Plainsboro Preserve

      Saturday, October 9, 2021: After seeing Cranbury, New Jersey, and while I was still in Middlesex County, we drove a few miles over to the Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Road, Plainsboro (609-897-9400). This preserve contained around five miles of trails and has been home to over 150 species of birds, over ten kinds of rare plants, and other flora & fauna. When I was there, I visited their environmental center first and saw two creatures in tanks: a box turtle and a corn snake. In the library with its collection of nature books, I also looked at displays of taxidermy birds and a few mammals as well as wood-carved birds. A conference room in the back exhibited photos of birds and insects. Meanwhile throughout the building, pictures and texts helped explain the surrounding area better. Outside, I walked through some of the grounds and glanced at Lake McCormack. All in all, I received a touch of nature! This also completed my places to visit in both Middlesex County and the Gateway counties of NJ. 

Cranbury

      Saturday, October 9, 2021: European settlers have been living in the area that has been currently the town of Cranbury (Middlesex County), New Jersey, since the 1680s, and in 1997, Cranbury celebrated its 300th anniversary. On the date above, I visited the downtown area known as “the Village of Cranbury.” Here, I noticed several buildings along Main Street that dated from the 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century. Although many of the retail businesses have closed due to covid-19, the town did have service businesses, restaurants, and a few retail businesses. Two of them that attracted me were a comic book store & collectables, and my favorite, Market on Main, 17 Main Street (609-409-2000). This somewhat upscale food store sold mostly Greek-styled foods and especially baked goods. I bought some of those baked goods, and later, had a picnic at nearby Village Park. This park offered places to take part in different sports, a playground, and a dirt hill, as well as a picnic area, places to walk, and a lake. Overall, Cranbury has been a pretty town to spend a few hours!  

Cheesequake State Park

      Saturday, September 25, 2021: Cheesequake State Park, 300 Gordon Road, Old Bridge (Middlesex County), New Jersey (732-566-2161) proved unique in that this was one state park containing two eco systems near each other: wetlands and forest. This 1,509 acre park offered five trails to observe the local flora & fauna. On one of those trails, the White Trail, the public could walk or go bicycling. All the trails required moderate hiking skills except for the Yellow Trail that park officials listed as an easy trail for hiking. In addition to hiking, the public could also go fishing, crabbing, and camping, as well as boating, canoeing, and kayaking. For a more relaxing change of pace, many people came here to picnic. During the winter, sledding proved popular, and in summer, swimming in Hook’s Creek Lake seemed to be the most popular activity with the public. After I stopped into the park station to pick up some literature, we headed over to the lake section and picnicked. Afterward, we drove to different sections of this park to look at both the wetlands and forest areas. (When I was there, the Nature Center was closed due to covid-19.) Anyway, close to the beach, on opposite sides, I saw some of the forest area on one side and the wetlands area on the other side. They were that close!    

Garden Farm Market

      Friday, September 10, 2021: Unlike the last two farm markets, Garden Farm Market (or Garden State Farmers’ Market as it is sometimes called), 2545 US-1, North Brunswick (Middlesex County), New Jersey (732-940-9877) was not in a peaceful farm setting. In fact, it has not been on any farm but located near a busy highway. Inside, however, I saw what looked like a medium-sized supermarket. Unlike most supermarkets, however, this place sold more and different kinds of produce than most supermarkets—even compared to large supermarkets! I would estimate that about two-thirds to three-quarters of the store sold produce. Nevertheless, this store did sell other foods and in more varieties than most other grocery stores, including products from overseas that I seldom or have never seen in other supermarkets in my area.    

Giamarese Farm

     Friday, September 10, 2021: While traveling the back roads of Middlesex County, New Jersey, I arrived at Giamarese Farm & Orchards, 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick (732-821-9494). This farm, like Von Thun Farm, offered pick your own produce; family events in the autumn that included hay rides, pony rides, a corn maze, vendors, and so on; and a greenhouse displaying and selling flowers and herbs. Then there was the farm market. Here, I noticed many kinds of produce that has been grown on the farm for sale, baked goods, food in jars, dairy, and seasonal decorations. In another part of the farm, I saw where they grew Christmas trees. Therefore, Giamarese Farm also proved to be colorful and interesting!     

