11-22 EO

Irish soccer field named in honor of longtime coach

By Rich Fisher

When it came to naming Notre Dame High’s new turf soccer field in honor of Mike Perone, there was no decision to be made. It was more automatic than a penalty kick with no goalie defending.

“I think that there’s no other person more deserving than coach

Perone,” said former Irish player Jake Nerwinski, a 2014 ND grad now in his sixth MLS season with the Vancouver Whitecaps. “To sustain the success he had with Notre Dame for such a long time—and I mean long time—it’s so impressive and shows what kind of person he is. There’s no ND boys soccer without Coach Perone and I’m very

happy that his legacy is now set in stone…I mean turf!”

How long was it? Try 40 years. So long, that he coached Nerwinski’s uncle Frank in his first year of 1977, and his father, Kevin, in the early 1980s. All three Nerwinskis are Lawrenceville products.

“I think the field could not have See PERONE, Page 14

TWW takeover

State initiates DEP oversight of beleaguered utility

By Bill SANserViNo

Enough is finally enough with Trenton Water Works. The state Department of Environmental Protection is intervening in the daily operations of TWW, which has failed to address numerous problems in the provision of safe drinking water for many years.

The utility, which is owned and run by the city of Trenton, supplies approximately 29 million gallons of drinking water every day to more than 200,000 people—including all of Trenton and Ewing, and parts of Hamilton, Hopewell and Lawrence townships.

In 2020, the state attorney general and DEP filed a lawsuit against TWW—which was joined the municipalities served by the water utility—seeking to compel the City of Trenton and the water utility to take the necessary actions after failing to comply with Administrative Consent Orders to provide safe drinking water.

The takeover in TWW operations follows a months-long investigation by the DEP of conditions affecting the utility that concluded that it continues to struggle to meet water safety regulations.

The DEP takeover also comes

amidst reports that Legionella—the bacteria that causes the sometimesdeadly Legionnaires’ disease—has been detected in the water systems of homes throughout TWW’s service area (see page 6).

In an announcement on Oct. 12, the governor’s office said that the state “will work with the city to enhance TWW’s technical and managerial capacity.” The goal is to improve the operations and maintenance of the utility.

“Since the outset of my administration, the provision of clean, affordable drinking water and the promotion of healthy communities have remained among our foremost priorities,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “Under the leadership of the DEP and in coordination with the City of Trenton, we will work tirelessly to safeguard our residents and return water system quality to the level our communities deserve.”

DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said that the state needs to invest more time, attention and resources in struggling utilities like TWW. He added that the state will provide direct operational oversight to help TWW build the capacity necessary to better serve the public.

“Through this initiative, DEP and the city will more fully assess the system’s needs, meet its challenges, and ensure its long-term

Academy Dental

AcademyDentalNJ.com

The new turf soccer field at Notre Dame is being named after Ewing resident Mike Perone (left). The former soccer coach is pictured with his assistant coach of 40 years, Sigmund “Ziggy” Zegarski, and former player Jake Nerwinski. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

Richard J. Isolde

Sungkyu S. Lee (“SQ”)

Before joining Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, SQ worked for a large insurance company defending policyholders who were being sued. He concentrated his practice on

accidents and

SQ brings his skills

experience from the

side to the plaintiff side in order help injured

recover from those that caused

Larry Ganges,

success for the benefit of the people of Trenton and the surrounding communi ties that this system serves,” the commis sioner said.

The state said TWW is in need of sig nificant improvements to aging infra structure, including its 7-acre, openair-reservoir that stores and provides already treated water to about 70 percent of TWW’s distribution system. The res ervoir is in violation of a federal require ment that all outside reservoirs be covered.

The state takeover will be imple mented in two-phases to be carried out concurrently.

The first phase is the immediate reten tion and deployment of a “capacity-build ing force” of managerial and technical experts who will focus on improving rou tine operations and maintenance, as well as immediate capital needs.

As part of this, TWW will allow the direct oversight and monitoring of the system by the DEP and its consultants— including a third-party adviser who will monitor and assess all system operations and maintenance.

The state will also add necessary tech nical and managerial capacity to the sys tem, and make technical, managerial and financial recommendations necessary to bring the system into full compliance with applicable law.

The second phase is a full-scale assess ment and preparation of organizational and operational recommendations. Under this phase, the third-party adviser will conduct a comprehensive technical, managerial and financial capacity assess ment of the system. This will result in a report of organizational and operational recommendations, as well as short- and long-term asset management and capi tal improvement recommendations that will serve the basis of future action and investment.

“The DEP and the City will collaborate to ensure that the progress and outcomes of this initiative are open and transparent to the public,” said the state’s takeover announcement.

The state also said that as of Oct. 12, water quality sample results submitted to DEP by TWW reflected that the water system meets applicable water quality standards. “DEP will continue to closely monitor water quality parameters and other indicators of the status of the TWW system.”

“If TWW exceeds a regulatory standard for drinking water quality, or if DEP oth erwise determines that an acute risk to public health exists, the public notification would be issued to all TWW customers.”

It seems that the catalyst for the take over was a compliance report to Trenton on Sept. 27 that summarized the DEP’s observations and concerns after it con ducted inspections of TWW facilities last Oct. 26, Oct. 27 and Nov. 8, and Feb. 3 of this year.

After that, the DEP continued to meet frequently with TWW representatives and provided significant compliance assistance.

Although the 17-page report recog nized Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora’s efforts “to improve operating condi tions and advance long-overdue capital improvements,” DEP officials were “dis turbed by the current city council’s con tinuing failures or refusals to authorize resolutions necessary to advance critical capital improvements and ensure that ordinary maintenance and operations needs crucial to the protection of public health are met.”

The report states that TWW has “repeatedly failed to properly maintain critical treatment processes, monitor water quality as required by the U.S. Safe Water Drinking Act, employ adequately trained operating personnel, and invest in required maintenance and capital needs...

“Since 2012, the Department has iden tified at least 40 incidents, including 18 in the past 5 years, where TWW’s treatment plant was shut down for reasons includ ing brownouts, treatment failures, and high turbidity in the Delaware River.”

The full compliance report can be found at dep.nj.gov/trentonwater along with other DEP documents related TWW compliance issues.

Gusciora said he welcomes working with the DEP to resolve outstanding issues and ensure safe drinking water. He said that would announce a proposed plan to address the issues raised by the DEP “in the near future.”

The mayor has struggled since being elected in 2018 to right the ship at the util ity. Gusciora, as well as many state and local officials, have laid a large chunk of the blame at the feet of Trenton City Council, which has consistently failed to approve financing for improvements and infrastructure projects.

“As we’ve dealt with City Council obstruction, we are resolute and deter mined in our efforts to build on the sub stantial progress we’ve made, fulfilling the promise I made to modernize the TWW system to ensure clean and safe drinking water for our customers and service-area residents for generations to come,” said Gusciora in response to the DEP’s takeover.

“If the Trenton City Council had done their job, we would not find ourselves in this position,” Gusciora recently

THANK YOU for stopping in for a trim last month. It was great to see you and hopefully you become one of our many regulars. As you can see, we’re making an honest effort to provide our community with the BEST in barbershop services. Just walk-in anytime, or get an appointment online at Booksy. For additional information, click the Capital Barbershop link on our website, TBSbarbershops.com.

Capital Barbershop

179 Scotch Road, Ewing (Directly across from Glen Roc Shopping Center) 609-403-6147 • 3 chairs with quality barbers 9-6 weekdays. 9-4 Saturday.

Next Please?

said. “They voted down critical proj ects, including decommissioning the reservoir, replacing water mains, lead remediation, heavy equipment, facility upgrades, chemical purchases and debt service.”

In response to the compliance report, state, county and officials in municipali ties served by TWW called for the state to step in and take over operations at TWW. It was a short time later that the DEP stepped in.

Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes condemned the “irresponsibil ity and recklessness of the (Trenton) City Council for its egregious neglect of the water system, its disregard for the directives set forth by the NJDEP and the injustices it has placed on communities of color and on all Trenton Water Works customers.”

Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann said that the findings in the compliance report “confirm why Ewing joined with its neigh bors Lawrence and Hamilton to protect its citizens from this failing authority.”

