Lake House in Clayton, NJ

What a great discovery!  A friend, Barb Spector,  and I were on our way home from Barbara Solem's book singing at Bogart's in Millville when Barb Spector asked if I'd like to see Iona Lake.  Now, it is one of those odd things, I had, many years a go, a friend with a farm near there and I often looked for Iona Lake and couldn't find it.  I know, you are probably wsaying, how could you miss it!  But, I did.  Until we drove there yesterday, Saturday, December 20.  What a pretty lake.  We stopped in at the Lake House and the hostess gave us a tour.  There was a very happy Christmas party going on in one room and jolly groups of friends having holiday lunch in other areas.  The view was spectacular.

Of course when i got home I tried to get some history on the lake and whatever mill I presume must have been there for the lake to have been formed but no luck so far.

Meanwhile there was some slightly suspect and familiar scandal/haunting history to be found.  Apparently, at the turn of the century, a Polish family started the hotel and restaurant that has now become Lake House.  However, when prohibition caught up with them, the once popular music and dancing road house became an illegal drinking spot and the tourist rooms became (allegedly) brothel rooms.  Since prostitution often followed on the heels of speakeasies, it is plausible though in no way proven as factual.  Personally, I like the history of old mills better than old brothels.  When I find out more, I'll add it.
Meanwhile, Lake House looks like a very good place to do some holiday celebrating with friends and family. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Mastodon Molars and More

Today, Tuesday, December 16, 2014, I dropped by the blog to post the photo of the mastodon teeth that we were lucky enough to view, fresh out of the water at the Prehistory Museum in Greenwich, NJ, and I saw the photograph of my old cat, Seamus, on the afghan that I bought at the Fiber Arts Cafe in Millville.  It made me think of two things:

1.  Barbara Solem will be holding a book signing of her new book BATSTO:  Jewel of the Pines at Bogart's Book Store in Millville, at noon, this Satuday, December 20.  I'll be there and I hope you will too.

2.  I didn't mention because it bore no relation to historic places but I feel compelled to honor the passing of my old Cat Seamus pictured on the afghan.  He was my friend and companion for seventeen years.  Every night as I sat and read or watched a tv show, Seamus sat on my lap, softly purring and simply being with me.  He was a kind and compassionate cat who was forbearing with the young annoying kittens that I rescued, and  with the dog.  He was a composed and meditative cat and everyone loved him.  He was uncomplaining in the pains of old age.  He is buried in my yard with a small Celtic cross over his grave.  He came to live with me in June when a boy, a student at the school where I taught, brought a box with two kittens to school to give away.  The kids were all manhandling the kittens as you might expect, and as I was on yard duty, I stepped in and said, "I'll give them a home."  It was a gift to me for which I was grateful for many years.  I loved watching them play and grow and enjoyed their warmth and companionship.  They are both gone now, one, Padraic, to a sadly early death from a disease he picked up from an outdoor cat, and this winter, his twin, Seamus, to old age.

My life has been blessed over the years with many kinds of friends, some human friends I've known since junior high school, some friends from each of the places where I've worked, and of course, my friends who are also relatives  and whom I have known my whole life, but not least of all these friends have been my animal companions who consoled me in childhood sorrows, and made me laugh when I was anxious or worried as an adult, who sat with me year in and year out in sickness and in health.  They asked so little and gave so much, they will all live forever in my heart. 

On every holiday and on the birthdays of my parents, who also loved animals and always had dog and cat companions, I donate to various animal charities and shelters.  When I was  a teacher, I ran several kinds of charitable giving programs for animal shelters, too.  Aside from providing a home to the occasional animal who comes into my life, giving to the animal rescue and charity groups is my way of saying thank you to all the animals who have warmed my life and support to the humans who are trying to help them.  Finally, two of my friends are staunch and generous volunteers in animal shelters and in spay neuter clinics and animal protection programs, chief among them is Barbara Spector who deserves an award for all she does for love of our animal neighbors on the planet. 

Merry Christmas to and God Bless the Volunteers!

On Wednesday, aughor Barbara Solem, and our best pal, Barb Spector visited the Prehistory Museum in Greenwich, NJ.  (located at 46 Bridgeton Rd., Greenwich, NJ 08323 - 856-455-8141)

I had called ahead to be sure someone was there but after meeting these gentlemen, I can tell you that if they say they are open and the museum is manned, you can count on it.  They were so warm and welcoming and knowledgeable and made me think on how much volunteers give to our community. 

WHAT A LUCKY DAY!!!  When we got to the museum, a local oyster dredger out of Bivalve (Port Norris) was there with several jaw parts of a Wooly Mammoth he had dredged up while dredging for clams.  These enormous black fossil teeth were in human hands after thousands of years buried in the silt of the Maurice River.  He planned to sell them to a museum or on ebay.  Not for the first time, I was wishing I had the money to buy them, but I don't and they belong where many people can admire them, anyhow. 
What a treat to be there at just that opportune time.

Barbara Solem is doing research on her next book on the rivers of the NJ Pinebarrens, from the ancient history of the watersheds to the preent.

Other places you can visit at Greenwish are:
Gibbon HOuse, (1730) 960 Ye Great Street

John DuBois Maritime Museum 979 Ye Great St.

Warren Lummis Genealogy and Historical Library 981 Ye Great St.

Potters Tavern Museum W. Broad St.

There is a litle luncheonette but get there early, they close early.

It is a wonderful hike down Ye Greate Street to the Cohansey River and the sad and melancholy ghost of the Shepherd Manor House.  If you go the other way, and walk far enough you will come to the Stone School House, and the 2nd Society of Friends (Quaker) Meeting House.

Merry Christmas to All!ps.  This year a friend bought us tickets to the Hddonfield House Tour - my favorite part of it was the church with a collection of creches and cookies and punch refreshments!  And he company of my friend.