The Journal Summer 2023

Publisher & Editor

Amy Bridge publisher@milfordjournal.com

Cover Line

Oh hummingbird

Mankind was waiting for you to come flying along “Hummingbird” lyrics, Jimmy Seals/Darrell Crofts

Design Team

Kristy Jamison

Danielle Casey

Associate Editor

B’Ann Bowman bann_bowman@yahoo.com

Advertising Team

Amy Bridge amy@milfordjournal.com

Susan Mednick susanmed2@optonline.net

The Journalists

Julia Schmitt Healy • Bob Chernow

Alison Porter • Lisa K. Winkler

Eric Francis

The tri-state upper Delaware River highlands and valleys are a place of rare beauty…

Seeing the region and living in it almost aren’t enough. Such beauty should be captured on canvas or film so that one can truly appreciate it, glimpse it in the quiet of an art gallery or museum, or between the pages of a poetry book or literary sketch.

The Journal Group’s mission is to capture these momentary snapshots of beauty graphically and through the written word. We celebrate our area and the uniqueness of the people who live and work in the tri-state region. From Pike to Wayne and Monroe to Lackawanna Counties in Pennsylvania, upriver to Sullivan County and on to Orange County in New York, and to the headwaters of the Wallkill

Editorial Readers

Robert Bowman

Amy Smith

Kimberly Hess kimberlyhess212@gmail.com

The Poet

Veronica Coyne

Mission

River and along Sussex County’s rolling hills in New Jersey, with quaint, historic towns and hamlets at the center, the Journal Group opens its doors to our communities, businesses and organizations, to serve as a communicative journal of all that we have to offer for those who live here and for those who love to visit us, too.

Publication Information

The Journal Group publishes The Journal ten times a year and distributes it in eight counties in PA, NJ and NY. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission. We reserve the right to refuse to print advertisements that we deem inappropriate. All rights reserved.

Photo by Joe DiMaggio

If you were within a two-mile radius of my kitchen window during the first few days of July and you heard a loud squeal of delight, that was me, expressing pure happiness that the hummingbirds were finally back!

Out of neglect, and certainly not on purpose, I’d left the feeders out all winter, and it wasn’t until late March that I took them in to find them encased in dark green mold and slime. Argh.

I bought two new shiny glass feeders, the kind with red plastic look-alike flowers and big yellow centers. They will love these, I thought.

Out came the nectar recipe—it’s been mastered to perfection and really delicious. In fact, in years past, it’s been a recipe worth fighting for...if you’re a hummingbird.

By mid-April, I’d made my first batch, poured it in and hung the feeders, ready to go. And I waited and I waited.

I’d heard on the news that hummingbirds had been spotted in the Northeast, and I knew very well that they remember their feeding grounds every year on their return from overwintering in Central America.

So where were my guys?

I counted the days, months, and started to give up hope. But one day when I’d least expected, there he was, humming right up to the feeder and helping himself!

And then another and another.

I can joyfully say I’m back in hummingbird business for another season.

Enjoy the photo that my friend photographer Joe DiMaggio took. He tells me that he sits patiently hour after hour until he gets the right shot. Joe says it’s pure meditation for him, and I understand why.

Midsummer in Milford

Rain pauses in the clouds the urgency of morning pillowed in haze and to-do lists cast aside for lingering latte conversations at the café

Taking time to wander in thickets of blossoming Echinacea in bed with scattered wildflowers where Trumpet Lilies bow in grace

Taking time to look up at how the criss-cross iron bridge sections the sky before descending dirt trails of pine breathing the reciprocal breath of trees in the mist

Taking time at the river flip flops tossed on the pebble beach barefoot in the stream of slippery stones leaving foot prints on warm rounded rocks

Taking time in the little shops holding treasures of wood carved eagles guitars waiting to be strummed djembe awaiting skin lavender soaps, precious gems and Buddha’s lowered gaze

Taking time talking on the porch and the sun finally peeks out in the laughing eyes of friends

-Veronica Coyne

Photo by Jerry Reganess

Around the Towns

Summer

August 2nd

Wednesday 6 p.m.

Wildflower Music Festival. Dorfinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary, White Mills, PA. Outdoor festival. $13–$26. Also August 5th & 12th. Info: 570.253.5500, dorflinger.org.

August 3rd

Thursday 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Summer Dinner Dance. The New Inn at Lackawaxen, Lackawaxen, PA. Fundraiser for the Sunshine Hall Free Library, Eldred, NY. DJ, silent auction. $50. Info: 845.557.6258, sunshinehallfreelibrary.org.

August 4th

Friday 7 p.m.

Leni’s Last Lament. Delaware Valley Opera Center, Lake Huntington, NY. A play by Gil Kofman. Performed by River Rep Theatre. $30. Also August 5th, 7 p.m. & August 6th, 2 p.m. Info: www.delawarevalleyopera. com.

August 4th–12th

9 a.m.–11 p.m.

Wayne County Fair. Honesdale, PA. Rides, animals, food, shows. Info: 570.253.2942, waynecountyfair.com.

Weekdays Noon–10 p.m.

Weekends 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

New Jersey State Fair & Sussex County Farm & Horse Show. New Jersey State Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ. Info: 973.948.5500, www.sus sexcountyfairgrounds.org.

10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Red Rooster Wine & Beer Garden. New Jersey State Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ. At the Fair. Live music. Supports Richards Building renovations Info: 973.903.0738, 201.704.7801.

August 5th

Saturday 8 p.m.

Sunset Concert Series. Sunset Concert Pavilion, Livingston Manor, NY. $10–$35. Also: August 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 19th. Presented by the Shandelee Music Festival. Info: 845.439.3277, www.shandelee.org.

August 8th

Tuesday 6–9 p.m.

Black Dirt Feast. Social Island, Goshen, NY. $150/person. Hosted by the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. Benefits local food pantries, beautification, scholarships. Info: 845.258.1469, www.pineislandny.com.

August 9th–13th

Wednesday–Sunday

Hudson Valley Jazz Festival. Orange County and Hudson Valley sites. Featuring local talent. For schedule and info: 917.903.4380, www.hudsonvalleyjazzfest.org.

August 12th

Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Friends Family Fun Day. PEEC, Dingmans Ferry, PA. Games, hikes & picnic fun. Sponsored by Friends of the Delaware Water Gap. Info: 570.828.2319, peec.org.

11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Vets Summer Fest. Vasa Park, Budd Lake, NJ. Crafts, food, car show & more. Benefits Operation Chillout, Homeless Veterans Outreach. Free will donations. Info: vetsum merfest.org.

2–4 p.m.

Artful Bear Debut. Community House, Milford, PA. Free. Meet the bears; enjoy music & snow cones. Info: 570.832.4858, Facebook: Artful Bear Debut.

6–9 p.m.

