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I am saddened by the erosion of the folklore tradition. Storytelling was a valued part of growing up in the Pinelands, a sort of poor man's Disney. The Jersey Devil was very much a part of our culture. My grandmother came to live with us when I was young. She was called Horsey Baba; Baba for...

I just came across two journal articles that match my understanding of what became of many of the Lenape (Lenopi) in South Jersey. They are still here! "After the sales of their lands in the 1600s, most Lenopi simply withdrew to areas in their collective territory, such as swamps, that were...

The community response has been wonderful. I've had more feedback from this issue than almost any other. People really treasure their trees. Beverly Nicholson, who early on recognized specimen's significance just sent a beautiful "Aura Oak"card and a jar of the most delicious South Jersey/Pine...

Back in February I checked with friends at the Delaware Geological Survey. Nothing seismic was recorded. There was no ordnance testing at Aberdeen or Wallops Island, the direction that I heard the rumble come from. That boom was heard in Mays Landing, Vineland, Elmer, Tabernacle, and Mt...

The State is moving forward on its plan turn 47 Pinelands Villages into Priority Growth Zones. Senate bill No. 2583 out of Union County (Lesniak) provides incentives for certain affordable-housing-based economic development projects (redevelopment). Low income housing and redevelopment will be...

Guy, Jeff, I’m so sorry to have missed you! As Carleton noted this was one of the largest gathering of Pinelands groupies in years. Brendan Byrne’s sense of humor shined through! We are very lucky that the ex-governor convinced McPhee’s to attend. He rarely makes public appearances. In...

OK, the Air National Guard boom was heard and felt over a ten-mile swath in central VT and NH. I'm over 300 mile away. While it may have been a sonic boom, it would be surprising if the two were related. The thundering noise rumbled for at least 15 seconds with several sharp rapports, each less...

I too heard the boom while seeding an early crop of snow peas in pots. My place is in western Atlantic County east of Vineland. An extended series of low-frequency rumbles seemed to emanate from the Delmarva Peninsula's direction. There was no ground shaking like during the earthquake. It was an...

I've always been fascinated with things astronomical. Our farm was in the southern part of the Pinelands, so we had dark sky to ponder (a treat for NJ). These strikes may be more common than some impact modelers predict. Here's a link to research I've been involved with looking into this...

Here's a link to the South Jersey Times follow up on saving the Aura oak: Another plea from a child; experts chime in. http://www.nj.com/south-jersey-voices/index.ssf/2013/02/another_plea_from_a_child_expe.html S-M

Good news! Atlantic Electric has decided on an alternate route along Whig Lane Road. The Aura oak is spared, this time. S-M

My fondest memory is when Mahalchik ran for the US House in 1974, ‘76, & ‘78 under the America First party. New Jersey Network gave him equal airtime with opponents. His battle cry was sung to a polka beat by a cute blond in a Polish dance costume accompanied by an accordion. The only words to...

Gabe, My NJ Archive set is on loan at the Township of Hamilton Historical Society, Mays Landing. While there check out two Master's theses that provide fascinating glimpses into the folklife and folklore of the May Landing area. I found them hidden away unrecorded in Rowan's library and...

Stockton’s South Jersey Culture & History Center continues to celebrate our rich cultural heritage. The latest event is titled Galloway’s Graveyard: Unearthing the History of the Boling Settlement, a little known hamlet near the school's campus. The story of Black Pinelands communities is...

It is likely that the Aura oak is one of the 1932 memorial trees listed in Penn's Woods 1682-1932: The Story of Our Penn Trees. That would be quite a distinction! At 12-feet, 6-inches circumference its overall size is about right. It has a weather-beaten patina often associated with true ancient...

As a NJ Licensed Tree Expert (#285) I’ve saved a lot of trees. However, not all old trees are worthy of conservation. Many have structural weaknesses or health issues that warrant their removal. Too often tree dignity is gone and it is best to call Dr. Kevorkian. This is not the case with the...

The 12-feet by 12-feet dimension makes it a good fit for the charcoal pit shanties I've seen. It is my understanding that colliers either carried huts on pole frames or they wheeled them to their new position. Camps were often large-scale commercial enterprises that provided provisions, livery...

The surveyor might not be so far off after all! I've heard cave used for cellar holes, and this might help explain numerous reports of Pinelands caves. According to the Oxford Dictionary the term can be used for any hollow or cavity. I was told by old-timers that when cutting wood was exhausted...

Unfortunately, our officials do not make it any easier. For example, there will be a hearing on the Atlantic County Sewer Service Area map on Thursday, February 7, 2103, at the Canale Center. The County advertised the public notice as a display ad in the Atlantic City Press, which, while not...

Since neither the Vineland Times Journal, nor the Atlantic City Press will cover this kind of material, I will relate recent backwash from Richland Village Redevelopment's mismanagement. At last night's reorganization meeting (o1/7/13), our ex-mayor and project architect was not reappointed to...