9-23 BC

Wojcik integral to Scotties’ soccer

BY RICH FISHER

Julie Wojcik loves her mom.

But Mother’s Day? Not so much.

Well, to be fair, it’s just one specific Mother’s Day that will always have negative connotations, and that was in 2021. For it was on that day, while playing for her PDA South travel soccer team, that Wojcik had her right knee taken out from under her by an opposing player.

“I thought I was fine, but it turned out I tore my ACL and meniscus,” Wojcik said. “I had to get surgery done, which put me back about a year. I still feel it was a year and a half before I felt comfortable coming back to play soccer.”

lot mental. She played during the summer and spring but she was still feeling her way because she’s playing older people. She plays at a very high level outside of here, so I know she did some work and she was back into it. The problem was, coming in you’re always gonna be a little bit tentative. It took her a while to get stronger and get back to game fitness and game mentality.”

She began to come on in October, and finished with a team-leading 11 assists. Her eight goals were second on the team, behind the graduated Victoria Wheeler.

As a senior, Wojcik will not only be integral to the team’s attack on the field, but as a leader.

how far would you go if they were sick?

After missing the entire 2021 high school season, Julie returned to the Bordentown High team last fall. Half of her junior season was just trying to regain belief in herself as a player before finally hitting her stride.

“Last year we were a little worried,” coach Dominic Castaldo said. “She came back in the spring and we didn’t know how she would be. It took a little while but by mid-to-end of season and all of this past summer she’s been outstanding.

“We’re young,” Castaldo said. “We do have seniors, but we don’t have a lot of varsityexperienced players. We have a handful. Some of them are young players that we’ve thrown into situations.

“So her experience and leadership is number one. And her downright play and competitiveness will bring the level up automatically.”

Welcome to Capital Health.

Is Wojcik ready for her new role?

Spartan Bootcamp challenges kids to work hard and get fit

BY JOE eMANSKI

They say that kids today are soft. That too many of them want to be coddled and not enough want to put in the hard work necessary to become better at what they do.

That’s what they say. But Bill Hartz isn’t having it.

coach isn’t one to coddle anybody. But he says that he has seen with his own eyes that if you challenge kids — motivate them to focus on building their willpower and self belief — they will respond.

decade working with young athletes on the soccer field and, now, on just about any field.

“She wasn’t in pain. It was a

See WoJCiK, Page 4

When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we.

With a collaborative structure so our doctors can craft a treatment that’s uniquely right for you. With primary care physicians who never schedule an appointment that’s less than 20 minutes. With world-renowned surgeons that are changing cancer treatment.

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

The long-time rec soccer

That’s the basis for Hartz’ Spartan Bootcamp, a physical fitness training program that he has developed over the past

Hartz spent the summer working with 175 local children, ranging in age from 6 to 18, to help them build up their physical fitness as well as their mental toughness. Positive word of mouth from satisfied parents —

See SPARTAN, Page 6

Spartan Bootcamp members Jackie Katz, Sami Brown, Taryn Mager and Kaylee Campos of Bordentown weeding on Farnsworth Avenue on July 29, 2023 as part of a citywide cleanup effort.

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. Class size is limited for in-person events. Please register early. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

CANCERS IN WOMEN + FOCUSING ON SELF-CARE

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Learning about cancers of the female reproductive system may reduce your risk and help you identify ways to prevent them, so it’s important to be proactive about your health.

DR. JOYCE VARUGHESE, a board certified, fellowship trained gynecologic oncologist, will lead a discussion of the programs available at Capital Health for women undergoing treatment for gynecologic cancers and related health challenges. Nancy McCormack, an internationally certified and registered yoga therapist from the Capital Health Wellness Center, will close the program with a demonstration of gentle yoga stretches.

SAFETY AWARENESS IN AND AROUND YOUR HOME

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Location: Capital Health – Hamilton

1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619

Join Stephanie Kulak, Injury Prevention Coordinator from the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, to learn about the potential dangers in your home that could possibly cause injury. This program for older adults increases awareness of home safety and fall prevention and highlights the newer technology available to help people in the event of a fall.

“It’s hard for me, because I’ve been focusing on myself a lot, now to uplift the whole team is something I have to get used to,” she said. “I’m definitely ready, I’m excited to do it with my seniors, all my best friends.”

One thing is certain. She feels better about herself entering this season than she did last year.

“I still feel I could get more confidence back,” she said. “It definitely took longer to come back and play than I thought. But I’m definitely excited for my senior year. I just want to do the best I can playing with these girls and just have fun with it.”

Wojcik deserves to have some fun after the last two years.

“It was the first time I didn’t play soccer in my whole life,” said Wojcik, who had a stellar freshman season with six goals and seven assists. “It definitely took a toll on me. And it happened going into my college recruiting season. It’s been hard mentally and physically.”

Despite all that, she still remained part of the team, coming out every day to practice and games. “That’s the kind of kid she is,” Castaldo said.

After surgery, Julie faced the usual rehab drudgery. She did physical therapy for four months, followed by constant days in the gym strengthening her knee. After getting cleared in April 2022, Wojcik started back with PDA South by playing 10-minute increments in games.

“The biggest thing was my confidence,” she said. “I lost all my confidence. I feel that to play soccer and play it at your best, you need to be confident. I definitely struggled with that, which I think affected me in the games.

“The more I played, the more I stopped worrying about the little mistakes I made and I stopped blaming it on my knee and started focusing on the good things I did.”

Through it all, she had help at home.

“I definitely have a good support system with my parents, they lifted me up a lot,” Wojcik said. “I just tried my best to trust the process. It’s only temporary. I always told myself I would come back stronger.”

Once she began to get back the feel of the game — not to mention adjusting to the brace she had to wear — Wojcik began to look like her old self. Her numbers improved in the second half of last season,

as she had four goals and eight assists in the Scotties final eight games.

Wojcik wants the fun to continue, although where she will play on the field was still in question entering summer training camp.

“Last year I played forward, but I’m definitely a midfielder,” she said. “I feel like we have a lot of players to work with where I could be a distributor. I never really played forward, but it definitely does mean trying to score more goals. I don’t mind it”

Castaldo feels that Wojcik’s abilities gives him flexibility on where to play her.

“She still has that playmaking ability but she’s a different type of player from when she was younger. She’s a very tough, hard player. She’s always going, she presses everywhere, looking to win balls back,” he said. “She looks to make her teammates better. Going forward she’s very unselfish, but you see a little more maturity and she’s selfish when she needs to be. The biggest thing is that leadership by example.”

Amid her duties on the field, Wojcik is also busy off it as she searches for a college that will take her for academics and her soccer ability.

“I’m looking at a lot of local schools, I want to stay close to home,” she said. “I want to be where I’m happy, even without soccer. I want to go to school and have fun for the next four years.”

She still hopes soccer is part of the equation. “I definitely questioned it with my injury — ‘Do I really love this enough? Did my injury ruin it for me?’” she said. “But I think since I’ve played forever it’s too hard to give it up.”

Losing that junior year to injury was damaging, but Wojcik is hoping to turn that into a positive. She has had talks with The College of New Jersey, Monmouth, Delaware and West Chester, among others.

“They want you to be 100 percent,” she said. “But it also makes them feel like ‘She’s been through it, it makes her work harder, she wants it more than other players because she knows what it means to lose it.’ I definitely feel like it’s been a good thing for me. I’ve been through a few serious things, and in something like the recruiting process you just have to trust the process.”

Current Bordentown

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.

EDITOR

Joe Emanski (Ext. 120)

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rich Fisher

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Doug Kiovsky

AD LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION

Stacey Micallef (Ext. 131)

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

Community News Service

9 Princess Road, Suite M

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

Sports: sports@communitynews.org

Letters: jemanski@communitynews.org

Website: bordentowncurrent.com

Facebook: facebook.com/bordentowncurrent

Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

9,000 copies of the Bordentown Current are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Bordentown 12 times a year.

TO ADVERTISE call (609) 396-1511, ext. 113 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

Stacey Micallef

Julie Wojcik will be a key player for Bordentown soccer this year. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

RWJUH Hamilton September Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

HOW AND WHEN TO BE YOUR OWN HEALTH ADVOCATE

Mon., September 11, 11:00am to 12:00pm

Join Lisa Cruser, LPN, Nurse Advocate and owner of Empowering Patients Advocacy Group while she discusses how to navigate the healthcare system, how to ask for and get a second opinion, and how to advocate for yourself and others. FREE

DOES THE RINGING IN YOUR EARS DRIVE YOU CRAZY?

Tue., September, 12; 10:00 to 11:00am

25 million Americans suffer from Tinnitus and sound sensitivity. Join Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., A.B.A. as she discusses the phenomenon of Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity Syndrome and various treatment options for relief.

NO MORE FOOD FIGHTS

Tue., September 12; 10:00 to 11:00am

We are talking about picky eating! Mealtime doesn’t have to be a battle. Let’s explore the most current and effective tactics for healthy & peaceful meals.

WHAT IS THIS PAIN IN THE BUTT?

Wed., September 13; 6:00 to 7:30pm David Surrey, MD from Rothman Orthopedics will discuss sciatic pain. Find out symptoms and treatment for this common condition. Dinner will be provided.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE CHAKRAS

Thu., September 14; 6:00 to 8:00pm

Chakras are energy centers in our bodies, each corresponding to different traits, illness and times of development. Come explore how we can harness the power of these chakras for good health and vitality!

