February 2020
Madeleine and Larry Mansier Openers of Doors
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
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 Greg Fontaine – Owner 2479 Pennington Rd, Pennington, NJ I 609-737-4425 greg.aeconstruction@gmail.com AEconstructionNJ.com
Dermatology Windsor Dermatology 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 1 Hamilton Way, Hamilton, NJ 08690 609-586-7000 www.rwjbh.org/rwj-university-hospital-hamilton/
Lawn and Landscaping Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscaping, LLC Nick Pirone - Owner 1652 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ I 609-356-3465 nick@ce.land I ce.land.com
Orthodontics DeSimone Orthodontics Dr. Karen DeSimone, DDS 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B-200, Pennington NJ 08534 609-737-8000 info@desimoneorthodontics.com www.desimoneorthodontics.com
Real Estate Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate Hopewell Valley 800 Denow Road, Suite N, Pennington, NJ 609-737-9100 www.glorianilson.com
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.
Call Chris Cline’s team! Chris Cline, Agency Owner See how much you could save on your insurance. Get a free quote today!
(609) 530-1000 geico.com/Mercer
Sensitivity: Confidential
2
February 2020
Publisher’s Letter
Dear Residents, Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Angela Fulcer 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 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 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. ©2020 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
One of the best things about Valentine’s Day is that it can remind us to show the people we care about how much we appreciate them. February 14 was first associated with romantic love in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Today, Valentine’s Day is mostly recognized as a significant commercial celebration filled with Happy Valentine’s Day cards, flowers, and candy given as tokens of love and affection. What better month than February to feature a Hopewell Valley couple with an amazing love story on our cover? Madeleine and Larry Mansier inspire me with their dedication to each other, to learning, to keeping an open mind, and to finding joy in daily life. Love is everywhere if we look for it, and Madeleine and Larry show us this—we can find love in our interests and passions, in helping others, in ourselves, and in each other. I hope you enjoy reading about this incredible couple as much as I enjoy sharing their love story with you, and that you take some inspiration from their joyful optimism. Of course, every day is a day to fully express your love. And I hope you do. But why not see Valentine’s Day as the perfect annual reminder to put what you feel into words and share it with those you love? I hope you enjoy this month’s stories! Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
Speaking with Madeleine and Larry for this issue was a pleasure and a blessing. There is so much happiness, so much gratitude and exuberance, in the way they speak not only of each other but of life in general that sparked joy in me as they told me their story. The things they have accomplished throughout their lives, as a team and as individuals, are stunning. I know their love story and the stories of their separate careers will awe you as they did me. Please enjoy this issue, and happy Valentine’s Day! 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
DID YOU KNOW THAT CONGRESS JUST PASSED THE SECURE ACT? WE CAN HELP! • Delayed start of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
• Repeal of Age Limitation for IRA Contributions
• Elimination of “Stretch” IRAs
• Multiple-Employer Plan Expansion • Increased Tax Credits for Small Businessess
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 FEBRUARY TIP: The impact of the SECURE Act on your retirement and estate planning strategy could be significant. Learn more about these and other key provisions that will affect how you save for the future. Call us today. 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.
First Bank
Cares About Businesses Like Yours
Business Express Credit Line*
Business Checking
First Bank’s Business Express Credit Line is an awesome solution for your business’ borrowing needs. It’s a quick and simple way to increase your working capital or finance equipment for your business.
Don’t keep paying more than you should for banking. We have been able to save our customers up to 30% monthly on fees!
• Quick decisions upon receipt of complete application package • Loans up to $500,000 • Available for short-term and long-term funding needs
Call us today to find out how much we can save you! Pennington Branch
3 Tree Farm Road 609.281.5808 Ask for Ruth Powell
• Not intended for real estate transactions, non-profit, or personal use
firstbanknj.com • 877.821.BANK *Subject to approval
4
Personal Bankers. Real Relationships.
