11-22 BC

Olorunnisola finds a home with Scotties football

BY RICH FISHER

Fami Olorunnisola came to a realization. Rather than harness her zealous play in the athletic arena, she found a way to make it fit in.

“Around sophomore year I was always told I was aggressive, and it made me upset,” she said. “I kid you not, I’ve gotten so many fouls in basketball because I can be an aggressive person. So I was trying to find a sport where I could play and be aggressive and just be myself. I was never myself playing any other sport. And that’s when I thought about football. And everybody was saying ‘How about football?’ and here I am today.”

She’s here all right, playing offensive guard and defensive tackle for the Bordentown High JV team. The junior was inspired to go out for the Scotties after playing a less aggressive style of football that frustrated her.

“We have a Powder Puff flag football event for the girls,” she said. “One thing that always made me upset was how I couldn’t tackle or be as aggressive because it’s flag. Even growing up and playing different sports I was always

See

Eagle Scout Sam Cranmer, right, stands with his Eagle Scout project, a pizza box disposal bin completed this summer in Columbus. With him are brother Thomas, father Tom and brother Brody.

Lifelong friends help one another reach the rank of Eagle Scout

BY JOE EMANSKI

Over the last few years, three Bordentown residents have reached the pinnacle of the Boy Scout experience: each completed the community service projects that earned him the right to call himself an Eagle Scout.

Matthew Reiter, Ryder Samsel and Sam Cranmer of Bordentown BSA Troop 13—friends since they

were Webelos at age 6—all finished their Eagle Scout projects with the help of friends and family, as the Boy Scouts of America require. And of course, they helped one another, because that’s what friends and Eagle Scouts do.

The scouts, all 18, conceived and prepared their own projects. Reiter decided on an ecological restoration project in Crystal Lake Park. He identified a path that was

often difficult to use in wet conditions because it tended to become muddy, and came up with a plan to make the path easier to traverse.

He hoped to have it completed by summer 2020, but as was the case for so many projects, the Covid-19 pandemic scotched those plans. Undaunted, he postponed it until last summer, completing the project in August.

See EAGLE, Page 6

Tru calling

City resident’s Trutopia Foundation helps those in need

BY JOE EMANSKI

Blair Silver remembers joining the Impact Club as a student at MacFarland Intermediate School in Bordentown. Impact Club members aim to have an impact on the community by volunteering time to help those in need.

But perhaps it is also called Impact Club because of the impact it has on the students’ lives.

Teacher Chris O’Leary was the adviser to the club. Silver was placed at the Clare Estate, the assisted living facility in Bordentown City. “We were required to do volunteer hours. My mom made me do it,” Silver recalls.

At the end of the school year, Silver received an award for her volunteer work. “I just thought it was something I had to do. It wasn’t something I was expecting anything out of,” she says. “That was a moment for me where I was proud of what I did.”

Today, Silver remains committed to helping those in need, both as an entrepreneur as well as through the Trutopia Foundation, a nonprofit organization that she formed with the goal of helping low-income families and

See

James

UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

Healthy Holiday Eating

Thursday, November 17, 2022 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

The holidays have the potential to throw you off your eating plan, so join Registered Dietitian LONI PERESZLENYI from the Capital Health Wellness Center for some clever tricks on how to navigate parties and family time and make smart food and drink choices. In addition to Loni’s creative holiday hacks, she will also share some of her favorite healthy holiday recipes.

Achieve More with

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Are you

area

pain in your

sex,

care,

urination/bowel movements? It’s

Join KATHIE OLSON, clinical coordinator for Capital Health’s Center for Incontinence and Pelvic Health, to learn strategies for living your life without pelvic pain. Kathie will be joined by Capital Health Physical Therapists Natalia Ochalski and Felicia Taveira, who will discuss the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy. All genders are welcome!

EAGLE continued from Page 1

He used pressure-treated lumber to construct a 200-foot-long boardwalk off site. When the day came, around 12 family and friends, including other Boy Scouts, met him at the park to help him assemble the final product. Eagle Scout tradition holds that the scout cannot put the final pieces in place — instead he is tasked with supervising his group of volunteers.

“I didn’t really know how the ranks worked when I joined the Boy Scouts,” Reiter says. “When I saw the older scouts get Eagle Scout, it motivated me. It’s cool to work on something, to use your hands to build something.”

Cranmer and Samsel were among those who helped Reiter complete the project. Cranmer says he was in the park recently and the boardwalk still looks great.

Reiter, a graduate of Bordentown Regional High School, is currently a stu dent at Mercer County Community Col lege, where he studies computer science.

Cranmer’s own project was to design and build a pizza box recycling bin. He got the idea from a manager at Piccolissimo Italian Grille in Columbus.

“She was like, ‘We need something like [a pizza recycling bin] in our community, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is perfect’ — it fits all the criteria for an Eagle Scout project,” Cranmer says.

Although pizza boxes are made of card board, they cannot be recycled because they come into direct contact with food grease, which renders them unsuitable for recycling.

But Cranmer says local farm ers have found a use for the boxes. They lay them around crops as “sheet mulch,” where they prevent weeds from thriving. Some say the cardboard retains irrigation moisture better than tra ditional mulch as well.

The bin is constructed similar to a shed, but modified in front with two slots for pizza box disposal and two doors for retrieval. It’s the farmers who retrieve the boxes to take to their farms.

The bin is located at the old municipal

Ryder Samsel constructed bat boxes to be erected around Bordentown for his Eagle Scout project.

building in Columbus. Cranmer pre-built it in sections at home and then one day this summer, he and his team of 8 to 10 volunteers shuttled the pieces over to the site for assembly.

Cranmer attended BRHS for a year before transferring to Burlington County Institute of Technology, where he studied to become a welder. He is working fulltime as a welder now.

Samsel has also studied welding at BCIT and has plans to start his own weld ing company some day.

For his project, Samsel designed and pre-constructed three bat boxes to be erected around Bordentown. One is at the end of Oliver Street, one is at Second Street Park and the third is on Willow Street.

Samsel, an avid outdoorsman, said he

to birdhouses, but with slits cut into the bot tom of the structure rather than a circular hole on one side.

Bats are known predators of mos

quitoes, and Samsel says a bat box in a damp or swampy area can attract the bats needed to noticeable reduce the mosquito population in the area.

