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Eilbacher helps lead Post 414 to Final 8

BY RICH FISHER

Lawrence Post 414 manager Jason Zegarski was looking forward to having a doublebarreled Eilbacher attack this summer.

It didn’t quite work out that way but, as “Ziggy” discovered, having one in the fold can still be pretty profitable.

Recent Notre Dame graduate Lance Eilbacher played in the Mercer County American Legion League for the first time and made quite an impact.

The Titusville resident hit .348 in the regular season and was second on the team to fellow Hopewell Township product Jeffrey Blake with 24 hits. (Blake had 25, along with a .410 average and 23 RBI). Eilbacher was third on the squad with 20 RBI, led the team with 11 doubles, and added one triple and two home runs.

In Lawrence’s 14-1 win over Washington Township in the District 4 State Tournament, which gave Post 414 its fourth straight appearance in the State Final 8, Eilbacher contributed with two hits and two RBI. In an 8-6 district win over North Hamilton two days earlier, he had two more hits.

Lawrence began Final 8 play

July 21, and while Zegarski has cherished Lance’s contributions, he can only dream what it would have been like to have his twin brother Logan on the team.

“The plan was to have them both,” the manager said. “But Logan got hurt in one of the later Notre Dame games and unfortunately had to get surgery on his shoulder.”

The twin terrors were outstanding in their final two years with Notre Dame. This past season Logan led the Irish in hitting at .493 with a team-high 33 hits, 26 RBI, 11 doubles and three homers. Lance checked in at .392 with 31 hits, five doubles, three triples, a homer and 12 RBI. Both scored 22 runs. In their junior seasons, they each hit over .400 and combined for 38 runs and 38 RBI.

This was not the first summer they did not play together, as they were on different squads with the Diamond Jacks travel program. But the two always motivate each other.

“He pushes me a lot,” Lance said. “Off-season is a big time for me and him. We go to the cages together, we push each other. It’s like having a builtin throwing partner. We’ll go out there, I’ll throw to him, he

See EILBACHER, Page 12

Jane Zamost and the art of ‘Healing Through Art’

BY SUSAN VAN DONGEN

Remember art class in school, that special few hours every week when we reveled in paint and paper and felt-tipped pens? Or maybe you used to doodle in the margins of your lesson book when you should have been absorbing algebra? Drew on the sidewalk? What happened to that spirit?

So many of us have left the paint-splashed, ink-stained soul behind, to attend to work and family and the household, the daily grind.

But if we dig down, shrug off the inner and outer critics, and learn to play again, we become re-energized and discover that the natural artist is still alive inside.

That’s the main message

behind artist and healing arts instructor Jane Zamost’s popular workshops — that we’re all creative.

She invites those who feel stuck in a rut, bereft of creativity, to gather our pads of paper, pencils, scissors, crayons, paints, and brushes, and just play for half an hour or even 15 minutes every day.

See ZAMOST, Page 6

“Blessed Chaos” (left) and “Lefty III,” artworks by Pennington artist Jane Zamost.

AROUND TOWN Somerset Patriots tribute game to honor Black baseball

The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum is partnering with the Somerset Patriots for their inaugural Negro League tribute game on Sunday, Aug. 27.

The Somerset Patriots will honor the New York Black Yankees at the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. The Patriots take on the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies) at 1:05 p.m.

SSAAM, central New Jersey’s only museum telling the story of African Americans in this region from the time of the transatlantic slave trade to the present day, supports this event honoring the history and legacy of the New York Black Yankees: a Negro League baseball team of the 1930’s and ’40s. At a time when Major League Baseball excluded Black athletes, Negro League teams gave African Americans a path to play professional baseball.

On Aug. 27, the Somerset Patriots will

play in special jerseys with the SSAAM logo as well as a newly-designed logo honoring the Black Yankees. These game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off live after the event to benefit SSAAM’s mission and educational programming.

“I’ve loved baseball since rooting for the 1986 championship-winning Mets, but my history with the sport is a bit deeper,” said SSAAM executive director Donnetta Johnson.

Johnson grew up near Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, and attended Jackie Robinson Junior High School. “Jackie Robinson was a groundbreaking sports and civil rights hero to me and I’ve always been proud that I was born the year Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame,” Johnson said.

Jackie Robinson got his professional start in baseball in the Negro Leagues, as did Black ball players from the Sourland region. SSAAM co-founder Elaine Buck’s

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.

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Joe Emanski (Ext. 120)

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rich Fisher, Susan Van Dongen

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Robin Schore, Lisa Wolff

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Stacey Micallef ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Christine Storie (Ext. 115) TO ADVERTISE call Christine Storie (609) 396-1511, ext. 115 or e-mail cstorie@communitynews.org

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cousin, Roy “Campy” Campanella, was a Hall of Fame Brooklyn Dodger who first played in the Negro Leagues and Mexican Leagues. Buck remembers Campanella visiting her childhood home in a big car with candy for all the children.

SSAAM co-founder Beverly Mills’s father William Wallace Smith, known as “Shud,” was a player for the Pennington All-Stars in the 1940s. Board member Patricia Payne, who grew up at the True Farmstead—a historically African American Farmstead now part of the SSAAM campus in Skillman—during the 1940s and ’50s, fondly remembers watching her baseball heroes play in person.

Payne recalls attending many local, New York, and Philadelphia Negro League, American League, and National League games.

Tickets for the tribute game, supporting SSAAM and Minor League Baseball’s “The Nine” initiative, are available at so6. glitnirticketing.com/soticket/cms/view. php?id=tile_SSAAM.

For more information about the Somerset Patriots Black Yankees tribute game on August 27, visit www.milb.com/ somerset/community/black-yankees.

To learn more about the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, visit ssaamuseum.org.

8th annual Full Moon Bike Ride set for September

On Saturday, Sept. 30, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and Mercer County Park Commission will host their eighth Full Moon Bike Ride at Rosedale Lake in Mercer Meadows.

The six-mile loop ride on the LHT and other Mercer Meadow trails is intended to offer a “magical experience,” with twinkling lights under a tree canopy, live music along the trail, glow-in-the-dark features, and a campfire with s’mores near Rosedale Lake. There is also a bike decorating contest, offering participants a chance to win prizes.

The Full Moon Bike Ride begins at 7:30 p.m. with a sendoff near the Rosedale Lake parking area, though participants can arrive later. Registration will open at 7 p.m., as will the campfire and music. Participants are welcome to arrive early and bring a picnic dinner.

Adults and children of all ages are welcome at the activities around Rosedale Lake, with the expectation that adults supervise children at all times. The Full Moon Bike Ride itself is open to adults and children aged 12 and above.

Registration for riders is $20 for adults (18 and over) and $15 for youth (12 to

See NEWS, Page 4

17). Adult registration is $25 at the event. Details and registration at- lhtrail.org/ annual-fullmoonride. The 2023 Full Moon Bike Ride T-shirt will be available for pre-purchase.

Nonprofits can email the LHT (info@ lhtrail.org) for group rates. There is no fee for nonriders. The event is a fundraiser for the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, a nonprofit corporation.

For riders under 18, helmets are required by law. The LHT encourages helmets for all riders for safety reasons, and also highly recommends the use of front and rear bike lights. Moonlight, even on a clear night, will not fully light the trail in the woods.

Participants should use the park entrance on Federal City Road between Blackwell Road and Old Mill Road in Hopewell Township. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 1, but if rain forces the change, the program will be limited to the ride.

County, LHT hoping to establish ‘Johnson Trolley Trail Corridor’

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation is joining Mercer County to assess the feasibility of a walking and biking

route that could one day connect Trenton, Ewing, Lawrence and Princeton.

The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation says that connecting the almostcompleted 22-mile LHT to neighbor-

ing communities is a top priority for the organization.

The $175,000 award to Mercer County comes from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Metropolitan

Planning Organization for the Greater Philadelphia region that includes Mercer County. It is one of six grants made to New Jersey applicants this year.

The grant will allow Mercer County to hire consultants who will work with its planning department, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation, and officials in Trenton, Ewing, Lawrence, and Princeton to assess what is being called the Johnson Trolley Trail Corridor.

Based on the findings of this feasibility study, funding could then be sought to do detailed design and engineering work, followed eventually by construction.

“We are very grateful to the DVRPC, Mercer County, the City of Trenton, Ewing and Lawrence Townships, and the Municipality of Princeton as partners in this endeavor,” Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation chair David Sandahl said in a media release. “Working together, we will make the vision of reconnecting our communities a reality.”

“This grant is a crucial step in helping the LHT connect to these communities,” said Lisa Serieyssol, the LHT’s executive director. “Trails and active transportation networks are essential infrastructure to address equitably the most pressing issues facing our region--from economic development, to climate resiliency, mobility, and bicyclist and pedestrian safety.”

Township resident since 1998 and married to Tracy Vogler, with three children (all CHS graduates) and two Labrador Retrievers.

Penn State and Georgetown Law graduate.

Proven leader in the public and private sectors.

Elm Ridge Park resident since 2003 with his wife, Leslie, four kids and two labradoodles.

Successful corporate leader and small business owner, with 30+ years of experience.

Dedicated volunteer: Hopewell Valley Education Foundation. Chair, St. James Finance Council, American Red Cross, NJ Conservation Foundation, Former Watershed trustee.

A rider on a decorated bike prepares to ride in a previous Lawrence Hopewell Trail Full Moon Bike Ride. (Photo courtesy of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail.)

Mayor Michael Ruger

Committee Member & Former Mayor Kevin Kuchinski

New in Town: Enzene Biosciences

Enzene Biosciences, Ltd., a Pune, Indiabased biotech company is planning to open a manufacturing plant at the Princeton West Innovation Campus in Hopewell. The announcement was made last month by Choose New Jersey, a nonprofit economic development organization.

