Alliance Colony

In an earlier post this week, I mentioned backyard chickens and the poultry growers in South Jersey history.  By coincidence in the SNJ TODAY newspaper, there was a full page article on the 
136th Anniversary of the Founding of the ALLIANCE Colony
The first successful establishment of a Russian/Jewish farming community in the United States in 1882, will be celebrated August 12 with a picnic at the Alliance Cemetery, 970 Gershel Ave., Norma, NJ For Reservations call 856-696-4445 $18 per adult.

Happy Trails!

Maurice River and Millville Things to Do and Places to Go

On Saturday, July 28, a friend and frequent adventurer, Barb Spector, and I took a trip down the Maurice River with Captain Dave.  This is a relaxing boating adventure that we enjoy several times during the season which runs from late May through October.  As senior citizens, we pay $15.  

It was bittersweet for me as I gazed at the Maurice River Bluffs where I used to hike the trails with my beloved and now deceased Lab Trixie.  

Lots of boaters and picnic folks were on the beaches below the bluffs and swimming and waterskiing on the River.

We passed the usual noteworthy sites such as the last functioning dyke farm in New Jersey, Bercham Farm, the subject of many paintings by area artists, and the eagles and their nests, the ospreys and their nests, and other historic markers for long gone industries.

We lunched as always at Wildflowers Vegan Cafe' outside of which a charming farm market was being held.  The Fresh Fest and Farm Market is held 4th Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May, June, July and September 22 (no market in August).  For sale were flowers, fruits, vegetables, many honey products, and of course all the little shops in the Glasstown Arts were offering their wares, jewelry, and many other crafts and products.

On the way out, I picked up a copy of SNJ TODAY and saw a listing for viewing the Purple Martin Migration in August aboard the Bonanza II for $40 along with NJ Audubon birders and Alan Jackson, purple martin expert.  For reservations contact Citizens United via -
cumauriceriver.org
or
Citizens United
P.O.Box 474
Millville, NJ 08332
or
e-mail
CitizensUnited@CUMauriceRiver.org

Dates are August 9, 10, 11 and 16,17,18, 2018

Boat leaves from Bayshore Center, Bivalve, 2800 High Street, Port Norris, NJ 08349 at 6:15.

Backyard Checkens

My dog has re-opened an old world for me, my neighborhood.  Truly for decades, I haven't walked in my own neighborhood.  It is too hot in summer and too cold in winter and there are so many beautiful places away from my neighborhood that I prefer, such as the Pine Barrens, Pakim Pond, Whitesbog - treasures of beauty and history, so why would I walk around Hartka, and Gaskill, and Green?  There aren't even many trees.

But, my rescued dog is almost uncontrollable and emotionally volatile and we have been working for a month on leash walking.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, she had been in the Camden County Shelter for over a month, and before that, on the streets with her male partner dog.  She had been used for breeding and puppy selling and then abandoned when the people who had her broke up and moved on.  They left the dogs they had exploited in the yard to starve or die of heat exhaustion and thirst.  However, dogs being the survivalists that they are, they escaped the yard and were found by animal control running free on Uma Thurman Road in Sewell.  They were rounded up and taken to Cam. Co. Shelter where the workers named them Uma and Thurman.  Thurman was adopted immediately but Uma languished for over a month until I met her and fell in love with her.

So being unused to being walked on the leash, she was too freaked out by the park and we were forced to limit ourselves to our neighborhood and it caused me to get to know neighbors I hadn't spoken to in years, and new neighbors I had never met before.

Today, Uma was trying to get into a yard and I saw she was interested in chickens.  A young woman named Katherine was keeping watch over her chickens.  Another neighbor another day had recommended I look at our Facebook neighborhood page and I saw there that 33 people in my town are enrolled in a "Backyard Chickens" program.  Stopping to talk to Katherine about hers, I discovered that only 3 permits were issued in a pilot testing program and Katherine had one.  She raised the chickens from pullet to full grown but they hadn't laid any eggs yet.

