2-23 LG

Boiselle a leader for LHS boys’ basketball

BY RICH FISHER

When Michael Boiselle went out to work on his jump shot last summer, he needed someone to rebound for him.

Who better than the person who taught him the game of basketball in his formative years—his mom, Ortha Allen.

“She was a good player,” Lawrence coach Jeff Molinelli said of the 2002 LHS graduate. He added with a laugh “She’s better than him!”

Boiselle didn’t deny that, but did say, “I still play her sometimes, it’s not a tough match-up anymore. I can beat her now.”

He probably beats her because of what he learned from Ortha as a kid. “She brought me into the game of basketball, she introduced me to it,” Boiselle said.

“I actually started playing basketball in second grade but never played on a team,” he added. “She used to take me to the court, let me shoot around, just give me the ball. I used to play her for fun in one-on-one in third grade. That’s when I really started to get into it,

Page 9

Explore history at area libraries

BY DAN AUBREY

Libraries are safe places that connect to the world of ideas and human memory and are always on the front lines of combatting censorship.

Yet they are often the physical representations of past values and designs — if one just takes the time to check them out.

So, let’s take a quick tour of some of the region’s vintage libraries.

LHS Science Olympiad Team to compete in state finals

EDITED BY BILL SANSERVINO

The Lawrence High School Science Olympiad Tournament Team took 5th place overall in their division at the 2023 NJ Science Olympiad Regionals at Camden County College held on Jan. 10.

The team is set to move on to the state finals, which will be held on

Thursday, March 16 at Middlesex College. Top finishers there will go to the 2023 Science Olympiad National Tournament at Wichita State University on Saturday, May 20.

After months of preparation, the Lawrence High School competitors demonstrated mastery in 12 scientific and engineering disciplines at

college level.

The following students won medals at the competition: Graham Wild and Kavni Batra for Anatomy and Physiology; Grace Chang and Ethan Wang for Cell Biology; Milan Naropanth and Farhaan Shroff for Epidemiology; Rajassai Keerthi and Sonia Munawar for Forensics; Ridhima

First stop, the Trenton Free Public Library on Academy Street in Trenton. It’s the oldest organized library in New Jersey and the embodiment of a particular American movement.

Founded in 1750 as the subscription-styled Trenton Library Company, it allegedly started with 50 books purchased by Benjamin Franklin.

Yet the person who turned that first page in Trenton’s history was Dr. Thomas Cadwalader, who served as the town’s first chief Burgess and contributed 500 pounds. The collection was housed in rented spaces or subscribers’ homes until the British arrived in 1776 and destroyed the building that housed

Members of the Lawrence High School Science Olympiad Tournament Team competed at the 2023 N.J. Science Olympiad Regionals on Jan. 10, 2023.

Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association

around town

Pandey and Grace Chang for Write It-Build It Engineering; and Ethan Wang and Elijah Rivers for Fermi Calculations.

Additional team members include: Aleksandra Mondzrik, Aaron Tseng, Mahir Majid, Piyush Nawade, Sonia Pollock, Rohan Tadisetty, Rohan Rao, Rishi Anarkat, Riddhi Patel, Edison Ryan, Jiyaa Revankar, Vanathi Ram, Xintong Si, Roshni Anarkat and Nishka Desai. Team captains are Mondzrik, Rivers, Wang and Shroff. LHS science teacher Gwenn Andahazy is the team coach.

“Congratulations to the enitre team for earning a trophy and a coveted spot at the state rournament, where competitors must show mastery in 25 scientific and engineering disciplines at a university level,” said a school district release.

Preschool program applications available

The Lawrence Township Public School District is currently accepting applications for the 2023-2024 regular and special needs preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. These are comprehensive programs that service typically developing 3- and 4-year olds and children with special needs.

The anticipated programs will be at Ben Franklin and Lawrenceville elementary schools. The Ben Franklin program will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. and the Lawrenceville Elementary program will meet from 8:30 a.m.-2:20 p.m. All are Monday to Friday. Bus transportation will not be provided.

Eligibility for the preschool program requires that children must be at least 3 or 4 years of age (no older than 5 years of age on or before Oct. 1, 2023), must be a resident of Lawrence Township, and must be toilet trained.

Pre-school applications are available at the Board of Education office (2565 Princeton Pike), Ben Franklin Elementary School main office (2939 Princeton Pike), Lawrenceville Elementary School main office (40 Craven Lane) and online at ltps.org/ preschool/application/tuition.

Return completed applications to Rebecca Guenther, supervisor, Department of Student Services, 2565 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, no later than Feb. 28.

Anyone who has questions, or who is concerned that their preschool child is developing or learning differently, can contact the Department of Student Services at (609) 671-5430, to request an evaluation for preschool special education and related services.

Leadership changes announced at the Lawrence Hopewell Trail

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation has announced significant changes in its leadership with its first executive director and a new chair and vice chair of its Board of Trustees to lead the LHT—a 20-plus mile biking and walking trail through Lawrence and Hopewell Townships.

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. She will work with the dedicated LHT Board of Trustees starting this month.

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

“We are thrilled that Lisa, an active transportation practitioner with a special focus on bicycling and trails, will become the first full-time professional for the Lawrence Hopewell Trail,” said Sandahl, an experienced board leader and community volunteer. “She has an outstanding track record in public service, including leading Princeton to Silver Level designation as a bikefriendly community—the highest rating in New Jersey.”

The LHT Board of Trustees elected Sandahl and Murray to the new volunteer leadership positions in October, following the announcement by the longtime LHT copresidents, Eleanor Horne and Becky Taylor, that they intend to retire from the board at the end of 2022.

The trustees also determined that a fulltime executive director is critical to the success of the LHT strategic plan. The trail board has long described itself as an entity created “by the community, for the community.” Under its new leadership, it will continue its community orientation and the development of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail as a much-loved community amenity.

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is a 20-plus 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.

As its executive director, Serieyssol will provide full-time professional leadership to the LHT with the full support and oversight of an active Board of Trustees. Most

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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, which recently helped create more than 10 miles of bike boulevards in a loop connecting four elementary schools, the middle school and high school in Princeton, among many other activities.

Sandahl, an LHT Board member between 2004 and 2012, served in the White House Budget Office before joining the private sector. As a senior partner at Kepner-Tregoe, he became well known as a pro bono strategy consultant assisting Mercer-area non-profits, leading to a nineyear tenure as the board chair of the Princeton YMCA. 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. “I look forward to being part of the next phase of the LHT leadership, where we’ll also complete the trail and make connections to other regional trails and communities,” he said.

Lawrence Township Council updates

Lawrence Councilman Mike Powers has announced that 2023 will be his last year on the Lawrence Township Council.

Powers was first elected to the Township Council in 2003 and served two terms as mayor in 2006 and 2010.

In 2010, he was named Mayor of the Year by the New Jersey Regional Coalition for his efforts to promote diversity in Lawrence Township. Although he received the endorsement of the Lawrence Democratic Municipal Committee, Powers was unsuccessful in his countywide run for the

Catherin MacDuff (left) will serve out the remaining term of Cathleen Lewis, who was elected to the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. Councilman John Ryan (right) has announced that 2023 will be his last year on council.

Mercer County Democratic Party Commissioner nomination in 2019 and 2021.

Powers has more than a quarter century of public service to the township that began in 1997 with his appointment to the Lawrence Planning Board and a three year stint as the chair of the Lawrence Township Redevelopment Committee.

Powers currently serves as the Council

liaison to the township Historic Preservation Committee and the Shade Tree Advisory Committee. He and his wife Nancy reside in the Pine Knoll neighborhood of Lawrence with their 3 dogs and 2 cats and have no plans to move out of Lawrence Township.

“With the departure of Cathleen Lewis from the council, I have been approached

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by a number of qualified Democrats interested in serving on the Lawrence Township Council,” Powers said. “I want these folks to know early on that there will be at least two opportunities to run for Council in the November 2023 Election.”

Lewis, who had served on the Lawrence Township Council since 2012 and served as mayor in 2014 and 2015, left the Council to take a seat on the Mercer County Board of County Commissioners.

Lewis was replaced by Catherin MacDuff effective Jan 17. Her term expires at the end of this year. MacDuff is an attorney at the Stevens and Lee law firm in Lawrence Township.

MacDuff focuses on Superior Court trial and appellate matters relating to public contracts, licensing and regulation of cannabis entities, the Open Public Records Act, local government and administrative law, public policy matters addressing legislative intent, and the drafting of legislation.

Prior to joining the, she served as a law clerk to retired Superior Court Judge Catherine Fitzpatrick. Her past experience also extends to serving as Legislative Aide to Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli of New Jersey General Assembly.

