“The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of
liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.”
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower

I haven’t done a NJ Musings post in a while. Not for any particular reason, but mainly because I hadn’t been actively searching out interesting things to do in NJ. Life gets in the way and sometimes I just enjoy being a homebody. But, every year for the last few years my family and I have been spending a few days in August celebrating my sister’s birthday at her place in Wildwood, NJ. And every year we look for fun things to do that can accommodate and entertain three generations and one person who has a deathly fear of water. Deathly fear of water means no boats, no beach, no water-focused activities at all. We could leave this person behind to go whale watching, fishing, or jet-skiing, but it just doesn’t seem right (and it’s my mother, so…).

So, every year, my sister and I look for new things to do. This year, we chose a visit to the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, which sits on the grounds of the Cape May Airport. The museum is located inside a real World War II hangar, and as it turns out, the Cape May area was a very active military area during the war, with Army, Navy, and Coast Guard bases all nearby. There is a lot of history to be read about, and even landmarks that are still visible and visitable like various lookout towers and the remnants of the S.S. Atlantus, the sunken concrete ship which is visible from right off the coast of Sunset Beach at the very tip of NJ.

The museum itself was pretty interesting. It houses a wide variety of airborne vehicles that were used in the war and the typical placards and displays that go into detail about wartime details like uniforms, what it was like in barracks, and what specific groups - like women - were doing to support the war effort. My favorite vehicle was the M.A.S.H. helicopter. I also found the training simulators and the mini-copters really interesting. These were all real machines used during the time.

But the most interesting part of the museum, in my opinion, was a traveling exhibit called “The Longest Yarn”. This was just a coincidence that this exhibit was here on the day we visited. In its own words:

”The Longest Yarn is a three-dimensional wool tapestry, knitted and crocheted by hundreds of volunteers worldwide. Created with guidance from historians, retained by the project, to be historically accurate, each scene has been selected by the creator to depict the story of this momentous day in history, each scene unique and made with care. It measures 80 meters (265 feet) and represents the 80 years since D-Day and the 80 days it took for the Allies to liberate Paris. The Longest Yarn tells the momentous story of June 6, from the build-up and launch in England through the Normandy invasion.”

In my words, it was one of the most interesting and creative exhibits I’ve seen in a long time. Each of the 80 scenes depicted was encased in its own glass enclosure, laid out in groups of 10 that wound around like an amusement park line. Each scene, which reminded me of the dioramas that we made in elementary school (do kids still do those?), and were so intricately detailed, they looked like photographs, but knitted or crocheted. I spent most of my time at the museum winding my way through the exhibit, marveling at the creativity and wondering who came up with this idea.

It also made me mad. This is the exact type of creativity and artistic effort that is funded by state and federal grants. The exact type of grants - many of which are made possible and awarded by federal agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts - that are being defunded and decommissioned by our current administration. It hurts my heart to think that similar types of creative and informative projects may wind up on the chopping block, or simply not possible at all in the near future.

After we left the museum, we met up with my cousin and her husband who are full-time residents of Cape May for “Name That Tune” trivia night at Cape May Brewery. As it turns out, my cousin works for Mark Kulkowitz, the person instrumental to bringing “The Longest Yarn” to the area. Mark and his family own popular Cape May restaurant, The Mad Batter, as well as the adjoining Carroll Villa Hotel and The Cricket Club bar and restaurant. They became involved with bringing the exhibit to the U.S. (it originated in France) as a tribute to his father, Harry Kulkowitz, who was a member of the forces that landed on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944.

I’m glad we wound up choosing the museum as one of our activities. It’s not something I normally would have chosen to do, but if we hadn’t, I would never have known about this wonderful exhibit. There’s still time to see “The Longest Yarn”, at the Aviation Museum, although not much. The exhibit closes in Cape May on September 1st, but will be making other stops in Philadelphia, Washington, DC., Virginia Beach, and Fort Campbell, in Kentucky. Interested in reading more? Here are some other links that might be of interest:

“The Longest Yarn” official website.

The NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum.

Support “The Longest Yarn”.

An great article from Cape May Magazine highlighting the exhibit, the artists, and the Kulkowitz family.

Funding for “The Longest Yarn” has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission / Department of State, and the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners through the Cape May County Division of Culture & Heritage, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners through the Cape May County Division of Culture & Heritage.