February 2020
Non-Profit Spotlight
Give from Your Heart By Lisa Wolff | Executive Director, FoHVOS
Valentine’s Day is coming. Show your love for that special someone by nourishing both body and spirit. Start by giving an “experience.” Plenty of studies explain why experiences make people happier than material possessions, but for my purposes here, I’ll rely on just one reason. Time you spend together enriches your connection. Think of it this way: are your best stories about material possessions or something you did? Make some nice memories. Completely unrelated studies show that helping others brings benefits to both givers and receivers. So maybe we can maximize happiness by combining both giving an experience and helping others. Stay with me on this--we know for a fact that buying locally helps the community because local places contribute to the unique character of the neighborhood and money spent with them is reinvested locally. So, taken together, a local experience is both enjoyable and can help others, too. An easy place to start for your Valentine’s gift is to make reservations at a Hopewell Valley restaurant. There are great options in both boroughs and throughout Hopewell Township. Luckily, our local eateries have amazing food with just the right atmosphere for the occasion. Plus, they take care of the cleanup. Dining locally is a simple way to engage in an experience, be rewarded with a great meal and some excellent conversation, and take pride in knowing that you’ve made a little difference for your community. Trust me, it adds up. Next, skip the candy, and consider other presents that “do good” locally. Support a nonprofit for a cool gift and maybe another fun experience in the process. Here are a few of my favorites, unique, and available in Hopewell Valley customized to your recipient:
Museum, Elaine and Beverly demonstrate their labor of love, and the community has responded in kind. Your gourmet Foodie friend: Cooking class or 5-course feast; thefarmcookingschool.com. School Founder Ian Knauer was a food editor for Gourmet Magazine and co-hosted television shows that won two James Beard Awards. The produce used is grown onsite to support the earth at Roots to River organic farm. Gravity Hill Farm uses their proceeds to make education and healthy food available to kids throughout Mercer County. There is something for everyone to enjoy and make a difference to boot. Valentine’s Day is just the beginning. Enjoying local experiences that also give back to society, are a great way to ensure longevity for both your relationship and our planet.
Your eco-friendly, sustainable friend: The FoHVOS Tribute, available at fohvos.org. A customized, framed certificate made of recycled materials shares that you donated a tree or native wildflowers to reduce carbon, help the environment, and beautify public lands all in their honor. Optional bonus: you get another date to come out and help on planting day. Your inclusive, social cause supporting friend: Greeting Cards, soap & lotion, palsnj.org/store. Pennington Adult Living Services (PALS) helps individuals with developmental disabilities achieve productive, independent, and happy lives. Purchases support disabled individuals to gain social, economic and community inclusion. You receive items with heart and soul. Your activist friend: A HPL library card and the first Wednesday series, redlibrary.org. Anyone throughout Hopewell Valley can get a free card to the little red library. The first Wednesday of the month will win the heart of your activist. January was a Nonpartisan Conversation about Climate Change. March provides native plant gardening tips that will attract pollinators and help the earth! What’s more romantic than saving the world? Your fair trade, globally responsible friend: Seeds to Sew gifts, 16 Seminary Ave., Hopewell. Cloth gift wrapping bags are colorful collectables that support education and job skills for women and girls from disadvantaged communities. That’s two cool gifts – Reusable giftwrap that spares the landfill, plus, empowering support for impoverished areas of the world. Your local history loving friend: If These Stones Could Talk – Book, ssaamuseum.org. Authors Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills raise awareness about our area’s authentic African American history. They transform listeners to experience not-so-distant, past history. Between the book and the Stoutsburg Sourland African American
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
5
RWJ University Hospital Hamilton Named ‘Top General Hospital’ By Rachel Donington
Two RWJBarnabas Health facilities have been recognized as Top Hospitals by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. Saint Barnabas Medical Center was recognized as Top Teaching Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton was recognized as a Top General Hospital. Widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors an American hospital can receive, the recognition underscores RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to patient safety and quality. Saint Barnabas Medical Center is one of only 55 Top Teaching Hospitals recognized nationally, and located in our community RWJUH Hamilton is one of only 37 Top General Hospitals nationally recognized. The Top Hospital Awards come following each of the hospitals’ “A” Hospital Safety Grade, also from the Leapfrog Group. Data used to identify Top Hospitals are gathered and publicly reported through the Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The Leapfrog Hospital Survey
6
compares hospitals’ performance on national standards of patient safety, quality, efficiency and management structures that prevent errors, providing the most comprehensive picture of how patients fare at individual institutions. “We are proud to be honored with the distinction of Top General Hospital,” says Richard Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJUH Hamilton. “RWJUH Hamilton has a strong commitment to patient safety and quality and the recognition from the Leapfrog Group demonstrates our entire staff’s extraordinary dedication to our patients and our community to consistently deliver the highest level of care.” The data collected also enable hospitals to benchmark their progress toward The Leapfrog Groups’ standards and measure the care they deliver. To learn more about the methodology for Top Hospitals and the full list of 2019 honorees, please visit www.leapfroggroup.org/ tophospitals.
