January 2020
Chad Bridges A Life at The Pennington School
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/
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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.
January 2020
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 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
Happy New Year 2020 friends! A fresh new year is once again upon us. It’s the time to be thankful for the blessings of the past year and to take stock of all our achievements. A magazine’s January issue is almost always dedicated to New Year’s resolutions — for good reason. These resolutions can be a big deal for some. For others, they’re just another thing to be forgotten about two weeks into the year. This year, I encourage you to think of your New Year’s resolution as less of a daunting task and more of a chance to improve your life, something you look forward to. The amazing thing about chances is how we get them every year. So, set positive goals and resolutions. I did some research this month for the article about the history of New Year’s resolutions, and it is amazing how old this tradition is for humankind. So many of the stories we feature in this magazine — including this month’s resident feature on Chad Bridges of The Pennington School — are about our neighbors’ compassion, kindness, and dedication. I invite you to make your own resolutions in the spirit of our residents who have demonstrated again and again how fortunate we all are to call Hopewell Valley home. Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
My New Year’s resolution for 2020 is to live more slowly — to notice the things around me, to experience moments more fully, to fully exist in the present. I was inspired to write a piece this month on the Danish concept of “hygge,” a feeling of coziness, comfort, and warmth. Slow living and hygge go hand-in-hand, and as a student, I find that I live life a bit too fast sometimes. I hope you enjoy the article and this entire issue. Good luck with all your resolutions, and happy 2020! Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
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January 2020
Expert Contributor
Stuck on Start By Christina Nash | President & CEO, Knox Grove Financial, LLC
Has your life ever felt like you were playing a boardgame and the other players were rolling the dice and moving along on the gameboard, but you were simply “Stuck onStart”? You are not alone in this feeling. There are many things in life that our minds tell us would be good for us to do, but our feelings and physics get in the way of advancing our game piece and our S.O.S signals are being ignored. We think, I want to get in better shape, I’d like to lose 15 pounds, I want more “me” time, I would like to be more organized with my finances, and yet, somehow these wants get pushed aside. You know that you would feel better if you could check one of these wants off your list, but you can’t seem to take the first step. Well, this behavior is common for many of us, it’s called inertia. Inertia is derived from the Latin word iners, meaning sluggish or idle. Merriam Webster’s kid’s definition of inertia is “the tendency not to move or change”. This tendency relates to Newton’s first law of motion that states that an object will remain at rest or move at a constant speed in a straight line unless it is acted on by an outside force. Unfortunately, once we reach a certain age, there are no parents, teachers, or coaches acting in our lives as that much needed outside force. So, what’s the solution? If the laws of nature state that our tendency is to stay idle unless we have an outside force, what can we do to move our game piece off start? It’s simple, hire an outside force. If getting in better shape or losing weight is on your list, then hire a trainer. If you want more “me time” then hire someone to take some of the items off your “to do” list. If you want to reach your financial goals, then you hire a financial advisor. Many of you have just finished reading the last few lines and are already letting those feelings of fear and anxiety towards
change creep into your thoughts of action. You may even be justifying those feelings with “I can’t afford to hire anyone,” or “I don’t have time to do these things.” My grandmother Nash would always say “Christina, where there’s a will there’s a way”. For many of our new clients, the hardest part of acting on their finances, was to simply pick up the phone or write us an email requesting an appointment. Once the appointment is made, we now become for them, the outside force that helps guide their financial path forward. As Knox Grove financial advisors, we give clients the tools, the motivation, and the on-going coaching to feel empowered about their money and reaching their financial goals. If your financial plan is “Stuck on Start” call my office at 609-216-7440 or email me at christina@knoxgrove.com. Happy New Year,
Christina A. Nash
Christina A. Nash, President & CEO Knox Grove Financial, LLC 2 Tree Farm Drive, Suite B100 Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-216-7440
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.
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.
