As Mercer County gears up for this year’s upcoming elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, a pressing need has emerged for poll workers.
Mercer County residents can help play a crucial role in the election process by volunteering to work at the polls on Election Day.
“The biggest issue is that we want people to come out and vote, but if we don’t have the workers, how are they going to vote?” said Jill Moyer, Mercer County Board of Elections chairwoman.
The number of poll workers is not only low in Mercer County—it’s a nation-wide problem. According to estimates from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, about one million poll workers are needed to staff approximately 100,000 polling places across the country this November.
The process to become a poll worker includes several
Dog park celebrates the legacy of a canine hero
By IsaBeLLa Darcy
Lawrence Township’s Hamnett Park in the 1960s and 70s was a vivacious recreation area where sporting events transpired, and children played. In recent decades, a large portion of the park has gone unused. That changed on Aug. 15, when
Hero Dog Park in Hamnett Park opened to the public.
For over three years the township has worked to renovate the unutilized space at 1600 Ohio Avenue into two new fenced-in dog park areas for both large and small dogs, with additions like a perimeter walking path, a patio seating area and utility services.
The name Hero Dog Park was suggested to Nerwinski by Lawrence Township’s Superintendent of Recreation, Nancy Bergen, who was inspired by an article she discovered about a war dog in a 1995 story in a local newspaper. The piece was written by the late James Hewitt—a WWII veteran
By BiLL SanserVinO
Lawrence Township Public Schools is instituting a new cell phone policy at the high school in an effort to improve classroom focus and student well-being.
Effective immediately, cell phones, earbuds and smartwatches will be prohibited during instructional time. Students will be required to “park” these devices in designated areas upon entering the classroom. Students will be permitted to use their devices during noninstructional time, such as transition periods and lunch.
“This shift in mindset following the pandemic is a proactive step to minimize distractions and create an environment where our students can fully engage with their studies and each other,” said Superintendent Robyn Klim.
An LTPS news release states that the policy aims to reduce distractions and promote a more engaging learning environment.
“Research consistently shows that unrestricted access to digital devices and social media during school hours can negatively
Mayor Patricia Hendricks Farmer and her dog, Alfred, at the grand opening of the new Hero Dog Park in Lawrence Township’s Hamnet Memorial Park on Aug. 15, 2024.
RWJUH Hamilton September Healthy Living / Community Education Programs
SWEET SUCCESS SOCIETY: A DIABETES GROUP
Tuesday, Sept 3; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Monday, Sept 9; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct 7; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
For anyone with diabetes or caring for someone living with diabetes. Learn and discuss healthy ways to manage diabetes alongside peers and Taryn Krietzman, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Empower yourself and others towards a healthy lifestyle and success in diabetes self-management.
DANCE IT OUT!
Friday, Sept 6; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday, Sept 30; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
When in doubt, dance it out! Find your rhythm and ease the everyday stresses of life with movement. All ages welcome; no experience required.
WHAT’S EATING YOU?
Monday, Sept 9; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Support group for people experiencing emotional eating. Peer support is key. Connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
THE BASICS OF MEDICARE
Monday, Sept 9; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join Gina Rega, licensed insurance agent specializing in Medicare and ACA for a discussion on Medicare. Learn the different parts of Medicare, how to avoid penalties, and when to apply for Medicare benefits. Light refreshments provided.
LETTING GO OF CLUTTER
Tuesday, Sept 10; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Explore how our emotional ties to our “stuff” can create clutter and affect our mood. An Oaks Integrated
Care specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive experience.
BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, Sept 10; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
If you are considering surgery, are in the process of preparing or have undergone surgery, you are welcome to attend our group. Family, friends and support persons are also welcome. This is a great opportunity to meet others going through the same weight loss journey. We focus on achieving optimal wellness through weight loss surgery. We will discuss different topics on nutrition, exercise and healthy living behaviors.
EXPERIENCE THE ENERGY OF YOUR CHAKRAS
Wednesday, Sept 11; 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Join this discussion and meditation to gain a fuller understanding of your Chakras and yourself! Learn how the Chakra system works, how its energy can benefit physical and emotional well-being and gain tools to build better relationships. Suitable for those who are brand new to Chakra meditation and those that are well practiced. Michelle Gerdes, RYT 200, yoga and meditation teacher, Reiki Master, and self-care educator. $15.
THE PHARMACY CLUB: WHAT IS POLYPHARMACY?
Monday, Sept 16; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for an informative session on polypharmacy, designed to help patients and caregivers understand the complexities of managing multiple medications. This event will
cover essential topics, including an introduction to polypharmacy and risks associated with polypharmacy.
TOURNAMENT TIMEYOU BOWL, WII BOWL
Monday, Sept 16; 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join Rehabilitative Services to show off your bowling skills! Learn about safe movements while having fun during this video game time. Physical Therapy will guide you through proper stretches and body mechanics while video bowling.
THE HOT SEAT: CHAIR DANCING
Wednesday, Sept 18; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. chair dance Exercise is a great way to incorporate cardio exercise into your day. You will also tone your core and learn a variety of dance moves! Keep your body moving and heart pumping. No experience required.
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
Wednesday, Sept 18; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Quieting your mind can have profound effects on your body and mind. Learn to lower the volume of your mind’s chatter. No experience necessary.
HEALTHRHYTHMS DRUM® CIRCLE
Wednesday, Sept 18; 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Drum your cares away with our monthly drum circle. It’s lots of fun and a great stress reliever. Beginners are welcome; drums will be provided. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP $15.
CATCH SOME ZZZZZ’S
Thursday, Sept 19; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Insomnia affects mental as well as physical health, making us more prone
to heart disease and other serious illnesses. Join Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Health Nurse, to learn more about how we should spend a third of our lives!
PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP
Tuesday, Sept 24; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
This group is for you to connect with others affected. Share and explore ways to improve lifestyle changes.
REIKI SHARE
Wednesday, Sept 25; 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. Please bring a sheet and small pillow.
WISE WOMEN
Thursday, Sept 26; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Join a community of women as we discuss relevant topics and find purpose, meaning and community.
SACRED BREATHWORK EXPERIENCE
Thursday, Sept 26; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join Kim Huston, Reiki Master and Certified Breathwork facilitator to learn about how this modality can help release negative patterns and fears that keep us stuck. Bring a yoga mat and blanket. $15.
HEARING PROBLEMS? THE BRAIN CONNECTOR
Monday, Sept 30; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
If you have normal hearing but have difficulty understanding words/speech in group or noisy settings you may have an Auditory Processing Disorder. Join Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., to learn
how to get tested for APD and the latest treatments to train the brain!
AARP DRIVING COURSE
Monday, Oct 7; 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Be a safer, better driver. Most insurance companies will lower your premium with a completion certificate. Bring your NJ or PA drivers license. Fee: $20 for AARP members presenting a valid AARP card; $25 for nonmembers.
AUTUMN BOOK ART
Monday, Oct 7; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Reflect upon art with poetry, art and by making a fun, decorative pumpkin and or/turkey centerpiece by recycling discarded books. All materials included. Led by Rochelle Stern, Expressive Art Facilitator. $15.
MEDICARE CHANGES FOR 2025
Monday, Oct 7; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
require
Better Health is a free program for VIP’s 65+ that combines medical education, interesting topics, and fun activities. Join today!
Who said men don’t talk? Men need a safe space to share thoughts and feelings too. That’s why this is a women-free zone just for men to talk about whatever is on their minds. This program will be led by Ted Taylor, Director, Spiritual Care and Volunteerism, and Coordinator, Palliative Care and Bioethics.
TAI CHI CLASSES
Thursday, Sept 5 + 19; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
YOGA CLASSES
Tuesday, Sept 10 + 24; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
MEDITATION CLASSES
Tuesday, Sept 10 + 24; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
CHAIR YOGA
Tuesday, Sept 10 + 24; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
SNACK & LEARN WITH SARA ALI, MD
Monday, Sept 16; 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Are you taking multiple medications? Join Dr. Ali to learn how much is too much, the risks associated, and how some medications work against each other. This is a deep dive into learning the risks associated with being over medicated.
FALL HEALTH FAIR – ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE WELCOME!
Tuesday, Sept 17; 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Our team will provide information on exercises to improve balance, medications that increase fall risks, balance screenings, blood pressure
screenings, and so much more! At 11 a.m., our speakers, Sara Ali, MD; Sarah Masco, OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, Senior Occupational Therapist; and Caitlin Yesis, AuD, CCC-A, will talk about great ways to prevent falls and common causes.
GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE WELLNESS WALK
Wednesday, Sept 18; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, Sept 19; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
ART THERAPY & HISTORY
Thursday, Sept 19; 10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Tapping into your creative side is a great way to de-stress, improve mental outlook, and simply have some fun. This program combines art history with an art project based on the works of artist, Georgia O’Keeffe. Using pastels, you will draw your own oversized flower and learn the techniques to layer and blend the pastels.
LUNCH & LEARN: IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR SENIORS THROUGH ROBOTIC ASSISTED ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
Thursday, Sept 26; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Be prepared for the upcoming year with changes to Medicare Part B, premiums and deductibles. Gina Rega, licensed insurance agent, specializing in Medicare and ACA will discuss changes you will be seeing for prescriptions, along with any other differences. Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms
Join us for this fascinating cutting-edge technology talk led by Michael Duch, MD, from The Orthopedic and Spine Institute at RWJUH Hamilton. Dr. Duch will share how we are improving outcomes for our seniors with robotic assisted surgery. Jennifer Pirozzi, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, Director of Perioperative Services, RWJUH Hamilton, will share insight on proper preparation and post-surgery protocols that improve overall outcomes.
*All programs
registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.
BrIEFS
Lawrence Hopewell Trail gets $148k design grant
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation has received a $148,505 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
The grant is earmarked for the design the Cleveland Road section, the final segment of the 20-mile Lawrence Hopewell Trail. With four other projects already underway, the LHTC aims to complete the trail loop by the end of 2026.
The Cleveland Road segment in Hopewell Township will stretch for about a half mile, linking segments in Hopewell and Lawrence Townships. This project will improve safety for all trail users by creating a multi-use path separated from vehicle traffic on Cleveland Road suitable for walkers, runners, and bicyclists.
As ongoing projects advance on either side, the LHT will extend from the Mount Rose Preserve on Carter Road to the existing connection on Province Line Road.
A group of walkers on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail.
The LHTC will work with the property owner and the two municipalities to develop a request for proposal (RFP) for publication in the fall of 2024.
Bid requirements include ensuring a cohesive design that enhances the LHT user experience and connectivity. Preliminary designs are on file.
The goal is to complete the Cleveland Road design phase by early 2025, followed by regulatory review and construction. If sufficient funding is secured, construction of the Cleveland Road segment could be completed by late 2025 or early 2026.
The LHTC has a long history of working collaboratively to develop the LHT with multiple community interests and partners.
“We are immensely grateful to the
NEWS continued from Page 3
LAWRENCE GAZETTE
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A proud member of:
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for this grant, showing their continuing commitment to our project,” said David Sandahl, board chair of the LHTC. “Thanks to their support, an inspired idea has evolved as a treasured community asset that benefits thousands each year.”
For more information about the Law-
rence Hopewell Trail Corporation and its ongoing projects, visit lhtrail.org or contact info@lhtrail.org.
