March 2020
Joe Klett
A Lifelong Love for Stories from the Past
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
A community magazine serving the residents of Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough
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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 2 Tree Farm Rd., Suite B100, 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.
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March 2020
Dear Residents,
Publisher’s Letter
Women everywhere are smashing the glass ceiling.
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
As a female entrepreneur, I’m always on the lookout to connect with and learn from incredible women who have cultivated their own amazing brand, business, and a name for themselves. That’s why I reached out to some of my favorite female entrepreneurs to highlight what they consider the key to their success. March 8 is International Women’s Day, and the whole month of March is Women’s History Month. We have included a feature this month recognizing and celebrating strong, empowered local women business leaders and what they have to say about being female professionals. Their stories provide inspiration to all women and show the importance of mentorship and support in creating a successful business. I am proud to join these women as an entrepreneur and publisher of Hopewell Valley Neighbors, a magazine run by two hardworking women who strive to connect community and inspire readers month after month. It is so wonderful that there is a special day to celebrate women, but it is something we should be doing every day. Joe Klett, our featured resident, has included his own piece in this issue that tells the story of his great-grandmother, a woman whose courage and resilience is both impressive and heartening. I hope you will join me this month in taking a moment to recognize the special women in our lives and all they have done to influence and change the world around us—for the better.
Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
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.
In this issue, Joe Klett offers a fascinating account of his own journey toward family history. He has inspired me to research my own ancestors and question what they were like, who they were, what they did. Everyone’s family has interesting stories from the past if you look for them; Joe has found an impressive amount over the years, and continues to do so every day as an archivist, historian, librarian, and more. He has generously written a personal historical account about his family to accompany this month’s feature, complete with old photos of times past. I hope you enjoy learning about not only Joe’s family but the history accompanying it; I know I did.
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
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March 2020
Expert Contributor
New Legislation May Impact Your Retirement Strategy By Christina Nash | President & CEO, Knox Grove Financial, LLC Last month I talked about how many of us get “Stuck on Start” when it comes to acting on our financial future. Not only is it important to make that initial call to request an appointment, it’s equally important to stay up to date on changes that could impact you and your family’s fiscal fitness. There’s a lot going on: a U.S. presidential election, continued unrest in the Middle East, the fallout from Brexit, and global trade wars, all of which can have an impact on the economic outlook. Staying informed can be beneficial when it’s time for you to make financial decisions. For example, one piece of legislation that was recently passed can have a significant impact on your retirement strategy. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, endeavors to make it easier for employees to save for retirement thereby improving retirement security for many. While not all aspects of the bill will affect everyone, I’d like to share some of the key provisions of The SECURE Act. • Required Minimum Distribution – Previously IRA owners or employer-sponsored retirement plan participants were required to begin taking distributions (RMD) at age 70-1/2. Under the new law, the start date in most situations is age 72. • New Age Limitation for IRA Contributions – Under the new legislation, those over age 70-1/2 with earned income can continue to contribute to a traditional IRA. This can provide a valuable tax deduction for those working past normal retirement age. • Increased Tax Credits for Small Businesses – Small businesses can receive up to a $5,000 tax credit to cover the start-up costs of a new employer plan. There is also a tax credit of $500/year for three years if the plan offers automatic enrollment • Multiple Employer Plan Expansion – This change allows small, unrelated businesses to share administrative and financial costs through “pooled plan providers”. It is also designed to protect employers from penalties resulting from another member’s violation of administrative or fiduciary rules.
• Broader Eligibility for Long-Term, Part-Time Employees – Employees who work at least 500 hours in three consecutive 12-month periods can now participate in their employer’s retirement plan. • Elimination of “Stretch” IRAs – Under the new law, beneficiaries must completely withdraw inherited IRAs and retirement plans within 10 years which means the investment taxes on those funds must be paid sooner than previously required. While there are exemptions that include surviving spouses and minor children, up to majority, this change has the potential to upend an established estate plan. While these are just some of the provisions of the new law, The SECURE Act includes other important tax changes that are not covered here. Now is a great time to contact us and review how this new legislation may affect your retirement strategy. For more information on Financial Planning or to schedule an appointment to talk about your financial plan, call my office at 609216-7440 or email me at christina@knoxgrove.com. We appreciate your referrals!
