Hopewell
December 2020
Nana Brooks
Home is Where Your Roots Are
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
A community magazine serving the residents of Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough
Expert Contributors Dermatology Windsor Dermatology Wendy Myers, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist 59 One Mile Road Ext., East Windsor, NJ 609-443-4500 windsordermatology.com I #freezefat
Lawn and Landscaping Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscaping, LLC
Letter from the Publisher Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial LLC.
Nick Pirone - Owner 1652 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ I 609-356-3465 nick@ce.land I ce.land.com
Christina A. Nash, CFP® – President & CEO 2 Tree Farm Rd., Suite B100, Pennington, NJ 609-216-7440 Christina@knoxgrove.com I knoxgrovefinancial.com
Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Micalah Taylor
Medical Center RWJ University Hospital Hamilton 1 Hamilton Way, Hamilton, NJ 08690 609-586-7000 www.rwjbh.org/rwj-university-hospital-hamilton/
Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.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
Contributing Writers: Mary Galioto, Kenneth Marples, Lisa Wolff Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Hopewell Valley Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com. The Wilson Family provides affordable dignified services to the families of Hopewell Valley since 1960.
2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ www.WilsonApple.com
Wilson-Apple Funeral Home Robert A Wilson, Owner NJ Lic # 2520
609-737-1498 Wilson-Apple Funeral Home
R.Asher Wilson, Manager NJ Lic # 3823/Pa Lic # FD-000766
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
The holiday season is upon us. Welcome to the December 2020 edition of Hopewell Valley Neighbors magazine. In this issue, you will meet Evelyn Brooks our resident feature. Evelyn has lived in the Hopewell Valley area for most of her life and will turn 100 in February of next year. We were so happy to have the opportunity to spend some time with Evelyn hearing about her wonderful life in this community, a story supplemented by her granddaughter, Catherine FulmerHogan, who shares her own reflections and the ways her grandmother has influenced her own life. This story, at its core, is about the power of family. For Evelyn, a family tree of five generations. Hearing stories like Evelyn’s, I can’t help thinking that there is something about Hopewell Valley that keeps people here for a lifetime. With the holidays and a New Year approaching, perhaps we can take this sense of community and keep it in mind as we celebrate with our own family. Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
December makes me think of the passage of time; as another year ends, I marvel at how fast time can seem to fly by. I think this feeling is fitting for our featured resident this month, Evelyn Brooks, who was born in 1921 and has lived in Hopewell Valley since the early 1940s. Evelyn shares with us the story of her life, rich in history and the power of family ties. She is one of the narratives at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, and has witnessed how times have changed in our community. I think it is valuable for us, now, to apply this notion to our own experiences: how have we changed, particularly during this crazy year of 2020? How have we stayed the same? I hope you enjoy the story. Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
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.
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December 2020
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.
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In The Arts
Expert Contributor
ArtSpires Public Auction and Community Exhibition to be Enjoyed this Winter By Carol Lipson | Hopewell Valley Arts Council Board of Trustees
By Windsor Dermatology
Clusters of “art spires” popped up throughout Hopewell Valley this fall—reimagining ash wood thanks to our incredible community of artists as part of the Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s exhibition, ArtSpires. Join the month-long online auction, ending Thursday, December 3 at 7 p.m. with a live telecast, for a chance to own a unique piece of local art or purchase as a unique holiday gift for someone special. There’s something for everyone, with proceeds benefiting the individual artists and the mission of the Hopewell Valley Arts Council. Did you miss the auction? You can still see them! Spires will remain on display through spring of 2021 and are listed on a colorful easy-tofollow map. Find them all! For additional details including auction information, please visit: www.hvartscouncil.org/artspires.
THURSDAY 5pm - 8pm FRIDAY 5pm - 8pm SATURDAY 12pm - 8pm SUNDAY 12pm - 6pm
CURATED COCKTAILS
OUTDOOR SEATING Hopewell, New Jersey
Is My Sweating Normal?
