Thanksgiving Dinner at Tthe Olde Centerton Inn

It was delicious!  It was like eating at Grandma's house, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, stuffing, baked sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, succotash, and a tray of desserts including sample size pieces of pumpkin pie, cheesecake, brownie, and raspberry filled cookies .  It was peaceful and the staff couldn't have been more hospitable and atentive.  The Thanksgiving Feast (and it was!) cost only $22 per person plust tax and tip.  It was worth every penny.  And I must say it was evocative to be sitting and eating in a historic tavern that has fed the weary traveller for nearly 300 years right here in our own South Jersey.  The Inn was built in 1732 and it is said that such Revolutionary War luminaries as the Marquis de Lafayette visited this old stagecoach inn.

Since we had arrived so early, my friend and I drove around the winter beautiful countryside and were pleased and surprised to find that Parvin State Park was right down the road which suggests to me an excellent day trip.  You could hike at Parvin, the usual trail I take with hiking buddy Barb Spector, takes about an hour, so it is approximately 3 miles around Thundergust Lake, which will give you an appetitie for lunch at The Old Centerton Inn.  Lunch is only served on Wednesday and Friday, so plan accordingly.  For more information, here is the contact info from the business card (which lists the establishment date as 1706!!):

1136 Alm,ond Road, Pittsgrove, Nj 08318, 856-358-3201, 222.centertoninn.com
The innkeepers are Brian and Joanne oode

Happy Trails and Bon appetit!  Jo Ann
ps.  I used the city of Elmer for my gps, don't know if Pittsgrove works.
As always if you have questions or want to talk about any of this, contact me at
wrightj45@yahoo.com

Model Railroad Update & more

Two items for today - I finished my model railroad set-up for this year.  It is wacky and no serious model railroader would be able to look at it without a sneer.  I must have 5 different sizes of soldiers, houses,  animals and multiple periods from wood to plastic but it gives me a great deal of pleasure.  Next I have to cover my oatmeal box tunnel with some rock paper that I wil print out off the computer. 

My houses, people and soldiers are mostly from Germany circa 1970, bought when I lived there at Heilbronn Am Neckar, the wife of a then-soldier.  I bought them at the Nurnburg Christmas Fair.  I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas in German but I realized I no longer remmeber how to spell Christmas in German:  Frolihe Weinachten?

If you want to respond with proper German spelling, wrightj45@yahoo.com

Note:  the Barrington Coffee House on Clements Bridge Rd. in Barrington,  is open again under new management.  I was just there last week on an unexpected additional Birthday celebration with an old yoga pal.  We used to go to the Barrington Coffee House after our work-outs and yoga classes at the Royal Court Gym, but I am no longer at member of the gym and, for a time, the coffee house was closed.  I wish them the best of luck for the future - it is a charming coffee shop and they had a delightful Christmas decoration with a village and train set in the window!!

I know, there is still Thanksgiving coming and I'm stepping on the toes of that holiday with Christmas talk- so be safe and happy on your holiday travels and check back in for a review of Thanksgiving at the Centerton Inn in Elmer, where I have reservations fo rmyself and a pal.  I am a vegetarian but I'm sure I can find enough to eat on the side and if I get a turkey dinner, I'll bring home the turkey for my meat eating dog and most wonderful animal companion, Trixie the Labaraner.

Happy Trails and Rails - Jo Ann

I hit the 30,000 Mark Today!!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

I am thrilled.  Today I hit 30,000 viewers!  Wow.  I can hardly believe the power of the blog, but I do know it is fun.  Thanks to everyone who visited and I hope I can always post items of interest and use!  And thanks to BlogSpot for providing such a simple and practical format.  Jo Ann

Christmas Shopping in Collingswood

Today, I was treated to what I presume will be the last of this year's birthday lunches!  My friend Isabelle came over and we walked around Newton Creek Park, then Knight's Park, to get a good appetite for lunch at SaladWorks, Haddon Ave. in Collingswood, where, I am pleased to announce, Butternut Squash soup is back on the menu.  It is the best butternut squash soup I have ever tasted and I've tasted dozens, in restaurants, home-made, canned and from specialty stores.  Theirs is delectable and all my friends who've tried it agree on that.

