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Staff photo/Barbara
Errickson
By the numbers How much mint was removed from Dalponte Farms for the crop circle?
BUENA VISTA -- The community that temporarily named itself after an alcoholic drink in 2004 has gone totally batty. For two weeks last May, the township's Richland section was renamed Mojito in honor of the popular rum-based summer drink whose key ingredient is mint. Rum maker Bacardi promotes mojitos and buys fresh mint from Dalponte Farms off Llewellyn Avenue in order to showcase the drink at different publicity events. The renaming brought national attention to the often-overlooked community. But Laura Baddish, the New York-based advertising executive representing Bacardi, was looking for a new way this year to draw attention to Richland's mojito roots. "So, we had a crop circle in the form of a bat done on the Dalponte farm," she said. A bat has been Bacardi's logo since the company, now based in Miami, began in Cuba in 1862. "It represents prosperity and good fortune," Baddish explained. The crop circle isn't the work of extraterrestrials, although out-of-towners were called in to create the 180-foot-wide circle that encloses a 1.5-acre bat carving on the Dalponte family's 300-acre farm. Harrison Jenkins, an environmental design artist from Bloomfield, Conn., and two helpers took three days to design it. "It was amazing how they did it," said Dennis "Denny" Dalponte Jr., 31, a fourth-generation member of the mint-growing family. "They had lawn mowers, weed whackers, wooden stakes and string as tools. First, they used the mowers to chop down some of the mint plants, which are about 3 feet high to the root level, so they could make the circle and then the wings, ears, eyes, nose and body of the bat. Everything was perfectly circular and linear." Dalponte said Bacardi paid the family an undisclosed sum to use a 6-acre mint patch on the property's outskirts. The crop circle should remain distinguishable from an airplane for at least a month before the vegetation grows back, he said. Dalponte said the crop circle is the first of its kind to be cut into a mint field, and Bacardi plans to get it certified by Guinness World Records as the biggest mint crop circle in existence. "Last year, 207 crop circles occurred in this country, and 195 of them just suddenly appeared without any explanation," Dalponte noted. "However, I can't say I saw any drunken extra-terrestrials with a few mojitos under their belts here working on our crop circle. We had the help of an earthly alien --- alien because he came from another state." Dalponte said he didn't think the crop circle was very impressive while observing it from ground level. But once he took a plane flight over the farm with a pilot neighbor, he realized what a fine work of art it was. Baddish said she and other Bacardi executives love the fresh mint grown by the Dalpontes. "We order at least 500 boxes a year from them," she said. Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello said he realizes Richland's renaming was a one-shot deal -- something he'll never forget. "Naming Richland Mojito makes you realize that the mint used in the drink is grown locally by one of the largest mint farms in the country and that this local product is shipped worldwide," he said. Chiarello said he heard about the crop circle earlier this week from Carlo Merighi, a service station owner in Richland and licensed pilot who had been making trips over the Dalponte farm in his two-seater Cessna aircraft to view the sight from the air. Realizing that the crop circle was manmade shattered Chiarello's fantasy that such occurrences are the work of visitors from another planet, he said. "For me, crop circles were one of those great mysteries of life," he said with a sigh. "Now we have one of our very own."
BUENA
VISTA TOWNSHIP - Richland residents should brace themselves for alien invaders
in search of mint for their mixed drinks
The 'Bat' logo of the Bacardi Company, is seen 'crop circled' into more than an acre and a half of fresh mint growing at Dalponte Farms, the largest mint farm in the United States on May 16, 2005, in Richland, New Jersey, as part of 'Mojito Month' festivities happening nationwide. This is the first crop circle of the season. The Mojito is made with a recipe of mint and rum to which sugar, lime juice and soda are added and has grown in popularity from a migrant worker drink to one of the top summertime drinks in the United States. Bacardi is the largest producer of rum in the world.
World’s
Largest Crop Circle Appears in New Jersey Mint Field!
