3-23 LG

Diving into success

Carpinelli looks to win his second straight state diving championship

By RiCH FisHer

When Tommy Carpinelli bends the diving board and allows it to propel him skyward, what follows is when the fun really starts

for the Lawrence High School senior.

“I really liked the flipping and how unique it was,” he said of what drew him to diving in the first place. “There wasn’t much like it. There’s not really many places you can get the feeling of jumping off the board and flipping and twisting and stuff like that. I just found it so exhilarating.”

Carpinelli has parlayed that

exhilaration into a college education, as he will dive for Georgetown University next year. Prior to that, he still has some things to accomplish in high school, as he will attempt to win his second straight NJSIAA state diving championship at Montgomery High School on March 1. Tommy enters the competition with the highest qualifying score of 521 points.

By ReBeKaH SCHroeDer

Once he started, it was an easy decision for Patrick Lombardi—and a rewarding one—to just keep on (food) trucking.

He learned that since the recipe for a successful food truck is equal parts determination and delicious food, the stories behind them are worth filling up on, plate after plate. These businesses are run by families, couples, independent owners, and partners, some of whom see their work as an extension of their culinary school experiences, while others consider it a side project to share recipes on more flexible terms.

Such diverse backgrounds serve up an explosion of culture and talent for the industry, a niche that Lombardi, a BestofNJ.com contributor and photographer, has written a book about with the publication’s editor-in-chief, Vincent Parisi.

The first paperback to come from Best of NJ, The New Jersey Food Truck Cookbook evolved from Lombardi’s “The Best New Jersey Food Trucks,” a web series that has run every spring and summer season— considered the prime time for food trucks due to the increase in outdoor festivals and events—since March 2018.

Released on Feb. 13 through The History Press, an imprint of Arca-

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dia Publishing, every chapter of the book centers on a different food truck business from throughout the state. Of the 20 food trucks featured, Lombardi highlights the biographies of the people involved, over 30 recipes, and Q&As with the business owner(s).

A self-described “foodie” and lifelong New Jersey resident, Lombardi, who graduated from Rider University in Lawrenceville, officially moved to the area at the end of 2020 after marrying his wife, Christine, in July of that year. They now live in Lawrence Township.

Lombardi currently works fulltime for the state of New Jersey, yet still has the same love of writing, covering food, hiking (“The Best NJ Hiking Trails”), and history (“Jersey Through History”) for Best of NJ, with previous credits for websites such as NJ.com, MyCentralJersey. com, and Patch.com.

The concept for “The Best New Jersey Food Trucks” began as a pitch Lombardi made to Parisi in late 2017, which the latter documents in the book’s preface as growing from a standalone piece Lombardi had been writing at the time on Bearded One BBQ, a Monroe-based food truck.

But Lombardi sensed a greater potential than just the one-off could provide when, upon reflecting on the

Lawrence High School diver Tommy Carpinelli (left) with teammate Beckham DiPierro, shows off the results of a recent competition in which he won a gold medal. (Photo by Joe Costello.)

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LHS senior named a Young Woman of Achievement

By Bill Sanservino

Lawrence High School senior LauraSimone Martin has been selected as a 2023 Mercer County Young Woman of Achievement by the Mercer County Commission on The Status of Women. She will be recognized at a reception on March 21 at Mercer Oaks Clubhouse in West Windsor..

Martin was nominated for the award based on her accomplishments during her high school career. She is the founder and president of the first LHS Black Student Union and vice president of Students for Social Activism.

Also a musician, she is a bass player and singer who has performed at prestigious venues like the Monterey Jazz Festival with the Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo and the 2021 VAIL Jazz Festival with the Vail Jazz Workshop Allstars.

In addition, Martin has performed at Dizzy’s Club, Minton’s Playhouse, Birdland Jazz Club, South Jazz Kitchen and Tribeca Film Festival.

She currently plays with Princeton University’s Creative Large Ensemble, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey. She is also part of the 2022 Carnegie Hall National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYO Jazz), and the National Association of Music Education All-National Honor Jazz Ensemble.

Martin is the founder of the Queen Amina Club, an after-school music and mentorship program at Lawrence Intermediate School for female instrumentalists in grades 4-8.

She wrote a grant proposal to acquire funding for the program, which will host six well-renowned guest artists this year, including jazz performers Tia Fuller and Camille Thurman. The club will also perform in various school and community events.

According to her grant application, the club was founded in the fall of 2021 with the purpose of creating sisterhood and bringing jazz education through weekly meetings that focus on music performance, improvisation, creativity and exposure to women composers and musicians from the past and present.

While all female composers and musicians are discussed, there is an intentional emphasis and celebration of Black

women composers and instrumentalists. The club is named after the warrior queen of Zazzau of Nigeria, Queen Amina (1533-1610).

During the 2021-2022 school year, Queen Amina Music Club consisted of 28 girls (12 violins, 5 violas, 4 cellos, 1 flute, 3 alto saxes, and 3 trumpets) and focused on learning the blues, improvisation and small ensemble performance.

Martin said she specifically creates all arrangements for this instrumentation and ability level. An integral part of this curriculum is exposure to various role models and mentorship.

In 2021, Tia Fuller and Katie Thiroux volunteered their time to work with the students over zoom. The season concluded with two performances, one for our community arts festival and one during the Lawrence Intermediate School Spring Concert.

“I am supremely committed to this endeavor, the opportunity to serve my community, my school district, mentor young girls, and play the music I love, all while uplifting important issues of diversity and inclusion in music education, has been a driving force throughout my high school years,” said Martin in her grant application.

Lawrence High School senior LauraSimone Martin has been selected as a 2023 Mercer County Young Woman of Achievement.

interview, he noted how owners Chris and Jess D’Addario started talking about fellow food trucks “almost as best friends” or “family,” the journalist explained in a February interview with the Lawrence Gazette.

“They sometimes depend on each other, but then they also bond because they’ll see a lot of the same owners at different events,” he said, and when “everybody has their misfortune, whether their generator dies or they run out of a product or something, those [trucks], rather than being competition, [are] there to lend a helping hand,” Lombardi added.

After its successful debut, the web series would continue reporting on six food trucks per year to reach the current number, which is, as of press time, 30 total. By 2021, Lombardi was considering publishing a book about his food truck experiences when Parisi joined him, and “The Best New Jersey Food Trucks” eventually found a home at The History Press.

The book, which divides the state into four areas—south, north, central, and the Jersey Shore—includes names like Bearded One BBQ, Maddalena’s CheeseCake & Catering, Good Food = Good Mood, Five Sisters Food Co., and House of Cupcakes in Princeton, as well as Mama Dude’s and Surf and Turf Truck in Hamilton.

The personal nature of Lombardi’s

interviews matches the atmosphere of the ordering process at these mobile munching spots. By simulating this amicable yet intimate environment in literary form, Lombardi invites the reader to learn more about the creative geniuses and culinary talents behind each business.

“You walk up to the window and have people from all different styles of cooking, all different cultures, all different backgrounds, coming together through food, and through this whole industry. I think it’s absolutely incredible, because it allows that opportunity,” he said.

Lombardi was born in Teaneck, lived in Nutley until he was five, and then moved with his family to Hillsborough to be closer to his father’s job. Prior to working for ADT Security Services for about 20 years, Lombardi’s father was in the telecommunications industry, while his mother is an avid cosmetologist.

Lombardi’s early memories of writing were positive. He recalled that back in elementary school, the students had one assignment a year where, to reinforce their grasp on language, they would get these blank children’s books “bound like

hardcovers.”

“You have to write and draw everything,” Lombardi recalled fondly of the projects. “My parents still have them in the basement.”

This naturally transitioned into writing beyond a grade, extending from “silly short stories” like one about his pet turtle to “more mature” works as Lombardi was enthralled by novels by Stephen King and mystery writer Harlan Coben.

