JULY 2022 FREE
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The Father Center helps area dads By SUe FerrArA
In 2008, Karen Andrade-Mims, then a longtime board member for New Jersey’s oldest nonprofit, was asked to take the helm of the organization. She imagined she had been chosen as the next leader to steer the organization into the future. Instead, she was told by board members that they wanted her to manage an orderly shut down of programs, and ultimately, to dissolve the nonprofit. The organization was called the Union Industrial Home for Destitute Children of New Jersey, and had been in existence since 1859–so by 2008, the organization was almost 150 years old. Andrade-Mims wasn’t ready to let the organization fade away, especially under her leadership. Instead, with some guidance and thought, she led the transformation of the nonprofit by re-focusing its mission on helping fathers—and by extension, their children—to live better lives. And thus, after a rebranding, Trenton is now home to The Father Center. The Father Center currently runs two programs: Operation Fatherhood, which started in 1993; and WorkFirst NJ, a program The Father Center manages on behalf of Mercer and Burlington counties.
The men who land on the doorstep of The Father Center come for one of two reasons, and enter one of those two programs. Operation Fatherhood helps men who are behind in child support payments. Men entering the WorkFirst NJ program receive financial assistance from the state, funding which only lasts five years, so WorkFirst NJ helps them reach financial independence. In both cases, the men need to ultimately find employment. What path they take to reaching that goal depends on the person. Some participants want to earn a high school diploma, AndradeMims said, and The Father Center can help them achieve that goal through a program at Mercer County Community College. Others want to go directly to work, but need skills. Those men can participate in a program called Bridges to Success which is a short-term credentialing program. The Father Center addresses needs with virtual programs which participants access through the center’s computer lab. But two programs–one to train forklift drivers (NJ Forklift) and CDL license training happen off site. The Father Center has an interesting history. In 1859, 18 Presbyterian women came together See FATHERS, Page 6
Signs line Clarksville Road in West Windsor in opposition to a proposed 5.5 million-square-foot warehouse distribution center at the corner of Route 1 and Quakerbridge Road. Clarksville Road runs through the center of the property, and residents fear the impact of truck traffic on area roads. (Staff photo by Bill Sanservino.)
Behemoth industrial park planned for ‘crown jewel’ West Windsor site By BiLL SANserViNO
The West Windsor Planning Board on June 29 was expected to deliberate and potentially vote on a plan for a mammoth 5.5-millionsquare-foot development on the old 653-acre American Cyanamid tract. The meeting was scheduled to take place after the News went to press.
The project, called of the Bridge Point 8 Industrial Park, calls for the construction of seven warehouses on the tract, which is located at the corner of Route 1 and Quakerbridge Road. The site is one of the largest contiguous undeveloped properties on the East Coast and has been called the “crown jewel” of undeveloped tracts in the state.
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The developer, Bridge Point WW LLC, is proposing that the complex be built in two phases. Phase I involves building three warehouse buildings totaling 3.01 million square feet. It also calls for the construction of a new road through the site that would run from the intersection of Quakerbridge Road and Avalon See WAREHOUSES, Page 3
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Aphasia Support Group Second Saturday of Every Month | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Location: Zoom Meeting This support group is for individuals who have sustained aphasia or some form of communication disorder from a neurological condition. This group is meant for patients as well as their loved ones to meet other people who share similar circumstances. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences, share ideas, form friendships and provide emotional support for one another. The group will also offer individuals education on subjects of interest to all and an opportunity to receive resources and tools for coping with their situation. We will have guest speakers on different topics once every three months.
Register online at capitalhealth.org/events or email your contact information to Sarah Contor at scontor@capitalhealth.org. For additional questions or assistance, call 609.537.7157. 2The News | July 2022
All support group meetings are currently taking place virtually through Zoom. The link to the meeting will be emailed about 30 minutes prior to the start of group.
