9-23 HE

Webster an anchor for HoVal field hockey

BY RICH FISHER

It was Nov. 3 of last year when Lucy Webster displayed what she is all about on the field hockey field in about five seconds.

Hopewell Valley Central High was in the process of losing to Hackettstown, 7-0, in the North Jersey Group II tournament. The game was already out of reach when a Tigers player launched a shot on goal. Out of nowhere, with no concern for bodily harm, Webster dove in front of the ball to stop it.

“We were losing pretty bad and I was really pushing the team to stay motivated,” Webster said. “I saw the girl on the other team shooting, and I wasn’t in a good position to intercept the shot so I slid across the goal and took the shot to my stomach.”

how far would you go if they were sick?

That singular play displayed Webster’s sheer tenacity and why she is the Bulldogs top defender.

“That just showed the guts she has,” coach Pam Edwards said. “She’s a very strong competitor. She plays with a lot of grit. Some kids may have better skills at times. But when push comes to shove I’d want Lucy out there because she will give

it her all.”

Webster will be one of the anchors of a Bulldogs team with potential. Coming off an 11-9 season Hopewell returns leading scorers Jocelyn Nociolo (16 goals, 5 assists), Raina Jablonski (12, 10) and Sierra Chow (7, 12).

“We only had two seniors last year,” Edwards said. “We have Lucy and Jocy returning as seniors and we have some really good juniors in Sierra and Raina. Raina scored our winning goal in our state win (over South Plainfield) and Sierra burns it up on the offensive end. They’ve been a good duo. They’ve started since their freshman year. We also had two strong sophomore goalies coming back with Rowan Brown and Theodora Milchanoski.”

Webster likes the Bulldogs’ combination of youth and experience

“I’m super optimistic for this season because we have a younger team with a lot of returning players,” she said. “They are all talented and dedicated so I think we can continue to grow together as a team to make this season even better than last.”

Welcome to Capital Health.

As the team’s most experienced defender, Lucy will be one

See WEBSTER, Page 14

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.

Zoning board vote allows proposed boutique hotel plans to proceed

BY JOE EMANSKI

After nine months of hourslong Zoom meetings, the Hopewell Township Zoning Board of Adjustment has voted to approve a variance that would enable a proposed hotel development to move forward on a historic property on Fiddlers Creek Road.

Five of the seven members of the zoning board voted to approve the application. The

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

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

Become

next step is for the board to adopt a resolution confirming their decision, which would occur at a future board meeting.

Developer Margot Stern has proposed a “boutique hotel” called The Hopewell to be created on the site of the historic Hollystone Manor property, which has ties to the Titus family, namesakes of Titusville.

Stern’s proposal would see the large stone mansion and outbuildings turned into a 27-room,

retreat-style inn with a fullservice restaurant and spa-like amenities. Stern hopes to lure travelers to the area with the promise of a relaxing setting with numerous leisure attractions in the area.

The property, which sits amid acres of preserved land, is located in a Mountain Resource Conservation Zone, meaning that commercial development requires a variance to be

See HOTEL, Page 12

Hollystone Manor, also known as “The Hopewell,” a historic home on Fiddlers Creek Road that developer Margot Stern proposes to develop into a boutique hotel. (Photo by Laura Pedrick.)

InBoX Letter: Zoning board overstepped its boundaries

What do Zoning Board of Adjustment members William Cane, Matt Kolodziej, Linda Rogers, Vanessa Sandom and Paul Verdino have in common? Apparently, their belief that any residential property in Hopewell Township can be magically rezoned to accommodate a commercial enterprise on their say so. Contrary to the Township Master Zoning Plan. Contrary to groundwater conservation. Contrary to common sense.

On Aug. 2, these five members of our unelected township zoning board decided to ignore the wisdom of our courtapproved, 20-year-old Master Plan in favor of what can reasonably be called illegal “spot-rezoning.” Think your home is safe from finding yourself living next door to a hotel? Not anymore.

The impact of this ill-considered decision cannot be understated. It literally overrules Greenwood v. The Mayor, in which the New Jersey Appellate Division

upheld our 2002 Master Plan based on the science of groundwater scarcity.

Now having made an exception for one developer to undermine our entire aquifer protection plan, other commercial developers could follow, asking: “why not me?”

So who protects your investment in your home when you buy in a residential area and you reasonably expect that your neighborhood will always be a residential area? Clearly not these five members of the Hopewell Township Zoning Board, any one of whom could have stopped the hotel.

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 WRITERs

Rich Fisher CoNTRIBUTING CoLUMNIsTs

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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 September Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

HOW AND WHEN TO BE YOUR OWN HEALTH ADVOCATE

Mon., September 11, 11:00am to 12:00pm

Join Lisa Cruser, LPN, Nurse Advocate and owner of Empowering Patients Advocacy Group while she discusses how to navigate the healthcare system, how to ask for and get a second opinion, and how to advocate for yourself and others. FREE

DOES THE RINGING IN YOUR EARS DRIVE YOU CRAZY?

Tue., September, 12; 10:00 to 11:00am

25 million Americans suffer from Tinnitus and sound sensitivity. Join Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., A.B.A. as she discusses the phenomenon of Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity Syndrome and various treatment options for relief.

NO MORE FOOD FIGHTS

Tue., September 12; 10:00 to 11:00am

We are talking about picky eating! Mealtime doesn’t have to be a battle. Let’s explore the most current and effective tactics for healthy & peaceful meals.

WHAT IS THIS PAIN IN THE BUTT?

Wed., September 13; 6:00 to 7:30pm David Surrey, MD from Rothman Orthopedics will discuss sciatic pain. Find out symptoms and treatment for this common condition. Dinner will be provided.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE CHAKRAS

Thu., September 14; 6:00 to 8:00pm

Chakras are energy centers in our bodies, each corresponding to different traits, illness and times of development. Come explore how we can harness the power of these chakras for good health and vitality!

Michelle Gerdes, Princeton Doula Center, YT200. $15

ASK THE DIETITIAN

Mon., Sept. 18th 2023; 3:00 to 6:00pm

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

FALL MEDICATION SERIES

Wednesdays, September 20 & 27, October 04; 2:00 to 3:00pm

Learn about different classifications of medications in this 5 week series with our Pharmacists and Congestive Heart Failure Coordinator.

Week 1, September 20: Safe Medication

administration: Penny Wasylyk, Pharm D. BCPS

Week 2, September 27: Anticoagulants: Safe administration and precautions: Patricia Hafitz, RPh. CACP

Week 3, October 4: Cardiac Meds: Safe administration and precautions: Ann Mancuso, MSN RN CHFN

Week 4, October 11: Diabetes Medications:

Safe administration and precautions: Shesha Desai Pharm D. BC-ADM

Week 5, October 18: Pain Medications: Safe administration and precautions: Dave Appel, Pharm D

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

Wed., September 20; 1:00 to 2:00pm

Learn how to rest your body and quiet your mind with the simple (although not always easy) practice of meditation. No experience necessary.

HEALTHRYTHMS® DRUMMING CIRCLE

Wed, September 20; 7:00 to 8:00pm

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 DANCE IT

OUT!

Wed., September 25; 1:00 to 2:00pm When in doubt, dance it out! Find your rhythm and ease the everyday stresses of life with movement. All ages welcome, no experience required.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX? **VIRTUAL**

Wed., September 26, October 3; 12:00 to 1:00pm

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 MANAGING STRESS AND DIABETES

Wed., September 27– 3:00 to 4:00pm

This support group is for people living with diabetes. Learn how to cope with stress and diabetes in a healthy way.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION?

Wed., September 27; 6:00 to 7:30pm

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.

WISE WOMEN DISCUSSION GROUP

Thu., September 28; 1:30 to 2:30pm

Join a community of women as we discuss relevant topics and find purpose, meaning and community. “Patti McDougall, BSN, RN

COLOR ME HOOPY: HOOLA HOOP FOR FUN AND FITNESS

Thu., September 28; 6:00 to 7:00pm

This is a very popular class, and with good reason; it’s so much fun. Hoola Hooping is so much easier with an “adult sized” hoop and the right instruction. Learn skills and techniques, hoops provided. Angela Reitter, certified Hoop Love Coach and Hoola-Fit Instructor. Fee- $15

THE AARP DRIVING COURSE

Tue., October 2; 9:00am to 3:00pm

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.

FALL MINI MEDICAL SCHOOL

Tuesdays, September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; 6-7 p.m.

*Must attend all 8 session to receive certificate of completion *

Week 1; September 12: Gregory Cox, MD, goes through the intricate anatomy of the human eye.

Week 2 September 19: Adam Thompson, DO, will discuss how to guide the body back to health after an injury, through non-surgical alternatives.

Week 3; September 26: Maureen Stevens, DPT, and Ashley Sarrol, MS, CCC-SLP, will be discussing how Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy works in unison with other medical modalities.

Week 4; October 3: Michael Duch, MD, will have you learning visually with various MRI images and how to interpret each.

Week 5; October 10: Marc Levine, MD, goes through the spine and how surgery can enhance your mobility and improve quality of life.

Week 6; October 17: John Dibiase, MD, speaks on Sports Medicine and common injuries that can affect anyone, not just athletes.

Week 7; October 24: Javier Villota, MD, will enlighten you on what travel medicine entails and exactly what is needed when visiting abroad.

Week 8; October 31: Review and diplomas.

Better Health Programs/Complimentary Membership at 65+ Years Old

YOGA CLASSES (BEGINNER’S WELCOME)

Tue., September 5 & 19; 10:00 to 11:00am

MEDITATION CLASSES,

Tue., September 19; 11:15 to 11:45am

LET’S TALK, A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wed., September 6, 13, 20, & 27; 10:00 to 11:00am

SOCRATES CAFÉ,

Wed., September 6; 2:00 to 3:00pm

GAME TIME

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

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

Thu., September 7; 2:00 to 3:30pm

THE TREE OF LIFE ART WORKSHOP

Tue., September 12, 1 to 2:30

Here we are ready to start the season of autumn. In this workshop, we will create the tree of life that speaks to you – its colors, branches, production of sprouts and/

or leaves. Bring pictures from magazines, your own photos, the colors you associate with your tree – paints, crayons and colored pencils. We will explore it all in this workshop and gain connection as we embrace this season together with Artist and Healing Art Instructor, Jane Zamost.

MAPS, APPS & YOU

Thu., September 14, 10:00 to 11:00 am Oh, the places you’ll go when the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association teaches you how to navigate your transportation options. Learn to use technology to get around how and when you want!

TAI CHI CLASS (BEGINNER’S WELCOME)

Thu., September 14 and 28; 1:00 to 2:00pm

SARA ALI, MD, HOSTS A “JEOPARDY PARTY” LUNCH AND LEARN

Fri., September 22; Noon to 1:30pm Tables will compete as teams as we test your

knowledge on things important to our aging community. Don’t panic, this will be fun and interactive and there will even be prizes along with lunch. This program is sponsored by our valued partners, Brookdale Hamilton, Hamilton Grove, Platinum Homecare, and Serenity Hospice.