Farm to Plate Dinner & Auction. Watres Lodge, Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel, PA. Live music, locally sourced menu. Benefits Lacawac mission to preserve the environment. $95. Info: 570.689.9494, www.la cawac.org.

August 13th

Sunday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Bagel Festival. Broadway, Monticello, NY. Food, craft & entertainment vendors, car show, live mural art. Hosted by Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce. Info: 845.791.4200, thebagelfestival.org.

August 16th

Wednesday 6–9 p.m.

Farm to Table Epicurious Dinner. The Barn at Perona Farms, Andover, NJ. $350. Supports the Patriots Path Council, Boy Scouts of America. Info: 973.765.9322, mike.wel lech@scouting.org.

August 17th

Thursday 7 p.m.

The World of James Madison. Delaware Township Municipal Building, Dingmans Ferry, PA. Presentation by Kyle Jenks, American Heritage Living History Productions. Free. Donations accepted. Info: dingmans ferryhistoricalsociety.org.

August 19th

Saturday 2–8 p.m.

Tractor Parade. Fire House, Sandyston Township, NJ. Great food. Bring your lawn chairs. Benefits Sandyston Township Volunteer Fire Department. Info: 973.271.7277.

5:30 p.m.

Ukrainian Romantics. Grey Towers, Milford, PA. Classical violinist Mikhail Kopelman & cellist Yosif Feigleson. $25. Hosted by Kindred Spirits Arts Programs. Info: kindred spiritsarts.org.

August 20th

Sunday Noon–2 p.m.

Flatbrookville Presentation. Walpack Church, Walpack Center, NJ. Hosted by Walpack Historical Society. Info: 973.552.8880, wal packhistory.org.

2 p.m.

Music in the Park: The Outcrops. Ann Street Park, Milford, PA. Presented by Milford Borough Parks and Recreation. Info: Facebook: Music in the Park.

2 p.m.

Skylands Dulcimer String Band Concert. Foster Armstrong House, Montague, NJ. Hosted by M.A.R.C.H.. Info: 973.293.3106, Facebook: Montague Assoc. for the Restoration of Community History.

4–6 p.m.

Three Generations of Pinchots. Grey Towers, Milford, PA. David Patterson, author of The Pinchots: A Family Saga, highlights the Pinchot family legacy. $15–$20. Tickets required. Info: 570.296.9630, greytowers.org.

August 23rd

Wednesday 4–6 p.m.

Glass Roots Fellowship Exhibition: Opening Reception. Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton, NJ. Artists’ lectures at 6 p.m. Exhibit: August 23rd–September 22nd. Info: 973.948.5202, petersvalleygallery.org.

6:30 p.m.

Stillwater Township History Night. 931 Swartswood Rd, Stillwater, NJ. Presented by the Stillwater Historical Society. Free, light refreshments. Info: ginarichardson907@ gmail.com.

August 25th–27th

Friday–Sunday

Wally Lake Fest. Lake Wallenpaupack, Hawley, PA. Sailboat rides, bike ride, crafts, music, beer fest & more. Info: 570.226.3191, www.northernpoconos.org.

August 26th

Saturday 9–11 a.m.

Adult Flower Pick & Design Workshop. Willow Wisp Organic Farm, Damascus, PA. Hosted by Farm Arts Collective. $30. Info: 570.798.9530, farmartscollective.org.

Noon–4 p.m.

Museum Crawl. Port Jervis, NY. Visit Fireman’s Museum, Fort Decker, Erie Boxcar Museum. Hosted by Visit Port Jervis and Tri-States Railway Preservation Society. Info: Facebook: Visit Port Jervis.

August 26th–27th

Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Pocono State Craft Festival. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Stroudsburg, PA. Adults/$6, under 12/free. Fine arts & crafts, demonstrations, music. Info: 570.992.6161, www.quietvalley.org.

3–9 p.m.

Fuller Moon Arts Festival. Mountain Lake Park, Warwick, NY. Interactive art displays, live music, dance performances, artisans’ market, farm-to-table food. $15/adults, $10/children 6–18 & seniors. Presented by Wickham Works and the Warwick Center for the Performing Arts. Info: www.fuller moonartsfest.com.

August 27th

Sunday

Events at the Sussex County Sunflower Maze. Liberty Farm, Sandyston, NJ. Sunrise pho tography ($25), food truck, DJ Rich, Moo for You ice cream truck. Info: 833.786.6293, sussexcountysunflowermaze.com.

2 p.m.

More Borscht from a Catskill Mountain Plumber. Time and the Valleys Museum, Grahamsville, NY. Allen Frishman discusses new book about growing up in “the coun try.” Info: 845.985.7700, www.timeandthe valleysmuseum.org.

2–7 p.m.

River Ramble. Spruce Lake Retreat, Canadensis, PA. Hosted by Brodhead Wa tershed Association. Info: 570.839.1120, www.brodheadwatershed.org.

4:00–6:30 p.m.

Opera! Pike! Park! Ann Street Park, Milford, PA. Performances by Academy of Vocal Arts. Free. Part of the Music in the Park series pre sented by Milford Borough’s Parks and Rec reation Committee. Info: pikeopera.com, Facebook: Pike Opera.

August 31st

Thursday 1–7 p.m.

Pint for a Pint: Blood Drive. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Sparta, NJ. Give blood and get a free beverage from a par ticipating venue. Info: 800.933.BLOOD, nybc.org/pint.

September 3rd

Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

CHARMING MILFORD Route 2001 (Water St.) 570-296-9610

BEAUTIFUL LAKE WALLENPAUPACK Route 6 • 570-226-9726

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HONESDALE Church & 6th Sts. • 570-253-1860

VanGorders.com

Scandinavian Fest. Vasa Park, Budd Lake, NJ. Scandinavian crafts, food, entertain ment. $11–$14. Info: scanfest.org. A A Littl

Putting Words to Song Amanda McBroom

IfBob Dylan can win the Nobel Prize for Literature, the Milford Readers & Writers Festival certainly can spotlight a lyricist and singer at its 2023 festival.

Amanda McBroom has been described as a “one-woman whirlwind of the arts,” and her Friday opening night event will be a concert in which she will be singing, along with recounting stories about her life and work. She will be accompanied by Christopher Denny.

I recently talked with her and am certain that her bubbly and engaging personality will make for a fun and entertaining evening for all.

Her story began in California. Her father was “in the movies,” and her mother was a drama teacher. As an only child, her parents encouraged her from day one. She attended their grown-up parties and absorbed the culture of the Hollywood movie industry. She tells me she was “never shy. I’ve been performing since I was four years old! The grown-ups would be there with their martinis, and I would sing for them. Things like Laura or Mairzy Doats.”

It was as if the only path open to her was one in the performing arts.

Her father, whose stage name was David Bruce, was what she calls a “B plus” actor who worked with the likes of Errol Flynn, but who never achieved the same level of fame. Her mom ran a children’s theater, where McBroom learned acting and singing, along with stagecraft—costumes, sets, etc. (Fun Fact: the actor John Ritter was one of the students in the program back in the day.)

