Tag Archives: Author Justin Watral

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Four Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. presents the project “Critchley’s Candies-We’re Making It!” June 23rd, 2025

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. Projects, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring Paramus NJ, Exploring River Edge, NJ, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Exploring Westwood NJ, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, Interesting Candy Shops, Little Shop on Main Street in New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Pizzeria's and Italian Restaurants for the budget-minded, Uncategorized, Walking Downtown Westwood NJ, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is the first time in my career at Bergen Community College that I have taught a summer class and it was a very interesting experience. I have taught Business 101, which is the Introduction to Business class for many years but not in a modified seven week period. Normally this important entry level course is taught in fourteen weeks.

With an issue with my car the first day of class and then the Memorial Day holidays the next week put us two days behind and then I had to work on a modified Team project for the students. This would be a challenge. I had done all the on campus events I wanted and there was not much time for one of the bigger more detailed events. So I decided to reach out to a local business to help me out.

I was going to use the florist across the street from the campus and thought that would be the perfect client. The couple unfortunately was selling the business and even though they liked the idea thought it would not work since it would not help them as they were looking for a buyer of the business.

I then had another idea with a business I passed all the time driving up and down Kinderkamack Road on my was back and forth to work, Critchley’s Candies in River Edge, NJ. The business had been around for seventy years and I had met the owner once before. I thought would he help me out?

Critchley’s Candies at 812 Kinderkamack Road

https://www.critchleyscandies.com/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g46776-d33257078-Reviews-Critchley_s_Candies-River_Edge_New_Jersey.html?m=69573

https://www.facebook.com/CritchleysCandies/

https://www.instagram.com/critchleyscandies/

I was very lucky in that the store had a new owner, Rossana, who was willing to partner with me and liked my proposed ideas. I was lucky that she was looking for ideas to expand her business so it was a win win for the two of us. This would give her free marketing and a fresh perspective from a younger customer and would give the students an opportunity to help a small business owner.

I made two trips to the store to get some ideas and look over the merchandise. They have a nice selection of candies and chocolates and a whole new line of handmade candies that are made in store.

The inside of Critchley’s Candies

The selection of candies at Critchley’s

The selection of handmade candies

Once myself and Rosanna, the owner, worked together to fine tune the project, I brought my class to the store for their field trip. We had a two week deadline on this project and there was a lot to do (they actually did the whole project in ten days).

Over the weekend, I picked my Executive Team and fine tuned the project with more details to each section of the project. It had to be pared down because unlike many other Team projects, we had only two weeks to pull this off and present it to the client.

The proposed project: Critchley’s Candies: We’re Making it!

BCC-Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. 2025 Critchley’s Candies-We’re Making It!Download

On one of the rainiest mornings we had in a long time (it never stopped raining for a month), I met my students to tour the candy store. We had a really nice time touring the store that morning and Rossana’s full time employee, Nancy, led the tour with myself and the class.

My students on the tour of the store

My class getting a feel of the merchandise

Nancy, one of the employees of the store led the tour discussing the different lines of merchandise.

We discussed the different types of gummies, jellies and hard candies the store carried.

The video of the tour of Critchley’s Candies that day:

My class and I touring Critchley’s Candies with Nancy, one of the long service employees at the store. She explained all the candy lines to us and what chocolates were made in house.

She then discussed the individual chocolates that are on sale for creating boxes for gift giving.

Me tasting the homemade Milk Chocolate Covered Oreo

When we finished the tour, we had a candy tasting. Everyone got a chance to taste either a homemade Milk or Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallow or Oreo Cookie. It was a sweet way to end our tour of Critchley’s Candies. Then it was on to our Team Lunch.

After the tour was over, our class took a group shot at the store with Nancy.

After the tour was over, I took my students on their first ‘Business lunch’ and we met as a class at Pompilio’s Pizzeria at 223 Westwood Avenue in Downtown Westwood, NJ. I have taken students here before for lunch on about five other Team projects.

This gives the students the opportunity to get to know each other and have some Team bonding. The pizza is also excellent here too and they have very fair prices and a wonderful ‘school special’.

The Team Lunch:

Pompilio’s Pizzeria & Restaurant at 223 Westwood Avenue in Downtown Westwood, NJ

https://www.pompiliospizzeria.com/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46923-d4643410-Reviews-Pompilio_s_Pizzeria_Restaurant-Westwood_New_Jersey.html?m=69573

Some of my students at our Business Team building lunch

The pizza here is excellent

From this point on the students were on their own to create the project. We have already had a series of Board meetings in class and I have had to face two students dropping the class ( I just don’t think this is for everyone).

For the next two weeks, technically ten days, the students worked with their teams on completing the assignment. This meant meeting on their own time and trips back to Critchley’s Candies to film commercials and Tik Tok videos.

We had our last Board meeting the day before the Presentation to wrap things up and go over any missing items. I strictly informed about dress code and performing the role as Student Consultants. From this point on, it would be up to them. They were also assigned two papers to finish the project up.

Paper Three: What would I change in the store if I bought Critchley’s Candies from the owner:

BCC-Intro to Bus Paper Three Critchley’s Candy PaperDownload

Paper Four: What did I learn from the Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. project:

BCC-Intro to Bus Paper Four Summer 2025Download

On Tuesday morning, June 24th, 2025, the Presentation took place in our classroom. The first mode of business for each student was to pass the ‘Dress Code’ grade. I have students come in formal business attire. My way of turning group of Gen Zers in to Gen X. Image is very important when trying to sell a concept or program and you must look the role.

With the exception of a few hiccups, the whole class looked very professional considering it was 95 degrees outside. It not been this hot all week but it felt like 100 degrees. Thank God the air conditioning was working in our part of the building that day and the classroom was very comfortable.

The Presentation started late as one student got a flat tire and we had to wait for him. At the same time the owner of the store had an issue at her full time job that got resolved just as the student arrived in class. We started the Presentation at 11:00am and now it was full attention on the project.

Copy of the PowerPoint presentation:

Click to access ab2614_dc7edf59c3f74bedb1e3fc0ea2d28b57.pdf

The President this semester, Peter McNamara and the Senior Vice-President of Operations JC Abella welcoming everyone and starting the Presentation.

Marketing Team Member Kim Perez discussing the history of Critchley’s Candies to the audience.

The Marketing Team discussing the new ‘Store Jingle’ for the commercial

The Commercial on YouTube:

This includes the store jingle at the end of the commercial.

The students also created a Tik Tok video on the store and its wonderful selection of chocolates.

The Tik Tok video:

The Tik Tok video on Critchley’s Candies

Marketing Team member Matthew discussing the creation of the ‘Store Jingle’

The Product Development and Special Event’s Team discussing the QR Codes Program for the store’s boxed and individual candies.

