For some of us Tuesday was Trick or Treat and the rest of you get the pleasure tonight to hand out candy and other goodies. I remember some very cold years going out with my kids when they were young but this marks the fifth consecutive Halloween the temperature has been at least 60 degrees which is a nice bonus. Also parents have to be thrilled over the delay in the time change, making it much safer to stroll the streets with the little ones in tow.
We probably had around 200 trick or treaters Tuesday and for the most part they were very polite and very cute. Princesses seemed to be very popular for little girls with many young boys dressed as Spiderman and Batman. Of course the real little ones still opt for favorites like Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Elmo. There was also a fair share of cow girls, witches, devils, pirates, good and bad clowns and a few Hannah Montana’s’ sprinkled in.
A couple of upcoming events I’ve been asked to mention:
The New Jersey Ballet will be performing the holiday favorite “Nutcracker” at the OceanFirst Theatre in Manahawkin on December 16th and tomorrow they will hold auditions for Mother Ginger’s Clown Children. The auditions at the Stafford Township Arts Center will take place at 4pm and are for children ages 7-12 with ballet and/or gymnastic experience. You must register in advance by calling (973) 597-9600.
Ocean County College will honor four alumni-athletes and one coach at their
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Tuesday, November 13th at 6pm at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. The 2007 inductees are Lorraine Farrell Airey, Barara Farrell Meyer, Eunice Farrell Pschorr, Cynthia Patton Stout and longtime coach Hy Mittelberg. For tickets and information you can call the OCC Office of Resource Development at (732) 255-0400. I will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies for the induction dinner.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Trick Or Treat
You have moved to Toms River or a surrounding town like Beachwood or Pine Beach within the last year so you want to make a good impression on your first Halloween in the neighborhood. You have purchased a lot of candy for the kids who come dressed in everything from Winnie the Pooh to Darth Vader and you want to make sure you’re home in plenty of time Wednesday to greet the trick or treaters….after all that is Halloween. However while driving home from work today you see the streets filled with children in costumes and you can’t seem to figure out what’s going on. You arrive home and are greeted by a neighbor who wonders when you’re going to start giving out treats and you scratch your head and ask…”isn’t Halloween tomorrow?” The answer is yes and no.
Welcome to Toms River, maybe the only area in the country where trick or treat is not on Halloween but rather the day before…an occurrence which fools newcomers each year and has others questioning this long-running tradition. Of course the reason is the parade which is held each year on Halloween night in downtown Toms River. There’s no question this is a huge event and draws thousands of spectators and participants. Main Street in Toms River is already lined with chairs of those seeking to reserve prime viewing spots and it looks like the weather will cooperate for tomorrow night.
However holding the parade on Halloween has some downside which many are bothered by. Over the last few years it seems there has been a greater problem with kids coming from out of town to cash in on a bonus night of trick or treating. They can hit the Toms River area tonight and then their own community Wednesday and it’s most common in the northern sections of the township. You also have the fact that most of the time the parade is held on a school night which makes it challenging for the little ones and their parents as it makes for a long day and evening. Plus those from outside the area can’t attend the parade without giving up trick or treating…a tough choice.
With that in mind I offer my annual suggestion that the parade be moved to the Saturday before Halloween. It’s a relatively quiet day in downtown Toms River and would take away the objections and make it something all could enjoy. I’m sure such a move would take a lot of discussion and would not be easy but change never is.
Welcome to Toms River, maybe the only area in the country where trick or treat is not on Halloween but rather the day before…an occurrence which fools newcomers each year and has others questioning this long-running tradition. Of course the reason is the parade which is held each year on Halloween night in downtown Toms River. There’s no question this is a huge event and draws thousands of spectators and participants. Main Street in Toms River is already lined with chairs of those seeking to reserve prime viewing spots and it looks like the weather will cooperate for tomorrow night.
However holding the parade on Halloween has some downside which many are bothered by. Over the last few years it seems there has been a greater problem with kids coming from out of town to cash in on a bonus night of trick or treating. They can hit the Toms River area tonight and then their own community Wednesday and it’s most common in the northern sections of the township. You also have the fact that most of the time the parade is held on a school night which makes it challenging for the little ones and their parents as it makes for a long day and evening. Plus those from outside the area can’t attend the parade without giving up trick or treating…a tough choice.