Enzene Biosciences, a subsidiary of Alkem Laboratories, Ltd., provides services to global pharmaceutical companies, partnering with them in their drug development and manufacturing processes. According to the announcement, the company will initially hire 50 employees and grow to 300 employees at its New Jersey facility.

“The strong relationship between New Jersey and India has gained increasing momentum since we opened the New Jersey India Center to cultivate economic opportunities during our trip to the country in 2019,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “I am proud to welcome Enzene Biosciences and their expanding global presence to New Jersey’s flourishing life sciences industry. New Jersey’s favorable business environment, skilled workforce, strategic location, supportive ecosystem for growth, and deep cultural ties are why Indian companies thrive in our state.

Enzene Biosciences’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will bring hundreds of jobs and generate $50 million in economic investments in our state, further solidifying New Jersey’s position as an innovation economy leader.”

Choose New Jersey met representatives from Enzene during a business attraction mission to India in 2022. Enzene’s successful expansion was supported by Choose New Jersey, the New Jersey India Center, Reed Smith, and JLL Capital Markets. Enzene, with assistance from Choose New Jersey, connected with in-state partners, including construction firms, human resources and payroll services, business insurance providers, township leadership, and universities.

Enzene says that its local manufacturing capabilities will provide North American biopharmaceutical companies with “streamlined supply chains, fast turnaround times, enhanced communication, and greater control over the manufacturing process. By providing comprehensive manufacturing capabilities under one roof, Enzene is well-positioned to support the development and production of a diverse range of biologics, contributing to the advancement of global healthcare and positively impacting patients’ lives worldwide.”

More information: enzene.com.

“Creativity should be part of our daily life,” says the Pennington resident. “I believe that everyone is creative, but they just don’t recognize this characteristic in themselves. That doesn’t just include art; it’s how a person dresses or gardens, or even does math. The way in which we process life is, in fact, a form of creativity.”

When life is going well, our spirits and freedom can blossom through creativity in exponential ways, Zamost says. “When life is challenging, creativity offers us a respite from the day and the ability to find our flow. In my opinion, it’s a necessity in our lives, no different from nourishing ourselves well and staying fit.”

The former Healing Arts Program Coordinator for Capital Health in Hopewell, Zamost says it’s physically and psychologically healing for people to recognize their special gifts and adds that artistic enjoyment encourages our innate optimism.

“I am continually amazed

by the restorative impact that art holds for both its maker and audience,” she says in her artist’s statement. “The heart slows, the mind focuses, and the room transforms.”

About a year ago, Zamost needed to apply what she advises, and remember the “glass half-full” attitude that normally carries her through life. In March 2022, she fractured her shoulder in three places.

“I learned first-hand what I’ve been advocating for years: the power of art in healing. It was a time of great pain for me, as my dominant arm was in a sling for six weeks. I couldn’t dress, drive, sleep properly, do much for myself — in other words, I was fairly miserable.”

One day a couple of weeks post-accident, she decided to see if the power of art could offer her solace. “I gathered easy art supplies — a smallsized paint pad and watercolors. I put on my favorite music and tested myself. Would my body comply? I was amazed that when my right, dominant hand could no longer function, ‘lefty’

would come to my rescue, if I just asked,” she says. Zamost says because she was so focused on the process, she found that her pain lessened, and her frustration and depression subsided, too.

“I shocked myself and thought, ‘This is exactly what you teach,’” she says. “I had never been on this side of the situation. I forgot about my misery. Creativity quite honestly saved me.”

Indeed Zamost’s “Lefty” series, the left-handed work from her healing period, as well as other free-spirited, colorfilled creations, are on view at the Arts Council of Princeton’s exhibition, “Inspired by Optimism,” that was on display in April and May.

“The call from the Arts Council for works for ‘Optimism’ came during the pandemic,” she says, noting that simply surviving the Covid-19 years is a reason to cheer.

Zamost’s road to running her own healing-through-art workshops began with her time volunteering at Capital Health.

“I started on the ‘art cart,’ (a mobile cart filled with art supplies for the patients to play with) and managed it for a time. I loved it so much,” she says. “I saw people of all ages, with all kinds of illnesses. When you go into their rooms and see them, you try and assess what they might be able to do.”

She would see that a person was bedridden and seemed

See ZAMOST, Page 11

“Where Do We Go From Here?” painting by Jane Zamost.

Excellence in Stroke Care

Capital Health Regional Medical Center Earns National Awards for

Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) recently received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Quality Achievement Award. This award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

The American Heart Association also awarded Capital Health Regional Medical Center its Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between a patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke.

Capital Health Regional Medical Center earned these awards by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients also receive education on managing their health and have a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

“For many years now, our community has come to rely on Capital Health to provide the most advanced stroke care possible,” said Dr. Dustin Rochestie, director of the Stroke Program and director of Neurology and Neuro Critical Care at Capital Institute for Neurosciences. “By meeting and exceeding the standards established by the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines initiative at RMC—which is home to Capital Institute for Neurosciences and our Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center—we demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ensuring more stroke patients in Central New Jersey and Lower Bucks County can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Additionally, Capital Health Regional Medical Center received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Hospitals that qualify for this recognition ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

Stroke is a time-sensitive emergency. If you suspect you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke, B-E F-A-S-T to know the signs of a stroke and call 911 immediately.

B

Balance

—

Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance?

E— Eyes

Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?

—

A

Face Drooping

Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb?

— Arm Weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

— Speech Difficulty

Is speech slurred? Is the person is unable to speak or hard to understand? As the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

— Time to call 911

If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptom appeared.

UNDERSTANDING CLINICAL TRIALS

In the medical field, researchers are constantly looking for new information to prevent and cure diseases, treat symptoms, and provide a better quality of life to those who are suffering. One way of gathering this information is through conducting clinical trials.

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is now an NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) affiliate site. As a participating site, Capital Health Cancer Center now offers 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. DR. CATALDO DORIA, medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center, leads a team that is dedicated to working with patient volunteers in order to achieve the best outcomes of the studies.

“I think the best way that we achieve the goal is to be one hundred percent honest with the patient and to describe the important details,” said Dr. Doria. “One session might not be enough. One single conversation might not be enough. Sometimes you have to give the patient the time to digest the information. You have to be in the position of giving the patient some materials that he or she can read. And then sometimes you have to follow up with another phone call or with another visit.”

People participate in clinical trials for different reasons. Patients with cancer may want to have access to the latest drugs or treatments. By doing so, they receive added care and attention by the physician and care team. Others may want to help researchers and help patients with the same disease in the future.

After a promising drug has been tested in the lab, it needs to be tested in a clinical trial. As an NCORP participating site, Capital

Health Cancer Center’s team of providers and researchers 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.

When participants volunteer for a study, they are informed about the risks and benefits of the study. To best understand the potential risks, it’s important for participants to have a conversation with the researchers or points of contact in the study. These professionals are always open to communicating and begin by sharing what is known as clinical trial protocol, which includes:

… The goal of the study

… Who qualifies to take part in the trial

Details about tests, procedures, and treatments

… The expected length of the trial

… What information will be gathered

In addition to the clinical trial protocol, it’s crucial for volunteers to always ask questions so they have a full understanding of the study and can determine if it is a good fit for them.

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 a Cancer Center physician.

Gynecologic (GYN) Cancer Support Group

Second Tuesday of

Every

Month | 10 − 11 a.m. | Location: Zoom

Meeting

Our newest support group is designed specifically for women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers (ovarian, uterine, cervical, vulvar, vaginal). Our support group offers a safe space to share experiences, learn from one another and obtain the social support needed to develop a healthy sense of well-being. This group is open to all from diagnosis to survivorship regardless of where you are receiving your treatment. Meetings will be held virtually via Zoom.

There is no cost to participate, but pre-registration is required. To register, scan the QR code or visit capitalhealth.org/events.

@capitalhealthnj

capitalhealthcancer.org

CAPITAL HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER – HOPEWELL REDESIGNATED AS A BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL

ONE OF 13 BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITALS IN NEW JERSEY

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell in Pennington, New Jersey has again achieved the international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States.

Being Baby-Friendly means Capital Health meets the highest standards of care for breastfeeding parents and their babies. These standards are built on the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,” a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.

“I would like to congratulate our entire team for their extraordinary commitment to our patient community. This third Baby-Friendly® designation ranks us among a select group of facilities that demonstrate an abiding commitment to ensuring every parent feels confident and comfortable feeding their new baby,” said Alexandra Nelson, divisional director of Maternal Child Health Services, Capital Health.

“From the prenatal setting, to inpatient care, and into our pediatric clinic, our teams are wholly committed to providing excellent clinical care grounded in compassion and responsiveness to each family’s unique goals,” said Melanie Miller, manager of Lactation Services at Capital Health. “We are proud to have maintained this designation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and to have grown our services to include expanded in-house lactation support and increased access to human donor milk.”

The positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. According to the Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support

Breastfeeding, “breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.” Maternity Services at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is the most comprehensive maternity program in the area. From routine deliveries to high-risk needs, services at the Josephine Plumeri Birthing Center provide a full range of prenatal, obstetrical, postpartum, and neonatal care options so newborns have the greatest chance for a healthy start. In addition, the Regional Perinatal Center at Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell provides neonatal care, including Mercer County’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for at-risk births. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org/maternity.

FREE UPCOMING CHILDBIRTH AND PARENT EDUCATION CLASSES

For more information, or to register, visit capitalhealth.org/childbirth.

NEW PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell

One Capital Way

Pennington, NJ 08534

August 7, 2023 | 1:15 p.m.

August 14, 2023 | 1:15 p.m.

