Guide Me Home to Chatham, NJ

Apples, pumpkins, corn stalks, and various colors of mums all signal the start of the fall season! It’s hard to believe that summer has passed and fall is officially here. I hope everyone had a great start to the new school year; the real sign that fall has arrived.

As the leaves begin to change, there are many fun events to experience this time of year. Most local farmer’s markets will stay open through the fall season. A favorite of ours is the return of apple cider from local farms. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon with kids is at the local corn maze at Wightman’s. They have hayrides, pumpkins and much more.

To learn about other locations with mazes in New Jersey, click here.

Enjoy a theatrical performance in Madison at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. The Grapes of Wrath will be running from October 21st-November15th.

Harding Township offers wonderful parks where soccer games, field hockey, cross country and boys tennis are in full swing.

The Friends of Great Swamp has a fall calendar of events featuring everything from deer hunts to the Junior Refuge Manager program for kids.

So enjoy the fall; get out and have some fun at the various activities going on right now in your neighborhood.

Posted by:Lois Olmstead

We recently joined the fun at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey outdoor performance of The Tempest. Every summer one of the productions is performed at the outdoor Greek Theatre on the campus of St. Elizabeth’s. It was fabulous! The weather was great and the crowd was friendly. During the performance there was even some adlib with the cast when a plane flew over. The Bard was honored well at the performance we attended. It was a real treat to watch, and the performers used the whole environment, at times running up and down the aisle or jumping out from areas just off the open center.

It’s a festive atmosphere and picnicking abounds. There were people having dinner on the grass or playing Frisbee. There is a small snack bar where you can purchase a drink or snack. Many people brought stadium seats and blankets along with pizzas or take out from the local restaurants.

The theater seating is terraced rows made out of grass and stones in a half moon layout around an intimate stage. The outdoor experience on a cool summer night is unbeatable. Children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The Shakespeare Theatre productions continue inside at their home on the Drew University campus through January 2010.

Posted by:Lois Olmstead