Hopewell Valley News

‘It

was time’ Police Chief Doug Pinelli will retire next year

By ANDREW HARRISON Sta Writer

Pennington will be losing a longtime public servant in the police department when Police Chief Doug Pinelli retires next year.

Mayor Jim Davy announced during a Pennington Borough Council meeting on June 3 that Pinelli had submitted his retirement letter for his retirement, Feb. 1, 2025.

“It was just kind of a last-minute decision. While it was an extremely hard decision it was time,” Pinelli said, explaining it was “unfortunately, one of the hardest decisions I had to make.” “It took a lot of back and forth.”

Pinelli, who has served with the

Pennington Police Department for 20 years, became the borough’s chief of police in 2020, first serving as interim chief and then appointed chief after his employment agreement was authorized by Borough Council that year.

He has led the police department as chief since the retirement of former Public Safety Director William Meytrott and Pennington’s switch from a public safety director model to police chief.

Meytrott had also served 20 years as the civilian head of the police department before Pinelli became the police chief.

Pinelli joined the Pennington po-

lice force in 2004 and served as patrol officer until he was promoted to sergeant in 2016. The next year, he was promoted to sergeant first class.

When thinking about his 20-year career with the police department, Pinelli has discussed and explained to adjacent chiefs that “there were definitely things I wanted to see through, but I was not able to do.”

All in all, the chief believes the police department will be able to “muddle” through anything moving forward.

“…I’m leaving (the police department) in good hands.”

The Pennington School holds 183rd commencement

By KATHY CHANG

Managing

Mercer County has a number of events lined up to celebrate June-

teenth and Pride Month.

Juneteenth

What We Commemorate on Juneteenth – A Discussion will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13 as a virtual program at the Mercer County Library System. For more information call (609) 882-3148 or visit mcl.org.

Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in

The Pennington School held its 183rd Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 1. Head of School William S. Hawkey, Ph.D. granted diplomas and certificates to the 104 members of the Class of 2024, which includes students from six states and five countries outside the United States.

The Commencement speaker was Dr. Jacob N. Shapiro, professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University. Senior prizes were awarded on May 31. Polaris Hayes of Trenton and Zixi Yu of Belle Mead were valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

Hayes earned The George Parnos Award for Excellence in Science which is awarded for individual excellence in scientific challenges. She also shared The Howard Cressman

Memorial Award for Excellence in Mathematics with Yu. Additionally, both Hayes and Yu earned certificates in applied science and were recognized as members of the Cum Laude Society. In the fall, Hayes will attend California Institute of Technology and Yu will attend Princeton University.

Students from New Jersey include:

• Basking Ridge: Dowon Zio Kim

• Belle Mead: Zixi Yu

• Bordentown: Ashton Gabrielle Bridges, Ananya Reddy Madireddy

• Branchburg: Tyler Robert Bryant Hope

• Cresskill: Brett Samuel Morr

• Crosswicks: Matthew Jude Lynch, Jr.

• Ewing: Onan Javier Benedith,

Juneteenth and Pride celebrations

2021, but do we really

what this

represents?

Richard Bell, professor of History at the University of Maryland, discusses the struggles of enslaved African Americans during the Civil War and the events leading up to their eman-

• Flemington: Shayna Mehta

• Hamilton: Mackenzie Ann Kotch, Morgan Elizabeth Kotch

• Lambertville: Makayla Veronica Tudor

• Lawrence Township: Tristan Remi Hocquaux

• Lawrenceville: Hailey Marie Adamsky, Shahrin Naeem Akhtar, Broderick Roy Coddington, Sebastian Drezek, Sandhya Bala Mahadevan, Morgan Alexis Matthews, Mason Hammer Meyerson, Sophia Marie Murphy

• Maplewood: Adam Fisher, Aiden Jonah Haase Monmouth Junction: Jai Pranav Raman, Mia

Cintron Band, Chelsey

Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony in Pennington on May 27.

Photos courtesy of Doug Pinelli

Pennington Police Chief Doug Pinelli (center)

Micah Breyanna Bowser, Jonah William Celentana, Samantha Joan Lambdin, Cassidy Downs Zelt

Courtesy of The Pennington

Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties

New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers.