BABY CARE BASICS CLASS

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell

One Capital Way

Pennington, NJ 08534

August 8, 2023 | 6 p.m.

August 22, 2023 | 6 p.m.

September 12, 2023 | 6 p.m.

UNDERSTANDING BIRTH ONE-DAY CONDENSED

PREPARED CHILDBIRTH CLASS Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell

One Capital Way

Pennington, NJ 08534

August 12, 2023 | 9:30 a.m.

August 26, 2023 | 9:30 a.m.

September 9, 2023 | 9:30 a.m.

UNDERSTANDING BREASTFEEDING CLASS

Zoom

August 7, 2023 | 6 p.m.

August 16, 2023 | 6 p.m.

August 21, 2023 | 6 p.m.

FIND A CAPITAL HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PRIMARY CARE OFFICE NEAR YOU

1. Capital Health Primary Care – Bordentown 100 K Johnson Boulevard N., Suite 101, Bordentown, NJ 08505 609.298.2005 | capitalhealth.org/bordentown

2. Capital Health Primary Care – Browns Mills 6 Earlin Avenue, Suite 290, Browns Mills, NJ 08015 609.303.4560 | capitalhealth.org/brownsmills

3. Capital Health Primary Care – Brunswick Avenue 832 Brunswick Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08638 609.815.7400 | capitalhealth.org/brunswickavenue

4. Capital Health Primary Care – Columbus 23203 Columbus Road, Suite I, Columbus, NJ 08022 609.303.4450 | capitalhealth.org/columbus

5. Capital Health Primary Care – East Windsor 557 US Highway 130 North, East Windsor, NJ 08520 609.303.4480 | capitalhealth.org/eastwindsor

6. Capital Health Primary Care – Ewing 51 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ 08628 609.883.5454 | capitalhealth.org/ewing

7. Capital Health Primary Care – Hamilton 1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Suite 103, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609.587.6661 | capitalhealth.org/hamilton 1401 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Suite 218, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609.689.5760

8. Capital Health Primary Care – Hopewell Two Capital Way, Suite 359, Pennington, NJ 08534 609.303.4440 | capitalhealth.org/primarycarehopewell

9. Capital Health Primary Care – Lawrenceville 133 Franklin Corner Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609.815.7270 | capitalhealth.org/lawrenceville

10. Capital Health Primary Care – Levittown 4533 New Falls Road, Levittown, PA 19056 267.540.8220 | capitalhealth.org/levittown

11. Capital Health Primary Care – Mountain View 850 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 309, Ewing, NJ 08628 609.656.8844 | capitalhealth.org/mountainview

12. Capital Health Primary Care – Newtown 3 Penns Trail Road, Newtown, PA 18940 215.504.1761 | capitalhealth.org/primarycarenewtown

13. Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham 1700 Nottingham Way, Suite 18, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609.303.4870 | capitalhealth.org/nottingham

14. Capital Health Primary Care – Princeton 300 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540 609.303.4600 | capitalhealth.org/princeton

15. Capital Health Primary Care – Quakerbridge 4056 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 101, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609.528.9150 | capitalhealth.org/quakerbridge

16. Capital Health Primary Care – Robbinsville 2330 Route 33, Suite 107, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 609.303.4400 | capitalhealth.org/robbinsville

17. Capital Health Primary Care – Washington Crossing 1240 General Washington Memorial Boulevard, Suite 3 Washington Crossing, PA 18977 267.573.0670 | capitalhealth.org/washingtoncrossing

18. Capital Health Primary Care – West Windsor 352 Princeton-Hightstown Road, Suite A6 West Windsor, NJ 08550 609.537.7400 | capitalhealth.org/westwindsor

19. Capital Health Primary Care – Yardley 1690 Big Oak Road, Yardley, PA 19067 215.736.9362 | capitalhealth.org/yardley

Storytelling and Voice Sound Loud at Grounds for Sculpture

BY REBEKAH SCHROEDER

If you concentrate on a story, staying mindful of its nature as a living, breathing vessel for keeping traditions alive or unpacking trauma, then you might be able to hear when the speaker, once given the chance to share without judgment and forge interpersonal connections, exhales in relief. The words used still have meaning but no longer bear their heavy weight alone, newly empowered by a mutual sense of community and revitalized by human interaction.

Everyone has the right to express themselves in their own syntax, but only a few people have the opportunity to amplify that point of view with complete control over the language used.

Reaching that loud volume, like any tale worth telling, is always better with company.

The Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton presents this platform to members of New Jersey’s Indian diasporic community for “Local Voices: Memories, Stories, and Portraits,” a living exhibit that opened on the ground floor of the Domestic Arts Building on April 23, 2023, and runs

through January 7, 2024.

This project, along with “Spiral Q: The Parade” on the upper level, are the first to debut in GFS’ new “Perspectives” series, which draws from the creative practices of the artists at its helm as well as the accounts of the people who bring it to life.

Madhusmita “Madhu” Bora, a folk and traditional artist, journalist, educator, writer, and dancer, organized the exhibit in partnership with co-curators Kathleen Ogilvie Greene, the chief audience officer at GFS, and Quentin Williams, the founder and CEO of Dragon Tree Media Group, to ensure personal autonomy and authenticity.

The 15 subjects actively participated in and led the process of chronicling their lived experiences, doing so through video interviews, photography, and by choosing objects that held significance to them.

This range of deep, emotive stories maintains the vulnerabilities that make them unique without being exploited, and the exhibit leaders hope to bridge the conversational gap between individuals of different backgrounds and demonstrate the importance of dialogue.

Upstairs, “Spiral Q” conveys the creativSee Local Voices, Page 4

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• Back Pain and Neck Pain

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From Local Voices, Page 2

ity behind activism via puppets and protests, with the Philadelphia-based group organizing processions on social issues from transgender rights to affordable housing.

Virtual walkthroughs of both exhibits are available online, with the “Local Voices”

“Local Voices: Memories, Stories, and Portraits,” on display in the Domestic Arts Building at the Grouds for Sculpture, left, is co-curated by artist Madhusmita “Madhu” Bora, a journalist and dancer, right, and runs through January 7, 2024. Installation view courtesy of Bruce M. White. Bora, pictured at the storytelling retreat, courtesy of Monica Herndon.

page on the GFS website, groundsforsculpture.org/exhibitions/local-voices-memories-stoaries-and-portraits, linking to the YouTube videos and audio-only interview segments for each storyteller.

According to the exhibit materials, Grounds for Sculpture developed this project in response to the museum’s 2021 audience demographic census, which revealed a correlation between its attendees and the

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To interact and engage with a specific community from that group, GFS collaborated on an exhibit in which people could

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share their stories as a look at the Indian community in New Jersey, described as “the largest ethnic group among the Asian diaspora” in the state.

According to the Indian American Impact Project, an organization that was founded to promote the voices of Indian Americans and South Asian Americans in politics, “nearly 5% of New Jersey’s population is South Asian, more than any other state in the nation.”

The website continues that “over 1 million Asians live in New Jersey, with Indian Americans making up the largest ethnic group,” particularly concentrated in Middlesex County—Edison and Iselin’s Oak Tree Road, known as “Little India,” is a bustling shopping district at the cultural center of the community.

According to a May 2022 Washington Post analysis of Census Bureau data from 2020 in “An American life: How Asian migrants built unique communities,” Mercer County itself recorded a 48.2% growth of Asian American and Pacific Islander, or AAPI, populations since 2010.

The four storytellers from the Mercer County area are Shazard Mohammed, Hamilton/Ewing; Shivani Patel, Princeton Junction/West Windsor; Yogesh Sharma, Lawrenceville; and Shoba Panoli, Pennington.

“My whole intention was to uplift and celebrate the diverse tapestry of India,” Bora said in an interview, noting that she worked alongside the GFS team, especially Greene, to identify demographic “lenses” such as age, language, religion, economic status, immigration, ability, region, caste, and sexual orientation to incorporate a wide spectrum of storytellers.

Each subject was then liberated from these labels, symbolically unchecking the boxes, as the exhibit materials explain, and prompted to recount a story that affected their life.

“Local Voices” expanded as Bora began to see the emerging pattern of personal agency in each narrative, creating a colorful mosaic of people with roots across India and the globe who collectively followed at least seven religions and spoke more than 10 languages.

After seven months of planning, the group gathered at the Grounds for Sculpture for an all-day retreat in February that included storytelling workshops and training, as well as individual photography sessions in which the subjects “were asked to arrive in clothing [that] made them feel powerful and celebrated,” according to the GFS exhibit page.

The speakers then collaborated with female BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) photographers to envision portraits capturing their most authentic selves, selecting which image would be on display.

At the end of the retreat, many of the storytellers left behind objects of significance and scheduled their respective video sessions.

Although the subjects spoke for hours at a time with Bora and photojournalist Danese Kenon, the managing editor of visuals for the Philadelphia Inquirer, the exhibit could only feature a single three- to five-minute story from each person.

Bora disclosed that the full versions would be preserved in a personal copy for the participants as well as in the archives of the exhibit partner, the South Asian American Digital Archive, or SAADA, to document the comprehensive oral histories.

“Local Voices” is a “living exhibit” focused on cultivating relationships over the program itself, but the theme of art with a pulse is familiar to Bora and a natural extension of her own craft.

Inquirer to the Tampa Bay Times

She lived in places like Washington, D.C., Iowa, and Indiana, even settling in Cape May for a three-year period where she wrote for the Press of Atlantic City.

But in 2008, Bora relocated from Florida to Philadelphia, where she has resided ever since.

While she would continue to freelance, Bora decided to experiment with her artistic inclinations and co-founded the Sattriya Dance Company with her sister-inlaw, Prerona Bhuyan, in 2009.