With that in mind I offer my annual suggestion that the parade be moved to the Saturday before Halloween. It’s a relatively quiet day in downtown Toms River and would take away the objections and make it something all could enjoy. I’m sure such a move would take a lot of discussion and would not be easy but change never is.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Boston: Sportstown USA
Sunday featured a host of high school football games which were postponed from Friday and I have mellowed on my position when it comes to this. Yes football is a game in which the elements are and always will be a factor. However a high school team usually only gets to play 4 or 5 home games each season and there is more than just the action on the field. A football game is an experience involving the band, color guard, cheerleaders and others and by playing in heavy rain you eliminate those groups…plus a majority of the fans. Also, many schools schedule their Homecoming games at this time of the season which is another reason why waiting a day or two often makes sense.
Toms River North and Holmdel are the only undefeated teams of the 42 in the Shore Conference. The top-ranked Mariners had a bye this weekend as they get ready for Friday’s big game at Southern. Meanwhile the Hornets won a battle of undefeated teams Sunday night when they scored a touchdown with six seconds left to edge Point Boro 13-10 and clinch the National Division championship. That came minutes after a gamble by the Panthers did not pay off. They had a 4th & 1 at their own 29-yard line and rather then punt the ball away went for a first down that would have iced the victory. Holmdel came up with the stop and went on to score the game-winning touchdown which gives them their first outright title in 21 years.
It has to kill a lot of New York sports fans that right now Boston is the toast of the sporting world. The Red Sox won their second World Series in four years Sunday, Boston College is undefeated and the #2 ranked college football team in the country, the NFL’s Patriots are 8-0 and the Celtics have Boston basketball fans excited again.
After the Yankees exited the playoffs MVP-to-be Alex Rodriguez talked about how much he loved New York and wanted to stay a Yankee. Now he’s opting out of his contract and his days in the Bronx appear over. No matter what you hear, it’s always about the money.
Congratulations to the new couple! Kevin Bernick and Jackie Hibbs of Toms River were married over the weekend and are now enjoying their honeymoon in Aruba. A good time was had by all at the wedding reception.
Toms River North and Holmdel are the only undefeated teams of the 42 in the Shore Conference. The top-ranked Mariners had a bye this weekend as they get ready for Friday’s big game at Southern. Meanwhile the Hornets won a battle of undefeated teams Sunday night when they scored a touchdown with six seconds left to edge Point Boro 13-10 and clinch the National Division championship. That came minutes after a gamble by the Panthers did not pay off. They had a 4th & 1 at their own 29-yard line and rather then punt the ball away went for a first down that would have iced the victory. Holmdel came up with the stop and went on to score the game-winning touchdown which gives them their first outright title in 21 years.
It has to kill a lot of New York sports fans that right now Boston is the toast of the sporting world. The Red Sox won their second World Series in four years Sunday, Boston College is undefeated and the #2 ranked college football team in the country, the NFL’s Patriots are 8-0 and the Celtics have Boston basketball fans excited again.
After the Yankees exited the playoffs MVP-to-be Alex Rodriguez talked about how much he loved New York and wanted to stay a Yankee. Now he’s opting out of his contract and his days in the Bronx appear over. No matter what you hear, it’s always about the money.
Congratulations to the new couple! Kevin Bernick and Jackie Hibbs of Toms River were married over the weekend and are now enjoying their honeymoon in Aruba. A good time was had by all at the wedding reception.
Friday, October 26, 2007
A Rainy Saturday Isn't All Bad
This final weekend of October should a great one when it comes to sports, although it does not appear the weather will cooperate…at least not for the first half.
The Breeders Cup gets underway at Monmouth Park with three million-dollar races on tap for today…the final three of a 10-race card which begins at 12:30. Saturday is the big day with eight races and live TV coverage all day on ESPN.
If College Football is your thing well there’s Rutgers hosting 6th ranked West Virginia at high noon on Saturday while in the evening top-ranked Ohio State travels to Happy Valley to take on Penn State.
Certainly the weather figures to be a factor with the high school football schedule which features two games tonight which will decide or at least have a lot to say about division championships. Holmdel and Point Boro are two of the three undefeated teams left at the shore and they meet at Al Saner Field to determine the National Division champs. At the same time Wall visits Red Bank Catholic with a win by the Crimson Knights giving them the Liberty Division title.
