Walking in Timber Creek Dog Park a couple of days ago, I met some out-of-state young people with a Black Lab who were touring dog parks, the second time that has happened! AS it turned out, the young man was wearing a t-shirt that said "I Love Veggie Burgers" and we got to talking about vegetarianism and veganism, an interesting topic to me, a vegetarian, and friend of other vegetarians and some vegan activists! I mentioned the book that had turned me into a vegetarian, Diet For A Small Planet, Frances Moore Lappe.
The young man was interested and looked it up on his phone. When I got home, I looked it up too and bought another copy from amazon.com.
It made me think of other books that changed my MIND! Not favorite novels, that's a whole different list, but books that made big changes in the way I THINK. And BE HERE NOW, by Richard Alpert (aka Baba Ram Dass certainly factors in.
Almost once a day, when I find myself caught in some unpleasant thinking loop, an anxiety, an irritation, impatience, worries about the future, I say, outlaid, in an advertiser voice BE HERE NOW! and it snaps me out of it and brings me back to my, fortunately, blissful present.
I live in a pleasant, cosy little bungalow, with a nice dog, some cats, a gorgeous backyard, a safe and friendly small town, and an adequate income thanks to my pre-retirement career as a teacher. I have room for comparison. I was born in South Philadelphia and we lived in a brick row home under the stacks of the beer brewer Publickers (Oh the stench) and for the first decade or two after my father got out of the navy and went to work as an Ironworker, things were tight. Neither of my parents had been able to finish high school thanks to the depression, and both had been orphaned.
My father's father was killed by a hit and run driver and his mother really had to be resourceful to support her three sons and her niece. My mother had been orphaned as a small child with her two sisters.
The gifts that nature gave me, a good intelligence, a good character, a love of reading, made it possible for me to continually improve my life from high school, to work, to college, to teaching. And books like Be Here Now, helped me to learn to direct my thinking in positive and helpful ways rather than to be tossed around by unrestrained emotion or unexamined thoughts.
Diet for a Small Planet, taught me to consider my healthy and the connection between the personal choices we make in food and the impact on our environment and the living organism that is Planet Earth.
So I wanted to honor these two books that shaped my life and perhaps inspire someone else to get a copy and find the benefit!
Happy Trails, whether they are in the woods or in the mind!
Jo Ann
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Haddon Heights Concert Site
The concert venue formerly known as Haddon Heights Dell, and renamed to honor two patrolmen who lost their lives in the line of duty in April 1995, Patrolman John Norcross and Investigator John McLaughlin, will be renovated.
Two more concerts will be held in the old venue Sundown Music series, August 15 at 7:30 p.m. featuring The National Reserve, and on Aug. 21 and 23, the Haddon Heights Village Playbox will perform love songs. So if you want to see the old Dell in it's former glory before it is refurbished, come on out for the music.
The renovations, set to begin in autumn, are expected to be completed in time for the 2019 Sundown series season.
Across from the Dell is the hill and slope where my daughter and her friends used to sled on snowy days off from school years ago. I can think back to those days and hear the kids shouting and almost feel the cool snow on this blazing hot August 8th Wednesday.
While I am on the subject of this blazing hot day, I would like to mention as successful visit of my new dog to the Big Timber Creek Dog Park today. It is located in Blackwood off Chews Landing Road. There were two or three friendly young couples with friendly dogs who were happy to sniff and be sniffed by my dog. I was so worried about this first time visit to the park, but our dog trainer, Janice Barlow, made the event safe, calm and wonderful. I plan to go every day so my dog can enjoy the shade, the dogs, and the freedom from the leash. It has a leash free park, and bridle paths from the old horseback retiring days of Slim's Ranch which I have mentioned in previous blogs.
We began at the Woodbury Dog Park but it is shadeless and it was a scorching desert, so we headed over to the shady glade of Big Timber instead.
Happy Trails and Happy Tails!
