10-22 RA

Advance

Seven seek election to three BOE seats

BY BILL SANSERVINO

Teacher recruitment and retention, salary negotiation, educational programming and school taxes are a few of the hot-button issues being discussed by candidates running for election to the Robbinsville Board of Education this year.

There are seven candidates running for three open three-year seats on the board. Candidates include incumbents Christopher Emigholz, Kerri Fox and Lauren Paluzzi. The four other candidates running are Raghu Nandan, Peter Oehlberg, Jeffrey Pierro and Allison Prabhakar.

The Advance asked each of the candidates to provide biographical information and a statement regarding the reasons they are running for the board. Their answers are presented in alphabetical order below.

Pepper sparks RHS field hockey

BY RICH FISHER

It was the summer of 2020 and Jennamarie Colicchia was jogging around the Robbinsville High School track. During her run, the Ravens field hockey coach couldn’t help notice a girl on the field all by herself, with a bag of balls and a stick firing shots on a net.

“She was shooting, dribbling and shooting over and over,” Colicchia

recalled. “I was like ‘I wonder who that is?’ I didn’t say anything, I don’t want to overwhelm kids in the summer, but I had my eye on her when she came in because she was doing all that stuff. I was like ‘Hey, you were that girl out on the turf.’”

“That girl” turned out to be Jordyn Pepper, who amassed 16 of the Ravens 23 goals through their 6-0 start this year.

“I didn’t realize that was her,” said

Pepper, who was a rising freshman the day Colicchia saw her. “When she mentioned it, I just remember I was happy she was able to remember who I was from that, because I think that made a good impression by me.”

It did indeed. One of the first things Colicchia noticed during her jog was Pepper’s reverse shot, which is akin to a backhand shot in ice hockey. When she saw Pepper

See PEPPER, Page 13

Christopher Emigholz, 45, has lived in Robbinsville with his wife, Bonnie, for over 11 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University with a double-major in political science and history, and Master of Public Policy degree concentrating in education policy from Rutgers’ Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

He currently works as the chief government affairs officer for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. Previously, he held many positions within public policy

and education including: budget/ fiscal policy director in the State Senate; director of the Office of Legislative Affairs in the New Jersey Department of Education; director of education and workforce development policy for NJBIA, high school history teacher in Atlanta, Georgia, through Teach For America; community liaison/volunteer coordinator with Baltimore City Public Schools.

Emigholz and his wife have three children who all attend Robbinsville Public Schools—one in our high school and two in Pond Road Middle School. All three went to Sharon from kindergarten through 4th grade.

A member of the Robbinsville School Board since 2019, Emigholz is running under the slogan, “Students, Community, Balance.” He has been involved with Robbinsville youth sports for over a decade and coached his three children in softball, baseball, basketball, football and soccer. He served for several years on the Robbinsville Economic Development Advisory Committee before serving on the school board.

Emigholz’s statement: Thank you to the Robbinsville Advance for providing this service to the residents of Robbinsville, and thank you to Robbinsville Advance readers for taking the time to better inform yourselves about our school board candidates. Voters and everyone in

See PRESTON, Page 4

Academy Dental

Complete

Jordyn Pepper scored 16 of the Robbinsville High School field hockey team’s 23 goals through its 6-0 start.

our great community deserve more information, access and transparency, and publications like this help make that happen.

I want to begin with two points: 1. Thank you for voting for me three years ago, and I hope that I have served Robbinsville’s students, taxpayers and community well. Hopefully I have earned your vote and your trust so that you can support me again.

2. Before I tell you more about myself, I wanted to say that I am delighted to see seven different people running for the school board and wish every candidate good luck. I hope to run a positive campaign focused on my experience and the issues.

I believe I am the most qualified candidate for the Robbinsville School Board, and I hope to communicate that through this publication, the public forums in which I look forward to participating, my Facebook page—Emigholz for Robbinsville School Board—Students, Community, Balance, and members of the Robbinsville community reaching out to me with any question.

The four priorities for which I strive, and what you will get with my continued service on the Robbinsville school board, are: balanced and experienced leadership; quality choices and options to maximize opportunities for our students; high expec-

tations and standards for our schools; and accountability to our taxpayers.

I currently, and hope to continue to, bring balanced and experienced leadership to the school board, and my balanced perspective and leadership experiences makes our school district better.

One of my strengths, and why I believe I am an important asset to any deliberative body like a school board is my moderation. I understand that we need to be balanced in our public policy pursuits. Policy solutions often come from a consensus-building approach that values and works with all stakeholders, and our school board is no different. I have spent a career working with both sides of an issue and finding common ground, and I believe that balanced experience serves a school board well. And in today’s too-often contentious times, we need that balance more than ever.

