On April 16, 2012 the USDA Rural Development awarded the Value Added Working Capital Grant in the amount of $259,625 to a new U.S. agribusiness, Peppadew Fresh LLC, which will grow Peppadew Goldew fruit on its 14 acre farm inMorganville,NJ.

 Peppadew Goldew fruit, part of the unique Peppadew family of pepper products, were discovered growing wild in South Africa about 15 years ago. Peppadew fruit are known across the globe for their special flavor – sweet and tangy, with just a touch of heat.

 Peppadew Fresh Farms located on Harbor Road is a family run business. Owners Pierre and Doris Crawley live in Marlboro.  Pierre Crawley, President of Peppadew Fresh LLC is presently growing the Peppadew Goldew fruit and will process them under the “Jersey Grown” program.

 Originally a flower farm, the Peppadew Fresh Farm will maintain a portion of the property for growing hydrangea and pussy willows for local markets in New Jersey. In addition, theCrawley’s are presently growing a wine vineyard and are designing a wine-tasting room in the spacious and authentic barn. The farm house is original and completely renovated, and will be the future space for cooking classes which will prepare recipes using the delicious Peppadew products.

 Attending the announcement was USDA Rural Development New Jersey State Director Howard Henderson and New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher and Marlboro’s Mayor Jonathan Hornik read a Proclamation stating April 16, 2012 is officially “Grant Award Day” for Peppadew Fresh, LLC in Marlboro. Also in attendance was Council President Jeff Cantor, Councilwoman Carol Mazzola and Councilwoman Randi Marder. NJ Discover covered the event for the NJ Discover TV Show airing in May.           Submitted by Tara-Jean Vitale, Producer & TV Host NJ Discover

“If you’d like to get out of a pessimistic mood yourself, I’ve got one sure remedy for you. Go help those people down in Birmingham; in Mississippi or Alabama……Maybe we’ll see this song come true….” Pete Seeger said these words a long time ago (1960’s) when he was introducing a song at a concert; ‘We Shall Overcome.’ When I heard what amazing things Rosemary Conte, noted Jazz singer from Monmouth County was doing to organize a concert to raise awareness and donations for the people who live in a tent city in Lakewood, I didn’t hesitate a moment in calling Rosemary and asking if NJ Discover TV could be there. It was Easter Sunday and hard to round up a TV crew. Then I thought about how sailors in times of Christopher Columbus were impressed into service, so I called my prodigal son and impressed him into service with a camera and smile.

It was a perfect Easter Sunday for a meaningful concert for the homeless; Blue sky. Spring warmth. Gentle breezes. 3 PM. Town Square in Lakewood. With the help of her musician sons, Steve (lead guitar with New York Dolls) and John (who has performed with Bon Jovi and Southside Johnny), Rosemary Conte put together an impressive ‘Tent City Band’ featuring Jersey artists Marc Ribler (guitar), Daniel Gonzalez(drums), Tommy Labella(sax), Danny Petroni(guitar), Brad Mandigo, Lisa Desimone(vocals), Joe Mosello(trumpet) and more.

What an amazing band. Personally, I like to drift when music moves me; their powerful sounds took me far away but never far enough away to realize that there are no homeless shelters in Ocean County; that’s why there’s a tent city in the middle of Lakewood and that’s the awareness message Rosemary’s efforts delivered. Rosemary’s jazz vocals anchored her caring and concern. What a voice. Often I wonder why more citizens don’t extricate themselves from the sedentary couch and explore the world of New Jersey, with all its talent and poignant causes.

Rev. Steve Brigham, Tent City’s founder and a tireless advocate for the homeless in Ocean County spoke to the audience. The cause is so powerful. People are homeless in our midst, right here in Central Jersey, the second richest state in America. The band sang a Dylan song. I really closed my eyes. It was 1968. Pete Seeger was singing with the ‘Tent City Band.’  Rosemary Conte and her sons were really singing. I drifted. And now I thank her for an amazing day. And like Pete Seeger said a long time ago, maybe we’ll see that song come true for our citizens in Tent City in Lakewood.

PLEASE donate to Tent City Homeless Encampment:    the direct link to donate to our 501c3 account via PayPal is    http://TentCityNJ.org/PayPal

Or http://TentCityNJ.org/Donate   which also contains info on other online donation options.

OR, Lakewood Outreach Ministry Church, PO Box 326, Lakewood, NJ 08701

Two in a row! Back in February my friend Toby M. illuminated me about the Two River Theater in nearby Red Bank. The play ‘Jitney’ was being extended and we went for the first time to Two River. It was a wondrous night. No need to repeat my review (here at NJ Discover.com) but, another wow; our theater experience became a two joys in a row such that it’s time to join. Last Thursday was Marlboro night, where residents of Marlboro, Manalapan and Morganville were invited to explore the range and offerings of Two River, which is literally in all our backyards.

