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Area cannabis business outlook continues to evolve Primary Care for Your Entire Family NOW IN BORDENTOWN

By BiLL SanserVino and Rebekah Schroeder

New Jersey residents voted overwhelmingly to legalize marijuana more than a year ago, but they won’t be able to walk into a store and buy cannabis until later this year at the earliest.

The N.J. Cannabis Regulatory Commission continues to refine the state’s rules governing the various aspects of the cannabis industry in the state. As that process continues, town officials continue to evaluate whether to allow Michaela Linthorst, Juliana Davies, Elise Granzow, Ella Kyle and Nathan Borgos are all set to take cannabis businesses in their communities, while at the part in Hopewell Valley Children’s Theatre’s January production of “Shrek Jr.” same time feilding proposals from various businesses who want to operate within their borders.

If it’s time for a check-up or you’re not feeling well, appointments are available at CAPITAL About 67% of New Jersey voters approved the HEALTH PRIMARY CARE – BORDENTOWN, now at a new location at 100 K Johnson legalization of adult-use Boulevard N., Suite 101, Bordentown, NJ 08505 (on the northbound side of Route recreational 130, cannabis in a minating in a full-scale musi- cal revue in front of a crowd referendum in the Nov. 2020

By Joe EManski across from the Team 85 Fitness & Wellness Center).

DRS. election.

Last February, at JAMIE the end.FLYNN, Then onJANEY Sept. 1,HUGHES, cal production, and each winthefamily state legislature and Hurricane Ida blew through ter HVCT produces another After LUGO, a couple of rough MARIA JOSHUA MLECZKO and NATALIE REDZINIAK are ready to keep your years that have included both musical. The productions Hopewell Borough with dev- Gov. Phl Murphy passed a on the path withbetween sick visits and100 wellness visits for children and adults. law Alllegalizing recreational floods.

HVCT’s space 50 and area astating a plague and to a flbetter ood, thehealth cre- star establishing on Hamilton Avenue ended cannabis, ative team at Hopewell Valley youth.

Capital Health Primary have measures you can Cannabis Regulatory up under six feet inofplace water,so the The past twoput yearsadvanced have not safety Children’s Theatre will Care be offices Commission and creating its 23-year-old collection been typical,orofschedule course, and hoping for a little bit of milk receive care in person with confidence a video visit with one of our of providers while 2020 saw the entire sea- set pieces and props almost six different licenses for and honey in 2022. to prevent illness, handle medical needs, and entirely managedestroyed chronic health issue. cannabis businesses. The law and the son’s programming washed Since 1998, Hopewell Val-everyday ley Children’s Theatre has out by the Covid pandemic, space no longer able to be also set a deadline of Aug. WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCES. 21 for communities to pass offered summer and winter 2021 somehow managed to used.

Despite these setbacks, ordinances regulating those programs that look to provide produce a washout of a far directors Bernadette cannabis businesses. children grades 1 through 12 more literal sort.

100 K Johnson BoulevardThe N., year Suitestarted 101, out all HVCT Under the state law, if a Furlong, Vicki Krampf and with pre-professional theater MAKE AN APPOINTMENT Bordentown, 08505 right: HVCT was able to hold a Ryan Smith say they are town did not specifically experience. In typical sum- NJ WITH Aset BOARD CERTIFIED to be for a return to prohibit each class of license mers, the organization runs a four-week summer camp, with thrilled 609.298.2005 ∙ capitalhealth.org/bordentown by the deadline, those five-week summer camp cul- students performing a musiSee THEATRE, Page 6

HoVal Children’s Theatre set to return to the stage with ‘Shrek Jr.’

For online directions, use 115 Route 130, Bordentown, NJ 08505

OFFICE HOURS Monday / Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday / Thursday / Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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businesses would have automatically been allowed to operate in the municipality for five years. Officials in most of the towns not allowing marijuana businesses cited the Aug. 21 deadline as the reason for the ban.

Now that the state is clarifying its regulations, a number of towns in the Mercer County area are implementing rules allowing various cannabis businesses.

The licenses that businesses can seek in connection with the recreational cannabis market are: Class 1, cannabis cultivator; Class 2, cannabis manufacturer; Class 3, cannabis wholesaler; Class 4, cannabis distributor; Class 5, cannabis retailer; and Class 6, cannabis delivery. (For more detail on the licenses, see the graphic on the following page).

Last month, the state began officially accepting applications from Class 1 and Class 2 cannabis cultivators, manufacturers and testing laboratories — receiving hundreds of applications within the first few hours, according to multiple news reports.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission has set a March 15 date to begin receiving applications from Class 5 retailers looking to sell recreational marijuana to the public. It has not announced application dates for Class 3, See CANNABIS, Page 4

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Hopewell library director retires after a decade of service After nearly 12 years at the helm from mathematics and technology to of Hopewell Public Library’s “red butterflies and native plants, railroads library,” Anne Zeman retired at the and cooking. She expanded the range of programs hosted at the library and end of 2021. organized a wide array From her first day of community events, on the job in 2010, the including walking tours, library’s new director open house gatherings recognized HPL was and nature walks. special: much more than “When you are the just a place to borrow director of a small books, the library was library with a small budthe heart of the borough, get, you have to do it a central gathering place all—prepare an annual for parents and kids, stubudget, manage staff dents, history buffs, and, and volunteer schedof course, readers. Her ules, maintain an upfirst official act, in fact, to-date collection, plan had nothing to do with and promote events and books. Startled by the speakers, and keep the high-speed traffic that Zeman plants watered and bisraced down Broad Street cuit tin full for canine at all hours, Zeman appeared before the Borough Council visitors,” she says.

Zeman’s arrival coincided with big with a suggestion for installing an illuminated pedestrian crosswalk so that changes in the publishing and library library patrons could safely cross the world. While the internet had been busy intersection. It was in full opera- around for a while, online access from the library was limited. She oversaw tion within months.

Also in her first months on the job, upgrades to the library’s computers, Zeman inaugurated the “Wednesday high-speed internet with free WiFi, Night Out” lecture series, a regular and built an all-new web site where forum showcasing local authors, his- patrons could see newly added titles torians, and experts in fields ranging in the book and media collections,

“Library boards exercise important news of upcoming events, search the catalog, and reserve materials. When oversight, ensuring that the library the introduction of “e-books” arrived, is meeting the needs of the commuAnne got the library’s collection up nity in a fiscally responsible way. I’m thankful to have had the and running, allowing full backing of the board patrons to download in all of the projects and e-books directly withimprovements we’ve out having to visit the undertaken in my time library. That would come with Hopewell Public.” in handy later, when Most of all, Zeman the Covid-19 pandemic says she will miss the forced the temporary people of Hopewell: parclosing of the library. ents who bring their Building the library’s kids to the library, the social media presence— daily visitors who come including Facebook and in to use the computers Instagram pages—was or read the newspaper, another timely innovaand the many attendees tion that kept the library who’ve supported and in touch with its users Saltman enjoyed the Wednesday when direct, personal Night Out events at the contact was restricted.

Saying goodbye to the red library Train Station and Hopewell Theatre. isn’t easy. “Working with and get- “The library isn’t about books. It’s ting to know our incredible staff and about people.” volunteers has been a great pleasure and a privilege, as has getting to know Jennifer Saltman retiring the people and businesses that make Jennifer Saltman, the Hopewell PubHopewell Borough such a wonderful lic Library’s children’s librarian, also place to live and work,” she says. retired at the end of the year.

She is also grateful for the support Saltman was named the children’s of the Borough’s Library Board and librarian 11 years ago. Since then, the its chairman, Woody Carsky-Wilson.

See RETIREES, Page 5

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EDITOR Joe Emanski (Ext. 120) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bill Sanservino, Rebekah Schroeder CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST Lisa Wolff AD LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef

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CANNABIS continued from Page 1 Class 4 and Class 6 licenses.

License applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, and there is no established limit on the number of cannabis business licenses available statewide. Under the state law, the number of Class 1 cultivators throughout New Jersey is to be limited to 37 licenses until February 22, 2023.

Additional licenses will be considered by the CRC at that point.

With the application process underway, municipal officials are evaluating whether to introduce recreational cannabis in their communities. For communities with preexisting medical dispensaries, many of those businesses are looking to expand their current usage to include recreational cannabis sales.

As of the Aug. 21 deadline, only four area communities—Bordentown City, Ewing, Lawrence, Pennington and Trenton—had allowed the retail sale of cannabis within their borders.

Meanwhile, Bordentown Township, East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown Borough, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Princeton, Robbinsville and West Windsor and Plainsboro all passed ordinances banning the retail sale of the drug.

When questioned about whether he thought the process of legalization has been too slow, Lawrence Township Municipal Manager Kevin Nerwinski said that the state’s diligence in implementing the rules is necessary.

“It is not fair to say there is a hold up in the sale of recreational marijuana in New Jersey,” Nerwinski said. “The law was only recently passed. There is much regulatory work that has to be done before the sale of recreational cannabis can start… They are making progress. I think N.J.’s cautious and measured approach to introducing the cannabis industry to the state is appropriate.”

Lawrence Township has adopted an ordinance permitting the retail sale of cannabis and delivery service businesses in the Regional Commercial and Highway Commercial zones, and limits the number of licensed recreational cannabis retail dispensaries to a maximum of two.

Zen Leaf, a Lawrence medical dispensary, opened in June on Route 1 with a selection of edibles, flowers, vapes and more.

According to Nerwinski, the company has expressed interest in having retail sales on the same property. “In my discussions with the manager, the business is doing well, just as expected.”

Nerwinski said that officials from cannabis-related businesses have for the past few years, “expressed great interest in our community because of its ideally situated location within the state and access to main highways.”

“I fully expect that there will be continued interest from all classes of cannabis businesses looking to operate within Lawrence Township,” he has said.

In Ewing, Chicago-based Justice

N.J. Cannabis Licenses

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission has created six licenses that businesses can seek in connection with the recreational cannabis market.

Class 5 is the only license that allows sales to the public.

Class 1­ Cannabis cultivators grow, cultivate or produce cannabis. They are allowed to transport this cannabis to other cannabis cultivators, or usable cannabis to cannabis manufacturers, cannabis wholesalers or cannabis retailers.

Class 2 Cannabis manufacturers process, manufacture, prepare or package cannabis items, and sell these items to other cannabis manufacturers, cannabis wholesalers, or cannabis retailers.

Class 3 Cannabis wholesalers purchase or otherwise obtain, store, sell or otherwise transfer (and may transport) cannabis items for resale or other transfer to another cannabis wholesaler or a cannabis retailer.

Class 4 Cannabis distributors transport cannabis in bulk from one licensed cannabis establishment to another within the state. They can also temporarily store cannabis or cannabis items as necessary to carry out transportation activities.

Class 5 Cannabis retailers purchase usable cannabis from cannabis cultivators and cannabis items from cannabis manufacturers or cannabis wholesalers, and sell these to consumers from a retail store. They are allowed to use a cannabis delivery service or a certified cannabis handler for the offpremises delivery of cannabis items and related supplies to consumers.

