Dear Brendan,

I have arrived safely and New Jersey and am enjoying my visit with the Mistretta Family. Aunt Sharon said that she is very happy to have me as a visitor. She read your letter and is very impressed with your handwriting. It is very neat and organized.

Aunt Sharon and I discussed the questions contained in your letter. Here are her answers:

1. Do you like living in New Jersey?

Yes, Brendan, I like living in New Jersey. I have lived here all of my life. I went to grammar school at Our Lady of Mercy School with your Mom. We also attended Immaculate Heart Academy together. Your Mom is my very best pal.

2. What is your favorite thing to do?

One of my favorite things to do is to garden. Do you know that New Jersey is called the "Garden State"? The origin of this nickname has been debated. It has been said that Revolutionary War soldiers gave the state this name. While the soldiers were fighting in New Jersey, they would stop at the many small farms along the way for food. Also, the Garden State was mentioned by Abraham Browning of Camden, N.J. during a speech at Philadelphia's Centennial Celebration on August 24, 1876. Mr. Browning compared New Jersey "to an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvanians grabbing from one end and the New Yorkers from the other. He called New Jersey the Garden State, and the name has clung to it ever since."

3. What is the weather like in New Jersey?

New Jersey has a temperate climate. This means that we have all four seasons and that each season is not extreme in any way. I always look forward to the change in the seasons. Today, it is about 48 degrees and cloudy. We are expecting rain which makes the farmers happy. The crops in New Jersey need plenty of rain in order to grow.

Well, that is all for now. Aunt Sharon tells me that we are going to Suzanne's practice for the Bergen Youth Orchestras. Suzanne plays violin and I am looking forward to listening to the practice. Did you know that Bergen is one of the twenty-one counties in New Jersey? Aunt Sharon says that we will learn about counties in the link being written for the Bergen Youth Orchestra visit.

Bye for now,

Love,

Flat Brendan