4-1-22 LG

Page 1

Inside this issue:

SIX09

Arts and Entertainment

COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG

APRIL 2022 FREE

Nerwinski talks about the state of Lawrence

Batter up!

INTerVieW By LG SANserViNO

Emma Quatrocchi plays both catcher and center field for the LHS softball team. Read more about the her and the team on Page 14. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on municipalities over the past two years, and Lawrence Township is no exception. Commercial and residential property values, township revenues and expenditures, development and township operations are all areas that have been affected by the pandemic. The Gazette recently sat down with Municipal Manager Kevin Nerwinski to talk about these issues and a number of other things going on in Lawrence Township. Below is the first part of a Q&A based on the interview with Nerwinski. It has been edited for length and clarity. The second part will run in next month’s issue.

Little League celebrates 70 years The pandemic By Rich Fisher

One of the longest running shows in Mercer County sports is turning 70 this year, and the Lawrence Little League is looking to celebrate in a big way. The LLL is celebrating its milestone anniversary with Apr. 16 opening-day ceremonies in which the players will wear throwback hats from 1952, and will have a 70th Anniversary

patch on their uniform with nearly the same logo as that first year. The party will include a parade, and guests such as Mayor John Ryan, the township council, members of the fire and police departments and Lawrence High softball and baseball coaches Dana Williams and Andrew Septer. Perhaps the most impressive invitees will be the descendents of league founder Dr. William

Carroll. The late Dr. Carroll’s son Brian, grandson Sean and great-grandson Liam will be on hand to throw out the first ball. All three played in the league, which was started by Dr. Carroll in order to give area kids an opportunity to play baseball in a safe environment. Just who was this man who created an institution? “He was the last of the counSee LLL, Page 3

Lawrence Gazette: Talk to me a little bit about the challenges of COVID and how the community is dealing with it now that we were kind of moving into the endemic phase? Kevin Nerwinski: Well, I’ll start off by saying that when it first came about two years ago, it was a completely unknown situation. None of us dealt with this in our generation, and many generations previous. So there was no handbook to look at and say, “How

HEALTH

HEADLINES M O N T H LY N E W S F R O M

starting on pg 15

do you deal with a world health pandemic like this?” For me personally, that had an effect of like, “Okay, let’s be very conservative with our moves because we don’t know how long this is going to last at all, and we don’t know how much pain it’s going to put on our municipal budget and the community.” So the initial approach was based upon more of a concern of the fear of the unknown. As we started to get through it—more a year into it—there was less of a sense of the unknown, because then the federal government came out with the financing package. We kind of knew, “Okay, we’re not going to be left on our own with regard to this.” We started to continue to look forward but in a very much more conservative approach than we had in the past. Now we are two years into this. I think I said in my budget message this past November. I think we were all feeling kind of good, like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. We’re going to be out of this. And then all the sudden Omicron hit, and we were back in it in the thick of things. Again, much of not knowing what the consequence was going to be, how long it was going to be. We were less concerned about finances, because we’ve already been See NERWINSKI, Page 11

Academy Dental CHILDREN

& ADULTS

Complete Dentistry for the Whole Family

AcademyDentalNJ.com

Currently Open for Emergency Dental Care See our ad on page 3

1179 NEWARK, NJ


Lose more than just weight. Lose your Type 2 diabetes. 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

* Results are not guaranteed and may vary by individual

2 23167448 Lawrence HAMILTON Gazette Bariatric CNS| Ad_9.375x10.375_m1_.indd April 2022

1

3/15/22 10:43 AM


LLL continued from Page 1 try doctors in Lawrence,” Shawn said. “He delivered babies, he fixed limbs, prescribed medications, he was one of the last to make house calls in the area. He lived in town where the Purple Cow is now. His father was the town butcher, the postmaster and he helped start the water company.” Unfortunately, Dr. Carroll died at age 50 of rheumatic heart fever. He also had two siblings who passed away much younger from the same condition. “That’s why he became a doctor,” said Shawn, a retired Lawrence police officer. “I don’t know if he wanted to cure himself, but he wanted to help people.” Shawn never met his grandfather, who died 10 years before he was born. But he knows enough about him. “He was known to the locals to be a very good man,” Carroll said. “I learned through the years that he delivered many people I knew, including some teachers at the high school that I had, and they would tell me stories about him.” Brian Carroll played in the league during the second year of its existence. He remembers vividly what his dad did to get things off the ground. “He was a kid person, he loved kids,” Brian said. “He was always involved with kids in some manner. How it came about

FAMILY DENTISTRY • IMPLANTS • ORTHODONTICS

Patrick Alfieri models the throwback 1952 Lawrence LIttle League “L” hat and jersey. The league’s 70th anniversary patch is on the sleeve. with little league was him saying ‘Hey we don’t have a baseball league here in the township.’ That’s how it started.” Dr. Carroll contacted the officials in Williamsport, who informed him there was a $2,500 entry fee to become affiliated with Little League Baseball. The See LLL, Page 6

LAWRENCE GAZETTE

We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Ewing Observer is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Gazette does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood. EDITOR Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Aubrey, Rich Fisher, Angel Ortiz Jr., George Point CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST Kevin Nerwinski AD LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef (Ext. 131)

Community News Service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 396-1511 News: news@communitynews.org Events: events@communitynews.org Sports: sports@communitynews.org Letters: bsanservino@communitynews.org Website: lawrencegazette.com Facebook: facebook.com/lawrencegazette Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace 15,000 copies of the Lawrence Gazette are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Lawrence 12 times a year.

An award-winning publication of Community News Service, LLC. © Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

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

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

We are here in a safe and clean environment for your Emergency Dental Needs! Call 609-454-6500 Stay Safe and Healthy Accepting Most Insurances No Insurance? In-House Discount Options / Membership

Check Out Our Online Reviews 731 Route 33 • Hamilton 609-454-6500

A proud member of:

AMERICA’S TOP DENTISTS

April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette3


Public Notice

Trenton Water Works’ Public Notice Water-Main Flushing Program

Trenton Water Works’ Water-Main Flushing Program

APRIL 4, 2022 – JUNE 15, 2022

APRIL 4, 2022 – JUNE 15, 2022

What You Need to Know We are committed to continuously supplying residences and businesses in our service area with water thatNeed meets exceeds federal and state regulatory requirements. To that What You toand Know end, TWW technicians will be working in your neighborhoods at different intervals to flush water mains, on April 4, 2022, and ending on June 15,and 2022. This work occur inarea the We arestarting committed to continuously supplying residences businesses in will our service evening 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., through requirements. Friday, to minimize with waterbetween that meets and exceeds federal andMonday state regulatory To that inconvenience to our will service-area Our water-system technicians willto operate end, TWW technicians be workingresidents. in your neighborhoods at different intervals flush water valves, open fireonhydrants, and use specialized to flush water mains of aged mains, starting April 4, 2022, and ending on equipment June 15, 2022. This work will occur inwater. the Service-area residents pressure andFriday, see brown water at the tap, a evening between 8:00may p.m.experience and 12:00 lower a.m., water Monday through to minimize condition remedied by running a coldresidents. tap until the water runs clear.technicians We do not cut the water inconvenience to our service-area Our water-system will off operate supply to customers during this standard water-industry practice. To learn more, please

valves, open fire hydrants, and use specialized equipment to flush water mains of aged water.

call TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033.

Service-area residents may experience lower water pressure and see brown water at the tap, a condition remedied by running a cold tap until the water runs clear. We do not cut off the water supply to customers during this standard water-industry practice. To learn W. more, please Reed Gusciora, Mayor call TWW's Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033.

4  Lawrence Gazette | April 2022


Service-Area Municipalities and Streets TWW water-system techniciansand willStreets be working on the following streets at different Service-Area Municipalities intervals throughout the program: TWW water-system technicians will be working on the following streets at different City of Trenton Hamilton Township Ewing Township Hopewell Township intervals throughout the program: Aftonof Avenue City Trenton Brunswick Avenue Chambers Street Afton Avenue Chase Street Brunswick Avenue Colonial Avenue Chambers Street Delawareview Chase Street Avenue Eastfield Avenue Avenue Colonial Escher Street Avenue Delawareview Hamilton Avenue Avenue Eastfield W. Ingham Avenue Escher Street Kelsey Avenue Hamilton Avenue N. Olden Avenue W. Ingham Avenue Newell Avenue Kelsey Avenue N. Olden Overbrook Avenue N. Avenue Perdicaris Place Newell Avenue Pine Street N. Overbrook Avenue Plum Street Perdicaris Place RiverStreet Road Pine Riverside Avenue Plum Street Sanhican River RoadDrive Southard Street Riverside Avenue Sylvester Street Sanhican Drive Tyler Street Southard Street Vine Street Sylvester Street W. State Street Tyler Street Westfield Vine StreetAvenue W. State Street Westfield Avenue

Allen Street Hamilton Township Atlantic Avenue Chambers Allen StreetStreet Church Street Atlantic Avenue Coleridge ChambersAvenue Street Darcy Avenue Church Street Francis Avenue Coleridge Avenue Gropp Avenue Darcy Avenue HamiltonAvenue Avenue Francis Hempstead Road Gropp Avenue Homestead Avenue Hamilton Avenue Klockner Road Hempstead Road Kuser Road Homestead Avenue Lacy Avenue Klockner Road Lake Avenue Kuser Road Leonard Avenue Lacy Avenue Main Avenue Street Lake Maple Shade Avenue Leonard Avenue Murray Avenue Main Street New Jersey Maple Shade156 Avenue Pilgrim Way Murray Avenue S. Broad Street New Jersey 156 S. Olden Avenue Pilgrim Way Samuel S. BroadStreet Street Sunnybrae Boulevard S. Olden Avenue Tampa Avenue Samuel Street U.S. 130 Sunnybrae Boulevard Whitehorse Hamilton Tampa Avenue Square U.S. 130Road Woodside Avenue Whitehorse Hamilton Yardville-Groveville Square Road Road Woodside Avenue Zelley Avenue Yardville-Groveville

Bear Tavern Road Ewing Township Cardinal Way Hillside Avenue Bear Tavern Road Nursery Road Cardinal Way ParkwayAvenue Avenue Hillside ParkwayRoad Avenue Nursery Scotch Road Parkway Avenue Washington Parkway Avenue Pennsylvania Scotch Road Road Westwood Drive Washington Pennsylvania Road Lawrence Township Westwood Drive Allen Lane Township Lawrence Brunswick Avenue Brunswick Allen Lane Pike Darrah Lane Brunswick Avenue Lawrenceville Brunswick PikeRoad Pine Street Darrah Lane Princeton PikeRoad Lawrenceville Pine Street Princeton Pike

Ashford Drive Hopewell Township Blackwell Road BrandonDrive Road West Ashford Carey Street Blackwell Road Coburn Road Brandon Road West DenowStreet Road Carey Diverty Road Coburn Road Fanning Way Denow Road GrangeRoad Road Diverty Larchmont Court Fanning Way Lawrenceville Grange Road Pennington Road Larchmont Court Manley Road Lawrenceville Pennington Road Road Pennington RumsonRoad Court Manley StephensonRoad Road Pennington Sutton Court Rumson Court Van Brunt Road Stephenson Road Watkins Road Sutton Court Wellington Drive Van Brunt Road Watkins Road Wellington Drive

Road Zelley Avenue OCCR-820

Public Notice: Trenton Water Works’ Water-Main Flushing Program

Public Water System Identification Number NJ1111001

OCCR-820

Public Notice: Trenton Water Works’ Water-Main Flushing Program

Public Water System Identification Number NJ1111001

April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette5


LLL continued from Page 3 good doctor put up the fee with his own money. “Back in those days in this township you were either rich or poor, no in between,” Brian said. “You were a hardworking son of a gun or you were a doctor and in those days a doctor was able to make money and do things to be a leader. They would meet in our game room in the cellar to put this thing together.” The crew included Dr. Carroll and the original four league managers of Kelly Palumbo, Ed Leadman, Happy Emory and Willard Hughes. Also participating were local residents Steve Mikita and Tom Hutchinson, who didn’t have kids at the time but wanted to help out. Dr. Carroll was the point man. “If something was needed, he could make the phone call better than anyone else and get action,” Brian said. “It was ‘OK doc, I’ll take care of it.’ He relied a lot on his patients to get things started.” Once things got underway, the league started on a dirt field donated to them by the township. It was down a dirt road that led from where the board of education building is now, to where the old LHS field hockey field was located. In the league’s second year, Dr. Carroll bought a 1948 yellow Volkswagen convertible. “It was his personality,” Brian said. “He used to love driving that on Tuesday and Thursday nights when the games were played, and every other night he’d go up and water the field sometimes by himself. He enjoyed the peacefulness of it. “The field was just dust; it was farmland and it was as dirty as dirt could get. After every game, he drug the field with his Volkswagon with a piece of the old backstop behind it. The winning team got to sit on the screen for a ride, the losing team had to pick up 10 rocks each.” Things improved as the years went on, to where there are now three 46-60 fields, one 60-90 field and one softball field located at Lawrence Central Park on Eggerts Crossing Road. One of the fields is named after Dr. Carroll. “It was very cool to play on the field with his name on the scoreboard,” said Shawn, who played for Park Lane Furniture. “I always wanted to play on that field no matter what. I’ve always been sentimental and I always thought I would play better on that field. I played the same on both fields, but I thought I did better on his field.” The fact three generations of Carrolls played in the league and are being acknowledged would have to make the founder proud. Especially considering that a record 300 players have signed up for baseball and softball in an era where travel ball is draining many little league programs of players.

6  Lawrence Gazette | April 2022

An assortment of Lawrence Little League uniforms featuring the 70th anniversary patch. “I think it just feeds into the community,” said second-year president Paul Alfieri, who has been involved with LLL for six years. “This is something the community wants to have and wants to enjoy. There are so many options with youth sports, so being able to provide little league and all that it brings in terms of trust, safety and community in Lawrence is something the parents really appreciate. “To be here for 70 years, you always say you stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before you. There has been a lot of work by a lot of people and a lot of teams throughout the years that have kept the league growing.” Alfieri added that the league continually evolved through the second half of the 20th century, and has continued to do so in the new millennium. “Coming out of Covid we’ve had to evolve and reinvent again,” he said. “That’s why we’re able to be here. I think we survive due to participation with the community and the high school. Our mission is to train the kids on the fundamentals that they need if they want to go on and play in middle school and high school. They have that solid foundation.” He added that the Lawrence High baseball coaches will stop by and do some work with the players, and that the league touches base with Septer and Williams to understand how they run their programs. They then adapt those teachings to the LLL to prepare the players for what is to come. “The high school coaches have done a

great job partnering with us on this,” said Alfieri, who noted that in addition to opening day, there are several other events to celebrate seven decades of little league service. On May 7, the Little League Home Run Derby will come to Lawrenceville for the first time. There will be a DJ on hand and the players will compete to see who can hit the most long balls. For the younger kids who can’t yet go yard, there will be other games to play. One month later, on June 7, the Trenton Thunder’s Opening Night will honor the league prior to the game. “I think coming out of the pandemic a lot of families are looking for something to celebrate and feel really good about,” Alfieri said. “We spent a lot of time in the off-season talking to them about the 70th Anniversary.” One alumnus who can’t wait for the fun to begin is Shawn. He played in the league from 1976-78 and was managed by his dad. “My father pulled me out of T-ball and put me in little league, and I was the only third-grader in the league at the time,” he said. “I was mortified to think I was up against the oldest kids who could throw a curveball and all that stuff when I was trying to hit a ball off the tee. It paid off in the long run. I got better quicker.” In Carroll’s first year, Lawrence won the second of its three 12-year-old District 12 championships. He wasn’t on the team, but he played against its players. “I remember the oldest group was really good,” he said. “I still remember

standing at home plate my first at-bat. Bobby Scott was pitching; and he was sixfoot even then. He had a mean curveball. I just held the bat on my shoulder, I was afraid to swing.” Shawn got good enough to make the Lawrence High baseball team, but football was his sport and he went on to the University of Maryland as a place-kicker. After graduating, he went into athletic merchandise sales, much like his dad. After living in central Pennsylvania and Bucks County for a while, he returned to Lawrenceville 28 years ago to become part of his parents’ Christmas tree farm business. The operation is still going strong and Liam played on the Carroll’s Christmas Tree Farm team from 2010-12. “We won the championship, it was one of the best games I’ve ever seen,” Sean said. “It was won in the last at-bat. Liam was pitching, it was an awesome, awesome game.” And while none of the Carroll’s ever played on a District 12 champion, the league has had its share in both sports. Baseball won its first in 1962 and that team went on to win the only Section 3 title in league history. It claimed another in 1976 and, after a long drought, won it in 2018 by winning the final two games in walk-off fashion. Two years later LLL reached the 2020 finals. The softball program won four D-12 championships and reached the finals once from 1996-99. There were numerous other championships over the years as well, including at the Babe Ruth level. It has been a long, memorable ride and, after some lean years, the league is still going strong. “The guys who are running it now are doing a great job,” Shawn said. “Just with the coaching and the players. The talent comes and goes in any town, but it’s nice when it comes around. I guess with any sport, when they have a good year it draws out talent that may not have been found because there are kids that get an interest and get excited to see successful teams. It’s a nice draw and it’s good for the town.” Asked what his dad would think of the 70th Anniversary celebration, Brian chuckled. “He would be proud only because it has gone so far,” Carroll said. “There was a time about 10 years ago when that league got ready to fold, until the volunteers came back and took it over again. I often wonder how he would have felt about that if the league folded. He probably would have gone and got a Volkswagen, driven it to another area and just started another one.” Fortunately that wouldn’t have to happen. Lawrence Little League is 70 but looking young as ever and ready to celebrate. .


