12-22 HE

Painter, sculptor, artist, Docktor

BY THOMAS KELLY

Morris Docktor is a classically trained portrait artist whose realistic likenesses can be seen in galleries and in public spaces around the region. Schooled at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, the Hopewell artist began with work that was very traditional.

Even as a young boy impressed by his uncle’s paintings, Docktor knew an artist career was for him, and he began training himself from those very artworks he admired.

“My uncle studied at the Philadelphia Museum College of Art,” he says. “The name has been changed twice since then to The Philadelphia College of Art, and

now called The University of the Arts. He did aerial photography in the Pacific for the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war he primarily earned his living as an illustrator for books and record album covers. Later in life he had a studio gallery on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, New See DOCKTOR, Page 6

sports

10-year-old takes local tennis scene by storm

BY RICH FISHER

One of the great things about being a kid is you’re allowed to have big-time dreams. And Isabella Miller is dreaming as big as it gets.

“My dream goal is to make it to the U.S. Open,” the Pennington resident said, “And be the next Serena Williams.”

That’s quite a mark to shoot for, but Miller is off to an awesome start so far.

The 10-year-old Stony Brook Elementary School student just began playing USTA tournaments on July 1. Since then, she has gone 40-6 and won seven of the 13 tournaments she entered. Miller has reached the finals nine times, and gotten to the semifinals the other four times.

As far as rankings, she is among the top ranked New Jersey 10-andunder and No. 2 in Middle States 10-and-under, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and parts of West Virginia and Maryland. Due to her success at the 10U level, her dad/ coach Seth began playing her up at 12-and-under, where she now ranks No. 9 in District New Jersey and No. 38 in Middle States.

Simply speaking, it’s been an incredible run in a very short time.

“I am very surprised,” Miller said. “I didn’t think I’d get this far in tennis. I feel very proud of myself and excited.”

Her success has been a mixture of dedication and enjoyment.

“She works very hard on the court but she has fun, which is really important,” said Seth Miller, who is director of tennis at Nassau Racquet Club. “I didn’t realize that she wanted to play tournaments until this spring, when she kept asking me to put her in a tournament. I didn’t know how she would do. I didn’t know how good the kids were that were playing tournaments, because usually those are the real serious ones and they’re all very good.”

As it turns out, so is Isabella. After winning three tournaments at 10-and-under, she moved up and proceeded to win four of the first five tournaments she played in 12-and-unders.

“She loves it and every week she says, ‘Put me in another tournament,” Seth said. “I think her results are incredible.”

Miller comes from a tennisplaying family. Her grandparents were top-ranked players in Pittsburgh. Seth was the No. 1 player for his college team, West Liberty State in West Virginia, where he received a full scholarship. He has

A portrait in oil by Hopewell artist Morris Docktor, who works in a variety of media.

Lawrence Hopewell Trail elects first executive director

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation has made significant changes in its leadership with its first executive director and a new chair and vice chair of its board of trustees.

After 20 years of operation as an all-volunteer working board, the LHT is moving to its next phase of service to the community with a new executive director, Lisa Serieyssol. Serieyssol will work with the dedicated LHT Board of Trustees starting in December.

Former Hopewell Township Deputy Mayor David Sandahl and John R. Murray, who recently retired from Bristol Myers Squibb, will assume their new roles as chair and vice chair, respectively, on January 1, 2023.

The LHT Board of Trustees elected Sandahl and Murray to the new volunteer leadership positions in October, following the announcement by the longtime LHT co-presidents, Eleanor Horne and Becky Taylor, that they intend to retire from the board at the end of 2022. The trustees also determined that a full-time executive director is critical to the success of the LHT strategic plan.

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is a more than 20-mile loop through Lawrence and Hopewell Townships, anchored by two Bristol Myers Squibb campuses, the Educational Testing Service campus and Mercer Meadows Park. It serves Lawrence Township and the broader Hopewell Valley region, including Hopewell Township and Pennington and Hopewell Boroughs.

LHT says that as executive director, Serieyssol will provide full-time professional leadership to the LHT with the oversight of the board of trustees. Most recently, she served as the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association’s program coordinator of the Safe Routes to Schools program for Mercer and Ocean Counties. She continues her membership on Princeton’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Sandahl, an LHT Board member between 2004 and 2012, served in the White House Budget Office before joining the private sector. Sandahl says he will guide the LHT board’s efforts to complete the original trail loop through Law-

rence and Hopewell and carry the mission forward. He will pursue LHT efforts to develop connections to other transportation corridors, as well as enhance its role in health and fitness for trail fans throughout the region.

“To get the best out of LHT assets, we will seek more involvement with the larger community. We can work more closely with schools and civic associations, for example. I see us, as the LHT, reaching out actively to communities that we serve now and to others that we should serve better,” Sandahl said. “The path to stronger communities goes through inclusion and engagement, from Trenton to Princeton and beyond.”

Murray, a professional engineer who retired from Bristol Myers Squibb after a 34-year career in which he led the company’s central New Jersey and West Coast facilities, has co-led the LHT’s Engineering and Maintenance Committee from 2012 to 2022. He also sees expanding its focus on community service as well as providing safe, family-friendly transportation options for residents and visitors.

