Current Bordentown
Bee there or bee square
A selfless captain helps Scotties’ football enjoy a Nice season
BY JUSTIN FEIL
It was no surprise to the Bordentown Regional High School football staff when Calvin Nice said yes to another major position change.
Nice does a bit of everything for the Scotties, and not just in games.
“He’s the first one on the
field,” said Scotties head coach Skip Edwards. “He’s always helping to put things away. He’s working with other kids. He’s the last to leave the field. And he’s always making sure that the locker room is clean when he leaves.”
Nice tries to help in any way possible. It’s one reason that he was named a
captain as a junior this year after accepting another position move that helped Bordentown enjoy another solid season.
“I’ve always tried to be the guy who’s there to help out and get things done,”
Nice said. “Like cleaning up our stuff into the shed at the end of our practice or whatever. Or trying to See STORY, Page 10
get water in from the game. By being a captain, it meant that I can’t just be a guy volunteering to help out with that, I’ve got to make sure the whole team’s organized to get everything done. So it was a definitely a change of responsibilities. I had a lot more I had to deal with. But in a way, it almost felt
Cheesman keeps seat as city commissioner
BY JOE EMANSKI
When James Lynch resigned from the Bordentown City Board of Commissioners in March, after 35 years on the board, fellow commissioners Jennifer Sciortino and Joe Myers opted to appoint someone with board experience to take his place.
That person was Heather Cheesman, who had served previously on the three-member board from 2009 to 2013.
After being sworn in by Joanne Schwartz, the county clerk, Cheesman was set to serve only until November, when an election could next be held. Three candidates ran last month to complete the term — Cheesman, James Heupel and Edward P. Foley IV — with Cheesman easily winning the race.
Cheesman received 1,169 votes compared to Heupel’s 403 and Foley’s 251. Five people voted for their own choice of candidate. She will now serve on the board until May 2025, when all three commissioner seats are up for re-election to full three-year terms.
Voters in the city also had the opportunity to vote on two proposals, both of which passed by margins of nearly 70% for to 30% against. Proposal 1 asked voters if the city should change its annual election date from May to November. This vote passed by a margin of 1,276 to 563.
In Proposal 2, voters were asked whether the city should institute an Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Program, which will necessitate an increase in the city property tax levy from between 0.1 and 0.4 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The proposal passed by a margin of 1,256 to 583.
A group of Boy Scouts from Troop 13 works on John Reiter’s Eagle Scout project, a pollinator garden in Terry Field. Reiter is second from left. Story, page 4.
RWJUH Hamilton December Healthy Living / Community Education Programs
CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Monday, Dec. 2 + 16; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Caring for someone with chronic illness can take a physical and emotional toll on family members. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate this supportive group experience.
ADULT CHILDREN CARING FOR PARENTS
Monday, Dec. 2 + 16; 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Providing care and support for your parents later in their lives can be difficult and taxing. A caregiver specialist will moderate and facilitate this supportive group experience.
KNOWLEDGE CAFÉ: DIAGNOSIS
AND TREATMENT OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Tuesday, Dec. 3; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join Dorota Gribbin, MD, and Erika Serviolo, Occupational Therapist, MS, OTR/L, ITOT, CSRS, RWJ Rehabilitation, for a discussion on what Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, its common causes, and how it affects the hands and wrists. You will learn to recognize the key symptoms and how to manage or prevent them in everyday life. Dinner will be provided.
BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, Dec. 3; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Please call 609.584.2836 to confirm attendance. This group meets at the Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton located at 2575 Klockner Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, Dec. 4; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
A supportive discussion group for those caring for a loved one who is aging or has a chronic illness— shared experiences can be healing.
A caregiver specialist will moderate and facilitate this supportive group experience.
COOKING WITH CARDIOLOGY: WHOLESOME FEASTS
Wednesday, Dec. 4; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy the festive season while staying mindful of your well-being. Learn how to prepare nutritious, delicious meals with Shakil Shaikh, DO, RWJUH Hamilton, and member of Hamilton Cardiology Associates. Perfect for food lovers seeking a wholesome celebration!
GRIEF & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, Dec. 5 + 19; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
If you have lost a loved one or been separated from your support system, you can find comfort and begin to cope better by interacting with others.
A senior well-being specialist will moderate.
LETTING GO OF CLUTTER
Tuesday, Dec. 10; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This support group explores how our emotional ties to our “stuff” can create clutter and affect our mood.
