4-24 BC

Hard work pays off for Schenck in shot put

Scottie reaches nationals in his first year of competing

BY JUSTIN FEIL

Brock Schenck has made big sacrifices and important changes over the last year.

Those paid off for the Bordentown Regional High School senior when he qualified in boys shot put for the New Balance Nationals Indoors Track and Field meet held March 7-10 in Boston.

until the wrestlers were done, and sometimes the middle schoolers would come over,” Wheeler said. “There were times we had to throw at 6 or 7 o’clock at night and it might be the same time as a big basketball game or his friends were doing stuff. He was always there. He was normally there before I got here. Such a strong work ethic, that definitely helped him get where he is today.”

“It was really big for me, just being in my first year throwing shot put,” Schenck said. “It was hard, but it was a big accomplishment.”

Bordentown indoor track and field coach Brian Wheeler has been impressed by Schenck’s evolution, but he has seen first hand how he developed so quickly. He credits Schenck for putting his time into his training.

“For indoor, you have to train inside, so we had to use the auxiliary gym, and we had to wait

Making that commitment paid off when he qualified for indoor nationals. He threw a personalrecord of 54-feet-8 in the indoor shot in January before an injury cost him further advancement. He placed 52nd at indoor nationals.

“The environment was really cool,” said Schenck of the meet in Boston. “It was a good learning experience. I kind of know how those big level national competitions are and what to expect going in better. I think that’ll transfer to outdoors this year and help me do a lot better.”

Schenck is back to work for the spring. He saw his training efforts rewarded over the winter

See SCHENCK, Page 8

Township, city welcome new members to governing bodies

BY JOE EMANSKI

Most people who hold a position of elective office in New Jersey cities and towns are, well, elected to those positions. Most, but not all.

Every year, some percentage of elected officeholders resign for one reason or another. When they do, state law holds that the remaining members of the board, council or committee in

that municipality select a successor who shall hold the position until the next time elections are held.

This scenario has played out a number of times in the Bordentown area recently. Bordentown Regional Board of Education members Larry Braasch and Ryan Cody both resigned their seats on the board in 2023. Cody was replaced by Richard Shenowski, and Braasch by

Raquel Parker. Shenowski was subsequently elected to serve the remainder of Cody’s former term, through the end of this year. Parker will have to run to keep her seat if she wants to remain on the board after this year.

Bordentown City and Bordentown Township have both welcomed new members to their governing bodies in 2024.

See OFFICE, Page 6

Bordentown Township police officers Sean Ferrari and James Chiarello were promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Bordentown Township Committee meeting on March 26, 2024. Pictured are committee members Bill Grayson, Eric Holliday, Ferrari, Mayor Eugene Fuzy, Chiarello, Deputy Mayor Aneka Miller and Kelly Lozito.

RWJUH Hamilton April Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

SWEET SUCCESS SOCIETY: A DIABETES GROUP

Monday, April 1, May 6; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Monday, April 8; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

A group for anyone with diabetes or caring for someone living with diabetes. Learn and discuss healthy ways to manage diabetes alongside peers and Taryn Krietzman, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

SPRING MINI MEDICAL SCHOOL: “THE SCIENCE OF LONGEVITY”

Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Focus on the science of longevity: the extension of human life, and wellbeing. This approach may prevent chronic disease and extend long-term health. Changing your view from “lifespan” to “healthspan”.

Week 1: John DiBiase, MD; orthopedic surgeon, clinical instructor

Week 2: Javier Villota, MD; Medical Director of Occupational Medicine, Corporate Health and Travel Medicine

Week 3: Sara Ali, MD; Geriatrician and Palliative Care Specialist

Week 4: Maureen Stevens, DPT; Senior Physical Therapist

Week 5: Patricia McDougall, BSN, RN; Integrative Therapies Nurse

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

Tuesday., April 2; 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Learn what wonderful fruits and veggies are up to this time of year and how to make them shine! Enjoy being an in person studio-audience member as Taryn Krietzman, RDN does a live taping or join us from

your home via our live zoom.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: SPRING BREAK(FAST)

Thursday, April 4; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

With the kids having a day off from school, take advantage of a great way to get them out and interested in healthy eating! Empower kids with culinary skills and nutrition knowledge to become their healthiest selves! For children 5 years and older. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Taryn Krietzman, RDN. Fee: $5 per person

DANCE IT OUT!

Friday, April 5; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

With the kids having a day off from school, take advantage of a great way to get them out and moving in a fun activity for all ages.

Monday, April 15; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

When in doubt, dance it out! Find your rhythm and ease the everyday stresses of life with movement.

TAPPING FOR STRESS RELIEF

Monday, April 8: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Stress creates blockages in the body that impedes healing. “Tapping” uses the same meridian system as used in acupuncture to help restore the body to heal itself. Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Therapies Nurse.

UP, UP, AND AWAY: EXPRESSIVE ARTS FOR OUR WISHES AND INTENTIONS

Wednesday, April 10; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

We make wishes on birthday candles and shooting stars! Let’s take a look at wishes and intentions,

Better Health

Scan

learn more.

*Registration and free Membership required to attend the Better Health Programs

and formulate how they could be expressed in this workshop. We will read relevant, heartfelt poetry and create a beautiful collage on canvas of a hot air balloon over our thoughtful journaling. We’ll send those wishes and intentions up, up, and away! Rochelle L. Stern, expressive arts facilitator. $15

DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: HEALTHY BONES CLUB

Thursday, April 11; 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Internal Medicine Physician, Anjali Bhandarkar, MD will be discussing the diagnosis, risk factors and treatment for osteoporosis. Also included, insight on the treatment of Vitamin D deficiency and when to measure Vitamin D levels. Dinner provided.

CRYSTAL BOWL SOUND IMMERSION

Monday, April 15; 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sound healing uses instruments like singing bowls, gongs, drums and chimes to create an atmosphere promoting deep rest, nervous system rebalancing, and emotional release. Sit or lay while the practitioner takes you on a sound journey for mind, body and spirit. Bring a yoga mat, blanket, pillow or anything that makes you comfortable. Adriana Hansen, RYT200, SHA1 of the Learning Collaborative. Fee: $15

NUTRITION, FEEDING, AND SWALLOWING AFTER STROKE

Wednesday, April 17; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join dietician Taryn, Oc. Therapist Sarah, and Speech-Language

DR. ALI, BREAKFAST AND LEARN, HEALTHY AGING FOR WOMEN

Thursday, April 4; 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Ali, Board Certified in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, will lead a focused conversation on concerns for women as we age discussing gynecological cancers, bone health, sexual health and more.

TAI CHI CLASSES

Thursday, April 4 &18; 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wednesday, April 3, 10, 17, 24; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Please join us for our ongoing program “A Senior Social Group,” 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.

Pathologist Ashley to discuss management of nutrition and eating after stroke. Learn how to adjust food choices throughout the recovery process for optimal nutrition, frequently utilized adaptive equipment for self-feeding, and common strategies to manage swallowing problems after stroke.

HEALTHRYTHMS® DRUM CIRCLE

Wednesday, April 17; 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Drum your cares away with our monthly Drum Circle. It’s lots of fun and a great stress reliever. Drums provided. Mauri Tyler, CTRS,CMP $15

BRAIN HEALTH-LEARN PROVEN WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG

Monday, April 22; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. With so much information out today on brain health what methods really work? Join Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D. to learn more about how to keep your brain young.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH

Thursdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6; 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Take Control of Your Health/ Chronic Disease Management Program is a cost effective evidence-based health promotion program for people with any ongoing health condition, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and similar conditions. Participants will learn how to problem solve, set goals, and relaxation techniques to help manage chronic conditions. Participants must attend all 6 classes.

YOGA CLASSES

Tuesday, April 9 and 23; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday, April 9 & 23; 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, April 9 and 23; Noon to 12:45 p.m.

Krystal Loughlin, certified RYT, is introducing Chair Yoga to our Better Health Program. Using a chair for seated poses and also for balancing poses, this class is perfect for those who haven’t moved their bodies for a while, recovering from an injury or have mobility/balancing difficulties. A great place to start practicing yoga to help boost your flexibility, find inner peace, unwind and stretch.

ART THERAPY & HISTORY FEATURING GEORGIA O’KEEFE, “THE MOTHER OF AMERICAN MODERNISM.”

Thursday, April 11; 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tapping into your creative side is

a great way to de-stress, improve mental outlook, and simply have some fun. Lisa Bayer from Always Best Care Senior Services, created this program that combines art history with an art project based on the works of artist, Georgia O’Keefe. Using pastels, you will draw your own oversized flower and learn the techniques to layer and blend the pastels.

HOSPITALS AND OUR AGING COMMUNITY

Tuesday, April 16, 2024; 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m Should hospital care change as we age and if so, what does it look like? Join us to delve into this important topic about how hospitals can better serve our aging population. Panel includes: Lisa A. Breza MSN RN NEA-BC, Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. Sara Ali, Board Certified Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, and Dawn Hutchinson, MSN, RN, PCCN-K, NEABC, Chief Nursing Officer

CATCH SOME ZZZZZ’S!

Monday, May 6; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Insomnia affects your mental as well as physical health, making prone to heart disease and other serious illnesses. Join Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Health Nurse to learn more about how we should spend a third of our life.

ORTHO 101

Monday, May 6; 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Join Orthopedic Program Coordinator, Denise Berdecia, MSN, RN, ONC, Lead Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, for an in depth discussion on total knee replacements. These experts will explain preventative treatment, talking to a surgeon, decision for surgery, hospital expectations, and recovery with outpatient therapy.

DESIGNER BAG BINGO!

Friday, May 10; 5:30 p.m.

This popular event is a great way to get out with your friends for a night fun with many Designer Bags up for grabs. Admission ticket includes 12 rounds of Bingo, Tickets will be $45. For more information or to purchase tickets email CommunityEdHAM@ rwjbh.org.

