12-22 BC

Sculptures a sign of the times at Point Breeze

BY DAN AUBREY

Two newly placed sculptures are making a splash for those driving by or visiting the historic Gardener’s House located on what had once been the Point Breeze estate Park Avenue in Bordentown.

The two figures of Atlantic Sturgeon of the Delaware River were created by Trenton-area artist Kate Graves and placed in front of the historic building to raise ecological and environmental awareness.

The Gardener’s House is the only existing period structure from the Point Breeze estate built by Joseph Bonaparte, former king of Spain and brother to French emperor Napoleon.

Joseph Bonaparte left Europe after his brother’s defeat in 1815. In 1816, he settled in Bordentown, a cultural and transportation hub between Philadelphia and New York City. Between then and 1838, he built a mansion, guest and support staff houses, and a park.

Subsequent owners dismantled all Bonaparte structures except

Marching band caps off season with 2nd place finish at Nationals

BY JOE EMANSKI

It all kicks off in August with band camp: daylong training sessions in the summer heat for two weeks.

If students at Bordentown Regional High School want to be a part of the marching band, their commitment starts with that. And it grows from there: two three-

hour practices a week, regular performances at Scotties’ football games, and eight marching band competitions, in which the bands themselves are the main attraction.

“Our kids put in as much time as any athletic team would do,” says Michael Montalto, director of bands for the Bordentown Regional School District.

For many students, the opportunity to perform for a crowd while doing something that they love is reward enough. But band competitions, in which they vie for trophies with other school bands, give them something else to shoot for. And this year, the BRHS Marching Band made the most of those opportunities.

See BAND, Page 8

A time to heal

BY JOE EMANSKI

For many, the winter holidays are a time of joy and celebration. And for many, they can also be a time for sadness and the recollection of lost loved ones. This December, a number of Bordentown businesses, organizations and counselors are banding together to provide support for those who need it during the season.

Bordentown Home For Funerals, Sharing Temple Counseling LLC, Christ Church Chapel and Turtle Beans Coffee Roaster have put together the events, which include The Healing Café — “a place of hope, support and help” — at Turtle Beans on Dec. 1.

Christ Church Parish is also set to host a Blue Christmas Service for the Holiday on Saturday, Dec. 17. All are welcome to the church for the service followed by a reception.

See BLUE, Page 10

Bordentown Regional High School marching bend members (front row) Rachel Schiariti, Rachel Cook, (middle row) Brandon Rosenblatt, Olivia Olaff, Emma Hoffman, Jo Russo, and (third row) Jorge Moya, Angelina Demkowicz, Matthew Comeau and Jillian Gosselin.

The Healing Café, special services aim to comfort those who feel blue at holiday time

‘Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat’ nets 1,678 pounds of donations

On Halloween, instead of asking for candy, the theater students of Bordentown Regional High School went door to door gathering food donations for those in need. This year, the BRHS International Thespian Society Troupe 6803 collected 1,678 pounds of canned and dry goods for St. Mary’s Food Pantry through their 2022 Trick Or Treat So Kids Can Eat Food Drive.

Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat is a community service program for New Jersey International Thespian Society member schools to collect canned and dry goods for local charities and food banks. Tons of food were collected across the state.

In 12 years of participation in the program, Troupe 6803 has collected over 35,000 pounds of donations. The 2018 and 2019 BRHS food drives were recognized by the state of New Jersey with official proclamations and the 2018 award for Most Food Drive Donations Collected for

the state of New Jersey.

In 2010, the donations of the Bordentown community helped Troupe 6803 surpass its original goal of 1,000 pounds and ultimately donate 2,002 pounds of food. For this, Bordentown Regional High School ITS Troupe 6803 was awarded the 2010 Harvest Excellence Award by the International Thespian Society, the honors organization for high school theatre students.

The Bordentown Regional High School Theatre Club and Stage Crew are part of the International Thespian Society, an honor organization for students who excel in the theatrical arts. Their annual season of dramas, comedies, children’s theatre, musicals, festivals, and one act plays have garnered BRHS numerous awards and nominations from the New Jersey State Thespian Festival, the International Thespian Festival, the New Jersey Theatre Night Awards, and the Greater Philadelphia Cappies Awards.

Team85 works to provide healthy, happy holidays

Team85 has partnered with Eat Clean Bro to help further the Fitness and Well ness facility’s efforts to feed those in need this holiday season.

On Nov. 23, Team85 and Eat Clean Bro distributed 2,000 Thanksgiving dinners in an effort to help bring people mean ingful meals that are well-balanced and satisfying. Team85 says that the effort is an expansion of the Fitness and Wellness club’s annual acts of giving.

In the past, Team85 has collected dry and canned goods and purchased turkeys to distribute to local community agencies. After the disruptions of last year’s food shortages posed challenges to the 500 meals distributed, Team85 set to work reimagining the best ways to provide meaningful help to those most in need.

“We wanted to ensure that those who were hungry had a healthy meal this Thanksgiving, prepared and ready to eat,” said Kevin Johnson, CEO of K John son Enterprises. “As we considered our food collection and distribution practices, we recognized that many people we aim to serve are both food and shelter inse cure. Full-sized ovens to roast a turkey or cooktops to heat the sides may not exist for those in need. From this awareness, we decided to expand our Thanksgiving initiatives this year. By partnering with Eat Clean Bro, we can provide 2,000 peo ple healthy, prepared, balanced meals in convenient single servings.”

Team85 has worked with local commu nity organizations and have established donation distribution sites where Team85 and Eat Clean Bro can get right into the heart of the community and hand out these Thanksgiving meals.  Thanksgiving Meal Distribution was

scheduled from throughout the greater Bordentown area including the Rescue Mission in Trenton, Bromley Center in Hamilton, Sisterhood Inc. in Burlington and Team85 in Bordentown.

Team85 Fitness and Wellness has con tinued their food drive initiatives using the facility and its membership as a cata lyst for meaningful assistance to those in need. Dry and canned goods collected over the past months have been distrib uted to local food pantries to assist in community efforts to ensure that these agencies have the items they need to keep their pantry shelves stocked.

Additional initiatives throughout Team85’s Season of Giving include their annual “Toys for Tots” toy drive and “Giv ing Tree” giving the gift of warmth to those in need through the collection of new hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, blan kets, socks, and more.

For more information, send email to info@team85fitnessandwellness.com or call (609) 298-8585. Web: team85fitnes sandwellness.com.

Burlington County is partnering with the Trex Company to make it easier for local schools and community groups to

plastic film products.

Schools and community groups collect ing plastic bags and film as part of Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge can now use Burlington County’s Robert C. Shinn Jr. Recycling Center in Westampton as a drop-off location.

Trex manufactures composite deck

ing and railing from recycled plastics it upcycles from household items such as grocery/shopping bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves, shipping package materials and more. To capture more bags and film, Trex sponsors two annual Challenge programs, an annual recycling competition for schools, and one for com munity groups. Community groups earn a free Trex bench if they collect more than 500 pounds of plastics within 6 months.

To help with the program’s success, the county has created a central delivery drop point at the County Recycling Cen ter for the Challenge Program groups and schools to bring all the plastic bags and film they collect. The Burlington County Health Department and Depart ment of Resource Conservation have also joined this green initiative by taking part in the Trex Challenge.

Plastic film materials such as plastic grocery and shopping bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, ice bags, newspapers sleeves, produce bags, bubble wrap and plastic shipping envelopes should not be placed in Burlington County recycling containers. These materials must be kept out of the curbside recycling stream or they can damage the mechanical equip ment used in the County’s recycling process.

Schools and community groups interested in participating in the Trex competition and challenges can sign up online at nextrex.com/view/ programs#challenge1.

The school challenge has begun and runs through April 2023. Commu nity groups can select any six-month time period for the challenge. Chal lenge schools and groups should email recycle@co.burlington.nj.us when they wish to make a delivery to the Recycling Center.

Arney’s Mount Trail opens

Burlington County has a new addition to its regional trails network and it fea tures Arney’s Mount, the county’s high est elevation.

The County Commissioners celebrated the new Arney’s Mount Trail on Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of several of the stunning locations along the new pathway.

Arney’s Mount is one of the county’s most unusual geological landscapes. The top of the mount is 240 feet above sea level. It is known as “erosional remnant” because the elevation was formed from sandstone that remained in place while the surrounding land slowly eroded away by streams and wind.

The new trail features a 2.2-mile asphalt path up and around Arney’s Mount, plus 2.45 miles of equestrian turf trails and several smaller “challenge trails” through the woods along the base of the mount. The trail begins at the intersection of Tower Drive and Juliustown Road and includes a parking area, a picnic pavilion with grills and an accessible horse mount ing platform.

The trail is located on more than 185 acres of land preserved by the County.

A total of $3.75 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program was used to fund engineering, design and con struction costs for the project.

The Arney’s Mount Trail is the latest of several new trail projects undertaken by the County, which already has more than 1,000 acres of developed parkland and 50-plus miles of interconnecting trails.

Earlier this fall, the County celebrated the completion of the first 4-mile segment of the Rancocas Greenway Trail that is envisioned to someday travel the length of the Rancocas Creek from its conflu ence with the Delaware River to its head waters near the Burlington-Ocean border.

The Arney’s Mount Trail is also expected to eventually be extended another 3.5 miles northwest through preserved property to the County Fair

grounds off Route 206.

All of the county’s paths are part of the planned 800-mile Circuit Trails network that is expected to connect four New Jer sey counties and five Pennsylvania coun ties in the Greater Philadelphia region.

City earns Sustainable Jersey award

Sustainable Jersey announced the recipients of the 2022 Sustainable Jersey municipal awards in November, with Bor dentown City taking a major award.