Samsel prebuilt the bat boxes at home. In July, with the help of 16 or so volun teers, he erected the boxes around Bor dentown. “It went as planned, no one got hurt,” he says. “People were looking out for each other. All I really did was give a few tips here and there. Two to three hours and we were done.”

He says being a Boy Scout is like hav ing a brotherhood of a sort. “We were with each other through the whole thing, helped each other finish the projects,” he says.

And now, like his friends Matt Reiter and Sam Cranmer, he can call himself an Eagle Scout.

Pete Reiter is Matt’s dad and also the scoutmaster for Troop 13. He believes that the scouts were only able to complete their projects because they helped each other along the way.

“Take any two of them out and I don’t think they would have been able to do it. They’re such close friends and were able to rely on one another for support,” he says.

For more information about Troop 13, go online to facebook.com/ BordentownBSATroop13.

Matthew Reiter at his completed Eagle Scout project, a boardwalk in Crystal Lake Park.

individuals.

She wanted to help people in need, but more than that, she wanted to do it with compassion.

“My initiative was to make helping people a feel-good moment, rather than to make it a stressful time for them. I wanted them to feel good while asking for assistance,” she says.

Too often, she feels, people who are in need are treated with too little respect, or asked to jump through too many bureau cratic hoops to gain access to goods and services the state is supposed to provide.

“I always say, ‘What if everyone in the social services field really cared, and really put their heart into it?’” Silver says. “If people who needed support didn’t have to go somewhere and provide all these documents from long ago that they have to seek and find, or be told that they didn’t qualify for something because they are a dollar over the threshold.

With Trutopia, Silver wanted to focus on taking the stress out of seeking help for those who need it.

“It’s hard enough making the decision to seek help. To go through that and then be told you don’t have the right paper work, or you don’t qualify based on need, is stressful itself on top of that. And now not just your physical health is at risk, but also your mental health,” she says. “Men tal health is directly correlated to physical health. You need mental health in order to focus on your physical wellness.”

To qualify for low-income tax credits, affordable housing building owners must provide tenants with services such as pro fessional development, senior advocacy, scholastic enrichment programs and mental health resources.

Through Trutopia, Silver helps these landlords offers services to residents.

For example, if someone wants to go back to school, Trutopia will work give them resources they need to ensure that they successfully re-enroll.

If someone wants to open up a business, Trutopia can help that person through the process, from doing research to incorpo rating. If someone needs things like com puters or business cards to get up and run ning, Trutopia can help with that.

If a building is home to seniors, Truto pia can help them with things like health screenings and doctor visits.

Silver encourages her Trutopia clients to set SMART goals to help them make it through any process. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realis tic and Timely.

“I always think a program has to be incentive based, to let people follow through on their goals,” Silver says.

When Trutopia clients reach their goals, they are rewarded with a celebra tory moment where they can get what they have earned. One recent Trutopia program incentive entitled participants to “buy” clothing and accessories at a popup shop at Carslake Community Center.

“We set up a retail shop. People came in like customers and they got to shop for free — Nike, Burberry, all sorts of name brand donations,” Silver says. Free food was also prepared and provided by Chef Mello os Kitchen of Class. “We helped over 200 people that day — $94,000, that’s how much value we were able to give away that day. We got great feedback. It really was amazing.”

Silver founded Trutopia in 2020. “I had all of these programs that I wanted to start, but then the pandemic happened,” Silver says. “So then I wanted to fig ure out how I could help while that was happening.”

Getting

Meet the Minds Behind Ongoing GFS Exhibits ‘Night Forms’ and ‘The Village Potter’

BY DAN AUBREY

Editor’s Note: Both Aubrey’s “GFS ‘Klips’ Dark Season with Bright Dreams” and “The Village Potter Opens for Business at GFS” ran in previous issues of U.S. 1, Community News Service’s Princeton metro area paper, on Jan. 5 and May 18, respectively.

The articles have been edited and updated for currency, as well as general clarity.

GFS Admission Prices: adults (ages 18+), $20; seniors (ages 65+), active military/veterans (ID required), healthcare workers (w/ ID), $15; students (ages 6-17 or w/ ID), $10; children (ages 5 and under), members, free. 609-586-0616 or groundsforsculpture.org.

Klip Collective’s Night Forms: Dream Loop and Infinite Wave

On a chilly evening last November, Klip Collective’s Ricardo Rivera came to the podium for the press unveiling of “Night Forms: dream loop” at Grounds For Sculpture. in Hamilton.

“We have just finished the installation, and I’m a bit beat up,” he said about test-

ing the 12-station suite of dramatic lighting, video, and music commissioned by GFS.

After daylight turned to darkness, “Dreamloop,” an exhibit by Klip Collective, ran from Nov. 26, 2021, to April 3, 2022. Now, ‘Infinite Wave,’ the second, expanded iteration of the project, will take its place in the coming month.

When Rivera first introduced the project a year prior, he said that the group “used the space as a canvas.”

“The site specificality of our work drives what we do. The music and color are being driven by the sculpture. The conversation

Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

(609)

news@communitynews.org

events@communitynews.org

jgriswold@communitynews.org

communitynews.org

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

Six09 is

of

Over 125,000

vice’s

month in the Greater

N.J.

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

Ricardo Rivera is Klip Collective’s founder and creative director.

between the existing sculpture is para mount,” continued Rivera, whose other work has included a light and sound instal lation at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylva nia and Philadelphia’s City Hall.

Then, the group of reporters walked into the night—and into Rivera’s dreams.

“Klip Collective is just a production company,” Rivera said at the group’s stu dio in South Philadelphia’s Bok Building, a renovated industrial art school, a few weeks after the press event. “I’d like to call it adhocracy, which means we build our teams per project and pull the rest of the resources we can for the project.”

Rivera said while he is the creative force behind the company, it is supported by a core team comprised of his coordinat ing director and wife, Michelle, as well as a studio assistant, sound technician and producer.

“It’s like a movie studio,” he explained. “They don’t have cinematographers and directors with them every day.”

“The studio is a place for me to experi ment and develop products. It was estab lished in 2003. We’ve evolved since then,” Rivera said.

The 46-year-old father of two daughters grew up in Delaware. His Puerto Rico-born father ended a military career in Dover, worked for the state, and then the federal government. He credits his Thai mother

also took him to the Uni versity of Delaware. While he said it was not the place to learn to make films, he got involved with theater and worked in a student-run production company where he taught himself how to use the equipment, launched a film festival and “started having my own art shows.”