*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.

FOR MEN ONLY!

Wednesday, April 24; 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Ashish Desai, LCSW, from VA NJ Health Care System will lead this open discussion with flexible topics that will be suggested by and of interest to you! This group will meet quarterly.

HERBAL MOCKTAIL PARTY

Tuesday, April 30; 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Amanda Crooke, Herbalist and Owner of the Locust Light Farm in New Jersey will teach us how to craft delicious herbal mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) using a variety of infusion and blending techniques. You’ll sip and sample these refreshing drinks as we explore herbal extractions, flavor pairings, and ingredients. You’ll make your own tasty oxymel and receive delicious mocktail recipes to take home

Kim’s path to Dem Senate nomination becomes clearer

Rep. Andy Kim, who represents New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District in Washington and who called Bordentown home for a time, received a significant boost in his drive to be the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2024 when rival candidate Tammy Murphy, wife of Gov. Phil Murphy, abruptly dropped out of the race.

Kim, who today lives in Moorestown, near where he grew up, is seeking the seat that is currently held by embattled Sen. Bob Menendez, who is currently under federal indictment on corruption charges.

Menendez, who saw new superseding indictments handed down to him and his wife, Nadine, last month, has also announced that he will not seek the Democratic nomination in 2024.

That leaves Kim in the race with Patricia Campos-Medina, of Califon, and Larry Hamm of Newark, and widespread reports have him way ahead of the other candidates in terms of fundraising.

Kim is a three-term member of Con-

gress. Murphy, a former Republican, has served as First Lady of New Jersey for both of Phil Murphy’s terms, but has never held elective office.

Kim drew national attention for challenging New Jersey’s county line ballot system, in which county political committees are able to identify give preferred candidates significantly better positions on the ballots, effectively endorsing their candidacy.

He and two House candidates, Sarah Schoengood and Carolyn Rush, sued to have the county line ballot format declared unconstitutional and discontinued in the 19 New Jersey counties that use it, with the case still pending even after Murphy suspended her campaign.

consolidates political power in the hands of a county political leaders, and gave Murphy an unfair advantage over rivals.

In a decision that may have influenced Murphy’s decision to drop out of the race, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin has declined to argue against the lawsuit, stating that he agrees that the process is unconstitutional.

Though Kim has racked up a large number of endorsements statewide, he has argued that the county line process

Campos-Medina and Hamm have since pointed out that with Murphy out of the race, Kim stands to occupy the county line spot on the primary ballot unless U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi, who is handling the case, rules for the plaintiffs (including Kim).

As of March 27, Kim had not changed his decision to remain on the county line as the preferred candidate, despite calls from Campos-Medina and Hamm to do so.

Art and Craft exhibition to return April 5-8

The First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown is getting ready to host the 8th Art and Fine Craft Exhibit and Sale on church grounds this month.

The exhibition is scheduled to be held on Friday, April 5 from 6 to 9 p.m., as well as Sunday and Monday, April 7 and 8 from noon to 3 p.m.

Begun a decade ago, the event has regularly featured local artists and fine crafters, many from the Bordentown area. More than artists and fine crafters have committed to attend this year’s show, exhibiting and selling fine artwork including drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, quilts, turned wood and more.

Some of these Bordentown artists include Al Barker, Pat Todd, Richard Gerster and Marsha Dowshen.

The exhibition will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown, See NEWS, Page PB

We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Bordentown Current is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Current 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.

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9,000

to the residences and

of Bordentown 12 times a year.

Kim

the 2018 Art and Fine Craft Exhibit and Sale at the First Presbyterian Church

The event will be held again this year starting on April 5.

NEWS continued from Page 5

420 Farnsworth Ave., beginning with an opening reception on April 5.

The event is free and open to the public. The church says that proceeds will benefit the church’s missions.

Along with the art and fine craft exhibit, the church will also be hosting an open house in the newly repaired and painted sanctuary. Rev. Margaret Brungard and others will be on hand.

For more information, contact Cathy Elliott-Shaw at artexhibitbordentownpres@gmail.com or the church office at (609) 298-1243.

County Book Festival Set for Main Library in Westampton

The Burlington County Book Festival will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Burlington County Library, 15 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton.

Now in its second year, the community event will offer visitors opportunities to meet authors and mingle with fellow book lovers. The event is co-hosted by the Burlington County Library System and Burlington County Library System Foundation.

More than 30 authors from across New Jersey and beyond have signed up to participate in this year’s festival. Local artists will be on hand with items for sale, and the Friends of the Burlington County Library will host a pop-up book sale.

Among the scheduled performers is storyteller, musician and vocalist Tahira, who will share tales of freedom fighters and the Underground Railroad at 12:30 p.m. The Thunderbird American Indian Dancers will deliver a presentation at 2:30

p.m. highlighting the origins and meanings of several songs, dances and traditions from many North American indigenous tribes. This year’s festival will also feature presentations from a selection of authors including:

Jay Cooper, author and illustrator of more than 25 books for children, who will demonstrate his creative process in the children’s area at 10:30 a.m.;

Angus Gillespie, author of Twin Towers: The Life of New York City’s World Trade Center, who will discuss the history of the Twin Towers in the meeting room at 11:30 a.m.;

Mike Dawson, author of the middle grade graphic novel The Fifth Quarter, who will demonstrate on-the-spot cartooning in the auditorium at 11:30 a.m.;

Allen Crawford, author of A Wild Promise: An Illustrated Celebration of the Endangered Species Act who will discuss the status of endangered species in the United States in the meeting room at 12:30 p.m.;

Kim Kelly, author of Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor, who will discuss her journey into labor journalism and her work as a labor columnist for Teen Vogue and other media outlets in the Teen Zone at 12:30 p.m.

Alliah Agostini, author of The Juneteenth Cookbook, who will address the history of Juneteenth and her personal connection to the holiday in the auditorium at 1 p.m.;

and Jim Cullen, author of 20 books including Born in the USA: Bruce Springsteen in American Life, who will discuss his work as a cultural historian in the meeting room at 1:30 p.m.

A full schedule of activities and authors attending the festival is available on the BCLS website at bcls.lib.nj.us.

Visitors browse

of Bordentown.

In January, Kelly Lozito was selected by the township committee to succeed Steve Benowitz, who had stepped down on Dec. 31 due to illness.

continued from Page 1 Though city elections are typically held in May, this one will indeed be scheduled for the November general election ballot. In both cases, other candidates will also be welcome to run for the seats.

Then in February, the city’s long-time board of commissioners member, James Lynch, resigned his position to spend more time with his family. Later that month, Mayor Jennifer Sciortino and Deputy Mayor Joe Myers announced that Heather Cheesman would join them on the three-member board, effective March 1.

Township Committee member Bill Grayson first joined the committee in a similar fashion in 2023, when he was appointed to complete the unexpired term of James Kostoplis, who resigned after being taking up the office of Burlington County Sheriff.

Grayson ran unopposed last fall, and started a fresh three-year term in January.

While Lozito is serving in an elected position for the first time, Cheesman previously sat on the city’s board of commissioners between 2009 and 2013. Each will have to decide if she wants to stand for election this November. In Lozito’s case, she would be running for a full-three year term; Cheesman would be running for the opportunity to complete Lynch’s term, set to end in 2025.

Lozito resides in the Crystal Lake neighborhood with her husband, Bruce, and their two children. She served as vice chair of the township environmental commission from 2017 to 2020. She has also served on the township’s planning board.

A senior director with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lozito has degrees from The College of New Jersey and Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is also a Girl Scout troop leader and a board member for Friends of White Hill Mansion.

In choosing a person to succeed Lynch, Sciortino and Myers said in a statement that Cheesman had the respect of the community through the many contributions she has made over the years.

“There is no doubt she has the right combination of professional experience, record of public service, and knowledge of our city to hit the ground running for the next eight months. We welcome her to the governing body and look forward to working with her for the benefit of everyone who calls Bordentown home,” they wrote.

smooth transition.”

Cheesman is a lifelong Bordentown resident and a former member of the Bordentown Regional Board of Education. She currently serves as a member of the Bordentown Sewerage Authority, as well as Bordentown City’s Economic Development Advisory Committee and Planning Board, the latter role of which she will have to relinquish due to her new role.

In her professional career, Cheesman got her start teaching in the public education system and serving youths in the state’s juvenile justice system.

For the last 15 years, she had served the Burlington County Clerk’s Office as Chief of Staff and later Deputy County Clerk.

Different township committee members serve as liaisons to various committees and organizations, and among Lozito’s assignments are liaison to the board of education as well as the parks and recreation committee.

“I try as much as I can to encourage and raise awareness for existing resources for kids,” Lozito told the Current (see sidebar.)

Cheesman was administered the oath of office at the monthly board of commissioners meeting on March 11. Each commissioner oversees a different city department, and so Cheesman has also assumed the role of director of public safety and affairs, previously held by Lynch.

“I want to thank the commissioners, as well as the residents who supported me, for their faith in my ability to rise to this occasion,” Cheesman said. “I’m looking forward to serving the city once again and working with Jen and Joe to ensure a

In December, she stepped down from public service to take a position with Capital Health System as director of payroll.

Petitions to run in November’s special election will be available later this summer through the city clerk at Bordentown’s Municipal Building. Signed petitions will be due no later than 64 days before the Nov. 5 election, meaning they are due around the end of August.

The city has solicited formal guidance from the county clerk’s office on protocol and timing for the special election and will keep residents informed as soon as additional guidance is available.

Cheesman

‘1000 Books’ gets kids started early on their reading journeys

Kelly Lozito knew that, as Bordentown Township’s newest township committee member, she wanted to be an advocate for children and children’s programming in the community.

“One of my biggest desired areas of focus, as a township representative, is supporting the youth of our community,” Lozito says. “Sometimes this can be as simple as just making people aware of existing resources they could be utilizing, and telling them how good they are.”

