April 2019
Lee and Jack’s Story Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
With the Love of Community
A community magazine serving the residents of Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough
Expert Contributors
Home Design and Construction A&E Home Design and Construction
Lawn and Landscaping Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscaping, LLC
Dermatology Windsor Dermatology
Real Estate Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate
Greg Fontaine – Owner 2479 Pennington Rd, Pennington, NJ I 609-737-4425 greg.aeconstruction@gmail.com I AEconstructionNJ.com
Alexa Hetzel, Board Certified Physician Assistant 59 One Mile Road Ext., East Windsor, NJ I 609-443-0424 windsordermatology.com I #freezefat
Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial LLC.
Christina Nash – President & CEO 23 Route 31 North, Suite B10, Pennington, NJ I 609-216-7440 Christina@knoxgrove.com I knoxgrovefinancial.com
Nick Pirone - Owner 1652 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ I 609-356-3465 nick@ce.land I ce.land.com
Hopewell Valley 800 Denow Road, Suite N, Pennington, NJ I 609-737-9100 glorianilson.com
Our sponsor advertisers bring Hopewell Valley Neighbors to you. Be sure to thank them by supporting their businesses. They are experts at what they do. Please tell them you saw their ad in Hopewell Valley Neighbors. To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Hopewell Valley Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Architect since 1996 Building Types Include: Single Family Residences Locally, at Beach and Mountains Offices, Restaurants, Retail and Historic Buildings New Buildings and Renovations 150 + Built Projects in NJ PO Box 250 Sergeantsville, NJ 08557 609-902-8840 l gary.GMArchitects@gmail.com
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April 2019
Publisher’s Letter
Dear Residents, Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Dale Ver Voort Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.com
O
ne of my favorite things about being a part of Hopewell Valley Neighbors is meeting so many new, incredible people who have heartfelt stories to share. I love to hear these stories and to bring them to life within our pages. I also love running into readers around town who tell me how much they love our magazine and I want to say a big “thank you” to you all. This month’s story especially touched me, and I think it will touch you, too. Building community, I believe, is all about building relationships, and the story that Lee Rosenfield shares with us in this issue demonstrates this. Lee’s story of the power of love, family, and community reminds us all that we are in this together. I also want to give a quick shout-out to Jeff Long for telling us about the presence of the bald eagles in Hopewell Valley, and once again thanks to Beverly Mills (check out our update piece about what Bev has been up to!).
Contributing Writers: Mary Galioto, John Finnegan, Kenneth Marples, Lisa Wolff Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Feedback/Ideas/Submissions Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are 25th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com. Content Submission Deadlines: Content Due: Edition Date: November 25.................................... January December 25.................................. February January 25............................................March February 25............................................ April March 25.................................................. May April 25...................................................June May 25......................................................July June 25............................................... August July 25.......................................... September August 25.........................................October September 25 ������������������������������ November October 25................................... December
In this fast-paced world that can seem so chaotic, it feels awesome to be a part of something that means so much to so many. Thank you all for reading our magazine. Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
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any of our issues showcase the wonderful things Hopewell has to offer; that’s a big reason for our magazine! This issue, however, makes one thing clear: the warmth and compassion our residents show each other is special. In our cover story this month, Lee Rosenfield shares his family’s story of diversity, overcoming loss, and the incredible things a tight-knit community like Hopewell can do. We also see some more of what makes Hopewell special in an article about the bald eagle—did you know there is a nest right here in the community? I didn’t! I hope you learn something from these stories. Please enjoy. Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. ©2019 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Hopewell Valley Neighbors publisher Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com. Hopewell Valley Neighbors
Our advertisers make Hopewell Valley Neighbors possible. Be sure to thank them by supporting their businesses. Tell them you saw their ad in Hopewell Valley Neighbors.
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Celebrate Easter with your Peeps!
