What The Shuck!
Exclusive interview with the owner of NoHu's best Halloween house, a local Grammy hopeful, a thrilling crop investigation, and more!
đ° Super short appeal
Hello to our new subscribers and big love to our long-time readers. Hearing that youâve been entertained, learned whatâs happening, and/or met new friends/gotten new customers thanks to this newsletter, is awesome.
This newsletter began in April 2024, but we didnât accept pledge $ until July of this year. Currently less than 2% of Weehawken Gazette subscribers, and less than 1% of all our readers have pledged. So if you can, please consider giving a few $ to this newsletter if you like it. Now, onward!
đ˝A Big Corn-troversy
Recently people have been sharing tales of corn growing wild in the parking lot of Lidl in Weehawken. It seemed so sweet and gave us hope that if the economy breaks down, we wonât all starve. But since this was on social media, things turned dark fast, and people started commenting that this corn was already or would soon be attracting rats to feast on it.
Was there a kernel of truth to these rumors? Is it a 24-hour rat buffet? We had to investigate. We sent our best reporter and our best photographer to the scene.*
As you can see it sure looks a lot like corn.
But we are going to tell you that we believe this is not corn. Nope. We think itâs sorghum. Why? Simple: corn has a very subtle tassel on top, and this stuff has a big frilly seed head. And the other clue? Thereâs no corn.
Sorghum is a crop â a gluten-free ancient grain that is said to have many benefits. According to the Cleveland Clinic sorghum is ârich in antioxidants, nutrients, protein and fiberâ plus itâs naturally cholesterol-free and low-fat. And some sorghum stalks can be made into sugar and some is for animal feed.
And sure, thereâs a small chance itâs millet. When you start reading sorghum vs. millet identification articles you are deep in the rabbit hole.
But itâs not corn. Except yes, some sorghum is called âbroomcornâ but itâs a grass. So in conclusion, since we donât currently have a botanist on staff, we canât say for sure itâs not corn, but weâre 99.9% sure itâs not corn. If you think itâs corn, comment here, blow up our social media. We promise we will admit it if weâre wrong.
đđ§ââď¸ Interview: Local Halloween-Happy Homeowner Tells All
Cooler weather, falling leaves, and an excuse to dress up and extort candy from strangers? Yes we are đŚđŚ for Halloween.
There are wonderful displays up and down the Gold Coast of NJ, but every spooky season thereâs one house on Blvd. East in Weehawken that is next level.
Itâs seen below, but a photo cannot do it justice. At night there are sounds, fancy animatronic moves, glowing liquids â it must be experienced.
This year I wanted to know more about what itâs like to create an abode that makes an annual transformation into Elviraâs dream house. I thought of knocking on the door, but I didnât need to. When I came by the owner was on the roof putting up more decorations. I learned her name is Shannon, and she kindly answered a few questions and then gave her number for followup.
Originally from Chicago, Shannon moved east â she said she loves being closer to the ocean and the fashion â and has lived in Weehawken for almost two decades. By day, sheâs an SVP Strategy at Epsilon, and of Weehawken she says, âI love it here I have the best neighbors!â And now, the questions, after the photoâŚ
A Few Questions for Shannon Aronson, winner of the Weehawken Gazetteâs 2025 Weeward for Best Halloween Decorations
Q: Is Halloween a favorite holiday of yours? Do you dress up? Do kids expect the best treats from your house because of the decor?
I dress up every single year in multiple costumes. My dog also dresses up, all 145lbs of fluff. I love it and for sure Halloween is my favorite. Next would be St. Pattyâs Day and Christmas. We give away a ton of Halloween candy, and usually have 4-5 people helping handout. We will all be dressed up including our dog Da Vinci, because the lines get so long. Come early as we run out of candy and shut down a little early to celebrate ourselves!
Q: When did you start decorating for Halloween? And has the display grown over the years? It sure seems like it has.
I have been decorating for all 19 years. Over the years it has gotten better and more expansive. No more blow-ups! My boyfriend Joe also has helped bring it to another level. Halloween is his favorite holiday also!
Q: How long did it take this year to get the whole thing up and running?
Joe likes to be the scene designer and helps put everything up â it is just him and I crawling on roofs and ladders. It takes almost two weeks to put up, but we make little changes here and there the entire time it is up â we like to keep people on their toes and enjoy something new throughout the time it is up.
Q: Where does the display go in the off-season?
Storage! 12 foot creatures will not fit in my basement.
Q: Any decoration disasters that have ever happened?
Oh gosh yes â we have had things fly off the roof over the years but we have finally gotten way better tying things downâ we had a few vampires that flew off â who knows what they were up to that night.
Q: What time of night do the lights and sounds go off? Is it all on a timer?
Yes it is on a timer, but if I see a large crowd I will come out and turn it on. It goes on at 7pm and goes off on weekdays at 10pm, and 11pm on weekends.
Q: What inspires you to make it better every year?
Really it is the excitement of the neighborhood. We get people asking us if we are going to put up decorations starting in early September. To see faces light up young and old really makes us happy. We have met so many wonderful people. Also, it is now just tradition I have had people come by and show me 10 years of pics in front of my house during Halloween â how can we not continue to make it better? There is also a little girl that brings me a handmade trophy every year for the best house â that always puts a huge smile on my face. If you stop by please say hello to Joe, my huge Doodle Da Vinci, and me!
Thank you Shannon for your time and your Halloween spirit!
Related: Our piece about the late artist, Rudy Bram, whose Weehawken house became a destination.
đ¤đ§âđ¤Local Woman Moves Upcliff & Ever Closer To Grammy-Winning Dreams
Last week at a community happy hour event on the Weehawken waterfront, I met recording artist Andrea Benham. She hails from Princeton, NJ but told me sheâs lived in Weehawken for the past 12 years. Until last month she lived in a waterfront building, but she has recently moved up in the world â literally â to an apartment in Weehawken heights.
