Tues. Jan. 14: Weird N.J. Presentation–Union County
On January 14 at 11:15am the JCC of Central New Jersey will host a presentation by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, founders and publishers of the acclaimed Weird N.J. semi-annual magazine. Participants will explore the unique, mysterious and peculiar side of New Jersey through an enlightening presentation focusing on the uniquely strange aspects of the Union County area. In addition to the featured program highlighting little-known N.J. legends, folklore, ghost sightings and other fascinating stories.
This event is open to the public and advance reservations are required by January 9, as seating is limited. For reservations/tickets, please visit THIS LINK or contact Wendy Connolly at wconnolly@jccnj.org or by calling (908) 889-8800.
Location
JCC of Central New Jersey
1391 Martine Ave
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Moran and Sceurman will speak of people, places and happenings in New Jersey that are not found on most tourist maps or historical records, as the primary focus of their backroad travels and research is on local unwritten history and modern folklore considered to be strange, odd or unique.
Moran and Sceurman began their search of unwritten New Jersey history and modern folklore more than 30 years ago in the course of compiling a homespun newsletter, called “Weird N.J.,” that they distributed annually to their friends. The pamphlet, comprising odd news, bizarre facts, little-known historical anecdotes and anomalous encounters from across the Garden State, was based on the idea that “every town in the state had a least one good tale to tell.”
Soon thereafter, “Weird N.J.” evolved into the popular self-published magazine Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. At that time, “the two Marks,” as they familiarly are referred to, started conducting their own investigations into local legends, ancient mysteries, bizarre beasts, ghosts, unexplained phenomena and fabled people and places throughout New Jersey.
In 2003, Barnes & Noble released the first Weird N.J. hardcover book, authored by Moran and Sceurman under their own imprint. Additional books followed in a nationally successful Weird U.S. series, also produced by “the two Marks.” In 2005, Weird U.S. became a weekly television series, starring Moran and Sceurman, on the History Channel. “The two Marks” are currently commentators on the program Paranormal Caught on Camera, which airs weekly on the Travel Channel and on Discovery +.
A number of Weird N.J. publications will be available for purchase during the event.
The preceding article is an excerpt from Weird NJ magazine, “Your Travel Guide to New Jersey’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets,” which is available on newsstands throughout the state and on the web at www.WeirdNJ.com. All contents ©Weird NJ and may not be reproduced by any means without permission.
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