3-24 WWP

Siblings are a triple threat for High School North sports

BY JUSTIN FEIL

After Darren de Jong won the 190-pound weight class at the Mercer County Tournament and Evan de Jong placed second at 157 pounds, High School North wrestling coach Bill Furlong suggested the possibility

of Christine de Jong joining her brothers on the team.

“‘Imagine if we had you out for wrestling, we could have three de Jongs in finals next year,’” Furlong said. “She just laughed it off. I don’t know if there’s any hope there, but she’s very athletic like the both of them.”

Christine only considered her physical education teacher’s suggestion for a second.

“I feel like I’ve gotten too far into diving,” said Christine, who also does cheerleading for High School North.

The de Jongs are juniors at

See TRIPLETS, Page 7

You have no family history of colon cancer.

Girl Scout creates Comfort Cove for Wicoff students

BY AANYA MANGLA

Having spent the majority of my schooling in two of the most competitive school districts, I have been surrounded by students taking part in academic competitions, having a multitude of extracurriculars, and always aiming for straight As.

This unknowingly pressured me to achieve the best grades and participate in after school activities as much as possible. Managing all of this has always been challenging.

Continuously spending time in this environment, sometimes I find it hard for me to take a break, and when I try to do so, I don’t completely know how to take one.

Maintaining this balance is crucial, so this is a problem that should be targeted from a young age. If children don’t learn the skills required to take breaks and destress, they will have trouble as they grow up.

It is necessary that we teach them ways to move their focus away from anything that could be negatively affecting them, and this is what I set out to do

in my Girl Scouts Gold Award Project.

I decided to directly act on this issue by contacting schools in the West-Windsor Plainsboro Regional School District, and the principal of J.V.B Wicoff Elementary School, Maureen Cook, was extremely interested in pursuing this problem and providing a resource to the students of the school to help fix it.

The school contains around 270 kids in total, all of them ranging from kindergarteners to third graders. Working with each other, we came up with the idea of creating a sensory-emotional learning room for students to go to whenever they needed to take a break, the room that is now called the Comfort Cove.

The Comfort Cove is an area dedicated to mental wellness and is a resource open to the students in Wicoff. In the Comfort Cove, students can choose to spend some time in one or more of its three sections: the Art Hub, the Reading Nook, and the Sensory Corner. Each of these sections are devoted to separate de-stressing methods.

See COVE, Page 4

You still need a colon cancer screening.

Evan de Jong (left) and brother Darren both took gold in their weight classes at the SchalickCumberland Holiday Classic wrestling tournament in December.

RWJUH Hamilton March Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

SUPPORT GROUPS

CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Monday, Mar. 4 & 18; 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

SWEET SUCCESS SOCIETY: A DIABETES GROUP

Monday, Mar. 4; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Monday, Mar. 11; 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

ADULT CHILDREN CARING FOR PARENTS

Monday, Mar. 4 & 18; 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m GOT STRESS?

Wednesday, Mar. 6; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Wednesday, Mar. 6; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

GRIEF & LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Thursday, Mar. 7 & 21; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. WHAT’S EATING YOU?

Monday, Mar. 11; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

LETTING GO OF CLUTTER

Tuesday, Mar. 12; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Mar. 12; 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP

Tuesday, Mar. 19; 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP

Wednesday, Mar. 20; 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WISE WOMEN

Thursday, Mar. 28; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

Thursday, Mar. 7; 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The theme for National Nutrition Month is “Beyond the Table”. Let’s learn how to make healthy choices now to maintain health for a lifetime! Empower kids with culinary skills and nutrition knowledge to become their healthiest selves! For children 5 years and older. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Taryn Krietzman, RDN. Fee: $5 per person

DANCE IT OUT!

Monday, Mar. 11; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Never miss a chance to move and let all your worries go. Dance the stress away by grooving head-to-toe. All ages welcome, no experience required.

MEMORY SCREENING

Tuesday, Mar. 12; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Are you concerned about “senior moments’? The Mini-Mental State exam is a quick assessment to discern normal aging versus potential problems. In addition, you will learn ways to improve your memory. Must arrive 15-30 minutes early to receive the exam.

HOPE FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE SERIES, BRUNCH AND LEARN

Wednesday, Mar. 13; 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Our Monthly Health Focus features our “Hope for a Bright Future Series” designed to empower you with tips on prevention, early detection, and advancements in cancer treatments. Early detection can improve outcomes. Join our conversation on colorectal

learn more.

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

cancer that will be both engaging and informative. Our panel will include Meera Yogarajah, MD, Maulik D. Shah, DO, Rachel Perez, Gastrointestinal Patient Navigator

TAKE HOME COLO-RECTAL KIT

Thursday, Mar. 14; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Participants will attend a lecture about colon health, and receive a stool sample kit to take at home and mail back.

BUILDING OUR CAPACITY TO TALK ABOUT RACE

Monday, Mar. 18; 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Do you ever find yourself walking on eggshells, having heated arguments or not knowing what to say about topics related to race, racism, DEI, antiracism or white privilege? Let’s unpack some of these ideas, practice mindfulness and build our capacity to have courageous and embodied conversations that help build a healthier, more connected community. Nathalie Edmond, PsyD, RYT-500, Licensed Clinical Psychologist.

UNDERSTANDING MEMORY LOSS

Tuesday, Mar. 19; 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Many people worry about experiencing memory loss as they age. Memory loss is not a normal part of aging. Although most people have heard of Alzheimer’s, many do not know that other diseases that affect memory. Join us to learn about diseases that affect memory as well as the best strategies for diagnosing, treating, supporting brain health and improving quality of life. Presented by COPSA-Institute

YOGA CLASSES

Tuesday, Mar. 5 & 12; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Krystal Loughlin, certified RYT will be leading this gentle yoga class using traditional postures, and breathing techniques offering modification of the poses for your body so that you can confidently participate. Beginners welcome. Must Register.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday; Mar.5 & 12; 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Krystal Loughlin will lead this meditation class focusing on reducing stress and bringing inner peace. See how you can easily learn to practice meditation whenever you need it most. Beginner’s welcome.

NEW - CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, Mar. 5 & 12; 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Krystal Loughlin, certified RYT, is introducing Chair Yoga to our Better Health Program. Using a chair for seated poses and also for balancing

poses, this class is perfect for those who haven’t moved their bodies for a while, recovering from an injury or have mobility/balancing difficulties. A great place to start practicing yoga to help boost your flexibility, find inner peace, unwind and stretch. Many options are given to customize the practice for YOU!

A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wednesday, Mar. 6, 20 & 27; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Mar. 13; 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please join us for our ongoing program “A Senior Social Group,” gathering in a collaborative setting to exchange thoughts, feelings and experiences amongst peers. This is a safe-zone designed to be welcoming and understanding of all attendees while exploring this season of our lives – the ups and the challenges. This is a weekly program. Please feel free to attend one or all.

for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

Wednesday, Mar. 20; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m

Calm your anxious mind and tense body with the relaxing and healing practice of Mindfulness Meditation. No experience necessary. Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative Therapies Nurse, RWJUH Hamilton, Community Health.

HEALTHRYTHMS® DRUM CIRCLE

Wednesday, Mar. 20; 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Drum your cares away with our monthly Drum Circle. It’s lots of fun and a great stress reliever. Beginners welcome, drums will be provided.

Mauri Tyler, CTRS,CMP $15 OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

Thursday, Mar. 21; 10:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. Ultrasound of the heel and personalized information.

WHY ARE MY EARS RINGING? - A NEW APPROACH TO TINNITUS MANAGEMENT

Wednesday, Mar. 27; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m

While tinnitus is a fairly common problem, there are many effective methods to treat and alleviate tinnitus. Join Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D. to learn about the latest in treatment options.

DR. ALI HOSTS A “JEOPARDY PARTY” LUNCH

AND LEARN

Thursday, Mar. 7; 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A new Jeopardy focused on Innovations in Medicine. Tables will compete as teams as we test your knowledge. Don’t panic, this will be fun and interactive and there will even be prizes along with lunch.

NUTRITION, THE MEDITERRANEAN WAY

Thursday, Mar. 14th; 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Ever encounter a memorable and mouthwatering description of food in a book? Join us as we Greek-out over some seriously delicious literary eats and how they fit into a healthful Mediterranean dietary pattern. Enjoy being a studioaudience member as Taryn Krietzman, RDN does a live taping of this program for virtual at-home viewers.

TAI CHI CLASSES

Thursday, Mar. 21 & 28; 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

REIKI SHARE

Wednesday, Mar. 27; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. For folks who have been Reiki certified (at any level) to come share the gift with fellow practitioners. Give a session, get a session. Please bring a sheet and small pillow.

COLOR ME HOOPY: HOOLAHOOPING FOR FUN & FITNESS!

Thursday, Mar. 28; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m

If you think you can’t hoola-hoop, you are mistaken! This class is so much fun that you don’t even realize that you are working out! It’s much easier with an “adult sized” hoop, provided at the class. No experience necessary. Angela Reitter, Certified HoopLove Coach and Hoola-Fit Instructor. $15

DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: OPTIMIZING MEN’S HEALTH AT ANY AGE

Thursday, Mar. 28; 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m.

Deep Trivedi, MD, of New Jersey Urology in Lawrenceville will hold an open dialogue about integrative approaches and best-life discussions pertaining to lifestyle, diet, and supplementation relating to men. Additional focus will also include the latest developments in anti-aging and health span improvements. Dinner will be provided.

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

GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE PUZZLING PAINTING

How does one piece of the big picture contribute to the greater whole? In this relaxed group painting workshop, each participant receives one portion of a larger image to paint onto a canvas using their choice of style and color. The finished canvases are then assembled together to reveal the collective artwork made by the group. This activity demonstrates how connections are made and individual perceptions can be seen in new ways.

Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024; 1 to 2:30

EXCLUSIVE* (see details below)

*EXCLUSIVE to any Better Health Member who will be a first-time participant attending a Grounds for Sculpture activity sponsored by Better Health. To register, email BHProgram@rwjbh.org

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024; 10:30 to Noon open to all Better Health Members

Location: Grounds for Sculptor, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619

AROUND TOWN

WW Arts introduces first-ever artist in residence

West Windsor Arts has announced visual artist Fiona Clark as its first-ever Artist in Residence through April.

Clark will be spending time on select days in the studio space at West Windsor Arts, which is located on Alexander Road in Princeton Junction. She will be

ing on projects and sharing her knowledge and expertise with students and artists.