Michelle Gerdes, Princeton Doula Center, YT200. $15

ASK THE DIETITIAN

Mon., Sept. 18th 2023; 3:00 to 6:00pm

Do you have a question about diet and nutrition? Join a community education dietitian for a one-on-one Q&A. Registration is required. Taryn Krietzman, RDN

FALL MEDICATION SERIES

Wednesdays, September 20 & 27, October 04; 2:00 to 3:00pm

Learn about different classifications of medications in this 5 week series with our Pharmacists and Congestive Heart Failure Coordinator.

Week 1, September 20: Safe Medication

administration: Penny Wasylyk, Pharm D. BCPS

Week 2, September 27: Anticoagulants: Safe administration and precautions: Patricia Hafitz, RPh. CACP

Week 3, October 4: Cardiac Meds: Safe administration and precautions: Ann Mancuso, MSN RN CHFN

Week 4, October 11: Diabetes Medications:

Safe administration and precautions: Shesha Desai Pharm D. BC-ADM

Week 5, October 18: Pain Medications: Safe administration and precautions: Dave Appel, Pharm D

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

Wed., September 20; 1:00 to 2:00pm

Learn how to rest your body and quiet your mind with the simple (although not always easy) practice of meditation. No experience necessary.

HEALTHRYTHMS® DRUMMING CIRCLE

Wed, September 20; 7:00 to 8:00pm

Join our drumming circle and help drum your cares away. This evidence-based program is shown to reduce blood pressure, calm stress and increase the fun in your life. Drums provided. Fee: $15. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP DANCE IT

OUT!

Wed., September 25; 1:00 to 2:00pm When in doubt, dance it out! Find your rhythm and ease the everyday stresses of life with movement. All ages welcome, no experience required.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX? **VIRTUAL**

Wed., September 26, October 3; 12:00 to 1:00pm

All things seasonal, all the time! Learn what wonderful fruits and vegetable are up to this time of year and how to make them shine! Taryn Krietzman, RDN MANAGING STRESS AND DIABETES

Wed., September 27– 3:00 to 4:00pm

This support group is for people living with diabetes. Learn how to cope with stress and diabetes in a healthy way.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION?

Wed., September 27; 6:00 to 7:30pm

The practice of focused concentration, known as meditation, brings yourself back to the moment over and over again. Explore the benefits of meditation in this informational session with optional demonstration. Matt Masiello, CCH, founder of Esteem Hypnocounseling, will guide the group through this practice.

WISE WOMEN DISCUSSION GROUP

Thu., September 28; 1:30 to 2:30pm

Join a community of women as we discuss relevant topics and find purpose, meaning and community. “Patti McDougall, BSN, RN

COLOR ME HOOPY: HOOLA HOOP FOR FUN AND FITNESS

Thu., September 28; 6:00 to 7:00pm

This is a very popular class, and with good reason; it’s so much fun. Hoola Hooping is so much easier with an “adult sized” hoop and the right instruction. Learn skills and techniques, hoops provided. Angela Reitter, certified Hoop Love Coach and Hoola-Fit Instructor. Fee- $15

THE AARP DRIVING COURSE

Tue., October 2; 9:00am to 3:00pm

Be a safer, better driver. Bring your NJ or PA driver’s license. Fee: $20 for AARP members presenting a valid AARP card; $25 for nonmembers. Cash or check only to AARP.

FALL MINI MEDICAL SCHOOL

Tuesdays, September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; 6-7 p.m.

*Must attend all 8 session to receive certificate of completion *

Week 1; September 12: Gregory Cox, MD, goes through the intricate anatomy of the human eye.

Week 2 September 19: Adam Thompson, DO, will discuss how to guide the body back to health after an injury, through non-surgical alternatives.

Week 3; September 26: Maureen Stevens, DPT, and Ashley Sarrol, MS, CCC-SLP, will be discussing how Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy works in unison with other medical modalities.

Week 4; October 3: Michael Duch, MD, will have you learning visually with various MRI images and how to interpret each.

Week 5; October 10: Marc Levine, MD, goes through the spine and how surgery can enhance your mobility and improve quality of life.

Week 6; October 17: John Dibiase, MD, speaks on Sports Medicine and common injuries that can affect anyone, not just athletes.

Week 7; October 24: Javier Villota, MD, will enlighten you on what travel medicine entails and exactly what is needed when visiting abroad.

Week 8; October 31: Review and diplomas.

Better Health Programs/Complimentary Membership at 65+ Years Old

YOGA CLASSES (BEGINNER’S WELCOME)

Tue., September 5 & 19; 10:00 to 11:00am

MEDITATION CLASSES,

Tue., September 19; 11:15 to 11:45am

LET’S TALK, A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wed., September 6, 13, 20, & 27; 10:00 to 11:00am

SOCRATES CAFÉ,

Wed., September 6; 2:00 to 3:00pm

GAME TIME

Scan the QR code to register and become a member or call 609-584-5900 or email bhprogram@rwjbh.org to learn more.

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

Thu., September 7; 2:00 to 3:30pm

THE TREE OF LIFE ART WORKSHOP

Tue., September 12, 1 to 2:30

Here we are ready to start the season of autumn. In this workshop, we will create the tree of life that speaks to you – its colors, branches, production of sprouts and/

or leaves. Bring pictures from magazines, your own photos, the colors you associate with your tree – paints, crayons and colored pencils. We will explore it all in this workshop and gain connection as we embrace this season together with Artist and Healing Art Instructor, Jane Zamost.

MAPS, APPS & YOU

Thu., September 14, 10:00 to 11:00 am Oh, the places you’ll go when the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association teaches you how to navigate your transportation options. Learn to use technology to get around how and when you want!

TAI CHI CLASS (BEGINNER’S WELCOME)

Thu., September 14 and 28; 1:00 to 2:00pm

SARA ALI, MD, HOSTS A “JEOPARDY PARTY” LUNCH AND LEARN

Fri., September 22; Noon to 1:30pm Tables will compete as teams as we test your

knowledge on things important to our aging community. Don’t panic, this will be fun and interactive and there will even be prizes along with lunch. This program is sponsored by our valued partners, Brookdale Hamilton, Hamilton Grove, Platinum Homecare, and Serenity Hospice.

LEAN ON ME!

Tue., September 26, 11:00am to 12:00pm

As you are aging, are you wondering who to lean on to facilitate discussions about your wishes, providing comfort measures, assisting with legacy projects, writing that last letter to loved ones. An end-of-life doula is a trained and compassionate individual who provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support to individuals and their families helping create an end-of-life plan.

I’m excited for you to meet Sandra Roy, who has dedicated her life to serving the community. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, End-of Life Certification, Life Coach Certification, Clinical Pastoral

Education Certification from RWJBarnabas Health, and is working on her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. This is a program that you do not want to miss.

HELP, I CAN’T GET UP, LEARN HOW TO PREVENT THE FALLS

Thu., September 28; 10:00 to 11:30am

Please join our highly credentialed experts Dr. John DiBiase, Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., Maureen Stevens PT, DPT, GCS, Cert. MDT, Senior Physical Therapist, and Anthony Notaroberto, RWJ Fitness Personal Training Manager, when they share with you how to prevent a fall, common injuries, how to strengthen your body, and how to best treat your injuries so that you can successfully continue to enjoy your life. Refreshments will be served.

Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call 609-584-5900 to learn more

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

and their kids — has helped the program take off.

Hartz is busy now preparing for the fall, hoping to build on the success of the summer program.

“We use the mentality from an athletic standpoint of never giving up belief in yourself, of making yourself better,” he says. “It really all starts from that, and has sort of built its way into this program, the culmination of a decade of Spartan evolution.”

Sixty percent of participants in the summer were boys, and 40 percent girls. They were split almost evenly among elementary, middle and high school ages.

“It was good representation of young, middle and older kids, boys and girls, a diverse group,” Hartz says. “It was really fantastic to see kids from all these sports, different ages, different genders.”

Typical training is up to three days a week for one hour per session and consists of exercises designed to build strength, endurance, agility and overall physical fitness. Plenty of Hartz’ trainees are young athletes who participate in local sports — recreational as well as travel. But Hartz stresses that his training programs are well suited to kids who don’t play a sport at all.

“We lean toward building an athletic base and then working your skills in. That’s always been my approach to coaching: we made sure we had athletes first, who could then perform in their chosen sport,” Hartz says. “Not a bunch of kids who were really skilled, but after five minutes had to come out of the game because they were exhausted.

“I see kids who can’t do a push up, can’t run a lap around the field, and I believe that’s backward. Kids should develop their overall fitness and athleticism, and then build skills on top of that.”

Even as he pushes kids to work harder and do better, he stresses that the focus is more on the effort than the results.

“We’re about personal growth. It doesn’t matter if you came in last, if your

time is better than it was yesterday,” he says. “If you ran a bad race because you didn’t give effort, it’s a problem. But it’s more about the individual effort and what you accomplish. It’s more about racing and competing against yourself than it is about competing against other people.”

Hartz offers a flexible schedule for participants, saying that Spartan Bootcamp is a “get out what you put in” proposition. He claims a less than 5% dropout rate in the summer, and that a survey sent out after the summer sessions garned a strong response and largely positive feedback. A signal, in Hartz’ mind, that Spartan Bootcamp is on the right track.

