If it’s true that misery loves company then there will probably be a lot of miserable people around the office the next few weeks. At the same time there will be a lot of support going around as we start the 3rd almost annual edition of Millennium Radio’s “Biggest Loser” contest. A total of 14 of us have taken the vow of weight loss and will weigh in today and compete for weekly and grand prizes until November 17th…six weeks from today.
While this is an individual competition we added a little twist and teamwork.
We randomly divided the 14 participants into two teams and each Tuesday when you hit the scales you must pay $10. However the team that losses the least each week (based on percentage of body weight, not pounds)
will be penalized and each of their members will have to pony up an extra $5 per person.
As for the 14 who are taking the challenge I have broken them down into three categories….contenders, pretenders and I’m not sure:
Contenders
Me I lost the inaugural contest by what turned out to be a couple of pounds. I want payback and payout.
Jason Allentoff (News) Getting married in March, highly motivated.
Regina Carr (Sales) A factor in previous contests, wants the money for
shoe purposes.
Annie Smith (Sales) Will use supplements and anything else to win.
Heather & Steve Miller (Sales) Husband/wife team has big advantage when it comes to cooking and preparation. Heather did very well in the first contest.
Brian Bonder (Sales) Has asked a lot of questions so I think he’s a threat.
Pretenders
Sue Moll (Morning Show co-host) Poor history when it comes to this…could be just along for some laughs.
Ashly Emerson (Promotions Director) Very close with Sue which spells trouble. They could be closet eaters.
JoAnne Cruise (Midday Personality) Nobody can figure out why she is even in the contest except to have material to talk about. I don’t think she has enough weight to lose.
I don’t know what to make of them
Marianne Levy (Co-host Bob & Marianne in the Morning) She has already dropped a lot of weight over the last year and I don’t know how motivated she will be to continue.
Michele Degnan-Spang (Sales) She only started working here last week so she is an unknown. The fact that she’s a runner scares me.
Lani Torres (Sales Assistant) I am clueless but she is young which is an asset and really wanted to be in the contest.
Mike Mangan (Sales) He is a young newlywed who has sort of been flying under the radar. I would not be surprised if he quickly becomes a contender.
Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Weekend Recap
Undefeated Howell staked its claim as the shore’s top team with a victory at Toms River North in a key American Division contest. The Mariners need to quickly recover as they have a tough test Friday night when they visit Brick Memorial, who outlasted Jackson Memorial in overtime. Toms River East took a giant step towards a Constitution Division title with a rout of Brick. Jackson Liberty scored in the final minute to edge Barnegat and in a game played yesterday, Central crushed Lakewood 52-19 for its first win of the season as Kalyph Hardy and Sam Pepe combined for nearly 500 yards rushing and each scored four touchdowns.
As a Mets fan my baseball season ended around the middle of July and frankly I have not paid all that much attention to what used to be America’s National pastime. Thankfully the season ended yesterday for the Mets and most of the other major league teams but for the Yankees, Phillies and others it’s really just beginning. The Yankees will host either Minnesota or Detroit beginning Wednesday as the American League Central champs will be decided in a one-game playoff Tuesday. Meanwhile the reigning World Series champs from Philadelphia will face Colorado in a best-of-five series that starts Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.
There is no better golf outing than the one run by Klee’s Bar & Grill for the benefit of Ocean of Love and the 18th annual is set for Wednesday at Gambler’s Ridge in Cream Ridge. There will be shotgun starts at 7am and 12:30 so it’s a full day for Glenn McCarthy, Joe Carey and the entire crew at Klee’s, who along with the owners volunteer their time and much more. Last year’s event raised more than $40,000 for Ocean of Love.
Raise your hand if you knew the hockey season actually started last week?
I see a few of you out there. The NHL would be so much better off if they started after the World Series.
While you’re raising your hand. How many of you can’t wait for Election Day so we don’t have to see the faces of Corzine and Christie any longer
in those non-stop TV ads. Wow…I can’t count that high.
