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Did you know…Fourth of July Facts

As July 4th is soon upon us, I wanted to share some interesting facts regarding this holiday and some of its traditions.

· The 4th of July is a national holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

· Although adopted on July 4, 1776, the signing of the Declaration of Independence wasn’t until August 2nd.

· At that time, 1776, approximately 2.5 million people lived in the thirteen colonies.

· Three Presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence, namely John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, all died on July 4th! To make things even stranger, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died within five hours of each other on the 50th anniversary of the signing in 1826! Who knew?!

· Americans consume about 150 million hot dogs on the 4th of July, luckily the day is also known as the biggest hot dog consumption day of the year!

· The first celebration of the 4th of July was 1777 in Philadelphia. It was there that fireworks were introduced and have been part of the celebration ever since.

I hope you enjoy your 4th of July…most likely with a hot dog or two! Next year will be our 250th anniversary with many years and celebrations to come!

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Affordable Housing and Walt Disney World

The lack of affordable housing is not only a local, New Jersey issue, but a national one. So much so that Walt Disney World is building its first ever affordable housing development in Central Florida.

Disney’s vision was to dedicate 80 acres of land within 20 minutes of Magic Kingdom for a new affordable housing endeavor. Late last Fall, in collaboration with real estate developer, The Michaels Organization, Disney received final approval to build 1,400 mixed income units with 1,000 of them will be deemed as affordable. This is defined as 75% of the units/houses must be made available for those earning 50-100% of the median income for a family in Orlando.

“We are invested in working together with our community to solve complex issues,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “The lack of affordable housing is affecting many people across our country, including right here in Central Florida. With this initiative, we’re lending a hand to make a real and meaningful impact in our community by tapping into the best of our company’s strengths. This is the right opportunity and the right time to take action.”

Time will tell whether this development will make a real and meaningful impact. There has been a lot of opposition to the project and many feel that the units / housing will not be truly affordable for those in need including many of Disney’s own staff. It is though nice to see one of our country’s top and beloved corporations making such a large investment in the future of Central Florida. Hopefully other corporations will take notice and implement changes in their communities as affordable housing is the solution to homelessness.

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Summertime is Festival Time

Summertime in New Jersey is the time for festivals of all kinds. Sussex County is no different and this month is the 15th annual Rock, Ribs and Ridges. It will be held on Friday June 27th and run until Sunday June 29th at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.

Rock is a reference to their extensive line-up of bands.

Ribs is just that good, ole BBQ…brisket, pulled pork and more surprises… oh my!

Ridges, I’m guessing, is the beautiful terrain of our Skylands Region and the opportunity to camp if you choose for the festival. I understand that they have after hours rock karaoke each night after the last band plays for those who can’t get enough.

Pulled directly from the Rock, Ribs & Ridges Facebook page is a recipe for ribs. They choose the low and slow route. How do you like to prepare your ribs? Tell us in the comments section below.

Smokin’ good ribs!

Here’s our no fail rib recipe that hits harder than a drum solo:

1. Rub: Brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper.

2. Wrap & Bake: 275°F for 2.5 hrs (foil wrapped, meat side down).

3. Grill & Glaze: Unwrap, brush with your fave BBQ sauce, grill 5-10 min for that sticky finish.

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NJ County Fairs Schedule 2025 

Like much of the United States, summer is the time for local, town and county fairs.  New Jersey is no different and below is the complete list of County Fairs for 2025! 

  • Atlantic County 4-H Fair – August 8th – August 9th 
  • Burlington County Farm Fair – July 22nd – July 26th 
  • Cape May County 4-H Fair – July 17th – July 19th 
  • Cumberland County Fair – July 8th – July 12th 
  • Gloucester County 4-H Fair – July 24th – July 27th 
  • Hunterdon County 4-H & Agricultural Fair – August 20th – August 24th 
  • Mercer County 4-H Fair – July 26th – July 27th 
  • Middlesex County Fair – August 5th – August 11th 
  • Monmouth County Fair – July 23rd – July 27th 
  • Morris County 4-H Fair – July 25th – July 27th 
  • NJ State Fair / Sussex County Horse and Farm Show  – August 1st – August 9th (YEAH!) 
  • Ocean County Fair – July 9th – July 13th 
  • Salem County Fair – August 4th – August 8th 
  • Somerset County 4-H Fair – August 6 – August 8th 
  • Tri-County Fair – June 12th – June 15th 
  • Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival – July 26th – August 2nd 
     

Tell us which county fair(s) do you like to attend?  What’s your favorite activity and/or food? 

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Hidden Treasures…Horticultural Edition

Those of us who are native New Jerseyians and have traveled throughout the country have heard all of the jokes about our state. What exit off the Turnpike do you live? We, who are lucky to call the northwestern part of the state home, are fully aware of the natural beauty that surrounds us, and we are nowhere near the Turnpike! Even lifetime residents of the area can stumble upon, hidden treasures, special and unique businesses that can only be found in this great state of New Jersey. Here are two of my favorites.

