HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy in Port Colden, NJ

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Preservation NJ this week released its latest list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in the Garden State. The list highlights historic, architectural, cultural, and archaeological resources that the group feels are in imminent danger of being lost.

It was generated from nominations by the public with a goal of finding creative solutions.

"Several challenges face properties on this year’s endangered sites list, including neglect and deferred maintenance, threats incurred by redevelopment and new construction, difficulties raising adequate historic preservation funding, and the need for creative adaptive reuse proposals," the group said. "Half of the sites on this year’s list are owned by government, highlighting a recurring theme of neglect by entities entrusted by the public with the care of our historic resources."

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East Point Lighthouse

East Point Lighthouse, built in 1849, is the second oldest existing lighthouse in New Jersey. It underwent a full restoration two years ago but is still threatened, PNJ said. Located in an area where Maurice River enters the Delaware Bay in Cumberland County, the land near the lighthouse is rapidly eroding. The erosion has already washed out the protective dunes and the stewards of the lighthouse are left with sandbag brigades in an attempt to hold back tidal waters and storm surge.

"While the site owner, the State of New Jersey, is currently studying mitigation alternatives, they need to act more expediently to protect this National and State Register of Historic Places listed site before it is gone forever," Preservation NJ siad.

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Isaac Corwin House

In 1829, James Topping, a master cabinetmaker and owner of an iron mine, purchased the Isaac Corwin House, which was built in 1800, and surrounding 53 acres of land in Chester Borough, PNJ said. In 1945, the house and property were sold to Willis Larison and became Larison's Turkey Farm Inn. Chester Borough has agreed to demolish the Corwin house and another historic structure as part of an affordable housing lawsuit settlement, PNJ said.

"The plight of the Isaac Corwin House is reflective of a larger issue related to the State’s refusal to actively manage its obligation to ensure the creation of adequate affordable housing," the group said.

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Lackawanna Train Terminal

The Lackawanna Train Terminal opened in 1913 and was designed by William Hull Botsford, who was on the Titanic the year before, PNJ noted. It was a hub for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad between Hoboken and Montclair. A developer has proposed knocking down the terminal to double the size of a parking lot, the preservation group said.

"The Montclair Historic Preservation Commission has attempted to communicate the importance of maintaining the structures within the new site plan; but unfortunately, the Montclair Planning Board approved the site plan including the demolition of a significant portion of the train sheds," the group said.

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Lee Brothers Park Pavilion

The Lee Brothers Park Pavilion, located on Lake Hopatcong, is a "unique surviving example of lake-style recreational architecture in New Jersey," PNJ said. Brothers, Clarence J. Lee and Edwin Lee, purchased the 10-acre property in 1919, when Mount Arlington was a major tourist destination. When Clarence Lee's son decided to retire in 1995, he donated the property to Morris County so that the pavilion the family built and surrounding park land would be preserved and not be subdivided into a lakefront development. But the structure has steadily deteriorated since, the preservation group said.

"The County has demonstrated its support of this site by including funding for its stabilization over several budget cycles totaling more than $1 million dollars to date; yet, the County has not taken any other steps to ensure the preservation of the building," the group said.

Historic fires station in Milltown is on this year's most endangered historic site top-10 list. (Photo Provided | Preservation New Jersey)

Historic firehouses

Today’s fire engines, ladder trucks, and ambulances are much larger and heavier than their predecessors, and as a result, many historic firehouses cannot fit modern emergency equipment. This has created a preservation crisis in some of these buildings, PNJ said.

"We know that these structures can be adaptively reused for a number of functional and interesting purposes, such as libraries, offices, restaurants, bars, and even homes," the group said, noting a situation in Milltown Borough, where they are undergoing a $12 million project to construct a new firehouse and public works facility "with no commitment as to the future of the community’s two historic firehouses."

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Port Colden Manor

The 1835 Port Colden Manor is a" provincial example of Greek Revival architecture built by William Dusenberry in 1835," the preservation group said. The building became a boarding school for girls in the mid-18th century, was used for local school district offices for much of the 20th century, and then was converted into professional offices in the 1980s.

