1-23 EO

Crossing the past

BY DAN AUBREY

Ewing-based historians Patricia Millen and Robert Sands recently published the Images of America series book Washington Crossing.

The two say their new Arcadia Press book of mainly vintage photographs “was written to honor the 1776 crossing of the Delaware by General George Washington and his army and the parks that mark its place in history.”

But, they continue, the images “preserve more than the events of the American Revolution. For generations of people, the parks have been an extension of their own backyards and hold fond memories of hiking thorough wooded trails—or along the canals—family picnics and outdoor play watching or witnessing history relived on Christmas Day.

Today, they note, that site consists of parks on both sides of the river. New Jersey’s Washington Crossing State Park, of which Millen is a founding member of the park association, encompasses areas in Mercer and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey and was created in 1912.

The Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was created shortly afterward in 1917.

Nevertheless, the main image that dominates the story of the park is “the dramatic scene of Washington standing in a Durham boat in 1776 in the icy river.”

They say that the image “with the flag furling in the wind has been ingrained into the American consciousness. It is recognized the world over. This imagery has been immortalized in paintings, sculptures, propaganda, and even in modern-day advertising.”

The crossing is also part of the popular annual Christmas Day recreation that celebrated 69 years last month.

Wiggs finds his passion with Playmaker Athletics

As Sands and Millen note, “Actor St. John ‘Sinjun’ Terrell began the first modern re-enactments of the crossing of the Delaware in 1953. With six friends in rented costumes in a half-scale Durham boat built by Lambertville carpenter Elmer Case, he staged Emanuel Leutze’s iconic painting.”

See BOOK, Page 6

BY RICH FISHER

What do iconic high school wide receivers do after their playing days are over?

Well, the ones who appreciate what football did for them make a conscientious choice to give back to the game and the area where they grew up.

Consider Robert Wiggs one of those guys.

“We have attempted to capture these timeless moments that make up the story of both parks. (And) preserve the pictorial history of the crossing and the parks that flank the river—for all the thousands of visitors who come each year to stand on the banks to marvel at the site where Washington crossed the Delaware.” See WIGGS, Page 3

The 29-year-old graduated in 2011 as Nottingham’s all-time leader in pass receptions and passing yards and was also Mercer County’s career receptions leader (although the county record has since been broken). He was one of the area’s most electrifying players and was

also a track & field standout.

Wiggs took both talents to Wesley College and had some impressive moments with the now-defunct Division III powerhouse program that was bought out by the University of Delaware.

Wiggs now works full time for the New Jersey State Police, but

Ewing authors tell the history of Washington Crossing in new book

Robert Wiggs (in cap) works with young football players at Playmaker Athletics on Spruce Street in Ewing.

Richard J. Isolde

Richard initially worked as a defense attorney for insurance companies. During that time, he saw that individuals were not always treated fairly. He decided to start representing injured victims. Since then, he has successfully litigated hundreds of cases to favorable settlements and/or verdicts. His efforts have resulted in millions of dollars for his injured clients.

Sungkyu S. Lee (“SQ”)

Before joining Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, SQ worked for a large insurance company defending policyholders who were being sued. He concentrated his practice on automobile accidents and premises liability issues. SQ brings his skills and experience from the defense side to the plaintiff side in order help injured people recover from those that caused them harm.

WIGGS continued from Page 1

coaching younger players has gotten into his system in a big way. He now runs Playmaker Athletics in Ewing, which provides football-specific training and 7-on-7 AAU teams, student-athlete educational programs, personal training and weight loss.

Along with that, he coaches youth football, guiding the Ewing Junior Blue Devils 10-11 varsity and JV teams to the championship game of the South Jersey Independent Youth Football Association.

“I went to school for multimedia communications, cameras and things like that. That was kind of my passion at first. Now I love just giving back to the youth and giving the youth some lessons. Coaching them is something that’s very passionate with me,” Wiggs said. “I want to be an offensive coordinator somewhere in Mercer County for a high school team. Maybe about two or three years somewhere down the line, after I get a chance to get better at it.”

Former Northstars coach Jon “Big Dawg” Adams said he is not surprised at how Wiggs has embraced his new role. During the time Wiggs played, Adams had a shortage of position coaches and decided to put Wiggs in charge of receivers. He also brought him back to talk to younger players when he was on break from college.

“He’s done a phenomenal job,” Adams said. “His program’s record speaks for itself from what he’s accomplished this year. He’s always had a great way with younger kids and having that desire to work with the kids.

“He’s always been an energetic kid. He wants to give back to the community. He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves. He reached out to quite a few former Nottingham and Mercer County studs. (Former Northstars) Kendrick Williams and Esayah Obado and quite a few other guys have gotten involved. He’s such an energetic and magnetic personality, it’s hard to say no to him. He’s a great recruiter. I’m really proud and happy and pleased he’s doing so well.”

Wiggs began his journey four years ago when his good friend, the late philanthropist Darvin “Dinky” Henderson, founded Playmaker Athletics as a way to help young football players not only learn the game, but learn other facets important to playing football, such as training and academics.

