Hopewell Valley January 2018
Glenmoore Farm
Meet the Ellerys: Making Hopewell Home
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet Photography
Hopewell Valley A community magazine serving the residents of Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough
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January 2018
Dear Residents,
Publisher’s Letter
T Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Robin Stachura
Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet Photography www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.com
he January edition of Hopewell Valley Neighbors is an exciting one, not only because of the new year, but also because it marks our six-month anniversary. For half a year it has been my pleasure to work on this publication, to hear amazing stories from members of my own community and to receive positive feedback from you, the readers. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read what we print, and to encourage you to share your feedback with us. After all, Hopewell Valley Neighbors is for you. In this issue, I think you’ll enjoy getting to know our feature family, the Ellerys, and reading about their beautiful barn. You’ll notice a theme among the residents we write about this month—many of them grew up elsewhere, but ended up in the Hopewell Valley some way or another, captivated by its indescribable sense of community. That’s part of what makes Hopewell so special—no matter where we come from, or where we’ve been, this is a place we can always call home. Enjoy the stories.
Contributing Writers: David Blackwell, NJ DeVico, Lisa Wolff Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
Feedback/Ideas/Submissions Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are 25th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com. Content Submission Deadlines: Content Due: Edition Date: November 25.............................January December 25...........................February January 25.................................... March February 25.....................................April March 25...........................................May April 25............................................June May 25.............................................. July June 25........................................August July 25...................................September August 25..................................October September 25 ����������������������November October 25............................December Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2018 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Hopewell Valley Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: rdonington@bestversionmedia. com / 609-462-6786.
Hopewell Valley
Publisher Rachel Donington 609-462-6786
E
very month, as I write about and get to know members of Hopewell Valley, I become more and more inspired by the people who live here. As a young woman, I believe it’s important to recognize females who have made—and still make—an impact on the world around them. For this issue, I got to know Anne Nixon-Ellery, a graphic designer who has taken on planning events at her family’s magnificent barn, Glenmoore Farm, and Christina Nash, a driven CEO at Knox Grove Financial. It was empowering to speak with such successful women, and encouraging to realize that there are so many of them right here in our own community. I hope their stories inspire you, too, to get motivated and make a difference in 2018. Content Coordinator Catherine Bialkowski Correction: Hopewell Valley Neighbors is responsible for the typographical error in the Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate article on page 9 of the December 2017 issue. We apologize for the mistake.
Expert Contributors Construction and Home Repair
A&E Construction Greg Fontaine – Owner 2479 Pennington Road Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-4425 greg.aeconstruction@gmail.com www.AEconstructionNJ.com Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial Christina Nash – President & CEO 23 Route 31 North, Suite B10 Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-216-7440 Christina@knoxgrove.com www.knoxgrovefinancial.com
Heating & Cooling Princeton Air Conditioning, Inc. Adam Czaplinski 39 Evertt Drive Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Phone: 609-337-3627 adam.czaplinski@princetonair.com www.princetonair.com Real Estate
Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate Hopewell Valley 800 Denow Road, Suite N Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-9100 www.glorianilson.com
Resident Feature
Glenmoore Farm
Meet the Ellerys: Making Hopewell Home By Catherine Bialkowski | Photos by Benoit Cortet Photography
M
ike Ellery and Anne Nixon-Ellery were born more than 9,000 miles away from each other—he in Sydney, Australia and she in Hemel Hempstead, England—but today they live happily in Hopewell at their dream property in a historic area of town known as Glenmoore. For them, the Hopewell Valley has become home in every sense of the word. Mike worked for a time in England, but it wasn’t until his work visa ran out and he moved to the United States in 2001 that he met Anne, who had moved to the States the year before. The pair worked together at a marketing agency in Princeton; Mike was Anne’s boss. Although the marketing agency where they met no longer exists, Mike’s and Anne’s creative work does. Mike is currently the Chief Creative Officer at Sparks, a global marketing and advertising agency based in Philadelphia, where he manages a team of 60 people who design digital programs and live marketing for events at companies including Google, Adidas and 4
