Frenchtown NJ Blog

Postal Annex in Frenchtown Out Of Business

2008-11-02T17:01:00.001-05:00

The Frenchtown New Jersey of the Postal Annex chain is out of business. I noticed that they seemed to be moving out a couple of nights ago and today when I passed by, the space was empty, the sign had been taken down and there was a notice from the former owner Nick Dworski that he had gone out of business. Here's hoping that the space will have a new store soon.

Free Photos for Bloggers and Writers

2008-05-24T16:17:00.001-04:00

New Travel Forums for Alabama, New Jersey and Georgia

2008-04-17T11:23:00.001-04:00

Frenchtowner.com in its efforts to become a more interactive source of travel information is proud to announce our new travel forums for Alabama, New Jersey and Georgia. To start the conversation we have posted some new polls that seek to answer questions like:

What are the Top 10 Getaways in Alabama?

What are the Top 10 Getaways in New Jersey?

What is the best seafood restaurant in NJ?

What are the best beaches in NJ?

Who does the best weddings in NJ?

Who makes the best fried chicken in Georgia?

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Technorati Tags: travel forum, travel, Alabama travel forum, New Jersey travel forum, Georgia travel forum
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Delaware-River-Flood-Warning

2008-03-07T10:21:00.007-05:00

On our new Delaware River page on Frenchtowner.com this morning, we present the latest flood warnings from the National Weather Service. The heavy rains of the last few days have made the Delaware River rise dramatically to near flood stage. Thankfully the waters have begun to recede, but there are heavy rains on the way and some flooding is predicted on the Delaware for this weekend. See the full NWS warning statement and a larger graph here.

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Technorati Tags: flooding, flood, delaware river
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Weaver, Huttlinger and Nole in Concert in Flemington

2007-08-24T11:06:00.000-04:00

Three local artists with three instruments join forces for one unforgettable concert on Saturday, September 29, 2007 in Flemington New Jersey.

Vocalist Mollie Weaver, guitarist Pete Huttlinger and pianist Chris Nole come together with powerful vocals, award winning instrumentation, and sophisticated style. Together they perform an inspired selection of music- pop, jazz, classical, boogie, blues, country and folk. Fresh from a full house at Carnegie Hall, recording artists Weaver, Huttlinger and Nole have toured, performed and recorded with Faith Hill, John Denver, Travis Tritt, LeAnn Rimes, Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul and Mary) and many more.

Pianist/Singer/ Songwriter Chris Nole is no stranger to musical diversity. With influences from some of the world’s greatest blues, jazz, boogie, barrelhouse, and gospel performers, Nole is an accomplished session musician, producer and recording artist,

Vocalist/Songwriter Mollie Weaver simultaneously follows in the footsteps of traditional folk, modern soundscape and Romantic classical music, creating a sound she calls 'Symphonic Folk'. Her impeccable phrasing along with her expressive delivery has earned her critical acclaim.

Guitarist/Composer Pete Huttlinger is considered one of the world’s finest Fingerstyle guitarists. He won the Prestigious title of National Fingerstyle Champion in 2000. Pete is an Emmy–nominated composer, with his music being used for programming on PBS and ESPN.

Don't miss your chance to see them in Flemington! Seating is limited!

Details:
Saturday, September 29, 2007, 7:30 pm
The Little Theater at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, 84 Route 31 Flemington, NJ
Tickets are $30.00 and may be purchased by emailing CJD1002@aol.com or calling 908-619-1738

For more information on the artists see their websites:

Chris Nole

Pete Huttlinger

Mollie Weaver

Small New Jersey Town Goes Green For Labor Day

2007-08-19T17:14:00.000-04:00

On Labor Day Weekend, the charming small town of Frenchtown NJ will go green for the three days of fun, festivities, and enlightenment. The local business association is celebrating RiverFest with an environmentally conscious theme.

Local store owners will be offering everything from bicycles to clothing made from bamboo. Some of the featured businesses and items are listed below.

The Spinnery, on Race Street, will have specials on all natural yarn and during the weekend be giving demonstrations on spinning flax into linen thread.

Dave Buegler of the Cycle Corner on Bridge Street noted that “We'll continue to sell bikes, recycle our cardboard, paper and bottles/cans, and sponsor the HART "Bike To Work" program.” On a lighter note, he also agreed that the Cycle Corner will cease all import, distribution and sales of internal combustion vehicles of any form or type!

Coldwell Banker Hearthside Mitchell Williams, not to be outdone by the Cycle Shop, will indeed go motor free. They will sponsor a drawing for a free bicycle in their office at 57 Bridge Street. The bicycle will be displayed in the window starting August 18th.

The Frenchtown Inn goes green with a menu for the festival that features an organic chicken breast with a fricassee of wild mushroom, spinach and shallots paired with organic white wine. Colleen Tomko, who also is a personal trainer, commented on how the fitness and health trend has influenced the restaurant business, requiring new sources for organic products. “Customers want to eat healthier and light. Andrew and I have created menu items we would want when we go out. We are the first to ask if it was grown locally or what source it came from.” The Inn’s research of local farms results in the freshest produce for healthy, great quality food.

Yoga Loka and Purely Pilates will be giving out information on the Yoga and Pilates classes and private lessons held at the Yoga Loka studio on Bridge street. Discounted class blocks will be sold for new students as well as for current. Also on sale will be CD's and books, and discount cards will be given out to be used at the Yoga Loka boutique.

The Book Garden will feature warm greeting cards that do not warm the planet with paper made from fibers such as sugar cane. There will also be important books for sale such as Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth and Danny Seo’s Simply Green Parties.

Alchemy Colthing will introduce a new line of all natural bamboo clothing and scarves, the season’s latest GREEN” trend, as well as their other lines of organic cotton and hemp fabrics. Cleo Sharplin, owner, has been the driving force behind the RiverFest focus on the environment.

