Exploring

October 18, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: St. Lucy’s Church

If someone asked me what is the most important location associated with Italian heritage in New Jersey, I would say without hesitation St. Lucy’s Church. Since its cornerstone was placed in 1891, St. Lucy’s Church in Newark has been a source of pride and devotion for the millions of Italian immigrants and the generations that… Continue reading

Essex County, Exploring, Festivals, History, New Jersey

Feast of St. Gerard, First Ward, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
October 6, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Joseph Rotunda

Many of us have passed by Rotunda Pool in Newark on our way to St. Lucy’s Church or coming out of Branch Brook Park and have not given it a second thought. It is, however, an important location in the community and New Jersey Italian heritage. Rotunda Pool is named after Private Joseph Ralph Rotunda… Continue reading

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

Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Newark, Pvt. Joseph Rotunda, World War II
April 17, 2021

It’s Spring: Get Out!

Let’s face it; we’re all sick of being stuck inside. As the weather continues to improve, the masses will head outside to the many wonderful parks and open spaces throughout New Jersey. As families continue to cancel vacations and choose to stay local, some of the hidden gems of The Garden State may not stay… Continue reading

Cape May County, Essex County, Exploring, Festivals, History, Morris County, Music, New Jersey

Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossoms, COVID-19, Essex Zero Jazz Festival, Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Hedden Park, Morristown National Historical Park, PPE
December 6, 2020

My 2020 Jersey Christmas List

This has been a hard year for all of us; especially for the small business owners of New Jersey. Like many, I am urging everyone to shop small as much as possible this year. My Christmas list this year has a special Jersey flair this year. These are gifts that are made by Jersey artisans… Continue reading

Atlantic County, Cape May County, Conservation, Essex County, Exploring, History, Morris County, New Jersey, Non-Profits, Ocean County, Outdoors, Preservation, Shopping

Cape May Suncatchers, Discover Jersey Arts, Just Jersey Goods, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Historical Society, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Peters Valley, Reddie to Burn, shop small, Sue Sachs
August 23, 2020

Protecting Our Parks

We’ve all had to make alternate plans this year due to COVID-19 and the following lockdown. As a result, many had to cancel vacation plans and stay local. And that means lots of people in town, county, and state parks. Unfortunately, not everyone values our park systems. Just a few weeks ago, Hedden Park in… Continue reading

Conservation, Exploring, Morris County, New Jersey, Outdoors, Preservation, Warren 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
May 24, 2020

The Official Jersey Bucket List

As we all continue to wait to be paroled from Coronavirus jail, many of us are making plans of what we would like to do once we are free to go anywhere and do anything. Well, this had me start to make a “Jersey bucket list;” all the things Jersey-related someone should do at some… Continue reading

Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Conservation, Cumberland County, Exploring, Food, History, Morris County, New Jersey, Ocean County, Outdoors, Pine Barrens, Preservation, Shopping, Sussex County

Appalachian Trail, Atlantic City, Brook Trout, Cape May, cape may diamond, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, fly fishing, High Point, Hirams, Hot Grill, Morristown, Morristown National Historical Park, Rutts Hut, Seaside Heights, The Belmont, The Midway, The Pine Barrens
March 17, 2020

Five Tips to Surviving Coronavirus – Jersey Style

So we’ve all been hearing about the expansion of the Coronavirus around the world on a minute-by-minute basis. A lot of people are in quarantine – either by choice or government mandate; others are following curfews. We are all social distancing and every school in New Jersey has been switched to remote learning. For the… Continue reading

Exploring, Food, Jersey Icon, Morris County, New Jersey, Outdoors, Passaic County, Sussex County

Angry Erik, Cop Land, Eddie & the Cruisers, Garden State, Harold & Kumar, Jefferson Diner, Morris County Parks, Roxbury Diner, The Sopranos, Tick Tock
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
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