Shore Conference Tournament soccer crowns will be on the line Saturday night at Neptune with Howell battling Manalapan in the Boys Final before Jackson Memorial takes on Brick Memorial for the Girls title.
The weather has already forced a postponement with the Shore Conference Boys & Girls Cross Country Championships moved from Saturday to Monday afternoon at Holmdel Park.
Oh…and the World Series moves to Colorado for games Saturday & Sunday Night.
Pardon me as I take care of a couple of items involving the town of Beachwood, where I happen to live. The PTO’s Children’s Fair and Craft Show scheduled for tomorrow at Beachwood Elementary School has been moved to Sunday (11am-3pm) because of the weather forecast as the event will be held outside and inside.
The Beachwood Soccer Club will host a Gift Basket Auction on Saturday, November 3rd at T.R. Intermediate South in Beachwood with doors opening at 5:30. Tickets can be obtained by calling (732) 473-0915.
The Breeders Cup gets underway at Monmouth Park with three million-dollar races on tap for today…the final three of a 10-race card which begins at 12:30. Saturday is the big day with eight races and live TV coverage all day on ESPN.
If College Football is your thing well there’s Rutgers hosting 6th ranked West Virginia at high noon on Saturday while in the evening top-ranked Ohio State travels to Happy Valley to take on Penn State.
Certainly the weather figures to be a factor with the high school football schedule which features two games tonight which will decide or at least have a lot to say about division championships. Holmdel and Point Boro are two of the three undefeated teams left at the shore and they meet at Al Saner Field to determine the National Division champs. At the same time Wall visits Red Bank Catholic with a win by the Crimson Knights giving them the Liberty Division title.
Shore Conference Tournament soccer crowns will be on the line Saturday night at Neptune with Howell battling Manalapan in the Boys Final before Jackson Memorial takes on Brick Memorial for the Girls title.
The weather has already forced a postponement with the Shore Conference Boys & Girls Cross Country Championships moved from Saturday to Monday afternoon at Holmdel Park.
Oh…and the World Series moves to Colorado for games Saturday & Sunday Night.
Pardon me as I take care of a couple of items involving the town of Beachwood, where I happen to live. The PTO’s Children’s Fair and Craft Show scheduled for tomorrow at Beachwood Elementary School has been moved to Sunday (11am-3pm) because of the weather forecast as the event will be held outside and inside.
The Beachwood Soccer Club will host a Gift Basket Auction on Saturday, November 3rd at T.R. Intermediate South in Beachwood with doors opening at 5:30. Tickets can be obtained by calling (732) 473-0915.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Fires, Hurricanes & Blizzards
Its ironic how things work in this country when a particular area is struck by a disaster those in other parts say something like “that’s what you get for living there.” The truth is at some point just about all of us have the potential to become victims of a tragedy, some delivered by Mother Nature and others man-made.
Southern California is the latest area to feel the wrath as wildfires have displaced about a million people….a staggering number. Watching the footage leaves you shaking your head over the losses and the fact that many of the homeowners might be affluent is irrelevant. Lives are in danger, including firefighters and not only homes but many have lost a lifetime of memories. More than once I’ve heard someone allude to the fact that all these people have insurance so its not that bad…well in watching TV over the past couple of days that seems to be little comfort to many. The other thing you will hear at times like this is that if you live in Southern California you know that fires come with the territory. We can say that for just about every type of weather-related disaster like:
Hurricanes like Katrina- Well if you live in the gulf coast you know hurricanes are a danger. Of course you can say this for Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and many other states. And there will be a time when they say that for Long Beach Island and other parts of the Jersey Shore.
Tornadoes in the mid-west- When they hit people will say something like
“that’s why they call it Tornado Ally.” If you live there then you know it’s a risk, especially during the summer.
Snowstorms - Blizzards that result in loss of life and disrupt residents for long periods. Hey you know that living in northern states can mean severe winter…you chose to live there so you deal with the circumstances.
Floods, Heat waves, Earthquakes…wherever they occur you can be sure those not affected will often say “that’s what you get for living there.”