After the Ewing High graduate died in November 2021, Wiggs stepped up to run the program.

“When he passed, we didn’t know what we were gonna do,” Wiggs said. “So, we continued to push the league along. We See WIGGS, Page 4

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know that’s what he would have wanted us to do. Over time I fell into the position and have been running the whole program. I like kids, I’m the youngest one here, so I’ve got more time than some of the other coaches.”

This past year PMA had four different age groups of 7-on-7 teams from ages 10U to 18U. Those squads take on teams from other areas during the high school off-season.

“Football has become a 24-hour, yearround thing,” Wiggs said. “In Texas now, they actually have spring football. It’s like college. What we have is seven-on-seven passing with quarterbacks, receivers, defensive backs and linebackers.”

There is not much contact, as the program is designed to work on skills. Wiggs noted that some of Notre Dame High School’s top players have come through the system, including quarterback AJ Surace, running back Rasheen Young, receivers Wyatt Moore and Michael “Cooper Kupp” Quinn and linebacker Cam Bailey.

“We have a lot of guys on that team where, as you watch them play in high school, they look in sync with each other because they play with each other all season in our program,” Wiggs said. “A lot of kids in PMA are in my Ewing program.

That’s how I try to implement everything. You take what you’re trained in 7 on 7 and as the season starts your receiver-quarterback relationship should be a lot better.”

The program is expanding this year to where it is forming its own league. There will be tryouts in the Robbinsville Bubble in January, followed by practices and preseason tournaments.

“We basically enter the tournaments as a preseason warm-up,” Wiggs said. “For our league, we’re going to do it at TCA (Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy). We’ll have it like flag football, where the teams play each other within the league and then play for a championship. From there we’re looking to take the best kids from each team and create a national team and submit that for a national tournament.

“My thing is just to keep Mercer County talent in Mercer County and try to develop it. We do accept kids from out of the county, but I’m really looking to develop Mercer talent.”

In doing so, Wiggs has collected a strong core of coaches. He is the offensive coordinator and works with the receivers. His former quarterback at Nottingham, Esayah Obado, is the QB coach. Former Hightstown and Lehigh standout Jamil Robinson handles the defensive backs. Former high school assistant Amir Siddiqu is defensive coordinator, and Flor-

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ence grad Jordan “JT” Stockton, now a Hamilton West assistant, coaches running backs.

And while it is an impressive lineup of instructors, PMA goes beyond just football education.

Henderson’s close friend, Ebony Semmon, took over ownership of the franchise after Henderson’s death. Semmon, an 8th grade language arts teacher at Village Charter School in Trenton, is in charge of the PMA Learning Center based in Ewing.

“If kids in our program need tutoring, they can just contact us and we’ll have one-on-one tutoring sessions with them,” Wiggs said. “Ebony is one of the lead tutors, and she has a few friends that teach as well. We use her connections to find who needs whatever. If they need help in math and we’re not too strong in the math suit, we’ll find somebody in teaching who teaches math.”

Wiggs feels the learning center is an absolute must if he is trying to ready young players for high school football and beyond.

“Of course you want to get them prepared for the next game, but I’m thinking about five or ten years down the line,” he said. “I feel if they’re able to be implemented with tutoring and feeling comfortable asking for help and things like that they’ll be fine. When I was in college I kind of felt uncomfortable going to the tutoring center just the way they would talk to me, the way the environment was. I know if I felt like that, then there are kids who feel like that, So I want them to feel comfortable and to understand it’s OK to ask for help.”

Wiggs also wants his players to be ready for their seasons by being in the best shape possible. As the godson of former San Francisco 49ers strength & conditioning coach Duane Carlisle, who is now the fitness coach for NFL officials, Wiggs knew the importance of off-season training and spent the summers before his junior and senior years at Nottingham working out with Carlisle in California.

The impact those workouts had on

Wiggs were never forgotten, which is why he has started the fitness program at Nonstop Fitness Gym in Lawrenceville.

“One of my good friends, (former Ewing player) Alex Bailey, is one of the trainers there,” Wiggs said. ‘He’ll be our head strength and conditioning coach. One thing we struggle with in Mercer County is training all years round. If you’re part of PMA, you’ll get a yearround discounted training price over there. I just know that when I did those off-season workouts I had the best two years of my career.”

In essence, Wiggs is providing the complete package for youth players, and his former coach could not be more impressed. “To see him thriving with what he’s doing makes me feel really good,” Adams said. “I worked a camp with him this summer and I intend to work that camp as long as he has it. I have some ideas. I’d like to sit down with him and try to get more people involved and more kids involved.”

Adams is Nottingham’s athletic director, but will be leaving that post this year.

“I want to get back in coaching and who knows, I may be working with him,” Adams said. “He’s doing an amazing job. He was always one of my leaders when he was in the program, and a guy I would go to. I’d especially want him working with guys with potential. He had that amazing ability to change direction and things like that, and he would teach them how to do that.”

Wiggs feels that because of his youth, he is able to easily communicate with younger players. “As long as you’re able to relate and understand where they’re coming from — saying certain things and speaking a certain way — I feel like it becomes rather easy,” he said. “We listen to the same music, we play the same video games. I feel that makes it easier to coach them and to relate to each other.”

