10-22 HP

ELECTION

10 in race for 3 seats on Board of Education

Redistricting means Hamilton will have a new representative in Congress

By JOe EMANsKi

Hamilton voters will have plenty of choices this fall as they elect three school board members from a pool of 10 candidates.

Incumbents Dina Thornton and Jason McSheene are running for re-election, while board member Pamela A. Kelly is not on the ballot. Also running are Dallas Barr, Stacy Byrne, Chris Drudy, Monica Quaste, Alicia Ramos, Rocco Riccio, Frank Summers and Steph Williams.

Only two of this year’s school board candidates are running together — Byrne and Quaste, who are running on the Traditional Education Advocates slate. The slate originally had a third member, Nicholas Ferrara, who dropped out of the race after antisemitic posts made from his Gab social media account were brought to light by Politico reporter Matt Friedman.

The Hamilton Post continues its tradition of covering the school board race this year. All 10 candidates have responded to our annual questionnaire. Their responses begin on page 8, and

we believe that they are worth a read for anyone who cares about the education of Hamilton Township schoolchildren.

Mail-in ballots started going out in late September to voters who went for that option. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, for those who prefer to vote in person. Voters who are not registered still have until Oct. 18 to make themselves eligible to vote this year.

There are no municipal elections this year in Hamilton, but there are other races on the ballot. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are in play, and Hamilton will have a new congress member come 2023. Longtime Rep. Chris Smith’s 4th Congressional District will no longer include the township.

From 2023, Hamilton will be in the 3rd Congressional District, currently represented by Democrat Andy Kim. Running against Kim are Republican Bob Healey, Libertarian Christopher Russomanno, and Gregory M. Sobocinski of the God Save America party.

Also in play are two seats on the Mercer County Board of County Commissioners. Democrats Nina Melker (incumbent) and Cathleen Lewis are running against Republicans Michael Chianese and Andrew Kotula, both of Hamilton. Melker is also a Hamilton resident.

Best in show

Author-coach wants to raise your IQ

By JOe EMANsKi

Dan Blank never set out to become a soccer coach, but once he started coaching, it quickly became apparent that the role suited him.

He never really set out to become a bestselling author, either. But after spending the better part of two decades coaching

at the collegiate level, he felt that he had some wisdom he could share with his fellow coaches that might help make their jobs easier.

So in 2012, he wrote his first book, Soccer IQ: Things that Smart Players Do, Vol. 1. Ten years later, that self-published book still sits at No. 1 on Amazon’s list of bestselling soccer coaching books.

And Blank has added 10 more

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CHILDREN & ADULTS

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books to his oeuvre since then, all aimed at helping soccer coaches get the most out of their players, or helping soccer players get the most out of their ability—well, all except the one that’s a children’s story.

None of it might have come to pass except for a bit of serendipity back in 1991, the summer after he

See IQ, Page 20

Better Health Program Rediscover your Mind, Body & Spirit in Retirement

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Hamilton photographer Beth Ellen Jarvie shows off her best-in-show award for her photography at the annual Mercer County 4-H Fair, held at Howell LIving History Farm in the summer. For more about Jarvie and her photographer, turn to Thomas Kelly’s “Fight in the Museum” column on page 30.

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More new principals in Hamilton

In addition to the three new principals featured in the Hamilton Post last month, we have two more to share: Katie Mallon, left, the new principal at Robinson Elementary School; and Dereth Sanchez-Ahmed, new principal at Wilson Elementary School. (Photos by Laura Geltch.)

Therapy center set for October grand opening

PSYCHealth Associates and Full Spec trum Therapy Partners is preparing to open its newest therapeutic facility at 2312 Whitehorse Mercerville Road on Oct. 6 at 3 p.m.

Full Spectrum Therapy Partners is a local behav ioral health agency that pro vides services for clients with autism and all intellec tual and developmental dis abilities as well as their fami lies. PSYCHealth Associates has been working to deliver trauma-informed therapeu tic services to youth, adults and families in the commu nity for 20 years.

Nicole Kries-Wyszynski, CEO of Full Spectrum Therapy Partners, is the mother of a child on the autism spectrum and a licensed clinical social worker spe cializing in work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabili ties. She provides coaching and men toring and facilitation of staff trainings for those working with people in those groups as well, including the Sky Zone Hamilton Staff.

The grand opening will be open to the public for anyone who wishes to take a tour of the facility.

Hamilton resident to be grand marshal of Columbus Day parade

The Ocean County Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival is celebrating its 31st. year on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. Gilda Rorro Baldassari, of Hamilton, is set to serve as the grand marshal.

Rorro has served as chairperson of The New Jer sey Italian Heritage Com mission. Since 2003, she has spearheaded its Uni versality of Italian Heritage curriculum. For 10 years she served as the Honor ary Vice Consul for Italy, in Trenton, and was subse quently appointed consular correspon dent for an additional 13 years.

Currently, she is a member of the New Jersey Council of Education, and the national Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations in the United States.

She has been inducted into the New Jersey Equity Hall of Fame and the Italian American National Hall of Fame. In May, she will receive the international Colum bus Education Award, directly from Italy.

The parade will take place on the Bou levard in Seaside Heights. For more information: go to columbusnj.org.

Drs. Alex & Dawn Rockwell DMD

Baldassari

ELECTIon 2022

Q&A: Hamilton Board of Education candidates

The Hamilton Post sent questionnaires to all 10 candidates who are running for Hamilton Township School District Board of Education. Their answers are below, edited only for typographical errors.

Dallas Barr, 30, is a social worker. He has lived in Hamilton for 5 years and is a member of the Mercer County Planning Board and the Trenton Branch of the NAACP Nominating Committee. He has not previously held elected office.

A graduate of Toms River High School South, Barr has an associate degree in social work from Rowan College at Gloucester County, a bachelors degree in psychology from Rowan University and is studying for a masters in public administration at Liberty University.

Barr has a two-year old daughter whom he intends to enroll in Hamilton Township schools when the time comes. He has attended between 90 and 99% of school board meetings in the past year.

Stacy Byrne, 54, is a retired home educator. She has participated in various aca-

demic and enrichment support groups in the home education community. She has not previously held a public office.

A graduate of Hightstown High, Byrne has an associate degree from Mercer County Community College. She has no children in district schools. Byrne attended fewer than 50% of school board meetings held in the past year.

Chris Drudy, 47, is director of safety, health, wellness and security for physical

distribution — North America for L’Oreal USA. He has been an active member of the Ravenscroft Homeowners Association since 2007 and is former treasurer and current president of Sunnybrae Little League. He serves on the Hamilton Township Parks and Recreation Committee. He has not previously held elected office.

Drudy has a bachelors degree in safety and environmental management from

Slippery Rock University. He is a first aid and CPR instructor with the American Red Cross and has two children in the district, a 9th grader at Hamilton High School West and a 4th grader at Robinson Elementary School. He has attended less than 50% of school board meetings in the past year.

Jason McSheene, 36, has lived in Hamilton for 5 years. He is a medical science communications director and cur-

Barr Byrne

Drudy McSheene Quaste

rent Hamilton Township Board of Education member, having been elected to his first term in 2020. He is also a senior judge for the Mercer County Science and Engineering Fair and former Board of Trustees member for Child care Connection NJ, as well as a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. McSheene, a graduate of Wayne Valley High School in Wayne, has a bachelors degree in biomedical sciences from Rochester Institute of Technology and a doctorate in molecular biology from Princeton University. He has two young children in the district. He has attended 100% of the school board meetings held in the past year.

Monica Quaste, 55, has lived in Hamilton for 30 years. She is director of behavioral services at ARC Mercer Healthcare Center. She has never held a public office.

She is a member of the Saint Gregory the Great Respect Life Committee, a board member of Inspired Threads, and she is involved in Special Olympics.

A graduate of Wayne Valley High School, Quaste has a bachelors degree in elementary education from The College of New Jersey and a masters in counseling psychology from Holy Family University. All four of her children graduated from Steinert High School. She has attended less than 50% of school board meetings in the past year.

Alicia Ramos, 38, is a bus company dispatcher. She is involved in the Nottingham High School PTA. She has not previously held a public office.

Ramos is a graduate of Hamilton High West and has had a commercial driver license since 2006. She has one child who is a sophomore at Nottingham High School. She has attended less than 50% of the school board meetings held in the past year.

Rocco Riccio, 59, is a high school teacher. He is a parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows and former HOA president and has served on the township planning board. Riccio is also involved with the Mercer County Italian American Festival. Riccio has never held a public office.

He attended high school in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and has an associate degree in accounting from Mercer County Community College, a bachelors degree in accounting from Thomas Edison State University, and a masters degree in the management organization program from TESU. He got his alternate route teaching license at Brookdale Community College.

His children attended Hamilton Township schools at the elementary school level. They are grown, married, and living out of state. Riccio says he has attended between 50 and 90% of school board meetings held in the past year.

Frank Summers, 61, has lived in

Hamilton for 58 years. He is involved with GraceWay Bible Church and HomeFront, Inc. He has not previously held public office.

A 1979 graduate of Steinert High School, he received MCVTS 1979 Automotive Technology Certification; GMP International Summer Institute West Virginia University 1991, 1992 certification; American Standard/Trane Safety and Health Training 1996 certification; Rutgers Labor Institute Train the Trainer certification 1990s; A+ and MCPx2, Janus Computer training 2002; General Industry Safety and Health certification 2022; and Practical Supplier Sourcing certification 2022. He has two daughters who are graduates of Nottingham High School. He has attended between 50 and 90% of school board meetings held in the past year.

Dina Thornton, 51, is a legal assistant with Destribats Campbell Staub and Schroth, LLC. She is also a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty and a hairstylist at Salon Cusato. She has lived in Hamilton for 17 years.

Thornton is involved in the Mercer County Council of PTAs and the NHSPTSA. She has served on the Hamilton Township Board of Education from 2013 to 2016 and from 2019 to the present. She was also appointed to serve on the Hamilton Township Council in March 2017.

A graduate of West Windsor Plainsboro High, she has a cosmetologist’s license from Capri Institute of Cosmetology and a real estate license from the Princeton School of Real Estate. She has three children, one attending Nottingham High School and two who have recently graduated. She has attended between 90 and 99% of school board meetings held in the past year.

Steph Williams, 47, is associate director of distributor relations with Integra LifeSciences. She has lived in Hamilton for 19 years. She has not previously held an elected office.

She volunteers with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and as a team parent for the Nottingham High basketball and football teams. She is a graduate of Freehold Borough High School and has an associate degree in business from DeVry University. She has four sons who graduated from Nottingham, and one who is a sophomore there. She attended between 50 and 99% of school board meetings held in the past year.

Name two issues that are of vital importance to the district right now, explain why they are the most important issues, and explain how you as a school board member will work to address them.

THE HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP ANNOUCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Barr: Facilities updates, such as exploring solar options for new A/C Units in each school, and finding ways to bet ter supply our classrooms and our grow ing student body, would be primary ini tiatives that I will start working on right away. Each of these problems take a col laborative and unifying approach, where the communication between the commu nity, the school board, and our schools will come into play.

burnout. As board liaison to the DistrictCommunity Relations Committee, I help current HTSD staff and community members in our district retain our val ued educators. I also support efforts by Superintendent Rocco to strengthen the recruitment pipeline by working with New Jersey universities.

Shop Small, Shop Local, Shop Hamilton.

THE HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP ANNOUCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As you shop this summer please remember to support our local small businesses and our neighbors and friends who own them.

Visit our websites Hamilton-Strong.com and ShopHamiltonNJ.com

Jeannine Cimino Board Chairman Rachel Holland Executive Director

The Hamilton Partnership is proud to announce Jeannine Cimino, as newly elected Chaiman of the Board and Rachel Holland as the newly appointed Executive Director.

Jeannine Cimino Rachel Holland Executive Director

Since 1993, The Hamilton Partnership has worked with community business leaders, government officials, and private decision-makers to deliver services and employment opportunities that are essential to Hamilton Township’s continued success.

The Hamilton Partnership is proud to announce Jeannine Cimino Board and Executive Director.

Congratulations to Jeannine and Rachel, the first females to serve in each of their roles!

Byrne: I am deeply troubled by the 2020 health standards imposed by the state, in which explicit sexual content and gender-confusing lessons are being intro duced starting in kindergarten. Parents need to understand that sex education is no longer the biological facts of repro duction, but include lessons of various sex acts. These standards interfere with what most parents want taught to minor children in school. Parents are demand ing transparency in what their children are being taught in every subject.

Also, the student standardized test scores are deplorable and seem to be gar nering little attention. My goal will be to restructure the curriculum to focus more on academics and less on sexuality and gender questions.

Drudy: School security must continue as a top focus. My background and exper tise in workplace safety and security allow me to bring a fresh set of eyes to a concern we should all have. While great strides have been made, we can always strive to improve.

Quaste: The first issue of vital impor tance is transparency. The district needs to ensure the parents know and under stand the curriculum, the steps the dis trict is taking to ensure the schools are safe, and the discipline policy the schools will be enforcing.

The second issue of vital importance is equity in our schools. We need to ensure that all students in every school have the materials and assistance needed for success.

Ramos: Understanding the struggle for single parents, that only have one income, one voice. To speak for the chil dren on the behalf of issues that are going on daily in schools. We need the under standing from the school their views and the parents. It will not be just only me trying to resolve issues that are ongoing. The community will have a voice as well.

Riccio: The quality of education has deteriorated. As an educator, there have been theories and philosophies imple mented that would improve education. It has been the reverse. What is occur ring is the apathy of students to excel and try harder. The message has been that complacency will be rewarded. The other issue is the turnover of teachers in our district. We must remove and replace Danielson Framework as the evaluation system. And, we must support the educa tors. Stop micromanaging there content presentation and stop the revolving door in disciplinary actions.

THE HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jeannine Cimino, Chair, William Penn Bank

Source: Unkown

Rachel Holland, Executive Director

Another aspect of focus would be an increased emphasis on retaining and attracting top educators. We have plenty of fantastic educators here in Hamilton. We need to keep them! That includes making sure they have the tools for their classrooms to ensure a learning experi ence for every child that makes a longlasting, positive impact. We also need to make sure we are attracting experienced educators. It starts with offering medical benefits in line with every other district in the area.

Since 1993, The Hamilton Partnership has worked with community business leaders, government officials, and private decision-makers to deliver services and employment opportunities that are essential to Hamilton Township’s continued success.

Gregory Blair (Emeritus), Nottingham Insurance Co.

Hon. Jeff Martin, Mayor, Hamilton Township

@thehamiltonpartnership @Hamiltonnjstrong #HamiltonNJStrong

Lee Boss, The Mercadien Group

Gerard Fennelly, NAI Fennelly

Congratulations to Jeannine and Rachel, the first females to serve in each of their roles!