“It’s how I raised my kids, and it’s something I apply to other kids, and parents have responded to it,” he says. “I just think it’s something that’s not around as much any more. It is a tricky line to walk. You have to be careful, you have to be conscious and aware. But kids are so much tougher than they are given credit for. They will rise to the occasion when

SOMETHING

Finn Richardson of Bordentown wearing a Spartan Bootcamp shirt with his nickname, “Huckleberry,” on it.

SUCCESS AND SELFSUFFICIENCY IN SESSION

Mercer County Community College will open its new Center for Adult Transition, or CAT, this fall to serve intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in a dual campus, person-centered program that prepares these students for adulthood while empowering them to achieve their own goals.

Image of the West Windsor Campus courtesy of MCCC.

Mercer County Community College to Launch New Center for Adult Transition

BY REBEKAH SCHROEDER

Achievement is a highly personal process that fulfills everyone in different ways, as people cultivate that sense of success through learning, working, giving back, and anything else that aligns with their aspirations.

Mercer County Community College’s Center for Adult Transition, or CAT, is a new state-mandated, county collegebased postsecondary program that takes a “person-centered approach” to serving individuals aged 18 to 24 with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to continue their education in the shift from high school to adulthood.

Students will grow across areas like socialization, safety, and self-sufficiency in a “dual campus experience” fostered in the classroom and community.

According to MCCC materials, the initiative combines coursework and presentations from community service providers on topics like transportation, budgeting, health and wellness, independent living, and more.

The CAT program originated with the

approval of New Jersey Legislature Bill S4211 on January 18, 2022, which established a grant opportunity through the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, or OSHE, to fund 18 County College-Based Centers for Adult Transition at institutions that had applied from across the state, according to an OSHE press release.

As a result of the state investment, OSHE stated that the colleges must run these specialized programs to offer “mentoring, job coaching, skill training, and other appropriate wrap-around services to help secure employment and maintain independent living” for people with IDDs—a range of conditions including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more.

OSHE is now a project partner with MCCC, and the Center for Adult Transition will serve the college on both campuses— the James Kerney Campus at 102 North Broad Street in downtown Trenton and the West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor—to bring programming to a wider audience across the school’s two Mercer County locations.

Dr. Gonzalo Perez is the college’s assistant vice president of academic affairs, focusing on workforce education and inno-

See MCCC, Page 4

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

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

Letters: rschroeder@communitynews.org

Website: communitynews.org

Facebook: facebook.com/mercereats

Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

Six09 is inserted into each of Community News Service’s nine hyperlocal monthly publications. Over 125,000 copies are distributed each month in the Greater Mercer County, N.J. area.

tO ADVERtISE

call (609) 396-1511, ext. 110 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

• Back Pain and Neck Pain

• PRP & Stem Cell Therapy

• Knee Osteoarthritis Injections

• Non-Surgical Orthopedics

• Double Board Certified Pain Management Physician

• Regenerative medicine goes beyond disease management to search for and discover therapies that support the body in repairing, regenerating and restoring itself to a state of well-being.

• What are stem cells? Stem cells are the bank cells within your body that can morph in many different types of cell depending on what your body needs them for. Stem cells are your body’s repair systems.

• What is PRP? PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. PRP is created from a sample of your own blood, which is drawn from the patient and then put into a machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood.

• Am I a candidate for PRP or stem cell therapy? If you have pain due to injury, arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, or any other condition, you are a candidate for cell-based therapy. Whether you are looking to heal from a traumatic injury, or regenerate older or diseased tissues, PRP or cell-based therapy could be something to help you heal and restore lost function and mobility.

Dr. Ronak Patel

From MCCC, Page 2

vation. While he was appointed to oversee the JKC campus in February, he also continues to lead the Division of Lifelong Learning and MercerOnline

Perez stated that MCCC was “very excited” about the grant competition, noting that the college services students with disabilities through the Center for Accessibility Resources, or CAR, and specifically its DREAM Program, which MCCC “used as a launching pad” for the CAT.

without

“CAT expands that opportunity to a larger group of young adults who may not be seeking an immersive classroom experience but are interested in exploring college. Some young adults will benefit from services provided collaboratively. Because of this state funding, a wider range of options is available,” she added.

“We recruit students, give them noncredit or types of workshops and seminars, help with life skills, and really get them prepared for any type of career,” Perez explained, noting that students can focus on a certification, life skills, or take a credit course, depending on their interests.

Although MCCC has many of the necessary facilities, resources, and faculty in place for the program, it is still in active development, according to Perez.

The MCCC CAT program’s new case manager, Kimberly Fisher, is a recent

addition to the team at the Center for Accessibility Resources.

The Burlington County resident has an extensive background in supporting special populations impacted by and experiencing mental illness, substance use, domestic violence, homelessness, food insecurity, and other issues by connecting them with agencies in the area.

While this is her first time applying that experience to an educational setting, she has previously coordinated vocational services and programming for IDD individuals.

In an interview with Community News Service, Fisher said that the CAT program is a partnership between educational institutions like MCCC and nonprofits that offer programming in areas like self-advocacy, incommunity service providers, and the private sector.

“With all those resources coming together [and] collaborating, we’ll really be

able to offer this special population a variety of services and needs based on their individual preferences, choices, [and] goals,” Fisher said. “It’s important for this population to really know what’s out there for them to help them be successful.”

To qualify for the grant, applicants must be between 18 and 24 years old; have graduated high school, regardless of what age they did so; have been identified with an intellectual and/or developmental disability, either while attending a K–12 school system or by a private provider; and live in Mercer County.

While MCCC is still confirming the structure of the program, the “general consensus,” according to Fisher, is to have four-hour classes twice per week, with each session split into coursework and the campus experience.

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ognizes that the more a person’s path is tailored to their unique situation and strengths, the greater the likelihood they have of making a healthy transition to the next stage of life.

Several students are already committed to the program, which is set to launch in time for the fall 2023 term start date of Tuesday, September 5; this way, students can enroll at the same time as the rest of the college for a shared sense of community.

“If we have an individual that says, ‘Well, I go to college,’ there’s meaning in that. There’s value in that,” Fisher said. “We

want it to be seamless. We want it to be the same experience as others in college, and so as close to that as we can is what we’re aiming for.”

However, Fisher is adamant that although the program is “college-based,” the biggest difference between CAT and traditional MCCC courses is that CAT has no admission deadlines, meaning students can join any time of the year, thus eliminating waitlists that often act as a barrier for support services.

“We get them where they are,” she said, “[In] my experience with community sup-

ports, what I often saw [was that] if there was a wait list for service, that individual typically waited a very long time, and things change in those periods. They either go find something else or they stay at home and isolate by themselves, and so we want to make it very clear that this is open at any given time; whenever people want to join us or need to join us, that door will always be open, regardless of a college semester.”

The semesters are broken into modules that begin with career development and adult employment, an introduction to the opportunities and resources available to students on their respective journeys.

MCCC’s CAT will also give students increased access to community service providers, Fisher continued, with the CAT program “serving as an on-campus resource hub” for coordination with entities such as the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities, or DDD, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, or DVRS.

DVRS manages vocational supports for the Mercer County area, so representatives from the agency will discuss eligibility for employment-based services that may include supported employment, trial work, or job coaching.

Fisher observed that while working as a community provider, she noticed that there was a “gap” in information where students

lost connections to resources during the summer period.

“We find that some of these individuals say, ‘Well, I’ve graduated high school. I’m going to take the summer off. I’ll figure out what I’m going to do later,’ and they often don’t,” Fisher said.

“They don’t remember that connection to the Division of Voc. Rehab., whereas in May [or] June, they might have been interested in those services or those supports for skill training or job coaching, and so we’re hoping maybe to catch some of those individuals and reconnect them back to that specialized service for those vocational supports.”

“Again, we all know, a couple of months into summer break, and people start going to school, or they go to jobs, and you’re home alone, you don’t have your support group, you don’t have your peer group, so what do you do? Really, it just provides for a lot of isolation,” she said. “We don’t want that to happen.”

Instead, Fisher added that CAT can try to reintroduce these young adults to their in-community providers, noting that MCCC has been in contact with just under 100 agencies serving Mercer County to increase their scope of impact, such as the Progressive Center for Independent

Dr. Gonzalo Perez, left, is Mercer County Community College’s assistant vice president of academic affairs, and Kimberly Fisher, right, is a case manager with the institution’s new Center for Adult Transition, or CAT program, designated through a grant and a partnership with the state’s OSHE.

Living, the Arc Family Institute, Caregivers NJ, and Mercer County’s Aging & Disability Resource Connection.

Those enrolled in the program will also have a designated lunch time where they can go to the cafeteria to eat and interact with other students, staff, and faculty. These real-life scenarios will serve as practical exercises to reaffirm what Fisher will be teaching in the classroom.

Fisher wants CAT students to better understand the appropriate boundaries and behaviors for a college or workplace envi-

ronment, which she will convey through role play and modeling exercises. These lessons, besides having interpersonal benefits, are also to educate them on how to identify dangerous or unsafe circumstances, especially because IDD populations are at a higher risk of financial and sexual exploitation, Fisher added.

Semester two concentrates on academic enrichment, providing a course overview of class registration, financial aid, joining clubs, and the differences between credit and non-credit courses, as well as certificate programs.

