AUGUST 2020
Maria
Imbalzano The Divorce Attorney Who Writes Romance Novels
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
An exclusive publication for the residents of Lawrence Township
Expert Contributors
Medical Center RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
Lawn and Landscaping Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscaping, LLC
1 Hamilton Way, Hamilton, NJ 08690 609-586-7000 www.rwjbh.org/rwj-university-hospital-hamilton/
Nick Pirone - Owner 1652 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ I 609-356-3465 nick@ce.land I ce.land.com
Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial LLC. Jodi Viaud, Partner & Advisor Bill Stolow, Medicare Specialist 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100, Pennington, NJ 08534 609-216-7440 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com I Info@knoxgrove.com
Home Remodeling Lawrenceville Home Improvement James Russo - Owner 2821 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 0848 609-882-6709 lawrencevillehomeimp.com
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 or at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
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August 2020
Letter from the Publisher Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Dale Ver Voort Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.com Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Feedback/Ideas/Submissions Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are 25th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com. Content Submission Deadlines: Content Due: Edition Date: November 25.................................... January December 25.................................. February January 25............................................March February 25............................................ April March 25.................................................. May April 25...................................................June May 25......................................................July June 25............................................... August July 25.......................................... September August 25.........................................October September 25 ������������������������������ November October 25................................... December Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. ©2020 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Lawrence Neighbors
We are all unique. Now, more than ever, it is so important for each and every one of us to be respectful and tolerant of people with beliefs, traits, and practices that are different from our own. In fact, it is beneficial. Could you imagine a world where everyone looks, thinks, and acts alike? How boring that would be, how little we would grow as human beings. The word tolerance means the willingness to accept opinions or behaviors you may not agree with, or to behave sensibly with those who are not like you. It means showing respect for the gender, race, opinions, religion and ideologies of other people or groups, and to admire the good qualities and good work of others. Diversity is what makes our lives interesting and challenging, what helps us evolve and improve ourselves year after year. Being tolerant and respectful people exposes us to new opportunities, experiences and ideas. In fact, diversity is the very patchwork of our community. It is through diversity that the many gifts and talents we possess enrich and touch our lives. As we look around Lawrence and within our own families, it is not difficult to discover diversity, perhaps unexpectedly. Accepting and respecting this diversity helps build a more comprehensive understanding of the human experience and a better society. The world is full of different kinds of people; look to your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends, your own family, and try to listen. Try to learn. We are all diverse, and that is the beauty of our community. Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
Speaking with Maria Imbalzano, lawyer and author, for this issue was an absolute delight. Maria’s life completely transformed when she decided, already working full-time as a divorce attorney, to write romance novels. Her story is an inspiration for anyone who thinks that life cannot be changed, that it’s set on a linear path with immovable turns of events. I had so much fun writing it, and I hope you enjoy reading it (and perhaps Maria’s novels, too). We also hear from Janet Pressl, owner of the Inn at Glencairn, on why she decided to turn her own home into a bed and breakfast—her story is quite charming. As always, we hope you enjoy the issue. Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
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August 2020
Expert Contributor
Growing with the Grove
