Woodstown, NJ

Merry Christmas From The Funniest Little Nutcracker

A pair of nutcrackers greeted me at my last open house, at 65 North Main Street in Woodstown, NJ. At first I didn't notice that the large guy on the left didn't have a nose. I found him to be a most whimsical kind of guy. (I suppose someone without a nose does make one feel 'whimsical.)

I just had to snap his picture and introduce him to all of you here. I hope he makes you smile.......as he made me smile, too!

I have some nutcrackers here in my home, but I've yet to find one who has had such a storied past as Pinocchio. One day, I'll introduce you to my nutcrackers. One of my favorites is the 'rat king' from the ballet "The Nutcracker". He was a gift from my sister as a souvenir from Germany.

I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have any nutcrackers. I'll post some others here, too! Thanks!

The Sounds of The Season:  Tuba Christmas! 2011

On Sunday afternoon, there was a lot of brass -- Low Brass --that is, in Woodstown, NJ.

A group of musicians, some professional -- some not -- met at Woodstown High School earlier in the day to play both traditional Christmas Carols and nontraditional.  The one constant is that the songs were all played by either a tuba, euphonium or marching euphonium. 

Yep!  There were no woodwinds to be seen at today's event!

I arrived at Woodstown High School at the tale end of the concert, after an open house.  I was thrilled to hear "Jingle Bells", "Hark The Herald, Angels Sing", "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" as well as other well-known carols.  As an encore, the group played a medley of songs that included one of my favorite marches, "National Emblem". 

During the event, I spotted my old middle school teacher, Ronald Miller, on the very left-hand of the stage.  He was wearing a funny Christmas hat, but I recognized him none-the-least. 

The musicians did a fantastic job!  There was something quite lovely and inspiring about the gentle sounds of the tubas.  I've never seen an audience smile any broader.  The brass tonality is just so amazing.

The low brass section is rarely featured in this fashion.  It is usually part of the ensemble, often just playing the baseline or background to the trumpets, saxophones and such.  It's a surprisingly moving sound to hear the tubas and euphoniums carrying the melody on their own. 

What a mellow sound!

I think the group is on to something!  Maybe the musicians could reconvene for a "Tuba Fourth of July", for instance!

Well.....it could happen......

What's Going On With Old Houses in Salem County, NJ?

I'm working on a market analysis for a gorgeous historic home in Salem County. I'm pretty excited about this potential new listing because out of all of the houses that I've worked on over the past 19 years, older homes are absolutely my favorites!

Why?

It could be the charm. Or perhaps the character. Or even the quality of the building materials. It may be the age. (Old things are pretty cool.)

Or maybe it's simply the stories behind the homes. My all-time-most-fantastic experience selling a home was The Seven Stars Tavern in Woodstown, NJ, a Revolutionary War era tavern and roadhouse located between Swedesboro and Sharptown. When I listed this property back in 1997, my research showed that the tavern was once fully operational, serving the public -- some of whom were pirates! Some folks even think that Blackbeard once slept there in the attic and that pirates actually held dance parties upstairs.

Supposedly, the tavern is haunted. One accounting details thirteen ghosts. Reports of spirits began in the 1930's when a Tory spy was hung in the tavern. Footsteps --- voices -- and sightings of a man with a rope around his neck were routinely reported. While I had the property listed I never saw anything -- I never even heard anything -- and believe me, I tried!

I even held a Broker's Open House on Friday the 13th at 10pm to midnight. Nothing happened. No ghosts showed up.

One interesting thing is that when the tradition of a candle burning in one of the attic windows was stopped by the new owner, rumor has it that strange happenings began to occur. Clothing moved -- books fell to the floor -- bed linens, resting in one room, magically showed up in another.

The lit candle was soon seen again in the attic -- and remains there to this day, over a decade later.

The ghost stories for Seven Stars Tavern sure were interesting and loads of fun, but the history of the owners was downright fascinating. And that is exactly what I am most looking forward to learning about my new listing. When I see the nooks. crannies, hidden staircases and surprising amenities of an old house it is so intriguing to imagine the owners from a century ago wandering through the household, just as we do today.

How did they manage the household? What were their struggles? What were their joys? Where did their children hide their toys? Why were they living in this town? When did they leave the house?

Learning the history -- the stories -- is often what attracts a new owner to an older home. Sometimes, it isn't just 'location, location, location' that brings a buyer to a home.

Sometimes they are compelled to be the next chapter in a very good old book!

In Salem County, NJ:
There are presently 86 older homes for sale on the active market
There are 6 pending sales
There have been 26 older homes sold year-to-date
54 have been withdrawn or expired

Labor Day Treat:  Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival

There are still two days left to enjoy the the sun, outdoors, food, fellowship and some really terrific music right in the historic town of Woodstown, NJ.  The 40th annual Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival is being held at the Salem County Fairgrounds on RT 40, just down the road from 'Cowtown'.

The weatherman is calling for lovely days and the conductor is calling for tapping toes, clapping hands and snapping fingers!  It's gonna be amazing! 

The lineup appears to be one of the best ever. Tickets are still available. (at the gate)

Saturday:
 Adult - $45
 Senior - $40 (age 62 and up)
 Student - $25 (ages 12-16)

Sunday:
 Adult - $35
 Senior - $30 (age 62 and up)
 Student - $20 (ages 12-16)

Check out the remaining schedule to see what you could be enjoying. 

Bring your lawnchairs, blankets, coolers and come on out to the comfortable Salem County Fairgrounds.  You won't be sorry.....there's so much happy stuff happening here this holiday weekend. 

And most importantly, stay safe out there on the roads this Labor Day weekend. 

If you live near South Jersey, I'd like to tell you about one of the nicest, most special community events in this area. 2009 marks the 33rd Annual Evening of Holiday Entertainment.

"Woodstown by Candlelight"

"An Old-Fashioned Christmas"

This year it will be held on Friday, December 4th, 2009, beginning at 4pm.

*Tour historic Woodstown Homes open from 6 to 10pm

*Holiday displays in local businesses from 4 to 10pm

*Crafts on display & for sale beginning at 4pm

*"Woodstown by Candlelight" 2009 ornament on sale

*Free wassa;; & homemade cookies

*Free transportation

*Enjoy dinner at local restaurants (list in tour booklet)

*for details: www.woodstownbycandlelight.org

Adults: $14 Advance Tickets: $12 Students through grade 12: $6

This is a magical, old-fashioned event that Woodstown holds each year. In case you've never visited Woodstown, it is a borough located in Salem County, NJ (www.visitsalemcountynj.com) and offers beautiful architecture on it's downtown. Interesting shops and coffee/tea houses, an Old Friends Meeting House, a revitalized business district (www.woodstown-pilesgrove.com). If you're close by and want to get into the Holiday Spirit, make this your stop on Friday, Dec. 4th, 2009!

www.woodstownpilesgrovenews.com