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The Bridge Point 8 project calls for 7 warehouses totaling more than 5.5 million square feet to be built on the on the 653-acre former American Cyanamid site. The property is located at the corner of Quakerbridge Road (bottom) and Route 1 (left). WAREHOUSES cont. from Page 1 Way to Route 1 across from Nassau Park Boulevard. The second phase calls for the construction of four warehouse buildings totalling over 2.5 million square feet. In its current application, Bridge is seeking preliminary and final site plan approval and subdivision approval for the first phase. The application also requests preliminary site plan approval for the second phase of the development. The developer would have to return to the township at a later date for final approval of that phase. Also proposed for the site, but not part of the current application, is an additional 150,000 square feet of retail space, 192,000 square feet of office space, a 16-pump gas station with a convenience market, and two hotels providing 230 rooms. Numerous township residents opposing the plan have attended the four meetings in May and June during which the board has considered the application. The residents’ concerns include the impact of trucks generated by the development on area roads, including Route 571 and Clarksville and Quakerbridge roads, and the pollution caused by the additional traffic. Opponents have started an online petition calling on the board to reject the project at sign.moveon.org/ petitions/stop-bridge-point-8. As of June 24, it has 2,241 signatures. To help address some of these concerns, one of the planning board’s proposed conditions would prohibit trucks from turning
the evening resulting from Phase I. The estimate for Phase II is 51 trucks in the morning peak hour and 77 during the evening peak. The numbers reported are not an estimate of the overall impact on area roads, since trucks will be coming and going from the site at all hours of the day, although peak traffic hours will be when the traffic has its highest impact on the performance of intersections. Chicago-based Bridge Development Partners, the parent company of Bridge Point WW LLC, is focused on the development and acquisition of industrial properties in the United States and United Kingdom. Bridge is leasing the site from Atlantic Realty, which purchased the property from the Howard Hughes Corporation in 2019 for $40 million. In 2020, the township reached a settlement agreement with Atlantic Realty to resolve pending litigation that had been filed by Howard Hughes. The corporation challenged the zoning of the property, and the developer was pushing a plan to build a mixed-use project, featuring retail businesses, commercial offices and up to 2,000 residential units. Township residents and officials had long been opposed to building residences on the property, due to the impact they would have on municipal services and schools.
northeast on Clarksville Road (towards the and 2,071 during the p.m. rush. center of town and Route 571). In a further breakdown of those numPlanning Board traffic consultant Jef- bers, the traffic study estimates 60 trucks frey L’amoreaux said at the Board’s June during the morning peak and 90 trucks in 1 meeting that the intersection of Clarksville and Quakerbridge roads currently operates at an “F” level (failing on a scale of “A” through “F”) of service, and that even after widening and improvements under the plan, functionality would only improve to “D” or maybe “C” at times. He also said he anticipates that truck traffic will impact the intersection of Clarksville Road and Route 571, but that intersection was not looked at in the plan’s traffic study—likely due to its distance from the project site. A study by Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, the developer’s traffic consultant, estimates that Phase I Being together has never meant more. And The Landing of the project will generate approximately together never enriching meant more. The Landing of Being Hamilton gives has residents and And soul‑filling 512 new trips (car and truck) during the Being together has never meant more. And The Landing weekday morning peak hour and 542 new of Hamilton gives–residents enriching and soul‑filling social connections from a warm and caring staff, trips during the weekday evening peak of Hamilton gives residents enriching and soul‑filling connections from a warm and moments. caring staff, to social daily group events,–and friend‑making hour. social connections – from a warm and caring staff, Langan estimates that Phase II will daily group events, friend‑making Alltotailored totoeach individual, inand thefriend‑making safest moments. daily groupand events, moments. generate approximately 434 new trips during the weekday morning peak hour All tailoredpossible. to each individual, in the safest environment All tailored to each individual, in the safest and 460 new trips during the weekday environment possible. possible. environment evening peak hour. Call today to find out more about our trial stays! The future development of the protodayout to find outabout more about our trial stays! Call todayCall to find more our trial stays! posed office, retail and hotel space is estimated to generate 745 new trips during the weekday morning peak hour and 1,069 new trips during the weekday eve1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road • Hamilton ning peak hour. 1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road • Hamilton The total at full buildout of the site, 609.241.9538 • TheLandingOfHamilton.com 1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road • Hamilton 609.241.9538 • TheLandingOfHamilton.com based on Langan’s numbers, is 1,691 car 609.241.9538 • TheLandingOfHamilton.com and truck trips during the a.m. rush hour
Here, it’s all about people. Here, it’s all about people.
Here, it’s all about people.