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to developing and maintaining the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, funded almost entirely by private donations and grants.
The 20-mile multi-use trail connects
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various points of interest in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships, New Jersey. The LHTC is a member of the Circuit Trails, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails.
TWW to supply water to Bordentown utility
Trenton Water Works will begin supplying water to the City of Bordentown’s water utility for several months.
This move, approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection, comes in response to damage sustained by Bordentown’s water-treatment plant during recent flooding.
The agreement was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and Bordentown Mayor Jennifer Sciortino.
The arrangement will allow Bordentown’s water utility to maintain system pressure and boost capacity, while proceeding with repairs to high-lift pumps that were damaged in the April floods.
Bordentown’s water system serves nearly 40,000 residents across Bordentown City, Bordentown Township and Fieldsboro.
“Trenton Water Works has the capacity, infrastructure and expertise to pro-
vide drinking water to our neighboring communities,” said Gusciora. “We are pleased to assist the City of Bordentown in ensuring their water service remains uninterrupted.”
The MOU stipulates that Bordentown will build a 1,200-foot overland interconnection from TWW’s distribution system in Hamilton Township to its own system.
This interconnection will be constructed at Bordentown’s expense, including its operation and maintenance, while TWW will charge a bulk rate for the water supplied.
Field tests have confirmed that the interconnection will provide the necessary flow and pressure without impacting TWW’s regular customers.
Trenton Water Works, established in 1859, is one of the oldest and most comprehensive water systems in the United States. Drawing water from the Delaware River, TWW operates a 60-million-gallonper-day filtration plant on Route 29 South, the 100-million-gallon Pennington Avenue Reservoir, and a network that includes three pump stations, more than 3,500 fire hydrants, over 8,000 valves, six interconnections, six storage tanks, and 683 miles of water mains.
The emergency connection will have no impact on TWW’s regular customers.
We are at your service.
For more than 165 years, Trenton Water Works has provided drinking water to our vibrant communities today, that is approximately 30 million gallons daily for 217,000 residents. A source of great pride, we are happy to help the City of Bordentown Water Department supply this vital resource to our neighbors.
City of Trenton Department of Water and Sewer Sean Semple, Director W. Reed Gusciora, Mayor
Wet Basement?
A. PennAcchi & SonS. co.
and former Lawrence Township Police officer who detailed the story of his beloved German Shepherd, Moose, who died a hero in the line of duty.
In the midst of WWII, United States troops landed on Kiska, one of the two Aleutian Islands that Japanese forces had occupied. Upon exploring the island, the American’s discovered that Kiska had been evacuated. All that remained of the Japanese troops was some of their equipment and a few of their war dogs. Despite resistance from the dogs, the Americans managed to capture one well-trained German Shepherd as a “prisoner of war.”
was not permitted to attend. When the time came for Hewitt to separate from his dog, Moose was admitted to the U.S. Army K-9 Dog Training Academy in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The German Shepherd successfully graduated from the academy and was sent to a forward combat area in the Western Pacific. On June 20, 1945 Moose and his new master, Sgt. Richard Nowell, were on a patrol in an enemy village when an ambush occurred and a grenade was tossed towards the pair. Moose knew that the grenade was a weapon of war, but still picked it up and ran. That act saved Nowell’s life, but mortally wounded Moose when the weapon exploded.
In the following year, the dog grew to be an asset to the Americans who had captured him. The canine helped eliminate threats and provided comfort to American soldiers at night.
The US troops brought the German Shepherd with them to the Marshall Islands, where he was placed with Hewitt, a young soldier, and was later named Moose. The dog took to the name quickly and continued to work with the team, being so devoted to duty that he earned the title of honorary private.
After leaving the Marshall Islands, the young soldier and Moose separated. Hewitt was scheduled to begin extensive training for his next operation, which his canine
For his heroic action, Moose received a merit award from the United States Army Command in the Pacific. Now, Moose’s legacy is remembered through the name Hero Dog Park.
With the opening of the Hero Dog Park, Lawrence Township now has two off-leash dog areas, with the other located in the northern section of town at Village Park. Hero Dog Park is in the southern section of town, about five miles from Village Park, making it more accessible to some residents.
“People in [southern Lawrence Township] are genuinely excited to bring their dogs there,” said Lawrence Township
Municipal Manager Kevin Nerwinski.
Hamnett Park is within walking distance of some neighborhoods, including Colonial Lakelands, Colonial Heights and Harney’s Corner. Nerwinski anticipates that the typical low traffic at dog parks, coupled with the opportunity for residents of nearby neighborhoods to walk to the park, will mitigate the parking issues that arose during periods of higher traffic in the 1960s and ’70s.
The busyness that used to overflow Hamnett Park’s tiny parking lot was because of well-attended soccer matches that Lawrence Township’s Tom Hamnett Soccer Association once utilized park’s large field for, according to Nerwinski.
Since the early 1990s, other parks in town have taken over hosting sporting events, leaving Hamnett Park with more opportunities to be used freely. Most visitors in recent years have gravitated towards its small playground, leaving the vast field mostly untouched.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, park usage increased, and the benefits of outside activities became more apparent. At that time especially, outdoor recreational opportunities were a source for social, mental and physical well-being.
“[Parks] became very important,” Nerwinski said. “So to us, for quality of life purposes for our residents, improving and making the parks has been critical in continuing to be an important part of what we do.”
Along with park use, the pandemic sparked a surge in pet ownership. Over 200 new dog licenses were issued to Lawrence Township residents during the pandemic. When township officials decided to go through with building Hero Dog Park, their goal was to increase the use of the area while providing health benefits for dogs and their owners.
The township attempted to gain fund-
ing for the new dog park by applying for “Bark for your Park” grants from PetSafe in 2021 and 2022. After not being selected as a finalist in 2021, the township assembled an internal project team, lobbied for capital budget funding in the amount of $450,000 and developed engineering plans. It then reapplied for the grant award in 2022 and made it to the final round, but ultimately was not selected as a winner.
Nonetheless, the project team proceeded forward. James Parvesse, township municipal engineer, and Brenda Kraemer, assistant municipal engineer, were “instrumental” in developing plans for the park and determining the overall cost for its improvement, Nerwinski said..
The project took approximately eight months of construction at a cost of $500,000. Roughly half of the project budget was invested into constructing the two dog park areas. The rest of the budget went towards passive recreational improvements. Lawrence Township expects to receive a $125,000 grant from Mercer County’s Mercer at Play program to help with costs.
Hero Dog Park is fully complete, and not in need of any renovations at this point. Since its grand opening, dogs and their owners have taken advantage of the park’s amenities, including dog park equipment, shade structures and benches.
Many Lawrence Township residents asked township officials to make improvements to Hamnett Park, and now those wishes have come to fruition
“We’re very excited to unveil these great new amenities at Hamnett Park and Hero Dog Park for our residents to enjoy,” said Mayor Patricia Hendricks Farmer in a township news release. “The dog park will provide a safe, enclosed area for pets to run and play, while the other upgrades create more opportunities for walking, relaxing and taking in nature.”
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hours of training prior to the date of the election to educate them on procedures. This includes lessons on how to operate machinery, common voting procedures and verifying the voters as residents of the town where they are voting.
Although the position of poll worker is a volunteer role, financial compensation is provided. Workers can earn $150 for a half-day shift or $300 for a full-day.
Moyer attributes the low number of volunteers in part to changes introduced in Mercer County in August 2021, including updated voting technology. The new systems, which feature a paper backup, were implemented in response to public demand for greater security and reliability.
However, the new technology has led to some reluctance among potential poll workers, particularly older individuals who may find the new systems intimidating, Moyer said.
The Board of Elections is particularly keen on attracting younger volunteers. Moyer noted that they are often more adept with technology, which could help mitigate the challenges posed by the new voting machines.
recruit more poll workers included a public outreach campaign over the summer that culminated with a celebration on National Election Board Worker Recruitment Day on Aug. 1.
The event, which took place at the Board of Elections office in Lawrence, featured election board worker program information, along with a display of election voting equipment, the opportunity for residents to register to vote, and light refreshments.
Residents of Mercer County can find more about eligibility criteria, duties and hours of work on the Board of Elections website at mercercounty.org/boardscommissions/board-of-elections/ board-worker-training.
For those interested in becoming poll workers, the application process is straightforward. Go to mercercounty. org/boards-commissions/board-ofelections/board-worker-application, where residents will find applications for new board workers, reappointment board workers (who served during the 2023 elections) and student board workers.
“We’ve been sending letters to colleges to try and get their students to come on board. They seem to pick up the lingo and tech stuff easier,” she said.
Mike Sherr, a Ewing resident and recent graduate of The College of New Jersey, has firsthand experience as a poll worker. Sherr, 21, worked at the polls last fall and believes that increasing the number of young volunteers could improve the overall process.
“Being the youngest person in a room full of older people trying to do a job like that was stressful,” Sherr said. “Sometimes they needed extra help, which is fine, but it sometimes fell on me as a younger person to provide that help.”
He added: “As someone who was doing this for the first time, I was in no way prepared to be doing any kind of helping. I think that if more younger people did it, it would be a better experience for everyone, just to have people be more engaged in the process.”
The Board of Elections campaign to
After completing the application, candidates will receive an email invitation to sign up for training. First-time volunteers will undergo a two-and-a-half to three-hour training session covering machinery operation and voting procedures, while repeat volunteers can take advantage of refresher courses. Additionally, the Board is working on providing online training, which is expected to be available starting in September.
Training begins this month to prepare for the November election. On Election Day, volunteers are expected to work either a full day or a half day, with voting hours running from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Workers are required to arrive at the voting sites no later than 5:15 a.m.
“The dedicated citizens who serve as Election Day board workers truly are the unsung heroes of our election process,” Moyer said. “We hope that through this recruitment effort, even more Mercer County residents will take advantage of the opportunity to serve. We all work together to make sure our state can vote responsibly. Every vote counts.”
Annual beer fest on tap for Sept. 28
The Central Jersey Beer Fest is Saturday Sept. 28 at noon. An annual event that has grown into a tasting extravaganza, the Central Jersey Beer Fest offers samplings of craft beer, seltzers, wine, spirits and more.
In the past #CJBeerFest has featured more than 100 offerings from mostly local brewers showcasing their newest and some of their fan favorites in the beverage industry included in the tasting ticket price. Also featured are food trucks, live bands and a variety of other crafty vendors. The festival attracts an average of 3,000-plus festival lovers. Folks come from the Mercer County area and beyond.
As with past events, there will be a strong focus on education and safety— drink responsibly and have fun. Each year the event supports area nonprofits, including happysmilesfoundation.com, WhatsMyName.org and more. Attendees must be age 21-plus to enter. Always recommend is inviting a designated driver, getting a ride, or using ride share options. Tip: schedule a ride a head of time.
This event provides patrons with an unparalleled chance to sample craft beers from a wide variety of brewers, and more— even for those who “think” they don’t like beer. It’s a great chance to have a small sample of so many new styles with different flavor profiles, but also being able to enjoy other items, including some cocktails in a can, ciders and seltzers.
The tasting event is allowed for four solid hours during the festival, but there is so much more. There will be creative food vendors, live music by the Polish Nannies, and backyard games—such as bean bag toss and more. They will make the festival a lively day out with friends.
