Tuckerton Seaport

      Friday, December 30, 2022: After visiting the New Jersey Maritime Museum in Beach Haven, I headed toward another nautical attraction in Ocean County: Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton (609-296-8868). During the 1960s and ‘70s, my family and I used to go fishing and crabbing along the inlets near the bay in Tuckerton. Years later, this museum & reproduced seaport opened in the early years of the 21st century. The date above had been the first time I’ve been in this area for years. Therefore, the first place I headed to was the lighthouse in this mock seaport village. Inside, the ground floor displayed exhibit areas by way of texts, pictures, and exhibit items covering such subjects as the Lenni-Lenape Native-Americans, movers & shakers from Tuckerton’s past, local industries from the past, and so forth. On the upper floor, the staff presented temporary exhibit themes. When I was there I saw Christmas trees and other holiday decorations dating back through the 20th century. As for the village itself, I walked along a boardwalk surrounding a creek, and this boardwalk included entering different small buildings that presented the businesses one would have found in a typical seaport village. In each of them, texts, pictures, and historic items gave more details of each place: fishery, hotel, and surfing, as well as hunting, livestock—with live goats and sheep nearby, decoy carving, oystering, clamming, a folk life center, etc. I found it a fascinating place!      

NJ Maritime Museum

     Friday, December 30, 2022: In a nautical mood, I traveled to Ocean County, New Jersey and visited the NJ Maritime Museum, 528 Dock Road, Beach Haven on Long Beach Island (609-492-0202). Upon entering, I thought that this museum would contain a few exhibit areas, but I was wrong! A friendly guide told me that on two floors, there were several exhibit areas showing items from floor to ceiling. Therefore, by way of texts, pictures, videos, and many exhibit items, I learned quite a bit about NJ’s role near the sea, on the sea, and under the sea. Many of the stuff on display were things recovered from shipwrecks, uniforms worn by navy, coastguard, and United States Life Saving Service personnel, as well as deep sea diving outfits, equipment used on ships, lighthouse objects including a Fresnel lens, examples of animal life in and near the sea, and much more. In an area about shipwrecks, the museum had a room detailing what happened before, during, and after the 1934 fire onboard the Morro Castle.  I also looked at plenty of boat and ship models as well as an area about fishing, especially a Women’s Surf Fishing Club exhibit, and photos of NJ storms. If I had stopped to read and study everything, I would have to have made a return visit or more. As it was, I spent a few hours here at this “must see” attraction that has been opened year round.  

Cattus Island

      Monday, December 19, 2022: I was at a New Jersey state park earlier in the day, but later, I arrived at an Ocean County, NJ park: Cattus Island County Park, 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River (732-270-6960). Back in 1895, John Cattus bought this island and used it for a vacation home. Years later, it became part of the Ocean County Parks & Recreation system. The first thing I did was enter the Cooper Environmental Center where I learned more about the local natural history of the area. By way of texts, pictures, and different kinds of exhibits, I saw live animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and fish as well as other animals represented in carvings and taxidermy. I also noticed some interactive exhibits for children. Other activities at this park included eight hiking trails where the three ecosystems included a forest area, a salt marsh, and the natural area of Barnegat Bay! Near the Environmental Center was a picnic area, playground, bird observation blinds, a boat launch, and a butterfly garden. The Center also had a room for temporary exhibits. When I was there, I glanced at several gingerbread houses, and the surrounding area displayed holiday decorations. Overall, this whole day was a good introduction to what creatures and plants lived in this area. 

Double Trouble

      Monday, December 19, 2022: Because it was a bright sunny day, I decided to travel to Ocean County, New Jersey, and visit the following place: Double Trouble State Park, 581 Pinewald-Keswick Road, Bayville (609-726-1191). Despite the name, this place was once a thriving company town. As far back as the 1700s, there once was a lumber industry here until early in the 20th century. Another industry that gave fame to this place was the growing of cranberries, starting in the 1860s. The town reached its peak in the early 1900s. As for the name “Double Trouble,” there have been stories about the town’s earthen dam breaking twice in one year. By 1964, the State of NJ bought the property, but by then cranberry profits had decreased. Nowadays, some of the mostly early 20th-century buildings have been standing in this former village: the cranberry packing house, the supervisor’s home, the company store, and so forth. When I was there, the only building opened was the information center that provided brochures and men’s & ladies’ rooms. Meanwhile, signs around the area explained, via texts and pictures, the history of the area, and other signs covered more about the natural life nearby, both flora and fauna. For a closer look at the natural life, this park offered six trails located over service roads toward the former cranberry bogs that nature has been reclaiming. Anyway, I learned more about how life was lived here in the past and in the present!      

Seaside Heights

      Tuesday, December 13, 2022: After visiting Island Beach State Park, I next headed north toward a place in Ocean County, New Jersey, that my parents used to take me to in the 1960s and ‘70s: Seaside Heights (732-793-9100). Of course, back then, we visited during a summer day that included the crowds, but everything along the boardwalk was opened: the arcades, the carnival games, and the amusements, as well as the stores, the eating places, and the beach. This time around, however, I had a different experience because it was off season. It felt strange seeing the mostly closed businesses. Anyway, because there were no crowds, it felt more relaxing. I saw a few people here and there, including some men in wetsuits with surfboards, and a few places were opened such as the arcade section of Casino Pier, 800 Ocean Terrace (732-793-6488), where I played a few computerized games. In addition, I also noticed that some stores were opened, and I ate a great slice of pizza at another place opened year round: JR’s Ocean Bar & Grill, 601 Boardwalk (732-793-0800). Here, I encountered a friendly staff as I enjoyed my pizza and soda. The pizza slice was very large and not greasy! Another bonus for being at Seaside Heights this time of year was seeing it decorated for the holidays.    

Island Beach State Park

      Tuesday, December 13, 2022: I took another day trip within Ocean County, New Jersey. This time I spent part of the day at Island Beach State Park, 2401 Central Avenue, Seaside Park (732-793-0506). Many years ago, I visited here, but I only went during the summer and stayed in the swimming area. This time it was off season, and because of that, I didn’t have to pay any admission. Meanwhile in the swimming area, where I picnicked, it seemed as though I had this white sand beach to myself! In addition to the swimming area, I also saw more places at this state park than I had ever seen on my last visit, including the many dunes with its flora & fauna—especially birds. (I read that there are many foxes on this island, but I didn’t see any.) My favorite stop at the nature center proved educational and enlightening. Although the inside of the center was closed for the season, I did look at some outside exhibits and several signs displaying pictures & texts about the nearby animal life, both on land and in the ocean, and more about the plant life around here. Overall, for this time of year, it proved to be a relaxing place to spend a few hours.      

