http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/pastimes/ten/TAKETEN.PDF
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Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Places to Go Thanks to Bert Nixdorf
Just wanted to take a minute to send this link to an online book created by one of my local heroes Bert Nixdorf, who passed away recently. He was the founder of the Outdoor Club and wrote a couple of books, one on bike trails - very hard to find book (which I found at Murphy's Book Loft in Mullica Hill a few years ago).
http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/pastimes/ten/TAKETEN.PDF
http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/pastimes/ten/TAKETEN.PDF
Chair Yoga in Collingswood
It may seem a stretch to talk about chair yoga in a historic places blog, but I promise a historic place in this piece. First, however, increasingly as I push through my sixties, I notice physical impediments creeping up. I hike three miles a day with no problem and could do six with a break after three, but I did notice I was getting stiff. It was harder to sit on the ground Indian style and get back up. I had a knee injury some years back and the stress and strain on my alternate knee had made my knees hard to rely on for climbing, not usually a problem as I doubt very much I'll be climbing the falls at Jim Thorpe again.
Nonetheless, I wanted to stay more flexible but I had put my gym membership on hold because I was having trouble getting up and down off the floor (the knees) and worried that repetitive stress from the machines would cause problems with other joints like my shoulders.
Sometimes I feel as though my wishes (admittedly mostly modest and unselfish ones) come true.
A class has opened up at the Collingswood Community Center on Tuesday at 11:15 for Chair Yoga. The teacher, Scott, is exceptional, I took a few of his classes when I had my gym membership at Royal Fitness in Barrington, though he is officially connected with Yogawood, also in Collingswood.
This yoga is easy on the joints but helps you stretch out and strengthen without stress. I can also have back problems if I'm not careful, which I discovered when I ruptured a disc taking a kayak off an SUV also some years back. I strongly recommend this class to anyone who wants to stay flexible and maintain motion without threat of injury. It is a small class of 4 people and the teacher and it is low key and relaxing. I feel wonderful when I leave at the end of that hour. (It is only $5 for the hour.)
Also in Collingswood, you can drive by the Knights Collings House on Collings Lane, built in 1825. Their last event was June 8th when they hosted the Parents who have written an Acadia book on Gloucester City. The Knights Collings House is always looking for volunteers for a variety of helpful tasks, gardening, tours, some office work. I believe a fiber group meets there as well. In the autumn, they have a great Edgar Allen Poe theater event which I've attended a couple of times.
Whenever I visit a nearby town, I always pick up their local newspapers and brochures. What's On - Collingswood, is very informative. I get it at the Communicty Center which is right next to the speedline and the fire-house on Collings Ave, center of town, and open to the public. Stop in and find out what's going on in Collingwood, a superb small town. Also, don't forget their excellent Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings, for fresh local produce, music, breakfast or lunch, flowers, and a colorful relaxing morning event.
Well, Trixie and I are off to Big Timber Creek now, hope to see you on the trail or at the Chair Yoga class = Tuesday 11:15 at the Communicty Center in Collingswood.
Jo Ann wrightj45@yaho.com
Nonetheless, I wanted to stay more flexible but I had put my gym membership on hold because I was having trouble getting up and down off the floor (the knees) and worried that repetitive stress from the machines would cause problems with other joints like my shoulders.
Sometimes I feel as though my wishes (admittedly mostly modest and unselfish ones) come true.
A class has opened up at the Collingswood Community Center on Tuesday at 11:15 for Chair Yoga. The teacher, Scott, is exceptional, I took a few of his classes when I had my gym membership at Royal Fitness in Barrington, though he is officially connected with Yogawood, also in Collingswood.
This yoga is easy on the joints but helps you stretch out and strengthen without stress. I can also have back problems if I'm not careful, which I discovered when I ruptured a disc taking a kayak off an SUV also some years back. I strongly recommend this class to anyone who wants to stay flexible and maintain motion without threat of injury. It is a small class of 4 people and the teacher and it is low key and relaxing. I feel wonderful when I leave at the end of that hour. (It is only $5 for the hour.)
Also in Collingswood, you can drive by the Knights Collings House on Collings Lane, built in 1825. Their last event was June 8th when they hosted the Parents who have written an Acadia book on Gloucester City. The Knights Collings House is always looking for volunteers for a variety of helpful tasks, gardening, tours, some office work. I believe a fiber group meets there as well. In the autumn, they have a great Edgar Allen Poe theater event which I've attended a couple of times.
Whenever I visit a nearby town, I always pick up their local newspapers and brochures. What's On - Collingswood, is very informative. I get it at the Communicty Center which is right next to the speedline and the fire-house on Collings Ave, center of town, and open to the public. Stop in and find out what's going on in Collingwood, a superb small town. Also, don't forget their excellent Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings, for fresh local produce, music, breakfast or lunch, flowers, and a colorful relaxing morning event.
Well, Trixie and I are off to Big Timber Creek now, hope to see you on the trail or at the Chair Yoga class = Tuesday 11:15 at the Communicty Center in Collingswood.
