It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Big Rusty By Thomas Dambo gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Hainesport, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Very easy to work with and set up care plan for my mother.”
“The service is excellent. The staff is really great. I love Working with Always Best”
“Fabulous team to work with. The best care senior service to work with. Especially Kendra,”
“Always Best Care has provided 24 / 7 Live in care for my mother. They”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Fabulous team to work with. The Best of the Best...... We know that when we”
“They are phenomenal!! Took great care of my not so easy Mom. They have ur”
“Great team to work with!!”
“I would like to recommend Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater South Jersey.. a”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Very easy to work with and set up care plan for my mother.”
“The service is excellent. The staff is really great. I love Working with Always Best Care because they take care of their employees. They work with you to see what hours you could work. When ever I have a emergency and I can not make it they find coverage. They give cases that are most of the time good with you. They work around my schedule. I love Working with ABC.”
“Fabulous team to work with. The best care senior service to work with. Especially Kendra, she is always available and always willing to help anyway she can and will go out of her way to make the patient and family’s experience 100x better. When our families are looking for additional care I know I can count on Always Best Care, to always give their very best. Big thank you to Kendra, Kerry and staff.”
“Always Best Care has provided 24 / 7 Live in care for my mother. They have taken very good care of my mother and I look forward to them continuing my mother’s care.”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Fabulous team to work with. The Best of the Best...... We know that when we refer our families to this "Wonderful" Company that they will take exceptional care of our clients.... Thank you Tammi, Kerri, Kendra and staff..”
“They are phenomenal!! Took great care of my not so easy Mom. They have ur back!!”
“Great team to work with!!”
“I would like to recommend Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater South Jersey.. a Veteran and Woman owned Company.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Long Bridge Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Pirones Restaurant & Catering or visit Long Bridge Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Hainesport, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Hainesport, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Hainesport, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
HAINESPORT – A piece of South Jersey restaurant history will soon be gone.Diamond Diner, which originated in Cherry Hill nearly 60 years ago, will close on March 3 at 1390 Route 38 in Hainesport, and will be renovated to reopen under new management and with a new name.Diamond Diner, which has been owned and operated by the Diamantis family since 1967, including patriarch Gus Diamantis, will no longer exist. The diner has been leased out to Pandora HC LLC of Mount Holly, according to the Diamantis family. Pandora owns mult...
HAINESPORT – A piece of South Jersey restaurant history will soon be gone.
Diamond Diner, which originated in Cherry Hill nearly 60 years ago, will close on March 3 at 1390 Route 38 in Hainesport, and will be renovated to reopen under new management and with a new name.
Diamond Diner, which has been owned and operated by the Diamantis family since 1967, including patriarch Gus Diamantis, will no longer exist. The diner has been leased out to Pandora HC LLC of Mount Holly, according to the Diamantis family. Pandora owns multiple other diners in South Jersey, including the Medport Diner location in Medford, and Pandora Diner locations in Cinnaminson, Springfield Township and Williamstown.
“After 57 years,” said Bill Patouhas, Gus Diamantis’ nephew, who helps manage Diamond Diner. “My uncle is a little bit older, 85 now, so it’s time for him to retire. It’s been leased by Pandora. Done deal. March 3, they take over. They’re going to renovate the place and it’ll probably take about two months and then they’ll reopen..”
Signs posted on the doors of the diner state: “The Diamantis Family. Established October 1967 will be closing March 3rd, 2024 and will be under NEW Management (Pandora). Renovations will take about two months. We like to THANK YOU all for all your patronage and will miss you!”
The original Diamond Diner was located in Cherry Hill at Route 70 and Grove Street for nearly 40 years. The diner was literally moved in pieces on nine trailers over to its current location in Hainesport and put back together. That location opened in 2007.
What's next for Medport site?Chipotle to replace Medport Diner … unless petition holds sway
On a recent Saturday morning, Diamond Diner was bustling with customers, including Steve Benjamin of Mount Laurel, who was on his way out of the door after his meal.
“Kind of bittersweet because I’ve been here forever so I’m going to miss these guys,” Benjamin said. “But I also know Pandora from their other locations and I think they’re pretty good. I think things probably will change from what I’m hearing in the wind. I know they’re going to be closed for two months for renovations so that must mean something.”
“This was physically moved, which is mindboggling to me. I think I was at the previous one, too. I know most of the people here. The wait staff, the owner Gus.”