Von Thun's Farm Market

      Friday, September 10, 2021: On this day, I did my share of browsing and a bit of shopping at different farm markets in Middlesex County, New Jersey. At the first of them, Von Thun’s Farm Market, 505 Ridge Road, South Brunswick (732-329-8656), there has been a lot more going for it than just the farm market. This farm offered opportunities for the public to pick seasonal fruits and vegetables, go to special events for the whole family, and see the nearby greenhouses with their colorful displays of flowers for sale, as well as meet the farm animals, learn about gardening, and learn about life on a farm. As for the farm market, I browsed—and sometimes bought—many kinds of seasonal produce that has been grown on this farm. The market also sold Angus Beef, eggs, and honey. Other food products for sale included jarred foods, candies, baked goods, apple cider, and so on. This place is definitely worth the trip!

   

Highland Park

 

   Friday, August 6, 2021: This was a longer trip to a farmers’ market in Middlesex County, New Jersey: Highland Park Farmers’ Market, 212 Raritan Ave., Highland Park (732-828-8444). Compared to Metuchen’s Farmers’ Market, it was larger with over 30 vendors, and many of these vendors sold other merchandise in addition to foods. One vendor offered a knife sharpening service, and others sold cosmetics, jewelry, books, and so forth. As for food, many vendors sold fresh, locally grown produce, baked goods, and meats, as well as dairy, packaged foods, and preserved foods. Overall, once I got to this market, I liked what I saw, but there was a big problem here: parking! Again compared to Metuchen, this was worse. There was limited street parking, and even though we arrived early, we still had to park a few very long blocks away. So I would advise anyone getting there to arrive early.  

Metuchen Farmers' Market

     Saturday, July 10, 2021: As some of you have guessed, I like going to farm, farmers’, and flea markets. On the date above, I traveled to Middlesex County, New Jersey, to visit the following farmers’ market: Metuchen Farmers’ Market, 33 Pearl Street, Metuchen (732-510-0242). Located on a corner plaza, this market included about a dozen vendors selling locally-grown produce, preserved foods, and baked goods, as well as cheeses, meats, and other foods. While the prices were a bit higher than many grocery stores, on the other hand, you couldn’t ask for fresher food! A nearby garage offered up to three hours of free parking. As if that weren’t enough, downtown Metuchen offered its share of retail businesses in buildings that dated from the 19th-, 20th-, and into the 21st-century. 

Merrill Park

    Friday, June 18, 2021: I went a bit farther on this date: Merrill Park, Fairview Avenue, Colonia (near Woodbridge in Middlesex County), New Jersey (732-381-3555). Here on 182 acres, this park contained fields and courts to take part in different sports, along with playgrounds, picnic groves, and a small animal haven. When I was there, I ate my picnic lunch, and afterward, I saw and took pictures of the animal haven. The animals I noticed were plenty of chickens, some ducks, and a few geese, as well as a vulture, a peacock, goats, and a cow. Finally, we drove through this park and glanced at the different facilities before heading home. Therefore, if you are in that part of Middlesex County, it would be worthwhile to check out this park--and be as active or relaxing as you wish!   

Thompson Park

      Thursday, May 6, 2021: Middlesex County’s largest park (675 acres), Thompson Park, Thompson Drive and Lakeview Avenue, Monroe Township (732-745-3900) included plenty of activities in practicing different sports, a few playgrounds, and trails for hiking. In addition, there was a lake for fishing, picnic areas, and an animal haven/zoo. When I was there, I ate my lunch near the lake, and later, I saw the animals: several white-tailed deer, goats, and hogs, as well as chickens, ducks, and geese. Other birds included ring necked pheasants, an emu, and peacocks, including a white peacock. Speaking of animals, another area of this park offered a dog park in two sections for large and small dogs where the public could let their four-footed friends run freely. Overall, you could visit here and be as active or relaxing as you want—and the same goes for your dog! 

