Burlington County Programs April 2018

The following history and natural science programs are upcoming in April.  Registration is suggested for all programs. Please see below for instructions on registration.**

April 7, 2PM – Geology Field Trip, Mount Holly

                During this geology walk, participants will look at and learn about the local rock used to construct the Historic Prison and other early buildings of Mount Holly. We will climb up Mount Holly and discuss the geology that created the Mount. Led by Pierre Lacombe, retired USGS geologist. Meet at the Historic Prison Museum (128 High Street, Mount Holly 08060).

April 10, 6PM – A Walk Through History: Industrial Mount Holly

                Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Mount Holly while hearing stories about the town’s industrial past. Learn how the town progressed from saw mills and iron mines to factories. Meet at the Shinn-Curtis log cabin (23 Washington Street, Mount Holly 08060 – behind the municipal building). 

April 19, 7PM – Burlington County: Rooted in Agriculture

Find out how the changing face of agriculture affected the farming families of Burlington County. Learn how some held on through the years while others did not. See how Burlington County fought back against the growing tide of development to become the frontrunner in the state in Farmland Preservation. Finally, see what  new way farmers are finding to conduct business in an ever changing landscape. The presentation will be held at the Smithville Mansion, Billiard Room (803 Smithville Road, Eastampton 08060). 

April 19, 7PM – Burlington County and the American Revolution

                Burlington County was a hotbed of activity throughout the Revolutionary War. Many battles were fought in our towns, local individuals took on roles they never dreamed of, and the lives of our citizens were affected. Learn the significant, yet often overlooked, role Burlington County played in securing our independence. Presentation will take place at the Crosswicks Library (483 Main Street, Crosswicks 08515).

April 21 at 1 pm- Hunters of the Sky

                Hunters of the Sky presented by Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge will allow you to view a variety of New Jersey's raptors (birds of prey) up-close during this engaging and educational presentation. You will learn about the characteristics that makes these birds amazing hunters and the special adaptations they have for survival. Ages 10 and up are welcome.  The program will take place at the Burlington County Library.

April 23, 2PM – Read and React

                This unique approach to history opens up discussion that links our history to current events. A document, photo or artifact will be provided for review. Open discussion on the provided material is encouraged but not required. You may come to simply experience various viewpoints on the subject. You never know where the conversation may lead. The program will be held at the Smithville Mansion, Billiard Room (803 Smithville Road, Eastampton 08060).

**Registration instructions

1.       Go to www.co.burlington.nj.us/parksprogramregistration

2.       Create an account

3.       Select “history” from the tabs in the catalogue

4.       Choose the program you are interested in registering for

5.       Follow prompts

6.       You will receive a receipt, reminder email, and any updates to the program following registration.

If you have difficulty, please provide the program you are interested in, your home address, email, phone, and age via email. We will then be able to create a registration for you.

Thank you,

Marisa Bozarth

NJ Mineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show and Sale, Edison, NJ

April 4 - 8, 2018, Edison NJ    www.NJ.show

Featuring Titanoboa, the 48 ft monster snake from the Smithsonian Institution, Dinosaur Skeletons, Glow in th dark UV minerals, Trilobite treasures and activities for children AND 400 Display booths with crystals, emeralds, gold, silver, and many other natural history wonders.

A FREE dinosaur bone specimen for every child!

This advert comes from the April 2018 Smithsonnian and if my eye sight were better and my car newer, I would def. go and enjoy this event, but that is not the case, so all I can do is forward the info and hope that YOU will go and enjoy it.  

Happy Trails,
Jo Ann

AUW sponsors Storyteller Dorothy Stanaitis at Woodstown Friends Meeting Today

Today at noon, the Association of University Women held their Tea at Woodstown Friends Meeting followed by Storyteller Dorothy Stanaitis presentation "Immigrant Girls" which was well received.

Dorothy is a spellbinding storyteller and everyone enjoyed her story featured three immigrant women from Lebanon, Lithuania, and England.  Several of the women present remembered Mrs. Stanaitis from her days as Program Director at the Gloucester City Library and also from her work at various other venues.

It was such a glorious day to be out and a lovely drive from Gloucester City to Woodstown.  The women from the AUW were lovely people and it was delightful to meet them and share the day.

There was a concert series at Woodstown Friends, two remaining concerts you might be interested in attending:

The Gabriels (Jazz Quartet) Sunay, April 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Woods town High School Choir Tuesday, May 22 at 7:00 pm

Woods town Friends is 104 Main St., Woodstown, NJ
www.musicatfriends.org
free, and plenty of parking available

Chair Yoga

Chair Yoga in Cherry Hill or Haddon Twp.
Camden County Board of Freeholders is offering one hour classes FREE in chair yoga.  If like me, you have knee problems, you might want to try Chair Yoga.  I have taken Yoga many times beginning in the 1970's when Cherry Hill High School offered night classes, again in the 1990's at Lady of Lourdes in Collingswood, and most recently at Collingswood Community Center, and Barrington Gym - Royal Fitness.  All of them cost money, and this series is FREE!  So why not give it a try.  I have found yoga to be immensely helpful not only in flexibility in your body, but also in calming the mind.  I missed not being able to do it anymore but I can't kneel, lunge, or squat due to cartilage loss in one knee and torn meniscus in the other and probably arthritis in both.  Classes begin Monday March 26 and continue on Mondays through May.  What an opportunity!

To reserve your spot call 856-858-2986 Tom Castellano or email tom.castellano@camdencounty.com

Classes are Mondays at 1:00 at William J. Rohrer Memorial Library, 15 MacArthur Blv.

For Cherry Hill clases, mostly on Wednesdays, at the Municipal Bldg. 820 Mercer St. also at 1:00 call 856-488-7868 or email recreation@chtownship.com

The classes are suitable for all experience levels.

