Monday Thoughts Of Randomness

There’s no doubt what the last-minute Mother’s Day gift of choice had to be….plants and flowers. Driving around this weekend you saw gridlock at just about all of the Garden Centers and getting in and out and parking was not easy.

I don’t know how many Career Day programs I’ve participated in over the years but I do know that among my favorites is the one at East Dover Elementary School in Toms River. This past Friday I spoke to Mrs. Ardis’ 5th grade class and the 4th grade students of Ms. Betz and I had a great time. Well over 100 guest speakers shared their experiences and careers with the students throughout the day.

Wednesday night the Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 44th Annual Dinner Dance in the View Restaurant at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. I will have the honor of serving as Master of Ceremonies for the evening which will honor attorney Harvey York, Toms River Superintendent of Schools Michael Ritacco and the Lakewood BlueClaws. In addition Jim DeAngelis of the BlueClaws will officially take over as Chairman of the Chamber from Domenick Servodio, whose tenure comes to an end.
You can still purchase tickets to the gala by calling the chamber office at
(732) 349-0220.

The more things change the more they remain the same. The Ocean County Baseball Tournament started with 17 teams and three of the final four are from Toms River. This afternoon, two-time defending champion Toms River East faces Class B South champion Manchester at Toms River High School South. Tonight Class A South king Toms River North will take on Toms River South at Toms River High School East. The winners are scheduled to meet in the Championship game Wednesday at FirstEnergy Park.

The Ocean County Softball Tournament has also reached the semifinal round with Brick Memorial causing quite a stir. The 15th seeded Mustangs had won only one game all season before beating both Toms River North and Toms River South Saturday to move into the semifinals against Lacey. In the other half of the bracket top-seed Toms River East will face Jackson.