Whether you’ve just finished getting your kids back to school, or you have a child who will be starting Kindergarten next year, now is the time to start investigating the local area Independent schools. While many of the towns in Morris and Somerset County boast top rated schools, for some families, Independent schools are a better fit. Independent schools typically offer smaller class room sizes, more individual attention, rigorous academics and well rounded arts and athletic programs. Fortunately, the area offers a multitude of excellent options and families can learn more about each school at upcoming open houses. Even if you’ve never thought about Independent schools, it is a good way to learn about the area options.
The following are open houses scheduled:
- Livingston:
Newark Academy- 6- 8th Coeducational- October 16th 9:00-11:30am
9-12th Coeducational- October 2nd and 30th 9:00-11:30am
- Martinsville:
Pingry- Upper School Campus 6-12th Coeducational-November 13th 2-5pm
- Short Hills:
Far Brook- Pre K-8th Coeducational- October 26th 8:30-12pm
The Pingry School- Lower School Campus only K-5 Coeducational- October 6th 8:30-11am
Posted by: 
Nadine Gelinas-Coffey
If you are interested in fine dining and a memorable experience, then Ninety Acres Culinary Center at Natirar in Peapack, New Jersey is the place to go! This 15-month old restaurant is situated on a 500 acre estate that was once owned by the King of Morocco. The estate carriage house was transformed into an exceptional restaurant by David Rockwell of the Rockwell Team. Its warm, inviting ambiance boasts rich, classic materials and design with wood floors and ceilings, butternut millwork, walnut furniture, green stressed leather seating and large windows that create a connection with the surrounding bucolic setting. The restaurant wizardry by Chef David C. Felton is unmatched. The recipes are delicious and exciting and leave your palette and well being with a blissful satisfying feeling. Complimentary carafes of bubbling and still water are at every table. The bread basket is filled with the most delectable assortment. Their creative, original cocktails incorporate ingredients indigenous to country living. Ninety Acres also has a Wine School and Cooking School and will be able to serve foods that are raised and grown on the property’s own farm. The service is simply impeccable and leaves nothing to be desired. At the end of your delightful dinner, if you should request a “doggie bag”, your server will provide you with a number tag to retrieve your food when you leave. Truly sophisticated dining you will not forget.
If you intend to move to or visit Somerset County, just know that the twin boroughs of Peapack/Gladstone has other exceptional restaurants as well, which I will discuss in future blogs.
Posted by:
Bella Wilgus
Discover a bit of Somerset County history during the “Journey Through the Past” weekend to be held Oct. 10th-11th. The Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission coordinated the free two-day event which includes 27 of the county’s most significant historical sites.
The Northern Somerset County tour travels through the Watchung Mountains. Don’t miss the Jacobus Vanderveer House, located on route 202/206 in Bedminster Township. The house was originally built in 1743 in a Dutch frame house style, typical to the area at the time and later enlarged in the Federal style. In 1995, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nearby is the Pluckemin Artillery Park, America’s first artillery and training camp and site of the Continental Army overseen by General Henry Knox during 1778. An archaeological dig of the area unearthed 190,000 artifacts which will be displayed on a rotation basis in the museum. Weekend activities will include an open house, live demonstrations, re-enactments and lectures. For more information, follow the above links to their websites.
The Central tour follows Old York Road, one of Somerset County’s oldest roads. Of the 12 stops along this route, my favorite is the Somerset County Historical Court House.. The architectural details are in the Beaux-Arts Classicism style, popular at the turn of the century. The court house was made famous by Theodore Roosevelt campaigning here in 1904 and the widely covered Hall-Mills murder trial in 1927.
The Southern tour follows the Millstone River and the D&R canal. The tow path along the canal offers a picturesque opportunity for a leisurely stroll. Make sure to stop at the Old Millstone Forge, Blacksmith Shop and Museum where demonstrations of early blacksmith techniques and a lecture on the history of Early American Forges will be available.
Posted by: Nadine Gelinas-Coffey
The United States Golf Association has selected Trump National Golf Club to host both the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Championships. The dates will be from July 20-25. Concurrent championships on the same course have happened only 3 times in the history of the two events.