Web: lhtrail.org.

Harvest Fair grants $14,000 to community organizations

The Hopewell Harvest Fair returned from a two-year Covid hiatus in September, and in addition to providing a day of fun and community for all to enjoy, the committee also awarded a total of $14,000 in community grants to 12 grant applicants.

“It was a joy for the whole committee to be able to bring the community back together after 2 long years. The energy and enthusiasm of the fairgoers was invigorating. The fair is a perfect embodiment of the community spirit that makes Hopewell such a wonderful place to live, and we are all so grateful to our fellow volunteers and fair sponsors for making this day possible,” said fair president Heidi Wilenius.

See NEWS, Page 5

Montgomery Township, NJ $699,000 Carolyn Spohn 609.468.2145

MLS# NJSO2001692

Hopewell Township, NJ $2,450,000

Margaret Foley ‘Peggy’ Baldwin 609.306.2052 MLS# NJME2022652

Hopewell Township, NJ $799,000 Laurel Cecila 609.937.6121 MLS# NJME2023142

Hopewell Township, NJ $2,650,000 Barbara Blackwell 609.915.5000 MLS# NJME2017460

Hopewell Township, NJ $1,149,000 Christina Phillips 917.208.5724

MLS# NJME2018484

Hopewell Township, NJ $2,800,000

Joan Loraine Otis 908.415.3062 MLS# NJME2022748

Hopewell Township, NJ $2,295,000

Yalian ‘Eileen’ Fan 609.937.2632

MLS# NJME2023804

Lawrence Township, NJ $5,999,000

Susan A Cook 609.577.9959

MLS# NJME2010956

callawayhenderson.com

609.921.1050 | 4 NASSAU STREET | PRINCETON, NJ 08542

Township committee members-elect thank voters

Thank you to all Hopewell Township residents who voted in the 2022 general election and exercised the incredible privilege our democracy provides. Thank you also for re-electing us to the Hopewell Township Committee.

It has been an honor to serve you on the township committee and work for the people of Hopewell Township. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve and we’re more committed than ever to all residents of Hopewell Township.

We care deeply about your concerns and are committed to always listen, learn, and champion the needs of residents whether you voted for us or not. With that, we encourage residents to reach out with questions, concerns, or anything we can ever do to help. We can be reached cpeters-manning@hopewelltwp.org or dchait@hopewelltwp.org.

We’d also like to thank our opponents Jenn DiDonato and Dan Hanley for their service to our community through the

Bear Tavern PTO, YMCA, and other areas, as well as for their candidacy and willingness to serve. We wish them both and their families the best going forward.  Thank you again for the continued opportunity to serve our community.

Courtney Peters-Manning Hopewell Township Mayor

David Chait Hopewell Township Committee

Have something to say? Want to make your voice heard? Send your le�er to the editor of 250 words or fewer to jemanski@ communitynews.org. Le�ers not appearing in print will be posted to communitynews.org. The deadline for the next issue is Dec. 14.

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

EDITOR Joe Emanski (Ext. 120)

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rich Fisher, Thomas Kelly CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS Kevin Kuchinski, Robin Schore, Lisa Wolff AD LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef

Community News Service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

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Vivienne

NEWS continued from Page 3

The Harvest Fair Grants Committee is awarding grants to the following local organizations: AdvocacyNJ; The Chubby’s Project; Hopewell Valley Chorus; EASEL Animal Rescue; Hopewell Valley Educa tion Foundation; Girl Scouts of Central and Southern NJ; Hopewell Youth Collective; Hopewell Valley Service Unit I Support the Girls; Hopewell Quarry; Inspired Threads; Hopewell Valley Central High School; and the Sourland Conservancy.

The Hopewell Harvest Fair is spon sored by Morehouse Engineering, Inc., Lakeland Bank, Sourland Provisions, Kumer & Hopper Law, Morgan R. Sayre, State Farm Insurance, Princeton Acad emy of the Sacred Heart and TechNeed.

Other sponsors include Capital Health, Dance Exposure II, Dandelion Wishes, Hopewell Boro Auto Repair, Hunterdon Health, Lear and Pannepacker CPAs, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospi tal Hamilton, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Art Sparks, The Bank of Princeton, Blackwell Memorial Home, DeSimone Orthodontics, Gen esis Hospitality, Hopewell Pharmacy, L&A Tents, Dr. Mark W. McDonough, Orthodontist, N.J. Auto Glass, Penning ton Quality Market, PNC Bank, Rosedale Mills, Stellitano Heating and Air Condi tioning, Inc., Trap Rock Industries, Val ley Oil Company, Watershed Institute and Weidel Real Estate.

Also sponsoring the fair are Bax ter Construction, Brick Farm Market, greendesign, Lisa Goetz, Weichert Real tors, Morpeth Gallery, Regent Flooring, Kitchen & Bath, Sourland Mountain Spir its, Total Home Manager and Twine of Hopewell. Web: hopewellharvestfair.org.

Area residents among winners at senior art show

Eight Mercer County residents took home awards at the 56th annual New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show, held this fall at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor, including four first-place honors.

The awards were presented at an Octo ber ceremony attended by more than 250 artists and art lovers at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake in West Windsor. The exhi bition and award winners can be viewed online at njseniorarts.com.