“With all the other things going on, we encourage our guests to hang out while eating, listening to live music, playing games, and supporting our various other vendors, all the while remembering to drink responsibly,” said a CJBF news release. Check out the event’s websites and social media accounts. For tickets and up to date info , go to blendbar.com and CJBEERFEST.com
The event is rain or shine and tents will be set up in case Mother Nature decides not to cooperate. Outside food and beverages are not allowed, but bring lawn chairs. The Central Jersey Beer Fest keeps getting bigger and better so start fall off with a bang and be part of the fun. Share your photos and experience of the event using #CJBEERFEST on all major social media platforms.
For more information, contact Blend Bar and Bistro, 911 Route 33, Hamilton. drinks@blendbar.com and info@cjbeerfest. com. To speak to someone regarding the festival sponsorship and marketing opportunities, call Antonio at 609-817-5550.
Visit cjbeerfest.com to purchase tickets in advance and use code CNS2024 to save.
The voice behind grammy-winning composer’s latest work
By Jasmine Lee
Natalie Christa Rakes finds herself at the convergence of memory and music in her performance on “Memoir” — Grammy-winning composer Steven Mackey’s deeply personal and dramatic new piece.
“Memoir”, a recently released 75-minute CD, is narrated by Rakes and backed by musical performances by the Dover String Quartet and percussion group Arx Duo. Mackey is a Princeton resident and has been a professor of music at Princeton University since 1985.
Bridge Records, the label that released “Memoir,” describes it as “an emotional journey through the life of Mackey’s mother, Elaine.” The project highlights Rakes’ unique voice, with her performance drawing on her own life experiences.
Born and raised in a religious household in the small town of Churchville, Pennsylvania, Rakes had a childhood steeped in the quiet tempo of suburban life. The current Lawrence Township resident says she often felt the pull to explore a world beyond the one she knew, and her love for music and the arts unfolded at Council Rock High School.
The Rakes family rarely stuck to the “straight and narrow” path. Her father, Jerry Rakes, was a “self-made man” who pursued a career in restoring classic cars and building a successful auto body business. Rakes says the members of her family were all dreamers and artists, and she knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Rakes says her father supported her efforts to forge a path in the arts instead of pursuing a traditional career, but see-
Poppins on Broadway. Rakes says that Myka’s influence was profound, and she fondly recalls writing letters to her as a child, thanking her for revealing “another side of the world.”
Rakes’ early expeditions into the music world began with the viola and piano in elementary and middle school, but the bass guitar truly resonated with her. In high school, she began writing original songs and playing in various bands — a passion that continued into her 20s and early 30s.
“Playing the bass was the start of me learning that I loved music so much,” Rakes says.
Her journey took her across the globe, including a period with a 1960s garage rock band that toured extensively and appeared on a reality television show. She also dabbled in pop music, achieving multiple number one hits on European dance charts and contributing to soundtracks for television shows like “American Horror Story” and “The L Word.”
However, it was her experience working at Warner Brothers that provided a different perspective on the music industry.
ing her take that risk was also terrifying for him.
“He didn’t want me to end up with noth ing,” says Rakes. “He had a really hard time when I moved to LA to pursue my dreams.”
Her father’s brother, Pal Rakes, was a musician who was signed to major record labels, including Warner Brothers, Atlan tic Records, and others. Exposure to her
uncle’s musical journey planted the seed
“I learned a lot about the behind-thescenes of making money in a band, which can be pretty hard,” she explains. This knowledge proved to be invaluable as she
Natalie Christa Rakes was working as Steven Mackey’s assistant when a simple request led her to become the voice of ‘Memoir.’
ing composers of his generation and has composed for orchestra, chamber ensembles, dance and opera,” says the Princeton University Music Department’s website.
He has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Album in 2010 for “Dreamhouse,” and won the Grammy for Best Small Ensemble Performance in 2012 for “Lonely Motel: Music From Slide.”
Known for his innovative approach to classical music, Mackey was inspired by his mother’s unpublished memoir, a document encapsulated within a loose-leaf three-ringed binder that offered a raw and candid glimpse into her life.
According to the Bridge Records website, “Ms. Mackey bore witness to the tumultuous 20th Century — The Great Depression, WWII, while battling social anxiety, divorce and alcoholism. She writes with disarming candor about her experiences, which are brought to life in son Steve’s propulsive, yet tender, heartfelt score.”
Mackey says that initially, the idea of setting such a personal story to music was daunting, but he saw potential in the narrative’s simplicity and emotional depth.
“My mother was an ordinary person, but she had an interesting life,” Mackey says. “Her memoir wasn’t a poem or literature; it was just her truth, written to be very simplistic.”
The process of transforming Elaine Mackey’s life story into a musical composition came with its own set of triumphs and obstacles. Mackey experimented with a variety of musical styles and techniques to properly convey the emotions of his mother’s lived experiences.
Rakes’ involvement came in 2019 when Mackey asked her to record a few paragraphs from his mother’s memoir. “He came to me with a piece of paper in his hand and said, ‘Can you record this into my phone?’” Rakes recalls. “I didn’t even think twice about it.”
What started as a simple recording exercise quickly transformed into something more. As Mackey began composing, he found that Rakes brought an unexpected exuberance to the project. Her voice, with its natural sweetness and Pennsylvania roots, reminded him of his mother, making her the perfect fit for the part.
“We all began to love her voice,” Mackey says. “It wasn’t just a voice recording anymore; she became a performer in her own right.”
The “Memoir” project demanded a deep emotional connection to the material, something Rakes was able to achieve through a careful balance of artistic interpretation and respect for Elaine Mackey’s lived experiences. The process of embodying Elaine’s character required
Rakes to navigate the complexities of Elaine’s life, from her youthful fervor to the darker moments of struggle and loss.
“I had to change characters three times throughout the performance, for each paragraph,” Rakes explains. “It was a lot of bouncing back and forth, but it was so beautifully done that it was a very smooth transition.”
Rakes noted that one of the biggest hurdles she needed to overcome within this project was memorizing the entire piece, which runs over an hour. Rakes admits that the task seemed daunting at first, but she ultimately succeeded — a feat she considers one of her greatest accomplishments.
The project also required Rakes to perform live, something she hadn’t done in years. She found the experience incredibly rewarding.
“Performing and being in front of people in the crowd, seeing their faces light up with laughter in the audience — it just really feeds me as an artist and actress,” she says.
“Memoir” has been performed live several times, with notable performances including: Princeton; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Providence, Rhode Island; and Seattle, Washington. The recording, which features Rakes’ narration alongside the Dover Quartet and Arx Duo, was released on August 16 on all major platforms.
For Rakes, the project has been a career-defining moment, one that has opened new possibilities for her future. While she continues to work closely with Mackey, she is excited about the potential for new collaborations and projects.
“I’ve loved that this experience has allowed me to travel and be up on stage,” Rakes says. “Anyone who wants to pursue creative aspects and musical areas should just do it because I doubted myself a lot, and I’ve gotten so many no’s from people. It’s so important to keep pushing forward.”
As for her future in the field, Rakes sees endless possibilities. “The world is getting smaller and smaller, and it would be such a shame to let your talent die out,” she says. “I’m just so grateful to be able to share this dream and live it.”
Mackey’s “Memoir” is a testament to the power of music and memory, a project that has not only honored the life of Elaine Mackey but also brought Rakes into the spotlight as a narrator and performer.
Both Mackey and Rakes say they hope that listeners will be moved by the story, finding their connections to the themes of love, loss, and resilience that resonate throughout the piece.
For Rakes, the journey from Bucks County to the world stage was anything but ordinary, and she hopes her role in “Memoir” is just the beginning.
Mackey on ‘Memoir’
Editor’s note: Composer Steven Mackey wrote the following about his composition “Memoir,” the subject of the story on page 13. It was originally published on the website of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, www.curtis.edu.
‘Memoir” is a 75-minute music-theater work for narrator, string quartet, and percussion duo. It is also a 40-minute purely instrumental chamber work. In terms of the flexibility of scope and the interplay of score and script, a good comparison would be A Soldier’s Tale by Stravinsky/ Ramuz. Like that work, “Memoir” can be staged simply with a narrator and the musical ensemble, performed without any narration as an excerpted suite of instrumental music, or have a fully staged production with sets, costumes and video projections.
Unlike the abstracted allegory of A Solider’s Tale which is based on a wellknown Russian Folk Tale, “Memoir” is an adaptation of my own mother’s memoir which gives the process and the product a heightened personal connection. The script is a series of short vignettes which trace Elaine Mackey’s life as a first-generation American, born in Steel Town USA, coming of age in the Great Depression, escaping an ill-fated Hollywood marriage to work for the Department of Defense in post-war Europe and raising a family in Northern California in the volatile 60’s.
music that sprang out of them. As Director Mark DeChiazza pointed out, singing and dancing were huge in my mother’s life (she appeared several times as a vocal soloist on a local TV station and was an excellent jitterbugger). Music is ubiquitous in her stories. My own compositional language is surely influenced by listening to her sing constantly around the house before my evolution through decades of my own experimentation. Also, “Memoir” more directly references “her” music including her signature song — “Night and Day” — and the lullaby medley she sang to me as a child. Overall, the musical language of “Memoir” is a bit simpler and more direct than I would do if I were writing a piece without connection to this text. Her voice, ringing through these stories, asked for something more innocent.
The combination of the Dover Quartet and arx duo (percussion) is ideally suited for “Memoir”. There are plenty of opportunities to employ the grave expressivity idiomatic to the string quartet as well as the playful spirit, wit and irony made possible by the surprising variety of sounds available to a percussion duo.
Against the backdrop of the events of the 20th century, a la Forrest Gump, there is a touching candor and vulnerability to my mom’s stories revealing the tension between her shy nature and her longing for adventure; her “nice-girl” upbringing and her openness to experience. Familiar themes of love, loss, gender roles, and social mores ensconced in her intense personal struggle with alcoholism and its stigma.
A vignette from her teens clearly embodies her essential struggle:
“I went to the swimming pool with my boyfriend Jim McHugh and a group of friends. Everyone except me, I guess, knew how to swim and headed for the deep end of the pool and jumped in. I was too embarrassed to admit that I couldn’t swim and I didn’t want to be a party pooper so I jumped in too.”
Composing “Memoir” was exhilarating! The stories are so musically suggestive that at times I felt like I couldn’t keep up with the task of writing down the
The string quartet has a particular knack for warm, emotional and profound musical expression and the diverse, often surprising timbral possibilities of the percussion duo brings wit, irony, and a playful spirit to the stage. Rich and complex experiences result from the multi-valent combinations of the two elements. Many of my mother’s stories ask me to combine two contrasting musical characters in order to spark a fresh, more particular musical alchemy. For example, the pickle she is in when she finds herself simultaneously engaged to Jim (her high school sweetheart) and Jerry (the tall, dark and handsome musician she met in Los Angeles while on a trip to visit relatives) inspires a counterpoint between the gentle warmth of Jim’s music and Jerry’s dark groove — a merge that I would not have thought of in the absence of her vignette.
