Hopewell
April 2021
Coach Krissy Turner Sharing her Passion for Soccer 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, Lisa Wolff, Peter Bialkowski 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.
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
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April is one of my favorite months of the year. I love it because April marks the time when we finally get to say goodbye to snowstorms and hello to spring flowers. It’s also a time to think about starting something new — something we may need now more than ever. Dr. Kristine Turner, PhD, isn’t a stranger to new beginnings. Our cover story this month is all about turning a frustration into finding passion to help others. Dr. Turner (known by many local residents as Coach Krissy), a graduate of TCNJ, is all about teaching the younger generation. This is a really important theme; utilizing what you’re passionate about and giving it to the next generation. Coach Krissy, a soccer player growing up, has engaged with her passion by training a group of young girls in her neighborhood in soccer during the pandemic when most programs were forced to shut down. This month’s future not only discusses teaching but persevering as well. Coach Krissy talks about her self-discipline and desire working towards her PhD, as well as her deep desire to make the most of a unique time. We can all benefit from the idea that passion plus hard work equals success. The pandemic has put us all in a compromising position, but if we just focus on our passions and goals, we will all most certainly persevere. I hope the story of Coach Krissy inspires you as much as it did me. Enjoy! Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
In March of 2020, we all felt the same way Krissy Turner felt when she found herself stuck at home—confined, restless, unsure of how to pass the time. What makes Krissy unique, though, is the opportunity she found hidden within a negative situation, a kind of silver lining. Perhaps we can view this story as a metaphor: while we definitely don’t all need to found a business, write a book, learn a hobby, or start a program during quarantine, we can find a bit of inspiration in the idea that, during a time of great sadness and grief, something joyful could be created. 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
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April 2021
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A Message from Bob Karmazin
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I am honored and humbled to have been chosen to take on the role of the Hopewell Township Director of Police. I look forward to working with this great department to serve the community by adding value and fostering a trusted relationship with the entire Hopewell Township community. The tragic events that unfolded last year illuminated prejudice and discrimination and an underlying message that has gone unheard for too long. We as a nation, along with the Hopewell Township community, were faced with unsettling events that made us uncomfortable and revealed some harsh realities experienced by members of our society. In an effort to make corrections, the Township Committee pledged to reform the police department, and sought out new leadership which could work with the community to build a model of modern community policing. In the face of these challenges, I accepted the responsibility to lead the department, working towards strategic goals set by the Committee. After 90 days as the civilian Director of Police I can unequivocally state that this department is a great organization. While many community members deeply respect and have had positive interactions with our department, the entire department recognizes we must eliminate all forms of prejudice and discrimination and are duty-bound to take action. Additionally, the New Jersey State Attorney General launched the Excellence in Policing Initiative, a comprehensive package of policy initiatives designed to promote professionalism. The policy revisions announced by Attorney General Grewal on December 21, 2020 are the latest step in New Jersey’s best-inclass police practices, as part of a commitment to affirmatively impact culture. Moving forward as the Director, I took the opportunity to publish my leadership philosophy to the department which I would like to share with the community: People: Our officers, including their families, are at the heart of what we do. It is important that we go out of our way to build strong, productive, and trusted relationships with each other, our colleagues, and most importantly, the entire Hopewell Township community. I believe in being a quiet professional, collegial and going more than halfway. I expect my officers to do the same, and to listen to diversity of thought. We must ensure that our environment fosters understanding, respect, and a culture that listens. We must reflect on what we can and must change, and take action to make those corrections. It is essential that we promote a culture of discipline and respect, and one in which our department members
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adhere to our values, which include eliminating any form of a hostile environment, discrimination, or prejudice. High expectations are not inconsistent with taking care of people and the community– they are a requirement! Standards: Standards drive all that we do, and they are set high. Our job is to make sure we understand the standards and work to meet or exceed them in every aspect. Maintenance of high professionalism and ethical standards in external and internal relationships are necessary for maximum success. Execution: Results matter! Hard work and honest effort are important, but ultimately, we must deliver! Output is more important than input. We will work hard to meet the expectations of the Hopewell Township community and our department members. Conviction: Without conviction, you cannot be successful. It does not matter the type or size of an organization, you must have conviction in everything you do! I expect everyone to take pride in their work, and to make the commitment to accomplish any mission or task, no matter how simple or difficult.
