Maugeri's Farm Market, Swedesboro

      Tuesday, July 13, 2021: Thus, I went to a farm market. (The differences are that a farmers’ market had different vendors selling their merchandise in one place. Whereas a farm market is a retail business located on a farm, and the owner owns both the farm and the retail business that can be anything from a farm stand to a mid-sized store.) On the date above, I browsed and bought a few items in Gloucester County at Maugeri’s Farm Market, 1991 Oldman’s Creek Road, Swedesboro, New Jersey (856-294-9900). Unlike many farm and farmers’ markets that only operate one or a few days a week—mostly on weekends, this market operated seven days a week. While that market from the outside didn’t look large, it was surrounded by fields where most of the produce grew. In addition to produce, this place sold baked goods, gift items, and cheeses, as well as preserved foods that they canned there, food items in freezers, etc. Therefore, what they lacked in building size, they made up for in variety—especially in produce!  

Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse

      Sunday, July 11, 2021: Because the weather was nice, I decided to do a quick visit to Gloucester County, New Jersey, and the Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse, 70 Second Street, Paulsboro (856-423-1505). Although this place wasn’t open for tours to the top, I didn’t mind because I have not been a big fan of climbing up a lot of stairs—even if the views were good! (I also saw the views online, and they were good.) Nevertheless, I looked at the outside of this lighthouse and the 1880 building below it. Throughout the year, the society who maintained this place played host to special events. Otherwise, if you have been visiting someplace else nearby and wanted to visit a quiet place later, then I would recommend coming here. Be warned: Use your GPS, MapQuest, Google Maps, or some other maps because many of the local streets didn’t have signs. 

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. 

Scotland Run Park

      Sunday, June 27, 2021: I had nature on my mind as I headed toward this destination: Scotland Run Park, 980 Academy Street, Clayton, New Jersey (Gloucester County) (856-881-0845). As soon as I arrived, I entered the nature center! In this small, one-room, mini museum covering the flora & fauna of the area, I saw one wall that showed five display tanks of reptiles, amphibians, and insects, as well as a showcase exhibiting human-made items in glassware, pottery, and metal pieces that go back to the last few centuries. Along the other side of this room, I looked at bones from different animals—especially deer, taxidermy animals & birds, and cases displaying butterflies, moths, & insects. In addition, pictures and texts explained more about the natural attractions around the area. As for the rest of the park, along the lake, the public could rent canoes and kayaks, launch their own boats on this lake, fish, and walk the trails. There was also a playground for children, a picnic area with grills, and nearby pavilions. I also noticed some people paddle boarding on the lake, but many people just relaxed and sat by the picnic tables. This was one of those places where you could be as active or relaxing as you want.   

Heritage Glass Museum

       Saturday, June 26, 2021: Of course, a town named Glassboro would have had many glass making industries in its past! Nowadays, the downtown included the following attraction: Heritage Glass Museum, 25 East High Street, Glassboro, New Jersey (in Gloucester County) (856-881-7468). On one floor, I could view different kinds of glass in chronological order by going clockwise around the room. Here, they displayed glass from the 1700s to the current time. I looked at glass in the form of bottles, plates, and lids, as well as glasses, vases, bowls, paperweights, jewelry, a glass-beaded dress from the 1920s, etc. In addition, packed into this room were exhibits of glass making equipment, pictures, and texts about the history of glassmaking in NJ and other parts of the USA. This small museum contained a lot of things to see.    

American History Museum of Deptford

      Friday, June 25, 2021: In a large white former farmhouse, I entered a museum that claimed, “Our museum is not a building filled with artifacts: It is a building filled with history…told with artifacts.” The Museum of American History at Deptford, New Jersey, 138 Andaloro Way, Deptford, NJ (in Gloucester County) (856-812-1121) contained six rooms of exhibit items, texts, and pictures on two floors. Each room covered a different theme: Local Deptford History, Pre-Columbian History, and a room with antique tools & equipment, as well as fossils, farm equipment, and glass & ceramics. Overall, I experienced an interesting and educational hour here!     

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!