YouTube. Anne is a freelance graphic designer of all things graphical and also runs an Etsy shop, 519design, for which she creates beautifully printed cards, invitations, and other paper products. She is also involved with Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, a nonprofit program that works to preserve Hopewell Valley’s nature and farmland. The Ellerys’ first house together was in Plainsboro, but after their family expanded—the couple has two sons, Flynn, 10, and Oscar, 12—they felt the need to move to a bigger place. Hopewell wasn’t too far away, and with its excellent school district and beautiful scenery, it was the perfect place for the growing family to settle. “I really like the diversity of people here,” said Mike. “It’s halfway between New York and Philadelphia. Where we live is very natural.” Anne agreed, adding, “I love the sense of community and the artistic vein that runs through. I feel so lucky and privileged every day to live on this beautiful property.” January 2018
Resident Feature Mike added, “It’s an amazing place built long ago that’s maintained its integrity. We tried to restore it and renovate with that in mind so that is always feels like a barn. It’s a great way to celebrate culture. It’s really fun.” Living on a farm is part of what makes the family’s Hopewell experience so special. Flynn and Oscar love riding their bikes around the property and playing with the myriad of animals owned by the family. “When we moved here, there weren’t any animals yet,” said Anne. “We’ve been given—and rescued—quite a few. The boys love it.” Currently, they are the proud owners of sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, peacocks, dogs, cats, and even a piglet who uses wheels to get around. “I’m so lucky my husband is on board with this,” said Anne. “I swear I don’t do this on purpose, but another animal usually shows up when he’s away on business.” Hopewell may be home for the Ellerys now, but the journey to United States citizenship was not an easy one. Indeed, Glenmoore Farm—the barn on the family’s property—is beautiful. “The reason we bought the farm was because of the magnificent barn on the property,” said Mike. Starting in October of 2016, the Ellerys began renting out their barn for community use, after an intense restoration. In it, they host weddings, parties, fundraisers, and other events. Anne, who has experience working in the event industry, manages all the logistics of events held at the barn. “She pays attention to details,” Mike said. “We’re really excited that we have this property. It’s very unique to the area. We’re working towards being able to do different events. It’s too nice of a space not to share it,” Anne said. “It needed a lot of TLC, and we mixed new with old. I believe we have a very tasteful result.”
Hopewell Valley
Mike and Anne made the decision to start a life in America because of their love for Hopewell. Additionally, as Anne explained, “No matter where we live, we can’t be near all our family, so we felt that the States was our mutual ground.” “The USA represents neutral territory for us,” said Mike. “Anne and I both are from somewhere else. The event industry I work in is larger and more dynamic in the USA than anywhere else in the world.” Staying in Hopewell simply made the most sense. For Mike, knowing that his family was far away made the decision a hard one. On top of that, “there were many visits to state and federal offices, paperwork and a lot of waiting without knowing what the status of our applications was.” In other words, the process to become citizens was neither easy nor short-winded. It took Continued on page 6
5
Resident Feature Continued from page 5
Mike and Anne seven years to get green cards, then another five before they could apply for citizenship. “We had to go to appointments, and you don’t realize that the time that is given to you is given to about 100 other people,” said Anne.
For Anne, to have the same rights as Americans has been most rewarding—along with voting and even giving blood. “It’s nice not to be called an alien,” she said, “and not having to sweat it through immigration. Having your passport taken away and being put in a room for questioning is scary.”
They had to do a lot of studying as well. To pass the U.S. Naturalization test, candidates must correctly answer six out of 10 questions during an interview. There are 100 possible questions in total. Anne decided to test out some of the questions on her American friends and said “the results were surprising.” “Mike passed the day before me, which put the pressure on! Then we were sworn in; it was a very special moment. I think there were 40 of us. We represented twenty-something different countries. I do regret that our boys didn’t witness it, but I didn’t realize we could have brought them.” “Relieved” is how Mike would describe the way the couple felt after finally achieving recognition as U.S. citizens. “We couldn’t be separated from our children,” he said. “And we could vote!” For him, one of the most rewarding parts is to be able to create unique traditions and tight bonds with each other and with “great friends 3,65x5 in benoit cortet.pdf 1 06/11/2017 15:41 that support our small family.”
