to stop by on his way home from the airport!

Hey everybody - Class of 1973 40th reunion is gonna be a blowout! If John keeps this up we're gonna find a lot of people who have been out of the loop!

Ridgewood Maroons Take NNJIL Title 1972-73!

2010-02-15T17:09:00.003-05:00

Coming soon Rusty Wescott and I will be posting the story of the great 1972 season when the Maroons captured the title! There's lots of great details! Are you guys gettin' psyched for these reunions yet or what!!?? "Clobber the Cutters" "Pulverize Paramus!" "Go Maroons!"

Some Memories & Class of 1973 Candids!

2010-01-25T15:16:00.015-05:00

It's funny how when you're 15, 16 - you think everything is an eternity - you have all the time in the world! But it's amazing to think that this year (2010) it has been nearly 37 years since my classmates and I graduated Ridgewood High School in New Jersey! Having said that - its 3+ years til our 40th reunion you guys! Its a big one and we have to try and get as many to attend as we can - please get in touch with us so we can keep you on the list and keep you updated as we get close - you can email Tom O'Connor, Terri Dimodugno, John Wescott or me - Rick Flannery (see bottom of the blog). Enjoy the photos and check back for more photos and stories! There's no excuses to miss this one - you have more than 3 years to plan!

If you have photos or memories of RHS please email me - Rick Flannery - so I can add them here!!

Where are you Chickie Lynch?! Chickie is among the clssic kids from RHS - who didn't like Chickie? Always smiling - always happy. Chickie was voted Best Smile senior year. The senior memory book remembers this about Chickie: "Squeaking like a mouse, Drinking on school nights, Chickie driving a chopper, A liberated woman, Meem's potent drinks and two moldy pancakes". You gotta come to the 40th Chickie!!

l t r: Greg Rodgers and Peter Offringa - probably in the cafeteria. The senior memory book says this about them. Greg: "His movies, History, Greg without his hair, Movie critic. Pete: "Trying to find the back door, Peter is a happy little boy, Pete not BSing, Bouncer in Hob Nob, One bambino.

Who could forget Linda Struse - make sure you put the 40th reunion on your calendar Linda!! According to the memory book: "Her Fluffernutter sandwiches, Boring weekends, Linda not complaining, The clean-up woman, One wilted flower from my junior year."

Doug Gardiner hitting the books in the library...........

Principal Bill Leach shopping the student store - assisted by Holly Bogdanffy. The senior memory book says this about Holly: "Virgin ears, Ho-Hokus jokes, Me being arrested for littering, The world's happiest person, One ton of recycled trash."

Despite the rain the cheering must go on! Jan Potdevin at a very rain-soaked football game - probably the infamous Hackensack game! The memory book says this about Jan: "Her laugh, There aren't any good guys, Jan without a smile, Professional cheerleader, My saddleshoes."

On the left (l to r) is Cathy O'Neill and Fran Whelan - Cathy says the girl sitting across from them was only at RHS a short while - does anyone remember her name? Senior memories for Cathy: "Her smile, Public speaking, With rotten teeth (the rest is cut off in the book - sorry!) - Fran: "Wetting my pants, Hey Sonny!!!, People asking me why I can speak english, Me without my teddy bear, Another scuzzy."
Our Senior Class Officers!

Class of '73 Goes to RHS - 1970!

2010-01-21T01:29:00.004-05:00

Leaving the 60's and you're only 14 years old entering high school! High School for us was 10-12 grade. When I was 14 years old I had a lot of stuff going on - struggles with school in general, lack of confidence but not a lack of personality - I don't mean that to sound conceited cause its not intended - I was obviously insecure but yet loved where I was at. Music was huge for me though I didn't pursue an instrument. And always there was baseball - playing with my friends but unable to find the courage to try out for the high school team.

Leaving Ben Franklin Junior High - I was more ready to leave BF than I was to leave 6th grade for BF. We joined up with the junior high across town - GW - which basically doubled our ranks - 658 kids in my graduating class - that was a lot of kids when you started out in grade school with about 40. We also had already hooked up with the kids from Hohokus (9th grade). Amazingly I knew a ton of people and liked to think that I was friends with everybody I knew - I liked everybody - jocks, greasers, geeks, - felt everybody had something to offer.

