June 26, 1986

May 24, 2012 2 Comments

The following article was written by Ernest A. Rusch and originally published on June 26, 1986 under the Waves and Tidings column in The Leader, a former local paper in Ocean County, NJ.

As far back as a year ago we expressed a hint of concern on behalf of the Boy Scouts committed to Point Pleasant’s newspaper recycling drive on the first Sunday of each month.  One of the reasons that hint of concern came out was due to comments by volunteer veterans who worked on the four Saturday pick up program, those comments to the effect that the once a month Sunday drives by the Boy Scouts entailed some heavy work especially in the area of lifting.

We expressed that concern which had more to it than we realized in the hope that a town official involved in the overall recycling program might also want to look into it.  Instead, and we do not say this in disrespect, that town official, who is totally dedicated to the success of the recycling program, construed our column comments as a complete misunderstanding of the Boy Scout program and their supreme sacrifice in labor and time was the backbone of the scouting program here, there, and everywhere.  That was expressed in a real 4th of July letter to our Editor.

That town official and gentleman has worked too hard in bringing the recycling program to the heights it has reached and it is not our intention to undermine those superb efforts.  However, we perhaps can all learn by looking behind the scenes, learn that by a only once a month endeavor it can affect the whole of a scouting program.

Let’s take it right from the actions of those running or participating in the Point Pleasant Scouting program that includes that first Sunday of the month paper drive; go back over a year.

First we’re talking about Point Pleasant Cub Scout Pack 16, sponsored by Point Pleasant Fire Co. No. 1, which is the one handing the paper drive.  Right off the bat it is important to note that the age group for this Pack is six to eleven.  That is, of course, extremely important to note because one immediately sees that this group is not the regular elder Boy Scouts of America, but the younger lads leading into it.

That age bracket obviously leads to the need of greater supervision and protection which in the main comes from parents.  Also obvious is the fact under today’s economy that many of the mothers are also working mothers, and fathers, in many cases, are holding down two jobs or doing extra work of some kind.  They, nevertheless, are the ones, along with the youngsters, who must do that one day a month paper drive job compared to the other volunteers who have those four Saturdays to do the town’s recycling drive.

Many of those scout parents continue that Sunday job until 4 p.m. while the Saturday workers aim for a 12 noon finish.  Now, between certain safety factors involved on the part of youngsters that long Sunday does take away some time that must be devoted to the responsibilities of the scout program itself.

Now, a lot of us involved directly or indirectly in the scout paper drive have heard words of praise regarding the reward or monetary gain from the activity.  That has been acknowledged without question, as a matter of fact praised by those looking from the outside in.  Fortunately, however, the parents or those directly involved with this Cub Scout 16 saw the other side of the coin and it seems if they hadn’t taken the bull by the horns a change in the paper drive program would not have taken place.

They have gone on notice (by Mid-June) that the Cub Scout paper drive will be cancelled for the two summer months if July and August.  The paper drive will resume on the first Sunday of September (7th) at 9:00 a.m.”

The Cub Scout committee people responsible for this move and the bulk of activities explain the cancellation.  First is the summer heat, heavier traffic and additional people, the public’s summer activities or vacations and busier internal summer schedules.

The cancellation, a stand if that be the description, makes a lot of sense.  This additional up in the air discussion makes even greater sense.

The Cub Scout people have simply turned to the local Boy Scouts of America, the Scouts of the older age, with this question: “Scoutmaster, what about your troops sharing in this paper drive, even alternating every other month or you take extra months?”

We were privileged to be told a general idea of that conversation which took place early in June.  The program and commitments of the older Boy Scouts would not permit any action during the summer months.  The monetary returns of the paper drive program were not lost on the part of either group.  It was a matter of fitting in what could be fitted in without a grave disturbance to the requirements of the scouting programs.

For the time being, or at least the summer months, the paper drive concern for scouts is on the burner and while that is the case it is well to bring out that as soon as a difficulty was discerned on the part of the younger Scouts’ drive though of even a conveyor belt to assist that operation was studied, the decision on cancelling the summer part of the drive may have entered into its further stage.

As to the cancellation there are two points, no three, which might be appropriate.  One, and this is a personal surmise, that a technical feeling developed that the first Sunday in the Month paper drive by the Boy Scouts (without proper recognition that they were Cub Scouts instead of regular Boy Scouts) was an integral part of the town’s recycling program, that it was ordained, so to speak as if by ordinance.  We, ourselves, as did others, fell for the pitfalls of that surmise when we did not press further at that first hint of concern for the (Cub) Scouts under the program.