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Happy Memorial Day 2024!

I am a huge fan of many HBO shows, so when I stumbled upon the Stockton University Atlantic City Walking Tour Series while looking for fun and different things to do for this column, the “Nucky’s Empire” walk immediately caught my eye.

For those of you who may not know who Nucky is, he, “Nucky Thompson” is the lead character, a prohibition-era gangster and politician lording over Atlantic City in the HBO show “Boardwalk Empire” played with aplomb by Steve Buscemi. The real Nucky - Nucky Johnson - was a prohibition-era gangster and politician who lorded over Atlantic City in real life.

So, assuming this walking tour would be covering the combination of the show’s locations and the real place it took place in, I was sold (and for $15 it was a reasonable cost for an afternoon adventure).

The tour group had been directed to meet at the first tour stop, The Knife and Fork Inn, for our two-hour jaunt through the city. About thirty people were gathered on the corner where Atlantic and Pacific Avenues meet, waiting for our guide.

At a few minutes after noon, the crowd started to rustle a bit as we noticed a bespectacled, walking stick-bearing, seersucker-wearing gentleman crossing the street and heading towards the group. I chuckled to myself thinking that this man must really be into the show.

Turns out, all my assumptions were wrong about who the man was and about what the tour would be all about. There was no real intersection of the show and the town, and the man in seersucker was actually our guide, not a show superfan.

What followed for the next two and a half hours was a 2-mile walk through Atlantic City where our host and tour guide, Levi Fox, area historian, Stockton history professor, and Jersey Shore Tours proprietor told the story of the real Nucky, Atlantic City’s start as a health and wellness destination, its evolution into a playground for the rich and famous, its history with bootleggers and prohibition, and its famous history of organized crime and political influence.

Levi guided us through ten historical and influential spots within the city, and although the show popped in and out of the tour information, most of what he talked about was rooted in real history and real people.

Stop Number 1. The Knife and Fork Inn
One of the most distinctive buildings in the area, The Knife and Fork Inn was founded by The Commodore, (played by the sadly and recently departed Dabney Coleman) as a private club - a restaurant on the first floor and a gambling hall and bordello on the upper floors. Atlantic City not only tolerated vices of the time, but it also embraced them - a lot of times in secret parts of places like The Knife and Fork, where Nucky and his contemporaries held court. Today, it’s a venerated restaurant in the area with an old-school, historic vibe.

Stop Number 2. 1890s Mosaic
On Pacific Avenue, between Providence and Sovereign Avenues is the building that has seen multiple hotel turnovers over the years, including the Golden Nugget, the Hilton, Bally’s, and the Atlantic Club. Today it looks like it stands empty, ready for whatever redevelopment idea passes the legislature. The mosaic adorning the full city block showcases life in the 1890s and will hopefully be preserved.

Stop Number 3. The Boardwalk
One piece of information that Levi shared that was new to me was that the boardwalk was initially built as a way to keep sand out of the hotel lobbies and train cars that housed and transported visitors and guests to the seaside. The Boardwalk - first built in 1870 - became the place to be to promenade in your Sunday best, watch parades, or just stroll (or roll) down the boards. The Boardwalk features prominently in the series.

Stop Number 4. John Lennon Memorial Statue
A hidden gem on the Boardwalk can be found on the boards at the Ocean Club between Chelsea and South Montpelier Avenues. Tucked in the Ocean Realty building outdoor atrium, the 8-foot cast bronze statue “John Lennon, Guitar Player and Dreamer”, crafted by artist KC Brady in 2017, the sculpture creatively shows a treble clef when viewed from the front, and a profile of John Lennon when viewed from the side. Not really related to Nucky, but an interesting site, nonetheless. The Ocean Club is Atlantic City’s largest residential building.

Stop Number 5. The Ritz
Possibly one of the “Nuckiest” stops on the tour, the former Ritz-Carlton Atlantic City still sits in its original location on the Boardwalk at the intersection of the Boardwalk and South Iowa Avenue. In both real life and on the show, Nucky lived and conducted “business” from the hotel. The two-story residence he had custom build in the hotel is clearly visible from the Boardwalk. Today, the building is listed on New Jersey’s State Historic Preservation Office’s register of historic places and has been converted to condos. The Ritz was built in 1921 at a cost of 10 million dollars.