We then learned she specializes in electronic dance music and is in contention for three Grammys. How cool is that? The songs that are now in first-round for your consideration are: Accessible, Free and Misunderstood Blonde â all of which can be found via Spotify, below, as well as on Apple Music and many other platforms. So take a listen, and support!
Related: In July, we told you about William Hobbs, another upcliff Weehawken neighbor whose new classical album might just be a future Grammy winner.
Westfieldâs Weird & Wonderful Street Sign Auction
The Town of Westfield, NJ recently replaced their street signs. But they saved all the old signs, and they are currently auctioning them off. Right now, signs for Tremont Avenue are going for up to $200, while signs for Azelea Trail are only $15. Why? Who knows? Anyway, itâs cool because proceeds will go to their Public Arts Commission.
You can bid anytime now through November 13 here: 32auctions.com/westfield-street-signs
đ Sponsor Message: Startup Pet Brand Wants Your Opinion
This is Al, also known as Vicious Alvin. His mom is launching a pet brand and seeks other pet parents to answer a few market research questions. And yes, Alvin is a stunning dogfluencer, but this does not mean heâll be the spokesmodel for the brand. The survey is super short and here on Google forms. Once again, take the Vicious Alvin pet survey now to help support our furry friend and Weehawken Gazette sponsor!
đđ¤ľââď¸November 15: Fall Supper Club
First off, this will sell out, thatâs why weâre sharing early.
This event is done periodically by Lorraineâs Table, a local gourmet meal delivery service we profiled back in March. It takes place upstairs at the Weehawken Elks.
What it is: four courses plus hors dâoeuvres, most drinks and tip included. Hereâs some highlights: the special cocktail for the eve is Harvest Punch, an expert concoction of vodka, pomegranate, orange liquor, ginger and champagne.
Hereâs a peek at the starters: Mortadella Smear, Fig Balsamic, Pistachio on Focaccia; Wild Mushroom Risotto Coin, Black Pepper Truffle Aioli; Fried Stuffed Olives; Butternut Squash & Ricotta Gnocchi, Parmesan Sage Cream; Chicken Liver Mousse, Cranberry Mostarda.
And then thereâs 4 whole courses. Go see the whole menu here.
When: Saturday, November 15th at 6:30 pm | 2 50th St. & Blvd East, Weehawken
$135 per person includes: specialty cocktail, mocktail, beer, wine & non-alcoholic beverages throughout dinner and gratuity. Cash bar available for all other drinks. Reservations: Contact Lorraine at 201-598-8878 or Lorrainestable@optonline.net
đ§đťââď¸ Friday 10/24: Halloween Party at Weehawken Elks
The previous event is upstairs at the Elks, this is in the cozy downstairs pub. What it is:
đ§ đ¤ Trivia & Karaoke
đ Music & Dancing
đ´ Appetizer Buffet
đ˛ $20 entry | $15 if youâre in costume
đĽ 21 & Over
đ Weehawken Elks Lodge
Please RSVP: contactweehawkenelks@gmail.com
And if you arenât sold yet, check out this cool flierâŚ
In Brief
đŠ The Womenâs Club of Weehawken raises money for local causes: books for school children, families in need, the First Aid Squad and more. Their next meeting is Monday, Oct. 20 at 7PM in the Senior Nutrition Center, 201 Highwood Ave. They say, âYou are more than welcome to attend and experience what we are about. We do collect $45 dues in April to offset some of our expenses.â If you are thinking of going, they ask you to RSVP via email so they can plan the snacks: wcweehawken@gmail.com
đ Sunday 10/12: Meet The Rail Fleet â Got a kid who loves trains? Can you get to Hoboken? Then you gotta go to this. Did we mention itâs free? It is. We could tell you more, but the whole story plus cool pics from last yearâs event are here on Patch.
đ đWednesday 10/15: ArtHaus Ribbon Cutting & Reception â ArtHaus at 4700 Park Avenue in Weehawken bills itself as a âcreative arts hub in Hudson County, dedicated to providing instruction in music, art, dj, and music production, while fostering artistic exploration and cultural dialogue and community collaboration.â They tell us they are having an official grand opening with ribbon cutting, local officials, and light refreshments on Wed. October 15th at 5p. Itâs open to the public, and a reception will follow the ceremony.
đłď¸ Donât miss out: Register to vote in NJ by October 14! Check the stats of your registration or register here: www.nj.gov/state/elections/voter-registration.shtml
And Finally⌠The Weehawken Pool Is Open!
Itâs open⌠if youâre a goose. Yes, Iâm officially jealous of geese now. Thanks to the neighbor who sent this photo.
Real pool news: the mayor says the bubble will go up any day now and be open by end of October â if everything goes well. Will your summer membership get you in? No. Basically, stand by for details. Theyâve never done this, so itâs got to be figured out. Oh and remember the poll from the last newsletter about how many visits the Weehawken pool had in the 2025 season? The correct answer was⌠drumroll⌠41,000! 39% of responders got it right.
OK: big props to Hugo Holland, our unpaid copyeditor who is studying math, physics, and exotic apple sauce flavors in the Weehawken Gazetteâs Paris Bureau. Private to Hugo: what do you want for your birthday? Hmm?
Be in touch! Leave a comment here or email us tips: susie@bignoyes.com
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Tah for now nice nabes!
Susie
PS Subscribers get this newsletter first AND they can laugh at exclusive typos that are later corrected in the archive version.
*We currently have only one reporter and one photographer, but we think you know thatâŚ
Great read!