The Small Role of the Father of the Groom

This is going to be a very hectic month and it started on Saturday with a bridal shower. not something I would normally mention. But it was for Jill Martino, who in a little more than three months will be Jill Williams after she marries my son Brandon.

The shower was held in Ridgewood and my role was to drive, carry presents to and from and that was basically it. Very much a small supporting role.  My wife Jane and daughter Alex had lead roles in the event which by all accounts was a smashing success. In all honesty I have learned the father of the groom is nothing more than a bit player in these things.

It was not a good weekend for Shore Conference football teams playing in state sectional championship games as only Long Branch came up a winner and that was at the expense of another shore team. The Green Wave captured the Central Jersey Group 4 title with a 43-42 overtime win over Freehold Boro in a thriller to give them their first state title since 1999.

Meanwhile Manalapan, Point Boro, Point Beach, Rumson and Mater Dei Prep all lost their sectional finals and in the case of both Manalapan and Point Boro it cost them perfect seasons.

I have no idea what James Fara aspires to be but I would bet on his chances.  The senior quarterback from Point Boro has had two great seasons for the Panthers and came up just short in leading them to a title on Saturday.  However just hours after a tough loss to Hillside he sent an email thanking me and our Shore Sports Network for the coverage we gave to him and the Panthers.

In my 38 years of covering local sports that’s only happened a few times and it shows the character of a young man who is a true credit to his school and more importantly his family.

By the way I got our Christmas tree and put it up on Sunday. We always go with a live tree and for $35 got just what we wanted.  Now I truly feel like the season is here!