Stop Number 6. Boardwalk Billy’s
Prohibition didn’t stop Nucky and his Atlantic City crews from both imbibing and making lots of money. The city was a well-known “open speakeasy”, and alcohol was easily found and regulations were rarely enforced. In 2020, partially in response to the Covid pandemic, open carry laws were loosened, and alcohol was permitted to be sold and consumed in tourist areas, the Boardwalk being one of them. According to Levi, there are still two “warehouse homes” in Atlantic City that were used to smuggle in illegal alcohol through openings in their floors.

Stop Number 7. Boardwalk Hall
Probably best known as the home of the Miss America Pageant, Boardwalk Hall was built in 1929 to host a growing number of conventions and opportunities to position the city as world-renowned destination for luxury and relaxation. Today, it hosts events and performances of all types and is home to the world’s largest musical instrument, the W.W. Kimball pipe organ. Boardwalk Hall’s history is long and storied and more information can be found here and here. Its adjacent span of the Boardwalk, known as Kennedy Plaza, is an area of the boardwalk that features great ocean views, a mini-golf course, an amphitheater, and monuments showcasing important people and events that have defined the city.

Stop Number 8. Pacific Garden Monopoly Mural
Nestled on Pacific Avenue between Texas and South Bellevue Avenues is a pocket park featuring “Pacific Garden” by Shari Tobias, one of the many murals that can be found in the city. The park is an example of reclaimed space that is now used to benefit the neighborhood and the city. It is widely known that the game of Monopoly was based on Atlantic City, but was is not widely known is that Monopoly is based on a game called The Landlord’s Game created by anti-monopolist Lizzie Magie in 1903. You can read more about the history of the game here.

Stop Number 9. Civil Rights Movement Mural
On the side of the Good Dog Bar on Atlantic Avenue between South Boston and South Providence Avenues lives an expansive and eye-catching photorealistic mural featuring Fannie Lou Hamer, Muhammed Ali, and Dr. Martin Luther King. It serves as an homage to Atlantic City’s. involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and was created by artists BK Foxx and Claudio Picasso, and produced by the Create 48 initiative at the Atlantic City Arts Foundation.

Stop Number 10. World War I Memorial
Atlantic City’s World War I Memorial sits within O’Donnell Memorial Park at the entrance into the city from the Black Horse Pike at Ventnor Avenue. The bronze “Liberty in Distress” statue by Frederick W. MacMonnies is housed in a Greek-style rotunda. Built in 1922 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the statue represents Lady Liberty with a broken sword screaming to denounce the horrors of war. The names of the battles fought by Atlantic City-born soldiers is etched around the top of the rotunda.

In all, it was an informative and entertaining tour of a city I’ve visited many times, but had only scratched the surface of historically. If you liked this post, or are interested in booking one of the other tours, here are some other links that might be of interest:

Stockton University Walking Tour Series

Jersey Shore Tours

Atlantic City Experience Boardwalk Empire Facts and Fiction

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Circa 1900’s Atlantic City Boardwalk photo credit: Library of Congress.

The history of this property goes back a long way. In the late 1700s, George Washington gave (transferred, bestowed? Not sure of the proper term) this 70-acre parcel of land to one of his most loyal guards, Lieutenant John Stafford, and the property remained in the Stafford family for centuries. A working farm on-and-off over the years, in 2003 it was deemed to be a preservation site by the Land Trust of New Jersey, forever protecting the property as farm land*.

So when in the spring of 2021, the most accurate ear-to-the-ground sources of local information - of course I am taking about the neighborhood Facebook pages - started buzzing that the property had been sold, curiosity about what was going to happen hit a high pitch. Who had bought it? Was is going to be a new mall? Was it going to be apartments? Was it going to be a new racetrack? Everyone was imagining what this historic and enormous one-of-the-last-standing pieces of open space would be turned into.

What happened next was three years of building anticipation being sparked when it was announced that the new owners of the property had no intention of developing it, but had every intention of turning it back into a working farm, a winery, and a farm-to-table culinary destination. Little by little over the three years, progress was fast and easy to watch from the heavily-travelled roads that bordered the property. Old structures came down, new structures went up, certain areas were cleared, certain areas were planted, the horse track was preserved, and before the neighbors knew it, Saddlehill Winery and Vineyards had announced an opening day: April 10, 2024.

