Saint Peter's Episcopal Church

Saint Peter's Episcopal Church and Cemetery in Freehold, NJ

Ho-Ho-Kus

Ho-Ho-Kus, April 2013

The Ho-Ho-Kus Brook

Retail strip mall along North Maple Avenue

Bradley Beach

Some scenes of Bradley Beach from the Summer of 1996:

Last days of the Devils in the Meadowlands

The Meadowlands Arena has always left a lot to be desired.

The building's exterior is dull, the interior cavernous.Its' very name has changed several times throughout the years, as if management isn't quite sure what it wants to be called. First it was the Brendon Byrne Arena, then it became Continental Airlines Arena, now it's called the Izod center. Certainly naming rights will change again once a sponsor with even more money to spend comes long.

The location is lackluster as well. There's no "there" there: the arena is not attached to any larger community. Rather it's plopped inside what is effectively a swamp, surrounded by parking lots the size of several football fields. There's no excitement similar to what fans might find at Yawkey Way before a Red Sox game.

When the Devils won their first Stanley cup in 1995, it became quite apparent there was no location for a ticker tape style victory parade, similar to what teams like the New York Rangers would have earned. Instead, the Devils settled for a spin around the arena parking lot. 

Eventually its' professional sports tenants moved out: the Devils to the Prudential Center in Newark, and the Nets to Brooklyn at the Barclays Center.

Here are some pics from one of the Devils last games at the then Continental Airlines Arena, versus the Philadelphia Flyers:

Ridgewood Library

In a day when other libraries are struggling, the Ridgewood Public Library is thriving. The library underwent major renovations several years ago. A recent visit found comfortable furnishings, flat screen computer monitors, automated doors, display cases for collections, a young adult center, and the convenience of wi-fi access through out the building. The library even features a small cafe, reminiscent what you might find inside a big box retailers like Barnes & Noble.

 

 

 

 

 

The Women's Club of Ridgewood

The Women's Club of Ridgewood was formed on March 7, 1914 to enrich the lives of women and children in the greater Ridgewood area. It still operates as a registered non-profit organization today, supporting charities in Bergen County and the surrounding area.

The organization's headquarters is located in a Dutch Colonial style house sitting on the corner of West Ridgewood Avenue and Monroe Street. The building features a weathered sand-stone facade and a gabled roof. It was constructed as a club house for the Women's Club in 1928 by New York architect George Koyl. Today the facility hosts a variety of events, included class reunions, weddings, and other parties.

Ridgewood Elementary Schools

Education is key to Ridgewood's identity. District schools frequently rank among the best in state rankings. Neighborhoods are often referred to by the local elementary school. Here is a look at the village's 7 elementary schools.

First is Glen School. It serves the one section of Ridgewood physically separated from the rest of the village by Route 17:

 

 

Ira W. Travell School serves the north- central part of Ridgewood, near the Valley Hospital.

 

Somerville Elementary School serves students in the central section of Ridgewood.

Hawes Elementary School serves the southern section of Ridgewood, bordering the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and the Saddle River. This part of town is also referred to as "The Lawns".

Now here's a look at schools serving the part of Ridgewood west of the NJ Transit rail tracks. 

The first is Orchard Elementary School. It sits quite close to the Glen Rock border.

Ridge Elementary School sits on an extensive property on the Midland Park border:

There are many playgrounds located on Ridge's extensive property:

Last but not least is Willard Elementary School, one of the oldest school buildings in the district. It serves the village's "Upper Ridgewood" section.