3-24 HE

HoVal wrestling wins sectionals for first time

BY RICH FISHER

When Mario Harpel took over the Hopewell Valley Central High wrestling program 19 years ago, he wasn’t intimidated by Mercer County’s less-thansterling reputation in wrestling. He knew if things were done right, he could build a team that would succeed at the state level.

“I always believed that,” Harpel said. “I had the opportunity to coach in Ohio and Pennsylvania before here and had some success. At Hopewell, I was just excited to start a positive program and develop and wrestle the best schedule we could wrestle; with the belief we could achieve anything we set our minds too. We took some huge steps from day one until now.”

They took the biggest on Feb. 7 by defeating Ocean Township, 33-32, to win the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship. It was the first sectional title in program history and just the third ever won by a Mercer team.

Prior to that day, the program had won over 300 matches, 15 Colonial Valley Conference division titles and 15 Mercer County Tournament crowns. The Bulldogs had come tantalizingly close to a sectional crown sev-

eral times, including last year, and finally got over the hump before losing to Cranford in the Group III semifinals.

“It’s definitely something we thought we could do at the start of the year,” junior 157-pounder Konrad Haugeto said. “We just knew this year that everyone was good and if we worked hard we could do anything.

“We’ve been very close and this year we knew we could do it. It’s great for the team, it’s great for the school and I think we’re all very proud.”

Haugeto played a big part in the pulsating win that had Hopewell’s gym rocking in record sound decibels. He fell behind by four points before getting a third-period pin over Josh Calixte.

“We had a couple swing matches that didn’t go our way, I was thinking it was gonna be hard to win this,” said Jon Trainor, who took a 3-2 decision at 285 early in the match. “I saw Konrad going down, at one point he went to his back and I thought, ‘Oh well, another year of second place.’ But Konrad is relentless. He just keeps going, he’s a machine. He grabbed those six (points) up top and (Ethan) Barker took care of

Cycle shop celebrates 10th anniversary with new mural

how far would you go if they were sick?

BY JOE EMANSKI

The stairway at Sourland Cycles had always been a problem.

See WRESTLING, Page 14

The link between the historic, 1860’s-era part of the building on East Broad Street and the newer, more modern section of the store was functional. But

over the years, it had seemed to owner Mike Gray that nothing he and the staff ever did to try to spruce the area up had worked. Sourland Cycles hosts numerous bike rides throughout the nearby natural setting that inspired the store name. There are photos of nature scenes throughout the shop — but See HOTEL, Page 12

When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we. With a collaborative structure so our doctors can craft a treatment that’s uniquely right for you. With primary care physicians who never schedule an appointment that’s less than 20 minutes. With world-renowned surgeons that are changing cancer treatment.

stock photos just weren’t cutting it when it came to the stairway wall.

Then one day last year, a customer named Myles Cavanaugh was shopping in the Hopewell Borough store. An avid cyclist as well as an acclaimed painter, Cavanaugh was a regular at

Because you’d go to the ends of the earth for the people you care about.

Artist Myles Cavanaugh and bike shop owner Mike Gray in front of the new mural Cavanaugh’s painted in the shop on East Broad Street in Hopewell Borough. (Photo courtesy of Sourland Cycles.)

Hopewell Valley Open Space welcomes new director

The Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space is excited to announce that it has a new executive director: Jennifer Rogers.

After an open process in which dozens of well qualified citizens applied for the position, the board has unanimously elected Jenn Rogers to take FoHVOS’ helm.  Jenn is the perfect person to lead the organization, bringing with her an extensive environmental and management background. She was Mercer County’s naturalist for over a decade.

She designed programs and connected the public to nature, especially children and she forged relationships with conservation groups like ours which will position her well in furthering partnerships that preserve open space and make nature preserves people friendly.

She also has built relationships with many local businesses and corporations and will expand our community conservation initiatives to include them

as they develop and manage their own landscapes in sustainable ways. Her track record is strong on rehabilitating habitats to foster biodiversity which aligns well with one of FoVHOS’ major goals.  She will regularly communicate her aims and goals, continuing to connect FoVHOS to the community.

We welcome Jenn to FoHVOS and look forward to her fostering our primary goal of conserving the Valley’s habitats, wildlife and open spaces.

Dan Rubenstein President, FoHVOS

Township planning and zoning boards should meet in person, part

2

The Hopewell Township Planning Board and the Hopewell Township Zoning Board of Adjustment still upends

decades of in person meetings based on a public health emergency, which no longer exists.

At the planning board meeting on Jan. 25, I engaged in my second annual request to return to in person meetings to replace their Zoom meetings. My request was given short shrift.

One board member gave me the same dismissive reception as last year, pointing out that they were hearing from only one member of the public. Another noted that the board sits closely together on the dais.

A third member expressed concern about Covid. Another made impatient gestures.

The United States House of Representatives seats 435 representatives in person. They sit closely together. The New Jersey Legislature meets in person. They sit closely together. During the State of the Union and State of the State addresses, both seat participants even closer to accommodate guests. Our

We

Township Committee has met in person since June 13, 2022.

Covid should be taken seriously, but nothing prevents vaccinations and maskwearing. As far as being the lone voice, our township committee and its boards, committees and commissions act upon a request from a single member of the public when they are so inclined.

Gov. Phil Murphy ended the public health emergency on March 7, 2022. The state of emergency was left in place for federal red tape purposes. That loophole is being exploited by our planning and zoning Boards.

The governor wants a “return to normalcy.” Apparently, our Planning and Zoning Boards will only get there kicking and screaming.

Harvey Lester Titusville

of your neighbors. The Hopewell Express is for local people, by local people. As

the Gazette does

than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, our staff

our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to

going on in their neighborhood.

Community

9

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News:

Events:

Sports: sports@communitynews.org

Letters: jemanski@communitynews.org

Website: hopewellexpress.com

Facebook: facebook.com/hopewellexpress

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Around Town School district reveals Governor’s Educators of the Year

The Hopewell Valley Regional School District has announced its Governor’s Educators and Support Professionals of the Year Award recipients for the academic 23-24 school year.

Honored as educators of the year were Mandi Perez, Bear Tavern Elementary School; Wendy Heiser, Hopewell Elementary School; Regina Brunetti, Stony Brook Elementary School; Kim Drewes, Toll Gate Grammar School; Katie Schooley, Timberlane Middle School; and Michelle Brennan, Central High School.

Recognized as support professionals of the year were Courtney Leonard, Stony Brook Elementary School Paraprofessional; Ron Buchanan, Bear Tavern campus safety officer; and Bonnie Brown, Hopewell Elementary School paraprofessional.

