Bulldogs’ bullish season ends shy of finals
By rich FiSher
There are good teams, and then there are good programs.
A good team works its way up to success, has one big season and recedes into the background. A good program includes good teams year in and year out and, while slippage might happen every so often, it doesn’t linger.
Upon completing its 21st season of varsity football; Hopewell Valley has become a good program.
After going 10-1 this year — the Bulldogs third 10-win season in 12 years — Hopewell’s record since 2013 is 74-43 (.632 winning percentage) with nine winning seasons, seven playoff appearances, a Central Jersey Group III championship and a berth in the South Jersey Group III title game.
Taking it one step further, the outgoing senior class went 7-0 as 9th-graders on the freshman team and enjoyed a threeyear varsity mark of 28-4 with two playoff berths.
Make no mistake. Coach Dave Caldwell has established a good program.
Caldwell was there from the start, nurturing things and guiding it every step of the way. It began with freshman and JV teams in 2002-03 before plunging into
See BULLDOGS, Page 9
Naomi and Natalie Kinnamon, 2017 graduates of Hopewell Valley Central High School, have started a clothing line designed specifically for people with Type I diabetes, a condition that necessitates the daily wearing of an insulin pump to
Sisters launch new fashion brand with a special mission
By KaiTlin Bavaro
Hopewell Valley identical twin sisters
Naomi and Natalie Kinnamon, 25, have recently launched their own clothing brand based in Pennington that caters to women with Type 1 diabetes.
Kinnamon sells a variety of dresses, rompers and jumpsuits with fashionable cutouts and pockets to meet the needs of their customers. They say that their core
values are inclusivity, functionality, style and high quality, long lasting clothing. They use a variety of fabric blends for their clothing, often using materials that are stretchy and comfortable for wear and are injection friendly, with cut-outs and slits where wearers can easily inject. Their brand mission is one of a kind, as there are no other mainstream clothing brands that are currently made to
See KINNAMON, Page 6
Stylianou wins in write-in campaign for BOE
By Joe eManSKi
Hopewell Township faced an unusual situation on the November ballot, where no candidate had officially filed to run for the one-year unexpired term currently held by Sarah Tracy. Tracy took over the seat previously held by Lydia Liu in the summer after Liu resigned. Although Tracy had served on the board before, she chose not to run to complete the final year remaining on Liu’s term. However, no one else put forth their name either. Several residents stepped up with write-in campaigns in the months prior to the election, including Amanda Stylianou, Theresa “Tracy” Vogler and Nick Perold. And once all the votes had been counted, it was Stylianou, with 213 votes, who was elected to complete the term currently occupied by Tracy. Vogler received the second most write-in votes, with 106.
“Thank you, Hopewell Township, for your trust and report!” Stylianou posted to Facebook on Nov. 22. “I’m honored to serve on the board of education and look forward to working together to support our students and schools.”
More election coverage is on page 5.
AROUND TOWN
New name, same mission: Womanspace is now Younity
Womanspace, Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing abuse, protecting families and transforming victims into survivors, celebrated the start of the next chapter in its nearly 50-year existence at Trenton Country Club on Nov. 13 by revealing its new identity. Womanspace is now Younity.
After more than a year of research, focus groups, interviews and meetings held between the organization and marketing firm Imbue Creative, a new name was created. “The organization’s new tagline is: Together we are stronger than abuse.”
Board chair Meaghan Cannon said:
“As the daughter of one of Womanspace’s founding members, I am deeply honored to continue my mother’s legacy of compassion, empowerment and resilience. Today, as we evolve into Younity, I am immensely proud to support this transformation. We are staying true to the mission that was so dear to her heart while embracing a new vision for unity and healing that will strengthen our commu-
nity for generations to come.”
The new brand was unveiled by Nathalie S. Nelson, CEO and president of Younity. During a speech, Nelson honored those who laid the foundation upon which the organization has continued to evolve, including the five women who founded Womanspace: Barbara Boggs Sigmund, Deborah Metzger, Ellen Belknap, Mary Ann Cannon and Valorie Caffee.
Nelson also recognized staff members who have been with the organization for anywhere between 10 and 40 years.
“The rebranding of Womanspace is a pivotal moment for us, a chance to expand our legacy and connect with a new generation of survivors and supporters,” Nelson said.
Board member Stephen Sigmund said: “My mom started Womanspace almost 50 years ago so women and families had a new path to safety from domestic violence that didn’t exist anywhere else in Mercer County. As Womanspace has expanded over the decades to provide that same
new path to more and more survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault from all genders and walks of life, it’s time for a new name that matches that evolution.
“Younity represents our expanded mission, bringing people together, survivors and providers alike, to provide new opportunity and new hope.”
Since its founding, Womanspace has provided critical services for thousands of individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse in the Mercer County region. Now, the organization celebrates its own transformation with a new name and brand that reflects the evolving landscape.
The organization says that name Younity was chosen to underscore the organization’s commitment to providing each person affected by abuse regardless of their age, race, gender or orientation with an entire community of people and services they need to stand up to abuse by literally bringing together the words “you” and “community” with a tagline that ties it all together.
The new brand is designed to reach a more inclusive audience, deepen the organization’s impact and empower everyone affected by abuse—ensuring they have what they need to not only survive, but thrive.
“This transformation not only celebrates where we’ve been but also where we’re going as we continue to foster hope and healing for those who need it most,” Nelson said.
The Younity rollout includes a new website—younitynj.org. Younity remains based at 1530 Brunswick Ave. in Lawrence.
Younity will host its annual Communities of Light event on Monday, Dec. 2. At sundown that evening, thousands of people across Mercer County will display flickering lights in a message of solidarity to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Those interested in participating can purchase luminary kits from Younity and its event partners. Details online at the website.
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
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A proud member of:
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Seminar & Free Screenings
Seminar: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Screenings: Thursday, December 12, 2024 | Begins at 5 p.m.
Location: Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell NJ PURE Conference Center, One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534
Led by experts from the Capital Health Heart & Vascular Institute, join us for a free seminar on December 11 at 6 p.m. to learn ways to prevent cardiovascular disease, and make an appointment for the following free screenings on December 12:
… Carotid Artery Ultrasound
… Varicose Vein Inspection
… Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
… Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose
… Peripheral Artery Disease
You must attend the seminar to be eligible for the screenings. Sign up by Friday, December 6. Screening is available for the first 25 who sign up for the seminar. A waiting list will be available.
Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events.
Class size is limited. Please register early.
RWJUH Hamilton December Healthy Living / Community Education Programs
CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Monday, Dec. 2 + 16; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Caring for someone with chronic illness can take a physical and emotional toll on family members. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate this supportive group experience.
ADULT CHILDREN CARING FOR PARENTS
Monday, Dec. 2 + 16; 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Providing care and support for your parents later in their lives can be difficult and taxing. A caregiver specialist will moderate and facilitate this supportive group experience.
KNOWLEDGE CAFÉ: DIAGNOSIS
AND TREATMENT OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Tuesday, Dec. 3; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join Dorota Gribbin, MD, and Erika Serviolo, Occupational Therapist, MS, OTR/L, ITOT, CSRS, RWJ Rehabilitation, for a discussion on what Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, its common causes, and how it affects the hands and wrists. You will learn to recognize the key symptoms and how to manage or prevent them in everyday life. Dinner will be provided.
BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, Dec. 3; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Please call 609.584.2836 to confirm attendance. This group meets at the Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton located at 2575 Klockner Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, Dec. 4; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
A supportive discussion group for those caring for a loved one who is aging or has a chronic illness— shared experiences can be healing.
A caregiver specialist will moderate and facilitate this supportive group experience.
COOKING WITH CARDIOLOGY: WHOLESOME FEASTS
Wednesday, Dec. 4; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy the festive season while staying mindful of your well-being. Learn how to prepare nutritious, delicious meals with Shakil Shaikh, DO, RWJUH Hamilton, and member of Hamilton Cardiology Associates. Perfect for food lovers seeking a wholesome celebration!
GRIEF & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, Dec. 5 + 19; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
If you have lost a loved one or been separated from your support system, you can find comfort and begin to cope better by interacting with others.
A senior well-being specialist will moderate.
LETTING GO OF CLUTTER
Tuesday, Dec. 10; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This support group explores how our emotional ties to our “stuff” can create clutter and affect our mood.
A caregiver specialist will moderate and facilitate this supportive group experience.
DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: COMMON CAUSES OF SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Tuesday, Dec. 10; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join us for an insightful lecture presented by Kevin Law, MD, RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, RWJUH Hamilton medical staff member, board-certified in critical care, pulmonary disease and sleep medicine. This session will demystify the common yet concerning symptom of shortness of breath. Whether you experience this symptom or want to better understand its implications, this lecture will provide valuable information and guidance. Dinner will be provided to registered participants.