Financial Advice from Our Family to Yours By Jodi Viaud, CFP® and Bill Stolow | Knox Grove Financial, LLC. READER’S QUESTION: Dear Jodi and Bill: I am starting to worry as I approach retirement that I may have all my eggs in one basket. How do I know if my investments are diversified? Nancy P., 62, Lawrenceville, NJ New clients often ask me if their current portfolio has the appropriate amount of diversification. After reviewing their investment statements, in many cases my response is “no.” Successful investors have always understood the importance of diversification. In the simplest of terms, diversification is spreading your money across several different types of investments to decrease the overall risk of your portfolio. Owning different investments over time helps individual investors avoid financial distress if one of their investments underperforms and decreases in value. In my opinion, diversification is more important today than in recent history. As the market continues to work through the uncertainties during COVID-19 crisis, it is likely to include more volatility. Going forward, we will need clarity on the containment of the virus and a successful strategy to reopen the economy to drive broader participation from a wide range of stocks and sectors. In the meantime, it is important investors maintain diversity in their portfolios. Diversification across asset classes as well as within equities is the most prudent way to manage portfolio risk over the long term, as it tends to lower volatility and reduces the likelihood that any one stock or a small group of stocks can severely damage overall portfolio returns. The best way to know if your portfolio is fully diversified is to stress test your portfolio. Stress testing is a key risk management technique, which evaluates the potential effects of extreme market events. This helps you determine how your portfolio may respond given
certain assumptions. We are not only looking at how the portfolio has performed in the bull market, but more importantly, how did the portfolio react during these last few months in a down market? Were your investments managed to mitigate risk? Were there tactical strategies in place to protect the portfolio? Make sure you are evaluating your financial plan and investments annually. Let’s face it, life is busy. We are all juggling demanding careers, busy family schedules, maintaining our homes, etc. We owe it to ourselves to make sure that our hard-earned money is invested appropriately for the current economic environment and our futures. Our team is actively managing client portfolios daily, but at least once a year we take a deep look into the investments and financial plan to make sure we are still on track with their goals. Diversification, risk tolerance, and goal evaluation are important factors you should be evaluating on an annual basis with your Advisor. Are you taking an appropriate level of risk to meet your goals? It may be time for a financial check-up with your Financial Advisor. If you have questions about your own portfolio or want us to evaluate your Financial Plan, please feel free to reach us at 609-216-7440 or jodi@knoxgrove.com.
Jodi Viaud & Bill Stolow
Submit your financial questions via email to info@knoxgrove.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
*Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss. 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.
Growing with the Grove
Father and daughter Financial Advisors, Jodi Viaud, CFP® and Bill Stolow, understand family dynamics and the need for collaboration across generations to meet the long-term financial needs of your family and business. They develop and implement strategies that address your unique financial needs, risks and aspirations and keep you on the right path to help you reach your financial goals.
COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL LIFE PLANS & INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT To schedule an appointment to talk about your financial future, call our office at 609-216-7440
YOUR PAT H FORWARD Knox Grove Financial, LLC Jodi Viaud, CFP® Partner and Financial Advisor
Lawrence Neighbors
I 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 I Pennington, NJ 08534 P: 609-216-7440 F: 609-910-4275 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com I Info@knoxgrove.com
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.
Bill Stolow Financial Advisor and Medicare Specialist
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Expert Contributor
Interpreting Business Interruption Insurance Policies for Small Businesses By J. Randy Sawyer, Esq. | Stark & Stark, Attorneys at Law
The economic situation for small businesses in America is dire. Following the widespread social distancing and stayat-home orders, approximately 7.5 million small businesses are now at risk of closing their doors permanently within the next several months if the coronavirus pandemic restrictions continue.
owners are being encouraged to thoroughly review their policy language in order to have a clear picture of what is and what is not covered. Keeping your business moving forward is a major stressor for all business owners these days. If you are a small business owner with questions about how your business interruption insurance policy should be interpreted, learn more about our business interruption practice. The experienced attorneys at Stark & Stark can help you understand your options.