Fisher explained that if a person learned

609.849.5999

that their local dog shelter needed assistance with marketing materials, they would want to volunteer and practice their computer skills by enrolling in a certification program based around applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Semester three focuses on campus and community engagement, encouraging students to find peer groups on campus based on shared interests and get involved with programs including MCCC’s food pantry, the classical and jazz radio station WWFM, and the Allies Inc. Garden at the West Windsor campus, a partnership with the Hamilton-based nonprofit’s Project Grow farming and horticulture program.

Students will also gain exposure by using the college shuttle to travel between the Trenton and West Windsor campuses, learning how to greet and respond to the driver, introduce themselves, and utilize public transportation while taking advantage of both locations.

Transportation is another “big barrier” for this population, according to Fisher, and MCCC is looking to possibly work with Rutgers University’s New Jersey Travel Independence Program, or NJTIP, to inform this group of students about using public systems.

While West Windsor and Trenton “offer the same services,” she explained, the latter is the larger, “more rural” of the two,

offering soccer fields and other features not present at JKC, giving students chances to meet more people and have “that true college campus experience.”

The CAT Program will also overview Mercer County providers that are largely volunteer-based, such as the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, or TASK, HomeFront, local food banks, and more to connect this population to their community, as Fisher explained.

The fourth semester delves into independent living arrangements and everything it suggests, such as how to pay rent, contact emergency services, and buy groceries.

“We’ll be partnering up with some of

the community providers that offer some of these in-depth independent living structures. They offer recreation, activities, and they can discuss the pros and cons of what is available in Mercer County for living,” Fisher said.

MCCC is continuing to partner with more agencies that cover topics related to independent living and may include providers of residential services, such as group homes and supervised apartments—the latter of which Fisher describes as “a little less restrictive for those individuals that are more independent, that are safety aware, financially aware, and the risk is relatively low for exploitation for them.”

The last semester is self-determination, which Fisher describes as a wraparound exploration of what they covered in the course to enable students to choose whether to pursue employment, volunteer work, a certificate, or other ways to engage and enrich their lives.

“They’ll have all those materials to reflect back on to be able to make a decision that’s based on their wants, their needs, and what they want to do. It’s completely independent,” Fisher said, noting that the individuals will be “empowered to make their own decisions as they continue that transition into adulthood.”

Fisher said that MCCC is currently building this program in a way that prioritizes accessibility with the few-

Eligible students ages 18 to 24 will be able to use the college shuttle system to travel between the James Kerney Campus at 102 North Broad Street in downtown Trenton, opposite page, and the West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor, above.

est obstacles to care—and the greatest autonomy—possible.

She added that what sets the CAT program apart from others is its unique position on a college campus, which offers a built-in system of support to this population as they look to integrate into professional spaces.

“We want to make sure, again, that accommodations are built in and there are zero barriers from day one,” she said, noting that the classrooms are still being fur-

nished with inclusive options.

“If we have an individual [who] perhaps has cerebral palsy and has arm braces, they’re going to need a different seating arrangement than what we have right now,” she said. “If we need those accessibility items, it’s imperative that we have them to meet the needs of everyone.”

Fisher described the request for service form as “barrier-free,” noting that the applications are straightforward, electronic, and go directly to the CAT team, who will then

respond to families as soon as they are able to do so.

“I have been a community provider for years and years. Never did I have exposure to an individual in this population [who] was going to college or had the opportunity to do so,” Fisher said, noting that times are changing to “move away from those congregate settings.”

“They’re truly going individualized and self-directed in that the individual and their family receiving service really have more of a voice now than they ever did—and they should use that voice to have services that are appropriate for them,” she explained. ***

To learn more about the Center for Adult Transition (CAT) or ask questions, email cat@mccc.edu or visit the page on the MCCC website, mccc.edu/student_services_ needs_cat.shtml.

To apply for the CAT program, visit the Request for Service form at forms.office.com/ pages/responsepage.aspx?id=jSYNCfenoEi XZEU1ZUk8nG6HoZ_WrRdMloWC0GM64wNUNVJPVDVXVzdDNkQzR0tKUFVXN1RYVDdOVC4u

For more on the Center for Accessibility Resources (CAR), visit mccc. edu/student_services_needs.shtml or call 609-570-3422

Inclusion Sports Performance Training

Where Children & Adults Strive to Reach Their Highest Potential

Inclusion Sports Performance Training is a welcoming, inclusive place where children and adults strive to reach their highest potential. Through offerings including swimming, gymnastics and a learn to ride bike program, students work with trained and dedicated staff to meet any challenge and make progress. Here kids have the opportunity for social play, recreational movement and early intervention. Coming soon, ISPT will offer after school enrichment programs which will include bussing from Hopewell school district.

Instruction is offered in both group settings and 1:1 private lessons and parent/child classes give parents and kids a chance to learn, bond and interact together in a safe and collaborative setting. ISPT also offers an inclusive summer day camp that puts the focus on healthy movement and development of social skills through theme weeks that encompass fun, play, inclusion and creativity.

At our Ewing location, both verbal and non-verbal students are included through accessible programs including swimming, gymnastics and learn to bike. Swim lessons are private and one-to-one, so kids can focus on learning to swim and respecting the water. Small group gymnastics allow students to gain independence and work on life skills, while parent assisted gymnastics classes are a great introduction for learners who require additional support. Monthly Parents Night Out events give caregivers a muchneeded respite while kids have fun in a safe, supervised and social environment.

The Learn to Ride program offers students a chance to take flight on two wheels through private or small group classes. The fundamental life skill of riding a bike benefits students both mentally and physically and can increase confidence and give families a fun activity they can do together. ISPT has collaborated with Strider

Bikes and their donated balance bikes have helped pave the path to success for so many of our students.

At our new Hopewell location, preschool-aged students run, jump, tumble and play in a safe and inclusive space under the supervision of highly trained staff. Current offerings include Preschool Social Play, Parent/Child in Motion, Tumbling Tykes, Sensory Play and Learn and Open Gym Family Play as well as private lessons. Future offerings will include yoga for kids and families, after school enrichment programs, OT, PT and speech.

ISPT founder and owner Shannon Schafer has over 25 years experience working with the special needs community and is passionate about not only creating an inclusive environment but also about fostering an inclusive community. She has worked with both public and private schools in Mercer county as well as Special Olympics, NJ as a coach for over 20 years and POAC Autism Services.

“I vowed many years ago to make sure parents would have a welcoming and inclusive place to bring their children, a place where possibilities are limitless and that’s what we do at Inclusion Sports Performance Training,” she says.

Visit inclusionsportspt.com for more information or contact us directly at 609 812-2566. Join for an open house at our Hopewell location on Sunday, September 17, 10 a.m. to noon, or at our Ewing location, Sunday, October 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. And be sure to come see us at Hopewell Harvest Fair on Saturday, September 23. See ad, page 15

Back-to-school checklist

The start of the new school year is right around the corner. Parents can ease the big change and alleviate stress by using this back-to-school readiness checklist from the RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health network and the RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group:

Fill out any forms your school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms before school starts.

Inform the school nurse and teachers about medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes, and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day. Coordinate with the school nurse to administer medications your child might need.

Pack a healthy, balanced lunch with a mix of protein, grains, fruit and vegetables, if possible.

Establish a bedtime routine at least one week before school starts.

Be sure your child has a sturdy backpack with padded shoulder straps and avoid overloading it.

Schedule an appointment

Stay up to date with flu and recommended childhood vaccines. Children 12 and over may also be vaccinated for COVID-19; ask your primary care provider for more information.

To schedule an appointment with an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider, please visit rwjbh.org/medicalgroup or call 1-888-724-7123

Let teachers know about conditions that may affect your child’s ability to learn. For example, children with ADHD should be seated in the front of the classroom and children with vision problems should sit near the board.

Your insurance accepted RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group providers accept most major insurances. Medical insurance varies by provider, please call your insurance carrier to verify coverage.

MAKING SMILES FOR LIFE

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute

Treating Pain with PRP and Stem Cell Therapy

Pain.

It gnaws at you. It drains you. It becomes the focus of your life.

Experiencing a few pain-free moments can be euphoric; it makes you realize how long you’ve been living with aches and pain. You might wonder how you can find a solution to relieve the pain and regain your freedom from discomfort.

Dr. Ronak Patel at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute wants you to know there are two new revolutionary answers to pain relief.

Both platelet-rich therapyotherwise known as PRP - and stem cell therapy give patients new hope by using the body’s powerful healing power to accelerate the battle against pain. Dr. Patel has seen incredible success implementing these cuttingedge treatments on hundreds of patients suffering from pain-related issues.

So if you are suffering from any of the ailments below, there’s a lifeline.

• Osteoarthritis

• Rotator cuff tear

• Back pain

• Meniscus tears

• Tennis elbow

• Disc herniations

• Tendonitis

• Neck pain

Here’s the best news: Neither PRP or stem cell therapy involves drug use with side effects or any surgical procedures.

Both PRP and stem cell treatments use the body’s own healing resources to repair diseased or damaged tissue — and the results are quite remarkable.

PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets and growth factors into damaged tissue to stimulate the faster growth of new healthy cells. Platelets are cells that prevent and stop bleeding. If a blood vessel is damaged, the body sends signals to our platelets to get on the job and start the healing. Some call platelets the body’s natural bandage.

