Tag Archives: NJ

Have You Been Taking Pictures this Summer?

Posted in Contests, Picture Perfect by

What does summer in NJ look like to you?

Sadly, July is nearing to its end already which means it will be August and then September before we know it. I’m certainly not trying to rush the summer away, but the good news is that this does also mean that you should have taken a lot of pictures so far for this summer’s Picture Perfect: Summer in New Jersey photo contest!  If you haven’t, then what are you waiting for?

Reminder:  this year, winning photographs will be published here in a special blog post AND displayed on the Notes on the State of New Jersey main page!

For a look at last year’s winners, click here.

Contest Guidelines:

*Submit up to 2 photos per person.

*Photos must be emailed to Melissa at
melissa.morris11 (at) gmail.com with SUMMER in the subject line.

*Please include your name, address and phone number in the body of the email. 

*Photos must be received by September 8th.

*Photos must be taken this summer in New Jersey to qualify for the contest (date and location of photo should be included with submission as well as a title and a brief explanation as to why you think the photo represents “Summer in NJ”).

*By submitting photos, you agree that they may be used for publication on The Jersey Girl website, the Notes on the State of New Jersey site, and/or any promotional materials.

*All published photos will always be credited to the artist.

*Winners will be announced here and on the NSNJ website, as well as on our twitter and facebook pages.

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Picture Perfect: Summer in New Jersey Photo Contest, 2011

Posted in Contests, Picture Perfect by

I’m happy to announce the start of the 2nd annual Picture Perfect: Summer in New Jersey photo contest.

This year, winning photographs will be published here in a special blog post AND displayed on the Notes on the State of New Jersey main page!

For a look at last year’s winners, click here.

What does summer in New Jersey look like to you?

Contest Guidelines:
*Submit up to 2 photos per person.
*Photos must be emailed to Melissa with SUMMER in the subject line.
*Please include your name, address and phone number in the body of the email.
*Photos must be received by September 8th.
*Photos must be taken this summer in New Jersey to qualify for the contest (date and location of photo should be included with submission as well as a title and a brief explanation as to why you think the photo represents “Summer in NJ”).
*By submitting photos, you agree that they may be used for publication on The Jersey Girl website, the Notes on the State of New Jersey site, and/or any promotional materials.
*All published photos will be credited to the artist.
*Winners will be announced here on the website.

Good luck!

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

NJ’s State Dinosaur

Posted in New Jersey FACTS & TRIVIA by

Did you know that New Jersey has a state dinosaur?  We do.

New Jersey is actually the site where the first, fully intact dinosaur skeleton was found!  Even back in the days of the dinosaurs, New Jersey was the place to be!

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

On June 13, 1991, the duckbilled Hadrosaurus foulkii was named the New Jersey state dinosaur.

(The bones were found in Haddonfield, NJ in 1858.)

Read more about it through these links:
http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/dinosaurs/nj_hadrosaurus_foulkii.htm

http://www.statefossils.com/nj/nj.html

http://www.levins.com/dinosaur.shtml

Picture Perfect: Fire and Ice

Posted in Picture Perfect, Sunset Sunday by

Sunset in Franklin Park

Last week (when there wasn’t as much snow on the ground as there is now) I caught a shot of the sunset in Franklin Park – near the preserved open space on South Middlebush Road.

The fiery sun in the distance reminded me that the frozen ground and bare branches won’t stay that way for long…

Enjoy your Sunday!

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

January 12, 2010 ~ More Snow

Posted in Weather by

So, the predictions were correct and we got some more snow (about another seven or eight inches of fluffy, fresh snow here in central New Jersey.)

Though I especially love the summer months (and have been daydreaming about the warm sun and being able to wear flip-flops and tank tops again), I do enjoy snowstorms.  I like the snow not only because it turns everything in sight into blank coloring book pages, but also because of the sense of calm it brings with it.

As it falls quietly, the snow gently forces everything (and everyone) it touches to slow down.  The familiar, fast pace of New Jersey is temporarily replaced and we move in slow motion…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Happy New Jersey Day!