Thistle on Bridge Street goes green by featuring tote bags and purses made from recycled wool coats and rubber entrance mats made from recycled tires. Also visitors to the store can register to receive a gift basket of Fresh Wave products, organic all natural odor neutralizers, no purchase necessary. Finally, the owners will demonstrate their own recycling by turning broken Stangl into stylish mosaic tables

Designs for Tranquility, a new, serene art shop, will also highlight the eco-friendly, renewable resource of Bamboo with a line of home accents made from Bamboo. To encourage the use of Bamboo in design, there will be a contest in which local artists will submit designs that would use various sized Bamboo poles freshly cut from a NJ garden. According to Jill and Russ Paul, owners, “we will also launch that weekend the "Green" line from the designer of our best selling ancient Roman Glass jewelry line.”

The Studio will offer discounts of up to 1/3 off retail to promote the latest line of LEE furniture, “Natural LEE” with fibers made from recycled materials, wood from certified sustainable growth forests, and extensive use of soy-based products. In their second store inside Alchemy, the Studio will offer organic lavender soaps and lotions from a farm in Bucks County.

Val Sivilli’s new shop, Civilian on Harrison Street, features clothing and T’s in natural fibers, organic cottons, and hemp. Val, designer of the official RiverFest T-shirt for the past three years, will have this year’s GREEN tribute Tee for sale at $22, as will Alchemy Clothing. They go fast! And check out Val’s bright new mural on the side of her shop.

Kathy Smith Designs will demonstrate her use of reclaimed fabrics and other materials to construct her wide variety of vintage dolls.

To get more information on the festival see our Things to do in NJ Article.

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Technorati Tags: NJ, New Jersey, Green, environmental consciousness
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Things to do in NJ on Labor Day Weekend: RiverFest, Frenchtown NJ

2007-08-18T13:47:00.000-04:00

RiverFest in Frenchtown NJ, the largest event of the year in this picturesque and upscale river community, will again light up the Labor Day weekend, but with a GREEN light this year. Cleo Sharplin, President of the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association announced today the addition of events and activities supporting this year’s theme of “GREEN”.

The opening event of the annual RiverFest in Frenchtown will again be a wine tasting fundraiser under the main tent on Bridge Street, benefiting land preservation in Hunterdon County. During RiverFest vendors will share information with attendees on a host of “green” issues and demonstrate new products, such as a 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon, fresh from its new conversion to an all electric vehicle. There will also be a special booth concerning organic foods grown locally as well as foods served in local restaurants.

Ms. Sharlplin noted that “Even the special events will be GREEN: the theme of the annual Saturday Pet Show will be ‘Recycled Couture’. Every year we see amazing creativity in pet decoration, from dogs to horses. This year will be especially interesting with the recycling theme.” To enter a pet contact Cleo at Alchemy at 908 996-7424.

The closing event for RiverFest will be a charity auction benefiting a variety of not-for-profits ranging from animal rescue to health care.

The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance and the Wine Hut will kick off RiverFest with a special wine tasting to celebrate the beauty of the Delaware Valley on Friday, August 31st from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Representatives from six import houses will be pouring a wide variety of wines accompanied by hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $25.00 per person (age 21 or older please) at the door or by calling the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance at 908-237-4582. Proceeds benefit the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance’s land preservation and outreach programs. For more information, please visit www.HLTA.org.

Among the “Green” vendors available to answer questions and give advice will be Flemmington Car and Truck, demonstrating new car hybrid technology on Saturday, and Bucks County Renewables, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting alternatives to fossil fuels.

RiverFest is hi-lighting the need for reducing dependency on oil products as part of its environmental focus, and is showcasing electric and partially electric vehicles that can meet the needs of many commuters while reducing or eliminating air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. BC Renewables will display three cars: a 1991 Dodge Colt, converted to electric when brand-new; a 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon, fresh from its conversion by a team of automotive technology instructors and EV enthusiasts, and the recently converted electric Vanagon.

Also attending will be Eclectic Architecture, owned and operated by Michael J. Margulies, RA, AIA. The firm specializes in the use of natural materials, employing traditional styles, and following sustainable practices. Projects include both residential and commercial buildings with a focus on environmentally sensitive solutions and beautiful results.

Another vendor emphasizing green technology will be Heat Shed, an energy business for 28 years, devoting themselves for the past 7 years exclusively to solar electric systems. Heat Shed works in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania and has installed approximately 170 kW on residences. Attendees will see examples of photovoltaic modules, shingles and laminate.

There will be a silent auction of “DOGS on the Delaware” cutouts, decorated by local artists. The auction and that runs all weekend on the bank parking lot, will draw both RiverFest and the year long DOGS project to a close with the announcement of winners on Monday afternoon. All proceeds from the auction go to identified charities such as River Union Stage, Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance, Doylestown Free Clinic, and the S.A.V.E. Animal Shelter.

Parking for the event, in addition to regular town lots, will also be available in a number of lots for local churches on Saturday and after 12:30 on Sunday. Follow signs.

The annual Pet Show at RiverFest will feature host and judges Noel Barrett, known to many as a host of the Antiques Road Show on PBS, and Paul Savage, a Professor of history, who together also judge the annual Pet Parade in Carversville PA. The PET SHOW, a favorite event of the festival, is open for competition for best costumes in several categories, all under this year’s general theme of “RECYCLED COUTURE”. The show will be on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 2:30 pm in the main tent next to the Frenchtown Inn, Frenchtown, NJ. Entrants are needed! To enter your pet, contact Cleo Sharplin at Alchemy 908 996-7424.

Last year’s festival “hit,” Wolf Rescue, will return all three days for opportunities to learn about wolves, to pet them and to be photographed with these remarkable animals. All contributions go the rescue and protection of these often misunderstood creatures.

