First Time Ribbon Cutting Done With Style

A little of this and a little of that following a perfect ten weekend at the Jersey Shore:

Toms River Mayor Tom Kelaher estimates he’s done well over 200 ribbon-cutting ceremonies during his tenure, including a pair on Friday, one of which I was involved in.

The mayor cut the ribbon to celebrate the rebranding of the salon at JC Penney in the Ocean County Mall which is now The Salon by InStyle. It’s all part of a national collaboration with InStyle magazine.  I was on hand to introduce the guests in attendance at the invitation of Salon Manager Donna Bruton, which was a first for me.

In nearly 37 years at WOBM I have spoken or emceed several hundred sports banquets, golf tournaments, charitable dinners, special events, you name it, but this was my first salon event.  As the saying goes, “I’m not just the MC but a customer.”

I ran into Chris Gulla on the beach in Seaside Park Sunday, and had a nice talk with the former Toms River North kicker who is getting set for his senior year at Penn State. Gulla is devoting all his time to punting and is optimistic about his chances to land the starting job with the Nittany Lions.

More impressively, he will graduate in December with a finance degree after just 3 ½ years and is already going through the interview process with several potential employers.  Gulla is one of five former Shore Conference players expected to make major contributions to the Penn State program this fall with the others being junior tight end Mike Gesicki (Southern Regional), junior wide receiver Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan), red shirt junior defensive end Garrett Sickels (Red Bank) and sophomore linebacker Manny Bowen (Barnegat).  Penn State opens its season on September 3^rd against Kent State.

Practice began this weekend for the 39^th annual U.S. Army All Shore Gridiron Classic which will be played Thursday night at Central Regional High School.  The longest-running all-star football game in New Jersey matches recently graduated seniors from Ocean County against those from Monmouth County.

Toms River North’s Dave Oizerowitz is head coach of the Ocean County team while Raritan’s Anthony Petruzzi is in charge of the Monmouth squad.  For more information visits shoresportsnetwork.com.  Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the gate. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.