I can count on one hand with fingers to spare the number of times over the years that I have been asked to write a specific column on a specific subject. So, when I started running out of fingers at the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame ceremonies (and not from shaking hands, though I did plenty of that, too), I figured I better heed the suggestions of multiple attendees and write a piece on my observations and feelings on my induction day.
Obviously, I was elated at it all. If one needs an injection to boost your ego, this would be the cure-all to end all cure-alls—a wonderful, emotionally charged complete day and evening that I’m still replaying in my mind and heart.
It started at the high school pretty early in the morning, but they had coffee, so at least there was that. I also had to take in the fact that these perky kids are used to saying complete sentences, walking the halls of the high school, and learning things while the day is still young.
After a great breakfast catered by Rudi’s and a few cups of the black silk, I was ready to take my tour of the Buffalo Avenue edifice. My guides were called “Ambassadors,” and they knew their high school pretty much inside and out.
Let me say, if you old-timers (notice I left myself out of that equation) are worried about the younger generation, based on my team and their classmates, don’t be. These young women and men knew all about the high school building (there’s been quite a few additions since I walked these halls), the special classes that could be taken there, and their pride in all of that was pretty obvious.
That damn perky energy was again evident as I struggled (okay, not really struggled, but certainly was winded) as we went from hallway to hallway, room to room, and floor to floor (when did they add a whole floor?). But I kept up and knew that I would get a chance to rest at my next stop.
In correspondence with Manny Felouzis, the president of the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame, and Dr. Randy Rusielewicz, the high school principal, I had requested only one thing: that I would be able to get a chance to do a photo op with the staff of the school paper, theRed & Black—the very same paper that had started it all for me journalistic wise back when I was a student and learning from my teacher, the late Tom O’Grady. I wanted this “full circle” moment.
Instead, I walked into a large classroom only to be met with the entire staff and faculty advisor who grilled me. (Okay, it was really an interview, but there were certainly no “fluff” questions.) And so began some very insightful questions about the state of journalism, the future of A.I., and some of my own reflections of my column and hard-news pieces (always my favorite part). After that, it was time to take a break.
My wife, my girls, my sister, my aunt, my sister and brother-in-law and the two fellow Lions that had nominated me had all had the day off, but I welcomed them in the late afternoon (all but my aunt had graduated from PMHS themselves) for photo ops.
After a great meal by Carlo’s Pizza Oven, we were led to the auditorium, where all of the inductees received a wonderful video tribute set to music, and then the moment of truth came to be. I had to get up and give an acceptance speech.
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