"The current owner has made some minimal repairs while they negotiate with the township for approval to convert the structure into apartments; which at this time, seems to be at an impasse," Preservation NJ said.

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United States Animal Quarantine Station

The United States Animal Quarantine Station in Clifton, also known as the Ellis Island for animals, was developed between 1900 and 1907 to "temporarily isolate foreign animals along the East Coast in order to safeguard the nation's livestock and poultry against diseases of foreign origin," PNJ said. It was used until air travel in the 1950s made a new facility near Stewart Air Force Base more practical. Clifton acquired the property in 1966. "While several buildings are being actively used by the city, local citizens are rallying to save the remaining unused and underutilized buildings on the site but has a long road of fundraising and rehabilitation ahead of them to ensure the site's preservation before the buildings fall victim to demolition by neglect," PNJ said.

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Park Theater

The Park Theater opened in 1932 as The Passion Play Theatre. It included classrooms, a state-of-the-art stage with a wide screen, an organ, and "an orchestra pit worthy of any grand movie palace of its day," PNJ said. Largely vacant now it is owned by the Archdiocese of Newark, the preservation group said. "The diocese is open to leasing the building to an outside organization willing to take on the project and make it a destination," the group said. "Someone is needed to champion the cause before this architectural and cultural treasure is lost forever."

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The Wildwoods

The Wildwoods — four municipalities on a barrier island comprising a popular Jersey Shore resort popular for more than a century — are threatened by typical development pressures , PNJ said. In the past two decades, buyers discovered the Wildwoods' lower prices and a building boom has begun to transform the island from Doo Wop motels and older single-family homes into condos and large single-family homes.

The group is urging residents to have their towns establish Historic Preservation Commissions "to prevent the Wildwoods from falling victim to the ever-growing homogeneity of the Jersey shore region, where one municipality is indistinguishable from the rest."

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Van Ness House

The Van Ness House was built by one of the earliest Dutch families to settle in western Essex County, Simon Van Ness, who brought his family to Fairfield in 1701 and was one of the founders of the Reformed Church of Fairfield in 1720, PNJ said. The house was likely built around 1760 and is a typical 18th century farmhouse in the Dutch brownstone tradition of northern NJ, which predates the Revolutionary War. Currently owned by the Township of Fairfield, the building has now sat vacant for a number of years and the town has said it doesn't have the money to stabilize or maintain it, the preservationist group said.

Bill Duhart may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com's newsletters. 'Ask Alexa for New Jersey news'

Near the top of a rounded mountain in a remote part of western Warren County is the one of the most tranquil spots in New Jersey.

The place is called Montana, a part of Harmony Township, but the name of the mountain is Scott's. On a typical fall day, the only sound you can hear is the wind whispering a quiet prayer over the dead, brittle leaves on the acres of dried cornstalks lining the rarely-trafficked Montana Road.

It is fall in New Jersey -- our reliably best season -- and a time when many of us explore our rural backroads and marvel at God's palette on our foliage.

The long view south from Montana is of Pohatcong Mountain, and on the expansive vista, the hardwood forests blaze with maple reds and browns, and the oranges and yellows of the great oaks.

The view north is of Donald and Elsie Duckworth's farm. The double silos store the feed corn they sell, and there is a barn for the small dairy herd they keep. From the top of Scott's Mountain (elevation 1,180), one of the highest hills on the Jersey side of the Delaware Valley, the only buildings you can see are the Duckworths' farm and home, the nearby Millbrook farm, and the Montana Methodist Church and old school. The corn of the Duckworth farm abuts the church and old school, and its stalks tower over the tilted gravestones that mark the final resting places of generations of Beers and Burds and Fangboners, Montana's oldest families.

Montana Methodist dates back to 1891. The land was donated out of the farm that now belongs to the Duckworths. The first wedding there was of a Duckworth girl.

The small congregation these days includes Gabriel Kober Sr., 91, who went to the old school, which closed in 1930. "Till eighth grade, then I went to work on our farm," he said.

