31 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs at Field Station: Dinosaurs, a 20-acre pre-historic outdoor expedition created to teach and delight enthusiasts about dinosaurs and the surrounding ecosystem of the New Jersey’s Meadowlands.

Field Station: Dinosaurs is a world-class family attraction that combines cutting-edge

T-Rex will soon be moving into the Meadowlands

science with the creative minds of great artists and teachers to create a one-of-kind experience that’s thrilling, educational and fun.

Set against the breathtaking natural backdrop of the New Jersey Meadowlands and nestled at the base of a 150 million year old rock formation, the Field Station is an oasis of natural wonder just nine minutes from New York City. Over thirty life-sized, realistic dinosaurs (including the ninety foot long Argentinosaurus, the largest animatronic dinosaur ever made) come to life thanks to the brilliant engineering of the world’s leading roboticists and the imagination of our artists.

The new neighbors are moving in!

The story of the dinosaurs is vividly presented on twenty acres of wild, unpredictable woods, mysterious pathways, and mountain trails. Scientists from the New Jersey State Museum have worked to ensure that the exhibition encompasses the latest theories and discoveries in the fields of paleontology, geology, and environmental studies. Workshops, games and activities connect the story of the dinosaurs to our world today, giving new relevance to their lives and power to the tale of their extinction.

And at the center of it all is the fun, the joy and the wonder of dinosaurs. Our expedition takes every family on a shared adventure – full of mystery, surprise and a sense of awe.

Field Station: Dinosaurs opens Memorial Day weekend, May 26 and is open through mid-November.  Hours are 10am-5pm weekends only until June 19.  Hours June 20-September 4 are 10am-6pm daily.

Buy tickets in advance and save at www.fieldstationdinosaurs.com or 855.999.9010.  Ticket prices on-line and by phone are $20 for adults and $17.50 for kids (12 & under) and seniors.  Tickets at the box office are $25 for adults and $20 for kids (12 & under) and seniors.  Children 2 years old and under are free.

What do they eat? Find out, up close!

photo by Steff Greene

Story By Linda Cutrupi and Bob Masiello

Physical and health issues are rapidly declining as inhibitors toward travel in and out of the Garden State.

As an example, formerly when patients were diagnosed with kidney disease requiring dialysis, many felt tied to their machines, Now, some cruise liners have dialysis clinics onboard, or patients can bring portable units on the ships.
For those who enjoy cruising, while New Jersey is well positioned between the ports of New York and Philadelphia, getting in and out of the two cities poses their own problems.  With the development of Cape Liberty Cruise Port on the site of the former Bayonne Military Overseas Terminal, access to cruises has been eased tremendously for those with physical challenges.  Cape Liberty gives access to cruises to New England and Canada in the north and to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Port Canaveral and Walt Disney World ® east and southward.

Onboard ocean-liners, accommodations for those with mobility or health issues range from growing numbers of handicapped accessible cabins to special diets, accessible tours from the cruise liners, oxygen therapy capabilities including storage tanks safely secured in cabins, rentals of battery-powered scooters for use onboard, and other amenities and special services.

For landlubbers, treatments can be scheduled in locations where the client is traveling.  If one recalls the film “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium,” should a traveler today require dialysis or other treatment on Tuesday and he or she will be in Brussels, arrangements can be made ahead to secure treatment at a local hospital or clinic.

Similarly, power scooters, walkers, special diets and other accommodations are much more available now than ever before. With some effort by individuals and their families, the expertise of travel professionals, and the assistance of diverse support personnel at cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and others, those with physical challenges can be enabled to enjoy much that New Jersey, the USA and the world offer.

Mainly Meetings Travel  a special focus on assisting those with disabilities
to enjoy travel opportunities with family and friends.
Contact:  Linda@MainlyMeetingsTravel.com   201/568-2146 V&F
www.MainlyMeetingsTravel.com

Montville NJ resident, Marie Signorile is one of 35 PGNJ potters exhibiting and selling their work at the upcoming show.  For as long as Marie can remember she has been drawn to art, particularly sculptural forms. After receiving a BFA in Graphics Arts, Marie worked for over 30 years as a Creative Director and Graphics Designer in several New York advertising agencies. And, while also raising a family, she continued to explore the joys of working with clay. Her ad agency still keeps Marie busy, but now in addition to her own pottery, she is teaching the craft to students at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit.  “For me pottery is an ongoing process with something new to learn every time I touch clay.  I’m particularly attracted to the spontaneity of Raku firings which frequently change any pre-conceived expectations I may have”.

