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Ruch has a ‘Night to Shine’

BY BILL SANSERVINO

Olivia Ruch of Ewing volunteered at Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine on Feb 9.

For the first time since 2020, the event returned to Berks County and was hosted by Community Evangelical Church, partnered with Alvernia University. Night to Shine is designed to be an unforgettable prom night that is hosted globally for

people with special needs aged 14 and older.

Ruch was one of over 400 Alvernia volunteers who celebrated the individuals by providing them with a night of joy and recognition.

“Alvernia is committed to personal and social transformation through integrated, community-based, inclusive, and ethical learning,” said Andrea Swift, director of accessibility ser-

vices. “The University holds to the ideal of “knowledge joined with love.” Night to Shine is focused on love for the honored guests and their families. Our students had the pleasure of sharing an incredible night celebrating unique individuals and ensuring that they know how valuable they are. Alvernia students also had the opportunity to put the knowledge they have

See

BY JUSTIN FEIL

Collin Elam is counting on a short break after the wrestling season, not that the Ewing High School senior ever takes much time off while juggling three sports year-round.

“I like the challenge,” Elam said. “I like having to work hard for things.”

Elam took his first step toward a return trip to the New Jersey state championships with a runner-up finish at 190 pounds in districts. Seeded first, Elam won his first two matches before a narrow 5-4 loss to Omar Ebrahim of Lawrence forced him to settle for silver at the District 21 championships at Robbinsville High on Feb. 18.

“It felt good to compete and get big wins under my belt,” Elam said. “I wish I could have finished the job, but I’m happy to move up and move on to regions.”

Elam is the lone Blue Devils wrestler to advance out of districts. Connor Greig won his first-round match by pin at districts before falling in the second round at 165 pounds. The

Region 6 tournament for the top three finishers in each weight class from districts was set to begin on Feb. 24. The state tournament is Mar. 1-3 in Atlantic City, N.J.

“Of course, the goal is to go back there, but to do even better than I did last time,” Elam said. “Win a few matches and hopefully place, or make something happen and win.”

Last year as a 21 seed at 215 pounds at the state meet and a relative unknown, Elam won a match in the state championships, an 11-5 decision over 12th-seeded Steven Coghan of Saint Thomas Aquinas in the first round before falling in the second round and the wrestlebacks to end his year 34-5. Elam had placed second at the region tournament. His first career trip to the state tournament was an experience that he won’t forget.

“It’s crazy,” Elam said. “The atmosphere, everything is just crazy. The lights are huge, the stadium is huge. It’s definitely a great experience. And hopefully going back there again, I would have the experience there and

You have no family history of colon cancer. You still need a colon cancer screening.

Ewing resident Olivia Ruch (center) holds a sign during the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine event on Feb. 9, 2024.

RWJUH Hamilton March Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

SUPPORT GROUPS

CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Monday, Mar. 4 & 18; 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

SWEET SUCCESS SOCIETY: A DIABETES GROUP

Monday, Mar. 4; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Monday, Mar. 11; 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

ADULT CHILDREN CARING FOR PARENTS

Monday, Mar. 4 & 18; 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m

GOT STRESS?

Wednesday, Mar. 6; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Wednesday, Mar. 6; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

GRIEF & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Thursday, Mar. 7 & 21; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

WHAT’S EATING YOU?

Monday, Mar. 11; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

LETTING GO OF CLUTTER

Tuesday, Mar. 12; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Mar. 12; 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP

Tuesday, Mar. 19; 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP

Wednesday, Mar. 20; 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WISE WOMEN

Thursday, Mar. 28; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: NATIONAL NUTRITION

MONTH

Thursday, Mar. 7; 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The theme for National Nutrition Month is “Beyond the Table”. Let’s learn how to make healthy choices now to maintain health for a lifetime! Empower kids with culinary skills and nutrition knowledge to become their healthiest selves! For children 5 years and older. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Taryn Krietzman, RDN. Fee: $5 per person

DANCE IT OUT!

Monday, Mar. 11; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Never miss a chance to move and let all your worries go. Dance the stress away by grooving head-to-toe. All ages welcome, no experience required.

MEMORY SCREENING

Tuesday, Mar. 12; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Are you concerned about “senior moments’? The Mini-Mental State exam is a quick assessment to discern normal aging versus potential problems. In addition, you will learn ways to improve your memory. Must arrive 15-30 minutes early to receive the exam.

HOPE FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE SERIES, BRUNCH AND LEARN

Wednesday, Mar. 13; 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Our Monthly Health Focus features our “Hope for a Bright Future Series” designed to empower you with tips on prevention, early detection, and advancements in cancer treatments. Early detection can improve outcomes. Join our conversation on colorectal

to learn more.

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

cancer that will be both engaging and informative. Our panel will include Meera Yogarajah, MD, Maulik D. Shah, DO, Rachel Perez, Gastrointestinal Patient Navigator

TAKE HOME COLO-RECTAL KIT

Thursday, Mar. 14; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Participants will attend a lecture about colon health, and receive a stool sample kit to take at home and mail back.

BUILDING OUR CAPACITY TO TALK ABOUT RACE

Monday, Mar. 18; 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Do you ever find yourself walking on eggshells, having heated arguments or not knowing what to say about topics related to race, racism, DEI, antiracism or white privilege? Let’s unpack some of these ideas, practice mindfulness and build our capacity to have courageous and embodied conversations that help build a healthier, more connected community. Nathalie Edmond, PsyD, RYT-500, Licensed Clinical Psychologist.

UNDERSTANDING MEMORY LOSS

Tuesday, Mar. 19; 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Many people worry about experiencing memory loss as they age. Memory loss is not a normal part of aging. Although most people have heard of Alzheimer’s, many do not know that other diseases that affect memory. Join us to learn about diseases that affect memory as well as the best strategies for diagnosing, treating, supporting brain health and improving quality of life. Presented by COPSA-Institute

YOGA CLASSES

Tuesday, Mar. 5 & 12; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Krystal Loughlin, certified RYT will be leading this gentle yoga class using traditional postures, and breathing techniques offering modification of the poses for your body so that you can confidently participate. Beginners welcome. Must Register.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday; Mar.5 & 12; 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Krystal Loughlin will lead this meditation class focusing on reducing stress and bringing inner peace. See how you can easily learn to practice meditation whenever you need it most. Beginner’s welcome.

NEW - CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, Mar. 5 & 12; 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Krystal Loughlin, certified RYT, is introducing Chair Yoga to our Better Health Program. Using a chair for seated poses and also for balancing

poses, this class is perfect for those who haven’t moved their bodies for a while, recovering from an injury or have mobility/balancing difficulties. A great place to start practicing yoga to help boost your flexibility, find inner peace, unwind and stretch. Many options are given to customize the practice for YOU!

A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wednesday, Mar. 6, 20 & 27; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Mar. 13; 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please join us for our ongoing program “A Senior Social Group,” gathering in a collaborative setting to exchange thoughts, feelings and experiences amongst peers. This is a safe-zone designed to be welcoming and understanding of all attendees while exploring this season of our lives – the ups and the challenges. This is a weekly program. Please feel free to attend one or all.

for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

Wednesday, Mar. 20; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m

Calm your anxious mind and tense body with the relaxing and healing practice of Mindfulness Meditation. No experience necessary. Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Therapies Nurse, RWJUH Hamilton, Community Health.

HEALTHRYTHMS® DRUM CIRCLE

Wednesday, Mar. 20; 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Drum your cares away with our monthly Drum Circle. It’s lots of fun and a great stress reliever. Beginners welcome, drums will be provided. Mauri Tyler, CTRS,CMP $15 OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

Thursday, Mar. 21; 10:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. Ultrasound of the heel and personalized information.

WHY ARE MY EARS RINGING? - A NEW APPROACH TO TINNITUS MANAGEMENT

Wednesday, Mar. 27; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m

While tinnitus is a fairly common problem, there are many effective methods to treat and alleviate tinnitus. Join Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D. to learn about the latest in treatment options.

REIKI SHARE

Wednesday, Mar. 27; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

For folks who have been Reiki certified (at any level) to come share the gift with fellow practitioners. Give a session, get a session. Please bring a sheet and small pillow.

COLOR ME HOOPY: HOOLAHOOPING FOR FUN & FITNESS!

Thursday, Mar. 28; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m

If you think you can’t hoola-hoop, you are mistaken! This class is so much fun that you don’t even realize that you are working out! It’s much easier with an “adult sized” hoop, provided at the class. No experience necessary. Angela Reitter, Certified HoopLove Coach and Hoola-Fit Instructor. $15

DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: OPTIMIZING MEN’S HEALTH AT ANY AGE

Thursday, Mar. 28; 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m.

Deep Trivedi, MD, of New Jersey Urology in Lawrenceville will hold an open dialogue about integrative approaches and best-life discussions pertaining to lifestyle, diet, and supplementation relating to men. Additional focus will also include the latest developments in anti-aging and health span improvements. Dinner will be provided.

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

DR. ALI HOSTS A “JEOPARDY PARTY” LUNCH AND LEARN

Thursday, Mar. 7; 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A new Jeopardy focused on Innovations in Medicine. Tables will compete as teams as we test your knowledge. Don’t panic, this will be fun and interactive and there will even be prizes along with lunch.

NUTRITION, THE MEDITERRANEAN WAY

Thursday, Mar. 14th; 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Ever encounter a memorable and mouthwatering description of food in a book? Join us as we Greek-out over some seriously delicious literary eats and how they fit into a healthful Mediterranean dietary pattern. Enjoy being a studioaudience member as Taryn Krietzman, RDN does a live taping of this program for virtual at-home viewers.

TAI CHI CLASSES

Thursday, Mar. 21 & 28; 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE PUZZLING PAINTING

How does one piece of the big picture contribute to the greater whole? In this relaxed group painting workshop, each participant receives one portion of a larger image to paint onto a canvas using their choice of style and color. The finished canvases are then assembled together to reveal the collective artwork made by the group. This activity demonstrates how connections are made and individual perceptions can be seen in new ways.

Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024; 1 to 2:30

EXCLUSIVE* (see details below)

*EXCLUSIVE to any Better Health Member who will be a first-time participant attending a Grounds for Sculpture activity sponsored by Better Health. To register, email BHProgram@rwjbh.org

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024; 10:30 to Noon open to all Better Health Members

Location: Grounds for Sculptor, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619

learned in the classroom into practice as they helped with this community event.”

On the night, 160 in-person and 15 virtual guests enjoyed the royal treatment with a red carpet entrance with paparazzi, hair and make-up stations, karaoke, dancing, a catered dinner, and more. Ruch assisted in the Red Carpet Team.

The Holleran Center’s Education and Service Corps’ planned, organized, and facilitated the night. Across all Holleran Corps branches, the Center hopes to instill a lifelong commitment to service in each member and fellow students.

In addition to the Corps, Occupational Therapy students organized and ran a sensory room, Physical Therapy and Health Science students assisted anyone with balance and mobility concerns, and Criminal Justice students ran the security for the event. At the end of the night, Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., and City of Reading Mayor Eddie Moran crowned everyone as prom king or queen.

“I am volunteering at the Night to Shine for the honored guests,” said Occupational Therapy student, Lauren Jan-

We

son. “I want the men and women to feel so loved and empowered by the community of people surrounding them. Night to Shine is an incredibly special event, and the fact that it is taking place right on campus this year makes it accessible to such a large body of eager volunteers. Alvernia’s occupational therapy students have volunteered to manage the sensory room at Night to Shine. This will allow the students to receive real-world experience working with individuals in a therapeutic setting.”

By putting on an enjoyable night for individuals with special needs, Holleran Corps’ volunteers shared their passions with others while making a difference in the community, garnered leadership skills, and became problem solvers. The hard work and dedication of Alvernia’s students, staff, faculty, and the members of the Community Evangelical Church to make this event a night to remember is in alignment with the Franciscan tradition and commitment to experiential learning at Alvernia University.

Alvernia University is a Catholic comprehensive university with a liberal arts foundation founded by the Bernardine

Franciscan Sisters in 1958. The university serves over 3,000 students in Reading, Pottsville and Philadelphia with a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts education, strong technical training in many high demand majors, ever-expanding experiential learning opportunities through study abroad and internship experiences and community engagement through its Franciscan-based community service model.

Haughton named to MCCC Board of Trustees

Mercer County Commissioners have appointed Eash Haughton and Scarlett Rajski to the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) Board of Trustees. As inspiring members of the community, Haughton and Rajski bring unique experience to MCCC that aligns with the College’s mission of ensuring student success, expanding innovative partnerships and investing in organizational and professional effectiveness.

“We are excited to welcome both Eash Haughton and Scarlet Rajski to the Board,” said Kristin Appelget, chair.

“Our Board of Trustees work diligently to support the College and to maintain the highest levels of communication, collaboration, and respect for each other, the students, staff, faculty and community we serve. The combined professional expertise of our new members along with their commitment to our shared values and mission will further enhance our goals.”

Known for his expertise in campaign management, multi-channel advertising, and strategic planning, Haughton, a Ewing Township resident, works with clients across sectors spanning government agencies, nonprofits, labor unions, and corporate entities at Avoq.

Prior to joining Avoq, Haughton served as a legislative aide to Assemblywoman Verlinda Reynolds-Jackson, a policy fellow for Governor Phil Murphy, and on the legislative affairs team for New Jersey’s Department of Education.

