5-24 HP

with charter school application

By JOe EMANsKi

The Hamilton Township School District and a countywide grassroots political organization with members in Hamilton have appealed to the Department of Education to reject an application from Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy to become a New Jersey charter school.

The district, along with an organization known as Our Revolution Trenton Mercer, have said that TCPA’s application to become McCorristin Charter School should not be granted for a number of reasons including that it would divert millions of dollars from the district’s budget toward McCorristin.

However, the Hamilton Post has seen an April 19 letter sent from DOE acting commissioner Kevin Dehner to Tracey Destribats, lead founder for the proposed McCorristin Charter School, informing Destribats that the school’s application has been approved, pending “successful participation in the preparedness process ... and

See CHARTER, Page 20

Mind over matter

Youth soccer player Tony Blakely overcomes life-threatening injury to return to the sport he loves

By Rich Fisher

In late August of 2022, George E. Wilson Elementary School rising third-grader Santonio

“Tony” Blakely was in the rehabilitation facility of the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Robert Wood Johnson, New Brunswick. Doctors asked him

what he hoped to do after suffering a near fatal brain rupture.

Tony said matter-of-factly he wanted to start running and playing soccer.

“We said, ‘Can you hold your head up first and can we see if you can sit up or walk?’” his mom, Damaris Santos-Heredia, recalled. “His mindset was to

get back to running and playing. As parents, our goal was to just get him to sit up and be as close to a normal kid as possible.”

For Blakely, playing soccer is being a normal kid, no matter what he has gone through. Nothing was going to stop him.

See TONY, Page 22

Service, in death and in life

Hamilton Pet Meadow hosts successful pet adoption day

By JOe EMANsKi

For many years, Hamilton Pet Meadow regularly held community events.

Pet Meadow is a pet aftercare facility that has been part of the local community for 26 years. Those who have recently lost a beloved pet often turn to the facility for burial, cremation, memorialization and bereavement services.

There was a time when the facility regularly offered community events, such as pet adoption days, but for the past 10 years, including of course during the Covid-19 pandemic, such events were few and far between.

Evan Corn, who joined as social media and outreach coordinator in September, decided that the time had come for Pet Meadow to begin hosting events

See MEADOW, Page 18

Tony Blakely on the video screen at Red Bull Arena in Harrison after being named New Jersey Youth Soccer Comeback Player of the Year.

LUNCH AND LEARN: STROKEIT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE!

Wednesday, May 1; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Roughly 1 in 4 adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Yet, most aren’t aware of the F.A.S.T. warning signs and that stroke is largely preventable, treatable, and beatable. Our medical experts will discuss risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and the needs of stroke survivors. Mandy J. Binning, MD, FAANS, Chief, Division of Vascular/ Endovascular Neurosurgery and Director of Stroke Programs at Global Neurosciences Institute; Ashley Sarrol, MS, CCC-SLP, Senior Speech Language Pathologist; and Sarah Masco, OTD,OTR/L, CLT-LANA, Senior Occupational Therapist.

SWEET SUCCESS SOCIETY: A DIABETES GROUP

Mondays, May 6 + June 3; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Monday, May 13; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

A group for anyone with diabetes or caring for someone living with diabetes. Learn healthy ways to manage diabetes alongside your peers and Taryn Krietzman, RDN.

CATCH SOME ZZZZZ’S!

Monday, May 6; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Insomnia affects our mental and physical health, making us more prone to heart disease and other serious illnesses. Join Patti McDougall, BSN, to learn more about how we should spend a third of our lives.

ORTHO 101: TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

Monday, May 6; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join Orthopedic Program Coordinator Denise Berdecia, MSN, RN, ONC, and

physical and occupational therapists for an in-depth discussion on total knee replacements. These experts will explain preventative treatment, how to decide if surgery is right for you, and recovery options available through outpatient therapy.

GOT STRESS?

Tuesdays, May 7 + June 4; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Support group about dealing with stress. Gain valuable insight about how others deal with similar situations.

SPIRITUALITY, COMPASSION AND VEGANISM

Wednesday, May 8; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Compassion is a sensitivity toward the suffering of others and responding with actions that can help. Veganism invites us to widen our circle of compassion to include all species of animals. In this talk, Michele Granberg, MA, CHT, CPLT, Mindset Coach, explores the nature of compassion and how it intersects with spirituality and veganism.

DESIGNER BAG BINGO!

Friday, May 10; 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

This event is a great way to get out with your friends for a night of fun, with many designer bags up for grabs. Admission ticket includes 12 rounds of Bingo. Tickets are $45. For more information or to purchase tickets, email Shannon.Neely@rwjbh.org.

WHAT’S EATING YOU?

Monday, May 13; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Support group for people experiencing emotional eating. Peer support is key. We offer a safe space to connect with others

who are going through similar experiences.

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, May 14; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

AN EVENING OF YOGA NIDRA MEDITATION

Tuesday, May 14; 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Experience the benefits of Yoga Nidra. Translated as yogic sleep, Michelle Gerdes (trauma-informed yoga and meditation teacher and owner of Princeton Doula Center) will explain how the practice of Yoga Nidra guides brain waves into optimal states for relaxation and rejuvenation. She will lead you through this guided relaxation that has been shown to reduce stress / anxiety, promote better sleep, and foster a profound sense of joy and well-being. Bring a yoga mat and anything else you need to be comfortable in meditation.

Fee $15

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

Wednesday, May 15; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Quieting your mind can have profound effects on both your body and your mind. Come learn to lower the volume of your mind’s chatter. Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Therapies Nurse STROKE PREVENTION, BECAUSE IT MATTERS

Thurs., May 15; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Stroke is the number 5 cause of death, and leading cause of disability in the U.S., and up to 80% may be prevented. Connie Moceri, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, Director of Disease Management and

Stroke Coordinator at RWJUH Hamilton will educate you on why managing risk factors is key to reducing your chances of having a stroke. Dinner provided.

HEALTHRHYTHMS® DRUM CIRCLE

Wednesday, May 15; 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Drum your cares away with our monthly Drum Circle. It’s lots of fun and a great stress reliever. Drums provided. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP. Fee $15

MENTAL HEALTH IS WEALTH

Monday, May 20; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

You are not alone. Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Certain thoughts, behaviors, symptoms, and conditions can be linked to mental illness. Join Jasmeet Mehta, MD, to discuss topics related to anxiety, depression, and ADHD in adults.

PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP

Tuesday, May 21; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Diagnosed with prediabetes? This group is for you to connect with others.

CALMING AND COPING STRATEGIES FOR KIDS: A PARENT WORKSHOP

Tuesday, May 21; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Enhance your parenting journey with effective coping strategies from educator, author & Wings to Learning Advocacy owner, Trenna Stout, B.Ed., BCEA. Discover how to help your child self-regulate & support their emotional well-being, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges confidently. Fee: $5

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: HERBACEOUS FLAVORS

Wed., May 22; 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Empower kids with culinary skills and nutrition knowledge to become their healthiest selves! For children 5 years and older. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Taryn Krietzman, RDN. Fee $5 per person

REIKI SHARE

Wednesday, May 22; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. For folks who have been Reiki certified to come share the gift with fellow practitioners. Give a session, get a session. Bring a sheet and small pillow.

2024 HEARING AID EXPOLEARN ABOUT THE LATEST IN HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY

Thursday, May 23; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., is proud to offer a presentation on today’s “computers for your ears.” Advances today in hearing aids allow us more than ever to connect to our world in an exciting way! We can now stream music, television, and more with ease! New technology offers better hearing in noise, tinnitus therapy, and helps protect our brains as we age. Learn about these new advances in technology along with a hands-on demonstration from representatives from the companies Oticon and Signia.

*All programs

Better Health Programs/Complimentary Membership at 65+ Years Old

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

A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wednesday, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Join us in a collaborative setting to exchange thoughts, feelings and experiences among peers. This is a safe zone designed to be welcoming and understanding of all attendees, while exploring this season of our lives – the ups and the challenges. Please feel free to attend one or all.

TAI CHI CLASSES

Thursday, May 2 + 16; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

YOGA CLASSES

Tuesday, May 7 + 21; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday, May 7 + 21; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, May 7 + 21; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE WELLNESS WALK

Wednesday, May 8; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 9; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Grounds for Sculpture welcomes us for their Wellness Walk! Whether you are a fast or slower walker, there will be a group for you as we feast our eyes on the beautiful art and nature. Member attendees are invited to enjoy GFS for the remainder of the day. Two dates to choose from. One registration per person.

TEA PARTY

Friday, May 17; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Pinkies up! Let’s talk tea and try some famously tasty pairings. Hats are encouraged!

LUNCH AND LEARN WITH RWJUHH MEDICAL EXPERT PANEL

Tuesday, May 14; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Who do you see the most when you are hospitalized? That’s right, nurses.

Does caring for our aging population require additional training? You bet it does. Join nursing experts to learn how our needs change as we age and how our nurses are being trained to better serve and care for our aging population. Panel includes: Tammy Leigh, MSN, RN, Director of Emergency Services & Intensive Care; Lisa Nevius, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, Nurse Manager; and Cynthia Russo, Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN, RN-BC, APN.

LUNCH AND LEARN, SENIORS ACHIEVING GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Wednesday, May 22; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Aging can present us with challenges from the loss of loved ones, isolation, physical changes, and more. Join Dilys Ngu, M.D., RWJUH Hamilton’s new geriatric psychiatrist, for a hopeful conversation and learn ways to bring back the brightness to your days.

“S.A.V.E” TRAINING PROGRAM

Friday, May 31; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. S.A.V.E. is a training program to help identify warning signs that someone is having thoughts of suicide. Heather Church-Soto, LCSW, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs leads this program that provides caregivers and community members with the tools to act with care and compassion if they encounter someone who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. This is NOT exclusive to veterans.

Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms

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

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Greenwood Elementary sponsors first EarlyAct Project

Local students to help families in Nicaragua

A new EarlyAct service club for students at Greenwood Elementary School is raising funds to provide nutritious food for those in need in Nicaragua.

The 4th grade students are collecting change to be combined with other funds to support a Rotary International project that provides “aquaponics” kits to help families and schools grow fresh vegetables and fish.

The collection campaign began in March and continues through May 17.

“The students are collecting loose change to make a positive change for others,” said Greenwood Elementary School adviser John Malloy. “It’s a lesson in geography, science and most importantly, caring.”

The EarlyAct Club at Greenwood Elementary School is the second one to be established in Hamilton Township in the

past three months. Wilson Elementary School launched its EarlyAct Club in December and is also participating in the Nicaragua project. Both clubs are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton.

In a ceremony on March 8, the Greenwood EarlyAct club officially installed its officers: president Brittany Ramirez; vice presidents Daleisa Pineda and Mahina Nayyar; recording secretary Pann Aung; corresponding secretary Naomi Moore; and treasurer Mimi Hall.

On hand at the ceremony were Greenwood principal Nicole Dickens-Simon, Malloy, social coordinator Aysha Ahmad, and members of the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton, including club president George Ott and club EarlyAct lead coordinator Kalpana Patel.

“The mission and vision of the EarlyAct Club seamlessly aligns with our Green-

See NEWS, Page 6

We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Hamilton Post 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

Justin Feil, Rich Fisher

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS

Peter Dabbene, Thomas Kelly

AD LAYOUT & PRODUCTION

Stacey Micallef (Ext. 131)

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

Community News Service

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TO ADVERTISE

call (609) 396-1511, ext. 113 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

A proud member of:

SUMMER CAMP

Anything is possible!

Sawmill Summer Camp offers Day Camps, Diverse Abilities Camp, and Specialty Camps for youth, K through age 15.

• 50 acres of outdoor space

• Daily swim lessons are offered as an add-on

• Special Events are the highlight of the week! We’re looking forward to:

- Red Valley Ranch - Petting Zoo

- Trenton Thunder - Boomer visit

- Grounds For Sculpture - STEAM Fair

- Bounce Houses

- Foam Party

- Swal Family Creamery - Ice Cream Fridays!

- and so much more!

With a summer full of unforgettable experiences, anything is possible!

wood Core Values of integrity, responsibility, perseverance, and empathy,” Dickens-Simon said.

A Greenwood flyer announcing the Nicaragua project notes that “every penny, nickel, dime and quarter collected will be donated to this very worthwhile cause. Together, we can help change the world.”

The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton said that the change collected by the EarlyAct clubs will be included in the $2,500 committed to the project by the club. The club says the funds will be part of an overall $40,000 Rotary Global grant to fund aquaponics fish and garden tanks for up to 60 families and schools in the region of Ciudad Sandino, near Managua, Nicaragua.

The systems provide tilapia fish and a variety of vegetables to improve the nutrition and diet of adults and children.

EarlyAct is intended to engage students in character-building activities and prepares them for leadership roles. The goal is for students learn to identify and carry out service projects that improve the quality of life in their local community and beyond.

Greenwood Elementary School student EarlyAct officers stand with (rear left to right) Advisor John Malloy, Rotarian Paul Neu, Greenwood Principal Nicole Dickens-Simon, Rotary Club President George Ott and Rotary EarlyAct Lead Coordinator Kalpana Patel.

The EarlyAct program was established in 1997 by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton, then known as the Rotary Club of Hamilton/Washington.

The first EarlyAct Club was formed at Morgan Elementary School in Hamilton and the concept became popular around the world with EarlyAct clubs being established as far away as Australia and Africa.