Product Development/Special Events Team Member Aisha Martinez discussing the new ‘Summer Camp Care package’ proposal. This included a prototype of the packaging.

Team Leader of the Product Development/Special Events Liam discussing the ‘In-house Birthday Party’ program. This caters to that jaded Bergen County child who has seen it all. This birthday concept was very creative. It made it fun to have a birthday at the store.

His proposal for the ‘Birthday Party’ invitation with Vice-President of Product Development/Special Events Joel Fife to the right and President McNamara and SVP Arabella to the left looking on.

The Presentation concluded on time with a Q&A and a discussion on some of the ideas needing adjustments. Overall the owner of Critchley’s Candies, Rossana Rossi, who I partnered on this project seemed very impressed by the results. Then we took our Team picture with the owner and her employee, Nancy, who had led us on the tour of the store two weeks earlier.

The Paramus Critchley’s Candies Team with the owners of Critchley’s Candies.

After the Presentation was over, everyone took their jackets off and I hosted a reception for the students and our guests. I baked cookies and brownies and had an assortment of snacks and sodas for the students. I thought this went by very well for a class that had been here for only seven weeks.

The reception at the end of the Presentation

This is when I can say that I am very proud of my students!

The Official Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. website for the project with QR codes, Commercials, Logos and pictures from all the visits and the presentation:

https://pmcnamara139481.wixsite.com/bergeccocritchleys

The Presentation on YouTube:

The full presentation of the Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. of Critchley’s Candies Promotion.

For a project that had a two week turnaround, the Student Consultants did an excellent job with the Team Project.

Coney Island History Project c/o Deno’s Wonderful Wheel Park 3059 West 12th Street Brooklyn, NY 11224

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Brooklyn, Exploring Brooklyn Block by Block, Exploring Coney Island, Brooklyn, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the New York City Subway System, Historic New York City neighborhoods, My life at NYU-Graduate School, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New York City, Walking around Brooklyn, Walking Coney Island, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Coney Island History Project

C/O Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park

3059 West 12th Street

Brooklyn, NY 11224

https://www.coneyislandhistory.org/

Open: Sunday-Saturday 1:00pm-7:00pm (summer months only-May 24th-September 1st)

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d4777489-r1014119112-Coney_Island_History_Project_Walking_Tour-New_York_City_New_York.html?m=19905

The front of The Coney Island Project

I came across this interesting museum/gallery when I was walking around Coney Island. The museum is a few small rooms located in one of the buildings in Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. The museum is not related to the Coney Island Museum on Surf Avenue.

The small gallery space has a wealth of information and some interesting artifacts on Coney Island’s history both past and present.

The main room had artifacts and pictures of Coney Island’s past amusement history. There were many photo’s of the old parks, especially Steeplechase Park before its closing in 1965. It shows its development, growth and changes after the 1907 fire that destroyed the park.

There was all sorts of artifacts from that time as well as the former Astroland that was replaced by the new Luna Park. If you know the history of Coney Island, this can fascinating to read.

The second room had the later history when the Island’s amusements fell into disrepair and the whole island seemed to fall apart. The pictures show a very run down Coney Island.

The outside pictures show Coney Island in its heyday when during the 1930’s and 40’s before and during WWII, the island being a place of relief for so many New Yorker’s especially the working class.

The inside of the gallery

The main gallery

The Steeplechase Exhibition

Coney Island in ruin in the 1970’s

The history of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park

The display outside the museum

The mechanical display that sings and dances

The Miss Coney Island robot is a throwback to old technology and campy robotics that is fun to watch. For a quarter, you can take an interesting video with this robot.

The Deno’s Map of the park

The history of the park

The History of the Museum:

(From the Coney Island Historical Coalition website)

The Coney Island History Project’s 2025 exhibition center season begins Memorial Day Weekend with a combination of free indoor and outdoor exhibits.  Visitors to the exhibition center are invited to take free souvenir photos with Coney Island’s only original Steeplechase horse, from the legendary ride that gave Steeplechase Park its name, and the iconic Cyclops head from Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park’s Spook-A-Rama, Coney Island’s oldest dark ride. 

The real Midway

I took pictures after the Mermaid Parade and showed how busy the amusement section was that day. There is so much potential to update the amusements and modernize the area with new rides and concessions. There is so much that can be done here. I already see new luxury apartment buildings being built and the revamping of the main shopping drag.

The Boardwalk at the end of the evening.

The Coney Island Boardwalk at twilight

Union Cemetery (Van Blarcom Burial Ground) 151 Franklin Avenue Wyckoff, NJ 07481

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Historic Graveyards and Cemeteries, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Exploring Wyckoff NJ, Exploring Wyckoff, NJ, Historic Cemeteries and Graveyards in New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), The Bergen 250-250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War in Bergen County, NJ, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Union Cemetery (The Van Blarcom Burial Ground)

151 Franklin Avenue

Wyckoff, NJ 07481

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/688580/union-cemetery

https://www.facebook.com/people/Wyckoff-Historical-Society/100064722099119/

Preserving History: Wyckoff Historical Society’s Efforts at Union Cemetery

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/13650290?m=19905

The historical sign for the Union Cemetery at 151 Franklin Avenue in Wyckoff, NJ

The marker sign put up by the Wyckoff Historical Society

The walled garden just outside the cemetery in bloom

The Union Cemetery was originally the resting place of the Van Blarcom family and the right hand side of the cemetery has the Van Blarcom family plot

One of the descendants of the family, Ethel Van Blarcom Green donated money for the preservation of this family plot.

The Biography of Ethel Van Blarcom Green:

(From the Wyckoff Historical Site)

If you at all familiar with the Wyckoff Historical Society’s recent activities at Union Cemetery, you may know that the 250 year-old site was the original Van Blarcom burial site. The name can be traced to the early 1700s when the first Van Blarcom family settled in New Jersey. The oldest legible headstone dates to 1764.

What you may not know, is that Ethel Van Blarcom, a direct descendant, bestowed a significant financial contribution to the Society beginning in 1978, with her wish that her beloved family cemetery be maintained. Although she lived in California for most of her adult life, Union Cemetery obviously held a special place in her heart, and she wanted to see it survive. The Society has Ethel’s hand-written letters that confirm her generous donation. She also continued to renew her Society membership until 1984.

However, it wasn’t until 2019 that the current trustees decided it was time to use the funds for its intended use, and honor Ethel’s wishes. Several headstones were repaired, new fencing is being installed, and yearly grounds maintenance is conducted, thanks, in part, to Ethel’s generosity.

It was at this time that Society trustees, Doris Noerr, Melanie Long, and Linda Vreeland, dove into genealogy websites and Society archives to learn more about Ethel’s life and to particularly find a photograph of her. 