“It is time for legislation that will pro vide a meaningful remedy to the subur ban ratepayers being held hostage to the Trenton City Council’s intransigence,” Steinmann said. “On behalf of the citizens of Ewing, we implore DEP to act imme

diately to compel TWW to correct these deficiencies and ensure the safety of the water provided by TWW to its more than 200,000 consumers.”

Legionalla found in TWW service area homes

Several days after the takeover announcement, the state had more bad news for TWW.

The state Department of Health announced that the presence of Legio nella—the bacteria that causes Legion naires’ disease—was identified in water samples collected from more than half of 30 homes served by TWW. This included homes from Trenton, Ewing and parts of Lawrence and Hopewell townships.

The Health Department’s testing was conducted in September after Legionella had been found in several homes that were voluntarily tested within the Ham ilton Township area served by TWW in July.

The homes tested in Hamilton Town ship were part of an ongoing investi gation to determine potential causes of Legionnaires’ disease previously detected in Hamilton Township, with five cases including one death reported since December 2021. The most recent case was reported to the Health Department

in September 2022.

After the Hamilton cases, health offi cials tested the additional 30 homes in the TWW service area outside of Hamilton. The Department of Health did not report the exact number of homes where the bacteria was found.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneu monia that people can get after breath ing in aerosolized water containing the Legionella bacteria. People cannot get Legionnaires’ disease by drinking water that has Legionella. Though uncommon, people can get sick when water contain ing Legionella is aspirated into the lungs while drinking.

It is not known if individuals with Legi onella detected in their homes are more likely to develop Legionnaires’ disease.

“While it remains rare for a healthy person who is exposed to Legionella to become sick with Legionnaires’ dis ease, people who are 50 years or older, especially those who smoke, or those with certain medical conditions, includ ing weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or other chronic health con ditions, are at increased risk,” stated the Department of Health’s announcement.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches, which are similar to symptoms caused

by other respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal but is treatable with antibiotics. It is important for anyone who thinks they have symp toms of Legionnaires’ disease to contact their health care provider and seek medi cal evaluation immediately.

The Department of health said it con tinues to partner with the DEP and TWW to investigate factors that may be promot ing the growth of Legionella bacteria and to evaluate remedial actions that can be taken to reduce Legionella in the system.

Courtney Peters-Manning, the mayor of Hopewell Township, said that the Legi onella test results underscore that more needs to be done at TWW.

“While DEP’s actions last month are a good first step to fix immediate opera tional problems, longer term financial issues remain a concern, and the Trenton City Council in the past has voted down important investments in the utility.” she said. “Legislative action needs to ensure that the safe drinking water of 225,000 people is not held hostage by how the political winds blow in Trenton.”

“I look forward to working with our legislative representatives and surround ing cities and towns to ensure that these changes become reality,” she said. “We will not rest until this is accomplished.”

Edward Pattik

Director

M. Hughes,

HEALTH EDUCATION

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

Location:

Meeting

Are

area

pain in

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!

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.

November

Adopt-a-Survivor Program BeginsatEwing HighSchool

Nearlysixty years since Alliedforcesliberated the Naziconcentration camps,the now elderly survivors ofthe Holocaust are turning toa new generation topreservetheir testimony about their wartime experiences for futuregenerations.

Holocaust survivors are steadilydwindling in number. Manyhavemadeittheir mission toeducate the world thatanti-Semitism and racismeasilylead tomurder, and tospeak about the horrors theyand their familiessuffered. Withthe passing oftime, ithas becomeurgenttofind a new generationtocontinue the survivors’mission and telltheir stories after the survivors can nolongerdoso.

The Ewing Public Schools

The Ewing Public Schools

2005

Teacher of the Year Recipients are Honored

EWING HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

All Middle School Students and Families are Invited! Your future starts here!

On Thursday, November 17th, beginning at 6:30PM, Ewing High School will open its doors to the community for the Ewing High School Open House. This event is designed for middle school students and their parents, and is open to any child or parent from the community who is interested in learning about the high school and its programs.

OnApril 12, the Adopt-a-Survivor(AAS) program was introducedtothe Trenton areaatEwing HighSchool. Six Holocaust survivors wereadopted bytwelveEwing Highsophomores. The adopted survivors—Moshe Gimlan, VeraGoodkin,Marion Lewin,RuthLubitz, Charles Rojer and JackZaifman— wereoriginallyfromGermany, Czechoslovakia, Polandand Belgium.

“This is an opportunity for us to showcase our outstanding staff, highlight all of our accomplishments and programs, and really convey that Ewing High School is a won derful place to learn,” stated Ewing High School Principal Mr. Chmiel.

According to Mr. Chmiel, the Open House will begin with a presentation on the high school in the newly refurbished Ewing High School auditorium, that will outline the four year curriculum requirements, describe courses available, special programs, ath letics and extracurricular offerings and after-school activities available to all students.

“We pride ourselves in being a comprehensive high school,” Mr. Chmiel comment ed. “We want parents and potential students to understand that if you come to Ewing High School, there is indeed something for everyone: Excellent academics, an athletic program built to emphasize not only achievement, but participation, and outstanding offerings in arts and technology.”

The AAS program pairs a survivorwithone or morestudents. The studentsembarkona joint journey withthe survivorthrough discussions about life before, duringand after the Holocaust.Participating studentswillbeabletorepresent the survivorand tellthe survivor’sstory withaccuracyand feeling in the years tocome. Inaddition, eachstudent makes a commitmenttotellthe survivor’sstory ina public venue inthe year2045, a hundred years after the liberationofAuschwitz.

The twelvestudent adoptersare DaveAngebranndt, Tyler Barnes, Annie Cook, Liz Dunham, Emily Everett, CurtisFornarotto, Vildana Hajric, Devon Jones, Jen Meade,Billy O’Callaghan,NikytaSharmaand

Contact:

“Over the past few years we have had our staff recognized by various organizations for their excellence, seen our art, music and technology programs reach new heights, and sent many of our graduates to the best colleges and universities in the nation,” Mr. Chmiel stated. “Ewing High School is one of the few high schools in the nation that was twice honored by the College Board for our student achievement. We promote inclusivity and acceptance, and we are very proud of our positive school culture. We want prospective students who attend our presentation to understand all of the out standing experiences they can be a part of here at EHS.”

Ewing High Students Attend Gorbachev Presentation

Whitney Lewis, EHS Freshman

On April 18, 2005 Ms. Chiavuzzo, Mrs. Walker and 30 Ewing High School freshmen joined several Mercer County high school and college students, and politicians to hear a presentation given by Mikhail Gorbachev at the Sovereign Bank Arena. Gorbachev was the last communist leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. During his term he instituted various policies including his political policy of Glasnost and economic policy

of Perestroika. His policies reopened churches, released political prisoners, and lifted bans on previously censored books.

The 20th anniversary of Perestroika was one of the essential themes of Gorbachev’s presentation. The policy’smain goal was to make the Soviet economic system more efficient. Perestroika involved the transfer of control from the government to the business owners. This policycontinued on page A2

After the approximately half-hour presentation, you will be able to tour the high school where visitors can view many of the facility improvements that have taken place, which include aesthetic additions, technology improvements, modern athletic facilities and a revitalized fitness center. Exhibits hosted by staff and students highlighting aca demic offerings and displays from clubs and activities will also be available.

“We are working hard to promote a strong sense of school pride and unity,” re marked Mr. Chmiel, who will be joined by Assistant Principals Michael Colonna and Shalieka Jarrett for the presentation. “We hope that parents and their children find the opportunity to join us on November 17th.”

Have a Happy Summer!!

FREE food and refreshments will be available in the cafeteria, where the school’s athletic and extracurricular programs will be on display.

GoodNews will resume with the September issue of the Observer

So come on out and find out about the GREAT programs that Ewing High School has to offer! You will be impressed!

Open House • November 17th • 6:30pm

Due to budget restraints NO Summer School Programs will be offered by the Ewing Public Schools during the Summer of 2005.

The recipients of the 2005 Teacher of the Year Awards were honored at a luncheon on April 29th. Jan Fay, 2004 Mercer County Teacher of the Year, was a guest speaker. 1st row (L to R): Joan Zuckerman, Principal Antheil; Sharon Solomon, Lore; Jan Fay, 2004 Mercer County Teacher of the Year; Inetta Emery, Principal Parkway; Danielle Miller, EHS; Superintendent Ray Broach. 2nd row: Darrell Jackson, Principal FMS; Donna Andreas, Antheil; Don Barnett, FMS; Betsy Turgeon, Parkway; Rodney Logan, Principal EHS.