“I specialize in bright, bold, colorful abstracts that spark joy,” says Clark of her work. “I do this through paintings, ceramics or public art.”

Aylin Green, executive director of West Windsor Arts, said that the Artist in Residence program was established to “provide the community with access to an artist who engages them in a variety of ways about art by sharing their unique experiences, processes and purpose.

“It’s also a great opportunity for the artist to share their work with our passionate audience and to participate in a meaningful exchange of ideas.”

Clark graduated cum laude in 2007

a career in graphic design and worked as a digital art director in the fashion industry for 10 years before deciding to pursue art full-time. Clark moved back to New Jersey in 2020 and now creates out of her home studio in Princeton.

“Prior to making the leap to full-time art five years ago, I worked as an art director in the fashion industry for brands such as Kate Spade, Coach and Kenneth Cole,” Clark said. “Once I found my creative voice, I sought to put it across different mediums, paintings and drawings, ceramics and public art, and I decided it was a good time to become a full-time artist.”

fiber,” said Clark.

The members of the West Windsor Arts volunteer Exhibits Committee, who were instrumental in selecting Clark as the art center’s inaugural Artist in Residence, said were impressed not only with her artwork but also her experience and unique perspectives. They collaborated with Clark when writing the Call for Art for the Member Show.

from the University of Hartford Art School with a BFA concentration in Visual Communication Design, minors in Photography and Art History. She moved to New York City post graduation to pursue

Clark will jury the 2024 West Windsor Arts Member Show, ‘Leave Your Mark,’ which will include her work along with that of our members,” Green said. The show, which will be on display from April 9 through June 1, will spotlight individual mark-making techniques, “whether they are the kind of brush strokes we see in a landscape painting, pencil marks from an initial sketch, fingerprints in the clay of a sculpture, or a repetitive pattern in woven

“My goal is that other artists learn from working with me, and vice versa,” she notes. “West Windsor Arts has a lovely facility and offers a space for me to give back (to the community). If anyone has ever considered being a full-time artist, this is a discussion you won’t want to miss.”

Learn more about Clark Clark on her website atfionac.nyc.

For more information on West Windsor Arts, go to westwindsorarts.org. Hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery hours may vary. Call (609) 716-1931 in advance or write info@westwindsorarts.org.

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of your neighbors. The West Windsor and Plainsboro News is for local people, by

people. As part of the community, the Gazette does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood.

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Fiona Clark is the Artist in Residence at West Windsor Arts.

As the name implies, the Art Hub is focused on giving kids the opportunity to experiment with their creativity, and the main ways they can do so are through painting and scratch art. A set of scratch art pads are kept for students to use, allowing them to shift their focus away from whatever was previously affecting them to what they will soon create.

It is a “magical” tool, and every kid that I have seen play with it has found it a nice distraction. Along with scratch art, there are different paint color options, some paintbrushes, an easel, and some small clipboards. Painting gives students a way to think about what makes them happy and put it on paper, putting them in a sort of different “world” than the one that is currently disturbing them.

The second section in the room is the Reading Nook, a comfortable, cozy, relaxing area where kids can use their imagination to travel to a new place. There are a variety of genres the students can choose from, some of them being fantasy, realistic fiction, and A Little SPOT of Emotion books. Reading will help the students take a break and will also help their literary skills.

Last is the Sensory Corner, where students can focus on breathing techniques and activating mainly their sense of touch.

doing some meditation, all of which have their own benefits. Yoga and meditation help manage stress and reduce the tendency to take impulsive actions. Listening to music helps in stimulating the brain and improving concentration, and can be a good way to transition from negative feelings to more positive ones.

The flexible seating in this area is especially beneficial to students, and is fun for them to choose from. It gives them a choice and lets them decide what works best for them, along with giving them a comfortable space to use the tools provided. It is also good for the physical health of students, with some seating increasing blood flow and helping core strength, both which lead to better behavior and academic performance.

In this corner, students can play with fidget toys, virtual Google Slide, choose from a variety of flexible seating, and play with kinetic sand.

The fidget toys in this room have many different uses. There is a breathing board and a breathing tube, which students can use to calm down and regulate their emotions. There are also sliders and gel emotion friends which the kids can use to understand their own feelings and learn that others can also experience the same.

Students are also provided with many other sensory toys, including soft putty, and gel aquariums.

These fidget toys are wonderful outlets for any feelings like anxiety or anger that need to be released and with this, they help improve both focus and attention, contributing to the students being able to do better once they go back to class.

In the Comfort Cove, a virtual Google Slide is kept for students to use if they feel like doing yoga, listening to music, or

The last resource available in this room is a kinetic sand table. This is a resource recommended by many teachers in the school, and has proved to be helpful in the Comfort Cove. It is an enjoyable activity for students, helping them calm down while enhancing their tactile senses.

Creating a space like this was extremely rewarding, but it came with its difficulties.

In planning this project, I knew it would be a costly one. Along with all of the resources we bought for the room, we also needed to give it a newer look, which we did by painting the walls.

For high achievement in violin, viola and cello performance

For high achievement in violin, viola and cello performance

For high achievement in violin, viola and cello performance

“You are to be complimented for fostering a warm, supportive community, where your students are well taught in every respect.”

Jonathan Beiler First Violinist, Philadelphia Orchestra

“You are to be complimented for fostering a warm, supportive community, where your students are well taught in every respect.”

“You are to be complimented for fostering a warm, supportive community, where your students are well taught in every respect.”

“You

Call NOW to join our award winning string program:

“You are to be complimented for fostering a warm, supportive community,

Private lessons for violin, viola, cello and string bass Group lessons/performance • String quartet coaching/performance Competition coaching • Music theory

Jonathan Beiler First Violinist, Philadelphia Orchestra

Jonathan Beiler First Violinist, Philadelphia Orchestra

Jonathan Beiler First Violinist, Philadelphia Orchestra

Call NOW to join our award winning string program:

Call NOW to join our award winning string program:

For more information call 609.751.7664 or visit our website www.stringacademy.net

• Private lessons for violin, viola and cello

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TWO LOCATIONS: WEST WINDSOR & p RINCETON

• Group lessons/ performance

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Aanya Mangla (right) created a sensory-emotional learning room—the Comfort Cove (left)—in Wiicoff School in Plainsboro as part of her Girl Schout Gold Award project.

Luckily, the school was able to provide some books and pay for most of the materials, but money still had to be put in for wall decorations, paint, some books, and appropriate resources for each corner.

To pay for this, I decided to do a fundraiser, in which I made customized t-shirts for a Holi event happening in my community. I introduced limited designs for people to choose from, and my parents and I spread the word about the shirts. Some orders started coming in, but initially we only received four orders.

After this we had to remind others about the fundraiser in community group chats, and people requested more options. We incorporated this feedback and added more room for customization. Finally, we got 22 orders, which were enough to pay for many of our expenses.

I had planned to start the project at the beginning of my summer break, but we experienced many difficulties with accessing the room. It was previously used for storage and filled with old furniture and materials. This led to me having to postpone my project a little, since school was still in session and the staff was busy. Although in the beginning I could work on virtual tasks, once those were done I had to get in the room and start working.

These problems continued throughout the summer due to the HVAC system of

the school having to be changed. Because of this, there were times where the power was out, or when we weren’t allowed to enter the school, which further delayed my project, but soon, with easy communication with the staff, I was able to solve this!

In the time I had, I decided to visit different stores and shop for wall decorations, and make custom wall decals for each section in the room. I also spent this time making labels for all of the genres in the bookshelf.

Luckily, I was able to find solutions to each problem I ran into, and the staff at Wicoff tried their best to help me as much as possible, resulting in a successful project that has reached many students at the school, and which will also hopefully reach others in our community.

As per a survey I took, students have learned to take breaks when they are upset and have found specific methods to feel better. For example, one student found that it helps them to calm down when they jump around the room on stepping stones. Teachers have also found the room helpful, some liking how it “appeals to different needs of students” and others liking how it gives students “a place to feel without a counselor or teacher trying to push it out of them.”

I feel incredibly proud of what this proj-

ect has developed to, and am so happy that students at Wicoff now have an effective resource to support them through their current and future endeavors.

I am also extremely thankful to all who have helped me in this project, including my parents and sister, who have put in an immense amount of time and who have supported me every step of the way, my project advisor, Ms. Maureen Cook, who

has given me this wonderful opportunity and entrusted me with the resource, my troop leader, who has guided me through any confusion I have felt, and the counselors and teachers who have shared their valuable suggestions about the project. The Comfort Cove wouldn’t be what it is without them, and I am so happy that together, we have created such an amazing, impactful area.

Plainsboro township recreation

Exciting Summer Camp

Offerings in Plainsboro Township

Plainsboro Township is thrilled to announce a diverse array of summer camps designed to keep your child active and engaged throughout the upcoming summer months. Catering to children aged 4 to 12 (Pre-K to 6th grade), our camps offer an enriching blend of fun-filled activities and educational experiences.

Pre-K Summer Fun Camp is tailored for our youngest campers not yet in kindergarten and runs for four 2-week sessions from 9:15 am to 12:30 pm. Priced at $170 per 2-week session if registered before May 15th, increasing to $200 per session thereafter.

For older children entering 1st to 6th grades, Plainsboro Rec Camp provides a full-day adventure from 9 am to 3 pm. Priced at $270 per 2-week session before May 15th, increasing to $300 thereafter. Both camps feature unique themes for each session, complemented by engaging activities, guest presenters, and an exciting field trip.

In collaboration with various organizations, we’re

SUMMER CAMPS 2024

proud to offer a diverse range of specialized camps. From performing arts to academics, sports, and even a thrilling Police Academy Camp, there’s something for every interest. Academic enthusiasts can delve into the Science Olympiad camp, while budding actors can shine in Acting, Broadway & Musicals workshops. Sports aficionados can hone their skills in Multi-sports, tennis, and volleyball camps. Additionally, nature lovers can embark on Preserve Adventure Weeks, and history buffs can explore the wonders of Museum Camp.

For added convenience, early drop-off at 7 am and late pick-up until 6 pm are available for most full-day camps at an additional fee.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 4th, and join us at our Founders Day event from 12:30-4:30 pm, where camp representatives will be on hand to address any inquiries you may have.

Camp registration opens on Monday, March 4th, and can be completed either in person at

Plainsboro Recreation and Community Services or conveniently online at www.plainsboronj.com.