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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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
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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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January 2020
Bringing Hygge Home By Catherine Bialkowski
There is no denying that it’s cold outside. Perhaps it is snowing as you read this, curled up on the couch or at your kitchen table. Or maybe, at the very least, there is a chilly wind sifting through the tree branches outside your window. Because of the temperature, bringing warmth into your home and life is especially important at this time of year. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is a type of depression that can begin in late fall and lift in the spring and summer months. Even if you don’t experience SAD, it is easy to long for sunlight, to picture yourself on a warm beach somewhere else, to wish you could step outside in bare feet. And, as a result, your mood might sink as low as the setting-too-early sun. Fortunately, all is not lost until the Spring Equinox rolls around or Phil the groundhog proclaims spring is near from his home in Punxsutawney. There are certain things you can work into your home and your lifestyle that will encourage warmth--both physical and symbolic. Hygge Hygge, pronounced “hyoo-gah,” is a Danish word that refers to a feeling of coziness, warmth, or charm, and many Danish people incorporate this concept into their everyday lives. The Danish, perhaps not coincidentally, are ranked year after year as the happiest people in the world. It’s a lovely thought that the concept of hygge, of living a cozy, simple life, is behind their joy. Many books have been published about how to fully embrace hygge, but you can start feeling this feeling today, likely with things you already have. You might even be able to experience hygge right now if you look out a nearby window to see bare, frozen tree trunks, knowing you are safe and warm inside. I bring hygge into my life by lighting candles, having plenty of soft blankets on hand, displaying (and reading!) books, enjoying a steaming mug of tea, cooking and baking, and using soft, yellow lighting in my home (lamps instead of harsh overhead light). Here are some other ways to incorporate hygge into your home and life: • Sit around a campfire or fireplace (this natural form of light beats fluorescent any day) • Create something with your hands (you might crochet, knit, embroider, do woodwork, weld, whatever skill you have or can learn)
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
• Read (fantasies and mysteries are especially cozy!) • Invite friends into your home for dinner (making others feel welcomed can warm your own heart) • Decorate for the season or upcoming holiday (go all out with the holiday cheer!) •
Go outside, weather permitting (there’s nothing like being fully immersed in nature on a hike or simply a walk around the neighborhood to see the holiday lights, freezing temperature and all, and then returning inside for some hot chocolate)
• Keep your feet warm with socks and slippers (the fuzzier the better) • Indulge in your favorite comfort foods and desserts (it’s hard not to during the holiday season) • Watch a seasonal movie (classics are particularly hygge) • Handwrite a diary entry or a letter to a friend (old-fashioned but truly comforting) I hope the concept of hygge brings warmth to your life as it did mine; it might seem superfluous or overrated, but, I assure you, it has brought me so much joy.
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Resident Feature
Chad on his walk to soccer practice with Skye
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January 2020
Chad Bridges A Life at The Pennington School
By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
A
s Dean of Students at The Pennington School, Chad Bridges has a generous share of responsibilities on his agenda. But as an alumnus of the school himself, Chad expresses gratitude, above all, in reference to his position. Calling the school “an incredible community of learners,” he loves the student and faculty interaction he gets to experience on a daily basis. Chad grew up in Ewing Township, and before he stepped foot at The Pennington School as a student, he was familiar with a number of the students and faculty members. When it was highly recommended to his parents, he was enrolled in seventh grade. “I’m a lifer at Pennington,” he says. In 1996 Chad graduated from The Pennington School and was off to the corporate world for a time before his return to the place called home for the majority of his adolescence. “Something was always pulling me back to Pennington,” he says. After a few years working in corporate, the Head of School at the time offered Chad a teaching position as a social studies teacher in the middle school. “It was a tremendous opportunity,” he says. “I jumped all over it.” In a moment of serendipity, Chad joined the faculty at The Pennington School in 2005; five years later, he was named Dean of Students. His wife and newborn son moved onto campus with him, and they haven’t looked back since. Chad and his wife, Erica, continue to live happily there to this day with their kids, Drew, who is in eighth grade at The Pennington School, and Skye, who is in third grade at Toll Gate Grammar School. There is an array of factors that make The Pennington School a special place to learn and teach. The diversity, for one, allows for an environment where students and teachers alike are exposed to new ideas and worldviews all the time. With 525 students total, 120 of those students are boarding students from across the country and around the world. “We have students from as nearby as Hopewell and as far away as Beijing, China.” Currently enrolled are students from Brazil, Senegal, Germany, Spain, and Australia. “It’s a wonderful place where kids come together,” says Chad. Another factor that makes the school unique is the relationship between The Pennington School and the surrounding Hopewell Valley community. Residents of Hopewell Valley who live nearby will often walk around the track, play tennis on the courts, or enjoy some quiet time near the pond. Chad says the faculty and students love to see their neighbors around campus. Local organizations, too, often use the facilities to hold meetings and events (the YMCA uses the pool!). The Pennington School is also affiliated with the Methodist Church, a relationship that dates back to the 1800s. The school also has a relationship with the Presbyterian Church, the Pennington Police Department, the Pennington Fire Department, and the Pennington Quality Market, among others. Students have long volunteered at all four, participating in community service and working on projects.
