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Tennis legend shares life story in new memoir

By Ann LoPrinZi

Marty Devlin’s 90 years include a multitude of mind-boggling activities, achievements, and accolades.

Now he is sharing his remarkable life story in a new memoir, Ol’ Buddy Marty: A Memoir Sprinkled with Wit, Wisdom, and Inspiration. Well known in athletic circles in his native Mercer County, and even nationwide, Devlin recounts his rise in sports and his personal growth with anecdotes, humor, and vivid storytelling.

I first got to know Marty while I was the Times of Trenton tennis columnist. After all, you couldn’t write a tennis column for 25 years without mentioning Marty—and often! He was, and remains, a Trenton legend. At Trenton Central High School, he was an All-American diver, an All-City quarterback, and an AllState baseball player.

how far would you go if they were sick?

His biggest claim to fame growing up, however, was at 15 being a member of the Trenton Schroths baseball team that won the 1948 American Legion National Championship. That was a huge deal: there were celebrations attended by thousands, a parade, the team’s recognition by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, an acknowledgment at the World Series, and

tons of media attention.

From those beginnings, he became known for his amazing work ethic and hustle.

Devlin went on to play baseball at Duke University, but after a year, became academically ineligible. He was not interested in continuing his family’s legacy of intellectual pursuits. Rather, he reached his baseball goal by signing with the Dodgers in 1952 and playing professional baseball through 1959.

There was also a stint playing ball in the Army and one as a player–manager with the Orlando Dodgers, at 26 years old.

He had the opportunity to play with Sparky Anderson and Tommy Lasorda as teammates and against such other luminaries as Don Zimmer, Willie Mays, and Brooks Robinson. There were many interesting phases in Marty’s life—including an adventurous childhood and a dislike for school, which he described as being in prison. Sports gave him a new perspective on life and a way to be successful.

Welcome to Capital Health.

After leaving pro ball, Marty went to The College of New Jersey (then Trenton State College) and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education. He worked for

See DEVLIN, Page 16

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.

Kerr’s korners the market

By Joe Emanski

Kerr’s Kornstand is hard to miss: an old-fashioned, familyrun farm market perched humbly among the acres of farmland, corporate greenspace and McMansions on Pennington–Rocky Hill Road.

For decades now, Kerr’s has drawn customers from throughout Hopewell Valley with its promise of sweet, locally grown

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

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

Become

Jersey corn. But it is not corn season, not yet — that won’t be until around July 10, says Geordie Kerr.

While customers wait, patiently or impatiently, for the Kerr’s signature crop, they are still welcome to stop by daily to see what else is on offer: locally grown strawberries, perhaps, or New Jersey asparagus, or organically grown greens from Blue Moon Acres farm nearby. There

are flats of annuals, perennials and herbs for planting, as well as cut flowers, a recent addition to the inventory that has proved popular.

Later in June will come Jersey blueberries, then zucchini and yellow squash, and then pepper and eggplant along with the corn in July. Jersey tomatoes hit their peak season in August.

Kerr is one of three sons of See HOTEL, Page 22

The Kerr family at Kerr’s Kornstand on Pennington–Rocky Hill Road: Shannon, Geordie, Riley and Jack with pets Birdie and Bear. (Photo courtesy of Geordie Kerr.)

Franklin Township, NJ

$375,000

Debra McAuliffe

609.922.8686

MLS# NJSO2002334

Pennington Boro, NJ

Catherine C Nemeth 609.462.1237

MLS# NJME2029432

Pennington Farmers Market back for another season

The Pennington Farmer’s Market returned on May 27 featuring many of the same vendors that were part of the market in 2022.

The market is set to continue through Nov. 18 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lawn at Rosedale Mills.

Vendors committed to full-time participation in the market this year include Beechtree Farm (based in Hopewell), Cafe du Pain Bakery (Lawrence), Chickadee Creek Farm (Hopewell), Dolce Casa Bakery (Pennington), Hopewell Valley Vineyard (Hopewell), Lee’s Bees (Vernon), Sourland Mountain Spirits, (Hopewell), The Shepherd’s Pasture (Bordentown) and Wildspawn Mushrooms (Ringoes).

Hopewell Township, NJ $1,699,000

Margaret Foley ‘Peggy’ Baldwin 609.306.2052

MLS# NJME2029542

MLS# NJME2022652

Hopewell Township, NJ

Jennifer E Curtis 609.610.0809

MLS# NJME2028920

Hopewell Township, NJ

$1,795,000

Steven Waskow

609.577.2625

MLS# NJME2029582

Pennington Borough, NJ $649,000

Jane Henderson Kenyon 609.828.1450

MLS# NJME2027320

Hopewell Township, NJ

$2,250,000

Jane Henderson Kenyon

609.828.1450

MLS# NJME2027646

Sometime-participants are set to include Carolina’s Line (Princeton), Catalina Empanadas (Hopewell), Louis Organics, Moon Over Lavender and Sugar, Nine Acre Farm (Skillman), One Up One Down Coffee (Trenton), Saint

Roccos Treats (Pipersville, Pennsylvania) and Seeds to Sew (Hopewell). Other vendors are expected to take part, but have not yet been announced. Each week’s market also features live music.

Rosedale Mills, Hopewell’s “one-stop town and country store,” is located at 101 State Route 31. On the web: penningtonfarmersmarket.org.

Kelsey Theatre to present ‘Other Desert Cities’ through June 4

Theatre-To-Go will present the dark comedy “Other Desert Cities” May 26 through June 4 at Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College.

“Other Desert Cities,” which won a Tony Award nomination for Best New Play in 2011, features David Williams of See NEWS, Page 4

We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Hopewell Express is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Gazette does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood.

EDIToR

Joe Emanski (Ext. 120) CoNTRIBUTING WRITERs

Sue Ferrara, Rich Fisher CoNTRIBUTING CoLUmNIsTs Robin Schore, Lisa Wolff

AD LAYoUT AND pRoDUCTIoN

Stacey Micallef ACCoUNT EXECUTIVE

Christine Storie (Ext. 115)

To ADVERTIsE call Christine storie (609) 396-1511, ext. 115 or e-mail cstorie@communitynews.org

Community News service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

sports: sports@communitynews.org

Letters: jemanski@communitynews.org

Website: hopewellexpress.com

Facebook: facebook.com/hopewellexpress

Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

11,000 copies of the Hopewell Express are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Pennington, Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough 12 times a year.

FACTS ABOUT UNDERAGE DRINKING AND THE LAW:

• It is a criminal offense in NJ to make your home or property available for allowing minors a place to consume alcohol.

• NJ’s Social Host Liability Law imposes civil penalties on social hosts who serve alcohol to minors who subsequently are involved in incidents causing death or injury.

• Drunk driving is a leading cause of death among teens in the U.S.

• Teen drinking can lead to academic problems, car crashes, unplanned pregnancies, changes in brain development, unintentional serious injuries, other drug use and alcohol dependence later in life.

• Binge drinking is common among teens who consume alcohol for the sole reason for getting drunk.

Don’t be a party to teenage drinking. It’s against the law.

Flemington and Peggy Waldron of Hamilton as Lyman and Polly, Dara Lewis of Trenton and Parker Madison of Somerset as Brooke and Trip, and Susan Schwirk of Monroe as Aunt Silda.

The show is directed and produced by Ruth Markoe of Lawrence. Other members of the production team include stage manager Rob Lasky of New Egypt, set designer Haley Schmalbach of Palmyra, lighting designer Kitty Getlik of Hamilton, sound designer Eric Collins of Trenton and costumes by Ruth and Melissa Rittman of Ewing.

June performance dates are Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for children, students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased online at kelseytheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at (609) 570-3333.

Kelsey Theatre is located on the MCCC campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor Township.

Schoolhouse Strawberry Social set for June 10

The Woosamonsa Schoolhouse board of trustees is planning to host another year’s Strawberry Social fundraising

event on Sunday, June 4 from 1 to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

The Woosamonsa Schoolhouse at the corner of Woosamonsa and Poor Farm

Roads was used for regular instruction and Sunday school classes for 42 years, and was retired from school service in 1918. The Hopewell Valley school district

transferred the property to the care of a group of interested citizens, the Woosamonsa Association, in 1922 for $1.

Since then, the building has been owned and maintained by trustees of that association, neighbors who are dedicated to preserving the schoolhouse and protecting the landmark.

Although the schoolhouse is closed most of the year, it is open for visitors annually in June for the Strawberry Social. Guests are encouraged to come and visit with neighbors and enjoy strawberry shortcake, ice cream and music.

Recent improvements to the property include repairs done by Thomas Horsley of Boy Scout Troop No. 44, paint work by Zanzitis Painting, and a handicappedaccessible ramp built by Anna Lauricella for her Girl Scout Gold Award.

Admission is $10 for adults and children; children 5 and younger are free. The organization says that all proceeds from the festival go toward upkeep of the historic property.

Camp Fire NJ Golf Classic to return in June

Camp Fire NJ plans to hold its 21st annual Golf Classic on Monday, June 12 at Cherry Valley Country Club in Skillman.

See NEWS, Page 9

Woosamonsa Schoolhouse trustees (front row) Moira Lawrence, Fran Smart and Susan Henkel and (back row) Chris Cane, Ed Jackowski, Erwin Harbat and Ken Niederer prior to the 2022 Woosamonsa Schoolhouse Strawberry Social.

BI-MONTHLY NEWS FROM CAPITAL HEALTH

Capital Health Cancer Center Approved as a Participating National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program Site

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is now an NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) affiliate site of the Atlantic Health Cancer Consortium (AHCC). As a participating site, Capital Health Cancer Center will now offer residents in the greater Mercer and Bucks County region access to new and innovative NCI-sponsored clinical trials in the cancer prevention and control, screening, care delivery, and treatment areas.

“The vision for our Cancer Center is clear,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health, “To deliver exceptional care for our patients in a convenient location, with the clinical and support services they need and the research to support their fight and the advancement of care. Our participation in NCORP brings more opportunities to our patients, who are at the heart of everything we do.”

“Capital Health is known for its commitment to providing people of the greater Mercer and Bucks County regions with the highest quality care close to home,” said Dr. Cataldo Doria, medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center. “With the NCORP site designation, our Cancer Center will provide patients access to cancer clinical trials and cancer care delivery studies that are available at top institutions around the nation. We look forward to contributing to NCORP’s national network of research that focuses on cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, especially in regard to how it affects access to care among underserved populations. This aligns well with Capital Health’s mission to serve urban and suburban communities in our area.”

“Academic medical centers play an important part in cancer research, but most cancer care is provided in local communities,” said Dr. Doria. “By expanding research outside academic settings as an AHCC

NCORP site, we will provide access to a larger patient population that is more diverse and better reflects the complexity of cancer care.”

As part of AHCC NCORP, Capital Health Cancer Center’s team of providers and researchers will help patients gain access to clinical trials across a broad range of cancer care benchmarks, including symptom management, prevention, screening, surveillance, care delivery and quality of life. The NCORP network’s diversity in patient age, race, and geographic location, provides a natural laboratory for developing improved strategies for cancer prevention, more efficient cancer trials, and a better balance between the risks and benefits of interventions.

“On behalf of the entire organization, I am excited to welcome Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell to Atlantic Health Cancer Consortium Community Oncology Research Program (AHCC CORP), the only New Jersey-based NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP),” said Dr. Eric Whitman, principal investigator at AHCC CORP and medical director of Atlantic Health System Cancer Care. “Together we will continue to advance the science of cancer care and shine new lights on cancer journey pathways for our patients.”

To help connect patients to advanced care options, research staff at Capital Health Cancer Center will select trials from the NCORP research portfolio that may benefit the Center’s patient population. Appropriate studies are then presented to oncology physician teams to determine if they are good fits for specific patients. When a match is made, a primary investigator is appointed, and Capital Health research staff open the trial for Capital Health Cancer Center patients.

To learn more about open clinical trials at Capital Health Cancer Center, visit capitalhealthcancer.org/ncorp to sign-up for email updates or call 609.537.6363 to schedule a consultation with one of our physicians.

Expanding Cardiac Services in Mercer County

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.

Experienced Cardiac Surgery Team Joins Capital Health

Dr. Pasquale Luciano and Dr. Fredric Seinfeld, board certified and fellowship trained physicians specializing in cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgery, have joined Capital Health Medical Group as Capital Health Cardiac Surgery Specialists. Dr. Seinfeld and Dr. Luciano have been working together as a leading cardiac surgical team in Central New Jersey for almost a decade and have been colleagues for more than 30 years.

As part of Capital Health Heart and Vascular Institute, Drs. Luciano and Seinfeld treat patients with heart conditions that require surgery, ranging from those who have recently suffered a heart attack (or are at high risk for one) to those who present with coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, or a range of general thoracic conditions.

Dr. Luciano performs most surgeries, including (but not limited to) open heart surgery, coronary bypass surgery, and drainage of fluid from around the heart and lungs. Dr. Seinfeld, a cardiac critical care intensivist, provides robust preparation for patients before their procedures and manages their care after surgery.

“Patients come to us from primary care providers, general cardiologists, and interventional cardiologists when they are diagnosed with serious cardiac conditions,” said Dr. Seinfeld. “Guided by the belief that accessibility is the cornerstone of patient satisfaction, we put patients and their loved ones at the center of our team. We maintain close contact with them to ensure we are always accessible and ready to provide personalized care.”

“Our collaborative approach to care aligns well with Capital Health’s philosophy of bringing the most comprehensive care for patients

who need it here in Central New Jersey and parts of Bucks County,” said Dr. Luciano. “We’re excited to provide direct consultation and guidance to patients and referring physicians, all with the goal of avoiding recovery in a rehabilitation facility whenever possible and discharging patients directly to their homes.”

DR. LUCIANO is a board certified thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon with more than 25 years of experience in central and southern New Jersey. Dr. Luciano completed a cardiothoracic fellowship at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia and a trauma and critical care fellowship at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. Before joining Capital Health, he worked for more than six years as the chairman of Cardiothoracic Surgery at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

DR. SEINFELD is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery and has more than 40 years of experience in the surgical field. He completed his residency and fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. Before joining Capital Health Cardiac Surgery Specialists, Dr. Seinfeld was medical director of the Vascular Laboratory and chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

To make an appointment with Dr. Seinfeld or Dr. Luciano, call Capital Health Cardiac Surgery Specialists at 609.537.7277 or visit capitalhealth.org/cardiacsurgery for more information.

Capital Health Now Offers Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement

As part of the growing full-service cardiac program available at Capital Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute, physicians and staff from the Institute’s Structural Heart Program recently performed their first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey.

TAVR is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve opening) or those with a failing surgical aortic valve who are at elevated risk for complications during open surgery. Experts from Capital Health’s Structural Heart Program perform procedures like TAVR to manage and treat heart valve conditions and other structural issues of the heart.

When severe aortic stenosis occurs, the heart needs to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body, which in turn can limit your daily activity. With TAVR, an artificial valve is delivered to the heart through a thin, flexible tube (catheter) that is inserted into one of

several possible access routes and placed into the diseased valve. The procedure typically takes one hour or less to complete.

“Patients who get transcatheter aortic valve replacement experience all the benefits of minimally invasive procedures, including less pain, shorter hospital stays, and a lower risk for major bleeding,” said DR. DAVID DRUCKER, medical director of the Structural Heart Program and board certified, fellowship trained interventional cardiologist at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists. “The biggest benefit for many TAVR patients is that they usually start feeling better right away. With a heart valve that is working properly, they breathe normally, have more energy, and can go back to everyday activities.”