Web: rhrotary.org.

RWJ University Hospital Hamilton announces new chief nursing officer

Registered nurse Dawn Hutchinson has been named chief nursing officer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.

Hutchinson most recently served as assistant vice president of nursing at RWJUH Hamilton. Hutchinson has been on the RWJUH Hamilton team since 2006, and has served as a staff nurse, clinical coordinator, manager and director.

Hutchinson earned a master’s degree in nursing leadership from Excelsior College and holds two national certifications for progressive nursing care and nurse executive advanced. She began her professional nursing career in 1988 at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City.

“For nearly 20 years, I have had the opportunity to watch RWJUH Hamilton grow into the outstanding hospital it is today, and our nursing team have been more than integral to that success and growth, and I am proud of the hospital and the system’s commitment to support the growth of front-line employees, building career ladders and programs that serve the most vulnerable members of our community,” Hutchinson says. “I

also look forward to leveraging my experience with the organization to ensure we deliver high quality and safe patient care, while also continuing our long tradition of nursing excellence and serving our community.”

New restaurant coming to Briarwood

Big Ray’s Steaks, Subs and Wings, a restaurant chain with locations in Florence and Bristol, Pennsylvania, has signed a lease to take a 1,250-square-foot space in Briarwood Shopping Village on Kuser Road in Hamilton, Fennelly Associates has announced.

The addition of Big Ray’s brings the shopping plaza to full occupancy, Fennelly Associates added.

Big Ray’s Steaks, Subs and Wings is an American restaurant with a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, salads, gyros, wings, burgers and pizza. The shop will offer dine-in, take-out and delivery options as well as corporate catering services.

no’s Italian Bistro and Pizzeria and Hamilton United Martial Arts Academy. The property is situated just off Interstate 195 at Exit 3B. Web: bigrayssteaks.com.

NJCCC Honors Girl Scout Troop 70219 with its 2024 Service Award

The New Jersey Clean Communities Council, a statewide, comprehensive, litter-abatement program, has honored Girl Scout Troop 70219 with its 2024 Service Award.

NJCCC executive director JoAnn Gemenden presented the award in March during the second-annual New Jersey Sustainability in Motion Conference in Atlantic City, which attracted hundreds of attendees from across the state.

Other tenants in Briarwood Shopping Village include Nail Studios 609, Padri-

Gemenden said that Ella Gilmartin and Jacqueline Drennan worked to develop and implement a successful reusable bag collection program throughout Mercer County. The Girl Scouts helped collect 5,000 reusable bags, which were then cleaned and sanitized and donated to

See NEWS, Page 8

Hutchinson

Alex & Dawn Rockwell

St. Gregory the Great Academy students Luke Pulaski, Luke Doolan and Lucas Batjer helped to win a school creativity contest sponsored by Jersey Mike’s and the Harlem Globetrotters.

NEWS continued from Page 7

local food banks to earn the Girl Scouts’ Silver Award.

“This ambitious duo set out to conduct a three-month pilot program — but extended it to five months due to their overwhelming success,” Gemenden said, adding that reusable bag collections bins were set up at 10 locations throughout the county.”

The Girl Scouts toured the “Shop from Home” section of the ShopRite in Hamilton to learn more about the process and offer insights on how to better educate customers about reusable bags. Web: njclean.org and litterfreenj.org.

St. Gregory’s a national finalist in Globetrotters contest

St. Gregory the Great Academy in Hamilton Square has been selected as a 2024 national finalist in the 2nd annual elementary school creativity contest sponsored by Jersey Mike’s Subs and the Harlem Globetrotters.

Dubbed the “Court of Creativity presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs,” this competition invites students and educators to display their inventive talents through projects related to the Harlem Globetrotters or basketball.

The challenge was open to public, private, and vocational schools with grades Kindergarten through 5th across the United States. Students across the country submitted entries ranging from basketball-themed math class to Globetrottersinspired art and trick shot videos.

St. Gregory students Luke Pulaski, Lucas Betjer and Luke Doolan showcased their creativity through a stop-motion video. The teammates and best friends created an animation using over 700 photos. As a top 10 selection by a panel of judges, the academy has been awarded a $1,000 donation from Jersey Mike’s Subs. One grand prize winner will receive a visit from the Harlem Globetrotters before the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Boheme Opera NJ set for May 5 anniversary reunion concert

Now in its 35th season, Boheme Opera NJ is celebrating by bringing together the brightest stars of the company’s past and future together for its 35th Anniversary Reunion Concert to be held on May 5 at 3 p.m. pm at Hillman Performance Hall on the Princeton Campus of Westminster Choir College.

“In 1989, Boheme Opera NJ realized the dream of bringing world-class opera to the regional stage. Thirty-five years later, we are thrilled to celebrate our milestone achievement with some of the outstanding artists who continue to make our mission a reality,” artistic director Joseph Pucciatti said.

Pianist Sandra M. Pucciatti, Boheme Opera’s managing director, and Doug Han, the company’s principal rehearsal pianist, will be the accompanists for the event’s vocal performers. Set to take the stage are bari-

New Jersey Clean Communities Council vice chair John Wohlrab, scouts Ella Gilmartin and Jacqueline Drennan and NJCCC chair Linda Doherty at the 2024 New Jersey Sustainability in Motion Conference, held in Atlantic City in March.

tone Daniel Sutin, soprano Sungji Kim, contralto Alison Bolshoi, bass Martin Hargrove, bass Jeremy Galyon, and tenor Christian Sebek, who will attend the reunion with his sons, Eric and Zachary, and introduce the company’s audience to the Sebek Tenors.

Also set to take part are baritone Kevin

Patrick, sopranos Rebecca Sacks and Kerri Lynn Slominski and baritone Dante Doganiero.

Visit bohemeopera.org/35th-anniversary-reunion-concert for more information and to purchase tickets.

See NEWS, Page 10

TOWNSHIP PROGRAM

SKIRMISH AT CROSSWICKS CREEK

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY

JUNE 3RD, 2024 7:00PM

LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOMS 3&4.

1

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO WAY HAMILTON, NJ 08610

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

TCNJ to accept 26 Hamilton Schools AP classes for credit as of September

The Hamilton Township School District has reached an agreement with The College of New Jersey by which TCNJ will accept all 26 of the district’s AP classes for college credits starting in September 2024.

Hamilton AP course offerings are: Art (2D Design), Art (3D Design), Art (Drawing and Painting), Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, French, German, Government and Politics, Italian, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Music Theory, Physics I and II, Psychology, Spanish, Statistics, US History and Modern World History.

“This is yet another exciting opportunity for our high school students to stand out in the college admissions process and/or work force. Our already strong Advanced Placement Program will now

open additional pathways for students in all three of our high schools,” said director of curriculum and instruction, Anthony Scotto.

“HTSD continues to develop and provide high level educational opportunities for our students. This agreement with The College of New Jersey is a substantial step in those efforts and provides our students with many more dual enrolment opportunities than most school districts around the state.

“HTSD and I thank The College of New Jersey for their continued collaboration on learning opportunities for our students and the many other educational experiences afforded our faculty,” said superintendent of schools Scott Rocco.

“Through this partnership, the cost to receive a college degree can be significantly reduced for families,” said Lisa Angeloni, vice president of enrollment management at TCNJ. “In addition to earning credits that can be applied towards a degree, this program also will enrich and broaden the educational experiences for these students and provide them with a stimulating and rigorous educational challenge.”

Information sessions for students will be scheduled at each high school to discuss this opportunity.

Sayen 3rd grader wins choreography contest for 3rd straight year

Audrina Williams, a third grader at Sayen Elementary school in Hamilton, has won an award from the National PTA Reflections program for the third consecutive year. Williams received the Mercer County Award of Merit, Primary Division for dance choreography from the program. Last year, Williams advanced to the state level and won the award for the State of New Jersey.

More thanmore 300,000 students nationwide in grades pre-K through 12 participate in Reflections each year.

MCCC announces 57th Commencement speaker

Trenton Police Detective Tomika L. Sommers is set to deliver the keynote address at Mercer County Community College’s 57th commencement on Friday, May 24.

Sommers, a Trenton native, received her associate degree in criminal justice from MCCC in 2011. Sommers went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a master’s degree in business administration from Jack Welch Management

Sayen Elementary School third grader

Audrina Williams holds the certificate for winning the Mercer County Award for dance choreography as part of the National PTA Reflections program.

Institute. She also holds an associate degree in transportation from the Community College of the Air Force.

“MCCC is where it started for me,” Sommers said. “It is home base. It grounds you and gives you all the tools you need to succeed. I am humbled and I want to show students that you can be anywhere and you can do all things.”

• Motor Vehicle Collisions

• Motor Cycle Wrecks

• Product Liability

• Tractor Trailer Crashes

• Construction Sites • Wrongful Death Advocates

• Nursing Home Negligence

• Slip and Falls

“When it comes to treating stroke, we always say ‘time is brain,’ which means that the sooner we can treat you, the better chance we have at a successful outcome,” said DR. DUSTIN ROCHESTIE, director of the Stroke Program at Capital Health. “At Capital Health, we have procedures in place to make sure you get the immediate, lifesaving stroke care that you need.”

The Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at the Capital Institute for Neurosciences is a major referral center for the treatment of all types of neurovascular diseases, including (but not limited to) cerebral aneurysms, strokes, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), intracranial stenosis as well as Moyamoya disease.

The only certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region, Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Trenton provides safe emergency stroke and neurovascular services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“As soon as you call 911, our prehospital alert system allows our team in the hospital to prepare for your arrival, saving valuable time to treatment,” said Dr. Rochestie. “Your call activates basic and advanced life support service to provide safe, immediate care at your location before you even arrive at the hospital.”

Controllable Risk Factors for Stroke

There are steps you can take right away to lower your risk. Get started by talking to your primary care doctor to learn about stroke screenings and how you can treat or manage controllable risk factors such as:

… High blood pressure

… High cholesterol

… Heart/blood vessel disease

… Cigarette smoking

… Physical inactivity/obesity/poor diet

… Diabetes mellitus

… Atrial fibrillation

… Sickle cell disease

Visit capitalneuro.org to learn more. If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of a stroke, call 911.

Don’t Delay: Call 911 If You Suspect a Stroke

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

B

AFE— Balance

Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance?

—

Eyes

Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?

— Face Drooping

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

—

Arm Weakness

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

S—

Speech Difficulty

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

T—

Time to call 911

If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and check the time so you’ll know when the first symptom appeared.

UNDERSTANDING BRAIN TUMOR SYMPTOMS

SIGNS TO GUIDE YOU TO THE RIGHT PLAN FOR CARE

Brain tumors, while relatively rare, do not discriminate, affecting men, women, and children across all age groups and ethnicities. And because the brain is the critical organ that controls all others, it’s important to recognize the signs that may suggest a brain tumor and discuss them with your health care team.

“The many parts of the brain control different body functions, so symptoms will vary depending on tumor location, type, and size,” said DR. NAVID REDJAL, director of Neurosurgical Oncology at the Capital Health Center for Neuro-Oncology. “However, there are some common symptoms to watch for which, if ongoing, may indicate the presence of a brain tumor. Anyone experiencing one or more of them over an extended period of time should see their doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.”

“At the Center for Neuro-Oncology, our advanced technological resources and multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment are just as important as the compassionate and individualized care we provide,” said Dr. Redjal. “If a person experiences new symptoms or changes to existing ones, talking to your doctor is an important first step.”

The Center for Neuro-Oncology, part of Capital Institute for Neurosciences and Capital Health Cancer Center, is a referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer involving the brain and spine. The Center is housed in state-of-the-art facilities where patients have access to an experienced and caring team of physicians, nurses and staff who work closely with referring physicians to facilitate rapid and thorough evaluations and recommendations for patients and their families. In addition to providing advanced neuro-oncologic and neuroscience care, the Center participates in clinical trials to help fight and find cures for cancer.

To learn more about Capital Health’s Center for Neuro-Oncology, visit capitalhealth.org/neurooncology.

COMMON BRAIN TUMOR SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

HEADACHES:

A persistent, progressive pain that is different from a migraine, does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication (like aspirin or ibuprofen), gets worse when laying down, and may be accompanied by vomiting or changes in vision.

SEIZURES:

In some cases, a seizure may be the first indication that a person has a brain tumor.

FOCAL PROGRESSIVE SYMPTOMS:

Localized symptoms—such as hearing problems, difficulty walking or speaking, or feeling clumsy—can often help identify the location of the tumor.

MASS EFFECT:

Occurs when a brain tumor presses on surrounding normal tissue, causing nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, vision problems, headaches, and behavior changes.

SUDDEN PERSONALITY CHANGES, COGNITIVE CHANGES, MEMORY LOSS:

A tumor may cause disruptions in normal brain function that lead to changes in a patient’s behavior and ability to reason, remember, and learn.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter with Valve Disease

Heart valve disease is the general name for several conditions that affect how blood moves through the heart and supports the body. The four chambers of the heart each have a valve that keeps blood flowing in the right direction. When someone has heart valve disease, the flaps of a valve aren’t working properly and the heart can’t move enough blood to keep the rest of the body functioning as it should. Left untreated, heart valve disease can lead to serious complications such as heart rhythm abnormalities, blood clots, heart failure, and stroke.

