A “Giant” Hero
On January 3, 1981 in New Orleans, Louisiana, a hero was born. His name is Eli Manning. Eli went to college at University of Mississippi, (Ole Miss) He played quarterback for Ole Miss. Now he is the quarterback for the NY Giants, who play in East Rutherford, NJ. He lives in Hoboken, NJ, in the same building as the governor, Jon Corzine.
Eli has been the starting quarterback since 2005. Eli and the Giants have gone to the playoffs three out of the four seasons he’s played. Eli is the second Giants quarterback to have over 20 touchdown passes and 3,000 yards for three seasons in a row. On January 20, 2008, Eli led the Giants to victory against the Green Bay Packers and clinched a spot in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
Eli does more than just play football. He and the NY Giants are running a program in New Jersey called “What Moves U” where kids can get active and exercise more. They visit New Jersey schools to teach physical education to students. So, even though Eli Manning isn’t from New Jersey, he does a lot to make the state a better place to live in.
By: Justin McCollum
Richard E. Byrd School
Fun, Sticky Taffy
In 1880 David Bradley opened a little candy stand in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The stand faced the beach of Atlantic City. His candy stand was on the Boardwalk. After closing one night, the tide came in and sprayed the taffy with ocean water. The next morning Mr. Bradley found all the taffy wet, but he discovered the salt made the taffy taste better. That is how “salt water taffy” got its name.
In 1905, another man wanted to develop finer and better salt water taffy. The man’s name was Enoch James. He sold salt water taffy and made it for years.
Enoch James developed salt water taffy that would not pull out teeth. He also made the salt water taffy so that it didn’t stick to the rapper. The salt water taffy came in different flavors.
Because of these two men, New Jersey now gets to have salt water taffy as a wonderful treat.
Today you can find salt water taffy at stores on the New Jersey shore located in Atlantic City, Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Cape May, and Ocean City.
When I went to Cape May I had salt water taffy. It didn’t stick to my teeth, and it was delicious!
By: Jessica Giardino
Richard E. Byrd School
Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur is a star in New Jersey for many special reasons. He is one of the best goalies ever to play the sport of ice hockey, and is a future Hall of Famer. He holds many records, like most wins in a season, which are unlikely ever to be broken.
Even though Martin was born in Montreal, Canada, and is so good he could play anywhere in the world, he has chosen to spend his entire NHL career with the New Jersey Devils, and is bound to retire with them. Three times (1995, 2000 and 2003), Brodeur helped the Devils bring the Stanley Cup back to New Jersey!
If you are a kid and ever have to go to a New Jersey hospital, you might have a good chance of meeting Martin Brodeur. He has visited eight area children’s hospitals with teammates Patrik Elias and Richard Matvichuk. He also helps kids in New Jersey to be better hockey goalies because he runs a summer hockey camp in Wayne, New Jersey. Just as his dad inspired him to play hockey, Martin has inspired his three sons to play hockey as well. He goes to their games in Montclair, New Jersey every chance he gets!
If you want to learn a lot more about Brodeur, you can read his autobiography, called Martin Brodeur: Beyond the Crease.
Martin Brodeur is a hero in the world of ice hockey, and in the State of New Jersey, too!
By: Michael Tighe Gallo
Richard E. Byrd School
The Nabisco Factory
The Nabisco Factory is located on Route 208 North in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. It has been there for almost 50 years. About 632 people work there.
The Nabisco Factory, or Bakery, is a local favorite because residents of Fair Lawn and Glen Rock can smell the great scent of cookies. Actually, the scent comes from the chocolate used in Oreos. Oreos are just one item made at the Nabisco Bakery besides Ritz crackers, Wheatsworth crackers, and Animal Crackers.
The Barnum Animal Crackers are ONLY made in the Nabisco Bakery in Fair Lawn. They started with these animals: hippos, elephants, tigers, and a few others. Now, Nabisco makes 22 different animals. Rare boxes of Barnum’s Animal Crackers are marine, endangered, and chocolate. Did you know when you are done with the box, you can use it as a Christmas ornament because of 1) the colors and 2) the string at the top?
The Nabisco Factory might close down. There are some people in Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, and Paramus who want to replace it with apartments. In 2003, Nabisco let go of many employees and moved Fig Newtons to their factory in Mexico. If Nabisco closes, we won’t be able to smell that sweet chocolate scent anymore.
By: Zach McCollum
Richard E. Byrd School
Travel in New Jersey
Shore Region
The Shore Region of New Jersey is a fun and exciting place for parents and kids to visit .One of the nicest shore points in New Jersey is Cape May Courthouse. This is the home of the Cape May Park and Zoo. Located on Route 9, two miles north of Cape May Courthouse, it is one of the best zoos in the world, with over 150 different animals. When you enter the Zoo you can see animals in cages with some flying free. There are some you can touch! You can see animals from different countries and you can see animals from New Jersey! I recommend that you see the lions and tigers and that you also see the monkeys and elephants and make sure you go into the Reptile House. This zoo is a great place to visit! I know because I’ve been there.
Gateway Region
If you are looking for a brand new place to visit, then the Prudential Center is a place for you. It just opened in October 2007. It is located in downtown Newark. You can go there to see sports or entertainment. It is the home of the New Jersey Devils. You can also see Seton Hall basketball, family shows, indoor soccer, as well as concerts and other sporting events. It is a new and exciting place to visit.
Delaware Valley Region
If Aquariums are your thing, then head to the Camden Waterfront in the Delaware Valley Region of Southwest New Jersey. Visit the newly opened Adventure Aquarium, located at 100 Aquarium Drive in Camden, New Jersey. The highlights of this Aquariums are; the West African River Experience, Shark Realm, and Jules Verne Gallery. They also have tons of fun shows: seals, penguins, shark feedings, and hippo shows. The Aquarium is a fun place for you and your family.
By: Peter Bolt
Richard E. Byrd School
