December 2019
Erwin Harbat
A Lifetime in Hopewell Valley
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
A community magazine serving the residents of Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough
Expert Contributors
Lawn and Landscaping Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscaping, LLC
Home Design and Construction A&E Home Design and Construction Greg Fontaine – Owner 2479 Pennington Rd, Pennington, NJ I 609-737-4425 greg.aeconstruction@gmail.com AEconstructionNJ.com
Real Estate Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate Hopewell Valley 800 Denow Road, Suite N, Pennington, NJ 609-737-9100 www.glorianilson.com
Nick Pirone - Owner 1652 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ I 609-356-3465 nick@ce.land I ce.land.com
Orthodontics DeSimone Orthodontics
Dermatology Windsor Dermatology
Dr. Karen DeSimone, DDS 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B-200, Pennington NJ 08534 609-737-8000 info@desimoneorthodontics.com www.desimoneorthodontics.com
Alexa Hetzel, Board Certified Physician Assistant 59 One Mile Road Ext., East Windsor, NJ 609-443-0424 windsordermatology.com I #freezefat
Medical Center RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial LLC. Christina Nash – President & CEO 23 Route 31 North, Suite B10, Pennington, NJ 609-216-7440 Christina@knoxgrove.com I knoxgrovefinancial.com
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Hopewell Valley Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
1 Hamilton Way, Hamilton, NJ 08690 609-586-7000 www.rwjbh.org/rwj-university-hospital-hamilton/
The Wilson Family provides affordable dignified services to the families of Hopewell Valley since 1960.
2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ 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
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December 2019
Publisher’s Letter
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 Contributing Writers: Mary Galioto, Kenneth Marples, Lisa Wolff Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
Dear Residents, What does it mean to be grateful?
Thankfully, it doesn’t mean convincing yourself of some bogus notion that everything’s fine and dandy. Living your life with gratitude means choosing to focus your time and attention on what you really appreciate. The goal is not to block out difficulties, but to approach those difficulties from a different perspective. Appreciation softens us. It soothes our turbulent minds by connecting us with the ordinary things, great and small, that we might otherwise take for granted.
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.
Now as we approach the end of another year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on all the things we are grateful for. I am thankful for my family, friends, and neighbors. I am thankful to live in this special place we call Hopewell Valley, which is such a wonderful place to live, to work, and raise a family.
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
Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season.
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
It is hard to believe the holiday season is here and 2019 is coming to a close. This marks over two years’ worth of Hopewell Valley Neighbors magazines — which I am proud and truly grateful to have shared with you.
Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
December makes me think of the passage of time; as another year ends, I marvel at how fast time can seem to fly by. I think this feeling is fitting for our featured resident this month, Erwin Harbat, who was born in Hopewell Valley in 1936 and is still an active member of the community to this day. In his story, we hear about the things in the community that have changed, and what’s stayed the same. It might be valuable to reflect, right now, at the end of 2019, what’s stayed the same in us since the beginning of the year, and what’s changed. I hope you enjoy the story. Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
Our advertisers bring Hopewell Valley Neighbors to you. Be sure to thank them by supporting their businesses. They are experts at what they do. Please Shop Local. And please tell our advertisers you saw their ad in Hopewell Valley Neighbors. 3
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December 2019
Business Profile