Jackson Premium Outlets

     Wednesday, December 7, 2022: After doing a bit of shopping in New Egypt, I later visited another shopping area in Ocean County, New Jersey: Jackson Premium Outlets, 537 Monmouth Road, Jackson (732-833-0503). Unlike the market at New Egypt, the founders of this outlet shopping center had it built from scratch in a late-1800s-looking exterior. The insides of these buildings contained many brand-name outlet stores offering “bargains.” (Please keep in mind that most of those clothes may have a brand-name label, but most likely, they were made in a different factory from the same brands sold in department stores. Therefore, a dress that might cost over $100 in a department store was made in a factory using good materials and good workmanship. Meanwhile, at quick glance, the similar-looking outlet dress for about $10 was made in another factory of cheaper materials, and the workmanship will not be as good. Nevertheless, if you keep this in mind, you can find bargains—just as long as you know what you are bringing home!) Most of the stores sold clothing, but I did see a few shoe stores, accessory stores, jewelry stores, furniture stores, snack food stores, and so on. (As far as I knew, I didn’t see much of a difference in the outlet version of these other stores, especially in the snack foods and accessories.) If you are in the area, it is worth a stop.    

New Egypt

      Wednesday, December 7, 2022: In a quest to do some sightseeing on the date above, I also did some shopping and browsing in Ocean County, New Jersey. The first place I visited was the New Egypt Flea Market Village, 933 Monmouth Road, New Egypt (609-758-2082). Unlike other flea markets, this place contained a “village” of small buildings once located in other parts of NJ. The latest buildings, from the 1970s, had once been barracks from Fort Dix. Nowadays, around 40 plus vendors painted and decorated these buildings in different ways and colors! Even if you didn’t buy too much, just walking around here and looking at the buildings was interesting enough, but looking inside, browsing, and sometimes buying the merchandise added to the enjoyment. In addition, on warmer days, many vendors also displayed their goods for sale on outside tables in front of the buildings. The stuff for sale included books, antiques, and collectibles, as well as furniture, household goods, toys, clothing, accessories, jewelry, hardware, etc. Meanwhile, the quality of the items being sold ranged from valuable to pure junk—and much in between. This market operated on Wednesdays and Sundays—rain or shine. Chances are that if you visit this place, you will come away buying something.    

Jenkinson's Aquarium

      Friday, December 2, 2022: After walking through part of the campus of Georgian Court University, I headed toward Point Pleasant Beach in Ocean County, New Jersey to see the sea or what has been in or near the sea: Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach (732-899-1212). This mid-sized aquarium contained two floors of exhibit areas via water tanks, other animal enclosures, and marine animal exhibit items, as well as videos, pictures, and texts. Among the animals presented, I saw seals, sharks, and many different kinds of fish. Other areas displayed monkeys, parrots, and an area showing the flora & fauna of the NJ Pinelands—and that was just the upper floor. On the ground floor, the aquarium exhibited jellyfish, stingrays, fish from off the NJ Coast, as well as a coral reef, a Pacific habitat, turtles, penguins, and other creatures: fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals who either live in or near or near both salt- and fresh-waterways or both. Whew! Because I was there in the off season and near the holidays, there was plenty of parking nearby, and I also saw the aquarium decorated for the Christmas season. No matter what time of year you visit, you are sure to have an educated and entertaining few hours here.       

Georgian Court University

      Friday, December 2, 2022: Ocean County, New Jersey was another county that I decided to visit for 2022/’23, and the first place I went to became a brief stop to see the Italian Garden at the Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum on the campus of Georgian Court University, 400 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood (732-987-2373). Upon arriving, we had to present an ID at the gatehouse, and the guard gave us a campus map. Anyway, of the four main gardens: Italian, Formal, Sunken, and Japanese, only the Italian Garden was opened to the public that day. In addition to the main gardens, this campus also had several smaller gardens. Nevertheless, even during the off season, the Italian Garden looked impressive along with the rest of the landscaping at this university campus. Here, I saw some conifer trees along with Roman-styled statues, urns, and fountains, as well as benches, an eagle/dragon statue, and the Apollo Fountain. It made for an interesting brief walk! A nearby welcome center provided mens & ladies rooms, and on certain days, tours of the campus started from here. 

Haddonfield, NJ

      Thursday, December 1, 2022: I have been very familiar with Haddonfield, New Jersey, because I visited this town since I was a child, and I lived there for a few years. This has been a very interesting town to explore with its downtown of shops, restaurants, and other businesses housed in buildings from the 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century, especially along Kings Highway. A lot of history took place here as well. It was in this town when certain officials decided to proclaim that NJ was no longer a colony but a state. If you visit no other place in Haddonfield, you should visit the Indian King Tavern, 233 Kings Highway East (856-429-6792). Here was where those officials in 1777 met on the upper floor in The Assembly Room and decided to make NJ a state. The interior looked similar to many taverns/inns from the 1700s, and another room on the upper floor, the Dolly Madison room, included a bed where she slept, but not in the inn. Dolly stayed at a house nearby. On the ground floor, the guide showed me the bar room and the Keeping Room where workers brought in the food from the kitchen located behind the tavern. Throughout the year, both the tavern itself and the town played host to different events, especially during the holiday season. Nevertheless, during anytime of the year, it has been worth visiting Haddonfield for a day or more to get your share of shopping, history, art, and culture. In my opinion, it’s the best place to visit in Camden County, NJ!       

Philcon 2022

      Friday, November 18, 2022: The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) played host to the Philadelphia Science Fiction Conference (Philcon) at the same hotel as last year, but with a different name: DoubleTree by Hilton, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. After I registered, I visited the Convention Suite (Con Suite). Just like last year, the con committee offered plenty of snacks, soft drinks, chances to talk with other science fiction fans (SF fans), and views of Route 70. Later, I spent most of my time recruiting our space exploration support club, National Space Society/Philadelphia Area Space Alliance (NSS/PASA), at a fan table in one of the main hallways. Again, just like past years, Philcon offered different kinds of activities and programming: animation, art, and costuming, as well as music, gaming, literary, media, science, etc. PSFS also offered workshops in writing, and other stuff to see and do. Anyway, a few hours later, I headed home for the night. 