Johnson Park

 

Wednesday, April 7, 2021: Again, this was another place that I wrote about visiting virtually last year: Johnson Park, Johnson Park Road, Piscataway (732-745-3900). On the date above, however, I visited it in person. This 473-acre park contained picnic areas, playgrounds, and places to practice different sports, as well as a chance to observe nature, a replica of an 18th-century village, and a small zoo. After having a picnic lunch, I headed to the zoo first. Here, along an area of single and double chain-link fences, I looked at different farm and wild animals: chickens, guinea fowl, ring-nicked doves, ducks, geese, pigs, goats, alpacas, deer, horses, and a few other animals. The best part about this zoo was that it was free, and as a result, I saw a few families also looking at these animals. Later, it took a short drive, but I visited another section of this park: East Jersey Old Town Village. The collection of mostly reconstructed buildings resembled a village from the mid-1700s. Although these buildings stayed closed due to covid-19, I still enjoyed seeing the exteriors around the village green. Some of those buildings included a barracks, a tavern, and a blacksmith shop, as well as a wheelwright shop, a school house, a church, different houses, and an herb garden. During normal times, re-enactors demonstrated their trades, and other volunteers dressed as soldiers who did drills or played the fife and drums. Overall, this park made for a good outing no matter how active you wanted to be or if you just wanted to relax!   

Thomas Edison Center, Edison, NJ

     Saturday, March 6, 2021:  In one of last year’s issues of Dotty’s Dimensions: The Column, I wrote about a virtual visit to this place: Thomas Edison Center, 37 Christie Street, Edison, New Jersey (732-549-3299). On the date above, I finally took my first in-person visit to an attraction in over a year when I visited the place listed above! Anyway, upon arriving I noticed the large tower in the picture, dedicated in 1938, on the spot where Thomas Edison’s lab stood from 1876 to 1882. I had to book in advance for my tour in this two-room museum, but our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide explained and pointed out the different texts, pictures, and exhibit items that covered Edison’s life and his inventions. Two of his most famous inventions here were the first practical light bulb and the phonograph. Nevertheless, the greatest invention of Edison’s was starting the first organized research and development laboratory. Our guide also demonstrated some of the exhibit items here, especially the old phonographs. Then, I glanced at a model of the first laboratory that the model maker made with pieces from the original building. Finally, our guide took us outside to the tower and let us look inside on the ground floor at an eternal light that stayed lit all the time using the latest technology; on the date above, it would be an LED light. Afterward, we walked around the grounds and looked at the memorial to Edison (1847-1931), dedicated in 1947, the 100th anniversary of his birth.  

 

DDTC2019

 

THE COLUMN SERIES is a twice-annual column.
2019 - UNION COUNTY

⤓ Issue #15
01. TRAILSIDE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER
02. LIBERTY HALL MUSEUM
03. MILLER-CORY HOUSE MUSEUM
04. MERCHANTS AND DROVERS TAVERN MUSEUM
05. WOODRUFF HOUSE/EATON STORE MUSEUM
06. DRAKE HOUSE MUSEUM
07. SHORE LEAVE 2019

⤓ Issue #16      END OF SERIES
01. DR. ROBINSON PLANTATION, CLARK, NJ
02. CANNONBALL HOUSE, SPRINGFIELD, NJ
03. OSBORN-CANNONBALL HOUSE, SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ
04. WARINANCO PARK SPORTS CENTER, ROSELLE, NJ
05. CRANE-PHILLIPS HOUSE, CRANFORD, NJ
06. REEVES-REED ARBORETUM, SUMMIT, NJ
07. PHILCON 2019

DDTC2018

 

THE COLUMN SERIES is a twice-annual column.
2018 - ESSEX COUNTY

⤓ Issue #13
01. NEWARK, NJ, LIBRARY
02. MORGAN LIBRARY, NYC
03. USA SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FESTIVAL
04. NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM
05. NJ HISTORICAL SOCIETY
06. BALLANTINE HOUSE
07. BALTICON 2018
08. IRONBOUND DISTRICT
09. MILITARY PARK
10. GRAMMY MUSEUM, NJ

⤓ Issue #14
01. ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
02. GROVER CLEVELAND BIRTHPLACE
03. ISRAEL CRANE HOUSE
04. EAGLE ROCK RESERVATION
05. THOMAS EDISON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
06. TURTLE BACK ZOO
07. GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, MD
08. PHILIPSBURG MANOR, NY
09. FRAUNCES TAVERN MUSEUM, NY
10. READING TERMINAL MARKET, PHILADELPHIA
11. PHILCON 2018

DDTC2017

 

THE COLUMN SERIES is a twice-annual column.
2017 - HUDSON COUNTY

⤓ Issue #11
01. THEODORE ROOSEVELT BIRTHPLACE
02. PORT IMPERIAL TERMINAL
03. LUNACON 2017
04. LIBERTY STATE PARK
05. HOBOKEN MUSEUM
06. BALTICON 2017
07. LINCOLN HARBOR
08. LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER
09. HOBOKEN SPRING ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

