Open: Please call for a appointment and special tour
My review on TripAdvisor:
a
The front of the schoolhouse
The entrance to the property
The historic marker
The outside sign
The Friendship School was an interesting look at early rural education where students of various ages would be educated together.
The hours would vary with the growing seasons and students would be educated in the basics to educate them to the next level.
During the school day, children would have various chores to do such as gather wood, collect water, mind the fire and watch the day’s lunch. It would be a full day for both the teacher and the students.
My tour guide confirmed that nothing was easy during the school day and children had a lot of responsibility for what went on in their lives.
The tour was an interesting look at the lives of children of that period of time and the education they received.
The history of the Friendship School:
(from the Museum’s website)
This historic property contains the circa 1930 Friendship School, a circa 1900 privy, and a circa 1917 coal storage shed. The Friendship School was originally donated in 1976 by William Wells, grandson of Enoch Clouting to the Upper Township Bicentennial Committee during a time when Upper Township was particularly interested in its earliest buildings.
The historic plaques
The school’s hand pump
The committee, headed by the late Curtis T. Cordon, evolved to become the nucleus of the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township (HPSUT) in 1977. Virginia M. Wilson was its’ first President.
The history of the Friendship School begins when it was incorporated in May of 1831 with Jonathon Corson, Lewis Corson, and Seth Young as trustees. The students’ tuition was paid for by parents in 1830, but by 1869, public funding for schools was established. In the 1862-63 school year, 52 students crowded into this 15’x 20’ structure, and of those students in the teacher’s roll book, 24 were Corsons!
The grounds of the school grounds
The school itself is standing on its fourth known location! It was originally located 6 houses southeast of its present location. It was used for classes until it was replaced with a larger building in the 1860’s.
The abandoned school house later owned by resident, Lot Corson, became known as “Lot’s Temple” because church services were held there. Then, it was moved to Enoch Clouting’s farm where a corn crib was placed on one side. It is Enoch’s grandson who kindly donated the school.
The barn on the grounds
The school building was in extreme disrepair when it was moved from the Clouting property to the corner of Ocean Ave. and Shore Road. According to an undated news article, “mere fragments of the (original) building remained” although “some of the heavier corner posts were salvaged.”
The school’s outhouse (pricey)
The historic sign
Nevertheless, restoration of this Friendship School was researched and planned by Kyle Fleetwood of Tuckahoe and James Wilson of Marmora; with assistance from Matt Unsworth, Robert Entirkin, Curtis Corson III, Somers Corson, Marshall “Ted” Behr, Guy Himmelberger, Harry “Hap” Folger and other members of the Bicentennial Committee. It was completed in 1980.
All replacement wood matched the original in size and material and great care was taken to restore it to its original appearance. Locally sourced materials for the restoration/reconstruction came from the Van Vorst sawmill in Petersburg, the Hess sawmill in South Seaville and the Brewer sawmill in Dennisville. Benches donated by Myra Clouting Biggs, were reproduced by Matt Unsworth.
The inside of the school house
The teacher’s desk is a reproduction also made by Matt Unsworth. Hardware for the building was hand-wrought by Robert Entrikin of Petersburg. Although it does not qualify for the State and National Registers listing because it retains little original historic building fabric, the building is important to the historical time line of Upper Township.
The schoolbooks and school equipment
Also on this site are two old frame buildings: a circa 1900 privy donated from the property of the Seaville School on Kruk Drive and a circa 1917 coal/storage shed donated from the Palermo School on Route 9. The coal storage shed, was donated by Wes and Doris Nickerson with Jim and Nancy Siegrist helping with its restoration. It was added to the property in 1993. Three three-seat privy (outhouse) from the old unused Seaville School was donated by Sharon Kruk in honor of her father, and was restored by Lewis Albrecht and Jim Siegrist. It is a work of art (with a French style roof), but is non-functional.
The school room reproduction
A special item, the cedar flag pole, from which flew a U.S. flag that flew above the capitol in Washington, DC, was donated by former Deauville Inn owners, Walter and Gloria Carpenter in December of 1983. (Since replaced)
The school bell and flag
The Friendship School was dedicated on September 10, 1983 by Virginia M. Wilson, President of the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township, Upper Township Mayor Leonard Migliaccio, HPSUT members: Ebbie Unsworth and her son, Matt Unsworth, and guest speaker, New Jersey State Senator, James R. Hurley.
The children would collect water and fire wood for the class room during the school day
The reproduction of the school
Upper Township continues to own and manage the property and the school, while HPSUT members manage the inside and its activities. Each Upper Township Kindergarten class is invited to the annual Kindergarten Day to learn what a student classroom life is like in a one room school house in the early
It has been a long time since I had visited both Seaside Park and the Seaside Heights Boardwalk and beaches. I used to come down swimming with my dad at the Seaside Park Beach all the time in the summer in the early 2000’s when I moved home from Guam. I always really enjoyed the park as it was one of the nicest beaches in New Jersey.
I had not been to the Seaside Heights Boardwalk in a long time. I used come down in the summers when I was in high school (like everyone else in New Jersey) but I was writing a series of blogs about museums down the shore and was writing a blog on the new Seaside Heights Historical Museum and Carousel so off I went down the Garden State Parkway again to this popular resort town. While I was down the shore, I went back to Point Pleasant Beach up Route 35 and revisited the downtown for that blog to update it.
The welcome sign to Seaside Park, NJ on a sunny Summer morning
I started my day talking with the Director of Recreation of Seaside Park, who was starting to spearhead a new Historical Society in Seaside Park and invited me to tour their historic City Hall building.
The historic Seaside Park City Hall at 1701 North Ocean Avenue
What I thought was interesting about the building is that it originally started out as a lifeguard station. I thought it had an unusual design with a tower and wide doors.
The from of the building faces the ocean.
When we toured the whole building I could see where the lifeguards used to watch the ocean from the tower and the large garage doors are where the lifeguard boats were stored. That’s why the doors were so large. What was impressive were the tower views.
The ocean view from the top of the tower at City Hall
After I got dropped off when the tour was over, I made my way to the Seaside Heights Boardwalk which starts in Seaside Park and passed the well known pizzeria, Sawmill Pizza, which has an excellent reputation and is well known down the shore. I had never eaten there but I heard they had over- sized slices.
The original Sawmill Cafe in Seaside Park, NJ in the downtown area
I had gotten to Seaside Heights so early, it only took me only an hour and fifteen minutes to get there from North Jersey, that most of the businesses on the Boardwalk had either not opened yet or were just opening. The Boardwalk was really quiet and I had the Boardwalk to myself.
The Seaside Heights Boardwalk at 10:30am in the morning was quiet and very relaxing
The Boardwalk by both the Sawmill Cafe and Three Brothers Pizza. The outdoor seating is plentiful.
The long stretches of quiet Boardwalk in Seaside Heights
The Boardwalk is perfect when its quiet and not much of a crowd. It was a sunny day with a pleasant breeze. With some of the businesses preparing to open for the day, I was able to visit many of the stores on the Boardwalk without the usual crowds having to elbow people to see things on the shelves and in cases.
I had asked the Recreation Director of Seaside Park why there had not been the damage during Hurricane Sandy as in other parts of the shore, he said it was due to being on higher land on the shore line and the well built dunes that had been created. These dunes today are well maintained and a valuable part of the beach ecosystem.
The planted dunes by the shore line in the Seaside Park part of the beach
The well built dunes near the Boardwalk protecting both the Boardwalk and beach
As I walked down the Boardwalk to get to the new museum, I noticed the open air art show on the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk was lined with interesting paintings by artists depicting Seaside Heights.
The newest addition to the collection on the Boardwalk
I thought it was wonderful to have an artwork display that had so much creativity and imagination in each of the pieces. The fact that it was a beautiful sunny morning to enjoy it made it even better. Each piece had such a colorful perspective of life at the shore.
I finally got to the Seaside Heights Historical Society and it was all gated off. I had to stop and ask the woman selling beach badges when it would be opening and she said not until 3:00pm. I am looking at my watch and it was past 11:00am. She said it was open from 3:00pm to 8:00pm so I would have plenty of time to see it.
With so much time before its opening and so much more I wanted to see and do, I decided to take the time to explore not just Seaside Heights and Seaside Park but Bay head and Point Pleasant Beach as well. I had wanted to revisit their downtown area as well as visit other museums in the other towns.
The Seaside Heights Historical Society- The Carousel Pavilion at the dnd of the Boardwalk
Some of the historical pictures of the past of this shore community
After our conversation, I decided to make a morning of exploring the two towns and see what they have to offer. Both towns have so much to see and do both on and off the Boardwalk. The first thing I did was have something to eat. I am not sure if it’s the sea air or just the smells of the boardwalk of fried foods and sausage but I got hungry.
This started my ‘Pizza Fest’ adventure on the Boardwalk. With so many pizzerias located on the Boardwalk, it was going to take several trips to Seaside Heights to try them all. I started on one side of the Boardwalk and would work my way down.
As I passed the Historical Society, I looked at the pizza case at Shore Slice Pizza at 1309 Boardwalk and saw the Sausage pizza in the case. I got to talking with the owner and he was telling me he worked in the City and learned the business there. All I have to say is that the pizza was wonderful.
The pizza made first thing in the morning. Pizza at 11:00am was really fresh.
I had to have a slice of the sausage pizza and it was fantastic. I love a slice of pizza loaded with sweet sausage.
After a nice lunch, I walk the length of the Boardwalk and explored the stores and the restaurants. I had a nice time weaving through all the stores looking at candy displays and restaurant menus. I saw plenty of gift shops as well.
