11-22 LG

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

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 been named after anyone

See FIELD, Page 7

TWW takeover

State initiates partial 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 success for the benefit of the people of Trenton and the surrounding

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Academy Dental

Lawrence-based foundation awards $25k in grants

The NextGen Giving Circle of the Lawrence-based Princeton Area Community Foundation recently awarded $25,000 in grants to three local nonprofit organizations.

Most NextGen members are under the age of 40, and they pool their donations to help make a bigger impact in the region. Since its founding, the Giving Circle has awarded a total of $132,500 in grants to 17 nonprofits in the region.

The Giving Circle, which is hosted by the Community Foundation, was created in 2017 by Jeremy Perlman, 34, of Lawrence Township, who wanted to help his generation understand how they could make an impact in their communities.

By participating in the Giving Circle, members can make monthly donations, a practice to which Perlman’s generation is accustomed because of subscriptions services, such as Netflix or Spotify. With assistance from Community Foundation staff, the Giving Circle members meet annually to recommend grant awards.

“The NextGen Giving Circle gives

Millennials and Gen Z an opportunity to learn how they can use their charitable dollars to make an impact in our region,” said Perlman. “Because of the collective generosity of the members of our Giving Circle, we have been able to provide support to these three nonprofits, which are among those doing terrific work in our region.”

This year, grants were awarded to Womanspace, We Make: Autism at Work and Homeworks Trenton.

Womanspace in Lawrence Township received a $10,000 grant for its Pathways to Security Match Savings Program for Survivors of Domestic Violence.

The new program aims to enable survivors of domestic violence to save for living expenses needed to move into their own homes.

Participants save money that’s held in an escrow account while they attend financial education classes, set a personal budget and create a savings plan.

When they “graduate” from one of the Transitional Housing Programs, they

gain access to their saved funds, along with a 1:1 dollar match, up to $2,000 from Womanspace.

WE MAKE: Autism At Work in Pennington was awarded a $5,000 grant to help at least 50 people with an autism or autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. The enrichment program helps young adults develop skills and experience necessary to handle mental health challenges and build independence so they can obtain a livable wage job.

Homeworks Trenton received a $10,000 grant for a mental health and social-emotional wellness initiative at its program for high school girls from the city. The after-school residential model increases scholars’ school attendance, grades, social-emotional skills, and self-confidence.

This grant will help fund a mental health counselor’s work, holding biweekly group therapy sessions, and will help the organization expand the initiative to include individual therapy sessions.

To become a member of the Giving

Circle or learn more, go to pacf.org/ nextgen-giving-circle.

The Princeton Area Community Foundation promotes lasting philanthropy and builds community across Mercer County and central New Jersey. Since its founding in 1991, the Community Foundation has made grants of more than $173 million and provided an additional $26 million in support to our nonprofit fundholders.

Terhune Orchards listed as a top U.S. market

The West Windsor Community Farmers Market and Terhune Orchards in Lawrence Township has been listed by national publications as top locations in the country for their products and experience.

West Windsor Community Farmers Market was voted the number four community farmers market in the country in a national poll by The American Farmland Trust and Farmers Market Coali-

See AROUND TOWN, Page 3

LAWRENCE GAZETTE

Community News Service

Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org Events: events@communitynews.org Sports: sports@communitynews.org Letters: bsanservino@communitynews.org Website: lawrencegazette.com Facebook: facebook.com/lawrencegazette Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

AROUND TOWN cont. from Page 2 tion. The market received the most votes for New Jersey and the Northeast.

Travel+Leisure ranked Terhune Orchards as the eight-ranked places for apple picking in the United States.

“The residents and visitors of New Jer sey have known for many years about the outstanding agriculture, produce and onfarm experiences that are available here,” said N.J. Secretary of Agriculture Doug las Fisher. “These award-winning opera tions are some of the finest examples of prominent farm-related enterprises in the Garden State.”

New Jersey has approximately 150 community farmers markets through out the state each year. Many of those markets remain open on a weekly basis through October, and some up to Thanksgiving.

The West Windsor market was founded in 2004 and offers seasonal produce and food from local vendors at the Princeton Junction train station from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each Saturday, until the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Terhune Orchards features dwarf apple trees accessible for all ages. Their apple varieties include Jonathan, Fuji, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Deli cious, Stayman Winesap, Cameo, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Macoun varieties.