Following the TAVR procedure, patients are monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a few hours before being moved to a standard patient room. Patients usually begin walking the same day as their TAVR procedure and are typically discharged within one or two days.

To make an appointment at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, or to find an office near you, visit capitalhealthcardiology.org.

Minimally Invasive Procedure Dramatically Reduces Stroke Risk For Certain Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Physicians and staff from Capital Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute recently performed their first Watchman implant procedure at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. Left atrial appendage closure, which includes the Watchman device implant, is one of the new procedures that Capital Health’s expanding full-service cardiac program includes. Implantation of the Watchman device is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure for appropriate patients to prevent blood clots from forming in the heart and reducing the patient’s lifetime risk of stroke.

Capital Health’s electrophysiology team, with experts from Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, performs procedures like Watchman device implants to manage and treat patients with conditions which involve abnormal electrical behavior of the heart.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that prevents the heart from pumping blood normally. This can lead to blood pooling in a part of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA), where blood can form a clot. Stroke results if this clot forms and dislodges from the heart, going to the brain. People living with AFib are often prescribed blood thinners to reduce their risk for stroke. The risk of blood thinners includes bleeding and brain injury if falls occur.

“The Watchman device is now a treatment option at Capital Health for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem,” said DR. SCOTT BURKE, medical director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and a board certified, fellowship trained cardiac electrophysiologist at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists. “Guided through a narrow tube that is inserted into a vein through a small incision in the patient’s leg, the Watchman implant is designed to fit into the LAA and permanently close it to prevent the risk of clots dislodging from it. The procedure can be completed in as little as 30 minutes under general anesthesia, and most patients are out of the hospital in a day or less and able to return to their daily routines soon thereafter. During recovery, the patient’s own heart tissue grows over the Watchman device to prevent the clots from developing in the heart.”

After the procedure, most patients take blood thinners for up to one and a half to three months. Clinical trials show greater than 95% success in removal of blood thinners for patients who receive the device.

To make an appointment at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, or to find an office near you, visit capitalhealthcardiology.org.

Capital Health Recertified as Level II Trauma Center Meeting National Standards for Trauma Care for More Than 25 Years

The Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) has been recertified as a Level II Trauma Center by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement is the ninth verification for Capital Health since the first in 1998. The Center, also designated as a Level II Trauma Center by the New Jersey Department of Health, is one of only 10 designated trauma centers in New Jersey and the regional referral center for injured patients in Mercer County and adjacent parts of Somerset, Hunterdon, Burlington, and Middlesex counties as well as nearby areas of Pennsylvania.

“The ACS establishes the standards of care for treating those who are severely injured and is an important advocate for all surgical patients,” said DR. DOMINICK EBOLI, director of the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. “After a comprehensive review by their nationally recognized trauma experts, our recertification shows the residents of our community that Capital Health continues to meet and exceed national benchmarks for care when they need it most.”

Across the Spectrum of Care

In addition to providing the necessary resources for trauma care, ACS level II verification also means that centers like the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center address the needs of injured patients across

the entire spectrum of care, providing patients at Capital Health Regional Medical Center with access to important injury prevention programs, pre-hospital care and transportation, acute hospital care, rehabilitation, and research.

“As a level II trauma center, we are able to provide comprehensive care that begins with injury prevention. At the time of injury, we’re ready with 24-hour immediate access to trauma surgeons and other appropriate specialists,” said DR. DENNIS QUINLAN, associate medical director of the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center. “With programs and resources that are not available in most general hospitals, our role in patient care often extends beyond our initial encounters and continues through rehabilitation.”

To learn more about the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, visit capitalhealth.org/trauma.

The Art of Caring for One’s Self During the Caregiving Journey

A 10-WEEK PROGRAM FOR CAREGIVERS

Wednesdays | 12 p.m.

Location: Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists

100 K Johnson Boulevard North, Suite 201, Bordentown, NJ 08505

This group uses a cognitive-behavioral approach to provide support, coping strategies, and increased self-efficacy in order to cope with caregiving demands and stress. DR. KRISTINA MCGUIRE, a clinical psychologist from Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists, leads this group, which will also teach mindfulness, acceptance, and commitment skills.

For more information and to sign up, call Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists at 609.689.5725. This group therapy program will be billed to your health insurance.

NEWS continued from Page 4

For more than 39 years, in collaboration with 120 school districts in 12 counties, Camp Fire NJ has taught 751 programs to 17,000 students in 800 schools annually, empowering over 487,000 students to achieve their full potential through evidence-based, developmentally and age-appropriate curriculums.

The nonprofit organization says that proceeds from the outing will support Camp Fire NJ’s signature program: The Resilient and Strong Initiative for Trenton, a customized, social-emotional character-building program that has been designed for our youngest, most at risk urban children in K-3 in all 13 Trenton Elementary Schools.

The shotgun-start, scramble-format golf outing is set to start at 8 a.m. on June 12. The cost is $800 per foursome and includes greens fees, carts with buggy coolers, on-course beverages, hot dogs at the Halfway House, dinner buffet, gifts, awards and prizes.

To register, visit campfirenj.com. For additional information and sponsor opportunities, contact associate director Kelly Nitti at (609) 635-0275 or at knitti@ campfirenj.org. Cherry Valley Country Club is located at 125 Country Club Drive, Skillman, NJ 08558.

Three Artists, Three Viewpoints at Gallery 14

The new exhibit at Gallery 14 in Hopewell, features the works of gallery members Alina Marin-Bliach and Scott R. Hoerl as well as guest artist Samuel Vovsi. Each has traveled extensively and is presenting shots from their travels and in their own unique styles. This exhibition opened on May 20 and will be on view through June 18.

Alina’s exhibition, “Petra: The Rose-

Red City” follows her trip to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan into Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra was built directly into the surrounding sandstone by craftsmen that excavated the structures out of the stone. This exhibition is a photographic journey into a 2,000-year-old city that still stands.

For “Portraits and Places,” Hoerl presents a non-traditional series of portraits focusing mainly on inanimate objects such as statuary, street art and headstones and occasionally, people.

In the Goodkind Gallery, special guest artist Samuel Vovsi presents “Urban Dreamscapes.” A series of images taken in different places at different times which are brought together through a common theme of being in old European cities and towns.

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography is located at 14 Mercer St. in Hopewell. The gallery is open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment with email to galleryfourteen@yahoo. com. Web: gallery14.org.

Rabid bat found in the area of Elm Ridge Park

A bat found in a private home in the Elm Ridge Park neighborhood on May 9 tested positive for rabies. The bat was submitted for testing at the New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratory on May 10 and test results provided to the township health department on May 12 were positive.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that is spread from animals to humans, mainly through bites, but also when an animal’s saliva contacts a person’s mouth, eyes or an open sore. If a person has significant exposure, getting vaccinated right away can prevent disease. People who did not

10

Alina Marin-Bliach’s photograph “A Place For Worship” is on exhibit at Gallery 14 in Hopewell Borough through June 18

touch the bat are not at risk of developing rabies.

Although most bats pose no risk of rabies, a bat that behaves unusually, such as lying on the ground or being active during the daytime, is concerning and people should not attempt to handle it but instead contact Hopewell Township Animal Control right away. It is important to note that an infected bat might also behave normally.

Anyone who is bitten or has bare skin contact with a bat should report the episode to their local health department.

To prevent the spread of rabies, the community should make sure pets are up-to-date with their rabies vaccines and avoid handling wildlife. Rabies poses a real threat, especially to unvaccinated dogs and cats. Raccoons, skunks, and coyotes are among the animals that can also develop rabies.

Human rabies cases in the United States are rare. For more information about rabies disease, visit cdc.gov/ rabies/index.html.

If you or a loved one are bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal, or an animal suspected of having rabies, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and then seek medical attention. Ask your medical provider to

report and coordinate with the Hopewell Township Health Department.

Reporting bites is a legal obligation of exposed individuals and medical professionals to assure rapid actions are taken to protect the individuals involved and the public at-large. Not all situations require post-exposure treatment.

trol staff will work to locate, capture, and test suspect animals in an effort to definitively identify if the animal is infectious.

Animal Control daytime number (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: (609) 537-0278. Nights and weekends: call police non-emergency number, (609) 737-3100.

Trent House to host pair of weekend events June 3–4

The Trent House Association plans to present a pair of events at the 1719 William Trent House Museum during the first weekend in June.

First up is a talk and demonstration, “From Sheep to Shawl,” on the craft of turning fleece into beautiful garments on Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. in the Trent House Visitor Center at 15 Market St., Trenton, across from the Hughes Justice Complex.

Jen Lichtmann, fiber artist, will present on the craft of converting fleece and fibers into garments and toys. She will demonstrate spinning, display some products made from her own handspun yarn, and show samples of her work, some of which will be available for purchase.

the process and purpose of “fulling,” explaining what went on in the fulling mill that Trent established in the 1700s.

This is a free program, but pre-registration is encouraged at tinyurl.com/ TalkDemoJune3.

On Sunday, June 4, the Trent House Association is celebrating the birthday of the museum with an ice cream social on from 1 to 3 p.m. This is a free event.

The William Trent House Museum is a National Historic Landmark in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area and on the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. Owned by the City of Trenton, it is operated by the Trent House Association, For more information, visit williamtrenthouse.org.

While restoration of the William Trent House was completed in 1936, it wasn’t until 1939 that it officially opened as a museum with furnishings based on what Trent would have had in his home in the early 1700’s.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT

Health Department and Animal Con-

Lichtmann is also expected to describe

SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023

The Trent House Association began holding an ice cream social as a community birthday party for the museum in 2014 at the 75th anniversary of its opening. After a hiatus of two years, the association is reviving this annual tradition. Free parking is available at the rear of the museum property.

CAUTION

HAZARDOUS WASTE

Dempster Fire School / 350 Lawrence Station Road

8AM-2PM

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

ACCEPTED ELECTRONICS

The Trent House was registered as a national historic landmark in 1970. The house was restored in 2018 in anticipation of its 300th anniversary.

RWJUH Hamilton June Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

*All programs require registration.

LUNG CANCER SCREENINGWHO QUALIFIES AND WHEN TO GET SCREENED

Wed., June 7; 5 to 6 p.m.

Lung Screening Program Director, Dr. Eishan Patel and Program Manager

Kaidlan Ricardo, CMA, BS-HA will discuss screening and early detection of lung cancer and treatment options.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Wed., June 7 & July 5; 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Supportive discussion group for those caring for a loved one who is aging or has a chronic illness-shared experiences can be healing. An Oaks Integrated Care caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR GUARDIAN ANGELS

Thu., June 8; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. How can we communicate with our Guardian Angels with clarity and purpose? Learn techniques to develop asking and receiving guidance from Angels available to each and every one of us. Donna Sweeney, Reiki Maser, IET® Master Instructor, Angel Healing ® Teacher. Fee:$15

MANAGING STRESS AND DIABETES

Tue., June 13 and July 11; 3 to 4 p.m. Have Diabetes? Join our support group and learn how to cope with stress in a healthy way. Ines Lecerf, LSW PLANT BASED PROTEIN TO POWER YOUR WORKOUT

Tue., June 13; 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Plants are powerful and so are you! Learn to support strength and maintain

healthful movement with plant-based sources of protein. Fee: $5. Taryn

Krietzman, RDN

ASK THE DIETITIAN

Wed., June 14; 9 a.m. to noon

Do you have a question about diet and nutrition? Join our community education dietitian for a one-on-one Q&A.

Taryn

Krietzman,

RDN

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN HEARING AIDS-COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR EARS

Wed., June 14; 10 to 11 a.m.

Technological advances in hearing aids allow us to connect to our world in an exciting way! Join Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D. to learn about the latest in treatment options. Hands-on demonstration available after the lecture.

ASK THE DIABETES COORDINATOR

Wed., June 14; noon to 1 p.m. Join us for an informative community Q&A session on how to manage your diabetes.

Shesha Desai, PharmD, RPh, BC-ADM. OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

Wed., June 14 & July 12; 1 to 3 p.m. Ultrasound of heel and personalized information. Appointment and registration required.

WHAT CAN HYPNOSIS DO FOR ME?

Wed., June 14; 6 to 7 p.m. Learn how hypnosis/hypnotherapy can access your own internal abilities. Matt Masiello, CCH will share how hypnosis programs are tailored to meet your specific needs. This informative program will include an overview of hypnotherapy, Q&A’s, and optional guided meditation/ hypnosis session.

SPRING FLING LUNCH AND MUSIC

Thu., June 1; 12 to 3 p.m.

Let’s celebrate Spring together with lunch, music, dancing, and more.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Fri., June 2 and 16; 11:30 a.m. to noon

Wipe away the day’s stress and let in some light. All levels welcome.

LET’S TALK, A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wed., June 7, 14, 21, & 28; 10 to 11 a.m. We gather to exchange thoughts, feelings and experiences amongst peers in partnership with PsycHealth Associates here in Hamilton. This is a weekly program. Attend one or all.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP

Wed., June 14; 6 to 7 p. m

Support and information for family and friends of people with Alzheimer’s disease. An Oaks Integrated Care caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.

GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GRUPO DE APOYO DE DUELO

Jueves., 15 Junio; 3 a 4 p.m. Este grupo es para personas que están de duelo por la pérdida de un ser querido. Un lugar donde usted puede compartir sus dificultades con otras personas que han sufrido una perdida similar. Ines Lecerf, LSW

DANCE IT OUT!

Tue., June 20, July 18; 1 to 2 p.m. June 20: All That Jazz July 18: Oldies But Goodies

Never miss a chance to dance! All ages welcome, no experience required.

REIKI? WHAT IS THIS “REIKI”?

Tues., June 20; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. You may have heard of the benefits of Reiki, but are still not sure what, exactly, it is or how it works. Come explore what energy work, including Reiki, can do for you. Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Therapies Nurse, Reiki Master/Teacher KIDS FIT IN THE KITCHEN!

Wed., June 21; 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Nature’s Candy. Cook up some fun and sample healthy foods in new ways! For children ages 5 and older with a parent/ caregiver. Register early – Class size is limited! Fee: $5 per child, $5 per parent/ caregiver. Taryn Krietzman, RDN

SOCRATES CAFÉ

Tues., June 6; 10 to 11 a.m.

“Socrates Café” is about discussing a topic, sharing thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and experiences. Come with an open mind, respect for one another, and a willingness to see where it takes us..

YOGA CLASSES

Tues., June 13 and 27; 10 to 11 a.m.

Krystal Loughlin, certified RYT will be leading this gentle yoga class using traditional postures and breathing techniques offering modifications for all. Beginner’s welcome.

DRAWING IN NATURE INTRO AT GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE

Wednesday, June 14, 2pm to 3:30 pm Enhance skills in visual memory through observation and rendering of the landscape and nature using graphite, charcoal, pen, and ink. All levels welcome, and all materials provided.

HEALTHRYTHMS® DRUMMING CIRCLE

Wed, June 21; 7 to 8 p.m. Join our drumming circle and help drum your cares away. This evidence-based program is shown to reduce blood pressure, calm stress and increase the fun in your life. Drums provided. Fee: $15. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP SAFETY AND SECURITY AWARENESS IN TODAY’S WORLD

Thurs., June 22, 7 to 8:30 am

Learn about cybersecurity, internet scams and how to protect against identify theft, as well as about personal safety at home, in the community and in the work place. Bob Field Jr. Assistant VP of Support Services, Safety and Security at RWJUH Hamilton, has extensive knowledge and practical experience in physical and personal protection.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX? *VIRTUAL*

Thu., June 22; noon to 1:00 p.m. All things seasonal, all the time! Learn what wonderful fruits and vegetable are up to this time of year and how to make them shine! Taryn Krietzman, RDN WISE WOMEN

DISCUSSION GROUP

Thu., June 22; 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Join our circle of women as we discuss finding purpose and meaning in our life and community. Ines Lecerf, LSW REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

Mon., June 26; 9:00 a.m.