The amusement area closed that morning
I passed the amusement area but it was closed in the afternoon so I only got to see the rides beyond the fence. The park would open up later that evening. I walked all around the Boardwalk that morning and have to say that there is nothing like a Boardwalk that is all your own. You are not elbowing people, the shop keepers are not over-whelmed with people and are extremely friendly and it gives you time to really enjoy it and look around.
One store that impressed me was Planet Candy at 615 Boardwalk
I stopped in Planet Candy attracted by all the candied covered apples and chocolates in the window. The smell of the sweets lead me inside and I was delighted by the selection of candy, chocolates and novelties.
I loved the selection of gifts and treats and the service was very friendly
I loved the assortment of fresh candies, gifts and admiring the boxes of fresh salt water taffy, a Jersey shore specialty. Talk about a kid in a candy store. I left with a smile on my face.
I stopped to look at Jimbo’s Bar & Grill menu to see what they were having for lunch. The had an extensive menu which I took note of for another time. I had my eyes set on another pizzeria.
I had heard about the pizza at the Sawmill for years and it has quite the reputation down the shore so I had to try it. I have to say that the slices are really large so bring an appetite.
The giant cheese slice The Sawmill I had for my second part of lunch
I have to say that I was disappointed. It was an over-sized slice and it looked good, it was thin on the bottom and could have been cooked more so it limped in my hand. Maybe this happened because it was the first pie of the morning. The guys at the register were really friendly and served the pizza quickly.
I took one more trip around the Boardwalk to work off the two slices of pizza and passed the display of Seaside Heights Rescue Boats that people took pictures in. While it was quiet in the morning by the afternoon you could not get people out of these boats. I was able to get some nice pictures before it got busy.
On my second trip to Seaside Heights, I had done a bit more research on the town and remembered another pizzeria that I wanted to try on the Boardwalk, Maruca’s Tomato Pies Pizzeria at 601 Ocean Terrace on the Boardwalk.
What I had remembered about Maruca’s was that they put an extra swirl on the top of the pizza to finish it once it baked. People in the State of New Jersey call this a ‘Tomato Pie’ since the sauce is on top of the pizza and not below the cheese.
Maruca’s Tomato Pies (Pizzeria) at 601 Ocean Terrace
Maruca’s Tomato Pies do live up to the hype. I had a piece of Sausage pizza and it was very good (but it could have used a bit more sausage on top). It really did have the swirl on top of it and what was nice about the extra sauce is that it added extra flavor to the cheese on top of the pizza. I must have really enjoyed this lunch because it was the same dinner I had when I visited in October. They are so generous with the sausage on top of the pizza and the pizza is so crisp!
My lunch on the second trip to the Seaside Heights Boardwalk
The pizza really does look nice
I had a slice of their Sausage pizza for lunch on my second trip to town and it lived up to its reputation. It could have had a bit more sausage on top and was a little pricey at $7.00 a slice but figured it must be the rent. Still the pizza was flavorful and delicious. Their was nicely spiced and the sausage added a sweet flavor to it.
I returned to Seaside Heights in October 2024, to see what was happening on the Boardwalk for Halloween. There were some nice decorations but nothing had been planned for the Boardwalk that I could tell. We had some warmer weather in the middle of the month and for a week it was in the 70’s.
When I returned to Seaside Park and Heights in October of 2025, the Boardwalk had been busier with a Pumpkin Decorating Contest and the night before a showing of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. I also got to see the finish of the Scarecrow Contest. So there were little ones running around but the cool weather kept people from sticking around.
The Boardwalk was very busy but most of the businesses had closed for the season and those that were open closed at 6:00pm. Still it was nice to walk on the Boardwalk and enjoy the warm breezes from the ocean and be able to visit the dunes without having to pay for it.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk was celebrating Halloween on the Boardwalk
Some of the businesses had decorated the Boardwalk for the Fall holidays
I was finally able to visit the beach without paying for it in mid-October
A beautiful view of the now closed Amusement Park at Sunset on a October afternoon
The Seaside Heights Beach by the Boardwalk at Sunset on October 20th, 2024. I was just beautiful the way the sun sparkled on the shore
In October of 2025, I stopped in just after a Scarecrow Making Contest. The contest was already over by the time I got there but people were still looking them over. The kids did a really nice job with the contest. While Seaside Heights and Park don’t have the activities that its northern neighbor Point Pleasant has, the activities led to some creative ingenuity of the kids and there were interesting decorations all over the towns over the Halloween weekend.
The town even decorated the Boardwalk more this year with skeletons and other creatures. There were not many activities on the Boardwalk on the Halloween weekend but the decorations were fun.
Skeletons on the Boardwalk
Zombies on the Boardwalk
I left the Boardwalk to explore Seaside Park’s Downtown area and parks. I can see the beach at any time but what makes the character of a town is where the locals go. The restaurants that are out of the way, the parks families go to and the business districts that the tourists don’t flock to but should. I took a stroll down the Main Street of town. My first stop was the Seaside Park Farmers Market.
The Seaside Park Farmers Market at the Marine Lawn
The Farmer’s Market is every Monday and Friday when in season. I walked through the market that afternoon and really enjoyed the variety of merchants they had selling their wares.
The entrance to the Seaside Park Marina where the market takes place.
There were a whole array of vendors to choose from at the Farmers Market and you could find what you need to fill your pantry or for the perfect picnic at the beach. The was a pickle man, a woman making gourmet pizzas to go, farm fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms in the area, a bread and pastry man, and a cheese man. There were several people selling homemade crafts and jewelry.
The market was busy that afternoon
The one thing I did notice was that the prices were very similar to those in Bergen County. It looks like the price hikes have affected down here too. When you want quality it will cost you.
There was a lot of nice produce and prepared foods to buy
The Cedar Post Farm Market had a nice variety of fruits and vegetables at their stand
After walking the whole Farmers Market and noting the vendors for my next trip down the shore, I left the Farmers Market to visit the stores that lined the business district. Before I left, I took a quick tour of the marina district behind the park. The views were amazing.
The Marina District at the end of the block with a view of the bridge
The views from the Marina District
The old fashioned clock tower just outside the Farmers Market
There were a number of stores I passed on the walk down the street that were not open at the time but would warrant a visit in future trips. The first business I passed was a whimsical ice cream shop with a very unusual logo.
The Ice Cream Boss at 10 NE Central Avenue in Seaside Park, NJ
I noted that they made their own homemade ice creams in house and wanted to try their peach and blueberry while they were in season. The store was not open at the time but this is for another trip to Seaside Park.
On my second trip to Seaside Park, I ended my day and my eating tour of town with a medium dish of ice cream, which equates to two and a half nice scoops of ice cream in a dish. This is far more generous than some the places closer to the City.
The inside of Ice Cream Boss
The selection of homemade ice cream at Ice Cream Boss
I changed my mind on what ice cream flavors I wanted to try when I sampled the Pretzel Caramel Swirl and the Birthday Cake flavors. Talk about wonderful. The ice cream here is all homemade and you can taste it in the quality ingredients.
The combination of Birthday cake and Pretzel Caramel Swirl was delicious
There were loads of chopped pretzel and big swirls of caramel in the first scoop and hunks of vanilla cake, icing and sprinkles in the second scoop. I had no problem devouring this at the end of a very hot day.
What I like about Ice Cream Boss is that you can eat either inside or on the outside tables giving you view of the surrounding homes and gardens. The road is also filled with people heading to the beach so it is busy all the time. On a sunny, warm day there is nothing like it.
The next place I passed was the Union Church of Seaside Park with its historic looking wooden structure. This historic building stood out amongst all the shore homes in the area.
The Union Church of Seaside Park at 47 4th Avenue in Seaside Heights
The church was organized by founding members in 1899 and the church was completed in 1901. This historic non- denominator church has been welcoming locals and tourists alike for over a hundred years (Church website).
The main entrance to the church
The next business I visited has been a shore staple for years and that I see in many shore towns, B & B Department store at 500 SE Central Avenue.
The outside of B & B Department Store at 500 SE Central Avenue
B & B Department Stores are one of the last of the small localized department stores in New Jersey. Many of these disappeared in the early 1990’s with the bankruptcy of Allied, Federated and Macy’s Department stores. B & B seems to know their niche and caters to the Jersey shore downtowns. I visit their store in Beach Haven I am in the area.
I love the way they merchandise their clothes
They a nice collection of seasonable clothes that is perfect if a tourist is visiting and needs to pick up a couple of things for the trip. They also have a nice gift department and a collection of logoed ‘Seaside Park’ merchandise. Each of their stores gears this merchandise to the beach town they are located in.
I thought the displays were very original. This shark display was in the beach merchandise department
After I left the store, I continued down the street to the next store stopping at Park Bakery at 408 SE Central Avenue. I got there rather late in the afternoon and the assortment of baked goods was limited but I took note of the items available and will be back for breakfast in the future.
This whimsical little guy greets you when enter the bakery
After I had breakfast on my second trip to town in August it must have been something in the salt air but I was still hungry from my breakfast at White Oak Market and had to stop in the store for a piece of pastry.
There had been so much going on in the store on my last trip with a delivery and a noisy family inside plus being late in the day, there was not that much of a selection. Early in the morning, there is more to choose from. I loved looking at the assortment of twists, yeast breads, doughnuts and turnovers to choose from.
The selection of pastries, cookies and cakes at Park Bakery
What I like about Park Bakery is how whimsical the store is inside. I had not noticed it on the first trip but there are puppets and interactive characters along the walls and by the coffee station.
These dessert Chef’s oversee the counter at the bakery
The talking Moose and Tree interact with one another and the tree is actually a refrigerator
After surveying the turnovers and cookies I chose one of the doughnuts and that was a hard choice as they all looked so good. I had one of the powered Jelly doughnut’s with a raspberry filling and it was a delicious. There was so much jelly inside that when I bit in, the sweet jelly burst in my mouth.