You can reach J. Randy Sawyer by phone at 609-895-7349 or email him directly at rjsawyer@stark-stark.com for more information. Stark & Stark, Attorneys at Law, is located at 993 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. Visit their website stark-stark.com. Many business owners have filed insurance claims under their business interruption coverage. Insurance carriers have responded by consistently denying those claims. Many are taking the position that the business interruption coverage in their policy is not triggered just because the government ordered the closure of businesses due to the coronavirus. A number of businesses across the country have been challenging the insurance carriers’ position by taking their fight to court. Business interruption (BI) insurance is typically held by business owners as part of their commercial property insurance. It is intended to protect against economic losses that occur when insureds cannot run their business due to a “physical loss or damage.” The insurance typically covers lost revenue, business carrying costs such as mortgage or lease payments, payroll, and taxes, as well as other expenses that would not be incurred had it not been for the shutdown of the insured’s business. So, is BI insurance “triggered” by the events surrounding the coronavirus pandemic? What constitutes “physical loss or damage”? Does the presence of the coronavirus, and its ability to be spread by surface contact, the kind of “physical loss or damage” that triggers BI insurance coverage, since it in turn caused the state government orders to close businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic? This fight over what constitutes “physical loss or damage” will be central to whether BI insurance will be available for losses resulting from this pandemic. Small business owners around the country are going to court after insurance carriers denied their claims, and business
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Keeping your business moving forward is a worry for all business owners these days. If you are a small business owner with questions about how your business interruption insurance policy should be interpreted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the experienced attorneys at Stark & Stark can help you understand your options. J. Randy Sawyer, Esq. • 609.895.7349 • jsawyer@stark-stark.com
www.Stark-Stark.com • 1-800-53-LEGAL 993 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
August 2020
Business Profile
The Inn at Glencairn By Catherine Bialkowski
Fifteen years ago, Janet Pressl and her husband Michael were living in a beautiful 18th-century home on Lawrenceville Road that they had purchased in 1999. Often, they would joke about the ridiculousness of two people living on such a large, grand, property, complete with a barn and lovely surrounding scenery. When the couple decided to start a family, it became clear to them that this house would not be where they would raise their children. They had no intention, however, of giving it up, as they had fallen in love with its charm. Janet knew, early on in her pregnancy, that she would be retiring from her career as an analyst on Wall Street to focus on her family, but she liked the idea of keeping busy in some other way, a way that would bring joy but also less stress than her previous job to her new life as a parent. So, one day, at eight months pregnant, she informed Michael that she would be turning their home into a bed and breakfast. A bed and breakfast needs an innkeeper well-versed in the art of hospitality. Fortunately for Janet, she was able to recruit Bob Riggs, an innkeeper who had previously made a living relieving other innkeepers while they were on vacation. Bob was ready to settle in one place, and the Inn at Glencairn proved the perfect spot. After some planning, organizing, and rearranging, Janet’s bed and breakfast dream took off, and fivestar reviews have been popping up online ever since. Today, the innkeeper is Lydia Oakes, a chef who has been with the Inn at Glencairn for four years. “Lydia is the most hospitable person you’ll ever meet,” says Janet. She is also a talented, professional chef—guests rave about the incredible creations she serves for breakfast at the inn, which are always changing. One of Lydia’s most popular breakfasts is “Eggs Glencairn,” a poached egg over a toasted croissant, broiled tomato slice, fresh sauteed asparagus, and local greens with a light Hollandaise sauce. Guests can’t get enough! Part of Janet’s drive to open a bed and breakfast came from her desire to provide a historic asset for the community that could also be a place for guests to spend their downtime while visiting the area. Route 1 is home to many hotels, but nothing as intimate and special as the Inn at Glencairn. With original 18th-century floors and amazing architecture, the inn is an impressive space; but, says Janet, it is also homey, with a lived-in feel. It feels not like a museum, but a welcoming, cozy, quaint-yet-modern home. “You’re surrounded by history, but also comfort,” says Janet. And there’s no need to worry about sitting on and breaking antique chairs—those are all brandnew! Janet says the Inn at Glencairn attracts both locals and out-ofstate—even international—visitors. “I think people are looking for something different,” she says. “It’s rare to find a place to stay that’s representative of the local architecture. You get a slice of local history when you stay at the inn.” The Inn at Glencairn is rich in its history. The first settlers on site were the Opdykes, a Dutch family from New York, in 1697. It was
Lawrence Neighbors
sold in 1762 to the Hunt family, marking a transition from Dutch to English ownership. The Georgian-style architecture of the center hall frame reflects this transition. Historians believe that Glencairn was confiscated as British quarters in 1776 while the British army was in Princeton, and it also served as a Hessian hospital during the Revolutionary War. Whether guests are history buffs or not, Janet says, they always appreciate the inn’s colorful past and the designs that reflect it. The Inn at Glencairn was nominated this year for a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award, which was a pleasant surprise for the staff; although the inn has enjoyed glowing feedback from the majority of guests, it is usually larger, more well-known hotels that receive nominations. “It was nice to see our guests recognize us,” says Janet. Now, more than ever, it is so important to support our local businesses. The Inn at Glencairn is a charming, quaint, and delightfully local bed and breakfast that prides itself on greeting guests with warmth and hospitality, not to mention feeding them delectable food.
