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…

Giving Tuesday in New Jersey

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday; a great reminder to give back whenever you are able. There are a number of wonderful non-profits and organizations in The Garden State that need support. Here are a few of my favorites. A Helping Wing Parrot Rescue & Sanctuary I may have never mentioned it in the past, but my…

The Need for Trees

We interrupt Italian Heritage Month for this important announcement from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey... Volunteers Needed for Tree Planting We had a great day planting trees at Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve. Twenty people came out to help create a young forest on the site where a dilapidated barn used to be. But…

Italian Heritage Month 2022

I always heard a saying growing up. "There are two types of people. Italians and people that wish they were Italian." I agree completely. We grow up around three main concepts. Faith, family, and food. Sundays were extra special. We would start the day at church. Then head to the cemetery to plant flowers and…

Need Mental Health Support? Call 988

Let's face it. The last few years have been incredibly difficult. It's taken a toll on everyone. We've all dealt with it in different ways. For some, sadly, it has been a bigger challenge and mental health has become a front page issue. Many people are starting to talk about the need for mental health…

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…

Open Space Preserved in Princeton

There is a constant battle in New Jersey; preserving open space versus developing more ratables to collect taxes. It happens in every town in the state. Recently, there was some good news on the preservation front. More than 150 acres in Princeton is now permanently protected, thanks to a partnership among several government agencies and…

New from Fish & Wildlife: The Wildlife Habitat Supporter Program

As I mentioned in my 2022 Goals post, I want to make sure to advocate for our open spaces. The NJ Fish and Wildlife has announced a new program to do just that; The Wildlife Habitat Supporter Program. When I first saw this posted on social media, I was immediately excited to find a new…

St. Lucy’s Loses a Giant

In the past I have written about a long-time giant at St. Lucy's Church in Newark, NJ, Monsignor Joseph Granato. He served the parishioners of St. Lucy's for 54 years; his entire time of service. I am sad to report the Monsignor went home to the Lord a few days ago. Monsignor Joseph J. Granato…

Giving Tuesday in New Jersey

It is no surprise to anyone that COVID-19 has affected everyone in the Garden State. Some people lost their jobs. Some people lost their businesses. Some lost their lives. Many non-profits in the state lost important funding from private donors, as so many were barely able to feed their families and keep a roof over…