Sattriya is a living dance tradition that originated in the Hindu monasteries of Assam over 500 years ago.

Although the art form had been traditionally practiced by celibate monks, the Indian government recognized Sattriya as a major Indian classical dance in 2000, which led to more women “embracing” the art form, Bora said.

Now, Bora is currently an adjunct instructor at Lincoln University and has since returned to the newsroom as the managing editor of suburban coverage for WHYY, a Philadelphia public radio station.

in this world. As a trained journalist, I’m always curious about the world around me. I was raised in a household of storytellers and disruptors,” she added.

“I grew up with my grandparents in a very rural Indian town, surrounded by art and culture and discussions of politics. Both my grandfathers were freedom fighters, and so I was raised in this atmosphere where culture and stories were always part of my education in this world.”

“Then, as an immigrant living in diaspora, I’m always thinking about what it is like to be an immigrant, how important our stories are, how important identity is, [and] how important stories are in terms of also passing our experiences and wisdom to the next generation and connecting us to our habitat. Stories connect us in very, very deep ways as humans.”

“When somebody’s sharing a story with you, it has a very spiritual overtone, because it’s something very sacred that somebody’s trusting you with their vulnerabilities and their experiences,” Bora said.

“Especially when people who do not have a chance to tell their story are invited to share their story. They are transformed, and we are transformed from listening to their experiences.”

The response has been “overwhelming” from both local and Indian media, according to Bora, with the exhibit having attracted about 500 or so attendees on opening night alone.

Bora said that because of her initial focus on the practical, behind-the-scenes aspects of the project, she rarely had the time to consider the tremendous “impact and outcome” the stories might carry.

But seeing the subjects take “collective ownership” over their stories and embrace the empowerment that comes with that, she added, deeply impacted her as well.

Now, Bora noted that she takes comfort in knowing there is this extended family of people to support each other, and the resilience she has personally learned from them has been invaluable.

Originally from the Northeastern Indian state of Assam, Bora finished her undergraduate and a master’s degree at two institutions in New Delhi before continuing her studies at the Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Illinois, where she graduated with another master’s degree.

Bora has worked in newsrooms around the country, tackling business and technology at papers from the Philadelphia

“As a practitioner of this art form, I am drawn to stories. I’m also deeply aware of what it means to not be represented in mainstream art tapestries; it is so specific and nuanced. I guess it makes me a lot more sensitive to folks who are in the margins, because I feel like I operate from the margins, too, with my art form. My journalism is a sense of inquiry and curiosity, and that training of being objective, listening to people, and asking questions is what informed and drove this project,” she explained.

“Everything I do informs how I move

“To be on this journey with them, in sharing their joy and their sorrow and their trauma and then how they overcame so many of life’s hurdles, I was on all those journeys with them, and so it’s been really, really beautiful,” she said.

“It’s important to tell your story. It’s very crucial for each one of us to record the stories of our families, of our elderly people, [and] of our own stories. Stories are magical; stories are transformative; stories help form community and allow us to really be better people,” she said, adding that everyone should tell and claim their stories, as well as place that same value on actively listening to what others share.

See Local Voices, Page 6

At its core, Bora emphasized, “Local Voices” is a “connective project.”

The 15 subjects first met at the museum retreat in February, where they took part in a series of workshops and individual photography sessions. Photo by Monica Herndon, above, from left to right: Kiran Rajagopalan, Farzana Rahman, Asha Lata Devi, and Shoba Panoli.

At its core, Bora emphasized, “Local Voices” is a “connective project.”

“It is owned by the community; it is driven by the community; and again, it’s an offering that speaks to love, loss, and resilience that connects us all as humanity,” she said. ***

Shazard Mohammed Ewing/Hamilton

Born in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Shazard Mohammed, better known by his nicknames “Todd” or “Toddy,” immigrated with his family from the town of San Juan to the Mercer County area in

Mohammed lives in Ewing but owns Roti Plus Caribbean Restaurant at 1147 South Olden Avenue in Hamilton, which he opened in 2021 after helping his uncle, Ramesh Hayban—the then-owner of Trenton’s Hot on D Spot, now under new ownership and the name of Annie’s Hot on D-Spot Roti Shop—run the Trinidadian restaurant.

In his “Local Voices” interview, Mohammed explained that he had never previously traveled outside his country before deciding to take “a page out of history” and follow in the footsteps of his “forefathers who left India to come to Trinidad to become something better and make a better life for their family. They had a 90-day journey, and I was only getting on a plane for five hours.”

As a high school dropout, Mohammed shared that he was unsure about his future in America, but after landing on a Wednes-

day, by that Monday, he “started working at a factory for eight bucks an hour.”

“By the time I left in 2009, I was making almost triple digits,” he said, but the “pressure” of the workplace began to weigh on him, with the “insults” negatively affecting his state of mind.

“Being called ‘highly paid morons’ and having to do dirty work that no one else wanted to do, I felt like I was in slavery. It was taking away from my mental health, so I decided this [was] no longer going to work for me, so I left that and had no idea what I was going to do to support my family.”

After learning through reading his trusty Home Depot books and watching videos, Mohammed took up a job as a handyman, eventually becoming a self-taught licensed contractor in the construction business.

Mohammed then expanded on the troubles of his economic situation, which included veering into the restaurant industry after making an ultimately ill-fated agreement with a family member and having to pick up the pieces himself when it fell apart.

Without this person in the picture, Mohammed “was a housing inspector for hotels and multiple dwellings,” forced to “juggle both jobs, working full-time, and coming to the restaurant afterwards,” he said, starting to get visibly upset from speaking about the toll it took on him.

“There [were] days I drove home and didn’t even know how I got home. It was just all muscle memory,” he continued, breaking again with emotion. “I told my

wife, ‘I have to choose. Either we sell the business or I give up the state job.’”

In the end, Mohammed had to forfeit his retirement plan with the state and continue investing in the business, but as Bora said in her interview for Six09, he was able to create “a place that’s home away from home for so many people,” not just the local Trinbagonian population.

“At times I want to quit. I want to give up, but then I see people come in sometimes— and I’m a humanist, and I also struggle with depression—and some days I see sadness walking in the door, and I just say a few kind words, I serve them with a smile, I ask them how their day [is] going, how’s their family, is everything okay, and by the time they leave, most of them [have] a smile on their face,” Mohammed said.

“That brings joy to me to know that I’m not just running a business; I’m running a business where someone can feel safe when they come in here.”

Some speakers in “Local Voices” were asked additional questions, such as the meaning of their names and why they chose their objects.

Shazard, for example, means “prince” in Arabic, a suggestion from his mother’s best friend, who assumed a grandmotherly role for Mohammed and remarked that he “looked like a prince” at birth.

Meanwhile, his nickname, “Toddy,” came from his older brother, who gave him the title after a young Shazard would ask for a milkshake of the same name.

“Coming to America, people just started calling me Todd. Because I was intimidated

Shazard “Todd” Mohammed, left, the owner of Roti Plus Caribbean Restaurant in Hamilton, and Shivani Patel, right, from West Windsor’s Princeton Junction district, shared what resilience means to them. Photos by Sahar Coston-Hardy and Erica Lee.

or shy to let people know my true name, which is Shazard Mohammed, after 9/11, I just carried the name Todd, so most people thought I was American when they [spoke] to me over the phone, not knowing that I was of an immigrant culture,” he said.

Mohammed’s object is a hoodie with the coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago, which bears the motto “Together we aspire, together we achieve.”

When people ask what it means to him, Mohammed says that he encourages them, again, to be humanists and to tackle greater challenges as a community.

“I take that to heart, because my interpretation of it is, ‘If we unite, we can conquer; if we come together as people, we can overcome any obstacles in our way,’ so I do wear that hoodie with pride,” he said.

Shivani Patel

Princeton Junction/West Windsor

Shivani Patel, also known as “Shivu,” was born in New Jersey and spoke about her experiences as a young person with autism and epilepsy, as well as the difficulty of managing both conditions while grieving the death of her beloved “late dada” or “dadaji,” which means paternal grandfather.

“When he died, it was so tragic, and it was so sad,” Patel said, adding that it also felt “humiliating” for her because her grandmother “knew nothing” about her autism.

Without his comforting presence, Patel found it “really hard to understand everything after losing dadaji and being with only her” during visits to her grandparents’ house in London.

“But after losing him, I have learned— thank God—how to control myself, etc., how to even control my own medical issues when having a super moment, like [an] unspeakable, un-breathable type of episode

See Local Voices, Page 8

Mohammed chose to display a sweatshirt with the coat of arms of his home country, Trinidad and Tobago, because he follows the “humanist” motto of the nation he immigrated from in 2000: “Together we aspire, together we achieve.”

The red khartal, a wooden clapper consisting of blocks and jingles, above, is an ancient musical instrument that resonates with Patel.

of high blood pressure issue when something doesn’t make me feel like, ‘Okay, I’m not comfortable in this position. I need to run away,’ or ‘I need to scream my head off, and I’m about to feel like I’m going to faint.’”

“Thanks to God and Grandpa, remembering all that and praying all that, I know how to handle those issues, because Dada used to tell me when I was younger that, ‘If you don’t calm down, you’re going to have a heart attack or a seizure, try to calm down,’ and I would manage it, I would calm down,” Patel explained, adding that in the time since his passing, she has worked on remembering the techniques he taught her to cope with stressful situations.

To Six09, Bora described Patel as “a beautiful spirit” who arrived at the retreat in “her full, glorious self,” eager to embody that strength for others.

Patel’s object is the khartal, a two-piece percussion instrument from Rajasthan, India, where a pair of “wooden blocks with small dimples are held in each hand,” then “clapped together when devotional and folk songs are performed,” she said.