John Procaccini: Genuine and From the Heart Osteria Procaccini and PJ’s Pancake House By Catherine Bialkowski This month, we revisit John Proccacini of Gretalia Hospitality Group. Owner—along with other partner Zissis Pappas—of a multitude of highly-acclaimed restaurants in the Hopewell Valley area, John incorporates the values of food, family, and togetherness throughout all aspects of his work ethic. Since we last visited John, he has opened a new location of PJ’s Pancake House in Robbinsville, and has many other exciting plans for the future. He is particularly looking forward to serving seasonal specials—heartier comfort foods with fresh produce like butternut squash, pumpkin, and apple. “We can be really creative in the colder months,” he says. Even as Gretalia Hospitality Group’s businesses grow and multiply, their philosophy remains the same; “At the end of the day, we’re still a family-run business,” says John. “We still have that small business mentality.” On a daily basis, he receives calls from customers wanting to speak directly with him—and he’s still able to engage with everyone. “We have nine restaurants to run. It’s very flattering that people still know I am willing to help them.” And hearing from customers is the most gratifying part of running his business. He loves that it only takes about 30 minutes, from the ordering of the meal to seeing the customer enjoy it, to feel satisfied and proud of his work. “It’s instant gratification,” he says. The look of joy on a child’s face as he digs into a stack of Oreo or s’mores or chocolate chip peanut butter pancakes is simple, everyday magic. John also loves the flexibility and the fact that he can still spend time with his own family, as a self-employed business owner. “It can be frustrating to be a dad wanting to spend time with family but also having to provide,” he says. Because he is his own boss, he can arrange his schedule to make all the recitals, school events, and
games he needs to be at. He loves being able to spend as much time as possible with his kids: Gabriella, 12, and Gianluca, 14. Community also plays an important role in John’s approach to running his business. He has provided catering for countless Hopewell Valley events. ”You name it, we do it.” John’s dedication to what he does shows through in the tremendous effort he continues to put into finding the best ingredients, the best meals, the best combinations possible. He recently returned from a month-long trip to Italy, where is family is from, to experience the rich culture and, of course, discover new dishes for his restaurants. Each year, he makes this trip, researching the whole time, in search of delicious bites to add to the menus. He calls it “food from the earth.” “I love bringing new ideas back.” One of the culinary inspirations he brought back this year was tiramisu, but with the coffee replaced with wine—”vinomisu”! It became the most popular item he ever offered. This holiday season, John’s restaurants are the perfect place to spend a pleasant evening with family and friends. Make plans to visit them after a day-long of holiday shopping or your office lunch with colleagues. You will be greeted with warmth and served delectable food, and you can rest in the knowledge that John and his partners are there to ensure you have the very best experience possible.
vvv Osteria Procaccini and PJ’s Pancake House restaurants are the perfect place to have your holiday party. Please check out one of 9 locations. Visit www.getforky. com to learn more about Gretalia Hospitality Group and make reservations for your holiday catering or dinner party — or just stop by and get forky!
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Hopewell Valley Neighbors
Both locations offer full bar with triple 5 happy hour: 5 hours per day, $5 food, $5 drinks.
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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n Where Childre
ifferently Thrive Who Learn D
Proven leader for educating students with: • dyslexia • adhd • executive function challenges • language-based learning differences Grades K-12 100 Straube Center Blvd. Pennington, NJ 609.730.9553 www.thecambridgeschool.org
Knox Grove Financial • Member of the Junior Achievement Advisory Board, Rochester, New York, 1999-2019 • Partner at ITX Corporation, a strategic technology firm; President of Multiply IT, ITX
Corporation’s product development group, 2009-2019 • 2015 Accepted as an Early Decision Candidate to Farleigh Dickinson University • 2015 Accepted as an Early Decision Candidate to Farleigh Dickinson University • Recognized as “A Visionary Entrepreneur who builds simple, useful technology” – the • 2016 Honors College Preparatory Graduate of The Lewis School “I have faith, stubbornness • 2016 HonorsBusiness College Preparatory Graduate of The Lewis School Rochester Journal “I have faith, stubbornness and an education from • 2017 The Lewis School of Princeton Honor Society Inductee and an education from • Acknowledged “executive leadership, innovation and expertise in corporate cultures • 2017 The Lewisfor School of Princeton Honor Society Inductee The Lewis School that The Lewis School that give me confidence.” • 2017 give me confidence.”
