Commentary: Farewell To Shore Dreams

Covering the Shore Dreams For Kids event last July in Seaside Heights, N.J., was easiest it’s ever been for me because—thanks to Anna Trulio, my then-20-year-old daughter—I didn’t have to do the work. Anna and her boyfriend, Dave Rowe, happened to be staying that weekend at the New Jersey Shore with our longtime family friends, Bob and Madelyn Christie. And they and invited Anna and Dave to share in the one-day privilege of helping mentally and physically challenged children and adults enjoy a day of powerboat rides, food and carnival-style fun.

A true reflection of the Garden State performance-boating community, Shore Dreams For Kids gave back for more than 30 years. Photo courtesy/copyright Tim Sharkey/Sharkey Images.

A junior majoring in psychology at Goucher College just outside Baltimore, Anna wrote about her experience.

At the time, I had no idea her piece would be the last—at least for now unless something miraculous happens—on the event. But earlier this month, Shore Dreams president and board member Geralyn Monroe announced the annual, all-volunteer-produced happening had come to an end.

Having always covered Shore Dreams from afar, I was delighted to have representation—especially blood representation—at the 2018 event. At last, one Trulio had made it to Shore Dreams and I took more than little ribbing about that last year from my Garden State friends. And I have a lot of friends from the powerboat world in New Jersey.

Read More: Commentary—Farewell To Shore Dreams

Related stories
Shore Dreams For Kids Ending After 30-Plus-Year Run
Guest Commentary: Learning And Loving At Shore Dreams For Kids
Commentary: Shore Dreams For Kids—Or All of Us?