Audubon Day

     Sunday, April 27, 2025: On a technicality, my story began in Audubon (Camden County), New Jersey. In 1956, I arrived at the old Audubon Hospital, but I grew up in Clementon, NJ. Other than an occasional shopping trip to the old Black Horse Pike Shopping Center (nowadays it is called Audubon Crossings), I spent most of my childhood in or near Clementon. Anyway, April 26th was the birthday of John James Audubon(1785-1851), the author of Birds of America, and several towns picked that day to honor him, including Audubon. For 2025, the town had their first annual Audubon Day at the Francis J. Ward Recreation Center & Audubon Family Park, 602 Hampshire Avenue, (856-547-0711). Nevertheless, because of the threat of rain, those in power changed the event for the next day. Therefore, on the date above, I bought a sandwich from one of the close to a dozen food trucks, and I ate it inside the recreation center. Later, I looked at tables, inside and outside, promoting different groups and causes: 18 altogether, including a historical society, different departments for the borough, and other community organizations. In addition, I noticed about two dozen vendors selling their merchandise. Meanwhile, I also saw other events that included children’s games and live music—but I didn’t see anything promoting John James Audubon. However, this has been their first time running this celebration. So maybe things will be a bit different next year! 

Gabreil Daveis Tavern

     Saturday, April 26, 2025: The Gabreil Daveis Tavern, 500 Third Avenue, Glendora (Gloucester Township), Camden County, New Jersey (856-228-4000) dated back to 1756, and despite the name, the restored rooms looked more like a circa 1756 house than a tavern. On the day I was there, I toured the following rooms: a kitchen, a dining room, a parlor, and a reception area containing literature about this place as well as other nearby historic places. Meanwhile, on the date above, the Gloucester Township Historic & Scenic Preservation Committee played host to a colonial re-enactment. Besides touring the tavern, I noticed people dressed in 1700s-style clothing taking part in 18th century crafts and trades: blacksmith, archer, flintlock rifle shooting, tomahawk throwing, cannon shooting, basketry, beading, etc. For a charge, visitors could take part in some of these activities. This was the first time I’ve seen the public invited to try some of these crafts and trades! Although, I just looked around, I found what I saw worth my time.

   

Haddon Heights Antique Center

     Tuesday, April 15, 2025: For this date, I went to a totally different business for retail: an antiques & collectibles store—but what a store it was! The Haddon Heights Antique Center, 531 Clements Bridge Road (at the corner of East Atlantic Avenue), Barrington (Camden County), New Jersey (856-546-0555), was an antique and collectibles mega store. On three floors, I browsed at almost every kind of merchandise: tableware, artworks, and books, as well as furniture, clothing, toys, glassware, jewelry, seasonable items, etc. This “store” contained a co-op that included items from about 80 dealers displaying their wares. If you couldn’t find something to interest you here, then you weren't looking very hard. There were so many isles that you could get lost, and the staff suggested raising your voice a bit to get help to find your way out. In addition, Haddon Heights Antique Center often had sales almost everyday. I’ve seen large antique stores in Northern NJ, but this is the first time I have seen one closer to where I live. Thus, I have said this before about other large antique stores, and I’ll say it again: I felt like I was in a decorative arts museum—except that this art was for sale. If you are in Southern NJ, don’t miss it. 

Stella Farms

     Monday, April 14, 2025: While Stella Farms, 459 New Freedom Road, Berlin (Camden County), New Jersey (856-767-3144) didn’t quite have the “flash & glamour” compared to Springdale Farms in Cherry Hill, NJ, it has been around longer—since 1921. As a child, my parents used to buy corn-on-the-cob, NJ strawberries, and other produce during the 1960s and ‘70s. (When in season, I still like to buy their corn and strawberries.) Of course, on the date above, not too much NJ produce had been in season, yet, but this place sold produce from elsewhere as well as baked goods, jarred foods—especially honey, and plenty of flowers! As the temperatures would get warmer in the year, Stella Farms would have much more local produce for sale, and this would prove why NJ has been called “the Garden State.” Throughout the Spring, Summer, and Autumn, this farm has played host to different family events, and they also sell seasonable decorations for your home and yard.