So how does PRP therapy work? It’s basically drawing a one small vial of blood from the patient and then using a centrifuge to turn it into a potent and concentrated form of platelets. It is then injected

back into the patient. Think of it as a boost of your own blood — only superpowered.

Recovery time for PRP therapy is far shorter than for surgery. Patients usually experience soreness for a week or so, but the gradual improvement soon begins. Unlike a steroid shot, which gives you immediate relief and quickly wears off, a PRP patient will see pain symptoms improve over a period of months, and up to 80 percent of patients will see relief for up to two years.

Stem cell therapy can be an even more powerful way to harness the body’s healing power. Stem cells are the building blocks for every cell in our body. These powerful cells can be harvested to produce powerful new cells to fight inflammation and disease.

For those suffering from osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy has proven very effective. That’s because the stem cells may help develop new cartilage cells and suppress inflammation. Stem cells can be harvested through a sample of body fat or bone marrow or be harvested from donated umbilical cord tissue.

And yes, you can even augment PRP therapy with stem cell therapy for an even bigger boost!

Stop wondering if you’ll have to live with your pain forever. Contact Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute today at 609-269-4451 or go to www.njpaindoc.com to book an appointment and learn more.

See ad, page 3.

Dr. Irving Djeng

Dr. Lauren Levine

Dr. Kevin Collins

Dr. Deolinda Reverendo

Dr. Michael DeLuca

Dr. Matthew Etter

Dr. Ronak Patel MD

Back to School Stuart Country Day School

Princeton Montessori School

A child-centered approach to learning

Montessori is an innovative, child-centered approach to learning, developed a century ago by Dr. Maria Montessori. The Montessori method fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children in all areas of their development, with a goal of igniting a passion for learning and nurturing the potential in each child. Princeton Montessori School, founded in 1968, is the area’s premier independent, coeducational, Montessori day school for children from infancy through 8th grade, and is fully accredited by the American Montessori Society. Our Infant, Toddler, and Primary programs are joyful learning communities designed to meet the unique developmental needs of each age group. Led by Montessori-credentialed experts, children move into their elementary years as explorers, thinkers, doers, and kind community members. Our Middle School (grades 6-8) is authorized by The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) which ensures our graduates are confident, competent, and well-prepared for success in life. Princeton Montessori School continues to provide children from the greater Princeton area with the very best in Montessori education. Come for a tour! https:// princetonmontessori.org/

487 Cherry Valley Road, Princeton. See ad, page 16

Celebrating 60 Years of Preparing Girls for Lives of Leadership and Service

Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school located in Princeton, is dedicated to the education of girls from kindergarten to Grade 12, alongside a co-ed preschool. Following the Goals and Criteria of the Schools of the Sacred Heart, Stuart's mission is to educate young women to lead lives of leadership and service. This September marks the 60th anniversary of all-girls, Sacred Heart education at Stuart in Princeton, NJ. In 1963, the Society of the Sacred Heart answered the call for a girls’ school that taught their students to thrive with and through God’s love. Today, in our ever-evolving society, Stuart’s mission, and that of girls’ schools, remains as pertinent as ever. Head of School Julia Wall dispels misconceptions about girls’ schools, emphasizing the integral role of a spiritual foundation in shaping leadership development.

Stuart was founded to support the empowerment of women and their spiritual heart center as it applies to God’s love for them. As a Sacred Heart school, guided by five Goals and Criteria, we believe that every child is born with a unique sense of spirituality, and it’s important for kids to know that God loves them however they define their spirituality. Though we’re a Catholic school, we’ve always widely embraced other religions and believe that God is a helpful force in life; reminding kids that they matter and that someone other than their

parents believes that they’re a perfect being, just as they are, worthy of love.

Girls’ schools also often battle misconceptions about their ability to successfully ready girls for college and careers, especially in co-ed spaces. The fact is, you don’t need to have gone to school next to a boy to be fully actualized. Alums tell us that while they were at Stuart, every door was open to them and they had the freedom to establish their own sense of self; they were confident in who they were as people and were then able to bring their authentic self to everyone regardless of their gender. The affinity space of an all-girls school like Stuart prepares students for every social and academic scenario. Our girls not only get placed at top colleges nationwide, most of which are coed settings, but they thrive there and go on to do amazing things across a broad range of industries and organizational settings. By the time they leave us — after 12 years at Stuart or four — our graduates speak with a self-assuredness about their future that is uniquely Stuart.

Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton. www.stuartschool.org. See ad, page 14.

RSM Princeton

Building Powerful Minds Through Mathematics

What is the Russian School of Mathematics?

RSM is an award-winning after school math enrichment program trusted by parents for over 25 years across 75+ locations in North America. Our unique approach consists of a continuous kindergarten to highschool curriculum, taught by expert teachers, in a classroom environment of peers who study together year over year. K-12 students can choose from various classes to prepare them for the school year, math competition courses for additional challenge, or test prep courses.

Fall math classes now enrolling at RSM Princeton!

There is no better time to join RSM than in Fall! Get started by scheduling a free math evaluation for your child or visit our website to see the Fall schedule of classes: www.mathschool.com/locations/princeton. For any questions you might have, please feel free to call us at 732-708-4905 or email us at princeton@mathschool.

com.

An award-winning math program.

Featured in NPR and the Atlantic magazine as one of the key players in the “Math Revolution,” and ranked “among the top schools in the world” by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM helps children of all levels build a solid math foundation and develop their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. As Masha Gershman, the VP of Marketing at RSM, states in her Ted talk “Uncertain Times Call for Certain Math”, advanced mathematics is not only within the grasp of every child but is also a

crucial skill for achieving success in any field.

Our program is built around how a child's mind works

Designed as a continuous program from K-12, our curriculum was developed by our team of academics specializing in mathematics, education, and child development. Our curriculum has continually been perfected by our curriculum department over the last two decades. Three levels for every grade allow us to meet children where they are and place them in an environment suited to them. This ensures that students can begin our program at any time

and be challenged appropriately in an environment of peers.

Talented faculty.

All of our teachers have a background in mathematics or related field and a deep passion for the subject. Our extensive training program prepares our teachers to teach according to our specific methodology. Our teachers guide students to think about mathematics logically and conceptually, building deep connections between concepts, all in a classroom environment that keeps children consistently challenged.

How do I enroll my child?

For every interested student, we offer a free 30-minute math evaluation which is the best way to learn more about our program. An evaluation is an informal conversation with the potential student and his/ her family in order to understand what grade-appropriate math skills the student has before entering RSM. Our principal will walk you through our curriculum, and methodology, and answer any questions you may have.

RSM Princeton, 231 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. 732-708-4905. princeton@mathschool.com. www. mathschool.com/locations/princeton. See ad, page 9.

Classes are designed for all ages to build confidence, artistry, discipline, and foster students’ love of dance. Our world class faculty is dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential, with spacious studios, new state-of-the-art dance floors, and live music. The perfect environment to learn and grow!

Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you.

RWJBarnabas Health has a passion for heart health. We have the largest adult and pediatric cardiac surgery programs in the state, a heart transplant program that’s in the top 15 nationally, the latest technology and medical advancements and hundreds of wellness and prevention programs to strengthen and protect healthy hearts. Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you. Learn more at rwjbh.org/heart

Back to School

St. George Preschool A Safe Place for Growth

At St. George Preschool, we believe that each child has an innate drive for exploring, discovering, communicating, and learning. Our purpose is to provide a safe, warm, and nurturing environment for children to develop this innate drive to the fullest, and become life-long learners. Our goal is to help each child develop his/her individual interests, creativity and potential at their own pace by providing a wide variety of fun and age-appropriate activities and materials. In addition to the developmental goals in the areas of math, language, science, cognitive skills, motor skills, etc., stipulated by the state, the school aims to promote learning skills for life.

At the same time, we aim to enhance the child’s social, moral, cultural and spiritual growth through group interactions, uplifting stories, cultural events and gentle guidance. Since “a healthy mind is in a healthy body” as the Ancient Greeks said, we provide a huge indoors gym and

a beautiful play ground with regular physical activities.

We offer high quality academic English programs for Preschool (3 years and potty trained) and Pre-K (must be 4 years old by October 1 of school year). Early morning care, after care, and enrichment programs are also available. We are part of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church and state licensed by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family

The Laurel School of Princeton

Designed For The Dyslexic Mind

The Laurel School of Princeton provides an enriched educational experience for students who have dyslexia and related learning differences such as ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and executive function deficits. Laurel School students bring incredible talents, skills and creativity to our program, while being taught by expertly trained, passionate teachers who understand how they learn best, helping them to build on their strengths and achieve academic success.

Services. Our experienced staff has a passion building a foundation for a life-long love of learning. We are truly a family and we treat your children as such. For more information regarding our program, please visit our website.

Saint George Preschool, 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton. 609-5862223. Contact director Angela Gering at director@stgeorgepreschool.org.

See ad, page 16

Instruction is delivered with a multisensory and inquiry-based approach by teachers who have years of experience teaching children with learning differences and are certified to instruct using Orton Gillingham and Wilson Language programs. Our faculty understands that it is critical to intervene as early as possible when children have reading, writing, and math challenges. It is essential to identify the individual needs of each student and provide diagnostic and prescriptive

lessons that ensure success. The Laurel School of Princeton offers an integrative, engaging curriculum that enables our students to develop the confidence to learn and excel.