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To the extent that these thoughts need to be encapsulated into a “bumper-sticker,” it can be reduced to this: People-Standards-Execution-Conviction. This is what is important to me and will be the blueprint for the department going forward. I expect and will appreciate direct and candid feedback from department members, our leadership, and the entire Hopewell Township community. Please speak your mind – I value a wide range of opinions. I encourage the community to have real, honest conversations with our officers. I believe that only by discussing issues openly and appreciating a variety of perspectives will we make consistent progress toward eradicating bias, prejudice, and inequality in our community. These are challenging times, and we have an opportunity to make positive change and to find renewed strength and unity.
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I have absolute faith that our department will rise to meet the Hopewell Township community’s highest goals and trust. We will be what the community of Hopewell Township needs us to be. Robert A. “Bob” Karmazin Director of Police Hopewell Township Police Department
April 2021
22715610 HAMILTON Recognition of Excellence Ad_7.5x5_m1.indd Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Expert Contributor
Optimize your Financial Fitness By Christina A. Nash, CFP® & Jodi Viaud, CFP® | Knox Grove Financial, LLC How savvy are you and your family when it comes to managing your money? That is the question everyone should ask themselves this month. April is Financial Literacy Month and an ideal time to evaluate your current level of financial aptitude and consider expanding your fiscal knowledge. It’s also a perfect time to get a handle on and improve your personal finances. According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 62% of U.S. adults have carried credit card debt in the last 21 months, more than 1 in 4 admit they do not pay all their bills on time, and nearly 6 in 10 find it difficult to minimize their debt primarily due to unexpected financial emergencies. A 2020 survey found that nearly 69% of Americans would experience financial difficulty if their paychecks were delayed by a week1. So how do we turn that around? Statistics show that making financial literacy a priority at a young age can affect how money is managed in adulthood. The Council for Economic Education found that young adults who receive financial education are less likely to carry credit card debt and more likely to apply to and receive grants for financial aid. And yet, less than 17% of students were required to take at least one semester of personal finance in high school. According to Rock the Street, Wall Street, 80% of teachers self report that they are not competent teaching financial literacy. We can all do more to promote financial literacy for our youth through organizations like the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. Just taking some time to discuss the importance of financial education and reviewing the financial basics with your children can get them started on a path to
learning the important life skill of being able to manage their own finances. At Knox Grove we have always believed that providing tools and resources to our clients to help them better understand their personal finances is the first step to achieving financial wellness. Through our new website, newsletters, market updates and videos like Tuesday’s Tip under Two Minutes, we provide information on topics that can help you become a confident investor. Our financial planning clients also have access to an online platform that consolidates all their financial accounts making it easier to understand their full financial picture. Of course, there is no better way to set yourself up for success than by assessing your financial situation and having a plan. Working with a financial adviser that can help you develop, implement, and keep you on track with that plan is how you stay in control of your money. You can empower yourself and be well on your way to improving your personal finances starting with a few simple steps. • Commit to assessing your current financial situation starting with a review of your budget, savings, and emergency fund plans. • Gather all your financial documents (bank, credit card, mortgage, 401(k) statements, etc.) Visit the KGF website Resources page for a full document checklist. • Jot down and prioritize some short and long-term personal financial goals. Involving the whole family can make this more entertaining!
