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

ROUND-UP: September 2010

When August is a declining ember

Enter in, sweet September...
Now comes the time for changing color,
Miracles unfold, green to amber and gold.
--Sweet September, by Joyce Helmsley

Sept 25 WALK THE TOWPATH TO ROCKINGHAM--FREE
Sept 25 "WASHINGTON'S SPIES" FIRESIDE CHAT
Sept 12 2010 SOMERVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL--FREE
Sept 12 AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION
Sept 11-12 CIVIL WAR CAMP @ VAN LIEW SUYDAM HOUSE--FREE
Sept 11 HARVEST FESTIVAL & PIE CONTEST @ HAGEMAN FARM--FREE

CLICK HERE to become a member of one of the wonderful organizations that sponsor these exciting historical and environmental events!

CLICK HERE to read about the British raids on the Millstone Valley in an authentic 1777 edition of the London Chronicle recently acquired for the Kells Swan museum collection at Washington Crossing State Park!

CLICK HERE to find out how you can have your private or corporate holiday event in a beautifully restored historic house!

ROUND-UP: May 2010 (Updated 5/12!)

May 1 QUEENS DAY @ MEADOWS' VAN WICKLE HOUSE
May 1 MINI HISTORY FAIR @ ABRAHAM STAATS HOUSE
May 1 KINGSTON GREENWAYS 2ND CLEAN-UP DAY--FREE
May 2 GUIDED WALK THRU MURQUAND PARK--FREE
May 8 MAY IN OLD MONTGOMERY HOUSE TOUR
May 9 MIGRANT, BREEDING BIRDS GRASSLAND WALK--FREE
May 15 WASHINGTON, ROCHAMBEAU ROUTE THRU NJ
May 17 MEADOWS FOUNDATION OPEN BOARD MEETING
May 29 WALKING TOUR OF VICTORIAN SOMERVILLE--FREE

CLICK HERE to treat Mom to membership in one of the wonderful organizations that sponsor these exciting historical and environmental events!

CLICK HERE to read about the British raids on the Millstone Valley in an authentic 1777 edition of the London Chronicle recently acquired for the Kells Swan museum collection at Washington Crossing State Park!

CLICK HERE to find out how you can have your private or corporate event in a beautifully restored historic house!

ROUND-UP: March 2010 [Updated 3/17!]

CLICK HERE to read about the British raids on the Millstone Valley in an authentic 1777 edition of the London Chronicle recently acquired for the Kells Swan museum collection at Washington Crossing State Park!

CLICK HERE to get involved with one of the wonderful organizations that sponsor these exciting historical and environmental events!

CLICK HERE to find out how you can have your private or corporate event in a beautifully restored historic house!

Mar 27 PRESENTATION ABOUT THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS!
Mar 27 WALK THE TOWPATH TO ROCKINGHAM--FREE!
Mar 21 BIKE THE TOWPATH, GRIGGSTOWN-LAWRENCE--FREE!
Mar 20 ROSIE THE RIVETER TALK, VAN WICKLE HOUSE--FREE!
Mar 13 STORY OF THE D&R CANAL, BWM CANAL HOUSE--FREE!
Mar 5 EVE. WOODCOCK WATCH, MAPLETON PRESERVE--FREE!

ROUND-UP: February 2010--Please note, some events have been postponed due to weather!

Good thing it's a Leap Year, because there is just so much to do this February, including celebrate Black History Month and--as always--all our exciting local history and beautiful natural treasures!
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these."

-George Washington Carver

Feb 6 KIDS' GROUNDHOG DAY CELEBRATION--FREE
Feb 24 SOMERSET VISUAL ARTISTS' ROUNDTABLE--FREE
Postponed due to Wednesday's predicted snow storm--new date TBA.
Feb 13 TORY JACK DAY @ THE STAATS HOUSE
Feb 13 VALENTINES PARTY @ BWM CANAL HOUSE--FREE
Feb 14 5 GENERALS BUS TOUR--FREE
Feb 20 KINGSTON BIRD WALK--FREE
Feb 20 FISK JUBILEE SINGERS @ HAGEMAN FARM
Postponed due to parking issues at Hageman Farm--new date TBA.
Feb 20&27 BLACK HISTORY EXHIBIT & PRESENTATION--FREE
Feb 27 COLONIAL OPEN HEARTH COOKING DEMO--YUM!
Postponed due to predicted snow storm--new date TBA.