And beyond my focus on finding balance, I have experience being part of balanced solutions to many of the problems that Robbinsville schools face. Understandably in the middle of teacher contract negotiations and a national teacher shortage, we talk a lot about how important our teachers are, and I know this well as a former public school high school history teacher who has worked on New Jersey state policies to

See ELECTION, Page 6

Advance Advance

Robbinsvill e

We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Robbinsville Advance is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Gazette does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood.

EDITOR

Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104)

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rich Fisher

AD LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef (Ext. 131)

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

Community News Service

9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org Events: events@communitynews.org

Sports: sports@communitynews.org Letters: bsanservino@communitynews.org

Website: robbinsvilleadvance.com Facebook: facebook.com/robbinsvilleadvance Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

8,000 copies of the Robbinsville Advance are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Robbinsville 12 times a year.

An award-winning publication of Community News Service, LLC. © Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

Trademark and U.S. Copyright Laws protect Community News Service LLC Publications. Nothing herein may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission of the Publisher.

CO-PUBLISHER

Jamie Griswold

MANAGING EDITOR, METRO DIVISION

Sara Hastings ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Thomas Fritts

CO-PUBLISHER

Tom Valeri

PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacey Micallef DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL INITIATIVES

Joe Emanski

TO ADVERTISE call (609) 396-1511, ext. 113 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

A proud member of:

attract and retain teachers.

For years, we have all rightfully heard how our Robbinsville schools are underfunded, and I worked on the state law (S-2) and the subsequent state budgets that are finally beginning to provide our schools the state aid they deserve. We discuss giv ing our students the best options to make sure they are both college and career ready, and I have written and influenced legislation that would do just that. We talk about fiscal responsibility and taxes, and I have worked on many bipartisan efforts to try to control the scourge of New Jersey –our highest-in-the-nation and ever-increas ing property taxes.

I believe providing a broad array of qual ity choices and options to maximize oppor

tunities for our students is critical to stu dent success. Every student and family is different, and in embracing that diversity, we should offer a rich menu of options for them to be able to access so they all find some level of belonging in our schools.

That includes both high-level pre-college options like AP courses as well as expand ing career and technical education options within and outside our schools. We should strive to give the students at Pond Road Middle School more class choices as we are already moving towards. We should ensure all students have robust extra-cur ricular and athletic opportunities in which to participate.

When I was a teacher, I was taught by some of my mentors the value of high expectations for your students. I believe

that high expectations and standards for our schools can lift up the levels that every one can reach – students, teachers, admin istrators and the whole community. For example, if we don’t expect that all children can read on-level by the end of 4th grade, which is a goal of the district of which I am proud, they won’t. There are always chal lenges to overcome for educational excel lence, but the first step is to expect it.

Accountability to Our Taxpayers is an important part of service as a school board member. I will strive to find the right bal ance of making our schools as efficient and as effective as possible. The district has made great gains in recent years on this front, improving the business operations of the school district. This includes facil ity improvements and a better budgeting

process that has NOT increased taxes by as much as possible but instead, only by as much as necessary. Being accountable to our taxpayers also means the constant pursuit of improvements in areas that need work. For example, the district can and should improve its communications with the public.

Behind this balanced experience and my goals for the district, is my love for educa tion, for public service and for my wife and children who happily attend Robbinsville Public Schools. I am committed to making Robbinsville Public Schools better for all children including my own, and I ask for your support this November to get three more years to do that.

Kerri Fox, 34, and her husband, John,

Emigholz Fox

Nandan Oehlberg Paluzzi Pierro Prabhakar

have lived in Robbinsville since 2014. She holds multiple fitness and youth fit ness certifications from ACE, AFAA and NASM, and she currently works as a busi ness consultant—specifically with pharma and finance corporations. She is moving towards working exclusively with small businesses.

Fox was appointed to the board in July to fill the seat vacated by Jane Luciano. She is running on the “Prioritizing Our Stu dents” slate with Lauren Paluzzi and Alli son Prabhakar.

Fox and her husband have three chil dren, and their oldest son attends Robbins ville High School. She is a member of the Robbinsville Recreation Committee and has volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Food Pantry and Senior Center. She is also involved in many Chambers of Commerce and Women in Business groups through out the state.

Fox’s statement: As a parent, I have been a familiar face at BOE meetings for many years. I am excited to be able to get a head start at serving on the board as a newly appointed member. I have always been a very vocal advocate of alternate routes for students. As we move on from COVID, I feel it’s imperative that Robbinsville schools start to promote options like work study, military service and vocational train ing more vigorously.

