N5NJ

Mayor James Fazzone of the City of Burlingtion on NJ 101.5

Today New Jersey's own radio station, NJ 101.5 broadcast from one of our favorite Jersey cities, the City of Burlington. DJ's Dennis and Michele sampled the delcious cuisine and even spoke to the city's number one fan, Mayor James Fazzone at Amy's Diner on High Street. They talked about the walking tours, the same kind we took when T-Bone and I visited this year. Did you know that General Ulysses S. Grant had a house in Burlington City during the Civil War to keep his family safe? Or that famous author James Fenimore Cooper was born there? If your teacher is looking for a great field trip, check out the tours at www.tourburlington.org . There are NINE Stamp Stops to have your passport stamped there and when you go to City Hall, ask for the Mayor. If he's there, he will personally stamp your book!

CALLING ALL KIDS! THE OLD BARRACKS NEED YOU!

ATTENTION ALL KIDS!  Nicky and T-Bone here...
The Old Barracks are in danger as a result of recent budget cuts. Please visit www.barracks.org and see how you can help save this New Jersey Historic treasure.
The Old Barracks serve as a hands-on way to learn about history, a portal to the past, and a reminder of the strength of New Jersey and Trenton. Let's keep our landmarks so everyone has a chance to appreciate them.

Welcome to Nicky Fifth and T-Bone's Garden State Adventures!

Nicky Fifth and T-Bone are the main characters in the popular Nicky Fifth chapter book series, written by Award-winning NJ author, Lisa Funari-Willever.  In her latest book, Passport to the Garden State, Nicky and T-Bone have been asked to serve as Unofficial Junior Ambassadors for New Jersey.  Their job is simple, but fun.  They have to find all of the fun and interesting places in New Jersey, visit them, and write reports for the Governor to share on the state website.

This blog is a journal of their adventures, photos and videos of the great places they visit, and a calendar of events.  Check this blog often to see what's going on in New Jersey and send us your ideas for places they should visit.  If you get a copy of the Passport to the Garden State book, you can have the passport in the back stamped at 36 places across the state.  You can order autographed copies at www.franklinmasonpress.com.  You can also visit the website to learn more about the places Nicky and T-Bone visit.

Did you hear the one about a 65 foot elephant that watched the Atlantic Ocean for over 100 years?

Nicky Fifth here...
If you live near the south Jersey Shores, you probably know who this giant elephant is. If you don't live near the southern shores, then you may not recognize this most famous pachyderm. Her name is Lucy and she is a National Historic Landmark, same as the Alamo! Not only that, you can enter through her rear foot, climb the stairs and hang out in a 65 foot elephant. One of the very cool tour guides will even take you past Lucy's glass eye so you can see what she sees everyday...the Atlantic Ocean and you can climb to the Howdah, the riding basket on her back. From there you can see for miles while you breathe in the fresh salt air.

Pay attention during the tour and you'll learn about a family that rented Lucy as a summer home in 1901, a fire when she was a pub, and a move to her current home. There's a gift shop where you can buy anything "elephant" and support the Save Lucy Committee while you're at it!

Check out www.lucytheelephant.org and when you visit, tell them Nicky 5th and T-Bone sent you.

Posted by: Nicky 5th | 04/08/2010 at 09:19 AM

Read the blog, turn off the computer, and get out there and see New Jersey!

T-Bone here...

If your plans include sitting in front of a television, computer, or video game for most of the day, here's an idea.  Turn them off and talk your parents into taking you to one of the hundreds of cool NJ places you can visit.  Some are free, some are cheap, some are near, some are far, but they have one thing in common...you'll like them.  You'll really like them.    And this blog will tell you where they are!

 

Nicky 5th and I have been visiting these places ourselves and I even changed from being a history hater to a history buff.  And they said it couldn't be done!  Every couple of days we will add more places and information, so stop back often.  And if you want to share your pictures or videos of your New Jersey trips, or share some great places, we're listening!  Remember, N5NJ!