And in the process, it allows Wiggs to give back to the sport and community that has helped him become a solid citizen and fast-rising community leader.

As suggested in the “first modern” reference, in between the 1776 original and the 1953 first annual reenactment, there was another reenactment and another George making the trip. “On January 23, 1947, some 40 pledges of Phi Sigma Nu fraternity from Rider College staged a re-enactment of Washington’s crossing the Delaware. The non-hazing event was the idea of two Rider students—Frank Ewart and Donald Reynolds—as an entertaining way to draw attention to the fraternity.

“In keeping with the historical accounts of the Christmas night crossing, George Chafey portraying Washington led his band of ‘Colonial’ fraternity brothers up Continental Lane to Bear Tavern. Chafey, who was fearful of horses and nursing a bad cold, chose to ride a bicycle.”

As Millen and Sands add, also involved in the historic event was the late Trenton Times editor Arnie Ropeik, who helped put it go down in history because he “worked for the Rider News, a college publication, (and) convinced Life magazine to chronicle the event. The story appeared as a four-page photo spread in the Feb. 17, 1947, issue of the magazine.”

The book also moves into a moment of history when the actual “Washington Crossing the Delaware” painting by Leu-

tze arrives for an extended stay at the site of the event.

As the writers note, the painting in the possession of the Metropolitan Museum

of Art “fell out of favor with art historians and critics alike,” although it remained a favorite with the general population.

As the caption of one photo shows, “In

Ewing historians Robert Sands and Pat Millen at a signing for their book on Washington Crossing. The event was hosted by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society. (Facebook photo.)

1950, the Metropolitan’s

prepare Washington Crossing the Delaware for loan to the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts for display at the Dallas State Fair. It was unstretched and rolled onto a drum for shipment. During just two weeks in October in Dallas, over 100,000 people came to view the painting. The much-publicized loan caught the attention of Pennsylvania’s Washington Crossing Park Commission, which set into motion almost two decades of loan negotiations, spearheaded by (park commissioner) Ann Hawkes Hutton, to keep the painting at the Pennsylvania Park.”

Another caption notes that “on the snowy day of Feb. 14, 1952, Emanuel Leutze’s painting arrived at the train station in Trenton, met by Anne Hawkes Hutton and Metropolitan Museum conservator Murray Pease. Hawkes Hutton worked tirelessly to secure a two-year loan from the museum, with options to renew, and arranged for the painting to be hung at the Washington Crossing Methodist Church until a proper exhibition gallery could be built. ‘It’s coming home,’ Hawkes Hutton remarked to a reporter from the New York Herald Tribune.”

Then “in the summer of 1959, (Leutze’s painting) was hung on the front wall of the auditorium of the new Washington Crossing Memorial Building. It

was surrounded by maroon velvet curtains with another set that was opened and closed every half-hour for 16 showings per day. Hundreds of thousands of people came each year until 1969, when the Metropolitan denied another loan. But for the first time ever, it granted permission for a copy of one of its paintings to be made.”

A photo and caption present artist Robert Bruce Williams painting a recreation “in the memorial building’s auditorium, allowing everyone to watch as he recreated Leutze’s work stoke by stroke. Williams said of the crowds, ‘They help me relax and work quickly.’ Hawkes Hutton personally paid over $10,000 for the copy in honor of her late husband, John.

“Williams completed the copy on Christmas Day in 1969, the 193rd anniversary of the crossing. The original was rolled around a giant drum to be returned to the Metropolitan in January 1970. A few critics of Williams contended that the copy was painted haphazardly and he responded, ‘They don’t know what they are talking about.’ The painting was so well executed that most visitors believed they were seeing the original.”

Washington Crossing (Images of America) by Robert Sands Jr. and Patricia Millen is available at arcadiapublishing.com and on Amazon.com for $23.99.

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Because you’d go to the ends of the earth for the people you care about. And we do too.

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The Ewing Public Schools

Adopt-a-Survivor Program BeginsatEwing HighSchool Teacher of the Year Recipients are Honored

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

Ewing Schools Giving Back and Bringing Holiday Joy to the Community!

Ewing Students are Santa’s Little Helpers at Ewing Tree Lighting Ceremony

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

The Ewing High School Boys and Girls Basketball Teams help set up the venue, supported Santa taking pictures with families and cleaned up the venue after the event at the annual Ewing Township Tree Lighting Ceremony Sunday evening, December 4th

FMS Choir Sings at Ewing Tree Lighting Ceremony

Fisher Middle School students joined their Vocal Music Director, Ms. Dinan, to open the Ewing Township Tree Lighting Ceremony with a medley of songs. While it was a chilly night, the warmth of our student volunteers made it an enjoyable evening for all community members in attendance.

EHS Rotary Interact Club Season of Giving

Rotary Interact Club (RIC) has had a busy season of giving! In November, RIC collected over 220 nonperishable items to the local Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, which provides hunger relief to Mercer

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

venue inthe year2045, a hundred years after the liberationofAuschwitz.

