Author: Tom Wilk
Grand Old Flag-Maker
December 8, 2008
When Barack Obama makes history by becoming the 44th president of the United States on January 20, Annin & Company of Roseland will make history of its own.
Seen in: Jersey Living
Best Of Jersey: Woody Guthrie
March 10, 2008
Woody Guthrie’s live show at the Newark YM-YWHA in 1949 wasn’t supposed to be a big deal. The great folk troubador’s wife, Marjorie Mazia, taught dance at the Y and helped arrange for her husband to perform there. She served as emcee. About 25 people showed up. One of them was a Rutgers student and recording hobbyist named Paul Braverman, who captured the 74-minute show on a wire recorder, a forerunner of the tape recorder.
Seen in: Best Of Jersey
Rent-a-Garden
February 20, 2008
Gloucester County College was built on 250 acres of fertile Deptford farmland and now the tradition lives on with the school’s Community Gardens program.
Seen in: Home & Garden, Jersey Living
Would You Prefer Your Muskrat Broiled or Fried?
February 8, 2008
Muskrat, anyone? The aquatic rodent may not be considered haute cuisine in the citadels of fine dining, but it was scheduled to be the main course when the Lower Alloways Creek Fire Company held its annual muskrat dinner last month.
Seen in: Eat & Drink, Jersey Living
Weed All About It
February 6, 2008
For years, homeowners everywhere have cursed the dandelion for its pesky work-inducing, lawn-ruining tendencies—well, almost everywhere.
Seen in: Home & Garden, Jersey Living
American Idol
February 5, 2008
Mel Prussack got hooked on Bob Dylan after seeing him perform “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” in 1965. The song was featured on Dylan’s album Bringing It All Back Home, and ever since, Prussack has been bringing Dylan-related memorabilia back to his home in Old Bridge.
Seen in: Jersey Celebrities, Jersey Living
In Praise of the Polka
February 4, 2008
Like the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano in California every spring, polka lovers flock to Wildwood every summer for the annual Polka Spree by the Sea (polkaspree.com).
Seen in: Jersey Living
Tramps Like Them
January 29, 2008
As a musical group, the Original Hobo Band is known as much for its colorfully mismatched uniforms as for its lively performances.
Seen in: Jersey Celebrities, Jersey Living
Wiggle Room
January 16, 2008
The ground looks different to one who walks barefoot. “I watch out for black dots and pink dots,” says Ron Blechner, speaking of sidewalks.
Seen in: Jersey Living
In the Red
December 20, 2007
Overshadowed by the Garden State’s more iconic crops, cranberries often don’t get their due until Thanksgiving. How many New Jerseyans know that their state ranks third in cranberry production, behind only Wisconsin and Massachusetts?
Seen in: Jersey Living