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.
Celebrating Women’s Achievements Around the World International Women’s Day, March 8, 2020 As we recognize the accomplishments of all women across the globe, we also applaud the women who have taken action to achieve their own financial security. At Knox Grove, we provide guidance to help you identify your unique financial needs, risks and aspirations, then proactively develop and implement a financial plan to help you reach your goals.
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 MARCH TIP: Celebrate the women who have made a difference in your life by supporting gender equality #EachforEqual. 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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Resident Submitted
My Great-Grandparents, Jim and Lou Pierson By Joseph R. Klett | Featured Resident Growing up in Hopewell Borough, I was surrounded by an extended family. With five kids plus our maternal grandparents living with us, my parents had a full house. We also had aunts, uncles, great-aunts, greatuncles, and cousins on almost every block. My parents, Fred and Flossie (Fish) Klett moved to Hopewell when I was a few months old, in the fall of 1964. They had both grown up in Union County, New Jersey, and met in high school. My mom’s mother, Clara Mae (Pierson) Fish, was from Hopewell. She left town for nursing school in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1919. It was there that she met my grandfather, Theodore K. Fish. He was her patient, believe it or not, having been accidentally pushed toward a train as it was pulling into the station causing the loss of part of one foot. They fell in love, married, and raised three daughters in his hometown of Roselle Park. Clara was known to my cousins, siblings and me simply as “Grandma Fish,” but most of the time we just called her “Gram.” She was one of the bright lights in my life, and still is. I spent a lot of time with her growing up and until she passed away when I was a sophomore in college. She guided my life in many ways—morally and spiritually, but she also sparked in me an interest in family and local history that led to my career choice. The latter impact was an unintended consequence of her affection and grace, and an extension of her own curiosity about her roots. Among the many stories Gram told me over the years was that of her father’s death at 42 years of age, and how her mother was able to
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manage afterward as a widow with five children. The story was both heartrending and heartwarming to me as a child, and it still is. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to tell it here and am honored to do so. Clara Mae Pierson was born on March 3, 1899 to James Everett (“Jim”) Pierson and Mary Louetta “Lou” née Campbell. Her parents both came from old families in Mercer County. Jim was a descendant of the Piersons, Reeds, Harts, Blackwells, Tituses, Lannings, and other colonial families in Hopewell Valley. His parents moved into town from a farm in Rosedale about 1886. When he was about 15, they sent him to Pennington Seminary for a formal education, along with his two younger brothers, Theodore (“Dory”) and George. After two years at Pennington, he completed his studies at Stewart Business College in Trenton, a predecessor of Rider University. Having learned from his father, Joe Pierson, a liveryman, how to judge and deal in cattle, Jim established a stock business in Hopewell (with his father at first). For fun and exercise, he and his brother Dory, and others, founded the Hopewell Baseball Club in June 1893. Jim played First Base with his brother on Second. Two months later he married Louetta Campbell of Trenton and they settled in Hopewell, renting at first. In 1895, when Jim was 27, he was elected commander of the Sons of Union Veterans New Jersey Division, which must have made his father, a Civil War veteran, very proud.