Any new skill can be improved with the help of someone who has the experience and expertise. That’s where financial advisers provide enormous value. Once you’ve made the commitment to take the lead and gain control of your personal financial journey, work with an adviser you like, one who understands you and your family and knows how to take the stress out of managing your money. This year make the most of Financial Literacy Month by getting started on your path to financial wellness. 1. American Payroll Association “Getting Paid in America” survey
Christina A. Nash, CFP & Jodi Viaud, CFP ®
Founding Partner & Financial Adviser
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Partner & Financial Adviser
Knox Grove Financial, LLC 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 Pennington, NJ 08534 KnoxGroveFinancial.com
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We are dedicated to providing quality health care in a loving, spiritual and caring environment, to help every resident experience life to the fullest. In addition, we provide a support system for families and friends involved in the care of the resident. The health and safety of our residents is very important to us and we adhere to all safety procedures and guidelines as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health. We invite you to learn more about our community.
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April is National Financial Literacy Month! Challenge yourself to live your best life by improving your financial know-how and taking control of your personal finances.
Campus shared with St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center
Spencer and his team were great! They moved a very large, heavy and difficult to manage Sub-Zero refrigerator into our house from the driveway along a tricky route. Their can-do attitude turned a challenging job into a quick, thoughtful exercise. Well done Dudes!
At Knox Grove Financial we provide the knowledge and resources that help our clients establish and maintain healthy financial habits. YOUR PATH FORWARD
From Investment Portfolio Management to Comprehensive Living Plans, we work hand in hand with you to develop a financial roadmap that will serve you throughout your lifetime. Visit our NEW website at www.knoxgrovefinancial.com YOUR PAT H FORWARD
Christina A. Nash, CFP® Founding Partner and Financial Adviser
Jodi Viaud, CFP® Partner and Financial Adviser
To schedule an appointment to talk about your financial future, call our office at 609-216-7440 Knox Grove Financial, LLC | 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 | Pennington, NJ 08534 P: 609-216-7440 | www.knoxgrovefinancial.com Info@knoxgrove.com
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April 2021
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Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Feature
Coach Krissy Turner
Sharing her Passion for Soccer By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
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April 2021
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Resident Feature
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r. Kristine Turner, PhD, has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old. Until about 11, her teammates were mostly boys, as there were no all-girls teams for her age group. She had a competitive streak, though, and being the only girl didn’t bother her. She believed in her own athletic ability, and couldn’t miss what she had never known. “I didn’t know that playing with other girls was a thing,” she says. Growing up with three athletic brothers, Krissy loved sports. Aside from soccer, she played basketball and tennis, too. In college at the University of Rhode Island, Krissy played soccer for two years, until she transferred to The College of New Jersey (known then as Trenton State College), where she was part of the varsity team. After graduating with a degree in elementary education, she pursued her Master’s at TCNJ in exchange for coaching the women’s soccer team; she was the graduate assistant for the team. As assistant coach, Krissy had to drive the team van. In order to qualify, she was required to be a paid employee, but there was simply nothing in the budget to give, so she was paid $1 — 69 cents after taxes. After three years assisting at TCNJ, Krissy accepted the position of Head Coach of the women’s soccer team at Lafayette College, where she worked for three years. At this time, Krissy still planned on becoming a teacher, and was in the market for full-time work. Her coaching position at Lafayette was part-time, and, she says, she was “doing a lot to survive on a part-time coach’s salary.” Krissy applied for a full-time coaching position at Monmouth University, an NCAA Division I school, and has now been Head Coach of the women’s soccer team there for 23 years. “Once I started coaching there, I just really found a passion for it,” she says. What had been a hobby for Krissy had transformed into a way of life, and Krissy realized she could make a career out of a passion.