John Ryan has been selected by his fellow members on Lawrence Township Council to serve as mayor for the next two years. Ryan released the following statement following his selection at the township’s annual reorganization meeting on Jan 3:

“I have been a Lawrence Township resident for 37 years. My wife Linda and I have raised three beautiful daughters, Rebecca, Megan, and Hannah. Along with our daughters, we have two amazing grandsons, Asher and Elijah.

“I retired from UPS four years ago after 28 years of service as a tractor trailer driver. I was a proud member of Teamsters Local 177 and a Shop Steward for many years.

“I was selected to fill a vacancy on Council in 2019, then elected by the residents in 2020 to a four year term, all while serving on numerous boards and committees.

“As Mayor you will find someone who always comes prepared and willing to go the extra mile for the residents of Lawrence. I am also someone who is accessible and straight forward. I look forward to serving you the next two years.”

Community foundation awards $2M in grants

The Princeton Area Community Foundation, based in Lawrence Township, has awarded some $2 million in Community Impact and COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund grants to local nonprofits.

More than 60 organizations working

on a broad variety of needs in the community, including arts education, community building, education, food insecurity, health, supporting senior citizens and other vulnerable populations, and youth development received this funding, made possible by generous community contributions.

Funding was mainly unrestricted, giving organizations an opportunity to address the challenges of economic uncertainty due to the pandemic and inflation. Unrestricted grants in this round provide the flexibility organizations need to use the funding where it is most needed, which will help them build financial and programmatic resiliency.

“These nonprofits are doing impactful work in region, helping the most vulnerable among us,” said Jeffrey M. Vega, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are able to award these grants thanks to generous donors who have created funds over the last 30 years to support our community grantmaking and leadership.”

More than 40 percent of the funding was awarded to organizations working on education and youth development programs, followed by those working to help vulnerable populations and alleviate food insecurity.

Nine of the grants were awarded from See AROUND TOWN, Page 6

the COVID-19 Fund, because vulnerable residents are still dealing with the lingering effects of the pandemic, such as learning loss and the mental health crisis among young people. The remainder of the grants were funded through the Community Impact Grants program.

Local organizations receiving grants to benefit Lawrence Township include:

• Foundation for Educational Administration, which was awarded a grant from the COVID-19 Fund to provide for its Healing Centered Engagement Project (HCE) in Trenton, Hamilton and Lawrence schools. It provides school staff with training on Adverse Childhood Experiences, trauma-informed care and healing-centered engagement.

It also includes monthly coaching sessions: coaches work with school teams, the principals and community organizations to design and implement plans of action.

• People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos, Lawrenceville, to help fund its current programs, which serve low-income and lowliteracy population, as well as to allow the agency to expand its offerings at new sites.

• HomeFront, Lawrenceville, for its motel outreach program, which serves more than 150 vulnerable homeless households, including about a quarter

with young children. The organization provides services, including case management, access to children’s programs and delivery of medicine, diapers, toiletries and food, including hot meals.

HomeFront will also receive funds for its Children’s Champion program, which provides case management, support and access to behavioral and mental health therapy, along with healthcare, tutoring, and arts and recreational enrichment for homeless children, a population disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

• Lawrenceville Job-Training Partnership, Lawrenceville, which runs the WorkWell Partnerships–Moving Forward program, providing job and life skills training as well as job placement for previously incarcerated individuals.

• Womanspace, Lawrenceville, to help offset costs, including food, transportation and case management for its Safe House Emergency Shelter. The organization received an additional grant from the COVID-19 Fund to help it handle a surge in domestic violence seen during the pandemic.

• Dress for Success Mercer County, Lawrenceville, for its Career Academy at Trenton Central High School, which provides free career clothing and accessories, as well as career mentoring and job preparedness workshops. Students can take

their new skills and outfits to college, summer internships or job interviews.

• Every Child Valued, Lawrenceville, to underwrite administrative and operating expenses. Funding may also be used for programs, including its Breakfast, After School, Summer Enrichment and Tutoring and Mentoring programs for children living in Eggerts Crossing Village.

• PEI Kids, Lawrence, to support its Crisis Intervention for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse and Juvenile Intervention Services programs.

The Princeton Area Community Foundation can assist donors who wish to provide additional funding to any of these nonprofits, which are making a difference in our communities every day. To learn more, contact the Community Foundation at (609) 219-1800.

LTPS hosts conversation about diversity

Lawrence Township Public Schools hosted more than 50 attendees at the first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Conversation on Jan. 9.

The event was moderated by Clifton Thompson, the district’s director of DEI, who discussed how DEI is reflected in all aspects of the district.

The discussion panel consisted of Busi-

ness Administrator Tom Eldridge, who discussed how DEI values are reflected in the budget process; Assistant Superintendent Rajneet Goomer, who spoke about the distinction between teaching and advocating;

NJ Association of School Librarians president Ewa Dziedzic-Elliot, who discussed the topic of book banning; and Communications Manager Eshaya Draper, who offered his expertise on the importance of two-way communication.

A night out at the Rock

Residents can show their support for the Lawrence Middle School/Lawrence High School PTO and the NJ Devils with a night out at the Prudential Center (Nicknamed the Rock). The Devils are currently in second place in their division as they make a run for the playoffs.

The PTO is offering tickets to the Devils vs. Lightning game on Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at the Prudential Center in Newark.

There are a limited number of tickets available. To buy tickets, go to tinyurl.com/ deviltixx. Each ticket includes:

• Devils drawstring backpacks & surprise bonus for each student;

• $6 from every ticket goes back to the PTO, which helps support student activities at both the middle and high school;

• A jumbotron shout-out.

the collection.

The library was back and running by 1781 and by 1797 had 240 items in its collection. By 1804 the library collection was at 700 volumes and still growing without a permanent home.

That need was addressed in 1900, when the organization became the free public library, and Ferdinand W. Roebling served as its first board president.

The library board purchased the property that had housed the street’s namesake, the Trenton Academy, since 1782, and hired architect Spencer Roberts. Roberts (1873-1958) was a Philadelphiabased architect who had attended Spring Garden Institute and worked for prominent architect Frank Miles Day.

The Trenton library building is an example of the popular Beaux-Arts design popular during the period that has also been dubbed the American Renaissance.

As “Public Art in New Jersey” author Thomas C. Folk notes, the style, “which dominated much of American artistic and intellectual life from the 1870s to the 1920s, existed as both a reality and a mental construct. Not specifically a style or a movement in the commonly accepted art historical sense of those terms, the American Renaissance was more a mood, or a spirit, or a state of mind.”

In addition to encompassing “many diverse idioms of painting, architecture, and sculpture,” the style also “had a broad base of support with many politicians, financiers, businessmen, academics, and men and women of the American middle class. As an idea or mental concept, the American Renaissance held both nationalistic and cosmopolitan ideals and looked to the past and the future.”

The building also hits another historic note for what it is not. As a library history reports, “Contrary to popular belief, the new library was not a Carnegie Library. Between 1883 and 1929, businessman Andrew Carnegie donated funds to construct over 2,500 libraries, but certain cities like Trenton and Newark felt that accepting this money would show that they were unable to provide for themselves.” *

The current Lawrence Library is located in a building that was formerly a massive trucking terminal, but its history goes back to 1960, when a group of township residents gathered more than 1,600 signatures on a petition demanding a branch library.

According to Lawrence historian Dennis Waters, the residents’ request was finally approved in 1961, and that year, the Lawrence branch opened in a small 1,600-square-foot space at the rear of Dunham’s department store in the newlyopened Lawrence Shopping Center. It was an awkward location because it was not

accessible from the main parking lot in front.

For the next 20 years, the Lawrence branch remained at the shopping center location, though it moved several times and gradually increased in size.

As time wore on, Lawrence residents grew increasingly unhappy with the size and services offered by the library.

In 1978 the Lawrence Township Library Committee commissioned a report to study the feasibility of leaving the county system and establishing a townshipoperated municipal library, as Hopewell Township had recently done. The report advised against leaving the county system, and the Library Committee accepted its recommendation.

However, the Mercer County Library System recognized that it needed a major upgrade, so during the period from 1979 to 1982 it began planning an expansion that would bring new library buildings to all of its member municipalities.

In particular, it planned a facility in Lawrence that would serve as the system’s headquarters and include a much-enlarged reference department. Financing was provided by the Mercer County Improvement Authority through a $10 million bond issue.

