A Great Day in Mount Holly

The Robin's Nest Restaurant is on 2 Washinton Street, Mount Holly.  Drive by and turn the corner and in a block yhou will find a parking lot.  In the parking lot there is an antique store called FINDERS KEEPERS.  It is charming and historic.  It is the "oldest in its original location" in the very old town.  It was built in 1744.  The front door, on the street side, is original.  The back door on the parking lot side is open and you should go in.
My favorite thing there was a double clerk desk! 
My lunch at the Robin's Nest was delicious.  I had a salad, as usual, but it was topped with breaded and pan seared goat cheese.  The soup was heavenly.  It was sweet potato soup and I have never tasted a better soup anywhere.
The decor at the Robin's Nest is delightful and it is a favorite lunch spot for me and all my friends.  Unfortunaetley, I stopped to look at the bakery items as my friend was taking half a dozen cookies home to her father.  So I HAD to have an oatmeal cookie and a chocolate chip cherry cookie - it is unfortunate because I'm trying to 'slim' as the old term goes.  This week they had a St. Patrick's day parade in town, which I missed due to a prior engagement for lunch and a movie.  I also missed the Battle of Iron Works Hill which was in December and it is a favorite historic event for me as a Revolutionary War = gosh I don't know what to call myself - I guess a 'student' as it seems frivolous to say a 'fan' of something as horrible as war, glorious though the result may have been.
Lots of things going on in Historic Mount Holly and a great brochure to all the historic buildings and events available in most shops.
Hope you get a chance to go there and enjoy!
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann
ps.  Tomorrow, I'll post some pics

Heritage Sundays at the James and Ann Whitall House

As you may know from other posts, if you are a regular visitor, I've been a volunteer on Heritage Sundays at the Whitall House since I retired.  Actually, I took a full year off before I volunteered, so I've been there 7 years.  The new schedule for this year has just been posted, so here is your early bird peek:

Sunday May 18th-Hear a Hessian Soldiers' Story. Find out if you lived to tell the tale of Red Bank!

Sunday June 8--Exhibit opening, "Oh Freedom: African American Soldiers in the Revolutionary War." Featuring a living history demonstration by historian/re-enactor, Joe Becton.

Sunday June 22--Rutgers Master Garden Program Flower Show

Sunday July 20th-The Whitalls and War: Find out how the war impacted this quiet Quaker homestead!

Sunday September 21-Military Encampment: Come out and meet the members of the West Jersey Artillery Company and the First Delaware Regiment who will offer artillery demonstrations, a military encampment and living history demonstrations.

For more information or to volunteer, you can reach -
Jennifer Janofsky, Ph.D.
Curator, Whitall House and Giordano Fellow in Public History, Rowan University
(856)853-5120

Giant Jackrabbits and Giant Vegetables

When I was a fifth grader at the D. N. Fels School on Oregon Avenue in Philadelphia, our regular teacher, a mean lady, was absent and we had a substitute, a 'poor soul' as my grandmother used to call them, the hapless peculiar people you run across from time to time.  He was very old, dragged out of retirement for the shortage of teachers due to the baby boom.  He didn't know what he was doing, but he taught us how to write checks so that no one could trick us and change the amount.  We werent' going to have checks for another ten years or so, but when we did.....And he brought us these amazing postcards of cowboys riding giant jackrabbits and huge vegetables on farm wagons and train cars.  I forget most of whatever else I was taught at that time, but I never forgot those postcards. 

Something reminded me of it tonight and I looked up the images.  I would have bought some cards but amazon.com didn't have any to sell.

Two Upcoming Events for March

Hello!  Weather still keeping me close to home.  It's been lunch and movies instead of exploring for the past month, but I have seen every movie up for an Oscar!

Anyhow two events came to my attention today - one from the Sunday Courier:

The German-American Cultural Society of South Jersey will meet Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in St. Stephen’s Meetingroom, 230 Evergreen Ave., Woodbury. Meeting, program and refreshments. Contact  Debbie at 856-468-9525, or email: gacsofsj@yahoo.com.

The German-American Cultural Society of South Jersey is of particular interest to me because I have German ancestors who came to this country in the early 1800's about 1830.  The two names of those branches, which come down to me via my grandmother and great-grandmother on my father's side are Sandman and Young.  Although I had some trouble finding the Youngs until I realized they had Americanized their name from Jung.  I got some help on that from ancestry.com where I met another distant relative on the Young family side and she shared some research she had commissioned from a professional genealogist who was able to find the citizenship paers for Adam Young from Darmstadt who later married Catherine Sandman and became the father of  Mabel, my very beloved grandmother.

