Fosterfields Living Historical Farm to Participate in 3rd Annual Local Harvest: Farms, Food, & Family

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ -   Fosterfields Living Historical Farm brings a sampling of its early 20th century farm life heritage, sustainable farming practices, and information about heritage breeds to visitors attending the 3rd Annual Local Harvest: Farms, Food, & Family on Saturday, February 12, (snow date: February 13) from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Center, 300 Mendham Road, Morris Township, NJ. (Donations at the door are appreciated.

The event is sponsored by the Northern New Jersey Chapter of Slow Food, in partnership with the Morris County Park Commission. Visitors to the event may meet local farmers and food artisans, and sample and/or purchase various products while learning about supporting community-based agriculture. Additional parking will be available at Fosterfields where free shuttle buses will be available to transport visitors to and from the Cultural Center.

“We are thrilled to be a part of Slow Food’s important initiative to support sustainable agriculture by encouraging people to purchase their foodstuffs from local farmers and food artisans,” said Mark Texel, Director of Historic Sites, Morris County Park Commission. “This event gives Fosterfields the chance to make connections between its historic methods of growing vegetables, fruits, grains, and raising livestock in sustainable and humane ways with this time of renewed awareness in healthy eating and environmentally and ethically responsible farming practices.”

Additional displays about northern New Jersey’s agricultural past will be offered by the Morris County Historical Society. Visitors to the event can purchase seasonal vegetables and fruit, grass-fed and finished beef and pork, sustainably raised poultry, eggs, cheeses, breads, teas, and prepared foods from local growers and producers while learning about community-supported agriculture. They may also find out how to purchase seasonal farm shares at Genesis Farm in Blairstown, NJ, and Rogowski Farm in Warwick, NY. Participants in the event include Bob-O-Link Dairy and Bakeyard, Valley Shepherd Creamery, Appleridge Farm, and Best Fruit Farm. Also participating will be Arthur & Friends, an entrepreneurial training program for adults with disabilities, which sells locally grown organic, hydroponic greens.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ, 07960, reopens on Saturday, April 2, 2011. For more information about Fosterfields, please call 973-326-7645 or visit www.morrisparks.net.

For more information about the 3rd Annual Local Harvest: Farms, Food, & Family event, visit www.slowfoodnnj.org, or contact Margaret Noon at 908-654-3242; slowfoodnnj@yahoo.com.

For snow closing information, call 973-326-7645. 

New Art Classes at Community Children’s Museum in February

Sometimes it is too darn cold for the children to play outside. So here is a great indoor program:

The Community Children’s Museum is now offering creative and fun art classes for children K-2nd grade and for Preschoolers 3-5 years old starting in February at 77 East Blackwell St., Dover, NJ. The enthusiasm and knowledge of Courtney Maxwell, a Masters in Art Education, will inspire and excite the children for both classes. The Art Exploration Class for Kg-2nd graders will be held on Monday’s from 4-5pm and will have the children experimenting with paper making, print making, clay work and painting. At the end of the class they can display their great works of art in a group show at the museum’s art gallery. This process oriented, after school art class will bring Art Play back into children’s lives.  A child can sign up for just one class at $12 or the four classes to receive the discount rate of $43.  It is mandatory to pre register for each class. Parents can stay or drop off their child.

Preschoolers 3-5 years old will love this other kind of story time where they become the characters in the book. The class will focus on one story and the children will make the simple props and costumes for the telling of the story on the last day of class for the parents/caregivers. This imaginative program will be held on Tuesday’s from 10am-11am starting February 8th at the museum. Parents must stay for each class. A child can sign up for just one class at $7 or the four classes to receive the discount rate of $25.  It is mandatory to pre register for each class. Call 973-366-9060 or email ccmuseum@gmail.com to sign up today. Visit visit www.communitychildrensmuseum.org for more information.

Lunch at Krogh's, Sparta NJ

The other day my niece and nephew had off school and so I decide to take them out to lunch. Usually I try to bring them to a non-chain restaurant. We went to Krogh's in Sparta, New Jersey. The restaurant is located in Lake Mohawk Village, which is a beautiful little German-style village. The restaurant is on the National Register of Historic Places.  So I thought it would be a nice, casual, place to grab a bite to eat, check out the scenery and perhaps visit some of the shops. The kids (they are actually teenagers) gave it a thumbs up.

For those interested in reading about the history, visit www.kroghs.com/history.html.

Giulia

A Crucial Winter in New Jersey - Really

If you are thinking right now about how much you dislike snow and how much it is messing up your schedule, tonight may be a good time to watch online, "Morristown: Where America Survived".

From NJN.com...
Morristown: Where America Survived is a thirty-minute High Definition documentary which revisits that winter of 1779-80 when Washington’s troops arrived at the densely-wooded area just south of Morristown known as Jockey Hollow, to build a log hut city for their winter camp.  The film is an eye-opening look at how the camp saved the army – and the American Revolution – from the brink of disaster.



Based on John T. Cunningham’s book The Uncertain Revolution and shot on location at Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown: Where America Survived is narrated by award-winning actor Edward Herrmann, who has voiced many history documentaries over his extensive career.