The delicious jelly doughnut with raspberry filling was the perfect way to finish breakfast
When I came back in August, I did a more extensive walk of the town and ended up walking not just the entire length of Seaside Park but all the way to the edge of town to the Seaside Park that is located in Berkeley Township. I thought it had been part of Seaside Park, the town.
The entrance to Island Beach State Park in Berkley Township in the Summer
Then turned around and walked the entire length of the business district and Boardwalk again in Seaside Heights and saw all the new developments there as well. Like many of the shore towns in New Jersey that I have visited, the old businesses are being knocked down for pricy condos and more upscale expensive restaurants to cater to the people who will moving in. I have seen this in Point Pleasant Beach and Wildwood.
The Island Beach State park is actually located in Berkeley Township in South Seaside Park
You can’t just ‘walk into Seaside Park’, the park itself but have to drive in and pay a fee so that is where I stopped when I got to the entrance. I noted the restaurants at the entrance of the park and there were some that I wanted to try in the future.
The Seaside Park sign on October of 2035
As I walked back to Seaside Park, I stopped at several of the small parks that line the bay on the side streets. I think the tourists miss these and that’s what the locals enjoy. The first one was a small park near the entrance of Seaside Park two blocks down from the entrance at the end of 24th Street. The small pavilion offered nice views of the park and bay.
The view from the pavilion at 24th Street in South Seaside Park
The nautical display by the businesses in South Seaside Park
The little bohemian houses as you leave the Berkeley Township neighborhood by the beach
The next little gem of a park was by the 13th Street Pier in Seaside Park. This long pier was attracting fisherman and joggers on the hot day. At the entrance of the park, there was a butterfly garden meant to attract monarchs on the migration path.
The sign for the 13th Street Pier and Park
The small garden at the entrance of the pier
This wonderful little park also had a pavilion to rest in the shade and relax and enjoy the views.
The Butterfly Garden by the entrance of the pier
The views from the 13th Street Pier at the park
The views from the end of the pier are just breathtaking of the bay area. On a sunny day you can see all the way up to the bridge. The views are just spectacular and the park is so peaceful on a quiet weekend.
The views from the 13th Street Pier Park
The views from the 13th Street Pier Park looking south
I walked back to the circle where the main part the Seaside Park shopping district starts and had to stop in the police station because there are not a lot of public bathrooms outside the Boardwalk area. They have nice public bathrooms and no one bothers you when you use them.
I walked around the circle of the main shopping area and made my way back up Central Avenue. I could see the Bay Area from the shopping district and went off the path to explore it. One store I enjoyed walking into was the Shore and More General Store at 100 5th Street.
The Shore and More General Store at 100 5th Street
The Shore and More General Store is for the visitor who forgot the things they needed for their trip or for a day tripper who did not want to drag everything with them for a day at the shore. There are all sorts of beach chairs, towels, umbrellas for sale and inside suntan lotion, snacks, drinks and gift items to take home with you. It reminded me of some of the stores of Amity Island in the movie ‘Jaws’. A little local store that carries everything needed in a beach community for a visitor.
The inside of Shore and More General Store in Seaside Park, NJ
I stopped at the 5th Avenue Bay Pier and Park after my long walk around the shopping district. This wonderful little park has a small beach, a wonderful pier to walk on to see the views and the most breathtaking views of the bay and shoreline. This park is really for the locals and it funny how all the kids seemed to know on another.
The park offers a small beach for a fee for swimming in the bay and the pier looks like it is popular with fisherman and sunbathers alike. Just like the 13th Street Pier Park, it offers the most spectacular views on the bay and the surrounding shore.
5th Avenue Bay Pier in the afternoon
The park is nice to get away from all the hustle of the Boardwalk. I watched everyone fishing on the pier talking and swapping stories past catches. The I got the end of the pier and saw all the sailboats in the distance. That was a beautiful site. It looked like a regatta.
The view from the 5th Avenue Bay pier is breathtaking on sunny afternoon
The 5th Street Pier
This seagull acted like he was guarding the pier
The view of the 5th Street Beach and Pier with our friend the seagull looking on
The weather got hotter in the afternoon and I got the most amazing accidental tan. I did not realize the strength of the sun that afternoon. It was really strong hidden by cool breezes. The pier offers such a nice place to relax and watch families having a nice time on the beach. It is the perfect place for a walk after a day at the shore.
I walked up Central Avenue peeking in the gardens along the way and admiring peoples homes. There seems to be a mix of weekenders and permanent residents.
One of the gardens I admired on my walk up the main street
I loved this shell flag that was on one of the porches
One of the nicely landscaped homes gardens in the downtown district
From the park I made my way back to the shopping district on my way back to the Boardwalk. On the way, I passed the White Oak Market at 206 SE Central Avenue and walked in to see a bustling crowd of customers.
The grocery section and deli of the White Oak Market
What a great little grocery and deli. It had the nicest assortment of sandwiches and salads and is the prefect place to get food items for a beach picnic. The people working there could not have been nicer to all the customers. The problem was after two slices of pizza I was not hungry and I was eyeing the breakfast sandwiches coming off the grill.
The hot food deli section of the market
I made note of this and on my second visit to town had breakfast here as my first stop. I had a Bacon, Egg and Cheese on a hard roll that was wonderful. They loaded the sandwich with fresh bacon, about three eggs and a couple of slices of American cheese and tucked all of this into a chewy bun. I was able to enjoy this with a Nantucket Red Plum juice on one of the benches outside the store.
The White Oak Market’s prepared food section and salads
While I was waiting for my order to be finished, I stopped and looked at the gift and beach section. The store has all sorts of shirts for the beach and to take home as a souvenir. What’s nice too is the grocery section is extensive and you can stock up on things you will need for both your hotel room and beach rentals.
The selection of gifts and grocery items
I had a better chance to walk around the store and it is really like a little general store for the locals with a nice grocery section, a section for beach toys like pails, shovels and items like chairs and umbrellas for a day at the beach.
They also have a selection of clothing with logoed items from Seaside Park to take home as gift. What I really liked about the stores is that it really was a gathering place for the residents who were greeting one another by name and sharing gossip with one another. It is one of those stores that every town should have in it.
I took my Bacon, Egg and Cheese sandwich and a Red Plum juice and ate outside on the benches, which is a really nice treat on a sunny day. The sandwich was excellent and was the perfect breakfast that morning after a long walk (see reviews on TripAdvisor and LittleShoponMainStreet@Wordpress.com).
The Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwich on a hard roll is definite choice for breakfast
Yum!
When I returned in October in 2025, for lunch I tried the Chicken Salad on a hard roll. The over-sized sandwich was enough for lunch and dinner.
The Chicken Salad with a side of Macaroni salad
It was a great sandwich
Ditto with the Macaroni salad
After my second meal was over, I made my way through the rest of town and into the business district of Seaside Heights which parallels the Boardwalk. This is where the real changes are happening.
Gone are the older motels and shops. The area must have been rezoned because all sorts of upscale condos and apartments are being built where those businesses once stood. It tells me that they are trying to attract a more year round visitor.
The edge of the Seaside Heights Downtown business district by the Boardwalk
A downtown restaurant sign
The Downtown artwork
The Downtown artwork
The Downtown artwork
With all this new building you can see the quality of the coffee shops and restaurants now being built around them. The old hot dog and cheesesteak places that surround the block between this and the Boardwalk are starting to look out of place.
Part of the old Downtown Seaside Heights by the Boardwalk, the waterslide park
I made my way back to the car which I parked near City Hall. I had to go back to Point Pleasant to finish my blog on that town’s downtown area and two of their museums. I came back to the Boardwalk later that evening.
My blog on Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach:
Later that night I was back on the Boardwalk again and there was a nice crowd that evening. The amusement park opened on the Boardwalk and it was a lot more lively with the rides going and the music.
The Boardwalk amusements area was really lively when I returned to the Boardwalk that evening
The rides were spinning, flipping and swirling everyone around. It looked like everyone was having a good time on this sunny Friday night. There is nothing like a night at the Jersey Shore.
My view of the rides and activities on the Boardwalk:
I walked to the end of the Boardwalk to find that the Seaside Heights Historical Society building was open and the historic carousel was in use with its colorful animals and cheerful music.
The Dr. Floyd L. Moreland carousel in the Seaside Heights Historical Society Building
The carousel was so beautifully restored and the music so festive.
The start of the ride and the music
The beautifully restored horses
The camel
The tiger
The gentleman working the carousel that evening told me that the Historical Society plans on having more exhibitions in the future but for right now the doctor’s collection of carousel horses were on display.
The case line of carousel horses being shown at the museum
The panels from the carousel that could not be restored were on display as well
The Seaside Heights Historical Society has done a wonderful job creating a museum that is engaging and interactive. That and the carousel offers a wonderful ride.
The Society has a new exhibition in the back part of the building promoting the “Postcards from Seaside Heights” in October 2024.
“Our History in Postcards” at the Seaside Heights Historical Society
The Seaside Heights “Hodge Podge” of the Town Map and artifacts from the town
The Seaside Heights Banner display
The Seaside Heights Historical Society keeps adding all these interesting displays to the building and you really have to walk around the building to enjoy them. Don’t forget to ride the carousel.
As I walked back down the Boardwalk, I enjoyed all the laughter and yelling going on with people having a wonderful time on the rides and at the games. Before I left for the long ride home, I stopped at the Midway Steakhouse at 500 Boardwalk for some Cheese Balls. All I saw that afternoon were signs for the famous Cheeseballs of Seaside Heights and now had to have some before I left.
What Cheeseballs are fresh mozzarella balls (or have been rolled into balls), breaded and quickly deep fried similar to mozzarella sticks. They are then served with a homemade red sauce. They are heaven on earth and the Midway Steakhouse did an excellent job on them.