“My parents exposed me to all the arts. They took me to My Fair Lady, Oklahoma…every musical. They were lovers of language, and I picked that up, too,” she notes.

In 1962, when McBroom was 14, her mom died after a long illness. Amanda was sent to live with an aunt in a small town in Texas, which was a difficult time for her. “I eventually healed,” she says, “and I took up the guitar. I sang on local television stations and also at other venues such as the Dallas State Fair.” At sixteen, she also began acting and singing in summer musicals.

Next came junior college, where she studied acting, eventually winding up at the University of Texas at Austin. After college, she found work in Ashland, Oregon, with the Oregon Shakespeare Theater. She lived the life of a

young actress, trying to make it on her own. She took what work came her way and did auditions.

Her life took a wonderful turn, both professionally and romantically, when she joined the cast of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. This is where she met her actor/singer husband, George Ball. For ten years, with the two of them in the leading roles, they did a national tour of the show. Since then, she’s performed in Seesaw, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, and Mame.

But let’s get to the song. “The Rose” is what she calls her “accidental miracle.” In the 70s, she was driving on the freeway and heard a lyric from the song “Magdalena” : “Your love is like a razor. My heart is just a scar.” This didn’t sit well with her. She didn’t agree. In her head, words that contradicted that idea poured out. The words came to her so fast, she recited them to herself as she drove, so as not to forget them. Once home, she sat down at the piano, and ten minutes later, she had her song.

She played it for her husband, who said, “You’ve just written a standard.” She was in disbelief, as she had yet to record anything. But he was certain.

A year or so later, her friend and songwriter Michele Brourman told her about the movie The Rose coming out. Unselfishly, Brourman offered to submit McBroom’s song, along with her own. McBroom had never tried to submit anything but gave her the okay. As things often happen, the movie producers didn’t much like it. But another angel named Paul Rothchild stepped in. He was the music supervisor on the picture and resubmitted the song to them. The answer from the producers was still, “No.” So what did he do? He mailed the song to Bette Midler. She liked it, and “it changed my life forever,” McBroom says.

After the movie came out, McBroom appeared on Johnny Carson. She performed the song at the Golden Globes and won for it. She performed it again at the Grammys (where it was also nominated) but alas, didn’t win that one.

Everyone has recorded it—Manhattan Transfer, Anne Murray, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Barbara Cook, Stephanie Mills. I must confess that, along with lots of other people I’m sure, it’s my go-to song at karaoke.

Over the years, McBroom has not been idle, just living off her royalties from “The Rose.” She’s written lyrics

Continued on next page

Photos courtesy of Amanda McBroom

for many songs for the TV series Cop Rock and created themes for television programs such as The Young and the Restless. She was nominated for an Emmy for a song that was on As the World Turns and has also written songs for twenty or so video releases (Curious George, Land Before Time, The Chipmunks, etc.).

She’s recorded vinyl albums on the Sheffield Labs label (Growing Up in Hollywood Town and West of Oz) in the live direct-to-disc method. Billboard Magazine called Hollywood Town a “striking and complete artistic success.” (Note to non-audiophiles: The direct-to-disc technique means you record with no stopping, no re-dos. It’s as close to live as can be. “The quality is extraordinary,” she tells me.)

McBroom has recorded on Gecko Records, a label she and her manager Garry George created. Her first release on the label, Dreaming, has sold more than 200,000 copies. Other albums include Midnight Matinee, with performances by jazz legend Bob James and blues guitarist Robben Ford, A Waiting Heart, Portraits, Chanson, and most recently, Voices. The album Heartbeats is an origi-

nal cast recording of the musical Amanda wrote and performed along with her husband.

Mixed into the above were tours, cabaret, club appearances, and concerts, one at Carnegie Hall, along with TV appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Hawaii Five-O. In 2005, her most recent musical, A Woman of Will, had its Off-Broadway debut in New York.

McBroom currently lives in Ojai, California, with her husband and their dogs, cats, and birds. When she comes to Milford, it will be her first time in the area.

I asked her for any closing words, as we wound up our conversation. “Hmmm,” she says and then adds, “Write that if people come to the show, it won’t just be me singing my songs. I’ll do some standards, some Cole Porter, some Leonard Cohen and such. They should expect humor and philosophy. I hope that they’ll find their hearts are a little warmer when they leave.”

An Evening with Amanda McBroom is the opening event of the Milford Readers & Writers Festival on Friday, September 22nd, 7–9 p.m., at the Milford Theater.

Julia Schmitt Healy is an artist, writer, and professor. Her work is represented by Western Exhibitions, Chicago, Illinois. (juliahealy.com, westernexhibitions.com)

A Picnic by Any Other Name... Tastes Just as Sweet

WhenI was a teenager, I was lucky enough to spend a year abroad. I am forever grateful to the Rotary Club for this opportunity. I ended up in a tiny town in the southwest of France, about twenty miles outside of Bordeaux. There were a lot of grapevines where I lived.

Equipped with my high school French, I was absolutely flummoxed that I could not understand one word that was spoken. Everyone talked so fast, with extra syllables that didn’t make sense. I later learned that this was the accent of the paysans, the farmers, of France. It’s not unlike a Texas accent, with broad vowels and a twangy nasal intonation. It left me in a constant state of disorientation, but I learned to pick up a word or two at first, and then simple phrases. Just not quickly.

One late summer day shortly after I arrived, I heard talk of going on a pique-nique, which I cleverly deduced meant picnic, since it was basically the same word. I was surprised to find that this was an old French word, from piquer, as in pick or nab, and nique, a rhyming word meaning something little. That made sense to me. I loved picnics at home, and they did involve a lot of reaching over other people to snag the last piece of chicken.

The picnic day arrived, I thought, full of sun and a pleasant breeze. But then I got the sense that I was wrong once again. We seemed to be gearing up for a long camping expedition. All sorts of equipment and bedding appeared in the foyer, along with tins, bottles, mysterious boxes, so many baguettes, and a wicker basket that held six bottles of wine. Maybe this wasn’t a picnic after all.

At a prearranged hour, other families arrived, their cars also packed tight. We traveled like a military convoy along narrow country lanes. At a spot that looked exactly like everywhere else we had passed in the last 45 minutes, we stopped.

We had arrived at the edge of a field, with an old apple tree and a couple of cows in the distance. I was beginning to have doubts, but everyone sprang to action with a precision and economical speed that I had not seen before. Apparently, it was time to unpack.

Adults moved quickly and with purpose. Children helped carry things. Folding tables (Where did those come from?) emerged along with a variety of benches and chairs. A large beach umbrella and stand appeared. I stood, mouth agape, not being very helpful while everyone else bustled.

After a while, I was shown three vases, handed a pair of scissors and pointed in the direction of the meadow below. My job, I understood, was to pick wildflowers for our centerpieces. I was pretty bad at this, so two little kids, Denis and Matthew, were sent to help me.