To find a pick your own location for the fall season, or a community farmers mar ket near you, go to findjerseyfresh.com.

LTPS awarded for communications

Lawrence Township Public Schools has received two awards from the New Jersey School Public Relations Association for outstanding school communications/

The district’s first award highlighted photography, thanks to the photographs taken by Bennie Williams, Sam Pastorella and Eshaya Draper that were captured throughout the year.

The second award was for the public information campaign dedicated to high lighting the aspirations and goals in teh school districts Strategic Plan.

These accolades supplement the national award Lawrence won in July for Publications and Digital Media used to communicate with student families.

Billtrust to be acquired

Billtrust, the longtime Lawrence Town ship-based B2B accounts receivable auto mation and integrated payments com pany, is set to be acquired by EQT X fund, a part of global investment organization EQT, in an approximately $1.7 billion transaction.

Under the terms of the deal announced on Sept. 28, Billtrust shareholders will

receive $9.50 per share, a substantial pre mium over their closing price of $5.77 on September 27.

Founded in 2001, Billtrust accelerates cash flow by automating complex and his torically manual processes around credit decisioning and monitoring, online order ing, invoicing, payments and remittance capture, cash application and collections.

“This transaction marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Billtrust, our customers, and employees while pro viding shareholders an immediate and substantial cash value with a compelling premium,” Flint Lane, Billtrust’s founder and CEO, said in a statement. “We believe B2B payments and accounts receivable continue to be ripe for massive disrup tion and innovation, and our partnership with EQT will provide us with greater resources and flexibility to build on our leadership position.”

Arvindh Kumar, partner and the cohead of EQT’s Global Technology Sec tor Team, added: “The Billtrust platform features modern solutions, a compelling value proposition, and, like EQT, a com mitment to innovation and transformation in the digital era. Additionally, the com pany operates at the intersection of soft ware, fintech, and payments — sectors in which EQT has deep familiarity and a track record of success. With proprietary end-to-end solutions that generate value for all stakeholders and across economic cycles, Billtrust is poised to advance its leading offering in the underpenetrated accounts receivable automation space.”

The transaction is expected to be com pleted in the first quarter of 2023. Upon its completion, Billtrust, which currently trades on the NASDAQ under BTRS, will become a privately held company.

LTEF receives $80k from the Lawrenceville School

The Lawrence Township Education Foundation has received $80,000 from the Lawrenceville School to support local students and schools.

This brings the Lawrenceville School’s donation total to over $1.8 million since 1995. Lawrenceville also provides event sponsorship and numerous in-kind ser vices, including office space for LTEF leadership.

“We are extremely grateful for our part nership with the Lawrenceville School. Our organization’s success is a direct result of their ongoing financial support.

The Lawrenceville School’s generous annual donations make what we do pos sible,” said Karen Faiman, LTEF execu tive director.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, the LTEF granted more than $187,000 to

AROUND TOWN, Page 4

Lawrence Township public schools for a total of 61 new programs that span the curriculum, including literacy, equity, music, art, humanities, STEM, character education and more.

“For more than two decades, LTEF has encouraged and sponsored innova tive programing created by Lawrence Township teachers working to enrich the minds, bodies, and spirits of their stu dents,” said Steve Murray, Lawrenceville School’s head of school. “The Lawrencev ille School is proud to support this impor tant work, as we continue our mission of inspiring the best in each to seek the best for all, on and off our campus.”

LTEF raises funds from individuals, local businesses, corporations, and foun dations for programs that foster excel lence, creativity, and achievement in education for all students in Lawrence Township Public Schools.

LTEF has contributed nearly $4.4 mil lion over the past 31 years. For more information on LTEF and ways to support the Foundation, visit ltefnj.org or email info@ltefnj.org.

Founded in 1810, The Lawrenceville School is a co-educational boarding and day school in Lawrence Township. Law renceville serves students in grades nine through post-graduate. Lawrenceville employs the Harkness method of learn ing, stimulating thoughtful inquiry and debate. The School’s mission is to inspire the best in each to seek the best for all. For additional information, please visit lawrenceville.org.

Holiday

School/High School PTO is once again offering a

fundraiser to all members of the school community.

Lawrenceville School Head of School Steve Murray presents a check for $80,000 to Karen Faiman, executive director of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation.