My Cheeseballs meal from the Midway Steak House that I ate on a bench on the Boardwalk
Yum!
I took one last look at the amusement area before I left and watched the summer crowd just having fun. Funny if we’re not for the cellphones and the models of the cars, I would have shown it was 1978 all over again. That’s what the Seaside’s do, bring you back to your youth.
The entrance to the amusement area at dusk
It was a fun day!
The Boardwalk at the end of the day
The clown in the amusement park taking a rest
Greetings from the restaurant section of the Boardwalk
Seaside Heights Boardwalk in October of 2025 during Halloween Weekend
Halloween Weekend in 2025
No matter what time of the year it is, both Seaside Heights and Seaside Park offer interesting and fun activities or just a quiet walk on the Boardwalk is nice as well. It is a relaxing place to just think and have a nice afternoon.
I finally got back to the Jersey shore after months of being away. Beach Haven and the extended Long Beach Island with its miles of beach and interesting cultural sites had taken up much of the holiday season for me. I had explored Cape May and all of its museums and cultural sites as well as its wonderful beaches, but I wanted to finish my bucket list of towns before the school let out at the end of the week and the towns were overrun with families and loads of kids. Then these towns are impossible to enjoy.
I have not been to Point Pleasant in years. The last time I had been to the Jenkinson Boardwalk in the summer, I think I was in high school (with the exception of a pre COVID drive through a few years ago in the Fall). I know I had not stepped foot in the aquarium since it first opened in 1991 and it was a really big deal when it opened. I thought there must be more to Point Pleasant Beach than just its Boardwalk and beach and set out to explore the town. There is so much more to the town to explore and enjoy.
In 2025, I was able to revisit the boardwalk and Downtown just before the Halloween holidays and admire the decorations on both. The downtown is always so nicely decorated and I love the whimsical scarecrows that decorate the downtown. The windows are filled with creative displays that always seem to be begging for Christmas decorations even before Halloween is even over (like most stores everyone wants to rush the holidays).
Downtown Point Pleasant in the Fall of 2025
The Gazebo decorated for Halloween
The bat stares at you
The Scarecrow in the Gazebo
I walked their downtown and saw that their Arts Commission added more scarecrows to the downtown light posts.
The scarecrows from 2025
Another creative scarecrow
There was a lot of creativity in this downtown contest
The scarecrows came in all styles
Barbie display
The Phantom bride
More unusual scarecrows
The Point Beach Arts community gets very creative in Downtown Point Pleasant
I had done my research before I visited the town and discovered a small gem of a museum tucked behind City Hall. Since it was open only one day a week on a Thursday afternoon, I emailed and made a special appointment on a Tuesday morning to see the Point Pleasant Historical Museum. This was my first stop on the journey with my visit to the Point Pleasant Beach.
The Point Pleasant Historical Museum, which is right behind City Hall, is just off the parking lot and is one large room with a library for research. It was an enjoyable little museum with volunteers who have really organized the collection nicely.
The Point Pleasant Historical Society at 416 New Jersey Avenue
I was not sure what to expect from this tiny museum but what I did find was a treasure trove of information and history on this unique shore town. For a small museum, it was packed with interest artifacts and a historical story on the development of this well-known shore community. The museum is one of the town’s best kept secrets that I am sharing with everyone.
The main gallery of the museum
The back room of the museum has early business artifacts and behind that is the historical library.
For a small museum, it had many unusual artifacts from different eras of the town, some of significant tragic historical events such as the Hindenburg disaster in nearby Lakehurst and the Moro Castle cruise ship fire in nearby Asbury Park. Lost to many contemporary historians, these disasters were the Titanic’s of their time and were once part of the scars of the American travel industry.
The life jacket of the Moro Castle cruise ship Fire of 1934.
The collection starts with artifacts from the Lenape Indians who used these beach barriers as fishing villages for the summer months. As these towns started to develop after the Civil War and during the Industrial Age as the unions created a five day work week , new resort hotels and homes were built to cater to the leisure class. Point Pleasant became one of the first planned shore communities.
The planned community of ‘Point Pleasant City’ at the turn of the last century.
The Lenape display of items found in the area
In the library, there is a place to for people to research their families from the area, history of businesses in formed in the town like the Jenkinson Boardwalk and Jersey Mike’s which was founded in the town. There are all sorts of pictures of the town’s past. For a small museum, it was packed with information and the volunteer who I was talking to that morning said he and other volunteer put a lot of care into the museum so well organized. A visit to the Point Pleasant Historical Museum is a nice place to start your trip.
The history of the “Jersey Mike’s” sandwich chain that was founded here
After the museum, it was time to visit the Boardwalk. I had wanted to visit the aquarium and wanted to see if the amusement area had changed over the years. I racked my brain trying to remember the last time I had been here that I had to call my best friend to ask when and if we visited here. She reminded me we had been there a few years before COVID in the off season and that we had eaten at Joey Tomatoes on the Boardwalk. It had been the early fall of 2018.
The Jenkinson Boardwalk is everything you would think about when you mention ‘the Jersey Shore’. The large rides of screaming people, the boardwalk restaurants with pizza and cotton candy and other summer treats, the gift shoppes and of course the beach which had palm trees which I was never sure how they grew there considering our weather.
Even that early in the morning the beach was packed.
I was surprised how busy the boardwalk was by early noon. I sure people were walking the boardwalk in the early morning. I had not seen huge crowds at the hotels since school would not be letting out until that Thursday but that would change by the weekend.
Before I headed on my journey, I stopped at Top That Donuts at 210 Ocean Avenue, a small doughnut shop that I had read about online for a quick snack. I needed a second breakfast and the best part was the doughnuts were freshly fried in front of me.
What I was not prepared for was the throwback to the early 1970’s in the design of the shop. I even asked the guy working there how old the place was and he said relatively new but the owners wanted the shop to look like an old fashioned shore business. I thought they achieved it spot on. The color scheme of burnt orange and lime green and the look of the chairs brought me back to 1972.
With the lime green and burnt orange palate and the bucket chairs, I swore it was 1972 again.
The donuts were amazing. They were hot and crisp and you got to select the toppings. I chose two, the Aunt Betty with caramel sauce and crunches and the Pebbles and Bam Bam, which had a vanilla icing and fruity pebbles cleared on top.
The menu selection was like a Saturday morning cartoon
As soon as the donuts came out of the fryer, the guy put the topping on them while they were still hot. I had to keep retro and ordered the Sunny D to go with the donuts.
The donuts are served hot and the toppings blend right into the donut
The Pebbles and Bam Bam donut
The Aunt Betty
Just biting into the donuts was a real treat. The crispness of the donut was like eating a fried cake and the sweetness of the glazes was a terrific combination of complexities and flavors. It was the perfect second breakfast and satisfied my sweet tooth.
These are a delicious for any meal
I did not realize that parking was free on the side blocks of the town so I parked further down one of the roads so I would not have to pay for parking. This gave me the flexibility to walk around the town and take my time in town. It was easy to find parking because like I said before, school had not yet let out yet for the summer so it was quiet in neighborhood.
I walked back to the boardwalk to see what was going on and the boardwalk was busy with who I assumed were locals. Everyone seemed to know each other.
Before I visited the aquarium, I walked park of the amusement area to see what rides they had. They have all the traditional carnival rides you would expect from an amusement center. Games of Chance were being played and rides that twirled you, threw you and turned you in all directions were available. It was quiet in this area at first but by the time I came out of the aquarium, it got much busier.
The amusement area in the early morning on the Boardwalk
Families were just starting to fill the rides when I arrived
After I had walked the amusement area to see what it had to offer, I went to the aquarium for the afternoon. This was a real treat as I had not stepped foot in it since it opened. The second floor had just been renovated but I had only been here once thirty years ago and did not have much to compare it to since.
The front of the Jenkinson Aquarium at 300 Ocean Avenue
As opposed to the New York Aquarium or the Monterey Aquariums, this one is more open displays with people there to explain things to you and let you interact with the wild life. In a controlled environment, they will let you touch certain marine life.
The Mangrove tanks as you enter the museum
From the start, the Jenkinson Aquarium is one of the most family friendly and welcoming aquariums I have ever been to in my many aquarium visits across the US. Young employees and volunteers explain the wildlife to you and how to interact with them. If you get to the aquarium at certain times, you can see the feedings and cleanings.
The yellow Tara in the mangrove display greet you as you walk in the door
The first two tanks when you enter the aquarium are the Moon Jellyfish and the Yellow Tara Fish
As do the Moon Jellyfish who swim around their tank as well
Each tank on the first floor of the aquarium is like a museum to marine life in which every creature is shown in a form of its natural habitat with scenes from their lives painted in the background.
The sea tanks of the first floor of the aquarium
The same floor for the “Sea of Lights” event
The first open air tank you could visit held the stingrays and hermit crabs.
When I visited the first open air tank, the docent explained to me you don’t see much of this wildlife anymore around us because of pollution and over population. The marine life is shy and will sting you if you get too close. I have no desire to play with the hermit crabs and sting rays. It is just fun to watch them swim around their tanks.
The Stingrays just swim around and do their thing ignoring everyone else
The tanks surrounding the big open air tanks of turtles, starfish and crabs have the larger fish displayed in their own tanks such as sharks, eels and larger fish species who probably fend off one another.
The shark tank
The larger fish tank
The Larger Fish tank
The exotic fish tank containing Clownfish
The middle of the room has a large open tank where you can observe several bewildered turtles, eels and several types of crabs in a simulated natural habitat.
The spotted Man O Rays
The sea turtles can be quite shy when you visit them
The upstairs of the aquarium had recently been renovated and now held the penguin, small mammal and seal tanks. You could see the seals swimming around the tanks from below on the first floor but the second floor is where you can interact and meet with them.
