YEAH! Today is Friday and for many, they are looking forward to the LONG Labor Day Weekend. This weekend is filled with the last hurrah before the kids go back to school. The “unofficial” end of summer.
Being born and raised at the Jersey Shore, I have learned to look forward to this weekend. It is the weekend when most “shoobies” head home.
A shoobie (if you are from South Jersey) is some one who wears socks and sandals on the beach, typically coming to the shore for a vacation or long weekend or a day trip. Of course, if you are from Central or Northern NJ, these visitors are called “bennies” and are usually from NY. They are what keeps many businesses in our area open and able to sustain during the long cold winter months. YEAH!
When I was in high school, I longed for the summer. The boardwalk in Asbury Park got busy and I got more hours at work. We didn’t mind sitting in traffic or the lack of parking spaces. Fast forward to living in South Jersey near Ocean City and believe it or not, I didn’t think it was that bad, either. Yes, there was a little bit more traffic. Yes, there was a few less parking spaces. Yes, we had to pay to park. Given all of that, I loved taking the kids to the boardwalk and people watching. The crowds never seemed that bad.
Fast forward to NOW! Living in Central Jersey (Brick) again, I am back to CELEBRATING the exodus of people. For some reason the crowds seem worse, manners were left at home and oh, did I mention the traffic. I can go back to driving the highways and enjoy my happy place – the beach/ boardwalk in Ocean Grove. I no longer have to find the shortest or less traveled distance between any where I want to go. I can enjoy the boardwalk and we can walk the lake. Will I miss the warmer weather? YES! Will I miss the seasonal businesses that will close? YES!
Will I miss the “shoobies” and “bennies”? NO! Please no hate mail. All I ask when you visit is that you bring your manners and remember that for some of us, this is home and not just a vacation spot. We welcome you into our “HOME” and ask that you treat it as if you were a guest in someone’s (physical) home.
So, are you excited about or dreading the start of the LONG Labor Day Weekend? Share your thoughts with us..
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 