As an active community member, Haughton holds positions in several civic and professional organizations including the Ewing Environmental Commission, the Young Professionals Group of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital HamSee AROUND TOWN, Page 4

Bill

Dan

Donnie

Christine

Community News Service

9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

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Letters: bsanservino@communitynews.org

Website: ewingobserver.com

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AROUND TOWN cont. from Page 3

ilton, and the Trenton Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

He also serves as the Black Caucus Vice Chair for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, the Executive Vice President for the New Jersey Young Democrats, and as a Strategic Advisor for Mercer County Young Democrats.

He was chosen as the 2021 Eagleton Graduate Fellow, a “2023 Rising Star” by the Mercer County Democratic Committee and a 2024 New Leaders Council Fellow, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from The College of New Jersey and a Master of Public Policy from Rutgers University.

“As a first generation immigrant and college student, this Board appointment holds a special significance for me because it embodies the dreams and aspirations of countless individuals who seek to similarly transform their lives through education,” said Haughton. “I look forward to working with President Preston, my fellow board members, and the other members of the campus community to build pathways to success that are inclusive, innovative and impactful.”

As the Director of Legislative Affairs at the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA), Rajski serves as the liaison between SDA members and mem-

bers of the New Jersey State Legislature. She has also worked as the Director of Appointments for Governor Phil Murphy’s administration, in the Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Division at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and at Gibbons PC.

Additionally, she has experience in corporate and public affairs from her time at MWW and in the federal government while working for the United States Senate in both New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Rajski holds a degree in Political Science and American Studies from Boston University and a Master of Public Affairs and Politics from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Ewing man sentenced for 2020 homicide

A Ewing man was sentenced to 45 years in state prison for the June 2020 death of his girlfriend. Aaron Adams, 41, was sentenced by Mercer County Superior Court Peter E. Warshaw on Feb. 1.

A jury found Adams guilty of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in November 2023 following a three-week trial, said Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. on June

1, 2020, Ewing police were alerted to a deceased female in a home on Glen Stewart Drive. Upon arrival, they located the victim, identified as Ashley Davis, 32, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, in the basement. There were visible wounds to Ms. Davis’ body and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the execution of a search warrant at the home, two air rifles and a handheld BB gun were located in the same room as the victim’s body. Numerous used bags of suspected heroin with various stamps were also discovered during the search. The victim’s boyfriend, Aaron Adams, resided at the Glen Stewart home, and was charged with a weapons offense.

Following an autopsy, Davis’ death was ruled a homicide. Investigation revealed she suffered a gunshot wound by a metal air gun pellet that struck internal organs and caused massive internal bleeding.

Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor John P. Boyle Jr. prosecuted the case for the state.

The investigation was led by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, specifically lead Det. Karen Mendez, and the Ewing Police Department. Adams was represented by Assistant Public Defender Jessica Lyons and Assistant Deputy Public Defender Deirdre Smith.

$250K in drugs seized by Narcotics Task Force

A two-month investigation into cocaine distribution in Ewing Township culminated this week with one arrest and the seizure of $269,800 in narcotics, four handguns and an assault weapon

Terrance Young, 34, of Ewing, was arrested on Jan. 30 as a result of the investigation conducted by the members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ewing, Hamilton and Trenton police.

After executing a search warrant at Young’s Perry Drive residence, detectives executed a search warrant at a public storage facility on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton Township. Inside of Young’s unit, detectives located approximately 790 grams of powder cocaine, 110 grams of raw heroin, 50 bricks of heroin packaged for sale, 50 grams of fentanyl and narcotics paraphernalia, including a hydraulic press, digital scale and packaging materials.

During the investigation, a second storage unit being utilized by Young was identified. Detectives obtained additional warrants and conducted a search of a unit on Parkside Avenue in Ewing, where they discovered approximately 1,200 grams of heroin, 400 grams of powder cocaine, 50 grams of methamphetamine, 50 grams of fentanyl, 28 ecstasy pills, four handguns, an assault weapon, six high-capacity magazines, a hydraulic press and drug packaging materials.

Young was charged with 38 narcotics and weapons offenses of various degrees lodged in the Mercer County Correction Center.

Authorities said the combined street value of the confiscated narcotics is approximately $269,800.

MCCC to hold summer Jazz Institute

Mercer County Community College has announced the 2024 Summer Jazz Institute, running from July through August on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Institute promises to be a unique blend of education, performance, and community engagement.

The MCCC Summer Jazz Institute is open to high school and college aged students, as well as community members from the Mercer County area, with the intent of nurturing the budding talents in our community and providing a platform for young jazz enthusiasts to interact with, learn from, and perform alongside accomplished musicians.

“The goal of this institute is not only to offer a memorable musical experience but also to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for jazz music among the youth,” said Dr. Robert Kleinschmidt, Dean of Liberal Arts at MCCC.

“We believe that music, particularly jazz, can serve as an excellent conduit for education, community building, and personal growth.”

The Institute will kick off on July 2. Over the following weeks, students will participate in intensive workshops and master classes led by an impressive roster of jazz performers and instructors.

The curriculum will cover jazz theory, ensemble performance, and improvisation, among other topics. Participants will have the chance to showcase their learning in a final concert scheduled for Aug. 2.

This year’s final concert has been reimagined as a summer jazz festival held on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus.

The MCCC Summer Jazz Institute is priced at $50 for students, made possible by generous contributions from the MCCC Foundation. Check mccc.edu on March 18 for the registration link. Interested students should register by June 27. Space is limited, so students are encouraged to register early.

Sheriff’s Car seat check program to continue

Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler announced that on-site child seat safety checks would continue this year at the Colonial Fire Company on Kuser Road in Hamilton Township.

The free program, partially funded by a grant from the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety, is part of the sheriff’s ongoing campaign to help parents, grandparents, expecting parents and others properly secure their children in an automobile.

Trained and certified sheriff’s officers will conduct each child seat check for proper installation. They will also help determine if your child is in the right seat for their age and size.

The car seat safety check-ups will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month for 2024.

The dates are March 26, April 30, May 28, June 25, July 30, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 29 and Nov. 26 (there are no inspections in December due to the holiday season).

Inspections take place in a weather-protected area at the rear of the firehouse. Participants should install their car seats before arrival and follow all healthminded guidance while at the event.

For more information on the Sheriff’s Office Car Seat Safety Program, call (609) 209-2880 or 609-278-7159.

As

BI-MONTHLY NEWS FROM CAPITAL HEALTH

Lawrenceville Neurology Center Joins Capital Health

Lawrenceville Neurology Center, a respected practice offering a comprehensive range of neurology services in Mercer County since 1981, has joined Capital Institute for Neurosciences. Supported by Capital Health’s hospitals in Trenton and Hopewell Township, New Jersey, the Institute has long advanced the level of neurologic care available to patients in Mercer and Bucks counties. With the addition of Lawrenceville Neurology Center’s offices in Lawrenceville and Princeton, the Institute expands access to neurology services to meet the growing health needs of residents in the region.

“Lawrenceville Neurology Center was founded more than 40 years ago based on a principle of providing innovative neurological care combined with skill, experience, and compassion,” said DR. KIMBERLY PALANGIO, fellowship trained clinical neurophysiologist and lead physician at Lawrenceville Neurology Center. “We’re excited to continue that tradition as part of Capital Health and its Capital Institute for Neurosciences, a proven leader in providing comprehensive neurological services for patients from throughout the greater New Jersey/Philadelphia region.”

“Capital Institute for Neurosciences meets the highest standards of care for the most complex neurological conditions,” said DR. DUSTIN ROCHESTIE, director of Neurology and Neuro Critical Care and director of the Stroke Program at Capital Institute for Neurosciences. “With the only comprehensive stroke center in the region certified by The Joint Commission at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, the addition of the Lawrenceville Neurology Center team reaffirms

our commitment to ensuring that our patients in Mercer and Bucks counties receive the best care possible and experience longer and healthier lives.”

Over the next few months, Lawrenceville Neurology Center’s office at 3120 Princeton Pike will be changing its name to Capital Institute for Neurosciences – Lawrenceville. The former practice’s Princeton office at 8 Forrestal Road will become Capital Institute for Neurosciences – Princeton. Appointments can be made at both locations, which remain home for the team of board certified neurologists that includes Drs. Kimberly Palangio, Aissa Alexeeva, Nicole Hartmann, Paul Kaiser, Nidhi Modi, Anitha Nimma, and Manuel Vergara, as well as physician assistant Selena Fucci. Many of these providers have multiple board certifications as well as fellowship training or certification in areas of specialization such as neurophysiology, vascular neurology, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, and multiple sclerosis. The Capital Institute for Neurosciences – Lawrenceville office also includes fully accredited neurophysiology, vascular, EEG, and EMG laboratories that offer a range of diagnostic services.

At Capital Institute for Neurosciences, patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team of specialists which include neurologists, endovascular neurologists, epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neurosurgical oncologists, neuropsychologists, and other specialized physicians, as well as other critical team members who provide an outstanding continuum of care from diagnosis to treatment and recovery at Capital Health.

To schedule an appointment at the new Capital Institute for Neurosciences offices in Lawrenceville and Princeton, call 609.896.1701. Visit capitalneuro.org to learn more about the Capital Institute for Neurosciences.

Capital Health Receives Funding to Continue

Statewide Violence Intervention Program

One of 11 in New Jersey and the Only Hospital in Mercer County Region to Receive Grant Money

When the New Jersey Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (NJHVIP) launched in 2020, Capital Health was selected as the only hospital in Mercer County to be part of a statewide effort to combat violence as a public health crisis in the community it serves. As part of an ongoing effort to provide victim assistance and reduce violence, a new round of funding was recently announced by Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. This grant allocates $5.2 million for the continued support of hospital-based violence intervention programs at Capital Health and 10 other hospitals throughout New Jersey.

“The NJHVIP is built on a proven model that reduces repeat injury by reaching victims of violence at the time of crisis,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “With medical treatment and recovery as a starting point, those who choose to participate in the program leave program sites like Capital Health engaged in important services that can include crisis intervention, conflict mediation, peer support, and connections to mental health and substance abuse interventions, all aimed at breaking the cycle of violence that is common in some neighborhoods.”

The NJHVIP at Capital Health is managed through its VICTORY Program, which stands for Violence Intervention for the Community Through Outreach Recovery. The program aims to break the cycle of violence by:

… Identifying and connecting victims of violence to appropriate social support services.

… Reducing the reoccurrence of violence and the need for repeat trauma/emergency care.

Educating Capital Health staff about providing care that promotes a sense of safety and empowerment for victims of violence and peer-to-peer support for health care workers.

The new funding comes from the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Fund, which helps the communities most impacted by cannabis criminalization. This grant cycle will ensure that funding continues through December 31, 2024. Bristol-Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton and Capital

Dr. Eric Schwartz, vice president of Community Health and Transformation and executive director of Capital Health’s Institute for Urban Care and Nathalie Laurent, coordinator of the Institute’s Violence Intervention for the Community Through Outreach Recovery (VICTORY) Grant Program, were invited to present information about VICTORY at the Capital City Community Coalition meeting hosted in October 2023 by Capital Health Board of Directors member Reverend John R. Taylor.

Health Institute for Urban Care partner with Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton and Millhill Child & Family Development to implement the program. To learn more about the VICTORY Program, visit capitalhealth.org/victory.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, a level II New Jersey state-designated trauma center, offers advanced emergency care for severely injured patients involved in motor vehicle crashes, falls, and assaults with knives, guns, or blunt objects. One of only 10 designated trauma centers in New Jersey, it is the regional referral center for severely injured patients in Mercer County and adjacent parts of Somerset, Hunterdon, Burlington, and Middlesex counties as well as nearby areas of Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org/trauma

Capital Health Institute for Urban Care works to advance the health and well-being of Trenton residents by growing and aligning Capital Health’s services with a robust network of community partners in the City of Trenton to improve medical care while overcoming the complex social determinants of health. To learn more about the Institute, visit capitalhealth.org/urbancare.

Capital Health Introduces Next-Generation Leadless Pacemaker

If a person is diagnosed with a heartbeat that’s too slow or too fast, their cardiologist may recommend a pacemaker to send electrical impulses to the heart to control its rhythm. A traditional pacemaker is often surgically implanted under the skin near the collarbone and connected to the heart through wires (or leads) that transmit the electrical signals to the heart. Physicians and staff from Capital Health Heart and Vascular Institute recently performed a minimally invasive leadless pacemaker implant at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey that doesn’t need cardiac leads to deliver therapy and represents the latest advance in cardiac arrhythmia therapy.

Leadless pacemakers are appropriate for certain patients with significant bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or chronic atrial fibrillation (heart arrhythmia that causes the heart’s top chambers to quiver and beat irregularly). Through a minimally invasive procedure, DR. SCOTT BURKE, medical director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and a board certified, fellowship trained cardiac electrophysiologist at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, inserts a catheter into a patient’s leg to guide the Aveir VR LP leadless pacemaker through a vein and implant it directly into the heart’s right ventricle.

“This next-generation leadless pacemaker from Abbott packs many innovations into a one-piece device that is smaller than

a AAA battery,” said Dr. Burke. “It is the world’s only leadless pacemaker specifically designed to be easily retrieved when the device needs to be replaced or if a patient’s therapy needs to be changed. Other benefits include a battery life that is up to two times longer than existing leadless options and a unique mapping capability that allows us to precisely determine the correct placement of the device before final attachment in the heart.”