     Saturday, November 19: I started Philcon’s busiest day by visiting the Art Show. For 2022, I noticed that there seemed to be a little more SF and space art—about one-third, and the rest displayed fantasy art. Meanwhile, about three-fourths of the art medium exhibited paintings and drawings, and the remainder showed other kinds of art: sculptures, quilts, jewelry, and so forth. Overall this room was about the size of a small art museum. Then I spent the rest of the day at the NSS/PASA table where I noticed other clubs and conventions promoting their interests. (It’s a great way to meet other SF fans because almost everybody stops at our table or passes by: I stay in one space, and the con comes to me!)
     That night I watched the Masquerade. I was disappointed to see only nine costume entries, and all of them wore fantasy costumes. Earlier, I also glanced at hall costumes when I was at the NSS/PASA table, and in some cases, they looked better than the costumes in the Masquerade. (If for no other reason, you should go to Philcon to show off your costume in the Masquerade. Philcon also sells one-day memberships in case you don’t want to attend for the whole weekend.)

     Sunday, November 20: As Philcon wound down on the third day, I stepped into the Dealers’ Room. Just like other years and similar to other literary-based SF cons, about half of the dealers sold reading materials in the form of books, magazines, comic books, and fanzines. The other half of the dealers sold other merchandise: jewelry, accessories, and toys, as well as games, clothing, models, posters, and so on. I ended up buying a few books. For the rest of my time at Philcon, I sat at the NSS/PASA table before I headed home.     

New Jersey Counties I Visited

      When I turned 50 in 2006, I decided to visit 12 places each year in my home state of New Jersey. Therefore, in this order, I visited and wrote about the following:
2006: I visited 12 major attractions in different parts of NJ and wrote about them in The State I’m In, Issue #1.
2007: I visited more major attractions, and the reports about them appeared in The State I’m In, Issue #2.
2008: I visited even more major attractions that appeared in The State I’m In, Issue #3.
2009: 12 places in Atlantic City in The State I’m In, Issue #4.
2010: 12 places in Sussex County in The State I’m In, Issue #5.
2011: 12 places in Morris County in The State I’m In, Issue #6. 

     Starting in 2012, I started a twice a year publication called The Column from 2012 through 2019. In those issues I wrote about visiting 12 places, six places in each issue, about a different county in NJ—and about other places outside of NJ:
2012: Warren County
2013: Somerset County
2014: Hunterdon County
2015: Passaic County
2016: Bergen County
2017: Hudson County
2018: Essex County
2019: Union County

     I didn’t go anywhere in 2020, but I made up for it in 2021 and 2022, and those reports are in Dotty’s Dimensions Blog. 

Howell Living History Farm

      Tuesday, August 2, 2022: After becoming more educated about water conservation earlier in the day, after lunch, I learned more about farming, circa 1890 to 1910, at this Mercer County, New Jersey place: Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township (609-737-3299). After I picked up a map of their 130-acre farm, I learned that parts of the farm went back to the 1700s. Through the years, different owners ran this farm until the last owner, Inez Howell, donated the farm in 1974 to Mercer County in the hope that people, and especially children, would experience farm life as she knew it. Therefore, the Mercer County Park Commission has been restoring this farm to the way it would have looked around the turn of the 20th century. As I walked through the property, I noticed fields, fences, and a garden, as well as an orchard, pond, and plenty of buildings! Those farm buildings included barns, a corn crib, and an equipment shed, as well as a wagon house, outhouse, farmhouse, etc. I also looked at some people, many of them wearing early 20th-century-styled clothing, doing farm chores. Meanwhile, someone working here informed me that much of the food produced on this farm would be donated to local food banks. I also saw some of the farm animals: chickens, sheep, hogs, horses, and so on. Anyway, throughout the year, Howell Living History Farm presented events for the whole family to either watch or take part in. They also played host to the Mercer County 4-H Fair. While visiting this farm, you could be as active or as passive as you wished. 

Watershed Institute

     Tuesday, August 2, 2022: Many people were not aware of how important their actions could be toward water conservation and of how water & nature go hand in hand! Nevertheless, at The Watershed Institute, 31 Titus Mill Road, (Mercer County) Pennington, New Jersey (609-737-3735) I became more informed by way of the facts presented at their nature center. Here, I looked at texts, pictures, videos, and hands-on exhibits that explained in detail the need to conserve water and about the local flora & fauna of the surrounding area. Other displays showed taxidermy animals and some live animal displays. Even the flowers and plants outside were native to NJ. After seeing the nature center, I entered the nearby butterfly house where I noticed mostly monarch butterflies and a few other kinds of butterflies freely flying around and landing on the different flowers & green plants. Finally the other areas of this nearly 1000-acre parkland included a weather station, a historic farmstead, an organic farm, and several trails for hiking. If nothing else, I became more enlightened about where my water came from and how it became clean enough for drinking.  

130 Farmers' Market

 

    Tuesday, July 12, 2022: After being at the Robbinsville Farmers’ Market earlier that day, I went to another Mercer County, New Jersey farmers’ market: 130 Farmers’ Market, 370 US-130, Town Center Shopping Center, East Windsor (near Hightstown) (609-308-2654). Unlike the earlier open-air farmers’ market in Robbinsville, this market looked like a mid-sized food store in a modern shopping plaza along busy Route 130. Inside, instead of vendors, the store management sold different foods on consignment, and it reminded me of typical supermarket—at first glance. On its 9,520 square feet, I noticed plenty of fresh produce, dairy, and meats. I also viewed jarred foods, packaged foods, baked goods, etc. In addition, I even found certain foods that I couldn’t find in my local supermarkets! While this market didn’t appear as quaint as the earlier farmers’ market, the foods seemed just as fresh. 

Robbinsville Farmers' Market

     Tuesday, July 12, 2022: If you read some of my past blogs, you would know that I enjoyed visiting farmers’ markets! On the date above, I visited one in Mercer County, New Jersey: Robbinsville Farmers’ Market, 66 Sharon Road, Robbinsville (609-259-3600). Although it wasn’t a large market, there were over 20 profit vendors selling mostly edible merchandise: produce, baked goods, and dairy, as well as jarred foods, packaged foods, and snacks. The non-edible items for sale included candles, crafts, soaps, and so forth. I also noticed a few non-profit vendors promoting their causes. Meanwhile, the market was located on a former golf course that has now been parkland containing a butterfly garden, a community garden, and walking paths. It made for a pleasant hour for me.  

