A Return to Reality

In case you didn’t notice I was away last week taking my first real vacation in more than two years. 

Thanks to my sister-in-law Jill we spent a wonderful week in Corolla, North Carolina, which is a community along the northern Outer Banks.

For her 60^th birthday Jill rented a spectacular eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom home about a block from the beach which was enjoyed by 15 members of my wife’s family including both my children.

We had six great days of weather with one day of rain in between, which was just perfect as we would start the day at the beach and then return to the home later and enjoy the pool and hot tub.

Except for morning coffee and bagel runs as well as a local favorite, Duck Donuts, which is like Uncle Doods in Toms River, we rarely left the house.  Each family took turns at cooking during special theme nights, including Cheeseburger in Paradise, Western Wednesday and Christmas in July.  It was a truly relaxing vacation in which I read two books (Killing Lincoln and Saving Babe Ruth) fell asleep in both the pool and on a hammock and got plenty of sun.

Of course like all vacations it has come to an end and here I am back at work today.

In this 75^th anniversary of Little League Baseball eight teams from around New Jersey will be heading to Bayville this week for the State Little League and Junior League Championships which will certainly have a Toms River flavor.

The Berkeley Little League is hosting the event which is being held in Ocean County for the first time in 20 years and activities get underway tomorrow night with a banquet featuring former major league pitcher Mark Leiter and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno among others.

Tournament play begins Wednesday with both local teams in action.  In the Little League Division for 12-year olds Section 3 champion Toms River will face Wood-Ride/Moonachie at 7:30 while next door at Leiter Field in the older Junior League bracket Toms River East faces Elizabethport at 5pm.  I will be covering the event all week and Sunday we will broadcast the Little League championship game on the Shore Sports Networks 1160/1310AM with the winner on their way to the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Bristol, Connecticut.