The sound comes from the meeting of the cymbals, typically brass plates, adorning the two parts.

Yogesh Sharma

Lawrenceville

Yogesh Sharma founded Lawrenceville’s Radha Krishna Temple, “one of the oldest Hindu religious and cultural centers in Central New Jersey,” in 2002, according to its website.

Located at 357 Lawrence Station Road, the temple provides “Hindu and Vedic services, poojas, and ceremonies,” having expanded from one room to four buildings as the years progressed.

Sharma details that while she started the sacred space to assist priests and others in need, the temple only came to be because another living being close to her needed help—after neighborhood complaints about her dog’s barking reached the courtroom, a judge ordered its euthanization.

“I started going to another temple to pray for his life,” she recalled. “There, I met a priest who was in trouble in that temple. He asked me to help him out, and after a few days, he asked me to start a new temple where he [could] get his green card or visa, but I said, ‘Well, we don’t know anything about the temple, and so therefore we cannot do it,’” she explained.

“But he tried to convince me that, no, he will ‘take care of everything’ and ‘it will be a great thing for [the community].’”

Sharma shared that she and her husband did not have the background to run a temple, but the priest insisted, beginning a pattern of broken promises from people she assumed to be “very honest and honorable people” due to their religious backgrounds.

Although they were initially shocked to encounter the opposite, the Sharmas built the place of worship together and recruited those of the faith who kept their word.

In addition to having grown the Radha Krishna Temple from these uncertain beginnings, Bora commented that Sharma “is just a force of nature and has also overcome so many challenges in her life.”

“My dog was saved with my prayers, and [the] community is very happy with that

little temple,” Sharma reflected, noting that now, “We are like one big, huge family. We all love each other in that temple and try to do the best for the community.”

Sharma stated that in the future, she hopes to bring in even more priests, particularly Indian women—a new addition for most temples—as part of her mission to keep growing the community at Radha Krishna.

Sharma’s objects are “a silk sari and figurines of Rama and Sita,” the latter being two figures from the Sanskrit epic poem “Ramayana” who are incarnations of the Hindu gods Vishnu and Lakshmi

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Both Yogesh Sharma of Lawrenceville, above, the founder of the Radha Krishna Temple, and Shoba Panoli of Pennington, opposite page right, reflected on the transformative power of religion and love. Speaker photos by Roshni Khatari and Erica Lee.

Sharma loaned GFS a pair of figurines depicting Rama and Sita, the avatars of Hindu deities Vishnu and Lakshmi, above, while Panoli chose her prayer book and photo card of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a “central figure” in her Baha’i faith and the son of its founder, Bahá’u’lláh, pictured on the following page.

The tale is a classic testament to the triumph of light over darkness, or good over evil, as conveyed through holiday legend.

Shoba Panoli Pennington

In her interview, Shoba Panoli introduces herself as “a Malaysian American of Sri Lankan and Indian heritage” who dreamed of settling down in Australia like her aunts but would end up in the United States as the result of an unexpected romance.

“But life sometimes has surprising twists, and you end up in a different place,” she said, sharing how their paths first crossed. “One day I was bored, and I was surfing the web, trying to look up the place that my dad was visiting in India. As I was reading up on Kerala, I stumbled upon a chat room, and there were only a handful of individuals in that room.”

“A guy said hello to me, and we started a small conversation, and he was attracted to my Sri Lankan Malayali background, and he found that a bit unique since he hasn’t met anyone with that background; little did I know that this would be the guy that I would one day get married to.”

Even when Panoli moved to Switzerland, she “continued chatting every day” with him, exchanging “hundreds of emails” that the two never deleted and still treasure

See Local Voices, Page 10

today.

“After finally chatting for about two years, we decided to meet face-to-face, so I flew to New York to meet him, and as the plane was touching down, I was feeling very nervous, and I was thinking to myself, ‘What if everything that he’s told me was a big lie?’ ‘What if he was a fake?’” Panoli said. This worry escalated as she spent over an hour searching for his face among the airport crowd, unable to find the man she was supposed to meet until Panoli spotted him—dressed in the exact outfit he had described to her—and immediately recognized her future husband.

“I was in the United States for only a week, and he took me places; we saw a lot of things, and he took me to the top of the Empire State Building and asked me to

marry him,” she remembered fondly.

“I believe this was fate. If my dad wasn’t visiting India, I wouldn’t have gone online that day trying to look up the place that he was visiting, and we’ve been married for 23 years and have two wonderful boys.”

Panoli, characterized by Bora as a mother with “a very tender, sweet family,” received her name, meaning “light,” from her great-grandfather.

Panoli’s object is a prayer book and photo card of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, an important figure to her as a lifelong member of the Baha’i Faith.

“‘Abdu’l-Bahá is the master of the Baha’i faith, and he showed us how a Baha’i should live his life. I always carry that picture with me to remind myself of how a Baha’i should act,” Panoli explained in the audio interview.

Panoli added that prayer has always been an “important component” of her life, connecting her with God and guidance, and she has had this book for at least 15 to 20 years, which contains prayers for a variety of purposes and applications.

On the exhibit page for “Local Voices,” Panoli said that the following quote from the founder of the Baha’i Faith, Bahá’u’lláh, is always an inspiration for her:

“Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone; let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.”

***

“Local Voices: Memories, Stories, and Portraits” runs through January 7, 2024, in the Domestic Arts Building at the Grounds for Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton.

For more information, call 609-586-0616 or visit www.groundsforsculpture.org

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immobile, and would assume they wouldn’t want to sit up and paint or draw —probably wouldn’t even want to pick up a brush.

Zamost was pleasantly surprised when the opportunity to create rejuvenated so many of the patients she interacted with. Hospitalized children especially came alive given the chance to make art.

The very seed for the idea of healing through creativity was planted when Zamost was studying fine art at Rutgers in the 1980s.

“I was thinking about art therapy, but it wasn’t offered as a major back then, so I studied psychology and took communications as a minor,” Zamost says.

After graduation, she continues, “I fell into public relations in the medical area, then fell into project work, then medical education programs, and that’s how my career blossomed.”

But after a few years of long commutes and raising four little ones, Zamost had strayed from art and was feeling burnout. Just in time, her husband (urologist Dr. Gary Karlin) gifted her with an easel and paint box.

“It was one nicest gifts I ever got,” Zamost says. “I started with classes at Artworks (in Trenton) and was doing a lot of realism, but then shifted toward more expressive painting.”

The real “aha” moment came when she saw a tiny ad for art study with Lambertville-based teacher Kate Appel, who almost immediately suggested that Zamost learn techniques of meditation.

“We started with tempera paints, like you use in kindergarten, and very large paper,” Zamost says. “There were no critiques, which was very unlike what I experienced in college. Kate said, ‘It doesn’t matter whether I like it or not.’”

“That was my departure toward (embracing) flow, and I continued from there, taking all kinds of workshops, exploring everything — mosaics, cold wax, collage, adding whatever I wanted, allowing myself to be free,” she says.

At some point, Zamost realized she had the skills to lead workshops in the curative powers of art. “When not in the studio, I lead individuals and groups on workshops so that they, too, can discover the restorative power of making art,” Zamost says.

She recalls leading one particularly exceptional workshop at the Peddie School during finals.

“I did a ‘flow’ kind of thing, no theme, just some down time for the students during a stressful week,” she says. “One student wouldn’t — actually, couldn’t — start without instruction. So I said, ‘The instruction is no instruction; just start

with a mark or a color or something.’ She did it, and said the experience was really freeing.

“Later on, I got a note from their teacher, who said, ‘They’ll think about that workshop for a long time,’” Zamost says. “It gave them a break to just ‘be,’ to not just be concerned about hitting all those achievement marks.”

Originally from Highland Park, Zamost was encouraged to be artistic by her parents, but only to a certain point. Her father was in the lumber business, and her mother was a stay-at-home mom, and both were born during the Great Depression. Making a living as an artist did not seem practical to them.

“My parents bought me art supplies, but they were both Depression babies and hesitated when I said I wanted to be a fine artist and ‘paint the world on fire,’” she says.

“Although my mom was artistic in her own way, for example, she used to make hats, and also baked the most amazing cakes, and would decorate them so creatively,” Zamost recalls.

While at Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts, Zamost had the opportunity to take a semester abroad at the Sir John Cass School of Art and London Polytechnic in London, England.

After graduating from Rutgers, Zamost combined her talents for both art and writing into a career in public relations. She first worked for Burson-Marsteller (division of Young & Rubicam at the time) in New York City, followed by Projects in Knowledge, a medical communications/ project company, first in New York, then Secaucus.

Zamost’s works have been exhibited in five solo and more than 65 two-person and group exhibits based in the United States and Canada. Her works can currently be seen at the Copelouzos Family Art Museum in Athens, Greece, on the TV show “Househunters,” the film “Hide,” and in private, corporate, and hospital collections including both Capital Health hospitals (Pennington and Trenton) and Englewood Health.

She also founded LUX Gallery in Hopewell, with artists Mic Boekelmann, Kathleen Varga, Donna Blachford, and Margaret Miller.

Her children are now grown (ages 27 through 34), and Zamost has a granddaughter who seems to be a budding artist. “Kids have no reservation, they just

go and make art, they don’t judge, they just do,” she says.

One of the most rewarding experiences for Zamost in making art that heals was creating “Hope Rises,” the first in a series of vibrant works that is now permanently on view in the Infusion Room at Capital Health Hopewell.

“My ‘Hope Rises’ series of mixed-media artwork began during a challenging time in my life when my cousins, brother-inlaw, and childhood friend were losing their battles with cancer, and they were all so young,” Zamost says. “I started ‘Hope Rises’ to grace the wall of the Infusion Room at Capital Health Hospital. It was my way of completing the conversation with my cousin, (who asked), ‘Why must I lay for hours with only a blank ceiling before me?’”

