BACK TO THE BOARDWALK

   SUNDAY, JUNE 19TH., 2016
 BACK TO THE BOARDWALK!

   We're back home after a great
family week in Wildwood, NJ.
    I spent a little time by myself
back on the boardwalk the night
before we left. I reflected on some
of the things that have changed
since I went there as a kid. And,
of course, some of the things that
never seem to change.
    There are constants, like the
warning that sounds when the
Tram car gets near and the
Frozen Custard stands that seem
to call out to me without any
warning at all!
     The Fudge and Gift shops
are still there too. But theses
days you're likely to find  them
flanked by Body piercing stands
and Tattoo parlors, permanent or
temporary. T shirt stands still
draw the teens. But the logos
keep changing to meet the
changing times.
      There used to be three
movie theaters on the boardwalk.
They're all gone now although
the marque of the Strand still
reminds me of days gone by
when popular movies brought
the crowds in...especially on
rainy days.
      The "charm" pretty much
remains the same and I really
look forward to spending a week
with the whole family under one
roof.
     All in all I'd say it was a great
week. If only motorists on the
Schuylkill Expressway offered
the same warnings as the Tram
cars!
     Hope you get to enjoy a
great vacation this summer and
that all your NEWS is good!

 
 

OH THOSE WILDWOOD DAYS!

    SATURDAY, JUNE 18TH., 2016
   OH THOSE WILDWOOD DAYS!
   
      Well another of our traditional
family vacations by the beach in
Wildwood, NJ has come to an end.
        I suppose we've all had similar
weeks. We arrived last Saturday and
we're all wondering how those days
could speed by so very fast!
        The prime season will just be
starting as we get home. But going
early has its benefits. The rates still
haven't peaked and there are no long
lines at the concession stands or for
the amusement rides. There are
plenty of people on the boardwalk.
But not enough to make you feel
like you're on a crowded elevator!
        Of course the ocean water
hasn't warmed up for the summer
just yet. So taking a dip will quickly
make you understand what happened
to the people who didn't make the
life boats on the Titanic!
        Our pool proved a bit warmer
and you didn't have to get the sand
out from between your toes!
        This year was especially pleasant
for us as we welcomed our youngest
grandson to the Wildwood family
tradition. He may not remember all
that much. But his memory may be
refreshed by the hundreds of photos
and hours of video recorded by the
family!
        We're sorry to have to leave the
shore and I'm pretty sure at least one
business, Curley's Fries, is sad to see
me go. I've already guaranteed they'll
have a successful season!
         Hope we can all do it again next
year....and that all your NEWS is
good!

ROUGH IN THE DIAMONDS!

  FRIDAY, JUNE 17TH., 2016
 ROUGH IN THE DIAMONDS!

     I know! The traditional phrase
is "Diamonds in the Rough."
     But, in this case, it works
the other way around!
     Some of our gang crowded
into two vehicles on Thursday
for another vacation tradition.
      We like to visit Diamond
Beach at Cape May where the
constant flow of the tide turns
small pebbles into what have
become known as "Cape May
Diamonds."
      The beach is also home to
a traditional sunset ceremony
during which a flag that has
honored a veteran is lowered
to the sounds of Taps then
carefully folded and presented
to members of that deceased
veteran's family.
       It's also a great place to
watch the sunset....unless it's
very cloudy. And a great place
for a toddler to play in the
sand!
       I know kids these days
love to play with all the new
electronic gadgets that are
available. But I must admit
it was a real joy to watch our
10-month-old grandson
discover the thrill of playing
with a stick in the sand! He
was rough on those "diamonds.'
But no expensive presents will
ever match the happiness he found
drawing a circle around himself
with the stick he picked up from
the beach!
       Hope he comes to realize
the value of his discovery and
that all your NEWS is good!

   

THE BIGGEST WAVE!

   THURSDAY, JUNE 16TH., 2016
         THE BIGGEST WAVE!

     I have finally found it! I've been
to California. I've been to Hawaii.
But I found it right here during our
family vacation in Wildwood, New
Jersey.
     It's the biggest wave! And it's
not a Tidal wave! In fact it's not
even in the ocean!
     I found it or, rather, them on
the amusement ride piers right
off the boardwalk!
     They are most often produced
by the crowds of parents and
grand parents watching their
children and grand children as
those kids go round in circles on
things like the Merry-go-round
and various other attractions.
      Often the kids wave back.
But even if they don't the moms
and dads, usually waving with one
hand while holding a camera
in the other, are waving either
to acknowledge their presence, or
in an attempt to get the children
to look towards the lens!
      Surfers may be unimpressed.
But the kids and the parents are
usually pleased.
       Hope you're still waving at
someone you love and that all
your NEWS is good!

ALL HANDS ON DECK!

    WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15TH., 2016
           ALL HANDS ON DECK!

     The kids wanted to race go-carts
Tuesday night. I wanted Curley Fries.
       So, after the go-carts, I stopped
at Curley Fries. So did everybody else!
The benches there provided just enough
seats for our party.
       It was the bucket of fries that
suddenly seemed too small! So we
all participated in one of those exercises
where you put the bucket in the middle
and everyone tries to get their hand in
and out with at least one French fry
before your hand clashes with the
next one on its way in!
     Ironically as we all began to get
our fill I suddenly noticed that a
small fry (the youngest member of
our troop) had somehow managed
to slide the bucket just in front of
her seat! She is a very smart young
lady!
     In the end everyone walked away
filled except for the aforesaid young
lady. She was carried from the scene,
apparently too filled to walk any more.
      Hope I do as well on my next visit
and that all your NEWS is good!

 

OBLIGATORY!

     TUESDAY, JUNE 14TH., 2016
                OBLIGATORY!

          There are certain photos that
must be taken when you visit certain
places.
          In Pisa you must pose as though
you're trying to hold up the leaning
tower! At the Grand Canyon you've
got to get a shot as though you're
about to fall.
          And you don't leave Wildwood
without a photo by the Wildwoods
sign! It's a huge series of letters that
spell out "Wildwoods' and a whole
lot of large colorful make believe
Beach balls that invite anyone with a
camera or smart phone.
          The problem, of course, is that
everyone wants the same photos, and
usually about the same time as you're
there!
         We took a stroll there Monday
after visiting a nearby playground.
Since we're just a little pre-season
the crowds weren't overly large. Since
my son has worked as a Bouncer I
suggest he might clear the place for us.
         Instead we just watched for
openings as they appeared and took
our shots....pictures that is.....as we
got the opportunity.
          Any person appearing in the
background of our snapshots is
there strictly by coincidence and
is not affiliated with our family.
Unless they are wealthy. In that
case.....welcome!!!!!
         Hope we're all in focus and
that all your NEWS is good!

A TASTE OF THE SHORE!

   MONDAY, JUNE 13TH., 2016
    A TASTE OF THE SHORE!                          

      Our grandson was introduced
to salt on Sunday. It came in a
couple forms.
      First, from water in the
Atlantic Ocean! It was his first
trip to the beach and he seemed
to enjoy it.
      At ten months old he tends
to put anything he can gets his
hands on into his mouth. I believe
he may now know that beach
sand is not the best tasting
substance here at the shore.
      He seemed to love the water,
salt and all.
       So, as a reward, we took
him to my favorite stop on the
boardwalk. Curley Fries!
       Here again, he got a taste
of salt mixed here and there
with ketchup and perhaps just
a touch of vinegar.
        He is getting a real "taste
of the shore!
        Hope his blood pressure
is OK and that all your NEWS
is good!