The final vignette is not from my mother’s memoir but from my own. It is me telling of the story of her passing. She told me and all those close to her that “today will be my last day.” In the end she overcame alcoholism and crippling shyness in order to be fully in charge of her own destiny.
Mackey
VOTE BY MAIL NOTICE TO PERSONS WANTING MAIL-IN BALLOTS
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Dated: September 10, 2024, Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County Clerk, 209 S. Broad St., Election Dept., P.O. Box 8068, Trenton, NJ 08650, 609-989-6495
PHONES continued from Page 1
impact academic performance and contribute to heightened stress and anxiety among teenagers,” the release states. “By limiting device usage during instructional periods, we aim to foster a more engaging and supportive educational atmosphere, where students can fully concentrate on academics and prioritize their mental health.”
Devices will still be allowed during noninstructional periods, such as transitions between classes and lunch breaks. The policy reflects ongoing efforts to balance the benefits of technology with the need for focused learning.
In addition to the high school changes, Lawrence Middle School, Lawrence Intermediate School, and all four elementary schools in the district will continue enforcing the “Away for the Day” policy.
Under this policy, students are prohibited from using or accessing phones and smartwatches for communication throughout the school day. Phones must be turned off and stored in book bags from arrival until dismissal. While smartwatches can be worn, they may not be used for texting or calling.
New bill requires literacy screenings in grades K-3
A pair of bills were approved in August by Gov. Phil Murphy and the state legislatures establishing new initiatives to help ensure young students become strong readers. The legislation implements a number of strategies, including targeted intervention, tested learning strategies, teacher training and continuous monitoring.
“Literacy education represents the foundation upon which all future learning is built, and we owe it to our children to give them the strongest foundation possible,” Murphy said.
Senator Shirley Turner, a Lawrence Township resident was a cosponsor of one of the bills. She said that recent test scores show significant drops in student performance compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, with preexisting disparities worsening for students of color, low-income students, and those with disabilities.
“The academic performance data is abundant and alarming, and we must utilize it in our efforts to ensure all students have a fair shot at success in school,” Turner said.
The first bill requires school districts to conduct literacy screenings at least twice annually for students in grades K-3, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The districts must notify parents and guardians of their child’s results within 30 days of the close of the initial screen-
ing period. The Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes $5.25 million for literacy initiatives to advance the initiative.
The bill also establishes the Working Group on Student Literacy. This group, made up of members appointed by the Commissioner of Education from all regions of the state, will be responsible for making recommendations to the DOE on the implementation of evidence-based literacy strategies, screening methods and instruction for students, in addition to investigating ways to expand professional learning.
The DOE will then develop and publish guidance for school districts to use beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. It will also establish an online resource center to aid school districts in the selection of literacy instructional materials, including data analysis tools, as part of the school district’s implementation of the N.J. Student Learning Standards in English Language Arts.
The DOE will also create a professional development program for early education teaching staff, including librarians and those serving multilingual learners and/ or students with disabilities. This will be available to all districts at no cost.
According to Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, statistics show that 57.6%
See LITERACY, Page 14
of all third graders statewide are not meeting reading proficiency levels. Those numbers increase to 73.6% for Black, and 72.5% for Latino third graders not reading at grade level.
She adds that literacy helps set students up for greater success in life. Median earnings rise from $35,500 for those without a high school diploma to $66,600 for those with a bachelor’s degree.
The second bill, which was cosponsored by Turner, establishes the Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery in the Department of Education.
The office will tasked with improving the DOE’s capacity to make data-driven decisions, coordinate resources and research best practices to support the creation of effective literacy, learning equity, learning acceleration policies, and professional development opportunities.
“Establishing the new Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery will help improve our understanding of the factors that impact students reading ability and will implement new data-driven strategies to get students back on track,” Sen. Turner said.
David Gentile, superintendent of the Ewing Township School District lauded the measures. “With investment from the state to support professional development
and resource exploration, we are dedicated to improving our foundational literacy experience for students,” Gentile said.
The commitment to universally screen elementary students twice a year to determine their strengths and areas for growth “is essential to moving our students forward and sharing strategies with families,” Gentile said.
Robbinsville Public Schools acting Superintendant Jeff Gorman said that the district is committed to implementing the laws’ strategies and supporting educators “with the most current research-based and research-proven resources necessary to elevate student outcomes.”
West Windsor-Plainsboro School District Chief Academic Officer Barbara Gould, a former literacy coach, said young student literacy is “an area of interest and passion” for her.
She said that new law directly supports the state’s new student learning assessments standards—especially the K-3 standards, which are expected to be implemented this year.
“The adoption of the new literacy law is a great first step in New Jersey’s efforts to impact the opportunity gap and improve literacy achievement amongst all students by implementing universal screening in grades K-3 and informing caregivers of results,” Gould said.
Secure Drop Box Locations Secure Drop Box Locations
VOTERS MAY DELIVER THEIR MAIL-IN BALLOTS FROM THE TIME
RECEIVE THEM UP TO THE TIME POLLS CLOSE AT 8 PM ON ELECTION DAY
and until 8pm on election day unless noted.
EAST WINDSOR:
East Windsor Courthouse – 80 One Mile Road
EWING:
Ewing Municipal Building – 2 Jake Garzio Drive
Mercer County Office Complex- 1440 Parkside Ave.
The College of New Jersey - 1872 Pennington Road
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP:
Hamilton Golf/Call Center – 5 Justice Samuel A. Alito Way
Hamilton Municipal Building – 2090 Greenwood Ave
Nottingham Firehouse – 200 Mercer St.
HIGHTSTOWN:
Hightstown Firehouse #1 – 140 N. Main St.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP:
Hopewell Township Administration Building –201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd.
LAWRENCE:
Board of Elections - 930 Spruce St.
Lawrence Municipal Building –2207 Lawrenceville Road, (Rt 206)
PRINCETON:
Princeton Municipal Building
Princeton University Wawa/Dinky Station152 Alexander St., ROBBINSVILLE:
Robbinsville Municipal Building - 2298 NJ-33
TRENTON:
County Clerk’s Office - Courthouse Annex209 S. Broad St.
Trenton City Hall – 319 E. State St.
Henry J. Austin Center – 321 N. Warren St.
Trenton Central High School – 400 Chambers St.
WEST WINDSOR:
West Windsor Municipal Complex271 Clarksville Road – 400 Witherspoon St.
Back to school sPEcIal
Back to school for all ages: You’re never too old to learn
While back to school season places the focus on kids moving into new grades, new schools, and new classes, education is not just a young person’s game. Learning can be a life-long endeavor, and several programs in the region offer adult learners the opportunity to explore new subjects, revisit old interests, or enhance their professional credentials.
Princeton Adult School
Founded in 1939, the Princeton Adult School offers a wide range of online and in-person courses for ages 18 and up. All are welcome; there are no residency requirements to enroll. Most inperson classes are held at Princeton High School, 151 Moore Street, Princeton. Cost per course varies based on the number and duration of sessions.
of health and wellness, programs range from the very active — dance and bicycling — to courses on astrology, emotional healing, and nutrition.
It’s not all health food, though. Chefs from the region all present courses on chocolate, Latin American cuisine, cupcake making, Indian food, cheese making, and more.
PAS hosts courses for English language learners as well as classes in American Sign Language and in Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian for various skill levels.
Classes on offer for the fall semester include practical topics in business,
“Our goal is to meet the learning interests and needs of the area’s diverse adult community in pursuing intellectual growth, workplace skills, job opportunities, and personal and civic well-being in a convenient and enjoyable education experience,” PAS states as its mission.
technology, and personal finance, such as estate planning and learning to use Microsoft Office. Others cover gardening, home decor, and making your house more energy efficient. In the field
Classes also cover more traditional academic subjects, including art, writing, literature, history, music, astronomy, and more. PAS also offers a handful of limited lecture series on a variety of subject matters. Topics for this fall semester are “International Hot Spots: Crisis in Context,” “El Camino de Santiago,” “Blood, Guts and Betrayal — A
See LEARNING, Page 24
All for Dance
Celebrating 20 Years
All for Dance has seen a lot of numbers over its 20 years in Robbinsville.
When they opened their doors in September, 2004, they had two studios and three teachers.
Two decades later, there are four studios and 20 teachers.
More than 3,000 families — from right in Robbinsville as well as from towns much farther away areas — have entrusted owners Cynthia Coolidge and Holly Yablonowitz and their staff for dance instruction.
The smiles, those are countless, but a huge part of All for Dance.
“If I sum it up in just a few words, it's just gratitude,” Yablonowitz said. “And excitement that we got to share our love of dance within this amazing dance community for the last 20 years and excitement to continue for many years to come.”
All for Dance has been able to expand its location at The Shoppes at Foxmoor over the years in response to its growing demands. They offer instruction in nine different dance styles – ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, pointe and tap. More than 650 students ages 2 to almost 80 attend the more than 100 classes offered Monday through Saturday. All for Dance also offers a competitive team for those most intensely driven. The
faculty that includes Coolidge and Yablonowitz has hundreds of years of combined teaching experience. Former and current students have taken on leadership roles for less experienced dancers.
Yablonowitz says that people choose dance for a variety of reasons. Some are drawn by the art of dance and the freedom of expression. Others enjoy the exercise. Some love the sense of community. Others just want a break from the stresses of life and school. All for Dance prides itself on being a welcoming dance home to students no matter what the motivation.
“I really feel like every person can get something different out of dance,”
she said. “And those things that they embrace at our studio, then they can take with them for the rest of their lives.”
Underlying lessons from dance such as commitment, perseverance and patience also last a lifetime. All for Dance looks beyond its instruction. Two years ago, All for Dance became a chapter sponsor of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts to recognize student dancers that achieve a high level of academic excellence on top of their passion and dedication to the art of dance. All for Dance also seeks out and supports worthy community service projects, something that goes hand in hand with positively impacting the lives of
those in its community.
“Our staff makes a difference in our students’ lives every day and dance brings joy in our studio that is hard to describe,” Yablonowitz said. “Spreading that joy with the community around us and making a difference in people’s lives outside of our walls is a big part of our studio mission. We have a very strong dance community that loves dance, supports each other and loves to support the communities around us. It is really special.”
All for Dance’s 21st season begins September 5. Classes run from September through May. All for Dance opens enrollment in March each year, and they take on new students until the end of October if space permits.
In June, Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried and Robbinsville Township Council presented All for Dance with a proclamation to recognize their 20th year as an impactful and respected business in the community. The gesture was particularly meaningful for Coolidge and Yablonowitz, who have felt at home since the first day their studio opened Robbinsville.
“To be able to build a community like this who just all love to be together and dance has just been amazing.”
For more information, visit allfordancestudio.com, call 609426-4050 or email questions@ allfordancestudio.com.
Back-to-school checklist
The start of the new school year is right around the corner. Parents can ease the big change and alleviate stress by using this back-to-school readiness checklist from the RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health network and the RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group:
Fill out any forms your school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms before school starts.
Be sure your child has a sturdy backpack with padded shoulder straps and avoid overloading it.
Schedule an appointment
Inform the school nurse and teachers about medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes, and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day. Coordinate with the school nurse to administer medications your child might need.
Stay up to date with flu and recommended childhood vaccines. Children 12 and over may also be vaccinated for COVID-19; ask your primary care provider for more information.