Class 6 Cannabis delivery services provide courier services for cannabis retailers of the cannabis items and related supplies to consumers. A business with this type of cannabis license is also permitted to accept direct orders from consumers that will be fulfilled by a cannabis retailer. A licensed cannabis delivery service may also pick up the product from the certified cannabis handler a retailer is working with to be delivered to a consumer.

Cannabis Co. received a permit to cultivate and process medicinal cannabis, with its storefront, operating under the brand Bloc Dispensary, set to open at 1761 N. Olden Ave. Formerly known as Justice Grown, Justice Cannabis Co. broke ground on the property in 2019.

When New Jersey allows for existing licensees to apply for retail or other expanded uses, Justice Cannabis Co. will likely follow suit, according to Chuck Lantini, Ewing’s planning and zoning officer.

Latini said that Justice Grown’s medical dispensary is “moving along” in terms of construction, which could open in the next few months. The company’s cultivation site on Prospect Street is a little farther behind because of the “complexities” involved with growing and setting up a new environment.

“As far as the township is concerned, we thank them for taking on these challenging sites, because one of them was vacant for a couple decades,” Latini said. “I think once they’re up and running, and the place is vibrant with the jobs and activity going on, I see that whole area on Prospect Street start to prosper.”

There are already temporary grow pods in the parking lot of the cultivation site, helping Justice Cannabis Co. function as operational before construction is completed.

Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann has also appointed a committee whose membership includes town officials and members of the public to review businesses that want to locate in the community.

Like Nerwinski, Steinmann has said

4  Hopewell Express | January 2022

that the town has been approached by a large number of businesses that want to locate in the township.

Bordentown City is allowing two cultivators, two manufacturers, two retailers and one delivery business.

The cultivation and manufacturing facilities are limited to industrial zones, and retail sales will be limited to a stretch of Routes 130 and 206 in the township—a choice made to minimize the effects of parking and traffic.

“We’ve taken a measured approach to allow a limited number of businesses to locate in carefully targeted areas, which will pave the way to revitalize several underutilized properties and at the same time, provide long-term financial benefits to taxpayers in the city,” Bordentown City Mayor Jennifer Sciortino said.

Also created with the ordinance is a local Cannabis Advisory Committee, a group of seven who will help vet applications for local licenses, then make recommendations to the city commissioners. *** Hopewell Township is one of a number of communities that amended or is in the process of amending its rules since banning cannabis before the August deadline.

Hopewell passed an ordinance banning all cannabis businesses before the August 21 deadline.

Officials then considered the issue further.

In September, the township amended its ordinances to allow cultivation and manufacturing businesses in the VRC zoning district.

The operations would only be allowed on lots of 50 acres or more. In addition,

they would have to be located no more than two miles from the interstate interchange, on a state or county road and have a maximum lot coverage of 15%.

For now, the township is allowing only one cannabis business of any type. A single entity with cultivation manufacturing operations would be allowed if both are located on the same site. The other classes of licenses continue to be disallowed in the township.

In Hamilton, Mayor Jeff Martin and Township Council amended the town’s ordinances to allow increased cannabis business operations, including one retail shop.

At the August deadline, the town had voted to allow up to two Class 1 cultivation businesses, which were limited to industrial, manufacturing or research and development zones in town.

On Dec. 21, the township council approved measures upping the number to 6 cultivation businesses, 6 manufacturing businesses, and one of each type for wholesalers, distributors, delivery services, retail dispensaries and medical dispensaries The ordinances also clarify that no cannabis cultivation activity is allowed to take place outdoors.

Bianca Jerez, chief of staff, said that Martin was expected to sign the ordinances.

The council has also endorsed applications to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission for Class 1 cultivator and/or Class 2 manufacturer licenses for Blaze Products LLC, Trenton Equity Holdings LLC and ZY Labs.

It also endorsed 58 Thomas J. Rhodes Industrial Drive LLC, Theory Wellness of New Jersey Manufacturing Inc. and Sun Extractions Inc. for manufacturer licenses.

Bordentown Township passed an ordinance prohibiting recreational cannabis establishments in town by the Aug. 21 deadline. Now, a new ordinance is being crafted for consideration during the first quarter of next year, said Michael Theokas, Bordentown Township administrator.

The proposed change would not specify a company or property, although Curaleaf, which is currently operating a medical cannabis dispensary in town, could add retail sales to its current operation if it chooses to apply for a license.

The Curaleaf facility, which is located at 191 Rt. 130, within the township’s designated highway commercial zone, opened as the company’s 109th facility in August.

Company officials appeared before the township committee near the end of last year with a presentation proposing a plan to add recreational marijuana sales to its facility.

Mayor Steve Benowitz said he has been impressed with Curaleaf’s operations thus far. “I had the opportunity of actually taking a tour of the (medical cannabis) facility, which was eye-opening, quite frankly,” he said. “I know people had a lot of fears

with [its] security. Let me tell you, it looks like Fort Knox inside.”

Princeton decided to ban all cannabis businesses and appointed a task force to study the question of legalization. The task force issued a report in November recommending five commercial areas that could be zoned to permit cannabis retail businesses.

These include the area surrounding the Dinky train station; the Jugtown neighborhood at the intersection of Nassau and Harrison streets; the central business district; Witherspoon Street, between Green Street and Leigh Avenue; and Route 206, near Cherry Valley Road.

The task force also recommended that the town allow no more than three retail medical and adult-use dispensaries (Class 5 license), but no licenses for the other categories of cannabis businesses.

The council had not made any decisions to implement the recommendation as of Dec. 22, and was faced with opposition from a number of members of the community opposed to cannabis dispensaries.

In Trenton, the City Council and Mayor Reed Gusciora passed an ordinance allowing cultivation, manufacturing, processing, distribution and dispensary businesses. The ordinance includes the city’s downtown area for dispensary locations and allows up to 10 retail locations.

Some controversy erupted in midDecember when the city council failed to vote on a resolution supporting a license application by Northeast Alternatives, NJ for a cultivation and manufacturing facility to be located on Breunig Avenue.

“In August, City Council overwhelmingly passed an ordinance allowing cannabis businesses to operate in Trenton after hearing extensive testimony on the tremendous potential cannabis has for local businesses and residents,” Gusciora said. “Unfortunately, all of that public support has been rendered

moot because of Council Leadership’s absurd control over the agenda on city business.”

He added: “I’m concerned that Council will squander the unique opportunity cannabis brings to Trenton.” *** Robbinsville is one town that continues to maintain a ban on all cannabis businesses.

Township attorney Bruce Darvas said in an email that the town is waiting for more clarification before taking any action.

“It is my understanding that the N.J. Cannabis Regulatory Commission has not yet issued all of its rules for the various types of cannabis licenses (I believe we are still waiting on rules for wholesalers, distributors, and delivery services),” he said. “Until the commission issues its remaining rules, the township will not take any further action.”

He added that once the CRC issues its rules for all of the various licenses, the township will reconsider the issue and determine which, if any, license types will be permitted.

“It is important to note that when adopting the ordinance prohibiting all cannabis business in the township, the township did not take a position that it was opposed to allowing such businesses in the township,” Darvas said. “It was only opposed to making that final decision without knowing what rules would apply to such businesses.”

John Nalbone, Robbinsville Township’s communications and public information officer, said that Community Development Director Paul Renaud and Business Administrator Joy Tozzi told him that the township has received numerous calls from businesses interested in operating in the town, “but without further clarity on the state’s rules we have not officially taken any meetings.”

East Windsor, Hightstown Borough, West Windsor and Plainsboro also have not reconsidered their bans on cannabis businesses.

RETIREES continued from Page 2 library has renovated the children’s room, updated the collection, and expanded the activities the library offers young people.

During her time, Saltman enhanced the Summer Reading Program, created new activities, and engaged local merchants in special projects aimed at encouraging literacy and creativity. With her background of 30 years experience in early childhood education and as director of a pre-school, her programs were always wellgrounded in sound educational principles—but more importantly, they were always fun.

After Covid-19 forced the temporary closure of the library, and the introduction of special safety precautions after the library re-opened, like masking and social distancing, Saltman moved Story Time from the sec-

ond floor of the library building to the gazebo in the park, and then, when colder weather came, to the train station, where there was room for safe social distancing.

During the height of the pandemic’s enforced isolation, Jennifer partnered with a local author and illustrator for a scavenger hunt in which the children used the clues to actually write their own story.

In the last few years, Saltman’s children have had children of their own, and the children’s librarian is handing off her duties at the Red Library to take up the duties of grandmother.

Everyone, staff and patrons, young and old, wish her great happiness and fulfillment in her new role and extend their warmest thanks for all she has done to make the Hopewell Public Library’s Children’s Room a fun, stimulating, and welcoming place.

January 2022 | Hopewell Express5

THEATRE continued from Page 1 live musical theater this month, when their students do four shows of Shrek Jr. at the Hopewell Valley Performing Arts Center. Other recent shows have included Aladdin, The Little Mermain, Grease and High School Musical.

A cast of 55 children has been rehearsing for Shrek Jr. since October at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, which offered HVCT the use of its Fellowship Hall and choir room. Starting in January, they will rehearse evenings at the PAC. Fifty-five is a low number of cast members for a HVCT production.

Musical director Bernadette Furlong says they usually have between 70 and 80, and sometimes more than 100 in the summer. But she says she knows some parents and their kids are still concerned about the risks of Covid.

While reported cases have been on the rise in recent weeks, Furlong says that as of now, the plan is for the students to perform the show live and without masks. She hopes that the public health situation does not worsen to a point where they will have to change their plans.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed that nothing horrible happens between now and Jan. 28,” she says.

“I would say about 80% of our kids are vaccinated. We ask parents to give their kids permission to perform without wearing a mask on stage. We did that in the summer and we didn’t have anyone whose parents wanted them to wear (a mask). I don’t know what’s

Left: Michaela Linthorst, Nathan Borgos, Lewis Wasden and Lana Lee are among the students who are rehearsing for Hopewell Valley Children’s Theatre’s production of “Shrek Jr.” Jan. 28-30, 2022. Right: floodwater rises halfway up the garage doors at the exterior of the HVCT studio space after Hurricane Ida. going to happen now that things are changing. We’re hoping nothing changes, because it certainly makes a big difference if you’re up there performing in a mask.”

After the year that the HVCT has had, attracting a paying crowd to watch these four performances is important. “We have to take care of our finances,” Furlong says. “We lost a lot because of the flood. It’s going to take us a little time up and running

Serving Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Lawrenceville, Ewing, Pennington, Titusville, Blawenburg and Princeton.

6  Hopewell Express | January 2022

again which is why we were hopeful we’d get some good audiences for the shows.” Tickets are $15 and available on the Hopewell Valley Children’s Theatre website, hvct.org.

While HVCT was able to host kids in the summer, the program was modified from a normal year’s activities. Instead of separate camps for older and younger kids, all students attended from 10 to 3, for four weeks instead of five. And instead of using the session to build up toward a major end-of-season musical, the directors decided to set things up in more of a cabaret format.

Students auditioned for roles in five or six different numbers, then there were a few all-cast numbers to cap things off.

“Covid was still here, but it wasn’t like it is now so we were able to have an audience, which was great,” Furlong says. “We didn’t get anywhere like the crowd we normally do — in the winter we usually sell out — but it was nice for the kids to be able to do something. It was very low key, we didn’t do elaborate costumes or anything. The kids all wore HVCT T-shirts, and we used hats and props to enhance the different numbers.”