Anyone who is is purchasing a holiday wreath, door spray, centerpiece, tabletop tree and/or garland is asked to consider ordering from GiftItForward.com. For each item purchased $8 will be donated to the PTO.

The company will ship anywhere within the 48 Continental States for free.

place an order, go to GiftItForward. com and enter LAWRENNJ001 as the Customer ID and PTO as the name of the referring member.

MCCC’s JKC Gallery to host photography talk

Mercer County Community College’s James Kerney Campus Gallery will its present its next “Twosday Talks” photog raphy presentation on Nov. 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event will feature works and pre sentations by artists Mel Evans and Jackie Neale. Talks will take place live and on the Zoom conferencing platform. All are invited to register at jkcgallery. online. The gallery is located at 137 North Broad Street in Trenton.

“Twosday Talks” is curated by Heather Palecek and Habiyb Shu’Aib and hosted by professor Michael Chovan-Dalton, director of JKC Gallery.

Chovan-Dalton said, “This will be our last ‘Twosday Talks’ of the semester and I am pleased to welcome artists Jackie Neale and Mel Evans who will share their works and discuss their personal approaches to artistic expression.”

Neale is a Brooklyn- and Philadelphiabased artist, photographer, imaging spe cialist, photo director and producer who is inspired through interpersonal rela tionships and the barrier that disappears/ appears once a camera is introduced to the mix.

Also an author, Neale focuses on using historical, traditional, digital and experi mental processes for multimedia docu

mentary portrait projects. A professor of photography at Saint Joseph’s Univer sity and New York Film Academy in New York City, Neale is known for her work in social activism and chronicling the expe rience of immigration in the U.S. and Europe.

Exhibitions of Neale’s photographs have been mounted in galleries and museums throughout the United States. She has appeared on National Public Radio, and in the documentary Time Zero: The Last Year of Polaroid Film. Her work has been published in editorial mag azines across the United States, online and in collateral for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Neale has recently raised funds to self publish her photo book, #SubwaySeries

More about Neale can be found at: archive.jackiephoto.com/index/ G0000u3SJgEuJNBQ, and on Instagram and Facebook.

Evans joins “Twosday Talks” with an impressive 40-year history of photo journalism. Making photographs nearly every workday of his life, Evans’s goal is to make every photograph as inter esting and artful as the situation allows.

Thousands of Evans’s images have been published in newspapers, magazines and websites in the United States and around the globe.

Retired from the Associated Press in 2017, Evans continues to take editorial and commercial assignments while seg ueing into newer projects that satisfy his own creative pursuits and desires. Cur rently, he is focused on taking a serious approach to alternative and historic pro cesses in large format in his words, “try ing to learn as much as possible from and honor those who went before.”

Evans is a founding member of the Monalog Collective, which is a group of photographers who use only historic ana log processes.

More about Evans can be found at melevans.photoshelter.com/archive.

“Twosday Talks” artist presentations are an extension of the “Third Thursday” series started by Palecek and Shu’Aib as a platform for artists to showcase their work to the Trenton and the regional community. The events quickly reached an audience from New York to Philadel phia. With the introduction of hybrid virtual and in-person shows, JKC Gal lery now features artists from across and beyond United States with a global audi ence reach.

For information about registration and attending in person or online, please visit JKCGallery.online. Anyone wishing to learn more about photography and visual arts programs at MCCC should go tomccc.edu/catalog/photo_afa.shtml to see a list of courses.

TWW continued from Page 1 communities that this system serves,” the commissioner said.

The state said TWW is in need of sig nificant improvements to aging infra structure, including its 7-acre, open-airreservoir that stores and provides already treated water to about 70 percent of TWW’s distribution system. The reservoir is in violation of a federal requirement 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 mainte nance. The state will also add necessary technical and managerial capacity to the system, 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 con duct a comprehensive technical, manage rial and financial capacity assessment of the system. This will result in a report of organizational and operational recommen dations, as well as short- and long-term asset management and capital improve ment 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 representa tives and provided significant compliance assistance.

Although the 17-page report recognized Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora’s efforts “to improve operating conditions and advance long-overdue capital improvements,” DEP officials were “disturbed by the current city council’s continuing failures or refus als 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 identi fied at least 40 incidents, including 18 in the past 5 years, where TWW’s treatment plant was shut down for reasons including 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 com pliance issues.