“After several week of research, we obtained Ethel’s death certificate which led to contacting her niece Naomi who is now 92,” said Society president, Lynn Groel-Lynch. “To our delight, she had a photo of Ethel and her husband, Roy Green that we believe is her 1916 wedding photo.”

Ethel was born in Paterson in 1897 and lived to the age of 89. She and Roy moved to the Los Angeles, California area most likely around the time of her mother’s death in 1933. The couple had no children.

“We are still in the process of contacting a few descendants, and those we’ve spoken to have been happy to share what they know about Ethel,” said Melanie Long. “We also will install a plaque in her memory near where her father, Edward is buried in Union Cemetery. There are thousands of Van Blarcom names as they were the one of the prominent families in our area’s farming community, and after all these years, the Society is thrilled to finally honor the legacy of one very important Van Blarcom, Ethel Van Blarcom Green. As they say, ‘It’s never too late’”.

The current history of the Union Cemetery:

(Wyckoff Historical Society website)

The original Grange sign from the 1960s at the Franklin Avenue entrance of Union Cemetery was weathered and fragile. The Wyckoff Historical Society recently replaced the old sign with one that is also hand-lettered, and includes the Grange logo which was barely visible on the old sign. Two new posts display the new sign.

The Ackerman and Terwilliger families are buried to the left/northern side of the cemetery

The Terwilliger family plot

The resting place of James Terwilliger’s tombstone

To the right of the pathway around the cemetery to the south is the Van Blarcom family plot where on the oldest graves is that of John Van Blarcom, a veteran of the Revolutionary War.

The resting place of Revolutionary War veteran, John Van Blarcom

https://patch.com/new-jersey/wyckoff/birth-of-a-nation-revolutionary-officer-remembered

The original section of the Van Blarcom family plot dating back to the Revolutionary War

The later burial section of the Van Blarcom family

The resting place of Daniel and Rebecca Van Blarcom

The Terwilliger family has two sections of the family plot in the northern section of the cemetery

The Ackerman family’s plot is to the middle most northern end of the cemetery

The Mallinson/Westervelt family has the further most family plot of the cemetery

The cemetery is so peaceful and relaxing to walk around. The Wyckoff Historical Society has done a wonderful job maintaining the property. Even though it is the resting place of many family plots, it’s still a very welcoming place and you can feel it as you walk the paths. There is a respect of remembering the people of the past that can be felt here

As you walk the pathways, you visit the people who have contributed to the growth and history of Bergen County and the surrounding area. They shaped their communities from before the Revolution War to today.

My video of visiting the cemetery and the families that rest here.

The History of the Cemetery:

(From the Wyckoff Historical Society website)

The Union Cemetery on Franklin Avenue dates back to the first half of the 1700s, when Johannes Van Blarcom set aside an area of his property to become a burial place. The earliest readable stone is from 1764 and thought to mark the grave of a slave girl because there is no surname given. Johannes Van Blarcom’s daughter, who died in 1725, is alleged to be buried there also. Various community groups have volunteered to maintain the cemetery, including the Wyckoff Historical Society. In 2018, dead trees, underbrush, and poison ivy were removed.

Most are early Van Blarcom family members as the cemetery was one of the original family cemeteries.  

Captain John Outwater/Outwater Family Cemetery 710 Washington Avenue Carlstadt, NJ 07072

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Carlstadt, NJ, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Historic Graveyards and Cemeteries, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic Cemeteries and Graveyards in New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), The Bergen 250-250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War in Bergen County, NJ, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Captain John Outwater/Outwater Family Cemetery

710 Washington Avenue

Carlstadt, NJ 07072

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10735322/john-outwater

https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/counties/bergen_county_revolutionary_war_sites.htm

Open: Sunday-Saturday 24 hours

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/13650283?m=19905

The entrance to the Outwater Family Cemetery

The stone marker sign at the entrance to the family cemetery. This cemetery is the final resting place of Captain John Outwater from the local militia who fought in the Revolutionary War and his family.

The memorial to Captain Outwater in the center of the cemetery dedicated to his contributions to Revolutionary War

Captain John Outwater during the Revolutionary War

https://www.outwatersmilitia.com/about

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KJ4L-N3R/john-j.-outwater-1780-1842

Captain John Outwater’s bio:

(From family search website)

When John J. Outwater was born on 9 February 1780, in Hackensack, Bergen, New Jersey, United States, his father, Captain John Outwater, was 33 and his mother, Hendrickje Dirck Lozier, was 34. He married Cathalina Van Bussum on 1 February 1813, in Old First Reformed Church, Passaic, Passaic, New Jersey, United States.

They were the parents of at least 4 sons. He died on 25 September 1842, in Wilson, Wilson, Niagara, New York, United States, at the age of 62, and was buried in Glenwood, Lewiston, Lewiston, Niagara, New York, United States.

The original entrance to the cemetery must have been on Moonachie Avenue in the distant past.

The original graves of Captain John Outwater and his wife, Louise Lozier

Across from their graves is the memorial to the family

Various members of the Outwater family including parents, brothers and sisters and children are buried here.

The grave of Jacob Outwater and his family

The tombstone of Jacob Outwater

The grave of Jacob’s son who died as an infant

The graves of George Outwater and his wife, Ann Van Note

I think this is the grave of George Outwater’s first wife, Mary

Buried outside the family plot is the grave of Henry Cordes

The Outwater family cemetery sits on a small hill overlooking a Quick Check store and gasoline station. Talk about modern progress.

I took a quick tour of the cemetery:

My video of the Outwater Family Cemetery and the grave of Captain John Outwater of Revolutionary War fame.

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Five The Tenth Anniversary of ‘MywalkinManhattan.com’ Started June 15th, 2015 and continuing June 15th, 2025

Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Manhattan, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the New York City Subway System, Exploring the Rim of the Island of Manhattan, Historic New York City neighborhoods, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New York City, Walking around Manhattan, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I can’t believe its been ten years since I started this project!

I read online all the time of how people say, “I walked every street in Manhattan in one Summer and I got so much out of it!” Sorry folks, I have been doing this for ten years and I have walked every street, park, road, bridge and byway including other parts of the City and outside the City when the City closed for COVID for a decade and I still have to revisit neighborhoods because they keep changing. The City just keeps changing faster since COVID.

Manhattan like the rest of New York City or any City for that matter is like an onion, you have to keep peeling back the layers and you find more than you thought. You always miss something. I had to revisit the entire Upper Upper and Upper West Side from West 125th Street to West 59th Street over the Fall and there was so much I had to revamp on over a dozen blogs. There is so much you miss the first time around that you have to go back again. Then you go “Wow, how did I miss that?”

