As summer comes to a close, it's time to shift our focus from beach trips to back-to-school preparations. And one important consideration for college students is deciding on the right vehicle. With limited funds and no source of income, a used car is a practical and cost-effective option. Not only do used cars save you money, but they also allow you to allocate your funds toward essential expenses like textbooks, housing, and supplies.

Whether you are sending your child off to college or have a recent high school or college graduate in your family, we can provide this service for any of your cars. We are offering a special Service Special for your vehicle as part of our back-to-school promotion. 

At the heart of its mission, the Foodshed Alliance aims to support sustainable farming, promote local and nutritious food, and safeguard the environment for the benefit of all community members.

LocalShare is an incredible program that fights food insecurity by rescuing farm-fresh, healthy foods and donating them to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other recipient agencies. To expand its reach, LocalShare collaborates with local partner organizations to host Free Pop-Up Produce Markets year-round. 

We are so excited to announce that on Saturday, June 10th we will host a Grand Opening Celebration for our new Fleet and Truck Center.

The event is from Noon to 4, and we will have a band, food, drink, a bouncy house, and other family-friendly activities. To celebrate, we are also hosting a 50/50 for Benny’s Bodega. Each ticket is $25, and if all the tickets are sold, the winner could receive up to $25,000! When you purchase a ticket, you receive a coupon to DeBoer’s Auto for $25 towards your service, and another coupon for 20% off at The Barnyard in Branchville.

So, what’s better than pork for dinner? Pork wrapped in pork, now you may feel your arteries hardening as you read this but don't knock it until you give it a try. This recipe is the one to pull out for a special occasion. Since Easter is coming up, what better way to ante up your meal?

We rely on our computers so heavily that having problems with them can seriously affect our lives in negative ways. It's pretty safe to say we've all experienced computer difficulties at some point. For some, troubleshooting and fixing things comes naturally and for others, it can be frustrating and disheartening. 

For situations like these, luckily there are resources available to help with these problems. At some point, it's best to seek a professional. Bud Gay and his team of nerds at NerdsToGo in Franklin, NJ have dedicated their talents to helping the local community and businesses work through their computer issues. They have helped many customers with their computer problems. 

Ridge and Valley Conservancy

RVC is small in the conservation world. Although it’s been actively open for 30 years now it’s not well known. They rely on state funds but also believe that building relationships is key to conservation. Landowners, realtors, and farmers all have a part in gaining knowledge about their property and their region. These relationships are vital to land preservation, not only for the beauty, but also for the open space of nature.  

It all began when a few neighbors in Warren County NJ joined together to save some beautiful property from developers.

Sussex County has long prided itself on its tradesmen and this month we congratulate all of the graduates from technical programs. Sussex County Community College in the past couple of years has introduced a number of new trade programs. These include trades like Cooking, Welding, and Automotive. Since its inception, many people from many different walks of life have found a home in these programs. This is exactly the case with Erin Primavera and the welding and automotive programs. 

While you are driving throughout Northern New Jersey, Sussex County, and the West Milford area you have probably noticed the many vans or trucks bearing the Mark Lindsay and Son Logo, the guy with the plaid shirt and overalls. Mark Lindsay and Son Plumbing Heating Inc is an icon in the area. It’s not just because of their recognizable logo you see driving up and down the Route 23 corridor. It’s because they are a service provider built on family values, and their reputation is known

What do you call it when you get to do what you love and completely love it?
A Blessing.
Blessings in the Batter seemed like the most fitting name for the mother and daughter baking team of Joyce and Lisa.

Joyce, (mom of the duo) turned to the kitchen for inspiration. The moment she got the ingredients and tools out she would start to create and focus on something wonderful. She would think of times baking in her mother's kitchen, and the wonderful memories.

You would think it would be quite simple to get a really good picture of your finances and insurance options in today's world. Resources are limitless, every website has a solution for you, and every ad claims that they are there for you. You would think that with all these resources at your fingertips, it would be easy.

When you start to dig into financial topics, they can be extremely confusing and the details, options,; and legal mumbo-jumbo are overwhelming. 

Having someone, a real-life person, who has spent their entire career learning and growing, and helping people answer their questions to guide them to what it is that they really want is like having an angel by your side.

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Bryan Murphy, the owner of Sparta Painting.

Bob's Collectables, 

This spotlight is a little different than some of the others, due to the fact that Bob's Collectables has some history in our town and in our personal lives. Bill Jr. recalls being dropped off on a Saturday to spend hours there, while Bill Sr. and Rita ran the shop a few doors down. We're eager to share with you, and quite possibly introduce you to this gem in our neighborhood, and we'd love to share with you how it all began.  The way that Linda and Bob Adams started out, and how Jon Reynolds operates it today. 

If you have ever had the good fortune to visit Ireland, you know first hand how beautiful the country is. Having the gift to deliver its beauty through photographs is exactly what Photos Through Irish Eyes does. We have the pleasure of spotlighting Annette Maleney Palaez, Photographer, Creator. A Hamburg resident who is originally from County Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland, she came to America in 1984 excited and determined to take on the world with both hands. She has been exploring life and it's beauty every step along the way. She is one of those people whose

And just like that it’s the week of Thanksgiving. We’re hoping that your gatherings bring you together with the people that you are most grateful for...

The shelves are already lined with Christmas regalia and the Black Friday sales circulars and ads are coming in at warp speed. We want to help support our local businesses, especially this year, for a lot of them have experienced closings, layoffs, or worse. They are being hit even harder with the online shopping competition than they’ve experienced in the past.  

What we want to help you remember is that our community supports you. Shopping local this year means more now than ever. There is such a difference when you shop in your community businesses. We weren’t at all surprised to hear the extent of precautions they are all taking to protect their customers through this Covid-19 time.