Please support this local, family-owned business by considering a stay in one of five uniquely furnished rooms by visiting innatglencairn.com or calling 609-497-1737.
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Resident Feature
Maria
Imbalzano
The Divorce Attorney Who Writes Romance Novels
By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
M
aria Imbalzano of Lawrence could not have predicted that she would one day become a contemporary romance novelist, nor that she would go on to receive honors such as the ACRA Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award and the Wisconsin Romance Writers Write Touch Readers Award. She could not have known she would publish four novels and, most recently, a novella, filled with characters and places that, in some cases, are not too far-removed from her own experiences. She could not have known her career would shift so completely. In fact, Maria’s story, at times, feels a bit like one of her captivating books. Maria was born in Trenton. Her father was a barber and her mother worked for the government. Her father’s barber shop was in their family home—she remembers grandparents’, aunts’, uncles’, and other relatives’ constant, lively presence throughout her childhood. Her maternal grandmother owned a confectionery shop from the 1930s through the 60s, a concept Maria found romantic and would eventually weave into one of her stories, the novella The Blueberry Swirl Waltz. This tale, the love story of Katie and Chaz, also incorporates ballroom dancing, inspired by Maria’s mother’s days as a ballroom dance teacher at Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio. Although Maria’s childhood memories have inspired some of her books’ plots, she would not write about them until much later. After high school, Maria attended Rutgers University, wanting to stay local, and went on to become a paralegal at a large law firm on Park Avenue in New York City. It was here she discovered her love of the Big Apple as well as the law. “I loved what I was doing,” she says. Working as a paralegal inspired Maria to consider applying to law school. “I didn’t grow up thinking I could go,” she says. Girls, she says, were not encouraged at her school to dream big. “I could be a secretary, or a teacher, or work for the state.” But Maria wanted to do something far beyond these suggestions. She had intended to become a psychologist, but law had enthralled and fascinated her. After taking the LSATs, she opted to stay in her beloved New York City, and attended Fordham University School of Law, loving every minute.
“Persistence is my motto—just don’t give up.” Maria
After finishing law school, Maria was offered a position at Stark & Stark in Lawrenceville; she’d enjoyed a summer job there between her second and third year, and the partners wanted her on the team full-time. After several years, she became a partner and practiced matrimonial law, which covers divorce, custody, adoption, and family law mediation. She remained at Stark & Stark for 36 years before retiring recently, although she still has one ongoing case. Law brought Maria more than a career—she met her husband, Chris Pyne, at Stark & Stark. One day, before she began full-time, founder Albert Stark said to Maria, “I’ve got good news and bad news. What do you want to hear first?” Maria chose to hear the bad news, which was that he had hired another attorney who was starting two weeks before Maria, meaning that attorney’s name would be above hers on the firm’s letterhead.
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Maria and Chris at home in Lawrence with their family
August 2020
Lawrence Neighbors
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Resident Feature The good news, however, was that this particular attorney was tall and handsome. Of course, that attorney was Chris, and he still works at Stark & Stark today. Twenty-two years ago, while Maria was in the midst of her robust career as a lawyer, a brilliant idea came to her, completely unrelated to all things law. She often read romance novels at nighttime, stories with happy endings, impossible connections, and fantastical turns of events—stories, ultimately, unlike the real-life ones she was experiencing at work as a divorce attorney. Escape, in Maria’s opinion, is one of the biggest reasons people read books in the first place. “Divorce law is anger-inspired,” she says. “I always chose romance because it has a happy ending.” One night, Maria was reading a book by a best-selling author, and found herself irritated by some repetitive narration. She said to her husband, “I bet you I could do this.” He said, “Why don’t you?” At this point, Maria had two young children. She was a lawyer and sat on several nonprofit boards. She had her hands completely full. Yet she decided to take a leap of faith and plunge into this new territory, this foreign world of fiction writing. As a lawyer, Maria had extensive writing experience. Her very first published article was entitled “In re Mackin: Is the Application of the Political Offense Exception an Extradition Issue for the Judicial or Executive Branch?” She highly discourages anyone from reading it, “for you will surely fall asleep.” But she had never considered herself a creative person, let alone a creative writer. She had always been a bookworm, though, checking out the maximum amount of books allowed from the library after mass on Sundays (eight). “I would disappear into the living room or my bedroom. My mother would say, ‘You need to go outside and play.’ I would go outside and come back in through the other door.” She was even locked out occasionally.
