2025 Blog Posts

I know that I don’t have to tell you about the sinkhole(s) debacle we dealt with for the better part of this year. I did not travel South on Route 15 during that time. There have also been delays and re-routing of traffic due to numerous bridge repairs along the same route! The past few years have been trying for those of us who need to use this vital corridor.

I am pleased though to say that New Jersey, namely Rutgers, is at the forefront of evaluating the condition and safety of our bridges. The BEAST (Bridge Evaluation and Accelerated Structural Testing Facility) developed by Rutgers’ Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) is taking on this mission. From an article published by CAIT, “the BEAST is the only full-scale bridge laboratory that highly compresses the time it takes to gather critical data on how extreme weather and heavy traffic affect the structural integrity of bridge superstructures. In just one year, the BEAST creates a decade’s worth of real-world wear and tear, according to Rutgers professor of civil engineering Nenad Gucunski.” The BEAST does this by simulating numerous levels of traffic and varying weather patterns and temperatures to help develop new materials and methods for repair. Most recently they determined a better ultra-performance concrete that is being piloted in several New Jersey counties.

New Jersey is home to 6,800 bridges with 410 classified as structurally deficient according to data compiled from the Federal Highway Administration. Hopefully with continued use of the BEAST and dollars being allocated towards infrastructure our bridges will be better and stronger for many years to come.

In a previous blog post I mentioned that The Revolutionary War began on April 19th, 1775. I recently saw a news article which talked about this year being the 250th anniversary of undoubtedly the most pivotal point in our history. It all began with Paul Revere hanging two lights in the Old North Church in Boston, warning the troops that the British were coming by sea…a reference to “one if by land, two if by sea”.

On April 24th, 1775, news reached New Jersey of the events that had taken place in Massachusetts. To celebrate this time in New Jersey’s history, the RevolutionNJ 250 State Committee has asked communities across the state to host “2 Lights” night events this year.

The website Crossroads of the American Revolution states that New Jersey was the most important colony in the American Revolution. Here are some of the notable reasons why.

· “Strategically located between New York City and Philadelphia, New Jersey saw more revolutionary action and activity, over a longer period of time, than any other colony.

· New Jersey was the place where the most important moment of the war, ‘the Turning Point of the Revolution,’ took place. It was here at Christmastime in 1776 where Washington crossed the Delaware, and over ‘Ten Crucial Days,’ won two battles in Trenton and a third in Princeton, and saved the Revolution.

· George Washington spent one-quarter of his time as General leading troops in New Jersey. We can truly say, “Washington slept here,” more than in any other state.”

You heard me, I’m here to inform you of some fashion trends this summer! Last year I wrote about the increasing popularity of pickles, well an offshoot of that is one of the summer color trends this year is dill green. Think of it as a soft earthy color of green with a touch of yellow…kind of like a cucumber or a pickle! Pinterest’s Summer 2025 Trend Report highlights dill green as a must-have shade, joining other food-inspired colors like cherry red and butter yellow.

When you need to accessorize your dill green attire, what better than with the second summer trend of summer, fish jewelry and accessories. Yes, some say that the “Sardine Girl” is trending. Everyone is writing about it from InStyle to Cosmopolitan and Who, What Wear. So, what is it exactly? According to the website Green Wedding Shoes, they define it as, “embracing the humble charm of sardines through playful prints, tin-inspired accessories and the effortlessly chic Mediterranean coastal aesthetic.” I’m not sure of the charm of sardines. On hot summer days my mom would prepare a cold salad, kind of like a cobb salad but with sardines! Only she and my dad would eat it – I can’t imagine eating a whole fish like that skin, bones and all! Not very charming.

Well, perhaps you’ve heard about these trends here first. I always say whatever you decide to wear, you need to be comfortable in it. If you can “work it” others will buy into it. Stay tuned, I hear fall’s fashion trend is “frantic but fabulous”!

