A few of their favorite places

Many could argue over the ideal spot to spend summer vacation but these Sussex County residents know where they like to spend time close to home. Here are the answers they offered when asked: What is your favorite place in Sussex County?

Chloe Schadegg, 7, of Sussex, has been very busy this summer. She enjoys soccer and gymnastics, at which she excels. But her favorite place to be is the Sussex-Wantage pool in Lake Neepaulin. The second-grader takes swimming class four times a week. “I already learned how to swim. I’m learning new things,” she says.

Matthew Wilson, 8, of Hardyston, now a third-grader, enjoys baseball in the spring and fall and gymnastics. His favorite place to be in Sussex County is the Appalachian trail. “We spend a lot of time hiking on the Appalachian Trail,” says Matthew. He usually hikes on the Wood Duck Trail in Sussex off of Route 565, where he has seen salamanders, turtles, frogs and snakes. Matthew and his family hike anywhere from once to three times a week. “The best things to do are free,” says his mother Irene.

Kaitlyn DeGroot of Wantage, 13, will be an eighth-grader this September. She likes to “take pictures and scrapbook” but her real hobby lies in her favorite place to be — her father’s farm. Kaitlyn has been raising cows since the fourth grade and has entered her animals into competition at the fair for the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show every summer since she was in second grade. “This year, I’m entering my steer (named

Robert) and some of my rabbits.” A resident of Sussex County “since forever,” Kaitlyn says she likes being on her dad’s farm because it’s full of animals. “I just visit the farm usually for about one hour a day. I love animals and nature. I wanna’ be a veterinarian.” Kaitlyn takes care of the animals, including the calves. “I have to give the calves bottled milk, milk the females and clean up the barn."

Kristen Pulkstenis, 19, of Lafayette, is a sophomore at American University in Washington, D.C., where she's studying pre-law. She's a graduate of High Point High School. She's involved in local theater, the National Mock Trial association and is secretary of its executive board.

Despite her journeys away from home, her favorite place in Sussex County is Woodbourne Park in Wantage, where her 10-year-old sister Lindsey Pulkstenis often plays soccer. “I like watching her play. And she likes for me to watch her play, too.”

Josh Ernst of Frankford, 22, enjoys acting, singing, hiking and canoeing. A High Point Regional High graduate, he's planning to major in theatre at William Patterson University this fall and hopes to earn a teaching degree. His favorite place in Sussex County is associated with his love of the outdoors — Sunrise Mountain in Stokes State Forest, Branchville. He goes hiking at least twice a week. “It’s very peaceful and calming,” he said. “I go when I have the chance. It’s so beautiful up there; such a great view!”

Marty Novak, 24, of Wantage, is a High Point High School graduate. He plans to attend William Patterson University in the fall to study political science. He enjoys theatre, recording music and writing. His favorite spot in the county is the old Skylands ballpark on Route 565 near the Chatterbox in Augusta. “The stadium is still there but empty because there is no longer a team,” Marty said. “I have good memories from sixth grade just going to the ball park. There was no mall, so that was the spot to be.”

Jon Hartlage, 49, of Sussex, a performer and musical director, has been in the entertainment business for 15 years. He loves music and of the artists Tom Jones and Luciano Pavarotti. His favorite place to be is his own back yard in Lake Neepaulin with his son, Darios, on the swing set. “I love chasing my 2-year-old son around the house while playing hide-and-seek. My back yard is my best ‘feel good’ place.”

William Kleiner, 51, has been in the region for about 22 years. Tillman's Ravine, off of Route 206 in Stokes State Forest is his favorite place to be. “I love it for its beauty and solitude.” His hobbies include bird watching, hunting and fishing an is interested in horticulture, too. “I moved up here from Morris County and I love the rural area.”

Lindsey Chew, 59, of Lafayette, lives life to the extreme. He is a systems electrical engineer for Alcatel-Lucent and a hang gliding pilot. His love of the outdoors is proven through the time spent canoeing, hiking, fishing and hang gliding, for which he has won many awards. His favorite local place is the Sussex branch of the Delaware River. “Some of my fondest memories involve canoeing the river with the kids, fishing for shad and looking for bald eagles.” He enjoys walking along the river and observing wildlife. “Not many people get the chance to just ‘be,’” he said. “We’re all God’s creatures. We all share this world. We are all a part of nature. To see it working together and to feel a part of nature — that’s when I feel happiest and a part of the earth.”

Linda Tartar, 63, is a lifelong Sussex County resident. She's a graduate of High Point High School and also of William Paterson Teacher’s College, where she earned a degree in early childhood education. She was a kindergarten teacher for 25 years. Her favorite place in Sussex County is her church, the Frankford Plains United Methodist Church, where she actively demonstrates her love of music, singing and playing both the piano and organ. “I’ve been giving piano and organ lessons for about 18 years. She's also a Sunday school teacher, choir director and church committee member there and she's in charge of the church's Vacation Bible School program.