development, combining IT design and business growth strategies” Dean’s at Fairleigh Dickinson University • 2017 List Dean’s List at Fairleigh Dickinson University • Creative Problem Solving Institute – Certified Facilitator and “groundbreaking business • 2017 Most Valuable Player for Fairleigh Dickinson Cross Team Team leader” is a strategic consultant to top companies hereCountry and abroad Andrew Andrew McTigue • 2017 Mostwho Valuable Player for Fairleigh Dickinson Cross Country McTigue Fairleigh Dickinson University Fairleigh Dickinson University • Co-founder Board Chairman ofThe Potential Point, LLC where he continues to develop • 2017 Honored Alumniand Speaker, The Lewis School Athletic Awards Banquet • 2017 Honored Alumni Speaker, Lewis School Athletic Awards Banquet Class of 2020 Class of 2020 award winning software to help companies grow high-performance work places, 2005-2019 The Lewis School of Princeton, The Lewis School of Princeton, • Awarded a Full FourYear Scholarship to Fairleigh Dickinson University Fred 2011Beer • Awarded a Full Scholarship to Fairleigh University 2016 2011- 2016 • Completed the FourYear MIT Entrepreneurial Master’s Program asDickinson one of sixty executives worldwide University of Rochester, Class of 1995• Accepted towho were invited to participate all of his top ten colleges • Accepted to all of his top ten colleges “The Lewis “The School Lewis School Westminster School Alumnus, Class of 1991 • CEO and Co-founder of Auragen Communications Inc./Catalyst Direct named one of INC helped me tohelped realizeme to realize Lewis that I should not beSchool Alumnus, 1988 “When I first came to Lewis, frustrated the demands of auditory processing in a Magazine’s 500I was fastest growing by companies, 1995-2006
that I should not be “When I first came to Lewis, I was frustrated by the demands of auditory processing in a afraid School to approach “Lewis was amazingly supportive in building back that situation lecture by longer written researchresearch and managing the course afraid to approach lecture and situation and by longerassignments, written assignments, and managing theload course load success inthat my owncrushed way. confidence got me. Lewis and my parentsin provided success in my from own way. reading.inIreading. avoided whenever II’dcould. However, the work ethic and teamwork that Iwriting avoided writing I could. However, work ethic and teamwork that “I don’t know wherewhenever be today without The the Lewis School. Being there taught Beforefor attending the support me Before to knowattending that I could be successful. Lewis taught me, at I learned Lewis have carried me through as a successful college athlete. Iathlete. know that the that the I learned attoLewis have carried me through asrespect a successful college IIknow me work hard and to value and learning differences. discovered that Lewis, I never thought with my parents’ support, that thought I had great strengths, and if I lessons focused on Lewis, I never I learned my teachers coaches The Lewis School staywill withstay me with in athletics lessons from I learned from my and teachers and at coaches at The Lewiswill School me in athletics about success or that it for my strengths, Iabout could adapt It didn’t matter that I success or my thatweaknesses. it seeing and learning things differently gave me a unique perspective that is vital and in personal yet to come.” and in successes personal successes yet to come.” easily, waswould a reallycome slowwould readercome – I developed easily, great skills for listening in class not only in my career but also in my life.” it came at ifall.” andiftaking notes. Iitlearned to work hard and get good grades. came athow all.” Fred Beer These skills have stayed with me to today.”
53 Bayard Ln, Princeton, NJ |08540 (609) 924 |-8120 | www.lewisschool.org 53 Bayard Ln, Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) |924 -8120 www.lewisschool.org 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton NJ 08540 I (609) 924-8120 I www.lewisschool.org
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December 2019
Expert Contributor
Botox and Fillers 101 Everything You Need To Know By Alexa Hetzel, PA-C | Windsor Dermatology
No patient likes to hear the “O” word: old. With continued pressure to stay young and look our best day in and day out, time is not on our side. With advances in cosmetic procedures, however, the ability to defy fine lines and wrinkles has become popular and more affordable for patients. When a patient comes to me requesting a cosmetic consultation for Botox and fillers, I find that the most important piece of education I can give them is about the different products offered and where on the face they are used. Botox is a substance called onabotulinumtoxin A1 which affects certain cells in our body that control movement. The objective of injecting Botox into an area is to temporarily relax a muscle that is overactive. When we allow the muscle to relax it reduces the appearance of the lines. The specific lines that Botox helps soften are those seen on the forehead, between the eyebrows (glabella) and on the outside of the eyes (crows feet). I always say “Botox above the eyes and fillers below the eyes”. What is also important to know is that Botox usually lasts about three to six months. When we are young, our faces are an inverted triangle, with higher fat pads and thinner tapering chins. As we begin to age the natural fat that we have by our cheeks begins to sink. This creates a look of a right side up triangle, thinner cheeks and fullers jaw lines. The
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
term fillers is a broad umbrella statement which applies to multiple different types of materials that can be used. The goal with fillers is exactly what the name eludes to--filling an area where volume has been lost. Although fillers cannot replace a facelift, there are ways to use fillers to see optimal results without having to go under the knife. With thicker grade fillers we are able to create more fullness under the eyes and in the cheeks to showcase a lifting effect. There are finer grades of fillers that can plump the lips as well as reduce fine line around the mouth. If it’s below the eyes and there is a loss of volume there are numerous different options from which to choose. What is important to know about fillers is that they are FDA-approved to last from 12 to 18 months. The aging process is a natural one but we still aim to look our best. Botox and fillers allow my patients to continue to look like themselves, but with the look of a softer face. What I also make sure to reiterate to my patients is that there is no down time. Patients can drive after the procedure and can go back to work so all of these procedures can be done over a lunch break--how easy is that!