Benoit Cortet PHOTOGRAPHY
benoitcortet.com 917 597 6297
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January 2018
Resident Feature Both England and Australia let U.S. immigrants keep their original passports to maintain dual nationality. When Mike and Anne Ellery are not at work or renovating their barn (which they consider a hobby in itself), they might be playing soccer, looking after the animals, travelling, cooking, or trying out different wines. There’s always something for them to look after, but that’s how they like it. They may be from nearly opposite sides of the world, but, by some blessing, they have ended up right here in our community, opening part of their beautiful home—Glenmoore Farm—to all of Hopewell. And they are truly living their dream life. “We want to show people how wonderful Hopewell is,” said Anne. “It’s an amazing place for my boys to grow up in. I’m never moving!” To book an event at the barn, members of the community can reach out to the Ellerys through their Facebook page, facebook.com/glenmoorefarm, or give them a call at 908-342-0025. 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.
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Hopewell Valley
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Real Estate
Gloria Nilson’s Hopewell Office’s Valley Activity
AVAILABLE PROPERTIES
4 MONTHS OF SOLDS
2465 Pennington Road 61 Princeton Avenue 250 Colt Street 12 East Delaware Avenue 127 West Broad Street 20 West Spring Hollow Road 57 Princeton Avenue 30 HoneybrookDrive 2 Coventry Lane 15 West Shore Drive 14 Harbourton Ridge Drive 7 Harbourton Ridge Drive 7 Hunters Ridge Drive 17 Harbourton Ridge Drive 19 Harbourton Ridge Drive 9 Baker Way
27 Wilfred Avenue 1 112 Blackwell Road 4 51 Pennington Lawrenceville Road 3 50 Nedsland Avenue 4 2 SiouxRoad 3 6 New Road 4 126 Laning Avenue 4 23 Navesink Drive 3 11 Navesink Drive 3 238 Pennington Harbourton Road 4 7 Larchmont Court 4 39 Chicory Lane 4 1 Fabian Place 4 29 Yard Road 4 616 Scotch Road 4 2 Keithwood Court 5 28 Hallett Drive 5 24 Pleasant Valley Harb Road 2
Address
Beds Baths Sold Price
UNDER CONTRACT Address
2 1 $229,000 2 1 $238,000 3 2.5 $365,000 5 3 $549,000 5 2.5 $600,000 5 2.5 $629,000 Multi 4 unit $635,000 5 3 $685,000 4 2.5 $750,000 5 3.5 $769,999 4 4.5 $795,000 4 3.5,.5,.5 $839,000 4 2.5 $847,900 4 3.5, .5 $985,000 5 4.5, .5 $995,000 5 4.5 $1,090,000
Beds Baths Sold Price
60 Woolsey Court 3 207 PennView Drive 5 148 Harbourton Woodsville Road 4
2.5 $299,900 2.5 $550,000 2.5 $1,195,000
Address
Beds Baths Sold Price 1 1.5 2 3.5 2.5 2 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 6.5 2
$172,500 $305,000 $349,000 $357,000 $367,500 $375,000 $418,000 $428,000 $445,000 $450,000 $540,000 $575,000 $595,000 $600,000 $691,321 $780,000 $820,000 $839,000
Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in this magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for the Spring Market! 4 First impressions matter! Focus on
curb appeal and make sure the home is decluttered, neat and clean.