By the time the boys and I had climbed back up the hill with bunches of flowers, a magical transformation had occurred. It was truly astonishing. The most elegant picnic on earth was spread out before us. The tables were set up like a banquet, in one long line. They were covered in faded floral printed tablecloths, harmonious without matching, with enough room for all twenty of us. Places were set as if for a formal dinner, with China plates, solid cutlery, and linen napkins. There were salt and pepper shakers, a bread basket, and several bottles of wine, ready to be uncorked. The only concession to the great outdoors was that instead of stemmed wine glasses, short all-purpose tumblers were set for water and wine. Now our floral centerpieces would complete the scene. It looked like a movie set.

A leisurely al fresco feast followed, with much joking and laughing while we ate, drank, and relaxed. First, platters of appetizers appeared and were passed around the table, enough for everyone to have a taste. Everything from pâtés and terrines, cured meats, olives, cornichons, and, of course, bread. This was followed by grilled meats, sausage-stuffed tomatoes, rice salad, and vegetables. It was a dizzying variety of food, some of which I was familiar with and some new to me.

I felt like I was watching a magician pulling things out of a hat. What next? Next was a collaboration of summer desserts: apple tarts, apricot tartlets, cherries in Armagnac, followed by exquisite chocolate bonbons. Everything had to be tasted. It was one of the most satisfying dining experiences of my entire life.

The shadows grew longer, and I was slipping into a delicious sleepy state of satisfaction. The conversation became a sporadic punctuation to the quiet. Someone opened and shut a car trunk. There was rustling. I hoped it wasn’t time to leave yet. Let this last a little while longer, I thought.

A new scent, not flowers, not cigarettes, not wine, seemed to be asserting itself. It smelled like…was I dreaming? I looked up. Madame had placed a science laboratory contraption with an open flame at one end of the table and was making coffee. She set out tiny espresso cups with

saucers and tiny spoons and little wrapped cubes of sugar too. Nothing could be more welcome or perfect. I was amazed once again. Revitalized, we packed up the cars afterwards and headed home.

In the years since, I still marvel at that picnic in France, even though I have no desire to try to recreate it. I live in a reality of too many things to do in too little time. But I still love picnics. Here are some of my family’s tried and true favorites for a quick and tasty picnic. They include our three essentials: a hearty sandwich, a couple of side dishes, and of course, dessert.

My favorite go-to sandwich is a twist on a hero. (See the recipe on right page.) Versatility is its middle name. You can stuff this bad boy with deli meats and cheeses, or layer it with veggies, all seasoned with a good vinaigrette. The key is to wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, partially unwrap it, cut into quarters and rewrap tight for the road.

Tomato and cucumber salad is easy to assemble and makes good use of summer vegetables. It’s also foolproof. Place a few tomatoes cut in eighths in a sealable plastic container. Add cucumbers sliced longways, seeds removed and cut in ¼ inch pieces. Toss in some thinly sliced red onion, add cane vinegar (rice, apple cider, or balsamic vinegar can be used), a little fresh pepper and set on the counter for a few minutes. Shake it up and eat. Avocado is a nice addition when serving.

Another fast favorite is bocconcini (little mozzarella balls) marinated in olive oil, with a couple cloves of smashed garlic, a teaspoon (or more) of crushed red pepper flakes, some chopped fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of salt. These can be eaten as tasty bites or added to a salad or charcuterie board. Warning: these are addictive.

A nice piece of cake is always a welcome addition to any meal. This time of year, I keep an eye on the zucchini population exploding in my garden and am always searching for novel ways to use a few of these rascals. This chocolate zucchini cake works on so many levels. It’s not fussy, it uses up the older, more woody zucchini, and it travels well. The perfect ending for a simple picnic. Now if I just had a Bunsen burner, I could fire up some coffee. Bon appetit!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

½ cup butter, softened

½ cup vegetable oil

1-¾ cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup buttermilk

2-½ cups flour

¼ cup cocoa powder

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 cups peeled and finely diced (not shredded) zucchini, using the fleshy part of a larger zucchini

½-¾ cup of mini or regular chocolate chips

Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

• Grease and dust a loaf pan with cocoa powder.

• In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.

• Cream the butter, oil, and sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and beat for 2 minutes or until well incorporated. Beat in the flour mixture. Stir in zucchini and mix. Fold into the prepared pan. Cover with a generous layer of chocolate chips.

• Cook for 50–55 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. May be dusted with confectioners’ sugar.

Stuffed Sandwiches

Large whole loaves of bread, rectangular or round

Vinaigrette dressing

Fillings for an Italian Sandwich:

Prosciutto

Ham

Salami

Provolone

Roasted red peppers

Artichoke hearts

Sun-dried tomatoes

Fillings for a Very Veggie Sandwich:

Arugula

Mozzarella

Fresh tomato

Caponata

Basil leaves

• Take a large whole loaf of bread. Slice the top off about 1/3 way down. Scoop out the soft center, leaving a healthy amount of crust to hold in the fillings, to make a bread bowl. (The bread bits may be reserved for making random-shaped croutons or be fed to the birds.)

• Squeeze or ladle dressing onto the base and the lid. Layer the fillings in the bread. There are suggestions at left, but the possibilities are endless.

• After the layers are completed, press the lid of the bread on top of the loaf and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least four hours. Place a weight on top. I use a frying pan. This compresses the sandwich and makes it easier to serve and eat.

• The next day, remove from the refrigerator and unwrap. Cut the loaf in quarters. Rewrap as a whole tightly in plastic wrap until serving.

America’s Old West

For years, I’ve driven down Route 206 in Byram Township, NJ, toward Route 80 and noticed the brown and white sign for Wild West City, and I’ve always wondered, “Now, how did a western city end up here in New Jersey?”

And then I met Ron Benson and his son Frank, the current owners of Wild West City, and knew that I needed to find out more.

Wild West City originated in 1957 and was purchased by the Stabiles, Ron’s wife’s family, in 1962. It is a living tribute to a time in American history when the pioneer spirit was prolific—a time immortalized by authors, such as Mark Twain in Roughing It or Louis L’Amour in his series of Western novels.

In 1912, author Zane Grey, who enjoyed fishing the river in Lackawaxen, PA, and eventually bought a farmhouse there, helped readers better understand the realities and hardships of frontier life in his novel, Riders of the Purple Sage: “A sharp clip-crop of iron-shod hoofs deadened and died away, and clouds of yellow dust drifted from under the cottonwoods out over the sage.”

The original owners of the theme park actually flew architects to Dodge City in Kansas to take measurements and photographs so they could model their park on the 1880s town.

But Wild West City is more than just a theme park immortalizing the 1950s fascination with cowboys. I was expecting original scripts with actors and stuntmen portraying Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral or Jesse James and the James Gang at the Northfield Bank Robbery, but I did not expect to meet Kenny Hill, a professional stuntman who appeared in The Italian Job, Magnum P.I., and Die Hard with a Vengeance and has been with Wild West since 1995.