vvv Schedule a consultation at Windsor Dermatology today; call us at 609-443-4500.
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Resident Feature
Erwin Harbat
Hopewell Valley in 1948 had more dairy cows than people” Erwin
A Lifetime in Hopewell Valley
By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
E
rwin Harbat, at 83, has witnessed close to a century of Hopewell Valley history pass by throughout his life. Born in 1936 right here in the community, Erwin has seen the changes 83 years in a place can bring, but also the way it can stay the same. One of the biggest differences between the Hopewell Valley of Erwin’s youth and the Hopewell Valley of today can be found in agriculture. He has seen a vast shift from a land of agriculture with an abundance of cows, chickens, pigs, and pheasants to an affluent community made up of business owners, CEOs, and their families. When Erwin was in high school in this community, 10 percent of students were the children of farmers; today, this number has gone down to less than 1 percent. Erwin’s parents were immigrants from Germany, and his father worked as a mechanic for Yellow Cab in New York City before moving his family to a farm on Woosamonsa Road in 1932. This land, which they turned into a dairy farm, cost him and his cousin $6,000. Harbat Farms is still a working farm to this day, though in its heyday it consisted of 1000 acres, 150 milking cows (“Hopewell Valley in 1948 had more dairy cows than people,” Erwin says), and 1000 chickens and laying hens. Erwin remembers his mother, a hardworking, healthful woman, taking care of the hens. Harbat Farms is not only the family business--it’s where Erwin came into the world, too, the place he took his first breath and learned to walk and talk and, later, farm. He was born right in the farmhouse, delivered by Doctor Abey, for whom Abey Drive in Pennington is named.
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December 2019
Erwin at Cafe Eclair in Pennington Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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December 2019
Resident Feature The changes, both big and small, in everyday life from the 1930s to now are sometimes hard for people today to grasp. Education, for one thing, was entirely different in Hopewell Valley when Erwin was a child. Today, the community has some of the best education in the state, but Erwin talks of a time when children learned in one-room schoolhouses. He himself is too young to remember this firsthand, but his family farm, Harbat Farms, is located on Woosamonsa Road, on which a small schoolhouse stands to this day, preserved by lovers of history involved in the board of the Woosamonsa Schoolhouse Association, for which Erwin has been chairman. The childhood Erwin remembers might have some foreign elements for children today, but some of it is the same, too. “There was only one police officer in the area at that time,” he remembers. “He even had time to knock on your door” if you needed anything or to check up on you. It seems Erwin was born with a bit of a mischievous streak; he recalls, on the night before Halloween (known to some as “Mischief Night”) many years ago, he and his friends would soap up windows in the neighborhood and even upset outhouses! “There was someone in the outhouse one time,” Erwin recalls, laughing. “We upset him, too.” And in the 90s, Erwin was named, in the local newspaper, a “rooster thief.” It started out as a misunderstanding when the bird was on his
property, but when Erwin tried to return Charlie the rooster, he was accused of having switched it out for a different one! The debacle has stuck with Erwin to this day, because of its absurd nature--and it does make a good story. Today, we no longer heat with wood, we now have iPhones and Amazon, and airplanes have become the fastest way to travel across the country, over trains. Production has skyrocketed, schools have increased greatly in size, taxes have risen, and, now, there are more people than dairy cows in Hopewell Valley. But there is an aspect of Hopewell Valley that Erwin says hasn’t changed, and that’s the neighborliness, the sense of knowing so many of the people in your community. Many residents might consider Erwin to be the Grandfather of Hopewell Valley, a kind, cheerful, wise man always willing to share a smile and a story. Perhaps there is something comforting in knowing that, no matter how many years pass by (83, in this case), the spirit of a place, especially one like Hopewell Valley, remains the same: warm, welcoming, beautified by nature, populated with special people. Home.