Hop on in to either of our two Hopewell Valley locations for an Easter meal to remember! 938 Bear Tavern Rd., Ewing 609-493-4495
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7 Tree Farm Rd ., Pennington 609-303-0625 M-TH 11:30am-9pm Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm • Sun 4-9pm
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(609) 737-0058 April 2019
Expert Contributor
The Disappearing Pension By Christina Nash | President & CEO, Knox Grove Financial
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oday, most of us are responsible for saving a portion of our income each year for our future retirement. We elect to contribute money to our employer’s 401(k) plans or maybe even a personally owned IRA to build our “Retirement Nest Egg.” The burden of saving enough to fund our future retirement is now on us as individuals, but it wasn’t always this way. Some of us can remember the days of “company pensions.” An employee would work for a company until retirement age, retire, and then the company pension would pay a guaranteed income stream for the remainder of the employee’s retirement years. Many pensions would also allow the employee to elect a lesser monthly amount, so that the pension would continue at a certain percentage for the spouse’s lifetime. With pensions, the burden of saving enough money to fund an employee’s retirement was the responsibility of the company and the employee had little to do with deciding how much to save nor the investment options.
What is happening? Why are pensions becoming a memory from the past? It’s simple, companies no longer want the responsibility (and liability) of paying out lifetime income to retired employees. Can we blame them? In 1960, life expectancy was 66.5 for males and 73.1 for females. Employees retired at 60, lived approximately seven years while collecting from the pension plan, and at death the pension payments stopped. In this example, companies were only responsible for paying out pension benefits for seven years. Today, life expectancy for females born in 2018 is 84 and for males born in 2018 the age is 77. Many of us may live well into our 90s. This means that companies offering a pension plan are potentially on the hook for pension retirement payments for 19 or more years. Ouch! I thought living longer was a good thing. Well, it is in most cases but for pension providers, it is terrifying. Longer life expectancy is only one of the many reasons that employers are moving away from providing pension benefits.
In the past few months, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Motorola have both joined the ranks of companies that have terminated their pension plans. When a company pension is terminated, employees of these companies are left to figure out what to do with their accumulated share. Do they take control of the funds within their pensions and distribute the balance as a lump sum? Do they leave it and hope that an insurance company will assume responsibility? These are the questions that our advisors at Knox Grove Financial are helping clients figure out. Deciding what to do is a very personal decision and is dependent upon each employee’s unique financial needs and goals. The decision being made can largely impact an individual’s long-term retirement goals and oftentimes the decision is irreversible. We have made it our mission to help individuals elect the choice that is best for their financial goals. If you are facing a pension termination with your company, working with an advisor will give you the knowledge and confidence to choose your best option. If your pension is being terminated and you need help making the decision that is right for you, call my office at 609-216-7440 or email me at Christina@KnoxGrove.com. I had the pleasure of co-writing this article with Brian Hartmann of Knox Grove Financial. Sincerely,
Christina A. Nash vvv Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH?