Richard Freeman, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton Frank Lucchesi, PSE&G

Patrick M. Ryan, First Bank

Summers: 1. Teacher Retention: teachers are the back bone to a good edu cation. I would address this by listening to the teachers’ concerns; we need to con sider adjusting salaries and benefits as needed. Teachers need to feel valued. 2. School Safety: examining current news and what is happening in our nation’s schools, we need to make sure we have state of the art safety procedures in place. Protecting our children and staff must be a priority with all stakeholders including the community participating.

Since 1993, The Hamilton Partnership has worked with community business leaders, government o cials, and private decision-makers to deliver services and employment opportunities that are essential to Hamilton Township’s continued success.

Tom Troy, Sharbell Development Corp.

THE HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jeannine Cimino, Chair, William Penn Bank

FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO: WWW.THEHAMILTONPARTNERSHIP.COM

McSheene: While the 2020 NJ Health Standards receive the most attention at our monthly board meetings. While important, there are other urgent matters that need just as much attention. First, the Covid-19 pandemic has emotionally and educationally impacted our students, families, and teachers. As a board mem ber on the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, I continue to support their recovery through ensuring availability of mental health programming and inschool resources.

Second, teacher recruitment and reten tion is a nationwide challenge, leading to understaffing and further educator

Thornton: An issue of vital importance is addressing our Facilities and creating a plan for the future. The district was work ing on a Facility Strategic Plan that had to be put on hold due to the pandemic. I look forward to continuing to work together with fellow board members, adminis tration, teachers, and the community to address our facilities with a long-term plan. We need to continue discussing our

Gerard Fennelly, NAI Fennelly Richard Freeman, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton Frank Lucchesi, PSE&G

aging infrastructure, the needs of our chil dren and ensure everyone has an equal and equitable education. This should be a multi-faceted plan that addresses our districts needs and educational space. It is important moving forward that we con tinue to work together to create a vision for the future of our district.

Williams: Being able to grow and offer universal Pre-K is very important because exposing our children to liter acy and learning at this age yields posi tive results in their overall education and their positive attitude towards learning. As a board member I will work with oth ers on the board to find solutions and work together to make this possible. Something else that is just as important is promoting and encouraging parent involvement. Making sure we encourage our parents to partner together with their children and teachers in their child’s edu cation. Doing this makes a significant dif ference in their child’s overall success as a student. I want to bring excitement to the table and within our community to work together with our parents, teachers, administrators and students because our children benefit from having that partner ship. Together we can BE the difference!

The board of education is a nonpartisan body. But in recent years, politi cal rhetoric has become a part of meetings as well as candidates’ cam paigns. Please tell us: are you run ning for school board more to help provide the best education for our children? Or are you running more because you would like to bring your political point of view to the board?

Byrne: I am concerned about the strong current of political ideology both in the members of the board and even in the personnel of the schools. Politics is evident in the texts and lessons on Criti cal Race Theory, the LGBT signage dis played on office doors, hallways and even the wallpaper choices on the students Chromebooks, all of which has been

brought forward by parents to my atten tion. Library book selections, including those brought to the board attorney are sourced from political groups with intent to persuade students to a particular ide ology. The schools need to have checks and balances with books approved for the library. I will work to elevate our stu dent’s knowledge of the American politi cal system and the value of everyone’s participation in it.

Drudy: My focus has been simple –focus on the kids and you can’t go wrong. While serving as the president at Sunny brae Little League I have always focused on them. Getting the field ready after rain for kids to play isn’t self-serving or for other parents, it’s for the kids. They need a place to play. Kids need a place to learn. If I am trusted with your support, my motto will remain intact, the focus is on the children you can’t go wrong.

My political views and religious beliefs don’t belong on this board. Being a part of the school board will be doing whatever I can to ensure our students, teachers, and staff have a learning environment in which they feel safe and supported.

McSheene: I serve on the Board for two main reasons. “Remembering my roots”: Public education and my fam ily gave me a solid foundation of how to learn, how to make meaningful contribu tions to the world, and how to work with others.

“Paying it Forward”: I am in the for tunate position to be able to volunteer my time to strengthen the district that my children will soon attend. As a board member, I work for the thousands of fami lies in Hamilton and future students to improve schools for ALL.

This work is a “thank you” to all the staff and community members who cre ate a strong public school for our stu dents. We have no time for partisan poli tics on the Board of Education.

Quaste: I truly believe that education is the most important tool to ensure the See Q&A, Page 12

success of our country. I am running for Hamilton School Board to ensure our schools remain safe and that each child is given equal opportunities to achieve aca demic success.

Ramos: I’m running for the board of education for the children.

Riccio: Bottom line, I am running for the betterment of the quality of educa tion in HTSD! If some of my philosophies mimic other philosophies, that is com pletely consequential.

Summers: I am running to give the children in the district the best education in the state. We need to keep raising the standards, keeping Hamilton a commu nity where parents want to move.

Thornton: I am running for the Board of Education to work together to provide the best education for our children. The Board of Education is and should always be non-partisan and the decisions you make should not be influenced by politics or your political view. As a board member you must always make decisions based on what is in the best interest of the chil dren and their education.

Williams: I’m running to help pro vide the best education for our children. Our children should not be caught in the crossfire of politics. I never let where someone comes from, the color of their

skin or their religion or gender identity, etc. play a part in how I feel about a per son. I could also care less if you are a republican or democrat. All I care about when it comes to our kids (and people in general) in our district regardless if I earn your vote for a seat at the table this November or not is if together we are partnering with parents to help raise healthy, happy, educated and kind chil dren and young adults. That’s it. Life is already hard enough for so many. I would never want to be the person making it that much harder for them.

Barr: Education and public service are very important to me. I chose to run in order to give back to the educational systems that provided me with the tools to succeed in life. I would like to impart that same value in education to each and every student within the district and assist in shaping an academic environ ment that all children can thrive in.

Hamilton Township students are more diverse than ever. How important will it be to you, as a member of the board, that all students are equally well served, regardless of race, culture, gender or personal preferences?

Drudy: Listen and learn is where it begins. One needs to spend time with

people in the community and understand where their struggles are before one can ever make a change. And when it comes time to make changes, involvement from those target audiences within the com munity is critical to make changes that are long-lasting, meaningful, and sustain able. I have served on several committees within L’Oreal for Wellness, Diversity, and Inclusion and have found the most impactful place to start is by listening. Beyond that, keep your commitments and deliver where you promise.

McSheene: It is essential that HTSD serves all students and addresses their needs that may impact their safety or abil ity to learn. As board liaison to the Dis trict-Community Relations Committee, I support its mission of “establishing an open line of communication based on top ics of equality in staffing, programs, and curriculum with the goal of cultivating an inclusive, caring, and supportive school community that promotes the wellbeing of each student through the alliance of its members.”

I was deeply disheartened when a vocal group loudly jeered the efforts of the DCR, particularly at the words “diver sity,” “equity,” and “gender identity” at a public meeting. I advocate for our stu dents to be heard, be seen, and receive necessary support to create a supportive

environment for learning.

Quaste: I truly believe that all human beings are worthy of love and respect. I will work to ensure that the policies and programs introduced and implemented in our schools reflect this belief.

Ramos: I was born and raised in Hamilton Township by both my parents. When I was going to Hamilton Township schools, I was always the statistic because I was Hispanic over the years growing up in Hamilton Township. I saw that children were treated differently. Now that I have a daughter that is a sophomore in Not tingham high school, she always tells me the stories that she experiences is school.

The saying that we use is: It doesn’t matter what race, or color that they are everyone is different in their own way. But society always judged people. One thing I thrive to express to my daughter is that you never know what the next per son is going through. We need to respect them, where they are at in the moment.

Riccio: My entire career as an educa tor has been in diverse districts; Jersey City, Willingboro, and now in Trenton. My experience has been in adapting cul turally responsive teaching is much more than simply recognizing the cultural background of your students. In today’s multicultural world, understanding cul turally responsive teaching practices is

JOAN

DONNA

becoming more and more necessary to create a learning environment that is engaging and accessible to a broader range of students.

Summers: It is very important to serve all, the BOE must follow all laws and it’s not just serving the students, but teachers and parents as well. Everyone’s rights must be served and in today’s times, this is ever changing. We swear to uphold many laws at many levels. I will endeavor to uphold them all.

Thornton: We serve a diverse com munity of families, and all of our children deserve an equal and equitable educa tion. This should always be a priority and we must work together to ensure that we provide a safe and inclusive environ ment for all of our children to learn and

be successful.

Williams: This is actually one of the biggest reasons my name is on the bal lot and something I’m passionate about.

I love our kids. All of our kids. I wish I could scream it from the mountaintops; as a member of the board ALL students should and will continue to be equally served regardless of race, culture, gen der or personal preference, that I can promise.

All that I care about is partnering with students, parents, administrators, coaches, etc. to help them succeed and be the best they can be. It’s important to be diverse but it’s equally important to be inclusive. We need to make sure ALL stu dents feel included and accepted. Be free to show up as their authentic selves so

they can focus on their education.

Barr: To be clear, hate and discrimina tion have no place anywhere, especially not in our school system. Being African American myself, I can understand con cerns regarding this issue in relation to our ever-growing, diverse, student body. I will always uphold the values of all stu dents and families each day as I serve the general public. I believe our students deserve nothing less.

Byrne: Diversity has always been part of Hamilton’s pride. The nationali ties being added to our culture will only enhance our appreciation of each other, if we are careful to not allow diversity to become a wedge in our student popula tion. What is of tremendous concern is that Hamilton schools are failing to ade

quately educate students in lower income areas, newly immigrated or from African American families. For instance, at Wil son, the fourth grade language arts score for students who met the expectation of achievement on the NJSLA test was 23%.

This is an area lacking outrage within the current school board. All children will receive my attention for improved learn ing through better books and more help for teachers.

In recent times, school board mem bers in Hamilton and elsewhere have advocated for charter schools and privatization of public schools. Do you believe in the mission of Hamil ton’s public schools? Or are you an advocate of charter schools and/or privatization?

McSheene: Public education is unpar alleled in strengthening communities and preparing students for the ever-changing “real world.” My goal as a board member is to help the HTSD administration cre ate the best learning experience available for our students, full stop. I firmly believe in the mission, vision, and its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, which were developed by the district and community volunteers.

In addition to the primary goal of pre paring the best preparation for our stu

Ramos Riccio Summers Thornton Williams

dents’ transitions to productive and mean ingful adulthood, strong public schools help strengthen the Hamilton community and reputation. School board members should all be working towards stronger public schools.

Quaste: I believe in the mission of Hamilton Public Schools. I believe our tax payers have a heavy burden and the school district has the responsibility of providing quality education to meet the needs of all of our residents. If our schools can not provide for the needs of each family and their values, then school choice is a fair alternative.

Ramos: Public education prepares people to live in a community with peo ple of all backgrounds. I believe in public education.

Riccio: I’m an advocate that if a school is failing its students, then the leader ship needs to be accountable. Retrain ing, reeducating, or replacing is the first approach. But, what is most important is the outcomes and if the preliminary approach does not change the current environment, then other options need to be explored.

Summers: I believe the mission is to have the best schools in the state. If Ham ilton is the best, there would be no need for Charter schools in Hamilton. We need

to work to keep Hamilton Schools the best in the area. We need to encourage and support parents to work with us in keeping standards high.

Thornton: I believe in the mission of the Hamilton Public Schools and the edu cation they provide our children. Over the last few years, the district has enhanced the curriculum at the secondary level with additional courses, AP courses, dual enrollment opportunities and access to vocational programs.

At the elementary level, they continue to evaluate programs and add resources and programs for our children to provide an educational foundation. I would like to continue to explore what we can do as a district to provide more resources and opportunities for our children.

Williams: I believe in the mission of Hamilton’s public schools and why I would welcome the opportunity to serve our community and become part of the team that will ensure we continue to pro vide quality education for every student. I am not interested in advocating for char ter schools or privatization.

Barr: I strongly subscribe to the mis sion of Hamilton’s public schools; in that we will strive for the best education prac tices for all students in the district. In no way do I desire to further divide academic responsibility and communication within

an already robust, diverse, and rapidly growing student body. I believe in finding ways to do what is best for our students with the resources we have in place, not changing the system.

Byrne: I believe in the public school system as our founding fathers envi sioned in that a Constitutional republic can only survive with an educated people. We must improve public schools in order to preserve our government of the peo ple. I also support alternative educational environments as it is a parent’s right and duty to educate child as the parent deems appropriate. Funding for such alterna tives should be made by the public’s will.

Drudy: I am a product of public schools. My wife and children are prod ucts of the Hamilton Township School District. I believe in public education and feel it offers an experience that positively exposes them to people of every race, cul ture, and gender.

Experiences like this help prepare them for life beyond the walls of our schools. We have a fantastic team leading our schools, competent and caring edu cators in addition to a support staff that wants the best public education experi ence for the children of this community.

Keep public schools public and find ways to improve our schools.

Tell us why Hamiltonians should vote for you in this year’s school board election.

Quaste: Hamiltonians need to be involved in decisions that have an effect on our community. School systems play a huge role in property values and taxes have a huge effect on our senior population. People should vote for me if they want someone with integrity who is willing to volunteer her time and tal ent to ensure their voices are heard and respected.

Ramos: I want to listen to the con cerns of other single parents and rep resent them as a school board member. Along with elevating the concerns of sin gle parents, as well as parents as a whole, I also want to lift up the voices of students in the district who often go unheard. The students who also have dreams, but often lack the backing to achieve those dreams.

I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I love people. I am organized. I am eager to learn more about how the district is run and where I might be able to encourage additional growth and change.

Riccio: I am a husband and a father. I am a lifelong resident of Mercer County. I have twelve years of experience in edu cation. I am certified in two career readi ness content areas and certified school

Q&A,

HEADLINES

TRENTON SENIORS GET IN STEP

with Capital Health’s Vascular Rehabilitation Program

Trenton residents Clara Boatwright and Alice Wells have a lot in common—including being schoolmates in their younger days— and after reuniting as patients in the Vascular Rehabilitation Program at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, they’re happy to be together again on the path to better health.

The Vascular Rehabilitation Program is for people experiencing mild or severe pain in the legs due to lower-extremity peripheral artery disease or similar symptoms that are still present following vascular procedures.

“I thought I was having muscle troubles,” said Alice. “My primary care doctor sent me to Dr. Lotto, who confirmed I had poor circulation.” Dr. Christine Lotto, a board certified, fellowship trained general and vascular surgeon at Capital Health Surgical Group, referred Alice to the program.