Gusciora said he welcomes work ing 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 drink ing water for our customers and servicearea 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 said. “They voted down critical projects, includ ing decommissioning the reservoir, replacing water mains, lead remediation, heavy equipment, facility upgrades, chem ical purchases and debt service.”

In response to the compliance report, state, county and officials in municipalities

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 “irresponsibility and reck lessness 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 Tren ton Water Works customers.”

“On behalf of the Trenton Water Works customers within Lawrence Township, it is time for the operations of the water utility to be taken from the City of Trenton,” said Lawrence Township Mayor John Ryan. He added that the compliance report “demonstrates that the City of Trenton cannot meet the needs of its water utility customers by producing clean and safe water. We stand with the other municipali ties fighting for their residents’ health and safety. We must do better.”

Lawrence Municipal Manager Kevin Nerwinski welcomed the state takeoverof operations at TWW.

“The news that the NJDEP will now have direct oversight over the facility and its operations is, without a doubt, very good news. Having the state take such action will give us all the best chance to remove our (conscious and subconscious)

fear of using unsafe water in our daily lives. It will take time to get to this head space, but we are on our way. And this doesn’t mean we turn our attention away from this issue. We will continue to advocate for all of the community’s residents and visitors using water provided by TWW.

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 Hamil ton Township area served by TWW in July.

The homes tested in Hamilton Town ship were part of an ongoing investigation to determine potential causes of Legion naires’ disease previously detected in Ham ilton 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 bac teria was found.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneu monia that people can get after breathing in aerosolized water containing the Legio nella bacteria. People cannot get Legion naires’ disease by drinking water that has Legionella. Though uncommon, people can get sick when water containing Legi onella 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’ disease, people who are 50 years or older, espe cially those who smoke, or those with certain medical conditions, including weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or other chronic health conditions, are at increased risk,” stated the Depart ment 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 respi ratory 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 peo ple is not held hostage by how the political winds blow in Trenton.”

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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:dreamloop”atGroundsForSculpture. in Hamilton.

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

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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 with

in

created home

That fascination 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 stu dent-run production company where he taught himself how to use the equipment, launched a film festival and “started having my own art shows.”

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 New York University 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 studio, 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 University 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 and

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

in

took a ceramics class.

said he was drawn initially to the practice because he could meet other stu dents and have a college experience, but without having to write too much. He also appreciated the tactility of the materials 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 actu ally interacting with people from the neigh borhood that I was from,” Lugo explained. Ross asked him to be in an exhibition, the Crane Arts Center’s 2013 “Juvenile in Jus tice” 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

GFS, continued from Page 5

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.

Regarding 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 different 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—defacing it and negative things.”

Lugo’s 2018 piece in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American His tory and Culture, “Reckoning: Protest. Defi ance. 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 dispro portionately affects people of color in eco nomically disadvantaged urban communi ties, including violence at the hands of law enforcement.”

Represented in the composition are depic tions of kneeling figures, police officers clad in riot gear and pointed guns.

When speaking about the themes and images, Lugo said that while he focuses on urban situations, his intent is broader.

“I want to clarify that my entire experience is not negative; it’s about celebrating people who contributed. A lot of my work is a cele bration and rooted in that. Even in situations where you find yourself with different people of color, they all have different experiences. Poverty and race are distinct.”

“I approach art from the place I know—hip hop culture,” he said. To make the point, Lugo explained his affinity for the Staten Island hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan.

“They took a combination of Kung Fu movies and hip hop and synthesized them together to give a unique sound. They gave the beauty of how you can fuse two cultures.”

“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 interest in Royal Porcelain tea cups, for example, he also pulls from his memory.

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

“Culturally, I’m from the Indigenous peo ple from Puerto Rico, [as well as] Portuguese 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 as both a spoken word artist and a lecturer — during his 2015 National Council on Educa tion for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) emerging culture presentation, Lugo addressed an audience of approximately 3,000 ceramic educators with the following line: “We’re a culture that can change the world.”

Lugo noted that having the opportunity to deliver that speech was “the most influential” aspect of his work thus far.

He also explained that it started him on a different career trajectory to focus on con necting with exhibiting venues where his ceramics would be seen as “visual art and design and allowed me to take on unique

projects — like working here [at GFS].”

The decision also seemed to support Lugo’s approach to creating.

