Ringwood Manor

 Ringwood Manor is a historic home located in Ringwood NJ.

It was originally the home of Robert Erskine, the man in charge of the Iron Mines in the area and subsequently the first cartographer of George Washington.

The manor then became the summer home of the Cooper-Hewitt family.

The home has great significance because of its Revolutionary war history as well as its history with the great Industrialists of its time, Peter Cooper and Abram Hewitt and their Victorian wealthy lifestyle.

 It was donated to the State of New Jersey by the son of the owners in the mid 1930's.

 The Manor is beautifully kept with lush grounds and it is surrounded by many acres of woods.

 The Grand Entrance flanked by two stone lions.

All the photos are of the outside and the grounds because photography is not allowed inside.

Tours are offered almost daily and they last about an hour. The tours take the visitor through most of the 32 rooms and 13 bathrooms that eventually comprised the house.

There are a lot of features and statues from around the world, as the Hewitts were great travelers.

 On the grounds is also the grave of Robert Erskine, who died at the early age of 45.

He is buried in a cemetery where about 300 other people have been laid to rest, including soldiers from the Revolutionary War.

 Graves of the Hewitt family.

If you are ever in Ringwood, this is a worthwhile place to visit and take a tour. The furnishings of the home are almost all original and that makes for a very interesting journey into history.
Enjoy!

Maria

Interview about Archangel at 3:15 EST today, May 24 at AktinaFm.com 91.5FM New York.

Tune in today at 3:15 EST to AktinaFM at 91.5FM. You can listen to me talk with Producer/Host Elena Maroulleti about Archangel by internet live or archived at aktinafm.com.

Archangel has carried me on his wings to many magical places! My novel is now part of the Ringwood Library catalogue!

 Erskine Lakes Property Owners Association threw me my first Book Signing!

The Kerynia Municipality invited me to present Archangel in Cyprus where I had tow book presentations, two TV interviews and one Radio interview! I had a blast!

Also looking forward to my Book Presentation in Washington DC at the PSEKA Conference in early June!
Enjoy!

Maria

High Tea

Did you know that High Tea was taken by the lower classes? Me neither!

The higher classes took Afternoon Tea, a meal composed of sandwiches (usually cut delicately into 'fingers'), scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cakes.

English High Tea usually involved a mug of tea, bread, vegetables, cheese and occasionally meat. Variations on high tea could include the addition of pies, potatoes and crackers and was a meal for laborers.

So while Afternoon Tea was largely a social event for their upper class counterparts, high tea was a necessary meal in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Some the members of the Friends of Ringwood Library, who organized the Tea.

Nevertheless, we at the Ringwood Library Friends High Tea fundraiser had a grand old time sampling different kinds of teas and an assortment of scones, cookies and cakes. They were accompanied by clotted cream and lemon curd.

Our informative young presenter of Tea History and lore,Catherine Felegi of Tea Love Blog: http://cafelegi.wordpress.com/2015/04/12/doing-good-with-a-cuppa/

 Ladies came to tea with their lovely hats.

 Janet Picarelli, owner of Janet's Quality Baked Goods baked and donated all the food.

Beautiful tea cups and tea pots were set on the tables, doilies and flower arrangements decorated the room.

Enjoy!

Maria

DIA Art Foundation - Beacon New York

A trip up the Hudson River to the town of Beacon, NY brings me to the DIA Art Foundation. It's housed in a cavernous, old Nabisco packaging plant set next to the River.

The DIA exhibits conceptual art, which for some may not seem like much they can call art. Yet, for others it's an interesting, worthwhile form of art that provokes thought and is pleasing to the eye.

Let me know which one you are.

The grounds at the entrance of the Museum.

The DIA:Beacon has a lovely cafe. A Napolitan tuna sandwich.

A red quinoa, black bean salad. The food is fresh, delicious and nutritious!

If you are ever in the mood for a different art experience than traditional art  take a drive up the Hudson and do visit the DIA;Beacon.
Enjoy!

Maria