New approach boosts Blake on HoVal diamond
By Joe EmansKI
Jason Zegarski watched Jeffrey Blake explode for the Hopewell Valley Central High baseball team this spring. But the Lawrence Post 414 legion manager wasn’t surprised, as he had seen that show last summer as well.
“We already knew he had it in him,” Zegarski said.
And he had it again this summer, as Blake was hitting .412 with an OPS at nearly 1.100 entering the New Jersey State Final 8 Tournament that ran July 21-26. He had seven doubles, two triples, 15 RBI and eight runs scored.
“I hit pretty well last year,” Blake said entering the states. “I was a lot more of a singles hitter last year with a lot of line drives. That was my mentality. This year I’m trying to work the gaps, swing a little harder. Get some more power behind it.”
how far would you go if they were sick?
But Zegarski doesn’t want too much focus on power.
“As a hitter, it’s nice to see guys that will go the other way,” the manager said. “Sometimes he tries to hit it out a little bit, we have to tell him, ‘Hey, Jeffrey, reign it in. Just try to hit it up the middle.’ He has to let his big length provide the power for
him.
“He’s also one of our top rotation pitchers. You know he’ll give you five, six, seven innings on the bump. It’s nice to have a pitcher who can also play the field. It’s nice to have someone who can do it all.”
Blake recorded a 2-1 record this summer, with one save, a 3.38 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 18-2/3 innings pitched.
“He’s always one of those number one, number two starters,” Zegarski said. “He competes. He’s got a fastball, change-up and slider. I like him because he’s big, he’s long, he’s lanky. As a hitter those were always the pitchers I hated to hit the most, because it seemed like the ball was right on top of you.”
Blake is coming off a high school season in which he was named the Bulldogs Most Valuable Player and earned All-CVC honors from several outlets. He hit .362 with three doubles, a triple, home run, 14 walks, 22 RBI, a .538 on-base average, .462 slugging percentage and 1.000 OPS.
That came on the heels of two straight high school campaigns in which he hit .263 both seasons.
Welcome to Capital Health.
On the mound, he was 7-2 with a 0.89 ERA and 43 strike-
See BLAKE, Page 12
Fields of native corn connect green spaces with Lenape legacy
There are two themes running through my column this month: Land Stewardship and Destiny. A strange combination at first glance, but considering the history of our Lenape predecessors, it struck me that an overarching karma
When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we.
With a collaborative structure so our doctors can craft a treatment that’s uniquely right for you. With primary care physicians who never schedule an appointment that’s less than 20 minutes. With world-renowned surgeons that are changing cancer treatment.
Because you’d go to the ends of the earth for the
of connections drives this story.
I began by tracking down local farmer Rob Flory, who gained expertise in historic agricultural practices before retiring from Howell Living History Farm. Ever active in his community, Rob is on the board at FoHVOS and has supported the work at the Outdoor Equity Alliance and SSAAM.
When Rob was at Howell Farm, they had grown Lenape
corn on a very small scale. At harvest time, Rob attended a program at Princeton University and first met Lenape Chief Vincent Mann. Chief Mann mentioned that he was looking for more than just packet quantities of this corn, known as Puhwem corn. He wanted to be able to plant fields of it, and Rob offered what he had.
The next year, they grew
See PUHWEM, Page 10
you care about. And we do too.
Rob Flory and Linda Mead in the Puhwem corn field at St. Michaels Preserve.
Lisa Wolff hAppY VALLeY
Zoning board hurting the township
To quote William Shakespeare, sort of:
To protect steep slopes or not to protect steep slopes, that was the question at the Hopewell Township Zoning Board of Adjustment special meeting on June 11. Unanimously, with one member absent, the board chose not to protect steep slopes on the Delaware River. The zoning board granted approval, even though the project was already built into the steep slopes without permits, without inspections, without authorization. Maybe they just don’t like steep slopes.
Hopewell Township has a well earned reputation regarding environmental protection. Yet, this mind-blowing decision comes on the heels of another astonishing decision just a few months ago. The zoning board allowed the Hollystone hotel project to endanger Fiddler’s Creek and ground water conservation. Maybe they just don’t like water.
Add in the fact that the zoning board
no longer meets in person, even though the Covid public health emergency ended on March 7, 2022 and our township committee has been meeting in person since June 13, 2022. What you have is a wildly out-of-touch zoning board, which does not reflect bedrock township values. Maybe they just don’t like public accountability.
The court-approved Hopewell Township Master Plan of 2002 provides our blueprint for land use and protects both ground water conservation and steep slopes. Our separate municipal steep slope ordinance reinforces our protection of steep slopes. Despite these two strong statements, the zoning board carved out exceptions for two different applicants to allow noncompliance with the master plan and steep slope ordinance. Maybe they just don’t like Hopewell Township values.
Harvey Lester, Titusville
We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Hopewell Express is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Gazette does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood.
eDitor
Joe Emanski (Ext. 120)
ContriBUtinG Writer Rich Fisher, ContriBUtinG CoLUmnists Robin Schore, Lisa Wolff
AD LAYoUt AnD proDUCtion
Stacey Micallef
ACCoUnt eXeCUtiVe
Christine Storie (Ext. 115) to ADVertise call Christine storie (609) 396-1511, ext. 115 or e-mail cstorie@communitynews.org
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11,000 copies of the Hopewell Express are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Pennington, Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough 12 times a year.
RWJUH Hamilton August Healthy Living / Community Education Programs
SWEET SUCCESS SOCIETY: A DIABETES GROUP
Monday, Aug 5; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, Aug 12; 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept 3; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
A group for anyone with diabetes or caring for one of the 37 million Americans living with diabetes. Learn and discuss healthy ways to manage diabetes alongside peers and Taryn Krietzman, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Empower yourself and others towards a healthy lifestyle and success in diabetes self-management.
CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Monday, Aug 5 + 19; 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Caring for a chronically ill senior can take a physical and emotional toll on family members. An Oaks Integrated Care Caregiver Specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.
ADULT CHILDREN CARING FOR PARENTS
Monday, Aug 5 + 19; 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
An Oaks Integrated Care caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.
GOT STRESS?
Tuesday, Aug 6; 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept 3; 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Support group about dealing with stress. When you experience stress, your body produces physical and mental responses. Gain valuable insight about how others deal with similar situations.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, Aug 7; 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Supportive discussion group for those caring for a loved one who is aging or has a chronic illness-shared experiences can be healing. An Oaks Integrated Care caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.