Two.  We are proud that the cross section of parental advisors in the Cub Scout program did not intimate or suggest any feeling of political pressure or exposure whatsoever.  They acted in the proper interests of the entire Scouting program.

Three.  We like the manner in which they made their decision to cancel the summer collections and the follow up.

And just in case we might mistakenly think those parental advisors were goofing off (besides the 88 persons who attended the Ringling Bros. Circus, Madison Square Garden, New York in May) here’s an idea of their summer program.  Annual Picnic, Sunday June 22 at Camp Zhender; Saturday, July 26th, Chartered Bus to Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Game; Putt Golf, July 16th and August 19th at Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk, Forman Ave.,; August 2nd, Wall Stadium, Car Races, all in addition to other June Activities.

Keep up the good work!

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April 17, 1986

May 10, 2012 Leave a comment

The following article was written by Ernest A. Rusch and originally published on April 17, 1986 under the Waves and Tidings column in The Leader, a former local paper in Ocean County, NJ.

Indirectly, we kept running across this young man’s path time and again.  We didn’t know him personally, still don’t, and outside of a telephone call we made about a week ago, which, of all things, turned out to be an interview, there was never a face to face encounter.

Yet, our paths kept crossing and there developed a natural urge to write about this young man, to simply confirm a creditability of a today’s youth as well as his family.

Our first crossing of this conversational path came about through his Dad, William Miller of Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority, the handling of the township’s water supply and sewer installations.

Almost since its inception of some fourteen years ago Mr. Miller has been the Authority’s chairman, this year, however, deputy chairman, and as such was always a gem in reporting on that institution’s remarkable progress.

Mr. Miller is a private builder, a well known one in the shore area, and for his convenience we usually had Saturday noon meetings for discussions on the Utilities Authority until late in February he casually mentioned that he would be tied up on Saturdays during March, “My son Brent, who is a senior at Brick Township High School, and I will be visiting colleges for the 1986 enrollment, hopefully one with a medical school attachment.  He wants to be a Doctor.”

Bill Miller didn’t elaborate any further, even say that there were difficulties in getting the medical school attachment, but warmth of his expression in both tackling the job before them throughout March pulsated beards of admiration.  How wonderful to see, feel, this father and son, son and family of today’s world working so closely together.  If it’s called “old fashioned” we love it!

Other crossroads came into play.  In one instance, it was the sound of music, our close friend and neighbor, Bob Johns, who had been the musical director of the former Point Pleasant Drum and Bugle Corps dropped by to tell us of his evening at the Point Pleasant High School in which it hosted Stage Bands, in competition, from near and far.  He, a reacher of the horns, particularly remarked about the trombone player of Brick Township High School, Chambersbridge Road; his name, Brent Miller and the winner of partial scholarship money for the Berkley School of Music, but mainly from Mr. Johns the delightful playing of Brent Miller.  The other crossroads quickly followed; we were doing a story on Dr. F. Pezarras, Point Pleasant surgeon, professionally of Pezarras Seidstein, Surgical Associates, 2200 Osborne Ave., Point Pleasant.  Dr. Martin Seidstein had recently sent a letter to the University of Pennsylvania recommending our Brent Miller to the college with an emphasis on the medical school.

The crossroads were no longer enough, arrows of Fate pleadingly pointed to the splendor of a reality, go, find that which is already accomplished and judge, not only from the point, but that which is also on the horizon.

Yes, Brent Miller, on the eve of his graduation, has retained a 96 percent average for his entire college preparation courses with a deep and profound interest in the sciences and biology, the study of which has led to his insatiable interest in the medical profession.

And during all those years young Miller has been a member of the older high school band, the stage band, he’s the trombone player.  He’s been playing the trombone since he was in Grade 6 of the Brick Memorial School.  And in spite of accolades for his playing he is still taking private lessons at home once a week for a half hour from Joseph Marshall, assistant band instructor of the high school.

And in spite of that marvelous 96 percent average in his studies, his wonderful stage band playing, he manage in his senior year to be a member of the Drama Club.  We asked him, “If it were to emphasize his stage band playing?”

“No”, he replied.  “It was to play a part and I received it in Once Upon a Mattress and currently I am in the play, Once Upon a Fling.  Drama, the theater, and what it reflects is an important part of life, if one would take the time to look at it that way.”

And with a better understanding we look back at the month of March,, the quest of Bill Miller, Dad, and Brent the son, in seeking an entrance, perhaps at first to the closest to a pre-medical institution of learning.  The miles, the time, reflects a reality not quite clear, not quite justified.  It is now a waiting list, La Salle, Philadelphia, Drew, Madison, NJ, Villanova, Phil., University of Penn, Rutgers and Princeton.