You can even go as far as saying that when the World Trade Center was attacked someone living a couple of thousands miles away probably uttered….”you want to live in New York then you take the risks.”
There is a common theme here. Unless we live in an underground shelter with no exposure to the outside world we all face certain dangers. However at the end of the day we are all Americans and should pull together for one another because you never know when you’ll be on the receiving end.
Southern California is the latest area to feel the wrath as wildfires have displaced about a million people….a staggering number. Watching the footage leaves you shaking your head over the losses and the fact that many of the homeowners might be affluent is irrelevant. Lives are in danger, including firefighters and not only homes but many have lost a lifetime of memories. More than once I’ve heard someone allude to the fact that all these people have insurance so its not that bad…well in watching TV over the past couple of days that seems to be little comfort to many. The other thing you will hear at times like this is that if you live in Southern California you know that fires come with the territory. We can say that for just about every type of weather-related disaster like:
Hurricanes like Katrina- Well if you live in the gulf coast you know hurricanes are a danger. Of course you can say this for Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and many other states. And there will be a time when they say that for Long Beach Island and other parts of the Jersey Shore.
Tornadoes in the mid-west- When they hit people will say something like
“that’s why they call it Tornado Ally.” If you live there then you know it’s a risk, especially during the summer.
Snowstorms - Blizzards that result in loss of life and disrupt residents for long periods. Hey you know that living in northern states can mean severe winter…you chose to live there so you deal with the circumstances.
Floods, Heat waves, Earthquakes…wherever they occur you can be sure those not affected will often say “that’s what you get for living there.”
You can even go as far as saying that when the World Trade Center was attacked someone living a couple of thousands miles away probably uttered….”you want to live in New York then you take the risks.”
There is a common theme here. Unless we live in an underground shelter with no exposure to the outside world we all face certain dangers. However at the end of the day we are all Americans and should pull together for one another because you never know when you’ll be on the receiving end.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hitting The Wall
I’ve known this day would come and it’s here. As I sat down at my computer to put my thoughts into words which you look forward to and absorb and quote later in the day I realize there is nothing left to say.
For all these years I’ve done this I’ve wondered what would happen when
that morning came when my fingers had no keys to punch because my brain
could no longer deliver anything of substance.
Marathoners call it the “wall”….that time in a race in which their legs can’t go any more and everything is telling them to quit. They persevere and once past “the wall” usually go on to finish the race. I’m at that point…have said it all and realized hundreds of these segments have done nothing more than take up time. Sure I could get through today with things like:
Esquire Magazine has named actress Charlize Theron as the Sexiest Woman Alive for 2007. Previous winners were Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel and Angelina Jolie.
Headline in today’s Asbury Park Press….”New Jersey drinking water running out.” Goes on to say we won’t have supplies to meet what we’ll need by the year 2020. I would tell you that’s another reason to move to Florida but I think they’ll be out of water sooner.
San Diego is burning but the wildfires are not the biggest problem for some.
They’re concerned the NFL’s Chargers won’t be able to play at home this
Sunday. Might have to take their tailgate somewhere else.
Weather forecasters, including our own Alan Kasper insist the unusually warm fall weather is coming to an end. Of course none of them are in our studio this morning where the air conditioning is not working and it’s at least 95 degrees.
Raise your hand if you’re excited that the Breeders Cup is at Monmouth Park this week. Raise your hand if you know what the Breeders Cup is.
The Ocean County College Women’s soccer team beat Brookdale Tuesday to advance to the Region 19 finals on Saturday.
Time’s up…made it through another one. I’m sure you can’t wait until tomorrow
For all these years I’ve done this I’ve wondered what would happen when
that morning came when my fingers had no keys to punch because my brain
could no longer deliver anything of substance.
Marathoners call it the “wall”….that time in a race in which their legs can’t go any more and everything is telling them to quit. They persevere and once past “the wall” usually go on to finish the race. I’m at that point…have said it all and realized hundreds of these segments have done nothing more than take up time. Sure I could get through today with things like:
Esquire Magazine has named actress Charlize Theron as the Sexiest Woman Alive for 2007. Previous winners were Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel and Angelina Jolie.