Established in 2009, the Sustainable Jersey Annual Awards are intended to support and recognize the municipalities and leaders who have demonstrated sus tainability excellence. This year, 81 towns achieved certification.

Three towns received Sustainability Champion awards: Woodbridge Town ship (in the large town category); Madi son Borough in Morris County in the medium town category) and Bordentown City (in the small town category).

Other area towns were recognized as well. Trenton received the Creativity and Innovation award, and Princeton a Gold Star in Health.

Sustainable Jersey’s 465 participating communities represent nearly 82% of the state’s municipalities.

NOW ENROLLING

and After School Care

Nutcracker ballet set for Dec. 17

Students of the Central NJ Ballet Theatre will perform The Nutcracker Dec. 17 at 10:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Burlington Performing Arts Center, Burlington. Pictured are (front row) Sophia Szabo, 13, of Florence, and (back row) Rosie Dimaio, 11, Florence, NJ and Avery Martin, 11, Bordentown. For tickets: cnjballet.com.

CITY OF BORDENTOWN

2023 DOG LICENSING NOTICE

When it comes to cremation, there are many options to consider – from traditional services to contemporary celebrations. Regardless of your choice, we will help you and your family ensure that your ceremony is a reflection of the person you are and the life you’ve lived. To learn more, please contact us.

Dog owners are required to obtain 2016 licenses no later than January 31, 2016. Licenses may be obtained at City Hall, 324 Farnsworth Avenue, during the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Dog owners are required to obtain 2018 licenses no later than January 31, 2018. Licenses may be obtained at City Hall, 324 Farnsworth Avenue, during the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Dog owners are required to obtain 2023 licenses no later than January 31, 2023. Licenses may be obtained at the City Administration Building, 101 E. Park Street, during the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Owners of dogs who do not obtain licenses are subject to fines up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 90 days or community service for up to 90 days, or any combination thereof.

Owners of dogs who do not obtain licenses are subject to fines up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 90 days or community service for up to 90 days, or any combination thereof.

Owners of dogs who do not obtain licenses are subject to fines up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 90 days or community service for up to 90 days, or any combination thereof.

ACCORDING TO STATE REGULATIONS, YOUR PET’S RABIES VACCINATION MUST NOT EXPIRE PRIOR TO THE END OF THE LICENSING YEAR.

ACCORDING TO STATE REGULATIONS, YOUR PET’S

Bordentown City Residents Only

1. A current certificate of rabies vaccination is required when purchasing your dog’s license.

RABIES VACCINATION MUST NOT EXPIRE PRIOR TO THE END OF THE LICENSING YEAR.

ACCORDING TO STATE REGULATIONS, YOUR PET’S RABIES VACCINATION MUST NOT EXPIRE PRIOR TO THE END OF THE LICENSING YEAR.

2. If your pet has been spayed or neutered and you are purchasing a NEW license, proof must be provided at the time of the issuance.

The Huber - Moore Funeral Home

John C. Polhemus, Manager, NJ Lic. No. 3700

3. If you have licensed your pet previously and are RENEWING the license, you do not need to submit this information.

4. The License Application can be found on the City website.

Certificate of rabies vaccination is required when purchasing your dog’s license. If your pet has been spayed or neutered, this certificate must also be presented at the time of the issuance of the license.

Certificate of rabies vaccination is required when purchasing your dog’s license. If your pet has been spayed or neutered, this certificate must also be presented at the time of the issuance of the license.

Licenses purchased after January 31 will be subject to a $5.00 late fee.

Grace I. Archer, RMC City Clerk

517 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown, New Jersey 08505 (609) 298-0330 www.huberfuneralhome.com

I’m helping my family plan a meaningful ceremony followed by cremation.

BAND continued from Page 1

During the regular season, BRHS took part in eight competitions, with firstplace finishes at Hopewell Valley, Jackson Memorial and Hamilton High West and a fourth-place finish out of 20 against tough competition in the state championship, held Oct. 29 at Hillsborough High School.

They capped off the fall with a sec ond-place finish at the USBands A Class National Championships for Group II on Nov. 5 at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allen town, Pennsylvania. They finished only behind Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan in their group. Bor dentown’s percussion section also took home a caption award for best percussion.

Montalto and staff members Cheryl Stallworth-Glitz (assistant band director) and Brianna Potter (color guard adviser) work with the students from August through November to get them ready to peak at nationals. Montalto says he knew going into the state championship that the Scotties would be a top contender.

“I had a really good feeling that we were going to be in the top 3,” he says. “But sometimes it’s hit or miss with the judges.”

They finished fourth, but by a narrow margin — Group II state champs Lenape Valley earned a score of 96.0, followed by Seneca at 95.4, Old Tappan at 93.3 and Bordentown at 92.3, just 3.7 points out of

the top spot.

Though they didn’t win states, Borden town did earn a tangible reward with their fourth-place finish: a better spot in the schedule for nationals. Performing later in the competition is generally advantageous, and champs Old Tappan were the only school to perform after BRHS in the group.

Montalto says that while it would have been nice to finish first, he is content knowing that the marching band’s per formance at nationals was its best of the season.

“I always tell the kids, performing your best is what it’s about,” Montalto says. * * *

In state and national athletics competi tions, schools are typically grouped by overall enrollment, with schools of similar sizes competing against one another for championships.

In marching band competitions, bands are grouped not by overall enrollment but by the size of the bands themselves. Bor dentown’s 44-member marching band competed this season in Group IIA.

Bands take part not only in an overall competition, but also in several category competitions, including best percussion, best music and best visuals.

This year’s second-place finish over all in nationals follows a number of good results for the marching band in recent years. Bordentown finished third overall

Bordentown Regional High School Marching Band color guard adviser Brianna Potter, district director of bands Michael Montalto (center) and assistant band director Cheryl Stallworth-Glitz hold the second-place trophy the band earned at Nationals in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Nov. 5.

II in 2017. The band took best visual caption honors in 2021, best music caption in 2019, and percussion caption and cadets awards in 2017.

Montalto does not make marching band mandatory for Bordentown’s scholastic musicians, so the size of the band varies year to year.

“I only want the kids that really want to do it to do it,” he says. “Especially with the amount of time and work that goes into it.”

Some students have other commit ments in the fall as well. For instance, Bor dentown’s concert band, which rehearses during the school day, includes four foot ball players, who would not be available for the marching unit.

On competition days, the marching band students and staff have a whole itin erary that they follow in terms of setting up their rehearsals and performance. But they could not do it alone.

Montalto says the band parents deserve loads of credit for the support they pro vide throughout the season.

“From helping with props, feeding the kids and loading the buses, it takes a lot of people to make this happen,” he says.

Montalto said Superintendent Trudy Atkins, district administration and the board of education deserve thanks for their support as well.

The Marching Scotties also depend on the leadership of many students over the course of the season. This year’s band was led by drum majors Rachel Cook and Rachel Schiariti and color guard captain Emma Hoffman.

Section leaders included Angelia Dem kowicz and Shubham Dhiungra (upper woodwinds), Jillian Gosselin and Jorge Moya (saxophones), Luke Williams (trumpets), Nick Barahona and Jacob Calabro (low brass), Matthew Comeau and Conner Rich (drumline), and Anmol Sidhu (front ensemble). The field man ager is Aiden Rich.

“They definite played their best show of the season,” Montalto says. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more. There have been years where we have had suc cessful seasons, but in our performance at nationals, we didn’t do that well. This year we did our best. The band that beat us (Old Tappan) was from New Jersey and I know their director and they always do a great job.” * * *

Bordentown Regional High School will host its annual winter concert on Thurs day, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the BRHS Per forming Arts Center, 318 Ward Ave., Bordentown NJ 08505. The honors jazz ensemble, concert band and string orchestra are set to perform.

is Surging

Robert Pecht of Bordentown Home

For Funerals says the tradition of The Healing Café and the Blue Christmas service stretch back to 2010, when Bordentown Home For Funerals started offering a version of The Healing Café at the funeral home and at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Bordentown.

“I’ve been a funeral director for close to 25 years. One of the necessities that I’ve come to find out is what happens after the funeral is over,” Pecht says. “For the initial death, everybody runs to the family, they send them food baskets, they call them, they talk to them about what they can do (to cope)...and then we go back to our own families. So there’s this void that hap pens, and it’s usually about two weeks after the funeral. The family really needs that support, and it’s not there.”

What is now called the Blue Christmas Service and held at Christ Church Chapel began as the “Hope and Healing Service” at St. Mary’s with Rev. Michael J. Burns.

“We started out over at St. Mary’s and

we had a spiritual service, so there was the ‘hope,’ but then the ‘healing’ was me trying to explain what grief is. Because grief is more than just the loss of some body,” Pecht says. “It can be the loss of family member, the loss of income, maybe even going through divorce and the loss of a partner.”

Over time, the service moved to Christ Church Parish and became the Blue Christmas service, led by Rev. J. Matthew Tucker.

“We’re now going into the holidays and with the holi days, people don’t always want to celebrate,” he says.

“They’re sad, they’re blue.”

Pecht says local churches have been very supportive with both the service and the Healing Café.

“I try to work with all of the local clergy,” Pecht says.

“I’ve worked with Father Matt since 2010, with Dea con Tom Shea, with Father Mike at St. Mary’s.”

The Healing Café began as occasional sessions at the funeral home. “There are plenty of wonderful organizations that are out there that provide bereavement meetings and groups. I did not want to

replicate that same format with a bunch of chairs set up in a big circle,” Pecht says. “The room was set up as a little bis tro. We had small circular bistro tables so this way, if a person brought a friend, they could sit at the same table, or if I was there and feeling alone maybe somebody would invite me to that table. We’re hop ing with The Healing Café to give people a place to experience their grief, to under stand their grief, and also to support other people who are going through the same thing, so that this way they know that they’re not alone.”