Pat Austin of Hainesport was entering the diner for breakfast when he learned of the change. He wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I used to live a little closer and I used to come here a little more often than I have recently,” Austin said. “I can’t recall the last time I went to one of Pandora’s establishments. I was always happy when I came here, so I’ll miss the folks that serviced me here. Beyond that, I’m not sure what to expect, I’m not sure what to look forward to. Seems like it’s a sign of the times.”
Christos Papacristos has worked at Diamond Diner since 2019. He started as a server, became a cashier and host and after the height of the pandemic, moved to night shift cashier/manager.
“Gus is a hard boss to work for, but he’s a businessman that knows his business,” Papacristos said. “I'm very thankful to be working with Gus. After a while, out of respect, I've been calling him ‘Uncle Gus’. He makes me feel like part of the family. He made me a better person than I ever had been. Thank you for being my boss ‘Uncle Gus’. I will most definitely miss working with you! It's been a pleasure working with you.”
Patouhas said it does feel somewhat like the end of an era, but the family is not sad about it.
“I feel good because my uncle is a little older and he needs to relax and spend some time with the grandkids, take a vacation and go to Greece for the summer and relax,” Patouhas said.
Help support our journalism with a digital subscription.
Photos of the new trolls by Anastasia Morris /@parks.places.pics / @anastasia_morris_photographyChances are you’re already familiar with Big Rusty, the giant trash troll in Hainesport, NJ that graced the coverof the #61 issue of Weird NJ. Well,now Big Rusty has 18 new troll friends joining him t...
Photos of the new trolls by Anastasia Morris /@parks.places.pics / @anastasia_morris_photography
Chances are you’re already familiar with Big Rusty, the giant trash troll in Hainesport, NJ that graced the cover
of the #61 issue of Weird NJ. Well,now Big Rusty has 18 new troll friends joining him throughout Burlington County. The trolls are part of Burlington County Troll Trek, a new public art exhibition organized by the Burlington County Commissioners and the Burlington County Parks System.
This exhibit was inspired by Big Rusty and the artist Thomas Dambo. The new trolls were made by 16 artists and teams of artists selected from dozens of submissions made in response to a Burlington County Parks System prospectus and each artist or team was awarded a $500 stipend to help cover the cost of materials and installation expenses.
All the trolls are made from recycled or natural materials, just like Big Rusty. This exhibit was kicked off on Saturday, September 28th during the Arts After Dark festival at Historic Smithville Park, where two of the new trolls were unveiled.
If you’d like to go on a self-guided Troll Stroll of your own, there’s a great navigational google GPS in this article that is very helpful as well as a downloadable map. https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/2076/Troll-Trek-2024
My son Miles and I were one of the creators of a troll for the Burlington Troll trek. We were so excited to hear your magazine was visiting the trolls. We buy your magazine, own the board game and have some of your books. Knowing you would see Kevin (our troll) and a picture of him could end up in your magazine was awesome. Then I saw the article and every single troll is pictured, and the only one missing was ours, #18. Kevin located in Juliustown Park. Miles designed and chose the materials, and I, his mom, did the welding. This was a big deal to do this creation with my son. I’m sure it’s just an oversight. I just wanted to make you aware. –Meg Simon
If you walk down an old dirt road into a Burlington County forest, near the banks of the South Branch of the Rancocas River, you might catch a glimpse of something truly monstrous. The trail takes you through a dense stand of 20-foot-tall bamboo before opening up into the vast expanse of a cracked parking lot. A hundred yards away, across the sunbaked concrete, you’ll see an abandoned building in ruins. This sight alone might be enough to entice a curious explorer to investigate further. But wait, there is something else in this picture – resting up against the building sits a 20-foot-tall giant that seems to devouring it!
The gargantuan colossus appears to be minding its own busy, happily chomping on scraps of the partially demolished structure. Stranger still, it seems to be clad in an armor made from the exact same materials which it is consuming; sheet metal, wood shingles and other detritus. But fear not, fellow travelers, for this behemoth brut means us humans no
harm and has not come as the destroyer of worlds. Quite to the contrary, he actually comes bearing a message of sustainability, community engagement, and unlimited imagination.
This past summer, artist Thomas Dambo, a native of Denmark, launched his U.S. tour, “Way of the Bird King,” with the creation of one of his large-scale public art installations here in New Jersey. On June 28 he unveiling of newly built “Big Rusty” at an abandoned factory located in Hainesport. The tour will take Dambo’s passion for recycling, sustainability, and community engagement on the road for his largest sculpture project to date.