Secure your child’s spot today for an unforgettable summer of fun and learning in Plainsboro Township!

See ad, page 5.

7:00 a.m-2:00 p.m Easter Sunday

All orders must be picked up by 12:00 p.m Sunday, March 31st.

Dinners do not come hot. Items must be heated before consuming. Heating Instructions & Allergen Information on mcca reys.com & a QR Code is on Catering box upon pick-up.

A La Carte Menu items available in Prepared Foods: 3/22-3/31/2024

Dinners available for pick-up: 3/26-3/31/2024

Orders must be placed by 5:00 p.m 3/26/2024

WW-P North. They are good athletes and good students and active citizens. And they are triplets.

“It’s a lot,” Darren said. “You always have somebody to talk to. There are a lot of goods that come with it, rarely any bads. It can sometimes be annoying, but I definitely think the goods outweigh the bads.”

The three share similar athleticism, determination and drive that have resulted in enormous development in wrestling and diving, and are active in their school and community.

The de Jong triplets also have their differences in athletics, school, hobbies and plans beyond high school. Though the trio isn’t particularly competitive among themselves, their differences are important to distinguish each other.

“We’re all pretty much supportive because we all do a bunch of different things,” said Evan. “All of us have pretty different hobbies. Darren and I got into wrestling, but we’re at different weights so it’s not that competitive between the two of us. I think it’s pretty much all support. All of us want to see each other do well.”

Evan does bullseye pistol shooting. He is currently ranked as expert, only one rank below the ultimate of distinguished expert. Darren also used to do bullseye pistol shooting, but now focuses instead on archery though he recently backed off from the competitions he used to attend regularly. Darren also enjoys fishing. Christine goes running on the side of her other athletic pursuits.

Their similarities are valuable too as they share in successes. All three are closing in on their Eagle Scout awards with each of their Eagle projects focused around the Plainsboro Preserve. Darren

is the WW-P North school record holder for girls in both the 6-dive and 11-dive formats used in high school competitions.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch Christine grow in the sport of diving for the past three years,” said first-year Knights diving coach Elisa Sautter, who has coached in New Jersey for 13 years and also coaches at Notre Dame. “She has grown to become not only a competitor, but also a teammate and supports her teammates on the high school and club teams.”

Christine qualified for her third straight state diving championships and rewrote the school record book again with an 11-dive total of 427.65 at the state qualifier at Montgomery High on Feb. 7. Last year, she scored 302.75 at the qualifier. She has a 6-dive high of 235.20, up from last year’s 212.50 record.

“Every time she gets out she gets better,” said Joe Costello, her club coach at Princeton Tiger Aquatics Club. “So it just keeps improving.”

Christine didn’t take up diving until she got to high school. She was forced to make a choice with her time, and she shifted from gymnastics, which the triplet’s mother had done through college.

March

is building an archery range in the preserve for his project, and Evan’s project is providing sturdy target holders to augment the range. Adjacent to the range, Christine’s Eagle Scout project is building a new gate to a garden that she also is fixing up to protect its vegetables from hungry gophers.

When the three entered high school, they also picked up another selfless hobby. They work together to raise dogs for The Seeing Eye in Morristown.

The dogs stay with them for a year to 18 months before they are returned to The Seeing Eye to finish their training. They have raised three dogs together so far.

“Obviously we’re very good working together,” said Evan, “but we definitely do want to do other things and work with people outside of just our family.”

The triplets have each shown significant improvements in their main sports. After cheerleading through the fall, Christine’s diving has taken off this winter. She

“Once I started cheerleading and diving, I realized that it was quite a big commitment to continue doing all three sports,” Christine said. “So I decided to stop doing gymnastics and fully commit to diving and cheer on the side, so I could use what I learned in gymnastics in diving.”

Being a former gymnast helped, and Christine was able to make a quick transition thanks to that background. She was 14th at the state meet in her first year of diving. She moved into the top 10 last year, and this year is hoping to move up again in her newest sport.

See TRIPLETS, Page 8

Christine de Jong, pictured above, is a diver and cheerleader at High School North. (Photo by Joe Costello.)

“Obviously there are some crossovers,” Christine said. “It was a pretty big switch. You have to land on your head; in gymnastics you never do that. I picked it up pretty fast. I’ve been lucky to have a lot of coaches that have taught gymnasts before so it wasn’t too bad of a switch.”

Christine has taken on diving and its dangers. She suffered a cut from a fall onto the board in last year’s Mercer County Championships, and despite her protests to continue, the on-site trainer would not allow her to finish the competition. This year, she placed fourth at counties with a score of 218.45.

“She’s a fierce competitor,” Costello said. “She’s never satisfied, which is good because as a coach I’m never satisfied. If it’s a 9, I want a 10. That’s how she is, and I think that’s why we jive real well together. Nobody’s perfect, but she wants to be.”

Her brothers haven’t been able to make many of her meets, but sometimes after their workouts at Princeton University they will catch the end of her PTAC diving practices at Princeton’s DeNunzio Pool. Christine has been able to support her brothers on the mats.

“Christine does show up to pretty much most of our wrestling now that she can drive,” Darren said. “She even showed up

to counties. That was pretty cool.”

Darren has enjoyed a breakout season for the Knights wrestling team while Evan has continued his own climb. Darren beat Noah Kassas of Princeton 12-9 in the semifinals after back-to-back pins, then dominated top-seeded Gavin Dwyer of Ewing, 12-1, in the finals.

“That was crazy,” Darren said. “That was a long day, 15 hours of wrestling. Going into it I had a pretty good record, but I’ve taught myself never let your head get too big, treat every opponent like they’re going to be really good. I did that going in there and I guess it all paid off. It was amazing. It was a great experience. It’s nothing I’ve ever accomplished before.”

Darren also won his 190-pound weight class at the Schalick-Cumberland Holiday Classic. Evan, too, won his weight class at the SchalickCumberland Holiday Classic. At the MCT, he placed second to Konrad Haugeto of Hopewell Valley at 157 pounds. He reached the finals with a tight 5-3 semifinal win after back-to-back pins.

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The de Jong triplets continue to improve each year, and as it might be expected, have big plans ahead.

“I thought it was a great experience,” Evan said. “Obviously I still have a little ways to go because I would like to be first on that podium next year. It was definitely a good experience. I went into counties having just come off a loss at Princeton which was a little demoralizing and demotivating. I kept my head up and I wrestled through it tough. Overall I’m happy with how I did.”

The brothers got their start in first grade when their dad put them in the Wolverines Wrestling rec program at Grover Middle School. They didn’t see success instantly but they continued to work at it.

“That fighting sport is always something I guess a dad wants to have their son do, so we stuck with it for years and years and years,” Darren said. “We weren’t really good, but it gave us the foundation to where we are now. We just followed that along and took that with us since we had the experience, why not in middle school and why not in high school? The wrestling team didn’t have anybody really good, and also a lot of the people we did Wolverines with still stuck with it and they’re on the team today and we’re good friends.”

he did get caught in some stuff and you think if he’d just have played it a little safer he may have won. But now it’s paying off with such huge dividends because his confidence level and the fact that he’s non-stop going for things throughout the match.”

Darren and Evan’s styles are contrasts in many ways, the sort of differences that distinguish them from each other. But both have been successful.

“Evan is very calculating,” Furlong said. “He only takes something when it’s absolutely there. He takes a long time to figure out his opponent and try to do something. That’s kind of fun. With Darren, you never know what’s going to happen. His matches are often wild. With Evan, that’s not quite the case. They’ve been low scoring more, but he’s grown within that style and he’s having a really great season as well. In that way, they’re very different on the wrestling mat.”

A big key to their improvements is their commitment to getting stronger. It’s not uncommon to see the de Jongs in the weight room when WW-P North opens it up at lunch. And in the offseason they lift plenty, something that started when they were freshmen.

154 South Mill Road • West Windsor, NJ 08550 609-799-0712

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Palm Sunday, March 24th - 9:30 AM

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Good Friday, March 29th - 12:00 Noon - 3:00 PM

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Zoom with Closed Captioning. For Zoom access to these services emailpastor@dutchneckpresbyterian.com

They have seen remarkable growth in their high school careers. Evan was 28-6 with 23 wins by pin heading into this year’s District 17 wrestling tournament. It’s a far cry from his 5-11 mark as a freshman before jumping to 24-14 last year when he won a match at the district tournament.

“A big thing sticking with it was acknowledging that we were young,” Evan said. “Most kids as freshmen aren’t going to be on the varsity team and possibly wrestling seniors and juniors and upperclassmen. I personally think that was a big thing in having the mindset to keep going and thinking of next year as an opportunity to grow and become one of those bigger kids.”

Darren won 10 matches as a freshman, but three were from forfeit when teams couldn’t fill his weight class. Now teams sometimes forfeit out of fear. Last year, he was 11-11 in an injury-marred year, but this year he has put together a 31-3 record with 23 wins by pin.

“He’s never afraid to try anything,” Furlong said. “He’s really the kind of kid I want, the kind of kid that goes for it. He’s not afraid to fail, he’s not afraid to mess up, he’s not afraid to lose. He’s just trying to do the best he can to win. Sometimes I guess earlier in his wrestling career

“We went to the gym with our dad quite a bit,” Evan said. “We never did anything too crazy, but it definitely sparked our interest in it. The following summer it really took off. We were going to the gym every day trying to get a lot stronger. I’d say it helps a lot for wrestling with both of us. I went from being not very good at wrestling as a freshman to having a really good record sophomore year. There was definitely a big improvement.”

Furlong explained: “They’re committed. They get enjoyment out of it. At no point does it seem like they’re working. It seems like they’re really having fun, and they’re doing the things that make you a better athlete.”

The de Jong triplets continue to improve each year, and as it might be expected, have big plans ahead. Christine is hoping to dive at the Division 1 college level and is interested in a job in healthcare. Evan is interested in pursuing college wrestling and plans to study physical therapy or engineering.

Darren is more set on majoring in engineering and wrestling at a lower or club level beyond WW-P North. The trio has engineered success in all their pursuits through high school, each knowing they always have their siblings’ support in whatever they do.

“Rarely is there any feeling of jealousy between any of us because no matter what, one of us is always going to do well,” Evan said. “There’s always support. I only hope the best for them, and I’d hope they’d do the same for me.”