The site chosen for the Lawrence Headquarters Branch was 12 acres at the corner of Darrah Lane and Brunswick Pike. The site contained an abandoned trucking terminal that was originally built in 1953 for Riss Brothers, at that time one of the largest trucking companies in the eastern United States. The property was subdivided, with Lawrence Township receiving the western section, where the Senior Center now stands.

The trucking terminal was very well constructed, so it was decided to renovate it rather than tear it down and start over. Renovation began in the spring of 1983 and on April 7 of the following year it opened.

At more than 40,000 square feet, the

branch was five times the size of the branch in the shopping center that it replaced, although some of that space was used by the county system for its headquarters, which moved from Ewing.

In 1994 the MCIA borrowed $15 million to fund another upgrade of the library system, including a 17,000-square -foot expansion at the rear and the west end of the existing building, providing an expanded reference section, additional community meeting rooms, and new offices for

the headquarters staff, whose former offices became the fiction department “downstairs.”

The Hopewell Public Library at 13 East Broad Street is housed in the red brick building that once upon a time had been the Hopewell National Bank.

While the current Hopewell library company was founded in 1914, there had been some sort of book or material lending system established as far back as 1802. According to a history compiled by the Hopewell Library, that was when Pennington resident Archilles Wilson ran a library that provided books for Hopewell residents.

The report indicates that a Hopewell Library Company had an organized catalog in 1804 and that it was incorporated twice in 1806, first as the Hopewell Library Company, then as the Hopewell Columbian Library Company a week later. The name change was to indicate the library’s location in the Columbian section of the township, now Hopewell Borough.

While it is unclear what happened to that company, it is clear that other efforts continued to supply residents with books and information. That included the Mrs. M. A. Carter, Library and Fancy Goods company, operating in 1887 on the corner of East Broad Street and Seminary Avenue, and

See LIBRARIES, Page 8

and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of

The Abandoned Riss Trucking terminal on Route 1 before it became the current Lawrence Library building.

circulating and traveling libraries organized by the Grange.

LIBRARIES continued from Page 7 Samuel Davis Stryker, whose will stipulated $1,000 for the community to establish a library.

Today’s Hopewell Public Library was established by members of the socially minded Roundabout Club and opened in a former harness shop on West Broad Street. A few years later it moved to the Fireman’s Hall. A public referendum turned it into a municipal and publicly funded library.

According its own documents, “The library was extraordinarily popular: As of October 1916, with a Borough population of 1,200, the library had 680 active patrons and owned more than 1,300 books, and had circulated 10,127 books over the past year. The library quickly outgrew its new space and moved to 28 East Broad Street in 1924 and shared this new space with the Hopewell Museum.”

In 1964 the library moved across the street to the former National Bank building.

Opened in 1890, it is a simple, solid, yet homey two-floor structure — nothing like the American Renaissance-inspired banks that look like Greek temples.

Here one gets the old-fashioned type of library experience of being greeted by librarians at a desk in front of a wall lined with volumes that chronicle the community.

Although there are sections that show that it was a bank — it has a vault, for example — the building’s small rooms make visiting the library feel like taking a step back in time.

* * *

The Lambertville Free Public Library also feels homey because it is an actual home that belonged to the Lilly family.

The house at 3 Lilly Street was built between 1812 and 1830 on property that Dr. John Lilly purchased from the son of Revolutionary War patriot George Coryell. The building was occupied by the politically and financially connected family through 1880.

According to a brief history compiled by the library, “Over the years, the Lilly Mansion lost its pond and stables and most of its land, which had extended from the newly established Bridge Street east to the cliff and south to Swan Creek. In the 1930s, highway construction claimed most of the east side, and in 1946 the front lawn became the site of a service station; later, other subdivided lots to the south were sold. The increasingly neglected mansion served as the Moose Lodge, as apartments, and as the offices of the Hunterdon County Nutrition Project for the Elderly, until the City purchased the dilapidated building in 1980 and installed the library on the first floor in 1988.”

The library effort goes back to 1881, when 28 community members founded the Stryker Library Association, named after prominent businessman and entrepreneur

The library first opened in 1882 in a room over Cochran’s Drug Store on Union Street before moving a year later to a room at the Masonic Hall on Bridge Street.

As the library reports, “The library’s collection of about 1,300 volumes contained classic literature as well as practical materials for farmers, such as Downing’s ‘Fruit and Fruit Trees,’ Randall’s ‘Sheep Husbandry,’ and Harris’ ‘Insects Injurious to Vegetation.’”

In the early 1950s, the library re-located to the second floor of City Hall on York Street. Some of those original holdings can be found in the library near a portrait of Stryker. *

The New Jersey State Library in the capitol complex in Trenton has a long and fascinating history and a facility shaped by an important design movement.

The library began with a collection of documents used by legislators when New Jersey was an English colony and before Trenton became the state’s capital in 1790.

An actual library started in 1796 when the State of New Jersey assigned the house clerk with the responsibility of maintaining the documents, pamphlets, newspapers, and books used by both the senate and assembly.

As the collection grew, so did the effort to maintain it, and a fulltime librarian was appointed in 1822. By 1883 the library had more than 30,000 volumes and occupied the southern wing of the capitol building — designed originally by Philadelphia-based architect Jonathan Doane, whose colonial and federal design had American Renaissance-flavored modifications and expansions by John Notman (1845), Samuel Sloan (1871), and Lewis Broome, 1889.

The library moved in 1929 to a new art deco-influenced New Jersey State House Annex building, which also housed the State Museum.

The library got its own building when the State of New Jersey created the Capitol Complex during the post-war boom in late 1950s and early 1960s.

The building was designed by Frank Grad & Sons, a Newark-based company noted as one of the leaders in modernist government and corporate architecture.

The antithesis of American Renaissance or embellishments that connected to a particular nation or era, Grad’s approach was influenced by the international style’s emphasis on no-frills simplicity and clean lines — as demonstrated by the open spaces, windows, and sleek furniture.

While this modern style is no longer seen as modern, it — like all the buildings noted — offers both the opportunity to find a book as well as walk into history.

located in the front of The College of New Jersey off Pennington

Love in the Air and in Print

Read how regional poets, both early and contemporary, have written of romance throughout the ages, page 2.

Love Poems of the Past and Present

By Rebekah Schroeder and Dan Aubrey

When a poet’s rhymes come from romance, each line penned by a writer eager to spin a sentimental song about their feelings or commit a lover’s visage to verse, the piece can live on past its era of origin.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, so does an event honoring a trailblazing local figure whose sense of activism and homeland pride was an amorous endeavor in itself.

Frances “Fanny” Isabelle Parnell (1848–1882), an Irish poet who expressed her nationalistic pride through writing and political action, came to Bordentown, where her mother’s ancestral home was, in 1874.

Dubbed the “Patriot Poet,” Parnell later passed away at this Mercer County family estate, but her literary devotion lives on in the Bordentown Poetry Project.

In recognition of Parnell’s contributions, as well as those of five noted regional and state writers—Ellen Foos, Luray Gross, Roberta Clipper, and Todd Evans—the FP Poetry Project will host a free February presentation and limited open reading

at Bordentown’s Old City Hall on Sunday, February 5, at 2 p.m.

Dan Aubrey, a Bordentown-based writer, U.S. 1 Newspaper Editor, and arts coordinator, will host.

The initiative is organized by the Bordentown Old City Hall Restoration Committee’s “Cultural Vision” project, which was formed last year as a subcommittee of the volunteer group dedicated to rehabilitating the building at 11 Crosswicks Street.

So why not get equally lost in the words of yearning from yore? The long legacy of love poems published by the area’s earlier contributors, which evoke everlasting tenderness, are a fitting match to Bordentown’s more modern compositions.

Editor’s Note: A number of these older poems ran in a previous issue of Community News Service’s weekly Princeton metro area paper, U.S. 1, in February 2020 as “A Vintage Literary Bouquet for Valentine’s Day” by Dan Aubrey.

Annis Boudinot Stockton, also a poet and patriot, was one of the first women in her craft to be published in America. Stockon, who came from familial wealth of

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We are a center of excellence that delivers the most up to date care in the field of comprehensive pain management. We are committed to helping you regain your life. Our focus will be on developing individualized patient treatment plans and increasing patient functionality.

Stop Your Pain. Start Your Life.

Regenerative Spine and Pain

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute Taking the Fight Against Chronic Pain to New Levels

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:

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

“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

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.

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 che-

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.”

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.”

Dr. Ronak Patel

her own, married lawyer Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

The well-connected couple called a property in Princeton, Morven, their home. William Penn, Richard’s grandfather, had given him the land, and Annis decided to name the mansion after the Gaelic word for “big hill.”