It’s mid summer here in New Jersey and so is the weather. Very hot and humid the air you can wear as some local meteorologists like to say. But what exactly is extreme heat and how does it impact our most vulnerable citizens namely the unsheltered?

Extreme heat is defined as outside of the norm, think of the term heat wave defined as 90 degree or more consecutive days. Heat Hub NJ states, “In New Jersey, heat waves are predicted to become more frequent with estimates that the average number of heat waves could quadruple (1.1 to 3.8 per year) by 2050.” Heat puts a toll on your body and if the night time temperatures stay above 80 degrees it does not allow your body to recover from the heat stress of the day. We all know how we feel the 2nd or 3rd day of a heat wave…the cumulative effect of the heat is quite noticeable and dramatic.

Outside of the obvious of not having adequate relief from the weather, many experiencing homelessness also have other conditions which may only worsen from exposure to extreme heat including physical disabilities, chronic health conditions and mental illness. Lack of clean running water for hydration and proper refrigeration can cause food to spoil and harbor food born illnesses sometimes resulting in a visit to the emergency room.

Want to learn more about extreme heat? The state of New Jersey developed a digital resource, Heat Hub NJ, https://heat-hub-new-jersey-njdep.hub.arcgis.com/. Click on the link to learn more and to find resources to help those suffering from extreme heat.

Once again, Family Promise of Sussex County (FPSC) is proud to be a part of the New Jersey State Fair also known as the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show. The fair starts the first weekend of August and runs for ten days with the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta playing as host. It is the state’s largest agricultural fair with approximately a little under a quarter million attending annually!

There are many free activities and events with paid admission including:

· Hot Dog Pig Races – personal favorite

· Join The Circus – where children can participate

· Performing Arts Tent – featuring Battle of The Bands and The Nerds – glad to see they are still around…I remember them for the early ’90’s?!

· Tractor Pulls and Lumber Jack & Jills Competition

Please stop by our tent and learn about the programs and services that FPSC provides to local families and individuals – see what fun craft we have planned on Children’s Day. We will also be selling $50 raffle tickets for a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in a three hour clay shoot at Hudson Farm Club with a Griffin & Howe instructor for you and three of your friends valued at $1740! Let’s help each other in helping our neighbors and friends.

Historic markers, you’ve seen them around, those metal often embossed signs which commemorate a person, place or event with some significance. Did you know there are over 195,000 across the United States! Sussex County began a historic marker program in 2000 and since then 32 have been fabricated and installed. Below is a short list pulled from the Sussex County website of local historic markers that stood out to me.

Byram Township – perhaps one of the more controversial markers.

CAT SWAMP HIJACKING AND MURDER (2009)

Placed in 2009, this marker is located at milepost 100.2 Route 206 South in Byram Township near the site of the Cat Swamp Hijacking and Murder.

“In this area, on Cat Swamp Hill in Byram Township, at about 6:00 a.m. on June 14, 1921, the Sussex Print Silk truck was hijacked. Albert Koster drove onto the scene on his motorcycle, was mistaken for a state trooper, and murdered. The gang escaped with $11,000 of bolt silk. Through the work of Franklin Police Chief Herbert C. Irons, the killers were eventually captured. County Sheriff Linus Littell and Prosecutor Lewis Van Blarcon persevered through two years of trials to obtain convictions of the thieves, two of whom were executed for the murder.”

Franklin Boro

DR. SAMUEL FOWLER

This marker, signifying the contributions to local history of Dr. Samuel Fowler, was located on Sussex County Route 631, North Church Road in Franklin Borough in the year 2004.

“Dr. Samuel Fowler, born in Newburgh, NY, and came first to Hamburg after medical studies in Philadelphia. He established mills, a blacksmith shop, tannery, and a furnace to process ores from mines owned in Franklin Furnace. He became a noted and respected mineralogist and developed early industrial uses for zinc ore. He discovered the rare mineral Franklinite and its fluorescent qualities that made Franklin minerals famous. He was esteemed as one of the leading scientists in the United States.”