Revival Construction is a company that celebrates the tradition and legacy of craftsmanship. It specializes in reviving antiquated buildings, adding the warmth of wood, and creating the charm of old places in new spaces. Revival Construction Company blends artisanship and a new approach to building, devoting itself to sensitive restoration and renovation. They will discuss your projects and provide guidance.

Bittersweet Green Design of Solebury PA, which recycles barn wood and other materials in the construction of mirrors and frames, will have selections for sale. Sharing space with Bittersweet is a consultant to architects and builders, who will be available to discuss green technologies and resources for green products in building and renovation projects.

Saturday from 3:30 – 5:30, the Sergeantsville Farmers Market, a cooperative featuring organic produce, will discuss organic gardening, their weekely markets, and offer a chance to win a gift basket of products.

Floorcloth artist, Judith Moore will exhibit her painted canvases which are used as rugs. Floorcloths have been used since the 1600's and her designs are inspired by ancient Roman mosaics. Created to be walked on, they are extremely durable, one of kind pieces.

River Valley School of Upper Black Eddy will be offering crafts for kids on Saturday only, as will the Alexandria Historical Society. Both groups will talk to the public about their missions and about getting involved in the community.

Also on hand will be health and nutrition counselor, Chris Chamler to answer your questions and promote balanced diet and living.

Widow McCrea House (Frenchtown) and Chestnut Hill Inn (Milford) will share information about their B &Bs and the Ship Inn (Milford) and Frenchtown Inn will both promote their restaurants and discuss their organic and heart friendly menus.

Returning this year are important jewelers, painters, gourmet food vendors, and other craft dealers.

Entertainment will be provided on Saturday and Sunday on the main stage by BLUE NUMBER 9 of New York City, back by popular request! Throughout the festival music will be provided by local artist Dave Rounsaville, whose strolling guitar music has become an annual feature of RiverFest. On Sunday at 12:30 there will again be a gospel sing featuring choir members from Frenchtown churches. And on Sunday at 3:30, the annual fashion show in the main tent.

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Technorati Tags: labor day, labor day nj, festivals
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Art Party in Clinton New Jersey, Saturday, September 29

2007-08-18T13:37:00.000-04:00

The Hunterdon Museum of Art is now taking reservations for its annual gala fundraiser, "ArtParty", scheduled for Saturday, September 29th from 6:30 to 11:00 pm, at 7 Lower Center Street in Clinton. The historic mill which houses the museum will provide a picturesque setting for an elegant evening of dining, dancing and cocktails. "ArtParty" will include an auction featuring original art in addition to other exciting items and services. All proceeds from the event support the museum's exhibition and educational programs.

"ArtParty" is the first assignment for the museum's new Associates Board. Co-chairs Laura McDevitt and Elizabeth Matto are working with a talented team to build on an established event. West & Co. will cater the gala and the appetizer selection will include a raw bar by Metropolitan Seafood. A live band will provide music for dancing.

In the hands of designer Evelyn Suarez Breheny, the museum's riverside patio and galleries will set the scene for a "sparkling" evening. Evelyn emphasized that "ArtParty" will highlight "the treasure of creativity available to all here in Hunterdon County." In this spirit local florists have been invited to create unique individual table centerpieces. Auction Chair, Jennifer Brazel, is gathering an array of exciting items and services. Original art pieces to be auctioned include unique ceramics, jewelry and wearable art. New Jersey businesses have demonstrated their generosity. Donations include a Renaissance portrait worth $2,000 from Kramer Portrait Studios in Redbank and a round of golf and lunch for four at The Architects Golf Club of Phillipsburg.

The Hunterdon Museum of Art is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Cornerstone Awards, given to an organization and an individual whose commitment and dedication have made a significant impact on the arts in the region. This tradition was established in 2000 to reflect the museum's mission "to enhance and encourage the appreciation of, understanding of, and involvement with art". This year's honorees are Ingrid Renard and PGB Trust & Investments. The museum is delighted to honor Ingrid, artist and Board Member, who has volunteered her time to the museum for many years. Her numerous and valuable contributions include heading the installation crew and serving on the exhibition committee. The museum's corporate recipient, PGB Trust & Investments, has a long history of providing generous support to museum events including "ArtParty" and "Art in the Open". John Bonk, the bank's First Vice President / Director, Business Development, also provides active support to the museum by serving on the advisory and development advisory boards.

Profit from the auction and from ticket sales provide the museum with critical operating funds to cover essential services, such as the lighting of the exhibits, not covered by other sources of financing. Museum Executive Director, Marjorie Frankel Nathanson, stressed that the gala "gives our members and friends a chance to support the museum but it also is a wonderful event where attendees can enjoy an evening of fine food, good music, terrific people and exciting art."

Reservations are $200 per person and can be purchased by calling the museum at 908/735-8415 ext. 21. Limited corporate sponsorship packages are still available. Call Karla at 908/735-8415 x11 for details.

Benefactors of "ArtParty" to date include Amy Ayoub, Helen Axel, Sue Barto, Bennett Bean, Peter Cirigiano, Penny Gagne, Lidia Hickman, June and Ira Kapp, Jocelyn Kapp Manship, The Honorable Thomas H. Kean, Senator Leonard Lance and Heidi Rohrbach, Elizabeth Matto, Lisa Mayle, Fredetta McCormick, James E. McDevitt, Laura McDevitt, Patricia A. McKiernan, Mary Melfi, Paul Sauerland, Reeve Schley III, Ellen Siegel and Robert Haines, Sally Spofford, Glenn and Andrea Stein, Beate Stych and Wolfgang Fichte, Sarah and Guy Taylor, John Walsh III, Laura Ward, The Honorable Christine Todd Whitman and Mr. John R. Whitman.

