Wednesday, June 16 & Thursday, June 17

Thursday, June 17

There ability for people to fight the aging process has become an obsession and a billion dollar industry today and includes everything from vitamins and supplements to elective surgery. Much of that is designed to make you look but not necessarily feel any younger then what you actually are.
Experts tell you that there are many sensible and healthy ways to deal with getting older including picking up a new hobby, going back to school and taking a class or two, connecting with old friends and many others.
I think Wednesday I discovered another way…hang out from time to time with younger people.

We had a luxury suite for last night’s BlueClaws game at FirstEnergy Park and because of late developments the make up of who would be attending the game changed. I was sort of in charge and ordered the food and drink for the evening and ended up as the official host when our boss could not attend. There were a few people at least in my ballpark when it came to age but as the night and game wore on it was those in their 20’s who stayed and kind of dominated the conversation. What struck me was that their focus on life in general is very much different from what happens when a group of contemporaries get together. Being in my 50’s when I’m with people my age the talk is usually about children, careers, health, money, retirement for some and the issues of the day. Well hang with those half your age and it’s quite a bit different. They are still children, their careers are just starting, they have little or no health concerns, as long as they have enough money for that night then things are cool, retirement is a lifetime away and the issues of the day are more gossip then reality.

They are also much more comfortable around their elders then my generation was when we were in our 20’s. They still respect them but its different then thirty or so years ago. Most importantly though I’ve noticed that younger people laugh a lot….and make you laugh as well. Experts tell us that laughing is a good thing but it’s often difficult to find things to laugh about. Hang with younger people for a while and they’ll make you feel good…at least for a while. Then you wake up the next day and realize you’re still old…that’s when you try the methods that cost money.



Wednesday, June 16

When people pass along information about the achievements of others I try and pass them on to you and that’s what I’m doing this morning:

This past weekend more than 2,300 athletes participated in the Special Olympics New Jersey 2010 Summer Games at The College of New Jersey and about 300 of them were from Ocean County. Toms River’s Jimmy Kelly won three gold medals and one silver in swimming while Colleen Kroeper of Beachwood claimed three silver medals in the pool. In track and field, Aaron Cassidy won a gold in the 1500 and took home silver medals in the 800 and relay. Meanwhile the Toms River Softball Team won a silver medal with big contributions from Cole Bendian, Amy Clayton, Chris Syrsdale and Tyler Leahman. Those four all play for the Challenger Division in the Toms River East Little League.

The New Jersey State Amateur Golf Championships were held last week at the Montclair Country Club and Stephen Ellis of the Toms River Country Club finished 7th. Ellis shot a four-round total of 292, which was eight shots behind the winner. Ironically the 1989 Toms River High School South graduate did not play golf in high school but was a standout tennis player. He took up golf after that and last year tied the Toms River Country Club course record with a round of 65…reportedly the last player to shoot such a low round was Sam Snead.

Toms River’s Jeff Frazier is certainly giving the Detroit Tigers reason to bring him up from the minor leagues sooner than later. Frazier might be the hottest player in the International League and is now batting .289 for the Tigers Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. The 27-year old former Toms River South and Rutgers standout is hitting .366 over his last ten games and for the season has 22 doubles, 13 home runs and 41 RBI’s. Younger brother Todd, after a terrible start, is starting to heat up for the Triple-A Louisville Bats.
The Reds prospect is batting .306 over his last ten games to boost his season average to .214.