The New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage. The artwork on display represented the first-place winners from individual county art shows held earlier this year.

Artists competed in 11 different media—acrylics, crafts, digital art, mixed media, oils, pastels, photography, prints, sculpture, watercolor and works on paper — in the nonprofessional or professional divisions. All entries were original art works created within the past three years.

The 271 exhibiting artists representing 18 of New Jersey’s 21 counties ranged in age from 60 to 101. The exhibition was juried by a three-person panel of profes sional artists who selected first-, secondand third-place winners and honorable mentions in each category.

Vivienne Wingfield of Hopewell earned a first place prize in the nonpro fessional pastel category for “Hope Will Prevail.”

Arcelio Brignoni (East Windsor) also won first place in the nonprofessional acrylic category, while William Boyles (West Windsor) took first place in the nonprofessional photography category.

In the professional categories, David

Potts (Hamilton) won first place for works on paper and Maia Reim (West Windsor) took third place in the photog raphy category.

Also earning honorable mentions were Robin Levinson (Hamilton) in the craft (nonpro) category, Barry Hantman (Ewing) in the craft (pro) category, and Susan Tsui (East Windsor) in the works on paper (nonpro) category.

Center for Comprehensive Breast Care receives local support

The Rothwell and Henderson families and Pennington Quality Market hosted a one-day shopping event on Oct. 22, donating 5% of the day’s proceeds to Capi tal Health’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Care.

Organizers report that in its 8th year, the event has raised more than $41,000.

“My mother’s death from breast cancer 30 years ago taught all of us the impor tance of raising awareness to educate women on early breast care and benefit services. And through early detection, my sisters Barbara and Terri were able to address their cancer diagnosis quickly and successfully. So, for the Rothwell Family, supporting the Capital Health Center for Comprehensive Breast Care is deeply personal. We are proud to offer our support to recognize the valuable lifesaving services they provide,” said Mike Rothwell, Pennington Quality Market.

The Capital Health Center for Compre hensive Breast Care provides a range of breast care, from annual screenings and advanced diagnostics to genetic testing, oncology care and a high-risk breast can cer program.

Web: capitalbreast.org.

FUNERAL HOME

Wilson-Apple Funeral Home

Robert A. Wilson, Owner

NJ Lic #2520 609-737-1498

Cromwell Memorial Home

R. Asher Wilson, Manager

NJ Lic # 3823/Pa Lic # FD-000766 609-466-0233

Wilson-Apple Funeral Home

R. Asher Wilson, Manager

NJ Lic # 3823/Pa Lic # FD-000766 609-737-1498

Serving Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Lawrenceville, Ewing, Pennington, Titusville, Blawenburg and Princeton.

Wingfield of Hopewell won a first place prize in the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show for her pastel painting, “Hope Will Prevail.”

The Rothwell and Henderson families presented a check for $5,225 to Capital Health Center for Comprehensive Health Care on Nov. 10, 2022 at Pennington Quality Market.

York. In his senior years, he taught art in one of New York City’s high schools for gifted students.”

Regarding his own background, Dock tor says, “I attended Marple Newtown high school in Broomall, Pennsylvania. My parents were born in Philadelphia. My father was a businessman who created a chain of franchised pet stores called Dock tor’s Pet Centers. My mother was a house wife who after the children were out of the house worked as a nurse.”

“Although while in high school I had won several first-place art awards, I was not encouraged to enter art as a career by my parents. My father wanted me to become a medical doctor, but being an artist was inevitable. Eventually I entered Temple University’s Tyler College of Art. The vibe I got there was of a curriculum geared towards career and teaching. I transferred to the much more serious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. There, I was in my element and in heaven. I worked to pay my tuition by painting murals in bars and psychedelic discos, and portrait drawing in resort venues.”

In addition to painting, Docktor sculpts in many different media. “I enjoy work ing in any medium and would not like to be held down to just one or two. I like to sculpt in clay because it is so fast and I

like the spontaneity. I would say that the most challenging medium is carving stone or wood. It is a lot more of a deliberative time-consuming task. Beneath the clinical technique, it takes a strong conviction and faith in your vision to sensitively commit to every strike of the chisel.”

An introduction to art for many in Mer cer County was seeing Docktor paint ing live at his seasonal booth in Quaker Bridge Mall that he manned for many years. Sporting his trademark beret, he and his booth were always popular with crowds who saw a real artist at his craft.

Docktor says he “created at least 500 quick portraits in the summer time while working my way through college, so when I finished school, achieving an undeniable portrait likeness quickly was as easy as breathing.”

“I knew that with my speed and accu racy I could make my work affordable. I set up a menu of prices based on medium. Basically, anyone could afford a classic charcoal portrait, and the price went up according to how much more of my time each medium required. At the time shop ping malls were a new and very popular attraction for the public. I set up a kiosk for November and December to take advan tage of the crowds and people’s need for a meaningful gift. The other 10 months I worked from my home studio, by appoint

ment. After painting a few murals, word of mouth spread, and I was in demand for murals in restaurant, corporate, and resi dential settings.”

Trained at the academy in both painting and sculpture, Docktor can achieve a like

ness in either discipline.