While moving on to college is the most popular goal and should be celebrated, chil dren who don’t fit that limited mold should be empowered and celebrated as well. Reframing the narrative that all post gradua tion paths are equally worthy will also aid in mental health struggles of kids who fall in the middle of the academic achievement spectrum.

I have lived in Robbinsville for eight years with my husband and three chil dren. Over those years she’s been an avid volunteer around the community through the Senior Center, Recreation Committee and other various opportunities. Those experiences have shown me that the dis trict and its budget affects all Robbinsville residents, not just parents and students,

and I feel each and every home’s bud get should be respected and considered when making fiscal choices. While my original background of dance and fitness is how my career path crossed with NJEA and NJAEYC in the past, I now work as a freelance Business Consultant throughout Mercer, Burlington, Middlesex and Mon mouth counties.

Raghu Nandan, 45, has lived in Rob binsville since 2007 with his wife Pushpa. A graduate of Bangalore University, India, he holds a computer science degree.

Nandan is currently a director at a pharma company and has previously worked as a senior technology and man agement professional with experience spanning 25-plus years in information technology.

Nandan is running on the “Keeping Chil dren First” slate along with Jeffrey Pierro. He currently specializes in pharma and health sciences, with additional experi ence in financial services, banking, insur ance, securities and capital markets. He is accountable for technology, strategy, archi tecture and delivery of a $150-million port folio, and has experience conceptualizing, developing and implementing enterprise solutions in the U.S., Europe and APAC.

Nandan and his wife have a 15-year old daughter who is a sophomore at Robbins ville High School.

Nandan’s statement: I am running for the Robbinsville Board of Education to help our schools provide an excellent educational experience for our children and to attract, support, and retain the best teachers.

I am a first generation immigrant who came to the United States of America in 2003 to consult on technology for a big pharma company. I was soon recognized for my talent and hard work, which earned me employment with the same company.

Prior to this, I worked as a consultant in financial services, banking, insurance, securities and capital markets, where my biggest accomplishment has been to See ELECTION, Page 8

Drs. Alex & Dawn Rockwell DMD

Introducing VINTAGE AT HAMILTON, a spectacular community of 122 luxury townhomes and duplexes in Hamilton Twp., Mercer County...exclusively for active adults 55+.

This is where you’ll savor life to the fullest. All in an area known for its wealth of cultural offerings, recreational opportunities, dining and shopping. Vintage at Hamilton is in the center of it all, close to I-195 and the New Jersey Turnpike and just minutes from the Hamilton Train with direct service to New York City and Philadelphia.

deliver a capability to help portfolio manag ers manage $300 billion in asset manage ment for a German bank.

Overall, I have 25-plus years of experi ence in IT, management and finance. Cur rently I serve as a director at a Pharma company where I manage a professional team of 150-plus people and a portfolio of more than $150M to deliver capabilities that help patients fight serious diseases across the globe.

All my above accomplishments were possible because of the education I received by my teachers and parents back home in India. I believe teachers are the backbone of our society. They are the architects who shape our kids’ futures. Over the past two years, teachers have stood strong to manage both school and home when the entire world was fighting COVID-19. They are indeed the heroes of the society and deserve the respect of the community.

In my career, I have faced a variety of challenges that have provided me nec essary tools to achieve success. This involves listening to and balancing the needs of a diverse group of stakeholders, managing expectations and communicat ing decisions before and after they are made. With a background in finance, I have experience managing large budgets

with challenging priorities.

I also deal with conflict resolution on a regular basis and know how to work with a diverse set of people to accomplish com mon goals. I also have experience with collective bargaining and developing fair contract negotiations with both private and government entities. All the above are criti cal experiences that will help the board and the community.

I am running for the board with Jeffery Pierro. Together we can help our commu nity and use our collective experience to serve the children and residents of Rob binsville. Our goals are to engage both teachers and parents in the best interest of our children, support our school system and bring the trust and confidence back in the BOE and the community.

* *

Peter Oehlberg, 40, and his wife, Annmarie, are 10-year residents of Rob binsville. The couple have a son who is attending Sharon Elementary School.

Oehlberg holds a master’s in pharma ceutical management systems and cur rently works as the associate director of technical operations at Bracco Diagnostics, Inc.

He has worked with Habitat for Human ity, Robbinsville Little League, One Project and the Robbinsville Clean Team.

