I can’t tell you officially but it sure seems like we’ve had a lot of rain this fall and it makes me wonder how anyone can live in a place like Mobile, Alabama which is the rainiest city in the country. They get about 67 inches of rain annually and average about 59 rainy days during the year. Of course many of you thought Seattle, Washington was the wettest place in the U.S. but they actually get less rain then we do but they do have 226 cloudy days over the course of an average year. On the other side you have Las Vegas which receives only 4 inches of rain in a year.
Anyway to kind of get back to my point it sure seems like we’ve had a lot of wet days in the last few months and it really has a major impact on the mood of most people, including yours truly. I hate starting my morning by running out to the car in the pouring rain like I did this morning. I pull up to the drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts and as I open the window to order the rain is coming in to the car and the same when you pick up your coffee. It’s just a giant inconvenience and not the best way to start your day. The other thing that strikes me is how dark it is and it sometimes stays that way for the entire day. It’s really depressing and you often fall into this state of lethargy…isn’t that why people say “it’s a great day for staying in bed.”
On the other hand when the sun is shining you want to get up and get moving. You have that extra bounce in your step, whether at home or at work and it definitely affects your mood in a positive way. I really enjoy weekend days with sunshine, even in the winter. Put on a pair of shorts and go the gym in the morning, get a cup of coffee and head to the ocean. Sunshine is like a giant energy bar while the rain is like that feeling you have after eating way too much at a meal…you just want to take a nap.
The real dilemma is how to keep moving on a day like today when the weather is dark and dreary. The answer is to simply rise above it, put on a happy face and forge ahead. Or you can simply pull up the covers, ignore the alarm clock and go back to sleep. Good day for watching old movies.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Random Thoughts
Random thoughts on the Monday before Thanksgiving:
Brick Memorial is the only Ocean County team among the five from the Shore Conference who will be playing for NJSIAA sectional football titles in a couple of weeks. The Mustangs will look to defend their Central Jersey Group 4 title when they meet East Brunswick on Saturday, December 5th
at The College of New Jersey with kickoff at 3pm. TCNJ will also host the Middletown South-Monroe game that same day at 11am and the Manasquan-Matawan sectional final on Friday, December 4th (7pm). Toms River East and Lacey lost their semifinal games over the weekend.
If you went or attempted to go to the movies this past weekend you probably spent some time searching for a parking spot. That’s because people flocked to the theatres in record numbers to see “New Moon,” the second installment in the “Twilight” saga. The movie took in more than $140 million over the weekend, the third biggest opening ever behind “The Dark Knight” and “Spider-Man 3.” Second at the box office was another new move, “The Blind Side” which took in $34.5 million. We saw the movie, which is based on the real life story of Baltimore Ravens rookie Michael Oher, an uneducated and poor black teenager from Memphis, Tennessee who is taken in by an upscale white family. Oher became a football star in high school and later the University of Mississippi. The movie has some slow moments but is inspiring and a true rags-to-riches story well worth the price of admission.
One of the best things about this week is that college students have or will be coming home, many for the first time since summer. One of the worst things about this week is that college students have or will be coming home, many for the first time since summer. As a public service…be prepared, especially if they are freshman. You might wonder if they are the same kids who went away….the truth is they are not.
Brick Memorial is the only Ocean County team among the five from the Shore Conference who will be playing for NJSIAA sectional football titles in a couple of weeks. The Mustangs will look to defend their Central Jersey Group 4 title when they meet East Brunswick on Saturday, December 5th
at The College of New Jersey with kickoff at 3pm. TCNJ will also host the Middletown South-Monroe game that same day at 11am and the Manasquan-Matawan sectional final on Friday, December 4th (7pm). Toms River East and Lacey lost their semifinal games over the weekend.
If you went or attempted to go to the movies this past weekend you probably spent some time searching for a parking spot. That’s because people flocked to the theatres in record numbers to see “New Moon,” the second installment in the “Twilight” saga. The movie took in more than $140 million over the weekend, the third biggest opening ever behind “The Dark Knight” and “Spider-Man 3.” Second at the box office was another new move, “The Blind Side” which took in $34.5 million. We saw the movie, which is based on the real life story of Baltimore Ravens rookie Michael Oher, an uneducated and poor black teenager from Memphis, Tennessee who is taken in by an upscale white family. Oher became a football star in high school and later the University of Mississippi. The movie has some slow moments but is inspiring and a true rags-to-riches story well worth the price of admission.