* * *

The Covid-19 pandemic put a temporary halt to the sessions in the last few years. In starting it back up, Pecht says he and his wife, Stephanie, decided to seek out a new venue and a new format with a guest speaker who could provide addi tional perspective to those in attendance.

The venue for December will be Turtle Beans Coffee Roaster, and the speaker will be Sheri Tully of Sharing Temple Counseling, LLC.

Turtle Beans Coffee Roaster, operated by Steven and Linda Fonseca, is a coffee house that opened in the city in June.

“We figured that if we have it at Turtle Beans, it’s kind of a neutral place. I’m hoping people who don’t feel comfort able going to the funeral home will now come out to Turtle Beans and they’ll get something out of it, where they’ll want to continue to come back and hopefully tell their friends,” Pecht says.

Sharing Temple Counseling opened on Third St. in Bordentown City in 2017. Tully, a licensed social worker and coun selor who lives in the township, says Sharing Temple Counseling is a small pri vate practice consisting of social workers and counselors who specialize in eating disorders, substance abuse and trauma.

“We have some ideas we can bring to the community,” Tully says. “We’ll be talking a lot about what grief is and bring ing in some activities to help the pub lic learn how to process their grief and work through it and not feel like they’re so alone. As a therapist, I can bring some of the compassion and the skill that I’ve been trained to have to make the process more comfortable.”

Tully says she hopes that the commu nity can help decide what to talk about at future versions of The Healing Café.

“We’ll see what the need is, make it relatable to what people are really looking for,” she says.

Tully says she met Steph anie Pecht at the Borden town City pride parade and Pecht asked her if she would be interested in get ting involved in restarting The Healing Café.

“I love what I do as a ther apist and a social worker, and I also love the community and get ting as involved as I can,” Tully says. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of people and want to do as much as I can to help. And also I want the community to know that we’re out there to support them, outside The Healing Café and Blue Christmas, that this (Sharing Temple Counseling) is a place they can come where they can not only gain coping skills for themselves but also find someone to listen and help them work through their grief.”

The Healing Café at Turtle Beans Coffee Roaster, 225 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown NJ 08505. Thursday, Dec. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Blue Christmas Service for the Hol idays at Christ Church Parish, 130 Prince St., Bordentown NJ 08505. Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. with service and reception to follow. All are welcome. Reservations for both events strongly suggested; call (609) 298-0128 to reserve a seat.

On the Cover

Plate Expectations: Restaurants that Set the Stage for a Memorable Meal

BY GEORGE POINT

When dining out, as in most aspects of life, first impressions count big time by setting expectations of what’s to follow. If you stop to think about it, dining out is theater, and a restaurant is a stage set. Consciously or not, when you approach a dining venue for the first time and walk through the front door, you’ve already begun to anticipate what’s in store.

The website of Absolute Commercial Interiors, an English commercial interior design firm, notes in a blog post that “the ambience in a restaurant plays an undeniably significant role in shaping your customers’ overall dining experience. Ambience ties the cuisine, service, and environment together to define your diners’ perception of your restaurant.”

Some restaurants simply do a better job than others in managing diners’ expectations and making their décor an integral part of fostering an appreciation for their cuisine. Here are just four of the many examples of eateries in our area that have managed to achieve just that.

Note that before you visit, you’re encouraged to peruse the full menus for each that are posted on their websites, as well as to verify opening and closing times. Reservations are also highly recommended.

Kristine’s

In its décor and cuisine, Kristine’s in downtown Princeton clearly aspires to create the look and feel of a casual yet elegant French dining spot — and manages to do a highly satisfying job on both counts. Considerable effort has been spent on the details of the exterior and interior design, doing so in ways that appear both obvious and subtle to the eye.

Approaching Kristine’s from Hinds Plaza, one is drawn to the cafe curtains, the inviting blue and white striped awnings emblazoned with “Kristine’s” in distinctive script. The “Bienvenue (‘Welcome’) Kristine’s” on the window glass beckons as you pass by the outdoor dining area to the double entry doors on the south corner of the brick structure.

A more subtle design element, intentional or not, is the simple semi-circular awning over the entry, a sly visual reference to the Art Nouveau canopies covering access to the Paris Metro.

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Stop Your Pain. Start Your Life.

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute

Taking the Fight Against Chronic Pain

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

to New Levels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

666 Plainsboro Road, Suite 100D Plainsboro. 609-269-4451 www.njpaindoc.com

Dr. Ronak Patel

continued from Page 2

The restrained design choices in the din ing room evoke Paris without crossing over into kitsch. The petite floor tiles are set in a pattern that makes them seem to swirl across the room. Fluted glass shades adorn the overhead lighting. The horseshoeshaped bar, replete with bentwood stools, conveys the look of the zinc-topped bars in many establishments found throughout La Belle France. The artwork adds to the feel ing that you’ve been transported back to Paris in the 1930s.

In short, Kristine’s manages to be invit ingly French in appearance, an especially remarkable feat considering that the space housed a boutique in its previous incarna tion. But it’s the ambient sound of Kristine’s that seals the deal.

The sound system may be playing the strains of Bal-musette, a style of French instrumental music usually featuring an accordion that became popular in Paris in the 1880s. Or you may hear the little spar row Édith Piaf proclaiming “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,” Charles Trenet crooning “La Mer” (long before Bobby Darin made the English version a hit in the U.S.) or per haps the iconoclastic folk singer Georges Brassens singing a tune you’re probably better off not understanding the words to.

And the conversations of the patrons din ing at adjoining tables can be part of the charm of Kristine’s as well, as likely to be in French as English.

The menu at Kristine’s reads like a hit parade of well-curated French favorites that regulars have come to expect: onion soup, foie gras torchons, moules et frites, duck confit, steak frites, as well as vegan and glu ten-free options. General manager Branden English notes that cool weather additions may include burgundy beef, cassoulet, boudin noir, and lamb shank.

Underscoring Kristine’s French pedi gree is the restaurant’s selection of French wines and spirits, with knowledgeable staff

eager to make recommendations; for exam ple, Branden is certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, a global provider of wine and spirit education for professionals and enthusiasts.

Bon appetit!

Kristine’s, 51 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 609-924-3339 and kristine sprinceton.com.

Local Greek

Do an online search for “typical Greek taverna” and you’ll see that Local Greek, at 44 Leigh Avenue in Princeton, has fulfilled the promise that owner Tony Kanterakis made upon opening its doors in Novem ber 2017 — an assurance that, when visit ing, customers can “escape Princeton” and enter Greece.

Despite the un-Greek presence of Tor tuga’s Mexican Village, another neighbor hood mainstay, across the street, that state ment still rings true. Nearly five years later, Local Greek continues to be a neighbor hood gathering place to enjoy Greek cui sine in a setting with the authentic spirit of a cozy local hangout on a Greek isle.

As reported in U.S. 1 soon after the res taurant opened, the look of Local Greek is a big part of its appeal, from the sun-washed white and blue exterior and inviting out door seating to the rustic wooden tables and floors, white subway tile, and white washed walls within — not to mention the welcoming attitude and efficient service of the staff. You may hear the strains of Greek music in the background, but at a volume that permits quiet conversation.

At the time, Kanterakis reflected on the spirit of Greek culture that he had worked to bring to Local Greek. “I think a lot of the Greek words on the walls explain what’s

important about Greek culture,” he noted, “the warmth and hospitality of the Greek people, the attitude that strangers are friends you haven’t met yet.”

To cite one example, a sign over the entrance to the side dining room proclaims that ‘the secret ingredient is always love,’ and three Greek words and their defini tions hand-painted on the wall expand on the sentiment; ‘Filoksenia – An act of hos pitality, a warm welcome,’ ‘Kefi – The spirit of joy and enthusiasm in which good times and passion for life are experienced by an abundance of excitement, happiness and fun,’ and ‘Meraki – The soul; creativity or love put into something: the essence of yourself put into your work.’

It would be impossible to quote the extensive menu here, a well-curated selec tion of soups, salads, appetizers, meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes that range from old favorites (avgolemono, dolmades [stuffed grape leaves], gyro platter, souvlaki, bak lava) to more upmarket entrees like shrimp flambé, whole grilled branzino and top ping out at a substantial mixed grill platter ($74.95). Local Greek is BYO, or patrons may choose from the offerings of Old York Cellars in Ringoes.

Perhaps the best example of “plate expectations” is the string of Greek letters diners pass under that proclaims, “We are all family.”

“When strangers to a Greek town wan der by, it’s not unusual for locals to invite them in and share their hospitality,” Kanter akis explains. “That’s the feeling I’m trying to create here — to capture the spirit of the Greek people.”

Local Greek, 44 Leigh Avenue, Princ eton. Monday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.to 8 p.m. 609285-2969 and localgreeknj.com

Note: Tony Kanterakis has four other

Greek-themed restaurants, including Greek Bites and Loco Cheese in Princeton, Local Greek Lambertville, and Local Greek Seafood in Hopewell. Visit eatlocalgreek. com for details.

AJA Asian Cuisine and Lounge

Diners in the area with very long memo ries may recall that 1736 Route 206 in Mont gomery was once the address of the County Line restaurant, back in the day when a slab of prime rib served with a wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with blue cheese dressing was considered the height of haute cuisine. Come to think of it, that combo still sounds mighty tasty. The County Line is long gone, replaced by a succession of eateries in what turned into a hard-luck location.

Perhaps that’s why koi are a recurring presence in the current establishment at that address, Aja Cuisine and Lounge. In Japan, koi, a colorful relative of the com mon carp, serve as a symbol of good luck and determination in the face of hard times.