Huber Woods Park

     Wednesday, July 6, 2022: After doing the scenic tour of Ocean Grove, New Jersey earlier that day, I visited another place in Monmouth County, NJ: Huber Woods Park, 25 Brown’s Dock Road, Locust (Middletown Township) (732-872-2670). The Huber Family donated this house and grounds to the Monmouth County Parks system in 1974. This 103-acre land has grown through the years to 390 acres, thanks to other nearby land donations. Meanwhile, this park contained over eight miles of trails: some for walking and others for both walking & riding horses. Those trails ranged from easy, to moderate, to challenging hiking. Because I was still tired and aching from my walk in Ocean Grove, I mainly visited first, the reptile house that showed cases of live snakes and turtles as well as frogs (amphibians). Afterward, I spent most of my time in the environmental center. Here, I found myself drawn to one of the rooms exhibiting text, pictures, and some items that explained more about the Huber Family and about the flora & fauna of the surrounding woods. Nevertheless, my favorite room gave a detailed account about the history and lifestyles of NJ’s first people: the Lenni-Lenapes! Besides texts, pictures, and items to look at, this area also contained plenty of “hands-on” exhibits that looked like it would be popular with children. This place even had areas where children could sit down and read books written for them about the Lenapes as well as about the nearby animal and plant life. Another room I liked presented cases of models of animals, both wood carved and taxidermy while another side of the room provided a big window with bird feeders outside where I could sit and watch different birds eating. If nothing else, a visit here could make you more aware of the environment around you and about the people who first lived here.        

Ocean Grove

           Wednesday, July 6, 2022: I took two scenic tours of Ocean Grove, New Jersey: the first by car through the downtown business district on Main Avenue, and the second on foot in this Monmouth County town. Originally, Ocean Grove started as a Methodist camp-meeting seaside town in 1869. Nowadays, the influence here could still be felt by the Methodist Church, and they currently have laws against selling alcoholic beverages. (Yes, you can bring in your own alcoholic drinks that you bought elsewhere.)  Nevertheless, the other laws against driving and riding bikes in town have been lifted years ago. For my part, on the driving tour though the commercial area of Main Avenue, I saw about two blocks, on both sides of the street, of many retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses housed in very colorful Victorian-Gothic buildings. After this, we parked near the non-commercial boardwalk. Then, we walked along part of the boardwalk until we crossed the street and entered a park called “Ocean Pathway” that led to the 1894 Great Auditorium. While it wasn’t open that day, I did hear bells ringing different tunes at noontime. I also glanced at their nearby “Tent City.” These have been tents connected to a shed containing a kitchen and bathroom that people, who have been approved by the Ocean Grove Camp Association, may rent from May to September. They have been so popular that there has been a 10-year waiting list. I did step inside one place in town: The Hub, 27 Pilgrim Pathway (732-774-9262). This building would be a good first place to visit in Ocean Grove because besides being a book store and gift shop, they also included an information center about the town. In addition, they also had a coffee room and a play area for children. Later as I walked on the way back to the car, I also noticed the many lovely Victorian buildings that were in this town—or at least along Ocean Pathway. While staying in Ocean Grove for days, weeks, or the summer season may appeal to some people, for many of us, I highly recommend visiting for a day because seeing all that fancy Victorian architecture was well worth it! (Get there early, preferably on a weekday, if you want to get a good parking space.)       

Early Childhood Places

     Hello! Although I was technically born in Audubon (Camden County), New Jersey, in a small hospital, my family and I lived in Clementon, NJ. Recently, I visited some places my parents used to take me often during my childhood in the 1960s: Clementon Park, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, and Berlin Farmers’ Market. Therefore, this will not be so much as a travelogue as it will be a comparison of then and now.  

     Saturday, June 18, 2022: I haven’t been to Clementon Park, 144 Berlin Road, Clementon (Camden County)(856-783-0263) since the 1980s, and it, as well as the downtown, had changed a lot! I grew up in Clementon. Back then, in the 1960s, Clementon had a lively downtown with several retail and other businesses along Berlin Road and an art deco cinema. In addition, there was Clementon Amusement Park. This park, founded in 1907, was one of the few end-of-the-trolley (tram) line parks that the local transit company built to increase ridership on weekends. Of course, by the 1960s, those in power removed the trolley (tram) line and people arrived either by bus or car. Back then, I remember the admission being free because you paid by the tickets. My favorite rides then were the large carousel, the roller coaster called the “Jack Rabbit,” and the Flying Saucers—cars suspended by cable that circled around, and others. The park also included carnival games, fun houses, and miniature golf, as well as an arcade, a beach for swimming in Clementon Lake, and entertainment by way of a circus on certain days. Nowadays, there has been an admission price to enter the park, and the park has been completely remodeled. Where the main midway was, has now been a water park called Splash World. (No more swimming in the lake.) Here, I noticed different water attractions and rides that I’ve seen in other water parks: slides, inner-tube rides, wave pool, and areas where one could be dumped with water, etc. The main midway has been relocated to another area, and I noticed that there were less rides. While they did keep a few of the older rides, most of the other rides were either new rides or newer versions of older rides. They also had carnival-styled games and an arcade with mostly computerized games. (No more pinball machines.) Overall, this park and downtown Clementon has been a work in progress. Back in the 1970s, those in power tore down most of Clementon’s downtown in the name of “Urban Renewal”--that never came about. The result was mostly an empty downtown until the 1990s when a more modern shopping strip plaza got built on one side of Berlin Road. In time a few other businesses arrived downtown, but the town has still been lacking something. (There are plenty of websites about what happened to Clementon.) I did enjoy seeing this park on a recent visit, and hopefully, another generation will build memories about this place. 