“I always liked Western movies,” Kenny said. “Range Rider got me hooked in the 1950s. When I was younger, I read an article about stuntmen in a movie magazine. I went out to meet the writer, and he showed me how to do things. After I retired from the police force, I joined SAG (Screen Actors Guild), and now I mentor the other stuntmen here.”

I also did not expect the attention to detail and the thought put into the replication of an era.

The “streets” in Wild West City are not just facades of buildings, such as you would find on a Hollywood set, and this is what surprised me. Inside each “shop” is a small museum that pays tribute to its name on the sign hanging out front.

The WWC News building, for example, hosts an old printing press, and protected inside glass cases is a 1892 Bible, a New York Times from the late 1800s, a Harper’s Weekly (1889), and other related memorabilia.

A portrait of Lilly Langtry, the socialite who was portrayed in the film The Westerner, starring Gary Cooper, was the first thing I noticed hanging on the wall in the Dress Shop. This museum showcases seamstress-made clothing of the times, including a wedding gown and shoes, as well as era-specific sewing machines.

There was an Old Jail building that housed cells made in 1890 by the Pauly Lock Company of St. Louis. It was used to hold prisoners in Camden, NJ, from 1890 to 1905, then in Scotch Plains, NJ, from 1905 to 1974, before being transported to Wild West City.

photos courtesy of Frank Benson

The Frontier Museum hosts a replica of a prairie house setting, ice skates from the Civil War period, and the very important chamber pot.

Down the street sits the Tonsorial Parlor, or barber shop, which boasts a poster asking if we knew that “cowboys could take a freshwater bath (50 cents) or settle for used bath water (25 cents)” and that “laws outlining barber education, licensure and sanitation practices were first passed in 1897 in Minnesota.”

Across the street is Doc Holliday’s Dentist Office, filled with the appropriate dental chair and dental equipment, perched in back of a wooden casket on the floor—perhaps a touch of humor?

Celebrities have appeared frequently at Wild West City, including Larry Storch, of F Troop fame. “He came often. He was a big fan,” Ron explains, “so we honored him by giving him a key to the city and named the saloon, Larry Storch’s Silver Dollar Saloon.” His photos grace the wooden walls.

“Over the years, we’ve had performances at our Golden Nugget Saloon by Tex Ritter, the singing cowboy; Marvin Rainwater; George Hamilton from the Grand Ole Opry; and Kitty Wells, dubbed ‘Queen of Country Music.’ ”

front of the Wild West City Bank when he was releasing his Wanted Dead or Alive album.”

This past June, Wild West City hosted the Baily Boys, 26th Regiment Civil War reenactors, and in July, the ThunderBirds, a diverse mix of Native American tribes, held a powwow, which included hoop dances, crafts on display, and the telling of cultural stories.

There was also a Charley Parkhurst tribute. Charley, aka “One-Eyed Charley” and “Six-Horse Charley,” was born Charlotte Parkhurst and became a farmer and a stagecoach driver. She pretended to be a man for her whole life because a woman was not allowed to drive a stagecoach at the time.

“We live the cowboy life,” Frank Benson tells me. Asked to explain, he continues, “We work hard. We tend to sixteen horses, ponies, quite a few stagecoaches, two barnyard goats, sheep, a cow, pigs, and chickens. We honor the Cowboy Code of Conduct, which includes ‘live each day with honesty and courage, practice tolerance and understanding of others, and be an excellent steward of the land and its animals.’

“We live by hard work, treat everyone the right way, including our staff, and pass on our knowledge. When

An Obsession with Jazz Roni Ben-Hur

Jazz guitarist Roni Ben-Hur is no stranger to Milford, PA. Before he talked with Kindred Spirits Arts Program Director Yosif Feigelson about performing in Milford on September 9th, he had visited the area many times to hike with his two daughters. He has also performed at the Deer Head Inn, a live jazz venue in the town of Delaware Water Gap.

Feigelson connected with Ben-Hur on the Internet, and the two musicians corresponded for a few years, as they waited for the pandemic to end, allowing live performances to resume.

Bass player Harvie S, Israeli singer Tamuz Nissim, and drummer Jason Tiemann will join Ben-Hur for the concert, which will include American classics, international light jazz, and their own compositions.

Ben-Hur met Harvie about 15 years ago at a concert at

which they were both performing. They have made eight albums together and have toured throughout the United States and Europe. Harvie introduced Ben-Hur to Nissim.

“I loved Nissim’s singing from the first time I heard her. Since we’re both from Israel, we have a lot in common, and it is easy and natural for us to make music together,” said Ben-Hur.

He met Tiemann about four years ago, and they have played many gigs together, as well as sessions, and Tiemann is on Ben-Hur’s latest album, Love Letter, produced by Mighty Quinn Records.

Says Feigelson, “I watched his impressive videos, including one with Tamuz Nissim, which prompted me to ask him to bring her to Milford as well. For me it was a true discovery to find two Israeli-born jazz artists doing so well in a very competitive NY jazz scene.”

Roni Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur’s family relocated from Tunisia to Israel before he was born. He started playing guitar at age eleven and learned about jazz from a high school friend’s record collection. He performed in clubs, at weddings and bar mitzvahs. He developed a love of classical Spanish guitar, finding a Moorish sound that resonated with his family’s North African roots. Later, after moving to New York City in 1985, he discovered Brazilian music, particularly through the work of guitarist-composer Baden Powell.

“My dual affinity for jazz and Brazilian music has a lot to do with where I come from. With my family coming from Tunisia, I felt at home with each style since the Brazilian and jazz rhythms both originated in Africa. And when you consider the jazz-standard repertoire, the melodic content of songs by composers like Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, and Irving Berlin is very much rooted in Jewish music. So, I’ve just always gravitated toward those beautiful minor-key songs and romantic melodies of the standards songbook, as well as the deep rhythms in both bebop and Brazilian music. It all feels totally natural to me,” he said.

A long-time American citizen based in the New York area, Ben-Hur performs, composes, conducts, and teaches. As founding director of the jazz program at the Lucy Moses School at Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan starting in 1994, he educated a multitude of jazz enthusiasts in ensemble playing, improvisation, and jazz guitar.

He established jazz programs in New York City high schools, along with presenting workshops for students of all ages in the U.S. and Europe. He also offers tutorials online and has published many instructional materials.

Ben-Hur has led jazz camps and taught workshops from Maine and New York to Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Turkey, as well as founding the Roni Ben-Hur Jazz Camp that is based in Vermont each summer and in France every spring and fall. The camp programs are designed for adult music lovers for whom playing jazz “is a passion, not a vocation,” Ben-Hur said. The camps based near the village of Uzès in the South of France include cooking classes and excursions to nearby sites.