EHS Principal Mr. Edward Chmiel

The Ewing Public Schools

EHS Seniors Visit Rutgers University-New Brunswick

On Thursday, October 6th, Rutgers University hosted a group of 40 Ewing High seniors for an official group visit. After checking in at the Visitor Center on Busch Campus, the group enjoyed a two-hour walk ing tour of the College Av enue campus led by Scarlet Ambassador guides. Recent Ewing High graduates Madison Burnett and Hannah Washington met the group for lunch on The Yard to share some of their experiences and advice about making the transition from high school to college. After lunch, the group were led on a bus tour of the Livingston, Busch, and Cook/Douglas campuses by EHS teacher and Rut gers alum Alexander Minter, while EHS counselor Iné Collins also provided important information about the next steps of the college application pro cess, including how to apply for financial aid. The seniors all raved about the experience, and almost all of them are now planning to apply to RutgersNew Brunswick for admission in Fall 2023.

Dr. Antoni, Director of Counseling Services shared, “Ewing High School seniors toured the beau tiful and illustrious campuses of Rutgers-New Bruns wick. In addition to the tour, these seniors interacted with professionals specializing in college admissions and financial aid. It was a productive day!”

This trip marked the official return of the EHS College Tour program, which was created in 2015 with the goal of introducing our high school stu dents to a diverse sampling of college environments with various demographics in location, size, and degree of competitiveness.

Apples and Learning

The Parkway students in Mrs. Tink and Mrs. Ma vroudis’ 3rd grade classrooms know that learning can be fun when connected to the seasons. That’s why on a warm, autumn afternoon the two classrooms went outside for a fall lesson about apples. After the stu dents made up a list of adjectives to describe apples, they wrote descriptive sentences such as I like to eat big, red, juicy apples. Next the students enjoyed taste-testing different kinds of apples and recorded if the apple was juicy, crunchy, sweet, or sour. Students also enjoyed listening to the story Fancy Nancy Apples Galore! Finally, no apple lesson is complete without some apple desserts. Apple juice, apple dan ish and apple cake made this outing extra special!

Homecoming Traditions Return to Ewing High School

who defeated Lawrence by a score of 35-0. Half time featured a parade of the eight members of the Homecoming Senior Court: Amaris Armstrong, Nevin Davila, Jacob Schwartz, Samuel Schwartz, Jade Smith, Sydney Smith, Makayla Williams, and Jayden White. These seniors were nominated by EHS faculty for their excellence in academics, ath letics, extra-curriculars, leadership, and community service and then elected by students and staff.

Ewing High School celebrated its first traditional Homecoming since the fall of 2019 on Saturday, September 24th. The festivities kicked off with a dominant performance by the varsity football team,

After the football game, over 400 EHS students attended the Homecoming Dance in the North Gym to enjoy the music of DJ and Ewing High graduate Jordon Watkins ’17. The dance also provided the op portunity to crown the freshman, sophomore, and junior members of the Homecoming Court as well as this year’s Homecoming Royalty: Samuel Simpkins and C’Ianna Upshur (9th), Leslie Summiel and Na talia Andreas (10th), Chaz Heading and Isabella Bal estrieri (11th), and Jayden White and Sydney Smith (12th). The event was tremendously successful, and students are already looking forward to the next dance on the calendar -- the junior class cotillion.

Homecoming Royalty (12th) – Sydney Smith & Jayden White; Homecoming Court (11th) – Bella Balestrieri & Chaz Heading; Homecoming Court (10th) – Talli Andreas & Leslie Summiel; Homecoming Court (9th) – Samuel Simpkins & CeeCee Upshur

The Ewing Public Schools

EHS Early College Experience Continues at The College of New Jersey

Ewing High School students who com pleted The Early College Experience at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)

Salsa con Salsa

this summer and are now enrolled in Amy Stevens’s Intro to Digital Media class, which is co-taught with a TCNJ faculty member, took their first EHS field trip of the year when they traveled to TCNJ to check out the makerspace and lighting studio. They spoke with a current TCNJ student about classes,

college life, and her work from her lighting course. Students also had the opportunity to take and edit some photos of their own (shown here).

The highlight of the trip was Eickoff Dining Hall - the ultimate college dining experience!

Senior Spotlight: Meet Jayden White

The EHS Spanish Club and the EHS Culinary Club worked together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by preparing a delicious salsa. The students also learned how to dance the Salsa and enjoyed Lat in music. It was a great activity that represented the rich culture and diversity at Ewing High School. The Spanish Club meets monthly: they cook traditional food, play games, watch movies and create crafts rep resenting all Spanish Speaking Countries. The Span ish Club is open to anyone who wants to embrace and learn about the richness of a beautiful culture.

Learning Math through Play

Benjamin Franklin said, "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."

Thus is the premise for the elementary schools' math program. At Lore School, students spent time this fall exploring math concepts such as place value by in teracting with manipulatives and playing games with classmates. By participating in a game called Island Hopping, students in third grade practiced rounding to the nearest ten, and students in fourth grade played a game called Four Card Draw to compare numbers to the nearest thousands. These activities, have stu dents using manipulatives to think about place value, which will ultimately help them understand not only how, but also why they may exchange when solving math equations. At Lore School, we are learning by doing, and the kids love every minute of it!

On November 17th Ewing High School will host their annual Open House, what do you want middle school students and parents know about the high school? If you surround yourself with people who are hardworking and driven, you have no choice but to be encouraged to do the same. Work hard from the beginning and get involved! It can be very fulfilling to participate and be recognized as a wellrounded student. Though you may feel pressure and overwhelmed, remember that making mistakes is okay and that we are still so young—so enjoy it and make the most of your time!

The past year has been very exciting for you. You are the first ever Ewing student to be selected to receive a Paper Mill Playhouse, Rising Star Award! Tell us how it felt to walk on the “red carpet” and receive the award? Receiving this award was one of the most rewarding moments of my life so far. To be recognized by a theater with such prestige and to be judged/compared to other performers all around the state, to then win—I couldn’t be happier! I really didn’t expect much be ing that there were so many other great performers and it was our first year being adjudicated, but the environment was so welcoming and the event was phenomenal. When they called my name to receive the award I was speechless!

Besides being part of the EHS Drama Depart ment, what activities do you participate in school? I am the vice president of the International Thespian Society and Marketing Manager for our Drama Department. I have also participated in both the choir, orchestra and Mastersingers. During my junior year, I was inducted into the National Honor Society and began running track/cross country.

What other awards or acknowledgements have you received in school or outside of school? I have won a superior medal in a NJ Thespian Fes tival performance. I’ve been a participant in the CJMEA Regions Mixed Chorus both freshman and junior year where I was ranked as one of the top Tenor 1’s. I also finished the Berklee College of Music - Music Production summer program and have been the first stand or principal violist in both the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County and Rowan Community Youth Orchestra.

Who is your favorite teacher and why? There are so many staff members at Ewing High School that have had a sizable impact on my high school career but my favorite has to be Mr. Minter. He has contributed a bunch to my vocal performance through choir, Mas tersingers and the musical. Also he’s really funny and is a great source of energy and happiness everyday! I can’t forget Mrs. Caldwell & Ms. Bohnenberger too!

What is or was your favorite class at EHS? My favorite class has been AP U.S. History! Mr. Burley and Mrs. Walker are some of my favorite teachers and they’ve definitely made history much more enjoyable.

What are your plans after you graduate from Ewing High School? After graduating EHS I defi nitely plan to go to college. Depending on the school I would love to be a performance major (Vocal or Musical Theater) and minor in marketing/business.

Where do you see yourself in ten years from now? In ten years I can envision myself on stage— maybe on Broadway singing, dancing and acting eight shows a week, maybe singing my own songs to an audience, or I could help manage another art ist. Whatever it is, I hope for it to involve music.

