Saturday, December 4, at 2 p.m. at the Wyckoff-Garretson House, 215 S. Middlebush Rd., Somerset"The War Man‟ An intimate portrait of an American Revolution Soldier
In 1775, the first year of the American Revolution, Congress made an appeal for troops. The resulting army of citizen-soldiers began what for many would be more than five years of battle and deprivation. Their consolation, however, was that they would ultimately defeat the most powerful army of the age and win independence for the new country of America. John Allison, a New York farmer, answered the call to arms in 1775, joining the Continental Army's 3rd New York Infantry. Allison was surrounded by like-minded volunteers, yet all were equally unprepared for campaigning. Despite the lack of training, equipment, and clothing, Allison and the rest of his company found themselves marching toward Quebec knee-deep in snow as part of the unsuccessful American invasion of Canada. ROBERT A. MAYERS is a Watchung author who served as a combat officer in the Navy and Marine Corps. He is a former executive of a human resources consulting firm. Admission is $10/ person. The event begins at 2 p.m. at the Wyckoff-Garretson House, 215 S. Middlebush Rd., Somerset, followed by Q&A and refreshments. Books will be available for sale and signing at $20 each. Mr. Mayers is a direct descendant of John Allison. Reservations to 732-560-1977 or to chrisflp@aol.com |
Sunday, November 28, 2010
"The War Man‟ An intimate portrait of an American Revolution Soldier - Author Robert A. Mayers
Thursday, November 25, 2010
December 4: GRIGGSTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY GREENS & GOODIES SALE
Stock up on beautiful wreathes, boxwood trees, centerpieces, kissing balls, and delicious holiday baked goods at the Griggstown Historical Society's annual Christmas Sale!DATE: Saturday, December 4
TIME: 10:00AM to 1:00PM
PLACE: The Griggstown Schoolhouse (c. 1830)
Behind the Griggstown Reformed Church
1065 Canal Road, Princeton
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
ROUND-UP: November 2010
CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES!!!
Nov 13 KINGSTON LOOP WALK--FREE
Nov 13-14 ART EXHIBIT @ BWM CANAL HOUSE--FREE
Nov 14 SIERRA CLUB CANOES/KAYAKS THE D&R CANAL--FREE
Nov 16 THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, STORYTELLING--FREE
Nov 20 THE SPIRITED WAR: GHOSTS OF THE REVOLUTION
Nov 20 SIERRA CLUB CANOES/KAYAKS THE D&R CANAL--FREE
December 5: SINTERKLAAS FESTIVAL AT THE VAN WICKLE HOUSE!!!
Unfortunately the traditional white horse, "Bella", will not be available this yearThe Meadows Foundation is DELIGHTED to invite you and your entire family to one of their most popular, lively, and fun events of the entire year, the Sinterklaas Festival at the Van Wickle House!
DATE: Sunday, December 5
TIME: 1:00PM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Van Wickle House
1289 Easton Avenue, Somerset
ADMISSION:is free, but a donation of 5.00 per car, to further the ongoing work of the Meadows Foundation will be appreciated.
PHONE: (732) 249-6770 for further information
EMAIL: info@themeadowsfoundation.org
[From the Meadows Foundation website]
"Sinterklaas, the Dutch Saint Nicholas, visits the Van Wickle House every year on the first Sunday in December after Thanksgiving weekend. Dressed in his red Bishop’s robe and miter, he rides in on a white horse accompanied by his companion and helper Zwarte Piet. In the Netherlands St. Nicholas day, December 6, 2008 is a very special holiday for children and families. In honor of this Dutch tradition the Meadows Foundation sponsors a celebration with music and dancing and hands on activities for the whole family.
"Visitors are presented with a little slice of the Netherlands as dancers in traditional costumes perform Dutch Klompen Dances, and the beautiful Dutch street organ, the Violanta, plays Sinterklaas songs. All are invited to learn a dance or two or sing along with the Violanta. The highlight for every child is a chat with Sinterklaas, who keeps a record of good deeds and bad. Good boys and girls receive a small gift from Zwarte Piet.
"Inside, the Van Wickle House is festooned with Dutch provincial flags and Dutch artwork. Participants may wish to try their hand at Stipwerke, a type of dot painting. Traditional Dutch food, including, almond pastry, and Sinterklaas spice cookies known as Speculaas, are on sale. The aroma of fresh baked cookies fills the air as the art of making the Speculaas is demonstrated."
Jan ten Broeke (RMVE Blog Director) gets poetic justice in 2008.The Dutch Tradition of Sinterklass
"All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas lives in Spain. There he spends most of the year recording the behavior of all children in a big red book, while Piet stocks up on presents for next Sinterklaas Eve. After mid-November Sinterklaas mounts his milk-white steed, Piet swings the sack full of gifts over his shoulder, and the three board a steamship to set course for Amsterdam harbor and a formal welcome by the Mayor and a delegation of citizens. A fabulous parade through town marks the beginning of the St. Nicholas season.