Check it out here. http://www.njn.net/television/specials/morristown


You may rethink your feelings about our recent snow storms.

Phillipsburg Farm Holds Christmas Tree Recycling Event

The 6th Annual Chipping Party Nurtures Earth, Body, Mind at The Perfect Christmas Tree Farm in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Read all about it on their website at  www.perfectchristmastree.com.

 

Real vs Fake Christmas Trees

There has been much discussion in recent years about whether real or fake Christmas trees are more green. Here is our analysis.

highlandstourism.org/real_vs_fake.php

A Green Christmas in Warren County, New Jersey

 Has the hectic holiday season got you hopping and shopping around town, again?  Why not make a relaxing trip to the country part of your annual Christmas tradition?  Spend an enjoyable day with your family in scenic Warren County to restore a sense of peace, while filling your senses with joyful pleasures and good tidings you can enjoy all season long.

Nestled between Routes 80 on the north and 78 on the south, are some of the state’s most nostalgic farmsteads just yearning to share some Christmas cheer with you. A winsome journey along County Route 519 will take you to some of the most refreshing holiday destinations in the state. Here’s but a sampling of what you can savor while traveling southward.

Tantalize your taste buds at Four Sisters Winery. There’s nothing like a holiday toast with one of the many fruit wines made from grapes and apples grown right here on this 250-acre farm.  Enjoy a tour of the winery where some of the blends named after the daughters (Four Sisters) and now grandchildren are aging. You will have to wait until 2011 to sample Ethan’s Pumpkin or Strawberry Serena. So plan a trip back to sample these special wines and join us for one of our grape-stomping parties. Pick up a schedule of events while there and ask about the Christmas in the Country promotion. You could receive a gift during your travels!

Further south, you will have to stop at the blinking light.  To your right is Hensler Farms, formerly known as Crossroads Farm. Enchanting, hand-made wreaths and greens are prepared inside. Known for their fragrance and beauty, displaying these treasures on your home or business will welcome visitors throughout the entire season. As you continue southward, your vehicle will come alive with the pleasant aroma, rejuvenating you as you continue on your way.

Just down the road a piece is Mackey’s; look for the big apple on the left.  Have a bite to eat and restore your energy further. After some home-made soup, bread, and fresh-pressed cider, you won’t be able to choose just one dessert.  You will be tempted by apple turnovers, dumplings, cake, and apple crisp.  Undoubtedly, you will need to take one or more of the fresh-baked pies home. You’ll have to decide between apple, cherry, blueberry, peach praline, pineapple- upside-down, apple walnut, and very berry.  

As you think about who to invite over for some pie later, pick up another gift for them and you as well.  Across the street, a stones-throw away is the Gro-Rite Greenhouse & Garden Center. Their vibrant poinsettias are always a pleasant addition to anyone’s house this time of year. During the warmer months, Gro-Rite can also provide many of your gardening and landscaping needs.

Your new-found energy will come in handy as you make your way just a bit further to the Wyckoff’s Christmas Tree Farm on the left. For over 45 years, this eight-generation farm has created life-long memories for many families as they make their annual trek to the hilltop to find and cut their family tree among the thousands of trees available on this 172-acre farm. The whole experience is conveniently streamlined for you as they will prepare the tree for easy transport, display, and care at home.

"The Hill" at Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm offers a spectacular 20 mile view.

Farms like Wyckoff’s, with the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), are educating the public of the benefits of getting a real Christmas tree rather than an artificial one in your home. Aside from the obvious benefit of filling your home with the fragrance of winter, for every tree that is cut and sold, farmers plant two or three trees to replace it.  These additional trees help to clean the air we breathe, and are also naturally biodegradable.

Artificial trees not only end up in landfills, but are manufactured with a variety of non-biodegradable materials such as petroleum-based plastics and other metal alloys. According to the NCTA, 85% of artificial trees sold in the U.S. are imported from China and may have had lead used in production. Real trees are 100% home-grown and support local economies.

To recycle your tree, return in January to Perfect Christmas Tree Farm on Route 22 in Phillipsburg. The farm holds an annual Tree Chip Day celebration. The day includes plenty of other activities. Make it a Green Christmas this year!

Continuing south on 519, you may find that perfect centerpiece, cemetery blanket or log box at Clucas Farms West. Better yet, you may want to custom order for an added personal touch. A pleasant change from the mass production look of the large stores, friendly and helpful faces create refreshing choices for your holiday needs.

Once your tree and other decorations are ready to go, you probably will be as well. Traveling the bucolic hills of Harmony Township will eventually lead you back toward the suburban sprawl near Route 22 (leading to Route 78).

If you’re not ready to end your Christmas in the country just yet, continue further south on 519, then to 627 south, to Villa Milagro Vineyards. Your journey began with one winery; it can end with one too.  This vineyard is noted for having numerous green practices.  If the weather outside is frightful, you may have the opportunity to learn how to take advantage of rainwater during a rain-barrel workshop at the winery, in addition to sampling some of their superb blends.

Consider making this an annual tradition for you and your family. As you head home, your senses will thank you all the way.

For more ideas on exploring northwest New Jersey visit www.highlandstourism.org.