“It is very satisfying to achieve an unde niable likeness in sculpture and painting,” he says. “I received my first portrait sculp ture commission when I was 25 years old. I found that I was fast enough to make my work affordable to the middle class. My first sculpture commission was of a threeyear-old boy. He sat on his mother’s lap while I modeled his likeness in clay. The bust was meant for their family residence.

“When it was completed, I casted it in plaster. The mother was young and could not afford bronze casting, so I put a bronze patina on it.

“At any time she could afford it, she could take it to a foundry, and it could be duplicated in bronze.”

“The major cost for my clients is the casting of the clay to bronze. My clients with limited resources can have me cast the portrait sculpture in a resin cold cast with a bronze patina or in plaster with a bronze patina. The piece can always be recast in bronze which is much more costly, later in life if they wish.”

While Docktor’s sculptures and paint ings are frequently shown in area galleries and exhibitions, they also can be found on walls and spaces around the community, including the heart of Princeton. “At the restaurant Alchemist and the Barrister

See DOCKTOR, Page 11

A Morris Docktor mural depicting Albert Einstein is on display at the Alchemist and Barrister restaurant on Witherspoon Street in Princeton.

HVRSD HIGHLIGHTS

Issue #10 December 2022 hvrsd.org

suPPorting our CommunitY

Hopewell Valley District Schools have always prioritized partnering with and providing support to nonprofit organizations. We thank everyone involved for their time and generosity!

Central High School:

• During October, CHS held a Halloween Costume Drive for Homefront.

• In November, the Community Based Creative Design course created portraits of our district therapy dogs to add to a calendar, which will be sold to raise funds for SAVE Animal Shelter.

Also, dog and cat food collected items were donated to SAVE.

e CHS Choir Program

• Presented its annual Haunted Hallways event in partnership with the school’s Thespian Troupe. Canned goods were collected to support the TOTS-Eat - a nationwide community service initiative. Non-perishable items were donated to the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry.

e CHS Varsity Football Team:

• Sold pink out tee shirts and donated $1,500 to Capital Health Center and the rest to local families that are battling cancer.

• Collected non-perishable goods and household products to donate to two local organizations, The Chubby’s Project and the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry.

• Junior Nate Tewell organized a team competition in which offensive and defensive players collected canned goods to donate to The Chubby’s Project.

• Visited Foundation Academy in Trenton and worked with elementary school aged children.

• Volunteered at the flag football camp organized by our local youth football and cheer organization

e CHS Marching Band

• Held a November Food Drive to support the HV Mobile Food Pantry

Timberlane Middle School

• Held a food drive for both HV Mobile Food Pantry and the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

• Staff and students made Thanksgiving meals for those in the Hopewell community and as well as meal bags for patrons of TASK.

Bear Tavern Elementary School

• Partnered with the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry to restock their supplies at the start of the school year.

Hopewell Elementary School

• Collected donations for the East Trenton Center to provide food baskets for families. Each grade collected non-perishable items and staff members donated turkeys.

Stony Brook Elementary School

• Sponsored Thanksgiving Baskets to Mill Hill Child and Family Development Center in Trenton.

Toll Gate Grammar

• Held its 37th annual Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) Thanksgiving food drive which included non-perishable items and turkeys. A beloved Toll Gate tradition returned this year as students baked sweet potato pies in the Toll Gate cafeteria that were then transported to TASK

Honoring our Veterans

Throughout the month of November, Veterans were honored in a number of different instances. Bear Tavern Elementary School’s ceremony included a school-wide meeting and a small reception with an opportunity for Veterans to interact with each other and with the students with whom they are connected. A “Special Veteran” Honoring Slide Show will be created for any veterans who were unable to attend. Stony Brook Elementary School’s school-wide meeting recognized any Veteran with a connection to a member of their school community. As part of the program, they asked that their honored guests share a bit about their service.

Toll Gate Grammar School participated in a Red, White & Jeans Day in honor of Veterans Day. The staff donated to GI GO to support Veterans with employment, healthcare and housing. Students also made cards to share with Veterans through the Soldiers Angels organization. In addition, staff and students also donated extra Halloween candy to Soldiers Angels Treats for Troops program. The CHS Varsity Football team honored veterans in the opening of the Pink Out Game.

some tHings Just Can’t be taugHt in tHe Classroom

When teaching life, social, and functional academic skills, it can be challenging to truly understand and generalize these skills when teaching is confined to the classroom. So, what is it called when those learning opportunities are taught outside of the school setting and in the community? Those opportunities are called Community-Based Instruction (CBI), and the value they bring to students will serve them well beyond their years in the classroom and prepare them for adulthood. CommunityBased Instruction (CBI) is an evidence-based practice that supports students with disabilities during the transition from school to community life and promotes successful post-school outcomes for students. It is sustained and repeated instruction outside of school property, in the students’ community. CBI experiences encompass different domains, including domestic, vocational, recreation/ leisure, and accessing community resources.

CBI is the cornerstone of the Academic Essentials program at Central High School. The Academic Essentials students participate in various

CBI experiences throughout the year, including a weekly grocery assistance program for CHS staff, visits to the ARC Mercer Arcade with another local high school, and vocational skills training at the HVRSD Board Office. One CBI experience that is highly valued is their yearly partnership with Rider University during their fall semester.