Tucked away in the mountains of Vernon NJ lies 170 acres of farmland known to locals as "The Farm at Glenwood Mountain." For around 30 years this land was left unattended and seemingly in disrepair.

 "You couldn't even see the farm from the road. The fields were so tall." Although they had little, actually, no experience in farming, Steve MacLean and his wife Candice decided to embark on a new adventure.

Steve, formerly a chef in NYC, always had a love for following the path of food, cooking and using the freshest ingredients available for his preparations. Then he changed directions in his career from NYC to become a chef on a working farm which had plans to become a restaurant and market in Hopewell NJ. It was there that he was inspired and enlightened by the farmers who managed the farm. He fell in love with the entire process from the seed to the ripened vegetable, from the egg to raising the chicken and then the finished part where the meal is prepared and served. The ability to use what was grown and raised there in his preparations was a new an exciting experience for him. Getting to know the farmers and how they treated and respected the animals was a game changer for him. 

For ten years Dan Schenker has been capturing beautiful and unique images that range from Google Street View, 360*, portraits and events. He can even take his creativity to the sky with aerial drone photography.

When it comes to his Event Photography he chooses

Did you ever watch someone get up on stage and speak to the audience or watch  a video and be taken aback by the coolness of the person talking to you. Sometimes it’s like watching a movie with the actor speaking directly to you. You feel so comfortable, you believe every word they are saying, they are eloquent and engaging and it blows you away. That is skill! That’s a practiced professional doing what they do best. That's what toastmasters is all about. Helping people improve their ability to speak publicly. 

Scrub Masters Plus

Now more than ever the importance of commercial cleaning is in great need. The standards for commercial businesses to have their facilities cleaned have been raised to an extremely high level with the Covid-19 virus at hand. Mia Howard is the Owner of Scrub Masters Plus and has been a forward thinker from years back. “This pandemic and virus has people reaching out in ways that we would never have expected, they are now seeing the importance of our services and how we can help them continue on with their business AND  protect their employees AND STAY AFLOAT.  These businesses were never the “type” to typically call on our services. Now that we are helping them and they are seeing the difference it makes, they will never go back to not having cleaning services again.”  

One of the great things is that Mia has all of the equipment, chemicals and the team she needs to swoop in and rescue these businesses. 

Your Ride is Looking SWEET!!

Don’t you just love when you get your car looking bright and shiny and beautiful? When it’s detailed inside and out. It catches your eye because the wax job is flawless. When you get inside and it smells amazing. You might feel a little taller, kind of like a proud peacock. Imagine getting that feeling and not having to spend your whole weekend dedicated to getting that result.

Summer is upon us, or at least the weather is moving in that direction. Memorial Day kicked off the summer festivities. Pools open up, car tops come down and everything seems brighter. 

You might have already accomplished the infamous spring cleaning of the house. Having that accomplished will free you up to enjoy the summer and the outdoors . One thing that always gets more use is your vehicle, but you may not necessarily be giving it the attention it deserves. Road trips to the beach or the lake, day trips, long weekends away.

Take some time to focus on your ride, be it a motorcycle, a minivan toting the kids around, or a leisurely trip out on the lake in your boat. You possibly are lucky enough to take life literally on the road in the RV.

 Schlepping out the bucket, hose, and sponges is definitely an option. BUT...We’ve discovered a gem of a secret that we’ll share with you.

Brian Kosa is Owner and Chief Suds Officer at Mobile Detail Masters. He started his business in 2015. He owned a few business, including owning and operating his health club company, and managed professional gyms before retiring at the age of 54 . With kids still in school and his wife at work, he started spending a lot more time doing the things he loved. His father taught him at a young age that keeping your things nice and clean added value to them, and he felt a sense of pride when he worked all day getting the inside and out of the family car shiny and beautiful. 

ONE STEP CLOSER TO RESCUE (O.S.C.A.R.)

You already know DeBoer's Auto is family-friendly, but did you know we are also Pet-Friendly?

That's right, we love all furry friends. In fact, we sometimes get excited when we see adorable fur-babies going for walks outside our shop. Which is why we simply must tell you about One Step Closer Animal Rescue (O.S.C.A.R), and the donation drive we are hosting here at our shop.

We are excited to support our furry friends and contribute to O.S.C.A.R. (One Step Closer Animal Rescue.) For years they have operated their shelter in Sparta/Andover, NJ. They have been providing care for animals and making the health and well being of them their highest priority. These animals are sometimes with them for a longer period of time than you may hear of in city shelters.

(Right) Shop Mascot Piper - Dreams of all the amazing Forever Homes that Rescue doggos and kitties will have.

Real Estate Trends with Dan Corrigan

Re/Max Platinum Group

Canadian born in Ottaway, Ontario Dan and his family came to the US when he was 10 yrs old. They lived in  West Virginia & then Ohio. He joined the military and served in Vietnam. When he returned he attended Ohio University and the Ohio Military Academy. Dan has worn many hats. He focused his career on marketing. He served as a police chief.  He was Director and CEO of a marketing company.

It was in 1980 he dove into Real Estate in West Virginia. When interest rates on mortgages were 18%-20%, it was a tough market, but he learned a lot. Today, rates of 4-5% are considered high. Now on average it’s 3.25% for a 30 year conventional mortgage and as low as the 2% for 15 year conventional mortgage.

We'd like to introduce you to Kelly Kays. Kelly lives in Newton, is a full time HS English teacher in Randolph. She’s been married to her husband Josh for 12 ½ years, has two daughters Maggie (8) Ella (5) and is very active in her church community. On top of that she’s an Independent Distributor and Consultant for Youngevity. If that doesn’t put a super woman cape on her we don’t know what does. 