Join us as the senior leadership team at RWJUH Hamilton present the hospital’s recent achievements and plans for the future. Registration is required. Light breakfast will be served.

TIPS ON LOOKING YOUR BEST AT ANY AGE

Fri., June 16; 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Join us for this new program that is all about you – no models, no video. Caterina Young, Owner blo Out Lounge & Color Bar will share makeup tricks, choosing your hairstyle according to your face shape and how to maintain it all.

ADVANCED CARE PLANNING BREAKFAST

Tues; June 19; 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The goal of ACP is to help ensure that people receive future medical care that is consistent with their values, goals, and preferences. Dr. Ali and Ted Taylor will lead this conversation to initiate dialogue between patients, their family or other decision-makers, and their health care providers in consideration with patient’s relationships and culture.

CARING FOR A LOVED ONE SUPPORT GROUP IN SPANISH ¿ESTÁ CUIDANDO A UN SER QUERIDO?

Martes., 27 Junio, 3 a 4 p.m.

Este grupo de apoyo es para CuidadoresPersonas adultas que cuidan a un ser querido que tienen una enfermedad crónica. Es normal que el cuidado de un ser querido a veces produzca frustración y enojo. Pero no tienes que sobrellevarlo solo. Ines Lecerf, LSW

COLOR ME HOOPY? HOOLA HOOP FOR FUN AND FITNESS!

Tues., June 27; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Think you can’t hula-hoop? Think again! It’s much easier to find your rhythm and flow using a “grown up” sized hoop. Learn skills and techniques and have a lot of fun. Hoops provided. $15. Angela Reitter, certified Hoop Love Coach and Hoola-Fit instructor.

SALT, FAT, ACID, HEAT: WATCH PARTY & DISCUSSION

Fri. July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28; 11 a.m. to noon

Join this 4-week program to watch the popular series “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat”. Each week we explore one of these 4 central principals of flavor. Watch and discuss how to incorporate the elements into delicious dishes! Taryn Krietzman, RDN AVOID MEDICATION ERRORS

AT HOME

Fri., July 7; 2 to 3 p.m.

Shesha Desai, PharmD, RPh, BC-ADM will help to ensure you are taking medications properly, as ordered by your doctor. Bring all over-the-counter and prescription medications.

TAI CHI AT GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE

Thu., June 22; 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

This is a special edition Tai Chi class in nature (weather permitting) and serenity elevating your experience.

TEA PARTY

Fri., June 23, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Pinkies up! Let’s talk tea and try some famously tasty pairings. Hats are encouraged.

Pennington student-athletes make college choices

The Pennington School has recently announced its senior student-athletes who have committed to colleges or universities for the fall of 2023 with the intention of continuing their athletic careers at the next level.

Reagan Amberson, from New Hope, Pennsylvania, and Ava Brass, from Pennington, are both planning to play Division I soccer. Juan Borges, Elias Di Bello, Nicholas Kempe, and Enrique Porras plan to play soccer at the Division III level.

Drayton Kolaras has committed to participating in cross country and track and field at the Division II level. Amelia Stevenson and Piper Dubow plan to swim at the Division III level. And two students are set to play baseball with Division III programs: Sung Min Hwang and William Bercaw.

Andrew Rosa and Isabella Fermo have committed to Division III lacrosse teams. Joshua Finkle is set to play tennis at the Division III level. and Grace Irizarry and Ava Vecchione have committed to playing Division III field hockey. Finally, Jonah Heimann and Macayla Rodriguez have made plans to play Division III basketball.

The following students have committed to playing a sport in college:

Belle Mead: Ava Vecchione, field

Senior student-athletes at The Pennington School who have committed to play sports in collegiate athletic programs in the fall include: (front row) Reagan Amberson, Grace Irizarry, Ava Brass, Ava Vecchione, Isabella Fermo, Elias Di Bello, (middle row) Macayla Rodriguez, Piper Dubow, Amelia Stevenson, Enrique Porras, Sung Min Hwang, William Bercaw, Joshua Finkle, (back row) Jonah Heimann, Andrew Rosa and Nicholas Kempe.

hockey, Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

East Windsor: Enrique Porras, soc-

Horseback Riding Camp 2023!

Horseback Riding Camp 2023!

cer, Oberlin College. Hillsborough: Drayton Kolaras, cross country and track and field, Morehouse

College.

Pennington: Ava Brass, soccer, Rutgers University; Grace Irizarry, field hockey, Smith College.

Princeton: Piper Dubow, swimming, Middlebury College; Jonah Heimann, basketball, Harvey Mudd College; Macayla Rodriguez, basketball, Susquehanna University.

Robbinsville: William Bercaw, baseball, Gettysburg College.

Weehawken: Andrew Rosa, lacrosse, Oberlin College.

New Hope, Pennsylvania: Reagan Amberson, soccer, University of Texas San Antonio.

Newtown, Pennsylvania: Joshua Finkle, tennis, Skidmore College.

Yardley, Pennsylvania: Isabella Fermo, lacrosse, Swarthmore College; Amelia Stevenson, swimming, Kenyon College.

Key Biscayne, Florida: Juan Borges, soccer, Eckerd College.

Warwick, Bermuda: Nicholas Kempe, soccer, Connecticut College.

Kowloon, Hong Kong: Sung Min Hwang, baseball, Tufts University.

Sasso Marconi, Italy: Elias Di Bello, soccer, Drew University.

Horseback Riding Camp 2023!

Our

Our

horse love at Duncraven Equestrian Center. Participants will learn safety on and around horses and grooming techniques, riding skills, and other primary horsemanship competencies. Sessions aim to help confidence and motor coordination while providing a supportive and fun environment for everyone! The perfect preparation for eager, young and aspiring equestrians.

love at Duncraven Equestrian Center. Participants will learn safety on and around horses and techniques, riding skills, and other primary horsemanship competencies. Sessions aim to help and motor coordination while providing a supportive and fun environment for everyone! The perfect preparation for eager, young and aspiring equestrians.

learn safety on and around horses and competencies. Sessions aim to help and fun environment for everyone! equestrians.

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 competencies. Sessions aim to help develop confidence and motor coordination while providing a supportive and fun environment for everyone! The perfect preparation for eager, young and aspiring equestrians.

Program Dates:

- Friday)

Program Dates: Summer Sessions (Monday - Friday)

Program Dates:

Sessions (Monday - Friday)

Horseback Riding Camp 2023!

1310 BEAR TAVERN RD TITUSVILLE, NJ

1310 BEAR TAVERN RD TITUSVILLE, NJ

Trenton Water Works temporarily suspends residential shutoffs

Trenton Water Works has suspended shutting off service to residents who have fallen behind on paying their bills, the water utility announced on Wednesday.

TWW said that it made this decision in order to allow customers who are struggling with payment challenges extra time to access utility-assistance programs, such as the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.

“We are doing everything we can to help our customers catch up on past-due water bills, including offering payment agreements. We are sending a postcard to our customers this week reminding them about LIHWAP,” said Sean Semple, acting director of the city’s Department of Water and Sewer, which operates Trenton Water Works. “LIHWAP is an excellent resource, in addition to other state and nonprofit assistance, and I encourage those who need help to learn about it and submit an application.”

LIHWAP is a temporary federal program to assist eligible households in paying for drinking water and sewer services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Assistance payments are applied directly to a qualified customer’s water account. The program can help water-utility

customers avoid service interruptions, restore services, pay reconnection fees and stay up to date on payments.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs administers the federal program at the state level, and maintains a website where residents can apply: waterassistance.nj.gov.

New Jersey’s Winter Termination Program, a moratorium on shutoffs, ended on March 15. However, TWW said that it is suspending residential service interruptions to give customers more time to learn about and apply for assistance from programs like LIHWAP.

Commercial and business accounts are not eligible, but Semple said TWW will work with business customers who have past-due balances.

“All they have to do is call us at 1-866-TWW-BLUE to make payment arrangements or come into our office at 333 Cortland Street in Trenton,” Semple said.

The Water Works announced in April that it would begin low-velocity flushing of water mains using specialized equipment throughout its 683-mile water distribution system. That activity was expected

to continue through May.

“The goal of the low-velocity water main flushing is to mitigate conditions that promote the growth of pathogens, including Legionella, by increasing and sustaining chlorine residuals,” Semple said. “Once we achieve this water-treatment goal, we will execute additional action steps to improve water quality in the TWW system.”

Low-velocity water main flushing is a conventional water-industry method that uses specialized equipment attached to a fire hydrant to restrict the flow to such levels that the sediment within a water main is not disturbed or scoured. The procedure also allows for eliminating stagnant water and optimizing chlorine disinfection to minimize the conditions contributing to pathogens’ growth, such as Legionella, a type of bacterium found naturally in freshwater environments such as lakes and streams.

During the flushing program, servicearea residents should not have noticed any changes in their water, such as brown or discolored water. However, residents may notice a chlorine smell as TWW personnel work to increase chlorine levels in parts of the water distribution system.

TWW is working with New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health on Legionella mitigation. TWW provides weekly updates on this work every Friday at trentonwaterworks.org/legionella.

TWW says it has expanded systemwide monitoring for Legionella via sampling locations approved by the NJDEP, including storage tanks, the water-filtration plant on Route 29 South in Trenton, and the 100 million-gallon Pennington Avenue Reservoir.

The Trenton Water Works Office of Communications and Community Relations has a number customers can call with questions about Legionella mitigation. The number, (609) 989-3033, is open for calls Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Purchased by the City of Trenton in 1859, Trenton Water Works is one of the oldest and largest publicly owned water systems in the United States. TWW supplies approximately 28 million gallons of water per day to a quarter-million consumers in a five-municipality service area comprised of Trenton, Ewing Township, parts of Hamilton Township, Lawrence Township, and Hopewell Township.

Mayor Michael Ruger Committee Member & Former Mayor Kevin Kuchinski

Re-Elect

Family Member Deserves

Bed Sores ∙ Falls/Fractures ∙ Malnutrition ∙ Infections

Medication Errors ∙ Abuse ∙ Death

NURSING HOME NEGLECT

Contact Sherri L. Warfel, Chair of the Nursing Home Practice, Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, at swarfel@pralaw.com

Get The Justice & Fair Treatment Your Family Member Deserves

Sherri L. Warfel

∙ Bed Sores ∙ Falls/Fractures ∙ Malnutrition ∙ Infections

∙ Medication Errors ∙ Abuse ∙ Death

For more than 15 years, Ms. Warfel’s practice has focused on assisting victims of nursing home abuse and negligence. She has been a featured speaker and panelist regarding issues in nursing home litigation and has worked to obtain favorable decisions on behalf of nursing home residents including a notable case involving forced arbitration. Her efforts have resulted in millions of dollars for her injured clients. Together, PR&A and Ms. Warfel provide unrelenting representation to nursing home clients to ensure they are compensated fairly.

Contact Sherri L. Warfel, Nursing Home Practice Chair swarfel@pralaw.com

Sherri L. Warfel

For more than 15 years, Ms. Warfel’s practice has focused on assisting victims of nursing home abuse and negligence. She has been a featured speaker and panelist regarding issues in nursing home litigation and has worked to obtain favorable decisions on behalf of nursing home residents, including a notable case involving forced arbitration. Her efforts have resulted in millions of dollars for her injured clients. Together, PR&A and Ms. Warfel will provide unrelenting representation to nursing home clients to ensure they are compensated fairly.

Rider University developing a nationally acclaimed intramural program, for Prince Manufacturing as a tennis clinician, and taught and coached tennis and other sports.

Devlin taught health and physical education at Hopewell Valley Central High School in 1964. In the 1990’s, he taught tennis and swimming at Hopewell Tennis and Swim Center, and he still teaches tennis there today.

He wanted to share the principles he had developed, and became a motivational speaker. Devlin was named as one of the 15 best athletes of the century by the Trentonian in 1999, has been honored numerous times, and was inducted into five halls of fame.

Just when one might have thought there were no more sports for Marty to excel in, he took up tennis at the age of 36, rose quickly up the senior tennis ladder and attained a world ranking.

What he considers the “biggies” in his life were being the player–manager of the Orlando Dodgers, playing all nine positions in pro baseball, serving on the ski patrol at Mount Snow in Vermont for over 35 years, growing the Rider intramural program, teaching tennis and skiing to a quadruple amputee, earning gold balls in

senior tennis, and writing and publishing his memoir.

“The greatest accomplishment I ever had was writing the book,” revealed Marty. “It was the best education I ever had. I was a jock. I only read one book in high school. This was a labor of love, and I’m grateful to my book team for helping to make it all happen.”

Marty started writing his book in longhand nine years ago. He asked me for help with typing it and seeing it through. I resisted at first, because I had no book experience.

I finally began working with him six years ago, and I was immediately impressed with what he’d written. Then a year later, I encouraged Marty to add a professional editor to our team, which already included his wife Mary Ellen, an accomplished researcher, and daughter Tara, who designed his website and book cover. Enter Cathy Kreyche.

“I was encouraged to write a book by so many people, so I started by scribbling it all out. Ann gave the book a structure, and then Cathy questioned me like a drill sergeant and brought out my feelings. That opened up my eyes. Experiences came to light that I had completely forgotten. It was like going to confession. When she put it all together, it flowed,” Devlin said.

WWILSON APPLE

He has been amazed by the response and feedback to his book. Family members couldn’t believe Marty had it in him, and they learned things about him they had no idea about. Reviews have included such words as inspirational, educational, motivating, flowing, genuine, compelling, well written, and unusual.

After reading the book, one woman was inspired to start working out. One guy said he read the whole book in one sitting. Another told Marty it took courage for Marty to admit his failures, shortcomings, and mistakes..

At the book launch party at the Mercer County Tennis Center on May 17, a steady stream of friends, family, and curiosity seekers stopped by to purchase books and talk to Devlin. They shared stories and reminisced. One former ski patrol buddy of Marty’s drove down from Boston to present him with a framed photo. Another book signing event was held recently at the National Junior Tennis & Learning of Trenton’s Capital Cup, where old connections were rekindled, new connections were discovered, and people lined up to get their photo taken with Marty.

self. It’s tougher. But I’m getting better at it.”

Through the process of writing the book, Marty has learned how and why things happened in his life.

He knows that he’s a problem solver, always looking for a better way to do something, and that was the premise for many of the unbelievable stories in his memoir.

Marty has slowed down. He has COPD and is currently undergoing medical tests.

“My mind is working more and my body less. My mind is sharper than ever, and I can express myself better than ever,” Devlin said. “Lifting things [rocks, logs, a huge leaf blower!] is easy, breathing is the hard part. I’ve learned to manage my COPD, though.”

Marty wanted to write the book to inspire and show people, through his own life experiences, how to overcome challenges and achieve success. The first part of the book is about his life, and the second part is the wisdom of his principles.

“I want to write more. I understand about achieving goals and the rewards more than most people do. I don’t take things for granted.”

Marty’s little slice of heaven is his West Trenton home, which includes a tennis court that he built mostly by himself, with an adjacent gazebo, and an Endless Pool in a room added to his house.