This CBI partnership occurs

weekly over six weeks with Dr. Diane Casale-Giannola’s class of college students studying to become teachers. The first five visits take place on the Rider University campus. During these visits, the Rider University students plan engaging lessons and fun activities for the Academic Essentials students. Past visits have included campus scavenger hunts, game station rotations,

and holiday-themed activities. Each weekly visit ends at Daly’s, the campus dining hall, where students can further their college experience by purchasing their lunch, navigating a dining hall, and working on appropriate small talk and conversations. The sixth and culminating visit occurs at CHS, where the Academic Essentials students host the Rider University students and prepare lunch for the group as a token of thanks.

The visits are a win-win experience. The Rider University students gain experience in lesson planning and working with students with disabilities, while the Academic Essentials students experience a college campus and work on strengthening their social and daily living skills. However, the advantages gained from this opportunity span beyond the targeted skills. This partnership creates bonds between both sets of students and cherished memories, making it a favorite CBI of the Academic Essentials class.

Written by Michelle Brennan and Meaghan McGown, Special Education Teachers.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

259 Pennington-Titusville Road Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4003 (609) 737-1581 Fax

Principal: Patricia Riley

TIMBERLANE MIDDLE SCHOOL 51 S. Timberlane Drive Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4004 (609) 737-2718 Fax

Principal: Nicole Gianfredi

BEAR TAVERN SCHOOL

1162 Bear Tavern Road Titusville, NJ 08560 (609) 737-4005 (609) 737-7351Fax

Principal: Christopher Turnbull

HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 35 Princeton Avenue Hopewell, NJ 08525 (609) 737-4007 (609) 466-8095 FAX

Principal: David Friedrich

STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

20 Stephenson Road Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4006 (609) 730-3888 Fax

Principal: Steven Wilfing

TOLL GATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

275 South Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4008 (609) 737-7348 Fax

Principal: Jane Ellen Lennon

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

425 South Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4000 (609) 737-1418 Fax

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.

SIX09

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EDITOR

Rebekah Schroeder ARTS EDITOR Dan Aubrey AD LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef

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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Leaders in emergency and elective angioplasty.

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.

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november december

A Holiday Tradition

9am-3pm

9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm

9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm

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.

9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-3pm

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EATERIES

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

KAFE’ KREYOL - Delicious Caribbean soul food. Oxtail, curry chicken, rice & beans.

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

LADY & THE SHALLOT - 609-955-1120 Plant based vegan clean comfort foods! Tacos, our famous street spuds, sandwiches, chili, soups, salads, raw juices, teas & infused waters.

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OUT OF STEP OFFBEAT BOUTIQUE & GENERAL STORE - 609-245-2987 Year round gi shop featuring items from nearly 100 small businesses, artists, and markers including specialty foods, unique home decor, regional art, handmade goods, & more.

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there are two murals of mine. One is indoors and is a scene of Albert Einstein sitting at the bar with his violin, and the other on an exterior wall, is a gothic win dow with an alchemist and a barrister having lunch.”

Other murals pop up in unexpected places with sometimes unexpected images, like the one featuring a flying saucer attacking a 1950s-era diner. And in Roebling, there are two bronzes of Charles Roebling: one a bust and one life-size standing figure. He also has some Princeton-centric works on public display.

He was also commissioned to create portraits of commanding generals for the National Guard Museum in Sea Girt and portraits for the Stark and Stark law office in Lawrence.

“I have been working on a series of paintings with figures that are extremely minimalist,” he says about exploring dif ferent themes and approaches. “They are done in a white line on a dark gray background to emulate white chalk on a blackboard. Surrounding these abstract figures, I have painted illusions of very realistic ornate picture frames on the canvas, à la trompe l’œil, which in French translates to trick of the eye. My intent is to contrast ornate against minimalism, and materialism contrasting spirit. This makes a strong dichotomy and appears to break artistic conventions.”

Docktor lives with his wife in Hopewell in a house, he says, “I built in 1983 and created a nursery farm on my property. The home has grass on the roof and is built into a southern facing slope. It is geothermal, passive solar, and active solar. My totally electric house has a typ ical monthly electric bill of about $10.”

He says he’s working on a home sculp ture park on his Hopewell property, incorporating natural and man-made objects to beautify his own living space, which is a mark of a true artist.

“I have planted boxwood shrubs of dif ferent conformations in geometric pat

terns. I have sculpted these into topiary forms and many are the natural round, columns, and conical forms. Among the living topiary sculpture, I have placed my whimsical upcycled creations. One such creation is a bright red chair balancing on one leg and a tropical Tuscan bird balanced on top of the chair. It makes me smile and speaks of blue skies.”

“I have also built a long reflecting pond filled with flowering waterlily plants and a classical Greek temple that I sculpted with concrete and a copper dome. The temple reflects in the water and is a med itative garden folly.

“My house is an earth sculpture in itself. Placing sculptures on the grass roof gives me great joy and hopefully anyone else who views them.”

To see more of Morris Docktor, look around the community or visit his web site at morrisdocktorartist.com.

Morris Docktor is known for his portraits, as well as sculptures—such as his bronze statue of Charles Roebling in the Burlington County town named after the figure.

watch,” she said.

also coached

top-flight players over the years.

