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.