As a Mets fan my baseball season ended around the middle of July and frankly I have not paid all that much attention to what used to be America’s National pastime. Thankfully the season ended yesterday for the Mets and most of the other major league teams but for the Yankees, Phillies and others it’s really just beginning. The Yankees will host either Minnesota or Detroit beginning Wednesday as the American League Central champs will be decided in a one-game playoff Tuesday. Meanwhile the reigning World Series champs from Philadelphia will face Colorado in a best-of-five series that starts Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.
There is no better golf outing than the one run by Klee’s Bar & Grill for the benefit of Ocean of Love and the 18th annual is set for Wednesday at Gambler’s Ridge in Cream Ridge. There will be shotgun starts at 7am and 12:30 so it’s a full day for Glenn McCarthy, Joe Carey and the entire crew at Klee’s, who along with the owners volunteer their time and much more. Last year’s event raised more than $40,000 for Ocean of Love.
Raise your hand if you knew the hockey season actually started last week?
I see a few of you out there. The NHL would be so much better off if they started after the World Series.
While you’re raising your hand. How many of you can’t wait for Election Day so we don’t have to see the faces of Corzine and Christie any longer
in those non-stop TV ads. Wow…I can’t count that high.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Another Week Of Football
As September turns into October the high school football schedule gives us a weekend of big matchups and when it’s over the picture will be much clearer in several of the divisional races.
Toms River East comes into Brick tonight in a battle of the only teams to win their first two Constitution Division games. The Raiders have averaged 30 points a game and there are many who feel Brick is the last team that will pose a threat to them in the division. With its upcoming schedule East could even be on their way to an undefeated record before the State Playoffs begin
but first they must get past a Green Dragons team that has been offensively-challenged but found ways to win.
Also tonight will be a huge contest in the Federal Division as Middletown South hosts Freehold in a game we’ll broadcast on the Shore Sports Network, including 105.7 The Hawk and 1160 WOBM AM. In starting the season 3-0 Middletown South has allowed just six points and they’ll try and exact some revenge on a Colonials team that has beaten them three straight times, including a state final showdown at Rutgers last December.
As expected Manasquan is the favorite to win the Shore National but face an interesting trip south this evening when they head to Pinelands Regional where the Wildcats are off to a 2-0 start with the help of junior running back Matt McLain. The fans will be out in Tuckerton looking for an upset.
The most talked about game this weekend will be played Saturday night as Toms River North hosts Howell. Not only are they, along with Brick Memorial considered the upper tier of the American Division but the winner could stake a claim as the top team in the shore. Jimmy Ryan leads Howell’s spread offense which averages nearly 30 passes per game and features a stable of talented receivers. However they will face a defense that’s already returned three interceptions for touchdowns and is led by safety Drew Kollman and linebacker Steve Barosso.
Other interesting matchups tonight include Brick Memorial at Jackson Memorial, Jackson Liberty visits Barnegat, Point Boro seeks its first win at home against Raritan and in a battle of winless teams, Southern heads to Freehold Township.
Toms River East comes into Brick tonight in a battle of the only teams to win their first two Constitution Division games. The Raiders have averaged 30 points a game and there are many who feel Brick is the last team that will pose a threat to them in the division. With its upcoming schedule East could even be on their way to an undefeated record before the State Playoffs begin
but first they must get past a Green Dragons team that has been offensively-challenged but found ways to win.
Also tonight will be a huge contest in the Federal Division as Middletown South hosts Freehold in a game we’ll broadcast on the Shore Sports Network, including 105.7 The Hawk and 1160 WOBM AM. In starting the season 3-0 Middletown South has allowed just six points and they’ll try and exact some revenge on a Colonials team that has beaten them three straight times, including a state final showdown at Rutgers last December.
As expected Manasquan is the favorite to win the Shore National but face an interesting trip south this evening when they head to Pinelands Regional where the Wildcats are off to a 2-0 start with the help of junior running back Matt McLain. The fans will be out in Tuckerton looking for an upset.
The most talked about game this weekend will be played Saturday night as Toms River North hosts Howell. Not only are they, along with Brick Memorial considered the upper tier of the American Division but the winner could stake a claim as the top team in the shore. Jimmy Ryan leads Howell’s spread offense which averages nearly 30 passes per game and features a stable of talented receivers. However they will face a defense that’s already returned three interceptions for touchdowns and is led by safety Drew Kollman and linebacker Steve Barosso.