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

“Music in the Mall”

Volunteer Ewing Orchestra students grades 6-12 came together to share seasonal songs at Quakerbridge Mall on December 6th and performed to an adoring crowd. Parents and onlookers were treated to a wonderful performance. Ms. Cupo, English Tier Support teacher joined the group and performed with students in the back row.

County residents. Members worked hard to organize and count the donated items, and to determine which class won the most spirit points for their donations (congratulations class of 2023!). After, RIC members organized a Candy Gram sale, where students were able to "Sweeten the Season" by sending a treat to friends' homerooms on December 21st. All proceeds of this event went to the Children's Home Society of New Jersey, a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk infants, children, youth, and families. While selling Candy Grams, many Rotary members also volunteered their time at the local Pennington ShopRite and Pennington Market, working with the Salvation Army to ring bells and (help) support different programs that provide community relief.

Giving Trees

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

Ewing High Students Attend Gorbachev Presentation

Whitney Lewis, EHS Freshman

On April 18, 2005 Ms. Chiavuzzo, Mrs. Walker and 30 Ewing High School freshmen joined several Mercer County high school and college students, and politicians to hear a presentation given by

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

The branches of the Giving Trees at Parkway and Lore Elementary Schools were filled with wish list items for families in need this holiday season. At Parkway School, Parkway Faculty and families donated over 100 items that were presented to families the week before winter break.

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

Safety Town June 30 - July 11 Contact: Jean Conrad 609-538-9800 x1302 for application

Over across town at Lore School over 100 Lore students and families volunteered to select a tag from the Lore Giving Tree to buy holiday surprises for children and families also in need.

“Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus! He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.”

on twitter: www.twitter.com/TheEwingSchools

GoodNews will resume with the September issue of the Observer

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

Thank you to our Ewing Schools community for caring and sharing!

The Ewing Public Schools

Parkway Panthers Roar Professionally at NJEA Convention

While the NJEA Teachers’ Convention weekend is often a long relaxing break for most people, many educators and support professionals head to Atlantic City for professional development and networking opportunities. In November 2022, two Parkway staff members roared into the NJEA Convention and had an amazing time.

Media Specialist, Karen Grant, presented two professional development sessions as part of her work with the New Jersey Association of School Librarians. In one session, “Celebrating Diversity Through the Power of a Story,” Ms. Grant co-presented with Ms. Ellen Pozzi to share a book review of diverse books and led a discussion on best practices for using these books to support the Language Arts curriculum. The presentation was a Consortium-approved workshop, and was presented on Main Street! Ms. Grant also co-presented “Universal Design for Learning and Equity in the Classroom” with Ms. Gigi Mohamad. This presentation focused on the UDL framework and its application to instructional design and assessment. They also explored the role technology plays in reducing barriers to learning and achieving equity in the classroom.

Next year, Ms. Grant will be the chair of the Annual Conference, “A World of Stories: A Celebration of Diversity in School Libraries.”

Second grade teacher Mrs. Leigh Cline also gave two presentations during the NJEA Convention. Mrs. Cline co-presented “Supporting Schools: Social, Emotional, Character Development and Positive School Climate” with other members of the New Jersey Alliance for Social Emotional and Character Development and SEL4NJ. This session gave an overview of the importance of these topics and how to integrate them within the school day and building. Mrs. Cline also co-presented another presentation “Making the Most of Morning Meeting: Strengthening SEL Techniques” with other elementary County Teachers of the Year. This presentation focused on ways to integrate social emotional learning into the K-2 morning meeting routine.

Mrs. Cline is the Mercer County Teacher of the 2022-2023 Year and was awarded a certificate and gift during the HIPP Celebration of Excellence luncheon and awards at the convention.

Lore Students Learn about Computer Engineering

Thanks to a collaboration between Lore first grade teacher Ms. Burns and Lore parent Mr. Zimbaldi, Ms. Burns' students learned about the field of Computer Engineering and were given the opportunity to engage in coding and gaming in class. Mr. Zimbaldi, who works for Google, was joined by two colleagues, all of whom shared their knowledge and experiences in the field of Computer Engineering. The class visitors discussed the impact that Computer Engineering has on many aspects of life, from safety and security to gaming and entertainment.

Antheil PBIS Game Show

Antheil PBIS committee held assemblies/game shows on Friday, December 2nd, in the gymnasium. Students who represent the 4 R's of Antheil (Respect, Responsibility, Resourcefulness & Ready to learn) were nominated by their teachers to participate in a crab soccer game while the remaining students rooted for them in the stands. Teachers even got into the action as all had a great time!

Pen Pal Letters Delivered Across Town

The Peer Leadership Class at Ewing High School has been corresponding with the second grade classes at Parkway Elementary School. Both groups of students have been very excited to write and receive their Pen Pal letters and learn about each other. The Parkway students are excellent letter-writers and always ask great questions to the Peer Leaders!

Lore School Safety Patrol is

BACK!