Puzzle Spire by Scott Fulmer
I Found It by Sara Bernotas
We are Born to Shine by Team Hood Art, Sew Upcyle by Janneke Vanderree, In the Garden by Curtis May and Mary Reuter-May, and Blossoms by Indra Bharandidhan
In the Garden by Curtis May and Mary Reuter-May
Everyone deals with sweat from time to time. Sweating is the body’s natural response to regulating body temperature due to warm temperatures, exercise or even emotions like fear, anger or embarrassment. But, for some, sweating happens excessively and without the above triggers. Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes a person to sweat unpredictably. This uncontrollable sweating may cause both physical and emotional discomfort. The cause of hyperhidrosis is unknown. When it is associated with another condition, such as anxiety or menopause, it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. Once the underlying cause is treated, the hyperhidrosis typically ends. When it is not caused by another condition, it is termed primary hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is often diagnosed through a simple discussion with a doctor, who will ask the patient when, how much and where they typically sweat, and if the patient has noticed any specific triggers. There are a number of ways to treat hyperhidrosis, depending on the type and severity of the individual’s situation.
Treatments include: • Antiperspirants: Antiperspirants plug sweat ducts. They may cause skin or clothing irritation, if they aren’t used carefully. Deodorants, although helpful in controlling body odor, are different from antiperspirants because they don’t reduce sweating. • Medication: Anticholinergic drugs, which help prevent sweat gland stimulation, are commonly used for hyperhidrosis. • Botox: Botulinum toxin, or botox, injections may ease symptoms in some patients with involvement in the axilla, palms or soles. If you are concerned about your sweating habits, Windsor Dermatology is now offering telemedicine and in person appointments. Call today to schedule your appointment, 609-443-4500.
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December 2020
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Expert Contributor
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Essential Workers Effected by COVID-19 By Vicki W. Beyer, Esq. | Stark & Stark, Attorneys at Law
After the attacks on September 11, 2001, New Jersey enacted legislation to ensure that certain public safety workers were granted a presumption that if they developed illnesses subsequent to their work at ground-zero, it was related and entitled to New Jersey Workers’ Compensation benefits. “Public safety workers” were defined to include police and firefighters (paid or volunteer), Community Emergency Response Teams, medical technicians, and nurses. This law was designed to protect workers who were required, by necessity, to take great personal risks in the line of duty. This years’ global pandemic has created new challenges for employees. There were many workers that Governor Murphy deemed “essential” during the lock down. These employees were also asked to put themselves at great personal risk for the benefit of their community, but they were not included in the definition of “public safety workers.” That is, not until September 14, 2020.
to contracting COVID-19, or an award of permanent disability if the worker has not made a full recovery from COVID-19. Because this disease is new, it is not possible to understand what effects a positive diagnosis may have on someone who contracted the virus in the months or years ahead. Even essential workers who exhibited no symptoms after a positive diagnosis may experience permanent residual effects from the virus. Please contact Stark & Stark today for a free, no obligation consultation to ensure that your rights and the rights of your loved ones are protected.
SHARE YOUR STORIES Do you know any local student athletes, coaches or teams who deserve some recognition? Tell us why! Visit our website to submit your articles and videos so we can feature the go-getters and MVPs in your neighborhood.
Stark & Stark handles a broad range of legal matters for residents and businesses throughout Princeton. Their main office is composed of more than 75 attorneys practicing in over 30 areas of law. Contact their team of experts at 609-896-9060. Stark & Stark is located at 993 Lenox Drive, Building 2 Lawrenceville, NJ 08648; stark-stark.com.
SUBMIT YOUR STORY TODAY!
A few weeks ago, essential workers with positive COVID-19 tests were granted the same presumption as public safety workers when Governor Murphy signed a new law. Employees deemed “essential” during the pandemic include public and private sector workers whose duties and responsibilities were essential to the public’s health, safety, and welfare. This means that gas station attendants, grocery store personnel, employees of other retail stores, and warehouse workers for companies like Amazon that were open during the lock-down from March to July now receive a presumption that their diagnosis was work related.
