Steve Power

In the summer as I remember, Joe Kunzmann, Rick Sohnle, Phil Parker and I, and maybe a few others, would help Phil's dad bring in the hay from the fields. It seems like we made $1.25/hour. At lunch time Mrs. Parker would put on a large farm dinner, like roast pork, potatoes, carrots, salad and for dessert, a freshly made pie. After that we would be treated to one beer each before going back to work.

The guys would sit at one table drinking our beer, and old man Parker sat at his own table. On that table he had a .222 rifle positioned with a sandbag for stability and a spotting scope. He would scan his fields with the scope looking for woodchucks to pick off.

As we were bailing earlier that morning, we had found a dead woodchuck from a previous days shoot. We got a stick and jammed it up his bung hole and then plugged him into the ground. So we were sitting there, sipping our beers, and beginning to laugh under our breaths as Mr. Parker began scanning his fields.

We saw his attention perk up as he came across our dead woodchuck. He then squeezed one off. The woodchuck took a the hit but didn't move. He shot again, the woodchuck still stood defiantly. He then adjusted his scope thinking he was too high or low, a few more rounds and the woodchuck still stood.

I think Mr. Parker was beginning to understand he had been had. He looked over at us and we looked away. He put down the gun and walked down the driveway and out into the field. We saw him kick the woodchuck out of the ground as he wagged his finger at us. By now we were laughing hard. What a kick in the pants!

We paid for it though. I think he cranked up the tractor to run a little faster the rest of that afternoon.

So that's my story of bailing hay on Parker's farm before this land would be changed forever in the guise of progress. It now only grows dweebs.

I would like to find Phil. [Connection was made! - Editor] He was in the small group of pals I use to hang with back in the day.

When we moved to New Jersey I was given the option of continuing in a Catholic school or enroll in a public school. There was no question in my mind where I would like to go.

I was so amazed when I arrived for the first days at Ridge High. No locks on the lockers, getting hit was not something I needed to concern myself with. I was not a good student, but was treated fairly and kindly by those in charge.

Later in life I discovered I have sleep apnea. Had this been discovered earlier in my life I think I would have been more alert and able to learn. In comparison to my freshman year, Ridge High School was a great school.

At times I wish I had been more involved. So many of you I didn't know then and certainly don't know now. I am about as far from New Jersey as I can get and still have my feet dry on the west coast of the United States.

At this juncture I would be surprised that I get back for this reunion. I do hope you all have a great time revisiting with each other. I am now retired and enjoying my later life. You can see my photography by typing my name on the Google home page.

Steve Power