When he enrolled at Rider, Lombardi declared English as his major, but took on a law and justice minor with the hope of becoming an attorney. However, around his sophomore year, he changed his mind, dropping that and earning a bachelor’s degree in his original major with a concentration in writing. In classes where he felt that many others had a talent for writing “serious, dramatic” works they hoped would be worthy of an Oscar nomination, Lombardi tended to stick with his penchant for humor, peppering his writing with jokes and taking inspiration from his comedic idols David Sedaris, Brian Regan, and Kurt Vonnegut.

With these influences in mind, Lombardi

self-published “Junk Sale,” his first book, on Amazon in 2018. The “collection of humorous short stories and essays” is based on “vignettes” of Lombardi’s life and/or observations—a cue from Sedaris.

Lombardi explained that Sedaris is a prolific journaler who “also keeps a little one on him to take notes during daily occurrences. Whether he’s in line at the bank or he’s out with his family, he has that on him, so he doesn’t miss opportunities.”

So Lombardi practiced similar techniques and “learned to flesh those out into actual essays, because sometimes they’re just occurrences, and it’s this funny or silly interaction, but other times you can really delve into the subject matter.”

“Junk Sale” acknowledges this in colorful ways. In “Check the Freezer,” a young Lombardi hears his Italian-born and emigrated mother referred to as “an alien,” leading him to associate the term with “intergalactic travel” rather than its intended meaning.

What added to Lombardi’s confusion is his mother’s fascination with the freezer and her frequent cooking to fill it, leading him to believe that the kitchen might actually be able to fit the secrets of the galaxy next to all the homemade food inside.

“That essay, especially, was very true and very accurate to how I grew up, where food was such a main focus,” Lombardi said,

see COOKBOOK, Page 6

LAWRENCE GAZETTE

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

EDITOR

Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104)

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noting that his parents are both Italian. His mother was born and lived in the town of Gravina in Puglia before she moved to Hoboken in elementary school, while his father’s ancestors were from Avellino.

“They both were very, very focused on food and everybody getting fed,” he added, noting that his parents would insist he fill his stomach with seconds even before going out to eat somewhere else, comparing the moment to “Coco” (2017), one of his “favorite movies of all time,” where the main character’s grandmother keeps giving him helpings of tamales.

“My mom always cooked. I’d wake up [on] Sunday morning, and she’d already be making sauce—just an amazing scent throughout the house. Then, throughout the week, she’d be cooking different meals and trying different recipes,” Lombardi added. “Anytime I’d go to my grandma, she’d always be cooking [too].”

“I know people talk about sitting around the dinner table and that being a great way to bring family together,” he said. “My brothers and I played sports growing up, so it wasn’t like we had every single evening at the table at the same time, but as much as my parents could have that, we would always be sitting together and enjoying dinner, so it revolved around that food, and then also that, anytime I think about food, I think about family, so it really has certainly been ingrained in my being that food is important.”

This style of nonfiction, he explained, helps him keep in touch with his creative writing skills while spending the majority of his time writing for either his state position or for Best of NJ.

After freelancing post-college—and sometimes actually for free, depending on the site—Lombardi’s portfolio, which included work for the now-defunct U.K. publication News Hub, opened up new opportunities for him.

Lombardi said that because of his preferred subject matter, he learned to photograph with a simple Canon point-and-shoot camera out of necessity.

“When I started doing the freelance writ-

ing, I noticed that a lot of pieces I wanted to write needed photography to go along with it, and a lot of the pieces that I wanted to read, if I went on on a site, the stuff that drew me in more were the pieces with photography rather than the stories,” he said, adding with an honest laugh that “sometimes stories can be very interesting, but I guess I may be too drawn to food, to a fault, so I always want to see the picture. ‘Oh, you have the best spicy chicken sandwich? Alright, let me see that.’”

The same goes for his landscape shots for hiking articles, with the journalist wanting to convey the “gorgeous” reality of these natural landscapes. Lombardi is proud—and a little surprised—that all the images in his first traditionally published book were shot by him personally, including the “About the Author” photo.

But now armed with professional headshots from a friend and photographer, David Nemec, Lombardi is grateful for the chance to fill a book with his words and images for the first time. Lombardi started working for Best of NJ in 2015, becoming an events writer and photographer for the publication. Soon, a familiar face in the food scene began to emerge from his beat of street fairs and

outdoor gatherings.

During the interview, the D’Addarios spoke with Lombardi and his then-girlfriend, now wife, Christine, “as if we’ve known each other for years,” but throughout the recording, “people kept interrupting—in the best way possible—to compliment Chris on his barbecue and just how much they enjoyed it, and they’re going back; they’re waiting for their second order because they loved it so much.”

“You don’t really think, specifically talking about the food trucks—at least I didn’t think about—one, what went into the business, and two, the people behind the business,” he said. “My dad and I used to go to the city, whether we went to see a baseball game or for different purposes, [since] I have family who live out there, but you see the hotdog vendors a lot.”

As a resident of Central New Jersey, Lombardi explained, he grew up near the site of Rutgers University’s famed “Grease Trucks,” a horde of historic, hunger-satisfying food trucks that served inexpensive campus fare. The institution removed a majority of these businesses and relocated the rest around 2013, which caused many of the “Fat Sandwiches” and other deep-fried delights of legend to drive off with them.

While grease trucks have a charm of their own, especially for nostalgic college students, Lombardi’s prior associations with food trucks carried that same imagery. Lombardi now knows just how these owners have “a wealth of knowledge” to impart, and with chefs that pay close attention to menus and ingredients as part of their commitment to delivering a satisfying meal for customers.

“I hope that [readers] take away that there are people behind each and every one of these businesses, and not just the 20 that are featured in the book, but that anytime they go to a food truck festival, there are people behind those businesses,” he explained,

extending that “on a grander scale” to any local shop, “that there are owners behind it, and there are families behind where they are and what’s being offered to them” as customers.

As a former restaurant server himself, Lombardi recognized the importance of people understanding that those in the industry are more than just “nameless, faceless beings behind the counter,” especially in non-traditional environments like food trucks.

Lombardi said he was lucky that he had met with the owners of two food trucks the weekend before the March shutdown, which set him up to have enough content for the first few months of his Best of NJ series in 2020.

Once outdoor events began again, though, food trucks emerged as a way to offer safer eating experiences in uncertain times. Food trucks became more accessible in the months before traditional restaurants reopened for business due to the ease with which they could relocate and join forces with other businesses. That feeling of camaraderie that Lombardi found so intriguing was stronger than ever.

Although Parisi’s initial vision for the book was an “oversized coffee table book featuring large color photos of the trucks, the teams behind them, and their signature menu items,” according to his preface, Lombardi had another idea.

As a way of differentiating the compilation from the webseries, Lombardi thought featuring recipes from the food trucks would add “a little bit more of a draw,” since the direct know-how would not give away the star recipe—such as Maddalena’s cheesecakes or the Brownie Bar’s brownies—but inform readers on how to follow in similar footsteps.

The options, Lombardi said, include “anything from side dishes and sauces up to complete meals where you can feed your family or a party,” with the author saying he owes the “enthusiastic” food truck owners for sharing the recipes that made the book possible.

For example, “Massimo’s (non) Gingerbread Cookies” is one that Lai Barboni, the co-founder of The Brownie Bar, published and created for her son, “who doesn’t particularly like gingerbread cookies but wanted to embrace the celebrations of Christmas,” according to Lombardi.

“She shared that recipe, and that was super touching because she was sharing a part of her family,” Lombardi said. “It’s sharing love.”

Lombardi said that when all is said and done, it is important to be proud of your cuisine and remember the value of cooking a meal to sustain you and your family.