Drewes was recognized for demonstrating exceptional ability to engage students in the learning process, creating a nurturing and empowering atmosphere

for students. Perez was honored for consistently demonstrating innovative teaching methods, fostering a love for learning among her students and promoting a collaborative classroom culture.

Heiser was recognized for her efforts in creating an inclusive environment that supports the diverse needs of her students while encouraging students to give back to the community through service learning. Brunetti was recognized for her dedication to instilling a love of learning through interactive teaching methods that support character development and academic growth.

Schooley was honored for her commitment to fostering a sense of community and inclusivity, while Brennan was acknowledged for her ability to inspire both students and colleagues alike.

Leonard, Buchanan and Brown were recognized for creating safe, motivating, and positive learning environments for all students.

Superintendent Rosetta Treece

expressed appreciation for the dedication and passion these educators bring to their classrooms each day. “We are immensely proud of all of our educators and support professionals of the year. Their commitment to education and their students is truly commendable, and they serve as exemplary role models for the entire Hopewell Valley community,” she said.

Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum to celebrate food of the African Diaspora

On Saturday March 23 at 4 p.m., the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, Central New Jersey’s first museum dedicated to Black history, will celebrate its 3rd Annual Oxtail Fest at Hopewell Valley Vineyards.

ries but in the United States it is particularly associated with African American and Caribbean cuisine. Eating “high on the hog” was not afforded to enslaved peoples along the transatlantic triangle slave trade route.

The enslaved were given discarded cuts of meat such as the hooves, feet, intestines, heads, and tails of the animal while their captors enjoyed the prime cuts. Yet what the captors failed to recognize was that with imagination, innovation, proper preparation, and love, these throw-away cuts would be transformed into life-sustaining and exquisitely flavorful dishes.

Traditional African methods involve slow-cooking oxtail to achieve unparalleled tenderness and flavor. However, like oysters, kale and many other staples of working-class culinary traditions, oxtail has undergone the effects of gentrification. With a soaring price-per-pound, the once lowly oxtail is now a luxury dish

Oxtail is the meat from the tail of a cow. Across many cultures worldwide, oxtail has been a culinary mainstay for centu- See NEWS, Page 6

GOLD BRONZE

BRONZE

SILVER

Lavanya Boopalam

Janet “Jan” Rutkowski

Lisa LeRay

Heather Morley

Kimberly Storcella

affordable only on special occasions for many.

Donnetta Johnson, Executive Director of SSAAM, said that on the occasion of Women’s History Month, this year’s event “focuses on the power of contemporary sisterhood by honoring the kinships forged among African-American women for the purpose of survival.”

“Traditionally, Black women who might have otherwise been destroyed by the atrocities of kidnapping, enslavement and the legacy of those impacts on the African American family, survived by holding each other up, supporting one another, and collectively holding their often fragmented families together. Sit down and let me feed you, Baby, is what my aunties would say to me when I found myself at their table after a stressful day at school or work. This was a powerful and practical expression of love. Food has been our love language and a tool to comfort, encourage, survive and thrive to the present day.”

As in previous SSAAM Oxtail Fest events, the feast will feature an array of specialties from the African American, Caribbean and Afro-Latin diaspora. In addition to oxtail delicacies, there will be jerk chicken, as well as staples such as collards, okra, Jollof rice, cornbread, cro-

the Oxtail Fest event will fund SSAAM operations, research, and programming to preserve, protect, and share African American history, historic sites, and contributions in the Sourland Mountain region and Central New Jersey.

Space will be limited. Event tickets, sponsorships and program ads are available at bit.ly/OxtailFest2024.

Womanspace welcomes new board leadership

Womanspace, a Mercer County nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault, is pleased to announce new leadership for the roles of Chair and Vice Chair.

mere will succeed Joanne Barlow, who has completed her two-year term as vice chair. She is a resident of Pennington.

Township health department, DEP to host drinking water update

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will provide a community update about Per- and Poly- fluoroalkyl Substances in drinking water on Wednesday, March 13.

quetas, empanadas, and an assortment of traditional desserts. The menu will offer a wide selection of culturally-based vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, and gluten-free options.

Organizers say that proceeds from

Meaghan Cannon, chair, is a long time Womanspace board member. Her mother Mary Ann Cannon was one of the founders of the agency, signing the original certificate of incorporation. “Womanspace has been a part of my life for almost as long as I can remember, making its mission near and dear to my heart. I am excited to help provide leadership as Womanspace moves into the next phases of its growth and evolution.” Cannon is a regional director for FirstService Residential and has held various leadership and management roles in the hospitality and human resources sectors. She is a resident of Pennington.

Cannon succeeds outgoing chair Michelle Bajwa (Monroe Township), who reflects on her two-year term saying: “It has been a distinct honor to serve as the Womanspace Board Chair. I remain grateful for the unique and treasured opportunity to partner with Board Members, community allies, staff and clients in our movement to address the oppressive systems that fuel cycles of domestic violence and sexual abuse. I welcome incoming board chair Meaghan Cannon with enthusiasm and confidence as I know Womanspace today is well positioned to increasingly support and provide preventative educational outreach to the diverse, evolving and dynamic community in Mercer County.”

The Health Department is collecting questions about PFAS and groundwater sampling ahead of the meeting via email to healthclerk@hopewelltwp.org; questions must be received by March 4 to ensure they can be addressed during the presentation.

DEP professionals will discuss PFAS compounds (sometimes called “forever chemicals”): what they are, why they cause concern, how sampling occurs and what resources are available if a determination is made that a well has been contaminated. The meeting may be of particular interest for homeowners who have wells.

DEP is monitoring PFAS in groundwater in four specific areas of the township where levels have consistently exceeded the safe drinking water standards. These areas include wells in the vicinity of Route 31 and Tree Farm Road; Timberlane Middle School; Bear Tavern Elementary School; and River Road in Titusville.

The Health Department encourages all township residents with well water to test for PFAS, even if they reside outside of those neighborhoods. Review of available data from well water testing conducted during real estate transactions suggests that PFAS may be widespread.

Malina Poshtova Delamere, vice chair, is the founder and president of Vida Rose Coaching Solutions, an executive coaching practice for women whose business, career, and life are in growth mode. With more than 20 years of business leadership experience, Poshtova is also a former Fulbright Scholar, with degrees from New York University and the University of Sofia in Bulgaria. Dela-

It is a homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their private wells and test regularly to ensure a healthy drinking water supply. Detailed information about wells and proper maintenance is online at wellowner.org. If PFAS levels exceed the DEP’s safe standard, homeowners may be eligible to file a claim with DEP and receive assistance for treatment and further testing.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. via Zoom with pre-registration available at hopewelltwp.org/PFASregistration. For residents unable to attend the event, information from DEP’s 2022 presentation is available online at hopewelltwp. org/PFASmeetings.

