October 2020
The Friedman Girls
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
An exclusive publication for the residents of Lawrence Township
Expert Contributors
Letter from the Publisher Welcome to the October edition of Lawrence Neighbors.
Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
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
Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. I love it! The leaves on the trees across this region turn from green to red, yellow, golden brown, and our community of Lawrence is so fortunate to have an abundance of this colorful season. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States. This is another one of the reasons I love this season so much. We all know, by this point, about the significance of the color PINK this season, and what the many pink ribbons stand for.
Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Micalah Taylor
I am one of seven sisters, making a family of eight women, including my mom. We’ve all heard the statistics many times, but in case you’ve forgotten, breast cancer affects one in eight women. In my family, that one out of eight women is my sister, Rebecca.
Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.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. The Wilson Family provides affordable dignified services to the families of Hopewell Valley since 1960.
2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ www.WilsonApple.com
Campus shared with St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center
Wilson-Apple Funeral Home Robert A Wilson, Owner NJ Lic # 2520
609-737-1498
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.
Wilson-Apple Funeral Home
R.Asher Wilson, Manager NJ Lic # 3823/Pa Lic # FD-000766
Ready to take the next step?
Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
609-737-1498 Cromwell-Immordino Memorial Home Joseph A. Immordino, Jr., Manager NJ Lic # 4231
609-466-0233 Timothy F. Reeg Funeral Director St. Mary’s Assisted Living
Grace Garden Memory Care Assisted Living
St. Joseph’s Skilled Nursing
Morris Hall Meadows
Located in Lawrenceville, NJ For more information, please visit us at www.morrishall.org or contact us at mhadmissions@morrishall.org or 609.895.1937
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Timothy F. Reeg, Manager NJ Lic # 3982/Pa Lic # FD-013977-E
609-392-1039 Serving Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Lawrenceville, Ewing, Peinnington, Titusville, Blawenburg, and Princeton.
October 2020
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Lawrence Neighbors
A routine mammogram found cancer in its early stage, and a double mastectomy and the will to survive saved her life. We, as a family, as a community, as a nation, will not give up the fight against this disease. Molly Moran, a young woman in her sophomore year of college, has written for us an informative piece on the importance of breast health and routine checkups. I hope you will find her article inspiring. So let’s not give up the fight. My sister didn’t, and she’s my hero. Please, this month and all months, and during this unprecedented time, remember to encourage the women you love—mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, friends—to get their mammogram. Embrace the power of PINK this October! Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786 How fitting it is that Rachel honors her sister through her letter this month—October’s featured family centers around three sisters, Lily, Julia, and Louisa Friedman. It was a true delight to hear from them, each painting a picture of their life as a family in Lawrence. The Friedman girls are all driven, giving young women who have dreams of changing the world someday. I hope you enjoy their story; may it inspire you to pursue selfless endeavors of your own. Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
Our advertisers bring Lawrence Neighbors to you. Be sure to thank them by supporting their businesses. They are experts at what they do. Please Shop Local. And please tell our advertisers you saw their ad in Lawrence Neighbors. 3
Recipe
Business Profile
Apple Crumble—One of those desserts all cooks should have in their back pockets! From Our Friends at Terhune Orchards
This crumble REALLY puts the focus on the apples, which we love from at Terhune Orchards! The foundation with plenty of delicious apples and a light mixture of streusel, placed on after the apples bake down, helps keep the apples moist and the topping light. Ingredients: •4 pounds (12 cups!) Terhune Orchards Golden Delicious or Jonathan apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ¾-inch pieces •2 tablespoons packed plus ½ cup packed dark brown sugar, divided •2 tablespoons lemon juice •1 teaspoon table salt, divided •¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon •1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour •½ cup sliced almonds, chopped fine •6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted •2 teaspoons vanilla extract •2 teaspoons water Directions: Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lowest positions and heat oven to 400 degrees. Toss apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt, and cinnamon together in large bowl. Transfer to 8-inch square baking pan with at least 2-inch sides and press into even layer.
Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and place on rimmed baking sheet. Transfer sheet to oven and bake on lower rack for 35 minutes. While apples bake, whisk flour, almonds, remaining ½ cup sugar, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in medium bowl until combined. Add melted butter, vanilla, and water and stir with spatula until clumps form and no dry flour remains. Remove sheet from oven and smooth top of apples with spatula. If apples have not collapsed enough to leave at least ¼ inch of space below rim of pan, replace foil, return sheet to oven, and continue to bake 5 to 15 minutes longer. Scatter topping evenly over apples, breaking up any clumps larger than a marble. Transfer sheet to upper rack and bake until topping is evenly browned and filling is just bubbling at edges, 25 to 35 minutes. Transfer pan to wire rack and let cool for at least 45 minutes before serving. Top with Arctic Vanilla Ice Cream or whipped cream, both available at Terhune Orchards — Enjoy!