A theme throughout the book is his need to get his workout in every day. He still gets that by playing golf, swimming, walking when he can, and giving tennis lessons daily to a large group of dedicated women, whose games are much improved due to his special brand of teaching and repeating “Martyisms,” the inspirational, funny, memorable expressions he is known for.

“I learn from my ladies. They challenge me. I teach about life. It’s so much fun,” said Marty, who has a unique ability to connect with, inspire, and help people achieve their best. He continues to get letters and messages of thanks.

Cromwell

Even at 90, Marty still has an uncanny skill of entering a room, talking to everyone, and making them feel glad they talked to him. The energy in the room ramps up the minute he shows up. People seem to love being around him.

“Talking is easy for me, I can express myself,” said Marty. “In writing, you’ve gotta find a different way to express your-

“I’m not afraid of dying, but I’m in heaven right now, and still have a lot of living to do. I look up at the moon and the stars and think about what a powerful universe this is. And how I look forward to dinner at night and my two beers,” Marty said. “I’ll always be busy.”

Marty’s website is martydevlin.com. Sign up there to receive his occasional newsletter or find the link to purchase the book through Amazon.

Copies of his book can be purchased locally at Marsilio’s Kitchen. Hopewell Tennis and Swim Center, and Carellas Chocolates and Gifts.

Marty Devlin at a book signing event held at Princeton Public Library on April 29.

RAISE THE FLAG TO A SUMMER OF HISTORIC SIGHTS

Get festive with freedom at these military museums ahead of Flag Day, page 2.

from left

right: The Benjamin Temple House in Ewing, The Armed Forces Heritage Museum at the Captain James Lawrence House in Burlington, and a Nike Ajax missile on display outside the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey at Lawrenceville.

Pictures,

to

Flag Down a Whole Month’s Worth of Featured Museums

BY DAN AUBREY AND REBEKAH SCHROEDER

Flag Day on June 14 may mark the date that America adopted the iconic stars and stripes as we now know them in 1777, but it also recognizes the formation of the U.S. Army.

As the two occasions align in this annual patriotic pattern, stitch the imagery of independence with the country’s earliest branch of the armed forces and charge forward to visit these military museums across the region.

Editor’s Note: This month’s Six09 is composed largely of sections from stories that ran in previous issues of U.S. 1, Community News Service’s Princeton metro area paper, on various dates (see the end of the article on page 8 for details).

The content has been updated accordingly for both currency and clarity.

The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey at Lawrenceville

The original National Guard Militia

Museum of New Jersey is based in Sea Girt, but the secondary site at the Lawrenceville Field Artillery Annex, located on the New Jersey Army National Guard complex, uses its own military weapons, uniforms, photographs, documents, and interpretative texts to chronicle the state’s history of service from the early settlements through the present day.

It also claims to possess one of the largest collections of New Jersey-related Civil War research material in the country, including copies of diaries, letters, newspaper clippings, memoirs, regimental histories, and articles—all while paying attention to the diverse experiences of the New Jersey citizen soldier.

The NJ Militia Museum’s website recommends that visitors come prepared with a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license, and enter the National Guard complex through Gate #3. After checking in with the security guard at the booth, follow directions to the parking lot and take note of the outdoor exhibits of historic tanks and large-caliber guns on display.

In a Facebook post, NGMM of NJ referred to the Nike Ajax missiles (see cover), co-designed by Bell Laboratories, as “the world’s first guided, surface-to-air

See Flag Day, Page 4

SIX09

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

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Flag Day, continued from Page 2

While the Third New Jersey Regiment refused to give up the red, other state regiments did and created an alleged connection to today’s New Jersey: “The color of the flag adopted by the newly independent state of New Jersey was supposedly patterned after the buff facing of New Jersey’s soldiers in Washington’s army,” the museum noted.

Quickly, visitors learn that there were two uniforms used by New Jersey Revolutionary War soldiers. One was the Frenchmade uniform consisting of a blue coat with “white trim on the hat [that] depicts infantry and the white brocade [that] symbolizes the alliance with France.”

The other was the Colonial Rifleman’s uniform of flax, cotton, wool, and a rifleman’s hat. They also adopted the practice of wearing moccasins for comfort and, since riflemen often served as skirmishers and had to move quickly, mobility.

After a brief stop at the Whiskey Rebellion, when the New Jersey Militia organized 4,000 men to form three infantry and two cavalry regiments as part of a four-state militia force to address a Western Pennsylvania insurrection against the federal tax on whiskey in 1794, the next section transitions into materials on the Civil War. For additional context supplemented by

See Flag Day, Page 6

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The National Cancer Institute recognizes only the nation’s most elite cancer centers as Comprehensive Cancer Centers for their groundbreaking research, innovative clinical trials, scientific leadership, resources, and impact on their community. Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. With locations across the state, NCI-designated cancer care is never far from home. Visit rwjbh.org/beatcancer or call 844-CANCERNJ

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Aubrey’s 2022 Memorial Day article on the Civil War legacies of the region, the Lawrence National Guard Militia Museum stated that New Jersey provided more than 88,000 men to the Union cause—some 10,000 over its quota—who participated in 37 infantry regiments, three cavalry regiments, five artillery batteries, and several independent militia companies. These units fought in both the Eastern and Western theaters of operations and were involved in almost every major battle.

Another text also cited the contributions of Black soldiers, noting that while a state census from the time listed some 4,866 African American men between the ages of 18 and 45, approximately 3,000 served in the Union Army and Navy.

The exhibit expands on the influence of several Civil War military leaders, such as Major General George B. McClellan, who later became Governor of New Jersey, and features a map of Trenton’s Civil War camps, such as Camp Olden and the Trenton Barracks, as well as Trenton Grand Army of the Republic memorabilia.

The following stop, Aubrey continued, focuses on the 1898 Spanish-American War, where “the declaration of war with Spain found the New Jersey National Guard

ready and eager to meet the call for troops.”

Then 20th and 21st-century conflicts take over a major section of the exhibition area with objects from World Wars I and II and the Vietnam War, which yielded the last U.S. military weapons on display at the museum.

While “war trophy” weapons from the Gulf War are on display, current military weapons are not, Kale added.

Director-curator Staff Sergeant

Andrew Walker confirmed in a quote that what Kale cited as one of the museum’s most unusual objects, “an Up-Armored Humvee door where the window ‘caught’ an RPG in Iraq between 2004 and 2005,” brings home the danger of war by showing the crater of the impact—as well as the technology that enabled soldiers to survive.

But these messages of endurance are

just as palpable when crossing over to storytelling, as the NGMM of NJ oversees the Center for U.S. War Veterans’ Oral Histories in partnership with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, which has recorded interviews with over 600 veterans across varying campaigns and arms of service.

The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey at Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville Armory, 151 Eggert Crossing Road, Lawrenceville. Free admission and parking. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on state holidays. (609) 213-3296 or njmilitiamuseum.org/lawrenceville.

Armed Forces Heritage Museum

The Armed Forces Heritage Museum is headquartered at the Captain James Lawrence House, a state-owned building on the campus of the Burlington County Historical Society that was once the family home of the naval officer who lent his name to Lawrence Township.

As commander of the USS Chesapeake during its capture during the War of 1812, Lawrence is said to have issued a fierce battle cry of “Don’t give up the ship!” as his last words, which became a rallying message

Flags fly at the entrance to the NGMM of NJ at Lawrenceville, upper left, and the Armed Forces Heritage Museum, lower left, the latter of which operates out of the Captain James Lawrence House in Burlington, right.

that lived on centuries after he perished in the attack.

That quote shares a similar inspiration for AFHM Executive Director Roy Plummer, who persevered in the decade-long process of opening the museum.

His concept originated back in 2010 as a brick-and-mortar educational center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, which Plummer noted in “Welcome to the Armed Forces Heritage Museum,” from this year’s February 22 issue of U.S. 1.

After reconfiguring the format, the volunteer, nonprofit organization toured across Burlington County with a 32-foot mobile unit instead.

The Burlington County Historical Society campus comprises several historical buildings in Burlington City and previously hosted several of AFHM’s “Living History” lectures with veterans, so the groups built on this relationship to establish the physical AFHM museum at the Lawrence House.

Now with both permanent and rotating exhibits, Plummer continued, the organization plans for new additions like the “Immersive Experience Room,” which “will allow visitors to have an interactive, audiovisual journey into an aspect of our nation’s rich military history.”

To take a brief tour of the 1740s-era house online, visit the AFHM YouTube channel at youtube.com/@afhmus5700

The Armed Forces Heritage Museum, Captain James Lawrence House, 459 High Street, Burlington. Free. Open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. afhmus.org.

Clarke House

The Clarke House at Princeton Battlefield State Park, built by Quaker farmer Thomas Clarke in 1772 on a vast acreage of farmland, is the sole surviving building from the Revolutionary War era and played a key role on the front lines of the Battle of Princeton.

According to the Princeton Battlefield Society website, when the Clarke family converted their farmhouse residence into a

The Thomas Clarke House, above, is known as the site where General Hugh Mercer was mortally wounded during the Battle of Princeton. “The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777,” an oil painting by John Trumbull, depicts this moment, left, with Mercer pictured at the center.

field hospital in the aftermath of the battle, they tended to injured men from both sides of the conflict. Although the Americans had secured a victory at the site, Continental Army General Hugh Mercer ultimately died from his combat wounds, with Mercer County later named in his honor.

Today, the Clarke House serves as a museum that features Revolutionary War exhibits and artifacts. Visitors are encour-

aged to walk around the battlefield and view the colonnade memorial by Thomas Ustick Walter, who served as the fourth architect of the United States Capitol.

The Thomas Clarke House, Princeton Battlefield State Park, 500 Mercer Road, Princeton. Free admission. Program fees

Flag Day, continued from Page 7

may apply. Wednesday to Friday tours by appointment only. Hours: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, then 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 609-921-0074 or pbs1777.org

Benjamin Temple House

The Benjamin Temple House at Drake Farm Park in Ewing was built circa 1750, taking its name from an early area settler and prosperous farmer. Temple was the friend, as well as the brother-in-law, of Declaration of Independence signer and Hopewell resident John Hart.

While the Temple family maintained and modified the Georgian-style house at the border of Ewing and Hopewell for 150 years, records show that the house was

eventually sold in 1903 to Patrick Ryan, whose family operated a dairy there for the next half century at its spot along Pennington Road.

The Ewing Township Historical Preservation Society now operates out of the structure, which was moved and saved from demolition alongside its now-owner, Ewing Township, during the construction of Interstate 95 in the early 1970s.

From its relocated spot at Federal City Road on 26 acres of parklands, the landmark, sometimes referred to as the Old Ryan Farm or the Temple-Ryan Farmhouse, is active as a museum and a central hub for Ewing history.

Benjamin Temple House, 27 Federal City Road, Ewing Township. Free. Hours: Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.; open house tours held on the first Sunday of every month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; all other times

are by appointment only with the site manager. 609-883-2455 or info@ethps.org

Washington Crossing State Park

But before the troops could successfully defeat British forces in Princeton, General George Washington’s troops famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Night, 1776.

As he led his men to confront the Hessians, the future president paved the way for Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville to become another reservoir of Revolutionary War historical knowledge.

Starting May 28, the Historic Education Committee of the Washington Crossing Park Association, or WCPA, will host free guided history tours on Sundays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum

According to the NJDEP website, these begin with the museum’s two galleries: one where guests can watch and discuss the NJN-produced film “Ten Crucial Days: The Road to Liberty” in the auditorium, which documents the time between Washington’s Crossing and the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, and another that houses the “over 500 authentic Revolutionary War artifacts” on loan from the Swan Historical Foundation Collection.

Managed IT Services by

Other stops include Sullivan Drive and Continental Lane, the Stone Barn, and the landing overlook by the Johnson Ferry House. Tickets must be reserved in advance via the WCPA’s page on EventBrite.

The Johnson Ferry House is a circa 1740 farmhouse that overlooks the Delaware River. Historians believe that Washington’s men might have stayed here prior to utilizing the transport services and making the journey across the freezing cold waters. The building is furnished with Colonial-era period pieces and reproductions, including an 18th-century kitchen garden.

Washington Crossing State Park is free to enter until July 1, at which point a $5 cash fee will be implemented every weekend until Labor Day on September 4.

Washington Crossing State Park, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, Hopewell Township. Free. Hours (Visitor Center Museum): Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 609-737-0623.

Hours (Johnson Ferry House): Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon, then 1 to 3:45 p.m. 609-737-2515. WashingtonCrossing@dep.nj.gov

More Sites to Salute

The Old Barracks, which were origi-

nally constructed during the French and Indian War in 1758 to house British soldiers, notably sheltered the Hessian forces during the Battle of Trenton. The site now actively hosts historical tours and events.

The Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street, Trenton. Open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission prices: adults, $10; students and seniors, $8; active military and children under five years of age, free. 609-396-1776 or barracks.org

Hamilton’s “Pepper House,” described online as “the first Civil War Museum in New Jersey,” has yet to reopen to the public since it closed “temporarily” because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the circa 1730 John Abbott II House down the road at 2200 Kuser Road remains in use by the Historical Society of Hamilton Township, with weekend hours from noon to 4:30 p.m.

The Civil War and Native American Museum, 2202 Kuser Road, Hamilton

Those looking for a one-of-a-kind trip into art, history, and New Jersey culture only need to drive less than an hour outside of the area code to join members of the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society for free tours of the Navy Lakehurst Heritage Center, which is located at the active US military base that is part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Whether you come to see exhibits in the aircraft hangar, the stained glass pieces at the Cathedral of the Air on the site’s border, or to visit where the infamous Hindenburg disaster took place, the naval history here makes the visit worthwhile.

Navy Lakehurst Heritage Center, Hangar One, Lansdowne Road, Lakehurst. Free. (732) 323-6547 or nlhs.com

As a final note, the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton also has a formidable collection of Civil War flags recovered from military units raised in New Jersey, encompassing nearly 200 cavalry, volunteer regiment, and captured Confederate battle flags that rotate through the exhibit.

***

The articles quoted and referenced, in order of online publication date: “Explore military history at National Guard Militia Museum” from November 10, 2021; “Free and Easy — Day Tripping With Kids” from March 16, 2022; and “Naval Lakehurst Keeps History Flying High” from February 8, 2023, were all written by Dan Aubrey and are available at www.communitynews.org.

Princeton Festival

Five Grammy Winners Plus Pulitzer Prize Recipients Featured

This year’s 16-day Princeton Festival showcases five recent GRAMMY® winners, including works by two recipients of the Pulitzer Prize for Music. The nineteenth season of the Festival, presented by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, runs Friday, June 9 - Sunday, June 25. Tickets may be ordered online or by calling 609-497-0020.

The following events feature or honor GRAMMY winners.

• Friday, June 9. The trio Time For Three, winners of the 2023 GRAMMY for “Best Classical Instrumental Solo,” open the Festival with their unique brand of genre-defying music.

• Saturday, June 10. In “Aretha – A Tribute,” the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and dynamic vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw sing hit songs by Aretha Franklin, who won 18 GRAMMYS during her illustrious career.

• Saturday, June 17. The Attacca Quartet, which won two out of the last four GRAMMYS for chamber music (2020 and 2023), team with dancers from American Repertory Ballet in a music and contemporary ballet program that includes works by 2002 Pulitzer Prize winner John Adams and Caroline Shaw, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for

Music (2013) and three GRAMMYS (2014, 2020, 2022) of her own.

• Monday, June 19. Singer, Met Opera star, and composer Will Liverman headlines a Juneteenth concert of spirituals and songs celebrating Black composers. Liverman’s 2023 GRAMMY recognized the recording of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones, in which he sang lead.