I asked her if she knew the 'poultry history' of South Jersey and she did not but she was familiar with these names:  Brotmanville, Rosenhayne, Norma, and Woodbine.  All these towns were evolved from early Russian Jewish villagers resettled from their homeland to New Jersey by Philadelphia philanthropists saving them from the pogroms in Russia.  More on that later, I am getting ready to meet a friend for a day in Millville on Capt. Dave's boat and lunch at Wildflowers Vegan, with a visit to the Art Gallery there.

Happy Trails!

Music Post

Not to make excuses for myself, but the dog I adopted, Uma, has been keeping me pretty busy with walks and renovations for various new enterprises of hers.  For example, today, I had to get some wood, paint it and make horizontal cross braces for the stairway to the attic as Uma climbed over the recliner, went between the stair rail spindles, and squeezed through the cat door to go to the bathroom in the attic during the night.

Just in case you think it is my fault she had to go and couldn't get out, she had been taken for her evening walk, and had been put on her cable in the back yard at bedtime for half an hour, as we do every night.

Anyhow, finally, after the wood was painted, cut, and affixed between the spindles, I had a rest period and enjoyed reading the copy of the Gloucester City News that I had picked up at my favorite hardware store, Carr's right on Broaday in Gloucester City, while buying paint.

Two concerts are coming up at Proprietor's Park in Gloucester in August and they are FREE.  Aug. 7 is NAKED SUN, and the opener is SARAH O'BRIEN.  On August 21, will be the ELECTRIC SWIGZ, with TONY SCHOTT opening. 
Both Concerts are from 7 to 9 pm and Proprietor's Park is on King Street at Powell, if you aren't familiar with the location.  The concerts are hosted by the memorable and erudite Michael Tearson of WMMR fame.  

If you are down by the river for music, you might also like to tune in to the Wiggins Park Sunset Jazz Series, also free.  Aug. 8th will be RAUL MIDON.

And in that same area, I couldn't forget to mention the WXPN festival, especially as I am a member:

XPoNential Music Festival

July 27, 28, & 29 | All Day
BB&T Pavilion & Wiggins Waterfront Park, 

Camden Waterfront

 

The XPoNential Music Festival, presented by Subaru, comes to the BB&T Pavilion and Wiggins Waterfront Park for a three-day event! 30+ performers on three stages offer an eclectic line-up of established and up-and-coming artists heard on the award-winning Philadelphia public radio station, WXPN 88.5-FM. XPN is proud to celebrate its 25th year of bringing true music fans together for a family-friendly experience along the riverfront.

Since I opened with a note about my dog, I should also add a tip from BROTHER of the Wolf, a column in Gloucester City News.  Even though I am a vegetarian, I understand that my dog and my cats are carnivores and need to eat a meat based diet.  If you aren't sure and would like to know more, please check with your vet before inflicting a vegan or vegetarian diet on your dog or cats.  I have many vegan friends and a vegetarian veterinarian friend and they all agree that dogs and cats must have a meat based diet.  

Happy Trails with your Happy Tails!

From an E-Mailnotice of things to do in South Jersey!

Pop-Up Park Thursdays Thursday, July 19 | 6 PM - 8 PM Ballard Park, Uptown Pitman   Every Thursday evening from now through August, join Uptown Pitman for Pop-Up Park Thursdays! Each week features a different theme and activity, along with yard games and more! This week's event will have games, crafts, and music brought to you by First Baptist Church of Pitman. MORE >

Third Thursday Hammonton: Dog Days of Summer Thursday, July 19 | 6 PM - 9 PM Downtown Hammonton   Downtown Hammonton's dog-themed Third Thursday was such a success last year, they had to do it again! Come out for tons of fun including a police K-9 demonstration, free treats, paint a puppy crafts for kids, dog-themed trivia, and so much more! Local restaurants and shops will be offering special discounts and promotions and there will be live music all along Bellevue Avenue. Don't miss this fun night out after a "ruff" week! MORE >