APRIL 2022 APRIL APRIL 2022 2022

Slackwood poets win Slackwood Slackwood poets poets win win National writing National writing National writing competition! competition!

High School DECA students

High School School DECA DECA students students High compete at States compete at States compete at States

It's time to register for It's It's time time to to register register for for Kindergarten! Kindergarten!

Kindergarten!

competition!

The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park The Jimmy Program Carter National Historical Park Education in Plains, Georgia, Education Program in Plains, recently held their Presidents Day Georgia, Art and recently their Presidents Day Art Literacy held Competition. The theme of and the Literacy Competition. The theme of Park the annual event was “Change often begins with The Jimmy Carter National Historical annual event wasperson. “Change often begins with helping just one With so much need Education Program in Plains, Georgia, helping just one person. so much need in the world, where wouldWith you start?” recently held their Presidents Day Art and in the world, where would you start?” Ayana won First Prize herof poem, LiteracyBerry Competition. The with theme the Ayana BerryMan,” won First Prize with her poem, “Homeless Kamryn Watson won annual event was “Change often begins with Second PrizeMan,” with her poem, “The Promising “Homeless Kamryn Watson won helping just one person. With so Third much Prize need Heart,” and Niara Garcia with her poem,won “The Promising Second Prize in theher world, where would start?” with poem “MLK.” Heart,” and Niara Garciayou won Third Prize with her poem “MLK.” Ayana was also awarded Ayana Berry won First Prizethe withelementary her poem, poetry category’s Grand Prize and won she Ayana was also awarded the elementary “Homeless Man,” Kamryn Watson presented her poemGrand via video at the awards poetry category’s Prize and she Second Prize with her poem, “The Promising ceremony on presented herPresidents poem via Day. video at the awards

Fifty-three members of the Lawrence High Fifty-three members of thecompeted LawrenceatHigh School (LHS) DECA chapter the SchoolJersey (LHS) DECA at the New State chapter Careercompeted Development New Jersey (NJSCDC) State Career Development Conference in Atlantic City, Fifty-three members of the Lawrence High Conference (NJSCDC) in Atlantic City, February 28 - March 2. Eighteen students February 28 -DECA March 2. Eighteen won and qualified for a students spot to Schoolawards (LHS) chapter competed at the won awards and qualified for a spot to compete at the DECA International Career New Jersey State Career Development compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Conference (NJSCDC) in Atlantic City, Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta, GA in April! February 28in- April! March 2. Eighteen students Atlanta, GA The LHS DECA Diane won awards and chapter qualifiedpresented for a spot to Schneck with an appreciation award for her The LHS DECA chapter presented Diane compete at the DECA International Career leadership, commitment, and guidance a Schneck with an appreciation award foras her Development Conference 36 (ICDC) in Chapter Advisor for the past years! They leadership, commitment, and guidance as a Atlanta, GA in April! also presented Certificates Chapter Advisor for the pastof36Appreciation years! They for their serviceCertificates to advisors of John Tees and also presented Appreciation Thetheir LHS DECA to chapter presented Diane Alexis Esposito. for service advisors John Tees and

Schneck with an appreciation award for her Alexis Esposito. leadership, commitment, and guidance as a Chapter Advisor for the past 36 years! They Heart,” and Niara Garcia won Third Prize ceremony on Presidents Day. also presented Certificates of Appreciation with her poem “MLK.” for their service to advisors John Tees and LIS students take swing proposal to Alexis Esposito. Ayana was also awarded the elementary

Kindergarten registration for the 2022Kindergarten registration for the 2022Students 2023 school year is now open. 2023 year is now must school be five years old open. on orStudents before must be 1,five years old on before October 2022 in order to or enroll in Kindergarten registration for the 2022October 1, 2022 in order to enroll in Kindergarten for September 2022. 2023 school year is now open. Kindergarten for September 2022.Students Visit www.ltps.org/registration to begin must www.ltps.org/registration be five years old on or before Visit the online registration process.toIfbegin you October 2022 in order to email enroll in the registration process. If you needonline any1,assistance, send an to Kindergarten for September 2022. need any assistance, send an email to registration@ltps.org. Phone messages registration@ltps.org. Phone messages can also be left at (609) 671-5453 and Visit www.ltps.org/registration to begin can be be leftreturned. at (609) 671-5453 and your also call will the online your call willregistration be returned. process. If you

need any assistance, send an email to registration@ltps.org. Phone messages can also be left at (609) 671-5453 and your call will be returned.

LIS students take swing proposal to

Towncategory’s Council meeting poetry Grand Prize and she Town Council meeting The Lawrence School (LIS) 5th graders who presented her Intermediate poem via video at the awards proposed and wrote the $50,000 Recess Reboot Grant The Lawrence Intermediate graders who ceremony on Presidents Day.School (LIS) 5th

recently to LIS the Lawrence Township proposedawarded and wrote the by $50,000 Recess Reboot Grant Education Foundation (LTEF), attended a recent Town recently awarded to LIS by the Lawrence Township Council meeting for their final step in the approval process to Education Foundation (LTEF), attended a recent Town install new swing equipment. We're so proud of these Council meeting for their final step in the approval process to determined students - and we can't wait to hear the outcome! install new swing equipment. We're so proud of these determined students - and we can't wait to hear the outcome!

LIS students take swing proposal to Town Council meeting

Please scan the above code with your phone's camera to complete a brief Please scan the above code with your survey on how well you like The Link! phone's camera to complete a brief survey on how well you like The Link!

The Lawrence Intermediate School (LIS) 5th graders who www.ltps.org 2565 Recess Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (609) 671-5500 proposed and wrote the $50,000 Reboot Grant recently awarded to LIS by the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF), attended a recent Town Lawrence Public Schools | April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette 7


LHS Theater Co. presents Once Upon a Mattress

Laura-Simone Martin accepted to NYO Jazz Lawrence High School (LHS) junior Laura-Simone Martin was recently accepted to be a member of NYO Jazz 2022, a National Youth Orchestra program of Carnegie Hall and its Weill Institute. The summer program begins with a two-week residency at Purchase College, SUNY, working with Artistic Director Sean Jones and an all-star faculty, followed by a performance at Carnegie Hall and a US tour of performances at leading American festivals and performing arts centers.

Cardinal Sports

You know the story of The Princess and the Pea, but have you heard the story of Princess Winnifred the Wobegone? See if this “shy” swamp princess is able to pass the Queen’s Sensitivity Test and marry her prince in the hilarious musical comedy, Once Upon a Mattress!

Get in the game! Be part of the excitement of Cardinal sports and take in a few games throughout the year. Most fall and spring games are on our new artificial turf fields. Attend during the day or in the evening under the lights. Check schedule: www.ltps.org/athletics/schedule

LMS musicians selected for CJMEA Honors Band

Show Dates are April 1 at 7:00 PM and April 2 at 12:00 PM & 7:00 PM. The understudy cast will perform in the Saturday matinee. Tickets will be sold online for presale as well as at the door - $15 for general admission, $10 for students, seniors and parents.

Spring for the Arts save the date! The Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) is partnering with Lawrenceville Main Street to combine the fun and community of Main Street’s Spring Festival with the talent and energy of LTPS students in Spring for the Arts on May 21! This event will be bigger and better than anything Lawrenceville has ever seen! Spread the word and save the date!

www.ltps.org

(L-R): Nishka Desai, Ja-vaun Dellophine, Kieran Hanna, Saran Siva, Xavier Tos, Sarah Kunkel, Ginger Ryan, and Krystian Rzeczycki

Eight Lawrence Middle School (LMS) students have been selected to participate in the Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA) Middle School Honors Band Program! Eighth graders Nishka Desai (flute), Ja-vaun Dellophine (percussion), Kieran Hanna (clarinet), Saran Siva (trumpet), and Xavier Tos (clarinet), and seventh graders Sarah Kunkel (trombone), Ginger Ryan (bassoon), and Krystian Rzeczycki (tuba), will attend a one-day rehearsal and performance on March 26 at South Plainfield Middle School. The eight students, all members of the LMS Concert Band directed by Ron Taglairino, will play alongside other selected middle school students from Central NJ. Congratulations to them for being selected, and we wish them all the best at their upcoming performance!

2565 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

8 Lawrence Gazette | April 2022 | Lawrence Public Schools

(609) 671-5500


Lawrence Township Public Schools is seeking motivated and reliable substitute teachers and assistants to join our dynamic team of educators. Responsibilities Include: Directing the classroom, accomplishing objectives of the lesson plans Taking attendance according to the procedures of the school, keeping classroom and work orderly, and maintaining normal classroom rhythms Complying with all procedures, guidelines, and policies of the school at all times Maintaining a professional attitude in all manner of conduct with students, faculty, and parents, including a commitment to confidentiality

Substitute Instructional Assistant Requirements: Minimum high school diploma (60 college credits preferred) Ability to successfully pass a NJDOE Criminal History Record check Completion of GCN training tutorials for the upcoming school year Current TB test (no more than 6 months old)

Substitute Teacher Requirements: 60+ College Credits Valid New Jersey Substitute Certificate Valid New Jersey Teaching Certificate Ability to successfully pass a NJDOE Criminal History Record check Completion of GCN training tutorials for the upcoming school year Current TB test (no more than 6 months old)

Have a question? Contact the district's Personnel Office! Nadia Kulak nkulak@ltps.org (609) 671-5599

Learn more at www.ltps.org/sub www.ltps.org

2565 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

(609) 671-5500 Lawrence Public Schools | April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette 9


Lawrence Township Board of Education

LMS students win Honorable Mention awards at Model UN Conference On February 20, the Lawrence Middle School (LMS) Model UN Team participated

Patricia Hendricks Farmer, President Kevin Van Hise, Esq., Vice President Michele Bowes Pepper Evans Jo Ann Groeger Gregory G. Johnson, Esq. Michelle King, Ph.D. Robert Pluta Amanda Santos

in the Model UN Institute's "Best Delegate Invitational" Model UN Conference and took home some awards! Roshni Anarkat, Isabella Spencer, and Ridhima Pandey all won Honorable Mention Awards as delegates representing Rwanda, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, respectively, in the Committee on Ending International Racial Discrimination. At the virtual conference, each student was given a country to represent as a delegate to the United Nations and was tasked with developing solutions to one of two problems: Ending International Racial Discrimination and the Use of Outer Space. All members of the LMS Team gave an opening speech, participated in moderated and informal debates, created resolutions for these problems, and then worked through the process of getting resolutions approved under UN procedures. Social Studies teacher Daniel Christel is the LMS Model UN Team advisor.

LTEF's Snag a Bag Soiree Tickets are on sale now for Lawrence Township Education Foundation's biggest fundraiser ~ LTEF's Snag a Bag Soirée on Friday, April 22.

Ross Kasun, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

The money raised helps us fund amazing

Andrew Zuckerman, Ed.D.

educator grants! Due to circumstances

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

beyond our control, we are unable to hold the games of Bingo at Rider and as a

Tom Eldridge

Business Administrator/ Board Secretary

result will be reinventing this popular evening a bit. But there will be even more bags this year and more ways to win them. There will be door prize handbags, special

raffles

for

a

few

handbags,

handbags in the silent auction, and a live auction

for

handbags

with

bidding

starting at $20! We will still have our 50/50, merchandise raffle, Silent Auction, and more, plus amazing swag bags full of

LTEF's COVID-19 Safety Policy: LTEF takes the safety of this private event's guests, staff, volunteers, and your Lawrence Township community very seriously. After careful consideration, the LTEF will require all attendees to provide proof of vaccination prior to the event and wear masks while attending LTEF's Snag a Bag Soirée.

Sean M. Fry

Director of Personnel and Administrative Services

Linda Mithaug

Director of Student Services

Clifton J. Thompson, III Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Eshaya Draper

Operations Manager edraper@ltps.org

products from Church & Dwight.

www.ltps.org

2565 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

10 Lawrence Gazette | April 2022 | Lawrence Public Schools

(609) 671-5500


NERWINSKI continued from Page 1 through more than a year, and we kind of weathered that storm. There’s really no super confidence that it’s all going to be over soon. We just don’t know. We hope so, but, that’s got to always be factored into any municipal official’s mind in terms of planning for the future. We’re not out of it. LG: Was there an effort to help provide vaccinations to the community and testing and those types of initiatives? KN: The health department has been working nonstop for two years. I think they’re actually out right now doing a vaccination clinic. Weekly we were reaching out to the community doing vaccinations. Not the testing aspect, because the testings were being kind of handled either by private companies or on a broader sense from the county. So we were more focused on education and vaccination. LG: Does the town have any kind of vaccination mandates for employees? KN: No, and that was my decision. I didn’t think it was necessary, because I saw how our municipal employees were responding to the safeguards that we put in place. I think the message was clear from me and the department heads. Our main goal is to keep each other safe, so we can continue to provide the services that the com-

have been in the past, that’s going to affect our budget. Supply chain issues, we’ve not had a negative impact yet for the things that we do in local government. So we haven’t felt any pain or strain from that issue. We do think that the price of gasoline is going to affect us, so its a good way and a good time for us to shift over to electric vehicles. We’ve got two now, and we have two more on the way. We’re adding another (charging) station and they’re working out great. In some sense it’s pushing us to the future a little bit faster The 2022 budget than we want it to, which I LG: Moving on to the think is a positive as opposed municipal budget. I guess to a negative. there’s a number of things LG: Are the electric going on that could potenvehicles more on the tially impact the budget. I administrative side, or are think a lot of them are offthere any being used by shoots of the pandemic— the police department? there’s a lot of price KN: No, you know what? Nerwinski increases, supply line It’s going to take a while, problems and inflation. because there’s certain stanHow have they impacted the town- dards that have to be met for police vehicles ship’s finances. and they are used 24 hours a day. KN: We’re definitely very aware of what’s It would be hard to keep them charged happening around us. Inflation impacts the and hard to keep them serviced. So they’re cost of living, which will have an impact on not there yet, but we have inspectors using union negotiations and mandatory salary the vehicles. Our engineers use the vehiincreases, and if they’re higher than they cles. The inspector that’s out on the road

munity expects, demands and needs. We were all on point with regard to that. If I felt there was a lack of respect for the virus to the point where it would impact the proper functioning of our government departments, I would have thought hard about it, but it wasn’t there. I often say in public, we don’t do things because other towns do things. We do things because of the information we have and what’s best for our community. And so for me, I thought that what we were doing was appropriate for our employees.

is obviously only going local, right? It kind of really makes sense. So we’re definitely going to expand it for those uses. LG: Where does the budget stand in terms of taxes? (Subsequent to this interview, the budget was introduced on March 15 with a 3-cent tax increase.) KN: We’re in the middle of the budget season now. We’ve completed our department head presentations to counsel and so councils opportunity now is to consider the budget package that we provided. It provides for a 3.5 cent increase in taxes, and council can look at it on a line item basis and ask, “Can you get us down to three cents this year?” And then we have to do the work to determine whether we can do that. That’s kind of where we are right now. Those talks will become more public in the next month or two. Last year we delivered a budget that was actually less than the year before and provided for no increase. That’s not sustainable. But we thought it was important to do that as a message to the community that we know you’re going through difficult times and we’re going to tighten our belts and do the same. But there are fixed increases to the budget to the tune of like $1.7 million that we See NERWINSKI, Page 12

INCOME TA X PREPARATION

Trenton Kennel Club’s 100TH DOG SHOW

BRING THE FAMILY! Vendors and Food Concessions! Enjoy the day at the park!