One of the best things about this week is that college students have or will be coming home, many for the first time since summer. One of the worst things about this week is that college students have or will be coming home, many for the first time since summer. As a public service…be prepared, especially if they are freshman. You might wonder if they are the same kids who went away….the truth is they are not.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Weekend Preview
Toms River South makes its first-ever appearance in a boys soccer group final tonight when the Indians take on Clifton in the Group 4 Championship game at The College of New Jersey. Coach Ed Liebe’s squad has become the “cardiac kids” of soccer with last-second and overtime wins highlighting their state tournament run. In tonight’s 5:30 match-up they meet a Clifton team that has not allowed a goal in it’s five tournament victories and has reached the Group 4 final for a third straight year.
On the subject of soccer how can you not be impressed with what’s been taking place at Monmouth University. The Hawks outlasted Big East champion Connecticut in a shootout Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before more than a thousand fans on The Great Lawn in West Long Branch. Monmouth next faces Ivy League champion Harvard Sunday in Cambridge, Massachusetts where a win would propel them into the final 16 teams left playing in the nation. By the way, the Hawks will lose only one senior to graduation so there should be more good times in the future.
The NJSIAA Football Semifinals are set for this weekend with Lacey, Toms River East and Brick Memorial the only Ocean County teams among the 12 from the Shore Conference still alive for sectional titles. Lacey takes a 7-game winning streak to Timber Creek tonight in a South Jersey Group 3 matchup while the undefeated Raiders battle Egg Harbor Saturday afternoon in a SJ Group 4 game that will be played on the turf at St. Augustine Prep. Defending champion Brick Memorial looks to turn the tables on Howell when the teams meet Saturday night in a Central Jersey Group 4 semifinal…the Rebels winning a regular season duel 37-27 four weeks ago.
Our Shore Sports Network will broadcast tonight’s Central Jersey Group 2 battle between Manasquan and Rumson-Fair Haven. Kickoff is 7pm and you can hear the game on 105.7FM, 1160AM or at shoresportsnetwork.com.
The Cross Country season concludes tomorrow with the running of the Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park. Among the local runners to watch is Toms River North’s Joe Kotran, who won the Group 4 championship last weekend.
On the subject of soccer how can you not be impressed with what’s been taking place at Monmouth University. The Hawks outlasted Big East champion Connecticut in a shootout Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before more than a thousand fans on The Great Lawn in West Long Branch. Monmouth next faces Ivy League champion Harvard Sunday in Cambridge, Massachusetts where a win would propel them into the final 16 teams left playing in the nation. By the way, the Hawks will lose only one senior to graduation so there should be more good times in the future.
The NJSIAA Football Semifinals are set for this weekend with Lacey, Toms River East and Brick Memorial the only Ocean County teams among the 12 from the Shore Conference still alive for sectional titles. Lacey takes a 7-game winning streak to Timber Creek tonight in a South Jersey Group 3 matchup while the undefeated Raiders battle Egg Harbor Saturday afternoon in a SJ Group 4 game that will be played on the turf at St. Augustine Prep. Defending champion Brick Memorial looks to turn the tables on Howell when the teams meet Saturday night in a Central Jersey Group 4 semifinal…the Rebels winning a regular season duel 37-27 four weeks ago.
Our Shore Sports Network will broadcast tonight’s Central Jersey Group 2 battle between Manasquan and Rumson-Fair Haven. Kickoff is 7pm and you can hear the game on 105.7FM, 1160AM or at shoresportsnetwork.com.
The Cross Country season concludes tomorrow with the running of the Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park. Among the local runners to watch is Toms River North’s Joe Kotran, who won the Group 4 championship last weekend.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Ocean County College Athletic Hall of Fame
The Ocean County College Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its latest class last night at a dinner at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. Denise Stusnick Rosetto, Rene Roncin Nani. Kerrie Haskamp Farkas, Danielle Riebe Rosinski and Malcom Reed bring the number to 35 of former Viking athletes honored for their contributions while wearing the Green and White.