Someone with mild to moderate heart valve disease can go for years without knowing they have it, but the risk for damage can still be serious. Symptoms can develop gradually over time or very quickly if the condition becomes severe, so it’s important to understand your risk factors and recognize symptoms when they occur.

The risk for heart valve disease increases as we age, but it’s also more likely if you’ve had a heart attack or have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or other conditions that can affect your heart health. Physical signs of heart valve disease can include:

Irregular heartbeat.

… Shortness of breath.

… Fatigue or inability to maintain your normal activity.

Lightheadedness or fainting.

… Swollen abdomen, ankles, or feet.

Severe aortic stenosis is one form of heart valve disease in which narrowing of the aortic valve opening occurs due to thick or stiff valve flaps. As a result, the heart needs to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body, which in turn can limit your daily activity. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive treatment option at Capital Health for patients with severe aortic stenosis or those with a failing surgical aortic valve who are at greater risk for complications during open surgery.

“Heart valve disease symptoms don’t necessarily tell the whole story about how serious a person’s condition is,” said DR. DAVID DRUCKER , medical director of Capital Health’s Structural Heart Program and board certified, fellowship trained interventional cardiologist at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists. “This is why it’s important to talk to your cardiologist any time you notice anything out of the ordinary that could indicate heart valve disease or other cardiac conditions. Getting a specific diagnosis as soon as possible is more likely to lead to a better outcome.”

Dr. Drucker leads a team of experts at Capital Health’s Structural Heart Program to perform minimally invasive procedures like TAVR to manage and treat heart valve conditions and other structural issues of the heart. With TAVR, an artificial valve is delivered to the heart through a thin, flexible tube (catheter) that is inserted into one of several possible access routes and placed into the diseased valve. The procedure usually takes one hour or less to complete, and many TAVR patients start feeling better as soon as their new valve is placed. Patients usually begin walking the same day as their TAVR procedure and are typically discharged within one or two days and ready to return to their normal activities.

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

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. Please register early. Class size is limited. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Nutrition Tips for Thriving as You Age

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Join Mindy Komosinsky, registered dietitian/nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist, to learn ways to build solid nutrition habits that can pave the way for a healthier brain and body as you age. Topics include nutrition for maintaining cognitive health, promoting strong bones, preserving muscle mass, and preventing or managing some chronic conditions.

Stroke: Preventable, Treatable, Beatable

Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Do you have a family history of stroke, or have you experienced a stroke and want to learn how to prevent another one in the future? Get the latest information from registered nurses and Stroke Program Coordinators Maria Gilli and Pamela Esher, who will discuss stroke signs and symptoms, types of strokes, individual risk factors, and treatment options.

A strong body and active mind is important to leading a fulfilling life. Our engaging programs, classes and events will help you improve your health and sense of achievement - while you connect with people who care and build quality relationships.

JOIN NOW THRU MAY 31 USE CODE MAY24

YOUR MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES

▪ Low Impact Classes like: Aqua Exercise, Tai Chi, Line Dancing, and Chair Yoga

▪ Indoor Track

▪ Heated Indoor Pool

▪ Locker Rooms with Steam & Sauna

▪ Equipment Orientation with a Wellness Coach

▪ Pickleball, Ping Pong & More!

▪ No Contract Membership

▪ Nationwide Membership

▪ Discounts Available for AA A & Veterans

May Events

Notary Oath Night

Thursday, May 2nd, 3:00 - 6:30 PM

The Mercer County Clerk’s office will administer the oath to newly commissioned and renewing Notaries. Please call the Mercer County Clerk’s office to schedule (609) 989-6466 or email epagano@mercercounty.org

PENN: Eating on the Run (Nutrition)

Tuesday, May 7th, 1:00PM – 2:00 PM

Learn healthy habits when eating on the run and creative ways to incorporate good nutrition for a busy lifestyle. Beth Young, MS, RDN, CSOWM, registered dietitian nutritionist will help you discover portable, on -the-go options that are quick and healthy.

FREE 15-Minutes with an Attorney

Thursday, May 9th, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

The Public Education Committee of the Mercer County Bar Association and the Mercer County Executive present !

LAWYERS C.A.R.E*

FREE 15-minute consultation with an Attorney (virtually)

All Lawyers C.A.R.E meetings will take place virtually. Advanced registration is required. For more information please call (609) 585-6200 or visit website: www.mercerbar.com

Personal Safety Pr esentation

Mercer

County Sheriff Office

Wednesday, May 15th, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

This program provides information to Seniors that will focus on reducing the likelihood of becoming a target by identifying potentially dangerous situation. One of the key points of the program is to focus on protecting themselves from becoming a victim with a few basic tips .

FREE Blood Pressure Check

Monday, May 20th, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Presented by Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness

Join health professionals with Community Wellness for your Free Blood Pressure Check

**No registration required walk-ins welcome**

PENN: Kick the Sugar (Nutrition)

Thursday, May 23rd, 1:00PM – 2:00 PM

Learn the risks of consuming foods and beverages that are high in sugar as well as alternative options that are flavorful and have nutritional value. Led by Beth Young, MS, RDN, CSOWM, registered dietitian nutritionist Registration required

again. He contacted SAVE Animal Shelter, in Princeton, to see about setting something up and, on April 20, the two organizations combined to host Adoption Day with SAVE.

“These types of events are inherently challenging—you can’t guarantee that dogs will get adopted, nor can you even guarantee people will show up. But I wanted to put my heart into it. I reached out to SAVE in January and visited them to get a handle on the situation,” Corn says.

SAVE members explained to Corn that overpopulation in animal shelters is a growing issue, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people who were cooped up in their homes turned to pet adoption as a way to cope.

“Many households that were looking for big changes after being stuck indoors for so long are opting to ‘return’ their pets” to shelters, Corn says. “This sort of phenomenon definitely existed before Covid, but I think it became exacerbated when the world sped back up again.”

The event was originally scheduled for April 13, but inclement weather on that date pushed it to the following Saturday. Blue skies and mild temperatures instead of rain ensured that the event was a success.

SAVE representatives brought with them five dogs from their shelter, and plenty of people stopped by to learn more about Hamilton Pet Meadow and to see the dogs.

“While I was frustrated about the marketing efforts I had taken in anticipation of the original date, in hindsight I was so glad we postponed. Saturday (the 20th) was beautiful, and while we may have missed some initial traction, we had plenty of people stop by, and we were even able to place a puppy in a foster-toadopt program with a family that attended the event,” Corn says. *

While Pet Meadow has been around for just over 25 years, its meadow has been dedicated to pets and their parents for

The Hamilton Pet Meadow and SAVE Animal Shelter held a pet adoption day at the Pet Meadow on April 20.

over a century. It began as the Old Pet Cemetery in 1921, and was taken over in 1962 by the Mercer County Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

After the MCSPCA closed the facility in 1972, it lay abandoned until 1998, when Debra Bjorling and her family bought the property and restored it as a pet aftercare facility. Bjorling is still Pet Meadow’s president and owner today.

As a deed-restricted pet cemetery, the six-acre facility on Klockner Road was never in danger of redevelopment. However, Bjorling has done much more over the past 26 years than merely maintain the facility.

She has turned it into a place where grieving pet owners can say goodbye to their loved ones in a dignified way, in a comforting environment. Today, Pet Meadow is an IAOPCC-accredited facility, providing cremation, aftercare, keepsake, memorialization and bereavement services. IAOPCC stands for the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories.

One tradition common to many memorial pet services is a reading of the poem “The Rainbow Bridge,” which can com-

HomeFront’s ArtSpace program hosts its 15th annual “ArtJam” pop-up gallery at 45 Hulfi sh Street in Princeton from Friday, May 3 to Saturday, May 18, with over 500 works on sale to raise funds for the nonprofi t organization, page 2.

THIS MONTH IN MERCER EATS:

JASON

SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 6

“Louie’s by Chef Jason” owner Dominic Maglione and chef Jason Dilts pose with the sign outside their Robbinsville restaurant, left, and with sta , right.

HomeFront’s ArtJam ‘Pops Up’ in Princeton

By Rebekah Schroeder

HomeFront ArtSpace’s “ArtJam 2024” marks the 15th iteration of the nonprofit’s free pop-up art gallery, which debuts at a new location in downtown Princeton at 45 Hulfish Street from Friday, May 3 through Saturday, May 18, with all proceeds benefiting HomeFront families.

According to a press release, over 500 works from 75 national, local, student, and “undiscovered or self-taught” HomeFront ArtSpace artists “who bravely embark on a journey to heal from poverty, abuse, or homelessness” will be on display, showcasing original paintings, sculptures, pottery, glassworks, handcrafted gifts, and handsewn items from HomeFront’s SewingSpace program.

An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, May 3, with other community dropin events, including a fashion show at the Arts Council of Princeton, art discus-

sions, live painting demonstrations, paintalongs, and musical entertainment planned throughout the two weeks; a closing reception takes place on Friday, May 17, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

The gallery at 45 Hulfish Street in Princeton will be open to the public during the following hours: Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday to Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; and Saturday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

HomeFront is a Mercer County-based nonprofit social service organization dedicated to ending homelessness and breaking the cycle of poverty in Central New Jersey.

By addressing both the immediate and long-term needs of low-income families through supportive programs that draw on community resources, HomeFront empowers its clients to achieve self-sufficiency.

After witnessing firsthand the conditions of unhoused families living in welfare

HomeFront’s 15th annual ArtSpace ArtJam returns with a pop-up gallery at 45 Hulfish Street in downtown Princeton from Friday, May 3, to Saturday, May 18.

Above photo of a previous ArtJam event courtesy of HomeFront.

motels along Route 1 in Trenton more than three decades ago, HomeFront founder Connie Mercer mobilized a group of vol-

unteers around her kitchen table to begin

DPhone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

Letters: rschroeder@communitynews.org

Website: communitynews.org

Facebook: facebook.com/mercereats

Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

Six09

distributed each month in the Greater Mercer County, N.J. area.

TO ADVERTISE

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

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• What is PRP? PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. PRP is created from a sample of your own blood, which is drawn from the patient and then put into a machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood.

• 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.

“Mermaid” and “Feeling Blue” by HomeFront ArtSpace’s Kimberly L., above and at right, are two pieces are included in HomeFront ArtSpace’s 2024 ArtJam. Photos courtesy of Ruthann Traylor and HomeFront.

From ART JAM, Page 2

providing what would become thousands of meals over the years.

In September 2022, Mercer stepped up to become the CEO of the NJ Coalition to End Homelessness and advocate for legislative reform on similar systemic issues, passing the torch to current CEO Sarah Steward as the nonprofit continues to expand.

HomeFront’s ArtSpace, the nonprofit’s

therapeutic art program, is based both at the Lawrence headquarters and the Family Campus in Ewing, with the former also turning a “formerly empty warehouse space” into a fabric arts studio for SewingSpace, which teaches clients how to sew, stitch, and even sell an array functional and stylish products—bags, hats, pillows, and more—fashioned from recycled materials.

Created by HomeFront’s ArtSpace and SewingSpace director Ruthann Traylor in 2007, the visual therapy programs help clients “work through trauma, find new entre-

preneurial skills, and discover themselves as artists,” the press release continues.

According to the HomeFront ArtSpace website, the annual ArtJam “directly underwrites HomeFront’s innovative therapeutic art programs—bringing hope, healing, and for many, a newly found creative outlet.”

“ArtJam 2024 brings together so many people who want to support the creativity of our HomeFront families. It is important that our clients have the opportunity to build valuable skills. Prior to the show, our volunteer curators look close to home and

beyond to find new and established artists of all genres,” Traylor says in a quote.

“This year, HomeFront put out an open invitation for artists wanting to join its efforts. As a result, several wonderful new artists are participating in the show.”

“ArtJam is an amazing experience,” HomeFront CEO Sarah Steward explains. “It serves as an important reminder of the creative spirit of both our client families and the community that comes together to support our work.”

“The arts can lift spirits; they empower

ArtJam 2024 features works by members of the ANEW Artists Alliance, a cooperative of self-taught Trenton creatives. From top left , Carol Johnson’s

“My Father’s Gone but I Have His Guitar,” Charles Smith’s “Imagination Is Your Art,” John Hendryx’s “Melody of Oranges,” and Paul Norris’ “Female Arch #3.” Photos courtesy of Susan Darley and HomeFront.

our artists and enhance their self-esteem. We continue to be very grateful for the community support of ArtJam, the many local businesses, community members, our volunteers, and artists who contribute their works, and for all the support we get for Mercer County families in need,” she adds.

Artists participating in this year’s event were able to submit up to 10 pieces and will receive half of the proceeds from each sale.

The constant flow of pieces through the pop-up’s pipeline—rotated and replaced daily by curators over the course of the twoweek event—makes the gallery a dynamic experience.

Participants in SewingSpace, the sister program to HomeFront’s ArtSpace initiative, will also have the chance to showcase their stylish creations with a fashion show at the Arts Council of Princeton, Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, 102 Witherspoon

Street in Princeton, on Saturday, May 11, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., while a reception follows around the corner at ArtJam 2024’s 45 Hulfish Street gallery from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

According to an April press release, parents can also paint with their children at a drop-in table from 10 a.m. to noon on the Sunday of Mother’s Day, May 12, as part of the month’s ArtJam festivities. ***

To view a list of the featured ArtJam 2024 artists, see the digital “ArtJam 2024 Artist Bio Book” of artist and artisan statements, as well as biographical information, at homefront-artspace.com/artjam-2024

For more information, contact ArtSpace/ SewingSpace director Ruthann Traylor at (609) 883-7500 ext. 316 or ruthannT@homefrontnj.org

For more on HomeFront, visit homefrontnj.org or call (609) 989-9417, Ext. 107.