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The “presumption” does not guarantee that the workers will receive workers’ compensation benefits, however; they may be eligible for the benefits if they fall into one of the “essential employees” categories. Benefits may include payment of COVID-19 related medical and hospital bills, wage replacement benefits for lost time from work due
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December 2020
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Feature
Nana Brooks Home is Where Your Roots Are By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
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velyn “Nana” Brooks has lived in the Hopewell Valley community since 1940. On February 27 of next year, she will turn 100 years old. Nana is well-known throughout the community for her warmth, her spunk, and her spirit of giving to others. This month, we had the opportunity to speak with Nana and her granddaughter, Catherine Fulmer-Hogan, about the importance of history and the power of family ties. When did you first move to Hopewell Valley, and what was it like back then? Nana met her husband, Ira Brooks, in New York, where she is originally from. She met him at the boarding house in Tuckahoe where she was raised from the ages of 2 to 19. It was love at first sight. Nana and Ira (known as “Pop Pop” in Hopewell) got married the year after Nana graduated from Tuckahoe high school in 1939. Once in Hopewell Valley, Pop Pop worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Trenton and became well-known throughout town as the kind-hearted neighbor who would plow driveways and tow vehicles for his neighbors for nothing in return. Nana: I came here in 1940. I came from New York state, Westchester County. We did not really have any segregation—it was up to you what you wanted to do. I broke the barrier in my high school band. I was the only African American student there and I broke the barrier for other students to come in behind me. When I came here, I didn’t know that New Jersey had been a slave state. I was a little shocked because I was told that I could buy things in a certain store but I couldn’t sit here and eat them. I was very nice about it—I told the clerk “thank you” and that I would never bother her again and I didn’t make any fuss about it. Although Nana didn’t make a fuss about it, she never patronized the store again, and neither did her loved ones. You raised a family of 10 children here in Hopewell Valley. What was that experience like? Nana: In 1948, we had to buy a house because I had seven children at that point and we needed to get out of the little house that we had. The bank told us that we couldn’t have the house we wanted (because of the color of their skin). But the owner came and knocked on my door and said that he understood that we were looking for a house and he would sell it to us
himself; he was Jewish and was also ostracized, and he knew what we were going through, so he helped us out. Nana lives in a house on the same property today. Cat’s mother, Wenonah, Cat herself, and Cat’s oldest child all grew up in the original home on Mountain Church Road. We raised our children up here on the mountain. They went to the schools in Hopewell and also in Pennington. Throughout the school years, I had to go to school and fight for my children. My children were not “supposed” to know what they knew, speak the way they spoke, and, in some cases, my children knew more than the teachers and they got punished for that. But we came out on top—I’ll put it that way. What is it about Hopewell Valley that has kept your family here for so many generations? Cat has lived in Hopewell Valley throughout her entire life, aside from three years spent in Ewing. Cat: There was a point at which I thought I didn’t want to be here because our community is challenged when it comes to issues surrounding diversity. I found that I am deeply connected to the idea of home. For me, home is the home where my mother grew up. I felt like my roots were here. After my third year in Ewing, I chose to go back to the mountain, to the home I grew up in, and make a life here for our family. I felt very safe here. There is a lot of history here for us. The respect for nature is unparalleled. I decided it was the perfect place to raise my children. Hopewell Valley is quite a racially homogeneous community in many ways. What kind of challenges have you faced within the community, and how have you dealt with them? Cat: It wasn’t easy growing up in Hopewell in some aspects as a person of color. I was one of two black students in my graduating class. Through most of school, there were only two of us—my cousin Michael and I. The older I got, I realized it was really important to show pride in who I was instead of wanting to blend in. My situation is unique, as I have a Caucasian father and an African American mother. Loving Day (a celebration of the day when laws prohibiting interracial marriage were abolished) was in the late 60s, and I was born in 1972, so there were parts of this country where it hadn’t even been legal for five years. I often lived my life in two different
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December 2020 Cat Fulmer-Hogan, mother Wenonah Brooks, and daughter Tatiana Fulmer (with 5th generation baby on the way!)
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Cat and Wenonah
worlds. That can make you feel a bit misunderstood. I’ve become accustomed to that as an adult woman. Sometimes I might be the only person of color that someone is going to interact with. I feel a responsibility to represent that in a positive light. Cat, you serve on the board of trustees for the Stoutsburg Sourland Mountain African American Museum and the Hopewell Museum. Why do you feel it is important to speak about history and keep it alive? Cat: Since I was a very little girl, I’ve always had a profound respect for my elders. It’s how my mother raised us kids. I was a very curious child—I was always seeking to know my great grandparents’ stories. I serve on the board of two museums, and I see the story and the history as an opportunity to gain important knowledge, to learn from the lessons that the people before me learned and the trials they faced, which were unimaginable at times. I’d be silly not to feel the value in that wisdom. The Stoutsburg Sourland Mountain African American Museum is the first of its kind in central New Jersey; it’s doing amazing work preserving the history of African Americans from the Sourland region. The Hopewell Museum is engaged in telling the stories of the history of Hopewell Valley. What is something special about your family that spans generations? Cat: The women in our family have an a cappella group that spans three generations. Nana: My husband’s father was a member of Solid Rock Apostolic Church in Stoutsburg. He sang. In his young days, he was part of a quartet out in Baltimore. His children used to play pretend that they were in church and they would sing. It started out a capella. They had friends who played the piano and one who played guitar and one who played drums. This was Brooks Ensemble Plus. When it was a cappella, it was Brooks Ensemble.