Ben-Hur credits his mentor, the late Barry Harris, with helping him find his style and philosophy about jazz. Harris, a disciple of Thelonious Monk and a Grammy Award winner, led the influential Jazz Cultural Theater during the mid-1980s in Manhattan.

“It’s always about love of the music and respect for the student, not just mastering tunes,” he said. “The people who come to my jazz camps are serious amateurs. I give them the opportunity to learn repertoire, rhythms, and techniques, but I also give them the space to enjoy themselves in a relaxed, vacation-friendly environment, with a lot of hanging out and jam sessions.

Continued on next page

Tamuz

Nissim

Harvie

“Most of the students are accomplished professionals beyond music in law, medicine, and business. I believe in practice, of course, but I aim to teach students at their own pace. As I learned from Barry Harris, I emphasize aural learning so that students can absorb music through their ears and fingers. Assimilating it that way means the lessons really stick with you.

“When I first imagined a life in music, my mother pointed out to me that music isn’t a profession as much as it’s an obsession. As many records as I’ve made, shows I’ve played, workshops I’ve conducted, I’m always wanting to share music with colleagues, students, and listeners. After all,” he concluded, “that’s what music was really made for—to share with other people.”

About Kindred Spirits Arts Programs

Kindred Spirits Arts Programs began as a telephone conversation between Milford resident Nancy Pinchot, granddaughter of Amos Pinchot, Gifford Pinchot’s younger brother, and Yosif Feigelson, a world-class cellist who moved to Milford in 1987.

He remembers the conversation. “She told me, ‘I’m from the Pinchot family, and I have a dream to have music performed inside at Grey Towers.’ I told her I had to think about it. The next year, she called me again. She was persistent.” They put their heads together and formed Music at Grey Towers, which became Kindred Spirits Arts Programs (KSAP).

Since its founding in 2002, Kindred Spirits Arts Programs has taken inspiration from Asher Durand’s iconic painting, Kindred Spirits, and has explored the relationship between the beauty of nature and the creation of art, both musical and visual.

With Grey Towers National Historic Site as its original home, KSAP concerts complement the Pinchot family’s dedication to conservation and support of the arts. KSAP became a non-profit in 2006 and has added additional venues, including several sites in downtown Milford and throughout the Upper Delaware Valley.

Besides presenting concerts for the general public, the organization has developed working relationships with local school districts providing students the opportunity to hear first-rate artists performing world-class music, as well as offering master classes for students. While it offered mostly classical music in its early years, it has presented a number of prominent jazz instrumentalists and singers, small groups and large bands, as well as folk ensembles throughout its 21-year history.

The Roni Ben-Hur Quartet will perform Saturday, September 9th at 5:30 p.m. at the Grey Towers Historical Site under the outdoor tent pavilion. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door or in advance through the Kindred Spirits Arts Programs website (kindredspiritsarts.org) or at Eventbrite.com. Space is limited, so buy tickets early.

Lisa K. Winkler divides her time between Milford, PA, and Summit, NJ. She’s a former newspaper reporter and public school teacher. She writes under lisakwinkler.wordpress.com and for several non-profits, and is in the midst of writing a historical fiction novel. Winkler serves as press relations volunteer for Kindred Spirits Arts Programs.

Walking into Biondo Investment Advisors’ beautiful new building in Sparta, NJ, appointed with art-deco details, it is hard to miss the simple, yet stunning black marble sculptures of the stock market symbols, the bull and the bear, by artist Angelika Kade.

The many windows allow the summer light to stream in, just as it does in their Frank Lloyd Wright design-inspired offices in Milford, PA. The window glass reflects the sense of transparency that Biondo Advisors, who advise on over $800 million in client assets (as of June 30, 2023), value and impart to their clientele.

“Transparency,” Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor, Karl Wagner III explains, “is one of the unique qualities that sets us apart in our industry. We don’t sell, we have no monthly quotas to meet, and we are fiduciaries, which is the highest standard in the industry. We’re beholden to absolute transparency, so everything that we do is in our client’s best interest.” Unlike many investment advisories, Biondo has eliminated commission pay on all managed investments, there is nothing involved that their clients aren’t aware of upfront, and that is provided in writing.

This independent, family-owned company began in 2004, bringing sixty plus years of investment experience between the founding partner, Joseph Biondo, and his four partners.

Wagner continues, “One of our biggest differentiators

is that we manage money by doing our own in-house research, no outsourcing, which provides a more costefficient experience for our clients. We’ve eliminated the middleman.

“We are aware that today’s financial landscape has grown more complicated, so having a trusted partner who offers thoughtful financial guidance and expertise is beneficial. By having a deep awareness of our clients’ values, aspirations, and available resources, our holistic approach to wealth management considers all aspects of their financial lives. Only then can we provide integrated strategies on investments, retirement, estate planning, taxefficiency, and overall financial planning that support and align with their vision. Being accessible for personalized advice on the various financial issues and life milestones they may encounter along the way is a hallmark of the long-term relationships we take pride in.

“In managing our clients’ wealth, our goal is to make the process better understood, and better connected to their lives, so they feel more secure and can enjoy what matters most. Our track record is crystal clean. We eat our own cooking,” explains Karl. In other words, “we invest our own money right alongside our clients.

“We are invested in our communities, and it’s ingrained in our own culture to participate and to give back.” Wagner concludes, “These towns are home to us too.”

By Bob Chernow

Where Are the Colorful Pollinators?

New Jersey Butterfly Club

Imaginea meadow at the edge of the woods, beautiful gardens with native plants, two small ponds, and 86 different species of butterflies. This describes the Fredon Township, NJ, home of Sharon and Wade Wander, who are founding members of the New Jersey Butterfly Club, a regional chapter of the North American Butterfly Association, Inc. (NABA). The non-profit organization was formed in 1992 to promote public enjoyment and conservation of butterflies.

Sharon and Wade met while attending Rutgers University and describe themselves as “general nature people.” Wade started serious birding at the age of 10, and Sharon much later in life after a wilderness trip to Montana. Together, they formed Wander Ecological Consultants. They specialize in wetlands consulting, evaluating a site’s plant life, soil type, and hydrology, to determine whether or not wetlands permits would be required for develop-

ment. They also taught a wetlands plant identification class at Rutgers and created an endangered species course. Originally, I met Sharon through membership in the New Jersey Native Plant Society, and then I had the good fortune of attending her Zoom talk and guided hike about native trees at Kittatinny State Park. She has an easy-going and informative demeanor. Her knowledge of butterflies, trees, flowers, birds, and wildlife is extensive. She is an enthusiastic educator and willingly shares her knowledge.

Wade cites three reasons that butterfly watching has grown in recent years: publication of a new guide, introduction of butterfly binoculars, and digital cameras. The traditional guide, Roger Tory Peterson Guide to Butterflies, only showed pictures of “pinned “specimens with wings open. A more recent guide by Jeffrey Glassberg shows

Gray Hairstreak packs a lot of the wow factor for a butterfly only the size of your thumbnail.