I try to stay fit by going to the gym 3 to 4 times a week, and walking most days, but I was just lamenting to my gym buddy last week that I needed more stretching in my routine and I don't have the personal discipline to do it on my own, I need a group and an appointment to get it done.  

Hope you are keeping fit so you can enjoy all the places to go and things to do in South Jersey - speaking of which:

This Saturday, March 24, Dorothy Stanaitis will be doing a program on Immigrant Girls at the Woodstown Friends Meeting House, Main Street, Woodstown.  She has already registered me, so I don't have the number there but I am sure you can find it if you are interested.  There is a tea at noon followed by the presentation at 1:00.

Book Recommendation for History Buffs:  BEHEMOTH:  A History of the Factory and the Making of the Modern World by Joshua Freeman.  Getting great reviews.  I haven't bought it yet - I have  a stack of books to et through before I buy any more, but I will get it eventually.  Ever work in a factory?  I did one summer while working my way through college.  It was an experience.  It was at Alchester Mills in Camden, Nj.  

New Jersey Folk Revival Music, Book Lecture Michael Gabriele at Cam. Co. Hist. Soc. Mar.25

Camden County Historical Society Hosts Program on New Jersey Folk Revival Music

 

The Camden County Historical Society will host author Michael Gabriele for a presentation about his book “New Jersey Folk Revival Music – History and Tradition” on Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

 

Gabriele’s book—190 pages with over 80 photos—provides a narrative on the evolution, traditions and history of folk revival music throughout New Jersey. The program will feature information on the legendary Victor Talking Machine Company in Camden, where Woody Guthrie, Cecil Sharp, Paul Robeson, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family all recorded their monumental first commercial albums.

 

The story begins in the colonial days of bawdy tavern revelers and fiddle players in the 1700s and moves to the music and folklore from the Garden State’s Pine Barrens; to advent of the “Guitar Mania” phenomenon in the mid-1800s; to the New Jersey activities of legendary artists such as Paul Robeson, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan throughout the 20th century; to the achievements of world-class New Jersey musicians.

 

Folk revival music is a “living history” that builds upon time-honored traditions, which date back more than 300 years. The book documents the Garden State’s vast contributions to this musical genre and examines the effects of folk revival music on local history and culture, as well as how it has changed lives—those on stage and those in the audience.

 

This is Gabriele’s third book on Garden State history published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press. A lifelong New Jersey resident, he’s a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist and freelance writer for four decades. Gabriele is a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society and serves on the advisory board of the Clifton Arts Center. Gabriele will have copies of his books available for sale.

 

The Camden County Historical Society is located at 1900 Park Boulevard, Camden NJ 08103. The site includes the Hineline Research Library, Historic Pomona Hall, Cultural Heritage Center & Gallery, African American History Room, and Camden County Museum, and is regularly open Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 4:30pm and Sunday 12-3pm, with a $5 admission fee for nonmembers. For more information, please call 856-964-3333, email admin@cchsnj.org, or visit the society’s website at www.cchsnj.org.

--Bonny Beth Elwell

Library Director
Camden County Historical Society
1900 Park Blvd
Camden NJ 08103
856.964.3333 

Ocean City Historical Society Museum

Today, an adventure pal and I set off down the Black Horse Pike, then 559 (my favorite stretch of backroad in South Jersey, to Somers Point for lunch at the diner, followed by a visit to the O.C.H.S. Museum in the Library Community Center Complex on 17th Street.

After admiring the absolutely gorgeous white Easter dresses of the turn of the century and the many other items of interest, not least of which where the switchboard and collection of telephones, I found a beautiful postcard of the Sindia and the mast on the beach that I remembered from my own childhood.  The Sindia went aground in December of 1901.  Many households in Ocean City had collections of ceramics from the cargo which washed ashore in crates and was retrieved by the citizens.  A good deal of it is in the Ocean City Museum collection now.  

When I was a child, a portion of the mast was still visible sticking up about 8 or 10 feet from the sand down the 17th Street end of the beach.  Sea life always held a place of mystery and fascination in my imagination, not least because of that mast and the ship buried beneath the sand, but also because of Scott Storage, next door to my Grandmother' house on Asbury Avenue.  There were many ships mastheads and other paraphernalia in storage there, ships' wheels, for example.  And I had been the kind of child who read voraciously from the treasure my mother made available to me of classics like Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe.  

Also, you may recall a tv series called Adventures in Paradise that ran from 1959 to 1962, starring Gardner McKay as a sailboat captain who went from island to island in the Pacific solving crimes and ferrying mysterious clients.  I was in love with him!

Today, Friday, March 16, 2018, the main exhibit was beautiful and unimaginably intricate Easter dresses from the Victorian period.  The more you know, the more interesting thing are, and so, knowing that my grandmother (the one who lived in Ocean City) and her mother made a living as seamstresses, has always made clothing more interesting to me than its uses.  I used to make all my own clothes at one time.  My great-grandmother was listed in the census as a dressmaker when she was 16, in an age when all clothes were made by individual people.  

The cutwork and beading and detailing of those Victorian dresses spoke to the eye straining, backbreaking labor of immigrant women who worked from sunrise to dark, seven days a week, to eek out a pittance to let them live on.  Still, the dresses are a monument to their effort and creativity, as well as to the confinements and hampered lives of women of that time.  Those corsets - that delicacy of cloth, a woman could hardly move!

From the museum, through the library! I found a book, Scenic road trips through New Jersey, on the sale shelf for $1.  What a bargain!
But again, I had to marvel at how little is ever said about South Jersey other than the seashore.  Has no one ever heard of Greenwich, Bridgeton, Salem?  Still, it is a pretty book.