The starting point of The Great Saunter at Fraunces Tavern in May 2025

Architecture I missed, restaurants have opened and closed and then opened again under new ownership. Museums that needed to be revisited and so much more that was discovered sometimes in just a one block area. How many residents just pass a building or a statue and give it not a second thought. There is so much to see, do and experience in this City and just on the Island of Manhattan. I think it is all fascinating the complexity of it all.

The only way to really get to know a place is by walking around it and experiencing it. I have done this over the last three years with visits abroad to Paris, Prague, Abu Dhabi and Dubai with NYU, especially when I finally had some time on my own to just walk those cities. What I missed on the tour I visited on my own, especially in Prague and Abu Dhabi, when I had the day to myself and I could relax and do. Just having a morning in Paris to myself and having breakfast near my dorm on my own was an eye-opener, especially to the French who could not believe an American could eat that much for breakfast.

Me doing the tourist thing in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris the Summer of 2023 with NYU. Talk about walking a City!

This experience I have also shared in the Tri State area with visits to Philadelphia and Washington DC, walking around Newark, NJ (yes it does have it attributes) and exploring the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut in cities like New Haven, Narrowsburg, Cooperstown, Rhinebeck, Greenwich and exploring the shore towns of Cape May, Seaside Heights and Park, Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach and a complete tour of Long Beach Island towns. There is so much to experience so close to you and each little town has attributes you only experience once you leave the Boardwalk.

I have completed the Broadway Walk from 242nd Street to the Bowling Green over a dozen times and just completed the Great Saunter, the 33 mile perimeter walk of Manhattan for my forth time officially and plan the fifth time unofficially as soon as it stops raining.

On the day of the Tenth Anniversary, it rained all day (it never stopped raining for a week) in the City making walking around the City impossible so I went to the Museum of Modern Art to see some movies that were part of the retrospect that was part of “Pride Week” entitled “Queer and Uncensored”, which was a retrospect of what passed for racy in the 1970’s and 80’s. It is interesting that the MoMA showed what was considered provocative films of that era. I watched some interesting perspectives of art in film.

The Museum of Modern Art at 11 West 53rd Street

https://www.moma.org/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60763-d105126-Reviews-The_Museum_of_Modern_Art_MoMA-New_York_City_New_York.html

The film festival “Queer and Uncensored”:

https://www.moma.org/calendar/film/5807

The bio of the film series:

(From the MoMA website)

Honoring a courageous history of liberation and transgression, this major survey of queer film and video includes more than 70 shorts and features by 65 filmmakers. This cinematic celebration of lesbian, gay, and transgender sexuality, love, and activism presents seven decades of pioneering, landmark films and lesser-known or marginalized works.

Guest curators MM Serra, longtime head of Film-Maker’s Cooperative, and Erica Schreiner—both filmmakers themselves—write, “Since the inception of queer cinema, artists have faced censorship and invisibility, a challenge that persists today. Queer and Uncensored showcases a powerful selection of rarely seen, suppressed films that are crucial milestones in the evolution of queer filmmaking. Each program focuses on a topic that is relevant to the development and expansion of queer identity and its diversity. These films explore gender, race, class, sexual orientation, and the emergence of the epidemic.”

After the movies were over, I treated myself to dinner. Then the rain subsided finally in the evening and I decided to revisit a restaurant I had eaten at in post-pandemic in Kips Bay, Anjappar Chettinad South Indian Cuisine at 116 Lexington Avenue. I had eaten here a few years ago right after the City opened after the Pandemic and had wanted to come back to try it again. With some of the restaurants that I have visited lately, it is all about ‘the picture’ (meaning going back to restaurants of the past blogs to take pictures of the meals I had before).

My ten year anniversary dinner at Anjappar Chettinad South Indian Cuisine

This was the exact meal I had in the restaurant five years prior when the City had opened up. Because of COVID, only a handful of us were allowed in the restaurant at one time. As I recall, there were only three of us in the restaurant that night. It was nice to return. The food and service are wonderful here (See my review on TripAdvisor).

New York

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d3667770-r1013216365-Anjappar_Chettinad_South_Indian_Cuisine-New_York_City_New_York.html?m=19905

The Chicken Marsala is very spicy and wonderful with the bread to soak up the sauce

The Parotta bread is a spiral bread perfect for this saucy meal

The Mango Lassi to cool me down

The dinner was fantastic

The dessert, the Gulobjamun, a sweet rice cake in syrup. Unusual and delicious!

If wasn’t the day I had planned with me wanting to do the Broadway walk but that would be for another day. For tonight I dealt with the rain storm as I did the first day of the walk in Marble Hill on June 15th, 2015 (Father’s Day). It has been a long time since that day and I celebrated walking 2/3rds of the Island of Manhattan.

I will keep walking until I have visited every street, park, and garden until I get to the tip of Battery Park and that includes Liberty and Ellis Islands as well. Along the way, I will be sharing with all of you interesting restaurants and stores while seeing how the City keeps changing. I don’t bemoan things of the past but look forward to things of the future. There is more to come so keep walking with me.

There are more adventures ahead and I want all of you to enjoy them with me.

Happy Walking!

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Seven Attending the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island June 21st, 2025

Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Brooklyn, Exploring Brooklyn Block by Block, Exploring Coney Island, Brooklyn, Exploring Manhattan, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the New York City Subway System, Historic New York City neighborhoods, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New York City, Walking Coney Island, Walking in Brooklyn, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I have to admit that I have had a love affair with Coney Island since my first trip there at four years old. My parents took us there with our cousins in 1974 and I still remember my first Nathan’s hot dog and crinkle cut fries (which still taste the same fifty years later). I still remember riding Deno’s Haunted Mansion ride (I rode it three years ago and it was still the same cheesy ride) and I always remember all the times I have dipped my feet into that polluted beach (I have only swum on it once). I even wrote my senior paper in both high school and Grad School at NYU on Luna Park with a group of apathetic classmates, some of whom made me do all the work. Yet I still come back for more.

My graduate paper on Luna Park while at NYU:

NYU Customer Relationship Management Coney Island Luna ParkDownload

I had not attended the Mermaid Parade since the late 1990’s and had wanted to come back but it was one thing after another just to get down here that weekend. I had to plan it like D-Day almost two months in advance. I started my day early I was finishing my walk of the Avenues of lower Chelsea (this is on a separate blog) and all my classwork, housework and bills were already finished, so my day was open.

The poster for the Mermaid Parade this year

I left early for the City and started my day with breakfast at 9th Avenue Deli at 769 Ninth Avenue, one of my favorite late-night places that also makes a wonderful breakfast. It’s been all about the pictures recently when dining out, so I needed a picture of their special French Toast platter. They make it so good.

