Father’s Day On The Beach

Random notes following what was the last official weekend of spring and the best we’ve had as the summer solstice arrives at 6:34 p.m. making today the longest one in terms of hours of sunlight. Tonight will feature something that hasn’t happened for nearly 70 years: the arrival of summer with a full moon.

The spectacular weekend weather gave me back-to-back days on my favorite beach in Seaside Park and it would have been a perfect 10 if not for the fact the ocean water is still very cold with temperatures in the low 60’s.

For me spending Father’s Day on the beach with my two children is about as good as it gets and while I miss my father greatly I know he’d be happy that I was with Brandon and Alex.  While many celebrated with a backyard barbeque we had a delicious dinner at Xina in Toms River where we ran into former Toms River North and Penn State lacrosse standout Tatum Coffey and her boyfriend, New York Jets rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg.

After we exchanged greetings and introductions they sat down at their table and I’m pretty sure nobody else in the restaurant realized that the quarterback who could one day lead the Jets was dining on sushi in the corner of the room.

If you have not been watching “O.J.: Made in America” then you’re missing something truly special.  The five-part, ten-hour ESPN 30-for-30 documentary aired last week but of course is available on demand and is a must-see TV event.

Described as a saga of race, celebrity, media, violence and the criminal justice system it provides insight into the life of O.J. Simpson and revealed things that I was not aware of.

More accolades for Donovan Catholic’s Alyssa Wilson who capped a great weekend by winning the shot put at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina with another personal best.  Earlier in the day she finished third in the Hammer throw and on Saturday was second in the discus.

Wilson returns to Donovan Catholic for her senior year in September.