His son, William, married his wife Barbara in the church 45 years ago, and they remain congregants, as do Elsie and Donald Duckworth. Elsie's family, the Suttons, farmed the same piece of property in Tewksbury from 1791 until a few years ago when her father sold to developers. Donald's family were Warren County farmers nearly as long. The couple met at a 4H dance in Broadway.

The only regular church attendee who does not have generations-deep roots in a New Jersey farming community is the woman who cares for Elsie Duckworth's mother.

She has that in common with the lay preacher, who has been at the church just about a year. The preacher, whose name is Dura Fornah, also has rural roots. His father was a farmer on the outskirts of Freetown, the biggest city in the troubled African nation of Sierra Leone. It's a long way from Montana, in some ways, but in others it's not.

"In Sierra Leone, I too preached in 'the middle of nowhere,'" said Fornah, an ordained minister of the African Methodist Episcopal church, but not the United Methodist. "The people were very much the same. Very open and welcoming. With open arms and opens hearts. Very, very good people."

Fornah has been in America since 1992, when he enrolled in the Howard University School of Divinity, then became involved in the United Methodist Church. Since most small parishes can't support a full-time preacher, Fornah works as a computer room operator in Leonia. His church duties bring him 60 miles west every Sunday for services, and other odd days for Bible studies and prayer breakfasts in places like Montana and Broadway and Port Colden and Washington (Warren County).

How the Irvington resident got to rural western Jersey is no mystery: He was assigned. After he completed his course work to become certified as a lay preacher, the United Methodist hierarchy sent him to the consortium of small parishes that make up the Francis Asbury Cooperative Parish.

None is as small and remote as Montana, which draws about seven worshippers a week. The church itself is plain as can be, no bigger than the three-car garages you see in new housing developments in many parts of formerly rural New Jersey. Two rows of handmade pews, thick with semi-gloss white paint. Plain windows, and a plain cross above a wooden table that serves as an altar. The pulpit is a lectern, unadorned and simple.

In this setting, Fornah leads song, reads the Old Testament and Gospel, talks of God's love and embraces his small community, as they embrace him.

"He's pretty good," said Gabriel Kober, who uses a cane but whose handshake is still strong from years of hard work. "We like him up here a lot."

And from the top of a mountain in rural West Jersey, you can see the possibility of a wide world made more tranquil, of a big world made small.

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Roger Jinks

Roger Jinks, seen here in 2006, says he hopes his a 43-year career in education doesn't exactly end -- he says he wants to become a volunteer music teacher.

(Express-Times File Photo)

Washington Township, New Jersey, schools Superintendent Roger Jinks is retiring Aug. 31 after 43 in education, but it doesn't appear he's slowing down.

Jinks, 62, a Phillipsburg resident who began teaching in 1971 at St. Philip and St. James in town, was a music educator for many years in Warren and Hunterdon counties until he transitioned into administration, he said this morning.

He directed the instrumental and band programs at St. Philip and St. James and was band director at Philipsburg Catholic High School until 1980, when he left for Clinton Public School, he said. He taught fourth grade there, then special education, then he started the computer program before becoming director of special projects, he said.

His next stop in 1999 was as superintendent at Franklin Township School in Warren County, and he became superintendent in 2007 in Washington Township, he said.

His career as an administrator meant he had to give up teaching music, but now he's back performing -- three shows this past weekend, including a stop at Valenca on Easton's Centre Square. He'll perform at a block party Saturday on Easton's College Hill, he said.

"I had to focus on my career in education," he said about pushing music aside for a time.

While he was once a percussionist, the Milford native -- who said then-Delaware Valley Regional High School band director Pete Pettinelli was a major influence -- now plays piano and sings. He performs alternating sets with his brother Albert, a guitarist, he said.

"We have a ball," he said, adding that they also do four or five songs together, he said.

He also gives music lessons to his four grandchildren -- Dylan and Sam Carter, who are Moravian Academy students, and Aubrey and Adrian John Jinks, who study at Wantage, New Jersey, schools -- he said.

