Shirley Baily, a hero

Yesterday, after hiking the Maruice River Bluffs blue trail and red trail, my friends and I stopped in for coffee at Bogart's Book Store.  There I found a big pile of South Jersey Magazine which never fails to inspire me with a desire to go find some hidden treasure on a Creek or Bay in South Jersey.  As I paid for the two copies I was buying to add to my collection, the counter-clerk and I both voiced our admiration for the Editor-I-Chief, Shirley Bailey, who was also the author of two books in my collection:  Yesteryear on the Cohansey River and Yesteryear on the Maurice River.

I mentioned another favorite of mine, another history hero Margaret Mintz, author of several independently published book on the people and the industry on the Maurice River, two of which are treasures in my New Jersey history book collection.  The counter-clerk, whose name I am sorry to say, I didn't write down, and I both spoke of our admiration for Shirley and she said she thought something should have been done to honor Shirely for hier remarkable career saving our history.  I agree.  If you look her up, you can find her obituary,she died February 20, 2011, age 83.  I had called her phone number, listed in the magazine in the mid 2000's hoping the magazine was still in publication and wishing to get a subscription, but it had ceased publication in the earl7 2000's so at least, I was fortunate enough to speak to Shirley Bailey before she passed away and offer my praise for her accomplishment.  If I had authored a magazine, it would have been this one.  But I could never have made the contacts and connections Shirley had from growing up in the area.  We owe an incalculable debt to Shirley and Margaret for their ceaseless efforts on behalf of saving our cultural history in South Jersey, a remarkable place.

There is a mention of the magazine on Barry's Ghosttowns site:
https://forums.njpinebarrens.com/threads/south-jersey-magazine.1513/

Richard Bailey is also deceased and he passed away in October of 2014.  Margaret Mintz passed away in 2001 at the age of 92. 

Along with these venerable historians and writers, I must mention Louisa Llewllyn of Gloucester City who wrote a book of history on that town which is out of print.  I had a copy which I had purchased twice but both times my copy was purloined from my classrooms, once from the high school where I taught and once from the middle school.  At least I was gratified to know someone was interested in the local history.  During my teaching time, I tried to put local history projects into my curriculum as often as possible.  Louisa was not only a respected and evoted historian, she was a mentor to many teachers and students during her long career and received Citizen of the Year awards from her home town.  AS is so often the case looking back, I wish I had tried harder to keep in touch with her during her retirement and especially during mine.  But I thank her and these other historians for their efforts on our behalf.

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.

Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.

She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history. - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.

Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.

She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.

Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.

She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.

Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.

She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey

Shirley R. (Robbins) Bailey, age 83, of Millville, died suddenly Sunday morning, Feb. 20, 2011, at her residence after a brief illness.

Born in Absecon, she grew up in Dividing Creek, Bridgeton and was a graduate of Bridgeton High School, class of 1945.

She was the publisher the "South Jersey Magazine" as well as other books relating to Sough Jersey History. Previously she had worked for Airwork Corporation, Millville as the computer department head. She retired in 2003. She will always be known as an authority on local history.
- See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/southjerseytimes/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-r-bailey-robbins&pid=148790175&#sthash.m2GPEfi4.dpuf

Artesian Well at Estelle

When you hike the NJ Pines, you have to think of water, both to drink and to look at.  The ponds are beautiful, the creeks are companionable and there is literally Water WAter Everywhere. 

Today, Barb Spector, Gail Kerr and I hiked 4 miles at Estelle Manor on the boardwalk trail.  It was delightful - a paradise of breezes, pine needle fragrance, and gurgling brooks running alonside you as you walked.

We stopped to admire the view over Stephens Creek and we had a drink at the Artesian Well.  We would have had lunch at Sugar Hill but it didn't serve until 3:00 pm.  It is early in the season for Sugar Hill, so we stopped at a Wawa on the Black Horse Pike before we veered off onto 559, my favorite road, and had lunch at Lake Lenape, watching the crew teams cross the lake like dragon flies. 

Happy Trails!
Jo Ann

500 Bassett Hounds in Ocean City AND Rails to TRAILS!

Yesterday, Saturday, April 11, 2015, Barb Spector and I went to Ocean City to find the Rails to Trails at Haven Avenue.  We are following the Rails to Trails book by Craig Della Penna called 24 Great Rail-Trails of New Jersey.  To our dismay, many streets were closed off to automobiles.  Barb carefully threaded her way to 6th and Asbury where we wanted to have lunch at a charming cafe called Arlene's.  It is across from where my grandmother Mabel's apartment used to be before it was torn down a year or two ago.

At Arlenes we asked why the people were all lined up for a parade and we were told it was the Doo Dah Paradw with 500 Bassett Hounds.  I had never heard of this parade and had never imagined 500 Bassett Hounds all in one place, so I was very eager to see this spectacle.

There was the requisite fire engine, followed by a marchng band, a bag pipe band, a HoBo band, a rock and roll group on a flat bed truck, and numerous small town Beauties in the "Miss Ocean City" type display, an open convertible, often a Classic Car, THEN, finally, the promised Bassett Hound Parade.

I cannot imagine a parad eof 500 any other kind of dog - just think of barking poodles or beagles trying to get away or any other kind of dog surrounded by other dogs, a fire whistle and crowds of on-lookers.  The Bassett Hounds faced it all with proud dignity and unshakeable aplomb - truly an admirable breed.

For the day, dogs were once again allowed on the Boardwalk, and the Beach and we took advantage of each with Trixie, my Lab/Weimaraner mix who could match any Bassett for good behavior.  She is a gem.

The Haven Ave. Rails to Trails in contrast was a bust.  There really is no trail, only, we think, sidewalk and street - no good for dog - walking.  We left after I took photos over the fence of the old bus/train station building - charming.

Next we headed to Linwood for what turned out to be a delightful Rails to trails many miles long with many people walking their dogs, biking, or just strolling along.  It was charming and we determined to return for mor walking on another day.  We strongly recommend the Linwood Rails to Trails.  It is off Oak Crest Avenue.  We had to ask directions of a local resident, a lady with a dog who said she walks their frequently.  Our gps got us to Oak Crest, but we were on the wrong end of the street stuck in a cul-de-sac in a housing development.  The bike trail was on the other end of Oak Crest, I think it was East.

Happy Trails - You never know what you'll find when you set off on an ad;venture - and no one EVER expects to run into 500 Bassett Hounds!
Jo Ann
pictures to follow at a later date - I'm off on an adventure to Mullica Hill and I couldn't get my picture transfer working in time.