Warren County Wanderings

Starting September 11, 2019

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” - Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in 2002 (photo of the Patriot Day ceremony last Sunday at Warren County 9-11/Emergency Services Memorial)

As we take a moment to pause and reflect on this somber anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the quote above resonates. Time is precious, and we should spend it wisely. If you choose to spend some of it exploring Warren County, below you will find something for everyone, including a few unique festivals. Summer is not over yet - neither officially, nor in our hearts - so we encourage you to embrace the outdoors in any way you wish.

A warm welcome to all new Wanderers who popped in the Explore Warren tent at Victorian Days last weekend. Happy Wanderings!

Coming Up

You may have heard the saying - "Children should be seen and not heard." What happens when they can't be seen? They get into the maze for free! The maze is open Wednesday through Sunday each week, but each Wednesday through Nov.

Fun on the Farm with Sunflowers! Join professional artist and instructor, Gina of Art Decanted, and the Donaldson Farms staff for a fun, creative and educational evening of everything sunflowers! Paint a sunflower design on a 10" x 10" wooden plaque for your home or to give a gift.

Need to do some stretching? Yoga teacher Kate McGuinness leads gentle stretching exercises and meditation at White Lake. One time $20 donation entitles you to participate in all four scheduled classes.

Welcome in the fall season with a handmade Autumn Planter. Choose from fall mums, millet, coleus, ornamental peppers, pansies, celosia and many other seasonal annuals. Add in a pumpkin or gourd for a festive accent!

Celebrate the new FRIDAY THE 13TH MUSEUM! They will have an Official Ribbon Slashing Ceremony at 11am, and the doors will open soon afterwards.

The Blairstown Museum proudly presents the premiere of Friday the 13th: Vengeance at Roy's Hall! Choose from two show times, plus every ticket holder will also experience a Meet & Greet with C.J.

Annual fall open green house at Wild Ridge Plants. A great selection of native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs will be available. Many species are have a deep cultural history – with edible and medicinal uses.

In 1979 filmmaker Sean S. Cunningham chose the area in and around scenic Blairstown as the location to film his low budget horror flick. When the movie debuted on May 9, 1980 it started a genre of filmmaking that has remained popular ever since. Celebrate this cult classic with screenings at Roy's Hall, which makes a cameo appearence in the movie.

Unwind from the week and relax under the arbor enjoying great wine, food, and music. Starting at noon, on-site Chef Anthony Fiore will have the following culinary treats available for purchase: freshly made wood-fired Pizza, Caprese Salad, Paninis, and Charcuterie.

Enjoy listening to Kyle Baker. Wine is available for purchase by the glass or bottle.

The Bobby Clark Band will be performing live on the patio.

A jazz pianist, composer, and a highly skilled and versatile artist, David Leonhardt's professional experience includes TV, radio, concerts, festivals, night clubs & stage shows. Meanwhile, Nancy Reed is a consummate professional, performing worldwide as a singer and bassist.

The Brian Molnar Band featuring Harry and Bob Noble will play their mixture of folk, classic rock and original tunes. The Noble brothers, natives of Vienna, NJ, play St. Luke’s nearly every year either as a family or with other musicians. Molnar has played the church with them in the past.

Come on out for a pre-festival kickoff party with The Dirty Blondes.  Start the Festival weekend with a super great time! A five-piece Rock Band based in North Jersey, with a Classic Rock repertoire as eclectic as its members.

Come join us for some cool, relaxed, unpredictable music. Food and drink specials will be offered as well.

Part of MWA’s adult camp program, wilderness survival skills can be relevant to anyone visiting New Jersey’s local parks and preserves, many of which are unattended and have large expanses of remote forest.

Join us for a seed saving workshop where you will spend the time collecting seed from the field for use in the 2020 season, processing kale seed, and tomato seed to name a few. There will be plenty of time for discussion.

Do you need some time to relax? Yoga teacher Kate McGuinness leads a 30-minute meditation walk through the forest and learn the basics of walking meditation. Free to all. Meet at the White Barn parking lot of White Lake.

Millbrook Village comes alive with the sights, sounds and smells of country life in an earlier time, as costumed volunteers and park staff demonstrate 19th century trades, crafts, and home and garden chores. The festival also features old-time children’s games and live, traditional music. Food for purchase will not be available this year, but there will be plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic lunch that your bring. Free parking and shuttle service are available.

As the growing season winds down, nature saves some of her most beautiful wildflowers for last, Monarchs and many birds are departing for points south, and other butterflies and insects are still busy living their brief, colorful lives to the full.

By gaining an understanding of the reproductive cycle we are able to nourish and support ourselves through both the reproductive and peri-menopausal years. This also results in a smoother menopausal phase.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Warren County hosts an Agripalooza/Tractorcade at the historic Farmstead. Celebrate local agriculture with a Tractor Parade (starting 9am), tack sale, workshops and demonstrations, live animals, agricultural displays, live music and The Angry Chouriço BBQ food truck on site. Free admission!

As part of the excitement surrounding Hope's 250th Anniversary celebration, Hope Junctions Antiques offers a weekend clock clinic with resident clock expert, Stan Hands.

