| Revision as of 22:10, 7 March 2015 editLuckyLouie (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers27,112 edits Rem. "Selected issues" not noted by any independent 3rd party sources← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 02:43, 21 November 2024 edit undoOlliverWithDoubleL (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users24,710 editsm Added short descriptionTags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit iOS app edit App description add | ||
| (47 intermediate revisions by 25 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{Short description|Magazine for oddities based in New Jersey, US}} | |||
| <!-- Please do not remove or change this AfD message until the issue is settled --> | |||
| {{Article for deletion/dated|page=Weird NJ|timestamp=20150306080155|year=2015|month=March|day=6|substed=yes|help=off}} | |||
| <!-- For administrator use only: {{Old AfD multi|page=Weird NJ|date=6 March 2015|result='''keep'''}} --> | |||
| <!-- End of AfD message, feel free to edit beyond this point --> | |||
| {{Infobox magazine | {{Infobox magazine | ||
| |title |
| title = Weird N.J. | ||
| | logo = | |||
| |image_file = Weird NJ cover.jpg | |||
| | logo_size = | |||
| ⚫ | |image_size |
||
| | |
| image_file = Weird NJ cover.jpg | ||
| ⚫ | | image_size = | ||
| |editor = ]<br>] | |||
| | image_alt = | |||
| ⚫ | |frequency |
||
| | image_caption = Cover of issue #17 | |||
| ⚫ | |circulation |
||
| | editor = <!-- up to |editor5= --> | |||
| |category = local interest, regional culture, paranormal | |||
| | editor_title = <!-- up to |editor_title5= --> | |||
| ⚫ | |company |
||
| | editor2 = ]<br/>] | |||
| |firstdate = 1989 | |||
| | editor_title2 = Publisher/Editor | |||
| ⚫ | |country |
||
| | editor3 = Joanne Austin | |||
| ⚫ | |language |
||
| | editor_title3 = Senior Editor | |||
| ⚫ | |website |
||
| | previous_editor = | |||
| |issn = |\ | |||
| | staff_writer = {{plainlist| | |||
| * ] | |||
| * Ryan Doan | |||
| * Jon Grove | |||
| * Cheryl Ann Marino | |||
| * Kate Philbrick | |||
| * Jesse P. Pollack | |||
| * Keith Seminerio | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| | photographer = {{plainlist| | |||
| '''''Weird NJ''''' (or '''''WNJ''''') is the title of a semi-annual ] and two paranormal travel guides that chronicle local ]s, ]s, ], ] and anything considered "weird" in ]. | |||
| * Ryan Doan | |||
| The books contain information and stories about unusual places and or events in New Jersey. There is a wide range of 'Weird' books about many states. | |||
| * Jennifer Rose | |||
| * Rusty Tagliareni | |||
| * Christina Mathews | |||
| }} | |||
| | category = ], Local interests | |||
| ⚫ | | frequency = Biannually | ||
| | format = | |||
| ⚫ | | circulation = | ||
| | publisher = Weird NJ, LLC | |||
| | paid_circulation = | |||
| | unpaid_circulation = | |||
| | circulation_year = | |||
| | total_circulation = | |||
| | founder = ]<br/>Mark Moran | |||
| | founded = {{start date|1989}} | |||
| | firstdate = {{start date|1992}} | |||
| | finaldate = | |||
| | finalnumber = | |||
| ⚫ | | company = | ||
| ⚫ | | country = United States | ||
| | based = ] | |||
| ⚫ | | language = English | ||
| ⚫ | | website = {{URL|www.weirdnj.com}} | ||
| | issn = 2159-2993 | |||
| | oclc = 27875028 | |||
| }} | |||
| '''''Weird NJ''''' (sometimes abbreviated '''''WNJ''''') is a semi-annual ] that chronicles local ]s, purported ]s, ], ], unusual places or events, and other peculiarities in ]. The magazine originated in 1989 as a newsletter sent to friends by ] and ], but as it grew in popularity, it became a public magazine published twice a year. It spawned a series of books called '']'', which chronicle oddities from individual states in the United States aside from New Jersey, which in turn led to ] that aired on the ]. | |||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| ''Weird NJ'' began in 1989 as a personal newsletter sent to friends by ] and ]. Gradually it evolved from a ] into a public magazine published twice a year in May and October. Abandoned places, eerie experiences, unique people, and strange landmarks were and still are common subjects for the magazine. Past issues have covered everything from the ] and ] sightings to abandoned ] |
