Essex County

August 25, 2023

It’s Marching Band Season!

As much as I hate to see summer come to a close, it does mean one of my favorite seasons is right around the corner. No, not all that pumpkin spice nonsense. It’s marching band season! If someone asked me one of most memorable times growing up, my time in marching band would probably be… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Music, New Jersey

Belleville, Glen Ridge, Marching Band, New Jersey, New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association
July 27, 2023

Happy New Jersey Day!

I am excited to (hopefully) be the first person of your day to wish you a Happy New Jersey Day! Now for me, every day is New Jersey Day, but this is one of the two days out of the year we all need to stop and pay homage to our great state. In case… Continue reading

Camden County, Cumberland County, Essex County, Exploring, Food, History, Hudson County, Just Plain Cool, Monmouth County, New Jersey, Ocean County, Passaic County, Warren County

Atlantic City, Battle of Trenton, Garden State, Giovanni de Verrazano, Hoboken, John Holland, Kittatinny, Lenni Lenape, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Newark, Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, Revolutionary War, Thomas Edison
June 30, 2023

Independence Day: Jersey Style

We are finally in the midst of summer and I am absolutely thrilled. I feel less like a hermit and look forward to actually going outside. Whether sitting on the deck with my morning coffee or in the evening with an adult beverage as the sun sets after 8:00 p.m., it is my favorite time… Continue reading

Atlantic County, Conservation, Essex County, Exploring, Festivals, History, Just Plain Cool, Morris County, New Jersey

Belleville, Belleville Dutch Reformed Church, Declaration of Independence, Hammonton, Independence Day, Morristown, Morristown National Historical Park, Revolutionary War, Wildwood Crest
May 29, 2023

Memorial Day: There is Nothing “Happy” About it

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoyforget in time that men have died to win them.” ~Franklin D. Roosevelt There are few things that bug me more than I when I hear someone say “happy Memorial Day.” I understand that people normally say things like “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year” for… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Belleville, Korean Way, Medal of Honor, Memorial Day, New Jersey, President Barack Obama, Private First Class Henry Svehla
April 2, 2023

Those Who Can, Teach

We’re all heard the ol’ saying: Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. Those who can’t teach, teach gym. Well, I’ll leave my opinion of the last part to myself, but I certainly want to talk about the first part. My answer is this: those who can, teach! I would like to tell you… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Jersey Icon, Music, New Jersey

Belleville, Edwin Black, Music Education, New Jersey
February 16, 2023

Urgent Repairs Needed at Belleville Dutch Reformed Church

If you are a regular reader, you know how much I love my hometown of Belleville. From stopping at Rosebud’s after school, to my memories from marching band in high school, to riding my bike all over town, Belleville will always hold a special place in my heart. What you may not know is Belleville… Continue reading

Essex County, History, New Jersey, Non-Profits, Preservation

Belleville, Belleville Dutch Reformed Church, New Jersey history, Revolutionary War
February 6, 2023

Saying Goodbye to The Manor

This week all of North Jersey was shocked to hear The Manor in West Orange will close this summer after 66 years. That magical location has been the location where many wonderful memories were made. From New Year’s Eve black-tie dinners, to weddings, to proms, almost everyone from North Jersey has a story. All those… Continue reading

Conservation, Essex County, Exploring, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Joni Mitchell, Kenvil, Mayfair Farms, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Pal's Cabin, Rosebud's, Roxbury, The Manor, West Orange
September 10, 2022

9/11: Twenty-One Years Later

“Where were you on 9/11?” For those of us who were witnesses to history, we remember every minute of that day. We can describe in detail every moment and every feeling. If you put that question to an entirely new generation, they have no answer. They weren’t born. Just like if someone asked me where… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Morris County, New Jersey

9/11, Morris Plains, New Jersey
September 7, 2022

Fourth Grade and New Jersey History

As the school year begins, I think back to growing up in Belleville and starting school in September. I have many wonderful memories of that time. In sixth grade I was part of the school patrol and guarded the kindergarten door. In middle school, I accompanied the chorus on piano for the first time. In… Continue reading

Essex County, History, New Jersey

Belleville, Lenni Lenape, New Jersey, Revolutionary War
May 28, 2022

Memorial Day 2022 Events

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and we all look forward to it for different reasons. For many it is a three day weekend. It is the unofficial kickoff to summer. It’s barbeques, cold beer, and the beach. Actually, no, it really isn’t. It is a moment to stop and honor and remember the fallen.… Continue reading

Atlantic County, Bergen County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Essex County, History, Hudson County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Morris County, New Jersey, Sussex County, Union County

Belleville, Budd Lake, Cape May, Cherry Hill, Closter, Edison, Flemington, Garfield, Glassboro, Glen Ridge, Guttenberg, Lodi, Memorial Day, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Roxbury, Sea Girt, Sussex County, Vorhees, West Orange