15% OFF

We Are

OPEN

with this ad No Minimum Fee. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

With Safety Protocols In Effect

May 8TH and 9TH Conformation

(on the Festival Grounds) Best of Breed judging starts at 8:30 am Group judging starts at 2:30 pm Best in Show approximately 5:00 pm

May 6th, 7th and 8th Lure Coursing Ability Tests (near the Dog Park)

MASKS REQUIRED ON PREMISE

HAND SANITIZER ON PREMISE

609-538-8300

VALERI FINANCIAL SERVICES Glen Roc Center

200 Scotch Rd.

Ewing, NJ

Days Weekends Evening Mercer County Park, West Windsor NJ April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette11


NERWINSKI continued from Page 11 have to just deal with at the beginning of the year. You know what I mean? It’s just there, and so we try to find ways to minimize it. Those are real issues that we have to deal with, and this year I think we have to have the mindset that we don’t want to dig ourselves into too big of a hole. Saying zero increase this year and then hitting people with a 6-cent next year— I don’t know if that’s proper or responsible. LG: How much is the budget proposing to draw down on the surplus to help mitigate taxes. That’s one strategy towns sometimes use. It’s not really a wise strategy. KN: Yeah, it’s not. That happened to us about 10 or 11 years ago. People look at our surplus balance and they don’t see all the benefits that it provides us. They want to see us use it, and using the surplus as a budget tool each year will mean that in five years, you’ll see half the surplus that you saw last time, because not only are you having to pay again the same amount that you used, you’re going to have to pay another amount as well. It will vanish. What we try to do is come up with an amount to use that we are confident that we’ll be replaced or regenerated by the end of the year. And it’s not an insignificant amount of money. It’s $7 million dollars or something like that.

LG: Is it true that if you use too much of the surplus, the bond rating companies will lower your bond rating, which means that it will cost you more to borrow money? KN: Exactly right. In 2010, I think that we had $30 million in debt paying down bonds. You put that towards what our surplus was, which was maybe a third of what it is now, and when you’re rated that’s not a good rating. So when you go out to bond for things like the road improvement program every year for a million or two million dollars, you’re not getting the best rates. Instead of 1%, you may be getting 2.5% or 3% and the difference is hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the bond. So it’s to our great advantage, regardless of how tempting it is to use it, to preserve that surplus and build upon it. Number one, for a rainy day—which we used during year one in the coronavirus, and we went in more than we normally would, but it also sustains us long-term because we are at the highest credit rating that we could be right now. I get that question a lot—“Why do you guys have so much money?” It’s not, it’s not like household finances. It’s not like you and I. We look up our savings account or checking account and see that we have got a whole bunch of money here, so let’s use it.

Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association Ages Join Us! 3+

Photos courtesy of Mike Schwartz Photography

Register Now! • Spring Recreation League (Saturday mornings) • Spring Technical Training (Friday evenings) • Competitive Team Tryouts (Coming Soon) Email recinfo@lawrencehamnett.com 12  Lawrence Gazette | April 2022

We have the same expenses every year The one thing that we have seen over the that are increasing every year. So to use the last five years or so, is that there’s a defisurplus and think that you’re not going to nite need to provide housing for the college have to pay it (back) next year is not wise. graduates who are starting their careers. They are finding it difficult to find a place in Residential and our town to start their lives. LG: I think that’s almost every town. commercial values KN: Yeah, so there’s going to be a LG: Residential property values have response to that. There’s some new develgone up quite a bit in the past few years. opments that are coming along. One off of Does the township change assess- Spruce Street that is going to provide for ments on an ongoing basis rather than apartments. doing a periodic revaluation? The one on Linux Drive is going to be KN: No, we don’t do that. I think the higher end houses, so I don’t think that’s law requires us to do it every 10 years. going to satisfy in that need. But there’s However, if there are properties that are some other potential ones that I think will undergoing major construction and major provide for the people who are not looking improvements, they will be reassessed at to live large, but to live in a nice community, that time. But as a program overall, to try but frugally. and keep up with the increases in property LG: I’m not sure how somebody’s values—no, we don’t do that. coming out of college—with all the LG: The other side of the coin is com- student debt they have—can afford a mercial properties, which are going to lot of the houses that are out there. I have a difficult time—no matter how think a lot of towns are going to have to you look at it—because vacancies are take a hard look at their master plans at a high level. A lot of companies have and reconsider some of the zoning realized that you can run a business and some of these commercial areas. with your employees Do you anticipate that working at home. That happening here in the has resulted in a lot near future? There’s a more commercial office KN: Not in the near definite need to future. I think we just vacancies. KN: Yeah, we have just did a review of provide housing we some. We have a decent our master plan, and so amount, but not like some we’re pretty well situated for the college other towns that have with that. There’s been graduates who much more for sure. no pressure or sense that LG: In general, what we need to redo what we are starting can towns do about the have planned right now. their careers. situation with commerWe look at it every six cial offices? years. KN: Well, we do know LG: There is not that there is a forced rereally a lot of developimagination necessary for some of these able land left in Lawrence, except for larger corporate centers that we have on maybe along 295. Princeton Pike and otherwise who are less KN: Yeah. Something is going to have to than half filled. come down, and something new is going to We know that the property owners are be built for sure. very mindful that we receive development LG: The only thing that developers applications and ideas from them to rei- want to build now is warehouses, and magine their present circumstance. In New I’m not sure how many warehouses Jersey, we are always going to have a hous- Lawrence Township wants to approve it. ing need. It will just always exist, and peoKN: Considering what’s potentially ple hate it. A lot of people hate to hear that going to go up off a Quaker Ridge Road we’re always building houses, but there’s on the old Cyanamid site, I don’t know affordable housing obligations that we how much more in the area there will be must meet, and there are housing needs a requirement for warehousing. (Editor’s that we must meet. note: West Windsor is considering a project That’s what New Jersey is unfortunately. that calls for the construction of 5.5 million I love my state, but it’s growing, and hous- square feet of warehouses at the corner of ing is always going to be a present need and Route 1 and Quakerbridge Road, acorss from our town is no different. I can imagine that the mall.) some of these corporate centers are going The Amazon last mile site on Princes to reconfigure to provide for some types Road was a very contentious situation, but of housing. People are living in smaller I think if you asked anybody with their hand spaces. So I do think that there’s probably on the Bible, whether they even know that going to be more opportunities for condos that facility is even there now, they would and apartments. say no.


SIX09 Arts > food > culture

thesix09.com | April 2022

April is for the ARTS

With programs like Porchfest and the Piano Project, Princeton looks to replace Communiversity with a whole month of events celebrating the creative community. Page 2

Trenton’s Irish bar welcomes its 100th Whiskey Ambassador Club member, page 6.


DESTRIBATS CAMPBELL STAUB & SCHROTH, LLC established 1972

criminal law • municipal court law • wills & estates criminal law • municipal court law medical malpractice • personal injury • general litigation wills & estatescompensation • medical •malpractice employment • workers corporate/tax law real Estate injury • real estate tax appeals litigation • family law personal • general

employment • workers compensation Anthony J. Destribats corporate/tax law • real Estate Bernard A. Campbell, Jr. real estate tax appeals • family law Raymond C. Staub David P. Schroth Kimberly A. Greenberg

247 White Horse Avenue Hamilton, NJ 08610 Phone (609) 585-2443

Adam Lipps Anthony J. Destribats ••• Bernard A. Campbell, Jr. Jay G. Destribats (1969-2015) Raymond C. Staub David P.Avenue, Schroth 795 Parkway Suite A3 Ewing, 08618 Kimberly A.NJ Greenberg • www.destribatslaw.com Adam Lipps ••• Jay G. Destribats (1969-2015)

247 White Horse Ave • Hamilton • NJ • 08610

(609) 585-2443 • www.destribatslaw.com

Now accepting applications! Now accepting applications!

what’s happening Princeton’s April ARTS aims to celebrate creativity By Rebekah Schroeder

There is a plethora of porches and pianos for Princeton this April as the Arts Council of Princeton, with support from Princeton University, launches a month-long series of festivities honoring local artists. Through initiatives like the “Princeton Piano Project” and the first-ever “Princeton Porchfest” musical event, the ACP is unveiling “April ARTS” just in time for the spring season. April ARTS is a spiritual successor to ACP’s former arts festival, Communiversity, which was canceled in 2020 due to COVID before reaching its 50th year in operation. Prior to being known as Communiversity, the gathering was referred to as “The Art People’s Party,” which later inspired the current concept of a month’s observance of events. Adam Welch, the executive director ofthe Arts Council of Princeton, estimated that over 40,000 guests had made Communiverity an annual success. But as the pandemic showed no signs of stopping, Welch and his team needed to

SIX09

EDITOR Jamie Griswold ARTS EDITOR Dan Aubrey CONTRIBUTING WRITER Rebekah Schroeder AD LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

An award-winning publication of Community News Service, LLC. © Copyright 2022. 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.

2SIX09 | April 2022

explore new options. The sheer size of such an event would have been dangerous because of the virus, so after speaking with the mayor, council and university staff, April ARTS was born. With a decentralized event system, ACP hopes to not only recognize the talents throughout Princeton, but highlight them in a socially distanced, outside environment. For additional information, and to see what else the ACP has in store for the month of April, the April ARTS community calendar on their website, artscouncilofprinceton.org/aprilarts, will be updated frequently. Princeton Porchfest is on Saturday, April 23 from noon to 6 p.m. Princeton residents “donate” their front porches or stoops for the occasion, giving musicians a stage for free, family-friendly live performances. The inaugural concert will adhere to all ongoing COVID-19 precautions and will carry on rain or shine. Attendees can walk or bike across the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, as See ARTS, Page 4

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

Community News Service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, 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.

TO ADVERTISE call (609) 396-1511, ext. 110 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org A proud member of:


April 2022 | SIX093


ARTS continued from Page 2 well as Nassau Street by the central business district, to appreciate the rotating sets of bands. “All the performers will play in their respective locations simultaneously,” Welch said. “Essentially, there will be 55 musicians, easily found by the printed and online map letting you know where they’re playing and when.” While the concepts of both Porchfest and Piano Project originated in New York, Asbury Park has been regularly hosting the Asbury Park Porchfest for several years. Following in the footsteps of Asbury Park, the ACP asked the bands performing first to lend sound equipment to subsequent performers, creating a friendly, collaborative atmosphere and eliminating the time between acts. “What we’ve decided to do is [choose] sites that are within walking distance, but not within earshot, so that you’ll be able to easily walk in between set breaks to different locations,” Welch continued, one of their concerns being to eliminate sound pollution. Taking in the architecture and talents of Princeton, Welch said, is a welcome experience they want to facilitate, with chatty neighbors and music abounding as the front yards transform into community spaces. ACP suggests that attendees

Marlon “7ove Child” Davila paints a piano for the Princeton Piano Project.

indulge in Princeton’s culinary experiences as well, citing the countless lunch and dinner options mere steps away from the porchfront stages. Another key part of April ARTS is the Princeton Piano Project. Using pianos donated from Princeton residents, ACP commissioned local creatives to paint the seven instruments, which will be placed

around Princeton and remain available for anyone to play. “What we’re going to be doing is creating a public art piece and a performance space,” Welch said. Specific performances will be coordinated, likely on weekends, during the month. The piano artists include Leon Rainbow, Ronah Harris, Albelardo Montano,

Susan DeConcini and Lisa Walsh, Marlon 7oveChild Davila and Stephanie and Naomi Nazario. Leon Rainbow is a Trenton-based artist whose work, most notably his colorful murals, are inspired by graffiti and street art. The theme for his piano, the “Touch of a Master’s Hand,” is brought to life with a mixed-media approach of spray paint, acrylics and paint markers. As of press time, Rainbow had almost completed his piano, its design showing a spray can on one side, while the other portrays a gifted hand playing the piano. “Music or art is the touch of a master’s hand, it’s not really the instrument or the supplies. It’s just the creativity, and the amount of work that it takes to get to a certain point with it, that really makes a difference from great art or music from mediocre,” he said. “It’s the first time I painted a piano, so it was an interesting surface to work with,” Rainbow continued. “I feel like it’s gonna have a different life once it’s out in the community.” He does not know where his piano will go just yet, but he is looking forward to “somebody playing it and giving it a new life,” rather than seeing it go unused. “Now, they’re getting a new life, and hopefully people will be able to enjoy it.” Marlon Davila, also known as “7ove

N O R T H A M E R I C A’ S

DELHAGEN

Financing Available ALL HVAC EQUIPMENT COMES WITH A 10 YEAR PARTS & LABOR WARRANTY

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC. 609-586-4969 Hamilton Square, NJ www.delhagen-nj.com

Plumbing Lic # BI0104900 I Lic # 13VHO1158200 | HVAC Lic # 19HC00456500 Service & Maintenance I Agreements Available

delhagenplumbin@optonline.net

Call Now to Schedule your Service/Maintenance Appointment. Serving: Hamilton, Robbinsville, Bordentown, Ewing, Lawrenceville, Princeton, Yardville, Allentown, West Windsor & East Windsor

Special Limited Time Offer!

$200 OFF Installation of Complete “Coleman” Air Condition & Heating System Mention coupon when calling. Cannot be combined with other offers.

$89

+ tax

HVAC Inspection Mention coupon when calling. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 5/15/2022

$75 OFF $25 OFF Any Water Heater or Boiler Installation

Any Service or Repair Call Over $150

Mention coupon when calling. Cannot be combined with other offers. For a limited time only.

Mention coupon when calling. Cannot be combined with other offers. For a limited time only.

4SIX09 | April 2022

SP E

CI A

1 Selling Walk-In Tub

#

Featuring our Free

LO

FFE

R

Shower Package

Now you can finally have all of the soothing benefits of a relaxing warm bath, or enjoy a convenient refreshing shower while seated or standing with Safe Step Walk-In Tub’s FREE Shower Package! ✓ First walk-in tub available with a customizable shower ✓ Fixed rainfall shower head is adjustable for your height and pivots to offer a seated shower option ✓ High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub ✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, affordable price

Now you can have the best of both worlds–there isn’t a better, more aff ordable walk-in tub! Call today and receive a

FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

Call Toll-Free 609-804-5899

www.BuySafeStep.com With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase.

CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445

Call Today for Your Free Shower Package

609-804-5899 FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT


Child,” is a lifelong Princeton resident embracing both nature and his “inner child” through symbolic artwork. His name comes from being a self-described “love child” himself, aiming to lessen the stigma by signing his paintings as such. Davila became involved with the Piano Project via a connection from his previous residency with ACP in 2019, where a mural, titled “Journey,” was created at John Street and Leigh Avenue. Inspired by the ornate designs and intricate woodwork of his piano, Davila said that he “let the art flow in” for the project. A spring scene blossomed up on the instrument’s surface, the artist painting his piano with flowers and femininity as his muse. Davila grew up around women, calling the “enchanted piano” a way to honor figures like Frida Kahlo and his mother. Davila expressed hope, as an active artist in the Princeton community, that April ARTS and the Piano Project would continue in the future. “I would love for this whole thing to keep going, because art is healing,” he said. “The whole goal is for people to be able to see that art is really limitless, and anyone can partake by just sitting there, playing the piano and feeling that energy.” Other programs on the schedule for

April ARTS are the Cabernet Cabaret 10th Anniversary Extravaganza, artist Joe Kossow’s “Still Lives from a (Mostly) Stilled Life” opening reception, a spoken word celebration in honor of Paul Robeson’s 124th birthday and “Story & Verse: A Storytelling and Poetic Open Mic.” To commence the “thirty days of creativity,” April ARTS begins with a Kick-Off Happy Hour on April 1 at 5:30 p.m. Held at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, guests are encouraged to toast with Prosecco or cider as a way of welcoming the month’s engagements. Also featured will be musical performances on the painted piano in front of the ACP building. Welch expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make April ARTS possible, thanking P ​ rinceton University, the municipal officials, Mayor Mark Freda, council members, community sponsors and more. “What we’re hoping, and what we’re anticipating, is that people will be able to see, other than the pianos and Porchfest…just how full our town is, our community is, with arts and cultural activities,” Welch said. April ARTS, Arts Council of Princeton and Princeton University, April 1 to 30. Princeton Porchfest, April 23, noon to 6 p.m. Free. More information and a full calendar of events are available at ACP’s website, artscouncilofprinceton.org.

A COOL & COMFORTABLE BISTRO PUB for hanging out with friends. come taste our local craft brews, cocktails, entrées and grilled sandwiches. Check out our website for upcoming special events and shows blendbar.com/events/

Come Celebrate 10 Years With Us!

At Rothman Orthopaedics, we are exceptionally specialized. We not only specialize in orthopaedics, each of our physicians only focuses on one area of the body. Which means you can have the confidence that you can get past pain and be what you were.

RothmanOrtho.com/Capital | 609.900.2858

911 HIGHWAY 33, HAMILTON NJ April 2022 | SIX095


what’s cooking?

Fueled by

MERCER EATS

Tír na nOg welcomes 100th Whiskey Ambassador to the club By Rebekah Schroeder

With a basting brush of whiskey and water, Todd Faulkner informally blessed his patrons, most of whom were there to celebrate a non-denominational “communion” as part of the Irish pub Tír na nOg’s successful ‘Whiskey Ambassador Club.’ Each person walked out the back door, then used the alley to come back around through the front, ringing a bell to signal their victory over 32 types of carefully-curated Irish whiskeys. Faulkner’s mixture of “holy water” wished the ambassadors a safe St. Patrick’s Day at the March 6 event, where just shy of 50 attendees helped commemorate the club’s milestone.

6SIX09 | April 2022

Faulkner presented each person with a token, the ceremony itself a tongue-in-cheek, symbolic representation of an Irish Catholic custom close to his heart. As the pub erupted into a party at the Trenton bar, customers completed additional tiers of the liquor lineups, even piquing the interest of newcomers who joined in on the celebration. The 102nd ambassador was honored, the number leaps and bounds over the March edition of Six09, where Faulkner said that 91 customers had officially become ambassadors—in less than a month since, though, more than 100 have risen to the challenge. “It’s created a lot of new customers, and it’s been a fantastic

Tír na Nog Whiskey Ambassadors at a March 6, 2022 celebratory event marking the hundredth member of the Irish bar’s club.

run. I hope to keep it going,” Faulkner said of the initiative. “I’m beaming with pride.”

Faulkner and his wife, Maureen, have owned Tír na nOg since 2012. The gathering was

a timely culmination of the program’s accomplishments, and a sign that the idea, which had been fully realized during the pandemic, was a worthy investment. The earliest stages of the club’s concept started about five or six years ago, back when Faulkner, browsing the liquor section of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, came across a whiskey trail highlighting four Scottish distilleries. He thought that a similar idea could work for the country behind his own business, but set in America instead. Tír na nOg’s tastings would have been a way to give customers a true taste of Ireland, yet Faulkner waited until the timing felt right. Faulkner renovated the bar


area when Tír na nOg was closed from March to late September in 2020. In November, they were finally ready to begin the long-awaited program, elevating a collection of 10 whiskeys to the final 32. The number is not insignificant or random, but a nod to the number of counties in Ireland. For Faulkner, who is always “shooting from the hip,” as he maintained, the name for members of the club came from a representative of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey that helped run an event at Tír na nOg. The pub took on the title with their signature Irish flair, debuting the ‘Tír na nOg Irish Whiskey Ambassador Club.’ Those who finish receive the title of ‘Tír na nOg Irish Whiskey Ambassador,’ as well as a Carhartt hoodie bearing a logo specifically designed for the club— both the honor and the apparel can only be attained through earning them,

because Faulkner is unwavering on not making the “prize at the end of the rainbow” available for purchase. The high supply and demand, Faulkner remarked, meant he almost could not keep up with the interest in the coveted club. As of press time, nearly 400 people have signed up. It did so well, Faulkner continued, that they had to add multiple tiers with other incentives, such as badges for the hoodies. The second tier is the ‘Chief Whiskey Officer Club,’ which includes eight more whiskeys of Irish and American origin. The third tier is the ‘Bourbon Brigade,’ comprising eight kinds of the namesake liquor. Both tiers are given corresponding C.W.O and B.B. badges. The fourth tier, expected to be available for eligible ambassadors sometime in April, will be a ‘Pacific Whiskey See WHISKEY, Page 8

MasonryRENOVATION renovationAND andREPAIR repair MASONRY We fix allMasonry masonryrepair problems... it’s our passion! is our specialty

Repair | Rebuild | Restore

Steps • Walls • Patio • Concrete Loose Railings • Blue Stone Specialists Basement Waterproofing Brick Driveways • Belgian Block Walkways and Patio Construction Check out some ofofour other small repair specialties: Replacement Cracked Limestone Steps

YEARS

Cracked stucco - we restore old foundations

ANNIVERSARY 609-584-5252 www.priornami.com

Greg Powers

HIC#13VH10598000 HIC#13VH06880500 RECENTLY COMPLETED OUTDOOR STONE FIREPLACE

Tony Nami Owner/President

1666 Hamilton Ave.

lifetime warranty designAND andBUILD build new patios! LIFETIME ALLwork WORK | we WE DESIGN NEW PATIOS! Hamilton, NJWARRANTY 08629 onONall

609-751-3039 609-751-3039

www.ReNewMason.com www.renewmason.com Certified Pre –Owned Equipment

Core I5, 8GB Ram 128 GB SSHD Win 10

MASONRY AND We specialize in smallRENOVATION masonry repair ADW 2700 Scanner

REPAI One brick, stone, even two....... it’s our passio We fixone all masonry problems... tiny cracks

Repair | Rebuild | Restore

loose railings.....

Steps • Walls • Patio • Concrete

There is no repair too small for us! Loose Railings • Blue Stone Specialists We repair sunken patios, walkways, and walls Basement Waterproofing We fix loose railing issues on steps Brick Driveways • Belgian Block We clean and waterproof all masonry structures: Walkways Construction patios, walls, steps, porches, and walks,Patio driveways.

Replacement of Cracked Limestone Step

We fix all masonry problems... it’s our passion! Repair | Rebuild | Restore

Greg Powers

HIC#13VH10598000 HIC#13VH06880500

RECENTLY COMPLETED OUTDOOR STONE FIREPLACE

lifetime warranty | we designAND andBUILD build new pati LIFETIME WARRANTYonONall ALLwork WORK609-751-3039 WE DESIGN NEW PATIOS! Sales | Service | Supplies | Leasing | Rentals | Free Estimates |Authorized Technicians Copiers | Computers & Networks | Printers | Shredders |Mailing Solutions |Facsimile

renewmason@gmail.com 609-751-3039 609-751-3039

www.renewMason.com www.ReNewMason.com www.renewmason.com

April 2022 | SIX097


WHISKEY continued from Page 7 Fleet’ featuring Japanese and Taiwanese whiskeys. Victorious customers will collect the ‘Tír na nOg Pacific Whiskey Fleet Challenge coin’ to mark their accomplishments. On the anniversary of the first official inductees in 2021, New Jersey recognized Nov. 13 as ‘Tír na nOg Irish Whiskey Ambassador Day,’ naming every inaugural member in a statewide proclamation. The document acknowledged Tír na nOg for “navigating through the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic” with a true Irish spirit. While there are lingering requests for a club centered around other liquors like scotch and tequila, at the moment, Faulkner is focused on preparing the ‘Whiskey Hall of Fame,’ a system of the highest honor where two members will be inducted each year. After finishing three tiers, customers earn a “ballot” and a Midleton whiskey. At a later date, Tír na nOg plans to announce the two people who received the most votes, giving the winners ‘Hall of Fame’ jackets resembling that of professional sports stars. Rather than just the physical incentives, Faulkner is proud of the environment the club has created at Tír na nOg, whether patrons are playfully egging

each other on or talking about whiskey preferences with fellow connoisseurs. “People now know each other in the bar intimately,” he said. “They might have had a common ground coming into the pub, but they have an even more common ground next to each other like ‘hey, that’s an ambassador.’ It brings them together.” “Now I have relationships with every single one of these people,” Faulkner explained. “You’re serving them all the time, you have more and more of these conversations, so it means a lot to me. I think we have created a family within a family.” Peter Gallagher, a resident of Hamilton, met Faulkner at a local Irish festival. Gallagher was intrigued at his proposition of the whiskey club, as Gallagher confessed that he always has about seven or eight bottles of whiskey in his home liquor cabinet. “I only drink one at a time. I like to really taste it and enjoy it,” Gallagher said. “Even when I was doing the 32, I would do two at a time, generally, just because I wanted to taste it. For me, it was all part of just being with everyone and the banter, the camaraderie that everyone shares there. I think that’s what made it really fun.” His personal favorite from the selection was a Jameson Caskmates Stout edi-

Neal Feeley and Earl McDannell hold up the state proclamation naming Nov. 13, 2021 ‘Tír na nOg Irish Whiskey Ambassador Day’ with a frame they made out of Midleton whiskey crates.

tion, which he immediately purchased for his own collection. At the party, Gallagher’s daughter added her name to the list, the elaborate tasting process attracting people of all age groups. “I leave there happy every time, I really

do,” Gallagher said. Katie and Ray Gallagher (no relation to Peter) are husband and wife who currently live in West Windsor. One of their old traditions was to attend the Hamilton St. Patrick’s Day parade, then head off to Tír na nOg with their children for a night of Irish music. “It’s such a family atmosphere,” Katie Gallagher said. Since the business was one of the few places open in late 2020, the couple started going more frequently, eventually joining the whiskey club. Katie Gallagher’s favorite is the Connemara, which she says is notable “because everyone else in the bar hates it,” leaving more for her to enjoy. Ray Gallagher, who prefers a Midleton whiskey, said that the “friendly competition” has turned the quiet spot from years ago into a formidable force in the neighborhood. “It’s a special place to us, and it always will be,” he continued. They are not the only people who feel that way. The bar was named the number one Irish bar in the state of New Jersey by NJ.com on March 16, one day before St. Patrick’s Day. Tír na nOg, 1324 Hamilton Ave., Trenton. Open 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; noon to 2 a.m. Sunday.

2022 ANNUAL

PODSTOCK CONFERENCE SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022 At the event, you'll hear from seasoned professionals in the podcast industry, interact with other podcasters, get familiar with equipment from podcast gear manufacturers and other company services as well as be able to enjoy a day that is programmed both for experienced and beginner podcasters.

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW AT: WWW.PODSTOCK.US

POWERED BY

Christina Blackburn

Travis Chapell

Todd Cochrane

Will Foskey

Charles Riddle

Frank Sasso

Comedian, Storyteller

Founder of Guestio

CEO of Blubrry

President of NPC Podcast Network

Founder of Esquire Trademarks

Founder of New Pod City

8SIX09 | April 2022


mercercamps Princeton Ballet School

Tryouts between April 11-14 go to h�ps://www.hamiltonwildcatsfc.com

Nurturing Dancers of All Ages Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, nurtures dancers of all ages, providing them opportunity to develop their technique and artistry in a rewarding environment. The Princeton Ballet School Summer Intensive (ages 13 and up) attracts students from all over the globe to study with distinguished and inspiring faculty. Princeton Ballet School holds auditions throughout the United States and accepts video auditions from national and international students for the advanced program. Students in the Advanced Intensive are also considered for the school’s year-round Trainee program, the direct feeder into American Repertory Ballet’s second company, ARB2, which is also ideal for post–highschool students looking to launch their professional careers. As an educational institution certified to provide F-1 visas, Princeton Ballet School has the ability to accept international students from nearly anywhere in the world for its Summer intensive, Trainee program, and ARB2. The Summer Intensive Intermediates program, for ages 11 and up, is modeled after Princeton Ballet School’s acclaimed Advanced Summer Intensive and offers the same personalized ballet training, alongside jazz and new choreography. The Summer Intensive Juniors program is for children ages 9-11,with

Hamilton Wildcats Where it all Begins! Morgan Hart: 2x State Champ, Regional Finalist, Mercer 33, Steinert Defensive MVP, NJGSCA Top 20 Team, 1st Team all Conference, Widener University Student Athlete

The Wildcats are an travel soccer focused trainingon and player TheHamilton Hamilton Wildcats areall-female an all-female travelclub soccer clubon focused partnership with the Hamilton Girls Soccer Club and NJ Rush, the Wildcats provide a comp training and player development! In partnership with the Hamilton experience for girls ages 5 to 19. a focus on musicality, basic technique; building strength and flexibility; increasing coordination; and dynamics of movement — all while having fun with friends! Princeton Ballet School also offers fun and rewarding Children’s Summer Courses, beginning with Hand-inHand classes for 3-year olds to explore the world of rhythm and dance. All levels of classes for children ages 4-12 are offered throughout the Summer, no previous dance experience required! Not sure which program is the best match? Give Princeton Ballet School a call at 609-921-7758 or email princetonballetschool@arballet.org and we would be happy to schedule a free trial class and answer any of your questions. See ad, page 12.