Then we strolled down the avenue and checked out some shops we have missed.  We haven't been to Collingwood much recently.  I spend a lot of time at Timber Creek instead of walking Newton or Knight's because I like to let Trixie, my 'Labaraner' (half Lab half Weimaraner) off the leash.  Several stores have opened up and two I want to mention especially are:

1.  Frugal thrift & vintage.  One of the things that used to draw me to Collingswood besides the parks, was a thrift store I LOVED:  A Friend in Need.  They closed and I did a clear-out/de-clutter at my house and mended my buying ways, so I haven't been back.  Isabelle, however, had no such restrictions and she bought several clever and charming Christmas gifts:  A Christmas tree candle, a great European puzzle, and some other things; I stopped paying attention to what she was buying because I saw so many things I wanted!

2.  Next, we stopped at The Candy Jar, and Isabelle bought chocolates for her Thanksgiving Day Dinner (a dessert offering) and we were invited to try several other chocolate treats - my favorite was a white chocolate with crushed peppermint stick candy in it - it was teh very taste of Christmas morning.  The shops were warm and inviting and had the feel of Christmas, as Collingswood does - that old quaint main street feeling, with people strolling cheerfully and the lights on, decorations in the windows and dusk falling on a gray November Day.  And those chocolates - What a tasty treat to drop in a stocking, or bring as a hostess gift.

It was a delightful way to spend a day - you can't go wrong in Collingswood for places to visit and things to eat!
Happy Trails - Jo Ann
Oh yes:
The Candy Jar, 742 Haddon Ave. 856-833-1010, www.thecandyjarnj.com

Frugal Thrift & Vintage
740 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108 856-858-0700, info@frugalresale.com 
www.FrugalResale.com

I really support re-cycle and re-sale and on that subject don't forget CamTech Computers for the best deal in refurbished laptops!  I have been buying from them for years and have no complaints, only praise.  I saw splendid laptops in their window for $199!!! What a great gift idea!  And they stand behind what they sell.  I've directed half a dozen people to them for laptops and all of them have been satisfied.
 If you want to ask about the computer store, you can contact me by e-mail at:    wrightj45@yahoo.com

Model Railroad News

The Patcong Valley Model Railroad Club will have its 29th Annual Open House through many dates in December, 2013 and January 2014.  They are running them now, in November too, but the only date left this month is November 30th.
the location is Route 40 and Fir Avenue (1308 Harding Hwy) Richland, NJ. and they have website and email contacts at
www.patcongvalley.com
patcongrr@comcast.net
I've enver visited them before but will certainly do so now that I'm am working on my own 'N' gauge model platform
Their dates and times are 10 a.m. to 4pm November 30, Dec. 1,7,8,14,15and Jan. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 2014.  There is no admission charge.  The flyer says they are about 10 miles west of Mays Landing so that should help you figure out how far away they are.  There flyer also says they have a coal country scenery display featuring 6 to 8 trains!  I'm so excited to go and see them!
Happy Rails!  Jo Ann

Upper Pittsgrove, Elmer, and Pittsgrove

Those towns and their founders were the subject of Bonnie Beth Elwell's talk at the last Salem County Genealogy Meeting at Friends Village in Woodstown.  It was also a book signing for the Arcadia book Bonnie has written of the same name.  There is an interesting write-up and some good photographs of the The Old Centerton Inn.

Many of you have no doubt passed the Centerton Inn on your ramblings throughout the South of New Jersey.  I've eaten there a few times but it was years ago.  After attending Bonnie's lecture, and discussing Thanksgiving plans with a friend, we decided to make reservations at the Centerton for dinner that day.
It was a toss up between the Centerton Inn and the Sugar Hill Inn, another historic house favorite in Mays Landing.  The Thanksgiving holiday dinner is $22 and reservations are almost filled up.  We had to take the 1:30 slot which is a bit early but that's okay.  We might wander around Mullica Hill afterwards.