HVCT has used the old Kooltronic building on Hamilton Avenue across from the Tomato Factory for more than a decade. The organization had a floor of suites in the front part of the building for its studio and office, and used a garage in the lower back portion of the building to store the set pieces and props accumulated over the 23 years the organization has been around.

Hurricane Ida did tremendous damage to the building. “I’m not exactly sure what happened,” Furlong says.

“I think it was either that one of the pipes burst, or something happened and it was just the amount of rain that we got, but it got to where we had six feet of water in the garage area. It was awful. We threw out so much. I don’t think we saved much of anything from

the downstairs part.”

If there was a silver lining in those storm clouds, it’s that the organization’s costumes, which were stored upstairs, survived intact. Just about everything else was a total loss, including the building, which was no longer habitable after Ida. HVCT is on the lookout for a new space to call home, but in the meantime Hopewell Presbyterian Church has provided rehearsal space at no cost, and HVCT has also reached out to several other theater groups in the area to help provide sets and props for Shrek Jr. “The mold and the mud and everything else that was in there — we had to get out of there. It was a shame because we were kind of forced out,” Furlong says. “We couldn’t stay. That’s made it tough for Shrek because we have to build back up from scratch.”

The Hopewell Valley Children’s Theatre has long been a labor of love for Furlong, a Pennington resident who co-founded the organization in 1998 with Claudia Burbage. Burbage is no longer involved, but Furlong is not alone in dedicating her time to nurturing young aspiring performers in Hopewell Valley.

Both Vicki Krampf and Ryan Smith have been with the organization for 15 years. Krampf is the costume designer and Smith is the director for the winter show. All three work as educators in addition to their work with HVCT: Smith teachers 3rd grade in at Millstone River School in the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district, while Krampf (Bear Tavern Elementary) and Furlong (Toll Gate Grammar) are kindergarten paraprofessionals in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.

Joining the HVCT team for this season’s production is Kendall Storcella, who is choreographing Shrek Jr.’s dance numbers. Storcella is also an educator, teaching physical education at Hillsborough High School.

Web: hvct.org.

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January 2022 | Hopewell Express7

Mercer High students gain real-world skills at Chuck’s Place

number of Mercer County communities take on a myriad of tasks like stocking shelves, preparing food, Serving up hot coffee and vocacleaning and other important respontional skills, Chuck’s Place, a Wawasibilities that all keep Chuck’s Place like store in Mercer High School, is running as smoothly as possible. an opportunity for students who work Accessible throughout the district, there to gain valuable occupational Chuck’s Place has fresh bagels, mufexperience. fins and coffee all day. The yogurt par“It’s our very own Wawa,” Elijah fait station turns into a salad bar for Cruhigger, a student from Trenton, lunchtime, with both students, as well said. With a storefront that mirrors as staff, able to order food for their the East Coast convenience chain midday meal. Eventually, they plan known across New Jersey, students to include sandwiches, burgers and like Cruhigger are able to acquire other hot food items available as spereal-world expertise outside of the cials during the week. classroom.

Julie Ryan supervises Chuck’s “I learned to be a bit more flexible, Place. Originally hired as a computer a bit more independent, and definitely teacher, the 33-year veteran moved to learn the skills I need to advance on a homeroom position, during which my own when that time comes,” he Chuck’s Place was already in operasaid. “I like to work with others, and tion. When the former head of the just help people out and make them store retired, Ryan stepped in as happy.” instructor.

Chuck’s Place is one of several work “I really like working in Chuck’s environments offered through MerPlace because we work on functional cer County Special Services School skills, and we see results every day District.

The MCSSSD serves children with Uchenna Ugorji sets the salad bar up for lunch at Chuck’s Place in Mercer High with the work that we do is tangible.

There’s not pencil and paper, or readspecial needs living in Mercer County School. ing, or anything. Our philosophy in and the surrounding area. It provides Chuck’s Place is everybody can do instructional, vocational and therapeutic programs for each “MCSSSD programs are designed vices to infants, graduates, parents something,” she said.

NOWdesigned OFFERING NOW OFFERING Chuck’s Place employs a wide range student’s unique needs, interests and to teach multi-disabled, autistic and and other agencies.” characteristics. The programs serve emotionally disturbed students,” “Our district continues to set best of students, such as those with cognipreschool, primary, elementary and states the MCSSSD website. “We also practice standards in our special edu- tive impairments, autism, and other secondary age populations. cation programs,” the website says. conditions that may affect social cues have special projects thatFROM provide serWHO BENEFITS DRY SALT THERAPY “Our primary goal is to assure each or development.

ABOUT “A lot of kids don’t like coming to student reaches their full potential as Halotherapy benefits adults and children alike, as NOW OFFERING NOW OFFERING and self-sufficient mem- math class or having U.S. history, well as athletes and animals. It is natural andproductive safe bers and there are no side effects. According to the Salt of society through quality teach- but they always will like coming to ABOUT Therapy Associa�on (STA), many people ing who by our dedicated teachers and Chuck’s Place,” Ryan said. She enjoys undergo halotherapy as a complementary Chuck’s Place because she can work staff.” treatment on a regular basis may find relief from a The MCSSSD campus, which is alongside students to see results, and variety of respiratory condi�ons such as: (HALOTHERAPY)… made up of the Joseph F. Cappello not just with the ones assigned to her  Asthma Asthma WHO BENEFITS FROM homeroom.

School (students ages 3 to 7), Mercer  Chronic ChronicBronchitis Bronchitis Chuck’sThe Place wasRoom namedExperience after Elementary School (grades K to 8) DRY SALT THERAPY SALT  Coughs, Coughs,Colds Colds&&FluFlu (HALOTHERAPY)…

KNOWN AS and becoming a member, please visit: KNOWN ASWHO and Mercer High School (grades 9 to Charles “Chuck” Murray, the superEmphysema Emphysema BENEFITS FROM DRY SALT Halotherapy benefits adults and children alike, as who was in charge of the 12), is located in Hamilton Township intendent ABOUT  Sinus Sinus Infections/Sinusitis THERAPY wellThe as athletes animals.

It is natural and safe SALT and Room Experience  COPD MCSSSD when the program was COPD on Old Trenton Road. and there are no side effects. According to the Halotherapy benefits adults and children alike, as  Cystic Cystic Fibrosis created.

At Chuck’s Place, students from a Salt Therapy Association (STA), many people who well as athletes and animals. It is natural and safe  Allergies/Hay Fever Allergies/Hay Fever “When you walk in, it doesn’t look and there are no side DURING effects. According the Salt undergo halotherapy as a complementary treatment WHAT  Ear Infections HAPPENS A to DURING alt Therapy Works Ear Infections WHAT HAPPENS A How on Dry Salt Therapy Works like a classroom, it looks like a Wawa.

Therapy Associa�on (STA), many people who a regular basis may find relief from a variety of WHO BENEFITS FROM DRY SALT  Snoring & Snoring & Sleeping Sleeping Problems SALT ROOM SESSION SALT SESSION undergo halotherapy as ROOM a complementary It looks like a retail marketing facilKNOWN AS BASK IN THE THERAPY respiratory conditions such as: KNOWN AS BASK IN THE Problems ABOUT TALS OF DRY SALT THERAPY 3 FUNDAMENTALS OF DRY SALT THERAPY At Physical Dry SaltCaruso Therapy is also extremely treatment on a regular basis may find relief from a ity, so it was a lot to get started,” Ryan Dry Salt benefi Therapy acts cleanse the Dry Salt Therapy acts to as cleanse the variety of respiratory such as: alike, cial to your skincondi�ons into treating: Halotherapy benefits adults and children (HALOTHERAPY)…

Therapy and Nutrition said.

“Without Dr. Murray, it never respiratory well system andand the skin,It which helps asrespiratory athletes animals. isand natural and skin, safe which helps system the  Asthma Acne would have been, so they named it www.salttherapyassociation.org we’re proud to be and there no inflammation, side DURING effects. According to the Salt to relieve congestion, skin WHAT HAPPENS Aand  Chronic Bronchitis alt Therapy Works to inare relieve congestion, inflammation, WHAT HAPPENS DURING Aand skin your skin trea�ng: Psoriasis How Dry Salt Therapy Works in honor ofThe him.SALT He has since passed Therapy Associa�on (STA), many people who a family-owned Room Experience  Coughs, Colds & SESSION Flu conditions.undergo Sessions are non-invasive. g SALT ROOM Eczema conditions.

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WHO BENEFITS FROM DRY SALT SALT ROOM SESSION and becoming a member, please visit: halotherapy as a complementary away, so the name will never change.”

THERAPY Acne ABOUT company Emphysema TALS OF DRY SALT THERAPY that has the 3ND FUNDAMENTALS OF DRY SALT THERAPY In addition,on drya salt therapy treatment regular basishas may find relief from a NUTRITION As part of helping them start OFFERING Psoriasis Dry Salt Therapy acts to cleanse the  Sinus Once you enter the SALT Room, youacts canRoom, sit cleanse Dry Therapy to Once you enter the SALT you canthe sit variety ofInfections/Sinusitis respiratory such as: privilege ofcondi�ons serving been shown toSalt reduce: (HALOTHERAPY)…

THENOW DRY SALT IN THE d company who BASK INBASK Chuck’s Place, Wawa even donated Eczema  COPD respiratory and skin, which helps and relax. system The lights willthe dim, and you listen respiratory system and skin, which and relax.

The lights willthe dim, and you helps listen Asthma Stress our community THERAPY signs that are now visible throughout  Cystic Fibrosis and rejuvenatrelieve congestion, inflammation, and skin or magazine, to relaxing read a congestion, book orread magazine, relieve inflammation, and skin  Chronic Bronchitis to relaxing music, a book Anxiety (HALOTHERAPY)…

Inmusic, addi�on, dry salt  Allergies/Hay Fever the store. with healing and experience and WHAT HAPPENS DURING A The SALT Room Experience alt Therapy Works per Absorbent HAPPENS DURING A How DrySuper Salt TherapyAsthma Works  Coughs, & Flu Absorbent conditions.

Sessions are non-invasive. meditate, or simply rest.WHAT The temperature and Fatigue therapy hasColds been shown conditions.

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The temperature andand www.saltchamberinc.com becoming a member, please visit: Chronic Bronchitis  Ear Infections Diamon Bethea, a student from The SALT Room Experience rejuvenating services.

Coughs, Colds & Flu SALT ROOM SESSION al therapy and  Emphysema to reduce: SALT ROOM SESSION Choose the company humidity in the rooms are controlled to provide  Snoring & Sleeping Emphysema humidity in the rooms are controlled to provide Trenton, expressed what her favorite sponge attracting TALS OF DRY SALT THERAPY salt acts like a sponge attracting foreign Once you  3a FUNDAMENTALS OFforeign DRY SALT THERAPY Sinus Infections/Sinusitis enter the SALT Room, youSALT canRoom, sit Sinus Infections/Sinusitis Once you enter the you can sit Through our years dy works.

