What Is This?
I thought I'd try starting a thread where we could post a picture of something and see if someone can tell is about it - so here's my first - from Doctor's Park
4catmom "Doctor's Park" is some medical buildings. That's Riverfront Park. I believe there are some other pictures posted of that several years go. Isn't that where the "diving platform" was?
http://www.musconetcong.org/seber.php
GC That's the old swimming hole known as the sand bar,at one time the water was up to the bottom of that thing,went there many a times back in the day.There was a little building with lockers and a snack bar and swings if my memory is correct,up the river on the other side there was also a park/beach anybody have some info on that ....or correct me if I'm wrong on my memory.
Dam It's the old dock at the Sand Bar. Before the area was destroyed it was the town swimming area. You would climb the dock and jump off into the water. That dock was cemented into the ground, the dock at Seber's was a wood dock that floated on barrels. Seber's also had a diving board, two sand bars (one on each side of the river). On the Morris county side were picnic tables and a little snack bar. If I remember correctly the man who ran the snack bar his name was Bill Deal. The Grandchildren of Seber were the lifeguards.
auntiel 
Ag 
zentravl There used to be several dams in that general area. One just upstream from the platform, one by 46 next to the old Pump House, and one by East Avenue.
Many more along the river in other towns, but those are the three I can think of along that ~ 1 mile stretch.
Mark Mc. "Before the area was destroyed..."
Can you elaborate?
Also, why were the dams removed? It's interesting to hear the history behind that area.
Tracy There was also a snack bar on the Hackettstown side, on the concrete slab where the exercise equipment is now, right by that dock. For many years you could still see the wire coming across to the utility pole by the concrete slab. Finally they took the wire down and cut the pole down low, but the bottom part of the pole is still there.
I have a picture of me in my bathing suit on the swings there when I was about 3. They closed it sometime in the late 60s because the water wasn't safe.
hktownie Yes that sounds about right closed in the late 60s,and the town pool was built in the early 70s.I also remember a slide going into the water somewhere around the beach.
http://www.musconetcong.org/seber.php
The Seber Dam was the second dam to be removed by the MWA. The process began on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. A notch was cut in the dam that allowed the dam pond to de-water; lowering the level in the upstream impoundment helped to stabilize the banks and allow for easier access and better work conditions for the equipment needed to remove the structure. The complete removal took place on Thursday, February 19, 2009. The MWA's goal in removing the dam was to restore the river's natural flow, improve water quality, and eliminate a potential flood hazard. Removal of the dam helps reduce thermal pollution impacts associated with the dam pool.
Following the dam removal, an extensive stream bank restoration project similar to the work done at the Gruendyke site, the first dam removed by the organization, was undertaken. Restoration work was funded by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Trout Unlimited volunteers led the work of planting trees and shrubs purchased with the NRCS funding.
Chickadee mobile They made up the dirty water finding so that Hackettstown would build a pool and they did. It cost 25 cents to swim at the sand bar and the concrete dock had a diving board. The center of the river there was eight feet deep. We would walk upstream through the woods/swamp to Sebers grove. Bill Deal ran the snack bar and there was a hand pump for fresh cold spring water free. Three pretzel rods for a nickel and a ten cent creamsicle or bottle of coke. They even had stag or drag dances which meant single or couple. The Musconetcong river is clean still and I swim when I can.
Robert Rowe 
happycamper wow - interesting all - thanks for responding - I hope someone else will pose a picture of something for us to identify and learn about..........
The pictured platform had a two deck tower as well,which was used by those were learned enough
to "high dive",personally,I loved to jump. Approx. 15 ft of water in those days on the far(Morris Cnty) side. The late Dr. Stanowicz,a college student at the time,taught me to swim there, as he was assistant to Chot Morrison who gave official swimming classes for given periods in the summer.Doc gave me "one on one" because Chot 's classes were too brief to be fully effective for the timid youngsters!!
The SUPREME test,was to swim downriver,to the "Duggie" a washout hole'down toward where the river bends. After a rest, the ordeal was to swim back,against the CURRENT.