As a parent of two young children — Grace, 10, and Frank, 3 — she is well aware of the programs and facilities available to young people in the area, as well as areas where access to programming and facilities can be improved.

One area opportunity that Lozito is a big proponent of is the Burlington County Library System’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Son Frank recently

completed the challenge, which Lozito said took a little over a year to do.

“He’s really into reading now,” Lozito says. “This activity we’re doing together, it has helped us to read to him on a regular basis. It’s offered at the Bordentown library and it’s totally free.”

Participants may log in to the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program online and record their progress. Those who reach the 1,000-book target can get their pictures taken and displayed at the library. Burlington County got started with the program in 2018, and the first person to complete it was a Bordentown resident, Ava Duchini.

While Grace did not take part in the program, Lozito says she is also an avid reader, and often plans the family’s trips to the library.

On the web: bcls.lib.nj.us/programsservices/1000-books-kindergarten.

season when there were so many other options to take up his time.

“Especially your senior year,” Wheeler said. “Your senior year is supposed to be a lot of fun, hang out with friends, doing this, that and the third. He sacrificed a lot. I don’t think he looks back on it. I think he’s glad that he did and it’s definitely going to help him in the future. I’m excited to see how he does in the spring.” * * *

Becoming a top thrower is a significant shift for Schenck, who considered himself first and foremost a football player until this past year. He’d played linebacker for the Scotties, but he moved away from the gridiron after a successful spring outdoor track and field season.

His rapid development opened the door to a spot on the University of Virginia track and field team for next year.

“I love football,” Schenck said. “I still do. But I had a lot better opportunities in track. I figured I would go with that. The recruiting process itself was very late. It was kind of rushed all fall. Usually you take a year or two to go through it. I had to take a lot of visits this fall, reached out to a lot of coaches and I was fortunate to be put in a good opportunity with a lot of good schools.”

Schenck gave up football his senior fall to continue to focus on the throwing events that had suddenly become a terrific option for him beyond high school.

“I decided not to play my senior season and put 100 percent effort into throwing,” Schenck said. “I think that was what was best for my future. I still think it is.”

Schenck has a huge upside that got college coaches interested. They could see how far he was throwing in just a short amount of time, and know with more training and time he is only going to

senior Brett Schenck’s switch of focus from football to shot put has led to an opportunity to join the University of Virginia track and field team next year.

improve.

“That was a big selling point of mine in reaching out to coaches,” Schenck said. “A lot of them liked that just because I’m so new to the sport, there’s a lot I

can learn. I still have incredible room for improvement. They’re really interested in that aspect of me.”

Schenck has been turning heads with his evolution as a thrower. His first full

spring season throwing ended with him winning the boys discus at the Central Jersey Group 2 championships with a personal-record throw of 138-feet-2.

He also placed fourth in the boys javelin in the sectional with a best of 153 feet. Not bad for someone who had come in expecting to contribute in other areas.

“I actually was a sprinter for track and I got really bad shin splints, so I tried throwing that one season,” Schenck said. “I ended up really liking it and being pretty good at it so I stuck with it.”

He took up the shot put for the first time in July. He taught himself while continuing to work to excel in his top event, discus. Schenck was hoping that he would develop into a more complete thrower.

“I just wanted to be good at multiple events, help the team out and score this spring in multiple events,” he said. “It was something that if you get good at shot, it helps translate to discus.”

Discus has been Schenck’s top event. The throws are often lumped together, but shot, discus and javelin each have unique aspects and throwers have to figure out which suits them best.

“The disc has a lot of technique involved so you do have to work really hard,” Wheeler said. “It’s not just power, and strength and quickness. It’s a lot of technique, not that shot and jav isn’t. But I think disc is a big mental sport as well. That’s something that he definitely has. A lot of the shot putters and javelin throwers might be 6-foot-6 or -8. He’s on the smaller end for athletes compared to that.”

Yet Schenck came up plenty big in the winter. Few would have anticipated he could reach the nationals qualifier in his first indoor season in an event he picked

See SCHENCK, Page 13

Bordentown

Find the “fund” in celebrating a cause with a night out at the Arts Council of Princeton’s Art People Party, then “raise” a glass to the glamor of galas, benefi ts, and more, page 2.

Photos courtesy of Tamara Gillon, above, and Ooika, right.

Get Your Gala On: Parties Pay it Forward for Spring

By Sara Hastings

Sample galas and benefits galore with a look inside the staple event of the nonprofit spring calendar, which previews upcoming parties hosted by the area’s arts and cultural organizations, as well as social service providers, that support programming.

* * *

Arts Council of Princeton

The Arts Council of Princeton hosts its annual Art People Party on Friday, April 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. The evening features food, drink, music, and dancing, as well as a tombola, or Italian-style art lottery. Works of art, each valued at more than $350, have been donated by local artists.

Participating guests will each receive a number and select an artwork to take home with them when their number is called. All entrants are guaranteed to go home with something.

Being honored this year is architect J. Robert Hillier of Witherspoon Streetbased Studio Hillier.

The firm’s many Princeton-area projects include work on private homes as well as faculty housing at the Institute for Advanced Study, an addition to the Lawrenceville School’s Kirby Math and Science Center, and renovations at the Princeton Marriott and YWCA Princeton

Signed copies of “Hillier: Selected Works,” a recently published monograph of projects undertaken by the husband-and-wife team of J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier during the last 25 years, are for sale as part of registration for the party for $50.

Proceeds from the party benefit the Arts Council’s Anne Reeves Artist in Residence Program and other outreach initiatives.

Tickets are $150, with sponsorship opportunities starting at $500. Tombola entries are $350 each.

Arts Council of Princeton’s “Art People Party” returns on Friday, April 5, from 7 to 10 p.m.

102

Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. 609-924-8777 or artscouncilofprinceton.org.

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The

at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts building,

Witherspoon Street, in honor of Studio Hillier architect J. Robert Hillier. Photo of 2023 event courtesy of Tamara Gillon and the Arts Council of Princeton.

Bohren’s (an agent of United Van Lines) Moves Into Its Second Century of Operation

Family-Owned Robbinsville Company Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

The moving and storage industry has changed dramatically in the last 100 years since Bohren’s Moving & Storage Company opened for business in 1924 with one Model T Ford truck based at a small warehouse on Chambers Street in Princeton. But through four generations of family ownership, the company has demonstrated its resilience, savvy and foresight, looking for new opportunities while also adapting to many changes over the past century.

In this 100th year of operation for Bohren’s United Van Lines, President Denise Hewitt and her father, Chairman of the Board Ted Froehlich, are grateful for their overwhelming success in the moving category. They are also thankful that decisions made over the decades to diversify the brand have allowed them to keep up with the times.

Hewitt, an Allentown, N.J., resident, and Froehlich, a Princeton resident, intend for 2024 to be a year of celebration and sharing with their employees, customers and the public. Over the year they’ll look back over the decades but also keep an eye on the future, an approach that has kept the business successful for so long.

In the beginning, E.L. Bohren delivered baggage for Princeton University students and did small moves with his Model T truck. By the second generation, Bohren’s son-in-law Warren Froehlich expanded the business and in 1955 became an agent of United Van Lines. His grandson Ted began working for Bohren’s every day after school when he was 12. By the time he was 17, he was driving trucks on routes from New York, Boston, or Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. on a regular basis.

When Ted Froehlich was 27, his dad passed away. Ted had three brothers, but none were interested in running the business. Ted was intrigued, even though his experiences at that point were limited to being a dispatcher, a claims adjuster and, of course, a truck driver. Seeing an opportunity to take on and shape the business, he stepped into the CEO role. He immediately hired management consultants to help him make the business more efficient and professional, the first of his many strategic and prescient decisions.

Another important key step to expanding and increasing the profitability of the company was to become a stockholder in United Van Lines (UVL). As a part owner of UVL, Froehlich and his business became eligible to make moves across the 48 states as well as Canada and Mexico. This made Bohren’s a major player in the moving and storage business as the firm moved families and commercial entities across the country. Throughout this period of growth, excellent service was always his top priority. Froehlich said it took 12 service members in a variety of jobs, from customer service, to sales, to crews, to provide outstanding customer service for every single household move.

Over time, he noted, a shortage of long-haul drivers was becoming a major issue for the industry. It forced Bohren’s to re-evaluate some of

the long-distance moving capabilities. Local and tri-state moving and storage still remain a specialty today.

In 1985 and 1989 respectively, Ted’s daughters Denise and Louise joined the business. Louise managed the Human Resources Department and served as Vice President until her departure in 2021 to pursue other interests. Denise worked in virtually every position in the company before she became President in 2002 and Ted became Chairman.

Denise and her father quickly realized the benefits of Bohren’s being a woman-owned and operated business at that time, welcoming the opportunity to become certified as such by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council the following year. That certification gave the company access to hundreds of corporate clients and government agencies providing a percentage of contracts to women- and minority-owned businesses.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Denise focused on increasing efficiency and expanding new opportunities. One example of that came as Bohren’s customers with residences in the Hamptons and Long Island inquired about the transport and storage of their art collections. Denise recognized the unique need for a trusted, reliable vendor and capitalized on the company’s strengths in those areas. Bohren’s Fine Art Transportation & Storage was created to handle the personal collections of their residential clients but quickly grew to service major art galleries and museums.

In the past century, Bohren’s has expanded from its original humble warehouse in Princeton to as many as five locations in New Jersey and Florida. But again, Froehlich’s instincts told him at a certain point that consolidation would make sense, and in 1999 the father-daughter team brought it all into one 12-acre facility at 3 Applegate in Robbinsville, where they operate today.