DANCE IT OUT!
Friday, Aug 9; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug 20; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept 6; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
When in doubt, dance it out! Find your rhythm and ease the everyday stresses of life with movement. All ages welcome; no experience required.
A great way to get kid your kids out and active during these summer days off from school.
WHAT’S EATING YOU?
Monday, Aug 12; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday, Sept 9; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Support group for people experiencing emotional eating. Peer support is key. We offer a safe space to connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
LETTING GO OF CLUTTER
Tuesday, Aug 13; 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This support group explores how our emotional ties to our “stuff” can create clutter and affect our mood.
An Oaks Integrated Care caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.
MASTER/TEACHER LEVEL REIKI CERTIFICATION
Monday, Aug 19; 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This Reiki Master level class is for those who have been certified in Reiki level 2 and have been practicing for at least 6 months. Master Level deepens ones Reiki practice and adds focus, clarity and integrity to go deeper within to fully integrate the Reiki tools you already have. $160
DIZZINESS – CAUSES AND PREVENTION
Monday, Aug 19; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Are you light-headed? Unsteady on your feet? Do you feel off balance? Join Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D. and learn about the causes and treatment for dizziness.
TAKE HOME COLORECTAL KIT
Tuesday, Aug 20; 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Participants will attend a lecture about colon health, and receive a stool sample kit to use at home and mail back.
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
Wednesday, Aug 21; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Quieting your mind, even for a short while, can have profound effects on both your body and your mind. Come learn to lower the volume of your mind’s chatter. No experience is necessary.
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, Aug 21; 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Support and information for family and friends of people with Alzheimer’s disease. An Oaks Integrated Care
caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.
HEALTHRHYTHMS® DRUM CIRCLE
Wednesday, Aug 21; 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Drum your cares away with our monthly drum circle. It’s lots of fun and a great stress reliever. Beginners welcome; drums will be provided. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP $15
WOMEN’S SUMMER BOOK
CLUB: WHEN WOMEN WERE DRAGONS BY KELLY BARNHILL
Thursday, Aug 22; 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
A Goodreads best Book of the Year.
“A fiery feminist fantasy tale set in 1950’s America where thousands of women have spontaneously transformed into dragons, exploding notions of a woman’s place in the world and expanding minds about accepting others for who they really are.” Bring your book to class and come prepared to have a lively discussion with other women readers.
WISE WOMEN
Thursday, Aug 22; 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join a community of women as we discuss relevant topics and find purpose, meaning and community.
ORTHO 101: TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT
Monday, Aug 26; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join Orthopedic Program Coordinator, Denise Berdecia, MSN, RN, ONC; Lead Rehabilitation Therapists, Maureen Stevens, PT, DPT, GCS, Cert. MDT; and
Sarah Masco, OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA; for an in-depth discussion on total hip replacements. These experts will explain preventative treatment, talking to a surgeon, decision for surgery, hospital expectations, and recovery with outpatient therapy.
PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP
Tuesday, Aug 27; 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This group is for you to connect with others affected. Share and explore ways to improve lifestyle changes.
CLEAN LIVING IN A TOXIC WORLD
Wednesday, Aug 28; 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Toxins are all around us - in the air we breathe, the products we use and the food we eat. Learn what these toxins can do to our body and ways to avoid them and live a cleaner life with Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Therapies Nurse.
REIKI SHARE
Wednesday, Aug 28; 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
For folks who have been Reiki certified to come share the gift with fellow practitioners. Give a session, get a session. Open only to those certified in Reiki. Please bring a sheet and small pillow.
*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.
Sharon B. recently shared, “I just want to mention that coming to these programs is a big stress reliever and has been life changing! I also met my best friend here. It is my ‘go to place’ to have fun and learn so much.”
From Loretta V., “My son, at 18 years old, was diagnosed with brain cancer. I spent the next 30 years caring for him as his body deteriorated, eventually taking his life. My entire focus was caring for him and when he passed, I was at a loss as to how to fill the time and rebuild my life. That’s when I saw the Better Health Program advertised in the Hamilton Post. I was drawn to the ‘Senior Social Group.’ I became a member and registered for that first class. Now, more than a year later, I continue to attend the weekly Senior Social Group as well as many other fun and educational programs. In Senior Social Group, I have made friends and plan activities like walking, lunching, and other fun things. This program has been instrumental in helping me rebuild my life.”
A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP
Wednesday, Aug 7, 14, 21, 28; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, Aug 8 + 22; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. YOGA CLASSES Tuesday, Aug 13 + 27; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MEDITATION CLASSES Tuesday, Aug 13 + 27; 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
TAI CHI CLASSES
CHAIR YOGA Tuesday, Aug 13 + 27; 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
GAME TIME Thursday, Aug 15 + 29; 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call 609-584-5900 to learn more
Former mayors: Vote no on the school referendum
By John Hart and Vanessa Sandom
We have often been on different sides of issues in Hopewell Valley over the past 25 years, but today, there’s an important issue we can agree on: voters should reject the proposed $87.1 million Hopewell Valley Regional Schools District referendum in September.
We are taxed enough already (see teahv.org) and do not need additional funding for a bunch of new school projects. HVRSD schools have the highest per pupil costs in Mercer County and among the highest in the state, with Valley families paying an average of $23,774 per enrolled student per year as of 2022-23, according to the Department of Education.
now, and submit a second referendum question to voters after the administration has prioritized the other “nice to have” capital projects. Can district officials honestly claim that the entire $87 million of spending is essential?
One final note: the HVRSD district has over $15 million in audited reserves as of last June. Yes, you read that right: we’ve got $15 million in the bank — more reserves than all like-sized Mercer County school districts. Still, they want to charge another $87 million to our credit cards. Why not use some of this money first to offset a portion of the project costs instead of asking our seniors, single moms and long-time farming families to pay more?
Believe it or not, in the most recently approved budget, HVRSD costs surged to well over $26,000 per pupil. Per pupil spending is higher than Princeton, West Windsor, Montgomery and most other toptier districts. School funding has increased massively over the past 15 years, despite the district’s declining enrollment.
In 2016, residents supported a $36 million referendum for deferred maintenance at our schools, including important HVAC and security improvements in all schools and significant roof work. Seems a bit odd that the headline projects in this new referendum are ones we’ve already paid for.