      Tuesday, June 21, 2022: Unlike Clementon Park, I did visit Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Road, Medford (Burlington County), NJ (856-983-3329) last year. (I have a report about it on the My Blog section on my website from August 2021.) Nevertheless, last year’s visit was not my first visit to here. Before 1997, this center was strictly owned by the Woodford family. In 1997, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection offered Woodland Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge a “Green Acres” grant to help preserve its land and buildings. My visit this year wasn’t too different from last year, except I saw a different video in the Visitors Center. Anyway, since I was a child, the NJ Pinelands, especially in Burlington County, was almost a second home to me! We used to camp almost every year—sometimes a few times in a year—at Bass River State Forest, and take day trips to other areas of the Pinelands throughout the year. Some of these places included Batsto Village, a village dating as far back as the 1700s in Wharton State Forest; Atsion Lake, a lake I used to swim in located in another section of Wharton State Forest; and the former Lebanon State Forest—nowadays renamed Brendan Byrne State Forest, and especially Whitesbog Village, a company town founded by the White family in 1870s that the state restored to its early 20th century look. I have revisited many Pinelands places last year, and I wrote about them in My Blog. There has been so much to the NJ Pinelands, and my family and I have been to many places there in the 1960s and ‘70s. I would suggest you Google “NJ Pinelands” for more information.

     Thursday, June 23, 2022: From as far as I remembered, my parents shopped and browsed at Berlin Farmers’ Market and took me along! We also did other stuff in Berlin (Camden County), NJ because it was next to Clementon, NJ. We used to eat at the Berlin Diner which remained but currently owned by different people. Sometimes we shopped in downtown Berlin. Nowadays, their downtown hasn’t been as lively as it used to be in the 1960s, but it has had more to it than Clementon’s downtown. Because they didn’t get the “Urban Renewal” treatment like Clementon, several of the original buildings downtown have still been standing. Then once-in-a-while, we visited Berlin park, a park run by Camden County that contained nature trails, tennis courts, and a playground. Later, during the mid-1970s, we moved to Berlin. I lived there for about five years, and my parents lived there until 1988. On the date above, I visited Berlin Farmers’ Market, 41 Clementon Road, Berlin (856-767-1246) for the first time since 2019. This farmers’ market has been one of the oldest (founded in 1940) and one of the largest markets of its kind in Southern NJ. The market started by selling livestock and produce. By the time I started going here in the 1960s, this market no longer sold livestock, but they still sold produce and other merchandise, both edible and non-edible inside the building and outside. I also remember watching the auctions both inside and outside. Although the auctions have been gone along with the asphalt floors inside (They are tile now.), the stores selling different kinds of merchandise have still been here. While some stores have remained for years, plenty of others have changed. On some weekends, as many as around 700 outside vendors sold a multitude of merchandise. A few years ago, the owners of Columbus Farmers’ Market in Burlington County bought the Berlin Farmers’ Market, and in my opinion, the interior of the indoor market lost its rustic look, but I still found walking through here interesting.  

           

 

Keansburg Amusement Park

     Tuesday, June 28, 2022: After being in Red Bank, New Jersey earlier on this day, I arrived at another Monmouth County town: Keansburg. In fact, I visited the attraction that gave the town its renaming (in 1917), the Keansburg Amusement Park, 275 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg (732-495-1400). This has been one of NJ’s oldest (1904) and northern-most sea shore amusement park! Admission to this park along the Raritan Bay was free, and you paid by the tickets to ride the amusements. While I didn’t ride anything here, I did walk along the former boardwalk—nowadays a concrete walkway-and looked around. Along the way, I noticed rides for younger children mostly on the east and west sides of the park closer to Beachway Avenue; in between, were a few thrill rides, three large arcades, and carnival-styled games. On the side closer to the beach, I saw more rides for young children, some more carnival games, and a few smaller arcades, as well as several thrill rides for older children and adults, and several food concessions. At the end of the park I glanced at two go-kart tracks: one for young children and one for adults. Of course, this park would not be complete without more food concessions in different areas here and other attractions such as a park store, batting cages, face painter, fishing pier, and even a cool zone for sitting and taking a break in a shaded area. Then there has been the free beach nearby. In addition to this park, across Beachway Avenue has been a water park called Runaway Rapids with the usual water rides that one could find: several water slides, inner tube rides, a pool, and an area to get sprayed with water. Anyway, I enjoyed walking around this amusement park and sometimes taking a break while I people watched and snacked. I also had people tell me that on a clear day, you could see the skyline of NYC from the beach. (It was cloudy for most of the day that I was there.)  

Red Bank

     Tuesday, June 28, 2022: There have been a lot of antique districts in several towns in New Jersey, and I have seen many of them along with different antique stores. Recently, I visited one of the largest antique stores in a Monmouth County town with one of the largest antique districts: Antique Center of Red Bank, 226 West Front Street, Red Bank (732-842-3393). Starting in 1964 with 12 dealers, this store has grown to having over 100 dealers in two buildings! On two floors in the big red building, I didn’t know where to look first. Nevertheless, I did browse in aisle after aisle on both floors. It would take a book to list the categories of items in antiques and collectibles for sale here, but I felt as though I were looking through decorative arts in a museum—except that this art was for sale. While it took me a long time to browse, in the end, I did buy a few things. Meanwhile, the town of Red Bank also has had plenty of other retail stores, besides antique stores, for shopping. One of the most famous stores was Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash comic book store as seen on the TV show Comic Book Men. This town also has had its share of restaurants and nightlife, especially the Count Basie Theater, named after one of its famous former residents, William “Count” Basie. Throughout the year, Red Bank presented many special events for the whole family. Although I only visited there for a short time, Red Bank included enough things to see and do for several days. 

Longstreet Farm

      Friday, June 10, 2022: After visiting Monmouth Battlefield State Park, I arrived at another Monmouth County, New Jersey, attraction: Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel (732-946-3758). This nine-acre farm tried to recreate an 1890s farm atmosphere: sights, sounds, and smells! The Visitor Center gave a history of the area as well as life on a farm during the 1890s by way of texts, pictures and some exhibit items of tools for both the farm and the household back then, including some innovations from the 19th century. Once on the grounds, I noticed that the 20 some buildings had—and in many cases still have—a purpose. The gardens grew cash crops, and the animals were real working animals: horses, mules, and sheep, as well as cattle, hogs, chickens, etc. At any time during a visit, volunteers in 1890s-styled clothing could be seen doing farm chores. When I was there, I saw farm workers planting pumpkins. One of the oldest buildings was the farm house because some parts of it dated back to the 1700s, and other owners added other section in the 18th- and 19th-centuries. Overall, it made for an educational experience in a relaxing way.   