“In terms of being at home and cooking in your own kitchen, it’s an unparalleled experience. I love going in and throwing on some

House of Cupcakes is one of the food trucks featured in Patrick Lombardi’s book, “The New Jersey Food Truck Cookbook.”

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On the Cover

Marching to the Arts

BY REBEKAH SCHROEDER AND DAN AUBREY

The month of March is the ideal time for arts enthusiasts to catch the first crop of events as they “spring” to life in music, dance, opera, and theater, so mark your calendars, Mercer County, and become a true connoisseur of the state’s creative prowess.

Editor’s Note: A number of these events ran in the winter arts preview of Community News Service’s Princeton metro area paper, U.S. 1, as “Winter Culture Calendar Forecast: Time for Shows” on January 18. The list has been edited for currency and clarity.

muSic Princeton Sound Kitchen

Princeton University’s Music Department showcases cutting-edge works by emerging composers and internationally renowned performers, which include the following acts:

~Nois is a music saxophone ensemble founded in 2016 with quartet members Hunter Bockes, János Csontos, Jordan

Lulloff, and Julian Velasco

According to the group’s website, ~Nois merges “contemporary chamber music and improvisation to connect with audiences in unique concert experiences,” such as this upcoming selection of pieces by Princeton University composers.

Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall, Princeton University. Tuesday, March 7, 8 p.m. Free.

Alarm Will Sound, a Brooklyn-based 20-piece chamber orchestra focused on contemporary music performances and recordings, will play new works by Princeton University graduate student composers

Gulli Björnsson, Dai Wei, Liam Elliot, Hope Littwin, Soo Yeon Lyuh, Christian Quiñones, Elijah Daniel Smith, Max Vinetz, and Justin Wright, with Alan Pierson as conductor.

Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University Tuesday, March 21, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Interdisciplinary tap dance artist Michael J. Love is set to join Princeton University graduate student and faculty composers Gulli Björnsson, Rudresh Mahanthappa, James Moore, Hope Littwin, Dan Trueman, and Jason Treuting to round out a program of new compositions.

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A proud member of:

Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall, Princeton University Tuesday, March 28, 8

Candlelight Lounge

Performers appear on these Saturday afternoons from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at this Trenton bar for the area’s real-deal jazz

James Stewart, Trenton saxophonist; March 11, Dan Kostelnik, jazz organist; March 18, Aaron Graves, Philadelphia pianist; March 25, Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin singer in the Princeton University depart ment of music; April 1, and April 8, Philadelphia saxophonist

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24 Passaic Street, Trenton songwriter,

a show featuring a change in tune for the group. Rather than continue their tradition of classic rock covers, which the Reock & Roll Revue has been doing together for 15 years, the members are performing their own original music.

Founded by Hamilton-based keyboardist, singer-songwriter, and musical maestro Tom Reock, the Reock & Roll Revue fuses “great music and historical content” in their renditions of late 1960s and early ‘70s hits, according to the band’s Facebook page.

The lineup for “Songwriters” is as fol-

Musical group ~Nois will perform at the Princeton Sound Kitchen on March 7.

Sameer Patel, above right, will conduct the Princeton Symphony Orchestra with Dibyarka Chatterjee, above left, on tabla, in the world premiere of William Harvey’s “Seven Decisions of Gandhi” on March 11 and 12. The Québec City dance troupe Cirque FLIP Fabrique soars in “Muse,” at right and below, at the New Jersey State Theater on March 22.

ARTS, continued from Page 3

Ragamala Dance Company, according to the organization’s website, features choreography “rooted in the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam.”

Founded by co-artistic directors Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy, as well as their mother Ashwini, the Minneapolis-based group presents a personal journey of spirituality and movement with “Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim.”

After the death of the Ramaswamy family’s father and grandfather “away from his homeland of India four years ago,” the show was conceptualized as a tribute to the enduring strength of familial bonds from a Hindu perspective of life and death.

Per the McCarter description, his request was for his ashes to be scattered in the city of Varanasi’s Ganges River, a sacred site.

“Through images that reflect the cosmic trinity of Varanasi, India — sacred pilgrimage routes, the Ganges River, and the patron deity Shiva, heightened by the chants of Vedic priests — the choreographers imagine a metaphorical crossing place where one may leave the mundane and enter into the world of immortality,” the website continues.

“In this theatrical reimagining, we expand upon the birth-death-rebirth continuum in Hindu thought to honor immigrant experiences of life and death in the diaspora.

The 10 performers in this full-length work dance to “an original, recorded score” on a stage enhanced by Willy Cessa, a French scenic and lighting designer.

Wednesday, March 15, 7:30 p.m. $35 to

$55.

More: 609-258-2787 or www.mccarter. org

State Theatre New Jersey

15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

The Dublin Irish Dance’s new, original production, “Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration,” is a taste of Irish heritage in musical motion.

According to the State Theater, the show promises a combination of “Ireland’s finest musical and vocal virtuosos” alongside champion dancers in this cultural spectacular of family fun. Tuesday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. $29 to $59.

Cirque FLIP Fabrique’s “Muse,” a night of “breathtaking artistry and athleticism” conveyed through the “playful storytelling” of the Québec City troupe, is another opportunity to see gravity-defying dance numbers.

The acrobats, donning everything from high heels to shoulder pads, become “bodies in flight” against an original score by beatmaker Millimetric and onstage vocals by singer Flavia Nascimento Wednesday, March 22, 7:30 p.m. $29 to $59

More: www.stnj.org.

Opera Boheme Opera

“Madama Butterfly” is Giacomo Puccini’s 1904 tragic opera about a loyal young geisha whose betrayal by her American naval officer husband leads to her shame

and destruction.

Part of the company’s 34th anniversary, the performance will be directed by co-founder Joseph Pucciatti and feature the Boheme Opera chorus and orchestra, as well as original sets and costumes by Giorgio Lalov, the Maryland-based artistic director of Teatro Lirico d’Europa in Bulgaria and artistic advisor for Opera New Hampshire.

The production will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Kendall Theater, The College of New Jersey, Ewing. Friday, March 24, 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 26, 3 p.m. $15 to $75.

More: www.bohemeopera.org. ***

SymphOnic muSic Princeton Symphony Orchestra

The next concert of PSO’s season passes the baton to Sameer Patel, who conducts the world premiere of William Harvey’s “Seven Decisions of Gandhi.”

Harvey is not only the piece’s composer but also its violin soloist, and he will be joined by Dibyarka Chatterjee on the tabla, a traditional “Indian subcontinent” percussion instrument with two drums of contrasting size and pitch.

Also on the program are Alexander Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances,” from the opera “Prince Igor,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony.

Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. Saturday, March 11, 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 12, 4 p.m. $30 to $112. Youth (ages 5 to 17) pay half-price.

Princeton University Concerts

Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University

The Richardson Chamber Players present “March of the Women” at the Richardson Auditorium. The afternoon program of mixed chamber works, inspired by Ethel Smyth’s 1911 composition of the same name, will feature members of the Princeton University Glee Club.

Other performances for the faculty, guest artists, and student musicians are to follow. Sunday, March 5, 3 p.m. $20

Tenor Lawrence Brownlee and pianist Kevin J. Miller share their talents onstage in “Rise,” a program of “new settings of Harlem Renaissance texts by contemporary Black composers.” Wednesday,

March 8, 7:30 p.m. $25 to $40

The Performances Up Close series, in which small audiences are invited to sit on the Richardson stage, continues with a visit from the Chiaroscuro String Quartet, who are set to perform “a program rooted in love” with the sounds of violins and cellos.

The concert features Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95 “Serioso,” and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 13. Sunday, March 26, 3 and 6 p.m. $40.