“I was having pain in my calves when walking,” said Clara. “I told my heart doctor (Dr. Kristopher Young, Capital Health – Heart Care Specialists) what was going on, and tests showed that the circulation was bad in my legs. My specialist (also Dr. Lotto) recommended vascular rehab at Capital Health.”

Capital Health’s team of physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists and registered dietitians work closely with referring physicians to help program participants achieve their rehab goals through personalized exercise, nutrition counseling, risk factor management guidance, and psychological support all aimed at helping participants meet their health goals.

“The program helped me a lot. When I first started, I had a lot of stiffness because I wasn’t very active,” said Clara. “We watched videos that helped us understand the things we were experiencing, and the exercise helped me get all the kinks out. The nutritionist also gave me a lot of insight on how to eat better.”

“They really keep you informed so you’re not in the dark after the program is done,” said Alice. “I got a lot of good handouts about

exercising, healthy eating, and stopping smoking. I enjoyed my time there, but more importantly, it still helps me!”

If you’re experiencing mild or severe cramping pain in the legs with walking as the result of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease or lower-extremity revascularization procedures, call Capital Health’s Vascular Rehabilitation Program at 609.537.6420 to schedule an appointment, or visit capitalheartandvascular.org for more information.

From left, Clara Boatwright and Alice Wells on the path to better health with Capital Health’s Vascular Rehabilitation Program.

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Capital Health Employee Education Program Awards

Four Full Tuition Scholarships to Rider University

Capital Health has announced four winners of full-tuition scholarships to Rider University as part of an employee education benefits partnership with the university. The scholarship winners are immediate family members of Capital Health employees and include Rachel Burnett (education), Andrew Coates (communication studies), Gloria Owusu (accounting), and Johannah Stevenson (STEM). In order to be eligible for the scholarships, candidates or their immediate family members must be full-time, non-union employees of Capital Health for at least one year and meet additional eligibility requirements. Capital Health’s partnership with Rider launched in 2020 when Capital Health Medical Group began overseeing the university’s Student Health Center and providing primary care health services to students and employees.

“On behalf of Capital Health, I’m pleased to congratulate the inaugural winners of our full-tuition scholarships to Rider University” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “As our relationship with Rider grows, we’ll offer similar scholarship opportunities annually as part of a broader education benefits program for our employees and their families. Two of the four scholarships awarded this year went to students whose annual family incomes were under $100,000, and we look forward to helping more members of our Capital Health family reach their education goals in the years to come.”

RACHEL BURNETT of Morrisville, Pennsylvania is a graduate of Pennsbury High School. Daughter of Elizabeth De La Portilla-Stout, assistant nurse manager in Hemodialysis at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Rachel is an education major in Rider’s College of Education and Human Services, which is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

ANDREW COATES of Levittown, Pennsylvania is the son of Kim Coates, a registered nurse and practice lead at Capital Health Occupational Health Center. Andrew is a graduate of Calvary Christian Academy of Philadelphia and his major is communication studies, with a minor in broadcast journalism. He intends to pursue a career in media.

GLORIA OWUSU of Hamilton, New Jersey is the daughter of Samuel Acheaw, Care Management nurse at Capital Health Medical

Center – Hopewell. Gloria is a graduate of Hamilton High School West and is an accounting major in Rider’s Department of Accounting, which is one of only 2% of programs worldwide with accreditation from the AACSB International.

JOHANNA STEVENSON of Lumberton, New Jersey is a graduate of Rancocas Valley Regional High School. Daughter of Robert Stevenson, tech specialist at the Sleep Center at Capital Health – Hamilton, Johanna plans to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in order to pursue a career as a secondary STEM teacher (grades 9 12) in a “high need” school district. Undergraduate students (including those transferring to Rider University or enrolling in a continuing studies program) are eligible to receive these scholarships, which are awarded for four consecutive years or until completion of the academic program. Scholarship recipients must be full-time students, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and be students in good standing with Rider University at all times during the course of their enrollment. Full-tuition scholarships do not include room, board, or other related costs, such as textbooks.

Capital Health’s employee education benefits program also features a 50% tuition discount agreement with Rider University for nonunion employees and their immediate family members (cannot be combined with full-tuition scholarships). Other Rider education benefits for Capital Health employees include an application fee waiver; free, unofficial evaluation of transfer credits prior to applying; and a Rider academic advisor to help plan their schedule. Graduate student applicants can request a free evaluation of transfer credits as well as course and GMAT/GRE waivers and exclusive certificate programs for Capital Health employees are currently in development.

Winners left to right: Rachel Burnett, Andrew Coates, Gloria Owusu, and Johannah Stevenson

THREE

Join Capital Health Medical Group

Drs. Akbar Obaray, Syed Asghar and Nasir Malik have joined Capital Health – Pulmonology Specialists, part of Capital Health Medical Group. These three experienced, board certified pulmonologists join colleagues Drs. Irene Hao, Diana Kolman, Naresh Nagella and Dolly Patel in providing care for patients in Mercer and Bucks counties with conditions that affect the lungs and respiratory system.

“Capital Health – Pulmonology Specialists launched four years ago to meet the needs of people in our community who are living with a variety of lung and respiratory conditions,” said Dr. Joshua Eisenberg, chief medical officer of the Capital Health Medical Group. “The addition of these qualified and experienced pulmonologists to our

already talented group of providers expands patient access to the best possible pulmonary care in the Mercer/Bucks region.”

DR. AKBAR OBARAY is a board certified pulmonologist with extensive experience in all aspects of pulmonary medicine, including respiratory intensive care, fiber optic bronchoscopy, transbronchial biopsies and pulmonary functional testing as well as the management of asthma, COPD, lung cancer and interstitial lung disease. Prior to joining Capital Health, Dr. Obaray was in private practice in Hamilton, New Jersey for more than 30 years.

DR. SYED ASGHAR is board certified in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine. He sees patients with all types of pulmonary disease and has extensive experience in performing bronchoscopies. Before joining Capital Health, Dr. Asghar spent many years in private practice and as a hospitalist, attending physician, and in leadership roles at Capital Health Regional Medical Center and other hospitals in Mercer and Bucks counties.

October 24, 2022 | 6 p.m.

Are you having a difficult time with lingering breathing issues and other long-term effects of a COVID-19 infection? Join DR. DIANA KOLMAN, a board certified and fellowship trained interventional pulmonologist, to discuss lung issues related to the coronavirus and treatment options available for those suffering from long COVID-19. DR. KRISTINA MCGUIRE, a licensed clinical psychologist, will discuss the psychological symptoms associated with long COVID-19, coping strategies and behavioral health treatments.

This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom. Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

DR. NASIR MALIK is board certified in pulmonary diseases and internal medicine. His areas of interest include asthma, COPD, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension. Before joining Capital Health, Dr. Malik served as a pulmonologist/critical care attending physician with Wellspan Healthcare in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Capital Health – Pulmonology Specialists specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the lungs and respiratory system. They have office locations in Hopewell Township (Two Capital Way, Suite 487, Pennington, NJ 08534), Newtown (3 Penns Trail, 2nd floor, Newtown, PA 18940) and Hamilton (1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Suite 111, Hamilton, NJ 08619).

Appointments are now available by calling 609.815.7390 or visit capitalhealth.org/pulmonology for more information.

Capital Health Welcomes New Director of Comprehensive Headache Center

Capital Health recently welcomed DR. DWAYNE BROWN, a board certified and fellowship trained neurologist, to its Capital Institute for Neurosciences as director of its Comprehensive Headache Center. In his new role, Dr. Brown leads the Center’s multidisciplinary approach to patients and offers a variety of services to treat migraine headache, tension headache, cluster headache, trigeminal autonomic cephalgia, CSF leak headache, high-pressure headache, facial pain and various secondary headache conditions. In addition, Dr. Brown offers procedures such as Botox for migraine, trigger point injections and nerve blocks.

“Over the past few years, Capital Health has steadily added new specialists to its broader neurosciences program,” said Dr. Joshua Eisenberg, chief medical officer of Capital Health Medical Group. “We welcome Dr. Brown’s significant expertise to our Capital Institute for Neurosciences and making specialized care for those who are suffering from headache conditions available here in a very convenient environment.”

Board certified in neurology, Dr. Brown completed his headache and facial pain fellowship training at Yale University School of Medicine

in New Haven, Connecticut. He earned his medical degree from Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia and completed his residency training at Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook, New York, where he served as chief neurology resident. He also earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in pharmacology from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

“I am extremely pleased to join Capital Health and Capital Institute for Neurosciences,” said Dr. Brown. “Capital Health has a reputation for providing a very high level of neuroscience care, and I look forward to being a part of its continued growth.”

Dr. Brown’s research has been published in national and international publications, including Neurology, Neurotoxicity Research, The Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, Neuroscience Letters and Neurochemistry International. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, Society for Neuroscience, American Association of Neurology and the American Headache Society.

Dr. Brown is now seeing patients in the Capital Institute for Neurosciences office in the medical office building attached to Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell (Suite 456). To schedule an appointment with Dr. Brown, call 609.537.7300 or visit capitalneuro.org for more information.

UPDATE AND THE MIND EATING PLAN

Thursday, October 13, 2022 | 6 p.m.

Zoom Meeting

Join DR. DANIELLE CARCIA, a board certified family medicine physician with fellowship training in geriatrics, to discuss the latest research, treatments, and prevention strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Registered Dietitian MINDY KOMOSINSKY will discuss the MIND eating plan, which promotes the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of certain foods that may help lower the risk of dementia and slow the loss of brain function that can occur with aging.

This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom. Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Saturday, October 8th 12pm

what’s happening

Celebrate spooky season

BY REBEKAH SCHROEDER

October’s chilling start is a welcome relief this year, and with it comes the perfect time to fall under the spell of these thrilling Halloween marches, movies, and main events.

Parades

Halloween Pet Parade & Costume Contest, Robbinsville Town Center Gazebo, Lake Drive. Saturday, October 29.

Saturday’s start to Halloween weekend is for Robbinsville residents to walk beside their wagging neighborhood pets in a Halloween parade and costume contest held at the Town Center Gazebo on Lake Drive. This outside, free event is organized by Robbinsville Recreation & Parks, with a $10 fee per furry participant.

Online registration is preferred and closes at noon on October 28, with walk-in registration available the day of the event from 9:30 a.m. robbinsville-twp.org/departments/ recreation_division.

Hometown Halloween Parade, Arts Council of Princeton, Palmer Square Green, Princeton. Friday, October 28.

The local community of costumed Princetonians can gather on the Palmer Square Green at 5:15 p.m. for the Arts Council of Princeton’s free “Hometown Halloween Parade,” where the Princeton University Band will be playing live.

The parade kicks off at 5:45 p.m. and ends at the Princeton Family YMCA. artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Screenings

Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton. October 3 through 31.

The Princeton Garden Theatre has a bewitching lineup that, as programming coordinator Shannon Quinty describes, is sure to satisfy appetites for both “the slightly spooky (like ‘Labyrinth’ & ‘Beetlejuice’) to full-on terrifying (‘Halloween’ & ‘Ganja & Hess’).”

“We feel there is no better way to cel-

HALLOWEEN,

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for migraines. Stem cell injections to regenerate tissue and organs. Gummy Bears infused with THC. Platelet-Rich Plasma to treat conditions from sports injuries and wounds to hair loss from chemotherapy. These are just a few of the cutting-edge therapies used by Dr. Ronak Patel, the founder and medical director of Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute in Plainsboro.

“Many of these treatments may come as a surprise to patients suffering from chronic pain, especially those who think that their pain — and poor quality of life — is something they have to endure,” Dr. Patel notes. A double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, Dr. Patel focuses on treating pain in the back, neck, face, and joints as well as pain related to cancer and chemotherapy.

With so many different pain-causing illnesses, injuries, and conditions, treatments must be carefully customized to fit the needs of each individual patient. Dr. Patel partners with orthopedists, physical and occupational therapists, and chiropractors to provide a variety of approaches and treatments. With

Regenerative Medicine/ Stem Cell Therapy. Regenerative medicine is a fastgrowing, highly developed treatment that helps the body heal or rebuild itself. Dr. Patel uses stem cell therapy to treat ailments, particularly low back or neck pain, caused by degenerative vertebral discs or joint pain in the shoulders, hips, or knees caused by osteoarthritis. The patient’s stem cells are removed, purified, concentrated, and injected into the injured or weakened tissue. Stem cell therapy can also speed recovery and help avoid surgery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). A favorite treatment for sports injuries, PRP uses the patient’s blood to produce a platelet-rich plasma that targets a host of chronic and acute pain conditions, including muscle strain, arthritis, tendinosis, cartilage injuries, joint inflammation, and wound care. The treatment is also used in orthopedic and plastic surgery. By synthesizing platelets and releasing proteins, PRP can aid in generating new tissue. And it has helped chemotherapy patients grow back hair faster and thicker.

Cannabis Therapy. The legalization of medical marijuana has brought new treatment options. “We are very excited by the potential of cannabis-based treatments and we comply fully with New Jersey’s evolving regulations,” says Dr. Patel. He uses a local dispensary to provide treatments, which include edibles such as gummy bears and cannabis-based rubbing and vaping oils.

Minimally Invasive Therapy. Dr. Patel offers a wide variety of minimally invasive therapies. These include epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation for patients suffering from chronic neck and back pain stemming from herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. His goal is to help his patients avoid surgery and at the same time regain functionality.

Thanks to these and other game-changing treatments, pain levels can be greatly reduced or eliminated and quality of life enhanced. Says Dr. Patel, “Stop your pain. Start your life.”

Spine and Pain

ebrate ‘Spooky Season’ than by watching scary movies in a theater with an enthusiastic audience. Hearing the gasps and jumps from the crowd is what makes these scary movies great. It is an experience that cannot be properly replicated at home,” Quinty says via email.

Movies are listed in date order are “Ganja & Hess” (1973), October 3; “Labyrinth” (1986), October 6; “The Birds” (1963), October 12; “Delicatessen” (1991) — part of their ‘Food on Film’ series with cheese plates sold by Lawrenceville’s Cherry Grove Farm — October 19; “The Lost Boys” (1987 - 35th Anniversary Screening), October 20; “Beetlejuice” (1988), October 26; “The Thing” (1982 - 40th Anniversary Screening), October 27; and “Halloween” (1978 - a Halloween Night Screening).

All show times are at 7 p.m. except for Halloween, which starts fittingly on October 31 at 7:30 p.m. princetongardentheatre.org

Halloween Fright Fest and Family Fright Fest, Hopewell Theater, 5 South Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell. Wednesday through Sunday, October 26 through 30.

Silver screen scares come in two editions at the Hopewell Theater, starting

with the Halloween Fright Fest’s showing of “Dracula” (1931), October 26; two chances to see Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” (1960), October 27 and 30 and a “twinning” pair of times to see Stanley Kubrick’s” The Shining” (1980), October 27 and 29.