Kelly started out using the Jamberry nail line  She fell in love with the nail wraps because she got to have pretty nails while being a busy mom and couldn’t get to the salon. 

She explored some of the other products they featured and was amazed at the variety of Health/Wellness and beauty products that were available to her. She tried the Core Stik products and was amazed at the results she could feel. It was almost immediate. She was thrilled to try more products and to share with her family and friends. The bonus was knowing their immune systems were getting a boost, being supported and becoming stronger, which is a constant struggle working in a school everyday and sending her young children as well. 

Yes! The day has come, the weather is absolutely beautiful and the fabulous outdoors is welcoming you to come play. Don’t take a moment to hesitate. You are out in the yard, tossing the ball for Rex to go fetch. You take a break with some iced tea and you are set to chill on your deck. Before you even get settled in, you feel a little sting.

Fwap! A mosquito landed on you and before you know it, you have a welt on your leg.

High atop Sussex County NJ, where the three states converge, there is an obelisk that stands 1,803 feet above sea level. The 360° view is an amazing sight and the monument itself can get your elevation and your heart rate up after climbing inside the 220 foot structure.  The view is definitely worth the climb. You will overlook the Catskill Mountains, the Wallkill River Valley and the Pocono Mountains. 

Bryan Murphy is a Sussex County native with an affinity for music and love for his guitar. He spent many years playing live, with a band doing gigs. When he got an opportunity to DJ and MC, it seemed like a great fit for him. He learned so much from this experience and found that this added yet another dimension to his love of music, the spinning of the records, mixing the tempo. The art of it “grabbed” him, he said.

He  gained more experience, he tried new things, he  grew quite a following. After years of mixing and being a part of these special events, he sought out ways to improve the crowd experience, he invested in equipment, and expanded his database. He partnered with Michael Andolina "the most talented MC I've ever heard" and collected a group of talented staff to deliver the best possible entertainment possible. In 2018 he started his own business, High Profile Events.

When you hire DJ Bryan and his team, you're not just getting a DJ. You get an experience designed straight out of your dreams.  They customize everything to your wants and needs. If you want a vocalist at the ceremony, a string quartet at your cocktail hour, you got it. You want lights and fog and a saxophone player at the reception, done. Photo booth check. "It’s amazing what a difference it can make when you incorporate live energy to the entertainment at your party. It’s a complete game changer.  To Bryan none of this is a game, but is fun!

The music is his passion, his love of people is a notch above that. He clearly loves to make people happy and taking the time to sit with a couple before their day and hear about their dreams of how the most important day should unfold. They sometimes explain how a special relative will be in town, or how they recently lost someone and would like a moment in remembrance.  He understands all the pressures of life stuff, and how they just want this day to be perfect. Through listening for years and meeting with many couples,  Bryan has devised a plan for getting the best context and quality personal anecdotes from each client. His planning process very precise. He uses a template that is detailed, thorough and covers everything. He designs each event based off of learning about each individual, everything in detail from the ceremony, cocktail hour, wedding profile, reception seating everything throughout the night. 

He's also happy to say that he has added corporate events, to his experience and he's provided entertainment for companies such as Red Bull, Victoria's Secret and Mercedes-Benz. Being able to raise the energy and set the bar high for these events is fun and exciting and a lot of detailed work!  Being able to get a room buzzing with excitement, engaging the crowd, knowing when to go low key and when to kick it to the next level.  There’s a director on the scene of this movie, It’s High Profile Events. - Music-Lights - Camera - Fog-  ACTION!

I asked Bryan what advice he could offer to someone like himself just starting out. He immediately replied, "First focus on a quality product, second make your customer service as strong as it can possibly be." He believes that focusing on the few not the many, has made him grow as a business and a businessman. Energy and passion. That is what makes the difference.

When a couple comes up to me at the end of the night and says everything was perfect, if it wasn't for you it would never had been this great. That's the reason I put so much into this business. Their happiness makes it all worthwhile. 

High Profile Events provides and matches the music to the atmosphere. Years of experience and the love of music makes this entertainment company a must for brides & grooms and anyone having an event.

Featured on The Knot, the feedback is positive and energetic. Here are some of their customers reviews.

Timothy B  They made the day!!! Weddings are a celebration and thanks to Bryan this celebration will be remembered by my whole family and all my friends forever. Every one of my family said Bryan was the best DJ they had ever heard. I was one of my first friends to get married and my friends were so impressed they ended up hiring High Profile Events for their own weddings. Me and my wife can't thank you guys enough! You are the best! I can't wait for our vow renewals to hire you again.

Eryka B DJ Bryan Murphy (with High Profile Events) has a reputation of being the very best around so, naturally, hiring him for our wedding was a ‘No Brainer’. Not only were we non-stop dancing throughout the night but so were all of our guests and to this day we’re still being told the music selections were impeccable. There aren’t enough good things that I can say about his service, perfection is a gross understatement for the overall experience you’ll have! My husband and I are looking forward to hiring High Profile Events for our next celebration!

High Profile Events provides and matches the music to the atmosphere. Years of experience and the love of music makes this entertainment company a must for brides & grooms, corporate, private and anyone having an event.

So, what the heck is a lifestyle management company, seriously what does that mean? Well, I asked the right person to explain it to me and the light bulb 💡went on. Ann Marie Miskewicz is the President of Crystal Concierge, LLC.  She’s the lady who literally can make your life easier. She takes away that stress that we all find ourselves dealing with in our day to day routines.

Let's back up a bit to find out that Ann Marie was in corporate America specializing in third party logistics and also had an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry. She was the middle woman, the one who set up the dates between two potential matches and let the universe take over. Not really, she was the universe that put the right people and companies together to get whatever the task at hand done. And then, she managed and oversaw everything to make sure that it was going according to plan. Kind of a superwoman if you will.

