Newark

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
January 4, 2022

2022 New Jersey Goals

As the calendar turns and we move ahead to 2022, most people make resolutions for the new year. I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of resolutions. They are usually all the same; lose weight, spend more time with the family, blah, blah, blah. While it may sound like semantics, I prefer to make goals.… Continue reading

Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Conservation, Cumberland County, Essex County, Exploring, Food, Gloucester County, History, Monmouth County, Morris County, New Jersey, Ocean County, Outdoors, Photography, Pine Barrens, Preservation

Appalachian Trail, cape may diamond, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Down the Shore, Dr. Michael Giuliano, Film Photography Podcast, fly fishing, Heritage Brook Trout, horseshoe crab, New Jersey, Newark, Pine Barrens, red knot
December 15, 2021

St. Lucy’s Loses a Giant

In the past I have written about a long-time giant at St. Lucy’s Church in Newark, NJ, Monsignor Joseph Granato. He served the parishioners of St. Lucy’s for 54 years; his entire time of service. I am sad to report the Monsignor went home to the Lord a few days ago. Born in New York,… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey, Non-Profits

First Ward, Monsignor Granato, New Jersey, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
December 8, 2021

Paterson’s and Newark’s West Side

“When you’re a Jet, You’re a Jet all the way. From your first cigarette, To your last dyin’ day.“ My favorite Broadway show, hands down, is West Side Story. The show that put Stephen Sondheim on the map has transcended time. I remember watching the movie for the first time in middle school during general… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey, Passaic County

Bamberger's, New Jersey, Newark, Paterson, Rachel Zegler, Stephen Sondheim, Steven Spielberg, West Side Story
October 18, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: St. Lucy’s Church

If someone asked me what is the most important location associated with Italian heritage in New Jersey, I would say without hesitation St. Lucy’s Church. Since its cornerstone was placed in 1891, St. Lucy’s Church in Newark has been a source of pride and devotion for the millions of Italian immigrants and the generations that… Continue reading

Essex County, Exploring, Festivals, History, New Jersey

Feast of St. Gerard, First Ward, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
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 6, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Joseph Rotunda

Many of us have passed by Rotunda Pool in Newark on our way to St. Lucy’s Church or coming out of Branch Brook Park and have not given it a second thought. It is, however, an important location in the community and New Jersey Italian heritage. Rotunda Pool is named after Private Joseph Ralph Rotunda… Continue reading

Essex County, Exploring, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Newark, Pvt. Joseph Rotunda, World War II
October 3, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Connie Francis

When I thought about who I should highlight first this year during Italian Heritage Month, I wanted to go with a local hero. Yes, she is a favorite daughter of New Jersey, but she is also a favorite daughter of my hometown, Belleville. Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, known professionally as Connie Francis, was born into… Continue reading

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

Belleville, Connie Francis, New Jersey, Newark