Capital Health’s Electrophysiology team, with experts from Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, performs procedures like leadless pacemaker implants to manage and treat patients with conditions that involve abnormal electrical behavior of the heart. To make an appointment at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, or to find an office near you, visit capitalhealthcardiology.org.

Capital Health Heart and Vascular Institute offers comprehensive care with a multi-specialty approach highlighted by the most up-to-date techniques and treatment options. With multiple locations throughout the greater Mercer and Bucks county region, the Institute features the most sophisticated technology guided by highly trained clinical experts in medical fields such as cardiac surgery, general and interventional cardiology, nephrology, podiatry, interventional radiology, vascular surgery, and wound management and hyperbaric medicine. For more information, visit capitalheartandvascular.org.

Keeping Life Sweet: Understanding Diabetes for a Healthier You

Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Laura Moran, certified diabetes care and education specialist at Capital Health, will help you understand the process of diabetes in the body, targets and goals for blood sugar readings, and nutrition and exercise guidelines to keep you healthy and enjoying life.

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

Wellness

Work

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of workers in the U.S. suffer from work-related stress. Jenna Straus, licensed clinical social worker from Capital Health Behavioral Health Specialists, will discuss coping strategies to help improve your mental health at work. Maria Fierszt, manager of the Wellness Center at Capital Health, will also share exercises you can do at your desk while you work.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell

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

Tai chi is a form of exercise that helps you to relax your body to reduce stress, release tension, and improve breathing, balance, and coordination. With these benefits, you are able to sleep better and heighten your body awareness, which gives you more energy and allows your body to stay

Celebrating the artistry of a hip hop pioneer

BY DAN AUBREY

Passage Theater in Trenton has been marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of hip hop by developing a new stage work based on the artistry of Mercer County’s own hip hop trio, Poor Righteous Teachers.

The group featuring Wise Intelligence (aka Timothy Grimes), Culture Freedom (Kerry Williams), and Father Shaheed (Scott Phillips) formed in 1989.

The first of their socially conscious albums was the 1990 Holy Intellect, which also included one of their most noted songs, “Rock Dis Funky Joint.” They followed with three additional albums: “Pure Poverty” (1991), “Black Business”(1993), and “New World Order” (1996).

According to Star-Ledger music critic Tris McCall, Poor Righteous Teachers was part of the early ’90s New Jersey hiphop explosion, a period when “it was possible for a parochial fan to imagine that the Garden State was becoming the center of the rap universe.”

The trio toured nationally and internationally with listings up to 2009. Then, Father Shaheed died in a motorcycle accident in 2014.

Poor Righteous Teachers was presented in a February production at the Passage Theater in Trenton called “Ghetto Gods in Divineland.”

The project started in late August when Wise Intelligence and Culture Freedom came to the Mill Hill Theater in Trenton to have a public discussion with Trenton community activist Darren Freedom Green about their art and hip hop.

The following excerpts are based on the conversation and have been edited for flow and brevity.

Green: Growing up in Trenton what inspired your creativity?

Culture: I’d like to start with my mother, food, and music. She was a chef to me, and I would enjoy her cuisine. She had vast record collection of soul and jazz. She would connect ourselves through music. She would sing lyrics. She was subconsciously passing things in our mind. The kitchen was one of the places I felt connected to her. Whenever I’m in the kitchen, I feel connected to her.

Wise: My inspiration was (the DJS), at the block parties. We’d stand next to the speakers. Trenton has been my inspiration from the beginning — on every level.

12

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Poor Righteous Teachers members Wise Intelligence (aka Timothy Grimes) and Culture Freedom (Kerry Williams).

Poor Righteous Teachers during the filming of the “Holy Intellect” video in 1990.

HIP HOP continued from Page 11

Green: How has hip hop changed?

Wise: Hip hop hasn’t changed. It still delivers and is relevant as it is today. What is only allowed now is what mainstream media dictates it is.

Mainstream media that has pushed a particular narrative on the public: Sex, murder, is that narrative. Whatever happens to mainstream is in the bloodstream. But hip hop is still pushing those positive narratives and popping up with these themes.

Culture: When people think of hip hop, they think of rap. But rap is the language and hip hop is the culture. Once you removed the pillars, the building will collapse. Environments shape reality, reality shapes the expression. Rap is a creative outlet.

Michelangelo said a creative world is one where art is more acceptable. The art will create an environment that is better for young people for expression. B-boying, DJ-ing, and art. Hip hop hasn’t changed, but the media controls us.

Ain’t

8

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Entertainment from parades to parties, like the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation’s annual March fundraiser at Mercer Oaks Golf Course in West Windsor, above, are events worth wishing for, page 2.

Photos by RDNE Stock project via Pexels, left, and Audrey Amelie for Bluestone Lane, right.

St. Patrick’s Day 2024: Entertainment, Music & More

By Rebekah Schroeder

March your way to experiencing the pride of the Emerald Isle with these St. Patrick’s Day-themed events throughout the greater Mercer County region, many of which feature Irish inspirations and truly celebrate the culture of “craic.” * * *

The Original St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hamilton

Nottingham Fire House, 200 Mercer Street, Hamilton. Saturday, March 9, 12:30 p.m. opening ceremony and 1 p.m. parade start. Rain date is Saturday, March 23. Free. Since its inception in 1985 and subsequent move from Trenton to Hamilton, “The Original St. Patrick’s Day Parade” has become an annual expression of Irish pride for residents of Mercer County and beyond.

After an opening ceremony kicks off the festivities at 12:30 p.m., the parade route begins a half-hour later at the Nottingham Fire House on Mercer Street.

This year’s two co-grand marshals are Kevin and Maryann Meara, the founders

The “Original St. Patrick’s Day Parade” starts at the Nottingham Fire House in Hamilton again this year on Saturday, March 9, with Co-Grand Marshals Kevin and Maryann Meara, center and left , alongside Miss St. Patrick’s Day Kayla Adams, right, pictured at the parade luncheon in AOH Hibernian Hall on February 15. Photos courtesy of the City of Angels website.

of the Hamilton nonprofit organization City of Angels, which the couple established in 2008 after the death of their son, Kevin

“KC” Meara, from a heroin overdose at the age of 24.

For more than 15 years, COA has helped individuals with substance use disorders and mental health issues by providing a range of services, including recovery support, treatment referrals, and community outreach, according to its website, cityofangelsnj.org

demic, such as when President Obama signed the “21st Century Cures Act” in 2016, as well as the White House’s roundtable for “International Overdose Awareness Day” in 2022. For more on the Mearas, see cityofangelsnj.org/kevin-and-maryann-meara

This year’s “Miss St. Patrick” is Kayla Adam, a senior at New Egypt High School in Plumsted Township who works at the Trenton Ancient Order of Hibernians, Msgr. Crean Division #1, where her father, treasurer Dave Adam, is an officer.

* * *

Other events are planned after the parade and throughout the month of March by local Irish organizations, according to the City of Angels website, cityofangelsnj. org/grand-marshal, including dinners, parties, a Tricky Tray, Gaelic Mass, and more.

The Trenton AOH Division #1 will host an afterparty in the AOH Hibernian Hall, 2419 Kuser Road in Hamilton Square, at 3 p.m., as well as a holiday celebration on March 17 at the same time.

Another Trenton Irish group, the AOH Joe Cahill Division #10, hosts its own gathering with a cash bar and live music from 3 to 8 p.m. at the American Legion Post #458 North Trenton, 1438 Brunswick Avenue, in Trenton.

Tickets are $25 for ages 21 and older and $10 for anyone under 21. Food and one complimentary drink are included.

EDITOR

Rebekah Schroeder

ARTS EDITOR

Dan Aubrey

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Community News Service

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Phone: (609) 396-1511

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In honor of the couple’s commitment to advocacy, this year’s parade theme is “Service Through Sacrifice.”

The parade committee selected the Mearas—who both cite Irish roots, were born in Trenton, and have lived together in Hamilton with their family for five decades—to serve as co-grand marshals in December 2023.

Kevin Meara is a former longtime Hamilton Township councilman, notably the only person in such a role to have been elected to office as both a Democrat and a Republican.

In addition to his time in local government, Kevin spent four decades in the energy industry with PSEG, while Maryann is a retired teacher’s aide for the Mercer County Special Services School District.

The Mearas have been invited to the White House several times as a result of their work with COA to present and participate in events addressing the opioid epi-

Rounding out the tricolor trifecta of gettogethers is The Sons and Daughters of Erin’s annual “St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance” from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Nottingham Ballroom, 200 Mercer Street, with dinner, Irish beer, wine, and refreshments.

The Irish pub Tir Na nOg holds a “Grand Marshal Night” at 1324 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, in recognition of the Mearas on Wednesday, March 20.

Then, on April 20, the Trenton Irish Heritage Association Scholarship Committee’s 13th “Tricky Tray” returns to Lawrenceville’s Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrence Road, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the first drawing at 7 p.m.

Participants must bring their own food and drinks. No alcohol is permitted. Tickets are $10 each.

More information: hamiltonparade.com or cityofangelsnj.org/grand-marshal.

See ST. PATRICKS DAY, Page 6

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Nottingham Tavern, Killarney’s to Host Live Music After the Parade

Looking for more luck of the Irish around town after the parade ends? The Nottingham Tavern at 9 Mercer Street will have food flowing and three bands scheduled throughout the day, including Radio Fiction at 3 p.m. and Deep Release’s performance at 9 p.m. nottinghamtavern.com

Meanwhile, Killarney’s Publick House, located at 1644 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, continues in the spirit of the parade with Irish food, dancers, live music, and more.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17, Killarney’s features more of that Irish flair with a special menu and an all-day lineup of live music on the outside patio, walk-ins only, as the restaurant opens bright and early at 8 a.m.

According to the Facebook page for the event, this features performers from the Kotelnicki School of Irish Dance in Hamilton, local acts like Mark Sacco and Electric Stingray, as well as a “special appearance by Hibo’s Pipes & Drums.” killarneyspublickhouse.com.

The Nerds “St. Pat’s Eve!” Party and Dinner Show at Cooper’s Riverview

Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton. Saturday, March 16, 7 to 11:30 p.m. Doors open at 6, buffet starts at 7, and showtime is 8 p.m. Price: $15 to $45.

Get a taste of the Mercer County nightlife with a St. Patrick’s Day-themed “Dine and Dance” event at Cooper’s Riverview, a “waterfront dining and entertainment” venue located right on the Delaware River in Trenton, featuring popular cover band The Nerds

Described as “America’s Party Band Fun-omenon,” The Nerds are a Jersey Shore staple with an onstage gimmick of dorky fashion and thick-framed personas riffing off a series of Saturday Night Live sketches about a fictional group of the same name.

The quartet has maintained this comedic style through nearly four decades of performing pop and rock songs together.

Over the years, The Nerds have shared the stage with everyone from Sheryl Crow to Jon Bon Jovi to Maroon 5, as well as being the house band for MTV’s “Ultimate Cover Band Contest,” which they also hosted.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the St. Patrick’s Day buffet dinner and drinks, includ-

The classic Jersey Shore rock-pop cover band The Nerds performs at Cooper’s Riverview in Trenton for a “St. Patrick’s Eve” party and dinner show on Saturday, March 16. Photo courtesy of The Nerds website.

ing “American favorites,” available an hour later at 7 p.m.

In addition to the band’s 8 p.m. concert in the Colosseum Event Hall, Cooper’s will also have a house DJ playing the main dance floor.

Multiple ticket packages are avail-

able, starting at $15 general admission, which includes access to both the main bar and dance floor party, but with seating described as first come, first served in a non-reserved area.

The GA price will be higher at the door.

The gold package for the show and din-

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ner is $35 and includes general admission, access to the Cooper’s dinner buffet with carving station, and seating in the Colosseum Event Hall.

The platinum rate is $45 and includes general admission, the dinner buffet, VIP seating near the dance floor and in the main event hall, as well as access to a VIP bar area.

According to the Eventbrite page for the event, eventbrite.com/e/the-nerds-st-patseve-coopers-riverview-saturday-night-dinnerand-show-tickets-827530996487, both those in the gold and platinum tiers must pay an additional 15-percent service charge at the end of the dinner experience.

More information: coopersnj.com/ events-old/r9sk8s7pa74b994-n7kee-hhrex4scyf-3nlpg-y33nt

Cookie Decorating Class at Killarney’s Publick House

Killarney’s Publick House, 1644 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton. Thursday, March 14, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Price: $55 per person.

Killarney’s Publick House, described on its website as an “old-school Irish alehouse,” brings seasonal imagery to life with a “St. Patrick’s Day”-inspired cookie decorating class for all ages on Thursday, March 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Participants will learn and take home six baked creations in this how-to guide to holiday imagery taught by Deana’s Cookie Couture, a shop based in Newtown, Pennsylvania, but designed by and with promotional materials from 6 B’s Creations

Both businesses offer custom-order personalized cookies for purchase, but Deana’s Cookie Couture is a member of 6 B’s Cre-

08629 | www.priornami.com

ations’ “Teaching Partners” program, which develops monthly class sets for its participants to teach.