Jo Ann wrightj45@yaho.com
Monday, June 10, 2013
Upcoming events and Roundtable review
Well, the Burlington County Historians Roundtable was, as usual, interesting and enlightening. As is the usual procedure, individuals representing various historic sites rose to talk of their developments and upcoming events. Just to mention a few:
1.Country Day at Kirby's Mill is 2nd Sunday in July (I've visited Kirby's Mill for other events and it is a beautiful place)
2.29th of June is the bBlueberry Festival at Whitesbog (which I have attended many times with great pleasure)
This past weekend there was a Green Festival at Smithville, which I didn't attend but I wanted to let you know it also was the opening of the new Underground Railroad exhibit at that site and we were told there was an excellent brochure available on the topic. I will get there sometime this summer as the Underground Railroad is another big interest of mine.
3.Tentative dates for the next Roundtable are September 28 at the Red Dragon Canoe Club and November 23rd at the Quaker Meeting in Mount Holly.
4.There is a Crossroads of the Revolution meeting taking place this weekend and I believe on June 13th it is being held at Batsto. Please check that as I seem to have deleted the message from my e-mail with the dates for that meeting.
5.Also an event you need to check on is the Monmouth Battlefield Event which I believe will also take place this upcoming weekend.
6.July 17 through 20 will see the History Faire at the Farm FAir again at Columbus Market. You can shop and explore history all in one trip.
Columbus Farmers Market is worth a whole blog in and of itself. Another day, perhaps, but let me just say it is the Delaware Valley's Oldest and Largest Flea Market! If you haven't been there, you should go.
I'm sorry, I took lots of notes but I can't read my writing (writing on my lap on a sheet of paper without my glasses on) and I can only get parts of things, but perhaps anything of special interest you could look up on google:
Riverfront Historical Society remembers the Battle of Salem Church, Spottsylvania, Va. with an annual reunion of re-enactors.
Also, the Beverly American Legion remembers the 110th Anniversary of the NJ Yahoos- the 234d Regiment, for you Civil War afficianados.
Soon, soon, hopefully, there will be an Armed Forces Museum we can visit at Camp Dix. They are working on it.
It was mentioned that there is actually a national one-room schoolhouse organization which I plan to look up and join. They have a magazine, too. I have truly enjoyed the two tims I took the Burlington County One-Room Schoolhouse tours - once on a tour bus, and once when you drove yourself. Both trips were excellent. They occur in the autumn. As a retired teacher, I'm always interested in the history of American education. Speaking of that subject, there was a very good essay on Clara Barton in the American History Magazine recently.
As you know, the school house she turned into a public school funded by taxpayer subscription to serve all the children, not only the well-to-do, is in Bordentown, which is where the Roundtable was held this month, at the Library on 18 E. Union Street.
One of the topics at the Roundtable was how to market and publicize your historic site. They gave us a wonderful packet of information on "Eight Basic Steps to Marketing Your Nonprofit Organization." At the end of the program, when we were asked if we had anything to add, I suggested Blogging and I mentioned Blogspot. It is fascinating to me to see the statistics that the blogspot.com site keeps. This simple blog has had 23,600 visitors, often over 30 per day! Knowing that helps to keep me posting. Hope you enjoy! Happy Trails - Jo Ann
1.Country Day at Kirby's Mill is 2nd Sunday in July (I've visited Kirby's Mill for other events and it is a beautiful place)
2.29th of June is the bBlueberry Festival at Whitesbog (which I have attended many times with great pleasure)
This past weekend there was a Green Festival at Smithville, which I didn't attend but I wanted to let you know it also was the opening of the new Underground Railroad exhibit at that site and we were told there was an excellent brochure available on the topic. I will get there sometime this summer as the Underground Railroad is another big interest of mine.
3.Tentative dates for the next Roundtable are September 28 at the Red Dragon Canoe Club and November 23rd at the Quaker Meeting in Mount Holly.
4.There is a Crossroads of the Revolution meeting taking place this weekend and I believe on June 13th it is being held at Batsto. Please check that as I seem to have deleted the message from my e-mail with the dates for that meeting.
5.Also an event you need to check on is the Monmouth Battlefield Event which I believe will also take place this upcoming weekend.
6.July 17 through 20 will see the History Faire at the Farm FAir again at Columbus Market. You can shop and explore history all in one trip.
Columbus Farmers Market is worth a whole blog in and of itself. Another day, perhaps, but let me just say it is the Delaware Valley's Oldest and Largest Flea Market! If you haven't been there, you should go.
I'm sorry, I took lots of notes but I can't read my writing (writing on my lap on a sheet of paper without my glasses on) and I can only get parts of things, but perhaps anything of special interest you could look up on google:
Riverfront Historical Society remembers the Battle of Salem Church, Spottsylvania, Va. with an annual reunion of re-enactors.
Also, the Beverly American Legion remembers the 110th Anniversary of the NJ Yahoos- the 234d Regiment, for you Civil War afficianados.
Soon, soon, hopefully, there will be an Armed Forces Museum we can visit at Camp Dix. They are working on it.
It was mentioned that there is actually a national one-room schoolhouse organization which I plan to look up and join. They have a magazine, too. I have truly enjoyed the two tims I took the Burlington County One-Room Schoolhouse tours - once on a tour bus, and once when you drove yourself. Both trips were excellent. They occur in the autumn. As a retired teacher, I'm always interested in the history of American education. Speaking of that subject, there was a very good essay on Clara Barton in the American History Magazine recently.
