Newark

October 2, 2024

Remembering John Allen Amos Jr.

Today is October first. Normally my post today would kick off the celebration of Italian Heritage Month. But I needed to pause and note the passing of Jersey’s favorite son, John Amos. John Allen Amos Jr. was born in Newark and grew up in East Orange. He was what I would call a Renaissance Man.… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

East Orange, Good Times, John Amos, Newark
May 17, 2024

The Kickoff to Feast Season

While the weather may not feel like it, we are on the cusp of the unofficial kickoff to summer. It is time for heading down the shore, getting outside, and enjoying the warm weather… and I promise, it will get better! There are also multiple festivals and carnivals around the state, but for me it… Continue reading

Essex County, Festivals, New Jersey, Non-Profits, Passaic County

Arcangelo San Michele, Clifton, Italian feasts, Madonna del Sacro Monte, Madonna della Fontana, New Jersey, Newark
April 12, 2024

It’s Time to Know your Roots

The town of Fairfield is home to the largest percentage of Italian Americans in the country, according to the 2020 US Census. So it is appropriate the town will play host to the first annual Paisan Con this weekend. What is Paisan Con, you ask? Well, let me share. Paisan Con is an all-encompassing event… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

Fairfield, Genealogy, Italian Heritage, New Jersey, Newark, Paisan Con
April 6, 2024

Were You Rattled Today?

New Jersey experienced something that hasn’t happened in over a century. A strong earthquake. Needless to say, it left many, including me, rattled. However, if you watched the local news, you would’ve thought it happened in New York. I know, you’re shocked. For the record, here are the facts: So as usual, even though the… Continue reading

Essex County, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Outdoors

Belleville, Earthquake, New Jersey, Newark, School 7, USGS, Whitehouse Station
March 23, 2024

Looking for Cherry Trees? Check out Branch Brook Park!

For the most part, I like New 12 New Jersey. However, this morning during their “Close to Home” program, they were showing off cherry blossom trees and boasting how New York City is the place to go to check them out this spring. Ahem, I’ll put this as nicely as possible for a Jersey Girl.… Continue reading

Essex County, Exploring, Festivals, New Jersey, Outdoors

Belleville, Cherry Blossoms, New Jersey, Newark, spring
March 7, 2024

The Mother of all Jersey Girls

This Friday is International Women’s Day. The day we should all stop and recognize the contributions of woman from all over the world. We Jersey Girls know there is something truly unique about us. We can go from perfect lady to Tony Soprano in 2.3 seconds. We may not know how to pump gas, but… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, History, Hudson County, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Kearny, Mother Cabrini, New Jersey, Newark, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redemptoris Mater Seminary, St. Anthony’s Orphanage
December 19, 2023

Happy 236 New Jersey!

Today is an important day in American history. In 1787, New Jersey ratified the U.S. Constitution and became the third state, following Delaware and Pennsylvania. “Now be it known, that we, the delegates of the state of New Jersey, chosen by the people thereof, for the purpose aforesaid, having maturely deliberated on and considered the… Continue reading

Bergen County, Camden County, Cape May County, Conservation, Cumberland County, Essex County, Gloucester County, History, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, New Jersey, Preservation, Salem County, Somerset County, Sussex County

American Revolution, Atlantic City, History, Menlo Park, Morristown, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Newark, Princeton, Ratification Convention, Revolutionary War, Roselle, Rutgers, United States Constitution
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
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
May 27, 2022

New Jersey Loses a Favorite Son: Ray Liotta

Today I saw a post that I thought at first was a hoax: Sadly, it was not a hoax. New Jersey has lost one of its favorite sons. It was announced Ray Liotta died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic while filming his next movie. Born in Newark, Raymond Allen Liotta was abandoned at… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, New Jersey, Union County

Goodfellas, Joe Pesci, mafia movie, Miami University, New Jersey, Newark, Ray Liotta, Union, Union High School