March 2020
At the time of my grandmother Clara’s birth in 1899, the family was renting above the pharmacy in town at the corner of West Broad Street and North Greenwood Avenue—still Hopewell Pharmacy. Clara joined a 15-month-old sister, Margaret (“Peg”). Soon after this, Jim and Lou purchased Meadowdale Stock Farm off Carter Road in Hopewell and Lawrence townships, near the intersection with Elm Ridge Road. They would be blessed with two more children born there: James Jr. (“Butch”) in 1902, and Jeannette in 1905. Local newspaper articles chronicle a prosperous life for the Piersons at Meadowdale. Jim had earned a reputation as one of the best judges of cattle in the state. In an article in September 1900, the Hopewell Herald attributed his success to “sheer pluck and hustling.” While Jim was stocking the farm with cattle and horses, Lou had her own operation stocking it with turkeys. Tragedy struck the Piersons in 1906; Jim’s business partner absconded with the bankroll. This bankrupted Jim and Lou. They couldn’t sustain the mortgage payments on the farm and had to sell. They re-established themselves back into town with help from family, but matters worsened. In 1907, Jim was stricken with lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Family pictures from this time show that he quickly greyed and aged over the next two years. He died at 42 in July 1909. Meanwhile, his and Lou’s last child, Joseph Moore Pierson, my namesake great-uncle, had been born in March 1908. Lou, now a widow with five young children, must have felt overwhelmed, but her in-laws in town and her own siblings were there to help. The 1910 federal census shows that the children dispersed in different households, taken in by various family members. What a difficult time it must have been for my great-grandmother. Yet, how blessed she was to have a network of family come to her aid at a time of such desperation. Each of the children formed close bonds with the aunt/uncle and cousins they stayed with.
1911. She kept house for the pastor and his family. He insisted that Lou’s daughter Peg come to live there as well. So by 1911, four of the five Pierson children and their mother resided on Blackwell Avenue, but in three different households. They all saw each other every day, no doubt. And they frequently saw Jeannette too. Thanks to an inheritance from her father, Lou was able to bring her family together under one roof in 1912. She purchased the property on the corner of North Greenwood and Railroad avenues in town now known as Aunt Chubby’s Restaurant. Here the children and their mother happily reunited. Lou also remarried in 1912, to Otto Von Steeg. Unfortunately, they separated after a year or two (though never divorced). The ice cream, confections, tobacco, and stationary she sold at the store were advertised under the name “M. L. Von Steeg.” With the support of their kin and through Lou’s own resolve, she and her children persevered through the loss of their husband and father. Daughter Peg became a nurse, married Dr. John B. Sill, and lived in Trenton. Daughter Clara, my grandmother, started her nurse’s training but left early to raise a family. Butch went to Syracuse University, married Dorothy Bond, and raised a family in Trenton. Jeannette married Harry Hall and lived in town, where he was a house painter and paperhanger. And Joe Pierson, the baby who never really knew his father, went on to follow in his father’s footsteps at the Pennington School. He married Marie Hartman of Trenton, a graduate of the New Jersey College for Women in 1931. Joe was known for his stories and jokes. At the time of the Lindbergh kidnapping, he worked as a bank teller making money on the side as a driver for reporters and nosy New Yorkers who came into town. These were the children of Jim and Lou Pierson—my grandmother, my great-aunts, and my great-uncles. I loved them dearly and learned so much from them and the wonderful family lore they imparted.