Mercer Eats

The Cult and Culture of Louie’s by Chef Jason

By Joe Emanski

What does it take for a restaurant to be considered a hidden gem? It must start with the part about being hidden, right?

And it must be a gem.

Louie’s by Chef Jason, the Robbinsville restaurant from Jason Dilts and Dominic Maglione, has certainly proved itself to be a gem.

Dilts’ cooking has garnered raves wherever he has worked. At 31, he has already developed a loyal following among area gourmands.

Maglione is even younger, at 23. But he and his front-of-house staff have wasted little time in winning over regulars with their congenial hospitality.

The gushing posts from freshly satisfied Louie’s diners on Facebook foodie groups just hit different compared to those for most restaurants.

But it’s the first part, the “hidden,” where Louie’s might not quite be up to the title.

Sure, it’s located in a small white building in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it plot on Route 130 that, for decades, was the home of Shrimp King, a seafood shop.

Still, Dilts and Maglione have done everything they can to turn their utilitarian space into the kind of destination many remember from the heyday of Trenton’s largely Italian-American Chambersburg neighborhood.

Walking into the dining room back then felt like stepping into someone’s home. Louie’s by Chef Jason clearly aims for a similar vibe.

With each passing month, the BYOB feels less like a hidden gem, and more like one of Mercer County’s few true must-try dining experiences.

Dilts calls his food “redefined American cuisine.” It draws heavily on his time working in Italian-American restaurant kitchens and from growing up eating in the same Chambersburg restaurants that his restaurant now harkens back to.

He has fond memories too of growing up eating Sunday dinners with his part-ItalianAmerican family. He savors the tradition of gathering with loved ones at the dinner table for a comforting feast.

Those memories inspire him to share his love of food and, where possible, impart that love through his cooking.

The Louie’s menu has a modern feel, mixing comfort classics like chicken parm and short rib macaroni and cheese with tra-

ditionally upscale dishes like Chilean sea bass, twin lobster tails and rack of lamb.

Dilts also puts a chef’s twist on familiar Italian classics. There’s cherry pepperglazed calamari, poached pear sacchettoni with cranberries, and linguine with fermented black garlic and smoked pork belly. And Italian-style desserts like limoncello, tiramisu and cheesecake are house made.

In Maglione, Dilts has found a partner whose background complements his own. Like Dilts, Maglione comes from a family where food was always important.

Dominic Louis “Louie” Maglione grew up in Hamilton, but he also grew up working in dad Brian’s Lawrence pizzeria, Fedelo’s, on Route 206.

When Brian was hospitalized with Covid19 during the pandemic, it fell to Dominic, still a teen, to run the restaurant.

Once Brian had recovered, he discovered that his son had enjoyed that taste of management and felt ready to break out on his own. The task then became to find the perfect opportunity for him to do so.

***

Jason Dilts grew up in Robbinsville, but his chef’s journey began at DiMattia’s, in Allentown, when he was 14.

There, the son of Ken and Mary Dilts started as a busboy and, given a chance, proved himself a capable cook.

He graduated from Robbinsville High in 2011 and continued to hone his skills in kitchens while attending Virginia Radford University. After college, he worked at FunniBonz BBQ, then LoLa Restaurant in

Robbinsville, where he rose to the position of chef-partner with owner Mark Longo.

He left LoLa to work as head chef at Zinna’s Bistro in Cranbury and later, at the popular Revere Ristorante Italiano on River Road in Ewing. It was while he was at Revere that he first met Brian Maglione, who became one of Dilts’ best customers.

During the pandemic, Dilts had no choice but to learn how to work in a kitchen that was only making food for takeout. The experience was eye opening.

“People still wanted to support restaurants. We were busy. People were getting takeout food created the same way as eating there, except maybe we couldn’t have things like calamari on the menu, because it would never taste good by the time you got it home.”

He says that Revere did double the business on Mothers Day 2020 that it did the year before, when there was no pandemic. That kind of success inspired him to leave Revere to open his own restaurant, Chef Jason’s 1275, in the former Zinna’s space, with Zinna’s having moved to a new location.

He opened in October 2020 for take-out only. “My own ideas, my own new concept. All the pieces came together when I didn’t have to worry about anyone telling me what I was doing.”

Chef Jason 1275 eventually opened its dining room when the state permitted it, and continued to thrive until closing abruptly in May 2022. Dilts wrote on Facebook that he had closed the restaurant because the landlord was selling the building. Once again he

Louie’s by Chef Jason chef Jason Dilts and owner Dominic Maglione outside of the restaurant on Route 130 in Robbinsville.

Photo courtesy of Louie’s By Chef Jason.

found himself between jobs.

It was not long before a new opportunity cropped up for Dilts — and it came from loyal customer Brian Maglione, who had a proposal to make.

“He called me up and said, ‘Jay, my son wants to run a restaurant. I think you guys would be perfect together,’” Dilts says.

The pair hit it off, and went about finding a location in which to open their new joint venture. They settled on the former Shrimp King and named it Louie’s by Chef Jason. After extensive interior renovations, they opened in December 2022 for lunch and dinner.

The lunch menu skews toward salads, like the shaved Brussels sprouts salad and the chicken Caesar salad, and sandwiches including the Louie Burger, the Italian chicken, the Just-in-Case-You’re-a-Vegatarian Wrap (that’s what it’s called) and a braised short rib sandwich.

Dinner service is split into first courses, mains and desserts, filled with popular dishes from Dilts’ previous stops, like pretzel-encrusted chicken and “boom boom

Left: Short rib mac and cheese, one of the most popular dishes on the menu at Louie’s by Chef Jason. Right: house-made tiramisu. Photos courtesy of Louie’s By Chef Jason.

chicken,” a combination of vodka rigatoni and chicken parm. There’s also a variety of old and new dishes like steak “Don,” pork osso bucco, shrimp fra diavolo and pumpkin ravioli.

Although some items on the menu may change seasonally, Dilts has learned that customers expect some dishes, like the Brussels sprouts salad and the pretzel encrusted chicken, to always be there.

“They say, ‘Don’t touch my boom boom chicken,’” Dilts says with a laugh.

Dilts says he loves having a hands-on partner like Dominic. “I did the silent partner thing with 1275. At the time I thought it might be better to have a hands-on guy. Somebody to be the face of the restaurant, somebody to shake your hand and welcome you to the restaurant.”

Which is not to say that Dilts avoids his customers, not at all. Dilts makes it clear that he cherishes the relationships that he builds with regulars, and Maglione will usually tell him if there are familiar faces in the dining room.

Dilts was also a instrumental in creating Louie’s Chef’s Social events. On the first Monday of each month, Louie’s goes reservations only for the night. Guests sit at shared tables and eat a prix-fixe, five-toseven course meal of seasonal cuisine, with the menu inspired by the ingredients that are available and what Dilts feels like mak-

ing. (Guests with allergies and aversions are accommodated, of course.)

It’s a setting in which diners put their trust in Dilts to make them dishes they will enjoy. Dilts, in turn, joins them in the dining room each course to explain each dish and the inspiration behind the dish.

“Dom asked me if I was going to tell people what’s on the menu, I said ‘No,’” Dilts says. “The whole idea was that I didn’t even know what I was cooking before that day. I go to the market, get fresh things, and I design a menu so that I get to interact with the guests. It’s something that is fun for me, gives us a busy Monday and is kind of an exclusive kind of thing.”

Louie’s held its first Chef’s Social in August and drew nine people, two of whom were Maglione’s parents.

April’s Chef’s Social, on the other hand, attracted 40 guests, many of them repeat customers. The word, it seems, is getting out.

“The coolest thing about it is the social aspect,” Maglione says. “After month two or three, we had people call us up and say, if So-and-So is going to be there, can we be put with them?’

“Last month I put a table of 10 together, five couples at one table. I go back two courses later, and there’s a guy, he didn’t know anyone at the table at the start of the night, and now he’s sharing a story with the

Celebrating 30 Years

Neighbors

Join us in our mission to support those who wish to age in place!

Set your own schedule. Volunteer opportunities include:

• Rides to the Doctor

• Grocery Shopping Assistance

• Friendly Visits

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Volunteer Today 609-393-9922 www.icgmc.org

whole table. People enter as strangers, but they open their bottle of wine, start eating, start sharing stories and before you know it, they’re leaving as friends.”

Louie’s has also established a tradition of being open on holidays, even Christmas Day. For special occasions, the restaurant offers special menus both for dining in and for family-style takeout. The restaurant will be offering both options for Mother’s Day; check out the website at louiesbychefjason. com for details.

If there is one thing that Dilts and Maglione might say could be better about Louie’s, it would probably be the building, which in addition to being bland and nonhandicapped-accessible, is just a space that they have had to make work, rather than a space that was designed to be the kind of restaurant that they want to operate.

They have made the best of the situation

by painting the interiors in soothing colors and decorating the walls with homey, touches like black-and-white family photos and pictures of restaurants where they have worked.

But they were happy to tell me that they do have an agreement in place with their landlord to move into a newly built space sometime in the next couple of years.

While the duo would not share any details about the location for publication, they did say that the restaurant would remain in Robbinsville and that they are hopeful of opening sometime before the 2025 holiday season.

Louie’s By Chef Jason. 1111 U.S. 130, Robbinsville NJ 08691. Open 7 days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reservations recommended for weekends and holidays. To make a reservation for the next Chef’s Social, call (609) 208-3685.

month long

AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine

Helping seniors find the right diagnosis and right treatment

AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine is a multidisciplinary family practice that has been in business for over 10 years. Over the past decade, the senior community has been a big portion of our patient demographic.

We hear many different complaints week to week, but one of the biggest complaints we see with our seniors is balance and gait dysfunction. As our bodies get older, degenerative changes take place, which can lead to a host of symptoms taking away from your quality of life. This can lead to loss of balance, decreased range of motion, decreased strength, trouble with gait mechanics, and much more.

Here at AllCure, we provide the proper imaging and testing to help us diagnose these common complaints before they become debilitating. We always say that a small problem will remain small if it’s treated early

enough. We strive to get ahead of each patient’s chief complaints and provide a comprehensive plan of care. One of the major issues seniors face is getting a proper diagnosis early enough to find effective treatments. In many cases we see that patients are given a prescription for medication that will only treat the symptoms, but not the root cause.

This will lead to worsening symptoms over time and keep patients from an active and independent lifestyle.

We pride ourselves in making tailored treatment plans to fit each patient’s individual needs and impairments. There is no one-size-fitsall approach to healthcare and each patient should be treated with that mindset.

We strongly feel that a multidisciplinary approach is the best way to get patients the care they need and the relief they deserve in a safe, fast, and efficient manner.

Our experienced team of providers consisting of chiropractors, physical therapists and acupuncturists collaborate on each case to get the patient the best plan possible to achieve their goals.

We do accept Medicare! We find that most of our Medicare patients don’t have to pay a dime out of their pocket, rather just commit the time and effort.

Please give us a call today and we would be happy to hold a free 10 minute consultation for you or a family member to make sure that you are comfortable and get the correct information to make an important decision for improving your health and quality of life. We look forward to hearing from you!

AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine, 140 Cabot Drive, Suite A, Hamilton. 609-528-4417. www. allcurespineandsports.com. See ad, page 12.

Brothers Anthony Alfieri, DC, left, and Victor Alfieri, DPT.

Age 0 to age 21, you’re treated by the nation’s leading provider in inpatient rehabilitation care.

For children and young adults in our inpatient programs, care goes far beyond treating a specific illness or injury. We work with each child and their family to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses their immediate medical needs, emotional health and long-term wellbeing. As the nation’s leading provider of inpatient rehabilitation care, we provide a full range of rehabilitative services:

• Brain Injury Program

• Burn & Wound Care

• Chronic Illness Management

• Chronic Pain Management

• Diabetes Management Program

• Infant Toddler Rehabilitation

• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Program

• Spinal Cord Injury Program

We also offer outpatient therapy services for needs both special and complex. Learn more at rwjbh.org/cshinpatient

• Multi-Complicated Trauma

• Neuromuscular and Genetic Disorders

• Post-Surgical Orthopedics

Premier GI of Hamilton

Introducing Dr. Maulik Shah

Premier Gastroenterology of Hamilton prides itself on providing exceptional care for advanced digestive health in its beautiful office conveniently located on Route 33 in Hamilton Township.

At Premier GI, compassionate and state of the art care will be provided for a wide range of gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, colon polyps, colon cancer screening, constipation, diarrhea, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, difficulty with swallowing, peptic ulcer, GI bleed, blood loss anemia, celiac disease, IBS, Women’s digestive health, gas and bloating, hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstone disease, pancreatic cysts, and pancreatic cancer.

The doctors and staff of Premier GI bring high tech, high-touch approach to patient care. The advantage of a

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 therapy — otherwise 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.

WOMEN’s HEALTH

small practice is that the physicians and staff of Premier GI will get to know you personally and treat you like friends and family. They will work hard every day to earn your trust and to make Premier GI, the practice of your choice for advanced digestive health.

