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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave." - Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States

From honoring moms and fallen soldiers to concerts, cruise nights, a Maifest and even a tractorcade, the month of May brings a wide variety of activities. (Remember Wanderings is now a monthly format, so you might want to flag this issue in your inbox and keep referring back to it as the weeks go by.) Did you know this weekend brings us National Herb Day and World Laughter Day, and in a couple of weeks, the county is hosting its third annual Health & Wellness Field Day?  Plus, we have a special page dedicated to Mother's Day. And that's just scratching the surface, so please remember we update our events calendar daily.

You'll find Memorial Day events way down in the Community Corner section, so scroll, scroll, scroll! Our cover photo, of Veterans Rally Point at Lopatcong Municipal Park, is courtesy of Lopatcong Township. Happy May, and Happy Wanderings!

Hip Hip Horray! May 2023

Coming Up: 

National Herb Day @ Well Sweep Herb Farm

Enjoy a day of free informative lectures and presentations, tours of spectacular gardens, as well as a Craft Market featuring a wide selection of vendors and food, and a large selection of 1,898 varieties of plants will be available. Full slate of featured speakers in partnership with the American Herbalist Guild of NJ.

Closure Bazaar for Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary @ Brook Hollow Winery

With the passing of beloved director, sister, friend and mentor Kelly Simonetti, it is with a heavy heart the announcement of the final closure of Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary after 18 years. Brook Hollow Winery will host ARWS to say goodbye, share fond memories, and purchase keepsakes of the spirit of ARWS to honor the magic of wildlife in your homes and gardens.

23rd Annual Run for the River hosted by MWA

Run for the River is live and in-person this year with a scenic loop that passes streams, pastures, historic buildings, and the beautiful Musconetcong River on a mostly flat course. The run is an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit Musconetcong Watershed Association.

Celebrate World Laughter Day

Learn to use laughter to overcome life’s difficulties! There is power in laughter to help and heal. This event includes fun for the whole family, with hayrides, crafts and activities, and donations benefit NJ Farmers Against Hunger.

Camp Crystal Lake Tours

Tickets on sale now and going fast! The guided filming location tours take place at the camp where over 80% of the movie was filmed. Connect with fans from all over the world, step into each scene, retrace your favorite character's steps and take tons of photos.

Cruisin' with Quality Automotive

Friday, June 9, 2023 -
5:00pm to 9:00pm

Quality Automotive is hosting another Cruise night complete with food, prizes and of course, nice rides!

Upcycled Travelers Journal with WCARTS

The Traveler’s Journal is a great way to collect favorite papers together so the signatures can be easily replaced as needed while continuing to reuse a favorite cover.

Reiki with Kimberly @ Orchard View

Reiki translates from Japanese to 'Universal Life Energy'. It is a harmonizing, high vibration, purifying energy that has its own natural intelligence. Schedule your therapeutic session by contacting Kimberly Glaskey as space is limited.

May 2023 Barefoot Grape Stomping @ Four Sisters

Are you ready for a smashing good time? The Barefoot Grape Stomping is a one of a kind experience, sure to intoxicate all your senses. The event begins with a formal wine tasting followed by a mouth-watering Chicken Parmesan dinner served with roasted vegetables, salad, bread and dessert. Reservations required.

May River Talk: Watersheds 101: The Importance of our Headwaters and Vegetated Buffers

This presentation, led by Stroud Water Research Center's Dave Bressler and the MWA's Christa Reeves, will provide an overview of the science of watersheds with a focus on the Musconetcong River Watershed. Learn about headwaters, or the small streams that feed into and create larger river systems, as well as riparian buffers, the areas of vegetation along our streams and rivers.

Agripalooza and Tractorcade at Van Nest-Hoff-Vanatta Farmstead

Bring your family and furry friends to celebrate all things agriculture. Complete with live music, food, tours of the historic farmstead and educational presentations. A tractorcade (a parade of farm tractors) will launch the fun with the parade starting at 10am! Hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Warren County 4-H. Admission and parking are free.

Maifest and International Day in Hackettstown

A local fair with a global flair! Highlight Hackettstown’s diverse culture with kids activities, crafts, live music from various countries and genres including a Mariachi band, Bagpipers, Oompa Band, Brass Roots for Americana music and a Frank Sinatra impersonator, a Tricky Tray, small plate food tastings, and more. There will be dancers, professional street performers and live demos.

Dine in the Vines Hungarian Rhapsody @ Villa Milagro

There is nothing like a fine four-course dinner served as the sun sets in a vineyard. This month is a Hungarian Feast jointly prepared by Paprikas (the only Hungarian restaurant in the Lehigh Valley) and Mattie's Strudel Haus which makes hand stretched strudels.

Murder Mystery Dinner @ Four Sisters

Sunday, June 11, 2023 -
4:00pm to 7:00pm
Sunday, July 9, 2023 -
4:00pm to 7:00pm

This thrillingly epic event, Murder Mystery Dinner at Four Sisters Winery, will be one that you won't want to miss! This is an interactive dinner starts with a formal wine tasting, followed by a plated dinner of Chicken Parmesan, salad, roasted vegetables, bread, and dessert.