The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and must provide proof of COVID Vaccination prior to volunteering. Must have transportation. All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors. For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, manager of NJBS Volunteer Services at 732-850-8906 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

Don’t wait until there’s a crisis to give – donors of all blood types, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets – are needed now to keep the blood supply strong enough to support critical patient care all season long. Book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood. org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

American Red Cross Llura Gund Blood Donation Center – Central New Jersey 707 Alexander Road, Suite 101, Princeton

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 12:307:15 p.m.

Thursday: 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The American Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels, and we now face an emergency blood shortage. In recent weeks, we’ve had to limit our distributions of some of the most transfused blood types to hospitals. We need donors now, and in the weeks ahead, to help rebuild the blood supply.

Pennington

June 8 – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. – St. James Church, 17 Eglantine Avenue.

Skillman

June 8 – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. – St. Charles Borromeo Church, 47 Skillman Road.

Hillsborough

June 9 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Hillsborough Reformed Church, 1 Amwell Road.

Nutrition

The Mercer County Nutrition Program for Older Adults has in-person lunches at nine of its locations.

The Nutrition Program for Older Adults provides a daily nutritionally balanced meal Monday through Friday, except for county and/or municipal holidays.

All meals meet the required one-third of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) daily referenced intake of nutrients for an individual 60 years or older.

Meals are available to Mercer County residents age 60 or older and their spouses (regardless of age), any county resident with a disability whose primary caregiver is a program participant, anyone volunteering in the program, and the personal care aides of program participants when they accompany a participant to the site where the meals are provided.

In-person services will be hosted at: Jennye Stubblefield Senior Center and Sam Naples Community Center in Trenton, Lawrence Township Senior Center, Princeton Café for Older Adults, John O. Wilson Neighborhood Service Center in Hamilton, Hamilton Senior Center, Hopewell Valley Senior Center, Hollowbrook Community Center in Ewing, and Robbinsville Senior Center.

Most meal services begin at 11:30 a.m., although times may vary by location, so call 609-989-6650 or inquire at a local site.

No payment is required for a meal; however, there is a suggested donation of $1 for each meal provided.

Reservations are required; call 609-9896650 to reserve a spot.

Monthly menus can be found on the Nutrition Program for Older Adults web page.

If transportation is a barrier to participating in the congregate meals, Mercer County TRADE may be able to help; call 609-5301971 or email trade@mercercounty.org. Some of the sites also may have transportation options for its participants.

There may be home-delivered options.

For more information, call 609-989-6650 or email adrc@mercercounty.org.

Hiring

Mercer County Correctional Police is hiring. Send resume to mcorrectioncareers@mercercounty.org.

The Mercer County Board of Elections is asking county residents for their help. Election Board Workers – citizens who check in voters during elections and assist in the Election Day process – are still needed for the upcoming

June Primary and November General Elections. Mercer County residents who apply and undergo a required training session can make up to $300 during a full day shift. Half day shifts are available and offer $150. Additionally, bilingual residents who speak English, as well as Spanish, Hindi and Mandarin are especially needed. For more information visit https://www.mercercounty.org/boards-commissions/board-of-elections.

Bordentown

Wednesdays

The Bordentown Township Police Department offers Straight to Treatment on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Insurance is not necessary to receive assistance. Neither is residency in Burlington County. No appointment is needed.

For more information visit www.straighttotreatment.com or email treatment@ co.burlington.nj.us.

Bordentown Library events

Bordentown Library is located at 18 E. Union St., Bordentown. For more information about the events below call 609-298-0622 or visit https://www.bcls.lib.nj.us/locations/ bordentown-library.

June 7 – 10:30 a.m. – Parachute Time.

June 7 – 1 p.m. – Mahjong Meetup.

June 10 – 10 a.m. – ELL – English Language Learners.

June 10 – 5:30 p.m. – Gentle Yoga.

June 11 – 10 a.m. – Father’s Day Card Kit Grab and Go.

June 11 – 10:30 a.m. – Baby and Toddler

Time. June 11 – 6:30 p.m. – The Craft Table: Flip Flop Keychains. Juen 12 – 10 a.m. – ELL – English Language Learners. June 12 – 5 p.m. – Table Top Role Playing Game Night: Tiny Frontiers. June 13 – 2 p.m. – Resume Basics. June 14 – 1 p.m. – Mahjong Meetup.