It's lettuce that gets grilled in this salad
Every few months I meet my North Jersey friend, Mary, in Atlantic City for lunch so that we can catch up on what's going on in each other's lives. We always try to find a new place to eat and shopping afterwards is usually on the agenda. Last week was no exception. We were hoping to try the new Babalu Grill. They serve Cuban food and the drink of the moment -- mojitos. And since I'm from a town next to Mojito, (for two weeks in May anyway, otherwise known as Richland the rest of the year) I felt it my duty to report on this drink. Unfortunately, The Babalu was not serving lunch the day we were in town, but more about that later. We ended up lunching on the Boardwalk outside of the Hard Rock Café. I was telling Mary that my neighbor had given me two large heads of romaine lettuce from her family's farm, and I was trying to come up with a new way to serve it. Leave it to Mary to know the latest trend in salads, which is the "grilled" Caesar salad. When she first said it I thought, "What's so new about that?" She proceeded to explain that the lettuce itself is grilled, which gives a whole new taste to the salad. I couldn't wait to get home and try it. It's amazing how a few seconds on the grill can turn an old standby into something different and delicious. My version is explained below. Grilled Caesar salad Earlier that same morning, I had picked strawberries and brought some for Mary. As everyone who picks Jersey berries knows, those few weeks when they are available turn into a strawberry marathon, where you eat them fresh, maybe freeze a few quarts, make some jam, and try new recipes. Many years ago I came across a recipe for strawberry cheesecake in a glass. Every so often I make it, and it's always a hit and very elegant. You can even use peaches or other berries. Strawberry cheesecake in a glass Now, about Babalu Grill. We were determined to get in there and since lunch was over, we would be trying one of those mojitos. We were there at 4 p.m. when they opened. The mojito is a twist on the old southern classic, the mint julep. But it does have a kick. This one was served with a sliver of sugar cane as a stirrer, and Mary explained that you are supposed to chomp on it to release the sugar flavor. And, according to our server, authentic mojitos are made with sugar cane juice instead of sugar or simple syrup. A quick survey of area Spanish grocery stores did not turn up any of the juice, so you can use the substitute ingredients listed below with very little change in taste. I'm glad I planted that mint in one of my patio pots this year. It looks like it won't be going to waste. Mojito When you think about it, these three recipes would make a nice summer lunch. Relax, and enjoy your summer. Carolyn Vinci is a member of The Daily Journal's Food Advisory Board.
Mint for a drink brings Richland, or Mojito, worldwide recognition
BUENA
VISTA TOWNSHIP - A town once lucky just to have a place on the map has become
ground zero for media members who have been traipsing to the township's Richland
section, or Mojito, from around the country for three weeks and counting.
By any other name, Richland remains the same It sort of puts a whole new spin on being where everybody knows your name. At least if where you are is Mojito, the area of Buena Vista Township formerly known as Richland, which has temporarily been renamed for a Cuban cocktail. Suddenly the focus of worldwide news coverage, folks as far away as Canada and Switzerland are reading and hearing about the rural Atlantic County community now known as a drink made from rum, mint leaves, lime, sugar and club soda. The name-change idea was hatched by a marketing group for Bacardi because Dalponte Farms in Richland is Bacardi's main supplier of mint. The rum company offered the far from wealthy township mucho moolah -- $5,000 to be exact -- to temporarily adopt the new moniker. And since early this month, signage on Route 40 has welcomed Richland's motorists to Mojito. Actually, it isn't the first time the town's name has been changed, although something like 120 years have gone by since this last happened. Richland, you see, was originally called Daretown, but this was nixed in the 1880s to avoid confusion with another New Jersey place of the same name. It was also about that same time when the town started to bloom. Although it had then been dormant for years, things changed after a branch of the West Jersey Railroad began operating between Newfield and Atlantic City, via Richland, in 1881. Also beginning in the 1880s, the Richland Improvement Company was largely instrumental in developing and promoting the town. Its rather colorful advertisement literature claimed Richland "in a comparatively few years" would be "one of the chief centers of agricultural wealth in the United States" and that the climate of "Southern New Jersey is remarkable for its healthfulness." The firm, which required a 20 to 25 percent down payment, used ploys such as paid train fare and free lunches to lure prospective settlers to large land sales here. Richland was founded by Edward R. Wood, who also served as president of the Richland Improvement Co. A son of Richard D. Wood, from whom Charles K. Landis had purchased the Vineland tract, Edward Wood took note and strove to plan Richland much the same way Landis did Vineland. Streets were laid out in rectangular blocks with 100-foot-wide avenues and ample boulevards on either side of the railroad. Richland town plots were sold for $50 to $100 each, while farmland went for $20 to $30 per acre. It's ironic that this place, which today is known as a cocktail, was partly patterned after Vineland, for in those days so very long ago, Vineland was a notoriously dry town. Mojito signage in Richland will likely remain up at least through the end of this week. Doug Fuhrmann is The Daily Journal's librarian and research. His column runs on Mondays.
