Jerzy P's Day Trip🚗: My Summer Vacation Pt.1

Last week, I took a much-needed vacation, or staycation, visiting several different places that deserve to be shared in two parts. To begin, I'll feature Kennedy Cellars Winery, situated at 839 13th St. in Hammonton. https://kennedycellarswine.com Kennedy Cellars is a standout in the winemaking world, fueled by Jack Kennedy's (unrelated to the famous Kennedy family) genuine passion for the craft, which became his lifelong dream. Originally starting as a wine-making school, Jack took the reins in 2016 and transformed it into an incredible educational experience. After years of perfecting the winemaking process and working with vineyards and vintners worldwide, KC has become one of South Jersey's top intimate wineries. KC is more than just a winery—it's a place to relax and enjoy yourself, whether alone or with family and friends. They even have an absolutely adorable support dog.

Now the next stop is The Noyes Museum of Art at Stockton University, located at Kramer Hall, 30 Front St., also in Hammonton, noyesmuseum.org. There’s another location in Atlantic City, too. Check the website for more details. Noyes, a lakeside museum celebrated for its American folk and fine art, showcases an impressive collection of duck decoys, sculptures, quilts, paintings, and more. Originally opened in 1983 in Galloway Township, the main Galloway building in Oceanville was closed to the public in 2016 due to a lack of funds for necessary repairs, and the property was sold in 2021. The museum's collection is now displayed across four affiliated sites. Noyes has been fully part of Stockton University since 2010 and expanded further in 2016. The museum offers free admission, and it's a great way to support local arts.

Our next stop is the brand-new brewery called Magnify Brewing, located at 17 N Main Street in Medford. Their first location is in Fairfield at 1275 Bloomfield Ave, building 7, Unit 40C. magnifybrewing.com Magnify features an impressive variety of craft stouts, lagers, IPAs, and even craft seltzers. You can order online for home delivery or pick them up on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) spot, and the Medford location also has a food truck on-site that's both dog-friendly and family-friendly. If you're planning a private party or another event, you can email them for more details. While they don't provide flights, they do offer free samples.

Next, we stay in Medford at another brewery called Farm Truck Brewery located at 47 Main St., farmtruckbrewing.com. Farm Truck offers a diverse and ever-changing selection of craft beers made from locally sourced ingredients, partnering with other local merchants to create exceptional brews.

Next in Medford is an excellent BBQ restaurant called The Whole Hog Cafe, located at 67 Main St. in Medford, www.wholehogcafe.com. WHC began as "a hobby that got out of hand," according to owners Mike Davis, Ron Blasingame, and Steve Lucchi, who entered the 2000 Memphis-in-May World Championship BBQ cooking contest, confident in their special BBQ rib recipe. It definitely paid off, as they now offer so much more than just ribs. Their menu includes mouthwatering baked beans, tender brisket, loaded baked potatoes, pulled chicken, and pork, to name a few. And the sauces? Absolutely amazing, ranging from classic mild to rich mustard and tangy vinegar.

Now, from Medford to Cherry Hill, as we take a nature walk to this beautiful historical site called Barclay Farms, a living history museum located at 209 Barclay Ln, Cherry Hill Township. chnj.gov, just type in key keyword "Barclay Farmstead". The museum is open on Wednesdays from 12 to 4 pm and on the first Sunday of each month from 1 to 4 pm, March through November. Built in 1816 by Quaker farmer Joseph Thorn, the Barclay Farmhouse and its 32-acre property invite visitors to experience the agrarian lifestyle that once thrived in South Jersey. Now listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places, Barclay is owned by Cherry Hill Township. In addition to tours, you can explore the nature trail, admire the charming Plant-a-Patch Garden plots, and check their monthly calendar for fun, family-friendly activities. The indoor house tour is 5.00