PAPER ART GREETING CARDS
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Let your creativity soar as we play with paper and make artistic greeting cards to take home. Please bring scissors; all other materials will be provided.
WISE WOMEN: WHAT MAKES A GOOD LIFE?
Thursday, Dec. 12; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Join a community of women to discuss relevant topics. Let’s find purpose, meaning and community together.
UNDERSTANDING THE WINTER BLUES: SHEDDING LIGHT ON SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
Monday, Dec. 16; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Explore the symptoms, causes and treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) with Jasmeet Mehta, MD, an
A SOCIAL HOUR ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS
Wednesday, Dec 4, 11, 18; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Don’t miss an opportunity to participate in lifechanging conversations, listening, learning, and exploring for this time in our lives. Topics created for you by you. Every week is new and something different. Join us on all three dates, two or even one. It’s your choice. New folks are always welcome.
SHINING A LIGHT ON THE HOLIDAYS
Thursday, Dec 5; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec 5; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Some winter holidays celebrated by people of different religions and cultures, like Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and Diwali, use light. Join us and hear the history behind these traditions and enjoy a group project creating your own representation using flameless tea lights with beautiful multi-media materials. All supplies included.
TAI CHI CLASSES
Thursday, Dec 5 + 12; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
SELF-DEFENSE: PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR SENIORS
Monday, Dec 9; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join us to learn practical strategies to enhance personal safety and confidence. Learn how to navigate real-world situations with critical situational awareness skills and develop a survival mindset. The program will include some demonstrations and a Q & A session.
CELEBRATING AGING
Tuesday, Dec 10; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
The older we get, the more there is to learn and experience. Join us as we explore and embrace the positivity of aging. This presentation will provide an understanding of the positive aspects of aging and factors that contribute to meaningful and enriching experiences that help
internal medicine specialist with RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, RWJUH Hamilton. SAD affects millions of people annually, typically during the fall and winter months. Learn how reduced sunlight, shorter days and changing seasons impact mental health.
“WII” ARE POWERED GAME TIME
Tuesday, Dec. 17; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join RWJ Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy specialists, RWJUH Hamilton, for this fun hour of Wii video games and learn about safe mechanics. Mastering body movement is leveling up your real-life stats. Play smart, move like a pro and stay in the game longer!
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS
Wednesday, Dec.18; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join our beginner meditation class and learn this simple, but not always easy practice to quiet your mind and soothe your body. No experience necessary.
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesday, Dec. 18; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Support and information for family and friends of people with Alzheimer’s disease. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.
HEALTHRHYTHMS ® DRUM CIRCLE
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Join our drum circle to drum your cares away, have fun and relieve stress. No experience necessary; drums will be provided. The program requires a fee of $15, payable upon registration.
THE HOT SEAT: CHAIR DANCING
Thursday, Dec. 19; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
While seated, shimmy and sway during this hour-long, no-impact dance class. Chair dancing is a great way to incorporate cardio exercise into your day. Keep your body moving and your heart pumping. No experience necessary.
THE BASICS OF
MEDICARE
Tuesday, Jan. 7; 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Learn about the basics of Medicare, how to avoid penalties, and when to apply for Medicare benefits. The program will be led by a licensed insurance agent specializing in Medicare and ACA. Light refreshments will be provided.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN RELIEF AND WELL-BEING
Thursday, Jan. 9; 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Join Adam Redlich, MD, an integrative sports medicine specialist and acupuncture provider, who will share how acupuncture can ease tension and anxiety, help with pain relief, improve function, contribute to your overall well-being, and may even be covered by Medicare.
*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.
us thrive as we age. Presented by Rutgers Health, University Behavioral Health Care, Comprehensive Services on Aging (COPSA), and the Institute for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.
MONTHLY MEN’S GROUP
Wednesday, Dec 11; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Who said men don’t talk? Men need a safe space to share thoughts and feelings too. That’s why this is a women-free zone just for men to talk about whatever is on their minds.
GAME TIME
Friday, Dec 13; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, Dec 23; 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for good wholesome pastime and fun--let’s play a game! Sharpen your skills or jump back into something you always enjoyed. Snacks and a variety of board games will be available, or you are welcome to bring your own. A great way to meet new friends or bring friends with you.
CREATE YOUR PERSONAL HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE
Monday, Dec 16; 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Join us as we spread winter joy through art and innovation. Create a beautiful holiday centerpiece to take home and enjoy. This fun and hands-on class will help you tap into your inner creativity as you spend time enjoying music, friends, and crafting.
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Wednesday, Dec 18; 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Happy holidays! Whether you come alone to meet new people or to catch up with old friends, join our Better Health Program family for an enjoyable holiday party and to reflect on a year well spent. There will be delicious food, festive dancing, and a special singer. Looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!
Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call
address this need.
You Deserve A Beautiful Smile
“We’re fortunate to be trailblazers in this field,” Natalie said. “People don’t really design for disabilities in the mainstream market.”
Even the idea of having pockets in each clothing article makes Kinnamon unique, as many women’s clothing lack functional pockets. A lot of their design choices revolve around the pockets that are in each piece of clothing, and this affects the type of fabric used in each article.
Naomi, who has had Type 1 diabetes since she was 11 years old, has always been interested in fashion and design alongside her twin Natalie. The two sisters have been making their own clothes since childhood, learning how to sew at just eight years old.
Mark W. McDonough, DMD
Diplomate,
Their passion for creativity and design has been passed down to them from the matriarchies of their family: their grandmother, mother and aunts.
Their business idea, now known as the brand Kinnamon, has been in the making for the last two years. Naomi first got the idea after she designed a line of Type 1 diabetes accommodating clothing for her senior collection at Savannah College of Art and Design.
insulin pump before,” Naomi said.
Naomi and Natalie have hit the ground running since starting their brand in August. Kinnamon has already received “quite a few orders,” Natalie said.
Natalie focuses on website traffic and graphic design, as that was what she studied in college, while Naomi focuses on designing the clothes. Building their brand has been a joint effort.
For more than half of Naomi’s life, she has become very familiar with the lack of accommodations in most women’s clothing for her condition. Naomi recalls the many times she would have to excuse herself at work or school to inject her insulin because there was no easy access to do so through her clothes. She has always had to keep her needs in mind when purchasing clothes.
“It came about as the perfect opportunity to design something that would accommodate me and a need I’ve always had,” Naomi said. “As soon as I started working on [the line] I saw the vision for it to become a full fledged brand. If 8 million people have Type 1 diabetes I know that a lot of people would be struggling with the same thing.”
As soon as the twins graduated from college, they looked to turn the school project into a real brand.
Naomi began designing her products by imagining silhouettes she had always wanted to wear, then creating mockups and testing where the pockets could go, how her insulin pump would fit and if the material was strong enough to hold it up, as well as if cutouts and slits would fit the image. Some silhouettes would not work with an insulin pump or phone, but through trial and error, Naomi was able to come up with styles that worked.
“There’s our Naomi Ruffle Dress which I love because it’s a stretchy bodycon with cute ruffles; I’ve never been able to wear something so form-fitting with an
The twins have been building brand awareness by marketing themselves through their social media: their Instagram @Kinnamon.official, their Facebook @Kinnamonclothing and their Tik Tok @Kinnamon.official. On these accounts, the sisters post videos of them packaging their clothing orders, comedic videos about being fashion designers and business co-founders, videos of their models and themselves wearing Kinnamon clothes, informational/awareness posts about Type 1 diabetes and more.
The Kinnamon twins are also able to track engagement through their website (kinnamonclothing.com) Using Shopify, they get to see where their website traffic is coming from and what demographics are purchasing their products. The sisters also utilize email marketing for subscribers.
Kinnamon also actively engages with their customers through their customer service emails, where they answer questions and have already received positive feedback on their clothing.
Their first collection is strictly dresses, jumpsuits and rompers because these items typically lack pockets and an easy access for an injection. Each piece of clothing from the collection has two pockets that can hold a phone and/or pump. Many of the clothes also have cutouts and slits for injections, and pleats or
The Kinnamon sisters model their own clothing brand. (Instagram photo.)
ruffles. Each product is named after an important person in Naomi and Natalie’s families: their grandmother Irene, whom they never knew; their mother Janice; their aunt Lizzi, who also had Type 1 diabetes; their aunt Eliese; and there are also items named after the twins themselves.
Natalie described their first collection as the perfect versions of Naomi’s designs from college.
Running a brand between the two of them can be difficult at times. The twins had to find their fabric supplier, factory, manufacturer, models and photographer all on their own. Naomi and Natalie balance doing web design, clothing design, cutting, ironing, sewing, scheduling, social media as well as focus on the sales and marketing of their business.