As it happens, through sheer good fortune and coincidence, I have visited every country from which my ancestors came:  Scotland, Ireland, England and Germany.  I lived in Germany for two years in a small town called Heilbronn Am Neckar (which means on the Neckar River) and I think I may have posted on that previously.  Ich Kann ein bissient Deutsch sprechen - though I never could spell having learned from talking rather than from reading or school.

It is my hope and amibtion to renew my family history research this year.

When I was searching the net for the location of the Germany-Am. meeting since I had already let the newspaper go without copying the information, I also ran into this interesting upcoming event:

"The Gloucester County Chapter of The Archaeological Society of New Jersey will meet Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at West Deptford Public Library, 420 Crown Point Road, Thorofare. The program, “A Different Look at The Native Americans of West Deptford,” will be presented by Archaeologist Jesse Walker of Richard Grubb & Associates Inc. All are welcome to share interest in this educational evening and learn the local prehistory of this area."

By the way, I did hike at Parvin on Saturday and it was dry and beautiful - no snow, no ice, no mush.  We had expected at least to run into mud and water from the melted snow, but it was perfect trails from start to finish.

Auf Wiedersehen!  Jo Ann

Another blog

Some months back a fellow attendee at the monthly Burlington County Roundtable mentioned a "history girl" blog for New Jersey and told me to check it out, I'd love it.  I did.  And it is very good.  Fortunately for my blog, she is mainly interested in North and Central New Jersey, not South Jersey, though I'd be glad to welcome bloggers who could show me more places to go and things to do.  Anyhow here is her blog just in case you wander up around that way!  Also, I enjoyed seeing how she does her blog.  It is beautiful!

http://www.thehistorygirl.com/

Mullica Hill for Valentines

Well, neither snow nor sleet nor hail could keep me indoors one more day.  With a guilty nod to my dog, I headed out to Mullica Hill with a friend of mine.  We had lunch at the Blue Plate, which I love and which features a number of good vegetarian selections.  My friend, Gail, had quiche with a nice salad, and I jumped the healthy eating ship and went for the pmpkin crumble pancakes.  The weather made me do it.  It is such a cozy and friendly place to eat.
The Red Mill Antique Center
I like to play the favorites game at places like antique stores because I'm trying to avoid buying more stuff.  So whoever I'm with and I pick our favorite stuff, not necessarily to buy.  My favorite stuff was the array of media, radios, record players and such.  But I did buy something anyhow, an adorable, if every so slightly damaged fat cat cookie jar.  First, it looks like a fat cat who lives with me, and second, I just liked the shape of it and even the damage, that showed it was used and loved.  After the years are passed over us, we all have some cracks and dings. 

Just as we left charming Mullica Hill, the sleet and snow were starting up again.  But it was delightful to get out of the house, even though I had to face the disappointed dog when I got home.  In a few minutes I'll be making it up to her by taking her on a hike with my hiking pal, Barb Specto, at a local place where she lives.  I can't give you a location, because it is in the back of a houing development called Hunter's Glen, I think.  It is a bike trail that leads for more than a dozen miles.  The woods are just too slushy and the thick crusted snow with frozen layers make it too hard to walk even for my dog.  So we are opting for this bike trail which I am told is clear.
Happy Trails!
 

Vegetarian Events for this year 2014

Since I am a member of the Vegetarian Society, I get their e-mai of upcoming events.  If you are interested and would like to get to know them, here are some events you may like to attend:
Vegetarian Society of South Jersey

Feb 13 at 12:44 PM

MEMBER POTLUCK* & GAME NIGHT, Sat Feb 22, 4pm (Snowdate: Sun Feb 23, 4pm), Lorraine & Steve's house, Pemberton Borough NJ 08068. VSSJ members only; no fee for this potluck. The hosts are respectfully requesting that children under 12 not be included in this event. Space is limited, so RSVP by Feb 20: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341). After the 20th, call to see if space is available.

VSSJ /VEGETARIAN NEIGHBORS POTLUCK* DINNER, Sun March 2, 4-6pm, This potluck is at Linda Shimmel’s home, Vineland NJ. RSVP/info: Gayle at 413-522-8258 or gemd4100@yahoo.com.