For the Family Fright Fest, though, catch weekend matinee times closer to the date of the holiday, with “The Goonies” (1985) at 2 p.m. and “Beetlejuice” (1988) at 4:30 p.m. on October 29; and the original “Ghostbusters” (1984) on October 30 at 6 p.m.

Anyone who comes in costume receives a free small popcorn or bottled water from concessions, and for the Family Fright Fest, children 12 and under get free admission — as long as a ticket is reserved and at least one adult (18+) accompanies the child. www. hopewelltheater.com

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‘Wine and Paint’ and ‘Rocky Horror Movie’ Nights, White Hill Mansion, 217 West Burlington Street, Fieldsboro. Saturday, October 8, and Friday, October 14.

The Friends of White Hill Mansion coordinate tours and events in the historically “haunted” setting of White Hill Mansion, but even ghosts need to do the time warp. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), a horror-musical referred to as “the original cult classic,” will be screened for free starting just after sunset on October 8.

Attendees must arrive by 7 p.m. and bring chairs and/or blankets, with refreshments and props available for sale.

Then, on October 14, White Hill Mansion is hosting a “Wine & Paint Night” with supplies and instructions from partner Village Arts. Attendees will be painting a 16” x 20” rendition of a “Vintage Jack O’ Lantern.” Snacks and refreshments included, wine BYOB. whitehill-

Robbinsville’s pets hit the promenade in a costume contest at the Town Center Gazebo, organized by the township’s Division of Recreation & Parks, on Saturday, October 29.

Trunk or Treats

Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat, Dragonfly Farms, 966 Kuser Road, Hamilton. Festival October 1 through 30; Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 29.

Dragonfly Farms may regard itself as “Hamilton’s best kept secret,” but the garden center and home decor shop on Kuser Road’s family attractions might have just let the black cat out of the bag.

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all of October, the family-run business invites guests to jump around in a moon bounce, see animals in their petting zoo, and explore a hay maze. The farm’s pumpkins are available for purchase and can either be painted or bowled with. Food trucks will also be present throughout the month.

Weekend tickets are $10 for one adult and child each, with $4 per additional adult and child. Weekday tickets are $8 for one adult and child each, with $2 per each additional adult and child. Children 2 and under are free.

On Saturday, October 29, there will also be a trunk or treat from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. dragonflyfarms-nj.com.

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All Around Town Scarecrow Scavenger

Hunt/Contest and Trunk or Treat, Ewing Senior & Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing. October 1 to 27 and Saturday, October 29.

Under watchful eyes and stuffed straw, scarecrows throughout town are waiting to be noticed by the scavengers of Ewing

— who, if they successfully find all of the decoys on display, have a chance to win $200. Track the clues to new designs from participating residents, as well as vote for the “People’s Choice” award for the scarecrow with the most star power.

The contest ends on Thursday, Octo-

ber 27, at 4:30 p.m. The winners will be declared two days later during the township’s “Trunk Or Treat” event, which serves as a “safe alternative” to the tradition for children from the ages of toddler to eighth grade.

Candy must be pre-packaged, and the event requires pre-registration for participating vehicles ahead of the 3 p.m. event. Cars will be set up in the parking lot of the Ewing Senior & Community Center. ewingnj.org/ community-programs

Other Spooky Fun

Field of Terror, Kyle Family Farm, 831 Windsor-Perrineville Road, East Windsor. Fridays & Saturdays: 6:45 to 10:45 p.m. Thursdays, Sundays and Halloween Monday: 6:45 to 9:45 p.m.

For those looking to take their feelings of fright to the ultimate level, East Windsor’s Field of Terror has spent 20 scary years transforming from the daytime setting of Kyle Family Farm into what their website calls the state’s “premier haunted attraction farm.”

There are five attractions to pick from, with the newest addition to the repertoire, the Kornfield of Karnage, joining

The Arts Council of Princeton’s annual Hometown Halloween Parade is a spirited tradition that starts on the Palmer Square Green on the evening of Friday, October 28 .

ens Lane, Lambertville.

Enjoy the results of happy husking with the Howell Living History Farm’s famous corn maze, known as “the lon gest-running” in the state, as it takes a trip to the amusement park in a new design on Fridays, Saturdays and Sun days in October.

At a short distance from the main farm at 17 Valley Road in Lambert ville, this year’s inspiration came from a “circa-1930s traveling carousel that was recently donated to Howell Farm,” according to their press release, which has “pathways cut in the shape of an oldfashioned” merry-go-round.

Whirl around the four-acre field of puzzles and trivia, then stop by the pumpkin patch or hayride for more. The cost of admission comes in three rates: $12 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and under. howellfarm.org.

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Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Lawrence.

Terhune Orchards’ Fall Family Fun Weekends pick up from September and run through October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. With farm festivities and fresh produce abound, Terhune continues another tra dition, the “Personality Pumpkin Con

test,” which will feature its winners on display through October 30.

No carving is permitted in this chal lenge where participants “decorate, paint [and create] gourds that are equally as gorgeous on the inside. Sub missions are due by October 27, and winners will be announced on October

28 for their presentation during the final weekend of the season. Pumpkins with the “winning personalities” will receive a $75 Terhune gift card.

General admission tickets (ages 3+) are $15, with other packages including pumpkin picking, wine and food avail able online at terhuneorchards.com.

Prices are lower during the last weekend of October, with general admission tick ets sold for $12 per person. www.terhu neorchards.com

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The Princeton Tour Company fea tures their ‘Princeton Ghost Tour/ Hunt & Cemetery Visits’ once again on Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 14 to 29. Tours are approximately two hours and start at 7 or 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 each and rated PG-13. Guests are sup plied with equipment in the hopes, once trained by tour guides, to grab a moment with a ghostly figure. princetontour company.com

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Halloween 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk, HomeFront, Carnegie Center, West Wind sor. Sunday, October 30.

HomeFront’s Halloween 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk on Sunday, October 30, remains a hybrid way to “change the lives of local homeless children” with the Mercer County nonprofit organization. Participants are able to run on the inperson themed course at the Carnegie Center or attend virtually.

The “Preschooler Pumpkin Dash” starts at 9 a.m., and the main race starts at 10 a.m. There will also be live music and a costume contest. homefrontnj. org

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Summer Camp: 18 months to 11 years

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Date:

Howell Living History Farm’s ‘longest-running’ corn maze is a merry-go-to spot this year with a classic carousel design to explore on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton

Let’s Be Healthy Together*

AtRobert Wood Johnson Univer sity Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, we do more than treat injuries and ill nesses, we provide our community with resources and services that help people live longer and healthier. Our preventive care and wellness pro grams focus on educating patients on ways they can improve their health and avoid serious medical complica tions. We take a holistic approach to healing, and strive to help patients feel better physically, mentally, and emo tionally.

Your Annual Wellness Visit

Meeting with your primary care physician once a year is an important step that keeps you aware of your body’s current condition and what you can do in the future to avoid health risks. Since this is a general health visit, this is your chance to discuss any medical questions or concerns you have with your doctor.

Let them know about any changes you’ve experienced in the past year, and make sure the check your blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI) and other “numbers” that are important for your overall health and wellness.

You should also discuss any health screenings you may need going forward. Depending on your age and your family’s medical history, you could have an increased risk for certain types of diseases and cancer. While you can’t always reduce risk factors, you can plan out a screening schedule so that your doctor can diagnose these conditions in the early stages and start treatment before it becomes a major complication.

Our Health & Wellness Services

We are committed to making our local community a happier, healthier place for all. Our health and wellness services promote healthy lifestyles and provide you and your family with easy access to medical resources.

You do not have to figure out the ins-and-outs of healthy living alone. Learning more about health and wellness can often feel overwhelming or even discouraging, but with trusted, knowledgeable medical professionals helping you navigate all the information, you can create a wellness plan that suits your lifestyle and personal preferences.

We’ve got Hamilton and the surrounding areas covered with a

network of primary care providers who are partners you can trust to not only treat you when you are sick, but guide you towards improved health and wellness. Our primary care locations are located in Hamilton, Lawrenceville Mercerville, Robbinsville, and Pennington, NJ.

Call 1-888-724-723 or visit rwjbh. org/medgroupprimarycare today to schedule your annual wellness visit or learn more about our wellness services and events.

*Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton is a proud sponsor and exhibitor of Hamilton Township’s Oktoberfest, October 16, 2022, 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Veteran’s Park, South Side. Stop by “Hamilton Healthcare Place” and check out the Wellness and Wheels (WOW) bus, receive educational, fun and healthy giveaways, walk through a giant inflatable colon or hop up into an EMS ambulance. For more information visit https://www. hamiltonnj.com/oktoberfest.

To learn more about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton or call 609586-7900.

See ad, page 11.

Aura Dermatology Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer

by Darshan Vaidya, MD, FAAD

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the United States with over 5 million new cases every year. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, about 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. The majority of skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet radiation exposure (sunlight or tanning bed use), especially in those with blistering sunburns and early childhood/adolescent sun exposure. Ultraviolet radiation leads to DNA damage and mutations in skin cells, which causes them to multiply rapidly and form cancers. Most skin cancers are preventable with the daily use of sunscreen (preferably zinc oxide-based physical sunscreens) and sun protection/avoidance measures beginning in childhood.

The main types of skin cancer are 1) Basal cell carcinoma, 2) Squamous cell carcinoma, 3) Melanoma, and 4) Merkel cell carcinoma. These often occur in sun exposed areas like the

scalp, face, neck, upper chest, back, arms, and hands. The back of the legs is a common site for melanoma in women who have a history of sunbathing. Skin cancers can have many different faces — they can look like pink or brown bumps, scaly patches, or nodules that are changing in size/shape/color, bleeding or nonhealing.

With regular visits to your boardcertified dermatologist, it is possible to diagnose skin cancer very early on. In-office treatments can be performed with very high cure rates. Many times, your dermatologist will provide treatment for precancerous lesions before they become malignant. Please make your appointment today for a full skin evaluation, especially if you are unsure of the last one you had!

What are some things you can do to help prevent skin cancer?

• Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen that covers UVA/UVB with an SPF of 30 or higher (zinc oxide based sunscreen is preferred). Reapply sunscreen every 1.5-2 hours when outdoors and always after water exposure (even if the sunscreen says “water resistant”). Did you know that most people don’t apply enough

sunscreen? Apply at least 1 ounce of sunscreen per application to attain the SPF listed on the bottle. Avoid sunscreen use in infants younger than 6 months due to increased systemic absorption in this age group. Sun protective clothing/sun avoidance measures are extremely important even if you have sunscreen on.

• Use sun protective clothing (widebrimmed hats, sunglasses, UV shirts, UV sleeves, etc), try to seek shade when possible, and avoid mid-day exposure between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Avoid getting a tan or a sunburn (naturally or with tanning beds)!

Tanned skin is damaged skin and it increases your risk of skin cancer and wrinkles!

• Perform monthly self-skin exams looking for any new or changing spots (changing in size, shape, color, elevation, bleeding, non-healing).

Any spots/moles/growths that are changing or concerning to you should be brought up with your boardcertified dermatologist. Remember, skin cancer does not have to be symptomatic! If you are not sure, make an appointment.

• Make an appointment with your board-certified dermatologist for regular skin screenings and to

A basal cell carcinoma

evaluate any abnormal lesions.

Aura Dermatology at Robbinsville, 17 Main Street, Suite 304, Robbinsville. 609-415-DERM (3376). www.auraderm.com. See ad, page 12

Dr. Irving Djeng • Dr. Lauren Levine • Dr. Michael DeLuca • Dr. Matthew Etter • Dr. Kevin Collins • Dr. Deolinda Reverendo

You don’t feel a lump, swelling or tenderness. You still need a mammogram.

At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, together with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer the latest in comprehensive breast health services including mammograms, 3D mammograms, breast MRI, genetic testing, breast surgery and more — like peace of mind.

NCI

And with breast health centers conveniently located throughout New Jersey, finding us is simple, too.

Schedule your mammogram at rwjbh.org/mammo

Let’s beat breast cancer together.

Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

Hamilton Dental Associates

Halloween Scares and Oral Care all in one month!

By Senta C Johnson

Halloween is just around the corner; a scary time for kids, and a scarier time for their dentists. Your friends at Hamilton Dental Associates suggest, It’s OK to eat that candy on Halloween but it’s important to have a plan. Here’s what families can do to keep their teeth healthy during the spooky season. October is also National Dental Hygiene Awareness Month so here is a plan to help oral care during the scare season!

Sticky Situations. Chocolate is one of the most common candies during Halloween. Fortunately, chocolate washes off your teeth easily, and darker chocolates have less sugar. For the stickier treats, however, stay picky. Candy like taffy, gummy bears, and hard candies stay in your mouth much longer than chocolate, which gives cavitycausing, tooth-decaying bacteria more time to work. It’s tempting to

keep that candy around, but your dentists will thank you for limiting your stash.

Free Trade. Always inspect the loot after trick-or-treating for anything unsafe (allergens, tampered wrappers, choking hazards, etc.). We also recommend proposing trades for downsizing the children’s sugary stashes. For sticky candies, especially, try trading them for new toys, movie tickets, or your pieces of chocolate. Family fun and health are

not mutually exclusive here.

Blowing Bubbles. Chewing gum might be your best friend this Halloween. Find your favorite sugarfree gum and keep it handy. Gum stimulates saliva production, naturally rinsing the mouth and preventing plaque. Chew after each meal or snack for optimized oral health.

Favoring Fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that prevents cavities and tooth decay, especially in early development. It can be found in

toothpastes and most bottled water. For additional supplements, talk to us at Hamilton Dental Associates about fluoride mouthwash, tablets, or gels. Increasing your children’s fluoride intake can help combat any sweet tooth this season.

Practice Makes Perfect. With all of the pumpkin flavoring and sweet treats, it’s hard to think about oral hygiene.

For the best long-term outcomes, though, it is necessary to establish a strict, consistent routine. This means brushing and mouthwash at least twice a day, cleaning in-between teeth, limiting sugary beverages and snacks, and drinking plenty of water. Have the kids pick out their favorite toothbrush and 3-minute tune for a family-fun, tooth-brushing time.

If you are looking for a partner to help with your child’s oral care or looking for a long term plan, contact Hamilton Dental Associates to set up an appointment today!

Hamilton Dental Associates, 2929 Klockner Road, Hamilton Square; 609-359-0063. 2501 Kuser Road, Hamilton; 609-403-3217. www. hamiltondental.com. See ad, page 10.