The penguins were so inquisitive as their trainer was cleaning their home.
I have never seen such friendly penguins who looked at us like long lost friends. They just stared as their trainers and handlers cleaned the exhibit around them and gave them their meal. They must be so jaded being around humans that they are just to us hanging around. Many of these mammals were born in captivity so they don’t know different.
There’s more to see and do in the upstairs tanks
Before the seal feeding, I got a chance to see the sloth and small monkey exhibits. What’s sad about this is that people smuggled these poor animals into the country as pets and then they live outside their natural habitats. I often wonder if they could speak what would they say.
The seal feedings were a lot of fun. The seals they have at this aquarium were both disabled and needed to be in a controlled environment. One had a flipper amputated and had a tough time swimming and the other was blind. They both seemed so grateful that people were helping them and were both very aware of human contact.
The harbor seal was a little charmer
She was always looking around, watching everything we were doing
The little harbor seal could not have been friendlier to the crowd and more engaging. She just showed the crowd what she could do and proceeded to swim around, eat and enjoy herself. She was so used to being around humans she acted like one herself.
The blind seal was just as friendly
The larger seal seemed so at home and comfortable around humans she seemed so relaxed during the feeding. You can tell she was well taken care of by the handlers.
She was also very playful
After the feeding was over and most people left, I stayed to say goodbye to the little harbor seal and she gave me such an innocent look. I just wiggled my mustache at her as she stared back at me.
How can you resist that look?
I walked through the upstairs open pools before I headed downstairs and watched the turtles watching us. Both the Spotted Turtles and the Diamondback turtles just popped in and out and stared at us.
The Northern Diamondback Terrapin
The Northern Diamondback turtle was funny. He just bobbed his head around and looked at all of us looking at him. It is so interesting to watch wildlife observe us and form an opinion. It would be an eye opener if they could talk and form an observation on us watching them.
The Diamondback turtles staring at us
The Spotted Turtle
The Spotted Turtle kept looking at us as well
Both turtles must be so used to humans looking at them, I swear that they are forming their own observation of us. If they were born and raised in captivity, they must be used to us as well.
The one thing I can say about the aquarium from what I observed is that the mammals and aquatic like are very well taken care of and the tanks are very clean. The employees here really take good care of the marine life and of the aquarium itself. I found the staff engaging and knowledgeable on their assigned displays. They interacted with the public very engaged and that’s what made this trip here so enjoyable.
When I came back in October for the Halloween holidays, the aquarium was mobbed with people trying to get in for the Halloween special events inside. I did not even bother getting in line but just walked the Boardwalk to see the decorations. “Boo at the Boardwalk” was a big deal and people came out in droves.
Halloween in 2024 in Point Pleasant with “Boo at the Boardwalk”
“Boo at the Boardwalk” Halloween 2024
“Boo at the Boardwalk”
“Boo at the Boardwalk”
“Boo at the Boardwalk”
Trust me, Halloween is a big deal at the Jenkinson Boardwalk. There were all sorts of activities. Considering that it was almost 72 degrees that day, the Boardwalk was mobbed with people that Sunday afternoon.
In 2025, it was a little cooler than last year but there was still a good crowd walking around the Boardwalk. The afternoon activities and the open stores kept everyone active.
‘Boo on the Boardwalk’ in 2025
Decorations on the Boardwalk in 2025
Limited rides and attractions were open that day
There were decorations all around the Boardwalk
These signs were all over the Boardwalk
The declarations on the Boardwalk on Halloween
The Boardwalk was busy Halloween weekend of 2025
Halloween is always fun on the Jenkinson Boardwalk. There was always something going on.
Christmas in 2024 was a different story. Cold, cloudy, rainy and wet with a touch of fog, the Boardwalk was busy for the last day of the Jenkinson Aquarium “Sea of Lights” festival. I was not too sure what it was but I walked this section of the Boardwalk and found it surprisingly busy.
The Point Pleasant Boardwalk in post Christmas gloominess
The Boardwalk was still active on this rainy afternoon with a busy arcade and aquarium
The Boardwalk around the aquarium was decorated for Christmas and the restaurants, stores and games surrounding it were open and busy
The festive snowmen on the Jenkinson Boardwalk
The penguins in Whoville on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant
These delightful hosts welcome you to the Jenkinson Candy Shop on the Boardwalk awaiting Santa’s orders back to the North Pole
What everyone came to see was the “Sea of Lights” display and the last visit from Santa before he left for the North Pole
The “Sea of Lights” was pretty spectacular at the Jenkinson Aquarium
The “Sea of Lights” display at the aquarium was pretty cool. The lights were really amazing all over the place.
I may not have seen Santa that day (he probably did his plunge) but the lights all over the aquarium were spectacular and just made the whole first floor festive. It was an amazing site to see all this beauty showcasing the wildlife.
After the aquarium, I took a stroll down both ends of the Boardwalk to see how much has changed since my last visit. When I walk down the Jenkinson Boardwalk, I feel like it’s the 1980’s and I am still a senior in high school. It has not changed much from what I can remember.
The Boardwalk was getting crowded in the early afternoon
There were a lot of the same restaurants and stores I had seen in the past. The problem was the prices on the Boardwalk have gotten so outrageously expensive with a slice of pizza and a Coke being almost $10.00. I am not sure how families afford all this.
The restaurants are getting out of reach for the average visitor
Still the Boardwalk gets the crowds. For a Thursday before school ended, the locals and surprisingly foreign tourists were crowding the Boardwalk eating lunch, enjoying games of chance and sunning themselves while waiting for turns on the rides.
The history of the Jenkinson Boardwalk is told on the panels of the Boardwalk
Having checked my dine around club for recommendations, there was a pizzeria and cheesesteak place in downtown Point Pleasant I wanted to try. So I left the Boardwalk in the late afternoon to explore the town. This is when you find the true heart of Point Pleasant.
The crowds started to increase as the local schools let out and more teenagers and their families arrived on the Boardwalk.
Abbott Street is the core of Downtown Point Pleasant. It is more residential closer to the Boardwalk with larger homes and some older motels but a few blocks down away from the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk is a nice downtown filled with vintage clothing shops and antique stores.
The bandstand in the front section of Arnold Avenue/Greenacres Park gave the downtown that old fashioned feel to it.
Downtown was decorated for the Halloween holidays as well. The Point Beach Arts Council was having a scarecrow competition along Abbott Street and the whole Main Street was decorated for Halloween. The Gazebo had an interesting display of ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night. There was some real creativity here.
The Gazebo Display at Halloween 2024
The Gazebo Display at Halloween 2024
The Gazebo Display Halloween 2024
The Gazebo at Halloween 2024
The Gazebo Display Halloween 2024
Downtown Point Pleasant is only a few blocks long but offers an alternative to walking the busy Boardwalk. Most of the stores that were open were geared to an outside visitor with trendy beach clothing, some upscale home stores and expensive restaurants not targeting beach traffic. There are many interesting stores in downtown Point Pleasant that you will never get bored on a rainy day. There is a lot to see and do in the blocks that make up the business district of this beach community.
In October, Downtown Point Pleasant was decorated for the Fall holidays
I revisited the town a few weeks later to explore Downtown Point Pleasant Beach (I had not realized that the towns of Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach were two communities) and walked through both sides of the downtown to visit the stores and check out the menus at the restaurants. Once you finish at the Boardwalk, there is a lot to see and do here too.
The downtown is not as upscale as its counterparts in Spring Lake, Beach Haven and the quickly gentrifying Asbury Park. The entire look of the downtown is more juxtaposed with a downtown trying to find its identity. You had funky antique shops and gift stores next to upscale restaurants. You could tell it is a downtown that is transitioning to a new customer moving to the community but not quite wanting to alienate its current customers. That’s what gave the downtown its character. There was a real mix of interesting stores.
I stopped for a cool drink and had to get my phone charged after an morning and afternoon in Seaside Heights and Seaside Park and exploring those towns to see what was happening. I stopped in at Berritazza Cafe at 506 Arnold Avenue for an freshly brewed ice tea and to just relax. It would take about 45 minutes to charge my phone.
After I finished recharging both the phone and myself, I explored both sides of the downtown and discovered some interesting stores to visit and gourmet shops plus another park I had not noticed on my last trip.
My first stop was in Bain’s Ace Hardware Store in the old Point Pleasant Hardware Company store. I was attracted by all the beach equipment that you could buy for your day at the beach. The store really had a wonderful selection of everything you needed and more for the home. They even had the stain that I use for my deck at half the price I pay for it in Bergen County. I took note of that.
I then walked around the corner and followed the crowd of people outside of Joe Leone’s Gourmet Shop at 650 Cincinnati Avenue. Talk about a wonderful store. The sights and smells of the food and the gourmet products is what makes this store so popular with the clients.
The inside of Joe Leone’s in their downtown location
The Prepared foods section
The Hot Foods section
The grocery and gift section
I was really impressed the quality of the foods prepared and the way they were merchandised. The food looked so good that I was tempted to eat another lunch here. Their selection of sandwich specials sounded so good and the smells of the hot foods made me hungry.
More street art in Downtown Point Pleasant
I walked down Bay Avenue just off Arnold Avenue, to see what stores were there and a lot of them were closed on a late Friday afternoon. What I did notice was a lot of street art along the street and buildings. I thought that was interesting and gave the downtown a unique look.
This red bird was lining the street on Bay Avenue
This ocean painting was on the wall of the real estate agency
I thought the jellyfish painting was original
The colorful garden on Bay Avenue
I moved down the block and admired the windows at Deena’s at 704 Arnold Avenue and went inside.
The store was very nicely merchandised and it had some interesting items for the home.