To schedule an appointment with an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider, please visit rwjbh.org/medicalgroup or call 1-888-724-7123
a bedtime routine at least one week before school starts. Pack a healthy, balanced lunch with a mix of protein, grains, fruit and vegetables, if possible.
Let teachers know about conditions that may affect your child’s ability to learn. For example, children with ADHD should be seated in the front of the classroom and children with vision problems should sit near the board.
Your insurance accepted RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group providers accept most major insurances. Medical insurance varies by provider, please call your insurance carrier to verify coverage.
Establish
Kelsey Theatre at MCCC
A Community Resource for the Arts
The Kelsey Theatre at MCCC is your community resource for the arts in Central New Jersey, now in its 52nd year.
Conveniently located on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College, The Kelsey Theatre’s mission is to enrich and uplift local residents through affordable, high-quality theater productions, arts education programs, and performance opportunities. We design these programs to support and entertain from cradle to career and beyond so that interest in the arts may evolve into a life-long passion. Featuring the work of 10 different resident semi-professional theater companies, plus a student company, we put together a season featuring something for everyone, from musicals to comedies and dramas, from classics to contemporary, from
Back to school sPEcIal sEctIoN
family fare to offerings that are a tad more risqué. Keeping the price affordable for the average person is very important to Kelsey Theatre, so no ticket price is over $30.
All of our musicals utilize live orchestras, which in the upcoming season include “Groundhog Day,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Disney’s Beauty & The Beast,” “Tarzan,” “Oklahoma!,”
“Kinky Boots,” “Anything Goes,” “1776,” and “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Our season also includes comedies, dramas, and holiday shows: “Steel Magnolias,” “Blithe Spirit,” “The Best Time of the Year,” “The Kelsey Holiday Extravaganza,” “The Clean House,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “Deathtrap,” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
And for our younger audience members we have “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “The Nutcracker,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “The Ballad of Mulan,” and “The Magical Library of Miss Miriam Habersham!” Rounding out the season will be Reock & Roll Revue’s “John Lennon — The Solo Recordings” and our Sing-Along Play-Along to the Movie events — “White Christmas,” “Mamma Mia,” and Disney’s “Tangled.”
Season subscriptions now available! More information is available online at www. kelseytheatre.org or call 609-5703333.
The Kelsey Theatre at Mercer is also home to Tomato Patch Workshops — multi-disciplinary summer workshops, as well as Tomato Patch Jr., which is now open for registration. These10-week-long Saturday morning theater workshops explore creativity, movement, improvisation, and start September 21 for ages 4 to 14.
Visit www.tomatopatch.org for more information.
RSM Princeton
Building Powerful Minds Through Mathematics
What is the Russian School of Mathematics? RSM is an award-winning after school math enrichment program trusted by parents for over 25 years across 75+ locations in North America. Our unique approach consists of a continuous kindergarten to high-school curriculum, taught by expert teachers, in a classroom environment of peers who study together year over year. K-12 students can choose from various classes to prepare them for the school year, math competition courses for additional challenge, or test prep courses. Fall math classes now enrolling at RSM Princeton! There is no better time to join RSM than in Fall! Get started by scheduling a free math evaluation for your child or visit our website to see the Fall schedule of classes: www.mathschool.com/ locations/princeton. For any questions you might have, please feel free to call us at 732-708-4905 or email us at princeton@mathschool.com.
An award-winning math program. Featured in NPR and the Atlantic magazine as one of the key players in the “Math Revolution,” and ranked “among the top schools in the world” by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM helps children of all levels build a solid math
foundation and develop their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. As Masha Gershman, the VP of Marketing at RSM, states in her Ted talk “Uncertain Times Call for Certain Math”, advanced mathematics is not only within the grasp of every child but is also a crucial skill for achieving success in any field.
Our program is built around how a child’s mind works. Designed as a continuous program from K-12, our curriculum was developed by our team of academics specializing in mathematics, education, and child development. Our curriculum has continually been perfected by our curriculum department over the last two decades. Three levels for every grade allow us to meet children where they are and place them in an environment
suited to them. This ensures that students can begin our program at any time and be challenged appropriately in an environment of peers. Talented faculty. All of our teachers have a background in mathematics or related field and a deep passion for the subject. Our extensive training program prepares our teachers to teach according to our specific methodology. Our teachers guide students to think about mathematics logically and conceptually, building deep connections between concepts, all in a classroom environment that keeps children consistently challenged.
How do I enroll my child?
For every interested student, we offer a free 30-minute math evaluation which is the best way to learn more about our program. An evaluation is an informal conversation with the potential student and his/ her family in order to understand what gradeappropriate math skills the student has before entering RSM. Our principal will walk you through our curriculum, and methodology, and answer any questions you may have.
Coming in September: RSM Edison, 3840 Park Avenue, Unit 208D, Edison. 908-263-8763. edison@mathschool.com. www.mathschool.com/ locations/edison.
St. George Preschool
A Safe Place for Growth
At St. George Preschool, we believe that each child has an innate drive for exploring, discovering, communicating, and learning.
Our purpose is to provide a safe, warm, and nurturing environment for children to develop this innate drive to the fullest, and become life-long learners. Our goal is to help each child develop his/her individual interests, creativity and potential at their own pace by providing a wide variety of fun and age-appropriate activities and materials.
In addition to the developmental goals in the areas of math, language, science, cognitive skills, motor skills, etc., stipulated by the state, the school aims to promote learning skills for life.
At the same time, we aim to enhance the child’s social, moral, cultural and spiritual growth through group interactions, uplifting stories, cultural events and gentle guidance. Since “a healthy mind is in a healthy body” as the Ancient Greeks said, we provide a huge indoors gym and a beautiful play ground with regular physical activities.
Back to school
We offer high quality academic English programs for Preschool (3 years and potty trained) and Pre-K (must be 4 years old by October 1 of school year). Early morning care, after care, and enrichment programs are also available. We are part of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church and state licensed by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services. Our experienced staff has
a passion building a foundation for a life-long love of learning.
We are truly a family and we treat your children as such. For more information regarding our program, please visit our website: stgeorgepreschool.org.
Saint George Preschool, 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton. 609-5862223. Contact director Angela Gering at director@stgeorgepreschool.org.
Princeton Ballet School
Now Enrolling for Fall!
Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, is now enrolling for Fall 2024 for ages 3 through adult!
With locations in Princeton, Cranbury, and New Brunswick, Princeton Ballet School offers classes in ballet, modern dance, jazz, hiphop, character, and more. What sets Princeton Ballet School apart from the usual dance school are its affiliation with a professional ballet company, its renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, dedication to live music in the classroom, and philosophy to nurture developing dancers in a safe and progressive way.
Princeton Ballet School has gained an international reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by Audrée Estey. Under the current direction of Aydmara Cabrera, the school also provides performance opportunities, including participation in American Repertory Ballet’s celebrated annual production of The Nutcracker!
St. George Preschool
Enroll now for the 2024-2025 school year
Classes for 3 year olds and 4 year olds
Potty trained
Full- 1/2 day, early morning drop off, late pick up schedules available Competitive tuition rates - secure environment indoor gym - outdoor playground - qualified educators
St. George Greek Orthodox Church 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619 www.stgeorgepreschool.org
Angela Gering Director
Excellence in Early Education
Back to school
Call 609-921-7758 or visit www. arballet.org for more information, and to enroll now!
Studios: 301 North Harrison Street,
Princeton; 29 North Main Street, Cranbury; New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 60 Bayard Street, New Brunswick.
UNSTOPPABLE Curiosity
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Princeton Day School
Experience Excellence
Experience the excellence of Princeton Day School at our Open Campus Day on Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Explore our expansive 106-acre campus featuring state-of-the-art STEAM centers,
new athletic facilities, innovative arts spaces and a full garden and apiary. Join us to see firsthand how Princeton Day School fosters discovery, exploration and innovation in students PreK-12. Don’t miss this chance to be part of our community. Register today to secure your spot at pds.org/ admission! Applications for the 20242025 school year open on September 3.
Hamilton Dental Associates
The Importance of Orthodontic Care for Your Children
Growing up makes for a constantly evolving experience for children. Every year they change and grow into the person they are destined to become, and that extends to their oral health. From the first baby tooth to their adult teeth coming in later in their lives, managing your child’s dental health presents unique challenges for parents. With those challenges come a few myths involving childhood tooth development that can impact how you treat your child’s dental health.
Combating Childhood Oral Health Myths.
When you start looking for a pediatric dentist in Hamilton, you want to find one that knows how intensive taking care of your child’s teeth should be. Taking a proactive approach to their dental health can help them avoid more involved procedures down the road — one of the most common myths that lead to your child’s teeth suffering in the long run.
Common Myth #1: Childhood Teeth Will Straighten Out Over Time
One such myth that leads to more complex orthodontic care down the line is that your child’s teeth will straighten out over time. Unfortunately, that is not the case. If their teeth start coming in crooked or off-center, they won’t naturally straighten them-
selves with time.
The space for their teeth to come in doesn’t grow as they mature. If you leave these issues unattended, it could lead to more significant problems.
Common Myth #2: Orthodontic Treatments Are Purely Cosmetic
While most people associate orthodontic treatments with getting braces as a teenager, that procedure does much more than merely straighten teeth to help you look better. Getting your jaw and teeth back into proper alignment has a cascading effect on your oral health. It helps improve your biting, chewing, and even speaking ability.
Common Myth #3: There Is a Right Age for Orthodontic Care
Many parents believes there is a specific age at which it’s appropriate to bring their children in for orthodontic care. The perceived minimum age for a child to receive orthodontic care is around 12-13 or right when they reach high school. However, getting your child such care earlier can help avoid getting braces and fixing issues before they worsen.
In reality, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your children should get an orthodontic checkup no later than age seven. Once they hit that age, their mouth will have a nice balance between their baby and permanent teeth. This window of time allows for an accurate orthodontic evaluation to determine where preventative care is enough or if additional action is required.
Where Do Orthodontic Issues Come From?
Front & Center Dance Studio
Discover the Joy of Dance
Discover the JOY of dance at Front & Center Dance Studio in Hamilton, NJ, where every step brings you closer to the spotlight! Our studio is more than just a place to learn dance — it’s a community where creativity, expression, and personal growth are nurtured.
At Front & Center, we believe that dance is for everyone, whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps or an experienced dancer looking to refine your technique. Our classes are designed to meet each dancer at their level, with small class sizes that ensure personalized attention and a strong teacher-to-student connection. This personalized approach ensures that every student feels valued and receives the instruction necessary to grow and shine in their own way.
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Our studio director, Miss Lauren, and her staff bring years of professional experience and a deep love for teaching to every class. Their approach is both supportive and challenging, encouraging dancers to push their boundaries while feeling safe and supported. Under Miss Lauren’s guidance, students not only learn the technical aspects of dance but also gain confidence, discipline, and a sense of accomplishment that extends beyond the studio. Our studio offers a wide range of classes, from ballet and jazz to
In most cases, a child’s orthodontic problems stem from their genetics — these issues are inherited from their parents. Additionally, some problems can develop over time based on poor oral hygiene habits they learned from a young age. Some of these acquired oral health issues include:
• Sucking Their Thumbs
• Mouth Breathing
• Abnormal Swallowing Patterns
• Poor Dental Hygiene
• Irregular Loss of Baby Teeth
• Poor Nutritional Habits
However, parents have reason to hope for viable remedies and solutions to most of these issues. You can remedy these acquired problems with the help of successful orthodontic care provided by an experienced pediatric dentist.