Monmouth Battlefield State Park

     Friday, June 10, 2022: I’ve heard plenty about the Battle of Monmouth and Molly Picher (Mary Hays), but until the date above, I have never visited here: Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 37 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Manalapan (Monmouth County), New Jersey (732-462-9616)! The first thing I saw, at the Visitor Center, was a 10-minute film about the battle. After the film, I looked through the museum at the Visitor Center and learned more about one of the largest battles of the American Revolution via texts, pictures, and exhibit items. A few other sections covered living in the surrounding area, from the first inhabitants, the Lenni-Lenapes, to the early European settlers, as well as what happened to the battlefield grounds in the years after the battle, up to the current times. Another section told the truth about “Molly Picher.” Meanwhile the nearby grounds offered many hiking trails and areas for picnicking. In addition, different special events happen throughout the year, especially the Battle of Monmouth re-enactment during the 3rd or 4th weekend in June.    

Washington's Crossing Park(NJ)

 

     Saturday, June 4, 2022: After browsing and shopping at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market, I headed farther north in Mercer County, New Jersey, to Washington’s Crossing State Park, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville (609-737-0623). Inside the Visitor Center Museum I saw a film that lasted around a half hour about “Ten Crucial Days” or the events that happened to George Washington and his troops from the 25th of December, 1776, to the 3rd of January, 1777. During that time, Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to NJ, marched to Trenton, fought the first Battle of Trenton against the Hessians, then a Second Battle of Trenton before marching to Princeton, and finally, the Continental troops won the Battle of Princeton. After seeing the film, I looked through one area of the museum that included items, pictures, and texts about those “Ten Crucial Days.” Another exhibit area showed its share of pictures, texts, and items about NJ’s role in both the Seven Year War or the French and Indian War (1756-’63) and the American Revolutionary War (1775-’83). Afterward, in another part of the state park, the 1700s Johnson Ferry House has been furnished to look the way it did in Washington’s day. It also proved to be an interesting subject to photograph! The rest of the park provided a nature center, open air theater, and plenty of hiking trails, as well as areas for picnicking, horseback riding, bicycling, and so forth in some very colorful wooded areas.  

West Windsor Farmers' Market

     Saturday, June 4, 2022: On a lovely sunny day I arrived at the West Windsor Farmers’ Market, 877 Alexander Road, West Windsor Township, New Jersey (609-913-7581). Unlike many farmers’ markets, this Mercer County market didn’t include vendors selling discount non-edible merchandise or crafts. Almost all of the entire close to 50 vendors sold food and drink! At this open-air market, most of the vendors came from local farms to sell their foods: produce, meats, and eggs, as well as dairy, baked goods, and other foods. In addition to fresh foods, I also saw vendors who sold foods in packages and jars. As for the beverages, I noticed people selling teas, coffees, and juices, and some alcoholic beverages included brews, wines, and spirits. The few non-edible stands included a knife-sharpening service and different community groups promoting ecology, health, and bicycling. My favorite group promoted local history. At this table, I observed pictures, both old and new, of the area, and exhibit items from the past for domestic and farm work. (West Windsor is planning different celebrations in 2022 because the township turned 225 years old.) Overall, I bought a few food items that I couldn’t find in my local grocery store or supermarket, and adding to the atmosphere, local musicians performed nearby. 

 

 

Allaire Village

     Thursday, May 19, 2022: Later, after my being at Historic Walnford, I arrived at another historic Monmouth County, New Jersey village: Allaire Village, 4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale (732-919-3500). Unlike Walnford, Allaire was once a livelier company town with about 5,000 acres. At the peak of its prosperity, around the 1830s, about 400 people lived here, most of them were employed at the Howell Iron Works company. The iron works operated from the 1820s to 1846. Then in 1850, James P. Allaire retired here until his death in 1858. Years later, the Allaire family sold the property to newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane in 1901, and in the early 1940s, Arthur’s widow, Phobe, donated the grounds to the State of NJ in the hope, in Arthur Brisbane’s words, that it “… be used as a historical center and forest park reservation to be known as Allaire State Park….” When I visited here, the visitor’s center wasn’t open, but a box on the front door provided brochures and maps of the village. Nearby, I saw what had once been an Episcopal Church but has been currently serving as a non-denominational chapel. (It can be rented for weddings.) Similar to Walnford, some of the staff opened some of the buildings to the public. My favorite was the General Store! This 1835 store was one of the largest at the time in NJ, and it didn’t just serve the workers because people traveled for up to 40 miles to shop here. Afterward, other places that impressed me were the Manager’s House, the oldest building here, dating back to the 1700s, before Allaire Village.  I also entered an 1835 Bakery, an 1836 Blacksmith & Tin Shop, and an 1835 Carpenter Shop. In each of these places, I found an enthusiastic employee or two who either demonstrated his or her craft or gave a history of how important of his or her trade was the village or both. Some of the employees dressed themselves in 1830s style. Finally, I completed my visit by walking around and glancing at the other, mostly circa 1830s, buildings.      

 

Historic Walnford

      Thursday, May 19, 2022: I started this day by visiting Historical Walnford, 62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, New Jersey (609-259-6275). This historic Monmouth County village at its height in the early 1800s had around 50 people living there and working on the farm in the fields, orchards, mills, and elsewhere. By the latter part of the 19th century, most agriculture and milling moved west partly due to the railroads. During most of the 20th century, this village became a retreat for its owners. In 1985, the owners donated this property to the Monmouth County Park System. On the day I was there, a guide greeted me as I walked through a corn crib. The nearby former wagon house showed texts and pictures that gave visitors a good introduction to the history of this place. Afterward, I saw the different buildings, some of which I could enter. One of those buildings, the 1879 carriage house, displayed a carriage, a sidesaddle, and harnesses to either ride a horse or for the horse to pull a vehicle. The highlight of my visit, however, became the tour of the 1743 Waln House! Here I looked at rooms on both floors from an 18th century kitchen with an open-hearth fireplace, to a fancy parlor—but not too ostentatious because the Waln family were Quakers. One room showed different styled chairs from the 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century. I also noticed some of the Waln family portraits. My second-favorite building was the 1872 grist mill. In here I observed pictures and texts, as well as milling machines and other equipment that explained the everyday operation of the mills and their value to the community. For the rest of this 36-acre village, I glanced at other buildings from the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s near Crosswicks Creek. It made for a good day in the country.    

Kyle Family Farm

    Thursday, May 12, 2022: After visiting Princeton, New Jersey, I next went to another part of Mercer County, NJ: Kyle Family Farm, 831 Windsor-Perrineville Road, East Windsor (609-209-4032). This family farm sold many kinds of produce, both grown on this farm and elsewhere, in its store. In addition, they sold other kinds of foods: baked goods, dairy, honey, eggs, packaged foods, etc. They also included some non-edible merchandise for sale such as flowers and souvenirs items with the farm’s name on them: aprons, cutting boards, pens, and so forth. This place, too, has played host to events year round for the whole family, including yard sales with nearby vendors selling their stuff. The chances will be that if you stop here anytime, you will most likely buy something!   