Saturday, June 8

The Bordentown Green Fair will return to the Carslake Community Center, 207 Crosswicks St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy local food vendors, children’s activities, eco-friendly goods, live music, and so much more! Sponsored by the Bordentown City and Bordentown Township Environmental Commissions. This event is rain or shine, and admission is free.

Mayor/Citizen meetings

Mayor Eugene Fuzy and Deputy Mayor Aneka Miller are hosting informal Mayor/Citizen Meetings at 7 p.m. at the Senior Community Center. Next meeting dates are June 21, Sept. 20, Oct. 18 and Nov. 15.

Cranbury

The Cranbury Public Library (CPL) is located at 30 Park Place West. For more information on listed events please call (609) 722-6992.

June 7 – 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Senior Mah Jongg Group. June 10 – 1 p.m. – Senior Social Hour.

See CALENDAR, Page 3A

Karp

Li Matthew Jude Lynch, Jr. Hadrian Lynn Ananya Reddy Madireddy

Sandhya Bala Mahadevan Kendall Martha Malmros

Morgan Alexis Matthews Jack Edmond McCune

Bryce Robert Meccage

Maya Meehan-Ritter

Riya Chatha Mehra Shayna Mehta

Mason Hammer Meyerson

Natsuki Miller

Edward Samuel Molner

Brett Samuel Morr

Sophia Marie Murphy

Brandon Christopher Napoleon

Mar Ndiaye

Emma Rose Nelson

Nkechinyelum Ellen Nwoye

Sanjana Jyothy Padmanabhan

Yingying Ulrica Peng

Alexander Wise Philbrick

Samantha Leonor

John

Teagan Ceri Walsh

Tess Gabrielle Zabele

Cassidy Downs Zelt

The Pennington Class of 2024 will be matriculating at the following colleges and universities:

State University (Tempe)

Babson

Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol

Pennington

Continued from Page 1A

Catherine Seyfarth

• Pennington: Alexander Atwell Brackin, Drew Chadwick Bridges, Pablo Carnicer Cozar, Mei Mei Li Castranova, Thomas Wilder Craig, Owen Scott Doughty, Ishan Gupta, Anna Jane Hallgren, Emily Elizabeth Howe, Kieran Ryan Karp, Shinyi Li, Bryce Robert Meccage, Sanjana Jyothy Padmanabhan, Lucas Matthieu Sweetman, Teagan Ceri Walsh

• Piscataway: Nkechinyelum Ellen Nwoye

• Princeton: William Joseph Arthur, Maya Marie Brooke, Benjamin Michael Graziano-Kastner, Hadrian Lynn, Maya Meehan-Ritter, Natsuki Miller, Alexander Wise Philbrick, Felix Waite Shapiro

• Princeton Junction: Jack Alexander Bluni, Olivia Elena Davis, Gabriella Grace DiRusso*

• Ridgewood: Elias Sebti

• Robbinsville: Sophia Farajallah, Ava Marie Surtz

• Skillman: Rishi Hirsch Braham Duggal, John Thomas Shamsey

• South Orange: Adina Ann Gregson

• Stockton: John Frederick Hillman

• Summit: Charlotte Leigh Reinhardt

• Trenton: Polaris Chaena Hayes, Brandon Christopher Napoleon

• West Orange: Paloma Rose Szyfer

• West Windsor: Jack Edmond McCune

TOWN FORUM

THE STATE WE’RE IN

By Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation

If you build it, they will come – pollinators, that is

In the movie “Field of Dreams,” a struggling Iowa farmer hears a voice whispering, “If you build it, he will come.” Acting on a vision, he turns a cornfield into a baseball diamond. The ghosts of old baseball players visit, as well as the farmer’s late father.

But the film is about more than baseball. A deeper message is that if you create something needed and wanted, those it was intended for will find their way.

The quote from “Field of Dreams” comes to mind when thinking of insect pollinators, which are essential to nature’s food web and human food production, but are struggling to survive at a time when non-native plants are spreading and pesticide use is wiping out beneficial insects.