Koi have been reported to live as long as two centuries; perhaps they are the good luck charms that will ensure Aja’s longev ity, given that there are koi abound at Aja, most notably in the large pottery vessel next to reception that contains live fish lan guidly lazing about.

Koi also appear on assorted fine china serving pieces, and three koi, writ large, circle gracefully on the wall behind the sushi bar. Uniformed itamae (sushi chefs), donned in their caps and tunics, silently and methodically go about their work.

Koi aside, it’s hard to know where to begin to describe Aja’s lavish décor. The quality and quantity of detail one dis

Toast to a French meal at Kristine’s, left and middle, or settle in for some traditional hospitality at Local Greek, right, to get a sense of community with your atmosphere.

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Ever feel tightness in your chest when going up a flight of stairs, or short of breath after carrying in the groceries? These can be signs of coronary artery disease. If you think you may be at risk, you should talk to a cardiac specialist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. At RWJBarnabas Health, we perform more elective and emergent procedures than any other health care system in New Jersey. Our heart team can clear blocked or narrowed arteries to safely restore blood flow to your heart. Schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s top cardiac specialists at rwjbh.org/heart

covers while meandering through the multi-roomed, multi-themed interior is astonishing.

Push the beautifully carved hardwood push plates affixed to the entry doors and note the display of dozens of abaci on the wall to your right. Asian artwork and statuary of all sizes are strategically placed throughout, well-positioned to encourage appreciation by their patrons — almost like wandering through an art gallery.

Many of the interior walls of Aja are finished in small, smooth river stones, with thousands of them set in plaster. Apart from the strips of neon that define the various dining areas, the soft indirect lighting succeeds in giving what would otherwise be cavernous spaces a hushed ambiance and an intimate feel.

The lighting, combined with the use of Asian hardwood accents, river stone, and slate floor tiles, work together to convey the impression that Aja is a place for serious dining. With a mix of spacious booths and tables, it’s no wonder that in the cooler months, seats near the working fireplace are sought-after spots.

The décor continues down to the stairs leading to the lower-level lobby, additional party rooms, and even the restrooms; all are tastefully designed and realized.

There is no shortage of dining options for parties of every size. In addition to the main dining room, Aja sports a sushi bar and cocktail bar, as well as the (lavenderbedecked) Lavender room and the (very red) Mandarin rooms, which may be booked singly or in combination for private events.

And then there are Aja’s menu offerings, too numerous to enumerate in this limited space and best perused at your leisure online.

There you’ll find enough soups, salads, sushi, sashimi, rolls, wok and grilled selections, noodle and rice dishes, bento boxes, and dessert choices to keep you occupied for a while.

Looking for a low-risk introduction to

Aja? Stop in for lunch and choose from a selection of reasonably priced dishes that include salad, soup, and a main course.

My friend and longtime Princeton resident Marty, one of my go-to experts on all things Japanese, especially enjoys the sushi/sashimi luncheon special; 4 pieces of sushi, 8 pieces of sashimi, and a spicy tuna roll for a very reasonable $23.

AJA, 1736 US 206, Montgomery. Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. then 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. then 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday,

12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Full bar service available. 908-262-2512 and ajamontgomery. com.

El Tule

If you’ve only experienced Lambertville as a Delaware River town characterized by the charming 19th century structures along Bridge Street, take the first right after turning in off Route 29.

On your left, you’ll happen upon the bright orange, black, and green sign on a

AJA Asian Cuisine and Lounge in Montgomery, left , and El Tule Mexican & Peruvian Restaurant in Lambertville, right, sport both inviting interiors and extravagant exteriors.

The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ) provides many opportunities for students to take their skills, passion and talent to new musical levels, including master classes with professional musicians, concert performances, chamber music opportunities and more! YOCJ features three orchestras, as well as small ensembles for brass, percussion, woodwinds, saxophone and flute.

Upcoming events:

• Saturday December 10, 7:30pm Winter Small Ensemble Concert at Community Middle School, Plainsboro NJ

• Sunday January 15, 3pm & the 8pm Winter Large Ensemble Concerts at Kendall Hall, TCNJ. The 8pm concert features Billy Hunter, Principal Trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

New Student Auditions:

•Tuesday January 31 and June 6, 2023 For more information, visit https://yocj.org/

one-story building boldly proclaiming it to be the home of El Tule Mexican and Peru vian Cuisine.

Walk past the row of picnic tables and catch a glimpse of the patio dining area at the rear, festooned with twinkly lights crisscrossed overhead and on the fence that encloses the space.

As you step inside, witness the bright colors abound; orange predominates on the walls and on the red-bordered menus and includes other bright colors as well, reflecting the natural dyes from native plants and the earth that color the tradi tional clothing of both countries.

One wall is covered with concert post ers in dayglo colors announcing appear ances by Peruvian musicians, singers, and composers of contemporary and tradi tional Andean music, like Peruvian singer-

composer Dina Paucar and the dazzling Andean orchestra Super Briliantes del Ande.

The background music reflects the décor as well, played at a festive yet com fortable volume. Rustic floor tile, dark brown tables, and comfortable chairs com plete the picture, giving El Tule the look and feel of a neighborhood establishment you might find in Oaxaca or Cuzco.

And then there’s “El Tule” itself, the tree logo that appears throughout the restau rant and on the t-shirts worn by Jack, the owner, and his staff.

It’s a graphic reference to El Árbol del Tule, Spanish for ‘The Tree of Tule,’ a massive Montezuma cypress located in the center of Santa María del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca said to have been planted 1,400 years ago by Pechocha, a priest of the Aztec wind god Ehecatl.

As with the décor, El Tule comes by the

authenticity of its cuisine honestly. Relo cating from Peru in 1992, the Egoavil and Anguino families present a Mexican Latin fusion menu, guided by chefs from the Egoavil and Anguino families. Peruvian chef Carmen Egoavil has built on the culi nary skills she learned from her mother, while chef Said Anguino crafts the Mexi can side of the menu with interpretations of traditional recipes.

The menu includes a selection of veg etarian, seafood, and meat dishes. Cevi che includes ceviche limeno (corvina fish, sweet potatoes, Peruvian corn) and cevi che mixto (corvina fish, shrimp, octopus, and calamari), “Flavors of Peru” includes coliflor saltada tacu (vegan wok stir-fried cauliflower and fresh vegetables, served over Peruvian beans and rice) and lamb stew tacu tacu (boneless lamb slowly cooked for 48 hours in a sauce of Peruvian panca peppers and Chicha de Jora (a beer

made from fermented maize).

Mexican specialties include spinach and crab enchiladas, tampiquena (marinated ribeye topped with guacamole), and more.

There’s also a good selection of large and small plates to share, and a non-alco holic drink selection that includes Inca Kola, Jamaica tea, and Chicha Morada (purple Peruvian corn, pineapple, a “hint of lime, and a hint of cinnamon”).

A ‘Locals Night Special’ on Wednesday evenings offers three courses, plus a com plimentary margarita for just $30. Che vere! (‘Awesome’).

El Tule Mexican & Peruvian Restau rant, 49 N. Main St., Lambertville. Tues day to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sun day, noon to 9 p.m. BYOB. 609-773-0007 and eltulerestaurant.com.

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute

Treating Pain with PRP and Stem Cell Therapy

Pain.

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

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

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

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

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

• Osteoarthritis

• Rotator cuff tear

• Back pain

• Meniscus tears

• Tennis elbow

• Disc herniations

• Tendonitis

• Neck pain

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

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

PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets and growth factors into damaged tissue to

stimulate the faster growth of new healthy cells. Platelets are cells that prevent and stop bleeding. If a blood vessel is damaged, the body sends signals to our platelets to get on the job and start the healing. Some call platelets the body’s natural bandage. So how does PRP therapy work? It’s basically drawing a one small vial of blood from the patient and then using a centrifuge to turn it into a potent and concentrated form of platelets. It is then injected back into the patient. Think of it as a boost of your own blood — only superpowered. Recovery time for PRP therapy is far shorter than for surgery. Patients usually experience soreness for a week or so, but the gradual improvement soon begins. Unlike

a steroid shot, which gives you immediate relief and quickly wears off, a PRP patient will see pain symptoms improve over a period of months, and up to 80 percent of patients will see relief for up to two years.

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

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

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

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

THE GIFT OF A SMILE

With the end of the year in sight, now is a great time to assess your family’s unmet dental needs. Consider your annual benefits that expire at the end of the year. Contact us to help you plan your New Year smile!

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

Hamilton Dental Associates

Don’t Let Your Annual Benefits Go to Waste!

Every year, thousands of people sit on their dental insurance and benefits until the new year rolls around, los ing out on their past year of cover age. While some may use it to cover routine dental checkups, most pay for these yearly benefits without ever using them, leaving them unused and therefore going to waste. Instead of eating it as a sunk cost, consider scheduling some dental work with Hamilton Dental Associates!

Dental insurance can be much less confusing for patients to understand compared to medical insurance. The language used in dental insurance policies directly tells people what procedures receive coverage, how much you have to pay, and how much the insurance provider pays. How ever, people wind up leaving money on the table when their insurance plan rolls over at the end of the year. Whatever the difference between their maximums and what they spent on dental procedures is, they lose that money. To maximize the benefits of their dental insurance plans, patients need to understand what is currently offered, what kind of procedures are offered, and how much their insurance will cover.

Knowing Your Coverage. Most dental insurance plans follow the 10080-50 structure. They will cover 100% of the costs of minor procedures such as bi-yearly visits, teeth cleanings, x-rays, and dental sealant procedures. For things such as cavity fillings, root canals, and gum disease, your insur ance will cover around 80% of the total cost after the deductible is met. The major procedures like crowns, bridges, inlays, or dentures will only

have about 50% of the procedure covered. Knowing how much your in surance will cover helps you plan out your visits and maximize the money still left on your account before losing it at the end of the year.