Entertainment from parades to parties, like the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation’s annual March fundraiser at Mercer Oaks Golf Course in West Windsor, above, are events worth wishing for, page 2.

Photos by RDNE Stock project via Pexels, left, and Audrey Amelie for Bluestone Lane, right.

St. Patrick’s Day 2024: Entertainment, Music & More

By Rebekah Schroeder

March your way to experiencing the pride of the Emerald Isle with these St. Patrick’s Day-themed events throughout the greater Mercer County region, many of which feature Irish inspirations and truly celebrate the culture of “craic.” * * *

The Original St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hamilton

Nottingham Fire House, 200 Mercer Street, Hamilton. Saturday, March 9, 12:30 p.m. opening ceremony and 1 p.m. parade start. Rain date is Saturday, March 23. Free. Since its inception in 1985 and subsequent move from Trenton to Hamilton, “The Original St. Patrick’s Day Parade” has become an annual expression of Irish pride for residents of Mercer County and beyond.

After an opening ceremony kicks off the festivities at 12:30 p.m., the parade route begins a half-hour later at the Nottingham Fire House on Mercer Street.

This year’s two co-grand marshals are Kevin and Maryann Meara, the founders

The “Original St. Patrick’s Day Parade” starts at the Nottingham Fire House in Hamilton again this year on Saturday, March 9, with Co-Grand Marshals Kevin and Maryann Meara, center and left , alongside Miss St. Patrick’s Day Kayla Adams, right, pictured at the parade luncheon in AOH Hibernian Hall on February 15. Photos courtesy of the City of Angels website.

of the Hamilton nonprofit organization City of Angels, which the couple established in 2008 after the death of their son, Kevin

“KC” Meara, from a heroin overdose at the age of 24.

For more than 15 years, COA has helped individuals with substance use disorders and mental health issues by providing a range of services, including recovery support, treatment referrals, and community outreach, according to its website, cityofangelsnj.org

demic, such as when President Obama signed the “21st Century Cures Act” in 2016, as well as the White House’s roundtable for “International Overdose Awareness Day” in 2022. For more on the Mearas, see cityofangelsnj.org/kevin-and-maryann-meara

This year’s “Miss St. Patrick” is Kayla Adam, a senior at New Egypt High School in Plumsted Township who works at the Trenton Ancient Order of Hibernians, Msgr. Crean Division #1, where her father, treasurer Dave Adam, is an officer.

* * *

Other events are planned after the parade and throughout the month of March by local Irish organizations, according to the City of Angels website, cityofangelsnj. org/grand-marshal, including dinners, parties, a Tricky Tray, Gaelic Mass, and more.

The Trenton AOH Division #1 will host an afterparty in the AOH Hibernian Hall, 2419 Kuser Road in Hamilton Square, at 3 p.m., as well as a holiday celebration on March 17 at the same time.

Another Trenton Irish group, the AOH Joe Cahill Division #10, hosts its own gathering with a cash bar and live music from 3 to 8 p.m. at the American Legion Post #458 North Trenton, 1438 Brunswick Avenue, in Trenton.

Tickets are $25 for ages 21 and older and $10 for anyone under 21. Food and one complimentary drink are included.

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In honor of the couple’s commitment to advocacy, this year’s parade theme is “Service Through Sacrifice.”

The parade committee selected the Mearas—who both cite Irish roots, were born in Trenton, and have lived together in Hamilton with their family for five decades—to serve as co-grand marshals in December 2023.

Kevin Meara is a former longtime Hamilton Township councilman, notably the only person in such a role to have been elected to office as both a Democrat and a Republican.

In addition to his time in local government, Kevin spent four decades in the energy industry with PSEG, while Maryann is a retired teacher’s aide for the Mercer County Special Services School District.

The Mearas have been invited to the White House several times as a result of their work with COA to present and participate in events addressing the opioid epi-

Rounding out the tricolor trifecta of gettogethers is The Sons and Daughters of Erin’s annual “St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance” from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Nottingham Ballroom, 200 Mercer Street, with dinner, Irish beer, wine, and refreshments.

The Irish pub Tir Na nOg holds a “Grand Marshal Night” at 1324 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, in recognition of the Mearas on Wednesday, March 20.

Then, on April 20, the Trenton Irish Heritage Association Scholarship Committee’s 13th “Tricky Tray” returns to Lawrenceville’s Notre Dame High School, 601 Lawrence Road, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the first drawing at 7 p.m.

Participants must bring their own food and drinks. No alcohol is permitted. Tickets are $10 each.

More information: hamiltonparade.com or cityofangelsnj.org/grand-marshal.

See ST. PATRICKS DAY, Page 6

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Nottingham Tavern, Killarney’s to Host Live Music After the Parade

Looking for more luck of the Irish around town after the parade ends? The Nottingham Tavern at 9 Mercer Street will have food flowing and three bands scheduled throughout the day, including Radio Fiction at 3 p.m. and Deep Release’s performance at 9 p.m. nottinghamtavern.com

Meanwhile, Killarney’s Publick House, located at 1644 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, continues in the spirit of the parade with Irish food, dancers, live music, and more.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17, Killarney’s features more of that Irish flair with a special menu and an all-day lineup of live music on the outside patio, walk-ins only, as the restaurant opens bright and early at 8 a.m.

According to the Facebook page for the event, this features performers from the Kotelnicki School of Irish Dance in Hamilton, local acts like Mark Sacco and Electric Stingray, as well as a “special appearance by Hibo’s Pipes & Drums.” killarneyspublickhouse.com.

The Nerds “St. Pat’s Eve!” Party and Dinner Show at Cooper’s Riverview

Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton. Saturday, March 16, 7 to 11:30 p.m. Doors open at 6, buffet starts at 7, and showtime is 8 p.m. Price: $15 to $45.

Get a taste of the Mercer County nightlife with a St. Patrick’s Day-themed “Dine and Dance” event at Cooper’s Riverview, a “waterfront dining and entertainment” venue located right on the Delaware River in Trenton, featuring popular cover band The Nerds

Described as “America’s Party Band Fun-omenon,” The Nerds are a Jersey Shore staple with an onstage gimmick of dorky fashion and thick-framed personas riffing off a series of Saturday Night Live sketches about a fictional group of the same name.

The quartet has maintained this comedic style through nearly four decades of performing pop and rock songs together.

Over the years, The Nerds have shared the stage with everyone from Sheryl Crow to Jon Bon Jovi to Maroon 5, as well as being the house band for MTV’s “Ultimate Cover Band Contest,” which they also hosted.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the St. Patrick’s Day buffet dinner and drinks, includ-

The classic Jersey Shore rock-pop cover band The Nerds performs at Cooper’s Riverview in Trenton for a “St. Patrick’s Eve” party and dinner show on Saturday, March 16. Photo courtesy of The Nerds website.

ing “American favorites,” available an hour later at 7 p.m.

In addition to the band’s 8 p.m. concert in the Colosseum Event Hall, Cooper’s will also have a house DJ playing the main dance floor.

Multiple ticket packages are avail-

able, starting at $15 general admission, which includes access to both the main bar and dance floor party, but with seating described as first come, first served in a non-reserved area.

The GA price will be higher at the door.

The gold package for the show and din-

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ner is $35 and includes general admission, access to the Cooper’s dinner buffet with carving station, and seating in the Colosseum Event Hall.

The platinum rate is $45 and includes general admission, the dinner buffet, VIP seating near the dance floor and in the main event hall, as well as access to a VIP bar area.

According to the Eventbrite page for the event, eventbrite.com/e/the-nerds-st-patseve-coopers-riverview-saturday-night-dinnerand-show-tickets-827530996487, both those in the gold and platinum tiers must pay an additional 15-percent service charge at the end of the dinner experience.

More information: coopersnj.com/ events-old/r9sk8s7pa74b994-n7kee-hhrex4scyf-3nlpg-y33nt

Cookie Decorating Class at Killarney’s Publick House

Killarney’s Publick House, 1644 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton. Thursday, March 14, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Price: $55 per person.

Killarney’s Publick House, described on its website as an “old-school Irish alehouse,” brings seasonal imagery to life with a “St. Patrick’s Day”-inspired cookie decorating class for all ages on Thursday, March 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Participants will learn and take home six baked creations in this how-to guide to holiday imagery taught by Deana’s Cookie Couture, a shop based in Newtown, Pennsylvania, but designed by and with promotional materials from 6 B’s Creations

Both businesses offer custom-order personalized cookies for purchase, but Deana’s Cookie Couture is a member of 6 B’s Cre-

08629 | www.priornami.com

ations’ “Teaching Partners” program, which develops monthly class sets for its participants to teach.

Tickets are $55 per person. To register, visit the Deana’s Cookie Couture website at deanascookiecouture.com. All supplies are provided in class at this event, and limited seating is available.

More information: deanascookiecouture.com.

Hopewell Valley Central High School’s 5K Lucky Bulldog Dash

Hopewell Valley Central High School, 259 Pennington Titusville Road, Pennington. Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. registration and 9:30 a.m. race start. Price: $35 per person, discounts available.

On your mark, get set, and go green! Walk or run in Hopewell Valley Central High School’s “5K Lucky Bulldog Dash,” a fundraiser to support senior programming for the HVCHS Class of 2025, on Saturday, March 16, 9:30 a.m. at 259 Pennington Titusville Road.

USA Track & Field New Jersey has sanctioned the event and will certify the 5K course prior to the race, which also qualifies as part of USATF’s “2024 Grand Prix” series with a point value of 500.

Decorate cookies to your heart’s content at Killarney’s Publick House in Hamilton, where you can recreate these “golden” designs from 6 B’s Creations under the instruction of Deana’s Cookie Couture on March 14.

Price: $65 per person.

Whether it’s preserving the natural green or the Irish spirit, the D&R Greenway Land Trust and Voices Chorale NJ are paying tribute to the hue with another music and dance benefit, “Celebrate the Green,” on Friday, March 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, in Princeton.

The competition is on no matter rain, snow, or shine, with awards given to the top three male and female contestants overall, as well as the top three male and female contestants in each age bracket, the groups of which are: 15 and younger; 16 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 to 79, 80 to 89, as well as 90 and older.

The two organizations have teamed up for a night of entertainment featuring the Parnell Irish Band, humorous storytelling, Irish country dancing, and even singalongs by the fire pit.

… and more!

After completing the “Dublin Road” course, participants can enjoy a day of music and fun hosted by the HVCHS PTO. Prizes will be awarded to the top team and individual themed costumes, as well as to “anyone who can catch the Leprechaun” spotted around the Pennington campus.