Among the exceptional, caring doctors of Premier GI is Dr. Maulik Shah, who obtained his medical degree from Rowan-Virtua SOM in New Jersey. He completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Jefferson Health. He then went on to complete his Fellowship training in Gastroenterology at Jefferson Health, where he was honored to be selected as Chief Fellow. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He is an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Dr. Shah caters to a spectrum of medical needs, including (but not limited to) nausea and vomiting, acid reflux, stomach pain, pancreatic and biliary diseases, liver disease, diarrhea, IBD and IBS. He is an expert in

• 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

general gastroenterology procedures as well as advanced endoscopic procedures such as ERCP, endoscopic luminal stenting, and EMR. He has a strong passion for teaching and routinely gives lectures to the community on a variety of gastroenterology disorders. Dr. Shah is committed to providing the highest quality of care to his patients to ensure their longevity and to provide a positive and fulfilling lifestyle.

Outside of work he enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, golf, and spending time with his family.

Call 609-917-9917 for an appointment. Locations are 2271 Rt 33, Suite 110 Hamilton, NJ 08690 and 601 Ewing St, Suite C7, Princeton, NJ 08540, 609-921-7620.

Hamilton Dental Associates

How to Pick the Perfect Pediatric Dentist for Your Kids

Your child’s oral health is a complex issue for parents to deal with throughout childhood. Finding a pediatric dentist for your child’s ongoing oral health needs requires careful consideration before committing. If you make a good choice in your child’s pediatric dentist, you can help set the tone for your child’s relationship with their dental health for the rest of their life.

Knowing what to look for when selecting a pediatric dentistry practice can make a difference in your child’s oral health. Here are some of the most important factors to consider before making your child’s first appointment.

Know the Difference Between a Pediatric and Family Dentist

When picking a dentist for your child’s first dental checkup, you might do a

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.

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

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 an appointment and learn more. See ad, page 3

Dr. Maulik Shah

quick Google search and find a nearby family dentistry practice and call it a day. However, did you know that while a family dentist can treat patients of all ages, they might not have the same level of training as a pediatric dentist?

Not every dentist can practice on children. Dentists have to undergo years of extra training before diagnosing and treating children. Children’s oral health presents unique challenges that adult dentists don’t have to deal with, so pediatric dentists must undergo specialist training to deal with these factors. Additionally, the training helps pediatric dentists learn how to better communicate with their young patients and have them feel as comfortable as possible in what can be an overwhelming situation.

* * *

A Kid-Friendly Atmosphere. For many people, going to the dentist can spark feelings of anxiety and unease from the moment you step through the door. These feelings can get magnified in a child’s mind with their wild imaginations and distrust of new experiences. So when you’re deciding on a pediatric dental office to bring your child to for their next checkup, check out how the vibe of the website and office feels.

If you look online and in the actual building and you’re seeing a healthy dose of kids, bright colors, and a general sense that kids can come in and not

feel overwhelmed by the office, it’s generally a good sign. A warm, open, and happy environment can do a lot of good for your child’s experience at our kid’s dentist’s office in Hamilton, NJ.

* * *

Initial Consultations. Building a good rapport between your child and their dentist remains a vital component of their dental experience. You want your child to be able to trust their dentist and feel comfortable in the chair during the examination. Having an initial consultation sets up a low-stakes atmosphere where the dentist gets the chance to examine your child’s teeth, begin to build a rapport

with them, and show that the dentist’s office doesn’t have to be a scary place. Your child also gets the chance to experience the new environment and have a positive experience while you ask the dentist crucial questions.

* * *

Prioritize Preventative Treatment. The best way to protect their oral health for most children is through preventative treatments instead of waiting for problems to crop up. An excellent pediatric dentist knows the available preventive techniques to help protect your child’s teeth from needing to fill cavities near Mercer County, NJ, and other issues before they start.

* * *

Choose Hamilton Dental Associates for Your Pediatric Dentistry Needs!

Hamilton Dental Associates has the perfect mix of a welcoming atmosphere and expertly trained pediatric dentists to help your child’s ongoing oral health needs. We take the time to ensure your child feels as comfortable as possible throughout their dental visit and ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Contact our team to schedule your child’s first dental care consultation today!

Hamilton Dental Associates, 2929 Klockner Road, Hamilton Square; 609-359-0063. 2501 Kuser Road, Hamilton; 609-403-3217. www. hamiltondental.com. See ad below

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RWJBarnabas Health

A Woman’s Guide to Key Screenings and Other Steps That Can Improve Wellbeing Throughout Life

In every generation, women often do the work of caring for themselves and their families, raising children, and attending to aging parents.

RWJBarnabas Health has long recognized women’s complex role of nurturing others while tending to their own health needs, from reproductive care and breast health to menopause and heart care. RWJBarnabas Health is a leader in the region in women’s health, offering a multitude of programs and services tailored to the unique needs of women.

Our women’s health programs and services are backed by the largest healthcare network in New Jersey, making sure women have access to the highest level of care, the most state-of-the-art technology and the most experienced doctors and specialists. The breadth of our services for women empowers mothers, daughters and grandmothers to take the crucial preventive steps they need to chart a path of wellness through the life cycle.

example, unprotected sex, sexually transmitted disease or use of drugs with needles).

Heart Health

• Blood pressure test: Get one at least every two years if not at your annual checkup.

• Cholesterol panel: Establish your total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides in your 20s. Discuss follow-up with your provider in subsequent years.

problems or catch them earlier, and stay healthier longer,” say

Vice President of Women’s Services at RWJBarnabas Health. “Main also key to living healthy.”

Diabetes

Here are vital steps to take—and details on when to take them—

General Health

• Blood glucose or A1C test: Get screened if you have sustained blood pressure greater than 135/80, take medicine for high blood pressure or are at risk of developing diabetes.

• Full checkup: See a primary care provider yearly.

• Sleep habits: Discuss at your annual exam.  • Thyroid (TSH) test: Discuss with your healthcare provider.

Skin Health

• HIV screening: Get tested if you are at risk for HIV infectio disease or use of drugs with needles).

• Skin exam: Do a self-exam of skin and moles monthly and as part of a routine full checkup.

Heart Health

Oral Health

• Blood pressure test: Get one at least every two years if not

• Dental cleaning and exam: See your dentist twice yearly.

• Cholesterol panel: Establish your total, LDL, HDL and triglyc subsequent years.

 SHOOTING, BURNING, STABBING SENSATION

Women’s health concerns often focus on milestones such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. But day-to-day and year-to-year health maintenance and preventive measures are also critical to wellbeing throughout life. “Getting recommended exams, screenings and immunizations are some of the most important things you can do to prevent problems or catch them earlier, and stay healthier longer,” says Suzanne Spernal, DNP, APN-BC, RNCOB, C-ONQS, Senior Vice President of Women’s Services at RWJBarnabas Health. “Maintaining a healthy weight throughout the life span is also key to living healthy.”

Here are vital steps to take—and details on when to take them— throughout a woman’s life.

General Health

• Full checkup: See a primary care provider yearly.

• Sleep habits: Discuss at your annual exam.

• Thyroid (TSH) test: Discuss with your healthcare provider.

• HIV screening: Get tested if you are at risk for HIV infection (due to, for

Mental Health

Diabetes

• Behavioral health screening: Talk with your provider about whether this would be helpful.

• Blood glucose or A1C test: Get  screened if you have sustained high blood pressure or are at risk of developing diabetes.

Skin Health

In each decade working with your healthcare provider to keep on top of regular tests and practices throughout life can have long-term benefits by detecting or monitoring chronic conditions that, left unchecked, often snowball into potentially serious problems. To find an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group primary care provider right for you, call 855-5712500.

• Skin exam: Do a self‐exam of skin and moles monthly and as pa

Oral Health

• Dental cleaning and exam: See your dentist twice yearly.

Mental Health

• Behavioral health screening: Talk with your provider about wh

In each decade working with your healthcare provider to keep on have long‐term benefits by detecting or monitoring chronic cond potentially serious problems. To find an RWJBarnabas Health Med 855‐571‐2500.

SCAN THIS CODE TO DOWNLOAD A DETAILED, DECADEBY-DECADE BREAKDOWN OF WOMEN’S HEALTH GUIDELINES.

Learn more at rwjbh.org/ womenshealth. Let’s be healthy together. See ad, page 9

Fluid Physio

Helping People Move

Dr. Gianna Bigliani, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, owner and founder of Fluid Physio is excited to help people move more comfortably.

“The first thing you need to know about Fluid Physio is that we can get fast results. We are different than any other physical therapy practice because of our approach: a full hour of one-on-one specialized manual therapy treatment that will return you to pain-free optimal performance and function much faster than others.”

WOMEN’s HEALTH

Dr. Gianna graduated from Temple University in 2003 and became a certified strength and conditioning specialist, then later completed a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and an orthopedic PT residency. She worked with athletes of all ages (including children) and abilities (including at a professional level), specializing in helping those with chronic conditions. She spoke at the 2023 New Jersey Conference for Women and has presented at private corporate events and conducting community educational talks.

Her team also includes physical therapists Dr. Easton Reedenmeyer and Dr. Ayesha Mustafa, as well as office manager Caterina Bigliani, Dr. Gianna’s younger sister.

The emphasis at Fluid Physio is not on machines,Dr. Gianna says. There are exercise balls, bands, and a giant mirror, among other therapy tools, but the primary treatment is manual therapy, including manipulating joints, soft tissue (muscles and ligaments), and nerves. “Manual therapy is followed by movement re-education,” says Dr. Gianna. “The body needs to learn how to move without the restrictions it

previously had so that the effect of the therapy is lasting.”

“Every patient is an athlete at Fluid Physio,” she says. “Our goal is to maximize your performance in the activities you love, whether they are on the water, on the road, on the field, or on the floor.”

“I often treat hips and backs in the winter when people slip and fall on snow or ice. Also, they can hurt their backs raking leaves or shoveling snow. Another condition I often treat is foot pain.”

She gives her clients “homework,” “Each patient gets specific exercises and movements to do at home according to their needs and goals.”

“We’re not created to be sedentary. It’s good to be physically active. I chose the name Fluid Physio because ‘fluid’ is how movement should be. Physio is how the rest of the world refers to physical therapy. I also like water and how the water moves, so I thought fluid physio was quite appropriate.”

Fluid Physio, 160 Lawrenceville Pennington Road, Suite 16, Lawrence. 609-436-0366. Fluidphysio. com. See ad, page 11

HELP WANTED

PreK Head Teacher position and a Teacher’s Aids wanted for familyowned Hopewell Township preschool. Full Time or Part Time. Starting$15.50 -$22 per hour depending upon position and experience. If you are interested in either position, email info@camelotschool.net or call 609-577-5584.

WELLNESS

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SERVICES

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LEGAL SERVICES

Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and NJ Taxes, Education Law. House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609-799-4674, 609721-4358.

Guitar Lessons for Seniors. Call Jane 609 510-1400. $25.00 per lesson.

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Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia.

Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4theloveofcards, 908596-0976. allstar115@ verizon.net.

Cash paid for World War II Military Items. Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call: 609-581-8290, E-mail: lenny1944x@gmail.com

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To book a classified ad in this section, please email your text and any other information to sjeronis@communitynews.org. Classifieds run at 75 cents per word with a $20 minimum per month. For more information, call 609-396-1511, ext. 132.

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fort the bereaved with images of their pet crossing a rainbow bridge in the afterlife and waiting to be reunited with their owners.

This year, in preparation for restarting its pet adoption days, Hamilton Pet Meadow painted a 20-year old bridge on the site in rainbow colors, a symbol taken from the poem.

“The bridge was built by hand by our (late) founder Eric Bjorling and longtime Pet Meadow employee John Tedder in 2004,” Corn says. “And on its 20-year anniversary, it deserved some refurbishing. So after some brainstorming, I ended up going in to Kucker Haney Paint Co. on Nottingham Way and requested some pro-bono/sponsored paint to elevate our atmosphere.

“After speaking with Jim and his wife there, they mentioned that they had been a Pet Meadow client a few years prior, and said they’d be happy to help us out.”

In addition to the founding location in Hamilton, Pet Meadow has expanded its business over the years to Carlstadt, in Bergen County, and Houston and Austin, in Texas.

The Hamilton Pet Meadow now has a literal rainbow bridge for pets to cross, as in the poem traditionally read at pet funerals and memorials.

“We’ve grown quite a bit,” Corn says. “We provide services to families across the East Coast, all the way down to Maryland. We’re expanding in the U.S. central region as well, as we start to grow our name in Texas.”

While some pet owners opt for burial in the meadow, many others opt for cremation. For

many years, Hamilton Pet Meadow has been one of the few pet crematories in service in the region.

The facility offers other services as well. For instance, people who have lost a pet recently, but who have no body to bury or cremate, can hold memorial services at the facility.

Hamilton Pet Meadow also offers a range of keepsake options, including Everlasting Prints — a cast of a digital scan of a loved one’s paw or nose — as well as memorial jewelry, ornaments and keychains. One new option currently in the testing phase is “aquamation,” an alternative of cremation

that is billed as an option that is better for the environment.

In aquamation, also known as water cremation,” pet remains are liquefied in a mixture of water and alkaline chemicals. As in cremation, the result of the process is bone fragments which are processed into an ashlike substance similar to cremated remains.

“Aquamations use significantly less energy than flamebased cremation,” Corn says. “Because there is no combustion, aquamation produces little to no greenhouse emissions.”

Hamilton Pet Meadow continues to provide some of the only pet aftercare service available in the area. But Corn expects it to host more pet adoption days in the future as well.