Available for sale will be a fabulous selection of vases, wall pieces, pitchers, teapots, platters, casseroles, raku and pit-fired vessels in varying colors and styles, and one-of-a-kind sculptures and decorative objects of art. The show is the perfect place to find unique gifts or a special architectural item.

For directions to the sale, visit the PGNJ website at http://www.pottersguildnj.org/index.aspx or call Judy Musicant at 908-233-1633.

Long Beach Island is a growing destination for weddings along the Jersey shore. Photo: Ann Coen Photography

What’s NOT to love about the idea of having your wedding in the Garden State? With a variety of locations for the event and some of the most creative and talented wedding professionals in the world, NJ has everything on a bride and groom’s must-have list. Here’s just a sampling of great reasons to get married in New Jersey:

1. Being located in a geographic region with four unique seasons, New Jersey offers couples the opportunity for winter weddings (sometimes even at a discount), wedding celebrations during the spring renewal, beach or garden weddings in the summertime and colorful fall foliage for memorable photos at one of the many golf resorts, wineries or country clubs.

2. Having your wedding closer to home is more green and eco-friendly than planning a destination wedding: you can reduce your carbon footprint by using less gas and tolls, using locally sourced foods, flowers and wedding service providers.

3. With 127 miles of shoreline, New Jersey offers some of the most beautiful beaches and shore towns around, so couples can have their wedding ceremony on the sand with a reception following on or near the beach.

4. Cape May, New Jersey (“Exit 0″ on the Garden State Parkway) is known as the third most popular destination in the United States to get married, and you can have your wedding on the beach or in one of many Victorian locations from a bygone era.

5. The Long Beach Island region is one of the fastest growing wedding destinations in New Jersey, with over 40 venues and wedding services to serve couples that want to have their wedding weekend in this resort area.

6. You can have a New York style wedding at New Jersey prices (and without the traffic!) since sales tax in New York City is 8.375 percent compared with 7 percent in New Jersey. Still want that backdrop of New York City? Have your wedding at one of the many venues along the Hudson River or charter a boat and cruise past the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks.

Buddy Valastro and his team at Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken have put NJ on the map, showcasing various styles of wedding and specialty cakes on TLC’s “Cake Boss.”. Photo: Tackeff Photography

7. Wedding TV reality shows love New Jersey, too! Some of the NJ’s top wedding locations and experts have been featured on the Style Network’s Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? and Jerseylicious, TLC’s Masters of Reception, Four Weddings and of course … we have the Cake Boss! New York wedding planner David Tutera often showcases his New Jersey brides on WEtv’s My Fair Wedding.

8. New Jersey’s history is rich with numerous historic locations and landmarks, places where George Washington has lived or slept. More recent history is also represented in the many locations that have served as a backdrop for movies and television, like The Sopranos. One of the most popular places in the state to pose for an engagement or wedding picture is Woodrow Wilson Hall at Monmouth University, better known as Daddy Warbuck’s mansion in the movie Annie.

9. New Jersey is one of the most culturally diverse states in the nation, with large populations of Italians, Pan-Asians, Asian Indians and much more. You can have ANY type of catering you wish at your reception … just name it and you can find it in New Jersey … and it’s delicious!

10. Looking to attend a bridal show or expo? In New Jersey, you’ll be able to find a bridal show almost every day of the week. You will meet local wedding professionals who will give you advice and direction on your wedding plans, see the latest bridal fashions, and even maybe take home some fabulous door prizes or a free honeymoon.

One of the top spots for wedding and engagement photos in New Jersey is Woodrow Wilson Hall at Monmouth University. Photo: Photography by Mike D.

Erik Kent is the Co-Publisher of NJWedding.com.