Cruise Night Thursday, July 19 | 6 PM - 9 PM Downtown Collingswood   Enjoy the region's best classic cars and motorcycles at Collingswood's Cruise Night along Haddon Avenue! On the third Thursday of the month from April through October, beautiful autos are lined up and guests can enjoy live music, food, and fun. Best of all - the event is free! It's an excellent family event, date night, or evening out for the auto enthusiast. MORE >

Voorhees Township Summer Series Thursday, July 19 | 6:30 PM Connolly Park, Voorhees Township   Summertime offers the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Come out to Connolly Park and enjoy live music from Good Vibrations, a Beach Boys Tribute Band. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the show starts at 7:30 PM. Make sure you bring your appetite because there will be a delicious beer garden, as well as food trucks! MORE >

Zac Brown Band:  Down the Rabbit Hole Live July 19 & 20 | 7 PM BB&T Pavilion, Camden Waterfront   Grammy-winning country music band, Zac Brown Band, is coming to the BB&T Pavilion for their eighth headlining concert tour. With support from opening acts, pop-rock band OneRepublic and retro soul star, Leon Bridges, this is a concert you do not want to miss! MORE >

Twilight Concert Series Thursday, July 19 | 7 PM Cooper River Park, Pennsauken   The Camden County Board of Freeholders is excited to present the Twilight Concert Series at Cooper River Park! Performing live this week is Broadway and Beyond. Come out on select Thursday nights from June through August to enjoy great music in a great location! All concerts in this series are free and begin at 7 PM. MORE >

Rootstock Vineyard Concert Series Friday, July 20 | 4 PM - 9 PM Hawk Haven Winery, Rio Grande   Discover new music and pair it with amazing wine at the Rootstock Vineyard Concert Series! The sun setting behind the vineyard provides the perfect backdrop for a fun Friday night at Hawk Haven. Named for the essential part of the grapevine, Rootstock combines beautiful vineyard ambiance with intimate performances from world class musicians. Grab a seat at one of the picnic tables or kick back on a blanket - the show is about to start! MORE >

Food Truck Friday Friday, July 20 | 5 PM - 8:30 PM White Horse Winery, Hammonton   Start your weekend off right with food trucks and live music at White Horse Winery! White Horse Winery's live music performances are held in their spacious tasting room or on their outdoor patio depending upon weather. This week's featured food truck is Oink & Moo BBQ and performing live is 4:44. MORE >

What's For Dinner Friday Friday, July 20 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Auburn Road Vineyards, Pilesgrove   Every Friday, Auburn Road Vineyards presents a five course food and wine tasting experience. Each week, there is a different entree selected by Auburn Road's chefs exclusively featuring Severino's pasta with sauces prepared in house, and each sauce is specially made to order. This event requires a reservation so be sure to contact the restaurant by phone or email in advance. MORE >

Friday Live Music Series Friday, July 20 | 6 PM - 9 PM Sharrott Winery, Hammonton   Come enjoy wine and live music at Sharrott Winery! Live music will be in Sharrott's new winery with indoor and outdoor seating available. Wine tastings are $10 per person and include six samples of Sharrott's award-winning wines. They also have delicious food options and gourmet flatbreads from their new wine bar menu. Can't make it out on Friday? Don't worry, Sharrott Winery has live music performances every Saturday and Sunday as well! MORE >

Live Music at The Plow Friday, July 20 | 6 PM - 10 PM Iron Plow Vineyards, Columbus   Another week has ended, meaning it's time to sit back and relax with some wine and live music! The Iron Plow stage is set for local singer-songwriters to swoon you while you enjoy a wine flight, wine by the glass or bottle, and an artisan cheese and charcuterie menu. There is no cover charge. MORE >

Christmas in July Friday, July 20 | 7 PM Lunacy Brewing Company, Haddon Heights   Bring the entire family to Lunacy Brewing Company and celebrate Christmas in July with the big man himself! Santa will be available for pictures with children and adults. It's always a great time at Lunacy, so come out for some great beer and enjoy the party! MORE >

Amphitheater Concert: Soul Cruisers Friday, July 20 | 7 PM Burlington County Amphitheater, Westampton   The Burlington County Amphitheater is home to a vast variety of talent during the summer concert series. This Friday's featured artist is Soul Cruisers. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. Refreshments will be available to purchase. MORE >

Lindenwold Friday Family Fun Night Friday, July 20 | 7 PM - 11 PM Lindenwold Park, Lindenwold   Friday nights this summer in Lindenwold Park feature fun for the entire family, followed by movies under the stars! Enjoy entertainment from Magic Ron at 7 PM followed by the movie Cars 3 at 8:45 PM. MORE >

Batsto River Guided Tour Saturday, July 21 | 8:30 AM - 4 PM Pinelands Adventures, Shamong   Immerse yourself in a unique Pine Barrens journey led by guide and naturalist, John Volpa. You will begin your journey at Quaker Bridge on Batsto River. Once on the river, you'll make stops along the way to investigate unique Pine Barrens plants along the river edge, learn about the role of fire in Pine Barrens ecology, and history of bog iron in the pines. This is a great trip for families, scouts, or groups! MORE >

Ike's Free Family Fun Fest Saturday, July 21 | 11 AM - 2 PM Wiggins Waterfront Park, Camden Waterfront   The Ike Foundation and the Camden County Board of Freeholders are excited to present Ike's Free Family Fun Fest! The day includes free Flambeau tackle boxes to all kids (while supplies last), games with prizes to help fill your tackle box, a color your own Berkley baits, and a High School Fishing Skills Challenge. There will also be a Yards Beer Garden, live music, and delicious food. MORE >

Sunflower Canvas Painting Workshop Saturday, July 21 | 1 PM - 3 PM A Whole New Light, Elmer   Paint a sunflower on canvas using complementary colors with professional artist, Kimberly English. No experience is required. The workshop is $25 per person and all supples are included in the cost. MORE >

Winslow Township Family Day Saturday, July 21 | 2 PM - 8 PM New Brooklyn Park, Sicklerville   Come out to Winslow Township Family Day at New Brooklyn Park in Sicklerville! The event features live entertainment, plenty of kids activities, food vendors, giveaways, and more! There will also be community organizations, information tables, health screenings, and first responders present. MORE >

Borough of Glass Festival: ArtWalk & Night Market Saturday, July 21 | 7 PM - 10 PM Downtown Glassboro   This inaugural art festival and market will include dozens of local and area glassblowers, sculptors, painters, metalsmiths, and woodworkers, and other handcrafters that will offer their items for sale and be demonstrating their skills and craftsmanship right before your eyes! The festival offers visitors the chance to browse a variety of goods while basking in a festival atmosphere full of food and other al fresco fun on Rowan Boulevard and the Town Square. MORE >

Wine & Music Series: Oldies Night Saturday, July 21 | 7 PM - 10 PM Summit City Winery, Glassboro   Things are always hopping in Summit City Winery during Oldies Night! Join them for an enjoyable evening of oldies music from DJ Jim Tighe and great wine on the first and third Saturday's of the month. There is a $10 cover charge for this event. Complimentary wine pairing snacks will be provided and you may bring your own food. Please check the Summit City Winery website for any schedule changes. MORE >

Weezer & Pixies Saturday, July 21 | 7:30 PM BB&T Pavilion, Camden Waterfront   Weezer and Pixies are co-headlining a massive summer tour and they are heading to the BB&T Pavilion! The tour comes on the heels of the release of Weezer's acclaimed eleventh studio album, Pacific Daydream, while Pixies' live shows are unadulterated magic with focus on the music with almost no between-song banter. This is a concert that will leave audiences wanting so much more! MORE >

You know Red Bank Battlefield is a favorite of mine - Lecture on Whittall House

July 22

Architecture Tour of the Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield in National Park. Find out why the home has two staircases, how the cabinet was built into the wall and more in this lecture and tour. 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. More information.

