Hamilton Hamilton tonPPost ost JANUARY 2022
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Good food, family vibes at Que Rico
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Cannabis business outlook continues to evolve
By Joe EmaNski
Mercer County’s Central and South American dining scene grows a little every month — and one of the newest additions is a locally owned, family-run restaurant specializing in Guatemalan as well as other cuisines: Que Rico on George Dye Road in Hamilton. Favorites on the Que Rico menu originate from all over the Latin American map and include ceviche, pollo guisado, chuleta y tostones, mojarra frita, bistec encebollado and garnachas. And of course, there are tacos, burritos, pupusas, quesadillas and more. The Guerra family opened Que Rico last September and it was an instant hit, selling out a week’s worth of food in just the first few days. The restaurant has been cultivating a loyal following ever since. For some customers, Que Rico has been a treat worth waiting for. They remember back in the early 2000’s, when the Guerras ran the successful Carisma Restaurant in Trenton in the spot occupied by Pollo Campero today. Chef Alida Guerra and her husband, Hugo, owned and operated the restaurant together for 10 years, while at See Que rICO, Page 10
Shop Hamilton Directory Inside!
By Bill SaNserViNo aNd Rebekah Schroeder
Ken Adam, president of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians chapter based on Kuser Road in Hamilton, in the bar. (Photo by Thomas Kelly.)
The Hibernians: ‘vibrant and Their courage here for the generation’ andnext compassion inspire us all.
These organizations were president of the AOH chapter, says the future is bright founded to help protect Irish Friendship, Unity and and the club is building, not clergy and recent immigrants from appeared attacks by established 1,400 mem-in chalk Christian Charity is the motto Onerebuilding. morning, a With message written and are the pillars that the bers, the Hibernians are one “native” Americans, who in front of an RWJBarnabas Health facility. The words Ancient Order of Hibernians of the last ethnic clubs in the resented the huge influx of couldn’t more soul stirring, Irish driven to America by the and been surelysimpler, one oforthe is built on. As we check in area,have or more accurate. Potato Famine in the 1840s. largest. on the Ancient Order of the The Ancient Order of More than 1.5 million Irish Hibernians chapter based in Hamilton it appears that the Hibernians is America’s old- came to America during this Fraternal Great Hunger, as 2 million club is a strong and vibrant as est Irish Catholic “Heroes Organization founded on the Irish died in Ireland, from it has ever been. work here.” Maybe it is stronger than East Coast of the U.S. in 1836. starvation and disease. The strength of the Hiberit has ever been. While inter- The Order follows tradition of nians in Hamilton appears to similar societies that existed viewing people for this story, Three words of gratitude and encouragement that there were more than a hun- in Ireland for more than 300 be its leadership and its volcapture the courage and compassion of health years. While there are AOH unteers. There is a lot going dred people in the hall on here andinacross America. To at share your the Hibernians club and Canada, Eng- on Kuser Road in Hamilton on workers a organizations or to support ourWales, Emergency Fund,to be something there appears Ireland and the Response Tuesday night, and the club thanks is land, national organization is for everyone. There is now full of life. visit U.S. rwjbh.org/heroes Ken Adam, the current the largest. See HIBOS, Page 8 By Thomas Kelly
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 cannabis businesses in their communities, while at the same time fielding proposals from various businesses who want to operate within their borders. About 67% of New Jersey voters approved the legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in a referendum in the Nov. 2020 election. Last February, the state legislature and Gov. Phil Murphy passed a law legalizing recreational cannabis, establishing the Cannabis Regulatory Commission and creating six different licenses for cannabis businesses. The law also set a deadline of Aug. 21 for communities to pass ordinances regulating those cannabis businesses. See CANNABIS, Page 12
And please, for them, stay home and safe.
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