Happy New Year 2016

First Day Hike in the Mapleton Preserve

Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands invites everyone to a First Day Hike in the Mapleton Preserve on Friday, January 1, 2016, at 11 am. For anyone who made a resolution to walk more, this is a great opportunity to start the new year off on the right foot with an easy hike through the Mapleton Preserve.

The walk will start at the Mapleton Preserve/D&R Canal State Park Headquarters at 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston. Dress for the weather whatever it is. The walk is free and all are welcome. For more information, call 609-683-0483 or visit the FPNL website.

Photo: Jonathan Michalik

Christmas Postcard

'Twas the night before Christmas . . .

A Visit from St. Nicholas

by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

Jordan's — A Holiday Must

One of our favorite holiday shopping spots in Princeton is Jordan's Stationery & Gifts, a Princeton institution for over 33 years. Located in the Princeton Shopping Center, Jordan's has a huge selection of cards, gift wrap, tableware, party goods, Christmas crackers, candles, toys, books, and gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.

Owner Lewis Wildman and his team couldn't be friendlier and more eager to help make your shopping easier. Jordan's has special extended holiday hours starting December 15 through 23 from 8:30 am till 8:00 pm, December 24 from 8:30 am till 5 pm, and Sundays from 11:00 am till 5:00 pm.

Jordan's is well-stocked and ready to help you with your holiday shopping needs. Don't let the parking lot construction at the shopping center discourage you, there is plenty of parking around back. Princeton Shopping Center is located at 301 North Harrison Street in Princeton.