SUMMER DEBATE CAMP LEARN capitoldebate.com PUBLIC SPEAKING & DEBATE 800 450 5012

Girls Soccer Club and NJ Rush, the Wildcats provide a complete soccer

We are looking for girls ready for the travel challenge from birth year 2015-2004 to form n experienceestablished for girls ages 5 to 19. supplement teams

We are looking for girls ready for the travel challenge from birth year 2015-2004 to form new teams and supplement established teams

Little Friends School SERVING CHILDREN FOR OVER 35 YEARS

TODDLER, PRESCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN* & SUMMER CAMP FOR 2022 • Certified Staff • 18 Months to 5 Years •School Hours: 7am - 6pm (COVID-19 hours: 7am - 5:30pm) • Strong Emphasis on Literacy & Mathematical Reasoning • Integrated Experiences in Science & Social Studies • Music & Art • Yoga • Soccer Program • Summer Camp: 18 months to 11 years • Holiday Care Available • We accept Childcare Connection * Kindergarten Cut Off Date: 12/31 REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR & SUMMER CAMP 2022

609-890-9164 I www.littlefriendsschool.com 221 Edinburg Road, Mercerville, NJ 08619 I Like us on F April 2022 | SIX099


Hamilton Area YMCA A Summer Full of Fun At Y camp, kids can enjoy a summer full of fun, friends and new adventures while they develop skills, confidence and a greater sense of purpose. With 50 acres of outdoor space, the largest pool in Mercer County, fun activities ranging from Sports to STEM, energetic staff and daily special events the Sawmill Day Camp is the ideal environment for campers to find their spark, find their sense of wonder, find their adventure, find their friends and FIND THEIR FUN 2022! • Find Their Spark. Y camp is a place where kids can develop skills, confidence and new friendships. While camp is a summer rite of passage for kids to play outdoors and learn to swim, they are unknowingly rewarded with personal development skills by participating in their favorite activities and by trying activities they have never tried before. In general, they will leave camp with a stronger sense of identity and a better idea of what they love, which

may help them in the classroom, in their relationships and to choose a career path in the future. • Find Their Sense of Wonder. Kids get to discover all the wonders of the outdoors while making friends and forming memories that will last a lifetime. A recent UK study commissioned by the National Trust found that children spend 50% less time playing outside that their parents did. Kids say they aren’t interested, they lack access and are uncomfortable outside (bugs, heat, etc.). Indoors, they’re growing more and more attached to a digital

existence and further detached from the natural world. Camp provides kids the perfect opportunity to see what they’ve been missing in the great outdoors. • Find Their Adventure. Summer is a time for kids to explore new things and expand the limits of their imagination. At Y summer day camp, every day is a new adventure! Creativity can’t be stifled at camp because campers don’t have to worry about getting a failing grade. By limiting this kind of restriction, kids can let their creativity flow.

T H E C E N TR AL N J

TH E CEN TR AL NJ

Ballet Theatre

Ballet Theatre PRESENTS

SUMMER MUSICAL THEATRE TO SHOW! ENROLL L SING, ACTTODAY DANCE FUN SHOW! FOR FALL! August 1 - 12 Monday - Friday, 9 am to 3pm EARN HOW TO

AND

SUMMER 2022! TO

ENROLL TODAY FOR FALL!

SUMMER Ages 3 andINTENSIVE up Beginning thru advanced!

Boys and Girls! Ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, MASTER TEACHERS! AUGUST 1-19contemporary and acting!

Week 1: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm Week 2: 5:30 to 8:30 pm Thepm Central NJ Ballet Theatre presents Week 3: 9:00 am to 2:00pm The Nutcracker 2017! A traditional holiday ballet for all ages! Ages 9 and up! Intermediate to Advanced. Ballet, Contemporary, Pointe, and more. December 8th @ 7pm Villa Victoria Academy Theater, Ewing, NJ Tickets $20 adults, $15 kids

BEGINNER DANCE CAMP

AND BE IN A

ST

• Find Their Friends and Fun. At Y day camp, your kids will make new friends and have tons of fun as they explore new adventures each day. Camp is a social center away from home and school where kids learn to work with each other and adult mentors, build relationships and manage conflict. Children look at camp as a fun way to spend the summer in the sun and splashing in the pool, but parents understand that camp allows kids to reap many life benefits that will follow them through their lives long after the sun has set on their summer camp days. We have worked hard to plan an exciting summer full of arts and crafts, music, sing-a-longs, science lab and dance to soccer, basketball, gaga, volleyball, swimming, fun special events and so much more! Our Coordinators are college graduates who are working professionals in the fields of education and child development. And, our counselors are second to none, having had extensive training to welcome your children for the summer. For more information, visit hamiltonymca.org/ camp. See ad, page 11.

JULY 18-29, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (1 or 2 week options!)

TH

Ages 6 and up! Ages 6 and up! Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Boys and Girls! Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Arts & Crafts & more. A Special Community Show! 3 and up Sibling Discount! No Ages experience required! Ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, December 10th @ 2pm Video audition May 15TH for leading Roles. Beginning thrubyadvanced! Sibling Discount! Call Today!

contemporary and acting! Carslake Community Center, Bordentown, NJ Sponsored by Bordentown Home for Funerals P: 609.424.3192 • W: www.cnjballet.com • 221 Broad St, Florence, NJ 08518 Group tickets available though Central NJ Ballet Theatre or Donations at the door!

The Central NJ Ballet Theatre presents

10SIX09 | April 2022


v2 Camp Guide Community News (8.75x5.55).qxp_Layout 1 3/16/22 10:04 AM Page 1

FIND YOUR FUN. FIND YOUR Y. At Y day camp, your kids will make new friends and have tons of fun as they explore new adventures each day. Offering 50 acres of outdoor space, the largest pool in Mercer County, and fun activities ranging from Sports to STEM! For a better us.

Save up to $50 per week! When you register online & use code EARLY through April 10!

FIND YOUR Y AT THE HAMILTON AREA YMCA

®

609.581.9622 hamiltonymca.org

April 2022 | SIX0911


The Watershed Institute Watershed Academy offers high school students field experience The Watershed Academy for High Schools Students offers five-day sessions of intensive study. The sessions explore a different environmental issue including stream science, clean water, green architecture, climate change and more! Academy students learn from experts in various subjects to help design solutions to real-world problems. Students gain valuable field experience and have the opportunity to try out different careers. In this summer’s Stream Science and Clean Water sessions, our Watershed scientists and educators will lead the students through a variety of lessons on water quality as well as explore current threats to clean water. The students will conduct field research and present their findings in a presentation or poster session. During our Green Architecture week, students will learn from awardwinning architects Michael Farewell

and Jason Kliwinski. Students will design their own environmentally friendly structures for a hypothetical client. They will study the features of the Watershed Institute’s LEED-Platinum certified building and visit a sustainably designed building in Lambertville. Our Environmental Advocacy session and Water and Climate session are new options this summer. During the Environmental Advocacy session, students will explore a local climate issue and advocate for policies that address climate change. They will meet with policy makers and find out how

decisions are made at the local and state levels. The students will design an advocacy campaign on an issue they are passionate about to create a possible solution. Our Water and Climate Academy will be presented in collaboration with Princeton University’s High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI). Students will meet with Princeton University researchers and learn about their efforts in fields of climate resilience and clean water. The week includes a visit to the labs at HMEI. All of the Academy sessions are

open to high school students in grades 9 -12. They take place at The Watershed Institute in Pennington and use our Watershed Center and 950acre Watershed Reserve as a living laboratory. Each session includes at least one off-site trip. Please visit our website https:// thewatershed.org/academy/ for more information and to register. We have a limited number of scholarships available for qualified students. Also coming up are several events for all ages including: Flashlight Egg Hunt Friday April 8, 7:30 p.m. – Join us after dark, bring your flashlight and search the field for over 1000 colored eggs. Arrive at 7:30 for photos with the bunny and heady out to the field for the 8 p.m. start. Bring your boots! H2O Quest: Alien Invaders May 14, 10 a.m. – All of the scientists have left the lab. They left a mysterious message claiming aliens are taking over the Watershed Reserve. We need children to help track down scientists and learn what is happening. Part treasure hunt, part nature hike and plenty of imaginative fun. Learn more and find more great events and programs at thewatershed. org. See ad, page 11.

The Official School of American Repertory Ballet

BEGINNING JUNE 27,2022

SUMMER INTENSIVE ARBALLET.ORG | 609.921.7758

PRINCETONBALLETSCHOOL@ARBALLET.ORG 12SIX09 | April 2022


crossword

unity News Service 4/22

Across

1 13

2

3

4

5

6

7

14

1 Elec. unit 17 18 4 Veneration 7 Hairpiece, to 21 some 25 10 ET transport 31 32 13 Eggs 14 India’s smallest 35 state 40 41 15 Biblical judge 45 46 16 Tuck’s partner 17 Craft fairs 49 50 19 Northern 56 seabirds 61 62 21 Norse deity 22 Fast 65 66 24 Personal quirk 71 70 25 Adolescent 75 74 26 Abominable snowmen 28 Wails 31 Plummet 65 Caribbean 33 Film part island 34 Small combo 68 Tickler of the 35 Conifer ivories 37 Cool! 70 Lyric poem 39 Senate vote 71 Droop 40 Tightwads 72 Via 43 Pressure 73 Consumed 45 PC linkup 74 Spoiled 46 Noggin 75 Pres. Lincoln 48 Tree juice 76 Delicious 49 Kennel noises 77 Tartan cap 51 Composes 53 Linear units Down 56 Hawaiian fire goddess 1 Man of steel? 57 Medicinal plant 2 Dodged 59 Trot or canter 3 More slothful 61 Everything 4 ___ Khan 63 Study 5 Verbose 64 Creme cookie 6 Cushier

PuzzleJunction.com

8

9

10

15

24

26

27

28

33

42

38 43

47

30

39 44

48 52

57

53 58

54

55

59

63 67

29

34 37

51

CLEAN ENERGY

SUMMIT

20

23

36

12

16

19 22

11

MERCER COUNTY

60

64 68

69

72

73

76

77

©2022 PuzzleJunction.com

7 8 9 10 11 12 18 20 23 27 29 30 32 36 38 40 41

Turtles, e.g. Eskimo knife Present Symbols of purity Flipper Saturn’s wife Chafes Pugilist’s weapon Berkshire school Reservations Slant Kind of sauce Chick’s sound Enfolds Streetcar Foal’s mother Like a sore throat

42 Cheapest ship accommodations 44 Copycat 45 Napkin’s place 47 Fem. suffix 50 Ward of “Sisters” 52 Dapper 54 Rodeo rope 55 Sonora snooze 58 Gallic goodbye 60 Clan emblem 62 Actress Eichhorn 65 Employment 66 Nabokov novel 67 Taxi 69 Branch

Puzzle solutions on pg 14

hideous hoMes WANTed FOR TELEVISION PROGRAM IN THIS AREA

We need 30 ugly homes with ugly kitchens, bathrooms, siding, windows, etc., inside or outside that need fixing or remodeling. We will repair and remodel them and shoot video for training film and future TV show on home remodeling work. MUST SIGN RELEASE for purpose of filming job! This must be a complete remodeling job, not just patch up work. This remodeling is to be specially priced out work, with compensation back to the homeowner for signed release.

Join us April 26, 2022, 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake for an event with representatives from the State of New Jersey to discuss the sustainability and cost-saving opportunities for your Mercer County business. Please contact the Mercer County Office of Economic Development at businessadvocate@mercercounty.org OR (609) 989-6555 for registration and program details. Light refreshments to be served.

CALL 833-375-1472

Ask for TV Project Department, for job evaluation & estimate of cost & compensations!

seRious iNQuiRies PLeAse!

PA LIC# 39104

NJ LIC# 13VH04728900 Tri State Creations

April 2022 | SIX0913


at your service spring to Fall we do it all with

Complete Home Improvements

Just One Call!

QUALITY

• Leaves/Weeding? • Full Yard Cleanups • Repair/Seed Lawns • Dethatch Lawns • Install Shrub Bed Borders • Create New Beds CALL NOW

Kitchens • Baths • Windows Doors & More

609-771-1888

Licens e & Ins d ured

Free ! ates s E tim

LANDSCAPING

CALL CALL TODAY TODAY FOR A FREE FOR A FREE ESTIMATE ESTIMATE

Also Buying Antiques, Collectibles, Jewelry, Old Postcards, Paper Ephemera, Pottery, Prints, Paintings, Old Toys, Coins, Stamps, Etc. Appraisals Available. Downsizing/Moving? Call Us!

•Renovations •Remodeling •Decks •Kitchens/Baths •Drywall •Siding •Repairs •Snow Plowing

NJ NJ LIC LIC#13VH08094300 #13VH08094300

J

Your Local Investor Fair Prices

®

“Over 700 satisfied sellers since 1993”

• Any Condition • 10 dAy CAsh Closings

CALL: 609-581-2207

For all your pest control needs!

D. Smith Electric LLC

RESIDENTIALCOMMERCIAL

$10 OFF Any Service

nj lic# 13vh01790800

FullyInsured Insured Fully

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

Professional inspection services for Termites, Radon, and Mold.

609-538-8045

609-977-3284 609-977-3284

I BUY HOUSES and

We Buy Old Books, Rare Books

Larry Feldman (609)658-5213 LarryFeldman51@gmail.com

Licensed & Insured NJ # 13VH02464300

VICTOR’S VICTOR’S LANDSCAPING

FALL CLEAN »» CLEAN UPS UP LAWNCARE CARE »» LAWN TREEREMOVAL REMOVAL »» TREE FENCING »» FENCING PATIOS & PATIOS »» PAVERS LAMINATE&& »» LAMINATE WOODFLOOR FLOOR WOOD

Advertise for $69 a month. For more information call 609-396-1511

with this ad

DAVID M. SMITH

609.393.0606

NJ LIC# 12736

PESTBLASTER.COM

609•499•4774 609•883•3009 Fax: 609•499•8322

PS

JOHN S. PAVLOVSKY, JR.

groveplumbingllc@gmail.com

Certified Public Accountant • Public School Accountant Chartered Global Management Accountant

From minor plumbing repairs to complete remodels, Sewer replacement, Water Service replacement.

Tax Compliance and Planning Services Payroll Services • Bookkeeping Audit, Review and Compilation Services

*Guaranteed not to clog for as long as you own your home, or we will clean your gutters for free

609.298.8229

www.pavlovskycpa.com • john@pavlovskycpa.com

Solution

Puzzle Solutions R O B O T

E V A D E D

L A Z I E R

M I L A N A R F P E L A J A M O D E B A D

A W E G O A A A R S D I N N Y E O P R Y E W S E R S P A T S P E E S E L L R A I C A S A G A B E

14SIX09 | April 2022

E T O N

R E P T I L E S

E N S N N E A P P Y

U G L I U F F T I S S E T A T T R E S A P M I A G D O I A N E R U M

18

U N I C O R N S

F O I P N S

L A R I A T

S I E S T A

B S I O A Y S

T O T E M

Call Today for Your FREE Estim mate!

609-710-3071 ONLY

99

$

INSTALLATION*

RECEIVE A $50 DARDEN GIFT CARD

LIFETIME NO-CLOG WARRANTY

MADE ONSITE SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR HOME

THE ONLY ONE-PIECE SEAMLESS DEBRIS SHEDDING GUTTER SYSTEM.