Starving Artists Dinner Club @ Propagate Studio

This is open to anyone who creates, makes, has made a business, or is a hobby maker! It is free to join just please bring something to share with a label of what it is (and if it is vegan, gluten free, vegetarian etc.) with the group.

Memorial Day Lobster Weekend @ Alba Vineyard

Memorial Day weekend opens up the traditional summer travel season, and what better way to kick it off than with a visit to Alba Vineyard! Chef Anthony, Trattoria DiFiore, will be serving Lobster pizza and Lobster rolls. Regular menu of freshly made wood-fired pizza, salad, paninis, and other specials available for purchase.

Shippen Manor Museum Tours

Sunday, June 4, 2023 -
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Sunday, June 11, 2023 -
1:00pm to 4:00pm

Docents will be available to give tours of the Manor and the history of the people and the local industry of Oxford.

June River Talk: Wild and Scenic Aquatic Life of the Musconetcong

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 -
7:00pm to 8:30pm

Join MWA's Ryan Jiorle and NJ Fish and Wildlife's Senior Zoologist Robert Somes for the first in-person River Talk of 2023 focusing on the life in the Musconetcong, as well as animals of interest to researchers and conservationists.

June Music @ Four Sisters Winery

Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 12:30pm
Sunday, June 4, 2023 - 12:30pm
Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 12:30pm
Sunday, June 11, 2023 - 12:30pm
Saturday, June 17, 2023 - 12:30pm
Sunday, June 18, 2023 - 12:30pm
Saturday, June 24, 2023 - 12:30pm
Sunday, June 25, 2023 - 12:30pm

The first weekend in June opens with Big Horse Band, featuring classic rock, country, blues, and pop and Anker, playing acoustic rock, americana and folk.

 
Continuing: 

Panther Pub Live Music May

Panther Pub features Jeiris Cook this Friday, with live music to start your weekend every Friday, plus on Mother's Day too!

Music at Villa Milagro in May

This weekend brings the music of Joe Izen and Cinco de Mayo fun the day after! Wear a sombrero or use our photo "booth" to take your South of the Border selfie. $15 wine tasting or glass of sangria.

UACNJ Saturday Astronomy Talks 2023

UACNJ kicks off its free public programs for 2023 at Jenny Jump State Forest, presented Saturday evenings April-October. The live presentation is followed by stargazing on the club's telescopes until 10:30pm, weather permitting. This week's talk is "What's Up in the May Sky?"

UACNJ Saturday Astronomy Talks 2023

Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 8:00pm
Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 8:00pm
Saturday, June 17, 2023 - 8:00pm
Saturday, June 24, 2023 - 8:00pm

UACNJ kicks off its free public programs for 2023 at Jenny Jump State Forest, presented Saturday evenings April-October. The live presentation is followed by stargazing on the club's telescopes until 10:30pm, weather permitting. This week's talk is "What's Up in the June Sky?"

Music at Villa Milagro in June

Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 1:00pm
Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 1:00pm
Saturday, June 17, 2023 - 1:00pm
Saturday, June 24, 2023 - 1:00pm

June brings Music at Villa with Bill Ilhing.

 
Community Corner: 

21st Annual Frolic in the Park

Norwescap invites you to come out to their 21st Frolic in the Park for some free food and fun while learning about family resources and opportunities.

West End Farmers' Market in Hackettstown

Sunday, June 4, 2023 - 9:30am
Sunday, June 11, 2023 - 9:30am
Sunday, June 18, 2023 - 9:30am
Sunday, June 25, 2023 - 9:30am

Hackettstown own West End Farmers' Market is opening May 7 from 9:30am - 1pm with local farmers, artisans, bread makers, bakers, craftsman and more! Running through October 29!

Job Fair hosted by Warren County EDC

Are you looking for a job or looking for new employees? The Warren County Economic Development Committee will be hosting a job fair co-sponsored by the Washington Business Improvement District and the Warren County Habitat for Humanity.

Open Volunteer Day with RVC

Saturday, June 17, 2023 -
9:00am to 12:00pm

Be an agent of change! Help with repair work on a wooden stream crossing bridge, in addition to invasive plants/shrub control within Beech Ridge Preserve.  Tools will be provided appropriate to the project, but as always feel free to bring a tool that you feel comfortable with using.

Phillipsburg Memorial Day Parade

A parade hosted by the Bernardine May American Legion Post #457 to honor our fallen Veterans (local and national) and local First Responders.

 
More Things to Do: 
The Mohawk Trail Piano Trio featuring violinist Masako Yanagita, cellist Mark Fraser, and pianist Estela Olevsky

The 34th Annual Raritan River Music Festival

Winner of the National Award for Adventurous Programming from ASCAP/Chamber Music America, Raritan River Music presents a series of four concerts throughout the month of May in Hunderton and Warren counties. The Four Nations Ensemble will be performing in Clinton, NJ this Saturday, May 6. This group brings to life the music of François Couperin and his grand colleagues composing and performing at the Palace of Versailles around Paris in the early 1700s.

Check out Raritan River's website for all the concert details.

These concerts will be live in-person and streaming online.

Please be advised that we do our best to make sure the information in this message is accurate at the time it is sent. But things happen, plans change, weather can be fickle... you get the idea. Please click on the links provided to other websites to obtain further details and updates.