Radiology Affiliates Imaging

Here for You for More Than Half a Century

Radiology Affiliates Imaging has been here for you for over 50 years, and we will continue to be here for you when you need us most. Today more than ever before, we know health should never be taken for granted. Screening exams are an important part of keeping you and your family members healthy. Early detection has always been and remains key to diagnosis, treatment, and survival. Delayed diagnosis leads to the identification of disease at later stages. With more advanced diseases, the prognosis usually is not as good, and the care needed is more expensive and disruptive to patients’ lives. Radiologists, who identify and diagnose diseases, are helping to remind patients about how important it is to schedule wellvisits, screenings, and follow-up appointments.

RAI offers several screening studies to referring physicians and their patients. These include

Coronary Calcium Score, CT Lung Cancer Screening, 3D Mammography, and Bone Density (DEXA). Preventative screening can provide physicians with valuable information before symptoms are present, which can then allow them the ability to successfully identify or control health issues. Annual screening studies can also turn worry into peace of mind for many patients, especially those who are high risk or have a family history of disease.

RAI offers expertise in all areas of imaging for all members of your family. Our board-certified subspecialty radiologists offer expertise in women’s imaging, interventional radiology, musculoskeletal and diagnostic radiology. Whether you need an MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Mammogram, or X-Ray we offer the latest in imaging technology and interpretation. In the last 50 years, RAI has earned our place amongst the largest and most respected radiology groups in our area.

Continuing with our long-standing traditions, RAI will strive to provide the most up-to-date imaging technology and highest level of quality and service to our patients. One area where we closely monitor

innovations is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is still in the early stages of development. As technology matures, it will continue to enhance the radiologist’s reading capabilities, help them obtain better patient histories, and automate our processes. We will continue to help all of the medical professionals with whom we work improve the quality and value of the care that we provide the community. Our demonstrated commitment to elevating the level of care available close to patients’ homes remains as strong as ever.

RAI continues to follow expert guidelines regarding COVID-19, including the American College of Radiology (ACR) and CDC recommendations, regarding infection control procedures.

Radiology Affiliates Imaging, 2501 Kuser Road, Hamilton. 3120 Princeton Pike, Floor 1A, Lawrenceville. 609585-8800. www.4rai.com. See ad, page 14.

Dr. Eric Bosworth, president of Radiology Affiliates Imaging

NJ

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute

Treating Pain with PRP and Stem Cell Therapy

Pain.

It gnaws at you. It drains you. It becomes the focus of your life.

Experiencing a few pain-free moments can be euphoric; it makes you realize how long you’ve been living with aches and pain. You might wonder how you can find a solution to relieve the pain and regain your freedom from discomfort.

Dr. Ronak Patel at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute wants you to know there are two new revolutionary answers to pain relief.

Both platelet-rich therapy — otherwise known as PRP — and stem cell therapy give patients new hope by using the body’s powerful healing power to accelerate the battle against pain. Dr. Patel has seen incredible success implementing these cuttingedge treatments on hundreds of patients suffering from pain-related issues.

So if you are suffering from any of the ailments below, there’s a lifeline.

• Osteoarthritis

• Rotator cuff tear

• Back pain

• Meniscus tears

• Tennis elbow

• Disc herniations

• Tendonitis

• Neck pain

Here’s the best news: Neither PRP or stem cell therapy involves drug use with side effects or any surgical procedures.

Both PRP and stem cell treatments use the body’s own healing resources to repair diseased or damaged tissue — and the results are quite remarkable.

PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets and growth factors into damaged tissue to stimulate the faster growth of new

healthy cells. Platelets are cells that prevent and stop bleeding. If a blood vessel is damaged, the body sends signals to our platelets to get on the job and start the healing. Some call platelets the body’s natural bandage.

So how does PRP therapy work? It’s basically drawing a one small vial of blood from the patient and then using a centrifuge to turn it into a potent and concentrated form of platelets. It is then injected back into the patient. Think of it as a boost of your own blood — only superpowered.

Recovery time for PRP therapy is far shorter than for surgery.

Patients usually experience soreness for a week or so, but the gradual improvement soon begins. Unlike a steroid shot, which gives you immediate relief and quickly wears off, a PRP patient will see pain symptoms improve over a period of months, and up to 80 percent of patients will see relief for up to two years.

Stem cell therapy can be an even more powerful way to harness the body’s healing power. Stem cells are the building blocks for every cell in our body. These powerful cells can be harvested to produce powerful new cells to fight inflammation and disease.

For those suffering from osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy has proven very effective. That’s because the stem cells may help develop new cartilage cells and suppress inflammation. Stem cells can be harvested through a sample of body fat or bone marrow or be harvested from donated umbilical cord tissue.

And yes, you can even augment PRP therapy with stem cell therapy for an even bigger boost!

Stop wondering if you’ll have to live with your pain forever. Contact Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute today at 609-269-4451 or go to www.njpaindoc.com to book an appointment and learn more. See ad, page 3

Caruso Physical Therapy and Nutrition

Does your Bladder Control Your Life? WE CAN HELP!

Caruso Physical Therapy and Nutrition is happy to introduce Pelvic Health Physical Therapy!

Do you have pelvic pain? Do you have difficulty being intimate with your partner because of the pain? Do you experience leakage when you laugh, sneeze or jump? Do you find it difficult to exercise because of these reasons? Have you been told that many of these symptoms are “normal after childbirth” or “this happens as you age”? These issues can be quite difficult to discuss and are often embarrassing. I know they were for me.

However, once I discovered that I was not alone, I sought out solutions.

I’m here to tell you that pelvic pain and leakage are NOT normal and can be successfully treated! Pelvic Health Physical Therapy is a small subset of traditional PT in that it focuses on pelvic wellness using exercises and manual techniques to reduce pain and leakage.

Did you know that small changes to your nutrition can help with bladder control? Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a type of bladder pain condition that commonly occurs along with endometriosis or other forms of pelvic pain. In general, following an antiinflammatory diet will be helpful for IC.

Small changes can yield big

results. Do you feel the urge to have to go to the bathroom more often than others, yet when you go you feel like you aren’t fully emptying? Does this have you up multiple times a night? Do you struggle with the urge to go when it is less than convenient, such as in the middle seat on an airplane?

On a rollercoaster? When you are in the middle of an activity in which a bathroom is not easily accessible?

Let our nutrition expert share that you don’t have to suffer in silence! You don’t have to just accept that your body is “just like that”. Your bladder does not have to control your life.

Saving money for the holidays?

Nutritional Counseling is covered by most insurance companies, which takes the financial burden right off your shoulders! With flexible hours,

you are able to make a time that is convenient for you. Virtual and in-person appointments are available. You can find a sense of relief from pelvic pain and leakage through nutrition and pelvic therapy. We are here to help! Come meet us!

Yours in pelvic health, Danielle L Liegl, PT, MPT

Michele WroblewskiPflug, RDN, AFAA Group Ex. Caruso Physical Therapy and Nutrition, LLC, 1278 Yardville Allentown Road #3, Allentown. 609-738-3143. www.carusoptrd.com.

AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine

Personalized Solutions to Your Pain Concerns

At AllCure, we understand that the summer can come with a lot of fun and activity. Often, we experience that patients will put off their pain concerns until the summer is over and plan to address them in the fall.

At AllCure, we will do assessments to see where each person can benefit from our level of care. We offer chiropractic, physical therapy, and acupuncture services to provide high-level of conservative care to the community.

Our office also provides stateof-the-art modalities to assist each provider in getting patients back to a higher quality of life. We also have X-ray on site to help diagnose the patients pain and discomfort. We offer 10 minute free consultations for anyone interested to make sure they feel comfortable and to ensure that we can help.

We take pride in what we do and we make sure that each patient gets a high level of attention and care on

each one of their visits. We make our plans specifically to fit each individual person‘s needs and do not offer blanket treatments for similar patient complaints.

We have offices conveniently located in Monroe, Hamilton, and Somerset, NJ. Please visit our

website or give us a call today to come in for a free consult, and get back to the quality of life you deserve. AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine, 140 Cabot Drive, Suite A, Hamilton. 609-528-4417. 350 Forsgate Drive, Monroe Township. 732-521-9222. 1101 Randolph Road,

Brothers Anthony Alfieri, DC, left, and Victor Alfieri, DPT.

Somerset. 732-823-9392. www. allcurespineandsports.com. See ad on the back cover

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Advertising Assistant

To book a classified ad in this section, please email your text and any other information to mdurelli@communitynews.org. Classifieds run at 75 cents per word with a $20 minimum per month. For more information, call 609-396-1511, ext. 105.

SERVICES

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Looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction, Children’s Illustrated, Signed books, kids series books (old Hardy boys-Nancy Drew-Judy BoltonDana girls, The Happy Hollisters, ect WITH DUSTJACKETS in good shape), old postcards, non-sports cards, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks (also Avon,Popular Library,

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WANTED- QUALITY CAMERAS AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT, FOUNTAIN PENS AND OLDER WATCHES FAIR PRICES PAID CALL JAY-609-6899651.

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business administrator. I want to raise the educational standards by eliminating the “Less than 50%” grading policies and holding guardians/students to the atten dance truancy policies. I want to prevent controversial curriculums from indoc trinating our children’s education. And I want to prevent our district from becom ing more dependent on NJ’s Adequacy Budget standards.

Summers: Our board needs to protect students, teachers and parents’ rights. We need to bring back emphasis on voca tional training. We need safe buildings, safe rooms/doors/windows. I will work to get more rooms air conditioned, and we know this helps students focus better. I will work to get board meetings back on HTV, which will assist in parents/tax payers having questions answered. I will work to maintain trust and confidence in the board. I will work to ensure stu dents are able to work towards their full potential. I will work to enhance special education.

Thornton: It has been an honor to serve our community as a board of educa tion member and if given the opportunity I will continue to do what is in the best interest of our children and our commu nity. Our children are our future, and I am dedicated to working together to ensure an equal and equitable education for all of our children.

Williams: I want to serve as an exten sion of our parents. I am a parent and I want to rally behind all of our kids. I want to show them that together there isn’t anything we can’t do! I would be honored to have your vote in November to allow me an opportunity to work with other board members and partner with our students, teachers, parents and admin

istrators for a better tomorrow for them because it does take a village and I know that we’re better together!

Barr: I chose to run for simple rea sons, our students and our community. Honestly, I believe in helping people; that’s it. I would be honored to aid in the success of my family, our students, and our community, together. I also believe a strong background in mental health and social services has prepared me for the task of effectively communicating, and helping our families in ways they need most. I am a vote for our future.

Byrne: I have chosen to run for a seat on the Hamilton Board of Education to rep resent the parents and public who desire improved academics in all subjects taught in an environment that is safe, age appro priate, and happy for all students. Please consider a vote for me as a positive change on the Hamilton Board of Education.

S. Broad Street Center 920 S Broad St., Trenton (609) 396-8383

S. Broad Street Center 920 S Broad St., Trenton (609) 396-8383

Drudy: My message has been simple: ACT. Accountability: If you are going to do it, do it. Collaboration: We need to learn from one another to build together. Transparency: I am committed to being open and honest with myself and being transparent in how I work with others. I am committed to serving at the will of this community and will do my best to make a positive, meaningful difference. Please afford me that opportunity.

East State Street Center 794 East State St., Trenton (609) 989-8143

East State Street Center

794 East State St., Trenton (609) 989-8143

CYO Bromley Center

1801 East State St., Hamilton (609) 587-8100

Yardville Branch 453 Yardville-Allentown Rd., Hamilton (609) 585-4280

Ewing CYO 320 Hollowbrook Dr., Ewing (609)

*Before & After School Programs are also located at four Hamilton Township Schools: Klockner, Greenwood, Wilson, & Lalor*

1801 East State St., Hamilton

*Before & After School Programs are also located at four Hamilton Township Schools: Klockner, Greenwood, Wilson, & Lalor*

*Before & After School Programs are also located at four Hamilton Township Schools: Klockner, Greenwood, Wilson, & Lalor*

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McSheene: We need board members who thoughtfully listen to people with out name calling or partisan politics. I am not here for political clout—I’m here to strengthen public schools for all families. Instead of playing politics, I am proud of my pragmatic record focusing on our stu dents and teachers rebound from the dif ficult past two years. Please vote for me if you want decency and respect on the board.

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books, including Volume 2 of Soccer IQ. Some of his other titles include Shutout Pizza: Smarter Soccer Defending for Play ers and Coaches; How to Be a Gold Star Soccer Parent, and Rookie: Surviving Your Freshman Year of College Soccer.

He says he gets feedback from coaches all over the country who write to share how they’ve implemented ideas from his books with their teams. “Some coaches have their kids while they’re cooling down after prac tice read a chapter and talk about it. One guy does it pregame. I’ve gotten emails from coaches who’ve written to thank me the day after they won a state champion ship, saying basically ‘We couldn’t have done it without your book.’”

Blank took a break from coaching after leaving the University of Georgia, then spent a few years as the head women’s soccer coach at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. Today, he’s back living in Hamilton, on another break from coaching, not entirely sure what comes next, although he has several ideas.

“I have some writing projects all some where on the back burner,” he says. “I

also would like to start putting more effort into my YouTube channel, which is called Soccer IQ TV — there are a lot of instructional videos there. I’d like to see what I could build out of that channel.”

The FIFA World Cup is set for an unusual Novem ber kickoff this year because it will be held in Qatar, a country near the equator, where it would have been too hot to host a traditional summertime tournament. The World Cup gets more popular in the U.S. every time it is held, and Blank can anticipate a wave of new interest in the sport — and perhaps a new wave of peo ple interested in picking up copies of his books to help them learn more about the game — after this year’s event.

“It’s something that only happens every four years. Which may seem like it’s not such a big deal, but this is the only single-sport, world event that young soccer players can get into and watch, regardless of what hemisphere they live in,” he says. “Parents who have kids who want to watch soccer should go all out to support it.”

Web: soccerpoet.com.

Open Mon thru Fri 8am to 6pm. Closed Sat and Sun.

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Captain Guerra leads by example for Steinert soccer

By Rich Fisher

Anthony Tessein feels that Nelson Guerra is such a great team-first guy, that he might sometimes overreact when dis cussing what his player would do for the cause.

For instance, the Steinert boys soc cer coach remarked that “If I told him, ‘Nelson, we need you to ride the bench hard today for 80 minutes because that’s how we’re gonna win,’ he would do it. He wouldn’t complain about it at all. There’s something to that.’”

When told of Tessein’s statement and asked if that might be an exaggeration, Guerra smiled and said “Uhh, yeah.”

Not that it matters, because there is no way that Guerra would ever sit the bench for 80 minutes. In fact, Tessein doesn’t want him sitting out at all.

The senior forward/midfielder has come a long way in just over a year. After lighting it up as a goal scorer for the freshman team, Guerra joined the rest of the country in sitting life out when Covid hit in 2020. When he showed up for pre season last year, the result was obvious.