AND - Art and Food in Collingswood

Opening Reception:  Tastefully South Jersey Exhibition Tonight! July 12 | 5 PM - 8 PM Perkins Center for the Arts, Collingswood   Perkins Center for the Arts presents "Tastefully South Jersey," an exploration of food traditions from Caribbean, Eastern European, West African, African-American, and other cultures and how they are sustained in our communities. The exhibit features a documentary of tradition keepers, artifacts, photography, visual art, and interactive exhibits. MORE >

More about Ukuleles!

Southern Ukes 
 

 Back by popular demand! These ukelele enthusiasts of all ages are hitting the road for their second annual summer music tour. They'll play and sing familiar songs of our past. Ukeleles will be available for those who want to join in the fun and give the ukelele a try!  Sit back and enjoy, sing or play along, and have fun.

 

M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch - Voorhees

 

Saturday, July 14, 1:00 p.m.

 

Link to Directions

 

 Link to register for the event or call 856-772-1636 x7311.

 

 

Ukulele News

There is a ukulele on my piano bench, a gift from m daughter a year ago for Mother's Day, and although I took lessons for half a year at The Music Store in Collingswood, I found I didn't sit around playing on it as I had hoped I would, nonetheless when I run across Ukulele news - how can I not post it!  By the way, a uke group met at the Haddon Twp. Libs on Saturday mornings earlier this spring and I know there is a group at Lumberton Leas that welcomes guests!

Southern Ukes 2nd Annual Summer Tour

Wednesday, July 11, 7 p.m.

Once again, these ukulele enthusiasts of all ages hit the road, playing and singing familiar songs of our past. Ukuleles will be available for those who wish to participate. Sit back and enjoy, sing or play along, and have fun. Register here.

 

Merchantville Branch/Camden Co. Libr. System

130 S. Centre Street

Merchantville, NJ 08109

856-665-3128

A Great Shop

On Saturday, I arrived half an hour too early for a lunch date at the Station Avenue Cafe' where I was meeting two friends.  I was coming straight from a visit to my local veterinary center, also worth a mention, Sheehen Veterinary Center in Camden, on Collings Ave. a few door down from the Black Horse Pike, where the former Shorty's Terminal was located.  

Anyhow, since I was half an hour early, there was no point in going home and coming back so I parked along the railroad and strolled over to "My Fir Trade Lady" shop.  If you are looking for an unusual and beautiful clothing item, or a special gift, you can't find a better shop.  There is everything there from home goods to fair trade coffee, jewelry, art, textiles, and the owner, Donna Gottardi, couldn't be more helpful and welcoming.  I always make it a point to stop in before birthdays and before Christmas for that unusual and beautiful gift or decoration.  For example, someone once gave me a Retablos, many years ago, which somehow disappeared in time and I always missed it.  Last year, I found one just like it at My Fair Trade Lady!

If you don't know what a retablos is, it is a small handprinted, wooden shrine, line a creche, with different scenes inside, often, Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus, but available with other scenes as well, in three dimensional figures, perhaps clay.  Mine is a Christmas creche.  I have always had a fascination for little scenes in unusual containers, like the Easter eggs made of spun sugar with little rabbit scenes inside the window cut in the side, or a little wooden village in a tray that I bought last year in Collingswood.

Anyhow if you are looingk for something for your home, your wardrobe or a gift, or just looking for a fun to shop to visit and browse, stop by at 531 Station Ave., Haddon Heights, NJ.  And you may like to rest in the shade beside the fountain at the super charming railroad station, home of the permanent installation of train platform operated by the Susquehanna and Delaware Model Railroad group.  It is only open for a visit on special events days, but the shady mountain area with the benches is a delightful place to stop and rest and watch the world go by.  Then have lunch or breakfast at the Station Ave. Cafe' and if you are looking for some produce or a one dollar book, stop by John's Market at the end of the street.  He has a bookshelf where they take donated books and re-sell them for money donated to animal shelters!

Enjoy your day in Haddon Heights!
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann