Memorial Day: There is Nothing “Happy” About it

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoyforget in time that men have died to win them." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt There are few things that bug me more than I when I hear someone say "happy Memorial Day." I understand that people normally say things like "Merry Christmas" or "Happy New Year" for…

Those Who Can, Teach

We're all heard the ol' saying: Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym. Well, I'll leave my opinion of the last part to myself, but I certainly want to talk about the first part. My answer is this: those who can, teach! I would like to tell you…

Urgent Repairs Needed at Belleville Dutch Reformed Church

If you are a regular reader, you know how much I love my hometown of Belleville. From stopping at Rosebud's after school, to my memories from marching band in high school, to riding my bike all over town, Belleville will always hold a special place in my heart. What you may not know is Belleville…

Saying Goodbye to The Manor

This week all of North Jersey was shocked to hear The Manor in West Orange will close this summer after 66 years. That magical location has been the location where many wonderful memories were made. From New Year's Eve black-tie dinners, to weddings, to proms, almost everyone from North Jersey has a story. All those…

9/11: Twenty-One Years Later

"Where were you on 9/11?" For those of us who were witnesses to history, we remember every minute of that day. We can describe in detail every moment and every feeling. If you put that question to an entirely new generation, they have no answer. They weren't born. Just like if someone asked me where…

Fourth Grade and New Jersey History

As the school year begins, I think back to growing up in Belleville and starting school in September. I have many wonderful memories of that time. In sixth grade I was part of the school patrol and guarded the kindergarten door. In middle school, I accompanied the chorus on piano for the first time. In…

Memorial Day 2022 Events

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and we all look forward to it for different reasons. For many it is a three day weekend. It is the unofficial kickoff to summer. It's barbeques, cold beer, and the beach. Actually, no, it really isn't. It is a moment to stop and honor and remember the fallen.…

New Jersey Loses a Favorite Son: Ray Liotta

Today I saw a post that I thought at first was a hoax: Sadly, it was not a hoax. New Jersey has lost one of its favorite sons. It was announced Ray Liotta died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic while filming his next movie. Born in Newark, Raymond Allen Liotta was abandoned at…

Can You Go Home Again?

Recently I've been going back to the area where I grew up. While it is for a sad and stressful reason, I really don't mind. While on the way down Franklin Avenue in Belleville during a recent trip, I found was thinking to myself how much I missed the area. When I mentioned this to…

Jersey Represent at the Olympics

As the Olympics in Beijing comes to a close, it is important to take a moment and say “thank you” to the athletes for bringing their best to the games. New Jersey sent over 30 athletes to the Olympics. Here are just a few of our great athletes. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor – Bobsled Growing up in…