One hundred years in, Bohren’s has morphed from a single-owner shipper to Bohren’s Companies, encompassing three divisions: Bohren’s Moving & Storage, Bohren’s Fine Art Transportation, and Bohren’s Logistics. Their services range from household and commercial moving and storage, to trade shows, to transport and storage of art as well as high-valued electronic and medical equipment. Bohren’s has moved and/ or stored everything from microwaves to Elvis Presley memorabilia, Andy Warhol art to Apache helicopters, and RCA communications satellites to Rothko sculptures.

The company is looking forward to what the leadership of the fifth generation will do to expand the future of Bohren’s into the next century.

More information: www.bohrensmoving.com. See ad, page 16

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Community News Service Ad-high res.pdf 2 3/19/24

Louise Froehlich (left) and Denise Hewitt (right) pictured with Ted Froehlich (seated).

on Saturday, April 6, at 6 p.m.

The evening starts with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by an awards presentation and live entertainment during dinner. Silent auction winners will be announced before the evening concludes at 9 p.m.

This year’s honorees include Maria Richardson, Patron of the Arts Excellence Award; Phillip McConnell, Outstanding Emerging Artisan Award; and Wise Intelligent & Culture Freedom, The Poor Righteous Teachers

Richardson is the City of Trenton director of recreation, natural resources and culture and the acting director of health and human services. A statement from Passage lauds her as “a good friend to the theater, to the arts community in Trenton, and to Trenton youth and families. For over three decades of service, Maria has been a tireless advocate in municipal government, the private sector, and academia.”

Passage materials explain that McConnell is a “multidisciplinary visual artist, filmmaker, writer, and spoken word artist,” with a focus on glitch art, “the aesthetic of digital errors, created by corrupting the data of pictures…Phillip ultimately wants people to see that thinking abstract or dis-

cussing emotions within art should be a normal thing for a black creative and that fellow black creatives shouldn’t have to always discuss trauma within their work.”

Wise Intelligent and Culture Freedom of the Poor Righteous Teachers, a hip hop group originally from Trenton, have been center stage at Passage this season with their music serving as the backdrop for the world premiere of “Ghetto Gods in Divineland” earlier this year.

“Apart from launching his own record label — Intelligent Muzik Group (2007) — for nearly 25 years, Wise Intelligent has leveraged his business sense and recognition as a hip-hop pioneer into social entrepreneurship, activism, youth advocacy, and the development of educational and entrepreneurship programs that train and inspire from the unique vantage point of hip hop culture,” Passage materials state.

A Trenton native, “Culture Freedom, along with his wife, were youth ministry leaders for 15 years.” He “has experience publicly speaking to various groups,” including at-risk students involved in organizations from Trenton to California.

Initiative hosts its “Spring Luncheon” benefitting the

Dreams” children’s

Passage Theater, Trenton’s only community theater, has a stated mission to create and produce “socially relevant plays and arts programming that deeply resonate with and reflect our community. Through professional productions, educational programs, and community engagement, we present diverse voices that inspire audiences and invigorate the art of live theater.” Proceeds from the gala support its continued programming.

The Trenton Country Club is located at 201 Sullivan Way in West Trenton. Tickets are $125. Registration is available online or in person at the box office on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call ahead at 609-392-0766. HomeFront’s

Passage Theater, Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton. passagetheatre. org/2024gala.

American Repertory Ballet

American Repertory Ballet celebrates its 70th anniversary with a Platinum Jubilee Gala on Saturday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Jasna Polana in Princeton.

Reporter Dan Aubrey explained the journey that led to the nonprofit dance company’s founding in a 2013 article marking the 50th anniversary of “Nutcracker” productions at McCarter Theater:

“One dreamer was Audree Estey, the Canadian-born founder and director of Princeton Ballet Society that, after a few name variations, became the professional American Repertory Ballet (which maintains the Princeton Ballet School).

“After a typical nomadic dance experience — studying in Winnipeg, performing with a Hollywood dance company, touring the vaudeville circuit, and dancing for Fox Films — Audree Phipps married Lawrenceville School English teacher Wendell ‘Bud’ Estey and moved to the Princeton area in 1933.

“Here she began providing classes at the Lawrenceville School and seemingly any place she could use, including the garage of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. She also continued her study, including in the early 1950s with prominent choreographer Antony Tudor at Jacob’s Pillow in Massachusetts. It was then that she began to dream of creating her Princeton company.”

Princeton Ballet School was founded in 1954 to offer dance classes; American Repertory Ballet, the professional dance company, was established in 1963 as the Princeton Ballet Society.

The black tie-optional celebration features dinner and remarks by current ARB trustees Nancy S. MacMillan, Penelope Lattimer, and Susan Croll in honor of the evening’s honorees, the chairs of ARB’s board from 1954 to the present. The festivities also include live music, dancing, and a

silent auction.

Jasna Polana is located at 4519 Province Line Road, Princeton. Individual tickets are $300. Sponsorship opportunities range from $2,000 to $20,000.

American Repertory Ballet, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. arballet.org.

HomeFront

Lawrence-based nonprofit HomeFront’s Women’s Initiative holds a celebratory Spring Luncheon that spotlights the goals and impact of HomeFront’s children’s programming as experienced by and expressed through the voices of the families it serves on Sunday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton.

The event includes coffee, cocktails, and mocktails followed by a buffet brunch. Tickets include access to view the sculpture grounds. All proceeds benefit HomeFront’s Joy, Hopes & Dreams educational and cultural enrichment programming.

The mission of HomeFront’s Women’s Initiative, as stated on its website, is “to mobilize a group of 1,000 caring and committed women of all ages who will lend their expertise and support to help alleviate family homelessness in our community.

The Women’s Initiative works in concert with HomeFront’s rich array of programs and services. Through these efforts, we strengthen our community, making it a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Grounds For Sculpture is located at 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton. Tickets cost $75 per person or $750 for a table of 10. To register or for more information, call 609989-9417, extension 107, or email PaulaA@ HomeFrontNJ.org.

HomeFront, 1880 Princeton Avenue, Lawrenceville. 609-989-9417 or homefrontnj.org.

United Way of Greater Mercer County

The United Way of Greater Mercer County (UWGMC) board of directors hosts its fourth annual United in Impact Awards on Tuesday, April 30, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Grounds For Sculpture.

The annual event celebrates community champions who demonstrate leadership, passion, and a commitment to a thriving and equitable community in their everyday life. This year’s community champions are:

Patrick L. Ryan, president and CEO of First Bank, Live United Corporate Award; Ida Jackson Woods, assistant vice president and chief diversity officer for ETS, Advocate Award; Denise Mariani, civil trial attorney at Stark & Stark, Community Quarterback Award; and Edward W. Bullock, president of the board of trustees for The Trenton Literacy Movement,

Eugene Marsh Community Impact Award. Brenda Ross-Dulan, founder and managing principal of the Ross-Dulan Group, serves as the event’s mistress of ceremony. Proceeds from the event directly provide food, rental assistance, health insurance access, tax preparation services, children’s books, school supplies and other resources to help individuals and families get ahead. There are more than 60,000 families in Mercer County struggling to make ends meet.

Tickets are $150 and sponsorship opportunities are available.

More information: uwgmc.org/ unitedimpactawards. See PARTIES, Page 6

Isles

Trenton-based nonprofit Isles hosts its spring celebration on Saturday, May 4, at 6 p.m. at the Social Profit Center at Mill One in Hamilton.

The event features locally sourced springtime cuisine, fun cocktails, and music at the historic mill that Isles renovated into a community hub for nonprofits, social impact offices, and artists, as well as its own headquarters.

Being honored at the event are U.S. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a Democrat representing the 12 Congressional District, and Stacy Denton, director of TRiO Upward Bound at Mercer County Community College, a program for high school students from low income families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree to encourage completing a high school diploma and pursuing post-secondary education.

Proceeds from the event benefit Isles, the 43-year-old community development and environmental organization with a mission to foster “self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities,” according to its website.

Mill One is located at 1 North Johnston Avenue in Hamilton. Tickets for the event are $125. A commemorative Isles tote bag is available for an additional $50. The bags were created by Inspired Threads, a Hamilton-based nonprofit that employs people with disabilities to create ecofriendly, upcycled products from discarded fabric scraps.

More information: isles.org.

The Jewish Center Princeton

The Jewish Center celebrates 75 years — its diamond jubilee — on Saturday, May 4, with a cruise-themed gala.

The event, titled “Sail the Chai Seas!” will turn The Jewish Center’s Nassau Street campus into a cruise ship along with two excursion destinations.

Guests will be welcomed to the event along the “gangplank,” purchase duty free goods from promenade shop vendors in the lobby, enjoy cocktails in the Lido Bar and Lounge, gamble the night away in the Atlantic Deck casino and Sky Deck sports bar, enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and dancing to the tunes of DJ TY in the grand ballroom, lounge in the Empress Deck piano/karaoke bar, be entertained by mentalist Ben Seidman, and take excursions to both Paris and the Islands. The cruise will set sail at 7:30 p.m.

Princeton’s first Jewish congregation emerged in the mid-1920s, and a growing Jewish population led to the formal cre-

ation of the Jewish Center in 1949. In 1958, the congregation moved to its current Nassau Street space, which underwent additional expansions in 1983 and 1990.

Tickets for the event are $175 per person, with raffle tickets available for an additional $100. Sponsorship packages, which include multiple event tickets as well as recognition in print, online, and with a carved brick in the Jewish Center’s courtyard, range from $540 to $75,000. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact executive director Joel Berger at jberger@thejewishcenter.org

Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street, Princeton. 609-921-0100. thejewishcenter.org/diamond-jubilee.

Housing Initiatives of Princeton

Housing Initiatives of Princeton holds its spring garden party and fundraiser on Sunday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Princeton home of Tibbie and Greg Samios. The event includes light fare, drinks, and a presentation by John N. Robinson III

Robinson is associate faculty in American studies and assistant professor of sociology at Princeton University. He studies the racial underpinnings of money and markets, with emphasis on housing and credit policies. Robinson’s current book project explores the ongoing rise of the affordable housing industry in the U.S. and its intersections with racial and economic inequality.