What If I Have an FSA Account?

Flexible Spending Accounts, or FSA, are provided through employersponsored insurance plans and are designed to help provide flexibility in how you pay for specific procedures. During your enrollment period, you select which FSA account you want and determine how much money is in that account. These pre-tax dollars come out of your paycheck over the year and are then used to help cover the cost of these procedures.

The FSA plans work similarly to a debit card in that the money in the account can be withdrawn to cover the expenses. However, like other benefits, once the new year comes and the plan rolls over into 2021, you lose whatever balance is left on the FSA account. This is why you should take the time to plan out what dental procedures you need done throughout the year and do what you can to maxi mize the money in your FSA account.

Where Do I Go From Here? That’s the most important question right now. Since you only have a set amount of time left in the year to utilize your den tal insurance benefits to their fullest, don’t wait!

We can help you schedule your routine checkups, schedule any ad ditional dental work you may need, and work with your insurance provider to figure out how much is covered and what you need to pay out of pocket. We’re an in-network option for various insurance plans and can work with plans that offer out-of-network ben efits. Contact our team to learn more about how we can help today!

Visit Hamilton Dental Associates today, and come see what all the smiles are about! See ad, page 10.

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

RWJ Hamilton

7 Keys to a Woman’s Healthy Heart

Heart disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States, can be insidious, creeping up slowly and seemingly without warning. Often it can be “silent,” too, with no obvious symptoms at all—until a crisis or emergency, like a heart at tack, strikes. “Fortunately, there are steps women can take to help prevent heart disease,” says interventional cardiologist Edward Wingfield, MD, Medical Staff President at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. “Awareness is important, but it’s not enough to just be aware of risk factors. Women need to be proactive when it comes to their self-care and overall healthcare.”

Here are seven things women can do to help prevent or reduce their risk of heart disease:

1. Monitor Your Blood Pressure. “High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, so get your blood pressure checked regularly,” says Dr. Wingfield. “If it’s high, talk to your doctor about how to lower it. There are many ways to get those numbers down.”

2. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet. Re duce sugar and salt and eat a diet that

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.

contains whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and that’s low in saturated fats and cholesterol. A Mediterranean diet is a healthy option to consider.

3. Avoid Overeating. In addition to causing weight gain, eating heavy meals and large portions causes your body to work overtime and increases your heart rate. Fatty meals are par ticularly taxing.

4. Exercise. Take a walk, ride a bike, swim, dance— just get mov ing, and aim for at least a half-hour of moderate exercise per day, incorpo rating strength training twice a week. “Be sure to check with your healthcare provider about a regimen that’s appro priate for your specific health needs,” advises Dr. Wingfield.

5. Quit Smoking. Just do it. After one year, your risk of developing heart disease will be cut by 50 percent.

6. Manage Stress. Stress can have a profound effect on your heart health by inducing the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn cause an increase in blood pressure and injury to the inner layer of your heart vessels (endothelium) leading to a heart at tack. Yoga and meditation are just two things that can help with managing stress. Speak to your provider about other options.

7. Sleep Well. Sleep is important

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-fitsall 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, page 9.

but it’s not just about getting enough sleep, which for most adults is about seven to nine hours per night. Getting enough restful, restorative sleep is what matters. Go to bed at about the same time every night; sleep in a cool, dark room; and turn off electronic devices like cell phones and tablets.

Though there is some overlap in the symptoms of heart attack in men and women, women have some dif ferent symptoms, many of which can be subtle or may be attributed to just aches and pains, the flu or heartburn. But if you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911:

• Jaw, neck or upper back pain

• Chest pain

• Chest tightness

• Pain in the shoulder or arm

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness or fainting

• Cold sweats

• Shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen • Indigestion

Wingfield, MD

McDougall, Integrative RN, and spon sored by Robert Wood Johnson Uni versity Hospital Hamilton Community Education. Registration is required for this program. Register online at rwjbh. org/events or call 609-584-5900 and dial “1” to reach Health Connections.

“LOVE

YOUR HEART” DISCUS SION GROUP

All are welcome to come out on Thursday, December 8, 10 to 11 a.m., as we explore the connection between food and mood, along with a recipe tasting and discussion. Unhealthy nutrition and difficult emotions, such as depression, can often put us at risk for heart disease. Hosted by Patti

Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you.

To connect to a top cardiovascu lar expert at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, call 888723-7123 or visit rwjbh.org/heart.

To learn more about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton or call 609586-7900. See ad, page 5.

Edward

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

Jan: 9, 23 Feb: 6, 20 Mar: 6, 20 Apr: 3, 17 May: 1, 15, Jun: 3, 12, 26

Jul: 10, 24 Aug: 7, 21, Sep: 9, 18 Oct: 2, 16, 30 Nov: 13, 27 Dec: 11, 30

Jan: 2, 16, 30 Feb: 13, 27 Mar: 13, 27 Apr: 10, 24 May: 8, 22 Jun: 5, 19

Jul: 3, 17, 31 Aug: 14, 28 Sep: 11, 25 Oct: 9, 23 Nov: 6, 20 Dec: 4, 18

Jan: 10, 24 Feb: 7, 21 Mar: 7, 21 Apr: 4, 18 May: 2, 16, 30 Jun: 13, 27

Jul: 11, 25 Aug: 8, 22 Sep: 5, 19 Oct: 3, 17, 31 Nov: 14, 28 Dec: 12, 26

Jan: 3, 17, 31 Feb: 14, 28 Mar: 14, 28 Apr: 11, 25 May: 9, 23 Jun: 6, 20

Jul: 8, 18 Aug: 1, 15, 29 Sep: 12, 26 Oct: 10, 24 Nov: 7, 21 Dec: 5, 19

Jan: 4, 18 Feb: 1, 15, Mar: 1, 15, 29 Apr: 12, 26 May: 10, 24 Jun: 7, 21,

Jul: 5, 19 Aug: 2, 16, 30 Sep: 13, 27 Oct: 11, 25 Nov: 8, 22 Dec: 6, 20

Jan: 11, 25 Feb: 8, 22 Mar: 8, 22 Apr: 5, 19 May: 3, 17, 31 Jun: 14, 28

Jul: 12, 26 Aug: 9, 23 Sep: 6, 20 Oct: 4, 18 Nov: 1, 15, 29 Dec: 13, 27

Jan: 5, 19 Feb: 2, 16 Mar: 2, 16, 30 Apr: 13, 27 May: 11, 25 Jun: 8, 22

Jul: 6, 20 Aug: 3, 17, 31 Sep: 14, 28 Oct: 12, 26 Nov: 9, 25 Dec: 7, 21

Jan: 12, 26 Feb: 9, 23 Mar: 9, 23 Apr: 6, 20 May: 4, 18 Jun: 1, 15, 29

Jul: 13, 27 Aug: 10, 24 Sep: 7, 21 Oct: 5, 19 Nov: 2, 16, 30 Dec: 14, 28

Jan: 13, 27 Feb: 10, 24 Mar: 10, 24 Apr: 7, 21 May: 5, 19 Jun: 2, 16, 30

Jul: 14, 28 Aug: 11, 25 Sep: 8, 22 Oct: 6, 20 Nov: 3, 17 Dec: 1,15, 29

SERVICES

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

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

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

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards,

autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4thelovofcards, 908596-0976. allstar115@ verizon.net.

HappyHeroes used books looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction, Children’s Illustrated, kids series books (old Hardy boys-Nancy Drew-Judy Bolton- Dana girls, WITH DUSTJACKETS in good shape), Dell Mapbacks - Good Girl Art PULPS - non-sports cards, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks old COLLIER’S. Call 609-619-3480 or email happyheroes@gmail.com

Cash paid for World War II military items. Helmets, swords, medals,

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

etc. Call 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@ optonline.net

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

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

COMMERCIAL SPACE

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

Office Space For Rent :

Pennington ground floor office space 32 N Main Street. Share with clinical psychologist and real estate management company. Private entrance, off street parking. 305-968-7308

Princeton Commercial Retail Spaces for Lease: Various Locations in Town. Please Contact: Weinberg Management. WMC@collegetown. Text 609-731-1630

VACATION RENTALS

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

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Salon for sale- excellent opportunity. Priced to

sell. Relocating out of state. Large space, great potential. Call 609-4620188.

CEMETERY PLOTS

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

National Classified Health & Fitness

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FARMS

CEDARVILLE FARMS (WEST) - Cabbage, cauli ower, leeks, broccoli, apples, Asian pears, Brussel sprouts, and tomatoes.

CRANBERRY HALL FARM - Locally grown/raised vegetables and beef. Christmas wreaths and holiday sprays.

PINELAND FARMS - 609-392-1550 Homemade “from scratch” pies, breads, candy & caramel apples. Christmas orals, wreaths, grave blankets, and hand cra ed bows.

RUSSO’S FRUIT & VEG FARM - Wreaths, poinsettias, grave blankets, kissing balls, white pine roping, cider donuts. Still available: yams, sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, beets, and apples.

TERHUNE ORCHARDS - 609-695-7855 Fruit pies, apple cider & donuts, organic produce and herbs, fresh apples, and wine.

ZELL’S FARM - 908-444-2367 O ering fresh and dried exotic mushrooms, pastured eggs, chicken, and duck.

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HAMBONE OPERA 609-325-7357 Cherry wood smoked brisket, ribs, and chicken; homemade sides. Food Network-NJ winner-50 States of BBQ.

