Phil Parker

Phil Parker
Basking Ridge was such a great community to grow up in. There was seemingly no crime, no homelessness, no drug problems. There was certainly no talk of stock market bubbles, housing bubbles, bubble this, bubble that. Nobody was trying to hack into your accounts. We probably thought the Bell & Howell projector and the mimeograph machine were high tech. I remember a faculty who tried and I hope succeeded in preparing us for the inevitable ups and downs that we all experience in life. Vietnam was still over the horizon but in short order would loom large. It was a unique time and place in our lives.
My first recollection, and this is a real stretch, is Kindergarten which for some reason I thought was at Oak St. School (I know some have said it was at the Presbyterian Church, and they're probably right). [John Houtz has confirmed that yes, indeed, Oak St. School did have Kindergarten classes - Editor] I think I sat next to Rory Molter. Nobody told me to wipe the peanut butter & jelly off my face for class pictures. My bad!
Ms. McCartney’s 4th grade class was a standout.
There were Cub Scout meetings at Jimmie Smith’s house which was right down the hill from Jan Faulkner’s house. Then there was Boy Scout troop meetings at the Presbyterian Church.
Learned to swim at Palmer’s pool.
Took ballroom dance classes which I flat out disliked in one of the church basements on Finley Ave. I think Jack Fox was in the class with me.
Went fishing with Rick Sohnle and and I think Scott Mahler. We thought we were in the middle of nowhere and out of the bushes walks a game warden. He gave us each a hefty ticket for not having fishing licenses. I think it was over $200 each which at the time for us was a lot of money. [Still is for me! - Editor]
My bus stop was on N. Maple Ave. between Madisonville Rd. and The Old Mill Inn. If I missed the bus in the morning, which was a frequent occurrence, I could always count on Mr. Whitaker driving by and picking me up. I may be wrong about this, but I think Mr. Meys would also pick me up sometimes.
Mr. Brasher’s “Analysis” class. For better or worse, it is probably the one thing that everyone will remember.
I was in Mr. Birnbaum’s classroom (that was my homeroom) when President Kennedy’s death was announced. One of those moments in life like the twin towers that is just so enormous, you can never forget it.
Then there was Ms. Nardone maintaining law & order in the RHS Library, Mr. Rodeman’s class, Mr. King’s trig class, and Mr. Ayers in driver ed. with his green Chevy Impala.
Remember ice skating at the various ponds in the area. Haven’t done that since.
And yes, the Christmas Eve caroling at the town center. They still do that? Wow!
I am absolutely amazed at the memory skills on display by my classmates. I thought I better submit this while there is still something original left to remember. Everything I write is subject to correction and/or anybody’s better recollection. Thanks Alan!!
My Very Best Wishes To All My Former Classmates