As you know, the school house she turned into a public school funded by taxpayer subscription to serve all the children, not only the well-to-do, is in Bordentown, which is where the Roundtable was held this month, at the Library on 18 E. Union Street.
One of the topics at the Roundtable was how to market and publicize your historic site. They gave us a wonderful packet of information on "Eight Basic Steps to Marketing Your Nonprofit Organization." At the end of the program, when we were asked if we had anything to add, I suggested Blogging and I mentioned Blogspot. It is fascinating to me to see the statistics that the blogspot.com site keeps. This simple blog has had 23,600 visitors, often over 30 per day! Knowing that helps to keep me posting. Hope you enjoy! Happy Trails - Jo Ann
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Found At Last!!
Have you ever been somewhere and then tried to find that place again only to search in vain?
Some years back, I was a passenger in an acquaintance's car and we hiked in a very interesting and unusual place. It was a golf course, allowed to go back to nature (as much as such an engineered environment can). At the time, the new growth made it like a savannah with paved golf cart paths to walk on. It was a hot summer day and I felt as though it wouldn't be too much of a stretch of the imagination to see velociraptors swinging their long necks up out of the undergrowth. It was definitely a Jurassic Park looking place.
For all the intervening years, I have tried to find this place, but, I had remembered the location all wrong. Since I was a passenger (and also do not have a very precise or clear memory to begin with) I thought it was near Forsythe. Also, I wasn't in communication with that long ago acquaintance anymore, so I couldn't simply ask where we had been.
Yesterday in the outer ruffle of Tropical Storm Andrea, a friend and I made our way to the Villas to visit my cousin Patty, who lives there. As I bring my dog whenever I can, Trixie Belden, a Lab mix and a better hiker or companion you couldn't find, was snoozing in the back seat. My cousin suggested we take a look at Cox Hall Wildlife Management Area which would be a good place to walk the dog. She said it had been closed for a time for some demolition and renewal but was open again.
To my surprise, Cox Hall Wildlife Management Area was the lost savannah. I had searched all those years in the wrong seashore area. How strange memory can be.
We couldn't hike long enough to find the lake because we had been granted only a short break in the downpour. However now that I know where it is, I will go back and find the lake, and maybe when I do, I'll run into YOU there, now that you know where it is!
The history of the place is that it is a part of the 87 acre Cox Hall Creek drainage system. It was Pnderlodge Golf Course until purchased by the Green Acres Program (for which I am proud to say, I was a voter). The property had been slated for numerous building projects including a hosuing developmebnt and a college campus until Green Acres bought it and planned for it to return to its natural state, which might help the Cox Hall Creek, which I understand was in poor shape due to development.
Planning for the use of the new environment included the idea that interesting outdoor spaces appropriate for backyard gardeners may be created to inspire them to create wildlife friendly environments in their own yards.
The best site I found to learn more about this interesting site and it's history is at: http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/blog/tag/cox-hall-creek-wma/
The link to the Atlantic City Press site never loaded properly. It appeared to be about the closing of the area for the demolition of buildings on the former course, the PonderLodge, and so on. The are is located in Lower Township, but I think it was off Shore Road. I couldn't find a better address this morning and didn't have time to search, but you can, I'm sure, given some time, find an address on the 'net.
I'm in a hurry this morning because today is the Burlington County Historians' Roundtable at Bordentown Library 18 E. Union Street in Bordentown. I've missed many of the prvious ones due to overlapping engagements, however I'll be at this one. Hope to see you there. It is at 10:00 a.m.
Have you found and lost or lost and found a favorite spot you'd like to share?
wrightj45@yahoo.com
Happy Trails! Gosh it is nice to see the sun again! Jo Ann
Some years back, I was a passenger in an acquaintance's car and we hiked in a very interesting and unusual place. It was a golf course, allowed to go back to nature (as much as such an engineered environment can). At the time, the new growth made it like a savannah with paved golf cart paths to walk on. It was a hot summer day and I felt as though it wouldn't be too much of a stretch of the imagination to see velociraptors swinging their long necks up out of the undergrowth. It was definitely a Jurassic Park looking place.
For all the intervening years, I have tried to find this place, but, I had remembered the location all wrong. Since I was a passenger (and also do not have a very precise or clear memory to begin with) I thought it was near Forsythe. Also, I wasn't in communication with that long ago acquaintance anymore, so I couldn't simply ask where we had been.
Yesterday in the outer ruffle of Tropical Storm Andrea, a friend and I made our way to the Villas to visit my cousin Patty, who lives there. As I bring my dog whenever I can, Trixie Belden, a Lab mix and a better hiker or companion you couldn't find, was snoozing in the back seat. My cousin suggested we take a look at Cox Hall Wildlife Management Area which would be a good place to walk the dog. She said it had been closed for a time for some demolition and renewal but was open again.
To my surprise, Cox Hall Wildlife Management Area was the lost savannah. I had searched all those years in the wrong seashore area. How strange memory can be.