4 Tackle that honey-do list. This is the time to repair items that need to be fixed.
4 Eliminating bad scents makes good sense. 4 Stage your home so it is warm and welcoming.
4 Call one of us for the next 5 tips!
Hopewell Valley Office 609.737.9100 8
Lisa LeRay – Sales Associate
lleray@glorianilson.com 609.954.0177
Barbara Facompre – Sales Associate
bfacompre@glorianilson.com 609.731.1189
Gough ”Winn” Thompson – Sales Associate gthompson@glorianilson.com 609.468.3838 Helen ”Sandy” Brown – Broker Sales Associate sbrown@glorianilson.com 609.468.8545 Christine Butrym – Sales Associate
cbutrym@glorianilson.com 609.902.6214
January 2018
Christina Nash
Business Profile
CEO of Knox Grove Financial By Catherine Bialkowski
R
eaders may recognize Christina Nash from previous issues as our expert contributor in her financial advice column “Chatting With Christina.” Christina is a member of our community who has made the Hopewell Valley her home; originally from Alabama, she has been in New Jersey since 2003. Christina is the founder and CEO of Knox Grove Financial, LLC., a financial firm in Pennington. Her interest in and passion for helping people handle their finances is deep-rooted and began when she was a young girl growing up in the South. On one particular day, Christina remembers being excited to share the good news of a high grade on her math test. She was riding home from elementary school in the family’s wood-paneled station wagon and asked her mother to stop at 7-Eleven for a cherry slurpee, as a way to celebrate. Her mother, dependent on Christina’s stepfather for money and unsure of how to use an ATM machine, said “no,” embarrassed and disappointed. This memory and other similar examples stick out in Christina’s mind, and are part of the reason she decided to become a financial adviser. “Today, I am passionate about helping people take responsibility for their finances,” she says. Christina’s path to CEO was not without bumps in the road. As one of the few women in finance, she knew the challenges that lay ahead, but as a former athlete, she had a competitive streak and was up for the challenge. “When I started in the industry in 2003, I was one of two female advisers out of 450 total,” she says. “Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has made me laser-focused.” Since that time, she has worked hard to be a mentor and encourage more women to enter the field. This past year Christina received the Circle of Excellence award, an honor from the Women in Insurance and Financial Services organization that recognizes an individual’s achievements in the business. Christina’s success has only fueled her desire to give back to the community and help others improve their opportunities for success. Annually, her firm partners with Corporate FunRun, an event that raises money for different charities. Last year, Knox Grove supported the charity Tackle Kids Cancer of the Children’s Cancer Institute of Hackensack University Medical Center by inviting clients and friends to come out for the day to participate in the run. This event is just one of many ways that Christina establishes herself in a community that she holds so dear.
Hopewell Valley
“I love this town, this beautiful area,” she says. “I feel like I live in the country.” Her son, Knox, is a student at Bear Tavern Elementary. The very name of her business—Knox Grove—comes from an area in Washington Crossing State Park where she and her spouse, Leah, hike. Christina has the privilege of doing a lot of work with women—often, single women, widowers, and divorcees who might have money-related questions. According to the National Center for Women and Retirement Research, between 80% and 90% of women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives, says Christina. It’s important to her and to the Knox Grove team to make sure these women feel confident in the management of their financial future. Knox Grove’s philosophy reflects Christina’s story of hard work and dedication to helping people. Christina and her team of advisors want to teach clients how to mind their money by not only looking after it, but also thinking about it, rather than randomly choosing an adviser and blindly working with him or her. Christina Nash’s entrepreneurial spirit has been present for her entire life; as a young girl from Alabama, she would pick pears and sell them to her neighbors. Today, she has come a long way from selling fruit; she is an accomplished businesswoman making a difference in people’s lives through her work. We are fortunate to call her a neighbor. 9
Hopewell Happenings
January 2018
Pet Adoption Days
@Rosedale Mills Puppies & Adult Dogs looking for their forever homes Call 609-737-2008 for dates and times
@The Pennington School Time: 9:30-11am and 7-8pm Call 737-6128 to register
Tues., January 9
Geeks & Gadgets
Every Wednesday
@Pennington Public Library Time: 11am Geared for Children Ages 2-4 years
@Mercer County Library Hopewell Branch Bring your electronic devices for troubleshooting by IT Department Time: 6:30-8:30pm Registration not required
Mon., January 1
Tues., January 9
Story Time with Ms. Kim!
Too-Busy-For-Books Book Club
New Year’s Day Happy New Year Schools/ Offices closed
@Pennington Public Library For people who barely have time to breathe this Book Club reads nothing longer than 120-pages Time: 7:30pm Call for titles, 737-0404
Mon., January 1
Color Me Calm – Adult Coloring
@Pennington Public Library Books and supplies provided
for Prospective Parents @The Pennington School Time: 7-8:30pm Call 737-6128 to register
Wed., January 17
Pennington Business & Professional Association Monthly Meeting @Brandywine Living at Pennington Time: 5:45pm
Thurs., January 18
Hopewell Business Association Monthly Meeting @Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn Time: 6:30pm Dinner / 7pm Meeting starts
Mon., January 22
Women In Islam
Thurs., January 4
Annual Book Sale
@Pennington Public Library Bring lunch and enjoy viewing & discussion of the film “Hidden Figures” Time: 12-2:30pm
@ Mercer County Library Hopewell Branch Children’s and Adult books, Music CDs and DVDs - All items $1
@ Mercer County Library Hopewell Branch Heba Macksound will lead a discussion on the myths and misconceptions of the role of Muslim women Time: 7-8pm Registration suggested, please call 737-2610
Mon., January 15
Tues., January 23
@Hopewell Valley Regional School District All Schools Closed
@ Mercer County Library Hopewell Branch 8-week series of yoga classes for all levels of experience Time: 5-6pm Wear comfortable clothes and bring towel or yoga mat
Sat., January 13 - 20
A Literary Lunch: Book and Film Discussion
Mon., January 8
Cervone Center for Learning Admission Information Session for Prospective Parents
Martin Luther King Day
Tues., January 16
Middle School
Admission Information Session
Tuesday Night Yoga
CHATTING WITH CHRISTINA
President and CEO of Knox Grove Financial, LLC of Pennington, NJ Hello Hopewell Valley Neighbors!