PGB Trust & Investments are sponsoring the gala at the Platinum level. Other corporate sponsors include Ameriprise Financial, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Falcon Engineering L.L.C., Foster Wheeler, Herold and Haines, P.A., Rezkom Enterprises, Inc, Unity Bank, and Yardville National Bank. In addition, EMBARQ is underwriting the mailing of the invitation.

For over fifty years in the community, the non-profit Hunterdon Museum of Art has celebrated the achievements of New Jersey artists as well as those from outside the state with exhibitions of fine art, craft and design. The museum also offers art classes for all ages. Museum gallery and shop hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, located at 7 Lower Center Street in Clinton, NJ. For more information contact the Museum at 908-735-8415. Suggested admission to the museum is $5.

Museum programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the New Jersey Cultural Trust, corporations, foundations, and individuals. Funding has been made possible in part by the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through funds administered by the Hunterdon County & Cultural Heritage Commission.

The Hunterdon Museum of Art is a wheelchair accessible space. Publications are available in large print. Patrons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired may contact the Museum through the New Jersey Relay Service at (TYY) 1 (800) 852-7899.

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Technorati Tags: clinton+nj, art, museum
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Bestselling Author to Appear in Frenchtown NJ

2007-06-15T07:48:00.000-04:00

Elizabeth Gilbert, Author Of “Eat, Pray, Love” will be appearing at Book Garden, 28 Bridge St., Frenchtown, NJ on Sunday, June 24 from 2 to 5 PM.

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, has been the #1 New York Times Bestseller for 18 weeks running in the category of Paperback Non-Fiction.

Eat, Pray, Love is the chronicle of this journey of self-realization, which took Gilbert around the world by herself and which she recounts in 3 parts, each told in 36 short segments, so that the book matches the pattern of the 108 beads on the japa mala, the traditional Indian payer necklace. Gilbert’s first stop was in Italy where she studied the art of pleasure, eating enough to gain “the happiest 23 pounds of her life,” learning Italian, and practicing bel far niente, “the beauty of doing nothing.” From there, she went to India, where she spent four months in a ashram, engaged in a rigorous practice of meditation, yoga, and manual labor. There, she found an unlikely spiritual mentor in a Texan Cowboy, who affectionately calls her “Groceries” for her healthy appetite. From India, Gilbert went to Bali, a place that to her more than anywhere else in the world best combined the art of pleasure and the art of devotion. There, she apprenticed herself to an elderly medicine man, befriended a female healer, and, quite unexpectedly, fell in love.

An intensely articulate, moving, and funny memoir of self-discovery, both entertaining and engrossing, "Eat, Pray, Love" is about what can happen when you claim responsibility for you own contentment and stop trying to live in imitation of society’s ideals.

About the Author: Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of a short story collection, Pilgrims-a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and winner of the 1999 John C. Zacharis First Book Award from Ploughshares-and a novel, Stern Men. The Last American Man, her biography of mountain man Eustace Conway, was a National Book Award finalist. A Pushcart Prize winner and National Magazine Award-nominated journalist, she works as writer-at-large for GQ. Her journalism has been published in Harper's Bazaar, Spin, and The New York Times Magazine, and her stories have appeared in Esquire, Story, and the Paris Review.

Elizabeth Gilbert will be on book tour in May in Miami, Nashville, Charleston, and Louisville. She’ll be on tour in June in San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego.

To arrange an interview or request a review copy please contact: Lindsay Prevette, 212-366-2224. To reserve a copy of the book or audio book or for additional information please contact Book Garden 908-996-2022.

Book Garden
28 Bridge Street
Frenchtown NJ 08825
908-996-2022
Website: Bookgarden.biz

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Technorati Tags: frenchtown, frenchtown nj, books
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Frenchtown NJ Celebrates It's 9th Annual Bastille Day

2007-06-13T14:39:00.000-04:00

The following outdoor events and performances have been scheduled to take place at The 9th Annual Bastille Day Fete which runs from July 14th to the 15th (11-6 Saturday, 11-5 Sunday) on the streets of Frenchtown, New Jersey.

• The Mock Turtle Marionette Theater will perform during the two day festival. Their performances are well-known throughout the Northeast having performed at the Lincoln Center, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Musikfest. This performance is sure please both children and adults.

• The French cabaret trio, Les Boulevardiers, will provide music and add to the festive atmosphere. Several other musical groups will perform on the streets to add to the festivities.

• Mini lectures will be featured under tented areas located in the mews/courtyard where Route 12 meets Race Street and in the parking lot of TD Banknorth on Bridge Street. Speakers Dr. Lynn Miller, author of French Philadelphia - The French Cultural and Historical Presence in the Delaware Valley, and Sal Desapio, Kingwood Township Historian, will be making presentations concerning historical events in our area.

• A free outdoor showing of the film American in Paris will run Saturday evening at 9:00 PM for the public at 12 Bridge Street. Picnics will be welcome on the grounds after 7:00 PM.

• For those who prefer to eat indoors, Frenchtown’s selection of fine dining and casual restaurants will be offering choices of French cuisine all weekend.

For more information go to: www.frenchtowner.com and www.frenchtown.com or call 1-866-287-0905.

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Technorati Tags: frenchtown, frenchtown nj, bastille day
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Seeing Eye Dog Book Signing June 9 in Frenchtown

2007-05-18T10:17:00.000-04:00

The Book Garden of Frenchtown will host a book signing for Hampton illustrator, Doris Ettlinger's most recent book, Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Dog on Saturday, June 9, from 2 - 4 p.m.

The book, written for 7 - 10 year-olds by Becky Hall, tells the story of Morris Frank who lost his sight when he was sixteen years old in 1924. Frustrated by his loss of independence he was thrilled when in 1928 his father read him an article called "The Seeing Eye" about dogs in Germany working with blind veterans of World War I. Morris wrote to the author, Dorothy Eustis, an American dog trainer in Switzerland and convinced her to let him work with a guide dog. In Switzerland Morris Frank met his German shepherd, Buddy. After weeks of discouraging false steps and miscues he finally learned to work as a team with his dog. After returning to the US Morris Frank helped establish The Seeing Eye in 1929.