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By Rebekah Schroeder

DRY SALT DRY SALT SALT THERAPY THERAPY THERAPY DRY SALT DRY SALT THERAPY THERAPY HALOTHERAPY HALOTHERAPY

DRY SALT THERAPY

DRY SALT THERAPY

HALOTHERAPY HALOTHERAPY SALT ROOM SALT ROOM EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE DRY SALT SALT ROOM SALT ROOM THERAPY EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE Halotherapy benefits adults and children alike, as well as athletes and animals. It is natural and safe and there are no side effects. According to the Salt Therapy Associa�on (STA), many people who undergo halotherapy as a complementary treatment on a regular basis may find relief from a variety of respiratory condi�ons such as:          

and becoming a member, please visit:

your skin in trea�ng:   

HALOTHERAPY DRYDRY SALTSALT In addi�on, dry salt therapy has been shown to reduce:   

prohibited.

Therapy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

THERAPY THERAPY

GOT PROPANE?

DRY SALT THERAPY DRY SALT THERAPY

Issue #6

HVRSD HIGHLIGHTS

hvrsd.org

January 2022

The reTurn oF live perFormanCe To hopeWell valleY! This year, we are excited to again provide our students with safe opportunities to create, respond, connect and perform in the visual and performing arts.This fall marks the 15th season of Hopewell Valley Central High School Marching Black and Gold. Our HVCHS Choirs held an outdoor concert in November and our traditional Madrigal Dinner in December. Our fall play made a welcome return to the stage with Shakespear’s Much Ado About Nothing. HVCHS Orchestra and Symphonic Band each performed a full set list before an excited and appreciative live audience. Our Timberlane Middle School Timberwolves hosted an Open House in December during which students performed “coffeehouse-style” as visitors enjoyed the music while shopping at the bookfair. We look forward to more opportunities to perform across all HV schools in the winter and Spring or 2022!

WinTer aThleTiCS are unDerWaY aT our miDDle anD high SChoolS! We are excited to support the over 300 student-athletes who are participating in winter sports this season. Daily Schedules are posted on www.hvrsd.org/page/athletics At Timberlane Middle School, students are participating in: Boys & Girls Basketball, Wrestling and Cheerleading.

At Central High School, the following sports are being offered: Swimming/Diving, Ice Hockey, Boys & Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Boys & Girls Winter Track and Winter Cheer.

Toll gaTe haS aChieveD river level CerTiFiCaTion! a neW Sign Will Soon be plaCeD ouTSiDe To CommemoraTe The aChievemenT!

Photos taken by Mike Schwartz Photography

The River-Friendly School Program helps teachers, students, and school leaders learn about and implement actions that reduce water pollution, conserve water, enhance wildlife habitat, and teach others how to become better environmental stewards. Being River-Friendly certified means a school has taught their students lessons about water quality, water conservation, wildlife habitat restoration, and has spread the message of RiverFriendly to their community. A school that achieves advanced stewardship has gone beyond the baseline requirements for the certification and has shown further environmental education or stewardship actions.

HVRSD HIGHLIGHTS | Hopewell Express9

The ChS DebaTe Team DiviSion ChampS

KinDergarTen regiSTraTion 2022!

Attention Parents! Kindergarten registration for children who will be five years old on or before October 1, 2022 will begin on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

We urge parents to prepare by visiting our website at www. hvrsd.org and downloading the registration documents.

The instructions for registration are available at: New Student Registration | Hopewell Valley Regional School District (hvrsd.org) Required forms are available at: Registration Forms | Hopewell Valley Regional School District (hvrsd.org)

Congratulations to the CHS Debate Team, who finished the 2021 season as CVC Colonial Division Champions and CVC conference runners-up.

Varsity members: Samiyah Syed, Natalie “Lola” Banta, Kaitlyn Kuchinski, Vanessa Walrath. The team is coached by Kathryn Henderson, English teacher at CHS.

Starting February 1, 2022 Please scan and email the completed forms and supporting documents to the Registrar’s Office: registrar@hvrsd.org or request an appointment with the Registrar at registrar@hvrsd.org or by calling 609 737 4002, ext 2306.

CenTral high SChool DriverS eDuCaTion inSTruCTion The 10th grade Wellness Drivers Education program is underway this 2nd Marking Period. Part of the program includes a simulated behind the wheel experience using the CHS golf carts on a marked course on the turf field. Detective Adam from the Hopewell Township Police Department volunteered to help instruct the students with these hands-on experiences.

10Hopewell Express | HVRSD HIGHLIGHTS

SIX09 Arts > food > culture

Winter Wellness starts on pg 8 thesix09.com | january 2022

Fresh Outlooks for a New Year Make your new year’s resolution, page 2.

Start 2022 on the right foot with a walk across the Scudder Falls Bridge, 5.

What’s cooking at Al’s Airport Inn, page 6; Winter Wellness, page 8

Lose more than just weight.

Lose your sleep apnea.

The Center for Weight Loss at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, instead of emphasizing short-term goals like reducing the size of your waist, we focus on long-term benefits like reducing your risk of diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension. Beginning with a nurse navigator, every aspect of the program, including bariatric surgery, will be clearly presented so you can make the right choice.

rwjbh.org/weightloss

from the cover Start the new year off right

By CaTherIne BIalKoWsKI

The time has come to decide our New Year’s resolutions, promises we make to ourselves that will improve our lives overall for the next 12 months. From eating more healthily to learning better spending habits, we all have areas in our lives that need a bit of extra attention and care. Here are some local resources to help start 2022 in the right mindset, based on the most popular resolutions.

Improving Your Health

Perhaps the number one resolution, year after year, is to live more healthfully. From choosing the right foods to exercising daily, there are a multitude of ways to live a more sound lifestyle.

Dr. Kintur Sanghvi, owner of NJ Heart & Vascular Care in Princeton and Hamilton, says that heart health (and overall fitness) starts with the diet and daily intake of water. It is important, he says, to pay attention to what we put into our bodies, and to take care to avoid greasy, salty, or processed foods. “Most of us eat food on the fly,” says Dr. Sanghvi. “We never have time to sit down. We all just eat quickly and move on.” Paying attention to diet and the effect on the body can be life-changing.

Dr. Sanghvi, a cardiologist and cardiovascular physician, started

An award-winning publication of Community News Service, LLC © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.

Trademark and U.S. Copyright Laws protect Community News Service LLC Publications. Nothing herein may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission of the Publisher.

CO-PUBLISHER Jamie Griswold

CO-PUBLISHER Tom Valeri

MANAGING EDITOR, METRO DIVISION Sara Hastings ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Thomas Fritts

PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacey Micallef DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL INITIATIVES Joe Emanski

2SIX09 | January 2022

15610 HAMILTON CNS_Bariatric ManBlackShirt Apnea_4.313x11.25_m1.indd 1

NJ Heart & Vascular Care after the COVID-19 pandemic hit; he decided to pursue an individualized, personal form of care that would allow him to truly listen to each patient, “instead of a big system where patients get frustrated.” Visit njhvc.com for more information about his practice. *** For help choosing a diet and balancing meals, consider scheduling an appointment with a nutritionist like Caruso’s Physical Therapy & See NEW YEAR, Page 4

SIX09

EDITOR Jamie Griswold ARTS EDITOR Dan Aubrey FOOD & DINING COLUMNIST Joe Emanski AD LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

* Results are not guaranteed and may vary by individual

Dr. Kintur Sanghvi is the owner of NJ Heart & Vascular Care in Princeton and Hamilton.

12/6/21 4:01 PM

Community News Service 15 Princess Road, Suite K Lawrence, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 396-1511 News: news@communitynews.org Events: events@communitynews.org Letters: jgriswold@communitynews.org Website: communitynews.org Facebook: facebook.com/mercereats Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace Six09 is inserted into each of Community News Service’s nine hyperlocal monthly publications. Over 125,000 copies are distributed each month in the Greater Mercer County, N.J. area.

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“Many of these treatments may come as a surprise to patients suffering from chronic pain, especially those who think that their pain — and poor quality of life — is something they have to endure,” Dr. Patel notes. A double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, Dr. Patel focuses on treating pain in the back, neck, face, and joints as well as pain related to cancer and chemotherapy.

With so many different pain-causing illnesses, injuries, and conditions, treatments must be carefully customized to fit the needs of each individual patient. Dr. Patel partners with orthopedists, physical and occupational therapists, and chiropractors to provide a variety of approaches and treatments. With

Regenerative Medicine/ Stem Cell Therapy. Regenerative medicine is a fastgrowing, highly developed treatment that helps the body heal or rebuild itself. Dr. Patel uses stem cell therapy to treat ailments, particularly low back or neck pain, caused by degenerative vertebral discs or joint pain in the shoulders, hips, or knees caused by osteoarthritis. The patient’s stem cells are removed, purified, concentrated, and injected into the injured or weakened tissue. Stem cell therapy can also speed recovery and help avoid surgery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). A favorite treatment for sports injuries, PRP uses the patient’s blood to produce a platelet-rich plasma that targets a host of chronic and acute pain conditions, including muscle strain, arthritis, tendinosis, cartilage injuries, joint inflammation, and wound care. The treatment is also used in orthopedic and plastic surgery. By synthesizing platelets and releasing proteins, PRP can aid in generating new tissue. And it has helped chemotherapy patients grow back hair faster and thicker.

Cannabis Therapy. The legalization of medical marijuana has brought new treatment options. “We are very excited by the potential of cannabis-based treatments and we comply fully with New Jersey’s evolving regulations,” says Dr. Patel. He uses a local dispensary to provide treatments, which include edibles such as gummy bears and cannabis-based rubbing and vaping oils.

Minimally Invasive Therapy. Dr. Patel offers a wide variety of minimally invasive therapies. These include epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation for patients suffering from chronic neck and back pain stemming from herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. His goal is to help his patients avoid surgery and at the same time regain functionality.

Thanks to these and other game-changing treatments, pain levels can be greatly reduced or eliminated and quality of life enhanced. Says Dr. Patel, “Stop your pain.

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ASK THE DOCTOR

January 2022 | SIX093 MARCH/APRIL 2020

NEW YEAR, continued from Page 2

Nutrition in Allentown. Their services include physical therapy, nutrition services, salt therapy and pilates; according to the website, carusoptrd. com, “combined, these things make a huge difference.”

The nutrition services include education, screening, monitoring, assessments and counseling, pertaining to each patient’s individual needs.

To make an appointment visit the website and fill out the form for new patients.

Another vital aspect to staying healthy, says Dr. Sanghvi, is living an active lifestyle. “With patients who live to be 90 and 100, one common factor is that all of them are extremely active,” he says. “It is important for overall health and cardiovascular health.” Learning how to train the heart through various forms of exercise is the key to living a long life and reducing the risk of heart attacks and heart disease.

One local resource for fitness is Team85 Fitness and Wellness Center in Bordentown, which offers more than 100 fitness classes per week in cardio, strength and wellness, for all ages. Classes include zumba, barre, yoga, meditation and cycle, among others, and are taught by the best instructors in the area in state-of-the-art studios. Visit team85fitnessandwellness.com for more information.

Taking Charge of Your Finances Learning how to better handle money is another popular resolution.

Becoming financially stable reduces stress and can even increase happiness levels, making it an excellent goal to focus on in 2022.