February 2020
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH in New Brunswick, RWJUH Somerset in Somerville, RWJUH Hamilton, RWJUH Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and an accountable care organization. RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 34,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health recently announced a partnership with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration will align RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research and
clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. About The Leapfrog Group Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.
vvv Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton serves as a leading healthcare provider in our community of Hopewell Valley and throughout the region. We congratulate RWJUH Hamilton for their “A” Hospital Safety Grade and ongoing commitment to patient safety and quality care they deliver to members of our community.
SALES & SERVICE OIL CHANGES TIRES SUSPENSION BRAKES AIR • COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS
• • • • •
Mercedes Benz Audi / VW BMW
Your German vehicle specialist. We service all makes and models. Call for an appointment today.
We specialize in the sale of pre-owned German Automobiles
MENTION THIS AD FOR $10 OFF ANY OIL & FILTER SERVICE
(609) 466-1550
hopewellmotors@gmail.com 49 East Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ www.hopewellmotors.com
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
7
Resident Feature
8
February 2020
Madeleine and Larry Mansier Openers of Doors
By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
Madeleine and Larry Mansier have accomplished so much throughout their lives, both together and separately, that it is difficult to believe two people are capable of such achievement. Vivacious yet scholarly, lighthearted yet dignified, the couple have lived joyously here in Hopewell Valley—and continue to learn, to teach, to capture life’s fleeting moments every single day. “You’ll want to remember the number ‘twenty-four,’” says Larry, before we delve into the love story of their fifty-two year romance. He and Madeleine had both worked as teachers elsewhere before meeting on the first day of school at Princeton High School in the fall of 1966. They were both new members of the English department. “We had our first date on September 24, at the Princeton-Rutgers football game,” Madeleine says. “Larry took me out to dinner afterwards.” One month later, on October 24, Larry proposed, and Madeleine accepted. “We became officially engaged with a ring on December 24, Christmas Eve, and then we were married on June 24.” Their entire courtship, from first date to wedding, took place in that first school year. The couple lived for a few years in an apartment in Lawrenceville; soon, though, Madeleine took some time off so she could take on a new project: designing their future home. It was a big task to take on, but she knew she could handle it. “I started with graph paper, pencil, and ruler and went from there,” she says. Madeleine designed every single detail of their home, in which they still live: everything from rooms and closets down to the precise placement of every electrical outlet. And the design of their home is unique; it is completely wheelchair accessible. “I was one of those people who graduated from college, Rutgers University, and was welcomed by Uncle Sam to the army,” says Larry. “At the end of basic training I was shipped out to Korea. One day, I got up and felt like I had the flu. The next night, I fell out of bed. I ended up in an iron lung and almost completely paralyzed.” Larry had contracted polio. He was shipped to East Orange Veterans Hospital and was eventually released in a wheelchair. Against the odds, Larry learned to walk again with crutches and did so for many years. Madeleine, as she designed their house, knew that Larry would eventually have to transition back to using a wheelchair full-time, so she had the foresight to ensure that their home was entirely available for Larry’s use. So Madeleine went out and spoke with plumbers, electricians, and carpenters, until she had a completed plan for their dream home. She needed an architect’s seal of approval in order to move forward with the plan, and she got it; he only had two small changes for the entire plan. “The house is essentially as I designed it,” says Madeleine. She, who had no prior experience with design of this kind, had created an entire house from a pencil and a dream. Although Madeleine and Larry have lived a beautiful life together, they emphasize that they have been careful to lead their own separate lives as well, with respective careers and interests. Madeleine graduated from Penn State in 1961 and became a high school English teacher. Then, she became a newspaper editor to try something
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
9