1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City 609-399-1801 is the address and phone number of the O.C.H.S.Museum
and the staff wants you to know about:

SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET 
Historic Houses of Ocean City 
fundraiser 
April 15, 2018 12:30 Clancy's by the Bay, Somers Point, NJ, Tickets $25

I find this time of year especially enjoyable at the seashore - no traffic, free parking right at the foot of the boardwalk at 9th Street, and I am not a beach person, so the cold doesn't bother me.  Today was sunny and bright and delightful!

I bought 2 postcards in the gift shop, one of the ship, the Sindia, and one of Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy to send my brother in West Virginia in honor of our shared childhood at Grandmom's in Ocean City, NJ.  Also, Grandmom's brother, Yock, used to work at the postoffice and any post cards that came in with postage but no addresses, he would put our address (in Philadelphia) on it so we got mysterious greetings from total strangers all the time!  He was a prankster as well as a postal employee.

Happy Trails!
Jo Ann

Lines on the Pines was Wonderful!

Held at Stockton State College (or University as I think it is now designated), Lines on the Pines was wonderful as always.  There was music, art (Al Horner was there with his gorgeous Pinelands photographs), basket weaving  spinning, twig and vine creations - chairs and plant holders, benches and so on, and there were many animal exhibitions involving service dogs of various types.  

Several wildlife rescue groups were represented such as Cedar Run, and many Pinelands trail groups, and conservation groups. 

Naturally, the backbone of the festival is literature, so there were many authors such as my friend, Barb Solem with her three books:  The Forks, Ghosttowns and Other Quirky Places of the Pines, and Batsto.  Also, the fellow who wrote the History of New Jersey Diners, and New Jersey Folk Music, whose name I have momentarily forgotten, was there.  I had seen and heard him at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance summer fest with a dulcimer band performing, and again at the Burlington County History Lecture series on Diners.  He is very interesting, oh yes, his name is Michael Gabriele!

I always have a favorite and my fav this year was the basket weaving.  What I missed were the wood carvers, the soap makers, and the jam makers.  Last year I bought a beautiful wooden bowl and wooden Easter eggs, and cranberry preserves, as well as some handmade soap for my daughter's Easter basket, but this year I didn't see those tables.  I may have missed them.  

I missed the film, too, on John Hart, New Jersey' Revolutionary War Patriot.  I get overwhelmed by crowds and can't think straight.
So I ended up sitting down to rest outside the auditorium where the film was playing, but didn't get to see the film, and I do always enjoy independent film, especially on New Jersey history.

So all in all it was a successful day, and my friends all went to Smithville afterwards for appetizers and drinks at the Tavern.  

By the way, we had vegan lunches at a restaurant in a small shopping center across from the college.  The food was great but the juice was atrociously expensive.  I am too old to get used to paying $8 for a small bottle of beet juice, although people will pay $10 for a martini which has no nutrition whatsoever, so I guess you can look at it that way, but as I am not a drinker and would NEVER pay $10 for a martini, $8 for a juice was exorbitant in my book.  Just letting you know as a warning in case you go there.  The garbanzo bean fritters were delicious!

Don't know where I am off to next.  Kind of in a hibernating pattern since the weather has been so inhospitable.  Mostly I have been going to lunch at places close to home such as the often mentioned and much praised Maritza's in Maple Shade.  Actually, I was there on Monday and I did visit a place worth noting - the Maple Shade Thrift Shop on the corner in the middle of town at the light.
They had lots of great stuff and I bought a big, beautiful African motif basket for $8 which I plan to give to my daughter.

Happy Trails!
Jo Ann

Upcoming Film Series in Merchantville

While walking the Rail to Trail near the coffee Cafe the other day, we  met the woman who is in charge of this film series.  If you are free tonight and have dug your car out of the drive-way, you may want to take a ride over and enjoy the first in the series.  

Book Talk - On Psychology: The Body and Trauma

On Psychology - The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma,  by Dr. Bessel VanDerKolk.  

Where I get my books and reading tips - When I drive and as you may have noticed from my blog, I drive a LOT and to far places in South Jersey, I listen to NPR.  That is unless I have a friend along in which case, we talk! Or I play music.  But I LOVE NPR - and I get a lot of ideas about what to read from their interviews with authors.  

Dr. VDKolk spoke about his work with Vietman Vets and the trauma they carried with them when they returned from war.  That was the beginning of his career in the 1970's before the diagnosis of PTSD was developed.  Of course we had "Shell Shock" in the first, and second World Wars, but these diagnosis and the treatment were not as comprehensive as they became when a new generation of psychologists began to treat Vets.  Full disclosure:  My brother is a Vietnam Vet, so this was of special interest to me.  

Anyhow, the doc discovered that the returning soldiers had similar symptoms which were an emotional numbness interspersed with unexpected, uncontrollable bursts of rage.  Now, this is a long book, so I have to shorten everything, and let me say now - you should get this book and read it for the full story and a more accurate and detailed account.

The doc discovered that victims of child abuse, and domestic violence shared some similar symptoms and psychologists and psychiatrists all over the country were trying to develop therapies to treat the aftermath of trauma in these folks, which often resulted in drug abuse and alcohol abuse as the victims struggled to control their emotional pain with substance abuse.  Also, the cycle would repeat itself with each generation, the victims inflicting abuse upon their children and partners for example.

They developed a three prong approach that involved talk therapy in groups; often vets couldn't talk to outsiders but they could talk to other vets who had shared their experience, combined with medical intervention and behavioral therapy - strategies to identify behaviors and find strategies to short circuit the bad ones and build new ones.  If you have ever seen the movie, Silver Linings Playbook, you'll see that in action.

Even if you don't have a trauma survivor in your family, we are surrounded by them in our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.  So many soldiers coming home from the Middle East and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD.  It is always good to increase your sensitivity to others by understanding, even a little what they are going through.  