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KING FOODS - 609-989-1047 Fried chicken, take-out platters, fresh chicken plus a wide selection of salads and desserts.

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CARTLIDGE’S QUALITY MEATS - 609-396-3966 Now taking Christmas orders: prime rib, smoked hams, tenderloin, pork roast, homemade fresh pork roll.

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@capitalhealthnj

HEALTH HEADLINES

BI-MONTHLY NEWS FROM CAPITAL HEALTH

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell Earns ‘A’ Grade for Quality from The Leapfrog Group

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell was awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s fall 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. This national distinction recognizes Capital Health’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital.

“Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is a one of the region’s leading hospitals and home to dynamic services such as our Cancer Center, the Josephine Plumeri Birthing Center, and minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO, Capital Health. “Our most recent ‘A’ grade from the Leapfrog group show residents in our community that we remain committed to providing our neighbors and their families the best possible care when they need it most.”

“Our continuous drive to improve quality and safety outcomes is woven into the fabric of our organization through our just culture as well as our ISO 9001 certification and on-site surveys with DNV,” said Dr. Mark Arcaro, vice president of Clinical Performance at Capital

Health. “And while we are pleased to earn this latest recognition from The Leapfrog Group, it also motivates to keep looking ahead to meet and exceed national standards of care.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients. The team at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”

What is a Whipple Procedure? Frequently Asked Questions

After a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, patients naturally want to know what treatment options are available to them. The single most effective pancreatic cancer treatment option is surgery.

One particular complex and technically demanding surgery, called a pancreaticoduodenectomy, is one of the surgeries used for longterm control of pancreatic cancer. More commonly referred to as the Whipple procedure, this surgery may extend the person’s life and, for some, may be the best chance at a cure.

If you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, here are some important questions you may be asking:

What is the pancreas?

The pancreas is a gland about six inches long that sits in the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. It plays key roles in producing enzymes and hormones that help digest food. It also produces insulin and glucagon to help regulate blood sugar levels.

What is pancreatic cancer?

Because the pancreas has a number of different cells, each can bring about a different type of tumor. The most prevalent is from the cells that line the pancreatic duct, and often there are very few to no symptoms. There are some, however, you should be aware of, and include:

… Loss of appetite or unintended weight loss

… Abdominal pain that radiates to your back

… Light-colored stools

… Dark-colored urine

… Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)

… A new diabetes diagnosis, or existing diabetes that’s become difficult to control

… Nausea or vomiting

What is the Whipple procedure?

The Whipple procedure involves removing the head, or the wide part, of the pancreas next to the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. Then, the duodenum, some of the common bile duct, the gallbladder and possibly some of the stomach are all removed. Once that’s done, the surgeon reconnects the remaining intestine, bile duct and pancreas. It’s currently one of the only surgeries that can offer a potential cure for pancreatic cancer.

Who is a good candidate for the Whipple procedure?

Determining the right type of surgery for pancreatic cancer is largely based on the tumor’s location. The Whipple procedure is considered for tumors located at the head of the pancreas that have not spread to other parts of the body.

What is recovery like for the Whipple procedure?

Every person responds differently to surgery, and it depends on how it is performed. For a Whipple procedure performed as traditional open

Dr. Cataldo Doria, medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center and an internationally renowned hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon, offers robotic-assisted Whipple procedures to treat pancreatic cancer.

surgery, a patient generally takes about four weeks to reach complete recovery. This type of surgery generally requires a hospital stay of about four days, though this varies from person to person. Specially trained surgeons are able to offer a minimally invasive option through the da Vinci Surgery System robotic-assisted Whipple procedure. This approach reduces recovery time for patients.

Your surgeon will want you to be up and walking almost immediately after surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots or a pulmonary embolism.

Are there common complications to this surgery?

As with any surgery, there can be complications, which may be minor or major. Those include bleeding, infections, clots, pneumonia or heart attacks. They can also include trouble with the stomach emptying itself after meals.

Your surgeon should be able to manage most of these complications without the need for another surgery.

Who should perform the Whipple procedure?

The Whipple procedure is a complex and technically demanding surgery. However, extensively trained surgeons at Capital Health Cancer Center are certified and experienced at such a high level that the National Pancreas Foundation recognized them as a Center of Excellence for treating pancreatic cancer-related illnesses.

Patients who are good candidates for the Whipple procedure should choose a surgeon who has extensive experience with this type of surgery and has performed numerous Whipple procedures. Patients should also select a hospital large enough to care for Whipple procedure patients post-operatively, and are used to managing any post-surgery complications.

The decision to select a surgical team is a very important one. The team at Capital Health Cancer Center is here to help you. If you’d like to make an appointment, please call 609.537.5000 or visit CapitalHealthCancer.org.

Capital Health Launches Advanced Simulation Training Center

Mobile Lab Provides Cutting-Edge Clinical Training for Health Care Providers and Community Health Education

Capital Health recently announced the launch of its new Advanced Simulation Training Center, a mobile simulation laboratory that provides state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary clinical training for physicians, nurses, emergency medical service providers, and other staff. The initiative was made possible through more than $500,000 of federal grant funding secured by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), who was recognized for her role in the project at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.

“As part of our mission to improve services for urban and suburban patients, Capital Health has made a commitment to becoming a leading academic health center for the region,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “The Advanced Simulation Training Center is the latest demonstration of that commitment. Any great endeavor such as this requires strong partners, and we are grateful for the support of Rep. Watson Coleman, whose decades of hard work, experience, and commitment to our community helped bring this initiative to life.”

“For over 125 years, Capital Health has provided high-quality medical care to local residents. I am so grateful that some of our country’s finest medical professionals are right here in Trenton and this new mobile lab will help reach further into our neighborhoods to better serve some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Capital Health’s Advanced Simulation Training Center is a mobile facility that can be driven directly to learners to provide enhanced, customized instruction to doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other staff at or near their place of work. The 40-foot unit has two large, independent simulation rooms equipped with manikins

Capital Health Simulation Coordinator Paul Morer demonstrates one of the simulation rooms to Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Dr. Robert Remstein, Chief Academic Officer (Capital Health) aboard the Advanced Simulation Training Center.

(life-sized models of human bodies) to simulate real patient scenarios. Instructors in two central control rooms create situations that learners will see in real life, document their performance, and provide meaningful feedback. Simulation training like this promotes learning through active hands-on experience in a risk-free environment while supporting the development of teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Capital Health will use the Advanced Simulation Training Center to provide safe training in advanced cardiac life support, interventional procedures, management of acute hemorrhagic crises, childbirth, infant resuscitation, team care and other areas to prepare the next generation of its medical staff. Additionally, the simulation labs will be used for process improvement, medical error investigation, and research to help Capital Health continue to advance health care quality, safety, and best practices. On top of its clinical training mission, the Advanced Simulation Training Center will provide health education and wellness screenings at local community-based events.

Capital Health – Virtual Primary Care, part of Capital Health Medical Group, offers telehealth services to individuals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (ages 16 and older) who wish to receive support in managing common health issues from the comfort of their home or anywhere in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Capital Health Medical Group providers have conducted thousands of patient visits in a virtual setting,” said Dr. Michael Stabile, a board certified family medicine physician at the Capital Health Primary Care – Hamilton office. “As a result, our team is thoroughly prepared to provide outstanding, high quality health care services at a time and place most convenient for patients located in New Jersey or Pennsylvania – whether they are at home or on the go.”

Capital Health’s team of more than 35 virtual primary care providers can address a wide range of health conditions, including (but not limited to) symptoms of COVID-19, sinus problems, upper respiratory infection, sore throat, urinary tract infection, cough, flue, rash, common cold, eye infection, and more.

While Capital Health – Virtual Primary Care is designed to serve as an online platform to host sick visits, patients have the ability to schedule an in-person, follow-up visit with the same providers they see during their video visit at one of the many Capital Health office locations across the Mercer, Bucks, and Burlington county region.

To learn more or to request an appointment, visit capitalvirtualcare.org or scan the QR code to complete the online form.

SIMPLE TIPS FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VIDEO VISITS

Check your internet connection. Wi-Fi on wired connection is strongly preferred for a great video visit experience.

Use headphones. Cut down on any background noise and help keep the conversation with your health care provider private.

Please be patient! Video visit traffic may be high as clinicians work to provide care for patients during the current health crisis, so some appointments may run a few minutes behind schedule. A provider will be with you as soon as possible!

During virtual care visits with patients who aren’t feeling well, our clinicians address symptoms of numerous health conditions and issues, including but not limited to:

COVID-19

Sinusitis

Upper respiratory infection

Sore throat

Urinary tract infection

Cough

Influenza (Flu)

Rash

Common cold

Yeast infection

Allergies

Eye infection

Insect bites

Nausea

Back pain

Tick bites

the Gardener’s house, last used by the Catholic Church organization Divine Word Missionaries as a home for priests.

Divine Word sold the property in 2019 for $4.5 million to a partnership that included the City of Bordentown, State of New Jersey, and the nonprofit D&R Greenway.

While Bordentown is using the contem porary buildings for offices and the state is using the property as park lands, the Greenway took ownership the steward of Gardner’s House and has spent approxi mately $400,000 to renovate the building as a center that will examine the property as both a historical and natural resource.

The former will highlight Bonaparte’s presence as well was that of the Lenni Lenape, European colonists, and early commerce, including the D&R Canal and Amboy-Camden Train line.

Natural history includes the vast wild life existing in the marsh, the sites impor tance the American ornithology, and the impact of human beings on the ecology of the Delaware River. “Two species of stur geon live in the Delaware River, and both are endangered species,” said Greenway director Linda Mead about the Nov. 18 arrival of the sculptures.