Hey, where did the RMVE Blog go in January?
CLICK HERE to find out!

WHY NOT SHOW YOUR VERY SPECIAL VALENTINES HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM--AND YOUR LOCAL HISTORICAL AND NATURAL TREASURES--WITH THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP?

JANUARY'S HIATUS IS OVER!!!

Dear Friends & Readers of the RMVE Blog-

Many of you may have noticed that the RMVE Blog went on an unannounced hiatus during the month of January. Some of you may know that the reason for the hiatus was that, on Christmas Eve-eve, I slipped on a patch of ice and broke my hip, and I have been in rehabilitation ever since.

We at the RMVE certainly hope that you found your way to one or more of the many wonderful historical and environmental events sponsored by the preservation organizations with which we work ! Links to some of those events are posted below, as is a picture of me in the hospital, when I was just beginning my way down the road to recovery.

Enjoy Life & Love !

Jan ten Broeke
Director, RMVE Blog

Jan 1 BWM CANAL HOUSE NEW YEAR'S DAY OPEN HOUSE
Jan 13 RARITAN VALLEY: THE OPERA
Jan 16 THE STUDY OF POOLOGY
Jan 16 SOUTHERN BELLES AT HAGEMAN FARM
Jan 16 WALK THE TOWPATH TO EAST MILLSTONE
Jan 18 CLEAN UP @ THE MAPLETOM PRESERVE
Jan 23 THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

EVENT ROUND-UP: December 2009 (Updated 12/15!)

**GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP!**
**MILLSTONE NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY IN THE WASHINGTON POST!**
**HAVE YOUR SPECIAL EVENT, CELEBRATION, OR PERFORMANCE IN A BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC SETTING!**
**WANTED: Live-In Resident Caretakers for Beautiful Historic Homes!**

**NEW: Photos of the Sinterklaas Festival!**

Dec 2 THANK YOU PARTY, OPEN TO PUBLIC--FREE!
Dec 5 TALK: MOLLY PITCHER, FACT & FICTION
Dec 5 GRIGGSTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY X-MAS SALE
Dec 6 SINTERKLAAS AT THE VAN WICKLE HOUSE--FREE
Dec 12&13 HOLIDAY AT THE STAATS HOUSE--FREE
Dec 13 OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS AT HAGEMAN FARM--FREE

EVENT ROUND-UP: November 2009 (Updated 11/18)

The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night,
Ya-honk! he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation:
The pert may suppose it meaningless, but I listen closer,
I find its purpose and place up there toward the November sky.
-NJ Poet Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, 1855

Nov 7 WHY GO NATIVE? IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY--FREE
Nov 7 MEADOWS ANNUAL PRESENTATION OF NJ POETS
Nov 7 HISTORY OF NJ CEMETERIES & TOMBSTONES
Nov 14 HOLIDAY SALE, BLACKWELLS CANAL HOUSE--FREE
Nov 14 NATURALIST GUIDED WALK OF KINGSTON LOOP--FREE
Nov 15 CANOE/KAYAK D&R CANAL, KINGSTON-AMWELL--FREE
Nov 21 FIRESIDE CHAT: THE LIZZY BORDEN CASE
Nov 21 CANOE/KAYAK D&R CANAL, AMWELL-DEMOTT--FREE
Nov 22 SCHS OPEN MEETING & PRESENTATION--FREE

EVENT ROUND-UP: October 2009 (Updated 10/8!)

O sun and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your blessings together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October's bright blue weather.
-October, by Poet Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)

And LUCKY YOU happen to be in the one of the most exciting (see below) and beautiful (see below below) corners of the world to experience October in all its glory!