The Festival takes place June 9-25 at Morven Museum & Garden, with performances almost every day, among them Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, hilarious improvisation with Broadway’s Next Hit

Musical, Andrew Lippa’s musical tribute to Harvey Milk, a collaboration of Attacca Quartet & American Repertory Ballet, a Juneteenth Celebration featuring Met Opera star Will Liverman, a “feel good” Mazel Tov Cocktail Party!, Peter and the Wolf Family Concert, and more.

2023 Princeton Festival tickets range in price from $10 - $125. While most performances take place in an outdoor performance pavilion at Morven Museum & Garden, some are located inside at Trinity Church. For dates, times, program information, and tickets, visit princetonsymphony. org/festival or call 609-497-0020.

About The Princeton Festival. The Princeton Festival is the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s flagship summer program showcasing the performing arts. Founded in 2004, the Princeton Festival quickly established a reputation for artistic excellence and innovative programming. Every year in June, thousands of people from the mid-Atlantic region and beyond come to the Festival to enjoy the quality and variety of its programs. Offerings include opera, musical theater, dance, orchestra and chamber music, and a constantly evolving selection of other genres, including jazz, world music, choral concerts, and country music. The Festival has longstanding partnerships with public libraries and local churches, and promotes life-long learning in the arts through free educational lectures presented to a wide and diverse community.

See ad, page 11

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

2023 Grammy Award winners Time For Three open the June 9-25 Princeton Festival at Morven Museum & Garden. Photo by Shervin Lainez.

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BLEND - Hamilton

Save the Date: Central Jersey Beer Fest Is October 14

Blend Bar and Bistro opened its doors in Hamilton in October of 2012 and created an anniversary event that has grown into a tasting extravaganza, the Central Jersey Beer Fest. 2023 marks Blend’s 11-year anniversary and this year’s event on Saturday, October 14th will be no exception. Blend also hosts smaller events at their restaurant location year-round.

Festival coordinator Antonio Carannante, and co-owner of Blend Bar and Bistro in Hamilton, is justifiably pumped. In the past #CJBeerFest featured a tasting of more than 150 craft beers, some wines, even a few spirits, up to 10 food trucks, live bands, and a variety of other vendors, including axe throwing. The festival has attracted an average of 3000+ festival lovers, Folks come from all over the Mercer County area, but even groups of family and friends from Philadelphia, Rhode Island, Connecticut, the Carolinas, California, New York, and more.

FaIrS & FeStIvalS SpecIal SectIon

“As with past events, we will have a strong focus on education and safety all throughout the festival grounds. Our slogan is ‘Drink Responsibly and Have Fun.’” You must be 21+ to enter. We always recommend inviting a designated driver, getting a ride, and using Ride Share options. Tip: schedule a ride a head of time.

The event will provide patrons with an unparalleled chance to sample craft beers from a wide variety of brewers, even if you “think” you don’t like beer. It’s a great chance to have a small sampling of so many new styles with different flavor profiles including some cocktails in a can, ciders and seltzers.

The beer tasting is allowed for four solid hours during the festival, but there is so much more to the event; creative food vendors, great live music and backyard games, such as bean bag toss, ladder ball, and more, to make the festival a lively day out.

“With all the other things going on, we encourage our guests to hang out while eating, listening to live music, playing games, and supporting our various other vendors, all the while remembering to drink responsibly.”

Check out our websites and social media accounts. For tickets and up to date info www.blendbar.com and www. CJBEERFEST.com

The event is rain or shine and tents will be set up in case Mother Nature decides not to cooperate. Outside food and beverages are not allowed but bring your lawn chairs or even a pop-up tent. The Central Jersey Beer Fest keeps getting bigger and better so start fall off with a bang and be part of the fun. Share your photos and experience of the event using

#CJBEERFEST on all major social media outlets. Visit www.cjbeerfest. com to purchase your tickets by June 30, 2023, for the last chance to SAVE BIG using code CNS2023. This event will sell out!

You may contact us at Blend Bar & Bistro, 911 Route 33, Hamilton. drinks@blendbar.com and info@ cjbeerfest.com. If you need to speak to someone regarding the festival sponsorship and marketing opportunities, you can reach Antonio at 609-817-5550. See ad, page 12.

L.E.A.D. FEST

Coming to Mercer County Park June 30 to July 9

Carnivals and state fairs are beloved summer traditions. There’s no better place for the whole family to enjoy rides, food, music and fun than at 2023 L.E.A.D. FEST events. Bigger and better than ever, this year’s events include carnivals and a 10-day State Fair taking place from June 30 to July 9 at Mercer County Park Fairgrounds, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor Township. Presented by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence), L.E.A.D. FEST events benefit the organization’s programs and related initiatives. L.E.A.D. provides the leadership, resources and management to ensure law enforcement agencies have the means to partner with educators, community leaders and families. The Allentown-based nonprofit’s programs help to deter youth and adults from drug use, drug-related crimes, bullying and violence. L.E.A.D. is

committed to reinforcing the mutual respect, goodwill and relations between law enforcement and their communities.

“The L.E.A.D. State Fair saw its biggest year ever in 2022 with more than 50,000 attendees. We hope to hit a new milestone in 2023,” said Nick DeMauro, L.E.A.D. executive director. “Funds raised

Saturday, October 14th 12pm

Mercer County Park **Live Entertainment**

Purchase Beer Fest tickets in June at CJBEERFEST.com for the Biggest Savings!

Use code: CNS2023

at our carnivals and the State Fair are important to L.E.A.D.’s mission, allowing us to make our programs more accessible to a greater number of youngsters in the communities we serve. We couldn’t be more excited to bring more amazing events to New Jersey this year. Our goal is to create family-friendly, community-based events that are fun for everyone while at the same time promoting anti-drug and anti-violence activities in the state.”

The jam-packed State Fair promises something for everyone including free nightly musical entertainment as well as a Business and Craft Vendor Tent on the weekends. Favorite fan attractions include Robinson’s Racing Pigs, the always-popular pie eating contest, a petting zoo, educational puppet Granpa Cratchet and Cowtown U.S.A., an all-day exhibit that contains an old-time creamery where patrons participate in preparing a cow for milking by hand. The State Fair’s midway provider, Reithoffer Shows, will ensure there’s plenty of delicious food, carnival games and prizes, and rides for children and adults alike — from a first-class Kiddie Land to super-spectacular thrill rides and

everything in between.

Gate admission is $5 on weekdays and $8 on weekends. General admission, ride tickets, and Mega Passes are on sale now at theleadfest.com. Purchase tickets early for special presale discounts!

Additional L.E.A.D. FEST carnivals bring the fun to different locations throughout the Garden State this summer. General admission, ride tickets and Mega Passes for all carnivals can be purchased in advance online at theleadfest.com.

Westfield Garden State Plaza (One Garden State Plaza, Paramus) from May 25-29; May 31-June 4; and June 7-11. Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Midway will be provided by Reithoffer Shows. “This year, our Paramus event starts on Memorial Day weekend,” DeMauro said. “Attending the carnival that weekend is a great way to have fun and usher in the start of the summer season.”

Monmouth Mall (180 Route 35, Eatontown) from June 2-12. Hours are Monday through Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 11 p.m. Midway provided by Reithoffer Shows.

Woodbridge Center (250 Woodbridge Center Dr., Woodbridge Township) from June 2 -11. Hours are Monday through Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 11 p.m. Midway provided by Reithoffer Shows.

Mercer County Park from June 30 to July 9. Hours are Monday to Friday from 5 to close and Saturday, Sunday and Holiday from 3 p.m. to close. Midway provided by Reithoffer Shows.

For more information and tickets, visit theleadfest.com. For more information about L.E.A.D., visit leadrugs.org or email info@leadrugs. org.

See ad, page 16

Trenton Farmers Market

Jersey fresh since 1939

Residents of the Trenton region have relied on the Trenton Farmers Market to provide locally grown Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables since 1939. Starting off along the river in South Trenton, the Market moved to 960 Spruce Street in Lawrence Township in 1948. We’re celebrating 75 years on Spruce St. this year!

During the summer season, Trenton Farmers Market boasts half a dozen farmers from Mercer, Burlington and Atlantic Counties, many who are third generation family famers. The local season starts in April with cool weather crops like lettuce, arugula, asparagus, bok choy, leeks and spinach. May brings our famous local strawberries, kale, & leeks. June brings the first local blueberries, a brief cherry season, early beans, cabbage and carrots, and of course, sweet Jersey corn. That can only mean that Jersey tomatoes, peaches, nectarines and plums are coming in July! Local Jersey Fresh fruits and produce (including organics) will be available at Trenton Farmers Market now through November. We even have a mushroom farmer who brings both beautiful and flavorful mushrooms in many varieties.

Local fruits and vegetables are just part of the story at the Trenton Farmers Market. The Market has worked very hard to change with the times and to bring vendors in who help make the Market a destination beyond the area’s best produce.

The Trenton Farmers Market just wouldn’t be complete with our two Amish vendors, Cartlidge’s Meats, and King Foods. Fresh, top-quality meats and prepared foods with that homemade Amish country goodness are what brings so many people back week after week. Another top vendor is Pulaski Meats, the areas best connection for amazing luncheon meats, pierogies, and many other Polish and Eastern European specialties.

If that isn’t tempting enough, consider the Market’s TWO vegan eateries — Lady & The Shallot and the Savory Leaf Café! Every Saturday the Market features Terra Momo Bread Company — baguettes, croissants, focaccia, simple sandwiches,

whole grains, rye and sweet treats, too! Speaking of sweet, our own Pie’d Piper has its own following for overstuffed donuts, pies, cakes, salads and more, they are way more than a bakery. Nothing goes with great baked good like an awesome cup of locally roasted and ground coffee at Kafe Ojala or any one of hundreds of loose teas, matcha, bubble teas and fresh quiche at the Tea for All tea shop.

What’s that irresistible smell? No matter where you enter the market, chances are you’ll notice the unmistakable smell of BBQ — beef, brisket, pork, chicken, beans, corn bread and more at Hambone Opera — praised by both the Food Network and the New York Times always pleases hungry shoppers. Great for take-home dinner or eat-in lunch!

Since no one lives on food alone, the Trenton Farmers Market also features over a dozen artisan makers, creators and sellers who have been carefully curated for our shoppers. You will find handmade soaps, bath products and skin lotions, you will find our wildly popular Sea Moss vendor, textiles, woodcraft, jewelry, hand poured candles, oils and scents even a gluten free / vegan baker! And because we know pets are an important part of the family, the market has a dog treat “barkery” and vendor who sells anything you might need for your pet’s health and happiness. Need a watch or clock repaired? We have a guy. Need something from a variety store? We have a guy. We even have a smoke shop outside the market where you can try your luck at the lottery or stock up on smokes and supplies. Coming soon: a full-service lunch spot just outside the market that will be bringing sausage & peppers, burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. Watch for the Grand Opening this summer. And watch for our night market and holiday market later this

year.

When was the last time you made a visit to the Trenton Farmers Market? Rediscover what thousands already know, that Jersey Fresh is ALWAYS in season at the Trenton

Farmers Market. 960 Spruce Street, Lawrence. Hours: Wed-Sat 9am6pm, Sunday 9am-3pm. Visit www. thetrentonfarmersmarket.com, Like us on Facebook & Instagram. See ad, page 10

HELP WANTED

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GET PAID DAILY! WORK FROM HOME! Call: 609-510-0292

SERVICES

LEGAL SERVICES Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and NJ Taxes, House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609-799-4674, 609-721-4358. Senior Concierge. Let me be your helper. In the home or on the road. Part-time/Day or evening. Very good references. Call Mary Anne, 609-298-4456.

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.

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 215-539-2894.

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel.

4thelovofcards, 908-596-0976. allstar115@verizon.net.

HappyHeroes used books looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction, Children’s Illustrated, kids series books (old Hardy boys-Nancy DrewJudy 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

Cash paid for World War II military items.Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@optonline.net

REAL ESTATE WANTED

WE BUY HOUSES We are a premier real estate solutions company. We buy houses in any condition and pay you cash. Call 732-965-6338

COMMERCIAL SPACE

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT: ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OFFICE SPACE IN EWING BUT CAN’T AFFORD OR DON’T NEED AN ENTIRE SUITE? DO YOU NEED TO RENT BY THE DAY? SUITE CURRENTLY IN USE BY TWO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. SUITABLE FOR ANYONE NEEDING A qUIET, CLEAN AND ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACE. RENT INCLUDES USE OF SMALL KITCHEN, WAITING ROOM, PARKING, CLEANING SERVICE AND WIFI. CALL 609-635-3751 OR EMAIL suppsoln27@yahoo.com FOR DETAILS.

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To book a classified ad in this section, please email your text and any other information to mdurelli@communitynews.org. Classifieds run at 75 cents per word with a $20 minimum per month. For more information, call 609-396-1511, ext. 105.

parking. variety of uses retail/offices/medical/ professional/ services/ studio/ boutique, etc. Great road visibility in well maintained Globus Plaza in Allentown bordering Hamilton Twp. Call DiDonato Realty 609-5862344/ Marian Conte 609947-4222. 3,500 SF OFFICE SPACE, Ewing/Mercer County, FREE RENT, 201488-4000 or 609-883-7900 office space For Rent: Pennington ground floor office space 32 N Main Street. Share with clinical psychologist and real estate management company. Private entrance, off street parking. 305-968-7308

Princeton Commercial

Retail Spaces for Lease: Various Locations in Town. Please Contact: Weinberg Management. WMC@ collegetown. Text 609-7311630

VACATION RENTALS

Florida Beach Rental: Fort Myers Beach 1br vacation condo on the beach, flexible dates available. Call 609-577-8244 for further information

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Salon for sale- excellent opportunity. Priced to sell. Relocating out of state. Large space, great potential. Available to share. Call 609462-0188.

CEMETERY PLOTS

For sale double depth cemetery plot. Location Princeton memorial park, Gordon Road, Robbinsville. Call 609-259-7710.

FOR SALE SINGLE

MAUSOLEUM CRYPT, Lower Level, Princeton Memorial

Park, Robbinsville. Call 609712-3610

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HVRSD HIGHLIGHTS

Issue #12 June 2023 hvrsd.org

The Second annual wiTneSS SToneS ceremonY

On Thursday, May 18th, Timberlane

Principal Nicole Gianfredi began the Witness Stones ceremony by saying, “Our students are creating the future”. Over the course of the next hour students, staff, historians, clergy, community members and his descendants honored Frost Blackwell, a formerly enslaved individual, through art, music, poetry, oration, and reflection. After the ceremony, students placed a permanent brass marker to memorialize where Frost lived, worked and worshiped in the Hopewell region. This program was the culmination of months of research and preparation by TMS students. This project has been a collaboration between Timberlane Middle School, the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum and founders Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills with the Witness Stones Project, Inc.

• Students from the high school choir program attended Don Giovanni (Mozart) at the Metropolitan Opera House. The cast and orchestra were amazing and spending the day in the state-of-the-art opera house was so fun!

• Vox Central Jazz (CHS extra-curricular jazz choir) competed in the annual NJAJE State Vocal Jazz Festival. The group received a Gold rating and placed 3rd this year. Awards were also won for Best Tenor Section, Honorable Mention Soloist (David Sigman ‘23) and Outstanding Soloist (Tatiana Correa ‘23).