AS a teacher, I often encountered children from dysfunctional families where one or both parents were in the grip of substance abuse of one kind or another.  Often the children were the survivors of domestic abuse or had seen their mothers subjected to domestic violence.  We don't have enough understanding in our society and we don't have enough help available in our schools, as evidenced by the last twenty years of gun violence in our public schools.  

Anyhow, if you are looking for a good read for the long winter days that so hold us back from outdoor adventures, I recommend this one!

Happy Trails, Jo Ann

Rails to Trails

I have a hiking friend, who has, with me, engaged in many projects such as the NJ State Passport to the State Parks (We did about 30 of them) and the Rails to Trails.  The furthest away we went for R & T was Linwood, outside of Ocean City.  So, today, I thought she might be interested in a close one I found in Merchantville, New Jersey.  This was especially interesting to me for three reasons: 
1.  I went to high school in Merchantville (no longer a high school)
2.  There is a Train Station coffee shop and Art Gallery there
3.  I love the Victorian and Gothic architecture in Merchantville

Now, I had already mentioned this Rails to Trails in a previous post, but since then, I found my book:  24 GREAT RAIL-TRAILS OF NEW JERSEY, by Craig P. Della Penna, published in 1999.  

This book had been less useful to me than the web site I found because the book detailed mainly trails in Northern New Jersey, Mercer and Monmouth counties and up and I rarely get further north than Burlington.  However two of the trails in his book, I did find and hike, one in Pemberton, and the aforementioned Linwood, plus the Ocean City one.  Also, the friend mentioned above, Barb Spector, and I had visited the Delaware and Rarity Canal Trail for both the D & R Museum, and the trail and the State Park!

As mentioned before the Merchantville R to T is about 1 mile, so 2 miles round trip, a nice easy walk on such a beautiful cool and sunny day as we enjoyed today, along with a ride around the nearby streets featuring those gorgeous Victorian mansions, and a coffee at the Train Station coffee shop.  

We need a Rails to Trails for Southern New Jersey.  Sorry - I am too busy on a book or two of my own to undertake this, but I did just discover another R & T that we visited - the one in Woodbine!  So that makes four!  And there is one in Monroe Twp. that I missed.  

More snow expected tomorrow, March 7, 2018, so I am glad I got out today!  Hope you did too.

Happy Trails, Jo Ann

Centenarians and Beyond!

I have two friends who would like to live to be a hundred.  We all agree, however, that no one wants to live unless we are lucid and have mobility.  That is to say we don't want to linger bedridden in a nursing home or n a fog of dementia or Alzheimers.

So, anyway whenever I see stories about successful centenarians, I tell my friend Dorothy and now I will add my friend Barbara to the list.

Centenarian of the day:  Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographer MAX DESFOR - unfortunately I read about him in his obituary in This Week news magazine, but he was born in 1913 and died in 2018 - not a bad run.  Deafer was born in the Bronx but travelled the world to every hot spot and every war zone taking photographs, so, he not only somehow avoided old age related disease, but also wasn't shot or blown up.  How lucky is that?

"Live Long and Prosper"
Happy Trails
Jo Ann

Lines On the Pines 2018

www.linesonthepines.org/linesonthepines.html

13th Annual Lines on the Pines! 

The "A B C's and D" of the NJ Pine Barrens. The Arts, the Beauty, the Culture, and . . . The DEVIL! Sunday, March 11, 2018. 11: 00AM - 4PM. NOTE NEW LOCATION!!! Stockton University, Campus Center, Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205. FREE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! 

ART Talk

As I may have mentioned before on this blog, I was an Art teacher in public school and at the University of the Arts in the Graduate Education Dept.  My major in college (Rutgers) was Printmaking and let me here remember three fabulous teachers that I had a privilege of studying with:  John Giannotti who taught some of the most challenging an engaging courses I have ever attended - an truly innovative, warm and brilliant man, Jo Spohn (who has re-married and has a different name now and I can't remember it but she was playful, inventive, and wonderful with people, and last but NOT LEAST the erudite, scholarly and brilliant writer and educator, Wendy Slatkin.

I have loved Art since I was a small child mesmerized by the Norman Rockwell illustrated covers of the Saturday Evening Post, my introduction to illustration, along with the illustrations in the children's classics of literature which my thoughtful and generous mother always provided for me.

So, whenever I can, I go to Art shows, which isn't as often now that I have trouble with a chronic cornea disease which limits my driving, and with faltering knees, which limit my use of steps (as in the speedily and subway).  However, fortunately sometimes the wonderful small towns in the midst of which I live, provide me with great shows such as the Stedman Gallery show last summer.  This Saturday I will go the Haddonfield "Fortnightly" for a show called "Through a Woman's Eyes" with my friend, Barb Solem.  I posted about it in the list printed here.  The Haddon Fortnightly is at 301 Kings Hwy and a $10 donation is suggested, though the event is free.

On Facebook, a friend of mine from the University of the Arts has been posting 365 collages, Colleen Hammond.  And every three weeks I have been attending and informal gathering of a small group of artists called Art Club, at Main Street Art, Main Street, Maple Shade, NJ.  The Gallery/Studio proprietor is Diane Paul, a friend from our college days at Rutgers, and a fine and unique painter.  If you are interesting in joining us, you are welcome.  We meet at 12:30 every three weeks and our next meeting will be March 13.  We talk about recent articles, recent shows, our own work, and we paint.  Last month, we also did collage, and one of our temporary attendees worked on a tile piece she had begun and couldn't get finished.  Art Club provided the forum and support she needed to finish her work.  

March is Women's History Month.  There is a GREAT Women's Art Museum in Washington D.C.  The last great show I saw there was Georgia O'Keeffe, Emily Carr, and Frida Kahlo - Canada, USA, and Mexico represented by three of my favorite artists, and while on the subject of favorite women artists, I love the work of April Gornik, and Judy Chicago (featured in this past Sunday's New York Times Magazine).  My daughter and I saw the permanent installation of The Dinner Party when it was presented at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.  