Knox Grove Financial can be your guide. Your Path Forward • • • •
Fee-Only Advice Option Core Investment Management Comprehensive Wealth Management Retirement, Tax, and Estate Planning Strategies
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Knox Grove Financial, LLC 23 Route 31 North, Suite B10 Pennington, NJ 08534 P: 609-216-7440 F: 609-910-4275 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com Info@knoxgrove.com
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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April 2019
Expert Contributor
Think Spring – Preparing Your Landscape By Nick Pirone | Owner, Cutting Edge Lawn & Landscaping
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pring is here! Before you start celebrating at the thought of warm weather and flourishing plants, do you know if your landscape is prepared for the changing season? Cutting Edge Lawns & Landscaping is here to fill you in on how to prepare your landscape for spring. Prune Your Shrubs and Trees Pruning is the process of removing dead, infected or overgrown branches or stems from your trees or shrubs. Pruning is an essential part of preparing your landscape for the spring season, since it aids in the further growth and health of your trees. You could also take the opportunity to prune off live branches to make the plants more aesthetically appealing. If you want the best results, prune them right before spring hits or early in the season. Late winter is a great time to prune, contain or rejuvenate overgrown shrubs and trees as they’ll be able to recover quickly in spring with new growth. This will also minimize the amount of time you’ll spend looking at a plant that looks like a bunch of sticks after rejuvenation pruning. Mulch Your Landscape Mulching is great for your lawn on a number of levels. Whether you are mulching leaves or returning lawn clippings back into the lawn, mulching saves time, money, labor, and is a great soil amendment. Mulch not only beautifies planting beds with an attractive layer of material over bare soil, it also has several positive benefits, such as making garden maintenance easier while improving the health of your plants. Organic mulching materials, like straw, wood chips, leaves and grass clippings, offer the greatest benefits One of the best benefits of any mulch is its ability to retain moisture in the soil. Organic mulches break down over time and contribute to soil health. This can be very helpful, especially if your soil fertility is poor. It also reduces winter injury, helps with weed control, and much more. Applying a pre-emergent weed control Pre-emergent herbicides are chemicals that prevent undesired weeds in your lawn. They do not prevent the germination of the seed, but help control it so that it will not sprout. Due to the way these herbicides work, application timing is the most important aspect of weed prevention success. If the weed has already sprouted and is visible, pre-emergent herbicides will not solve the weed problem.
Plant Trees and Flowers If you want flowers to bloom or food in your garden to grow, you have to plant the seeds! We take that back – you can always hire Cutting Edge to do it for you instead. Spring is the perfect time to plant beautiful flowers, perennials, and types of vegetables. Get In Touch With Cutting Edge Lawn & Landscaping Today Expert advice, installation, and care is a key factor in maintaining the integrity of your property year-round. We have the expertise to help meet all of your needs. Give us a call at 609-356-3465 or contact us via our website, www.ce.land, to start planning for your maintenance needs.
vvv Please contact Nick Pirone, owner of Cutting Edge Lawn & Landscape, for all your landscape needs. He is an expert at what he does! Go to www.ce.land or call Nick direct at 609-356-3465.
Providing Landscape Design, Installation and Maintenance to Pennington NJ and the surrounding towns since 2006…
HOPEWELL’s Premier Lawn and Landscaping Company www.ce.land Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Feature
I “ try to be a very present father. I put my children first.” – Lee
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April 2019
Resident Feature
Lee and Jack’s Story WITH THE LOVE OF COMMUNITY By Catherine Bialkowski
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I Photos by Benoit Cortet
hroughout Lee Rosenfield’s time here in Hopewell Valley, he’s learned of the incredible power that support from friends and neighbors can have. The significance of community is something that is often overlooked; yet when things go wrong, it is often what holds everything together. Lee and his two children, Ethan, 11, and Eliana, 8, have been a part of the Hopewell community since 2008, when they were warmly welcomed here, a place Lee calls “majestic” in its beauty. As a family, they are deeply involved with what the community has to offer. From practicing for piano lessons to dancing at The Pennington Studio for Dance and Creative Arts to getting active at the Schafer Sports Center in Ewing, Ethan and Eliana have busy-yet-fulfilling schedules. Lee, too, is busy with community involvement; his consulting business, Rosenfield Consulting, is successful not only in its professional intention but as