An Evening To Remember

It was pretty much a perfect evening Wednesday as some 250 people gathered for the Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce’s 44th Annual Dinner and Reception at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. The only thing that didn’t go as planned was the early-evening rain which forced the cocktail hour inside but it certainly did not mar the evening, which saw a terrific trio honored for their service and commitment to the community. Toms River attorney Harvey York received the “Joseph Citta Lifetime Achievement Award”
and some divine intervention as well. During the invocation Monsignor Sean Flynn of St. Joseph’s Church offered a small prayer for York’s beloved New Jersey Nets, who were facing elimination from the NBA Playoffs. It turned out their was magic in those words as the Nets pulled off a minor miracle with a win in Cleveland. York’s charitable work is only matched by his sense of humor and his lack of socks…although he did wear them last night.

Toms River Schools Superintendent Michael Ritacco was saluted as the Chamber’s “Citizen of the Year” for all he has done to make the school district one of the most highly-regarded in New Jersey. It was a bittersweet evening for him as he could not share the moment with his wife Sharon. Her father died earlier in the day and while she was missed the Ritacco clan was in full force, including grandson Gunner who looked very spiffy in a tuxedo.

To be in existence for just seven years and be honored as the “Organization of the Year” tells you all you need to know about the Lakewood BlueClaws. While winning the South Atlantic League Championship last season was the culmination on the field, the BlueClaws have been a hit everywhere else since day one. General Manager Geoff Brown accepted the award for the minor league baseball team and was grinning from ear-to-ear even before he got some hoped-for-news during the dinner. Reigning National League MVP Ryan Howard of the Phillies will make rehab appearances with the BlueClaws next Wednesday and Thursday as he returns to Lakewood, where he spent the 2002
season.

The Chamber Dinner also marked the official passing of the gavel from outgoing Chairman Domenick Servodio of Commerce Bank to the BlueClaws Jim DeAngelis.

The food and company were great and the speeches short which made for a wonderful evening.