Growing up on Ridge Street and attending
Ridge Street School, graduating in 1977, brings back many memories.
I understand that the houses on the block will be torn down to expand
and replace the old building! That building guarded by these lovable
gargoyles who scared most of us because we felt the eyes moved.
I remember the teachers, especially Mr. Ferrara who drove a Blue
'73 Vette, he was a favorite of everyone. He left for a while and
stories were told of him being in the CIA. He then came back with
a new Vette some years later. Other favorites were Mr. "C" who I
believe is still there, must be 35 years now, he made us all love
science and the annual science fair was amazing. He always had time
to help each of us a little.
Our gym teacher, Mr. Pecora who went on to become asst. principle,
used to make us exercise to an old record with the reprise of "go
you chicken fat go……". Then there was our principle Mr. Foti, the
nicest guy in the world but when he gave you the look, you knew
you were in trouble and knew you disappointed him (you felt bad
before he even spoke to you).
Who could forget pitching baseball cards in the school yard at
lunch or running from girls created game of "kick the boys". Of
course I ran with the popular gang of the time, led by John Venezia,
not the biggest guy but the toughest, Steve Nash, Rich Leuders,
Dave Massini. No one beat us in touch football.
We had the candy man Gary who would go home for lunch and come
back daily with a big bag of candy! The Good Humor guy used to be
at the corner after school and let you pay him tomorrow on hot days
when you forgot money. Everyone always paid him back!
But some of the best memories were AFTER School sports…..the playground
was run by Mr. Morris after school and in the summer. On rainy days….we
went into the gym for kick ball!. He had a crew cut and VW that
always seemed to back fire! We enjoyed when he went up on the roof
of the school each summer and threw down all the balls. We could
keep what we grabbed!
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