The event benefits the nonprofit founded in 2001 to assist local individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity build toward a sustainable future via stable housing, better employment, and a network of support services.

HIP provides services including transitional housing and temporary rental assistance and engages in advocacy efforts to raise awareness of insufficient housing options and challenges facing the working poor.

Individual tickets are $90. Sponsorship opportunities range from $150 to $1,000.

More information: housinginitiativesofprinceton.org

Capital Harmony Works

Capital Harmony Works, the Tren-

The evening of music and

Capital Harmony Works, the Trenton nonprofit behind the Trenton Children’s Chorus, Trenton Music Makers, and Music for the Very Young, holds its “One Voice Many Sounds” gala on Tuesday, May 7, at 5:30 p.m. at Cooper’s Riverview in Trenton. Photo courtesy of Capital Harmony Works staff.

hosted by Bradd Marquis, a Trentonborn singer, songwriter, and producer. The evening starts with cocktails and appetizers, followed by dinner and live entertainment from the Trenton Children’s Chorus and Trenton Music Makers.

Proceeds from the gala benefit the organization’s decades-long history of providing free music education to children and families in Trenton.

The Trenton Children’s Chorus, founded in 1989, is a nationally recognized group that has performed at the White House and the United Nations. In addition to choral music education, the program provides instruction in drumming and keyboard, music theory, and assistance with school work, standardized tests, and college admissions.

The Trenton Music Makers, part of the El Sistema program, teaches the values of leadership and teamwork through instruction in violin, viola, cello and bass instruments, as well as musicianship and composition.

Music for the Very Young is a program that incorporates music education into Pre-K classrooms in Trenton.

Cooper’s Riverview is located at 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton. Tickets for the gala start at $150 per person. Sponsorships are available at levels ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

Capital Harmony Works, The Social Profit Center at Mill One, 1 North Johnston Avenue, Suite A209, Trenton. 609-3948700 or capitalharmony.works.

McCarter Theatre Center

The biggest party of the year at Princeton’s McCarter Theater is its annual gala, taking place Saturday, May 11, at the theater and under the stars.

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The centerpiece of the evening is a cabaret performance by Tony Award-winning Broadway star Laura Benanti. Prior to the show, guests enjoy a cocktail reception and three-course dinner featuring topshelf wines. Drinks and dancing follow the performance.

Benanti first rose to fame as a teenager playing the role of Maria in Broadway’s “The Sound of Music.” She has starred in 10 subsequent shows, including a Tony Award-winning performance in “Gypsy.”

Her latest film roles include Sony Pictures’ “No Hard Feelings” and Netflix’s “Worth.” She can also be seen in Max’s “The Gilded Age” and Hulu’s “Life & Beth.”

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY

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Most recently, she created, wrote, and starred in “Nobody Cares,” an original musical comedy show for Audible.

Proceeds from the gala benefit the nonprofit theater’s programming, arts education initiatives, and community engagement activities.

Tickets start at $300, which excludes dinner service. Individual tickets including dinner range from $600 to $2,000.

McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton. 609-258-2787 or mccarter.org.

Morven Museum & Garden

Morven Museum & Garden’s annual Morven in May spring garden party takes on special significance this year as it also launches anniversary celebrations for Morven’s 20th year as a museum.

The party is happening rain or shine on Friday, May 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. on the museum grounds.

Peonies will be in full bloom for the party, which also includes food, drinks,

See PARTIES, Page 8

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Mercer Eats

Ooika Matcha ‘Teas’ Up for Lawrenceville Opening

By George Point

Matcha, the finely ground powder of specially grown, uniquely flavored green tea leaves that are at the heart of “chanoyu” —the traditional Japanese tea ceremony— is now available at Ooika, a cozy tea house on Lawrenceville’s Main Street dedicated to offering high-quality matcha in its many forms.

Ooika opened its doors on February 27.

“Ooika” is a Japanese word that represents the aroma from the high-quality, shaded matcha offered at owner Joann Lui’s establishment.

According to the Ooika website, Lui “grew up in a family of tea enthusiasts.” Her father is from Chaozhou, China, a city “renowned for Gongfu cha,” described as “the skillful art of tea brewing.”

She eventually met Marc Alexandre, Ooika’s miller, who had apprenticed under tea expert Shunan Teng before his journey led him to Japan, where he discovered heritage matcha.

As continued on its website, Ooika invites its customers to savor “...the unique experience of single-origin heritage matcha from the most celebrated multigenerational family farms across Japan in Uji, Yame, Hoshinomura, Shizuoka, Kagoshima, and more, freshly ground inhouse with traditional Japanese Ishi-Usu stone mills.”

Lui wrote the following on her Facebook page:

“Ooika’s commitment to traditional matcha cultivation and production techniques helps to preserve this ancient art form for future generations to enjoy, while also making matcha more accessible to a Western audience.”

“If you’ve ever had bitter, yellow matcha here in the U.S., that’s because most matcha sold here are months, if not years old.”

“But matcha is meant to be consumed fresh, just like coffee, with a vibrantly green color,” she continued. “That’s why we’re obsessed with stone-milled singlecultivar matcha to bring you the unparalleled freshness that we can’t find here in the U.S.”

A rotating selection of hot and cold matcha-based beverages are available, ranging in price from $3.45 for hot Binchotan Hojicha—a charcoal roasted green tea that is absent matcha’s vegetal green flavor and is caffeine free—to $9.95 for a strawberry matcha parfait.

Patrons are invited to specify the desired level of sweetness; this reporter enjoyed a sugar-free hot matcha latte ($6.85) made with freshly ground matcha and steamed Oatly oat milk.

Ooika also offers a selection of matcha and teaware available for purchase from its website, ooika.co

Membership in their Matcha Mill Club is also available, giving subscribers the opportunity to “explore Japan’s rare, sin-

Joann Lui is the owner of Ooika Matcha, the new tea house now open at 2661 Main Street in Lawrenceville, which grinds the green tea into fresh powder using in-house Japanese stone mills. Photos courtesy of Ooika.

gle-origin matcha shipped to you within 24 hours of stone-milling every month.”

In one of the bolder mission statements put out by any establishment, Ooika promises “to preserve heritage Matcha across the historic terroirs of Japan by making uncompromised matcha accessible to the U.S.”

Why not drop by and decide for yourself?

From PARTIES, Page 7

music, and the chance to see the special exhibit “Morven Revealed,” showcasing rarely exhibited objects and photographs of the mansion and its notable residents through the years.

Morven was built by Declaration of Independence signer Richard Stockton in the 1750s on property granted to his family by William Penn in 1701. After a fire, it was rebuilt and named Morven in 1758.

Four subsequent generations of Stocktons lived in the home before it was leased to General Robert Wood Johnson in 1928.

From 1945 to 1981, it was home to five governors as New Jersey’s first governor’s mansion. The property was restored and

reopened as a museum and garden in 2004.

Proceeds from the garden party support the continued upkeep of the property and the museum’s exhibitions.

In addition to celebrating its 20th anniversary, Morven is also preparing for special programming in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

Tickets for the garden party range from $250 to $20,000.

Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. 609-924-8144 or www. morven.org. * * *

And guess what? You’re invited.

* * *

Ooika, 2661 Main Street, Lawrenceville. Currently open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.ooika.co

Hours are subject to change during the soft opening period, with a formal opening planned in early June.

Morven Museum & Garden’s “Morven in May” spring garden party blossoms in recognition of the museum’s 20 years in operation on Friday, May 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. on the its grounds in Princeton. Photo courtesy of Morven Museum & Garden.

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Blend Bar & Bistro

Bringing Together Food, Cocktails, and People

When Antonio Carannante, coowner of Hamilton’s BLEND Bar & Bistro, is asked how his team came up with the name Blend, he explains, “Blend is all about bringing it together, whether it’s people or ingredients, to share something creative with each other. Pick up a bottle of your favorite wine, beer, or spirit and more often then not you see the word blend or they will list ingredients they use to Blend together. There’s Blended whiskeys, beers, vodkas, wines and more. It’s a word you can’t get away from. But also mainly just the idea of the word has a positive vibe. We like the idea of blend to bring food, cocktails, and people together.”

Indeed, “blend” is something this establishment does very well. In addition to a modern American cuisine concept, the restaurant also offers dishes that represent other global influences. “We have chicken pot

You’re Invited

dumplings and Ahi Poke Bowl, but we also have nachos, quesadillas, and empanadas, as well as gnocchi. Some popular grilled items are our Bone-in Ribeye, Porkchop and handmade never frozen angus burgers served with our very popular handcut fries ,” explains Carannante.

“So we offer a good mix of different flavors and flair to make sure everyone is happy while providing a fun environment and a family friendly dining experience.

In additional to offering both large and small seasonal dishes, more than 100 spirits, 20 draft lines, and a variety of wines, the restauranteur also offers catering, for both on and off-premises. Blend caters at multiple venues in the area including but not limited to Sayen Gardens, Grafton House, Nottingham Ballroom, and also has a dining room for private events that can seat 50 people. They have curbside dining with their outdoor patio, featuring heaters throughout.

Our events include weddings, rehearsal dinners, baby and bridal showers, bachelor parties, retirement

dinners, and much more.

Many of our off premises events are branded under a branch we call, New Jersey Weddings and Events, a catering and event planning company, that we target the more formal events off premise . “We are one-stop service in that way. If a customer chooses to, we can coordinate their entire event, with flowers, music, whatever they desire. We are always happy to make recommendations for what vendors to use as well.”