Robin McKenna: Window Genie Giving Back to Her Lifelong Home By Catherine Bialkowski Robin McKenna, owner of Window Genie of Central New Jersey, lived in the community of Lawrence for 22 years, and continues to serve it and the surrounding area on a daily basis through her business. In third grade, she moved to Cold Soil Road with her family. “It was awesome,” says Robin, whose maiden name is Cook. She had an extremely happy childhood, and was fortunate enough to own horses, which she boarded at Hendrickson Farm. “My summers were spent working on the farm, and weekends were spent riding around the community on my horse.” She also worked from the ages of 14 to 20 at Buxton’s as a waitress. Buxton’s, located on Lawrenceville-Pennington Road, was a place the locals knew served the best ice cream in the area. She has fond memories of parades and events in surrounding communities like Hopewell Valley, too.
ated by Window Genie has allowed Robin to contribute to her favorite charitable causes through her work. “I’m always looking for ways to give back.”
“As a kid, I used to look forward to riding my horse in the Hopewell Parade every Memorial Day,” she says fondly. Her father grew up in Titusville and used to walk to the Little Red Schoolhouse on the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Bear Tavern Road every day, and her mother grew up locally as well, in the New Hope, Pennsylvania area. A love for this area runs deep in Robin’s family, and a sense of community is rooted within her.
For Robin, being able to serve the community she’s loved her whole life is a joy, and she looks forward to serving you and your family.
Robin loved her community so much that she went to college and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Rider University, living at home and also working full-time. It was a uniquely rewarding experience to be able to live, study, and work in the place she called home. That’s why the opportunity to become a Window Genie franchise owner was perfect for Robin, who was laid off from her job in sales and marketing at a medical device company in 2012 after working there for 20 years. Losing your job is never a walk in the park—but for Robin, it soon became clear what she thought was bad news was truly a blessing in disguise. “I get to give back to my community,” says Robin, referring to her current work for Window Genie, which involves window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, holiday light hanging and more. Because Robin has worked in the corporate world, she knows how chaotic life can be for families in which one or both parents work full-time. Navigating kids’ after-school activities, making dinner, and running errands takes enough time already—people don’t have time to worry about keeping their homes well maintained! “I get to help people with things they can’t or don’t have time to do,” says Robin. ”I’ve been able to take my passion for helping people from my former role and, now, help people in their homes.”
October Apple & Pumpkin Picking Weekends Reservations Required
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October 2020
Through Window Genie, Robin has been able to give back in a number of ways. Not only does she continue to provide free services to cancer patients and veterans, but she finds ways to give back to institutions like the YMCA, for which she has been a parent volunteer and board member, and Community Options, an organization that supports people with disabilities. The Windows 4 Wishes program cre-
Lawrence Neighbors
Now that the holiday season is coming up, Robin would like to highlight Window Genie’s holiday lights program. Through this program, Robin and her team will decorate your home with lights for any holiday, including Diwali, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas. She designs, either independently or with the client’s input, the lights’ arrangement, puts them up, maintains them throughout the season, and removes them. It is a worry-free process, and keeps people off ladders. Installation begins as early as September, and there is an early install discount. Find Robin’s number below to reach out about holiday lights today.
Lawrence is fortunate to be home to many locally owned businesses like Window Genie. Please shop local and support Robin’s business by giving her a call at 609-917-4338 and visiting her Window Genie website at https://www.windowgenie.com/princeton/
YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS
DONE RIGHT!
Let us bring your vision to life! n Residential n Commercial n Design
n Installation n Maintenance n Take Down & Storage
Our other services include: Window Cleaning, Pressure Washing, Gutter Cleaning, and Window Tinting!