First Bank NJ offers a variety of services and resources to help organize your finances. Their services include, but are not limited to, home equity loans, checking accounts, auto loans, and commercial and residential mortgages. At First Bank, savings and money market accounts are designed to help you save for the future, and bank staff is there to answer any questions you have about your finances.

The community blog, firstbanknj. blog, is a treasure trove of invaluable information on topics such as cybersecurity, saving for college, scammers, and the importance of emergency funds. First Bank NJ has locations in Cranbury, Hamilton, Monroe Township, Ewing, Lawrence and Pennington. Visit their website, firstbanknj. com, for more information. *** If you are planning to purchase a property, or want to refinance your home, Finance of America Mortgage may be able to help. Their handy mortgage calculator, refinance calculator and mortgage affordability calculator tools make it easy to

understand your financial state, and the team of professionals is happy to share information about the process of applying for a loan as well as finding the right one for each unique situation. There is a branch in nearby Manahawkin; visit foamortgage.com for more information.

Self-Improvement

The quest to become our best selves is ongoing; it includes all aspects of who we are, including what we enjoy, how we spend our time, even how we represent ourselves

The new year is a perfect time to discover a new hobby or interest or rekindle your excitement for an old one. to the world. Here are a few local resources to encourage and guide this journey.

It is no secret that the way we look influences how we feel. Princeton Aesthetics, located in Princeton Junction, offers medical aesthetic treatments to help patients become the best versions of themselves. Princeton Aesthetics offers body sculpting and contouring, facial rejuvenation, tattoo removal, skin revitalization, laser hair removal and hair restoration, among

other services. Dr. Siva Teja Jetty has worked at RWJ Barnabas Health and is a board certified internal medicine physician. For more information, visit princetonaesthetics.com. *** The start of a new year is a perfect time to discover a new hobby or interest. For those with a passion for (or curiosity about) art, consider getting involved with the Arts Council of Princeton. The Council offers a wide variety of events on a monthly basis, including exhibits by Mercer and Hunterdon County artists, as well as classes for adults and children in screen printing, ceramics, flamenco dancing, oil painting, watercolor, junk journaling, capoeira and more. There is also a membership opportunity for those interested in getting more involved. Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org for more information. *** Finally, why not get back into (or discover a new passion for) reading? It improves brain connectivity, reduces stress and increases vocabulary; it is also entertaining. The Mercer County Library System offers a range of book clubs in both broad and specific genres, including a gardening group, sports book group, nonfiction book club, Friday Morning Bookies and a Facebook book club. The book clubs are located in various branches, including, Ewing, Hopewell, West Windsor, Hickory Corner and Twin Rivers. Visit mcl. org for more information.

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By Dan Aubrey

The newly opened Scudder Fall Bridge Shared Use Pathway is the closest one can get to walking and bicycling on air and a great addition to various hikes and walks available to people in the region looking to get out and get healthy — especially at the start of a new year.

The 0.86-mile-long walkway is located on the bridge’s upstream span and accessible in New Jersey from the D&R Feeder Canal towpath. A canal and towpath parking area is located on River Road in Ewing. A Pennsylvania ramp is located directly opposite on the Delaware Canal towpath.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, which opened the pathway in November, reports that the “bridge walkways and ramps are 10 feet wide with accompanying 4-foot-6-inch railing heights that meet Federal Highway Administration standards for integration of pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

“The new shared-use facility makes Scudder Falls the only river crossing

in the Commission’s 20-bridge system where bicyclists can pedal across without dismounting. Fifteen of the Commission’s bridges currently provide some form of pedestrian access.

However, for safety, liability, and logistical reasons, bicyclists must dismount and walk across these existing walkways.”

Additionally, the project includes a park-n-ride lot, a comfort station, an interpretive bridge display, and an active transportation network of paths, ramps and bridge walkways, providing direct connectivity between Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal towpath and New Jersey’s Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath.

“This new facility was constructed by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and is funded by the tolls the agency collects at its eight toll bridges. The Commission has committed to operating and maintaining the facility’s various components in perpetuity,” says the DRJTBC in a statement.

The newly opened Scudder Fall Bridge Shared Use Pathway, accessible from For more information: www.drjtbc. River Road in Ewing, adds to regional walking, biking, and hiking routes and org. offers spectacular views of the Delaware River along the way.

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what’s cooking?

Fueled by

MERCER EATS

All in the family at Al’s Airport Inn

By Thomas Kelly

One thing that long standing family businesses have in common is their stories. Stories that may have been handed down through generations of owners, employees and customers.

The history in photos, documents and memories are comforting and provide us with a sense of continuity and community. Long standing family businesses provide us with comfort and roots.

Since 1933 there has been an inn near the airport on Bear Tavern Road in Ewing that has been welcoming travelers. Providing hospitality to airport patrons and locals alike, Al’s Airport Inn is keeping the tradition alive and looking to the future. Nestled on a flat plain in the middle of rolling hills, it is easy to think back 88 years and see the warmly lit inn on the outskirts of the airfield, as you climb out of the newly burgeoning transport mode of passenger airplanes.

Family owned and operated, Al’s Airport Inn is now owned by Carrie Ann Bondi, and she is looking to enhance the traditional tavern experi-

6SIX09 | January 2022

Carrie Ann Bondi owns and operates Al’s Airport Inn in Ewing. ence. Taking the time during a shutdown for the pandemic to remodel the floors, ceilings and painting the interior, the inn retains its colonial

feel but is much newer and brighter inside. “Of course we kept the building looking like “Al’s”. We had to keep the exposed beams, woodwork, and

brick. The original building dates back to the 1700s and we want to showcase that,” states Bondi.

Originating right after the airport was built in 1929, Al’s Airport Inn was purchased from by Bondi from her husband’s grandmother in 2018. “It was time for Grandmom to retire as she was in her 90s and it was either sell it to strangers or buy the inn.” Say Bondi. “My husband’s grandparents acquired the business from Al Jones and his wife from which they were partnered with in the Jones’ later years. The inn is named after Al, of course.”

Starting a new venture was almost as important as keeping the inn within the family. Previously working as a marketing and social media consultant, Bondi took the chance, purchased the inn, and has not looked back.

“We were forced to close for 8 months due to the pandemic and have been slowly building back to 25, 50 and now 100 percent capacity. We are especially grateful to our community. We could not have done it without their loyalty and encourage-

YEARS

YEARS

“There have also been instances ment. Many places did not re-open, of more than natural events inside long-established places, so we are the tavern. Chairs being pushed in truly appreciative of the support,” by unseen hand and lights flickersays Bondi. “The regulars were very ing at closing time. These are mostly excited as we re-opened. They had acknowledged to be Al Jones, the been cooped up a long time and were original owner and it is his way of very happy to see the changes made helping to prepare for closing as he here.” did many, many times.”

Many in Ewing frequent Al’s as Family and community oriented, they may miss the venerable FredAl’s Airport Inn continues a longdie’s Tavern, which closed in 2019. standing family business in a time Freddie’s was also opened in 1933 and when it sometimes seems that chain was operated by the Urbano family restaurants are taking over and home for generations. “Many of the Urbacooking is a thing of the past. Connos will frequent Al’s now and enjoy tinuing the traditions of the Al’s Aira meal,” says Bondi. “We still have a port Inn, and starting new ones, is hometown feel that people enjoy. This surely a welcome sight from the air or is still a people oriented business, and from the ground. that is impossible to achieve with a Al’s Airport Inn, 636 Bear Tavern chain restaurant.”

Al’s Airport Inn offers table seating as well as bar seating.

Road, Ewing. Open Sundays through Patrons are longtime residents of Thursdays, noon to midnight, and Frithe area, people affiliated with the airBeing family oriented is impor- patrons and area residents have days and Saturdays, noon to 2 a.m. port, even travelers on flight delays.

“The upgrades to the airport and the tant to Bondi. The inn played a large seen these soldiers. It is generally 609-883-5252 or www.alsairporuptick in travel again are very help- part in her current family history too. understood that they are still walking tinn.com. ful to the Inn,” says Bondi. “We even She met her future husband, Joseph, around here.” get people who come in after their fly- here, as it was his family’s business. ing lessons. After their lessons!” she Their 7- and 9-year-old boys, Wyatt and Ryder, are already showing interreiterates.

Al’s now has a full-time chef in est in the restaurant by both offering Chris Warms, and a whole new menu. recipe suggestions and providing tastThere are appetizers, daily soups and ing services.

Bondi emphasizes inclusion at the specials along with pub fare of burgers, tacos and sandwiches. There is inn. “We have a monthly LGBQT much more variety, and the menu is happy hour, but make everyone feel updated via the website with specials welcome every day of the week. We want to keep a community feel for the announced on social media.

Joseph Vargo and his wife Kim entire community. We host fundraisare Ewing residents and longtime ers, parties and other events to celepatrons of Al’s. They have noticed brate the community we serve. Incluthe changes and the new menu. sion is very important to us. Very “Now there is much better selection important.”

With Bondi’s background in marand whole dinners. Previously they served mostly bar snacks. Now with keting and social media, communicadinners offered, it is much more of a tion is key. “We announce our music schedule, drink destination. They specials and have definitely menu favorites kept the corner Many in Ewing frequent Laptop Laptop Tune-Up Tune-Up Includes: Includes: (+ tax) on Facebook and bar feeling but get great reacwith great food Al’s as they may miss tions.

Immediand a more family  Full Full Scan Scan of Virus, of Virus, Malware Malware & Spyware& Spyware ate connection to atmosphere. It’s a the venerable Freddie’s  Cleanup Cleanup of all ofSystem all System Temp Files Temp Files thousands of folbig improvement. lowers makes it We enjoy the Tavern. ‘We still have  Install Install Microsoft Microsoft updates updates & security&patches security patche easier to get the atmosphere and a hometown feel that  Optimize Optimize andand repairrepair system system configuration configuration word out. We are meeting friends at  Hard Hard drive drive integrity integrity scan scan all so busy it is a Al’s,” says Vargo. people enjoy,’ Bondi great way to stay Bondi states,  Hard Hard drive drive andand registry registry file defrag file defrag “We are a much says. ‘This is still a people in touch with the community.” say more family, comBondi. munity based, oriented business, and It would be gathering place. remiss to write We put in more that is impossible to an article on tables for a restau- achieve with a chain a colonial era rant feel and have building and live music four restaurant.’ not speak about nights a week. some occurIf the musicians have a following, that is great, but the rences that seem to be very apparmusicians can also build a following ent there. While the word haunted here.” There is live music on Mon- is strong, there have been instances day, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sat- where some unexplained phenomena urday nights. “The music is classic have been witnessed.

Bondi elaborates, “There have rock, pop, acoustic and singer-songAccess Access Points Points&&Range Range Extenders Extenders can boost can your boost speed your speed been sightings of Revolutionary war writer types. It is very popular.” without your monthly withoutboosting boosting your monthly costs! costs!

Brunch is offered on Saturday soldiers walking on the property outand Sunday, with drink specials and side. This area was highly traveled by an extensive menu. “People love the Washington’s troops after the crossbrunch. They enjoy that they don’t ing of the Delaware on Christmas, have to venture to Princeton or Lam- 1776. Some soldiers were said to have frozen to death in these parts. Many bertville to enjoy a great brunch.”