I walked down Arnold Avenue and passed the street art again outside of A-1 Bicycles at 726 Arnold Avenue. This was interesting to have this facing you on the street.
The street art in the downtown on one of the side building at A 1 Bicycle at 726 Arnold Avenue
Here and there tucked in between the small antique shops and resort clothing stores are small gift boutiques and home design stores that were changing the face of the shopping district. Even some of the small Italian and Continental restaurants had Manhattan price tags on their menus.
I stopped for ten minutes in Veteran’s Park at the end of the northern part of the shopping district. It was a nice place to relax on a hot day under the cool shade of the trees.
The Point Pleasant Elks Veteran’s Memorial Park at 820 Arnold Avenue in the summer of 2024
I relaxed for a bit before I ate lunch. It was a nice place for a break on a hot day. While the food on the Boardwalk is overpriced, it is cheaper than most items on these menus. Some of the restaurants in the downtown had Manhattan prices to their entrees. I was a little surprised for a popular shore town so far from the beach.
I had checked online for restaurants in the town that were reasonable and that’s how I found GKnows Cheesesteaks at 713 Arnold Avenue in the downtown. The restaurant I found out later was part of a small chain out of Staten Island, NY. This small restaurant specializes in cheesesteaks and does it really well.
GKnows Cheesesteaks at 713 Arnold Avenue on the Main Street of Downtown Point Pleasant (Closed June 2025)
I really liked the restaurant with its clean lines and retro appearance. Since when did burnt orange come back in design? This restaurant like Take that Donuts had a 70’s design and look to it. There’s nothing like stepping back into time.
The inside of Gknows Cheesesteaks
Even the name was retro. Just like Gino’s Burgers of the 1970’s, who used to sell hamburgers and fries and also sold Kentucky Fried Chicken at our branch. That’s what it reminded me of when I heard the name.
The food was excellent. I had the traditional Cheesesteak with Wiz (Cheese Wiz) on a chewy hero roll. The thin steaks were piled into the bun and loaded with the gooey cheese mixture.
My lunch at Gknows Cheesesteaks
It is rare that I come across a cheesesteak this good in this part of the state. Usually I have to go further south to towns that cater to the Philly crowd like the Wildwoods to get one this good outside of Philly.
The Cheesesteak was amazing and so good!
I had also wanted to try their homemade rice balls but I had no more room inside me, so that is for my next trip there. The icy Coke I had with the meal was perfect on a hot day. Its enough of a reason to return to Point Pleasant.
Having seen enough of the Boardwalk, I decided to walk back to the car through the downtown and explore the neighborhoods. The core of the town near the downtown was traditional Jersey shore with it older architecture and Victorian homes.
The neighborhood surrounding Downtown Arnold Avenue neighborhood had that classic Victorian look about it. These houses were so well taken care of and nicely landscaped.
Downtown business windows at Halloween
Downtown windows at Halloween
After lunch was over, I walked the other side of the downtown and came across Opal & Olive, a very nice high end gift shop. I thought this was a little more Bayhead orientated than Point Pleasant but the owner told me that the reception towards the store has been very positive. I could see why as they had so many nice things to buy and such beautiful merchandising and windows.
Not only did the store have some unique items to buy in a very nice setting but he had this friendly fluffy dog that was so welcoming. I swear, the dog just wrapped himself around me when I walked in. Talk about customer service.
The inside of the Opal & Olive
Point Beach Arts was holding a contest for best scarecrow and there was a whole variety to choose from. Arnold Avenue was decorated with more things that went bump in the night.
The Point Pleasant Fire Department display
Point Beach Arts, Point Pleasant’s Arts Council put on this Scarecrow Contest in October of 2024:
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Arts Scarecrow Contest Downtown Point Pleasant
It was a bit more gloomy downtown when I came back in December. The rains started right after Christmas and would be going on for the next five days. Still you could see the decorations for the holidays here and there between the businesses. Even on a rainy and cloudy afternoon, the spirit of Christmas still shines on Downtown Point Pleasant.
The lights and decorations along Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant’s Main Street
These beautiful potted plants lined the downtown area
Even the Grinch welcomes you to Downtown Point Pleasant, NJ
When the weather was nicer earlier in the week, the downtown must have been pretty spectacular but on this cold and rainy late Saturday, it as not the same. Still the decorations in Downtown Point Pleasant both for Halloween and Christmas were great. They put you into the holiday spirit.
After I finished my tour of downtown, I knew I needed some dessert after that big meal and I decided to walk down to Hoffman’s Ice Cream store before I headed back to the car. What a great decision on a hot afternoon. Now this is classic Jersey Shore. Ice Cream at the beach.
Hoffman’s Ice Cream at 800 Richmond Avenue in Point Pleasant,NJ
Hoffman’s Ice Cream and Yogurt at 800 Richmond Avenue
The store had originally been one of the first Carvel branch stores in New Jersey in 1955. When they gave up the franchise in 1976, they decided to head in a different direction and create a brand of fresh homemade ice cream under the family name. All the ice creams made for this and their Spring Lake Heights store are made in this store (Hoffman’s website).
The original Hoffman’s Ice Cream store in Point Pleasant
This was Jersey Shore at its best. I felt like I had just stepped back to my junior high years again and our family stopped for a treat before heading home. I love ice cream and a trip to Hoffman’s made it even better.
My sundae at Hoffman’s of Cookie Monster and Strawberry Lemonade ice creams
The only problem with Hoffman’s is the flavors to choose. When there are other creative choices other than vanilla and strawberry, I get overwhelmed and want to try them all. I got a small dish of the Cookie Monster and Strawberry Lemonade. Talk about intense and delicious flavors.
The Cookie Monster was a vanilla base loaded with chunks of cookie dough and chocolate chips. The Strawberry Lemonade was mind blowing. It was the type of flavor combination of sweetness and tartness that when you bite into it, you see God. It was that good!
The one thing that I like about Hoffman’s is they are not only fair in their pricing but generous in their scoop sizes. I had a small dish of ice cream and it consisted of four nice sized scoops. Hoffman’s small dish of ice cream is what a medium or large would be in Manhattan and double the price. I have a lot of respect for this. The staff could not have been nicer and more accommodating. It was not that crowded and everyone was so welcoming to the customers.
The inside of Hoffman’s Ice Cream store
After a wonderful dessert and a great way to end the meal, I headed back to the car to head home. Walking around Point Pleasant, I discovered that there is more to the town than just the Boardwalk. There is a whole community to discover and explore once you leave the beach.
When I returned the second time to tour both Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach, both the Vintage Car Museum of New Jersey and the New Jersey Museum of Boating were both open. They both have such strange hours because they are small museums run by volunteers. Still they are both worth the visit. I found them interesting and packed with information.
I got to go to the Vintage Auto Museum of New Jersey on a return trip to Point Pleasant. Both the Vintage Car Museum and the New Jersey Museum of Boating at 1800 Bay Avenue share the same building and are both open on Friday afternoon. So viewing their collections is a little easier.
What I like about the Vintage Car Museum is the selection of cars that they have on display. These are the cars of the early silent films and the beginning of ‘sound pictures’. Most of the cars date from the late 1880’s to show the development of the automobile through its early years. From the early automation of steam engines to gas powered cars, I could see Victorian men and women driving these early cars to the flappers and underworld bosses driving the get away cars of the past. These are cars that you will see in the movies.
The front of the Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey in Point Pleasant, NJ at 1800 Bay Avenue Building 13
The front of the gallery of the museum.
The front gallery of the museum
The front gallery of the museum
The cars on display are in pristine condition with accompanying signs so you will have a full description of the make and model of each automobile. There is a small selection of cars so the collection is easy to see in one afternoon.
On the side walls there are secondary collections of driving accessories, pictures of cars and a small collection of toy cars in one of the cases. It is the perfect museum for car buffs or for visitors interested in the history of automobiles. It is perfect for those who love the silent films and early American engineering. These pristine cars are lined like jewels on a carpet that are meant to impress.
The front of the New Jersey Museum of Boating at 1800 Bay Avenue in the Johnson Boatyard in Point Pleasant. This is in the back part of the building that the Vintage Museum is in.
The entrance to the New Jersey Museum of Boating at 1800 Bay Avenue
The sign that welcomes you
I made my way next door to the New Jersey Museum of Boating in the other part of Building 13 and looked at the displays of boats both inside and outside the museum. While I admired all the boats outside the museum and the Johnson family Boat Works Marina and all the pleasure boats, all the nautical displays were in the inside of the museum.
The inside of the museum offers a gift shop and an introduction to the museum’s mission on the history of Boating
One of the first displays describes the famous shark attacks at the Jersey shore in 1916 as summer beach bathing was becoming popular. These were noted in the film ‘Jaws’.
The New Jersey Shark Attacks of 1916
The next display I visited was the World War II display to our veterans and their contributions from the State of New Jersey. There had been many sightings of enemy submarines on the Jersey shore.
On display as well was the ‘Frisky’. The ‘Frisky’ is the first ‘Beaton Built’ sneakbox. It was built in 1941 by David Beaton & Sons which won numerous championships in the 1940’s and 1950’s (museum pamphlet).
The “Sneakbox” sign
The ‘Frisky’ sneakbox
In the back of the museum, there was an exhibition of vintage outdoor motors which powered boats over the years.
The sign for the “Vintage Motor” exhibition
The Vintage Outdoor Motor display
The outdoor motors from times past
For two small museums, there was a lot to see (there is a more lengthy write-up on my blog, VisitingaMuseum.com). The displays were very detailed and I enjoyed my visits.