The Jupiter Ensemble presents an all-Vivaldi program starring artistic direc-

Cultural performances bring on the vibrant colors with the Ragamala Dance Company’s “Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim,” left, and Dublin Irish Dance’s “Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration,” right.

tor Thomas Dunford on lute and Lea Desandre, a mezzo-soprano, joined by fellow musicians to help make hearing Vivaldi all the more vivid. Thursday, March 30, 7:30 p.m. $25 to $40

Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey

Award-winning Italian violinist Lorenzo Mazzamuto and the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey serenade audiences into

spring in a rendition of Vivaldi’s “The Seasons” at the Trenton War Memorial’s Patriots Theater.

After being chosen out of the 15 local pianists who auditioned for CPNJ’s inaugural “Youth Concerto Competition” in January, winner Angela Zhang will perform Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” in C minor with the orchestra that night.

Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton. Saturday, March 18, 7:30 p.m. $10 to $50.

More: www.capitalphilharmonic.org

TheaTer Passage Theatre

Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton

“Clean Slate,” a new musical about “radical empathy,” introduces the audience to “a group of disaffected high school students” in “a rehabilitation camp that may, or may not, also be haunted by the souls of former” missing campers.

The work by “Alien 8” creators—with a book by New Jersey playwright David Lee

White and lyrics and music by Kate Brennan—is a co-production with Passage Theatre and Rider University. Passage artistic director C. Ryanne Domingues directs, while Louis Danowsky oversees the musical direction. March 10 through 12. $33.

“

Rendition: A Night of PlayLab Readings” centers on two new works by area playwrights with a community discussion

about the development process. Saturday, April 22. $15 to $25.

More: 609-392-0766 or www.passagetheatre.org

McCarter Theatre

“Wuthering Heights” is a freewheeling and irreverent theatrical interpretation

of British novelist Emily Brontë’s famed 1847 novel of passion, love, and revenge in the wilds of Yorkshire.

Presented in association with the Berkeley Repertory Theater in California, the work featuring original music and movement was written and directed by Britain-based Emma Rice, performed by her company, Wise Child, and co-produced with the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, and York Theatre Royal. Matthews Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton February 23 through March 12. $25 to $60.

Pegasus Theater

Old City Hall, 13 Crosswicks St., Bordentown

“Bordentown’s Dramatic Future” is an evening with David Lee White, Bordentown’s nationally produced playwright, whose new musical, “Clean Slate,” is currently having its world premiere at Trenton’s Passage Theater, and Peter Alexander, the founder and artistic director of Bordentown’s nonprofit professional Pegasus Theater Company. Dan Aubrey, U.S. 1 Newspaper editor and past theater producer, will host. Saturday, March 4, 4 p.m. Free

The Pegasus Theater then presents “Every Brilliant Thing,” directed by Bordentown theater artist Jonathan Martin and starring Peter Alexander. March 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26. Tickets $30 to $35.

Bordentown’s theater scene brings together “Clean Slate” playwright David Lee White, above left , with Pegasus Theater Company’s founder and artistic director, Peter Alexander, left , on March 4, for an event titled “Bordentown’s Dramatic Future.”

The musical “Clean Slate,” above right, is a co-production of Rider University and Passage Theater and will be performed at Trenton’s Mill Hill Playhouse from March 10 to 12.

Original Artwork by Alia Bensliman.

Boys & Girls Clubs

The Most Affordable Summer Camp in Mercer County

Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC) has the most affordable Summer Camp in Mercer County! BGC provides quality curriculum, great themes and exciting trips for youth ages 5-14. Register for just one, or all ten weeks of Summer Camp. Early bird rates are available until April 29th and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

Campers age 5-10 go on one trip per week and Tween Travel campers, ages 11-14, participate in three weekly trips. Campers of all ages enjoy a new theme each week, and participate in swimming, STEM, sports, art, reading, outdoor education and other fun activities onsite while combatting summer learning loss.

Two convenient locations:

212 Centre Street, Trenton

1040 Spruce Street, Lawrence

For more information or to

Summer campS 2023

Sylvan Learning

Make the Most of Summer

We get that all kids (and families!) need a break from the school year. But taking a complete break from academics this summer won’t help the fall go any better. A summer learning program can help!

Here are three reasons why adding supplemental learning to your summer schedule will make all the difference in the fall!

1. Fill In Skill Gaps While Moving at Your Child’s Pace. During the school year, teachers need to move quickly, whether your child fully understands a topic or not. Your child is constantly chasing a moving target.

strong foundation for the next grade level — or better yet, get ahead!

2. Head into Big Transition Years

With Confidence. Throughout your child’s academic journey, there are certain grade transitions that represent BIG jumps in responsibility and independence.

These big transitions include going from:

-2nd grade into 3rd grade

-Elementary to middle school

-Middle school to high school

-High school to college/university

register go to www.bgcmercer.org/ summercamp or call a membership office 609-695-6060 or 609-392-3191, and select option “0”.

See ad, page 11.

Mini

For pre-schoolers through rst grade. Features themes like Disney Princesses, Mermaids, TikTok Dances. Dancing, arts and crafts and fun! Technique

For the dancers looking to keep their skills up in ballet, jazz and contemporary.

Special Sessions With Master, Ballet & Contemporpary Teachers

Over the summer, though, your child can move at his or her own pace. There’s no chasing other students. You don’t have to worry about the class getting way ahead.

This summer your child can spend the time needed to fill in gaps in learning from the school year and build a

Why 2nd to 3rd grade, you wonder? Third grade is the year that the training wheels come off. Your child will go from learning to read, to starting to read to learn. If your child isn’t ready for that transition, he or she will have trouble making that jump with the rest of the class.

We’ve seen that virtual or hybrid school hit young students the hardest, so getting your kindergartner, 1st or 2nd grader ready for the new challenges and harder concepts will be critical.

For older kids, the transition to high school and college/university academics can be a shock, particularly the rigors of advanced-level reading and writing assignments.

With a tutor, your son or daughter will be well prepared and eliminate the risk of stumbling.

3. Raise SAT® or ACT® Scores

With Summer Help. Summer is the most popular time to get a tutor for SAT or ACT preparation!

Over the summer, your teen can focus on test-taking strategies and finetuning skills without all the stresses and distractions of school.

If you have a soon-to-be senior, your teen has likely taken the exam already. Your tutor will be able to look at the results and know exactly where focus to help your teen improve results on the next exam.

One of the subjects that we see teens struggle with on the ACT and SAT is algebra. Why? Their skills get rusty. (Use it or lose it, right?) Your tutor can make sure your teen gets an awesome refresher before the big test in the late summer or early fall.

Get

Your Child’s Confidence Up

This Summer at Sylvan. Not sure where your child really stands after this school year? We can help.

Our Sylvan Insight™ assessment will give you deep insights into your child’s strengths and skill gaps. Then, our team of experts will create a personalized plan that for your child’s exact needs.

If your child is on pace with school, he or she will get awesome skill practice to make sure skills stay sharp over the summer.

If your child is ahead, he or she will get enrichment activities, so he or she can move further and faster in the upcoming grade level.

If your child is behind, your child will get the instruction and practice to get up-to-speed.

And it’s even easier to schedule learning over the summer. We will work around your plans!

And it’s even easier to schedule our tutors over the summer (many of them are teachers who are off from school), so you can easily work around your summer plans.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if your child headed back to school with the same enthusiasm he or she had for the start of summer?

Sylvan Learning, 3635 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton. 609-5889037. www.sylvanlearning.com. See ad, page 13

glen roc dance shoppe

Princess and Pirate Camp

July 24th - 28th

9:30am - 11:30am

Ages: 3-7

Each day your child will enter a world of imagination where story time becomes an adventure with music, art, crafting and dance.