Call for a free quote or consultation
609.917.4338
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Spotlight on Community
Over 40 Shades of Pink By Molly Moran | Student, Kenyon College
As October comes around, it brings with it that time of year where products of all kinds in stores around the country suddenly turn bright pink. Pink bracelets, pink pens, pink tennis balls—many are branded with a pink ribbon, too. According to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, pink became the designated color for breast cancer awareness in 1990, when the Komen National Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C. started the first breast cancer survivor program. The following year, survivors, as well as participants in the race all received pink ribbons. These pretty little ribbons have been symbols for breast cancer awareness ever since. So, by all means, go out and purchase everything in bright pink, but don’t forget to apply that awareness to your own life, and maintain it throughout the other 11 months of the year. What is breast cancer? It is the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. It affects about 12% of women in the United States, while less than 1% of breast cancer patients are men. Breast cancer can be a genetic disease, or it can show up unexpectedly, depending on the type. Without getting tested, there is no way to know if your body holds mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which may cause cancer. Whether you have a known history of breast cancer in your family or not, getting tested—in a number of ways—for this cancer is extremely important. Many women now undergo a BRCA gene test, which analyzes one’s DNA in order to identify changes in BRCA1 and BRCA2, as these changes could be harmful. Getting tested for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations is not always feasible, however, based upon financial circumstances and other potential issues. A simple breast examination from your doctor is an excellent way to be screened for breast cancer.
Additionally, women who are over the age of 40 should receive a mammogram either annually or once every two years, depending on the specific recommendations of their medical professional. Every year, mammograms continue to save women’s lives. When doctors discover breast cancer early on, it reduces a woman’s chance of dying from the cancer by 25-30%. Finding cancer early on can also decrease a woman’s chances of needing to undergo a mastectomy, a surgical operation which removes one or both breasts. Lastly, recognizing the cancer in its early stages also decreases the chances of the cancer spreading to other areas in the body. At the end of the day, you shouldn’t rely only on your yearly check-ups for breast cancer. Every once in a while, it is crucial to feel for unusual lumps in your breasts and underarms. It is helpful to be familiar with the symptoms of breast cancer, that way you can recognize a sign if you see one.. About 65% of women in the United States over the age of 40 have received at least one mammogram within the last two years. In order to make progress against breast cancer and save lives, we need this other 35% of women to begin actively receiving mammograms. This October, and every month after, we have to expand our efforts against breast cancer so that 100% of all women are able to receive regular annual mammograms. All cancer facts, statistics, and scientific information have been gathered from the National Cancer Institute website, www.cancer.gov, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, www.cdc.gov, or the Mayo Clinic website, www.mayoclinic.org, unless otherwise cited.
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
INVEST IN YOUR OUTDOOR SPACES
DOORS I SIDING I WINDOWS I BLINDS
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 2821 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 882-6709 www.lawrencevillehomeimp.com FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1952 LIC#13VH00230500
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October 2020
Lawrence Neighbors
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Resident Feature
The Friedman Girls By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
In the Friedman household, there is never a dull moment. Heath, her husband Steven, and their three daughters—Lily, Julia, and Louisa—are a vivacious, life-loving family who call Lawrence home. Steven is a lifelong resident of Lawrence, having grown up here and attended both the public schools & The Lawrenceville School. He now owns a property management company based in Lawrence. His father, David, was born in Trenton and grew up there before attending college and law school at Duke University; after graduating, he returned to his hometown newly married to Mariyln Nelson. David’s father, Max, also has deep ties to the community—he was head of obstetrics at Helene Fuld Hospital in Trenton. Heath works both as a marketing consultant and as a reiki practitioner and meditation teacher. She comes originally from Virginia, but now passionately calls Lawrence her hometown. Growing up in a family of three sisters sounds like the trope of a fiction novel or comedy-drama film, but it is the joyful reality for the Friedman family. Lily, Julia, and Louisa are siblings who radiate gratitude, self-awareness, and sheer gusto for the journey of life and all it has to offer; and they speak refreshingly highly of each other. “Our family wouldn’t need a script if we had a reality TV show,” says Julia, 19, a sophomore at Kenyon College in Ohio. “It’s the weirdest, funniest thing. I have the most fun when I’m with them. It is so special to have two people in your life who know you inside and out and who challenge you to grow every day.”
