What a shore year it's been. Here's a few highlights from 2009.
In January, we said goodbye to the Golden Nugget, a classic dark coaster that had once reigned supreme on the Wildwood boardwalk.
In February, I tested out the ACES train for the first time. It prompted a lot of media interest, and sparked NYC-based coverage. But we would learn later in the year that the train lost $6 million.
The same month, I also ran pictures submitted by a guy named Bill who would, soon after, become my boyfriend (awwwwwwwww).
In less awwwwww news, February also saw a shore gal become a Playboy centerfold.
In March, the Beach Bar at Trump Plaza was named one of the sexiest beach bars in the country.
I also dropped my PR for the Ocean Drive 10 miler by over 16 minutes. The success in this race lead indirectly to me signing up for the New Jersey Marathon.
April brought my first trip to Boogie Nights at Resorts, an experience repeated -- not to the same level of success -- for my sister's bachelorette party in November.
The Gillians started construction of Funland in Sea Isle in April, bringing amusements back to what has largely become a bar town.
Late April also brought an early blast of summer to the shore, inspiring sunburn all over the tri-state region.
I spent a chunk of my weekends in May working on a story about upscale shore bars, which was the first time I spent a stretch of time in beaches north of LBI. It lead to my love of Asbury Park. That article ran in June in the New York Times. It was my favorite shore article of 2009 -- followed closely by this piece that ran in May in Go! magazine.
Later in May, Ocean City took the "best beach" crown from Wildwood.
I proclaimed my love of Bloody Mary drinks in June, which prompted a lot of debate about who has the best.
Dusk opened to great fanfare in late June. The success was marred by the tragic death of owner DJ AM.
In July, Time magazine named Wildwood as one of its 50 authentic American experiences of 2009.
Mid-July, I underwent surgery that removed a cyst from my shoulder, but left me in a lot of pain. Not only did I have to cancel my birthday party, but I wasn't able to work out or run for a month. NOT GOOD.
As a result, August was pretty light around the blog, though I did run the Captain Bill Gallagher 10 Mile Island Run. NEVER AGAIN.
September brought more bad news for Atlantic City, this time for the Pier Shops at Caesars...
...and the Chelsea.
I suffered a personal blow, too -- in September, Bill moved to Minneapolis because of his job. We eventually broke up. I didn't really write about it because, well, it's painful. But this is a year in review, so there it is.
In early October, I hit the beach with my best pal for one last gasp of summer.
Later that month, I ran on a two-person relay team in the first annual Asbury Park Relay Marathon. My team came in third for the open mixed relay!
In November, I posted pictures of the new HBO series, Boardwalk Empire, which should hit the small screen in fall 2010.
The shore was also hit with a major nor'easter.
Which brought us into December, signing up for a marathon, and getting ready for 2010.
It's been an up and down year. I feel good about 2010. I'm already working on summer shore stories, and the weather can't get colder than it was today. Thanks for reading along!
This could be VERY interesting -- a documentary about Strathmere.
Here's a quick reminder of the misery that is the Sea Isle 10 mile island run. I started training for the New Jersey Marathon today and much prefer 40 mile per hour winds on a 29 degree day. Seriously.
I will not be doing an Atlantic City NYE round up post (it would take way too much time, and I'm in Philly for NYE), but they did.
Harrah's is looking for a lean 2010 and stronger 2011.
I'll have to check out this new Wildwood diner next time I'm in town.
Here's a video about a DIY renovation in Sea Isle.
I love/hate this song. Whenever it came on the radio, my brother and I would do our best George Michael impersonations and kill my mother's ears. I had never seen the video, with all its 1980s ski glory.
Or, if you prefer, drunk here's a video of drunk Santas and elves from the Tropicana's Running of the Santas.
Happy holidays!
This week, the WhyGo Family Travel website gave a nice shout out to this blog and named it as a great resource for travel in New Jersey. But the author pointed out that she lists my blog over a New Jersey Tourism site because she had a hard time finding one:
I've finally taken the plunge. I've signed up for a marathon. If all goes according to plan, I'll running my fastest 26.2 miles on May 2 in Long Branch for the New Jersey Marathon.
Training starts in a week. There's two feet of snow on the ground. I've never run further than 13.1 miles in my life.
I. Am. Terrified.
I promise not to flood the blog with posts about marathon training (which is very boring, and not much different from what I normally do except I'll be doing it exponentially). But since this is an event that takes place at the shore, I figured it was an appropriate thing to mention on the blog.