Cannon

The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum’s third annual Oxtail Fest will be held at Hopewell Valley Vineyards on March 23.

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 at Work

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Please register early. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

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.

Introduction to Tai Chi

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 connected. Robert Langley, a tai chi instructor from the Capital Health Wellness Center, will lead this program and help you experience tai chi for the first time! Please wear comfortable clothing.

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

AD LAYOUT & PRODUCTION

Stacey Micallef

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

CO-PUBLISHER

Jamie Griswold CO-PUBLISHER Tom Valeri

MANAGING EDITOR, METRO DIVISION

Sara Hastings

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Thomas Fritts

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Stacey Micallef DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL INITIATIVES

Joe Emanski

Community News Service

9 Princess Road, Suite M

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

Letters: rschroeder@communitynews.org

Website: communitynews.org

Facebook: facebook.com/mercereats

Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

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

TO ADVERTISE

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

A

of:

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

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

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

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

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

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-

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

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Along with eating healthy and regular exercise, your best bet for good colon health is to get a colon cancer screening. Individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer should begin screening at age 45. Individuals at higher risk should speak to their doctor about getting screened sooner. Regular screening can detect and prevent colorectal cancer in its earliest stages, which is when the cancer is most treatable. Should your screening indicate the need for treatment, we offer the latest options, from complex surgical procedures and radiation therapy to clinical trials and precision medicine. The best screening is the one that gets completed, so schedule yours now at rwjbh.org/colonscreening

Let’s beat cancer together.

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

HELP WANTED

$2K or More A Month

Commission. Work from Home. Flexible. Set your own hours. P/T or F/T. Sales, Managers, Customer Service Reps needed. 24 hr. recording: 1-800-670-6540

Sales Rep. Part time Sales Rep needed flexible hours. Sales experience of Printed Circuit Board helpful but not necessary. Can train. Candidate must be out going. Customer visits required. Please Email Resume at Galaxycircuits@verizon. net.

SERVICES

F,D,Mason Contractor, Over 30 years of experience. Brick, Block, Stone, Concrete. No job too large or small. Fully Insured and Licensed. Free Estimates 908-385-5701

Lic#13VH05475900.

Are you single? Try us first! We are an enjoyable alternative to online dating. Sweet Beginnings Matchmaker, 215-539-2894, www. sweetbeginnings.info.

Senior Concierge

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

LEGAL SERVICES

Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and

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

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.

House cleaning Services Professional quality cleaning with a personal touch. Call Norma 609-575-9374.

Child Care Services in –Cranbury Children ages 2-5 yrs. Hours 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. For more information please call at 908-9638448.

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

Attention Single

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.

Health & Fitness

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-5261060 www.dental50plus. com/ads #6258

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-9299587

Home Services

Aging Roof? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast,

free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-8789091

Water damage cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936

BATH & SHOWER

UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

HughesNet - Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo!

Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866499-0141

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 12/31/24. 1-866-479-1516

Safe Step. North America's #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306

MobileHelp, America's premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you're home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888489-3936

Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation ExpertsOver $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info

package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Diagnosed with lung cancer & 65+? You may qualify for a substantial cash award. No obligation! We've recovered millions. Let us help! Call 24/7 1-877707-5707

Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, we're cutting installation costs in half and offering a FREE safety upgrade! Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 3/31/24 Call 1-844-5013208

Don't let the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833399-3595

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

NEWS continued from Page 6

Central High School spring musical to take the stage in March

Big business means big laughs in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser that won both the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize when it opened in 1961.

The musical is this year’s production for the students and staff of Hopewell Valley Central High School.

A satire of big business and all it holds sacred, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a handbook called “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant “company man,” the office party, backstabbing coworkers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.

The cast includes Jack Elliott as Finch, Amelie Bass as Rosemary, Jake Brown as Bud Frump, Maddie Lynch as Smitty, Ella DePaolo as Hedy LaRue, Luca Bario as Biggley, Megan Flanders as Miss Jones, Andrew King as Mr. Bratt, Leo Schmidt as Mr. Gatch and Connor Bowden as Mr. Twimble.

Also in the case are Will DePaolo (Wally Womper/Book Voice), Amelia Hovey (Miss Krumholtz), Gavin Glogoff (Ovington), Matthew Golian (Toynbee), Lewis Wasden (Tackaberry), Randall Garvey (Peterson), Jesse Dunbar (Jenkins), Seamus Fennessy (Matthews/ Davis), Saylor Schoene (TV Announcer) Gabby Pasko (Scrubwoman 1) and Carolan Falk (Scrubwoman 2).

In the ensemble are dance captains Rose Andreski and Michaela Linthorst as well as Connor Bowden, Devin Brown, Kat Compton, Ariel Croner, Jesse Dunbar, Carolan Falk, Seamus Fennessy, Randall Garvey, Matthew Golian, Elise Granzow, Andrew King, Anna Nakra, Gabby Pasko, Kayla Reber, Saylor Schoene, Juliana Somers, Lewis Wasden and Alison Winsor.

Shows are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2, and Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9 at the Performing Arts Center at Hopewell Valley Central High School. All shows are scheduled for 7 p.m.

Tickets ($15; $10 for students and senior citizens) can be reserved online at showtix4u.com/event-details/80331.

Capacity is limited and no tickets will be sold at the door.

Department of Agriculture announces enhanced wildlife fencing grants

New Jersey’s Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for cost-share grants for the installation of wildlife fencing on preserved and unpreserved farms.

The wildlife fencing program is an updated version of the deer fencing program that was announced in spring 2023.

Preserved and unpreserved farm owners, operators or tenants in New Jersey may receive up to 50% matching funds ($50,000 maximum) if their applications are approved. Grants for unpreserved farms will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are expended.

This program is possible because of legislation signed into law on Jan. 8. The law enhances the separate NJDA and State Agriculture Development Committee wildlife fencing programs.

Applicants for unpreserved property who lease or operate but do not own the farmland described in their application must receive authorization from the landowner. Applicants must review a copy of the Standard Agreement before applying.

Applicants will also need a NJSTART vendor ID. The applications forms and information are available at bit. ly/3SZvaJJ.