Historical Society of Princeton

      Thursday, May 12, 2022: It has been 16 years since I’ve visited Princeton, New Jersey. Back then, I toured the campus of Princeton University. This time, I stopped into the Historical Society of Princeton, 354 Quaker Road, Princeton (609-921-6748). Located at the Updike Farmstead, the museum’s exhibits were in a few different rooms in this late-18th-/early-19th-century farmhouse. Once inside, a very helpful tour guide told us the history of Princeton from the time of the Lenni-Lenapes to the current times. In six exhibit areas, I looked at a lot of pictures and some texts, videos, and exhibit items. The first was my favorite because it had to do with some famous former residents of Princeton: Albert Einstein, John von Neumann, and others. As for the rest of the display areas, they presented the following subjects: photos of farm workers who worked on farms in the Princeton area around the early 20th century, African-American migrant workers, and Nassau Street through the years, as well as paintings done by artists from Trenton and photos of the Updike Farmstead that the Princeton Photography club took during a visit in 2012. Once outside, I glanced at a historical garden and farm buildings mostly from the 19th century. There was also a history trail where six signs along the way explained the different parts of Princeton’s history. Throughout the year, the Historical Society of Princeton played host to special events and offered tours of the area. Anyway, this has been one place that I highly recommend for an introduction to Princeton, NJ!    

Terhune Orchards

     Thursday, May 5, 2022: Earlier in the day, I had been to the Trenton Farmers’ Market, and I noticed that many of the vendors owned local New Jersey farms. Later that day, I visited one of those farms: Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Lawrence Township (609-924-2310). While I mainly stopped here to browse and buy a few things in their farm store, this place included more than a farm store. During different times of the year, Terhune Orchards offered special family events in the quest to introduce people to farm life, especially children. After being in the store, I walked through the rest of the farm, and I noticed a play area for children where they could play at being farmers and ride child-sized “tractors.” Other activities included looking at the farm animals, a garden, and a winery, as well as green houses and of course, orchards. One of the favorite activities here included picking produce in season. Meanwhile, the farm store sold many kinds of produce, baked goods, and apple cider, as well as wines, jarred and packaged foods, and flowers and plants. Overall, you could find your time here pleasant and educational!  

Trenton Farmers' Market

     Thursday, May 5, 2022: I liked farmers’ markets, and on the above date, I visited New Jersey’s oldest farmers’ market (since 1939): Trenton Farmers’ Market, 960 Spruce Street, Lawrence Township (near Ewing Township) (609-695-2998). Although I have been to bigger farmers’ markets, such as Berlin, Columbus, Williamstown, and Englishtown, this market contained over 40 vendors who mostly sold food, especially produce. Many of these vendors were from local farms, and in addition, they and other vendors also had other foods for sale: meats, baked goods, dairy, and so forth. In addition, I noticed a few non-food merchants selling clothes, accessories, jewelry, home goods, cosmetics, soaps, etc. Most of the vendors were friendly, and I found some items, both edible and non-edible, that I haven’t seen in my local stores lately!   

NJ State Museum

     Saturday, April 23, 2022: The first time I visited the New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton (609-292-6464) was on a school trip in the 1960s, and my last trip to this museum was in 1994. Therefore, I felt that another visit had been long overdue! Starting on the lower level, I noticed that the planetarium wasn’t open, but I still looked at a state-of-the-art, half-globe/computer display that gave facts about the Earth, the Moon, the Solar System, and beyond, including space travel. Another area on this level covered the history and lifestyles of the local Native Americans, the Lenape, and of how their lives changed after the arrival of European settlers. Other sections in this area explained what became of them through the years, up to the current times via texts, pictures, dioramas, and exhibit items. Up on level one, I saw a gallery showing Civil War flags that NJ soldiers carried into battle, and a temporary gallery during the time I was there presented photos of African-American women. One section of the second level exhibited the natural history of NJ with pictures, texts, and display items showing rocks & minerals, plants, and animals—both extinct and non-extinct. Here, I also glanced at bones and taxidermy animals. A nearby temporary gallery gave detailed information about sharks. The other side of this level presented art from American artists of the 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-centuries in paintings and sculptures. Meanwhile, the museum’s shop was close by. Finally on the third or last level, the museum exhibited large objects: furniture, vehicles, machines, statues, tools, quilts, flags, etc. That was why the museum called this room “Pretty Big Things: Stories of NJ History.” Overall, I do recommend a visit here to receive a basic idea about NJ’s past—human, animal, vegetable, and mineral.      

Kuser Farm Mansion

    Saturday, April 9, 2022: I liked looking at Victorian mansions, inside and out! For the date above, I had a chance to do so when I visited this Mercer County, New Jersey place: The Kuser Farm Mansion, 390 Newkirk Avenue, Hamilton (609-890-3630). The Kuser family originally had this 1892 mansion built for a summer home away from their New York City home. Nevertheless, once inside, I looked at elaborate oak wall paneling, ornately carved fireplace mantel pieces in the living room and dining room, as well as the Victorian-styled furniture—some of it owned by the Kuser family, painted and photographed pictures of the Kuser family, and some stained-glass windows. A member of the Kuser family helped finance William Fox in his film making company that later became 20th Century Fox. Meanwhile, the dining-room curtains could be drawn open along the wall to display a large movie screen. (During certain times, the staff presents movies to the public.) Other rooms included an enclosed porch, a kitchen displaying late 19th and early 20th century technology, and bathrooms with its share of turn-of-the-20th-century innovations. Upstairs included different fancy bedrooms, bathrooms, an office, and a sewing room. Outside, on the 22 acres of the original 70-acre grounds, I glanced at some out buildings and a fountain, as well as a gazebo and the usual current park amenities. After the tour, I had a picnic in this park, and it all made for a good day.   