9th Avenue Gourmet Deli at 769 Ninth Avenue #1

https://www.delivery.com/cities/nyc/categories/restaurant/9th-ave-gourmet?orderTime=ASAP&orderType=pickup&address=

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60763-d4758581-Reviews-9th_Ave_Gourmet_Deli-New_York_City_New_York.html?m=69573

My review on DiningonaShoeStringinNYC@Wordpress.com:

9th Avenue Deli (Formerly AM-PM Deli) 480 9th Avenue@37th Street New York, NY 10018

The French Toast Platter at 9th Avenue Gourmet Deli is the best

Everything I have ever ordered here has been terrific and the prices are so fair. The platters can feed two people easily and their cooks do such a good job especially at breakfast.

They make enough food for two people to share

I figured a large breakfast would keep me going for the rest of the day. They give you four large slices of French Toast, two Scrambled eggs and four pieces of bacon. It was a great breakfast and enjoyed the meal. I was fine through dinner.

I took the Q express outside of Macy’s Herald Square and got down to Coney Island by noon. I had already checked out the parade route and settled by the Cyclone Roller Coaster and the entrance of Luna Park, far away from the subway entrance. The best part of being by Luna Park you got to see the parade as it turned to the Boardwalk. Plus, I wanted to visit the Aquarium later that afternoon.

Looking down Surf Avenue before the parade

Surf Avenue by the Coney Island Museum and other amusements

The entrance of Luna Park on Surf Avenue before

In some ways, the parade reminded me of the Halloween Parade with all its craziness. The energy level and the excitement just build as the parade starts. The initial part of the parade was the police and the fire departments making a big entrance with all the bells and whistles. They brought a lot of excitement to the start of the parade.

The video of the beginning of the parade with the NYPD and the FDNY opening the parade.

Then a group of skaters followed them and got the crowd all excited as they skated past us. The kids were going nuts over this.

The video of everyone was cheering the skaters when they performed down the street.

About twenty minutes later, the opening of the parade started with music, cheers and well wishes. Stupid me had the perfect view and I didn’t turn my camera on while I was filming the beginning of the parade. This video captures the excitement of the parade as it started.

The video of the start of the parade

I was able to catch my mistake and film the rest. Still the excitement built and it was a grand opening of the parade. The performers and drag queens brought so much creativity and excitement to the beginning of the parade.

The video of the opening of the parade

The costumes and make up were amazing.

The parade turning on Tenth Street right by the Cyclone, which was running every ten minutes with people screaming all the time.

The costumes and floats gave the parade a Carnival atmosphere.

The costumes were fantastic

Everyone really got into it.

Some revelers got really creative

All the floats were so full of energy and the music was great!

Revelers dancing on the floats

The parade goers dancing by the floats were having such a good time on this beautiful day

Mermaids dancing down Surf Avenue

The Jellyfish on display

The Jellyfish dance on Surf Avenue was so much fun.

All I could think about was Shirley Temple singing the “Codfish Ball” when she was a toddler. Funny enough, I think Shirley Temple would have loved this parade.

“At the Cod Fish Ball” with Shirley Temple

The parade continued on with all sorts of dance teams, drum bands and costumed people walking down Surf Avenue. The crowds really swelled as the parade went on and it was tough to maneuver for elbow room.

By the middle of the parade, the crowds kept growing.

The costumes got more and more elaborate. I did not remember the parade like this but then a lot has changed in thirty years. You could tell that people put a lot of thought into their outfits.

A purple octopus leading assorted sea creatures down Surf Avenue

A sea of mermaids

The NY Aquarium had an interesting float

Followed by an assortment of fish

The video of one of the drum lines. It looked like they were having so much fun.

More mermaids walking down the street

Greeting the parade goers

Performances with the Hula Hoop

Jugglers

More mermaids walking down the street

The mermaids greeting parade goers

More bands and costumes

The floats got very elaborate

A video of the puppets joining the parade and led by the L Train band. This reminded me so much of the Halloween Parade in the Village on Halloween Night. It was our version of Mardi Gras!

Some of the Mermaid costumes were so creative

Whole families really dressed up for this

Towards the end of the parade, the energy just got bigger as the party continued to the Boardwalk.

The last of the floats coming down Surf Avenue

This video of the drum line led us down the Surf Avenue and up to the Boardwalk for the ‘Unlocking of the Sea’ ceremony.

The floats had to turn off on Surf Avenue and 12th Street, but the marchers made their way to the Boardwalk and the partying and music continued to make its way down to the Parachute Drop where the ‘Unlocking of the Sea’ would take place. This would open the beaches for the Summer Season (the Summer Equinox was the day before)

I had enough time to grab a Pineapple-Lime ice, and it was the best $5.00 I spent my money on. It cooled me inside and out. These ices vendors have the best desserts!

The parade continued down the Boardwalk to the beach

A video of these festive Mermaids, ‘The Tail Shakers’, who led the way down the Boardwalk who energized the crowds. This is when you have to stop letting the ills of the world get you down and just have fun! With all the craziness going on in the world this was such a fun distraction. Our part of the world was having so much fun. ‘1999’ was such an ironic song for this moment!

The parade led to the Parachute Drop and the Steeplechase Pier where the rest of the service took place at 4:00pm. The ‘Unlocking of the Sea’ was an old tradition on Coney Island. It was to open the beaches at the beginning of the Summer and since the Solstice was the night before this was the first full day of summer. There are old pictures had King Neptune and Miss Coney Island opening the beaches in Coney Island’s past. All I know is that the lifeguard had to keep shooing the crowds away as the excitement built at the cermony.

The key to ‘Unlock the Beaches’

The key and the bands approaching the sea

The Key Ceremony led by the bands

The ‘Sea Unlocking’ at the beach with the beach bathing beauties.

The ceremony was a mob scene and as soon as the ‘unlocking’ was over the crowds started to disperse. This was much to the relief of the poor lifeguard, who must have been glad we were gone.

After the ceremony was over, I walked around Coney Island to get something to eat. Talk about crowded! There were lines everywhere and forget about Nathan’s. The lines were still thirty deep in every direction. Even the little pizzeria by the subway jacked all their prices up and a pizzeria on Neptune Avenue would not let you eat inside. I did not want to be ripped off that afternoon for a meal. I was going to stop in Chinatown on the way back into Manhattan, but I wanted to stay in Coney Island longer, so I explored beyond the area off the Boardwalk.

I finally found a new Chinese restaurant that opened a block from the beach on the Coney Island shopping strip on Neptune Avenue called Famous Rotisserie & Grill at 1525 Mermaid Avenue.

Walking around the Midway trying to find something to eat but every place was packed with people or the prices had been inflated.