Trump National opened for golf in 2004. The original course was designed by Tom Fazio on over 500 acres of beautiful rolling hills. It is now referred to as the “Old Course”. The second course known as the “New Course”, designed by the nephew of Tom Fazio, Tom Fazio II, opened in August of 2008 and is quite different in topography. The events will take place on both courses.
The events begin on July 20, 2009. On July 24, 2009, the Girls and Boys Quarterfinals and Semifinals take place. The next day, the championship matches take place.
Trump is located at 900 Lamington Road in Bedminster, NJ. It has parking facilities for 14,000 cars close to the course. It’s easily accessible by car. Take 78 West to exit 26. Follow Rattlesnake Bridge Road to Lamington Road, take a right and enter the club 1.1 miles later.
Posted by:
Mary Jane Benedetto
If you live in Somerset County, then you know New Jersey has a reputation of being horse country as the home of the United States Equestrian Team in Gladstone and the Far Hills Race Meeting event held every October at Moorland Farms in Far Hills. There are numerous riding stables and equestrian shops dotting Somerset County.
However, what people from Morris County may not know is that they have their own accessibility to riding right in their own backyard and it is owned by the County. Seaton Hackney Stables was refurbished in 2006 after years of being shut down. The County poured money into revamping the stable and rings and subcontracted the management of it to Equishare USA , LLC. The stables are adjacent to Loantaka Brook Reservation. The stable offers a group lesson based on a riders ability level, commonly known as troop, which is run 3 times a year. There are also private and semi private lessons available and trail rides through Loantaka. During the summer months, there are week long summer day camps which includes everything from learning how to groom and care for a horse, to riding and swim time. There is also a program for children with special needs. For further information contact www.seatonhackney.com or call 973-644-3355.
Posted by: Nadine Gelinas-Coffey
The New Jersey Audubon Society’s Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary is a treasure located on Hardscrabble Road in Bernardsville, Somerset County, New Jersey.
The Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary features an Education Center, book store, and trails. The Sanctuary offers a variety of programs, field trips, and summer day and overnight camps for children.
During spring migration, birds flock through the Sanctuary. For bird watchers, between March 10th and 20th, look for the arrival of the Eastern Phoebe, Brown-headed Cowbird, Wood Duck, Belted Kingfisher, and Cooper’s Hawk.
For anyone who would like more information, contact NJAS at www.njaudubon.org.
Posted by: 
Gerry-Jo Cranmer
The Borough of Peapack-Gladstone is located in Somerset County, New Jersey. It is a small community where people enjoy both country living and proximity to New York for easy commuting by train. Schools are part of the Somerset Hills Regional District and include Bedwell Elementary School, Bernardsville Middle School, and Bernards High School.
Homes for sale range from townhouses on Main Street to 76-acre estates with many great homes in between! Victorians, ranches, and brick colonials are some of the eclectic mix of styles. The town’s amenities include great restaurants, a convenient train station, and a library.
To help buyers experience this wonderful town, Turpin Realtors is pleased to be a participant in the Peapack-Gladstone Open House day on Sunday, March 15th. You can find Turpin properties for sale on www.turpinrealtors.com by searching for Peapack-Gladstone. Several of these will be open to the public on that day and you can search for the open houses available and directions on that site. As an example, pictured here is a listing on Lincroft Drive that will be open on Sunday. The home is located in Tiger Hill, a beautiful area right off Peapack Road. It has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, a family room, 2-story library, and a great room on 1.8 acres! Also, click on this special website for all the details: www.welcometopeapackgladstone.com
I look forward to meeting you in Peapack-Gladstone on Sunday, March 15th!
Posted by: 
Mary Jane Benedetto
Somerset Hills—a region located in northern Somerset County, New Jersey—offers a quality of life like no other. Comprised of Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack-Gladstone, Somerset Hills is one of the nation’s most desirable residential areas for its “rurban” atmosphere and beautiful rolling countryside that lends itself to a variety of outdoor activities, such as golf and equestrian sports. The region is conveniently perched between two major cities—Philadelphia and New York—and boasts a dynamic business climate.