This night Maureen McGovern from the Oscar winning song, “There’s Got to be a Morning After” performed her one woman show, “Carry It On.” My kind of show; a retrospective of her life from Ohio roots and Streisand, Garland and Judy Collins influences; infused with baby boomer memories from whence I came into music. Her voice is gifted; it hasn’t changed at 62 years. The gentle set flashed familiar pictures of history and family while she moved gracefully over stage and down aisles, talking and singing to the audience. Her father’s picture, an army veteran of the greatest generation, seemed to fuel her soul searching emotions.

My wife was teary a few times; ah gee, so was I. Her frankness and candor in words about lost loves and life’s professional wanderings were infiltrated with that glorious songstress voice; songs we grew up to. One of the pictures that flashed on the background screen was Dr. King and my spiritual leader from Newark standing next to him. My respiration slowed. McGovern sang Dylan, Carole King and others; with each cover, I drifted far away which is exactly what I wanted. She closed with the song I seem to quote a lot these days, “Morning After.” McGovern is back on the East Coast. She’s happy about that. And I’m happy about Two River Theater.

50-year music career, singer-songwriter-keyboardist “Stormin'” Norman Seldin has been a frontman, a sideman, a manager, a concert promoter and a music instructor. And recently, he has received some overdue recognition.

Seldin is stepping out from the trenches with “Asbury Park: Then and Now.” The two-CD, 46-track set, released on Seldin’s own Ivory International label, includes recordings from throughout his career, and offers shore music fans a rare opportunity to hear legendary groups like The Jaywalkers, The Joyful Noyze (featuring E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons) and The Motifs on CD.
Five members of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band (Clemons, Max Weinberg, Garry Tallent, Roy Bittan and the late Danny Federici) back Seldin on eight 1980 recordings. Other luminaries, such as Southside Johnny, the late Harry Ray (of Ray, Goodman and Brown fame) and drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie also make appearances

The Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) held its first festival of the year on April 1, 2012 at Branches in West Long Branch, NJ. A total of 23 GSWGA wineries showcased their product at the Spring Fever Food & Wine Festival, the only indoor festival of the year. The event drew over 1500 attendees.

Reporter Teasia Ruffin goes to the Stone Pony for the Break Contest, where local bands compete for a spot in the lineup at The Bamboozle. Produced and Edited by Karen Heyson

 The culmination of four years of studio and commercial art study at Red Bank Regional’s (RBR)Academy of Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) is currently on display at the Guild of Creative Art at 620 Broad Street in Shrewbury, NJ.  

The RBR VPA Senior Art Students’ works are featured at the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsburyfrom March 30 through April 12. Pictured at the opening reception of Art Beat are: (left to right), Emily Stafford, Little Silver, Kelly McAdam, Little Silver, Jade Saybolt, Shrewsbury, Terrill Warrenburg, Little Silver, RBR commercial art teacher Claudia O’Connor, Tatjana Farley, Neptune City and Beth Keenan, Little Silver.

The museum is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and till 7 pm on Thursday and 10 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday.

(Left) Terrill Warrenberg’s Whipped Cream connotes a tone of a bygone era in America.

Student Kelly McAdam stands in front of a variety of her works, including: oil on canvas, charcoal, acrylic, band, chalk pastel and ebony pencil.

Red Bank Regional student Beth Keenen’s mixed media, below, Behind the Door arouses curiosity.

The artwork is available for purchased at the end of the show.  http://www.guildofcreativeart.org/

Lately I’ve been pondering how curious topics arrive at my computer keyboard. Earlier this week, I wrote about Monmouth County Cemetery Chasing because NJ Discover writers (me) have been on the grounds of several local cemeteries for rather serendipitous reasons. At NJ Discover we’re all over Monmouth County doing our job description; discovering, elevating and exploring our home county. Last month, I’ve also immersed myself into the art scene in Asbury Park and an hour ago, I realized that I should be telling a tale of art discovery.

Through the magic of Facebook with never ending stories of networking and events, last month I heard about an ‘artsy’ item at Asbury Lanes called Dr. Sketchy Asbury Park and decided to click the JOIN button after getting an invitation from Tim. I checked Google first; a new tool of investigative reporting. “Since 2005, Dr. Sketchy’s has been the name in alternative drawing. From illegal flash mobs to the Museum of Modern Art, Dr. Sketchy’s has brought artists a rule-breaking cocktail of dames, drinking and drawing. Dr. Sketchy’s branches draw in over a hundred cities around the globe, from Akron to Zagreb. Whether you’re an art star or a scribbling newbie, Dr. Sketchy’s is the perfect place to get your fill of life-drawing.”

For me, all a new world; in the past I’ve thought that if Christopher Columbus had approached me way back in my medicinal and potions medieval shop, a mile from where Queen Isabella lived, I would’ve jumped at the opportunity for a long ocean voyage. Crazy after all these years; so I still jump.

