May 26 - June 1

A life-sized rendition of a World War I Doughboy stands in Middle Valley along County Route 513, a young soldier who died in the first days of the Argonne offensive. With his flat helmet, puttees and gas mask, how many drive by and wonder what he represents?

Memorial Day

There are somewhere around 1,200 historical markers in New Jersey, 500 of them in the Northwest Skylands region. Many are monuments to war veterans from all eras and in all sizes. The Branchburg Veterans Memorial covers six wars at once: the American Revolution, Civil War, Word Wars I and II, the Korean War and Vietnam. In Flemington there is a marker that you can't see from the road in memory of "Vietnam War Dogs and Their Handlers." The Lambertville 8-12 Baseball League erected a memorial to PFC Charles L. Danberry who gave his life serving in the Marine Corp in Vietnam. A block or so away, the graves of Revolutionary War Lieutenant, George Coryell and "one of Gen. Washington's spies," Sam Holcombe, have been marked by the Hunterdon Cultural and Heritage Commission.

Monuments like these decorate Northwest New Jersey in prominent and tucked away places. They are statues and plaques, fine-crafted or natural rock, some are pedestaled and others are so discreet as to appear part of the natural landscape. They all commemorate a part of our history, and often remind us of courageous men and women who have served our country. More...

Walk with Daisy through the obstacle course at Humdinger Alpaca Farm.

Shear Delight

An Alpaca haircut? Come and see for yourself on Sunday, May 30, when over twenty members of the herd at the Humdinger Alpaca Farm participate in the Shearing Festival. Watch spinning demos and learn about all the uses for alpaca fiber. Or, to get a real close up, walk an alpaca! And there is an alpaca obstacle course for children. Humdinger's farm store is packed with all things alpaca: yarn, fleeces and hand-knit garments. Enjoy free refreshments and mountain views in the beautiful lower Musconetcong river valley.

The event runs from 11am - 4pm and is free. The farm is located in Finesville, just south of Phillipsburg. Check the website, call 908/995-7313, or email for more information and directions. For your GPS or map locator: 239 Route 627, Phillipsburg (map).

Tall Grass Tiger, by Carl Brenders, one of the participating artists at the Small Painting Show at Decoys and Wildlife Gallery in Frenchtown.

Small Paintings Show

Dozens of artists -- painters, carvers and sculptors -- will show their work at the Decoys and Wildlife Gallery at 55 Bridge St. in Frenchtown. The show, which runs Saturday through Monday, has become a Memorial Day Weekend staple for art lovers throughout the region.

PAINTINGS by Al Barker, Carl Brenders, Eric Bjorlin, Mike Budden, Richard Clifton, John Crouse, Linda Daniels, Ilse de Villiers, Joni Johnson Godsy, Mark Kelso, Jim Hautman, Joe Hautman, Bob Hautman, Fred Kirberger, Karen, Rebecca & Bonnie Latham, Rob Leslie, T.J. Lick, Gerald Lubeck, Linda Luster, Darin Miller, Krystii Melaine, John Mullane, Gwen Nikkels, Linda Rossin, George Shumate, Scot Storm, Adam Smith, Joan Tanner, Jim Turgeon. CARVINGS by Russ Allen, Josh Brewer, Clarence Fennimore, Bill Gibian, Bob Guge, Josh Guge, Ben Heinemann, Al Jordan, Fred Kinne, Bob Moreland, Manfred Scheel, Ken Scheeler, Mark Strucko, George Strunk, Jack Wood, Bob White. BRONZES by David Smus, Rick Summons, Ronnie Wells.

Decoys and Wildlife Gallery is located at 55 Bridge St. in Frenchtown; 908/996-6501

Liberty Village Premium Outlets

Memorable Shopping!

The Memorial Day tradition of good bargains is in full effect at Liberty Village Premium Outlets in Flemington, where merchants provide extra discounts on top of everyday savings of 25%-65%. In 1981, Liberty Village became the country's very first outlet village, where many designers and manufacturers opened their first outlet stores. Forty outlet stores are now situated in a colonial-styled village where the brands are anything but old-fashioned. A stroll through this charming center reveals a "who's who" of today's most popular fashion brands: Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach Factory Store, Gymboree, J.Crew, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren and many more. The sale runs Friday through Monday. 1 Church St. Flemington. 908/782-8550.

How Green is Your Valley?

This weekend, Shawnee Mountain kicks off an exciting summer schedule of special events with the Celtic Festival on Saturday and Sunday (5/28,29). The sights and sounds of the Emerald Isles and Scottish Highlands will fill the Poconos with two days of music, dance, crafts, food, drink and fun. Entertainment includes non-stop Celtic music on three stages, a bagpipers parade and Celtic jam, working sheep dogs, 11am - 6pm. $15/ $12 advance; 2 day: $24/20. I 80, Exit 309, Shawnee On Delaware, PA. Click or call 570/421-7231.

Herbal Essence

Discover the best ways to spice up your garden, and your life, at the Spring Open House, next weekend, on Saturday, June 4, at Well-Sweep Herb Farm. Lectures for the day begin at 9:30 with Growing and Preserving Culinary Herbs, followed by Easy Herbal Cooking at 10:00, then Exciting New Plants at 10:30, followed by a Perennial Garden Tour at 11:00 and 2:30. At 11:30 and 3:15, Garden Tours on the history and uses of both exotic and familiar herbs will be led by Cyrus Hyde, noted lecturer & collector, and whose family has run this farm for many years. At 1pm Butterfly Gardening features Rick Mikula from Hole in Hand Butterfly Farm. This fascinating presentation and walk will cover how to attract, keep and enjoy butterflies in your own garden. At 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm join Gene Sheninger and his amazing Border Collies in a demonstration of their skills in sheep and duck herding. The farm's largest selection of herb plants will be available, and homemade refreshments can be enjoyed by all. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch. Free admission and parking. The farm is located between Hackettstown and Washington at 205 Mt. Bethel Rd. in Port Murray. (map) 908-852-5390.

If you have not yet visited one of our area's signature resources, now is the time. More about the farm....

Floating the Delaware

The main stem of the Delaware, 331 miles from Hancock, NY, to its mouth at Cape May Point, NJ, is the longest free-flowing river in Eastern United States. Floating on this river is lots of fun!!! Knowing the river- its beauty, history, and its hazards- can provide you and your family with many days of enjoyment this summer. Although the rain has been relentless, the river level will quickly return to normal, well before the summer crowds arrive.

Canoe, Kayak or Raft on the Delaware discount coupons!

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Northwest New Jersey and destinations just beyond those borders, in Pennsylvania and New York, are equally intriguing and offer convenient and adventurous ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. Keep an eye on our calendar for great things to do all the time! And we've got a bundle of stories to help you on your way. Stay tuned to our Day Trip Map for good ideas for a scenic drive! For the more aerobically inclined, the Outdoor Map shows the way to go.

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