No doubt I'll be posting before Thanksgiving, but it's a good time to start listing things to be grateful for, health, friends, family, the good fortune to live in America and in this wonderful part of New Jersey, and to live in a time with so many technological and other kinds of innovations.  I'm grateful for my car and the my washer and dryer to name just a few - let's not forget electricity and the new LED Christmas Lights - my sister forced me into a turn over away from my big bulb strands and into the new world of LED!  And as it is going to get colder again starting tomorrow, I'm grateful for my heater!

Get your reservations if you are eating on your own this Thanksgiving (and not with family) and consider either of those two excellent restaurants if you are looking for a place!

Happy Trails, Rails and Meals, Jo Ann

Murphy's Book Loft is no more!

Yesterday, on a birthday lunch in Mullica Hill, I was showing my oldest friend (we've been pals since junior high school) my favoirite places in Mullica Hill.  We visited the Red Mill Antiques and did some Christmas shopping, then had lunch at the Blue Plate - very good!  They had many seasonal goodies to offer there.  It was crowded, popular, and warm and cosy.  Finally, on our way out of town, we dropped by Murphy's Book Loft only to find it closed, sold and empty.  I had so much affection for that old book barn.  For many years it was my first place to go when I was looking for a book.  They had tried new management, but the new owner said it was mostly "a transition period."  It is too hard for old book stores to compete in a market with Barnes and Nobles and amazon.com.  I suppose if they do a brisk and clever on-line sales, they can keep their heads above water, but what do I know about business! 

Anyhow, on a happier note, if you, too, love Mullica Hill, you may be interested in their 39th Annual Christmas House Tour which will be held Saturday, December 14th from 2:00 to 7:00 pm.  It features historic houses and churches.  Tikets are $8 in advance, $10 day of the tour.  for more info go to www.mullicahill.com or call 856-223-5440.  There will be carolers and live music all through town.

Happy Trails!  Jo Ann

Bonnie Beth Elwell Lecture on Pittsgrove, Elmer founding families

It was a treat to hear Bonnie Beth Elwell give a lecture on the founding families of the above named towns, Upper Pittsgrove, Elmer, and Pittsgrove.  She is an astonishing young woman.  She is president of the Salem County Genealogy Society and is now also Historian for Pittsgrove.  Bonnie is in her twenties, but she has great maturity and a sincere appreciation for the experience and knowledge of the elders in her sphere. 

Among the many families whose history and lineage she described  were the Dares (of Daretown), Nelsons, Johnsons, Woods, and a dozen others.  She also talked about how the names evolved over time as in Nelson from Nel's Son, a Scandinavian naming practice.

On sale at the lecture was the new Arcadia book on the above named towns, authored by Bonnie.  Although I don't have family history in this area, mine are from the Big Timber Creek area, I always enjoy reading the work of a talented local historian and I look forward to reading this one.  It is a birthday present I bought for myself - Today is my birthday, November 13, 2013.

Happy Trails (of all kinds including the trails we follow tracking ancestors back through the forest of the years!)  Jo Ann

ps.  I wanted to mention how exceedingly encouraged I am by the Arcadia project.  It will be an invaluable resource for the future, on the small towns of America in these times of dwindling history (in terms of attention and money devoted to archival effort which has been held afloat by the devotion of an aging but valiant group of local historians.)

Railroad Days at Burlington City November 10, 2013

through a lucky accident, I put the wrong address in my gps and arrived at the Methodist Church on Farnsworth instead of the Episcopal Church on Prince Street.  That gave me a visit with a LARGE scale train layout, very cheerful and full of holiday charm. The houses lit up and the train or the houses (I'm not sure which) played music box-like Christmas carols.  There were quite a few people there, the women in the church kitchen setting up various foods which I would have loved to taste, but I was on a mission and didn't have time to linger.

