Norman Wolfson: Celebrating my #1 PR Man!

Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!

The summertime is the best time to reminisce about Norman Wolfson - the Public Relations Giant from Mantoloking, NJ & New York City - who my cousin met commuting on NJ Transit.

Norman told me if I loved to write, to do one of two things: "Stalk local newspapers until they give you a weekly column OR start a BLOG!!!!" Norman - I listened. Tonight's Blog Post is for you, Sir.

My letter to the editor below was published in 2007 shortly before this friend & iconic figure in my community died. My letter was my response to his last column in The Ocean Star in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ. His poignant public goodbye to reading fans everywhere... brought on this e-mail to The Ocean Star:

----- Original Message -----
From: Tish Ferguson
To: editor@theoceanstar.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:58 PM
Subject: This one is for Norman Wolfson - thx!

Dear Editor,

The indomitable spirit of the wonderful Norman Wolfson shined on our community as he warmed and honored all of us with the word, "Adieu," in his letter to The Ocean Star on October 26th. God Bless you Norman. These words are for you:

I met Norman in his Manhattan office 24 years ago. I still remember the enchanting sketches of Disney characters on the walls and the understated trinkets that hailed him for his distinguished career as a creative professional dedicated to his craft. As he talked about his work from newspaper to public relations, he down-played it as something any man could do, but reminded us gently that it was so important to pick a profession that you enjoyed because you have to spend most of your life doing it.

Through my cousin, Kathy, and his daughter, Amy, I have followed what we call "The Awesome Adventures of Norman" for many years. This wonderful, funny, creative, energized and interesting man with an easy smile leaves people laughing aloud every single time you are in his presence. His Herculean and paradigmatic efforts in the The Ocean Star, (A Pt. Pleasant, NJ local newspaper), which ended two weeks ago, gave us a glimpse into his unique and amazing view of the world. His keen observations allow readers to marvel about the essence of what it is he must be thinking. As a result, I found myself racing to the 7-11 at the crack of dawn on Fridays reaching for that column, that letter, that unique perspective from the gentleman who has spent his life dedicated to defining the magnificence of his ideas and personal experiences.

As The Ocean Star readers saw first hand, Norman brilliantly celebrates life by painting his awesome pictures one word at a time. I always enjoy the superfluity of Norman's style especially when he uses playful, but honest words and expressions to describe the mind of a writer, life events, political views, moments in passing and friends. He writes about love, and loss, and humanity. Those of us who followed his work for years bowed our heads in reverence as he told us to come closer so he could poignantly create life-like snapshots that honored the legacy that was his beautiful late wife Betty. Readers loved Betty, as we wept with and for him.

When Norman honored the Cancro Family during a Jersey Mike's Sub Anniversary, I sent the article to friends across the country because the content of that piece transcended the "art of enunciation." Who could forget Norman's description of a local young rising star? She has "the gift" he explained - a talent to write with an eloquence beyond her years. Brittany Manzo, an aspiring college student from Pt. Beach, had made a difference in Norman's life because her hard work and art inspired his intellect and emotion at a wonderful point during his journey. As the artist of this tapestry, Norman seemed joyful and at peace knowing that a talented scholar, like Brittany, was poised with potential and skill to pick up the pen and finish the sentences when others could write no more. On so many levels, this local literary hero was triumphant! Fridays just won't be the same.

Finally, no one can write about Norman without talking about his sense of humor which has served as the best medicine for all people who ever touched his life. Allow me to end by telling a true story that Norman has repeated for years. It was 2 a.m. at the old Pt. Pleasant Hospital Emergency Room; he and I were stretched out on gurneys separated by a curtain with the support of each of our spouses within reach. He was the patient that night who used his positive energy to electrify the entire ward by telling one joke after another as he insisted that the medical staff take care of all the younger and prettier patients in "his audience" first. When the attending nurse opened the curtain to move Norman to an x-ray station in his fancy nightgown, I finally realized it was him! We literally screamed with laughter! Norman turned to his wife and said, "Oh no Betty! Thank goodness you're with me! It'll be all over town tomorrow that I was caught in bed at Pt. Hospital with Kathy Sharkey's cousin, Tish!"

Norman - Your words and your legacy are etched in the hearts and minds of many. We wish you well today and always with the same passion and energy that makes you the legendary and timeless scribe that you are. Thank you so much.


Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
2404 Maria Place
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
(732)714-8483 - Home
(732)259-2780 - Cell


When my letter was published in the local newspaper, Norman Wolfson called me at my home to critique it. His hospice nurse handed him the phone. It was a moment to live for by every standard. He told me he liked it and that he was crying because he had no clue I had followed his great work for so many years...

A short time later, when our Norman passed away peacefully - his daughter invited me to his funeral and I was humbled. In a single moment, I knew that speaking up had somehow made a difference in the life of someone who had spent over 50 of his years lighting up the lives of others by simply promoting everything that inspired him.

Norman Wolfson was one of the most creative & positive people you could ever meet and he was blessed with opportunities to share his gifts with small towns in New Jersey and an entire nation simultaneously. AND so - he did just that.

If you haven't landed that job yet, use the time to write or to say something to someone about some event that made a difference in your life. When you say it or write it, people will hear it and read it AND you'll remember it too! Positive vibes will follow...

Employed or not - YOU can make a difference in your own life and in the lives of others by working everyday to stay your great self! Don't get discouraged - make it a great weekend. The job will come...

And yes - In closing: This is what my #1 PR GUY Norman Wolfson said to me 27 years ago: "As he talked about his work from newspaper to public relations, he down-played it as something any man could do, but reminded us gently that it was so important to pick a profession that you enjoyed because you have to spend most of your life doing it."

Best regards,
Tish