The committee also saluted its first Team of Distinction, the 1985 Women’s Field Hockey squad that gave OCC it’s first-ever National Championship.
13 of the 17 players from that team were on hand last night along with Hall-of-Fame Coach Sue Stusnick, who traveled from Florida to reunite with the players who 24 years ago beat Becker College of Massachusetts to win the title. Stusnick year in and year out produced great Viking teams but unfortunately the sport was dropped because there were not enough schools that fielded teams in the Garden State Athletic Conference.
As I have for the previous five ceremonies I served as Master of Ceremonies and some 150 people turned out to honor the former OCC greats. College President Dr. Jon Larson welcomed those in attendance and Athletic Director Ilene Cohen presented the new members with their awards which welcomed them into the Hall of Fame. Those wishing to nominate a former athlete, coach or contributor for consideration in the future can do so online at ocean.edu.
The results of WOBM’s Biggest Loser competition are in and congrats to Account Executive Mike Mangan, who not only lost the most weight (21lbs) but also dropped the highest percentage of his original weight to win the first prize. Yours truly came in second with 18 pounds dropped in 7 weeks. Among others, newscaster Jason Allentoff shed 18 pounds and Sue Moll, lost 12 pounds. We all lost weight and had a lot of fun doing it.
The committee also saluted its first Team of Distinction, the 1985 Women’s Field Hockey squad that gave OCC it’s first-ever National Championship.
13 of the 17 players from that team were on hand last night along with Hall-of-Fame Coach Sue Stusnick, who traveled from Florida to reunite with the players who 24 years ago beat Becker College of Massachusetts to win the title. Stusnick year in and year out produced great Viking teams but unfortunately the sport was dropped because there were not enough schools that fielded teams in the Garden State Athletic Conference.
As I have for the previous five ceremonies I served as Master of Ceremonies and some 150 people turned out to honor the former OCC greats. College President Dr. Jon Larson welcomed those in attendance and Athletic Director Ilene Cohen presented the new members with their awards which welcomed them into the Hall of Fame. Those wishing to nominate a former athlete, coach or contributor for consideration in the future can do so online at ocean.edu.
The results of WOBM’s Biggest Loser competition are in and congrats to Account Executive Mike Mangan, who not only lost the most weight (21lbs) but also dropped the highest percentage of his original weight to win the first prize. Yours truly came in second with 18 pounds dropped in 7 weeks. Among others, newscaster Jason Allentoff shed 18 pounds and Sue Moll, lost 12 pounds. We all lost weight and had a lot of fun doing it.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tales From The Playoffs
The Toms River South Boys Soccer team had its end-of-season banquet last Thursday but there was a slight problem…it wasn’t the end of the season.
On an evening that is usually filled with awards and honors all of those in attendance were really more interested in what would happen the following day when the Indians would play Lenape for the South Jersey Group 4 championship. South, in customary fashion would score a late goal in regulation and then prevail in overtime to claim the sectional title. I say in customary fashion because since tournament play began late last month this team has shown an uncanny ability to score dramatic goals late and I mean very late to win games. Last night the cardiac kids of soccer found themselves on the other end but responded anyway and are now a win away from the state Group 4 title…something unthinkable just a couple of weeks ago.
Memorial Field in Neptune was the site of a Group 4 semifinal between the Indians and their cross town rivals Toms River North. The Mariners had won both regular-season meetings on their way to claiming the Class A South title and entered last night’s game with a 16-2-1 record. North took a 1-0 lead but Dan Crashewsky’s goal and two assists gave South a 3-2 advantage and it stayed that way for much of the second half. However the Mariners used late-game lightning to send the game into overtime when Tanner Sica scored with just 22 seconds left in regulation. How would the Indians respond to the situation of their opponent carrying momentum into overtime? Their fans would not have to wait long to find out because Crashewsky, who has performed like an All-Star player in the post-season
scored less then two minutes into overtime to send the maroon and white into a delirious state. Crash, Steven Petrosino, John Nogiewich & Sean Casey now have one game left this season and that is Friday night when they face Clifton in the Group 4 Championship game at The College of New Jersey. Don’t think everyone at Toms River South is happy with this fact…as a matter of fact they’ll be some disappointed young ladies. You see while the Indians are playing this “ultimate game” they’ll be getting ready for the Homecoming Dance. They’ll have to excuse their soccer playing dates for missing pictures….hopefully they can make it in time for the last dance.