LEAN ON ME!

Tue., September 26, 11:00am to 12:00pm

As you are aging, are you wondering who to lean on to facilitate discussions about your wishes, providing comfort measures, assisting with legacy projects, writing that last letter to loved ones. An end-of-life doula is a trained and compassionate individual who provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support to individuals and their families helping create an end-of-life plan.

I’m excited for you to meet Sandra Roy, who has dedicated her life to serving the community. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, End-of Life Certification, Life Coach Certification, Clinical Pastoral

Education Certification from RWJBarnabas Health, and is working on her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. This is a program that you do not want to miss.

HELP, I CAN’T GET UP, LEARN HOW TO PREVENT THE FALLS

Thu., September 28; 10:00 to 11:30am

Please join our highly credentialed experts Dr. John DiBiase, Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., Maureen Stevens PT, DPT, GCS, Cert. MDT, Senior Physical Therapist, and Anthony Notaroberto, RWJ Fitness Personal Training Manager, when they share with you how to prevent a fall, common injuries, how to strengthen your body, and how to best treat your injuries so that you can successfully continue to enjoy your life. Refreshments will be served.

Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call 609-584-5900 to learn more

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

Around Town

‘Explorations’ closes schoolhouse

“Explorations: Hopewell Valley Daytime Learning Experiences for Seniors” has had a great 14-year run.

Since 2009, senior members of the community have been sharing their expertise and passion for an amazingly broad array of subjects. The teachers were volunteers, with students paying a nominal amount to cover expenses. The program was underwritten by the Hopewell Valley Senior Foundation and sponsored by Hopewell Valley Senior Services.

Now time has run out for the program, as efforts to secure new teachers have come up short.

Explorations was the brainchild of Lawrence “Larry” Mansier. Mansier retired in 1995 after 34 years iof teaching high school English. He got involved in a wide variety of volunteer work, most notably, serving as the first, and long-time, president of the Hopewell Valley Senior Advisory Board as well as co-founder of the Hopewell Valley Senior Foundation.

At the same time, he continued his love of reading, learning, thinking and dis-

cussing with others. One day, friends suggested that he share his extensive knowledge of the works of William Shakespeare by teaching a class. That prompted Larry to realize that there must be people, retired seniors in particular, who have an avid interest in, and in-depth knowledge of, their own fields of study. Why not try to create a program that brought those people together with other seniors who were eager to return to the classroom and learn something new?

The first semester, in the fall of 2009, offered four courses: Medical Ethics; Enjoying Shakespeare; Genealogy and Myths, Lies and Legends. A wide variety of courses would become typical of subsequent semesters. Ultimately, 27 different teachers offered nearly a hundred courses.

About two-thirds of those classes were taught by a stalwart group of six. Mansier himself taught all but one semester, beginning with a long run of plays by William Shakespeare and then moving on to works by American and European

dramatists.

Stan and Cindy Saperstein, separately or together, taught a wide variety of classes, including American history, etymology and outstanding women. Bill Guthrie, a man of many interests, taught 14 courses, beginning with science and religion and later Hopewell Valley weather, and then focusing on American Indians.

Al Fittipaldi taught Thoreau’s ”Walden” and a series of poetry classes, with an emphasis on Emily Dickinson. Lesley Cohen Lee taught eight distinct philosophy courses including ones about self, art music, tragedy, and ethics.

Madeleine Mansier taught a series of seven courses about the Supreme Court and the Constitution, first chronologically, then focusing on speech and privacy, and concluding by co-teaching the Philosophy of the Constitution with Lesley Lee. And Jack Abrams taught the American Song Book, Gershwin’s Music and Sinatra at 100.

The idea of implementing a senior

run

learning program brought with it a number of practical issues and tasks for Mansier in what would become his role as director of Explorations for the program’s duration. He had to recruit teachers and establish a schedule that suited each of them, and he needed to find a volunteer treasurer to handle finances.

Where would the classes meet? The essentially one-room senior center was already in use every morning and at lunchtime for the county nutrition program and also parts of many afternoons for other scheduled activities. Mansier turned to his pastor, Rev. Nancy Mikoski of the Pennington Presbyterian Church, who eagerly embraced the idea of the classes meeting there as part of the church’s mission to the community. The only requirement was that appropriate insurance coverage be provided.

Abigail Waugh, then Hopewell Township senior services coordinator, secured the needed coverage from Hopewell Township. The current senior services See NEWS, Page 6

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

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

CANCERS IN WOMEN + FOCUSING ON SELF-CARE

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Learning about cancers of the female reproductive system may reduce your risk and help you identify ways to prevent them, so it’s important to be proactive about your health. DR. JOYCE VARUGHESE, a board certified, fellowship trained gynecologic oncologist, will lead a discussion of the programs available at Capital Health for women undergoing treatment for gynecologic cancers and related health challenges. Nancy McCormack, an internationally certified and registered yoga therapist from the Capital Health Wellness Center, will close the program with a demonstration of gentle yoga stretches.

SAFETY AWARENESS IN AND AROUND YOUR HOME

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Location: Capital Health – Hamilton

1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619

Join Stephanie Kulak, Injury Prevention Coordinator from the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, to learn about the potential dangers in your home that could possibly cause injury. This program for older adults increases awareness of home safety and fall prevention and highlights the newer technology available to help people in the event of a fall.

coordinator, Randi Malkiewicz, has continued the practice. and has also been a prime promoter of the program through Senior Spirit, a monthly newsletter.

In later years, classes would continue to be held at PPC and also at the Pennington United Methodist Church, the Wellington Manor community center and the railroad station in Hopewell Borough.

Publicity, of course, was critical. Fliers were designed and inserted into “Senior Spirit.” Posters were put up in places of public accommodation throughout the Valley. In addition, there was plenty of word-of-mouth communication.

But, like all good things, Explorations has come to an end, with the primarily reason being a shortage of volunteers who are available to teach. Mansier says: “This will be a different September without Explorations, but ‘thanks for the memories.’”

8th grader is Hopewell Harvest Fair cover art contest winner

Nora Elliott, an eighth grader at Timberlane Middle School, is the winner of the Hopewell Harvest Fair’s annual Cover Art Contest.

The fair’s board of trustees announced Elliott as the winner last month. Elliott l submitted a watercolor painting that, according to the harvest fair’s board of trustees, “truly captures the spirit of the fair.”

Her work will be featured on the cover of the Hopewell Harvest Fair Almanac, which will be available locally in late August.

The Harvest Fair is set to return again to the grounds of Hopewell Elementary

School on Saturday Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The local tradition historically attracts fairgoers from all over the area offering the opportunity to enjoy a day of old-fashioned fun, while raising funds for local nonprofits.

“The board and myself are incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors, and the dedication of our volunteers who bring this event to life year after year,” event chair Larry Perruzza said in a media release. “For 2023, we are featuring more food, more inflatables, and a new dining tent. Come to the fair to meet local business owners in our Town Square, buy fresh produce from local farmers, shop handmade goods at Crafters’ Court, or enter one of our many contests.”

Children’s activities are set to include pony rides, a petting zoo, obstacle courses, and games.

The committee has also said that it will be bringing back the Harvest Moon Concert, a free live music event the night before the fair to kick off the celebration and set the tone. This year’s Friday event will be at Hopewell Borough’s Gazebo Park from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring local band Castle Lane. There will be food available for sale provided by the Hopewell Fire Department. This event is sponsored by the Morehouse Family, honoring the Hopewell Fire Dept and EMU.

The purpose of the fair is to raise funds to aid in providing scholarships for local students and grants for nonprofit organizations. The Hopewell Harvest Fair Community Grant Program has disbursed more than $225,000 to local nonprofits including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, local school PTOs, HomeFront and Womanspace.

More information about the fair is online at hopewellharvestfair.org.

Issue #13

HVRSD HIGHLIGHTS

September 2023 hvrsd.org

a meSSage from dr. roSeTTa TreeCe, SuPerinTendenT, hoPewell Valley regional SChool diSTriCT

Dear Hopewell Valley Regional School District Community,

We are looking forward to the start of a great school year. Our teaching, support, custodial, technology, transportation and administrative staff have been working hard to prepare for the opening of our schools. I want to thank those who worked throughout the summer to provide Kindergarten Camp, an Summer Bridge program for rising 9th graders and training for our newest staff members. Additionally, thank you to all for providing our students opportunities to do scheduled walkthroughs, to attend open-houses, and to get a jump start on the school year.

Last but not least, we thank all of those in the community for supporting our students, their families and our schools. We look forward to seeing you at many of the events that make this District so special.

a new TradiTion

The graduating seniors in the Class of 2023 returned to their elementary schools on graduation morning, dressed in their caps and gowns. After posing for pictures out front, they walked the familiar halls, accompanied by clapping and cheering by former teachers, staff and current students. It was an incredibly touching experience for all involved. Our Best wishes to the Class of 2023 as they begin their new adventures!

diSTriCT faCiliTieS uPdaTe

The new turf field at Central High School was completed just in time for the start of preseason football. The Football, Boys and Girls Soccer, Field Hockey, Boys and Girls Lacrosse teams will be the primary teams using the field for practices and scrimmages. The official opening will be the Football team season opener, Hopewell vs. Lawrence, under the lights, on Friday, September 1st at 7:00pm.

As for the rest of the District, the Facilities staff has been very busy this summer with the following projects:

Bear Tavern: Water issues, which had no effect on the filtered drinking water, were resolved. Also a number of dead/dying trees were removed.

Hopewell Elementary: The boiler/chiller replacement has been underway. A temporary water heater will be installed for hot water at the start of the school year. The chiller is not expected to arrive until early December so rooms will use portable units when possible.

Stony Brook: Water quality has been being monitored by measuring residual chlorine and water temperature. Timberlane: The sewer line replacements have required extensive work.

Administration Building: An electronic security gate was installed for the bus lot and the black top is currently being trenched to provide power for the gate. This is a safety and security issue. The electronic gate will secure the bus yard during weekend bus runs.

The Summer Bridge Program

aT CenTral high SChool

Hopewell Valley Central High School was pleased to offer a Summer Bridge program to rising 9th graders this August. The overarching focus of the program was to ease the transition from middle school to high school. Over 60 students attended.

The goals of the program were to:

• Identify key differences between expectations at TMS vs. HVCHS

• Provide support/suggestions to address the differences in expectations

• Discuss organizational and time management strategies

• Explain essential note taking skills & study skill strategies

• Explore available resources at HVCHS, including counseling services, administrative support, etc.

• Discuss extracurricular opportunities at HVCHS

• Examine planning for post secondary opportunities

Activities included:

• Discussion on available resources- counseling, administration

• Team building

• Organization: locker, planner, google drive, & other instructional materials

• Strategies on time organization

• Reviewing study skill strategies by content area

• Note taking skills presentation- included multiple suggestions

• Techniques for stress management

KindergarTen CamP

Summer 2023

We were thrilled to host 135 new kindergarten students at their prospective elementary schools for two fun-filled weeks in July! Our teachers and staff provided lots of opportunities for adventures, including: games, arts and crafts, story time and sports. Themes included: as well as Spirit Days, Beach Days, Garden Days and Camping Days. Kindergarten Camp provides an opportunity for the students to meet one another and their teachers, to explore the school and most importantly, to have fun. We’ve found that it definitely helps allay the First Day jitters for many. Thank you to all who were involved in making this another successful Kindergarten Camp!!

