Chasing an Army Legend at West Point

By Greg Kelly

It was a perfect day for football. In fact, perfection was improved upon that day because I got a boat ride and talked to a US Army icon. Just recently I had the great pleasure of visiting the US Military Academy at West Point, New York to see a college football game.

Making the superb trip with me were my brother and sister and we got there thanks to first class service from Seastreak ferry. I highly recommend the excursion. It offers up an exciting and enlightening atmosphere for sports fans of all ages.

The day began with a sublime boat ride from the NJ bayshore to New York—a calm, cool, and colorful morning voyage. All the way north, the outdoor air was brisk and the banks of the Hudson River were awash in stunning Fall colors (with photo opportunities galore).

When we arrived at West Point with a full boat, it looked like the game at the 38,000-seat Michie Stadium was also very well attended. Most impressive to me was the section of cheering US Army cadets, looking sharp in their white hats and shirts, bathed in brilliant sunlight.

I had heard that during Army’s glory years, in the 1940s and 50s, college football ruled supreme as America’s leading fan sport. Back then it was common for national newspapers to run several full pages of news and photos on big college football teams like Army. Now I see why.

In Army’s 50-25 blasting of Eastern Michigan University on October 12, junior running back Terry Baggett rushed for a school record 304 yards and 4 touchdowns (including a 96-yarder). We saw history. It was the first 300-yard rushing game in Army’s 120+ years of football.

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Greg’s List: Things to do this weekend in Monmouth County, October 25-27, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Sunday, October 27

• Monmouth Symphony Orchestra at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• The Wonders of Wildlife (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Fall Wine & Cheese Tasting Weekend (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Eco-Kayak Tour of the Navesink River (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• The Spirit of Woodstock (Manalapan) – MORE INFO

• Snuggies, S’mores & More (Freehold Twp) – MORE INFO

• JC’s Classic Car Show (Farmingdale) – MORE INFO

• Wild Edibles & Medicinals (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Play Dates in the Park (Colts Neck, Middletown) – MORE INFO

• The Tricky Part at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Fall Foliage Cruise on the Navesink River (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Art & Crafts Show at Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• A Day of Poe (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Fall Scavenger Hunt (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Trick or Trot 5k (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• What Were We Talking About? (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Oceanport Halloween Parade & Party – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, October 18-20, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

 Sunday, October 20

• Arsenic & Old Lace by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Thompson Park Day (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Vintage Shopping Expo & Fashion Show (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Red Bank Food & Wine Walk – MORE INFO

• A Taste of Noir by Jersey Shore Writers (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• History Ghost Walk: Asbury Park (Ocean Twp) – MORE INFO

• Broomstick at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Belmar Fall Town-Wide Yard Sale – MORE INFO

• Seascape by South Street Players (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Red Bank Halloween Parade – MORE INFO

• “Rock to the Top” Local Band Competition at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Eco-Kayak Tour of the Navesink River – MORE INFO

• Rotary of Asbury Park “Bowl-a-Thon” (Bradley Beach) – MORE INFO

• Haunted Theater at BCC (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Halloween Off the Cuff at The Grange Playhouse (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Corn Harvest at Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• “Pumpkin Patch Day” (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Shrewsbury Classic 5k – MORE INFO

• VW & Audi Show & Go at Raceway Park (Englishtown) – MORE INFO

• The Way We Were by the Oasis Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Art for the Cure Festival at Pier Village (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Brighton Beach Memoirs by Monmouth Players (Navesink) – MORE INFO

• Bronx Zoo Trip (Lincroft departure) – MORE INFO

• Tango for Beginners at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Monmouth County Online Surplus Auction – MORE INFO

• A. Casola Farms Fall Fest (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Jersey Shore Wine Weekends at Four JG’s (Colts Neck) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• Flute & Friends (Shrewsbury) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Weekend . . .

Friday, Oct. 25: Art & Crafts Show at Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

Saturday, Oct. 26: Pier Village Pooch Party (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

Sunday, Oct. 27: Monmouth Symphony Orchestra at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Month . . .

Nov. 2: National Theatre of London: 50 Years On Stage (WLB) – MORE INFO

Nov. 8:  Bill Cosby at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

Nov. 17: Atlantic Highlands Art Show & Sale – MORE INFO

Nov. 30: Classic Holiday Horse & Carriage Rides (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

Greg Kelly is a longtime Monmouth County journalist. He welcomes comments or questions at [email protected].