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Feature There is another element, more personal to Chad, that has shaped his experience at The Pennington School. A lifelong lover of many sports, Chad has been a player and coach of basketball, baseball, and more — but his favorite is soccer. He played soccer during college at Drew University as a four-year starter and captain before turning to coaching. “I’ve been coaching since I finished my playing career,” he says — almost 20 years. Chad was named the head coach of The Pennington School’s boys’ soccer team in 2010, and went on to found Next Level Soccer Academy in 2007, which gives kids the opportunity to play competitive soccer outside of school. The sport has followed Chad throughout all stages of his life, becoming both an outlet and a way to build connections. Soccer, named by some sources as the most popular sport in the world (and known as football outside of the United States), has been steadily rising in popularity over the years. During the 2016-2017 school year, more than 800 thousand high school students played on teams throughout the country. Part of the reason for this increase is the perception
held by many Americans that soccer is safer than football. In recent years, the shift from football to soccer, especially in elementary-aged children whose parents worry about the dangers of football, has been significant. Chad is one among many soccer coaches, players, and fans who share a passion for the age-old sport, whose history can be traced as far back as second-century China.” One of Chad’s favorite things about The Pennington School is its location. “Within walking distance I can do my shopping and get a meal,” he says. And he loves the old-town community feel of Hopewell Valley. Visitors of The Pennington School are astonished by the incredible amount of restaurants and stores just down the street from the school, all in a peaceful, familyfriendly setting. And they feel comfortable saying goodbye when the time comes, knowing they’re leaving them in such a warm, welcoming community, surrounded by beautiful nature. For students from far, far away, Hopewell Valley can easily become home.
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Chad and Erica with Drew and Skye
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. 10
January 2020
Chad Bridges ‘96, Assistant Headmaster for Community Life, Dean of Students, Head Coach Boys’ Soccer’ Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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January 2020
Connect in 2020!
Non-Profit Spotlight
By Lisa Wolff | Executive Director, FoHVOS
With another year behind us, it’s time to set our intentions for 2020. Skip the notion of a pass/fail resolution and set a mindful intention to make progress on your personal goals. Often when focusing on a desired outcome, opportunities arise as long as you are open to taking an unexpected path. For those looking for happiness in the coming year, feel free to review my January 2019 Hopewell Valley Neighbors article entitled, 2019: Get Your Happy On (fohvos.info/2019-happy.) Last year’s “10 science-backed ways to be happier” was a lot to digest. This year let’s boil it down to one word – Connect! Connect with your body. Connect with family and friends. Connect with land and outdoors. Connect with others. Connecting with your body can be physiological like getting more exercise or sleep, or psychological like practicing gratitude or meditation. Connecting with family and friends is proven to reduce stress and yet it’s easy to let work, responsibilities, and mundane tasks overpower your life. Make some time to hang out with family and non-work friends. Connecting with land the outdoors is more difficult as technology becomes a larger part of our lives. Studies continue finding issues
with children not regularly exposed to nature. Doctors are beginning to prescribe walking outdoors for adults as well. Connecting with others can be particularly rewarding. Flora Edwards said it best. “In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” Meaningful connections are everywhere once you begin looking for them. Finding connections is like playing 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. There are endless opportunities for connections but usually with enough connections, you hit your target. So let me gives examples in my work… At FoHVOS we set up Force of Nature Hikes. The hikes provide exercise, are more fun with family and friends, are at our local preserves, and sometimes introduce people to local lands and people they have never met. Let’s see… Connections with body, family & friends, land & outdoors and others. How about FoHVOS Community Conservation projects that bring outdoor learing areas to local schools? Yup, the connections are there. Our trail crews, volunteer, and Clean Community initiatives make the game too easy. Now let’s come full circle. It’s 2020 and you are focusing on being your best self. Set your intentions to make great connections and have a fulfilling and happy new year.
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Calendar of Events
Hopewell
Happenings
Wed., January 1 New Years Day Happy New Year 2020! Hopewell Valley Regional School District Schools/ Offices Closed
Color Me Calm – Adult Coloring @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Coloring books and art supplies available all day Fri., January 3 First Friday Film -- Marshall (2017) D In 1940 Connecticut, Thurgood Marshall defends a black chauffeur accused of rape. Rated PG-13, 118 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 Sat., January 18 - 25 Annual Book Sale Stop by the Mercer County Library Hopewell Branch for the Annual Book Sale, sponsored by the Friends of Hopewell Branch Library. Peruse children’s and adult books for some fun finds or bring home some old favorites. @ Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch Book sale is open during library hours. Proceeds go toward funding programs at the Hopewell Branch Library. Mon., January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday, January 15. Hopewell Valley Regional School District Schools/ Offices Closed
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Sun., January 26 American Women and Royal Marriages Join us as we discuss the so-called “dollar princesses” of the Gilded Age, to include Lady Monson (nee Romaine Stone, daughter of General Roy Stone of Morristown NJ), Lady Roberts (nee Elizabeth Marie LaRoche, daughter of William Tell LaRoche of Harrington Park, NJ), and Princess Miguel of Braganza (nee Anita Stewart, born in Elberon, NJ), and more. @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Time: 3-6pm Wed., January 29 Movies for Adults -- The Public (2018) A Cincinnati librarian helps a group of homeless people take refuge at the free public library in order to survive a brutal winter night. Rated PG-13, 122 minutes. @ Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Wed., January 15 Senior Advisory Board Meeting @ Hopewell Valley Senior Center, 2 Reading Street. Pennington Time: 2pm
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.