Mead said while the shortnose stur geon’s population is stable, “the Atlantic Sturgeon is threatened with going extinct here in the Delaware River in just a few short years. Sculptor Graves noted the sculptures are part of her ‘Returning Sturgeon to the River’ project.”

The California native who came to New Jersey to work at the Johnson Atelier said the sturgeon project, begun approxi mately 15 years ago, involved the New Jer sey State Museum Natural History curator David Parris and the Hamilton-based Dig ital Atelier, and a vector — or graphic —

art scan of an old two-foot long taxidermy mounted sturgeon in the State Museum.

The completed vector art allowed the Digital Atelier, located on the Grounds For Sculpture/Johnson Atelier campus, to digitally mill the initial polystyrene foam patterns to Graves’ specifications.

Graves says one was a nine-foot proto type that “sat in my living room for a few years until I was invited to do a technical residency at Alfred University’s National Casting Center (New York State).”

During her 10-month stay, Graves used the pattern to make a 10-piece rubber mold that “was cast individually in wax. I made resin-bonded sand molds around the wax patterns, and stacked them in a (kiln) to melt out the wax at around 400 degrees. The sand molds were then lined up on the foundry floor, bronze ingot was melted in a gas furnace to around 2,300 degrees, and we poured the molten metal

into the waiting molds, filling the voids left by the wax.”

Graves brought the sections back and welded them at the Trenton-based work shop that served the Abominog Interna tional Arts Collection and Natural Edge, both developed by fellow sculptors who worked at the Johnson Atelier.

The 360-pound bronze sturgeon then received a silver-nitrate patina by Tren

ton-based sculptor Autin Wright, former head patinist at Johnson Atelier.

The second sculpture — a 42-inch, 175pound solid cast iron work — was made and displayed as part of an Abominog organized iron pour at the Old Barracks in Trenton to commemorate New Jer sey’s 350th anniversary in 2014.

Graves said the open-ended sculpture display at the Gardner’s House “came about because Linda Mead had invited me to contribute a watercolor of the Grotto area to their upcoming inaugural exhibit. During a visit with Linda, as she was explaining her vision for the site, we talked about visual wayfinding and how important nonverbal signage can be for marking locations. I told her about the Sturgeon sculptures, and we began the conversation about how they might be integrated into the landscape.”

According to Mead, the Delaware River sturgeons are both culturally and ecologi cally important. In addition to being the source of most of the caviar served in the United States during the 19th century, “Native Americans fished sturgeon and used cut up parts as fertilizer for grow ing food. It is a fish that indicates health of the river and still exists, though rarely, in the Delaware River.”

More information on Kate Graves can be found at kategraves.net.

Kate Graves accompanied by Lambertville sculptor and art transporter Harry Gordon in front of the Gardener’s House on Park Street.

George Raymond: A captain of integrity

Doug Kiovsky THE BEND IN THE RIVER

The legacy of George Raymond (18141899) began with a wintry gale as the hard pounding surf crashed against his ship, the Atalanta, off the coast of Cape May in December of 1844.

As evening approached, screams from the piercing winds resonated between the fastened sails as the sun danced on an uneasy horizon. Undeterred by the situation, Capt. Raymond heard cries for help. He grabbed his telescope and stood at the crosstrees of the mast until a rowboat came within view.

Seated were seven sailors. As a rope was thrown to the boat, the men climbed

aboard the safety of the awaiting vessel. One of the men identified himself as the captain of the Alabamian, a cargo ship that was returning from Europe with vast quantities of marble and silk. The relentless gales and the force of the marble slamming against the hull foretold the ship’s imminent demise, and the captain called for his crew to abandon ship.

Safe aboard the Atalanta, he said that another row boat with 11 men was drifting near the shipping lane, and pleaded for their rescue. Luckily, they too were spotted and brought on board.

Aboard the second boat were two young Americans that took passage on the Alabamian after travelling through Europe. Their names were Abram Hewitt (1822-1903) and Edward Cooper (1824-

CITY OF BORDENTOWN NOTICE

1905). Instinctively, Cooper had tied a black silk handkerchief that he bought on the trip for his mother to the end of his oar as a rescue signal. Shivering from clusters of ice pellets that clung onto their clothing, the entire crew was fortunate to escape such a harrowing experience.

TO

DOG AND CAT OWNERS FREE RABIES CLINIC

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2023 CARSLAKE COMMUNITY CENTER

207 CROSSWICKS STREET

9:00 AM TO 10:00 AM

Upon arriving in New York City, Hewitt and Cooper realized that coming home wouldn’t have been possible without the bravery of Captain Raymond and his crew. The ordeal strengthened the friendship between them and their later contributions to the world of industry and politics. Hewitt married Cooper’s sister, Sarah, in 1855, and both men served as mayors of New York City. They would go on to become the foremost ironmasters in America, founding such esteemed businesses as the U.S. Steel Corporation, the American Bridge Company, and the Trenton Iron Company. Their companies produced our nation’s first iron beams and girders, rolled iron rails, and transformed the landscape of New York City with the first subway system.

Hewitt also established Cooper Union, a private educational institution, with Cooper’s father, Peter. Regardless of these challenges, Hewitt and Cooper remained indebted to Captain Raymond for his rescue efforts and annually reminisced about their survival at sea together, even after a half century.

between Commodore Stewart and Capt. Raymond, their mutual admiration and discussions of the sea solidified their friendship. Other titled guests included the Gilder and Waugh families, who also maintained residencies in town. Samuel Waugh was considered Philadelphia’s premiere portrait painter, and had Captain Raymond sit for one of his works of art before presenting it to him.

Waugh’s daughter, Ida, was a renowned illustrator of children’s books, and graciously drew images of the captain’s children at play.

Free rabies shots will be offered for dogs and cats. Dog owners are required to obtain a license prior to January 31, 2016 and proof of rabies inoculation is required. Rabies certificates which expire during the licensing year will NOT be accepted as proof of rabies inoculation when applying for dog licenses.

Dog owners are required to obtain a license prior to January 31, 2023 and proof of rabies inoculation is required. Rabies certificates which expire during the licensing year will NOT be accepted as proof of rabies inoculation when applying for dog licenses.

Free rabies shots will be offered for dogs and cats. Dog owners are required to obtain a license prior to January 31, 2018 and proof of rabies inoculation is required. Rabies certificates which expire during the licensing year will NOT be accepted as proof of rabies inoculation when applying for dog licenses.

BRINGING LAST YEAR’S PAPERWORK WILL EXPEDITE THE PROCESS

In 1846, the New York-born Raymond gave up the sea and moved to Bordentown with his wife, Louisa Brown (1819-1898). Her fine intellect and gracious manner stemmed from the fact that she was a direct descendant of the family that founded Brown University in Rhode Island.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Raymond was appointed chief freight agent of the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company in New York City. This important position required the control of shipping through one of the Union’s busiest ports.

Bordentown City residents who bring their dog for rabies inoculation will be able to obtain a license at the clinic. You must complete the proper license application (available on the website or at City Hall) and bring it with you to the clinic with the appropriate fee. Exact change or check is requested.

Bordentown City residents who bring their dog for rabies inoculation will be able to obtain a license at the clinic. You must complete the proper license application (available on the website or at City Hall) and bring it with you to the clinic with the appropriate fee. Exact change or check is requested.

Bordentown City residents will be able to obtain a license at the clinic. You must complete the proper license application (available on the website) and bring it with you to the clinic with Exact change or check ONLY.

Now she and her husband resided in a modest toll collector’s house, where her husband maintained an office for the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Since Lock No. 1 in Bordentown served as its southern terminus, Raymond’s position as collector and inspector of all canal boats and barges was extremely important.

He remained active on the job (even after the railroad’s merger with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1871) until his death at age 85. In August 1862, he was appointed Provost Marshall of New Jersey, which gave him the authority to direct weapons, provisions, and steamships from Philadelphia to Annapolis in order to supply Union troops. It was a daunting post that he did not approach lightly.

Licenses may also be obtained at the City Administration Building, 101 E. Park Street, Bordentown, NJ (City residents only) during the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Licenses may also be obtained at City Hall, 324 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ (City residents only) during the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Licenses may also be obtained at City Hall, 324 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ (City residents only) during the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Owners who fail to comply are subject to fines and penalties.

Grace I. Archer, RMC City Clerk

Actively interested in the progress of the town, he became a viable council member, which prompted him to run for mayor. In 1855, he was elected to the office and served two terms.

With a positive outlook on life and a stellar reputation, Capt. Raymond and his family of seven children moved to Park Street, where they entertained guests quite extensively. Commodore Charles Stewart, retired naval commander of the U.S.S. Constitution and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, lived a few miles away and visited the family often. Despite the wide age difference

After the war, the success of the canal and railroad brought more people and industries into Bordentown. In 1867, the town became incorporated as a city, pushing the local government into accepting more businesses and employees. Immigrants from many nations continued to maneuver themselves as part of the landscape along with wayward vagrants either in search of jobs or unsavory opportunities

A photo of the framed Samuel Waugh painting of George Raymond. (Courtesy of the Bordentown Historical Society.)

to exploit their fellow man.

As with any society, most citizens abided by the law, but it was those that did not that people like Capt. Raymond found unsettling.

In 1886, after a random series of unlawful acts performed by criminal elements, including pickpocketing at the train platform and assaults from juveniles along the Hilltop, Raymond felt that it was necessary to save the good name of Bordentown by forming a “Law and Order League.” This was basically a group of vigilantes determined to expel lawless behavior that permeated the streets of Bordentown like an overpowering stench.

Citizens who believed in the “preservation of evidence of violation of the law and to the fullest prosecution of offenders” were able to apply as dutiful agents of the organization. On chosen Sunday mornings, these “agents” would also monitor and eject street loafers from sitting on church steps and refusing to leave unless parishioners paid for access.