Training for new faCulTy

Several new teachers have joined Hopewell Valley Regional School District this summer. During the weeks of August 21st & August 28th, teachers and staff members in their first and second years participated in professional development workshops with their colleagues.

The workshops provided our new faculty members the opportunities to learn, collaborate and plan for the upcoming year. Workshops focused on subject specific curriculum and instructional strategies along with infusing technology platforms into the classroom. In addition to the summer training, all new teachers are assigned a mentor who can help them navigate questions and resources throughout the school year.

welCome BaCK from The hoPewell Valley

regional SChool diSTriCT Board of eduCaTion

Dear Hopewell Valley Regional School District Community,

As we embark on a fresh academic year, I extend a warm welcome back to all our students, families, and staff. Reflecting briefly on our recent achievements, it’s evident that the Hopewell Valley spirit shines bright. Our resilience in facing fiscal challenges while championing academic growth is commendable, and it sets the tone for our path forward.

Last year, thanks to the collective strength of our educators, staff, and families, we witnessed a seamless transition back to school postpandemic. This resilience and collaboration are a testament to the remarkable community

we’ve built together. This spirit that ensures our students return invigorated and ready to be inspired.

Guided by our unwavering mission, we’re poised to offer an enriching educational experience this coming year. Our academic and cocurricular programs, supported by our dedicated team, offer a year of exploration, growth, and achievement. Let’s carry our vision forward and reinforce our shared values, emphasizing the worth of every individual. As always, open dialogue will continue to be our strength. Let’s amplify our voices, share our stories, and nurture the trust that defines our district. Our achievements so far are the step-

aP/we STudenTS SuPPorT SChool in meXiCo

Students who took AP Spanish Language and Culture at Central High School during the 2022-2023 school year participated in “AP with WE Service”, a nationally recognized program that earns service learning recognition along with a student’s AP Score. The program engages students in an immersive curriculum that aims to explore and contribute to solving global challenges, such as our unit - Poverty and Education. It encourages students to harness real world, 21st century skills such as creating an action plan, collaborating as a team, monitoring and measuring progress, documenting success, and using bilingual skills to communicate. This year, students connected with the Abraham Castellanos school in Oaxaca, Mexico, raising over $1200 through different fundraising projects, including a Mexican Cultural Fair at the high school, in order to purchase much needed supplies and technology for the school. The student team was comprised of seniors from the Class of 2023: Madison Ayres, Hannah Baron, Samantha Betancourt, Gianna Dominique, Jennifer Lopez Velazquez, Lena Ondreyka, Andrew Qian, Gianluca Proccacini, Kaitlyn Kuchinski , Adhwita Gopi Selvan, Addison Sullivan, Samiyah Syed and Eimantas Srogis,

ping stones for the bright future we envision. Together, we’ll celebrate new milestones and navigate challenges with unity and determination.

Here’s to a year of boundless possibilities and shared success at Hopewell Valley Regional School District!

Warm Regards, Anita M. Williams Galiano

President, Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education

Andrea Driver

Vice President, Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education.

In August, Jenny Lopez traveled to Mexico to visit the school with her family to purchase and gift supplies to support the school on behalf of Hopewell Valley Central High School and the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.

Titusville teen a 2023 Young Eco-Hero Award winner

Receives top honor for contributions to solving environmental problems

Two New Jersey teens are among 17 young environmental activists from across the globe to receive a 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Award, announced Action For Nature today. The award honors eco-conscious youth ages 8 to 16 who are taking crucial steps to solve tough environmental problems.

Winners of the International Young Eco-Hero Award are selected by a panel of independent judges, including experts in environmental science, biology and education. In the past 20 years, Action For Nature has recognized 339 Eco-Heroes from 27 countries and 32 states.

Charlotte Michaluk, a 16 year-old from Titusville won first place in this year’s competition. As a young sailor, Charlotte noticed changes to her beloved marshes over the years, including loss of species and native plants.

Normally, wetlands absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but due to climate change, wetlands might start releasing more carbon dioxide instead of

absorbing it. Charlotte designed a special coating for ship hulls, inspired by shark skin, which makes ships more efficient by reducing resistance and the growth of harmful organisms on the ship’s surface.

She also developed a concept for a cargo ship that uses both wind and fossil fuels for power. If these ideas are adopted and applied to the global cargo shipping fleet, it could have an impact on the envi-

ronment on par with taking 7.5 million cars off the road.

“I think it’s really important to recognize the interconnectivity between economic factors and more direct environmental factors and how those combined can impact communities,” said Michaluk.

To learn more about Charlotte’s work, visit charlottemichaluk.wixsite.com.

Kaitlyn Culbert, a 16-year-old from Toms River, won second place in this year’s competition. Culbert started Honey Bee & Pollinator Health: Scientific Innovation and Outreach to combat the Varroa mite, a major threat to honey bees, by using a cost-effective, environmentally friendly solution involving mist diffusion of thymol-based essential oils.

“Charlotte, Kaitlyn, and all of this year’s young climate champions are proving one thing loud and clear: the next generation of leaders has arrived, and they’re unleashing their power on a global scale to tackle the climate crisis head-on,” said Beryl Kay, president of Action for Nature. “The incredible accomplishments of Charlotte, Kaitlyn, and our other winners are more than just isolated projects — they’re changing lives and transforming communities for the better.”

(UN)AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Did you know that 80% of the units will be around $500,000 or more?* How can a new police officer, teacher, or retiree afford to live in Hopewell?

It is WRONG to build expensive housing under the guise of affordable housing. Our Township Committee has SOLD US OUT by not requiring more affordable units and getting them built first.

Combined with the PROBLEMATIC water and traffic studies, no one is looking out for our community.

HALF OF A MILLION DOLLARS PER UNIT?

Our community can’t afford poor planning

Charlotte Michaluk, 16, is one of 17 teens worldwide to be named a 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Award, taking first place in this year’s competition.

granted by the zoning board.

Compare our CD Rates

Compare our CD Rates

Compare our CD Rates

1-year 5.30%

6-month 5.15%

3-month 5.10%

The proposal met with opposition both online and in the meetings. A “Stop the Hotel” movement was orchestrated by another real estate developer, John Mastrosimone, Jr.. In the months since the proposal first appeared on a zoning board agenda, the board has heard from both witnesses provided by the developer and residents opposed to the project and their witnesses.

In the end, the board opted to vote to approve the application to allow a commercial development on the site. Following formal adoption of a resolution, applicant Stern will still have to get site plan approval, which will provide specific details on how the proposal will satisfy the requirements of the zoning board’s resolution.

Sneha Salgam, ABFP™, AAMS™

Financial Advisor

100 Straube Center Blvd Suite 201 Pennington, NJ 08534 609-818-1682

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 08/09/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

Members of the zoning board, as well as members of the township administration, declined to comment to the Hopewell Express pending adoption of the resolution. Once notice of the adoption of the resolution is published, there will be a 45-day window during which the board’s decision can be challenged in court.

According to the Hopewell Township Historic Preservation Commission, the oldest part of the main house — the dining and living rooms — were built around

1770 by the Titus family. Joseph Titus owned some 293 acres around the current farmstead when he died in 1797. Other sections of the house date back to 1819 and the 1840s, and several additions were made in the 20th century. The barn dates back to the 19th century as

well.

Stern, a resident of Philadelphia, is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business’ MBA program, where she wrote her masters thesis on agro-tourism and ecotourism. She has successfully launched a similar style hotel, Avenida Baja, in Baja

The interior of The Hopewell. (Photo by Laura Pedrick.)

SUCCESS AND SELFSUFFICIENCY IN SESSION

Mercer County Community College will open its new Center for Adult Transition, or CAT, this fall to serve intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in a dual campus, person-centered program that prepares these students for adulthood while empowering them to achieve their own goals.

Image of the West Windsor Campus courtesy of MCCC.

Mercer County Community College to Launch New Center for Adult Transition

BY REBEKAH SCHROEDER

Achievement is a highly personal process that fulfills everyone in different ways, as people cultivate that sense of success through learning, working, giving back, and anything else that aligns with their aspirations.

Mercer County Community College’s Center for Adult Transition, or CAT, is a new state-mandated, county collegebased postsecondary program that takes a “person-centered approach” to serving individuals aged 18 to 24 with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to continue their education in the shift from high school to adulthood.

Students will grow across areas like socialization, safety, and self-sufficiency in a “dual campus experience” fostered in the classroom and community.

According to MCCC materials, the initiative combines coursework and presentations from community service providers on topics like transportation, budgeting, health and wellness, independent living, and more.

The CAT program originated with the

approval of New Jersey Legislature Bill S4211 on January 18, 2022, which established a grant opportunity through the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, or OSHE, to fund 18 County College-Based Centers for Adult Transition at institutions that had applied from across the state, according to an OSHE press release.

As a result of the state investment, OSHE stated that the colleges must run these specialized programs to offer “mentoring, job coaching, skill training, and other appropriate wrap-around services to help secure employment and maintain independent living” for people with IDDs—a range of conditions including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more.

OSHE is now a project partner with MCCC, and the Center for Adult Transition will serve the college on both campuses— the James Kerney Campus at 102 North Broad Street in downtown Trenton and the West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor—to bring programming to a wider audience across the school’s two Mercer County locations.

Dr. Gonzalo Perez is the college’s assistant vice president of academic affairs, focusing on workforce education and inno-

See MCCC, Page 4

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tO ADVERtISE

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

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

Dr. Ronak Patel

From MCCC, Page 2

vation. While he was appointed to oversee the JKC campus in February, he also continues to lead the Division of Lifelong Learning and MercerOnline

Perez stated that MCCC was “very excited” about the grant competition, noting that the college services students with disabilities through the Center for Accessibility Resources, or CAR, and specifically its DREAM Program, which MCCC “used as a launching pad” for the CAT.

without

“CAT expands that opportunity to a larger group of young adults who may not be seeking an immersive classroom experience but are interested in exploring college. Some young adults will benefit from services provided collaboratively. Because of this state funding, a wider range of options is available,” she added.

“We recruit students, give them noncredit or types of workshops and seminars, help with life skills, and really get them prepared for any type of career,” Perez explained, noting that students can focus on a certification, life skills, or take a credit course, depending on their interests.

Although MCCC has many of the necessary facilities, resources, and faculty in place for the program, it is still in active development, according to Perez.

The MCCC CAT program’s new case manager, Kimberly Fisher, is a recent

addition to the team at the Center for Accessibility Resources.

The Burlington County resident has an extensive background in supporting special populations impacted by and experiencing mental illness, substance use, domestic violence, homelessness, food insecurity, and other issues by connecting them with agencies in the area.