July 2022 | The News3
Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and more ends and July 4. Tickets must be purchased separately for rides. For more From carnivals and fireworks to his- information or to buy tickets, go to thetorical demonstrations, there are plenty leadfest.com/tickets. of ways to celebrate Independence Day Fireworks displays festivities in the Mercer County Area. Hamilton Township will hold its event While some towns, like Robbinsville and Hopewell Township, celebrated the on Friday, July 1 at Veterans Park starting holiday in late June, a number of other at 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to enter communities are hosting Independence on the Kuser Road side of the park. Food Day fireworks celebrations in the coming will be available for purchase, and The Heartbeats will perform live music startdays. For those seeking carnival fun, the ing about 6 p.m. until fireworks begin LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs after dark (about 9:30 p.m.) Also on July 1, the Ewing Patriotic and Violence) Fest will be at Mercer County Park in West Windsor from Committee and Mayor Bert Steinmann through Monday, July 4. The price of are presenting the township’s fireworks admission includes free entertainment display starting at 6 p.m. at The College and attractions. Admission to the Fair of New Jersey’s Green Lane Fields. The is $5 during the week and $8 on the event will feature free rides, face painting, sand art, a rock wall, a balloon man and a weekend. Concert tickets are available for the dunk tank. Featured entertainment will Southern Rock Fest featuring the Mar- be provided by colonial reenactors. The shall Tucker Band, the Kentucky Head- Armed Forces Heritage Mobile Museum Hunters, and Southern Steel on Saturday, will also be on site. Fireworks will start at approximately 9 p.m. July 2. Lawrence Township’s annual IndepenThe carnival also features attractions and games as well as fair food and picnic dence Day fireworks will be held at Rider grounds. Hours are 5 p.m.– 11 p.m. on University on July 1. The event, hosted by weekdays and 1 p.m.-11 p.m. on week- Lawrence Township Recreation, will fea-
By BiLL SANserViNO
ture food trucks, a live band, children’s entertainment and additional activities starting around 6 p.m. Fireworks will start around 9:30 p.m. The rain date is Saturday, July 2. The Bordentown Independence Day Fireworks Celebration is set to take place on Saturday, July 2 at Joseph Lawrence Park. The event, made possible by the nonprofit organization The Foundation for Bordentown Traditions, will feature food vendors and live music in addition to the traditional post-sundown fireworks show. A cornhole tournament is scheduled for 3 p.m. that afternoon at the park. Entry fee is $40 per team with cash prizes promised. To register, email bordentowntraditions@gmail.com. Independence Day festivities will begin after the tournament. East Windsor is set to hold its celebration at Etra Lake Park on July 2, starting at 6 p.m. There will be performances by Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings, Dixieland Jazz Band, Trenton Brass and Quintet Plus One Band. The fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. The rain date is July 9. On July 4, the Trenton Thunder play the Williamsport Crosscutters at 7 p.m.
A special Independence Day fireworks show will take place after the game. To purchase tickets or for more information go to mlbdraftleague.com/trenton or call (609) 394-3300.
Historical events
History enthusiasts can go to Princeton to attend Morven Museum and Garden’s Fourth of July Jubilee-Swinging ’60s. Morven’s events runs from noon to 3 p.m. “We are delighted to once again have an in-person gathering after a hiatus of several years due to the pandemic,” says Morven’s website (morven.org). “This year we are swinging back to the 1960’s in celebration of our current exhibition, Ma Bell: The Mother of Invention in New Jersey, which features the original TelStar satellite and so many other technological innovations made right here in New Jersey that affected the entire world for generations.” The event also features: A Jasper Johns American Flag activity, provided by the Arts Council of Princeton; A meaningful 1960’s Princeton adventure from the Historical Society of Princeton; Live dancing in the gardens with the Luminarium Dance Company; and live music from the
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Green Planet Band. Family ticket bundles will be available for $25 to view inside the Museum. Food trucks will be on the premises, including KonaIce and Potato Patoto. Washington Crossing Historic Park’s Independence Day Celebration is schedule to run from Saturday, July 2 to Monday, July 4. The weekend will include family-friendly activities at Colonial Field Day, the park’s annual Rebels and Redcoats Car Show, and a trip back in time for Living History Day. Colonial Field Day is scheduled for two sessions on Saturday, from 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. Attendees can play popular games from the 18th century, including cup and ball, Jacob’s Ladder and hoop and stick. The winning family will receive a family membership to the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. Participants will also receive a hands-on craft kit, including the opportunity to make their toy or game. Space is very limited and pre-registration is required by emailing Katherine Heugatter at kbecnel@washingtoncrossingpark.org On Sunday, car owners and lovers are invited to attend the fourth annual Rebels and Redcoats Classic Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show features American, French, British and German cars, representing the four countries involved
in the Revolutionary War. Classic showcondition cars from model years 1997 and earlier are welcome in this class. There will also be an open class for cars of any make, model and year. The cost to register each car is $25 online (plus service fee) or $35 on-site. There is no fee to attend as a spectator. All proceeds from this event will benefit the non-profit Friends of Washington Crossing Park’s historical and educational programming. Go to washingtoncrossingpark.org to register. People can celebrate Independence Day by bringing the whole family back in time to July 4, 1776 at the park. Attendees can watch living historians demonstrate their crafts and see a military encampment from noon to 4 p.m. A highlight of the day will be readings of the Declaration of Independence at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults age 12 and over; $4 for children ages 5-11; and free for those under 5, active-duty military, and members of the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. Families with up to two adults and two children living in the same household can purchase a singlefamily ticket for $20. Pre-registration is recommended. Go to washingtoncrossingpark.org to get tickets.