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Brooks Ensemble still exists today. Singing is a trait that runs throughout Nana’s entire family; Cat’s Aunt Carol and Aunt Jeannie were professional jazz singers who have performed in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, and are credited as backup singers on Bon Jovi’s album 7800° Fahrenheit. Cat’s mother, Wenonah is also a professional jazz vocalist, and her sister, Danielia Cotton, is a well-known rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Cat, what is something you have learned from your Nana? Cat: My Nana taught me a lot about the importance of family: the importance of coming together as family to celebrate one another, share stories and break bread. Her house was always the central hub of activity for our giant family. I have tried to carry on those traditions. I find a lot of joy in preparing for and hosting small and large family gatherings. My family knows that there is always room for one more at our table. There is added joy in it for me knowing that I do so as part of a legacy passed down from her.
We extend our thoughts, prayers and concerns to all who are affected by this global crisis.
Nana Brooks has spent almost a lifetime here in Hopewell Valley. Neighbors and friends would often drop their children off at her house, knowing she was trustworthy, fair, and kind, having 10 children of her own. On her 97th birthday, she made it a goal to receive 97 birthday cards, and was surprised with 247, from 18 different countries (and one from the Obamas). She is somewhat of a local celebrity, but too modest to admit it. Nana reads, plays mahjong, crochets, and does crossword puzzles every day, and does not plan to stop anytime soon. Her family consists of 10 children, 24 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and four, soon to be six, great-great-grandchildren. She is part of Hopewell Valley’s history, present, and future, and we are fortunate enough to know her. Thank you, Nana and Cat, for sharing your story with our magazine.
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact December 2020 Rachel Donington at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
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Expert Contributor
• Review your insurance coverage, life, long-term care, business and auto to ensure you are adequately covered for the unexpected.
Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
Retirement goals are unique to each one of us. Maybe you want to start a new business, downsize to a smaller home, or spend some time traveling to places you’ve never been. Take the time to explore opportunities and prioritize what will be important to you during your retirement years. As always, we are here to help you plan for your retirement bliss! I wish you and your family a safe, healthy and joyful holiday season.
• Consider doing a series of ROTH conversions from your traditional IRA. You will pay income tax on the money you move, but the funds will become non-taxable income in retirement.
Your retirement strategy is a key component of that overall financial plan that you don’t want to lose momentum on as the year closes. Take a few minutes to review the tips below and determine if there are any year-end items you need to address to keep you moving towards a secure and happy retirement.
Christina A. Nash, CFP® President & CEO Knox Grove Financial, LLC 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 Pennington, NJ 08534 KnoxGroveFinancial.com
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
Estate Planning – This year’s pandemic has driven home the importance of having an updated estate plan. Set some time aside before the end of the year to: • Review your Wills, Trusts, Medical Directives, and Power of Attorney documents and update information as needed. • Ensure beneficiary information is up to date on all accounts and the individuals who will help with your estate have been provided essential documents.
SEASONS GREETINGS AND WARM WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND ABUNDANT NEW YEAR
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As we close out 2020, 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 needed to help you meet your unique financial goals. We appreciate your business and look forward to guiding you on “Your Path Forward” in the coming year.
Christina A. Nash, CFP
®
YOUR PAT H FORWARD
Knox Grove Financial, LLC 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 Pennington, NJ 08534 P: 609-216-7440 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com
Christina’s December Tip: Pave the way for a successful 2021 by reviewing your short and long-term goals, checking on your beneficiary designations, and ensuring the risk tolerance and investment strategy on your accounts align with your objectives. 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.
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December 2020
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Hopewell Valley Neighbors
THE PIT
Tax Considerations • Put your money to work by moving retirement savings from a bank account to a tax-advantaged retirement account. • Max out your 401(k) – remember if you are 50 years of age or older, you can contribute an additional $6500. • If you are 70-1/2 you can take up to $100,000 from your IRA/Qualified account to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). The contribution can be made directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. • Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) were suspended for 2020, but If you’ve already taken your RMDs this year, the funds can be rolled over to another IRA or qualified retirement plan if done within the 60-Day rollover period. This does not apply to Inherited IRAs.