· Well Sweep Herb Farm – Tucked away on a rural residential road in Warren County is a family-owned business that has been around for over 50 years! They have one of the largest collections of herbs and perennials in the country with close to 2,000 varieties. If they don’t have it, it probably does not exist

· Orchard View Lavender Farm -Think you have to go to the south of France or New Mexico to see amazing fields of lavender? Think again! Down the road from Well Sweep Herb Farm is another family- owned business, they grow both English and French lavender.

So go out there and explore, maybe you too will find some hidden treasures right here in the great state of New Jersey! Please share in the comments section below.

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June is National Great Outdoors Month

Did you know that June is National Great Outdoors month. It began as a week in 1998 and later expanded to the whole month in 2004. It’s meant to remind us to connect with nature and visit and appreciate all of the beautiful public lands and its resources. Many National Forests and Parks will offer free admission during this time. To help support this month, the second Saturday in June is known as National Get Outdoors Day. Want more of a reason to go outside? Below is a list of benefits of spending time in nature.

· It encourages physical activity which can contribute to weight management and general health including lowering blood pressure and improving circulation

· Provides exposure to Vitamin D which is known to help with bone health, immune function and mood

· Speaking of mood, being outside can boost one’s endorphins which are associated with feelings of well-being and happiness

· Being outside helps promote social interactions with friends, family and maybe even people you don’t know but meet on a trail or in a park.

So, go outside, breathe some fresh air and enjoy the warm, long days of June!

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Memorial Day 2025

For many Memorial Day has become a marker for the unofficial beginning of the summer season, when many public beaches and parks open and people start “going down the shore” here in New Jersey. But let’s not forget that Memorial Day is a day of honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving our country in the United States Armed Forces. Here are some facts regarding this holiday.

· It was formerly known as Decoration Day, named that because mourners decorated the graves of those who died with flowers and flags

· The first Decoration Day was held at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30th , 1868

· Initially it was a day to honor soldiers who died during the Civil War. After the first World War the holiday was extended to include all members of the armed forces who died while serving

· Memorial Day was held on May 30th until 1971. Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 and the change went into effect three years later

So, while you may be enjoying the day as the start of the summer season, although many Memorial Days are quite cold and raw, remember the original and true reason why the day is observed.

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Did You Know…Perfect Square Year

Have you ever heard of a perfect square year? Me, either. Well, 2025 is in fact a perfect square year! Perfect square years are defined as the square of a whole number, times tables anyone? Forty-five times forty-five or forty-five squared is 2025! I know what you are thinking…so what? Well the last time we had a square year was 1936 and the next one won’t be until 2116. Other square years were 1849, 1600 and 1225. Some believe that square years hold some kind of spiritual significance.

Here’s a list of some notable events in past square years.

· In 1936 (44 x 44), included the Bay Bridge opening in San Francisco, President Franklin Roosevelt’s reelection, and the birth of Pope Francis.

· In 1849 (43 x 43): included the California Gold Rush, the ratification of the California Constitution, and Zachary Taylor becoming the 12th U.S. president.

Time will tell what 2025 will be known for, let’s try to make it a great year since the next perfect square will occur past our lifetimes.

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May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949, May is known as Mental Health Awareness month meant to promote mental health and reduce stigma. The color associated with mental health is green which happens to be my favorite color. This color represents hope, renewal and support.

There are three C’s of mental health used mostly in cognitive therapy

· Catching: identifying the thoughts most associated with negative emotions

· Checking: questioning the validity of the thought and considering an alternative

· Changing: replacing one’s negative emotion with a more balanced and positive one

How can you change your negative emotions?

· Reframe the thought

· Practice affirmations

· Focus on solutions

Remember to be kind to yourself and to others, this month and throughout the year.

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Did You Know…Cold Water Plunging

In recent years, cold water plunging has increased in popularity. We’ve gone beyond the “Polar Bear Club”, where you’d see on the news a group of people running into the ocean for a good cause. What is it exactly? The activity is defined as submerging yourself in water that is below 60 degrees for a short period of time. It’s touted for helping to reduce stress and inflammation as well as improve circulation and better sleep. However, it is not for everybody, and you should consult with a doctor before giving it a try. Some other basic safety tips: start slowly at 30 seconds to a minute, never do it alone and always listen to your body.

Recently there was a survey of the best places in the United States to do a cold water plunge. One made it on the list and it is right in our backyard! The Delaware Water Gap, Icy River Experience in Warren County was #13 out of 100! Number 1 on the list is not very far at Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York. Also, #100 on the list is Lake Wallenpaupack, Deep Chill Reservoir Plunge in Pike and Wayne Counties, Pennsylvania.

Cold water plunging is definitely not for me but many swear by it. Early Spring, is the time of the year where if you want to take the plunge there are a few options nearby that are the best in the United States!

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