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THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION
JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2015
Rick’s Piano Tuning Private Residences • Concert Halls Schools • Colleges • Churches •Theatres Rick Langmaack 908-301-0293 10% OFF First Time Customers. With this coupon. Offer expires 8/31/15. www.pianoscomplete.comHEATHER & JENN’S PET SITTING
HEATHER
973-809-3558
JENNIFER
973-223-2248
CALL FOR MORE
INFORMATION
SERVICES INCLUDE
20 MIN. DOG WALKS,
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& GENERAL
PET CARE
We do all animals.
Mail, house sitting, pick up
and bring in packages left at
door into house. Take in
garbage cans.
$
15 & UP
PER VISIT
Giorgios Pappas Furrier New Address 914 Mt. Kemble Avenue • Morristown, NJ 07960 973-425-1111 www.giorgiospappasfurrier.com Monday-Saturday 9:30am - 5:00pm • Private Parking Cleaning & Glazing Custom Designs Cold Storage Remodeling Restyling Re-Sizing Relining Repairs The CONNECTory www.connectory.theconnectionsnj.com Be Seen In Batsto Village, located in Wharton State Forest in south- ern New Jersey, is a wonderful place to enjoy exercise, nature, and history all at once. Batsto Village was a bog iron and glass- making industrial center from 1766 to 1867. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Village reflects the agricultural and commercial businesses that existed in Burlington County during the late 19th century. There are over 40 historic buildings and structures on the site, including the Batsto Mansion, a gristmill, a sawmill, a blacksmith, a general store, a post office, a carriage house and stable, and workers’ homes. The Blacksmith Shop and the Sawmill feature live demonstra- tions on weekends. There is a self-guided tour provided at the Visitors Center as well as a smart phone guided tour to accompa- ny the brochure. There is also a guided tour available of the Atsion Mansion, an 1826 Greek Revival summer home of a wealthy Philadelphian ironmas- ter. Walking through the village streets gives visitors a true sense of what it might have been like to be a villager in Batsto back in time. Wharton State Forest, the largest single tract of land with- in the New Jersey State Park System, contains rivers and streams ideal for canoeing, and numerous lakes and ponds for wildlife observation. Throughout the seasons, observant hikers can spot bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, marsh hawks, ospreys, great blue herons, swans, screech owls, great-horned owls, bluebirds, hummingbirds, purple martins, goldfinch, turkeys, beavers, river otters, fox and deer. There are miles of unpaved roads are used by mountain bikers and horseback riders, and hikers can enjoy a number of trails, including a large part of the Batona Trail, a 50-mile path connecting three forests within the Pine Barrens. The park is pet friendly for those with dogs who love to hike. Swimming facilities are available at nearby Atsion Recreation Area and there is excellent boat- ing along the Mullica River. There are several campsites in the area as well as cabin rentals, both of which require reserva- tions in advance. The Pine Barrens region in southern New Jersey has a unique history and topography that is completely different from ours and is worth exploring. Plan an adventure to see what life was like in southern New Jersey over two centuries ago and explore your state’s natural habitats. What a great way to spend time as a family, get out in nature and learn something new. Here’s to a great summer! Exploring New Jersey: Batsto Village and Wharton State Forest By: Jill Stolz www.theconnectionsnj.com