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FATHERS continued from Page 1 to create an organization that would serve the needs of children whose parents could no longer take care of them, or children whose parents had died. According to a 2012 news story, those women “representing a union of area churches came together to provide educational, vocational and moral formation opportunities for young people struggling to make their way in an increasingly industrial world.” And so they created the Union Industrial Home. A year later, the state legislature made the venture a state corporation, giving it the formal name: Union Industrial Home for Destitute Children of Trenton, New Jersey. The home was run by the 18 women, along with volunteers. But the legislature gave formal oversight to a “Board of Counselors consisting of six male members.” That first board included Trenton stalwarts John A. Roebling, the German-American engineer who designed and built the Brooklyn Bridge; Stacy Potts, a journalist who became a lawyer, an assemblyman and ultimately, a state Supreme Court justice; and James T. Sherman, who became the clerk of the Mercer County courts. Children either resided in the home run by the women, or, if a child was orphaned, that child would be placed in a private home. None of the children remained at the Union Industrial Home (UIH) after the age of 12. Each year, the women hosted fundraising dinners where the children provided entertainment. Additionally, UIH relied on donations from the community. One of the more remarkable donations came from Charles G. Roebling, John A. Roebling’s son. On April 14, 1912, the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic ocean. On board was 31-year-old Washington A. Roebling II, the son of Charles Roebling. The younger Roebling died after making sure
others got into lifeboats. His father, Charles, made a $20,000 donation to the Union Industrial Home in memory of his son, a gift which would be about $500,000 today. For years, the home ran as envisioned—a place for children who had no homes or family. But as the city of Trenton changed, so did the offerings at UIH. The home closed down in the 1960s and later became a refuge for teen mothers and their babies. That program lasted until 2010. It was that program which captured the interest of Andrade-Mims who, when she joined the board, was working for Planned Parenthood. But other services offered by the Union Industrial Home focused on men, more specifically fathers. And that focus received a boost in the early 90s, when President Bill Clinton’s administration encouraged governors to reform the nation’s welfare programs. In 1992, then New Jersey Gov. James Florio signed legislation that created the Family Development Program. The program was designed “to break the cycle of poverty, by encouraging family stability while instilling a sense of individual responsibility and dignity to all participants.” Operation Fatherhood was an outgrowth of FDP, a program designed to help men who owed child support. Operation Fatherhood was overseen by the Union Industrial Home. A second pilot program, titled Parents Fair Share, was a federal program designed to get people off the welfare rolls, and UIH ran that pilot program too. By 2008, using the home for teen mothers and their children began to drain the nonprofit’s bottom line and only three young women and their off-spring lived in the home. Andrade-Mims estimated the organization was losing about $200,000 a year. But during that time, Operation Fatherhood continued. In an effort to save what by then was called UIH Family Partners, Andrade-
Mims traveled to Washington to speak with a staff member at the Child Welfare League of America about the organization’s future. That staff member reminded AndradeMims that the Union Industrial Home had built a very successful program for fathers. That aha moment led to a new and focused mission for the organization all revolving around fatherhood. Jonathan Ledlow was one of the early participants in Operation Fatherhood. On Jan. 31, 1993, Ledlow testified before the National Governors’ Association Committee on Human Resources in Washington, a committee chaired by Florio. Ledlow told those in attendance: “Operation Fatherhood has given me the incentive to be a productive and responsible human being.” It wasn’t easy. Ledlow told the governors’ committee when he arrived at Operation Fatherhood, he had no direction; he had a drug addiction. “Thanks to Operation Fatherhood,” Ledlow testified, “I am one less minority male that’s not incarcerated. I am one less minority male that is unemployed. And I am one more minority male that is taking care of all of his responsibilities. Without this program, I have absolutely no idea where I would be, or what I’d be doing right now.” Now, almost 30 years later, Ledlow has a master’s degree in mental health counseling and works as a therapist for StressCare of New Jersey. We spoke by phone. Ledlow was introduced to Operation Fatherhood by his sister-in-law. Marsha Gore, who at the time was the operations manager of the program. “She saved my life,” Ledlow said. He qualified for the program because he owed child support for his daughter. “At Operation Fatherhood, I was introduced to my potential. They told me I could achieve when I was told for so long that I couldn’t do anything,” he said. Ledlow said the program also revealed another side of him as a person. “Operation