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Keep an eye out for an upcoming website, created by Angelina, to further educate and raise awareness. Please also see page 12 to read an article by Angelina’s father, Werner Graf, for more information on the plastic bag concern that affects our Earth.
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. Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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What Are You Grateful For? By Rachel Donington
The holiday season is here and it’s the end of another year. This gets me thinking about gratitude and how wonderful it feels to be thankful and appreciative, even for the small things we experience in everyday life. It turns out there is a growing body of research which shows there are many psychological benefits to being grateful, including feeling happier and lowering stress, depression, and anxiety. And, of course, helping others feel good too!” Not only that, there is also scientific evidence that expressing genuine gratitude on a daily basis can improve physical health as well by improving your quality of sleep, cardiovascular (heart) health, and immune function. Imagine that—something as simple as how we think about our lives and the people in them actually has a profound impact on our health. So clearly a spirit of gratitude and appreciation is an essential skill for everyone — young and old — to foster and develop. Gratitude promotes optimism and helps us to develop a more positive outlook. It lets us pause for a moment to reflect on something we have in our life right now instead of always striving for more; the next goal, the next vacation, a new car, new clothes, or the house renovation. Gratitude is simply cultivating a genuine appreciation for what we already have. And we have a lot! I’m sure you will agree that most of us actually have far more material ‘things’ than we really need. Take the Gratitude Challenge! During this holiday season, I encourage you to give the following things a try and see what effect they have on your own life. Say Thank You Let’s start simply. Just say thank you. Intentionally find someone you care for and tell them ‘thanks!’ This might sound intimidating, but give it a shot anyway.
Donate Things You Don’t Use Gratitude is sometimes expressed in kindness. Do a quick purge of your closets and storage areas areas around your home and donate the items you haven’t touched in over 6 months to a local charity. This expresses your gratitude for the things you have by sharing what you have with those who have less. Call A Friend Give a friend or family member a call. Tell them you care about them and just wanted to say hi, or spend some time catching up. They are sure to appreciate this! Give Yourself A Treat Express your thanks to yourself by getting a special treat! For me this would might be a pedicure or tennis game with a friend. For others, it might be dessert or something new you’ve had your eyes on for awhile! Give yourself a little treat because you’ve worked hard for it. The key here is to express genuine gratitude and appreciation for specific things you already have in your life and not to think ‘I wish I had more’. And the positive effect is multiplied when you share the gratitude with others – especially your own family and loved ones – but also your friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Why not give it a try this holiday season and see what happens?
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December 2019
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Calendar of Events
Hopewell
Happenings
Sun., December 1 Color Me Calm – Adult Coloring @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Coloring books and art supplies available all day.