• Vox Central Jazz (CHS extra-curricular jazz choir) and Con Brio (student-led a cappella group) both competed in the National Jazz Festival in Philly. Con Brio placed 1st in their division (4 years running) and Vox placed 3rd. Soloist awards were given to David Sigman (‘23) & Tatiana Correa (‘23).

• Students from the high school choir program traveled to Nashville for a performance tour in April. They performed at the Grand Ole Opry and attended the evening concert. They toured the Country Music Hall of Fame as well as the National Museum of African American Music. They performed at a local school and visited the Blair School of Music on the Vanderbilt Campus, among other various activities.

• Chamber Singers Honors (curricular choir) and Vox Central Jazz (CHS’ extra-curricular jazz choir) competed in the annual Roxbury Invitational in March. Both groups received a rating of Gold, and both placed 3rd in their divisions. Soloists were also entered and Grace Lee (‘23) was awarded the Grand Champion Soloist in the Show/Pop/Jazz division!

• Con Brio, U Got Male, She Major, and Take Notes (all CHS student-led a cappella groups) participated in the inaugural Spartan A Cappella Festival at Steinert High School. The groups participated in workshops throughout the day and then performed as part of the evening showcase.

• Chamber Singers Honors (curricular choir) was one of 6 invited schools to participate in a choral exchange at Westminster Choir College at Rider University, featuring the world famous choral group, Chanticleer! They met and sang for members of the group and received feedback on their performance, before listening to them in concert and learning a song to sing along.

• The high school choir program hosted The Four Freshmen, a Grammy Award nominated jazz quartet. The group performed for members of the choir and also listened to Vox Central Jazz (CHS’ extra-curricular jazz choir) sing to provide feedback for improvement!

• The high school choir program hosted the annual Hopewell’s Got Talent show, featuring the NYC-based a cappella group Backtrack Vocals. Backtrack performed during unit lunch at the school and also provided clinics and feedback sessions for the choir students throughout the day. The evening event was supported by the MTPA and local business donations to provide every act with a prize for their efforts.

our muSic deparTmenT hiTS The high noTeS!

The YouTh environmenTal SocieTY of hopewell valleY cenTral high School recognized

Youth Conference on Climate Education. The students participated in a press conference and met with Members of Congress, urging them to support K-12 education as a key climate change solution and acknowledge the mental health impacts of climate change on youth.

Other student initiatives have included:

On May 17th, the Youth Environmental Society of Hopewell Valley Central High School received the student recognition award for Mercer County by the New Jersey Department of Education Student Recognition Program. This club has a history of leading efforts in environmental advocacy both in our school and the broader community. In 2021, Ms. Carolyn McGrath, a Visual Arts Teacher at Hopewell Valley Central High School, became the faculty advisor for this dynamic student organization.

In 2022, the students in the club decided they wanted the school district to take action to address climate change. They developed and presented a comprehensive research paper to the Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education. Subsequently, the Board established a Climate Action Committee to review students’ proposals and create a Climate Action Plan for the district. The leaders of the Youth Environmental Society also submitted their work to the New Jersey Student

Climate Challenge, winning first place and receiving recognition from First Lady Tammy Murphy. Since then, the students in the club have continued to remain active by providing valuable youth perspectives on the development of our district’s Climate Action Plan.

This year, the students in the HVCHS Youth Environmental Society have been collaborating with Schools for Climate Action, a grassroots, nonpartisan, youth-led coalition that is working with U.S. legislators to pass climate change education and mental health resolutions. In March, a group of student leaders from the club traveled to Washington D.C. to join 60 other youth climate activists from across the country for the National

The Hopewell Valley Regional School District Transportation Office is comprised of a close-knit group of employees. Perhaps it’s not too much of a surprise then to learn that several of these employees are also related. The Thompson Family, for example, has three generations of family members currently employed: Wanda Thompson is the mother of Diane Thompson as well as the grandmother of Zachary Thompson. There are also several parents working with their children: Nina Austin & Lon Linton, Susan Kornegay & Margo Adams, (Andrea) Denise Ewing & Talaia Owens, Jackie Blount & Jaqera Morris, Joanes Juilett & Watson Juilett as well as spouses Brian and Betty Newborn and Aunt Carmen Diaz and her niece Adelina Garcia. We are so fortunate to have employees with a great sense of camaraderie and appreciate their long-standing service to the District!

Creating and hosting a session on sustainable fashion for Columbia University’s U.S. Summit on Transformative Education. Since the summit, the students received a grant from Green Matters to host a screening of the film “The True Cost” at a local theater. They also participated in a panel discussion of the documentary with fashion sustainability scholar, Michelle Gabriel.

Planning a series of events at HVCHS leading up to Earth Day. “The True Cost” screening and discussions kicked off a week of programming that included keynote speaker and youth climate activist Nyombi Morris, presentations on climate change solutions, a film and discussion on youth mental health and climate change and careers for the climate.

TranSporTaTion familieS

Two of our students of the Class of 2023 describe the choices they’ve made for next year - as well as the thought process they went through to arrive at their decisions. We appreciate their candor and wish them all the best on their journeys!

Bryce Ansari

Instead of following the traditional route of attending college post-graduation as most of my peers are and as my parents and even myself had believed, until recently, that I would, I have decided to seize upon a rewarding and humbling opportunity to serve our country and develop my physical and mental strength by joining the Marine Corps. Fortunately, I will also be able to combine this service with my life goal to study at college and cultivate my understanding of and fascination with the sciences. Instead of having to choose one dream or the other, my recruiter, family, and I have worked out a plan that will allow me to do both somewhat simultaneously, and receive what I believe to be twice the enrichment over the next few years. I was admitted Early Deci-

sion into Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. I consider W&L to be my dream school and I am extremely excited to pursue a major in biochemistry. However, I have deferred my enrollment until 2024, effectively taking a gap year. This year will allow me to fulfill all of my training requirements for the Marine Corps, as I have at this point enlisted into the Marine Corps Reserves. This will allow me to complete my duty of service to my country while I study at college. After I graduate from Hopewell, I will ship off to Parris Island, South Carolina for Basic Training, or boot camp, which is 13 weeks long. Then I will go to Marine Combat Training for about a month, and from there I will go to Pensacola, Florida for 15 weeks of Naval Aviation Aircrewman Candidate School to study to be a Helicopter Crew Chief. A crew chief is essentially responsible for the cabin and maintenance of a helicopter, along with assisting the pilots in flight and operating the helicopter weapons systems. Once this is complete I will go through Survival, Escape, Resistance, Evasion (SERE) school in Maine for another month. Having

completed all my training, I will serve as a Marine Corps Reservist, which entails monthly drills and summertime active duty. In September 2024, I will begin college at W&L, and concurrently serve my enlistment while earning my degree. Although I’m sure my long-term plans will continue to change and evolve as I do, I currently plan to volunteer for deployments once I graduate from W&L and pursue officer selection to become a Marine Corps Officer.

Katie Laitusis

I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to go straight into college after graduating from high school, but it’s not a race to jump into the workforce. I think now is the time when it’s easiest to travel the world and explore your interests. Even though it might feel like you’re falling behind all your friends, it doesn’t matter because you are going to be going to college with completely new people. I’m also still not sure what I want to study in college. I’m interested in lots of different fields like neuroscience, linguistics, forensics, psychology, film, and market-

ing and I want to explore those interests before college so that I can focus my studies better when I get there. That’s why the Congress Bundestag Vocational Youth Exchange (CBYX) program appealed to me because it allows you to complete internships in Germany and gain experience and exposure to career fields you might be interested in.The reason I want to go to Germany specifically is because I really want to become fully fluent in German. I’ve been learning German since 6th grade, and I feel pretty confident that I could engage in day-to-day situations and have basic conversations. However, I’m nowhere near fluent and I really want to follow this language through to the completion given I’ve spent so many years studying it.

What I most hope to gain through my gap year is a better understanding of myself. I want to discover my own identity and interests and how they fit into where I want to go in my life. I also want to fully immerse myself in a culture different from my own, become fully bilingual in German and English, and broaden my perspective on the way people view the world.

phYSicS deparTmenT engineering compeTiTion

Conqueror of the Hill (COH) is an annual engineering competition participated in by all first year physics students at the high school. Working in groups of up to three, students design and build a contraption using common household materials, such as plywood, mousetraps, jar lids and rubber bands. Throughout the design and construction process, students test and refine their devices to be able to score points as they perform on a plywood hill with a gentle, upward slope. The project culminates in a school-wide competition. This year, 106 teams competed against each other. This year’s winners were: Steven Daniels, Jack Elliott and Sahil Gujar.

Spring inTo Summer

Confirmed: meteorite strikes Titusville home

By Joe Emanski

Many is the time a homeowner has come across an unexpected object in a bedroom and looked to the heavens as if searching for an explanation.

Perhaps not so common is for that skyward glance to actually yield an answer to the question: where did this thing come from?

But Titusville resident Suzy Kop told area media that that is pretty much what happened on May 8 after she encountered an unidentified metallic object in a bedroom of her home.

The ranch-style residence is located on Old Washington Crossing Pennington Road. Hopewell Township Police were the first to report that the object penetrated the roof of the house and passed through the ceiling before impacting the hardwood floor and coming to a rest.

“It appears whatever came from the sky fell through the roof of the top window that’s my dad’s bedroom,” Kop told CBS News Philadelphia.

Her first thought was that someone had thrown a rock, before realizing that something more profound had probably happened.

“We are thinking it’s a meteorite, came through here, hit the floor here because that’s completely damaged, it ricocheted up to this part of the ceiling and then finally rested on the floor there,” Kop told CBS News.

She also said that she touched the object after discovering it, and it was warm.

HTPD said that the home was occupied at the time, but there were no injuries reported. The object was initially described as oblong in shape, appearing metallic, and measuring approximately 4 inches by 6 inches across.

The College of New Jersey physics pro-

fessor and physics department chair Nate Magee confirmed on May 11 that the object was, indeed, from outer space.

Based on visual examination, density measurements, scanning electron microscope images, and examination and input from retired meteorite expert Jerry Delaney, of Rutgers University and The American Museum of Natural History, TCNJ reported that the object was a stony chondrite meteorite.

It is most likely type LL-6, which means that it is lower in iron than most chondrite meteorites. It has been highly metamorphosed by intense heat even before entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Getting the chance to examine the meteorite yesterday was a rare and thrilling opportunity for me, as well as for a group of physics students and professors at TCNJ,” Magee said. “We are excited to

be able to confirm that the object is a true chondrite meteorite, in excellent condition, and one of a very small number of similar witnessed chondrite falls known to science.”

TCNJ reported that the meteorite weighed 984 grams, or 2.2 pounds, and is approximately 4.56 billion years old.

The meteorite is likely to be named based on the nearest postal address, which means its officially name is likely to be the “Titusville, NJ” meteorite.

The meteorite is believed to have been related to a meteor shower called the Eta Aquariids, which is ongoing.

There are three space phenomena whose similar names may lead to confusion for some people: meteor, meteoroid, and meteorite.

According to NASA, a meteoroid is a particle from a comet or asteroid orbit-

ing the sun. A meteor is the light phenomena which results when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere and vaporizes. Meteors are otherwise known as shooting stars.

A meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands upon the surface.

According to NASA, Earth is bombarded with more than 100 tons of dust and sand-sized particles every day. Space rocks smaller than about 25 meters (about 82 feet) will most likely burn up as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere and cause little or no damage.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, only one person in recorded history has ever been struck by a meteorite: Ann Hodges, of Sycalauga, Alabama, in 1954. Hodges suffered a deep bruise on her thigh.

Left: a meteorite as found in the Titusville home in which it was discovered. (Photo courtesy of Hopewell Township Police.) Right: The College of New Jersey physics professor Nate Magee examining the object as he attempts to determine if it originated in space. (Photo by Anthony DePrimo.)

MERCER COUNTY

LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) 2022-2023 PROGRAM ENDS June 30, 2023

MERCER COUNTY LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)

MERCER COUNTY LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) 2022-2023 PROGRAM ENDS June 30, 2023

The County of Mercer will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2022-23 until June 30, 2023. Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance:

2022-2023 PROGRAM ENDS June 30, 2023

The County of Mercer will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2022-23 until June 30, 2023. Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance:

The County of Mercer will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2022-23 until June 30, 2023. Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance:

MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES

MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES

MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES

* Federal income limits are subject to change during the program year. Please call for incomes above 8 persons.

* Federal income limits are subject to change during the program year. Please call for incomes above 8 persons.

* Federal income limits are subject to change during the program year. Please call for incomes above 8 persons.

The public is permitted to enter the building without an appointment at this time. If an inperson appointment is necessary, clients can call 609-337-0933 or email heatingappt@mercercounty.org to schedule an appointment. Applications can be sent by regular mail to 640 S. Broad Street Room 106, PO BOX 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068 or faxed to 609-278-2758.

The public is permitted to enter the building without an appointment at this time. If an inperson appointment is necessary, clients can call 609-337-0933 or email heatingappt@mercercounty.org to schedule an appointment. Applications can be sent by regular mail to 640 S. Broad Street Room 106, PO BOX 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068 or faxed to 609-278-2758.

The public is permitted to enter the building without an appointment at this time. If an inperson appointment is necessary, clients can call 609-337-0933 or email heatingappt@mercercounty.org to schedule an appointment. Applications can be sent by regular mail to 640 S. Broad Street Room 106, PO BOX 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068 or faxed to 609-278-2758.

The County will continue to receive applications up until the deadline of June 30, 2023 by regular mail, fax, email and in person. Applications, forms, and information can be accessed at this site: http://www.mercercounty.org/departments/housing-communitydevelopment/housing-and-community-development-programs

The County will continue to receive applications up until the deadline of June 30, 2023 by regular mail, fax, email and in person. Applications, forms, and information can be accessed at this site: http://www.mercercounty.org/departments/housing-communitydevelopment/housing-and-community-development-programs

The County will continue to receive applications up until the deadline of June 30, 2023 by regular mail, fax, email and in person. Applications, forms, and information can be accessed at this site: http://www.mercercounty.org/departments/housing-communitydevelopment/housing-and-community-development-programs

Applications can be sent by regular mail, fax, email and in person:

Mercer County LIHEAP/USF Programs

Applications can be sent by regular mail, fax, email and in person:

Board of County

Commissioners

Board of County Commissioners

Board of County Commissioners

640 S. Broad St, Room 106 P.O. Box 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068

Applications can be sent by regular mail, fax, email and in person: Mercer County LIHEAP/USF Programs

Mercer County LIHEAP/USF Programs

640 S. Broad St, Room 106 P.O. Box 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068

email address: housing@mercercounty.org Fax: 609-278-2758

640 S. Broad St, Room 106 P.O. Box 8068 Trenton, NJ 08650-0068

email address: housing@mercercounty.org

Fax: 609-278-2758

email address: housing@mercercounty.org

Fax: 609-278-2758

Brian M. Hughes, County Executive

Brian M. Hughes, County Executive

Brian M. Hughes, County Executive

Edward Pattik Housing Director

Edward Pattik Housing Director

KERR’S continued from Page 1

George Sr. and Lynn Kerr, who moved to Hopewell in 1978, and started up a dairy farm in the 1980’s.

“They were doing dairy, and most of the field work was grain and hay for the cows. Sweet corn was a little side gig, something to fill some space. Something to give me and my brother something to do,” Kerr says.

Geordie remembers selling the corn at the end of the family driveway back when he could still count up his age with just his fingers.