Tickets are $55 per person. To register, visit the Deana’s Cookie Couture website at deanascookiecouture.com. All supplies are provided in class at this event, and limited seating is available.

More information: deanascookiecouture.com.

Hopewell Valley Central High School’s 5K Lucky Bulldog Dash

Hopewell Valley Central High School, 259 Pennington Titusville Road, Pennington. Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. registration and 9:30 a.m. race start. Price: $35 per person, discounts available.

On your mark, get set, and go green! Walk or run in Hopewell Valley Central High School’s “5K Lucky Bulldog Dash,” a fundraiser to support senior programming for the HVCHS Class of 2025, on Saturday, March 16, 9:30 a.m. at 259 Pennington Titusville Road.

USA Track & Field New Jersey has sanctioned the event and will certify the 5K course prior to the race, which also qualifies as part of USATF’s “2024 Grand Prix” series with a point value of 500.

Decorate cookies to your heart’s content at Killarney’s Publick House in Hamilton, where you can recreate these “golden” designs from 6 B’s Creations under the instruction of Deana’s Cookie Couture on March 14.

Price: $65 per person.

Whether it’s preserving the natural green or the Irish spirit, the D&R Greenway Land Trust and Voices Chorale NJ are paying tribute to the hue with another music and dance benefit, “Celebrate the Green,” on Friday, March 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, in Princeton.

The competition is on no matter rain, snow, or shine, with awards given to the top three male and female contestants overall, as well as the top three male and female contestants in each age bracket, the groups of which are: 15 and younger; 16 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 to 79, 80 to 89, as well as 90 and older.

The two organizations have teamed up for a night of entertainment featuring the Parnell Irish Band, humorous storytelling, Irish country dancing, and even singalongs by the fire pit.

… and more!

After completing the “Dublin Road” course, participants can enjoy a day of music and fun hosted by the HVCHS PTO. Prizes will be awarded to the top team and individual themed costumes, as well as to “anyone who can catch the Leprechaun” spotted around the Pennington campus.

“Guests are encouraged to wear green and experience a pub-style setting while enjoying beer, wine, and a light pub supper,” the press release continues, while other opportunities include a silent auction of “unique items” in support of Voices Chorale NJ.

Registration fees are $35 per person, with all participants 18 years of age and younger receiving a $5 discount at checkout.

To register online or donate, see the event’s page on the Race Roster website at raceroster.com/events/2024/83118/ hopewell-valley-5k

Registration opens at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. In addition to benefiting the HVCHS Class of 2025’s future senior events, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

More information: raceroster.com/ events/2024/83118/hopewell-valley-5k

“Celebrate the Green” with the D&R Greenway Land Trust and Voices Chorale NJ

D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton. March 15, 6 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $65 per person with limited seating. To purchase a seat, visit drgreenway.org, voiceschoralenj.org, or call 609-924-4646.

The Parnell Irish Band plays both modern and traditional instruments, bringing guitar, drums, and fiddling to enliven the event and entice the crowd into joining.

For a list of the band’s musical selections or more information, see esteemlivemusic.com/live-musicbands/international-live-music-bands/ parnell-irish-band

Voices Chorale NJ is a nonprofit, auditioned chorus based in Hopewell with about 40 members from central New Jersey and Pennsylvania, headed by artistic director Dr. David A. McConnell, “to bring outstanding music to the public, inspire audiences, and provide performance opportunities for singers and local musicians.”

Photo courtesy of 6 B’s Creations.

Photo courtesy of the D&R Greenway Land

Mercer Eats

Empanadas, Kebabs and Crabs: New in Food & Dining

By Joe Emanski

Empanadas are on a roll. Not literally, of course.

The deep-fried (and sometimes baked) turnovers, once a rare find in the area, are turning up on more menus every year. Usually filled with savory fillings like beef, chicken and cheese, empanadas can also be sweet. They are popular throughout South America and up into the Caribbean.

Hamilton-based food trucks Hotpanada

and Chic Gourmet Empanadas have opened for business in recent years and built up loyal followings. Hopewell-based Catalina Empanadas, which makes a baked, Chilean style empanada, can be found in several seasonal farmers markets in the area.

Now one empanada vendor has found a permanent home at the year-round Trenton Farmers Market: Jasmine’s Nadas, which opened up a stand in the market in 2023 and moved into the market last month.

Owner and chef Jasmine Wesley comes

from a Puerto Rican background and says her fried empanadas are made in the Puerto Rican style.

“In Puerto Rico, we call them pastelillos,” she says. “But every time I was saying that, people were like, ‘What?’ So we were like, ‘Let’s just call them empanadas,’ and then I shortened it to ‘Jasmine’s Nadas.’”

on Facebook with my menu for about a year,” she says. “Trying to get the word out any way I could.”

In October 2022, she got an invitation from the New Egypt Flea Market to set up a stand there. Then last spring, Trenton Farmers Market manager Bill Kearney contacted Wesley about establishing a second location there.

She opened in August. That proved successful enough that Kearney offered her the spot recently vacated by The Lunchbox.

Welcoming Dr. Maulik ShahGastroenterologist

Jasmine’s Nadas offers traditional fillings like beef, chicken and cheese in the empanadas. But Wesley is not afraid to get creative. She estimates that she has made more than 50 varieties over the years, including pepperoni pizza, garlic potato, butternut squash and chicken Cordon Bleu. She also makes dessert empanadas such as her apple pie and cherry pie varieties.

Dr Maulik Shah is an expert in general gastroenterology procedures as well as advanced endoscopic procedures such as ERCP, endoscopic luminal stenting, and EMR. He has a strong passion for teaching and routinely gives lectures to the community on a variety of gastroenterology disorders.

Abdominal Pain

Women’s Digestive Health

Diverticular Disease

Liver Function Abnormalities

Pancreatic

“I grew up in Point Pleasant, so I have a lot of different influences,” she says. “And we like pork in Puerto Rico, so we do a lot of things with pork as well.”

Wesley, who worked for many years as an accountant, has always enjoyed cooking. For parties and potluck dinners, she would often make empanadas to take with her. Friends and co-workers who tried them told her they were good enough that she should start an empanada business.

After she was laid off in the early days of the pandemic, Wesley decided to just do that.

She started out by making empanadas to sell at fairs and festivals in the Point Pleasant Beach area.

“I was literally spamming mom groups

From ST. PATRICKS DAY, Page 7

Friends for the Abbott Marshlands, in its ongoing efforts to connect the climate and community statewide.

More information: drgreenway.org or voiceschoralenj.org

The new spot’s full kitchen has allowed Wesley to add tacos, burritos and quesadillas to the menu, along with some other Puerto Rican specialties like papas rellenas — a potato croquette stuffed with meat.

While Jasmine’s Nadas does not have tables for sit-down service at this time, she said her husband is beginning work on a new paver patio that she hopes will be completed in time for customers to sit outside in the warmer weather and enjoy their food.

“When people walk into the lobby, they will see my daughter or my cousin. If they look in the kitchen, they will see my husband or me,” she says. “When you walk in, I want you to feel like you’re walking into my living room.”

The Trenton Farmers Market is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but because Jasmine’s Nadas now has its own entrance, Wesley says, she plans to

hours of festive fun to support a cause on Saturday, March 16, from 7 to 11 p.m.

Established in 2000 by Judith Harr Shane to honor the legacy of her late son, the JHSF provides financial assistance to family caregivers for medical expenses by navigating the process for them and raising money to pay the sources of each bill directly.

2271 Rt 33, Suite 110

Hamilton, NJ 08690

Ph: 609-917-9917

The Joshua Harr Shane Foundation’s St. Patrick’s Day Party at Mercer Oaks

Mercer Oaks Golf Course, 725 Village Road West, West Windsor. Saturday, March 16, 7 to 11 p.m. Price: $115.

601

As both an annual fundraiser and cocktail party for the nonprofit organization, the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation’s “St. Patrick’s Day Party,” held every year at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course in West Windsor, features Irish music, an open bar, a four-course dinner, green beer, and four

Through a partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, JHSF has opened four rooms on site, most recently the Joshua Harr Shane Patient Evaluation Suites at the Cancer Center at RWJ Hamilton, its fourth project thus far, in November 2022.

Tickets are $115 per person and include a choice of chicken, steak, or fish. Guests are encouraged to wear green.

To register, see the EventBrite page for the event, eventbrite.com/e/st-patricks-dayparty-tickets-807028843997?aff=erelexpmlt

stay open later, perhaps as late as 8:30 or 9 p.m. Web: facebook.com/jasminesnadas

In other TFM news, The Borscht Belt Delicatessen has announced that it will soon open a stand in the market. The Jewish-style deli started out in the Stockton Market in 2021 before moving to Newtown, Pennsylvania, last year.

The Borscht Belt is fronted by celebrity chef Nicky Liberato, the former co-host of the Netflix show “Restaurants on the Edge.” The deli menu includes favorites like bagels with lox, Reuben sandwiches, matzoh ball soup and knishes. The farmers

market menu has not yet been revealed. * * *

The Nassau Park Pavillion has welcomed a couple of fast-casual chains in recent months:

Bluestone Lane, a New York-based café looking to popularize Australian coffee in the U.S., and Just Salad, an 18-year-old chain with eight locations in New Jersey. Web: bluestonelane.com

Despite its name, Just Salad has wraps, soups, smoothies and “warm bowls” like the chicken fajita bowl and spicy tofu crunch bowl. Just Salad diners can filter the menu

by categories such as keto, vegan, paleo, gluten-free and climatarian. Web: justsalad.com * * *

Across the street at Quaker Bridge Mall is the recently opened DoneRight Doner Kebab, which has the look of a chain restaurant, but isn’t — yet. The fastcasual, 100% halal restaurant specializes in Turkish street food, offering chicken, lamb and falafel dishes, familiar appetizers such as hummus and baba ganoush, and franchising opportunities. Web: donerightdk. com

And over in Pennington, Gretalia Hospitality Group, the folks behind PJ’s Pancakes, Osteria Procaccini, More than Q and Mi España, have opened the chainfriendly concept Union Boil Co. in the Pennington Shopping Center. Union Boil has lobster rolls, crab cakes, clam chowder, oysters and everything else you would expect a seafood boil restaurant to have — including the $250 Union Boil platter, which comes with jumbo shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, andouille sausage, corn and potatoes and serves six to eight people. Web: unionboil.com

girls TRAVEL TRYOUTS

Summer

Ewing Recreation Department

Camps & Pools

campS 2024 week of MArch 25

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

The Hamilton Wildcats are an all-female travel soccer club focused on training and player development. In partnership with the Hamilton Girls Soccer Club and NJ rush, the Wildcats provide a complete soccer experience for girls age 5 to 19. The Wildcats are looking for girls who are ready for the travel soccer challenge from birth years 2017-2007 to form new teams and supplement established teams.

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

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

For more information on these programs call the Ewing Recreation Office at 609-883-1776 x6203. You can also go to ewingnj.org, Community Affairs. See ad, page 13.

Sawmill Summer Camp offers Day Camps, Diverse Abilities Camp, and Specialty Camps for youth, K through age 15.

• 50 acres of outdoor space

• Special Events are the highlight of the week! Foam parties, magicians, bounce houses, water slides, and more!

• Daily swim lessons are offered as an add-on.

• We partner with Girl Scouts, First Tee Golf, Zumba, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and more.

With a summer full of unforgettable experiences, anything is possible!

Summer campS 2024

Princeton Ballet School

Nurturing Dancers of All Ages

Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, nurtures dancers of all ages, providing them opportunity to develop their technique and artistry in a rewarding environment.

The Princeton Ballet School Summer Intensive (ages 13 and up) attracts students from all over the globe to study with distinguished and inspiring faculty. Princeton Ballet School holds auditions throughout the United States and accepts video auditions from national and international students for the advanced program.

Students in the Advanced Intensive are also considered for the school’s year-round Trainee program, the direct feeder into American Repertory Ballet’s second company, ARB2, which is also ideal for post–highschool students looking to launch their professional careers. As an educational institution certified to provide F-1 visas, Princeton Ballet School has the ability to accept international students from nearly anywhere in the world for its Summer intensive, Trainee program, and ARB2.

The Summer Intensive Intermediates program, for ages 11 and up, is modeled after Princeton Ballet School’s acclaimed Advanced Summer Intensive and offers the

same personalized ballet training, alongside jazz and new choreography.

The Summer Intensive Juniors program is for children ages 9-11,with a focus on musicality, basic technique; building strength and flexibility; increasing coordination; and dynamics of movement — all while having fun with friends!

Princeton Ballet School also offers fun and rewarding Children’s Summer Courses, beginning with Hand-in-Hand classes for 3-year olds to explore the world of rhythm and dance. All levels of classes for children ages 4-12 are offered throughout the Summer, no previous dance experience required!

For more information, please visit arballet.org or call Princeton Ballet School at 609-921-7758

See ad, page 14

Liberty Lake Day Camp

Kids Discover Their Potential at Summer Camp

By Andy Pritikin

Life is hard. We know this, and yet so many children grow up sheltered from hardships, as their wellmeaning parents unknowingly hold them back. In Adam Grant’s book, “Hidden Potential,” (2023) he lays out the importance of children working through tough situations, to build the character skills needed to be a successful adult.

Grant explains, “Character is often confused with personality, but personality is your basic instincts for how to think, feel, and act. Character is your capacity to prioritize your values over your instincts.” It’s more than having principles. Character is the learned ability to live by your principles.

