Warren County Wanderings

Starting May 2, 2018

"The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May." -  Edwin Way Teale (1899-1980) American naturalist, photographer and writer

The forsythia has blossomed,  flowers are flowering, blooms are blooming - Spring's long-awaited warm weather has finally arrived! And with it, some perennials are here once again, like the carnivals in Phillipsburg and Hackettstown, the celebration of Spring with a song fest,  the run along - and for - the river, the resumption of the weekend Winery Train runs. It's the season of beginnings, with a new winery facility, but we also look back, with Blairstown History Month. But don't forget to plan ahead! See our section below with some of the places where you can celebrate Mother's Day next weekend. So read on, and Happy Wanderings!

Coming Up

Rutherfurd Hall's Bus Tour of Historical Allamuchy will take you to sites within Allamuchy that are tied to Rutherfurd Hall. Take a ride while listening to the tour guide go back in history to the time when the Rutherfurd family stayed in Allamuchy for summer vacations.

Bring the kids to a carnival sponsored by Saints Phillip & James School. There will be fun, rides, food, live music, and much more!

Buck Hill’s First Bourbon and Cigar Night on the Patio! $95 per person which includes a special 4-course dinner menu and a bourbon tasting menu featuring: Buffalo Trace, Blantons, 1792 and Eagle Rare. Special add-on tastings of EH Taylor and Wheatly Vodka.

Would you like learn how to make a macrame planter? Come by and meet fiber artist, Beth Carson, who will be teaching the fascinating craft of macrame. It’s surprisingly simple and the textural knots are fun to make. In this 2 hour workshop, you will learn how to make a macrame planter.

Welcome back the warm weather with the 26th Annual Spring Festival, held on the fields behind Centenary University on Fifth and Reese Avenues. This family favorite, free with a suggested donation for parking, features rides, live music, games, candy giveaways from the locally based Mars Wrigley Confectionary and much more.  In addition, Hackettstown Medical Center will feature a “Teddy Bear Hospital” on Saturday from 1-4pm where kids 3-6 are invited to bring their ill or injured stuffed animals to the hospital tent for care.

Join Flowerland Growers for their Mini Gardening Workshop. Get a head start on Mother's Day and create a special gift for Mom! Make an enchanting Fairy Garden that you can enjoy all year long. Bring your own special container or browse through our selection.

Children from Kindergarten to 6th Grade are invited to join Kaleidoscope Enrichment in this exciting event that encourages kids to learn the science behind the food. You will perform experiments with candy and use chemistry to create delicious treats.

Join Pequest Co-Op for this free event on the first Friday of every month. They will have a variety of things going on any First Friday. Indoor and outdoor activities like open mic, book signings, workshops, food and beverages; good times for everyone. Kid Friendly event.

Bring the family to enjoy some music and dinner at Thisilldous: Fresh, local & friendly! Open all day; dinner served 5pm-9pm with music from Karen & Jeff 6pm-9pm.

Want some Mom and Daughter time? Come to The Farm in Harmony where each person can make their own floral wreath using a wire frame, our beautiful strawflowers, ribbon, fabric and other textures. They will have a variety of frame shapes and sizes available as well as decorating options.

It's time to laugh! Join Rutherfurd Hall and watch 4 NY/NJ Comedians perform hilarious stand-up comedy. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $25 per person. There will be a cash bar, chips and salsa.

Harvey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase, is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend, Harvey -- a pooka, who is a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit.

JJ Lynch Band rocks the stage with their blues and rock 'n' roll covers and originals! Bring your family and friends. 

Have fun with Wind Up Monkey! Enjoy a night out with friends while eating some delicious food.

Join women in the celebration of female riders! This event is hosted by Garden State Girls, New Jersey, Chapter of Women of the Wind.

RALLY SCHEDULE :
Friday, 5/4
Welcome Dinner 6pm - 9pm (Host Hotel: Quality Inn 1925 State Road 57 Hackettstown, NJ )

It's opening weekend for the Winery Train! Enjoy an afternoon trip on a train to Villa Milagro for a beautiful journey along the scenic Delaware River behind New Jersey's only operating steam locomotive. Visit to one of New Jersey's most beautiful Wineries.

Join the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee (PVTC) for a hike at the Blairstown Airport. The PVTC, a Friends Organization of the Kittatinny Valley State Park, will host the hike. The length of the hike will be 4-5 miles. The trail is cinder-based which provides easy, level walking.

It's their 12th Annual Open House! Visit and look through all of their greenhouses, and plan your Spring planting with fresh new ideas and old favorities.

They've added a full line of miniature and fairy gardening products including succulents, fairy garden plants, and accessories.

Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Four Sisters Winery. Enjoy your choice of cheese quesadilla or a hard Taco. Wear fiesta fun wear and receive a special discount.

Celebrate Cino de Mayo and watch the Kentucky Derby at the Hill!

Come to the Draught House for their biggest Cinco De Mayo Party.  They will have great Mexican food specials, margarita specials, giveaways, and a live DJ all night. Be sure to come out with a few friends for a fun time!

Raise a glass of Sangria to toast the spirit of "unlikely victories" at this American (yes!

Shippen Manor Museum presents Ron Frost, professional magician and card sharp, performing an ongoing one-man show throughout the afternoon. Program is suitable for all ages, and will leave you asking, "How did he do that?" 