The process of building the brand has been daunting, and the co-founders have each had to wear many hats.
“A lot of this is things that we haven’t done before, and we’re just learning along the way,” Natalie said. “It’s been quite an adventure and it’s been more than two years in the making, but definitely worth all the struggles.”
Another unique component of Kinnamon is that many of their models have Type 1 diabetes.
“We definitely knew right off the bat that we wanted to have people with Type 1,” Naomi said.
The Kinnamon sisters wanted to showcase models who both do and do not have the disease, to show that their brand can be for everyone.
“It was really cool for the Type 1 diabetes [models] to see clothes that are made
for them for the first time ever,” Naomi said. “We were happy to have them be the first ones to try everything on and get to showcase it.”
An undeniable characteristic of the Kinnamon is the closeness and partnership of Naomi and Natalie.
“We’ve always had similar, overlapping interests our whole lives,” Naomi said. “We’ve always very much been interested in the fine arts together.”
Although they may have their disagreements at times, they have been very happy with the way that things are going so far.
Kinnamon has also been involved in various fundraising efforts for Type 1 diabetes. In November alone they participated as vendors in three 5K walks for Breakthrough T1D, a research organization for the disease.
The sisters say that they look forward to continuing to work with this organization in the future, as a portion of all of Kinnamon orders goes toward Breakthrough T1D.
Naomi is already coming up with news designs and she is looking to expand the first collection as soon as possible. They are also looking to begin international shipping. Moreover, the sisters plan to create pieces that accommodate children, babies, and older women as well as continuing to make pieces for adults.
“Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease, and all sorts of people have it,” Naomi said. “We have a lot of work to do here, and we’re definitely going to focus on the difficult garments.”
Web: kinnamonclothing.com.
December at the Church on the Bend
December 7th Holiday Festival
11 am - 3 pm | Christmas Crafts, Caroling, Cocoa and Santa
December 15th
10 am | A Christmas Cantata in the 1867 Sanctuary 11 am | Faithfulness in an Election's Wake with Dr. Heath Carter
Christmas Eve Worship
6:30 pm | An evening of song and light in the 1867 Sanctuary
Discover our inclusive, justice centered community of faith by visiting us in person or online at ewingcovenant.org
Mercer Bucks Central Jersey Eateries held its 2nd snnual Pie Bake-Off gundraiser in Hopewell Township on Nov. 14, 2024 and raised more than $2,000 for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Among the judges and organizers were Rory Philipson, Kenny Garcia, Aaron Shropshire, Ryan Kinney, Lisa Wolff, Mary Galioto and Kim Janel.
Tis the season to be healthy.
Make a plan for your cardiac health.
From state-of-the-art technology to the most specialized team in New Jersey, our network offers the most complete heart and vascular care. Whether you have hypertension, heart disease or a child with a heart issue, our team of nurses, cardiologists and heart surgeons deliver comprehensive, compassionate care. Our highly coordinated approach to patient care ensures that you can focus on improved health and wellness – and get your heart off your mind. Make a plan at rwjbh.org/heart
varsity ball in 2004. There were growing pains for sure, including from within.
There were no dreams of 10-win seasons back then. Caldwell was just trying to survive.
“I was so focused in the moment, I was learning on the job,” he said. “There was support for the program but behind the scenes there were people that didn’t want it to be as successful. I kept my head down and just tried to coach what I knew and learn what I didn’t know.”
He also got help from the Hopewell Bulldogs Pop Warner teams.
“As the program started to gain some momentum, I looked at the youth program and it was flourishing,” said Caldwell, who became a youth coach himself. “We had some amazing support from youth parents that wanted football to be strong in this community. With their support and the administration’s support, we could see there were going to be some very, very good years for Hopewell Valley in the future.”
It was a clear vision, as Hopewell won it
all in 2013 and reached the playoff finals in 2022 when this senior class was sophomores. Folks predicted a drop-off after that year but the Bulldogs went 8-2, followed by this season’s impressive run that ended with a 28-25 SJ III semifinal loss to Seneca.
Rather than sulk about the ending, senior quarterback Milan Desai took pride in his class’s overall body of work.
“Coach Caldwell put it very well,” Desai said. “He said ‘You can’t be sad it’s over, you have to be happy it happened.’ That pretty much encapsulates the season.
“Last year we got snubbed from the playoffs after a devastating loss to Notre Dame. After that game, me and all my senior friends really bought in. We knew this year was our last year to make a statement. All off-season we worked together, went to early-morning lifts, put in extra work. We expected this of ourselves even if other people didn’t.”
There were some bumps along the way.
“We faced some adversity,” Desai said. “Halfway through the season one of our
Quarterback Milan Desai throws a pass in the Aug. 30, 2024 opening night 42-0 victory over Montgomery. (Photo by Mike Schwartz/mssphoto.com.)
BULLDOGS continued from Page 9
best players walked out on the team. That would have set back a lot of teams, but it brought us closer together and we just moved forward. It was next man up and we kept winning games. That said a lot about our team.”
It helped having a quarterback of Desai’s caliber.
In winning the 12th Man TD Club’s Frank “Mammy” Piscopo Memorial Award as the Mercer County public school player of the year, Desai completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,851 yards and 21 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions. His efforts landed him a spot with Johns Hopkins next sea-
son and helped Hopewell to a school record 426 points. He also rushed for 460 yards and 13 TDs, making him responsible for 204 points..
“Milan is fantastic and phenomenal,” Caldwell said. “And I think having Ben DeCore back there to effectively run the ball and having Gavin Lewis able to coordinate things up front with the rest of the offensive line, it was definitely complementary football.”
Desai, who never played QB until his sophomore season, is the first to admit that.
“My receivers made great plays, my offensive line gave me time, obviously we had the best running back in the county,”
Ben DeCore looks to evade a defender in the 45-13 victory over Allentown, Sept. 27, 2024. (Photo by Mike Schwartz/mssphoto.com.)
he said. “A great run game helps out the passing game. And our defense is the best defense in the county. They get us the ball back when we need it. Everything came together to help me grow and help the team succeed.”
A defensive end/tight end in youth ball and as a freshman, Desai was targeted by the coaches to be standout Tim McKeown’s replacement. They molded him during McKeown’s senior year.
“I was a taller kid, kind of new to the game,” Desai recalled. “A lot of credit goes to our quarterbacks coach (EJ) Nemeth, he taught me everything I needed to know about being a field general, mentally and physically. And my teammates all bought in to help me grow as a young quarterback.”
DeCore rushed for 1,349 points and 16 TDs. He will graduate as the Bulldogs all-time rusher with 2,641 yards and 30 touchdowns. His back-up,
Dylan Yasher rushed for 241 yards and three touchdowns while catching nine passes for 111 yards.
“Dylan got some critical first downs, he was a great inside zone-outside zone running back who ran behind his pads and gained those extra yards after contact,” Caldwell said.
An aggressive offensive line was led by left guard Lewis, who became the first player in HVCHS history to become a twotime winner of the 12th Man’s Charles “Fuzzy” Falzone Memorial Award as the county’s top public school lineman. He also played defensive line.
“He has an extremely strong football intelligence,” Caldwell said. “He’s a great leader who plays at full speed.
“Milan, Gavin and Ben definitely had a significant impact, but there were a lot of parts that just fit right to make us successful.”
And each deserves recognition, starting with receiver Owen Lengle (34 catches, 700 yards, 10 touchdowns).
Caldwell felt he and Notre Dame’s Wyatt Moore were the county’s top receivers and Lengle was also a kicking weapon. He was 5-for-8 on field goal attempts with a long of 35, went 52 for 54 on PATs and averaged 35 yards per punt.
The rest of the offensive line had firstyear starters Colin Turnbull at left tackle and Chris Heyman at right guard, two-year starter Ryan Tackacs at right tackle and three-year starter Jon Trainer at center. All are seniors but Tackacs, who’s a junior.
“Trainor was the vocal leader of the line, he brought a lot of tempo and energy to our practices,” Caldwell said. “Heyman was a physical player who loved to pull and play full speed. Tackacs continued to play better and better and play more physically with better technique and Turnbull continued to improve as well.”
Beauty and the Beast November 8-24 The Best Time of The Year November 29 - December 1 ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas... December 6-8
Junior tight end Lucas Hemmer had to fill the big shoes of John Michael Vlasac and did so by catching 12 passes for 145 yards while also blocking well.
“He did a fantastic job,” Caldwell said. “He really turned into a big double threat. He can catch the ball in the seam or flat and turn it up for extra yardage, he can lead in our run game, kick out or block things up front.”