Many conservation groups and park commissions throughout New Jersey are responding to the loss of pollinators by building their own fields of dreams – native wildflower meadows where bees, butterflies, moths and other pollinators can thrive.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 80% of the plants that produce fruits and vegetables worldwide require pollination. While some plants can be pollinated by wind, most require insect pollinators to carry grains of pollen from flower to flower.

Here in the Garden State, many apiarists keep domesticated honeybees on farms, or truck hives from farm to farm to pollinate crops. But honeybees are not native to New Jersey – they were brought here from Europe – and shouldn’t be considered a replacement for wild native pollinators.

According to the Xerces Society, which works to conserve invertebrates, North America has more than 3,600 native wild bee species, and many aren’t doing well: “Twenty-eight percent of bumble bee species are considered threatened, and more than 40 percent of invertebrate pollinator species (particularly bees and butterflies) may face extinction in the coming decades.”

In a blog post, the Xerces Society noted that introduced honeybees harm native pollinators by causing food shortages when their hives are placed adjacent to healthy natural habitats.   The solution? Keep building new and restoring degraded pollinator habitats.

“Creating pollinator habitat has broad benefits from increasing biodiversity to combating climate change, and such habitat can be situated anywhere—in backyards, on balconies and porches, on rooftops, in office landscapes, in local parks and community gardens,” said the Xerces Society. “Honeybees are fascinating to observe and manage, and can inspire people

HEALTH MATTERS

Coral hairstreak.

to learn more about insects. But a better approach to bee conservation is to focus on habitats for native pollinator species. Know that if you build good habitat, they will come!”

For native pollinators to thrive, they need native plants –not exotic imports from other parts of the world. Many pollinators are “specialists,” meaning they have evolved to depend on certain plants. For example, monarch butterfly caterpillars eat only the leaves of native milkweed plants. Adult monarchs can feed themselves by sipping nectar from a variety of flowers, but they must lay their eggs on milkweed in order for the next generation to survive.

In New Jersey, pollinator meadows are typically planted with a diversity of native wildflowers, grasses and shrubs. In addition to milkweeds, popular species include bee balm, common yarrow, red columbine, serviceberry, purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, wild bergamot, mountain mint, various aster and goldenrod species, American witch hazel, swamp verbena and pussy willow.

And while pollinator meadows usually cover several acres, native plants also do well in smaller spaces like yards and gar-

By Omodele Hogan, MD

dens. In his book “Nature’s Best Hope,” ecologist and professor Dr. Douglas Tallamy urges homeowners to use native plants to create little havens of biodiversity that he calls “Homegrown National Parks.”

Another important way to support pollinators is by reducing or eliminating the use of chemical pesticides. The class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, or “neonics” for short, is especially dangerous to pollinators.

Neonics affect insects’ nervous systems, causing paralysis and death. Recent studies also point to neonics as the most likely cause for declining numbers of farmland and grassland birds – including many found in New Jersey, such as bobolinks, savannah and field sparrows, kingbirds and many swallow species.

In January 2022, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the “Save the Bees” bill to limit neonic use. The law banned neonic applications in non-agricultural settings such as gardens, lawns and golf courses. However, neonics are still allowed for agricultural

See POLLINATORS, Page 6A

Address Elevated Blood Sugar Early to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Produced by the pancreas, insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in your blood and works to keep your blood sugar levels in balance.

However, when the cells in your body become less responsive to insulin a condition known as insulin resistance can develop.

And in some people, insulin resistance can be a precursor to prediabetes and eventually type 2 diabetes.

That is why it is so important to see your doctor for regular check-ups so they can monitor your blood sugar levels and detect any potential problems before they cause serious health complications.

A Finely Tuned Process Begins to Break Down

Glucose is a type of sugar that serves as the primary source of energy for your body. It is a simple carbohydrate found in many foods, such as fruit, bread and pasta.

In simplest terms, glucose provides the energy needed to power your body.

When you eat foods containing carbohydrates, your digestive system breaks them down and sends the glucose into your bloodstream.

Your pancreas responds by releasing insulin, which helps your cells take in the glucose they need for energy. Excess glu-

cose that is not immediately used for energy is stored in the liver and muscles for future use.

If your cells do not respond to insulin as they should — if they are insulin resistant, in other words — your pancreas will keep producing more and more to try to regulate your blood sugar.

