Meet Traditional Barnegat Bay Decoy Carver & Folk Artist, J.P. Hand!

Tuckerton Seaport Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck interviews J.P. Hand of Goshen, New Jersey. JP has been carving traditional Barnegat Bay decoys for the past 50+ years. In this interview, he discusses how decoy carving became a part of his life,...

Meet Ukrainian Folk Artist & Educator, Mia Naumenko!

Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck interviews Mia Naumenko, who is an educator and Folk Artist of Ukrainian History & Educator Center of New Jersey. In this interview, Mia describes her folk traditions of Ukrainian Foodways, as well as upcoming classes at...

Meet Ukrainian Folk Artist & Educator Oksana Pasakas!

In this interview, Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck interviews Oksana Pasakas of Ukrainian History & Education Center of New Jersey to discuss the traditional folk customs of the Ukraine, and the importance of continued education in the traditional folk arts of...

Meet New Jersey's Decoy Carver of the Year, Nancee Jo Luciani!

Join Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck as she interviews Nancee Jo Luciani, the New Jersey Decoy Collector & Carver Association's Carver of the Year for 2023, and the first female carver in the history of the organization! Nancee Jo has not...

Meet Beach Badge Collector Bob Kugel!

Join Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck as she interviews Long Beach Island beach badge collector and author, Bob Kugel as he discusses his collection of badges that spans over 55 years! Photos show: Some of Bob's Unique Badges, His Book, and...

Meet South Jersey Winery Owner: Jack Tomasello!

Jack Tomasello, owner of Tomasello wines talks with the Tuckerton Seaport about his family's history in the wine industry. From their immigrant routes in Italy to today, Jack discusses the ways in which Tomasello has persevered throughout Prohibition, Covid, and...

Meet Decoy Carver: Dick Jessen!

Life-long tradition bearer, Dick Jessen and his family discuss his career in decoy making; his talent for painting, and how this tradition is being passed on to the next generation. Dick was an original volunteer at the Tuckerton Seaport, as...

Meet Decoy Carver, Collector, & Tradition-bearer: Gene Marshall

Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck interviews Gene Marshall, of Forked River, New Jersey. He discusses his passion for decoy collection, his techniques of carving, his craftsmanship of the working decoy, and his mentor in the field, his father, George Marshall. Photographs...

Barbara Paskin Secretary of Albert Music Hall | Pinelands Cultural Society

Barbara Paskin discusses with Folklife Director Lesley Schierenbeck about her time as a female folk musician, her role within the Albert Music Hall Community, and how music has played a significant role in her life. Barbara works with the Tuckerton...

Gary Hance's Incredible 4th Grade Find!

Gary Hance talks with Folkllife Director Lesley Schierenbeck about his childhood find of what he thinks could appear to be a Lenape dugout canoe off of the shores of Manahawkin, New Jersey. The vessel was found off of the property...