“Places like SAVE aren’t animal hotels. They don’t have endless room, endless supplies, or endless food,” Corn says. “As part of the pet community, our mission is clear; help SAVE and other places like them support their pups’ adoption process in any way we can.”

Web: petmeadow.com.

CHARTER continued from Page 1

compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations.”

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Mercerville, NJ 08619

Member

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HTSD superintendent Scott Rocco sent a letter to Mayor Jeff Martin in February stating that while he “understands and respects” TCPA and its independent, Catholic school identity, “the reality of this situation ... demonstrates that Hamilton Board of Education dollars will be siphoned from its programs and offerings to the proposed charter school.”

While TCPA is currently an independent, Catholic institution that charges tuition to its students, a charter school is by definition a public school, and free for its students to attend.

In its March 13 presentation of the preliminary 2024-25 budget, the Hamilton Township Board of Education estimated a rise of more than $5 million in charter school-related costs if the McCorristin application were approved — almost double the current expenditure.

Nor is Hamilton the only district that will be affected. Based on enrollment projections provided in the McCorristin application, Trenton could be expected to see the same budgetary impact from the charter school, if not a greater impact.

Joe Marchica, a Hamilton resident, is acting chair of Our Revolution Trenton Mercer’s public education committee.

ORTM describes itself as a “local, grassroots organization aiming to support progressive candidates and policies at all levels of government.” ORTM supported, among other candidates, the three school board candidates who were elected to Hamilton’s school board last November: Denise Soto, Christina Harvey and Meaghan Stanton.

“New Jersey’s charter school laws are really not good,” Marchica said in a phone conversation. “They basically say the Department of Education is the sole authority to oversee and approve and deny these schools. There is no mechanism for taxpayers to hold this school accountable at all.”

Marchica said he is confident that at least one of the two districts affected will appeal the decision if the Department of Education grants McCorristin full approval as a charter school.

“They should have legal grounds to win,” Marchica said. “We (the ORTM public education committee) continue to work on this, continue to keep collecting signatures, and we’re prepared to steadily increase our tactics so there is public pressure on the Department of Education and that they make the right decision on this.”

The New Jersey Public Charter School Association has hit back at ORTM’s petition, with NJPCSA CEO Harry Lee saying it contains “falsehoods and misleading statements” and claiming that the charter school “could have a net positive financial impact on both Trenton and Hamilton.”

But back in February when Rocco sent his letter to Jeff Martin, he had already addressed and refuted this claim.

“This is not true in year one, two or any year a new charter school would be receiving funding from the (Hamilton) district’s budget,” Rocco wrote.

Rocco has also noted that Mercer County already has eight charter schools, four of which are less than two miles from the TCPA campus — the proposed future home of McCorristin Charter School.

Marchica says ORTM only learned about the McCorristin application in early April. ORTM has since sent out two press releases about the charter school application, and also begun a petition against the school’s approval. The petition garned 812 signatures in its first 10 days online on the Action Network website, actionnetwork.org.

“We are not opposed to TCPA,” Rocco told the Post. “But its conversion to a charter school as put forth in the application is deficient in multiple areas. We have identified those areas and why the application should be rejected. We were notified last Friday (April 19) of its approval, and the board of education is now looking at any and all actions we can take moving forward in relationship to our opposition.”

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

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

“Soccer is my passion and I knew I was going to play again, because God was on my side,” he said.

His mom wasn’t sure, but would never count him out.

“Tony has always given a run for the money since he was small,” Santos-Heredia said. “He’s always strong willed. Although we wouldn’t wish this on anyone and wish he didn’t have to go through it, we’re glad it was him because he was so determined and no one was gonna stop him from doing what he wanted to do again.”

Flash forward to April 13 of this year, as Tony stood proudly with some other youth soccer players on the sidelines of Red Bull Arena in Harrison at halftime of the Chicago Fire-New York Red Bulls game. He was honored as the New Jersey Youth Soccer Male Comeback Player of the Year for 2023.

It was truly the climax of a long, harrowing journey.

“I am in awe of Tony’s bravery, resilience and determination and proud to be part of his accomplishments,” said Jessica Gonzalez, his health and physical education teacher at Wilson. “He embodies the spirit of a true athlete, both on and off the soccer field.”

Gonzalez, a Mercer County Soccer Hall of Famer who has trained Blakely at her

threatening injury, exceeded expectations and returned to the soccer field,” Gonzalez said. “More kids need to be inspirational to others who are having trouble being brave to overcome life obstacles.”

* * *

Tony’s family had its courage severely tested on the Wednesday afternoon of Aug. 10, 2022. As his Hamilton rec team was doing warm-up stretches at Mercer County Park, Blakely started complaining of a headache. It was initially thought to be heat exhaustion as his grandmother, Loretta, said he hadn’t had much to drink during the 90-degree day.

When Santos was informed, she took her son Tylenol, but he started slurring his words and could not get up.

“We thought he was exaggerating and we were telling him to get up,” she said. “But he was non-responsive and really struggling to talk. That’s when we started knowing something’s not right.”

With her son Shawn two fields away and her infant son Savion asleep in the car, Damaris frantically drove across the Mercer Park soccer fields to Robert Wood Johnson in Hamilton. By then, Tony was somewhat out of it.

“With the help and support of Tony’s loving family, His persistent hard work, determination and strength, he overcame a life-

JGT Soccer Camp at the Hibernian Club, can relate to what he has gone through. While playing for The College of New Jersey, she suffered a brain injury in a car accident, and was in a coma for two months. She had to relearn all the basic tasks in life, much like Tony.

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“I don’t remember everything that happened that day,” he said. “All I remember is me being at the soccer field, and it felt scary because I have never had a head-

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Tony Blakely plays soccer at Robbinsville Field House after recovering from a lifethreatening brain injury.

By the time they arrived at RWJ, Blakely started throwing up.

“He had taken a turn for the worse,” Santos said. “He just collapsed and went limp.”

A CAT scan was performed and before they even got into the emergency room, the family was informed Tony was bleeding from the brain and had to be airlifted to New Brunswick immediately.

“As they’re wheeling my son, he just grabbed my arm and said, ‘I need you right now,’” Santos said. “No parent wants to hear that.”

Damaris rode with her son on the helicopter (only one person could accompany him) while his dad, Shawn Blakely, drove there.

The chopper was greeted by a battery of medical staff and, after Tony was wheeled in, even more staff was lined up waiting for him. After an MRI, additional cat scan and image testing, it was determined Blakely had an arteriovenous malformation brain rupture.

It was an undetected birth effect that thousands of people are walking around with, but can only be discovered by an MRI or if a person suffers a rupture.

“They said the slurred speech was because he was having a stroke,” Santos said. “His brain was swollen and the massive bleeding caused the stroke.”

Tony had been sedated for the transport and his mom said it looked as if he was in a medical coma. Medication was given to lower the swelling and open brain surgery was done the next morning to remove the connected cluster of veins and arteries.

“I couldn’t sleep that first night,” Santos said. ‘All night I kept holding his hand, calling his name, trying to get him to squeeze my hand, or wiggle his eyes. Just do something.

“The next morning they removed the rupture (during a seven-hour surgery) and cleaned up the blood to help save his life.”

The next few days were anxious ones. Doctors had the unenviable task of telling Tony’s parents that if the surgery was not successful, there was a chance he would not survive.

“I knew they had to do that,” Damaris said. “They had to explain the procedure and percentage of survival and complications. Of course we’re praying, we’re reaching out to family, those at the soccer field who were there, asking for prayers all around.”

Those prayers were answered. The surgery was done on Thursday and with a breathing tube still down his throat, Tony gave his parents some relief when he opened his eyes slightly. They went home Friday to help Shawn get his football equipment for the upcoming season, and

Loretta went to the hospital and heard Blakely say some garbled words.

“She sent us a message, and when we got the message, we just cried,” Santos said. “We screamed, ‘Thank you God!’ out loud.”

Tony went to rehab several days later and through grueling work was able to hold his head up, sit up and move his arms all over again.

“It was a little hard when I first started rehab,” he said. “But then I got the hang of it and it was something that I had to do.”

There was one glitch, however.

“He wasn’t happy to be in a diaper for a little bit,” Santos said with a laugh. “He said I’m not the baby, the baby’s at home.’”

* * *

Tony was released the first week of September. He was home tutored until December, began attending school for two hours that month, and returned full time in late January. There were times he suffered headaches or blurred vision but that was expected because he was working his brain muscles after a traumatic brain situation.

In April, Tony made his triumphant return to the soccer field to play for the Hamilton Soccer Club rec program and last fall he played for the NJ Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. This spring he is playing both rec and travel soccer.

“It felt good to play soccer again, especially after what I went through,” Blakely said. “I felt scared at first but later I felt great. I was very proud of myself.”

He was even prouder when the Hamilton Soccer Club nominated him to be NJ Youth Soccer’s Comeback Player of the Year and he won the honor.

““It was very cool to be on the field at the Red Bulls game,” said Tony, who received a golden ball that contained a video from former U.S. National Team goalie Tony Meola.

That wasn’t the only memorable moment. Since his recovery, Blakely has participated in a commercial for the Children’s Miracle Network. And while he was in rehab, he was able to video chat with women’s U.S. National team star Carli Lloyd.

“I was excited to be able to speak with her,” he said. “But I wish to meet her one day. She gave me advice about never giving up on your dreams. It was very cool.”

After the way he has bounced back, it’s obvious Blakely will never give up. He has picked his grades back up and is excelling in school.

“We are so proud of him,” Santos said.

Tony feels his family members should be proud of themselves.

“I want to thank them,” he said, “Without them all I wouldn’t be where I’m at.”

And where’s he at? Back on the soccer field, right where he belongs.

SPORTS Hamilton’s Palmeri breaks Colby College HR record

By Rich Fisher

It’s a good thing Cole Palmeri is not majoring in psychiatry.

“If you told me four years ago I would break the Colby (College) home run record,” Palmeri said, “I would tell you you’re insane.”

Actually, whoever told him that would not only be perfectly sane, but also a psychic.

On Apr. 13, the Hamilton resident broke the school’s 44-year-old record by blasting his 26th career home run. For good measure, one week later he eclipsed Colby’s single-season record with his 11th round-tripper of the year. As of April 23, Palmeri had 28 for his career.

This from a guy who hit exactly one home run in high school – and that was his JV season at Hun.

Who said nothing positive came out of the Covid 19 shutdown?

“It was Covid that changed me,” Palmeri said. “Everything was shut down in the world, so that gave me a good chance

to reflect on what I was as a baseball player. During Covid, me and a bunch of my buddies would work out together, and those were some of the toughest workouts I’ve ever done.

“I got really strong and in shape over that period. I think that was probably what caused it; getting a lot stronger. Also I think after my freshman year, seeing that pitching, seeing what it was like. I got better in baseball and stronger from what I built in Covid.”

Palmeri was a freshman in 2021 when schools were playing abbreviated schedules and, in essence, there was not a lot on the line other than getting games played. He had already added strength and was able to see collegiate pitching in lower-pressure situations. He hit .265 with no homers.

Then came the explosion.

Palmeri hit .302 with nine homers and 44 RBI as a sophomore and .312 with eight homers and 32 RBI last year.

This season, the slugger is off the charts. Through the Mules 23-6 start,

the Nottingham Little League/Babe Ruth alum lead the team in average (.443), hits (47), homers (11), RBI (38), doubles (15), walks (19), slugging percentage (.934), on-base percentage (.531) and OPS (1.465). For good measure he was second in stolen bases, pilfering eight without getting caught. He only struck out 15 times in 125 plate appearances, which is low for a power hitter.

What is going on with this guy?

“It’s a combination of taking the success he had, putting a plan together and getting it executed,” Mules coach Jesse Woods said. “He is very diligent in all of his work. He eats right, sleeps right, gets all his extra work in. He works so hard and he’s never satisfied.”

And he understands things much better than his freshman year.

“Being a good hitter, he just had to learn what he could do at the plate,” Woods said. “His sophomore year he hit a bunch of home runs and started to really figure out what he could do with different pitches and he had a more educated plan at the plate for the type of hitter he could be.”

The coach agreed with his catcher that the strength he developed has helped immensely, saying “what he lacks in height (5-foot-9) he makes up for in muscle. He’s a physically strong kid and with his bat speed, when he hits it, it goes a long way.”

Palmeri has been a winner everywhere he has played. His Nottingham 12-yearold All Stars won the District 12 title, and Hun won the NJSIAA Prep A championship his sophomore and junior cam-

paigns. In his first three collegiate seasons Colby went 63-35, and this spring they led the New England Small College Athletic Conference heading into the season’s final week.

During all those stops, he has been a catcher seemingly forever.

“When I was a little kid at Nottingham I was just so excited to get behind the dish,” he said. “It’s always been my first love. Obviously there’s some times where it stinks, but for the most part it’s a great position. You get to see every play and be involved in every pitch so it’s always been my position.”

Hun School graduate Cole Palmeri has 28 career home runs for Colby College.

And he plays it well.

“I would say he’s as good as it gets,” Woods said. “He was Defensive Player of the Year two years ago and hasn’t taken a step back. Cole gets everything out of our pitchers because he doesn’t accept anything less. Those guys know that if they’re throwing to him, that the effort and focus better be there because he won’t let it slide. They know they’re in good hands with where the ball’s going with Cole behind the plate.”

