Google StreetView Comes to Gladstone

Some of you may already know this, but perhaps not everybody... Apparently, Google recently took some photos through town to enable SteetView in Peapack-Gladstone. Not sure why the Google van felt the need to go through our town, as they seem to have only photographed major urban areas east of 287, but you can take an interesting stroll through town. And, see some houses of your neighbors...

Jamie and Cheney's
Bill and Laura's
Heather and Chris'
Meredith and Pat's (Is that Pat getting a little yardwork done?)
Bill, recognize these guys?

Little stalker-ish, huh?

2nd Annual Cottage School Art Show

THE COTTAGE SCHOOL'S 2ND ANNUAL ART SHOW
NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 6

AT THE ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH
88 CLAREMONT ROAD
BERNARDSVILLE, NJ

Presenting an eclectic mix of artwork from established and emerging artists. In benefit of the Cottage Elementary School - a NJ non-profit organization. For more information, contact amydietrich04@hotmail.com.

Local Election Results

As we should've expected, our local communities bucked the national and state trends... Obama and Lautenberg may have won NJ, but not the Somerset Hills.

McCain, Zimmer, and Lance all got winning votes in our local towns.

Results from Bernardsville News

Halloween 2008 -part 2

Halloween 2008 -part 1

A Growing Family of Friends

It's underway, as the ole girl get's new a new outfit. The red goes on next week, as we have to wait 6-8 weeks for the windows. The woodburning stove is picked out, but electric and insulation is still pending.
Search your basement for "clubhouse" items to decorate. As my thoughts are downstairs for adults, and upstairs for the kids to romp.

Hmmm, man cave or romp room.

Man cave?? That's not PC !!!!

More Apple Photos...

Apple Picking Fun!

Here are a few pictures from apple picking today. Thank you Pete, Abbie and Spencer - what a great way to spend the afternoon with friends!

5 year old friends...

2 year old friends...

apple picking...

and apple tasting galore...

yum...

enjoying a tractor ride...

and thirsty at the end of a great afternoon...

Flashback

We enjoyed the P-G Barn Tour this past weekend. For anyone who missed it, there are some (hard-to-find) videos on the B'ville news web site at: http://www.recordernewspapers.com/articles/2008/09/22/bernardsville_news/videos/doc48d7c18a337a1583609316.txt )

One of the guides at the Hamilton Farms stables was recalling the history of the original owners ( http://www.uset.com/hamiltonfarm.php ) and mentioned a name that instantly transported me back about 40 years: Elizabeth Jane Hamilton Brady.
While attending grade school at Saint Elizabeth's in mid '60s B'ville, we would often walk by and look way up to the imposing, at that time, doors leading into the auditorium. No one ever explained exactly who EJHB was, but I guessed that she was the wealthy donor who financed the school building.

Lean on Me...

This beautiful weather has made for some fun mornings and afternoons at the good old park!  

Nice Walk at Rockabye Meadow

Maybe I'm one of the last to know this, but right here in Gladstone we have a great walking area called Rockabye Meadow. Looking for an alternative to the playground, I decided to finally explore this area with the kids and was pleasantly surprised to find it well maintained and a nice combo of meadow and stream. We entered from the Jackson Ave/Old Chester intersection, but I understand you can also enter from Church Street. Anyway, a nice walk - and right here in town. I look forward to going back as the leaves start turning color. I wish I knew more about the history of the railroad in that area. Maybe someone will add it to the blog?

Upcoming events offered by URWA (Local environmental group)

Recently got an e-mail from a group that I've worked with in the past, and thought I'd share some of the more interesting upcoming activities (Including a very fun country fair that seems to be limited to members only this year due to big crowds in years past). See their website for more info... www.urwa.org

- Steve

______________________________________________________

Be an Ecologist Day

Saturday, October 4 • 10:30 am-12:00 pm

Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road in Bedminster

Children ages 7-10 are invited to become ecologists while exploring Fairview Farm! Join URWA’s staff and Naturalists as we learn all about life in the water, on the ground and in the trees, and create nature journals! Activities can count towards scout badges and parents are encouraged to join in the fun. REGISTRATION REQUIRED, deadline September 24. Forms can be found here or on our website. Registration fee $5 per child. Please contact Lauren Theis (ltheis@urwa.org) for more information.

Old Fashioned Country Fair

Saturday, October 12 • 11:30 am–4:00 pm

Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road in Bedminster

Link: http://www.urwa.org/news/countryFair.html

Join us for a day of Old Fashioned Country Fun! This year’s event will be restricted to members only, in hopes of recapturing the family atmosphere and to lessen the negative environmental impacts that large crowds can cause. We will have local artists, food, crafts and music, and would love to have you! Click here to become a member. Contact Kate Deans at x16 for more information.

*we are looking for volunteers to assist with the Country Fair. See “Call for Volunteers” below for details.

the razor's edge

EMSS off to her first day back donning new rain gear and backpack

C. Santoro and his adoring harem

Git-R-Done

After nearly 6 months of construction, the obstacle course known as Old Chester Rd is getting its final makeover.


Coming to a road near you:

Move over Hummer - THIS is an SUV!

The milling machine grinds up a swath of pavement 6 feet wide and

4 inches deep at a quick walking pace. Impressivc.

The paver machine is just as fast laying it back down.