Famous Rotisserie & Grill at 1525 Mermaid Avenue was once a Spanish Chicken restaurant

https://www.famousrotisseriebrooklyn.com/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Restaurant_Review-g60827-d26886603-Reviews-Famous_Rotisserie_Grill-Brooklyn_New_York.html?m=69573

I had a combination platter of their version of Lemon Chicken and Pork Fried rice. The food was good, and the portion size was large. It fit what I was looking for that afternoon (after I had finished, I wished I had gone to Chinatown).

The Lemon Chicken and Pork Fried Rice combination platter

The food was good and they give you a nice portion size for $10.00.

The inside of the restaurant

Their current menu and prices

The one thing that stood out about this late lunch/early dinner was the service. The woman who ran this restaurant was so friendly and accommodating to her customers I was really amazed by it. She catered more to the local resident than to tourist trade.

After lunch was over, I took one more walk around the amusement area before I left for the day. The crowds were still all over the place from the restaurants to the boardwalk. Between the parade, the beach and the weather, it was wall to wall people everywhere. By this point the Aquarium had closed.

While walking through Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, I came across the small museum, the Coney Island History Project at 3059 West 12th Street, which is inside the park. This small gallery tells the history of the development of Coney Island as an amusement area. From its development to its decline to its current rebirth, the area has had so many ups and downs.

The Coney Island Project at 3059 West 12th Street

https://www.coneyislandhistory.org/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d4777489-r1014119112-Coney_Island_History_Project_Walking_Tour-New_York_City_New_York.html?m=19905

My review in VisitingaMuseum.com:

This interesting little gallery/museum tells the stories of various times of Coney Island’s history. The museum displays a variety of artifacts in different points of the island’s history (I have attached several videos that will best explain each section of the museum and of the island’s history).

The outside display of Coney Island in its heyday in the early 1940’s

The front gallery with amusement artifacts

These pieces of former rides show the creativity of Coney Island rides and attractions. This is the nostalgia that visitors remember.

The history of Steeplechase Park, the second major amusement park after Sea Lion Park

Steeplechase Park of the past, the Steeplechase ride for which the park was named after

The history of Steeplechase Park and Luna Park of the past

Coney Island of the 1970’s and decline of the island

This video from the 1970’s contains many of the artifacts that the museum now has on display

The video from the movie “The Warriors” which what many thought Coney Island had turned into in the 1970’s.

Many thought the island of the movie ‘The Warriors’ in the 1970’s and that was not far off but like the rest of New York City, it keeps morphing and changing. It keeps surprising you. Trust me, it is not a Disney theme park.

The history of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park

The Miss Coney Island robot that dances.

Outside of the museum, there were murals on the history of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park.

The history of the park

The map of the park

As I left the island around 6:30pm, it was time to go. The Freak Bar at Coney Island USA was in full force with revelers after the parade. It looked like everyone was having a good time.

The Coney Island USA Freak Bar sign

https://www.coneyisland.com/freakbar

https://www.facebook.com/freakbarconeyisland/

Review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60827-d555621-Reviews-The_Coney_Island_Museum-Brooklyn_New_York.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60827-d3431494-Reviews-Coney_Island_Circus_Sideshow-Brooklyn_New_York.html

I thought this was clever

I took one last walk down the Boardwalk at twilight. Coney Island is a pretty amazing place. It still has complexities and wonders. It can be seen from many different aspects. I see the wonder that generations have seen here. Coney Island is not just a place, it’s an idea of the mid and an imagine. While it might never reach the heights it did before the Dreamland Fire of 1911, each generation has their Coney Island memories. I know I do.

Coney Island Boardwalk at the end of the day

CBS This Morning: ‘The People’s Playground’

The day was a lot of fun, and you have to experience Coney Island once in your life if you are from out of town.

Demarest Family Cemetery 239 Ramapo Valley Road Oakland, NJ 07436

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring Oakland, NJ, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic Cemeteries and Graveyards in New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), The Bergen 250-250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War in Bergen County, NJ, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Demarest Family Cemetery

239 Ramapo Valley Road

Oakland, NJ 07436

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1617471/demarest-family-cemetery

https://sites.rootsweb.com/~njbergen/cemetery.html

Open: During the hours of the Nursery that surrounds it.

My review on TripAdvisor:

The Demarest Family Cemetery sits on a small embankment surrounded by trees and a cement island. You can only access it from one side and there is no stairs. Totally forgotten burial site.

The fencing and locked door with a rusty lock surrounds the cemetery. There is no way to access it. I was able to walk up the cement embankment and was able to walk around the fence. The trees have taken over the cemetery and have knocked over the tombstones.

You can see some of the fallen tombstones from neglect at the fence

The growth surrounding the burial site

Some of the historic tombstones are still standing like this one of the burial sites of Lettya Ann Demarest who was born in 1830. She had inherited the house in 1863.

Most of the historic tombstones have fallen down

The fallen and forgotten tombstones have growth surrounding them.

The historic Demarest homestead was around the corner from the nursery. The house had been in the family for 194 years almost five generations.

The family homestead still exists up the road around the corner from the nursery.

This tiny historical and very forgotten and neglected cemetery was once part of this branch of the Demarest family. The small cemetery sits on a small hill not far from the house. Once the farm was sold off and the town grew around it, this small cemetery sits still in its original spot in the middle of nursery.

When I talked with one of the workers there, he said the owner was very careful to built around it and let it intact. He also said that no one seems to own it. It is the final resting place of James S. Demarest, who fought in the Revolutionary War.

With all the growth, I could not find it. It has been lost to time.

Hopper-Zabriskie Family Cemetery First Street Ho Ho Kus, NJ 07423

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Ho Ho Kus, NJ, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic Cemeteries and Graveyards in New Jersey, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), The Bergen 250-250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War in Bergen County, NJ, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hopper-Zabriskie Family Cemetery

First Street

Ho Ho Kus, NJ. 07423

(201) 652-4400

https://www.hhkborough.com/home/hopper-zabriskie-family-cemetery

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hopperzabriskie-cemetery

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2303434/zabriskie-cemetery

Zabriskie-Hopper Family Cemetery, Paramus, NJ [GSBC Index]

Open: Sunday through Saturday Dawn to Dusk

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/13643018?m=19905

The entrance to the Zabriskie-Hopper Cemetery

The History of the Cemetery:

(from the Borough of Ho Ho Kus, NJ website)

It is a family cemetery started before 1792 on land originally owned by Abraham Hopper. The Hopper family was the first to settle Ho-Ho-Kus, then known as Hoppertown. Many Dutch families also settled the area including the Zabriskie, Ackerman, Blauvelt, Bamper, Banta, and Terhune families. Most were members of the Old Paramus Reformed Church nearby.

While family members were commonly interred in the church graveyard, some chose to bury family members in small local plots closer to their residences. Such was the case with the Ackermans who had a plot on the northeast side of town near the Saddle River, and the Hopper and Zabskie families who were buried in the small plot in Hoppertown near the Ho-Ho-Kus brook.