Fatherhood showed me that there was a different me; one that people liked to see. It was different from the person who was drinking and smoking. It was another person I could become–one who was formidable, who was respectful and respected,” he said. Unfortunately, Ledlow said, the one key piece he needed from Operation Fatherhood in 1993 was counseling to help him overcome years of self-doubt and bad habits. Andrade-Mims said the organization now has the ability to refer people out for counseling. Staff can also make referrals for housing and other medical concerns. The Father Center continues to grow its offerings. “About five and a half years ago, we decided to work with young boys in Trenton, looking at our mission from a prevention perspective,” AndradeMims said. The program is called Healthy Relationships/Healthy Choices, and serves 15 ninth grade boys at the Trenton school district’s Ninth Grade Academy. “We focus on 9th grade,” Andrade-Mims said, “because we know it’s a troubling time for boys.” Boys in the program go through a long selection process. Two cohorts of boys have finished the program; one young man received a full scholarship to Harvard. Another young man who told program recruiters that he really wanted to do something in computers is now attending the Rochester Institute of Technology. There is one more piece from the history of the Union Industrial Home Andrade-Mims wants to revive and that is conferences. This November, The Father Center will hold its first state-wide conference on Nov. 3. While conference planning continues, Andrade-Mims was willing to share the name of one conference speaker, Wade Horn, a New Jersey native who founded the National Fatherhood Initiative. For more information on The Father Center, go to thefathercenter.org.
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We just got back from an amazing family vacation to Greece. We planned this trip to Greece to celebrate my son’s Grad school graduation and invited family and friends to join us. This was a destination that we felt would appeal to everyone of various ages and it did! Planning a memory making vacation for a milestone is a great way to celebrate and one that will be remembered for years to come. In addition, to make it even more special, we customized tours and excursions to appeal to our varied interests. And on the last day we even arranged a private guide and photo shoot for my son so he could make an amazing marriage proposal to his now fiancé (she said yes! Yeah! And now we will soon have another very special occasion to celebrate and plan). Do you have a milestone or special event that you want to celebrate with your family and friends in a big way? Travel gives you a new perspective and honors this important time. Each milestone represents a change and is the opportunity to mark it with memorable experiences with the ones you love and who care about you. You don’t have to check an item off your bucket list to honor the milestone and celebrate. The vacation can be a quick weekend getaway to something monumental. But either way you should make it memorable. Are you ready to start planning your next memory making vacation? We can add that special touch! As a travel professional, we are your trusted advisor, from the time of our initial meeting, throughout the research, planning and booking process, to the time you leave on your vacation. We are not just an
anonymous click on a button and book at trip. We offer you travel tips, guidance throughout the process, and can help you customize your trip to enhance your experiences. But it doesn’t stop there! We are also available 24/7 if you need us while you are travelling. We look forward to welcoming you home and hearing about all the wonderful vacation memories you have created. So, the next time you sit down to discuss your travel vacation plans make sure it is with a travel professional. There is still time to book your Summer travel and now is the time to start planning your winter break getaway. And don’t forget to purchase travel insurance. Contact us at cberla@ cruiseplanners. com or 609.750.0807 when you are ready to set up time to discuss your next memory making vacation or for information on Virtual Travel webinars. And for the latest information on what the rules are for entering different countries, what is happening with Cruise Lines and Tour operators, rebooking future travel credits and for FAQ, please visit my website and click on the link for Covid-19 Travel Information. At Cruise Planners we specialize in all types of travel (not just cruises). Whether you are looking for a Cruise, an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation, or a European Land Tour, we will provide you with the exceptional service you should expect from a travel professional. Visit us at www. makingvacationmemories.net and follow us at www.facebook.com/ familycruising. Unlike big online travel sites, Cruise Planners - ABC Family Cruising and Travel delivers the personal touch.