The dam removal is a "Riverkeepers project which aims to return as many rivers as possible to a natural state' .(It's a wonder someone does not object on historical grounds as they are often colonial mill sites)
The supposed contamination of the Musky led to closing and the town building its present pool.
The area from the dam ,at Rt 46 up to said :Duggie" developed ice 15 " thick for most of a 1/4 mile upstream,providing GREAT ice skating and hockey !!
As a side point .my mother and friends could iceskate from Bilby Road to Rockport on the Morris Canal in her day.
See what you missed ??(No electronic gadgets,just REAL fun !!)
Geedo 
Rebecka Not only ice skating, there was the tubing from Saxton falls to the cemetery. Sneakers and jeans were a must attire. The first day of fishing!! How many kids hit their head on the diving board doing flips? Doc would stitch them up good as new. The night swimming was the best. In all the years we swam there not one kid drowned. Every kid in this town and across the river were excellent swimmers. We learned by our moms throwing us off the dam. It was either sink or swim. My brother sunk and my mom had to go in after him. Lots of history in that area and stories that are lost. Who remembers the Indian field where the rope swings were. The sand bar had a rope swing to. Lots of fun!!
I have one. This foundation and fireplace is in Stephens & Allamuchy state park - I don't know where one ends/the other begins. I snow shoe by it every year (funny enough I don't really go to the park in the summer). It's where the blue and white trails meet just North of the powerlines on the map.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/maps/NYNJTC_NJParkMaps-AllamuchyStephens_2015-85x11.pdf
Every year I pass it and wonder what was there, there are other things nearby, a very old fence that's only partially standing - maybe another little structure that has fallen down (reminds me of the neighbors old chicken coup from when I was growing up). Of course since I don't explore in the summer everything has a nice heaping of snow on it when I'm there so maybe I'm missing other things or markers.
Just curious if anyone knew the history.
dadogmomma 
Another photo of the fireplace... the fencing I was speaking of is across the "trail" and a bit north of this structure.
I think you stumped everyone, dogmomma!
I have a "mystery" which might appeal to all my fellow birdwatchers.
PLEASE help me ID these ducks. Photo taken in Southern Texas this morning.
My parents are there and my mom thinks I'm a really fabulous bird ID'er. In reality I'm barely mediocre, but *please* help me maintain the ruse. Anyone? I'm stumped.
What appears to be the male has a greenish beak, if it's not apparent in the photo.
I meant to comment on dadogmomma's picture a while back but thought others might chip in first. Others who might now more of the history of that particular area. However since no one else has said anything, I'll comment on how it looks like stone around the fire place is going the wrong way. That looks like exterior wall, not interior. I'm wondering if that was "fire place" or "furnace" as in some kind of industrial usage like a black smith or forge.
Rebecka - look up pictures of "Swedish Black duck". I guess they usually have bodies that are lighter, almost bluish. But sometimes they come out darker and is called a Swedish Black. They're domesticated, so someone there probably has a duck farm.
A belated thank you, CG. My mom looked up Swedish Black duck and said it was probably that (or maybe a hybrid from interbreeding with a native duck). Nice work!
I wish for more mysteries...
Another little mystery: does anyone recognize the symbol(s) on the charm here?
I collect antique, mostly Victorian, charms. This one appears to be made of agate. I purchased it because I think it's interesting, but I'm hoping that's not some kind of devil-worship symbol or something lol.
Penny for size reference. Thank you.
Rebecka
It's a Masonic Charm:
http://www.darkfiber.com/tomb/htwsstks.html
To find the answer, I took the letters "HTWSSTKS" and did a google search yielding:
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22HTWSSTKS%22&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
Interesting. Love the wheat penny too, the sheaves have the lines on top so it's still in great condition for its age!
Phil D. It's almost the exact opposite Rebecka - it's Masonic. Are you saying the penny didn't come with it? I'm not a mason myself, but my understanding is those two items are related. Google "masonic penny". The pendant is the "masonic keystone" and yes that should be agate. If the lettering were in better condition, something like that seems to be going for about $75 on eBay.
