THINGS WE LOVE

1 Thing We Love About Morris County: Sept. 10 edition

Morristown Daily Record

The Daily Record is introducing a new photo feature called '1 Thing We Love About Morris County.' Each weekday around noon, we'll post a picture and a brief description on www.DailyRecord.com/good-life of something in Morris County that we love. The following were the five things that ran over the last week:

A Rocky's Beef Pastie from Rocky’s in Wharton

Rocky's Beef Pastie

A combination of ground beef, potatoes and barely discernible onions wrapped in a crust that can be described as somewhere between bread and pie crust. The crust by itself might be a little dry but instead it perfectly complements the juiciness of the meat inside. The potatoes are thoroughly cooked so they are soft and delicious and the whole thing - which is a meal for most people - is handheld.

Rocky's, 47 Robert St., Wharton.

The Mac and rib grilled cheese from the Melt Factory

Mac and Rib

Mac and rib grilled cheese from the Melt Factory. A grilled cheese in the loosest of terms, the Mac and Rib is essentially a Panini that packs three comfort foods into one glorious sandwich: Macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, and grilled cheese. You know what you're getting with the Mac and Rib, you just don't know how it all fits together until you take a bite – and then it delivers. The bread is a traditional white Italian bread from Zizza's Bakery in Florham Park. A dipping-sized cup of tomato soup is a great complement.

Melt Factory, 28 Morris St. in Morristown.

- Michael Izzo

The big twin oak tree shades the beach at Lake Intervale in Parsippany.

Lake Intervale

Summer in the Lake Intervale section of Parsippany revolves around this charming swimming hole. And the ample shade under the big twin oak tree is a perfect place to kick off your flip-flops, plop your chair and read a book (or a newspaper!), or just chill on a hot day. Like many lake communities in Morris County, Lake Intervale is private — a management association deeds lakes rights to about 160 dues-paying homes. But there are so many similar spots by the countless lakes, rivers and fishing holes in Morris — in the heart of New Jersey's Lakeland Hills region — that most of us have one favorite place by the water. What's yours?

— William Westhoven

The Strawberry Handpie at Ava’s in Rockaway

Strawberry Hand Pie

Who doesn't like pie? And when that pie is self contained with crust all around and you can hold it in one hand, well that makes it all the better. The Strawberry Hand Pie at Ava's in Rockaway has a delicious fruity filling surrounded by a buttery crust. You can hold a cup of coffee in one hand and your pie in the other.

Ava's Cupcakes, 20 Wall St., Rockaway.

One of the courts at Hoop Heaven

Hoop Heaven Camp

Hoop Heaven is located on Algonquin Parkway in the Whippany section of Hanover. They have four basketball courts and a variety of programs throughout the year but their summer camps are great; there's not a lot of paperwork, they can take a kid on short notice, they offer pizza for lunch and they'll prorate their fees depending on how many days a kid can attend camp. There's a variety of ages, from 7 to 16, but a love of basketball seems to be a unifying factor.

Hoop Heaven, 125 Algonquin Pkwy, Whippany.

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What's the 1 thing you love about Morris County? It could be a place, a special spot, a food item or anything that makes Morris County special for you. Email a photo and a brief explanation to Editor Joe Ungaro at JUngaro@GannettNJ.com.