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Hamilton Dental Associates Affordable Dental Care Save Big on Dental Care with Our Access Plan. To the folks who might have lost their jobs or insurance during last year’s pandemic, or if you find yourself constantly running into problems with your insurance… you’re not alone. Dental services are a huge problem for many Americans. In fact, research has shown that costs are the most significant barrier to dental care in the United States compared to any other health care service.

Your oral health is crucial to your overall health and well-being, and access to dental care should be easy to obtain. However, proper access to care poses a huge challenge to many families in the area and around the country.

Getting your routine care is important for all and should not cost you and your family a fortune.

Say Goodbye to Dental Insurance. More often than not, dental insurance requires expensive payroll deductions, doesn’t cover everything that you need, and has low annual limits. At times, you probably find yourself

paying out of pocket if you have a slight problem. You might even wind up paying more in monthly premiums than if you paid for the services themselves.

Bi-annual exams, x-rays, cleaning, and fluoride treatment fees can be costly and will begin to add up, especially if you’re providing care for the entire family.

If you’re struggling to find a dental service that caters your budget and your needs, or you’re deciding whether or not to invest in dental insurance, look no further.

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We will provide extensive coverage that dental insurance can’t. Even some of the cheapest insurance plans do not offer the robust services of our access plan.

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services are a thing of the past with our new plan. We provide the care you need for less.

What’s covered: • Bi-annual dental examination • Cleaning twice per year with bi-annual checkup • X-rays including panoramic, bitewing or full mouth with bi-annual checkup • Fluoride treatment twice per year for patients ages 3 to 17 Our access program is designed to be affordable for everyone, including low-income families. As a member of our plan, you will save up to 15 percent on additional dental treatments, which include orthodontic, restorative, and endodontic services.

Bottom line, the Hamilton Dental Associates Access Plan will save you money on your routine, biannual services while assuring you that additional treatments will not break the bank. Whether you’re looking for an individual plan or taking care of the needs of the whole family, we’ve got you covered!

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January 2022 | SIX099

AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine Tackling Pain with the Newest Technology, Treatments, and a Mission to Educate Patients “From your toes to your nose, we can help.”

“What you don’t know can hurt you,” affirms Dr. Anthony Alfieri of AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine, an expanding pain management practice with offices in Monroe and Hamilton.

“Too many people are in pain and unhappy with their quality of life. Yet they are unaware of new possibilities of treatment that can significantly reduce or eliminate severe, chronic pain.”

Dr. Alfieri and his colleagues at AllCure’s offices are on a mission to raise public awareness of the causes of pain and the growing range of non-surgical therapies available to treat them. His multidisciplinary approach spans pain management, laser therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic, and acupuncture.

Within these categories are numerous noninvasive solutions that address every part of the body and are administered by a professional team of medical doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists. This expert team collaborates to find the most effective treatments to provide long-lasting relief from pain.

“By listening carefully to our patients describe their symptoms and medical history, we can

Brothers Anthony Alfieri, DC, left, and Victor Alfieri, DPT. create a treatment program that combines various therapies to optimum effect,” says Dr. Alfieri. “Many patients have endured pain for years, thinking that heavy medication and possible surgery were the only avenues open to them.”

But new treatments are emerging. The practice has invested in a new FDA-approved laser machine that has proved effective in treating back and neck pain and plantar fasciitis, conditions that are becoming more common with an aging population, intensive computer use, and rising obesity.

With two highly trained acupuncturists on staff, this ancient therapy is now used to treat a vast range of conditions. Acupuncture can alleviate joint and back pain and migraines but has uses for conditions that may not be

actually painful but cause discomfort, impact function and quality of life, and can lead to other problems. These include allergies, anxiety, depression, and difficulties in quitting smoking.

Pregnant women can get relief from side effects such as morning sickness, swollen ankles, and back pain. Acupuncture also helps treat infertility, menopause, and menstrual cramps.

Unfortunately, Medicare and some other insurance plans do not cover acupuncture.

“We make every effort to provide affordable acupuncture treatments,” says Dr. Alfieri.

A large percentage of the practice includes patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy, usually manifested by stabbing pain and/or numbness in the hands and feet. This has many causes, from diabetes to infection or a traumatic injury. “There is no cure for this, but there are treatments that can significantly reduce pain, including laser treatments,” says Dr. Alfieri.

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has shown promise as a pain reliever without the dangers of addiction posed by opioids. AllCure uses a pure form of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil that has proved effective.

“We want our patients to know that today, they have options,” Dr. Alfieri asserts. “A total cessation of pain may not be possible, but we can often bring pain levels down to a point where the patient’s mobility and quality of life is vastly improved.”

AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine, 140 Cabot Drive, Suite A, Hamilton. 609-528-4417. www.allcurespineandsports.com. See ad, page 9.

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Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute Experts in Compassionate Treatment of Patients in Pain Dr. Ronak Patel MD is the founder and medical director of Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute. Ronak Patel, MD, is a double board-certified in anesthesiology and pain management. He leads a team of medical professionals dedicated to resolving chronic pain in all its forms.

Dr. Patel specializes in the treatment of back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and facial pain as well as cancer-related pain. While training across the country with leaders in pain management, Dr. Patel acquired advanced skills in innovative spinal cord and peripheral nerve interventions/ ablation, fracture repair through vertebral augmentation, state-ofthe-art regenerative therapy, and both ultrasound-guided and X-ray guided procedures. He is an active member of several pain societies and has presented several times at national anesthesiology and pain medicine conferences.

Dr. Patel grew up in New Jersey and is excited to return to the area and help serve his community.

Having experienced a sports injury to his spine that required extensive rehabilitation and ultimately spinal injections, he understands what it means to be a patient in pain.

Dr. Patel takes great pride in his gentle bedside manner and believes in spending time with his patients in order to fully understand their pain condition, develop an individualized treatment plan, and help regain functionality. His goal as a pain management doctor is to bring expert, comprehensive, safe, and effective pain care to as many patients as possible.

The practice offers an extensive range of non-surgical treatments for a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal disorders. It aims to help patients avoid surgery by embracing a variety of traditional and alternative solutions to longterm pain and using minimally invasive techniques to deliver effective treatments. While their particular focus is on orthopedic care for back and neck pain, the

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Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute providers have expertise in treating conditions as varied as arthritis, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), peripheral neuropathy, and migraines.

The innovative, multimodal approach of Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute targets the source of chronic pain wherever possible, using regenerative medicine methods such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cell, and exosome injections.

These natural, biological therapies use the patient’s healing cells in concentrated form to stimulate faster and more vigorous healing of damaged and diseased tissues.

Other treatments available include viscosupplementation for knee pain, peripheral nerve stimulation and spinal cord stimulation, physiotherapy, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, epidural injections and joint injections containing steroid medication, an extensive range of nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation. Dr. Patel is also a certified prescriber of medical marijuana under the State of New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program.

Patients of Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute benefit from the availability of same-day or nextday appointments and secure telehealth technology for remote consultations.

Call 609-269-4451 or visit www. njpaindoc.com now to book your first consultation. See ad, page 3.

Dr. Patel specializes in the treatment of back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and facial pain as well as cancer-related pain.

12SIX09 | January 2022

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Aura Dermatology Treat Your Skin Right During the Cold Winter Months First and foremost, amidst a rise in COVID-19 cases, Aura Dermatology hopes everyone had a happy and healthy holiday season! As winter approaches and the holidays are behind us, it’s time to focus on Winter Wellness!

Here are some things you can do this winter to maintain optimal skin health.

Cold weather and indoor heating are triggers for dry, itchy skin. We recommend avoiding hot showers/baths (even though they feel good!), applying moisturizing creams to the wet or damp skin immediately following, and considering using a humidifier in the home. For those patients who suffer from eczema or psoriasis, you may have a flare-up of your conditions during this season. It is important to make sure you have a dermatologist to help manage these conditions.

Now that you spend less time outdoors, no reason to wear sunscreen, right? Wrong! It is important to wear sunscreen daily (at least SPF 30). Sun exposure

is still relevant if you are driving, getting sun through windows at home/work, going out for a walk, etc.

Additionally, on snowy days or on the ski slopes, UV rays can reflect off the snow and affect your skin.

Although you are not sunbathing, this chronic cumulative exposure can still contribute to premature skin aging and development of skin cancer. At Aura Dermatology, we recommend the use of broad spectrum (UVA/ UVB) sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 daily.

This is also a great time to come in for your full body skin exam. You should always be performing monthly self skin exams to look for new or changing moles or growths (changing color, shape, size, bleeding/non-healing).

However, it is important to have your dermatologist check you thoroughly for suspicious spots, especially if you have a history of sunburns, numerous moles on your body, and a personal or family

MILY CE

history of skin cancer.

Lastly, just because the holidays are over, doesn’t mean we can’t still want to look good!

There a variety of treatments like photofacials to fade away sun spots/blood vessels (IPL), chemical peels, laser resurfacing, laser hair removal, or botox/fillers that can be performed to enhance the appearance of our skin. Many of these procedures require sun protection before and afterwards or

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We hope you all remain healthy and safe. Now is the time to focus on Winter Wellness all around!.

Aura Dermatology, 17 Main Street, Suite 304, Robbinsville.

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The Dental Difference Mini Dental Implants: A True Innovation in Dentistry Mini Dental Implants (MDIs) have changed the face of implant dentistry. Unlike traditional implant placement, where multiple dental visits are often required, MDIs can eliminate the need for extensive surgery. The most common use for MDIs is the stabilization of dentures and overdentures. MDIs firmly anchor the dental prosthesis, which means there is no longer a need to suffer with ill-fitting, loose and ANNOYING dentures!

MDIs are designed to eliminate elaborate bone grafting and to expedite treatment. Traditional implants may require significant bone grafting and a longer recovery period. The latent period allows the anchor of the implant to properly embed itself into the jawbone. The smaller size of MDIs means that no recovery period is possible, and the denture can be fitted the same day.

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After placement, a denture will be modified and affixed to the MDIs. The rubber O-ring on each MDI snaps into the designated spot on the denture, and the denture then rests snugly on the gum tissue. MDIs hold the denture comfortably in a tight-fitting way for the lifetime of that implant.

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Part-time farm help wanted-Small horse farm on Hamilton/Allentown border needs worker or workers to feed and take care of farm - day time feeding 9am-noon / Nighttime feeding 4pm to 6pm - $15 an hour call or text Paul 201-960-9992 Looking for a parttime/full time job that provides meaningful work and competitive compensation?Consider a position in a State Farm Agent’s office. Successful State Farm Agent Shilpa Rathi, Bordentown is seeking a qualified professional to join their winning team for the role of Office Assistant - State Farm Agent Team Member.

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WANTED TO BUY Looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction,Children’s Illustrated, Signed books, kids series books (old Hardy boys-Nancy DrewJudy Bolton- Dana girls, The Happy Hollisters, ect WITH DUSTJACKETS in good shape), old postcards, non-sports cards, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks (also Avon,Popular Library, Dell, Ace, BEACON, Monarch, Midwood pbs) old COSMOPOLITAN 1920’s-1940’s. Call 609-619-3480 or email happyheroes@gmail.com.