Cost: $185.00

Pre-registration required. Last day to register: July 17th

Performance: July 28th

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

(609) 883-8083 189

EARLY REGISTRATION

$370/wk for full-day & $230/wk for half-day

Deadline: May 1st, 2023

REGULAR RATE $385/wk

• Boys & girls, ages 7-14

• Monday-Friday camp

• Full-day ($385/wk) and half-day ($240/wk)

• Early drop-off & late pick-up options (at an additional cost)

• Technical, tactical, physical, & psychological soccer game components, in addition to fun activities & games

• Positive learning environment

CAMP DATES

Camps begin the week of July 10th and run weekly through the week of August 14th.

Registration and Information at www.wwpsa.org

Summer campS 2023

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 fun-filled 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 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 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.

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 12

Camp Mercyville

Camp Mercyville

Where Kids Meet Jesus

Where Kids Meet Jesus

June 26 - August 11 • M-F•8:30am-5pm

Register by March 31st with code EARLY to save 10%

(Early & After care available, 3 or 5 day options)

Open House DatesMarch 25 12-2pm | April 24 6-8pm | May 22 6-8pm

Push The Rock - July 24-28 8:30am-3pm

Basketball Camp for Boys & Girls, - July 24-28 Ages 9-16

Vacation Bible School - August 14-18 9 am - 12 pm

For children ages 4 yrs thru 4th grade

More details at www.gracewaybc.org/camps

1934 Klockner Road Hamilton, NJ 08619 609.586.0223

www.gracewaybc.orgoffice@gracewaybc.org

YMCA Camp Mason

Welcoming Campers to a Caring, Inclusive Community

For more than 120 years, YMCA Camp Mason has welcomed campers to be a part of our caring, inclusive community. We strive for excellence and innovation and believe that every child deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Our proven programs and trained counselors engage and encourage young people and deliver meaningful and memorable experiences.

We offer archery, swimming, boating, arts and crafts, drama, music, a climbing tower, zipline, dance, digital photography and movie making, basketball and court sports, a skateboard park, mountain biking, hiking and countless other activities. Campers can even sign up for FREE off-site trips to explore our fantastic natural surroundings. There is something for everyone!

If you are ready for your child to thrive, develop a positive sense of self and have THE BEST SUMMER EVER, go to our website at www. campmason.org, call 908-362-8217 or email information@campmason.org to register today. See ad, page 8.

Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association

Spring Registration Is Open

Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association (LHSA) has opened up their Rec Soccer registration for the upcoming Spring season. LHSA provides a soccer environment that stresses a relaxed, fun-oriented approach to the game where we focus on basic soccer skills and provide a fun competitive approach to games with a high standard for good

sportsmanship and fair play.

The recreational soccer program is open to any child from any town ages 3 and up. The program offers Friday Night training sessions led by trainers from the New York Red Bulls along with games on the weekend. Each session is roughly 1 hour long where kids will have fun learning the game, competing in games and meeting new friends.

To register or find more information on the program or times for specific age groups, visit us at lawrencehamnett.com.

See ad, page 10

Summer campS 2023

Liberty Lake

Summer Camp is Hotter than Ever!

We’re all experiencing the effects of these difficult, post-pandemic times. Especially young people. They are navigating post-lockdown life with the intense pressures of screen-based friendships, self-esteem in the volatile hands of social media, academic demands, and more.

Many have found a great way to unplug and decompress — at Summer Camp! This year has seen unprecedented numbers of campers enrolling in Summer Camp, as parents are recognizing the need to pry their kids off their screens and regain their social skills. Many high school and college students have found a similar reprieve from the weight of worldly cares by WORKING at Summer Camp too.

In my new favorite book “The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure,” authors/researchers Greg Lukanoff and Jonathan Haidt bring to light the unintended consequences of how raising children has evolved in the past decade.

• Fragility: What doesn’t kill you makes you… weaker? Wasn’t it “What doesn’t kill you makes you STRONGER?” Young people have been taught

and encouraged of late to be risk-averse. Attending or working at Summer Camp can be super-fun and super-challenging. Research spearheaded by the American Camp Association is showing that young people attending or working at Camp come out stronger and more resilient!

• Emotional Reasoning: Always trust your feelings? We’ve all experienced negative, and even overwhelming emotions at times. To be emotionally healthy though, we need to learn how to manage these feelings — not let them rule our lives and logic. At Summer Camp, any given day can be an emotional rollercoaster. There will be winning and losing, disagreements with friends, fear of failure, and disappointments! It’s REAL LIFE in a structured setting, preparing young people for the inevitable challenges that lie ahead of them.

• Us vs. Them: That life is a battle between good and evil people. Cancel culture has become normalized by what has transpired in the news, colleges, and the workplace — causing negativity and polarization. Meanwhile, there are huge commonalities of shared beliefs between all of us. While accepting differences in others can be difficult, good Summer Camps create a training ground to practice diversity, equity, and inclusion.

It’s been a rough past few years, but a “covid silver lining” is the that families are now recognizing the significant effects on their children of increased screen time/social media, isolation, anxiety, depression, prescription drugs, and over the top parental “safetyism.” Parents are actively seeking solutions, and they have found one in Summer Camp.

Camps are filling up quicker than ever, so do your research and reserve your spot now! It’s the ultimate learning environment for young people to develop and practice the social skills essential for success in the 21st century.

Andy Pritikin is the owner/director or Liberty Lake Day Camp, and a partner at Everwood Day Camp and Camp Southwoods. He’s the Past President of the American Camp Association, NY/NJ, and the host of the Day Camp Podcast.

Liberty Lake Day Camp, 195 Florence-Columbus Road, Bordentown. 609-499-7820 www.libertylakedaycamp.com. See ad, page 11

West WindsorPlainbsoro Soccer Association

A chance for kids to develop soccer skills

Parents of soccer enthusiasts aged 7 to 14 need to mark their calendars now for the West Windsor-Plainsboro Soccer Association (WWPSA) weeklong summer soccer camps available throughout the summer beginning July 10, 2023. Experienced soccer coaches will drill boys and girls in the skills necessary to improve their soccer play. This is a chance to have skilled trainers work with you on soccer.

Our goal in the club to develop soccer skills for players at all skill levels. We have a great coaching staff for our summer camps who provide instruction with a goal of increasing skills through a variety of teaching techniques. It is an opportunity for camp participants to improve their skills — their technical and tactical soccer skills — through a variety of exercises,” said Brent Nielsen, who oversees the program for WWPSA.

Full day camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a break mid-day for lunch and an option to swim at the community pool. Half-day camps

run from 9 a.m. to noon. “All of our activities and games are structured for learning and fun,” Nielsen said. “Campers will play a game at the end of each day to solidify skills learned and engage in friendly competition.”

Campers learn and reinforce fundamental soccer skills of dribbling and mastery of the soccer ball with emphasis on agility, passing, receiving, and turning. Later in the week more advanced skills of attacking play, scoring, defensive moves, and preventing scoring are emphasized. The importance of teamwork is emphasized along with core exercises and personal fitness.

WWSPA’s goal is to provide youth and adults the opportunity to play instructional and competitive soccer at the highest level commensurate with their ability, potential, and interest.

In that light, WWPSA offers spring and fall soccer programs for pre-K through 12th grade students. Information about spring and fall programs can be found on the WWPSA website, adding additional opportunities for local youth.

West Windsor Plainsboro Soccer Association, West Windsor Community Park, Bernt Midland Boulevard, West Windsor. www. wwpsa.org. See ad, page 9

GraceWay Bible Church

Camp Mercyville Is a Community Favorite

If you are looking for a place for your family to thrive in their relationships with Jesus and each other, GraceWay is the church for you! With over 40 ministries, there is something for everyone! The best way to see if GraceWay is the church home for you is to visit us for Sunday Services at 9 or 10:45 a.m. Childcare and Sunday School is available. Visit our website (www.gracewaybc.org) for more information.