Lore School brought back the School Safety Patrol program for the 2022-2023 school year. The School Safety Patrols are an essential component to the arrival and dismissal procedures that welcome students to school every day and send them home after a day of learning. The patrols are made up of 5th graders who have earned the privilege to wear their safety belts. Their responsibilities include reporting to their posts on time, welcoming students at each entry door, assisting when younger students bring in projects or need their shoes tied, helping our younger children get to their classes in the morning and ensuring that students are acting in a safe manner in the hallways and outside after school. Our patrols follow the guidelines of AAA and wear the AAA safety patrol belts. These exemplary students do a wonderful job of helping to keep our students safe and start and end their days with a kind smile and a helping hand. In addition to keeping our students safe, the safety patrols serve as excellent role models for our younger students and for students who aspire to take on a leadership role in our school.

BTE First Annual Global Youth Convening

EHS Bridge to Employment (BTE) students ventured to the Johnson & Johnson Skillman Site to partake in BTE’s first annual Global Youth Convening. Alongside seasoned professionals, students explored the various types of leadership styles, they learned about the 4 C’s of 21st century skills (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity), and students gained tips on how to expand their professional network.

The Ewing Public Schools

Senior Spotlight: Meet Sarah Ilesanmi

Happy New Year! Do you have a New Year’s "hopes and dreams" list for 2023? Happy New Year! Yes I do, and on my New Year’s "hopes and dreams" list I hope to make it far in track and field and improve. To continue with good grades and to get into the colleges I applied to or a great college.

Does your family have certain traditions you would like to share? A tradition in my family would be our cultural weddings. Nigerian weddings are something we take pride in, from the way we dress to our hair, makeup, jewelry, accessories, etc. The food, music, the way the wedding is organized, and the take-away gifts are all carefully planned. Another tradition in our family is "Back to School Nigerian Pepper Soup." My mother prepares the soup to 'warm us up' before school starts.

EHS Students Attend Women’s Leadership Summit at TCNJ

What activities do you participate in school? I am a student-athlete and in clubs as well. I play field hockey and run track and field in the winter and spring seasons. I used to play basketball. I am in the Culinary Club, Key Club and Rotary Interact Club.

What accomplishments are you most proud of? To be honest, I am proud of each and every one of my accomplishments. I have different emotions attached to each accomplishment and award and different memories as well. It brings me joy and warmth each time I look back on how I achieved them.

Who or what has impacted your life in a positive way? My family, the sports I play, and the life lessons they teach me impact my life in a positive way. People come and go in life and teach meaningful life lessons that I take with me, but my family is constantly with me. I may seem like I’m not listening at times, but I am. I hear you and I reciprocate it in my own way. I take their words and put them into my sports and go hard, or into my academics and study harder. I use it as a guide to elevate me to certain levels I didn’t know I could achieve. Sports just pushed me to become a better student, a better athlete, and a better well-rounded individual.

Four Ewing High School BTE students ventured to TCNJ to partake in their 12th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit. Lydia, Lananda, Selina, and Jayla represented Ewing High School proudly throughout the day. Students got the opportunity to hear from influential female business leaders like Michele Meyer-Ship, who is the new CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. Students also explored how to create a vibrant career through the design thinking method and engaged in a moderated discussion with Diana Zaccardi, the Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing for Verizon. The day was filled with personal and professional growth!

What awards or acknowledgements have you received in school or outside of school? I received the Most Valuable Player Award for Field Hockey. While playing for the Girls Basketball team, the team was the Colonial Valley Conference Division Champions, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Sectional Champions, and received a Certificate from the Board of Education in Recognition for Outstanding Achievement as a student-athletic ambassador. The team was recognized by the Mayor of Ewing and the Town Council for winning the Mercer County Tournament Championship game. I have received several Athletic Awards for being on Varsity teams, a medal for track in the Mercer Coaches’ Classic, and the Joshua Scott Citizenship Award for academics.

How do you define success? Success is not something that is easily handed to you. It is something you work hard for and earn, something you attain through trials and tribulations to gain success. Success is to stand up proud to accept that award, or get that medal, that certificate, that key to a car, that office to start your business, etc., it is whatever you desire. It is the passion within you that drives you to work hard, and play even harder. It is a fire in you that can’t be put out, it is too big to contain, but it's worth it in the end. After all that work you put in, there comes the bright light at the end of the tunnel. What are your plans after you graduate from Ewing High School? After I graduate from Ewing High School, I want to attend a four-year college and study Pre-med/Biology and go into medical school to become a successful well-known worldwide OBGYN.

What is your favorite quote or book? My favorite quote is “Chop life before life chop you” by Temi Otedola. Meaning, to live life and enjoy it to the fullest before it catches up to you and comes to an end.

Students in Ms. Stevens’ Intro to Digital Media Course at EHS, which is being offered through our partnership with TCNJ, presented their logo identity projects. Students highlighted the evolution of their designs, fielded questions about design choices and directions, and more.