Cut to a recent Sunday afternoon; fellow producer and writer Tara-Jean Vitale and I arrived at Asbury Lanes for the Dr Sketchy’s Asbury Park sketching session themed as vampire motif with young female models. Asbury Lanes is as close to back to the future, 1950’s ambience, as I’ve seen since Michael J Fox drove a Delorean car. An old self photo booth, bowling ball rack with the top shelf filled with candles, a vending machine, the kind you pull the handle to release (four selections available) set the mood for ambience. A bar that almost reminded me of the ‘The Shining’ was off to the left; neat eclectic art work on the walls; an image of Springsteen, Henry Winkler and a rhinoceros and four rows of liquor in a bright showcase. A sign in the snack bar read, “Menu on counter. Booze in back. Vegetarian eats too.” Even the water fountain arrested eye contact.

Then we met congenial and inventive Tim, the host of Dr. Sketchy and Christopher Fitzgerald, an extraordinary artist and force field. Meanwhile 60 real artists with sketch pads positioned over ten vacant bowling alleys did their thing drawing the beautiful ‘dames’ posing in vampire suggestive poses on a stage. Finally, posing for an old fashioned photo-op with striking model Tricia completed my day in a brave new artistic world.

A few weeks later, Tim invited me as a journalist to cover a special photographic shoot at a private studio in Asbury Park. Of course, there wasn’t much processing just what this shoot was all about. Entering a vestibule (neat descriptive word), I rang the doorbell of suite five, was buzzed into a voice calling down a flight of stairs. “I’m from NJ Discover,” I yelled towards the voice. Next, I entered the photographic artist studio of  amazing Andrei Jackomets; a frenetic universe of sets, props, and four models being meticulously made up for a vintage art-deco classy pin-up shoot. More brave new world explorations for this reporter.

Tim was thrilled with my effort of being there. I was thrilled to be standing on the deck of the Santa Maria, so I thought; another Columbus voyage for me.  Time and energy expended into creating this shoot amazed. I asked permission to photograph what was witnessed. Works of Andrei lined the walls; an extraordinary artist. Everyone was gracious. Space was tight and most of the time, I couldn’t find a place for my 6’5” frame. Andrei and I saw eye to eye; he asked me to pose and then he posed with a model for my camera. I remember what Winston Zeddmore said at the end of ‘Ghostbusters.’ “I love this city!” And I do love the invention of Asbury Park. And thanks Tim, Dr Sketchy.

Last Saturday, March 24^th the new Bangs Art Gallery (congratulations Doug Z’illa) in Asbury Park celebrated an opening. Christopher Fitzgerald displayed his dazzling mixed-media collages before its multi-gallery tour. Rather than describe; check out pictures.  With artist Kortez, from Freehold; I stared at his mixed media/canvas and was transported far away; I like when art makes you think by reaching for an often misplaced social conscience. The gallery was crowded and folks talked not only about present art but how great it is to see Asbury Park alive. Prior to the gallery opening, we grabbed a sandwich on Cookman Avenue and afterwards walked across the street to The Press Room for Live Asbury Park’s presentation of ‘An Evening with Dusty,’ which recreated a 1969 concert experience with the original pop Diva and blue-eyed soul singer, Dusty Springfield.  Dusty was delivered by “powerhouse singer Kirsten Holly Smith, complete with peroxide beehive and panda eye shadow, backed by a trio of pop-soul doo-wop girls who step out for their own funky star turns.”  By the way, what a night; those that confine souls to the sedentary couch TV ought to know this entire evening in Asbury Park cost me $24.75 for two for everything.

By Calvin Schwartz

First of all let me explain the article title which is a stream of consciousness derived from the book and 1973 movie ‘The Paper Chase,’ about a first year law student at Harvard; his love of law, a girl and the difficult journey presented by both. One of my favorite movies; it may’ve forever dissuaded me from studying law; a long hard consumptive undertaking. I like the word ‘chasing.’

We all pass by cemeteries and I’ve never given much thought until my parents were being settled into a local one. Once I took my eleven year old son to see his maternal grandparents in a Newark cemetery. The front gate looked locked so I climbed over a metal picket fence, cut my arm and leg while my son pushed open the gate. It wasn’t locked.