Let's think of Ann Marie as the “fixer”; you have a problem, she fixes it.  Literally taking the load off your shoulders. "Oh, so she’s a party planner". Well it doesn’t start or stop at parties.

Finding passion in what you do, makes your world a whole lot happier.

When it comes to wine, this lady knows her stuff. Lourdes is experienced and knowledgeable and loves her wine.  Her palette is pretty refined and she can talk you in, around and through the best bottles, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are expensive. 

 I asked her how she started her business. She responded with a giggle and then replied “ by accident, actually” 

She got her start studying French language and literature at the University of Maryland, then she set off to France to study, that’s when she knew. Coming back  when the recession was in full swing, she happened to come upon employment at Madame Claude’s Bistro in Jersey City. They offered some favorite wines, she began to get more excited and influenced by owners Alice Troietto and Mattias Gustafsson. (She refers to them as her mother and father of wine). Madame Claude Wines opened in 2010 as one of the first “wine boutiques” and they loved to share wines and educate their customers.

She worked, and managed the specialty wine shop while she started her training at the International Wine Center in NYC.  She spent the next 4-5 years educating her way through the beginner, advanced level and she’s now a Level 3 Certified Wine & Spirits specialist through WSET.

Recently I got the opportunity to speak with Ron Bevacqua, Owner of Pillar Construction. 

I was lucky enough to catch him while he was in route from one job site to another. My first attempt at contacting him, he couldn’t pick up because he was on the roof mid day 90* temps in the middle of August. He apologized and all I could think was, wow that’s dedication. I was probably sitting behind my computer in the A/C. He was open to giving me a little background of his business. In the early 80's he worked for his father's family drywall business. In 1993, he and his brother went onto form Pillar Construction. Their reputation of being the best drywall company earned them an amazing reputation and they became Pillar Drywall, Inc. At the time the new construction was booming, he contracted with new home developers, builders, and commercial properties. This was a critical step, and when he was finished, the next phase of the construction was continued by the painting contractor and so forth until the project was finished.

 In 2008 things went south as the economy was suffering, new construction pretty much came to a complete halt. Many other contractors found themselves...

Hamburg, NJ; a quaint little town the Wallkill River runs through. Mostly known currently for the Golf Courses and Crystal Springs resort, the Gingerbread Castle brings memories forward in remembering days gone by. Wilcox Press, originally owned by the Wilcox Family nearly a century ago, still stands proud and still functions as a printing company on Main Street. Jodi Palmasano is now the present owner, and only the fourth since it's conception. Her parents purchased it when she was a teen and have since passed it down to her. Growing up she was always amazed at how the whole process was done. It was like some sort of magic, the creativity made it the natural fit for her to continue on after her parents. 

 Travel Adviser Cynthia Allen is a well traveled, worldly lady who happens to get enormous enjoyment out of helping others plan their dream vacation. You might think that with so much technology at your fingertips, seeking help isn't necessary. You can do this. Right? You start your mission of  searching endless websites toggling from tab to tab, trying to find the best deal and flight and so on. You could run to the local library and get some travel books to peruse, or even go to AAA and grab some maps. That doesn't seem all that hard right?  WRONG! You have taken on an enormous task and admit it my friend, you NEED some help. That is why I urge you to call Cindy. You will thank me again and again once you meet her. She"ll start off with learning about you and your dream vacation and what's important to you. She'll find out if you want to be part of a group of people with similar interest to try and get you a more aggressive discount. If you are traveling as a group she organizes events and excursions, even celebrations.  She recommends out of the way places,  if you prefer to keep to yourselves. Cindy has been to over 30 Countries, 40+ States - This lady has been around the globe, LITERALLY - So it seemed like a no brainer to her and Sylvia - owner of Travels by Sylvia Cruise Planners to join together and create the perfect team.

 Cindy is as excited about your fairy tale type vacation as she would be about her own. She digs in and does all the research about the destination she suggests out of the way places that are off the beaten path. It's the little suggestions and references she offers that will make it unique. The chances are she's been there so she speaks from experience. "Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer!" She believes that to be true, and loves the fact that she can share her experience and knowledge with her clients. She arranges it all, booking planes, trains, cruise ships, automobiles, scooters, and wheelchairs. She thinks of everything, I mean every little thing. This doesn’t mean an hour spent looking up flights on Expedia, we are talking days of researching the dates, is the weather suitable that particular time of year, documentations, time changes, exchange rates, vaccinations, local culture, dietary restrictions and allergies. She is even certified in Autistic and Special Needs Travel, which means she knows about and understands the challenges you might face and can instruct you how to change that challenge into a well deserved and enjoyable respite. When you come back, it might feel as though Cindy went with you as your invisible companion, but her special touch is evident in everything. The angel on your shoulder that guided and directed you through, if something unexpected comes up, she's there for you.

Her Military background in the US Army Medical Service Corps makes Cindy a logistical expert. She can juggle a lot of balls at once and not drop any.

Originally it was Stephanie who started with her creative floral business and before they knew it, Jesse joined in to manage while Stephanie designed. They took a plunge and started as a Wedding & Specialty Event Floral Designer and Retail Florist in Lafayette, NJ. They decided to hone in on the wedding design and nurture the workshop portion of their business.   They closed the retail portion of the business so that they can focus on what they truly think is their sweet spot. 