Jo Ann
ps. Haddon Heights Park is also a great place to walk and to walk your dog!
Two more concerts will be held in the old venue Sundown Music series, August 15 at 7:30 p.m. featuring The National Reserve, and on Aug. 21 and 23, the Haddon Heights Village Playbox will perform love songs. So if you want to see the old Dell in it's former glory before it is refurbished, come on out for the music.
The renovations, set to begin in autumn, are expected to be completed in time for the 2019 Sundown series season.
Across from the Dell is the hill and slope where my daughter and her friends used to sled on snowy days off from school years ago. I can think back to those days and hear the kids shouting and almost feel the cool snow on this blazing hot August 8th Wednesday.
While I am on the subject of this blazing hot day, I would like to mention as successful visit of my new dog to the Big Timber Creek Dog Park today. It is located in Blackwood off Chews Landing Road. There were two or three friendly young couples with friendly dogs who were happy to sniff and be sniffed by my dog. I was so worried about this first time visit to the park, but our dog trainer, Janice Barlow, made the event safe, calm and wonderful. I plan to go every day so my dog can enjoy the shade, the dogs, and the freedom from the leash. It has a leash free park, and bridle paths from the old horseback retiring days of Slim's Ranch which I have mentioned in previous blogs.
We began at the Woodbury Dog Park but it is shadeless and it was a scorching desert, so we headed over to the shady glade of Big Timber instead.
Happy Trails and Happy Tails!
Jo Ann
ps. Haddon Heights Park is also a great place to walk and to walk your dog!
Storytelling in South Jersey
What prompted this blog entry was a cover story in the SJ LIFE section of the Sunday Courier Post, Aug. 5.
"That same communal spirit flutters within the Butterfly, a monthly storytelling forum hosted by Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood. Held on the fourth Tuesday of each month except July and August....competitive storytelling forums such as The Moth, World Cafe' Live in Philadelphia."
Pop-up events are taking place in libraries, book stores, nursing homes, and festivals all over South Jersey.
This particular article definitely caught my attention because one of my dearest and longest friendships has been with a professional storyteller named Dorothy Stanaitis. She is one of the performers who has worked in Summer Camps, Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Nursery Schools and Libraries. Last year, I attended one of her programs "Immigrant Girls" at a Friends Meeting House in Woodstown.
Although I have not been a professional storyteller, as have several of my friends, including Tom Clapham, retired from Cherry Hill Library and a long-ago, long-time storyteller and member of Storytelling Guild, I have written a number of short stories and have both a great respect for and interest in the STORY.
Needless to say, we all tell stories, with varying degrees of skill, all the time. Just recently at a coffee house, I was sitting with a close friend and two strangers and we were exchanging stories. One of the strangers told us how she and her retired firefighter met in an online dating forum. The retired firefighter and my friend exchanged stories about their recent knee replacement experiences. As our conversations moved along the internet romance story led to a story from my friend about a woman she knew who was currently in Turkey meeting the family of a young man she had met in an online dating forum. This reminded me of a story from my long long ago days as an ESL teacher.
One day when I showed up to tutor three children from India, a small vivacious, blonde woman in her sixties emerged from a red convertible and begged me to help her get into the house and talk to the children. I said that of course, I could not do that, that I was their English language tutor only and couldn't compromise them in any way. She insisted she was their mother. I went into the house and asked the children and they said she was NOT their mother.
Back outside, further inquiries elicited the following details. The father of the children had met the woman when he worked as a bus boy at a local diner. She was recently widowed. He was here in the U.S. alone on a work visa. He was somewhat younger. He wooed her and they dated, then fell in love and married. The marriage made him a citizen and he brought his children over.
Meanwhile he got a better job at a hospital and bought a house, but no longer saw his American wife. She was abandoned, baffled and had no idea what had happened. She had expected to move into the house and be a mother to the children.