Farms enrolled in a ‘permanent farmland preservation program’ as defined in

the SADC policy P-53 are eligible for the SADC program. The law clarifies that all other farms may apply to the NJDA program.

More information for farms enrolled

in the SADC farmland preservation program is available atbit.ly/453c4Xa.

More information about other NJDA grants is available at www.nj.gov/ agriculture/grants.

Hopewell Valley Central High School students perform in the dress rehearsal for the school’s upcoming production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” set to be on the Performing Arts Center Stage for four shows on March 1, 2, 8 and 9.

Left: Luca Bario and Jake Brown Right: Jack Elliott and Amelie Bass (Photos courtesy of Colleen Murphy.)

Sourland Cycles.

“A colleague whispered to me to see if Myles had free time to (paint a mural),” Gray remembers. “Myles is a friend and a great artist — my wife and I have some of his fine art on the walls in our house. We asked him, and he jumped at the chance to do something a little larger format, a little more fun.”

The wall is in a part of the store where mountain bikes are usually displayed. Gray knew that he wanted the mural to feature the types of boulders that can be seen throughout the Sourland Mountain area.

“I asked some friends, riders, to send me some pictures of Sourland scenes,” Gray says. “I left it to Myles to pick out which he thought would work out well. I try not too interfere with artists too much, but gave him a little input on the design, that it had to serve as a backdrop for bikes as well as a mural.”

Cavanaugh is not only a friend and customer. He has also ridden with Gray on the very trails the latter was hoping to depict.

“He feels connected to it,” Gray says. “He’s lived in the area for years, he bikes there all the time. I don’t think he hesitated for more than 10 seconds before saying ‘Yeah.’”

* * *

Cavanaugh lives in Lambertville and has a studio in Stockton. “This was definitely something that was up my alley,”

Cavanaugh says. “I painted it as if it were one of my paintings. I know Mike because we used to ride together.”

While Cavanaugh works mostly in oil, the mural was painted using acrylics. He says it took around two weeks for the 12-by-12-foot mural to come together.

“I don’t do a lot of murals, necessarily,” he says. “A lot of my paintings are of area scenes, of the Delaware River, in Hopewell, in the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm area. I’m mostly known for impressionist landscapes, snow scenes, things like that.”

The completion of the mural will roughly coincide with the 10th anniversary of the opening of Sourland Cycles. Gray and then-partner Russ White started the business in November 2014.

At a time when many small retail businesses are struggling, making it to 10 years in little Hopewell Borough with a niche business like bicycles cannot have been easy.

“What I tell people has made this place a success is the people we have working here,” Gray says. “I’ve been able to get some really good people here —good with bicycles, but also good with people. If someone’s a first timer or looking for family or for a first mountain bike, it really carries over, the things we do here to make people feel welcome.”

Key staff include mechanics

•

•

•

Rex, Alex Robuck and bike ride leaders Carolyn Callan, Rich Armington, Anne Biber and Maria Masi.

Providing service and equipment to women cyclists is a focus of Sourland Cycles.

“I wanted that to be an important part of who were are, treating women’s cyclists just as important, if not more important. “To make them comfortable in an environment that for too long has been sexist. One of our mechanics is a woman, two of our best sales folks are women. Another has gone on to become one of our ride leaders,” Gray says. “It’s really been important to me to have women working here. You see other shops where you go and you just talk to a bunch of boys who happen to love bikes. It doesn’t mean you get best retail experience.”

Gray says that Sourland Cycles will host a reception on Sunday March 3 at noon to formally unveil the mural. Artist Myles Cavanaugh will be in attendance.

•

•

•

•

•

•

Tom Cooper and Joanne Gusweiler. Cooper has been with Sourland Cycles since before it opened.

“We’ve had a number of people here who are ex-professional level riders, who come because of Tom Cooper and his

great mechanic experience,” Gray says. “Bike people tend to support small shops because the Internet’s not going to fix your bike.”

Other key staff members include the sales team of Tom Mason, David Kossoff, Katie

Gray also said that Sourland Cycles would be doing events throughout the year on the occasion of the bike shop’s 10 years in business. He anticipates doing raffles and giveaways on a regular basis throughout the year. “We’ll definitely be giving away a couple of bikes at least by the end of the season,” he says.

Web: sourlandcycles.com.

Artist Myles Cavanaugh at work on his Sourland Cycles mural. (Photo courtesy of Sourland Cycles.)

Capital Barbershop expands

Before walking into this expanded and remodeled barbershop located two doors to the right of the original, one is tempted to think that if you’ve seen one barbershop, you’ve seen them all. Not so. Aside from the red, white and blue twirling pole out front, this barbershop is different!

Owner/barber, Marc Storaci has had a longtime desire to build a location that was intended to dazzle. For years he’s researched existing shops from all over the world to personally design a truly one-of-a-kind barbershop.

The industrial/modern style decor must be seen to be appreciated. It features porcelain subway tile work, granite countertops, and custom woodtrimmed walls. Polished aluminum, stainless steel, and chrome, glitter everywhere. There are techno appointments galore with 10 big-screen TVs and a streaming video message.

Each of the eight workstations has backlit mirrors. All stations have computerized logs to efficiently keep track of all who drop in, along with those who were pre-scheduled. Clients settle into the comfortable, extra-roomy, porcelain, and cast-iron barber chairs for any style of quality haircut. The beautiful high-tech lighting is state-of-the-art. This barbershop is beyond unique!

Storaci was quick to say that while the eye-catching decor certainly gets a lot of attention, all the bells and whistles in the world can’t replace genuine service. Better quality service is the first priority for the barbers at Capital. He explained, “no business is profitable without a sustained volume and there simply won’t be good volume without a quality product. Since our only product is a haircut service, we want to be the best.”

Capital’s barbers not only have deep experience with all styles of men’s and boy’s hair, they’re trained in-house as career service professionals. In fact, Storaci hopes for the uniquely remodeled shop on Scotch Rd to become the example for a franchise offering one day.”

Perhaps best, is that Capital’s menu will feature a pre-COVID price rollback. They’re making an honest effort to ensure that the shop’s service, pricing, sanitation, and comfort is simply the best to be found. And, unlike shops that rush you into the first open barber chair, Capital encourages you to request your favorite barber. Said Storaci, “We want everyone to return happy!”

Marc Storaci’s career in the barber business started 29 years ago while

he was a student at NJIT. He explored learning barbering as a way to help with college expenses. While he still has family business interests in food services and investment real estate, somewhere along the line the barber business became his passion. Between his other high-volume barbershop in Hamilton (which conversely features an antique decor) and his newly enlarged modern location at Capital on Scotch Road in Ewing, Storaci currently employs 20 barbers.