What is your favorite quote or book? “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (To Kill a Mockingbird)

The Ewing Public Schools

November 2022 Schedule in Ewing Schools

Nov 2 EHS - Underclassman Picture Day Makeups

Nov 3 EHS - AP Parent Night @ 6:30pm

Nov 5 SAT @ EHS - 7:30am

Nov 8 SCHOOL CLOSED for STUDENTS – Staff Development Day

FMS - Parent Association Meeting @ 6:45pm

National STEM Day

Nov 10 SCHOOL CLOSED – NJEA Convention

Nov 11 SCHOOL CLOSED – NJEA Convention

Nov 14-18 American Education Week

Lore - LPA Fall Book Fair

Nov 15 EHS - Athletic Office Fall Sports Awards Night @ 6:30pm

EHS - S1 T1 Q2 Parent Progress Reports

FMS - End of 1st Marking Period

Elementary Schools - End of 1st Marking Period

Nov 17 EHS - OPEN HOUSE @ 6:30pm

Parkway - Picture Day Makeups

Nov 18 FMS - Picture Day Makeups

Nov 21 Early Dismissal Kindergarten-8th Grade – Parent Conferences

Elementary - Evening Conferences

Nov 22 Early Dismissal Kindergarten-8th Grade – Parent Conferences

FMS - Evening Conferences

NO PM Integrated Preschool Classes

Nov 23 Early Dismissal Kindergarten-12th Grade – NO PM EDP

NO PM Integrated Preschool Classes

FMS - Report Cards

Elementary - School Report Cards

Nov 24 SCHOOL CLOSED – Happy Thanksgiving

Nov 25 SCHOOL CLOSED – Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov 28 BOE Meeting @ 7pm (Public Session @ 8pm) - Lore

Nov 30 EHS - Financial Aid Parent Workshop @ 6:30pm

Lore - Picture Day Makeups

REGISTRATION

Did you move? Do you have a change of address and need to update your address with the Ewing Public Schools? If so, please contact the Central Registration office at 609-538-9800 extension 7181 or bring proof of your change of address to the Central Registration Office located at 220 Ewingville Road, Ewing, New Jersey, Monday-Friday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM. No appointment is necessary. Thank you.

For questions or information, please contact the Superintendent's Office:

609-538-9800 ext. 1102 thullings@ewingboe.org www.ewing.k12.nj.us

Design and Layout by Daniella Crescente

GoodNews is an official publication of The Ewing Public Schools. ©2022 GoodNews

Dear Ewing Public Education Foundation, I have been the co-chair for planning Hands on Science with a Dash of Math Night at Antheil for several years and can’t wait for this year’s event! The event requires a lot of materials to be purchased to be used for science exper iments and math activities and games. There are shows and assemblies that are booked for the night through Mad Science of NJ, the Franklin Institute, and Mobile Ed Productions to name a few. EPEF is an incredible founda tion and has been very giving towards this district-wide event that brings students and families together for a fun night of learning outside of the class room. This event would not be possible without EPEF’s help. Thank you for all that you do for our students and staff in the Ewing Public Schools!

Katie Schuh Health and Physical Education Teacher | Antheil Elementary School

This grant could not be possible without the continued generosity and support through personal donations from individuals like you as well as corporate donors. Please visit us at www.epef.org for information on how to make a donation so we can continue our mission in supporting our students in Ewing Public Schools.

Thank you, EPEF Trustees

been named after anyone other than him,” said Kevin Nerwinski, the Lawrence Township Municipal Director who sits on the ND Board of Governors. “Mike Perone’s reputation and impact on Notre Dame High School and Notre Dame soc cer made it very clear he could be the only choice to name it after.”

Ken Jennings, now in his fourth year as Notre Dame president, was not around for Perone’s coaching years (his first year was Mike’s last as a teacher) but certainly knows of his value.

“We have several members on our board who are former players under coach Perone,” Jennings said. “Once they mentioned his name, it was a unanimous choice. He represents so much of what Notre Dame soccer is about, even where we are today. Once his former players said it should be named after coach Perone, everyone was in agreement. I shared it with folks here at the school and they said ‘Yeah that’s the perfect choice, it’s gotta be named after coach Mike Perone.’ There was not even a scintilla of doubt.”

That’s not exactly true. The man receiv ing the honor doubted it for a moment, thanks to mischievous teacher/coach Greg Schafer.

“When Ken Jennings called me, person ally I thought possibly it was Greg Schafer

playing a joke on me,” Perone said. “That’s the kind of stuff he did to me when I was at Notre Dame. I ended up calling the NJSIAA one day to tell a guy off and found out the guy never called me. It was one of Greg’s buddies.”

When he finally realized it was the real

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to NJSA 13:1D-157 and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Administrative Order 2021-25 (AO 2021-25), that Homasote Company, located at 932 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ, intends to hold a virtual Public Information Session as part of renewing its NJDEP Title V Operating Permit No. BOP190002. The Title V Operating Permit was initially issued on 4/23/2003. Homasote has continuously operated under renewed Title V operating permits since its initial approval. Upon final approval the permit will be renewed for an additional 5 years.

Since 1909, Homasote® has been the only manufacturer of its kind in North America, producing environmentally intelligent building and industrial packaging products made of 98% recycled materials. Located in Ewing, NJ, Homasote employs approximately 100 employees. Pursuant to AO 2021-25, a public information session will be held virtually on November 16, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The information session will be held via Zoom. Please send an email to Kgibson@homasote.com to receive your link.

Concurrent with this notice, Homasote will accept public comments on the Title V Operating Permit renewal for a sixty-day period starting November 1, 2022, and concluding on December 30, 2022. Comments can be submitted via electronic mail to Kgibson@homasote.com or via United States Postal Service to:

Homasote Company

Attention: Kate Gibson 932 Lower Ferry Road Ewing, NJ 08628

got cold either. A lot of nervous energy jumping up and down.”

The dedication takes place at 6 p.m., fol lowed immediately by the alumni game and then a celebration in the student cen ter. Although the scoreboard won’t go up until the spring, Perone’s name will be on it, assuring it will live on for a very long time at Notre Dame.

“That’s really kind of weird for me,” he said. “I just liked coaching. I finally had my fill, and I was able to say ‘OK I’m gonna go,’ and that was it. No way did I ever think my name would be up on the scoreboard or something like that. It wasn’t even in my head.

“I appreciate it. It’s hard to put into words. It means a lot to me the powers that be would feel that way.”

There was good reason to feel that way. Perone took over an already successful program at age 24 in 1977 and promptly won a state championship. That was just the start.

thing, Perone and wife Michelle, who were listening on speaker phone, were taken aback.

“Michelle just goes ‘What!’ and I said the same thing,” Perone said. “This is kind of hard to believe. This is something that usually happens to someone that’s passed away already. I was wondering if they were trying to tell me something. I’m really appreciative to the school and all the play ers who played for me, the ADs, principals, the coaches.

“I was really just happy with it. It’s hard to bring to words, it really is. It was not something that I expected, that’s for sure.”

His response was atypical for Perone, a blue collar guy who has enjoyed his lot in life and never got too emotional (aside from a bad official’s call) about many things.

“It’s just so great,” Jennings said. “I’ve seen him now at several games. I think he was genuinely shocked that this honor would be bestowed on him. He and his wife were just overwhelmed. When you see somebody who really deserves it, it’s just great. He’s a very humble guy, he was not looking for this; where some people would be.”

The honor will take place on Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Eve. With help from cur rent coach Bryan Fisher, Notre Dame is reinstituting the alumni game that Perone started.

Mike’s main concern is if he will have to make a speech, and what is the dress code, since he and assistant Sigmund “Ziggy” Zegarski always wore shorts no matter what the temperature (see sidebar on Zegarski on page 9).

“If the players had to wear shorts, we wore shorts,” Perone said. “I never really

From 1977 to 2017, his teams won 501 games, nine South Jersey Non Public A championships, six state crowns, two Mer cer County Tournament titles and nine Colonial Valley Conference Colonial Divi sion championships.

More than 60 Perone products played college soccer, with nearly half of them going Division I.

He did it all with Zegarski at his side for all 40 years (see sidebar).

“I just think it’s well deserved,” said Zegarski, a soccer legend in Lawrencev ille. “He can appreciate it, his grandkids can appreciate it. It’s something while you’re still living you can enjoy. He’s here and I don’t think he’s going anywhere for a while. This is fantastic. I think in 40 years we maybe had two disgruntled people. Everybody knew their place with Mike and from day one we never changed.”