Not being able to contain my curiosity any long, I made a lunch reservation for an afternoon in early May, eager to check out the space, the ambiance, the food, and of course the wines. Although it was a bit chilly, I opted for an outdoor table. There are multiple seating area options, which is nice. There is a beautiful indoor tasting room and dining room (that I didn’t take pics of because they were both full and I didn’t want to disturb anyone’s lunch or tasting), a traditional outdoor seating area that surrounds the restaurant (complete with ceiling-set heaters and ceiling fans to accommodate finicky weather), and a picnic table area for a more laid-back visit. All the outdoor space has a great view of the property, even though you can see some traffic on the bordering roads if you look for it. The inside also has a smaller private dining room for bigger dinners and special events.

The food was great. I had the pastrami-style wings, which were dry-rubbed with pastrami spices and fried to a perfect crisp. My friend ordered the Cowboy burger, which was hearty, juicy, and delicious. We shared the house potato chips which they should consider bagging and selling.

We both chose wine flights. You can choose your own, or they have conveniently selected flights focused on white, red, or a combination. I chose my own wines and was really pleased with all of them. I don’t always care for New Jersey wines. There, I said it. We are lucky in New Jersey to have a vibrant and busting wine growing industry, and each year they get better and better. All four wines I chose were wines I would order again, especially the Cabernet.

There is so much to see at this property, I only scratched the surface, and I will be sure to return. There is the tasting room, the inside dining room, the cute retail store, the “coming soon” tours of the winemaking process and grounds, the picnic tables, the stables, and the animals and horses. There seems to be so much life at this new South Jersey destination, and I can’t wait to go back.

Even the neighborhood Facebook pages seem happy.

*This post has really compressed the history of the farm. A quick Google search of Stafford Farm in Voorhees, NJ will deliver many articles that can be read about the history, the dormancy, and the new owners.

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I am always looking for things to do and places to visit, especially when it comes to visual arts and artist studios and this space has both. Established in 2013, the Arts Garage is one of Stockton University’s group of cultural institutions and will celebrate its 10th Anniversary this November.

The garage is noted as the “cornerstone of the Arts District in Atlantic City” with a mission that promotes education, provides resources for emerging artists, and enriches the community. It is quite literally, on a corner. The corner of N. Mississippi and Fairmount Avenues, which is right in the base of the Atlantic City Expressway as you enter Atlantic City. You can’t miss it, but it’s easy to drive right by - especially if you are being lured by the sound of slot machines and rolling waves.

The garage features a combination of individual working artist studios, a workshop/event space and gift shop. Artistic mediums include painting, photography, textiles, jewelry, and more. Two big exhibition spaces at the front of the space highlight rotating shows featuring local and regional artists. You can check the exhibition schedule here. Visitors are invited to not only browse the studios, but they are also encouraged to watch work in progress, ask questions, and indulge their artistic curiosity.

In addition to the studios, the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey (AAHMSNJ) also lives in the garage. Founded by Ralph E. Hunter, Sr., the museum began with Mr. Hunter’s three decades-long personal collection of African American cultural items. One goal of the expansive collection is to initiate conversations and showcase the true African American experience. You can read more about the AAHMSNJ and its inception here.

The day I visited the garage was kind of quiet. None of the artists were working in their studios, but their doors remained open for visitors to come in and browse their work. Many had honor systems set up, or Venmo codes displayed in case someone wanted to purchase something. There were two exhibitions, one focusing on “AC Grit”, the other on portraiture.

I always find art studios fascinating. I love to see how different people set up their working areas, and I love the chance to see works-in-progress. There is something about an artist allowing others to see their process that I find so special, intimate even. Visiting an artist studio and having the chance to speak with them about their work is something that can be inspiring and awe-inducing. I highly recommend it.

So, if you’re looking for something to do after hitting a casino, a show, or the Atlantic City Outlets, stop by. You can also grab lunch from White House Subs or a treat from Formica Bakery, two Atlantic City institutions that are a block away. You’re bound to find something interesting to look at, or a conversation to be had. Their annual holiday market and gingerbread village is coming up on December 2 and 3, so it’s the perfect time to add them to your calendar.

Admission to the Arts Garage is free, and on-street and deck parking is available (sadly, not free). You can get more info about the arts garage and the Stockton University Cultural Institutions here.

© 2023 Kim Selby, All rights reserved.
All photography © Kim Selby unless otherwise credited.