Updated List of Participating Sites!
Oct.10-11 27-SITE WEEKEND JOURNEY THRU THE PAST--FREE

Oct 10 MEADOWS BANQUET @ HAGEMAN, PUBLIC WELCOME
Oct 10 FALL FROLIC FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES--FREE
Oct 10-11 LIVING HISTORY, WYCKOFF-GARRETSON--FREE
Oct 10-11 27-SITE WEEKEND JOURNEY THRU THE PAST--FREE
Oct 17 TALK: WHY DID THE HINDENBURG EXPLODE?
Oct 25 PUMPKIN PATCH & HAUNTED FOREST HALLOWEEN

EVENT ROUND-UP: September 2009 (Updated 9/23!)

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather
And Autumn's best of cheer.
-September by Poet Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)

Here are some fantastic ways to enjoy these halcyon days with your family and friends!

Just added!
Sept 26 MAPLETON PRESERVE T.L.C. & PHOTO CONTEST--FREE

Sept 12 PAPER MANIA, BLACKWELLS MILLS CANAL HOUSE--FREE
Sept 12 "FALL IN THE FIELDS", GUIDED NATURE WALK--FREE
Sept 13 "CANAL DAYS IN ROCKY HILL" WALKING TOURS--FREE
Sept 12&13 CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT, VAN LIEW HOUSE
Sept 12&13 CANAL DAYS AT THE STAATS HOUSE
Sept 17 BROOK ARTS CENTER RIBBON CUTTING--FREE
Sept 19 TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FIRE TALK, HAGEMAN FARM
Sept 20 HARVEST FESTIVAL AT THE HAGEMAN FARM--FREE
Sept 26 HERITAGE TRAIL'S "DUTCH TREAT" BUS TOUR
Sept 26 MILLSTONE W3R CELEBRATION PICNIC, PARADE--FREE
All 2009 NY400 CELEBRATES 400 YEARS OF DUTCH HERITAGE

Share your personal photos of these events with the RMVE Blog!

• Please email any photos you are willing to have considered for posting on the RMVE blog in .jpg format (no more than 200K each, please) to the blog's Director, Jan ten Broeke, at tensart@gmail.com.
• Please include any identifying information with your submissions including site location, activities, and names of individuals prominent in the photo(s).
• While no compensation for your photos is available, you will be providing everyone who views them with lasting memories and joy, as well as helping your community document these significant activities for the benefit of many generations to come. In that spirit, we hope you will be generous--and judicious--in your photo submissions!

EVENT ROUND-UP: July & August 2009

Summertime And The Livin' Is Easy--AND FUN!!! Just the way it should be....

Sept 09 BUSY SEASON SNEAK PREVIEW!
Aug 22 GRIGGSTOWN HARVEST HOME--FREE
Aug 22 KAYAK THE D&R CANAL--FREE
Aug 13 FRANKLIN INN BOOKSTORE TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Aug 9 CANAL HOUSE BLUEGRASS & ICE CREAM--FREE
Jul-Aug GRIGGSTOWN GRASSLAND WILDFLOWERS--FREE

Share your personal photos of these events with the RMVE Blog!

• Please email any photos you are willing to have posted on the RMVE blog in .jpg format (no more than 200K each, please) to the blog's primary writer/editor/monitor, Jan ten Broeke, at tensart@gmail.com.
• Please include any identifying information with your submissions including site location, activities, and names of individuals prominent in the photo(s).
• While no compensation for your photos is available, you will be providing everyone who views them with lasting memories and joy, as well as helping your community document these significant activities for the benefit of many generations to come. In that spirit, we hope you will be generous--and judicious--in your photo submissions!

THE LONG, LAZY SUMMER SEASON IS COMING TO AN END...

...And THAT means the busy season of celebrating the cultural, historical, and environmental heritage of beautiful Central New Jersey IS JUST BEGINNING!

Here is a sneak peek of some of the fun and exciting events that lie ahead:

• September 12 & 13: The Civil War returns to the Meadows as the re-enactors of the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers, Co. C set up camp at the historic Van Liew-Suydam house in Somerset!

• September 19: An informative "Fireside Chat" at the historic Hageman Farm in Somerset about the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, which was--until September 11, 2001--the worst single-day loss of life in an American workplace.

STAY TUNED TO THE RMVE BLOG FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND MANY, MANY OTHER EVENTS!!!