Which is as much a part of Perone’s legacy as the wins and championships. He was the prototypical no-nonsense guy who kept it completely real with the players, whether they liked it or not.

“My senior year, I was playing left full back on a really good team (co-state cham pions),” Kevin Nerwinski said. “I wanted to play midfield, I wanted to have a little more of a prominent role and I was upset I was playing left fullback and finally had the guts to go talk to him about it.

“I still remember it to this day. I said ‘Coach I want to play a different position. I think I can play midfield and help the team.’ He looked at me and said ‘Well, here’s your choice. You play left back or you don’t play at all, what do you want to do?’ And I had to verbalize my answer to him right away.”

The answer, of course, was he would play left fullback.

“That was a life lesson,” said Zerwinski,

Current Notre Dame soccer coach Bryan Fisher (left), with Ewing resident Mike Perone. The new soccer field at the school is being named after Perone.

who went on to play for Rider. “You don’t always get what you want, but you have to take the opportunities when you have them.”

Over the years, Perone had to slightly soften his stance as society evolved. Being a hard guy wasn’t as easily accepted by players, administrators and parents. And while his message came across less harshly, he remained true and honest with his players.

It helped mold them beyond the pitch.

“Coach Perone played a very impor tant part in my development, not only as a player, but as a person as well,” Jake Ner winski said. “Coach always preached hard work, emphasized teamwork and helped me become a captain and a leader when I wasn’t completely convinced I could ever be one.

“It was always a bit of tough love with him as well. He was very hard on me when he needed to be and tried to always push me and get the very most out of me. I took a lot of the things he taught me in our four years together to the collegiate and profes sional level.”

Those thoughts by Nerwinski and countless other alumni—many who will be back for the big night—are what Perone will truly remember about his career. That, and the 1-0 overtime loss to Lawrenceville in the 1984 Mercer County Tournament final, which was the team’s only blemish in a 23-1 season.

“You always remember the losses more than the wins,” Perone said. “I can remem ber the goal going into the net that beat us. I remember their coach put a towel around his head and I was like ‘Son of a (gun!)’ Zig was standing right next to me saying the same thing. We went onto win the state tournament, but I still remember that. The kid hit a shot, I can’t even tell you how far it was but it had eyes and went into the upper lefthand corner. There was nothing the keeper could do about it.

“That whole 84 team was very special, but every team had its own personality. There were times we weren’t winning either but some years you deal with it, you

say ‘OK we’re gonna be better next year,’ and you go from there.”

No matter how good or bad they were, they would get the same ground rules from their coach every year.

“I always felt we were honest and up front,” Perone said. “I’d say ‘This is how we play, this is what we think, this is the best way of approaching the game.’ I thought most of the time we were prepared for the opponent.

“We didn’t sugarcoat a lot of things. The things we said in the very beginning are things you would never say to a kid today. You do have to change with the times that way and you do have to learn different things that go along with formations and things that change.”

That is easier said than done. The game altered dramatically from when he had Frank and Kevin Nerwinski to when he had Jake. To be able to coach a father and son is a true testament to Perone’s produc tive longevity.

“I think it shows how well he was able to grow with the game,” Jake said. “The game has changed so much in the years that he has coached. For him to still have so much success after every decade makes him one of, if not the best coaches in Mercer County high school soccer history.

“It was never just wins and losses with coach Perone. He wanted to do his very best to try and mold us into mature young adults. He challenged us every single day at training and was much more than a coach to us. He was someone I greatly respect and looking back I now really appreciate our time together.”

Just as Perone appreciates his time with those countless players he coached, most who will be thrilled that there will be a Mike Perone Field at their alma mater.

“It’s all about relationships,” Perone said. “It’s humbling to know so many of them are coming back. That’s really spe cial. I still can’t put my head around it. I hate to say it, but I’ll probably tear up that night.”

And he may not be the only one.

Ewing artist makes a name for herself in pastel

By Tom Kelly

At 25 years old, Ewing-based artist Alexandra Pietsch recognizes she is just beginning her art career and find ing her way — despite working as a graphic designer and winning an award at the recent Ellarslie Open at the Tren ton City Museum, aka the Ellarslie Mansion.

“I have always enjoyed using tradi tional artists’ mediums such as char coal, colored pencil, chalk pastel, and watercolor,” the Moore College gradu ate says. “The work I have on display at the Ellarslie museum is in chalk pas tel, which is one of my favorite medi ums as I am able to layer the color and shadows.”

The Ellarslie Open is the museum’s annual juried show that attracts several hundred submissions. This year’s juror was Walter Wickiser, owner and direc tor of Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York City.

Pietsch had two paintings accepted in the pastel category with her portrait of Betsy Ross garnering the Best in Show - Pastel award.

The artist whose work reflects a love of animals and the natural world says, “I have been artistically talented my whole life, ever since I was very young.

So I’ve always wanted to focus my career on the arts.

“When I was a kid I would draw car toon characters I would see on TV and

redraw my favorite pictures from sto rybooks. I remember when I was in second grade an illustrator visited my school during an assembly, and that’s when I first realized that I could be an artist as a career path. That illustra tor was Denise Brunkus, who is well known for the Junie B. Jones line of storybooks.

“When I was in high school, I won awards for my artwork, including the NJ Teen Media Award from the Depart ment of Human Services, as well as the MLK Scholastic National Poster Contest.”

Getting parental support at a young age was crucial for Pietsch to pursue her path in the arts. “My parents and grandparents are not artists, but they have always encouraged me to pursue my creative work. My mother used to be an early childhood educator, so she knew how important it was to have chil dren get hands-on experience with arts and crafts at a young age. My younger siblings, Ellen and Erik, are also artisti cally talented.”

While studying at Moore in Phila delphia, Pietsch loved having the stu dio space and the support of the other art students and teachers. But she also sought out feedback from the non-art ist community. “Sometimes a different point of view can help, too. Non-artists look at things differently.”

In addition to studio instruction, Moore also made Pietsch look back at those who had come before her. “I am a big fan of art history, so I’m influ enced by classical western artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio in their use of composition and dramatic lighting. I am also influenced by classic American children’s book illustrators such as Garth Williams, Howard Pyle, and Charles Santore. I admire their captivating artwork and how they use anthropomorphism in storytelling.”

Pietsch finds subject matter from her surroundings and her own life, such as the Betsy Ross portrait inspiration coming after a visit to the Betsy Ross Museum in Old City, Philadelphia. She also finds inspiration in strong women. “I liked the connection between Betsy Ross and how sewing a piece of textile maybe united a nation.

“I choose subject matter that I find visually compelling and that I feel draws inspiration. I use my artwork as a way to bring focus to the subject matter. I get inspiration from observing the world around me. I’ve done portraits of people as well as animals. During

Ewing-based artist Alexandra Pietsch won ‘Best in Pastel’ at the Ellarslie Open for her image of Betsy Ross, pictured at left.

Eugene Ryfinski, MD

Paul Walker, DO, FAAFP Maya Mann, PA-C

Pietsch’s pastel portrait of Betsy Ross at left, and ‘The Three Musketeers’ at right, were on display at this year’s Ellarlie Open.

my senior show in college, I focused my thesis on pet portraiture. I want to use my artwork to bring awareness and make the world a better place. There is so much going on in this world. If my artwork makes someone feel happy and brightens their day, then I’ve accom plished my goal.”

Speaking about female influences Pietsch mentions comic books, Japa nese anime, and manga. “These helped get me into art. The Japanese stories have many more female protagonists, unlike Marvel and DC comics where the women superheroes just seem to piggyback on the male characters.

“I am a big fan of Japanese anima tion and graphic novels geared towards a female audience. ‘Sailor Moon’ and ‘Fruits Basket’ are a couple of my favor ite titles which also have an impact on me and my artwork.

“Other titles I recommend are ‘The Rose of Versailles,’ ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena,’ ‘Tokyo Mew Mew,’ and (direc tor Hayao) Miyazaki films. I like the well-developed characters and stories. Anime and manga have historically had more female as well as queer protago nists, so the story flows more naturally.”

Pietsch says she also learned at Moore, a historically female-only col lege, that women’s voices are tradi tionally under-represented — that it is harder for women artists to succeed and that women are more likely to underprice their work.