On an evening that is usually filled with awards and honors all of those in attendance were really more interested in what would happen the following day when the Indians would play Lenape for the South Jersey Group 4 championship. South, in customary fashion would score a late goal in regulation and then prevail in overtime to claim the sectional title. I say in customary fashion because since tournament play began late last month this team has shown an uncanny ability to score dramatic goals late and I mean very late to win games. Last night the cardiac kids of soccer found themselves on the other end but responded anyway and are now a win away from the state Group 4 title…something unthinkable just a couple of weeks ago.
Memorial Field in Neptune was the site of a Group 4 semifinal between the Indians and their cross town rivals Toms River North. The Mariners had won both regular-season meetings on their way to claiming the Class A South title and entered last night’s game with a 16-2-1 record. North took a 1-0 lead but Dan Crashewsky’s goal and two assists gave South a 3-2 advantage and it stayed that way for much of the second half. However the Mariners used late-game lightning to send the game into overtime when Tanner Sica scored with just 22 seconds left in regulation. How would the Indians respond to the situation of their opponent carrying momentum into overtime? Their fans would not have to wait long to find out because Crashewsky, who has performed like an All-Star player in the post-season
scored less then two minutes into overtime to send the maroon and white into a delirious state. Crash, Steven Petrosino, John Nogiewich & Sean Casey now have one game left this season and that is Friday night when they face Clifton in the Group 4 Championship game at The College of New Jersey. Don’t think everyone at Toms River South is happy with this fact…as a matter of fact they’ll be some disappointed young ladies. You see while the Indians are playing this “ultimate game” they’ll be getting ready for the Homecoming Dance. They’ll have to excuse their soccer playing dates for missing pictures….hopefully they can make it in time for the last dance.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Playoff Time
80 teams from New Jersey high schools will converge on Monsignor Donovan High School today for the 5th annual Gateway Toyota Academic
Challenge. The participating schools will come from seven counties to take part in what’s become one of the largest academic competitions in the state.
Since 2005, Gateway Toyota of Toms River has donated $25,000 in support of the event with the sponsorship money used to run the tournament and also
provide scholarships for the winning teams and top students.
Four Ocean County soccer teams have won state sectional titles and look to take another step towards overall group championships when they take the field tonight. Much of the attention will be focused on Memorial Field in Neptune, the site of the Group 4 semifinals. At 5pm the Jackson Memorial girls will face Lenape and following that at 7pm it’s an all-Toms River battle
for a spot in the boy’s championship game as North takes on South. The Mariners swept both regular-season meetings on their way to the Class A South title but the Indians are riding a wave of last-second victories in tournament play. Meanwhile the Point Boro girls are playing Hopewell Valley at 5pm today at Toms River North in the Group 3 semifinals.
It’s been an incredible season for the Monmouth University men’s soccer team and they begin the next journey on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Championships. The Hawks are coming off winning the Northeast Conference Tournament and are currently ranked 8th in the national rankings. Monmouth has drawn Big East Regular Season champion Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA’s with the game to be played on the Great Lawn Thursday at noon. The winner gets Harvard in the second round.
Freshman Derrick Russell collected his first college dual victory to help the Bucknell University wrestling team defeat North Carolina after losing close matches to Virginia and Virginia Tech earlier in the day at the ACC Challenge in Chapel Hill. Russell, wrestling at 125 pounds, is a former standout at Jackson Memorial High School.
Was anyone surprised to hear Governor-Elect Chris Christie say Monday that New Jersey’s fiscal situation is worse then even he imagined? Sounds like even rougher times are ahead.
Challenge. The participating schools will come from seven counties to take part in what’s become one of the largest academic competitions in the state.
Since 2005, Gateway Toyota of Toms River has donated $25,000 in support of the event with the sponsorship money used to run the tournament and also
provide scholarships for the winning teams and top students.