Resident Feature else. “I had been the editor of my high school paper,” she says. “I wanted a wide variety of experience.” It was while she was working for the weekly newspaper that she was contacted by Princeton High School—where she met Larry—and offered a job as an English teacher there. After teaching there for a year, she became assistant to the superintendent. She left Princeton High School to supervise the student teachers at Princeton University, and it was from here that she took the time off to design their home. Soon after, their son, Lawrence, was born. “Larry had always known that what I really wanted to do was to be a lawyer,” says Madeleine. So one day, when Lawrence was in Kindergarten, Larry came home with a book of every law school in the country. He said, “Next year, Lawrence will be in school all day every day. I will be in school all day every day, but will be home to put Lawrence on the school bus and greet him when he gets home. It’s the perfect time for you to be in school all day every day!” So she did. She went to Temple Law School. “I loved Philadelphia,” says Madeleine. After class, Madeleine came home, cooked dinner, and went to her room to study. “I graduated from law school in 1981, twenty years after
I graduated undergrad,” she says. After clerking for a year in New Jersey, she went to work in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. After only a few weeks of working there, she was handed a case that had been tried before that the state had lost. “They asked me to handle the appeal, and we won.” But the story isn’t over there. The other party had chosen to petition the United States Supreme Court, who took the case. Madeleine had the amazing opportunity to argue in the Supreme Court—and won again! Madeleine left the Attorney General’s Office in 1997, when she was asked by Governor Christine Todd Whitman to join Counsel’s Office. While there, she met the person who would become the new commissioner of education, and he asked her if she would be Chief of Staff, a position that allowed her to combine her education background with her legal background. “I ultimately retired in 2001. Since then, I’ve been doing a fantastic amount of volunteer work,” says Madeleine. She and Larry are members of the Pennington Presbyterian Church, where she does the majority of her volunteering.
Madeleine and Larry share daily morning prayer at breakfast
10
February 2020
Madeleine enjoys playing the piano, her newest endeavor
She continues to serve on their governing body. “I am also the chair of the Older Adult Ministry Committee.” In retirement, Madeleine also developed a serious interest in genealogy; so she and Larry spent many summer vacations travelling around the country, gathering information and documents about the history of both of their families, including handling some papers that were hundreds of years old. The ultimate result was a 325 page family history book, with lots of pictures, which is highly treasured by their son Lawrence, his wife Angela, and their four children, Morgan, Olivia, Weston and Lucas. Larry has enjoyed a similarly illuminating career. His first job was as a copywriter on Wall Street, which, he found, was not very fulfilling. He returned to Rutgers for two years of graduate study and became an English teacher in a public high school in North Jersey. At one point, he was offered a position at Princeton High School (where he would later meet Madeleine), but turned it down. Five years later he got in touch with the school and, in a moment of serendipity, got the job! Larry taught English and directed plays at Princeton High School. “The awful thing about being a director is telling somebody they didn’t get the part,” he says. So he created an additional opportunity for those students, which he called the “lunchbag players,” a program in which four groups rehearsed at lunch time and then performed four one-act plays twice on one special school day. Larry was also involved in television at Princeton High School, where he organized interviews and news broadcasts for the students. In 1995, Larry officially retired. His entire career had taken place after contracting polio and serving in the war. But there was a chapter of Larry’s life as a teacher he had never even dreamed of yet to come. One day, someone from church approached Larry and expressed a desire to learn about Shakespeare, knowing Larry had been an English teacher. Larry had already been heavily involved in services for senior citizens; he had pushed for the Hopewell Valley Senior Advisory Board that started in 2005 (he was actually its president until three years ago). So it was only natural that he decided to create Explorations, a daytime learning program for senior citizens taught by senior citizens. Although teachers are not paid, the students pay a nominal fee that reimburses the teachers’ expenses, and any money left over goes to the Hopewell Valley Senior
Foundation, where Larry serves as president. The program has been in place for eleven years. “I’ve gotten to do twenty-seven Shakespeare plays,” says Larry. Madeleine teaches courses, too. This past fall, she taught “Legal Right to Privacy: Past. Present. Future?” and Larry taught “Three Plays by Lillian Hellman.” Also offered were “American Indian-Animal Relationships,” taught by William Guthrie, and “How Poetry Works,” taught by Al Fittipaldi. Madeleine and Larry share a beloved quote that deeply reflects their vibrant, distinguished lives: “Be an opener of doors,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. “We use our love of education and people to try to spread this message, so we provide opportunities for others,” says Madeleine. And the couple expresses their love for each other. “We’re best friends. We take each other’s classes! We have a blessed life.” They truly do have a blessed life, Madeleine and Larry Mansier. They have accomplished so much, both together and separately, have provided so many joys and hopes forothers, too. They truly are openers of doors.