Currently, both Capital Health hospitals in Mercer County have artwork from this series in their permanent collections, and the Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Englewood Health has just received “Hope Rises V” for display.

“My conversations beckoned me to create a view of hope and beauty, to lift the spirits of those facing challenges and the professionals providing their care — as well as myself who was grieving,” Zamost says. “Following the making of (the first ‘Hope Rises,’) I couldn’t stop at one mixed-media piece. There was so much more to say, and thus ‘Hope Rises’ grew from one project to a series.”

“(Through my paintings), may you feel my joy and sadness, excitement and frustration,” she says. “Know that each of these emotions is touched by my belief that hope always exists in this imperfect world of ours.”

Zamost on the Web: janezamost.com.

Pennington resident Jane Zamost leads workshops in which she heralds the curative powers of art.

throws to me, we go hit together, we get our work done.”

The Eilbachers moved from Hillsborough to the Banks of the Delaware prior to ninth grade. Covid-19 wiped out their freshman year. Logan made varsity as a sophomore and hit .233, and the two exploded as juniors.

“Notre Dame helped a lot,” Eilbacher said. “It gave me confidence and it just proved to me where I was against other high schoolers. My junior year I wasn’t supposed to have a spot and then a couple kids quit and I beat out a couple kids and that’s when I really persevered, got my confidence and started playing really well.”

Legion ball was not on his radar prior to this summer; as Lance wanted to show his wares to college recruiters. But with him and Logan both secured by Catholic University in Washington, D.C., it was time to have fun this summer.

“I heard about it from (ND/Post 414 teammates Justin Prekop and Chase Burrows),” Eilbacher said. “They both go to Notre Dame with me. I wanted somewhere to play, because Diamond Jacks didn’t have a team for the summer. So I gave it a shot. It was pretty fun.

“It’s definitely a lot more laid back. I don’t have much pressure like ‘Oh I have

to do this, or that.’ I just go out and have fun.”

Zegarski noted that it’s a common occurrence in legion. Despite the fact involvement keeps dwindling, some solid high school graduates enjoy the lower key approach that still provides good competition before college.

“It happens a lot with the seniors,” Zegarski said. “Senior year there’s not much travel ball to be played because you know where you’re going to school, so they want to come play here.”

Eilbacher’s addition helped Lawrence carry a 17-7 overall record into the Final 8, where Lawrence opened against MCALL rival Hamilton Post 31. The flyhawk has been key at the plate and in the field.

“He’s been our centerfielder and number-three hitter most of the season,” Zegarski said. “He can go get ‘em, he’s got a great arm and has thrown a couple guys out at the plate this year. Once teams see that, their running game starts to shut down a little bit, which is nice as well.

“With our lineup he can hit anywhere. He’s very aggressive. If you ever watch him swing he goes after those first couple pitches but it’s good, he has a couple homers. Sometimes we tell him ‘You gotta tone it down a little bit,’ But it’s nice to have that aggressive approach. He’s up

there, he wants to hit.”

Eilbacher feels the casual summertime approach of legion helped him relax this season.

“I found my groove,” he said. “Hitting wise it’s more laid back here than it is in high school. I guess it’s more of a comfort thing.”

Lance hopes to carry that comfort with him to Catholic, where he will room with Hamilton West graduate Mac Meara.

Concerning his choice of schools, Eilbacher said “It was a hard decision for me. I had a couple other offers I was weighing out. But I knew I would play at Catholic my freshman year because they had seniors graduating. They told me I would compete for a spot. And their business program is what I want to major in so it had my track for what I wanted to do.

“Catholic actually came out of nowhere. Scranton was my other choice because they had a really good business program. It was a battle about which one I wanted to go to and I decided on Catholic. I didn’t know Mac personally until I went on a visit and he was there and we started talking. I knew of him because of Hamilton West but after that we were in contact and he let me know he was going so we decided to room together.”

Asked if Logan was a roommate option, he laughed and said ‘No, 18 years is enough.”

As roommates, maybe. But he is certainly anxious to have his brother as a teammate once again.

Lance Eilbacher hit .348 with 2 HR and 20 RBI for Lawrence Post 414 in American Legion Baseball this summer. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

RWJUH Hamilton August Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

RAISED BED, FLAT BREAD

Fri., August 4; 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Spend your ‘Pizza Friday’ celebrating fresh produce that grows right here in New Jersey! Get hands-on by personalizing your own nutritious flat-tastic masterpiece for take-out! All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $5 per person. Taryn Krietzman, RDN

THE AARP DRIVING COURSE

Tue., August 8; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

OVER THE COUNTER HEARING AIDS-FAQ-WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Tues., August 8; 10-11 a.m.

Get the facts on the latest in over-thecounter hearing aids. Learn the facts and get your questions answered by Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D. A.B.A. a clinical audiologist with over 40 years of experience in the field of hearing science.

DANCE IT OUT!

Tues., August 8; 6 to 7 p.m. When in doubt, dance it out! Have fun and de-stress with this interactive program. No experience required, all ages welcome.

CREATE YOUR OWN VISION BOARD WORKSHOP

Wed., August 9, 6 to 8 p.m.

What is your deepest desire for what you would like to be, do or have? Come create your own vision board to help bring your dreams to life. Please bring scissors, all other materials provided.

OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

Thurs., August 10; 10 a.m.-noon

Ultrasound of heel and personalized information. Appointment required.

ASK THE DIETITIAN

Mon., August 14; 3 – 6 p.m.

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

Krietzman, RDN

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION?

Mon, August 14; 6-7:30 p.m.

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

PREDIABETES 101

Tue. August 15; 11 to 12 p.m. What you need to know and do if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX? **VIRTUAL**

Tue., August 15th 2023; 12 - 1 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

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

Wed., August 16; 1 to 2 p.m. Learn how to rest your body and quiet your mind with the simple (although not always easy) practice of meditation. No experience necessary.

TAKE HOME COLORECTAL SCREEN KIT AND LECTURE

Wed., August 16; 5 to 6 p.m. Learn how to use a simple take-home test to screen for colorectal cancer and take part in a lecture about how to reduce your risk. Registration required.

DESTROY THE CLOTS: INTERVENTIONS FOR DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Wed., August 16; 6 to7:30 p.m. Lasanta Horana, MD, Emergency Department Chair and a Medical Staff Officer at RWJUH Hamilton will discuss the importance of timely interventions when faced with “blood clots”

HEALTHRYTHMS® DRUMMING CIRCLE

Wed, August 16; 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

COLOR ME HOOPY! FUN AND FITNESS WITH HOOLA HOOPS!

Tues, August 22; 1 to 2:00 p.m. Yes, you can hoola-hoop. It’s much easier to find your rhythm and flow using a “grown up” size hoop. Learn skills and techniques and have a lot of fun. Hoops provided. Fee $15. Angela Ritter, certified Hoop Love Coach and Hoola-Fit instructor.

MEET LOCAL WRITER JESSICA WILSON, AUTHOR OF HEALING JOURNEY’S.

Tues., August 22; 6 to7 p.m. Join Jessica Wilson, author of “Healing Journeys” for a book talk on toxic relationships, where we’ll delve into the different types of abuse and explore what constitutes a toxic relationship. I’ll share strategies to guide you through these challenging situations and empower you on your healing journey.

FEELING BURNED OUT AT WORK?

Tue., August 22; 6 to 7 p.m. Job burnout can affect your physical and mental health. Learn about signs of burnout and what you can do about it.

PICTURE THIS: CRAFTY CREATIONS

Thurs., August 31; 6 to 7:30 p.m. Bring your favorite summertime memories and a creative spark. Craft the night away with family and friends as the summer dwindles down. Fee: $5 per person

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

SUPPORT GROUPS

To learn more about these groups visit www.rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Wed., August 2; 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

GRIEF & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Thu., August 3, August 17; 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Mon., August 7, August 21 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

ADULT CHILDREN CARING FOR PARENTS

Mon., August 7, August 21st 5:30 to 7 p.m.

LETTING GO OF CLUTTER

Tue., August 8; 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP

Wed., August 16; 6 to 7 p.m.

MANAGING STRESS AND DIABETES

Wed., August 23; 3 to 4 p.m.

WISE WOMEN DISCUSSION GROUP

Thu., August 24; 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Better Health Programs/Complimentary Membership at 65+ Years Old

LET’S TALK, A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wed., August 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30; 10 to 11 a.m.

Please join us for our ongoing program “Let’s Talk, a Senior Social Group,” gathering in a collaborative setting to exchange thoughts, feelings and experiences amongst peers.

This is a safe-zone designed to be welcoming and understanding of all attendees while exploring this season of our lives – the ups and the challenges. This group is a partnership between RWJUH Hamilton and PyschHealth Associates here in Hamilton. This is a weekly program. Please feel free to attend one or all.

OVER THE COUNTER HEARING AIDSFAQ-WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

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

to learn more

Tues., August 8; 10-11 a.m.

Get the facts on the latest in over-the-counter hearing aids. Learn the facts and get your questions answered by Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D. A.B.A. a clinical audiologist with over 40 years of experience in the field of hearing science.

SOCRATES CAFÉ,

Wed., August 9; 2 to 3 p.m.

“Socrates Café” is about discussing a topic, sharing our thoughts, our beliefs, our ideas, and experiences. An unofficial mantra describes that we (people) learn more when we question, and question with others. This is a “safe zone” to share where all views are accepted. Come with an open mind, respect for one another, and a willingness to see where it takes us.

TAI CHI CLASS

Thu., August 10 & 24; 1 to 2 p.m.