Like most catchers, Palmeri was a diamond rat. He played basketball and soccer in his youth, but baseball was always his first love as he and his dad would watch Yankee games and go out to practice together.

“Nothing could compare to it,” he said. When it came to college ball, Palmeri felt prepared to make the jump. He credited coach Tom Monfiletto for the program he runs at Hun and the strong competition the Raiders play.

“In that sense we had that mentality of coming every day, being locked in and bringing your best,” he said. “That definitely prepared me for what was to come in college. And there was the culture coach created there. It’s the same as Colby, a very family type relationship on the team. That makes winning and playing so much more fun. You build memo-

ries you’d never forget. I don’t think I’d be at Colby without Hun.”

Located in Waterville, Maine, Colby beat out several other NESCAC schools for Palmeri’s services. He felt welcome from the start and called Woods “one of the best coaches I’ve had.”

Cole got a small sample size of college pitching as a freshman with 48 at-bats. He had 13 hits and no homers, but was taking notes.

“I can’t even put a number on the value of that to prepare me for the next three years,” he said.

Palmeri felt that the biggest adjustment to college pitching is that hurlers have the ability to throw multiple pitches for strikes and the top guys have higher velocity than high school.

“Being able to time that fastball and hit the off-speed stuff was definitely an adjustment,” Palmeri said. “With a lot of reps it got easier but those guys are all still good. You gotta be on all the time.”

Palmeri felt confident behind the plate immediately, but admitted it took time to learn everything.

“In college you just gotta stay confident and trust your abilities,” he said. “Every pitch that comes in you do your best to either frame it, block it or throw the guy out. As long as you have that belief in yourself you’ll be just fine.”

As for hitting during his freshman year, Palmeri remembers often taking two strikes before he started hacking.

“I had to be more aggressive, trust the work I put in and just be really confident in myself,” he said.

Palmeri credits his teammates for pushing him to workout and build his body, and for accompanying him to the batting cage for constant reps. “I’m not gonna do it without those guys,” he said.

Cole will graduate this spring with a degree in economics with a concentration in financial markets. Because he gets an extra year of playing time due to Covid, he will play at the University of Richmond next year and pursue a certificate in data analytics.

As for pursuing a pro career, Palmeri says “As of now, I’ve kind of come to terms that it’s probably gonna be a difficult path if I were to choose it. I haven’t completely blocked it but I’m thinking about other things for the time being. But that’s the dream. I love this sport.”

He hopes to make it his career, possibly working in the front office for an organization. Wherever he ends up, Woods feels Palmeri’s employer will be getting someone who’s even better as a person than a ballplayer.

“Cole Palmeri is the type of kid who, when you open the door one day and your

daughter says ‘Dad this is my boyfriend,’ you’re just really happy,” the coach said. “He’s just an unbelievable high character person that cares for others and cares for his teammates. He is very focused on what he wants to do and what type of success he wants to have and doesn’t let anything stand in the way.”

Just don’t ask him to psychoanalyze anybody.

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Former players to honor Grice coaching legend Joe Hibbard

By Rich Fisher

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“I have been ill for a few years with cancer, and when I got sick, coach’s favorite saying was, ‘When the going gets tough the tough get going,’” said Jim Willliams, who played tight end for Hibbard’s 8-0 team in 1969. “I have thought of that saying many times and it has helped me greatly to navigate through this illness.

“He had a personality that you could never forget. He had a sixth sense on how to handle people and knew just how far to push you and bring out the best in you. He knew if you would respond to being pushed hard or you had to be treated a little softer. He was a great judge of personalities and athletic abilities.”

When it came to Bob Dill, who played offensive/defensive back for the 1975 Gladiators, Hibbard took the “push hard” approach.

“In our game against Junior One and Five, I sandwiched my elbow between the helmet of a guy tackling me and the football,” Dill recalled. “The fingers on my left hand were numb. I came off the field and coach said, ‘Dill, what the heck are you doing?’ I told him about my numb fingers. He said, ‘OK. Now, get your butt back in the game.’ And I did.”

Charles Tiggett, who is spearheading the celebration of Hibbard’s career, said the coach never allowed players to get satisfied.

“We would come in at halftime winning and he would take a helmet and throw it across the room and scream and holler,” Tiggett said. “I’d look at (teammate) Tom Alexander and say, “We are winning aren’t we?’”

Ernest Brewer had never played football, but when he tried out for Grice in 1975, Hibbard saw toughness, ability and more academic potential than Brewer realized he had.

“As a starter coach designated me a blocking back; the rest of the backfield was bigger, stronger and faster,” Brewer said. “One day, out of the blue, he said to me ‘I heard you were smart: let me see your report card.’ My card read 3.5 GPA. Coach says, ‘l thought you were smarter

“When he shipped me off to Hamilton West, I had a desire to earn straight A grades and become a feature back,” he said. “The seed he planted got me into three Ivy League schools and I was able to choose Dartmouth. So I have loved coach for life. What more can kids gain on earth than choices?”

* * *

Actually, they can gain respect for their fellow man, no matter the race or creed. One thing Hibbard would not tolerate on his team was segregation.

“Mr. Hibbard knew no color, all he saw were ballplayers,” Tiggett said. “We had a team meeting and the first day, all the Black kids were sitting on one side. We hung together, we lived in the same neighborhoods. All the White kids were on the other side. We were all friends, but when you hang with somebody, that’s who you sit with.

“Mr. Hibbard walked in, he turned beet red. He said, ‘I’ll be back in 10 minutes, and when I come back, it better be a checkerboard in here.’ We were looking at each other like, ‘What the heck is he talking about?’ We started looking at how we sat, and when he came back it was a checkerboard. That’s a fact.”

And that’s how it stayed, as Hibbard produced close-knit units that didn’t care about Black or White; just wins and losses. And wow, were there wins.

From 1967-75, when junior high football drew large crowds and received bigtime attention in the Trenton newspapers, no school was better or more renowned than Grice.

Under Hibbard — who passed away at age 64 in 1996 — the Gladiators went 70-2-2, enjoyed seven undefeated seasons and sent numerous future All-County and college players to Hamilton West. That all stopped in 1976, when Hamilton Township switched to the middle school system and Grice dropped athletics.

But the legend lives on, even the minds of opponents who felt the punishment Gladiator players dished out on both sides of the ball.

“I remember getting hit by a guy, I think it was Gene Hagan, on my left thigh and the force radiated from inside my leg through the rest of my body,” said Bob

DeStefano, the Nottingham quarterback in 1972. “On defense, I played defensive back. Their quarterback, Ken Zegarski, faked a handoff and kept the ball sweeping the right end. I was the only one standing between this galloping Goliath and the goal line. He had a full head of steam and basically ran over me into the end zone. Technically, I tackled him. In reality, he tripped over me.”

DeStefano recalled one player in particular, who was the scourge of Mercer in the early 1970s.

“Watching the game films afterward, everyone on the field looked as if they were in slow motion except Freddie Harris,” DeStefano said. “He was a beautiful runner; as elusive as he was fast.”

* * *

Five decades after those glory days, a retired Tiggett was sitting around thinking about who was the most important

person in his life besides his dad. Tiggett lived a productive life after high school as a U.S. Marine and police officer.

As he pored through his memory banks, it clicked.

“I started to think who gave me the most joy in my life, and it was Mr. Hibbard,” said Tiggett, who played receiver and defensive back for a 1968 team that allowed just six points.

Tiggett began to think of who he could contact to help honor what Hibbard had done for so many young men in Hamilton that went on to be role models themselves.

A name that immediately jumped out was current Nottingham High assistant Bob Harris, who is in his 46th year of coaching and played for Temple. Harris, the aforementioned Freddie’s older brother, is one of the greatest football

See HIBBARD, Page 28

A clip of a Jim Davis column from the Trentonian on the end of Joe Hibbard’s coaching career at Grice Middle School.

players to go through Grice and Hamilton. He credits Hibbard as a major reason.

“He was a phenomenal person,” Harris said. “He was one of the first to enlighten me about the importance of good grades. Being a great motivator and supporter he would have the team down on his (Jobstown) farm and consistently talk to us about life.

“I remember him being at my football games at Temple. He was like a family member, he knew myself, my brother Fred, my sister Doris and my parents. We all hold Joe Hibbard in the utmost regard. He was stern, but fair. He taught you right from wrong, how to treat people as people. Joe Hibbard was one of the most influential people in my life.”

Others who went on to play in college were Brewer, Doug Burnett (Penn), Keith Brown (C.W. Post) and Micheal Griffith (Delaware). They were just a handful of Hibbard’s success stories.

After giving his idea some thought, Tiggett asked Principal Dwayne Walker if they could do something special for his former coach in Grice’s “C Hall” – the science wing where Hibbard taught. Walker gave his OK, and former player Len Gadsby produced a plaque that features a photo of Hibbard raising his arms in triumph (a familiar sight) along with his

The original caption from this newspaper clip reads: “Grice Junior High football coach Joe hibbard discusses strategy with his high-scoring offensive backs (left to right) Ken Zegarski, Fred Harris, Rich Ashley, Tim Ashton and Jay Dempster. They helped Grice to an 8-0 season this year and its sixth Junior High School Crown.”

teams’ year-to-year records. The committee is asking for any former Hibbard players to attend a Friday evening dedication reception at Grice from

6 to 9 p.m. on May 31. Players can have their photos taken with the plaque in C Hall and then adjourn for light refreshments in the cafeteria, where war stories

will be swapped.

Former principal Angela Belmont, a Tiggett classmate, will narrate highlights of Hibbard’s career, and the plaque will eventually be hung in C Hall to memorialize their coach.

No reservations are necessary. Players can show up unannounced and if anyone has questions they can text Gadsby at (609) 731-1123.

Tiggett’s committeemen are Jimmy Williams, Mike Williams, David Aust, Harris, Shawn McRae, Keith Brown, Joe Howarth, Gadsby, Dill, Belmont and Ike Livingston. Also helping out has been Grice secretary Judy Keegan, who Tiggett called “my go-to person.

“She got me all the pictures from the library, got all the yearbooks for me. You couldn’t find a better person,” he said.

Keegan felt that Tiggett exaggerated her importance, but as a Grice student in the 1970s she was also affected by Hibbard. Not on the field but in the classroom.

“Not being a strong science student, I quickly realized what a great teacher Mr. Hibbard was,” Keegan said. “He made science fun. I never knew what was out there. I married a ‘science guy’ so that love of science has gone on.”

* * *

That was a huge key to Hibbard’s per-

sonality. He was able to make students and players desire to get better and enjoy doing so.

“Coach made you want to be the best player possible,” Dill said. “It felt like an honor and privilege to play for the dynasty he created. Coach was a great man. He left a strong imprint in my mind, both on and off the field with his life lessons on hard work, dedication and loyalty. He made a promise to our team as we left Grice that he would never coach against us at another high school.”

Nor would he move to Hamilton as an assistant, as Tiggett noted he would not want to go from being the main man to serving as an assistant under legendary Hornet coach Bill McEvoy. He was already aiding the program by providing West a feeder system second-to-none.

“Mr. Hibbard was like that mechanic who tuned you up, so when you got to the next step, you were ready to play,” Tiggett said. “If you had Mr. Hibbardcoached kids, all you had to do was say, “Go out there and play the game.’ Mr. Hibbard sent us to Hamilton to represent him, and we did.”

And 50 years later, they want him represented and remembered in the C Hall where he influenced so many young minds in a positive way.

Spartans set to continue baseball careers in college

Steinert Spartan baseball players Danielle Moser, Joe Loreti and Jack Gill have made their college choices as they prepare to continue their scholastic athletic careers at the next level. Moser plans to play baseball at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Loreti at Richard Stockton University and Gill at Wheaton College. (Photo courtesy of Brian Giallella.)

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11 questions with surrealist Mohamed Ali

Thomas Kelly

Mohamed Ali came to the U.S. in 2018 from his native land of Egypt and is now settled in Hamilton. When his occupation in the fitness industry was shuttered due to the pandemic in 2020, he turned back to his original love, making art.

Using pastel and charcoal, Ali draws surrealist figures on cardboard. His work is distinctive and interesting to understand. The work entwines figures with ideas to leave an impression from the artist.

What are you communicating with your art?

As an artist, my art communicates various emotions, experiences, and perspectives. Through my work, I aim to evoke thought, provoke emotions, spread awareness about what is happening on Mother Earth, endangered animals and inspire introspection.

What media do you use and why?

I use a variety of media in my art, but I prefer soft pastel, charcoal and graphite, I like to touch the colors, feeling it when blending, I use in most of my drawings cardboards to spread awareness of recycling.

When did you begin making art?

I began making art at a young age and have been continuously honing my skills ever since. While I have not had formal study in art, I had the chance to study art at the Princeton Academy of Art for few months from one of the greatest artists, Gilberto Geraldo. I have dedicated countless hours to self study, experimentation and learning from other artists. This has allowed me to develop my own style and artistic voice.

You paint figures? Do you work from models? Where do the ideas come from?

Yes, I often paint figures and draw inspiration from various sources. Sometimes I work from models or reference images, while other times the ideas come from my imagination or personal experiences. I find inspiration in the human form, emotions, nature, and the world around me.

Where did you learn the style that you are working in now?

I have learned and continue to learn from a variety of sources, including studying the works of other artists, like my master Mr. Gilberto, Aaron Blaise, Leonardo da Vinci and other masters, attend-

Top: “Love.”