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Lou moved back to Hopewell as soon as she could, with little Joe, to live at the Methodist Parsonage on Blackwell Avenue, in late 1910 or early
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Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Feature
Joe Klett
A Lifelong Love for Stories from the Past By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
J
oe Klett has harbored a lifelong interest in learning the story of his roots: where he came from, what his ancestors did, what the Hopewell Valley of 100 years ago was like. He grew up here and continues to work and live here, digging ever more deeply into history that is not only his own, but that of his community, too. “People have natural questions about what came before them, both in terms of their forebears and places and events,” says Joe. “At some point, I realized that I could find answers to the questions I had myself. Then at another point, I realized I could help others find answers to their questions! And then eventually I realized I could make a living doing that.” Joe wears a number of different hats. Currently the Executive Director of the New Jersey State Archives as well as President of the Hopewell Museum, he is also a Vice President of the Genealogical Society of New Jersey (GSNJ). It is no wonder that Joe has such an interest in Hopewell Valley history; his parents moved to Hopewell Borough when he was just a few months old, so he has truly spent his life here. His maternal grandmother lived with his family growing up, and she was born right in town. Beginning when he was very little, she would tell him stories of old that surprised and pleased him, and he became hooked on the possibility of knowing what happened in a place, what that place was like, many, many years before his time. “I was very close with her,” says Joe of his grandmother. “She is one of the main reasons I got interested in family history and becoming an archivist.” Joe has worked almost his entire career as an archivist. He pinpoints age 12 as the year he became seriously interested in history. He grew up on Broad Street right next to the museum at which he would grow up to serve as president. There were five children in his home, as well as parents and grandparents, and many cousins scattered throughout town. “My mom’s sister lived a block away. My mom’s and grandmother’s cousins were everywhere, in all directions. I was surrounded by family history.” There was always someone from Joe’s family nearby, looking out for him, due to the sheer number of relatives who lived in the area. “It was a great way to grow up.” Each year, the family would have a huge reunion picnic. “We all knew our first and second cousins growing up. By the time I was in high school I knew my third and fourth cousins, too.” So at 14, Joe, inspired by his grandmother’s stories, began to research. He would spend hours at local libraries, looking through genealogy books, attempting to substantiate stories his grandmother told him. He would also take the bus to the New Jersey State Archives on Saturday mornings. His older brother Ken, then in his late teens, worked there as a microfilmer and invited him to come in to explore the public research collections. The nights before Joe would take the bus into Trenton, he would make lists of what to look up. “I would stay up so late, excited about what I thought I could find, that I would miss the bus to Trenton in the morning!” Joe remembers, laughing. In January 1989, he returned to the State Archives, where former state archivist Karl Niederer had a professional position waiting for him. By 23, he had joined GSNJ’s board of trustees. As an undergraduate, Joe studied archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania, but ended up majoring in Russian Language and Literature. “By the time I was graduating, I knew I wanted to be an archivist,” he says. “I didn’t have time to switch to a history major.” He worked at the State Archives every summer, though, and after graduation he worked for 9 months as project archivist for the Lindbergh Kidnapping Investigation files at the New Jersey State Police headquarters. He went from there to graduate school at Rutgers, earning a Master’s in library science, During that time he worked at Rutgers Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives Department. In January 1989, he returned to the State Archives, where a professional position awaited him. He was Collections Manager at first, and then became the State Archives’ operational chief in 2000. He was appointed director in 2012, a position he still holds today.
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March 2020
The Hopewell Museum, located at 28 East Broad Street, Hopewell Borough Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Feature
A historian, archivist, librarian, writer, and more ‌
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March 2020
Resident Feature Throughout his time at the New Jersey State Archives, Joe has chased his interests in other ways, too. He was volunteer editor of GSNJ’s newsletter, and then its journal, The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, for several years. And, he has had connections to Hopewell Valley Historical Society and the Hopewell Museum throughout his life. He grew up next door to the museum, of course, but started his official involvement with it in 2012 as a member of their volunteer board of trustees.
Cartographer too! ‘Old Hopewell’ map made by Joe Klett
Joe and his team at the museum are passionate about rethinking how to operate the museum, thus rethinking, in turn, how people approach history itself. Telling stories that had not previously seen the light of day and becoming conscious of inclusivity are important to Joe and the museum as a whole. “We still talk about the classics, like George Washington crossing the Delaware and marching his army through Hopewell, but what about slavery, women’s suffrage, civil rights, how things changed throughout history for people of color--all of the things the Hopewell Museum hasn’t really been able to interpret in the past?” Part of learning about history is being devoted to finding truth. Joe has always wanted to do just that, to get a real idea of what people’s lives were like in the past. “We have a wonderful Board of Trustees really interested in how we can do that. Between the museum’s and historical society’s boards, we have curators, archaeologists, librarians and archivists with wonderful expertise giving their time to do things we have never done before. I feel lucky to be part of a major shift in how we tell the story of what happened here, whether it was 10,000 years ago or 10 years ago.” Recently, a topic of interest has been how Hopewell Valley was originally settled: who were the Native Americans who lived here, and what was their relationship with the European settlers? Joe Klett, a lifelong lover of history and resident of Hopewell Valley, continues to dedicate himself to uncovering the secrets and stories of the past on a daily basis. He also wants to acknowledge his two sons, James, 21, and Alex, 25, for their own amazing work and the ways they have inspired him over the years. “Alex is a carpenter, and is also James’s partner in Fairgrown Farms, an organic produce enterprise that grew out of James’s deep love of growing things,” he says. “The boys are also both involved in the community, which makes me very proud. Alex was certified as
a firefighter last year, and serves in Hopewell’s volunteer fire department. James has been active with different organizations relating to his business, and also with the science and promotion of agriculture at Rutgers, where he completed his business degree.” Overall, Joe’s passion for truth, his curiosity for what has already been, has informed his worldview and shaped his path throughout life. A genealogist, historian, archivist, writer, and more, Joe continues to do incredible work in learning and teaching about the past.