He said: “I’ve been fortunate to have had numerous successful shops over the years, but when the COVID pandemic hit, we struggled. It significantly changed the hair industry, in general, and it was like playing a chess game to keep all of my employees on board.

Of course, the “help wanted” sign is still always out for professional barbers! At any rate, we’re solidly back in growth mode and are anxiously looking forward to this expansion.”

The Capital group feels confident that their team of barbers share a depth of experience and personal service level that the competition, including the chains, aren’t able to provide. Their current client base is comprised mainly of residents, workers, and students from a broad area. The shop is central to Ewing, Pennington, Hopewell, Titusville, Lambertville, Lawrence, Yardley, TCNJ and Rider University.

Capital Barbershop, 183 Scotch Road Plaza. Walk-ins or appointments. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Accepting cash, credit/ debit cards, Venmo, and Apple Pay.

For appointments, visit Booksy.com or call 609-403-6147. tbsbarbershops.com.

The new interior of Capital Barbershop.

WRESTLING continued from Page 1

business.”

Barker followed with a pin to give the Bulldogs a 33-25 lead, rendering their forfeit in the final match moot.

“I knew when I was down I had to win,” Haugeto said. “I was down by four but that’s nothing. I’ve come back from many more than four points in even harder matches. I’ve been in that situation and I knew I needed to wrestle the way I do every day in practice. I went in with the same kind of mindset, just wrestle and do what I know how to do and try to wrestle my best.”

And the gym shook with excitement with the Dawg Pound leading the way.

Choose

“It was electric,” Trainor said. “A lot of people showed up. A lot of alumni and a lot of students. It’s not common for wrestling, it’s more common for basketball. When the students come it’s very electric and to win it the way we did it was very special.”

* * *

The victory helped the Bulldogs finish with a 21-3 dual meet record as they prepared for the individual part of postseason at the Feb. 16-17 District 17 Tournament. But for the moment, Harpel enjoyed savoring the team aspect of the season

“It’s a great accomplishment,” he said. “I’m really proud of every single wrestler on the team. We put a lot of work in and

it’s nice to finally be state sectional champions. You can’t take that away. We’ll be together forever, and everyone before them kind of feeds into that accomplishment. In a way, everyone’s a part of it.”

Indeed they are, as it takes time to build a dynasty, which Hopewell is when it comes to Mercer County. Countless quality wrestlers have come through the system and their accomplishments help draw younger wrestlers into the program. Having state success is another step in the right direction and the reasons are numerous.

wrestlers have wrestled since we were pretty young. I’ve wrestled since third grade but many have wrestled since they were younger.”

Haugeto concurred, saying: “They’re some of the best coaches around. They’ve helped me and our entire team so much. We couldn’t be what we are without them.”

Harpel can’t say enough good things about Ward and Leibowitz.

better health

Choose better health scan For Better Health!

health

FluidPhysio.com

Stop living in pain and enjoy an active life again faster than traditional physical therapy with our holistic approach that focuses on your goals, hands-on manual therapy, movement re-education, and patient education ... and get back to living liFe to your Fullest.

Stop living in pain and enjoy an active life again faster than traditional physical therapy with our holistic approach that focuses on your goals, hands-on manual therapy, movement re-education, and patient education ... and get back to living liFe to your Fullest.

It starts with an outstanding feeder system with the rec program and Timberlane Middle School, overseen by Ward Taggart and Brian Leibowitz.

“They’ve done an amazing job with that,” he said. “Kids come in at great levels. We’ve been very fortunate over the years with those groups coming in. The kids are just at a different level. You save some time and development.”

Stop living in pain and enjoy an active life again faster than traditional physical therapy with our holistic approach that focuses on your goals, hands-on manual therapy, movement re-education, and patient education ... and get back to living liFe to your Fullest.

Stop living in pain and enjoy an active life again faster than traditional physical therapy with our holistic approach that focuses on your goals, hands-on manual therapy, movement re-education, and patient education ... and get back to living liFe to your Fullest.

“We have one of the best rec programs and middle school programs around,” Trainor said. “Coach Ward and coach Leibowitz have helped so much. A lot of our

Now taking 2024 enrollment Gym classes for all kids of all abilities (609) 812-2566 Locations now in Ewing - 4 yrs - adults • Hopewell - 6mos - 4 yrs 5 Graphics Drive, Ewing, NJ 08628 47 West Broad Street,Hopewell, NJ 08525 Visit our website inclusionsportspt.com inclusionsportspt.com • (609) 812-2566 Sensory Play and Learn Gymnas�cs for all abili�es Swim @ Ewing Call today for FREE TRIAL CLASS at Hopewell loca�on Limited spots available. Don’t wait. we make possibilities limitless Inclusion Sports Performance Training Gym & Sensory Play 47 West Broad St, Hopewell, NJ 08525 inclusionsportspt.com 609-812-2566 we make possibilities limitless Inclusion Sports Performance Training Gym & Sensory Play 47 West Broad St, Hopewell, NJ • inclusionsportspt.com • 609-812-2566 we make possibilities limitless Inclusion Sports Performance Training Gym & Sensory Play 47 West Broad St, Hopewell, NJ 08525 inclusionsportspt.com 609-812-2566 we make possibilities limitless Inclusion Sports Performance Training Gym & Sensory Play 47 West Broad St, Hopewell, NJ • inclusionsportspt.com • 609-812-2566 we make possibilities limitless Inclusion Sports Performance Training Gym & Sensory Play 47 West Broad St, Hopewell, NJ 08525 inclusionsportspt.com 609-812-2566 we make possibilities limitless Inclusion Sports Performance Training Gym & Sensory Play 47 West Broad St, Hopewell, NJ • inclusionsportspt.com • 609-812-2566 we make possibilities limitless Inclusion Sports Performance Training Gym & Sensory Play 47 West Broad St, Hopewell, NJ 08525 inclusionsportspt.com 609-812-2566 we make possibilities limitless Inclusion Sports Performance Training Gym & Sensory Play 47 West Broad St, Hopewell, NJ • inclusionsportspt.com • 609-812-2566

And it allows Hopewell to beef up its schedule with stronger competition.

“The key is to get out there and wrestle a level that challenges them to keep pulling them along,” Harpel said. “We’ve

The Hopewell Valley wrestling team on Feb. 7, 2024 in the Hopewell Valley wrestling center after winning the state sectional title over Ocean Township, 33-32.

been pretty determined at that.”