Four Ocean County soccer teams have won state sectional titles and look to take another step towards overall group championships when they take the field tonight. Much of the attention will be focused on Memorial Field in Neptune, the site of the Group 4 semifinals. At 5pm the Jackson Memorial girls will face Lenape and following that at 7pm it’s an all-Toms River battle
for a spot in the boy’s championship game as North takes on South. The Mariners swept both regular-season meetings on their way to the Class A South title but the Indians are riding a wave of last-second victories in tournament play. Meanwhile the Point Boro girls are playing Hopewell Valley at 5pm today at Toms River North in the Group 3 semifinals.
It’s been an incredible season for the Monmouth University men’s soccer team and they begin the next journey on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Championships. The Hawks are coming off winning the Northeast Conference Tournament and are currently ranked 8th in the national rankings. Monmouth has drawn Big East Regular Season champion Connecticut in the first round of the NCAA’s with the game to be played on the Great Lawn Thursday at noon. The winner gets Harvard in the second round.
Freshman Derrick Russell collected his first college dual victory to help the Bucknell University wrestling team defeat North Carolina after losing close matches to Virginia and Virginia Tech earlier in the day at the ACC Challenge in Chapel Hill. Russell, wrestling at 125 pounds, is a former standout at Jackson Memorial High School.
Was anyone surprised to hear Governor-Elect Chris Christie say Monday that New Jersey’s fiscal situation is worse then even he imagined? Sounds like even rougher times are ahead.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday Musings
After viewing the damage Mother Nature did to some area beaches it’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of money to get them back in shape. So much sand moved that it looked more like snow with boardwalks and roads covered and what was truly amazing were the piles that resembled drifting snow banks. I had to walk up what appeared to be about a six foot
hill just to get on the 2nd Avenue beach in Seaside Park Sunday as this nor’easter really pounded the coast. There were many people who rode over to see the effects of the storm and I’m sure plenty checking on summer houses. By the way I understand the importance of collecting revenue but enforcing parking meters on a Sunday morning in November is greed….plain and simple.
Sometimes you just have to wonder what people are thinking. Yesterday I stopped at a local convenience store to get a cup of coffee and I was greeted by a young girl in a cheerleading outfit who was tagging outside the store.
She was not representing a school or youth team as it appeared to be some independent group and there was no indication of what exactly she was raising money for. However that was not what struck me buy rather she was very young…maybe 5-6 years old, had her hair done like one of those beauty contestants and was wearing a mid-driff which exposed her stomach. So am I a prude when I say that I didn’t find it cute but rather sleazy?
The Ocean County College Athletic Hall of Fame will induct several new members Wednesday during a dinner at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. The newest class of Hall of Famers is made up of swimmer Kerrie Haskamp Farkas, field hockey and track standout Rene Roncin Nani, former basketball players Malcolm Reed & Danielle Riebe Rosinski and three sport athlete Denise Stusnick. In addition the 1985 National Championship Field Hockey team will be saluted. I will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event and for information you can call (732)
255-0494.
hill just to get on the 2nd Avenue beach in Seaside Park Sunday as this nor’easter really pounded the coast. There were many people who rode over to see the effects of the storm and I’m sure plenty checking on summer houses. By the way I understand the importance of collecting revenue but enforcing parking meters on a Sunday morning in November is greed….plain and simple.
Sometimes you just have to wonder what people are thinking. Yesterday I stopped at a local convenience store to get a cup of coffee and I was greeted by a young girl in a cheerleading outfit who was tagging outside the store.
She was not representing a school or youth team as it appeared to be some independent group and there was no indication of what exactly she was raising money for. However that was not what struck me buy rather she was very young…maybe 5-6 years old, had her hair done like one of those beauty contestants and was wearing a mid-driff which exposed her stomach. So am I a prude when I say that I didn’t find it cute but rather sleazy?
The Ocean County College Athletic Hall of Fame will induct several new members Wednesday during a dinner at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. The newest class of Hall of Famers is made up of swimmer Kerrie Haskamp Farkas, field hockey and track standout Rene Roncin Nani, former basketball players Malcolm Reed & Danielle Riebe Rosinski and three sport athlete Denise Stusnick. In addition the 1985 National Championship Field Hockey team will be saluted. I will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event and for information you can call (732)
255-0494.
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