Other interesting matchups tonight include Brick Memorial at Jackson Memorial, Jackson Liberty visits Barnegat, Point Boro seeks its first win at home against Raritan and in a battle of winless teams, Southern heads to Freehold Township.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Gridiron Lesson
For the most part sports comes down to the fact that 50% of the time there is a winner and 50% of the time there is a loser. Despite that intellectual statement much more attention is paid to winners then losers and it’s just a fact of life as unfair as it may seem to be. Regardless if you play high school, college or pro sports the headlines, air time, adulation and hype all surround success…not failure.
I say this having gone through it many years ago. When I was a junior our football team at Central Regional High School was something really special.
A perfect season with only a couple of games that were even close and comparisons with some of the great teams to ever come out of the shore. Students and fans were three deep at home games, it was the talk of school throughout the fall and just to be a part of it was somewhat magical. Practices were often light and loose and Saturday afternoons always ended with smiles, cheers, pats on the back and that feeling which comes with being a winner. Sunday you got to read all about it in the newspaper.
However a year later that was all a distant memory. Graduation had stripped us of all but a couple of top players and from the beginning we knew things would be difficult. Not only that but our legendary head coach had died suddenly and an all-new staff was put in place. Opponents, who we had humbled the year before, circled like sharks in the water and feasted on the opportunity to get their revenge. Losses mounted, the crowds went away, students and teachers found other things to talk about in the hallways and the headlines found us on the wrong end. Those last weeks of the season especially for the seniors were not easy but helped provide a life lesson. That is you play the game because you like the game and if success comes well that makes it all that much better but one person usually cannot determine the outcome….however each can determine their effort. You will also learn a lot more about yourself from sticking with a losing team than riding high with one that wins.
I say this having gone through it many years ago. When I was a junior our football team at Central Regional High School was something really special.
A perfect season with only a couple of games that were even close and comparisons with some of the great teams to ever come out of the shore. Students and fans were three deep at home games, it was the talk of school throughout the fall and just to be a part of it was somewhat magical. Practices were often light and loose and Saturday afternoons always ended with smiles, cheers, pats on the back and that feeling which comes with being a winner. Sunday you got to read all about it in the newspaper.
However a year later that was all a distant memory. Graduation had stripped us of all but a couple of top players and from the beginning we knew things would be difficult. Not only that but our legendary head coach had died suddenly and an all-new staff was put in place. Opponents, who we had humbled the year before, circled like sharks in the water and feasted on the opportunity to get their revenge. Losses mounted, the crowds went away, students and teachers found other things to talk about in the hallways and the headlines found us on the wrong end. Those last weeks of the season especially for the seniors were not easy but helped provide a life lesson. That is you play the game because you like the game and if success comes well that makes it all that much better but one person usually cannot determine the outcome….however each can determine their effort. You will also learn a lot more about yourself from sticking with a losing team than riding high with one that wins.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
When September Ends
Random thoughts on this final day of September:
There was good news for Manchester Township school officials but not in Brick as a result of yesterday’s special referendums on building and renovation projects in the two school districts. Manchester voters by a solid margin approved a facilities project that was scaled down from two previous unsuccessful attempts and will see nearly 30% of the cost paid by state funding and energy grants. The news in Brick was discouraging for as all four questions in the proposal were voted down by nearly a 2-1 margin. I personally received feedback from my segment yesterday in which I strongly endorsed the passage of the referendum, especially dealing with the improvements at Brick Township High School which is more than 50 years old. Several people wrote or called me to say they had no confidence in the Board of Education and questioned why officials had allowed conditions to deteriorate over so many years. It seems there are big problems here and the real losers are the children in the district now and the ones coming through in the near future.
Let me plug a couple of fundraisers and events coming up Friday. The Beach Bar on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights will be the site of “Cocktails for a Cause” as part of LIVESTRONG Day, the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s one-day initiative to unite people affected by cancer. Lori Ditzel has organized the event to raise money for The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation as well as the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It starts at 5pm with free admission; free food, drink specials, auctions and 50/50’s….donations are encouraged.
