Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Woodbridge Center and Menlo Park Malls both are getting early starts this morning for after-Christmas bargain hunting.
It's the day after Christmas, and retail stores in the Woodbridge area are getting an early start. Shoppers expecting to scoop up post-holiday bargains are expected to throng both Woodbridge Center and Menlo Park Mall shopping centers this morning. Both malls have early hours to take care of bargain hunters and those who want to make returns for presents that weren't just right. Hours today for Woodbridge Center are 8 am to 9:30 pm. Menlo Park Mall opens at 8 am and closes 10 pm. But stores inside both malls may have different hours. Other area stores will be opening early this morning, and some are staying open late as well. Macy's in both Woodbridge Center and Menlo Park open at 7 am this morning. Target on Parsonage Road, across from …
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Anyone who pre-registered will celebrate with a free Christmas dinner at the Port Reading church.
Woodbridge families and friends will be celebrating Christmas today with food, fellowship, and fun. But perhaps there is nowhere where the real spirit of Christmas is being practiced and enjoyed as St. Anthony of Padua Church in Port Reading. The parish once again is throwing open its doors to anyone who would like to join them for their annual Christmas Friendship Dinner, a tradition they've practiced since 1992. In the two decades since the Chistmas dinner has been held, they've shared their holiday meal with friends and strangers - some who may be alone and have no family, others who are experiencing financial setbacks and can't afford a fancy spread, and some who just enjoy the fellowship. The only requirement for practical reasons is…
40.565549
-74.253788
St. Anthony of Padua Church
436 Port Reading Ave, Port Reading, NJ
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Lawns in the Woodbridge area are covered with a magical holiday snow.
No one was expecting it, but a dusting of snow Christmas Eve gave the Woodbridge area the White Christmas of song and legend. The light snow began late Monday evening, so that before midnight, at least lawns were covered with a respectable covering of the white stuff. Roads were for the most part clear, and there wasn't news of accidents from the covering. The National Weather Service had predicted a 20 percent chance of snowfall Christmas Eve. Temperatures hovered right around freezing - just enough to keep the snow as a decorative element for the holiday. The Christmas Day forecast predicts a chance of rain and snow in the early morning with no significant accumulation. The day should finish out partly sunny, with a high near 44 degrees…
How much will we spend this year? And what's the best-selling Christmas song of all time? Find the answers below.
We know that there were three Wise Men, 12 days of Christmas and that Santa delivers all his presents around the world in one night. But did you know... $23,439.38 How much it would cost to buy your "true love" all the gifts in the 12 Day of Christmas . 12.9 billion hours, $447 billion How many hours Americans were expected to spend shopping, wrapping and returning gifts last year. That was about 42 hours and $688.87 per person. Get your postman/postwoman a gift According to Hallmark, Christmas is the largest card-sending occasion . Nearly 1.5 billion cards are sent to friends and family every Christmas Season. (That's actually down 400 million cards since 2004.) $983 million The value of U.S. imports of Christmas tree ornaments from …
Monday, December 24, 2012
The Mckessy home at 38 Port Reading Avenue in Woodbridge should be on your holiday home decorating list.
Traffic slows down on Port Reading Avenue in Woodbridge during the holidays, and in no small part, that's due to the work Stephen Mckessy and his family have put in to decorating their home. Snoopy is fighting the Red Baron in an airplane with a whirling propeller. A nearby rocking horse moves. Santa waves from the front porch. It's just part of the work that Mckessy, his son, Nick, age 9, and Nick's friend, Thomas, age 11, have spent dolling up the home for the holidays. "They work on it for weekends," said mother Karen of the team effort. It wasn't in vain; the Mckessy home is the local Woodbridge winner of Patch's Deck the House contest. So while you're out this Christmas week, looking at all the holiday lights around town, check out …
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-74.271591
38 Port Reading Ave, Woodbridge, NJ
Mckessy Home
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/locations/8447899
Leave something Santa will 'ho ho ho' about.
Wondering which treats to leave out for Santa this Christmas Eve? The Savory Spice Shop in Westfield has a recipe for a homemade alternative to a store-bought favorite. Almost Oh-ree-oh! Ingredients: For chocolate cookies: For creamy filling: Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Set rack in middle. In mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoas, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugars. After combined, on low speed, add the butter then the egg. Continue mixing until dough comes together in a mass (about 3 minutes). Place 2 tsp. of batter on a parchment lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. With the bottom of a glass slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once. Set on baking racks to cool. For filling, mix …
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Got bored kids? Here are some ideas to help keep your kids happy over winter break.
Here are 10 fun ways to keep kids from toddlers to teens entertained and off screens during the upcoming holiday break. TELL US: What do you plan on doing with your kids during winter break? Share in the comments below.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Lots of interesting, fun stuff to do over the Christmas break.
Want to keep the kids entertained during their winter break from school and have some family fun? Explore New Jersey through special museum events throughout the state during the holiday season. These programs are definitely worth the road trip. The list was compiled by the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey. *Friday, December 21 thru January 13 - Morris County Victorian Christmas at Acorn Hall The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall will be having its annual Victorian Christmas. Lavish decorations, including the famous upside down Christmas tree, and an enthralling gift shop filled with wonder. The Morris County Historical Society, founded in 1946, is a member-supported, 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Its …
Friday, December 21, 2012
For each fare-paying adult, two children age 11 and younger will be able to ride on NJ TRANSIT for free between Dec. 21 and Jan. 2.
Editor's Note: The following information is a press release from NJ TRANSIT. NJ TRANSIT has announced additional service for the busy holiday week, along with a special extension of the Family Super Saver Fare that will give customers nearly two weeks of savings this holiday season. NJ TRANSIT’s Family Super Saver Fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult, will be in effect continuously from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21 until 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, on all trains, buses and light rail lines. NJ TRANSIT will also offer extra service for the upcoming holidays to give customers more travel options, whether going to the mall for last-minute shopping or leaving work early to get a head start …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Time's running out, but here are holiday hours for Woodbridge Center and Menlo Park Mall.
Sure, everyone tries to cross off all the items on their Christmas to-do list, invariably there's going to be some last minute gift you still haven't gotten, or some holiday specialty you somehow forgot. That's where a trip to the mall comes in, one that can fill you with dread thinking of the crowds who all have similar chores on their minds. For the procrastinator in you, Woodbridge Center will be open from today through Sunday, December 23, from 8 am to 11 pm. They will be open on Christmas Eve, December 24 - if you really like to cut it close - from 8 am to 6 pm. The mall's main number is 732-636-4600. Down the road on Route 1, Menlo Park Mall will be open the same days and hours as Woodbridge Center in the countdown to Christmas. The…
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6:23 pm on Tuesday, December 25, 2012
What a wonderful tradition. No questions asked just come and enjoy the food and company. more ›