Guide Me Home to North Jersey

A year ago, I wrote a blog about the Harding Township summer camp. As I sit here on this cold, snowy March day, it is a pleasant thought to be thinking about the summer! The kids will be out of school and parents will want to keep them entertained and busy for those long, hot weeks! If you live in or around Harding Township, consider this great suggestion–Harding Township Day Camp, which is conveniently located at the Harding School in New Vernon.

The camp runs for four weeks from June 27th to July 22nd from 9-3pm, and you can sign your child up for all four weeks or for one-week intervals. This will give you plenty of time to take that August vacation and also start back-to-school shopping, doctor’s appointments, etc.
 

Children ages 3-12 are eligible to enroll. The Polliwog program is available for 3-4 year- olds which runs from 9am to 12pm or an extended program which runs from 9am to 3pm.
 

There are lots of available activities, including, but not limited to, sports, computers, drama, arts and crafts, and drama productions. Swimming lessons and science classes may be taken at a nominal additional cost. This year, campers will bring their own lunch and mid-morning snack, except on special days when it will be provided.
 

For more information and registration forms, check out their website link above.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift every day!

The 12th gift is Harding’s Community Spirit. There is much to bring its residents together year round.

Many residents start their day at the New Vernon post office. Not only do you say hello to everyone getting and sending mail or packages, there is always a need to catch up with those wonderful USPS men and women behind the counter!

Then it’s off to school at Harding Township School–parents can meet at sports, the school play, or in the carpool. If you don’t have lower or middle school kids, there is always membership in one of the four houses of worship, volunteering at the library, or participation in one of the preservation or environmental groups.

The Harding Township Volunteer Fire Department hosts a myriad of events all year long. The summer kickoff steak and lobster event has been in existence since 1921. Meet your neighbors as well as the great volunteers who serve us. The annual auction of used and unwanted furniture, lawn equipment, etc. brings families together for fun and interesting purchases.

Now that you’ve received Harding’s 12 gifts, it’s easy to see why Harding is such a special place. If you are thinking of moving to Harding, give me a call and I’ll show you the rest of Harding’s gifts - beautiful homes and land waiting for new owners!

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift everyday!

The 10th gift is Harding’s annual Santa visit. Each year the New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department sends out a letter to the residents notifying the date of Santa’s visit to the children of New Vernon. Parents must fill out the card requesting a visit and indicating where they live. The fire department then follows the routes indicated and hands out small gifts! All have such fun and great memories to cherish from year to year.

The 11th “gift” will be Harding’s Jockey Hollow. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift every day!

The 11th gift is Jockey Hollow. Several months ago, I wrote a short blog about the park concentrating on its history. As noted in the earlier “gift” blogs, the area of Harding Township and its surroundings are filled with history.

But the park is also a changing, current place. Some of the events taking place this December are as follows: Visitors can see the Continental Army reliving their time in the huts, courtesy of the 2nd NJ Helms’ Company. As it was one of the coldest winters on record back in 1779-1780. Mother Nature has been cooperating for the exhibit this year with cold conditions! Also in keeping with fighting the elements, visitors can see exhibits about how families kept themselves warm and clothed. And finally, listen to storytellers entertain you with stories that the soldiers and families might have listened to while enduring the brutal winter.

The 12th “gift” will be Community Spirit. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift every day!

The 9th gift is Harding’s low taxes. This is particularly important when considering the cost of the house you want to purchase (as differentiated from the price of the house). Harding rates are 1.031 per $100 valuation. Compare this to similar surrounding areas such as Mendham Borough at 1.899, Mendham Township at 1.887, Bernards Township at 1.676 (2009). This translates to $5,155 per year on a $500,000 home in Harding vs. $9,495 per year in Mendham Borough.

A large portion of a municipality’s tax burden can be found in the cost of high schools. Harding does not have its own high school and uses nearby Madison High School for its students. This relieves its residents of huge maintenance, building, and educational fees.

Tax rates for all of NJ (2009) can be found by clicking here.

The 10th “gift” will be Harding’s annual Santa visit. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift every day!

The 8th gift is Harding’s proximity to NYC. For any urban family, making the move to rural New Jersey comes with some lifestyle changes. One of the biggest is the commute to NYC. Part of Harding’s huge appeal is that it offers the closest country living to NYC without sacrificing acreage or beauty.

By train, residents can use the Morristown, Convent Station, Basking Ridge or Lyons train station, depending on which side of Harding they live. The NJ Transit Mid-town Direct goes to Penn Station and the train time ranges from 56 minutes to under 90. This, of course, depends on your departure station.

If the train is not for you, driving to the Park and Ride or non-stop through the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels is an option, as is bus service via Lakeland Bus Lines.

Happy commuting!

The 9th “gift” will be Harding’s low taxes. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

 

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift everyday!

The 7th gift is Harding’s H istorical Society. It is located in the Tunis-Ellicks house on Village Road. Built in 1795, the Tunis-Ellicks house was originally owned by George Mitchell. In 1938 it was sold to Silas D. Tunis and then in 1978 the house and gardens were rejuvenated by the citizens of Harding. Today, it is the headquarters for the Historical Society and the gardens are maintained by the New Vernon Garden Club.