The small cemetery

The historic sign

The original family cemetery of the Hopper family when the original name of the area was ‘Hoppertown’ for the family whose land dominated the area. While some would bury their loved ones at the family church’s graveyards, some preferred their loved ones closer and would be buried on the family farm. Some families picked the highest point, usually a small hill that would over look the land. This particular cemetery is located in a small cove at the bend of the road.

This small historical cemetery is another example of history lost in time. The generations of distant family members no longer care for this historical spots and they were left for the elements. This cemetery was cared for by Veterans of the Wars and the Boy Scouts who put a lot of care in it. Now it is under the Borough of Ho Ho Kus, NJ.

The history of the cemetery

The history of the Zabriskie family

The family plot map of the tombstones.

The small family burial plot common to farms in Bergen County at that time.

Who is buried here:

(From the Borough of Ho Ho Kus, NJ website)

There were a number of descendants from the Hopper and Zabriskie families who were interred in the small cemetery between 1792 and 1867. In 1910, an archivist named John Neafie from New York City cataloged the names on the headstones and provided a copy to the Bergen County Historical Society. Some of those appearing in this catalog included:

  • Garret Hopper, died Feb.17, 1792, age 69 years
  • Elsey Hopper, wife of Garret Hopper, died March 8, 1816, age 89 years
  • Mary Zabriskie, wife of Henry Zabriskie, died June 3, 1821, age 69 years
  • Francis W. Perry, wife of James H. Perry Esq. and daughter of H. and Sally Zabriskie, born June 25, 1814, died Nov. 27, 1834
  • Henry Zabriskie, died Feb.23, 1839, 22 years
  • Henry H. Zabriskie, died Feb. 27,1832, age 46 years
  • Sally Zabriskie, wife of H.H. Zabriskie, died May 11, 1829, age 41 years
  • Garret H. Zabriskie, died Aug. 6, 1867, age 79 years
  • Caty Van Voorhase, wife of Garret H. Zabriskie, died Nov. 6, 1833, age 41 years
  • Garret Zabriskie, son of Henry and Lavinia Banta, died Oct. 16, 1832, age 4 years
  • Ann Bamper, wife of Jacob Bamper, died Feb. 26, 1844, age 90 years
  • C.I.Z. (probably refers to Casparis, son of Mary Zabriskie)

The grave of Henry Zabriskie

The graves Henry and Garrett Zabriske

The graves Garrett Zabriske and Francis Perry

The grave of Caty Van Voorhase

The grave of Sally Zabriskie

The grave of Francis Perry

The cemetery is a testament to the family and their love of the land they owned.

The History of the Hopper and Zabriskie families in the area:

(From the Borough of Ho Ho Kus, NJ website)

The Hopper’s owned homesteads in the center of town on both sides of the brook and operated a grist mill. During the American Revolution, they were committed to the patriot cause and served with the Bergen County Militia. The British made several raids into Hoppertown during the war while foraging for military stores, farm animals, and other goods. One notable siege took place at Hoppertown on April 16, 1780. John J. Hopper was seriously wounded. His home and those of his brothers were burned down. The grist mill on the brook was also destroyed. The Zabriskie family would later acquire and occupy the original Hopper residence which was placed under siege. The building is now known as the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern. Materials from John Hopper’s original house razed during the raid are believed to be incorporated into the foundation of the inn.

Around 1830, John J. Zabriskie took up residence in the former Hopper home, which became known as the Mansion House. The Zabriskie’s owned several farms and buildings nearby and built a dam and mill on the brook. The Zabriskie family also acquired the Hopper family cemetery on the hillside adjacent to the mill. When the first Zabriskie mill dam breached in 1862, John Jacob would build a much grander dam out of brownstone blocks to create Sylvan Lake while at the same time expanding cotton mill operations.

Hopper Farm Family Cemetery Lexington Lane Oakland, NJ 07436

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Historic Graveyards and Cemeteries, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring Oakland, NJ, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic Cemeteries and Graveyards in New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Hopper Family Farm Cemetery

Lexington Lane

Oakland, NJ 07436

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2247921/hopper-farm-family-cemetery

https://ldsgenealogy.com/NJ/Bergen-County-Cemetery-Records.htm

Open: Dawn to Dusk

My review on TripAdvisor:

The Hopper Farm Family Cemetery is a reminder of what happens when time passes you by and the world changes around you. I went in search for the grave of Andrew Hopper, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. I could not find it.

This historic cemetery is hidden from the road behind two large homes on a tiny hill in the back woods. The only way to access the cemetery is to walk down the utility road off the main road, walk through the woods and walk up through the bush to back of two families back yards.

You can tell by the rotting fallen fence that this cemetery was once enclosed but the fence has since fallen and the cemetery in disarray. Still there is a quiet elegance to it.

The cemetery is in desperate need of clean up and repair as tombstones are broken, fallen and discolored.

Some of the family tombstones have fallen. Still you can see members of the Hopper and Demarest families buried here.

Members of the Vanderbryck family Maryann and Rachel

The grave of David Hopper

The grave of Susan Storms, wife of one of the family members buried here.

The grave of Peter Bogart, a member of the extended family

One of the broken tombstones that I could not read

Another tombstone in loving memory of a name I could not read

The broken stone of Fredrick Storms grave

The family cemetery sits quiet and neglected in the woods. Most of the tombstones broken and discolored and hard to read.

I took one last look as I walked down the hill and said a prayer to these forgotten people. One what must have once been the family farm sits a development of extremely large and well maintained McMansions. This is the irony of this once prominent family.

The family buried at this cemetery:

(Bergen County Genealogical Society website)

Copied July 4, 1913, By John Neafie New York City.

