Closet of Fame

Closet of Fame

Spotlight On
by Clark Westfield
July 2012

It’s getting awfully crowded in the New Jersey Hall of Fame. What, you didn’t know we had one? Well we do, and the best and brightest among us, past and present, are being inducted each and every year. It’s safe to say that New Jersey has produced some spectacular human beings in every field imaginable; people with names like Einstein, Sinatra, Edison, Forbes, Robeson, Rizzuto, Whitman and Tubman. Here is the Hall’s mission statement: The New Jersey Hall of Fame was created to honor citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. The Hall of Fame reinforces the message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting significant and powerful role models and teaching young people about the voting process, the Hall of Fame is a source of learning, inspiration and hope for children. Fair enough. The abundance of famous inductees encompasses those ideals in every way. This year’s class included Michael Douglas, Coach Bob Hurley and Joyce Carol Oates, as well as deceased honorees Wellington Mara, Annie Oakley and Christopher Reeve. All talented individuals and humanitarians, and all worthy of this honor. But are we going to run thin in coming years? We got Springsteen and Bon Jovi. Who will be the next musical members? Lady Gaga is a Jersey girl. I would vote for her just to see her show up dressed as a giant Jersey Mike’s sub. Will Whitney Houston have a shot? Probably, but not without discussion. The Jonas Brothers? I shudder at the thought. What about actors? We already have Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. Who’s on deck? I vote Chelsea Handler, just to hear her acceptance speech. James Gandolfini is a famous New Jerseyan and Rutgers graduate, and if he wants in, who’s gonna stop him. Ditto for Joe Pesce. I also want to make a case for my buddy and Sayreville neighbor for co-starring with a chimp in “BJ and the Bear.” Writers? Well, he may not be in the literary stratosphere like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Toni Morrison, but who doesn’t love Stephen Colbert? Scientists? Didn’t the guy who invented Viagra come from New Jersey? And in the field of sports, along with the already inducted stars like Carl Lewis, Althea Gibson and Bill Bradley, how about a big shout out to Christie Rampone, a standout women’s soccer superstar and World Champion winner who just happened to learn her skills on the recreational fields of Point Pleasant? Better her than Dennis Rodman, although he could rival Lady Gaga for sheer fashion mayhem.

All in all, we are a great state with many truly deserving individuals. But how long can that last? Years from now, we are going to be looking at the bank teller who’s drawer was never short, or the car mechanic who didn’t charge for tweaking that starter, or the guy who sings covers of Weird Al Yankovic tunes outside the 7-11 in Mahwah. The good new is YOU have a shot. Yes, you. With the truly great already accounted for, the bar will be steadily lowered in coming years so maybe to get inducted, all you’ll have to do is show up! So put up or shut up and do something that will make you “famous.” And for the record, the cast of Jersey Shore will NEVER be eligible.

More to come…CW

info@njenjoy.com

.

 

 

Comments are closed.