Prayers are much appreciated.
This isn't about OUR Strathmere, but doesn't it look nice? I also like Maine, especially in the fall. I'm also WAY tempted to buy this because of the name.
More Strathmere! This time from the shore one.
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, which runs tons o' fun stuff in Cape May, has changed it's name to the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities.
File this one under bizarre Sea Isle news.
Miss'd America is returning to Atlantic City! To BOARDWALK HALL! I am soooo heartbroken that I'll be in Florida during the drag pageant.
In news that surprised NO ONE -- ACES lost $6 million.
Ican's been approved to buy the Tropicana (wasn't I write about this LAST December?)
Not QUITE on the way to Cape May...
Some cool ideas for West Cape May.
A lot of this happened while I was out sick, but Wildwood recalled its mayor and put someone else in office. Reason? Property taxes. But that's a huge problem across the state, and the obvious answer -- to merge North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and West Wildwood into one town to share resources -- well, I can't see that happening any time soon.
It's never too early to think spring, especially when it's dirt cold and raining outside.
I picked up these shades from 1918 Vintage right after Thanksgiving. I've been looking for this style of glasses without the Ray Ban price tag, so this vintage pair is perfect -- right style, right price.
Why for Shore 2010? The lenses are super dark, so they're appropriate for extra bright days which, yes, we can have in winter, but they're really made for summer. I don't live and die by the "white only after Memorial Day" only rule, but the white color makes them feel right for warmer months.
There's something about vintage that reminds me of the shore, too. Maybe it's all the writing I've done about Wildwood in the 1950s, or maybe it's how much time I spend on avalonspast.com. I saw a lot of throw back '80s gear on the yuppie crowd this summer, but it didn't feel right. So I'll go with these.
I'll also be bringing these glasses (along with my running gear -- I start marathon training on Dec. 27) with me to St. Pete Beach at the end of January, which will not only be warm but has a very mid-century modern feel as well.
Anything you're already tracking for Summer 2010, fashion wise?
Ho ho ho, it's that time of year again. No, not for tinsel or Jesus, but for a bunch of drunk Santas to chase Hooters girls through the Tropicana in Atlantic City.
Silly? Yes. But it was a blast last year, and I'm guessing it'll be more crowded this year. The fun starts at 8 p.m., though the actual run (which is very very short, girls in heels) is at 10 p.m.
I got a tweet today poking fun at me for not being able to enjoy that crap MTV Jersey Shore show. I've been getting about five of these types of messages a day. I replied as to why I didn't think the show was funny. And then I put my head on my desk and cried.
It is so hard watching a place you've championed for three years ripped to shreds because some morons from New York wanted to be famous, and MTV wanted to make a buck. I hate seeing a place I love lampooned. That is not what the Jersey Shore is like, and I'm tired of trying to fight back against the avalanche of people who want to laugh and tell me otherwise.
So I'm done. That's it. No more of it on this blog (though thank you, Guster, for suggesting it could be fun. I tried. I can't do it). I'll keep doing what I've been doing here since July 2007: Writing about the real Jersey Shore.
Until then, check out this wonderful photo essay/statement by Justin Gaynor on the same topic, and the video below. THAT'S my Jersey Shore.
Sunrise at the Belmar Fishing Pier from Justin Gaynor on Vimeo.
I'm back from Florida and sort of stepped into something.
Check out the post below (or click here) and see the comments. Now, I was going to write a long rebuttal as to why I am not, in fact, Jenni from that MTV Jersey Shore crap show, but you know what? I'm going to leave the issue alone. It's not worth my energy nor anger at this point. But if you want to leave a comment in support, please go right ahead.
Phillyist.com also stepped up the plate for me in this humorous post. Do people really think we're the same?
I'm off again -- this time to Florida for a few days. I'd say sunny Florida, but the weather forecast is looking rather glum. I'm headed south with my dad to see his parents/my grandparents, but we're also taking a day at Disney World. I will be sure to hit this ride. Enjoy.
Al Alberts, who sang "On the Way to Cape May," has died.
Discount beach tags!
Lenders are ready to take over Resorts.
Get your boat off my lawn...er, off my street!
This lady wants a better price if Revel wants her home.
Hey hey! You can pay for parking at the Atlantic City airport with EZPass!
