“It doesn’t take a hero…”

“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle.  It takes a hero to be one of the men who goes into battle.”   – Norman Schwarzkopf (a New Jersey native, born in Trenton)

Today, on Memorial Day, we remember and celebrate the men and women who valiantly went into battle, and gave their lives for us and our country, for our freedoms and our future.

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

It’s a Circus in Here!

There are still about 6 weeks left before summer vacation begins, but many of the students at school are already acting like they are on break!  We have all kinds of assemblies and trips planned between now and the last day of school and every time we turn around there is another meeting or event to attend.  Coworkers are having babies, getting promoted, and retiring, so there’s always something to plan and celebrate.  It’s just a fun and exciting time at work right now, and I’m sure that if I asked my students to write a simile about it they would say that it’s like a circus.

Well if that’s the case, then as they say, when you can’t beat ‘em, you might as well join ‘em!

Joshua Harr Shane

A few coworkers and I are planning a fun night out after work today and we’re going to see a real circus.  The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton.  I saw the circus there last year, and it was  great time.  I’m looking forward to going again this year, and feeling extra-special about tonight’s show because of where we purchased our tickets.

Our tickets were purchased through a fundraiser for the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation, a New Jersey organization that dedicates the memory of a young man who left the world too soon to helping families in need – particularly those with young children experiencing illness.

Tonight, many children will be experiencing special moments with their families and creating memories that will last a lifetime – exactly what the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation sets out to help families do.

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

America’s favorite pastime… in Trenton, NJ

Ahh, baseball.  It’s just as much a part of summer as swimming pools and ice-cold lemonade.

Though I’m not an avid sports enthusiast, I really do enjoy going to a live event and had a great time at a Trenton Thunder game (in June) at Waterfront Park in Trenton, NJ.

Trenton Thunder is at bat

From the Trenton Thunder website:

“Come out to a Trenton Thunder game and you’ll experience Minor League Baseball at its best! As the Class AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees, the Thunder offer the highest level of baseball in the state of New Jersey and have been recognized as the “Nation’s Best Franchise” for providing an outstanding and unique fan experience while conducting unprecedented community outreach.”

A dog looking to find a good home with a Trenton Thunder fan or family of fans

One of the team’s community outreach initiatives involves helping homeless animals. During each home game, a dog in need of a good home is brought out to the baseball field for all in attendance to see.  The announcer provides details about the dog’s personality, unique situation, and encourages someone out in the stands to give the dog a home.

There are also plenty of eco-friendly reasons to support the Thunder.  Partnered with Eagle Maintenance Supply, Waterfront Park offers environmentally friendly paper products and hand soap, and the beer cups in the stadium are GreenWare, an alternative to plastic.  The Thunder Company Store sells a sweatshirt made from recycled PET (which is created by breaking down used soda bottles into polyester yarns).  Even the light bulbs throughout the stadium are energy-efficient, and the printer toner cartridges that the front office uses are refilled at a local ink re-filler.

Of course, my favorite part of any event is usually the food.  At Waterfront Park, there is a great selection of food to choose from.  Choices include Thunder dogs, baby back ribs, healthy salads, garden burgers, funnel cakes, mozzarella sticks, chicken sandwiches, French fries, cheese steaks, peanuts, popcorn, sunflower seeds, nachos, fruit salad, and (my favorite) ice cream.

There’s plenty of time left this season to go see a game, have some good food, and maybe even find your next family pet – Trenton Thunder has home games on their schedule through September 2nd.

“Root, root, root for the home team…”

Every summer evening should include ice cream, in my opinion.

Melissa
~The Jersey Girl

Related Links:
http://www.trentonthunder.com

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/style/trenton-thunder-helping-homeless-dogs-find-happy-homes