Happy St. David's Day!

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant!

Happy Saint David's Day to all my Welsh family and friends, both here in America and at "home."
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Around 1930, when my maternal grandparents were preparing to leave Wales for America, family and friends were aghast that they would take their child to a country overrun with cowboys and Indians and everyone was running around with a gun.
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Thomas Jefferson's wrote the following on the first page of his Autobiography on January 6, 1821:

The tradition in my father's family was that their ancestor came to this country from Wales, and from near the mountain of Snowden, the highest in Gr. Br.

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St. David [c. fifth/sixth century] was recognised as a national patron saint at the height of the Welsh resistance to the Normans, according to Wikipedia. March 1st is celebrated as his feast day as it is generally recognised as the date of his death.

Leeks and daffodils are Welsh symbols. Legend claims that in 633 leeks were worn by a Welsh troop to distinguish themselves from the English (Saxon) enemy, while the alternative (and less aromatic) daffodil - which blooms at about this time - is preferred by the English government as being less representative of Welsh nationalism (Plaid Cymru). Their Welsh names are similar: cenhinen = leek, cenhinen Pedr = daffodil/Peter's leek.
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"Gwnewch y pethau bychain" - Dewi Sant (b. circa 520 - d.circa 589)

Sourland Mountain: The Sun in the Morning

The Hillsborough Township Environmental Commission will be hearing an application for a 20-acre almost 10,000-panel solar array on the side of the Sourland Mountain where there is, currently, woods.

KDC Solar GRQ, LLC, of Bedminster has filed an application for a solar array on 20-acres of the 508.415-acre Gibraltar Rock property (Block 174, Lot 155) on the east side of Longhill Road between Zion Road and Dutchtown-Zion Road on the southeast corner of the quarry adjacent to Montgomery Township.

The project consists of a 9,996-panel, 2.3-megawatt solar array in four sections. Fourteen-acres will contain site improvements (the array, maintenance road, stormwater retention system, swales, drain pipe, and overhead utilities), while the remaining 6-acres will be cleared around the array to mitigate shading on the panels.

As for the woods, the applicant states that using sample areas and averaging, there are 2,298 trees greater than 6-inches in caliper in the area. The applicant has requested an Economic Hardship Waiver for the tree mitigation cost.

The array's life-span is 20-years with a 5-year optional extension, with the infrastructure removed at the end of the lifespan of the solar array.
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The Environmental Commission meeting starts at 7 p.m., Monday February 27,2012, in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Municipal Complex at 379 South Branch Road.
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"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.” - Dr. Seuss
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Most Hillsborough residents remember the Gibraltar Quarry under the previous owner's name - 3M. Look toward the southern end of the Sourland Mountain, the quarry is the light-colored gash in the middle of the woods.

Somerville Cruise - Seven Years of Ragtops

This week at the Elder Storytelling Place, Terry Hamburg wrote about 1950s Cruisin', specifically in his father's black Impala convertible.

So just for Mr. Hamburg, here is a collection of ragtop photographs taken over seven years at Somerville's Friday Cruise nights...


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Thanks, Terry.
Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz...who just realized there may be one car in the slideshow that is not a convertible. And, for the purists, some of the cars were customized or chopped. Enjoy anyway!

Remember: Winter ends and cruise season returns.
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HHS Winterguard 2012 - The Visitors

On Saturday, January 28th, the Hillsborough Winterguard teams hosted the 12th Annual Winterguard Home Show with over 25 visiting teams...

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Photographs courtesy of George Mariasz and Susan Gulliford...who, as always, were impressed with the support, courtesy, and enthusiasm that all the teams show for each other.

HHS Winterguard 2012 - The Home Teams

On Saturday, January 28th, the Hillsborough Scholastic A Winterguard hosted its 12th Annual Winterguard Home Show. The Scholastic A show is The Breaking of Dawn, and the Hillsborough Scholastic Novice Winterguard was introduced performing its 2012 show Statuesque. And, of course, this all couldn't happen without the Band Parents...


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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford and George Mariasz...who would like to thank everyone for making them feel welcome.

HHS Winterguard Competition 2012

The Hillsborough High School Winterguard is hosting 27 units at tomorrow's 12th Annual Winterguard Homeshow starting at 6 p.m. at Hillsborough High School ...


Food is available. Spectators can come any time during the Homeshow for an entrance fee of $10, students and seniors $6.

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From the Winterguard:

Any support from our township and our community is welcome and much appreciated. Donations to support the band and guard programs at HHS can be sent to the Hillsborough Band Parents Association c/o June Blauvelt, 92 Rivendell Road, 908-369-7778. We thank the Gold Sponsors of our show – Bench Fashion Floors, Jules & Mr. F, Just Subs, Lowe’s of Hillsborough, Safety First Driving School, Somerset Orthopedic Associates, The Green Standard, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; and our Silver Sponsor, Petrock’s Bar & Grille. We also thank all of the local businesses and Hillsborough residents for their continued support of our wonderful band and guard programs. For the 2012 competing schedule for both guards go here.

HNJJ CHEF: Saving Bread

Many HNJJ readers are finally getting smart about sticking to a food budget, so we are going to help you along.

Last week the HNJJ crew made their latest trip to the Pepperidge Farm Thrift Store in Franklin Township (Somerset), NJ, and tracked the cost.

The purchase of six loaves of bread, a package of cranberry raisin sweet rolls, two packages of Texas Toast, and a package of Ecce Panni French Dinner Rolls cost $17.40.
At full price, the items would have cost $32.96.

The store also carries cookies, snacks, turnovers, puff pastry, crackers, stuffing, croutons, hamburger and hot dog rolls,and desserts. With Pepperidge Farm being owned by Campbell Soup Company, they may have some Campbell's products.

This is a thrift store, meaning some of the items may be near expiration, holiday specialties, short weight, box damaged, etc. Sometimes there is a sign near the item explaining why it is there.

Some days have specials, such as an extra 15% off for seniors on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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The store is located in a strip mall, 120 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873, telephone (732)271-7079.