”Lawrence is a place where you run into someone’s mom at Starbucks and you’re not afraid to stop and chat.” Lily
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October 2020
Lawrence Neighbors
“They’re really supportive; they’re the biggest hype-women you could ask for,” says Louisa, 17, a senior at Lawrence High School. Lily, 21, a senior at Rutgers University, adds, “It’s like full-time free entertainment.” The girls are deeply grateful for the life they’ve been given and the lessons their parents instilled in them from a young age. “I’m really proud of my parents,” says Lily, reflecting on the love-filled life they have given her. Living in a community like Lawrence, the sisters are completely aware of the unusual privileges they have enjoyed, and recognize their blessings. “The community is there to support you,” says Julia of her hometown. She is so appreciative of the abundant green space surrounding her, and the tightly-connected network of Lawrence. ”Everywhere you go,” she
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Resident Feature says, ”there is a chance you’ll run into someone who knows of Lawrence.” Her father once seems to stumble into childhood friends everywhere from Wyoming to Rome. Julia herself met a friend from elementary school during a trip to California. For Louisa, being surrounded by a wide range of cultural influences, and comfortable with a wide range of perspectives feeds her own love for Lawrence.“This is a big thing I am looking for in colleges, too,” says Louisa. “I have nothing but good things to say about Lawrence,” says Lily, who notes the overwhelmingly positive experience she had in the public schools. “Lawrence is a place where you run into someone’s mom at Starbucks and you’re not afraid to stop and chat.” Although the three sisters are similarly bright, confident young women (“when you have three sisters, you form a sort of collective personality,” Julia notes, laughing), they are also individuals who are taking forward steps into their own lives. Lily, a public health major and Spanish minor at Rutgers, has plans to attend medical school and become an OB/GYN. She is involved in multiple philanthropic programs as a member of the sorority Phi Mu and the club GlobeMed, whose mission is to improve health around the world. She also enjoyed two unique internships: one at the Rutgers Global Health Institute, where she worked in service of a partnership program between the school and and the country of Botswana, while becoming educated about global health. The other took place in Uganda, where she lived and worked in Kampala for the summer with the Reach a Hand Uganda program, which advocates for reproductive health rights for young people between ages 12 and 24. “My favorite part was how hands-on we could be during the internship,” says Lily. She and her peers got to give presentations to youth in Africa on topics such as contraception, drugs, and alcohol. Outside of academia and helping others, Lily’s interests include traveling, food, reading, and the outdoors. Julia, a creative writing and drama major, exudes creative energy. Aside from writing and acting, she has a special interest in all things podcast, and
would like to start her own one day. Audio is a medium for which Julia has a unique appreciation; there is something so special, she finds, about listening to a story. When it comes to news consumption, she always prefers radio news, which, she says, tends to present information rather than sensationalize it. Julia was selected to present a TEDxYouth talk at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington Delaware on the benefits of journaling, something she has been doing since she was a little girl. Julia has been involved in theater since she was in third grade, and has enjoyed a number of roles, particularly Sophie Scholl in The White Rose Society and Jack in Into the Woods. As for writing, she hopes to pursue novel-writing in the future. With her lifelong love of books, she says, “I don’t know how I could not go in that direction. It makes me so happy to read and write.” Louisa, although still in high school, has two dream careers, and only time will tell which path she selects: nursing or journalism. “With nursing, I would want to open my own practice,” she says. She is particularly interested in maternal health equity and empowering all women giving birth. If Louisa were to pursue journalism, she would love to be a fashion or political writer. At school, Louisa is involved in theater (she played Cosette in a production of Les Miserables) and DECA, the business club. She also enjoys history & traveling. Louisa often steers the family to a Jewish history site for exploration. She also is curious when she visits other places, how that region or country approaches pregnancy and birthing, noting that the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the industrialized world. The Friedman girls, as they are known throughout town, are an exuberant bunch, clearly filled with an enthusiasm for all life has to offer. They are endlessly grateful for the lives they’ve led thus far in Lawrence and beyond, and demonstrate a perception of the world around them that belies their youth. Raised to value a giving heart, the sisters instantly consider now how their actions affect others—and what they can do to improve the world around them.
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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October 2020
Lawrence Neighbors
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ONE PLACE.
ALL SPORTS.
LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE FROM PEE WEE TO PROS
Educational Spotlight
Congratulations Lawrence Township Public Schools By 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. "Celebrating education in Lawrence with insight and inspiration; connecting readers to our students, schools and educational community." Congratulations to the Lawrence Township Public Schools on recently receiving the Bronze Level of Certification from Sustainable Jersey for Schools! Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a nonprofit organization that provides tools, training and other incentives to support and reward schools as they pursue sustainability programs. Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for New Jersey public schools that want to go green, conserve resources and take steps to create a brighter future, one school at a time. “LTPS was awarded Bronze Certification back in 2017, so we are pleased to have become certified for the 2nd time,” says District Green Team Leader, Cari Gallagher. All seven schools in Lawrence Township have achieved certification. Each school is led by a building Green Team Leader. Each Green Team leader works with the building principal, teachers, and staff to develop a culmination of Sustainable artifacts to include in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Application.