Oehlberg’s statement: I believe in a

11am–5pm.

public school education. It is important to preserve a school culture where every child, every staff member and every com munity member feels safe, valued, appreci ated, supported and respected. I believe in taking a diplomatic, collaborative approach when communicating with school staff, students, families, and community mem bers. I believe the ability to understand and accept the diversity in our community is vital to ensuring our schools are well run.

There are three main issues that I would address if elected to the Board of Educa tion are staff retention, refocusing on edu cation and community collaboration.

The Robbinsville staff must feel valued, appreciated, and respected. To accomplish this, we need a Board of Education that believes in public education, values and col laborates with the Robbinsville Education Association and administration. We must have stability in the educational leadership that provides enough personnel to carry out the schedule and understands the need for relief for our overburdened staff.

It is critical that class sizes conform to the BOE policy and best practices. Teacher leaves of absences require having suffi cient coverage to not compromise special education and general education programs and services. A contract that honors the work of our teachers and staff.

As a result of events that have taken place over the past couple of years, mes saging and public discussion in the dis trict has strayed away from education. It is time to refocus the discussion back to the district’s core goal of education. To be clear, the district has not stopped educat ing Robbinsville children, but the conver sation needs to return to its core mission. My goals, if elected to the Board of Educa tion, would be to: recognize that teachers are the main implementers of educational programs; promote classroom innovations

and celebrate educational successes at every level; report on programs for men tal health initiatives; and highlight all post high school graduate opportunities.

It is important that the district is trans parent and open with discussing these topics with the community, not just at the monthly Board of Education meetings.

Members of the Board of Education are elected by the community to represent the interests of the community. It is impera tive that open dialogue between the Board of Education members and constituents be encouraged. What has been lost in recent years is transparency in reporting board committee discussions. Committee meeting minutes are no longer posted on the district website. It is understood that redaction is required for confidential dis cussions, such as personnel or contractual issues.

In order to foster a collaborative envi ronment, consistent ongoing community working groups covering a wide range of topics mental health, literacy, diversity, and district capital improvements are needed. These topics have a direct impact on our students and community and all voices should be represented.

I am committed to embodying the Rob binsville core mission of providing an out standing educational program for our stu dents. This will promote a happy, focused, ready-to-engage environment where stu dents inquire, discover, and cultivate a love of learning. I look forward to having the opportunity to serve my community as a member of the Robbinsville Board of Education.

Lauren Paluzzi, 40, has lived in Rob binsville since 2016 with her husband, Neil. She is an incumbent and is running on the “Prioritizing Our Students” slate with Kerri

See ELECTION, Page 10

Fox and Allison Prabhakar.

Paluzzi has a bachelor’s in finance, international busi ness, and marketing and a master’s in business adminis tration. She currently works for Johnson and Johnson as a finance director, and previously worked in the fashion industry for various companies, including three years when her job was based in Europe.

She and her husband have three children. Her youngest started kindergarten this year, and she also has two step children who live and attend school in Northern Ireland.

In addition to serving on the School Board for a oneyear term, she is also the lead for the Women’s Leader ship Initiative Networking pillar and on the Open and Out Ally Employee Resource Group. She has previously volun teered for the Working Moms Club, EASEL Animal Res cue and was president of her neighborhood homeowners association.

Paluzzi’s statement: I have been serving on the Rob binsville Board of Education for a one-year term. I am Finance Director with 18 years’ experience across differ ent industries and continents, and currently work in the healthcare industry supporting finance.

I have a master’s degree in business and a triple major in international, finance and marketing, which will bring a diverse experience to the table. I have learned what makes a diverse, collaborative environment: knowing when to lead and when to listen. I will be a fact-based leader that can make the tough decisions when necessary.

Given that all children are back in school after two years of on and off, I think special attention needs to be given on mental and emotional support for kids who need it, as it is a big transition. I also believe that standard guidance

with protocols of how decisions are made for the safety and well-being of staff and children needs to be transparent and clear. I support our teachers and the need for balance and fiscal responsibility. While we are all working our way through very different times, transparency is key to suc cess, while listening to all side’s opinions.

* * *

Jeffrey Pierro, 43, has lived in Robbinsville with his wife, Amanda, since 2019. The two have 8-month-old twin girls, who they intend to send to Robbinsville schools when they are older in a few years.

Pierro is running on the “Keeping Children First” slate along with Raghu Nandan.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Seton Hall University majoring in secondary education and history. His master’s in education is from The College of New Jer sey, and he earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University.

He works as the principal of Gateway Regional High School, which serves the communities of Woodbury Heights, Wenonah, National Park and Westville.

Pierro is an active member of NJSIAA and NJPSA, and has been participating in Robbinsville Clean Team cleanups.