Relax to the sounds of The Last Thursday Band - classic and contemporary jazz, pop, blues, and rock. Admission is $15 per person which includes wine tasting or your choice of one glass of wine from the Arbor selection. The wine tasting is complimentary for Gold Club Members.

Celebrating 25 years of performances with its 2018 Springfest of Song, the Community Singers, directed by Hunter Chadeayne, perform two days in a row in two different locations, Saturday evening in Phillipsburg and Sunday afternooon in Washington. Two of the Singers’ former music directors - Karla Lake, the original conductor, and Bob Riday - serve as guest conductors at both concerts. The concert also features the Children’s Chorus of Warren County under the direction of Mariah Adams.

Phil -n- the Blanks play a variety of music from the '70s, '80s and '90s like the Police, Rush,  The Who and Led Zeppelin. Come check them out.

Come to Bea McNally's and listen to Katastrophy! Offers up a musical mix that’s sure to get the audience moving. 

Join with the Musconetcong Watershed Association and run or walk a scenic loop in the beautiful Musconetcong watershed.

Explore Ridge and Valley Conservancy's preserves by bike. Meet at the White Lake barn at 9am for a pre-ride safety check.  Departure is at 10am.

It’s that time again! Get your yoga on – and your wine/wine slushies at Brook Hollow Winery! Let the stresses of your week melt away in our outdoor pavilion yoga class overlooking beautiful, lush vineyards. The class will be beginner-friendly and open to all levels.

William's Irish Tavern hosts a monthly brunch with mimosas! 

Brought to you by It's the Talk of the Town, LLC and hosted by Brook Hollow Winery. Crafts, gifts, wine tasting, food, music, and fashion. Free admission.

Relax to the sounds of The Kathy Phillips Trio - unique blend of pop, folk, rock, and jazz. Admission is $15 per person which includes wine tasting or your choice of one glass of wine from the Arbor selection. The wine tasting is complimentary for Gold Club Members.

Warren County Community Singers celebrates 25 years of performances with its 2018 Springfest of Song. The Silver Anniversary Springfest will be held at the Grace Lutheran Churchon on Saturday and at the Washington Presbyterian Church on Sunday. Two of the Singers’ former music directors

Blairstown Historic Preservation Committee's 2018 History Month begins on Monday, May 7th by honoring our BHPC founders: former Mayor and Committeewoman the late Anita Ardia, and Blairstown's Historian the late Helen Hall.

Come to The Farm in Harmony for a therapeutic yoga class designed for Veterans and their families to attend. In the light of service, The Farm In Harmony will now be offering free yoga classes specially designed for Military Veterans and their families.

T-shirt quilts, or quilts made out of clothing of a child or loved one are one-of-a-kind projects with special meaning to family and friends. Learn the basics of taking t-shirts or other clothing and create a quilt or other project.

Continuing

Rutherfurd Hall introduces a Meditation Class with, Jean Marie of Fostering the Journey. This class will invite peace and wellness to your life. Brief lesson, silent meditation, and Q&A. $15 per class. $39 for 3 classes prepaid.

Beginning in April, RVC will offer a free weekly youth fishing program known as “Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs (HOFNOD)”. This community program offered to students, ages 12-15yrs old, will run 4/10 - 6/14 (Spring Session) and 6/19- 8/30 (Summer Session), every Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30pm-6pm.

Tony Award-winning writing team, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's, first produced show, Lucky Stiff, premiered Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons.

Come out to Bea McNally's for a fun night with DJ Nappz! 

Every Friday, come to Kathy's Kove to sing your heart out! Bring your instrument, voice, poetry, story or written word. They have the mic and amp.

Now that the warmer weather is approaching, you may be looking for something to do with family and friends for free.

Relax and unwind with some tapas, delicious drinks and some smooth sounds, featuring Live Jazz Saturdays 9:30-11:30pm.

Live Acoustic Music every Sunday! Enjoy some coffee, food and music. 

Begin Your Journey to a Better Life! Yoga Class with Delia for beginners starts at 4pm and Advanced Beginner/Intermediate 5:15-6:30pm. $91 for 7-week session or $16 per session.

Open Mic Night is available to single or duo acoustic players and vocalists. No amps, drums or bands allowed. Check their website for more details.

Community Corner

The Friends of the Phillipsburg Free Public Library is hosting their Annual Spring Book Sale. All proceeds from the sale support the Summer Reading Program and other educational and cultural enrichment programs at the library.  Thursday is an advance preview night for members.

Knowlton Fine Arts is having their end-of-the-year art show with paintings, drawings, sculpture, pottery, and more. Refreshments will be served while students and teachers offer music. This is a free event. For more information, contact Amy Lewis at 484-682-3152.

Do you have anything you are looking to get rid of?

Thanks to a program from the NJ Forest Service and the Arbor Day Foundation, the Liberty Township Environmental Commission and Girl Scout Troop 97260 will be handing out free, native tree seedlings to anyone who wants one.

Feel like celebrating spring and Cinco De Mayo with a fresh Fish Fry? Enjoy some fresh fried cod, classic french fries, homemade cole slaw along with “virgin” margaritas. There will also be homemade pies, cobblers, cakes and cookies of various sorts.