SCRATCHGUARD® PAINT FINISH

*Does not include cost of material. Expires 3/31/22. All participants who attend an estimated 60-90 minute in-home product consultation will receive a $25 gift card. No purchase is necessary. Retail value is $50. Offer sponsored by LeafGuard Holdings, Inc. Limit one gift card per household. LeafGuard procures, sells, and installs seamless gutter protection. This offer is valid for homeowners over 18 years of age. If married or have a life partner, both cohabitating persons must attend and complete presentation together. Participants must have a valid photo ID, understand English, and be legally able to enter into a contract. The following persons are not eligible for this offer: employees of LeafGuard or affiliated companies or entities, their immediate family members, previous participants in a LeafGuard in-home consultation within the past 12 months and all current and former LeafGuard customers. Promotion may not be extended, transferred, or substituted except that LeafGuard may substitute a gift card of equal or greater value if it deems it necessary. Gift card and terms and conditions (https://www. darden.com/gift-cards/terms-and-conditions) of such gift card will be mailed to the participant via first class US Mail within 21 days of receipt of promotion form provided at consultation. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion or discount of any kind. Offer not sponsored or promoted by Darden Restaurants and is subject to change without notice prior to reservation. Offer ends 3/31/22. LeafGuard operates as LeafGuard of DC in Virginia under registration number VA Class A Lic. #2705116122, in Maryland under registration number MHIC Lic. #116693, and in DC under registration number DC Permanent #420219000010. LeafGuard operates as Tri State in New Jersey under NJDCA license number 13VH09010100


To book a classified ad in this section, please email your text and any other information to mdurelli@communitynews.org. Classifieds run at 75 cents per word with a $20 minimum per month. For more information, call 609-396-1511, ext. 105.

classified HELP WANTED Dog walker wanted. 2 times a day. Small dogs walk together. Live in west Windsor. Pls call 609-4779863. Dog sitter wanted for different days and times. TRAVEL SALES - Earn valuable commissions selling travel as outside agent. Training provided. Diamond Cruise & Travel. 609-426-1200, www. cruisediamond.com. SERVICES F,D,Mason Contractor, Over 30 years of experience. Brick, Block, Stone, Concrete. No job too large or small. Fully Insured and Licensed. Free Estimates 908-385-5701 Lic#13VH05475900. Are you single? Try us first! We are an enjoyable alternative to online dating. Sweet Beginnings Matchmaker, 215-539-2894, www. sweetbeginnings.info. WANTED TO BUY Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4thelovofcards, 908-5960976. allstar115@verizon. net. 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. Cash paid for World War II military items. Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@ optonline.net Cash paid for SELMER SAXOPHONES and other vintage models. 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@ optonline.net VACATION RENTALS Florida Beach Rental: Fort Myers Beach 1br vacation condo on the beach, flexible dates available. Call 609577-8244 for further information COMMERCIAL SPACE MERCER COUNTY, Ewing, NJ. 10,000 SF OFFICE. FREE RENT. 201-4884000/609-883-7900. Hamilton/ Allentown Border- Commercial end unit for lease- Approx

1090sf, Ideal for medical/ professional offices, services, studio & retail store. Highly traveled visible location . Easy access to NJTP, Rt.130, I95. $2,400/month. DiDonato Realty 609-586-2344/ Marian Conte BR 609-9474222. BUSINESS FOR SALE Salon for sale- excellent opportunity. Priced to sell. Relocating out of state. Large space, great potential. Call 609-4620188. BURIAL PLOTS CEMETERY PLOT FOR SALE Cremation Niche with second rights in Greenwood Cemetery. In the sunlit hall of the new mausoleum. Section 1700, Tier 3 (eye level). $6,000 or best reasonable offer. Price includes transfer fees to cemetery. Call 609 577-1158 Education Train online to do medical billing! Become a Medical Office Professional at CTI! Get trained & certified to work in months! 888572-6790. The Mission, Program Information and Tuition is located at CareerTechnical.edu/ consumer-information. (M-F 8-6 ET) Health & Fitness Dental insurance Physicians Mutual

The World’s Most Advanced Medical Alert System Voice-Activated! No Wi-Fi Needed!

Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-888-623-3036 www. dental50plus.com/58 #6258 Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-9299587 Miscellaneous Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-844-334-8353 Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-9952490

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-2450398 HughesNet - Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141 Looking for assisted living, memory care, or independent living? A Place for Mom simplifies the process of finding senior living at no cost to your family. Call 1-833386-1995 today! Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 833-7193029 or visit dorranceinfo. com/acp

AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. 1 TB of data/mo. Ask how to bundle & SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. 1-888-796-8850

Paying top cash for men’s sportwatches! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 833603-3236

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

Put on your TV Ears & hear TV w/unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original - originally $129.95 - now w/this special offer only $59.95 w/code MCB59! 1-833-5301955

Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR

$0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS

Aloe Care Health medical alert system. Most advanced medical alert product on the market. Voice-activated! No wi-fi needed! Special offer w/ code CARE20 for $20 off Mobile Companion. 1-855521-5138 Hero takes stress out of managing medications. Hero sorts & dispenses meds, sends alerts at dose times & handles prescription refill & delivery for you. Starting at $24.99/month. No initiation fee. 90-day riskfree trial! 1-888-684-0280 DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-833-872-2545 The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-855-270-3785 Wanted To Buy Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, CO 80201

FREE

7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value!

Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions

$20 OFF Mobile Companion Offer code: CARE20

CALL NOW 1-855-521-5138

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE

CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE

(866) 643-0438

*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.

April 2022 | SIX0915


To attend virtually To attend virtually

Join Regenerative Spine and Pain Join Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute at this Control Your Pain Institute at this Control Your Pain event. Join Regenerative Spine and Pain

event. Institute at this Control Your Pain Dr.event. Ronak M.D. Dr. RonakPatel, Patel, M.D. Join Regenerative Spine and Pain

register online at:

To attend virtually

register online at: ative Spine and Pain http://bsnevents.com/1289 generative Spine and Pain Institute at this Control Your Pain event. Dr. Join Regenerative Spine Pain Ronak Patel, M.D. sgenerative Control Your April 27,Pain 2022 --Pain 5:30 pm toand 6:306:30 pm pm Or use your smartphone Spine and Pain at this Control Your April 27, 2022 5:30 pm to Dr. RonakInstitute Patel, M.D. at this Control Your Pain camera to register. e at this Control Your PaincalltoAlison For RSVP help -please at: 781-759-4533 event. April 27, 2022 5:30 pm 6:30 pm

For RSVP help please call Alison at: 781-759-4533

April 27, 2022 - 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm

For RSVPThis help please callonline Alison at: event. 781-759-4533 is an

To attend virtually register online at: http://bsnevents.com/1289 http://bsnevents.com/1289 To attend virtually To register attend virtually online at: ToToattend virtually http://bsnevents.com/1289 Or use your smartphone virtually Or useattend your smartphone registerregister onlinetoonline at:register. camera to register. at: camera Or use your smartphone register online http://bsnevents.com/1289 register onlineat:at: http://bsnevents.com/1289 camera to register. http://bsnevents.com/1289 To attend virtually

http://bsnevents.com/1289 Or useOr your smartphone use your smartphone Or use youronline smartphone register at: camera to register. camera tosmartphone register. Or use your camera to register. http://bsnevents.com/1289 camera to register.

For RSVP help call Alison at: 781-759-4533 Dr. Ronak Patel,please M.D.Spine Join Regenerative and Pain k, M.D. Patel, M.D. ThisThis is anJoin online event. us by registering today! is an online event. Join us by registering today! Institute this event. Control Your Pain ak Patel, M.D. This is an at online Join us by registering April 27,by2022 - 5:30 pmtoday! to 6:30 pm event. - 2022 5:30 pm to pm 6:30 Join us registering - 5:30 topm 6:30 pmtoday! We welcome family, friends and care providers to attend. Or use your smartphone We welcome family, friends and care providers to attend. For RSVP help6:30 please call Alison at: 781-759-4533 ,please 2022 call - 5:30 pm to pm Dr.Alison Ronak Patel, M.D. camera to register. at: 781-759-4533 NM-652307-AA ID#1289

P help please call Alison at: 781-759-4533 NM-652307-AA ID#1289event. 16SIX09 |isApril 2022 This an online P help please call Alison at: 781-759-4533

We welcomeWe family, friends and care providers attend. welcome family, friends toand care provid


LG: Yeah, especially since Princess Road was blocked between the warehouse and the housing development at the other end of the road. KN: The road was closed, but it was always going to be closed, and we were going to monitor the situation of the project’s impact around the area. And so far, it’s holding, it’s doing fine. So that was a nice situation for our town. It’s a beautiful strip of roadway, you know? We’ve got to figure out what to do with that. We’re not there yet to declare it a permanent situation at all, because we’re still in a pandemic, and there are still spaces to be filled along Princess Road. Some major spots. So we’ll see. We hope it holds.

Affordable housing

LG: I got a lot of phone calls last year after I ran a story about the approval of the development on Texas Avenue, which included affordable housing. I’m used to hearing from the people who are complaining affordable housing is being built , but in this case, I received a huge number of calls from people who were interested in finding out how they could rent that housing. It seems there’s a huge demand throughout New Jersey, but in definitely Lawrence Township, for afford-

able housing. What, how does Law- likes change. Two because there’s a misrence sit with its affordable housing conception and a complete lack of underprogram and implementing it? standing of what affordable housing is verKN: We have been at the forefront of sus public housing and things like that. affordable housing as a municipality since its beginning. We’ve always met our need. The Texas Avenue project KN: The other thing that is kind of funny We’ve always been socially responsible for providing affordable housing to our is that we looked as a town at what we could do to help support the resurrection residents. of the Lawrence Shopping For the Texas Avenue Center. site—don’t hold me to this In terms of tax assessyet—but I believe they’ve We have been ments and support when been approved for their at the forefront they’re before the planfinancing. The project is all ning board looking for contingent upon a successof affordable new signs or whatever it ful application by the develwas, and one of the areas oper for the financing that housing as a of concern that I had was they needed, and because municipality that area along Texas this all could have been for Avenue, where you drive naught if they didn’t get it. since its down it, and you see the The numbers are the beginning. back of the shopping cennumbers. It’s very mathter, was just an awful lookematical in terms of how We’ve always ing situation. many units they need and met our need. We kind of wanted to meet the financial oblisome attention to be paid gation. I think they got along that strip of land, approved. So I think it’s because it was awful and definitely going to happen. And the town, no matter where you put it’s been awful for a very long period of affordable housing, there’s going to be time. And this opportunity for affordable pushback from the people that are located housing was first contemplated to be on the other side of the center, where Burlington nearby. One, because it’s change, and no one is—that parking lot area where everybody

takes their kids to practice driving. But that’s environmentally compromised—it’s wetlands and it cannot ever be built upon. So the most it’s ever going to be improved is what it’s looking like there now. Could be less improved. So then they shifted to this little strip of land over here (The Texas Avenue site). I’m going to stake my reputation on it, that one it’s done, it’s going to be nice and it’s going to work. So we’ll see. They put a good presentation on, and they gave us a good opportunity to see what it’s going to look like. It’s very difficult to envision that on that piece of land, but these are not rookies doing the job. They know what they’re doing. LG: The project is also in keeping with current planning philosophies that kind of call for housing and retail to be located within walking distance of each other. KN: Yes, and close to bus routes. I mean you get the argument all the time: “Why doesn’t this happen in North Lawrence?” Well it’s really simple. A complex is not going to get funded in North Lawrence because it doesn’t meet the principles of affordable housing, which is, situated near employment opportunity, situated close to schools, situated near mass transit and things like that. This project hits on all those cylinders.

Here, it’s all about people. Being together has never meant more. And The Landing of Hamilton gives residents enriching and soul‑filling social – never from a warmmore. and caring staff, Beingconnections together has meant And The Landing

Here, it’s all about people.

Here, it’s all about people.

Being together has never meant more. And The Landing of Hamilton gives residents enriching and soul‑filling connections – from a warm and caring staff, Allsocial tailored to each individual, safest social connections – frominathe warm and caring staff, to daily to group events, and friend‑making moments. environment possible. daily group events, and friend‑making moments. All tailored to each in the safest All tailored to individual, each individual, in the safest Call today topossible. find out more about our trial stays! environment possible. environment

Hamilton residents enriching andmoments. soul‑filling toofdaily groupgives events, and friend‑making

Call today findmore out more about trial stays! Call today to findtoout about ourour trial stays!

1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road • Hamilton 1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road • Hamilton 609.241.9538 • TheLandingOfHamilton.com Expires: 4-30-22

Expires: 4-30-22

Expires: 4-30-22

1750 Yardville-Hamilton Road • Hamilton 609.241.9538 • Square TheLandingOfHamilton.com 609.241.9538 • TheLandingOfHamilton.com

April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette13


sports

Quattrocchi impacts the game with bat and glove By Rich Fisher

As a freshman in 2020, Emily Quattrocchi had about 12 hours to make her presence felt on the Lawrence High School softball team. Turns out that was more than enough time. “She came out with a bunch of friends who played travel ball together; and then COVID hit and we got four days of practice and that was all we saw of Emma,” coach Dana Williams said. “But even then she came out as a little firecracker. As a freshman you could tell that she’s a competitive player. She was very serious during tryouts and has just a great team personality. You could tell kids like to be around her and she wants to be a part of it all.” Upon returning as a sophomore, Quattrocchi was in the middle of it all during the Cardinals 13-8 season. She hit .333 (21-for-63), which was third on the team behind Katie Ciuffreda (.411) and Allie McGuire (.378). Her six doubles led the Cardinals, and her 13 RBIs tied for the team lead with Ciuffreda, Paige Lamson and Emily Chu. She was third on the team with 16 runs scored and tied for second with two triples. All that was accomplished while playing outfield on a steady basis for the first time in her career. Quattrocchi never let one facet of her game affect the other. “They’re two sides of the game— offense and defense,” she said. “I put in the extra work on the defensive side, and the offensive side I just focus on what I know how to do.” The result was a complete player who could impact a game with her bat and glove. That’s pretty impressive considering Emma was a regular catcher throughout her career.

14  Lawrence Gazette | April 2022

“I played outfield before but I never considered myself an outfielder,” she said. “I’d go out there in extra innings and stuff. It wasn’t like this was a totally new position for me, but I was never really an outfielder.” According to Williams, Quattrochi is an outstanding catcher. But so is McGuire. The coach wanted to have both lethal bats in the lineup and, since she needed a centerfielder, decided to experiment there with Emma. “To say she worked hard would be an understatement,” Williams said. “She got every extra rep she could possibly get. She wanted the reps going up against the fence, she wanted the one-hopper, she wanted the do-or-die. She was basically telling me ‘Coach, I need more of this or more of that.’ “If she made an error on a throw or she thought she could have caught the ball, it would be ‘Coach can I get another one?’ That’s just Emma. It paid off. If you asked any other coach in the CVC, they would say our centerfielder is one of our strongest players.” Quattrochi’s ability to adapt is no surprise, considering her athleticism. Taking after her mother, Megan, Emma is a twosport athlete. She had two goals and 11 assists for the Cardinals Mercer County Tournament champion field hockey team in the fall; but considers softball her main sport. The junior got started at age 5 when Megan convinced her to give softball a shot. After playing t-ball she joined the Lawrence recreation league. When she and some friends began taking it more seriously, they joined the Lawrence XTreme travel team. From there it was on to the more competitive Ewing Edge, where Emma has been ever since.