Mojito, NJ? Bacardi hits the road
Welcome to Mojito, NJ - Buena Vista to get $5K for designation
BUENA VISTA -- A blast of fresh mint aroma delights the nostrils inside the packing house at Dalponte Farms, where farmworkers' hands knead through a mound of sprig bunches -- the season's first harvest. The bunches are pruned to remove dried or yellowing leaves, labeled, and soaked to preserve freshness before being packed into crates bearing the Mr. Mint label. It's all part of the Richland family farm's practice of "TLC," said farmer Denny Dalponte. And the proof is in the plant. The Dalpontes are the main supplier of mint for Bacardi rum, which regularly needs the vegetation for mojitos -- a cocktail made from mint leaves, rum, lime, sugar, and club soda. Due to the township farmer's connection to Bacardi, the Richland section of Buena Vista soon will share the name of the elegant Cuban concoction. Thanks to the Dalpontes and Bacardi's New York-based advertising agency, Richland will bear the honorary title of "Mojito, N.J." for the first two weeks of May. The idea is part of a promotional effort to bolster the mojito craze. The proposal met with the approval of township officials, who authorized the temporary redesignation in exchange for a $5,000 contribution. But before they gave the nod, Mayor Chuck Chiarello and Township Committee members questioned residents about the prospect of the name change. They received only positive feedback, Chiarello said. "We weighed all the facts and looked at it as something good for the farmers, good for recreation and having a very short-lived existence," Chiarello said. A road sign along Route 40 welcoming visitors to Buena Vista will be replaced with one promoting the mojito early next week, said Laura Baddish, whose Baddish Group runs Bacardi's marketing and promotions. Also, images of the Dalpontes' farm will open a segment set to be broadcast over 20 television stations nationwide as part of a satellite media tour. The mojito has become popular over the last five years -- especially after a character from "Sex in the City" requested the drink, Baddish said. Last year, the mojito was mentioned on the big screen in "Bad Boys II," she said. The drink's peak imbibing period is during the summer, probably due to its refreshing blend of mint leaves and lime, said Kristy Jenkins, a bartender at Winfield's in Millville, where mojitos are prepared with a subtle twist -- using Sprite instead of club soda. The mint season begins in April and ends at the first frost, sometimes lasting through December, said Dalponte, whose family grows 30 acres off Llewellyn Avenue. The ideal growing temperature is between 70 and 75 degrees, he said. At Giacomo's on Route 40 -- just down the street from Dalponte's farm -- mojitos are featured among the restaurant's drink specials. Owner Moe Saleh, 33, said bartenders at his restaurant use a crème de menthe substitute for real mint -- but noted he would trade it for the real herb if it supports the local grower. The change of heart fits in well with Dalponte's vision. "Just picture sitting on a front porch on a hot summer night, the air blowing, the aroma of minty fresh," said Dalponte, 30, breathing in the minty emissions at his packing house. "I hope this (honorary title) arouses people to drink Bacardi, a mojito," he continued. "I hope the wind carries it further than just Richland."
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2004--The Town Council of picturesque Richland, NJ, population 8000, recently voted to formally change its name to Mojito, NJ during the month of May, to commemorate the growing popularity of the classic cocktail and bring attention to their farm community. Home to major mint producer, Dalponte Farms, the town is especially grateful to BACARDI(R), makers of BACARDI(R) Superior rum - the authentic rum used in the creation of this exotic libation that's filled with leaves of the fresh, aromatic, delicious herb they produce. As the historical tale goes, pirate Richard Drake, a subordinate of the more famous Captain Francis Drake, created the direct ancestor of the Mojito, as we know it today in 1586 in Havana. The libation was originally known as the Draque and made by combining Aguardiente (the crude forerunner of rum), sugar, lime and mint and was served with a wooden spoon embellished with a cock's tale in place of a handle. The recipe for this concoction was altered during the mid 1800s, right around the time Don Facundo Bacardi(R) Masso established the original Bacardi(R) Company, when rum replaced Aguardiente. From the African word "mojo" meaning to place a little spell, the name Mojito was formally adopted. Today, Cuba's oldest cocktail is experiencing a great resurgence in the United States where its popularity is growing by "leaves" and bounds. The mint-flecked Mojito made with BACARDI(R) Superior, is positively exploding onto the club and bar scene. "The Mojito has truly earned its place in pop culture," says John H. Gomez, Vice President and Group Marketing Director, BACARDI(R) U.S.A. 