Tai Chi is recommended for seniors because it improves balance, strengthens muscles in the legs and increases flexibility and stability in the ankles. It can help reduce falls and back pain. Beginner’s welcome.

GAME TIME

Thurs., August 10; 2 to 3:30 p.m. Join us for game time, snacks and some wholesome fun. A variety of board games will be available or you are welcome to bring your own

YOGA CLASSES

Tue., August 15 & 29; 10 to 11 a.m.

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

MEDITATION CLASSES,

Tue., August 15 and 29; 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.

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

TECHNOLOGY CLASS

Wed., August 16; Noon to 1 p.m.

Frustrated navigating online registration for Better Health Programs? Can’t figure out how to text your grandkids. Back to help us with our technology challenges are our friends from “Camp Fire NJ, Teens on Fire.” Whether you have questions about your

mobile device, a laptop, or iPad, bring your device and learn how to complete simple tasks.

PREDIABETES 101

Tue. August 15; 11 to 12 p.m.

What you need to know and do if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes.

ANTIQUES ON THE ROAD

Thu., August 17; 2 to 3:30 p.m

We ask all attendees to arrive promptly at 2 p.m. and be ready for a fun and informative program. Each attendee can bring only ONE item to have appraised. Together we will learn some history about our treasures and find out what’s hot and what’s not in the antique and collectables market. Thomas Petrino will lead this program. He has been a full-time Personal Property Appraiser and is Certified by the Appraisers Guild of America. He also serves as acting appraiser for the NJ Treasury, consults with banks, attorneys and insurance companies to authenticate and appraise estates.

Pennington’s Meng wins First Tee National Championship

Megan Meng of Pennington, and Cooper Groshart of San Luis Obispo, California, won the girls’ and boys’ divisions of the third annual First Tee National Championship at Stanford Golf Course.

The event, held July 2 through 6, brought together First Tee’s elite golfers for an opportunity to showcase how the program has helped build the strength of character needed to play at the next level.

Meng is a 16-year-old rising senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School who’s been involved with First Tee for more than 10 years. She finished the 54-hole tournament 5-under-par to win by five strokes. In the final round, Meng shot a tournament low 66 — including a front nine 30 — to secure her victory.

In 2022, Meng won another marquee First Tee event, the PURE Insurance Championship pro-junior title, a PGA TOUR Champions event held at Pebble Beach, shooting a 64 on Sunday. Meng, who currently stands at 27th in the AJGA Girls Rankings, is committed to play golf at Northwestern University. Off the course, she is an avid reader with a 4.0 GPA.

Meng said the life skills she’s learned through First tee helped her this week.

“Practice makes better, and practice definitely gets you where you want to go, so it’s all about how much time you’re willing to put in practicing on the course, but also make sure to have fun with it. Golf is a game for fun and spending time with your friends,” she said.

Groshart, 18, finished in the Top 10 at the 2021 and 2022 First Tee National Championships before winning in this, his third and final attempt. He finished the tournament 4-over-par after shooting a final round 71.

Groshart recently graduated from San Luis Obispo High School with a 3.92 GPA and will play golf this fall at California State University, East Bay. Like Meng, Groshart played at the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship, where he hit a holein-one on the iconic seventh hole during a practice round.

Both winners were awarded with the Tattersall Cup in honor of event chairman Fred Tattersall.

Two players from the First Tee National Championship field were also awarded a one-time exemption into the PGA TOUR Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting the First Tee, to be held at Pebble Beach Golf Links Sept.

16-24. With this year’s National Championship winners having already played in the tournament, the exemptions passed on to Alaythia Hinds of First Tee Greater Sacramento, who finished second among the girls, and Sean Kwok of First Tee Tri Valley, who finished in a tie for fourth among the boys.

For the first time, the four lowest scoring eligible players (two boys and two girls) from the National Championship field will also earn admission into the PGA Tour’s new Pathways to Progression program, which aims to support talented golfers from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in the sport. The PGA Tour will announce the full ros-

ter for its Pathways program, including the four players who earned their spots at the First Tee National Championship, in the coming days.

“Congratulations to everyone who competed in the third annual First Tee National Championship this week, “said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “Especially to Megan and Cooper. They represented First Tee with confidence and poise, and we look forward to seeing all that they continue to accomplish on and off the golf course. Thank you to Fred Tattersall for his ongoing support of this tournament and Stanford University for a memorable week.”

First Tee National Championship is held annually at various college golf courses around the nation providing First Tee participants the opportunity to network with others from across the country and take in the college experience. Stanford University hosted the third annual Championship, following the previous two years at University of Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course and Clemson University’s The Walker Course, respectively.

The field included 24 boys and 24 girls, ages 14-18, who were selected based on their golf skills and competitive golf experience including 15 competitors who are currently committed to play collegiate golf. Players came from 29 First Tee chapters across the country. A full list of results is available here.

The National Championship is one of more than 10 national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to empower and motivate teens as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities.

For more information on the tournament and First Tee, visit firsttee.org.

Pennington’s Megan Meng won the third annual First Tee National Championship, Girls’ Division, by shooting a final round 66.

Coping with climate anxiety ... and climate change itself

students choosing an environmental career.

Taking it personally

We relocated my son to his new home out of state. While my husband helped move in his furniture, I took his car for an oil change. I sat in the lobby where a large TV played to distract the captive patrons waiting for their autos to be serviced. The broadcaster mentioned record temperatures and trending global warming and tossed it to the anchor, who reported on flooding and linked the frequency to climate change.

“Enough already!” raged the older man sitting next to me, “Why do they continually report on climate change when there’s nothing that we can do about it? It’s depressing.”

“I know,” said the millennial across the aisle from him. “They didn’t mention the wildfires. In New Mexico, the National Park Service thought they were helping the environment by initiating a ‘controlled burn’ and instead ignited a huge forest fire! The so-called experts can’t even get it right.”

Since I’ve driven an electric car for many years, I’m a bit rusty on the fine art of oil change etiquette. I thought I might jump into the impromptu conversation but, once I had formulated my thoughts, the two were called to get their cars. Now with the benefit of hindsight, I’ll share what I coulda, shoulda, woulda said.

Hey Mister… I know it’s depressing. Many people feel a sense of fear, frustration, and hopelessness whenever they think about climate change. They even have a name for that feeling when it becomes overwhelming — climate anxiety, or eco-anxiety.

Climate anxiety is, understandably, more common among younger generations, and a natural response to a real and existential threat.

Is the best way to cope to assume that “there is nothing we can do” and hope that the media will report it less? The action of turning away and accepting that our world is doomed may sink us into despair.

Using denial may help with an ‘ignorance is bliss’ attitude, but the science makes that approach increasingly difficult to sustain.

Finally, at the risk of sounding judgy, previous generations caused a lot of this mess so it seems a bit selfish to ignore it and leave for the next generation to go it alone.

So, what can we do? First, go ahead

and feel all of those uncomfortable feelings. Who wouldn’t stress and panic in the face of tornados, flooding, drought? It’s like a modern day ten plagues.

Then, find ways to turn fear and anxiety into agency, action and accountability.

Sure, there is plenty that is outside of individual control. But if motivated, everyone can take steps that can make a cumulative difference.

Then, after my exercise formulating an inspirational reply to the Boomer in the lobby, I hopped on plane to come home and probably generated more greenhouse gases that day than his family used in a month. My hypocrisy was humbling.

Assessing the local impact

After returning home to Hopewell Valley, it was time to take my own advice, starting with experiencing the feelings of climate anxiety. What provokes fear in our local ecosystem?

I remember feeling quite helpless in June, as our state was engulfed in a haze caused by Canadian wildfires. It hit almost all of my senses, from the surreal orange sky to the chemical smell burning in my eyes and nose. I worried about my family members with breathing issues. Video and pictures from my office at Baldpate Mountain offered very limited visibility.

Only a month later, a torrential downpour caused flooding that killed 6 in neighboring Bucks County, including a woman from Titusville.

A firsthand view of New Jersey’s sobering statistics can be unsettling. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are the highest in at least 800,000 years. Sea levels have risen in Atlantic City at more than double the global average.

According to the Rutgers 2022 State of The Climate report, “Warmer temperatures are producing more severe heat waves. Sea-level rise and heavy rains are causing more intense flooding. These and other climaterelated hazards are projected to escalate through the 21st century, and will fall heaviest on New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.“ Local health, economic, and environmental outcomes are already being impacted.

Turning climate anxiety into action

The hazard levels indicated in the report could easily make you feel anxious about the future, but don’t lose hope. As individuals we can raise awareness and champion the change we want to see.

Put pressure on governments and corporations to prioritize green energy. Support the movements, nonprofits, and organizations on the frontline of the fight. And while it’s popular to distrust the government, recognize instead the elected officials who are making positive strides and encourage them to do more.

One area where New Jersey leads is public education. Science-based education and reliable data are vital to understanding and planning the best action to mitigate climate change. In addition, the youth of today will compose the workforce with the best prospect for a healthy future.

Therefore, it follows that educating our young people should be a top priority. New Jersey is the first state in the nation to mandate climate education.

New Jersey is consistently ranked in the top 2 states for K-12 public education. NJ climate standards will be an additional lauded benefit. The best schools will not limit climate education to science but must teach the impacts of climate change across all subjects. An interdisciplinary approach will maximize the number of

It’s great to raise awareness and promote the organizations lessening climate issues, but the next step is personal accountability. Assess your individual carbon footprint and consider the impact your behavior is having. In New Jersey, we bring reusable bags to our stores, and have already decreased the use of plastic straws. Are you reducing how much stuff you acquire and dispose of?