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming
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Resident Submitted
Hopewell Valley High School Presents Cinderella By Jahangir Nakra | Music Theater Parents Association Get swept up in a magical fairytale that tells a story of love, triumph, and equality. Hopewell Valley Central High School presents Cinderella, March 6, 7, 13, and 14. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s enchanting version of the timeless fairytale Cinderella has continued to charm audiences throughout the world. This adaptation brings new life to the familiar story during a period of political and social turmoil of a young woman forced into servitude who dreams of a better life. Cinderella features some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” Led by Hopewell Valley Central High School’s director of theater, Katie Rochon, and a large cast of talented performing arts students, Hopewell Valley thespians receive numerous awards every year. Last year, the musical Chicago was nominated for nine Papermill Playhouse Rising Star awards. This year, members of Troupe 7964 finished in first place with a record time in the Tech Theatre Olympics, and makeup artist Jeanne Turpault won the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Makeup and Design. Overall, 18 additional events won superior medals and qualified for the National Thespian Festival this Summer at Indiana University.
Pennington. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $12 in advance of show at www.showtix4u.com. If the show is not sold out, tickets at the door will be $10 for students and $15 for adults on a first come first serve basis. Show times are as follows: Friday, March 6 @ 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7 @ 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 13 @ 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14 @ 7:00 p.m.
vvv Additional information can be found through the MTPA Facebook or Instagram pages one month before the show at www.facebook.com/HVMTPA or @hvchs_mtpa
All performances will be at the Performing Arts Center at Hopewell Valley Central High School, 259 Pennington-Titusville Road,
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March 2020
Expert Contributor
Bringing New Meaning to “The Birds and the Bees” By Lisa Wolff | Executive Director of FoHVOS
Like many expressions that evolve over time, “the birds and the bees” has new significance. It’s still a conversation about reproduction, but the associated talk is now about actual “birds and bees” and understanding why their populations are declining. Last year birds took center stage as we examined the declining population of the American Kestrel, a threatened falcon, and the need to provide new habitat for our feathered friends. In response, various Hopewell Valley participants stepped up community conservation efforts and built 50 nesting boxes. Many boxes were used for a successful season, and volunteers will continue monitoring the boxes this season. We anticipate further progress as kestrels return for their late spring breeding season. This year, we set our sights on creating new habitat for rapidly declining bee populations. According to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, “One out of every three bites of food eaten worldwide depends on pollinators, especially bees, for a successful harvest.” But for decades, global bees’ population have declined due to biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. Further, pesticide use is a particular threat for honeybees and wild pollinators. If the die-off continues, it will have huge economic and public health consequences for people. In response to this crisis, FoHVOS is happy to announce a Community Conservation Bee Abode Initiative and partners have already stepped up to help! Local schools, churches, scout troops, and businesses are all joining together to help and you can too! Bees can be social or solitary and new habitats will accommodate those needs. Bee abodes will range from small individual homes to more luxurious bee hotels. The variation in design makes this a perfect project for every age and ability. All abodes will be constructed from upcycled or repurposed materials and invasive species, like phragmites, harvested from FoHVOS preserves. We anticipate creating homes and nesting locations for various bee species. FoHVOS has plenty of properties throughout Hopewell Valley with locations away from trails where bee sanctuaries can reside relatively undisturbed. There will also be opportunities for appropriate local residential installations. All participating partners from the previous kestrel project have already committed and are building momentum around this Community Conservation Bee Abode initiative. We are optimistic their positive energy will translate into fantastic results.
