| Revision as of 14:50, 8 March 2015 editLuckyLouie (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers27,112 edits LATimes ref← Previous edit | Revision as of 14:56, 8 March 2015 edit undoLuckyLouie (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers27,112 edits Clean out promotional cruft, summarize what sources supportNext edit → | ||
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| 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 ].<ref>Day, Dan ] Online. Press Association, Inc. 2004. HighBeam Research. 8 Mar. 2015.</ref><ref name=LATimes>{{cite news|last1=Beale|first1=Lewis|title=That's just Weird|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/20/entertainment/ca-weird20|accessdate=8 March 2015|work=Style & Culture|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=February 20, 2005}}</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 ].<ref>Day, Dan ] Online. Press Association, Inc. 2004. HighBeam Research. 8 Mar. 2015.</ref><ref name=LATimes>{{cite news|last1=Beale|first1=Lewis|title=That's just Weird|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/20/entertainment/ca-weird20|accessdate=8 March 2015|work=Style & Culture|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=February 20, 2005}}</ref> | ||
| The popularity of the magazine has inspired many fans of Moran and Sceurman's work. Subjects covered include the ], ], ],"Gates of Hell," ], ], ], and the Devil's Tower. The painting of a grinning face named ] from the ] building in ] has appeared in many ''Weird NJ'' books and on the magazine covers.<ref name="Washington Post" /><ref name=LATimes /> | |||
| ==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}} | |||
| 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== | ||
Revision as of 14:56, 8 March 2015
| An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it.Feel free to improve the article, but do not remove this notice before the discussion is closed. For more information, see the guide to deletion. Find sources: "Weird NJ" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR%5B%5BWikipedia%3AArticles+for+deletion%2FWeird+NJ%5D%5DAFD |
 Weird nj #17 | |
| Editor | Mark Moran Mark Sceurman |
|---|---|
| Categories | local interest, regional culture, paranormal |
| Frequency | semi-annual |
| First issue | 1989 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Website | WeirdNJ.com |
Weird NJ (or WNJ) is the title of a semi-annual magazine and two paranormal travel guides that chronicle local legends, hauntings, ghost stories, folklore and anything considered "weird" in New Jersey. 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.
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 Zip the Pinhead.
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 guides 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 many fans of Moran and Sceurman's work. Subjects covered include the Jersey Devil, 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 many Weird NJ books and on the magazine covers.
See also
References
- Silbert, Jack. "JERSEYANA; Weirdest of All, the Magazine Has Caught On." The New York Times, 27 Sept. 2003. Web. 07 Mar. 2015.
- ^ Copeland, Libby (June 30, 2004). "Weird N.J., Celebrating The Odd State of Mind". No. Page C01. Washington Post. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- Day, Dan "'Weird NJ' Book Flying Off the Shelves." Associated Press Online. Press Association, Inc. 2004. HighBeam Research. 8 Mar. 2015.
- ^ Beale, Lewis (February 20, 2005). "That's just Weird". Style & Culture. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
Further reading
- Moran, Mark and Mark Sceurman (2004). Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 0-7607-3979-X.
- Moran, Mark and Mark Sceurman (2006). Weird N.J., Vol. 2: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 1-4027-3941-9.