Harriton House, Bryn Mawr, PA

 

     Saturday, April 2, 2022: Even though it is on the Philadelphia Main Line, Harriton House, 500 Harriton Road, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (610-525-0201) predated the start of the “Main Line” by almost two centuries. In fact, the name Bryn Mawr, meaning “high hill” in Welsh, applied to the property that this 1704 house stood on long before those in power named the nearby town with the same name. Welsh Quaker Rowland Ellis built this house and lived here until 1719 when he sold the property to Richard Harrison. The most famous owner, however, became Charles Thomson who married Hanna Harrison, daughter of Richard Harrison, in 1774. Thomson served as secretary to the Continental Congress, and after 15 years in public service, he retired to this place in 1789 until his death in 1824. During his retirement, he pursued his interests in agriculture and translating the Bible from Greek into English. After Thompson’s death, different tenant farmers lived here until 1926 when the family sold the house and property. On the day I was there, I noticed how the Harriton House Association made the interior look the way it did when Charles Thomson lived there. A few pieces of the furniture were even once owned by Thomson! The three rooms on the ground floor included the main reception area that served as a living room or dining room, an adjoining room served as a smaller parlor, and PBS filmed an episode of the show, “A Taste of History” in the kitchen. The upper floor displayed two 18th-century styled bedrooms, and on what has been left of the grounds, I saw a bee keeping area and a building that once served as a barn, and later as a pool house, but currently, it has been serving as an administrative center. Overall, long before the Main Line became a home for the elite, this area of PA once comprised of farmlands, and this place could give you a taste of what the area was once like in those times.    

Lower Alloways

      Sunday, March 20, 2022: On a final trip to Salem County, New Jersey, I attended an open-house event at the Lower Alloways Creek Historical Society Museum, 736 Smick Road, Canton (856-935-3666). This historical society presented these events almost every third Sunday in the spring and autumn months. (Unless a holiday falls on a third Sunday, then they hold the event on another Sunday in the month.) During this event, they opened their museum to the public, and they also had a different theme for each month where they displayed items around that theme as well as live demonstrations. When I was there, the event theme focused on a Working “Line Shaft.” Here, an old line-shaft engine, by way of its power belts, powered different machines inside a barn. Other outside exhibits included an old 1920s truck, different farm equipment both outside and in another barn, as well as displays of an outhouse, a water pump, and other stuff. Inside the museum buildings, I saw first the interior of the log cabin furnished to look like the 1700s, including an open-hearth fireplace and displays of cooking equipment. In the adjoining two-story house, I noticed exhibit items of such 19th-century innovations as an iron stove for heat, a wood burning stove for cooking, washboards, and an icebox. I also looked at a 1920s radio, and I heard and saw a Victrola. Throughout both buildings I observed pictures and texts of the surrounding area, and other items such as clothing, quilts, and other everyday items from the last three centuries. Anyway, if this open house has been any indication, it would be worth your time to attend one of these events!   

Cawman's Mall

      Friday, March 11, 2022: On my final stop on this date in Salem County, New Jersey, I stopped at a place that looked small on the outside, but once inside, it proved to be bigger: Cawman’s Antiques & Things, 529 Route 49, Quinton Township (856-935-0423). When I visited a country store earlier that day, I said, “If you are not careful, you might buy something!” At this antique and collectable store, I was pretty sure you would buy something here. This place contained rows and rows of displays of antiques and collectables or items that were over 100 years old to other merchandise that may have you saying, “I once had that. Or my parents owned that.” This was a consignment store where different dealers placed their merchandise, and Cawman’s sold it for them. Some dealers decorated their spaces like museum exhibit areas and others looked like the dealers dumped their stuff in their own spaces. Some of the stuff sold here ranged from furniture, clothes, accessories, glassware, pottery, textiles, jewelry, records, DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs, books, magazines, etc. Whew! (I bought a book here for $3 that was originally $30.) Somebody told me that this store has been voted several times as the best consignment store in Salem County, and I could see why. They have been in business for over 25 years; so they must be doing something right.  

Hancock House

      Friday, March 11, 2022: After my visit to a country store in Salem County, New Jersey, I headed to a historical place: Hancock House Historical Site, 3 Front Street, Hancocks Bridge (856-935-4373). This 1734 house had a historical event happen here: On the 21/March 1778, British rangers attacked the house because they heard that the Continental Army stationed themselves here. Not a shot was fired because the British bayoneted everybody! Overall, the British killed 10 people and injured five more, including Judge Hancock who died days later. Through the years, the house remained in the family until the State of NJ bought it in 1931. The following year, the State of NJ opened it to the public (1932). On the date above, our tour guide showed us the following rooms: a front room from a later date that the Hancock family rented out to others to use as a tavern/inn. This room contained a few display cases of items that were once here or near the property. Other exhibits showed two uniform replica displays of a British Ranger from the 1700s and a Continental Soldier, as well as a special section about Cornelia Hancock (1840-1927). Cornelia had been a teacher, an American Civil War nurse, and later, a social reformer who founded the Children’s Aid Society. Once in the 1700s section of the house, I looked around at the Keeping Room and a back room/bedroom. The staff furnished both rooms to look the way they might have looked in the 1770s as our tour guide told us more about the history of this place and of the Hancock Family. It is a worthwhile place to see how Quakers and others lived their everyday lives in the 18th century and to reflect on the events that happened here.    

Heart Felt Designs

      Friday, March 11, 2022: This has been the first time since November 2021 that I took a day trip within New Jersey. Because the weather was good, I traveled through parts of Salem County, NJ, and my first stop was at this place: Heart Felt Designs Country Shop, 24 South Railroad Avenue, Pedricktown (856-299-2133). Inside, I looked at a “country store” that displayed many kinds of merchandise associated with such a store: artificial floral arrangements, candles, and furniture, as well as birdhouses, some gourmet foods, and other items. I especially became aware of the candles because the fragrances of those candles were the first thing I smelled. It was a bit crowded, and I noticed that the store clerk was in the process of making shamrock decorations for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day. Meanwhile, I also saw some Easter decorations. Other stuff sold here included soaps, metal ware, lawn decorations, lamps, pottery, pillows, placemats, etc. Nevertheless, after browsing, I bought some mixes for dips and soups. Anyway, if you are traveling through Salem County, a stop here would be a pleasant way to browse—and if you are not careful, you might buy something!      

My future plans

      Since the covid crises in 2020, I stayed reclusive. Then, in 2021, I started doing day trips within NJ and one to Valley Forge, PA, as well as attending two science fiction conventions: Capclave in Maryland and Philcon in Cherry Hill, NJ. 

      After this, I wrote about my trips in the My Blog section of my website and decided to just do that with future trips--with the exception of putting out a one-shot publication in the near future.