We couldn't hike long enough to find the lake because we had been granted only a short break in the downpour. However now that I know where it is, I will go back and find the lake, and maybe when I do, I'll run into YOU there, now that you know where it is!
The history of the place is that it is a part of the 87 acre Cox Hall Creek drainage system. It was Pnderlodge Golf Course until purchased by the Green Acres Program (for which I am proud to say, I was a voter). The property had been slated for numerous building projects including a hosuing developmebnt and a college campus until Green Acres bought it and planned for it to return to its natural state, which might help the Cox Hall Creek, which I understand was in poor shape due to development.
Planning for the use of the new environment included the idea that interesting outdoor spaces appropriate for backyard gardeners may be created to inspire them to create wildlife friendly environments in their own yards.
The best site I found to learn more about this interesting site and it's history is at: http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/blog/tag/cox-hall-creek-wma/
The link to the Atlantic City Press site never loaded properly. It appeared to be about the closing of the area for the demolition of buildings on the former course, the PonderLodge, and so on. The are is located in Lower Township, but I think it was off Shore Road. I couldn't find a better address this morning and didn't have time to search, but you can, I'm sure, given some time, find an address on the 'net.
I'm in a hurry this morning because today is the Burlington County Historians' Roundtable at Bordentown Library 18 E. Union Street in Bordentown. I've missed many of the prvious ones due to overlapping engagements, however I'll be at this one. Hope to see you there. It is at 10:00 a.m.
Have you found and lost or lost and found a favorite spot you'd like to share?
wrightj45@yahoo.com
Happy Trails! Gosh it is nice to see the sun again! Jo Ann
Friday, June 7, 2013
Bartram's Gardens and Chanticleer
If you are wondering what could possibly be the connection between the gardens listed in the title and historic places in South Jersey, you are right. There really isn't any, except that John Bartram was a Quaker and the Delaware Valley as a whole was seeded, cultivated and reaped the rich reward of Quakerism. We had the house tour and the garden tour and of course we saw the Franklinia tree along with many other rare and beautiful specimens. My favorite was the imposing London Sycamore, a hybrid born of a sturdy London branch and a more fragile American variety.
The Bartram house was built in the first decades of the 1700's, and in it Mrs. Bartram raised nine children and ran the family business which was horticulture. Wealthy English gardeners would finance expeditions in the new world of North America, on the search for new and rare species to grace their gardens. Bartram would satisfy their requirements while gathering seeds, cones, and specimen for his own cultivation and sale. That was how he supported himself and his large family. He had shown a love of plants from his early childhood and he, and one of his sons, were gifted botanical artists.
Chanticleer is 35 acres of breathtaking gardens, especially just now as everything is in bloom. It is outside the Wayne, Rador area. You know how landscape designers speak of 'outdoor rooms' well there were dozens of settings where you could sit in the shade and enjoy the view of a water feature, a little bridge, fish pond, artistically re-created ruin, or any number of arrangements of flowering and unusual trees.
786 Church Road, Wayne, Pa. 19087 610-687-4163
Here's another New Jersey connection, the trip was arranged through Senior Citizens United of Camden County, located off Nicholson Rd. across the street from the Acme at the corner of Nicholson and Black Horse Pike. You don't need to be a Camden County senior, or even a senior to take one of their many trips. This trip cost $77 which covered everything, tours, lunch and a very comfortable bus. The whole day was a sheer delight with the most delicious weather anyone could have wished for. I'll post a page of photographs when I get home again.
Off to the Villas today to visit a friend. More on Villas history later - Happy Trails, Jo Ann
The Bartram house was built in the first decades of the 1700's, and in it Mrs. Bartram raised nine children and ran the family business which was horticulture. Wealthy English gardeners would finance expeditions in the new world of North America, on the search for new and rare species to grace their gardens. Bartram would satisfy their requirements while gathering seeds, cones, and specimen for his own cultivation and sale. That was how he supported himself and his large family. He had shown a love of plants from his early childhood and he, and one of his sons, were gifted botanical artists.
Chanticleer is 35 acres of breathtaking gardens, especially just now as everything is in bloom. It is outside the Wayne, Rador area. You know how landscape designers speak of 'outdoor rooms' well there were dozens of settings where you could sit in the shade and enjoy the view of a water feature, a little bridge, fish pond, artistically re-created ruin, or any number of arrangements of flowering and unusual trees.
786 Church Road, Wayne, Pa. 19087 610-687-4163
Here's another New Jersey connection, the trip was arranged through Senior Citizens United of Camden County, located off Nicholson Rd. across the street from the Acme at the corner of Nicholson and Black Horse Pike. You don't need to be a Camden County senior, or even a senior to take one of their many trips. This trip cost $77 which covered everything, tours, lunch and a very comfortable bus. The whole day was a sheer delight with the most delicious weather anyone could have wished for. I'll post a page of photographs when I get home again.
Off to the Villas today to visit a friend. More on Villas history later - Happy Trails, Jo Ann
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Barbary Pirates and two hanged men
Yesterday, Saturday, the first of June, I realized a long held goal and visited both the Somers Mansion, which I have eyed with great curiosity for decades, and the Atlantic County Heritage Center in Somers Point of Shore Road (look for the parking lot driveway just before you see the building).