Martell’s Waters Edge in Bayville will be the site of a Friends of Central Regional Football Night from 6:30-10:30 featuring a Backyard BBQ. Tickets are $25 each and you must be 21 years old to attend.
You’ve no doubt heard the expression….”chip off the old block” or “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Yesterday my daughter Alex called to inform me that she was voted “Most Talkative” as part of the senior class favorites at Toms River South. She thought it was funny because her brother earned that same distinction six years earlier. What I thought was more interesting that 36 years ago while a senior at Central Regional High School I was voted “Class Bigmouth” which is really the same thing.
There was good news for Manchester Township school officials but not in Brick as a result of yesterday’s special referendums on building and renovation projects in the two school districts. Manchester voters by a solid margin approved a facilities project that was scaled down from two previous unsuccessful attempts and will see nearly 30% of the cost paid by state funding and energy grants. The news in Brick was discouraging for as all four questions in the proposal were voted down by nearly a 2-1 margin. I personally received feedback from my segment yesterday in which I strongly endorsed the passage of the referendum, especially dealing with the improvements at Brick Township High School which is more than 50 years old. Several people wrote or called me to say they had no confidence in the Board of Education and questioned why officials had allowed conditions to deteriorate over so many years. It seems there are big problems here and the real losers are the children in the district now and the ones coming through in the near future.
Let me plug a couple of fundraisers and events coming up Friday. The Beach Bar on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights will be the site of “Cocktails for a Cause” as part of LIVESTRONG Day, the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s one-day initiative to unite people affected by cancer. Lori Ditzel has organized the event to raise money for The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation as well as the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It starts at 5pm with free admission; free food, drink specials, auctions and 50/50’s….donations are encouraged.
Martell’s Waters Edge in Bayville will be the site of a Friends of Central Regional Football Night from 6:30-10:30 featuring a Backyard BBQ. Tickets are $25 each and you must be 21 years old to attend.
You’ve no doubt heard the expression….”chip off the old block” or “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Yesterday my daughter Alex called to inform me that she was voted “Most Talkative” as part of the senior class favorites at Toms River South. She thought it was funny because her brother earned that same distinction six years earlier. What I thought was more interesting that 36 years ago while a senior at Central Regional High School I was voted “Class Bigmouth” which is really the same thing.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Special Referendum On The Ballot
There will be special referendums in both Brick and Manchester today on school construction and improvement projects that are badly needed and deserve the support of voters. That’s a bold statement in today’s economy but in case of both, school officials have been more than willing to show the public why the proposals should be approved.
Voters in Brick are being asked to support a $172 million referendum which will find state grants paying for $57 million of the work but only if approved this year. All 13 schools in the district will receive improvements and voters are being asked to decide the fate of four questions dealing with safety and security, energy and efficiency, expansion of the Primary Learning and Education Enrichment Centers, and desperately needed renovations at Brick Township High School. In some cases students and staff are working in conditions that have deteriorated over decades and are simply not safe and healthy. School officials have offered tours so the public can see the referendum is not for luxuries but absolute necessities to maintain a learning environment that is appropriate for everyone. It’s fair to say at some point in the near future this work will get done but not with the grants from the state. Polls in Brick will be open from 11am to 9pm.
Manchester Township officials are asking for support of a revised facilities project from one that was voted down earlier. The total cost is $8.3 million but state funding and energy grants will pick up 29% of the cost so the local tab is less than $6 million. The project includes roof repairs, carpeting replacement, school buses, repairs and improvements to the high school auditorium and athletic areas, security upgrades and installation of solar panels. Voters can cast ballots on the referendum between 2:30-9pm.
It would be easy for voters in both Brick and Manchester to simply say “no” because nobody wants to pay a penny more in taxes. However that would not be fair to the students in those districts today and the ones coming along in the near future. Safety and security, plumbing and electric that work, windows that open, buildings that are not falling apart. This is really not too much to ask. A “yes” vote is the right vote.