Hopewell Public Library Open House The little red library celebrates their love of community, books, reading, and storytelling. @ Hopewell Borough Public Library, 13 East Broad Street Time: 1-3pm Holiday treats, beverages, love music. Hopewell Borough Museum Holiday Teaand Open House Visitors are invited to see period holiday decorations, discover the history of Hopewell, and enjoy cookies and traditional tea served in the downstairs kitchen. @ Hopewell Borough Museum, 28 East Broad Street Time: 1-4pm Cookies, tea, and live music. Wed., December 4 Gardening Book Club Join us in reading and discussing works of fiction or non-fiction having to do with gardening, plants, nature, or the land. All are welcome to discuss this month’s title Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver. @ Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 2-3pm Green thumb not required. No registration necessary. Fri., December 6 Reindeer Lane Children’s Holiday Gift Shop Volunteers guide children with gift making for their family and friends while live music plays, elves dance, and jolly Santa pops in to say “hello-ho-ho.” @ Train Station, Hopewell Borough Time: 3-7pm For information, contact reindeerlane.hopewell@ gmail.com. 36thAnnual Holiday Walk in Pennington Presented by the Pennington Business & Professional Association @ Main Street, Pennington Borough Time: 6-9pm A festive night of wonder and delight for all ages! Come Ye Come All.
Sat., December 7 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Tree Lighting in Hopewell Borough Gather in front of the Volunteer Bandstand, fondly called the gazebo, to sing holiday tunes and watch for Santa to ride into town on an antique fire engine. When he arrives, he asks for the children to help him light the tree. @ Hopewell Fire House Time: 6pm Tues., December 10 Writers Support Group All are welcome to attend and enjoy the challenges of becoming better writers, defeating writer’s block and perfecting the craft. @ Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 6-8:30pm No registration necessary. Thurs., December 12 Sports Book Group: Beartown Join us for our new book club with a sports twist! Each month we’ll discuss a book revolving around a sport, an athlete, a team, or a league. If the book is related to sports, it’s fair game! This month’s book is Beartown by Fredrik Backman @ Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 7-8pm No registration necessary.
Sun., December 22– Mon., December 30 Hanukkah Begins in the evening of December 22 and ends the in the evening of December 30. Mon., December 23 – Tues., December 31 Winter Break All Schools Closed @ Hopewell Valley Regional Schools Tues., December 24 Christmas Eve Wed., December 25 Christmas Day Merry Christmas! Thurs., December 26 Kwanzaa begins Tues., December 31 New Year’s Eve
Sat., December 14 Holiday Light Competition Register December 11. Decorate by December 14. Vote by December 23. Winners announced December 24. @ Hopewell Borough For more information contact hopewellevents@ gmail.com. Fri., December 20 Early Dismissal @ Hopewell Valley Regional Schools Fri., December 20 – Tues., December 24 Live Nativity For almost half a century, for 4 consecutive nights before Christmas Day, the five Hopewell Borough churches participate in the live staging with the scene of the historic nativity. @ on the lawn of the Calvary Baptist Church, 3 East Broad Street, Hopewell Borough Time: Sundown each night Carolers also roam the streets on these nights.
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December 2019
Real Estate
Hopewell Valley Market Activity OCTOBER SOLDS - Homes ADDRESS
21 York Road
BEDS
4
BATHS SOLD PRICE
3.5
$506,500
Residential Rentals ADDRESS
BEDS BATHS
RENT
106 Delaware Ave E. #5
2
1.5
$1,495
73 Dublin Rd.
3
1.5
$2,400
231 S. Main St
3
2.5
$2,500
29 Crusher Rd.
4
2.5
$3,900
Commercial ADDRESS
14 Mercer St.
TYPE
Office
RENT
$1,50
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85 Columbia Avenue, Hopewell Borough For Sale
HOPEWELL VALLEY OFFICE 800 Denow Rd, Suite N, Pennington, NJ 08534
609.737.9100 www.GloriaNilson.com
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Recipe
Holiday Shortbread Cookies By Rachel Donington
These buttery shortbread cookies are simply divine. They are melt-in-your-mouth amazing, bursting with the goodness of butter, and easily dressed up or down.