“Guests are encouraged to wear green and experience a pub-style setting while enjoying beer, wine, and a light pub supper,” the press release continues, while other opportunities include a silent auction of “unique items” in support of Voices Chorale NJ.

Registration fees are $35 per person, with all participants 18 years of age and younger receiving a $5 discount at checkout.

To register online or donate, see the event’s page on the Race Roster website at raceroster.com/events/2024/83118/ hopewell-valley-5k

Registration opens at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. In addition to benefiting the HVCHS Class of 2025’s future senior events, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

More information: raceroster.com/ events/2024/83118/hopewell-valley-5k

“Celebrate the Green” with the D&R Greenway Land Trust and Voices Chorale NJ

D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton. March 15, 6 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $65 per person with limited seating. To purchase a seat, visit drgreenway.org, voiceschoralenj.org, or call 609-924-4646.

The Parnell Irish Band plays both modern and traditional instruments, bringing guitar, drums, and fiddling to enliven the event and entice the crowd into joining.

For a list of the band’s musical selections or more information, see esteemlivemusic.com/live-musicbands/international-live-music-bands/ parnell-irish-band

Voices Chorale NJ is a nonprofit, auditioned chorus based in Hopewell with about 40 members from central New Jersey and Pennsylvania, headed by artistic director Dr. David A. McConnell, “to bring outstanding music to the public, inspire audiences, and provide performance opportunities for singers and local musicians.”

Photo courtesy of 6 B’s Creations.

Photo courtesy of the D&R Greenway Land

Mercer Eats

Empanadas, Kebabs and Crabs: New in Food & Dining

By Joe Emanski

Empanadas are on a roll. Not literally, of course.

The deep-fried (and sometimes baked) turnovers, once a rare find in the area, are turning up on more menus every year. Usually filled with savory fillings like beef, chicken and cheese, empanadas can also be sweet. They are popular throughout South America and up into the Caribbean.

Hamilton-based food trucks Hotpanada

and Chic Gourmet Empanadas have opened for business in recent years and built up loyal followings. Hopewell-based Catalina Empanadas, which makes a baked, Chilean style empanada, can be found in several seasonal farmers markets in the area.

Now one empanada vendor has found a permanent home at the year-round Trenton Farmers Market: Jasmine’s Nadas, which opened up a stand in the market in 2023 and moved into the market last month.

Owner and chef Jasmine Wesley comes

from a Puerto Rican background and says her fried empanadas are made in the Puerto Rican style.

“In Puerto Rico, we call them pastelillos,” she says. “But every time I was saying that, people were like, ‘What?’ So we were like, ‘Let’s just call them empanadas,’ and then I shortened it to ‘Jasmine’s Nadas.’”

on Facebook with my menu for about a year,” she says. “Trying to get the word out any way I could.”

In October 2022, she got an invitation from the New Egypt Flea Market to set up a stand there. Then last spring, Trenton Farmers Market manager Bill Kearney contacted Wesley about establishing a second location there.

She opened in August. That proved successful enough that Kearney offered her the spot recently vacated by The Lunchbox.

Welcoming Dr. Maulik ShahGastroenterologist

Jasmine’s Nadas offers traditional fillings like beef, chicken and cheese in the empanadas. But Wesley is not afraid to get creative. She estimates that she has made more than 50 varieties over the years, including pepperoni pizza, garlic potato, butternut squash and chicken Cordon Bleu. She also makes dessert empanadas such as her apple pie and cherry pie varieties.

Dr Maulik Shah is an expert in general gastroenterology procedures as well as advanced endoscopic procedures such as ERCP, endoscopic luminal stenting, and EMR. He has a strong passion for teaching and routinely gives lectures to the community on a variety of gastroenterology disorders.

Abdominal Pain

Women’s Digestive Health

Diverticular Disease

Liver Function Abnormalities

Pancreatic

“I grew up in Point Pleasant, so I have a lot of different influences,” she says. “And we like pork in Puerto Rico, so we do a lot of things with pork as well.”

Wesley, who worked for many years as an accountant, has always enjoyed cooking. For parties and potluck dinners, she would often make empanadas to take with her. Friends and co-workers who tried them told her they were good enough that she should start an empanada business.

After she was laid off in the early days of the pandemic, Wesley decided to just do that.

She started out by making empanadas to sell at fairs and festivals in the Point Pleasant Beach area.

“I was literally spamming mom groups

From ST. PATRICKS DAY, Page 7

Friends for the Abbott Marshlands, in its ongoing efforts to connect the climate and community statewide.

More information: drgreenway.org or voiceschoralenj.org

The new spot’s full kitchen has allowed Wesley to add tacos, burritos and quesadillas to the menu, along with some other Puerto Rican specialties like papas rellenas — a potato croquette stuffed with meat.

While Jasmine’s Nadas does not have tables for sit-down service at this time, she said her husband is beginning work on a new paver patio that she hopes will be completed in time for customers to sit outside in the warmer weather and enjoy their food.

“When people walk into the lobby, they will see my daughter or my cousin. If they look in the kitchen, they will see my husband or me,” she says. “When you walk in, I want you to feel like you’re walking into my living room.”

The Trenton Farmers Market is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but because Jasmine’s Nadas now has its own entrance, Wesley says, she plans to

hours of festive fun to support a cause on Saturday, March 16, from 7 to 11 p.m.

Established in 2000 by Judith Harr Shane to honor the legacy of her late son, the JHSF provides financial assistance to family caregivers for medical expenses by navigating the process for them and raising money to pay the sources of each bill directly.

2271 Rt 33, Suite 110

Hamilton, NJ 08690

Ph: 609-917-9917

The Joshua Harr Shane Foundation’s St. Patrick’s Day Party at Mercer Oaks

Mercer Oaks Golf Course, 725 Village Road West, West Windsor. Saturday, March 16, 7 to 11 p.m. Price: $115.

601

As both an annual fundraiser and cocktail party for the nonprofit organization, the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation’s “St. Patrick’s Day Party,” held every year at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course in West Windsor, features Irish music, an open bar, a four-course dinner, green beer, and four

Through a partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, JHSF has opened four rooms on site, most recently the Joshua Harr Shane Patient Evaluation Suites at the Cancer Center at RWJ Hamilton, its fourth project thus far, in November 2022.

Tickets are $115 per person and include a choice of chicken, steak, or fish. Guests are encouraged to wear green.

To register, see the EventBrite page for the event, eventbrite.com/e/st-patricks-dayparty-tickets-807028843997?aff=erelexpmlt

stay open later, perhaps as late as 8:30 or 9 p.m. Web: facebook.com/jasminesnadas

In other TFM news, The Borscht Belt Delicatessen has announced that it will soon open a stand in the market. The Jewish-style deli started out in the Stockton Market in 2021 before moving to Newtown, Pennsylvania, last year.

The Borscht Belt is fronted by celebrity chef Nicky Liberato, the former co-host of the Netflix show “Restaurants on the Edge.” The deli menu includes favorites like bagels with lox, Reuben sandwiches, matzoh ball soup and knishes. The farmers

market menu has not yet been revealed. * * *

The Nassau Park Pavillion has welcomed a couple of fast-casual chains in recent months:

Bluestone Lane, a New York-based café looking to popularize Australian coffee in the U.S., and Just Salad, an 18-year-old chain with eight locations in New Jersey. Web: bluestonelane.com

Despite its name, Just Salad has wraps, soups, smoothies and “warm bowls” like the chicken fajita bowl and spicy tofu crunch bowl. Just Salad diners can filter the menu

by categories such as keto, vegan, paleo, gluten-free and climatarian. Web: justsalad.com * * *

Across the street at Quaker Bridge Mall is the recently opened DoneRight Doner Kebab, which has the look of a chain restaurant, but isn’t — yet. The fastcasual, 100% halal restaurant specializes in Turkish street food, offering chicken, lamb and falafel dishes, familiar appetizers such as hummus and baba ganoush, and franchising opportunities. Web: donerightdk. com

And over in Pennington, Gretalia Hospitality Group, the folks behind PJ’s Pancakes, Osteria Procaccini, More than Q and Mi España, have opened the chainfriendly concept Union Boil Co. in the Pennington Shopping Center. Union Boil has lobster rolls, crab cakes, clam chowder, oysters and everything else you would expect a seafood boil restaurant to have — including the $250 Union Boil platter, which comes with jumbo shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, andouille sausage, corn and potatoes and serves six to eight people. Web: unionboil.com

girls TRAVEL TRYOUTS

Summer

Ewing Recreation Department

Camps & Pools

campS 2024 week of MArch 25

Office for these programs. Online registration for seasonal memberships, swim lessons and Senior Swim/ Water Aerobics is required at communitypass.net. Labor Day is the last day that the pools will be open.

The Hamilton Wildcats are an all-female travel soccer club focused on training and player development. In partnership with the Hamilton Girls Soccer Club and NJ rush, the Wildcats provide a complete soccer experience for girls age 5 to 19. The Wildcats are looking for girls who are ready for the travel soccer challenge from birth years 2017-2007 to form new teams and supplement established teams.

The Ewing Community Pools System offers two pools for seasonal members and daily patrons. The pools have shaded areas, pool furniture, changing rooms and shower facilities and ESCC has a snack bar. The Hollowbrook Pool located at 320 Hollowbrook Drive, is scheduled to open on weekends & Memorial Day on Sunday, May 26. Operating hours are Sunday to Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays can be rented for private events, email Raquel at rince@ ewingnj.org to schedule an event. The ESCC pool will open on weekends & Memorial Day starting Saturday, May 25, and both pools will open full time starting on Monday, June 17, from noon to 8 p.m. Swim lessons start with evaluations on Saturday, June 15, and space is limited. Senior Swim and Senior Water Aerobics start on Monday, June 17; seniors needing assistance registering can register at the Senior

The Ewing Recreation Summer Camp will run from June 24 – August 23 for grades K – 5 and is held on the grounds of the Fisher School and Ewing Senior & Community Center (ESCC). The hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Early hours are from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and late hours are from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Online registration is required at communitypass.net. Teen Travel will be for grades 6 – 8 and will run from July 1 – August 16. The camp will travel four days a week and stay in Ewing the other day. Campers can participate in day camp on weeks Teen Travel is not being held. Camp also offers a Counselor in Training program for children entering 9th grade.