We need full transparency on the proposed projects and should push the district to make hard choices on wants versus needs. For example, do we really need new turf fields at the middle school? Why not break the referendum into two parts and pass the true “must haves”
Most of us can think of lots of stuff we’d love to add to our personal household, yet we show necessary restraint to spend within our means. District administrators should be held accountable to the same standards. Putting this ask of Valley taxpayers into perspective: in their current 2023-24 budget, HVRSD increased our taxes more than 4% over the previous year for a total tax levy of $86.7 million. This referendum adds another $87 million, more than their highest ever total annual tax levy.
We have asked the district for a detailed breakdown of each proposed capital project in the referendum and plan to share a second letter and update in next month’s Hopewell Express. We’re all for strong schools, but it can’t be at any price. Together, we need to send a message to the school administration, to focus on value, and restore responsible budgeting.
John Hart and Vanessa Sandom are former Hopewell Township mayors and longtime Hopewell Valley residents.
Greater Access to Emergency Care at Capital Health Regional Medical Center
Expanded Emergency Department Capacity Part of Continuing Investments in Trenton
Capital Health has officially opened expanded Emergency Department space for patient care at Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) located at 750 Brunswick Avenue in Trenton. The Emergency Department at RMC has added 16 new beds to allow for 50 beds total (including fast track beds) with an additional trauma bay bringing the total of trauma-dedicated beds to three.
The project benefited significantly from a $6.3 million grant through the American Rescue Plan Act and a partnership with the Department of Community Affairs.
“The health care landscape in the City of Trenton has seen significant changes in recent years, so it’s more important than ever for Capital Health to preserve and expand key medical services and patient-centered care,” said Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr., chairman, Capital Healthcare Inc. Board of Trustees. “By pairing Capital Health’s commitment and vision with the key support of our elected officials, the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Health, and other key partners, we can keep working to increase the breadth of emergency care available
to accommodate more patients and continue to address the pressing health care needs our neighbors face every day.”
“The expansion of our Emergency Department at Capital Health Regional Medical Center would not have been possible without the support of our elected officials as well as New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs and Department of Health,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “Thanks to their support, we are able to make ongoing investments in the communities we serve and foster our shared commitment to providing Trenton area residents with access to advanced, comprehensive health care.”
This increase in capacity at the Emergency Department marks the beginning of extensive renovations at RMC that include additional patient floors and a new state-of-the-art cardiac surgery suite. The projects will all benefit from funding from the state, thanks to the support of the state legislative delegation for the 15th district and the Governor’s Office. Additional projects beyond the ED at RMC will also benefit from a $500,000 grant from Bank of America which was awarded to Capital Health to support expanded access at the Trenton location.
Capital Health Regional Medical Center is home to a state designated comprehensive stroke center (part of the Capital Institute for Neurosciences), the Level II Bristol-Myers Squibb Trauma Center, a cardiac surgery and cardiovascular services program, and Mercer County’s designated Emergency Mental Health Services Center. RMC also offers inpatient and outpatient radiology services, dialysis, and numerous other medical services.
For more information about Capital Health, visit capitalhealth.org. If you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Pediatric-Friendly Emergency Care at Capital Health – East Trenton
A trip to an emergency room can be overwhelming for anyone, but for children it can be especially scary. To help families in Trenton feel more comfortable while their children receive emergency care, Capital Health recently added pediatric-friendly rooms to the Emergency Department at Capital Health – East Trenton. Located at 601 Hamilton Avenue in Trenton, New Jersey (where St. Francis Medical Center used to be), the East Trenton emergency room facilities feature a section of rooms designed to put children more at ease with pediatric seating, a toy closet, and brighter new fabrics and décor.
“As health care evolves in Trenton, residents can rest assured that we continue to provide emergency care for our younger patients and that we are responsive to what the community needs and asks for,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health.
“The satellite emergency department at Capital Health – East Trenton is open 24/7 to the community with emergency room physicians and nurses who are specifically trained to care for all kinds of emergencies that children experience, including injuries and illnesses.”
The toy closet in the new pediatric-friendly Emergency Department space was made possible through the generosity of the Capital Health Auxiliary. The Capital Health Auxiliary is a dedicated group of individuals organized to support educational and health programs at Capital Health that benefit its patients and communities.
On December 21, 2022, Capital Health assumed responsibility for health care services previously provided by St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. That campus, which now operates an Emergency Department and some outpatient services, has been renamed Capital Health – East Trenton and is home to an
outpatient medicine clinic, the Capital Health School of Nursing and School of Radiologic Technology, and the CARES Child Wellness Program.
In addition to the new pediatric-friendly area of the Emergency Department at Capital Health – East Trenton, Capital Health continues to operate a specialized Pediatric Emergency Department at its nearby Hopewell campus for patients in Mercer and Bucks counties who are newborns through 20 years of age. From the waiting room to all clinical areas, this 16-bed unit is designed just for children and parents and is staffed by boardcertified physicians and pediatric-trained nurses. Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is also home to a Pediatric Observation Program that allows children who are not well enough to go home, but not sick enough to stay be admitted as inpatients to receive continuous, quality, family-centered care under observation for complaints such as respiratory disorders, dehydration, and illnesses by fever to name a few. If at any time a child requires additional care or an extended stay, Capital Health partners with local children’s hospitals who will assume care and help coordinate a transfer to their facility. For more information about Capital Health – East Trenton, visit capitalhealth.org/easttrenton.
Capital Health Partnering with TVAX Biomedical to Offer Brain Cancer Immunotherapy Trial
Only Participating Clinical Site in the Northeast United States
Capital Health Cancer Center has announced that it has joined TVAX Biomedical, Inc.’s clinical trial to study a potential novel therapy for glioblastoma (GBM), the most common type of malignant brain cancer. Capital Health Cancer Center is one of five clinical sites open in the United States and currently the only East Coast location north of Florida to offer access to the TVAX trial.
“Our participation in clinical trials is critical to Capital Health’s focus on providing the best and most personalized care possible for our patients,” said DR. NAVID REDJAL, director of Neurosurgical Oncology at Capital Health.
“Thanks to the efforts of our amazing clinical and research teams, we’re excited to offer this groundbreaking trial to our patients and contribute data to a study that could lead to an exciting new therapy for treating GBM.”