While I’m not advocating suffering, children do need to experience and

Summer campS 2024

learn from the inevitable challenges they encounter, in order to strengthen their inner-resilience. “Successful people of character are able to overcome life’s hurdles because they learn how to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Starting something new – Summer Camp, college, or a new job, can be an impactful challenge. Of course, kids would rather sit home and stare at their screens! But we know better, and it’s our job to teach kids to push beyond their perceived limits and cultivate the confidence and courage to abandon their comfort zone.

Facing fears, and confronting discomfort are skills that if not strengthened in childhood, may never be gained as an adult.

In the alarming new book about A.I., “The Coming Wave,” (2023,) author Mustafa Suleyman explains how during times of exponential technological growth, “those that survive are the ones best able to adapt.”

Like it or not, technology is replacing everything it possibly

can, making interpersonal HUMAN skills the priority for future generations to learn and master. At ‘old school’ Summer Camps, we hone these critical thinking skills hands-on.

Yes, Summer Camp is a lot of fun, but equally as important, are learning and honing character skills like meeting new people, trying new things, speaking up, and asking questions. Toss in some extreme heat, and the opportunity to experience life without digital screens, and Summer Camp can prove to be a seriously impactful, building block of experiences.

Andy Pritikin is the owner/ director of Liberty Lake Day Camp in Bordentown NJ, past president of the American Camp Association NY/NJ, and host of “The Day Camp Podcast.”

More information: www.

libertylakedaycamp.com. See ad, page 15

Camps run from June 24 through August 23

Camp days include swimming, arts and crafts, nature, special events, entertainers, theme days, athletics, dance and drama.

Register and pay before April 10th and save $25! Swim Lessons at HCC: Evaluations, Saturday, June 17th. Sessions are on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

TEEN TRAVEL: July 1 - August 16 kids entering grades 6 - 8

Travel 4 days a week and one day at camp. Trips to Amusement parks, beaches, aquarium, rock climbing, bowling , laser tag, skating and much more. $370/week for residents $74/day, NonResidents: $470/week, $94/daily. Campers can attend day camp weeks of June 24 and August 19.

All activities at ESCC and Fisher school, except trips.

GraceWay Bible Church

Camp Mercyville Is a Community Favorite

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

Summer campS 2024

Kelsey Theater

Reach for the Stars — Register Now!

Summer is an especially busy time for children’s ministries. Our seven-week summer day camp, Camp Mercyville (www.campmercyville. org), has been providing quality childcare for over a decade. Our full-day Vacation Bible School/

Adventure Camp is a community favorite! Push the Rock basketball camp helps children become better athletes, teammates, and grow in their relationship with Christ. Summer Family Nights includes family-fun, worship, and small groups for the whole family on Wednesday evenings. We will be hosting an Open House on Monday, March 18, at 7 p.m. Visit our website (www.gracewaybc.org) or contact our office (609-586-0223) to find out more.

See ad, page 12

A few weeks can last a lifetime! Find out at Tomato Patch Summer Workshops in Theater, Dance, Vocal Music, Video and Visual Arts! Students make lasting friendships and wonderful memories while becoming an accomplished performer and artist.

Now in its 51st year, Tomato Patch is the longestrunning, most successful multi-disciplinary Visual and Performing Arts program in Central New Jersey. Featuring classes for all school age students, Tomato Patch is taught by a talented staff of professional artists. Check us out online at www.tomatopatch.org.

Summer CourSeS for Children

Princeton | Ages 3-12 (no prior experience needed!)

JuniorS

Princeton | Ages 9-11

intermediateS

Princeton & Cranbury | Ages 11 - 14

Summer campS 2024

Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association

Spring Registration Is Open

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

Tomato Patch Workshops is a multidisciplinary full-day Theater, Dance, Music, Visual Art and Video summer program for ages 10-18 in two sessions:

Session 1: Ages 13-18

June 24 through July 18. No Tomato Patch July 4 and 5. Only $1,100.

Session 2: Ages 10-12

July 22 through August 8. Only $1050.

Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with before and after care available.

Tomato Patch Workshops culminate in The Festival Of The Arts!

Unlike every other performing arts camp, Tomato Patch allows you to major in one subject and take classes in other areas. Become a triple threat!

The Master Class is full-day acting intensive summer program for ages 13-18 only in two sessions:

Session 1: June 24 through July 19 – No Class July 4, 5. Only $1,100.

Session 2: July 22 through August

TOMAT O PATCH

Youth Theater, Dance, Vocal & Visual Arts Programs at Kelsey Theatre

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER 2024 Session 1

$1,100 Session 2 $1,050

Session 1 ages 13-18

June 24 - July 18 (no classes 7/4, 7/5)

Session 2 — ages 10-12

July 22 - August 8

sportsmanship and fair play.

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

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

See ad, page 16.

9. Only $1,050.

Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with before and after care available.

The Master Class in Theater culminates in A Night of One Acts!

For more information and to view class schedules visit www. tomatopatch.org or call 609-570-3566

Conveniently located on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. Visit us online at www.tomatopatch.org or email projects@mccc.edu or Call 609-5703566 for more information.

Still looking for something during the school year? Junior Tomatoes is 10 week-long Saturday morning theater workshops exploring creativity, movement, improvisation, and more from September through June for ages 4-12 in three sessions. All classes culminate in performances for family and friends! Visit www. tomatopatch.org.

See ad, page 15

Master Class Session 1 — ages 13-18

June 24 - July 19 (no classes 7/4, 7/5)

Master Class Session 2 — ages 13-18

July 22 - August 9

REGISTER:

Sawmill Summer Day Camp

A Journey of Discovery and Fun

The Hamilton Area YMCA’s Sawmill Summer Day Camp, nestled in the heart of Mercer County, is your child’s gateway to an unforgettable summer experience. With 50 acres of sprawling outdoor space and the largest pool in Mercer County, this camp is a haven for fun, learning, and adventure. During five fun-filled days packed with excitement, campers are encouraged to find their spark, embrace a sense of wonder, forge new friendships, and embark on thrilling adventures.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE at Sawmill Summer Camp!

Discover What Makes Sawmill Camp Special:

Find Their Spark: Our camp is a nurturing ground where kids develop essential skills, grow in confidence, and form new friendships. As they

Summer campS 2024

engage in diverse activities, from outdoor play to learning to swim, they gain valuable personal development skills. These experiences help shape their identity and passions, influencing their academic pursuits, relationships, and future career choices.

Find Their Sense of Wonder: The great outdoors is a world of discovery at Sawmill Camp. We understand the importance of outdoor play. Our camp promotes active engagement with the environment and with their peers, fostering respect and consideration for the world around them. Camp provides kids the perfect opportunity to discover the outdoors and get their bodies and imaginations more active.

Find Their Adventure: Every day at our camp is a new adventure, a chance for kids to stretch their imagination and embrace creativity without the fear of failure. This freedom allows them to explore and express themselves in ways they might not elsewhere.

Find Their Friends and Fun:

Sawmill Camp is more than a summer getaway; it’s a social hub where lifelong friendships are formed. Here, children learn to collaborate, build relationships, and navigate conflicts, all while having the time of their lives.

A Summer of Enrichment:

Recognizing the multifaceted benefits of camp, we’ve planned an exciting summer filled with theme weeks, special events, and new experiences. Campers will immerse themselves in a wide-range of activities, including arts and crafts, music, science, dance, sports, and swimming. Our highly trained counselors are committed to making your child’s summer both safe and exhilarating.

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

Join Us for a Summer where ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

At Sawmill Summer Day Camp, we’re dedicated to creating an environment where every child can find their adventure and fun. We invite you to be a part of our vibrant community this summer. For more information and to register, please visit hamiltonymca.org/camp.

See ad, page 11.

32

35

37

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Senior Concierge

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LEGAL SERVICES

Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and

NJ Taxes, Education Law. House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609-799-4674, 609721-4358.

I am a caregiver LOOKING FOR AN OPENING, Live in or out. 8 years of experience providing personal care, household tasks, responsible and trustworthy. Contact Celine at 617-806-6489.

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FOR SALE

Eggs for Sale Fresh Brown Eggs. 5757 S Broad St, Yardville. $5.

WANTED TO BUY

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

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

Happy Heroes used books looking to buy

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

DATING

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Men 64 - 71 local matchmaker is seeking an educated, nice, tall gentleman for one of my client’s. No Fees! Contact Jill Elliott 215539-2894.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024

8AM-2PM

Dempster Fire School / 350 Lawrence Station Road

CAUTION

HAZARDOUS WASTE

MATERIALS ONLY ACCEPTED ON THIS DATE AND TIME, RAIN OR SHINE

ACCEPTED MATERIALS

Aerosol Cans / Used Motor Oil / Propane Gas Tanks / Pesticides & Herbicides

Car Batteries / Paint Thinner / Oil Based Paint / Stains & Varnishes / Gasoline Anti-Freeze / Driveway Sealer / Insect Repellents / Mercury / Fluorescent & CFL Bulbs

MATERIALS NOT ACCEPTED

NO LATEX PAINT / NO Heating Oil / NO Infectious Waste / NO Radioactive Materials

NO Explosives or Munitions / NO Railroad Ties / NO Asbestos / NO Tires

NO Wood / NO Fencing / NO Air Conditioners / NO Helium or Oxygen Tanks

NO Humidifiers / NO Dehumidifiers / NO Unknowns

ACCEPTED ELECTRONICS

Computers / Printers / Copiers / Fax Machines / Stereos / Televisions / Microwaves

Wise: When hip hop began it was a (violence) prevention movement. That part is dropped from discussion, (the) love, peace, having fun message. The (early) crews were gang-affiliated, but they moved (to) let’s battle (with) rap, resolve conflicts without violence, move the young to positive lifestyles.

Hip hop has always been positive. Hip hop has been at the front of political action. Hip hop artist do extraordinary work in the community. You have these movements in every part of the U.S. That hasn’t changed at all.

Hip hop’s DNA has been to speak truth to power. We have to teach kids to control the intellectual process. Rappers should do more to bring back resources to the community that created this culture.

Culture: Draw attention to social issues — women’s rights, pushing positive messages — using our voice to communicate and speak to issues. Other people realize rap and hip hop start trends. Then, you have others that make this happen, and you have the protectors of the culture.

Wise: (There is also) the diversity of attitudes, lifestyles, and views. I am in this lane, but I appreciate your view. That is the diversity. As long as you love your neighbor. Once you take (the diversity of hip hop) and make it one thing, you destroy the culture.

Green asks about addressing trauma and social problems.

Culture: I tell them what I tell my own daughter. I treat others like family members. Parents are the most important people in their lives. I want to impact my daughter by how I treat her mother. I tried to lead by setting an example. Whatever you want to be seen as, you have to model it. The number one thing I learned is being a good listener. As fathers we want to be a super hero for our daughter, but what they want is for us to listen and give them space. If you listen, you may be able to apply wisdom.

Wise: We can’t gloss over environment. The parent has to be the first teacher in the child’s life. The family has to be the first school, church. If the family is systemically broken, how much can we rely on accountability and respectability?

(Growing up at Donnelly Hall), I knew all these kids’ mothers, but not fathers. I didn’t know any of my friends’ fathers. Broken family, (and) the policy that broke family. Building communities of poverty. I moved in 2015 (back to) Trenton. I got pulled over (by the police) five times a month. It is because of the concentration of poverty.

What can a parent do? The family is broke, what can I say to a child? Poor Righteous Teachers were lucky. We found something that we loved enough. Do what you love until it can do some-

thing for you.

Culture: There is a thing in the African American people, it takes a village to raise a child. It takes a community …

Green: What legacy would you like to leave?

Culture: I would like my life to reflect what grace and mercy could do. Every child has some kind of talent. Something they could use to elevate themselves. I never went to culinary school, but I was head chef at a university.

We didn’t take any music programs, but we took our passions to move forth. I didn’t have my father, but I’ve been married for 35 years. I didn’t go to college, but my children did. When you see me, you see grace and mercy. As a group, you see unity. You can’t teach people about unity if you don’t demonstrate it. We never talk bad about another.

Wise: I try to be the best human being I can be. Give back at least as much I have taken. I’m not a legacy guy. In terms of the music, I’m documenting the time (when it was created). When you find our music, I want you to say that “this” was happening at this time, it wasn’t just partying bullshit. So you should say, “These guys gave us what we needed.”

Green: Final words?

Wise: Hip hop has saved thousands of youths from depravity. The Bronx had to be the birth of hip hop. The youth had to learn to improvise. Hip hop should be preserved for its ability to preserve the people. It isn’t about rapping and DJing; it has been about innovation. People came and needed technologies to support what we wanted to do.

Hip hop as innovation doesn’t get spoken about enough Graffiti art is on $13,000 bags. Hip hop influences potato chips. Kids don’t have to be rappers but embrace the hurdles in the lane. You don’t have to be the rappers. You can be the engineer. You can create platforms.

Holiday catering trays!

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EWING, NJ

238 Scotch Road

609-406-9000

Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-8pm

Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-8pm

PRIMOHOAGIES.COM

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March 2024 | Ewing Observer13

Off the presses: ‘The History of Sicily and the Mafia’

Carmen Calderone is a Trenton-born resident of Ewing. He is also the author of “The History of Sicily and the Mafia.”