Over time, however, your pancreas may not be able to keep up and this finely tuned process can begin to break down, resulting in blood sugar levels that remain elevated. This can lead to prediabetes and increase the risk for type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes is characterized by fasting blood sugar levels that are higher than normal — between 100 and 125 mg (milligrams)/dL (deciliter) — or an A1C (level) between 5.7 – 6.4%. While these levels are elevated, they are not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

Diabetes is characterized by a fasting blood sugar level of 125 mg/dL and over or an A1C of 6.5% and higher.

An estimated 98 million – more than 1 in 3 – adults in the United States have prediabetes and another 36 million are estimated to have type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No Early Warning Signs

Insulin resistance and prediabetes typically don’t have any symptoms, which means you could live with the conditions for years and not know it.  If prediabetes progresses to type 2 diabetes symptoms could include:

• Increased thirst.

• Increased urination.

• Blurry vision.

• Feeling very tired.

• Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.

Left undetected and untreated, type 2 diabetes can cause serious health complications, such as heart attack, stroke, vision loss, or kidney failure.

Are You at Risk?

The risk factors that contribute to the development of insulin resistance and prediabetes are the same risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes. You may be at risk if you:

• Are overweight or obese, especially if the weight is in your abdomen.

• Do not exercise at least three times a week.

• Eat an unhealthy diet.

• Have a family history of diabetes.

• Are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Asian American or Alaska Native person.

• Have polycystic ovarian syndrome.

• Have high blood pressure.

• Had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

If you are concerned about your risk for high blood sugar, talk to your doctor.  A simple blood sugar test can determine whether you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Take Steps Now to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Later

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage your blood sugar and treat prediabetes now before it progresses to type 2 diabetes later.

Courtesy of Bill Lynch

Celebration

Green and the Green Project, DJ Ed Ward, Queen Samut, and more

Attend a day of Juneteenth festivities in Princeton from 1-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Kick off the day with a Flag Raising with the Municipality of Princeton at Monument Plaza. At 4 p.m., head over to Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., to participate in the community gathering with crafts and educational activities with partnering anti-racist organizations from the greater Princeton area. Step inside an antique phone booth recording studio, as part of the “Let Freedom Ring” project, where you’ll be prompted to record your own reflections, thoughts, hopes, and dreams for Juneteenth and the future. For more information call (609) 497-0020, email info@ princetonsymphony.org or visit princetonsymphony.org.

The finale of the celebration is a concert featuring Robert Ray’s “Gospel Mass” among other choral selections conducted by Vinroy D. Brown. He will be leading the joint choral forces of the Capital Singers of Princeton, Car-

Calendar

Continued from Page 3A

Cranbury Arts Council

Gourgaud Gallery

Gourgaud Gallery is located in Town Hall, 23-A North Main St. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit cranburyartscouncil.com and gourgaudgallery.com.

As part of a non-profit Cranbury Arts Council, the Gourgaud Gallery donates 20% of art sales to the Cranbury Arts Council and its programs that support the arts in the community. Cash or a check made out to the artist is accepted as payment.

East Windsor/ Hightstown

The Hightstown High School (HHS) Class of 1984 is seeking class members, as well as other HHS attendees that are friends and siblings of the Class of 1984 to join them as they celebrate their 40th reunion. It will take place on Sept. 28th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hamilton. For more information contact:

itas Chamber Chorale, and Elmwood Concert Singers, in addition to vocalists from St. David the King and Union Baptist Church in Trenton. Come be a part of this community-wide event and get your tickets for the evening performance starting at 7 p.m.

Juneteenth Black-owned business marketplace will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22 at Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton Center for Health and Wellness –Conference Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Road. For more information email info@sbdcnj.com.

LGBTQ+ and Pride Month

LGBTQ Film Screening of “A League of Their Own” will show at 2 p.m. June 9 at the Lawrence Branch of the Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike. For more information call (609) 883-8292 or visit mcl. org.

Trenton Pride Afters Trenton Pride Center to hold a Trenton Social from 8-11:30 p.m. June 22 at 449 S. Broad St.

The Pennington School celebrates student athletes

The Pennington School celebrates numerous student athletes who have committed to teams at colleges or universities for the fall of 2024.