healthy at home, she started to experience such intense cabin fever that she felt like she was going crazy. Used to a packed schedule filled with commuting and soccer games and busy life in general (Krissy usually worked between 60 and 70 hours a week before the pandemic), she found herself suddenly stuck at home. Krissy could not do her normal job through Zoom. So, with the encouragement of her husband, Bob, who is an assistant women’s soccer coach at TCNJ, Krissy made a flyer advertising herself as a coach who wanted to help kids in the local community with their soccer skills. She hung the flyer up in the grocery store, pizza shop, and other local businesses, as well as shared it on Facebook, hoping to hear from local residents and have something both productive and rewarding to do with her time. Krissy explains that as happy as she was to coach kids in her local community and teach them the skills she had fine-tuned for decades, having the opportunity to share her love of soccer during the quarantine would benefit her just as much as it would them. For a while, Krissy was not hearing from any local residents regarding the flyer; eventually, she heard from the parents of two siblings, and worked with them for a while. She was grateful for the opportunity. One day, Bob was speaking with the next-door neighbors, who have a daughter. He told them his wife was looking to train neighborhood kids (it didn’t matter what age or gender) in soccer. From this interaction, something wonderful was born. Word began to travel faster through the community, and Krissy found herself with a group of seven girls ages 9 through 12 to train. She was overjoyed at the prospect, and the girls were, too. Krissy, she explains, needs to be out on the field for her own self-motivation. “What these kids have done for me is the same as what their parents
would say I’ve done for them,” she says. Both athletes and coach have benefited greatly from this relationship. Sondra Silvestri, mother of Reagan, one of the group of seven, says that the pandemic “left parents all trying to figure out new ways to keep kids engaged in their sports and to be able to continue to have some human contact with friends. Coach Krissy provided that sense of normalcy for us. Our daughter, Reagan looks forward to Coach Krissy’s practices and learning new techniques, tactics and relevant skills as well as seeing her good friends. Coach Krissy is an incredible mentor to our daughter. We are grateful for her and the time she dedicates to our daughter and to the love of the sport.” Joe, Sondra’s husband, says that having Coach Krissy work with his daughter is “like having Jay Wright coach our girls.” “I know my daughter has grown more working with Coach Krissy than she has with anyone else—including her dad! I know Coach Krissy genuinely likes these girls and she looks forward to the sessions as much as the girls do.”
Krissy is profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be able to stay engaged with her passion during quarantine. She has also been able to act as the trainer for a travel team, Hopewell Lightning, beginning last summer. “I’ve always enjoyed working with young kids,” she says. Krissy’s players and their parents rave about her coaching skills, but she wants to make one thing clear: “It has been amazing for me. It came at a time when I really needed something like this,” she says. Coach Krissy has an impressive list of accolades to put on her resume: as a coach, she’s had seven conference championships, seven NCAA tournament appearances, was named Big Apple Soccer Coach of the Year in 2016, and is in the Hall of Fame for Westfield High School (her alma mater), New Jersey Youth Soccer, and Mercer County Soccer. When she speaks about soccer, though, she is so humble. What drives her is pure passion for the sport, and a desire to share this passion with others of all ages.
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.
NOW SEEING PATIENTS IN PENNINGTON TAHER MODARRESSI, MD ENDOCRINOLOGIST
Dr. Modarressi earned a Bachelor of Arts in molecular biology from Princeton University and his medical degree from New York University. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and his fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
As a coach, Krissy strongly believes in getting to know her players in order to encourage them to be better on the field. Her philosophy is that in order to get to know a player, you have to understand where she is coming from, what she might be going through, what is important to her. Krissy cares deeply for her players. “You have to challenge them to be their best,” she says, “understand who they are, what they’re motivated by. You have to know your people in order to push them the hardest, and they have to know you’re invested in them and what’s best for them. In order to get the most out of them, you have to believe they can do it.”
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A few years ago, Krissy made the decision to return to school to pursue a Phd in performance psychology, motivated by the desire to become a better role model for her players. She has found both personal and professional merit in the degree, which she completed in 2019.