Consider your food choices. Food production and consumption accounts for over 25 per cent of global emissions. This means addressing what’s on our plate is an important way to lessen our carbon footprints. Can you eat less meat and reduce food waste? When you do have leftovers, can you compost rather than add to the landfill?

Consider an energy audit to make your home more efficient. Study the landscaping around your community and your home. Have you cut the number of invasive species? Are there native trees and plants with deep roots that absorb storm water and support local habitat?

Join the FoHVOS Community Conservation program for a free outdoor assessment to incorporate sustainable conservation practices while beautifying the landscape around your home. The program also provides an opportunity to purchase native plants at wholesale pricing.

Make incremental changes

Many people avoid making personal changes either because they don’t think they’re informed enough or they don’t realize that small actions add up to a big difference. To the first point, the fact that you are aware that carbon emissions are a huge problem and need to be reduced is already more than enough. As for the second point, be mindful about where you are on the climate anxiety scale.

Climate anxiety is a double-edged sword. Some people get paralyzed and do nothing. Others go overboard and feel guilty because they are not perfect. Push to get in the habit of both supporting others and doing more individually, but be kind to yourself and find a balance that works.

Lisa Wolff NATURE IN THE VALLEY

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

Images of the same scene on Baldpate Mountain, five days apart in June.

Working to keep Hopewell Township affordable

Kevin D. Kuchinski FROM THE TOWNSHIP

One of the top priorities of the Hopewell Township Committee and its professionals is keeping the Township affordable for our current and future residents, while maintaining the highquality services currently offered.

Accomplishing this, especially given the high inflation of the past two years, has required a multi-faceted approach. Among the many areas of affordability, we focus on, two key ones are fiscal responsibility, which has led to our second consecutive year of a tax-rate decrease, and housing.

In terms of fiscal responsibility, the Township Committee is focused on finding new sources of revenue to lower taxes for current residents, while allowing us to enhance services.

The Hopewell Township Committee has worked hard over the years to attract new businesses to the Township. Doing so - often referred to as “increasing commercial ratables” - is important because as the base of commercial taxpayers grow, they are increasing our overall tax base and paying a higher proportion of the annual tax levy, allowing the overall tax rate to decrease. The growth in ratables has driven the progress towards a lower tax rate in recent years.

To that end, we’re particularly proud of the growth in our innovation economy, including the revitalization of the former Bristol Myers Squibb site. That site is now home to groundbreaking pharmaceutical companies with lifesaving treatments including PTC Therapeutics, BeiGene, Passage Bio, and Gennao Bio.  And we’ve only seen a portion of the financial benefits to date of these efforts to the Township and

residents.

In addition to fostering economic growth, the Township Committee has also focused on grant programs to support expanded services and other community initiatives at little to no cost to residents. Over the past four years the Township has cumulatively received over $10 million in outside grant funding, with total grant receipts growing from $1.1 million in 2020 to $4.8 million in 2023.

For context, our 2023 grants are equivalent to almost 20% of our annual municipal budget, helping keep the lid on residential property taxes.

These grants have supported important projects such as 911 call center upgrades, the new Senior & Community Center, as well as a new Bandshell in Woolsey Park among others.

In addition to fiscal responsibility, housing is a critical part of affordability

in Hopewell Township. Having a diverse blend of housing is critically important to making our community attractive and affordable for residents.  Without it, we would not be able to welcome young families to our community, allow aging residents to downsize and stay in the Township they know and love, and enable our children to find starter homes in our community, when they’re ready to move back.

We’re proud that Hopewell Township is meeting its legal and moral obligation to provide affordable housing.  At a recent groundbreaking event for Homefront and 26 new affordable housing units, Mayor Michael Ruger shared:

It is wrong to offer a young police officer a job and tell her she needs to commute a long distance in order to take the job, because there is no place she can afford to live in the community she

protects. It is wrong to hire a teacher to educate our children and not give him an opportunity to become part of the community, because there is no place he can afford to live.  And it is wrong to tell a retired couple that they have to move, because there is no place they can afford to live.

That’s why more affordable housing options are necessary.  And it’s the right thing to do.

I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to raise my family here in Hopewell Township and I look forward to working with the Township Committee to ensure we keep the Township affordable so others can have the same great opportunities.

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

(Chart provided by Kevin Kuchinski.)

Be true to your state

Robin Schore

While you are vacationing in Tahiti, the Riviera or Coney Island this summer, and people ask you where are you from, do you answer, “Between New York and Philadelphia”?

Or do you cover your mouth and mumble something indistinguishable or make some pretentious statement about being a citizen of the world?

Are you embarrassed to admit that you are from New Jersey?

And when you do admit it, do people respond with that incredibly hilarious line, “What exit on the Turnpike?”

After you have recovered from intense guffawing, you instantly know what they are thinking about. It’s those gigantic, odoriferous refineries flaring ghastly gases around Elizabeth. That’s the section of the turnpike where you hold your breath and hope you’ll live.

Let us consider some reasons to swell with pride as you boldly declare that New

Jersey is your home.

Think of the stars of stage and screen from New Jersey: Joe Pesci, Lou Costello (not Abbott), John Travolta, Kirsten Dunst (yes!), Jerry Lewis (no!), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones); Kevin Smith (Clerks), Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito, Ray Liotta, Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), Nathan Lane, Paul Rudd, James Gandolfini, Jason Alexander, Janeane Garafalo, Ed Harris, Susan Sarandon, Zach Braff, Frank Langella, Bobby Cannavale, Frankie Muniz and the magician David Copperfield.

The list of New Jersey music greats is also a long one, including Queen Latifah, Ice-T, Jon Bon Jovi, Sarah Vaughan, Frankie Valli, Whitney Houston, Count Basie, Gloria Gaynor, Dionne Warwick, and Paul Simon. Did I mention Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen?

Surprisingly, neither Elvis nor the Beatles came from New Jersey.

New Jersey has produced fine writers and poets. Stephen Crane, Allen Ginsberg and Phillip Roth were all from Newark. Also, William Carlos Williams (Paterson), Judy Blume (Elizabeth; she survived the refineries), and Janet Evanovich (from South River, not Trenton after all).

Speaking of sports, what about Derek Jeter, Althea Gibson, Shaquille O’Neal, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and Yogi Berra?

Then there are the singular, one-of-akind, stand-outs: Paul Robeson (actor, athlete, singer, political activist), Thomas Edison (makes a light bulb go off in your head), Grover Cleveland (only president elected to nonconsecutive terms), Buzz Aldrin (second person to walk on the moon) and the greatest of Trentonians, Ernie Kovacs.

Not to be omitted is my favorite New Jerseyan, the heroic Cassidy Hutchinson of Pennington, who testified before Congress how ex-POTUS Donald J. [expletive deleted] tried to throttle his Secret Service driver prior to throwing his fast food platter against the wall of the Oval Office dining room.

New Jersey has also produced some of the best-named organized crime figures: Sam “The Plumber” DeCavalcante, Abner “Longy” Zwillman, Ruggiero “Richie The Boot” Boiardo and Angelo “Gyp” Decarlo.

Only Philadelphia’s Philip “Chicken

Man” Testa had a better moniker.

Mention might be made of some debatably distinguished celebrities: Dennis Rodman, Kellyanne Conway, Martha Stewart and Kevin Spacey. Then there’s Hopewell’s Charles “Lucky Lindy” Lindbergh, who used to be an esteemed national hero until keen minds focused on his role as a Nazi sympathizer.

Princeton Cemetery is home to the assassin and insurrectionist Aaron Burr, without whom there would be no Hamilton, the Musical. Also stashed there is Jonathan Edwards, 19th century cleric and author of the all-time scariest sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” (Don’t read it alone at night.)

And, once again, Grover Cleveland.

Of greatest historical significance is the fact that Monopoly, invented in 1935, derives the names of all properties from Atlantic City.

Balancing the dreariness of the turnpike and Route 1, New Jersey shares half the natural beauty of the mighty Delaware River with Pennsylvania. The Sourland Mountains are as pretty as any forest in New England. And there’s the under-appreciated Paterson Falls, the second highest waterfall east of the Mississippi after Niagara.

If you want a great view of Manhattan’s skyline, you have to go to New Jersey.

If you want the best blueberries, tomatoes, and corn, you have to go to New Jersey.

New Jersey encompasses a formidable variety of places to live ranging from the ruined cities of Trenton, Camden, and Newark — all still waiting to be resurrected — to the ritzy realms of Saddle River, Princeton and the horse farms of Hunterdon.

Among the 50 states, New Jersey is the 11th most populous, despite being 47th in size. It’s the 6th most educated state with 43 colleges and universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks New Jersey as the 19th best state in the union. The New York Post reported New Jersey as the best state. There’s a source to worry about.

On the downside, New Jersey provides a summer lair for The Beast of Bedminster. His announced intention to be interred on the grounds of his golf club led to its immediate designation as a toxic waste site.

Robin Schore lives in Hopewell Borough.

The list of New Jersey music greats is also a long one, including Queen Latifah, Ice-T, Jon Bon Jovi, Sarah Vaughan, Frankie Valli, Whitney Houston, Count Basie, Gloria Gaynor, Dionne Warwick, and Paul Simon. Did I mention Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen?

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Hopewell Valley O ce | Two Route 31 South, Pennington NJ | O: 609. 737. 1500

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Each lifestyle loan closed during this promotional period will make no payments for 90 days. Accepting the terms of “no payment for 90 days offer” will extend the maturity of your loan for at least 90 days but less than 110 days. If accepting the delayed first payment, you will not be eligible for any other skipping/delaying your payment during this calendar year. Interest will accrue during this period. Loan amounts of up to $25,000 are available. Processing fee of $35 will apply. All loans are subject to credit approval.

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