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The residence of Alice Huyler Ramsey, Hackensack, NJ
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/01/book_details_ewing_residents_1909_journey_around_t.html#incart_river
Amazon Link: http://tinyurl.com/obfhemv
I started blogging in January 2010 and I don’t know where those five years have gone. But when I look back, each post reminds me of my long journey to launch a career as a writer. I realize now I really had no idea of what I was getting into. But that’s a good thing because I might have reconsidered my choices. But I prevailed, and with the help of so many, saw several projects launched and completed; five books in all.
2014 was very busy with three of my books finding their way to the market. One, the first of the Collar and a Dream series was self-published. Dog’s Best Friend: Will Judy Founder of National Dog Week and Dog World Publisher was released by McFarland & Co in September, followed by my most recent, Around the World in 1909: Harriet White Fisher and Her Locomobile published by American History Press.
You might say I am driven to write (pun intended). But with so many fascinating events and people to write about, I see words and chapters as a literal path to adventure and self-discovery. I often find myself wondering if I could choose just one day to spend with Harriet’s traveling party, which would it be?
On the occasion of a visit to my hometown of Hackensack, NJ, during the holidays, I took a ride downtown to visit the street where Hackensack Middle School is located. As fate and coincidence would have it, the home of Alice Huyler Ramsey stands just a few houses down the road from my old school. Alice, if you don’t already know, is celebrated for being the first woman to drive an automobile from New York City to San Francisco in 1909, accompanied by three female companions. My “discovery” of her story would later inspire me to write the book about her equally famous contemporary and fellow-New Jerseyean, Harriet White Fisher.
When I pulled up to “Alice’s” house last month, I got out to take a few photos with my IPhone and noticed the house was being restored. I became aware I was being watched by neighbors and I shouted to one woman that I was just doing some research. Before long, I was aware of a person coming to the front door. A man emerged, “Can I help you he asked?” with a look of mild suspicion on his face. He explained the neighbors had alerted him of my presence.
I answered with a question, “Do you know the significance of this house?” to which he replied that he indeed did. “This is the house that belonged to the first woman to drive across America,” he stated. I was overjoyed. I quickly explained why I was there taking photos, and showed him a copy of Around the World in 1909 in case he thought I was a lunatic. I expressed that I was so glad to know the house would remain standing and he assured me in turn that it was being lovingly restored and served as offices for his law practice.
I always enjoy my visits back home and I’ve come to learn that roots go deep. Little did I know as a gangly tween attending Hackensack Middle School that I was less than a block away from my future. So I say, forget about The Snookie and her shore buddies, dismiss the Housewives of New Jersey, and embrace some True-Jersey treasures and the way they opened doors (cars and otherwise) for those to come. I hope that when I return to Hackensack to speak at the Johnson Public Library, or a hometown bookstore, I might stop by again and this time, be invited in to that historic home of Alice’s.
Well, that’s my “True Jersey” story, and this is where I exit.
The Dogs of New Jersey, and beyond, need your help NOW! Please Call 609-292-6000 ASAP and ask Governor Christie to sign s. 1870! It’s not just a Jersey Problem.
Hello to all of our National Dog Week friends. No doubt, everyone is concerned with the health and welfare of the nation’s dogs and those who love and care for them. Many express genuine concern for the issues that adversely affect their quality of life, and while most sincerely talk about change, a few go further and actually write legislation to bring about real change.
This is the case in New Jersey right now. Governor Chris Christie has been asked to sign a bill (S.1870/A.3306), that if passed into law, will make those retailers who offer pets for sale in their stores accountable for the dogs they sell. While it isn’t perfect, it is a step in the right direction, as they will have to provide full disclosure on the origins of those puppies for sale in the window. This is important because many of these dogs are products of objectionable puppy mills and are sold to misinformed customers who soon find out their new pup has some serious health issues and experience emotional and financial distress, to say the least.
Many decades ago, Will Judy, Founder of National Dog Week warned that dogs should not be sold like grocery items in stores and was concerned about the rise of what he called “puppy factories”. In a perfect world, dogs will no longer be sold like toys, and other inanimate objects. Until then, bills like S-1870 can lead the way to the more humane treatment of the Nation’s dogs.
Below is an e-mail I received today. I have also spoken to the author’s of the bill and they are imploring everyone to call the Governor’s office to ask him to sign this bill and support the cause for the paws.
Dear Lisa Kruysman:
Thank you for your recent email to our office regarding S-1870/A-3306,
legislation which establishes additional requirements under the “Pet
Purchase Protection Act” to provide breeder information to the consumer
about each cat or dog being offered for sale in a pet shop. We certainly
appreciate your input.
As you are aware, we are the prime sponsors of this bill and this issue
is extremely important to us. As you may be aware, this legislation has
passed both houses of the legislature.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our
Chief-of-Staff, Glen Feldman at 732-840-9028.
Sincerely,
Senator, Jim Holzapfel
Assemblyman, Greg McGuckin
Assemblyman, Dave Wolfe
10th Legislative District Office
852 Highway 70
Brick, N.J. 08724
Phone: 732-840-9028
Fax: 732-840-9757
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