VSSJ POTLUCK* DINNER & VEGAN BAKE SALE, Sat March 15, 6:30pm, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 61 East Rt 70, Marlton NJ 08053. Vegan bake sale benefits Animal Friends Furever (http://aff.petfinder.com). Contributions for bake sale welcome! Please bring a non-dessert contribution for potluck. VSSJ members: $2; $4 family; Non-members: $5; $10 family (to cover hall rental). Attendees park in front of building; enter at steeple. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: setup, cleanup, & baking. To Volunteer, RSVP, or for more Info: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341).

SAVE THE ANIMALS FOUNDATION’S (STAF) BUCKET AUCTION, Thurs March 20,

Doors open: 6:30pm, Drawings: 8pm, Washington Twp High School, Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd, Sewell NJ in 9-10 Cafeteria. Admission $10. LOTS of terrific prizes, vegetarian/vegan refreshments. ALL proceeds benefit local animals. For more info: mkoplow@comcast.net or 856-853-1847. VSSJ NEEDS VOLUNTEERS to bake for Vegan Bake Sale at this event: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341).

VSSJ FREE LECTURE SERIES, Wed April 2, 7pm, Woodbury Public Library, 33 Delaware St, Woodbury, NJ 08096, 856-845-2611. “Spring Into Health - Easy Ways to Increase Your Energy with Diet, Activity, and Lifestyle Changes” by Jim Ronga, DC. Healthy snacks & vegetarian starter kits! To Volunteer, RSVP, or for more Info: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341).

VSSJ ANNUAL SPRING POTLUCK*, Sun April 13, 2pm, Moorestown Community House, 16 East Main St, Moorestown NJ 08057. Raffle and/or 50/50. VSSJ members: $2; $4 family; Non-members: $5; $10 family (to cover hall rental). VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: setup, cleanup, and baking. To Volunteer, RSVP, or for more Info: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341).

FULL MOON BANQUET DINNER, Mon April 14 & Tues April 15, 6:30pm, Careme’s at the Academy of Culinary Arts, Atlantic Cape Community College, 5100 Black Horse Pk (Rt 322), Mays Landing NJ 08330 (in Bldg M). RSVP/Info: American Vegan Society, 856-694-2887, www.americanvegan.org.

VSSJ FREE LECTURE SERIES, Thurs April 24, 7pm, Cherry Hill Public Library, Conference Ctr, 1100 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, 856-667-0300. Dr. Janet Erickson, President of VSSJ, celebrates her 30th year being vegetarian with her talk “Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet 101”. Vegetarian starter kits & food samples will be available. To Volunteer, RSVP, or for more Info: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341).

VSSJ TABLING at Cherry Hill Earth Festival, Sat. April 26, 10am-2pm (rain or shine), Croft Farm, 100 Bortons Mill Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: setup of VSSJ's table, distributing literature, cleanup. Volunteer/Info: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341).

VSSJ/CJVG DINNER* at KAYA'S KITCHEN, Date TBD (May), 1000 Main St, Belmar NJ 07719, kayaskitchenbelmar.com. Join VSSJ and Central Jersey Vegetarian Group (CJVG) for trip to an all-veg restaurant. RSVP by TBD to VSSJ: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341) or to CJVG: 908-281-6388.

VSSJ POTLUCK* DINNER, Sat May 17, 6:30pm, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 61 East Rt 70, Marlton NJ 08053. VSSJ members: $2; $4 family; Non-members: $5; $10 family (to cover hall rental). Attendees park in front of building and enter at steeple. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: setup & cleanup. To Volunteer, RSVP, or for more Info: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341).

AMERICAN VEGAN GARDEN PARTY, Sun May 25, Noon: Lunch • 2-6pm: Program, 56 & 72 Dinshah Lane, Malaga NJ. Speakers: Fran Costigan and John Pierre, Live Music, and Book Room. RSVP by May 20 to American Vegan Society, 856-694-2887, www.americanvegan.org. Visit website for further details.

VSSJ POTLUCK* PICNIC, Sun June 8, 1 pm (rain or shine in covered pavilion), Smithville Park, 803 Smithville Rd, Eastampton, NJ 08060. Park has many miles of hiking trails plus historic buildings. VSSJ members: FREE; Non-members: $2, $5 family (to cover pavilion reservation fee) To Volunteer, RSVP, or for more Info: thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1(8341).