Summer is an especially busy time for children’s ministries. Our sevenweek summer day camp, Camp Mercyville (www.campmercyville. org), has been providing quality childcare for over a decade. Our full-day Vacation Bible School/ Adventure Camp is a community favorite! Push the Rock basketball camp helps children become better athletes, teammates, and grow in their relationship with Christ. Summer Family Nights includes familyfun, worship, and small groups for the whole family on Wednesday evenings. Visit our website (www. gracewaybc.org) or contact our office (609-586-0223) to find out more. See ad, page 10

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.

SERVICES

LEGAL SERVICES Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and NJ Taxes, House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609799-4674, 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.

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WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4thelovofcards, 908-596-0976. allstar115@verizon.net.

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

Cash paid for World War II military items.Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@optonline.net

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

WANTED- QUALITY CAMERAS AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT,

FOUNTAIN PENS AND OLDER WATCHES FAIR PRICES PAID CALL JAY-609-689-9651.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

3,500 SF OFFICE SPACE, Ewing/Mercer County, FREE RENT, 201-488-4000 or 609883-7900

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.

Hamilton/ Allentown

Border-Highly Traveled visible location. Commercial end unit in Globus Plaza1100sf+/- can be leased entirely or subdivided. Ideal for professional/medical offices, services, studio & retail store. Highly traveled visible location . Easy access to NJTP, Rt.130, I95. Call for info. DiDonato Realty, 609-586-2344/ Marian Conte BR 609-947-4222

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

Princeton Commercial

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

VACATION RENTALS

Florida Beach Rental: Fort Myers Beach 1br vacation condo on the beach, flexible dates available. Call 609-5778244 for further information

Hilton Head South Carolina Blue Water Resort 1 week w/7 day golf package free except cart, 2 Bed & 2 Baths, Sleeps 6. $1000 Call Sam 609-586-0037

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Salon for sale- excellent opportunity. Priced to sell. Relocating out of state. Large space, great potential. Available to share. Call 609462-0188.

SEEKING FRIENDS

Meet other music-loving singles before enjoying a concert by Chiaroscuro String Quartet at Do-Re-Meet: Find My Friends. Sunday, March 26th, 4:00 PM, Princeton University Campus, Presented by Princeton University Concerts and The Singles Group Tickets & Info: puc. princeton.edu/do-re-meet 609258-2800.

DATING

Meet other music-lovers before enjoying a concert by jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant at Do-Re-Meet: LGBTQ+ Single Mingle. Wednesday, April 12, 7:00 PM, Princeton University Campus, Presented by Princeton University Concerts and The Singles Group, Tickets & Info: puc.princeton.edu/do-re-meet, 609-258-2800

CEMETERY PLOTS

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

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music—I [have] my own playlist for when I’m cooking—and I’m prepping the ingredients, smelling the aromas, and tasting the sauces. All this can, at times, be a very therapeutic experience,” he explained. “I love to encourage that, because I hope that people get at least some of the enjoyment that I get out of it.”

Originally, Lombardi wanted to include a personal recipe or two, but space constraints prevented him from doing so; he thinks that could possibly be in store for a “future edition.”

Lombardi shared that instead of picking a food truck at a festival that matches his mood, he now “makes his rounds” to the trucks he has previously covered to check in and, of course, sample some more food.

He is friends with many of the food truck owners, having formed relationships through the network and even hiring Emily and Dean from Good Food = Good Mood to cater his COVID-conscious wedding from his mother-in-law’s driveway.

He recommended all the food trucks featured, gushing over everyone from Kiersten’s Creations, Chick Wings & Things, Cubano X-Press, Five Sisters, Ms. Fu’s Yummy Food Truck, Bearded One BBQ, and, of course, House of Cupcakes, which he always grabs when he is in Princeton.

Lombardi will be promoting The New Jersey Food Truck Cookbook at events like

the book signing at Commonplace Reader in Yardley on March 11, Mama Dude’s on March 18, and the Lawrenceville Spring for the Arts Festival in Weeden Park on May 6.

He is also in the early stages of launching DevourNJ.com, his own website for foodies that “aims to boost independently owned food businesses throughout the state” and “highlights the best of a booming culinary scene by introducing in-depth profiles and photographical and video tours of local eateries and their owners.”

Lombardi hopes to follow this up with new collections of work in the genres of humor and horror, in which he has been dabbling since the end of last year.

By November, Lombardi had decided to stay awake after getting up with his newborn son in the morning, using that time to hone his skills and write short stories. The multigenre aficionado has a few first drafts ready to go, but always comes back to food.

“As much as I love to promote New Jersey in so many different ways, I hope that no matter where everybody [goes], they’re taking into consideration just exactly what shop they’re in, or what restaurant they’re in, and who might be behind that counter,” Lombardi said.

The New Jersey Food Truck Cookbook, Patrick Lombardi and Vincent Parisi, Arcadia Publishing. Available through Arcadia, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.

“It was great, it was such an awesome feeling to take that title last year,” he said. “To have a nice title like that felt really good. The work paid off after all those years.”

It has paid off in numerous ways. On Jan. 24, Carpinelli won his second consecutive Mercer County Championship meet title with a score of 291.85. Although Lawrence could not win its third team title in four years, fellow Cardinal Beckham DiPierro (a sophomore) finished second.

“That was great, it was a lot of fun to win it again for my team this year,” Carpinelli said. “Although we did not win as a team, we really put in the work. I feel everyone dove super super well. Sometimes it just isn’t meant to be.”

One thing is certain—Carpinelli was meant to be a diver from the very start.

Tommy began his aquatic career as a swimmer for PASDA’s Ben Franklin Swim Club at age 7. His parents encouraged him to try diving, and “at the first practice I fell in love. It has been my favorite thing to do since the day I started.”

For several years, Carpinelli competed, but was mostly doing it for fun. At around age 13 he and his parents decided Tommy should start taking it seriously so he joined the famed Blue Dolphins; an organization that has since become the Jersey Diving Academy. He has remained there ever since, and now competes for JDA and the Lawrence High swimming and diving teams.

It was at JDA that Carpinelli began working with acclaimed coach Eric Blevins; who has had amazing success at the college level and is in his sixth season as head coach of The College of New Jersey.

“You could tell he had a lot of potential at the start,” Blevins said.

That potential was untapped when he arrived, and Carpnelli knew he was at the right place to get polished.

“Having a coach who has coached some really high level divers for tons of years, it was a big step up and a big eye opener to what diving is supposed to look like and what you’re supposed to really be doing,” Carpinelli said. “So there was a lot of progression really quickly. It was a blast. It was really great to have such a high level of coaching.”

Carpinelli had already been with the club for several weeks before Blevins took over five years ago. The coach watched and made mental notes, and around the time Covid hit, they decided to make some changes.

“We broke everything down,” Blevins said. “We changed his approach a little bit. He went from doing a harder dive until we kind of broke it down; so he was doing more of a basic one so he could learn that and go back to the hard one.” He’s just been improving by leaps and bounds over and over and over.”

Actually, leaps and bounds isn’t a bad way to put it. But it was more like hops and skips, which were the adjustments made to elevate Carpinelli’s skills. He said much of the adjustments had to do with his hurdle, which is the diving definition of the walk down the board to approach the dive.

“I essentially changed how I did some hops and did some steps down that board,” Carpinelli explained. “All of that was so I could then jump off the board even higher. I worked on just doing no hop to a small hop to a bigger hop to really get that board moving and get me jumping off higher.”

Lo and behold, what happened on the

board translated to success when he hit the water. Carpinelli feels the “break down” is a necessary tool among divers.

“Sometimes to actually progress and get the harder dive you have to completely break down each step of the dive,” he said. “Really breaking down what you need to fix. Then, when you actually go to the harder dive, it’s more

The results spoke for just how perfected he got; starting with last year’s MCT title, followed by the state crown and, for the first time in his career, Tommy earned All-America status at the AAU Nationals with a 10th-place finish last summer.