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16SIX09 | January 2022

300 Renaissance Blvd., Lawrenceville

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hopewell valley School District Valley School District &Hopewell hopewell valley education & Hopewell Valley Education Foundation Foundation honor black history month Honor Black History Month

Registration https://www.hvef.org/ne ws-events/heritagemonth-book-club.html

Stories, including dozens of oral histories, that reflect the deeply important but often overlooked history of the collected lives of a minority Black community in the Hopewell Valley, a predominantly White region

February 23, 2022 7PM Virtual

Timberlane Middle School had an Open House on Tuesday, December 14th from 3:30 - 6:00. This coincided with the annual book fair. The school was opened for parents to walk the halls, shop and enjoy musical performances. They also gave away hot chocolate kits.

The 7th and 8th grade Band, Orchestra, Choir and Theater Arts students perform a variety of mini-performances which added to the festive feel of this winter walk through!

HVRSD HIGHLIGHTS | Hopewell Express11

a leTTer From anSon SmiTh, a neW viCe prinCipal For ChS Dear Hopewell Valley School District Community MembersI wanted to reach out and take a few minutes to introduce myself and share with you my excitement at joining such a highly regarded school community. Having taught and coached at Hunterdon Central for the past 18 years, I have had the pleasure to meet a number of alumni, staff, current students and members of the community. In each experience it is clear just how supportive and dedicated this community is to the growth and development of its students. I look forward to continuing the community’s commitment to educational excellence.

I live in Flemington with my wife and three daughters. When not at work, we spend much of our time taxiing our daughters to soccer, dance, gymnastics and playdates. I enjoy staying physically active and enjoying the outdoors, and traveling when the opportunity arises.

To those who have already warmly welcomed me, I thank you. To those I have not yet had the chance to meet, I look forward to getting a chance to meet you in person soon.

L G BTQ

201

COME. LISTEN. ƒSK. LEƒRN.

Hope Rises Up and Prism—Bending the Light are partnering with Hopewell Valley Regional School District and Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance for an evening centered in education and advocacy surrounding issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community, particularly our students.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 6 PM Community Room • Hopewell Valley Central HS 259 Pennington-Titusville Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534 This free event, a followup to 2020’s LGBTQ 101, is ideal for administrators, educators, law enforcement, healthcare and mental health service providers, religious leaders, LGBTQ+ students and families, parents, and the broader community.

We will be offering multiple sessions with qualified panelists discussing issues of mental health, affirming faith spaces, working with allies in law enforcement, local resources for LGBTQ+ students and families, and more.

Childcare, Beverages & Light Fare will be Offered.

Masks Required • Stay tuned for a link to RSVP

Sincerely, Anson Smith

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 259 Pennington-Titusville Road Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4003 (609) 737-1581 Fax Principal: Patricia Riley

TIMBERLANE MIDDLE SCHOOL 51 S. Timberlane Drive Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4004 (609) 737-2718 Fax Principal: Nicole Gianfredi

12Hopewell Express | HVRSD HIGHLIGHTS

BEAR TAVERN SCHOOL 1162 Bear Tavern Road Titusville, NJ 08560 (609) 737-4005 (609) 737-7351Fax Principal: Christopher Turnbull

HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 35 Princeton Avenue Hopewell, NJ 08525 (609) 737-4007 (609) 466-8095 FAX Principal: David Friedrich

STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20 Stephenson Road Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4006 (609) 730-3888 Fax Principal: Steven Wilfing

TOLL GATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 275 South Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4008 (609) 737-7348 Fax Principal: Jane Ellen Lennon

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 425 South Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-4000 (609) 737-1418 Fax

Nicholas Zoltanski in the dish area at Chuck’s Place, a Wawa-like store in Mercer High School.

CHUCK’S continued from Page 8 to behave in public.

Students have the ability to earn ‘Mercer Money’ at the intermediate and high schools, a currency that is able to be spent in locations such as Chuck’s Place. Typically rewarded for good behavior, the money gives students an incentive to visit the Wawalike storefront.

Since Chuck’s Place is shared throughout the whole district, it’s a resource for everyone, not just those at the high school level, Ryan said.

Prior to the constraints of COVID, those who showed great promise were able to work with a job coach in the community at locations such as Red Robin and Walgreens. Two students from Chuck’s Place had made such progress that they were going to begin working at Red Robin at the end of March 2020.

Unfortunately, the school closed on March 13, and the pandemic put a halt to the beginnings of their respective careers.

“Hopefully, we’ll get back to that, and then also for students who aren’t gonna work in the community, we still work on those behaviors. You need to follow directions, you need to be appropriate, you need to work with other people, you need to sometimes do non-preferred things,” Ryan said.

Currently, in place of that experience, students are given the opportunity to work in the school cafeteria run by Sodexo. There, they work with a completely different staff, not just their fellow students. It is essentially a job, but on campus.

“We can monitor and see how successful they are, [and] what support they need,” Ryan continued.

By regularly rotating participants in the program through every position, MCSSSD ensures that equal time is divided among the responsibilities for career, as well as life, readiness.

Out of all the jobs available at

Chuck’s Place, Nicholas Zoltanski of Hamilton said his personal favorite is washing the dishes. Uchenna Ugorji, also from Hamilton, feels a similar passion for the task.

“I like to wash dishes and I like to clean the glasses,” Ugorji said. “I’ve learned to make orders.”

While so many of the students enjoy that specific responsibility, Ryan said, one of the main skills they learn is that regardless of preference, diligent workers must do whatever duty their employers ask of them.

The instructor also conveyed that while nonverbal students, those in wheelchairs, and others could not be interviewed for this article, they are all “very capable workers” who enhance the program through their dedication.

Mathew Rambo, who lives in East Windsor, has been working at Chuck’s Place since he was a sophomore. His preference is to be at the checkout, always eager to run the cash register.

“Chuck’s Place is a really good place to work,” he said. “I also get to do deliveries, too.”

Each of the students interviewed said that they would recommend working in Chuck’s Place to someone else, a resounding ‘yes’ or ‘absolutely’ part of their feedback.

In episode 9 of The Superintendent’s Corner, a YouTube series from MCSSSD that features Interim Assistant Superintendent Brian Bittings and Interim Superintendent Dr. James Fazzone, Ryan said that Chuck’s Place is trying to bounce back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “[The students] learn to work with other people, they learn to build their endurance and be able to work for longer periods of time, all those things that you need to be successful in the world, they learn at Chuck’s Place,” Ryan insisted in the video. “Nothing that happens in Chuck’s Place happens without the students. If the students can’t do it, it does not get done.”

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WWW.oldglorydetailing.com 130 West broad street hoPeWell, nj 08525 January 2022 | Hopewell Express13

SPORTS

Rowe ready to step up for HoVal girls’ basketball

By Rich Fisher

It was one of the most eventful car rides in Hailey Rowe’s life.

Her father, Don, was driving the second-grader and her twin sister, Katie, to a gym for tryouts. Hailey was going for cheerleading, which she had done in first grade, while Katie was going for basketball. Somewhere along the way, the two of them changed Hailey’s mind.

“My sister said, ‘Oh you should just come to basketball,’ and my dad was like ‘Yeah, why don’t you try it,’” Rowe recalled. “So we got there, and I did it and I loved it. I’m totally happy I did it.”

So is Hopewell Valley Central High girls basketball coach Coleen Ross, who is counting on Rowe to be one of her top scorers this year. During last year’s Covid 19-shortened season, she was the team’s second leading scorer, with an 8.2 points-per-game average, and led the Bulldogs in 3-pointers, with 22.

With leading scorer Franki Gomez having graduated, the Bulldogs need someone to step up as a scorer.

“She’s gonna be big for us,” Ross said. “She came back off an ankle injury and had nine or 10 points in a scrimmage the next day and kind of sparked us. Just having that senior leadership out there will be important.

We’ll have her at the three guard. She can shoot the three. She’s definitely dangerous from beyond the arc.”

What makes Rowe a true gem is that, at 5-6-½, she’s still versatile enough to play in the low post if necessary.

It was all part of her upbringing, when she was always the biggest kid on the team.

“I was really tall for my age so I mostly played center and forward,” Rowe said. “But I stopped growing so everybody caught up to me. In middle school, I was always the center. Now, I’m just stuck here (at 5-6), so I’m mostly a shooting guard. Sometimes I’ll play down low, depending on who’s on the court with me and who she puts in.”

Rowe is looking forward to this season as much as any player in the Colonial Valley Conference, as it will be the first campaign she can actually show her full capabilities.

In short order, she missed all of her freshman year with a broken ankle. As a sophomore, she was trying to get back into playing shape on a team dominated by seniors. Last year, she began to feel more comfortable, but the season was cut in half due to Covid.

“I’m so excited for this season,” Rowe said. “We lost Franki so we’re trying to make up for that, but we have a bunch of other confident girls. I’m

14  Hopewell Express | January 2022

really excited.”

Ross saw it in her on the first day of school.

“From the beginning of the year she’s been active in what we’re doing and how we’re doing it, and everything else,” the coach said. “It’s nice to see. She’s always been quiet, kind of laid back, but she’s definitely taking on that leadership role this year. She’s definitely determined. She worked in the off-season and she’s leading drills here at practice.”

After her 9th-grade year, Rowe is just happy to be on the floor. During one of her first gym classes at HVCHS, Hailey was playing a game of Capture the Flag. The good news is, she captured it.

But the bad news outweighed it.

“I was running and my ankle just rolled,” she said. “It was very unlucky.

It was broken and I missed my whole season. I play volleyball and I missed all of that too. I was really upset about that because coming from middle school I was really excited to get to high school and make some friends on the team and I just lost touch because of a gym class game. I really spent that whole year recovering from it, going to physical therapy and trying to get better for next season.”

And while she was happy to be back, her sophomore year was disappointing in some ways. “(The injury) really set me back a lot,” she said. “We had a lot of seniors and that was the best team I played with since I came to high school. I didn’t get that much playing time because of it, and because of my ankle.

I wasn’t at my best. After that season, I really tried to work to get a lot better.”

As a junior, Rowe showed improvement in the brief time she and her teammates got to play.

Then came an early-season practice this year, and a horrid feeling of déjà vu struck.

“I was going up for a rebound and I came down and landed on my ankle and it twisted the wrong way,” Ross said. “I was so upset. The season literally just started and I thought it would be something more serious.”

She had broken her right ankle, and this injury was to her left. Fortunately, the bad vibes did not last.

“It only lasted a couple days,” Rowe said. “The pain was a lot less than when I broke it. But it still hurt pretty bad, and I couldn’t really walk that well when I got up so I started to panic a little bit. But I really spent that whole weekend after I rolled it making sure I was taking care of it. It’s still a little sore, after our scrimmages and practices I ice it, but I’m OK.” Which is good news for Ross, considering how much flexibility Rowe

Rewarding

Life is with a Personal Banker Tis’ the Season for Generosity!

Senior Hailey Rowe plays guard for Hopewell Valley girls’ basketball this season, but can also play the post if coach Coleen Ross needs her to. (Photo by Rich Fisher.) gives her.

“You can find her anywhere on the floor,” the coach said. “She can handle it at the point position, she can post up down low. She’ll find a spot that’s needed and that’s where she’ll go.”