That

Rivera said his curiosity began when he and his college roommates rented a space over a Chinese laundry that “held art par ties,” then hung out with the bands featured there.

“One of the musicians was an electronic music producer, and all these DJs were coming [to his studio]. He said he had a projector and asked if I wanted to show vid eos,” Rivera said, then added he brought out some mixes, having just finished his second film with original music.

The result was that Rivera learned that he was part of a new vanguard in the music scene—a video jockey or VJ. He was also invited to illuminate shows and events in Baltimore.

“I wanted to be a filmmaker and also wanted to make art,” he said. Rivera thought about attending NYU film school, but chose his own path when Kevin Smith, the New Jersey-raised director of “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy,” advised him to not pay

thousands of dollars to create a film no one is going to see. Instead, he suggested to use a ‘do-it-yourself’ type of approach. Rivera, gesturing to his three-room stu dio, said, “It all came from this weird ride— doing raves” and using video clips—the genesis of the company’s name (with a K added to steer people away from thinking of the term “clip art”).

“We honor where we came from,” he

said. Rivera met his future wife at the Uni versity of Delaware and then settled in her hometown of Philadelphia. “I learned a lot all those years and developed an aesthetic and a vibe. My production soul was born,” Rivera shared.

Eventually, that vibe started getting him work in advertising with credits for Nike

‘Arch II, Set II’ by Elizabeth Strong-Cuevas returns in Night Forms’ ‘Infinite Wave.’

munity

and took a ceramics

said he was drawn initially to the practice because he could meet other stu dents and have a college experience. But he also appreciated the tactility of the materi als because it reminded him of something he saw in his community—physical labor. Then, he found something more.

“When I started working in pottery, it felt so right, and it was the first time people gave me encouragement,” Lugo said in an interview earlier this year.

However, he said, there was also doubt. “I realized that there weren’t a lot of people I know who were artists, and none who were potters. It made me realize how few people could make a living from the [pot ter’s] wheel. I tried to make functional, pro duction pottery, but I kept asking why peo ple would buy these when [mass-produced pottery works] were cheap.”

Then, Lugo came across an edition of art magazine ‘Ceramics Monthly’ that featured a graffitied pot on the cover.

“[The piece] had a shape I had never seen before and used the wheel in a dif ferent way. It made so much sense to me, and I felt [at] that moment that I could do that, that I had something to contribute,” he said, additionally with the hope of repre senting the people and artists he could not see in the studio.

With an imagination fired by the thought of a career firing ceramics, Lugo began seeking out opportunities, and he decided to go to Kansas City Arts Institute.

Lugo knew he needed a portfolio of work, and enough money, to be accepted. With his kiln, determination and a broken back, Lugo sold about “$10 or $15” pottery pieces.

Afterwards, he applied to Pennsylva nia State University to work with Chris

Daly, whom Lugo called a legendary pot ter, educator and mentor whose “whole life is art.” Also at Penn State was Shannon Goff, an “influential mentor as a teacher, and the first person who understood what I wanted to say with my work, understood the content.”

As part of a tribute, Lugo included both Daly and Goff in an exhibition section devoted to the artists who mentored him, as well as those he similarly helped guide. “I wanted to show [that] it takes a village to make an artist,” he said.

While at Penn State, where he received an MFA, he took a leap that launched him into a gallery and into the art world; estab lished California-based documentary pho tographer Richard Ross was on campus to discuss his work photographing incarcer ated youth for a book, as well as to critique student work.

Lugo said that at the time, his brother

had been arrested back in Kensington, and that Ross was planning an exhibition in Philadelphia. He decided to talk to him and ask him to assess his street-inspired pottery.

“He was the first person who was actually interacting with people from the neighbor hood that I was from,” Lugo explained.

Ross asked him to be in an exhibition, the Crane Arts Center’s 2013 “Juvenile in Justice” in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. Through that experience, Lugo put his blend of traditional pottery, street design, and social commentary on the art map.

His other opportunities were as an artistin-residence at the Clay Studio in Philadel phia, an instructor at Marlboro College in Vermont and a current faculty member of Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. He

also had a series of exhibitions. The artist’s 2016 Philadelphia display, “Defacing Adver sity,” served as a glimpse into his work.

Of the title, Lugo said, “I grew up doing graffiti art. It was my first art form. I never took art classes before I did pottery. People often see graffiti as just vandalism and use the word ‘defacing,’ so I thought of differ ent ways of defacing. I thought of defacing adversity; I had lots of experiences growing up with racism, so making art in spite of it was defacing over it.”

Lugo’s 2018 piece in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, “Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience” extended that idea further.

According to the museum materials, “Lugo reframes the traditional color, form, and repetitive imagery of ancient Greek kraters to focus on the issue of violence that disproportionately affects people of color in economically disadvantaged urban com munities, including violence at the hands of law enforcement.”

Lugo said that while he focuses on urban situations, his intent is broader.

“I want to clarify that my entire experi

ence is not negative; it’s about celebrating people who contributed...even in situations where you find yourself with different peo ple of color, they all have different experi ences. Poverty and race are distinct.”

“I approach art from the place I know— hip hop culture,” he said. “I’m referencing and making connections, but I’m not trying to own that culture as an identity; my work is trying to synthesize, combine,” Lugo emphasized. When he pulls from his inter est in Royal Porcelain tea cups, for exam ple, he also pulls from his memory.

“Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico,” Lugo said. His father was a Pen tecostal minister and spray painter, and his mother was a school cafeteria worker turned registered nurse.

“Culturally, I’m from the Indigenous people from Puerto Rico, [as well as] Portu guese and Spanish. It’s a huge part of what I paint and draw,” explained Lugo, who has two sons, Theodore and Otto, with artist wife Ashley.

He also draws on these experiences for presentations — during his 2015 National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) emerging culture presentation, Lugo stated, to an audience of thousands: “We’re a culture that can change the world.”

Lugo’s sculptures on display at his Grounds for Sculpture exhibit, The Village Potter, that opened on May 22, 2022, and runs until January 8, 2023.

FOR SALE

WOODSVILLE ROAD

36 WOODSVILLE ROAD

WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

We are thrilled to announce to our Compass colleagues that this majestic 5,100-square-foot home in West Amwell/Hopewell, NJ will be coming to the market soon.

We are thrilled to announce to our Compass colleagues that this majestic 5,100-square-foot home in West Amwell/Hopewell, NJ will be coming to the market soon.