a channel through which Lee and his team can give back, too. A nonprofit management company that works with nonprofit organizations all over the world, Rosenfield Consulting helps these diverse organizations develop the set of core skills and abilities needed to function. Lee also serves on the Board of Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s largest LGBT organization, and recently spoke at the Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education meeting during a discussion on transgender protections. There is a fourth member of Lee’s immediate family, someone whose vibrance and love is present with Lee and his children wherever they go. Jack Fastag, husband to Lee and father to Ethan and Eliana, passed away in July after fighting glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, for two years. Jack, a devoted father and husband, left behind an incredible legacy. Jack and Lee met in January of 1996. Both had recently moved to the Philadelphia area, and happened to be present at the same synagogue. The next night, both happened to be at the same bar with an LGBT business networking group, too. “I saw him there at this bar and approached him, saying, ‘I saw you last night at our synagogue.’ We ended up going out to dinner that night,” says Lee. Five years later, the couple bought their first home in Lambertville. “We wanted to be in New Jersey, where we knew and appreciated that the laws were more inclusive of the LGBT community,” says Lee. In 2004, when the Domestic Partnership Act was passed in the state, Lee and Jack registered. That same year, on September 5, they had their Jewish wedding, a beautiful ceremony in their backyard, surrounded by family and friends. In 2007, when civil unions were legalized in New Jersey, Jack and Lee entered into one; and in 2013, when New Jersey passed full marriage equality, they were civilly married at home with a rabbi. Ethan and Eliana entered their fathers’ lives in 2007 and 2010, via surrogacy. They share a biological egg donor, Auntie Talia, and Jack is Ethan’s biological father while Lee is Eliana’s. Both Lee and Jack did second parent adoption for both of their children. The family shares a close bond with Auntie Talia as well as with Auntie Becky and Auntie Colleen, the women who carried the children through surrogacy. “It truly takes a village,” says Lee. Jack left behind a legacy that will keep his memory alive forever. “He really was an intellectual giant,” says Lee. Jack, who was originally from Mexico City, was a food scientist. He had an illustrious professional career at David Michael & Co., a food flavor house where he worked for 25 years, eventually as Senior Flavor Chemist. “Intensely curious about everything,” as Lee says, Jack was an accomplished Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Feature food chemist who made significant contributions to many flavors that we know and love. He loved to travel, was a skilled violinist and lover of classical music, and “was really a man of his time.”
children were able to figure out how to take things day by day. “I try to be a very present father. I put my children first.”
But Jack’s greatest legacy, says Lee, are their children. “He was a very devoted father.” He took the time to teach them strong values, the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, and about the importance of being curious. “He was one of the most loving and sensitive people you would ever imagine. He loved his family very much.”
“It’s painful and hard work; slowly but surely my children and I are finding our way back from the land of disease and death back into life,” says Lee. The children’s nanny, Elsa Fisher, who has been with the family since the children were born, has been an amazing support throughout the difficult events of the past few years. “We’re very fortunate to have her. She loves them like she loves her own children and grandchildren.”
Life without Jack has not been easy for Lee, Ethan and Eliana. “I never thought I would be in this position,” says Lee. “Like everybody else, I just thought life was going along so brilliantly and beautifully. All of a sudden, we’re told Jack has terminal brain cancer. It’s shocking. Your world falls apart. You feel like you’re falling and there’s nowhere to hold onto.” It took time, but Lee and his
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In spite of everyone’s best efforts to work through the grief, the weight of losing Jack is still present in the family’s lives.
Today, Lee and his children continue to live life the way Jack would have wanted them to. They are devoted to learning, to enriching their minds with arts and culture, and to ensuring they are always exposed to diversity. “Our community is full of diverse family structures,” says
Lee. “We are very grateful to live in Hopewell Valley.” Throughout this journey, Lee has learned that if you look around, a lot of people are going through similar hardships. “I’ve met a lot of people in our community who are also going through grief,” he says. And his family is not alone. Although they will hold the memory of Jack in their hearts forever, with the warmth and compassion of their family and community, they are healing. As Lee says, “it truly takes a village.”