The children were not going to let her in, I explained gently and regretfully. And there was nothing I could do about it. Crying, she got back into her car and left and I re-entered the house where the older daughter stood with her hands folded together like butterfly wings. She opened them and showed me a photo of a woman in India who looked like Mother Theresa.
"This my mother. She coming here soon." She said. The teenager had made us some tea and we drank it and continued our language lesson.
As is so often the case in part-time jobs like this one, I never learned the end of the story, whether the mother from India ever did come to the U.S. and what happened to the American bride abandoned by her new husband.
We all have stories to tell and apparently there are more and more places and opportunities in which to share them! If I hear any more about these storytelling events, I will be certain to let you know!
Happy Tales!
Jo Ann
"That same communal spirit flutters within the Butterfly, a monthly storytelling forum hosted by Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood. Held on the fourth Tuesday of each month except July and August....competitive storytelling forums such as The Moth, World Cafe' Live in Philadelphia."
Pop-up events are taking place in libraries, book stores, nursing homes, and festivals all over South Jersey.
This particular article definitely caught my attention because one of my dearest and longest friendships has been with a professional storyteller named Dorothy Stanaitis. She is one of the performers who has worked in Summer Camps, Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Nursery Schools and Libraries. Last year, I attended one of her programs "Immigrant Girls" at a Friends Meeting House in Woodstown.
Although I have not been a professional storyteller, as have several of my friends, including Tom Clapham, retired from Cherry Hill Library and a long-ago, long-time storyteller and member of Storytelling Guild, I have written a number of short stories and have both a great respect for and interest in the STORY.
Needless to say, we all tell stories, with varying degrees of skill, all the time. Just recently at a coffee house, I was sitting with a close friend and two strangers and we were exchanging stories. One of the strangers told us how she and her retired firefighter met in an online dating forum. The retired firefighter and my friend exchanged stories about their recent knee replacement experiences. As our conversations moved along the internet romance story led to a story from my friend about a woman she knew who was currently in Turkey meeting the family of a young man she had met in an online dating forum. This reminded me of a story from my long long ago days as an ESL teacher.
One day when I showed up to tutor three children from India, a small vivacious, blonde woman in her sixties emerged from a red convertible and begged me to help her get into the house and talk to the children. I said that of course, I could not do that, that I was their English language tutor only and couldn't compromise them in any way. She insisted she was their mother. I went into the house and asked the children and they said she was NOT their mother.
Back outside, further inquiries elicited the following details. The father of the children had met the woman when he worked as a bus boy at a local diner. She was recently widowed. He was here in the U.S. alone on a work visa. He was somewhat younger. He wooed her and they dated, then fell in love and married. The marriage made him a citizen and he brought his children over.
Meanwhile he got a better job at a hospital and bought a house, but no longer saw his American wife. She was abandoned, baffled and had no idea what had happened. She had expected to move into the house and be a mother to the children.
The children were not going to let her in, I explained gently and regretfully. And there was nothing I could do about it. Crying, she got back into her car and left and I re-entered the house where the older daughter stood with her hands folded together like butterfly wings. She opened them and showed me a photo of a woman in India who looked like Mother Theresa.
"This my mother. She coming here soon." She said. The teenager had made us some tea and we drank it and continued our language lesson.
As is so often the case in part-time jobs like this one, I never learned the end of the story, whether the mother from India ever did come to the U.S. and what happened to the American bride abandoned by her new husband.
We all have stories to tell and apparently there are more and more places and opportunities in which to share them! If I hear any more about these storytelling events, I will be certain to let you know!
Happy Tales!
Jo Ann
Monday, August 6, 2018
Camden County Heritage Volume 2, No 2 - Spring 2018
I just had to write a review of the Voume 2, No. 2 issue of the Camden Co. Heritage publication of the Camden County History Alliance. This issue is about IMMIGRATION, and it could not have come at a better time for everyone to consider the contributions and ripple effects of immigration in our country by using the microcosm of the look at our county.