A caregiver specialist will moderate and facilitate this supportive group experience.
DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: COMMON CAUSES OF SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Tuesday, Dec. 10; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join us for an insightful lecture presented by Kevin Law, MD, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, RWJUH Hamilton medical staff member, board-certified in critical care, pulmonary disease and sleep medicine. This session will demystify the common yet concerning symptom of shortness of breath. Whether you experience this symptom or want to better understand its implications, this lecture will provide valuable information and guidance. Dinner will be provided to registered participants.
PAPER ART GREETING CARDS
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Let your creativity soar as we play with paper and make artistic greeting cards to take home. Please bring scissors; all other materials will be provided.
WISE WOMEN: WHAT MAKES A GOOD LIFE?
Thursday, Dec. 12; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Join a community of women to discuss relevant topics. Let’s find purpose, meaning and community together.
UNDERSTANDING THE WINTER BLUES: SHEDDING LIGHT ON SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
Monday, Dec. 16; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Explore the symptoms, causes and treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) with Jasmeet Mehta, MD, an
A SOCIAL HOUR ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS
Wednesday, Dec 4, 11, 18; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Don’t miss an opportunity to participate in lifechanging conversations, listening, learning, and exploring for this time in our lives. Topics created for you by you. Every week is new and something different. Join us on all three dates, two or even one. It’s your choice. New folks are always welcome.
SHINING A LIGHT ON THE HOLIDAYS
Thursday, Dec 5; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec 5; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Some winter holidays celebrated by people of different religions and cultures, like Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and Diwali, use light. Join us and hear the history behind these traditions and enjoy a group project creating your own representation using flameless tea lights with beautiful multi-media materials. All supplies included.
TAI CHI CLASSES
Thursday, Dec 5 + 12; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
SELF-DEFENSE: PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR SENIORS
Monday, Dec 9; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join us to learn practical strategies to enhance personal safety and confidence. Learn how to navigate real-world situations with critical situational awareness skills and develop a survival mindset. The program will include some demonstrations and a Q & A session.
CELEBRATING AGING
Tuesday, Dec 10; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
The older we get, the more there is to learn and experience. Join us as we explore and embrace the positivity of aging. This presentation will provide an understanding of the positive aspects of aging and factors that contribute to meaningful and enriching experiences that help
internal medicine specialist with RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, RWJUH Hamilton. SAD affects millions of people annually, typically during the fall and winter months. Learn how reduced sunlight, shorter days and changing seasons impact mental health.
“WII” ARE POWERED GAME TIME
Tuesday, Dec. 17; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join RWJ Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy specialists, RWJUH Hamilton, for this fun hour of Wii video games and learn about safe mechanics. Mastering body movement is leveling up your real-life stats. Play smart, move like a pro and stay in the game longer!
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS
Wednesday, Dec.18; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join our beginner meditation class and learn this simple, but not always easy practice to quiet your mind and soothe your body. No experience necessary.
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, Dec. 18; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Support and information for family and friends of people with Alzheimer’s disease. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.
HEALTHRHYTHMS ® DRUM CIRCLE
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Join our drum circle to drum your cares away, have fun and relieve stress. No experience necessary; drums will be provided. The program requires a fee of $15, payable upon registration.
THE HOT SEAT: CHAIR DANCING
Thursday, Dec. 19; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
While seated, shimmy and sway during this hour-long, no-impact dance class. Chair dancing is a great way to incorporate cardio exercise into your day. Keep your body moving and your heart pumping. No experience necessary.
THE BASICS OF MEDICARE
Tuesday, Jan. 7; 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Learn about the basics of Medicare, how to avoid penalties, and when to apply for Medicare benefits. The program will be led by a licensed insurance agent specializing in Medicare and ACA. Light refreshments will be provided.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN RELIEF AND WELL-BEING
Thursday, Jan. 9; 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Join Adam Redlich, MD, an integrative sports medicine specialist and acupuncture provider, who will share how acupuncture can ease tension and anxiety, help with pain relief, improve function, contribute to your overall well-being, and may even be covered by Medicare.
*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.
us thrive as we age. Presented by Rutgers Health, University Behavioral Health Care, Comprehensive Services on Aging (COPSA), and the Institute for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.
MONTHLY MEN’S GROUP
Wednesday, Dec 11; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Who said men don’t talk? Men need a safe space to share thoughts and feelings too. That’s why this is a women-free zone just for men to talk about whatever is on their minds.