The Carannante Family originally started and still includes, Brother’s Pizza on Route 33, allows them to offer a variety of pizza-themed parties for customers, including wood-burning pizza ovens for backyard parties and cocktail hours for any special event. Blend consistently holds special events at the restaurant, like wine pairing dinners and happy hours, as well as fundraiser events and holiday parties, but one of its biggest events is the Mercer County Central Jersey Beer and Wine Festival. At the next festival, on Saturday, September 28, from noon to 6 p.m., guests can taste hundreds of different beers and wines

while listening to live music, meeting brewers, and enjoying food vendors. Find tickets at www.cjbeerfest.com, Use Code: CJBEERFEST Antonio Carannante is the event coordinator that executes this production which it attracts thousands of people together for live music, food and drink.”

Now that spring is here, Carannante notes, “it’s time to start thinking about your upcoming special events through summer and fall. It’s always good to pencil in your dates ahead of time!”

Blend Bar & Bistro, 911 Route 33, Hamilton. 609-245-8887. drinks@blendbar.com. planner@ NJweddingsandevents.com. See ad, page 12

K’s Event Decorations and Rentals

Let Our Passion Create Your Memorable Experience

At K’s Event Decorations and Rentals, we understand that every occasion is unique and deserves personalized attention. Our team of experienced designers will work closely with you to understand your style, preferences, and budget. Whether you envision a romantic and elegant wedding or a fun and vibrant birthday party, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life. Our wedding and event design services encompass every aspect of your special day. From selecting the perfect color palette and theme to creating stunning floral arrangements and tablescapes, we pay attention to every detail to ensure a cohesive and visually stunning event. Our team will work closely with you to create a design concept that

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reflects your personality and creates a memorable experience for you and your guests. In addition to our design services, we also offer a wide range of event rentals to enhance your occasion. From elegant table linens and chair covers to stylish centerpieces and lighting options, we have everything you need to create a truly unforgettable event. Our extensive inventory ensures that we can accommodate events of any size and style.

At K’s Event Decorations and Rentals, we understand the importance of quality and reliability and that is why we only work with trusted vendors who share our commitment to excellence. Our team will coordinate with these vendors to ensure seamless execution of your event, allowing you to relax and enjoy your special day. We take pride in our exceptional customer service and strive to exceed your expectations.

Our team is dedicated to providing prompt and professional assistance throughout the planning process and on the day of your event. Antonia James is the CEO and creative

designer who found her purpose designing and creating memorable experiences through life’s momentous celebrations. Antonia has worked in the service industry for more than 22 years and her belief that customer service is the number one priority carries over into everything K’s does. She prides herself in providing the best service with integrity and hard work, starting with an initial consultation that sets clients on the right path to turning their dream event into reality.

We believe that every client deserves personalized attention and we are committed to making your experience with us enjoyable and stress-free. Whether you are planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, K’s Event Decorations and Rentals is here to make your occasion truly unforgettable.

Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation and let us help you bring your vision to life. Allow our enthusiasm and expertise to craft your unforgettable occasion.

K’s Event Decorations and Rentals, LLC, 966 Kuser Road, Hamilton. 609-341-8724 www. kseventdecorations.com. See ad, page 11

You’re Invited . . . to Camp

Ewing Recreation Department

Camps & Pools

The Ewing Community Pools System offers two pools for seasonal members and daily patrons. The pools have shaded areas, pool furniture, changing rooms and shower facilities and ESCC has a snack bar. The Hollowbrook Pool located at 320 Hollowbrook Drive, is scheduled to open on weekends & Memorial Day on Sunday, May 26. Operating hours are Sunday to Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays can be rented for private events, email Raquel at rince@ ewingnj.org to schedule an event. The ESCC pool will open on weekends & Memorial Day starting Saturday, May 25, and both pools will open full time starting on Monday, June 17, from noon to 8 p.m. Swim lessons start with evaluations on Saturday, June 15, and space is limited. Senior Swim and Senior Water Aerobics start on Monday, June 17; seniors needing assistance registering can register at the Senior

Office for these programs. Online registration for seasonal memberships, swim lessons and Senior Swim/ Water Aerobics is required at communitypass.net. Labor Day is the last day that the pools will be open.

The Ewing Recreation Summer Camp will run from June 24 – August 23 for grades K – 5 and is held on the grounds of the Fisher School and Ewing Senior & Community Center (ESCC). The hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Early hours are from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and late hours are from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Online registration is required at communitypass.net. Teen Travel will be for grades 6 – 8 and will run from July 1 – August 16. The camp will travel four days a week and stay in Ewing the other day. Campers can participate in day camp on weeks Teen Travel is not being held. Camp also offers a Counselor in Training program for children entering 9th grade.

For more information on these programs call the Ewing Recreation Office at 609-883-1776 x6203. You can also go to ewingnj.org, Community Affairs. See ad, page 10.

Gra on House

Once home to the First Sheri of Mercer County, NJ, the recently renovated Grafton House can accommodate a variety of functions and special gatherings. This historic jewel quietly hides behind the Hamilton Marketplace in rural, south-east Hamilton Township, just minutes from the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 195 and State Highway 130. The house was bestowed the name “Grafton” after a historic plantation located near where the home sits today!

110 Edgebrook Road Hamilton, NJ 08691

quisite and memorable…

The Sayen House & Gardens is available for a variety of functions and gatherings. The House serves as an elegant, out-of-the ordinary setting for wedding receptions, showers, holiday parties and much more. The Sayen House is nestled amongst 30 acres and serves as the perfect backdrop for your outdoor ceremony and photos!

155 Hughes Drive Hamilton, NJ 08690

Program Coordinator at (609) 890-3874 or PKrzywulak@hamiltonnj.com

HELP WANTED

$2K or More A Month

Commission. Work from Home. Flexible. Set your own hours. P/T or F/T. Sales, Managers, Customer Service Reps needed. 24 hr. recording: 1-800-6706540

SERVICES

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.

Senior Companion

WE’RE BACK! Let me be your helper. In the home or on the road. Part-time/Day or evening. Very good references. Call Mary Ann, 609-298-4456. View thistimebesttime. wordpress.com.

LEGAL SERVICES

Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and NJ Taxes, Education Law. House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609-799-4674, 609721-4358.

FOR SALE

Don’t miss out on our spectacular estate and garage sale! Join us on April 6th & 7th for amazing deals on

household items and furniture. Discover treasures for every room in your home and patio, elegant furniture pieces to kitchenware, decor, costume jewelry, clothes, shoes, electronics and more. Whether you’re furnishing your first home or looking for unique finds to complement your space, we have something for everyone. Mark your calendars and be sure to stop by! 8am3pm No early birds. 3 Cottonwood Court in Plainsboro.

Home Contents Sale

Furniture, Lamps & Oddities. Bordentown City old items and very old items. Saturday, April 13th Starting 8 am. Do not bring change. 11 E Church St. Call 609-298-4456.Email mak1kieffer@aol.com for partial list.

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4theloveofcards, 908596-0976. allstar115@ verizon.net.

Cash paid for World War II Military Items. Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call: 609-581-8290, E-mail: lenny1944x@gmail.com

Happy Heroes 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.

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Home Services

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Our trucks have changed over the years but our commitment to our customers remains constant.

It started in 1924 with great-grandfather E.L. Bohren. Just one man, one Model T truck and a small warehouse in Princeton, NJ. Now one hundred years later, we have grown into the Bohren’s Companies, encompassing three divisions: Bohren’s Moving & Storage, Bohren’s Fine Art Transportation, and Bohren’s Logistics.

Through the years thousands of families, businesses and art galleries have trusted our family to move their most precious items. With everything we do, we push ourselves to deliver the best possible performance on every job, in every department, for every customer, every day. We move the things that matter. Call us today!

BI-MONTHLY NEWS FROM CAPITAL HEALTH

U.S. News & World Report Recognizes

Capital Health on Best Hospitals for Maternity List

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, home to the most complete maternity facility in the Greater Mercer County, New Jersey area, was named among the best in the nation for maternity services, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals for Maternity list. Capital Health is one of 19 hospitals in New Jersey and the only hospital in the Greater Mercer County area to earn this recognition.

To be recognized among the Best Hospitals for Maternity, Capital Health’s Maternity Services Program excelled on multiple quality metrics that matter to expectant families, including complication rates, C-sections, whether births are scheduled too early in pregnancy, how successfully each hospital supports breastfeeding, and transparency on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures. “High Performing” status, the highest ranking U.S. News awards for that type of care.

For the very first time, U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care evaluation recognized “Maternity Care Access Hospitals” across the nation. Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell was one of 73 essential hospitals to earn this designation by providing quality care to expectant parents who wouldn’t otherwise have access to maternity care and serve communities that would otherwise be maternity care deserts. This new category is based on a number of measures including geographic isolation, number of obstetric providers per 10,000 births and hospital quality.

“We’re extremely proud to have earned two important designations from U.S. News & World Report for our Maternity

Services Program,” said Kira Przybylko, medical director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Capital Health. “For the outstanding teams at our Josephine Plumeri Birthing Center, being named a high performing hospital validates their commitment to providing the highest level of care to expectant mothers. On an organizational level, the ‘Maternity Care Access’ recognition goes a long way to demonstrate our broader commitment to the community by assuring growing families in Trenton and other nearby underserved neighborhoods that we’re here to help them get off to the healthiest and safest start possible.”

“Hospitals that receive a High Performing designation as part of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care meet a high standard in caring for parents with uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist at U.S. News. “These hospitals have C-section rates that are 26% lower, and newborn complication rates that are 37% lower than unrecognized hospitals. Parents-to-be can research their local hospitals’ performance metrics for free at health.usnews.com to help them choose where to have their baby.”

The Maternity Services Program at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell makes up the most complete maternity facility in the area. From routine deliveries to high-risk needs, staff at the Josephine Plumeri Birthing Center provide a full range of prenatal, obstetrical, postpartum, and neonatal care options so newborns have the greatest chance for a healthy start. The designated Regional Perinatal Center provides neonatal care, including Mercer County’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for at-risk births. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org/maternity.