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Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact Rachel Donington at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
April 2019
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Real Estate
Hopewell Valley Market Activity FEBRUARY SOLDS - Homes ADDRESS
BEDS
RESIDENTIAL RENTALS BATHS SOLD PRICE
203 Castleton Court
2
1
$119,000
2 Morgan Avenue
2
1.5
$152,900
115 Grandview Avenue
4
2
$157,500
5072 Provinceline Rd
3
2
$210,000
21 Railroad Pl
2
2.5
$313,450
45 Manley Road
4
2.5
$362,500
5 Cannon Dr
3
2.5
$448,728
85 Columbia Ave
3
2.5
$470,000
20 Baker Way
5
3.5
$665,000
9 Walking Purchase Dr
5
4
$740,000
ADDRESS
24 S Main St
BEDS 1
BATHS SOLD PRICE 1
$1,370
73 Dublin Rd
1
1
$1,575
6 Butterfoss Ave
3
2
$2,500
251 Brinley Drive
3
2.5
$2,650
9-11 Curlis Ave
3
1.5
$2,750
18 Hart Ave
3
2.5
$3,250
Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the entire real estate community in the area. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
4 Grace Hill Court Hopewell Township For Sale
HOPEWELL VALLEY OFFICE 800 Denow Rd, Suite N, Pennington, NJ 08534
609.737.9100 www.GloriaNilson.com
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April 2019
Hopewell Arts
Revisiting Our Neighbors: Beverly Mills What She’s Up to Now By Rachel Donington We met Beverly Mills and family in the December 2017 issue of Hopewell Valley Neighbors. What is Bev up to now ‌ Her book with co-author and friend Elaine Buck, If These Stones Could Talk: African American Presence in the Hopewell Valley, Sourland Mountain and Surrounding Regions of New Jersey, came out November 7, 2018. Cemeteries have stories to tell. Bev and Elaine found many stories behind the headstones in the Stoutsburg Cemetery, located in the Sourland Mountain region. The Stoutsburg Cemetery was purchased by three Black men in the early 19th century as a location to bury Blacks with honor and dignity in the early 19th century. When life-long friends Bev and Elaine got an unexpected call for help, what began as a search through the woods for gravestone markers soon had them rummaging through land deeds and making relentless calls to state officials, archeologists and reporters. Their foray into historic preservation work convinced them that they had a lot more work left to do to connect African American history to local and national history books—within which they still felt largely absent from the most visible narratives in United States history. In warm but unflinching voices authors Bev and Elaine offer readers a unique window into our past. These stories, including dozens of oral histories, consecrate the collected lives of a minority Black community in a predominantly White region, a pattern of community that reflects a larger, deeply important but typically overlooked national story in small towns all over the United States.
vvv If These Stones Could Talk is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon, or go to wildriverconsultingandpublishing.com to get your copy today!
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Calendar of Events
Hopewell Happenings Every Monday at Mercer County Library—Hopewell Branch Mindfulness Workshop
Learn mindfulness through a series of lectures, guided mindfulness practices, reflections, and group discussions. Each class is comprised a 1-hour learning session followed by an optional 30-minute practice session and group discussion. @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 10am-2pm Registration requested, please email hopeprogs@mcl.org to subscribe. Every Wednesday at Mercer County Library—Hopewell Branch Knitting Group
Bring your current needle-craft project and join us for an hour of knitting (or crocheting...or need-craft of your choice!). @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: starts at 7pm No registration necessary. Mon., April 1—5 Spring Break
All Hopewell Valley Regional School District Schools/ Offices CLOSED
Spring Glass Votive Decorating
Drop-in, HVRSD Spring Break Create stained glass votive candle holders with tissue paper! One glass votive and tea candle will be provided per person. @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Tissue paper and glue will be provided. All ages welcome. Mon., April 1 Color Me Calm – Adult Coloring
@ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Coloring books and art supplies available all day Active Aging Fitness
The program is comprised of stretching, balance, posture, flexibility, and strength poses done to music. It also includes some chair yoga. @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 10:30-11:30am No registration required. Tues., April 2 Tax Help: AARP Foundation TaxAide (by appointment only)
Free tax preparation from AARP
The Wilson Family provides affordable dignified services to the families of Hopewell Valley since 1960.