There have been many trials over the past 20 years seeking to use the power of the immune system to attack GBM. None to date has proven effective. The investigational approach proposed by the TVAX protocol utilizes a patient’s own tumor cells to create a vaccine, which then is given to the patient to generate a specific immune response to their tumor. The laboratory collects, activates and expands these anti-tumor immune cells, which may lead to a more robust immune response when given back to the patient. The goal of this study is to evaluate whether or not this approach will overcome the natural tumor immune suppression of GBM and allow the immune system to kill remaining tumor cells.
“We’re excited to be part of studies like the TVAX trial and offer patients new possibilities for treatment of glioblastoma,” said DR. MICHAEL SALACZ, director of Medical Neuro-Oncology at Capital Health. “This is a true personalized treatment approach that uses a patient’s own tumor to unlock the power of their immune system to kill any remaining cancer cells. Our participation in the study could lead to better outcomes for patients and their families fighting brain tumors like glioblastoma in our region and beyond.”
“TVAX Biomedical is very pleased to include Capital Health and the expertise of Drs. Navid Redjal and Michael Salacz and their entire staff in this study. We hope this late-stage clinical study will significantly improve clinical outcomes for these patients with so few options,” said Dr. Wayne Carter, CEO of TVAX Biomedical. The TVAX clinical trial at Capital Health Cancer Center is open to adults from age 18 to 80 with a new diagnosis of glioblastoma with methylguanine methyltranserase (MGMT) that is active or “unmethylated.” Because collecting enough cells to create the vaccine is the first step of this immune treatment, patients will need to be able to have surgery at Capital Health. Trial screening is required to determine if candidates meet the full criteria for participation in any clinical trial.
The Center for Neuro-Oncology, part of Capital Institute for Neurosciences and Capital Health Cancer Center, is a referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer involving the brain and spine. The Center is housed in state-of-the-art facilities where patients have access to an experienced and caring team of physicians, nurses and staff who work closely with referring physicians to facilitate rapid and thorough evaluations and recommendations for patients and their families. In addition to providing advanced neuro-oncologic and neuroscience care, the Center participates in clinical trials to develop better ways to fight cancer. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org/neurooncology.
To learn more about this and other ongoing trials available at Capital Health’s Center for Neuro-Oncology, please call 609.394.4130.
Capital Health Attains National Reaccreditation from the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
Fourth consecutive accreditation demonstrates Capital Health’s commitment to improving comprehensive breast care
Capital Health’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Care, part of Capital Health Cancer Center, has received reaccreditation under the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).
“With this reaccreditation, patients can have confidence in our ability to accurately diagnose and provide the best possible treatment for breast cancer and other breast health conditions,” said Dr. Cataldo Doria, medical director of the Capital Health Cancer Center. “With a full range of breast care available under one roof, such as annual screenings, advanced diagnostics, genetic counseling and testing, leading-edge oncology care and a high risk breast cancer program, patients benefit from the combined knowledge of an expansive medical team that includes breast surgeons, radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons, pathologists, rehabilitation services, and related support services.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States after skin cancer. Programs accredited by the NAPBC follow a model for organizing and managing a breast center to facilitate multidisciplinary, integrated, and comprehensive breast cancer services. The NAPBC focuses on the spectrum of a patient’s journey with breast cancer or breast disease, including prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship. By setting high standards, NAPBC accreditation guides breast centers in providing comprehensive breast care based on scientific evidence.
“ACS Quality programs are grounded in more than a century of experience and participation is an important measure of a hospital’s surgical quality. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, Capital Health has shown a commitment to providing the best possible patient care, evaluating that care in a rigorous fashion, and dedicating themselves to continuous self-improvement,” said ACS Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Patricia L. Turner.
As an institution accredited by the NAPBC, Capital Health also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner in recognition of its dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. The Surgical Quality Partner designation lets patients know that Capital Health’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Care is dedicated to quality and relentless self-improvement and has been accredited by the ACS. Patients can trust that the care they receive at Surgical Quality Partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality.
Capital Health’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Care offers a complete range of personalized, breast care programs and services from advanced diagnostics and genetic testing to leading edge cancer care all at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. From cancer to cysts, abscesses, lesions, breast pain and other breast-related disorders, patients receive care from a multidisciplinary team that collaborates closely to develop a personalized treatment plan. For more information, call 609.537.6767 or visit capitalbreast.org.
Capital Health Cancer Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, is home to the Center for Comprehensive Breast Care as well as other centers of excellence specializing in lung care, liver health, neuro-oncology, pancreatic health, and robotic-assisted surgery. To learn more, visit capitalhealthcancer.org.
On the Cover
Prehab: Pete Davidson sets Aug. 18 tour stop in Trenton
By Joe Emanski
Saturday Night Live alumnus Pete Davidson is set to take the stage at Patriots Theater stage on Saturday, Aug. 18 as part of his “Prehab” comedy tour.
Davidson, who starred in the 2023 Peacock comedy-drama series Bupkis, has been on tour all summer, including a July 20 show at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City that one fan on Reddit’s Pete Davidson forum called “hysterical.”
He is scheduled to appear at the Trenton War Memorial at 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster.
Bupkis, a semi-autobiographical comedy series that also starred Edie Falco and Joe Pesci, ran for one season on Peacock. It was picked up for a second season, but Davidson announced in March that the show would not continue.
Davidson joined the cast of NBC’s Sat-
another, Turbo Fonzarelli, debuted on Netflix in January.
Davidson co-wrote and starred in the 2020 Judd Apatow movie The King of Staten Island, which like Bupkis, is said to be partly based on the life of Davidson, a Staten Island native. He has also appeared in the movies The Suicide Squad, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Meet Cute, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Dumb Money. He is also set to play the role of Joey Ramone in the planned future Netflix movie I Slept With Joey Ramone, currently in production.
urday Night Live in 2014, when he was just 20. He remained a part of the performing ensemble through 2022, becoming known in his tenure for his “Weekend Update”
sketches. He returned to host the premiere episode of the 49th season of SNL on Oct. 14.
He filmed his first stand-up comedy special, Pete Davidson: SMD, in New York in 2016. His stand-up special, Alive From New York, ran on Netflix starting in 2020, and
Tickets for the Prehab show at Patriots Theater start at $49.50. The show is billed as a “phone-free experience,” with the use of phones, smart watches, and other digital accessories prohibited during the show. Guests must agree to secure their devices in locked Yondr pouches for the duration of the show. Guests keep the pouches with them and can open them in designated Phone Use Areas if needed. Guests who use devices during the show may be removed from the venue.