''Weird NJ'' began in 1989 as a personal newsletter sent to friends by ] and ]. Gradually it evolved from a ] into a public magazine published twice a year in May and October. Abandoned places, eerie experiences, unique people, and strange landmarks were and still are common subjects for the magazine. Past issues have covered everything from the ] and ] sightings to abandoned ] silos, the legend of the ] and the life of ]. Subjects covered include the ], ], "Gates of Hell", ], ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/autos/creepy-cursed-curvy-new-jersey-clinton-road-frightening-road-america-article-1.1803331|title=Clinton Road, New Jersey: The scariest and strangest road in the U.S.|last=Kurczewski|first=Nick|date=May 23, 2014|work=]|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/highway-to-hell-a-journey-down-americas-most-haunted-road|title=Highway to Hell: A Journey Down America's Most Haunted Road|last=Brodesser-Akner|first=Taffy|date=October 27, 2015|website=]|access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> ], and the Devil's Tower. The painting of a grinning face named ] from the ] building in ] has appeared in several ''Weird NJ'' publications and on the magazine covers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/nyregion/jerseyana-weirdest-of-all-the-magazine-has-caught-on.html|title=Weirdest of All, the Magazine Has Caught On|last=Silbert|first=Jack|date=September 28, 2003|work=]|access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="washington post">{{cite news|last=Copeland|first=Libby|title=Weird N.J., Celebrating The Odd State of Mind|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16284-2004Jun29.html?referrer=emailarticlepg|date=June 30, 2004|newspaper=]|issue=Page C01|access-date=March 8, 2015}}</ref> | ||
| In 2003 a ''Weird NJ'' book, made up of content from earlier issues, was published. The next year saw the follow-up ''Weird US'', covering sites and stories across the country. That led to a series of ] for other states and areas, including ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], and a ], '']'', on the ]. | |||
| ==Influence== | |||
| The painting of a grinning face named ] has appeared in many ''Weird NJ'' books and on the magazine covers. In 2004, the ] building in ] with the image of Tillie on it was set to be destroyed to make way for a ]. When ''Weird NJ'' readers learned of the planned ], efforts were started to try to save the building. Tillie's face was saved; but the rest of the building, built more than a century ago, was not. | |||
| Also covered was the unsuccessful removal (thanks to the efforts of local residents) of the "]," a large sign painted to resemble a circus clown that currently advertises a liquor store along ] in ]. | |||
| Additionally, ''Weird NJ'' has also been responsible for saving the historical copper dome in the town center of ], which was scheduled to be torn down after a fire destroyed the building it sat upon. | |||
| ''Weird NJ'' has influenced similar groups in New Jersey and around the United States. These include "The Midnight Society" (now defunct), "PsychoNJ," and "LostDestinations". | |||
| There are many other strange New Jersey locations such as "]," "Gates of Hell," "]," "]," "]," and Devil's Tower. | |||
| ==Community== | |||
| The growth of the magazine has led to the creation of a community of sorts for fans of Moran and Sceurman's work. These avid readers often travel to sites listed within the pages of the periodical themselves, which is frequently considered a dangerous practice and is ]. In an attempt to dissuade readers - or at the least, remove ] from the editors and publishers of ''Weird NJ'' - a disclaimer has been posted on the inside cover of each issue. | |||
| The most popular locations to explore are usually ], such as ], ] and old homes. ] locales are given extra attention. Explorers are known to take pictures and upload them to various websites and online groups for others with the interest to see.<ref>. Retrieved January 12, 2014.</ref><ref>. Retrieved January 12, 2014.</ref> | |||
| In some areas, small groups -mostly composed of teens or twentysomethings- take weekends of "WNJ Runs" and try to visit the current issue's featured locations.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} | |||
| This is considered by most to be related to ] and is very popular, especially given New Jersey's small size and the accessibility of major roads and arteries, such as the ], the ] and the ].{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} | |||
| In 2003 a ''Weird NJ'' book, made up of content from earlier issues, was published. The next year saw the follow-up ''Weird US'', covering sites and stories across the country. That led to a series of '']'' books for other states and areas, including ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], and a ], '']'', on the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-89842658.html|title='Weird NJ' Book Flying Off the Shelves."|last=Day|first=Dan|date=January 26, 2004|publisher=]|access-date=March 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095108/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-89842658.html|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-feb-20-ca-weird20-story.html|title=That's just Weird|last=Beale|first=Lewis|date=February 20, 2005|work=]|access-date=March 8, 2015}}</ref> The popularity of the magazine has inspired a community of fans of Moran and Sceurman's work.<ref name="washington post" /> | |||