Hardyston Township

SNUFFTOWN – STOCKHOLM

Placed 2008. Settled c.1750. Named from early inhabitants’ fondness of snuff tobacco or perhaps because “snuff” was a euphemism for liquor. Windham, Stockholm and other important forges produced iron goods. Paterson & Hamburg Turnpike (organized here 1806) brought trade and hotels. New Jersey Midland Railroad (1873) took “Stockholm” (originally a hamlet one mile eastward) for its station name, which gradually replaced “Snufftown”. (1826) is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Stockholm School, later Municipal Building (1882) is another landmark.

Wantage Township

LUSSCROFT

This marker, signifying the historical importance of the Lusscroft Farm in Sussex County, was placed in the year 2006. This marker is located at the entrance to the former Lusscroft Farm on Sussex County Route 519 in Wantage Township between Beemerville and Colesville.

“Enos Brink farmed these foothills at the head of the West Branch of the Papakating Creek from 1835 to 1871. James Turner (1859-1939), of Montclair, retired executive of Arbuckle Brothers, a NY coffee and sugar company, built Lusscroft between 1919 and 1930. He donated 1,050 acres in 1931 to create the North Jersey Dairy Branch of the NJ Agriculture Experiment Station, which operated until 1970. Research in artificial insemination and genetic improvements to dairy cattle, grassland farming and ensilage, and improved nutritional values in food and feed yielded lasting benefits of worldwide impact. The 4-H Outdoor Education Center occupied the farm from 1973 to 1996.”

Where do you think the next Sussex County historic marker should be placed?

Warmer months mean time for garage sales. Newton is holding their town-wide garage sale July 18th – July 20th. Those of you like me who enjoy watching Antiques Roadshow or wish they could be the one to find the missing Picasso or Renoir will stop by and take a look, especially if the house looks interesting. Often times, sadly now, more often than not, I can do a slow drive by and know that I will not find anything. However, for those with younger children it can be a good place to find clothes, toys and sporting equipment. Want some more “pro-tips”….see below.

· Probably #1 for both the seller and the buyer – be polite and respectful of one another. For the buyer, don’t forget you are being welcomed into someone’s home, personal space.

· If you are holding a garage sale, make sure you have the proper permits for your community and advertise.

· Saturdays are usually busier than Sundays and one should start the sale early and end by mid afternoon.

· While the early bird, gets first dibs…at the end of the sale you can score some better deals as the seller does not want to have to lug their possessions back inside.

· For buyers, bring cash and smaller bills, ones and fives and the seller should have a mix of currency to make change.

· Both sides need to understand that negotiating is going to happen. For buyers interested in several items, offer one price for the lot. It’s acceptable to ask is this your best price.

Happy garage saling…it’s an opportunity for the sellers to declutter their home and make a little extra money and for the buyers to go home with something they never knew they needed until they saw it at a garage sale!

Did you know that right here in Sussex County is one of the country’s top and some say most luxurious sporting / gun clubs in the country! Hudson Farm Club is a private club with over 4,000 acres covering Hopatcong, Byram and Andover. On the grounds you can find the retail showroom of Griffin & Howe an American firearm manufacturer since 1923, with a prestigious shooting academy.

Hudson Farm Club is known for giving back to the community and they have generously donated to Family Promise of Sussex County a three hour sporting clay course for four with a Griffin & Howe instructor. The package also includes lunch, ammunition, targets and rentals and is valued at $1,740! We will be raffling off this once in a lifetime opportunity at our Open House on September 9th. Tickets for the raffle are $50 and the winner does not need to be present at our Open House to win.

Proceeds from the raffle will help support our Housing Hope transitional housing program as well as other programs that are much needed in our community. With the uncertainty of many government funded programs it is more crucial than ever to support your local non-profits, who in turn, are giving right back to local families and individuals in need. Interested? Please reach out to Vicki at vsadiwnyk@familypromisesussex.og or 973-579-1180 for tickets and thank you!

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!

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.