Since its founding The Seeing Eye has brought a new level of mobility, safety, and self-sufficiency to almost 8,000 men and women.

Visitors to the book signing will also have the opportunity to meet a local woman who has had Seeing Eye dogs since 1978. Vickie Curley, who currently has a German shepherd as her partner in travel, will provide information about The Seeing Eye and will answer questions about the unique partnership she has with her dog. Mrs. Curley's daughter, Nicole, is a volunteer puppy raiser for The Seeing Eye. Nicole and her German shepherd puppy also will be on hand to provide information about the rewarding role volunteers play in helping these puppies reach their special destiny.

To research her illustrations for Morris & Buddy, Doris Ettlinger visited the archive at The Seeing Eye, located just outside Morristown. Besides finding photographs for the back of the book, she looked for pictures of the young Morris Frank and Buddy, as well as background pictures of Vevey, Switzerland, where he stayed. Her challenge was to illustrate events from the book for which there were no photographs.

Ms. Ettlinger works primarily in watercolor and colored pencil. Two of her other recent titles are G is for Garden State (chosen by the NJ Center for the Book for the 2005 National Book Festival) and T is for Teacher (winner of Learning Magazine's Teacher's Choice Award 2006) will also be available for sale and signing. The Orange Shoes, another Sleeping Bear Press title, will be coming this fall.

Born on Staten Island, New York, Ms. Ettlinger graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and later received an MFA from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She has illustrated about 50 books for children, including storybooks, science books and even two "lift-the-flap" books.

In 1995 Ms. Ettlinger began a five-year collaboration with the illustrator Renee Graef on the Little House Program for HarperCollins, illustrating several picture books based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House in the Big Woods. She later illustrated chapter books for beginner readers, including stories about the childhoods of Laura's mother, Caroline, and her daughter, Rose.

Doris Ettlinger lives in an old gristmill on the banks of the Musconetcong River with her husband, Michael McFadden, an artist and teacher of Design and Technology at Hunterdon Central High School; their almost-completely-grown-up children, Ivy and Benjamin; and their little black dog, Bruce Wayne (who is not Seeing Eye material but Doris loves him anyway). Besides illustrating, Ms. Ettlinger teaches art classes at the mill and visits schools where she talks about her work and demonstrates her drawing technique.

You can view Doris Ettlinger's illustrations at her website: www.dorisettlinger.com For more information contact:

Doris Ettlinger
10 Imlaydale Road
Hampton, NJ 08827
908 537-6322

Esther Tews
The Book Garden
28 Bridge Street
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
908 996-2022
Website: BookGarden.biz

Teresa Davenport
Director of Communications
The Seeing Eye
P.O. Box 375
Morristown, NJ 07963
800 539-4425
Website: SeeingEye.org

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Technorati Tags: frenchtown, frenchtown nj, books, book signing
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Volunteers Needed for Hunterdon County Summer Camp

2007-05-17T15:41:00.000-04:00

The Hunterdon Museum of Art in Clinton is in need of volunteers to participate in it's Summer Art Camp program for local children. The "Follow Your Art" Summer Camp offers a variety of fun camps from the week of June 18 through the week of August 20, and there are many opportunities to help out. Most weeks 7 classes are offered, all designed to broaden a child's vision and creativity.

Last year, a total of twenty-eight enthusiastic teens, ages 14-17, served as HMA Helpers throughout the summer. As a whole, the group served more than 1200 hours. Nicole Wilson, now a college freshman, reminisces about her experience as an HMA Helper during the summers of 2004 and 2005: "I originally began volunteering because I enjoy working with children but came back the following year because you're also working in a great atmosphere with nice people. Your days are a lot of fun. You never really feel like you're working!"

HMA Helpers perform a number of daily duties which help keep camps running smoothly. Helpers are assigned to individual camps and each teen assists the teacher with a variety of set-up and clean-up duties. In addition, helpers work one-on-one with campers as they create art projects; therefore, it is essential that helpers enjoy working with children. Artistic talent or training is not necessary but an appreciation of art is a plus as well as babysitting experience. Helpers must also commit to a full Monday-Friday period (am, pm, or full-day sessions are available).

Participants have the opportunity to work with talented and dedicated teachers as well as play an important role in a child's life. Call 908-735-8415 X16 to apply or for more information.

For over fifty years in the community, the non-profit Hunterdon Museum of Art has celebrated the achievements of New Jersey artists as well as those from outside the state with exhibitions of art. Museum gallery and shop hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, located at 7 Lower Center Street in Clinton, NJ. For more information contact the Museum at 908-735-8415. Suggested admission to the museum is $5.

The museum Education program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the New Jersey Cultural Trust, R. H. Donnelley, publisher of EMBARQ Yellow PagesT, United Way, corporations, foundations, and individuals.

The Hunterdon Museum of Art is a wheelchair accessible space. Publications are available in large print. Patrons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired may contact the Museum through the New Jersey Relay Service at (TYY) 1 (800) 852-7899.

Contact: Patricia Koelmel
Development Assistant
908-735-8415 ext.21

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Technorati Tags: art, summer camp, Hunterdon County NJ summer camp, art classes
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New Restaurants in Flemington: An Ethnic Explosion

2007-05-05T20:17:00.000-04:00

Flemington New Jersey just keeps getting better every month it seems recently with a lot of new arrivals in it's business community.

Of note this month are 4 new ethnic restaurants: Canela's Latin Grill and Cafe at Turntable Junction (behind Il Mulino), Capo Ristorante on Church Street and Huarache Azteca and Fusion on Main Street.

All of the restaurants specialize in different ethnic cuisines: Canela's in Latin and Hispanic, Capo in fine Italian, Huarache in authentic Mexican, and Fusion in an Asian and French fusion blend.