Two of Jinks' three children -- Roger Jinks Jr., an administrator in Sussex County, and Kathleen Carter, finalist of the 2013-14 New Jersey Presidential Math and Science Award -- followed the Jinkses into education. Jinks' wife, Kathleen, was a superintendent in Green Hills, Sussex County, when she retired in 2009, he said. She had been an assistant superintendent at Great Meadows before Green Hills, he said.

His older daughter, Maria, is a chiropractor who works with her husband at a medical practice, Jinks said, expressing great pride in all three of the children.

"We are quite blessed," he said.

Jinks joked it's a good day when he wakes up and finds his name not in the newspaper. The 2011-12 Warren County Superintendent of the Year said he was trying to keep his retirement on the "down-low."

"I try very much to manage things in such a way that everyone's needs are met," he said, adding that the students are always the priority.

He currently manages two schools -- Brass Castle and Port Colden -- and he hopes he is leaving them better off than when he arrived.

The district has implemented academic benchmarking for student process, the common core and has put smart boards in every classroom, he said.

In addition to performing music, Jinks hopes to teach music as a volunteer one day a week, getting back to his roots, he said.

"I would like to pay it forward," he said.

Becoming a volunteer teacher could be challenging -- because he'd have to be hired but not paid -- but he already has the certification, he said. It might be easier to do at a private school and he's already talking to a couple of them, he said.

"I have a lot of things to do and a lot of ideas in place," he said as he prepares to retire.

The school board is already seeking applications for Jinks' replacement, he said. The process will likely be completed in July and August and Jinks said he hopes to be out of a job on time at the end of August.

"It's time for someone else to steer the ship," he said.

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Be on the lookout for a delightful looking fountain with LEGO models of musical instruments. Instead of just walking by, be sure to spend some time getting a closer look. Approaching each instrument will trigger them to play louder. Walking back and forth in front of this fountain will set off a symphony of LEGO instruments.

Here's a great hint. If you have a LEGO fan in your family, make sure they bring some of their Minifutures with them to the park. Employees will be wearing figures on their name tags that they'll be happy to trade for. If you see someone wearing a rare figure or one that you need for your collection, don't be shy. Just offer up yours for trade and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Anyone who's ever gone to a theme park knows to expect high prices for pretty much everything, especially bottled water. LEGOLAND has totally changed the game by installing free water bottle fill stations. Just bring a plastic water bottle with you and you can fill it up all day long free of charge. It's important to note that metal water bottles are not currently allowed inside the park.

During the season finale of LEGO Masters on Fox, host Will Arnet announced that the winning sculpture would be on display at LEGOLAND New York. Well, true to his word the model created by reality show winners Amy and Tyler is proudly showcased at the park. If you're looking for it, visit The BIG Shop on Brick Street and head for the exit closest to the front gate.

Don't be confused by the color, that's a vanilla and chocolate swirl in the cup. At LEGOLAND the vanilla ice cream is colored like a bright yellow LEGO brick. If you see someone waking around the park with yellow ice cream it's not banana, but a delicious, creamy and sweet vanilla that just happens to be the same hue as a LEGO Minifigure's face.

When visiting LEGOLAND leave your paper money at home. All of the shops and vendors accept credit cards, debit cards and electronic payment like Apple Pay. Just tap and go and spend more time playing and less time counting change.

If your child is suddenly struck by inspiration from what they see in the park, there's always a place to let their creative juices flow. Scattered throughout the park are places where LEGO bricks are available to build with. Whether it's at the Build and Test area, the Creative Workshop or various brick stations spread out in the park, your child is never far away from being able to get creative.

Not all of the LEGO models are stationary objects. Be on the lookout for special interactive sculptures that can catch you by surprise.

Everyone who loves LEGO knows that some of the most popular sets can be impossible to find. Well, at The BIG Shop on Brick Street you can find some of the rarest sets available. During a recent trip they had multiple sets of the sold-out R2-D2 model as well as Harry Potter's Daigon Alley. These sets aren't even available on the LEGO website.

When you go to a theme park you expect to get those generic theme park burgers. But that's not what's on the menu at LEGOLAND. Diners were surprised to find that Smash Burgers were being offered at the Royal Feast next to LEGO Castle. These burgers were seasoned to perfection and topped with American cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles all served on a potato bun. The burgers were an absolute crowd pleaser and very pleasant surprise.