EVENT ROUND-UP: May 2009 [Updated 5/16!]

M'aidez! Mayday! May Day! Exciting Historical & Environmental Event Overload!

CELEBRATE THE GORGEOUS WEATHER! CELEBRATE SPRINGTIME!

May 30 GARDEN WORKSHOP AT HAGEMAN FARM
May 23 BIKE THE TOWPATH TO GRIGGSTOWN--FREE
May 17 LECTURE/LUNCH, BATTLE OF MONMOUTH
May 17 BUCCLEUCH MANSION TALKS & TOUR--FREE
May 16 CANAL AUTHORS EXTRAVAGANZA--FREE
May 16 WHO KILLED THE LINDBERGH BABY?
May 16 BIRDING THE CANAL AT ZAREPHATH--FREE
May 15 MEADOWS MEMBERSHIP SOCIAL--FREE
May 9 SOMERSET COUNTY HISTORY ROUNDTABLE--FREE
May 9 HANDS ALONG THE CANAL--FREE
May 9 BLACKWELLS MILLS CANAL HOUSE MARKET--FREE
May 3 GUIDED NATURE WALKS, BIRDWATCHING--FREE
May 3 SLAVERY IN NJ DURING THE REVOLUTION

Share your personal photos of these events with the RMVE Blog!

• Please email any photos you are willing to have posted on the RMVE blog in .jpg format (no more than 200K each, please) to the blog's Editor/Director, Jan ten Broeke, at tensart@gmail.com.
• Please include any identifying information with your submissions including site location, activities, and names of individuals prominent in the photo(s).
• While no compensation for your photos is available, you will be providing everyone who views them with lasting memories and joy, as well as helping your community document these significant activities for the benefit of many generations to come. In that spirit, we hope you will be generous--and judicious--in your photo submissions!

EVENT ROUND-UP: April 2009 [Check back for updates!]

April is the COOLEST Month--Complete With Time Machine!



April 26 QUEEN'S DAY & STREET FAIR
April 19 LECTURE: ARTWORK OF THE REVOLUTION
April 19 LECTURE: 1ST MIDDLEBROOK ENCAMPMENT
April 18-19 LIVING HISTORY: BATTLE OF BOUND BROOK
April 18-19 WATERCOLORIST ART SHOW & SALE
April 18 PRESENTATION "THE APPROACHING STORM"
April 8 NJ HISTORIC TRUST GRANT WORKSHOP--FREE
April 6 BEAR AWARENESS SEMINAR--FREE

EVENT ROUND-UP: March 2009 [Updated 03/21!]

Patriots!
Inebriates!
Flappers!
Poets!
Woodcocks!
Equinox Eggs, balanced on their noses!
It must be March Madness!


Spring is here at long last! Come celebrate with these exciting events!

March 29 READING BY HUNGARIAN POET PAUL SOHAR--FREE!
March 28 BREAKFAST AT THE NASSAU CLUB WITH JOE BECTON
March 28 TALK: WASHINGTON'S HQ AT MIDDLEBROOK
March 28 CANTABILE CHAMBER CHORALE PERFORMANCE
March 28 SPRING DANCE OF THE WOODCOCK--FREE!
March 27-29 FESTIVAL OF IMMIGRATION WRITING--FREE!
March 21 SCANDAL AT TULIPWOOD--FLAPPERS!
March 1 PATRIOTS! TORIES! INEBRIATES! HUSSIES!

Share your personal photos of these events with the RMVE Blog!

• Please email any photos you are willing to have posted on the RMVE blog in .jpg format (no more than 200K each, please) to the blog's primary writer/editor/monitor, Jan ten Broeke, at tensart@gmail.com.
• Please include any identifying information with your submissions including site location, activities, and names of individuals prominent in the photo(s).
• While no compensation for your photos is available, you will be providing everyone who views them with lasting memories and joy, as well as helping your community document these significant activities for the benefit of many generations to come. In that spirit, we hope you will be generous--and judicious--in your photo submissions!

EVENT ROUND-UP: February 2009 [Last updated, 2/16!]

Best.
Black.
History.
Month.
EVER.