As soon as I got straightened out on where the 'n' gauge train layou was, I got back in the car to drove to the Ep[iscopal church, Christ's Church, on Prince Street.  At both church's perhaps a little more signage might have been helpful.  I was wandering around both churches with other lost people trying to find the door to the displays amidst the many locked church doors. 

It was worth the search, however, because the 'n' gauge display was IMPRESSIVE.  The villages looked so real and the track layout was extensive, it filled half the church hall.  Several sets of tracks were laid out and the engineers were busy setting their trains onto the tracks.  I stayed long enough to see a few sets in motion which I must admit, gave my heart a little thrill!  I spoke to one polite young man who told me he had been working on his trains since he was three years old!  I convided that was getting my first 'n' gauge set for my birthday in a day or two.  He wished me good luck.

The group presenting at Christ's Church were the New Jersey Southern, Inc. P.O.Box 41, Collingswood, NJ 08108
njsntrak@gmail.com
Whose members are:  "dedicated to furthering the hobby of N-Scale model railroading through educational activities, community involvement and public displays. "  They use "N-TRAK international standards of moduclar N scale model railroading." 

Needless to say, my idea set-up won't be approved by most model railroad fans, as the houses I plan to use are  German wooden village pieces I bought in Heilbronn, Germany in 1970 while I was married to a serviceman stationed there.  Actually, I'm not sure if I bought them in the town where I lived or at the Nuremburg Christmas Fair, but anyhow, they are the houses, animals, soldiers and fences I plan to put on my train lay-out.  They are, at least, tiny, and probably nearly the perfect scale. 

I'm picking up my platform today at 3:00.  This is Tuesday, November 12th and tomorrow is my birthday, so I hope to have the morning tomorrow to start the layout and the whole month to add to it. I'd like to paint the alps on a backboard.  It will be a simple lay-out, of course. 

I haven't given up on my list of things to do and places to go and will resume in a couple of blogs from now.
Meanwhile, I started with small towns, so let me just put a list starting with1. Burlington City, which is delightful to walk around and has an extensive antiques emporium, 2.Bordentown, (charming old book store), 3.Mullical Hill, my favorite Murphy's book Barn and an antique Mill also very extensive, 4.Collingswood for many parks lovely to walk in - Knight's Park and the Knight Collings House, Newton Creek and Cooper River, plus you can drive straight down Haddon ave, cross ounder 130 and go to the Camden County Historical Society behind the hospital.  5.Woodstown has a candle-light tour night and a couple small and charming restaurants and a Quaker Meeting house.  6.Chatsworth has Buzby's store which is still in operation thought up for sale, so hurry over for Christmas Shopping.  7.Greenwich is worth the long drive (an hour from me) and has a beautiful street of 18th century houses, a great historical society, a museum, and friendly people.  8.Woodbury has the museum and the historical Society Library right behind it.  They also have a free brochure for a self-guided walking tour which I have done with friends. 9.Remember Millville and the Wildflower's vegetarian restaurant, the Arts District, the many hiking trails and river walk, 10.Haddonfield has a great coffee shop - Jersy Java, the historic Indian King Tavern, and a delightful main street to stroll and a quaint store that features products from the United Kingdom, always a good spot for Christmas shopping!  That's all for now folks!
Happy Rails and Trails!
Jo Ann

Railroad Days in Bordentown

Yesterday, Sunday, November10th, I drove to Bordentown to see the train displays.  First I visited the Methodist church on Farnsworth, where they had  large trains on a charming display platform.  There were lots of people and it was very cheerful.  The giant trains ran around villages glittering with snow sparkles and lit from within and playing music box carols! 

However, I had misread the notice about the Railroad Days in Bordentown and I thought it was going to be 'N' gauge which is the gauge of the set I am picking up today (hopefully) at Mac's Trains on Black Horse Pike  for my birthday which is November 13th.  I asked around and found out the 'N' gauge display was at Christ's Church, Episcopal, on Prince Street.