LES: April Oliver SWS: Katherine Dilorenzo EPS: Sabrina Lucchesi BF: Jay Billy LIS: Tom Toohey/Erik Karlson LMS: Tracy Bozarth LHS: Gwenn Andahazy District: Cari Gallagher Admin: Andrew Zuckerman BOE: JoAnn Groeger (community relations) Each School has their own Green Team made up of students, parents, additional faculty and staff and administrators.
Last year, the district began working on Sustainable Jersey for Schools applications in December 2019. There are three rounds of review, before the final submission, which was accepted in June. Students at each level collaborated within each school to finalize items to include in the applications. LTPS schools have been working on this round of certification for three years. Within the application, such items would include: Healthy School Environments, Culture & Climate, Student & Community Outreach, Student Safety, Student & Staff Wellness, Student learning, Energy Efficiency, STEM integration, and Board Leadership.
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L CA Y! LO DA A O IT E T BM ICL SU RT A October 2020
“Our Administrative & Green Team worked diligently to update district policies, curriculum guides, STEM practices, Health & Wellness Initiatives, Safety Procedures, District Events, SEL Programs, and Student Learning Environments that promote Sustainable Practices,” according to Gallagher. The schools accumulated a significant amount of lessons, activities, green events, parental involvement, community collaboration, and student engagement to fill the LTPS applications successfully. “We have been proud to see that our Sustainable Awareness has empowered our students to ‘Be the Change in Their World’ in our school district & community,” she says. The Lawrence Township Public Schools could not have achieved such an admirable level of Sustainability without the contributions of administrators, Health & Wellness staff, faculty, students, and the greater Lawrence community! Below is a list of the personnel who assisted with the 2020 application:
Lawrence Neighbors
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Expert Contributor
WORKING AT HOME?
Growing with the Grove
Financial Advice from Our Family to Yours
Here Are 5 TIPS to Help You Get Adjusted
By Bill Stolow | Knox Grove Financial, LLC
By Mitch Writt, PR & Marketing Specialist, Best Version Media
Question: I am turning 65 this year, what advice do you give someone entering the world of Medicare? –Lawrenceville, Rob, 64 If you are new to the world of Medicare, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the options available to you, which may look a lot like alphabet soup (Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D). That’s ok, and very normal for most people! Years ago, it became very clear to us at Knox Grove that we had to provide the counseling and support for clients entering this stage of their lives, above and beyond financial planning and managing their assets. Many clients feel their knowledge of health insurance is very limited because of their experience with their company sponsored plan. Even if you had a private health insurance policy, it is likely that what you remember most is the pain of paying the high premiums, deductibles, and co-payments. So, if you are 64 and feeling a little lost, your first step should be to find an advisor that can evaluate your unique situation and help you understand your options because Medicare is not a one-size-fits-all experience. We often get questions like, “Can I see my own doctors?” and “Are my medications covered?” These are common questions and concerns that reflect the fear most people feel when changing medical plans. The transition to Medicare from a plan that you may or may not have liked can be daunting. We realized early on that beneficiaries are bombarded for months with “sales pitches” from numerous sources like TV, Radio, Internet Ads, and direct mailings to name a few. On many occasions a beneficiary would say, “It’s like they’re trying to sell me a used car!” What they really needed was an experienced, friendly voice. Someone who knows them, understands their needs, and has their best interest at heart. Over the past few years, we have guided our clients through this process with great success. Being both a Medicare specialist and Medicare recipient has its
advantages. I found out firsthand how it really feels to go through the process. Leaving a private plan with high deductibles, premiums, and co-pays was certainly significant, but I realized that with Original Medicare, a Supplement and a Prescription Plan, I can see any doctor I choose, get labs and tests covered without co-payments, and in the event of a hospitalization or surgery, I won’t find myself in a financial bind. Personally, going through this process helps me have a better understanding of how our clients feel when they enroll. Before Covid-19, I would love when a client would hug me in relief, saying that I took all the stress and anxiety out of the enrollment process. If you are currently a beneficiary, now is a great time to review your current Medicare coverages. The annual enrollment period, October 15 to December 7, is upon us. There have been many changes in plans and coverages and understanding Medicare is an important part of your financial plan. If you will be turning 65 in the coming months or are 65+ and leaving an employer plan, now is a good time to meet with us for a complimentary Medicare consultation. Having a personal adviser guide you through the process is no additional cost to you or your Medicare premiums, and the hugs are optional, of course! You can reach us at 609-216-7440 or Bill@knoxgrove.com. From our family to yours,
Bill Stolow
Financial Advisor and Medicare Specialist Knox Grove Financial, LLC 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 Pennington, NJ 08534 609-216-7440 KnoxGroveFinancial.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.