The house museum boasts an 18th century open-hearth kitchen. Outside is an 18th century parlor garden with 120 types of herbs, perennials, and shrubs. The second floor is a museum that showcases historical aspects of the area on a rotating basis. The home was recently the site of the 27th annual antique show preview party. 

The 8th “gift” will be Harding’s proximity to NYC. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift everyday!

The 6th gift (and the first time it is on the list) is Harding’s new library which is called The Kemmerer Library Harding Township. It is a privately funded library and Harding residents have been instrumental in building and supporting it. At a cost of approximately $6 million dollars, the library is named after John L. Kemmerer 3rd whose family foundation donated close to $1 million dollars for its construction.

The library supports and caters to all age groups. Children can find activities and reading groups on the main floor, adults can borrow books, attend reading groups, or participate in Yoga classes, and teens can find a quiet place to read and write a paper. There is wireless throughout the building.

The 7th “gift” will be Harding’s Historical Society. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift everyday!

Harding Township’s beautiful Bayne Park is the fifth gift. Located at the corner of Blue Mill Road and Glen Alpin in the center of New Vernon, it offers beautiful vistas every day and season to passersby, as well as great fun for park visitors.

At this time of year, residents eagerly anticipate ice skating. Harding creates two large rectangular ponds and then floods them. (No danger of thin ice here.) Spur of the moment hockey games can be seen when the temperature is low enough to freeze the water. Look for the “ice skating today” sign, lace up, and enjoy old-fashioned fun with the family.

The spring brings fishing, blankets on the grass, and beautiful scenery. Truly one of the most special gifts!

The 6th “gift” will be Harding’s new library. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Embracing the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift everyday!

Harding Township’s beautiful bridle paths are the fourth gift. Look anywhere in Harding and see beautiful horses and riders in the fields and crossing or traveling down a road. Barns, paddocks, and trails all contribute to making Harding a wonderful place to ride.

The Harding Township/Green Village Bridle Path Association is active in Harding Township. The organization is committed to trail maintenance, horse safety and health, and the rural character of the area. There are family fun shows, an annual Dressage show, and picnics for all.

The 5th “gift” will be Harding’s Bayne Park. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Continuing in the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift everyday!

Harding Township’s commitment to the land is the third gift. Carrying on the original vision of the Harding founders in keeping Harding Township open and bucolic, the Harding Land Trust has worked to preserve almost 303 acres of land and streams since 1990. The first project was 56 acres of open field, now known as Margett’s Field, on Blue Mill Road. The work continues preserving and saving land every year.
 

Take a ride through Harding and delight in the spectacular seasonal views and vistas. You will want to come home to this special place every night!
 

The fourth “gift” will be Harding’s bridle paths. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

 

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

Still in the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift everyday!

Harding Township’s rich history is the second gift. Tens of thousands of years ago, the area was covered by a glacial lake. When it finally drained, the area now known as the Great Swamp remained. In the early 1700s, the rich soil sustained the growth of a strong agricultural community, along with fishing and hunting. Tracts of woods near Jockey Hollow were later bought by Morristown residents for wood supply, and as recently as 15 years ago still existed.

 

New York City residents, desirous of cooler areas in the summer, bought large expanses of land and set up farms and beautiful estates. The next step was to preserve the area’s rural feeling and character, and so in 1922 the town’s residents created Harding Township, named after President Warren G. Harding. To this day, residents still conserve the rural character of Harding’s streams and land through the Harding Land Trust.

The third “gift” will be Harding’s Glen Alpin. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

In the spirit of the season, I want to share with you all the wonderful gifts of Harding Township, NJ. Look for one gift everyday!

The first gift is Harding’s beauty. Located between Jockey Hollow Park and the Great Swamp in Morris County, Harding boasts beautiful rolling hills, meadows, and bucolic settings that can easily out vie the most beautiful areas in New Jersey. New York City commuters come home to peace and quiet, usually in about an hour.

Below is a classic winter scene in Bayne Park, located in the center of the township and open to the public. Gorgeous!

The second “gift” will be Harding’s rich history. Open it up next!

PS- Don’t forget to read my other blogs below that may have more extensive information.

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

October is a wonderful month to take the kids outside and find great fun in beautiful weather. It is also a time when kids are thinking of pumpkins, cider, mystery and Halloween! So, if you are looking for a kid-friendly, one-day adventure, visit Wightman’s Farms on Route 202 in Harding Township, Morris County.

The family farm sells fruits and vegetables from their own land, as well as (but not limited to) wonderful pies, sinful donuts, and, in my opinion, some of the best mozzarella cheese around! In-season flowers, plants, and Christmas trees round out a big selection!

But in October, the Farm comes alive with families visiting to pick apples and peaches, take hayrides through the orchards and fields, and to take on the challenges of the hay maze or the giant rope maze. There is a maze for all ages!

Click here for directions, hours, and all of their offerings. Don’t forget to bring home a pumpkin for the doorstep on Halloween!