I am still painting and this year I finished two dozen small paintings of local landscapes such as the Pine Barrens, and local parks and some local historic buildings.  I was also recently engaged in recreating a series of Time Pieces that were lost in a fire.  It all came to feel to me as though it were an autobiography in painting, and I may prepare for an Art Show on an upcoming birthday with that theme!  

Events in Burlington County

These just in from e-mail.
Be sure to check the blog entry posted earlier for events in Camden County.

February 15, 6:30-9:00pm – Feminist Film Series (Alice Paul Institute, 128 Hooton Road, Mount Laurel 08054)Join the Alice Paul Institute for a fun and engaging film series exploring the past,present, and future of feminism in America! We will gather at Paulsdale on Thursdaynights from 6:30pm-9:00pm! Pizza and beverages available for purchase.Topic: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony
Register for one night ($8) or for the whole series ($20)!Tickets and more information available at: www.AlicePaul.org/newsevents

February 17, 1:00pm – The Life and Times of William Still (Friends Meeting House, corner Garden and High Streets, Mount Holly 08060)Join us for a fascinating look at the life and times of William Still who was born in Burlington County in 1821 and is known as the Father of the Underground Railroad for his efforts in moving fugitive enslaved Africans while recording their stories of despair and deep courage.  His story will be presented by his great, great, great nephew Sam Still. The presentation is sponsored by the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences Association.

February 18, 11:00am-2:00pm – Blueberry Music Jam (Whitesbog Village, 120 W. Whitesbog Road, Browns Mills 08015)Stop into the historic village of Whitesbog to listen to the tunes of local musicians, the open music jam is acoustic and FREE for musicians and listeners alike to enjoy and join. While you are here, stop in the General Store and support history and local artists and crafters! For more information visit www.whitesbog.org

February 21, 3:00pm – African American Stories (Smithville Mansion Billiard Room, 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton 08060)In celebration of Black History Month, hear stories of the African-American experience inour area, including the Underground Railroad, Martin Luther King Jr., and others. Hear about the courage of individuals and community and the impact it had on our nation.

February 22, 6:30-9:00pm – Feminist Film Series (Alice Paul Institute, 128 Hooton Road, Mount Laurel 08054)Join the Alice Paul Institute for a fun and engaging film series exploring the past,present, and future of feminism in America! We will gather at Paulsdale on Thursdaynights from 6:30pm-9:00pm! Pizza and beverages available for purchase.Topic: Feminist Activism in the 1970sRegister for one night ($8) or for the whole series ($20)!Tickets and more information available at: www.AlicePaul.org/newsevents

February 22, 6:30pm – African American Stories (Smithville Mansion Billiard Room, 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton 08060)In celebration of Black History Month, hear stories of the African-American experience inour area, including the Underground Railroad, Martin Luther King Jr., and others. Hear about the courage of individuals and community and the impact it had on our nation.

February 24, 1:00pm – African and Native American Storytelling and Music Performance (Whitesbog Village, 120 W. Whitesbog Road, Browns Mills 088015)Family friendly event with music, storytelling, sign language and dance, participants will learn about the similarities of both African American and Native American cultures. Using traditional teachings performer George Tooks will share his all ages fun program which has delighted audiences at national museums, libraries, on stage and for local special groups. Mr. Tooks is a long-time performer, singer, actor and author. For more information visit www.whitesbog.org

February 25, 1:00-3:00pm – White Hill Mansion Open House (217 4th Street, Fieldsboro 08505)Over the years plenty of people have lived their lives at the White Hill Mansion. Some ofthem may still be here.  Learn about the people who lived and died in the house. We ask for a $10 donation. 100% of all donations go directly to the restoration of White Hill Mansion. For more information visit www.whitehillmansion.com

February 25, 2:00-4:00pm – The Color Line on the Baseball Diamond (Burlington County Historical Society, 457 High Street, Burlington 08016) Join Dr. Lawrence D. Hogan as he discussed the history of African Americans in baseball.  What black baseball meant is a multifaceted narrative; the talk will include a discussion of pioneers like Jackie Robinson and the rich relationships in "Blackball" during America's era of segregation, across the nation and in New Jersey, as well as selections from the documentary "Before You Can Say Jackie Robinson." This program is funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and is free to the public! For more information visit www.burlingtonhistorical   society.org

February 28, 2018, 5:30-7:30pm – API Connections: Networking Event (Seasons 52 Cherry Hill, 2000 NJ 38 #1145, Cherry Hill 08002)Connect @ Seasons 52 is a networking event brought to you by the Alice Paul Institute.Engage with established local professionals from our strong network. Reserve yourplace and become a part of our network. Unwind after work. Hosted at Seasons 52, thenight is sure to impress with a robust food selection and sparkling conversation.Tickets and more information available at: www.AlicePaul.org/newsevents

African/American History Month 2018

Today, Barb Some (author of Ghosttowns, and of Batsto, Jewel  of the Pines, as well as The Forks) and I went to Camden County Historical Society today to see the new exhibit room devoted to local African American History.  The first exhibit is the Moore family of Greenland (Magnolia) and it was very interesting.  The highlights of the exhibit for me were the medical bag and the story of Dr. Moore.  Barb and I both had to observe how difficult it must have been for him to make the long journey to M.D. in that time of segregation and prejudice.  

As you are possibly aware, if you visit here from time to time, I am a big fan of the 'local' in history, the lives of ordinary people which seem always to be lived in extraordinary times.  The other thing I enjoyed about the Moores of Greenland, was the sense I got of a  community sticking together and supporting one another against hard times.  

The next exhibit I would love to experience is the opening this Sunday, 2/11 of A Cast of Blues, with resin cast masks of 15 famous Blues musicians and live music FREE at 12 noon, 2 pm and 4 pm.

for more information call 856-964-3333. 