GAME TIME
Friday, Dec 13; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, Dec 23; 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for good wholesome pastime and fun--let’s play a game! Sharpen your skills or jump back into something you always enjoyed. Snacks and a variety of board games will be available, or you are welcome to bring your own. A great way to meet new friends or bring friends with you.
CREATE YOUR PERSONAL HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE
Monday, Dec 16; 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Join us as we spread winter joy through art and innovation. Create a beautiful holiday centerpiece to take home and enjoy. This fun and hands-on class will help you tap into your inner creativity as you spend time enjoying music, friends, and crafting.
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Wednesday, Dec 18; 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Happy holidays! Whether you come alone to meet new people or to catch up with old friends, join our Better Health Program family for an enjoyable holiday party and to reflect on a year well spent. There will be delicious food, festive dancing, and a special singer. Looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!
Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call
HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS?
Pain when you walk Sharp, electrical-like pain
tingling Difficulty sleeping from leg or foot discomfort
Muscle weakness Sensitivity to touch?
is
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Mann wins election to school board in township
The Bordentown Regional School District Board of Education was always certain to have at least one new voice come January, but now we know that there will be two newcomers on the board next year.
Carmen Rivera was running unopposed for the final year of an unexpired three-year term originally held by Larry Braasch, and then Raquel Parker, who was appointed to the seat after Braasch resigned in 2023.
At the same time, Parker and incumbent Richard Shenowski were on the November ballot along with Virinder K. Mann to vie for two available three-year terms.
Rivera received 3,944 votes out of a possible 3,960 to confirm her place on the board for 2025. To remain on the board beyond 2025, Rivera will have to run again next November.
third with 2,183 votes, will no longer be a board member when it reorganizes in January. Katherine Clark, who held one of the expiring seats, did not run for re-election.
Mann shared a message of gratitude to Facebook on Nov. 7. “Thank you to everyone who supported this journey — my amazing family, friends and every single voter who believed in [my] vision...I’m excited to get to work and make a positive impact for our schools and community.”
Also winning re-election to the board in November was Michael James, the long-term board member and current president of the board, who was the lone candidate on the Bordentown City ballot. James received 1,414 out of 1,465 possible votes.
Winning the two full terms up for grabs were Mann, with 3,184 votes, and Shenowski, with 2,805. Parker who finished
Of the nine seats on the board, two are allotted to residents of Bordentown City, one to Fieldsboro, and the remainder to Bordentown Township.
See NEWS, Page 4
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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
Justin Feil
CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS
Eric Orange, Adam E. Zielinski
AD LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION
Stacey Micallef (Ext. 131)
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
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)
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
Tis the season to be healthy.
Make a plan for your cardiac health.
From state-of-the-art technology to the most specialized team in New Jersey, our network offers the most complete heart and vascular care. Whether you have hypertension, heart disease or a child with a heart issue, our team of nurses, cardiologists and heart surgeons deliver comprehensive, compassionate care. Our highly coordinated approach to patient care ensures that you can focus on improved health and wellness – and get your heart off your mind. Make a plan at rwjbh.org/heart
Lozito, Holliday win three-year terms on township committee
Democrats Kelly Lozito and Eric Holliday, running unopposed for threeyear terms on the Bordentown Township Committee, easy won re-election in November.
Holliday received 3,784 votes and Lozito 3,755. Holliday has served as a member of the committee since 2015, including two terms as deputy mayor.
Lozito was appointed to former longtime mayor and committee member Steve Benowitz’ seat, after Benowitz stepped down in December 2023 due to illness. Benowitz died in February.
Also in the township, Salvatore A.
Guido and George Gareis won election to the township board of fire commissioners representing Districts 1 and 2, respectively.
Guido ran unopposed in District 1, receiving 1,573 out of a possible 1,581 votes. Gareis ran against Fred J. Freda, Jr. in District 2, and received 1,553 votes to Freda’s 1,274.
Green Team visits local record-pressing shop
Members the environmental sustainability committee of Independent Record
Pressing, a vinyl record pressing plant located on Bordentown-Hedding Road, hosted a tour for the Bordentown City Green Team on Oct. 21.
The purpose of the tour was to highlight IRP’s Climate Neutral certification and share ways that they are reducing their
carbon footprint. The committee includes Sal Roccanova (general manager), Kim Gosselin (accountant), Lynsey O’Brien (human resources manager) and Chris Long (operations manager).