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In full, we are a core group of ten. In 2020 we lost one to cancer, and over the years we’ve lost two others to Florida. The rest of us remain in the NJ/NY area. Most have kids and husbands that needed tending, but now that many of them are either already into, or moving into the empty nest phase of life, there seems to be more free time to plan get togethers that many, if not all of us can join.

Last year in September, after a long covid-related delay, we held a memorial for our lost friend in Asbury Park. The day brought us all back together (minus one who had come down with covid the week prior). It was a sad, yet celebratory day, and for many of us, the first time we felt comfortable at an indoor event for a hundred. This friend was not a peripheral part of the group. She was not only the de facto heart of the group, she was also the one who drew other friend groups together until everyone knew everyone and the friend groups pollinated new friendships across not only the college groups, but high school, work, family, beach houses, and friends she made and collected throughout her life.

We left the memorial an even tighter unit, with the scars of her loss (and covid-related isolation) cementing our resolve to make time for each other even when life got in the way. Our first post-memorial get together was scheduled pretty quickly. We spent a long weekend at one of the group’s vacation property in Tupper Lake, NY, a town tucked away in the Adirondacks, not far from Lake Placid. We hiked, shopped, cooked, drank wine, and binge-watched both seasons of Ted Lasso. It was a wonderful weekend.

So this year, when another of the group tossed out the idea of spending a long weekend at her parents’ condo in Great Gorge, NJ, we all jumped at the chance. We arrived on Friday night, our cars filled with supplies and selections of shoes. The weather looked like it was going to cooperate, and we figured we had a full selection of things to do over the next couple of days. The condo was located in Great Gorge Village, a sprawling property in Vernon Township, in Sussex County right on NJ Route 94 and about 7 miles from the NY state border. The complex includes condos (privately owned and lived in as well as vacation rentals), a hotel, a spa, a restaurant, a lovely-looking outdoor event space, and a 9-hole golf course. It’s in a great spot (even though you have to watch for bears), and perfectly situated for both outdoor enthusiasts, leaf peepers, and indoor relaxers.

We balanced the weekend with everything we like to do, and could have used a couple more days if we wanted to really take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and multitude of things to do.

We spent the day on Saturday in the adorable town of Warwick, NY, which is just a 20-minute drive from Great Gorge Village, and right over the NY state border. Shops, lots of restaurants, boutiques, very dog-friendly café, and great people watching. A couple of us even got a tarot card reading at the LightClub Curiosity Shoppe, a new establishment on Main Street. We were only in town for a couple of hours, but be could have easily spent the whole day there. Some of the other places we stopped in were Café e Dolci (for coffee and giant slices of cake), Style Counsel (bought a cute poncho), and Newhard’s (lots of useful and decorative stuff for your home).

Tip: Park at one end of town (the intersection of Church Street and Main Street is a good starting point) and do a loop down and back. Don’t forget to check out Railroad Avenue which runs parallel to Main Street and has a few other restaurants to check out.

Sunday’s big activity brought us to Pennings Farm Cidery right on the same 94 that took us into Warwick, and only nine miles from where we were staying. This place was huge and there was something for everyone. Apple picking, live music, food trucks, a farmer’s market, and ciders galore. We arrived at about 2 p.m. and the place was packed. It was a beautiful, quintessential fall day. The trees were not quite at their peak, but colorful enough to make the drive from the condo extra pretty and enjoyable.

I’ve never been a huge fan of hard ciders, but this place had something for everyone, including a selection of craft beers on tap and wines. I tried two ciders, a seasonal pumpkin version (had to…) and their Cold Crash. Both were pretty good and I would definitely try some of the others based on the two I tasted. They normally do flights that allow you to taste 4 at a time, but the day we were there is was too crowded and they weren’t offering flights. Next time, I guess.

We hung out for a couple of hours, listened to the live band for a bit, grabbed a bite at the food trucks, visited the cider barn at the top of the hill, and purchased some goodies from the indoor market (a 4-pack of the pumpkin cider and a blueberry jam). I would definitely return for more cider, more live music, even outdoor goat yoga (!) in warmer weather. Check out their very full event calendar here.

Tip: If you are thinking of trekking up the hill to the barn, consider bringing a folding chair or a backpack chair and blanked. The lawn is enormous, but seating was limited and it was very crowded that day we went.

