Back To School

What more could you ask after a picture perfect Labor Day weekend? The answer would be to either be retired or on vacation to take advantage of what looks like the best stretch of weather we’ve had all year as this entire week looks fabulous. Since most local students don’t begin classes until Wednesday or Thursday I’m sure some will be beach-bound so here’s a word of caution. Lifeguards for the most part have packed it in for the summer so be careful on beaches that are not protected. We know all to well that it does not take long for a rip to put swimmers in jeopardy and parents should especially watch young children.
Seaside Heights is among the beaches that will have lifeguards working this week.

While students may not be back in school yet most teachers will be heading
to work today after a long summer recess.

The ocean water has been not only warm but very clean most of this summer which made the events of the last few days very disturbing. Garbage and even medical waste showed up in the water and some beaches were closed for a while before re-opening. All beaches have been ruled safe for swimming but I hope officials follow up on their promise to find the cause
of the garbage which probably came from North Jersey or New York.
It’s inexcusable and unacceptable.

I always have a tremendous feeling of sadness when leaving the beach on Labor Day and it seems as I get older that feeling gets magnified. You get accustomed to this lifestyle, at least on weekends, where you drink your coffee and read the paper while watching the waves and just like that it’s over. While September can be a great month for me and many others I left the beach Monday knowing that the summer is all but over.

The only positive about that is football season is here with the high schools and pros kicking it off this coming weekend.

They did not successfully defend their South Atlantic League Championship but the 2007 season saw the Lakewood BlueClaws again lead the league in attendance. The BlueClaws have won the league attendance title in all 7 years of their existence…a true testament to their staff and shore area fans.