Finding a Child Orthodontic You Can Trust.
Trusting your child’s teeth and their beautiful smile to a pediatric dentistry practice is something that every parent must come to grips with. Figuring out which childhood orthodontic makes the most sense for your child and their future dental visits becomes critically important. For parents and their children in Hamilton, Hamilton Dental Associates provides them with the experienced pediatric dentists they need to prioritize their oral health as they mature.
Learn more about our pediatric dentistry services and schedule your first appointment today!
To request an appointment, call 609-586-6603 or visit HamiltonDental.com. Locations are 2929 Klockner Road and 2501 Kuser Road, Hamilton, New Jersey.
contemporary and hip-hop, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Each class is thoughtfully structured to develop skills progressively, with a focus on technique, artistry, and
performance. Whether your child dreams of becoming a professional dancer or simply wants to explore a fun and healthy activity, Front & Center provides the perfect environment to foster their passion.
At Front & Center, we’re more than just a dance studio — we’re a family. Our dancers form lasting friendships, build self-confidence, and learn the importance of teamwork and dedication. We host yearly performances, giving our students the opportunity to showcase their talents and share their progress with friends and family. These events are a highlight of the year, filled with joy, excitement, and pride for all involved.
Whether you’re looking to enroll your child in their first dance class or your experienced dancer is looking for a new place to blossom, Front & Center is the place for you! Join us and experience the difference that a supportive, personalized approach to dance education can make. Here, every child is front and center, and every moment in the studio is a step toward becoming the best version of themselves. Come dance with us at Front & Center Dance — where passion meets performance, and every dancer has a chance to shine! Front & Center Dance Studio, Suite #5, 1905 Route 33, Hamilton. frontandcenterdancestudio.com.
MERCERDEALS
ACCESS ALL OF THIS MONTH'S COUPONS
Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
Holistic Leadership and Wellness: Stuart Launches Center for Empowering Today’s Girls
When students return to Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, NJ, they will be greeted by a groundbreaking addition that embodies the school’s unwavering commitment to holistic education: The Cor Cordis Center for Exceptional Leadership. The Center is an interconnected student services hub located at the heart of the school that will integrate learning services, wellness services, and student success support, creating a holistic approach to education that prioritizes the well-being of every student.
“The Cor Cordis Center boldly represents our mission in action, with the well-being of our girls front and center,” says Julia Wall, Head
From LEARNING, Page 15
History of Medical Care in America,” “Salem and the Witchcraft Trials of 1692,” and “How Will Education Meet the Challenges of Today? Empowering Students for Success.”
For more information or to register for fall classes, visit princetonadultschool. org
The Evergreen Forum
The Evergreen Forum, a program of the Center for Modern Aging Princeton (CMAP; formerly the Princeton Senior Resource Center) was founded in 2001. Per the CMAP website, it is “a peer-led, interactive dynamic learning program which provides rewarding, day-time classes on diverse subjects led by knowledgeable course leaders.”
Registration is currently open for fall semester classes, which begin in late September. In-person courses are held at CMAP’s Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning at 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton. Select courses are also offered online or in a hybrid format and are a mix of lecture, discussion, or lecture and discussion. Most courses are $110 for six- to eight-week courses and $85 for three- to five-week courses; scholarships are avail-
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of School at Stuart. “It has been part of Stuart’s mission and vision for 60 years to pay close attention to the interconnectedness of a child’s mind, body, and heart. This self-awareness fuels their development as curious, influential, and empathic leaders and sustains them for life-long ambitious pursuit.”
Stuart’s investment in the Cor Cordis Center is timely and necessary. In a world where teenage girls face unprecedented challenges, with nearly 60 percent reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness, Stuart’s commitment to student wellness is a crucial response. The Center will house essential services like learning
support, counseling, and the health office, all within the heart of the school.
“We have made a real investment in the spirituality and well-being of our students; the Cor Cordis Center will not only help students delve deeper in their learning, but it will give them the foundational elements they need to thrive,” remarks Woodney Wachter, co-chair of the Board of Trustees.
Fellow co-chair Paul Teti adds, “The Cor Cordis Center for Exceptional Leadership is putting health and wellness, and academic excellence in the context of community. It’s at the core of our school, and it’s exciting to imagine students of all ages learning from each other and from our exceptional faculty and staff.”
As Stuart students step into the new school year, they will do so with a powerful resource at their fingertips — a resource designed to help them lead with resilience, adaptability, and purpose.
Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton. www. stuartschool.org..
art,” focusing on the works of Edward Redfield, John Folinsbee, and Daniel Garber, “three painters in the Bucks County School whose work exemplifies a reinterpretation of French Impressionism.”
“Histories of Indigenous Peoples in America” is the 11th history class designed by Harvard-educated lawyer Robert Nolan for the Evergreen Forum. “When Europeans first arrived in America, people had been living here for approximately 30,000 years. They had aggregated into hundreds of distinct tribes, each with its own culture and history. Their cultures and their histories are fascinating,” the course description explains. “Yet as students most of us learned almost nothing about these Indigenous Peoples and their descendants. So, this course is about them.”
able to those with demonstrated financial need.
There are 26 courses on offer for the fall semester, a sampling of which include:
“2024 Elections: Democracy at Stake?” taught by Elaine Jacoby, a retired lawyer who teaches courses on politics and civil rights. Per the course description, it will “follow key Congressional races as well as the presidential election. It will also consider different viewpoints as to what
democracy means, as well as threats to its continued existence.”
“American Impressionism: Bucks County Painters” is taught by Christina Kales, who holds a doctor of literature in humanities from Drew University, and includes an optional field trip to the Michener Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The class examines “the social and economic shifts in early nineteenth century America that supported the development of American Impressionist
“Magic & Witches in Fiction for Grownups,” taught by Judith Woolridge, is a discussion course on novels by Hilary Mantel, Angela Carter, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Penelope Fitzgerald, and Mikhail Bulgakov that feature magic, witches, Faustian bargains, and demons. Also covered will be short stories by Helen Simpson, John Wyndham, and others.
“Science in the News” is “a course tailored for curious minds hungry for insights into the most current research
Many of the Center for Modern Aging Princeton’s Evergreen Forum programs take place at the Nancy S. Klath Center for Continued Learning, above.
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The Dental Difference
The Practice for Scared and Anxious Patients
Mercer County now has an award-winning general dental practice catering to the scared and anxious dental patient!
Dr. Kevin Mosmen, owner of The Dental Difference of Brick, New Jersey, has opened a satellite office in Hamilton, New Jersey, in the Lexington Square business complex — directly across from 7-Eleven and Hamilton Bagel & Grill on Route 33.
With more than 23 years of impressive cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, and complex implant dentistry experience, Dr. Mosmen has built an incredible reputation for himself and his office. Being specialty permitted in SEDATION DENTISTRY, the office can provide you with the safe administration of oral and intravenous conscious sedation. Imagine relaxing through your entire dental appointment with little to no memory of your visit.
Are you interested in having most of your dental work completed in as little as one visit? Do you have special needs and find it difficult to have dental work performed? Do you have incredibly annoying or loose dentures and want dental implants to secure them? The office is happy to help you all! Here are some actual patient reviews you can find on Google:
“Dr. Mosmen is the best! So kind and considerate to someone who is petrified of the
and issues in science and medicine. Each week, our diverse panel of scientists delivers two riveting lectures on two different topics, covering the latest discoveries and their impact on our understanding of the universe, the natural world, and the human body.” The course is led by Harold M. Heft, a retired automotive and defense industry executive whose academic research focused on biopsychology and philosophy of science, joined by a panel of physicians and scientists with wide experience and interests.
For more information or to register, visit cmaprinceton.org/ evergreen-forum.
Princeton University Community Auditor Program
You don’t need to be one of the lucky few high school seniors who earn admission to Princeton University to get a taste of the Princeton University class
Dr. Kevin Mosmen of The Dental Difference.
dentist. You won’t find a better office for all your dental needs. Very glad I’m their patient!” Angela C.
“This is the best dental care anyone could hope for! The friendliest dental professionals you will ever meet! They are like family to me! A long-time
experience. The Community Auditing Program (CAP) allows high school graduates ages 18 and up living within 50 miles of the university to audit up to three courses per semester as a “silent student.”
Roughly 125 to 150 courses are available to such students each semester at a cost of $200 per course. Auditors attend lectures only and may not participate in discussion components of classes, nor may they make direct contact with professors or other instructors.
While the enrollment window for new CAP students has closed for the fall semester, applications will open for the spring semester in mid-November. Prospective new auditors will be able to create accounts between November 18 and 21, then must schedule an in-person interview to be accepted to the program. An orientation session will follow for all new auditors.
For more information, visit community.princeton.edu/ community-auditing
patient here, I tell everyone I know to make an appointment.” Diane M.
“Very friendly atmosphere. Staff very personable and Dr. Mosmen explains things very simply and very honestly. So glad I came here!” Ed T.
“Yesterday was my first visit and everything went very smoothly. I am the biggest chicken when it comes to the dentist but I have to say my experience was excellent. I would definitely recommend The Dental Difference!” Diane M.
“Everything went perfectly! Great experience and I don’t like going to the dentist!” Kathy B.
Not only is Dr. Mosmen known for his sedation and implant surgery skills, but he’s also board certified in treating sleep apnea sufferers with a dental device. For those who don’t like or can’t tolerate their CPAP machine, Dr. Mosmen can make a “mouth piece” to wear at night that allows these patients to breathe without using their CPAP machine.
Now that school is back in session, it’s time to focus on you and your new smile. So, do you need a new dentist? Do you want a new dentist? Do you want to feel more like a family member than a number? Are you just tired of your corporate dental office? Give The Dental Difference in Hamilton a call! Their number is 609-445-3577. Go to their website at: www.thedentaldifference.com and read the numerous, legitimate, amazing reviews. It will take you long before you want to go there too! They offer all aspects of general dentistry and are welcoming new patients today!
The Dental Difference – 2131 Route 33, Suite A, Hamilton, NJ 08690. 609-445-3577. www. thedentaldifference.com.
Mercer County Community College
The Center for Continuing Studies at Mercer offers a number of non-credit and continuing education programs, many aimed at bolstering professional credentials and helping adults progress in their careers. Others focus on personal enrichment. Most are held on the college’s West Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road or online.
Certification programs are available in a range of areas, from healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology to culinary arts, personal training, and education. Studying to become a veterinary assistant, learning the basics of solar panel installation, and earning the Society for Human Resource Management certification are all among the courses on offer.
For more information, visit mccc. edu/lifelong_learning.shtml.
Rider University & The College of New Jersey
Both colleges offer a number of certificate programs aimed at professionals seeking more advanced credentials. Programs at Rider include Business Basics, Creativity and Innovation, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Global Supply Chain Management, and more others. At TCNJ, there are numerous programs designed for educators and those in related roles as well as certificates for those business and healthcare-related fields.