Happy New Year! As a Pennington business owner and Hopewell Township resident, I am delighted to contribute to the Hopewell Valley Neighbors Magazine. Some people feel intimidated when speaking about their financial plan because they find the information too confusing to understand. My goal is to provide easily understood financial information to empower you to make informed decisions about your financial future. Knowledge is Power! Next issue, I will highlight a question from our readers. Submit your questions via E-Mail: Christina@knoxgrove.com or our Facebook page: KnoxGroveFinancial Wishing You Success,
Christina A. Nash
Christina’s January Tip:
As we start the year, make sure your financial plan is utilizing tax efficient strategies. Call us for more information!
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www.KnoxGroveFinancial.com 23 Route 31 N, Suite B10, Pennington, NJ 08534 • 609-216-7440
January 2018
January 2018
Hopewell Happenings
Sat., January 27
This month at Hopewell Valley Vineyards:
For Hopewell Valley Seniors:
@ Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Hibernation Games and Hike Outside fire & enjoy roasted marshmallows Time: 10-11:30am For families of all ages. Pre-registration required, call 609-737-3735 to reserve your spot
Visit www.hopwellvalleyvineyard.com for Artist Listings
Every Monday
Groundhog Day Celebration
Sun., January 28
Memoir Writing Workshop @Pennington Public Library Learn how to create a written record of your life experiences Time: 1-3pm
Tues., January 30
Annual Business of the Year Social
@Sun National Bank on North Main Street, Pennington Hosted by Pennington Borough Economic Development Commission Time: 6-8pm Complimentary wine & light fare served
Every Sunday
Jazzy Sundays Time: 2pm
Thursday evenings
Social Bridge
@Hopewell Valley Senior Center 62 Reading Ave., Pennington Time: 2-4pm
Every Tuesday
Men’s Billiards Club
Live Jazz Time: 6-10pm
@Hopewell Valley YMCA 62 South Main Street, Pennington Time: 1-3pm
Friday & Saturday evenings
Every Thursday
Music & Merlot
Time: 6-9pm Enjoy Brick Oven Pizza and light fare
Active Aging Exercise Class @Hopewell Township Municipal Building 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd. Time: 10-11am
Mahjongg
@Hopewell Valley Senior Center 2 Reading Ave., Pennington Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Applications for the 2018–19 school year are due by February 1, 2018 www.pennington.org
Hopewell Valley
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Spotlight on Community
Olympians Welcomed to Hopewell with Open Arms By Lauren Coppins, Student at Hopewell Valley Central High School
T
ucked away in the corner of Mercer County Park is the Caspersen Rowing Center, the official U.S. Olympic Training Center for the nation’s most talented rowers. Premier athletes from all over the country come to Princeton each year to chase their dream of competing on the world’s biggest stage for the sport. When Lake Carnegie became the site for the Olympic Trials in the 1960s, the local families in surrounding communities began opening their homes to the young rowers while they trained. Year after year, host families continue to play an integral part in the success of the rowers competing for Team U.S.A., and Hopewell families have graciously taken part in this longstanding tradition. For my family, hosting an Olympic rower was never something we had intended to do. In 2013, my mom was scrolling through Facebook when she saw an advertisement seeking out host families for these Princeton-based rowers, and she jokingly asked my older sister and me if we should do it. Knowing absolutely nothing about the sport and slightly skeptical about the concept of living with a stranger, we responded to the ad on a whim and anxiously awaited the arrival of our new rower. When Amanda Polk showed up on our doorstep several weeks later, the bond was instantaneous and we immediately knew that she belonged with our family. Amanda was only supposed to stay in Hopewell for the summer, but in just that short amount of time, we formed a relationship with her that was far deeper than any of us could have anticipated. Three months turned into three years, and she credits her time spent in this community to contributing to her success at the Olympics last year. “The environment and people in Pennington truly made an impact on my journey to winning an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2016 Rio games,” Amanda said. “Coming home to my host family after unbelievably hard days at practice helped me to relax, refocus, and enjoy chasing my dream.” She is also extremely grateful for the community members she was able to connect with through Saint James Roman Catholic Church, where she was given a supportive environment to continue strengthening her faith while training for Rio.