“With my particular practice, most of my time is spent painting pots. I take twice as long to paint. Part of my aesthetic is to [paint] over things. It comes from my graffiti days. I just paint over [the work] until it makes sense, and all that layering gives a depth to the piece that I find appealing.”

Yet despite his success, Lugo said, “I ask myself, ‘Do I have the agency to make the work that I do?’ I ask myself, ‘Why do I have the opportunities I do?’ I think a lot of the challenges. Pottery lends itself to patience and a lot of detail—two things I’m not good at. People are looking for a refinement of craft, but I fail in a lot of those ways. My obsessions are different, [but] I’m working on it. It’s a lifetime commitment.”

Looking at the exhibition, Lugo appreci ates that he is exhibiting next to Trenton and mentioned the city’s history as a major world ceramics producer.

While he hoped that connection would stimulate interest, he also bet on something bigger.

“One of the great things about this exhi bition is the 20-foot-tall vase,” Lugo said. “Usually, I make a vignette on one. But people can walk into this vase and be the vignette in the pottery and become part of the artwork. Part of the art is having people interact with it. It becomes about people remembering the big pot, not the artist. I never had the opportunity to make a piece like this, bigger than human size.”

Lugo shared one final thought: “I really hope that this exhibition makes Black and Brown communities feel that there is art here that connects with them. I hope to be a bridge and make connections. Going into any space and gallery can be intimidat ing, but going into any space where there’s familiarity can be less so.”

Roberto Lugo: The Village Potter Wednesday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 pm.

Lugo, right, is pictured beside two of his original sculptures — a design featuring Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, left, and a 20-foot-tall interactive vase, center — on display at his Grounds for Sculpture exhibit, “The Village Potter,” which opened on May 22, 2022, and runs until January 8, 2023.

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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.

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said Kevin Nerwin ski, 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 soccer 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 unan imous choice. He represents so much of what Notre Dame soccer is about, even where we are today. Once his for mer 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 receiving the honor doubted it for a moment, thanks to mischievous teacher/coach Greg Schafer.

“When Ken Jennings called me, per sonally I thought possibly it was Greg Schafer playing a joke on me,” Per one 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 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 some thing that usually happens to some one 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 players 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 side bar on Zegarski on page 9).

“If the players had to wear shorts, we wore shorts,” Perone said. “I never really got cold either. A lot of nervous energy jumping up and down.”

The dedication takes place at 6 p.m.,

See FIELD, Page 8

followed immediately by the alumni game and then a celebration in the stu dent center. 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.

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.

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 suc cessful program at age 24 in 1977 and promptly won a state championship. That was just the start.

From 1977 to 2017, his teams won 501 games, nine South Jersey Non Pub lic A championships, six state crowns, two Mercer County Tournament titles and nine Colonial Valley Conference Colonial Division 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 Law renceville. “He can appreciate it, his grandkids can appreciate it. It’s some thing 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.”

“That was a life lesson,” said Zerwin ski, 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 eas ily 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 Nerwinski said. “Coach always preached hard work, emphasized team work 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 professional 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 Mer cer County Tournament final, which was the team’s only blemish in a 23-1 season.

Here, it’s all about people.

Here, it’s all about people.

Here, it’s all about people.

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.

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.

“My senior year, I was playing left fullback on a really good team (co-state champions),” 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 full back and finally had the guts to go talk to him about it.

“You always remember the losses more than the wins,” Perone said. “I can remember 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 stand ing right next to me saying the same thing. We went onto win the state tour nament, 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 spe cial, but every team had its own per sonality. There were times we weren’t winning either but some years you deal with it, you say ‘OK we’re gonna be bet ter next year,’ and you go from there.”

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

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

Hamilton 609.241.9538

TheLandingOfHamilton.com

TheLandingOfHamilton.com

TheLandingOfHamilton.com

Hamilton 609.241.9538

“I still remember it to this day. I said ‘Coach I want to play a different posi tion. 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.

“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 begin

Assistant was a key factor in ND coach’s success

By Rich Fisher

The name “Mike Perone” will headline the new scoreboard when it is erected on Notre Dame High’s soccer field next spring. But Perone himself would love it if there were room for a sub-head that said “Sigmund “Ziggy” Zegarski.”

Probably the only strik ing difference between Perone and Zegarski from 1977 to 2017 was their titles. Mike was the head coach and Ziggy was the assis tant. After that, it was pretty equal.