Health Insurance – Health care can be one of the largest expenses for retirees. People are living longer, and health care costs continue to inflate. • Consider enrolling and contributing to a health savings account (HSA) to save pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses. If you are 55 or older you can make catch up contributions up to $1000. • New to Medicare? If you are 65 or older and you are eligible to enroll in Medicare, be sure to sign up during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period that begins 3 months prior to your month of birth through the third month after your month of birth. The Annual Enrollment Period for 2021 runs from October 15 to December 7. This is the time to review your current Medicare coverage and drug plan to determine if they still meet your needs.
Christina A. Nash
THE PIG &
By Christina A. Nash, CFP® | President & CEO, Knox Grove Financial, LLC
2020 has been a year that many of us have never experienced before! I’m looking forward to 2021 and the prospect of helping new and existing clients move forward on their path to financial security with the development of personalized, comprehensive financial plans.
INVEST IN YOUR OUTDOOR SPACES
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and say, “Huh? How do you know that?” We would laugh; he liked that I listened and remembered his stories. He loved hearing about our youngest son who was in 4H and had a cow. He laughed when we told him that our son managed to convince us to get chickens and sell the eggs from our porch, right here at our home on West Welling Ave. It made him smile, he thought it was terrific and led him to share more details of the farm he grew up on. He had a large photo of the Burd family farm and he would point out locations and uses for the various buildings, he would recall how many cows and chickens they had, he spoke about the jobs that he had on the farm, each and every detail about his family and the farm was very vivid to him.
Grateful for Small Town Neighbors By Kathie Rigante
There are many things about a small, old town that can make it an appealing place to live. It could be the rich, interesting history, variety of architecture, Main Street, pedestrian lifestyle, bike riders, dogs, the people, or most likely all of that. I grew up in an old town, North Plainfield, much like Pennington. In North Plainfield, as a family with three little girls and one little boy, my mother always encouraged us to be social. My mother was a member of the Welcome Wagon and was always ready with homemade Apple Squares to greet new neighbors. My parents didn’t like to see us sitting around with nothing to do. To keep us busy, my mother would encourage us to visit with our neighbors, especially the older ones. We often heard the suggestion, "Why don't you go visit Mrs. Dilinardo, Mrs. Gelher, or Mrs. Holleran? Go sit with them and talk,” and we did. We'd sit, talk, bring them baked goods, and in return they'd share stories, give us cookies, homemade baby doll clothes, buy our Girl Scout cookies and whatever else we were selling; and when we left our nature crafts on their doorsteps decorated with Yew leaves and berries, they were ok with that, too. Here in Pennington it is very similar, in many ways, to how I grew up. We have smaller houses and yards, we live close together, we walk to school, walk to town, we know our neighbors and we have a great mix of older and younger families. I grew up in that type of neighborhood for my first 13 years, and wanted my boys to have that same experience of growing up in an old, small, pedestrian town. We were lucky to buy our first house in Pennington in 1995 across the street from one of Hopewell Valley's original families and someone who would become a very special friend to us. His name was Fred Burd Jr. He was the Burd from Burd Street and Burd Road where his old family farmstead was located and where he was raised along with 11 brothers and sisters. The family no longer owns the farm, but anytime I looked at photos of the farm with Mr. Burd he would light up as he shared every last detail! True to old fashioned neighbors, Mr. Burd did neighborly things like look after our house when we would go away. In turn our boys would bring him a treat from wherever we traveled to, as a thank you. I would have the boys bring him baked goods and dinners and they
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would help him by shoveling his walk in the winter and they even built him a shelf for his garage. Our favorite tradition though, was the pumpkin pie that we baked for him every Thanksgiving. He said it was the best, even if it wasn’t, he would still say it was the best, because that’s just how he was. He always, without fail, reciprocated with a handwritten thank you note and one dollar coins taped to the inside, one for each of the boys. Mr. Burd loved to hear about their sports and he shared stories of coaching his own boys in baseball when they were young. He was always positive, quick with a smile, supportive, and interested in what we were up to. He watched as we built an addition to our 900 sf, 1920's bungalow. He could have been disappointed as we changed something that was so familiar to him. Instead he complimented us on keeping the 100 year old windows, doors and character of the house. He noticed every detail of the construction. My Dad, who was the general contractor, called him “the inspector” and he liked that! He came to visit, but never stayed too long, he was always a gentleman and never wanted to impose. He smiled, he waved, he chatted, he complimented, he was kind and he was happy.