Through it all she was a catcher, which she began around age 8 and enjoyed immensely. “I played other positions but at younger ages you’re not super involved in the game at other spots on the field,” Quattrochi said. “With catching you’re always in every play and I think I loved that about the position. That’s why I chose it.” Being a catcher also involves being a leader, which Emma has been throughout her career. Although this year’s captains are all seniors, Williams notes Quattrochi still leads just by her natural personality. “I try to lead through how I play and try to just be positive out there,” she said. “I always try to pick everyone up and just be friendly with everyone. In the outfield I’m pretty vocal, always trying to tell people where they’re going next because that keeps me super involved in the game.” It’s pretty impressive to be giving directions after just one year as a fulltime outfielder, but Quattrochi worked on the mental aspect of the position as much as the physical. When Williams asked her to take on the new position, rather than considering it an inconvenience, she saw it as a fun, new challenge. “I think it was exciting to try something new,” Emma said. “I always loved catching because I was always so involved in the game. Transitioning to the outfield in high school was fun for me to try something new and to challenge myself. It’s a new perspective. As you get older and develop, the outfield becomes a bigger part of the game, and centerfield is such a cool position.” Williams was amazed at the work Quattrochi put in to improve herself. While she felt balls in the gap and being an outfielder leader were the biggest adjustments, she handled most other aspects fairly naturally after countless hours of practice. “I just don’t think she knows how to give anything less than everything she has,” Williams said. Especially when she enjoys it. Since McGuire’s big bat is still on the team – the Cardinals return every starter – Emma is happy to stay out from behind the plate. With a year under her belt, she has no doubts she can handle the position over the next two years and is looking to play it in college. “I always knew I loved the outfield but I never felt comfortable out there because I never got much experience,” she said. “Last year really gave me the confidence

and appreciation for a new position.” Meanwhile, she remained the same old stud at the plate; giving Lawrence some power numbers that she is looking to improve upon this season. “I always want to work on hitting the ball farther and harder,” she said. “I feel like I’m super consistent but I hit a lot of singles and stuff like that. I want to improve on that. . .maybe even hit a home run,” she added with a grin. Williams is unsure where Quattrochi will bat in the lineup, feeling she is versatile enough to hit at the top, bottom or somewhere in between. The coach loves her approach at the plate. “It’s her mentality,” Williams said. “She’s that type of kid where if she misses on a pitch or makes a mistake, you can tell she’s determined to get the next one. You can tell by her body language she’s ready to get the next pitch.” But she is not just flailing away. “She’s constantly critiquing herself,” Williams continued. “She’s definitely got the softball IQ to back it up. She’ll tell me before I say a word what went wrong with her swing and what she wants to work on next. To provide an idea of how valuable Quattrochi’s offense is to the Cardinals, she hit .405 (17-for-42) in their 13 victories with 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored. Emma went hitless in just one of the 12 wins that she played in. “She also got some hits against some big teams, like Hightstown, Steinert,” Williams said. “We lost those games but she got hits against some good pitchers. She’s got this fearless, competitive drive about her, but everybody loves to be around her. She’s got a nice balance to her. “Honestly, she’s such a pleasure to coach. It’s cool. This is my second year as the softball head coach and I’m learning a ton for her. It’s great, I like it. She brings up a lot of the details about the game.” One detail she doesn’t mind talking about is how good Lawrence may be this season. With Chu back in the circle after going 11-8 with 118 strikeouts last year, and with every position player returning, the potential is there for a nice campaign. “I think it’s super exciting,” Quattrochi said. “Everyone is back and we have that bond together. Last year we had a successful season. We’re hoping to improve on that and get farther.” However far they go, Quattrochi will be helping to make an impact along the way.


HEALTH @capitalhealthnj

APRIL 2022

HEADLINES

B I - M O N T H LY N E W S F R O M C A P I TA L H E A LT H

CAPITAL HEALTH EARNS MAGNET ® DESIGNATION FOR

FIFTH CONSECUTIVE TIME

Capital Health attained Magnet recognition again in February, a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

underscores the foundation of excellence and values that drive our entire staff to strive harder each day to meet the health care needs of the people we serve.”

Receiving Magnet recognition for the fifth time is a great achievement for Capital Health, as it continues to proudly belong to the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. Only 34 organizations worldwide have received Magnet status five times or more.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition and re-designation, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application with supporting evidence of 94 standards to include written supporting patient care documentation, an on-site visit appraiser visit, and a final review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

“We’re proud to be the most honored Magnet organization in our region and excited to continue a journey that began more than 20 years ago,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “Earning Magnet recognition isn’t about checking boxes—it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to meeting the highest standards in nursing care and our dedication to providing our community with the best possible care. This is what helped us earn Magnet recognition in the first place, and it’s what motivates us as we continue to maintain Magnet status.” “Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Deborah Mican, PhD, MHA, BSN, RN, CNOR, Chief Nursing Officer at Capital Health. “To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and an incredible source of pride for our nurses. Our repeated achievement of this credential

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, including structural empowerment, transformational leadership, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovations and improvements all focused on the measurement of empirical patient outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence. The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

Health Headlines by Capital Health | Lawrence Gazette15


Capital Health Neurosurgeon Contributes to Developing NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF METASTATIC BRAIN TUMORS DR. NAVID REDJAL, director of Neurosurgical Oncology at Capital Health’s Center for NeuroOncology, recently co-authored “Treatment for Brain Metastases: ASCO-SNO-ASTRO Guideline,” to provide direction for clinicians who treat patients with brain metastases. Dr. Redjal collaborated with a multidisciplinary panel of national and international brain tumor specialists to develop the new guidelines, with contributions from members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Society of Neuro-Oncology, and the American Society of Radiation Oncology. “At Capital Health, we are committed to advancing care in order to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Redjal. “I’m excited to be part of this collaboration with experts from across the country and around the world that provides leadership to the broader medical community and takes care to the next level for patients with brain tumors.”

The guideline, which is available in the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Neuro-Oncology, will have wide application in informing clinical practice. Treatment options include surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, whole brain radiation therapy, systemic targeted therapy/chemotherapy, or a combination of these options. Capital Health’s Center for Neuro-Oncology, part of Capital Institute for Neurosciences and Capital Health Cancer Center, is the region’s leader in diagnosing and treating tumors of the brain and central nervous system. The Center approaches the treatment of brain cancer in a personalized, comprehensive, multidisciplinary manner in which patients are treated by a team that includes neurosurgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and support staff. The Center for Neuro-Oncology also participates in and develops numerous research studies and clinical trials to help provide greater understanding of these conditions and establish new methods to diagnose and treat them. For more information about Dr. Redjal and Capital Health’s Center for Neuro-Oncology, visit capitalhealth.org/neurooncology.

A Growing Team of PAIN MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS at Capital Health DR. OLEKSIY (ALEX) LELYANOV, a board certified and fellowship trained pain management specialist, recently joined Capital Health’s Center for Pain Management, part of Capital Institute for Neurosciences. Providers at the Center focus on managing pain that originates with cancer, headaches, head and facial pain, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, nerve damage or disease, and pain from trauma or injuries. Dr. Lelyanov is board certified in pain medicine and anesthesiology. He received his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey and completed an internal medicine internship at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey. This was followed by an anesthesiology residency at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where Dr. Lelyanov also completed fellowship training in pain management.

16Lawrence Gazette | Health Headlines by Capital Health

“Patients are referred to us from a broad spectrum of disciplines, so understanding the source of one’s pain and getting an accurate diagnosis are critical first steps in effective treatment,” said Dr. Jorge Alvarez, director of Interventional Pain Management at Capital Health’s Center for Pain Management. “Dr. Lelyanov brings a wealth of training and experience to our Center, so patients can be confident they’re receiving personalized treatment that is meticulously coordinated with all of the physicians involved in their care.” “Capital Institute for Neurosciences is known as a regional leader for providing the most advanced neurological care,” said Dr. Lelyanov. “I’m excited to join the Pain Management team and continue this tradition for patients in Mercer County and nearby communities.” Before joining Capital Health, Dr. Lelyanov was in private practice as a pain medicine physician in Toms River, New Jersey. He is a member of the Spine Intervention Society and the North American Neuromodulation Society. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lelyanov, call 267.802.1002 or visit capitalneuro.org for more information.


Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell Meets INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AS A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE in Minimally Invasive Gynecology Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell recently earned accreditation as Mercer County’s first Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology from the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) for providing the highest quality of care and patient safety. This accreditation means that Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell has met internationally recognized standards and completed a rigorous inspection process. In addition to the hospital accreditation, Dr. Joyce Varughese (Capital Health Surgical Group – Gynecologic Oncology) and Dr. Daniel Small (Capital Health OB/GYN – Lawrenceville) received designation from SRC as Surgeons of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Both surgeons are part of Capital Health Medical Group, a network of more than 500 physicians and other clinicians who offer primary and specialty care and hospital-based services to patients throughout Central New Jersey and Lower Bucks County in Pennsylvania. “Capital Health is known as a regional leader in women’s health, and this designation continues to validate our reputation, as well as our ongoing investments in talent and technology,” said Dr. Joshua Eisenberg, Chief Medical Officer of Capital Health Medical Group. “Women who need the services of experienced surgeons like Dr. Varughese and Dr. Small can feel confident that they are getting the highest quality care and access to the latest surgical techniques that help ensure better outcomes.” Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, including robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci surgical system, is an alternative to traditional surgery at Capital Health for appropriate patients. Under the guidance of specially trained surgeons like Dr. Varughese and Dr. Small, complex surgical procedures can now be performed through small incisions using precise tools, cameras, and lights. Minimally invasive surgery is known for its many benefits, including less pain, lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries. Health care facilities and surgeons that seek SRC accreditation undergo an extensive assessment and inspection process to ensure they meet SRC’s proven standards and requirements. These requirements include surgical volumes, facility equipment, clinical pathways and standardized operating procedures, an emphasis on patient education, and continuous quality assessment. The inspection involves all staff working with the surgeons in the accredited program. Inspectors educate staff on best practices to help their organization improve its care and services.

“We’re proud to recognize Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell for its commitment to advancing and providing quality care for all patients,” said Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC. “This accreditation signals that this facility is among the best in this specialty and is dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible.” DR. DANIEL SMALL attended Cornell University, where he completed degrees in anthropology and international nutrition, and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He has been board certified since 1988 and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. To make an appointment with Dr. Small, call 609.537.7200 or visit capitalhealthobgyn.org. DR. JOYCE VARUGHESE is a board certified, fellowship trained gynecologic oncology surgeon who specializes in performing traditional and minimally invasive procedures using the da Vinci robotic surgery system. Dr. Varughese completed her fellowship training in gynecologic oncology and residency in obstetrics and gynecology, serving as administrative chief resident, at Yale University. She received her medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in Bronx, New York and her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Harvard University. To make an appointment with Dr. Varughese, call 609.537.6000 or visit capitalhealth.org/gynonc.

Health Headlines by Capital Health | Lawrence Gazette17


FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS @capitalhealthnj

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

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Update: Latest Treatment Options Thursday, April 7, 2022 | 6 p.m. Location: Zoom Meeting If you or a loved one are living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, new treatment options are available to help manage your condition. Join DR. ANIL BALANI, a board certified, fellowship trained gastroenterologist, to find out what options may be best for you and learn how to optimize currently available treatments as well.

Holistic Exercise Sampler Thursday, April 28, 2022 | 6 p.m. Location: Zoom Meeting Mind/body exercise techniques are beneficial for everyone. Join MARIA FIERSZT, Capital Health Wellness Center Manager, as she discusses how these holistic practices help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and increase stamina. She will be joined by yoga instructor MAUREEN KAELBLEIN and tai chi instructor ROBERT LANGLEY from the Capital Health Wellness Center for virtual demonstrations of both practices, which coordinate the muscles, bones, heart and mind to provide a sense of well-being and calm.

ADDITIONAL FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS: HOME SWEET HOME: OUTPATIENT JOINT REPLACEMENT AT CAPITAL HEALTH Wednesday, April 13, 2022 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting

PROPER NUTRITION AND EXERCISE FOR SENIORS 60 AND OVER Monday, May 2, 2022 | 10 a.m. Zoom Meeting

18Lawrence Gazette | Health Headlines by Capital Health

STROKE: PREVENTABLE, TREATABLE, BEATABLE Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 6 p.m. Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell NJ PURE Conference Center One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534


DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS? Numbness Pain when you walk Sharp, electrical-like pain Burning or tingling Difficulty sleeping from leg or foot discomfort Muscle weakness Sensitivity to touch

YOU MAY HAVE CBD OIL TREATMENTS NOW AVAILABLE! CBD oils have shown successful results treating patients with inflammation, muscle, joint, and nerve related pains. CBD is especially promising due to its lack of intoxicating side effects like other pain medications. The AllCure team will incorporate CBD treatments into your rehabilitation program, maximizing patient results. Please call us today and we will be happy to answer any questions!

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that affects millions of Americans, commonly resulting in pain, tingling, numbness, and other painful symptoms in the hands, legs and feet. This pain changes your life and affects how you work, how you play and how you live.

NEW FDA-CLEARED TREATMENTS PROVIDE HOPE AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine is pleased to announce their new program for treating Peripheral Neuropathy, which includes a combination of advanced FDA-cleared treatments with breakthrough technology that aids in healing the damaged nerves. The effects of this program can be felt on the first few visits. This treatment restores, stabilizes, and rebuilds the nerves in your extremities. Treatment has also been effective in addressing painful symptoms of arthritis, MS, and other forms of chronic pain. Patients generally feel relief physically throughout the treatment period and even feel better emotionally after experiencing a reduction in pain.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE NERVE DAMAGE?

609-528-4417 140 Cabot Drive, Suite A Hamilton, NJ 08691 allcurespineandsports.com We accept most major insurances & Medicare!

Peripheral neuropathy is the consequence of damage to your peripheral nerves. There are over 100 different kinds of peripheral nerve disorders or neuropathies – some are the result of a disease like diabetes, while others can be triggered by a viral infection. Still others are the result of an injury or compression on the nerves. No matter where the problems begin, it is imperative nerve disorders are resolved as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage. Many people suffer with pain for years, not realizing that their symptoms may be due to Peripheral Neuropathy. Symptoms start gradually, then get worse, including numbness, burning or tingling sensations and sharp, electrical-like pain. Treatment options have been limited to a small assortment of pain medications, which can lead to further issues. Ignoring the problem or masking the symptoms has never been a viable solution. If you suffer from any of the aforementioned symptoms, we can help.

Healthy Nerve Cell

Damaged Nerve Cell

INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT • SPORTS MEDICINE • ACUPUNCTURE • PHYSICAL THERAPY • CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES • POST-SURGICAL REHABILITATION

April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette19


workers here and across America. To share your thanks or to support our Emergency Response Fund,

Making the most of your health care visit visit rwjbh.org/heroes

And please, for them, stay home and safe.

suggests you keep notes about your symp- Primary Care Physician (PCP) is the best way to get the care you need at your annual toms, including details on what you are experiencing when these symptoms began wellness exam. 1. Am I due for any vaccinations? Vacand what makes them better or worse. Share medical history: “It’s important cines are critical for maintaining your See our ads in health. Ask which vaccines you need to honestly inform your provider about SIX09 section your medical history including any current based on your age, health history, job and pgs 5 and 7 or past conditions as well as surgeries,” Dr. lifestyle. The importance of establishing a good 2. Do I need any annual screenings? Musunuru says. Additionally, she advises relationship with your primary care proPreventive screenings are that you be prepared to RWJ-104 Heroes Work 1 4/17/20 1:21 PM vider. Preparing forHere_4.313x11.25_HAM.indd a trip to your health medical tests, such as a discuss your family’s health care provider can ensure a more producmammogram or prostate history so your provider tive office visit and increase the potential check, that help your doctor can identify potential health for a more effective outcome. “With a catch problems early when risks such as heart disease, little preparation, you can become a more they are more treatable. certain cancers, and type 2 engaged partner in your health,” says 3. Do I need any changes diabetes. Likhitha Musunuru, MD, a RWJBarnabas to my prescriptions? Annual List your medications: Health Medical Group provider. wellness exams are a great “Always bring a current list Dr. Musunuru’s tips to make the most time to re-evaluate any preof medications as well as out of your next health care visit: scription medications you discuss any questions you Ask questions: Prepare questions may be taking. may have about your current and concerns you may have about your 4. How can I get my test prescriptions,” reminds Dr. Dr. Musunuru health before your visit and ask questions results? “Many physicians Musunuru. about your treatment plan or condition. “A call their patients to discuss Check your insurance: productive conversation with your doctor results or answer any questions, but a Each plan is unique and some provide difcan address preventive health strategies, as ferent levels of coverage that could alter patient portal is one of the fastest ways for well as any potential health issues, allowing your out-of-pocket costs. patients to access their test results themyour provider to consider the best treatselves,” explains Dr. Musunuru. Ask your ment plan for you,” explains Dr. Musunuru. Questions to ask your PCP PCP if a patient portal is available to you. Having an open conversation with your Track your symptoms: Dr. Musunuru When you choose a Medical Group primary care provider, you gain a trusted partner to treat you when you’re sick and guide you to improved health and wellness. With convenient locations throughout the Hamilton area, one of our primary care practices will be close to your home. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-888-724-7123 or visit www.rwjbh.org/ medgroupprimarycare. Likhitha Musunuru, MD, Family Medicine/ Occupational Medicine. RWJBarnabas Health Primary Care, Route 31, Pennington.

