Tragedy In Jackson

You can’t even find the words to comment on the tragic accident that claimed the life of a Jackson Memorial High School baseball player after a game over the weekend. 17-year old James Volpe was a passenger in a car that contained two of his teammates and collided with another vehicle just east of the Lakehurst circle. Volpe’s Jaguar teammates were not seriously injured while the driver of the other vehicle remains hospitalized in intensive care. What makes this story so horrific is it’s the latest of many fatal accidents involving students and teenagers in the Jackson School District in recent years….far too many for any one district or town to have to endure.

This is such a frightening time of year for parents with proms, graduations and a seemingly endless list of occasions in which young people are driving at night often in groups and easily distracted. Every parent’s worst nightmare is hearing the phone or doorbell ring at a time when you automatically expect to hear only bad news. One can only hope that over the next month or so that does not happen because for many parents they simply won’t be able to sleep until they know their son or daughter is home safe and secure.

The Ocean County College Men’s Basketball team is coming off a great season during which they won the Region 19 Tournament and finished fifth in the National Championships. One of the big reasons for OCC’s success has been head coach Rory Caswell, who was named Region and District Coach of the Year. The Vikings will have to find a replacement for Caswell who was named head coach at Toms River High School North a few days ago. Caswell is a former Mariner player who later played at William Patterson. He returns to his alma mater to replace Chris Kane, who stepped down after this past season.

Those expecting hush puppies, Cole slaw and plenty of seafood choices will be very surprised when they visit what used to be Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty in Toms River. The restaurant has been completely renovated and is now Baker’s Water Street Bar & Grille. I stopped in yesterday afternoon and was very impressed by what they have done with the place which is now very contemporary and very different. We sat on a high-top outside and enjoyed appetizers and a cocktail from a menu that features salads, burgers, brick oven pizza and more.
Looks like a good place to watch your favorite sporting events and the deck will be very popular during the summer.