The Mother of all Jersey Girls

This Friday is International Women's Day. The day we should all stop and recognize the contributions of woman from all over the world. We Jersey Girls know there is something truly unique about us. We can go from perfect lady to Tony Soprano in 2.3 seconds. We may not know how to pump gas, but…

Remembering Staff Sgt. William J. Rivers

A little more than a week ago, a drone strike in Jordan near the Syrian border killed three of our American heroes. One of those three was a member of the New Jersey family. Staff Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Burlington County was just 46 years old. According to the Defense Department, Staff Sgt Rivers…

A Local Guy Named Tommy

I absolutely despite the Giants. There, I said it. Yes, I am a Jersey Girl through and through, but I can't stand the two so-called "New York" teams that, you know, just happen to play somewhere other than New York. Yeah, I know. History… whatever. But then comes along Tommy DeVito. An American of Italian…

Italian Heritage: St. Gerard

If your family was from the Old First Ward of Newark, chances are they attended St. Lucy's Church on 7th Avenue. And the height of the year for that community was the Feast of St. Gerard. Thousands would come out to pay homage to the Saint, especially those that were trying to get pregnant or…

New Jersey Loses a Favorite Son: Tony Bennett

“I have to say I owe my career to the master composers of the Great American Songbook who have written such high-quality songs – the best popular music ever composed.” ~ Tony Bennett Yesterday the world lost a music icon and New Jersey lost a favorite son. Of course I am talking about Tony Bennett.…

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…

River View East: End of an Era

Anyone from Jersey knows we all have our favorite places for hot dogs. Italian hot dog? For me it was Dickie Dee's. A hot dog truck dog? I would go to JR's on Franklin Avenue in Nutley. If you wanted something really special, it was Rutt's Hut. For my husband, however, growing up in Elmwood…

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…

Support for those who Support the Outdoors

Back in the freezing weather of January, I shared my goals for 2022. One of the most important goals outlined was to fight for our ever-dwindling open spaces in New Jersey. That includes fighting for those who share the love of the outdoors and educate others about the resource. Enter the frustrating situation of the…