 

Posted by:  Mary Jane Benedetto

The land that is 685 Mt. Kemble Avenue in Harding Township was originally part of a 1,250-acre estate purchased by Peter Kemble in 1751. A portion of the estate was sold to Henry Hoyt, son of a prominent New York merchant, who built the original “Glen Alpin” house and named it Mt. Kemble. In 1885, it was sold to David McAlpin, a wealthy tobacco merchant, who made additions to the home and renamed it “Glen Alpin.” The “Glen Alpin” house was originally built in 1847 in the Gothic Revival architectural style. Gothic Revival architecture is an early version of Victorian architecture, with notable characteristics of gingerbread trim and steep gabled roofs.

The 262-acre property was subdivided and sold off over the years, 124 acres of which was donated to the US government and forms part of the Morristown National Park.

The original home sits on 9.57 acres at the corner of Tempe Wick Road and is owned by the Township of Harding. The Glen Alpin Conservancy will be holding a public open house on Sunday, September 12th from 2pm-4pm when you can view the architectural details that make this house a treasure worth preserving.

Further history on this home can be found at www.hardingcivic.org.

Posted by:  Nadine Gelinas-Coffey

It’s hard to believe, but summer is almost upon us! The kids will be out of school and parents will want to keep them entertained and busy for those long, hot weeks! If you live in or around Harding Township, consider this great suggestion– Harding Township Day Camp, which is conveniently located at the Harding School in New Vernon.

The camp runs for a 4-week period in June/July, and you can sign your child up for all 4 weeks or 1-week intervals. This will give you plenty of time to take that August vacation and also start Back-to-School shopping, doctor’s appointments, etc.

Children in grades K through six are eligible to enroll. (Younger campers can be part of the Polliwog program which runs from 9AM to 12AM or an extended Polliwog program which runs from 9AM to 3PM.)

There are lots of available activities, including, but not limited to, sports, computers, swimming, arts and crafts, and drama productions. Swimming lessons and science classes may be taken at a nominal additional cost. My favorite part (having sent my child to camp for many years) is the three times per week lunch that the camp offers, included in the fee.

For more information, check out their website link above.

Have a great summer!

Posted by:Mary Jane Benedetto

Jockey Hollow Park (one of four areas which make up Morristown National Historical Park) is located west of Harding Township and east of Mendham. Visitors and local residents can visit the park and enjoy all it has to offer year-round. The main entrance is located off Tempe Wick Road which runs from Route 202 in Harding to Old Route 24 in Mendham.

A brief history is as follows: In the winters of 1777 and 1779-80, General George Washington and the Continental Army set up camp in the rolling hills south of Morristown. The location was advantageous for supply and communication routes, proximity to New York, good defensive positioning, and friendly citizens. The winter weather of 1779-1780 is viewed as one of the worst of its time, but fewer than 100 soldiers died due to the well-built huts (they had learned better building techniques since the Valley Forge experience in 1777) and inoculation against smallpox.

The first stop for visitors is the Jockey Hollow Visitors Center where they can see a video and experience a soldiers’ hut tour. Be sure to ask for a Junior Ranger Handbook so your child can fully experience the visit! Continue on to the Wick House (headquarters of General Arthur St. Clair) and learn the history of Tempe Wick!

Locals enjoy the park for hiking and running. A full hike or run is about 4.5 miles around, but you can pick shorter paths! Even dogs seem to love the quiet serenity of the park and people always say “hello” as they pass you!

To find out more about this historical park, log on to www.nps.gov/morr.

Posted by: Mary Jane Benedetto

There are still some “best-kept secrets” in today’s real estate world, and one of them is Harding Township, NJ. If you are looking for acreage, beautiful country roads, small-town atmosphere, and unique homes, Harding is your answer. If you are looking for proximity to great shopping, a large, fully stocked grocery store that’s 10 minutes away, and a reasonable commute to NYC, Harding is your answer.

Harding has been able to preserve the best of living in Morris County due to its aggressive zoning laws (most areas have a 3-acre minimum lot size requirement) and a population dedicated to preserving its bucolic, yet vibrant, nature. This 20 square mile township lies between 2 national preserves: Jockey Hollow Park and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. These set the tone for some of the private and public organizations in Harding, such as the Harding Township/Green Village Bridle Path Association, the Great Swamp Watershed Association, the Historic Preservation Committee, the Shade Tree Advisory Committee, and The Harding Township Library, a small public library with big plans. Click here for updates on these plans.

Commuting from Harding is relatively easy. By car quick access to Route 287 is available from 2 entrances (off James Street or North Maple Avenue). By train the Convent Station, Morristown, or Basking Ridge stations service the Midtown Direct Line into NYC.

Most homes in Harding, NJ have their own well and septic system and must arrange for private refuse and recycle pick-up. There is no high school, but the Harding Township Public School accommodates K-8. High school students go to Madison High in nearby Madison, NJ.

As a result, Harding residents enjoy low taxes. Home prices currently range from $425,000 to $16,650,000. If you would like to experience this unique setting, please click here and come visit!

Posted by: Mary Jane Benedetto