“Ziggy gets kind of lost in all of this,” said former Irish player and ND Board of Gov ernors member Kevin Ner winski. “He was right there with him during his career. The two of them were very much a team.”

When it was mentioned to Zegarski he should be included, his quick response was “No.”

“That’s what somebody said to me (at a recent ND game),” said Zegarski. “I said ‘Listen, I was number two, he was num ber one.’ I was the one putting the bug in anybody’s ear, I said ‘I don’t know what you guys are gonna do, but that field should be named for Mike Perone.’”

But if Perone is asked to say a few words that night, Ziggy will be men tioned. When he was informed about the honor, Perone’s mind went right to his assistant.

“That is one thing I thought about auto

ning 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 productive 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

matically,” Perone said. “If there’s no Zig Zegarski, there’s actually no Mike Per one. It’s the way I really feel.”

As did the Mercer County Hall of Fame committee, which inducted the lifelong Lawrence resident in 2014. Sometimes it was hard to tell if Zegarski was an exten sion of Perone, or vice versa.

“Zig and I complemented each other pretty well,” Per one said. “We knew what each other were thinking, and it was an odd day if we were saying different things. He contributed to everything. I was there for 40 years coaching and he was there for 40 years right with me. It was something I appreciated.”

That has to be some kind of Mercer County record in any sport—the same coach and assistant together for four decades, especially since Zegarski could have got ten a head job if he wanted. They had help, of course and, even there, the two were on the same page when it came to getting assistants.

“We were able to get guys we wanted,” Perone said. “I don’t just mean me, I mean we. We talked about ‘What if we get this guy or that guy?’ We thought of someone we could bring into the fold and it was always a joint decision with him and I.”

They also agree on one other thing— that the mutual respect they feel is as great as two men can have for one another.

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 special. 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.

Zegarski

First, when and why see a geriatrician?

Ask The Doctor

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.

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.

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

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. 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 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 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 Hamil ton, Better Health Program, Beautiful For

ever, featuring local experts and artisans of the blo Out Lounge & Colour Bar, owner and artisan, Caterina Young and expert make up Artisan, Tinisee Buckman. Join us as two volunteers experience a compli mentary makeover sponsored by the Bet ter Health Program as we do the big reveal while sharing all the tips we learn along the way. To be considered for a complimen tary 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 complimen tary for anyone 65+ years old.

WEDNESDAy, NOvEmbER 9

What Is Cardiometabolic Medicine? 5 to 6 p.m. Join Taher Modarressi, MD, for a discussion on managing your cardiovascular and met abolic health. Dr. Modarressi is board certi fied 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! 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 inter ventional cardiology. A heart–healthy din ner is included.

TUESDAy, NOvEmbER 15

Private Reiki Sessions. 3 to 6 p.m., by appoint ment. Enjoy the profound relaxation of a private Reiki session. Reiki is a form of en ergy 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 Specialties. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Come listen and learn as common spine ailments are pre sented to a panel of experts in different medical fields. Hear from neurologists, radi ologists,

management specialists and

therapists, as to how they evaluate and

back pain. Dinner included.

Dr. Sara Ali

FROm ThE mANAGER’S DESK

For those that don’t have the time for all of my words (people say I am a bit “wordy”), I am starting with my conclusion so you can move along with your day. If you have a hard deadline for bill payment, DON’T use your online bill pay feature with your private bank.

There is no guarantee that your physical check will be mailed in time to meet the deadline (even after you do your calculations and conclude that the date you select is plenty of time). And if you use your online bill payment feature to pay your property tax bill to Lawrence Township, understand the risk involved.

If the township does not receive your check by the deadline (which always includes a grace period), interest and a penalty will be imposed. Ok, if you want the full, long-winded version why, keep reading.

It seems like at the same time each year (3rd Quarter Tax Payments), the Lawrence Township tax collector and her staff are on the receiving end of angry and frustrated taxpayers that received a notice that their property tax payments were late and that interest and penalties are being imposed (as required by N.J.S.A. 54:4-66).

It doesn’t matter whether the interest is.08 cents or $25 or more, the degree of anger and disrespect delivered from the property owner to the tax collector and her staff is the same. And when they hear that the interest and penalty will not be waived, the level amps up—and then I receive the phone call. The conversation I have with the callers doesn’t give them the relief they demand because waiving the interest and penalty are not optional.