⤓ Issue #12
01. WEEHAWKEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
02. ST. ANN'S ITALIAN FESTIVAL
03. NEWPORT CENTRE MALL
04. PLAZA AT HARMON MEADOW
05. KAEASOTES SHOWPLACE 14 THEATERS
06. MILL CREEK
07. KIMMEL CENTER
08. KYKUIT
09. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART
10. MUSEUM OF CITY OF NEW YORK
11. PHILCON 2017

DDTC2016

 

THE COLUMN SERIES is a twice-annual column.
2016 - BERGEN COUNTY

⤓ Issue #09
01. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MATHEMATICS
02. FORT LEE HISTORIC PARK
03. THE HERMITAGE
04. HISTORIC NEW BRIDGE LANDING
05. BALTICON 2016
06. MEADOWLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
07. MEADOWLANDS MUSEUM
08. NEW JERSEY AVIATION HALL OF FAME

⤓ Issue #10
01. MCFAUL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
02. THE OUTLETS AT BERGEN TOWN CENTER
03. BERGEN COUNTY ZOOLOGICAL PARK
04. PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK
05. NEW MEADOWLANDS FLEA MARKET
06. FORT LEE MUSEUM
07. THE SHOPS AT LIBERTY PLACE
08. UNION CHURCH OF POCANTICO HILLS
09. CAPCLAVE 2016
10. SACKLER GALLERY
11. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN-NYC
12. PHILCON 2016

DDTC2015

 

THE COLUMN SERIES is a twice-annual column.
2015 - PASSAIC COUNTY

⤓ Issue #07
01. KOREATOWN, NYC
02. AVENUE OF THE ARTS, PHILADELPHIA
03. RINGWOOD MANOR
04. PATERSON MUSEUM
05. YOGI BERRA MUSEUM
06. AMERICAN LABOR MUSEUM
07. NEW JERSEY BOTANICAL GARDENS
08. SKYLANDS MANOR
09. BALTICON 2015

⤓ Issue #08
01. LAURELWOOD ARBORETUM
02. LONG POND IRONWORKS
03. HAMILTON HOUSE
04. SHEPHERD LAKE
05. CLIFTON ARTS CENTER
06. RINGWOOD MANOR ESTATE
07. BEAR MOUNTAIN POW POW
08. EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO
09. CAPCLAVE 2015
10. FREER GALLERY OF ART
11. PHILCON 2015

 

DDTSII03

 

THE STATE I’M IN is a yearly column about my once-a-month New Jersey trips.

⤓ Issue #3:
1. ATLANTIC CITY-This seaside-resort city is the first place most people think of when they hear about New Jersey. I, a non-gambler, had as much fun (maybe more so) than most people who came to gamble.
2. BRANCH BROOK PARK, Newark-This was a day of surprises for me as I walked through a park that looked like an enchanted land during cherry blossom time.
3. DEY MANSION, Wayne-George Washington slept here in 1780. Here, he used this solidly built, Georgian house as his headquarters.
4. OCEAN CITY-This family oriented, shore-resort town offered a more relaxing atmosphere along its boardwalk compared to Atlantic City.
5. KEYPORT-Located along New Jersey’s third coast, the Raritan Bay, Keyport included a downtown with retail stores and restaurants in different price ranges—not just upscale.
6. MOUNTAIN CREEK WATER PARK, Vernon-Between the water slides and tube rides as well as the wave pool and other water amusements, there is something for almost everybody to feel refreshed about here.
7. SPACE FARMS ZOO & MUSEUM, Beemerville-Although the combination of a zoo and museum of old-time Americana sounds unorthodox, it does work to entertain and enlighten visitors of several ages from toddler to elderly.
8. BATSTO-Because of its somewhat isolated location in a wooded area, this former iron- and glass-making town made me feel like I traveled past a few centuries.
9. EDISON NATIONAL HISTORIC SIGHT, West Orange-Despite the park officials closing the labs and the Black Maria replica for restoration, I could still tour the 19th-century mansion of Thomas Edison and get a look at how he lived.
10.JANE VOORHEES ZIMMERLI ART MUSEUM, New Brunswick-Here, located on the campus of Rutgers University, this mid-sized museum included art from around the world from ancient times through the 21st century. It is most famous for displaying non-conformist art from the former Soviet Union.
11. JERSEY GARDENS OUTLET MALL, Elizabeth-The state’s largest outlet mall, located off Exit 13A of the NJ Turnpike, included stores that offered discounts of around 20 to 50% off the ticketed prices.
12. NEW JERSEY NAVAL MUSEUM, Hackensack-Once you tour the main feature of this museum, the submarine USS Ling, you will wonder how the naval personnel served in such a claustrophobic area. Then, you can look at the exhibits both outside on the museum grounds and inside the main building.