“I don’t know that it was necessarily laziness; it was kind of a societal thing,” Tessein said. “He just wasn’t honing his skills as much as he could have been and should have been. He’d been on our radar since he was a freshman, but last year, he didn’t come in in great shape.”

Guerra went from a projected starter to a guy that had to earn his way into the lineup. While some guys might get upset at Tessein’s criticisms, Nelson took it to heart.

“I wasn’t mad,” he said. “I knew I wasn’t in shape and I had to get back into it. I remember last year, I just kept working hard to get back in shape and compete with others.”

It paid off. “By the time the season ended,” Tessein said, “you couldn’t not put him on the field.”

Guerra played the role of distributor, picking up five assists as a junior while playing on a senior-laden squad.

“I learned a few things from our seniors from last year,” he said. “It’s always good to be playing with people who have more experience than you. There’s always

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Steinert soccer captain Nelson Guerra is hailed by coach Anthony Tessein as a team-first player. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

things that you might pick up from them.”

This year, Guerra is taking on his own leadership role, starting with reporting to camp the way he should have.

“He took that criticism I had of him as a junior,” Tessein said. “He was fit this year, he was one of the fastest guys; had the most endurance. He was a unanimous choice for captain, and he just means a lot to the team.”

Just as his new role means a lot to Guerra.

“He does all the stuff you expect out of a captain,” Tessein said. “He still plays like he’s trying to earn a spot on the team. That’s how he acts. He’s a great leader, he leads by example but he’s also got the tal ent to back it up. He’s a guy every team would like to have.”

Guerra started his career in Pennsylva nia as he grew up in Fairless Hills before moving to Hamilton at age 10. He joined the Mercer United travel team and began showing his versatility.

“When I was growing up I pretty much played every position,” he said. “I even played goalie, plus I could play defense, midfield, striker.”

Steinert freshman coach Jim “Jules” Giglio put him up top with Sebastian Strama for the 2019 season, and the two combined for over 20 goals. It was a prom ising start for Guerra until Covid hit.

“Obviously sophomore year was a lot different, being out of school,” he said. “During Covid you stayed home on the computer for classes. I was inside most of the time.”

Thus, the engine was not running smoothly early last year. But the prob lem was solved with the oldest remedy in sports.

“A good motivator is the bench,” Tes sein said. “When he wasn’t getting time, it turned around and he started to work his

butt off again. He earned every minute he had and made it so we never wanted to take him off the field.”

This season, Guerra had two goals and two assists through the Spartans 7-1 start. He is the classic stats-don’t-matter guy, as the things he does without putting up numbers often leads to goals.

“It’s the contributions you don’t see,” Tessein said. “He’s active up top. A lot of guys will be, ‘Hey that was my assist,’ or ‘Coach did you get my assist?’ You never hear that out of him.”

Guerra admits he would like to score a bit more. It almost looked like he didn’t care about it all after tallying a late goal in a win over Hamilton Sept. 22. The game had long been decided when he banged one in and then just turned and walked back toward midfield, expressionless.

“Everyone on the team asked me why I reacted that way,” he said with a laugh. “I had some chances at the beginning of the second half and didn’t get them. I knew I wanted to score, it was something I hadn’t done this year a lot. Inside I was happy, but it was more of a relief for me.”

An even bigger relief for the Spartans is the way they have survived heavy grad uation losses. Steinert lost 13 seniors, including their top three goal scorers. And yet the only blotch on their record as September neared an end was a loss to Allentown.

“We did lose a lot of guys, but he was a constant,” Tessein said. “We knew that Nelson was gonna be back and I was crossing my fingers he was gonna come in fit and he did. We had Anthony Durling back as well and that helped. But Nelson is a senior, this is his year.”

And rest assured, Guerra likes hearing about helping the team by playing for 80 minutes more than he likes hearing about sitting the bench for 80.

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Hendricksen feels at home in defense for Spartans

By Rich Fisher

Alyssa Hendricksen has a lot to learn about self-promotion. Everyone knows the goal scorers get the headlines in soccer while the defenders get a pat on the back from the coach.

That matters little to the Steinert High junior.

“I’ve been a center back my whole life,” Hendricksen proudly states. “Honestly, I never cared about scoring. I just love get ting the tackles and defending that goal.”

It is a position she plays quite well, which is a key reason why the Spartans were undefeated through their first eight games while allowing just three goals and posting five shutouts.

Hendricksen anchors a fairly young back line that also includes junior Brenna Riddell, sophomore Nadia Gray and senior Aleesia Amato in front of senior goalie Jil lian Jones, all returning starters.

“I feel really strong with them, they are amazing back there,” Hendricksen said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am without them. I’ve been playing with them since last year. We’re really strong together. We’re work ing together very well, we’re talking to each other, covering for each other.”

But the leader of the pack is easy to distinguish.

“Alyssa controls it back there, there’s no doubt,” coach Mike “Stinger” Hast ings said. “She’s the first one to mark the best player on the other team. She kind of wants that. She wants to have that ‘Hey bring it,” atti tude. She doesn’t shy away from anything.”

In fact, Hendricksen tries to get others to shy away.

“Alyssa’s probably one of the most fierce competitors I’ve ever coached since tak ing over the girls program,” Hastings said. “She has that tenacity at practice, in a game. She never turns it off. She demands so much of herself and those around her that she makes us better every day just by stepping on the field.”

It wasn’t an acquired taste, either. She was born with it.

Hendricksen began playing soccer at age three when sister Lindsey — five years her senior — got her started in the sport. It didn’t take much prodding.

“My whole life I just wanted to play soc

cer,” Alyssa said. “I’m always going for the ball, I always want to make opportunities happen for my teammates. I’m so excited when I’m out there, I love the sport so much.”

Her career began in the Hamilton Recreation League. From there she went to the Hamilton Wild cats; PSA and is currently on FC Copa. Her freshman year at Steinert was a Covidshortened season in which she learned how to adjust to varsity ball.

“It was a little transition, it was scary playing with older girls,” Hendricksen said. “Luckily I had amazing team mates who were able to take me under their wing and show me what to do. Making varsity was an amazing accom plishment for me. I loved it.”

And Hastings loved her style, the moment he saw it.

“Oh yeah, she could tackle,” he said. “She reminded me a lot of (former Spartan great) Arianna Durling, where any time she’s going in one-v-one she ends up with the ball. It’s kind of amazing that some

players have that knack, and she has that.”

Last year, Alyssa started every game at center-back. In assessing what makes a strong defender, Hendricksen feels it is a variety of things; both mental and physical.

“It’s talking to a teammate,” she said. “It’s having confidence when stepping into a tackle, that’s extremely important. You can’t go half in. You have to know what you’re going to do and do it.”

Not surprisingly, when there is a goalscoring threat in the opposing uniform, Alssya draws the assignment.

“I live for that,” she said. “I love going on that strongest player. That’s how you get better and become the strongest player you can be.”

And while her defensive positioning and decision making are impressive, it is Hendricksen’s non-stop motor that truly defines her. Hastings invoked the names of some of Steinert’s greatest – and hardnosed – defenders on boys teams of yes teryear, such as G.A. Reid and Sean Gar diner, in describing his center back.

“You have people like that, you’re not gonna give up a lot of goals, you’re gonna win a lot of games,” Hastings said. “Alyssa never has that down time. Even in practice she’s always on. That’s why she’s so good.”

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ND’s soph Marrone a key player for Irish field hockey

By Rich Fisher

Ellie Marrone was given an option that very few ninth-graders are allowed.

To stay, or not to stay, that was the question the Hamilton resident faced concerning the Notre Dame varsity field hockey team last year.

“We thought about keeping her on var sity, but were afraid to keep just a single freshman up,” coach Cheryl Harris said. “Freshmen are young, it might have been a social disaster. We told her we’re only bringing up one or none and that ‘We think you would do well on varsity but we don’t want to bring you up if it’s going to hurt you socially. Don’t answer me now, just think about it.’

“The very next day at tryouts she came to me and that’s the first thing she said - ‘I want to play varsity.’ She made the choice to stay with us as opposed to staying on JV with more freshmen. She did such a great job and I feel like she learned a lot from the other girls. We had a good group of seniors last year and she grew so much.”

It was a choice Marrone did not take lightly, nor take long to make.

“I went home, thought it over and I thought varsity would be better for my skills, it would be better for me and it will give me the chance to meet more upper classmen,” Marrone said.

Marrone informed Harris of her deci sion the next day and has never looked back.

“I was new to the program so I didn’t really know what varsity was like and what I would do. But I definitely made the right decision and benefited from it. I would have been a lot different on JV,” she said.

Marrone contributed six goals and three assists to finish as the Irish’s third leading scorer. Included in her output was a hat trick against West WindsorPlainsboro North early in the season, which garnered her a starting berth.

With the graduation of Sarah Ippolito and Nicole Villalta-Barrantes, the sopho more was the team’s leading returning goal scorer this season. Through a 4-1 start, she was tied for second on ND in goals with four, to go along with three assists.

Even more impressive is that she remained a constant in an ever-swirling world.

“We have her taking over Sarah Ippoli to’s spot at center-forward,” Harris said. “She’s probably the one person who

hasn’t moved in our many lineups we’ve been trying because we just know that’s where she belongs.

“I have a lot of confidence in her. She’s great on the goalie, she’s a good rebounder and she knows how to pass. She’s not a selfish player. She just knows what to do in front of the goal and we actually have her distributing the ball on our corners too, because she’s just good at timing.”

Marrone is loving every minute of her time with the Irish, which is not surpris ing since field hockey is a sport she has long wanted to play. Her yearning started in fourth grade, but there were no teams in the area, so she began playing lacrosse (which she also plays at ND).

Ellie discovered a field hockey recre ation league in Bordentown in seventh grade, and learned the sport quickly.

“Even the coaches were saying that I picked it up really fast from the begin ning,” she said.

Part of the reason for that was Mar rone’s preparation. Unlike many players who show up to play just because they are looking for something to do, Ella did some research.

“I looked up the rules and stuff before I started playing,” she said. “When I got my stick before the first practice I kind of played around with it, so I got used to flip ping the stick and that kind of stuff, so it wasn’t really that difficult.”

After one year in Bordentown, Mar

Sophomore field hockey player Ellie Marrone has been starting since her freshman season. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

rone went to the Blue Stars club team “and that’s when I really got into it.” Although she was a forward in rec, she was put at midfield by the Blue Stars. Ellie, who went to St. Gregory The Great before enrolling at Notre Dame, was moved back to her original position by Harris.

By the time the regular season started, Marrone felt at home.

“The upperclassmen did make me feel really welcome, especially since I was the only freshman,” she said. “It was nerve wracking. I was new to the school too so I knew nobody, but they were really friendly, very welcoming.”

It didn’t take long for Marrone to pay her teammates back for their kindness, as she scored her first career goal in the Irish’s second game of the season at Arch bishop Wood in Pennsylvania. Suddenly, Marrone knew that she belonged on the varsity. Scoring that goal was “amazing,” she said.

It amazed her even more knowing she was the top returning scorer for 2022.

“Coming back knowing that I was going to be that person, that leading scorer like Sarah was last year, was just really...it was crazy,” she said. “I was ner vous, but being in that position where they count on you to score was exciting.”

Marrone has been consistent this year, putting up at least one point in every

gameas Notre Dame outscored its oppo nents 23-3 in its first five games.

Harris feels that Marrone has shown ample growth from last year. She points out that while the sophomore does not look confident in her expressions and the way she does things, she has an inner con fidence along with an inner fire to always improve. She was, however, a little ner vous about trying to improve on clocking in the Irish’s annual preseason mile run.

“She had the best time last year as a freshman, even beating out all our seniors,” Harris said. “I had told them during the summer they were going to have to run that mile and ‘Your goal is to beat your time from last year.’ You should have seen her face. It was like ‘Oh no, I don’t know if I could beat that time.’ I would catch her after our workouts run ning the track because she needed to do that for herself. She’s just a go-getter.”

Which is why, when given the choice to be on varsity, she went and got it. And it’s paying off a year later.

“I have experience playing varsity and I got so much better from just that one varsity season,” she said. “And I feel com fortable with Coach Harris. I’m definitely more confident.”

And that quiet confidence is helping Marrone make a difference once again this season.

When should you go to the emergency department?

Ask The Doctor

People often put off going to the Emergency Department (ED) or commonly termed Emergency Room when they shouldn’t wait. “They think their health issue will turn out to be nothing serious,” says Lasanta Horana, MD, Emergency Department Chair and a Medical Staff Officer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton). “But with many emergencies, including heart attack or stroke, time is very important. Waiting too long after symptoms start can limit our ability to give effective treatment.” Are your symptoms nothing to worry about—or do you need a trip to the ED?

Warning signs that deserve to be checked right away include these common areas of concern:

Chest pain, especially if the pain is a type you haven’t had before, makes you anxious or is associated with shortness

of breath or sweating. “We’re here to determine if anything life threatening can be causing your symptoms,” Dr. Horana says. “Come in so we can do appropriate tests.” Very often, if you go to an urgent care with this complaint, you will likely be referred to come to the ED so that we can perform the necessary evaluation including labs, imaging, or seeing a cardiologist.

Breathing problems. Any time you have serious breathing problems, especially if you have a chronic respiratory issue such as asthma or COPD, call 911. Emergency responders can help stabilize you with medication and oxygen even before you get to the ED.

High fever. Elevated body temperature, especially if it’s accompanied by shaking and chills, could be a sign of infection that has moved to the bloodstream. “We treat this very aggressively,” Dr. Horana says. For children especially, go to the ED if fever is accompanied by severe headache, rash, lethargy or other unusual behavior.

Abdominal pain, especially if it’s accompanied by fever, is localized in one area of the abdomen or is accompanied by severe vomiting or diarrhea. “Gastrointestinal concerns such as appendicitis and bowel obstruction are emergencies that may require surgery,” Dr. Horana says. If there is a serious issue, we have the appropriate surgeons and the GI physicians on staff that can respond quickly after we identify the source of the problem.

A head injury, especially if you were stunned or lost consciousness; are taking blood thinners; are elderly; or have symptoms such as weakness, numbness, confusion, lethargy, or change in their mentation or vision problems.

Stroke or neurological symptoms. If new and different neurological symptoms occur, such as weakness or numbness in any part of your body, unsteady gait, dizziness, asymmetric smile, or a change in speech or vision, call 911 and get to the ED as

quickly as you can. If identified quickly we can often treat a stroke and provide a consult with a neurologist rapidly in the ED that can potentially lead to a better outcome with a stroke.

Behavioral crisis. If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are suffering from a narcotic or alcohol overdose, call 911. “We can give reversal agents for certain narcotic or other drug overdoses, monitor vital signs, administer fluid and connect people with counselors and recovery rehab services,” Dr. Horana says.