The Somers name is a very old and venerable one and much connected with the sea. John Somers, the original settler came from Worchestshire, England in the 1680's. Richard Somers, eldest son of John Somers, built the house in 1724. The Somers family had a house on the Egg Harbor side of the bay as well. A later descendant, also named Richard Somers, born in Egg Harbor in 1778 became a Commander in the U.S. Navy and went to school with Stephen Decatur and served under Captain John Barry. He died at sea in a daring assault against the Barbary Pirates holed up in the harbor at Tripoli. The ship he was on was carrying explosives to burn out the nest of thieves when it blew up. His body has never been returned to US soil for burial and the effort to bring home his remains is carried on to this day.
Many ships have been given the Somers name. One such ship, a brig, was being used as a school for seamen, in 1842, when it was discovered that a group of mutineers was planning to take over the ship and turn it to piracy. The plot was discovered and two of the three ring leaders, Spencer, Cromwell, and Small were hanged from the yard arm. As though the ship were cursed as a result of this event, four years later, she foundered and sank in a storm off of Vera Cruz and thirty crewmen drowned. There is a small painting of the ship with the two mutineers haning from the yard arm in the corner of the upstair room of the Atlantic County Heritage Center. I would never have noticed or understood what I was seeing if not for the kind help of the docent who gave us our tour. I strongly recommend a visit to this excellent Heritage Center and, as is always the case, opt for the tour. The docents know all sorts of things you might not notice without them pointing it out. They were very kind to us and it is worth a mention that most docents are volunteers and are worthy of our gratitude for the time they put in to protect and share our historic legacy.
Address 907 Shore Rd., PO Box 301, Somers Point, NJ 08244, phone (609) 927-521www.Atlantic HeritageCenterNJ.org Open Wed. thru Sat. 10:00 to 3:30 and one evening, first Thurs. 6-9.
After our tours of the Center and Mansion, we made our way to Ocean City for the Ocean City Coffee Shop on the board walk.
What a beautiful, breezy and interesting day.
Happy Trails!
("From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli" - the marines hymn. "The Shores of Tripoli" refers to the first Babary War 1805.)
ps. Personal note: My grandmother, Mabel Wright lived for 40 years in Ocean City, on Asbury Avenue and on Bay. And my hospital roommate, the day I gave birth to my daughter, was a Somers, Donna Somers, now deceased, but always to be remembered with fondness. We spent many happy days visiting at the seashore where she lived as our children grew up. Her son, Christian still lives at the seashore.
The Somers name is a very old and venerable one and much connected with the sea. John Somers, the original settler came from Worchestshire, England in the 1680's. Richard Somers, eldest son of John Somers, built the house in 1724. The Somers family had a house on the Egg Harbor side of the bay as well. A later descendant, also named Richard Somers, born in Egg Harbor in 1778 became a Commander in the U.S. Navy and went to school with Stephen Decatur and served under Captain John Barry. He died at sea in a daring assault against the Barbary Pirates holed up in the harbor at Tripoli. The ship he was on was carrying explosives to burn out the nest of thieves when it blew up. His body has never been returned to US soil for burial and the effort to bring home his remains is carried on to this day.
Many ships have been given the Somers name. One such ship, a brig, was being used as a school for seamen, in 1842, when it was discovered that a group of mutineers was planning to take over the ship and turn it to piracy. The plot was discovered and two of the three ring leaders, Spencer, Cromwell, and Small were hanged from the yard arm. As though the ship were cursed as a result of this event, four years later, she foundered and sank in a storm off of Vera Cruz and thirty crewmen drowned. There is a small painting of the ship with the two mutineers haning from the yard arm in the corner of the upstair room of the Atlantic County Heritage Center. I would never have noticed or understood what I was seeing if not for the kind help of the docent who gave us our tour. I strongly recommend a visit to this excellent Heritage Center and, as is always the case, opt for the tour. The docents know all sorts of things you might not notice without them pointing it out. They were very kind to us and it is worth a mention that most docents are volunteers and are worthy of our gratitude for the time they put in to protect and share our historic legacy.
Address 907 Shore Rd., PO Box 301, Somers Point, NJ 08244, phone (609) 927-521www.Atlantic HeritageCenterNJ.org Open Wed. thru Sat. 10:00 to 3:30 and one evening, first Thurs. 6-9.
After our tours of the Center and Mansion, we made our way to Ocean City for the Ocean City Coffee Shop on the board walk.
What a beautiful, breezy and interesting day.
Happy Trails!
("From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli" - the marines hymn. "The Shores of Tripoli" refers to the first Babary War 1805.)
ps. Personal note: My grandmother, Mabel Wright lived for 40 years in Ocean City, on Asbury Avenue and on Bay. And my hospital roommate, the day I gave birth to my daughter, was a Somers, Donna Somers, now deceased, but always to be remembered with fondness. We spent many happy days visiting at the seashore where she lived as our children grew up. Her son, Christian still lives at the seashore.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Still the Garden State
Hello! If you read the last blog, you might be wondering what a vegan eats.