The Ewing Public Schools

January 2023 Schedule in Ewing Schools

Jan 2 SCHOOL CLOSED: New Year Observed

Jan 5 Parents Educating Parents @ 5:30pm (FMS Media Center)

POAC Event: Hidden Dangers – Keeping Children and Adults with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Safe in the Community, School, and Home @ 6-8pm (FMS Media Center)

Antheil - PTO Meeting 6:30pm – Media Center

Jan 9 Board of Education Organization Meeting @ 7pm EHS Auditorium (No Closed Session)

Jan 10 FMS - Parent Association Meeting @ 6:45pm

Jan 11 EHS - Winter Vocal Concert @ 7pm

Jan 16 SCHOOL CLOSED – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Jan 18 EHS - Band & Orchestra Concert @ 7pm

Jan 19 FMS - Winter Vocal Concert @ 7pm Parkway - PTA Virtual Meeting @ 6:45pm

Jan 24 EHS - Early Dismissal - Exams

Jan 25 EHS - Early Dismissal – Exams

Counseling Department Event: FMS - Rising 9th Grade Parent Presentation - 6:30pm @ EHS

Jan 26 EHS - Early Dismissal – Exams FMS - Band Concert @ 7pm

Jan 27 SCHOOL CLOSED – ONLY Grades 6-12 and O’Brien Academy Elementary Schools - Early Dismissal @ 1:40pm Antheil - Full Day Preschool Early Dismissal @ 1pm NO AM Integrated Preschool

FMS Book Drive for BookSmiles!

During the holiday season, feeding the body is important but so is feeding the mind. Under the leadership of Mr. Ambriz, Fisher Middle School and Book Smiles had a month-long Holiday Book Drive so all kids and adults in our community could have access to books. Donations were delivered to Mercer Street Friends in Ewing, New Jersey. With the assistance of Students, Mayors, Superintendents, Principals, Custodians, Teachers and the Community, over three pallets full of over 80 boxes and over 4,000 books were collected. This holiday season our community helped children build their own library, one story at a time.

https://www.booksmiles.org/

Board of Education Appreciation Month

“New Jersey’s local boards of education play an essential role in students’ lives. Board members oversee 580 school districts which, in turn, operate 2,500 public schools and provide educational services to nearly 1.4 million children. They set the policies for schools and make important decisions affecting curriculum, financing, and staffing.

January 2023 is the annual School Board Recognition Month in New Jersey, a time to raise public awareness of the roles and responsibilities of local boards of education and to thank your community’s school board members for their efforts. Please take time out of your busy schedule to thank the members of the Board of Education for their volunteerism and commitment to the children of Ewing Township and the dedicated staff of the Ewing Public Schools.

2022 Ewing Township Board of Education

Mr. Anthony F. Messina, Mrs. Deborah A. Delutis, President Vice President

Mr. Daniel L. Angebranndt Mrs. Jennifer L. Miller

Dr. Channing C. Conway Mr. Michael S. Miller

Mrs. Nicole NW Harris Mrs. Stephanie F. Staub

Ms. Lisa A. McConnell

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

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

Design and Layout by Daniella Crescente

GoodNews is an official publication of The Ewing Public Schools. ©2023 GoodNews

Severe respiratory illness increasing in children: what you need to know

tract infection — such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

As the virus typically peaks at 3-5 days after the onset of symptoms, be aware that wheezing will often be a presenting symptom.

Uzma N. Hasan, MD, division director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, and part of the Children’s Health Network at RWJBarnabas Health, and Seth D. Rosenbaum, MD, MMM, senior vice president, chief medical officer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, discuss symptoms and risk factors of these viruses and respiratory illness, when to seek emergency care, and how to protect your children.

What viruses are currently circulating in children?

Dr. Hasan: An increase in severe respiratory illness in children is being seen across New Jersey, caused by climbing cases of respiratory syncytial virus (commonly known as RSV), the flu, COVID-19, and other seasonal viruses.

RSV, which is being seen in record numbers, causes upper and lower respiratory tract infection, such as a common cold and pneumonia/ bronchiolitis.

Infants, in particular those who are premature, as well as children with asthma and those born with cardiac disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological deficits are at risk for severe illness.

While influenza and COVID-19 can affect various systems in the body, they commonly cause varying degrees of respiratory illness. We expect this flu season to be the worst we have seen in recent years. Going into our third winter of the pandemic, we can rely on historic knowledge to anticipate an uptick in COVID cases during the winter months as people spend more time indoors.

What are common symptoms of these viruses?

Dr. Hasan: Symptoms of RSV, the flu, COVID-19, and other viruses are similar so it is difficult to identify which virus(es) is making your child sick.

Common symptoms include fever, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, headaches, body aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Less common symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, however, these viruses can sometimes lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing, and asthma flare.

For the most part, RSV symptoms are that of a common cold/upper respiratory tract infection. The virus, however, is also notorious for causing lower respiratory

Key flu symptoms are high grade fever, severe muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and feeling overall miserable. In severe cases, complications may include brain or heart inflammation, ear infection, and pneumonia.

When should I call my pediatrician or seek emergency care for my child?

Dr. Rosenbaum: You can always call your pediatrician for guidance whenever your child is ill. However, if your child is exhibiting new onset wheezing or violent coughing, you need to call your pediatrician right away.

