Perfectly Infertile

goes the "Bennie bell"!! 

Now for you lesson in Jersey-shore-eese

This weekend…the official start of the summer season at the Jersey Shore!  And with the start of the weekend comes the influx of Bennies and Shoobies!  "Bennies" is the unaffectionate nickname of the northern Jersey folks who clog up the parkway making their day and weekend trips to the shore.  "Shoobies" refers to those to the west of the shore region…namely Philadelphia.

The origin of both nicknames remains somewhat of a mystery.  Bennies has been said to refer to those from the Bayonne – Elizabteh – Newark are who venture down the shore for weekends (and yes "down the shore" is correct…you don't go "to" the shore, or to the beach for that matter).  Another attempt to explain the origin is that people would often head down the shore for "beneficial rays" – hence the "bennies". 

Shoobies, goes back to a time when the rich still got dressed up to go out for a Sunday outing.  When the tourists came in they would be dressed to the nines.  Obviously walking on the beach in shoes is not a great idea, so they would carry their shoeboxes with them to put their shoes in while they frolicked on the beach (yes, here beach is OK, because once you are actully there it is what it is…a beach) .  So naturally, "shoebox carrying arrogant tourist" became "Shoobie". 

Either way, the arrival of bennies or shoobies ends weekends on the boardwalk for most locals.  The crowds have just gotten absolutely insane; and now parking is extremely limited as many of the parking lots have been sold and since developed into townhomes and condos.  I wonder now how the shore will change with all the develpment.  Where are the day-trippers going to park?  I'd hate to see Pt. Pleasant and Seaside turn into an Asbury Park (completely different reason, but I fear the end result may be the same).

But, their arrival means it is finallly SUMMER – and that is a good thing!  It just would not be the same with out the bennies and shoobies invading our territory.  Even though we decorate our cars with "Go-home bennies" bumber stickers, and welcome your Labor Day retreat with "Bye-bye Bennies" banners on our cars and bridges, we welcome what you represent…SUMMER!  When Labor Day arrives, we get our boardwalk back and sit and reminisce about the summer that has passed – with smiles on our faces because we know we get to do it all again next year!

I wish you all a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.  Remember the live sacrificed for the lifestyle we are permitted in this fine country.  Whether you argree or disagree with our current leader, our military deserves our thanks and support. May all of you who are serving remain safe and come home soon. 

And bennies and shoobies….welcome to the shore!!  Now go home!! (sorry, had to do it, I am from jersey after all!)  Here is to another wonderful summer!