In 1998, though, as Maria felt that spark of an idea within her, she knew there were stories waiting to be extracted from her imagination. “Anytime I couldn’t fall asleep, I would make up stories in my head,” she says. “They could be sparked by a dream, or from headlines or articles.” Not long after Maria decided to write her first romance novel, a flyer appeared on her desk for a course on, coincidentally, how to write a book in ten days. Naturally, Maria attended, surrounded by “hundreds of would-be John Grishams.” Her biggest takeaway from the lecture was the importance of a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline for one’s future novel. “I have used that blueprint for every book I have ever written.” Soon, Maria had completed a 400-page novel. It was met, having been sent to publishers, with a five-page rejection letter (which Maria appreciated—most of the time a rejection letter is a simple “no”). “I realized I didn’t know much about writing,” she says. So she joined associations for writers, attended seminars and meetings for aspiring authors, and read how-to books. She wrote two more novels. Her third book won a major contest, for which a best-selling fiction writer was one of the judges. “I got an agent because of that book.” The year was 2003. Unfortunately, the momentum from the win petered out over two years, and Maria eventually fired her agent; she still had no contract. But she continued to write and write and write. Maria’s fifth book, Unchained Memories, was her first book to be published, in 2013. “It took me fifteen years to learn and become good enough to get a book published,” she says. “Persistence is my motto—just don’t give up.” Today, she has five books published, and a contract for the next one. Maria has combined her love of reading and writing with her first love: the law. In Unchained Memories, protagonist Charlotte Taylor is a medical malpractice lawyer. In fact, lawyers make appearances in a number of Maria’s books. But what is even more important than representation of her career in her novels is representation of strong, independent female characters. “My heroines are all strong, independent women who have professional careers and who don’t need a man in their lives to support them,” says Maria. “They are fine on their own. But they do all want love – just like everyone else. I choose to write these types of heroines because that is whom I admire. It also makes for good conflict in the story because the heroine is not going to give up on what she believes in. Neither is the hero. Conflict is what drives the story forward and keeps the reader engaged.” And Maria herself knows firsthand the absolute necessity for the representation of capable, driven, women in society today. “I worked in a man’s world my entire career as a divorce lawyer,” she says. “In order to be seen and heard, I had to rock the boat, be strong, not back down, and develop a thick skin. It wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it. I loved my career, and I was able to help my clients through some of the worst times of their lives. I have taken the traits that I developed, as well as those of my female colleagues and friends, and woven them into the fabric of my heroines.” Maria Imbalzano, lawyer, and Maria Imbalzano, romance novelist, have intersected and share many of the same values. And although she wouldn’t say it herself, Maria sounds a lot like one of the courageous, intelligent, and accomplished heroines of one of her own stories. Please visit Maria’s website, mariaimbalzano.com, for information about her books.
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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August 2020
Granddaughters Madison and Sophia
Lawrence Neighbors
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Recipe
Feeling Blue Blueberries and Cream Cobbler By Samira Shrivastav
Dessert just had to be blueberry cobbler—it just had to be. The thing was, I really wanted a biscuit-dough crust, but didn’t want to do the extra effort. Yet, I still wanted to infuse the cobbler with some added richness, to make something a bit more decadent than normal. Then I had an idea—I would make my usual cobbler recipe, using heavy cream in place of the milk. The result was not all that different in consistency, but still had a very special quality of its own. I would definitely make it again, and encourage you to make it, too!