Independent Record Pressing was founded in 2015 by Dave Hansen (Exceleration Music) and Ben Swanson, Chris Swanson and Darius Van Arman (Secretly Group) along with Red Light Management.
IRP began with six vintage Hamilton Presses made in the late 70’s and early 80’s. They now have nine modern and energy efficient presses as well as a new boiler and chiller system. The closed chiller system is designed to use a limited supply of water while keeping the plant cool.
IRP has manufactured more than 14 million records. Artists pressed at IRP include Alabama Shakes, Bad Religion,
Big Thief, Bon Iver, Descendants, Elliott Smith, Fela Kuti, Iron Maiden, J Dilla, Mavis Staples, Pharcyde, Phoebe Bridgers, Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead, Ray Charles, The National, Tim McGraw, Tom Waits, and Slash of Guns N’ Roses. In 2023, IRP became a Climate Neutral Certified brand. Gosselin explained that the certification shows their commitment towards reducing their carbon footprint. The certification process involves calculating the total tonne of carbon equivalent emissions, setting a reduction plan to reduce emissions, and offsetting those emissions by investing in projects such as hydropower and wind energy.
The tour highlighted the use of reground vinyl compound. Derived from recycled post-industrial vinyl materials, marketed under their IRP EcoMix brand, vinyl regrind is used to make brand new See NEWS, Page 8
Troop 13’s Reiter makes Eagle Scout with pollinator garden
John Reiter checks on the progress of his Eagle Scout pollinator garden.
John Reiter, an Eagle Scout with Bordentown’s Boy Scout Troop 13, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout by organizing and implementing the installation of a pollinator garden in Terry Field. Part of the garden is a monarch butterfly waystation.
The intent of the garden is to assist in the pollination process. Reiter says that roughly a third of the food we eat is a direct result of pollination process, including fruits, vegetables and nuts.
The monarch butterfly waystation is filled with nectar, producing plants for them to feed off and milkweed for them to lay their eggs. The setup is intended to help the monarchs during their migration south and will help this endangered spe-
cies grow.
Reiter worked with a professional landscape architect to design the garden. All of the plants and grasses are native to New Jersey. Reiter raised all the money needed to create the garden through donations and a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The garden is certified by the National Wildlife Foundation and the North American Butterfly Association.
Scouts from Troop 13 and some personal friends spent eight hours on a Saturday afternoon in August planting more than 80 plants and grasses of various types. The garden was installed with the blessing of the Bordentown Township Committee.
PEPPLER FUNERAL HOME
records. IRP says that EcoMix allows it to produce quality records, maintaining high standards in both audio and aesthetics.
Roccanova added that IRP has recycled and repurposed close to 150,000 vinyl records.
BRHS Thespians donate
1,649 pounds of food
Celebrating 50 Years of Helping our Community Here in Bordentown
Also highlighted were the recycling of shrink wraps and plastic strappings, compound bags, nickel stampers, snack and chip bags, labels and stickers, plastic coffee packets and unused coffee filters, and a variety of other items. IRP employees are encouraged to become involved in the reduction process by looking for ways that waste can be reduced.
For example, employees have reduced using paper, and now bring their own water bottles and mugs, eliminating the purchase of one time use cups. This year, IRP announced that from 2023 to 2024, it reduced its carbon emissions by 17%.
“The tour was both informative and inspiring,” said Bordentown City Green Team co-chair Cathy Elliott-Shaw. “It was gratifying to learn that a successful business in our community continuously evaluates initiatives that mitigate environmental impacts.”
Web: independentrecordpressing.com and facebook.com/BCityGreenTeam.
On Halloween, instead of asking for candy, the theater students of Bordentown Regional High School went door to door gathering food donations for those in need. This year, the BRHS International Thespian Society Troupe 6803 collected 1,649 pounds of canned and dry goods for St. Mary’s Food Pantry through their 2024 Trick Or Treat So Kids Can Eat Food Drive.
Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat is a community service program for New Jersey International Thespian Society member schools to collect canned and dry goods for local charities and food banks. Thousands of pounds of food were collected across the state by high school thespians, giving theatre students the ability to help their local community.
Since 2010, BRHS International Thespian Society Troupe 6803 has collected over 42,000 pounds of donations during the International Thespian Society’s Trick Or Treat So Kids Can Eat food drive. The success of the BRHS Trick Or Treat Food Drives have been recognized by the state of New Jersey with official proclamations and won the 2018 award for Most Food Drive Donations Collected for the state of New Jersey.