    1.  Abraham Verbryck, d. Jan. 8, 1843 ae. 63-11-8.
    2.  John P. Ackerman, d. Feb. 24-1829 ae. 34-1-4.
    3.  Rachel, wife of John P. Ackerman, d. Oct. 4,1844
        ae. 49-11-22.
    4.  Martha Ann, d. Apr. 6, 1835 ae. 1 yr. 8 da.
    5.  Martha Ann, d. Feb. 5, 1837 ae. 2 mos. 7 da.
    6.  Rachel Ann, d. July 12,1838 ae. 6 mos.
    Children of
    Abraham and
    Susan Hopper.
    7.  Peter G. Bogert d. 5 Dec. 1859 ae. 76-6-16.
    8.  Mary his wife d. 5 April 1866 ae. 72-6-21.
    9.  David Berthoif d. 8 Jan. 1851 ae. 85-2-29.
    10. Catharine Storms his wife d. 19 June 1864 ae. 87-2-5.
    11. Peter, son of Stephen D. and Eliza Berthoif, d. 19 Nov.1843
        ae. 1-7-2.
    12. Elizer L. Ramsey (My Mother), wife of Stephen D. Bertholf
        d. 18 Dec. 1876 ae. 56-7-5.
    13. Stephen S. Berthoif (Brother), d. 28 Oct. 1875
        ae. 21-11-17.(same stone as above.)
    14. Frederick Storms d. 20 Feb. 1826 in 54th yr.
    15. Alice, widow of above, d. 6 Jan. 1859, ae. 81-6-25.
    16. John, son of Frederick and Alice Storms d. 29 Apr. 1852
        ae. 37-7-10.
    17. Susan B. Storms, wf. of Stites Miller d. at San Francisco,
        Cal. 16 Dec. 1863 ae. 60 y.
    18. Eliza, wf. of Philip Vantassel d. 10 Sept. 1830
        ae. 29 y.21 d.
    19. Samuel V. Codington b. 19 Jan. 1824 d. 30 Oct. 1834.
    20. Mary Ann Verbryck, wf. of William Codington b. 9 Sept.1802
        d. 17 Feb. 1835.
    21. Samuel Verbryck b. 15 Nov. 1780 d. 16 June 1847.
    22. Rachel his wife b. 5 Aug. 1778 d. 13 Dec. 1864.
    23. Conrod Lines d. 20 Dec. 1839 ae. 66-2-8 (footstone C. L.)
    24. Garret G., son of Philip and Jane Hopper, d. 17 Apr. 1833
        ae. 15 mos.
    25. Rachel Bogert d. 22 Oct. 1793 ae. 70 y. 22 d.
        widow of Lucas Bogert.
    26. Rachel dau. of Lucas Bogert d. 21 Feb. 1791 ae. 30-10-4.
    27. Lucas Bogert d. 2 Sept. 1777 ae. 57 y. 4 m.
    28. Maria Mandevil, wf. of Steven Bartolf, b. 26 May 1736
        d.22 Feb. 1813 ae. 76-8-27.
    29. Aaron G. son of Patrick and Sarah M. Cronk d. 25 Nov.1861
       ae. 6 m. 29 d.

Hopper Family Burial Ground Spottswood Road Glen Rock, NJ 07452

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Glen Rock NJ, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic Cemeteries and Graveyards in New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, Interesting Parks and Zoos in New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), MywalkinManhattan at the Halloween Holidays, The Bergen 250-250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War in Bergen County, NJ, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hopper Family Burial Ground

Spottswood Road

Glen Rock, NJ 07452

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1593990/hopper-family-burying-ground

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=36966

Hopper Family Burial Ground, Glen Rock, NJ [GSBC Index]

Open: Dawn to Dusk

My review on TripAdvisor:

The Hopper Family Burial Ground

The Hopper Family Burial Ground sign

The Hopper family burial ground once sat between two branches of the Hopper family farms and was the resting place for members of both extended families.

The graves date back to before the Revolutionary War to the late 1800’s. It now sits between the suburban neighborhood in Glen Rock, NJ and one of the town’s elementary schools.

The grave of Elizabeth Alyea, the last person to be buried here in 1867

The grave of John Van Embury, whose wife was a member of the Demarest family.

The grave of Jess Demarest mostly is covered

These graves of the Hopper family were covered by grass.

The grave of John Hopper

Raham Hopper and his wife, Maria Goetschius graves

The Hopper family graves

The grave of Henry Hopper

The John Hopper family grave

https://www.glenrockhistory.org/post/2017/06/17/john-a-hopper-and-the-civil-war

Except for the last person to be buried here in 1876, all the tombstones were laid flat. Most have been overgrown by weeds and grass.

No one has been maintaining this cemetery or edging the tombstones so the cemetery is hard to study. Most of the graves were grown over or in bad shape.

The cemetery needs some work and a little TLC but still a reminder of the important part of our Country’s history.

Those buried in the Hopper Cemetery:

(Genealogical Society of Bergen County website)

NameDate of DeathAge at DeathNotes
Anne HopperFeb 2, 183988y, 3m, 27d
Jacob DemarestDec 22, 183211y, 3mSon of James & Ann Demarest
Peter HopperAug 28, 181873y, 6m, 26d
John VanEmburghJuly 13, 185228ySon of James J. and Anna Demarest
Maria HopperMar 30, 18514y, 6m, 13dDaughter of Garret H and Eliza Hopper
Theunis HopperJuly 29, 18544yChild of Garret H. And Eliza Hopper
Eliza SpearMar 5, 1897born Feb 7, 1814Wife of Garret H. Hopper
James J. DemarestAug 6, 184956y, 7m, 2d
Henry J. HopperFeb 5, 184942y, 1m, 22d
Sophia CourterMar 4, 186084y, 6m, 16dwife of Aaron Courter
Aaron CourterFeb 28, 186285y, 2m, 5d
Caroline HopperOct 25, 189778y, 1m, 28d
Maria GoetschiusJune 15, 188979y, 2m, 12dwife of Abraham H. Hopper
Garret H. HopperJan 10, 187060y, 1m, 8d
Peter HopperMar 3, 187973y, 4m
Ann HopperDec 27, 188874y, 7m, 17d
Henry G. HopperJune 22, 185924y, 3m, 13d
Dorcas AckermanAug 11, 186692y, 11mwife of Garret P. Hopper
John A. HopperMay 25, 186322y, 6m, 14dCivil War casualty
Henry P. HopperMar 28, 187085y, 11m
Abraham HopperMar 20, 185648y, 6m
Elizabeth Ann HopperMar 10, 186819y, 7m, 17d
Garret J. HopperSep 12, 187655y, 1m, 23d
Eliza WesterveltOct 22, 189468y, 8m, 22dwife of Garret J. Hopper
Garret P. HopperMay 12, 185282y, 3m, 13d
Albert J. HopperNov 5, 181838y, 11m, 28d
Elizabeth AckermanJan 17, 186487y, 1m, 8dwife of Henry P. Hopper
Jacob DemarestApr 23, 182965y, 8m, 27d
John J. LydeckerAug 14, 184652y, 10m, 4d
Sarah M. HopperJune 2, 181930y, 12m, 12dWife of James Williams
John H. HopperAug 7, 185971y, 2m, 7d
Mary VoorhisApr 7, 187084y, 1m, 20dwife of John H. Hopper
Clarence WilliamsJuly 19, 18732 monthsSon of James and Sarah Williams
BabyMay 4. 18282 monthsSon of Garrett and Jemime VanWagoner
Catherine HopperAug 9, 183840y, 11m, 12dwife of John J. Lydecker
Kacia DemarestAug 4, 184976y, 3m, 27d
Ann VanEmburghApr 19, 183335y, 10m, 14dwife of James Demarest