Laurel understands that some children need more than what conventional teaching systems and traditional public schools can offer. No parent wants to see their child become disconnected; “Kids often come to us with their confidence broken by the school districts, and they feel as though they can’t learn. But their spark quickly returns as

they discover that they can grow and thrive at Laurel,” says the Director of Admissions Amy Deutsch. By placing your child in a holistic educational atmosphere, individualized instruction and guidance will empower him/her to take control of their education and rediscover success.

Please contact Amy Deutsch with questions or to schedule a tour: 609-566-6000, extension 0282 or at adeutsch@thenewgrange.org

The Laurel School, 800 North Road, Hopewell. www.laurelschoolprinceton.org. See ad, page 11

The Rech Center

Celebrating 20 Years

Twenty years is a long time. So much happens in 20 years. You live, you learn, you grow. As The Rech Center celebrates their 20th anniversary, the lessons go way beyond the dance studio! Just ask Kelly Rech, the Founder and Director of The Rech Center for Performing Arts. Kelly shared, “When I first opened the doors to The Rech Center, I envisioned teaching dance and supporting TRC students in becoming the best dancers they could be! What I never expected was the family of dance students over the years who not only have developed a love for dance, but students who have learned so much about who they are and who they want to be in life”!

Of course, The Rech Center offers dance classes in all style of dance for children of all ages, but that isn’t what makes The Rech Center special. Just ask the dancers at TRC or the parents of those students, why they love the The Rech Center!

“I can’t put into words the joy I feel when I see my daughter coming out of the studio after class. I don’t

see that smile after any other activity she is involved with. Thank you for providing such a positive encouraging environment for all of your students”.

“My friends that I dance with at The Rech Center always support me and are truly excited for me when I try and accomplish something new. That makes me feel good”.

According to Kelly, students at The Rech Center not only learn lessons in the studio that will help them become better dancers, but lessons that have molded them into the people they aretoday. As we head into our 20th season, it’s truly been a pleasure to teach so many students who have gone on to dance professionally, who have made dance a part of their college experiences and those who have gone into various careers where they have applied lessons and skills learned at TRC into their professions. As a studio owner, teacher, choreographer and most importantly a parent, Kelly says that is The Rech Centers biggest and most important accomplishment. Having a positive and encouraging influence on her students regardless of their endeavors is priceless.

www.rechcenterdance.com. See ad, page 10

St. George Preschool

Enroll now for the 2023-2024 school year

Classes for 3 year olds and 4 year olds

Potty trained

Full- 1/2 day, early morning drop off, late pick up schedules available

Competitive tuition rates - secure environment indoor gym - outdoor playground - qualified educators

Princeton Ballet School

Beyond technique: Empowering dancers

Princeton Ballet School is the official school of the American Repertory Ballet, celebrating over 65 years of excellence in dance education.

Classes are designed for all ages to build confidence, artistry, discipline, and foster students’ love of dance. Its world class faculty is dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential, with spacious studios, new state-of-the-art dance floors, and live music. The perfect environment to learn and grow.

What Sets the School Apart

St.

1200

www.stgeorgepreschool.org

Angela Gering Director

Call

Founded in 1954 by Audrée Estey, Princeton Ballet School is one of the nation’s finest non-profit dance schools. Many things set Princeton Ballet School apart from the usual dance school, the most important being: its philosophy, its faculty, its affiliation with a professional ballet company, its dedication to live music in the classroom and its facilities.

The School’s Philosophy. Princeton Ballet School is known for nurtur-

ing developing dancers in a safe and progressive way. The school teaches age and developmentally appropriate ballet technique classes from a syllabus that allows younger students more time for movement exploration while providing advanced students with the tools to become professional dancers, if they so choose. As a result, all students develop self-esteem, self-discipline, and a strong fitness level that will provide a powerful edge in any future endeavor.

Outstanding Faculty. Princeton Ballet School has more than 20 specialized faculty members. Many have attained graduate degrees in dance education and have won major teaching awards. All are committed to the school’s philosophy of dance education and to helping students achieve their best. Members of the outstanding faculty have performed professionally with companies including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Cuban National Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet.

Live Music. The school’s ballet classes have live musical accompaniment. This is particularly fun for the children’s classes, where frequent improvisational exercises provide an opportunity for students to interact and

Hamilton Dental Associates

The Importance of Orthodontic Care for Your Children

Growing up makes for a constantly evolving experience for children. Every year they change and grow into the person they are destined to become, and that extends to their oral health. From the first baby tooth to their adult teeth coming in later in their lives, managing your child’s dental health presents unique challenges for parents. With those challenges come a few myths involving childhood tooth development that can impact how you treat your child’s dental health.

Combating Childhood Oral Health Myths.

When you start looking for a pediatric dentist in Hamilton, you want to find one that knows how intensive taking care of your child’s teeth should be. Taking a proactive approach to their dental health can help them avoid more involved procedures down the road — one of the most common myths that lead to your child’s teeth suffering in the long run.

Common Myth #1: Childhood Teeth Will Straighten Out Over Time

One such myth that leads to more complex orthodontic care down the line is that your child’s teeth will straighten out over time. Unfortunately, that is not the case. If their teeth start coming in crooked or off-center, they won’t naturally

Back to School

Where Do Orthodontic Issues Come From?

In most cases, a child’s orthodontic problems stem from their genetics — these issues are inherited from their parents. Additionally, some problems can develop over time based on poor oral hygiene habits they learned from a young age.

Some of these acquired oral health issues include:

• Sucking Their Thumbs

• Mouth Breathing

• Abnormal Swallowing Patterns

• Poor Dental Hygiene

• Irregular Loss of Baby Teeth

• Poor Nutritional Habits

straighten themselves with time.

The space for their teeth to come in doesn’t grow as they mature. If you leave these issues unattended, it could lead to more significant problems.

Common Myth #2: Orthodontic Treatments Are Purely Cosmetic

While most people associate orthodontic treatments with getting braces as a teenager, that procedure does much more than merely straighten teeth to help you look better. Getting your jaw and teeth back into proper alignment has a cascading effect on your oral health. It helps improve your biting, chewing, and even speaking ability.

Common Myth #3: There Is a Right Age for Orthodontic Care

Many parents believes there is a specific age at which it’s appropriate to bring their children in for orthodontic care. The perceived minimum age for a child to receive orthodontic care is around 12-13 or right when they reach high school. However, getting your child such care earlier can help avoid getting braces and fixing issues before they worsen.

In reality, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your children should get an orthodontic checkup no later than age seven. Once they hit that age, their mouth will have a nice balance between their baby and permanent teeth. This window of time allows for an accurate orthodontic evaluation to determine where preventative care is enough or if additional action is required.

However, parents have reason to hope for viable remedies and solutions to most of these issues. You can remedy these acquired problems with the help of successful orthodontic care provided by an experienced pediatric dentist.

Finding a Child Orthodontic You Can Trust

Trusting your child’s teeth and their beautiful smile to a pediatric dentistry practice is something that every parent must come to grips with. Figuring out which childhood orthodontic makes the most sense for your child and their future dental visits becomes critically important. For parents and their children in Hamilton, Hamilton Dental Associates provides them with the experienced pediatric dentists they need to prioritize their oral health as they mature.

Learn more about our pediatric dentistry services and schedule your first appointment today!

See ad, page 10

Sat. 11/04/23

In-person: Rosedale Park Pennington, NJ

Virtual option available.

Participation Options:

-5k in-person -1 mile in-person

-10k in-person -Virtual

collaborate with the staff of professional musicians.

Facilities. Princeton Ballet School has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Princeton, New Jersey. All locations are wheelchair accessible and feature sprung dance floors and marley from Harlequin Floors. The striking Princeton and Cranbury facilities were designed by the late Ralph

Lerner, an internationally known architect and former Dean of the School of Architecture at Princeton University. The studios in New Brunswick are part of the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2019.

More information: arballet.org/ princeton-ballet-school/. See ad, page 12

Inspire youth to BE GREAT & strive for great futures!

given a chance.

“When a kid gives up, I find that most of the time, it was the parents who said, ‘OK, let’s give it up. Let’s stay home.’”

Bill Hartz grew up in Hamilton. He went to Hamilton High West, where he played soccer and ran track. He characterizes the instruction he received as a young athlete as closer to what he practices at Spartan Bootcamp than perhaps what many kids are accustomed to today.

“My high school soccer coach was definitely a ‘rub some dirt on it’ kind of guy,” Hartz says. “When I came up, especially in travel soccer, the mentality was, ‘Get up and keep going. Save your tears for somebody else.’”

When the time came for Hartz to coach his son Joseph’s rec soccer team, in 2011, he wanted to give it his all. He was aware of the dichotomy in youth sports between travel and recreational leagues: travel sports athletes get well organized instruction, often from professional trainers; while rec athletes often get sporadic training from well-meaning, but busy and sometimes underprepared parents.

“Kids who are in rec sports sometimes become what they call ‘the leftovers,’” Hartz says. “I really leaned into it and gave the kids a lot of effort. Our team adopted the Spartan mentality and it sort

of took on a life of its own.”

