Warren County Wanderings

Starting October 7, 2020

Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness - Jane Austen (1775-1817), English novelist

Indeed they are, Ms. Austen! May we add apple crisps, cobblers, turnovers and dumplings? And cider? And apple cider donuts? Now that our mouths are watering, let's take a moment to celebrate the joys of the fall season, of which fresh, local apples and pumpkins are a delightful component. Here is a handy guide to NJ apple varieties (and other useful information). Fall fun abounds at Warren County farms and farm markets - you need not look far! Today's cover photo was lifted from Mackey's Orchard's Facebook page.

Below you will find bushels of other activities for your amusement, including a stacked “Plan ahead” section, because we may skip sending out Wanderings next week. Pork Roll Palooza III is on deck!

Happy apple picking/baking/eating, and Happy Wanderings!

Coming Up

The final concert of the summer series, with Johnny's Jukebox. Held at Shappell Park.

Are you registered to vote?  Do you have questions about how to complete your mail-in ballot?

Centenary Stage Company’s Fringe Festival kicks off  with Rent Control.

The Phillipsburg Rotary is running the Phillipsburg Rotary vs Opioid 4th Annual Golf Outing on October 9, 2020 at Green Pond Country Club, Bethlehem, PA.

Grab your friends and gather at Harkers Hollow Golf Club in the beautiful hills of Warren County for a fun day of 18 holes of golf for a great cause!

Start your weekend with wine and song - and BBQ! - on the deck at Four Sisters Winery. This week's music is by Jackie Rudy.

Visit Brook Hollow Winery and Event Facility for live music this weekend: Marty Koppel on Friday evening and Michael Long (pictured) Sunday afternoon.

Live music, weather permitting, Friday and Sunday evenings. 

Relax under the Arbor every Friday, 12-9pm  weather permitting. Seating for 2-4 people on a first come, first serve basis; groups of 5-7 must make a prior reservation.
Food available for purchase: Freshly made wood-fired pizza, caprese salad, paninis, and charcuterie.

When riding the Great Pumpkin Train, every child will be able to pick their own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. $18/adult; $12/child. Trips leave 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm.

Singer/songwriter Ava Hoffman covers popular classic and modern country, and pop music; as well as original songs she has written over the years. Her musical influences are Taylor Swift, Leanne Rimes, Sara Bareilles, and many  more.

Join in the celebration! Offering free cake and gifts as well as live music from the awesome AJ Croix and the Devil's Right Hand Band (5-8pm), food vendor ChefMeals (all day), and a special limited-run beer release. Rain date: Saturday, Oct. 24.

Relax under the Arbor (weather permitting) with with Joe Wagner Jazz Trio on Saturday and the Eric Mintel Quartet on Sunday. Foodie Alert!

Carve your own wand at this very hands-on workshop. You'll select your wood type and then use tools to carve a unique wand. For ages 10 through 110. Children aged 10-12 need an adult with them. Please register. Wood, work gloves, and tools will be supplied.

Sit in the shade of the pergola and enjoy the talent of the versatile Dave Read on Saturday (pictured) and Matt Bednarsky on Sunday. $15 cover charge includes music, wine tasting & gift glass. 
Open seating for 2-3 guests; groups of 4-6 require prepaid reservations.

Three renowned classical artists will perform traditional Indian music for this afternoon benefit. Starting with a boxed lunch from local Clove Indian Cuisine at noon followed by a two-hour concert. Reservations required.

An exceptional night of music under the stars with Riverside R&B and singer Kerry Blue. This concert will feature Gary Staples on keyboards, John Sprout on drums, Dave Antonow on bass & guitar, and Charlie Mark on sax & harmonicas.

Relax under the Arbor Saturday evenings from 6-9pm, weather permitting. Food available for purchase: Freshly made wood-fired pizza, caprese salad, paninis, and charcuterie.

The Harrisons are a high energry acoustic duo (that sounds like a trio) and performs a wide variety of music throughout the tri-state area. Instruments include: guitar, mandolin, banjo, cajon.

 Come out and enjoy great food with fun music!

Anker is a singer/songwriter from East Windsor, NJ. He Plays acoustic rock, Americana and Folk and is influenced by Collective Soul, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp. Come out and enjoy music on the deck while taking in the picturesque scenery.

The Hackettstown Business Improvement District, in partnership with WRNJ Radio, will hold the 8th Annual Scarecrow Contest, with HKTWN BID businesses displaying Scarecrows around town.

Continuing

Whether you’re lost, laughing and loving it in the six acre corn maze or picking apples or pumpkins, you’re guaranteed to make memories & enjoy your visit! Online tickets required. Activity area open 10am-5pm Thursday -Sunday.

Come see your favorite local farmers and food producers at the Blairstown Farmers Market! Open every Saturday from 9:30am-1pm, June through October. Local vegetables, herbs, fruit, meat, eggs, dairy, baked goods, honey, and prepared meals from 25 miles of Blairstown.

Fall Fun Harvest Weekends are Saturdays and Sundays through  November 1, 2020 and Columbus Day (October 12th).
Activity Hours are 10am – 5pm.
Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins and Indian corn
Pick-Your-Own Apples 

Every weekend in October, find pumpkins, hayrides, a corn maze, plus wine-tastings, and the bistro menu for your fall farm fun. The winery is open daily except Wednesdays.

Bistro Menu (available Saturday and Sunday)

Activities will run weekends through October 31:

A great Halloween display with plenty of photo opportunities. Hayrides offered on weekends, 1-5pm, $5/person includes hayride, cider and a donut. 

United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey (UACNJ) Observatory, located in Jenny Jump State Forest in Hope, NJ, continues it public programs with "An Introduction to Deep Sky Observing" presented by Bill Murray, AAAP. Reservations are required.

This new Farm Market will run every 2nd & 4th Sunday to October 25, on the beautiful grounds of Rutherfurd Hall.

This is not a traditional maze in a corn field, which can often be challenging and a good way to get lost for a bit. The 4-H clover is in a hay field, and the hay is about 12 inches high. Check it out! Free and open to the public, dawn to dusk. Off street parking in the Balloon Port.

Community Corner

A fantastic, fall road adventure throughout Warren County! Stop in at participating local businesses October 9 - 31 for a chance to WIN: $1,000 Grand Prize or $750 Runner Up!