Voters in Brick are being asked to support a $172 million referendum which will find state grants paying for $57 million of the work but only if approved this year. All 13 schools in the district will receive improvements and voters are being asked to decide the fate of four questions dealing with safety and security, energy and efficiency, expansion of the Primary Learning and Education Enrichment Centers, and desperately needed renovations at Brick Township High School. In some cases students and staff are working in conditions that have deteriorated over decades and are simply not safe and healthy. School officials have offered tours so the public can see the referendum is not for luxuries but absolute necessities to maintain a learning environment that is appropriate for everyone. It’s fair to say at some point in the near future this work will get done but not with the grants from the state. Polls in Brick will be open from 11am to 9pm.
Manchester Township officials are asking for support of a revised facilities project from one that was voted down earlier. The total cost is $8.3 million but state funding and energy grants will pick up 29% of the cost so the local tab is less than $6 million. The project includes roof repairs, carpeting replacement, school buses, repairs and improvements to the high school auditorium and athletic areas, security upgrades and installation of solar panels. Voters can cast ballots on the referendum between 2:30-9pm.
It would be easy for voters in both Brick and Manchester to simply say “no” because nobody wants to pay a penny more in taxes. However that would not be fair to the students in those districts today and the ones coming along in the near future. Safety and security, plumbing and electric that work, windows that open, buildings that are not falling apart. This is really not too much to ask. A “yes” vote is the right vote.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Yankees Clinch
For the most part it was a very good weekend for the local pro teams, highlighted by the Yankees clinching the AL East title after a weekend sweep of the Red Sox. If I were a Yankee fan I would leave my calendar open for the early part of November to attend the victory parade down the “Canyon of Heroes” after they win their 27th World Series title. Meanwhile the Giants & Jets both improved to 3-0 with wins on Sunday…is it too early to start talking about an all-New York Super Bowl showdown? My sports weekend was ruined by Penn State’s dreadful loss to Iowa on Saturday night in not-so-Happy Valley. Oh well at least my bubble was burst before I could get really excited about a special season.
Because it was Saturday night you might have missed the fact that Monmouth University handed previously undefeated Old Dominion at 31-28 loss before more than 19,000 fans in Norfolk, Virginia. That was a great win for the Hawks, who have a bye this weekend.
Monmouth Park ended its 2009 racing season Sunday with good and bad news. While attendance was up 6% from last year’s meet, wagering was down about 5% which is pretty much in line with national figures. The highlight of the racing season was Rachel Alexandra’s win in the Haskell Invitational on August 3rd before more than 37,000 fans despite horrible weather conditions. Live thoroughbred racing in New Jersey moves to the Meadowlands starting Thursday,
One of Ocean County’s true good guys will be honored by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore at their 26th Annual Award Luncheon. Gateway Toyota-Scion Vice President and General Manager Ed Sunday is this year’s honoree and I will have the pleasure of serving as Master of Ceremonies for the October 22nd event at Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood. Through the dealership Ed is a supporter of many worthwhile causes and organizations and especially those that benefit children so he’s a natural choice as the Girl Scouts honoree.
Because it was Saturday night you might have missed the fact that Monmouth University handed previously undefeated Old Dominion at 31-28 loss before more than 19,000 fans in Norfolk, Virginia. That was a great win for the Hawks, who have a bye this weekend.
Monmouth Park ended its 2009 racing season Sunday with good and bad news. While attendance was up 6% from last year’s meet, wagering was down about 5% which is pretty much in line with national figures. The highlight of the racing season was Rachel Alexandra’s win in the Haskell Invitational on August 3rd before more than 37,000 fans despite horrible weather conditions. Live thoroughbred racing in New Jersey moves to the Meadowlands starting Thursday,
One of Ocean County’s true good guys will be honored by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore at their 26th Annual Award Luncheon. Gateway Toyota-Scion Vice President and General Manager Ed Sunday is this year’s honoree and I will have the pleasure of serving as Master of Ceremonies for the October 22nd event at Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood. Through the dealership Ed is a supporter of many worthwhile causes and organizations and especially those that benefit children so he’s a natural choice as the Girl Scouts honoree.
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