Pierro’s statement: I’m running for the Robbinsville Board of Education to represent my community and use my vast experience in education to serve the children and residents of Robbinsville. I believe that Robbinsville must attract, support and retain its teachers, engage the commu nity in the education process, and provide fiscal responsi bility for taxpayer funds.

I completed my undergraduate studies at Seton Hall Uni versity majoring in Secondary Education and History. My

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:

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.

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.

MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES

MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES

USF Program

Program

$2,369 $2,707

$2,978 $3,404

$3,588 $4,100

$4,198 $4,797

$4,807 $5,494

$5,417 $6,190

$6,026 $6,887

$6,636 $7,584

$7,245 $7,935

Hamilton Office - County Connection

Square

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.

Highway 33 at Paxson Avenue

NJ 08690 Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm

Saturdays – 4/7 &

10:00am-1:00pm (walk-ins)

Brian M. Hughes,

Brian

Edward Pattik Housing DirectorBrian

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,

EDITOR

Rebekah Schroeder ARTS EDITOR

Dan Aubrey

AD LAYOUT & PRODUCTION

Stacey Micallef

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

Community News Service

9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

Letters: jgriswold@communitynews.org

Website: communitynews.org

Facebook: facebook.com/mercereats Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

Six09 is inserted into each of Community News Service’s nine hyperlocal monthly publications. Over 125,000 copies are distributed each month in the Greater Mercer County, N.J. area.

An

CO-PUBLISHER

Jamie Griswold

MANAGING

Sara Hastings

Fritts

Valeri

Stacey Micallef

Emanski

TO ADVERTISE call (609) 396-1511, ext. 110 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

A proud member of:

Dr. Ronak Patel

We are a center of excellence that delivers the most up to date care in the field of comprehensive pain management. We are committed to helping you regain your life. Our focus will be on developing individualized patient treatment plans and increasing patient functionality.

NJpaindoc.com

Stop Your Pain. Start Your Life.

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute

Taking the Fight Against Chronic Pain to New Levels

27 different therapies available to patients, Dr. Patel offers a range of treatments, often combined to attack highly specific causes of pain. Among the most promising and innovative treatments:

Botox

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

*

.

*

‘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.

*

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.

* * *

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

.

* *

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

.

* *

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

Little Friends

Certified Staff

18 Months to 5 Years

Hours: 7am - 6pm (COVID-19 hours: 7am - 5:30pm)

Emphasis

Experiences

Music

Yoga

Summer Camp: 18 months to 11 years

Connection

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

while

soothing benefits

or standing

warm

Step Walk-In Tub’s

walk-in

rainfall shower head is adjustable for your height and pivots to

a

tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub

installation and service, all included at one low,

16  SIX09 | October 2022 the best of both worlds–there isn’t a better, more a ordable walk-in tub!

Easy chair site

Mauna

Place for a

Seabird

“For the Boys” subj.

Bobble

Hail, to Caesar

Born

Wurst

Plantain tree growths

Sushi

Cigar residue

Eyeballbending paintings

WiFi

Mideast leaders

Whip

Orsk’s river

Harbor posting

Madison Square Garden, e.g.

Frenzied

Dated

Roll of bills

Cohort

Federal numbercrunchers, briefly

36 Piercing tool

Raccoon relative

Irish Sea feeder

Terra ___, finely pulverized gypsum

Peach or beech

Pine product

Homeless child

Twinkle

Runway walker

Diagnostic test

Yep’s opposite

Turn ___ profit

Comedian Carvey

Dire fate

Emerald Isle

Purim’s month

Jacuzzi

___ sauce

Lamb’s mother

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

F,D,Mason Contractor, Over 30 years of experience. Brick, Block, Stone, Concrete. No job too large or small. Fully Insured and Licensed. Free Estimates 908-3855701 Lic#13VH05475900.

Are you single? Try us first! We are an enjoyable alternative to online dating. Sweet Beginnings Matchmaker, 215-539-2894, www. sweetbeginnings.info.

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia.

Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4thelovofcards, 908-5960976. allstar115@verizon. net.

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,

Dell, Ace, BEACON, Monarch, Midwood pbs) old COSMOPOLITAN 1920’s-1940’s. Call 609-619-3480 or email happyheroes@gmail. com.

Cash paid for World War II military items. Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@ optonline.net

Cash paid for SELMER SAXOPHONES and other vintage models. 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@ optonline.net

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

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Doctors Office Suite Turn-Key Ready in Hamilton, Mercer County NJ approx. 1405+/- SF for lease. Fully furnished. $2,550/mth. DiDonato Realty 609-5862344 Marian Conte BR 609-947-4222.