While this is her first time applying that experience to an educational setting, she has previously coordinated vocational services and programming for IDD individuals.

In an interview with Community News Service, Fisher said that the CAT program is a partnership between educational institutions like MCCC and nonprofits that offer programming in areas like self-advocacy, incommunity service providers, and the private sector.

“With all those resources coming together [and] collaborating, we’ll really be

able to offer this special population a variety of services and needs based on their individual preferences, choices, [and] goals,” Fisher said. “It’s important for this population to really know what’s out there for them to help them be successful.”

To qualify for the grant, applicants must be between 18 and 24 years old; have graduated high school, regardless of what age they did so; have been identified with an intellectual and/or developmental disability, either while attending a K–12 school system or by a private provider; and live in Mercer County.

While MCCC is still confirming the structure of the program, the “general consensus,” according to Fisher, is to have four-hour classes twice per week, with each session split into coursework and the campus experience.

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ognizes that the more a person’s path is tailored to their unique situation and strengths, the greater the likelihood they have of making a healthy transition to the next stage of life.

Several students are already committed to the program, which is set to launch in time for the fall 2023 term start date of Tuesday, September 5; this way, students can enroll at the same time as the rest of the college for a shared sense of community.

“If we have an individual that says, ‘Well, I go to college,’ there’s meaning in that. There’s value in that,” Fisher said. “We

want it to be seamless. We want it to be the same experience as others in college, and so as close to that as we can is what we’re aiming for.”

However, Fisher is adamant that although the program is “college-based,” the biggest difference between CAT and traditional MCCC courses is that CAT has no admission deadlines, meaning students can join any time of the year, thus eliminating waitlists that often act as a barrier for support services.

“We get them where they are,” she said, “[In] my experience with community sup-

ports, what I often saw [was that] if there was a wait list for service, that individual typically waited a very long time, and things change in those periods. They either go find something else or they stay at home and isolate by themselves, and so we want to make it very clear that this is open at any given time; whenever people want to join us or need to join us, that door will always be open, regardless of a college semester.”

The semesters are broken into modules that begin with career development and adult employment, an introduction to the opportunities and resources available to students on their respective journeys.

MCCC’s CAT will also give students increased access to community service providers, Fisher continued, with the CAT program “serving as an on-campus resource hub” for coordination with entities such as the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities, or DDD, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, or DVRS.

DVRS manages vocational supports for the Mercer County area, so representatives from the agency will discuss eligibility for employment-based services that may include supported employment, trial work, or job coaching.

Fisher observed that while working as a community provider, she noticed that there was a “gap” in information where students

lost connections to resources during the summer period.

“We find that some of these individuals say, ‘Well, I’ve graduated high school. I’m going to take the summer off. I’ll figure out what I’m going to do later,’ and they often don’t,” Fisher said.

“They don’t remember that connection to the Division of Voc. Rehab., whereas in May [or] June, they might have been interested in those services or those supports for skill training or job coaching, and so we’re hoping maybe to catch some of those individuals and reconnect them back to that specialized service for those vocational supports.”

“Again, we all know, a couple of months into summer break, and people start going to school, or they go to jobs, and you’re home alone, you don’t have your support group, you don’t have your peer group, so what do you do? Really, it just provides for a lot of isolation,” she said. “We don’t want that to happen.”

Instead, Fisher added that CAT can try to reintroduce these young adults to their in-community providers, noting that MCCC has been in contact with just under 100 agencies serving Mercer County to increase their scope of impact, such as the Progressive Center for Independent

Dr. Gonzalo Perez, left, is Mercer County Community College’s assistant vice president of academic affairs, and Kimberly Fisher, right, is a case manager with the institution’s new Center for Adult Transition, or CAT program, designated through a grant and a partnership with the state’s OSHE.

Living, the Arc Family Institute, Caregivers NJ, and Mercer County’s Aging & Disability Resource Connection.

Those enrolled in the program will also have a designated lunch time where they can go to the cafeteria to eat and interact with other students, staff, and faculty. These real-life scenarios will serve as practical exercises to reaffirm what Fisher will be teaching in the classroom.

Fisher wants CAT students to better understand the appropriate boundaries and behaviors for a college or workplace envi-

ronment, which she will convey through role play and modeling exercises. These lessons, besides having interpersonal benefits, are also to educate them on how to identify dangerous or unsafe circumstances, especially because IDD populations are at a higher risk of financial and sexual exploitation, Fisher added.

Semester two concentrates on academic enrichment, providing a course overview of class registration, financial aid, joining clubs, and the differences between credit and non-credit courses, as well as certificate programs.

Fisher explained that if a person learned

609.849.5999

that their local dog shelter needed assistance with marketing materials, they would want to volunteer and practice their computer skills by enrolling in a certification program based around applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Semester three focuses on campus and community engagement, encouraging students to find peer groups on campus based on shared interests and get involved with programs including MCCC’s food pantry, the classical and jazz radio station WWFM, and the Allies Inc. Garden at the West Windsor campus, a partnership with the Hamilton-based nonprofit’s Project Grow farming and horticulture program.

Students will also gain exposure by using the college shuttle to travel between the Trenton and West Windsor campuses, learning how to greet and respond to the driver, introduce themselves, and utilize public transportation while taking advantage of both locations.

Transportation is another “big barrier” for this population, according to Fisher, and MCCC is looking to possibly work with Rutgers University’s New Jersey Travel Independence Program, or NJTIP, to inform this group of students about using public systems.

While West Windsor and Trenton “offer the same services,” she explained, the latter is the larger, “more rural” of the two,

offering soccer fields and other features not present at JKC, giving students chances to meet more people and have “that true college campus experience.”

The CAT Program will also overview Mercer County providers that are largely volunteer-based, such as the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, or TASK, HomeFront, local food banks, and more to connect this population to their community, as Fisher explained.

The fourth semester delves into independent living arrangements and everything it suggests, such as how to pay rent, contact emergency services, and buy groceries.

“We’ll be partnering up with some of

the community providers that offer some of these in-depth independent living structures. They offer recreation, activities, and they can discuss the pros and cons of what is available in Mercer County for living,” Fisher said.

MCCC is continuing to partner with more agencies that cover topics related to independent living and may include providers of residential services, such as group homes and supervised apartments—the latter of which Fisher describes as “a little less restrictive for those individuals that are more independent, that are safety aware, financially aware, and the risk is relatively low for exploitation for them.”

The last semester is self-determination, which Fisher describes as a wraparound exploration of what they covered in the course to enable students to choose whether to pursue employment, volunteer work, a certificate, or other ways to engage and enrich their lives.

“They’ll have all those materials to reflect back on to be able to make a decision that’s based on their wants, their needs, and what they want to do. It’s completely independent,” Fisher said, noting that the individuals will be “empowered to make their own decisions as they continue that transition into adulthood.”

Fisher said that MCCC is currently building this program in a way that prioritizes accessibility with the few-

Eligible students ages 18 to 24 will be able to use the college shuttle system to travel between the James Kerney Campus at 102 North Broad Street in downtown Trenton, opposite page, and the West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor, above.

est obstacles to care—and the greatest autonomy—possible.

She added that what sets the CAT program apart from others is its unique position on a college campus, which offers a built-in system of support to this population as they look to integrate into professional spaces.

“We want to make sure, again, that accommodations are built in and there are zero barriers from day one,” she said, noting that the classrooms are still being fur-

nished with inclusive options.

“If we have an individual [who] perhaps has cerebral palsy and has arm braces, they’re going to need a different seating arrangement than what we have right now,” she said. “If we need those accessibility items, it’s imperative that we have them to meet the needs of everyone.”

Fisher described the request for service form as “barrier-free,” noting that the applications are straightforward, electronic, and go directly to the CAT team, who will then

respond to families as soon as they are able to do so.

“I have been a community provider for years and years. Never did I have exposure to an individual in this population [who] was going to college or had the opportunity to do so,” Fisher said, noting that times are changing to “move away from those congregate settings.”

“They’re truly going individualized and self-directed in that the individual and their family receiving service really have more of a voice now than they ever did—and they should use that voice to have services that are appropriate for them,” she explained. ***

To learn more about the Center for Adult Transition (CAT) or ask questions, email cat@mccc.edu or visit the page on the MCCC website, mccc.edu/student_services_ needs_cat.shtml.

To apply for the CAT program, visit the Request for Service form at forms.office.com/ pages/responsepage.aspx?id=jSYNCfenoEi XZEU1ZUk8nG6HoZ_WrRdMloWC0GM64wNUNVJPVDVXVzdDNkQzR0tKUFVXN1RYVDdOVC4u

For more on the Center for Accessibility Resources (CAR), visit mccc. edu/student_services_needs.shtml or call 609-570-3422

Inclusion Sports Performance Training

Where Children & Adults Strive to Reach Their Highest Potential

Inclusion Sports Performance Training is a welcoming, inclusive place where children and adults strive to reach their highest potential. Through offerings including swimming, gymnastics and a learn to ride bike program, students work with trained and dedicated staff to meet any challenge and make progress. Here kids have the opportunity for social play, recreational movement and early intervention. Coming soon, ISPT will offer after school enrichment programs which will include bussing from Hopewell school district.

Instruction is offered in both group settings and 1:1 private lessons and parent/child classes give parents and kids a chance to learn, bond and interact together in a safe and collaborative setting. ISPT also offers an inclusive summer day camp that puts the focus on healthy movement and development of social skills through theme weeks that encompass fun, play, inclusion and creativity.

At our Ewing location, both verbal and non-verbal students are included through accessible programs including swimming, gymnastics and learn to bike. Swim lessons are private and one-to-one, so kids can focus on learning to swim and respecting the water. Small group gymnastics allow students to gain independence and work on life skills, while parent assisted gymnastics classes are a great introduction for learners who require additional support. Monthly Parents Night Out events give caregivers a muchneeded respite while kids have fun in a safe, supervised and social environment.

The Learn to Ride program offers students a chance to take flight on two wheels through private or small group classes. The fundamental life skill of riding a bike benefits students both mentally and physically and can increase confidence and give families a fun activity they can do together. ISPT has collaborated with Strider

Bikes and their donated balance bikes have helped pave the path to success for so many of our students.

At our new Hopewell location, preschool-aged students run, jump, tumble and play in a safe and inclusive space under the supervision of highly trained staff. Current offerings include Preschool Social Play, Parent/Child in Motion, Tumbling Tykes, Sensory Play and Learn and Open Gym Family Play as well as private lessons. Future offerings will include yoga for kids and families, after school enrichment programs, OT, PT and speech.

ISPT founder and owner Shannon Schafer has over 25 years experience working with the special needs community and is passionate about not only creating an inclusive environment but also about fostering an inclusive community. She has worked with both public and private schools in Mercer county as well as Special Olympics, NJ as a coach for over 20 years and POAC Autism Services.

“I vowed many years ago to make sure parents would have a welcoming and inclusive place to bring their children, a place where possibilities are limitless and that’s what we do at Inclusion Sports Performance Training,” she says.