It all started 22 years ago, she was helping a friend with a gift idea.  She turned to another friend who had been making and selling gift baskets for some time. Her friend was nice enough and walked her through the steps and voilà, she was a natural. Before she knew it, she was putting together unique gift baskets for friends and family.  As word spread, she was building a following and a business. Now, thanks to the internet, her orders can be placed day or night through her website. Her social following is great and she’s even sent out a gift arrangement to the UK. Her website gets the traffic 

ADT Custom Home Services

For Dan DeMartin life as usual includes the juggling act we all know so well. Life, family, career. He starts each day one pant leg at a time. He's real, regular, honest and compassionate. His business is the security of your home . The stuff that keeps you up at night, or allows you to sleep like a baby. What keeps you up? Is your family safe from break ins, burglary, heaven forbid a fire? You can drive yourself mad with all the what if's. If you don't consider them, you actually do have reasons to worry. How Dan explains what he does is. " I protect bad things from happening to good people" 

You certainly can't know when your home is at risk for a burglary or a fire, can you? After all it's not like a car, when you hit a certain mileage you're due for an oil change. Can it be that easy? Most people hear the words security system and think it's not for them  because "that's too expensive." The truth of the matter is that the investment is minimal especially when you consider the cost of replacing your valuables, or even your home.

Above N Beyond Cleaning

Roaming Acres

If you are a native to Sussex county, you are not a stranger to back roads and wildlife sightings. What might throw you for a double take is when driving down Big Spring Road in Lafayette.  You see a herd of Ostrich in a not so distance field, but then, wait for it, are there really Bison out there too? This is New Jersey, not Omaha! Yes, we are in the garden state with the cows, the farms with silos are landmarks around her.  But Ostrich and Bison and Berkshire pork, Oh my.

CRAVIN THAI

Ed and Toula Reinle have a lot on their plates...literally. It’s been eight years since they opened their doors to

Cravin Thai on Main Street in Hamburg.

Diners have expressed that their exterior is deceiving, (A brick faced store front, that was at one time

a bank).  What they get when they enter is an experience that has them wanting to come back.

The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the dining area relaxed and quaint, the signature cocktails are worth the trip alone (Try the “Dirty Apartment” or “Ginny Hendricks”)  and you haven’t even eaten anything YET! The Drunken Noodles are amazing, and if you can take it, ask for spicy- the chef is not afraid to spice it up if that’s what you're cravin'. The duck, is to “die for!.” Authentic flavors of Thailand that you would never expect here in Hamburg, NJ. 

If you are looking for something so not typical of Thai cuisine they have amazing ribs and delicious burgers. They want everyone to enjoy their experience when they come and of course the food. Local patrons visit regularly, some, multiple times a week. Regular diners from even as far as PA and Manhattan.  

It’s coming up on a year since Jennifer opened her door at JACCS Art, and invited the community to come express themselves. In the large double suite space, she’s provided a fun, bright, warm environment that  makes your subconscious want to shake your creativity and say “helloooooo, wake up!!”.  How do I do that? 

Renaissance Full Service Salon

For Michele Paradise; studio owner and stylist, opening Renaissance was a dream come true. Michele has been a stylist, “enhancer of beauty” for over 20 years.

You will surely recognize her the moment you walk in and meet her. She’s been making magic with hair throughout the county in local beauty salons for quite awhile. She’s always loved working with people, creating and producing beautiful results.  

Hi Everyone!!!  How have you all been enjoying your Summer so far?  I can't believe it's almost September already.  The Summer season sure does fly by quickly!!!  It's been kind of a rainy one this year, especially during our weekends unfortunately.  It's been great weather for our local produce though.  My Mom has been super excited about the local squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, peaches, blueberries...the list goes on.  We buy most of our local produce at Windy Brow Farms in Fredon.  My parents have been very much enjoying the peaches from the farm this year, as they do every year.  We treat ourselves weekly to the homemade ice cream made at Windy Brow too and what a treat it is!!!  Mom and Dad get me my own little dish now and I enjoy it immensely!!!!

Hi Everyone and Happy 4th of July!!!!  I hope you all have been enjoying happy celebrations with your family and friends!!!!  It's strange to have the holiday land right in the middle of the week this year but we've been enjoying it nonetheless.  Summer is just flying by with so many fun times!  One of my very favorite things we've done so far this year is a big trip to Folly Beach in South Carolina (very near to Charleston).  The beaches there are so very awesome and dog friendly.  I was only banned from the beach from 10:00 AM through to 6:00 PM every day, which worked out perfectly because even though it was only the first week of June when we were there, it was hot enough that my parents had to keep me tucked in the shade during the midday heat.  I really just had the best time ever running on the beaches there and my enthusiasm earned me quite a few admiring comments from passersby.  Some people asked how long I could keep running up and down the beach to catch my ball; my Mom and Dad were quick to let them know that I could quite possibly keep going forever if I was allowed.  :)

Hi Everyone!!!!  I'm so sorry I missed catching up with you in April!!!!  To be honest, I haven't been up to much that's different from what I'm up to most of the time.  I've been running a lot more now that the trails are all clear of snow, although my parents have to be careful now that it's so much warmer so that I don't overheat.  While the cold doesn't bother me at all, I am really very sensitive to heat so we run early and for much shorter distances than we would in cooler temperatures.   Playtime is still my favorite time of the day but that has also been affected by the heat.  Dad often likes to tease me by saying I'm "laying down on the job" because I take quite a few breaks to catch my breath (I'd like to see how he fared if he played as hard as I do!!!!).  Mom and Dad got me a super awesome pool that helps me keep up to my usual playtime quota.  My pool is actually a stock tank from Tractor Supply because after I destroyed my pool from last year, my parents figured out that I needed something that would hold up better to my wild and rough playtime antics.  The Tuff Stuff stock tanks are absolutely perfect as pet pools.  They come in different sizes and they're obviously made to withstand the outside elements.  They are indeed "tough" because even a rough houser such as myself cannot make a dent in these tanks.  I really love to splash around in the pool on warm days.