us to host them and I encourage other families to open up their homes for these amazing athletes.” With just one younger brother, Matthew, Julia truly appreciated having new female role models in the house who are now “like sisters” to her. Jen Caputo, Pennington resident and mother of three, has also noticed the positive influence the rowers have had on her family. “These young women are wonderful role models, particularly for my 11-year-old daughter. They are incredibly dedicated, work very hard, have great attitudes, live a very healthy lifestyle, and seem to really enjoy being a part of our extended family,” she said. She considers it a privilege to have this unique opportunity to directly influence the lives of the rowers and play a role in helping them follow their dream. Becoming a host family is a rare but extremely rewarding opportunity to connect with a network of not just world-class athletes, but world-class people. If you are interested in hosting a rower or want to get involved with USRowing, contact Katie Gardner at katiefinckgardner@gmail.com.
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Amanda isn’t the only rower who has benefited from the generosity of the community. Other rowers, including men and women from the Under 23 National Team, have found comfort in the homes of several other local families. Julia Immordino, a senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School, reflected on what it was like to live with two different rowers for the past few summers. “I really loved having these women in our house,” she said. “It was an incredible opportunity for 12
January 2018
Nonprofit News
Force of Nature By Lisa Wolff, Executive Director of FoHVOS
W
e are happy to introduce our new Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) Force of Nature column. FoHVOS Force of Nature began as a 2-mile hike sponsored by the outdoor gear store REI at our new Mount Rose preserve. Led by wellness expert Romy Toussaint and supplemented by FoHVOS land steward Beth Craighead, the hike featured an in-forest guided meditation experience. The Force of Nature hike was an immense success and exposed a desire to celebrate new and exciting Hopewell Valley lands and women. Thus, our Force of Nature feature was born. It is a tribute to both Hopewell Valley lands and ladies. Today, we introduce our first monthly Force of Nature woman. Anne Nixon-Ellery is a true force of nature. Her family and barn are featured on the cover of this magazine, but FoHVOS would like to honor her efforts and dedication to the environment. I had the honor of speaking with Anne on what makes her a force of nature. Here’s our interview: Lisa: You spend a lot time and effort on FoHVOS activities. Why are you so committed? Anne: Our property is completely surrounded by open space. We feel connected and we really love the fact that FoHVOS surrounds us. It is wonderful that this area in Hopewell has permanently preserved land. We like the green belt around Hopewell. It really is an emerald necklace. We are so fortunate that open space envelops us and gives the barn a really unique feel that you won’t find anywhere else. Lisa: So would it be safe to say that you are glad the FoHVOS Thompson Preserve is next door and you are paying it forward? Anne: Yes, I am paying it forward, but not just for the preserve by our barn. Granted, I love the feel of living here, but I am appreciative of far more than that. FoHVOS is all about community and that is what connects me so deeply. FoHVOS protects Hopewell Valley’s character through open space preservation and they have land in all parts of the Valley. Further, I love
Hopewell Valley
community-oriented aspects like guided hikes and walks, and that your staff goes to people’s private homes and recommends the best ecological use of their land. It’s great for the environment and community on so many levels. Getting people out on the land keeps the community, people, and land healthy and connected. I love being part of that.
Anne Nixon-Ellery
Yes, I try to pay it forward. I use everything available to me to help further the mission because it is important. Our barn can be a community location because there isn’t anything like that around here. My design services can help with branding to spread the word of all the great opportunities available in our community. Plus, I get exposed to so much that I otherwise wouldn’t have. Lisa: What was your least favorite volunteering activity? Anne: After the Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s Amazing Pumpkin Carve in October, FoHVOS was so proud that they extended the pumpkin display time by showing it in front of Brick Farm Market. It stayed a bit too long, so I carted it off. My car was filled with rotting pumpkin and fruit flies. It was pretty disgusting. Lisa: A perfect note to end on! Thanks for being a committed volunteer, taking one for the team, and being our first FoHVOS Force of Nature woman.