Don’t be embarrassed if a worrisome symptom turns out to be nothing. “We’re here to assess these issues,” Dr. Horana says. “We’re happy if chest pain turns out to be acid reflux and not a heart attack. But getting checked out ensures we don’t miss serious cases.”

“I was in the Emergency Room for a foot related injury, and I want to thank the nurses. They were so nice and took such good care of me. To show my appreciation I came back and brought them bagels, donuts and muffins. I appreciate all you do as essential workers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” shared Rob A., a patient who shared this public message on

Hamilton, New Jersey meganseiber@optonline.net www. meganseiberlaw.com (609) 631-9012 Telephone (609) 631-9109 Facsimile

Dr. Horana

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton’s Facebook Page after a recent visit to the Emergency Department.

Follow us on our social channels: Facebook, @RWJHamilton; LinkedIn, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton; Twitter, @RWJHamilton; and Instagram. RWJUH_Hamilton.

To learn more about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton or call (609) 586-7900.

Coming up this month at RWJU Hospital Hamilton

For more information, call (609) 5845900. To register for a program or for schedule changes go to rwjbh.org/events.

MondAy, october 3

Chakras 101: Understanding Your Energetic Anatomy. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This workshop explores the chakras, energy centers within the body that interact with physical and emotional well-being. You will come away with an understanding of this energy system and the ways it can help you lead your best life! Michelle Gerdes, RYT-200 of Princeton Doula Center. $15

tUeSdAy, october 4

Tinnitus Sound Therapy – How Does It Work? 11 a.m. to noon. Many people suffer from noises they hear in their ears/head that no one else can hear. Join us as we demystify the problem of tinnitus and discuss if sound therapy is for you. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D.

tHUrSdAy, october 6

Chronic Lung Problems Post Covid. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Are you still experiencing a cough, tightness in your chest, fatigue, or shortness of breath? Are you wondering if your symp toms are related to having had Covid-19? Pulmonologist, Anthony Ricketti, MD, and Infectious Disease Specialist, Seth Rosen baum, MD, MMM, will address the phar macotherapy, vaccine, and issues around “Long Covid.”

tUeSdAy, october 11

Antiques on the Road with Thomas Petrino of Time Travelers Antiques. 1 to 3 p.m. to noon. Bring two items to have appraised and perhaps learn some history about your treasures. Find out what’s hot and not in the antique and collectables market. Thomas Petrino is a full-time personal property ap

praiser certified by the Appraisers Guild of America. He also does appraisals for the NJ Treasury, consults with banks, attorneys and insurance companies to authenticate and appraise estates. Registration required. Seating very limited.

wedneSdAy, october 12

Wisdom for Your Bosom. Wed., October 12; 6 to 7 p.m. Matthew J. Lynch, MD is widely rec ognized as one of New Jersey’s top breast surgeons for cosmetic, reconstructive, aug mentation, and reduction procedures. Join Dr. Lynch for a discussion on these topics.

tHUrSdAy, october 13

“You Are Not Alone” Book Signing. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Author Dr. Ken Duckworth, will be here to discuss and sign his book “You Are Not Alone”. The book is a guide to navigating mental health, and the discussion that eve ning will include a panel of individuals who have hands on experience in navigating the world of mental health.

MondAy, october 17

The Specialty of Family Medicine. 10 to 11 a.m. Likhitha Musunuru, MD, a RWJ Barn abas Health Medical Group provider, spe cializes in family medicine ages 4 and up. Connect with Dr. Musunuru as she discusses the importance of establishing a good rela tionship with your primary care provider.

tHUrSdAy, october 20

Breast Cancer: Facts and Myths. 5 to 6 p.m. Are you unsure of what is a fact and what is a myth when it comes to breast cancer? Find the truth and debunk those myths with Firas G. Eladoumikdachi, MD, FACS. Dr. “Ela dou” brings high quality care and clinical trial opportunities from Rutgers Cancer In stitute of New Jersey and has special inter est in breast cancer.

wedneSdAy, october 26

Soundtrack of Your Life. 2 to 3 p.m. Shelli Mo nacchio, CDP, HSAC, ADLS, Senior Vice Presi dent, Angelion Mobility & Singer/Songwriter is sharing her expertise on creating our own personal soundtrack. A song can take you back to a time and place. Imagine creating an entire soundtrack of your life to bring you smiles and comfort when needed most.

SUndAy, october 30

Festive & Frightful VIRTUAL. 2 to 3 p.m. Learn new ways to keep the spirit in Halloween and support your health with a little more green! Focusing fruit as fun isn’t as hard as it may seem. Only one way to find out…come on and see! Alyssa Luning, RD, CSOWM.

October Events

New Jersey Property Tax Reimbursement Program (Senior Freeze)

Monday, October 3rd, 10:30 AM 11:30 AM

**Application Deadline October 31, 2022**

The Senior Freeze Program reimburses eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax or mobile home park site fee increases on their principal residence (main home). To qualify, you must meet all the eligibility requirements for each year from the base year through the application year.

Foreclosure Counseling

Monday, October 3rd, 11:00AM 1:00 PM

Having trouble with your mortgage, you can meet with a HUD certified counselor to find out your options. Contact Affordable Housing Alliance to schedule an appointment 732 389 2958 or walk in the first Monday of the month

Notary Oath Night

Thursday, October 6th, 3:00 - 7:00 PM

The Mercer County Clerk’s office will administer the oath to newly commissioned and renewing Notaries. Please call the Mercer County Clerk’s office to schedule (609) 989 6466 or email epagano@mercercounty.org

FREE 15-Minutes with an Attorney

Thursday, October 13th, 5:00 PM 6:30 PM

The Public Education Committee of the Mercer County Bar Association and the Mercer County Executi ve present!

LAWYERS C.A.R.E*

FREE 15 minute consultation with an Attorney (virtually)

All Lawyers C.A.R.E meetings will take place virtually. Advanced registration is required. For more information please call (609) 585 6200 or visit website: www.mercerbar.com

Finding Health Insurance Coverage Through NJ's Marketplace

Wednesday, October 26th, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM

Presented by Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness Navigating the state’s health insurance marketplace can be challenging. Join a certified application counselor (CAC) from Princeton Health's Community Wellness Program for this overview of New Jersey’s marketplace, including how it works, who qualifies, and how to enroll.

Free Blood Pressure Check

Thursday, October 27th, 10:30 AM 12:30 PM

Presented by Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness Join health professionals with Community Wellness for your Free Blood Pressure Check

**No registration required -- walk-ins welcome**

Brian

Fire prevention week Oct. 9 through 15

block of Liberty Street for a motor vehicle collusion with injuries.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK: October 9th-15th This years theme “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape.” Fire Preven tion Week is the perfect time to educate and talk to your family about fire safety, Including testing alarms, changing the batteries or upgrading to 10 year sealed battery alarms, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher and escape route planning.

Hamilton Township Fire Division will be participating at the Octoberfest event on Oct. 16. During the month of October the Fire Division will visit schools and daycare centers.

Hamilton Township Fire Division responded to 517 incidents in August. Included in the calls were 10 structure fires, 5 vehicle fires, 16 brush fires, 4 rubbish fires, 1 other type fire, nine medical assists to EMS crews, 222 EMS calls, three extrications of victims from vehicle accidents, 8 combustible liquid spills, 6 chemical releases, 5 electrical wiring problems, 6 service calls, 9 person in distress, 3 water problems, 3 smoke problems, 1 animal rescue, 10 public service assistances, 1 mutual aid cover assignment, 7 good intent calls, 58 dis patched calls cancelled enroute, 11 calls wrong address, 6 steam calls mistaken for smoke, 4 hazmat incidents, 5 false alarms, 55 detector malfunctions, 57 other type incidents.

Following are a selection of incidents covered by the fire division in August.

Aug. 1 at 12:28 a.m. Engine 15 with Capt. Jarrett Gadsby responded to 1300

Aug. 1 at 4:30 p.m. Squad 12 with Capt. Damien Cooke, Truck 17, Engine 18, Engine 14, Squad 16, Chief 10 North Jason Ryan and Chief 10 South Timothy Sharpley Sr. responded to Dollar Tree, Hamilton Plaza, for a smoke condition. Small fires were set in the store and extinguished. Investigated by Fire Marshal Scott McCor mick and Hamilton Twp. Police.

Aug. 2 at 4:44 p.m. Colonial Special Ser vices 18 with volunteers Tom Vasey and Dan Hindenmyer dispatched to Veteran’s Park South Entrance for stand-by for Hamilton’s Annual Night Out.

Aug. 3 at 4:29 p.m. Engine 15 with Capt. Damien Cooke, Truck 13, Squad 16, Squad 12 and C10N Timothy Sharpley dispatched to 100 block Irvington Place for a dwelling fire.

Aug. 5 at 4:54 a.m. Engine 19 with Capt. Michael Danbury responded to Kuser Road and Klockner Road for a motor vehi cle collusion with injuries.

Aug. 5 at 12:32p.m Engine 15 with Capt. Donald Snedeker, Truck 13, Squad 16, Engine 19, Squad 12 and C10S Jason Ryan responded to 1800 block Exton Ave. for a dwelling fire. 9-1-1 caller reported “white smoke from the hot water heater under the sink.”

Aug. 5 at 3:58 p.m. Squad 12 with Capt. Josue Garcia, Squad 16, Truck 13, Engine 15 and C10S Jason Ryan dispatched to S. Broad St, and Harcourt Dr. for a MVARescue assignment. Per Hamilton Police overturned vehicle, unknown injuries.

Aug. 5 at 9:50 p.m. Squad 12 with Capt. Eric Wojcik, Engine 14, Truck 17, Squad 16 and C10S Jason Ryan responded to 100 block of Grayson Ave. for an odor of

smoke in the dwelling.

Aug. 7 at 4:25 p.m. Engine 19 with Capt. Michael Sanna, Squad 16, Engine 15, Truck 13, Truck 17, Squad 12 and C10N Steven Kraemer responded to Yardville Inn, Yard ville Allentown Road for a building fire. 9-1-1 caller reporting “there is fire in the basement, everyone has been evacuated.”

Aug. 9 at 12:09 p.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Kinte Holt, Engine 18, Truck 17, Squad 12, Squad 16 and C10S Jason Ryan responded to Pond Run Apartments, Lamont Ave. for an apartment fire.

Aug. 9 at 8:07 p.m. Engine 18 with Capt. Eric Wojcik dispatched to the 2500 block of Klockner Road for broken main flood ing the basement.

Aug. 10 at 8:40 a.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Stephen Dixon, Squad 12, Truck 13, Squad 16 and C10N Keith Greene responded to Warner Drive for an appli ance fire.

Aug. 10 at 6:13 p.m. EMS Engine 14 with Capt. Stephen Dixon responded to Nottingham Way and Donald Drive for a motor vehicle collusion with injuries.

Aug. 13 at 4:50 a.m. Squad 16 with Capt. Michael Balog responded to the 100 block of Estates Blvd in assisting Hamilton Police to access the balcony to retrieve emotional support cat.

Aug. 13 at 8:31 p.m. Engine 15 with Capt. Andrew Kmiecik, Truck 13, Squad 16 responded to Lalor Street and Fitzran dolph Ave, for a motor vehicle collusion rescue assignment.

Aug. 15 at 1:39 p.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Kinte Holt responded to Notting ham Way and Donald Drive for a motor vehicle collusion with injuries.

Aug. 16 at 12:43 a.m. Truck 17 with Capt. Shane Mull, Engine 18 and Squad 12 responded to first block of Sparrow Drive for an interior gas leak.

Aug16 at 5:57 p.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Nicola Creo, Truck 13, Squad12, Squad 16 and C10N Nichols Buroczi Sr, responded to 1500 block of Elizabeth Ave. for a dwelling fire. Per the caller “fire from the garage next to the house.”

Aug. 17 at 4:43 p.m. Squad 16 with Capt. Jarred Pierson, Engine 15, Truck 13 and C10S Jason Ryan dispatched to S. Clinton and Maddock Ave. for a motor vehicle collusion-rescue assignment. Two car MVA with one person possibly trapped and two with injuries.

Aug. 18 at 10:52 Engine 15 with Capt. Ryan Shearer dispatched to the 200 block of Bordon Ave. heater won’t shut off.

Aug. 19 at 7:33 a.m. Squad 16 with Capt. Harold Summers, Squad 12, Truck 13, Engine 15 and C10N Timothy Sharpley Sr. responded to Hickman Dr. for an appliance fire, air conditioner.

Aug. 19 at 10:39 p.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Michael Danbury, Squad 12, Squad 16 and C10N Timothy Sharpley Sr. dis patched for a motor vehicle collusionrescue assignment at. E. State St. and Johnson Ave. Male victim unconscious in vehicle, police on scene.

Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Squad 12 with Capt. Joseph Flynn dispatched to the 800 block of Klockner Ave, for a uncontrolled water leak, sewer back up in the basement.

Aug. 21 at 10:55 p.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Joseph Horn, Squad 12, Truck 13 and C10N Patrick Sullivan responded to 400 block of Norway Ave. for an interior gas leak.

Aug. 25 at 1:28 a.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Eric DeVita, Engine 15, Truck 13, Squad 12 and C10N Nicholas Buroczi Sr. responded to 600 block of Norway Ave. for a dwelling fire.

Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Joseph Horn, Truck 13 and C10N Patrick Sullivan responded to Hamilton Twp Municipal Building for an elevator rescue.

Aug. 25 at 1:09 p.m. Engine 15 with Capt. Jason Bergstrom dispatched mutual aid to cover Station 30, Ewing Twp. Fire Department.

Aug. 25 at 4:23 p.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Joseph Horn, Engine 15, Truck 13, Squad 12 and C10S Jason Ryan responded to Newkirk Ave. for a dwelling fire. Someone left something burning on the stove and left the building, smoke is coming out of the door.

Aug. 26 at 3:32 p.m. Truck 17 with Capt. Raymond Pierce, Squads 12 and C10N Keith Greene responded mutual aid to Normandy, Dr West Windsor for a dwelling fire, Smoke in the building.

Aug. 27 at 1218 a.m. Squad 16, Engine 15 and C10N Aaron Heller responded to I 195E for a motor vehicle collusion-res cue assignment. One patient is trapped and unconscious (Fatal Accident) Vehicle rear ended a dump truck.

Aug. 27 at 8:53 p.m. Engine 19 with Capt. Shane Mull, Squad 16, Truck 13 and Squad 12 responded to Acme of Yard ville for a interior odor of smoke.

Aug. 30 at 1:04 p.m. Engine 14 with Capt. Stephen Dixon, Squad 12, Truck 13, Engine 15, Squad 16 and C10N Keith Greene responded to 2100 block of E. State St. for a building fire.