Visit inclusionsportspt.com for more information or contact us directly at 609 812-2566. Join for an open house at our Hopewell location on Sunday, September 17, 10 a.m. to noon, or at our Ewing location, Sunday, October 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. And be sure to come see us at Hopewell Harvest Fair on Saturday, September 23. See ad, page 15

Back-to-school checklist

The start of the new school year is right around the corner. Parents can ease the big change and alleviate stress by using this back-to-school readiness checklist from the RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health network and the RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group:

Fill out any forms your school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms before school starts.

Inform the school nurse and teachers about medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes, and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day. Coordinate with the school nurse to administer medications your child might need.

Pack a healthy, balanced lunch with a mix of protein, grains, fruit and vegetables, if possible.

Establish a bedtime routine at least one week before school starts.

Be sure your child has a sturdy backpack with padded shoulder straps and avoid overloading it.

Schedule an appointment

Stay up to date with flu and recommended childhood vaccines. Children 12 and over may also be vaccinated for COVID-19; ask your primary care provider for more information.

To schedule an appointment with an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider, please visit rwjbh.org/medicalgroup or call 1-888-724-7123

Let teachers know about conditions that may affect your child’s ability to learn. For example, children with ADHD should be seated in the front of the classroom and children with vision problems should sit near the board.

Your insurance accepted RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group providers accept most major insurances. Medical insurance varies by provider, please call your insurance carrier to verify coverage.

MAKING SMILES FOR LIFE

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute

Treating Pain with PRP and Stem Cell Therapy

Pain.

It gnaws at you. It drains you. It becomes the focus of your life.

Experiencing a few pain-free moments can be euphoric; it makes you realize how long you’ve been living with aches and pain. You might wonder how you can find a solution to relieve the pain and regain your freedom from discomfort.

Dr. Ronak Patel at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute wants you to know there are two new revolutionary answers to pain relief.

Both platelet-rich therapyotherwise known as PRP - and stem cell therapy give patients new hope by using the body’s powerful healing power to accelerate the battle against pain. Dr. Patel has seen incredible success implementing these cuttingedge treatments on hundreds of patients suffering from pain-related issues.

So if you are suffering from any of the ailments below, there’s a lifeline.

• Osteoarthritis

• Rotator cuff tear

• Back pain

• Meniscus tears

• Tennis elbow

• Disc herniations

• Tendonitis

• Neck pain

Here’s the best news: Neither PRP or stem cell therapy involves drug use with side effects or any surgical procedures.

Both PRP and stem cell treatments use the body’s own healing resources to repair diseased or damaged tissue — and the results are quite remarkable.

PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets and growth factors into damaged tissue to stimulate the faster growth of new healthy cells. Platelets are cells that prevent and stop bleeding. If a blood vessel is damaged, the body sends signals to our platelets to get on the job and start the healing. Some call platelets the body’s natural bandage.

So how does PRP therapy work? It’s basically drawing a one small vial of blood from the patient and then using a centrifuge to turn it into a potent and concentrated form of platelets. It is then injected

back into the patient. Think of it as a boost of your own blood — only superpowered.

Recovery time for PRP therapy is far shorter than for surgery. Patients usually experience soreness for a week or so, but the gradual improvement soon begins. Unlike a steroid shot, which gives you immediate relief and quickly wears off, a PRP patient will see pain symptoms improve over a period of months, and up to 80 percent of patients will see relief for up to two years.

Stem cell therapy can be an even more powerful way to harness the body’s healing power. Stem cells are the building blocks for every cell in our body. These powerful cells can be harvested to produce powerful new cells to fight inflammation and disease.

For those suffering from osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy has proven very effective. That’s because the stem cells may help develop new cartilage cells and suppress inflammation. Stem cells can be harvested through a sample of body fat or bone marrow or be harvested from donated umbilical cord tissue.

And yes, you can even augment PRP therapy with stem cell therapy for an even bigger boost!

Stop wondering if you’ll have to live with your pain forever. Contact Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute today at 609-269-4451 or go to www.njpaindoc.com to book an appointment and learn more.

See ad, page 3.

Dr. Irving Djeng

Dr. Lauren Levine

Dr. Kevin Collins

Dr. Deolinda Reverendo

Dr. Michael DeLuca

Dr. Matthew Etter

Dr. Ronak Patel MD

Back to School Stuart Country Day School

Princeton Montessori School

A child-centered approach to learning

Montessori is an innovative, child-centered approach to learning, developed a century ago by Dr. Maria Montessori. The Montessori method fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children in all areas of their development, with a goal of igniting a passion for learning and nurturing the potential in each child. Princeton Montessori School, founded in 1968, is the area’s premier independent, coeducational, Montessori day school for children from infancy through 8th grade, and is fully accredited by the American Montessori Society. Our Infant, Toddler, and Primary programs are joyful learning communities designed to meet the unique developmental needs of each age group. Led by Montessori-credentialed experts, children move into their elementary years as explorers, thinkers, doers, and kind community members. Our Middle School (grades 6-8) is authorized by The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) which ensures our graduates are confident, competent, and well-prepared for success in life. Princeton Montessori School continues to provide children from the greater Princeton area with the very best in Montessori education. Come for a tour! https:// princetonmontessori.org/

487 Cherry Valley Road, Princeton. See ad, page 16

Celebrating 60 Years of Preparing Girls for Lives of Leadership and Service

Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school located in Princeton, is dedicated to the education of girls from kindergarten to Grade 12, alongside a co-ed preschool. Following the Goals and Criteria of the Schools of the Sacred Heart, Stuart's mission is to educate young women to lead lives of leadership and service. This September marks the 60th anniversary of all-girls, Sacred Heart education at Stuart in Princeton, NJ. In 1963, the Society of the Sacred Heart answered the call for a girls’ school that taught their students to thrive with and through God’s love. Today, in our ever-evolving society, Stuart’s mission, and that of girls’ schools, remains as pertinent as ever. Head of School Julia Wall dispels misconceptions about girls’ schools, emphasizing the integral role of a spiritual foundation in shaping leadership development.

Stuart was founded to support the empowerment of women and their spiritual heart center as it applies to God’s love for them. As a Sacred Heart school, guided by five Goals and Criteria, we believe that every child is born with a unique sense of spirituality, and it’s important for kids to know that God loves them however they define their spirituality. Though we’re a Catholic school, we’ve always widely embraced other religions and believe that God is a helpful force in life; reminding kids that they matter and that someone other than their

parents believes that they’re a perfect being, just as they are, worthy of love.

Girls’ schools also often battle misconceptions about their ability to successfully ready girls for college and careers, especially in co-ed spaces. The fact is, you don’t need to have gone to school next to a boy to be fully actualized. Alums tell us that while they were at Stuart, every door was open to them and they had the freedom to establish their own sense of self; they were confident in who they were as people and were then able to bring their authentic self to everyone regardless of their gender. The affinity space of an all-girls school like Stuart prepares students for every social and academic scenario. Our girls not only get placed at top colleges nationwide, most of which are coed settings, but they thrive there and go on to do amazing things across a broad range of industries and organizational settings. By the time they leave us — after 12 years at Stuart or four — our graduates speak with a self-assuredness about their future that is uniquely Stuart.

Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton. www.stuartschool.org. See ad, page 14.

RSM Princeton

Building Powerful Minds Through Mathematics

What is the Russian School of Mathematics?

RSM is an award-winning after school math enrichment program trusted by parents for over 25 years across 75+ locations in North America. Our unique approach consists of a continuous kindergarten to highschool curriculum, taught by expert teachers, in a classroom environment of peers who study together year over year. K-12 students can choose from various classes to prepare them for the school year, math competition courses for additional challenge, or test prep courses.

Fall math classes now enrolling at RSM Princeton!

There is no better time to join RSM than in Fall! Get started by scheduling a free math evaluation for your child or visit our website to see the Fall schedule of classes: www.mathschool.com/locations/princeton. For any questions you might have, please feel free to call us at 732-708-4905 or email us at princeton@mathschool.

com.

An award-winning math program.

Featured in NPR and the Atlantic magazine as one of the key players in the “Math Revolution,” and ranked “among the top schools in the world” by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM helps children of all levels build a solid math foundation and develop their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. As Masha Gershman, the VP of Marketing at RSM, states in her Ted talk “Uncertain Times Call for Certain Math”, advanced mathematics is not only within the grasp of every child but is also a

crucial skill for achieving success in any field.

Our program is built around how a child's mind works

Designed as a continuous program from K-12, our curriculum was developed by our team of academics specializing in mathematics, education, and child development. Our curriculum has continually been perfected by our curriculum department over the last two decades. Three levels for every grade allow us to meet children where they are and place them in an environment suited to them. This ensures that students can begin our program at any time

and be challenged appropriately in an environment of peers.

Talented faculty.

All of our teachers have a background in mathematics or related field and a deep passion for the subject. Our extensive training program prepares our teachers to teach according to our specific methodology. Our teachers guide students to think about mathematics logically and conceptually, building deep connections between concepts, all in a classroom environment that keeps children consistently challenged.

How do I enroll my child?

For every interested student, we offer a free 30-minute math evaluation which is the best way to learn more about our program. An evaluation is an informal conversation with the potential student and his/ her family in order to understand what grade-appropriate math skills the student has before entering RSM. Our principal will walk you through our curriculum, and methodology, and answer any questions you may have.

RSM Princeton, 231 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. 732-708-4905. princeton@mathschool.com. www. mathschool.com/locations/princeton. See ad, page 9.

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

Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you.

RWJBarnabas Health has a passion for heart health. We have the largest adult and pediatric cardiac surgery programs in the state, a heart transplant program that’s in the top 15 nationally, the latest technology and medical advancements and hundreds of wellness and prevention programs to strengthen and protect healthy hearts. Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you. Learn more at rwjbh.org/heart

Back to School

St. George Preschool A Safe Place for Growth

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. In addition to the developmental goals in the areas of math, language, science, cognitive skills, motor skills, etc., stipulated by the state, the school aims to promote learning skills for life.

At the same time, we aim to enhance the child’s social, moral, cultural and spiritual growth through group interactions, uplifting stories, cultural events and gentle guidance. Since “a healthy mind is in a healthy body” as the Ancient Greeks said, we provide a huge indoors gym and

a beautiful play ground with regular physical activities.

We offer high quality academic English programs for Preschool (3 years and potty trained) and Pre-K (must be 4 years old by October 1 of school year). Early morning care, after care, and enrichment programs are also available. We are part of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church and state licensed by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family

The Laurel School of Princeton

Designed For The Dyslexic Mind

The Laurel School of Princeton provides an enriched educational experience for students who have dyslexia and related learning differences such as ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and executive function deficits. Laurel School students bring incredible talents, skills and creativity to our program, while being taught by expertly trained, passionate teachers who understand how they learn best, helping them to build on their strengths and achieve academic success.

Services. Our experienced staff has a passion building a foundation for a life-long love of learning. We are truly a family and we treat your children as such. For more information regarding our program, please visit our website.

Saint George Preschool, 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton. 609-5862223. Contact director Angela Gering at director@stgeorgepreschool.org.