DDTSII02

THE STATE I’M IN is a yearly column about my once-a-month New Jersey trips.

 ⤓ Issue #2:
1. GOLDEN NUGGET ANTIQUE MARKET-around 60 indoor dealers and nearly 200 outdoor dealers sell their merchandise of antiques, collectables, and other items just south of Lambertville.
2. FORD MANSION-learn more about how the Ford family, George and Martha Washington, and Washington’s officers endured one of the worst winters during the American Revolution in Morristown.
3. WALT WHITMAN HOUSE-how the author of Leaves of Grass spent his final days in Camden.
4. RED MILL MUSEUM VILLAGE-find out how this mill operated from 1810 to 1928, and learn about the lives of the people who lived in the adjoining village in Clinton during that time.
5. MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM-view Native-American art and American art from the 18th century to the present in this mid-sized museum.
6. HURRICANE HARBOR-this water park is the third park to open in this theme-park complex in Jackson.
7. BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK-observe the views from the top of the lighthouse, fish nearby, or just enjoy the local flora and fauna on this northern tip of Long Beach Island.
8. LEAMING’S RUN GARDENS-walk through colorful gardens and woodland trails, and see an early 18th-century farm in Cape May County.
9. CAPE MAY COUNTY ZOO-along winding woodland trails, meet the other creatures who share this planet with us.
10. APPALACHIAN HOTEL-whether you want a quiet weekend in the mountains, or take part in winter sports, this hotel in Mountain Creek will cater to both kinds of persons.
11. HARMON COVE OUTLET CENTER-you can save from 10% to over 60% in merchandise at this largest enclosed-outlet mall in Secaucus.
12. BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY-learn about life onboard this ship, now docked in Camden, which saw action in World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, and the Persian Gulf.

DDTSII01

 

THE STATE I’M IN is a yearly column about my once-a-month New Jersey trips.

⤓ Issue #1:
1. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY-take a tour of this lovely campus and feel like an ivy-league student for a day--regardless of your SAT scores.
2. JOCKEY HOLLOW-learn about how an 18th-century farm family and George Washington’s troops coped with the winter of 1779-80.
3. LAMBERT CASTLE-Once upon a time, a boy came to America to seek his fortune; in the 1890s, he became rich enough to build a castle.
4. WATERLOO VILLAGE-Step back in time and learn about life in the 18th and 19th centuries in this village, as well as what life was like for the local Native Americans.
5. NEWARK MUSEUM-NJ’s largest museum, located in NJ’s largest city, is a first-class museum for the arts, both fine and decorative, and natural science.
6. GREAT ADVENTURE-If you like thrill rides, fun entertainment, or just walking around the 11 theme areas of the park, this place is worth a special day trip.
7. SANDY HOOK-NJ’s northernmost beach area offers lessons in history and nature, or you could just have a relaxing time in this non-commercial beach peninsula.
8. SIX FLAGS SAFARI-Drive your own hardtop car or ride the tour bus through the largest safari outside of Africa; unlike Africa, this safari included animals from six continents.
9. MOUNTAIN CREEK-NJ’s largest ski resort also offers quiet autumn getaways for those of us who want to admire the lovely fall foliage.
10. DUKE GARDENS-Tour through 11 theme gardens at the estate of the late Doris Duke and feel like you took a trip around the world’s gardens--without the jet lag.
11. LIBERTY VILLAGE OUTLETS-Even if you don’t buy much in these 60 outlet stores offering merchandise at 25% to 65% off, just walking around and browsing at this re-created colonial village is worth the trip.
12. NJ STATE HOUSE-No matter how well or badly you think the lawmakers are running NJ, once you see NJ’s capitol building, you will be impressed from its gold-exterior dome to the floors inside.