Posted on

“Return to Shandalee: 1969 and The Summer of Love” a book by Jeff Krizan, RHS ’69

unnamed

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, With all the discontent surrounding the pandemic and national politics I thought it would be a good idea to divert our attention to an earlier time for a fictional “coming of age” story that I wrote about Chris Bronson, a 1969 graduate of Ridgewood High School. “Return to Shandalee: 1969 and The Summer of Love” is partly set in Ridgewood, NJ with references to Valley Hospital, Woolworth’s, Ridgewood Avenue, Van Neste Park, and many other places and people whose names I changed. Anybody from New Jersey over sixty reading my book can understand the references to “the Jersey shore,” foregone Catskill resorts, antiquated summer camps, and the current events of the time. All others who first fell in love when they were teenagers will understand the angst of it all but should be comforted by the tale of the central characters and how it shaped their future. “Shandalee” is a 5-Star novel available through Amazon in Kindle or paperback. It should take your mind off 2020!

2 thoughts on ““Return to Shandalee: 1969 and The Summer of Love” a book by Jeff Krizan, RHS ’69

  1. I liked Ridgewood a lot better when we had Respectful republicans here instead of the Dopey NYC liberal new arrivals. I liked MacHughs, Winchells, Al and Harrys, Drapkins, Bobby Knapps, 3 local hardware stores, piccadilly, espos, brass lamp, wilsey pub and lots of other long time ‘institutions’ in town. I never once saw a political lawn sign or any other stupid lawn sign either. People had class.

    4
    3
  2. My Book speaks to all people, politics was the last thing on my mind in writing it. But, “Shandalee” is only a snapshot in time that the main character, Chris Bronson, spent in Ridgewood. My 50th RHS Reunion in 2019 was truly memorable experience, one couldn’t help think about all the places you mentioned! I even made time to stop by Wilkie’s “Little Store,” got a roast beef on hard roll, potato salad, and a Coke, then drove a couple of blocks to my childhood home on George Street, parked my car and had the best lunch ever! Yes, Ridgewood lives on!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *