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!      

Sickler's Circle View Farm

     Saturday, November 6, 2021: While we were taking a drive through Salem County, New Jersey on the above date, we stopped at this place: Sickler’s Circle View Farm, 450 Bridgeton Pike, Monroeville (856-712-0849). Unlike other farm market stores that mostly sold produce, this store sold meats of beef and pork from cattle and hogs raised on their surrounding farm. Inside this store, I saw a freezer of meats, and in a nearby refrigerator, they also sold eggs from their chickens and cheese. In addition to their farm products, they also had food products from other nearby farms. Meanwhile, I noticed other foods for sale such as honey, beef jerky, bbq sauce, etc. As for non-edible merchandise, they stocked t-shirts, hats, stickers, and so forth. I bought a few items here and once outside, I looked at the hogs and cattle. Anyway, if you want to try local meats, eggs, and dairy products, this is the place to visit!   

The Find

      Tuesday, November 2, 2021: After seeing Cowtown, we drove along Route 40 in Salem County, New Jersey, and we stopped at what looked like an interesting place: The Find Marketplace, 1207 Rt. 40, Woodstown (856-823-5017). Inside, this place contained around 30 plus resale vendors selling furniture, antiques & collectables, and jarred foods. Surprisingly, the jarred foods were cheaper in price than what some of the farm markets wanted for similar stuff! Meanwhile, similar to the antique market in Hammonton, NJ, browsing here reminded me of being in a decorative arts museum—except that this art, too, was for sale. Anyway, this store proved to be an interesting place.  

Cowtown Market

      Tuesday, November 2, 2021: I remembered my parents taking me here as a child and a teen a few times: Cowtown Farmers Market, 780 Harding Highway (Route 40), Pilesgrove (Salem County), New Jersey (856-769-3000). This market and rodeo has been around since 1926. On Saturday nights in the summer, Cowtown presented the rodeo, and back in the 1950s and ‘60s, this rodeo used to be on network TV. My main interest, however, was the year-round farmers market. This large indoor and outdoor market contained 100s of vendors offering bargains in many kinds of merchandise: food, clothing, and jewelry, as well as cosmetics, furniture, accessories, toys, electronics, flowers & plants, luggage, home goods, tools, memorabilia, etc. Whew! Upon arrival, you can’t miss seeing the giant cowboy and cow in front of this market.  

Salem Historical Society

     Thursday, October 28, 2021: It’s been 20 years since I’ve been to Salem, Salem County, New Jersey, and I visited the same place that I saw back then: Salem County Historical Society, 83 Market Street (856-935-5004). Here in a building from the 1700s in a few different rooms on two floors, I looked at decorative arts and furniture from the 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century, as well as items from the local Native Americans—the Lenni-Lenapes; a special room honoring the late Salem Oak that died on June 6, 2019 (It was estimated to be over 500 years old.); and a room displaying textiles in clothing and samplers. In addition, I also saw a few rooms with furnishings from the 1700s, work equipment from the different trades practiced in the last few centuries, and glassware. Most of the upstairs rooms showed pictures, texts, and exhibits honoring those who lived in Salem County. Overall, this place was packed with information about Salem County!     

Lapp's Dutch Market

     Thursday, October 28, 2021: It was another day and another daytrip to Salem County, New Jersey! This time we went to a market that didn’t look like much on the outside, but inside, it was a different story. Lapp’s Dutch Market, 23 North Virginia Avenue (Route 130), Penns Grove (856-299-4224) had quite a variety of stuff: different meats that were fresh, processed, and cooked; baked goods; and canned foods; as well as jarred foods; snack foods; etc. Besides local products, I also noticed foods from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and some food from Canada. This store has been in business for over 25 years. Therefore, they must be doing something right.   

Parvin State Park

 

     Wednesday, October 27, 2021: Once we were on the road again after being at Jersey Farm Market in Salem County, New Jersey, we stopped at out final destination: Parvin State Park, 701 Almond Road, Pittsgrove (856-358-8616). In the 1960s and ‘70s, my family camped here a few times. This time, however, after we stopped at the main office to pick up some literature, we had a picnic lunch near Parvin Lake. This lake looked pretty much the same as it did when I used to swim there as a child! In addition to camping, swimming, and picnicking, Parvin offered nine trails for hiking, and one of those trails was an equestrian trail. Other activities this park offered were boating and canoeing, as well as fishing and hunting. I also noticed a few playgrounds. After our picnic, we drove through different areas of this state park, and it brought back a few memories to me.  

Jersey Farm Market

     Wednesday, October 27, 2021: After we saw Finns Point Lighthouse, Salem County, New Jersey, we stopped at (Graham’s) Jersey Farm Market, US-40, Carney’s Point (856-299-2021). This farm market wasn’t big or fancy, but they had a good selection of produce, and for the time of year I was there, lots of pumpkins, apples, potatoes, and a few other vegetables and fruits. (They close from November until spring.) It all looked fresh and reasonable in price! I also noticed chickens walking around this market.  

Finns Point Lighthouse

 

     Wednesday, October 27, 2021: On this day trip I chose to visit the attractions in Salem County, New Jersey, and the first place I went to was in Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuse: Finns Point Lighthouse, Fort Mott & Lighthouse Roads, Pennsville (609-463-0994). This 1876 lighthouse looked similar to the one at Paulsboro, NJ, and it too was a rear-range lighthouse. While the inside of this lighthouse wasn’t open, I viewed the outside and read nearby signs informing me about the history of Finns Point Lighthouse and about the flora & fauna of Supawna Refuse. In the area was also Ft. Mott State Park and its attractions. Therefore, this could be a full day in itself! 

DDV02I01

 

DOTTY'S DIMENSIONS - A travelog of science fiction conventions, sight-seeing attractions, and other things.
I published these newsletters from the years 2000 to 2006.

VOLUME 2    

⤓ ISSUE 1 will cover places and events I've seen in New York City; Philadelphia; Washington, DC; New  Jersey; Pennsylvania; and New York City again.

01 - BROADWAY SHOW: SWING
02 - MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
03 - OFF-BROADWAY SHOW: PETE AND KEELY
04 - FORBES MAGAZINE GALLERIES
05 - NYC CINEMA: STATE AND MAIN
06 - ROSE CENTER FOR EARTH AND SPACE
07 - NYC CINEMA: CHOCOLAT
08 - AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE
09 - INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM
10 - AMERICAN SWEDISH HISTORICAL MUSEUM
11 - PHILADELPHIA THEATER: CABARET
12 - PHILADELPHIA CINEMA: HOUSE OF MIRTH
13 - NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
14 - FREER GALLERY OF ART
15 - SALEM COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
16 - PENNSBURY MANOR
17 - STATEN ISLAND FERRY
18 - THE CLOISTERS