Tax-Aide. AARP trained tax preparers focus on low and moderate income returns, also prepare most personal returns within training guidelines. Tax preparers can e-file Federal and state returns, as well as PTR (“Senior Freeze”) forms. @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 10am-2pm Registration required. Please call 609737-2610 to make an appointment. Sat., April 6 Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey
www.WilsonApple.com
Wilson-Apple Funeral Home Robert A Wilson, Owner NJ Lic # 2520
609-737-1498 Wilson-Apple Funeral Home
R.Asher Wilson, Manager NJ Lic # 3823/Pa Lic # FD-000766
609-737-1498 Cromwell-Immordino Memorial Home Joseph A. Immordino, Jr., Manager NJ Lic # 4231
609-466-0233 Timothy F. Reeg Funeral Director
Timothy F. Reeg, Manager NJ Lic # 3982/Pa Lic # FD-013977-E
Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board Meeting (regular)
@ HVRSD Administrative Office, South Main Street, Pennington Time: 7:30-8:30pm
Tues., April 16 Tuesday Night Yoga
Nancy McCormack teaches this eight-week series of yoga classes. All 5-Course Dinner and Wine Tasting levels of experience are welcome. Guests enjoy a 5-course meal paired Participants should wear comfortable with Hopewell Valley wines and clothing and bring a towel or yoga learning from wine expert Dr. Gary mat. Class is limited to 15 participants. Paulis, Rutgers University Professor and @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell member of American Wine Society. Branch @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards Time: 5-6pm Time: 7pm Registration required. Please call 609For more information and tickets, email 737-2610 to reserve your spot. pstalcup@preventchildabusenj.org Tues., April 9 Tax Help: AARP Foundation TaxAide (by appointment only)
Free tax preparation from AARP Tax-Aide. AARP trained tax preparers focus on low and moderate income returns, also prepare most personal returns within training guidelines. Tax preparers can e-file Federal and state returns, as well as PTR (“Senior Freeze”) forms. @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 10am-2pm Registration required. Please call 609737-2610 to make an appointment. Tuesday Night Yoga
2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ
@ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 10:30-11:30am No registration required.
Nancy McCormack teaches this eight-week series of yoga classes. All levels of experience are welcome. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Class is limited to 15 participants. @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 5-6pm Registration required. Please call 609737-2610 to reserve your spot. Mon., April 15 Tax Day 2019 in the United States of America Active Aging Fitness
The program is comprised of stretching, balance, posture, flexibility, and strength poses done to music. It also includes some chair yoga.
Fri., April 19 Good Friday
All Hopewell Valley Regional School District Schools/ Offices CLOSED Passover begins in the evening Sun., April 21 Easter Sunday
Happy Easter!
Sat., April 27 Black Out Poetry
Celebrate National Poetry Month with us! Bring out your inner poet using a page from a book and sharpies. All supplies provided. @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 10:30-11:30am Registration requested, please email hopeprogs@mcl.org to subscribe. Passover ends in the evening Tues., April 30 Facilitator Training: Alzheimer’s Support Group
The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, is looking for Support Group Facilitators. The goal of the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Groups is to provide emotional, social and/or educational support to group members. @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 10:30-11:30am Registration requested, please email hopeprogs@mcl.org to subscribe.
609-392-1039
Let us help promote your local community event! Serving Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Lawrenceville, Ewing, Peinnington, Titusville, Blawenburg, and Princeton.
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Please join our Hopewell Happenings Page by sending us your Event Listing. Open to all Hopewell Valley organizations, clubs and ocal businesses. You can email your submissions to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
April 2019
Pennington Montessori School Premier Early Childhood Education 6 Weeks thru Kindergarten Academic Curriculum Music-Spanish-Outdoor Education
Call to schedule a tour!
6O9.737.1331
4 Tree Farm Road, Pennington www.penningtonmontessori.com admissionsinfo@penningtonmontessori.org
Now Accepting Applications
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Big News By Rachel Donington
Join us in welcoming Old Glory Detailing & PDR to their new location!
Hopewell Borough (the former Union Line Garage Building).
Congratulations to Steve Zarodnansky and the amazing team of Old Glory Detailing on their new home located at 130 West Broad Street,
Please stop by or give Steve a call at 609-433-6532.