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Sports
WW-P rowers compete in youth national championships By Rich Fisher
The Mercer Rowing Club, based out of West Windsor, was a huge presence at this year’s Youth National Championships in Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla. And several high school students from the WW-P School District were part of the fun in the U17 events. WW-P South rising juniors RJ Regan, Zurab Sagirashvili, Vansh Lorish and Aditya Chowdar y, and WW-P North rising junior Sophia Djeng were members among the six boats that qualified for the nationals. That is not a number to be taken lightly. “The significant thing about this team is it’s the most boats we’ve sent down to nationals,” Regan said. “We had the most boats qualify from our club.. “We sent six boats down, which is a lot for a crew like us. Most boats around the United States are lucky to have one boat qualify. We were lucky to have two boats last year and we tripled that
amount this year.” Sagirashvilli was a member of the U-17 4-person boat, which finished 17th overall. Lorish and Djeng, who ser ved as coxswain, were in the second Varsity 8 boat that finished 11th out of over 60 competitors, which was fairly impressive. The biggest success came from the U-17 8 boat, which won its semifinal heat and finished fourth in the nation. Regan and Chowdar y were on the boat, with RJ in the first seat and Aditya in the fifth. Despite their impressive finish, Regan felt it could have been even better save for an unfortunate incident in the finals. The boat finished in 6:01, the field’s best time in the 1900 meter time trial, despite having to race in an afternoon crosswind while many boats in its group raced during the calmness of the morning. “It made us go slower but we ended up getting through it and pushing it,” Regan said.
Mercer then had the best time of 6:23 in its 2000 meter semifinal race. It was the second best time overall, as a California boat went 6:21 in the other semi. “That was probably our most successful race,” Regan said. “Our plan was to tr y and get in front of all the other boats early. We did that well and didn’t have to go all out. Because we were in front of them, all the other boats were tr ying to race for second and third instead of going for first because we pushed ahead so early.” Then came the finals, in which Mercer got caught in a “crab trap.” The MRC boat sprinted to the lead after 200 meters when a rower caught a crab, which meant his oar got stuck in the water. He could not control it and had to withdraw it. “Imagine in a biking race, it’s like falling off your bike in a sort of way, because you have to get back on,” Regan said. “We were actually battling for first place in the final and because we caught that crab we got put in fifth
place. From there we sort of sprinted as hard as we could, but we basically used all our energy tr ying to catch up. We passed the fourth-place boat, which I’m pretty proud of after coming back from that struggle and being able to place ahead of them.” But the grand prize eluded them as the California boat edged a crew from Philadelphia in a photo finish. Mercer actually finished in 6:14, which was even better than its semifinal clocking thanks to a tailwind it benefitted from. “We tried as hard as we could to push ahead,” Regan said. “I’m pretty proud of the way we faced varsity. Going into the race we were all expecting gold or silver. We weren’t prepared for catching a crab. So when it happens we were like ‘Oh no, this can’t be good.’ “Because of our placement prior, we thought we were gonna be so good. It was sort of sad. I know some of our rowers were tearing up.” But, as Regan pointed out, “the big thing is all the boats we qualified
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The Mercer Rowing Club on the water on Lake Mercer in Mercer County Park. RJ Regan is at far left (bow) and Aditya Chowdary is at fifth seat. showed that they are of the highest caliber in the nation.” Interestingly, Regan and Chowdary never knew each other until Aditya was brought up to the U-17 this year. Regan went to Grover Middle School and Chowdary, who started rowing a year after RJ, attended Community. The two never
crossed paths in the vastness of WW-PS. “Aditya is great,” Regan said. “He’s a nice guy. I was surprised when I talked to him when he said he went to South. I actually didn’t believe it at first because I’d never seen him. “I’m really proud of the progress he made, I think he’s a really good rower
and has a lot of potential in the future. I can’t wait to train with him these next couple of seasons.” Their roles on the boat are different. Sitting in the bow and facing the coxswain (who steers), Regan and the No. 2 seat rower work to keep balance in the boat, while the No. 7 and 8 seats in
the back work on the timing. The middle four rowers, which is where Chowdar y sits, provide the strength and the speed, or as Regan put it “those are the people who tr y to pull really hard.” Mercer’s boats qualified for nationals at the May 14 Mid-Atlantic Regional held during a regatta on Mercer County Lake. The top four in each class advanced, and the U-17 8 boat took second place going against talented teams from Connecticut, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. Despite the tough finish at nationals, Regan is unfazed and has faith in Mercer, which is coached by former Princeton University standout Jamie Hamp. “I’m proud of my program, I’m proud of how much we were able to accomplish,” Regan said. “We were disappointed with our loss, but we’ll take that loss and implement it and go to the next race. We have the Canadian Henley in August in St. Catherine’s, Ontario. So we’ll take this loss and go there on a revenge tour, as some of our teammates are calling it. “A lot of people in my boat are doing vigorous training during the summer. Me, Aditya and some other kids are going to Olympic Development Camp over the summer to tr y and be able to help our team even more.”