The defensive line was spearheaded by Lewis (47 tackles), whom Caldwell called “a menace, a relentless pursuer of the football.” Rotating nose guards Hemmer and Elliott Scherbekow combined for 36 tackles while occupying linemen. “Elliott has great balance and uses his hands well. He sacrificed a lot for the team and did a fantastic job,” Caldwell said.
The ends were Dan Pszczolkowski (19 tackles) and junior Carter Horvath (35
See BULLDOGS, Page 12
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast November 8-24 The Best Time of The Year November 29 - December 1 ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas... December 6-8
Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ
six this season, and leaves as the second all-time tackler with 245-½ (team-leading 98 this year, with 5 forced fumbles).
a guy we matched up on the opponents best wide receiver. He can play man or zone coverage and he’s not afraid to come down and stick his nose in there.”
BULLDOGS cont. from Page 11 tackles, 4-½ sacks). “Dan is a smart player, a really good pass rusher off the edge,” Caldwell noted. “Carter played full speed all the time. He just made a difference when he was inserted in the game. He’s got a bright future.”
Linebackers included Joe Demareski (25 tackles), Johnny Ellis (86 tackles, 16 for loss, 4 sacks) and juniors Ryan Ottobre (53 tackles) and Ethan Barker (53 tackles).
“Joe continued to soar and get better, he set the edge and lined up on the strong side of an opponent’s offense,” Caldwell said. “Ellis is a vocal and physical leader, he’s a natural leader who loves the weight room and led our defense in physicality. Ryan is a big weight room guy who’s able to go through his reads and fill downhill. He’s a solid tackler. Ethan is a quiet leader, he plays physical, likes to play downhill. He can set the edge and cause some fumbles.”
A district wrestling champ who is headed to Washington & Lee College for lacrosse, Caldwell was the defensive quarterback.
“He set up the coverages, understood what offenses were trying to do,” his dad said. “He watched hours of film and was like a second coach on the field. He could also cover the pass well.”
Kyle Yadamiec (32 tackles) was the other safety and “was a guy that had to go down and cover guys in the slot or rotate back and play free safety. He did a fantastic job.”
It is young players like that, plus others on the JV, that make Caldwell enthusiastic for the future.
“Our goal is to reload, not rebuild,” said the coach, who also heaped heavy praise on his coaching staff. “We feel like we have the right mix to be good next year and in the future as well, especially with the incoming players we have, and a youth program that’s strong. We’re united as a community around football and our student-athletes. There’s a lot of success to be had in the future.”
As for the guys leaving — most of whom did not start football until ninth grade — there’s a lot of success to look back on.
Leading the secondary was Caldwell’s son Luke, arguably one of the top five all-around athletes in HVCHS history. He finished as Hopewell’s all-time interceptions leader (7) after a school-record
Caldwell called his cornerbacks — sophomore Cooper Briehler and junior Jude Berman — “two of the best athletes in the county.” Briehler had 25 tackles and two interceptions and Berman made 22 tackles with two picks.
“Briehler was a lockdown corner, tall and athletic, he should be able to play man coverage on anyone next year,” Caldwell said. “Berman was a second-year starter, he should be a lockdown corner. He was typically
“Our coaching staff has been amazing building us into the players we are,” Desai said. “Obviously you don’t want the season to end like it did, but we’ve accepted it at this point. It was a helluva ride.”
The kind of rides players get in good programs.
A journey through local holiday traditions and events
By Bill SanServino
Winter holidays are a time when traditions and events — both old and new — bring joy and a sense of belonging. Some of these customs date back centuries, such as the ancient Norse use of mistletoe during the winter solstice or the 15th century German practice of decorating trees at Christmas.
Others, like the modern image of Santa Claus shaped by 19th century American writers and artists, are more recent. Yet, there are holiday traditions here in the local community that have taken root and flourished, becoming an essential part of the seasonal celebrations.
From the dramatic reenactment of Washington’s Delaware River crossing to various musical and stage performances, this area is rich with holiday customs that have become as cherished as the more well-known global ones.
With offerings like tree lightings, holiday markets, concerts, dance and theater performances and seasonal displays, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether looking for family-friendly activities, a unique shopping experience, or a chance to give back, there’s a little bit of something for everyone to help make the most of this magical time of year.
A Christmas Crossing Like No Other
For residents of the Delaware River region, George Washington’s famous Christmas Day crossing in 1776 is not just a historical event — it has become a local holiday tradition.
Each year, thousands gather at Wash-
the more polished theatrical event now celebrating its 75th anniversary.
This year public has two opportunities to view the reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park. The first is on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the actual crossing is at 1 p.m.).
In addition to the crossing reenactment, special colonial-era activities and demonstrations in the historic village will offer a full day of family fun and learning. $9/adults, $5/ children ages 5-11, free for children younger than 5. Family rate (2 adults and 2 children) is $25.
The second opportunity is the Christmas Day Crossing on Wednesday, Dec. 25, Noon to 3 p.m. (actual crossing at 1 p.m.). Free.
Another annual historic celebration is Patriots Week in Trenton—a week-long commemoration of an event that put the American colonists on the path to victory.
ington Crossing Historic Park to witness a reenactment of Washington’s daring maneuver, where colonial soldiers, played by dedicated actors in uniform, row across the icy river in replica Durham boats.
In their recent book, Washington Crossing, Ewing historians Bob Sands and Patricia Millen provide the details and some surprising history.
That includes noting that regionally based actor St. John ‘Sinjun’ Terrell began the first modern re-enactments of the crossing of the Delaware in 1953.
With six friends in rented costumes in a half-scale Durham boat built by Lambertville carpenter Elmer Case, he staged Emanuel Leutze’s iconic painting.
Interestingly, the “first modern” ref-
erence suggests another reenactment between Washington’s 1776 original and Terrell’s. The authors write that on Jan. 23, 1947, some 40 pledges of Phi Sigma Nu fraternity from Rider College staged Frank Ewart and Donald Reynolds staged crossed the river as an entertaining way to draw attention to the fraternity.
According to Sands and Millen, “In keeping with the historical accounts of the Christmas night crossing, George Chafey, portraying Washington, led his band of ‘Colonial’ fraternity brothers up Continental Lane to Bear Tavern. Chafey, who was fearful of horses and nursing a bad cold, chose to ride a bicycle,”
The event also got into the pages of Life magazine, which ran a four-page photo spread of the event, and perhaps inspired
The historic Battles of Trenton— a surprise attack by George Washington’s Continental Army on a garrison of German Hessians in Trenton on Dec. 26, 1776—marked a turning point in the war.
Patriots Week celebrates that victory with festivities that include reenactments, lectures, tours and family-friendly activities, offering visitors an immersive experience of Revolutionary War history.
Hosted by local organizations, Patriot’s Week draws history enthusiasts and tourists alike to explore Trenton’s rich past and its significance in the fight for American independence.
Patriot’s Week returns this year on Thursday, Dec. 26, and continues through Friday, Dec. 31, with historical
See HOLIDAYS, Page 19
Re-enactment of Washington crossing the Delaware. (Photo courtesy of Washington Crossing Historic Park/Jimmy Kastner.)
Issue
hOPEwEll vallEy
schOOl district FacEs
GravE Fiscal cOncErns
This fall has been a particularly busy one for our district, and the days have passed quickly amidst the academics, extracurriculars, athletics, projects and field trips. We are fortunate to be a part of such a positive place.
There is so much to be thankful for, however, we cannot ignore the impending realities of our 20252026 budget cycle. Many parents and caregivers have inquired about what the district is considering for a Plan B for the escalating facility and maintenance needs. Some former school board members and community members have expressed their thoughts on why they believe the district does not need a referendum in Hopewell Valley. While these individuals are well-intentioned, we recognize that there is a need for the district to provide a better understanding of our budget, of how school districts in New Jersey are currently funded, and of the genuine crisis the district now faces.
A district like HVRSD has three options for raising funds when their budgets are strained. The first two remedies include budgeting to a 2% cap and using a health care waiver when eligible. Both strategies only buy time, as fixed costs are well outpacing the 2% cap. When the 2% cap on property tax increases for school districts was instituted in New Jersey in 2011, it was designed to protect homeowners from climbing taxes. This has proven short-sighted, with inflation and rising operational costs well over the 2% allowance. As a result, school districts need to choose between sacrificing essential services to balance budgets or gutting their facilities and maintenance budgets. The third option is that the district neglects maintenance and facility needs, cuts programs, limits or does away with extracurricular offerings, and ultimately cuts staff, which will increase class sizes.