RANDY SNYDER

RANDY SNYDER

REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

GENIENE POLUKORD

REAL

M: 609.658.3193

REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

O: 609.710.2021

M: 609.658.3193 | O: 609.710.2021

RANDY.SNYDER@COMPASS.COM

REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

732.266.4341

O: 609.710.2021

M: 732.266.4341 | O: 609.710.2021

GENIENE.POLUKORD@COMPASS.COM

GENIENE.POLUKORD@COMPASS.COM

Randy Snyder and Geniene Polukord are real estate salespersons affiliated with Compass RE. Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. 47 Hulfish St, Suite 310, Princeton, NJ 08542. O 609.710.2021

Randy Snyder

Geniene Polukord

real estate

Compass

The Dental Difference

Mini Dental Implants: A True Innovation in Dentistry

Mini Dental Implants (MDIs) have changed the face of implant dentistry. Unlike traditional implant placement, where multiple dental visits are often required, MDIs can eliminate the need for extensive surgery. The most common use for MDIs is the stabilization of dentures and overdentures. MDIs firmly anchor the dental prosthesis, which means there is no longer a need to suffer with illfitting, loose and ANNOYING dentures!

MDIs are designed to eliminate elaborate bone grafting and to expedite treatment. Traditional implants may require significant bone grafting and a longer recovery period. The latent period allows the anchor of the implant to properly embed itself into the jawbone. The smaller size of MDIs means that no recovery period is possible, and the denture can be fitted the same day.

What are the advantages of MDI placement?

MDIs are a true innovation for people who are reluctant to have invasive dental surgery and who are suffering denture wearers. One significant advantage MDIs have over traditional implants is that they offer a viable treatment choice for patients who have experienced extensive bone loss. Depending on the quality and density of jawbone available at the implant site, four or more of these mini implants may be implanted at one time. The most common use for MDIs is to stabilize a lower denture, however they can be placed anywhere in the mouth.

Other advantages associated with MDIs may include:

• Better smelling breath

• More self-esteem

• Clearer speech

• Easier chewing and biting

• Easier cleaning

• Firmer denture fit

• Good success rate

• Less denture discomfort

• No cutting or sutures

• No need for adhesives or messy bonding agents

• No rotting food beneath the

denture

• No slipping or wobbling

• Quick treatment time

• Reduced costs

How are mini dental implants placed?

The whole mini dental implant placement procedure takes approximately one hour. Generally, in the case of lower jaw implants, four to six MDIs will be placed about 5mm apart. Prior to inserting MDIs, Dr. Mosmen will use many diagnostic and planning tools to find the optimal location to implant them.

After placement, a denture will be modified and affixed to the MDIs. The rubber O-ring on each MDI snaps into the designated spot on the denture, and the denture then rests snugly on the gum tissue. MDIs hold the denture comfortably in a tight-fitting way for the lifetime of that implant.

In almost all cases, no stitching is required, and no real discomfort is felt after the procedure. When the denture placement procedure is complete, light eating can be resumed. The denture can be removed and cleaned at will. MDIs enhance the natural

beauty of the smile and restore full functionality to the teeth.

If you have any questions about mini dental implants, please call Dr. Kevin Mosmen for a FREE consultation appointment to see if you’re a candidate for this procedure or traditional implants..

The Dental Difference – 2131 Route 33, Suite A, Hamilton, NJ 08690. 609-445-3577. www. thedentaldifference.com. See ad, page 11.

Dr. Kevin Mosmen

Acucare

A Personalized Approach to Your Health

By focusing on every dimension of your health and well-being, Medical Acucare aims to alleviate, if not reverse, the symptoms and progression of chronic diseases.

Dr. Qingdi Geng, the founder of Medical Acucare, is board certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. She works in the central New Jersey area and draws on over 10 years of clinical experience in treating a variety of medical conditions. Throughout her practice, she discovered that conventional medical treatments are effective in managing most acute conditions — like a broken bone or a stroke — but often fall short in improving chronic diseases.

This motivated her to pursue advanced training in Acupuncture and Functional Medicine. Now, she combines the best of conventional medicine, functional medicine, and acupuncture to identify the root causes of her patients’ chronic issues and optimize their health and wellness.

Promoting Women’s Health. Dr. Geng has a deep understanding of

the unique challenges that women face as they navigate the healthcare system, especially those who are undergoing perimenopause or menopause as well as other difficult transitions. Knowing the frustration of having your symptoms minimized or simply attributed to aging, Dr. Geng pays particular attention to hormone imbalance, digestive dysfunction, autoimmune issues, and other conditions that often afflict women during these periods.

After taking the time to get to know her patients well, she runs comprehensive and tailored lab tests, recommends lifestyle modifications suitable for the individual, and offers personalized treatment plans that help her patients to restore their balance and vitality.

Advocating Cardiovascular Health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

It is well known that high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes put individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease. However, patients with chronic inflammation are also at much higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Geng has a wealth of experience treating conditions that can potentially lead to systemic inflammation including obesity, gut dysbiosis,

and various autoimmune diseases. Medical Acucare prioritizes cardiovascular health, working with patients to further assess and lessen their risk through targeted lifestyle modifications and advanced cardiovascular assessments.

Tackling Weight Loss. Since many health issues stem from unwanted weight gain, Dr. Geng takes a holistic approach to assisting in weight loss and alleviating metabolic dysfunction. She focuses on helping people to discover the root causes behind their unwanted weight gain, whether it is unhealthy eating habits, hormonal imbalance, chronic inflammation, or insulin resistance.

Medical Acucare also maintains collaborative partnerships with local and remote health coaches and nutritionists to help our patients form healthy habits, rebuild their confidence, and sustain their weight loss long-term.

Acupuncture. While acupuncture is well known for treating back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis, it is also highly effective in reducing the frequency of tension headaches and migraines. Moreover, there is a growing body of evidence that shows acupuncture can trigger the release of beneficial hormones, including endorphins.

For more than five years, Dr. Geng has been using acupuncture to treat neck and back pain, weight loss, indigestion, urinary incontinence, insomnia, and anxiety. Since acupuncture rarely has major side effects, like prescribed medications or surgeries, it is a great option for people who want to take a more natural and less invasive treatment approach.

Medical Acucare, 339 PrincetonHightstown Rd, Building C, East Windsor NJ 08512 www.medicalacucare.com. See ad, page 10.