Weighing in at 246 pages, the book printed via Amazon delivers a brief overview of the Italian island, whose human history reaches back to 14000 B.C., and a series of outlines of various Mafia families that work as a quick and informative index, rather than a narrative account.

In other words, the book that includes a section on New Jersey and Trenton area mobsters skips the idea of being a “good read” and jumps to being a reference for those interested in the topic, perhaps like Calderone, who notes the following in his introduction:

In the area of New Jersey where I grew up, organized crime had its presence in two separate families. The men of these families were always well dressed and treated people to various things.

In other words, they had money to spare, whereas my father, who always worked hard for a living, never really seemed to have money to spare, although we were probably the average middle class of the 1940s. If you saw an older Italian person, well dressed, driving a fairly new car, with many people showing him extraordinary respect, someone would always say, “Well he’s connected” and you knew what that meant.

I grew interested in this phenomenon. I would read in the newspapers about Frank Costello or Lucky Luciano and others. As a young, impressionable boy, my interest developed further.

There came a point in the 1950s when I started to realize that some of these men were getting arrested and going to jail for long terms. It didn’t seem all that glamorous any more. That’s when I said to myself, “I better improve.” So I went to junior college at night, while I worked during the day.

In 1956 I started to keep track of everything I heard and read. I started to pay more attention to the increase in members of organized crime who were frequently killing each other. It wasn’t what I wanted for my future.

This is one of the reasons why, when I could find the date of birth and the date of death, for a crime figure, I list it. Young men who may be considering an organized crime lifestyle should note the difference between the dates of birth and death listed here.

They will find that a very high percentage of these men died young. Even when they weren’t murdered, they still died fairly young. It is no wonder with the pressure they must have been under, not only from various law enforcement agencies, but from other Organized Crime members as well.

In the 21st century organized crime won’t consist solely of Italians or Jews, but mobs such as, from Japan (the “AKUZA”), from China (the “TRIADDS”), and the Russian Mafia, who deal in nuclear weapons, among other things. This book provides the names of the cities that organized together in 1931 and the chronological order in which their hierarchy reigned along with their predecessors and some independent groups.

The following are the alleged, reputed names that have been accused, considered, suspected and assumed, coming up in the media, TV, radio, books, magazines, newspapers, etc., over the last hundred years. Prior to 1931, the names listed may be considered Black Handers and/or Mafiosi. The word Associate can also be used as Soldier or Member.

The order in which these groups are listed is from Northeast, starting with New England, moving West to San Francisco, then out of the country to Montreal, Canada, and Sicily.

The History of Sicily and the Mafia, Carmen Calderone, 246 pages, $16.99, available on Amazon.

‘The History of Sicily and the Mafia’ by Carmen Calderone.

WRESTLING continued from Page 1

I can just get ready to go and win some matches. “

Elam has forged a 26-5 record this year, including a hard-fought win of the 215-pound weight class at the Mercer County Tournament in January. Seeded fourth, he opened with a pin, then a 3-2 decision over Peddie’s Brock Schaubel to reach the semifinals. There, he topped Zane Spencer of Lawrence with a late pin to advance to the finals where he also picked up a third-period pin over secondseeded Jon Trainor of Hopewell Valley. For the state meet, he moved back down to 190 pounds.

“I got here towards the end of the season last year and I saw him down at regions and saw just the differences in styles,” said Ewing coach DJ Zedalis. “And he’s able to adapt as quickly as any of the wrestlers I’ve seen before, being able to go up to the 215-weight class or down to the 190-weight class, whether it be speed, whether it be power, just being able to make those tiny adjustments.”

Adjusting is just part of life for Elam.

Consider that wrestling, which usually favors year-round wrestlers to be state qualifiers, isn’t even his top sport yet he’s able to climb to the highest level. Neither is football, for which he was a defensive lineman and right guard this fall. It’s baseball for which he has committed to New Jersey City University next year as a pitcher.

“I’m still practicing baseball as I’m wrestling,” Elam said. “I still practice other sports when I’m not into it.”

Elam expects to have a week off between seasons. Then he will jump into his top sport, one in which he has starred on the mound and played infield

for Ewing. Last year’s season was highlighted by winning the Mercer County Invitational, and by his 11-strikeout performance in a win over Princeton High at Trenton Thunder Stadium. While Elam looks forward to focusing on baseball in the spring and in his college athletic career, he has enjoyed the chance to continue in all three sports in high school, something of a rarity in the age of specialization among young athletes.

“I think it just makes you more versatile,” Elam said. “It makes you able to adapt to things. It’s a good challenge and it really shows you have dedication.”

Elam has enjoyed success in each of his sports. He was a part of Ewing’s sixwin football team as a junior. His pitching has been reliable for the Blue Devils baseball team, and he has developed into an accomplished wrestler. Each of his sports has brought something different.

“I like how wrestling is like a team sport, but it’s really a solo sport,” Elam said. “You’re all by yourself and everything’s on you. There are no excuses. It’s all about you.”

His wrestling career for Ewing started with a COVID-19 pandemic shortened 2020-2021 season. But as a sophomore, Elam was 22-10 while wrestling at 215. He placed second in District 24, and won a match at the Region 6 tournament. That propelled him to a big breakout when he reached the state tournament last year. He’s been waiting all year for the chance to return.

“I’ve been able to stay focused mostly and I’ve kept on the grind knowing it’s a long grind,” said Elam. “I kept at it and I know the goal at the end is there.”

It’s a bit different this year. Elam has

Colin Elam on the podium after winning silver at the district wrestling championships.

WRESTLING continued from Page 15

slimmed down to wrestle through the postseason at 190 pounds though he competed in mostly 215 matches during the regular season, including his county win.

“I’ve been working hard in the wrestling room and just losing weight and dieting,” Elam said. “I made the cut down to 190 and I feel more comfortable and confident in using my strength and speed at that weight.

“I always a little smaller on the 215, I was a little light,” he explained. “I was wrestling kids bigger than me. I felt that going down was just smarter.”

Elam has been able to blend his talents to work well at either weight. The focus for the season has been preparing him to be effective in any situation.

“A lot of it has been conditioning,” Zedalis said. “He got a lot of power from his football season so it’s mainly just

making sure that he keeps that strength throughout the matches. So we’ve been doing some longer match types in practices, keeping him doing some lives, showing him some more power moves so he’s able to out-strength the 190 guys, but also working on his quicker moves so whenever he was wrestling 215, he’s able to use his speed against 215ers. Just being able to give him that dual threat has been really important to him this season.”

Zedalis has been impressed with the way that Elam has gone about his business to return to a high level of wrestling in the midst of a full schedule. It’s not something that he has seen a lot of anywhere.

“Coming from Western Pa., it’s like everybody lives and breathes wrestling all year-round,” said Zedalis. “You don’t see a lot of guys going into multiple sports. Colin is one of those guys who’s a freak athlete. He’s able to do three different sports and excel in all of those three sports.”

Elam came into the season hopeful that he would get another chance at competing in the wrestling state championships. He could earn that shot with a podium finish at regions for the chance to finish his wrestling career on a high note.

“I just know I gotta work hard for this, keep my head on straight and keep pushing through and finish it,” Elam said. “It’ll be one of my last matches. I know the goal at the end is just to get it done.”

Collin Elam has gotten plenty done during four years of high school athletics. He’s had remarkable experiences in football and baseball, and he’s looking to wrap up his wrestling career by adding another highlight to another strong season.

“I’m happy,” Elam said. “I got a good tournament win at MCTs, and I have a good record right now. I’m happy with how this year has gone so far.”

Collin Elam tries to take down an opponent. He had a 26-5 record this year, including a win in the 215-pound weight class at the Mercer County Tournament in January

2024 March GOODNEWS The Ewing Public Schools June 2005

The Ewing Public Schools

Adopt-a-Survivor Program BeginsatEwing HighSchool Teacher of the Year Recipients are Honored

Ewing High School Artists Showcased at 2024 Phillips’ Mill Youth Art Exhibition!

Nearlysixty years since Alliedforcesliberated the Naziconcentration camps,the now elderly survivors ofthe Holocaust are turning toa new generation topreservetheir testimony about their wartime experiences for futuregenerations.

Jasmine Bell, “Into the Woods”, 3-D Honorable Mention Recipient

Congratulations to the following Ewing High School students who were selected to show their artwork at the prestigious Phillips’ Mill Youth Art Exhibition! The exhibition, in its 11th year, showcased the dynamic artwork of local high school students in the Delaware Valley region.

Holocaust survivors are steadilydwindling in number. Manyhavemadeittheir mission toeducate the world thatanti-Semitism and racismeasilylead tomurder, and tospeak about the horrors theyand their familiessuffered. Withthe passing oftime, ithas becomeurgenttofind a new generationtocontinue the survivors’mission and telltheir stories after the survivors can nolongerdoso.

Akayla Alicea, “Ctrl”,

11

The show features paintings, works on paper, photography, digital art and three-dimensional works created by students from 23 participating schools. It gives young artists a taste of what it’s like to be a professional artist.

The Talented Ewing High School Drama Department, Blue Devil Players, Present Between the Lines

Between the Lines is the new musical based on the novel by international bestselling author Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer, featuring a book by Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald, and score by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson.

Jasmine Bell, “Into the Woods”, 3-D Honorable Mention Recipient

Grade 12

OnApril 12, the Adopt-a-Survivor(AAS) program was introducedtothe Trenton areaatEwing HighSchool. Six Holocaust survivors wereadopted bytwelveEwing Highsophomores. The adopted survivors—Moshe Gimlan, VeraGoodkin,Marion Lewin,RuthLubitz, Charles Rojer and JackZaifman— wereoriginallyfromGermany, Czechoslovakia, Polandand Belgium.

Elaja Deleon, “Destiny”, photography

Grade 12

Jackie Gonzalez, “Oklahoma Smokeshow”, works on paper

Between the Lines is an empowering and enchanting new musical for anyone who has ever sought to find their place in the world. An outsider in a new town and a new school, Delilah seeks comfort in the pages of her favorite book, where she feels heard and understood by the handsome Prince Oliver. But as the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur in both extraordinary and astonishing ways, Delilah discovers how to find her place in the real world while keeping her dreams alive.

Grade 10

The AAS program pairs a survivorwithone or morestudents. The studentsembarkona joint journey withthe survivorthrough discussions about life before, duringand after the Holocaust.Participating studentswillbeabletorepresent the survivorand tellthe survivor’sstory withaccuracyand feeling in the years tocome. Inaddition, eachstudent makes a commitmenttotellthe survivor’sstory ina public venue inthe year2045, a hundred years after the liberationofAuschwitz.

Lily Bush, “In the Eyes of the Beholder”, painting Grade 10

Krista Gonzalez, “Peeping”, works on paper Grade 11

Enjoy a wonderful night of entertainment with our Ewing High School talented drama students, under the direction of Mr. Alex Minter, as they mesmerize the audience with their rendition of Between the Lines! Don’t miss out and buy your tickets today!

Ewing High Students Attend Gorbachev Presentation

Jadyn Shealey, Wire Crow”, 3-D Grade 12

A STAR in the Making! EHS 2019 Alumnus Scott Silagy

The twelvestudent adoptersare DaveAngebranndt, Tyler Barnes, Annie Cook, Liz Dunham, Emily Everett, CurtisFornarotto, Vildana Hajric, Devon Jones, Jen Meade,Billy O’Callaghan,NikytaSharmaand MelysaWilson.

Contact: Jean Conrad

The GoodNews staff had an opportunity to interview former Ewing High School (EHS) Class of 2019 Alumnus, Scott Silagy, as he tours the United States with Broadway’s Tony award-winning musical, Hairspray.

On April 18, 2005 Ms. Chiavuzzo, Mrs. Walker and 30 Ewing High School freshmen joined several Mercer County high school and college students, and politicians to hear a presentation given by Mikhail Gorbachev at the Sovereign Bank Arena. Gorbachev was the last communist leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. During his term he instituted various policies including his political policy of Glasnost and economic policy

of Perestroika. His policies reopened churches, released political prisoners, and lifted bans on previously censored books.

one of the essential themes of Gorbachev’s presentation. The policy’smain goal was to make the Soviet economic system more efficient. Perestroika involved the transfer of control from the government to the business owners. This policy continued on page A2

x1302

The last time you were on stage at Ewing High School you were performing in Legally Blonde as Elle Woods’ suitor, Emmett Forest. How did being part of EHS Drama influence your decision to pursue a career in acting? EHS Drama gave me the push I needed to pursue performing arts in college and then afterward as well. My sophomore year of high school, I played the role of Jesus in the school’s production of Godspell and that experience was really what pushed me to pursue theatre.

continued on page 3 >>

The recipients of the 2005 Teacher of the Year Awards were honored at a luncheon on April 29th. Jan Fay, 2004 Mercer County Teacher of the Year, was a guest speaker. 1st row (L to R): Joan Zuckerman, Principal Antheil; Sharon Solomon, Lore; Jan Fay, 2004 Mercer County Teacher of the Year; Inetta Emery, Principal Parkway; Danielle Miller, EHS; Superintendent Ray Broach. 2nd row: Darrell Jackson, Principal FMS; Donna Andreas, Antheil; Don Barnett, FMS; Betsy Turgeon, Parkway; Rodney Logan, Principal EHS.

works on paper Grade

The Ewing Public Schools

The Ewing Public Schools Announce 2023-2024 Governor's Educators of the Year

We are extremely proud to introduce you to the Ewing Public Schools’ 2023-2024 Educators of the Year.