We may have missed one or two, but in almost each case there was a gesture of interest.  Not withstanding, we are not unmindful of how Ivy League connections can have that influence which makes such a difference.

When one talks to Brent Miller about scholastic subjects the two subjects of science and biology are as if imbred, both, of course, an integral part of the medical profession.  To help people medically becomes pronouned and when he talks of biological aspect there appears, at least to this writer, tat research and deep study will also be a part of his future life.

Long after we completed our story on Brent Miller and the warmer Spring started to throw its weight arund we fell into the depth of a short afternoon nap.  In the dream, there was Warren Wol coming up to use with a readied handshake.  “Mr. Retired Editor, so glad to see you at a Brick Township graduation.  You spotted something else besides the Green Dragons?”  His smile indicated his pleasure in seeing us, he was an old friend.

“Yes, Warren,” we answered.  “A Golden Dragon.”

******************************************

                Just up a piece of road in Point Pleasant Grandson Bill Phillips, age 8 and a third grade student at St. Dennis RC School, Manasquan, dropped by with his Spring school marks, all A’s and excellence in attitude and deportment.  If may have been the sound of the typewriter he’s heard so often but He’s always wanted to share his school work with Grand[a (better known as Ernie).  As if headed for the staff of the Washington Post he also brought along his story, “The Gold in the Lighthouse.”

“Once there were three kids who lived in a loghouse.  Their names were Dave, Jim and Randy.  One day they found an old lighthouse.  They remembered a story of a lighthouse and how there was lots of gold inside.  The boys went to investigate the lighthouse.

A mean old man lived there.  The boys didn’t know this.  So they went inside and found a chest of gold.  But the mean old man was next to it.  He didn’t see them.  They made up a pln.  One of them tip-toed up to the check and took it.  They ran up and up stairs.  They finally climbed the last step inside the lighthouse and were safe because there was an open doorway that left into a small room.

They found an open window with a ladder that led down to the ground.  They climbed down it and ran home.  The kids ran inside the house and locked the door.  They were safe.”

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November 15, 1984

May 7, 2012 1 Comment

The following article was written by Ernest A. Rusch and originally published on November 15, 1984 under the Waves and Tidings column in The Leader, a former local paper in Ocean County, NJ.

A number of years ago our editorial keys pounced out the suggestion and need for the formation of an American Mutt Association which would recognize the ordinary dog for its contribution to companionship and in some cases protection to individual owners.

At the time we did not proclaim it was our original idea.  We admitted to seeing a newspaper clipping describing such an action taken by an individual in the Midwest which appeared to be for the sole purpose of furthering a business enterprise.

Our purpose was otherwise.  Any proceeds beyond handling and distribution to the public were to be directed to the Animal Shelter, Brick Township (the previous name for the present Jersey Shore Animal Shelter), a non-profit organization devoted to the handling or adoption of animals specifically dogs and cats.

Verbally, the suggestion was well received by the organization but it did not have the means to pursue it, especially the preparation of a certificate and public distribution.  We, nevertheless, always felt it had a potential for additional income.

It could very well be that the popularity of bumper stickers expressing love for a dog or a particular pet has regenerated our interest, with the new name of the Center also suggesting a more progressive approach.

To that end we consulted Helen Phillips, home personal computer enthusiast of Point Pleasant, for suggestions of a formal diploma.  Interestingly enough, it also opened our eyes to what the new computer field has to offer in the area of announcement, greetings, or personalized messages.  The announcements can be either simple or picturesque and greeting cards while not yet in competition with Hallmark can be more personalized.

Mrs. Phillips’ first reaction to the diplomas format was that the flexibility in design was endless as far as the computer operation was concerned, that is should have final approval by the Jersey Shore Animal Center if it is interested.  We agreed with that concept.

For illustration purposed, she offered two of the possible many.  One diplomas type was in the form of a folded greeting card with the front page bordered and carrying six pictures of puppy dogs.  The wording: “This will certify that our dog, (dog’s name), is an accredited member of the American Mutt Association.”

All of the letters are naturally in caps and perfectly centered to give it a professional diploma look.  The entire concept is in black and white.

On the inner face card the doggie pictures are repeated and in centered capital letters the following “Proceeds over handling distribution costs of this diploma will be donated to the Jersey Shore Animal Center, 185 Brick Boulevard, Brick Township, NJ.”

A single page diploma concept is also bordered and carries the six doggie pictures.  While all letters are in caps and completely centered the print type face varies effect.  The reading, “All American Mutt.  Be it known that, (name of dog), is a certified member of the Jersey Shore Animal Center Mutt Foundation dedicated to the care of his less fortunate brothers and sisters.”

No, cats are not forgotten.  There’s a diploma suggestion for the All American Feline bordered with kitten pictures.