Fusion has moved into the newly renovated building at the corner of Main and Mine Streets. The atmosphere here is decidedly upscale and has an urban contemporary feel to it. The menu is extensive and we can't wait to get over there and sample their offerings.

See our Flemington Dining Page for more info.

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Technorati Tags: new restaurants, restaurants, flemington, flemington nj
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New NJ Blog: Mrs. Mo's Blog

2007-05-04T10:06:00.000-04:00

Mrs. Mo's Blog is a new blog I found a few weeks ago that focuses on a wide range of subjects from shopping to travel to events and more in New Jersey.

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Technorati Tags:
nj
new jersey
nj blog
shopping
mrs. mo
new jersey blog
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This Weekend in Flemington NJ: Roxey Ballet Performs Peter and the Wolf

2007-04-25T18:19:00.000-04:00

While the shad are running in Lambertville this weekend*, Peter and the Wolf will be dancing in Flemington, along with the cat, the bird, the duck and, of course, the Grandfather.

Roxey Ballet will present its Children's Classic Stories on Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29 at 2 p.m. at the J.P. Case Theater in Flemington, New Jersey. Joining the professional dancers of Roxey Ballet are many of the students of The Mill Ballet School, the official school of Roxey Ballet. Both are located in Lambertville, NJ. The students bring additional characters to life in Mark Roxey's colorful choreography including the wall, the garden gate, the pond and the meadow.

The dancers of Roxey Ballet will alternate the lead roles in the two performances on Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29. On Saturday, Leoannis Pupo-Gillen will dance the role of the Wolf with Aya Watanabe as the Cat, Melissa Kanaval as the Duck and Evalina Wallis Cain as the Bird. Goh Shibata will dance the Grandfather on both days.

On Sunday, Samuel Turner will dance the Wolf, Sharon Rudda the Cat, Lea Essmyer the Duck and Alicia Curtis the Bird.

Peter & the Wolf is only the first act. The second act is "Graduation Ball," a light hearted, one act comic ballet orginally choreographed in 1940 with music by Johann Strauss.

Children and families will enjoy the lively dancing and music of both stories. Themed baskets of goodies will be available for raffle in the lobby and audience members will be able to pose for photographs with dancers in costume at intermission and after each performance.

Ticket prices are $15.50 to $32.50 and are available by calling 609-397-7616 or online at www.roxeyballet.org.

*Lambertville NJ's biggest annual celebration, Shad Fest commences this weekend with live music, art and fine craft exhibitions, historic tours and more.

Press Release by:
Contact: Beth Olanoff: Roxey Ballet

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Technorati Tags: flemington, ballet, roxey ballet, lambertville, shad fest
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Flemington Artist to Hold New Show in Frenchtown

2007-04-25T07:30:00.000-04:00

The Frame Carriage Fine Art Gallery and Framing Studio in Frenchtown NJ will premier the exhibition "Beginnings: Paintings by Jonathan Rischawy", beginning May 11, 2007. The show marks the first exhibition for Rischwy's work since 1995, and begins a new phase in his art. In his new works, he features the life, nature and light of Hunterdon and Bucks counties.

Jonathan's paintings deal with the familiar images of life in Hunterdon and Bucks counties. He strives to capture the elegance and emotion of light. "The lighting in a scene is just as important as the subject matter, and in some cases can be the subject matter. Nature is a large part of my work, but I am also fascinated with man-made structures in nature, such as the century-old barn, the steel truss of a bridge spanning the Delaware, or a simple Hunterdon County farm gate. The juxtaposition of these objects in nature creates a wonderfully harmonious contrast" says Jonathan.

Mr. Rischawy obtained a Bachelors of Fine Art at New Jersey City University in Communication Design. For a number of years he worked in advertising and design firms as an Art Director. In 2001, he started Rischawy Creative Design and began publishing "Day Trips and River Towns," a shopping guide for the Delaware Valley. He is now an Adjunct Professor of Art at New Jersey City University and truly loves the experience of teaching. He plans to begin work on a Masters of Fine Art degree this fall. His artwork has been recently selected by the International Society of Acrylic Painters for their annual International Exhibition in San Luis Obispo, California.

The exhibition and sale runs from May 11th until June 30th, with an opening reception on Friday, May 11th from 6 to 10 pm. The Frame Carriage is located at 10 Bridge Street in Frenchtown, New Jersey. A preview of the show can be viewed online here @ www.painters-studio.com.

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Technorati Tags: art, art show, frenchtown, flemington,
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April 17, 2007, Delaware River Cresting at Riegelsville NJ?

2007-04-17T06:57:00.000-04:00

The first major flood on the Delaware River for the year 2007 seems to have spared us the worst this morning. The river gauge/gage at Riegelsville NJ has been showing signs in the last few hours that the river has crested just below flood stage, and a full 12 feet below our last flood of 2006.

Although there are many communities around us that have been hurt worse than we have in the current flood, Riegelsville, Upper Black Eddy, Frenchtown, Milford, Stockton, Lambertville, New Hope, Washington's Crossing, Yardley and Trenton have sustained much less damage than in the floods of the last few years.

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Technorati Tags: delaware river, flood, 2007 flood
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Best Place for Grand Romantic Weddings in NJ: NJ Botanical Gardens at Skylands Manor

2007-04-15T12:12:00.000-04:00

In our travels around the New Jersey and Pennsylvania this year, we found a fabulous forgotten treasure: The New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands Manor in Ringwood New Jersey. This incredible estate is located in a part of NJ that time, money and tourism has forgotten. We only found it online by mistake, and got lost seven times trying to find it when we drove up there.

When you see Skylands it instantly talks to you. The place has lots of stories to tell. The grandeur of the estate immediately made us think of romantic story-book weddings, and of old movies from the 1930's and 40's with grand old mansions as the backdrop to the characters' lives. Our intuition was right on target it seems because the estate is used as a site for grandeous weddings by a NJ Catering Company.