“As we see in the major museums, mostly male artists and the nude mod els are mainly women. Anime is one

area in the arts currently where the female-to-male character ratio is more even.”

Prior to being accepted into the Ellarslie Open exhibition and garner ing an award, Pietsch was a volunteer at the museum. The idea of volunteer ing at a venue close to her Ewing home was suggested by a professor. Pietsch then approached exhibits coordina tor Carolyn Stetson and, as a volunteer and intern, received, hung, and labeled work for the 2018 Ellarslie Open.

The following year she, along with Stetson, co-curated the “Airing Out the Attic” exhibit and was involved in researching the museum’s collection, its artists, and their backstories.

About her involvement with Ellarslie, Pietsch says, “My favorite things are the people that I’ve met volunteering, giving back to the community, as well as the variety of work that is involved.

I have recently been helping with the Family Engagement Program at Ellarslie during Saturday mornings in July of this year. I would give a tour of the museum as well as help the chil dren with arts and crafts. I’ve done a lot at the Ellarslie museum as a volunteer, including arranging cases, hanging art work, and helping out with events.

“I’ve also interned and volunteered with other arts organizations in the past including Alfa Art Gallery in New Brunswick, In Liquid Art + Design in Philadelphia, the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia during their First Sunday family events, and Artworks in Trenton during their Art All Night events.”

Pietsch says, “When I was accepted to the Ellarslie Open, I had no idea about the Best Pastel award until the awards ceremony. I honestly had no idea that I would get this far. I know how hard it is

to get in the show since I started being a volunteer. It depends on the juror and it takes patience. I’m excited that both of the pieces I submitted for the show this year got accepted, and that I also won an award. I received the Cedar Run Wildlife Award for Best in Show for Pas tel for my rendering of ‘Betsy Ross.’”

Working in an arts-related field is good for now, says Pietsch, but she keeps on working on her art with an eye on future opportunities.

“I enjoy my job as a graphic designer/ graphic artist even though I’m new, since it’s still a creative profession relat ing to the degree that I have. I work cre ating product packaging for different items sold in stores. One of the brands is a pet brand called Pounce + Fetch, which I’m interested in given my expe rience with pet artwork.”

“I have to measure and format the type and artwork for each item, and the variety of items keeps things inter esting, Pietsch said. “The main thing I want to convey is that although I am enjoying my current position, I am still open to new opportunities should they come my way.”

For more on Alexandra Pietsch, visit alexandrapietsch.net.

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

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.

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.

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 • Hamilton 609.241.9538

1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road • Hamilton 609.241.9538 • TheLandingOfHamilton.com

• TheLandingOfHamilton.com

1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road • Hamilton 609.241.9538 • TheLandingOfHamilton.com

Davila looks to ‘dominate’ on offensive line this season

By Rich Fisher

an offensive lineman is that of bashing and bruising; grunting and

black & blue; and anonymity.

would anyone want to do it, let alone love it?

“Because you’re able to dominate somebody every play and it helps you benefit your team,” Ewing’s Nevin Davila said. “If you really want to win; offensive line is the place to be.”

It is where the Blue Devils’ senior cen ter has been for pretty much his entire football career and, despite not starting the sport until seventh grade, he has mastered the position.

“I’ve been coaching high school foot ball now for 22 years and he’s one of the best offensive linemen I’ve ever coached, in terms of everything you can ask for – bright, strong, physical, plays to the whistle, has a mean streak,” firstyear Ewing coach Ross Maddalon said. “I had a couple kids that played higher level college football but they don’t have

the mean streak that he does, (as well as) how he finishes plays.

“Nevin is everything you want in a football player. He comes to work every day, he works extremely hard. He has a team-first mentality. He has a lot of pride in the offensive line and it shows in everything he does.”

Davila also gets some reps on defense, collecting 10 tackles through the Blue Devils first six games. Maddalon noted that he is more of a defensive specialist, going in when Ewing needs help in stop ping the running game.

“Early in the year he was used a lot more on defense,” the coach said. “Now he’s getting spelled a little more because we’re starting to develop some younger guys over there at defensive tackle and they’re starting to get more reps. That’s why his stats aren’t up to par, but when he’s in there his impact has definitely been noticed.”

Defense is actually where Davila started. After finally talking his con cerned mom into letting him play foot

ball in middle school, he signed up for Ewing’s Pop Warner program.

“In seventh grade I said ‘Mom, it’s time for me to play,” Nevin recalled.

He was put at defensive tackle that first year and thought it was OK until he got put on the offensive line in eighth grade. He started at guard, but since Ewing’s center had graduated they tried Davila at center and he has never looked back.

“Once I became an offensive lineman,” he said, “I’ve always loved the offensive line more.”

It’s not hard to see why. At 6-foot1, 280 pounds, has both the size and intelligence often needed to play up front. Especially at center, who is usu ally the leader of the line. Davila fits that bill according to Maddalon. He has a 3.82 grade point average and is looking toward a career in mechanical engineering.

“He’s not only bright on the football field, but in the classroom too,” Madd alon said. “He helps us out. We had a

couple kids come in at guard this year that didn’t really know the position. He helps them out with calls and everything else. He’s able to notice when different fronts come out at him and jump out at him.”

The center also has something no line man can be without – intensity. He is not done playing until the play is done.

“He has great feet for a big guy but his nastiness is just something,” Madd alon said. “I’ve already had two or three coaches after we played them say ‘Oh wow, that 61, he plays to the whistle, we wish we could have a couple of him.’ I said ‘Yeah, I wish I could have a couple more of him too.”

The nastiness is nothing illegal. There are no cheap shots or things of that nature. Davila just gets after it every play with a high motor running. It’s some thing that can’t be taught.

“You can try and teach it as much as you can,” Maddalon said. “But unless a kid has it and it’s innate within himself, it’s very tough to get it out of him.”

That “nastiness” would surprise people just from talking to Nevin, who smiles a lot and comes across quite friendly in conversation. But when he dons a helmet and pads, it’s like putting on a Halloween costume. He becomes scary.

“I kind of have a switch I’m able to flip on and off,” Davila said with a chuckle. “Even during practice I’ll be able to joke around, but once we line up, sometimes the coaches have to tell me to calm down a little bit. Once you line up in front of me I’m looking to dominate. I just think you gotta have that nastiness. You can’t be an offensive lineman and just lollygag through practice or games.”

Once he became a center, Davila had to learn the art of being able to keep his head up, snap the ball and get into an immediate blocking position. He admits it took time, but worked at it constantly with his dad. The two did in the neigh borhood of 130 snaps per day prior to his freshman and sophomore years.

He has learned it nicely according to Maddalon, a former standout offensive tackle for Nottingham. The coach was well aware of Davila when he took the job last summer.

“I knew we had a lot of young kids who have never played varsity football before; some seniors who would come up to play with not a lot of varsity time, but I knew about Nevin beforehand,”

he said. “I did my research and from everybody who talked about him he was a quality kid, with great technique who comes to work and play hard every day.”

Davila is a strong overall blocker, but both coach and player feel he is a tad bet ter at paving the way for runners than pass protection, although he is strong at both.

“They say I’m kind of inconsistent with my hands in the pass game,” Davila said. “I think I have to keep my elbow a little tighter and be more consistent with my hands.”

He has been good enough to gain a scholarship offer from Gannon Univer sity in Erie, Pa., and is also talking with several Division III programs. Maddalon feels before it’s all over, he will be hear ing from more D-2s and some possible lower level D-1s.

“Ever since I’ve come to high school, I’ve seen people motivate me with that;” he said. “Playing college football has always been a big goal of mine.”

And the more Maddalon talks, the more it sounds like Davila should be playing in college.

“He was the first team captain we named this summer and he’s definitely the leader up front,” Maddalon said. “Right now he’s our most consistent football player and overall he’s been one of our best football players all year and it’s not even close.”

Blue Devils’ offensive lineman Nevin Davila, a senior, also gets some reps on defense.

First, when and why see a geriatrician?

Ask The Doctor

Geriatrician Sara Ali, MD, an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson University 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.

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.