Morven served as the state’s first governor’s mansion before it was historically preserved in honor of its many cultural and artistic contributions.

Annis expressed her feelings in verse as she awaited her husband’s return—first from his general travels, but especially following his imprisonment by British forces during the Revolutionary War.

Despite the two’s eventual reunion, Richard died only a few years after his release.

The Disappointment! (1756)

An Ode to Mr. Stockton

I see my kind protector come To soothe my throbbing heart to rest.

He breaks that cloud’s o’erspreading gloom

And chases midnight from my breast.

No tis not him a shadowy sprite. So like my lover met my eyes

Some angel left the fields of light Touch’d with compassion at my sighs.

No more he joins the Social band

Around my cheerful fire side

Where friendships fascinating wand

Once made his hours serenely glide. Tis not for me that voice to hearWhence sprightly wit and manly sense

Can floe to charm the brow of care And wisdom’s choicest gifts dispense.

But he shall live within my heart — His image all my Joy supply And when death hurls the fatal dart I’ll bear it with me to the sky. Yes see the blessed hour arrives

Ev’n now the peaceful clime I view When gentle love and virtue thrives And souls their lapsed powers renew.

No disappointment enters there — The tender heart no absence pain —

For love refin’d is angels’ fare — For love eternal ever reigns.

Ellen Foos is a Princeton-based poet and the founder of Ragged Sky Press, a publication that “has historically focused on mature voices, overlooked poets, and women’s perspectives” since 1992. She is also a past editor for the Princeton University Press.

Evening Out (for Blossom Dearie)

We’re out to celebrate, me and Stan, in our modest way. Sure, other day-trippers are doing the same, having a little fun too, we’ll try not to spoil the scene.

Once we lived here, drank the water, bought cheese on the Avenue. Now to catch a little romance we overpay, wedge our way in, sport last year’s couture. We may hold hands and when the piano plays lean back, adjust our chairs. If we miss the revolution or get to it late someone please hold the door.

Henry Van Dyke was a theologian who graduated from Princeton University— where he would later teach English—and the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1873 and 1877, respectively.

A Presbyterian minister by trade, Van Dyke also wrote poems and short stories. He began his career by reading his works “aloud to his congregation in New York as sermons,” according to his Britannica biography.

While these pieces share a similar theme, the first is written as a sonnet.

Love (1902)

Let me but love my love without disguise,

Nor wear a mask of fashion old or new,

Nor wait to speak till I can hear a clue,

Nor play a part to shine in others’ eyes,

Fanny Parnell, left, and Annis Stockton, right, were prolific, passionate poets who achieved success in a field where few women had done so before.

1666 Hamilton Ave. Hamilton, NJ 08629

Nor bow my knees to what my heart denies;

But what I am, to that let me be true, And let me worship where my love is due, And so through love and worship let me rise.

For love is but the heart’s immortal thirst

To be completely known and all forgiven, Even as sinful souls that enter Heaven:

So take me, dear, and understand my worst,

And freely pardon it, because confessed,

And let me find in loving thee, my best.

Love in a Look

Let me but feel thy look’s embrace, Transparent, pure, and warm, And I’ll not ask to touch thy face, Or fold thee with mine arm.

For in thine eyes a girl doth rise, Arrayed in candid bliss, And draws me to her with a charm More close than any kiss.

A loving-cup of golden wine, Songs of a silver brook, And fragrant breaths of eglantine, Are mingled in thy look. More fair they are than any star, Thy topaz eyes divine — And deep within their trysting-nook Thy spirit blends with mine.

Luray Gross currently resides in Bucks County, where she was named the 2002 Poet Laureate.

A graduate of Trenton State College, now the College of New Jersey, she went on to become a Geraldine R. Dodge poet and the recipient of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Poetry Fellowship.

The Love Poem I Haven’t Written for Paul

After all this time, the love poem

I haven’t written for you had nearly given up hope, not realizing it didn’t need to be constrained or controlled, could swoon or soar if it felt like it.

Though it’s been terribly timid, lately it’s been practicing a quiet whistle, rather like the hum in the ears of a fifth-grade girl coasting her bike down

a hill that’s barely a hill, just enough slope to keep her upright

without pedaling. There’s no breeze except the breeze her moving body teaches the air as she passes through it.

This poem wants that girl to know she owns something no one else does,

Both Henry Van Dyke, left, and Philip Freneau, right, attended Princeton University and had an interest in theology.

Luray

wants her to feel the ache, only enough to be sure.

The poem might start singing at any moment, quietly as first, trying this word and that, a phrase or two, just something to get a rhythm going. It might be hard to hear, but if you stay still and lean in, I’m sure you’ll hear it call out your name.

Francis Hopkinson, known as Bordentown’s own Founding Father, signed the Declaration of Independence just as Richard Stockton did.

As “America’s first poet-composer,” the humorous harpsichordist worked in law and on his lyrical abilities.

When not working as a judge, Hopkinson wrote original secular songs, which the subsequent poem became, as well as satirical pieces.

Give Me Thy Heart

(1789)

Give me thy heart as I give mine, Our hands in mutual bonds will join, Propitious may our union prove, What’s life without the joys of love?

Should care knock rudely at our gate, Admittance to obtain, Cupid shall at the casement wait, And bid him call again!

Give me thy heart as I give mine Our hands in mutual bonds will join, Propitious may our union prove, What’s life without the joys of love?

Roberta Clipper’s poetry and fiction have been published nationally.

The Bordentown resident is a former professor at Rider University, where she retired from the English department in 2021 after serving as chair and instructor.

Ode on an American Email

“More happy love! more happy, happy love!

For ever warm and still to be en -

joyed, For ever panting and for ever young.”

— John Keats

Letters typed four hundred miles away spatter the white screen like the sunflower seeds he throws across the snow for hungry birds. You are a woman, clearly, he types back, who lies about her age. How could she be older than the long-haired girl who sat beside him in his Montreal Peugeot trying to stop him from behaving as her elder, the teacher she has told him she has now herself become?

Oh for the belief in a religion that bears us once again to the moments when we did not act. Then might he be a boy, his beard mere shadow on his icon of a face, his heart unbroken, and hers the one inscribed with past betrayals, propriety that would not let her love.

It might be her car then, her hand, the back of his neck, and she the one who says, “It’s time for you to go.” But he said it. And she went.

How innocent they were, discussing Keats’ unravished bride, the boy who longs for consummation,

and the luck they had to stay in love because they had no chance of falling out of it. Let us grow new memories on memories we do not know we have. Let us pray for an incarnation in which both of us are still nineteen, our hearts intact, and our hands not yet touched enough to not yet touch.

Philip Freneau, a sea captain with a proclivity for poetry and politics, was the staunchly Jeffersonian editor of the “National Gazette.” His narrative style earned him the moniker “poet of the American Revolution.”

Freneau, an alumnus of Princeton University, spent a significant amount of time at sea on trade voyages. He likely wrote this poem lamenting the waves of separation between him and his wife, Eleanor Forman.

According to “The Poems of Philip Fre-

neau,” a free eBook by Project Gutenberg, “To Cynthia” first appeared in print with two variations before the author settled on this final version.

Before opting for “Jersey,” Freneau’s initial line spoke of “Monmouth’s,” the county where he lived, and then “Morven’s vale” as a homage to the Stocktons’ famous Princeton estate.

To Cynthia (1789)

Through Jersey groves, a wandering stream

That still its wonted music keeps, Inspires no more my evening dream, Where Cynthia, in retirement, sleeps.

Sweet murmuring stream! how blest art thou

To kiss the bank where she resides, Where Nature decks the beechen bough

That trembles o’er your shallow tides.

The cypress-tree on Hermit’s height,

Where Love his soft addresses paid By Luna’s pale reflected light — No longer charms me to its shade! To me, alas! so far removed, What raptures, once, that scenery gave,

Ere wandering yet from all I loved, I sought a deeper, drearier wave. Your absent charms my thoughts employ:

I sigh to think how sweet you sung, And half adore the painted toy That near my careless heart you hung.

Now, fettered fast in icy fields, In vain we loose the sleeping sail; The frozen wave no longer yields, And useless blows the favouring gale.

Yet, still in hopes of vernal showers, And breezes, moist with morning dew, I pass the lingering, lazy hours, Reflecting on the spring — and you.

Todd Evans is a Trenton-born poet and arts event coordinator. He founded the Don Evans Players Theater Group as a tribute to his late father, Don Evans, a playwright who taught at numerous area institutions—Princeton High School, Princeton University, Rutgers University, but most notably, the College of New Jersey, where he served as the chair of the African American studies department.