I can't speak for the others but I can tell you my diet. I have a couple of special considerations: 1. I don't cook 2. I love vegetables and fruits
Each morning, for breakfast, I have Bare Naked cereal with strawberries, a banana and either rice milk or almond breeze - all of which I buy at Shop-Rite in Bellmawr.
For lunch I have crackers and hummus and baby carrots (all my veg and fruits are organic and all are available at Shop-Rite, though I do buy from farm stands and local farm markets both to support local grown produce efforts and to get fresh stuff).
For dinner, every day, I have a BIG salad: a bed or organic baby leaf spinach, chick peas, black olives, broccolli florets, grated carrots, and other kinds of vegetables in season and for variety such as cauliflower and peppers and famous Jersey tomatoes. I use raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
For snacks, I eat a lot of peanuts (in the shell and unsalted) or walnuts and cranberries, or almonds.
I drink green tea with honey, or any number of other varieties of tea - organic and decaf.
In summer I supplement with ears of corn and in winter with sweet potatoes and I make a good vegetarian chili and lots of vegetable soup.
My needs are simple. For bigger and better recipes, new vegans or vegetarians should get magazines and books with recipes.
New, small town markets are springing up all over the place. The venerable one in Collingswood offers music and a place to sit down and eat as well as lots of vendors with a wide array of delicious fruits, vegetables and breads. I've heard there is one in Westmont and another in Haddonfield. I'll try to check them out this summer and give some reviews and special notes of good things to buy.
If you wonder how a vegan eats out - there are a surprising number of options. I go to the movies at the Rave Cinema in Voorhees and have lunch at the Olive garden where I get the soup and salad lunch, minnestrone soup.
Also, I like to eat at Bankock City Restaurant, next door to the cinema, in Eagle Plaza. They have many kinds of vegan and vegetarian selections. In Collingswood there is a vegetarian/Asian food restaurant, and Salad Works and also Tortilla Press has some good items. Most places, such as diners, have spanikopita (spinache pie) and vegeburgers now, and there are lots of food substitutes at the Shop Rite near the organic vegetables.
Last year I heard a great lecture from a big farm concern in far South Jersey, it was at Bivalve at a 2nd Friday evening, and the farmer said his brother had split off and gone into organics. It is the future!
Off to Bankock City right now to see an old school friend for lunch and a movie - a good thing to do on a 95 degree day. My dog and i visited Big Timber Creek Park but cut our walk short this morning because even though we left at 8:30 and it was fairly cool, by 10:00 my dog was lying down in the shade and refusing to move!
Happy Trails! May they all be shady - Jo Ann
I can't speak for the others but I can tell you my diet. I have a couple of special considerations: 1. I don't cook 2. I love vegetables and fruits
Each morning, for breakfast, I have Bare Naked cereal with strawberries, a banana and either rice milk or almond breeze - all of which I buy at Shop-Rite in Bellmawr.
For lunch I have crackers and hummus and baby carrots (all my veg and fruits are organic and all are available at Shop-Rite, though I do buy from farm stands and local farm markets both to support local grown produce efforts and to get fresh stuff).
For dinner, every day, I have a BIG salad: a bed or organic baby leaf spinach, chick peas, black olives, broccolli florets, grated carrots, and other kinds of vegetables in season and for variety such as cauliflower and peppers and famous Jersey tomatoes. I use raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
For snacks, I eat a lot of peanuts (in the shell and unsalted) or walnuts and cranberries, or almonds.
I drink green tea with honey, or any number of other varieties of tea - organic and decaf.
In summer I supplement with ears of corn and in winter with sweet potatoes and I make a good vegetarian chili and lots of vegetable soup.
My needs are simple. For bigger and better recipes, new vegans or vegetarians should get magazines and books with recipes.
New, small town markets are springing up all over the place. The venerable one in Collingswood offers music and a place to sit down and eat as well as lots of vendors with a wide array of delicious fruits, vegetables and breads. I've heard there is one in Westmont and another in Haddonfield. I'll try to check them out this summer and give some reviews and special notes of good things to buy.
If you wonder how a vegan eats out - there are a surprising number of options. I go to the movies at the Rave Cinema in Voorhees and have lunch at the Olive garden where I get the soup and salad lunch, minnestrone soup.
Also, I like to eat at Bankock City Restaurant, next door to the cinema, in Eagle Plaza. They have many kinds of vegan and vegetarian selections. In Collingswood there is a vegetarian/Asian food restaurant, and Salad Works and also Tortilla Press has some good items. Most places, such as diners, have spanikopita (spinache pie) and vegeburgers now, and there are lots of food substitutes at the Shop Rite near the organic vegetables.
Last year I heard a great lecture from a big farm concern in far South Jersey, it was at Bivalve at a 2nd Friday evening, and the farmer said his brother had split off and gone into organics. It is the future!
Off to Bankock City right now to see an old school friend for lunch and a movie - a good thing to do on a 95 degree day. My dog and i visited Big Timber Creek Park but cut our walk short this morning because even though we left at 8:30 and it was fairly cool, by 10:00 my dog was lying down in the shade and refusing to move!
