Just Plain Cool

October 13, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: John Basilone

In an earlier post, I noted that Italian immigrants and Americans of Italian descent made up approximately 10% of the entire fighting force during World War II; more than any other ethnicity. Despite Italian immigrants kept under surveillance and some put in containment camps, they volunteered by the thousands to fight against their Motherland. One… Continue reading

History, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey, Somerset County

John Basilone, Marine Corps, Medal of Honor, New Jersey, Quantico, Raritan, Somerset County, US Army, World War II
October 8, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Frankie Valli

“Newark, Belleville; Frankie Valli walks on water. As he should. Frankie Valli has been around so long he’s attached to everything and everybody. And they are very proud.” ~Steve Schirripa, Talking Sopranos podcast. Belleville has been home to plenty of talent over the decades. Connie Francis, Joe Pesci, and of course Francesco Stephen Castelluccio, known… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, Music, New Jersey

Belleville, Frankie Valli, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, Newark, Stephen Crane Village
October 1, 2021

October is Italian Heritage Month

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I am a proud New Jerseyan. I am also very proud of my Italian heritage. October in Italian Heritage Month and as I do each year, I plan on writing about New Jerseyans of Italian heritage that have made a significant impact on our… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

First Ward, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
August 20, 2021

Book Review: brat: an 80s Story

When anyone meets me for the first time, two things are obvious. I am a born-and-bred Jersey Girl and I am a Gen-Xer. I still love the music and movies of the 80s. Nowadays when I drive, there are very few radio stations I listen to; most of which are satellite and focus on music… Continue reading

Arts, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey, Union County

Andrew McCarthy, Brat Pack, Gen-X, Pingry, Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, Westfield
May 15, 2021

Always Bee Prepared

Nature is a truly amazing thing. Whether you like to go for a hike, fly fish, or something else, being outside is always an adventure. Last night’s nature adventure took place at the local Roxbury Community Garden. This is my third season at the garden and it has been a great experience. I’ve met wonderful… Continue reading

Conservation, Just Plain Cool, Morris County, New Jersey, Outdoors

Apiary, Bee Keeping, Community Gardens, Honey Bees, New Jersey Bee Keepers Association
February 3, 2021

Kids, a Trumpet, and an Album: 1966

While my husband and I never had children of our own, we have thousands of kids. How you may ask? Decades of students taught by my husband. From marching band during his college years to 25 years as a public school band director. No matter what our kids decided to do professionally, we were always… Continue reading

Just Plain Cool, Music, New Jersey

The Oliva Brass Project
September 30, 2020

Going Old School in Jersey

My entire career has been focused on high tech. From prepress to IT to SEO, everything I’ve done has involved the latest in technology. I think that’s why people are so surprised to hear I have analog hobbies. I fly fish, as well as tie my own flies. I do yoga, hike, crochet, felt, weave,… Continue reading

Bergen County, Just Plain Cool, Music, New Jersey, Passaic County, Photography

Film Photography Podcast, Film Photography Project, photography, Singer Sewing, The Sopranos, William Paterson University
September 27, 2020

Class Action Park

“Shake it off…” That was the phrase I heard regularly growing up. Whenever I came home with a scraped knee, a bruise on my arm, or even if I was upset about something, I regularly heard that phrase. What is now often referred to “free range parenting,” was just called “playing outside” when I was… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey, Sussex County

Action Park, Hamburg, Skiing, Vernon Valley
May 25, 2019

Jersey Music and Down the Shore: Perfect Together

As it is now Memorial Day Weekend and many of us head down the shore, we often can’t help but think of our youth. Our first car, driving down after prom, windows open, and music blasting. We have great pride in this state; especially pride for our music. Whether you come from the era of… Continue reading

Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Calliope, carousel, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Jersey Shore, Music, New Jersey, South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
May 13, 2017

Remembering the Heroes: NNJ Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Since I was a kid, I liked going to the cemetery. I know it may sound strange. I grew up in a big Italian family and, unfortunately, as each family member passed, they would go to the cemetery. Once I was old enough to go a little further away from home on my bike, I… Continue reading

Essex County, Exploring, History, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey, Non-Profits, Preservation, Sussex County

cemeteries, Civil War, Daughters of the American Revolution, Essex County, Revolutionary War, Sussex County, Vets