From its traditional Victorian neighborhoods and well landscaped parks and its eclectic downtown filled with a variety of stores, and the wonder of all the museums, there is a lot more to do in Point Pleasant when you leave the beach to take a stroll in town. Of course you don’t want to miss there Boardwalk with classic rides, beach treats and the excellent aquarium but there is a real heart to this beach community if want to walk a few blocks away. There are many options though on a rainy day to enjoy as well.
You will find that there is a variety of things to do and see here. You just have to walk around the town to enjoy them. I know that I did and will be back to explore it more.
Welcome to Point Pleasant, NJ at the Boardwalk parking lot
The Boardwalk beckons you.
I took one drive around the Boardwalk as it filled for the evening. It was now back to the Garden State Parkway to head home after a wonderful morning and afternoon in Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant, NJ.
Halloween again?! I can’t believe how fast this year has gone. Ever since July 4th, it has just accelerated again. I have never seen time fly so fast. Every year the same thing, once the July 4th weekend is over, you blink your eye and there is Christmas again.
I have never been a great fan of Halloween when growing up. I must have been the only kid who hated trick or treating (like begging) and dressing up for elementary school parades (I thought that they were stupid and a waste of time).
It was not until I became an adult and got to celebrate in non-conventional terms that it became fun for me. I always liked the occult side of it and look at it from the way the early Celts did with a ceremonial celebration. This is why I participated in more unusual events.
In researching many of our historical sites and museums in Bergen County, New Jersey where I live, I came across many events that the museums were sponsoring leading up to Halloween. I was impressed by the uniqueness of the events and the response to them. I was lucky to get in because everything sold out so quickly. All of these events lead to the big one, the Halloween parade Halloween night.
a
Woodland Park in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ at night
Halloween starts for me in Hasbrouck Heights with the town’s Annual Halloween in the Park, an event that takes place each fall in Woodland Park in Hasbrouck Heights. First thing to note that since developers have built new condos on the parks edges, it has taken some of the allure from the park. You can see the lights and people moving around.
We ‘stand by’ with the fire department for lights for the event and emergency calls when we have to leave. Still it is a lot of fun watching everyone get on the hayrides and start screaming in the distance. We watch from the equipment while eating a pizza dinner which we share with our Ambulance Squad who is on hand incase someone gets hurt. The last ride of the night, we get to go on when everyone else has left.
Patrons waiting at the Pavillion
The fireplace roaring at the event
Ghouls waiting for you
The park decorated for Halloween
The DPW takes families around the park in hayride fashion with bales of hay in the trailers and everyone on the trailer is chased and harassed by various ghosts, ghouls and witches. You spend most of the evening being chased with someone with a knife or chainsaw.
The start of the haunted hayride
Video of Halloween in the park
Ghouls and creatures of the night chasing everyone
This popular event is always sold out and residents get such a kick out of it. I of course was working that night and got there in time for the last two rides and people were still screaming at 9:30pm.
Halloween in the Park in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ in Woodland Park
I started the next part of the Halloween celebration at The Schoolhouse Museum (see VisitingaMuseum@wordpress.com for more details and review on TripAdvisor) 650 East Glen Avenue in Ridgewood, New Jersey for the Annual Cemetery Walk on October 20th. Usually I am not keen on walking around cemeteries at night but this was a unique fundraiser for the museum.
In fact, for a small museum there was a sold out attendance with more people wanting to go on the tour. The museum ran the walk around the cemetery for only one night and all the walks were packed with families with a surprising number of small children who seemed to love the idea of walking around tombstones.
My tour was the last one of the evening and it was already getting dark by 6:00pm and I was on the 7:00pm tour. The staff at The Schoolhouse Museum could not have been nicer and the volunteers both there and at the cemetery could have been more engaging with the crowds. We started our tour with a ghostly talk in front of the museum by Ridgewood Historian, Joseph Suplicki, who gave a quick tour on the well-known residents of Ridgewood who were buried in the cemetery.
We proceeded as a group (which had ballooned from 20 people to 36 people as more people showed up then there were places so they came on our tour) walked in the dark across the street to the Valleau Cemetery, which is between East Glen Avenue and Franklin Turnpike, one of the original Colonial roads in Ridgewood. We all thought we would be walking in the Dutch Reformed Church cemetery next to the museum but they later told us that there were insurance problems with doing that.
Off our troop trekked across the street to a lantern flank paths through the cemetery to well-known residents of Ridgewood’s burial sites. It was interesting as many of the local residents who were business people that schools and buildings were named after were pointed out. What the interesting twist was to it was they had students and members portray the person buried there and did a bio on the person and their contribution to the town.
The Cemetery Tour of Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood, NJ
The cemetery is less scary when it is light out
I have to say that I give many of the actors credit for playing the roles they did because that meant staying by the grave site until the event ended and that meant being along for about twenty to thirty minutes by a tombstone. I would have thought it was creepy. Our group followed the lanterns on the paths deeper into the cemetery to hear all sorts of stories.
We visited the graves of various movers and shakers in the town of Ridgewood over the last hundred or so years including many who had streets and schools named after them. The most interesting actor was the lady who portrayed Mary Elizabeth Rosencrantz, who was the last owner of The Hermitage (The Hermitage Museum that is located up Franklin Turnpike from the cemetery), who was left penniless in the end while the house crumbled around her in the 1970’s.
The actor told the story of her prominent family and the demise of the family fortune. Having visited The Hermitage in the past, it made it more interesting to see where she was buried.
The tour of the cemetery ended in front of The Schoolhouse Museum where we joined the staff for ghost stories and fresh apple cider and apple cider doughnuts that had been donated by Demarest Farms in Hillsdale (See TripAdvisor review). That was the best and people so happy for snack after the tour.
This interesting and engaging tour is offered by The Schoolhouse Museum in the middle of October and should not be missed. For the $10.00 donation for the tour, it is well worth the visit. On the weekends, check out their current exhibitors. The museum mounts wonderful shows. The museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and Sundays from 2:00pm-4:00pm.
Another interesting Halloween event I attended was The Hermitage House Museum’s Annual Midnight Tour and Séance on October 30th. The Hermitage House Museum at 335 North Franklin Turnpike in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ is featured on my blog, ‘VisitingaMuseum@wordpress.com’ and I have visited the museum several times during the year (See review on TripAdvisor). The house was the home of Theodosia Prevost and her second husband, Aaron Burr, when they married in 1782.
The Hermitage Mansion at Halloween (preparing for Christmas)
The evening featured a 10:00am ‘ghost tour’ of the house and a séance at midnight to start Halloween day. Frankly, I thought the thing was over-hyped. I have toured the house twice and have never seen or felt anything but hospitality in the house.
I arrived at The Hermitage House Museum at 10:00pm on the dot after I gave my Midterm to my class (I am currently teaching business students at Bergen Community College), so I was already tired. Listening to someone including the tour guide, who was a medium, talk about a house being haunted made me a little skeptical since the price for the event was $50.00.
Taking a night tour in a creepy old house was interesting and the Hermitage is steeped in so much history that I seriously suggest taking the tour in daylight and enjoy the grounds. The families that have lived here bring so much to the story of the house. The original owner of the house had invited General George Washington to stay at the house in response to the fact that her husband was fighting on the side of the British and she did not want to loose her home. Marrying Aaron Burr helped as well.
The next family that owned the house expanded it and lived in it for almost a 100 years. It became the modern New Jersey version of ‘Grey Gardens’, when the last owner ran out of money to run the house and the whole place overgrew. She ended up sick and when she died she left the house to the State of New Jersey.
With a history like that, you would think that you really might see something. All I saw was an over-weight bullshit artist who worked everyone up. I admit I would not like to spend a night alone in an old house like this but he got everyone so worked up that I believe that people thought they were seeing things. It got to the point where he kept asking everyone if they felt a cold spot or did they see a shadow. The house was old and drafty, that’s it. I got a kick out of one women saying she saw a rocking chair moving by itself and then another women walk by it and the loose floor board moving it. She looked embarrassed.
The worst was when we entered the parlor where Mary Rosencrantz, the last owner of the house, along with her sister and aunt used to serve tea during the 20’s to raise money to keep the house up. We all sat around the room in a semi-circle trying to communicate with the dead. All he did was rattle off a bunch of names and types of people he felt might be in the room. He was called out when he said someone named “Rose” was trying to reach him and then asked us did anyone know a ‘Rose’. When one guy said he did and it was the name of his 93 year old grandmother, the medium practically swooned and asked when she died. He answered that she was alive and living down the street from him. That almost crushed the medium.
For the price of the event and the time of night it is at my suggestion to anyone wanting to visit The Hermitage Museum is to visit it during the day and take a formal tour with a docent for $7.00 and enjoy the house for its history and beauty.
The highlight of Halloween for me is volunteering for the Halloween Parade in NYC. That is a lot of fun and its a comradery builder working with all the other volunteers. This was fourth year working on the parade and I am assigned working the gate where all the volunteers and performers walk through to check in. I have never seen so many people try to bullshit their way into the parade. They just want to see the parade from our route. I have to turn angry people away every year and do they get nasty. Is it my fault there is a major parade going on and you can’t get to a party three blocks away?
People walking up Sixth Avenue the night of the parade
The Halloween Parade took even a weirder twist when we had a terrorist attack just a few blocks from the parade route. Some guy took a truck and ran down joggers and bikers on the park path a few blocks from the World Trade Center site. I was shocked when one of the guys from the FDNY pulled me aside at 5:30pm to tell me. Even though it had happened a few blocks from the parade nothing beats down a New Yorker. They show resilience and the parade continued as if nothing happened. Like myself, if no one had said anything I would not have known.
The Halloween Parade marching up Sixth Avenue
The parade route was mobbed with people and I have to say that the costumes are getting more creative every year especially this year. There were a lot of ‘Dump Trump’ signs all over the parade route including many people dressed like the President doing all sorts of strange things. (I have to admit I may not agree with all the things he says but he is still our President and should be respected.)