But--brrrrrr!--maybe also the coldest! Good thing February is shaping up to be chock-full'o body-and-soul-warming events celebrating the unique historical and cultural contributions of African Americans!

And don't forget Valentines & Presidents' Day!

CLICK ON AN EVENT LINK BELOW FOR MORE DETAILED INFO:
2/6 TASTE OF AFRICAN DANCE--FREE!
2/7 FESIVAL OF AFRICAN DANCE--FREE!
2/14 UNDERGROUND RAILROAD RE-ENACTMENT
2/14 TORY JACK DAY, STAATS HOUSE
2/14 VALENTINE PARTY--FREE!
2/15 FIVE GENERAL BUS TOUR--FREE!
2/15 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY LUNCH
2/21 JOE BECTON SINGS AMERICA
2/22 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, ROCKINGHAM
2/28 AN EVENING OF GOSPEL MUSIC--FREE!

BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY!!!

Share your personal photos of these events with the RMVE Blog!

• Please email any photos you are willing to have posted on the RMVE blog in .jpg format (no more than 200K each, please) to the blog's primary writer/editor/monitor, Jan ten Broeke, at tensart@gmail.com.
• Please include any identifying information with your submissions including site location, activities, and names of individuals prominent in the photo(s).
• While no compensation for your photos is available, you will be providing everyone who views them with lasting memories and joy, as well as helping your community document these significant activities for the benefit of many generations to come. In that spirit, we hope you will be generous--and judicious--in your photo submissions!

EVENT ROUND-UP: December 2008 [Updated 12/9!]

It's getting seasonably c-c-cold out there! Come get warm and cozy and make merry with these delightful holiday festivities in beautiful historical and cultural settings!

December 20 & 21: HOLIDAY MAGIC, FISCHER HOUSE
December 20 & 21: HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES, STAATS HOUSE
December 14: OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS, HAGEMAN FARM
December 14: BOOK RELEASE PARTY
December 7 to January 25: FESTIVAL OF TREES
December 7 to January 25: CHRISTMAS POSTAGE STAMPS
December 7: SINTERKLASS FESTIVAL! (Recomended!)

BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY!!!


Share your personal photos of these events with the RMVE Blog!

• Please email any photos you are will to have posted on the RMVE blog in .jpg format (no more than 200K each, please) to the blog's primary writer/editor/monitor, Jan ten Broeke, at tensart@gmail.com.
• Please include any identifying information with your submissions including site location, activities, and names of individuals prominent in the photo(s).
• While no compensation for your photos is available, you will be providing everyone who views them with lasting memories and joy, as well as helping your community document these significant activities for the benefit of many generations to come. In that spirit, we hope you will be generous--and judicious--in your photo submissions!

EVENT ROUND-UP: October 25 to November 15 [Updated 11/5!]

The RMVE Blog has lots of opportunities for you to pull on your favorite woolly sweater, get out into the crisp autumn air, and enjoy the vibrant colors of the turning leaves! Click on an event for more info!

October 26: PUMPKIN PATCH
November 1: 15-MILE TOWPATH BIKE RIDE
November 5: SWAMP GAS DEMONSTRATION
November 6: LECTURE BY BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
November 8: COOL WOMEN POETS' READING
November 8 & 9: AMER. REV. REENACTMANT
November 9: LUNCHEON & LECTURE ON JAMES PARKER
November 15: ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE HOLIDAY SALE
November 15: LECTURE ON ABE LINCOLN & MARY TODD
November 15: CANOE/KAYAK THE D&R CANAL

Please send us your photos of these events! Anyone willing to publicly share their personal photographs of these events on the RMVE Blog is encouraged to email them in .jpg format, 200 KB or less, to the blog's primary writer/editor/monitor, Jan ten Broeke, at tensart@gmail.com. Please include any identifying information with your submissions including site location, activities, and names of individuals prominent in the photo(s).

While no compensation for your photos is available, you will be providing everyone who views them with lasting memories and joy, as well as helping your community document these significant activities for the benefit of many generations to come. In that spirit, we hope you will be generous--and judicious--in your photo submissions!

Please spread the word about the RMVE Blog!