Rare Team Photo Unearthed

Ken "Casey" Clark is recognizable as the young man in the bottom row, second from right.

Ken Clark discovered a rare team photo when visiting former teammate and current father of two Pat Ginley in Anderson, Ind., recently. The photo was probably taken in 1974, when Clark and Ginley were enrolled as fourth graders in Edgewood School and played in a city youth league on a team sponsored by Dr. Pepper. In an amazing coincidence, the name of the team was "Dr. Pepper."

At the Doctor’s Office

caption: Natalie shows displeasure in this undated file photo.




The wheels were turning in Natalie’s little 16-month-old mind. She recognized the Doctor’s office and remembered the pain that comes from the good doctor’s treatment. She wanted out, so here’s what little Natalie decided to do: she furiously waved bye-bye to the doctor, hoping that would lead to his departure.

The Pumpkin Patch

Theo and Natalie afloat in a sea of orange (top). Theo and the friendly white-haired man.

Henry David Thoreau wrote many great sentences. Here, in my opinion, is his greatest: "I'd rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."

After our traditional Sunday breakfast at the Menlo Park Diner, the Clarks of New Jersey traveled to Giamarese Farm in East Brunswick, N.J., to pick a pumpkin for Halloween.

We picked a beauty – 19 pounds and shaped like an egg. We displayed our treasure on our porch, along with a brand new halloween sign we picked up at Home Goods in Woodbridge. The Halloween spirit lives at 56 Voorhees Place!

Note to editorial staff: The friendly white-haired man from the 2004 Pumpkin Patch pony ride continues to serve the community, expertly leading the Shetland Ponies around the little horse track. Can we get a picture of him up on the site? Thank you.

Philosophy Minor

Natalie Rose's interpretation of Nietzsche.

“That which doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger,” wrote Nietszche in his classic “Twilight of the Idols.”

Here’s Natalie’s take on that concept. For the past few weeks, whenever she was asked to reveal her strength, she would curl up her little hands into fists and thrust them toward the gods. Now, whenever she hears the word “strong,” she does the same.

Once More onto the Beach

Theo and Natalie, with the ruins of Asbury Park in the distance.

[Editor’s note: the authors have been busy expanding our day-care business and participating in lumber industry conferences. We apologize for the scarcity of new material.]

Marrianne Wilson, executive editor of Chain Store Age magazine, recommended Ocean Grove, N.J., for a day trip. So we went. (She also recommended “Z,” the French film of political intrigue from the late 60s, a recommendation for which I am thankful.)

We wound up in Bradley Beach, one town to the south, but for the sake of simplicity, future generations of Clarks will refer to the event as “Our Ocean Grove Adventure." Point Pleasant has the rides and the excitement, but Ocean Grove has the charm and natural beauty. We were almost alone, enjoying the wind, the waves and the miniature mountains of sand that formed near the breaking waves.

How about downtown Ocean Grove? It gives the exalted Stone Harbor, N.J., a run for its money.

There were some rough patches to the adventure. The wind blew the beach umbrella out of its foundation. Theo dripped ice cream in the fancy boutique. But Ocean Grove was good to us all, and we'll be back.

To Brooklyn Bridge

"O harp and altar, of the fury fused,
(How could mere toil align thy choiring strings!)
Terrific threshold of the prophet's pledge,
Prayer of pariah, and the lover's cry,--

"… O Sleepless as the river under thee,
Vaulting the sea, the prairies' dreaming sod,
Unto us lowliest sometime sweep, descend
And of the curveship lend a myth to God."

-- Hart Crane, "To Brooklyn Bridge"