Although my interests run more toward history, literature, and art, I also enjoy music, however, the cover of Out and About has this information for those of you interested in theater:
Haddon Heights - Playbox Play BORN YESTERDAY, Fri. 2/16 Sat. 2/17 at First Presbyterian Curch, 28 Seventh Ave., Haddon Heights, tickets $13

For March Women's History Month -
Celebrating Female Artists - Through a Woman's Eyes, Feb. 24, from 11 to 5 at Haddon Fortnightly, 301 Kings Hwy East (at Grove St.) Admission free but $10 donation suggested.  

You should really try to grab a copy of Out & About.  It is free and filled with interesting events, most of which I don't list because there are too many.  There were many garden listings for example and food events!

Music:
Steve hackett at the Scottish Rite Auditorium 2/16 and 2/17.
Scott Joplin Music Award Winner Sue Keller, Tri-State-Jazz ociety concert, Sun. 2/11 from 2 to 4 Haddonfield United Methodist Church 29 Warwick Rd. Tickets $20
Songs of Love and Madness Sat. 2/10 at 8 p.m.Grace Episcopal Church 10 Kings Hwy., Haddonfield (next to PATCO train Sta.)  $25 at the door.

History and Food:
Hercules, George Washington's chef and enslaved man will be performed by Keith Henley of American Historical Theater on Sat. 2/17 at 2 pm - free program, first in a series, Culinary Experiences of the Revolution sponsored by Frieds of the Tavern. 233 Kings why. E. free (not ADA-acessible.)
indiankingfriends.org

Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ

For a few years after I retired, I was a docent at the James and Anne Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ.  It was a richly rewarding experience in many ways, not least of which was the excellent group of volunteers I came to know there.  We took many history trips together over the years and became good friends at the house dinners, that fallowed the hearth cooking exhibitions on open house days.

Sadly my bad knees and bad back made standing for tour days too demanding for me and I had to give up most of my volunteer jobs including working on the computer at the Gloucester County Historical Society.  

Anyhow, the new season is set to begin at Whitall House in April and new volunteers are being invited for training during March.  I believe the first training session is March 3.  The second ma be March 31st.

Also, the following is worth noting:
"Sunday, April 15 is our military living history encampment (this date got moved from June)"

So if you don't necessarily want to volunteer but would like to know more about this local historic treasure, attend the living history encampment and check it out!  There are several big events during the year, a gardening event, and the biggest event of all, the battle re-enacment in October. 

I will def. be at the April 15 event.  I miss the park, the people, the beautiful view of the river and the history!

Happy Trails!
Jo Ann

For further information on the volunteer opportunity or anything related to Whitall House, contact:

Jennifer Janofsky, Ph.D.

Curator, The Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield

Giordano Fellow in Public History, Rowan University

100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, New Jersey 08063

Whitall House: (856)853-5120

Parks Office: (856)251-6710

Rancocas Woods Craft Co-op & Antique Attic - Back Again!

Again today, Friday, Feb. 2, I found myself on the Marne Hwy. headed to Rancocas Woods after a delicious lunch at Maritza's on Main Street in Maple Shade.

I was with a different friend and I was on a mission.  Last year, or the year before,  I had found the cleverest and most reasonably priced Valentine cards at a little shop in Rancocas Woods and I was determined to find that shop again and get more of those cards.  I wanted one for my daughter in particular.

When we went to Rancocas yesterday, I had been to an Antique Co-op but it wasn't the same one.  This time through the vagaries of the gps, we were taken down Creek Road from the opposite direction and we found the lost co-op of a year ago and next door to it, the little card shop. Again, they had the cards, called "Papyris" and again they were on sale for $2 a card, very reasonable for cards of such detail and clever construction.  

At the Antique Co-op I found another bargain - 'Upcycled' mittens made from old sweaters.  Lined in a soft warm flannel, they are the warmest things ever and I like them for walking the dog when you really need something warm on your hands.  They were only $10 - also a very reasonable price for something so clever and so useful.

I find the Antique Co-ops inspiring and almost like a spa for the senses - the smell of the aromatic soaps and the candles, the beautiful arrangements of lovingly restored and updated furnishings, the hand-crafted objects, and the re-visiting of objects loved in the past and forgotten.

As is often the case, I found some American Girl Dolls, all dressed up in adorable winter outfits.  AS I have no doubt mentioned before, I am the affectionate owner of an Effanbee doll from the very early 1940's and my daughter has a few dolls from the American Girl Doll period.  Her dolls are packed away, my doll sits in my bedroom dressed in a new outfit as of Christmas, a 'prairie girl' set I bought after reading the new and highly praised biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  

There was a set of book ends fashioned from old classroom style pencil sharpeners that I would have liked to own.  I could have used them to make a display of the Little House books, the Wilder biography, and my Effanbee doll in her "prairie girl" attire!  I do so admire the displays in these shops and never seem to pull them off at home.

Very cold today, a penetrating and biting kind of cold.  It was nice to spend the day in the warmth of such pretty surroundings, and to drive through Rancocas Woods and admire the log cabins.  

If you are looking for a fun day trip, you might want to try this one.  Put 208 Creek Road in your gps.  Although it is Rancocas Woods, the gps needs Mt. Laurel for the town.  

Happy Trails!
ps.  You might want to soup up at Maritza's before you head out into the cold!  And pick up a pair of those up cycled mittens for yourself and loved ones, you'll be glad you did.  Also, don't forget, Valentines Day is just around the corner.  Maybe you could get that loved one something a little different this year.  Enjoy!
Jo Ann

Rancocas Woods and More

Today, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, a friend, Dorothy, and I went to Maple Shade for lunch at Maritza's, which I cannot praise highly enough.  The food is good quality ingredients and delicious, always, and the prices are very reasonable.  My favorite is the eggplant parmesan sandwich, which I ONLY every get at Maritza's because I like the eggplant sliced thin and fried crispy and I hate it when it is thick and not cooked and fibrous!  Maritsa's eggplant is PERFECT - cooked exactly as I like it, seasoned perfectly and a very nice toasted roll.