Additionally, if your child is exhibiting any sign of respiratory distress or difficulty breathing – such as rapid and shallow breathing, belly breathing, struggling to finish and the area around the lips turning blue or grey – as well as insufficient fluid or food intake, bring them to the emergency department right away or call 9-1-1.

Why is this year’s respiratory virus season much worse than in recent years?

Dr. Rosenbaum: We believe that we had a milder viral season the last couple of years because of all the preventive measures in place during the COVID pandemic. Masking, social distancing, and school closures did not allow the usual spread of viruses, which may have impacted our immunity to these viruses.

To learn more about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton or call (609) 586-7900. For more information about children’s health, visit rwjbh.org/childrenshealth.

MONDAYS

Senior Corner

January 2023

ALL PROGRAMS HELD AT HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER, 320 HOLLOWBROOK DRIVE

10:00 AM Exercise- Karen Martin

NOON Tech For Seniors 2nd and 4th Monday of the Month

1:00 PM Jewelry/Craft-Anne’s

TUESDAYS

10:00 AM Exercise- Karen Martin

12:30 PM Bible Study

12:30 PM Bingo

1:00 PM Senior Scholars

WEDNESDAYS

9:30 AM Knitting/Crochet

11:00 AM Chair Yoga- Lisa Caruso

1:00 PM Mexican Train

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

2:00 PM Mahjongg - Christine Kamph

THURSDAYS

10:00 AM Exercise - Karen Martin

1:00 PM Pinochle - Mercer County Library– Ewing Branch

1:00 PM Rummikub

1:00 Balance Class - Bob Kirby

1:00 Bid Whist

FRIDAYS

9:30 AM Line Dancing– Joanne Keephart

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

SENIOR CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION (SCAC): 3RD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, General Body 10:00 AM, Meeting is open to the public. January Reorg/Meeting at noon, members only.

Club A—Off Site

Live Wires—11 AM ( 2ND Thursday of the month) RM# 201-202

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

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

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

INTERNATIONAL COOKING PROGRAM: 1/27, noon to 2 PM at HB. “ A TASTE OF ASIAN CUISINE.” $8 PP/$13 COUPLE SPACE IS LIMITED !! Tickets available Hollowbrook Community Center (M-F 8:30-4:30pm)

MERCER COUNTY NUTRITION: Seniors 60 and older or anyone married to a person 60 and older is welcome to participate in the nutrition program. The program is located at Hollowbrook Community Center. A person is asked to donate a $1. Your donation is confidential. A delicious balance meal is served. Contact Ms. Wanda (609) 883-4150. REGISTER FOR ALL PROGRAMS: HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER 2nd Floor Rm# 207 Senior Office

QUESTIONS: 609-883-1776

Senior Corner is paid content by Ewing Township.

When memory starts to fail

ILENE BLACK BETTING ON BLACK

Over the past couple years or so, I have noticed that I am getting more and more forgetful. At least I THINK it’s over the last year. I don’t actually remember how long it’s been.

Everyone forgets things. It’s human nature. You forget something on your grocery list, or forget to call someone back, or forget to put the clothes in the dryer. That’s natural. But forgetting to put your glasses on when you cannot see a blasted thing without them, and walking out the door to go somewhere, and wondering why everything is so blurry, now THAT’S not natural.

And when you have to stand on your front step and actually try to remember if you put underwear on, well….that’s a whole other level. And yes, it’s happened to me.

For years, I have been calling my sons by both their names. I do call George by his correct name. At least I THINK I do.

I was at Walgreens recently. There were several cars in the lot. I hit the “unlock” button on my key and walked to “my” car. I go to open the door and almost lost a fingernail. The door was locked. So I try to unlock the door with the key. Nope. All of a sudden I notice an infant seat in “my” back seat. Huh? It slowly dawned on me that perhaps this was not my car. Sure enough, my car was parked four spaces down from the car I was trying to get into. How do I forget which car is mine when I literally JUST parked it 5 minutes ago? I’m surprised I

wasn’t hauled in for auto theft.

I can remember my first day of kindergarten and what I wore (Red, black and white plaid jumper with a white blouse and black shoes). I can remember my first pair of high heels (I was in 6th grade and the shoes were white). I can remember the perfume I wore to my 8th grade graduation (Evening in Paris—blue bottle). I can remember where my locker was in high school and all the words to the song “Bali Ha’i” in French, which a group of us sang in the annual musical. (Bali Ha’i, peut vous appeler).

I can remember my hospital room numbers when I gave birth to both my sons. (Georgie—Room 183 and Donnie—Room 201). I can remember the dates that both my sons left for college (Georgie—August 18, 1999 and Donnie—August 23, 2003).

I have forgotten to put coffee in the coffeemaker, so that when George goes to pour his morning cup of joe, he gets nothing but hot water. I have scorched more than one burner cover because I forgot to take them off the stove before I turn it on. I have forgotten to put water in the pan while steaming fresh green beans, filling the house with the unforgettable scent of blackened green beans with a hint of charred Teflon.