See ad, page 16

Instruction is delivered with a multisensory and inquiry-based approach by teachers who have years of experience teaching children with learning differences and are certified to instruct using Orton Gillingham and Wilson Language programs. Our faculty understands that it is critical to intervene as early as possible when children have reading, writing, and math challenges. It is essential to identify the individual needs of each student and provide diagnostic and prescriptive

lessons that ensure success. The Laurel School of Princeton offers an integrative, engaging curriculum that enables our students to develop the confidence to learn and excel.

Laurel understands that some children need more than what conventional teaching systems and traditional public schools can offer. No parent wants to see their child become disconnected; “Kids often come to us with their confidence broken by the school districts, and they feel as though they can’t learn. But their spark quickly returns as

they discover that they can grow and thrive at Laurel,” says the Director of Admissions Amy Deutsch. By placing your child in a holistic educational atmosphere, individualized instruction and guidance will empower him/her to take control of their education and rediscover success.

Please contact Amy Deutsch with questions or to schedule a tour: 609-566-6000, extension 0282 or at adeutsch@thenewgrange.org

The Laurel School, 800 North Road, Hopewell. www.laurelschoolprinceton.org. See ad, page 11

The Rech Center

Celebrating 20 Years

Twenty years is a long time. So much happens in 20 years. You live, you learn, you grow. As The Rech Center celebrates their 20th anniversary, the lessons go way beyond the dance studio! Just ask Kelly Rech, the Founder and Director of The Rech Center for Performing Arts. Kelly shared, “When I first opened the doors to The Rech Center, I envisioned teaching dance and supporting TRC students in becoming the best dancers they could be! What I never expected was the family of dance students over the years who not only have developed a love for dance, but students who have learned so much about who they are and who they want to be in life”!

Of course, The Rech Center offers dance classes in all style of dance for children of all ages, but that isn’t what makes The Rech Center special. Just ask the dancers at TRC or the parents of those students, why they love the The Rech Center!

“I can’t put into words the joy I feel when I see my daughter coming out of the studio after class. I don’t

see that smile after any other activity she is involved with. Thank you for providing such a positive encouraging environment for all of your students”.

“My friends that I dance with at The Rech Center always support me and are truly excited for me when I try and accomplish something new. That makes me feel good”.

According to Kelly, students at The Rech Center not only learn lessons in the studio that will help them become better dancers, but lessons that have molded them into the people they aretoday. As we head into our 20th season, it’s truly been a pleasure to teach so many students who have gone on to dance professionally, who have made dance a part of their college experiences and those who have gone into various careers where they have applied lessons and skills learned at TRC into their professions. As a studio owner, teacher, choreographer and most importantly a parent, Kelly says that is The Rech Centers biggest and most important accomplishment. Having a positive and encouraging influence on her students regardless of their endeavors is priceless.

www.rechcenterdance.com. See ad, page 10

St. George Preschool

Enroll now for the 2023-2024 school year

Classes for 3 year olds and 4 year olds

Potty trained

Full- 1/2 day, early morning drop off, late pick up schedules available

Competitive tuition rates - secure environment indoor gym - outdoor playground - qualified educators

Princeton Ballet School

Beyond technique: Empowering dancers

Princeton Ballet School is the official school of the American Repertory Ballet, celebrating over 65 years of excellence in dance education.

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

What Sets the School Apart

St.

1200

www.stgeorgepreschool.org

Angela Gering Director

Call

Founded in 1954 by Audrée Estey, Princeton Ballet School is one of the nation’s finest non-profit dance schools. Many things set Princeton Ballet School apart from the usual dance school, the most important being: its philosophy, its faculty, its affiliation with a professional ballet company, its dedication to live music in the classroom and its facilities.

The School’s Philosophy. Princeton Ballet School is known for nurtur-

ing developing dancers in a safe and progressive way. The school teaches age and developmentally appropriate ballet technique classes from a syllabus that allows younger students more time for movement exploration while providing advanced students with the tools to become professional dancers, if they so choose. As a result, all students develop self-esteem, self-discipline, and a strong fitness level that will provide a powerful edge in any future endeavor.

Outstanding Faculty. Princeton Ballet School has more than 20 specialized faculty members. Many have attained graduate degrees in dance education and have won major teaching awards. All are committed to the school’s philosophy of dance education and to helping students achieve their best. Members of the outstanding faculty have performed professionally with companies including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Cuban National Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet.

Live Music. The school’s ballet classes have live musical accompaniment. This is particularly fun for the children’s classes, where frequent improvisational exercises provide an opportunity for students to interact and

Hamilton Dental Associates

The Importance of Orthodontic Care for Your Children

Growing up makes for a constantly evolving experience for children. Every year they change and grow into the person they are destined to become, and that extends to their oral health. From the first baby tooth to their adult teeth coming in later in their lives, managing your child’s dental health presents unique challenges for parents. With those challenges come a few myths involving childhood tooth development that can impact how you treat your child’s dental health.

Combating Childhood Oral Health Myths.

When you start looking for a pediatric dentist in Hamilton, you want to find one that knows how intensive taking care of your child’s teeth should be. Taking a proactive approach to their dental health can help them avoid more involved procedures down the road — one of the most common myths that lead to your child’s teeth suffering in the long run.

Common Myth #1: Childhood Teeth Will Straighten Out Over Time

One such myth that leads to more complex orthodontic care down the line is that your child’s teeth will straighten out over time. Unfortunately, that is not the case. If their teeth start coming in crooked or off-center, they won’t naturally

Back to School

Where Do Orthodontic Issues Come From?

In most cases, a child’s orthodontic problems stem from their genetics — these issues are inherited from their parents. Additionally, some problems can develop over time based on poor oral hygiene habits they learned from a young age.

Some of these acquired oral health issues include:

• Sucking Their Thumbs

• Mouth Breathing

• Abnormal Swallowing Patterns

• Poor Dental Hygiene

• Irregular Loss of Baby Teeth

• Poor Nutritional Habits

straighten themselves with time.

The space for their teeth to come in doesn’t grow as they mature. If you leave these issues unattended, it could lead to more significant problems.

Common Myth #2: Orthodontic Treatments Are Purely Cosmetic

While most people associate orthodontic treatments with getting braces as a teenager, that procedure does much more than merely straighten teeth to help you look better. Getting your jaw and teeth back into proper alignment has a cascading effect on your oral health. It helps improve your biting, chewing, and even speaking ability.

Common Myth #3: There Is a Right Age for Orthodontic Care

Many parents believes there is a specific age at which it’s appropriate to bring their children in for orthodontic care. The perceived minimum age for a child to receive orthodontic care is around 12-13 or right when they reach high school. However, getting your child such care earlier can help avoid getting braces and fixing issues before they worsen.

In reality, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your children should get an orthodontic checkup no later than age seven. Once they hit that age, their mouth will have a nice balance between their baby and permanent teeth. This window of time allows for an accurate orthodontic evaluation to determine where preventative care is enough or if additional action is required.

However, parents have reason to hope for viable remedies and solutions to most of these issues. You can remedy these acquired problems with the help of successful orthodontic care provided by an experienced pediatric dentist.

Finding a Child Orthodontic You Can Trust

Trusting your child’s teeth and their beautiful smile to a pediatric dentistry practice is something that every parent must come to grips with. Figuring out which childhood orthodontic makes the most sense for your child and their future dental visits becomes critically important. For parents and their children in Hamilton, Hamilton Dental Associates provides them with the experienced pediatric dentists they need to prioritize their oral health as they mature.

Learn more about our pediatric dentistry services and schedule your first appointment today!

See ad, page 10

Sat. 11/04/23

In-person: Rosedale Park Pennington, NJ

Virtual option available.

Participation Options:

-5k in-person -1 mile in-person

-10k in-person -Virtual

collaborate with the staff of professional musicians.

Facilities. Princeton Ballet School has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Princeton, New Jersey. All locations are wheelchair accessible and feature sprung dance floors and marley from Harlequin Floors. The striking Princeton and Cranbury facilities were designed by the late Ralph

Lerner, an internationally known architect and former Dean of the School of Architecture at Princeton University. The studios in New Brunswick are part of the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2019.

More information: arballet.org/ princeton-ballet-school/. See ad, page 12

Inspire youth to BE GREAT & strive for great futures!

California Sur, Mexico.

Stern told the Express last December that she hopes to offer memberships to the clubhouse and spa, which she said is a way to share the renovated property with the community.

“I’m envisioning a true clubhouse, where the goal would be, someone has a few hours to kill, comes here, jumps on a Peloton or takes a yoga class or takes a steam, gets a shower, and then goes upstairs and is able to sit in the lounge, get a coffee and bang out some emails,” she said.

In her proposal, Stern likened her vision to the kind of boutique destinations that have become popular in New York and New England, a wooded retreat like Inness in the Catskills or Twin Farms in Vermont.

Brad Fay, founder of Discover Central New Jersey, spoke at one of the zoning board meetings about the potential economic benefits of a hotel such as The Hopewell.

Since the pandemic, tourism has been down in New Jersey, Fay told the Express. He cited an annual economics report commissioned by the Division of Tourism that showed that by 2022, New Jersey had nearly recovered, but the recovery was uneven.

“Among 21 counties in New Jersey,

Mercer County has had the slowest rebound. In 2022, Mercer County was still 22% behind 2019 in terms of tourism revenues,” Fay said.

Last month, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill formally recognizing Central New Jersey as a region of the state. Discover Central New Jersey, an organization touting the attractions and amenities of the region, had lent ardent support to the bill.

“Discover Central New Jersey is designed to promote farms, farm-to-table restaurants, craft beverages, outdoor recreation — these are some of the things that I believe are the best attractions in Central New Jersey,” Fay said. “One of the challenges we have is that most of the hotels that have been built in this area have really been designed for business travelers.”

There is a need for hotels like The Hopewell that will be more appealing for people who are looking for more of a getaway, Fay said.

“That’s where I think The Hopewell proposal fits very well,” Fay said. “What we’ve lost in Central New Jersey since the pandemic is business travel. People are choosing virtual meetings over traveling for business. That is one of the reasons we need to increase the appeal of our area for leisure tourism. That’s one of the reasons the governor signed the bill.”

Tack Educational Consulting

of the key pieces to any success HVCHS might have. The senior not only takes on all opposing offensive threats, she takes charge of her team.

“She’s positive out on the field, her communication is like a quarterback back there,” Edwards said. “She does a lot of off-ball talking, telling them where to take the ball, who to pass it to. She’s encouraging, and also lets kids know to carry it and go.

“She’s a great person, she does well in school. She’s a strong role model on and off the field.”

Describing herself as “always a sporty kid who loved playing sports,” Lucy took her mom’s suggestion and began playing field hockey in seventh grade for Timberlane Middle School. She soon joined the Princeton Field Hockey Club and attended several other clinics, while doing off-season training with LeadHER.

Webster has been a varsity starter since her sophomore year, although her position has changed.

“As an underclassman I mostly played on the wing as a midfielder, but I have always had a defensive mindset,” she said. “I think coach Edwards saw this in me and moved me to defense as an upperclassman.”