We decided to go for a drive, and as I had found some unique and charming Valentines in a little shop in Rancocas Woods last year, I decided to take a drive out there and see if I could find more.
I didn't locate the little card shop but Dorothy and I spent quite a lot of time in the Antiques and Hand-crafted objects store MADE & FOUND, 118 Creek Road, Rancocas Woods.  The ladies who were there were warm and charming and we had a nice talk about Michael Gabrielle, the author of New Jersey's Diners, and New Jersey Music History, whom I had just heard speak at Burlington County Historical Society last Sunday.

Unusual for me, I didn't buy anything this time as I am trying to hold on to my money a little at present, but I did see things I wanted - stained glass hearts for Valentine's Day for one thing, and I LOVED the bookends made with old pencil sharpeners!  We talked about how it is clever of men to try to find different things to give their beloveds for Valentines' Day, though girlfriends, wives, mothers, and others, always love the red hearts of candy, and flowers, it is nice to be creative and think, bracelet, or necklace from MADE & FOUND, or from MAIN STREET ART, in Maple Shade, where we stopped in briefly to look around.  In fact, ART makes a lovely and unusual gift as well!

Right now I have 4 small paintings on display at Main Street Art, 1.The One Room School, 2.The Railroad Station, 3.Collins Lane Stone Silo, 4.the Historic Dairy Queen Drive-in.  The paintings are 10X12, framed, and ready to hang for $100, so if you are a Maple Shader, or a fan of railroads, or one-room schools, give it a thought!
I will be back in touch with you before Valentine's Day!

Happy Trails,
Jo Ann
ps.  I am CRAZY about log cabins, so you can be sure we drove around and picked the ones we liked best while in Rancocas!  And by the way, I took a photo of a mystery object at the shop.  Do you know what it is?  We couldn't figure it out although Dorothy is a gourmet cook, and I am a big fan of early 20th century kitchen gizmos.

Sad News

While looking up the historic Bridgeton Diner, which was 77 years old and an original Silk City manufactured diner, I discovered that it had burned down.

I passed that diner so many times on my way to Greenwich and I always wanted to stop in as I love diners and I could see it was very old and probably historic.  I waited too long.  New owners finding themselves not making a profit, set fire to it and burned it down.  They were caught and prosecuted but that doesn't bring back a historic building.

And I found that the historic Hillcrest also burned down in Bridgeton.  So sad.  That building, an original stage coach Inn was built in 1782.  

What a loss for the historic building community.

New Jersey Diners

On the way over to the talk on the history of New Jersey Diners, my history pal, Barb Solem, said "How many people do you think will come?"  My answer was "Four plus us, six."  I thought that because it was a cold and rainy day and I didn't think many people would bother to come out for the book talk.

Boy was I wrong!  More than 60 people showed up and we had a really good time!  Michael C. Gabriele is my favorite kind of speaker.  He is so comfortable with his topic from having written the book, that he speaks conversationally and he doesn't mind interacting with his audience.  People like to add things, and ask things but many lecturers don't allow it.  It distracts them from delivering their message.  Michael Gabriele, however, speaks as though he is in it with us and he is perfectly comfortable digressing and diverting and returning to his thread.

Some facts I learned are that there are more than 600 diners in New Jersey and two of the reasons for the proliferation of these eating establishments are that they were manufactured here in New Jersey, and we have such as terrific highway system.  A Third reason is the population density - lots of people, lots of cars, lots of roadways and lots of diners.

I was delighted when Michael Gabriele mentioned one of my favorite diners, the Salem Oak Diner, in Salem, across the street from the Salem Oak.  I have only eaten there once, but I love the look of it.

Mr. Gabriele told us the O'Mahoney company was one of the manufacturers of the diners which were carried on flatbed trucks and put down, modular units.  They were NOT descended from railroad dining cars, as I had thought all these years - two separate categories of eating establishments.

Two local diners had donated food to be shared after the talk but we had already eaten lunch out and being vegetarians, we were both full, and unlikely to find vegetarian friendly food, so we left.  But we had enjoyed the talk immensely and we had the bonus pleasure of running into some friends from the Outdoor Club of South Jersey, and from various Historical Society Groups to which we are members, such as the Batsto Citizens.

The cold, gray, rainy day turned out to be warm, fun and interesting!  By the way, I have been a lifelong diner fan and have two other diner books besides Mr. Gabrielle's The History of Diners In New Jersey.  They are:  Diners, People and Places by Gerd Kittel, and American Diner, Richard Gutman.  Also, somewhere in my postcard collection is a postcard from the Salem Oak Diner, and now I want to visit the great little diner in Bridgeton on the Bridge over the Maurice River - the old diner not the new one!

