Glenn, Thanks for that full report to John. Although I, too, reveled in all the positive vibe in town 7/18-20, your observations of the contrasts with our northern neighbors was icing on the cake. Looking forward here to more late fireworks, raucous beach parties and everything else that goes with the territory when one chooses to live in a beach town. Some of Belmar's short-sighted homeowners lost sight of that perspective several years ago with their bitchin', so now "Let them eat [our] cake." Thanks again for the pix and come back soon! Mario In a message dated 7/21/2008 4:55:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi John, I took the "Gay History of Asbury Park" Trolley Tour on Saturday night (they serve free wine, by the way [I passed] and a look at the Wesley Grove complex.) Although "RoadTrip" was going in full force on the boardwalk, the sidewalks of Cookman were full of people. The business owners on Cookman had themselves all decked out and it looked wonderful. I directed a family to Cookman that evening, promising (like I can do that - lol) a great time. I am sure that they had at least a "good time". I departed Asbury Park at 6:30PM on Sunday. Since a local friend had warned me that the Parkway was a mess, I chose to take 36 (Ocean) up to Eatontown before getting on the Parkway. When I left Asbury Park, the Boardwalk was buzzing with people. Since I was heading up 36, I took side trips in Deal and Long Branch to check the crowds out on their boardwalks. Well, there were no "crowds"; just a few walkers and a angler here and there. I don't have the scoop (for sure) on the Cookman businesses, but it appeared that they at least had foot traffic. As far as 11PM fireworks, hmmm, I suppose that it it not much different than Jack having to listen to Tina Turner being blasted at the Tea Dance (from The Empress) every Sunday. It's part of the package. I will tell you that I live one block from a beach and there are fireworks every July 4th. I THOUGHT that my dog had no problems with the fireworks, until we were at The Empress on Friday. She bolted into the room and tried to get into the duck's cage for consolation. I simply closed the balcony door and the Windows at the hotel and there were no sounds from the fireworks it in the room. Then it dawned on me that I always have the dog inside on July 4th at home with doors and windows closed. Maybe a compromise is the solution, close the place up at 10:45 and open it again at 11:15 - it's a small compromise if it is bringing money to your City (just my two cents.) Oh, and about the "Gay History of Asbury Park Tour", good thing I didn't bring Werner, lol, apparently Ethel Merman used to put on water shows at the Monte Carlo Pool!! (Picture THAT!) [Esther Williams] (I am not making fun of the tour guide, 99% of his information matched Werner's information - now I am rating Historians!) Thanks again for a great visit, Glenn --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "nobepeymay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, Kathryn Bevacqua <kbevacqua@> > wrote: > > > > Am I the only one that has a problem with a major fireworks > display happening at 11:00 p.m.? I think that's entirely too late, > special event or no special event. Maybe I'm just getting old. > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------- > > I think it is great....I am not aware of any other town that has > fireworks that late and it sets AP apart. > > we have to cater to all different crowds here and as long as each > group is satisfied then the boardwalk will stay busy during all > hours of operation. I was riding my bike around both Friday and > Saturday late at night (after 12) to see how busy stuff was and > besides the impressive line outside the Empress on Saturday the > crowds appeared to be pretty thin everywhere else at this hour. > > If this was the only fireworks display of the season and it was real > late I would probably feel differently. Was there alot of people on > the beach for the late fireworks? Also does anyone have any > information as to how the restaurants on cookman are doing this > season? I was told by a friend that the restaurants in Cape May are > not nearly as busy as they usually are this time of year. > > John > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links **************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today. (http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020)