Hi Everyone and Happy Spring!!!!  I think we were all surprised and more than a little perturbed to have the first days of Spring marked by yet more snow this season.  I'm super ready for Spring at this point myself, even though I absolutely love playing in the snow.  I've had so much of it to play in this year so I'm really ready for the different but also fun stuff that warmer weather brings, especially swimming.  My Mom has been eyeing prospects for a new pool for me, a good solid tough one, given that I destroyed the one I had last year with my somewhat overly exuberant (I will admit) playtime moves. 

Hi Everyone!!!!  I'm sure you're all as excited as I am that we are getting closer and closer to Spring!  There's just a few weeks now until the official start of Spring.  This has been a really exciting month for me because the anniversary of my "Gotcha Day" (the day my parents took me home from rescue) is in February.  I celebrated the actual day with my own mini ice cream cup (Mom buys me the little single-serve cups of strawberry-flavored Haagen-Dazs for very special occasions) and my parents always donate to rescue organizations in my honor on my Gotcha Days, as well as on my birthdays.  Mom put together this video to commemorate my Gotcha Day this year. 

Hi Everyone!!!  Hope you all have had the most wonderful start to 2018!!!  The month of January has gone by so very fast; to think we're already a twelfth of the way through 2018 already is a little unbelievable.  My January has passed by with more of the same fun pastimes I've grown to love.  Lots of playtime, some of it on snow-covered turf, which is especially fun.  I think we'd all agree that this January's weather has been a little erratic with snow one day and then spring-like temps within a few days after the snowfall.  I was pretty upset when this last snowfall we had was melted away.  Thankfully, we always have some longer standing piles from where my Dad has shoveled the snow from the deck and I played in those until even they succumbed to the warm weekend weather we've been seeing.

Hi Everyone!!!!

Hi Everyone!!!!  Hope you all are well and are enjoying the first days of our fall season! I think that Summer and Fall may have gotten their notes mixed up because it's feeling a lot more like summer time these days but we shouldn't complain too much, fall weather and the cold temperatures of Winter will be here soon enough. I still can't believe how quickly the summer season flew by, but it was a really great summer and I'm looking forward to what adventures the fall season will bring my way.  

Well hello Everyone!!!!  Can you believe that the month of July is just about coming to a close already?  The summer season always seems so short but I hope everyone's summer has been filling up with lots of fun and special memories!!!  We can all hold on to those forever!!!!  My summer has certainly been very awesome so far.  July was a quiet month for us travel-wise and we've been sticking close to home but it's been a fun month nonetheless.  One of the great things about living in Sussex County is that there are so many fun things to do, especially for an avid outdoorsman such as myself!

Happy, happy summer Everyone!!!!  I hope you all have had a great start to your summer season so far!  I have certainly had a very fun start to mine and I am really excited to see what the rest of the summer will bring!  I got to visit the New Jersey shore a few weeks ago and it was so much fun.  My Mom, Dad and I really had a really great time!  The weather was pretty nice already for the beginning of June and even though the water was super cold, the sunshine made it plenty warm enough for me that I didn't mind getting into the water at all.  It's a little bit of a drive (it usually takes us about 2.5 hours with ligher to medium shore traffic) but we always go to Island Beach State Park near Seaside Heights.  Although dogs are not allowed on the bathing beaches, leashed dogs are allowed on all of the fishing beaches further out onto the peninsula.  It's a very popular place for people with dogs as I was able to meet and great with quite a few other dogs throughout the day.  Mom and Dad played a lot of frisbee with me too which was so much fun in the sand, although I will admit running around in all that sand made me tired a whole lot faster than I usually get when I'm playing frisbee!  Mom and Dad made sure to bring me plenty of water too because all of that running around sure made me thirsty!

Hi Everyone!!!!  I can't believe that Memorial Day is almost here and that June is right around the corner!!!  Even though summer isn't yet in full swing, I've still been enjoying a lot of the fun things I love most about the summer.  I've had lots and lots of playtime in the yard which is one of the things I really love best of this time of year. It's now light out for so much longer and that means that I get even MORE playtime.  My favorite toys are my soccer ball and Frisbee but this week Mom decided to change it up for me a little and she let me play with her stability ball out in the yard.  It was the biggest ball I've ever played with and while Mom thought I might be a little afraid of it rolling around down the hill at me, I showed her and Dad that I'm every bit as tough as I look!!!  I was absolutely fearless in the face of that huge ball and I muscled it around the yard like a champ!!!!

Hi Everyone!!!!  Happy Easter to all of you who are celebrating this weekend!!!! It's been an absolutely beautiful weekend so far to celebrate springtime and all the wonderful things it brings such as longer days, outdoor fun and flowers.  I was lucky to get outside a lot during the Winter but now that it's Spring, it's even that much nicer to play and romp outside with my toys.  One of my favorite toys is an awesome soccer ball I got for Christmas.  Santa picked it up for me at Amy's Animals and I've been in love with it from the moment I first laid my eyes and teeth on it.  I love when my parents join in my soccer games, but to be honest, I can play a pretty exciting game of soccer all on my own.  I bounce that ball all over the yard with my nose and sometimes even manage to bounce it way over the five-foot fence and into the woods behind our house (which slightly exasperates my Mom and Dad given they have to trek out to retrieve my prized ball). 

