About Phillipsburg's Harmony Township

Macaroni Kid Phillipsburg: New Website Newsletter with Activities for Children, covers Warren County NJ through Easton PA

I'm excited to share about a new way for families to learn about great local activities for children. In its first week, we have things for kids of all ages in Phillipsburg, Belvidere and Easton PA, Many of them are FREE! The plan is to publicize events throughout Warren County NJ and across the River. Check out Macaroni Kid Phillipsburg!

A family-friendly site, you can also get the kids' activities by email. I'm sure Jenn Rispoli, Macaroni Kid Phillipsburg publisher mom, would also welcome an alert about upcoming events and activities.

I certainly will appreciate Macaroni Kid Phillipsburg as I hunt for Warren County NJ kids' events to share with my nephews and nieces.

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Northwestern NJ? I serve the Route 78 corridor of Warren County & Hunterdon County. Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene at 973-493-8216.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. She also services adjacent areas of Hunterdon and Sussex.

Holiday Toy Drive Benefiting Children within our Local Communities

To help bring some holiday cheer to needy children, many (all?) Weichert offices are collecting new and unwrapped toys or gift cards for children. Generous members of our communities are invited to drop items off. They will be collected by various charitable organizations and distributed locally. This way, you really ARE helping your neighbors who are less fortunate. My office is located at 604 Victory Avenue, right at the corner of Routes 22 and 519 in Phillipsburg NJ 08865. These donations will remain within Warren County NJ and Hunterdon County NJ!

While I too tend to love picking out items for the very young children (look at our flyer!), I've found in past years that we don't have enough items for our tweens and teens. Frankly, I'm somewhat out-of-the-loop on what those youngsters might like, so I'm going to explore the ages 8 - 11 and ages 12 -15 suggestions at Amazon.com. My goal is to find a wonderful gift or 2 for older kids.

No matter what you bring, no matter what the target age, you'll be brightening the holidays for one of our local children who otherwise may get no gift. Every year, your generosity moves me to tears as you bring in holiday toy drive donations for our neighborhood children - and I know this one will be no different. In advance, thank you.

Each year I am contacted directly by parents who ask that we include their children in distribution, which we are unable to do. The toys are passed to trustworthy charities that determine the very neediest recipients. As much as it breaks our hearts, we cannot directly distribute donated toys and must work within the certified system.

Don't forget: FREE Photo with Santa Claus - Wednesday, Dec. 15 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Northwestern NJ? I serve the Route 78 corridor of Warren County & Hunterdon County. Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. She also services adjacent areas of Hunterdon and Sussex.

Tractor Pull and Hot Air Balloons - Peaceful Coexistence at the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair

After months of looking forward to the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival, Aug. 1 - 7, 2010 Chip and I joined the other happy attendees on Wednesday, August 4. What a great outing!

Neither of us had ever been to a tractor pulling contest, although Chip knew that the tractors competed to pull a weighted sled. Frankly, I had never even stopped to consider that tractors came in different strengths and sizes.

Heehaw, I also learned that evening what a grange is and supported one by purchasing our dinner at its booth. We took our feast to the grandstand in time for the presenting of the US flag by the Rolling Thunder, a beautiful a capella version of our National Anthem and then the tractor pull.

Chip and I were delighted to meet many of our neighbors in the grandstand and share quite a few laughs. We all were part of the cheering section as each contestant tried his best to take the lead within the designated class. For me, however, the most spectacular part was when the hot air balloons began to drift over the tractor pull! Country living just doesn't get any better.

While I retain the copyright to my Farmers Fair tractor pull and hot air balloon photos, I would be delighted to email you one or two to print for your personal enjoyment. Just let me know which one you would like! You're my neighbor, so of course, it is free!

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Warren or Hunterdon County NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.

RainChecks - Irene Kennedy RainDances up a Storm thanks to Hyper-Local Posts!

Little did I know a year ago that some posts I did on vacation properties for sale would result in LOTS of business. I focused on the hyper-local areas. Listed a NJ hotel-condo. The values kept dropping, so it eventually became a short sale. First blogged about it August 2009: Short Sale - Minerals Resort Hotel and Spa - Vernon Vacation or Ski Condo - Income-Producing Sussex County NJ real estate for sale.

The strange thing is that the series brought me business from distant lands. Well, Brooklyn NY in this particular case. That series, however, resulted in many calls and emails from far outside my geographic area - and many RainChecks! Never, never would I have reached those "Blog Buyers" with standard marketing. RealtorIrene Blogs about Northwestern NJ Real Estate - Hunterdon & Warren found them!

In this case, I met my buyers once at the hotel, where we wrote the offer. Naturally, I contacted them weekly with updates on the short sale - often "no progress at the bank" but they heard from me and stuck it out. I didn't attend the closing, half of which took place in NJ, half in NY!

Taught me that I can reach a vast and distant audience who might be interested in the homes for sale I have listed - something a local mailing will never do. And I'm holding proof that my marketing works!

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Warren County NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. Having recently moved from Sussex County, she continues to service that adjacent area - and understands the pain of moving!

Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival Aug. 1 - 7

While August might seem eons away, tickets are already on sale for the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival. Held at the intersection of Route 519 and Stryker's Road in Harmony Township, this is the 73^rd Farmer's Fair and 10^th Balloon Festival.

The Warren County Farmers' Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival offers some specials for children and senior citizens but the normal admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5 - 12 with those 4 or under Free. You may also buy a season pass for just $25.00. This single admission covers both the fair and the Balloon Festival. Rides have a charge expect during the special times. One does need another grandstand ticket for events such as a Demolition Derby, Mud Bog Competition, Lawnmower Races, the Elvis impersonator, etc. Brochure for Warren County NJ Farmers Fair and Balloon Festival

I have the wonderful memory of a hot air balloon ride during a festival many years ago. Hubby Chip has never been, so I might just splurge and sign up for a ride by calling 908-454-3431. Somewhat pricey, there are ways to win a hot air balloon ride both before and during the Farmers' Fair in Warren County NJ.

New to Warren County NJ, Chip and I are really looking forward to the Warren County NJ Farmers' Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival Aug. 1 - 7, 2010. A couple season passes might be necessary for us with so much to do and enjoy (and eat!).

Copyright © 2010, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.

Considering selling a home or looking to buy a house in Warren County NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.

Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Warren County NJ & works from the Phillipsburg office. Having recently moved from Sussex County, she continues to service that adjacent area - and understands the pain of moving!