Dr. Qingdi Geng

Menopause,

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 oxidebased 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

basal cell carcinoma

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 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

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Hamilton

Spine surgery gives Hamilton Township woman her life back

It was during an exercise class in 2017 that Lourenza Mejia of Hamilton Township noticed the first hint that something wasn’t right: a sensation she describes as a “shock” in her left leg. “It came from nowhere, would come and go, then stop,” she says. “I’d feel it for seconds, and that was it.”

Concerned, she consulted a doctor who had performed minimally invasive spine surgery on her husband, Juan Carlos Mejia, in 2009: Marc J. Levine, MD, Director of the Orthopedic Spine Surgery Program in the Orthopedic and Spine Institute at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. An MRI revealed she had spondylolisthesis, a condition in which one bony vertebra of the spine slips forward in relation to the vertebra below it.

“The vertebrae are essentially rings stacked on top of each other with the spinal cord running down the middle,” Dr. Levine says. “When one ring moves forward, there’s less space in the middle where the nerves are.” That can pinch nerves in the spinal canal, causing a range of symptoms, including pain.

“In 2019, I started feeling tingling and numbness

in my two feet,” Mejia says. “I knew my main spinal nerve was being compressed.”

The value of surgery started to become clear. “At this point, I was more scared to become dependent than to go for surgery,” Mejia says. “Surgery offered a chance to have my life back.”

Mejia decided to proceed with surgery at RWJUH Hamilton both because the hospital was right in her own community and because her husband’s earlier spine surgery had turned out well.

“We used a relatively new minimally invasive procedure called an extreme lateral interbody fusion,” Dr. Levine says.

The procedure accesses the spine through small incisions in the side rather than through the back or front of the body. “This approach doesn’t disrupt major back muscles and avoids the often-painful long-term problems people can have with open procedures,” he says.

Dr. Levine placed a titanium implant in Mejia’s spine and blocked it in place with a plate and screws. Special imaging called fluoroscopic intraoperative imaging took continuous X-rays that provided the surgical team video-like views of the spine as they worked.

“The implant allows us to realign, fix and fuse the spine, which takes pressure off the nerve and prevents the deformity from worsening,” Dr. Levine says. “These minimally invasive procedures allow patients to recover much more quickly with less pain than they would with traditional open procedures. Many times, results can be dramatic

Marc J. Levin, MD

and truly surprise people.”

Mejia was among the amazed. “After three months, I went back to my workout classes. I’m so grateful to Dr. Levine. He’s our angel.”

For more information about state-of-theart orthopedic surgical treatments offered at RWJBarnabas Health, visit rwjbh.org/ortho.

To learn more about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, visit rwjbh.org/ Hamilton or call 609-586-7900. See ad, page 13

AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine

Helping seniors find the right diagnosis and right treatment

AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine is a multidisciplinary family practice that has been in business for over 10 years. Over the past decade, the senior community has been a big portion of our patient demographic.

We hear many different complaints week to week, but one of the biggest complaints we see with our seniors is balance and gait dysfunction. As our bodies get older, degenerative changes take place, which can lead to a host of symptoms taking away from your quality of life. This can lead to loss of balance, decreased range of motion, decreased strength, trouble with gait mechanics, and much more.

Here at AllCure, we provide the proper imaging and testing to help us diagnose these common complaints before they become debilitating. We always say that a small problem will remain small if it’s treated early enough. We strive to get ahead of each patient’s chief complaints and provide a comprehensive plan of care.

One of the major issues seniors face is getting a proper diagnosis early enough to find effective treatments. In many cases we see that patients are given a prescription for medication that will only treat the symptoms, but not the root cause.

This will lead to worsening symptoms over time and keep patients from an active and independent lifestyle.

We pride ourselves in making tailored treatment plans to fit each patient’s individual needs and impairments. There is no one-size-fits-

all approach to healthcare and each patient should be treated with that mindset.

We strongly feel that a multidisciplinary approach is the best way to get patients the care they need and the relief they deserve in a safe, fast, and efficient manner. Our experienced team of providers consisting of chiropractors, physical therapists and acupuncturists collaborate on each case to get the patient the best plan possible to achieve their goals.

We do accept Medicare! We find that most of our Medicare patients don’t have to pay a dime out of their pocket, rather just commit the time and effort.

Please give us a call today and we would be happy to hold a free 10 minute consultation for you or a family member to make sure that you are comfortable and get the correct information to make an important decision for improving your health and quality of life. We look forward to hearing from you!

AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine, 140 Cabot Drive, Suite A, Hamilton. 609-528-4417. www. allcurespineandsports.com. See ad, back cover.

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

When joint surgery affects more than just you, closer is better. Do it right. Here.

Before you decide where to have knee surgery, you also have to think about the recovery process that comes after. The less time you spend traveling, the more time you can spend healing. At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, you’ll find nationally recognized care from our comprehensive team of specialists close to home. Backed by leadingedge technology such as MAKO robot-assisted surgery, we’ll get you moving again, quickly and with less pain. Visit rwjbh.org/ortho to learn more.

Local Classified SERVICES

Senior Concierge. Let me be your helper. In the home or on the road. Part-time/Day or evening. Very good references. Call Mary anne, 609-298-4456.

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 908-385-5701 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, 908596-0976. 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 609581-8290 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 609-586-2344 Marian Conte BR 609-947-4222.

VACATION RENTALS

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.

Florida Beach Rental: Fort Myers Beach 1br vacation condo on the beach, flexible dates available. Call 609577-8244 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.

CEMETERY PLOTS

For sale double depth cemetery plot. Location Princeton memorial park, Gordon Road, Robbinsville. Call 609259-7710.

National Classified 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 877-9299587

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: 1-855948-6176

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936

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 1-800245-0398

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 866-499-0141

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

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. 1-866-479-1516

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. Topof-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

Switch and save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50. 1-855-9033048

Covid-19 disrupted the lives of almost everyone on earth, but perhaps no one as much as it affected low-income families and individuals. Silver went out to a num ber of low-income senior housing centers to make sure they had what they needed, be it hand sanitizer, food or household supplies.

In 2020, Trutopia made sure resi dents of the buildings had prepackaged Thanksgiving dinners to enjoy. Many seniors were isolated that year due to the pandemic.

Silver, now 35, is a graduate of Clara Barton, MacFarland Intermediate and Bordentown Regional High School. She grew up in Bordentown where her mother, Tanja, instilled in her a sense of responsibility to help those in need in her community.

“From when I was very little, my mom always had us doing things,” she says.