Last year, Webster played both center-

back and sweeper. She also showed some glimpses of offense with four goals and three assists, and was strong at carrying the ball out of the defensive zone and get-

ting Hopewell’s attack moving.

“I love playing a little offense when I can,” she said. “Scoring a goal is always fun, but I love playing defense too.”

In discussing Lucy’s offensive skills, Edwards pointed out that, “last year she would insert the ball on our corners and she did a great job of that. She has a very strong push, very accurate. She worked hard to do that, and also worked hard on aerials. She wants to add things to her game that not everyone thinks about doing. She’s always striving to improve, she doesn’t want to just be one-dimensional.”

Webster participated in a summer league with several Bulldogs teammates that was run by Edwards. She also worked out at LeadHER under the direction of Princeton University’s highly acclaimed assistant coach, Melissa Meccage.

“She’s done a lot of off-season work from last December to now and you can see her improvement,” Edwards said. “I saw her playing this summer, she does shaves now (jabbing the ball away from the opponent), she does a good job of getting that ball away from an attacker. Her stickwork has improved leaps and bounds. It was always pretty good, but she’s definitely at a different level. She’s much more confident with the ball, she knows when to take it.”

Senior Lucy Webster is a key returnee for Hopewell Valley field hockey. (Photo by Mike Schwartz/mssphoto.com.)

She also knows when to stay back and defend, which is her top responsibility. And Webster has certain ideas on what is key to being strong in the back.

“I think being able to read the field and communicate with the rest of the team makes a strong field hockey player,” she said. “Every defender has to be able to make tackles, but the strongest players are able to work with their team through communication and their ability to read the field. Also being able to get your nose dirty and do what is not so glamorous is important.”

Which is all part of the intensity Edwards raves about when it comes to Lucy.

“I think I have always been that way a little bit,” Webster said. “Throughout my sports journey my dad has always pushed me to try my best and never give up. That message has stuck with me and can create that intensity.”

Aside from her natural talent, Webster’s biggest value to the Bulldogs is how she brings the team together and won’t make excuses when things go wrong.

“If a mistake happens she takes ownership and works hard to work through that,” Edwards said. “She’s always been a very high-energy player. She and Jocy

really helped with getting the team energized last year. They were instrumental in getting psyche parties together and getting bagels together for the team to have team bonding, which is all important stuff. It’s not just what you do on the field, it’s what you do off it to get your teammates close.”

Webster is very busy off the field and not just with hockey activities. She enjoys crocheting and hiking, and did much of the latter during an August family vacation in Maine. The climate crusader is part of Hopewell’s Youth Environmental Society, which recently went to Washington to lobby for two House resolutions. For good measure, she recently started an area Sunrise Movement Circle, which is an environmental organization working to address climate issues.

She hopes to play club field hockey in college next year and is looking into such schools as Brown, Vermont, Tufts and Michigan, although the latter would kill her dad who — like HVCHS teacher/ track coach Aaron Oldfield — is an Ohio State fan.

Wherever Webster ends up, just know she will give it her best shot. A fearless dive in front of a shot last year is all one needs to know about Lucy’s desire to succeed.

HVSA awards 3 scholarships

Caileigh Ross (Virginia Tech) and Addision Sullivan (University of Georgia) are two of the three recent graduates who have recently received scholarships from the Hopewell Valley Soccer Association. Recipient Anderson Cappucci (University of Miami) is not pictured. HVSA awarded $1,500 to each recipient for “their superior soccer experiences, community service and academic performance.” HVSA awards these scholarships every year to graduating seniors from the greater Hopewell Valley community who have participated in HVSA programs.

FALL

What are the benefits of an annual physical for children?

Ask The Doctor

While back-to-school is a time to shop for school supplies and the latest fashions, it is also the perfect time to check in on your child’s health with a physical exam. Parents can ease the big change and alleviate stress with the below back-to-school readiness checklist from the pediatric and adolescent health experts at RWJBarnabas Health:

• Fill out any forms your school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms.

• Be sure your child has up-to-date immunizations; new this school year, children 12 and over can be vaccinated for COVID-19

• Inform the school nurse and teachers about medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma,

diabetes and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day. Arrange with the school nurse to administer medications your child might need.

• Let teachers know about conditions that may affect your child’s ability to learn. Children with ADHD should be seated in the front and children with vision problems should sit near the board.

• Be sure your child has a safe backpack and knows not to overload it.

Likhitha Musunuru, MD, Family Medicine, an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider, affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, shares answers to the following common questions related to back-to-school physicals: Are well-visits, physical exams and sports exams the same thing?

Both exams are classified as a preventative care visit – they allow your child to be examined using measurements of growth and development. These visits help keep your child healthy and focus on

improvements that can be made to enhance your child’s wellness.

What can my child expect during a back-to-school visit or well-exam?

During a back-to-school physical, your provider will discuss your child’s history to discuss any concerns, ask questions about lifestyle behaviors, check their vaccination status and update their medical history. Your provider will also check your child’s vital signs – blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and temperature – and perform heart, lung, abdominal and head and neck exams.

Why do schools require back-toschool physicals each year?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, schools often require physicals to ensure students’ vaccinations are up-to-date. These exams also provide an opportunity to monitor your child’s health on a year-to-year basis to ensure he or she is hitting milestone benchmarks.

What vaccines are required for school-age children?

New Jersey schools require specific immunizations based on the age of your child. For a full list of vaccinations required all grades in New Jersey, visit nj.gov/health/ cd/imm.shtml.

Does my child need any other kind of screening?

Cardiac and concussion screenings have the lifesaving potential to reduce heartrelated incidents and brain injuries among school-age children and teens. New Jersey requires all school athletes to be examined by their primary care or school physician at least once per year.

Dr. Musunuru sees patients at 17 Main Street in Robbinsville. For more information or to make an appointment, please call (609) 392-6366. Learn more at rwjbh.org/ medgroupprimarycare

Coming up this month at RWJU Hospital Hamilton

For more information, call (609) 584-5900. To register for a program or for schedule changes go to rwjbh.org/events.

MONday, SEPTEMBER 11

How and When to be your Own Health advocate. 11 a.m. to noon. Join Lisa Cruser, LPN, Nurse Advocate and owner of Empowering Patients Advocacy Group while she discusses how to navigate the healthcare system, how to ask for and get a second opinion, and how to advocate for yourself and others. Free.

TuESday, SEPTEMBER 12

No More Food Fights. 10 to 11 a.m. We are talking about picky eating! Mealtime doesn’t have to be a battle. Let’s explore the most current and effective tactics for healthy & peaceful meals.

Does The Ringing In Your Ears Drive You Crazy? 10-11 a.m. 25 million Americans suffer from Tinnitus and sound sensitivity. Join Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., A.B.A. as she discusses the phenomenon of Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity Syndrome and various treatment options for relief.

Fall Mini Medical School. Also Sept. 12, 19, 26, and Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; 6-7 p.m. Join us for this 8-week informative session on different medical topics. Enhance your knowledge with the variety of specialties and areas of study. All you need to bring is a willingness to learn and have fun. *MUST ATTEND ALL 8 SESSIONS FOR A CERTIFICATE*

WEdNESday, SEPTEMBER 20

Fall Medication Series. Also Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, 11, & 18; 2-3 p.m. Learn about different classifications of medications in this 5 week series with our pharmacists and congestive heart failure coordinator.

WEdNESday, SEPTEMBER 27

Managing Stress and diabetes. 3 to 4 p.m. This support group is for people living with diabetes. Learn how to cope with stress and diabetes in a healthy way.

THuRSday, SEPTEMBER 28

Color Me Hoopy; Hoola Hoop for Fun and Fitness! 6 to 7 p.m. This is a very popular class, and with good reason; it’s so much fun. Hoola Hooping is so much easier with an “adult sized” hoop and the right instruction. Learn skills and techniques, hoops provided. Angela Reitter, certified Hoop Love Coach and Hoola-Fit Instructor. Fee-$15.

Better Health Programs

Registration required for all programs. Must be a Better Health Member. Call (609) 584-5900 or go to rwjbh.org/events.

TuESday, SEPTEMBER 12

The Tree of Life art Workshop. 1 to 2:30 p.m. In this workshop, we will create the tree of life that speaks to you—its colors, branches, production of sprouts and/or leaves. Bring pictures from magazines, your own photos, the colors you associate with your tree— paints, crayons and colored pencils will do. We will explore it all in this workshop and gain connection as we embrace this season together.

FRiday, SEPTEMBER 22

dr. ali & Game Time Lunch and Learn. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Join us for lunch, a game, and prizes as Dr. Ali & Joyce Cantalice test your knowledge on things important to our aging community. Don’t panic, this will be a team effort created to be interactive and fun.

TuESday, SEPTEMBER 26

Lean on Me! 11 a.m. to Noon. An end-of-life doula is a trained and compassionate individual who provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support to individuals and their families helping create an end-of-life plan. Meet Sandra Roy, who has dedicated her life to serving the community. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, End-of Life Certification, Life Coach Certification, Clinical Pastoral Education Certification from RWJBarnabas Health, and is working on her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work.

Dr. Likhitha Musunuru

NOTICE TO PERSONS WANTING MAIL-IN BALLOTS

If you are a qualified and registered voter of Mercer County, New Jersey who wants to vote by mail in the General Election to be held on November 7, 2023, 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, either on Election Day or before, in accordance with NJ’s new “Early Voting” law, 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.

Invasive species: a menace made worse by climate change

species.”

On Aug. 8, the deadliest wildfire in over a century broke out in Maui, Hawaii and killed at least 114 people, with possibly scores more as the search continues.

Though the public has become more aware that the hot, dry conditions linked with climate change provide an ideal setting for fires, the intensity and frequency of new wildfires is still jarring.

What we are learning from the Maui fire is that in addition to the wind that helped fan the flames, dry invasive grasses provided plentiful fuel that maximized ignition, rate of spread, and fire intensity.

Land that was previously home to sugar and pineapple plantations is now overrun with nonnative grasses. According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, invasive grasses “such as guinea grass, typically degrade remnant native plant communities, and preclude the establishment and restoration of native

Research, plans, and proposals to address the growing issue have been around for years. Currently, the university is “exploring methods to restore native woody plant communities to reduce the likelihood of fire occurrence and spread, to eliminate further conversion of remnant native plant communities to nonnative grasslands, and to increase native biodiversity.”

Hawaiian officials were previously warned of the impending threat of wildfire but failed to pass legislation. Now that a disaster has occurred, perhaps more urgency will be placed on the issue.

Media coverage of the Hawaiian wildfires, along with the smoke enveloping our skies from Canadian wildfires last June, make it difficult for us to ignore the interconnected nature of climate effects.

Last month, I wrote about climate anxiety and actions that individuals should take to reduce carbon use. My reasoning was that as individuals take positive action, their cumulative impact

may deliver meaningful mitigation. That said, the most significant impact may require legislation designed to achieve more global results.

Currently, New Jersey is one of only a handful of states that has no law seeking to control the problem of invasive species. It’s not for lack of trying.