The fiscal uncertainty escalates when districts avoid using the 2% cap allowance. Unfortunately, past decisions by previous boards to not spend to cap and to not roll capital reserves back into the budgets have created a crisis we can no longer ignore. The result is what we now face: failing facilities and looming cuts to staffing and programs as fixed costs continue to rise. These decisions are well beyond a choice and are now a necessity. Unfortunately, the New Jersey Department of Education has already warned districts to plan for cuts to our State Aid of up to 15%.
Like many other districts across the state, Hopewell is grappling with fixed costs rising at rates far outpacing inflation. Our current fixed costs in this district include transportation (up 5%), salaries (up 3.5%), special education programming (up 14%), energy costs (up 3%, with expectations to be much higher in the 2025-2026 school year), and healthcare (tracking at 15% higher than last year). All of these fixed costs are well above the 2% cap. Given these financial pressures, our district must fully use the 2% cap and health care waivers to fight to maintain just some of the programs we hold dear.
But this is not enough; we must use strategic actions and make deep cuts moving forward to make up for the shortfalls, and we must utilize long-term planning mechanisms, such as a bond referendum, to avail ourselves of the up to 40% match we can get on some facilities projects. If we do not, we will be on the edge of a “financial cliff ”. A bond referendum is the district’s only option to avoid failing facilities, significant cuts to our instructional programs, and increases in class sizes. We understand the concerns raised by our community and the financial impact these costs may have on your households. At the same time, our school district faces an urgent need for support. We deeply value the opportunity to provide the essential elements of a well-rounded education and are committed to collaborating with all of you to sustain and enhance this mission.
We have already begun our listening tours and received feedback from our parent groups, local leadership, and staff. Community members can look forward to school site discussions and visits, tours of our campuses, and focus groups. We welcome your participation and partnership as we work to protect the valued institutions we have created for our children.
vEtErans day OBsErvEd
Veterans Day was observed at the District Schools by honoring others for their service and sacrifice. Examples included:
• Timberlane Middle School Principal Turnbull’s tribute to veterans and their family members was broadcast school-wide.
• Bear Tavern Elementary whole-school meeting during which veterans were honored, was followed by a reception for veterans and their families.
• Hopewell Elementary School’s Gratitude Program at which they thanked their Crossing Guards, Cafeteria Workers, Custodians and other staff.
• Stony Brook Elementary students’ Thank You notes to First Responders in our community.
• Toll Gate commemorated Veterans Day with a Red, White & Blue Spirit Day, sponsored by the Student Council.
ElEmEntary tEachErs lEadErs
To best serve our students, HVRSD is committed to the professional development of teachers. In an effort to offer authentic, in-district opportunities for goal-setting and growth, Elementary Teacher Leader positions were reintroduced during the 2023-2024 school year. These roles cover specific content areas including ELA, Math, Science, Technology, and Special Education and are grade-banded PreK-2 and 3-5. Teacher Leaders travel between the four elementary schools, spending time with classroom teachers and assisting them through resource management, curricular deep-dives, professional conversation, data discussions, the development of interest-based, professional workshops, instructional coaching, and more. A highlight of their work involves Coaching Cycles, where teachers and teacher leaders work together to identify and reach specific, measurable goals. Throughout these Coaching Cycles, they may visit district Lab Classrooms, watch and offer demonstration lessons, co-plan, co-teach and debrief in tandem. These cycles often lead to further collaboration and professional growth, as colleagues connect with each other across grade levels and buildings, creating opportunities for consistency across HVRSD. Just as providing agency to our students remains important, so too is it important to the growth of our professional staff. These roles and opportunities invite meaningful growth for our teachers, teacher leaders, and the students they collaborate with and for.
Fall rEviEw
• Walk, Bike and Roll to schools: Hopewell Elementary, Stony Brook Elementary and Toll Gate Grammar School are continuing their Walk, Bike and Roll to schools this fall. It’s great to see so many students and families engaging in these healthy practices.
• Timberlane Middle School hosted two Tech-Free/Digital Wellness Nights, during which kids were engaged in tech-free games, while parents and guardians listened to local experts and shared ideas. These discussions will inform our next steps as we address digital wellness in our school community.
• It was an exciting fall for Hopewell Valley Central High School sports teams and fans! Football finished their season with a perfect undefeated record in the CVC before losing in the second round of playoffs Girls Soccer finished their season at 18/2 and won the CVC tournament before losing in the states Boys Soccer finished their season at 10/11 before losing in the playoffs Girls Volleyball finished their season with a 9 and 14 record. Girls Field Hockey finished their season with a strong 14/6 record before losing in the states.
• Approximately 500 people came to see the high-flying Harlem Wizards get schooled by the Hopewell Hotshots in a fun-filled PTO-sponsored District-wide event.
• Students at Toll Gate are currently working on a school wide Quilting Project funded through a Hopewell Valley Educational Foundation grant. The artist, Mrs. Van Der Ree, is a skilled local quilter. Students collected clothing to be used in the quilt, submitted designs, and attended a quilting assembly. The quilt will be unveiled at the Pennington Day Quilt Show in May 2025, then on display at Toll Gate.
• The HVCHS Orchestra will welcome the season with their Winter Concert, which featured works as Sleigh Ride, Themes from Scheherazade and the professional orchestral version of Enchanted.
• The Hopewell Valley Education Foundation held its annual Book Lovers Luncheon. Author Angie Kim’s featured second novel “Happiness Falls” was an instant New York Times bestseller, a GMA and Barnes and Noble book club pick and was named the #1 novel of the year by Oprah Daily. The luncheon proceeds support the annual Author-inResidence program in the Hopewell Valley public schools.
• As part of their education outreach program, BRAVO, members of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra visited HVRSD students in grades 2-5 for an “Informance” (Informative Performance). This visiting artist series brings professional musicians directly to our students and culminates with one grade level traveling to Richardson Auditorium to see the full orchestra perform.
• Project Lead the Way students at Timberlane Middle School and Mercer Elementary School partnered to participate in the “Hallowheels” contest held through Children’s Assistive Technology Service. TMS students designed, created, and constructed tailored costumes that incorporated the MES student’s likes, preferences, and assistive devices.
• Ms. Lora Durr, Art Teacher at Hopewell Valley Central High School received the 2024 Art Educators of NJ Distinguished Achievement Award Winner for her outstanding achievements and remarkable contributions.
• Timberlane Middle School celebrated “Red Ribbon Week” as part of the nation’s largest drug prevention campaign to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.
• The HVCHS Marching Black and Gold wrapped up another successful season. Recently, the students were invited to share the stage with the acclaimed West Chester Wind Ensemble, notably one of the top collegiate ensembles in the state of Pennsylvania.
• CHS Choirs students decorated hallways, played games and made crafts for the Haunted Hallways event which was open to the public.They also partnered with CHS Thespian Program to collect canned goods and non-perishable food donations to benefit a nationwide community service initiative.
• HVCHS presented their fall play “Ghost Stories!” a new adaptation of a classic story involved a band of intrepid ghost hunters determined to try to uncover the truth behind the legend of Bloody Mary.
• Author Stephen Hill, presented to Timberlane 8th Grade Students. Mr. Hill shared his inspiring comeback story and a powerful message with tools and coping skills to work through challenges and a goal-oriented mindset to build a life worth protecting.
• Several CHS students participated in the American Mathematics Competition this fall. The AMC is the preeminent math competition for students and aims to bolster their confidence and passion for math.
• Our District has been hosting Michael Heinz, the Science Coordinator for the NJ Department of Education as he meets with K-12 science teachers from Mercer County to review the NJSLA Science data and help to provide supports in gaps that were identified in student performance.
• The Watershed Institute and Rider University partnered to provide Rider Select Programs “Using Science Data to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts” for Grade 6-12 Science Teachers.
• Hopewell Valley Central High School and Timberlane Middle School held their annual Vape Take Back Day This program provides students with information about vaping, nicotine, and e-cigarettes as well as a space where they can jump start being vape-free by turning in any nicotine device or product without fear of getting in trouble.
• K-5 General Education and Special Education teachers are taking part in thinkSRSD Language Arts training with Dr. Leslie Laud. SRSD is a structured approach that teaches students how to use the writing process and equips them with the necessary skills and strategies to become self-regulated, successful writers.
• Multisensory Math Training with Marilyn Zecher was provided for K-5 General Education and Special Education teachers to give them access to multiple instructional strategies.
• The annual Hopewell Valley Turkey Trot was a fantastic community-wide event, in support of Hopewell Valley Youth Wrestling and the HVCHS Wrestling Programs.
Sports photos are courtesy of Mike Schwartz Photography
rUBy BridGEs walK
On November 14th, schools across the nation walked, rolled and biked to school to commemorate Ruby Bridges’ historic walk to school in 1960 and the ongoing fight for equal education and safe routes to school. Students from all four elementary schools, along with special guests (local police, government officials, and board members), and their families, walked and engaged in learning activities about citizenship and how they can make their schools welcoming spaces for new students. The goal of this day is to guide and support current students on their own pathways toward a more peaceful and harmonious future.