Once the wrestlers reach CHS, the solid coaching continues. Harpel has high praise for assistants Joel Resnick, Hunter Martel, TJ Philipsheck and Travis Gerstnacker, who all came through the system.

Then there is the head man himself, who sets the tone with his knowledge and low-key demeanor that seems to keep everything under control. That attitude was key when the Bulldogs needed the late pins against Ocean.

“I’ve never been too high, too low,” Harpel said. “I’ve always been pretty calm I guess. The kids who still had to wrestle (late in the match) are still centered on me. There’s some people who are really good doing it a different way but for me, that’s just a natural thing. Whether right or wrong, it’s just who I am. ”

Harpel’s troops definitely feel it’s right.

“His attitude is everything,” Haugeto said. “It helps us know what we need to do and when we need to do it.”

“It helps a ton,” agreed Trainor. “You’re coming in there calm and collected, you know what you need to do. It’s a real advantage because those other kids are nervous and you’re calm. It’s like any day in practice.”

Trainor and Haugeto both extended their practice time and seasons by taking second place in their weight classes at the District 17 Tournament. Dean Meissner (106), Sam Lowe (113) and Barker (165) also took second to advance to regionals, and Hopewell was second as a team. Dylan Hersh (120), Luke Caldwell (132) and Isaac Miller (138) took third to give Hopewell eight regional qualifiers.

While those wrestlers kept making a name for themselves, Harpel feels the sectional title was made possible by every wrestler on the team. That includes the JVs, varsity reserves and other regulars Rex Peters, Jett Branagh, Michael Kennedy, Guiseppe Panzitta, Narsi Didi and senior captain Chase Overman, who suffered a season-ending injury early in the campaign. Meissner (106), Branagh

(150), Haugeto (157) and Barker (165) all won Mercer County Tournament titles in helping Hopewell to another MCT title.

“Even though we’ve won it a lot, winning counties is still something big,” Haugeto said. “It’s still something nice, especially after we got second a few years ago.”

* * *

Even though an abundance of Bulldogs enjoy individual success, they still take a team-first approach.

“We embrace the team concept a lot,” Haugeto said. “Every single person matters an equal amount. There’s 14 varsity kids and JV kids too. Everybody’s important and everyone helps an equal amount in winning a dual meet or a tournament.”

According to Trainor, it’s a brotherhood.

“We’re all good friends, we all hang out on the weekends together,” he said. “We all support each other, we’re all there for each other, pushing each other every day, making sure we’re the best we can be.

“I don’t think we’re the most talented team in Hopewell history. But everyone knows what they have to do and they all go out there and wrestle. I think it’s very special.”

The good news is it could become even more special next year, as Hopewell loses just three seniors from its starting lineup. That’s a pretty scary thought for future opponents.

“I’m super excited,” Harpel said. “It’s great to get most of the kids back and I’m sure it will be solid once we get moving over the summer and into next year. It should be exciting.”

Trainor is thinking big.

“There’s unlimited potential,” he said. “We’ve got 10, 11 guys coming back. A lot of our hard hitters are coming back. I think it can be a really special year. I really believe we can win the Group championship.”

It is the next logical step for a program that finally got that elusive CJ 3 title. Harpel is far from done building his empire.

Summer Horse Camp 2024!

Program Dates:

Program Dates:

Summer Horse Camp 2024!

Beginner Week : July 22-26

Beginner Week: July 22-26

Beginner / Novice Week: July 28-Aug 2

Beginner / Novice Week: July 28-Aug 2

Beginner / Novice Week: Aug 5- 9

Beginner / Novice Week: Aug 5- 9

Program Dates:

Beginner Week : July 22-26

Embrace your horse love at Duncraven Equestrian Center. Participants will learn safety

Beginner / Novice Week: July 28-Aug 2

Beginner / Novice Week: Aug 5- 9

Embrace your horse love at Duncraven Equestrian Center. Participants will learn safety on and around horses and ponies, grooming techniques, riding skills, and other primary horsemanship skills. Sessions aim to help develop confidence and motor-coordination skills while providing a supportive, fun, environment for the participants as well as social interaction between them.

For more information, please contact Pam 609.281.7181

Embrace your horse love at Duncraven Equestrian Center. Participants will learn safety on and around horses and ponies, grooming techniques, riding skills, and other primary horsemanship skills. Sessions aim to help develop confidence and motor-coordination skills while providing a supportive, fun, environment for the participants as well as social interaction between them.

www.duncravenec.com

For more information, please contact Pam 609.281.7181

Great things happening in Washington Crossing

Lisa Wolff HAPPY VALLEY

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the local history of this area? Is it pork roll?

Washington crossing the Delaware? If you answered yes to both, you’re right. And what’s better than a story that brings both together?

In August 2022, Titusville resident Annette Earling became the executive director and first paid employee of the Washington Crossing Park Association. WCPA is the “officially recognized friends organization” of the NJDEPowned Washington Crossing State Park.

Since I have a soft spot for friends organizations, I met with Annette to learn more about her accomplishments as WCPA executive director. However, I’m taking the liberty of reprioritizing that entire discussion to highlight the final story she shared when asked about the upcoming 2026 celebration of the 250th anniversary of 1776, also known as the U.S. semiquincentennial.

Annette said that the park has big plans and among her first tasks as ED was launching a campaign to raise $60,000 for an initiative related to the 250th. Right out of the gate, her efforts yielded over $90,000 in funding.

The money was needed to fund the restoration of a 16-by-10-foot mural that will be featured at the park’s new statesponsored multimillion dollar visitor center, currently under construction.

The mural, which depicts George Washington crossing the Delaware, was designed and painted by artist George Matthews Harding in 1921 for the Taylor Opera House in Trenton. The opera house was founded by one of Trenton’s leading citizens, the very same John Taylor who created pork roll.

WCPA

The opera house opened in 1867. It was the first theatre to offer drinks in the lobby, where the mural was displayed. The building was torn down in 1969 to create a parking lot. Prior to razing the structure, the owners offered the mural to the State of New Jersey, and a group of 12 conservators rescued and covered the painting in wheat paste and rice paper.

What makes this mural so spectacular is the illustration by renowned combat artist George Harding. He was trained by Howard Pyle, who has been called the “father of American illustration.”

Harding was an illustrator for the Saturday Evening Post and Harpers Monthly, and headed the Department of Illustration at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Harding was also the only military art illustrator to serve in

1

the American Expeditionary Forces in both WWI and WWII. He brought that experience and attention to detail to his Washington mural, which provides a sense of the scale of operations that included 2400 soldiers, 18 cannons and 75-100 horses. The painting depicts historically accurate troops, artillery, and horses lining the banks of the Delaware.

