This Is My New Jersey

All that is great about the Garden State!

Essex County

July 15, 2020

The Official Jersey Bucket List – Part Two

After the publishing of my “Official Jersey Bucket List,” I received many requests for a part two. I will admit as soon as I published it, I continued to come up with more ideas. There is so much to see in New Jersey, it is almost impossible to include it all in one list. Let’s… Continue reading

Essex County, Exploring, History, Hudson County, Hunterdon County, Jersey Icon, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Outdoors, Photography, Preservation, Sussex County

Asbury Park, Count Baise Center for the Arts, D&R Canal, Ellis Island, Fort Hancock, Jersey Girl Cheese, Music, Newark Museum, Sandy Hook, South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, The Stone Pony, Walpack
July 3, 2020

Heritage

heritage noun her·i·tage | \ ˈher-ə-tij , ˈhe-rə- \ Definition of heritage 1: property that descends to an heir 2a: something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor : LEGACY, INHERITANCE proud of her Italian heritage a rich heritage of folklore The battlefields are part of our heritage and should be preserved. b: TRADITION the… Continue reading

Conservation, Essex County, Festivals, History, New Jersey, Preservation

Amerigo Vespucci, Christopher Columbus, Giovanni da Verrazzano, heritage, Monsignor Joseph Perotti, Mother Cabrini, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
April 21, 2020

Remembering a Selfless Doctor

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread and take the lives of people we love, I want to share with you the story of someone special to me – Dr. Michael G. Giuliano. On Saturday he lost his life to COVID-19. Dr. G. was my doctor since I was 20 years old (trust me, that… Continue reading

Essex County, Jersey Icon

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Dr. Giuliano, Nutley
January 4, 2020

Rambling ‘Round: Respectrum Books

Like most Jersey kids, I spent many of my teenage hours at the mall. Before my friends and I could drive we would take the public bus to Willowbrook and just wander. After I had my license, I was officially set free to go whenever I wanted (almost). Whether it was sitting with a slice… Continue reading

Essex County, Exploring, New Jersey, Sussex County

Belleville, Carvel, Esposito’s, Frank Lloyd Write, Plaza Chemist, Respectrum Books, Sussex, Zane Grey
November 15, 2019

Researching History Using High-Tech

In my last post, I shared the story of a centuries-old dwelling in Paramus that is in danger of being torn down. I opined about my concerns when it comes to preserving New Jersey’s past. Well, I am happy to share a story about trying to learn more about individuals in unmarked graves in one… Continue reading

Essex County, History, New Jersey, Preservation

Belleville, cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Reformed Dutch Church
October 16, 2019

Ramblin’ Around: Jersey Events this Weekend

In the fall there are plenty of weekend festivals. It seems like the third weekend of October are always full of great events. There are three specific festivals I would like to share with you. The Feast of St. Gerard: Saint Lucy’s Church on Seventh Avenue in Newark is the home of the National Shrine… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Morris County, New Jersey

Chester, Essex County, Morris County, New Jersey, Pirates, Seton Hall, St. Lucy’s Church
September 21, 2019

Fall Festivals: Jersey Style

Many people look forward to fall. The turning of the leaves. Picking pumpkins. Apple cider donuts. It helps make the thought of the cold winter on the way much more tolerable. As a child, I fondly remember going to Van Ryper Farms in Woodcliff Lake, carefully passing the scary witch, to pick the perfect family… Continue reading

Burlington County, Cape May County, Essex County, Exploring, Festivals, Food, Union County
September 11, 2019

9-11: Our Responsibility to the Next Generation

It seems each generation had a moment solidified in time. Continue reading

Essex County, New Jersey, Preservation

9-11, New Jersey
August 10, 2018

Remembering the Haunts of my Youth

Don’t it always seem to go That you don’t know what you’ve got til its gone They paved paradise And put up a parking lot We all have favorite places from our youth. For me there were several. One favorite of mine was Mickey Music – a record store. One of my high school jobs… Continue reading

Essex County, Food, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Belleville, Jackie’s Lemon Ice, Mickey Music, Muscara Music
March 11, 2018

Forget The Met – Find Culture in Jersey!

Recently The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City put in place a mandatory entrance fee of $25 for non-New York residents. Up until now, The Met’s entrance fee was by “suggested donation,” which made it accessible for all. Now it will be far from that for many. It is worth mentioning, if you… Continue reading

Cumberland County, Essex County, Exploring, History, Mercer County, Morris County, New Jersey

Art, Grounds of Sculpture, Museum of American Glass, Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Museums, Newark Museum, The Met