There really is a lot to do in the area. We didn’t have time to hike or hit golf balls, but I’ll leave them on the list for next time on the list. Here are some other local places close to Great Gorge Village to consider when more time allows:

• Hiking the Appalachian Trail and Stairway to Heaven trail

• Wawayanda State Park

• Crystal Springs Resort

• Legends Riding Stables

• Treescape Aerial Adventure Park

• Skiing, golfing, and spas, oh my!

There should be a few great Fall weekends left before the snow comes and it’s time to ski. And one final tip: If you do plan a weekend away, try and find a great group like mine to do it with.

© 2022 Kim Selby. All rights reserved.
All photography © Kim Selby unless otherwise credited.

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But if the barrel is defined as a cylindrical contain bound by metal hoops, the metal hoops in this analogy represent the East-West highways that connect the waterlines of the NJ coast with the inland cities and towns. Route 70 is one of those hoops.

Route 70 is a state highway the runs nearly 60 miles across the lower middle section of the state and connects the beach towns of Ocean and Monmouth counties in the East to the suburbs of Burlington and Camden counties in the West. It ends six miles before the Ben Franklin Bridge’s entrance into Philadelphia, but fret not. When 70 ends, Route 30 is right there waiting to usher you onto the bridge.

It also runs straight through sections of the Pine Barrens, so riding this road from one side of the state to the other really touches many of the aspects of what makes up New Jersey. Is there a faster route to go from east to west (or from Cherry Hill to Neptune in my case)? Sure. You can always jump on 195, which is officially an interstate highway, but I like the meandering pace of driving along 70.

But enough about highways and state roads. I’m here to talk about one of the reasons we are called the Garden State: farm markets and farm stands. I love them. It’s one of the reasons I like to take a more scenic route, and on this stretch of highway you can find some of the best. In my area, there are a variety of weekend farmers markets: Collingswood, Haddonfield, and Haddon Heights are among the most well-known. But, they are only open on weekends mornings. There are also few that operate on Wednesdays in Haddon Township and Marlton. But what happens if you are looking for fresh veggies and other goodies on a Thursday? Don’t worry, the Garden State (and Route 70!) has you covered.

So it was on my way home from Yacht Rocking that I made a stop at two of the biggest (and I think best) family-owned farm stands around: The Corn Stop Farm Market and the Red Top Farm Market. The Corn Stop is located just a few miles off of Route 70 in Mt. Holly and is an easy detour off the main road. It serves as the public market arm of Specca Farms, which offers a variety of pick your own options at their working farm locations.

Their Facebook page provides daily updates about what is available for pick your own at which location. I haven’t done a pick you own adventure, but it is certainly on my list of things to try. Be sure to check before you head out, as weather and harvesting times affect what is available. The good news is that Corn Stop is open daily from 8am - 7pm and their selections are fresh and bountiful. I grabbed a basket and picked up a Sicilian eggplant, cherry tomatoes, garden peas, broccoli, long hot peppers, and a field tomato. They also had all kinds of peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, corn, watermelon, peaches, blueberries, local honey and more. I’ve learned to edit myself over the years when it comes to farmers markets, but it’s hard when the selections are so fresh and varied.

On my way back to 70, I couldn’t help but make a quick stop at Al’s Family Market to check it out. Although smaller, and offering fewer produce options, I did pick up two “signature” garlic bulbs that the cashier said she had planted herself. I had never seen garlic with its full stalk still intact - a smart way to present and market a sometimes-overlooked kitchen staple. I am a fan of keeping roasted garlic on hand and will definitely be roasting one of these bulbs.

The next stop on my way home was the Red Top. This market is located right on 70 West (1801 Route 70 W in Vincetown, NJ to be exact). Parking at this location can be a little tricky, as it sits right on the highway, so be careful. Red Top had a similar selection as Corn Stop but also includes a large selection of fresh flowers, plants, trees, planter, and some other specialty grocery items like fresh seafood and local cheeses and honey.

Having operated for nearly 100 years, Red Top used to supply tomatoes to Campbell’s Soup Company which is headquartered in Camden. They also host events like wine tastings and food truck events. While I was there, I picked up another field tomato (and was given two “seconds” for free when I checked out), two pints of blackberries (which were the best blackberries I’ve ever tasted), carrots, and a container of fresh mozzarella (I sometimes can’t resist it).