Photo by Benoit Cortet
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
Wildflowers Inn collected and donated used straws from their customers in Pennington. Straws make up about 4 percent of plastic trash by piece. They wind up in landfills or worse, our oceans. Aside from pollution, straws are dangerous to turtles, seabirds and fish. Donated straws were kept out of the trash and repurposed into bee abodes at
a February 15th Family Workshop held at Timberlane Middle School. In addition, March is the month the rest of the Hopewell Valley will build their homes and hotels. Students will harvest invasive phragmite reeds from local Hopewell Valley preserves. The reeds are hollow and will form the bee abode core. The Hopewell Valley Regional School District began a pilot last year. According to a district representative, “Seventh graders on one team created bee abodes to take home. STEM facilitators started a pollinator project as a vertical articulation between the elementary schools, middle school and high school.” This year all schools will participate and the associated curriculum will include an engineering design project, worldwide pollinator decline research, and global ecology awareness. All 2nd graders, 7th graders, and AP Biology students will be exposed at an age appropriate level. We are also talking with Green Teams, and environmental classes and clubs. The Pennington School is also stepping up efforts. Dr. Margo Andrews reports lots of interest and excitement. She’s hosting a joint session on campus with FoHVOS stewards, “That way, our middle schoolers, Applied Science students, and Ecology students could all participate without coordinating different times/days for each group.” Our littlest learners can also ensure our bees have good homes. Nicole Langdo, FoHVOS Board Trustee and Painted Oak Nature School founder, will show them how. While Hopewell and Pennington School workshops are privately held for students, Bee Abode building clinics open to the public will take place on weekends during the month of March. Register at fohvos.org. Public Sessions will be held in Hopewell on Sunday, March 8 @ 1:00 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church Sunday, March 15 @ 1:00 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church Sunday, March 22 @ 1:00 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church And in Pennington on Saturday, March 28 @ 11:00 a.m., Cambridge School There will be plenty of opportunities for anyone that wants to help. As part of larger volunteering initiative, Bloomberg staff will help assemble and install larger hotels. Volunteers are still needed for all phases of the project. We will also need additional help harvesting materials, and will need adult volunteers to drill holes in wood we will supply from fallen trees. Finally, we need private property owners who are willing to host bee abodes. Large bee hotels require large spaces with minimal human activity. Scout will be assembling minibee abodes into fancy bee hotels. This project is a major expansion and it’s been pretty remarkable to see groups, families, and individuals of all ages collaborate on a Community Conservation initiative bringing hope for the birds and the bees.
vvv Lisa Wolff is the executive director of Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space. She can be reached by email at lwolff@fohvos.org.