Debralini@optonline.net, Mindyrobyn@aol. com or connect on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/groups/Classof1984HHS

Hickory Corner Branch

Library

Hickory Corner Branch Library is located at 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. June 7 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Story and Snack: Strawberries. June 7 – 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Basic Skills Craft for Adults. June 7 – 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Creation Station. June 7 – 2-4 p.m. – Matinee Movie. June 8 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Family Fun Time. June 8 – 2:30-3 p.m. – Slime Time: Fluffy Lemonade Slime. June 9 – 2-4 p.m. – Matinee Movie.

June 10 – 10:30-11 a.m. – Messy Monday. June 10 – 2:30-3:30 p.m. – ESL Conversation. June 10 – 4-4:30 p.m. – (Virtual) Guided Meditation.

Hailey Adamsky will be playing soccer in the Ivy League, and Keane Brown, Justin Davidyock, Kieran Karp, Morgan Kotch, Matthew Lynch, and Kendall Malmros will all be playing Division I soccer. Also continuing their soccer careers in college are Pablo Carnicer Cozar, who will play at the Division II level, as well as Felix Shapiro and Sophia Murphy, who will both play for Division III teams. Dowon Zio Kim has committed to playing Ivy League basketball and Morgan Matthews will be playing Division I basketball. Bryce Meccage has committed to Division I baseball and Emma Nelson has committed to Division I field hockey. Paloma Szyfer will also continue her field hockey career at the Division III level. Also playing at the Division III level are Polaris Hayes, tennis; and Quaadir Durden and Nicholas Esposito, lacrosse.

The following students, listed by hometown, have committed to playing a sport in college.

In New Jersey:

• Basking Ridge: Dowon Zio Kim, basketball, Princeton University

• Crosswicks: Matthew Lynch, soccer, Rutgers University

• Hamilton: Morgan Kotch, soccer, Villanova University

• Lawrenceville: Hailey Adamsky, soccer, University of Pennsylvania–Wharton; Morgan Matthews,

• basketball, George Washington University; Sophia Murphy, soccer, Stevens Institute of Technology

• Pennington: Pablo Carnicer Cozar, soccer, University of Tampa; Kieran Karp, soccer, University of

• South Carolina, Bryce Meccage, baseball, University of Virginia

• Princeton: Felix Shapiro, soccer, Carleton College

• Trenton: Polaris Hayes, tennis, California Institute of Technology

• West Orange: Paloma Szyfer, field hockey, Oberlin College

In Pennsylvania:

• New Hope: Keane Brown, soccer, US Naval Academy; Kendall Malmros, soccer,

• Fordham University

• Newtown: Justin Davidyock, soccer, US Military Academy at West Point

• Philadelphia: Quaadir Durden, lacrosse, College of Wooster

• Yardley: Nicholas Esposito, lacrosse, Hampden-Sydney College; Emma Nelson, field hockey, Quinnipiac University

‘The Pennington School is an independent coeducational school for students in grades 6 through 12, in both day and boarding programs. The curriculum is college preparatory, with an emphasis on individual excellence, fostering the development of the whole student through academics, athletics, community service, and the creative and performing arts.

BRYN MAWR COLLEGE

BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

DICKINSON COLLEGE

DUKE UNIVERSITY

EMERSON COLLEGE

FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE

HAMILTON COLLEGE

HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE

LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND

Courtesy of Pennington School

The New Place Players are set to captivate audiences with their critically acclaimed production, The Masque of Night, in Hopewell, New Jersey. This unique Romeo & Juliet cabaret will be performed at the enchanting Hopewell Mountain Christian Church (11 Mountain Church Rd, Hopewell, NJ 08525) on June 7th and 8th at 8 pm. Tickets are $50 and available at https://www.

eventbrite.com/e/the-masque-of-night-athopewell-mountain-church-june-7-8-tickets873559980417?aff=erelpanelorg.