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“To get a PhD, you need a lot of perseverance,” she says. “I knew I was capable of it, but earning the degree reinforced that.” Krissy says the degree showed her “the self discipline I have and the drive and desire to challenge myself.” There is only one other Division I soccer coach with this degree in the country. Career-wise, Krissy’s degree has taught her about the significance of athlete leadership within a team, and the dynamics that are at play among the members, all of which are invaluable tools to bring to a team as Head Coach. “As a coach, you always want to be learning and challenging yourself to be better,” she says. “The five years I spent doing coursework re-emphasized the importance of learning and being the best you can be.” At the start of the quarantine in 2020, Krissy found herself struggling, as many of us did. Although grateful to be financially stable, safe, and
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Joe, Reagan, and Sondra Silvestri
April 2021
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
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Eviction Moratorium Extended By Bianca A. Roberto, Esq. | Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law Now that we are well into 2021, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania renters are facing eviction this year. The residential eviction moratorium instituted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) was set to end on January 31, 2021, but the Biden administration extended the eviction moratorium to March 31, 2021, and requested that Congress earmark $30 billion to assist those at risk of eviction. The Executive Order also set aside $25 billion in funding for rent relief. In order to qualify, renters must meet certain income limits. While the federal government has instituted additional protections, state governments are not required to provide the same safeguards. However, many states are providing similar defenses to residential tenants facing eviction during the pandemic. In many instances, tenants are required to make supplemental certifications in support of their claim of inability to pay rent. Further, the prohibition against eviction under some states’ laws do not cover evictions for breach of a lease term other than non-payment of rent – for instance, causing damage to the leased premises.
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In New Jersey, Governor Murphy extended the state of emergency to February 19, 2021. The state eviction moratorium is set to end on April 19, 2021.
by exhibits and sworn affidavits or declarations that establish that the landlord has good cause to serve the writ. The bases for good cause are: (1) the tenant has already vacated the property; (2) material breach of the lease terms; or (3) another compelling basis. A material breach does not include habitual non-payment of rent, late payment of rent, or non-payment of utilities. The issuance and service of an alias writ were suspended between March 16, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Thereafter, the court ordered that lockouts stop through January 31, 2021. Even with the protections provided by the CDC, tenants seeking to stay in their homes must certify that they cannot pay their rent because of the loss of a job, payment of outstanding medical bills, or having their hours reduced at work, and that the tenant sought public assistance to help meet their obligations. A residential landlord can seek to evict a tenant for reasons other than non-payment of rent as those claims are not protected by the CDC’s order. Restrictions have been extended for a limited amount of time in the new year. How the prohibitions and protections will be treated going forward will be revealed in the coming months.
Last year, in Pennsylvania, moratoriums put into place by Governor Wolf ended in September. Thereafter, the federal government’s hold began. At that point, commercial landlords were able to move forward with proceedings to regain possession of real property. Residential landlords were permitted to proceed with evictions in limited cases. In Philadelphia, the Municipal Court has put a hold on the service of writs of possession and alias writs in residential eviction cases. In November 2020, that court directed that any writs previously issued in any residential case could not be served until after December 31, 2020. However, with a showing of good cause, landlords could obtain an exception to the Order, a landlord will have to file a petition supported
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April 2021
Hopewell Valley Neighbors
Adventure Club 1-3pm Grades K-5
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Bianca A. Roberto, Esq. broberto@stark-stark.com 267.759.9662
Bianca A. Roberto, Esq. is a member of Stark & Stark’s Litigation, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights, Employment, Beer & TheCambridgeSchool.org Spirits, and Business & Corporate Groups, concentrating her practice in all areas of civil and commercial litigation. www.Stark-Stark.com • 1-800-53-LEGAL 993 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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In The Arts
Community Spotlight
Connect with your Creativity at ArtConnect Forum
Celebrating Earth Day as a Community By Lisa Wolff | Executive Director, FoHVOS
By Carol Lipson | Hopewell Valley Arts Council Board of Trustees
April 22nd is Earth Day. As environmental issues have captured the public’s attention, local environmental groups have planned separate activities to celebrate the day. This year the Hopewell Valley school district seeks to unite the entire community around common goals of environmental justice and sustainability by announcing the inaugural Hopewell Valley Green Week from April 18-24, 2021. Clean Communities Day on April 17th serves as a warm-up and pre-Green Week event. Come out and clean the community. The German Club and Scout clubs have become regulars. Come join the fun, receive hourly pay for your favorite nonprofit and go home with a tee-shirt. The district has green teams in each of its schools and a district wide green team that also includes administrators, teachers, school board members, parents, students and representatives from the Hopewell Valley Green Team and FoHVOS. In addition, the district has released a brand-new Environmental Stewardship Statement: “The Hopewell Valley Regional School District is dedicated to being a responsible steward of the environment, both within our buildings and beyond our classrooms. We are committed to using our resources responsibly; mobilizing our students, staff and the wider community, by providing them with the knowledge and skills to envision and create an environmentally just and sustainable future.” The statement also includes a commitment to environmental citizenship which seeks to “educate, innovate, engage, and advocate.” Green Week is a natural outgrowth of this movement.