FoHVOS Stewardship Director Mike Van Clef drafted a statewide action plan in 2007 that was approved in 2009 and lauded by the state in 2010.

After a change in administration, it became apparent that battling invasive species wasn’t going to happen on the state level. Van Clef and other partners responded by forming a nonprofit to address statewide invasive species issues. Now known as the FoHVOS Invasive Species Strike Team, a small staff works with large numbers of volunteers to help nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals to eradicate invasive species.

The influence of invasive species is pervasive throughout the environment but as in the case of wildfires, people don’t always link the growing number of invasives to the climate issue they are considering.

For example, a widely publicized fact is that bird, pollinator, and insect populations are dropping precipitously. While many rightfully attribute the decline to infrastructure development that destroys habitat, invasive species greatly exacerbate the problem as they overtake the forested areas where wildlife seek out native plants for

sustenance.

According to Mike Van Clef, “invasive Species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity, next only to outright habitat destruction.”

In 2023, new bipartisan legislation to address invasive species was introduced by New Jersey State Senators Bob Smith and Linda Greenstein. It passed the Assembly in May 2023 and we are hopeful that it could become law by the end of the year.

The legislation is solid and was crafted with input from a group of nonprofits called the NJ Forest Task Force. It also recognizes the needs of landscape and nursery trade associations.

Back when Van Clef first introduced the statewide action plan, about a dozen or so states had legislation. Now, 45 states have some regulation restricting invasive plant sales.

We have seen what happens when the spread of invasive species is ignored. Van Clef reminds us that we need to take a mindful and intentional approach.

“The damage is ongoing and unchecked. This law, which prevents the sale of invasive species, represents a conscious decision,” stated Van Clef, “At least now we won’t be adding to the problem.”

Contact your state senator and tell them to vote for Senate Bill 2186 because fighting invasive species is important to our climate future.

Lisa Wolff

The Hopewell Township Committee and staff: Working for

promote safety while also opening new sources of revenue.

“What does the Hopewell Township Committee actually do?”

I have been asked this on more than one occasion by local residents. And my short answer is, “We work with the Hopewell Township professionals to make our community an even better place to live.”

The longer answer is, well, longer.

The five of us on the Hopewell Township Committee are responsible for establishing township policies and priorities, particularly with respect to the budget. The Hopewell Township professionals, led by township administrator George Snyder, are responsible for the day-to-day running of the township.

Working together, we have taken a number of actions to improve Hopewell Township services and continue to foster community.

Regarding the budget, all of us on the Township Committee, and every department head, spend considerable time reviewing and analyzing township finances. We want to strike the balance of delivering the high quality services our residents deserve and keeping Hopewell Township’s share of property tax bills as low as possible. Our township chief financial officer and treasurer, Julie Troutman, is critical to this effort. This year, through smart financial management, we reduced the township’s tax rate for the second consecutive year. Events outside of our control happen to the budget, but we still have to deal with them. Perhaps the most significant event of recent years was Bristol Myers Squibb’s announcement that it was leaving its Hopewell Township campus.

The potential loss of tax revenue from this one company would create a huge hole in our budget. Thanks to the work of our township professionals and committee member Kevin Kuchinski, we figured out a way to reinvent the campus to make it attractive for potential tenants. Our efforts have paid off with companies such as BeiGene coming to the township, creating jobs and tax revenue.

The legalization of cannabis offers another opportunity for additional tax revenue. We have worked with legal counsel to create comprehensive regulations for the cultivation, manufacturing, and sale of cannabis that

Making a community an even better place to live involves more than budgeting. I have worked closely with the Woolsey Park Advisory Committee, our director of community development and township engineer Jim Hutzelmann, recreation director Karin Poveromo, and assistant director of public works Dave Guerard, to build a bandshell in Woolsey Park.

Once completed, the bandshell will serve as a place for community events. And it will be paid for thanks to a $500,000 grant from the State of New Jersey. While there have been some delays due to supply chain issues, we expect ground to be broken within the next few months.

Committee member Kuchinski has worked with Ms. Poveromo on replacing the turf field at Twin Pines, a project that will also commence in the next few months. The field, which has exceeded its useful life, is in constant use by hundreds of local athletes. The replacement cost will be covered in part by a grant from Mercer County.

We received a $2 million grant from the State of New Jersey and a smaller grant from Mercer County, towards construction of the new Senior and Community Center. Deputy Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning is working with our citizen volunteers on the Senior Advisory Board, and she and Committee member Kuchinski are coordinating with community partners as we move closer to breaking ground on what will become a centerpiece of Hopewell Township. In any community, emergency services are critical. Deputy Mayor PetersManning has worked tirelessly as our liaison to the Hopewell Township Police Department as well as our first liaison to the Fire District. Her advocacy to our state delegation helped secure a grant of $600,000 to fund the upgrading of our 911 system.

And our new police chief, Jim Rosso, is truly community focused. I attended a recent meet and greet, along with the other committee members, at Brandon Farms where Chief Rosso and members of the police department took questions from local residents. I look forward to other meet and greets in the months ahead.

Earlier this year, some local residents asked us about improving traffic safety on Denow Road near Freedom Village. Thanks to the quick attention of Mr.

Snyder, Mr. Hutzelmann, and Chief Rosso, new traffic measures are being implemented.

Other residents have asked for traffic control measures at Route 31 and Ingleside Avenue. I sent a letter to the Mercer County Executive in July asking for traffic calming measures and warming signs on Ingleside Avenue. The committee has previously requested a traffic light at the intersection and has authorized a cost share agreement with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for a signal. We are pushing for a response.

Truck traffic on Route 579 has been a concern of residents for some time. Committee member David Chait worked with the police department for increased patrols and signage. He also contacted mapping vendors to ensure that GPS programs used by truckers indicate that Route 579 has specific weight restrictions.

Committe member Uma Purandare has partnered with Mr. Snyder, Mr. Hutzelmann and state agencies to have bus shelters built on Route 31 near Shop-

Rite and Hopewell Crossing. And she has worked with Hopewell Township Health Officer Dawn Marling to make sure our health department is properly equipped for a post-pandemic world. Committee member Purandare and Deputy Mayor Peters-Manning are also working with Trenton Water Works on issues of water safety.

Finally we want to be sure Hopewell Township is a great place not just to live, but to work and visit as well. That’s why we created the Tourism and Economic Development Advisory Committee to solicit ideas on how we can make the Township attractive for businesses and, as we approach the semiquincentennial in 2026, attractive to tourists as well.

While this is not a comprehensive list, I hope this gives a better sense of what the township committee does, and how we work with our township professionals.

On issues large and small, we are here to make our community an even better place for all of us.

Michael Ruger is the mayor of Hopewell Township, which provided this content.

Michael Ruger FRoM THE ToWNsHIp

Sewer City

Robin Schore sCHoRE To pLEAsE

Many of us get accused of having our minds in the gutter. I say, why stop there. My mind is in the sewer.

Haven’t you always wondered what happened to the dishwater that went down the drain or what happened when you flushed the toilet? Well if you are in Hopewell Borough, it flows to the sewer facility on Aunt Molly Road, where it is elaborately treated and discharged into Bedens Brook.

If you live in Pennington Borough, it gets treated at the Rocky Hill-Pennington Road facility and discharges into Stony Brook.

Both plants are operated by the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority, a public agency serving six municipalities and established in 1971.

Of course, if you are in the township, you undoubtedly have a septic system that gets pumped out regularly and transported by truck to appropriately equipped plants for processing.

According to Kyle Stewart, assistant plant manager, who gave me a tour of the Hopewell facility, the local system does not take septic tank goop because it contains anaerobic bacteria, while the Stony Brook facilities use aerobic bacteria to break down sewage.

Incidentally, Mr. Stewart noted that 99.9% of waste going into the sewer system is water. The remaining solids comprise primarily of human waste and toilet paper.

The flow rate to the Hopewell plant ranges from 50 gallons per minute to over 170 gallons per minute, depending upon time of day. According to Toni Shurott-Pchola, executive director of the SBRSA, it’s rated for an average flow rate of 300,000 gallons per day.

* * *

So let’s dive in, so to speak. When you run water in the sink or flush toilets, everything goes into a pipe in your yard which connects to a large main.

The effluent is moved by gravity through those mains, sometimes needing pumps to lift the liquid to a height where it can once again use gravity to continue its journey.

Once the waste reaches the treatment plant, increasingly finer screens filter out “rags”: materials that won’t break down. Real people with rakes scoop out the rags.

Waste liquid then enters a primary rectangular sedimentation tank, which separates out heavier solids.

The remaining effluent flows into “oxidation ditches”: concentric circles of liquid where “stabilizing organics” convert ammonia to nitrites to nitrates. Giant spinning disks keep the mixture aerobic, and the processing removes phosphorus and nitrogen. Buoys with sensors measure the dissolved oxygen in liquid.

The liquid next moves to “secondary clarifiers”: smaller circular tanks where remaining solids sink to the bottom. Remarkably, these two tanks are home to approximately 100 enormous goldfish that were introduced to eat water fleas that had infested the surface of the treated water.

These fish, some of which measure 8 inches or more, thrive in the wastewater. The possibility of holding a fishing derby on site has not been broached — yet. Rotating “plows” send solids back to the aeration tank.

Bacteria do all the work, continuously breaking down solid substances in the wastewater. Lab samples are taken regularly to ensure that phosphorus, nitrogen and total dissolved solids are in compliance with effluent permits. Monthly reports are sent to the state.

Toward the end of the process, a spillway containing fully treated water flows into filters of sand and anthracite that remove fine particles. A 15% chlorine solution in a contact tank kills any dangerous organisms. Sodium bisulfite in the penultimate tank neutralizes the chlorine.

Finally, a last aeration tank makes sure that water is well oxygenated, resulting, in Kyle Stewart’s words, in “crystal clear effluent” which flows into Bedens Brook, then into the Millstone River and, ultimately, to the Raritan River, Raritan Bay and the Atlantic.

Well may you ask, what happens to the filtered-out solids? That sludge gets trucked to SBRSA’s main facility on River Road in Princeton. There, polymers are added to stick the solids together which, along with compression, create “sludge cakes.”

These cakes are incinerated, and the resulting ash is transported to a landfill in Warren County.

Tours are available at the facilities for residents and school groups, including Princeton engineering students interested in the design of sewer plants. Little kids are also given tours and tend to respond with “stinky.”

Incidentally, during my tour, the Hopewell site was fragrance free.

Mr. Stewart said that the enemy of a functioning sewer system is grease, which clogs pipes. Clogging calls for the use of fearsome Jet Vac trucks that employ high-pressure water and rotating blades to scour pipes, cut roots, and vacuum out the debris.

(So, maybe you can stop pouring bacon fat down the drain.)

Seven manholes on Aunt Molly Road provide access to those pipes. When my incredibly astute granddaughter, age five, heard the word “manholes,” she wanted to know why there weren’t any for girls.

Please, should the occasion arise, show your gender sensitivity and descend into “personholes.”

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