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Calendar of Events
Every Tuesday at Mercer County Library— Hopewell Branch Tax Help: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Free tax preparation from AARP Tax-Aide. AARP trained tax preparers focus on low and moderate income returns but can prepare most personal returns within training guidelines. Tax preparers can e-file Federal and state returns, as well as PTR (“Senior Freeze”) forms. @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 9:35am-1pm By appointment only. Please call 609-737-2610. Every Wednesday at Mercer County Library— Hopewell Branch Fiber Art Circle Bring your current needle-craft project and join us for an hour of knitting, crocheting, or need-craft of your choice! @ Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch Time: 7-8pm Sun., March 1 Color Me Calm – Adult Coloring @ Pennington Public Library, 30 North Main Street Coloring books and art supplies available all day
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Fri., March 6 & Sat., March 7 Hopewell Valley Central High School presents Cinderella @ Performing Arts Center at Hopewell Valley Central High School 259 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington Advance tickets $8 for students/ seniors and $12 general admission at www.showtix4u.com. If show is not sold out, tickets at the door are $10 for students and $15 for adults, first come first serve. Show times: Fri., March 6 at 7pm Sat.,, March 7 at 3pm Fri., March 13 & Sat., March 14 Hopewell Valley Central High School presents Cinderella @ Performing Arts Center at Hopewell Valley Central High School 259 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington Advance tickets $8 for students/ seniors and $12 general admission at www.showtix4u.com. If show is not sold out, tickets at the door are $10 for students and $15 for adults, first come first serve. Show times: Fri., March 13 at 7pm Sat., March 14 at 7pm
Tues., March 17 Saint Patrick’s Day 2020 Wed., March 18 Early Dismissal All Schools Hopewell Valley Regional School District
This Month At Hopewell Valley Vineyards:
Visit www.hopwellvalleyvineyard.com for full listing of Artists Every Sunday Jazzy Sundays Time: 3-6pm Every Friday & Saturday Evening 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.
March 2020
Real Estate
Hopewell Valley Market Activity JANUARY SOLDS - Homes ADDRESS
BEDS
BATHS/HALF
SOLD PRICE
6 Stout Road
6
6/1
$1,181,000
22 Todd Ridge Rd
6
5/2
$999,999
10 E Shore Dr
5
4/1
35 E Broad St
5
3
25 Arvida Dr
4
2/1
$610,000
11 Kentsdale Dr
5
3
$590,000
41 Baldwin St
3
3
$590,000
2 Birch St
4
2/1
$525,000
23 Forrest Blend Dr
3
2
$480,000
286 Wargo Rd
4
2/1
$449,000
31 Buckingham Dr
2
2/1
$420,000
38 Taylor Ter
4
2
$415,000
200 Amberleigh Dr
3
2/1
$380,000
501 Amberleigh Dr
3
2/1
$355,000
BEDS
BATHS/HALF
22 Academy Ct
3
2/1
$260,000
20 Dublin Rd
3
1/1
$250,000
$760,000
13 George Washington Dr
3
1/2
$232,500
$625,000
81 Titus Mill Rd
3
1
$170,625
128 Shrewsbury Ct
2
1/1
$91,996
BEDS
BATHS/HALF
21 Larchmont Ct
3
2/1
$3,900
17 Hart Ave
3
1/1
$1,650
118 Blackwell Rd
3
2
$350,000
4 Louellen St
4
1/1
$340,257
63 Harbourton Woodsville Rd
4
2/1
$320,000
602 Bollen Ct
3
2/1
$290,000
2455 Pennington Rd
3
1/1
$275,000
ADDRESS
RENTALS
SOLD PRICE
RENT PRICE
COMMERCIAL RENTALS
SALE PRICE
10 E Broad St
$1,648.00
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.
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Submitted
Celebrating Women Business Owners By Catherine Bialkowski Did you know International Women’s Day 2020 is on March 8, and all month long we celebrate Women’s History Month? It is important to honor the many women that have worked tirelessly to carve out a very meaningful place in the world of business for women. We’ve come a long way, indeed, but even as women have risen to become an integral and necessary part of the modern workplace, we still face inequality. In this issue, we specifically recognize and honor five amazing women you will recognize from issues past who serve as female role models. All five are business leaders who are empowered to be the best they can be, thus demonstrating the strength and resilience women around the world have within themselves. Christina Nash President & CEO, Knox Grove Financial, LLC “The journey of establishing myself as a leader in the financial industry has been empowering. In many professions, women have been held to higher standards than their male peers to advance in business, while still keeping many of their family roles and responsibilities in tact. It’s important that they are recognized for this success. In addition, it is wonderful to highlight these women, so that young girls can picture themselves in these professions in the future.”
Robin McKenna Small Business Owner, Window Genie of Princeton On her move from corporate America to owner of Window Genie: “As a woman, you can own your own destiny and define success in your own terms. As a business owner, I am investing in me. I have been able to take my passion for helping people from my former role and now help people in their homes.”