She initially studied mass communi cations and television broadcasting, and

moved to Los Angeles to work in the entertainment industry for a time.

She returned to the area in 2014 and earned a degree in human services from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.

In addition to Trutopia Foundation, Silver also runs a company called Mela nIntellect, LLC. She describes it as a busi ness with a “focus on research and devel opment for mental health awareness for communities of color.”

For now, Trutopia is administered entirely on a volunteer basis, by Silver as well as some close friends and family members. She is in the process of apply ing for grants and contracts and hopes to be able to hire people at some point soon.

In the meantime, anyone who needs help is welcome to contact Trutopia at info@trutopia.org or (609) 306-8795.

“We want to help as many people as we can,” Silver says. “Anyone who takes the step to reach out or ask is definitely one that needs it.”

Bordentown Home for Funerals

Bordentown Home for Funerals

Bordentown Home for Funerals

Join us for a Blue Christmas Service for the Holiday

Join us for a Blue Christmas Worship Service

Join us for a Blue Christmas Worship Service

Presented by Bordentown Home for Funerals, Christ Episcopal Church & Sharing Temple Counseling LLC

Presented by Christ Episcopal Church of Bordentown and Bordentown Home for Funerals

Presented by Christ Episcopal Church of Bordentown and Bordentown Home for Funerals

Sponsored by St. Mary’s Church, Christ Episcopal Church of Bordentown and

Bordentown Home for Funerals

Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 7:00pm Christ Church Chapel 130 Prince Street, Bordentown, NJ

Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 7:00pm

Christ Church Chapel

Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 7:00pm Christ Church Chapel 130 Prince Street, Bordentown, NJ

Reception to

130 Prince Street, Bordentown, NJ

in the

Please join us for a service of hope and healing,

Street

Reception to Follow in the Parish Hall

Reception to Follow in the Parish Hall

the pain

some of us feel during this time of year

that

do not

to remember that you do not grieve alone.

Please join us for a service acknowledging the pain and sorrow some of us feel during this time of year and to remember that you do not grieve alone.

that you do not

Please RSVP by Dec. 11

609-298-0261

Please RSVP by Dec. 10

609-298-0128

Please RSVP by Dec. 1st by calling 609-298-0128

609-298-2348

609-298-0128

told ‘Oh you’re too aggressive,’ so I fig ured why not

a sport where I could be aggressive, I could hit and basically be myself.”

And she’s doing a pretty good job of it, according to head coach Skip Edwards.

“She plays at least three quarters of each game,” he said. “We don’t hold her back. She’s one of the guys out there, she’s proven she can handle herself, she can protect herself. We can round her into the person she needs to be. She learns what we want and she does it the way we teach her.

Mike Smith, who is the varsity offen sive line coach and also the JV coach, says he has enjoyed having Fami on the team.

“She’s a great kid, tough as nails and very coachable,” he said. “She’s very interested in not just playing, but learn ing the game. She has, at times, strug gled with her confidence, but the coaches and players have embraced her and sup ported her in her growth. She’s been a great addition to the team and has eas ily acclimated to being part of the Scottie football family.”

Girls playing football is not the eyeopener it was two decades ago. However, not many have been right there in the trenches, using physicality to mix it up

with a guy on the other side of the ball.

But that was the dream position for Olorunnisola, who literally knew noth ing about football until she approached Edwards about playing in December of her sophomore year. When asked where she wanted to play, Fami wasn’t sure of the position but said she wanted to pro tect the quarterback.

“Then I finally said, ‘Oh wait, it’s a line man,’” Olorunnisola said. “He said ‘OK do you want to play offense or defense?’ and I said both sides.”

Edwards was open to her offer. “When she said she wanted to play football, I wasn’t skeptical because I had a girl on my team at Holmdel. But she was a kicker, a very good kicker. So it was, ‘Hey if you want to come out and play, we can’t baby you.’”

Fami didn’t want any special treat ment and once the coach gave his bless ing, Olorunnisola had to convince her parents. Her dad, Damiola, was all for it. But mom Bukola had to be talked into it. She finally relented, but in the back of her mind thought Fami would back out at the last minute.

“She still didn’t believe me until I started going to the weight room and she said ‘OK, I think she’s gonna do it,’” Olo runnisola said. “And then when I came home with my equipment she was like

‘Oh my God, you’re serious about play ing!’ She thought I was going to quit in the middle or something.”

Suddenly, Olorunnisola was playing a sport that she had no use for as a kid.

“I actually hated football,” she said. “Growing up, I never even thought about playing it or watching it at all. Even now I’m learning the rules and cadences and

things like that. I used to say that football is easy, all they’re doing is hitting each other and smacking each other. And boy did I learn quickly when I joined the foot ball team.”

Indeed she did. That hitting and smack ing was a little more intense than she ever imagined.

“The physical part did come as a sur prise,” Olorunnisola said. “The first day we did tackling drills I was sore. The next day I woke up I was sore, I was in pain. I was like ‘Mom, I want to quit.’ I was in so much pain it was honestly like a shock. I actually thought about quitting that day, but I was like ‘No, I’m gonna keep going.’

“The coach told me that’s what would come with it, especially if I’d never done tackling drills before. He said it was going to be painful but I’d get used to it. Now I’m used to it. I can tackle anything and it won’t hurt.”

The other concern, of course, was how her male teammates would welcome Fami to the squad.

“That was probably my biggest fear,” she said. “Will the guys like me? Will they treat me differently? But they all treat me like I’m one of them. I love them all dearly.”

Edwards has seen no problems in that area, saying, “They’ve been very support ive, the coaches have been supportive,

Junior Fami Olorunnisola plays on the line for the Bordentown junior varsity football team. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

her parents. She gets a lot of support in what she does and I think that has given her a lot more confidence about her self esteem and the player she is.”

The opposition, however, can be a different story.

“Of course she caught a little bit of flack from the other team realizing there is a girl out there,” Edwards said. “They didn’t know what they were gonna do or how they would handle it. But she’s done a great job out here. She hangs right in there, jumps right on the scout team at left guard, never hesitates.

“When she goes against the varsity guys, the tempo is much faster than what she sees on a Monday (in JV games). It’s not bad for her to do that. She will engage with the person, but she’s gotta learn how to keep her feet.”

It hasn’t been easy for Olorunnisola, who stands 5-foot-7, 170 pounds. It’s one thing to be playing a sport you know nothing about, and it’s even more disconcerting to be playing against the boys. But she has been figuring it out.