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!!!  I hope everyone has been having a very special day!!!!  Aside from Valentine's Day, my February has been filled with lots of excitement and fun, thanks especially to the recent snow we've had.  I know many of you may not like snow much, particularly at this point in the season.  I'll admit that it can make for dangerous driving and much care must be taken by everyone to ensure that we all stay safe out there on the roads, even when there's snow or other winter precipitation falling.  The DeBoer's Auto Team has released some useful videos with tips on maintaining your vehicle for safer winter driving, so definitely check out the DeBoer's Auto video library for this great information!  My Mom was especially displeased and fretful over the ice/snow mix that we received over the weekend and I agree that the icy mix was particularly dangerous. I was also upset because it really messed up the nice fun fluffy stuff that fell last Thursday.  Thankfully, my Mom was home with me on that day so she didn't have to worry about driving and could focus all of her energy on entertaining me!  Using my charm and cute looks to persuade her, she stood out there in the cold for a good portion of the day while I romped around in the awesome fresh powder.  Even some of the more grumpier snow haters have to admit that a fresh blanket of good powder can be a lot of fun if you don't have to worry about driving around in it and can take the opportunity to PLAY!!!!

Happy, happy 2017 Everyone!!!  I have been having a really great start to the year and I hope your 2017 has also started off really well!!! I've still been getting out a lot on our local rail trails despite the colder and snowier weather we've been having.  Running in the snow has actually been really fun for me, although my Mom and I have to be very careful about where we go as the Sussex Branch and Paulinskill Valley trails have been pretty icy during this last month. With all the running/walking/biking traffic that the trails see, the snow on them melts down and then freezes again overnight. We've ventured out to the trails a couple of times only to find that ice skating was about the only activity that appeared feasible.  Given neither of us had brought ice skates, we had to opt for some road running instead. My Mom got herself a pair of Yaktrax to put on her running shoes so that she is more surefooted on the trails when the conditions aren't perfect but not so bad. They work really well when there's patches of thinner ice or harder packed snow on the trail (the design is based upon coil traction footwear an outdoor adventurer spotted on a Himalayan Sherpa) so it's a good idea for anyone who would like to get out more during the winter months and be safer doing so.  The Yaktrax come in designs that are specifically suited for walking or running.  Just still be careful when you're out there and please always look out for your four-legged companions!!! Although our four legs help us get across slick surfaces a little better than humans can, we can definitely take a spill on an icy patch and a bad fall is is a very bad thing for anyone, furry or nonfurry.  We are so very fortunate to have a lot of great parks in the area with beautifully cleared roads like Kittatinny Valley State Park, Stokes State Forest and High Point State Park (thanks so much to our local park officials for taking such great care of the park roads!!!) because they are great places for a walk when the trails are impassable.

Hi Everyone!!!!  I hope everyone has been staying warm these past few days.  We went from not so cold of a winter to a brrrrrrr-freezing one very quickly!!! The cold really doesn't bother me much at all though.  I have quite a warm coat of fur which works out well as I like to be outside no matter what the weather is out there.  I was super excited to get outside and play in the first dusting of snow that we got a few weeks ago.  I also got to run on the trails one day when we got some snow and although Mom seemed a little perturbed over how wet her shoes were at the end of our run, I thought it was really fun to slosh through the snow. 

One of my very favorite places to play outside is the Wantage Dog Park.  My Dad takes me there a lot and it's just so much fun playing with all of the other dogs.  I love running with my friends and chasing balls through the very large and open areas within the park.  Wantage local Stu Baker spearheaded the creation of this park and I, as well as all of the friends I've made at the park, are most grateful to him for doing so!!!  The park is very appreciated and well used as it gets approximately 1,000 visitors a week!  It is a truly great addition to our local community!!!

Another fun outing I very much enjoyed recently was a trip to get my first Christmas tree with my Mom and Dad!!!  The Hamburg Fire Department has been doing an annual Christmas tree sale for a while now and we stopped by the department's pavilion to get our tree on the Friday after Thanksgiving and it is a very, very beautiful tree!!!  I helped to decorate the tree with my Mom and Dad on the Saturday after turkey day (I actually did more snooping in all the decoration boxes than anything, but Mom and Dad didn't seem to mind) and it was a very fun time.  I am so excited to have my very own home to celebrate the holidays in this year.  I was born last year just before Christmas and I spent my first holiday with the wonderful people at the Kindness for Homeless Paws rescue organization.  They took very, very good care of me of course, but it's especially nice to have my own forever family to spend the holidays with this year!!!

I'm really getting revved up for the next couple of weeks because my birthday is coming up (Mom and Dad think I haven't heard them talking about it, but they are planning a special trip to my favorite store, Amy's Animals for a birthday treat and toy!!!) and of course the holidays are coming up.  I can already see that the best part of the holidays is spending special time with family and friends.  I'm so looking forward to all of these good times and I wish all of you a very, very wonderful and safe holiday season!!!  May everyone's season be filled with so much peace, love and joy!!!  I will check back with you all in January 2017!!!

With the warmest regards and sloppiest of puppy kisses,

Piper the Rescue Mutt

Hi Everyone!!!  I hope you all have been enjoying the Fall season!!!  Winter will be upon us soon so my parents and I have been getting out as much as we can, although we certainly hope that we can still get out in the winter too!  We've been doing lots of running on the trails (I just finished my first 8-mile run today!) and we've been getting out for a lot of fun hikes as well.  One of our favorite places to hike is High Point State Park.  High Point is the highest peak of the Kittatinny Mountains and is the highest elevation in the state of NJ at 1,804 feet.  A leaf peeping trip to the top of High Point will provide spectacular views of Fall foliage in three different states (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania).  I certainly like the view from up there because I definitely like to keep my eyes on things and there's plenty to see from that vantage point!  