Aug. 30 at 4:31 p.m. Squad 12 with Capt. Kevin McElroy dispatched to Dunkin, Quakerbridge Road for a mulch fire.

Bob Sherman, Jr. is an honorary chief and life member of Mercerville Vol unteer Fire Company and a Hamilton resident.

Richard J. Isolde

Richard initially worked as a defense attorney for insurance companies.

During that time, he saw that individuals were not always treated fairly. He decided to start representing injured victims. Since then, he has successfully litigated hundreds of cases to favorable settlements and/or verdicts. His efforts have resulted in millions of dollars for his injured clients.

Sungkyu S. Lee (“SQ”)

Before joining Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, SQ worked for a large insurance company defending policyholders who were being sued. He concentrated his practice on automobile accidents and premises liability issues. SQ brings his skills and experience from the defense side to the plaintiff side in order help injured people recover from those that caused them harm.

12 questions with photographer Beth Ellen Jarvie

Thomas Kelly FIGHT IN THE MUSEUM

Beth Ellen Jarvie is a Hamilton artist who specializes in photography. Her work is focused and immediate. Her ongoing series, Look Up, as she speaks about later has a lot ow works actually looking up but also has other meanings. Jarvie has an interesting eye mixing in natural and man made elements, usually with crisp colors.

She finds beauty in what others may not always notice. Look up.

When did you begin in the arts?  I grew up in a house full of artists. I’ve been a photographer since high school, but I never took myself seriously as an artist until I was in my 50’s. My grandfather, father, and brothers were all painters. It took me years to see my photography as a credible art form. I didn’t start showing my work publicly until 2017. Social media played a pretty big role in validating that people wanted to see what I had to say.

I’ve recently started working in

different mediums; like painting and some 3D projects. I’d like to branch out a bit and experiment with some mixed media ideas I’ve had kicking around in my head.

Which media do you work in?

Photography mostly, but I have been

dabbling in watercolors, acrylics, and printmaking.

How did you get interested in the series Look Up?

how much I sell. I am more intent on getting my name and my work out there.

How often do you work on your art?

I take photos with my smartphone. One reason I do that is to let people understand that creating art is accessible to everyone, it’s not about having expensive equipment or materials. It’s about taking the time to see. So, I work on my art daily.

Do you prefer one season over another?

Not really. I love them all. I feel lucky to live in an area where we get to experience all the seasons. There’s so much to see in how the world moves and changes throughout the year.

What is it like to see your work hung up together for exhibitions?

Always exhilarating! I really love to sort of hang back and watch people react to my work.

What are you working on now?

MERCER

MERCER COUNTY 2017-2018 ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

PROGRAM EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31

PROGRAM EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31

The County of Mercer will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2022-23 beginning on October 3, 2022. Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance:

MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES

LIHEAP

The County of Mercer will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until May 31, 2018. Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance.

Household

It came about organically. I find myself noticing the small bits of beauty and wonder that surround us all on a daily basis. Through social media channels I came to realize that most people didn’t notice the things I was seeing. Which reminds me of a quote by Degas: “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” I wanted my art to remind viewers to look up from their phones, or their busy lives and just take a moment for art and beauty, and moreover to search for the beauty in our lives.

Where have you shown in this area?

I am building a frame/mount for a piece of artwork I recently bought from an artist in Trenton. I’m giving it to my daughter as a wedding gift. I build most of the mounts for my own art. I use reclaimed and repurposed materials.

Who are some of your inspirations or influences?

The Trenton area arts community gives me tons of inspiration. I’m fascinated by the intersection of nature and humanity; I find lots of inspiration there. I think every piece of art that has made me feel or think has had some influence on how I work. Fine artists, writers, movie directors, musicians, entrepreneurs, anyone who is a creator informs my work.

MONTHLY

USF

$4,530 $5,596 $6,662

$4,100

LIHEAP

County Housing

Community

The public will only be able to enter the building on an as needed basis by appointment only. If an in-person appointment is necessary, clients can call 609-337-0933 or email heatingappt@mercercounty.org to schedule an appointment. Applications can be sent by regular mail to 640 S. Broad St, Room 106, P.O. Box 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068 or faxed to 609-278-2758.

Office at (609) 989-6858 or (609) 989-6959. Applications can also be obtained

Housing office at

Trenton, NJ 08650.

South Broad Street, 1st floor, Room

The County will continue to receive applications up until the deadline of June 30, 2023 by regular mail, fax, email and in person. Applications, forms, and information can be accessed at this site: http:/ www.mercercounty.org/departments/housing-community-development/housing-and-communitydevelopment-programs.

Locations

– 4:30pm (Wednesday open until 6:30pm)

Applications can be sent by regular mail, fax, email and in person:

M-F 8:30am – 4:30pm (Wednesday open until 6:30pm)

Mercer County LIHEAP/USF Programs

Hamilton Office - County Connection Hamilton Square Shopping Center 957 Highway 33 at Paxson Avenue Hamilton, NJ 08690 Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm (by appt. only) Saturdays – 4/7

10:00am-1:00pm

640 S. Broad St, Room 106 P.O. Box 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068

email address: housing@mercercounty.org Fax: 609-278-2758

In Trenton, I have been in exhibitions at the Mill Hill Saloon, Trenton Social, and Basecamp Trenton. In Princeton I have shown at Tiger Labs, Princeton University, Triumph Brewer and Small World Cafe. I have also exhibited work in Montgomery at Thomas Sweets, in Hopewell at Silva Gallery and the Hopewell Winery. I have also shown in Hightstown which has a growing arts community at 12 Farms Restaurant. I am most proud of being accepted in the current Ellarslie Open and exhibiting in the Trenton City Museum.

What fight/struggle do you have regarding your art?

What is a dream project of yours?

I would love to do some collaborating with other artists to find ways to use photography in new and different ways. I would love to build something really big, maybe an outdoor installation. I would love to use some of my images to create fabrics and clothing or furniture.

What is on the horizon? What are you looking forward to?

Just to keep growing, expanding my reach, moving into new spaces, new communities. I really look forward to having a studio someday!

Director

Number one struggle is studio space! This is a huge obstacle. I think if I had space I would produce so much more and probably play with other mediums. Number two would be sales — but more on the how do I market myself space, I’m not really concerned about

Beth Ellen Jarvie is on Instagram at instagram.com/bethejarvie.photoart. Her website is bethejarvie.com.

Thomas Kelly is a Hamilton-based artist and member of the Hamilton Arts Council. His work can be found at thomaskellyart.com.

Photographs taken by Hamilton artist Beth Ellen Jarvie.

Listing

LISTING

FEATURED PROPERTIES

Fall!

2nd floor condo in Holiday Village in Mount Laurel. Up the stairs to the door, you will come to the shared patio to relax and this lovely condo, you are in the foyer, which leads to the nice sized Living

Commercial Listing

Listing

LISTING

Mount Laurel | $212,000

Glassboro | $240,000

Hamilton | $429,000

LISTING

Mount Laurel

$212,000

Welcome to this updated 55+ adult community 2 bed/2 bath, end unit -2nd floor condo in Holiday Village in Mount Laurel. Up the stairs to the door, you will come to the shared patio to relax and read a book. When entering this lovely condo, you are in the foyer, which leads to the nice sized Living-room and to the right is the Dining-Room. Dining-Room has built in bookcases

House renovated in 2021 and new septic system installed in 2022. Elk township issued CO in May 2022. Just pack and move into this 1,356 sq. ft. 3 bed/1 bath house on almost third of an acre in Elk Township. New carpets in living room, dining room, sunroom, all bedrooms. New roof, new electrical, new plumbing and 2 zoned air conditioning installed in 2021.

Glassboro

$240,000

Two Unit Office Building located in Lexington Square Commons. Unit A is 1160+ square foot unit with 2 spacious Offices, Reception area and a half bath. This unit is Carpeted throughout and has newer Heat and AC units. Unit B is a 1035 square foot space with 3 offices and half bath. This unit is also carpeted throughout and has newer Heat and AC units.

$429,000

Welcome to this updated 55+ adult community 2 bed/2 bath, end unit 2nd floor condo in Holiday Village in Mount Laurel. Up the stairs to the door, you will come to the shared patio to relax and read a book. When entering room and to the right is the Dining Listing

township issued CO in May 2022. Just pack and move into this 1,356 sq. ft. 3bed/1bath house on almost third of an acre in Township. New carpets in living room, dining room, sunroom, all bedrooms. New roof, new electrical,

Two Unit Office Building located in Lexington Square 2 spacious Offices, Reception area and a half bath. This Heat and AC units. Unit B is a 1035 square foot space carpeted throughout and has newer Heat and AC units.

Glassboro

$240,000

House renovated in 2021 and new septic system installed in 2022. Elk township issued CO in May

A Ghostly Encounter, or: Could It Be… SATAN?

Peter Dabbene COMPLEX SIMPLICITY

The Halloween season began in early September for me, when I, along with a few thousand other people at Trenton’s NJ Cure Insurance Arena, greeted Ghost—a well-known, supposedly Sataninfluenced rock band—with cheers, applause, and, appropriately enough, the “devil’s horns” hand gesture.

That gesture is similar to “I love you” in American Sign Language, and Hawaii’s “hang loose” sign, and it’s virtually identical to the Karana Mudra, a Buddhist hand gesture that’s supposed to ward off evil, not welcome it. All of these were displayed in the audience during the concert—even if some were the unintentional byproduct of clumsy fingers—and if the messages contained within them seemed contrary or confusing, perhaps that, too, was appropriate.

A musical act called Ghost, with lyrics like “Our father, who art in Hell/ Unhallowed, be thy name” and references to an “Anti-Nicene Creed”

might seem the epitome of evil, if not necessarily the epitome of wit. The lead singer has adopted church-inspired personas, like “Cardinal Copia” and “Papa Emeritus,” a sort of evil anti-pope. The group’s stance seems clear, and with two thousand years of prayers and religious tradition to deny, reverse, or otherwise subvert, there’s no shortage of potential future material.

But in recent years, the band has turned from doom-laden heavy metal to more anthemic, crowd-pleasing, radio-friendly sounds, including cover versions of songs by ABBA, Eurythmics, and Pet Shop Boys. The result is the strange juxtaposition of very young and very old fans at concerts, with multiple generations of family members singing along to songs like “Danse Macabre” and “Mummy Dust.” These are interspersed with strange, Swedish-accented demonic utterances and incantations from Papa Emeritus, such as “Hello, Trenton!” and “It’s great to be back in New Jersey!”

Longtime Ghost fans might wonder if the band’s movements toward mainstream success are a betrayal of their Satanic-styled roots, a mere craven business decision meant to widen the

group’s reach and increase its revenue stream. But isn’t Satan all about money, temptation, and craven business decisions? Artistically, this is probably a “less is more” situation, as the demonic name-dropping gets a little old after a while. But is it also, paradoxically, more Satanic to be less Satanic?

I say all this tongue-in-cheek, as it’s pretty obvious that all the pageantry and devilry is for fun, a way to grab attention.

As one of the band’s members (all but the lead singer are known as “Nameless Ghouls”) once put it: “We have no militant agenda. We are an entertainment group. Our mission is to put on a show.” Still, I can’t help but imagine Dana Carvey’s late 1980s Saturday Night Live character, The Church Lady, conducting that interview and addressing the source of Ghost’s worldly success: “Could it be… SATAN?“

It was amazing to me, having attended Catholic schools during the 1980s and early 1990s—perhaps the peak of Satanic panic in the media and everywhere else—that outside the NJ Cure Arena, there were no protesters, no righteous condemnations from angry or worried onlookers. It seems that America has mostly moved on with its conspiracy theories, from widespread fears of dark Satanic rituals to widespread belief of election tampering. (To be fair, QAnon and Pizzagate recycled elements of Satanic panic, and fears of election tampering aren’t altogether unfounded— though it’s Donald Trump himself, the loudest accuser of others, who attempted most of the tampering.)

Ghost isn’t the only musical act that’s learned to get attention by invoking the unholy realm; Lil Nas X outraged viewers with his 2021 video for “Montero,” proof that it’s still an effective way to push people’s buttons. Even in the 21st century, cheeky visions of Satan and Hell still shock, offend, and get people talking in ways not much else can.

But if the guy behind Papa Emeritus and Ghost is evil, it’s the pedestrian, “screw-you-over-in-court” kind of evil that’s inherent in every kind of business, including the music industry. His identity, kept secret for ten years, was finally revealed when several former members of Ghost sued him, claiming he owed them royalties. Papa Emeritus— who’s really a Swedish guy named Tobias Forge—won the lawsuit, and in interviews since his unmasking, he ‘s been asked many times about Satanism in Ghost, admitting that he loves Christmas and that Jesus was a kind of “chill dude.” Emeritus even threw out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball

game—wearing facepaint and a baseball uniform.

Despite moments of dark theatrics, Papa Emeritus spent much of the Trenton concert in white facepaint and a tight black skinsuit with ruffled cuffs, prancing and twirling around the stage. It brought to mind not the devil, but a male figure skater, or a clown—and not even the scary kind.

The band’s attempts at humor, both in concert and in short videos online (sample title: “Tomb It May Concern”), leaven what might otherwise become a ponderous and tiresome horror-movie shtick. One amusing instance saw the corpse of Papa Emeritus Nihil, the original singer in the band’s elaborate fake history, wheeled out during the concert, Hannibal Lecter style, and shocked back to life with defibrillator pads. He then began to mock-throttle the crewman who revived him, but was distracted when another crew member handed him a saxophone. Papa Nihil proceeded to rock out with the solo for the song “Miasma,” to the audience’s great delight.

A few days after the concert, perhaps looking for a little spiritual equipoise, I found myself listening to “Supper’s Ready” by Genesis, a fifty year old, twenty-three minute song inspired by the Biblical Apocalypse and ending with God’s ultimate victory. Peter Gabriel did facepaint and elaborate costumes back then, and Phil Collins and company made more interesting music than anything Ghost has produced thus far. But like Genesis, Ghost combines well-known stories and traditions together with their own creative impulses and abilities to forge unique, memorable songs.

If my daughter came home with a guy who claimed to be a Satanist, I’d certainly have a lot of questions for him. But for one night, Ghost introduced a somewhat jaded music fan to a world of fun, energetic entertainment. Subtracting the sarcasm, The Church Lady’s other catchphrase says it all: “Well, isn’t that special?”

Peter Dabbene’s website is peterd abbene.com, and his previous Ham ilton Post columns can be read at www.communitynews.org. His latest work, “Suburban Complaint #1988: Skunked” can be read at themeta worker.com. His book Complex Sim plicity collects the first 101 editions of this column, along with essays and material published elsewhere. It is now available at Amazon or Lulu.com for $25 (print) or $4.99 (ebook).