This Is My New Jersey

All that is great about the Garden State!

October 11, 2020

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Dr. Steve Adubato

A modern-day New Jersey native of Italian descent I feel is deserving of recognition is Steve Adubato, Ph.D. Continue reading

Essex County, New Jersey

Caucus New Jersey, Essex County, Italian American Heritage Month, Newark, NJTV, PBS, Rutgers, Seton Hall University, Steve Adubato
October 6, 2020

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Msgr. Joseph Granato

If there is anyone who should be the first individual I highlight for Italian Heritage Month, it must be Msgr. Joseph Granato. Msgr. Granato borders on rock star status at St. Lucy’s Church in Newark, home to the National Shrine of St. Gerard. He served St. Lucy’s for 54 years. It was the only parish… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Feast of St. Gerard, Italian American Heritage Month, Italian Culture Medal, Monsignor Granato, Newark, Seton Hall University, St. Lucy’s Church
October 1, 2020

National Italian Heritage Month

October of each year is National Italian Heritage Month. While my married last name is no longer Italian, I am proud of my heritage. It helped mold the adult I am today. I come from a line of truck drivers, beauticians, stay-at-home mothers, and police officers. The generations before me made sacrifices so I could… Continue reading

History, New Jersey

Italian American Heritage Month
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
September 24, 2020

Belleville Loses a Favorite Son: Tommy DeVito

Music is a huge part of the history of New Jersey. The Boss. Bon Jovi. Southside Johnny. There is another part of music history that goes back a little further. Those greats include Francis Albert Sinatra, Bucky Pizzarelli, Connie Francis, and The Four Seasons. Straight from Essex County, and more specifically, my hometown of Belleville,… Continue reading

Essex County, Jersey Icon, Music, New Jersey

Belleville, Jersey Boys, The Four Seasons, Tommy DeVito
September 11, 2020

Remembering September 12th

Tomorrow is the 19th anniversary of the most horrific attack on United States soil. Like many, I remember every minute of the day. The report on the radio that there was “some kind of accident” at the Twin Towers. Searching feverishly for the flight information for two of my colleagues that were flying out of… Continue reading

Essex County, History, New Jersey

9-11, Belleville, NYC, World Trade Center
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
August 15, 2020

Gardens in the Garden State

It is safe to say this has been a tough year for everyone. Cut off from our families, friends, and our normal routines, many have decided to take on new challenges during this time. Many are turning to what I refer to as “analog hobbies;” meaning things we can do that do not involve technology.… Continue reading

Essex County, Food, Morris County, Outdoors

Community Gardens, Denville, Garden State, Newark
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