For more information on these programs call the Ewing Recreation Office at 609-883-1776 x6203. You can also go to ewingnj.org, Community Affairs. See ad, page 13.

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

• 50 acres of outdoor space

• Special Events are the highlight of the week! Foam parties, magicians, bounce houses, water slides, and more!

• Daily swim lessons are offered as an add-on.

• We partner with Girl Scouts, First Tee Golf, Zumba, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and more.

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

Summer campS 2024

Princeton Ballet School

Nurturing Dancers of All Ages

Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, nurtures dancers of all ages, providing them opportunity to develop their technique and artistry in a rewarding environment.

The Princeton Ballet School Summer Intensive (ages 13 and up) attracts students from all over the globe to study with distinguished and inspiring faculty. Princeton Ballet School holds auditions throughout the United States and accepts video auditions from national and international students for the advanced program.

Students in the Advanced Intensive are also considered for the school’s year-round Trainee program, the direct feeder into American Repertory Ballet’s second company, ARB2, which is also ideal for post–highschool students looking to launch their professional careers. As an educational institution certified to provide F-1 visas, Princeton Ballet School has the ability to accept international students from nearly anywhere in the world for its Summer intensive, Trainee program, and ARB2.

The Summer Intensive Intermediates program, for ages 11 and up, is modeled after Princeton Ballet School’s acclaimed Advanced Summer Intensive and offers the

same personalized ballet training, alongside jazz and new choreography.

The Summer Intensive Juniors program is for children ages 9-11,with a focus on musicality, basic technique; building strength and flexibility; increasing coordination; and dynamics of movement — all while having fun with friends!

Princeton Ballet School also offers fun and rewarding Children’s Summer Courses, beginning with Hand-in-Hand classes for 3-year olds to explore the world of rhythm and dance. All levels of classes for children ages 4-12 are offered throughout the Summer, no previous dance experience required!

For more information, please visit arballet.org or call Princeton Ballet School at 609-921-7758

See ad, page 14

Liberty Lake Day Camp

Kids Discover Their Potential at Summer Camp

By Andy Pritikin

Life is hard. We know this, and yet so many children grow up sheltered from hardships, as their wellmeaning parents unknowingly hold them back. In Adam Grant’s book, “Hidden Potential,” (2023) he lays out the importance of children working through tough situations, to build the character skills needed to be a successful adult.

Grant explains, “Character is often confused with personality, but personality is your basic instincts for how to think, feel, and act. Character is your capacity to prioritize your values over your instincts.” It’s more than having principles. Character is the learned ability to live by your principles.

While I’m not advocating suffering, children do need to experience and

Summer campS 2024

learn from the inevitable challenges they encounter, in order to strengthen their inner-resilience. “Successful people of character are able to overcome life’s hurdles because they learn how to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Starting something new – Summer Camp, college, or a new job, can be an impactful challenge. Of course, kids would rather sit home and stare at their screens! But we know better, and it’s our job to teach kids to push beyond their perceived limits and cultivate the confidence and courage to abandon their comfort zone.

Facing fears, and confronting discomfort are skills that if not strengthened in childhood, may never be gained as an adult.

In the alarming new book about A.I., “The Coming Wave,” (2023,) author Mustafa Suleyman explains how during times of exponential technological growth, “those that survive are the ones best able to adapt.”

Like it or not, technology is replacing everything it possibly

can, making interpersonal HUMAN skills the priority for future generations to learn and master. At ‘old school’ Summer Camps, we hone these critical thinking skills hands-on.

Yes, Summer Camp is a lot of fun, but equally as important, are learning and honing character skills like meeting new people, trying new things, speaking up, and asking questions. Toss in some extreme heat, and the opportunity to experience life without digital screens, and Summer Camp can prove to be a seriously impactful, building block of experiences.

Andy Pritikin is the owner/ director of Liberty Lake Day Camp in Bordentown NJ, past president of the American Camp Association NY/NJ, and host of “The Day Camp Podcast.”

More information: www.

libertylakedaycamp.com. See ad, page 15

Camps run from June 24 through August 23

Camp days include swimming, arts and crafts, nature, special events, entertainers, theme days, athletics, dance and drama.

Register and pay before April 10th and save $25! Swim Lessons at HCC: Evaluations, Saturday, June 17th. Sessions are on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

TEEN TRAVEL: July 1 - August 16 kids entering grades 6 - 8

Travel 4 days a week and one day at camp. Trips to Amusement parks, beaches, aquarium, rock climbing, bowling , laser tag, skating and much more. $370/week for residents $74/day, NonResidents: $470/week, $94/daily. Campers can attend day camp weeks of June 24 and August 19.

All activities at ESCC and Fisher school, except trips.

GraceWay Bible Church

Camp Mercyville Is a Community Favorite

If you are looking for a place for your family to thrive in their relationships with Jesus and each other, GraceWay is the church for you! With over 40 ministries, there is something for everyone! The best way to see if GraceWay is the church home for you is to visit us for Sunday Services at 9 or 10:45 a.m. Childcare and Sunday School is available. Visit our website (www. gracewaybc.org) for more information.

Summer campS 2024

Kelsey Theater

Reach for the Stars — Register Now!

Summer is an especially busy time for children’s ministries. Our seven-week summer day camp, Camp Mercyville (www.campmercyville. org), has been providing quality childcare for over a decade. Our full-day Vacation Bible School/

Adventure Camp is a community favorite! Push the Rock basketball camp helps children become better athletes, teammates, and grow in their relationship with Christ. Summer Family Nights includes family-fun, worship, and small groups for the whole family on Wednesday evenings. We will be hosting an Open House on Monday, March 18, at 7 p.m. Visit our website (www.gracewaybc.org) or contact our office (609-586-0223) to find out more.

See ad, page 12

A few weeks can last a lifetime! Find out at Tomato Patch Summer Workshops in Theater, Dance, Vocal Music, Video and Visual Arts! Students make lasting friendships and wonderful memories while becoming an accomplished performer and artist.

Now in its 51st year, Tomato Patch is the longestrunning, most successful multi-disciplinary Visual and Performing Arts program in Central New Jersey. Featuring classes for all school age students, Tomato Patch is taught by a talented staff of professional artists. Check us out online at www.tomatopatch.org.

Summer CourSeS for Children

Princeton | Ages 3-12 (no prior experience needed!)

JuniorS

Princeton | Ages 9-11

intermediateS

Princeton & Cranbury | Ages 11 - 14

Summer campS 2024

Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association

Spring Registration Is Open

Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association (LHSA) has opened up their Rec Soccer registration for the upcoming Spring season. LHSA provides a soccer environment that stresses a relaxed, fun-oriented approach to the game where we focus on basic soccer skills and provide a fun competitive approach to games with a high standard for good

Tomato Patch Workshops is a multidisciplinary full-day Theater, Dance, Music, Visual Art and Video summer program for ages 10-18 in two sessions:

Session 1: Ages 13-18

June 24 through July 18. No Tomato Patch July 4 and 5. Only $1,100.

Session 2: Ages 10-12

July 22 through August 8. Only $1050.

Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with before and after care available.

Tomato Patch Workshops culminate in The Festival Of The Arts!

Unlike every other performing arts camp, Tomato Patch allows you to major in one subject and take classes in other areas. Become a triple threat!

The Master Class is full-day acting intensive summer program for ages 13-18 only in two sessions:

Session 1: June 24 through July 19 – No Class July 4, 5. Only $1,100.

Session 2: July 22 through August

TOMAT O PATCH

Youth Theater, Dance, Vocal & Visual Arts Programs at Kelsey Theatre

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER 2024 Session 1

$1,100 Session 2 $1,050

Session 1 ages 13-18

June 24 - July 18 (no classes 7/4, 7/5)

Session 2 — ages 10-12

July 22 - August 8

sportsmanship and fair play.

The recreational soccer program is open to any child from any town ages 3 and up. The program offers weeknight training sessions led by trainers from the New York Red Bulls along with games on the weekend. Each session is roughly 1 hour long where kids will have fun learning the game, competing in games and meeting new friends.

To register or find more information on the program or times for specific age groups, visit us at http:// lawrencehamnett.com.

See ad, page 16.

9. Only $1,050.

Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with before and after care available.

The Master Class in Theater culminates in A Night of One Acts!

For more information and to view class schedules visit www. tomatopatch.org or call 609-570-3566

Conveniently located on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. Visit us online at www.tomatopatch.org or email projects@mccc.edu or Call 609-5703566 for more information.

Still looking for something during the school year? Junior Tomatoes is 10 week-long Saturday morning theater workshops exploring creativity, movement, improvisation, and more from September through June for ages 4-12 in three sessions. All classes culminate in performances for family and friends! Visit www. tomatopatch.org.

See ad, page 15

Master Class Session 1 — ages 13-18

June 24 - July 19 (no classes 7/4, 7/5)

Master Class Session 2 — ages 13-18

July 22 - August 9

REGISTER:

Sawmill Summer Day Camp

A Journey of Discovery and Fun

The Hamilton Area YMCA’s Sawmill Summer Day Camp, nestled in the heart of Mercer County, is your child’s gateway to an unforgettable summer experience. With 50 acres of sprawling outdoor space and the largest pool in Mercer County, this camp is a haven for fun, learning, and adventure. During five fun-filled days packed with excitement, campers are encouraged to find their spark, embrace a sense of wonder, forge new friendships, and embark on thrilling adventures.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE at Sawmill Summer Camp!

Discover What Makes Sawmill Camp Special:

Find Their Spark: Our camp is a nurturing ground where kids develop essential skills, grow in confidence, and form new friendships. As they

Summer campS 2024

engage in diverse activities, from outdoor play to learning to swim, they gain valuable personal development skills. These experiences help shape their identity and passions, influencing their academic pursuits, relationships, and future career choices.

Find Their Sense of Wonder: The great outdoors is a world of discovery at Sawmill Camp. We understand the importance of outdoor play. Our camp promotes active engagement with the environment and with their peers, fostering respect and consideration for the world around them. Camp provides kids the perfect opportunity to discover the outdoors and get their bodies and imaginations more active.

Find Their Adventure: Every day at our camp is a new adventure, a chance for kids to stretch their imagination and embrace creativity without the fear of failure. This freedom allows them to explore and express themselves in ways they might not elsewhere.

Find Their Friends and Fun:

Sawmill Camp is more than a summer getaway; it’s a social hub where lifelong friendships are formed. Here, children learn to collaborate, build relationships, and navigate conflicts, all while having the time of their lives.