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April 2019
Resident Submitted
Bald Eagles Nest in Hopewell By Catherine Bialkowski and Pennington resident, Jeff Long
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he American bald eagle is a symbol of freedom in the United States. It was adopted as our national bird chosen for its majestic beauty, great strength, long life, and because it’s native to North America. Most of us can easily recognize a bald eagle, with its distinct dark brown plumage on its body and white head. A full-grown bald eagle can have a wingspan up to 7 feet and fly up to 30 miles an hour and dive at 100 miles an hour! Although the bird was on endangered species lists approaching the end of the 20th century, it has since been removed due to recovering population of the animal. Around mid-1900s, farmers were using DDT, a commonly-used pesticide for insect control. This chemical was making its way into the prey of the eagle, and, when the birds would eat the contaminated fish and rodents, they would consume the chemical. This chemical affected the strength of the shells of the eagles’ eggs, resulting in thinshelled eggs that would crack easily, preventing many bald eagles from hatching, decreasing the population of the birds. Fortunately, in
1972, the use of DDT was banned; slowly but surely, bald eagles have been making their way back from near-extinction. Eagles mate for life, and an established pair will use the same nest for many years. Over time some nests become enormous; they can reach a diameter of nine feet and weigh as much as two tons! The female lays two or three eggs and both parents share incubation and diligently stand guard over them. There is a bald eagle nest in Hopewell in the fields located off Pennington-Rocky Hill Road. Special thanks to Jeff and Jenny Long for sharing this fascinating story.
vvv Did you know? It is a federal offense to possess an Eagle feather in the United States. Doing so can result in fines of up to $250,000.
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• 2015 Accepted as an Early Decision Candidate to Farleigh Dickinson University
“I have faith, stubbornness and an education from The LewisUniversity School that Dickinson give me confidence.” School
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· Member of the Junior Advisory Board, Rochester New York, 1999-2018 • 2016 Honors College Preparatory Graduate ofAchievement The Lewis School
· Partner at ITX Corporation, a strategic technology firm; President of Multiply IT, ITX
Corporation’s product development group, 2009-2018 • 2017 The Lewis School of Princeton Honor Society Inductee
· Recognized as “A Visionary Entrepreneur who builds simple, useful technology” - the
• 2017 Dean’s List at Fairleigh Dickinson University Rochester Business Journal • 2017 Most Valuable Player
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“The Lewis School “When I first came to Lewis, I was frustrated by500 thefastest demands ofcompanies, auditory 1995-2006 processing in a Magazine’s growing Fred Beer helped me to realize lecture situation and by longer written assignments, research and managing the course load that I should not be University of Rochester, Class of 1995 y processing in a School was amazingly building back that got in reading. I avoided writing whenever“Lewis I could. However, the worksupportive ethic andinteamwork thatthat confidence afraid to approach ging the course load Westminster School Alumnus, Class of 1991 crushed from me. Lewis and my parents provided the support for me to success know that in my own way. I learned at Lewis have carried me through as a successful college athlete. I know that the and teamwork that Lewis School Alumnus, 1988 I could be successful. Lewis taught me, with my parents support, that I hadBefore greatattending ete. I know that the lessons I learned from my teachers and coaches The stay Iwith meadapt in athletics strengthsat and if ILewis focusedSchool on my will strengths could for my weaknesses. Lewis, It I never thought ll stay with me athletics “I in don’t know where and I’d bein today withoutsuccesses The Lewisyet School. personal to come.”didn’t mater that I was a really slow reader – I developed great skills atabout listening success or that it
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would come easily, in class and taking notes. I learned how to work hard and get good grades. These if it came at all.” skills have stayed with me to today.”