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Seminar & Free Screenings
Seminar: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Screenings: Thursday, December 12, 2024 | Begins at 5 p.m.
Location: Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell NJ PURE Conference Center, One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534
Led by experts from the Capital Health Heart & Vascular Institute, join us for a free seminar on December 11 at 6 p.m. to learn ways to prevent cardiovascular disease, and make an appointment for the following free screenings on December 12:
… Carotid Artery Ultrasound
… Varicose Vein Inspection
… Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
… Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose
… Peripheral Artery Disease
You must attend the seminar to be eligible for the screenings. Sign up by Friday, December 6. Screening is available for the first 25 who sign up for the seminar. A waiting list will be available.
Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events.
Class size is limited. Please register early.
like I was doing the same thing, just on a bigger scale. So it wasn’t that unfamiliar trying to work and handle the team.”
Nice handles changes and responsibilities seamlessly. It was preseason when Bordentown coaches asked Nice to move inside from tight end to right tackle, just two years after he entered high school as a quarterback. And he’d already made a big move last year on the defensive side going from outside linebacker to defensive end. The switch to tackle was just the latest request.
“I said, ‘OK, whatever you need,’ and started playing right tackle,” Nice said. “So that’s where I was all season.”
It wasn’t a hard sell to Nice. He wasn’t a big pass catcher, and his 6-foot-4 frame was filling out to almost 200 pounds.
“I had one preseason game to get used to the idea of playing that tackle spot, to get used to whatever slight differences there are,” Nice said. “But I had a really good season playing tackle. I had a lot of fun in every game. It was a lot of fun.”
Bordentown also had to make a slight adjustment after a slow start with a team dominated by young players. The Scotties opened the year 0-2. They didn’t score a touchdown in the first game and then lost on a two-point conversion in the second game of the season.
But the Scotties were tough to score on and tough to beat the rest of the year as they rattled off wins in seven of their final eight games to finish 7-3.
“Our defense really started to gel,” Edwards said. “Rich McGlynn, who runs the defense, did an outstanding job getting kids ready for games.”
The defense held four teams to a single score over their last eight games. The veteran players and captains took the lead and the young players started making more plays on both sides of the ball as well as special teams. Their first win over Lawrence was highlighted by an 82-yard kickoff return by Jose Santiago and a fourth-quarter goal-line stand. Momentum picked up with each successive game in a big run down the stretch.
year since they won 10 games in 2021 when this year’s seniors were freshmen. Not all of them saw playing time that year, so it was special to go out with a great season. Harrison Kertes, Ken Brophy, Mohammed Gumus, Roger Chapdelaine, Tristian Decavalcante and Wyatt Kovac were the only seniors on this year’s roster that had 54 players.
“The small class that we had, they were all kids that had played and had experience,” Edwards said. “They gave their best in practice, but when it was game time, they just really turned it on, and they took over.”
Kovac led the Scotties with 206 receiving yards and three catches for scores, and Kertes did a little of everything including being a captain along with Brophy. The others helped lead and fill the less glamorous but important roles.
“Our offensive line became very, very well coached and they started tipping things up and doing things like we had in 2021,” Edwards said. “Like pulling both guards or pulling the guard and tackle. Mohammed Gumus, the center, has played the last two years. Roger, this is his third year playing for us. So we had some experience on the line.”
“I don’t know that we changed very much,” Nice said. “We were fighting hard through all those games, even those close losses at the beginning. I think what really happened was we were able to finish more of those games. We started finishing drives on offense, getting to the end of the game, instead of losing in those last minutes in the fourth quarter, carrying on and keeping our lead to win those games and eventually we just started getting more and more accomplished, especially on offense. Defense carried us through those first couple of games.”
The late stretch enabled Bordentown to finish with seven wins. It’s their best
Underclassman filled many of the top skill spots. Sophomore quarterback Trey Lee passed for 364 yards and Santiago, who is also a sophomore, paced Bordentown with 850 rushing yards. Junior Tahji Hill rushed for another 212 yards, sophomore Carter Stumpf also had more than 100 yards on the ground and junior Larry Hart was a capable runner as well.
“We had a good season this year, and we could have an incredible one next year because there are some amazing
Calvin Nice in action for Bordentown football.
guys coming back in both the junior and sophomore classes from this year,” Nice said. “We’re all going to have that extra year of experience. We’re going to be that much more confident. We’re going to be that much stronger coming back onto the field. So I could see us going some amazing places next year.”