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
259 Pennington-Titusville Road
Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4003 (609) 737-1581 Fax
Principal: Patricia Riley
TIMBERLANE MIDDLE SCHOOL
51 S. Timberlane Drive
Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4004 (609) 737-2718 Fax
Principal: Christopher Turnbull
BEAR TAVERN SCHOOL 1162 Bear Tavern Road
Titusville, NJ 08560 (609) 737-4005 (609) 737-7351Fax
Principal: Jay Billy
PayinG FOrward and GivinG BacK
We are so proud of our students and families for the strong culture of gratitude and acknowledgement of others that exists in our schools. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, two of our schools decided to provide support to specific North Carolina schools:
• Hopewell Valley Central High School Partnered with Mountain Heritage High School, located outside of Asheville, in Burnsville NC to raise money to provide items on their wish lists, which includes generators, portable heaters, and dehumidifiers. The HV CHS Athletic Council hosted Sports Fest 2024 - an action-packed afternoon led by 50 of our high school athletes hosted elementary school students for a fun-filled afternoon of sports and other activities. The Service Learning Pathway also worked on fundraising.
• Hopewell Elementary School partnered with McDowell County Schools in Marion, NC to support students impacted by Hurricane Helene. Hopewell students collected donations of fidgets, colored pencils, and earbuds/headphones to help restore normalcy for the McDowell students.
Closer to home....
• Timberlane Middle School students made Thanksgiving meals for those in need in the Hopewell community and as well as meal bags for patrons of Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). The School wide goal was 120 dinner boxes and 500 bagged meals. Parents also donated gift cards to local grocery stores and sponsored the boxed dinners. Groups of students decorated the lunch bags and boxes and made Thanksgiving cards for each box.
• The TMS Builders of Kindness Club held a Coat Drive for Anchor House and collected gently used coats in all sizes and new gloves/hats/ scarves/mittens.
• Bear Tavern Elementary 5th graders oversaw a service project for The Bag Project. They collected comfort activities and supplies which were bundled in a backpack and donated to children in crisis. Each grade level at Bear Tavern donated items for each bag.
• Hopewell Elementary students partnered with The Chubby’s Project to provide food baskets for 27 local families in need. Hopewell Elementary teachers donated turkeys to accompany the baskets.
• Hopewell Elementary students collected aluminum pop tabs for recycling to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in New Brunswick, which provides respite for families whose children are receiving care nearby.
• Stony Brook Elementary Student Council and Staff sponsored a Thanksgiving Basket Drive with food and grocery gift certificates donated to the Millhill Child and Family Development Center in Trenton.
• For the 39th year, Toll Gate Grammar students and their families supported Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) for Thanksgiving. Generous donations of non-perishable foods and frozen turkeys and money were made. In addition, students and parents also baked sweet potato pies in the TG cafeteria as a donation.
HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 35 Princeton Avenue Hopewell, NJ 08525 (609) 737-4007 (609) 466-8095 FAX
Principal: Scott Bretell
STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20 Stephenson Road Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4006 (609) 730-3888 Fax
Principal: Nicole Gianfredi
TOLL GATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
275 South Main Street
Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4008 (609) 737-7348 Fax
425 South Main Street
Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4000 (609) 737-1418 Fax
Principal: Melissa Lauri ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
continued from Page 14
tours, lectures, films, art, music, living history events and reenactments. Most events are free. For more information and a detailed listing of events, go to patriotsweek.com.
Municipal celebrations
Many towns across the get into the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events. Tree and menorah lightings, and holiday celebrations at local parks and town centers bring help communities together.
These events often feature live music, carolers, hot cocoa, and activities for families and children. The following are all the upcoming events that have been announced by area towns.
Hopewell Township is set to hold its community tree and menorah lighting on Monday, Dec. 2. The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the Hopewell Township Municipal Building, 201 Washington Crossing- Pennington Rd.
Hopewell Borough is slated to hold its tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. It will be at Hopewell Fire Station 52, at 4 Columbia Ave. and is sponsored by the Hopewell Fire Co.
Pennington Borough holds its 40th annual holiday walk on Friday, Dec. 6, starting at 6 p.m. at Howe Commons (65 S. Main St). The events will feature a tree and menorah lighting, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate and treats, music and dance, and a wine garden. For more information, see lovehopewellvalley.com.
Dickens’ classic headlines a host of on-stage offerings
A tradition at McCarter Theatre in Princeton since former artistic director Nagle Jackson presented it in 1980, the 1843 story of a cold-hearted miser who, after a personal journey, sees the inner light and opens his heart and wallet to others, is rooted in author Charles Dickens’ own personal experience with poverty. It also touches on the horrors of the child labor laws of his era.
But what about ghosts and Christmas? Historians note the connection was forged by none other than William Shakespeare. The plot of his c. 1600 Hamlet is propelled by a ghost wandering a castle in the days before Christmas.
As one historian noted: “Shakespeare seems to have invented this belief: in the fireside tradition ghosts were particularly active at Christmas — and would remain so once Dickens had re-energized the convention in ‘A Christmas Carol.’”
Given the reality that McCarter’s “A Christmas Carol” has been going strong for almost 45 years, there is more than
from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.
a will to believe. This year, the show will be on stage from Dec. 10 to 29. For more information, go to mccarter.org/ achristmascarol.
A Christmas Carol returns with an adaptation written and directed by New York-based theater artist and former Guthrie Theater associate producer Lauren Keating and starring “Brooklyn NineNine’s” Joel McKinnon Miller as Ebenezer Scrooge. Ticket prices vary by date and time from $32 to $113.
A Christmas Carol isn’t the only theatrical presentation to bring area stages to life with holiday traditions and fun new works. Others a listed below.
Kelsey Theatre. The Kelsey Players present the long-awaited midnight visit by Santa Claus, made famous in Clement Moore’s poem, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Friday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 8. $14 to $16.
“White Christmas Movie Sing-Along,” featuring the Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney film classic, Saturday, Dec. 14, 8 p.m. $20 to $22. Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. kelseyatmccc.org.
Actors’ Net. “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon is a Jane Austen-inspired holiday slice of 18th century English life. This is the third and final play in the Pemberley trilogy. $24, 635 North Delmorr Avenue, Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 6 through 22. actorsnetbucks.org.
For many more holiday events, visit our website, communitynews.org.
Affordable Housing Units at Woodland at Hopewell Park, New Jersey
Woodland at Hopewell Park located at 3000-4000 Aaron Truehart Way (cross street Scotch Road) will include 42 affordable housing units featuring one, two and three bedrooms. Preliminary applications will be received on or before February 15th and will be included in a random selection process (AKA “lottery”) Preliminary applications received after that date will be processed on a first come, first serve basis.
The one-bedroom unit monthly rents will range from $560 to $1,316; two-bedroom unit monthly rents will range from $661 to $1,568 and the three bedroom unit monthly rents will range from $751 to $1,799
More information on the units and applications for these units can be found at www.njhrc.gov. Applications and instructions on how to apply are available at Hopewell Township Municipal Building; Pennington Brach of the Mercer County Library; Sales Offices of Brandon Farms, Pennington Pointe & Trafalgar, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Education Testing Service & Mobil Oil (conditions permitting) or by emailing pgallagher@cmeusa1.com
Preference will be given to households who live or work in Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Rental rates, income limits and availability dates are subject to change without notice. In addition to the affordable housing criteria, final applicants will also be subject to a non-refundable application fee of $75 due at the time of credit check and the tenant selection criteria set forth by the landlord, Woodland at Hopewell Parc, LLC
Trenton’s Patriots Week returns
HV girls’ cross country reaches MOC for first time since 2009
By rich FiSher
Karen Walker looked at how her squad finished last year; observed the newcomers that came in this year, and figured that the Hopewell Valley Central High girls cross country team had a chance to do something that hadn’t been done in 15 years.
She figured right.
A combination of holdovers and newbies lifted the Bulldogs to their first NJSIAA Meet of Champions berth since 2009, as they were the final wild card team to come out of the state meets. Hopewell finished third in the Group III race. Only the top finisher in each group got an automatic bid to the MOC, and the next eight teams with the lowest combined times
were wild card entries.
“We finished 12th in the Meet of Champs and we were the 14th team to get in; so we finished higher than our seed, I guess you could say,” Walker said. “After we finished fifth at state groups last year; and seeing who was coming back and the team dynamic; and seeing how we were lining up at the first two meets compared to where we were last year, I thought we had a chance of making it in. We talked about the possibility of making the Meet of Champs as a team and the varsity girls were excited about it.