THIS MONTH 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 FOR HOPEWELL VALLEY SENIORS: Every Thursday Mahjong @ Hopewell Township Building, 201 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd., Titusville Time: 1-3:30pm Wed., January 8 Let’s Chat Social Club @ Hopewell Township Building, 201 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd., Titusville Time: 1-3pm
January 2020
Real Estate
Hopewell Valley Market Activity OCTOBER/NOVEMBER SOLDS - Homes ADDRESS
14 Butterfoss Ave 114 Woolsey Ct 69 N Greenwood Ave 23 Wilfred Ave 72 W Broad St 285 Pennington Harbourton Rd 34 River Dr 39 Lafayette Ave 145 Valmore Ct 12 W Franklin Ave 505 Tuxford Ct 73 Haddon Ct 115 Route 31 S 907 Pebble Creek Rd 307 Hopewell Amwell Rd 28 Dublin Rd 3 Eaton Ct 106 Treymore Ct 115 Grandview Ave 107 Hopewell Wertsville Rd 59 Moores Mill Mount Rose Rd 163 Moores Mill Mount Rose Rd 25 Morningside Ct 120 Treymore Ct 32 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd 3 Drake Ln 111 Treymore Ct 263 Concord Pl 19 Crestview Dr 125 Voorhees Ave 6 Birch St 6 Brewster Ct 203 Hopewell Amwell Rd 12 Old Mill Rd 281 Pennington Titusville Rd
BEDS 3 1 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 4 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 5
BATHS/HALF 1 1 1 1 2 1 1/1 1 2/1 2/1 2/1 2/1 1 2/1 1 1/1 1/1 2/1 2 1 2/1 1/1 2/1 2/1 2 2 2/1 2/1 2/1 1/1 1/1 2 2/1 2 3
SOLD PRICE $70,000 $110,000 $151,501 $158,500 $175,000 $204,000 $205,000 $245,000 $285,000 $301,000 $304,900 $305,000 $307,000 $314,900 $317,500 $320,000 $320,000 $342,000 $345,000 $350,000 $359,000 $363,000 $364,500 $365,000 $367,500 $368,000 $370,000 $374,500 $389,000 $395,000 $395,000 $407,025 $415,000 $434,000 $450,000
ADDRESS
443 Sked St 3 Carey St 258 Pennington Rocky Hill Rd 56 E Welling Ave 249 Pennington Rocky Hill Rd 16 Forrest Edge Dr 3 Timkak Ln 19 Carey St 21 York Rd 53 Avalon Rd 11 Maple Ln 10 Kentsdale Dr 23 Fabrow Dr 5 Avalon Rd 108 Lewis Brook Rd 63 Columbia Ave 1 Fiske Ct 54 W Shore Dr 7 Hedgecroft Dr 51 Chicory Ln 5 Aqua Ter 5 Wyckoff Dr 17 Hunters Ridge Dr 17 W Shore Dr 2 Keithwood Ct 418 Sked St 16 Harbourton Ridge Dr 959 Cherry Valley Rd 304 Pennington Harbourton Rd 10 Benson Ct 8 Silvers Ct 189 Woosamonsa Rd
BEDS 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 4 5 6 5 5 6 5 5 6
BATHS/HALF 2 2/1 2/1 2 2/2 2/1 2/1 2/1 3/1 3/1 2/1 2/1 2/1 2/1 3/1 2/1 2/1 3 2/1 2/1 2/2 2/1 3 2/1 4/1 3/1 7/1 3/2 4/1 6/1 6/2 8/2
SOLD PRICE
$468,000 $473,000 $475,000 $477,000 $488,100 $499,000 $500,000 $501,000 $506,500 $510,000 $515,000 $524,000 $525,000 $540,000 $540,000 $570,000 $575,000 $600,000 $600,000 $605,000 $620,000 $625,000 $675,000 $725,000 $740,000 $745,000 $755,000 $999,000 $999,000 $1,125,000 $1,725,000 $3,624,000
Publisher’s Note: Market Activity in the December issue was incorrect. We have included that information here, and we apologize for the error.
