From living two blocks from Montclair High School and three from George Inness, fifty years later, riding in a 110 inch stretched limo up to a signing as the first alumnus to ever write a book and have a signing at Centenary College, sitting next Mel Russo, wife of Tommy Russo (Class of 1956);my former classmate and now the Retired Chief of Montclair Township (who introduced me to a cold cut by the name of gabagool), in 1954, completing an entourage of nine for DEATH OF A BEBOP WIFE (Cadence Jazz Books)I again have to thank MONTCLAIR for giving me the opportunity to believe in myself and dare to dream and make it a reality.

I certainly never, ever would have even imagined that the graduate known as Rudie Rutan in 1958, from Centenary College for Women, would return in October of 2007, for a dinner with the President and the Provost, two radio interviews, and a reading before the town of Hackettstown, and students, as Grange "Lady Haig" Rutan. So I have to say a silent "thank you" to my wonderful son called "Hero."

A trip down memory lane due to the pull of The Pit Crew and all that it means to each and every graduate who was mentored by Butch Fortunato and Clary

Everything magical seemed to happen to me when I went to Montclair High School in the autumn of my teen-age life. l

When you are in tenth grade you are beginning your beguine so to speak; you are not a cheerleader, dancer, or a twirler but you could be in the band if you played an instrument, I did not.

So, to my utter surprise, one day a really lovely senior by the name of Pat Tupper, asked me if I would be the Montclair Bull Dog Mascot on the next Saturday home game. A bit in awe of this great opportunity as I had to not tell a soul and was sworn to secrecy after saying "yes" - I could not sleep and could barely do homework as I was told to cavort up and down the stands, do not be afraid to go up behind any of the football players sitting on the bench, cheer with the cheerleaders and march with the band. All of this excitement without saying I was "Peggy Rutan."

With my costume/uniform smuggled to me the night before, Saturday arrived in all that wonder of a magnificent fall day when clouds refused to smile and an azure blue sky sent down gamma rays of positive energy to Clary Anderson and Butch Fortunato's warriors with Aubrey Lewis: NUMBER 17 leading the players onto Woodman Field, carrying their helmets, walking a cadence fitting a funeral while the other team stormed onto the field looking like losers before the game even began.

Woodman Field on a gorgeous Saturday in Autumn was the magnet that pulled us all, like the hook of lightening, to the place where we all connected. Why when I was a sophomore in 1954, so long ago, I rented a bus to go to away games so all my new found friends could witness the wonder of Clary Anderson and Butch Fortunato coaching our Mountie Heroes. I didn't even need school approval or my parents to connect, I just did it. Surely my reward was having a birthday greeting on the matrix at Giants Stadium 21 years later...thanks Clary, thanks Butch and thank you bus company whomever you were!

Through all the seasons of my life I, as a child, growing up in Montclair, was believed, fought for and protected at all times. My parents were loving, and their hugs and kisses abundant. While I was the only child they took me everywhere in their cream colored convertible, with its rumble seat and red spoke wheels: on Saturdays and Sundays to see Daddy play tennis; to the Circus; to Edgemont Park to go ice skating; to Mountainside Park to see the Iris Gardens; to Eagle Rock Reservation to see the skyline of Manhattan; or into the City itself to see Broadway shows.