*VSSJ GUIDELINES*

For all VSSJ EVENTS: Everyone is welcome! VSSJ events are open to the public, except when noted as “members-only”.

Please check your email on day of event for possibility of cancellation. If you're not on our Yahoo email list, please visit www.vssj.com and click on "Mailing List" link on left to add your name. Please contact VSSJ at thevssj@gmail.com or 609-848-VEG1 to RSVP, for additional info, directions, or to volunteer.

*For all VSSJ POTLUCKS: Each individual in your party (with exception of children under 12) brings vegetarian* dish to share that will feed at least 6 people (vegan** dishes preferred so all types of vegetarians may enjoy food), with recipe or list of ingredients. Please bring at least as much as your family is going to eat.

VSSJ provides beverages, so please provide a food contribution. To promote recycling, VSSJ encourages you to bring your own plate, cup, & utensils if possible. Due to safety issues, children under 12 must be under parental

supervision at all times. Check in at door when you arrive.

Vegetarian = No Meat, Fish, or Gelatin.

Vegan = No Meat, Fish, Dairy, Eggs, Gelatin, or Honey.

Not sure what to bring? Easy options include: garden salad, fruit salad, hummus with chips or crudités. For a list of recipe sites, visit http://recipes.njveg.com.

For all VSSJ RESTAURANT TRIPS: Reservations must be placed with VSSJ at least 24 hours before the event. Out of fairness to the restaurant, cancellations are requested at least 24 hours in advance. Please plan to pay in cash. When we dine at non-vegetarian restaurants, only vegetarian dishes may be ordered.

March Event

Just received this ntoice from my Whitall Hosue e-mail group.  It looks interesting to me -

The Gloucester County Chapter of The Archaeological Society of New Jersey will meet, March 5th, Wednesday 7:00 P.M. at The West Deptford Public Library, 420 Crown Point Road,

Thorofare, New Jersey. 

        Our program title , "A  Different Look at The Native Americans of West Deptford", will be presented

by Archaeologist Jesse Walker of Richard Grubb & Associates Inc. All are welcome to share interest in this educational evening and learn the local prehistory of this area.

Soon, soon, the world will be coming out from being buried in the white blanket and we will all be finding fun things to do on the backroads and hidden history pockets of South Jersey, Meanwhile

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY 

JO ANN

Snow, Feb. 13, 2014

Well, I was lucky today, I had mentioned to one of my best friends that if anyone came around to shovel, please give them my address and she did.
As you may know from my bio, I was a teacher in Gloucester City for 32 years, that's a lot of kids.  One of them was doing Dorothy's shoveling and when she mentioned me, he said I had been his Art teacher.  Turned out he was one of the good ones.  So those fellows came over and dug me out, just in time for the next storm, I guess.
If you need shoveling or any kind of home repair:
856-281-4335 Will Tool Construction
So many of my friends are at an age now where shoveling is back for the back, or the heart, or the hands or wrist or any of a number of other parts, not to forget knees that it is a good thing to have a list of number to call.  Their business card says they are certified and insured.  They were very reasonable for my job.  For the steps, drive, sidewalk and car clean off, it was $60 (but that may have been the 'friends and family discount' and 'my old teacher' discount, too. 