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School’s Out! The Story of Education in West Windsor PAUL LIGETI
WEST WINDSOR CHRONICLES
Each month, the Historical Society of West Windsor—a nonprofit that preserves and promotes local history—publishes a column covering our town’s rich heritage. This article explores the history of education in West Windsor. Also—2022 is West Windsor’s 225th birthday! The Historical Society is leading dozens of commemorative community projects and events throughout the year. We are also releasing a full-length “West Windsor History Book” in a few weeks, covering our town’s story from the prehistoric era to the present day. Visit westwindsorhistory.com/book to sign up to be notified when the book is published!
The Private Years
One of the primary draws of families to the area is the West Windsor Plainsboro Regional School District and its reputation for academic excellence. But how did it get started and what was education like before then? West Windsor’s first school was reputedly built before 1760—in the historic
village of Penns Neck. This building sat near the crossroads of Lower Harrison Street and Route 1. According to an 1883 text, “the first schools were kept in (small, one- room) log houses, which were built by … ablebodied adult male inhabitants … the schools were (called) ‘pay schools,’ the head of each family… paying to the teacher a stated sum per pupil…” So, in essence, West Windsor’s first schools were actually private. The second wooden schoolhouse to be built was reputedly in the village of Dutch Neck (intersection of South Mill Road and Village Roads East/West), and the third in the village of Edinburg (Old Trenton/Edinburg Roads). According to a 1907 text, the schoolhouse in the community of Clarksville (Quakerbridge/ Clarksville Roads) came later in 1822. And the “Princeton Junction Parsonage” schoolhouse that once sat next to Maurice Hawk School was from the 1820s-40s.
The Public Years
West Windsor’s early private-school system didn’t last forever. In 1827, the town raised twenty-five dollars for “educating the poor children of the township.” And at a town meeting on April 14, 1828, it was ordered “that the sum of three hundred
dollars be collected for the purpose of employing teachers for common schools - and that the (Township be divided) into suitable districts...” That May, several “scholars” were elected to four districts, each with 40 students: Reverend Daniel Dewelle (Dutch Neck), John T. Hutchinson (Edinburg), David Dye (Clarksville), and John S. Vandyke (Penns Neck). Part of the three hundred dollars was also set aside to pay for the imminent construction of the Princeton Junction Parsonage schoolhouse. Some classes—grades 1 thought 8— had as few as one student; others a dozen or more. Farm boys are said to have often attended school only during certain seasons; as a result, some reputedly graduated when they were as old as 25! Students often sat on benches instead of desk seats and wrote upon slate slabs. The schools were heated by a stove. On Monday morning, the teacher would build a coal fire that the students kept alive until Friday. Discipline could be harsh, ranging from the whack of a ruler to monetary fines. Texts were influenced by Christianity, often containing outright references to God. And in the nineteenth century, children either walked or rode horses to school.