Ask The Doctor

Coming up this month at RWJU Hospital Hamilton To register for a program or for schedule changes call (609) 584-5900. For more information, go to rwjbh.org/hamilton.

From Rihanna To Panic! At The Disco We Play The Biggest Hits and Best Variety!

Wednesday, April 6

Hearing Problems? - The Brain Connection, 10 to 11 a.m. If you have normal hearing but have difficulty understanding words/speech in group or noisy settings, you may have an Auditory Processing Disorder. Learn how to get tested for APD and how the latest treatments can train your brain! Audiologist, Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D.

Thursday, April 7

Breast Health: A Holistic Approach, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Caring for your breasts is more than just mammograms and pink ribbons. Explore ways to keep your breasts healthy using nutrition and other holistic methods. Alyssa Luning, RD,CSOWM, Patti McDougall, BSN, Integrative RN.

20  Lawrence Gazette | April 2022

Tuesday, April 12

Clinical Culinary Nutrition Antioxidant Rich Foods & Cancer, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Discover the fresh flavors of up-to-date research. On the menu: Salads! Get up to date on current nutrition issues, hear from other health/culinary professionals, and sample tasty new recipes with our registered dietitians! Alyssa Luning, RD, CSOWM. Space is limited- register at least 48 hours prior to event. $5 per inperson participant.

Tuesday, April 19

Kids in the Kitchen – Going Green, 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 22nd is Earth Day! Let’s reduce, reuse, and recycle to make grab-and-go kid-friendly super-food shakes and snacks. Cook up some fun, and sample healthy foods in new ways! For children ages five and older with parent/caregiver. Alyssa Luning, RD, CSOWM. Register early; limited class size. $5 per child/ $5 per parent/caregiver for in-person attendance.

Thursday, April 21

Chronic Lung Problems Post-Covid, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Are you still experiencing a cough, tightness in your chest, fatigue, or shortness of breath? Are you wondering if your symptoms are related to having had Covid-19? Pulmonologist, Dr. Anthony Ricketti, and Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Seth Rosenbaum, will address the pharmacotherapy, vaccine, and issues around “Long Covid.”

Tuesday, April 26

Introduction to Homeopathy, 6:30 to 8 p.m. The theory behind homeopathy is “Like Cures Like” (or “Similia Similibus Curentur”) which can help the body to heal itself. Join Ekta Makani, APN to learn about this complementary approach.

Friday, April 29

Let’s Become a Blue Zone Community. A Virtual Program, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Log in to learn about the places in the world where people live to be over 100 with the lowest amount of disease— and how we can bring their practices to our community. Alyssa Luning, RD, CSOWM.

Better Health Programs There’s no better time to be 65+ years old, and there’s no better place to experience it than at the Better Health Program at RWJUH. This complimentary program will engage your mind, encourage you to move and help you reflect. To register for a program below or to learn about complimentary membership call (609) 584-5900 or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonBetterHealth.

Thursday, April 7

Osteoporosis, Falls & Gait Impairment, 1 to 2 p.m. Dr. Ali and Huzefa Hussain, MS, OTR/L, Senior Occupational Therapist, discuss prevention, ways to improve balance and fall prevention. Must be a Better Health member to attend.

Thursday, April 14

Tai Chi, 10 to 11 a.m. Tony Jackson focused on improving balance and strengthening legs. Gentle stretching improve flexibility. Learn how to get up if a fall does happen. Must be a Better Health member to attend. Registration Required.


Remembering Slackwood Fire Co. Chief Rudy Fuessel has been on my office wall as a proud reminder of my past and respect for my elders. FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK I spoke with the Chief on the phone some time ago during some challengDuring the week of March 14, we had ing time I was having with the volunteer a fire apparatus from Station 21 (Slackfirefighters as we grappled with how best wood Fire House) parked at the front of to preserve these great fire companies the Municipal Building, adorned with (Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, and memorial bunting, and our flags were Slackwood). at half-staff in honor of Rudolph “Rudy” He called to tell me that I was doing Fuessel, a man that dedicated more than a good job and keep doing what I was 65 years of service to the Lawrence com- doing, and “to hell with those guys,” givmunity as a volunteer firefighter out of ing me a hard time. I thanked him, hung Slackwood Fire House. up the phone, and instantly felt better Chief Fuessel passed about things. away at his home on March In preparing this article, 14 at 85. Many claim him I knew it wouldn’t be comto be their mentor or the plete without contributions reason they became a from a couple of the men firefighter. and women he helped to I remember him most as shape into the professional a young boy in the 1970s first responders they are while my Dad served as today. mayor for the Township, Chrissie Vincent (a and he was the fire chief at career Emergency Medical Slackwood. Technician for Lawrence I remember his tradeTownship and current Chief Chief Fuessel mark sideburns that always of Emergency Medical fascinated me as I looked Services) talked about the up to him when my Dad would bring me Chief’s impact on her career. over to say hello at a pancake breakfast “I moved to Lawrence in 1989,” Vinor some other event at Slackwood Fire cent said. “I met Rudy at Station 21 while House, to give respect to a man that working an EMS shift as a new per diem deserved our respect. for the Township. We had stopped there His impact on so many first respondto drop some paperwork off for our boss, ers that served and continue to serve our and in true ‘Rudy fashion,’ he was all community is immeasurable. He and my smiles and welcomed me to the Townfather always had a great relationship and ship and said if any of these boys (meanmutual respect. Chief Fuessel sent me ing his firefighters) give you any trouble, some old photos he found with him and ‘you come to see me!’ He was always my Dad about a year ago. protective of the ladies. We were friends One of them (see following page), from that point on.” See FUESSEL, Page 22 which I believe is from the early 1970s,

We are HIRING Real Estate Agents

KEVIN NERWINSKI

APS waterProofing teChnologieS

Wet Basement? Call a. PennaCChi & SonS. Co. Mercer County’s Oldest Waterproofing Contractor Deal Directly with Owner/Operator Email: paul@apennacchi.com • Web: www.APennacchi.com Contractor Lic. #13VH01138400

(609) 394-7354 • All Phases of Waterproofing Above & Below Grade • French Drain Systems • Structure Repairs

• Foundation Restoration • Wall & Floor Coatings • All types of Masonry repairs • Sump Pumps Installed & Serviced

Are you looking to START or GROW your career in real estate? Harkes Realty & Associates is your partner to help you meet your real estate goals. See the difference in what we offer our agents: Continued growth and personal development • Competitive earning structure • 1-1 training and continued education • The Harkes difference: a community of people who want to see YOU succeed. •

Schedule Your Interview Today! Contact Fareeda Stokes, Broker of Record, at fstokes@harkesrealty.com Visit www.harkesrealty.com • (609) 337-4200 1901 N. Olden Ave Ext., Suite #21, Ewing, NJ 08618

Licensed in NJ & PA

MWBE Certified

DON’T LET THE STATE TAKE YOUR ESTATE

Kathleen Scott Chasar, Esq.

Elder and Family Law Asset Protection

- Wills - Living Wills - Trusts - Power of Attorney - Probate - Real Estate Closing - Divorce (609) 882-2200 • 903 Parkway Avenue • Ewing, NJ 08618 Kschasar.law@gmail.com April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette21


The above photo of late Fire Chief Rudolph Fuessel hangs on the wall in the office of Lawrence Municipal Manager Kevin Nerwinski.

THE BUXTON-MONSPORT TEAM THE BUXTON-MONSPORT TEAM SELLS LAWRENCE! SELLS LAWRENCE! Dawn: Dawn: Mark: Mark:

609.462.8333 609.462.8333

609.658.1127 609.658.1127

Stefanie: 609.954.5206 609.954.5206 Office: Office:

609.987.8889 609.987.8889

dawnmonsport@verizon.net dawnmonsport@verizon.net mcutaneo5@gmail.com mcutaneo5@gmail.com sprettyman@kw.com

sprettyman@kw.com

Mark Stefanie Dawn John Mercer CountyDawn Top Producers: $35M in 2021 Mark Stefanie John Broker & Sales Associates Mercer County Top Producers: $35M in 2021 Licensed Broker in NJ & & PASales

Licensed in NJ & PA 2022 22  Lawrence Gazette | April

Associates

FUESSEL continued from Page 21 Vincent continued: “In 1994, when I began working with Maryann Russell Nester as my full-time partner, he dubbed us “The Lawrence EMS Angels.” Whenever he would see us, he would always say, ‘How are my angels doing today?’” “He and his wife Sue have always been so welcoming and treated you like family. Rudy was just one of those people that never had to say call me if you need anything. You just knew you could.” “You could be stuck out in the south Pacific Ocean stranded and call him, and he would immediately be on the phone with the United States Coast Guard or Navy getting an aircraft carrier dispatched to your location to pick you up.” “It didn’t matter what it was or how tedious it seemed; you could always count on Rudy for any help you needed. He was a man of his word, and I truly believe in my heart that there was no task that was too big for him to handle.” Jack Oakley (chief of Fire and Emergency Services and the Emergency Management coordinator for the township) also fondly rememberes the chief. “I was introduced to the Slackwood Fire Company at the age of 16,” Oakley said. “The chief was Rudy Fuessel, and he knew my father, a Trenton Firefighter.” “When I started to hang around the firehouse—even to a young man like myself—it was apparent that Chief Fuessel was indeed the leader. He instilled a sense of respect, honor, and commitment in the membership.” “That was his make-up. He made sure mistakes never happened twice and guided you with knowledge and wisdom far beyond expectations. Chief Fuessel always expected 100% on the firegrounds, and when he told you he was proud of

you for what you had done, you truly believed him.” “We affectionately called him ‘Dad,’ because that’s what he was to us—a second father. A few people in my life shaped my firefighting career, Chief Rudy Fuessel being predominant. Ron Dziminski (retired City of Trenton Firefighter and long-time member of Slackwood Fire Company) said that the Chief (also known by his uniform number, 210) was “a true hero” to him. “He was the man that pushed me into becoming a professional firefighter more than 30 years ago,” Dziminski said. “As a volunteer firefighter, he taught many young volunteers and me throughout the state.” “The most important lesson I learned from him was that a true hero doesn’t wear a cape, they wear a uniform, and they put their lives on the line 24/7. Thank you for your service and the knowledge you shared with many of us. Rest in peace, 210.” “He was a giant of a man at a time when there aren’t many giants left. No one will match his years of dedicated service to this community and his calling as a firefighter. We are left with his long legacy of service to the community and his positive impact on the many lives that crossed paths with him. He was, simply put, a good man that lived a life of service to others. I can’t think of much better than that to say about anyone.” I ask all of you to pray for his wife, family, friends, and fellow firefighters as they grieve his loss in their lives. Rest in Peace, Rudolph A. “Rudy” Fuessel. God bless you, sir. Kevin Nerwinski, a longtime resident of Lawrence, serves as Lawrence Township’s municipal manager.


Mercer County Sustainability Coali�on Presents

Greening Together 2022

A week long environmental celebra�on April 23-30 * FREE April 23: Saturday Water Ways Clean Up

registra�onh�ps://thewatershed.org/streamscleanup Hosted by Watershed ins�tute, Lawrence public works, Friends of Colonial Lake 9:00 am - Lawrence Colonial Lake 9:00 am - Drexel Woods Shabakunk Stream 10:00 am - Ewing Township Earth Day Community Park Clean Up at Moody Park (rain date Sunday, April 24th) All day -West Windsor family Friendly bike rides Trolly Line Trail

April 24: Sunday 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Hilltop Park in Princeton. Help remove trash, Enjoy the open space! Register with The Watershed.

Sunday 3—5pm Virtual Climate Change And Health Kathleen Biggins president of C-Change Conversa�ons. Will present the climate impacts on Health with a mul�media presenta�on

April 27: Water Wednesday 7 PM Plant Power Virtual Discussion in person and virtual of issues associated with stormwater

runoff and flooding. Learn how, when used plants can manage and prevent water problems in your yard and neighborhood. Presented by the Watershed Ins�tute and Lawrence Green team

April 28: Thursday 7pm Virtual Energy tools for the Home Owner, Electrifica�on and renewables, solar energy and storage, PSEG

residen�al energy efficiency program, Electric Vehicles and charging, heat pumps for hea�ng, cooling and hot water. Hosted by Hopewell Green Team and Lawrence Green Team.

April 29: Friday Arbor Day Tree Plan�ng in Many Mercer Towns 3pm Lawrence Nature Center -Ed Cohen NJ Extension service discussion on Lantern fly problems and how to demonstra�on building a Lantern Fly Trap

Virtual George Diferdinando Physician professor at Rutgers , chair board of health Princeton, speaking and modera�ng a discussion on climate change and health ‘local impacts Hosted by Lawrence green team

4pm Lawrence nature Center- Tree Plan�ng and Meadow walk around Meet the birds of Colonial Lake Park in person 9:30-11:00 am Washington Crossing Audubon Society

April 25: Virtual Monday 7pm Landscape Tips for Rewilding Your Backyard, by Nick D’Amato Environmental Designer,

April 30 Saturday 10am-2pm Green Get Together & Bike Rodeo Outdoors Lawrence High School Parking lot—Children bring your

owner of Gino’s Nursery. Plant a tree, rip out some lawn, install a rain garden, the op�ons are plen�ful. Welcoming nature back to your own backyard. Hosted by Ewing Green Team

April 26: Tuesday 8:30 am In Person Mercer County Business Clean Energy Summit Boathouse at Mercer Park

West Windsor, includes breakfast. PSE&G clean energy program for small business discussion. Now is the perfect �me to upgrade to new energy efficient equipment, hea�ng, cooling, ligh�ng, and other more comprehensive solu�ons. •New Jersey Board of Public U�lity Programs: Ariane Benrey, NJBPU •PSE&G Energy Saver Programs: Chris�ne N. Leary, Gary Finger and Roger Kliemisch, DNV Energy Systems •New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry Gina Gambacorto, NJDEP

bikes, receive a new well-fi�ng helmet from Capital Health Safe Kids Program. Learn how to ride your bike safely on the Rodeo trail, Lawrence Police and MCTMA have fun!!

Cover the parking lot with your crea�ve pictures using colorful chalk. Electric Car and Electric bike MEETUP –hear about all the latest models and talk with sustainable vendors ,compost program, na�ve plant pickup, tree seedlings, clothing repair demonstra�on, PSE&G clean energy program, community solar, and much more

All Week

Bike Ride/ walk map through Lawrence Earth day Instagram Bingo Rider Eco-club prize awarded April 30th at the Bike Rodeo Reusable Bag Giveaway full of informa�on

For informa�on about events got to mercersustainabilitycoali�on.org April 2022 | Lawrence Gazette23


Injured at work? GET TOP REPRESENTATION FROM A LEADING PEER REVIEWED ATTORNEY Experienced – Respected – Successful Gary E. Adams, is a managing partner and chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Department of Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman. A long-time advocate and litigator for workers’ rights, he has been certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Workers’ Compensation Trial Attorney and named as “Lawyer of the Year” – awarded by Best Lawyers*. Call Gary for a free consultation - either in-person, over the phone or through Zoom. Remember, there are no attorney fees unless there is a compensation award.

• SINCE 1929 • 1-800-432-LAWS | www.pralaw.com 989 Lenox Drive | 1st Floor | Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 | Telephone: (609) 520-0900 | Fax: (609) 896-1265 601 Longwood Avenue | Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 | Telephone: (856) 222-0111

*For more information on the methodology of Best Lawyer’s “Lawyer of the Year” award visit https://www.bestlawyers.com/methodology No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

24  Lawrence Gazette | April 2022


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.