Originally slated for a 1976 bicentennial display at the Washington Crossing State Park visitor’s center, the mural was too large to fit, so the state stored it in the basement of Ringwood State Park until it was eventually rediscovered in 2021 by historian and WCPA founding member Pat Millen. The painting was retrieved and is now being restored by Christyl Cusworth of Cusworth Conservation.

emerald ash borer infestation. Annette Earling shared ambitious plans to address it all that require time, money, partners, and community support.

Washington Landing is a re-enactment jointly hosted by WCPA, NJ State Park historians, and the First Rhode Island Regiment. The event features the tales of both the crossing and the march to Trenton through the eyes of the men and women who lived it, especially our nation’s Black patriots, whose stories, too often, are not told. The historical organizations plan on further growing and refining this event for the semiquincentennial.

Bolstered by the fundraising success of her art restoration project, Earling plans to initiate a half million-dollar fundraising campaign to restore the George Washington Memorial Arboretum. She has a $300, 000 jumpstart bestowed by WCPA founder Bill Farkas. Stay tuned for more information on that project.

As we reviewed her accomplishments as executive director, Earling recounted that among her earliest tasks to improve state park land stewardship was contacting me at FoHVOS for consulting to address issues surrounding deer management and invasive species control. We brought in FoHVOS stewardship director Mike Van Clef to design a forest stewardship plan.

Since that time, the WCPA has built up their regular trail steward program to over 90 volunteers and has a special collaboration with Hopewell Central High School for honor society students to earn credit grooming trails.

Speaking of trail maintenance, the WCPA is also undertaking a major restoration of the Continental Trail, which was decimated during a tornado. The work was launched by a $5,000 grant from the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic Management Council.

This exciting art restoration project is just a single example of the myriad of activities planned for the upcoming semiquincentennial.

While the State of New Jersey is investing over $10 million in Washington Crossing State Park roads and building infrastructure, organizations like WCPA and the Swan Historical Foundation, Inc. augment and populate the structures to provide personality, culture, and life.

There are many priorities that the state’s investment does not cover, including restorations for the historic Nelson House, the African-American park section, and stewardship needs that arose due to floods, tornados, and the

Finally, for those who can’t wait until the semiquincentennial to immerse themselves in history, WCPA has increased the number historian-led guided history tours available at no charge to the public.

It is safe to assume that you’ll be hearing more from public officials about celebrating 250 years since July 4, 1776. I’ll continue to provide updates as I learn of them. Special thanks to Annette Earling, who is killing it as the WCPA executive director. Web: wcpa-nj.com.

Lisa Wolff Lisa Wolff is the co-founder of the Outdoor Equity Alliance and an enthusiast for all things inspiring, generous, and local. Email: lwolffhome@gmail.com

trustees Stan Saperstein, Michael Mitrano, Christyl Cusworth of Cusworth Restorations, and trustee Ken Ritchey with the freshly unrolled Harding mural, “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” The rice paper and wheat paste are still visible on the right of the piece.

A new year in the borough

Ryan Kennedy

FROM HOPEWELL BOROUGH

New speed limit, new administrator and new ways to connect with Hopewell Borough

Last month, I had the privilege of sitting down for a simple community meal of soup and bread organized by the Hopewell Borough Council of Churches. It was great connecting with old friends and making some new ones from across the area, and even better for that connection to be in-person after so many years of needing to find alternatives.

As we start 2024, I’m excited for the connection our Borough Council and our new administrator are making with our community, as we all work together to hit the ground running and make progress on some of our most important goals as a town.

In that spirit of working together, I’m excited to highlight one of those goals and thank Hopewell Township and Mercer County for helping us on an enormous piece of positive change in our town.

In the coming weeks, you’ll see signs and hear all about lowering the speed limit on Broad Street to 25 mph, end to end, with a new slower 35 mph buffer area in the township as you approach the Borough. Working with the Hopewell Township Police Department, we will be rolling out staged education and enforcement of the new rules this spring.

As council president Krista Weaver did at their Feb. 22 meeting in Trenton, I too would like to thank the Mercer County Board of Commissioners, county engineer Basit Muzaffar and his staff, and county executive Dan Benson for moving this change forward. I also want to thank our volunteers on the Hopewell Borough Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Advisory Committee, the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, Chief Rosso of the HTPD

and his team, and the township’s governing body and staff for helping to make this change a reality for our town.

While indeed significant, the speed limit for us is just a part of our long-term goals of protecting pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users in our borough and creating a more walkable, livable community for our families, residents and downtown shoppers. Look for these changes soon, and many more incremental safety improvements as we continue our fight to make our Borough a safer place.

* * *

Next up on our change list, I hope you all join me in welcoming our new administrator Doug Walker to Hopewell Borough. Doug joined us at the end of last year and has been doing a fantastic job on all fronts, chiefly important to me and Borough Council, being responsive and accessible to connect with our residents and businesses.

You’ll find his contact information on our website or you can find him in-person at 88 East Broad Street most days during

regular business hours (and some Saturdays too!).

* * *

The final piece of change for this month’s column is a new way to connect with our town. Beginning this past January our Administrator and I have been holding drop-in office hours every other Wednesday at 1 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. for area residents to join us at Borough Hall for complaints, comments or conversation about our town. No appointments needed! Exact times and schedule (and Doug’s contact info) are available on the borough’s website at hopewellboro-nj.us.

While 2024 welcomes in some change, one thing will certainly stay the same: our Borough Council and I welcome you all to connect with us, whether it’s the first Thursday of (most) every month at our meetings, or any day in between that works for you.

Ryan Kennedy is the mayor of Hopewell Borough, which provided this content.

Nation needs a shrink

If America were an individual in an institution, it would be on suicide watch.

I’m not a psychiatrist, but this country has gone crazy, exhibiting extreme selfdestructive behavior and denying reality. If it were a family member, we’d order a straitjacket and call an ambulance. Let’s examine the symptoms.

Science deniers. Despite the worst of the pandemic being over, there are still between one and two thousand Covid deaths every week. Yet, loud voices continue to oppose vaccinations, including a minor presidential candidate with a famous last name.

Perhaps anti-vaxxers would like to return to the good old days of smallpox. Perhaps they need to meet with polio survivors suffering its long-term effects for whom the creation of a vaccine came too late.

Instead they scream about their freedom being violated by being encouraged to get vaccinated (or wear

Wmasks) without any consideration for the freedom of others to stay alive. Never mind their spreading disease to the vulnerable—the elderly or people with compromised immunity.