Todd’s pen name, “Son of Black,” honors Don’s legacy, as well as how his father smoked Captain Black pipe tobacco.

by son of Black

(for HER lest we NEVER forget)

Princeton poet Ellen Foos, left, and Trenton’s own Todd Evans, right, will also be taking their talents to Bordentown in recognition of Fanny Parnell.

uplift HER, submit to HER, commit to HER, acknowledge HER, appreciate HER, love HER, pray with HER, pray for HER, trust HER, and maybe just maybe you will keep HER, in your heart and you in HER”S do this try your best, and never forget give no less for a relationship...is always a work in progress

Consider yourself a new secret admirer of these poets? Take a cue from Fanny Parnell—be bold by showing your affection the first weekend of February in Bordentown, then keep the momentum through Valentine’s Day and beyond.

Aura Dermatology

Answers for Your Hair Loss

FP Poetry Project, Sunday, February 5, 2 p.m., Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown.

For more information, contact coworksprojects@gmail.com

Why am I Losing My Hair?! Am I alone? Hair loss (alopecia) is an extremely common problem that affects millions of people in our country. There are two broad categories of hair loss — scarring or non-scarring — with many subtypes within each category. However, the type we tend to see the most is called Androgenetic Alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss). This form of hair loss affects roughly 30 million women and 50 million men at any given time. In male pattern hair loss, by age 25, 25% of men are affected. This number increases to 50% by age 50. In female pattern hair loss, by age 30-49, 17% of women are affected. By age 50-69 this number jumps to 25% of women. What causes Androgenetic Alopecia? Usually there can be a strong genetic component to this form of alopecia from either one’s maternal or paternal side. Additionally, elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are also involved in the pathophysiology of this condition. In women, hormonal imbalances due to pregnancy, menopause, etc, can also play a contributory role. Furthermore, having conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, certain autoimmune diseases, and others may play a significant role in exacerbation of androgenetic alopecia.

What can I use to treat Androgenetic Alopecia?

Most commonly, a combination treatment approach under the guidance of a Board-Certified Dermatology is recommended to achieve optimal

results. As this condition is progressive, treatment will have to be for life to maintain results. Common medical treatments include nutraceutical hair vitamins (not just high doses of biotin) that address the various contributing factors to hair loss, minoxidil (which helps to stimulate hair growth), and hormonal medications like finasteride

or spironolactone. Additional procedural treatments such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment, low-level light therapy (LLLT), and hair transplantation have shown great results enhancing hair growth by working synergistically with medical treatments.

What’s new in treating Androgenetic Alopecia? Alma TED device is an ultrasound-based system with a proprietary Tip engineered with Impact Delivery that offers a non-invasive, pain-free, in-office treatment option to treat hair loss. Combined with the TED hair care formula, patients can expect to see improvement in hair growth, hair thickness, and hair anchoring (less shedding) while improving its shine and strength.

Hair loss is a very common issue that can have many different causes. It is important to be evaluated by your Board-Certified Dermatologist to develop a treatment plan that is right for you to help achieve optimal results. If you are looking for guidance, look no further than Aura Dermatology in Robbinsville and Somerset, NJ. Let us help you live life in your best skin.

Aura Dermatology at Robbinsville, 17 Main Street, Suite 304, Robbinsville. 609-415-DERM (3376). www.auraderm.com.

Dr. Darshan Vaidya

Hamilton Area YMCA

At Sawmill Summer Day Camp we have 50 acres of outdoor space, the largest pool in Mercer County, fun activities ranging from sports to crafts and STEM, special events, fun themes and new initiatives! 5 funfilled days for campers to find their spark, find their sense of wonder, find their friends and FIND THEIR ADVENTURE!

• Find Their Spark.

Y camp is a place where kids can develop skills, confidence and new friendships. While camp is a summer rite of passage for kids to play outdoors and learn to swim, they are unknowingly rewarded with personal development skills by participating in their favorite activities and by trying activities they have never tried before. In general, they will leave camp with a stronger sense of identity and a better idea of what they love, which may help them in the classroom, in their relationships and to choose a career path in the future.

• Find Their Sense of Wonder. Kids get to discover all the wonders of the outdoors while

making friends and forming memories that will last a lifetime. A recent article from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia stated: “Scheduling time to actively play outdoors sets a natural limit on the amount of time your child can spend with a device (such as TV, smartphone or video game). “It promotes active engagement with their peers and the natural environment, and helps them develop respect for the world

FindYourADVENTURE!

don’t have to worry about getting a failing grade. By limiting this kind of restriction, kids can let their creativity flow.

• Find Their Friends and Fun.

At Y day camp, your kids will make new friends and have tons of fun as they explore new adventures each day. Camp is a social center away from home and school where kids learn to work with each other and adult mentors, build relationships and manage conflict.

Children look at camp as a fun way to spend the summer in the sun and splashing in the pool, but parents understand that camp allows kids to reap many life benefits that will follow them through their lives long after the sun has set on their summer camp days.

and consideration for others around them.” Camp provides kids the perfect opportunity to discover the outdoors and get their bodies and imaginations more active.

• Find Their Adventure.

Summer is a time for kids to explore new things and expand the limits of their imagination. At Y summer day camp, every day is a new adventure! Creativity can’t be stifled at camp because campers

We have worked hard to plan an exciting summer full of theme weeks, special events and new experiences! Campers will be immersed in arts and crafts, music, science, dance, sports, swimming and so much more! Our counselors are second to none, having had extensive training to welcome your children for the summer. For more information, visit hamiltonymca.org/camp.

See ad, page 11.

Russian School of Mathematics

Award-Winning Program

Comes to Princeton

RSM-Princeton now has a new location! We are now located at 231 Clarksville Road, West Windsor!

Recently featured in NPR and the Atlantic magazine as one of the key players in the “Math Revolution,” and ranked one of the best schools in the world by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM helps children of all levels build a solid math foundation and develop their criticalthinking and problem-solving skills. Sign up for a FREE math evaluation today! Website: www.russianschool. com/princeton

Summer school provides a great opportunity for students to learn and advance without the typical pressures of the academic year. RSM offers a variety of courses through its summer enrichment program — for those students looking to get a head start on the academic year, or for those looking for an additional challenge in math.

Our summer schedule is designed

for students of all levels, from Kindergarten to Algebra 2 and High School Geometry. Course offerings include:

- Math for Grades 1 - 6: These courses hone students’ analytical skills and enhance their number sense by introducing them to abstract concepts.

- Preparation for High School

Math: Our courses in Algebra and Geometry will build up prerequisite skills and front-load the key concepts

of High School Math.

- Contest Level Math: Students are introduced to non-straightforward problems- opening them to the intrigue of math in the world. Students are also prepared for various national and international math competitions.

Russian School of Mathematics, 231 Clarksville Road, West Windsor 08550. 732-708-4905. www. russianschool.com/princeton. See ad, page 10.

Summer Math

Summer Math

HARVEST

Transform

*Save 10% off your purchase of select flooring products to a maximum discount of $1,000 (based on $10,000 purchase). At participating stores only. Some restrictions apply. See store for details. Photos for illustrative purposes only. Not responsible for typographical errors. Offer ends 7/26/2020. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotional offers and is not valid on previous purchases. ©2020 Carpet One Floor & Home®. All Rights Reserved.

to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See store for details.

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

2023 SPRING REC SOCCER

15 APRIL - 10 JUNE

Boys and Girls born between 1/1/2004 and 12/31/20019

$100/per child

Discounts for multiple children

Friday Nights - Footwork exercises

Friday Nights - Skills & ball techniques

Saturday - Fun competitive games

Saturday - Team work & team building

Lots of FUN and making friends!!!

Friday Night Red Bull Training

Friday Night Red Bull Training

Saturday Games

Saturday Games

Lawrence hamnett soccer association

Lawrence hamnett soccer association

Registration Link www.lawrencehamnett.com More Information recinfo@lawrencehamnett.com

Registration Link More Information

SERVICES

LEGAL SERVICES Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and NJ Taxes, House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609-799-4674, 609-721-4358.

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 908-385-5701 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, 908-5960976. 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, 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 JAY609-689-9651.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Space available in the Ewing Professional Park. Comfortable suite currently used by mental health professionals. Waiting room, kitchenette and restrooms in suite. Well-lighted parking lot. Available Jan 1st. For more details, email suppsoln27@ yahoo.com or call Supportive Solutions at 609-635-3751.

Doctors Office Suite TurnKey Ready in Hamilton, Mercer County NJ approx. 1405+/- SF for lease. Fully furnished. $2,550/mth.

DiDonato Realty 609-5862344 Marian Conte BR 609947-4222.