For weddings, there is a large slate topped back deck, an incredibly picturesque cherub fountain, a tree lined promenade, gardens, and of course the very English countryside manor house for elegant dinners and receptions.

The story that goes with the house is a fascinating one. The original home that existed on this estate was built by Francis Lynde Stetson. He founded the property around 1891 and built a Victorian home on the site and called the estate Skylands.

In 1922, Clarence McKenzie Lewis, an investment banker and a trustee of the New York Botanical Garden, purchased the property and built the existing 45 room Tudor-style residence shown in the photo above. Mr. Lewis collected plants and specimen plants and is responsible for the incredible plantings on the grounds.

In 1966, the State of New Jersey bought the property, making it the state's first acquisition under the Green Acres preservation initiative.

In March of 1984, Governor Thomas Kean designated 96-acres surrounding the spacious manor as New Jersey's official botanical garden. Skylands appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Skylands' gardens are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day. Entrance to the gardens is free. Skylands and the New Jersey Botanical Gardens, within Ringwood State Park, are located in Passaic County near the New York state line in one of the most beautiful areas of the entire state.

This incredible NJ Treasure is not to be missed. It makes for a great day trip from New York City, Philadelphia, New Hope or Lambertville.. Other attractions in the area are Ringwood Manor House, Ringwood State Park with hiking, biking, fishing, swimming and boating, The Long Pond Ironworks Museum, and more. Find more information on historical attractions here: Passaic County NJ Historic Attractions. Find more information about hiking trails and boating at: Ringwood State Park

Skylands and The New Jersey Botanical Gardens: One of the Best Places in NJ for Grand Romantic Weddings, and One of the Best Daytrip Destinations in Northern New Jersey.

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Technorati Tags: nj, new jersey, skylands manor, mansion, gardens, nj gardens, nj travel, NJ weddings, weddings

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The Best Sushi in NJ, One of the Best Japanese Restaurants in NJ

2007-04-15T11:40:00.000-04:00

Being the best in the restaurant business is not simply impressing the diner one time with a great meal, but delivering consistent quality day in and day out, year after year. A real star in this respect is Shiki Sushi in Flemington New Jersey.

The restaurant is owned and operated by Tim and Nancy Lin. The couple, originally from China, opened the Flemington restaurant 6 years ago. Before Shiki, the couple had a sushi concession in a Clinton NJ supermarket. The opening of their restaurant brought a refreshing change to the Flemington dining scene. The restaurant has changed a lot over the years and has undergone a complete makeover to the interior decor, but the prices have remained low and the service over the years has only gotten better.

Shiki is not a place that you would ever think about going without a recommendation. If a friend of ours had not told us, we would have never found this local treasure. This modest little restaurant is doing very well by word of mouth and a loyal local crowd that just keeps coming back. On recent nights, Shiki was twice as busy times as it was when we first started going there. Evidently a lot of people are talking about Shiki.

One of the reasons that you would never find this place is because it sits in a boring and ugly Middle American strip mall near an auto parts store and a computer shop, next to an Italian deli and a pizza parlor.

Another reason that we are recommending Shiki is the large menu that is perfect for the sushi aficionado, and their friends that cannot bear to think of eating anything more adventurous than a California roll. Shiki offers an incredible selection of fully cooked items from tempura to teriyaki.

Our recommendations from the menu include a light golden and crispy tempura appetizer of assorted fresh cut vegetables and two huge shrimp coated with panko bread crumbs for the incredibly low price of $4.75, a rich and sweet dragon roll with crispy eel, rice, creamy avocado, topped with a dark sweet soy sauce for $6.95, and a Shiki Combo Box that comes with miso soup and a garden salad with a traditional zingy carrot ginger dressing that features one of our favorites, beef negima which is fresh scallions wrapped in thinly sliced beef in a teriyaki sauce, a California roll, and shrimp tempura for $15.95.

Shiki Sushi is located at 40 Route 31 in Speedway Plaza Shopping Center across from the Flemington Elks Lodge and Kentucky Fried Chicken and next to an auto parts store. The restaurant is a BYOB, offers take out, and is open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday.

We think that Shiki Japanese Gourmet, or Shiki Sushi as we call it, has the Best Sushi in NJ, and is One of the Best Japanese Restaurants in New Jersey.

If you have been to Shiki and want to add your own comments, please hit the comments button below. If you know of a great sushi place that we have missed please feel free to tell us.

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The Best Franchise Restaurant in NJ + The Best Fried Chicken in NJ

2007-04-15T11:06:00.000-04:00

Being a native Southern Boy, I'm really picky when it comes to fried chicken and spent many years sampling the offerings in restaurants all over the Northeast and never being happy with what I got. It was always greasy, tasteless and somehow dry. What most Yankees called fried chicken, I called dead meat. I tried the dish in classic diners, fast food places, and country restaurants and it was consistently disgusting.

On the other hand, there are probably very few Americans that frequent franchise restaurants less than I do. I hate the tasteless, middle-of-the-road offerings that most franchise restaurants serve.

Then one day when I was in Trenton doing some thrift store shopping, I passed this unassuming restaurant pictured in the photo to the left. I walked in and went to the counter. One of the first things that I noticed was how well staffed the place was, and how friendly the employees were. My order was filled quickly and I sat down to eat my meal, fully expecting to be disappointed again.

What I got however was some of the best fried chicken that I had ever had. My exceptionally talented aunts in South Alabama had never made chicken this good. The chicken was spicy, hot, fresh and juicy without being the least bit greasy tasting. It was complemented perfectly with a a sweet and tasty coleslaw, a spicy red beans and rice, and luscious buttery homemade biscuits.