"From now on, time and space merge as the old bishop and his helpmate are everywhere at once. At night they ride across Holland’s rooftops. While Sinterklaas listens through the chimneys to check the children’s behavior, Piet sees to it that the hay or carrot, left for the horse in each little shoe by the fireplace, is exchanged for a small gift or some candy. In the daytime they are even busier visiting all classrooms and hospitals as well as many department stores and private homes.
"But if they are busy in the days before Sinterklaas Eve, so are the Dutch – all of them. Shopping is the least of it, for a Sinterklaas present is not at all like a Christmas present three weeks ahead of time. Dutch tradition demands that all packages be camouflaged in some imaginative way, and that each gift be accompanied by a fitting poem. For this is the essence of Sinterklaas: Sheer unadulterated fun on the one day when plain kidding is not only permitted, but expected without the slightest regard for differences in age and social status.
"To be truly appreciated, presents must be concealed or disguised. Recipients must be willing to follow a trail of directions all over the house to look for them.
"To write a poem to go with each present is another challenge. For in these Sinterklaas rhymes – long or short; good or bad – the real kidding comes into the open. The giver has his fling. He’ll bring out some foible, a love interest, a recent incident, in fact, anything to cause embarrassment, as long as it is good natured and in good taste. The butt of the joke, who has to open his package in public and read the poem aloud amid general hilarity, does this manfully; for he too has something in store for his tormentor. Just wait!"
[From the Meadows Foundation website, Excerpted from Santa Claus The Dutch Way, Albani The Hague, Holland]NOVEMBER 20 "The Spirited War: Ghosts of the Revolution" at the Van Wickle House!
The Meadows Foundation proudly presents “The Spirited War- Ghosts of the Revolution"!
DATE: Saturday, November 20, 2010
TIME: 2:00PM
PLACE: Van Wickle House
1289 Easton Ave., Somerset
TKTS: $10./Person, Reservations Recommended
INFO: 732-560-1977, chrisflp@aol.com
Halloween may be over, but the Meadows has a wonderful ghostly treat for you! Don Peck will join us to discuss his book, The Spirited War, which deals with Washington and the ghosts of the American Revolution in central New Jersey. Specifically, he will discuss the historic peace conference of September 11, 1776 and the ghosts he has uncovered at the Conference House on Staten Island, where the failed conference took place. Mr. Peck discovered many other ghosts in historic central New Jersey during his research, and will discuss them during the Q&A after his presentation.
Copies of The Spirited War will be available for sale and signing after the presentation. Priced at $20, the book is an excellent way to start your holiday shopping.
Please note that there will be a brief Annual Meeting prior to the Fireside Chat presentation this month.
NOVEMBER 13-20 Awsome Events on the Delaware & Raritan Canal!
| November 13 (Saturday)  | Kingston Loop Walk: Join the naturalist of Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in a loop walk that leads through the historic D&R Canal State Park, Mapleton Preserve (former site of Princeton Nurseries), Cook Natural Area, Middlesex County Open Space Park and the Heathcote Meadow Preserve. This hike is approximately 3.5 miles along mostly flat, dirt/gravel pathways and will start at 10:00 am. Participants will meet at the D & R Canal State Park’s Kingston Office located at 145 Mapleton Road. All ages are welcome. Pre-registration IS REQUIRED. INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS.   Register for this program |
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NOVEMBER 16 "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow!" at the Mary Jacobs Library
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Lives on Past Halloween!
DATE: Tuesday, November 16, 2010
TIME: 7:00PM
PLACE: Mary Jacobs Library
64 Washington Street, Rocky Hill
INFO: (908) 874-4820
ADMISSION IS FREE!!!Van Harlingen Historical Society of Montgomery Township, in honor of the township's early Dutch heritage, presents Ichabod Crane, Washington Irving, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Neill Hartley, of the American Historical Theatre, is a convincing Washington Irving, the father of the American short story, who brings the audience into Irving’s world of Ichabod Crane and the The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Neill Hartley is a mesmerizing Ichabod Crane; tall and slim like Ichabod, he narrates his tale and then then enters it himself, bringing an all new adaptation of this eccentric story. The interactive one-man interpretation of the headless horseman draws the audience directly into the schoolmaster's world in sleepy Tarry Town. It makes for a perfectly eerie entertaining event. The program, followed by discussion about Washington Irving who also wrote Rip Van Winkle, ends with a dramatic reading of the story's postscript.
This program is funded by the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, as state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Mary Jacobs Library is located on Route 518 (Washington St) in Rocky Hill, one third of a mile from the intersection of Routes 206 and 518. From Somerville, go south on Route 206 about 12 miles and turn left onto Route 518. The library is on the left side of Washington St. From Princeton, go north on Route 206 and turn right onto Route 518. From New Brunswick, proceed south about 10 miles on Route 27 and bear right onto Route 518 shortly after Kendall Park. Drive about three miles to Rocky Hill and turn right at the library.
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