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  

That wraps up Part 1 of my summer vacation day trip adventure for now, but there's more excitement to come in Part 2—so stay tuned!

    JerzyP🚗🍷🍺🍴

 

Indeblue Modern Indian

    Last Friday, my friend Lynn and I decided to celebrate her recent retirement and my promotion to supervisor at an Indian restaurant in Cherry Hill. Lynn suggested a BYOB restaurant called Indeblue at 65 Barclay Farms Shopping Center, Cherry Hill. Indebluerestaurant.com  Indeblue specializes in unique and authentic Indian cuisine, featuring incredibly delicious flavors and genuine Indian spices. Chef Raomla boasts 25 years of experience in culinary arts, having worked in Mumbai, India, as well as in Kuwait, Cyprus, and London. The staff also provides indoor and outdoor wine service at their sidewalk café, and remember, it's a BYOB restaurant, so feel free to bring your favorite drinks.

 

     The food menu at Indeblue is fantastic and surprisingly affordable, making it an excellent choice for a celebratory meal. The prices are very reasonable, ensuring you can enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank. 

     That concludes my culinary journey for now. Where will I go next? Only time will tell.

Have fun and travel safe. 🚗🚘🍛🍴🍷

JerzyP😊

    

        

Tomasello Winery

     Rooted in history, refined by time, this is the motto of a South Jersey winery called Tomasello, located at 255 N Whitehorse Pike in Hammonton. https://tomasellowinery.com, with seven other locations, all of which are tasting rooms. Four generations of the Tomasello family have run the winery business since 1933. Shortly after the Prohibition era, Frank Tomasello was granted the 68th license in the US to produce wine. Fast-forward to 2023, when they launched wine-based cream cocktails (by the way, they are delicious). Tomasello also provides a delectable and diverse array of food, from charcuterie boards to flatbreads, Tapas, entrees, and sweet treats, all designed to perfectly complement your favorite wine. 

            Tomasello also offers private events like birthdays, weddings, and anniversary parties. Its stunning outdoor seating area, complete with a charming gazebo, is a perfect setting for a relaxing day with friends or a romantic evening. Also, there is a wine club called the 1933 Founders Club, where you can get discounts and free shipping on exclusive wines quarterly for a year. Reservations are booked in advance if you want to take family and friends.

That is my journey for now, but where should I go next? Only time will tell. But for now, have fun and travel safe.

JerzyP🚗🍷🍴🍇

BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham

       Hey everyone, sorry I was on a brief hiatus for a few months. Because I got a new car (2021 Chevy Spark), and I'm so happy and blessed with my latest set of wheels. On Saturday, I could drive 42 minutes to the most inspiring place in North America and as close to India as one could imagine without paying thousands of dollars to take several plane flights. The place I'm talking about is the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Hindu temple located at 112 North Main St, Robbinsville, NJ. https://usa.akshardham.org . Now this is not the only temple in North America, there are other Hindu temple main centers in Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Los Angeles, CA., and Toronto, Canada, just to name a few.  The Hindu mandir was built between 2015 and 2023, and they are not yet done building. Soon, they will add a learning center on campus over the next few years. 

       The Akshardham campus, initiated by BAPS' fifth spiritual leader, Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1984, uniquely blends traditional Hindu and modern styles. His vision was to build a place of worship in North America for followers that could also enable visitors of different backgrounds, religions, and diversity to experience Hindu spirituality, peace, and architecture.  The land was purchased in 2008, and in October of 2011, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed rituals sanctifying the foundation stones (Shilanyas Pujan) in Mumbai. The temple's architecture, with its intricate carvings and a breathtaking central dome, is a sight to behold and will leave you in awe.    

           

         Before you go, it's crucial to note that a timed reservation is required for free admission. Make your reservation online and read their dress code carefully to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit. Understanding their visitor etiquette is also essential.  During your visit, you will encounter a massive map of India at the Nilkanth Plaza, which tells a story of a young teen named Nilkanth Varni who made his spiritual journey across India at 11 years old, which lasted seven years and covered 8,000 miles (12,000km). He practiced rigorous yoga and rigorous austerities in the Himalayas for six months, standing on one leg in a yogic stance. That is where you will see a 49-foot (15m) bronze statue of the Nilkanth in all his glory, and you will also see 10 pink stone shrines and 14 stone tablets that highlight his teachings of forgiveness, faith, service, and compassion. Next, behind the statue is Brahma Kund, a traditional Indian stepwell that contains sanctified water from 300 sources, including 108 holy rivers in India and rivers that flow across the U.S. The four sides of the pond include the Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, and Sarayu murtis. There are also 48 pink stone shikhars and 24 shrines that surround the Brahma Kund.

        Next is the welcome center, where you will be greeted by excellent Indian staff. It is designed according to Indian Haveli-style architecture to welcome everyone traditionally. The warm and friendly atmosphere, hand-carved Burmese Teak wood, and 2,700 lanterns inside the center commemorating Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, will make you feel embraced and comfortable. 3 orientation theaters show short films about the campus and Hinduism. If you like authentic Indian cuisine, The Shayona Cafe and Shayona Cafe Express have you covered with Hindu spiritual principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and a sattvik diet to promote physical, spiritual, and mental wellness.

 Then there is the Shikarbaddha Mandir, Built between 2010 and 2014. The mandir was built in the Nagaradi style using 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble (1,900 m3). It was opened to the public on August 10, 2014, after the murtis were consecrated in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

   This place feels like a spiritual journey to another continent without ever leaving. It’s a must-see. 

                All walks of life are welcome, and this place will leave you 'God smacked, 'not 'Gob smacked.' Believe me, people, when I tell you to walk in, and you will feel at peace with yourself. The temple's serene atmosphere and spiritual energy will leave you feeling calm and tranquil.

 That's my adventure for now! I’d love your support—please like, follow, and share! I’m eager to hear about your favorite places, too. What exciting journey awaits next? Stay tuned—let’s discover together!

Have fun and Safe Travels,

JerzyP 🚗🛕