Her mom, Sara, also plays, while older brother Chase is on the Hopewell Valley Central High JV team.

Seth took Bella to Nassau Racquet Club when she was 3, and a love affair bloomed.

“I noticed she was a pretty good ath lete,” Seth said. “And she had pretty good eye-hand coordination.”

The NRC is a family-owned business in Skillman run by the Camper family, and Miller immediately felt the familial bond while playing there.

“I feel like part of the family at Nas sau and very comfortable there,” she said. “The owners (Benton Camper Jr., Cari Camper) treat me like I’m their own daughter. Tennis has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing at Nassau Racquet club and it’s like a second home to me. I’ve always been comfortable on the tennis court even when I was four years old.”

After six years of playing for fun and learning her craft, Miller decided it was time to see what she could do under the pressure of competition.

“I wanted to start playing tournaments because of my friends from clinics,” she said. “Some of them started playing them and I thought ‘If they can, why can’t I?’’’

In her first official match at Arrowhead Tennis Club in Medford, Miller reached the finals. She then lost in the semifinals at Centercourt in Lawrence before break ing through for her first victory at Leg acy Youth Tennis in Philadelphia. That started a three-match winning streak.

Bella’s favorite win came in Cherry Hill, where she won her first 12-andunder tournament. “It was special to me because my grandparents were there to

Miller’s regiment includes one les son a week with her dad, although Seth said that all of the 20 pros at NRC have worked with Isabella at one point.

“She’s got knowledge from almost every pro at our club, and I would say that that has been amazing,” Seth said. “In the summer she was playing six hours a day at summer camp and then played tourna ments on the weekends.

“With school, she’s only able to play four days a week at the club in clinics and then plays tournaments on the week ends. But she’s still able to keep her game up playing less than she does in the summer. Her mom takes her to some tournaments when I can’t go and does an amazing job of keeping her focused. She deserves a lot of credit also.”

It’s all part of the funfest when it comes to tennis in the Miller home.

“Playing tennis as a family has brought us closer together,” Isabella said. “We like when we have family battles on the tennis court. We sometimes go to the courts and play games against each other for bragging rights.”

And although things have gotten more serious for Miller over the past five months, the enjoyment remains the same.

“It’s always fun for me,” she said. “But I sometimes get nervous and angry when I see my opponent celebrating after they win a point. That makes me feel pres sure, but it’s always fun.”

Bella said she enjoys everything about the sport, “especially winning,” and feels her strengths are her volleys and overhead shots. Seth sees an intangible strength that helps make a difference.

“I’m surprised how mentally tough she is on the tennis court,” he said. “You can’t really teach that. I know she’s a good

athlete. That was the easy part. But she really works hard so I’m surprised with some things but not that surprised with others.”

The one concern parents often have in individual sports like tennis or swim ming, is that their child may burn out too quickly and lose interest by high school. Seth doesn’t see that as an issue since Bella has started her competitive career relatively late compared to other players.

“I taught a kid years ago that was number one in the country in the 12 and under and he did burn out because he started playing so seriously at five years old,” Seth Miller said. “The good thing about Isabella is she started early enough but she didn’t get real serious until she was 10. I think we handled her situation perfectly. She wants to play, whereas the top junior that I was teach ing back in the 90s didn’t want to play because I think he started to play too seriously too early.”

Judging by her success and her con tinuing zeal to play, Isabella appears to be right where she should be.

10-year-old Isabella Miller won 7 of the 13 USTA tennis tournaments she entered this year, starting in July.

Gallery 14 to host holiday art exhibition and boutique

The Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography Gallery in Hopewell continues it season of exhibitions with a special “Members Holiday Exhibit and Boutique” from Dec. 3 to Dec. 18. The opening on Satur day, Dec. 3 will be at noon, and there will be an artist meet-and-greet on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The exhibition will include photographs on the walls and in artist bins along with smaller items including calendars, note cards, purses, scarves and jewelry acces sories. Also for sale will be items from the “Watercolor Women of Gallery 14.”

The exhibition will feature works by member artists John Clarke (Penning

ton), Alice Grebanier (Branchburg), Larry Parsons (Princeton), Charles Miller (Ringoes), Philip “Dutch” Bagley (Elkins Park, Pennsylvania), Martin Schwartz (East Windsor), Joel Blum (East Windsor), John Strintzinger (Elkins Park), Mary Leck (Kendall Park), Barbara Warren (Yardley, Pennsylvania), David Ackerman (Hopewell), Bennett Povlow (Elkins Park) and Alina MarinBliach (Princeton Junction).

Gallery 14 is located at 14 Mercer St. in Hopewell and is open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment (email galleryfourteen@ yahoo.com). Web: gallery14.org.

@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

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

Future looks bright for Hopewell Township finances

reducing the share of taxes paid by residential property owners.

The Hopewell Township Committee has worked hard over recent years to responsibly manage township finances. These efforts culminated in 2022 with a 2% reduction in the overall tax rate for Hopewell Township.

Additionally, this year’s municipal budget held spending to less than a 2% increase despite inflationary pressures of 8 to 9%.