Of course all of us who are not Indigenous People, were immigrants at one time or another. In my own family, I have very old colonial English roots, and 19th century German and Irish roots. Our English family names were Garwood, Cheesman, Jaggard. Our Scots/Irish family names from the late 1700's and early 1800's were McQuiston and Johnson, and our German family names from early 1800's were Sandman and Jung (changed to Young). As with most immigrant ancestors, mine were working class people, seamstresses, brewers, bakers, shoemakers, hostelers, and haulers, and later, Merchant Marines and Ironworkers. I was the first of anyone from my generation back to have a chance to go to and graduate from college. Many were not even able to go to high school as their wages were needed to keep the family afloat.
To them, goes my eternal gratitude for their courage in coming to America and giving us the opportunities we have enjoyed.
The things I liked most about this publication on immigration were:
1. The focus on the individual and the personal. I really like the stories of the shopkeepers and farmers, not some abstract study but the personal story, the family who escaped from Poland and were rescued by family in the US and thereby saved from the Holocaust, who later had a shop in Camden City. I liked the story about the female spy, the Princess Stephanie Hohenlohe-Waldenburg Schillengfuert, who was held captive at Gloucester City Immigration Station, itself housed in the former home of the once poor immigrant Irish boy who rose to become known as the Duke of Gloucester. All the stories were supplied by historical societies belonging to the Alliance and all were fascinating - people who escaped the Armenian genocide, the Worlds Wars, wars in Africa, Vietnam, the lucky ones who managed to get to this golden land.
This issue was so interesting I actually could not put it down and read the whole thing cover to cover over hours last night. I want to get more copies to give to my friends, many of whom had family with shops in Camden, or ancestors from neighborhoods mentioned in the magazine, or who have visited and admired the many historic buildings also described in the magazine. It is a treasure!
Happy Trails - In the Woods, on the roads, or between the covers of great books and magazines on history!
By the way, I attended the Griffith Morgan event Sunday and it was marvelous. Ran into a number of History Volunteer friends there too, from Batsto, Atsion, and Revolutionary War Re-enactments. It was a great day! Hope you got out there too!
Of course all of us who are not Indigenous People, were immigrants at one time or another. In my own family, I have very old colonial English roots, and 19th century German and Irish roots. Our English family names were Garwood, Cheesman, Jaggard. Our Scots/Irish family names from the late 1700's and early 1800's were McQuiston and Johnson, and our German family names from early 1800's were Sandman and Jung (changed to Young). As with most immigrant ancestors, mine were working class people, seamstresses, brewers, bakers, shoemakers, hostelers, and haulers, and later, Merchant Marines and Ironworkers. I was the first of anyone from my generation back to have a chance to go to and graduate from college. Many were not even able to go to high school as their wages were needed to keep the family afloat.
To them, goes my eternal gratitude for their courage in coming to America and giving us the opportunities we have enjoyed.
The things I liked most about this publication on immigration were:
1. The focus on the individual and the personal. I really like the stories of the shopkeepers and farmers, not some abstract study but the personal story, the family who escaped from Poland and were rescued by family in the US and thereby saved from the Holocaust, who later had a shop in Camden City. I liked the story about the female spy, the Princess Stephanie Hohenlohe-Waldenburg Schillengfuert, who was held captive at Gloucester City Immigration Station, itself housed in the former home of the once poor immigrant Irish boy who rose to become known as the Duke of Gloucester. All the stories were supplied by historical societies belonging to the Alliance and all were fascinating - people who escaped the Armenian genocide, the Worlds Wars, wars in Africa, Vietnam, the lucky ones who managed to get to this golden land.
This issue was so interesting I actually could not put it down and read the whole thing cover to cover over hours last night. I want to get more copies to give to my friends, many of whom had family with shops in Camden, or ancestors from neighborhoods mentioned in the magazine, or who have visited and admired the many historic buildings also described in the magazine. It is a treasure!
Happy Trails - In the Woods, on the roads, or between the covers of great books and magazines on history!