'The cocktail is definitely the choice for today's trendy celebrities and fashionistas but the phenomenon is much larger than that. We did a recent study among google users and the word mojito out googled the appletini fifteen to one said Gomez. Today's top bartenders agree. "Mojito Madness has engulfed the country. It is on every menu, everywhere I travel," says Dale DeGroff, master mixologist and author, Craft of the Cocktail. Mojito, NJ, located in 137 year old Buena Vista Township, originally attracted residents because of its nutrient rich soil. Still in abundance today, the area is lined with farmlands, and is rumored to have put the word "garden" in the Garden State. "Our residents feel that the name change from Richland to Mojito is a fun way to bring recognition to the community," said Mayor Chuck Chiarello "Land development, which is rapidly occurring all around us, is fortunately limited in the Pinelands where Richland, or Mojito, is located. Our commerce comes from the earth and it's a positive thing when our valued farmers can be recognized." One of the town's most successful "growth" industries is Dalponte Farms, developed 80 years ago when Great Grandfather Dalponte came from Italy to the US. Their farm was first home to chickens and in 1980 was turned into the successful herb farm it is today. "We were looking for a new niche market when my father noticed that many of the cooking shows on television were using fresh herbs in their recipes," said Denny Dalponte. "Since we started producing mint in 1980, the demand has gone off the charts." And instrumental in this growing demand must be the mightily minty Mojito made with BACARDI(R) Superior rum. 1 1/2 oz. BACARDI(R) Superior Rum Splash Of Club Soda 2 Tbsp. Simple Syrup 10 Fresh Mint Leaves (for muddling + a sprig to garnish) 1 Lime (1/2 for muddling and a wedge to garnish) Ice Crush mint leaves and lime in a tall glass. Cover with simple syrup and fill glass with ice. Add BACARDI(R) Superior and club soda; stir well. Garnish with springs of mint. THIRSTY FOR LIFE? DRINK RESPONSIBLY. BACARDI(R) AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI(R) & COMPANY LIMITED. (C)2004 BACARDI(R) U.S.A., INC., MIAMI, FL. RUM - 40% ALC. BY VOL.
NJ community renaming itself after cocktail
Town Changes Name To MojitoBacardi Rum Gives Town $5,000 To Change Name
BUENA VISTA TWP., N.J. --
Welcome to
Mojito, N.J.
You won't find it on a map, but part of Buena Vista Township is now called Mojito, in a deal with the Bacardi rum people. Town officials have gotten $5,000 from the distillery to rename part of town after the Cuban rum cocktail. The money will be used for recreation projects like new playground equipment. The traditional Cuban drink is made from rum, mint leaves, lime, sugar and club soda. A road sign along Route 40 promoting mojitos is already up, even though the renaming only lasts a couple of weeks. Bacardi will also be filming some commercials in the town. If you'd like to make a mojito of your own or learn about all manner of other drinkables, visit our Liquid Solutions column by clicking here. Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
N.J. Community Renaming Itself Mojito
TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) -- Here's a new Bacardi recipe: Take a small New Jersey community, add $5,000, and for half a month, you've got a locality named after a cocktail. For the first half of May, the small, rural community of Richland will be called "Mojito," named for a drink made of rum, mint leaves, lime, sugar and club soda. Richland is a section of Buena Vista Township, near Atlantic City. The Buena Vista Township Committee voted 5-0 on April 26 to authorize the new name after the rum maker Bacardi offered to give the township $5,000 for recreation projects such as new playground equipment in public parks. A road sign along Route 40 promoting mojitos has already been raised. And Bacardi plans to use images from Richland in advertising promotions. Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello sees the renaming as a way to support the local economy, which is heavily based on agriculture. Dalponte Farms in Richland is the main supplier of mint for Bacardi.
"We have a very large farming community here, and we thought this would support it," Chiarello said. Township Administrator Ron Trebing also thinks the promotion is a good deal. "It'll improve recreation in the area," Trebing said. "Anything helps out." A traditional Cuban drink, mojitos have enjoyed new popularity in recent years. The drinks were requested on the HBO television series "Sex and the City" and were mentioned in the movie "Bad Boys II." Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Mix Town, Rum, Mint, $5K and Stir
(CBS/AP) Here's a new Bacardi
recipe: Take a small New Jersey community, add $5,000, and for half a month,
you've got a locality named after a cocktail.