He coached Joseph for a number of years, and then it was time to coach his younger son, Collin. He used the same approach the second time around. Hartz says that he developed the Spartan philosophy with an emphasis on discipline, hard work, physical fitness and character.

To hear him openly declare that his life’s passion is “yelling at children,” one might get the idea that he is some kind of cruel taskmaster.

Humor is one tool that Hartz uses to ease that tension. He frequently lets wry, self-deprecating jokes poke through the drill sergeant facade to hint that his demeanor is at least on some level for show.

“His manner, yeah he yells and everything,” says parent Nancy Byrne, whose 11-year-old son, Finn Richardson, was a participant in boot camp over the summer. “But it’s softened by his sense of humor and the fact that he personalizes everyone’s instruction and gives you nicknames — and doesn’t forget it, by the way.”

Byrne says that another talent of Hartz’ is his ability to make kids feel like they belong to something. Participants get Spartan shirts to wear, sometimes with nicknames on them bestowed by Hartz. Finn’s nickname: Huckleberry.

“The first several weeks, the amount of pride that was instilled in [Finn], he wouldn’t take the Spartan shirt off. Everywhere he goes, he wants to wear the Spartan shirt,” she says.

Byrne said that most of the kids who take part are also members of a sports team. Not so with Finn. “Most kids already know this kind of pride and belonging. This is my kid’s first experience with it, and I could not be prouder of him for sticking with it,” she says.

Finn knew what he was getting into, Byrne says, because some of his friends had done it. “They warned him about the ‘10 minutes of hell’ at the end,” she says. “But the thing is, they’re all doing it together. They’re in it, like a little family. It’s a lot different, I think, when you’re with peers and it’s something you’re going through together.”

Ah, yes. The 10 minutes of hell.

As Byrne says, Hartz takes pains to tailor each participant’s program to their individual abilities and needs. But everyone is expected to endure the 10 minutes of hell at the end of each session.

“The best way to describe it is, it’s Simon Says, but it sucks,” Hartz says. “Suicide runs, burpees, jumping jacks — we don’t stop for 10 minutes straight.

They don’t finish until everyone finishes. That’s where we get into the mental toughness piece, where it’s hot and thirsty and they’ve got to dig deep. I tell them it’s really eight minutes of hell and two minutes of heart. Thats where these kids see things that they really didn’t think they could do. A lot of kids take a lot of pride in that.”

For many years, Hartz’ primary experience as an athletic trainer came from his time as his sons’ soccer coach. During the day, he worked as a general manager for a number of area retail stores.

After the pandemic, the Bordentown Soccer Association was having some trouble getting kids to register for seasonal sports on time. Hartz offered to run a summer physical training camp as a way to entice kids to sign up earlier.

At first, he had just 15 kids — the team that he coached. A year later, there were 56 participants, many of whom first heard about the training from their friends and neighbors.

It wasn’t until Hartz was laid off from his full-time job, in January, that he seriously started thinking about turning Spartan Bootcamp into something bigger.

“This is one of those things that has sort of floated around in the back of my mind for years, but not something I deemed as realistic,” Hartz says. “You

don’t walk away from a job where you’re making good money to try something like that. But once it’s beyond your control, you have to explore other options, and this really is my passion.”

Hartz says his ultimate goal would be to devise a full-fledged youth program that goes beyond physical training. “Like a more inclusive version of Boy Scouts,” he says. “My goal is to have boys and

girls, and any group is welcome. We don’t get into religion or politics, some of the stuff that can weigh down Boy Scouts a little bit. We focus on a mindset of determination and respect. It’s almost a martial arts mindset.”

While Hartz is certified in youth fitness by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, as well as by the Red Cross, he has come by all of his training methods by developing them right there on the fields.

“I’ve coached soccer for a really long time, I’ve done some martial arts in my life. My children were doing martial arts training at a location in Hamilton, I was assistant instructor there, I’ve helped out as a kids’ wrestling coach,” Hartz says. “But I didn’t go to school for it, and I never claim to be a professional trainer. That’s really not my approach. We make physical gains through mental toughness. I know how to work kids, how to motivate them. I know how to keep them going when they quit on themselves, and we take them to a place they didn’t think they could get to.”

The process, Hartz says, has a “remarkable” effect on kids.

“These days, kids don’t tend to get put in uncomfortable places,” he says. “Our mentality is legitimately, ‘Nobody cares. Work harder.’ Obviously with safety in mind. But there’s a big difference

Bordentown resident Bill Hartz is the founder of Spartan Bootcamp.

between injured and hurt.”

Byrne admitted that it was tough at first to watch on as her son learned to endure the Spartan Bootcamp experience.

“I literally had to turn my back to the field, because I was like, ‘Oh my God, either I’m going to cry or he’s going to cry or he’s going to get frustrated and walk off,’” she says. “But something about the coach’s manner just made him stay.” *

As he builds Spartan Bootcamp into a full-time affair, Hartz is focusing on more than just the physical training. He also wants to instill in his trainees a sense of community and of community service.

“One of the main things I’m trying to do is build community support by working with different organizations, different businesses, looking to build those relationships,” Hartz says. “The idea is to offer kids and their families a more holistic organization, rather just they bring their kids to me and I’ll make them run a bit.”

With that in mind, he has partnered with a number of Bordentown businesses to further establish the Spartan brand. People can now get Spartan Shakes at the Ice Cream Boutique by 1892 Chocolates, Spartan Bracelets from Bordentown Bracelets, and Spartan Specs at the Eye Care Center of Bordentown. Palermo’s Restaurant and Pizzeria honors one stu-

dent each month as the Palermo’s Spartan Athlete of the Month.

Hartz has also engaged his students in community service projects, like the July 29 Cleanup of Bordentown.

Hartz says more than 85 people took part in the four-hour cleanup project.

Hartz worked with Deputy Mayor Joe Meyers to coordinate and Jim Heupel as site manager to facilitate the cleanup.

Areas cleaned included Veterans Memorial, John Bull Monument, Hilltop Park, 2nd Street Park, the boat ramp, the pollinator gardens, the butterfly gardens, the flower gardens by Old Town Pub, Crosswicks Street Island, the old town hall, Crosswicks Street sidewalks, and Farnsworth from Crosswicks to the river. Though thrice-weekly hourlong sessions are Spartan Bootcamp’s core offering, they are by no means its only offerings. Hartz also offers one-to-one training as well as seasonal programs for members of a single sports team.

The fall program is set to begin the first week in September, but Hartz says he will welcome new members at any time. Details on signing up, as well as information on a variety of discounts and promotions on offer, are available at bordentownspartanbootcamp.com.

Spartan Bootcamp. Phone: (609) 481-7540.

George W. Swift, Jr.: Thinking outside of the cardboard box

We are a society constantly on the move. Every day we are committed to errands. Products that we order are delivered to us by box trucks that carry an array of large and small parcels. Commercial trucks are loaded with items destined for retail stores and businesses across the country and beyond.

Not a day goes by that we don’t see any of these trucks traveling along the highways. Most of the time we don’t care about what these trucks carry as long as they make their destination. For that matter, we don’t care how they are delivered. All we know is that on most occasions these products are wrapped and secured with corrugated cardboard for safe transport. But who came up with the concept that a versatile item like corrugated cardboard would make our lives easier? Yep. A Bordentown resident.

George W. Swift, Jr. (1867-1942) was born in Philadelphia to George W. Swift (18421914) and Mary Jane Nesbit Swift (18411914). Both of his parents were English immigrants that settled in America during the late 1850s. His mother arrived in 1857 and his father arrived in 1859.

He served in the U.S. Navy as a waterman before obtaining the rank of captain. The family consisted of at least two sons and three daughters.

As a child, young George and his family visited the Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park, which was considered the first successful world’s fair. Opening in May 1876, it celebrated a century of discovery since the Declaration of Independence.

One of the most fascinating structures was Machinery Hall. Covering an area of almost 560,000 square feet, this architectural marvel in its simplicity resembled an enormous greenhouse with thousands of operable windows.

Well received by the public for its design

and striking light-blue appearance, upon entering one of eight entrances, the interior housed many machines from nations across the globe. Featured exhibits included a Corliss steam engine, a Baldwin locomotive engine, a 56-ton flywheel, an early internal combustion engine, an Otis elevator, an ammonia compressor for refrigeration and ice making, a massive Seth Thomas clock, and Alexander Graham Bell’s Telegraphic Receiver. Symbolically, the building represented the power and strength that technological development had to offer.

Awestruck by the complexity of the machinery, young George and many like him walked away with a sense of pride that they too could make strides in our nation’s industrialization with great will and determination.

When the family moved to Bordentown several years later, George learned a machinist’s trade and worked in a factory along the Delaware River in nearby Fieldsboro. At the age of 21, he moved back to Philadelphia for a while, becoming engaged with a business partnership for a machine press as well as lovely woman by the name of Stella Saylor (1870-1966).

By this time, the Philadelphia area was already rated as one of the largest saw manufacturing centers in the world. Companies like Disston dominated the majority of the country’s lumber industry by producing millions of hand saws, circular saws, band saws and files every year. This boom included smaller companies such as the American Saw Company in Trenton, which employed fifty workers. Ceasing on its success, George moved his operations from Philadelphia to the factory site in Trenton.

