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Last night I had the privilege of honoring some of New Jersey’s BEST at Asbury Park’s magnificent Convention Hall Theater. My co-host Calvin Schwartz and I enjoyed greeting the honorees on the red carpet. The New Jersey Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates Garden State Citizens for their outstanding accomplishments. I am always impressed with the diversity of over achievers that are chosen for each year’s ceremony. Year’s passed the Inductees have included Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Dizzy Gillespie, Martha Stewart, Joyce Carol Oates, Tony Bennet, Whitney Houston, John Travolta, Dionne Warwick, Michael Douglas and Bruce Willis. And this year’s honored were equally impressive:

Class of 2015

James Fenimore Cooper – America’s National Novelist – “Last of the Mohicans”

William Fox of 20th Century Fox – His first film studio was in Fort Lee New Jersey

Lewis Katz – Founder and Director of Katz Foundation

Kool & The Gang –  “Jungle Boogie”, “Funky Stuff”, “Ladies Night”, “Celebration”

Jack H. Jacobs – Medal of Honor, McDermott Chair of Humanities, On-Air Analyst for NBC

Derek Jeter – Five Time World Series Champion, Yankees All-Time Career Leader

Frank R. Lautenberg – Represented NJ in the United States Senate for five terms.

Bernard Marcus – Co-Founder of Home Depot

Christie Rampone – FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion & 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist

Jon Stewart – Television Host of The Daily Show – winning 18 EmmyAwards

Dick Vitale – American Basketball Sportscaster & Analyst, ABC, ESPN, NCAA, Olympic Games

Carla Harris – Vice Chairman, Global Wealth Management, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Gospel Singer

The evening began with the theater booming from the tremendous sound of the Glen Burtnik Band. Soon after we were treated to a wonderful rendition of Theme from New York, New York sung by Joe Piscopo, the Hall Of Fame’s Host. Among laughter and cheers Joe Piscopo sung about New Jersey’s greatest and most memorable places to love and avoid. Throughout the evening one by one the Honorees and their families accepted the prestigious awards. All who attended the ceremony that evening could sense the great privilege that each inductee felt who stood on the stage that night.

(Special thanks to photographer: Richard Elliott Hoynes)

After a great evening in Asbury, rubbing elbows with my long-lost cousin Dick Vitale, and serenading “Ladies Night” to Kool & the Gang, I am settling down with my better half to rent the “Last of the Mohicans” in honor of New Jersey’s Hall of Fame. Looking forward to next year’s Ceremony and finding out who will be chosen from the many supremely talented Jersey Citizens. Congrats to all New Jerseys Hall of Fame Inductees and Good Luck to all the Hopefuls!

TaraJean McDonald Vitale

Journalist & Radio Host & On-Air Personality, NJDiscover

yourstrulyTJ@wordpress.com

SPOTLIGHT: A Magical Night at Skye Blue FC, WOMEN’S Professional Soccer vs Portland; Day after Ticker Tape Parade.  July 17^th 2015     bY Calvin Schwartz

I’ve been a sports fan for a long time. Early recollections go back to the Brooklyn Dodgers winning the World Series in 1955 when I ran home from grammar school to watch the last few innings on black and white television. And yes, the Boston Celtics with Bill Russell and Bob Cousy kept me shooting a basketball in my backyard in the middle of winter, late at night, with the help of a 40 watt lamp I made in wood-shop.

When my son was ten, I took him to our first Rutgers University football game. The following few years, I got season tickets for Rutgers football, men’s and women’s basketball. My son’s high school girls’ basketball team was ranked 11^th in the country at one point. Suddenly, I had discovered the thrill of women’s sports and went to almost every one of their high school games over a three year period.

Along the way, I wrote a novel, ‘Vichy Water,’ and one of my main character’s role model/heroes was Althea Gibson, the great tennis player. Then I discovered Rutgers Women’s soccer. A full circle of commonality and synchronicity brought me to my first professional Women’s soccer match a few months ago as NJ Discover partnered with Skye Blue to produce its 2015 online game (match) broadcasts. I watched in awe as New Jersey’s team, Skye Blue FC took on Houston Dash with Carli Lloyd,Morgan Brian and Meghan Klingenberg from the USA World Cup Team.  Both teams were replete with USA World Cup Soccer Team members; of course it was exciting to see world class soccer, intense competition, thousands of Jersey fans cheering at Rutgers Yurcak field; the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Next up was the World Cup Women’s Soccer tournament. Like many millions of fans here in the United States, I was totally mesmerized and captivated through the entire tournament. And yes, after each US goal scored, I jumped up, flailed my hands, and yelled encouragement and support; I was alone in the den but wished I was there. The final match against Japan was the perfect scripted ending until last Saturday night when Skye Blue FC played Portland at Rutgers.

As I arrived at the soccer complex before 7 PM, a few cumulous clouds in the most perfect blue sky, after all it was a Skye Blue match; you could sense a special excitement in the air, the day after the ticker-tape parade for the World Cup Champions in New York City. The parking lots were filled; as were the stands.

While I watched intently, jumping up for almost goals, I thought about what a special night out it was. To be part of the excitement of professional women’s soccer, turning around to see exuberant faces, the euphoric soccer kids and being able to grab a beer and a snack at half-time; all part of the magic of the night. Often, I’ve urged readers to get off their sedentary sofa and get out into the world and partake. Skye Blue is a sublime sofa evacuator and New Brunswick, with a multitude of eateries, is three minutes away.

The best part of the night; after the match, the Skye Blue players signed autographs for the legions of fans for an hour at the railing. Christie Rampone, from the World Cup Championship team, kept reaching for fan’s cell phones for ‘selfies.’ Present and signing autographs also were Kelley O’Hara (Skye Blue) Alex Morgan, and Tobin Heath (Portland) all from the World Cup championship team; a most perfect quintessential fan friendly experience. Skye Blue won 1-0.

Next home game: Saturday July 25^th   7 PM

For more Skye Blue FC info: http://www.skybluefc.com/

Hundreds of cheering fans welcomed Christie Rampone home! Christie Rampone is New Jersey’s very own Soccer Gold Medalist from the 2012 Olympic Games!

After winning her 4th Olympic Medal, Christie is now the first four time Olympian on the United States women’s soccer team.  Dedicating 15 years on the national team she has proven herself to be the perfect example of a young women who has never given up on her dreams. Because of her focus on staying healthy and fit, she was chosen to be spokesperson for the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.  With this opportunity Christie has given more children the opportunity to experience her enthusiasm along with her personal support and guidance.

Christie Rampone’s commitment to her team as Captain is equaled by her devotion to her family. Being the only mother on the team, Christie keeps her children close by. Both Rylie, 6 and Reece, 2 attended the event at Jersey Shore Medical Center.

Also, in attendance was Jersey Mike’s Sub’s owner Peter Cancro showing his support for Jersey girl and Olympian, while giving subs to all of her fans. – TaraJean Vitale, NJ Discover

NJ Discover TV Hosts Frank DiCopoulos & TaraJean Vitale were on the scene at K. Hovnanian’s Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.