INGREDIENTS • 2 cups salted butter, cold and cut into pieces • 1 cup packed light brown sugar • 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour, divided • Optional: Your favorite sprinkles or decoration INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 325F, with rack on lower middle position. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add butter and brown sugar. Using paddle attachment on medium-high speed, mix until fluffy and light, several minutes. Add only3 1/2 cups of the flour and mix on medium-low speed until combined. On a large board, sprinkle 1/2 cup flour to keep dough from sticking to the board. Use rubber spatula to transfer dough to the board. Knead dough by hand for 5 minutes, adding only as much ofthe remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed to make a soft dough, while continuing to knead by hand. The dough should end up soft and pliable, similar to play-dough, not sticky. Work in desired amount of sprinkles, if using. (Important Note: You may not end up using all the flour, depending on how your dough feels; it’s important to stop adding flour as soon as your dough feels like soft play dough.) Divide dough into thirds, wrap tightly, and chill for at least 30 minutes or until firm enough to roll and cut shapes. Roll one-third of the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness (lightly flour board if needed.) Either cut into 3×1 rectangular strips, triangles, or use cookie cutter for shapes. Place each cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Poke cookies with fork to design if not using sprinkles. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. If your shapes are smaller, bake less time. Bake longer for bigger shapes. Repeat with the remaining dough, working in batches so dough stays chilled and workable. Cool completely on wire rack before serving. Cookies keep very when sealed airtight, at room temp.
Happy Holidays Hopewell Valley — from my family to yours!
What’s scarier than a lung screening? Telling your loved ones that you should have gotten one sooner. Screening for early detection of lung cancer can give you — and your family — peace of mind. We understand – if you’ve been smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for the past 20 to 30 years, getting your lungs checked is a scary proposition. But we also know that if you choose to get a low-dose CT scan to detect the early stages of lung cancer, it could increase your chances of a positive outcome by at least 20% over chest x-rays. So you’re less likely to give your friends and family the worst news of all. An experienced Lung Nurse Navigator will be with you and your loved ones every step of the way to help, no matter what services you choose. If you qualify, the screening is covered by Medicare and most insurances. Call 609-584-2826 or visit rwjbh.org/hamiltonlungscreening
Let’s beat cancer together.
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Together RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute offer the most advanced cancer treatment options close to home.
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December 2019
In The Arts
Celebrating Art In The Everyday Hopewell Valley Arts Council
By Carol Lipson | Hopewell Valley Arts Council Board of Trustees
Checking my compass: in every direction winter’s beauty By Bill Waters, micropoet
Icy Creek by Morris Dockor, oil on canvas
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
The Hopewell Valley Arts Council wishes you a magical and creative holiday season!
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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
Campus shared with St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center
Ready to take the next step?
St. Mary’s Assisted Living
Grace Garden Memory Care Assisted Living
St. Joseph’s Skilled Nursing
Morris Hall Meadows
Located in Lawrenceville, NJ For more information, please visit us at www.morrishall.org or contact us at mhadmissions@morrishall.org or 609.895.1937 18
December 2019
Community Event
36th Annual Holiday Walk, A Pennington Tradition By Pennington Business & Professional Association
Get into the holiday spirit! Nothing screams ‘Norman Rockwell’ more than Pennington Business & Professional Association’s 36th Annual Holiday Walk in Pennington. Come enjoy the Holiday Walk with family, friends, and neighbors. Experience the magic and wonder of this Pennington tradition! Feel the excitement as children anxiously await the arrival of Santa visit to Main Street and enjoy the festivities throughout the night. Holiday music, carolers, dancers, and plenty of activities for the kids — nothing better to put you in the holiday spirit! The shops on Main Street will be open late and filled with the most unique gifts for everyone on your list, and our restaurants and cafes will be open too! A Festive Night of Wonder and Delight for Children of All Ages!
36TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY WALK Friday, December 6, 2019 • 6 to 9 pm Main Street, Pennington Borough Come Ye Come All
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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SEASONS GREETINGS AND WARM WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND ABUNDANT NEW YEAR During this season of joy and giving, the entire team at Knox Grove Financial would like to thank you for your patronage and the opportunity to provide you with the services and solutions to help meet your unique financial goals and needs. We appreciate your business and look forward to guiding you on “Your Path Forward” in the coming year.
Christina A. Nash YOUR PAT H FORWARD
Knox Grove Financial, LLC 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 Pennington, NJ 08534 P: 609-216-7440 F: 609-910-4275 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com Info@knoxgrove.com
Christina’s December Tip:
As we wrap up the year, it’s important to organize your financials and review your goals. See our website for the free document checklist to get started! 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.