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 609-7311630

VACATION RENTALS

Florida Beach Rental: Fort Myers Beach 1br vacation

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.

condo on the beach, flexible dates available. Call 609-5778244 for further information

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Salon for sale- excellent opportunity. Priced to sell. Relocating out of state. Large space, great potential. Call 609-462-0188.

CEMETERY PLOTS

For sale double depth cemetery plot. Location Princeton memorial park, Gordon Road, Robbinsville. Call 609-259-7710.

National Classified

Health & Fitness

Dental insurance - Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-9299587

Miscellaneous

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Choreography by JOHAN KOBBORG and ETHAN STIEFEL

and she built me up from second to fourth grade. Affter that my coaches took over.”

The combined effort of mom and travel/AAU coaches has produced a pretty good finished product. Through the Cardinals first 13 games this year, the senior point guard led the team in scoring (13.7 points per game), rebounding (5 per game) and steals (15), and was second in assists (22).

Probably the most impressive stat is being the leading rebounder at just 5-foot11 while playing guard.

“He just has a good nose for the ball and loose balls,” Molinelli said. “He’s a tough kid, and when that ball goes off the rim, he sprints and gets it.”

Michael has also hoisted his scoring average by over four points per game after working on his jumper over the summer.

“I knew I had to improve my shot so it could be something else that they had to worry about besides me just driving to the basket,” Boiselle said. “My mom would come to the court, I would shoot the ball, she’d give it right back to me. I’d take jump shots, three point shots. I’m definitely more confident in my jumper; but I still feel my go-to is definitely going to the basket.”

Molinelli feels that by virtue of an improved shot, Boiselle is able to penetrate easier.

“He likes to go to the basket, attack, finish around the rim,” the coach said. “Adding his shooting ability this year has made it easier for him to get by people. He’s very elusive getting to the paint and finishing around the basket. He’s got some crafty moves in there, I gotta give it to him.”

It has been an evolution of sorts for Boiselle, who started as a center while playing AAU in sixth grade, and then became a point guard when he stopped growing. He credits current Trenton High senior Calvin Moore for teaching him how to run the show.

“He used to play AAU with me; he was my point guard,” Boiselle recalled. “I watched him, followed after him. It taught me to pass the ball more. I was not passing the ball in AAU at all, I was just shooting all the time.”

Molinelli first saw Boiselle playing in a middle school game and immediately felt he had varsity talent. The two found out quick enough. Michael made the JV team as a freshman, but injuries pressed him into varsity action that season.

“We threw him in the fire right off the bat just to help us bring up the ball,” Molinelli said. “He has a pretty calm, cool demeanor. He came out, he played hard. One of his first full games we played a showcase in Montgomery against South Brunswick, they won Group Four that year. We threw him right in the fire. He played hard, got us in our stuff and we

played them pretty tough that game. He handled himself well.”

Boiselle played 16 games as a freshman, averaging seven points and handing out 38 assists, which were second on the team.

“I would say the first couple games I was a little nervous, but after the first few games, I got used to it,” he said. “I played a lot against the varsity guys in practice. That got me used to playing against other teams. Plus playing AAU I played at a high level of basketball. It wasnt anything too crazy, I just had to get used to my teammates and learn how to play with them.”

He did that quite well. Unfortunately, Michael was unable to build on that much the following season, which was crippled by Covid. He still managed to lead the team with 25 assists and 23 steals in 16 games.

Last year, Boiselle led the Cardinals with 87 assists and 58 steals; but knew he had to become more of a scorer this season so he could distribute the ball to open teammates Particularly from the perimeter, in order to get defenders to come out on him. He has answered that challenge, making 14 3-pointers through 13 games after hitting 11 all of last year.

“I started to realize that other teams just saw me as a facilitator, not a scorer,” said Boiselle, who is looking to major in engineering or computer science in college next year. “I wasn’t really that big of a threat on offense, because I wouldn’t shoot. I’d just worry about other people scoring. So if I helped improve my scor-

everything asked of him.

“Throughout his career he became a better facilitator, better at getting us into our offense,” the coach said. “The last few years he’s more of a scorer. I think he improved overall from last year, but definitely his shot got better this year. He’s hitting a lot more threes, he’s definitely helping us from the perimeter a little bit. It’s been a pleasure coaching him the last couple years and working with him.”

Michael has also maintained his talents around the basket, which he picked up while playing center in AAU.

“I actually used some big man moves around the basket,” he said. “Now I use my pivot foot to get around defenders. Playing center helped me a great deal with my footwork.”

Much of Boiselle’s success comes from watching others and learning from them.

Molinelli feels his teammates now help themselves by watching Michael.

ing it would be easier to run the offense and get better shots for other guys, and also let me drive to the basket more.”

Molinelli feels that Boiselle has done

“He’s our captain and I would say he’s definitely more of a lead-by-example guy. He may not be the most vocal; but from an example standpoint he works hard every day. He’s always on time. He’s nice to all his teammates, his teammates definitely care about him and like being around him.”

Sounds like a guy whose mother raised him right—off the court as well as on it.

Senior point guard Michael Boiselle led the Cardinals in scoring (13.7 points per game), rebounding (5 per game) and steals (15) through the first 13 games this year.

(Photo by Sam Pastorella.)

thanks or to support our Emergency Response Fund, visit rwjbh.org/heroes

And please, for them, stay home and safe.

Is cardio or strength training better for your heart health?

Ask The Doctor

See our ads in SIX09 section pgs 5 and 7

Everyone knows that exercise is good for the heart. But what kind of exercise is most beneficial for optimum heart health— cardio or strength training?

Edward A. Wingfield, MD, Chairman of Cardiology, and Medical Director of the “M. Ghusson Cardiac Catheterization Lab,” Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, sheds some light on this decades-old debate.

When it comes to cardio vs. strength training for heart health, is one more beneficial than the other?

The scientific evidence is still building around which form of exercise is best to prevent chronic disease. Historically, aerobic (or cardio) exercise was always recommended for heart and lung health with little attention paid to strength (or resistance) training.

What’s clear now, however, is that

strength training is as important to heart health as aerobic exercise and that a combination of both yields the best heart outcomes with regard to blood pressure, body composition, fitness, strength and metabolism. In turn, beneficial change in a person’s physiology yields a lower risk of diabetes, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), heart attack and stroke.

What’s the best way to combine these exercises?

Physical Activity

Guidelines for Americans, a 2018 report from the Department of Health and Human Services, recommends that each week, adults aged 18 to 64 do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 to 150 minutes of vigorousintensity aerobic activity or an equivalent combination of both. Strength training should be performed at least twice a week on nonconsecutive days to allow a period of rest for the muscle groups being stressed. How does age affect the type of exercise(s) a person should do?

As we age, safety becomes an issue. The aging adult should do both forms of exercise, but participation should take into account chronic medical conditions, such as musculoskeletal disorders, that may place the individual at risk for injury.

For people at risk for falls or with balance issues, resistance exercises, such as chair squats, heel lifts, rowing, resistance bands, bicep curls and shoulder presses, may be effectively and safely performed. Research continues to support strength/resistance training for older individuals. What advice do you have for the average person who wants to start an exercise regimen to improve their heart health?

Recommendations are based on age and whether the individual is new to an exercise program. First, choose exercise that you may find enjoyable. Second, set realistic expectations for how often and how long you’ll exercise. Third, choose exercises that you can safely perform. Fourth, consider partnering with others for motivation and socialization. Fifth, communicate with your physicians. Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you.

To learn more and/or schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s top cardiac specialists at RWJUH Hamilton, visit rwjbh.org/heart or call (888) 724-7123.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, RWJBarnabas Health is located at One Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. To learn more about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton or call (609) 586-7900

Coming up this month at RWJU Hospital Hamilton

For more information, call (609) 584-5900. To register for a program or for schedule changes go to rwjbh.org/ events.

TUESDAy, FEBRUARy 7

Heart Disease Prevention: Congestive Heart Failure. 1 to 2 p.m. Connie Moceri, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, Director of Disease Management and Ann Mancuso, MSN, RN, CHFN, Heart Failure Program Coordinator will provide an overview of this disease, including prevention and treatment.

WEDNESDAy, FEBRUARy 8

Over The Counter Hearing Aids-FAQ-What You Should Know. 10 to 11 a.m. Get the facts on the latest in over-the-counter hearing aids.

Learn the facts and get your questions answered by Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., A.B.A., a clinical audiologist with over 40 years of experience in the field of hearing science.

TUESDAy, FEBRUARy 14

Managing Stress and Diabetes. 3 to 4 p.m. This support group is for people living with diabetes. Learn how to cope with stress and diabetes in a healthy way.