VACATION RENTALS

Florida Beach Rental: Fort Myers Beach 1br vacation condo on the beach, flexible dates available. Call 609-

577-8244 for further information

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Salon for sale- excellent opportunity. Priced to sell. Relocating out of state. Large space, great potential. Call 609-4620188.

National Classifieds

Health & Fitness

Dental insurancePhysicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www. dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free

LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833610-1936

AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. 1 TB of data/ mo. Ask how to bundle & SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. 1-855364-3948

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

HughesNet - Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866499-0141

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for

free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

Paying top cash for men’s sportwatches! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 833603-3236

Put on your TV Ears & hear TV w/unmatched clarity. TV Ears Originaloriginally $129.95 - now w/this special offer only $59.95 w/code MCB59! 1-888-805-0840

Aloe Care Health medical alert system. Most advanced medical alert product on the market. Voice-activated! No wi-fi needed! Special offer w/code CARE20 for $20 off Mobile Companion. 1-855-341-5862

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866479-1516

The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing

option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-877539-0299

Vivint. Smart security. Professionally installed. One connected system for total peace of mind. Free professional installation! Four free months of monitoring! Call to customize your system. 1-833-841-0737

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306

Protect your home from pests safely and affordably. Pest, rodent, termite and mosquito control. Call for a quote or inspection today 844394-9278

Discount air travel. Call Flight Services for best pricing on domestic & international flights inside & from the US. Serving United, Delta, American & Southwest & many more. Free quote! Have travel dates ready! 844-951-2014

master’s in education is from The College of New Jersey, and I earned my doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan Uni versity. I have presented at numerous statewide conferences and have completed cer tification programs at Columbia University Teachers College: Reading and Writing Project, and Harvard University: Art of Leadership.

I have over 20 years of experience work ing on behalf of children. I have taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels. I have also been a coach for numer ous sports including American Legion and varsity baseball. I have experience as a cur riculum supervisor, and I am currently serv ing as a middle and high school principal for the last eight years. I also currently serve as a member of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association’s executive board and as a New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Leader to Leader Mentor.

I believe that teachers play a critical role in the development of our children. Over the past few years, teachers had to deal with seismic changes that have disrupted our education system. Unfortunately, this shift has led to many teachers leaving the profession in record numbers. Compound ing this trend in Robbinsville, some of our best and most experienced teachers leave our district for surrounding areas.

Robbinsville must invest in attracting, supporting and retaining the best teachers in the area. We should not be losing great educators because of compensation and working conditions that impact morale. Rather Robbinsville should be a destination for an elite education in Mercer County. In order for this to happen, Robbinsville School District must develop a competitive salary guide that attracts teachers to the district and rewards them for staying.

Unlike other professions, teachers tend to stay in their district after their first five years

once they have developed relationships with students, administrators and the com munity. It is highly unusual to have so many teachers leave a district for another one in the middle of their career. I believe that an effort should be made to reestablish posi tive relationships with Robbinsville teach ers. This relationship has been damaged by rhetoric during the negotiation process.

Although Robbinsville is not immune to national trends, we are a highly successful community with the resources to compete for the best and brightest educators in the area. Teachers spend a great deal of time with our children in the classroom and during extracurricular activities. A prior ity must be made to attract, support, and retain our valuable teaching staff.

I also believe the way forward for Rob binsville is to ensure and promote an envi ronment where all voices are represented. My dissertation was about promoting the concept of distributed leadership. Distrib uted leadership champions the idea that the smartest person in the room is the room.

By engaging the community we tap into the collective intelligence of all of Robbins ville, which allows us to access a vast array of ideas and resources. In addition, by engaging the community, we can develop partnerships with area businesses to pro mote opportunities to ensure that our stu dents are ready for their future college and career endeavors.

I have experience in leading a nation ally recognized career preparation pro gram that connects students to business and trade leaders. This program has been featured on Classroom Closeup which pro motes innovative educational programs in New Jersey. This program allows stu dents to gain real-life experience in the workforce. Using the vast resources of our community allows students to gain the

See ELECTION, Page 12

Peace of Mind.

Scheduled appointments and same day sick visits are available weekdays, evenings, and Saturday mornings.

Your insurance shouldn’t be what keeps you up at night. Whether your needs are personal or business related, Nottingham Insurance of fer s an extensive selection of insurance products W ith over 100 years of experience, we work with you to get the right coverage at an af fordable price. So that you can focus on what is impor tant. We’re t here when life happens.