Climate Change. Another symptom is the climate change deniers. While severe storms, melting ice caps, rising oceans, droughts, floods, wildfires, and extreme heat are increasing dangers to the planet’s very existence, these anti-science folks, abetted by fossil fuel magnates and their congressional toadies, persistently try to block attempts to slow global warming, pretending that it’s either a natural process or not happening at all.

Remember last summer when the skies were yellow and the air dangerous to breathe as a result of global-warminginduced Canadian forest fires? Deny that. Gun un-control. There were more than 600 mass shootings in 2023. Whenever there is a school shooting, the persistent irrational response has been to make guns more easily available, allegedly to fight off killers. Consider the massacre in Uvalde, Texas where 19 children and two teachers were gunned

down. The armed on-site security guard ran away. And the multiple, heavilyarmed police forces debated for hours on how to respond while more children died.

Barstool clinicians maintain the problem is a mental health crisis. If people, insane or not, didn’t have such easy access to guns, they wouldn’t be able to shoot either children or people whose race, religion or sexual orientation they hate.

The increase in gun ownership was facilitated by the Supreme Court’s 2008 absurd misinterpretation of the Second Amendment. The Right to Bear Arms specifically refers to maintaining a “wellarmed militia,” not well-armed, racist, insane, child-killing gun-nuts.

I am horrified that my grandchildren and all kids in the Hopewell public schools by necessity have to participate in active-shooter drills. It almost makes me nostalgic for my elementary school days when we practiced taking cover under our desks to protect us from nuclear bombs.

workers and undermining the economy?

Instead, only a few years ago, the country set up concentration camps and separated families.

Most everyone in this country is an immigrant or a descendent of immigrants. Opposition to immigrants is essentially a denial of self, of most everyone’s heritage unless they happen to be Arapahoe, Sioux, or Leni Lenape.

Congress. The Congress, a 300-yearold, vital element of democracy, has has descended into monumental insanity. It’s not dysfunctional. It’s non-functional. Eight members of The House (The Crazy Eight) have stopped anything from happening. What’s the point of having a government if it can’t do anything? Or is that the point?

Not-so-great dictator. And, finally, the clearest evidence of national madness is the potential election to the presidency of a narcissistic, self-professed sexual predator, a man facing 91 felony charges including inciting insurrection, storing classified documents in his bathroom, paying off a porn star and falsifying business records.

Reproductive rights. Limitations on access to health care promoted by misogynistic religious fanatics, including members of the Supreme Court, are an attack on the lives of more than half the nation’s population: women. In many states, women have to travel long distances for life-saving medical care, a requirement particularly affecting the non-affluent. A country killing its own is suicidal.

Immigration. Aside from appealing to blatant prejudice, the current national hysteria over immigration comes at a time when the country has a labor shortage. What could be more selfdestructive than rejecting needed

What could be more troubling than the idea of electing a repeat bankrupt who admires Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un and who, according to his first wife, kept a copy of Hitler’s speeches at his bedside.

Any other candidate would have trouble surviving a traffic ticket. Yet this man who, according to the Washington Post, told 30,573 lies while in office, is supported by millions. What could be greater evidence of national insanity than electing a man who has declared he will be dictator once elected.

Call the shrink now.

Robin Schore lives in Hopewell Borough.

Erin McManus-Keyes PLATINUM

Mark Jacobson PLATINUM

Megan Gülick PLATINUM

Susan Thompson PLATINUM

Mary Warshefski BRONZE

GOLD GOLD SILVER SILVER

Christine Mariano BRONZE

Maria DePasquale PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER SILVER

Erin McManus-Keyes PLATINUM

Mark Jacobson PLATINUM

Megan Gülick PLATINUM

Susan Thompson PLATINUM

David Tucker BRONZE

Mary Warshefski BRONZE

James Alvarez BRONZE

Janine Berger BRONZE

Lynda Schreiber BRONZE

Marge Crimmins BRONZE

Elisabeth Kerr GOLD

Irene Perello GOLD

Arpita Mendez SILVER

Daniel Konuch SILVER

Meredith Foster BRONZE

Christine Mariano

Maria DePasquale PLATINUM

Dylan Mader GOLD

Johanna Restrepo BRONZE

Leda Duif GOLD

Francine Lauri SILVER

Joseph Sisti SILVER

Preeti Poddar BRONZE

Richard Basili BRONZE

Erin McManus-Keyes PLATINUM

Mark Jacobson PLATINUM

Megan Gülick PLATINUM

Susan Thompson PLATINUM

David Tucker BRONZE

Mary Warshefski BRONZE

James Alvarez BRONZE

Janine Berger BRONZE

Lynda Schreiber BRONZE

Marge Crimmins BRONZE

Elisabeth Kerr GOLD

Irene Perello GOLD

Arpita Mendez SILVER

Daniel Konuch SILVER

Meredith Foster BRONZE

Christine Mariano BRONZE

Maria DePasquale PLATINUM

Dylan Mader GOLD

Johanna Restrepo BRONZE

Leda Duif GOLD

Francine Lauri SILVER

Joseph Sisti SILVER

Preeti Poddar BRONZE

Richard Basili BRONZE

McManus-Keyes

Susan

David Tucker

Mary Warshefski BRONZE

James Alvarez BRONZE

Janine Berger BRONZE

Lynda Schreiber

Marge Crimmins

Elisabeth Kerr GOLD

Irene Perello GOLD

Arpita Mendez SILVER

Daniel Konuch SILVER

Meredith Foster

Christine Mariano BRONZE

Maria

Dylan Mader GOLD

Johanna Restrepo BRONZE

Leda Duif GOLD

Francine Lauri SILVER

Joseph Sisti SILVER

Preeti Poddar BRONZE

Richard Basili BRONZE

Erin McManus-Keyes PLATINUM

Mark Jacobson PLATINUM

Megan Gülick PLATINUM

Susan Thompson PLATINUM

David Tucker BRONZE

Mary Warshefski BRONZE

James Alvarez BRONZE

Janine Berger BRONZE

Lynda Schreiber BRONZE

Marge Crimmins BRONZE

Elisabeth Kerr GOLD

Irene Perello GOLD

Arpita Mendez SILVER

Daniel Konuch SILVER

Meredith Foster BRONZE

Christine Mariano BRONZE

Maria DePasquale PLATINUM

Dylan Mader GOLD

Johanna Restrepo BRONZE

Leda Duif GOLD

Francine Lauri SILVER

Joseph Sisti SILVER

Preeti Poddar BRONZE

Richard Basili BRONZE