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Green Week includes classroom activities in every school. Students will be introduced to an environmental problem at the beginning of the week and tasked with helping to solve this problem by participating in a challenge. At the conclusion of the week, students will reflect on how the challenge impacted their week. In addition, after school Green Teams will be hosting Zoom events to help educate the community about Green issues. Activities may include Scavenger Hunts, Kahoots, and other engaging community events. Two community film screenings and panel discussions are also planned. Microplastic Madness is an informative, entertaining and hopeful film about a group of 5th graders from Brooklyn New York sparking youth-led action for a plastic free future with schools as hubs for change. The Sacrifice Zone is a half hour film that follows local resident Maria Lopez as she leads a group of warriors to clean up one of the most toxic neighborhoods in the country -- the Ironbound district of Newark, New Jersey. The Sacrifice Zone highlights the group’s efforts to break the cycle of poor communities of color serving as dumping grounds for our consumer society. Finally, the Green Week schedule also includes other planned activities from student groups, FoHVOS, The Watershed Institute and the Outdoor Equity Alliance. Carolyn McGrath, a teacher on the Green Week planning committee shared, “We hope that the connections, conversations, and learning that take place during Green Week will deepen our commitment to working together towards environmentally just and sustainable solutions, and provide opportunities for continued dialogue & sustained action.”
April 2021
The Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s ArtConnect Forum is quickly becoming a community favorite. Now held four times each year, the Forum is an opportunity for art enthusiasts, artists, and creative members of the community to celebrate the creative spirit. Each Forum features fascinating speakers with big imaginations who share their work, inspiration, and creative process. Past speakers represent diverse creative professions and art disciplines from museum curators to a renowned sculptor, an art photographer, experiential event designer, and a healing art instructor.
For more information and to register, please visit www. hvartscouncil.org/artconnect-forum. Donation of any size kindly requested of non-members/ HV Arts Council members free. All artwork by Barry Hantman
You won’t want to miss the next virtual ArtConnect Forum on April 21 from 7 to 8pm with featured guest speakers Catherine Fulmer-Hogan and Barry Hantman. Fulmer-Hogan is a community and social justice advocate who will speak about the significance of gospel music in the church, how spiritual music tells the story of being Black in America, and share her experiences living in a large family chock-full of singers, musicians, and artists. Hantman is an eclectic and versatile artist, formally trained in ceramics and jewelry-making, who will talk about his passion for collecting outsider art, what inspires his work, and his most recent favorite mediums: fused glass and multi-media assemblages. Presentations will be followed by a live Q&A session. Expanded to four times a year, the remaining 2021 ArtConnect Forum dates are: • Spring: Tuesday, April 21, 2021, 7-8pm • Summer: Thursday, July 22, 2021, 7-8pm • Fall: Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 7-8pm
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