Looking ahead, I wanted to share three additional actions the Township Committee is taking to help keep a lid on property taxes. First, the Hopewell Township Committee has been working to improve the long-term finances of the township by reducing debt and eliminating the associated interest costs. Since 2014, we have cumulatively reduced debt by over 20%.

In addition, the Committee has worked steadfastly to attract new commercial ratables to the township, such as with the revitalization of the former BMS Campus. This help increases the total tax base for the community, thereby

Second, the township secured $2.59 million in incremental revenues this month, which will directly benefit township residents. These new revenues consist of one-time payments required of Lennar and Woodmont, the companies building new inclusionary neighborhoods in Hopewell Township as a part of the township’s 2017 bipartisan affordable housing settlement.

These payments are separate from the revenue that is anticipated under the PILOT agreements for these properties and will enable the township to reduce debt, strengthen reserves and directly fund future year capital projects.

Importantly, these new revenues also reinforce the township’s ability to exceed AAA levels of fund balance by maintaining a reserve of more than 6 months of township revenue.

Finally, we are working closely with our engineering team to improve the efficiency of our annual roads program. Road maintenance and repair currently accounts for the largest share of spending in the township’s annual capital budget.

In recent years, we lowered costs by

accelerating the timing of our capital budget and separating it from our operating budget. This allowed us to get our roads program out to bid ahead of many other municipalities when contractors had down time, enabling us to both lower costs and repair and replace more roads for a given budget.

Building on this progress, our outside engineering firm, VanCleef, conducted an in-depth review of every road in the Township this year, so that we could prioritize future year repairs and maintenance and identify potential savings opportunities.

Coming out of this study, the team found three significant savings opportunities: one, we identified lowcost opportunities to extend the life of township roads, including a new sealing process that will be implemented 5-6 years after a road surface is milled and repaved and seal early cracks. We expect this will extend the useful life of roads by five-plus years or over 20%.

Two, we plan to use a new micropaving process for many township roads that are currently chip-sealed. This new micropaving process results in a smoother road surface and doubles the useful life

of each repair, lowering ongoing costs significantly.

Three, we are creating a new 25-year road program for the township, leveraging findings from this study to prioritize road repairs and replacement. We expect this new road program will reduce the annual cost of our road program by an additional 10-15%.

With the successful reinvention of the BMS and Merrill Lynch campuses, anticipated new revenues from PILOT agreements, our ongoing efforts to attract new small businesses to Hopewell Valley and our efforts to make our roads program more efficient, the future is looking bright for Hopewell Township finances.

If you have other ideas on how we can make Hopewell Township government more effective and efficient, please feel free to reach out to me or any one of the other committee members. My direct email is kdkhopewelltwp@gmail.com or you can reach me via phone at (609) 439-8044.

Kevin Kuchinski is a member of the Hopewell Township Committee and the committee’s finance liaison. Hopewell Township provided this content.

Kevin Kuchinski

From the township

Unity is a theme central to many of December’s holidays

Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) — The explanation for each principle can be found at Kwanzaa.net:

It’s hard to believe that it is the last month of the 2022. The year flew by as we attempted to catch up on everything we missed during the pandemic. It was both good and bad.

We were able to get out, travel more, and visit with friends and family. My December calendar is literally filled with in-person events. On the other hand, this year life often sped to a frenzied pace and our news feed kept us in a constant state of concern over both global and local issues.

The US has always been a strong leader and in my past international travels, I was sometimes surprised at how much the people I met from other nations knew about our country. However, I didn’t always have the sense that Americans followed world news as closely as our international brethren. That has also changed. Friends, colleagues, and people on the street have a greater understanding of how interconnected our lives are.

As we close 2022, issues surrounding world peace, global health, climate worries, and international economies are on our minds and impact us locally. Our hearts are heavy for the lives lost and we recognize that international actions on energy, supply chain, and production have increased prices across the globe. Folks here feel it in everything from our mental health to the inflation hitting our personal pocketbooks.

Yet all the turmoil is resulting in a deeper sense of reflection as we

collectively realize that no one can solve major issues in a vacuum. After the recent election, politicians on both sides of the aisle speaking about the importance of coming together to find real solutions. The rest of us are just happy that they finally get what we’ve thought all along – that division is the wrong path and unity is our best hope. That spirit of unity is also a central theme of many December seasonal holidays. We open our hearts in December with the joy of the season, and the traditional thankfulness and abundance are accompanied by a sense of care and giving as we appreciate that not everyone shares in our riches.

It is no coincidence that there are more holiday parties in December. It is no coincidence that people make time for family and friends in December. It is no coincidence that the majority of charitable giving takes place in December.

While most people are familiar with the giving inherent to religious holidays, the lesser-known non-religious holiday of Kwanzaa is particularly interesting as it is centered on principles of unity and cooperation.

Kwanzaa reminds me of all the best aspects of Thanksgiving and the celebratory winter religious holidays, while mixing in positive support for the African American community. Instead of centering on religious traditions, Kwanzaa focuses on culture, community, and family.

There is no way to appreciate the meaning and message of Kwanzaa without understanding and appreciating its deep and profound concern with values. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and lasts seven days, its core focus, and its foundation are all rooted in principles associated with each day and named in Swahili.