Ewing High School: Ms. Patricia Rivera

Ewing High School is excited to announce that Ms. Patricia Rivera is the Ewing High School Educator of the Year!

Ms. Rivera received her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Universidad Pedagogica Nacional in Bogota, Cundinamarca, Colombia and her Master’s degree in Education from Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Jersey. Ms. Rivera is currently a Spanish teacher at Ewing High School.

EHS Principal Edward Chmiel shared these remarks about this outstanding high school educator. “It is evident that Señora Rivera is a highly valued and impactful educator at Ewing High School. Her dedication to teaching Spanish and fostering a positive environment for her students is commendable. The fact that she plays a crucial role in the success of the AP Spanish program speaks volumes about her expertise and commitment to education.”

“It is particularly heartening to see that Señora Rivera goes above and beyond to support native Spanish speakers, acting as an advocate for their needs and creating a welcoming space for them. The initiatives she has taken, such as incorporating bilingual materials and relaunching the Spanish Club, show her genuine commitment to inclusivity and cultural integration.”

“I have had a long journey in education. My parents are retired educators in Colombia and planted the seed of determination in me, while also challenging me to be better with every goal I pursued. I started my teaching career in Ewing 23 years ago, and after a detour, I came back to finish my mission with my Ewing family.”

Fisher Middle School: Mrs. Amanda Marroquin

Mrs. Marroquin received a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from University of Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Marroquin has been an English Teacher at Fisher Middle School since September 1, 2020.

Dr. Hanna, Principal of Fisher Middle School, proudly shared, “Amanda Marroquin is the recipient of Governor Educator of the Year for Fisher Middle School. She has exemplified excellence in education since her tenure began on September 1, 2020. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to fostering

learning and growth among her students. Her innovative teaching methods and dedication to student success have made her a role model within the education community. With her passion for teaching and unwavering dedication, she continues to inspire both her students and colleagues alike.”

“I am honored to be the recipient of this year's Governor's Educator award. Thank you to my fellow colleagues who welcomed me into the Ewing community just under four years ago. The teaching profession is one of authenticity, grit, immense compassion, and perseverance! I am inspired daily by educators like the late Dr. Rita Pierson who understood that “kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” It is with this in mind that I strive to be a teacher that cultivates a safe, loving environment in which students feel empowered to learn.”

Antheil Elementary: Ms. Amanda Lippincott

Ms. Amanda Lippincott graduated from DeSales University in Pennsylvania with a dual Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education in 2010. In 2018, she received her Master of Arts in Teaching and Elementary Education from Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

Ms. Lippincott inspires students daily with her cheery outlook, personal connections and how she cares about them.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of Ms. Lippincott's educational philosophy. She actively engages with colleagues, students, and families, creating a school climate characterized by respect and success.

“Ms. Lippincott is an exceptional educator who embodies the qualities outlined for the Governor’s Educator of the Year award,” stated Principal Kip Harrison. “Her unwavering commitment to students' success, collaborative spirit, and innovative practices make her an invaluable asset to our educational community.”

“One of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher within a school community is the opportunity to nurture connections with students, colleagues, and families. I am privileged to engage in meaningful interactions that foster trust, respect, and mutual understanding.”

Lore Elementary: Mrs. Victoria Pschar

Mrs. Pschar is a proud graduate of Ewing High School. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from The College of New Jersey and worked at Bloomberg Financial. Mrs. Pschar left Bloom-

berg in the early 2000s to raise her family. Her children attended Lore Elementary School, and she fell in love with teaching after volunteering in the classroom, which sparked her interest in becoming a teacher and earned her teaching degree.

The principal, Kelly Kawalek, confirmed with admiration that Mrs. Victoria Pschar is a passionate, compassionate, and dedicated educator who is deserving of the honor of Educator of the Year. The letters of nomination for Mrs. Pschar describe her as masterful, welcoming, humble, motivating, collaborative, and inspiring. One nominee stated, “[Mrs. Pschar] works to make the world a better place. She inspires me to be a better [person].”

“What inspires me to work hard? Watching my students grow academically, as well as socially, and doing my best to support and encourage them to succeed.”

Parkway Elementary: Mrs. Cayleigh Santana

Mrs. Santana earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies: History and Psychology from William Patterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. Ms. Santana also earned her Master’s degree in Education from William Patterson University.

“It is with unwavering enthusiasm that we congratulate Mrs. Cayleigh Santana as the recipient of the Governors Educator of the Year at Parkway Elementary School. Her impact on students, colleagues, and the community extends far beyond the walls of her classroom, making her an exceptional candidate for this recognition.”

“From the moment students step into Mrs. Santana's classroom, they encounter an environment steeped in respect and care. Her dedication to individual growth fosters lasting bonds that transcend the school year. This is evident in the numerous past students who, years later, still reach out to express their gratitude and admiration. Her “strict” yet nurturing approach pushes students to reach their full potential, both academically and socially,” Principal Conway shared.

“My students, co-workers, and the administration inspire me to work hard at my craft. Our students are the leaders of the future. It is very important to me that I do all that I can to provide them with a quality education!”

>> Scott Silagy, continued from page 1

What were your plans after graduating Ewing High School? Once I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to study musical theatre in college. It took some time for me to find a program that I fit into, so in the meantime, I took three semesters of community college. Eventually, I was accepted into Marymount Manhattan College and I moved out of my parents’ house and into New York City, which was a dream come true.

No one was more excited than Ms. Christina Monaco Caldwell to share with us, you are now traveling in the hit Broadway musical Hairspray as the character Sketch. How did that audition come about? I look for auditions through this program called, “Actors Access”, where I have a profile and can see all sorts of audition breakdowns. I saw the breakdown for the Hairspray audition, so I submitted my vocal reel through “Actors Access”, and was lucky enough to get called in for a callback.

I had been following the Hairspray tour for a little while before I ended up auditioning for the show. This is the third year of this tour so I had been watching the last two years through their social media. I am very lucky that I go to college in Manhattan because, between classes and work, I am also able to go to all the auditions that happen at all the big studios.

Tell us a little about the audition? I had such a great time auditioning for this tour. The dance calls were especially exhilarating because our choreographer, Robbie Roby, who was also a part of the original Broadway production, was teaching us the combos in the room.

The last weekend in January you were in Morristown, New Jersey at Mayo Performing Arts Center performing in Hairspray. What was it like performing for the ‘home-town’, so to speak, where family and friends were in the audience? This is the closest stop to home for me and it was so refreshing seeing all of my friends and family from home. It is also the closest stop to Manhattan, so my friends from Marymount were also able to come see the show in Morristown. At this point, I had been with the tour for about five months, so it was a very special feeling getting to share the work I have been up to with all the lovely people in my life.

What words of wisdom can you share with other fellow EHS students who might be pursuing a career in the Performing Arts? I think it is so important to find enjoyment in auditioning, because that is what I have spent most of my time doing. Even for college. I auditioned for so many programs before I found my fit. Never give up and keep learning!

The Ewing Public Schools

Senior Spotlight: Meet Ameerah Brown-McMullen

What do you want people to know about Ewing High School that they might not know? I want people to know that Ewing High School is full of many motivating teachers and staff. Growing a close relationship with the Ewing High staff has played a huge role in my desire to attend college and further my education. Ewing High also has many school activities, clubs, and social events.

What is your favorite subject? My favorite subject is English because I love reading and writing about different social, political, personal, and economic topics. English gives me space to be creative and make connections through literature.

Who is your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher is Mrs. Hewlett because she genuinely cares about her students and her work. No matter what Mrs. Hewlett is dealing with outside of school, she never fails to positively share her passion for teaching with her students. She treats everyone as if they are one of her own, she takes the time out of class to explain the lessons, and she makes learning fun and easy to understand.

What activities do you participate in school? In school, I participated in National Honor Society, Black Student Alliance, Afro Arts events, Ewing High Varsity softball, and I was on the Ewing High “Blue Flames” dance team.

You have been a member of the EHS Varsity Softball team since freshman year. What are you looking forward to this spring season? What position do you play? Any goals for the season? This

spring season I am looking forward to, growing a closer relationship with my coaches and teammates. I am looking forward to being on the field, in the nice weather, playing the sport I love. I play first base and outfield for the Ewing High School team. My goal this season is to reach the 100th hits club, so I can put my name up on the banner in the school gym.

What activities do you participate in outside of school? Outside of school, I play for the Philadelphia Phillies Urban Youth Academy Softball Team. I own a clothing brand called VIVOapparel.co. I work at Big Easy of Ewing Restaurant, I work in real estate, and I am a Greater Mount Zion Church and Change Church member. I do volunteer work at the Young Scholars Institute and AFSCME Union as well.

What accomplishments are you most proud of? I am most proud of my 4.4 GPA, the effort and hard work I put into recovering from my ligament surgery last year, my financial and spiritual growth, starting my clothing/styling brand business, getting monetized on Youtube, becoming the youngest manager at my job, and committing to one of my dream schools.

What is your favorite quote or book? My favorite quote is “In 5yrs you could be somewhere You never imagined! Don’t Trip, Keep Going.” – Lil Baby My favorite book is “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki.

What are your plans after you graduate from Ewing High School? After graduating from Ewing High School, I plan on moving to another state, furthering my education, expanding my real estate career, becoming a successful entrepreneur, and building generational wealth.

Ewing Special Olympics Bring Home the GOLD!

Ewing Special Olympics ventured up to Mountain Creek for the Special Olympics Winter Games 2024 on February 5th-6th. The coaches and athletes met every Thursday night for eight weeks to get ready for their snowshoeing competition. Ewing had 12 athletes and 12 partners participate in the 200-meter, 100-meter, and 4x100-meter unified team relays. The Ewing Special Olympics teams brought home 17 gold medals, 14 silver medals, 7 bronze medals, one fourth-place and one fifth-place medal. For a second-year entrant in snowshoeing, Ewing's remarkable success reflects the hard work and determination embedded in the heart of our Special Olympics community.

The Ewing Public Schools

March 2024 Schedule in Ewing Schools

Mar 1 Elementary Schools - 3rd Marking Period Progress Reports

Antheil - PTO Scholastic Book Fair

Mar 4 Parkway - Title 1 Multicultural Pajama Reading Night @ 6pm

EHS - Semester 2 Term 1 Quarter 1 Parent Progress Reports

FMS - 3rd Marking Period Progress Reports

Antheil - PTO Scholastic Book Fair

Mar 5 Antheil - Spring Picture Day

Mar 6 EARLY DISMISSAL K-8 ONLY – Parent Conferences

Antheil - Full Day Preschool Early Dismissal

NO AM Integrated Preschool

Mar 7 Parkway - Spring Picture Day

Mar 11-15

FMS - 3rd Marking Period Progress Reports Mailed Home

Lore - LPA Scholastic Book Fair

Parkway - PTA Scholastic Book Fair

Mar 12 FMS - Parent Association Virtual Meeting @ 7:15pm

Mar 13 EHS - Musical - Between the Lines Senior Citizen Show @ 6pm

Mar 14 EHS - Musical - Between the Lines @ 7:30pm

Lore - Title I Literacy Night & LPA Family Event @ 6:30pm

Mar 15 EHS - Musical - Between the Lines @ 7:30pm

Mar 16 EHS - Musical - Between the Lines @ 2pm & 7:30pm

Mar 21 District Title I Family Math Escape Night - 6:30pm @ Antheil

Mar 27 FMS - 5th Grade Parent Orientation @ 6:30pm

Mar 29 SCHOOL CLOSED – Spring Break

Apr 1-5 SCHOOL CLOSED – Spring Break

National School Counseling Week is Celebrated at Ewing Public Schools

Every year, during the first week of February, the district celebrates National School Counseling Week, which aims to draw attention to the important role school counselors play in supporting the social emotional wellness of our students! This year’s theme was “Standards Based-Student Focused”. Schools celebrated with daily announcements, informative displays, a feature in the monthly counseling newsletters and the district’s counseling Instagram (IG) (@ewing_counseling).

EHS Junior, Olamide Adekoya, Selected for Internship Program

Ewing High School teacher Mr. Patrick Burley was excited to share with the Ewing Schools’ community that Ewing High School junior, Olamide Adekoya, was selected for an internship program with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman’s office in Ewing.

The internship is after school from January through May of this year and interns are asked to assist with a variety of tasks that will help them gain a better insight into the direct impact Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman’s Congressional office has on New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. Olamide’s responsibilities include: answering phones and recording concerns, assisting with casework intake, writing letters and assisting with outreach programs and attending community projects.

Olamide is also a stand-out in AP US History student and will be attending a two-week summer program at Yale University this upcoming summer. Congratulations Olamide on your selection!

Students in Mrs. Mulry’s third grade AIM class at Parkway School are finding area in a few different ways... using tiling and building a formula (A = L x W).

45 is the new 50 for

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that people begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45, rather than 50, which was the previous recommendation. The updated guidelines consider the benefits of early detection and treatment for adults with no personal history or increased risk of the disease.