13
Our Community
Hopewell Is for Artists Jane Zamost Knows Art Heals By NJ DeVico
H
ow long has Pennington resident Jane Zamost been making art? “Forever!” As a child she drew, painted and collaged using a mix-up of materials. When her Highland Park, N.J., grammar school was closed one snowy day, Zamost’s parents took her to a toy store to pick out an activity. She selected paints. “Are you kidding?” her sister asked. “You didn’t bring home a sled?” Zamost eventually attended the fine arts program at Rutgers University and spent a semester at London’s Sir John Cass School of Art. An aspiring painter, she majored in fine arts, with a minor in communications— as a backup to pay the bills—and moved to N.Y.C. after graduation. Zamost honed her publicity skills at a public relations agency and directed and sold healthcare special projects. Later, her most special project was, and always will be, raising her four children. And for the past 10 years, she’s back painting in full force—pictures telling sto-
Natalie Kalibat
University of Southern California Class of 2016 The Lewis School of Princeton 2007 - 2012
Serenade At Dusk ries; faces that simply emerge; nature, which calms; and abstracts that allow color and texture to dominate. That public relations background helps her market her art, an activity in which every artist should engage, although few do.
• 2011 USC Early Acceptance on a four year Athletic Scholarship • 2012 Honors College Preparatory Graduate, The Lewis School • 2012 - 2016 Member of USC’s elite Trojan Diving Team • Student Ambassador for USC’s Trojan Athletics Development & Outreach • 2016 USC Graduate BA in Sociology; Minor in Sports, Business & Media Studies • Voted USC’s 2016 “Outstanding Student for Academic & Overall Achievement” • Two Time NJ State Girls’ Diving Champion, NJSIAA Elite Diver 2011 & 2012; 2011 Eastern Interscholastic Diving Champion
“The Lewis School was very supportive of me both as a student and as an athlete. My teachers believed in me all the way. It was a great experience. The Lewis School provided such a special and personalized way of learning that helped me to understand my learning differences and build confidence. The skills I developed at Lewis allowed me to maintain a B average at the University of Southern California, something that I would never have dreamed prior to attending Lewis.”
• 2012 London Olympic Trials competitor, 10 meter synchronized diving • 2015 Lewis School Distinguished Alumna & Honors Society Inductee • NJ Legislature Tribute for “Meritorious Achievement, Competitive Spirit & Sportsmanship as a Champion State Diver”
• Sports Anchor, Annenberg TV News: highlighted athletes’ off-field volunteer & community service, & stories of personal courage among aspiring young athletes
• On-campus reporter & news anchor for ESPN Affiliate WeAreSC & California Telecommunications Media
• 2015 ESPN Rose Bowl Assistant to the Producer • Sports & Field Reporter for the PAC12 network including UCLA, University of Arizona & Stanford • Won February 2016 PAC12 Diving Conference Championship “I studied and worked so hard in school and got horrible grades on exams. I also struggled with reading comprehension before I joined Lewis. I now work as a sports anchor and reporter for WBOY, an NBC affiliate, and I am living my dream!”
53 Bayard Ln, Princeton, NJ 08540 | (609) 924-8120 | www.lewisschool.org 14
January 2018
Spotlight on Community Many of her everyday activities affect her work, such as her morning walks and her new part-time job as Healing Arts Program Coordinator at Capital Health. Through her hospital work, Zamost has learned to appreciate “the beauty of meeting people in need...the mention of art simply makes people smile. A fragile person can change when you give him a paint brush.” And when she’s in her studio, Zamost too experiences the healing effect of art. “The rest of the world fades away.” She loves the stories Marc Chagall’s colorful, happy paintings tell, She and the expressive faces in Amedeo Modigliani’s art. Their influence can sneak into hers. In Zamost’s opinion, “When art soothes, hope rises.” NJ DeVico is a contributing writer and artist who lives in Titusville.
Take Flight
You can see Zamost’s paintings at Northfield Bank’s County Line Branch (Routes 518 and 31) in January; at Chance on Main in Pennington; and at www.janeazmost/artspan.com. Her jewelry is available at Flutter Boutique in Pennington. You can also make an appointment to visit her studio through her website, www.JaneZamost.com. HO2
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