There were all sorts of political undertones to the parade as there always are such as the Gun Lobbying Zombie’s, The ‘Dump Trump’ characters, all the LGBT groups fighting over the problems they are having in the military and comments over the immigration policies. I have not seen this much political rhetoric since the ‘I am peach Bush’ costumes that I saw about nine years ago. People were saying their piece this year.
Looking up Sixth Avenue the night of the Parade
I have also seen a bump in foreign tourists as they kept asking where things were located and did not know where Canal Street was located. Some said they came to New York City just to see the parade. I was floored by how many families brought their children all the way to the U.S. to see the parade. It was an exciting site to see all the bands, unusual costumes and towering puppets. There were skeletons and serpents on the parade route. The puppet makers go above and beyond when it comes time for the parade. The dancing Pumpkin people were new to the parade added that air of creativity to the event.
I usually end up watching the full parade on YouTube but I get to see the parade from the ground up. By working the gate, I get to see all the people in costume coming into the route. Ever since the 20th Anniversary of the ‘Thriller’ album, the ‘Thriller’ dance routine has gotten bigger and I swear they get so into it. We have dancing zombies all over the place. I see so many bands going through the gate and everyone comes in at once. I swear the three of us saw so much that night.
The Thriller Dance:
So here is my Halloween experience this year. Full of ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night. BOO!
Happy Halloween!
(For those of you who are reading this and want to be in the parade next year, please go to Canal Street to line up. Don’t come to the gate and drive us crazy. We are busy enough.) Use the Number 6 subway to get to the parade route.
The Halloween Parade 2017
The Halloween Events:
Halloween in the Park
Every second week of October in Hasbrouck Heights NJ
Check out the Hasbrouck Heights Recreation Department Website
The Halloween Parade is every October 31st in New York City lining Sixth Avenue
(The picture is of the three of us working the gate. Mark Schuyler and I are twelve cousins once removed by the marriage of Mark’s GGG Grandfather to my GGG Grandmother, who was a member of the Beekman family by my Step-Grandmother. We like to kid around a lot about it.)
One of the projects that I was working on as the Junior Friends Chair of another Friends group two years ago was the holiday event, “Teens, Tots & Toys: the Holiday Festival” an all day event that was filled with movies, craft making and celebrity visits all to raise funds and collect toys for the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation of Midland Park, NJ. It had all been planned and then got cancelled. It was an omen too as it snowed the entire day that year and all holiday events had to be cancelled.
It was time to put the event into motion. As my holiday activities were in full swing, we had just finished Christmas tree sales selling 240 trees through our Men’s Association, Christmas Decorating judging with the Mayor’s Celebration Committee, visits to help out in the Soup Kitchen, the fire department’s Annual ‘Santa Around Town’ and volunteering for the Sinterklaas parade, ‘Teens, Tots & Toys’ was the last big event on my list of holiday events.
We invited US Champion, World Champion and Olympian Elaine Zayak to join us for a book reading, Q & A and then an autograph session to be followed by two movies and then lastly gingerbread house making. I knew it was going to be a long day. It had taken six weeks to plan.
Even though the crowds were low (I never understand the patrons of this library that don’t appreciate a really great free event), the event went off nicely. Elaine showed up with her son, Jack and could not have been friendlier. She had just come back from teaching at the Hackensack Ice House and was dressed in her US Figure Skating jacket. She was a true professional.
Elaine Zayak in 1994 when she came back at the United States National Champions
I felt embarrassed by the turnout but Elaine was like don’t worry about it. She had been through this before at book signings. She had been at ones where there were five people and some where there were fifty. She told me she wanted to have something where she and Jack could spend the day with each other and she could involved him. The afternoon was perfect for that.
We started the afternoon with a warm welcome to the crowd that was there and wished everyone a Happy Holiday season. Then I went on to talk about the Legend of ‘Tinker Street’, the magical elf, who the event was honoring and then I introduced Elaine.
‘Tinker Street, the Elf’
A lot of the audience did not know of the contributions to figure skating that Elaine had done. She had introduced so many triple jumps into her skating program when she was starting out that the famous ‘Zayak Rule’ had been created to limit the amount of jumps that you could have in a program. She also brought a sense of athleticism to the sport by encouraging skaters to not just use a sense of style but a sense power to the sport. This gave it a strong point after the ‘figures’ went away in the judging.
Elaine read along with her son, Jack, from the book the “Skating Shoes’ by Noel Streatfeild. This book was made famous by the movie, “You got Mail” when Meg Ryan mentions the book to a bookstore patron. It was a very uplifting book about two friends and fellow skaters who were starting to compete against each other. The two of them took time to read from the book.
Elaine Zayak and her son, Jack
During the Q & A, there were some interesting questions that many of the Friends members had such as her competitions, what it was like to be in the Olympics, many of the famous skaters that she competed with and against, the Tonya/Nancy affair that was taking place at the same time at Nationals in 1994 and what she was doing today. She took a lot of pride in what she was doing with her teaching and encouraging young skaters.
Teens, Tots & Toys
Ms. Zayak with the Friends of the Lodi Memorial Library
We filmed the entire event and unfortunately the Mayor had been a little late because of a mix up in the time so we were able to refilm this segment of the program. We as the Friends, lead by our President Judy Schroeder, presented Elaine with an honorarium making her a member of the Friends of the Lodi Memorial Library, the Library Director Siobhan Koch presented Elaine with her own copy of the book, “The Skating Shoes” and then the Mayor made his presentation.
Lodi, NJ Mayor Emil Carafa with Ms. Zayak
Lodi Borough Mayor Emil Carafa presented Elaine Zayak with an official medal from the Borough of Lodi, New Jersey and then placed the medal on her and read a proclamation from the Borough of Lodi honoring her many accomplishments. It was very touching to both her and the audience. Another nice thing about it is that the Mayor remembered when she was still skating as a teen and helping raise money for her to compete. Elaine also donated her fee to her two favorite charities, which we thought was very nice of her.
Mayor Carafa with Ms. Zayak
Everyone then joined us for a reception in honor of her visit. We had a beautiful spread of food donated by Inserra Shoprite of Lodi, New Jersey. The reception included a six foot Italian hoagie, a platter of fresh cut fruit, three trays of assorted cookies, assorted chips and assorted juices, bottled waters and sodas that the patrons could enjoy. Elaine’s son, Jack, really seemed to enjoy himself, first helping his mom with the book reading and then enjoying the good food.
The Friends of the Lodi Memorial Library presenting Ms. Zayak with a membership to ‘The Friends of the Lodi Memorial Library’
After Elaine and Jack left for the afternoon, we showed the film ‘Arthur Christmas’, the story about one of Santa’s two sons who helps save Christmas for one little girl whose gift was left behind in the North Pole. It is a very uplifting movie about the true meaning of the holiday and the spirit of giving.
After the movie, about fifteen families with about thirty children participated in the first annual making of Gingerbread houses, in which everyone looked like they had a lot of fun. You should have seen some of the creations that came out of that afternoon, made of icing and candies.
Although we did not have the crowd that we thought we would, everyone who came had a very nice time with the event. There is still a lot we have to learn about running these events, the patrons who came had a nice time meeting Elaine Zayak and her son, watching the film and creating the gingerbread houses.
This is what I read from the Legend of Tinker Street, the Magical Elf:
‘The Legend of Tinker Street’
Teens, Tots & Toys Mascot, the holiday elf, Tinker Street, is a lovable little prankster, who lives in the valley of the Catskills Mountains in which the downtown Main Street of Woodstock, NY is named after.
Tinker Street is a gregarious, generous elf who represents the happiness, generosity and thoughtful charity during the holiday season. Tinker Street does not represent one holiday but all holidays celebrated where love, family and get-togetherness are found.
Coming out of his home only on December 1st of each year, you can never truly see Tinker Street. You can only feel him when good thoughts pass through you, when a good deed is done and when helping another person is done with great kindness.
Tinker Street is an elf of great kindness and tolerance and where you find him is in the understanding that no two holidays are alike so respect for them is very important. The true meaning from a visit from Tinker Street is the generosity to charity, the thoughtfulness of a distant family member or friend and looking back to the kindness and remembrance of someone who is gone but not forgotten.
When we receive a visit from Tinker Street, we see only the best in ourselves and others around us. When you see a big smile on someone’s face or happy laughter in a gathering, you know Tinker Street has been there.
So to be part of the very first celebration of “Teens, Tots & Toys”, we wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season and experience the magic in the days ahead.’
This event also raised the awareness of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation of Midland Park, New Jersey and the Friends of the Lodi Memorial Library donated the next week around fifty toys and forty children’s books from the library that were donated to the charity, which helps families with children with cancer. It was a big plus to the Foundation of our donation and it helped so many children in a tough holiday season.
For all you patrons who attended the event or donated toys to help, thank you all from the Friends of the Lodi Memorial Library for making such a big difference in a strangers life. You all show the true meaning of the holidays by giving of yourselves and commitment to charity.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Please enjoy this two part video of Elaine Zayak’s visit to the Lodi Memorial Library and her ‘key to the city’ presentation by the Mayor of Lodi, Emil Cafara!
Elaine Zayak’s Reading at the Lodi Memorial Library’s “First Annual Teens, Tots & Toys”
Elaine Zayak being presented Honorariums from The Lodi Memorial Library and the Mayor of Lodi, NJ presenting her the medal from the Borough of Lodi, NJ.
Elaine Zayak receiving a “Key to the City” medal to Lodi, NJ
Elaine Zayak at the U.S. Nationals
Elaine Zayak in the 1994 National Championships
Articles on the event for the Friends of the Lodi Memorial Library:
Our full page coverage in The Community News December 2015
mywalkinmanhattan 