Rebecka
One of the image results led me to a rubylane antique dealer's site, which shows one almost exactly like it (except for the not so good lettering). It mentions they were used as a watch fob end:
https://www.rubylane.com/item/1384355-CLx20Masonicx2010x2e26x2fMY/Masonic-Knights-Templar-Keystone-Charm-Quartz?search=1
There's also a similar one, though with sterling silver shown here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/master-mason-mark-htwsstks-silver-masonic-medal-jewel-spencer-london-/111013178509?pt=uk_collectables_masonic_cv&hash=item19d8e6ac8d
Thank you so much for all this info! I tried to google with the letters but didn't see them all correctly, and came up empty-handed. So neat! Glad I can add it to my bracelet now knowing its interesting history (and without worrying about sending any wrong messages).
The penny did not come with it, actually. It's been laying around on my dressing table for months. I just noticed it one day in my change and thought it was pretty. I know nothing about coins, though, or if it's actually special.
That's a 4th degree charm of the York rite - when a male relative is receiving their degrees it is tradition to give them a penny for safe keeping. The information as to why is available on line
skippy When it comes to the penny Rebecka, it's just an older version of our every day penny. There was just a different back than the traditional Lincoln Monument we're used to today. Those are known as "wheat cents" because of the sheaf of wheat. Unless it's very specific year that there are only a few left, it's not that special, just old.
Does anyone know what kind of tree this is. It's rather large, and there are a few of them around the property by my office. It's so pretty with the big clumps of white flowers. Sorry for the sideways picture. It's definitely not sideways on my computer.
Janet 
Found this in a box of old things that belonged to my grandmother. She used to knit many things and crochet many beautiful doilies and tablecloths out of fine thread, even when she couldn't see well anymore.
My question is, what is the thing in the front with the platform and 2 short angled posts? Looks like she was starting some lace on the bobbins, and the cigar looking thing is a hollow wooden needle case. Just not sure if the post thing is also for lace making or something else entirely?
Oh how cool! This is indeed a mystery. All of the women in my family, going back many generations, are/were needlewomen. I have never seen an object like that, though. It looks like it would be a stand for something -- like a pattern? Not sure if she used tatting or crocheting instructions, and maybe would stand a page up by inserting it in the slots? Just a wild guess, but I love your mystery object! Dying to see if someone from the forum will know what it is... I feel like the people on this forum can answer just about any question!
The box looks like tatting items, which is lace trim for handkerchiefs or pillowcases etc. My grandmother used to do this. I don't know about the wood pieces, connected to tatting, idk. Side note, remember fancy handkerchiefs?
justwondering I believe that's a tatting (lace trim) frame and uprights (perhaps the needle holders) slip over what's there. You suspend the work between the two uprights and use either the shuttles and or needles to creat your lace weave. At least that's somewhat of how I remember it done, but it's been quite a while since I've seen someone using something like that. You could give a shout out to the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts in Madison and email them the picture. They will likely be able to give you more information. www.metc.org info@metc.org
By the way, the METC is a super place if you've never been there. It's in the old Madison Library building which features a GLASS floor above the main floor! It's on the South side of Rt. 124 just after you go under the railroad trestle/underpass going East into town.
The German "Imra" company/Brand name made knitting and crocheting supplies. I'm not sure if they changed their name or were absorbed by another company (possibly PRYM). The "Handarbeits - Garnitur" translates to "handmade garnishments" aka lace trim.
This one is more intricate then yours, but it's basically the same thing....an antique needle case..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Victorian-Hand-Carved-Wood-Treen-Knitting-Needle-Holder-Love-Token-Case-/302315262970?hash=item466364d3fa:g:FqAAAOSwOgdYnmRe
littlelu 
Someone help me out here. I picked this mystery substance up at Fruiti-Fresh while getting some veggies in town. I thought it was a type of delicious tamarind candy.
I am generally a neat person. I tried in every delicate way to remove the possibly yummy contents from the wrapper. In vain.
It is apparently not candy?
What is it, and for the love of G-d, how do you get the sticky stuff out of the wrapper? And once it's out... ? Is it for cooking?