A Summer of Enrichment:

Recognizing the multifaceted benefits of camp, we’ve planned an exciting summer filled with theme weeks, special events, and new experiences. Campers will immerse themselves in a wide-range of activities, including arts and crafts, music, science, dance, sports, and swimming. Our highly trained counselors are committed to making your child’s summer both safe and exhilarating.

Children look at camp as a fun way to spend the summer in the sun and splashing in the pool, but parents understand that camp allows kids to reap many life benefits that will follow them through their lives long after the sun has set on their summer camp days.

Join Us for a Summer where ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

At Sawmill Summer Day Camp, we’re dedicated to creating an environment where every child can find their adventure and fun. We invite you to be a part of our vibrant community this summer. For more information and to register, please visit hamiltonymca.org/camp.

See ad, page 11.

32

35

37

HELP WANTED

$2K or More A Month

Commission. Work from Home. Flexible. Set your own hours. P/T or F/T. Sales, Managers, Customer Service Reps needed. 24 hr. recording: 1-800-670-6540

Sales Rep. Part time Sales Rep needed flexible hours. Sales experience of Printed Circuit Board helpful but not necessary. Can train. Candidate must be out going. Customer visits required. Please Email Resume at Galaxycircuits@verizon. net.

SERVICES

F,D,Mason Contractor, Over 30 years of experience. Brick, Block, Stone, Concrete. No job too large or small. Fully Insured and Licensed. Free Estimates 908-385-5701

Lic#13VH05475900.

Are you single? Try us first! We are an enjoyable alternative to online dating. Sweet Beginnings Matchmaker, 215-539-2894, www. sweetbeginnings.info.

Senior Concierge

WE’RE BACK! Let me be your helper. In the home or on the road. Part-time/Day or evening. Very good references. Call Mary Ann, 609-298-4456. View thistimebesttime. wordpress.com.

LEGAL SERVICES

Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and

NJ Taxes, Education Law. House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609-799-4674, 609721-4358.

I am a caregiver LOOKING FOR AN OPENING, Live in or out. 8 years of experience providing personal care, household tasks, responsible and trustworthy. Contact Celine at 617-806-6489.

House cleaning Services Professional quality cleaning with a personal touch. Call Norma 609-575-9374.

Child Care Services in –Cranbury Children ages 2-5 yrs. Hours 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. For more information please call at 908-9638448.

FOR SALE

Eggs for Sale Fresh Brown Eggs. 5757 S Broad St, Yardville. $5.

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4theloveofcards, 908596-0976. allstar115@ verizon.net.

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

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 - non-sports cards, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks old COLLIER’S. Call 609-619-3480 or email happyheroes@gmail. com.

DATING

Attention Single

Men 64 - 71 local matchmaker is seeking an educated, nice, tall gentleman for one of my client’s. No Fees! Contact Jill Elliott 215539-2894.

Health & Fitness

Dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - not just a discount plan. Get your free Information Kit with details! 1-855-5261060 www.dental50plus. com/ads #6258

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-9299587

Home Services

Aging Roof? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast,

free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-8789091

Water damage cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855948-6176 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936

BATH & SHOWER

UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398

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Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866499-0141

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DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 12/31/24. 1-866-479-1516

Safe Step. North America's #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306

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Wesley Financial Group, LLC Timeshare Cancellation ExpertsOver $50,000,000 in timeshare debt & fees cancelled in 2019. Get free info

package & learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. 833-308-1971

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Replace your roof w/the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install (military, health & 1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, we're cutting installation costs in half and offering a FREE safety upgrade! Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 3/31/24 Call 1-844-5013208

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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024

8AM-2PM

Dempster Fire School / 350 Lawrence Station Road

CAUTION

HAZARDOUS WASTE

MATERIALS ONLY ACCEPTED ON THIS DATE AND TIME, RAIN OR SHINE

ACCEPTED MATERIALS

Aerosol Cans / Used Motor Oil / Propane Gas Tanks / Pesticides & Herbicides

Car Batteries / Paint Thinner / Oil Based Paint / Stains & Varnishes / Gasoline Anti-Freeze / Driveway Sealer / Insect Repellents / Mercury / Fluorescent & CFL Bulbs

MATERIALS NOT ACCEPTED

NO LATEX PAINT / NO Heating Oil / NO Infectious Waste / NO Radioactive Materials

NO Explosives or Munitions / NO Railroad Ties / NO Asbestos / NO Tires

NO Wood / NO Fencing / NO Air Conditioners / NO Helium or Oxygen Tanks

NO Humidifiers / NO Dehumidifiers / NO Unknowns

ACCEPTED ELECTRONICS

Computers / Printers / Copiers / Fax Machines / Stereos / Televisions / Microwaves

BI-MONTHLY NEWS FROM CAPITAL HEALTH

Lawrenceville Neurology Center Joins Capital Health

Lawrenceville Neurology Center, a respected practice offering a comprehensive range of neurology services in Mercer County since 1981, has joined Capital Institute for Neurosciences. Supported by Capital Health’s hospitals in Trenton and Hopewell Township, New Jersey, the Institute has long advanced the level of neurologic care available to patients in Mercer and Bucks counties. With the addition of Lawrenceville Neurology Center’s offices in Lawrenceville and Princeton, the Institute expands access to neurology services to meet the growing health needs of residents in the region.

“Lawrenceville Neurology Center was founded more than 40 years ago based on a principle of providing innovative neurological care combined with skill, experience, and compassion,” said DR. KIMBERLY PALANGIO, fellowship trained clinical neurophysiologist and lead physician at Lawrenceville Neurology Center. “We’re excited to continue that tradition as part of Capital Health and its Capital Institute for Neurosciences, a proven leader in providing comprehensive neurological services for patients from throughout the greater New Jersey/Philadelphia region.”

“Capital Institute for Neurosciences meets the highest standards of care for the most complex neurological conditions,” said DR. DUSTIN ROCHESTIE, director of Neurology and Neuro Critical Care and director of the Stroke Program at Capital Institute for Neurosciences. “With the only comprehensive stroke center in the region certified by The Joint Commission at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, the addition of the Lawrenceville Neurology Center team reaffirms

our commitment to ensuring that our patients in Mercer and Bucks counties receive the best care possible and experience longer and healthier lives.”

Over the next few months, Lawrenceville Neurology Center’s office at 3120 Princeton Pike will be changing its name to Capital Institute for Neurosciences – Lawrenceville. The former practice’s Princeton office at 8 Forrestal Road will become Capital Institute for Neurosciences – Princeton. Appointments can be made at both locations, which remain home for the team of board certified neurologists that includes Drs. Kimberly Palangio, Aissa Alexeeva, Nicole Hartmann, Paul Kaiser, Nidhi Modi, Anitha Nimma, and Manuel Vergara, as well as physician assistant Selena Fucci. Many of these providers have multiple board certifications as well as fellowship training or certification in areas of specialization such as neurophysiology, vascular neurology, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, and multiple sclerosis. The Capital Institute for Neurosciences – Lawrenceville office also includes fully accredited neurophysiology, vascular, EEG, and EMG laboratories that offer a range of diagnostic services.

At Capital Institute for Neurosciences, patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team of specialists which include neurologists, endovascular neurologists, epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neurosurgical oncologists, neuropsychologists, and other specialized physicians, as well as other critical team members who provide an outstanding continuum of care from diagnosis to treatment and recovery at Capital Health.

To schedule an appointment at the new Capital Institute for Neurosciences offices in Lawrenceville and Princeton, call 609.896.1701. Visit capitalneuro.org to learn more about the Capital Institute for Neurosciences.

Capital Health Receives Funding to Continue Statewide Violence Intervention Program

One of 11 in New Jersey and the Only Hospital in Mercer County Region to Receive Grant Money

When the New Jersey Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (NJHVIP) launched in 2020, Capital Health was selected as the only hospital in Mercer County to be part of a statewide effort to combat violence as a public health crisis in the community it serves. As part of an ongoing effort to provide victim assistance and reduce violence, a new round of funding was recently announced by Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. This grant allocates $5.2 million for the continued support of hospital-based violence intervention programs at Capital Health and 10 other hospitals throughout New Jersey.

“The NJHVIP is built on a proven model that reduces repeat injury by reaching victims of violence at the time of crisis,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “With medical treatment and recovery as a starting point, those who choose to participate in the program leave program sites like Capital Health engaged in important services that can include crisis intervention, conflict mediation, peer support, and connections to mental health and substance abuse interventions, all aimed at breaking the cycle of violence that is common in some neighborhoods.”

The NJHVIP at Capital Health is managed through its VICTORY Program, which stands for Violence Intervention for the Community Through Outreach Recovery. The program aims to break the cycle of violence by:

Identifying and connecting victims of violence to appropriate social support services.

… Reducing the reoccurrence of violence and the need for repeat trauma/emergency care.

Educating Capital Health staff about providing care that promotes a sense of safety and empowerment for victims of violence and peer-to-peer support for health care workers.

The new funding comes from the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Fund, which helps the communities most impacted by cannabis criminalization. This grant cycle will ensure that funding continues through December 31, 2024. Bristol-Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton and Capital

Dr. Eric Schwartz, vice president of Community Health and Transformation and executive director of Capital Health’s Institute for Urban Care and Nathalie Laurent, coordinator of the Institute’s Violence Intervention for the Community Through Outreach Recovery (VICTORY) Grant Program, were invited to present information about VICTORY at the Capital City Community Coalition meeting hosted in October 2023 by Capital Health Board of Directors member Reverend John R. Taylor.

Health Institute for Urban Care partner with Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton and Millhill Child & Family Development to implement the program. To learn more about the VICTORY Program, visit capitalhealth.org/victory.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, a level II New Jersey state-designated trauma center, offers advanced emergency care for severely injured patients involved in motor vehicle crashes, falls, and assaults with knives, guns, or blunt objects. One of only 10 designated trauma centers in New Jersey, it is the regional referral center for severely injured patients in Mercer County and adjacent parts of Somerset, Hunterdon, Burlington, and Middlesex counties as well as nearby areas of Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org/trauma

Capital Health Institute for Urban Care works to advance the health and well-being of Trenton residents by growing and aligning Capital Health’s services with a robust network of community partners in the City of Trenton to improve medical care while overcoming the complex social determinants of health. To learn more about the Institute, visit capitalhealth.org/urbancare.

