Tuesday Quick Hitters

A bunch of quick hitters on a Tuesday morning that’s supposed the mark the end of an unusual early season heat wave:


Steve D’Onofrio certainly knows the meaning of the word “challenging” as it sums up his last few years as owner of the Sawmill Café on the boardwalk in Seaside Park. The landmark bar and restaurant suffered what’s being called “moderate” damage during a fire Sunday night and D’Onofrio is already working to have the Sawmill rebuilt and repaired where necessary to be open for Memorial Day weekend. He has owned the popular boardwalk establishment since it opened in the summer of 1977 but over the last few years has battled with Seaside Park officials who have put strict restrictions on his liquor license. D’Onofrio vows to be ready for his 32nd summer and those who love the Sawmill’s large slices of pizza have that to look forward to.

If you’ve followed Toms River High School North football over the years you have no doubt met or noticed Paul “Ace” Cassidy. He could be seen on the sidelines doing just about anything from handing out a water bottle to helping with equipment. He loved the Mariners and especially enjoyed the last couple of years with his grandson on the team. “Ace” died over the weekend at age 83 and a small part of Mariner football went with him….here’s hoping his heaven is filled with blue and gold.

With every departure comes an arrival so congratulations to Kevin and Jackie Bernick on the birth of their first child. Kamryn Susan Bernick arrived yesterday at a healthy 5 lbs, 8 ounces and mother and baby are doing fine. Jackie’s father is my good friend Jim Hibbs, a teacher at Toms River South. We exchanged text messages yesterday and I realized he never told me if it was a boy or girl and when I finally asked he responded with
“Come on Kevin…we only do girls.” Jim and his wife Susan have three daughters and their first two grandchildren are of course….girls.