All Photos by Wade Wander

photos of butterflies as seen in nature, and it describes the field marks needed for identification. “Butterfly binoculars,” also known as close focus binoculars, allow the viewer to see images only 1.5 feet away in a narrow field of view. And digital cameras allow photographers to take photos and compare the images to the butterfly guides to facilitate identification.

“If you enjoy flowers, sunshine, and warmth, then you’ll probably enjoy butterflying (actively searching for butterflies and identifying them),” states Glassberg in the Introduction to his book Butterflies Through Binoculars. In order to protect fragile butterflies and their populations, Glassberg promotes viewing with binoculars and opposes netting or catching butterflies, which can damage their wings.

Both butterflies and moths belong to the insect order Lepidoptera. (In Greek, lepido means scales and ptera means wings). And both undergo complete metamorphosis during their four-stage life cycle. (In Greek, meta means change and morph means shape.) The adult lays eggs on a plant. The eggs hatch into caterpillars at the larval stage. Each caterpillar feeds on the host plant and then transforms into the pupa stage, labeled a cocoon if it is a moth or a chrysalis if it is a butterfly. The pupa stage hatches into an adult.

According to Wade, a “fresh” butterfly is one that has recently hatched and has its brightest color. The color is derived from the chitin-based scales on the butterfly wings. As the scales wear off, the color becomes duller. The natural substance, chitin, is structurally similar to another natural substance, keratin, which makes up human hair and nails and bird feathers.

Some butterflies and ants have a mutually beneficial relationship. The caterpillar of the Edwards Hairstreak, for example, is assisted by ants when it feeds on leaves of the shrub-sized scrub oak. The ants build a shelter for the caterpillars at the base of the oak and tend the caterpillars as they move up the tree to feed on leaves at night. They also protect the caterpillar from predators. Before sunlight, the ants encourage the caterpillars back down to the shelter. In exchange, the ants benefit by eating a sweet secretion that the caterpillar discharges. This symbiotic relationship benefits both insects.

The Monarch butterfly is perhaps the most recognized butterfly in the United States. Known for its vibrant orange and black coloring, dependence on native milkweed plants, and fascinating annual migration, the Monarch and many other species of butterflies are dwindling in numbers. At least three butterfly species that have been lost from New Jersey in recent decades include the Harris’s Checkerspot, Arctic Skipper, and Silver-bordered Fritillary.

Several factors help explain why butterfly populations are decreasing. The inter-dependence of native plants,

insects including caterpillars and butterflies, and birds is critical. Invasive plants are outcompeting native plants that butterflies rely on for nectar and egg-laying sites. This translates to a loss of caterpillar food. Birds, in turn, rely heavily on caterpillars to feed their young. Fewer native plants means fewer caterpillars which means fewer birds. Such is the local ecosystem where the lives of plants, butterflies, and birds are intertwined.

Other factors such as chemicals, logging, poaching, predation, parasites, and climate change are also contributing to the decline in butterfly populations nationwide. The conversion of native grasslands to agricultural use has reduced the amount of natural habitat, as well as increased exposure to harmful chemical sprays. Not only do some chemicals directly harm butterflies and other insects, but some sprays kill the plants that the butterflies need for nectar and egg laying.

Although some Monarchs summer in the Middle Atlantic States, they are considered “immigrants” because they do not overwinter there. In the fall, the migratory generation of Monarchs forgo reproduction to conserve energy for the long flight south. Using environmental cues such as diminishing light, cooling temperatures, and the earth’s magnetic field, local Monarch butterflies fly the entire trip to mountains in central Mexico, a place they have never been.

Continued on next page

American Copper nectaring on Spotted Knapweed.

There they overwinter in colonies high up in the fir trees at an altitude cool enough to slow the body’s metabolism but not cold enough to freeze. (As climate change causes warming, the critical threshold temperatures may become too warm for the butterflies’ winter survival.)

In the spring, these same butterflies leave for a shorter migration to Texas and Oklahoma, where they breed, reproduce, and die. A second and third generation of offspring then complete the return trip north.

Just as birdwatchers participate in Christmas bird counts to inventory local species, NABA members conduct the July 4th Butterfly Count (more than 400 nationwide) in order to document current population trends and provide real time data to scientists. Attending the local butterfly count in Sussex County this past July, I joined one of seven teams working in various habitats. In the final tally, 49 species were identified.

Along with butterfly watching, Wade has developed an expertise in “mothing at lights.” Many nature centers now hold “moth nights” where participants study and identify moths, whose overall abundance outnumbers butterflies by a factor of 15 to 1.

Wade Wander’s collection of nighttime photographs taken with a flash includes over 1,300 of the 2,000 species of moths found in New Jersey. Even though different species of moths are active at different times of the night, Wade is careful to turn the lights on just for a short time while studying and photographing moths and does not leave the lights on all night. Leaving outdoor lights on all night would be harmful because the lights that attract the moths would prevent them from doing what moths do, namely pollinating and reproducing.

What can you do to help butterflies? NABA, the Xerces Society, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) all promote homeowner pollinator gardens, and NABA offers certification as a way to increase biodiversity and beautify your property. Two local examples of pollinator gardens installed with NJDEP assistance include the parking lot islands at Swartswood Lake State Park and the Lusscroft Farms section of High Point State Park.

If you want to learn more about the native plant and insect ecosystem, Sharon Wander refers readers to author Doug Tallamy. Tallamy is an entomologist and wildlife ecology professor at the University of Delaware. He’s a

Populations of Great Spangled Fritillary seem to be recovering in 2023 after several years of very low numbers.

leading expert on the decline of native plants and how to take on conservation as a personal mission. In the Late Spring issue of The Journal, this writer previously reported on Tallamy’s books, which provide a wealth of data, evidence, and examples in an easy to understand manner.

The Wanders shared their story about how a wrong turn launched their ecological consulting business. In their earlier days, they had a Star Ledger newspaper delivery route. One day they made a wrong turn on their delivery and ended up talking to a man on the street who turned out to be the mayor of Franklin Township.

Wade happened to mention that they were trained ornithologists and had lots of bird banding data. The mayor referred him to a national engineering firm that needed bird survey data as part of a local environmental assessment. The wrong turn yielded a long term contract for a bird survey on the New Jersey Turnpike. As Wade said, “You have to be in the right place at the right time.” And so it is with spotting butterflies.

Bob Chernow is a geologist who recently retired from teaching and enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors in Swartswood Lake, NJ.

More About Butterflies

• If you are interested in learning more about butterflies, Sharon suggests joining the New Jersey Butterfly Club (www.naba.org/chap ters/nabanj) and going on the field trips. There is a meeting and presentation every month except July, August, and September.

• To find out which butterflies are currently being seen in your area, go to the NJNABA webpage “Recent Sightings” tab for a current list, which is updated daily.