The callers offer all kinds of excuses, and some demand for the township to prove their check was received late. A policy that empowers a municipal employee to use discretion on voiding interest and penalties creates an unrealistic situation to manage.

Undoubtedly, those denied will feel unfairly treated, and accusations of wrongdoing and favoritism will abound— wasting even more time and resources. It just won’t work. So, I thought, why not write a blog article about this issue and, hopefully, get out in front of the problem for the next go-round?

About 90 percent of the time, the late payment involves a taxpayer’s use of the online bill payment feature offered by their private lender. The taxpayer believes their payment was mailed on the day they

scheduled it. That may be the case, but it doesn’t mean the check will be received by the deadline.

What people don’t know or realize, despite their bank’s notice that it does not guarantee delivery of payments by a specific date, the thousands and thousands of online bank payments are physical checks released by their bank on the day scheduled but are seemingly sent to a clearing house and ultimately collected together and mailed in bulk --- not necessarily on the day you expected it to be sent.

When tax payments are due and collected, the tax collector’s office receives hundreds and hundreds of physical checks mailed in bulk daily. These checks are often dated differently and days apart from one another.

Meaning a check dated Sept. 15 and a check dated Sept. 20 are in the same bulk delivery to the township by U.S. Mail. Notably, the day the check is physically received by the township is the day it posts it to your account—without fail.

No check is left unposted for a day or days in the tax office. It doesn’t happen. People seem to assume that their property tax payments are handled similarly to the IRS and state tax returns, with the date they are mailed being the date that counts. It’s not true. The date the payment is received is the date that matters for collecting property taxes—everywhere, not just Lawrence Township.

To assist taxpayers in making sure they meet the deadline (and the grace period), Lawrence Township offers four ways for you to pay your taxes:

(1) A taxpayer may take the short ride to the municipal building Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM to make their payment in person. The added benefit to this option is that you can offer some warm greetings to the municipal staff as you see them in the hallways;

(2) A taxpayer may take the short ride to the municipal building and use the secured black box positioned at the North Entrance to make their payment. It is available 24/7, 365 days a week. The box is checked multiple times a day and first thing Monday morning. The added benefit to this is that you can avoid all human contact and take care of business and move along with your day;

3) A taxpayer, comfortable in using an online payment option, can use our E-check payment feature to make sure the date you make the payment is the date it will be posted to the account. The administrative fee for this is $2. And, no, it is not a grand scheme to make revenue for the “township.” It is a fee paid by the “user”

online bill

of the service, with the “township” making no money from it. Unlike your online bill payment option from your lender, this option is received and posted to your tax account on the same day; and

(4) A taxpayer can pay by credit card. Some like getting the points, I guess. But to use this, there is a more significant fee based upon a percentage of the total payment made. If you are unnerved by being assessed interests and penalties, this option is not for you!

Do your due diligence by contacting your bank to verify how online bill payment works. You will most likely find the information on the site where you use the feature. So, if you have a hard deadline for payment, don’t use your online bill payment feature!

Now, on a personal level, most of you may not understand the kind of verbal abuse (and, at times, threats) our Tax Collector and her staff take from residents and business owners who fail to take the proper steps to ensure they pay their taxes on time.

Trust me; it is unsettling, to say the least. We also have many saved envelopes with the most disgusting things written on them from people who take their “tax payment”

anger out on our staff. I guess it makes them feel good – at the expense of the good people who work here.

As I try to do from time to time when I write on social media, I again want to remind you that all of us working for the township are living and breathing human beings. Many of us live in town. We are your friends, neighbors, and family members. And, no, we all are not working in concert with one another to bilk you for $10, $15, or $50 in interest in late fees. Contrary to some who believe the worst, we are not corrupt or evil. We come to work each day and do the job the community needs us to do.

Oh, one other thing, for as long as I can remember, the August tax payments are customarily billed later than the other quarters. We send out the tax bills immediately after we receive the County tax rate from the County.

It just is what it is (and it has nothing to do with us)—and all that we can do is promptly send out the bills when all of the information is received – and we do. We also provide an extended grace period when tax bills are later than expected. Ok, no more “words” for now! Have a great day everyone!

David V Milford Financial Advisor

Hulfish

NJ 08542

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offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All

(DTC).

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

Location:

Are you experiencing pain in your

area during sex, personal 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.