I debated taking a swing through the plant and tree section, but I decided to save that for another day. I’ve purchased small trees from Red Top in the past and have been happy with the quality. Note: if you are looking for plants or trees, the Green Top Market (not affiliated with Red Top as far as I can tell, but it feels like there’s a story there) is just east of Red Top. They have a similar selection of plants, but less veggies and fruits. I would call them a garden center more than a farm stand. They are a very easy two-stop trip and Green Top (1811 New Jersey 70 Southampton Township, NJ) is worth checking out.

So, get out there and explore your area’s farm stands and farmers markets. You are bound to find something new, something fresh, something beautiful, and something delicious.

© 2022 Kim Selby. All rights reserved.
All photography © Kim Selby unless otherwise credited.

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But that night at the Summer Stage was memorable in more than one way, as nights like that tend to be. That night wound up being the night of a handful of lasts, although at the time, like many lasts, I didn’t know it at the time (although too long a tale to tell today, it will be told maybe tomorrow). That summer night, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes played their hits, other bands’ hits, and I got to see Bruce sing on a cover of “Not Fade Away”, the Buddy Holly song made famous by others including another summertime favorite, The Grateful Dead.

But this night, almost three years to the day later, I had plans to return for a much looked-forward concert with many of the people I had also been with on the Bruce night. This show wasn’t Southside, it was Yacht Rock Review. Now, before you chuckle or laugh, please understand that Yacht Rock as a genre is awesome. It features many of the songs of my childhood and adolescence. Yacht Rock songs are fun, but they are also full of angst and adult topics if you listen to the lyrics. They are the songs that filled the car radios, cookouts, beach visits, and parental house parties of the 1970s and 80s. They are the songs that wired and readied my growing Gen-X brain to readily accept and connect with the full on angst of 90s grunge.

I made a bet with myself about what songs would be played which included “Brandy”, (not a fave), “Southern Cross”, (a huge fave), something from Steely Dan (yes, please), or something else attached* to Michael McDonald (Doobies, et. al.). I promised myself I would keep a setlist, but deep down knew I wouldn’t. I also made a bet with myself that the rain would hold off. I lost both. No to “Brandy”, no to “Southern Cross”, yes to Steely Dan (“My Old School” and “Peg”) and Michael McDonald, of course (“What A Fool Believes”).

The vibe at the show was exciting. There were tons of people all over the streets, even as a new variant was said to be quickly emerging. It would be the first time in two and a half years I voluntarily became part of a big crowd, and if this new variant became a real threat, it also might be the last for me for awhile, so I wanted to make the most of it. My group, along with the rest of the crowd was in a particularly festive mood. People decked out in yacht attire and captains’ hats filled the outdoor stage and aromas of hot dogs, burgers, and fried dough filled the air. A very Jersey scene.

And then, right at 7:30, the band took the stage and the crowd erupted. I had no idea that this band had such a following. They came onto the stage and took their places at the drums, guitars, bass, keyboards and horns and began to strum a tune that fellow Anchorheads (yes, that’s what they are called, and yes, I guess I am one now) immediately recognized as Hall and Oates vibey, moody, timeless story of regret, lost love, aging, and self-medication: “She’s Gone”. Everyone seemed to lose their minds.

It was fucking awesome. Don’t believe me? Here’s one of their performances.

They played for a good two hours, and some of the highlights included “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”, “Ride Like the Wind”, “Rosanna”, “One Of These Nights”, “Give Me The Night”, “Somebody’s Baby”, and the one I can’t seem to get out of my head, “Cool Change”. Little River Band FTW.

Oh, and the second bet I lost about the rain? Not once, but twice the skies opened up and dumped heavy rain on the crowd. Most people not only seemed not to care, the deluge seemed to pump people up even more. Rain ponchos were shared, captain hats were passed around, and puddles were danced in. It was a truly special night in New Jersey. Next year I’ll be sure to bring my own hat…

Want more info about Yacht Rock? Believe it or not, there’s a Masterclass and there’s always good old Wikipedia.

You can find upcoming Yacht Rock Review dates and more info about the bands here, and upcoming Summer Stage events here.

* I learned during the writing of this post (or at least Wikipedia told me) that Michael McDonald co-wrote Van Halen’s "I’ll Wait”, which appeared on Van Halen’s “1984”. Truly an impresario.

© 2022 Kim Selby. All rights reserved.
All photography © Kim Selby unless otherwise credited.

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