Mr. Burd was born on September 11, 1920. His son had said that wherever his Dad lived during his lifetime, he made new friends. He loved people and people loved him! Those who lived in our neighborhood would agree without giving it a second thought. He lived on West Welling for 60 years, in the home that he built for his family, with his own hands. In 2015, he moved out of his West Welling home and into Chandler Hall in Pennsylvania. I was very emotional the day his son knocked on my door to tell me he would be moving. I knew they had to do what was best for Mr. Burd, but it just wouldn't be the same without him here. I was concerned because I knew how much he loved being outdoors, working in his yard, walking around the block, watching the kids play and socializing with the neighbors. He was a fixture here. He was the first friend I had made on West Welling Ave. and continued to be my friend for 25 years. Some might say in spite of our age difference, I say because of it. There is so much to learn from our older neighbors and I will always be grateful for his friendship. We first started visiting Mr Burd at Chandler Hall when he was 95 years old. At that time he would walk around his new neighborhood and enjoyed when there were youth baseball games at a field next door to where he lived. He was always impeccably dressed and ready for the day. He looked so healthy and happy. When I asked him if he needed glasses to read the Hopewell Valley photo history book that we gave him, he laughed and said he didn’t need them and he was right.I worried about him moving to this new place because he wouldn't have his yard or house to tend to, as he did so meticulously, or the neighborhood that he loved. True to his nature though, he found a way to be content, happy and grateful for the world around him.
With each visit, it took him a little longer to remember who I was. When I last visited with Mr. Burd, he struggled with his memory and his words. It took him awhile to make the connection, but I saw that sparkle in his eye and that little laugh when it clicked and he said, "Uh huh! My girlfriend!" He was short on words this visit, but when I showed him an old photo of a family gathering, it sparked a memory and he said with a smile that his 100th birthday was coming. I talked about his farm and when I took down the photo of his family, he named every sibling and their birth order. He got lost in his thoughts about family and his wife and he became emotional. It was hard to leave him. As I said my goodbyes, he found a smile, hugged me and said, "I love you." The feeling was mutual. I hope he knew how happy he always made me and I hope my little family did the same for him. Mr. Burd passed away peacefully just shy of his 100th birthday on March 31st, 2020. I love that my boys were able to glean bits of local history from Mr. Burd and more importantly understand the true value of our older neighbors who have contributed to our towns and community for as long as they have. They are an eternal part of the fabric of our communities and they become an integral part of the memories we create for our own families. I am grateful to my Mother for teaching us this value back in our days in North Plainfield and I hope my boys will always know the importance of caring for and about our older friends. Maybe someday they will even find a neighborhood friend to bring a pumpkin pie to at Thanksgiving. He will always hold a special place in the heart of our family, we are the lucky ones to call him our friend. You never know where your friends will come from and for 20 years, our friend Mr. Burd lived right across the street, and for that we are grateful.
Life is War m with a Personal Banker.
I loved hearing stories of his family and how his father drove their horse and wagon from Burd Road to Main Street Pennington for groceries. He spoke about how some of his siblings attended school at the Woosamonsa Schoolhouse and were volunteers there after the school closed. He spoke about attending the High School which is now the Board of Education building. He graduated from Hopewell Valley in the Class of 1938. I had asked him how he had not just one, but two streets named after his family. He said with a twinkle in his eye and a little laugh, “You have to know people, Kath!” He knew all the Pennington families, the Hales, Voorhees, Blackwells, and more. He said there was a story that our house was won in a contest in a fair and moved here on a flatbed truck in the 1920s, he always called it the "Blackwell House.” I think we need to live here for 50 years before it will be referred to as the "Boyer House.” The Blackwell family raised three little boys in our home, and Mr. Burd spoke often about his own three little boys who played with them. I would bring up these pieces of his history and he would smile with that twinkle in his eye
December 2020
On my way to visit him each time, with flowers and that pumpkin pie in hand, I wondered if it would be the time that he would no longer remember me. He had dementia. It’s the reason he was moved to Chandler Hall. When I initially brought the boys to see him, it was like no time had passed. He remembered me and the boys, and I couldn't be happier when he said his typical, "You're lookin' good Kath!" He was always quick with a compliment and his face would light up when he saw us. He loved to talk about the old days. He had trouble recalling anything recent, but with prompting he would remember everything from the past.
We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season, from you friends at First Bank! PENNINGTON
3 Tree Farm Road (Pennington Point) 609.281.5808 • Ask for Ruth Powell
firstbanknj.com • 877.821.BANK 18 Branches Throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Hopewell 1925
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