The Calendar Is Reason To Smile

It has been very cold for much of the past month or so although we are supposed to get into the 40’s next week which will provide some relief. That won’t do those taking part in Saturday’s  Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights any good when it looks like the mercury will stay in the 30’s with winds gusting at 15 MPH….oh and water temperatures around 40 degrees.

The 32nd annual plunge benefits Special Olympics New Jersey and as many as 8,000 brave souls will take a dip into the ocean and raise about $2.7 million. I did this myself in one of the early years of the event when it was much smaller and it is truly a spectacle for participants and spectators alike.  After getting out of the water many will gather at a local tavern as plunge day is also party day in Seaside.

If you're like me you can't wait for winter to come to an end...even if we have been quite lucky up to this point with very little snow and ice. As we hit the later part of February here are some numbers which might warm you up:

• It’s only 15 days to the Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights. St. Patrick’s Day itself is only 24 days away.
• It’s only 25 days until the start of March Madness…the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
• It’s only 27 days until spring officially arrives.
• The home opener for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws is only 46 days away. Get your tickets now!
• It’s only 58 days till Easter which is actually very late this year which I’m happy about because the weather might be nice by then.
• If you really want to push it then the start of Memorial Day weekend is 91 days from today…that’s still pretty far but the time will go fast.

There are not too many people who despise winter more than me but we have made it through most of it.  The days are getting longer and there is truly light at the end of the tunnel.