“I’m not gonna lie, I was really scared at first,” she said. “I didn’t know what I was doing. I talked to the coach but I kind of kept to myself. I never talked to my teammates or anything like that because I was just nervous. Going into the weight room I would ask the coach a million questions.

I was a scared little girl, but now I’m very comfortable.

“I do know the game now, looking at it from the beginning of playing and where I am now I do know the rules. I still am learning so I still ask questions but I feel I do know the game.”

Fami says she is accused of trash talking at times, but points out that it’s the other way around.

“I have the pink glittery mouth guard so when they see that and see the hair they kind of assume I’m a girl, but they’re not sure,” she said. “After the game when I take off my helmet they’re surprised. A lot of them say ‘Good job, good for you playing football.’ Sometimes in the game they like to intimidate me or scare me, but I’m (thinking) ‘I’m not scared of them.’”

It’s the kind of attitude needed down in the trenches. What makes Fami’s aggressiveness a bit surprising, is that she is so pleasant and affable in conversation.

“Yeah but she’ll put her game face on,” Edwards said. “She’ll block, she’ll tackle, do whatever she has to do. I guess she’s a pleasant surprise. I always have an eye on her to see how she’s doing.”

For the most part, the coach has liked what he’s seen from a player who has finally put her aggressiveness to use in a good way.

Lilies of the pond

Doug Kiovsky THE BEND IN THE RIVER

sediment that resembled a shimmering snake. The flourishing vegetation tantalized Edmund’s inquisitive mind.

Everyone knows that there’s a good reason why New Jersey is nicknamed the Garden State. We are blessed with producing some of the best fruits and vegetables in the nation.

According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, crops such as eggplant, bell peppers, cranberries, blueberries, peaches, sweet corn and our famous Jersey tomatoes are more abundant and delicious than those grown in the farm belt and neighboring states. Admittedly, we have the most productive farmland in the country based on highest dollar value per acre. That means roughly 27% of our landmass, or 715,000 tillable acres, are preserved for the purpose of agriculture.

For a small state recognized for its dense population, that’s extremely impressive. In addition, our nursery, greenhouse, and sod industries have annually ranked high among the top 10 states. On any given day, it’s hard to miss these bucolic farms as they present themselves along country roads through nearby Chesterfield and Upper Freehold Townships.

Although Bordentown City and its surrounding landscape don’t showcase similar scenery, its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was the site of the first successful aquatics nursery in the country, established in 1876 by Edmund Day Sturtevant (1842-1922). The Westport, New York native grew up and managed a farm overlooking the western shoreline of Lake Champlain. But the frigid winters were daunting challenges for a man with a restless spirit.

By 1870, he had decided to venture south to Beverly, New Jersey, where he worked as a gardener before settling in Bordentown. Understanding the composition and benefits of soil, he would walk several blocks from his home on Carpenter Street and observe wildlife in the meadow below the embankment where Black’s Creek flowed.

At high tide, water spilled over into low areas where wetland plants sustained a rich swig of nutrients. At low tide, the creek’s bank walls were exposed of dark

Although he was eager to find a natural location for aquatic plants to thrive, he concentrated his efforts on the water lily tank that he constructed in his shade-free back yard for the public to enjoy. The tank, measuring 20 by 30 feet, was lined with nine inches of brick, and hand dug to a depth of two feet. The base was laid with rough stone and grouted with cement.

Then he installed pots and wooden boxes of different sizes that were filled with soil and an inch of clean sand before aquatic tubers were inserted to allow for staggered height. Lastly, water was poured in the tank for an hour each day to prevent stagnation and evaporation loss.

The landscape was quite unusual, as the tank was connected to the home by a glass greenhouse filled with vaulting grape vines. A hot-water boiler kept the water warm, thus protecting the plants from freezing in the winter.

Edmund’s success as one of the country’s leading florists grew exponentially. Traveling to other states and abroad in Europe, he tromped through all conditions of mud and muck to collect the finest specimens of lilies, lotuses, and bog foliage plants that could be found and brought back to Bordentown for cultivation.

In the fall of 1878, his remarkably brilliant plants were in full bloom for the country to see at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in Philadelphia. At home, he held the first garden festival in town, with a throng of 500 people that were treated to an evening gala of music and fine food accentuated by lilies illuminated by a machine for manufacturing electric light.

The following year, his life was illuminated by marital bliss as Eunice Filley (1845-1940) of Springfield, Massachusetts became his wife in an extravagant ceremony. Within two years, they moved to Prince Street and started a family, while Edmund maintained his business office at the corner of Union Street and Farnsworth Avenue.

Known as a “master of his vocation,” he introduced the first public catalog for aquatic plants in the country. The catalog was devoted to a vast array of water lilies, fuchsias, floating plants, greenhouse plants, roses, and ferns that were very affordable to the average homeowner.

As the demand for aquatic plants was rising across the continent, Sturtevant focused his attention again on Black’s Creek and the search for a large pool

Edmund Sturtevant started the first aquatic nursery in the U.S. — right here in Bordentown

or cove where he could grow his plants offsite. One day as he trekked along the slippery bank, he found a manmade cove, or mill pond, that was one or two feet deep.

Unable to bridle his excitement, he wrote about his observations upon his return home: “two miles from my present home is an artificial pond, a secluded corner of which was selected for the experiment.” That experiment involved the cultivation of a single Egyptian lotus tuber that Edmund extracted from Kew Gardens near London.

Within a few years, its offspring spread and the surface of the water “showed a solid mass of magnificent foliage and bloom, covering threequarters of an acre.” Standing three to six feet above its broad leaves, stalks of pink and white flowers projected a colorful horizon that seemed out of character with the environment of Black’s Creek. Slender rhizomatic roots were snatched by net, stored, and transported to desired destinations like the fountain basins in New York’s Central Park, Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Lincoln Park in Chicago, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and the Botanic Gardens in Washington.

Although Edmund’s experiment was a proven success, with plant seeds having noticeable resilience, the reality was that without the implementation of large greenhouses, some of the inventory was sacrificed to the whims of winter weather. Forging a bold plan, he decided to travel west and establish his aquatic nursery in the dry hills of Hollywood, in California.

After four years of fulfilling this endeavor on a 15-acre site, he had built a reputation so great that he left his business and nursery in Bordentown for a permanent stake in the Golden State. Moving his family to Los Angeles, he purchased an extravagant home in the style of Spanish Revival splendor.