While you can’t completely avoid allergens, being aware of these facts can help you prepare:

… Tree, grass, and ragweed pollen surges during seasons of warm days and cold nights.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS… AND ALLERGY SEASON

… Pollen counts are higher on warm, windy days, and in the spring, they are generally highest during evening. Rainfall offers temporary relief, but pollen counts often soar afterward.

… Molds thrive in high heat and humidity.

While it’s exciting to see trees, lawns, and flowers begin to stir, spring fever can give way to “hay fever,” or what is commonly known as seasonal allergies. The itchy eyes, runny noses, and coughing that come with seasonal allergies can stop the most enthusiastic optimists in their tracks.

The main cause of seasonal allergies is pollen from plants, the yellowish, powdery grains released by male plants as part of their reproductive process. “There is a lot of pollen in the air this time of year, and if you’re allergic, your body’s immune system releases histamine to fight it,” said DR. KATHRYN HAMILTON, a board certified family medicine physician with Capital Health – Virtual Primary Care. “This can cause inflammation, overproduction of mucous and other common symptoms of allergies. Allergens like pollen, mold, and dust mites are everywhere, but the severity of symptoms can vary, depending on the person and the location.”

… Look to local news and weather outlets for daily pollen counts.

… Keeping windows and doors shut at home and in your car on high pollen count days can help reduce exposure.

“Millions of adults and children live with seasonal allergies, so you’re not alone,” said Dr. Hamilton. “If you’re not sure what’s causing your allergies, schedule a visit with your doctor to identify your triggers and develop a plan for treatment.” Nasal sprays or rinses can ease symptoms, but your doctor might suggest anti-histamines or steroids. For more long-term relief, allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, may be recommended. Spring is a season for new beginnings, so don’t let seasonal allergies hold you back. Contact your primary care provider to develop a plan that will help you spring forward to better health. Capital Health Virtual Primary Care is a team of more than 35 primary care providers who can address a wide range of health conditions, including (but not limited to) seasonal allergies, the common cold, flu, symptoms of COVID-19, upper respiratory infection, and more. For details, or to request an appointment, visit capitalvirtualcare.org.

Wednesday, April 10 to May 29, 2024 | 4 – 5 p.m.

Location: Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists

100 K Johnson Boulevard N., Suite 201, Bordentown, NJ 08505

Connecting with others who have also experienced a loss can be comforting and helpful. Join Licensed Clinical Social Worker Meredith Kudrick as she leads you through an in-person eight week support and psychotherapy group.

To sign up, call 609.689.5725. This group therapy program will be billed to your health insurance.

Understanding Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is one of the most common forms of cardiac arrhythmia, a range of cardiac conditions in which the heart beats in an irregular way (either too fast or too slow). AFib is indicated by a rapid heart rate due to uncoordinated electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart. While a normal heart rate is around 60 to 100 beats per minute, a person with AFib can have a heart rate that ranges from normal to extremely rapid.

AFib can be caused by many different issues including heart conditions or other contributing causes such as high blood pressure, pneumonia, obstructive sleep apnea, infections from viruses, thyroid problems, high alcohol intake or other drug use, and age. AFib symptoms can include fatigue, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

“In addition to its underlying causes, AFib also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other complications,” said DR. SCOTT BURKE, medical director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and a board certified, fellowship trained cardiac electrophysiologist at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists. “Anyone having any symptoms of atrial fibrillation should make an appointment with a cardiologist to get a diagnosis and learn more about which treatment option is right for them. Medication is typically the first line of therapy, but the highly trained physicians in our Cardiac Electrophysiology Program also offer the latest minimally invasive options when more advanced care is needed that result in less pain, shorter hospital stays, and less risk for complications.”

The Watchman device is an option for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem, which can lead to blood pooling and forming a clot in a part of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA). In a minimally invasive procedure, the Watchman device is guided through a narrow tube inserted into a vein in the patient’s leg and implanted into the LAA to permanently close it. During recovery, the patient’s own heart tissue grows over the Watchman device to prevent clots from developing in the heart and dramatically reduce the risk of stroke for certain AFib patients.

A pacemaker is a small device usually implanted in the chest with thin wires (or leads) that connect to the heart through blood vessels to monitor and deliver electrical impulses that stabilize the heart’s electrical system. Capital Health cardiac

electrophysiologists offer leadless pacing options, which eliminate the wires and allow a miniaturized device to be placed directly into the heart and perform like a traditional pacemaker. Catheter ablation is the elimination of electrically active abnormal tissue that uses recording, imaging, and mapping tools guided through thin catheters into the bloodstream to allow physicians to localize the sources of cardiac arrhythmias like AFib. After the specific location is revealed, the area triggering the arrhythmia can usually be treated with radiofrequency ablation (heat energy) or cryoablation (cold energy).

To make an appointment with one of the cardiac arrhythmia specialists at Capital Health, call 215-860-3344 or visit capitalhealthcardiology.org for more information.

Mindful Yoga

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Please register early. Class size is limited.

Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell

NJ PURE Conference Center, One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534

Join certified yoga instructor Marsha Rudolph to experience a gentle, slow yoga practice that links breath and body awareness to increase calm, promote peace of mind, and lift your mood along with many other health benefits. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or large towel and two yoga blocks (if you have them) for additional bliss.

Fitness Options for Aging Well

Monday, April 15, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell

NJ PURE Conference Center, One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534

There are many exercise options available as we age. The important thing is to learn how to do them safely and to find out what type works best for you. Cheryl Ann McGinnis, manager of Rehabilitation Services at Capital Health, will demonstrate how to properly stretch and review options for fitness programs that are individualized to each person’s needs.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS:

THE SHOULDER: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting

NUTRITION TIPS FOR THRIVING AS YOU AGE

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting

STROKE: PREVENTABLE, TREATABLE, BEATABLE

Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR KNEE AND HIP PAIN

Monday, June 3, 2024 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting

up over the summer on his own.

“I was totally shocked,” Wheeler said. “It’s not easy to qualify for anything, and considering he’d never done it before, especially as a senior. A lot of the guys that were there, they’ve done it for four or five years at least. For him to do it after just starting a few months ago, part of me was totally shocked and part of me wasn’t. I know he’s got such a strong work ethic that I knew if anybody could do it, he could do it.”

Schenck teamed with Will Jacobs and Jaden Spirito to train over the winter. They helped motivate each other, and helped each other reach new levels. Schenck rose all the way to a nationals qualifier.

“He had some good workout partners,” Wheeler said. “Having Will and Jaden really helped push him along. I don’t think he wouldn’t have done as good if those guys weren’t here as well. I was really excited and I’m pumped to see how he does in the spring.”

* * *

Schenck has been a fast learner. He has picked up the throwing events quickly and been fine-tuning the technique required while also lifting and getting stronger. It’s why coaches are so excited about his future.

“I think he’s going to do really, really well,” Wheeler said. “When we first started in December, every meet he got better and better and better. Unfortunately he got injured and lost the last six weeks of training and that definitely hurt him for nationals. He wasn’t able to qualify for states because he was injured. But it was kind of cool to watch him progress throughout the weeks tremendously. I’m super excited to see how he does throughout the spring and in college as well. He’s somebody I’m going to keep an eye on in college to see how well he does and I’ll try to communicate with him and do whatever I can to help him out.”

First, though, Schenck is focusing on

doing his best in the spring track and field season and is hopeful his indoor experiences further his throwing career. He spent much of the summer developing his technique for discus.

“I worked with some private coaching, some family friends that were kind of experienced throwers,” Schenck said. “I was up to the mark where I would have been an All-American qualifier so that’s kind of my goal for New Balance in June.”

Schenck is diving again into his training this spring. The key for him will be continuing to develop his potential. He’s taking a step-by-step approach.

“I think just with good coaching and consistency, having a good work habit every day and each week focusing on one thing, the next week on another,” Schenck said. “At the end of the season, hopefully I put it all together and peak at nationals.”

Schenck has big goals for the spring for the discus, and he will be able to help Bordentown in the shot and javelin as well. Just for good measure, and with an eye on his college career, he’s also working at a new event.

“I actually started throwing hammer about a month or two ago because I know in the future I’m most likely going to be a disc/hammer guy in college just because of my build and the kind of technique you do for it,” Schenck said. “I’m only a couple months in, but I’m progressing pretty well. Hopefully also I want to compete in it at nationals this year.”

* * *

Given what Brock Schenck was able to do this winter, no one would doubt his chances. He improved rapidly enough in shot put to make indoor nationals thanks to some big changes and sacrifices.

“It was definitely a surprise, but I worked at it every day,” he said. “I’m very glad I made it. I didn’t do too great, but I learned a lot at nationals indoor. I’m excited for outdoor. Hopefully I can make All-American for discus. I’m kind of ready for outdoor nationals.”

The fall of Thomas Paine

Adam E. Zielinski

In January 1776, a pamphlet titled “Common Sense” was published in Philadelphia by an anonymous author. Its effect was almost immediate. Two weeks after its first publication, Gen. Charles Lee, writing to General George Washington, stated, “Have you seen the pamphlet Common Sense? I never saw such a masterly irresistible performance—it will if I mistake not, in concurrence with the transcendent folly and wickedness of the Ministry give the coup de grace to G. Britain—in short I own myself convinced by the arguments of the necessity of separation.”

Washington called it a “sound Doctrine, and unanswerable reasoning” laid out within its contents. Within weeks, it would be republished in newspapers throughout the colonies. By April, the colonies were increasingly coming around to the idea that declaring independence was not only possible but desirable. The author of the pamphlet, Thomas Paine, was soon to become a household name throughout North America and Britain.

