Father's Day guide: Things to do, gifts to buy and stories to read about Dad
Father's Day isn't exactly like Mother's Day, we know. We usually don't serve Dad breakfast in bed, give him flowers or pamper him. But why shouldn't we, asks our reporter Jim Beckerman, in a story from 2021.
Or we could take him out to dinner, proffers our NorthJerseyEats food team. (They also suggest some great gifts for foodie Dads.)
Or we could just celebrate him — as many of our stories, photos and videos have over the years. We thought it would be nice to gather them here, and we hope you enjoy reading our tributes, profiles, essays and suggestions for great things to do, make and buy for Father's Day.
Here's to Dad!
Life Without Father? One Father's Day, it will happen to you
These are among the hundreds of little, unnoticed gifts that all fathers give their children. You probably have similar memories. His gifts to me? I still have them all. And every day, I remember a new one. Happy Father's Day, dad. Read it: My first Father's Day without a father.
'I know I have something special': How Gleyber Torres appreciates fatherhood and baseball
“In the past, I’d go straight to the house and just think about a bad situation – why did I strike out, or if I make an error,’’ said Torres. “And now, with a baby, I know I have something special when I get back home." Read it: Gleyber Torres on fatherhood.
Father's Day tribute: NJ twins became doctors and battle cancer in memory of dad
Fakhruddin Danish's memory lives on every time Dr. Adnan Danish kills a cancer cell with radiation or Dr. Shabbar Danish performs surgery on a brain tumor. The two brothers have become well-regarded physicians in New Jersey, rising to the top of their field with a disease they know all too well. Read it: Twins battle cancer in memory of dad.
DNA test allows North Jersey man to meet birth father for first time in his life
Joseph Federico said the results of his DNA test showed that he had a first cousin in the 23andMe database, living in East Orange. He said he contacted his match — the company allows users to chat online with genetic relatives — and she told him that he resembled her uncle, Sergio. Before too long, Federico’s cousin connected them. And on Dec. 16 — 30 years from the day that he was given up for adoption — father and son were reunited in person. Read it: North Jersey man meets his father, 30 years later.
Take Dad on a beer crawl down the Shore
Few things say "summer at the Jersey Shore" quite like beaches and beer. So why not combine them? After all, we have plenty of craft breweries in beach towns. Here, for your summertime fun time pleasure, are 27 of them (and yes, beaches on bays, rivers and lakes count), listed geographically from north to south. Read it: Craft brew tour for Dad.
12 Jersey-made Father's Day gifts for food-loving dads
This Father's Day, consider an edible gift, most made and sold right here in New Jersey. For dads who love their grills and smokers, there's barbecue sauce to brush on brisket and bacon jam to dollop on burgers. Dad love sweets? Treat him to a flight of cakes or a dessert with his picture on it. Such gifts are doubly delicious: By ordering from these and other local producers, not only will you score a great gift for Dad, you'll help a small business in tough times. Read it: Foodie Father's Day gifts.
It's always Father's Day in the theater, where complicated relationships make great drama
There is one sort of person who never stops thinking about father. Someone who obsesses over dad, broods over dad, can't let dad go. Someone who tries — on a nightly basis — to confront him, exorcise him, forgive him, or be forgiven by him. That person is a playwright. "Oedipus Rex"! "Hamlet"! "King Lear"! "Death of a Salesman"! "Long Day's Journey Into Night"! "Fences"! It's amazing how many of the Great Plays center on confrontations of fathers and sons (sons and daughters, in the case of "King Lear.") Read it: It's alway Father's Day in the theater.
Barbecue to escargot: 9 North Jersey restaurants offering Father's Day dining specials
Every dad deserves to eat well on Father's Day. Here are North Jersey restaurants of diverse creeds offering special meals for dad on June 19. (Don't worry, there's plenty of barbecue on here, too.) Editor's note: This story is from 2022, so specials will have changed. Call ahead. Read it: Father's Day dining specials.
Ties? Golf clubs? Grilling tools? Enough. Try these Father's Day gifts instead
It's 2021. Social roles are evolving. Even the most conventional of us are becoming familiar with terms like "stay-at-home-dad" and "non-binary." So why, on Father's Day, are we still giving dad golf clubs? You know your own dad best, of course. But we think that, in the second decade of the twenty-first century, it's time to think outside the tool box. Here are some alternative suggestions. Read it: Different gifts for Father's Day.
My dad has dementia, but I’m still learning from him
On Father’s Day, I will remember the man who took me ice-skating at the local rink every weekend; who listened patiently in the car as I spilled my teenage dating problems; who linked his arm in mine as we walked down the aisle towards my husband-to-be, and whispered how proud he was of me. What makes this Father's Day especially poignant is that my dad is still around. He’s alive, but he’s not the man who helped raise me and my two younger sisters. At 89, he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Read it: My dad has dementia, but I’m still learning from him.
Bergen County first responders share the struggles and joys of fatherhood
In 2019, we asked you to nominate Bergen County first responders who are also fathers. We at (201) Magazine would like to thank all the emergency personnel who protect us on a daily basis, and we honor them by highlighting the five individuals here. Read it: Bergen County first responders share the struggles and joys of fatherhood.
Imagine catching a home run hit by your son? This dad did it, and he’ll never forget it
Every spring, in the days heading into Father’s Day, Conrad Gregor remembers his unique home run – the one that his own father actually caught. Marty Gregor is reminded every day of the catch he made on his son’s first minor league homer of the 2014 season. “I look at it every morning when I get up and start my day,” Marty said. Read it: Imagine catching a home run hit by your son?
7 Bergen dads share their favorite dish, fashion item and plans for Father's Day
A real estate developer who loves his Montblanc watch. A managing director who would wear Stan Smiths every day, if he could. A small business owner who is obsessed with 7 for All Mankind jeans. These — plus four other fashionable Bergen dads — may gravitate toward different styles, but they all share one thing in common: the love of their kids. With Father's Day in mind, we asked these Dads to share their favorite things about North Jersey, from fashion to food to the perfect Father's Day. Read it: 7 Bergen dads share their favorite dish, fashion item and plans for Father's Day.
Father's Day: What do you most admire about Dad?
Father's Day is a time for remembering what it was, and is, that our dads have given us over the years. It is a day to think about the lessons he taught us, intentionally or unintentionally, and how they have stayed with us. In that spirit, we asked our readers to answer the following two questions: What quality or qualities do you/did you most admire in your father? And when did you first begin to appreciate those qualities? We were rewarded with tough, tender, touching and funny responses. Read it: What do you admire about Dad?
OPINION
Ervolino: Dear Father's Day, you're no Mother's Day
Well, no matter how much we love our fathers, many of us have a hard time making Father’s Day plans. Read it: You're no Mother's Day!
Father's Day 2023: Embrace the journey, dads — and those ties, too | Opinion
Learning to be a good father did not come naturally to me. I made countless mistakes, but read books, took classes, and spent lots of time talking with my wife and other fathers in order to be a better dad to my kids. Talking to other fathers was a lifesaver, and one thing it taught me was that being a father is never-ending. Even in death, some believe you continue to watch over your children. I believe my dad watches me and one day I will do the same for my kids.. Read it: Embrace the journey.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Father's Day 2023 guide: Things to do, gift ideas for Dad