Meera Yogarajah, MD, at the Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute -Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, shares more about this change and why it is important.

a lens for viewing and a tool for removing tissue. If your doctor finds polyps, they are removed and sent to a lab for further testing. Most patients receive some form of sedation during the test. The advantage of colonoscopy is removal of benign polyps will prevent these growths from turning into a cancer.

Dr. Meera Yogarajah

Why did the recommendation change? Research shows a recent increase in colorectal cancer occurring in younger adults. These cancers may be associated with poorer outcomes, as they are diagnosed later.

In response to this trend, the USPSTF, an independent volunteer group of experts in prevention and evidencebased medicine, reviewed new data and concluded that screening for colorectal cancer in adults who are 45 to 49 years old can be helpful in preventing more people from dying of colorectal cancer.

What does colorectal cancer screening entail? Colorectal cancer screening is used to detect cancer and remove precancerous polyps. There are several types of colorectal cancer screening methods. In colonoscopy, the rectum and entire colon are examined using a colonoscope, a flexible lighted tube with

In sigmoidoscopy, the rectum and sigmoid colon are examined using a sigmoidoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a lens for viewing and a tool for removing tissue. During sigmoidoscopy, abnormal growths in the rectum and sigmoid colon can be removed for analysis (biopsied). People are usually not sedated for this test. However, only the last 20 percent of the colon is examined. Both polyps and colorectal cancers can bleed, and stool tests check for tiny amounts of blood in feces (stool) that cannot be seen visually. With these tests, stool samples are collected by the patient using a kit, and the samples are returned to the doctor. People who have a positive finding with these tests will need to have a colonoscopy. Additionally, some newer stool tests rely on detection of DNA from tumors in the stool sample, increasing the accuracy beyond using detection of trace blood alone.

Why is it important to follow these guidelines? According to the American Cancer Society in 2024, an estimated 106,590 cases of colon cancer and 46,220 cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and a total of 53,010 people will die from these cancers.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the nation. Colorectal cancer usually does not cause any symptoms until it is advanced and starts to spread through the body. Most colorectal cancers can be prevented through screening and testing at regular intervals, leading to detection and removal of polyps.

Colorectal cancer is largely reventable. This is why it is extremely important to

follow the recommended guidelines and get an initial screening at 45 years of age for those at average risk or earlier for those at higher risk. Stop colon cancer — get screened!! Visit rwjbh.org/colonscreening to make an appointment near you.

Coming up this month at RWJU Hospital Hamilton

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

TUESDAy, MARcH 5

Breast cancer Support Group. 6-7:30 p.m. The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, 2575 Klockner Road, Hamilton. This Support Group welcomes those who have received a breast cancer diagnosis in all phases of their journey. Meetings are held in the lobby of The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton. The group is led by an Oncology Nurse Navigator and Certified Oncology Social Worker. It offers participants an opportunity to share personal experiences, helpful resources, and methods of coping with feelings of anxiety and distress. For more information please contact Patty Hutman Parker, BSN, RN, OCN, at 609-5842836 or Roberta Weiner, MSW, LCSW, OSWC, at 609-584-6680.

WEDNESDAy, MARcH 13

Hope for a Bright Future Series—Brunch and Learn. 10-11:30 a.m. Join Meera Yo-

garajah, MD, the Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, for March’s monthly health focus designed to empower people with tips on prevention, early detection, and advancements in cancer treatments helping to provide “Hope for a Bright Future.” Dr. Yogarajah will provide participants with information on colorectal cancer awareness, early detection and colorectal cancer. This program’s panel will also include Maulik D. Shah, DO, Gastroenterology, and Rachel Perez, Gastrointestinal Patient Navigator, The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton.

TUESDAy, MARcH 19

LOOKING FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS? Visit our website communitynews.org to get updates about your community all month long COMMUNITYNEWS March 2024 | Ewing Observer21

MONDAYS

Senior Corner

March 2024

ALL PROGRAMS HELD AT HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER, 320 HOLLOWBROOK DRIVE

10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin

Noon Tech/Trends For Seniors 2nd and 4th Monday of the Month

1 p.m. Jewelry/Craft-Anne’s

TUESDAYS

10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin

12:30 p.m. Bible Study

12:30 p.m. Bingo

WEDNESDAYS

9 a.m. Chair Yoga- Lisa Caruso

9:30 a.m. Knitting/Crochet

1 p.m. Mexican Train/5-Crown Cards

10:30 p.m. Water Color - Ally Lyons Mercer County Library – Ewing Branch

1 p.m. Zumba - Liz Allen

2 p.m. Mahjongg - Christine Kamph (beginners class 6 wks started 2/21)

THURSDAYS

10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin

1 p.m. Pinochle - Mercer County Library - Ewing Branch

1 p.m. Rummikub

1 p.m. Balance Class - Bob Kirby

1 p.m. Bid Whist

FRIDAYS

9:30 a.m. Line Dancing – Joanne Keephart

12:30 PM Tai Chi – Liz Allen

2 p.m. Circuit Training– Jeff Prunetti ( $5 session)

SENIOR CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION (SCAC): 3RD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, General Body 10 a.m. Meeting is open to the public.

CLUBS:

Live Wires—11 a.m. ( 2ND Thursday of the month) RM# 201-202

Busy C’s—11 a.m. ( 3RD Tuesday of the month) RM# 201-202

Club D—11 a.m. (1st Thursday of the month) RM# 201-202

HB Seniors—1 p.m. (2ND Friday of the month) RM# 201-202

MERCER COUNTY NUTRITION: Seniors 60 and older or anyone married to a person 60 and older is welcome to participate in the nutrition program. The program is located at Hollowbrook Community Center. A person is asked to donate a $1. Your donation is confidential. A delicious balance meal is served.

SENIOR LUNCHEON SHOW: (Hollowbrook Community Center). “Terrific Ted the Tenor” from Broadway. $9 per person/ $14 couple. Make reservations in advance. Tickets available Senior Office ( M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30pm).

REGISTER FOR ALL PROGRAMS AGES 60 AND OLDER EWING RESIDENTS: HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER

2nd Floor Rm# 207 Senior Office

QUESTIONS: 609-883-1776

Senior Corner is paid content by Ewing Township.

What am I doing here?

DONNIE BLACK

BETTING ON BLAcK

You might have come to this page looking for an Ilene Black special. Unfortunately, my beautiful mother passed away on New Year’s Day (see last month’s issue of the Ewing Observer for a story and my thoughts on my mother’s passing), and my tribute to her will be to continue this column for as long as I can.

She was such a good writer that me trying to follow up is like being the quarterback for the New England Patriots after Tom Brady. I’ll try not to be Mac Jones when I write. If you didn’t understand the football reference, Tom Brady is the best NFL football quarterback ever, and his replacement Mac Jones is kind of in a tough spot to replace the greatest. Sorry to all the Patriot fans reading this— he isn’t good!

My mom was the greatest of all time, and me trying to replace her is not what I want or am trying to do. How can I replace perfection? You can’t do it! My first few columns will of course be about my mother. She was my biggest fan and listened to every radio show I’ve ever been on, no matter what dial it was on.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Donnie Black, and I am Ilene Black’s youngest (and best looking) son. I work at 92.5 XTU in Philadelphia as a producer/ on air personality/promotions director. If you knew my mother, you would already know exactly what I do for a living.

She bragged a lot about her son’s. At my wedding, our mother-son dance was to the song “Perfect Fan” by the Backstreet

Boys. She loved this song, and so did I, because it described my mother perfectly. She was my biggest fan, and the woman was perfect in my eyes. So “Perfect Fan” it was.

My best friend, my idol, and the guy who paved the way for me—my brother George—is a teacher, and at the time I’m writing this, is a former soccer coach and now the head tennis coach at Red Bank Catholic. The guy has never held a tennis racket in his life, but knowing my bro he will succeed. I can’t wait to write more columns about my brother and my adventures and the stuff that my mom didn’t know. I’m not going to lie—there isn’t much she didn’t know.

My mom also wrote about her husband, George, who should win an award for the greatest dad of all time. This guy worked two jobs as long as I can remember to send my bro and me to catholic school, and to have the best Christmases a kid could ask for. My dad is prouder that I’m continuing this column than anyone in the world.

There is a song by a local rapper turned superstar Asher Roth called “His Dream,” and this song basically describes my relationship with my dad. If you have the time, take a listen to the song. A lot of my references will be about music, because that’s what I do for a living, and that is one of the biggest things my mom and I had in common. We both loved music and we used to quiz each other, and that woman would crush me. She should have been a radio DJ!

While I was writing this, I thought, “should I go happy, or do I go sad?” I’m still pretty sad, since it’s only been a few weeks since my mom passed, and she and I had a really close relationship. We could talk about everything and when I say everything, I mean “Everything!!” My mom knew every detail of my life. My wife Michelle would say, “you don’t have to tell your mom everything,” and I would reply, “she will figure it out one way or another. She’s like a ninja.” I can’t explain it but she had that mother magic that all of you moms reading this know exactly what I’m talking about.

All that being said, I’m going to try my best to do this column. I wear a size 11 shoe and my mother wore a size 8, and I still won’t be able to fill her shoes, but I felt that “Betting on Black” had to go on. I will continue the column in my mom’s honor, and I hope to bring a smile to your face each month.

Donnie Black was born and grew up in Ewing Township. He currently works at radio station XTU in Philadelphia as a producer, on air personality and promotions director.

Happy birthday Ewing!

HELEN KULL

EWING THEN & NOW

Hoist up the banners, toss the confetti, and light up the candles!

You all have no doubt been celebrating with appropriate excitement and revelry the March 1 anniversary of the effective creation of our township, right?

In case some of you have somehow overlooked the reason for our town-wide merriment and jubilant observances, on February 22, 1834, the New Jersey Legislature passed a law, approving the renaming of a portion of Trenton Township as the “Township of Ewing,” to be effective March 1, 1834. Thus, Ewing’s “birthday” is March 1.

Of course, the place we know as Ewing now had been previously known by several other names. In the late 1600s or so, when European immigrants began settling here in numbers, we were part of a big chunk of West Jersey designated as Burlington County.

“Our” portion of that was then designated as Maidenhead Township, which was subsequently divided up into Hopewell and Maidenhead townships in 1700 - but still in an area known as Burlington County.

The next division came in 1714, when the area of Burlington County north of the Assunpink River was separated out of Burlington County, and became Hunterdon County.

A few years later, in March of 1720, the Hunterdon Court created “Trenton Township” within the County, comprising the growing region bounded by the Delaware, the Assunpink and Jacob’s Creek (essentially present-day Trenton and Ewing). These names, divisions and boundaries remained throughout most of the 1700s, despite significant growth and even a Revolution!

In 1792, the city folks in Trenton wanted to become a separate governing entity, so the City of Trenton was incorporated, but still technically within Trenton Township.

In 1794, the people in the rural sections of Trenton Township (that would be us!) made a brief but unsuccessful attempt at separating from Trenton Township and becoming the “Township of Independence.”

But interest in separating from Trenton Township remained at some level, and forty years later, it was successful. The legislative act was approved on February 22, 1834, and

became effective a week or so later, on March 1. Ewing Township was created - born - made - named! It was still in Hunterdon County (Mercer County was formed from portions of Hunterdon County in 1838), but Ewing Township was a thing.

The name, Ewing, was in honor of Charles Ewing, a prominent attorney, counselor, judge and NJ State Supreme Court Justice, and a highly respected and beloved individual who had passed away suddenly in 1832 from (likely) Asiatic cholera. Naming the new township after Justice Ewing was an honorable and appropriate way to memorialize his life.

So, here we are in 2024, and if my math is right, that makes us 190 years old. (I do hope those of you who celebrated with cake and candles used a single candle for each decade or something.

One hundred and ninety candles on a cake would have resulted in pretty waxy pieces of cake — not to mention a wildly dangerous situation!)

All kidding aside, with ten years to go until we actually might joyfully celebrate a 200-year anniversary, it might be time to begin to think about the Ewing we would like to celebrate.

There are certainly great things happening in our township right now:

• Progress is moving along at the Ewing Town Center on the old General Motors site. Residents have moved in, and the commercial development and live/work area along Parkway Avenue is growing every day. In ten years, it will be an established development and “old news.”

• The Ewing Historical Society has been working for a few years now on creating the Ewing Museum, to showcase and interpret various aspects of life in Ewing.

• The Ewing Green Team has been endeavoring to make our township more sustainable - greener, safer, and more “user-friendly.”

Undoubtedly many others within our township are taking opportunities to improve and enhance life in our township.

I hope that many more individuals, groups and entities will also begin to consider the ways, large and small, in which we may bring even more improvements to our township for the wonderful people who live and work here, so that when 2034 comes along, we will actually have a great celebration!

Helen Kull is an advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.

Ewing Recreation

Narch 2024

Registration is now open for the following Ewing Recreation programs:

Summer Day Camp grades k-5, teen travel grades 6-8, counselor in training grade 9. Ewing Pool System & Senior swim program. Register online www.communitypass.net.

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball is held on Wednesday nights at Antheil School from 7:00pm – 9:30pm. This program is informal and are for all levels of players. Participants can register at www.commu-

nitypass.net.

The Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, 609883-1199, has rooms available for rent for small groups to large parties. Kitchen facilities are available.

For more information on these or any other programs you can contact the Recreation Office at (609) 883-1199 or online at www.ewingnj. org/communityaffairs.

The Ewing Recreation column is paid content provided by Ewing Township.