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
11
Washington Crossing State Park — A History By Annette Earling | President, Washington Crossing Park Association One of Hopewell Valley’s most precious resources is our green spaces. We’re fortunate to be home to thousands of acres of parks and preserved land. Many residents, however, are unaware of the one of the true gems of Hopewell Valley, and in fact the entire country: Washington Crossing State Park of New Jersey. This year I have the honor of being president of the Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA), whose mission is to preserve, enhance and advocate for the park and the history it represents. We know that many of you love the Park’s historic heritage, its recreational trails, and its wild beauty. But many of you don’t yet know about this fantastic place, or perhaps are aware of it but have never visited. So please, allow me to tell you a little bit about it. The Park was established in 1912 at the site of the historic river crossing by General George Washington and his troops on Christmas, 1776. The original park, which included the Continental Army’s landing site and an overlook of the Delaware River, contained only 100 acres. Major development by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) was accomplished in the 1930s, and over the decades the park has gradually expanded to include more than 3500 acres of historic interest and natural beauty. The park contains a wide variety of features. If you love history, visit the Johnson Ferry House—the only edifice still standing from the time of the Crossing. Park historian Nancy Ceperly will keep you spellbound with the tale of the family who ran the tavern and ferryboat operation, and who decided to help the troops to cross on that fateful night—putting their freedom, property, and lives at risk. If you love nature, visit the Park’s Nature Center—where naturalist Wayne Henderek hosts a small menagerie of local critters and runs a series of family-friendly programs such as bird walks, maple sugaring demonstrations, and cross-country ski workshops. If you love artifacts, stop at the Visitor Center Museum, which houses the Swan Collection—one of our nation’s most impressive assembly of Revolutionary War objects. Historians there run programs for school children and visitors from all over our area. The park contains miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, many of which connect with other local parks. It also hosts sporting fields, playgrounds, a stunning Open Air Theater (currently only used
12
for summer movies), and an observatory operated by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton. Moreover, a wide variety of migrating birds use the Park’s stream and ravine for nesting, creating a perfect location for bird observation year round. Our friends’ group was established in 2013, and has come a long way in only six years. In fact, December 7th marked an enormous turning point as we were able to organize an enormous project. On that day nearly 140 tree experts in 88 trucks and rigs came in like the cavalry to volunteer their services for the annual “Work Day” of the New Jersey International Society of Arboriculture (NJAISA). Each year professional arborists provide a day of work at a location selected by the chapter. The recipient organization pays a fraction of what the work is worth, and that money goes into the organization’s “Tree Fund,” providing grants for research in arboriculture and urban forestry. The WCPA raised the required funding from members and supporters, supplemented by a donation from the Garden Club of Trenton. We also raised enough cash to feed 140 hard-working lumberjacks (pork roll, egg & cheese sandwiches for breakfast, pasta fagioli and tomato pie for lunch…this is New Jersey after all). The day was an incredible exercise in collaboration between philanthropists and volunteers, with donations from local businesses such as Chez Alice, Deli on a Bagel, Dunkin’ Donuts of Pennington, Pennington ShopRite, Pennington Quality Market and Princeton Whole
February 2020
Foods. The Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad helped us to cook lunch. Britton Industries donated dumpsters and wood removal services. It’s hard to describe our emotions as we contemplated this outpouring of generosity and watched those trucks arrive and the arborists spread out through the park. By the end of the day, the arborists had completed tree work with an estimated value of $145,000. The Washington Crossing Park Association will continue to seek more opportunities, improve this lovely place for residents of Hopewell Valley, and beyond. In the meantime, we invite you to come walk your dog, ride your bike, or just sit by the river and contemplate the beauty and history embodied in that space. The Park is open daily and year-round, from 8 am to 8 pm. There is a $5 per car entry fee (cash only) for NJ residents on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day—otherwise entry is free. The Johnson Ferry House is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 12 The Wilson Family provides affordable dignified services to the families of Hopewell Valley since 1960.
pm and 1 to 4 pm, and Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. The Nature Center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 to 4 pm. The Visitors Center Museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
vvv Visit www.wcpa-nj.com to learn more, or to join the Association. We have several levels of membership with such perks as free family movie nights, yearly NJ State Park passes, and space in our heated hospitality tent during the annual Christmas Day Crossing Re-enactment. Hopewell Valley’s green spaces need your support! The Washington Crossing Park Association of New Jersey works to preserve, enhance and advocate for the park and the history it represents. The Association strives to educate citizens and enrich their quality of life through knowledge and exposure to the park.
