New Jersey takes its supermarkets seriously. But the love affair with Corrado’s (www.corradosmarket.com) market borders on obsession.

The huge Clifton-based, family owned market packs crowds from nearby and out of state, in its flagship uber-market.  So, when the first offspring of Clifton’s sprawling market opened last month in Wayne, we knew the new store would be special.

The produce section, a signature of the Clifton store, is smaller here, but still larger and better stocked with more unusual foods than the average neighborhood market. Prices are surprisingly low, most fruit and vegetables are purchased direct from the distributors.

The butcher’s got an impressive array of beef cuts and pre-pared dinners. The seafood counter sports fish so fresh you’ll wonder how it got off the boat and into the display case so quickly. There’s an island of cheese and endless varieties of olives and tapenades. Don’t even go near the bakery!

We bought a pound of bananas, more than three pounds of apples, (neither was organic) a huge fresh avocado, a big hunk of fresh mozzarella, two cans of Corrado’s soup, plus two types of packaged pasta. The bill was just north of $17— surely half of what it would be at King’s or Whole Foods, and competitive with the most aggressively priced markets.

 Corrado’s Wayne succeeds because it is fun to shop here, and there is so much to see. And, you aren’t paying a premium for the experience. So it’s upscale in atmosphere, downscale at the register, and on our scale of one to ten, we’ll give Corrado’s eight shopping carts.

Today, most of us who are old enough, will close the curtain, pull the lever, and participate in the world’s greatest democracy. But here are some people who aregetting our vote for doing good, in the face of so many challenges. 

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (www.mhanj.org/) is honoring people with mental illness who have successfully overcome daunting barriers, and are joining the workforce. The group also salutes employers who help make a difference, and individuals who work in the field. You can help them by attending this year’s awards luncheon, November 12, at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.

The nice folks at the Short Hills Mall (www.shopshorthills.com) are bringing in fifty deserving youngsters—giving them a pair of new pajamas, and treating them to a private party with Santa, the Snow Globes, and story telling on Friday morning. The mall will donate $5,000 to  New Jersey chapter of The Pajama Program  (www.pajamaprogram.org).

This Saturday, you can roll up your sleeves and help paint a huge outdoor mural for the Morristown Neighborhood House. Just show up at Marty’s Reliable Cycle (www.martysreliable.com) in Morristown , no paint brush or special talents necessary. The day is sponsored by the Arts Council Of The Morris Area (www.morrisarts.org) and the idea is to help beautify a building, and inspire community appreciation for art.

On November 22nd, friends and supporters of Spectrum For Living, (www.spectrumforliving.org) with gather in West Orange to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the organization and raise money for its future.  Spectrum assists developmentally disabled adults achieve their full potential, by providing housing and clinical services. The honorary chair of the dinner is Sopranos star Lorraine Bracco.

Finally, a suggestion from a reader, following our story last week on preserving Jersey fresh produce for the winter months. (www.njmyway.com/content/view/528/1/)  Rory Rogel suggested that if people have extra produce they can’t or won’t use, they should consider donating it to a local soup kitchen or food pantry.  www.hud.gov/local/nj/homeless/meals.cfm has a list of worthwhile agencies across the state.

You’ve all got our vote!

Nancy and David Stone were high school sweethearts, bound by their love for each other, and captivated by the world of designing, marketing and selling jewelry.

They attended different colleges. But early on after graduation, David left his marketing job to invest in Nancy’s line of jewelry.  Soon afterwards, they were married.

Their passion fueled a marriage that yielded three children (“The three best designs we ever created!”) and a business that landed their gems in the biggest luxury department stores.  And now, accolades. Nancy and David Fine Jewels (www.nancyanddavid.com) in Millburn was named as one of the America’s Best Jewelers by the National Jeweler Network (www.nationaljewelernetwork.com) this past summer.

Their secret? She designs, he markets, and both seem to know exactly what jewelry consumers want at any given moment.