“If memory serves, we would only have it for like a couple weeks back in the 80’s,” Kerr recalls. “It started with my father (George Sr.) raising sweet corn — it was Silver Queen back then — and we would sell it out of the back of a pickup truck. My brother (Matt) and I were only 7, 8, 9 years old. Whatever money we made, we took to the Flemington Fair and spent it.” (Their younger brother, Tim, never really got involved.)

Kerr’s aunt and uncle owned Sweet Valley Farms in Ringoes, and they too sold sweet corn at the end of the driveway during the high season. “What we did always mirrored what they were doing a little bit,” Kerr says.

Over time, the Kerrs added other crops — peppers, eggplant, watermelon, squash, zucchini, cucumbers and finally, decorative plants and herbs. Around that time, Geordie went to college to major

in business. But it wasn’t for him, and he took a break before enrolling at Mercer County Community College to study plant science.

Around the same time, he began taking a bigger and bigger role in running the farm.

“I grew up with it, I guess I was just comfortable with it,” he says. “I like to joke with customers that my parents named me George, and the meaning of George is ‘husband and farmer,’ so I wasn’t given a chance at birth (to do anything else).”

One thing that he enjoys about farming is that no year is ever the same as any other year. “Every year, you try to produce the best thing you can. And when you get feedback from customers that they love your stuff, it makes you want to keep at it,” he says.

Kerr says that George Sr. has always been and remains the “chief corn grower,” while he oversees most of the other crops. The process of growing corn has changed over the years, as seed producers have bred corn varieties to be sweeter and sweeter.

Kerr believes that the non-sugarenhanced varieties his family grew in the 90’s and early 2000’s were superior to what is available for growing today, although he says that today’s corn is “still very good.”

“The big growers wanted stuff that could hold the sweetness for a long time,

Edward Pattik Housing Director

Katona Farms strawberries (Chesterfield) at Kerr’s Kornstand in May. Kerr’s grows much of the produce it sells, but outsources its supply from local growers as well. (Facebook photo/Kerr’s Kornstand.)

that could hold the sweetness for a long time, could handle shipping across the country,” Kerr says. “That’s where you get the supersweets. For me, that’s like cheating, it’s like popping a packet of sugar in your mouth, but that’s where things have gone.”

He says that in recent years, they have delved more deeply into plant science and soil chemistry in an effort to get the flavor of their corn where they want it to be.

This month at the farmstand, the Kerrs anticipate receiving many questions about when the corn will start to come in.

Kerr says that if the weather in June and early July is consistently warm, it might be ready early, but that doesn’t happen very often. He tells people to circle the date of July 10 on their calendars, and start checking in around then.

Late July and August is generally the peak season. Demand typically drops noticeably after Labor Day, although Kerr says that the diehard customers who keep coming by through September say the corn is at its height of sweetness then.

Right up there with corn for many Jersey produce aficionados are Jersey tomatoes, and Kerr’s grows a variety of tomatoes as well.

“We’ve been growing the same varieties for the last 10 years, like red beefsteaks. We try out new ones, but tend to stick with the ones we really like,” Kerr says. “My favorite ones are the ones that are on the softer side, that pack the most flavor.

While waiting for those crops come in, Kerr’s has greenhouse tomatoes from Sunhaven Farms in Hillsborough that he says are “as good as and sometimes better than your main season outdoors tomatoes.”

“Greenhouse tomatoes get a bad rap, but this guy has been doing a great job,” Kerr says. “He’s like a mad scientist.

Whatever he’s doing, he’s doing right.”

Like George Sr., mom Lynn is still involved. She and Geordie’s Aunt Kathy Jacob work at the stand, with Lynn taking charge of a lot of spring flower work.

Geordie’s wife, Shannon, is also involved, growing zinnias, sunflowers, liasanthus and other flowers to sell at the stand.

“She started doing summer cut flowers for the stand a few years ago after the Covid year,” Kerr says. “Her and her friend noticed how flowers were flying off the shelves everywhere, and decided to give it a try, and it’s been great. She’s pretty much a one-woman show now.”

Kerr, a graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High, and Shannon have two children: Riley, a sophomore at CHS, and Jack, a 7th grader at Timberlane Middle School.

“They help on the farm when asked,” Kerr says. “Jack and his friend from school sometimes do the Corn Express, a little table on the side of the parking lot for busy weekends when people just want their corn and don’t want to wait in line behind people getting all sorts of other stuff.”

Kerr’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May through the end of October each year. As the corn season winds down, Kerr’s focuses on pumpkins, mums and other fall decorative crops.

Kerr says his children were behind the decision to start growing pumpkins again after taking a break for a number of years.

“Too many years in a row we had complete crop failure with our pumpkins, but they wanted us to do it, so we’ve been growing pumpkins the last five-six years, and it’s been working well,” he says.

Kerr’s Kornstand, 317 Pennington–Rocky Hill Road, Pennington NJ 08534. Phone: (609) 730-1609. Web: facebook. com/kerrskornstand.

W. Reed Gusciora Mayor Sean Semple Acting Director

Legionella is a type of bacteria found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. It can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made building water systems.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, individuals, particularly those at high risk, can follow recommended steps to decrease the risk of Legionella exposure and best practices to limit the growth of Legionella in household water systems and devices:

 Avoid high-risk activities. If you are at an increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease, consider avoiding hot tubs, decorative fountains, power washing, or similar activities, which may generate increased amounts of aerosols or mist. A conversation with your health care provider may help you assess your individual level of risk based on underlying health conditions and co-morbidities. Your health care provider may recommend that you consider installing specialty biological 0.2-micron filters on your showerhead if you are severely immunocompromised.

 Maintain in-home medical equipment. If using medical equipment that requires water for use or cleaning such as non-steam generating humidifiers, CPAP or BiPAP machines, nasal irrigation devices such as Neti Pots, and attachments for nebulizers, follow manufacturer’s instructions for use and maintenance. This often includes using sterile water instead of tap water in the device.

 Clean and/or replace your showerheads and faucet aerators (screens) per manufacturer’s instructions at all times. This is particularly important if you haven’t cleaned your showerheads or faucet aerators recently. Cleaning might require you to remove the showerhead and hose and soak in a solution (such as white vinegar or a bleach solution) to remove buildup. If using chemicals, follow instructions found on the back of the bottle for safe use.

 Keep your water heater set to a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will reduce Legionella growth and avoid potential for scalding (hot water burns). Setting the heater to a higher temperature may better control Legionella growth, especially if you have household members at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease. However, if the temperature is set to greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, make sure you take extra precautions to mix cold and hot water at the faucet and shower to avoid scalding. If you have household members at increased risk of scalding, such as young children or older adults, you may consider installing a thermostatic mixing valve. A mixing valve allows your water to be stored at a higher temperature within your water heater to help kill bacteria while eliminating concerns with water being too hot at sinks or showers. If you decide to install a mixing valve, be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions for routine cleaning and maintenance to avoid bacteria growth within the valve. Consider consulting with a licensed plumbing professional and ensure you are following your local codes and ordinances for home plumbing repairs.

 After cleaning showerheads and faucet aerators and increasing the temperature of the water heater, thoroughly flush the water at each tap (e.g., sink, showerhead) for 20 minutes. Try to minimize exposure to splashing and mist generation, for example, by leaving the room while the water is running to flush the line.

 Conduct routine flushing. Sinks and shower taps that are not used often can increase the risk of Legionella growth in other areas of the home. Let your faucets and showers run for at least three minutes when they have been out of use for more than a week. Minimize exposure to splashing and mist generation, for example, by leaving the room while the water is running to flush the line. Additionally, you may consider flushing your water following any water disruption to your home, such as low pressure or discoloration, resulting from a water main break or nearby hydrant flushing.

 Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your water heater and expansion tank, including periodic flushing, draining, and removal of sediment. If manufacturer’s instructions are unavailable, seek advice from a licensed professional.

 Clean and/or replace all water filters per manufacturer’s instructions. All whole-house (e.g., water softeners) and point-of-use filters (e.g., built-in refrigerator filters) must be properly maintained.

 Drain garden hoses and winterize hose bibs. Detach and drain the hose, shut the water valve off inside the home, and drain the pipe when not in use for the season.

 Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your hot tub. Ensure disinfectant levels (e.g., chlorine) and maintenance activities (e.g., cleaning, scrubbing, replacing the filter and water) are followed. For more information, be sure to review the CDC’s recommendations for residential hot tub owners at cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/residential/index.html.

 Operate and maintain your indoor and outdoor decorative fountains according to manufacturer’s instructions to limit your exposure to Legionella. Household members at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease should avoid exposure to decorative fountains. If manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance are not available, minimum cleaning frequency recommendations can be found on the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/legionella/downloads/Control-ToolkitDecorative.pdf.

 Remove, shorten, or regularly flush existing dead legs. Plumbing renovations can lead to the creation of dead legs, a section of capped pipe that contains water but has no flow (or is infrequently used). For future renovations, ensure your plumber avoids creating dead legs.

Questions? Call Community Relations at (609) 989-3033. For updates on TWW's Legionella mitigation, visit trentonwaterworks.org/legionella and follow us on Facebook.

Meissner brothers help HoVal lacrosse to solid season

By Rich Fisher

While Luke Caldwell, Jacob Sanderson and Ryan Foret are earning the headlines as high-powered scorers for the Hopewell Valley Central High lacrosse team; a brother tandem is also helping to energize the Bulldogs engine in different ways.

Through HoVal’s 9-5-1 start, senior midfielder Mike Meissner led the team with 107 faceoffs won and 78 ground balls. He also chipped in 17 goals and five assists, and has been playing stellar defense in front of his freshman brother Dean, who took over in goal when Hopewell lost its expected senior starter at that position.

The two consider themselves wrestlers first and foremost. Mike will be going to The College of New Jersey to wrestle next year, and Dean hopes to follow him there and do the same thing.

They both bring a wealth of athletic skills to lacrosse.

“They’re definitely into a lot of different things athletically,” coach Matt Foret said. “They played hockey when they were young. They wrestle, they surf in the summertime; they do a bunch of different things. It’s something we, as a coaching staff, preach to our kids. We want them to be involved in more than just lacrosse. We think it makes for a more allaround athlete and helps on the lacrosse field.”

Each brother is thrilled to be playing with the other. It was a pleasant surprise when Dean became the starting goalie.

“It’s a great experience,” Mike said. “Before our goalie left, I didn’t think I would be able to have him play on the roster with me. But it’s been great, having him at practice every day.”

The veteran is quick to point out he doesn’t have to look out for his little brother during a game. “He’s a dog, he scraps for himself,” Mike said. He added

with a laugh: “He’s the one who starts the trouble. He’s always in it.”

Asked if he enjoys having one year to play with big bro, Dean said, “Absolutely. On the car ride home he’ll say, ‘You did this well today but you gotta call your slides,’ things like that. Just getting advice from a senior is amazing.”

In assessing their personalities, Foret feels Dean makes himself the more visible player on the field.

“Mike has that quiet, leadby-example quality to him,” the coach said. “Dean’s a lot more vocal, a lot more energetic player. He gets excited when he’s having success. Sometimes it’s hard to get young players to be vocal, but he really strives to be the vocal leader of the defense for us.”

Despite his youth and slight stature, the freshman has no problem being heard.

“I know I’m small, and don’t present myself as a very loud person, but I love talking,” Dean said. “I’m not afraid to not shy away from conversation, whether it’s good or bad, on the field.”

The two come from an athletic family. Their mom and dad, Anne and Jim, were both rowers in college, and Anne also played lacrosse.

“My mom played at the collegiate level, and we always had a stick in our hand,” Mike said. “We played baseball, but that was always too slow for us. We wanted to come out and play something where we can run and work off energy.”

Anne has also become a pretty energetic fan.

“At games you hear my mom absolutely screaming, whether it’s bad or good,” Dean said. “She’s a huge influence. They’re both amazing, they’re great athletes. Even my dad, he didn’t play lacrosse but just being around athletes he tells us things to do.”

Mike was the first to play

lacrosse, starting in the Hopewell rec league in third grade. He began wrestling a few years later. Dean was a wrestler first but dove into lacrosse due to Mike’s influence.

“He’s a big part of the reason why I play,” Dean said. “I like doing everything with him, it’s really cool. Even out here when I’m making saves and I pass him the ball it’s an amazing feeling.

“I didn’t start as a goalie, I just did it because we needed one in rec, and I stuck with it. I love goalie. The feeling you get when you make a save is awesome.”

The two were fairly awesome on the wrestling mat this past winter. Both finished second in the Mercer County Tournament, Dean won a district title and Mike took second in districts.

Prior to that, they spent the summer and fall surfing in Brigantine, where the family has a shore house. Dean also surfs in the Eastern Surfing Association

that Mike does more than just win faceoffs.

“He’s a very well-rounded midfielder,” the coach said. “He’s capable of playing offense, which he does for us this year. He’s capable of being effective defensively, which he’s done for us in the past as well. He’s a very multidimensional lacrosse player which is good for us.

“He’s also one of our captains. He shows every day, works hard. Doing faceoffs, you get dinged up a lot, and he doesn’t ever want to take any reps off in practice. He always shows up for his teammates.”

Then there is Dean, who has had several multi-save games as he learns the rigors of varsity play on the job in his first year.

which he says features “some high level surfing, but with all the sports we do we can’t attend to it as much now.”

By keeping so active in different areas, the brothers felt ready to roll when lacrosse season came around.

“It helps us not get burned out and we always have a love for the season,” Mike said. “Whenever we’re in a season we’re like ‘Oh this is our favorite sport’ and then we transfer and we love it the same. I think keeping the variety and disciplines that cross over really helps us.”

Dean added that, “It keeps you staying fresh. I love wrestling but at the end of the season I’m burnt out ready to go on to my next adventure. With surfing, it keeps you fresh, and it’s really relaxing. It’s good for your mental attitude.”

And that strong mindset has led to solid physical play on the field. Foret quickly points out

“He’s shown a lot of improvement since the beginning of the season,” Foret said. “It’s a hard position to master. Compared to hockey, there’s a lot more to it than just stopping the ball. You have to stop the ball but also communicate to your defense, you have to be involved in the clearing game. He’s growing in all facets of the game throughout the season.”

Dean gives credit to the entire program for helping ease him into the varsity pressure cooker.

“I wasn’t planning on being our varsity starter this year, and coach Foret was very accepting and the whole team was accepting in giving me this job,” Dean said. “I love it. We have a family here. Hopewell is an amazing organization on and off the field. They made me feel welcome. It’s awesome.”

And there is, of course, the family within the family. And with that comes good-natured brotherly trash talk.

If Dean makes a save on Mike, the older brother says, “He’ll let you know about it.” If Mike scores, “I’ll let him know about it.”

How often does this go on?

“All day,” Mike said.

When it comes to brothers, that sounds about right.

Freshman goalie Dean Meissner, and his brother, senior midfielder Mike Meissner, are playing together on the Hopewell Valley lacrosse team this season. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

Watkins to take over as head coach for Pennington football

Pennington School community, remains director of athletics at Pennington. He is a Trenton native, a 1975 graduate of Pennington, has been a member of the faculty since 1986, and has held the position of head varsity football coach since 1992.

The Pennington School has announced the appointment of Michael Watkins as head coach of the School’s long-running football program, effective in September 2023.

Current Head Coach Jerry Eure will remain director of athletics at the school. Watkins joined The Pennington School in the fall of 2022 to serve in three critical capacities—admission counselor, athletic liaison, and assistant coach for Varsity Football. Watkins joined the School’s coaching ranks with a tremendous depth of experience, serving most recently as the director of athletics and head football coach at Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, where he helped build a thriving program.