NJ

PA

877 999 1886

Your insurance shouldn’t be what keeps you up at night. Whether your needs are personal or business related, Nottingham Insurance of fer s an extensive selection of insurance products W ith over 100 years of experience, we work with you to get the right coverage at an af fordable price So that you can focus on what is impor tant We’re t here when happens.

877.999.1886

Genius®

3D Mammograms Now at Windsor Radiology

knowledge and skill needed to follow their passions in the future.

I further believe that school boards must practice fiscal responsibility and account ability as stewards of public money. School budgets reflect the district’s priorities. It is important that finances are allocated to areas that promote student learning and ensure that students are given opportuni ties to develop the skills needed to be suc cessful in the future.

because I believe I can add a balanced and moderate voice to the Board. My inter est in running began when, as a working mother, I witnessed the struggles of stu dents, parents and teachers during remote learning. It became my passion to advocate for the return of students to full day in-per son learning.

Genius® 3D Mammograms provide arti cial intelligence as another layer of assurance that nothing is missed.

They also provide shorter exam times and greater comfort, reducing our “squeeze” time by 75%.

To schedule, call 609-426-9200 or go to WindsorRadiology.com

300A Princeton Hightstown Road, East Windsor, NJ

I am running with Raghu Nandan. Together we can bring the improvements that Robbinsville School District needs. We know our duty is not to run the district, but rather to make sure that it is well run by implementing a sound strategic plan, bud get, performance oversight, and setting policy. We look to achieve these goals by listening, researching, and using our expe riences to support our students, faculty, and the residents of Robbinsville.

* *

Allison Prabhakar, 49, has lived in Robbinsville for 14 years with her husband, Avinash. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. Prabhakar is running on the “Prioritizing Our Students” slate with Kerri Fox and Lauren Paluzzi.

She is currently an oncology nurse prac titioner working for Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, and she has 27 years of experience as a nurse with most of the years being in oncology.

She and her husband have a 12-year-old son who attends Pond Road Middle School, and a 5-year-old daughter who attends a parochial school.

Prabhakar is a member of the national and the local chapter of the Oncology Nurs ing Society.

Prabhakar’s statement: I am running for the Robbinsville Board of Education

As a nurse practitioner, I understood that this could be accomplished safely and that it was essential, especially for our most vulnerable students who were missing critical PT, OT and speech therapy. With the recent increased incidence of anxiety, depression and isolation amongst school age children, my focus will be expanding mental health services and addressing learning loss.

At work, I spend much of my day listen ing to patients and families. Shared deci sion making and collaboration are attri butes I will bring to the Board. The ability to critically assess a situation and evaluate potential consequences are skills I prac tice daily. I absolutely believe that getting to know members of the community, hear ing their concerns, and finding common ground is the foundation for working well together. While we may not always agree, we must be respectful in our interactions.

Finally, I understand community con cern regarding teacher retention. This is an issue impacting many professions cur rently and we need creative solutions. As a district, we want teachers to feel fairly com pensated, valued, and fulfilled.

However, this must be balanced with the ability of all members of the commu nity to withstand potential tax increases. I moved back to Robbinsville in 2011 for the diverse community and the schools. As a board member, I will cultivate relation ships with all stakeholders to ensure Rob binsville Schools are highly regarded as an esteemed place to learn and to work.

doing it as a freshman in the preseason, that’s when she knew for sure it was the same player.

“You don’t see a reverse shot as accu rately as she does it at the high school level,” the coach said. “So the fact she can do it well, I allow it. If a kid tries it and they don’t do it successfully I usually tell them to try to stick with the fundamentals. But she has it down pat.”

Pepper had a modest two goals and one assist as a freshman but did get playing time. Last year, she tied for second on the team in goals with five, and led in assists with six.

This year, Jordyn started the season like a woman possessed. Helped by the steady hand of Colicchia, one of the Colonial Valley Conference’s most knowledgeable coaches, Robbinsville was able to win their first six games despite an unsettled lineup due to injuries and Covid. But the coach had help, since having Pepper as one of the constants helped offset some of the instability.

The junior not only scored goals, she got them when needed. They were hardly statpadding goals picked up during garbage time.

Pepper had all five goals in a 5-3 win over WW-P High School North. She scored both goals in each game in 2-1 wins over Notre Dame and Allentown, had a goal in a 2-1 win over WW-P South and tallied four times in a 7-2 victory over Hopewell.

“She’s been getting a lot of pressure and definitely comes up clutch,” Colicchia said. “She’s getting a lot of pressure because she has been scoring. She doesn’t let that stop her from being a player who could still dis tribute the ball well too. Other forwards are still getting opportunities so it’s not like we’re a one-man show where she has to do everything, but she could if she wanted to.”