WIzard's Frozen Wonders is a small food stop on the way to LEGO Castle, but certainly worth stopping at if just for the apple ice cream. This creamy treat has the taste of fresh apples combined with sweet vanilla flavors. Imagine apple pie ala mode in a dish. It's the perfect treat to cool you down on a hot day at the park.

On your way to Miniland make sure to stop for a photo with LEGOLAND's favorite visitor, the sleepy tourist. This model is quietly sitting on a park bench and just begging for someone to sneak over and pose for a photo. But make sure you're not too loud, you wouldn't want to wake him from his nap.

OK, well not really, but the unique terrain of LEGOLAND does a great job of beating the heat. Because it's built on a huge hill, you can easily catch a breeze by just walking a few feet. LEGO Castle and LEGO City are at the back of the park on the bottom of the hill. If it gets too hot on a sunny day, simply walk back up towards LEGO Ninjago World or Bricktopia and you're likely to catch a cool breeze. Stunning views of the beautiful Hudson Valley are also visible from those higher elevations of the park.

If you've been to LEGOLAND in California or Florida you may think you know what you're in for, but you'd be wrong. LEGOLAND New York has really upped the game by scattering hundreds of awe-inspiring sculptures around the park. These massive builds are made entirely of LEGO bricks and will take your breath away. You could spend the entire day just looking at these impressive builds and still not see them all.

Ahead of their opening LEGOLAND's website announced that masks would need to be worn in all areas of the park. Since New York dropped the mask mandate, LEGOLAND has also loosened their restrictions, allowing vaccinated visitors to go without a face covering when outside. Masks are still mandatory on all rides and indoor attractions.

Make sure you clear out lots of room on your phone before visiting LEGOLAND because you're going to be taking lots of pictures and video. With LEGO models and figures everywhere you turn your child is going to want to do a lot of posing and picture taking. Make sure to get as many memories as you can.

Colossal LEGO Models

If you've ever been to a LEGO Discovery Center or another LEGOLAND theme park you've probably seen some impressive models of buildings and cities. None of that will prepare you for LEGOLAND New York's Miniland. Every section of New York is represented here, as well as areas from all over the country. These massive buildings look just like their real-life counterparts and the city streets are just filed with little details that could take hours to discover. It's the perfect place to take some quiet time and recharge before tackling the rest of the park.

Even the trees and flowers are made out of LEGO at LEGOLAND. Landscape artists have blended real plantings with models to fully immerse visitors into the world of LEGO. You may want to take a closer look at plantings and rocks hidden throughout the park for pleasant surprises made out of LEGO bricks.

LEGOLAND New York is currently in previews through June. Later this summer the LEGOLAND Hotel and Pirates areas will both open and are sure to contain even more surprises for guests.

Open for over 160 years, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds has hosted a variety of events. If you visit for the Dutchess County Fair which has been held 174 times, you could enjoy shopping, games, food, concerts, animals, and of course get a local famous "4H" milkshake! These delicious shakes never disappoint and make your wait worthwhile.

Situated on Burger Hill, Drayton Grant Park is one of the highest points in the entire town of Rhinebeck. From the peak of the hill, you can have a magnificent view of the Hudson River, Catskill Mountains, and Taconic Mountains. This park is the perfect spot for a family hike and picnic. In the winter, it’s also an ideal place to go sledding.

Wilderstein Historic Site is a beautiful 19th-century country house and museum located on the Hudson River in Rhinebeck. It was home to Margaret Suckley - a cousin and confidante of Franklin Roosevelt. Wilderstein is also considered to be the most significant exemplar of Victorian architecture in the entire Hudson Valley area.

The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is situated on the border between Rhinebeck and Red Hook! The aerodrome is known for hosting air shows with historic airplanes. Airshows are slated to return in June and plane rides are set to return in May.

What better ways to learn about Rhinebeck than go to the Museum of Rhinebeck History itself? Founded in 1992, this museum features an extensive collection of artifacts - from letters, books, journals, clothing, to furniture, photographs, postcards, and more. Their mission is to encourage the understanding and appreciation of Rhinebeck's history and the life of the community within it.