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Fall Cruises On The Hudson

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

Approaching or leaving lower Manhattan by water never gets old for me. If you start getting used to it, just look closer.

If you are ready to be really moved by an enormity of natural and human wonders, present and historical, stay on the Seastreak Ferry when departs from Pier 11 any Saturday or Sunday morning this month for a guided tour of the Hudson River.  Paul Rush provides the educational and humorous narrative to the cruise.

Seastreak, our sponsor of Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, departs from Highlands every Saturday and Sunday in October at 8:45am, stops at Pier 11 in lower Manhattan to pick up Rush and more passengers if there is room on the boat,  and heads up the Hudson to Bear Mountain  for Oktoberfest revelers and Cold Spring, NY for antiquers and strollers.

The leaves were just beginning to turn when Lori and I took the trip last Sunday.  We opted to pass on the mile uphill walk to Oktoberfest (and the downhill walk after 4.5 hours of drinking) to explore Cold Spring.  Whichever destination you choose, the best part of the trip is the journey.  All the more so now that the leaves are turning.

The return journey starts at 3:30 when the boat departs Cold Spring, picks up the wobbly revelers at Bear Mountain at 4, and culminates with sunset over the Raritan Bay before docking at Highlands at around 6:15.

It’s  not the destination that matters. It’s the change of scene. ~ Brian Eno

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, October 4-6, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Saturday, October 5

• Bradley Beach Tour-the-Town Garage Sale – MORE INFO

• Putting the Garden to Bed (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Latino Festival of Monmouth County (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Park Zombie Walk – MORE INFO

• Fall Flea Market at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• AUM Church Rummage Sale (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Sandy Hook Bird Walk – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest in Highlands – MORE INFO

• Oktoberfest in Fair Haven – MORE INFO

• SPCA Dog Walk & Pet Fair (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Fall Craft & Vendor Show (Bradley Beach) – MORE INFO

• Broomstick at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• College Football: Monmouth U vs. Robert Morris (WLB) – MORE INFO

• Ocean Twp IAA Flea Market – MORE INFO

• Our Town by Stone Church Players (Navesink) – MORE INFO

• Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise via Seastreak (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• AAUW Used Book Sale (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Tinton Falls Community Day – MORE INFO

• Open Hearth Cooking Demonstrations (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Open Shoot Archery (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Yoga Class for Beginners (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Guitar Concert with Paul Pugliese (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Hazlet Day Festival – MORE INFO

• Homeowners: Short Sale vs. Foreclosure (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Camp Evans “Base of Terror” (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• First Saturday Asbury Park – MORE INFO

• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Ride (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• SPUR Fine Wine & Craft Beer Tasting (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• St. John’s Fall Festival (Hazlet) – MORE INFO

• Saturday Morning Craft Time (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 20-22, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Sunday, Sept. 22

HIGHLANDS FIRST AID SQUAD FUNDRAISER (Highlands) —MORE INFO

• Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival – MORE INFO

• On Borrowed Time at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• Broomstick at NJ Repertory Theater (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir 5-Mile Run (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Cornbread Contest (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Autumn Beach Walk (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• The Sleeping Beauty by Coastal Artists (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Women’s Lifestyle Event (Farmingdale) – MORE INFO

• Canterbury Art Show (Rumson) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend—September 13-15, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

 Saturday, Sept. 14

• Manasquan Fall Arts & Crafts Fair – MORE INFO

• Irish Festival at the Jersey Shore (Sea Girt) – MORE INFO

• Tri-State Theatre Festival (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

• Colts Neck Rock Fest – MORE INFO

• Ocean Ave Mile (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Fall Crafters’ Market at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• Apple Fest at Delicious Orchards (Colts Neck) – MORE INFO

• College Football: Monmouth U. vs. Lehigh (WLB) – MORE INFO

• College Football: Army vs. Stanford via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• NY Mets vs. Marlins via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• The Dixie Swim Club at First Ave. Playhouse (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, September 6-8, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

 Sunday, Sept. 8

• Feast of San Gennaro at the Jersey Shore (Belmar) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Park Oyster Fest – MORE INFO

• NY Yankees vs. Red Sox via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• September Smashfest at Wall Speedway – MORE INFO