It was only a couple of blocks away, easily a walking distance, though I drove.  Next year, I will plan to spend the day and have lunch in town and walk to all the display sites.  Christ's Church was a beautiful church with a lovely old cemetery behind it, and, a ravine with a train rail beside it.  There was a very extensive 'n' gauge set up there and some friendly young men, one in his late teens, I think, who told me he'd be working on trains since he was 3 years old!  The church itself brought back memories of my childhood pent in Episcopal churches on both sides of the rive.  My mother was a devout church woman and we were all often in the church kitchens setting up for functions.

I was both impressed and inspired by the train displays.  Naturally I took some photos but my dog is agitating for her walk, so I'll post the pictures when I get back in a couple of hours.  Railroad Days in Bordentown was an EXCELLENT idea and a charming marketing tool to bring visitors into an old historic town.

Happy RAILS!  Jo Ann

More Model Trains News!

Stopped by Mac's Trains today to check on my rail platform for my 'N' gauge railroad set up.
My rail platform will be ready on Monday, just in time for my birthday which is on Wednesday. 
Meanwhile here is another event where you can see model railroads and the link below where you can find more information on SJ model railroad events.
My sister said something is happening in Swedesboro, too, but I haven't found that yet.  When I do, I'll let you know!
Happy Rails!  Jo Ann

MODEL TRAINS AT TWO LOCATIONS
FREE model train displays will be open to the public 10 am to 4 pm Saturday, November 9th, and 12 to 4 pm Sunday, November 10th, 2013. See model trains operating in realistically detailed scenery at the N scale NTRAK display by New Jersey Southern (NJS) at Christ Church of Bordentown (ccbtown.com) at 130 Prince Street, Bordentown. Catch the holiday spirit with large whimsical G gauge trains and decorations on display by South Eastern Pennsylvania Garden Railroad Society (SEPGRS) at First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown at 420 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown.

https://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20131031/GETPUBLISHED/310310306/

Places To Go Things To Do

AS mentioned in a previous post, after I retired, I compiled a list of 32 places to go and things to do that I offered my retiring teacher friends who thought they might not know what to do with themselves after retirement.  I recently met just such a teacher at a terrible movie I saw at what is now called Carmike (used to be Rave Cinema, used to be the Ritz at Voorhees).  I decided to reprise the list and add to it.  I will post 10 a day, perhaps in categories rather than locations.  All are in New Jersey, most within an hour's drive and most free (except of course for lunch or dinner or a movie).

This is from the old list and some things have changed, so I will amend:

1.Weekly movie at Carmike (formerly Showcase at the Ritz, Voorhees) (lunch at Coffee Works (same shopping center), Olive Garden (turn at the light before the Eagle Plaza or google it), dinner Bankok City -( the best little restaurant and the lunch special is unbeatable at $8 for appetizer, soup or salad and entree' the food is great and the atmosphere serene)'

2.HIKING:  I was in the Outdoor Club of SJ for years but quit some time ago.  I walk every day at Big Timber Creek now as the Outdoor Club hikes were a bit to long for me.  I do 3 miles, they averaged 6.  For nice shorter walks try Collingswood, Newton Creek and Knights Park, or Haddon Lake Park, or my favorite the Big Timber Creek Park with many birdle paths in the woods.  For you more athletic hikers,  the OCSH has hikes three or more times a week plus special events seasonally and kayak trips, OCSJ has a website with info on all events

For additional hike ideas check my back topics for Maurice River Bluffs, Peeks Preserve, the Cranberry Trail and others.

Special Events/Excursions

3. North:  Lambertville – the flea market on Sunday, hiking the canal tow path, lunch in town, quaint galleries, museums, bookstores, Washington’s Crossing Park – great hiking historic places incl. a historic ferry house

4.Middle area: Burlington City, hiking around the town, quaint restaurants, river walk, Bordentown – site of one room school house (Burl. Hist. Soc. runs a one room school tour in Sept.)

5.Mount Holly with lunch at the Robin's Nest.

6.Flea Market (spring through autumn recommended)

at Columbus - near Rt. 206

7.Camden County  Collingswood, lots of great parks (3 parks from 1 ½ mi. to 4 mi. walking paths), little restaurants, (10 min. from me) always something fun going on such as the October Book Festival or the summer classic car show.

