Tag Archives: Clifton

Sgt John Basilone
#HipNJ Cares

Sgt John Basilone Foundation

On this Memorial Day, #HipNJ shines a spotlight on the Sgt John Basilone Foundation. The foundation was started by Sgt Basilone’s family to preserve his memory and help support those who have sacrificed for us by improving quality and access to PTSD care.

Sgt Basilone grew up in Raritan Town (now Borough of Raritan) where he attended St. Bernard Parochial School. After completing middle school at the age of 15, he dropped out prior to attending high school. Basilone worked as a golf caddy for the local country club before joining the military in 1934.

After receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in World War II, Sgt Basilone was sent on a war bond tour by the Marine Corps, and then sent to headquarters and given a desk job. After the war bond tour, Sgt Basilone requested a return to operating forces so he could fight in the war but was denied the first time. The second request, to train Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, was approved. There he met his wife, Sgt Lena Riggi of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.

His next request was to return to the Pacific Theatre, which was approved and he was assigned to Charlie Company, First Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division during the invasion of Iwo Jima, where he was killed in action. Sergeant Basilone was the only enlisted Marine to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor, Navy Cross and Purple Heart in World War II.

Sgt Basilone’s heroics have inspired Hollywood. The film First to Fight features Chad Everett as “Shanghai Jack” Connell, a character based on “Manila John” Basilone. Further, the 10-part HBO miniseries The Pacific is based on the intertwined stories of Basilone and two other Marines (Robert “Lucky” Leckie and Eugene “Sledgehammer” Sledge). Actor and Clifton native Jon Seda starred as Sgt Basilone.

The latest take on Sgt Basilone’s life will be the forthcoming Legacy of a Hero, a documentary produced by Sgt Basilone’s niece and president of the foundation, Diane Hawkins. You can learn more and donate to the production here.

In his memory, his family works hard to support those who suffer from PTSD due to their military service by raising awareness and funding to support proper treatment programs. In doing so, they are furthing Sergeant John Basilone’s legacy of helping others. They have been active for 10 years and are proud to carry out their mission of helping “John’s Boys”.

For more information, please visit SGTJohnBasilone.com.

Garden State Living

New Jerseys Best Authentic Irish Pubs to Spend St. Patrick’s Day

Kiss a leprechaun! Drink green beer! Scream so loud that all of your neighbors can hear! St. Patrick’s Day is finally here! Gather your friends and head out to one of #HipNJ’s top authentic Irish pubs. 

Biddy O’Malley’s is a American Irish pub and eatery that specializes in good beer, authentic Irish cuisine and dangerously delicious Short Rib. So, get jig-y with it and step dance your way into New Jersey’s little piece of Ireland. 

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The leprechaun god’s have sent Fairfield a gift and called it  Thatcher McGhee’s Irish Pub & Eatery. If you love finger food, German Soft Pretzels and authentic Irish entrees – Corned Beef and Cabbage and Beer, Thatcher’s will become your favorite St.Patrick’s go-to.

We call shenanigans! The Shannon Rose in Clifton and Ramsey is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, in appropriate Irish manor, with bagpipes, live music and step dancers. Channel your Irish roots (that may or may not exist) and fall in love with the Celtic culture.

Make St. Patrick’s Day an all weekend event- drinking, eating and dancing in ways you never knew you could- at Tommy Fox’s in Bergenfield. From the 15th until March 17th, Tommy Fox’s will be hosting generous happy hours, live DJ’s and step dancing! 

Let your hair down, have a drink and hang out at Lazy Lanigans in Hackensack. Despite the word “Lazy” being in their name, this place is high energy! With a fully stocked bar, your St. Patty’s Day celebration will continue until the sun comes up- actually only until closing (2 AM).

Let us know how your St.Patrick’s celebration is going by tagging  us on social media @HipNewJersey. 

cupcake
Dining, Garden State Living, Scene & Heard

Happy #CupcakeDay!

Hey #HipNJ cupcake lovers! Today is #CupcakeDay, so let’s take a look at 5 of the best cupcake shops in the Garden State!

1. Crowley’s Cupcakes, Madison

This bakery offers a wide range of tasty treats—cakes, cookies, specialty breads, cinnamon rolls, brownies, and of course, cupcakes! Here’s just a few of their flavors—Mint Brownie, Pink Lemonade, Nutella, M&M Candy, and Cafe Mocha. Sounds tasty!

2. House of Cupcakes, Princeton, East Brunswick, Clifton

The name of this bakery says it all as they feature an eclectic mix of cupcakes. With flavors such as Boston Creme, Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Strawberry Daiquiri, and Pina Colada, you really can’t go wrong here!

3. Blue Sheep Bake Shop, Somerville

This Central Jersey bake shop is home to many kinds of desserts including specialty cakes and cupcakes, macarons, sugar cookies, cake pops and more. Here’s a few of their cupcake flavors: Death by Chocolate, Peanut Butter Cup, Birthday Cake, Toasted Coconut, and Chocolate Covered Strawberry. Yum!

4. Ava’s Cupcakes, Rockaway

Ava’s Cupcakes produces their cupcakes using seasonally-sourced ingredients. Known for more exotic cupcakes, they offer flavors such as Beer & Pretzels, Blueberry Cheesecake, Cinnamon Pumpkin, Pink Champagne and Strawberry, and Key Lime Pie. This is a great place to test out some very uniquely flavored cupcakes!

5. Baking Grace, Hawthorne

This bakery claims “life is too short for cheap desserts” and we couldn’t agree more. Home to an awesome selection of cupcakes and cakes, Baking Grace only prepares their desserts with fresh ingredients and in small batches to assure you excellent quality. Some of their cupcake flavors include German Chocolate, Oreo, and Red Velvet, Bavarian Creme, and Orange Cheesecake. Wow!

Satisfy your sweet tooth this #CupcakeDay with any one of these fine bakeries!