You know, all this talk about dog recognition is not all foolery.  We have an idea that even Sandy of the Annie comic strip Little Orphan Annie will be making a contribution to the American Mutt Association.

In any event, we rest our suggestion for final consideration by the Jersey Shore Animal Center but it does not preclude our taking advantage of the opportunity to commend all those associated with the Center on the wonderful job they are doing in a world that mostly cares less for animal friends.

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Waves and Tidings Articles

May 3, 2012 Leave a comment

I possess a few editorial articles written by my grandfather, Ernest Rusch, that he wrote under his title “Waves and Tidings” for many years for local Ocean County, NJ paper, The Leader.  Ernie has long passed on, as well as the Leader, but I hope to share these articles under the blog named for that title he wrote under for so many years.

Reading through these articles you grasp a sense of his thoughts, some of the simplicity and joy he found in writing back in the 1980’s.  He wrote for many years before that, but it has been hard to come by those writings.  Ernie found great joy in writing about issues that were important to him, such as the environment, animals, people trying to make a difference, and most importantly, his family.

These articles are like a time capsule as some of what he writes about predates what we are used to today.  The first article I will post talks about using computers to communicate with, and to design and create documents.  This was a suggestion of what was to come.  Today we can’t imagine life without computers.  Back then, it was just Ernie and his typewriter.  He would never have heard of a ‘blog’.  I hope you enjoy the articles as I am able to post them.

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Waves & Tidings – The Beginning

May 2, 2012 Leave a comment

As a child, some of your greatest moments are spending time with your grandparents. And for a grandparent, some of their greatest accomplishments are having grandchildren. Their lives are generally simpler and they have already raised their children. For them, grandchildren bring them the joy of youthful exuberance, without the responsibility of their own children. For us grandkids, it’s a chance to take a break from the parents.

At the time, you might take some things they do for granted, such as my grandma’s cooking. She made the best grilled cheese and also soft-boiled eggs. Any chance my siblings and I had to go to their house, we fought over who got the first servings from grandma.

Then there was our grandpa – who preferred to go by Ernie because grandpa made him feel old. With Ernie, it was all about the big game. My brother and I would sit with him any chance we had to watch the Giants, Yankees, the Olympics, or whatever game was on TV. I won’t even discuss the dance contests my brother and I held for Ernie. None of it mattered whenever my sister popped in, as we always lost Ernie’s attention to his favorite granddaughter.

As I grew older, I became more fond of who my grandparents were as children, adults, and parents. What was their story? What symbolized their lives and what sort of legacy did they leave behind? The cooking, the dancing, the games, and the joy for their grandchildren were all great, but as years pass by you think about the other things you remember that made them who they were.

The first thing that comes to my mind is what made Ernie who he was. It was his typewriter. That typewriter symbolized so much about whom he was and what he accomplished. I remember every week watching Ernie sit at that typewriter, listening to the sounds of that classic machine that we all take for granted. Hearing the keys and typebars tap, and watching the artistry of his typing skills. Who even owns a typewriter anymore, let alone use one? Everyone has a computer and laser printers.

He was born Ernest A. Rusch back in 1913 in the Bronx, NY to a Hungarian father and Irish mother. It was there where he quickly had to learn that if he wanted something, he had to earn it. He had to work hard for anything he wanted, and he did. With only a high school diploma, a drive to succeed, and an outgoing personality, Ernie rose to the ranks of senior management in New York’s big shipping industry. He was one to talk and share his knowledge and would write many industry related articles throughout his career, including published articles with Railroad Magazine.

Ernie had previously moved to New Jersey with his mother, where he would meet my grandmother, start a family, and eventually settled on the Jersey Shore, where he would eventually retire to. He did anything but retire. Ernie became very involved with his family and in the community, including taking over as editor of the local newspaper, The Leader. It was here where he created his own column to voice his opinions and share his values on life outside of typical editorials. Thus, Waves & Tidings was born. These articles were meant to be so much more than opinions, as many times they involved articles about good deeds, community events, and a lot about his family. This included articles about us grandkids.

With his great personality and such an intriguing position, Ernie created many close relationships and always had a story to tell. His voice was valued greatly in the community, and it was no surprise to see so many pay their respects at the time of his passing. At the time of his passing, I had the honor of completing a running story he was working on. So having previously written under his column, Ernie’s love for people, his values on life, and the talent he possessed on his typewriter have motivated me to restore the Waves & Tidings column.

Times are different now, and I am nowhere near the man Ernie was, but I can hope someone finds the same joy in my writings as many found in Ernie’s for many years. I can only hope as his grandchild that I make him proud.

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