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the War Memorial in trenton, home to Patriots theater. (Photo courtesy of the state of New Jersey.)
Butterfly Festival returns to Watershed institute Aug. 3
The 24th annual Watershed Butterfly Festival is set to take place this year on Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Watershed Institute.
The event will feature tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House and the Insect Zoo. Live music and entertainment is planned for throughout the day, including animal shows featuring Eyes of the Wild. The Butterfly and Bug Parade, led by Lady Monarch, Ms. Allison, is intended for young children.
At the festival, adults and children alike can learn through hands-on exhibits about watersheds and the need to protect rivers, lakes and streams. Food and drink will be available for sale, including a water truck provided by New Jersey American Water. Festival goers will also be able to purchase butterfly wings and other items at the Watershed Gift Shop.
There are two sessions scheduled: one for 9:30 a.m. to noon, and another for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Eyes of the Wild shows are scheduled for 10 a.m. for the morning session and 12:45 for the afternoon session. Pre-registration is available online
is
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at thewatershed.org/butterfly-festival. The price is $10 per person or $25 per carload up to six people per car.
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The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House opened in 2000. The outdoor structure features native plants that provide nectar for butterflies and other pollinators.
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children at the 2023 Watershed Butterfly festival. (facebook photo.)
‘Grown Up Camp’ offers adults a
For the parents out there who drop their kids off at summer camp each day and wish they could stick around and play along, there is an answer: Grown Up Camp.
On Aug. 10, Screamin’ Hill Brewery, Liberty Lake Picnics and Events and Blend Bar and Bistro will host the third annual Grown Up Camp at 60-acre Liberty Lake.
Planned “grown-up” activities include boating, rock climbing, water balloon tosses, swimming, mini golf and something called archery tag.
Also on the schedule are a threelegged race, wall ball, 3-v-3 hoops, pickle-
ball, tug of war, Wiffle ball, water trampoline, laser tag, kickball and flag football.
Live music will be provided by Jakfire. Craft beer will be provided by Cream Ridge-based Screamin’ Hill Brewery.
Food trucks Relish the Dog, Smokin’ Rev and Toscano’s will also be on hand.
Grown Up Camp is for grown-ups only and costs $30 to attend ($40 at the door).
To purchase discount tickets in advance, go to libertylakepicnic.com/grownupcamp. The event is semi rain or shine; in the event of extreme weather, the rain date is Sunday, Aug. 11, but mere rain will not be expected to be cause enough for cancellation.
Candlelight Concerts coming to Masonic Temple on Aug. 17
Candlelight Concerts look to bring the phenomenon of a live, multisensory musical experience to locations throughout the world.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, the concert series will be at the Masonic Temple in Trenton for a performance of the music of Antonio Vivaldi, followed by a second concert, a tribute to Taylor Swift, all under the gentle glow of candlelight.
The Highline String Quartet are set to take the stage at the Masonic Temple at 6:30 p.m. to perform works from Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” as well as selections from “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saens.
That concert will be followed by a second concert, “A Tribute to Taylor Swift,” at 9 p.m. The Highline Quartet will play interpretations of Taylor Swift songs including “Love Story,” “Cardigan,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Anti-Hero,” “You Belong With Me” and “Shake It Off.”
Admission to each concert is separate. Tickets for the concerts range in price from $35 to $60. The Highline String Quartet are scheduled to return on Saturday, Sept. 28 for an encore performance of Vivaldi, followed that night by a tribute concert featuring the music of Coldplay. The Masonic Temple is located at 100 Barrack Street, Trenton. Web: feverup. com. A candlelight concert in Madrid. (Photo courtesy
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At St. George Preschool, we believe that each child has an innate drive for exploring, discovering, communicating, and learning. Our purpose is to provide a safe, warm, and nurturing environment for children to develop this innate drive to the fullest, and become life-long learners. Our goal is to help each child develop his/her individual interests, creativity and potential at their own pace by providing a wide variety of fun and age-appropriate activities and materials.
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Saint George Preschool, 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton. 609-586-2223. Contact director Angela Gering at director@ stgeorgepreschool.org.
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AROUND TOWN
Arts council awards scholarships to 2024 grads
The Hopewell Valley Arts Council has awarded its annual scholarships to two Hopewell Valley Central High School 2024 graduating seniors: Rose Andreski and Jacob Brown.
“This year is particularly special as we celebrate our 10th anniversary. These scholarships are a critical part of our mission in encouraging creativity in the Hopewell Valley community and fostering a lifelong participation in the arts,” said HV Arts Council board president, Carol Lipson, in a media release.
The Arts Council said that the scholarship winners were those who illustrated substantial talent and deep interest in their selected area of study, and a commitment to further their education in any aspect of the arts, including fine arts, performing arts, culinary arts, literary arts or other forms of creative expression.
Starting ballet at six years old at Danceworks in Pennington, Andreski expanded into various styles including jazz, hip hop,
tap, lyrical and acrobatics. Her dedication earned her recognition from Hopewell Valley Central High School’s faculty for outstanding achievement and service in dance. She was also accepted into the school’s Performing Arts Academy, choreographing and performing her own dances.
Beyond the stage, her love of dance extends into science and history, blending her studies in human anatomy and physiology with her dance research. Andreski plans to major in dance and psychology in college to continue her passion and knowledge expansion.
Brown’s involvement in theater has built a concrete foundation of confidence for him, enabling him to help others with various challenges, from acting coaching to personal advice. He plans to pursue a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting at the University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts.
Artworks Trenton contributed to the scholarship fund.
more and had a planting ceremony at Munsee Three Sisters Farm.
Representatives from several nations attended and Northeast Organic Farming Association spread the word with a documentary.
When Flory retired in March 2024, among his passions was finding a new home for the Lenape project. The biggest challenge was locating a plot of land that had no other corn growing, to avoid cross pollination with the special corn.
In 2020, D&R Greenway Land Trust had several active projects. They celebrated their tenth anniversary of preserving St. Michaels Farm Preserve, announced a new historic land preservation in Bordentown known as Point Breeze, and began planning some gardens at both sites.
At St. Michaels, D&R Greenway responded to the global pandemic by establishing an 8-acre fenced field to address food security issues and grow community connections. 32 plots were plowed with 10-foot rows in between for social distancing.