Deborah Peters
Courtney Peters-Manning
Executive Director & Co-Founder, The Cambridge School
Director of Finance & General Counsel, The Cambridge School
Deb says: ”I was told in 2001 when I founded Cambridge School and began the Middle States accreditation process that there was no way we could achieve accreditation so soon after opening our doors. I didn’t listen, pushed ahead, and we were fully accredited by 2003, in our second year of operation.” Courtney says: “It’s also important to be a role model for the next generation of leaders. The more both boys and girls see women in professional and leadership situations, the more accepted it becomes that women are just as capable as men. My son once asked me if boys could be lawyers as well as girls. It sounds silly, but I hope seeing me working hard as a leader and an advocate impresses on my boys that the women and girls in their lives are their equals in everything.”
Rachel Donington Publisher, Hopewell Valley Neighbors “I have led my endeavors with an entrepreneurial spirit since the beginning of my career as a working woman. As both a mom and businesswoman, I think it’s important to be a role model and prove that girl power is incredible. My journey, that has culminated in my position as publisher of this magazine, has shown me that while women face many gendered challenges, we ultimately have an amazing ability within us to thrive. Shout out to all of the amazing women we have featured since our first issue!”
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March 2020
The Wilson Family provides affordable dignified services to the families of Hopewell Valley since 1960.
2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ www.WilsonApple.com
Campus shared with St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center
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
Ready to take the next step?
609-737-1498 Cromwell-Immordino Memorial Home Joseph A. Immordino, Jr., Manager NJ Lic # 4231
609-466-0233 Timothy F. Reeg Funeral Director 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
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.
Providing Landscape Design, Installation and Maintenance to Pennington NJ and the surrounding towns since 2006…
HOPEWELL’s Premier Lawn and Landscaping Company www.ce.land Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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In The Arts
Art In The Everyday
Hopewell Valley Arts Council By Carol Lipson | Hopewell Valley Arts Council Board of Trustees ArtConnect Forum: a community gathering for art enthusiasts, artists and creative minds will be held on Thursday, March 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Pennington School. This community event is the place to explore your passion for art. Each Forum features fascinating speakers with big imaginations, who will share their work, inspiration, and creative process. The theme of this Forum is “The Power of Art to Heal.” Admission: $20 for non-members and FREE to members (become a member today!) Visit www.hvartscouncil.org/artconnect for more information and to reserve a seat. Calling all artists and creative individuals! If you were captivated by HV Arts’ colorful oxen in our Stampede, then you’ll want to be part of the HV Arts Council’s next project! “Art spires,” made out of fallen ash trees, will be springing up around Hopewell Valley in the summer and fall of 2020. We’re looking for artistic folks to join in to decorate wood spires of varying heights and dimensions, suitable for display outside. In late fall of 2020, the spires will be auctioned off, with the proceeds shared between the artists and the HV Arts Council.
vvv To learn more about the project and how you can participate, please visit www. hvartscouncil.org. Don’t delay! Sign-up ends soon!
22404143 rwjuh-ham top hosp. ad 7.5x5-m1.qxp_Layout 1 1/24/20 2:26 PM Page 1
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rwjbh.org/hamilton
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March 2020
Hearing loss affects individuals differently Four Decades of Audiologic Experience. We’re here to help.
Horizon Audiology, Inc. www.horizonaudiology.com Dr. Jane Brady, AuD, FAAA Supervising Licensee NJ Audiology License #YA376 NJ Hearing Aid Dispensing License #MG710 84 Route 31 North, Suite 200 Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-303-0291 • Fax: 609-303-0293
Dr. Tara L. Fuchs, AuD, FAAA NJ Audiology License #YA558 NJ Hearing Aid Dispensing License #MG834 East Windsor Medical Commons 300A Princeton Hightstown Road, Suite 204 East Windsor,NJ 08520 Phone: 609-448-9730 • Fax: 609-448-9732
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Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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