Headline in today’s Asbury Park Press….”New Jersey drinking water running out.” Goes on to say we won’t have supplies to meet what we’ll need by the year 2020. I would tell you that’s another reason to move to Florida but I think they’ll be out of water sooner.
San Diego is burning but the wildfires are not the biggest problem for some.
They’re concerned the NFL’s Chargers won’t be able to play at home this
Sunday. Might have to take their tailgate somewhere else.
Weather forecasters, including our own Alan Kasper insist the unusually warm fall weather is coming to an end. Of course none of them are in our studio this morning where the air conditioning is not working and it’s at least 95 degrees.
Raise your hand if you’re excited that the Breeders Cup is at Monmouth Park this week. Raise your hand if you know what the Breeders Cup is.
The Ocean County College Women’s soccer team beat Brookdale Tuesday to advance to the Region 19 finals on Saturday.
Time’s up…made it through another one. I’m sure you can’t wait until tomorrow
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Super Bowl Of Horse Racing
The hype over this weekend’s Breeder’s Cup at Monmouth Park is quite amazing when you consider horse racing is for the most part a dying sport and the track itself has to fight to draw a few thousand fans a day during the middle of the summer at the Jersey shore. The “sport of kings” used to grab headlines on the sports pages with regularity and in old photos and videos you will see men in suits and women in dresses packing the stands.
Of course things change over time and only on special occasions do large crowds visit Monmouth Park, a treasure I first discovered as a 17-year old.
That first trip produced a winning daily double and even an exacta or two…probably the worst thing that can happen to you. I actually thought I had picking winners figured out but many years later I know that was truly a case of beginners luck. Despite that I would always make a few visits a summer and even remember a fall when the track stayed open late which was great for us locals.
I used to love the pace of a day at the racetrack. You had time between races to head down to the paddock and watch jockeys climb aboard their horses, walk around the circle and then head out to the track with shouts of encouragement from bettors always looking for an edge. The bugler would then play the call to the post and you’d get excited with anticipation. A few minutes later you tore up another losing ticket but it didn’t matter because a bad day at Monmouth Park was better than a good day at work…or school. Now with simulcast racing available it seems like the time between live races is devoted to trying to find a winner at another track and that slow pace has been replaced by our need for constant action.
One of my fondest memories was when Julie Krone was setting the racing world on fire and the most popular jockey around. I took my then 2-year old son to the track and put him on my shoulders as she climbed aboard her mount in the paddock. Brandon shouted out “good luck Julie” and she stopped, smiled and spoke to him for a few seconds. She then went out and lost with a 2-1 favorite which of course I had bet. However after Julie made the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1989 I got her to sign it for my son and she remembered that cute little boy…he still has the autographed picture.
The rest of America may only discover Monmouth Park this week but for many of us it’s been right in our backyard for a lifetime and I hope it remains forever.
Of course things change over time and only on special occasions do large crowds visit Monmouth Park, a treasure I first discovered as a 17-year old.
That first trip produced a winning daily double and even an exacta or two…probably the worst thing that can happen to you. I actually thought I had picking winners figured out but many years later I know that was truly a case of beginners luck. Despite that I would always make a few visits a summer and even remember a fall when the track stayed open late which was great for us locals.
I used to love the pace of a day at the racetrack. You had time between races to head down to the paddock and watch jockeys climb aboard their horses, walk around the circle and then head out to the track with shouts of encouragement from bettors always looking for an edge. The bugler would then play the call to the post and you’d get excited with anticipation. A few minutes later you tore up another losing ticket but it didn’t matter because a bad day at Monmouth Park was better than a good day at work…or school. Now with simulcast racing available it seems like the time between live races is devoted to trying to find a winner at another track and that slow pace has been replaced by our need for constant action.
One of my fondest memories was when Julie Krone was setting the racing world on fire and the most popular jockey around. I took my then 2-year old son to the track and put him on my shoulders as she climbed aboard her mount in the paddock. Brandon shouted out “good luck Julie” and she stopped, smiled and spoke to him for a few seconds. She then went out and lost with a 2-1 favorite which of course I had bet. However after Julie made the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1989 I got her to sign it for my son and she remembered that cute little boy…he still has the autographed picture.
The rest of America may only discover Monmouth Park this week but for many of us it’s been right in our backyard for a lifetime and I hope it remains forever.
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