In addition, the volunteer-run sharing garden provided fresh produce to Aunt Chubby‘s Luncheonette who used it in box lunches and to provide bags of groceries to families in need.
At Point Breeze, which had been home to Lenape Native Americans for 13,000 years, D&R Greenway honored the history of the land by creating a museum. D&R president and CEO Linda Mead consulted with Mann at planning time. “Chief Mann had advised us early on with our Bordentown work at Point Breeze,” she said.
D&R Greenway released a 2021
video where Chief shares his hopes of working together. In the film titled Preservation of Point Breeze: A Native American Perspective, (youtube. com/watch?v=INi968NbP_M), Mann discusses the importance of farming the land: “It is about reestablishing our connection to mother earth.” He mentions the significance of farming the three sisters: corn, squash and beans.
D&R Greenway hired a gardener to help at both sites. “D&R Greenway started the sharing garden during covid to help the local community and partnered with Aunt Chubby’s, and the first year it was run completely by volunteers,” Mead said. “In year two, we hired a gardener who spent three days here and a couple days a week establishing the Point Breeze Bordentown farm. We supported that through year two and through year three.”
“At the end of Year 3, it was a very hot summer,” Mead continued, “volunteers had dwindled somewhat. Our gardener had left D&R Greenway, and we were looking at ‘What’s Next?’ So, we approached Aunt Chubby’s and said that we would be willing to provide the space, the seeds, and we have an irrigation system in place, but we need help with the gardener.” Chubby’s considered it, but found an alternative source of produce that precluded the expense of a gardener.
So D&R Greenway’s new challenge was how to repurpose the sharing garden. In addition, they sought to expand both St. Michaels’ community gardens and Point Breeze’s historical gardens and farm.
Rob Flory re-enters the story here. “I heard that Greenway wasn’t going to continue the sharing garden at St. Michaels, so I contacted Linda and said,
‘What do you think about this project?’”
Flory proposed growing Puhwem corn as the foundation for a Three Sisters Garden.
Linda Mead was immediately intrigued. “When Rob approached me, I thought, ‘What an interesting project! We are already doing the Three Sisters garden along with the historic garden in Bordentown. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful connection to make this happen?’” she said.
The new project brought together the endeavors that Rob and Linda separately initiated with Chief Mann and the Lenape tribe. “D&R Greenway’s mission at Point Breeze was to show all the layers of landowners and share their stories in their own words. The Lenape were also here at St. Michaels in Hopewell,” Mead said. “This is another way that we can honor and recognize the Lenape culture.”
In exchange for getting the land to use, Flory agreed to do some educational programming. He led his first session last June to support the community gardens, and proudly added that as a result new community members signed up for plots.
“So, it’s a symbiotic relationship between bringing Rob’s work at Howell here, expanding the community gardens and Point Breeze. So, it all works together nicely towards the mission of
preserving land,” Mead said.
Flory explained the significant benefits realized in bringing his corn project to the former St. Michael’s sharing garden. “This land is more than I had at Howell. Our primary goal is to produce seed to share with Lenape nations for their projects and initiatives around the state and in Pennsylvania,” he said.
All Three Sisters, corn, beans and squash, are interdependent on each other as they grow. Corn originated in America, and is among our most important crops. As we walked through the fields, Flory showed how the beans grow straight up the corn stalks. The squash runs across the corn and shades the root systems.
As Flory reflected on the symbiotic relationships among the Three Sisters plants, I remembered Linda’s reference to symbiosis about their work. What a delightful destiny how it all came together.
Rob will be leading an event on Aug. 10th about his Lenape agricultural work. For more information visit drgreenway.org.
Lisa Wolff Lisa Wolff is the co-founder of the Outdoor Equity Alliance and an enthusiast for all things inspiring, generous, and local. Email: lwolffhome@gmail.com
Pre-School Combo Ballet/Tap (ages
outs in 55 innings. In his previous two years he had a 3.10 ERA with 32 Ks in 40 innings.
There were a few differences from years past, said Ken Harrison, who recently stepped down as HVCHS head coach after 20 years. Harrison noted that Blake was both physically stronger and mentally more mature in his approach to the game. Most importantly, Blake was pitching pain free during his senior season. He broke his ankle a few months before his junior season, and dealt with that the whole season. “This winter, I trained like crazy,” he said. “I never worked so hard for something. I came out and it was the most prepared I’d ever been for a season.” His ability to prepare made a big difference, not to mention he was no longer worried about where he would play in college.
After contacting numerous schools, Blake was intrigued by Hartford. Despite the fact it was dropping from Division I to Division III, he was impressed by the school and baseball program. He attended a showcase camp last summer
and looked good enough to be called back for a private tour in November.
“I met with all the coaches and everybody,” he said. “We agreed on some things and that was it. They have great coaches, great facilities. Everything is really nice.”
Blake was recruited as both a left-side infielder and pitcher. He considers himself a position player who can pitch, but added with a laugh: “If I go out there and do outstanding as a pitcher, I’m not gonna fight it.”
With his future secured, Blake was free to have fun during the high school season. “I was going out there to enjoy myself and play for the team and my own accomplishments, not to try and get recognized,” he said. “I was thrilled with the season. I pitched great this year. I really came into my own on the mound. I could have done maybe a little better hitting, but I can’t complain.”
Zegarski saw a marked improvement in Blake’s demeanor this summer. “He didn’t let a bad at-bat get to him as much as he did last year,” he said. Blake started his career in Hopewell rec, where he also played travel. When
the travel program began losing players, Jeffrey played for the Flemington A’s and Gallagher Baseball. He remained in travel until last summer, then opted for legion.
“I think legion’s great,” he said. “You’re playing baseball every single day. I don’t see a need to go play for another team or two. I’m playing three to four games a week. Especially this year, when I’m already going up to college. I just want to have a good time during the summer and just enjoy my summer baseball.”
Blake came up big in a key close one when he delivered two doubles and an RBI in Lawrence’s 4-3 win over North Hamilton in the state tournament play-in game.
“It would have been bad (to lose to North Hamilton),” he said. “That would have been a real heart crusher.”
After legion season, Blake will get ready for Hartford and try to follow in the footsteps of his big brother. Andy Blake also emerged late in his HVCHS career and is currently playing in the Los Angeles Angels organization.
