History

October 13, 2023

Italian Heritage: St. Gerard

If your family was from the Old First Ward of Newark, chances are they attended St. Lucy’s Church on 7th Avenue. And the height of the year for that community was the Feast of St. Gerard. Thousands would come out to pay homage to the Saint, especially those that were trying to get pregnant or… Continue reading

Essex County, Festivals, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Feast of St. Gerard, First Ward, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
September 10, 2023

Remembering September 10th

Every year I am compelled to write about the attack over two decades ago. I have shared my memories of 9/11, the subsequent days after the attack, and visiting the site. This year, however, I want to share some thoughts about September 10th. On Monday, September 10, 2001, people were going about their normal kickoff… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Morris County, New Jersey

9/10, 9/11, Andrew Curry Green, Cahners, Jeanette Louise Lafond-Menichino, Jeffrey Mladenik, Morris Plains, New Jersey
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
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
December 24, 2022

Observe the Christmas Crossing

We all learned about the incredibly harsh winter General Washington and his men endured deep into the Revolutionary War. Throughout the entire war, time and again, Morristown was a key location for the the Continental Army. Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment of December 1779… Continue reading

History, Just Plain Cool, Morris County, New Jersey, Outdoors, Preservation

Battle of Trenton, British Army, Continental Army, Delaware River, Hessians, Morristown National Historical Park, New Jersey history
November 29, 2022

Giving Tuesday in New Jersey

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday; a great reminder to give back whenever you are able. There are a number of wonderful non-profits and organizations in The Garden State that need support. Here are a few of my favorites. A Helping Wing Parrot Rescue & Sanctuary I may have never mentioned it in the past, but my… Continue reading

Conservation, History, New Jersey, Non-Profits, Preservation

A Helping Wing Rescue, Belleville Historical Society, Giving Tuesday, Italian American One Voice Coalition, Morristown Fiber Fairy, New Jersey history, New Jersey State Library, Trinity Thrift Shop, Walpack Historical Society
October 10, 2022

A Want for Italian Immigration History Education

New Jersey is home to one of the largest collection of Americans of Italian descent in the entire country. Yet, if you ask any child if they learn about this important part of history, they would know very little. Luckily, there’s a solution to the problem. A few years ago, the Italian-American Heritage Commission developed… Continue reading

History, Mercer County, New Jersey, Ocean County

Hamilton, Italian American Heritage Month, Little Egg Harbot, New Jersey, New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission, Nottingham High School, The Universality of Italian Heritage