• Joe Bastianich w/ Victor Rallo Cooking at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

• SkimBash Competition (Sea Bright) – MORE INFO

• Blacksmith Demonstration (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Enjoy Sunday in NYC via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Red Bank Street Fair – MORE INFO

• Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon at Sandy Hook – MORE INFO

• Belmar Jr. Pro Surfing Competition – MORE INFO

• Houston Person & Quartet (Manalapan) – MORE INFO

• VFW Indoor Flea Market (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Games Galore! (Upper Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Wild Edibles & Medicine Walk (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• Canoeing on Marlu Lake (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Walk for All Ages (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• Music Man Rich Marzec (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• Railroaders Weekend at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• Mya’s Run for the Gold (Ocean Twp) – MORE INFO

• Open Ceramics (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Sportsman Drag Racing at Raceway Park – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Weekend . . .

Friday, Sept. 13: Tri-State Theatre Festival (Spring Lake) – MORE INFO

Saturday, Sept. 14: Manasquan Fall Arts & Crafts Fair – MORE INFO

Sunday, Sept. 15: NJ Friends of Clearwater Festival (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Month . . .

Oct. 5: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Oct 12: Ocean Grove Fall Harvest Festival & Craft Show – MORE INFO

Oct. 19: Belmar Fall Town-Wide Yard Sale – MORE INFO

Oct. 26: NJ Symphony Orchestra at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

Greg Kelly is a longtime Monmouth County journalist. He welcomes comments or questions at [email protected].

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this Labor Day Weekend

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

Sunday, Sept. 1

• BBQ & Craft Beer Festival at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Garden State Wine Festival at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

• St. Benedict’s Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

• NY Yankees vs. Orioles via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• Last Blast of Summer at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• The B Street Band (Sea Bright) – MORE INFO

• Free “Spectacular Fireworks” at Keansburg Amusement Park – MORE INFO

• NJFC Flapjack Fundraiser (Ocean Twp) – MORE INFO

• Labor Day Regatta (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Labor Day Weekend Sale at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO

• Presentation: Exciting New Products from Microsoft (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• Fireworks on the Beach (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Pat Guadagno (Monmouth Beach) – MORE INFO

• Cove Trail Hike (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Holiday Express Sunset Clambake (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours – MORE INFO

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, August 23-25, 2013

SPONSORED BY SEASTREAK

By Greg Kelly

 Sunday, August 25

• Dawn Patrol at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Wings of Freedom Tour (Wall Twp) – MORE INFO

• Baroque Treasures: Handel & Bach (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO

• NY Mets vs. Tigers via Seastreak Ferry (Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Saving Kitty at NJ Repertory Theatre (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• You’re Good Man, Charlie Brown by Center Players (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• The Voodudes (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Arts & Crafts Show at the Monmouth Mall (Eatontown) – MORE INFO

• 5k Challenge for CHHANGE (Lincroft) – MORE INFO

• All Things Birds Field Trip on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO

• Pier Village Sidewalk Sale (Long Branch) – MORE INFO

• Monmouth Park Kid’s Club (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

• Summer Showdown Contest & Art Sale (Middletown) – MORE INFO

• Blueberries! (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Dropkick Murphys at The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO

• Holmdel Sports Memorabilia Show – MORE INFO

• Search for Mushrooms (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Feed the Turtles (Howell) – MORE INFO

• Asbury Fresh Local Artisan Market – MORE INFO

• Mark DiIonno Lecture, “The Last Newspaper Man” (Freehold) – MORE INFO

• Jose Loo in Concert (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

• Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Weekend . . .

Friday, August 30: St. Benedict’s Festival (Holmdel) – MORE INFO

Saturday, August 31: Garden State Wine Festival at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Sunday, Sept. 1: BBQ & Craft Beer Festival at Monmouth Park (Oceanport) – MORE INFO

*     *     *

And Next Month . . .

Sept. 7: Asbury Park Oyster Fest – MORE INFO

Sept. 14: Fall Crafters’ Market at Allaire Village – MORE INFO

Sept. 21: Ocean Grove British Car Show – MORE INFO

Sept. 28: Beer on the Pier (Belmar) – MORE INFO

Greg Kelly is a longtime Monmouth County journalist. He welcomes comments or questions at [email protected]

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