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Creature of Folklore or Evasive Monster?
Haunted Woods
For generations, Jerseyites have shared tales of a mysterious monster that haunts the remote woods and swamps of New Jersey. What is this creature? Where did it come from? Why New Jersey? Why
not Vermont or Delaware or Colorado for that matter? Why does it terrify the people of south Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania? What makes it so slippery? After generations of avoiding the camera lens and capture, this monster has made a recognizable name for itself.
Pine Barrens
Pine Barrens had been a remote area for many years, and over time, it went through some changes. It was this anomalous region where word first filtered out about the periodic forays of the afore mentioned strange creature. For 240 years countless stories of it circulated throughout south Jersey and have been passed on from one generation to the next.
As a story can be enriched by the one telling it, details will change, but the one thing that is constant with the residents of Pine Barren is the legend of the creature. It regularly terrorized communities in south Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, and then returned to its lair somewhere in the Pine Barrens. This is the Jersey Devil.
Creature of folklore or evasive monster? You decide.
You Decide
Is the tale of the Leeds family true? Was the monster a gypsy curse? In the course of its extraordinary history, the Jersey Devil has been exorcised, shot, electrocuted, declared dead, and scoffed at as sheer foolishness – none of which has had any apparent effect on it or the people who continue to see it.
This mysterious creature is said to prowl the lonely sand trails and mist-shrouded marshes of the Pine Barrens, and emerge periodically to rampage through the towns and cities of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.
Uncover the mystery of this strange creature in the pages of this bestselling book all about New Jersey’s Jersey Devil.
Meet the Authors
James McCloy has a B.A. and M.A. from Rowan University. He spent many years as an Adjunct Professor of History at Wilmington University. He has appeared on many radio and TV programs to discuss the Jersey Devil and has also given lectures at schools, colleges, libraries, and historical societies.
Ray Miller, Jr. has a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware and spent many years as a Professor of English at Wilmington University. He co-authored two books on the Jersey Devil and has written numerous articles in various magazines and journals. Ray resides in New Jersey.
Dave McCloy has two associate degrees, a master plumber license, and he lives and works in Lewes, Delaware. Dave has had a life long interest in the legend of the Jersey Devil. Growing up the son of a researcher, lecturer, and writer on the subject, the legend was an every-present part of family life. Today, Dave spends his free time traveling with his wife and dog in their small camper.
What else does Blue River Press offer? We have an array of books from fiction to self-help, from resume writing to how to write with certain styles. Take a look around our shop and see for yourself. If you need to contact us, you can do so here.
The content of this article was taken from the book The Jersey Devil by James McCloy, Ray Miller, Jr, and Dave McCloy, Blue River Press, 2016.
Mariano Rivera: From Panama Fishing Village to World Series Champion
In 1969, Mariano Rivera was born in a poor Panamanian fishing village, but he would go on to become a thirteen-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion. He holds two MLB records and many other awards, yet when asked to describe his job, his humble reply was, “I get the ball, I throw the ball, and I take a shower.”
After he retired, he devoted himself to philanthropic work and his churches. He and his wife, Clara sponsor college sponsorships, a foundation to provide underprivileged children with educations, and a number of other projects that help others.
In 2019, Mariano was honored by President Trump with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest non-military award in the United States. That same year he was unanimously voted into the national Baseball Hall of Fame.
It Began in a Fishing Village
In the fishing village where he grew up, many families did not have running water, electricity, or indoor bathrooms. The Rivera family had electricity and running water, but they used an outhouse.
And everything smelled like fish.
As a youngster, he played baseball and soccer with his cousins, and he really liked soccer over baseball until the day he was hit in the eye with a soccer ball. He had temporarily lost his vision and left that game behind.
He discovered that he had good aim when they played a game they had made up where they cut holes in cardboard and threw rocks from a distance through the holes.
He played for a team in Panama called the Cowboys. He was so good that two of his teammates spoke to a scout. This skinny pitcher would become one of the greatest of all time 
at his position and would help lead the New York Yankees to an era of great success.
Mariano Rivera has led a life that is full of adventures, conquests, victories, and humanitarian outreaches. You can read about his start, his baseball career, and where he is today in All About Mariano Rivera by Jorge Iber and Raquel Iber published by Blue River Press 2020. Included in the contents you will find quotes, a glossary, timelines, and an index. Pick up your copy to day here or wherever fine books are sold.
About the Authors
Jorge Iber is an Associate Dean at Texas Tech University. As a professor, he focuses on the social significance of the history of Latinx people in US sports. He has written eleven books for children and adults with several books on baseball, including Mike Torrez: A Baseball Biography (McFarland 2016)
Raquel Iber is a retired elementary school teacher. She grew up in New Jersey, and is a huge fan of the Yankees and Mariano Rivera.
From the precocious fourth grader to Hi-Lo level eight graders, students will enjoy the All About…series! These titles offer a diverse range of topics and are great resources for school reports or leisure reading. Each title has a Lexile number and F&P rating. These books include 55+ illustrations and a timeline, glossary, index, bibliography, and teacher guide. 