“We knew it was not guaranteed and we had to do a lot of work and a lot of things had to go right for us to get in. I knew it was gonna be a challenge but in the end I’m not too surprised at the way it turned out
because I knew this team was all in on it.”
The Bulldogs top seven runners featured four returnees and three newcomers. They won the TCNJ High School Invite meet; took third in the Colonial Valley Conference meet behind Princeton –which finished second in the MOC – and West Windsor-Plainsboro North; and began their march to the MOC by taking third in Central Jersey Group III (the top five advanced to Groups).
“It was amazing to be able to go to Meet of Champs as a team,” said senior Claire Dumont, who went as an individual last year with teammate Elsie Rey-de-Castro. “Going into the summer it was definitely on our minds. We knew it was a bit of a reach. We were the underdogs.
“But as we got into states and sectionals it was getting closer, and it was amazing to have the whole team there. Everybody went in super excited to race super hard.”
Dumont was not only the team’s No. 1 runner, but one of Mercer County’s and Central Jersey’s top harriers as well. She took first place at the TCNJ Invite in 18:47, was fifth in the Colonial Valley Conference Meet (19:06), fourth in CJ III (18:52), sixth in Group III (19:12) and 30th in the MOC (19:34).
“She leveled up to a whole new place this year,” Walker said.
Her 19:12 set a school record for fastest girls’ time at challenging Holmdel Park.
CREDIT When
“I wasn’t focused on time, I was more focused on my place (in Groups),” Dumont said. “My goal was to be in the top 10. I wanted to get out in the top pack and leave everything I had out there. The goal was also to get on our record board but I had no clue what my time was while racing. I was just focused on my place.”
Although Dumont’s MOC time was 22 seconds slower than in the Group III meet, it was also 22 seconds faster than her mark in last year’s Meet of Champs.
“I wasn’t happy with my race,” she said. “I don’t go out strong, I chip away at the
race. At the Meet of Champs you have to get out hard and hold your place. It wasn’t my usual racing strategy and I felt pretty tired toward the end. It’s just a very fast race so it was a bit more challenging.”
The good news for Hopewell is that Dumont, who is still deciding on where to run in college, is the lone senior among the top seven runners. She helped guide the younger runners in her own quiet way.
“Claire was a lead-by-example leader,” Walker said. “She’s a super sweet kid. If any of the girls ask for advice, she will happily share everything she knows with them. And she just does all the little things she’s supposed to do to help herself get better. She sticks to the training program over the summer.
“She’s not necessarily the loudest person, that’s where Sydney (Young) jumps in. Sydney is super outgoing; a bubbly personality. She’ll talk your ear off and ask a million questions. There’s definitely different energies they bring but it’s good when your top two runners have that balance of personalities.”
Young is a sophomore who missed most of the season with a stress injury she developed in late summer. After working hard and “cross training like crazy,” according to Walker, Young used the CVC Freshman/JV race as a tune-up for the state meets.
She quickly re-established herself as the team’s No. 2, placing 13th in CJ III (20:02), 11th in Group III (19:47) and 46th in the MOC (19:56).
“With Sydney sidelined we didn’t have that whole group together for the regular season,” Walker said. “That’s why we maybe flew under the radar and people weren’t expecting us to be up as high as we were in state meets. We had to regroup when Sydney was injured but everybody just rolled with it.”
Young was the final piece of the puzzle for a strong state run. The other five runners in Group III meet were sophomores
Rey-de-Castro, Anna Wilson, Sophia Pellegrino and Lainie Smith, and junior Maddie LaChance. Wilson and Smith both joined the team after playing soccer last year, while Pellegrino moved up from JV. Other seniors who helped contribute at various points of the season were Bryce Hanley and Maggie Maclean.
“Everybody stepped up to a whole new level,” Walker said. “Maddie was running JV in the early meets last year and eventually ran varsity races. This year she improved on every single course by one or two minutes. She just gained so much confidence.”
The coach was quick to note that while her top seven ran in the MOC, it was an entire team effort that helped get them
there.
“We have a really big team and they’re such a supportive group,” Walker said. “Seven of them are representing the greater team, they’re all out there rooting for each other. It’s a nice environment. I’m proud of the program and how much the girls help each other out.”
And most of them will return to keep helping each other next year.
“I am really excited,” Walker said. “A lot can happen in a year. There’s so many things that can change. You never know if someone will end up getting injured, like with Sydney this year. Nothing’s a given, we still have to put in the work and hopefully we will be in a good position to get back there next year.”
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Hopewell Valley Meet of Champion cross country runners Anna Wilson, Maddie LaChance, Sydney Young, Sophia Pellegrino, Lainie Smith, Elsie Rey-de-Castro and Claire Dumont with assistant coach Matt Stein (left) and head Coach Karen Walker.
6, 20 3, 17 3, 17, 31 14, 28 12, 31 9, 23 7, 21 4, 18 6, 15, 29 13, 27 10, 24 8, 22
Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: 7, 21 4, 18 4, 18 1, 15, 29 13, 27 10, 24 Jul: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: 8, 22 5, 19 2, 16, 30 14, 28 11, 25 9, 23
Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: Jul: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: 13, 27 10, 24 10, 24 7, 21 5, 19 2, 16, 30 Jul: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: 14, 28 11, 25 8, 22 6, 20 3, 17 1, 15, 29 Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: 14, 28 11, 25 11, 25 8, 22 6, 20 3, 17 1, 15, 29 12, 26 9, 23 7, 21 4, 18 2, 16, 30 Jul: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: 4, 15, 29 12,26 12,26 9, 23 7, 21 4, 18
Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: 2, 16, 30 13, 27 10, 24 8, 22 5, 19 3, 17, 31 Jul: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: 8, 22 5, 19 5, 19 2, 16, 30 14, 28 11, 25 9, 23 6, 20 3, 17 1, 15, 29 12, 26 10, 24 Jul: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: 9, 23 6, 20 6, 20 3, 17 1, 15, 29 12, 26 Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: 10, 24 7, 21 4, 18 2, 16, 30 13, 29 11, 27 Jul: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: 2, 16, 30 13, 27 13, 27 10, 24 8, 22 5, 19
Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: 3, 17, 31 14, 28 11, 25 9, 23 6, 20 4, 18 Jul: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec:
10, 24 7, 21 7, 21
Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun: 4, 18 2, 16, 30 13, 27 11, 25 8, 22 5, 19
Moments of reflection during this season of thanks
Lisa Wolff HAPPY VALLEY
Early November included sad events for me. Mid-November provided time for contemplation and reflection. Late November was Thanksgiving — a holiday I use personally for spending time with family, expressing gratitude for the advantages in my life, and appreciating the sacrifice others contributed for our abundance.
Remarkably, Thanksgiving came very late this year as the calendar seemingly knew that I’d need more time to process early and mid-November phases.
On Nov. 2, I attended a memorial for my friend and school board colleague Roy Dollard. Roy was truly one of a kind.
In 2017, when Roy Dollard did not seek re-election, I wrote: “At the end of this calendar year, our school board will lose an important voice.” His lost perspective is particularly relevant during these turbulent times.
Here is an unedited excerpt from the same column:
“He is both the oldest and the longest serving board member on our current Board of Education. Roy’s position as elder statesman has provided a vital perspective to balance other diverse views on our board.
As a retiree, he was quick to remind district administration that the two-thirds of Valley residents who have no students in our district must be considered in our service to the community.
When Roy was on the fence about running for his second term, I shared that I really looked forward to voting for him since I had not voted for him when he originally won his seat. He had run a rightfully angry campaign centering on our excessive New Jersey property
taxes. At the time, I had two kids in elementary school and was scared that his conservative fiscal attitude would translate into cutting important academic programming.
My fear was unfounded. Roy has always abided by the code of ethics that requires the educational welfare of children guide all decisions. His unwavering principles compel him to make very difficult choices. Roy prioritized the good of the community over a strong personal friendship when he was the swing vote in a contentious election installing me as board president.
His example and commitment ensure that our district performs well.
Throughout the majority of his tenure, Roy has chaired our finance and facilities committee. He has driven improved planning that contributed to our district’s statewide recognition as a fiscally responsible leader. The Certificate of Excellence For Financial Reporting we have received for the past five consecutive years has been awarded to less than 5 percent of school districts annually. Further, we would not have been able to pass the recent referendum without his guidance to get our financial house in order to maximize the benefits to both our students and taxpayers.
Roy Dollard’s legacy is that district’s finance and facilities are in better shape than when he arrived. He has also contributed to the healthy diversity of opinions that result in stronger Board policy. Finally, he has shared his wisdom and mentored a stronger administration.
Roy Dollard has met and exceeded his civic duty and now the board of education needs someone that wants to have an impact on lives of students and communities to step up.”