Blueberries and Cream Cobbler
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 cup heavy cream • 2 pints fresh blueberries, washed and spread out on a towel to dry (it’s okay if some moisture remains) INSTRUCTIONS
perfect, but the batter will smooth out as it heats in the oven. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the cobbler is golden, bubbly, and the batter is completely cooked in the center. Serve warm or at room temperature. Note: The batter is so rich, you almost don’t need to serve this cobbler with ice cream—but after all, it is dessert! Definitely substitute other fresh berries, stone fruits, or a combination of your favorites for the blueberries. I used vanilla sugar, but simply add a splash of vanilla extract to your batter if using regular sugar.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and add blueberries in an evenish layer on the bottom. Set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together sugar, flour, baking powder and salt until combined, breaking up any lumps as you go. Add heavy cream and mix until smooth and no dry pockets are left (the batter will be fairly thick). Dollop large spoonfuls on top of the blueberries and spread roughly to cover—it won’t be
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Samira Shrivastav works in marketing by day, but doubles as a writer and blogger in the early morning and evening hours. You can find more of her recipes, gardening tips, and inspiration for living the quiet life at www.the-housemouse.com.
August 2020
Expert Contributor
Keep a Healthy Lawn During the Dead of Summer By Nick Pirone | Owner, Cutting Edge Lawn & Landscaping
For many of us, summer is the best time of year, but it’s not the best time of year for our lawns. Between the humidity and lack of precipitation, our grass can start to look like tiny hay fields during the dead of summer. Here are some ways to keep your lawns thick and green while respecting the environment and conserving water especially throughout the summer months. Feed your lawn on a regular basis If you added seed and feed to your lawn in early spring, good for you! But that’s not all you should do. Replenish the nutrients in your yard regularly to help it stay strong and green. With deep roots adept at seeking out water way down in the soil, your lawn will require less watering. Practice the right mowing techniques Everyone likes a well-manicured and carefully trimmed lawn, but when the humid summer hits, you need to set your lawn mower to the right height. Allow your lawn to grow longer and cut it less frequently. When you do mow it, raise your mower blade to eight centimeters (three inches). This height will offer your lawn’s root system more shade, which will allow it to stay cooler during the long, hot days of summer.
properly dry out throughout the day. This will help it to avoid burning during the hot summer afternoons. Rely on rain. Mother Nature usually provides enough water through rainfall for grass to grow strong. Sure, you’re busy, but if a green lawn is important to you, there is a way. Our professional, dedicated and caring staff are here to help you have the healthy lawn that you and your family deserve. Contact us today then sit back and enjoy the summer with a beautiful, healthy lawn!
Contact Nick, owner of Cutting Edge Lawn & Landscape, for all your outdoor needs. There’s still time to set up a lawn care service package that will suit you and your lawn’s needs. Go to www.ce.land or call Nick direct at 609-356-3465.
Add more water but less frequently It might seem like watering your grass briefly on a regular basis would be great for the lawn. The exact opposite is actually true. The better way to maintain a consistently green and healthy lawn is to water only once a week. Constant, short watering will actually stress the lawn, causing the roots of your grass to grow shorter. Watch when you water As a rule of thumb, don’t water during the hottest parts of the day. If you can, water at 5 a.m. If you have irrigation, set it for this time. An early morning watering allows your lawn to
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August 2020
6/22/20 3:57 PM
Educational Spotlight
Lawrence High School
Senior Awards
Dr. Jonathan Dauber | Board Member, Lawrence Township Board of Education The thoughts/opinions presented here are Dr. Dauber’s and do not necessarily reflect that of the Lawrence Board of Education.
