This Is My New Jersey

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
November 9, 2020

End of an Era: Rosebud’s

Being allowed to walk home from school by yourself if a big step when you are a kid. For me it was around fourth grade. After crossing Passaic Ave. from School 7, I would regularly stop at what was known as Rosebud’s Sweet Shop for penny candy and Swedish Fish (the big ones, separated by… Continue reading

Essex County, Food, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Michael's Roscommon, Rosebud's, School 7
October 25, 2020

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Bucky Pizzarelli

COVID-19 has certainly left us devoid from us this year. We’ve lost family, friends, and others we admire. One of those wonderful New Jerseyans of Italian heritage we lost to the virus is John Paul “Bucky” Pizzarelli. Born in Paterson in 1926 to the owners of a local grocery store, Pizzarelli picked up the guitar… Continue reading

Bergen County, Jersey Icon, Music, New Jersey, Passaic County

Bucky Pizzarelli, COVID-19, Jazz Music, Paterson
October 22, 2020

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Rose Fieramosca

You’ve probably never heard of today’s New Jerseyan of Italian heritage. She wasn’t famous, or rich, or any of the other things most would people consider noteworthy. She was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, an aunt, a great cook, and a devout Catholic. She was my Grandmother – Rosina Fucetola Fieramosca. Like many of… Continue reading

Essex County, History, New Jersey

Catholic Faith, Communion, Italian American Heritage Month, Newark, Rose Fieramosca, Rosina Fucetola, St. Lucy’s Church
October 15, 2020

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: James Gandolfini

When many people think of Americans of Italian descent, they often think we are all in the mob, or “connected.” Many movies such as The Godfather add to the stereotype. Add to that shows like Jersey Shore, Housewives of New Jersey, and The Sopranos, and well… While many depictions in New Jersey and mob movies… Continue reading

Bergen County, Jersey Icon, New Jersey, Non-Profits

James Gandolfini, Park Ridge, The Sopranos, Tony Soprano, Westwood
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