| Most of the sites are remnants of a time when New Jersey was far more rural than it is now.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| *] | * ] | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 56: | Line 66: | ||
| ==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
| *{{cite book |
* {{cite book|last1=Moran|first1=Mark|last2=Sceurman|first2=Mark|title=Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets|publisher=Barnes & Noble|year=2004|isbn=978-0760739792}} | ||
| *{{cite book |
* {{cite book|last1=Moran|first1=Mark|last2=Sceurman|first2=Mark|title=Weird N.J., Vol. 2: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets|publisher=Barnes & Noble|year=2006|isbn=978-1402739415}} | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * |
* {{official|url=http://www.weirdnj.com}} | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Weird Nj}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:43, 21 November 2024
Magazine for oddities based in New Jersey, US Cover of issue #17 | |
| Publisher/Editor | Mark Sceurman Mark Moran |
|---|---|
| Senior Editor | Joanne Austin |
| Staff writers |
|
| Photographer |
|
| Categories | Guidebook, Local interests |
| Frequency | Biannually |
| Publisher | Weird NJ, LLC |
| Founder | Mark Sceurman Mark Moran |
| Founded | 1989 (1989) |
| First issue | 1992 (1992) |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Bloomfield, NJ |
| Language | English |
| Website | www |
| ISSN | 2159-2993 |
| OCLC | 27875028 |
Weird NJ (sometimes abbreviated WNJ) is a semi-annual magazine that chronicles local legends, purported hauntings, ghost stories, folklore, unusual places or events, and other peculiarities in New Jersey. The magazine originated in 1989 as a newsletter sent to friends by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, but as it grew in popularity, it became a public magazine published twice a year. It spawned a series of books called Weird US, which chronicle oddities from individual states in the United States aside from New Jersey, which in turn led to a television series that aired on the History Channel.
History
Weird NJ began in 1989 as a personal newsletter sent to friends by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman. Gradually it evolved from a fanzine into a public magazine published twice a year in May and October. Abandoned places, eerie experiences, unique people, and strange landmarks were and still are common subjects for the magazine. Past issues have covered everything from the Jersey Devil and UFO sightings to abandoned Nike missile silos, the legend of the "Hookerman" Lights and the life of Zippy the Pinhead. Subjects covered include the Evil Clown of Middletown, Midgetville, "Gates of Hell", Shades of Death Road, Clinton Road, Demon Alley, and the Devil's Tower. The painting of a grinning face named Tillie from the Palace Amusements building in Asbury Park has appeared in several Weird NJ publications and on the magazine covers.
In 2003 a Weird NJ book, made up of content from earlier issues, was published. The next year saw the follow-up Weird US, covering sites and stories across the country. That led to a series of Weird US books for other states and areas, including Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Texas, California and New England, and a TV series, Weird U.S., on the History Channel. The popularity of the magazine has inspired a community of fans of Moran and Sceurman's work.
See also
References
- Kurczewski, Nick (May 23, 2014). "Clinton Road, New Jersey: The scariest and strangest road in the U.S." New York Daily News. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- Brodesser-Akner, Taffy (October 27, 2015). "Highway to Hell: A Journey Down America's Most Haunted Road". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- Silbert, Jack (September 28, 2003). "Weirdest of All, the Magazine Has Caught On". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
- ^ Copeland, Libby (June 30, 2004). "Weird N.J., Celebrating The Odd State of Mind". The Washington Post. No. Page C01. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
- Day, Dan (January 26, 2004). "'Weird NJ' Book Flying Off the Shelves."". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
- Beale, Lewis (February 20, 2005). "That's just Weird". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
Further reading
- Moran, Mark; Sceurman, Mark (2004). Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 978-0760739792.
- Moran, Mark; Sceurman, Mark (2006). Weird N.J., Vol. 2: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 978-1402739415.