• The New Jersey Butterfly Club’s favorite locations for finding butterflies in northwest New Jersey include Kittatinny Valley State Park in Andover Township, Appalachian Trail Lands in Vernon, High Point State Park, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

• July is the peak month for observing butterfly and moth diversity.

Female Black Swallowtail. This species was recently named New Jersey’s official state butterfly. One of our most spectacular butterflies, Common Buckeye, immigrates to New Jersey every year from the south.

Common Ringlet on Hoary Mountainmint. Bucking the trend of climate change, Common Ringlet extended its range south into New Jersey around the turn of this century.

Eastern Comma is one of the few New Jersey butterflies that overwinters as an adult.

HOURS

Mon-Sat 8am-4pm

Photo by Sherri Brom

Rudbeckia Hirta, Black-eyed Susan.

Photo by Lisa Olsen

Grey tree frog on Rudbeckia.

Photo by Sherri Brom

Rudbeckia Hirta, Black-eyed Susan.

Photo by Lisa Olsen

Perennials

Four Sisters Winery

Held in charming country setting at Wilbur's Country Store & Barn Shops

Sept. 16th & 17th 2023

Saturday & Sunday Rain or Shine

From 10 AM - 4:30 PM

Crafters & Artists from Four States Great Food Available

Fields of Green Montessori School

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All of our students receive a holistic education using a traditional Montessori curriculum with a large dose of Environmental Education woven into it, creating a beautiful tapestry of academic knowledge and respect for our planet.

Seedlings - Ages 18 mos. to 3 years

Sprouts - Ages 3-6

Oaks - Grades 1 through 8

Fields of Green Montessori School 58 Sandhill Road, Vernon NJ 973-823-0804 • www.fieldsofgreen.org

Aries (March 20-April 19) — The power of belief could lead you to accept something false as true, and thus give it power over you. You could also miss the essential truth of something, overlook it, or decide that it does not align with your pre-existing beliefs and expectations — and end up missing the benefits of essential information that is right in front of you. Current aspects call for a slow, thoughtful approach to each encounter. You may see an opportunity soon that you know you want to develop. Take your time and do your proper diligence. The place to take risks is creatively.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Venus approaching retrograde in Leo is facilitating feathering your own nest, and to keep your interests focused inwardly and close to home. Many people are adopting this approach to life, exhausted by the events of the past few years. Take what time you need, though remember that most problems we currently face as individuals and as communities are social. Relating to yourself in a meaningful way is the first step toward solutions. Remember that you are taking some time to attend to your inner being so that you may be more effective in the leadership roles for which you’re being groomed.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — It’s no secret that many Geminis are excellent with words. This is partly because your sign is ruled by Mercury, and mostly due to where you have Leo placed in your chart — the sign of gold on your house of communications. Now this house is filling up; Mercury has arrived, Venus is about to station retrograde, and the Sun is on its way. If you have something to say, get ready to say it. What you said in the past matters, especially if you want to go beyond it. Venus retrograde is calling for an understanding of the past, and Mercury is calling for a fresh approach. The two are related.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Stay on message. Develop talking points and stick to them. This is not always a suitable approach; it’s an urgently necessary one now. Your ideas have added impact now, and you don’t want to waste energy or opportunities, or risk mishaps. Therefore, sleep on things before you send them out. Review your written presentations for factual accuracy and tone. Usually that works for you, though with Mars in Virgo, you need to aim with precision. That means doing practice runs that include anyone you’re working with. Find the pitfalls in your own ideas.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — There is no room for exaggeration; stick to understatement. Measure your words carefully, and spend your money intentionally. Listen carefully for when others stretch the truth to the point where it’s meaningless. With the Sun passing through the most sensitive area of your chart for another week, it’s essential that you be mindful of potential blind spots, missing information and counting yourself out right in the moment when you can be counting yourself in. You want is to be counted on as solid of character, reliable and easy to work with.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You must aim your vital force with precision, and take all of your actions based on a strategy. This might not be suitable for therapy, but it is appropriate for martial arts. Mars is now in your sign, joined by the warrior goddess Pallas Athene. Some circumstance has changed in your life, granting you access to both power and force. You must regulate the expression of these things, to get their full benefits — and so that you don’t harm people around you. It will take very little emphasis to get the result you want, as long as you know what it is, how you’re going to get there.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You are born under one of the most social signs of the lot. However, the next few months will present many opportunities to discover who your friends are and who they are not. Expect a weeding out process as your ruling planet Venus stations retrograde in Leo. Your tastes are changing and your standards are going up. Remember, all those people are not changing; you are maturing and taking a retrospective view of your life. Long lost friends may find their way back to you. It’s also a fine time to reach out in the direction of anyone you remember fondly.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Yours is one of the most instinctual signs, in that you often feel comfortable acting based on gut motives. However, careful thought is called for at this time. It’s essential to your mental wellbeing that you take an encompassing view of people and life situations. Do not hold them to your concept of what is right; they may have different values. Yet if you take the time to get to know people, which means to understand them, you may decide that you are standing on similar foundations. Take the time to listen and ask questions. If you try to guess where someone is coming from, you’re likely to get it wrong.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — If you pace yourself, you will discover that this is one of the most productive and creative times of your life. Pacing means settling in for the long haul, finding your gait. The events of your life are interesting now, leading to a phase of breakthroughs in early 2024. The most important variable is finding the right people to work with. Be patient. Experiment with people in different roles and find out something about their strengths, their work ethic. You have serious goals, and some of them require collaboration. Devotion and sincerity are essential factors. Only decent, caring people are right for you and what you are doing.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — If someone challenges you in some way — intellectually or legalistically — you have what it takes to handle it. And the way to win is to first slow down your responses. Put your energy into evaluating the strategy of any adversaries, and spotting errors they are making. You will be able to discern the intended plan from what what’s happening. With Saturn retrograde in Pisces, you can say very little, while making every word count. Your intuition will guide you, especially if you give yourself time to come up with solutions that you might never have thought of logically.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Give relationship partners plenty of room to be themselves, and do what they feel they must. You don’t need to waste a shred of energy trying to control someone. They live in their own reality, and this is especially true now as others close to you may be working through situations that may be surfacing from their past You also may be experiencing long-forgotten people mysteriously showing up. Whether you like them, adore them or would rather not think about them, make sure you get the message of their appearance in your life at this time.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — There is no substitute for preparation, especially when you know you may be challenged. Therefore, adopt the strategy of chess: have a plan for every potential move that an adversary may make. Understand their mental posture and analyze the strategy of anyone you’re dealing with. The touchy-feely approach, or waiting to see what happens, are not adequate. If you are prepared, you will do well; if you are not, you could waste quite a bit of time on irrelevant stress and conflict. In this environment, listening carefully and speaking clearly are important.

Read Eric Francis daily at PlanetWaves.net