Whyizzit? Answer me, whyizzit there are days like April 21?
As days go, there is certainly nothing different or strange about April 21. It’s a Saturday, an otherwise perfectly good weekend day, but it turned into one of those terrible “target dates” that everyone who was planning something back in November 2011 obviously said to each other, “OK, let’s have it on…April 21.”
There are similar days in September. They are days that make us shiver. There are only so many of us in the Herald’s newsroom, and there are so many things happening around the county on that day, if we had double the staff, we all would be busy. In those September “target dates” it is likely that there is a state firemen’s convention in Wildwood, up in Sea Isle City a fall family festival, while on Seven Mile Beach there was a Wings and Water Festival, and, oh yes, in West Cape May there would be a Lima Bean Festival.
Guess where and go there? Not a bad idea.
Consider April 21, for better or worse. Dress comfortably, wear old sneakers, drink lots of coffee and don’t expect to stay too long in one place.
You like baseball? That day will be a World Series performance for you.
At 9 a.m. in Mitnick Field, Cold Spring, it’s opening day for Lower Cape May Little League. Only a non-patriot would knowingly miss out on all the pomp and ceremony associated with this annual event.
For another seeming million youngsters, their folks and friends in Middle Township, it’s also Little League opening day. Baseball will be played all day and into the night. That wipes out the entire day for the Davies Sports Complex from 10 a.m. until the sun goes down, and then, they will likely still play under the lights.
Not far from that annual solemnity in Davies Sports Complex, just over the bike path, down Memory Lane with some rather sad-looking memorial trees, and into the Cape May County Park, (cross at the bike path light on Court House-South Dennis Road) it is the Cape May County Earth Day Celebration.
Depending upon one’s love of running, the day could begin at 8:30 a.m. with a mile-long Fun Run. More competitive? Enter the 5K Race that commences at 9 a.m.
Then, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. it’s the Earth Day Fair in the park. Presented by the freeholders, Earth Day reminds us to recycle, grow things (like beach plums) and be mindful of tiny creatures, like bees, that make honey.
For those who have no desire to leave the park, and miss the rest of the happenings in the county, there will be guided eco-walks and talks featuring the Born Learning Trail.
Those possessing rhythm, or who want to get even with their kids for wanting a drum set, Mark Jacopec will open his drum circle to all to get with the beat.
Have you seen enough of trees and recycling and want to see the great Atlantic Ocean?
Cape May County freeholders have again thought of your need to be healthy. Still on April 21 in Wildwoods Convention Center, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be annual Healthcare Resource Day.
Still toting around those five extra pounds of pudge caused by overindulging in Christmas cookies? Wonder if those spots before your eyes might have something to do with high blood pressure? Could it be you get shaky when someone tells you that at your age you should check your blood sugar? Forget Earth Day early and hustle over to the ocean and health day. There will be 40 exhibits from various health service providers.
At 11 a.m., as kids are pitching to half-scared batters over on the mainland, Dr. Anthony Rooklin, director of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Crozer-Chester Medical Center will speak on “Management of Pediatric Asthma.” At 12:30 p.m. Dr. David Begleiter, chairman of Radiology Department, Shore Medical Center will speak on “Radiology and Radiation: How Safe is It?”
While there in Wildwood, look out on the beach and see the Wildwood Buggy Bash, April 21-22 with sail carts racing about the strand from both U.S. and Canada. Some of those wind-powered racers have clocked speeds of 40 mph, all while whisking past gas pumps that are charging about $4 a gallon for petrol.
If all this seems a bit overwhelming, there is a distinct possibility that, if we wait a week or two, there will be absolutely nothing to do, and all weekend in which to enjoy the time alone.
Target dates are simply good-time overload, and, no doubt, I have left out at least half a dozen others. We take those days in stride, so should you.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