Furthermore, they assisted local law enforcement by rounding up gangs of boys that congregated on Second Street and reported any unruly behavior by

residents living in the former Murat home on Park Street, thus earning its lively moniker as “Rotten Row.”

As for the Celtic nature of Thompson Street, the best solution was to avoid confrontations at all costs.

When Capt. Raymond died in June 1899, he was quietly laid to rest in the corner of Christ Church Cemetery near his late daughter, Louise, who died a few days earlier. Below the cemetery wall could be heard the rumbling of locomotives as their cylindrical frames screeched down the track. It was those daily crescendos that Raymond never grew tired of, whether at his desk or outside.

George Raymond was a captain of integrity. He navigated well along the rivers of life, and maintained control during the entire voyage. As with many voyages, there were treacherous currents, shallow waters, and jagged rocks along the way but he knew the capabilities and strength of his ship in order reach safe passage. He tried to do right and lived a meaningful life.

You can’t ask for better than that.

Celebrating 50 Years of Helping our Community Here in Bordentown

‘Seldom Told Stories of the Delaware’

D&R Greenway Land Trust and Trav elStorysGPS have teamed up to create the travel tour: “Seldom Told Stories of the Delaware River.”

TravelStorys apps use GPS technology to create hands-free, self-directed driv ing tours. The Delaware River audio tour will guide travelers along a 40-mile route through Bordentown, New Hope, Penn sylvania; and Lambertville.

Travelers can navigate from either northbound or southbound routes, or they can join at any point in between. Travelers can pause the story, leave the car to visit a site and restart it when they return. The tour includes 28 points of interest including information on the region’s history, geology, preservation, open space and recreation.

Referring to the story “Saved by the Marbleheaders: The Real Delaware Crossing,” writer Amy Martin discovered that General Washington’s crossing in 1776 took place with the crucial support of a multiracial regiment from Marble head, Massachusetts.

Other topics include: Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother, Joseph, former king of Naples and Spain: After Napoleon’s fall from power, Joseph fled to America and moved to Bordentown. Sixty acres of his property, the Point Breeze Estate, has been preserved by D&R Gre

enway Land Trust, with State and City partners, for public use.

The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum housed in the Mt. Zion AME Church, built in 1899: The church hosted community gatherings every July and August until the early 1930s. Today visitors are invited to events as they are scheduled.

The Scudder Falls Bridge, named after Richard Betts Scudder, an early settler who purchased a parcel of land along the Delaware: In 1776 his grandson, Amos Scudder, helped guide General Washing ton’s troops to Trenton after crossing the river.

To take the “Seldom Told Stories of the Delaware River” mobile tour, download the free TravelStorysGPS app at travel storys.com/tours.

To take an armchair tour from your computer or any device: travelstorys. com/tours/the-delaware-river.

The Delaware River mobile story was directed and edited by Linda J. Mead, President and CEO, D&R Gre enway Land Trust, and produced by staff member Amy Martin. The stories were researched and written by Susan Charkes, Brad Fay, Amy Martin and Maria Stahl.

The stories were narrated by Mead, Martin and Heather Callahan.

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

Ask The Doctor

You’ve had the X-rays and your doctor says that your knee or hip is in bad shape. The doctor says you’re a candidate for joint replacement surgery. But is surgery the best answer for you?

“Ultimately, joint replacement surgery is a personal decision,” says Michael R. Duch, MD, orthopedic surgeon in the Orthopedic and Spine Institute (OSI) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton). “Orthopedic surgeons can help to make the diagnosis, but in the end the patient needs to decide what the best solution is for them.”

increase to nearly 4 million by 2030.

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Non-surgical treatment. Surgery isn’t for everyone, however. Many times, a patient’s arthritis—the major reason for joint replacement—stabilizes. “Patients with arthritic joints who aren’t experiencing pain and who are still functioning well may not need surgery,” Dr. Duch says. In addition, a person who is medically frail may not be a good candidate, since overall health plays an important role in healing.

for their specific situation, by laying out the medical facts and by sharing my experience of having performed thousands of these procedures,” Dr. Duch says. “That way, they can make the best informed decision.”

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A rising trend. Joint replacement surgery removes a damaged or diseased joint and replaces it with a combination of plastic, metal and/or ceramic parts that replicate the movements of a healthy joint. Sometimes the whole joint is replaced, and sometimes only the damaged parts are replaced. More than 1 million total joint arthroplasties (reconstructions or replacements) are done in the United States each year, according to the American Joint Replacement Registry—700,000 of the knee and 400,000 of the hip. The number is expected to

In these instances, patients are offered non-surgical interventions including weight loss recommendations, cortisone and “gel shot” injections, joint supplements and antiinflammatory medications (now available both orally and in a topical cream form). Physical therapy and assistive walking devices, such as braces, canes and walkers, can also help relieve discomfort and restore mobility. Finally, by modifying activity and being “mindful” of the arthritic joint, patients can learn to live with their symptoms.

Signs that it’s time. The most important factor in choosing to have hip or knee replacement surgery is how the joint is affecting quality of life— physically and emotionally. “If you can’t live with your arthritic joint, or realize it’s not going to get better and the pain is interfering with your quality of life, it may be time for surgery,” says Dr. Duch.

Ultimately, only the patient can make the final decision as to whether to undergo this type of major elective surgery. “It’s my job to help guide patients to the best decision

Orthopedic Open House: Joint Replacement. Join Dr. Duch on Jan. 17, 2023, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619 and discover the latest advances in knee and hip replacement surgery and learn how a team of specialists help prepare patients for a successful joint replacement. All registered for this program will receive a “healthy dinner.” Space is limited. Register online at rwjbh.org/events or call (609) 584-5900 and dial “1” to reach Health Connections.

For more information about state-of-theart orthopedic treatments offered through the Orthopedic and Spine Institute at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, call (609) 689-7031 or visit rwjbh.org/ortho. 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. Registration required for all programs. To register for a program or for schedule changes go to rwjbh.org/events or call (609) 584-5900.

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Clinical Culinary Nutrition: Traditional Diabetic Dietary Patterns. 5 to 6:30 p.m. Get up to date on current nutrition issues, hear from other health/ culinary professionals and sam ple tasty new recipes with our registered dieti tians. Whether or not you are affected by dia betes, discover how consistent carbohydrate dietary patterns can help blood sugar control this sweet holiday season. Register at least 48 hours prior to event. Fee: $10.

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The Link Between hearing Loss and Demen tia—Can hearing Aids Save your Brain? 10 to 11 a.m. According to several major studies, older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, compared to those with normal hearing. Pre vention is key! Audiologist, Dr. Lorraine Sgar lato, Au.D, discusses your options.

Oaks Integrated Care Caregiver Conference: Caregiving for Today and Tomorrow. 5 to 7:30 p.m. Caregivers of seniors with demen tia and memory loss are invited to attend this conference to gain insight into communicat ing and dealing with anger and other chal lenging behaviors. Many caregivers describe feeling moody, helpless, and short-tempered, saying and doing things they later regret. In this presentation you will learn a variety of ap proaches for managing emotions and actions in the moment, along with activities and re sources for handling the anger and other chal lenging emotions that impact caregivers.

Kids Fit: In the Kitchen Garden! herbs…for Dessert? 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Did you know that in the winter, farmers can grow indoors using something called hydroponics? Learn more about nutritious herbs and recipes with spe cial guest Desmond Hayes. It’s cookie time! Surprise your taste buds with treats that can be made with herbs like cinnamon basil, lico rice basil and chocolate mint.

Osteoporosis Screening. 1 to 3 p.m. Ultrasound of heel and personalized information. Ap pointment and registration required.

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mindfulness meditation for Beginners. 1 to 2 p.m. Calm your anxious mind and tense body with the relaxing and healing practice of Mind fulness Meditation. Patti McDougall, BSN, In tegrative Therapies Nurse.

Winter Solstice Celebration-Drum Circle. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join us as we “drum back the sun” on the longest night of the year. We celebrate with ritual, stories and of course, drumming. Drums and light snacks provided. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP. Fee: $15

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Wise Women Discussion Group: Where Do you Find Spirituality? 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Join a community of women as we discuss relevant topics and find purpose and meaning. Patti McDougall, Integrative Therapies Nurse. What’s in the (Lunch) Box? A Virtual Program. Noon to 1 p.m. All things seasonal, all the time! Learn what wonderful fruit and vegetables are up to this time of year and how to make them shine.

Better Health Programs

There’s no better time to be 65+ years old, and there’s no better place to experience it than at the Better Health Program at RWJUH. Must be a Better Health member to attend. Registration required. Call (609) 584-5900 or go to rwjbh.org/events.

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meditation Classes. Also Dec. 16. 11:30 a.m. to noon Sifu Tony Jackson, DAO Concepts leads this program. Meditation can wipe away the day’s stress, bringing it with inner peace. See how you can easily learn to practice medita tion whenever you need it most.

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Tai Chi Classes. Also Dec. 22. 10 to 11 a.m. Sifu Tony Jackson, DAO Concepts leads this pro gram. Tai Chi is recommended for seniors be cause it improves balance, strengthens mus cles in the legs and increases flexibility and stability in the ankles. It can help reduce falls and back pain. A series of gentle physical exer cises and stretches each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.

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yoga Classes. 10 to 11 a.m. Charu Chaudhry, Certified E-RYT with Yoga Alliance, Charu shares her broad experience in multiple yoga disciplines. This class will include traditional postures, simple breathing exercises, medi tation techniques, as well as how to modify the poses for your body so that you can confi dently participate.

Dr. Michael Duch