For the first half of May, the small, rural community of Richland will be called "Mojito," named for a drink made of rum, mint leaves, lime, sugar and club soda. Richland is a section of Buena Vista Township, near Atlantic City. The Buena Vista Township Committee voted 5-0 on April 26 to authorize the new name after Bacardi offered to give the township $5,000 for recreation projects such as new playground equipment in public parks. A road sign along Route 40 promoting mojitos has already been raised. And Bacardi plans to use images from Richland in advertising promotions. "I hope this (honorary title) arouses people to drink Bacardi, a mojito," farmer Denny Dalponte, whose family farm in Richland is the main supplier of mint for Bacardi, said. "I hope the wind carries it further than just Richland." Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello sees the renaming as a way to support the local economy, which is heavily based on agriculture. "We have a very large farming community here, and we thought this would support it," Chiarello said. Chiarello told the Vineland Daily Journal he and other officials first questioned residents, and received only positive feedback. "We weighed all the facts and looked at it as something good for the farmers, good for recreation and having a very short-lived existence," Chiarello said. Township Administrator Ron Trebing also thinks the promotion is a good deal. "It'll improve recreation in the area," Trebing said. "Anything helps out." A traditional Cuban drink first mixed by English pirates, mojitos have enjoyed new popularity in recent years. The drinks were requested on the HBO television series "Sex and the City" and were mentioned in the movie "Bad Boys II." It's especially popular in the summer, probably due to its refreshing blend of mint leaves and lime, said Kristy Jenkins, a bartender at Winfield's in nearby Millville. With a large amount of mint used in mojitos coming from Richland, New York-based Baddish Group, which runs Bacardi's marketing, decided getting the community renamed would make for a great promotion. The idea was broached with Dalponte Farms and Buena Vista officials. Chiarello says area residents, clergy and the local Drug Alliance Commission were all consulted, and there was little worry about promoting an alcoholic drink. "No one is against alcohol," Chiarello said. "People are against alcohol being misused, especially by people under age." ©MMIV CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights
Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or
redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mojito name change a refreshing twist for Richland residents Community embraces honorary moniker and grant
MOJITO -- For Buena Vista residents, hearing the word "mojito" elicits one of two reactions -- an extended chuckle or a blank stare. Thanks to the Bacardi rum company, Richland is spending two weeks being named for the alcoholic beverage made from rum and mint leaves. "I just found it funny," said Catherine Brandon of Richland, who let out a long giggle when asked her opinion of the temporary name. The honorary title was bestowed on Richland because it's home to Dalponte Farms, a family-run mint grower whose Mr. Mint label is a major supplier for Bacardi. In exchange for permitting the name change and a sign along Route 40 welcoming travelers to "Mojito," Buena Vista received $5,000 for park improvements or Richland revitalization. The sign should be removed around May 17, hailing the return of Richland, said township Administrator Ron Trebing. Richland's temporary designation has generated countless news stories and broadcasts nationwide. "So far, this town has gotten the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars in publicity," said Laura Baddish of the Baddish Group, which is the marketing firm for Bacardi. Learning about the name switch, alumni of St. Augustine Preparatory school have jokingly suggested that references to Richland in the school song be replaced with the word mojito, said the Rev. Paul Galetto. Elsewhere, word has been slower to get around. Driving by the sign for the first time, Richland General Store owner Tom Gill thought something strange was afoot when he saw the unfamiliar "Mojito" name. The snippets of customers' conversations that he overheard -- which included occasional references to mint and mojitos -- didn't make things any clearer. "I didn't really piece it all together, but definitely there was some buzz about it," he said. Gill's ignorance on the subject may seem surprising, considering his Route 40 store is a main attraction for the town now named Mojito. But it's not unusual. "What's a mojito?" asked a puzzled Luis Gordillo, 49, of Vineland. Standing with him in the shade of trees at Michael Debbi Park, Richland resident Kevin Gunter was similarly surprised to learn that his hometown presently bore a name other than Richland. But he quickly understood why. "Dalponte Farms," surmised Gunter, 20, when he was told the mint grower could take credit for bringing the appellation to Richland. "He's Mr. Mint." Local residents who are in the know laud the increased exposure the mojito name has brought to area farmers, such as the Dalpontes, and the community at large. "They are a good family, they're hardworking and a good part of the community," said Richland resident Lou Petrini, who lives across the street from the Dalpontes. "It's nice to see they're recognized."
Buena Vista bellies up to Bacardi's $5,000
BUENA
VISTA TOWNSHIP - You've heard of Margaritaville. Well, welcome to Mojitoville.
NJ Community Renaming Itself Mojito TRENTON, New Jersey -- Here's a new Bacardi
recipe: Take a small New Jersey community, add $5,000, and for half a month,
you've got a locality named after a cocktail.
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