Always active, he contributed articles for the California State Floral Society. Less than a year before his death in 1922, he sold his business to a 27-yearold nurseryman named Harry Johnson (1894-1987).

As a teenager, Johnson had gained knowledge in the field by working many summers for Sturtevant. After graduating from high school in 1912, he was employed in various capacities regarding the care of plants. Returning to Los Angeles as a married man, Johnson

became a teacher of horticulture in the city’s school system.

Thrilled about the acquisition of his former mentor’s business, he changed the name to Johnson Water Gardens. In 1928, he moved the nursery 15 miles south to Hynes, California. While at this 10-acre site, he became known for growing cactus and other succulent plants. He named this separate branch Johnson Cactus Gardens.

In keeping the theme with his late employer, he published two catalogs a year beginning in 1936: one for water and aquatic plants, and the other for cactus and succulent plants. The covers always advertised, “Since 1876,” with a pictured profile of Sturtevant in color.

Johnson always enjoyed boasting to his fellow customers that “we have one of the largest stocks of Water Lilies in this country, as well as the most complete.”

In the late 1940s, Johnson’s two sons handled different aspects of the nursery: one son was in charge of retail sales, while the other was in charge of wholesale. During that time, the business employed a staff of 10 full-time and about 10 part-time workers. With productivity high, Johnson was able to take foreign excursions in search of collecting new specimens and seeds from cacti.

These were then propagated and distributed from his nursery as brilliantlooking hybrids. In 1969, he moved operations once more to the town of Fallbrook, California, where it became a wholesale nursery called Cactilandia Gardens.

Edmund Sturtevant and Harry Johnson were crown achievers in their own right. They introduced hybridized aquatic plants that were unparalleled in this country and created the first public catalogs for selling them. Beginning with the Gilded Age, water lilies and lotus plants became the rage for any wealthy industrialist to exhibit either inside or outside of their own home, as long as they had a fountain of circulating water.

In the early 20th century, Harry Johnson improved perfection as he propagated and hybridized beautifully colored cacti and succulent plants for customers who resided primarily in the West.

To think that, from the seed of Bordentown, sprouted a blossoming floral industry.

Doug Kiovsky is the vice president of the Bordentown Historical Society.

First, when and why see a geriatrician?

Ask The Doctor

See our ads in SIX09 section pgs 5 and 7

Geriatrician Sara Ali, MD, an RWJBarn abas Health Medical Group provider affil iated with Robert Wood Johnson Univer sity Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, recommends patients 65+ see a geriatrician at least once.

As we age, our body functions differently and a geriatrician is trained specifically in identifying and treating symptoms and illnesses specific to this population. Geriatricians can either see patients as their Primary Care Physician or as a specialist working in tandem with their existing physician.

Dr. Ali shares her top three tips for healthy aging so we can make the most of all our years.

1. Adopt a healthy diet as early as possible and continue this as you age. Eating well is the best way to get important nutrients, maintain heart health and fuel your body. The key to eating well is balanced meals that include protein, carbs, fruits and vegetables, and consuming the appropriate number of calories. Speak to your provider about the right number of calories for you and your specific health needs or goals. When we eat well, we often have more energy and an overall sense of being healthy.

2. Maintain a regular exercise routine. While regular exercise is recommended at any age, it is especially important as we age. Cardiovascular activities such as walking are a great way to support your overall health, especially your heart health. Strength training, exercises done with weights, helps develop and maintain muscle. The combination of cardiovascular and strength

exercises will help you maintain an active lifestyle. I also recommended incorporating balance training, such as yoga or Tai chi, into your weekly routine. By building better balance, you can reduce your risk for falls as you age. In addition to the many physical health benefits to exercise, daily movement is also great for mental health. I always suggest taking a walk or doing yoga with friends, loved ones, or even a pet to make it more social and enjoyable.

3. No matter your age, it is always recommended to take your medication exactly as prescribed by your provider. This is important because taking medication infrequently or stopping suddenly can negatively impact your health. If you have concerns about a medication or dosage, ask your pharmacist or provider. Even if you don’t have questions, bring a list of all current medications, including any vitamins and supplements, to every doctor’s appointment. And, never stop taking any medication unless instructed to do so by your provider.

And last, I invite those in our local communities to take advantage of our completely complimentary Better Health

Program where you can “Rediscover your body, mind, and spirit” through free programming and activities. Attend Tai Chi and yoga, learn how to incorporate healthy tasty food choices into your diet, and attend our medical educational classes where our physicians and experts provide guidance and health education programs designed for those 65+ years old,” shares Dr. Ali.

To register, visit us at rwjbh.org/rwjuniversity-hospital-hamilton/treatmentcare/senior-health/better-healthprogram, or call (609) 584-5900.

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 a complete program of events, to register for a program, go online to rwjbh.org/events. For more information, call (609) 584-5900.

Bordentown Home For Funerals supports annual Riverfest

Here, it’s all about people.

Here, it’s all about people.

Here, it’s all about people.

Being together has never meant more. And The Landing of Hamilton gives residents enriching and soul‑filling social connections – from a warm and caring staff, to daily group events, and friend making moments.

Being together has never meant more. And The Landing of Hamilton gives residents enriching and soul‑filling social connections – from a warm and caring staff, to daily group events, and friend making moments.

Being together has never meant more. And The Landing of Hamilton gives residents enriching and soul‑filling social connections – from a warm and caring staff, to daily group events, and friend making moments.

All tailored to each individual, in the safest environment possible.

All tailored to each individual, in the safest environment possible.

All tailored to each individual, in the safest environment possible.

Call today to find out more about our trial stays!

Call today to find out more about our trial stays!

Call today to find out more about our trial stays!

1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road

1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road

1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road

Hamilton 609.241.9538

Hamilton 609.241.9538

TheLandingOfHamilton.com

TheLandingOfHamilton.com

TheLandingOfHamilton.com

Hamilton 609.241.9538

Dr. Sara Ali

Bordentown Funerals present a check for $1,500 to the Hope Hose Human 1 Riverfest Committee at the 2022 Riverfest held on Oct. 15, 2022. Pictured left to right: Nancy Maugeri, Ed Foley, Brian Maugeri, Stephanie Pecht, Ed Foley, Jr., Barbara Foley, Margot Pecht, Robert Pecht, Judy Girton, Tiana Ramirez, Kate Brienza, Veronica Fulton, Amy Libbon, Janet Klotz and Terry Schwing.