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

WEdNESday, NOvEmbER 9

What Is Cardiometabolic Medicine? 5 to 6 p.m. Join Taher Modarressi, MD, for a dis cussion on managing your cardiovascu lar and metabolic health. Dr. Modarressi is board certified in endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism, clinical lipidology and obesity medicine.

ThuRSday, NOvEmbER 10

How Smart Are Hearing Aids Today? 10 to 11 a.m. We discuss the remarkable features of today’s hearing aids. Bluetooth technology, artificial intelligence, rechargeable batter ies, tinnitus therapy, and more! Join Dr. Lor raine Sgarlato, Au.D, to learn more about the latest in hearing aid technology!

Dr. Sara Ali

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. You can speak to your provider about what the right number of calories are for you and your specific health needs or goals. When we are eating well we will often have more energy and have 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

3. Take your medication as prescribed. 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 do have any 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

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.

WEdNESday, NOvEmbER 2

Diabetes Game Show! 1 to 2 p.m. Join a fun filled “feud”, and test your diabetes knowl edge for a chance to win. Brush up on lingo in this group competition. Presented by Shesha Desai, Pharm D, RPH, BC-ADM, Dia betes Program Coordinator.

ThuRSday, NOvEmbER 3

Join us for the Understanding ACEs: Build ing Self-Healing Communities presenta tion! 6:30 to 8 p.m. Please, join us for an indepth discussion on Adverse Childhood Ex periences (ACEs) where experts will discuss how potentially traumatic events in youth are linked to chronic conditions problems and behavior health issues. ACEs can also negatively impact education, employment, and earning potential. Our speakers will fo cus on resiliency practices, prevention, and support for the healing of individuals, fami lies and their communities. For more infor mation on ACEs please visit cdc.gov/violen ceprevention/aces/index.html

FRiday, NOvEmbER 4

Beautiful Forever - A Better Health Program. 2-3:30 p.m. Back by popular demand a FREE event sponsored by RWJUH Hamilton, Bet ter Health Program, Beautiful Forever, fea turing local experts and artisans of the blo Out Lounge & Colour Bar, owner and arti san, Caterina Young and expert make up Artisan, Tinisee Buckman. Join us as two volunteers experience a complimentary makeover sponsored by the Better Health Program as we do the big reveal while shar ing all the tips we learn along the way. To be considered for a complimentary makeover for future events, please tell us in an email why you would like to be chosen and be sure to include a current picture. Send the email to BHProgram@rwjbh.org. Must be a Better Health Member to attend and membership is complimentary for anyone 65+ years old.

Angels Among Us. 1 to 3 p.m. Who are the four main archangels, from a spiritual perspec tive? These mighty and loving celestial be ings are associated with specific character istics, such as protection, communication, healing and peace. Find out how we can in vite them into our lives and sense that they are truly with us. Fee: $15. Donna Sweeney, Reiki Master, Integrated Energy Therapist.

Clinical Clinical Culinary Nutrition - Power up with Plant Protein. 5-6:30 p.m. Did you know that all plants contain protein? Learn what lower-sodium alternatives are out there & how to prepare them deliciously to support a powerful heart, body, and planet. fee: $10.

mONday, NOvEmbER 14

You Only Have One Heart: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). 6 to 7 p.m. Join Edward A. Wingfield, MD,FACC, FSCAI, in a discussion about PAD, including risk factors, preven tion and treatment. Dr. Wingfield special izes in cardiovascular diseases and interven tional cardiology. A heart–healthy dinner is included.

TuESday, NOvEmbER 15

Private Reiki Sessions. 3 to 6 p.m., by appoint ment. Enjoy the profound relaxation of a pri vate Reiki session. Reiki is a form of energy medicine to help relax the body and soothe the soul. Fee: $60 per hour. Patti McDougall, BSN, RN, Integrative Therapies Nurse, Reiki.

WEdNESday, NOvEmbER 16

Management of Common Spine Disorders: Round Table Discussion With Multiple Spe cialties. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Come listen and learn as common spine ailments are presented to a panel of experts in different medical fields. Hear from neurologists, radiologists, pain management specialists and physical thera pists, as to how they evaluate and treat back pain. Dinner included.

WEdNESday, NOvEmbER 23

Friendsgiving Brunch - A Better Health Pro gram. Happy Thanksgiving! Celebrating this time of year with family is super im portant, but how about celebrating with friends? Whether you come alone to meet new people or come to catch up with old friends, Friendsgiving is a place to reflect on what we are grateful for with an enjoyable meal provided to you. Come on in and cel ebrate Thanksgiving with your Better Health Program family! Looking forward to launch ing the Holiday Season with you! A Better Health Program. Must be a Better Health Member to attend.

The official opening of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in late June 1834 was evidently quite the celebration.

After all, it culminated a nearly 150-year-old desire to provide an inland water route connecting New York and Philadelphia across the “waist” of New Jersey.

Contemporaneous newspaper accounts describe preparations being made, preliminary excursions, and a significant two-day event.

Ashbel Welsh of Lambertville, the engineer in charge of the project after chief engineer Canvass White departed to Florida for health reasons, wrote to a friend about the opening event that “a more jolly party than ours was … you seldom meet.”

New Jersey Governor Peter Vroom, accompanied by Welsh and various local and state dignitaries, stockholders and canal representatives, traveled by mule-drawn barge the entire length of the new canal over two days, staying overnight in Trenton.

Along the way, large groups of local townspeople gathered by the canal at each bridge, lock and vantage point, cheering along the celebrants on the barges. The Governor and his entourage arrived in New Brunswick to a 24-gun salute and a military presentation.

After disembarking and appropriate speech-making, the gathering paraded through town behind a brass band, eventually completing the festivities after dark with champagne and a “large sumptuous dinner.”

There was, in fact, very good reason to celebrate the completion of this canal. It not only connected the capital city Trenton on the Delaware with New Brunswick on the Raritan.

It completed a broader connection via those respective rivers between New York and Philadelphia. Once the Erie Canal was completed a year later (in 1835), it would provide water access to NY State, the Great Lakes, and the midwest.

It also provided a connection between New England and the South, which would prove invaluable a few decades later during the Civil War, allowing for shipment of supplies and gunboats.

It was a time-saver as well! It’s hard for us to realize that before the canal and steam engines, it could take nearly

two weeks to ship via waterways (including the Atlantic Ocean) from Philadelphia to New York! The completion of the canal enabled the trip from Bordentown to New Brunswick in a day and a half, with a stopover in Kingston, and shortened the Phillyto-NY trip dramatically.

There was even an early attempt to use the canal for personal travel. A special “packet” barge, 100 feet long and 8 feet wide, and drawn by horses, was designed to carry up to 60 passengers at a time, seated upon “well cushioned arm chairs.”

The horses were permitted to travel up to 10 mph along the tow paths, rather than the ordinary designated speed limit of 4 mph that the mule-drawn craft observed. According to an account in The Princeton Whig (October 1835), it would now take only nine and a half hours to travel from Philadelphia to New Brunswick on the Packet. Unfortunately, the D&R Packet Line was ultimately an unsuccessful venture.

However, even though the overall D&R Canal cost of nearly $3M at the time was well over budget, it was money wisely and well spent. The engineering and construction was successful and well executed, and required relatively few changes or improvements in subsequent years, except to accommodate steam-powered vessels over mule-powered ones.

Despite slow-downs when the canal water froze in the winter, the canals were heavily used. The bridges and locks were ingenious, and the lockand bridge-tenders were devoted individuals. The canal would become a transport system of major significance to a growing nation, and remain in active use for nearly 100 years. (And of course, it is still appreciated today!)

And yet, there were storm clouds on the horizon, so to speak, for the D&R Canal right from the start. Or perhaps they are better described as “steam clouds.”

Because as well engineered and constructed as the D&R Canal was in its day, and as well as it improved the transport of goods from one location to another, there was competition from a new technology: the steam engine and steam railroads. We’ll explore the impact of the development of railroads on the D&R Canal next month, as well as the role of the BelDel Railroad right here in Ewing.

Helen Kull is an adviser to the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.

Ewing Recreation

November 2022

ESCC building and outdoor facilities will be closed until further notice due to a fire that started in the gym. The Ewing Recreation programs will be held but some locations will change. The Ewing Community Affairs & Recreation Office (Room 208) and Ewing Senior’s offices (Room 207) are now located at Hollowbrook Community Center (HCC), 320 Hollowbrook Dr. Phone number is still 609-883-1776. The Summer Day Camp and the Pools will be open in 2023!