Unlike the many trolls Dambo has created before him, which were whimsical wooden characters meticulously planned out prior to their construction, Big Rusty would be cobbled together using nothing by materials found at the long-abandoned Hainesport location. Dambo doesn’t ever consider him a “troll,” describing him as more of a “monster.” Thomas knew he wanted to portray his monster in the act of eating the already partially demolished building, but didn’t know exactly what material he would have available to work with until he arrived at the site. When he laid eyes on the location though, he couldn’t have been more pleased at the wide array of his raw material at his disposal with which to arrange his artistic palette, calling it the “Perfect bank of great materials.”
It is often said that, “You are what you eat,” and in Big Rusty’s case, that adage is the literally truth. The gargantuan ogre is fabricated entirely from recycled materials scavenged from the dilapidated factory; shards of wooden beams, cinderblocks, rusted metal from the building’s corrugated steel roof, electrical wiring conduit, rebar, sheet of graffiti-scrawled plywood and galvanized steel.
Before becoming one of the world’s leading recycle artist, Dambo led a multifaceted life that allowed him to express his creativity via music, street art, and scenic design. After graduating from the Kolding Design School with a master’s
degree in interactive design, he began his current journey of using recycled materials to create colorful art installations, building the foundation for his artwork today. He is known internationally for his larger-than-life troll sculptures that are a part of his project “The Trail of a Thousand Trolls” which are all made from recycled wood and usually situated in scenic natural environments.
With 87 sculptures all over the world, the trolls have begun to have a life of their own, popping up in Denmark, USA, France, Germany, China, South Korea, Chile, and have interacted with millions through in-person visits, shared photos, and international media coverage.
Way of the Bird King tour will see Thomas and his team of 22 troll builders, along with local volunteers, building 10 massive troll sculptures made of recycled materials, in ten locations starting on the East Coast in New Jersey and concluding on the West Coast in Seattle, WA in September.
“It has always been a dream of mine to go on a coast-to-coast road trip, especially since my days as a rapper touring around Denmark in a big bus,” says Dambo. “So, in a way, this feels like my big American breakthrough. My hope is that these sculptures will not only showcase the beauty of repurposed materials but also inspire people to reconnect with nature, spark their imagination, and foster a greater sense of environmental responsibility.”
With a focus on understanding the impact of humans on life in watersheds and animal habitats, the project includes a companion story focused on the restoration and preservation in an approachable, fun way. It provides opportunities for youth and adults alike to learn, support, and interact to make a difference in protecting our environment. Interactivity turns into co-creation when Thomas recruits thousands of volunteers to help create his visions.
The day after the unveiling of Big Rusty in Hainsport, Dambo and his merry band of troll builders boarded their RV and hit the road for their next project in Vermont, with more stops planned in Michigan, Colorado, Oregon and Washington State. All along the way Thomas will be building more trolls and hosting talks and birdhouse workshops. Thomas’ vision is to create art that inspires people to go explore, have adventures in nature, and demonstrates that trash can be turned into something beautiful.
At the time of this writing, it is uncertain what might become of Big Rusty, as the ruined building he’s been chowing down on remains slated for demolition. But Rusty has at least one friend in high places in Hainesport – the township’s mayor, Jerry Clouse, who says the town is delighted to have the sculpture there, adding, “We’re on the world stage here, and I love it!”
It remains to be seen whether Mayor Clouse intends to salvage Big Rusty, or if instead Thomas Dambo’s monster ends up returning to the scrape heap from whence it came.
The preceding article is an excerpt from Weird NJ magazine, “Your Travel Guide to New Jersey’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets,” is available on newsstands throughout the state and on the web at www.WeirdNJ.com. All contents ©Weird NJ and may not be reproduced by any means without permission.
Visit our SHOP for all of your Weird NJ needs: Magazines, Books, Posters, Shirts, Patches, Stickers, Magnets, Air Fresheners. Show the world your Jersey pride some of our Jersey-centric goodies!
Now you can have all of your favorite designs from the past on all kinds of cool new Weird Wear: Men’s Wear, Women’s Wear, Kids, Tee Shirts, Sweatshirts, Long Sleeve Tees, Hoodies, Tanks Tops, Tie Dyes, Hats, and accessories like Mugs, Backpacks, Stickers, Buttons and more! All are available in all sizes and a variety of colors.
Represent Jersey!
Tags: abandoned, big rusty, Burlington County, giant, hainesport, monster, rancocas, thomas dambo, troll
856-574-4308