Pennington Montessori School Premier Early Childhood Education
2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ
6 Weeks thru Kindergarten Academic Curriculum Music-Spanish-Outdoor Education
Call to schedule a tour!
6O9.737.1331
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
609-392-1039 Serving Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Lawrenceville, Ewing, Peinnington, Titusville, Blawenburg, and Princeton.
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
4 Tree Farm Road, Pennington www.penningtonmontessori.com admissionsinfo@penningtonmontessori.org
Now Accepting Applications 13
Calendar of Events
Sat., February 1 Color Me Calm – Adult Coloring @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Coloring books and art supplies available all day. Sun., February 2 Groundhog Day Super Bowl LIV @ 6:30pm Fri., February 7 First Friday Film: The Sun is Also a Star (2019) A modern-day story about finding love against all odds, The Sun Is Also a Star explores whether our lives are determined by fate or the random events of the universe. Rated PG-13, 120 minutes. @ Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 1:30-4pm Lego Free Play Love Legos? Drop by to engage your imagination and creativity with some block building. Develop teamwork skills or build independently. Those who are up to the task may also engage in a special Lego challenge. Ages 5+ @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Time: 4-5pm Sun., February 9 Go, Van Gough! At one point, Vincent van Gogh wrote to his brother that since he had no children, he viewed his paintings as his progeny. A painter and pastor, van Gogh produced more than 2,000 “brilliant children.” In this session, dozens of his works of art, with a focus on pieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will be explored. Presenter: Michael Noris, Ph.D., Art Historian @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Time: 3pm Tues., February 11 Too Busy to Cook Book Club:Designed for people who barely find enough time to breathe, this book club will read only a short work per month.This month’s book: A Meal in Winter by Hubert Mingarelli. @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Time: 7:30-8:30pm
14
Wed., February 12 Online Dating Workshop: Look for love at your Library! Interested in Online Dating, but not sure where to start? This class will introduce an array of online dating sites and apps, provide tips for making the most out of your profile, and discuss online and offline safety. Participants will have the opportunity to take and upload profile pictures! @ Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 10:30am-12pm Registration requested, please email hopeprogs@mcl.org to subscribe. Fri., February 14 Valentine’s Day Mon., February 17 President’s Day Hopewell Valley Regional School District: Schools & Offices Closed Tues., February 18 Trivia Night: Join us for an evening of trivia. Questions are geared toward adults, but kids 10 and over are welcome to participate, too!Play alone or form a team (of up to 5 adult members). @ Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 7-8pm Please include team name and number of members when registering via email to tgardner@mcl.org. Sun., February 23 The Search for General Tso: Who was General Tso, and why are we eating his chicken? This feature documentary explores the origins and ubiquity of Chinese-American food through the story of an iconic sweet and spicy chicken dish. “The Search for General Tso” is an engaging chronicle of cultural assimilation told with the verve of a good detective story. Samples of local General Tso chicken will be served. @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Time: 3-4pm
Mon., February 24 TED Talks CRISPR: Disease ,Designer Babies, and the Ethical Dilemma. Bring your lunch and listen to riveting, inspiring thinkers present innovation in every discipline— medicine, science, tech, education, psychology, history, justice, politics and more. Lively discussions after each 15 minute films that promise to engage and challenge us to think wider, deeper, higher. @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Time: 12:30-1:30pm Tues., February 25 Mardi Gras Wed., February 26 Ash Wednesday FEBRUARY AT HOPEWELL VALLEY VINEYARDS Visit www.hopwellvalleyvineyard.com for full listing of Artists Every Sunday Jazzy Sundays Time: 3-6pm Friday & Saturday Night Music & Merlot Enjoy live music, award winning HVV wine, delicious brick-oven pizza & light fare menu Live Music Time: 6-9pm