Well before he called Bordentown home in the mid-1780s, Paine was born in England in 1737. His life before arriving in America was one of struggle and heartbreak. He was educated, but drifting between professions, when his first wife, Mary, died during childbirth. He remarried in 1771 to a woman named Elizabeth and the two took over her father’s tobacco shop.

The marriage was tumultuous with evidence of spousal abuse; the business soon failed. It was during this time that Paine began writing political pamphlets. After separating from his wife, he traveled to London and met Benjamin Franklin, who in turn recommended he relocate to America. With a letter of introduction, Paine arrived in Philadelphia in November 1774. Within six months, he had become editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine and

penned several political works, including one that challenged slavery.

Paine was serving as a volunteer aide to Gen. Nathanael Greene in November 1776. After the disastrous defeat at Fort Washington on Nov. 16, the Americans were forced to abandon Fort Lee four days later. In all, the Continental army lost 2,900 soldiers and tens of thousands of muskets, cartridges, tents and other irreplaceable equipage.

It was during this march south through New Jersey that Paine began writing “The American Crisis,” famously begun with “These are the times that try men’s souls….” So impressed by its summary of what was at stake, Washington had the pamphlet read to the troops as he planned his attack on Trenton.

In the ensuing years, Paine would serve as a secretary to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, travel to France on diplomatic terms before spending a long period in Revolutionary France that nearly lost him his head. He died in New York City in poverty, alone and largely forgotten in 1809.

How could this be? Newspapers acknowledged his contributions to the Revolution but also pointed out how far he’d fallen out of favor with many he once called friends. Chief among them was George Washington.

One of Paine’s worst characteristics was his vanity, and his propensity for accusing others of slights he perceived to wound his reputation. Many of these were unfounded and invented by Paine when things did not go his way. The pattern began in his years prior to emigrating to America. As a prisoner during the French Revolution, he assumed his status and American citizenship would grant him immediate parole. The French radicals, however, viewed him as an Englishman. He was incarcerated for 11 months until finally being freed in November 1794.

Feeling betrayed by the Washington administration and its neutrality amid growing Britain-France hostilities, Paine wrote a rambling letter to

cheap; he enjoyed it cheaply; and nobody was disposed to take away the laurels, that, whether they were acquired or not, had been given.” Paine then said Washington had nothing to do with Gen. Horatio Gates’s victory at Saratoga or Gen. Greene’s successes in the Southern Theater; that the French Alliance and its navy were the real reasons for the war’s success, and that Washington’s acceptance of receiving all the credit proved he was just in it for himself.

Washington in July 1796 blaming him for his imprisonment and attacking the president’s character and his role in the Revolution. Paine wrote: “I was now at no loss to understand Mr. Washington and his new fangled faction, and that their policy, was silently to leave me to fall in France.” In addition to his resentment over being imprisoned, Paine opposed the creation of the Executive in the Constitution, along with the Senate, and declared: “If I live to return to America I will use all my endeavors to have them altered.” Paine went on. “The character, which Mr. Washington has attempted to act in the world, is a sort of nondescribable, chameleon-colored thing, called prudence. It is, in many cases, a substitute for principle, and is so nearly allied to hypocrisy, that it easily slides into it.”

But the most damning, according to Paine, was Washington’s role in the Revolution. “In the first place, as to the political part, he had no share in it…. There remains then only the military part, and it would have been prudent in Mr. Washington not to have awakened enquiry upon that subject. Fame then was

The letter, as one might expect, did not go over well in America. The Jay Treaty and its neutrality had wounded Washington in the public eye for the first time in his long career. Many, particularly in Philadelphia, felt the Americans owed the French for their support in the Revolution. Paine’s broadside found traction within the Jefferson-aligned Anti-Federalists, but the public largely rejected its tenor that Washington was a tyrant, unworthy of the laurels he had received. Even if what Paine had written held elements of truth, combining it with personal vitriol undermined whatever validity his other points had. John Adams, then vice president, wrote to his wife Abigail: “I think, of all Paine’s productions it is the weakest and at the same time the most malicious.—The man appears to me to be mad—not drunk—he has the vanity of the lunatic who believed himself to be Jupiter the father of gods & men.” Many came to Washington’s defense, stating Paine’s letter attempting to tarnish the president’s legacy actually tarnished his own.

He quietly returned to the United States during the first term of Jefferson’s presidency. His views on religion, slavery and government made him enemies in all circles, and his career as a political firebrand was over. Despite his enormous contributions to the American Revolution and the Enlightenment, it would be his “Letter to Washington,” one penned out of misguided resentment, that would be the end of Thomas Paine.

Thomas Paine, painted by Auguste Millière, 1880.

New screening options for current and former smokers

Ask The Doctor

Many current and former smokers are unaware of a lung cancer screening that can save lives. “It’s a quick screening that can result in early detection,” says Benjamin Medina, MD, a thoracic and vascular surgeon at the Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton. “Updated screening guidelines may mean you’re newly eligible to receive the test.”

How are lung cancer screenings done?

They consist of an annual, low-dose CT scan. You lie on a table while an X-ray machine takes images of your lungs. The scan only takes about five minutes, is very low dose and is very safe. Insurance covers recommended lung cancer screenings in most cases.

What happens after images are taken?

A radiologist looks for small lumps called nodules. These are not necessarily cancerous, but they can become cancerous over time. Depending on a nodule’s size and characteristics, your doctor may recommend having a biopsy; undergoing another CT scan in three to six months to see if the nodule has grown or changed; or waiting and having it reassessed at next year’s screening.

What if the test finds lung cancer?

Lung cancer is easier to treat or even cure when it’s detected early. If part of a lung has to be removed, earlier detection means the excised area will be smaller than if the cancer were found later. Taking out less lung helps preserve lung function. Early detection also means there is less chance the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. When lung cancer spreads, survival rates become much lower.

Who should undergo lung cancer screening?

Patients should be 50 to 80 years old and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. They also should have a 20 pack-year history or more of smoking. A pack-year is equivalent to smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes a day for a year. So, if you smoked a pack a day for 20 years, that’s a 20 pack-year history—and so is having smoked two packs a day for 10 years. These guidelines were updated in 2021.

Why did guidelines change?

To increase screening opportunities for people who are at highest risk of lung cancer and reduce disparities. Broader eligibility should especially enhance early detection at younger ages among women and Black adults, who are likelier to develop lung cancer after less cumulative tobacco exposure.

Through

RWJBarnabas Health’s Institute for Prevention and Recovery, we offer a 12-week program in which you’ll get a personalized plan, free nicotine patches and behavioral therapy that can help you manage challenges and prevent relapse. Someone will call you regularly to go over your goals and keep you on track. “It’s a wonderful program,” says Dr Medina.

will be discussing the diagnosis, risk factors and treatment for osteoporosis. Also included, insight on the treatment of Vitamin D deficiency and when to measure Vitamin D levels. Dinner provided.

MONday, aPrIl 22

Brain Health-learn Proven Ways to Keep your Brain young. 10 –11 a.m. With so much information out today on brain health what methods really work? Join Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D. to learn more about how to keep your brain young and turn back the clock on your aging brain.

For more information about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton’s Lung Cancer Screening Program, call 855. RWJ.LUNG (855.795.5864).

RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton Cancer Center, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey — the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, brings a world class team of researchers and specialists to its cancer center, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials.

For more information, call 844. CANCERNJ or visit rwjbh.org/beatcancer.

Coming up this month at RWJU Hospital Hamilton

For more information, call (609) 5845900. To register for a program or for schedule changes go to rwjbh.org/events.

TuESday, aPrIl 2

Spring Mini Medical School: “The Science of longevity.” Also on Tuesdays, April 9, 16, 23, 30. 6-7:30 p.m. Focus on the science of longevity: the extension of human life, and well-being. This approach may prevent chronic disease and extend long-term health. Changing your view from “lifespan” to “healthspan.” Week 1 — John DiBiase, MD, orthopedic surgeon, Clinical Instructor; Week 2 — Javier Villota, MD, medical director of Occupational Medicine, Corporate Health and Travel Medicine; Week 3 — Sara Ali, MD, Geriatrician and Palliative Care Specialist; Week 4 — Maureen Stevens, DPT; Senior Physical Therapist; and Week 5 — Patricia McDougall, BSN, RN; Integrative Therapies Nurse.

THurSday, aPrIl 11

dinner With a doctor: Healthy Bones Club. 6:30 =8 p.m. Internal Medicine Physician, Anjali Bhandarkar, MD of RWJ Barnabas Health Medical Group and Primary Care Express

Better Health Programs

Registration required for all programs. Must be a Better Health Member. Call (609) 584-5900 or go to rwjbh.org/events. All events at RWJ Hamilton Fitness & Wellness; 3100 Quakerbridge Rd.

TuESday, aPrIl 16

THurSday, May 2

Take Control of your Health/ Chronic disease Management Program. Also May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6. 10 a.m.–Noon. Take Control of Your Health/ Chronic Disease Management Program (CDSMP) is a cost effective evidence-based health promotion program 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. It is expected that participants will attend all 6 classes.

Hospitals and Our aging Community. 1011a.m. Should hospital care change as we age, and if so, what does it look like? Join us to delve into this important topic about how hospitals may be able to better serve our aging population. Program’s Medical Panel includes: Lisa A. Breza, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton, Dawn Hutchinson, Chief Nursing Officer, RWJUH Hamilton, and Sara Ali, MD, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, RWJUH Hamilton. Breakfast and learn — Healthy aging for Senior Women. 10-11:30 a.m. Sara Ali, MD, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, RWJUH Hamilton, will lead a focused conversation on some concerns for women as they age, discussing gynecological cancers, bone health, sexual health and more.

WEdNESday, aPrIl 24

For Men ONly! 1-2 p.m. Ashish Desai, LCSW, VA New Jersey Health Care, will lead this open discussion with flexible topics that will be suggested by the members and what is of interest to members. This group will meet quarterly.

Dr. Benjamin Medina