artscap interviews... Kathy Ragauckas
ArtsCAP interviews… Kathy Ragauckas
By Pam Lamberton
Kathy is well known on Cookman Ave as she manages “Wish You Were Here”; already an institution on the Avenue as it is open ‘all the time.”
Kathy, what are you most well known for?
I’m a little bit of a trouble maker, mostly community involvement. I was on the Recreation Commission but I just didn’t have enough time after I was made Board President of The Center. I was also a founding member of AP|action. That is a group of volunteers who have tried to educate residents of Asbury Park about elections and the people who run in them. We interview the people who run and disseminate the information. There are a lot of part-time residents who vote here in Asbury Park but are really not familiar with candidates and issues. We have been criticized in the past for voicing our opinions so this most recent Board of Ed election we decided to step back and see if we were still needed.
And are you?
Oh yes, based on the very small voter turn out, yes.
What is something that a lot of people may not know about you, that you are very proud of?
I served with the Red Cross in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. As the hurricane devastation was unfolding on television I knew I had to go. I have lots of training (I was a Park Ranger for twenty years), I can drive a truck and I can cook. I went right to the offices in Tinton Falls and they signed me up. I had a few more weeks of training and then I was sent to Mississippi. I stayed at the Air Force base in Biloxi and drove food, twice a day, to Pearlington, Mississippi. I did that for three weeks and then I drove the Red Cross truck to Naples, Florida after Hurricane Wilma struck there.
You gave about two months of your life.
I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I still wear this red bracelet for the people in Pearlington.
After I came back I was changed. I couldn’t forget what I saw and what the people in Pearlington were going through. Everything here was just business as usual. So I decided to drive a truck load of donations down. I enlisted my parents, who are both ordained ministers. With their help and the kindness of many friends and neighbors (Bill and Patty Resnick were very generous), I filled the truck and my Mom and I drove down right before Christmas.
You certainly are busy. I can hardly believe you have time for it all since you seem to be here at “Wish You Were Here” most of the time. But let’s talk about art. Why do you think art is important?
Because it feeds the soul. Art includes pictures, music, sculpture…. I have a wonderful story to answer this question. During the time I was in Mississippi I had one day off. Some of us borrowed a car and drove to New Orleans. Along the streets garbage and debris lined the curbs. But some people were very creative. They painted the debris. They wrapped it like presents. One house wrapped a refrigerator as if to be mailed and addressed it to George Bush. Even in the devastation, it made you smile. When we saw that we knew the people who lived there would make it.
What art in Asbury Park is important?
The architecture. The Victorian homes, the library, the churches, Trinity Church, Holy Spirit.
Are you an artist?
No, but I did recently paint one of the rooms on our house! Seriously, our house used to be all white. Now we have a blue room. I did hang lots of photos that I have taken on vacations. I like to shoot underwater. I use disposable cameras, nothing professional.
Have you ever taught art?
No, well yes, sort of. When I worked with The Monmouth County Park System at one point I was doing Urban Recreation (in the Salvation Army Building here in the city.) I also did “Mobile Recreation” and traveled around the city. We were especially active in “The Spot” at the High School. Bob Mataranglo helped me with the kids to make wonderful murals on the walls of the lower level of the school. The kids painted, expressing a lot of different nationalities.
Are you an artist or a patron of the arts?
Definitely a patron. We have been selling the work of PJ Carlino since the store opened on April 1, 2008. (The store being “Wish You Were Here” which she owns with her partner Donna Harrison.) Donna is the artist. She is a culinary artist. She makes unique chocolate works of art, reasonably priced. She makes shoes, and all size boxes made of chocolate and will make specialties upon request. (732-774-1601)
How has business been here on Cookman?
It could be better. We need more foot traffic.
Can the arts help?
The Tri-City Arts Walk will be a big help. People, who don’t usually come here, from Red Bank and Long Branch, will come. No matter what your social station, rich or poor, people can appreciate art.
What is your favorite Asbury Park memory?
Sometime in the late 1960’s my Grandparents took me to the boat show at Convention Hall.
If you could change something in your past, what would it be?
I would have volunteered for The Red Cross a lot sooner.
What kind of car do you drive? Some people think you car says something about you.
A 1993 Buick that was my Grandmothers. It has 138,000 miles on it. It has great sentimental value so that does say something about me. I am sentimental at heart. And I really don’t care what other people think of me.
Do you have a website that you would like people to know about?
My sister, Rachel Petersen designed it. She lives here in Asbury Park too.
ArtsCAP can be reached via its website www.artscap.org