Day 1: Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Day 2: Kujichagulia (SelfDetermination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Day 3: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers and sisters problems our problems and to solve them together.

Day 4: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Day 5: Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Day 7: Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Locally, there is a new organization known as the Outdoor Equity Alliance led by people of color who work to remove barriers and inspires people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities and income levels to enjoy the outdoor and become more involved in the natural world. They partner with other organizations and businesses to increase opportunities to learn, work and play outdoors.

Last year, OEA hosted a Kwanzaa celebration on Day 4 Ujamaa, and invited local farmers and members of public to celebrate the harvest. It was perfect mix as attendees shared discussions of local agriculture and cooperative economics and celebrated the importance of nature and our land.

This year the OEA has continued to expand its work and will host another Ujamaa, Kwanzaa event to be celebrated at the Grounds for Sculpture. The festivities will serve as a fundraiser to support the OEA’s continued growth. For more information, visit njoea.org or email info@njoea.org

Lisa wolff is the executive director of Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space. Email: lwolff@fohvos.org.

Lisa Wolff nAtUre in the VALLeY

First annual Hopewell Playground Review

Van Horne Park. The slides are thrillingly steep, and there is a long, wobbly floating beam to test the balancing skills of children and demonstrate the lack of those skills in grownups.

Prologue: The chief challenge for children on a playground is to figure out how to turn a seemingly safe facility into something as dangerous as possible.

While slides are designed for sliding down, most children prefer to climb up, ensuring a collision with the kid coming down.

While the intent of monkey bars is for children to hang down like monkeys, it’s far more tempting for these monkeys to shimmy up and stand precariously on top of the bars.

And then the swings. Ideally, one envisions beaming cherubs rocking gently while reciting Robert Louis Stevenson:

How do you like to go up in a swing, Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing Ever a child can do!

In reality, the goal of the mini-Flying Wallendas is to pump that swing until the chains are parallel to the ground at which point they let go hurtling off hoping to land with only minor injuries.

Although the signs on playgrounds indicate that supervising adults should watch their charges, it is probably better to turn away, for to watch is to experience terror.

On to Hopewell’s playgrounds:

Let’s start with Kunkel Park in Pennington with its two playgrounds, one for little ones and another for very little ones. The sandbox, abutting the parking lot, is filled with broken sand toys and has the added feature of allowing you to go home with sandy children.

One downside of Kunkel is the frequency of birthday parties, which means being assaulted by a dozen shrieking princesses in pink tutus. If you stare hungrily, they might offer to share a piece of cake.

Kunkel was recently renovated. The broken-down basketball court is gone and new benches installed, perfect places on which to fall asleep when worn out watching children.

The Gazebo Playground in Hopewell Borough is equipped with painfully loud bells and a marimba, making sleeping difficult. It is near a grove of phragmites and a small bamboo forest. Both serve as

mazes into which children can disappear and, with luck, reappear. (I once saw a mink swimming in the adjacent Bedens Brook.)

Also in the borough is the Train Station playground. Designed primarily for the littlest kids, a few years back one of those kids got his foot stuck between some boards and had to be extricated by the fire department. Presumably, that design flaw has been fixed.

Hopewell Elementary’s playground is a wild place after school, full of runners, jumpers and gaga players. Unfortunately, it’s less wild this year since the after-school program decided to hog the premises and keep outsiders out. Like, how mean can you get?

Bear Tavern Elementary’s playground is enormous with multiple swings and slides and creative climbing structures. (I saw a ribbon snake in the nearby tributary of Jacob’s Creek.)

Rosedale Lake playground features a fine abstract treehouse suitable for climbing and hiding. The setting by the lake would be superb if it weren’t for the warning signs about the water. As a result of run-off, “Rosedale Lake is considered to be in a eutrophic state because of the heavy algae blooms occurring within its boundaries.” Contact with the water may induce “rashes,

allergy-like reactions, flu-like symptoms, gastroenteritis, respiratory irritation and eye irritation (NJDEP).” You can boat or fish, but don’t you dare eat those fish.

Perhaps if the waters are that toxic, it could be used to keep down the deer population. All that’s needed is a “Deer Welcome” sign.

The County Equestrian Center not only has real horses but also a diminutive equine-themed playground including bouncy ponies on springs.. When the joy of the playground ebbs, the place is stocked with horses that love to have their noses stroked by little hands. When horse petting wears thin, little kids are guaranteed to glow with excitement touring the Educational Garden and its exhibit of over a dozen different composting devices.

Not quite in Hopewell is Skillman’s

An added treat is that Van Horne is on the Princeton Airport flight-path. Oglers can track small airplanes and helicopters unsteadily taking off and landing. Presumably these are aspiring pilots taking flying lessons, since it’s the same planes taking off and landing over and over.

Hobler Park on the Great Road (not so great on a bicycle) is wide open and thus a bit hot in the summer, but it has a fine merry-go-round, remnant ruins of a sculpture garden, and broad paths cutting through large fields of wild strawberries and poison ivy.

Epilogue: I am omitting any mention of my favorite playground hidden in the Sourlands because I don’t want to encourage anyone else to go there. It’s just too beautiful.

Hunger is Surging

Robin Schore sChore to pLeAse

robin schore lives in Hopewell Borough.

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