Ridgewood neighbors hold block party
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
The “Salem Ridge” neighborhood association, uniting neighbors from across Route 17 since 1956, doesn’t mess around when it comes to its annual neighborhood block party, which has taken place on and off for at least 40 years.
This year, on Sunday, Aug. 7, the usually quiet, tree-lined street of Roslyn Road featured an inflatable slide, a dunk tank, a popcorn machine and a “Frozen”-themed bouncy house, all supported by a $35 family admission fee. Children were treated to a magic show, tattoos and face painting. A delicious-looking spread included barbeque standards, a giant sub and a seemingly endless dessert buffet.
“This year, we were supposed to have a photo booth,” noted Salem Ridge Association Co-Chair Randy Swickle with a chuckle.
As elaborate as the block party has become, it is just part of what the Salem Ridge Association does for its member families, who, since the association’s founding, have also never messed around when it comes to being a neighbor.
Organizers noted that the core of the block party, and the association, is still the same.
“It’s a family organization, to keep together and know our neighbors,” said Swickle, whose co-chair is Bob Brierly.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/salem-ridge-neighbors-celebrate-friendship-1.1086493#sthash.O6dSIa38.dpuf
Why don’t you have it at the schedler house? When is the Mayor going to do something? Is he waiting for his next election cycle so he can promise to fix it. This way you will vote for him again.
I am on the Salem Ridge Association Board of Governors, under the leadership of Bob and Randy and along with a handful of tireless volunteers. The block party is an impressive event for a such a micro-local undertaking. It means a lot to many of the neighbors, especially because we are an an increasingly young neighborhood, with lots of enthusiastic kids and parents. (I’m proud to report that some of our neighborhood kids work harder and smarter than the adults…)
To be honest, we don’t draw as much (yet) as we’d like from the adjacent Schedler neighborhood, but we always try and will continue to do so. There’s always the next year, the next attempt… Various past and present council members with various perceived points of view and/ or agendas, etc., have attended in recent years. They participate out of good will and there is no political tone at any point in the day. We residents see it as a gesture of good will and municipal support. With all the effort it takes to pull it off, it would be nice to think that this is one of the things in town that is still truly non-partisan and uncomplicated on that level.
It’s true that this neighborhood ( as well as this side of town) often does feel more mindful than others of the need to be our own best advocates. However, if no Council members showed up, would someone suggest that was also some kind of a Schedler statement? Let’s that angle go…
The Salem Ridge neighborhood is a vibrant part of this town. Our block party simply supports that assertion and the local government supported it/us…
Love Always,
Polly Anna
Hi, Is there a block party this year and if so when will it be held?
Thanks.