Twentieth Century
The Progressive Era of the late 1800s/ early 1900s saw an increased focus and investment in education nationwide, with new buildings, books, and standardization. Our town’s old schoolhouses became to be looked at as increasingly obsolete, and decision was made to replace them with something new. In 1917, several of the schoolhouses were auctioned off to locals. In their place, two identical-twin brick-and-stone institutions were constructed - Dutch Neck School (still in operation off of Village Road East) and the long-gone Penns Neck School (at the intersection of Alexander Road and Route 1). Penns Neck School had the distinction of having West Windsor’s longest-ever serving principal: Georgiana Hauck, who served between 1923 and 1964. These two new schools featured all the necessities of the modern world: administrative offices, expanded classrooms, heating, electricity, uniform furniture and textbooks, and even indoor plumbing. Playgrounds provided controlled recreation. Principals began to interface between other teachers and county superintendents. The farming seasons of the early to
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mid-1900s brought additional growth to our town’s schools. During growing/ harvest months, “migrant workers”— predominantly Black and from southern states - moved up the East Coast and worked where their contracts took them. In West Windsor, this meant that new children would attend Dutch Neck and Penns Neck Schools (all of West Windsor’s schools were integrated) during certain months, and familiar faces would come and go with the seasons. In 1964, Maurice Hawk School - named after a longtime town Treasurer and West Windsor School Board member - was opened on Clarksville Road. At the time, about 900 students were registered in town. Three years later, Maurice Hawk fully replace Penns Neck School, which was later converted into offices and torn down in the 1990s to make way for the Alexander Road overpass over Route 1.
The modern WW-P
Around this time, West Windsor and surrounding towns sent their older students to Princeton High School. However, in the mid-century, Princeton was growing rapidly, prompting their leaders issue an ultimatum: other communities had until 1974 to create their own high schools. In 1968, a “Committee of 50” organized to explore West Windsor’s educational future.
(in Plainsboro, constructed in 1919). This number has since grown significantly, with the addition of Community Middle School (1987), Millstone River (formerly “Upper Elementary School” - 1990), Village School (1995), High School North (1997), Thomas R. Grover Middle School (1999), and Town Center (2002). Windsor’s schools—now serving many thousands of students—continue to expand and have long earned a reputation for academic excellence. Still, don’t let their presence subsume the memory of our town’s educational roots—especially since they’re not yet gone! The Dutch Neck schoolhouse still stands (as a private residence) at 516 Village Road West. The Penns Neck schoolhouse overlooks Route Inside the recreated mid-1800s Princeton Junction Parsonage schoolhouse at the 1 at 3637 Brunswick Pike. And in the West Windsor History Museum (50 Southfield Road). 1990s, the Princeton Junction Parsonage schoolhouse was moved to the West Windsor History Museum at the Schenck Our town and Plainsboro soon agreed to landmark. Finally, in September of 1973, Farmstead (50 Southfield Road). It now split the cost of building a school. On April High School South opened to around 700 exists as a display to the history of local 22, 1969, voters approved a referendum students. education. During an open house, make calling for formation of the West WindsorThe next year, Almedia Pace assumed sure to visit and revel in the rich history of Plainsboro Regional School District. Later the role as West Windsor’s first African learning in West Windsor. that year, designs were approved for a $7 American principal (of Dutch Neck School). To contact, support, or volunteer for the million school for grades 7 to 12. Soon, Many alumni still recall a warm-hearted Historical Society, visit westwindsorhistory. the 1700s-era Coward family farmhouse educator who cared deeply for her students. com. We are also on social media – was burned down at the southern corner In 1976, four public schools served search “@SchenckFarmstead” on of Clarksville and Princeton- Hightstown WW-P: Maurice Hawk, Dutch Neck, Facebook and Instagram. Email us at Roads as onlookers bid farewell to the local High School South, and J. V. B. Wicoff westwindsorhistory@gmail.com
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July 2022 | The News11
IT IS A SELLERS MARKET NOW 2022. From 2008/5/2022, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET MY SELLERS an AVERAGE MAX PRICE OF 130.4% LIST PRICE TO SALE PRICE RATIO
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37 Murano Dr, West Windsor
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268 S. Academy St, Hightstown Currently Internist Dr. Office. 5 Examination rooms 3 baths Large Waiting room & Conference room, Many Uses.
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LIST PRICE 935K SOLD PRICE 970K
317 Ravens Crest Dr, Plainsboro
8 Eastern Cir, West Windsor
5 Shadow Dr, West Windsor
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LIST PRICE 625K SOLD PRICE 721,116K
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7 Rainflower Ln, West Windsor
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LIST PRICE 375K SOLD PRICE 425K
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LIST PRICE 1,050,000 SOLD PRICE 1,200,000
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All stats taken from Bright MLS 2008-7-5-2022.
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