Bottom: “Silence.” Artworks by Hamilton-based artist Mohamed Ali.

ing workshops and experimenting with different techniques. My current style is a culmination of my artistic journey and the influences that have shaped me along the way.

How does showing at art fairs influence your styles or methods?

Showing at art fairs provides a unique platform for exposure and interaction with a diverse audience. It allows me to showcase my work to a wider range of art enthusiasts, collectors and fellow artists. The exposure can influence my styles or methods by opening up new opportunities for collaboration, feedback and growth.

Living in the world of fitness, do any aspects cross over into your

FIGHT IN THE MUSEUM

ney. These may include finding and maintaining a suitable studio space, managing finances for art supplies, balancing time commitments, seeking recognition and sales, and overcoming physical limitations. I find promoting the work and getting it in front of viewers in venues a challenge.

What one attribute should all artists have?

One attribute that all artists should have is passion. Passion fuels creativity, drives experimentation, and sustains motivation. It is the driving force behind the artist’s dedication to their craft and the ability to overcome obstacles.

What is most difficult about being an artist?

The most difficult aspect of being an artist is often the vulnerability that comes with sharing one’s work. Putting your art out into the world exposes it to criticism, rejection, and subjective interpretations. It requires courage and resilience to navigate through these challenges and stay true to your artistic vision.

What is on the horizon? What are you looking forward to?

artwork?

Living in the world of fitness gave me the ability to study how muscles move and the anatomy of humans. It gave me a uniqueness in personality, being more confident about what I represent; accept the loss but never get beat.

Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps me stay energized, focused, and mentally sharp, which in turn positively influences my creative process.

What fight/struggle do you have regarding your art?

Like any artist, I face various challenges and struggles in my artistic jour-

Looking to the future, I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. I am constantly seeking new avenues to showcase my art, collaborate with other artists, and connect with a wider audience. I am also looking forward to further exploring different themes, styles, and techniques in my work, pushing the boundaries of my creativity. I am looking forward to a larger exhibition in 2025.

Web: artworkarchive.com/profile/ mohamed-ali.

Thomas Kelly is a Hamilton-based artist and a member of the Hamilton Arts Council. His work can be found at thomaskellyart.com.

Artist Mohamed Ali with his illustration, “Regeneration.”

MEGAN S. SEIBER, ESQ. ATTORNEY AT LAW

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Or, Total eclipse of the

Last month, the great solar eclipse of 2024 happened. I hope you caught at least a glimpse; the next total eclipse of the sun visible in the contiguous U.S. won’t be until August 23, 2044, and the next one with 100% totality visible in New Jersey won’t be until 2079.

Despite all the hype surrounding the event, a surprising number of people I encountered were indifferent to it. I think they missed out on an amazing experience, but ignoring the eclipse is, at least, better than attributing undue

In a recent essay in the New York Times, artist Balarama Heller wrote about growing up in a community that believed in a form of Vedic astronomy that considers eclipses the result of a demon’s decapitated head chasing the sun and swallowing it. Heller describes “visceral fear” as they crowded into a temple, reciting prayers to “counteract the forces of darkness.”

I confess, I was a bit shocked at this reminder that as recently as the 1980s, people exhibited a caveman-like fear of eclipses. Though I have to admit, praying to help the world survive is brilliant, in its own scammy way, when compared with all the doomsday cults that predict the end and then have to do some serious P.R. spinning when life goes on.

As I discovered after consulting the digital gods and offering the necessary sacrifices of electricity, ad-viewing, and monthly internet subscription fees, there’s a long history of strange stories and dubious explanations regarding eclipses.

Many cultures embraced a “blame the dog” mentality—as a time-honored excuse for missing homework, purloined food, and mysterious, lingering, noxious smells, this approach is completely understandable. In addition to dogs, dragons, birds, bears, wolves, and an evil toad have all been accused of stealing and/or eating the sun.

For Siberian Tatars, the culprit was a vampire who burned his tongue after trying to swallow the sun. The Incas and Aztecs sacrificed humans to appease their gods, who, in the midst of an eclipse, must have seemed quite angry and eager to turn their favor toward a

more compliant, appreciative population. The word “eclipse” comes from a Greek word meaning “abandonment,” but I think we can all agree that abandonment by the gods is preferable to active annhilation by them.

In the face of all this theft, sungobbling, fear of abandonment, and murder, it was nice to learn about a few myths that interpreted eclipses from a more romantic perspective. In German, Tahitian and Amazonian cultures, the sun and moon were reunited lovers, and the North American Tlingit tribes went further, proposing that the sun and moon were actively making more children— proven by the sight of “new” stars and planets only visible from Earth during an eclipse. This sounds like two more good reasons to avert one’s eyes during an eclipse—modesty and mortification.

Another positive spin was that of the Battammaliba people of Togo and Benin, who, believing that the sun and moon were fighting during an eclipse, saw it as a time to demonstrate good behavior to the gods by putting aside grudges and ending feuds. Also, nothing makes grudges and feuds more irrelevant than the imminent destruction of the world.

I suspect these stories are now universally understood as mythology, the products of imaginative ancestors who didn’t have access to the same knowledge we do today. But even in 2024, people still hold to irrational explanations of celestial events. How do I know this about people, you may ask? Simple. I read it. In People magazine.

According to a recent People interview with astrologer and author Lisa Stardust—definitely her real name—the eclipse, corresponding with “Mercury in retrograde” (an astronomical optical illusion, as seen from Earth), created a unique predictive situation. Thankfully, she was on the job, providing a series of carefully worded, mostly innocuous, and completely fanciful horoscopes. *

Nothing against Lisa Stardust, but instead of astrology, I placed my confidence in ISO 12312-2, the international standard requirements for filters for direct observation of the sun. In 2017, a solar eclipse blocked about 75% of the sun, as seen from New Jersey. I didn’t buy eclipse glasses in time, so we used the old-fashioned paper and pinhole method to view the event safely. Even if I’d secured protective glasses, I don’t know if I’d have trusted my kids to wear them properly—the temptation to sneak a peek directly at the sun, just to see what

all the fuss is about, is omnipresent. This time, I acted early enough to ensure timely delivery, but I wasn’t counting on the large number of options available through online sellers. Dazzled by different colors and styles, I worried that some key component might be absent or defective in the cheaper glasses, so I did something I never do—I went with the most expensive option. Instead of $10 for 24 pairs, I paid $30 for 5 pairs.

Aside from meeting ISO standards, these glasses had been approved by AAS and CE and other important-sounding acronyms. And if the companies were lying about all that, there’d be lawsuits, right? I might go blind, but at least I’d be rich. In the end, I put my faith not in gods, but in lawyers.

The actual eclipse was an incredible event to witness, even if its peak totality was obscured by clouds in our area.

One man sought medical help after viewing the eclipse directly for ten minutes, but overall the number of injury reports was minimal, and maybe we have entreaties to gods or guidance from astrological experts to thank for that. But it seems likely that somewhere in America, someone looked at the sky wearing old-fashioned 3-D glasses, and through the filter of red and blue lenses,

said something like, “It really feels like the sun’s rays are reaching out to burn my eyes!” Somewhere in the world, there’s someone who put sunscreen on his eyeballs to protect them from damage.

If you’re reading this, then it wasn’t you—congratulations! And if you missed the eclipse, don’t despair—I know all this talk of blinding radiation has you anxious to experience it for yourself.

There’s a partial solar eclipse visible in New Jersey due March 29, 2025, and total lunar eclipses, in which the Earth passes between the moon and the sun, on March 14, 2025, and March 3, 2026. Maybe by then we’ll have advanced enough as a society that it won’t be—sorry, Bonnie Tyler—a total eclipse of the smart.

* * *

For a fun and free astronomical evening, check out the New Jersey State Museum’s Sky Talk and Observation at the Planetarium May 3 at 7 p.m.

Peter Dabbene’s website is peterdabbene.com, and his previous Hamilton Post columns can be read at communitynews.org. His graphic novel biography “George Washington: The Father of a Nation” is now available through Amazon.com for $20 (print) or $10 (ebook).

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Johnson University Hospital Hamilton celebrates Hospital Week 2024

Ask The Doctor

National Hospital Week is May 12-18, 2024, and Seth D. Rosenbaum, MD, MMM, SVP and Chief Medical Officer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, answers questions about how RWJUH Hamilton in Hamilton Township serves its community.

Cardiovascular diseases remain prevalent in the U.S. Can you tell us about your heart and vascular care program at RWJUH Hamilton?

We are part of one of the largest cardiac care programs in New Jersey and provide essential heart and vascular care such as cardiac catheterizations and angioplasty to

our ads in

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clear blocked arteries, as well as nonemergent angioplasty procedures. We are currently constructing a new 5,500-square-foot Cath lab scheduled to open in January 2025. Also available right here inside the hospital is our Cardiac Rehab Program, an individualized, medicalsupervised health and fitness program designed to benefit people who have been treated for a heart attack or heart failure, have received a coronary stent, or have undergone cardiac surgery such as a bypass or valve procedure.

What differentiates the Cancer Center at RWUH Hamilton from others?

Our expert multidisciplinary team at the RWJUH Hamilton Cancer Center offers advanced treatment options with individualized care. Through our partnership with Rutgers

Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer InstituteDesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center, patients benefit from access to innovative clinical trials, complex surgical procedures, precision medicine, immunotherapy and advanced radiation therapy techniques.

RWJUH Hamilton specialists work with our patients to develop a treatment plan tailored to their medical, emotional, and educational needs, with dedicated oncology social workers and nurse navigators supporting the patient and their loved ones at every step.

What is The Orthopedic and Spine Institute at RWJUH Hamilton?

who begin their health journey here have access to the most comprehensive healthcare system in the state and are able to tap into the latest resources to receive the most advanced, high-quality care.

Learn more at rwjbh.org/hamilton

Coming up this month at RWJU Hospital Hamilton

For more information, call (609) 5845900. To register for a program or for schedule changes go to rwjbh.org/events.

The Orthopedic & Spine Institute (OSI) located inside the hospital, is comprised of a highly skilled team, members of RWJBarnabas Medical Group, and offers early diagnosis and sophisticated techniques to treat and/or manage conditions caused by arthritis and degenerative joint disease, injuries, congenital issues, and general wear and tear—all with the goal of alleviating pain and helping patients enjoy life on their terms. RWJUH Hamilton is nationally certified in hip and knee replacement and spine surgery by The Joint Commission and performs minimally invasive surgery with advanced technologies like the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, MAKO Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery and now Globus Medical’s ExcelsiusGPS® for robotic spine surgery.

What would you like community members to always remember about RWJUH Hamilton?

Healthy Lives Hamilton Program. At RWJUH Hamilton, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton. The Healthy Lives Program at Hamilton is designed to help individuals and their loved ones understand what’s needed to help them live their best life and manage Heart Failure. This unique approach to heart failure care is designed to support proper monitoring and lifestyle choices to improve patient outcomes and quality of live for those living with heart failure. Participation in Healthy Lives may begin during an inpatient stay at RWJUH Hamilton; or, your physician may refer you to Healthy Lives Hamilton on an outpatient basis. From symptom monitoring and management to lifestyle education, a multidisciplinary team of experts guides you towards living a healthy life. Start here by calling 609-203-4326.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

Breast Cancer Support Group. First Tuesday of Each Month; 6-7:30 p.m. At the Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, 2575 Klockner Road, Hamilton. This Support Group welcomes those who have received a breast cancer diagnosis in all phases of their journey. Meetings are held in the lobby of The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton. The group is led by an Oncology Nurse Navigator and Certified Oncology Social Worker. It offers participants an opportunity to share personal experiences, helpful resources, and methods of coping with feelings of anxiety and distress. For more information, call Patty Hutman Parker, BSN, RN, OCN, at 609584-2836 or Roberta Weiner, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, at 609-584-6680.

TUESDAY, MAY 21

RWJUH Hamilton provides worldclass care, is nationally awarded and recognized, and allows its patients access to New Jersey’s largest health care system and the state’s only National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—and it’s all right here for our community members.

How does being part of the largest academic health system in New Jersey benefit your patients?

The benefits are immense. Patients

Gynecologic Cancer Support Group. Third Tuesday of Every Month; 2-3:30 p.m. At the Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, 2575 Klockner Road, Hamilton. This Group meets on the third Tuesday of every month in the conference room at the Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton. It brings individuals with gynecologic cancer the support, education, and empowerment they need to move along the path to recovery. Topics discussed include coping with the emotional impact of cancer, adjusting to changes during and after treatment, and managing concerns about recurrence. This program is facilitated by Roberta Weiner, MSW, LCSW, OSWC, Certified Oncology Social Worker. For more information, please call 609-584-6680.

Dr. Seth Rosenbaum

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Our H2Open Forums empower you with knowledge about your drinking water and provide direct access to water utility leadership for any questions. The town-hall style discussions cover vital topics such as water quality, lead service lines, operations, and capital projects, all of which support the well-being of our service-area communities.

• May 1, Trenton, City Hall, 319 E. State Street

• May 15, Hamilton Township Public Library, 1 Justice Samuel Alito Way

• July 10, Ewing Township, Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive

• August 14, Lawrence Township, Lawrence Senior Center, 30 E. Darrah Lane

• September 11, Hopewell Township, Stony Brook Elementary School, 20 Stephenson Road, Pennington