That was 10 years ago and I am still going back to this restaurant for more. The incredible thing about this place is that some of the employees that served me on the day I first walked in the door are still working at this establishment. Over the last decade of eating there I cannot tell you that one time have I been disappointed with the food or the service. It is the most consistent restaurant that I have ever seen in my entire life.

For these reasons, This Popeye's is, in our opinion, the Best Franchise Restaurant in New Jersey, and has The Best Fried Chicken in New Jersey. The extremely friendly manager tells me that the reason that the place serves such good food, and that it runs so well is because the franchise owner is one incredibly good man. The way he runs his business, I think he ought to be teaching seminars on how to make money with a franchise restaurant.

Whenever you are in Trenton or in Hamilton Township, be sure to drop in and try The Best Fried Chicken in New Jersey, and tell them that we sent you.

This location of Popeye's Chicken and Biscuits on Nottingham Way near I-295 and Quakerbridge Road in Trenton New Jersey.

Just one final note: The restaurant is not fancy and the building could use some renovations, but the quality of the product and the excellense of the employees makes up for it.

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Technorati Tags: franchise, franchise restaurant, chicken, fried chicken, best fried chicken
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Jaunt; A short trip or excursion, usually for pleasure; an outing

2007-04-14T01:28:00.000-04:00

I know it's a weird word, but that's why I like it so much. "A short trip for pleaure". We don't have to get in the car for that, we can all take short trips for pleasure without going anywhere, our minds can take us anywhere we want to go, if we allow them to. Do we really need substances to take us there, or will meditation, prayer or creative visualization do the trick, or are they just other substances? (just mental/spiritual substances)

We changed the name and website address of our blog this week so that we were not tied down to a town, a city, a county or a region even. We chose the word "JAUNT" because it has so many different connotations and because it hasn't been overused YET.

This blog really is about travel and tourism, even when it deals with local and regional issues those issues generally are related to tourism.

I, the writer and editor of this blog, am a dreamer and a thinker. Most of my "jaunts" are done sittng in a chair or on the step, but I am still traveling. I am envisioning other towns, other nations and other realities. My blog is about those trips for pleasure, in the physical world, and my world, the mental world which has always been more real, to me.

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Technorati Tags: jaunt, mind, trip
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Frenchtown Community Day Plans Announced

2007-04-13T10:37:00.000-04:00

The Frenchtown Lions Club is calling for artists, craftsmen, craftswomen, food vendors, and antique and vintage car enthusiasts to register for the 2007 Frenchtown Community Day and Car Show.

This year the event will be held on Saturday, August 4, with a rain date on the next day. The art and craft show spaces are $15.00 each and the entry free for the car show is $10.00. Interested parties can find out more information on our 2007 Community Day Page Here.

This small town event is truly a slice of Americana. The car show has become more and more popular every year, while the "Lions Club Grill" has always been a big hit. Along with grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, the Lions do a pit barbeque.

The day will close with fireworks at sundown.

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Technorati Tags: frenchtown, car show, art show
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The Best Restaurant in Savannah Poll

2007-04-12T20:26:00.000-04:00

In order to announce our new site feature on the Best Restaurants in Savannah, we are starting our first web poll to rank the best places to eat in Savannah.

First of all, we wanted to let you know how we arrived at our list of possible establishments. We compiled information from Yahoo Travel, 10best.com, Tripadvisor.com, Fodors.com, and Savannah Magazine online to arrive at our most popular restaurants, cafes and bistros. We chose the top 16 contenders and have included them in our poll.

We will let this poll run for as long as it takes to reach 500 votes. When this poll is finished we will run the poll again, and take into consideration any suggestions that you might have for great restaurants that we might have missed.

In the future, we will be bringing you more specialized polls for important questions like: Who has the best barbeque in Savannah? or What is the best cheap lunch in Savannah? What is the best coffee shop? etc, etc, etc.

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Technorati Tags: savannah, savannah ga, savannah restaurants, webpoll, best restaurant in savannah
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Google Makes Maps Personal: Mymaps or My Maps, Great, But...

2007-04-11T20:30:00.000-04:00

I just spent the whole day working with a new Google toy, My Maps or Personalized Google Maps.

The tool is incredible. It allows anyone to pinpoint locations with a wide array of pinpoint location icons, to draw shapes and color them in to provide better reading maps, to draw lines to demonstrate routes and directions, and to provide rich text descriptions of destinations with photos and videos.

To the left you will see a screen shot of my new Savannah Historic District map with some of our favorite spots in this beautiful city: restaurants, stores, museums and hotels.

The tool has some serious limitations however that have already been worked out on some other mapping applications that are already online. One of those web applications (based on Google Maps) is CommunityWalk.com, which allows it's users to organize destinations in categories and even to display the map by category. The personalized Google Maps do not allow this yet and it makes for some serious problems. In the map that I made today I went through and posted locations on the map as I thought of them not thinking that the order in which I listed them would be the only way they would be shown in the left-hand column list of destinations.

The other serious problem with the tool is that the creator of the map is limited to 50 points of interest on the first page of the map, and any special shaded area drawing that was done on the first page has to be done over for the second page, FROM SCRATCH! When I got to this stage today, I felt like I had just wasted an entire day.

I would love to hear from any of you who have been working with this tool, and if you have any suggestions.

You can see the map Here on The Savannah Historic District Map.

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Technorati Tags: google maps, google my maps, map tools
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Dogs on the Delaware Program Premiers for Wine Fest

2007-04-09T08:22:00.000-04:00

After many changes and delays, the Dogs on the Delaware Program will premier on May 5th and 6th for Wine and Art Weekend in Frenchtown, New Jersey.

The art program features silhouettes of pooches provided by the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association, painted and decorated by local artists, and on display throughout the Valley, along the Delaware River.

Artists and sponsors can still enter the program. For more details see: The Dogs on the Delaware Homepage.

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Technorati Tags: dogs, dog, art contest
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