Nice will return with experience on both sides of the ball. He made several plays on the defensive side down the stretch of the season, and grew to enjoy being a part of an offensive line that came together to become more dominant. He adjusted to his new spot and learned the nuances of his new blocking schemes.
“I really enjoyed being able to get up there, get in the trenches and getting physical with the other team,” Nice said. “I feel like I’m doing something more important, blocking as a part of the whole offensive line than just blocking as a tight end.”
The move this year was easier than when he moved from outside linebacker to defensive end last year.
“I remember that one took some more getting used to,” Nice said. “It’s quite a different role. That was some of my first time playing on the line.”
Nice has made the transitions look easy to become a contributor in his new spots. He figures to be even better in his final season of high school football because he has this year’s experiences.
“I think having the confidence of knowing that I’ve done all this before is going to really help me out there on the field,” he said. “And especially knowing that I’m going to have a whole other offseason of training behind me going into that.”
Nice is committed to getting into the weight room and being a leader there to motivate others. He has made time outside of football to direct plays and enjoys acting. Nice is the only member of the Bordentown football team who is homeschooled. His mom has been teaching him for the past seven years.
“It’s really nice to have the flexible
schedule,” Nice said. “I can organize my day around football so I can get work done before I come to the school to do football and then come back and finish my work. So that’s always been good to work around, but I think the way we study doing home schooling involves being able to really repeat and really understand what it was we just learned which helps in learning football, knowing what to do in a certain situation in game or helping me learn the playbook.”
Nice has his eye on trade school following high school, and is weighing options with welding, HVAC or construction.
Edwards is just happy that the Scotties get another year out of Nice.
“You don’t get too many of those kids,” Edwards said.
Nice is part of a huge group of players that is returning with valuable experience from this year, and a good understanding of what it takes to win. He is determined to make sure that the Scotties take another step in the offseason.
“In the weight room, I want to be on everyone trying to make sure we’re all working, making sure we can be a stronger, better team,” Nice said. “So I’ll be trying to keep us focused, keep us locked in, working from the winter on to make sure by the time we come next fall we have grown, we’ve become stronger, we’ve become a better team.”
Nice has always tried to do whatever he can to help the team. He switched positions this year and took a larger captain role, and relished the Scotties’ breakout season. He will be more familiar with his roles next year as he looks to close out his career and lead Bordentown’s football team again.
“We all know what it’s like to win now,” Nice said. “We all know what it’s like to have a strong team to come in and expect to win games. So I think we’ll be expecting to come in and do that again and to do even better this time. I think we’ve all got some high expectations for this next season.”
Battle of Petticoat Bridge re-enactment set for Dec. 14
The battles of Trenton and Princeton were pivotal in saving the Cause for American independence at the end of 1776.
While the battles themselves are known as the Ten Crucial Days, a series of skirmishes south of Trenton in Burlington County helped set the stage for victory. The Rev War Alliance of Burlington County, a nonprofit organization that seeks to interpret and preserve local history, will host the second annual reenactment of the Battle of Petticoat Bridge on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The fighting at Petticoat Bridge on Dec. 22, 1776, between American militia and soldiers of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment triggered a response from Hessian Col. Count Carl von Donop. The count assembled about 2,000 troops and marched on Mount Holly the following day and remained there for three days, critically out of position to reinforce the garrison at Trenton. Had Col. Donop remained at Bordentown, our history might have been very different on the morning of Dec. 26.
The re-enactment is set to take place at 1871 Jacksonville Jobstown Road in Mansfield. The event is free and open to the public and does not have a rain date. The program includes a full-scale battle reenactment between opposing forces, along with artillery demonstrations and original artifacts on display.
Guest speakers will be a Hessian Jäger
Noah Lewis will portray bombardier Ned Hector at the re-enactment of the Battle of Petticoat Bridge.
discussing tactics and Noah Lewis, who portrays Pennsylvania bombardier Ned Hector. Lewis will give a brief talk on the role of African-American soldiers in the Continental Army.
The site of Petticoat Bridge is threatened with development. The Rev War Alliance of Burlington County has led the charge in raising awareness for preserving part of the property. Reenactments and historical programming help, but public turnout is what makes the difference. Please join us on a farm that existed in 1776 and saw thousands of troops running through its fields during this critical period.
Web: revwaralliance.org.
Adam Zielinski is president of the Rev War Alliance of Burlington County.
Adam E. Zielinski BURLINGTON HISTORY
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