The Masque of Night offers a fresh, intimate take on Shakespeare’s timeless love story. Directed by Craig Bacon, whose illustrious 40-year career spans New York City and Europe, and co-directed by Janina Picard, a German-born actor and director, this produc-

Cabinet Painting Guru

Kevin Casey, Founder of Cabinet Painting Guru, is a successful entrepreneur. His quality painting experience dates back to when he founded the largest house painting business on Long Island in New York state during his summers while attending College of the Holy Cross. After college, he went on to serve our country flying B-52 bombers as a Captain in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, Kevin earned his MBA in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Kevin then held various sales leadership roles building markets for new cancer screening test, like the PSA test for the screening of prostate cancer.

In 1999, Kevin was the first entrepreneur to bring photo sharing to the internet. His venture funded software company was very successful, so if you get a link to see images from a wedding or event that you attended, chances are you are enjoying the technology platform which Kevin and his team pioneered.

When he sold this software company in 2012, he began painting kitchen cabinets –starting with his own.

He is now settled in central NJ and his team’s work delights homeowners who are looking for anything from a cabinet refinishing, cabinet panel/drawer replacement, to a complete kitchen tune-up. Our best customers are those who appreciate quality, attention to detail, and completely understand that “you get what you pay for” – especially when it comes to cabinet painting.

As a business founded by a veteran, the team at Cabinet Painting Guru brings the following 5 Core Values our projects each and every day: RESPECT. We respect you, your time, your home and your kitchen refinishing project. We’ll be treating your home like it is ours – from the initial consultation to the final install.

EXPERIENCE. Our team has decades of experience doing detailed painting. From professional cabinet refinishing to complete kitchen

Call before June 30, 2024

design, we and our trusted partners bring the expertise to get your kitchen tune-up designed, planned and completed correctly.

AFFORDABLE. Cabinet Painting Guru will save you up to 75% over replacing or refacing. Less money, less dust, and NO WAITING weeks or months for new cabinets to arrive! And since professional painting of kitchen cabinets is all we do, you will be amazed at the quality of your finished cabinets!

DEPENDABLE. As a former USAF flyer, our Founder knows the importance of delivering on time, on target, and on budget. You can depend on us to get your kitchen cabinet refinishing project done right! We don’t take shortcuts — others do.

YOU. Your project. Your home. Your budget. Your timeline. Your specific needs. This project is about you –and a cabinet refacing project that is going to make you smile.

Call Today for your FREE Consultation! 215-982-0131

Lifestyle Lifestyle: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT JUNE 2024

The Masque of Night Brings Romeo & Juliet to Hopewell, NJ

tion seamlessly blends Shakespeare’s iconic text with chamber music and modern songs. The performance features compositions by David Bowie, Depeche Mode, and Rufus Wainwright, alongside original music by the production’s Musical Director, Flavio Gaete. The venue itself adds to the enchanting atmosphere. Hopewell Mountain Christian Church, originally built in 1844 as an African American congregation, has been transformed into a beautiful living and performance space, featuring a stunning barrel vault great room, extensive original millwork, an interior balcony, and the original functioning church bell. This intimate setting, with seating for only 40 guests, enhances the personal and immersive experience of the

performance.

The cast includes Actors Studio lifetime member Clara Tristan as Juliet and recent Actors Studio MFA graduate Jorge Carrion Alvarez as Romeo. They are supported by Flavio Gaete, a classical musician from Chile, and Anna Bikales, a harpist and Actors Studio MFA graduate, who bring the characters to life through music and performance.

Audiences can expect a moving and intimate journey into the heart of Shakespeare’s most beloved play.

Don’t miss this extraordinary theatrical event. Secure your $50 at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/the-masque-of-night-athopewell-mountain-church-june-7-8-tickets873559980417?aff=erelpanelorg.

Pinelli

Continued from Page 1A

Prior to the police department, he was a member of Pennington Fire Company from 2000 to 2005 serving as chief. He is a life member of the Pennington Fire Department.

Pinelli worked through the ranks of the fire company to become chief and resigned when he started as a police officer with the Pennington Police Department.

Prior to joining the Pennington police force, Pinelli served in the Belmar Police Department as a Class II officer for a couple years and was also employed by the Hopewell Township Public Works Department.

His longtime service to Pennington is not unexpected. Pinelli’s father, Micheal Pinelli and his brother, David Pinelli, are former fire chiefs of the Pennington Fire Company.

Pinelli’s father also worked for Pennington as the superintendent of public works.

Photo courtesy of Doug Pinelli