Capital Health Introduces

Next-Generation Leadless Pacemaker

If a person is diagnosed with a heartbeat that’s too slow or too fast, their cardiologist may recommend a pacemaker to send electrical impulses to the heart to control its rhythm. A traditional pacemaker is often surgically implanted under the skin near the collarbone and connected to the heart through wires (or leads) that transmit the electrical signals to the heart. Physicians and staff from Capital Health Heart and Vascular Institute recently performed a minimally invasive leadless pacemaker implant at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey that doesn’t need cardiac leads to deliver therapy and represents the latest advance in cardiac arrhythmia therapy.

Leadless pacemakers are appropriate for certain patients with significant bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or chronic atrial fibrillation (heart arrhythmia that causes the heart’s top chambers to quiver and beat irregularly). Through a minimally invasive procedure, DR. SCOTT BURKE, medical director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and a board certified, fellowship trained cardiac electrophysiologist at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, inserts a catheter into a patient’s leg to guide the Aveir VR LP leadless pacemaker through a vein and implant it directly into the heart’s right ventricle.

“This next-generation leadless pacemaker from Abbott packs many innovations into a one-piece device that is smaller than

a AAA battery,” said Dr. Burke. “It is the world’s only leadless pacemaker specifically designed to be easily retrieved when the device needs to be replaced or if a patient’s therapy needs to be changed. Other benefits include a battery life that is up to two times longer than existing leadless options and a unique mapping capability that allows us to precisely determine the correct placement of the device before final attachment in the heart.”

Capital Health’s Electrophysiology team, with experts from Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, performs procedures like leadless pacemaker implants to manage and treat patients with conditions that involve abnormal electrical behavior of the heart. To make an appointment at Capital Health Cardiology Specialists, or to find an office near you, visit capitalhealthcardiology.org.

Capital Health Heart and Vascular Institute offers comprehensive care with a multi-specialty approach highlighted by the most up-to-date techniques and treatment options. With multiple locations throughout the greater Mercer and Bucks county region, the Institute features the most sophisticated technology guided by highly trained clinical experts in medical fields such as cardiac surgery, general and interventional cardiology, nephrology, podiatry, interventional radiology, vascular surgery, and wound management and hyperbaric medicine. For more information, visit capitalheartandvascular.org.

Keeping Life Sweet: Understanding Diabetes for a Healthier You

Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Laura Moran, certified diabetes care and education specialist at Capital Health, will help you understand the process of diabetes in the body, targets and goals for blood sugar readings, and nutrition and exercise guidelines to keep you healthy and enjoying life.

This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom. Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Wellness at Work

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. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of workers in the U.S. suffer from work-related stress. Jenna Straus, licensed clinical social worker from Capital Health Behavioral Health Specialists, will discuss coping strategies to help improve your mental health at work. Maria Fierszt, manager of the Wellness Center at Capital Health, will also share exercises you can do at your desk while you work.

Introduction to Tai Chi

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Location: Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell

NJ PURE Conference Center, One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534

Tai chi is a form of exercise that helps you to relax your body to reduce stress, release tension, and improve breathing, balance, and coordination. With these benefits, you are able to sleep better and heighten your body awareness, which gives you more energy and allows your body to stay connected. Robert Langley, a tai chi instructor from the Capital Health Wellness Center, will lead this program and help you experience tai chi for the first time! Please wear comfortable clothing.

travel talk with Caryn and Aron Lights, camera, action!

If you’ve always dreamed of visiting locations from your favorite movies and television shows, here’s five places where you can walk in the footsteps of iconic characters.

The Place de Valois

EMILY IN PARIS

Located in the heart of Paris, and a stone’s throw from the Louvre, the Place de Valois is home to the Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal as well as the Bistrot Valois, where Emily gets together with her colleagues at various times in the series.

San Domenico Palace

THE WHITE LOTUS

Visit the dreamy Sicilian property where the second season of the hit HBO show was filmed. The port at Taormina offers guests of Oceania Cruises easy access to Sicily, including the lavish hotel made legendary by Tanya and her cohorts.

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi

CRAZY RICH ASIANS

Escape to the same white sand beach where Araminta had her bachelorette party. Relax among the resort, luxuriate at Geo Spa, or settle into the Malay-style Royal Villa.

Chief Joseph Ranch

YELLOWSTONE

Head over to Darby, Montana and explore the cattle ranch made famous by the Duttons. Nestled some five hours from Yellowstone National Park, you’ll be sure to recognize the massive white barns and big “Y” decals.

Somerleyton Hall

THE CROWN

The sprawling estate was used as a stand in for Sandringham House in the season 4 finale. This stunning Tudor-

Jacobean mansion is privately owned, but the gardens are open to the public.

And if you have a favorite show or movie that you would like to explore the locations where it takes place and it is not one of the above, we can create a magical vacation to do so.

Also, On our web-site we have options for winter getaways – regardless of where you want to go – whether it is skiing in Colorado or relaxing on the beach in Aruba. But don’t wait – plan now!

Contact us at cberla@cruiseplanners. com or 609.750.0807 when you are ready to set up time to discuss your next memory making vacation. Or set up time on my calendar: calendly.com/cberla to begin planning or for more information on one of our group trips.

At Cruise Planners we specialize in all types of travel (not just cruises). Whether you are looking for a Cruise, an AllInclusive Resort Vacation, or a European Land Tour, we will provide you with the exceptional service you should expect from a travel professional. Visit us at www. makingvacationmemories.net and follow us at www.facebook.com/familycruising. Unlike big online travel sites, Cruise Planners - ABC Family Cruising and Travel delivers the personal touch.

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Visit our website communitynews.org to get updates about your community all month long

Scudder’s Mills: A historic community in Plainsboro and WW

PAUL LIGETI

WEST WINDSOR CHRONICLES

“The Historical Society of West Windsor — a 100% volunteer nonprofit that preserves and promotes local history — explores the story of a disappeared historic community straddling the Millstone River.

The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District isn’t the only thing Plainsboro and West Windsor share. Back in the early 1900s and earlier, a community called “Scudder’s Mills” (inspiration for the naming of Plainsboro’s “Scudders Mill Road”) once straddled both townships.

Located on both sides of the Millstone River, west of Route 1, where the river empties into Carnegie Lake (or, prior to 1905/6, the Stony Brook), the community grew around some of the area’s first mills, powered by the Millstone River.

The mills were probably built by Josiah Davison between 1737 and 1749. In1749, Jacob Scudder purchased the property, said to have included 100 acres of land,

Brunswick Turnpike (Route 1) in 1804 and its subsequent construction likely helped grow the community. The opening of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in 1834 and the laying of the Camden and Amboy Railroad line in 1839 were further boons. Also presumably around 1834, an aqueduct was constructed to carry the canal over the Millstone River, after which the district assumed another name: “Aqueduct Mills” - sometimes just “Aqueduct.”

By the mid-1800s, Scudders Mills featured several residences, a blacksmith, a wheelwright, a paint shop (the last three establishments along Route 1), a distillery, a shoemaker, and, of course, several mills. These buildings, surrounded by farmland, stood alongside Mapleton Road in Plainsboro and Lower Harrison Street in West Windsor. A longgone dirt lane crossing equally longgone meadowlands connected these two avenues west of Route 1.

two gristmills, a sawmill, and a fulling mill. A community named “Scudder’s Mills” soon appeared. Jacob Scudder died in 1772 left this estate to his son William. In 1776, William’s mill and

house were burnt by the British during the American Revolution. He fought back, however, as a colonel in the George Washington’s army.

The chartering of the Trenton-New

The mills themselves were passed down through the Scudder family until 1841.It went through various owners until it was reputedly torn down by a “Dr. Azariah Hunt,” who is said to have replaced it with a new building. It

A Mill at Scudder’s Mills prior to 1906. (Photo courtesy of Esther Engelke.)

eventually passed to the Gray family, who owned the large three-story house still standing near the bend in Mapleton Road.

In the early 1900s, other local families included the Robisons, Cudgels, Engelkes, Patersons, and Williamsons (among others). Around 1905/6, a dam was built in Kingston to flood the Stony Brook and create Carnegie Lake – named after its sponsor, the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. By the time the lake opened in 1906, the Millstone River –once a much-narrower creek - had been irreversibly flooded.

Scudders Mills thus died as a community. The mill itself stopped running around this point, reputedly last being used to manufacture ice. The community was now physically split by the widened river, and it is believed that at least one house was relocated as a result. The last blacksmith is said to have been Frank B. Williamson, the last storekeeper Charles Williamson, and the last wheelwright Thomas Thompson.

In the many decades since, the landscape has changed dramatically. Long gone are the old mills and several houses. At the time of this writing (2024), a hotel, restaurant, and apartments occupy much of the land off Mapleton Road, west of Route 1. Directly east across Route 1 is Millstone River Park and the Princeton Medical Center. The

south side of the Millstone River features a gas station, car rental shop, and power substation. And, as mentioned previously, Princeton University is now building a graduate student campus covering hundreds of acres in the land south of Lower Harrison Street.

However, several of Scudders Mills’ old buildings still stand. This includes two Williamson family houses at 864 and 870 Mapleton Road, both repurposed as offices. Facing them are the grand old 3-story Gray family house and a converted barn at 3 and 5 Mapleton Road (respectively), also offices. In West Windsor, equally old house s stand at 43, 47, 51, and 65 Lower Harrison Street. Furthermore, in 1988, the “Aqueduct Mills Historic District” was evaluated for eligibility for the New Jersey State Register of Historic Places with an extension in 1998. The community, while long-gone as a cohesive residential neighborhood, We invite you to contact, support, or volunteer for the Historical Society and purchase our West Windsor history book (published 2022). Visit westwindsorhistory.com to learn more. We are also on social media – search “@ SchenckFarmstead” on Facebook and Instagram.

Paul Ligeti is the head archivist of the Historical Society of West Windsor.

Map of the Scudder’s Mills vicinity, 1905.

Working with Donna Lucarelli has been an absolute pleasure! Her professionalism and attention to detail truly sets her apart. Within a week, she had our home spruced up and painted, and the results were remarkable. With her expertise, we received four o ers above the list price within 3 days of listing. Her seamless handling of the closing process made everything easy and

recommend her for any home sale or purchase in the West Windsor, Plainsboro,

We

Princeton area. Thank you, Donna for exceeding our expectations. 2 Remington Circle Princeton Jct.