Northwest Jersey's largest street and music festival is back in Downtown Washington, with live music, vendors, kids fun area, food, beer garden, and more! Featuring national headliners Slambovian Circus of Dreams (pictured) and Yarn, and annual favorites JerZgirls and Southbound. Some of the other great acts include Trevor B. Power Band, The Emulators, The Bassboards, and Bulldog Mack Band. Festival in the Borough is free to attend and includes plenty of free parking. This event takes place rain or shine.

Join Kerry Adams, a practicing herbalist for 45 years, as she covers techniques for using botanical water therapies to prevent and treat illness at home. She will cover hydrotherapy, inhalations, steams, baths, washes, whole body, or hand and foot baths. Learn more about Kerry here.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Bob Lanza is one you don't want to miss.  Wood-fired pizza, estate premium wine, and music will be available. Admission is as follows: ESTATE - $15 per person, flight of eight wines from our primary production and estate cuvées and music.

Come enjoy free live music with family, friends, and delicious wines! 

Pack a lunch, bring food to grill, carry a lawn chair or blanket, or grab a table and chair under the pergola to enjoy the Music at Milagro series. 

 

Join us for a moonlight paddle under the Harvest Moon on the placid waters of White Lake. The park will remain open during these hours for other park activities. Reservations required for use of a free RVC kayak.

One of the nearly forgotten heroes of the northeastern folk rock scene, once so prevalent in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Jon Pousette-Dart mined the same musical environs as America, Poco, Crosby Stills & Nash, Orleans and other college campus favorites of that once gilded era. Jon Pousette-Dart possesses a gilded tenor and a smooth hand on the guitar. Get tickets now!

7 North, a Lehigh Valley band covering classic rock hits of the '60s through today, returns to Rock Creek.

Come on out to the Draught House and see The Amish Outlaws! Tickets are on sale for $15. Call 908-223-1226 or stop on by.

Join us after the festival for Duo-Nova, Supernova's acoustic duo! They go on at 10pm, right after the last band finishes outside. They're always a great show!

Artists, Crafters, Vendors, Delicious Food, Kids' Rides, Games, Live Bands, DJ, Dance and Martial Arts Performances & much more for the Entire Family! Free admission, too!


 

 

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the deck at Four Sisters Winery with fine wine and Genevieve, an acoustic soul, pop country, folk and blues singer/songwriter.

Relax to the sounds of The Kathy Phillips Trio - unique blend of pop, folk, rock, and jazz. Wood-fired pizza, estate premium wine, and music will be available. Admission is as follows: ESTATE - $15 per person, flight of eight wines from our primary production and estate cuvées and music.

Enjoy free live music with family, friends, and delicious wines!

Join Patrick of Well-Sweep Herb Farm for a delicious afternoon tea. Enjoy samples of his favorite fresh-cut herbal teas, from common to unusual, as he lectures on their health benefits and lore. Windowsill and garden growing tips will be covered as well as harvesting, drying and brewing.

What a great way to spend the last of the summer Sundays. Stop in as you’re wandering around in your car or on you motorcycle.  

The murders continue at Four Sisters Winery! An unraveling plot, a victim, a murderer, and a cast of characters -including detectives - are selected and the mayhem begins. Through the process, great fun and a twisted story line leaves everyone guessing.

Held in the parking lot along Moore Street, between Stella G’s and the firehouse, Hackettstown BID's 6th Annual Autumn Lamplight Dinner is a 21+ event that transforms the area into a magical outdoor courtyard, with guests sampling culinary specialties from Hackettstown restaurants representing di

Wild Ridge Plants has partnered with Ridge and Valley Conservancy to offer a one day drop off of pre-orders of their native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs grown in an organic potting mix.

Genesis Farm welcomes everyone to participate in a seed saving workshop collecting seed from the field for use in the 2023 season, processing kale seed, and tomato seed to name a few.

Genesis Farm welcomes everyone to participate in a seed saving workshop collecting seed from the field for use in the 2024 season, processing kale seed, and tomato seed to name a few. Leave with enthusiasm and confidence to practice seed saving on your own.

Continuing

The Farmers’ Market offers quality fruits and vegetables as well as specialty items with special events throughout the season. The weekly farmers’ market takes place every Saturday through the end of October, from 10am-2pm.

Join certified Yoga Teacher Kate McGuiness for a one hour, all levels Hatha Yoga class. All levels of experience are welcome. Wear comfortable clothing, bring water and a yoga mat. 

Saturday evenings between April and October 2019, the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey (UACNJ) Observatory, located in Jenny Jump State Forest in Hope, NJ will be open.

Community Corner

Warren County's semiannual Paper Shredding event is a free service to Warren County residents (not for businesses, and proof of residency required). Bring your confidential/sensitive paper materials; any document that contains personal exclusive information.  Please limit the quantity to 4 bags or boxes weighing no more than 20 lbs. each. Staff will be available to unload documents.

Phillipsburg Rotary Club's annual Golf Tournament includes a Shotgun Scramble 18 holes of Golf with a beverage and snack at the turn, plus carts, prizes, luncheon, and awards. Held at the Green Pond Country Club, Bethlehem, PA.