Six weeks ago, my co-producer and writer at NJ Discover, Tara-Jean Vitale and I were coming back from covering a Seaside Heights event and were near Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital and the cemetery across the street. We decided to visit the solemn place, so I followed Tara-Jean down a dirt road to the edge of an expansive field of grave markers. The hospital closed down years ago not before 924 people died from 1920 to 1960 and are buried with just numbered markers from 1 to 924 as the only form of identification of a human’s life.  Separately we walked around, absorbing and pondering people with misfortunes of being diagnosed with mental illness and hospitalized probably for and with their lives. I wondered about women buried there and how much they had to endure above and beyond because they were defenseless. A clump of trees in the distance provided shade for a concrete structure which memorialized the names and passing dates of all 924 people. I stared, occasionally letting my finger trace the outlines of a few names. We both felt something but didn’t verbalize to each other. Reluctantly I took pictures; didn’t want to disturb the silence with the click of a camera.  Did Trenton (NJ State Capital) have any information on these people?  Proportionally did more people pass in 1942?  I wondered why. This place of solemnity is a few miles (or two traffic lights) from my house.  I’ll be back, I thought.

There was something there. Even now I feel strange, empty and curious. A few weeks later Tara-Jean and I were coming back from a preliminary meeting with officials at  Regal Pointe, a senior living complex in Middletown, New Jersey where we were planning to interview Emily Cook, a spirited and wondrously charming 102 year old resident. On the way back, Tara-Jean yelled, “Stop. Look at that old cemetery across the street,” which reminded me of little Natalie Wood in the movie ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ yelling near the movie’s end, “Stop.” I made a U-Turn and we entered an old Revolutionary War cemetery where some markers indicated passing before America was born in 1776. How strange I thought. And it was cloudy, cool and unusually quiet. The cemetery is the “Presbyterian Burial Ground circa 1684” and it was adjacent to the Hendrickson Family Burial Ground 1798-1913. What haunted the most is that many buried here did not know what happened to the colonies and America; near one marker, I tried to send something communicative about how amazing America is today and thanks.  Heading home, we passed a few more old looking cemeteries but decided to save for another day. It hit me; we have been engaging in Cemetery Chasing which was perfect for NJ Discover. By definition and business plan, NJ Discover discovers and explores a plethora of institutions and people here in central Jersey.

With no forethought about creating cemetery chasing happenings, I thought perhaps it’s a matter of spiritual synchronicity, our being taken down a road for reasons. A few weeks ago, we had a NJ Discover TV breakfast meeting at a pancake establishment. On the way back, I drove up a rural country road in Colts Neck, Monmouth County, New Jersey, passed this magnificent old church. I made an illegal turn and stopped to read a sign: “Dutch Reformed Church completed and erected in 1856.”

With camera always by my side, I snapped a few and posted the pix on the wall of NJ Discover to which a Facebook Florida stranger asked if there was a cemetery in the back and if so, it could very well be where her mother and grandparents are buried. I didn’t know if there was a cemetery but something (a favorite word) made me respond, by offering if I ever return (which was doubtful) to investigate and try to find her mother’s grave stone.

A few days later, I was down the Jersey shore, a few towns over from my beloved Asbury Park, in Belmar. After a large helping of caffeine sweetened with a dark brown liquid confection, I headed to my favorite jetty in the world and meditated by the Shark River. A fierce seventy degree warm wind blew virginal sand in my face as my feet rested on jetty boulders. I saw a ship heading to Kilimanjaro and the bridge over a troubled Shark River water lifted to let a boat pass under.

Then something (the force) directed me back to that country road and that church, reasonably far out of the way. In the rear was an old cemetery as the stranger on Facebook described. A spiritual quality was there even in the way the trees bent in the wind.  While taking pictures, I forgot the stranger’s name; when I saw that certain headstone, I knew it was her mother’s. A special good deed accomplished, I was about to make a get-away; somehow taking pictures in a reverent place still bothered me. A man of rural authority approached. “I’m from NJ Discover TV,” I quickly spoke and told the story of the woman Facebook stranger. Tom (the caretaker) asked if I’d like to learn cemetery history.

The marker of Ryers Crummal, the last Indian chief from the Sand Hill Nation, part of the historic Lenni Lenape Tribe, was inches away from my shoe, frozen in soft soil, afraid to move closer. Then Tom pointed to the far end of the cemetery where no graves were, yet one lone grave stood. James Miller, an African-American (the only one buried there) without family or friends had died in 1901 and the church provided. “Would you like to meet Reverend Scott Brown now?”  I did meet the Reverend and told him my story. Meeting him was magic too. Later I emailed the picture of her mother’s grave to the Facebook stranger (no more, we’re friends now) who wrote a beautiful emotional thank you message.

A few days ago, I was contacted by another Facebook friend who was fascinated with my cemetery pictures and stories. This friend has unusual abilities and can contact spirits of those who passed a long time ago. I felt like the cowardly lion listening to the pronouncements, thinking “I do believe. I do believe.” And I do. So one warm Saturday in May, we’re going ghost-busting of sorts, but with extreme reverence and curiosity and maybe we’ll take our NJ Discover cameras along for the verification. Indeed this cemetery chasing continues and miles to go before I sleep. We’ll keep you posted. You keep visiting NJ Discover’s site, we’ll do the documented chasing.