With this year’s MCT already won, Carpinelli is hoping to repeat his double championship by winning states again. But he has become more than just a diver these past two years, returning to his swimming roots and joining the Cardinals swim team in his junior year.

“I decided to join just to help out and have fun,” he said. “A lot of my friends were already on the team and it looked like a blast. I really enjoyed the time I had with swimming.”

He was not just filling up space either. With only 11 boys on the roster this year, coach Ryan Shive was in need of more than just bodies. He needed guys who could contribute. Carpinelli has been that guy.

Swimming predominantly the 200 IM and all three relays, he picked up at least one point (usually more) in all 42 events he swam through the Cardinals 7-6 start. He won a race in the 100 breast, and was in on seven first-place relay finishes. In Lawrence’s 88-82 win over Jackson in the first round of the Central Jersey Group B meet, he made a late push from fifth place to take third in the 200 IM, providing some key points for the Cards.

“He’s been an incredible asset,” Shive said. “He’s not necessarily the fastest on the team, he’s a utility swimmer. I kind of just plug and play, put him anywhere in the lineup to help win the meet. He was one of the reasons we won the Jackson meet. That’s the kind of person he

LHS senior Tommy Carpinelli performs a picture-perfect dive.

is. If he has to, he’ll do it.

“I don’t know how much anyone can understand how important he is. He’s not going out and getting firsts and seconds, but to have someone who can swim anywhere and get that third or fourth place consistently, especially in tough events, is big.”

While it’s nice of Tommy to lend his skills to the swimmers, he is a diver first and foremost. And he did not become good by accident.

“He works so hard,” Blevins said. “He was the one that made himself into what he is. I’ve had kids that have had a lot of potential that just kind of rode on it. You could tell he wanted it. He really, really worked for it.”

The result of that work is a diver who is enjoyable to watch.

“He’s so clean with all of his entries,” Blevins continued. “Even when he’s off, he looks like he’s on, pretty much. He’s been bumping up on DD (degree of difficulty). He’s not really afraid to try a lot of the harder stuff. Even if he thinks he can’t do it, he’s willing to do the learning curve. He learns from everything, takes his past experiences and improves on them.”

Carpinelli feels the key to being a good diver is to have confidence and enjoy what you’re doing. He also takes

well to coaching tips; and figures that even if a new dive is intimidating, he won’t shy away from it because it’s the only way to progress. And then of course, there is the intense focus that is necessary on the board.

“Every diver is different but I definitely like to really visualize what you need to do,” he said. “I honestly feel that can help a lot. It helps you get in the zone and know what you need to do. So there’s certainly a great deal of focus when you’re standing up there.”

Carpinelli’s focus on his future will take him to Washington D.C., as he will dive for a quality Hoyas program next year.

“At summer nationals, I got an offer from Georgetown and almost immediately I knew I wanted to take it,” he said. “Georgetown was high on my list, it’s a beautiful school, great academics, and the dive team, from what I heard from the kids and the coaches, is amazing. It gave me such a great vibe. The team culture, team bonding was such a major draw for me.”

In other words, the guy who loves flipping through the air in his dives; has his feet on solid ground when it comes to life.

“I’m so excited,” he said. “I could not be happier.”

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Michael Pine, CFP®, AAMS™

Financial Advisor

Michael Pine, CFP®, AAMS™ Financial Advisor

123 Franklin Corner Rd

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Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

123 Franklin Corner Rd Suite 206 Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609-896-8001

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* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 02/14/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued 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 all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

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We’re so proud to offer our residents the best of the best—from dining and fitness centers to social calendars—because we don’t just care for you, we care about you. As a nationally ranked Senior Living community, we’re proof that doing what you love is always worth it. So come do it here.

We’re so proud to offer our residents the best of the best—from dining and fitness centers to social calendars—because we don’t just care for you, we care about you. As a nationally ranked Senior Living community, we’re proof that doing what you love is always worth it. So come do it here.

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Screening can prevent colorectal cancer or detect it at a treatable stage

And please, for them, stay home and safe.

Ask The Doctor

Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in both men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. In recent decades, the overall rate at which people are diagnosed with this potentially deadly disease has dropped due partly to increased screening.

Yet, colorectal cancer is also becoming more common among young adults. “Knowledge can be your first line of defense against colorectal cancer,” says Malini M. Patel, MD, Director of Medical Oncology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. “Understanding colorectal cancer risks and how to reduce them can save lives.” Dr. Patel highlights key points everyone should know.

What is colorectal cancer? It’s a cancer that starts anywhere along the colon—that is, the large intestine—or rectum, both of which are in the lower portion of the digestive system. These

cancers often start as precancerous, abnormal growths called polyps that over time can transform to colorectal cancer.

Why is detecting colorectal cancer early so significant? If you’re diagnosed with colorectal cancer in its early stages, you have a high chance of being cured. Colonoscopy screening can not only detect polyps but also remove them during the same procedure and prevent them from becoming cancer in the future. So screening improves your odds of surviving cancer or avoiding it altogether.

At what age should people start colorectal screening? Men and women at average risk should begin colorectal screening at age 45. Earlier testing may be appropriate for patients who have a family member with colorectal cancer, known familial disposition to cancer, or who have other risk factors such as inflammatory bowel disease.

What are options for screening? The standard screening test for colorectal cancer is colonoscopy, in which a flexible, tube

with a camera is used to view the colon and rectum. It requires a laxative preparation and is performed under sedation. Results are about 95 percent accurate. A screening colonoscopy is usually repeated every 10 years. Alternatives to colonoscopy include minimally invasive CT colonography, sometimes called virtual colonoscopy, and stool-based exams in which you provide a stool sample at home and mail it to a lab. Home-based tests aren’t as accurate as a colonoscopy and must be performed once a year or every few years. If any of these tests suggest colorectal cancer, you’ll still need a colonoscopy, which is the preferred test. If a colonoscopy detects cancer, a wide range of treatment options are available.

RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey—the state’s only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—provide close-to-home access to the most advanced treatment options. Call 844.CANCERNJ or visit www.rwjbh. org/beatcancer.

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, MARCh 7

spring Mini Medical school: An 8-Week series. Also March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 11, 18 and 25. 6 to 7:30 p.m. A FREE community education event sponsored by RWJUH Hamilton. Led by 8 medical professionals, 8 specialty areas of medicine, the program is open to junior and senior high school students, community members, retirees and seniors, and anyone else who would like to learn more about the medical profession. This program can help those attending learn if they want to pursue a career in healthcare. Discover and explore as we welcome the following physicians and healthcare professionals. *Registrants must attend every class to be eligible for a diploma of attendance.

TuEsdAy, MARCh 14

Managing stress and diabetes. Also April 11. 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.

WEdNEsdAy, MARCh 22

six signs That you should Visit a hearing Care Professional. 10 to 11 a.m. You might not know that hearing loss isn’t the only reason you should visit a hearing care professional. Find out the six reasons to see an audiologist.

Presented by RWJ/Barnabas audiologist Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, AuD. and Dr. Donna Grant, AuD. (Oticon Inc.)

WEdNEsdAy, MARCh 22

Take Control of your health/ Chronic disease Management. Also March 29 and April 5, 12, 19 and 26. 10 a.m. to noon. Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a cost effective evidence-based health promotion program for people with chronic illness. CDSMP is a six session workshop designed for people with any ongoing health condition, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and similar conditions. During the course participants will learn how to problem solve, set goals, and relaxation techniques to help manage chronic conditions. The interactive curriculum will address topics such as pain and fatigue management, dealing with difficult emotions, effective communication, medication management, physical activity, nutrition, and more. It is expected that participants will attend all 6 classes.

MONdAy, MARCh 27

shoulder Pains-Whys, how’s & What To do Non-surgically. Also March 27. 6 to 7 p.m. Join an informative session with Sports Medicine Specialists Adam Redlich, MD and Adam Thompson, DO. The discussion will include ways to manage shoulder pain without surgical intervention.