Asked if she lives for those big moments to score, Jordyn said “I wouldn’t say that. I obviously like to win so I feel I need to get a goal because you’re gonna need to score. But I always look to pass too. If I’m not open I can find someone up top that can get a goal.”

Pepper is a field hockey legacy, as her mom, Marita, played for Bloomsburg Uni versity and encouraged Jordyn to try the sport.

“I started clinics in second or third grade and joined my first club in fifth,” she said. “At first I didn’t really love it. It was defi nitely an acquired taste. It takes a lot of people a long time to learn the different rules and how to play the game, but I think I picked that up a little faster because I played a bunch of other sports so it was easier.”

Pepper also played softball and soccer and, at one time, considered softball to be her main sport. That all changed around eighth grade.

“Eventually I really liked being able to

compete and play with a team,” she said. “I like how fast paced hockey is, and how you’re part of a team. Obviously with soft ball you play it as a team but it’s more of an individual thing. Field hockey I’m always surrounded by a team. It’s always a teambased sport.”

Despite the fact she is the Ravens scoring star; Pepper makes great efforts to help pro vide a close-knit atmosphere.

“Field hockey is everything to her, you see that in everything she does,” Colicchia said. “She’s team oriented, she puts in the extra work. She’s always trying to do things that make the team come closer together. They go out to eat a lot, they do everything together. So someone who’s that skilled and also a team person is really important.”

She leans on her teammates when the defensive attention becomes too over whelming, quickly pointing out “I have Anika (Singh) and Abby (Moir) and Ava (Aldarelli) and Grace (Miler) all to pass to. I also have Hannah (Tyler) behind me that I can always pass to just in case there is a double team.”

For the most part, however, Pepper has been able to handle the extra defenders thanks to her continual improvement.

“This year more than ever we’re noticing her impact scoring,” Colicchia said. “She’s always been very good at seeing the field and being able to beat defenders; but this year she’s making an impact more on the scoreboard because of her work ethic in the off-season. She plays year-round, she puts in the work when nobody’s watching, and every year she comes back an even better player.

“Coaches always say the work you do when no one is watching makes an impact; and for her it really is true. She’s just found ways to give herself better scoring opportu nities. She’s always been on our offensive line. She just now is getting more opportu nities to shoot because she has game skill. She’s figured out ways to manipulate the defense to give herself the best shot.”

Pepper, who is hoping to play for Lehigh University in two years, said she was a bit surprised to have so many goals over the season’s first two weeks. But she did feel the work ethic that Colicchia mentioned helped make a big difference.

“Over the offseason I would go to the turf every day and practice shooting,” she said. “That’s one thing I’ve definitely been working on a lot. More so than dribbling or defending. I’ve obviously been doing that stuff but I definitely focused a lot on my shot this year. The one thing I worked on the most was getting the shot off faster. I’m able to take any shot from any angle at a fast pace so the defender is kind of caught off guard.”

That is Pepper’s latest improvement to her game. At the rate she works, it will be interesting to see what great new thing she comes up with next year.

RYANS

ONE

FREE ESTIMATES

When should you go to the emergency department?

Ask The

See

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 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) 584-5900. To register for a program or for schedule changes go to rwjbh.org/ events.

Monday, o ctober 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

t U e Sday, o ctober 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 whether sound therapy is for you. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D.

th U r S day, o ctober 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.”

tU e S day, o ctober 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 what’s not in the antique and collectables market. Thomas Petrino is a full-time Personal Prop erty Appraiser and is Certified by the Apprais ers Guild of America. He also serves as acting appraiser for the NJ Treasury, consults with banks, attorneys and insurance companies to authenticate and appraise estates. Regis tration required. Seating is very limited.

wedne S day, o ctober 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.

th U r S day, o ctober 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, o ctober 17

The Specialty of Family Medicine. 10 to 11 a.m. Likhitha Musunuru, MD, a RWJ Barnabas Health Medical Group provider, specializes in family medicine ages 4 and up. Connect with Dr. Musunuru as she discusses the im portance of establishing a good relationship with your primary care provider.

th U r S day, o ctober 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. “Eladou” brings high quality care and clinical trial op portunities from Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and has special interest in breast cancer.

wedne S day, o ctober 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.

SU nday, o ctober 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.

Dr. Horana

HEADLINES

@capitalhealthnj

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.

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 EXPERIENCED PULMONOLOGISTS

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.

Monday,

24,

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.

smires & associates would like to welcome

Amy Thompson

John Zara 4th

Nicholas Demetriou

Sales

Cell: