My Visit to…
The Belmar Pro
BY JULIA MORTIMER
Red Bank CROP Hunger Walk Returns for 41st Year
10 OCTOBER 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY LORI DRAZ
nation to more than two dozen local pantries that have requested food.
the main school entrance. There will be apples, ice cream and Italian ice,
courtesy of Delicious Orchards, Sickles Market, Super Foodtown of Red
Bank, and new this year, Rita's of Eatontown! All are welcome to attend
and are asked to bring a donation to help the walkers reach their goal of
$141,000 and 18,000 pounds of food.
To make a donation and learn more about the 41st Red Bank Crop
Walk, visit RedBankCropWalk.com.
The 2021 Red Bank CROP Hunger Walk returns for the 41st time on
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ent local programs each year. Teams of walkers from many schools
and churches also raise thousands of dollars which supports a number
global programs of Church World Service that work toward sustaining
healthier lives and reducing poverty.
The 2021 Crop Walk season got off to a rousing start on Sept. 13
at the four-hour park and pick up rally at the First Baptist Church in Red
Bank. Attendees at the well-attended event dodged the rain which arrived
later in the day to pick up supplies and buy their Crop Gear that had been
personalized by the Teen Leaders in work sessions this summer. Nearly
every item sold out, but you can still order online.
Last year, the event was virtual and was a record-breaking success.
This year, with concern for the safety of the volunteers, event planners will
once again keep the walking, fundraising and food collection virtual, but
the group will come together for a grand celebration, food collection and
victory lap at Red Bank Regional High School on Oct. 17.
Plans are still being made, but the organization hopes to bring back
the event day food collection at Red Bank Regional High School. Collected
non-perishable staples include rice, peanut butter, beans and soup.
The Christian Boys Academy team counts and packs up the items for dopacked
with parties, live bands at various
We made a weekend out of it and spent
beach watching the surfers compete. It’s
truly such a graceful sport; the athletes
look so effortless in their movement
through the water. The waves were perfect
for competition due to Hurricane Larry. After
watching all the athletes in amazement,
we built up an appetite.
On this particular weekend day, we
headed over to 10th Avenue Burrito. The
wings at 10th Avenue Burrito are tremendous! We also always get an order
of chips and guacamole. I mean, how can you not?
The following day was just as beautiful outside, a cool breeze
coming off the water as we watched the competitors and sat on the beach
with sweatshirts on. There was also a band playing which was lovely. I
do not remember seeing a band any of the other years of the Pro, so it
was a nice addition! On this day, we also enjoyed delicious pizza from 3
Brothers From Italy.
I look forward to the Belmar Pro each year, and it did not disappoint.
The weather was perfect and the waves even better. It is my favorite way to
pay homage to a Jersey Shore summer and welcoming in the new season.
As the summer heat began to dissipate
and fall made its slow return,
I found myself scrambling to get
all of my summer activities completed
in the month of September. Though I
mourn the long days of summer, there
is such beauty in the transition. The summer’s
suffocating humidity begins to
rest, and a cool breeze washes over. There
are plenty of nostalgic things about the
end of summer but many wonderful
things about the beginning of fall, such
as pumpkin spice returning but your tan
fading. Nights grow longer, but sweatshirt season begins.
There are late August/early September activities I continue to do
Starbucks and Trader Joe’s but, more importantly, is attending the Belmar
Pro. Despite the fact that I do not surf, I take great joy in immersing
myself in the surf culture and watching people kill it in their sport. The
Belmar Pro takes place each year around mid-September – right around
the time tourists have taken the pilgrimage back up north.
As stated on the Belmar Pro website, “There are fun contests, autograph
signings, demos, bands, food vendors and giveaways. And the
action doesn’t stop when the last horn goes for the day. Evenings are
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