Fred Beer
Where education champions the gifts of learning differently, and the value of thinking outside of the box Contact 609-924-8120 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton NJ Lewisschool.org
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53 Ba April 2019
Spotlight on Community
COMMUNITY CONSERVATION FoHVOS Collaboration Helping Kestrels By Lisa Wolff | Executive Director, FoHVOS
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he population of North America’s smallest falcons, the American kestrel, is declining in the northeast, and were added to the New Jersey list of threatened species in 2012. The drop is linked to ever expanding development throughout the state. “Loss of grasslands due to development and a lack of suitable nest cavities are widely agreed to be among the reasons for their declining numbers,” explains FoHVOS Land Steward and licensed bird bander Tyler Christensen, “Humans have been responsible for major changes to the landscape in New Jersey, and this has resulted in hardship for many of our state’s native plant and animal species. In order to reduce our environmental footprint, the onus is on us to protect these species that we have affected. To do this we must at times intervene and provide them with what we’ve historically damaged or taken away.” Fortunately, FoHVOS Community Conservation has enlisted help from an amazing cross section of volunteers to bring kestrels back to Hopewell Valley. The New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Endangered & Nongame Species Program provided a Conserve Wildlife Matching Grant to cover materials for 50 kestrel nesting boxes. The boxes are needed since kestrels do not construct their own nests; historically they have nested in tree cavities created by other birds like woodpeckers or by decomposition. Today kestrels most often nest in buildings and in artificial nest boxes. Throughout the month of March, volunteers of all ages heeded the call to build kestrel homes. The youngest volunteers from the
Painted Oak Nature school came out with their families on a Saturday morning and built nine nesting boxes. Cub Scout troop 1776 and Hopewell Valley Girl Scouts also joined subsequent efforts. The participation rate and response from local schools was overwhelming. “When we announced that we were hosting a gathering to build kestrel boxes at the school, registration filled up almost immediately,” said Courtney Peters-Manning, Cambridge School Director of Finance, “It’s a great family activity and children naturally feel good about providing a home for the kestrels.” Calvary Baptist Church in Hopewell also hosted two Sunday sessions for families. Some folks came out to build kestrel boxes. Others were more interested in hearing the conservation presentations from FoHVOS land stewards Tyler Christensen and Beth Craighead. Everyone felt closer to nature. In addition to family weekend kestrel events, FoHVOS provided age-appropriate programs in the Valley’s public and private schools. Marisa Ferrari, The Pennington School’s 12th grade ecology teacher was thrilled her students could apply their conservation knowledge and FoHVOS was excited to help. Tyler Christensen added, “I think doing this with a 12th grade ecology class has especially great potential to impart something positive and lasting on the participants; they have some ecology background knowledge to contextualize what they’re building and helping with, and they may be looking for a cool direction to take their education and careers!” Once the boxes were built, volunteers mount the boxes about 10 feet up off the ground. A team from Bloomberg came out the last week of March to begin installation. Bloomberg staff have helped FoHVOS with land restorations for years but this is the first time they have worked on a bird conservation project. Volunteers are still needed to mount and regularly check additional boxes. In the past, a monitor needed to climb a ladder to see inside the nest, now we just look using a camera on stick. Think of it as bird selfies. Finally, we need private property owners who are willing to host kestrel nest boxes; kestrels generally require large open fields (at least one acre, but the bigger the better) with minimal human activity during the nesting season (April – July). FoHVOS’s existing kestrel conservation program includes a handful of boxes that we maintain and monitor. This project is a major expansion and it’s been pretty remarkable to see all these different groups step up to join a FoHVOS Community Conservation initiative. Sign up to join us for box assembly, installation, monitoring, or volunteer to host a box. Township committee members came out to build bird boxes with the public. Hopewell Township Mayor Kristin McLaughlin shared, “Hopewell Valley has shown that we can accomplish great things when we all work together and we are thrilled to do our part and hope this project results in increases for the kestrel population.”
vvv FoHVOS is a non-profit land trust that is dedicated to preserving the Hopewell Valley’s character through open space and farmland preservation, and natural resource protection. Since its inception in 1987, FoHVOS have partnered with landowners, government and other non-profit organizations to preserve over 7,500 acres of open space and farmland throughout Hopewell Valley. To learn more about FoHVOS please visit www.fohvos.org.
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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