More information on Rider: www.rider.edu/academics/ program-finder. More information on The College of New Jersey: graduate.tcnj.edu/ explore-programs
For those looking to expand on hobbies or learn a new trade, courses in floral design, photography, and graphic design; English and foreign languages; writing and film; and fitness are among the many available.
The one place where our discoveries become your care.
Advanced, comprehensive and compassionate Cancer Care.
RWJBarnabas Health, together with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offers the most advanced, patient-centric cancer care for adults and children. Our nationally renowned, multidisciplinary care teams ensure a compassionate, comprehensive approach, creating individualized cancer treatment plans for our patients, who have access to blood and marrow transplant, CAR T-cell therapy, innovative clinical trials, and immunotherapy procedures - all close to home. Together with our NCI Consortium partner, Princeton University, the longest NCI Consortium Cancer Center relationship in New Jersey, we are driving cutting edge research and advancing scientific discoveries into clinical practice. Visit rwjbh.org/beatcancer or call 844-CANCERNJ
Rutgers Cancer Institute is the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Together RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute offer the most advanced cancer treatment options close to home.
Rotteveel expected to be a linchpin for LHS field hockey
By Rich Fisher
It was symbolism at its finest.
As the Lawrence High field hockey team battled Princeton Day School in the 2021 Mercer County Championship game, senior Talia Schneck had the ball on her stick.
All in attendance waited for the shot that never came, as New Jersey’s third leading all-time scorer sent a pass to freshman Caroline Rotteveel, who converted the historic goal that gave LHS its first-ever outright MCT title.
In reflecting upon it, coach Megan Errico thinks it was perfect foreshadowing.
“I feel like that was the metaphorical idea of passing the baton,” Errico said, “because Talia was leaving and Caroline really stepped up to be that offensive piece that Talia was for our team.”
And it became a seminal moment for Rotteveel.
“I’ve thought about it a lot; that moment was definitely important to me,” she said. “That freshman season was really what made me want to continue my field hockey career in college. Just having Talia trust me with that and having Errico trust me by putting me in during overtime, I think that solidified me as part of the team. I knew I was going to be a key part and that made me feel very confident as a player.”
It was, indeed, the baton pass. With Schenck now at Princeton University, Rotteveel led the Cardinals in goals and assists each of the past two seasons with
And the Cardinals have a special player up front to lead the way.
“Definitely she’s the key to our offense,” Errico said. “A lot of our other (returning) players are more defensive. I’m looking for a couple of the younger girls to step up to help support that front line with Caroline and we’re gonna have a great midfield. So if I play Caroline in the center or on the right, she should be OK.”
Rotteveel is a field hockey lifer. Growing up in Morgantown, Pennsylvania – a field hockey hotbed state – she began playing recreation for her mom in second grade. “I was playing all the time, we had a really good rec leagues and always had tournaments,” she said.
When the family moved to Lawrenceville, Rotteveel began club hockey with Blue Star before moving to the renowned Princeton Field Hockey Club after her freshman year. She is still there, saying “I like it there, I have great coaches.”
25-13 in 2022 and 21-12 last year. She will probably do it again this fall as a strong supporting cast of eight other seniors surround her. They include Emma Burns, Mia Quattrochi, Bella Sanella, Riley Evans, Isabella Margolis, Peyton Valentino, goalie Tess Adolf (committed to Division II national champion Kutztown) and Molly Romaine, who
See ROTTEVEEL, Page 27
helped Lawrence to a 9-7-3 mark and MCT semifinal berth last season.
“I’m really excited for this year,” Rotteveel said. “We’re gonna have a lot of people in charge, we’ve been playing together for our entire high school career. We are able to work well together and with so many seniors we are really devoted to the team. We just want to make this year really special.”
Entering her freshman year, Rotteveel was pleasantly surprised at how tough the competition was within her own team. But “I was determined to make varsity and knew that I could. Over the summer I practiced and ran so much, I was really prepared for it. The first week of preseason, being around the team, putting myself in that competitive environment made me determined to play varsity.”
She came to Lawrence as a defender and Errico started her there during the preseason. That didn’t last long.
“I think she saw me play more as a for-
See ROTTEVEEL, Page 28
LHS field hockey player Caroline Rotteveel.
spillabration Rich’s
tinue to be a valued sport at Lawrence.”
Rotteveel, whose unique surname is of Netherlands descent, plays the game “because she truly loves the sport,” according to Errico.
That love affair will continue as the
pretty. The small town feel is really nice. It’s just so pretty.”
Rotteveel sports a 4.0 grade point average and keeps active in other activities. She is a member of Lawrence’s Bring Change to Mind Club (a mental health club), DECA, and the Baking Club.
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Floor and the health and safety of our communities, customers first. We have reduced showroom to work with customers over the phone and appointment.. following the CDC cleaning and social guidelines to help combat Covid 19.
“My major goal looking for a school was putting academics first,” she said. “Obviously athletics are important but it was just making sure it’s the right fit for me academically. I prioritize academics very much. And in field hockey the
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Lawrenceville Students Shine in Video Contest Encouraging Teens to Reduce Screen Time
Students from Lawrence Middle School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey were among the winners of Capital Health’s recent Teens Off Screens public service announcement (PSA) video contest. Rose-Marie Celestin, Sarah Conver, Destiny Davenport, Thomas Dryzga, Serrajas Elayda, Yordi Estebes Corado, Jackson Gauthier, Grace Guillaumette, Kamil Hajduczka, Bodhi Lamontagne, Madison Le, Simon Nemzer, Saumya Patel, Omar Reed, Zachary Renken, Liz Rivera Guzman, Karla Rustrian, Olivia Sarpong, BibiZainab Shah, and Samuel Truch (along with teacher/moderator Mr. Jon-Erik Stamatelos) earned “Honorable Mention” for Lawrenceville and were one of the four winning teams in the contest for students in grades six through eight from middle schools in Mercer and Bucks counties.
As part of the newly formed Capital Healthy Students initiative, the Teens Off Screens campaign helped raise awareness about the dangers of excessive screen time while promoting healthier alternatives and digital mindfulness. Capital Health received more than 200 entries from 23 middle schools in the region, with prizes awarded in four categories, including Most Creative, Most Impactful, Best Messaging, and Honorable Mention. Winning schools like Lawrenceville Middle School each received $2,000 for their respective school/parent organizations. Rebecca Kelly, director of Strategic Partnerships for Capital Health, presented award certificates to winning students and their teachers. She leads
the Capital Healthy Students initiative, which includes campaigns focused on Anti-Vaping, Teens Off Screens, and the upcoming Wellness Warriors.
“We were thrilled with the amount of incredible videos we received, which made the judging process really tough this year,” said Kelly. “The effort and thoughtfulness that went into each video was not only impressive, but heartwarming, too. Special thanks to everyone who entered, as well as to the dedicated teachers who assisted these talented students.”
Other winners of the Teens Off Screens PSA contest include Newtown Middle School in Newtown, Pennsylvania (Most Impactful); Charles Boehm Middle School in Yardley, Pennsylvania (Best Messaging); and Timberlane Middle School in Pennington, New Jersey (Most Creative).
Capital Healthy Students is an innovative campaign developed by Capital Health to empower kids to become advocates for preventive health, adopt healthy habits early in life, and raise awareness to turn these habits into lifelong ones. In fall 2024, Capital Healthy Students will launch Wellness Warriors, another middle school PSA contest in which students will create and submit short videos demonstrating how they stay healthy and sharing tips for living a balanced and active lifestyle.
To learn more about Capital Healthy Students, visit capitalhealth.org/healthystudents, or contact Rebecca Kelly at rkelly2@capitalhealth.org.
Rebecca Kelly, director of Strategic Partnerships, with contest winners from Lawrenceville Middle School.
Capital Health Offers New Minimally Invasive Procedure to Map Severe Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurological disorders in the United States, but it can be challenging to manage due to the wide range of seizure types, causes, and patient responses to treatment. For patients with medically refractory epilepsy (seizures not responding to two or more medications), physicians at Capital Institute for Neurosciences performed their first stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), a minimally invasive procedure that can pinpoint areas deep in the brain where difficult-to-treat seizures start. By identifying these locations, neurologists are better equipped to determine the best course of treatment to relieve seizures.
Capital Institute for Neurosciences is the only level 3 epilepsy center in the greater Mercer, Lower Bucks and Northern Burlington county region accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. DR. SIDRAH MAHMUD, medical director of the Epilepsy Center, oversees the medical, neuropsychological, and psychosocial services needed to treat patients, including neuro diagnostic evaluations and surgical services like SEEG.
“Capital Health is known for a commitment to neurological innovation that is driven by patient-centered care,” said Dr. Mahmud, a board certified neurologist and epileptologist. “Each patient has a unique story, so their care journey is guided by a highly skilled team of neurologists, epileptologists, neuosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and neuropsychologists who conduct a range of comprehensive testing. After a thorough review of the patient’s epilepsy history, the data collected from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), photon emission tomography (PET scans), cognitive testing, and other assessments is used to understand precisely where their seizures are coming from and determine a plan for surgery. With SEEG, patients have an elegant and minimally invasive option that allows us to provide personalized treatment so they can better manage their conditions and see an improved quality of life.”
Neurosurgeons like DR. NAVID REDJAL, director of Neurosurgical Oncology, work with a multidisciplinary team to perform SEEG to reach and monitor deeper areas of the brain and target specific locations where difficult-totreat seizures originate.
“Before surgery, we use advanced imaging software to plan the exact placement of small, thin wires (called stereotactic depth electrodes) in the brain,” said Dr. Redjal, a board certified, Harvard-trained neurosurgeon. “During surgery, a personalized 3D stereotactic platform is used to place the electrodes into the brain with pinpoint precision so we can obtain important information that provides insight into where seizures may begin. The procedure typically takes several hours to complete, followed by a hospital stay that lasts about a week. During this time, Dr. Mahmud and her team monitor the patient’s seizures.”
By monitoring seizures the patient has while the leads are in place, clinicians at the Epilepsy Center can precisely identify areas of concern to determine the appropriate next step in treatment, which may include surgery, responsive neurostimulation, or other therapies. Patients experience no bleeding during surgery and the wires are removed under local anesthesia when testing is complete.
“This is a major advance for our neurosciences team and a great example of the patientcentered collaboration that frequently occurs among clinicians in our various programs,” said DR. DUSTIN ROCHESTIE, director of Neurology and Neuro Critical Care and director of the Stroke Program at Capital Institute for Neurosciences. “Now that we offer SEEG, physicians from our Epilepsy Program, Neurosurgery, Neuro Critical Care, and Neurophysiology teams work closely together to provide care for complex conditions and deliver treatment afterward that will help ensure the best possible outcome.”
The Epilepsy Center at Capital Institute for Neurosciences offers acute services for hospital patients as well as those who require long-term follow up by a personally dedicated care team. A range of treatment options are available, including medical or surgical approaches tailored to each patient’s specific needs and a team of epilepsy specialists trained to care for those with more complicated conditions.
To schedule an appointment at Capital Institute for Neurosciences, call 609-537-7300 or visit capitalhealth.org/epilepsy for more information.