Happy Trails! May they all be shady - Jo Ann
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Historic Vegetarianism
It may come as a surprise to recent vegetarians or non-vegetarians, but the vegetarian movement had a very early start in America and is not at all a new idea. One of the most famous of early vegetarians was New Jersian John Woolman. You may have seen my post on visiting his historic house 99 Branch Street, Mount Holly.
Anyhow, I've been a vegetarian for the most part of the last 40 years or so and it was interesting to me that two of my friends attended the American Vegan Garden Party in Malaga on Sunday, May 26th. As soon as my yoghurt and honey are gone, I'm going vegan too. My daughter was a vegan for some years and it gave me an insight into the possibility of it.
My motives are both health and ethics.
If you are interested in learning more the American Vegan Society is at 56-72 Dinshah Lane, Malaga, NJ 08328, phone 856-694-2887 and
www.americanvegan.org.
I'm joining the society and plan to attend the next Garden Party. I'll let you know when it will be held.
Here is a quote from the journal of John Woolman, influential Quaker theologian
Happy Trails! Jo Ann
Anyhow, I've been a vegetarian for the most part of the last 40 years or so and it was interesting to me that two of my friends attended the American Vegan Garden Party in Malaga on Sunday, May 26th. As soon as my yoghurt and honey are gone, I'm going vegan too. My daughter was a vegan for some years and it gave me an insight into the possibility of it.
My motives are both health and ethics.
If you are interested in learning more the American Vegan Society is at 56-72 Dinshah Lane, Malaga, NJ 08328, phone 856-694-2887 and
www.americanvegan.org.
I'm joining the society and plan to attend the next Garden Party. I'll let you know when it will be held.
Here is a quote from the journal of John Woolman, influential Quaker theologian
The Exercise of Cruelty ~ John Woolman
"...as by his breath the flame of life was kindled in all animal and sensitive creatures, to say we love God ... and at the same time exercise cruelty toward the least creature ... was a contradiction in itself."
John Woolman, 1772
John Woolman, 1772
Happy Trails! Jo Ann
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Genealogy News
I just received an e-mail notice with the following information for anyone interested in family history in our area:
"On June 1st, there are two events happening of interest to genealogists. The Genealogical Society of New Jersey is having their Spring Genealogy Program in Burlington County. The topics and speakers for the day are:
I hope many of you are able to attend this great opportunity! Click here for more information and details about registering by May 28th. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~njgsnj/pdf/2013SpringProgram.pdf
Also on June 1st, if you are planning on staying in Salem County, we will have a booth set up at the Pennsville Historical Society's Farm Day at Church Landing Farm."
Once we were the Garden State and if you are a hiker as I am and spend time in the woods and beside the creeks and rivers, you know what a blessedly watery place we live. This morning as I walked my dog, Trixie beside the Big Timber Creek in the light shower, I couldn't help but feel how lucky we are to live in such a green and verdant place. I would like to learn more about the farms and farm communities. I'll be visiting a farm market held at Collingswood in the morning on June 1st, so I don't know if I can make the Pennsville Historical Society's Farm Day but things can change in an instant and I may end up there instead.
"On June 1st, there are two events happening of interest to genealogists. The Genealogical Society of New Jersey is having their Spring Genealogy Program in Burlington County. The topics and speakers for the day are:
- "No Person Shall...Gallop Horses In the Streets" - Using Court Records to Tell the Story of Our Ancestors' Lives by Judy G. Russell, CG, CGL
- Quiltmaking That Saw Us Through WWII by Sue Reich
- Quaker Genealogy Research by Dr. C. Miller Biddle
- Building A Family From Circumstantial Evidence by Judy G. Russell, CG, CGL
- With Needle and Scroll presented by Sue Reich
- This Land Is Your Land! House and Property Research presented by Larry Fermi
- Burlington County Genealogical Resources presented by Judith M. Olsen
I hope many of you are able to attend this great opportunity! Click here for more information and details about registering by May 28th. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~njgsnj/pdf/2013SpringProgram.pdf
Also on June 1st, if you are planning on staying in Salem County, we will have a booth set up at the Pennsville Historical Society's Farm Day at Church Landing Farm."
Once we were the Garden State and if you are a hiker as I am and spend time in the woods and beside the creeks and rivers, you know what a blessedly watery place we live. This morning as I walked my dog, Trixie beside the Big Timber Creek in the light shower, I couldn't help but feel how lucky we are to live in such a green and verdant place. I would like to learn more about the farms and farm communities. I'll be visiting a farm market held at Collingswood in the morning on June 1st, so I don't know if I can make the Pennsville Historical Society's Farm Day but things can change in an instant and I may end up there instead.
Monday, May 27, 2013
A Quiet Memorial Day weekend
Before I blog about the weekend in the abandoned cities, I have a question: Does anyone know where Lebanon Lake is? It is the site of the Cheesman Millk but I have driven all over and searched the web and cannot find the location of this lake. It must be large and it must be nearby, and I've ssen it on maps, but can't make out the bordering streets. If you know please contact me at wrightj45@yahoo.com - Thanks in advance for any help.