My words were almost prescient. I met Roy through our shared experience as elected officials and his memorial
was sandwiched between political happenings that he would have tracked closely. Locally, our school district failed a referendum and our nation elected Donald Trump as the 47th president.
Roy would have been satisfied with the outcome of both events. Whereas I am far more conflicted.
The school board we served on together was truly nonpartisan. Roy was MAGA and I progressive, yet school board members are not party affiliated and once elected, our contrasting perspectives were incorporated into collaborative decision making based on finding common ground.
My disappointment with the national election outcome was my wishful belief in the unity messaging — a president for all people. Instead, I sense continued polarization. Yet, if I am honest with myself, regardless of the national election outcome, a great number of our electorate would not feel that their voice was being heard or respected.
Coincidentally, my column last month entitled, “School board referendum — what went wrong? Part II”, received more engagement than any previous piece I’ve penned in the last seven years.
My analysis of our local school board referendum, replete with lessons learned, may have foreshadowed the conclusion of our national election with the reality that similar red flags were present for all to see.
Our nation’s concern about rising prices is a recurring theme in every election and takes priority when voting at all levels of government. Further, there is less trust and a desire for more transparency from our elected officials.
New Jersey notoriously claims the title for highest property taxes in the U.S. Therefore, it is not surprising that affordability is on everyone’s mind. These kitchen table issues may explain
why New Jersey experienced its the closest presidential vote in 32 years. This observation reminded me that Roy Dollard was a trusted voice for fiscal responsibility among retired Hopewell Valley community members on the right. Upon my reflection, I fondly recalled Bruce Gunther, another former board member who passed in 2021. Bruce was the polar opposite from Roy’s serious, corporate demeanor. Bruce was a diehard, active Democrat with an easy laugh, who rode his Harley proudly after retiring as a school psychologist the Trenton Board of Education. While Roy’s focus was BOE finances, Bruce preferred issues related to social emotional student wellness. Yet, they were friends who served together, both passionate about the economic realities of retired individuals while improving educational landscape for our students. Bruce often mentioned his sensitivity and experience being on a fixed income.
Bruce Gunther was a trusted voice for fiscal responsibility among retired Hopewell Valley community members on the left.
While both Roy and Bruce are no longer with us, they set the bar on a legacy for others to strive to achieve and have shown us what is possible when elected official work together. I am thankful for the people with whom I have served and hopeful that our community and nation can find unity and balance. On a personal level, I am grateful that I can partake in this holiday season with my family. I appreciate all of the opportunity and abundance available and wish a joy and hope to all of our readers. I’ll see you in 2025.
Lisa
is the co-founder of the Outdoor Equity Alliance and an enthusiast for all things inspiring, generous, and local. Email: lwolffhome@gmail.com
Lisa Wolff
Wolff
Thankful: Hopewell Boro seeing traffic safety results
As 2024 draws to a close, our community has much to be thankful for. In recent weeks through events organized by the Hopewell Borough Council of Churches, volunteers from across our Borough lent their time to help maintain our parks and raise money to combat food insecurity with the Chubby’s Project.
After months of being closed to the public, the restoration work at our historic railroad station was completed and the David Knights Community Room reopened. And after years of steady effort, we are starting to see evidence of decreased speeds on Broad Street thanks to a lower speed limit and traffic enforcement.
When it comes to pedestrian and traffic safety, I am thankful for Hopewell Township Police Department Chief Rosso’s team and our partners at Mercer County for increased enforcement and our lower 25 mph end-to-end speed limit. Our community asked, and working together, our partners listened.
With a lower speed limit, enforcement is essential. After a period of public education following the change, traffic stops in October were up more than 30% year over year. Tickets, up more than 40% year over year.
And what about speeds? As a result of the County change and the HTPD enforcement, on West Broad Street average speeds dropped a full 5 mph. We’re seeing meaningful reductions on East Broad Street as well. Certainly progress, but we’re not nearly done.
In September, we announced more than $1.5 million in Safe Routes to School grant funding to allow us to construct improvements all around town to make walking and biking safer and better connect our community. By filling in missing pieces of our sidewalk network, we’ll connect places like the D&R Greenway St. Michael’s Preserve to our elementary school and make getting around town safer.
The grant will also allow us to install additional pedestrian activated beacons at key crossings, better protecting our kids and families in our walkable downtown. We’re also working with our partners in Mercer County on improved striping and paint treatments for the newly repaved portions of Broad Street that will provide further traffic calming and safety measures.
Please join me in thanking our partners and volunteers who continue to work with us to make Hopewell Borough safer for everyone. We are excited to see this progress, but we are just getting started.
One final note of thanks: December will mark the final Borough Council meeting for our colleague of six years, Samara McAuliffe. Councilwoman McAuliffe has lent our community her skills and passion for everything from human resources to open space preservation.
She is a lifelong Hopewell resident, and it has been a privilege to work with her and an honor to call her a friend. A heartfelt thank you to her, and everyone who volunteers to serve in Hopewell Valley.
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EOE
For whom the polls jell
Robin Schore SCHORE TO PLEASE
Despite my being clinically depressed by the election results, I did come away from Nov. 4 with an enriching experience having served as a poll worker at the Titusville Fire House voting site.
Yes, I was one of those anonymous faces who directs voters through the process. It’s good to do something new.
Before serving, I attended a three-hour training session at the Mercer County Board of Elections building next to the Trenton Farmers Market. Much of the instruction was devoted to minutiae regarding what to do if something extraordinary occurred.
The hardest part seemed to be assembling the voting booths and ballot scanners involving wires, plugs and breaking seals.
A week later, I endured a two-hour online refresher where key points were reviewed followed by quizzes to make sure I was paying attention.
While I could have signed up for a full 16-hour day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., I decided that a half shift, from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., would be long enough. Anything more might have taxed both my stamina and patience.
Remarkably, when it came time to actually work at the polls, everything turned out to be so much simpler than expected. Most important, there were experienced folks present to assist with what was a relatively uncomplicated process.
When Election Day arrived, I set the alarm for 4 a.m. I expected to be exhausted, but was surprisingly invigorated and didn’t fall asleep once during my shift.
The Titusville Fire House is located a few blocks away from where I lived for over 40 years. Consequently, the scene was almost a reunion, as I found myself encountering former neighbors, former colleagues, and even former students. Who knew I knew so many people.
After deftly assembling the voting equipment, we were ready when voters began arriving at 6 a.m. There was almost a rhythm to the wave of voters. The working crowd came in at 6 a.m., followed by a lull until early morning voters arrived around 9. Around 11 a.m., the place was mobbed, with a line winding around the large room. Then, at 1 p.m., there was no one. Lunch time? If you can intuit people’s life rhythms, it’s possible to vote without ever standing in line.
Many voters thanked me for volunteering. I, of course, contradicted them. You actually get paid quite well for performing this civic duty: $150 for half a day and $300 for a full day. That’s enough for several Happy Meals or, even better, a few cases of craft IPAs.
Compare poll worker pay to jury duty, where petit jurors get a mere $5 per day for the first three days, and $40 per day after that, while grand jurors get $5 per day.
The biggest challenge presented at the polling site was assisting the elderly and infirm. Folks in wheelchairs or using canes had trouble maneuvering into voting booths. Some couldn’t see the ballot on the screen.
Many voters arrived with their entire families, including babies who were not always enthusiastic about accompanying their parents into the voting booth. Some of those babies were crybabies.
Practically all voters were confused about how to insert their ballots into the scanner. Any old way works, but most folks didn’t realize that. Perhaps advice on how to stick the ballot into the slot should be included with the sample ballot to avoid such puzzlement.
One surprise was the number of provisional ballots that needed to be dealt with. Almost all such ballots were for folks who were registered to vote by mail but didn’t realize that and showed up in person. They got to use the voting booths but then had to insert their ballots into a special envelope, seal it, and put the packet into a sealed yellow bag. Didn’t you always want to know that?
One bit of irritation was a finicky card reader in one of the voting booths. I often had to slide the card into the slot multiple times before I could enter the district code that open up the screen for each voter.
With great foresight, I prepared for my time at the polls by packing a mug of coffee and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The coffee went quickly, and I had to wait for a lull to run out to the car and wolf down the sandwich, which left me very thirsty.
Unfortunately, every water source in the Titusville firehouse was wrapped in blue tape and labeled “nonpotable.” Apparently, the water contained an elevated level of PFOS, the forever chemicals. I heard there was a refrigerator full of beer, but I resisted the temptation.
Now that I am trained to be a poll worker, my next plan is to train to be a pole dancer.
Robin Schore lives in Hopewell Borough.
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bright and stress-free holidays.