Burlington County Historical Society Event

Sunday the 28th of January:
The history of Diners in New Jersey
2 p.m.
Burlington County Historical Society, 457 High Street

Burlington County Historical Society

Phone: (609) 386-4773 ext.1

Email: burlcohistsocprograms@verizon.net

Pinelands Preservation Lectures

In case you aren't on their mailing list, this just came to my e-mail: Come out of hibernation for two lectures at PPA! Today we face complicated issues that threaten life on this planet.  Finding and implementing solutions require a second Great Enlightenment.  We need to look back into the Earth's history - how did humans evolve?  And look forward through human history to explore what brought us to this point in time and how we must adapt.  Join Pinelands Adventure's Director of Education, John Volpa, for a two-part lecture series in PPA's cozy, warm barn exploring these fascinating and complicated issues.  Each lecture can stand alone but attending both lectures will provide a more complete perspective. These presentations are an interactive hands-on exploration of life on earth synthesizing a variety of scientific topics into a meaningful and relevant experience.  John combines thirty-seven years of public education experience and twenty years of leading outdoor adventures with his passion for the environment into two lively evenings of thought provocation.  The first presentation looks back in time and the second presentation starts with Human history and looks to the future.  January 25th - Pine  Barrens Time Machine Location:  PPA, 17 Pemberton Rd, Southampton NJ - directions Time: 7:00 pm Pine Barrens Time Machine is a hands-on presentation taking the curious on a journey into Earth's past.  Inspect rocks, fossils and get your hands dirty exploring our planet's past.  See how the land that became New Jersey and the Pine Barrens evolved over time. February 1st - Fire Sparks Humanity's Journey Location: PPA, 17 Pemberton Rd, Southamption, NJ - directions Time: 7:00 pm The interactive Fire Sparks Humanity's Journey examines our species' place within the biosphere and our current window of opportunity to shape the future of life on Earth.  We synthesize a wide variety of topics to hopefully create a new perspective and a new level of critical thinking resulting in positive personal social action. NOTE:  Fire Sparks Humanity's Journey is interactive (individually and group).  Participants will receive tickets to enter into an auction for prizes drawn at the close of the presentation.   Make your reservation online today! Cost: $15/per person PPA Members receive a 10% discount! Enter Code "PPA Member" at checkout. Not a member? Join Today!   You may also call Pinelands Adventures at 609-268-0189 with questions or to reserve your Pinelands Adventure today.

Tall Ships in Spring

Reading Facebook this morning, I came across a post worth sending along.  I know it is far away to May but I wanted to get this saved here because I saw the tall ships last time and it is an amazing sight!  Also a wonderful event when the USS New Jersey came up the Delaware to its home port in Camden, saw that too!  I actually made a painting of that event but it burned in the house fire that took my sister's home two years ago March.

TALL SHIPS: "Well, here is another great event coming to town for our 150th anniversary as a city, This year on May 28th, 29th and 30th, along the Delaware river, in the Area of the Cities of Philadelphia , Camden and Gloucester, THE PARADE OF TALL SHIP IS COMING BACK! If you missed this, a few years back, it is wonderful. We took our grandkids and they loved it. And the Gloucester City Tall ship "NORTH WIND" will be in the parade. I am so glad that this, major event, is taking place in this year of 2018. So mark the date, so you won't be late, because this is GREAT!"

Gloucester City is where I spent the 32 plus years of my teaching career and I loved the history of this place.  During the bi-centennial, Gloucester celebrated a tri-centennial since its founding!  There is a Gloucester City Historical Society located on King Street.  Along the river front are many interesting historical sites such as the Mill Block Houses 1845, and Proprietor's Park with a monument on the location of the Revolutionary War era Huggs Tavern where Betsy Ross was married.  Her family farm was located not far from Gloucester City, near where the WW bridge approach is.  Also there was a Rev. War battle at Gloucester City and the Marquis deLafayette was present at it.  You can also find out more at the Gloucester City Library.

The train station has been rescued and turned into a cafe (as they did in Woodbury, too!)  I am always happy when a town recognizes the value of its history and saves a historic site and particularly train stations.  Which reminds me, the last weekend of this month, Jan. 27 and 28, I believe the Haddon Heights Train Station has it's model railroad display open to the public.

Happy Trails!
Jo Ann

/Camden County Historical Society Upcoming Events

Call it ESP, I just had a feeling when I braved the bitter cold a few minutes ago that I would have magazines in the mailbox and I Did!
1.  The brochure from the Camden County Historical Society Winter 2018 was there with the following events to note:  With African American History Month coming, this issue was especially timely.  The cover story was the background on William Miles Butts, Camden Cultural and Civil Leader (1847 through 1899).  
Sunday, January 14 from 12:00 to 3:00 African American History Room Opening featuring The Moores of Greenland (Magnolia)
(Note)  I would love to see some history work on the disappearing "Snow Hill" of Lawnside.  Each time I drive through there, yet another historic landmark has disappeared.  These landmarks may not be 'historic' in the sense of age, as in being from the 19th century for example, but they are in the sense of culture, and the last vestiges of a thriving social world of music and food that once flourished at places like the Snow Hill Lounge (gone)
Sunday, February 11 12:00 to 5:00 "A Cast of Blues" Exhibition from the MidAtlantic Arts Alliance with live blues music 12 to 2:00
Sunday, March 25th at 2 pm "New Jersey Folk Revival Music, History and Tradition, ooksigning by Michael Gabriele.  Okay, you missed him at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance event last summer, here is your chance to hear him speak.  I bought his book - two copies, in fact, one to give as a gift.  He is a delightful speaker and the information is rich and valuable to those who love NJ history and music.  
All events at Camden County Historical Society 1900 Park Blvd., Camden, NJ (behind Lady of Lourdes Hospital)

For more info - 856-964-3333     or     cchsnj.org    or   Facebook under Camden County Historical Society

My second mailbox treat was the February issue of Early American Life, which I enjoy to a remarkable degree.  I love to read the articles and to look at the pictures and travel vicariously through the colonial world of the Mid-Atlantic Region and beyond.  There are always things to entertain and delight me in this magazine.  I was first introduced to it when I ran across a pile of 'give-aways' on a table at the Cherry Hill Library a few years ago.  I liked it so much I have been a subscriber ever since.  One year is $26 Early American Life, P.O.Box 221230, Shaker heights, Ohio 44122-9887
Probably I have related my favorites in this blog in past postings but if not, I will let you know my favorite articles from this issue after I enjoy reading it with a cup of fresh coffee and a slice of apple pie!  What a great way to spend a freezing winter day!

Happy Trails and Happy Mails
Jo ann