Ewing Recreation Basketball League (ERBL) is now taking registration for the 202223 season. Register online at Community Pass.net. The league is open to boys and girls in grades K – 8. It is mandatory for all new players to provide proof of grade, school and residency. The league will have the following divisions this season, Instructional for girls at Parkway School and boys at Antheil School for grades K – 1 is held on Thursday evenings. Boy’s leagues are grades 2-3, 4–5, 6–8; Girl’s leagues are grades 3 – 5 and 6 – 8. Player evaluations will be held for all new players and players moving up to a new division. Everyone makes a team. Registration deadline is No vember 1st. Games are played on Saturdays at Fisher, EHS, and Antheil. Check out the league website at www.leaguelineup.com/erbl for additional information.

On Saturday, October 29th Ewing Recre ation will host Trunk or Treat starting at 3:00pm. Pumpkin decorating starts at 2pm. THE NEW LOCATION IS TCNJ LOT 4. Registration forms are available online or at Township facilities. Treaters for the Trunk or Treat must be Ewing residents and be in 8th grade or below. Anyone interested in putting a trunk in the event needs

to register ahead of time.

The Ewing Recreation Wrestling program will start its’ winter season November 15th. Practices are held at Fisher New Gym AND EHS Wrestling Room, on Tuesday, Wednes day, Thursday, evenings for children in grades K-8. No experience is necessary. Registration is online at communitypass.net. For more info visit the website at www.ewingrecreational wrestling.com.

Pickleball and Tennis courts are open at Banchoff Park. The Antheil Tennis courts are open and have night play until 9pm. The Teamreach app, Ewing PB Group for players who want to connect and schedule matches with other players.

Adult Co-Ed Pick-up Volleyball is held on Wednesday nights at Antheil School from 7:00pm – 9:30pm. This program is informal and is for all levels of players.

Adult Indoor Soccer will be held at NEW LOCATION, LORE SCHOOL Gym on Tuesday evenings starting in November. Pick-up games will be played from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Register online at CommunityPass.net.

The Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive have rooms available for rent for small groups to large parties. Kitchen facilities are available For more information please call the call 883-1199.

For more information on these or any other programs you can contact the Recreation Office at (609) 883-1776, online at www. ewingnj.org/communityaffairs. The Recreation Office is located at HCC, office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm.

The Ewing Recreation column is paid content provided by Ewing Township.

Senior

ALL PROGRAMS HELD AT HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER, 320 HOLLOWBROOK DRIVE

MONDAYS

10:00 AM Exercise- Karen Martin

12:00 PM Tech For Seniors 1st and 3rd Monday of the Mont h

1:00 PM Jewelry/Craft-Anne’s

TUESDAYS

10:00 AM Exercise- Karen Martin

12:30 PM Bible Study

12:30 PM Bingo

1:00 PM Senior Scholars

WEDNESDAYS

9:30 AM Knitting/Crochet

11:00 AM Chair Yoga- Lisa Caruso

1:00 PM Mexican Train

10:30-1PM Water Color- Ally Lyons Mercer County Library– Ewing Branch

2:00 PM Mahjongg- Christine Kamph

THURSDAYS

10:00 AM Exercise- Karen Martin

1:00 PM Pinochle

1:00 PM Rummikub

1:00 Balance Class- Bob Kirby

1:00 Bid Whist

FRIDAYS

9:30 AM Line Dancing– Joanne Keephart

12:30 PM Circuit Training– Jeff Prunetti ( $5 session)

SENIOR CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION (SCAC): 3RD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, General Body 10:00 AM, Meeting is open to the public.

Club A—Off Site

Live Wires—11 AM ( 2ND Thursday of the month) RM# 201-202 Busy C’s—11 AM ( 3RD Tuesday of the month) RM# 201-202

Club D—11 AM ( 1st Thursday of the month) RM# 201-202

HB Seniors—1 PM ( 2ND Friday of the month) RM# 201-202

MERCER COUNTY NUTRITION: Seniors 60 and older or anyone married to a person 60 and older is welcome to participate in the nutrition program. The program is located at Hollowbrook Community Center. A person is asked to donate a $1. Your donation is confidential. A delicious balance meal is served. Contact Ms. Wanda (609) 883-4150.

NOVEMBER 10TH LUNCHEON: 12-2PM @ HB. SPEAKER GENERAL DUTKO. Honoring All Services Branches. $8 pp/$13 couple. Tickets available Hollowbrook Community Center (M-F 8:30-4:30pm)

REGISTER FOR ALL PROGRAMS: HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER 2nd Floor Rm# 207 Senior Office

QUESTIONS: 609-883-1776

Senior Corner is paid content by Ewing Township.

Beware late-night shopping

I recently suffered a bout of pneumonia and was a guest at Capital Health Hopewell hospital. It stinks being in the hospital but the care I received was wonderful. The best part about the stay, besides the recovering part, was the graham crackers.

One of the nurses told me that I was a low-maintenance patient and that she felt like she wasn’t doing enough for me. My response to her was, “You keep bringing me pitchers of ice water and handfuls of graham crackers and you have done your job.”

Let’s talk for a second about graham crackers. There is the school of thought that a graham cracker is only good as part of a s’mores. I get it. The chocolate and marshmallow deliciousness sandwiched between two graham crackers? Heavenly. However, there are those of us who genuinely love plain old graham crackers with every fiber of our beings. What’s not to love? A cardboard-like cracker liberally sprinkled with cinnamon? So good! Wikipedia defines the graham cracker as “a sweet flavored cracker made with graham flour that originated in the U.S. in the mid-19th century, with commercial development from about 1880. It is eaten as a snack food, usually honey- or cinnamonflavored, and is used as an ingredient in some foods.” Who doesn’t love a good pie with graham cracker crust?

After my discharge from the hospital, I craved graham crackers but didn’t want to go out and buy them. I figured the cravings would go away. They didn’t.

So, I got on Amazon on the second night

I was home. I may or may not have been under the influence of one of the meds I had been prescribed. I did a search on graham crackers, planning to order a couple boxes. I also wanted to order some sugarless bubble gum, and I had a dim idea about ordering a treat for my husband. I completed my order and promptly fell fast asleep.

I kinda forgot that I had ordered this stuff till a big box showed up at our door several days later. Upon opening it, we discovered that I had inadvertently ordered a case of graham crackers. Twelve boxes. Of graham crackers. Family-sized boxes, not the regular size that you see in stores. The entire top shelf of our pantry is now given over to graham crackers.

And oh, look. Underneath the case of graham crackers was a case of Trident Sugarless Bubble Gum. A case. 12 packs of 14 pieces. I’ll spare you the math. It’s 168 sticks of gum. One hundred and sixtyeight pieces. I cannot recall the last time I chewed a piece of gum, let alone 168 pieces.

And the crowning achievement of my Amazon ordering; individually sliced and wrapped pieces of banana bread. George likes banana bread, I thought to myself while ordering it. He’ll enjoy this banana bread, when he’s not eating graham crackers or chewing gum.

Turns out that each slice of the banana bread has approximately 12,000 calories and I can’t even talk about the sodium.

Let me tell you that we do NOT eat like this. Our daily diets are extremely boring. Graham crackers are not on our usual menu, nor is bubble gum. And the banana bread? Nope.

And let me not forget about the 2-pound package of organic raisins that I ordered. I like raisins. Handfuls straight out of the package, or in other foods. But 2 pounds? George wordlessly stowed the package in the pantry while staring at me with a weird look on his face. I wonder what he was thinking.

So now we have all these... um...treats. I hate to admit it, but the gum gave me a stomachache and made my jaws hurt. The graham crackers are good. In small doses. The banana bread is stacked on the shelf. I’m thinking of pawning that bread off on...I mean...giving it to one of our kids. And the raisins are unopened as of right now.

So, the moral of the story is, don’t shop online when you’re hungry. Or on prednisone. Or late at night.

All this talk about food has made me hungry. For chocolate.

Ilene Black has been a resident of Ewing for most of her life and lives across the street from her childhood home. She and her husband,

BLACK bETTiNG ON bLaCK