Like the title of this thread, "What is this?" is what I asked CBGB when I saw what he picked up at the farmers market!!
I've never seen such a thing in my life! Pretty funky looking. It's called a rambutan and it's actually quite good. You slice it down the middle and pop out the white, soft, sweet fruit inside. It reminds me of a giant grape, but not as juicy and there's a pit in the middle.
He always fines some interesting things!
SueR 
Rambutan is similar to lychee. Fairly common in Asian markets.
Tamarind paste should not be so sticky or that hard to remove. By any chance was it left in a hot car for a while? I'd say best bet would be to put it in the fridge. Then it might help to open it from the right end. (the red tape would seem to indicate you opened it from the bottom) ;-)
It's tamarind, but not candy. It's paste used for making candy or desserts. It's also what gives Pad Thai that little sweetness to it.
hmm, Rebecka maybe you are supposed to cut a small hole and dispense it like toothpaste as an ingredient?
Sue R at first glance thought that rambutan was a sea urchin!
Thank you, GC! There was actually red tape at both ends which appeared to be the same, but maybe I messed it up. It is almost solid at room temp, so I don't think it would squeeze like toothpaste... but maybe nuking it for a few seconds would do the trick. Not that I'm prepared to make any candy today lol...
I love going to ethnic markets (especially the Asian one on Rte 10) and picking up things I've never tried before. Doesn't always work out though. (The only ones in the house interested in these are our feline friends.)
What the heck? Is this a pink Grasshopper? Has anyone else seen this type of insect in our area? Approx 3/4 inch, looks just like the little spring green ones that are common, except it's bright orangey-pink. (Landed on one of our pups.)
I don't know that it's actually a true Grasshopper. It's a small insect that hops... and it's pink.
Bug3Thank you, Janster! It certainly looks like a type of leafhopper. (I had never even heard the word "leafhopper.")
Old Gent Leafhopper is a good term for a cricket, grasshopper, katydid, cicada, etc when you're not sure what it is. I'm thinking cicada because of the lack of visible antenna and the transparent wings. They can be pink when molting.
The linked NG article shows a very similar pic and says it's an albino type of mutation. Rare because so easy to see they are usually eaten. Very cool! I think it's pretty.
Walker I'm not sure, the legs don't appear to be green and the range is further south?
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/yellow-rail
One thing is for sure, this bird is shy. DH has seen it on and off for 10 years at this time of year in the same place, open field near a pond, and finally he was able to get these pics this year.
CBGB It may be uncommon got a yellow rail to be in this area, but with the recent hurricane activity who knows.
Yes, but what is the plug for? Just something I found and can't figure out what it is or what to do with it. My computer didn't read it.
This has been flying around my yard and almost got tangled in my hair. Is it a Cicada Killer Wasp? It is about 2" long.
Hopeful 
Greg 
Martha Martha - that was my first guess after googling it. Then I came across the cicada killer wasp and thought that could be it since the 7 year cicadas should of been this year.
I've never seen anything that big!
Hanging out on my front window screen where I always see praying mantis. That's what I thought it was till I got closer. Weird.
lola Katydid.
I've got a persistent set of praying mantis that inhabits a large set of holly bushes. Very glad to have them too. Very neatly cleared out and healthy bushes. ;-)
maja2 I'm guessing some sort of leather working tool or perhaps something a cobbler would use?
Old Gent might be on to something: https://www.google.com/search?q=antique+apple+corer+peeler+slicer&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS676US676&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjl8t6q5ozZAhVBmlkKHRePD3YQ_AUICygC&biw=1591&bih=866#imgrc=vMVamuVfE5ERkM:
How about a picture from the working end?
Does the end piece slide when force is applied?
Justintime 
Nellejoy 
R. Kramden Thanks for the thoughts. The only other info I have from my SIL is that there is a patent number, but it is partially rusted. Closest I could find was a cherry pitter. It is now officially just wall art!
That's it! Nice job.
I was sort of on the right track with a cobbler or leather working tool I guess.
Okay so this clear gel like ball was in a yard in Hopatcong! What the heck is it? I tried to take a better picture but my phone was full even after deleting some pictures. What is this?