Sunday, a friend and I decided to visit Bordentown and Burlington cities. They were like ghost towns, which is fine by me. On Friday, coming home from Estell Manor, I had passed over a solid log jam of cars on 42 on the way to the seashore, and the same on 295 and Black Horse Pike.
It was a good weekend to stay home, or at least, close to home. So in Bordentown, we stopped for lunch after walking the charming streets and visiting the Iris Garden, which had passed its prime, but it was still pretty.
We ate in an Italian restaurant, but were shocked to discover, on paying the bill, that we had been charged $3 or every decaf coffee refill! Our salads were $10 each, but our coffee was almost equal!
What made up for it a little was stopping at the OLD BOOK SHOP OF BORDENTOWN, open Tues. to Sun. also from 11 to 5, but I recommend you call and let them know you are coming if you are going there especially to buy something. (609) 324-9909. Their web address is:
www.oldbooshopofbordentown.com
I bought several pamphlet type booklets there
1. One Hudred and Fiftieth Aniiversary of the Battle of Red Bank
2. Letters and Papers of Richard Somers
3. An Archaeological Journey at Point Breeze
4. Old Farms and Farmhouses in New Jersey
5. Gloucester County in the Civil War
When I finish reading them, I will donate them to the appropriate places.*
Next we headed over to Burlington City to visit St. Mary's Episcopal Church and walk in the churchyard and also to go down and look at the Delaware River. While there, we stopped in to browse at the HISTORIC BURLINGTON ANTIQUES & ART EMPORIUM. It is open 7 days a week from 11-5, which was quite a relief because almost everything else in both towns was closed. My friend Nancy was looking for intereting patio furnishings, I was looking at everything but my favorite thing was a wooden picnic basket lined in red checked gingham with a checkers game painted on the inside of the lid. It was very reasonable too, only $15, but I rarely have that kind of picnic anymore. Their web address is
www.antiquesnj.com
*Speaking of donating my booklets to the appropriate places. I hope to visit the Atlantic Heritage Center one day soon and to finally get inside the Somers Mansion on Somers Point where the old Somers Point circle used to be.
Heritage web addres is:
www.AtlanticHeritageCenterNJ.org
So, a lovely weekend with no traffic and a beautiful cool walk at the Big Timber Creek Dog Park with Trixie each day early in the morning. Hope your Memorial Day was safe and that you had a moment to contemplate the men who gave their lives to keep our nation free. I was fortunate enough to catch the last part of a ceremony on the Black Horse Pike at a War Memorial.
Upcoming Event: Blrulington County Historians Roundtable June 8th Saturday. Maybe I'll see you there!
Happy Trails, Jo Ann
Sunday, a friend and I decided to visit Bordentown and Burlington cities. They were like ghost towns, which is fine by me. On Friday, coming home from Estell Manor, I had passed over a solid log jam of cars on 42 on the way to the seashore, and the same on 295 and Black Horse Pike.
It was a good weekend to stay home, or at least, close to home. So in Bordentown, we stopped for lunch after walking the charming streets and visiting the Iris Garden, which had passed its prime, but it was still pretty.
We ate in an Italian restaurant, but were shocked to discover, on paying the bill, that we had been charged $3 or every decaf coffee refill! Our salads were $10 each, but our coffee was almost equal!
What made up for it a little was stopping at the OLD BOOK SHOP OF BORDENTOWN, open Tues. to Sun. also from 11 to 5, but I recommend you call and let them know you are coming if you are going there especially to buy something. (609) 324-9909. Their web address is:
www.oldbooshopofbordentown.com
I bought several pamphlet type booklets there
1. One Hudred and Fiftieth Aniiversary of the Battle of Red Bank
2. Letters and Papers of Richard Somers
3. An Archaeological Journey at Point Breeze
4. Old Farms and Farmhouses in New Jersey
5. Gloucester County in the Civil War
When I finish reading them, I will donate them to the appropriate places.*
Next we headed over to Burlington City to visit St. Mary's Episcopal Church and walk in the churchyard and also to go down and look at the Delaware River. While there, we stopped in to browse at the HISTORIC BURLINGTON ANTIQUES & ART EMPORIUM. It is open 7 days a week from 11-5, which was quite a relief because almost everything else in both towns was closed. My friend Nancy was looking for intereting patio furnishings, I was looking at everything but my favorite thing was a wooden picnic basket lined in red checked gingham with a checkers game painted on the inside of the lid. It was very reasonable too, only $15, but I rarely have that kind of picnic anymore. Their web address is
www.antiquesnj.com
*Speaking of donating my booklets to the appropriate places. I hope to visit the Atlantic Heritage Center one day soon and to finally get inside the Somers Mansion on Somers Point where the old Somers Point circle used to be.
Heritage web addres is:
www.AtlanticHeritageCenterNJ.org
So, a lovely weekend with no traffic and a beautiful cool walk at the Big Timber Creek Dog Park with Trixie each day early in the morning. Hope your Memorial Day was safe and that you had a moment to contemplate the men who gave their lives to keep our nation free. I was fortunate enough to catch the last part of a ceremony on the Black Horse Pike at a War Memorial.
Upcoming Event: Blrulington County Historians Roundtable June 8th Saturday. Maybe I'll see you there!
Happy Trails, Jo Ann
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