ThURSDAy, FEBRUARy 16

Keeping Your Mind Sharp. 1 to 2 p.m. This lecture covers the basics of why our brains change and strategies for improving memory to keep our brains top notch. Presented by Sarah Masco, OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA.

MONDAy, FEBRUARy 20

Dance It Out! Also April 10. 1 to 2 p.m. When in doubt, dance the stress out. No experience needed. ALL ages welcome.

WEDNESDAy, FEBRUARy 22

Fall Recovery Day. 10 to 11 a.m. Ketki Vyas, DPT, LANA, Senior Physical Therapist will provide insight on the dynamics of recovering from falls.

Cook For Your Heart. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s the month of love! There is no better way to express love to yourself or others than through a heart-healthy home cooked meal.

ThURSDAy,

FEBRUARy 23

Love Your Crockpot. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dust off your crockpot, it’s slow cooker season! Explore new recipes and take home ingredients that will make your crock pot a regular counter top occurrence.

MONDAy, FEBRUARy 27

Seasonal Anxiety-Are You Experiencing the Winter Blues? 11 a.m. to noon. Discussion group about dealing with the Winter Blues. Easy tips and different strategies one can employ for coping.

Better Health Programs

These complimentary programs for those ages 65+ will engage your mind, encourage you to move and help you reflect. Registration required for all programs. Call 609.584.5900 or visit us on the web at www.rwjbh.org/events.

ThURSDAy, FEBRUARy 2

Spinal Health & Successful Spine Surgery

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Lunch & Learn. 12:30 to 2 p.m. Marc J. Levine, MD will join us for an engaging conversation with Q&A about spinal health and what’s changed in treatment and surgery. Orthopedic and Spine Institute/RWJBH, Director Spine Surgery Program RWJUH/Hamilton.

WEDNESDAy, FEBRUARy 15

Acoustic Café. 1 to 2 p.m. Sheli Monacchio, CDP, HSAC, ADLS, Senior Vice President, Angelion Mobility & Singer/Songwriter will share her original music over snacks & beverages during this fun-filled time.

ThURSDAy, FEBRUARy 16

Discussions with Sara Ali, MD: Love Your Heart. 1 to 2 p.m. Join Dr. Ali and Friends for a fresh perspective on loving your heart for life!

Dr. Edward Wingfield

HEALTH HEADLINES

Capital Health Regional Medical Center Nationally Recognized as a Leader for Social Responsibility, Patient Safety

Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) recently earned recognition from the Lown Institute as one of the most socially responsible hospitals in America. In the Lown Hospital Index, a report by the Institute that evaluates more than 3,600 hospitals across the nation, RMC received an A grade and ranked 4th out of 61 hospitals in New Jersey based on several key metrics that measure social responsibility. Among those metrics, RMC ranked number one in New Jersey for patient safety and racial inclusivity, number three for health equity, and number five for overall inclusivity. The report also ranked RMC among the top 100 hospitals nationally for health equity, patient safety, and racial inclusivity.

“Capital Health Regional Medical Center has been a leader in providing high-quality, equitable care to the people of Trenton and surrounding areas for more than 130 years,” said Dr. Eric Schwartz, vice president of Community Health and Transformation and executive director of Capital Health’s Institute for Urban Care. “This ranking by the Lown Institute validates the hard work of our staff and reaffirms our commitment to community health in Mercer, Bucks, and Burlington counties.”

“America needs socially responsible hospitals,” said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute. “That’s why it’s so important to lift up these high-performing hospitals as examples for others to follow.”

The Lown Institute, founded in 1973 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Bernard Lown (developer of the defibrillator and cardioverter) is an independent, nonpartisan organization that conducts research to help bridge the gap between existing public policy solutions

and improved access to care for all Americans. The Lown Hospital Index is the first ranking to assess the social responsibility of U.S. hospitals by applying unique measures such as racial inclusivity, avoidance of overuse (how well hospitals avoid unnecessary tests and procedures), and pay equity (how well hospital staff are paid compared to executives), among others. Data sources include Medicare claims, CMS patient safety data and hospital cost reports, among others.

Capital Health Regional Medical Center has a long history of serving central New Jersey and Lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The hospital includes a state designated comprehensive stroke center (part of Capital Institute for Neurosciences), the Level II Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center (one of only 10 designated trauma centers in New Jersey), and Mercer County’s designated Emergency Mental Health Services Center. RMC also provides inpatient and outpatient radiology services, dialysis, and numerous other medical services. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org.

DON’T DELAY: Call 911 If You Suspect a Stroke

“When it comes to treating stroke, we always say ‘time is brain,’ which means that the sooner we can treat you, the better chance we have at a successful outcome,” said DR. DUSTIN ROCHESTIE, director of the Stroke Program at Capital Health. “At Capital Health, we have safety procedures in place to protect you from infection, while making sure you get the immediate, lifesaving stroke care that you need.”

The Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at the Capital Institute for Neurosciences is a major referral center for the treatment of all types of neurovascular diseases, including cerebral aneurysms, strokes, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), arteriovenous fistul as (AVFs), cavernous malformations, carotid artery and vertebral artery atherosclerotic disease, intracranial stenosis as well as Moyamoya disease.

The only Joint Commission certified Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region, located at Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Trenton, continues to provide safe emergency stroke and neurovascular services 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week during the current health crisis.

“As soon as you call 911, our prehospital alert system allows our team in the hospital to prepare for your arrival, saving valuable time to treatment,” said Dr. Rochestie. “Your call could also activate our Mobile Stroke Unit, which can be co-dispatched with basic and advanced life support service to provide safe, immediate care at your location before you even arrive at the hospital.”

Controllable Risk Factors for Stroke

There are steps you can take right away to lower your risk. Get started by talking to your primary care doctor to learn about stroke screenings and how you can treat or manage controllable risk factors such as:

High blood pressure

… High cholesterol

Heart/blood vessel disease

Cigarette smoking

Visit capitalneuro.org to learn more.

IF YOU SUSPECT A STROKE, B - E F - A - S - T

— Balance

Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance?

— Eyes

Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?

— Face Drooping

Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

— Arm Weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

— Speech Difficulty

Physical inactivity/ obesity/poor diet

… Diabetes mellitus

Atrial fibrillation

Sickle cell disease

Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

— Time to call 911

If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS EXPERIENCING SIGNS OF A STROKE, CALL 911.

AMERICAN HEART MONTH

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS EXPERIENCING THE SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK, CALL 911.

This puts you in contact with a trained dispatcher who will tell you what to do and sends an ambulance to your location. When the ambulance arrives, treatment begins in your home and the emergency department is prepared for your arrival at the hospital. Because your symptoms may get worse, driving yourself is a bad idea.

The Chest Pain Center at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is accredited by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care and the American College of Cardiology. This means the Center meets high standards for diagnosing and treating cardiac emergencies, such as heart attacks.

When someone is having a heart attack, time to treatment is critical. Capital Health’s pre-hospital alert system allows ambulance patients to be tested in their homes and mobilizes an interventional team at the hospital if there is evidence of a heart attack, saving time for an initial EKG test or faster bedside blood tests for troponin, a protein that enters the blood stream during a heart attack.

If you or a loved one is having a severe heart attack caused by prolonged restricted blood flow due to a clot or ruptured plaque, Capital Health’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab is ready to provide an emergency stent placement.

After you or your loved one has recovered, your last step is preventing another heart attack or heart-related illness. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, offers a team of physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists and registered dietitians who provide individually prescribed education and exercise.

All program candidates are interviewed prior to entering the Cardiac Rehabilitation program, which allows a team to develop and implement a personalized care plan. Participants include those who have experienced:

Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) within the past 12 months

Coronary artery bypass surgery

Current, stable chest pain (angina pectoris)

… Heart valve repair or replacement

… Angioplasty or stenting to open blocked coronary arteries

Heart or heart-lung transplant surgery

Stable, chronic heart failure

Talk to your doctor about participating in cardiac rehabilitation. Visit capitalhealth.org/cardiacrehab for more information.

DO MEN & WOMEN HAVE DIFFERENT SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK?

YES

SYMPTOM MEN WOMEN

Chest Pain

Crushing, center of chest

Pressure, tightness, ache, stomach pain, sweating

Shortness of breath With or before pain, may occur With or before pain, common

Arm Pain Pain, numbness Similar to men

Back, Neck, Jaw Pain May occur

Stomach Pain May occur

Indigestion May occur

More common than in men

Extend to abdomen or only abdomen

2x’s more likely than men

Anxiety May occur Mistaken for panic

Fatigue May occur

Dizzy/ Lightheaded May occur

Flu-like symptoms

More common than in men

If you or someone you know is experiencing these signs and symptoms, call 911.