Hi Everyone!!!  I hope you all have had a great start to your Fall season.  I know it's a very, very busy time for many of you as kids go back to school and Fall sports begin.  It's also such a great time to get together with friends and family for harvest and Halloween-related activities.  This is my first Fall season and so far, I've been really, really enjoying it.  My Mom and Dad have always been huge fans of the Fall season as they so very much enjoy the local fall harvests of apples and squash.  They also love getting out for great hikes because the weather, especially with regards to temperatures, is so great for getting some good long hikes, runs and bike rides in.  One downside of outdoor activitives during the Fall season though are ticks as some species, including deer ticks, can remain active in their adult stage from Fall to Spring as long as the temperature is above freezing. The dangers of ticks are something everyone focuses on a little more in the summer, but please remember to protect yourselves from ticks during this time of year as well!!! 

Hi Everyone!!!!  I hope you've really been enjoying these last weeks of summer!!!  I certainly have had some very great adventures recently.  My parents took me to visit Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in New York for the very first time ever.  My Dad has made a visit to Raquette Lake almost every year of his life; he won't let me say how many years that would be exactly, but we're talking about several decades of trips, and I'll leave it at that ;)  Immediately upon arriving at Raquette Lake, I could see why my parents have returned year after year.  As you know, we all love Sussex County for its trees and other natural wonders.  Raquette Lake is just full of natural beauty and great outdoor excitement.  As an avid swimmer, I marveled at how huge the lake is; it's the largest of the lakes in the Adirondacks with 99 miles of shoreline!!!

Hello Everyone!!!!  Hope you all have been staying cool these last couple of weeks!  It sure has been hot out there lately.  My Mom and Dad have been taking me out on some evenings to swim.  I have some cool new floating toys that I'll retrieve from the water but I'll just as soon swim out to get a scrappy old stick too.  I just love to swim!

Hi Everyone!!!!  I can't believe it's August already!!!  Where has this summer gone?!?!  They say time flies when you're having fun and I'm finding that there's really something to that expression!  The summer has been such a fun time for me as I have been running, jumping, playing and doing lots of other fun activities.  I especially love to be outside and my absolute favorite is when I can run, jump and play outside all at the same time and let me tell you, I make that perfect trifecta happen for myself as often as I can!  Here's some video Mom got of me accomplishing playtime perfection!

Hey Sussex County, ever wonder how to beat the heat without breaking the bank? Well here’s some great news, there's a fun way to do that! There are a handful of great outdoor places that allow you to rent kayaks, canoes, rafts, and more. Rather than having to buy all of the gear, for a small fee you can rent it without worrying about lugging everything around.

Hi Everyone!  I'm back again to tell you about some of the exciting things I've been up to the last couple of weeks. I've been enjoying my first summer very much. I've been going for lots more hikes on the local trails. Either my Mom or Dad (and on really great mornings both of them!) take me for a walk at Kittatinny Valley State Park every weekday before we all head off to work.  The only thing I don't like about my walks is that I always get sprayed with stuff to keep the ticks away from me.  My Mom and Dad go on and on a lot about how bad the ticks are this year and I can't go outside for one second without getting sprayed.  We all have been using the Wondercide Natural Flea & Tick Spray with cedar oil that Dad got at Amy's Animals in the Wantage Plaza and I have to admit that even though it's annoying to be sprayed all of the time, the spray does work really well in keeping the ticks away.

On the weekends we've been out and about for more hikes and also to buy strawberries and flowers at the Sussex County Strawberry Farm in Andover. The strawberries were absolutely fantastic this year! We're now looking forward to more bounty from our favorite farms as the fruits and veggies ripen through the summer months.  We have also gotten a lot of great flowers at Andersen Farms in Wantage.  My Mom really likes to plant flowers and this has been a really great year for her flowery fun.  I really like to sniff the flowers and occassionally I'll pluck a bloom or two off when Mom isn't looking.

Hi Everyone!!! I'm back to tell you about the big couple of weeks I've been having.

When many people think of walking sticks they think geriatrics and say to themselves “I’m not old, I don’t need help walking”. While walking/hiking sticks and canes are a great tool for the elderly to help them steady themselves they are also a great tool to help those who are on or off trail hiking.  If you do not hike you may not need one but if you are a hiker or survivalist you definitely should consider adding a walking/hiking stick to your list of tools/equipment. There are many reasons to carry a walking/hiking stick and here are eight good ones to consider:

Looking to take a long-distance, sight-seeing trip on your motorcycle? There's no denying the fact that motorcycles allow riders to experience the world in a more personal manner. This has led to a newfound revival of “touring,” in which riders “tour” one or more areas. Before embarking on a tour, however, there are a few things you should know.

Looking around the interweb for bags, shoes, T Shirts etc, there seems to be a theme that you just cannot escape from wherever you go. Clothes, furniture, bikes  (and hells bells, there is some mind blowing gear out there), it seems that Vintage is the new "new"! The new look is old, genuinely old, or newly made to look old. However it is presented, old is in!

The official start of winter and the holidays are just around the corner, but it's never too late in the year to get out and enjoy the beautiful walking trails our county has to offer. There's great joy to be had in a walk in the spring, when the beautiful trees of Sussex County begin to unfurl their green splendor.  It's also wonderful to walk amongst these trees as they radiate the majestic colors of fall.  However, there's also great pleasure to be had in a crisp, cool walk on a clear winter day, when you can see ever bigger and endless spans of a bright blue sky above.  

There are so many wonderful trails to blaze and treks worth taking in Sussex County and its surrounding areas.  Whether you're looking for more ways to get some exercise, or get more quality family time or maybe you just want to get out into the fresh air more, the trails in and around Sussex County provide plenty of great options for accomplishing these things! Given that Sussex County is a little short of areas for sidewalk strolling, trailways are a great place to walk, bike, etc. without having to worry about road traffic.