Stop the Bleed
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.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Location: Location: Capital Health EMS – Education
Mercer Professional Building at Pennington 2480 Pennington Road, Suite 107, Pennington, NJ 08534
When someone is severely bleeding, every second counts! Join instructors from Capital Health’s Emergency Medical Services team for a free class designed for coaches, doctors, nurses, EMS providers, and anyone interested in learning how to control a bleed, an important skill that can save the lives of people who experience serious injuries.
Cancers in Women + Focusing on Self-Care
Thursday, September 26, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Location: Zoom Meeting
Learning about cancers of the female reproductive system may reduce your risk and help you identify ways to prevent them, so it’s important to be proactive about your health. DR. MONA SALEH, a fellowship trained gynecologic oncologist at the Capital Health Cancer Center, will lead a discussion of the programs available at Capital Health for women undergoing treatment for gynecologic cancers and related health challenges. Maureen Kaelblein, a health coach for Capital Healthy Living who leads yoga classes at the Capital Health Wellness Center, will close the program with a demonstration of gentle yoga stretches.
Capital Health First in Region to Offer Minimally Invasive Option for Complex Aortic Repair
The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, and diseases or injury to the aorta can be life threatening. Offering the latest advance in minimally invasive surgery to restore function to damaged aortas, vascular surgeons at Capital Health recently performed the region’s first branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (branched TEVAR). This procedure is now available at Capital Health for patients diagnosed with aortic disease or injury.
Capital Health and fellowship trained vascular surgeon. “Our vascular surgery team is particularly successful in these types of endeavors because of our synergy at every step of the patient’s care, from the meticulous preoperative planning, through the procedure, to taking care of the patient after.”
“People with aortic disease may not know they have it, so it is often diagnosed on medical testing for something else,” said DR. CHRISTINE LOTTO, a board certified, fellowship trained vascular surgeon who recently led Capital Health’s first branched TEVAR procedure. “Whether it is caught fortuitously or diagnosed as the result of trauma or a sudden onset of symptoms (such as pain in the chest and upper extremities), this new minimally invasive procedure can repair the damaged aorta through a small entry in the femoral artery. This means a faster recovery and decreased risk for complications related to surgery.”
The branched TEVAR procedure requires several specially trained vascular surgeons working in unison to safely place the stent. For Capital Health’s first TEVAR, Dr. Lotto was joined by Dr. Kogulan Nadesakumaran and Dr. Jillian Walsh, surgeons from Capital Health Surgical Group – Vascular Surgery.
The branched TEVAR device is the first of its kind approved by the Food and Drug Administration to allow treatment of aortic arch issues without the need for incisions or open surgery. The procedure offers patients the benefits of a minimally invasive approach, including less pain, shorter hospital stays, and a lower risk for complications of surgery. Most patients who have a TEVAR and have no other serious medical conditions can go home the next day, followed by physical exams and imaging soon after to evaluate the repair. Regular follow-ups then occur at one month, six months, and annually after the procedure.
“Working in careful coordination with a team of surgeons has enormous safety benefits. Having more eyes on the patient and bringing a variety of skill sets into the room helps lead us to better outcomes,” said DR. JOSHUA EISENBERG, Chief Physician Executive at
The fellowship trained surgeons at Capital Health Surgical Group – Vascular Surgery perform complex open vascular procedures and minimally invasive surgical treatments for a wide spectrum of vascular conditions as well as minimally invasive and office-based procedures for the treatment of a range of venous diseases. The practice includes Drs. Joshua Eisenberg, Christine Lotto, Jillian Walsh, Kogulan Nadesakumaran, and Anil Deshpande, as well as a team of highly skilled advanced practice providers who bring additional experience to the team. The practice has offices in Newtown, Pennsylvania and Hopewell Township, New Jersey.
To schedule an appointment at Capital Health Surgical Group – Vascular Surgery, call 609.537.5600 or visit capitalsurgical.org/vascularsurgery for more information.
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Guitar and Ukulele lessons for Seniors. Call Jane 609 510-1400. $25.00 per lesson.
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I Buy Guitars All Musical Instruments in Any Condition: Call Rob at 609-577-3337.
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MULtI-FAMILY Yard Sale! OCT 5 (rain date Oct 6), 9 AM - 2 PM Gatherings at Lawrence, Princess Rd off Franklin Corner Rd *CASH ONLY*
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Cash paid for World War II Military Items. Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call: 609-581-8290, E-mail: lenny1944x@gmail. com
Happy Heroes used books looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction, Children’s Illustrated, kids series books (old Hardy boys-Nancy Drew-Judy Bolton- Dana girls, WITH DUSTJACKETS in good shape), Dell Mapbacks - Good Girl Art PULPS - nonsports cards, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks old COLLIER’S. Call 609-6193480 or email happyheroes@gmail.com.
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The impact of social media on youth mental health
Ask The Doctor
experience a sense of connectivity, it can have the opposite effect on others.
See our ads in SIX09 section pgs 5 and 7
Social media has become an integral part of daily life in the digital age, especially for the younger generation. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook provide endless content streams, encouraging connectivity and creativity, but they also present significant mental health challenges, especially for their younger users.
Social media can offer a sense of community and belonging, which is particularly important for adolescents navigating the complexities of identity and social relationships. It allows for creating online communities where individuals can share experiences and offer support.
However, while some people may
Dr. Frank Ghinassi, senior vice president of behavioral health services at RWJBarnabas Health and CEO and president at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, notes: “Constant exposure to filtered and altered reality can distort a young person’s self-image and expectations of life. I have real concerns about the negative effects of social media.”
In an opinion piece published in the New York Times, the Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, expressed similar concerns when he called for warning labels to be added on to social media sites, especially for teenagers and their parents, detailing the mental health dangers behind social media applications. Social media’s curated nature often leads to unrealistic comparisons. Youth,
some as young as 13 years old, are frequently exposed to idealized images of peers and celebrities, which can worsen feelings of inadequacy and low selfesteem. In fact, children and adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media double their risk of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Finding a Balance. While social media poses challenges, it is not inherently harmful. Encouraging young people to balance online activities with offline interactions and hobbies is essential. “There is a need for a balanced approach to modern childhood, which involves parents, schools, and the social media industry coming together to decrease the impacts of these platforms on our youth,” says Dr. Ghinassi.
Dr. Ghinassi encourages specific actions from parents, schools, and social media platforms to protect young adults against the negative impacts of social media:
Programs at RWJU Hamilton this month
The following programs are open to all, and registration is required. Programs are sponsored by RWJUH Hamilton Community Health/ Community Education and Better Health Program, a FREE membership program for anyone 65+ years old. All programs take place at the Center for Health & Wellness located at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, unless otherwise noted. View the calendar of programs available online at rwjbh.org/hamiltonprograms, or for more information, call (609) 584-5900.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Snack and Learn (Better Health Program). 3 to 4 p.m. Join us for a deep dive into learning risks associated with being over medicated, and hear from Sara Ali, MD, Geriatric Medicine, member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, and who specializes in care for those 65+ years old. Dr. Ali will discuss taking multiple medications, how much is too much, the risks associated and how some medications can work against each other. Registration is required, and new members are welcome to join. Learn more online at rwjbh.org/hamiltonbetterhealth.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
• Parents can monitor their children’s social media usage and encourage a balance between virtual and in-person activities – take steps to get kids involved in community events and activities.
• Schools can encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, and community service to promote in-person social interaction.
• Social media platforms should be required to introduce warnings about potential negative impacts, such as cyberbullying, body image issues, and addiction, and provide resources for support, such as those offered by RWJBarnabas Health’s Behavioral Health services.
Social media’s impact on youth mental health is multifaceted, offering benefits and challenges. However, banning it entirely is not the solution. It is important that we educate young people about both the benefits and the potential risks of social media. By understanding these dynamics and fostering a balanced approach to engagement, we can help young people harness the positive aspects of social media while minimizing its potential harm.
Learn more online at rwjbh.org/ behavioralhealth. Let’s be healthy together.
The Pharmacy Club: What is a Polypharmacy (Community Education). 1 to 2 p.m. Join Shesha Desai, PharmD, RWJUH Hamilton, for an informative session on polypharmacy, designed to help patients and caregivers understand the complexities of managing multiple medications. This event will cover essential topics, including: introduction to polypharmacy and risks associated with polypharmacy. Registration is required at rwjbh.org/hamiltonprograms.
Catch Some Z’s (Community Education). 6-7 p.m. Do you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep? Insomnia affects your mental as well as physical health, making us more prone to heart disease and other serious illnesses. Join Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Health Nurse to learn more about how we should spend a third of our life! Registration is required at rwjbh.org/ hamiltonprograms.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Lunch and Learn (Better Health Program). Noon to 1:30 p.m. Join us and learn about cutting-edge technology, advanced robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery, specifically for those 65+ years old. Michael R. Duch, MD, RWJUH Hamilton’s Orthopedic & Spine Institute, and member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, who has over 20 years of experience treating a range of orthopedic conditions, including sports medicine injuries, throughout the body, and specializes in joint replacement surgery for knees, hips and shoulders, as well as surgical and non-surgical fracture care. Joining him is Jennifer Pirozzi, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, Director of Perioperative Services at RWJUH Hamilton, who will discuss proper preparation for surgery, post-surgery protocols and ways to improve recovery. Registration is required, and new members are welcome to join. Learn more online at rwjbh. org/hamiltonbetterhealth.
Dr. Frank Ghinassi
Sharpening minds, brightening futures: A message from the superintendent
Dr. Klim’s Corner
Robyn A. Klim, Ed.D., LCSW
Dear Lawrence Township Community,
As we embark on a new school year, I’m excited to share an important initiative designed to enhance the learning environment and support the well-being of our students. At Lawrence Township Public Schools, our mission is to provide an education that not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures the holistic development of every student.
With that goal in mind, we are reinforcing our cell phone policy at the high school that I believe will contribute significantly to both academic success and mental health.
and social media during school hours.
The constant pull of notifications and the temptation to check a screen can disrupt learning, hinder academic performance, and contribute to stress and anxiety—issues that are all too common among teenagers today.
At our four elementary schools, Lawrence Intermediate School, and Lawrence Middle School, we will continue to implement the “Away for the Day” device policy.
Our goal is to create
Starting this school year, cell phones, earbuds, and smartwatches will no longer be permitted during instructional time at the high school. This shift in mindset following the pandemic is a proactive step to minimize distractions and create an environment where our students can fully engage with their studies and each other.
As part of this newly defined reinforcement of expectations, each classroom will feature designated cell phone “parking lots” where students may be asked to “park” their devices upon entering. However, students are permitted to use their devices during non-instructional time, such as transition periods and lunch.
This decision is rooted in research that consistently shows the detrimental effects of unrestricted access to digital devices
In the younger grades, students are not allowed to use or have access to their phones, or use smartwatches as phones to make calls or send texts, throughout the school day. Cell phones are to be turned off and stored in their book bags from the moment they arrive at school until they are dismissed and leave the building.
By limiting device usage during instructional periods and maintaining focus throughout the school day, we’re fostering an atmosphere that prioritizes focus, engagement, and connection—both with the material being taught and with peers and teachers.
Our goal is to create a classroom environment where learning takes center stage, allowing our students to thrive academically while also supporting their mental and emotional well-being. Together, we can ensure that our students are equipped for sharper minds and brighter futures.
Dr. Robyn Klim is superintendent of the Lawrence Township Public Schools.