Sinterklaas

This 300-year-old tradition celebrates Rhinbeck’s dutch settler heritage. The town hosts two parades featuring colorful festive characters originating from dutch folklore such as the seven sisters, the grumpuses, the snow king and queen, and Sinterklaas himself. The celebration includes hand crafted costumes and decorations, as well as customary Dutch baked goods.

The Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest brings together hundreds of wineries, breweries, food trucks, distilleries, and fun! This amazing event hosts informational events about gourmet food and about different wineries from all over the state.

This festival is held each year in October. The festival has fiber activities as well as livestock competitions. There are lots to see, buy, and learn as well as have fun. Due to the pandemic, this year the festival will be virtual from the comfort of your own home from October 15-18. You can still enjoy the festival's demos, workshops, kids activities as well as the Fleece to Shawl competition.

Held in the Dutchess County Fairgrounds this event has everything for classic car lovers. Spectators come from all over the Northeast to join in this spectacle in which there are cars for sales and hot rods and customs! This year the Classic Cars Show would have been celebrating its 50th year anniversary but don’t worry because next year it will be back better than ever.

Over 200 independent artists bring their skills to the fairgrounds to share with the public what they can create during the Rhinebeck Crafts Festival. All different types of material are used at this show like clay, jewelry, wood, glass, and more.

The Beekman Arms Inn is the oldest inn in America as it was established back in 1766. It functions both as a hotel and as a restaurant.

This adorable candy shop has some celebrity roots, as it is owned by famous actors Paul Rudd (Ant-Man in Avengers: Endgame) and Jeffery Dean Morgan (Neagan in The Walking Dead). Apart from candy, the store also sells smoothies and baked goods. It is adorned with vintage board games and toys.

Terrapin Restaurant

This restaurant combines international recipes with local ingredients to make excellent meals. The most striking element of the Terrapin is its unique architecture, as it was formerly a church.

This Bistro features amazing French cuisine paired with an amazing wine selection and a cozy yet elegant atmosphere.

Village Pizza

This pizzeria has been serving amazing and authentic new york style pizza since 1971. They also serve Jane's ice cream which is homemade right in the Hudson Valley.

Oblong Bookstore

This quant bookstore is named after the outlaw territory between New York and Connecticut where neither colony had jurisdiction. What makes the bookstore so special is that many of the featured books contain stylized hand written recommendations from the staff.

Megabrain comic shop is home to more than just comics. The store features a wide selection of pop culture merch and apparel available as well as the board room; a skate shop in the back that contains vintage arcade cabinets available to play.

A weeklong residency at the writers retreat where writers come to clear their minds and write musicals. Including a cool program called “The Triple R Program” which means they get two readings and a residency. The program selects one team per year that was at the writers retreat for a weeklong stay previously that year for a reading in New York City which gains acknowledgment by professional actors.

Upstate Films

A local theatre that is well known for hosting filmmaking workshops for students. The Eli Jaffe Film Competition brings students together to compete in their independent filmmaking skills. Finalists are rewarded with a screening and acknowledgment of the hard work put into the film.

If you or someone you know is interested in photography this company has been available for 16 years and is ready to work with you to accomplish your goals in photography and framing. Digital Photography & Photoshop Classes/Workshops are available right here in the heart of the Hudson Valley.

This amazing art shop can provide you with everything necessary to craft your latest art project, whether it be drawing, painting, sculpting, or more.

This hiking shop is the go-to place in Rhinebeck for all hiking apparel. You can get everything you need to prepare for a hike in one of the many beautiful trails in town.

The center for performing arts includes many opportunities such as volunteering, auditioning, renting, producing, directing, etc. all found at the Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center. It is a not-for-profit organization that has trained about 3,600 students from ages 4 - 80.

Kingston–Rhinecliff Bridge is a bridge that connects the city of Kingston with the hamlet of Rhinecliff in Rhinebeck. It is currently the second newest and northernmost out of the five bridges that New York State Bridge Authority owns and operates.