In 1901, George was presented with the opportunity to purchase the Bordentown Rug Factory on Park Street in Bordentown. In doing so, he and his wife also bought a magnificent Italianate home on Prince Street that was formerly the residence of Robert Schuyler Van Rensselaer (18081877), a descendent of a wealthy family from

Amsterdam that settled in upstate New York and an important figure in his own right as superintendent of the Camden and Amboy Railroad.

While decorating their new home, George graced the property with an elegant gazebo and Victorian era embellishments such as an iron stag and large garden urns that were cast at a foundry. Overlooking the Crosswicks Creek, the home had a prominent belvedere with windows that afforded scenic views in every direction.

However, since the staircase posed an extracurricular workout to reach this hypnotic destination, an Otis elevator was installed between the first two floors for convenience. It was also a necessity when his elderly parents lived with him.

In the factory on Park Street, Swift hired specialists to design and build special machinery that would significantly improve time and labor costs involving businesses and homeowners. With over 100 patents to his name, he manufactured machines that revolutionized the paper industry. Starting with corrugated cardboard, he discovered that the material “provides a plurality of corrugated webs having their corrugations intermeshed and connected with each other at their crests…so that they are capable of relative movement and are not crushed together by strains which would collapse a single web of their aggregate thickness.”

Therefore, the cushioning of corrugated cardboard prevented products from damage during shipping and packaging. In addition, the machines created folds and slits for easier assemblage of container boxes.

As if this wasn’t miraculous enough, the factory stored a vast array of machines that manufactured paper cups, bottle caps, paper bags, tickets and baggage tags, printing paper, and even some of the first commercially successful pre-gummed envelopes in the country. But before the age of Styrofoam, it was the creation of cardboard egg case partitions that carefully cradled the soft shells from breakage during transport. Suffice to say, George received a patent for that as well.

By 1916, his business was known as George W. Swift, Jr., Inc. with George rightfully serving as president. Through the years, his machinery was sold to numerous countries including Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, South Africa, and Australia. At the height of its success, the company in Bordentown employed almost 300 workers.

Yet success doesn’t always equate prosperity. A critical housing shortage made life problematic for employees and their families to reside in the city. Addressing the situation, the company bought a large tract of land three years later which extended from

Union Street through to Chestnut Street for the sole purpose of constructing 120 modern dwellings.

This was the catalyst that prodded other building enterprises to unfold for the first time in the history of the town. Despite efforts from an outside firm to make this dream a reality, unfortunately it foundered under the breadth of bureaucracy, an economic depression, and war before a formal ground-breaking ceremony actually happened three decades later.

Built by the 20th Century Construction Company of Camden for $750,000, the development site was known as the 96-unit Bordentown Manor Apartments. Today it is recognized as the Chestnut Village Apartments.

As civic minded individuals, George and his wife enjoyed their status as philanthropists in giving back to the local community. Noticing the deteriorated condition of the abandoned one-room schoolhouse in which Clara Barton taught before she founded the American Red Cross, the Swifts acquired the structure at a Sheriff’s Sale for $300 and sold it to the New Jersey State Board of Education for $1.

With the sale came the understanding that it would be restored and preserved as a memorial to her humanitarianism as the centennial of her birth approached in 1921. On the day of its dedication, many school children, their teachers, and state dignitaries, including New Jersey Governor, Edward Edwards, came to celebrate.

The schoolhouse wasn’t the only project of educational value and learning that the couple found worthy of funding. Their generosity, along with other individuals, helped lay the foundation for a community library on East Union Street. Dedicated in 1941, the occasion was met with exuberance amid fanfare. Today it is a branch of the Burlington County Library System. In the lobby stands a bronze plaque forever memorializing their names and the selflessness that they embodied.

In 1942, this pragmatic community leader died in his home. In addition to being an inventor and industrialist, he faithfully served as a member of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Yapewi Yacht Club, a volunteer fireman, and a director of the Bordentown Banking Company.

He was buried in the Bordentown Cemetery where his wife would join him 24 years later. In 1964, his company shut its doors.

Although the name of George W. Swift, Jr. is not recognized in history books, you can honestly say that he was the person who thought outside of an actual box.

What are the benefits of an annual physical for children?

Ask The Doctor

While back-to-school is a time to shop for school supplies and the latest fashions, it is also the perfect time to check in on your child’s health with a physical exam. Parents can ease the big change and alleviate stress with the below back-to-school readiness checklist from the pediatric and adolescent health experts at RWJBarnabas Health:

• Fill out any forms your school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms.

• Be sure your child has up-to-date immunizations; new this school year, children 12 and over can be vaccinated for COVID-19

• Inform the school nurse and teachers about medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day. Arrange with the school nurse to administer medications your child might need.

• Let teachers know about conditions that may affect your child’s ability to learn. Children with ADHD should be seated in the front and children with vision problems should sit near the board.

• Be sure your child has a safe backpack and knows not to overload it.

Likhitha Musunuru, MD, Family Medicine, an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider, affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, shares answers to the following common questions related to back-to-school physicals:

Are well-visits, physical exams and sports exams the same thing?

Both exams are classified as a preventative care visit – they allow your child to be examined using measurements of growth and development. These visits help keep your child healthy and focus on improvements that can be made to enhance your child’s wellness.

What can my child expect during a back-to-school visit or well-exam?

During a back-to-school physical, your provider will discuss your child’s history to discuss any concerns, ask questions about lifestyle behaviors, check their vaccination status and update their medical history. Your provider will also check your child’s

vital signs – blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and temperature – and perform heart, lung, abdominal and head and neck exams.

Why do schools require back-toschool physicals each year?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, schools often require physicals to ensure students’ vaccinations are up-to-date. These exams also provide an opportunity to monitor your child’s health on a year-to-year basis to ensure he or she is hitting milestone benchmarks.

What vaccines are required for school-age children?

New Jersey schools require specific immunizations based on the age of your child. For a full list of vaccinations required all grades in New Jersey, visit nj.gov/health/cd/imm. shtml.

Does my child need any other kind of screening?

Cardiac and concussion screenings have the lifesaving potential to reduce heartrelated incidents and brain injuries among school-age children and teens. New Jersey requires all school athletes to be examined by their primary care or school physician at least once per year.

Dr. Musunuru sees patients at 17 Main Street in Robbinsville. For more information or to make an appointment, please call (609) 392-6366. Learn more at rwjbh.org/ medgroupprimarycare

Coming up this month at RWJU Hospital Hamilton

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

MoNdAy, SePTeMBeR 11

How and When to be your own Health Advocate. 11 a.m. to noon. Join Lisa Cruser, LPN, Nurse Advocate and owner of Empowering Patients Advocacy Group while she discusses how to navigate the healthcare system, how to ask for and get a second opinion, and how to advocate for yourself and others. Free.

TueSdAy, SePTeMBeR 12

No More Food Fights. 10 to 11 a.m. We are talking about picky eating! Mealtime doesn’t have to be a battle. Let’s explore the most current and effective tactics for healthy & peaceful meals.

Does The Ringing In Your Ears Drive You Crazy? 10-11 a.m. 25 million Americans suffer from Tinnitus and sound sensitivity. Join Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., A.B.A. as she discusses the phenomenon of Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity Syndrome and various

treatment options for relief. Fall Mini Medical School. Also Sept. 12, 19, 26, and Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; 6-7 p.m. Join us for this 8-week informative session on different medical topics. Enhance your knowledge with the variety of specialties and areas of study. All you need to bring is a willingness to learn and have fun. *MUST ATTEND ALL 8 SESSIONS FOR A CERTIFICATE*

WedNeSdAy, SePTeMBeR 20

Fall Medication Series. Also Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, 11, & 18; 2-3 p.m. Learn about different classifications of medications in this 5 week series with our pharmacists and congestive heart failure coordinator.

WedNeSdAy, SePTeMBeR 27

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

THuRSdAy, SePTeMBeR 28

Color Me Hoopy; Hoola Hoop for Fun and Fitness! 6 to 7 p.m. This is a very popular class, and with good reason; it’s so much fun. Hoola Hooping is so much easier with an “adult sized” hoop and the right instruction. Learn skills and techniques, hoops provided. Angela Reitter, certified Hoop Love Coach and Hoola-Fit Instructor. Fee-$15.

Better Health Programs

Registration required for all programs. Must be a Better Health Member. Call

(609) 584-5900 or go to rwjbh.org/events.

TueSdAy, SePTeMBeR 12

The Tree of Life Art Workshop. 1 to 2:30 p.m. In this workshop, we will create the tree of life that speaks to you—its colors, branches, production of sprouts and/or leaves. Bring pictures from magazines, your own photos, the colors you associate with your tree— paints, crayons and colored pencils will do. We will explore it all in this workshop and gain connection as we embrace this season together.

FRidAy, SePTeMBeR 22

dr. Ali & Game Time Lunch and Learn. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Join us for lunch, a game, and prizes as Dr. Ali & Joyce Cantalice test your knowledge on things important to our aging community. Don’t panic, this will be a team effort created to be interactive and fun.

TueSdAy, SePTeMBeR 26

Lean on Me! 11 a.m. to Noon. An end-of-life doula is a trained and compassionate individual who provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support to individuals and their families helping create an end-of-life plan. Meet Sandra Roy, who has dedicated her life to serving the community. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, End-of Life Certification, Life Coach Certification, Clinical Pastoral Education Certification from RWJBarnabas Health, and is working on her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work.

Dr. Likhitha Musunuru