Fortunoff gave them their first major retail exposure. Nancy sold out her silver jewelry collection on QVC in her debut appearance. The designs range from affordable to heavy bling, with rings and bracelets made from rare rubies, and colored diamonds.  

Even if you’ve never been to the shop, you know of them by the signature town clock they donated to Millburn because they thought the downtown should have something that resembled a traditional town square.

What’s next? Because this is a family business, initially created so Nancy could stay close to home with her children, the kids have helped design a Bar/Bat Mitzvah registry that’s become popular in town.

“We have a passion for what we do, we love it,” says David, after helping a young customer pick an engagement ring.  It clearly shows, in the Stones’ romance, and in the romance of the stones they’ve created.

NJ My Way readers—mention this column and you’ll get 10% off from your purchase at the Millburn store!

Asbury Park has plenty of spirits this Halloween.

Led by Kathy Kelly, owner of the new Paranormal Books and Curiosities (www.paranormalbooksnj.com), would-be ghost busters and spirit seekers are connecting with the other side in this seaside resort, in a big way.  

The best known ghosts belong to Asbury Lanes. (www.asburylanes.com) Kathy brings thrill seekers there –and elsewhere in Asbury for her Paranormal Investigations. The tours are not only a first-hand look into the mysterious world of ghost busting, but also a great behind-the-scenes view into some of the town’s historic landmarks.  

A retro bowling lane from the ‘60s, most of the Lanes’ interior is original, from the light fixtures to the wood paneling on the walls. However, the liquors at the bar aren’t the only spirits occupying the lanes.

“It has been rumored to be haunted by a couple of spirits; a man in the Lounge who has been known to reach for people’s drinks, and a grumpy mechanic named Joe who supposedly used to fix the bowling machines,” Kathy says.  

She arms the ghost hunters with some of the best paranormal gear, ranging from EMF detectors which sense electrical fields to non-contact thermometers used to measure the temperature of an object (it is said spirits’ temperatures are at least 20 degrees cooler than the room temperature.)

After fueling up with a catered meal brought to the location, the lights are turned off and the excitement builds. Even non-believers may hear the creaking in the corridors.

In November, the ghost busters are going to historic Crane House and Restaurant Plan B, among other spooky joints. If nothing else, it’s a good chance to meet some of your kindred spirits.

This article was written by NJ My Way contributor -Samantha Gilham.

Get your Halloween started tonight, with the first annual boardwalk costume parade in Asbury Park (www.cityofasburypark.com) and a Chamber of Commerce sponsored march tomorrow night.

Follow this with some scary good times all weekend.

Try a haunted hayride (www.heavenhillfarm.com/halospok.html) in Vernon. Same theme in Flemington, at Schaefer Farms (www.schaeferfarms.com) Or face your worst nightmare at DePiero’s Farm in Montvale (www.night-mares.com). 

If you are thinking about going to the theatre… our friends at the George Street Playhouse have some Halloween specials planned for audiences this weekend at their funny/scary original hit musical The Toxic Avenger. (www.gsponline.org)  

All that screaming really helps work up your appetite!

The hosts at Mortons Steakhouse in Hackensack (www.mortons.com) want you to sink your teeth into a juicy burger, and it’s for a great cause. They’ll donate $5 for each sirloin burger entrée you order, to the Make A Wish Foundation, which makes dreams come true for critically ill youngsters.

Marlton gets a brand new Bonefish Grill, (www.bonefishgrill.com) the seafood chain that keeps spawning all over the state – with good reason; great quality and good value.

Kids can make their own edible Halloween haunted house at Chef Central (www.chefcentral.com) in Paramus.

In Flanders, families can create food and art…together.  That’s the idea behind Cooks and Crafts (www.cooksandcrafts.com) where you can learn how to make a gourmet meal, or a  home-made house gift.

Enjoy the quality time, and let someone else clean up the mess! Now that’s a recipe for a great weekend.