Does Your Retirement Plan Address Health Care Costs? You've worked hard and invested wisely to ensure you can retire comforably. Now, you need to understand how Medicare fits into that plan.
People everywhere are working from home right now, so we thought it would be helpful to offer some tips to help you stay productive while working from home. While it can be lonely or inconvenient at times, working from home doesn’t need to affect your performance. Getting used to your new home office will require some adjusting. Once you settle in, though, you’ll find that it isn’t much different than any other normal day. Let’s look at a few tips to help with the transition:
1. FIND THE PERFECT LOCATION. Work somewhere quiet and free of distractions. During this transition time, many people are doubling as babysitters and pet-sitters. It might not be as easy as it sounds for everyone, but finding a prime location to work is essential for a productive day. If you’re struggling to stay focused at home, close off an area of the house and seclude yourself as best you can. The more focused you are, the better results you’ll see each day.
2. MAINTAIN YOUR DAILY ROUTINE. It won’t feel the same at first, but it’s helpful to set up your new workspace so it resembles your normal day-to-day environment. Wake up and get ready like any other typical day. Take a shower, get dressed and look presentable. You don’t want to get caught with bedhead at your scheduled video meeting! Take a quick break to get some exercise and try not to indulge in too much television or social media. Set up your computer and monitors, have your agenda ready to go and brew yourself a warm cup of coffee. Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you need to create an entirely different routine!
3. STAY CONNECTED. Take advantage of all the technology you have at your
fingertips. Video conferencing is a great way to make your stay-at-home workday more personable. Utilize screen-sharing and instant messaging to stay wellconnected with your team. There are tons of different ways to work in real time without being physically present.
4. GET UP AND MOVE! Working from home doesn’t require you to sit in one place all day. You probably have routine breaks scheduled throughout the day. Whether it’s for lunch, a midday exercise break or just a quick walk to clear your mind, we all have ways to stay refreshed during a normal workday. Take a few minutes to stretch or check in with coworkers so you don’t burn out so quickly. It’s the key to staying productive, and you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way.
5. KEEP THE CULTURE ALIVE. We care deeply about our company culture at Best Version Media. It’s one of the biggest reasons we’ve found such great success. Do everything you can do to lighten the mood for your teammates during the day. Send each other some funny, work-appropriate GIFs in your spare time. Plan a daily call to catch up and give any updates that transpire throughout the day. It’s so important to maintain your company culture, especially within your own team! Using these five simple tips will help you transition smoothly into your new, temporary workstyle. Nowadays, working from home doesn’t need to restrict how you do your work. It always takes some time to adjust to new changes, so settle in and be prepared, and your business won’t miss a single beat. Continue working hard and do your best to adjust to the new setup. Every day that passes, it will become easier and more natural.
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is October 15—December 7
Whether you are enrolling for the first time or renewing your coverage, contact our office to speak to our Medicare Specialist, Bill Stolow.
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YOUR PATH FORWARD
Jodi Viaud, CFP® Partner and Financial Advisor
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Bill Stolow Financial Advisor and Medicare Specialist
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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
Chris Cline 825 Route 33, Hamilton 609-530-1000 | geico.com/mercer
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. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program
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October 2020
Lawrence Neighbors
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Lose more than just weight. Lose your sleep apnea. The Center for Weight Loss at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, instead of emphasizing short-term goals like reducing the size of your waist, we focus on long-term benefits like reducing your risk of diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension. Beginning with a nurse navigator, every aspect of the program, including bariatric surgery, will be clearly presented so you can make the right choice. Attend one of our information sessions to learn more — call 609-584-5900 for details.
rwjbh.org/weightloss * Results are not guaranteed and may vary by individual
We’ve taken every precaution to keep you safe. So if you’ve put off bariatric care due to COVID-19, please don’t delay it any longer.