Dads' Night 1995: Still On The Run At 51
Welcome to all of our friends and families to the 51st DADS' NIGHT SHOW! (The Second Greatest Show on Earth!) We've had lots of fun preparing for this year's show (and we're almost ready). We're happy to say the tradition is alive and well in Ridgewood.
Dads' Night began in 1944 at the Kenilworth School. (The old Kenilworth School was torn down about 10 years ago, and in its place is a home occupied by one of this year's chairman. In fact his dining room is about where the very first Dads' Night Planning meeting was held 51 years ago by those "visionary" dads.) In 1951 Somerville School replaced the Kenilworth School. Later, in 1966, Hawes School opened and the Hawes' dads naturally joined in the fun with the Somerville dads (the show hasn't been the same ever since). Somerville-Hawes Dads' Night is a time-honored and cherished tradition that sets Ridgewood apart from most other communities. Its probably the best example of what it means to live and raise your family in Ridgewood!j This tradition we are sure will live on for many more years to come. In fact, some of our dads in this year's show are "Kids of Dads Night Dads" of "long ago". (And some graduated dads are still hanging around backstage!)
A few months ago, a gentleman who now lives in Boston called to ask for memorabilia of the show from the early 1950's. He was looking for any old journals or other documents that mentioned his dad's name as his way of memorializing and honoring his dad's memory. This explains why Dads' Night has lasted so long and will continue well beyond we move on to a younger generation of dads. Its our love for our kids that brings us together and our wish to be part of their lives in school. We hope our kids will remember our show as did our friend from Boston. Its also our opportunity to meet other dads in town and to share a wonderful experience (and to share the cover charges of course!).
Oh yes, we do also raise money! Your generous support during the show, combined with revenues from our journal ads and other sponsorships, have allowed us to purchase lots of "wish list" items for both schools. Last year a group of Somerville Dads' Night dads installed the outdoor classroom/picnic area behind the school (their backs are better now, thank you). Hawes school received a donation of needed technical equipment from the dads. The show production is entirely self-funded, and we give 100% of the proceeds to the schools on an equal basis.
We thank the Home and School Associations of Somerville and Hawes schools for their continuing support of Dads' Night. (We thank our families for letting us out on Thursday nights!) We are very grateful to the advertisers in our journal, and urge you to support their businesses. (Mention Dads' Night.) We thank the Ridgewood community for its continuing support of Dads' Night. Most of all, we thank you for your support and for keeping the tradition of DADS' NIGHT alive! Now, settle back in your chairs, kick off your shoes, and enjoy the show!
THE SOMERVILLE AND HAWES DADS