My Last presentation - on the CCC in SJ

Last night, Tuesday 2/11/14, I gave my final presentation on the Civilian Conservation Corps, in South Jersey at the Friends Village in Woodstown for the Salem County Genealogy Society.  A nicer group of people couldn't be found which is why, although I am retired from public speaking now, I decided to give one more lecture.  I wanted to do something nice for this group of kind and dedicated people and especially their young president, Bonnie Beth Elwell, a charming and devoted historian and genealogist.
It gave me such a warm feeling to look out and see all the courteous and smiling support in that audience.  The people were helpful, interested, interactive - all you might wish of an audience.  It was a great venue for a 'swan song.'
There are numerous reasons why I can't do public speaking any longer, most having to do with a plethora of minor but contributing health concerns.  For many many years, I hauled around heavy boxes and bags of materials across snowy parking lots, up long staircases in public schools and auditoreums, after long drives, and fought the eternal battle of the electronics.  I presented for Crayola Binney & Smith and innumerable other organizations over my 32 year career span in education.  Then after I retired, I did it all again for Camden County Historical Society, in the suitcase history program for the schools, and with various other organizations on Colonial Living and the Underground Railroad.  When I left each of these jobs, I left a good person in my place to take up the baton. 
Dorothy Stanaitis at 856-456-2485, is a professional storyteller and she took the Camden County Historical Society job when I left.  She also took the Philadelphia tour guide job, and she has developed  wonderful programs for Colonial Living, Underground Railroad and Philadelphia history, along with her continuing Storytelling business.  I gave her phone number because she is currently active in her own business and can perform for your group, should you wish to hire her.
We had developed a couple of good programs that I will be sorry to see reitred - RED, WHITE AND BLUEBERRIES was my favorite, on Clara Barton and the Red Cross and Elizabeth White and the blueberry.  Well, to use a metaphor appropriate to the Olympic games.  There comes a time when you have to hang up your skates.
To carry the flame for the Civilian Conservation Corps, there is Wes Hughes.  He is an organizer for the Batsto volunteers group and he is contracted to write a book on the Civilian Conservation Corps in South Jersey.  He and I will be in touch and I will pass on some resources to him.  He attended the lecture last night.
Last night I was most fortunate in having a friend who was willing to pick me up and drive me to the Friends Village, and help me carry the bags, AND man the table to sell my novel:  White Horse, Black Horse.  Harry Schaeffer, is a dedicated volunteer at the James and Ann Whitall House in Red Bank Battlefield.  He introduced me to the Salem group, which I have since joined.  People in the historical community seem to be more gracious than the people of many other kinds of groups that I have met.
It appears a respect for local history, family history, and history in general, may perhaps be related to respect for all things and people. 
I am retired from public speaking but hope to return to the Gloucester County Historical Society Library in Woodbury in the spring and I will continue at the James and Ann Whitall House as a docent.  AND, when this weather finally progresses into spring, I hope to resume my wandering over the backroads, woods and beaches of South Jersey.
Meanwhile, I am still walking my dog Trixie at the Timber Creek Dog Park, most days, and I can report that as long as you have TRAX, a good walking stick, and dress in warm clothes, you'll be okay.  My vet said it isn't wise to walk a dog when the temperature drops below 20 (depending on the breed I assume), so we have missed a couple of days each week this month, but we were there yesterday and we'll see what tomorrow brings.  The report threatens 6 more inches of snow, so I may be in all day reading a great history book.
Currently I'm reading the history of the folk music revival of the 1960's - (just now I'm reading Woody Guthrie's life story) more on that tomorrow!
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann

East Point LightHouse

Sorry, this isn't a brand new photo on my opening blog page.  The frozen hiking paths have kept me and my dog Trixie, in for the past few days.  Nonetheless, I don't want to look at Christmas Trains in February!  So, I changed the photo for an old one that I liked but I couldn't figure out how to make it smaller.  My daughter will help when she comes home again. 
I have been to the East Point Lighthouse many times and it is a beauty.  I may even have a post on it somewhere in the archive. 
I am a big Olympics fan and I look forward to the start tonight although for some reason the Opening Ceremony won't be until tomorrow night.
Happy Trails!  Jo Ann

A Perfect Day in Cape May

South Cape May Meadows - Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge

Yesterday a friend, Gail,  and I drove to visit my cousin who lives in the Villas.  Gail and my cousin Patty, lived near each other in our early childhood in South Philadelphia.  I always take my dog when we go to Cape May, and we always plan to have a walk when we get there before we go to lunch.  You may have read the post on Cox's Creek before, from another such trip. 
This time, my cousin directed us to the South Cape May Meadows, another of the New Jersey Conservancy sites, located off Sunset Blvd.  look for the sign to the trail.  It was PERFCECT!  After the long days of below '20 degree weather, we had a balmy 40 and the trail was a raised sandy pebbled surface free of most of the snow and perhaps a 1/4 of a mile long (maybe even 1/2 mile).  I love the seashore in the winter - when it is free of crowds and not blazing hot.  Not a fan of high temperatures, this was perfect hiking weather for me and my dog.  The view over the grassy dunes was lovely with the blue sky overhead and then, the view of the beach and the water! 
If you make this a day trip, I recommend the Bella Vida Cafe for lunch.  They have many vegan and vegetarian selections.  I had a veggie burger on focaccia bread, toasted, cole slaw and a cup of quinoa and vegetable soup - delicious!  My friend and cousin had the veggie reuben, which I plan to get next time.
The Bella Vida is open all year and is located at 406 N. Broadway in West Cape May.
Happy Trails!  Jo Ann