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, MARCh 9

Tai Chi Classes. Also March 23. 10 to 11 a.m. Sifu Tony Jackson, DAO Concepts leads this program. Tai Chi is recommended for seniors because it improves balance, strengthens muscles in the legs and increases flexibility and stability in the ankles. It can help reduce falls and back pain. A series of gentle physical exercises and stretches each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.

WEdNEsdAy, MARCh 15

Let’s Talk, a senior social Group. Also March 15, 22 and 29. 10 to 11 a.m. Please join us for the launch of this program—a gathering in a collaborative setting to exchange thoughts, feelings and experiences amongst peers. This is a safe zone designed to be welcoming and understanding of all attendees while exploring this season of our lives—the ups and the challenges. This group is a partnership between RWJ University Hospital Hamilton and the PsycHealth Associates here in Hamilton. “Let’s Talk, a Senior Social Group” will be facilitated by licensed social workers. This group will gather weekly. Light refreshments will be served.

ThuRsdAy, MARCh 23

Nutrition and More with dr. sara Ali and Taryn Krietzman, RdN. 1 to 2 p.m. Join Dr. Ali and Taryn Krietzman as they take us on a journey discussing nutrition and its impact on our bodies.

Dr. Malini Patel

2023 Lawrence Township municipal budget message

to avoid paying higher financing charges from bonding for the work. Significantly, this transfer does not factor in the amount to be collected for taxation.

The challenges we face in our 2023 municipal budget are the challenges we all face as individuals; the rising costs of all things across many industries in a post-pandemic world, otherwise known as inflation.

Fortunately, we are well positioned to meet this challenge because our budgets over the past several years have conservatively addressed our needs, reduced our debt[1], and maintained the services to the community at the levels we expect and demand. This year we planned a budget and our future on fiscally solid ground.

With inescapable increases across all categories of appropriations (i.e., costs) partially offset by an increase in ratables, a half year of a new cannabis tax, and a successful grant program[2], we are still able to address serious public safety needs by funding three new firefighters and two new EMT positions[3] and recommend a budget that provides for a 2.75-cent tax increase.

We maintain and increase our surplus fund[4] by using only as much as can be regenerated by year-end. By doing this, we can better support our high credit rating and enjoy the benefits of the best rates for financing our essential community projects and infrastructure improvements.

Additionally, this year we plan to transfer $3,350,000 from our surplus fund to our capital improvement fund to fund our future capital improvement projects

The recommended municipal tax rate for 2023 is .6545 [“.6270], which represents a 2.75¢ increase[5]. One cent = $470,635.

The amount to be raised by taxation in 2023 is $30,804,309.70 [$29,427,103.63], which is $1,377,206.7 over 2022.

• The levy cap bank available from 2021 and 2022 is $1,978,355 [$1,353,473], and we will use $0 to remain within the 2% tax levy cap. NOTE: The 2023 Recommended Budget is $3,477,645 [$895,916] under the levy cap and is available for “banking.” This addition to the 2021 and 2022 banks will leave a usable “cap bank” of $5,456,000 [$2,249,389] for future budgets.

• The 2022 year-end surplus fund balance is $20,687,139.52 versus a 2021 year-end balance of $17,529,312.69, an increase of $3,157,826.83

• The surplus balance remaining available after applying an amount as anticipated revenue will be $10,772,139.52 [$10,679,312.69], an increase of $92,826.83 over the 2022 remaining balance.

• The cash reserve balance for tax appeals is $6,219,491.18 [$6,219,491.18].

• The decrease in outstanding debt continues. The 2010 closing balance was $30,797,000. The 2022 closing balance is $13,210,850 [$15,631,000].

Fiscal strength is evident as $9,915,000 [$6,850,000] in surplus fund used in the 2023 budget has been regenerated at the close of 2022.

Surplus fund is the excess in the following balance sheet categories:

amount to be raised by taxation; miscellaneous revenues anticipated, delinquent taxes, prior year appropriations lapsed, and miscellaneous revenues not anticipated.

In 2023 we recommend utilizing $9,915,000.00 from surplus fund, $20,276,842.93 in MRA, $830,000 in delinquent taxes, and $30,804,309.70 in amount to be raised for taxes. These balance sheet categories equate to the municipal budget of $61,826,152.63.

The budget message and recommended budget are prepared by the municipal manager (and chief finance officer) and presented to the Lawrence Township Municipal Council for review and consideration.

The elected officials will review the proposed budget, consider the presentations by department heads and pose questions to the municipal manager and chief financial officer, and, ultimately, decide whether to approve the budget as recommended or make adjustments they deem necessary and appropriate.

[1] We are on schedule to be debt free at the end of 2027 if no new debt is taken on.

[2] ELSA increase; health benefits

increase; contractual increases to salary and wages; new hires (i.e., three firefighter, two EMTs and two public works employees); increase in uncollected taxes; increase in debt service (principal and interest/capital improvement funding); increase in solid waste collection; and increase in public employee pension contributions; and emergency dispatch service increase.

[3] Multiple hires for Fire and EMT positions is required so that we can create an additional shift for each department. Less than these numbers will not accomplish our goal. At this point, it is either all or nothing to address this important need. NOTE: We added two new public works laborers to address increased responsibilities to maintain Brunswick Avenue Streetscape, Hero Dog Park and our other community parks.

[4] This is also known as fund balance on our General Ledger.

[5] NOTE: Figures in [ ] are 2022 amounts included for comparison.

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

THE BUXTON -MONSPORT TEAM SELLS LAWRENCE!

THE BUXTON -MONSPORT TEAM

Dawn: 609.462.8333

Dawn: 609.462.8333

Licensed in NJ & PA

Licensed in NJ & PA

Mark: 609.658.1127

Mark: 609.658.1127

Stefanie: 609.954.5206

Stefanie: 609.954.5206

Office: 609.987.8889

Office: 609.987.8889

dawnmonsport@verizon.net

dawnmonsport@verizon.net

mcutaneo5@gmail.com

sprettyman@kw.com

mcutaneo5@gmail.com

sprettyman@kw.com

1

KEVIN NERWINSKI FROM ThE MANAGER’s dEsK

SELLS LAWRENCE!

Mark Stefanie Dawn John Mercer CountyTop Producers: $35M in 2021 Broker & Sales Associates

Mark Stefanie Dawn John Mercer CountyTop Producers: $35M in 202

Broker & Sales Associates

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Preventing Colon Cancer: What You Should Know

Preventing Colon Cancer: What You Should Know

Thursday, March 16, 2023 | 6 p.m.

Maximizing Brain Health

Maximizing Brain Health

Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

If you’re concerned that you are not as sharp as you used to be, there are steps you can take right now to reduce cognitive decline. DR. RAJIV VYAS from Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists will share strategies to keep your brain focused and reduce memory loss.

If you’re concerned that you are not as sharp as you used to be, there are steps you can take right now to reduce cognitive decline. DR. RAJIV VYAS from Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists will share strategies to keep your brain focused and reduce memory loss.

Thursday, March 16, 2023 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Location: Zoom Meeting

To help you take charge of your health, join DR. ASHLEE GODSHALK RUGGLES, a colorectal surgeon from Capital Health Surgical Group, and DR. MARK SAXENA from Capital Health – Gastroenterology Specialists. They’ll discuss the risk factors for colon cancer, options for screening, and how screening reduces the risk for colon cancer.

To help you take charge of your health, join DR. ASHLEE GODSHALK RUGGLES, a colorectal surgeon from Capital Health Surgical Group, and DR. MARK SAXENA

from Capital Health – Gastroenterology Specialists. They’ll discuss the risk factors for colon cancer, options for screening, and how screening reduces the risk for colon cancer.