8.Camden County Historical Society (behind Lady of Lourdes Hospital off Haddon Ave. in Camden) check out their web site for info on hours and exhibits - a great museum and Pomona House, plus genealogical library

9.Haddonfield:  Indian King Tavern visit and walk the main street.

 some good hiking parks and ponds, but I'm not really familiar with them, one comes off the Cooper River, accessible via Kings Hwy.

10.Audubon, Haddon Heights – a 3 mile park with free concerts all summer at the outdoor amphitheater. Check out Camden County Parks website.

11.Cooper River – 4 mile hike, concerts all summer, poetry, jazz and art at the Hopkins House

Well that's 11 for today, and I'll do 10 more each time I post. Next, perhaps small towns!

Happy Trails!

Jo Ann

Spread Eagle Tavern is no more

As I do not drink alcohol, I was only in the Spread Eagle Tavern once and that was to buy a six pack for my visiting father who did drink alcohol.  Other members of my family, however, had been in the Spread Eagle, mainly when the family was gathered at my home for a family get-together.  In fact, my father liked to joke that the Spread Eagle was the only bar he was ever "kicked out of forever."  He never knew exactly what it was that he did, but it was back in the days when the bar was run by an elderly woman who was known to be somewhat 'touchy.'  It may have been that my father, or my brother, Joe, both of whom have had serious hearing losses due to military service, my father in the navy in World War II, followed by a career as an ironworker (both things very damaging to the hearing) and my brother from his service as a marine in Vietnam.  Their hearing loss makes them speak in loud voices.  
Generally, however both, were cheery and generous men.

My father passed away two years ago.  I would have called him on the phone today to tell him that the Spread Eagle had been demolished, and he would have told me again how it was the only bar he'd ever been kicked out of 'forever!'  We would have had a good laugh over it.

Although I did search over the internet, I couldn't find any background information on when the Spread Eagle was built, but I did find a facebook page with a sad goodbye from the most recent owner, Jack Cain.  When the elderly woman who kicked out my father and brother died, she left the bar to Jack.  Apparently, it fell on hard times because I saw that the a division of taxation attempted (unsuccessfully) to sell the property a year ago.  
The only other thing I found was a revi"ew that called it a "dive with a bad bathroom."  I didn't use the bathroom and most bars seem like dives to me since I don't drink and have no prior habit of the 'congenial watering hole' in my personal experience.  Anyhow, it was sad to see the demolishing.  We've lost the Harwan Theater and the Spread Eagle in the past few years.  
Happy Trails, Jo Ann
ps.  I may stop in at the Borough Hall and see what I can find out about the history of the Spread Eagle, so this subject may stay open.
 

Back to Mac's Trains

While cruising around South Jersey on the multitude of errands in the ordinary life, I stopped by Mac's Trains, on the Black Horse Pike, today to see how my platform is coming along.  If you missed my earlier post on Mac's Trains, here is a quick re-cap.  Each day when I drive to Big Timber Creek to the dog park, to walk my brown Lab Trixie, I pass a little store front with a man seated outside and windows filled with trains.  As I have always been a big train fan, I decided this year to buy myself a train set and set up a platform.  Inside the shop, I had settled on what I now know is an "N" gauge engine because I live in a very small bungalow and the platform must be small enough to fit on a large table desk in my den.  Mac was very kind about offering to help me with the platform (in the nailing down the tracks department) and I agreed to buy my trains from him.  I'm very excited about this.  

Next I had to buy a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood and paint it, which my sister helped me to do.  Every hobby is expensive and ALWAYS more expensive than you ever dreamed at the outset  When did plywood get to cost so much?  But perhaps it was my error and I bought a sheet that was especially choice.  It was $40!!!  When the clerk asked if I wanted the rest of the pieces, I said, "You bet I do!"  I'm not sure what I'll do with them, but at $40, you know I'll find something.