A Kean University graduate and fouryear defensive back starter, Watkins has dedicated the past two decades of his career to both developing talent on the field and identifying potential off the field. The Pennington School’s mission of developing individual excellence in all of its students, combined with Pennington football’s team philosophy, is what initially attracted Watkins to Pennington. He says: “I could see from the start the positive culture that has been created with Pennington’s football program through years of expert coaching from Head Coach Jerry Eure and his current coaching team. The Pennington athletes are willing and eager to learn; they leave

their egos to the side and are held to high expectations on and off the field. I feel very grateful to have this opportunity and am eager to help Pennington build on this strong foundation.”

Watkins knows that ensuring that scholar-athletes thrive and grow both academically and as part of their team is an essential component of success. “At Pennington, we are looking for well-rounded, team-minded scholar-athletes,” he notes. “We want our athletes to play multiple sports or join other activities in order to expand their horizons and discover new skills.”

Watkins has developed networks across the country, including with pro-

grams at Syracuse, Penn State, Michigan, Dartmouth, and West Point, and he enjoys helping players at all levels continue their love of the game in college.

Jerry Eure, known as “Chief” to the

A graduate of the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Eure led Pennington football teams to undefeated seasons in 1992 and 1993 and has had 152 career wins. Named Coach of the Year by area newspapers eight times, he was also named the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Coach of the Year in 1994.

Eure has taught health and driver education classes, and has also coached varsity and JV baseball and JV basketball. As a Pennington student, Eure earned the ranking of All State in football, basketball, and baseball; he was one of the School’s first Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. A four-year member of the Wyoming football team, he gained All-WAC team honors and All-American Honorable Mention status as a defensive back.

After a free-agent tryout with the NFL’s New York Giants, Eure spent several years in sales and management before returning to his alma mater to teach and coach.

Jerry “Chief” Eure and Mike Watkins.

Jerry ‘Chief’ Eure stepping down after more than 3 decades at the helm

Parks commission takes wildlife safety seriously on Baldpate

Lisa

Baldpate Mountain is home to the highest point in Mercer County. The upper parking lot is about a mile climb up the driveway. Recent tornadoes, snowstorms, and heavy rains left the sole road up the mountain loaded with potholes and erosion.

Safety is the top priority of Baldpate owner Mercer County Park Commission, so they planned to repave the driveway. Since Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space does research, reforestation, and joint land stewardship on the mountain under a formal Stewardship Assistance Agreement, the Park Commission naturalist staff called FoHVOS to discuss how the road closure could be timed to cause the least disruption to stewardship efforts, wildlife, and rare species. They also brought the New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife into the conversation.

Informed by wildlife research and observations made by Mercer County and FoHVOS, the state recommended that county officials consider adding subsurface wildlife crossings, also known as wildlife underpasses, that are designed to facilitate the safe movement of wildlife beneath the driveway. MCPC leadership enthusiastically pursued the suggestion.

“The Park Commission and Mercer County are committed to protecting, restoring, and learning more about the threatened and rare species throughout our park system,” said Aaron T. Watson, Mercer County Park Commission Executive Director. “Knowing that Baldpate Mountain harbors so many critical species, we were glad to invest in additional features to make our improved driveway up the mountain safe for not only people but also reptiles, amphibians and other local wildlife.”

The subsurface wildlife crossing areas, located under the roadway, are not observable to human visitors. However, park users will notice guide fences along the driveway. The guide fence is constructed to stop wildlife from heading into the road. It is too tall for reptiles to climb over; it is designed to guide their travel along the fence until they reach the underpass.

Subsurface crossings are customized for the species that they target. In this case, they are specified and sized for reptiles and amphibians, though other wildlife may use them as well.

Kris Schantz, NJDEP Principal Zoologist, shared: “Fish & Wildlife’s

Endangered and Nongame Species Program staff are very pleased with Mercer County’s implementation of reptile and amphibian passages on one of their busy park roads. The area has long been documented for various species, and such passages will improve their ability to safely move about the landscape.”

However, she also cautioned that there may be a delay before the passages are used frequently. “It will take time for reptiles and amphibians to locate and use the passages, but yes, ultimately I do believe it will help reduce road mortality along this road,” she said. As animals use the crossings, she added, they will leave a scent that more wildlife will follow.

FoHVOS and MCPC will install cameras to track usage over time.

Schantz also added that the DEP and the Department of Transportation have spent the last decade improving the design of terrestrial (land animal) wildlife passages while still meeting DOT regulatory and safety requirements.

DEP created an initiative called Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey (CHANJ — pronounced “change”) that promotes mitigation techniques to help reduce roadkill. Schantz credits CHANJ mapping capabilities with improving planning efforts, as the DOT is able to see which of their proposed/planned projects are “flagged” for wildlife passage needs.

Tyler Christensen, FoHVOS Land Steward and Ph.D. candidate studying copperhead habitat use and spatial ecology at Rutgers University, has been mapping wildlife movement on Baldpate Mountain since 2014. Copperhead snakes are a species of special concern in New Jersey. Their population numbers are

severely declining and they may become a candidate to be listed as threatened.

Christensen has consistently documented assorted snakes and turtles that have been hit by cars and found dead on the Baldpate driveway. He observed a small spike in 2021 which may be attributable to increased traffic and usage during the pandemic.

“From our research of the copperheads at Baldpate Mountain, we discovered that this area was being used as a travel corridor,” Christensen noted.  “In more remote habitats, copperheads traveling from place to place only have to worry about exposing themselves to natural predators.  To minimize this risk, they are phenomenally well-camouflaged, blending in perfectly against rocks and leaf litter.  However, camouflage offers copperheads no protection against vehicle tires, and snakes are in danger of being killed every time they cross our driveway.  If successful, the new wildlife crossing at Baldpate Mountain will address a major threat to one of our state’s most vulnerable snakes.”

Christensen stressed that even in areas where copperheads are present, their shy, secretive nature makes encounters extremely uncommon. Moreover, the ability to use an underpass will make it even less likely they will cross the path of humans. The crossings offer a dual benefit of both reducing human/ wildlife interaction and promoting the conservation of diverse species to maintain healthy ecosystems.

Providing safe passage across otherwise fragmented landscapes is crucial for the long-term survival of animal populations, but knowing where

to locate wildlife passages requires research and tracking for the best results. While Tyler Christensen mapped wildlife paths using manual entry, the DEP CHANJ mapping tool allows the public to submit on-road observations of animals of all kinds to help NJ DEP Fish and Wildlife identify problem spots for wildlife on roadways.

MacKenzie Hall, NJDEP Biologist on the CHANJ team, believes that New Jersey will see an exponential increase in underpass numbers. Hall stated, “Wildlife crossings aren’t super common — yet! — but there are at least 30 projects in the ground across NJ, and about a dozen more in the planning or permitting stages.  You can see them all in our CHANJ web viewer (at CHANJ. nj.gov).”

Hall noted that the sudden increase in wildlife crossings is primarily due to a 2016 Flood Hazard Area Rule that requires dry passage for land animals under bridges and culverts when certain conditions apply. A local example in Hopewell was the bridge on Route 518 over the Bedens Brook. Since it was being replaced under the new Flood Hazard rules, “the new bridge was built wider and with dry shelves added on both sides of the stream for wildlife to use below the road.”

“We expect that number to increase significantly over time.  The Flood Hazard rules alone have advanced the cause exponentially in a pretty short time frame.  There’s also more attention now on connectivity & roads issues than ever before, and the recent Infrastructure Act offers up historic support for wildlife crossings.  And the CHANJ project tools and all these early projects in the ground in NJ have really helped us crest the learning curve - figuring out where wildlife crossings should go, how to design them effectively, and how to communicate the really important elements between agencies, engineers and contractors.  There’s a ton to do, but the pieces are falling into place,” Hall concluded.

Mercer County Park Commission is leading the way by incorporating these features in the Baldpate driveway upgrade. Their subsurface wildlife crossings set a great example for other municipalities by sponsoring wildlife conservation, maintaining connectivity, improving road safety, and promoting a harmonious coexistence between human infrastructure and natural habitats.

Lisa Wolff is the executive director of Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space. Email: lwolff@fohvos.org.

Left: The guide fence stops wildlife from heading into the road and promotes travel along the fence to reach the underpass.. Right: The wildlife underpass helps reduce road mortality by facilitating wildlife crossing beneath the driveway.

Township adopts budget resulting in lower taxes for

Kevin D. Kuchinski FRom THE ToWNsHIp

The Hopewell Township Committee is committed to delivering the services our residents expect for the lowest possible cost.

Our guiding philosophy has been, “it’s your money, and we need to get the best value out of every dollar.”

I am happy to announce that Hopewell Township’s 2023 municipal tax rate will decrease by -0.7% vs. last year. Once again, we have held the line on spending, and our efforts to diversify and broaden the tax base are working.

This year’s municipal budget is not only below New Jersey’s 2% cap, but also delivers net spending well below the underlying U.S. rate of inflation.

Here’s one simple example of how we are doing more with less: the purchase of double-axle Public Works vehicles allow us to carry two times more salt, brush and leaves versus traditional Public Works trucks.

The continued increase in the township’s ratables base is also contributing to a lower tax rate per $100 of assessed value. This past year, the township’s ratable base increased by +2.7%, as our efforts to attract new investments in our community like BeiGene and to improve home values, are starting to bear fruit.

We expect to see significant additional gains in the years ahead, which will further reduce the burden on residential property taxpayers. These gains not only help lower municipal taxes, but also reduce township residents’ share of school, county and fire district taxes.

Our new Tourism and Economic Development Advisory Committee is working to attract the right balance of new Main Street businesses as well as larger corporate investments like PTC Therapeutics and BeiGene in Hopewell Township.

Additionally, we are successfully utilizing monies recouped from the Woodmont and Lennar projects, for the benefit of current residents. Last year, we secured over $2 million in rollback taxes from Woodmont and Lennar, which we are utilizing to bolster our surplus balance (now over $11 Million dollars), and to fund the direct capital purchase of important projects across the township. Within the 2023 Capital Budget, this funding includes the replacement of our aged turf field at Twin Pines, the

purchase of a new police SUV, and preservation and upgrades at the historic schoolhouse at the corner of Scotch and Washington Crossing–Pennington Roads.

Importantly, this latter funding will trigger additional private investment into the preservation of this community landmark.

But our work is not yet done. The Township Committee is working towards longer-term savings opportunities. These include further reducing township debt. Approximately one in four dollars in this year’s budget goes to paying off prior year capital purchases and other obligations.

They also include negotiating additional shared service agreements, including the recent agreement with the boroughs on Health and Animal Control, and shifting employees to new health coverage that delivers competitive benefits at significantly lower cost.

We have now closed on new labor agreements with our union partners that cement these gains.

Looking ahead, we expect to begin seeing significant new revenues from our PILOT, or Payment in Lieu of Taxes, agreements with BeiGene and others in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. With these additional revenues and our ongoing efforts to reduce spending, we foresee continued progress towards tax reduction in the years ahead.

It’s gratifying to see this progress, after all the hard work by our township team, our professionals and my fellow committee members over the past six months.

If you have questions or other ideas on how we can make township government more effective and efficient, please feel free to reach out to me or any one of the other committee members. My direct email is kdkhopewelltwp@gmail.com

439-8044.

Kevin D. Kuchinski is a member of the Hopewell Township Committee. Hopewell Township provided this content.

A new truck (left) and an older truck, side by side.

Guardian of the garden

Robin Schore sCHoRE To pLEAsE

If you are unemployed, retired or just a deadbeat, you have probably already been spending lots of time in your garden.

If you have a job, you still have weekends and evenings to dig the earth.

Your first task is to turn the soil in your vegetable garden. Either relish the exercise, or be a wimp and rent a roto-tiller.

Next, you need to buy seeds. If you are a cheapskate, like me, you’ve saved seeds from last year’s crop. I saved string bean seeds from year to year for a decade until last summer’s drought left me with nothing but desiccated stems.

If you forgot to start tomato seedlings, maybe you have friends with greater foresight and extra sprouts that they just might pass on to you.

A tip for planting tomatoes that may or may not be valid, scatter egg shells in the soil under the seedlings to avoid blossom-end rot. You need to have been

collecting egg shells since January.

By the time you are ready to use the shells, they should be really ripe, and will repel all vermin as well as members of your household.

One baleful tragedy is flowers that don’t flower. When one of my five peonies repeatedly failed to bloom, I consulted the source of all wisdom — Google — and rediscovered that peonies need lots of sunlight. My failed peony was in full sun in the spring but by early summer, was completely overshadowed by a 10-foot butterfly bush. I transplanted the peony, and can’t wait for next summer.

The most essential requirement for gardening in Hopewell is to set up a system to counter predation by

voracious, disgusting, hateful deer.

In addition to an appetite for all vegetables, deer love are azaleas, hosta, lilies, and hydrangeas, among other plants.

Among the plants that deer don’t like to eat: bee balm, bleeding hearts, daffodils, irises, lavender, mint, peonies, poppies. and zinnias.

Among the deer that I like to eat: all of them.

To protect your vulnerable vegetation, you can start with stinky spray and netting, but you have to spray regularly. Sometimes, out of sheer perversity, the deer will ignore the spray or develop a fondness for the stench.

Despite what it says on the container, a good rainstorm washes away the spray, so that when you come out the morning after a downpour, your just-about-tobloom Therese Bugnet roses have been reduced to a thorny stalk.

I’ve given up on defensive measures. Currently, all my plantings are surrounded by electrified barbed wire, anti-tank mines and a pack of underfed Dobermans.

Is this the year to plant a natural wall between yourself and your neighbors to enable some discreet nude sunbathing? Or, perhaps, you want to shelter yourself from your hard-to-look-at neighbors indulging in indiscreet nude sunbathing.

Much worse, you might be living next to one of those pathological hoarders who stores a dozen junk cars in the yard or rows of dead washing machines or broken lawnmowers awaiting some catastrophic shortage for which they will be prepared.

Yews make a fine shield year round, but deer eat them.

If you want something really walllike, plant bamboo. But for sheer selfdestructiveness, that’s like taking a stroll in the fast lane of the New Jersey Turnpike. Bamboo spreads fast and is impossible to eradicate.

Take a look at the grove next to the Borough’s Gazebo Park to see bamboo at its most overwhelming. If you insist on bamboo, it’s best to acquire a pair of

hungry pandas to keep the growth in check.

Green Giant arbor vitae fills in quickly, a wall that deer don’t eat.

If you want to go to heaven, there are two direct gardening paths. The first is to collect water by attaching a rain barrel to your roof’s downspout. Not only can you keep up with watering your garden, but you are also lowering your water bill and saving a drought-stricken planet.

The other direct route to heaven is to set up a compost heap. All those cucumber and carrot ends, orange rinds and banana peels, apple cores and bits of rotty lettuce that came as a surprise from the supermarket can be transformed into wonderfully rich soil.

To speed up the composting process, it’s best to add manure, available from local farms or harvested from speeches by certain members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

You can buy an elaborate composter that turns with the touch of a remote control or make a simple enclosure of fencing that gets turned by pitchfork periodically.

Despite all temptation, do not compost the neighbor’s dog that barks day and night or the neighbor who yells at the dog day and night.

Saving the earth from your garbage will atone for all sins, including coughing without covering your mouth, blaspheming and laughing inappropriately during sad movies.

I’ve given up on defensive measures against the deer. Currently, all my plantings are surrounded by electrified barbed wire, anti-tank mines and a pack of underfed Dobermans.

(Facebook photo/FoHVOS.)

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