RAS Nope, at least the pictures aren’t the same. And I’m not looking for “folklore”, I want to know what it is! I did the google search too and while I found many examples of it there was nothing that said what it is. I think it’s weird that no science type person has tested it for its chemical make up.
Interesting mystery!! Might it be an expanded water pellet that is sometimes included in certain types of fertilizer mix or special potting soil to retain moisture?
I know what this is.. any wise HLers know why it's in this location? Toward the end of the path along the river at Sand Bar/Alumni Field Park. I've been wondering about this for years, finally took a photo.
My guess is so the fire department can draft off the river without using hard suction as it’s not that deep.
Potentially to fill a tanker because not every street is piped for hydrants
This might also be a hydrant for the Fire Company to test their hoses and yes, for a tanker to fill up if needed..
joyful That's interesting.. not sure how they would get a tanker back there. Maybe they would park on the other side of the river and wade over to access the hydrant.
Lol.. dog park....
Does anyone know what this is? I got it from a thrift shop cuz it looked cool and old tymey but I can’t figure out exactly what it is or what it was used for... it has the word “pacific” on it, a little sliding viewing door and a grate inside the basin
JuicyB Maybe some sort of charcoal heated cooking vessel?
Aha!
https://www.k-bid.com/auction/20378/item/122
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/76068681185500970/
ianimal Cool thank you Mark Mc for the similar items you found!
I always assumed it was maybe for small metalworking/welding but never thought about cooking uses! Interesting!
Really??? The house that pump is in dates from 1851. I agree with Skippy it's a water pump of sorts.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/212-Washington-St_Clarksville_MO_63336_M79241-53709
I would say that it's likely not just a pump, but also an earlier type of water heater (probably for drawing a bath), based on the ductwork attached and the tub spout.
Do the symbols on this pendant ring any bells for anyone? Is it a biblical story maybe? Or an old club or organization?
Pendant looks maybe about 100 years old to me - rough guess. Thanks in advance for any hints pointing me in the right direction.
Rebecka. My husband is a Mason and he seems to feel that the pendant is a Masonic or Shriner piece of jewelry as it has many of the symbols of both organizations in its body..It is really beautiful..
Thank you both!
I thought it was really pretty too, joyful. And so did many others on eBay-- it went for way more than I thought it would - over $600. Too rich for this small collector.
I think the three chains symbol might be Oddfellows - so everything pointing towards Masonic. But you think Job's Daughters, Skip? I'll have to look them up.
Rebecka, it looks like Odd Fellows symbology. If you do a Google Image search for "Odd Fellows Symbols," you'll find similar use of the three-link chain, eye, bird, beehive, etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odd_Fellows
JerseyWolf Rebecka - Since it's you asking my first thought seeing the picture was you did a search on your name. The picture in the middle looks like "Rebecca at the well". With Odd Fellow symbols it wouldn't be "Job's Daughters" but "The Daughters of Rebekah".
I was hopeful it might be "Rebecca at the well" - a biblical tale that definitely resonates with me. :-) But after JerseyWolf pointed out the Odd Fellows connection, I googled their symbols, and it looks like the OF might use the depiction of the Woman at the Well (which I believe is a different Good Samaritan story) to symbolize their acts of charity and kindness.
In any case, fun to learn about the different fraternities and orders. For some reason I'm often attracted to the symbols on their adornements. As I like / collect Victorian charms, I do come across them. This one, though - I couldn't immediately recognize as that of a fraternal order.
Thanks all for helping me solve the mystery!
The female organization affiliated with the Masons is order of the Eastern Star. Their symbol is a 5 pointed star, but the images look different.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=order+of+the+eastern+star+symbol&qpvt=order+of+the+eastern+star+symbol&FORM=IGRE
TV aligning tool. Whatever the hell that is! LOL
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GC-9089-Aligner-Steel-Electronics/dp/B01M1EDSWC
It was used to adjust the CRT guns at the back of a CRT TV or monitor. The beams had to be aligned to hit the correct dots on the front screen so the colors were accurate.
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