“You can’t count anything out,” he said. “Andy helped me a lot. Any time I’d go out training, Andy was right there, always the person who was working hard. You can never let him too far ahead, so I always worked to keep up.”
In looking at the two, Harrison sees some similarities and differences.
“Jeff and Andy have different personalities and demeanors in my opinion,” he said. “But they each are great individuals. They both are outstanding players and do many things well on the baseball field.
“However, I don’t think it’s fair to compare siblings. They each are their own individuals and are outstanding players in their own right. They both had similar paths to success and playing time at the varsity level. Both played as sophomores and juniors and both took off their senior years. I can
tell you one thing for sure is that I enjoyed coaching both of them immensely.”
Just as Zegarski enjoyed having Jeffrey this summer.
“I know he’s more mature, but it was nice to see him take that step to be a leader this year,” the manager said. “He’s definitely got it in his blood with his brother. It’s nice to see his work being rewarded. And he fits in with all the guys on the team.”
That’s no easy task, considering the players come from five different schools.
“During the year you’re all rivals, but for some reason during the summer everyone on this team comes together,” Blake said. “It’s been a great time. The coaches are really great. It’s just a good group of guys.”
Jeffrey Blake on the mound for Post 414 American Legion baseball. (Photo by Tim Lengle.)
Local health departments play critical role in everyday life
Hopewell Township is excited to welcome Gary Dorsi as our new health officer.
The Health Department is dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the safety and well-being of the community. To fulfill its mission and commitment to public safety, the department focuses on a wide range of health surveillance activities. They comprise public health nursing and education, social support and outreach, environmental protection, animal control and vital statistics. The health department’s role also extends to ensuring the safety of the food served in restaurants, the quality of drinking water, cleanliness of swimming pool water, and safety of day camps, schools, day cares, and nursing homes, just to name a few.
Gary Dorsi brings a wealth of experience in public health and a strong dedication to promoting community well being. He describes this vision for the Hopewell Health Department as follows:
“Looking ahead, beyond the Covid19 pandemic, I see an opportunity for us to glean valuable insights from our experiences. This is a moment to refocus our efforts on community well-being and shape the future of public health. Through enforcement, prevention, health education, and support from existing programs and partnerships, our goal is to address health inequities amongst our residents to create a healthy, thriving community.”
Currently, the Hopewell Township Health Department is responsible for ensuring the health of the entire Hopewell Valley, including Hopewell Borough and Pennington Borough, after the Township Committee entered into shared services agreements with both
Boroughs in April of 2023, and providing health services and animal control. This saves taxpayer money while allowing us to elevate the services available through the Health Department.
The Health Department has many areas of responsibility.
For safe drinking water and wastewater, it provides guidance on maintaining private septic systems and wells as well as for public water systems. The Registered Environmental Health Specialists conduct regular inspections, including those related to real estate transactions. These inspections include tests for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS levels according to local standards and the NJ Private Well Testing Act. The Department also offers information and recommendations for properly maintaining water treatment devices and conducting annual water testing for pH, nitrate levels, and bacterial contamination to ensure water safety.
On the public water side, the Hopewell Valley is served by multiple public water systems, and the Health Department organizes educational forums and Q&A sessions to ensure tap water is safe to drink. Water quality testing and reports are accessible on the Township website (hopewelltwp.org/738/Public-WaterSystems-Serving-the-Hopewell). The department has also collaborated with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to organize presentations raising awareness of PFAS and addressing related concerns.
The Health Department has additional key responsibilities, including preventing communicable diseases, providing guidance, and investigating sources of community outbreaks. During the Covid19 pandemic, the Department and all staff members worked hard and collaborated with community partners and key agencies to provide accurate information, and it organized multiple vaccine clinics
for all ages. Additionally, the Health Department routinely conducts health care screenings and flu vaccine clinics. Recently, it organized Shingles vaccine clinics, with more than one hundred people receiving their vaccine. As part of adult health services, the department offers free blood pressure screenings and runs Project Healthy Bones to prevent osteoporosis and related risks. Numerous resources and educational materials are available to promote an active and healthy lifestyle and to manage tobacco and alcohol addictions.
The department also secured a grant and has been offering in-house radon testing kits to limit exposure to harmful gases as well as water testing kits to monitor well water. Additionally, the Office of the Registrar of Vital Statistics manages the accurate permanent records and the issuing of birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Concerning animal control efforts, the department conducts free rabies vaccination clinics several times a year throughout Hopewell Valley. Additionally, a door-to-door campaign is conducted to ensure pets are registered and properly vaccinated.
Finally, local health departments collaborate with emergency management and other local officials to proactively build a plan to respond to natural disasters, novel disease outbreaks, and bioterrorism threats that may significantly impact the local community.
Hopewell Township is fortunate to have community members serving on the Board of Health Advisory Committee and engaging in active discussions to further our mission. They include a doctor, a veterinarian, representatives from the local food service community, and more. I would like to recognize the time commitment of all volunteers and appreciate them sharing their expertise to strengthen community bonds.
The Hopewell Township Committee members and I admire the dedication of the entire staff who are on the front lines to fulfill the responsibility of protecting the community. We welcome Dorsi and look forward to seeing him implement his vision for a safe and healthy Hopewell Valley.
Uma parandara is the deputy mayor of Hopewell Township, which provided this content.
This place is like a zoo
I was biking in the Sergeantsville area when I saw some large, hairy cow-like creatures. “Are they buffalo or beefalo?” I asked a passerby.
“They are yaks,” she said.
“Yaks! Like in Nepal?” I asked.
“Huh?” she said.
It turns out, I had pedaled past Silver Cuff Farm, a “boutique” yak farm. Susan Mandatta and her husband raise eight yaks for their fiber or down, which gets turned into exquisite fabric. The down lies under the long hair, close to the skin. With intense labor, they comb it out three times a week for six weeks. Only four to five mills in the U.S. are equipped to spin yak down.
Mandatta describes yaks as “beautiful, social and resilient,” herd animals that turn sad without other yaks around them. Some yak offspring are sold to folks who use them as pack animals, a function they served for eons in Tibet. If you need one, you can buy your own yak for $2,000 to $3,000.
Remarkably, there is a second yak farm in the area. However, Brent Walker, the owner of WoodsEdge Farm near Stockton, is getting out of the yak meat business. The cost of butchering
yaks has become prohibitive. Yak meat is very healthy, with the fat on the outside acting as insulation essential in their native Himalayas.