Posted in Mercer County by

Happy New Jersey Day, everyone!
Today is December 18th – and it’s the day, that in 1787, New Jersey became the third state of the Union.

(I have to do my homework a little, to see when this holiday officially began, but you know that I’m sure happy to celebrate it!)

My own week here in New Jersey, preparing for the holidays, has been great – a little cold, but great!

A definite highlight this week was my trip to McCarter Theater in Princeton to see A Christmas Carol.  The show runs through December 26th, so if you haven’t bought your tickets yet, there’s still time!

I’m off to brave the roads and malls for some last-minute holiday shopping…

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Picture Perfect: “Summer in New Jersey” Photo Contest, 2010

Posted in Contests, Picture Perfect by

Calling all photographers!

The Jersey Girl is running our first ever, end of summer photo contest.  We’re looking for photos that depict “Summer In New Jersey” to feature in a very special post.

Winning photographs will be published here on the website and announced through the post on September 12, 2010.

(Make sure you subscribe to the site so you don’t miss the announcement!)

Contest Guidelines:
*Submit up to 2 photos per person.
*Photos must be emailed to Melissa with SUMMER in the subject line.
*Please include your name, address and phone number in the body of the email.
*Photos must be received by September 8th.
*Photos must be taken this summer in New Jersey to qualify for the contest (date and location of photo should be included with submission as well as a title and a brief explanation as to why you think the photo represents “Summer in NJ”).
*By submitting photos, you agree that they may be used for publication on The Jersey Girl website and/or any promotional materials for the website.
*All published photos will be credited to the artist.
*Winners will be announced here on the website.

Good luck!

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Happy Birthday, Jersey Girl!

Posted in General Information by

One year ago today (in Florence, Italy – of all places!) The Jersey Girl site was launched!

Though there have been some obstacles along this journey, I have really enjoyed working on the site and consider the first year to be a success.  (And what are obstacles anyway, if they aren’t reminders of just how badly you want to get where you’re going?)

As I hoped, I’ve learned new things about my home state, met new people, tried new foods, saw new sites, and have been able to share these things here.  Hundreds of people (from NJ, the US, and the world) now follow The Jersey Girl through email subscriptions, facebook, and twitter.

I came across this hat while shopping at a flea market in the mountains of Italy last summer...right after I decided to launch the blog.

To take a look back at some of this year’s adventures, visit the Jersey Girl List.

I’m looking forward to more exciting New Jersey travels and sharing another year with you!

Stay tuned for upcoming stories about the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Langosta Lounge, and Don Guerrazzi.

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl

Some (Don’t) Like it Hot ~ Support your local library!

Posted in Weather by

Lately in New Jersey, it’s been hot.  Or humid.  Or hot and humid.

I can tell it’s hot because I typically resist turning on my air conditioner for as long as I possibly can, and it’s definitely been cranking this week.  Temperatures have been up around 110 degrees.  Humidity up around 90%.   To intensify matters, we haven’t gotten any rain in a while and the weather forecast is only predicting a few scattered thunderstorms this Saturday and a couple into next week.  Not too much relief there!

Many people choose to stay indoors to escape the heat, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay home to do so!

I’m pretty sure that wherever you live in New Jersey, your local library has air conditioning.  And you know what?  They have lots of other things there too. Like books.  Crazy, I know!  Books, magazines, computers, and other people with whom you can have conversations.

The East Brunswick, NJ library now even has a cafe!

But, as with all good things, be careful if you think this is something you can take for granted.  Here in New Jersey, budget cuts are threatening to dramatically impact our libraries.  So, get out there, New Jerseyans, and visit your local library soon.

If you like what you see and want to make sure it stays around for a while (even if for no other reason than as a reprieve from scorching summer heat and humidity), ask the librarian about what you can do to help support our New Jersey libraries.

Happy Reading!

~Melissa
The Jersey Girl