KNOW THE SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS HAVING ONE

Capital Health – East Trenton Opens Offering Emergency Department Services and Continued Outpatient Medical Clinic Services

On December 21, Capital Health assumed responsibility for health care services previously provided by St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. That campus, which now operates an Emergency Department and some outpatient services, has been renamed Capital Health – East Trenton and no longer operates as an acute care hospital.

“Without this transition, Trenton would have lost desperately needed health care services, including emergency services, behavioral health, and cardiac surgery. This would have been

KEY INFORMATION FOR YOU TO KNOW SERVICES

The Emergency Department remains open 24/7 in the same location. Patients needing hospital admission will be transferred appropriately for the care they need.

… The Outpatient Primary Care Clinic, located next to the Emergency Department, remains open in the same location. Specialty Care Clinic Services are available at various locations.

The CARES child wellness program remains open in the same location.

The LIFE program is now called Capital Health LIFE and remains open in its Bordentown location. Assisted Living Program patients continue to receive care as they did prior to the transition.

… Some primary care physicians, specialists, and surgeons who were previously with St. Francis Medical Associates have transitioned to Capital Health Medical Group practices. Visit capitalmedicalgroup.org to find your physician’s new location and phone number. If your physician did not move to Capital Health, visit capitalhealth.org to find the physician you need and complete contact information.

Cancer Center services, including infusions, are available at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. Visit capitalhealthcancer.org to learn more, or call 609.537.6363. For infusion appointments at Capital Health, call 609.537.7226.

Patients receiving care as part of the Infectious Disease, HIV and Lyme’s disease programs can be seen at Capital Health –Infectious Disease Specialists, located at 40 Fuld Street, Suite 305 in Trenton. Call 609.394.6338 to make an appointment.

devastating to the residents. I want to thank everyone who partnered with us to make sure key services did not leave Trenton,” said Al Maghazehe, President and CEO of Capital Health. “We are committed to continuing to provide critical medical services in the city of Trenton and working closely with members of the community, local officials, and other key stakeholders.”

Learn more about the services Capital Health offers at www.capitalhealth.org.

Sleep services are available at Capital Health – Hamilton, located at 1401 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road. Call 609.584.5150 to schedule an appointment.

The Behavioral Health Inpatient Program is at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.

Wound Care patients can call Capital Health’s Center for Wound Management and Hyperbaric Medicine at 609.537.7457.

Outpatient diagnostic testing services are available at other Capital Health locations, including Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Call 609.394.6695 to schedule an appointment.

TRANSPORTATION

Shuttles from the Hamilton Avenue campus to Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) leave every hour, on the hour, beginning at 6 a.m. with the last shuttle leaving at 8 p.m. for RMC. All shuttles depart from the turnaround in front of the old Main Lobby on Chambers Street at the new Capital Health – East Trenton location. Return shuttles run every half hour from 6:30 a.m., with the last departure for Capital Health – East Trenton at 8:30 p.m. This can be used by patients or visitors.

MEDICAL RECORDS

If you need a copy of your medical records for services you received at St. Francis Medical Center before December 21, 2022, call 609.394.4460 or visit Capital Health’s website for other options.

MAIN NUMBERS

Capital Health – East Trenton: 609.599.5000

Capital Health Regional Medical Center: 609.394.6000

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell: 609.303.4000

About the budget process and the Lawrence community

KEVIN NERWINSKI

FROM ThE MANAGER’S DESK

Who is interested in a short story about the municipal budget process for Lawrence Township? Hmmm, well, I am going to proceed as if there are more than a few that are curious enough to read this article with the hope of being more informed on a topic that is generally a mystery to most.

Before we begin, the N.J. Municipal Budget Law and the books written in an attempt to interpret it are much more extensive and include much more details than the conversational description that follows. Please proceed with the knowledge that I intend to avoid the weeds!

First things first: a budget is the funding tool for the various operations of the municipal government and the delivery of services to the community. In addition, it lays out the capital program for the maintenance and expansion of the town’s infrastructure, equipment, and buildings.

In our form of government (CouncilManager), the municipal manager is responsible for preparing the municipal budget, and the governing body (council members) is responsible for reviewing, considering, and adopting the budget by their majority vote at an open public meeting.

By doing it this way, there is a check and balance system where the elected officials act on behalf of the taxpayers in an open and transparent process to ensure that their money is used responsibly to provide the essential services the community expects and deserves. Adopting a budget is the most critical function of the govern-

ing body.

Our “budget season” starts in October of the preceding budget year when the chief financial officer (CFO), Peter Kiriakatis, directs the various department heads of the municipal government (i.e., public works, police, fire/EMT, recreation, health, finance, construction, court, etc.) to prepare their budgets.

It requires them to determine what they need to deliver the services their department provides to the community and how much it will cost. It also requires them to forecast for anticipated and unanticipated future challenges and set a course to improve and enhance the services over time.

Once the departmental budgets are received, they meet with the CFO to make changes, if necessary, to better conform with the overall budget strategy created through the collaboration of the CFO and the municipal manager.

The municipal manager and the CFO often can determine early in any given year the financial challenges they must address in the next budget year.

For example, this past year, we are all aware of the economic fallout from the world health pandemic, with shortages across many industries that have led to inflation and higher costs in all areas of our lives—energy, fuel, insurance, etc., etc., etc.

You need to know that the higher cost of living you are dealing with in managing your household finances is the same challenge that municipal governments face when preparing a budget to deliver services to the community in the coming year.

The only difference is that a municipal government must, by law, prepare and

adopt a budget that can only spend (appropriations) the same amount it expects to receive in revenue or through taxation.

It is called a balanced budget, and unanticipated costs that arise during any given year are always problematic. Preparing a thoughtful and responsible budget is crucial for a town’s financial strength.

After the department heads complete their budgets, the CFO and municipal manager have broader budget discussions and make decisions that result in the preparation of a “recommended budget” presented to the governing body formally at a council meeting.

The CFO and municipal manager intend for the recommended budget to reflect and be consistent with the policies the governing body has established and directed them to achieve yearly. The “recommended budget” was presented to the council members on Jan. 17, with a presentation by the CFO providing a broad overview. It is available on our website for those that are interested.

In February, the department heads will appear at council meetings (open to the public) and present a summary of their budget to the governing body and answer questions. Also, during this period, the

council members will review the recommended budget line by line and often have questions or provide comments to the municipal manager in anticipation of the formal “introduction of the budget” scheduled to occur in the first meeting of March 2023.

The budget presented in the “introduction” often differs from the “recommended” budget after the governing body provides its input and direction for a budget it would accept and adopt. But that’s not all! At the public hearing on the adoption of the budget, the public will have an opportunity to comment and let their opinions and concerns be known to the council members before they vote. We anticipate the public hearing and adoption of the budget will take place on April 18.

Before the iIntroduction of the municipal budget” in March, I will be preparing a “budget message” that I will share with the community to provide explanations, reasons, and financial numbers that support the budget offered for adoption.

Kevin Nerwinski serves as Lawrence Township’s municipal manager. He is a long-time resident of Lawrence.

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that affects millions of Americans, commonly resulting in pain, tingling, numbness, and other painful symptoms in the hands, legs and feet. This pain changes your life and affects how you work, how you play and how you live.

AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine is pleased to announce their new program for treating Peripheral Neuropathy, which includes a combination of advanced FDA-cleared treatments with breakthrough technology that aids in healing the damaged nerves. The effects of this program can be felt on the first few visits. This treatment restores, stabilizes, and rebuilds the nerves in your extremities. Treatment has also been effective in addressing painful symptoms of arthritis, MS, and other forms of chronic pain. Patients generally feel relief physically throughout the treatment period and even feel better emotionally after experiencing a reduction in pain.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE NERVE DAMAGE?

Peripheral neuropathy is the consequence of damage to your peripheral nerves. There are over 100 different kinds of peripheral nerve disorders or neuropathies – some are the result of a disease like diabetes, while others can be triggered by a viral infection. Still others are the result of an injury or compression on the nerves. No matter where the problems begin, it is imperative nerve disorders are resolved as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage. Many people suffer with pain for years, not realizing that their symptoms may be due to Peripheral Neuropathy. Symptoms start gradually, then get worse, including numbness, burning or tingling sensations and sharp, electrical-like pain. Treatment options have been limited to a small assortment of pain medications, which can lead to further issues. Ignoring the problem or masking the symptoms has never been a viable solution. If you suffer from any of the aforementioned symptoms, we can help.