My sister painted the wood for me which was good because she used spray paint which I imagine is better if you are nailing down train tracks.  Last week, I dropped off the platform wood at Mac's.  To end this, let me say that I'll pick up my platform this weekend and my trains at Mac's and when I have it assempled here a week later, I'll take a photo and post it.

So, once more, if you are looking for trains, try Mac's Trains at 304 N. Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ 08078, phone # 856-939-0350 at the shop, and 856-725-5479 cell phone.
Happy Rails!  Jo Ann

.

Salem Co. Genealogical Society Lecture

Sorry, this is copied straight off their web site, but I wanted to let you know and I also wanted to get it right.  I really enjoy these lectures at Friends' Village and I admire Bonny Beth Elwell very much, so this is one to catch if you can:

"The Genealogical Society of Salem County will host a program, “The Families of Upper Pittsgrove, Elmer, and Pittsgrove,” presented by Bonny Beth Elwell on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Friends Village Auditorium.
After the presentation, the speaker will have copies for sale of her newly-released local history book, Upper Pittsgrove, Elmer, and Pittsgrove, and an opportunity for book signing.
The presentation will include an overview of some of the original families of the region, based on the speaker’s research for her book. Upper Pittsgrove, Elmer, and Pittsgrove surveys the history of this region of Salem County, which has a rich three-century heritage dating back to the late 1600s.
Here, descendants of the original British, Dutch, French, and German colonists still live in the small villages and surrounding farmland that their ancestors cultivated.
Elwell is descended from some of the first settlers of Upper Pittsgrove, Elmer and Pittsgrove, and her family has lived in the region for more than 300 years. As her interest in genealogy grew, she became fascinated with the history of her homeland.
After writing a family history narrative, she became very involved with local history. She has served as president of the Genealogical Society of Salem County for three years, as well as writing the “Ancestors’ Attic” column of genealogical/historical articles in the Elmer Times. She was recently appointed as Upper Pittsgrove historian, and she is excited to do all she can to preserve the history of the region.
For more information about this free event, contact Elwell at genealogicalsocietysalemcounty@gmail.com or 609-670-0407"

The web site where I got this information is:
http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2013/10/genealogical_society_of_salem_county_to_host_program_on_families_of_upper_pittsgrove_elmer_and_pitts.html

Six Candlelight Tours for December 2013

The Nov/Dec issue of AAA's magazine SJ First has a two page article on Historic House Tours for the Holiday season.  They listed 5 events and I can add another.  In fact, I'll list my historic house first:

1.A Soldier's Life - December 6 and 7, Whitall House Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ.
I couldn't give a more updated web site for you to check into, but here is their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/whitallhouse
When I get more information, I'll post it here.

2.Woodstown, also Friday, Dec. 6th 
www.woodstownbycandlelight.org
I've done this one before and really enjoyed it.  I only went once, last year, but it is their 37th!

3.Salem "Yuletide Tour" Dec. 7 from 1 to 6pm
www.salemcitynj.com
Never took this one but I would like to.  I LOVE Salem!

4.Greenwich has it's 45th  on Sunday Dec. 8th and I go to this one EVERY YEAR and so do a  number of the other docents at the Whitall House, as well as other friends of mine from other areas.  We love this one.  
Call 856-455-8580

5.Haddon Heights has done this for 29 years and features 5 homes.  The hours are noon to 3:30 and in the evening on the same day, Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 10:00.  Call 856-547-7132 for information.
I haven't ever done this one and as you can see, you can't do them all because they all seem to fall on the same weekend!

6.  Mullica Hill Sat. Dec. 14 (hooray - someone broke out of the weekend pile up!) This one is in its 38th year and features many homes, churches, entertainment and crafts!  Visit www.mullicahill.com for more info.  This price for this one is $10.  Some of the others have fees as well, and some may call for advance registration so it is best to check before you go.

Hope to see you under the twinkling lights at one of these events!  I'll be working (as a volunteer at Whitall House, and visiting Greenwich, and possibly making Mullica Hill too.
Happy Trails and Happy Holidays!  Jo Ann