Upper Township 12/28/2005

Now, I know the latter isn’t quite true.
Surely there were lots of holiday happenings in Upper Township and Ocean City, but I was not told about them.
I have said it here before and I’ll say it again – this is your column!
To make it happen, I need to hear all about your events two weeks in advance.
I’m happy to print anything, from concerts, fundraisers, exhibits, classes, bus trips and more, that you want to read about here.
All you need to do is call me at 898-8825 or send an email to herald.events@gmail.com.
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I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. It is hard to believe it has already passed!
Now it’s time to look to the New Year.
Ocean City hosts its popular First Night celebration on New Year’s Eve, of course.
 A complete schedule of entertainment leads up to fireworks at midnight, and it is sure to be a blast for the whole family.
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The celebration continues with First Day at the Beach and First Day in the Downtown on Jan. 1.
Activities begin at 1 p.m. with entertainment in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace.
Early Morning Reign, a new folk ensemble featuring Ted Prior, Ed Shiffler and Gabriel Gold will perform.
A 5K Boardwalk Run starts 1 p.m. at the Pier. Entry fee is $20. All runners receive a T-shirt.
Registration begins at noon the day of the race at the site.
Call 861-0674 for information.
A First Dip in the ocean is set for 2 p.m. at the Moorlyn Terrace beach.
Several hundred enthusiastic bathers usually show up for the spirited and brief encounter with the ocean.
Bathers will also compete for prizes in various categories including Most Unusual Bathing Suits and Most Unusual Post Ocean Victory Dance.
All bathers receive a “Beach Nut” Certificate signifying they have braved the chill waters.
Shoppers will be able to kick off the New Year with First Day In the Downtown in the center-city Asbury Avenue business district.
Most stores will open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., some earlier at 10 a.m.
Asbury Avenue is noted for its many, unusual specialty stores and galleries.
For more information about First Night and First Day events, contact the Public Relations Office, 525-9300.
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The Upper Cape Branch Library is starting a book club for third and fourth graders.
The first meeting is from 6 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 23.
Winter break would be a great time for kids to read the club’s first book selection, “Gooney Bird Greene” by Lois Lowry.
The meeting will include a book discussion, a craft project and refreshments.
Students or their parents should register for the club at the library’s circulation desk, where you can also borrow a copy of the book.
For additional information please call 628-2607.
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Congratulations to Ocean City resident Anthony Fulginiti, who is one of five finalists in the State’s contest to come up with a new tourism slogan.
Governor Codey, dissatisfied with suggestions from advertising professionals, recently appealed to New Jersey residents for their suggestions.
Fulginiti submitted the entry “New Jersey, Love At First Sight.”
Last week he received a call from the governor’s office informing him that he was a finalist.
You can vote for Fulginiti’s slogan by accessing www.nj.gov/slogan.com.
It will be posted on the website shortly if it’s not already there, according to Fulginiti.
“It would be nice if the slogan came from the southern part of the State,” notes the retired attorney and husband of County Clerk Rita Fulginiti.
I certainly agree. Let’s all vote for his slogan!
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Have a safe and happy time celebrating the New Year, everyone.
If you resolve nothing else for 2006, please resolve to send me news to share with your neighbors in this space!
In return, I’ll resolve to make this a great resource for your community.