The Walker family was the first in New Jersey to raise llamas and alpacas imported from Peru and Chile. They now have a hundred head. Both animals have long gestations: 350 days for llamas, 335 days for alpacas.
The herd gets sheared around April 1 to spare these Andean natives the summer heat. The wool is distributed to 32 knitters and weavers nationwide. Alpaca fiber gets turned into socks, gloves and sweaters. Llama fiber gets turned into rugs.
Another local boutique farm is Hidden Spring Lavender and Alpaca Farm in Skillman
where Marie Voorhees has been raising alpacas for six years. She said the chief challenge is keeping them healthy, particularly in face of meningeal worm disease, a fatal neurological infection caused by parasites living in deer feces. In addition to monthly antibiotic shots, alpacas also need to have their teeth ground down — dental work performed with a Dremel drill while the animals are strapped into a cattle chute.
Normally shy, her alpacas are trained at a young age to tolerate a halter and be comfortable around people. This allows visitors to take the alpacas for a walk, and it facilitates their being shown at competitions, where they are judged on the
quality of their coats and bodily conformation (stance, level back, straight legs).
Looking for more Andean beasts, I biked to Triple S Farm, where the Sourlands are alive with the sound of coyotes. Juan, who tends the herds, said llamas keep coyotes away from alpacas. Each alpaca produces from 5-6 pounds of fiber in a single shearing.
In addition to threats from the deadly worm disease, Juan said that llamas and alpacas have sensitive skin, so the stable area is kept fastidiously fly–free. Constant removal of manure provides compost for the farm’s organic produce.
For 30 years, the Readington River Buffalo Farm near Flemington has been the only commercial purveyor of bison meat in New Jersey. Owner Gerry Doyle originally acquired stock from breeders in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Indiana. Their 60 enormous bison remain truly wild and, consequently, are difficult to move from one place to another. The most rambunctious ones are quickly transformed into healthy, low-fat steaks.
What A View Farm in Hillsborough keeps three Vietnamese potbellied pigs. Farm worker Jonah described the pigs as too heavy to be lifted by a grown man. They are the farm’s smartest animals, known
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to lift a gate off its hinges and let out other animals while they stay behind, grunting with piggie glee.
For years, my biking highlight was visiting a pair of emus on John Von Oehsen’s Foxbrook Farm in Hopewell. In 1995, he bought two baby emus, a male and female named Romeo and Juliet.
The emus thrived as beloved pets, protecting the sheep and chickens from coyotes. Since they are from Australia, they laid eggs in winter. The male sits on the large green eggs that look much like avocados. Eggs actually hatched during two mild winters.
Three years ago, Romeo died. Two years later, Juliet was missing great swaths of feathers. The goats had been eating her feathers. They got rid of the goats.
Juliet continued in her dominant farmyard role until last Christmas, when the family heard a tremendous commotion with lots of barking. When they ran out, they found their sheep cowering in a corner and the emu dead, killed by a neighbor’s two huskies. The emu did not go down without a fight.
Yet another Romeo and Juliet tragedy. Yet another reason to dislike dogs.
robin schore lives in
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Robin Schore sChore to pLeAse
Hopewell
A buffalo at Readington Farm. (Photo by Robin Schore.)
VOTE BY MAIL NOTICE TO PERSONS WANTING MAIL-IN BALLOTS
If you are a qualified and registered voter of Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township or Pennington Borough, Mercer County, New Jersey who wants to vote by mail in the Hopewell Valley Regional Special School Board Election to be held on September 17, 2024, the following applies:
• You must complete the application form below and send it to the county clerk where you reside or write or apply in person to the county clerk where you reside to request a mail-in ballot.
• The name, address, and signature of any person who has assisted you to complete the mail-in ballot application must be provided on the application, and you must sign and date the application.
• No person may serve as an authorized messenger or bearer for more than three qualified
voters in an election but a person may serve as such for up to five qualified voters in an election if those voters are immediate family members residing in the same household as the messenger or bearer.
• No person who is a candidate in the election for which the voter requests a mail-in ballot may provide any assistance in the completion of the ballot or serve as an authorized messenger or bearer.
• A person who applies for a mail-in ballot must submit his or her application so that it is received at least seven days before the election, but such person may request an application in person from the county clerk up to 3 p.m. of the day before the election.
• Voters who want to vote by mail in all future elections will, after their initial request and without
further action on their part, be provided with a mail-in ballot until the voter requests otherwise in writing.
• Application forms may be obtained by applying to the undersigned either in writing or by telephone. Or the application form provided below may be completed and forwarded to the undersigned.
• If you are currently signed up to receive mail-in ballots, but wish to now vote at the polls, you must first opt out of vote by mail by notifying the county clerk in writing at the address below. You may find a form for removal from the permanent list on the Mercer County Clerk’s website at https:// www.mercercounty.org/government/county-clerk/ elections.
Dated: July 23, 2024, Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County Clerk, 209 S. Broad St., Election Dept., P.O. Box 8068, Trenton, NJ 08650, 609-989-6495
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Account approval, conditions, qualifications, limits, timeframes, enrollments, and other requirements apply. A $5 deposit is required to open the account. At least 1 Direct Deposit, ACH credit, ACH payment or bill pay transaction(s) is required each monthly qualification cycle. Enrollment and agreement to receive e-statements and at least 12 PIN- based / signature-based debit card purchases are conditions of this account each qualification cycle. When your monthly Kasasa Cash account qualifications are met, daily balances up to and including $25,000 in your Kasasa Cash account earn a dividend rate of 5.98% resulting in an APY of 6.00%; and daily balances over $25,000 earn a dividend rate of 0.75% on the portion of the daily balance over $25,000, resulting in a range from 6.00% to 1.80% APY depending on the account’s daily balance. When your Kasasa Cash qualifications are not met, the dividend rate earned on the account’s entire daily balance will be 0.01% resulting in an annual percentage yield of 0.01% and ATM withdrawal fees are not refunded. You will receive reimbursements up to an aggregate total of $25 for nationwide foreign ATM withdrawal fees incurred within your Kasasa Cash account during each monthly qualification cycle when qualifications are met. A foreign ATM fee reimbursement cap of up to $4.99 per transaction applies when qualifications are met. Limit of one account per member. Terms subject to change at any time. APY effective date 9/01/2023.