As we celebrate the Lawrence High School Class of 2020, we recognize the seniors who received scholarships and awards at this year’s Senior Awards Ceremony. Below is a partial listing of scholarship and award winners. CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! Kamal Bathala Memorial Award: Devon Meth Selma & Mark Litowitz English Award: Saloni Sharma Donna Surtz English Scholarship: Alexandra Asack Dr. Risa Cardwell Smith & Charles H. Smith Legacy of Peace Scholarship: Nabil Hachicha and Inika Vinod Ruth Ellingham Memorial Scholarship: Carly Brummel Lawrence Historical Society Winona D. Nash History Award: Jenna Cahill Kelly Johnson Memorial Scholarship: Matt Kildea Lawrence Township Fraternal Order of Police Award: Justin Krisak Friends of Sonny Nictakis Award : Jenna Cahill Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders MCCC Scholarship: Anastasia Kachurak National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa: Dajournay Green, Jasmyn Hayes and Makai Reese Lawrence Township Education Association (LTEA) Scholarships: Ishitha Bhagwati & Andrew Tziarris-Over Theodore & Angelina Hendricks Memorial Scholarship: Marissa Parker Mary Darwin Heath Scholarships: Emma Byrne and Rikki Kong Deb Dauer “Live to Love” Swim Team Scholarship: Cameron Blackman Deb Dauer “Live to Love” Instrumental Music: Charu Jain
Lawrence Neighbors
Sunshine Club Award: Jumana Khalifa
Jerry’s Artarama Art Award: Adriana Gagliardi
Lawrence League of Women Voters Youth Leadership Award: Hope Perry
Pottery & Sculpture Award: Justin Rosati-Cuyugan
Captain Lynn Scutellaro Memorial Scholarship: Alexandra Kwasniewski United States Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence: Hope Perry Simple Tire Business Scholarships: Jenna Cahill & Tucker Simpson Elizabeth Cordwell Scholarships: Rikki Kong, Zoe Lang & Nicole Seeburger LHS Marketing & DECA Emerging Leaders: Disha Bharj, Nabil Hachicha, John Iledan, Devon Meth, Hope Perry, Saloni Sharma & Amrutha Sridhar LHS Student Council Scholarship: Jumana Khalifa Student Leadership Program Award: Alexandra Asack, Dajourney Green, John Iledan & Riya Patel Eldridge Park School PTO Awards: Taylor Holt & Matt Kildea Ben Franklin Elementary School PTO Awards: Ishitha Bhagwati & Alexa Sullivan Slackwood Elementary School PTO Golden Heart Awards: Isabella Andujar, Kayla Batzer, Ariana Rodi & Nabil Zuhury Lawrenceville Elementary School PTO Awards: Kaleigh Coyle & Pranav Phadke LMS/LHS PTO Awards: Matt Kildea & Bria Miller LIMBO Scholarships Instrumental: Hope Perry, Vocal Music: Perry Zavetz John S. Withers Award: Quazja Cannon Ruth E. Bills Citizenship Award: Charu Jain Lawrence Historical Society: Hope Perry
Drawing Award: Angela Molina Perez Bruce Harrell Art Award: Charlotte Guyot Christine Stockton Art Award: Justin Rosati-Cuyugan Lawrencian Awards: Charu Jain, Sarah Mah, Hope Perry, Saloni Sharma & Amrutha Sridhar Einstein Physics Award: Sadena Rishindran Sonia C. Kraemer “Excellence in Science” Award: Inika Vinod Avogadro Chemistry Awards: Susanna Gagliardi &Ian Wang Leuwenhoek Biology Awards: Cleo Gesenberg, Rikki Kong & Devon Meth Hubert Alyea Chemistry Award: Susanna Gagliardi John Muir Environmental Science Award: Alexa Sullivan & Aluen Tomat-Kelly Rocco Maruca Mathematics Award: Riya Patel James Semptimphelter Memorial Italian Awards: Eva DeTroia & Haley Lestician Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey Award: Rikki Kong Christine Karwoski Memorial Scholarships: Riyal Patel & Dylan Watt Lawrence Township Principals & Supervisors Association Scholarship: Taylor Holt Ralph Dobrich Memorial Scholarships: Emma Byrne, Madison Colmenares, Thomas Gromek, Samantha Lorenzo and Justin Rosati-Cuyugen LHS Principal’s Award: Nabil Hachicha
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