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In the early hours of January 3rd, U.S. special forces carried out Operation Absolute Resolve in Caracas, Venezuela, capturing Nicolás Maduro before flying him to New York where he will face U.S. narco-terrorism charges.  One thing we do not hear mentioned in the news reports following the capture of the indicted gang member, drug dealer, criminal, former leader from Venezuela, is the fact that a number of major U.S. oil companies had agreements with the government of Venezue

It is a little late, late indeed, to get a gift book for a friend, relative, or business associate for Christmas. I am writing this on Christmas Eve while my wife makes her traditional Cherry Ring, a coffee cake pastry, for our family breakfast gathering at our daughter’s home Christmas morning. But it is not late for a book gift to yourself (it never is) or for a New Year gift to persons on your list. In my last post I told you about the informative "Frenchtown" book. Just a

I had lunch today with a few friends. It is a weekand two days before Christmas. Our talk turned to gifts for friends, business associates, family, and business prospects. At our table was a perfect mix for the discussion. One person was an old friend, an insurance salesman. I had sung with him in the Harmonizers. One was a chiropractor and minister. I just like to talk to him about fishing (of which he is an expert and I know little, although I have done some fishing). Thre

It is wrong, perhaps immoral or possibly unethical, to promote on social media, and otherwise to frighten people in New Jersey, into spending a great deal more money than is needed in estate planning. For many families, the word “probate” inspires unnecessary concern. People hear stories from other states — particularly California, and places where probate can be slow, expensive, and heavily court-managed — and they assume the same is true in New Jersey. It isn’t. In New Jers

Sunday after Thanksgiving we took the afternoon off to visit with two author friends who were part of an interesting event in Oldwick. A collection of Hunterdon authors were part of the Oldwick Book & Christmas Craft Fair. It was a full afternoon with displays of books and authors, presentations by authors, and readings from several of the published books by authors present. I picked up two books in time to allow me to read them before passing them on to family and friends as

The Lyceum Society has its roots in the 19th century as part of a widespread movement at the time to promote civic engagement, adult education, and cultural discussion. The idea was to create local associations, as part of society, where citizens could meet to exchange ideas and practical knowledge, and hear lectures on, among other things, public affairs. It is fitting that Flemington Council Vice President Jeremy Long, an elected official, an English teacher in our local hi

The blade sign has been replaced. The first one announced my association as Of Council with a 50-lawyer firm. As that relationship did not work out for either of us, their Main Offcie was too far away, and their focus was in areas of the law that was not the usual need of my client base, and they had to be more epensive than I do to cover their overhead. I am back to practicing on my own. I have been on my own for more than just this calendar year. It took a while to have t

She was born in October of 1908, 12 years before ratification of the 19 th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote. Soon after her mother and father had married, they left their farm families behind in Hunterdon County and moved to Perth Amboy to make their fortune and raise their family. Her father was the youngest of seven children, five of whom survived to be adults. William, her grandfather, had bought the small farm for $500 after his discharge

It was a long time ago that I wrote the lease for a friend, a client, who was converting a space that had been occupied by a flower shop, in a building he had just purchased. He was leasing to the owner of the then new Teaberry's Tea Room. I remember having tea and scones in their first tearoom. It reminded me of being introduced to tea and scones in England. Eventually Teaberry's outgrew the space. When their lease expired, they moved to new space at 2 Main Street. I visited

On Saturday October 11 my wife and I went to the Kirby Sports Center at Lafayette College to see an adult amateur flat-track roller derby league event. The Blast Furnace Betties were hosting the Rage Parade in a Leigh Valley league match. Alice, wearing No. 127, is the pivot. We were with great friends, Will and Wendy, who were willing to learn about and see a new sport. It was a battle on roller skates, which has surfaced in our area. This was not our usual basketball. We