Let us help promote your local community event! Please join our Hopewell Happenings Page by sending us your Event Listing. Open to all Hopewell Valley organizations, clubs and local businesses. You can email your submissions to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
February 2020
Real Estate
Hopewell Valley Market Activity DECEMBER SOLDS - Homes ADDRESS
BEDS
BATHS/HALF
SOLD PRICE
ADDRESS
BEDS
BATHS/HALF
SOLD PRICE
2374 Pennington Rd
4
1/1
$111,500
167 Pleasant Valley Rd
5
2
$462,500
110 Corrine Dr
3
2
$200,000
72 Lexington Dr
3
2/1
$465,000
28 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd
3
1
$251,800
63 Lexington Dr
4
3
$470,000
27 Woolsey Ct
2
2
$285,000
14 Tucker Way
3
2/1
$480,000
104 Shrewsbury Ct
3
2/1
$299,000
15 Mallard Pl
3
2/1
$484,000
10 Eaton Pl
3
2/1
$334,000
11 Honey Lake Drive
5
3
$490,000
200 Sandpiper Ct
3
2/1
$335,000
54 Chicory Ln
5
3/1
$595,000
27 Woosamonsa Rd
3
1/1
$345,000
57 W Shore Dr
3
2
$602,500
104 Blackwell Rd
3
2
$358,000
417 Pennington Titusville Rd
5
3/1
$610,000
137 Newman Ct
3
2/1
$365,000
235 Hopewell Amwell Rd
4
2/1
$635,000
501 Pebble Creek Ct
3
2/1
$365,000
4 Grace Hill Ct
4
4/2
$697,500
34 Maddock Rd
4
4
$387,500
30 W Delaware Ave
4
2/1
$715,000
2 Cedar Dr
4
2/1
$410,000
6 Scudder Ct
4
3/1
$745,500
15 Dublin Rd
5
3
$417,000
9 Rosedale Way
5
3/1
$829,900
25 Tucker Way
3
2/1
$429,990
166 Hopewell Rocky Hill Rd
4
2/1
$875,000
64 N Main St
3
2
$435,000
2 Woodlawn Ln
5
5/2
$899,500
1316 River Rd
4
2/1
$449,000
2 Grace Hill Ct
5
6/1
$950,000
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 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.
546 W. Scotch Road Hopewell Township
HOPEWELL VALLEY OFFICE 800 Denow Rd, Suite N, Pennington, NJ 08534
609.737.9100 www.GloriaNilson.com
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
15
Recipe
Delicious Pasta Anytime! By Paul Anzano | Mayor of Hopewell Borough
Here’s a recipe you cannot stop eating and an easy dish to make. A great family recipe for any night of the week. Children love it too! Cheers, Paul. INGREDIENTS • • • • •
1 pound Orecchiette (or your favorite pasta) 8 ounces Portobello, diced Quarter pound of bacon, diced 1 bunch Asparagus, quartered Parmesan cheese
3. Add mushrooms to the pan and cook down for 2-3 minutes. Add asparagus to the mushrooms and saute until their nicely incorporated and still have a bit of a “bite”. (Try to avoid overcooking them!) 4. Then once the pasta is ready, drain and add to the pan, along with the cooked bacon and parmesan cheese. Give it a good toss.
DIRECTIONS 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta (I went with orecchiette) according to package instructions until it’s al dente.
5. Sprinkle with a little bit more parmesan cheese on top. And then dive in! Because I guarantee you that this pasta will disappear quickly.
2. Meanwhile, add diced bacon to a saute pan and cook until nice and crispy. Then remove bacon with a slotted spoon, and leave the leftover (about 1 Tbsp.) grease in the pan.
• 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 School “The School Lewis School Westminster 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 School Alumnus, 1988 that I should not be “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
16
February 2020
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
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
17
Art In The Everyday
In The Arts
Hopewell Valley Arts Council By Carol Lipson | Hopewell Valley Arts Council Board of Trustees
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Hopewell Valley Arts Council! As part of our mission, we celebrate ”art in the everyday” with Hopewell Valley.
Jennifer Driscoll Petrino, HV Arts member, board treasurer, and photographer, finds love everywhere with found-heart photos. We hope you find love and art in the everyday too!
18
February 2020
erently Thrive ho Learn Diff
nW Where Childre
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
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
19
1925
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Join us at either of our two locations! 938 Bear Tavern Rd., Ewing 609-493-4495 M-TH 7am-10pm Fri-Sat 7am-11pm • Sun 7am-10pm
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