My sisters had gone to RHS so I knew about it and honestly was proud of being part of the Ridgewood school system and RHS was like a university - ivy-covered walls, brick, school spirit. Yeah even though I was a bit of a class cutter or attempted to act cool in an uncool way in 10th grade, I was psyched to be part of RHS.

10th grade for me was like 6th was for me in grade school but in a different way. I cut a lot of classes - headed up to Mama Rosa's or Renatos for pizza lunches - didn't like the cafeteria! Can you imagine? Who was I to be so arrogant? It was fun for a little while - from pizza lunches I would (a couple of us) head over to Adelson's records to check out the new albums, Drapkin's and mosy back to school. Well one day a couple of friends and I were on our way to Renato's - you know, carefree and feeling pretty good about our set-up. And all of a sudden a Ridgewood police officer - it may have even been Colleen McCarthy's dad even - I remember it being someone's dad pulls up next to us and told us to ".......pack your asses back to class fellas! I'll be right behind you!" You want to see a few guys who thought they had it together turn around and go back to RHS so quick! Turns out my teachers (I had the best teachers!) really were behind me - probably because of my personality - I mean despite cutting class, smoking and the rest, I wasn't an angry, moody guy - I was pretty happy and friendly and I think teachers like Miss Muster, Pinder - gave me way more than the benefit of the doubt. They actually protected me - some of the guys I was hanging with didn't get the same treatment.

Then one day after cutting most of the day and heading down to the Garden State Plaza - I arrived back in time for the second bus home. To get to the Garden State Plaza - we'd take the #35 bus from the Ridgewood depot to the Plaza - catch the bus back to the depot - walk back to RHS all in time for the school bus home! Well I was hanging out by the wall, smoking and talking it up waiting for the late bus when down the long steps of the school comes Mr McCutcheon - "Mr. Mac" - and it looks like he's heading in my direction. Well he comes right up to me and tells me ".....you've got a surprise waiting for you when you get home Mr Flannery!" My jaw dropped, and any sense of coolness dropped with it! Well I decided to skip the late bus and I slowly made the long walk home! Mr. Mac was easily one the best - and there were many - educators in Ridgewood. At this point in his career he was assistant principal and a damn good one. He was not interested in jumping from town to town - he had his career but like most teachers and educators back then they generally stayed in town. He knew every kid and he deeply cared for all of us. I swear if he hadn't cared so much I probably wouldn't have turned it around academically which I did by junior year - it kind of forced me to have a full boat of credits senior year but I aced everything!

Get Ready for RHS, GW & BF Reunions!

2009-11-09T18:43:00.010-05:00

Okay RHS Class of 1973 - coming fresh off a successful Glen School reunion on November 7, 2009 - see http://glenschool1967.blogspot.com/ - there is major talk of GW & BF reunions leading up to the big 2013 Class of 1973 reunion! We hope for the junior high reunions to be around 2011.

There are a lot of you out there that are impossible to find so we started this blog in the hope that you'll do a search and find us! Chickie Lynch, Mark Graham, Valerie Graham, Willie McKee - and tons of others - where are you guys?

The above photo - a classic for RHS Class of 1973 - this was an amazing feat and frankly an event that many of us wish we could have been a part of! John Wescott has located Scott Gutting - we are also in search of Nick Lagos & Chris Ferraro. There were some on the ground too - who was truly there that evening? Scott says that initials of the guys on the ground were also added to the tower. We want to send photos to guys to be signed. Please check in - cmad@ntpLx.net (Rick Flannery). (Above is original and property of Rick Flannery)

Too many classic memories you guys!!

We are starting a database that will include names, addresses & emails of everybody wanting to attend these 3 reunions. We are gonna push to have the GW & BF reunions at the schools themselves. The RHS reunion will be decided by the usual committee. Anyone willing to help out with these reunions please contact Rick Flannery at cmad@ntplx.net or Facebook. We obviously need someone from the GW class to step up and plan that one. We can facilitate getting the school to host it, etc.

We need photos too!

Points of contact are as follows: Rick Flannery cmad@ntplx.net, Tom O'Connor toc14@aol.com, Terri Dimodugno terridimo@verizon.net and John Wescott tooches@msn.com.