Rowe did not play AAU this past summer due to Covid, but still worked hard on her shooting and her ball handling, figuring the latter “is not my biggest strength.” She is excited and optimistic about the season and feels sophomore Gillian Magner is more than capable of filling Gomez’s sneakers.

“Gillian kind of reminds me of Franki on the floor,” Rowe said. “She’s that quick guard who can shoot. I love playing with her. I think we have really good bonding.”

She also bonds well with another senior — her sister Katie. Ironically, even though Katie talked Hailey into hoops, her biggest sport now is track.

“She’s more of a runner, she’s a top runner,” Hailey said. “Basketball isn’t her favorite thing to do, but she still loves it and I love playing with her. We have that special bond on the court.”

The bond will be broken next year

when Rowe heads for Penn State to major in hospitality management.

“My sister went to Penn State for it, I’ve been talking to her a lot,” Rowe said. “I love planning events and things like that. After seeing what she does, she’s so successful, I thought I’d be good at it.”

At the moment, she’s good at helping others. When not playing basketball, Rowe is a member of Hopewell’s Food Allergy Awareness Club, which helps families who have children with food allergies figure out other options.

She speaks from experience.

“I used to have shellfish allergies,” she said. “I got that fixed. I love shellfish.”

She is also a member of HV Care Club, which raises awareness concerning racial issues.

“I love being in that club because it really brings awareness to everything going on in the world,” she said.

For the next several months, however, Rowe will try to be aware of what opposing defenses are doing, and how to beat them.

All because of a simple ride in the car.

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January 2022 | Hopewell Express15

TOWNSHIP TALK

Recognizing Hopewell Township Public Works

By George Snyder

For the people of the Hopewell Township community, daily life is enhanced because of the Department of Public Works. If you have township water, you wake up in the morning with clean water for your coffee.

Your bathroom is operating properly because dependable sewer service is available.

Commuters head to work or school and find the roads drivable due to repaired potholes and fallen trees removed from the road. Flooding is not prevalent because the stormwater conveyance system is cleaned of leaves and debris. But that is only part of Public Works’ responsibilities.

Bulky waste, leaves, and brush do not cover yards since Public Works has come to collect them.

Police, Fire, and First Aid can respond to calls due to snow plowing and deicing operations. Township employees do not have to clean their offices and work on their vehicles, making them available when you call.

Finally, the heating and air-conditioning units in Township buildings are operating efficiently. The dedicated employees of Hopewell Township

Township Snyder.

administrator

George

Public Works perform tirelessly, often on weekends and nights, and sometimes for days on end, to provide a safe, attractive, and functional community for all.

Public Works’ earliest mentions include the documentation of public works projects, small and large, in ancient China. Flood-control devices, canals, a famous wall, and roads (one

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of them 4,500 miles long) was built.

Roman Empire public works built roads in the 4th century BCE for goods and troops to travel throughout the empire.

Other Roman public works projects included an aqueduct to bring fresh water to villas and the Cloaca Maxima to flush Rome’s streets and drain the marshes. The Aqueduct and Cloaca Maxima reduced the threat of malaria, famine, typhus, and fleas, which strengthened Rome as a great and powerful civilization.

Public works is a broad category of infrastructure projects financed and constructed by the government for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community. In Hopewell Township, the Department of Public Works is responsible for 144 miles of roadway; water and sewer service; police, administration, and public works fleet maintenance; stormwater conveyance systems; parks, recreation, and open space maintenance; waste collection services; and 24/7 support during weather events, emergencies, and other catastrophic events. Our Hopewell Township Public Works team, comprised of a group of dedi-

cated individuals, strives to provide optimal service to enrich the quality of life in our community.

I am excited to share some of our 2022 upcoming projects. Now that the permits have been obtained, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail connector is scheduled to be built connecting the Mount Rose Preserve parking lot to the trail. Sandwiched between fall and spring brush, bulk, and leaf collections, the Department will be clearing stormwater systems along roadways and cleaning retention basins. Work will also be completed as part of the Forestry Management program.

Every department and every employee is essential to the operation and the success of Hopewell Township. The departments bring in and manage funds, maintain public order, and distribute services. However, heading out on a Township road, using a Township service, or entering a municipal building, prompts us to think about the Public Works employees dedicated to the safety and well-being of the Hopewell Township community.

George Snyder is the administrator of Hopewell Township, which provided this content.

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Schore to Please Don’t you be my neighbor

By Robin Schore

Periodically, I like to dip into one of the neighborhood websites to see if anyone is giving away something they are desperate to get rid of and which I might be slightly desperate to acquire.

Recently, I’ve been considering replacing my desk — currently an old door sitting on two homemade sawhorses — with something with drawers and without paint spills and drill holes. What I usually find being offered is a 4,000-pound piece of office furniture that requires an overhead crane, a winch and a flatbed truck to move.

Some other items that I pass on are 150-gallon fish tanks, bags of rubber finger puppets and the most adorable set of ceramic troll figurines.

More alarming are the offers of free pets. No, I am certainly not interested in relieving some animal-adoring household of their nonstop barking dog that is not amenable to being house-trained. Nor do I want the halfblind, vicious cat, beloved by the family, but not safe around small children.

It’s not unusual to come across people trying to unload a pile of rotten wood or “back-fill.” Both are probably of greater value than the usual offers

of debris people have just emptied out of their attics or basements.

While browsing the free stuff, I sometimes can’t resist taking a look at other postings. For instance, “I’m new to the area. Can anyone recommend a local shaman to cure my bunions? Feathers, rattles and bells are fine, but please no incense — my gerbil is allergic.”

Such inquiries are usually followed by a host of testimonials recommending Dr. Quackenbush, “a true master at laying on of hands who cured me of hiccups in only one week.”

And, no, I cannot recommend a reliable Tarot Card reader.

The posters that evoke the greatest pity and abuse are the hapless newcomers who have arrived to our semi-rural Hopewell from an urban world where wildlife consisted of pigeons, squirrels, and cockroaches. These poor folk find

nature a bewildering, even horrifying challenge. But worse. the innocent questions they ask tend to provoke the most merciless responses.

Frequently, frightened former city dwellers announce that they have just encountered a reptile (usually a garter snake or a milk snake), post a picture, and wonder what they are and how dangerous. Invariably, a multitude of area experts identify, with absolute certainty, that what they have in the garden is either a spitting cobra or a black mamba.

Too often, the beneficial reptile has already been put to death by a father-in-law or brother-in-law protecting the home from certain annihilation. Why is it that the misguided slayer of satanic serpents is always an in-law? Surely some of those in-laws must be someone’s blood relative.

Similar posts of terror appear in

‘I’m new to the area.

Can anyone recommend a local shaman to cure my bunions?

Please, no incense — my gerbil is allergic.’

regard to insects, particularly wasps, hornets and bees. Are they benign or deadly? Is the insecticide more dangerous than the insect?

Large crickets or grasshoppers are often unmistakably identified by an inlaw, who just happens to be a trained bug-ologist, as a scarab beetle that has escaped from an ancient Egyptian tomb. And anyone touching it is sure to incur a long-lasting and painful curse.

Of course, the bug could be a scorpion.

Speaking of unfamiliarity with the natural world, I once watched a neighbor erect an elaborate trellis and prepare to use it to support a fine growth of poison ivy.

Less usual are the newcomers who have absolutely spotted a mountain lion in their backyard. Only occasionally does someone report the sighting of a woolly mammoth.

Such postings usually include pleas for mercy by the posters acknowledging how little they know about life in the country. They rarely receive the least bit of sympathy. More likely, the sophisticated responses are swift and to the point, “Hey, stupid, What are you stupid, you stupid stupid-head?”

Robin Schore lives in Hopewell Borough.

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Sharing stories from the Clean Communities program LISA WOLFF NATURE IN THE VALLEY

If you’ve lived in Hopewell Valley for any length of time, odds are you have seen groups of people in orange vests walking up and down local streets picking up litter and recyclables as part of the Clean Communities program. It’s been going on for so long, there’s a good chance you or a family member have participated.

New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide program funded by a tax on businesses that may produce littergenerating products. Municipalities abide by spending guidelines for litterabatement programs.

Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space administers the Clean Communities program for Hopewell Township by advertising the dates, assigning clean up areas, providing vests, gloves and garbage bags, and tracking the number of hours participants have worked. In return, participants receive a T-shirt and their designated nonprofit or school club is paid for their time.

In 2021, cumulative donations to nonprofits surpassed $100,000! That’s about 13,000 hours of trash pickup time. The most frequent participants are Scout troops, but we’ve donated

Twelfth-graders Celine Edmonds, Lindsey Hildrew, Meredith Scheel, Harriet Strunk and Mia Bruno, all members of Girl Scout Troop 71833, participate in street cleanup. (Photo courtesy of JoAnne Bush.) cleanup time payments to hundreds of nonprofits.

The program has been around so long that at least once a year, FoHVOS receives request from a family member saying Dad or Grandpa’s favorite FoHVOS Clean Communities T-shirt

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least five times over the last five years.

The kids are always astonished to find what people throw out of their cars and it helps them remember to get their own trash into the correct bin.

It helps that the grant gives the troop some money because a few of the kids prefer earning money for the troop by working instead of selling cookies.”

Carolyn McGrath, CHS art teach and advisor to the Youth Environmental Society at HVCHS shared a picture of the club woring to raise money for the Outdoor Equity Alliance.

Elise McCoy, assistant scoutmaster, shared that Scout Troop BSA 41 of Pennington has participated in Clean Communites over 10 years and shared a photo.

JoAnne Bush shared two pictures from Girl Scout Troop 71833, of scouts who are in 5th and 12th grade. She writes: “Since second grade, we’ve tried to participate in the clean-ups both spring and fall. With the girls and both leaders (Lisa Palmieri and me) working together, we average about $100 for the troop. We always use part of the money to purchase ingredients for cornbread we bake for the TASK Thanksgiving meal (we average about 50 loaves each year), and the rest goes toward camping or experiences for the girls.

“For instance, this year, we’re traveling to New York City in December, and then in January we’ll be camping a weekend at the Pocono Environmental Education Center to earn our Survival Camper badge! All possible with the proceeds from clean-up day!”

Terry Pisauro said that the Hopewell Lacrosse team has participated for several years. She adds, “The check comes in after the season ends, so we’ve explained to the boys that it is a “pay it forward” effort that benefits the team that follows them.”

With $100,000 in donations and lots of motivated participants, expect Clean Communities to continue for many years to come.

is threadbare and they want to get him a new one like it. We updated the shirt design several years ago, but otherwise, our program hasn’t changed in over a decade.

FoHVOS and Hopewell Township are looking into revamping Clean Communities in 2022. At a minimum, we should consider raising the hourly wage for greater impact.

As research for this column, I sent an email to some previous Clean Communities participants and asked them to share their stories. All respondents wanted to help improve the environment and community, and some were surprised about what folks toss. Other unique reasons for participation also surfaced: from preferring cleanup work to selling cookies, to paying it forward for the next group that follows, to funding a trip.

Here are some responses: From Leeann Thornton, Girl Scout leader for Troop 70073: “The kids are Lisa Wolff is the executive director of now middle schoolers, but we have Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space. participated in Clean Communities at Email: lwolff@fohvos.org.

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January 2022 | Hopewell Express19

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20  Hopewell Express | January 2022