In the 17th century, King Louis XIV of France elevated the humble pea by ordering it to be placed, en masse, on the dishes served at the parties in his most elegant palace.   Tasty snow peas were being developed in Holland at about the same time Louis’ guests were rolling them around on their plates [...]

As we approach springtime, which heralds Easter, one date in February appears prominent on the Roman Catholic calendar.  That date is February 14th, known far and wide as Saint Valentine’s Day.  As the patron saint of love, youth, and happy marriages, we dedicate this day to those we love.  We honor them with bouquets of [...]

Recently, I spotted an article listing the happiest States in which to live.  The article referred to States of the Union, not states of mind … although the two do seem inextricably intertwined.   Guess what?  According to that article, good old New Jersey was very close to the bottom of the list!

As you may have [...]

“Listen, my children, and you will hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.”
 
No doubt you have heard or read the opening lines of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem concerning one of our most colorful heroes of the Revolutionary War.  Equally high is the probability that you are not familiar with the entire story of Paul [...]

How many times have you walked through a mall or a supermarket lot and spied a penny waiting to be picked up by a superstitious or thrifty individual?  Benjamin Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny earned” and rightly so, because those who turned up their noses at this noble coin did not understand [...]

I received the following in my email and found it quite interesting.  I thought others might have interest as well.

With both gas prices and the unemployment rate escalating, those who traditionally travel for recreational escape may be staying closer to home.  Thankfully, our Garden State boasts many attractions and sites for both young and old.  Take a Jersey jughandle with me now as we explore some sources of summer fun.
 
If you are a nature [...]

If “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” as Carol Channing sang in the original Broadway production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” then what is a Jersey Girl’s best friend?  Why, of course, Cape May Diamonds!
 
Ordinarily, one would expect to travel to the mines in South Africa to find these precious stones.  But, we in New Jersey [...]

Growing up in South Philadelphia during the Great Depression, I enjoyed nothing more than a Jersey Tomato, in a salad or on a sandwich or cooked, it was delicious.  The climate and soil of South Jersey was the birthplace of this wonderful fruit.  When they were harvested, they were hand picked and sent to market.
 
As time [...]

Who would ever believe elephants can be found in New Jersey?  To this writer’s knowledge, there is no zoo within the state that even houses elephants!  Yet, strange as it may seem, New Jersey is home to a very famous pachyderm, and her name is Lucy.  The final and only remaining creation of James V. Lafferty, [...]