I have forgotten my cell phone number, my social security number, and my age. Oops. I just had a thought but I forget what it was. It was funny, too. Darn it.

I was on the computer in our spare bedroom one night when George came in. He asked me, “Were you just in the bathroom ? ” I said yes. He said, “Did you wash your hands ? ” I responded, ” Uh, YEAH. Why ? ” George informed me, “You left the faucet running. ” I left the FAUCET RUNNING. Unbelievable.

If it wasn’t for Post-It notes, I’d be in trouble. I write little reminders to myself on them. I staple them to the handle of my purse so that this way I will NOT forget. Next I will be stapling them to the sleeves of my shirts. Or my arm.

In the great book Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne wrote, “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again? ” I feel like that line defines my whole life lately.

I am writing this for all my friends who experience the same problem with their memory. I’d name them all, but I can’t remember who they are.

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

KULL

This month I will continue the tradition I began many years ago with a look back at the past year, and posing some questions to recall some of last year’s content. Don’t worry—you needn’t turn in your answers! Just enjoy the exercise—or not! You’ll find the answers at the bottom of the column.

1) January: The “Year in Review” ran in January 2022, so there’s no test on the test!

2) February: True/False—The Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society is researching a project to tell the stories and history of free and enslaved people of African descent living in Ewing, who have been here since at least 1722.

3) March: T/F—History is simply the study of important dates and places.

4) April: The William Green Farmhouse is:

a) The centerpiece of a brand—new development of neo-rural townhouses in Ewing.

b)The centerpiece of a N.J. Department of Agriculture compound of greenhouses, plant propagation facilities, composting ventures and horticultural resources.

c) A dormitory on the TCNJ campus, named for a wealthy NFT donor.

d) One of the oldest buildings in Ewing, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

5) May: The following description refers to what avenue: “He (John Stockton Hough) labored incessantly and with success to establish the first system of stone roads in this county. With foresight he planted this avenue of beautiful Lindens in 1897, a living memorial to his name. Dedicated 1932.”

6) June: The “Peoples Garden” at the Benjamin Temple/Ryan Farmhouse on Federal City Road honors and lovingly memorializes what Ewing couple who dedicated much time, passion and energy to preserving the history of Ewing?

7) July: T/F:The Delaware River Scenic Byway is a nationally recognized corridor of scenic beauty and intrinsic character, with notable scenic, archaeological, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational qualities.

8) August: T/F: The Lenape people called the river “Kithanne” roughly meaning “the largest river in this place.” We call it the “Delaware, named after Sir Thomas West, the 3rd Baron De La Warr (“of the war”), the first royal governor of Virginia, and the Englishman who in 1610 led a brutal attack and killed approximately 70 native American men, women and

children, and burned their villages and cornfields.

9) September: T/F: William Penn recommended the building of a canal across New Jersey to cut the travel time between NY and Philly, and had his Quakers construct the waterway in the early 1700s in record time and under budget.

10) October: The Delaware and Raritan Canal:

a) Was recently completed by the Army Corps of Engineers, and is now a major thoroughfare for the rapid shipment of goods from Maine to Florida.

b) Was known from the start as “Stockton’s Success Story” for its incredible possibilities and absolutely guaranteed results.

c) Served in places as a location for children to swim and cool off in the summer.

d) Was completely drained, filled in and paved over in the 1980s, and is now a 60— mile long go—cart track.

11) November: T/F: The completion of the D&R Canal was marked by parades, brass bands, sumptuous meals, crowds gathering along the canal, and the Governor and other notables traveling on the canal in the “Bullet Barge,” a high— speed nuclear—powered barge.

12) December: The first steampowered passenger service across the Delaware River occurred:

a) In the early 1700s with William Penn’s completion of the canal (see #9 above), so that commuters could easily get back and forth between Camden and Philadelphia.

b) On the night of Dec. 25, 1776, as Washington rushed his men over to NJ to be the first in line for the After Christmas sales.

c) In 1790 with John Fitch’s Perseverance, a boat with steam-powered sets of oars synchronized to propel the craft between Burlington and Philadelphia

d) In 1809, with John Stevens’ steamship service twice-daily between Hoboken and Philly

I hope 2023 brings you as much joy as I find in writing these columns!

Ewing Recreation

December 2022

Ewing United Indoor Soccer program will be held at the MKSD School Gym 320 Sullivan Way and will start January 15th. Registration deadline is Tuesday, January 3rd. Grades K – 1 is instructional and will run from 12:00 am – 1:00 pm. The older divisions will play games on Sundays. The leagues are co-ed. The divisions are grouped by grades 2- 3, 4-5, middle school, high school. To get more information or to register go online at ewingunited.com.

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball is held on Wednesday nights at Antheil School from 7:00pm – 9:30pm. This

program is informal and are for all levels of players. Participants can register at www.communitypass.net.

The Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, 609-8831199, has rooms available for rent for small groups to large parties. Kitchen facilities are available. For more information on these or any other programs you can contact the Recreation Office at (609) 883-1199 or online at www.ewingnj.org/communityaffairs.

ESCC will remain closed due to the fire.

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

DRY CLEAN

HELEN