This Week in the New Jersey Skylands

February 26 - March 6

Storm Weary

Tired of this winter's weather barrage? When the snow stops, walk up the hill at Jockey Hollow that held 200 soldier huts for the Pennsylvania Brigade in early 1790. Imagine staying there until it gets warm enough sometime in April to take off your down jacket. Imagine standing there without your shoes on, without even one of the huts on top of the hill for retreat from the incessant cold. Try to conceive of something important enough to keep you on that hill for the rest of the winter. More...

If find yourself contemplating ways you can warm yourself up, here are some ideas.

Hunterdon County artist John Crouse will be one of many on hand to answer any questions you may have about their work.

Art Friendly

On Sunday, February 28, the Decoys and Wildlife Gallery will host their Seventeenth Annual Open House at 55 Bridge Street in Frenchtown. Get to know some of the painters and carvers that will be at the gallery, find out what inspires them, and how they learned to do what they do. With a raffle of wildlife art donated by the gallery, the event also serves as a benefit for the Mercer County Wildlife Center, who will bring some of their rehabilitated live birds of prey to the gallery. 55 Bridge St, Frenchtown, 908-996-6501.

Shanghai Circus on Friday!

High and Hot

An acrobatic weeked starts Friday night, 7pm, at The Theatre at RVCC where the fearless performers of the New Shanghai Circus will bring you more than two thousand years of Chinese circus traditions with boundless energy. The performance will be held and tickets are available. Next Saturday, March 6, Danu, will bring a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and exciting new repertoire direct from historic County Waterford. Rt. 28 and Lamington Road; 908/725-3420

This Sunday at 3pm, the Peking Acrobats, a troupe of 25 elite gymnasts, cyclists, jugglers, acrobats, and tumblers from the People's Republic will do their stuff at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton; 609/258-2787

Dan Campanelli's painting depicts Pittstown from years past. This scene is familiar to those who frequent County Route 513 where it meets CR 579.

Rural Awareness

When Dan and Marty Campanelli found a home in Quakertown in 2005, they began to research the house's journey through time from the mid 1700s. Thier research spawned an alliance with a local organization dedicated to preserving the rural character of Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, and a new book from Arcadia Publishing documenting the township's rich history. Learn more about the book and about the fascinating roles Quakertown and Pittstown took in the American Revolution. You can meet the authors and get an autographed copy at the Quakertown Meeting House on Sunday, February 28. Details here....

Last fling

Don't look now, but spring will be here in a matter of weeks. In our corner of the world, the final days before the vernal equinox often bring the most furious venting of an emotional winter. You might as well enjoy it. If you’re a brand new skier or are looking for a day trip with the kids, Shawnee Mountain is a great place to start. Or maybe you’re looking to be the next bad dude on a snowboard.

For the rest of us, backcountry or Nordic (cross-country) skiing represents an easy glide through woods and gentle valleys surrounded by the sparkling serenity of freshly fallen snow. If the snow does pile up this week, lace up those boots and get going! If you're not a skiier, there's dog sledding, ice fishing, ice hikes and an array of winter vistas across our local landscape ready to behold!

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Northwest New Jersey and destinations just beyond those borders, in Pennsylvania and New York, are equally intriguing and convenient offer colorful ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. Keep an eye on our calendar for great things to do all the time! And we've got a bundle of stories to help you on your way.

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