By the way, I attended the Griffith Morgan event Sunday and it was marvelous. Ran into a number of History Volunteer friends there too, from Batsto, Atsion, and Revolutionary War Re-enactments. It was a great day! Hope you got out there too!
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Pensauken Historical Society
Great day at the Griffith Morgan House and nice quick visit to the Burrough Dover House These two beautiful houses are well worth a visit and Griffith Morgan was even more interesting than usual for two reasons: 1. Our tour was by Sue Hueskin, enormously helpful local historical volunteer and outfitter, very interesting, knowledgeable and well spoken, and 2: It was Militia Day, and there was music, gaming, chair caning, basket weaving, and a lovely day for it.
On our way home, we dropped by for a quick look at Burrough Dover house because my friend, Barbara Solem (of Atsion Mansion and Batsto) had never seen it, nor had her friend Ron. They were both enchanted.
First Sunday of the month, you too can enjoy these two wonderful historic houses thanks to the efforts of volunteers with the Pennsauken Historical Society who give generously of their time and energy to preserve our American history heritage!
Thank you volunteers!
Jo Ann
On our way home, we dropped by for a quick look at Burrough Dover house because my friend, Barbara Solem (of Atsion Mansion and Batsto) had never seen it, nor had her friend Ron. They were both enchanted.
First Sunday of the month, you too can enjoy these two wonderful historic houses thanks to the efforts of volunteers with the Pennsauken Historical Society who give generously of their time and energy to preserve our American history heritage!
Thank you volunteers!
Jo Ann
Friday, August 3, 2018
Griffith Morgan House
Griffith Morgan House, 243 Griffith Morgan Lane, Pennsauken, New Jersey, is one of my favorite historic houses in the area. Since I spent some teen years in Maple Shade in a development on the Pennsauken Creek, I have an interest in the earliest settlers and settlements and it is said that the original homestead dates back to 1693 and may be the oldest in Camden County.
This Sunday they are hosting Militia day from noon to 4 p.m. and I most sincerely hope to be able to find a friend willing to drive me over there to visit.
Another homestead cared for by the same group of volunteers is the Burrough Dover House which I seem to no longer be able to locate though I found it many times before. Recently, on three attempts I had to give up and go home without having found the house. Maybe I can get better directions on Sunday when I am at the Griffith Morgan house and see the volunteers in person. They can give me a landmark for the turn off onto Sorrel Horse Rd.
If you are free, you should try to make it over for this event!
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann Wright
ps. Tomorrow I am having lunch at the Rusty Door on Creek Road in Rancocas. I haven't been to this little cafe' yet and I am very much anticipating having lunch in one of my favorite spots - Rancocas Woods! I will be checking in at the Antiques Emporium and perhaps the Book Store!
This Sunday they are hosting Militia day from noon to 4 p.m. and I most sincerely hope to be able to find a friend willing to drive me over there to visit.
Another homestead cared for by the same group of volunteers is the Burrough Dover House which I seem to no longer be able to locate though I found it many times before. Recently, on three attempts I had to give up and go home without having found the house. Maybe I can get better directions on Sunday when I am at the Griffith Morgan house and see the volunteers in person. They can give me a landmark for the turn off onto Sorrel Horse Rd.
If you are free, you should try to make it over for this event!
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann Wright
ps. Tomorrow I am having lunch at the Rusty Door on Creek Road in Rancocas. I haven't been to this little cafe' yet and I am very much anticipating having lunch in one of my favorite spots - Rancocas Woods! I will be checking in at the Antiques Emporium and perhaps the Book Store!
Monday, July 30, 2018
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!
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.
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
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.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
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!
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!
Friday, July 27, 2018
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:
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!
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,
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!
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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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 >
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Tuesday, July 17, 2018
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.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
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 >
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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.
Link to register for the event or call 856-772-1636 x7311.
M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch - Voorhees
Saturday, July 14, 1:00 p.m.
Link to Directions
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
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
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