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.
INTRODUCING THE “BUYER ADVANTAGE” PRE-APPROVAL
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All first mortgage products are provided by Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC. (877) 275-1762. Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC products may not be available in all areas. Not all borrowers will qualify. Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. Licensed by the Delaware State Bank Commissioner. Also licensed in District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. NMLS ID #75164 (NMLS Consumer Access at http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/) ©2018 Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC.
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
HOPEWELL VALLEY OFFICE 800 Denow Rd, Suite N, Pennington, NJ 08534
609.737.9100 www.GloriaNilson.com
15
Recipe
Tagliarelle with Truffle Butter By Rachel Donington
A favorite of mine on a cold, wintery evening. Serves 2 or 3 for dinner, 4 or 5 for a side dish or appetizer. INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup heavy cream
½ cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the sauté pan and toss it with the trufflecream mixture. As the pasta absorbs the sauce, add as much of the reserved cooking water as necessary to keep the pasta very creamy. Serve with a generous sprinkling of chives and shaved Parmesan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and Enjoy!
• 3 ounces truffle butter (see note) • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 (8.82-ounce) package of tagliarelle dried pasta or other egg fettuccine
Note: I use D’artagnan truffle butter, which you can find at Pennington Quality Market in the Meat Department.
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives • 3 ounces Parmesan, shaved thin with a vegetable peeler DIRECTIONS 1. Add 1 tablespoon salt to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. 2. Meanwhile, in a large (12-inch) sauté pan, heat cream over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Add the truffle butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper, lower the heat to very low, and swirl the butter until it melts. Keep warm over very low heat. 3. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook following the directions on the package. When the pasta is cooked, reserve
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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 16
January 2020
Art In The Everyday
In The Arts
Hopewell Valley Arts Council By Carol Lipson | Hopewell Valley Arts Council Board of Trustees
Making angels in the snow! (A peacock steals the show.) By Bill Waters, micropoet Snow Angel Contest by Barbara DiLorenzo, illustrator, cartoonist, and amazing pumpkin carver
Bill Waters and Barbara DiLorenzo are both proud Hopewell Valley Arts Council members. For more information about membership and Hopewell Valley Arts Council, please visit www.hvartscouncil.org.
Wishing everyone a happy and artful new year from the Hopewell Valley Arts Council! 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
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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
17
Pennington Montessori School Premier Early Childhood Education 6 Weeks thru Kindergarten Academic Curriculum Music-Spanish-Outdoor Education
Call to schedule a tour!
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18
January 2020
New Year’s Resolutions
Why Do We Make Them in the First Place? By Rachel Donington
the year to honor the god of new beginnings, Janus. The Romans imagined Janus to be a two-faced god who looked both into the past and the future. They celebrated the new year by offering sacrifices to Janus and made promises of good behavior for the year to come.
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Every time a new year rolls around, people set out to better themselves. They promise they will lose weight, find a new job, or maybe even take that vacation they’ve always talked about. But why do we make these promises to ourselves, and where did this tradition come from? And why does this tradition live on when so many of us fail to keep the resolutions we make?
To this day, the traditions of the ancient Babylonians and Romans continue on around the world. The most popular resolutions: 3 Lose weight/eat healthier 3 Get organized 3 Save more money 3 Quit smoking 3 Enjoy life 3 Spend more quality time with close friends and family members 3 Get—and stay—healthy 3 Learn something new 3 Help others pursue their goals 3 Find love If any of these resolutions look familiar and remind you that the whole concept is a bust, or if they inspire you to create your own list of promises for 2020, just remember that this tradition is destined to live on. We have more than 4,000 years worth of history telling us so, and that’s a statistic that’s hard to argue with.
The ancient Babylonians are credited as being the first to make New Year’s resolutions over 4,000 years ago. However, instead of being celebrated in January, New Year’s festivities took place in late March during the first new moon after the Spring Equinox. The event was known as the ‘Akitu’ festival, which lasted 11 days. During this time, the Babylonians made promises in order to get on the right side of all of their gods. They felt this would help them start the new year off on the right foot.
Whether you make New Year’s resolutions or not, the arrival of a new year signals new beginnings and a time of change. Wishing you the best in 2020! May your year be filled with happiness, joy, and good fortune.
Around 46 B.C. when the early Roman calendar no longer synced up with the sun, Julius Caesar declared January 1 the first day of
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Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Jane Brady, Au.D. | Supervising Licensee | NJ HAD #710 Lisa Petino, Au.D. | NJ HAD #810 19
1925
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