Hopewell Valley
October 2017
N E I G H B O R S
Team O’Connell Making It Happen in Hopewell Valley
Cover by Mike Schwartz Photography
Hopewell Valley A community magazine serving the residents of Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough N E I G H B O R S
Our Stories
Our Families
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WELCOME TO
Hopewell Valley Neighbors! Index of Sponsors
Buy and shop local! Please support the sponsors of Hopewell Valley Neighbors; by doing so, you foster the sense of community we all appreciate. Combining artistry and advanced technology to create exceptional smiles using the most gentle and quickest orthodontics possible.
www.DesimoneOrthodontics.com
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A&E Construction www.aeconstructionnj.com 2479 Pennington Road Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-4425
Mike Schwartz Photography www.mikeschwartz.photo 20 Coburn Road Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-273-8274
Blackwell Memorial Home www.blackwellmh.com 21 N. Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-2900
Northfield Bank www.enorthfield.com 4 Route 31 Pennington, NJ 08534 802 Denow Road Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-466-2900
DeSimone Orthodontics www.desimoneorthodontics.com 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B-200 Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-8000 Flutter Boutique www.flutterstyle.com 20 S. Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-2236
Occasions Paperie www.occasionspaperie.com 125 Broemel Place, Suite 643 Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-228-6790 Pennington Montessori School www.penningtonmontessori.org 4 Tree Farm Road Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-1331
Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate www.glorianilson.com 800 Denow Road, Suite N Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-9100
Pennington Quality Market www.pqmonline.com 25 NJ-31 Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-0058
Hopewell Valley Vineyard www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com 46 Yard Road Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-4465
Princeton Air Conditioning, Inc. www.princetonair.com 39 Everett Drive, Building D Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Phone: 609-337-3627
Knox Grove Financial www.knoxgrovefinancial.com 23 Route 31 N, Suite B10 Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-216-7440
Rosedale Mills www.rosedalemills.com 101 Route 31 North Pennington, NJ 08534
Phone: 609-737-2008
October 2017
Publisher’s Letter
Publication Team Co-Publishers: John Carson and Rachel Donington Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkwoski Designer: Robin Stachura Contributing Photographer: Mike Schwartz Photography www.mikeschwartz.photo Phone: 609-273-8274 Email: mike@mssphoto.com Advertising Contact: John Carson Phone: 609-731-7665 Email: jcarson@bestversionmedia.com Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 Email: 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. © 2017 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Hopewell Valley Neighbors publishing team: John Carson: jcarson@bestversionmedia.com 609-731-7665 Rachel Donington: rdonington@bestversionmedia.com 609-462-6786
Hopewell Valley
N E I G H B O R S
Dear Residents,
W
elcome to the October edition of Hopewell Valley Neighbors! As cliché as it sounds, it is hard to believe it is already October. Back-toschool season has passed us by, and autumn is in full swing. This time– filled with pumpkin carving, apple picking, and spooky stories–always seems to symbolize the passage of time. Leaves change color from ripe summer green to crisp red and orange and fall to the ground, gone until next spring. Only two months remain until the start of a brand new year. With this atmosphere of change comes one of growth. Autumn is traditionally the season of harvest, when we reap what has been growing all summer long. We finally see the results of the things we have been working on for months and months. When you read about this month’s featured family, the O’Connells, you’ll find that the theme of growth continues with Delaney, a freshman at Hopewell Valley Central High School who has been competing with the Special Olympics New Jersey since she was 8-years-old and who has been increasing her athletic abilities with each year. Delaney’s parents, Heather and Tim, are involved not only with the Special Olympics, but with the Williams Syndrome Association as well, a comprehensive resource for the families of individuals with W.S. Delaney’s brothers, Kyle and Jake, have become Unified partners with the Hopewell Valley YMCA’s Special Olympics program and have also helped to organize days of awareness of W.S. at their school, Bear Tavern Elementary School, in honor of their sister. The entire O’Connell family is driven and passionate about the cause--they are a voice for everyone in our community who is affected by special needs. We can all learn a thing or two from them, and perhaps get inspired to give back this season. We hope to see Hopewell Valley Neighbors grow with each issue as well. While our journey has only just begun, we are excited to hear from you, the residents, and publish what you want to read about every single month. Until November, Co-Publishers John Carson 609-731-7665 Rachel Donington 609-462-6786
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. lincservice.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
Our Family: Team O’Connell Making It Happen in Hopewell Valley
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By Rachel Donington | Photos by Mike Schwartz Photography
etting Heather O’Connell to sit down is no easy task. Getting her in front of a camera is even harder. She can usually be found behind the lens capturing those moments that add up to make a lifetime. Her own life is rich as well; she and her husband Tim are raising three active kids in Hopewell Valley, achieving the impossible task of getting everyone to their sports activities on time and still seizing every opportunity to volunteer with community organizations. “Tim moved here from Boston when he was in sixth grade after his dad Tom O’Connell was named the head baseball coach at Princeton University in the early
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1980s,” Heather recalled. “We both graduated from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School in 1989. We ran into each other years later and were married in 2000.” After graduating from Notre Dame of Maryland University, Heather worked in television as a sports audio technician in New York City for the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, Access Hollywood, and Pubic Broadcasting System. Tim, a former college baseball player and graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, served as a Graduate Assistant and Assistant Baseball Coach at Tusculum University in Tennessee while getting his masters degree. He traveled almost every week
as a road warrior for Accenture, a global management and consulting company. Life became everything but ordinary for the couple when their oldest daughter Delaney was born with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting only one in 10,000 births. “Williams Syndrome is characterized by medical, developmental, and learning challenges. Individuals with Williams Syndrome are friendly and endearing, highly verbal, and empathetic. Early intervention and therapies help overcome developmental delays, but those affected constantly struggle with spatial relations, numbers, and abstract reasoning, making classroom tasks and executive functions difficult,” Heather explained.
October 2017
Resident Feature
“There is so much to overcome and move past as a special needs family. First you grieve with the diagnosis that alters what you originally hoped and dreamed for your children. Then you tackle it head on. People who aren’t in your shoes have no real idea what it’s like to always deal with doctors, worry about futures, and reach each and every milestone. We struggle with behaviors, medication, and new health issues that keep popping up. Creating new goals and finding new ways to achieve is a constant,” Heather noted. The themes of loyalty and determination strongly resonate with the O’Connells. Their twelve-year-old son Kyle has dealt with PANS/PANDAS, two devastating autoimmune disorders. Thankfully, Kyle is on the road to recovery, but in retrospect, Heather recognizes the toll that Kyle’s struggles took on his siblings. “Jake, our 10-year-old, had to learn to grow up much faster than he should have, but with the perseverance and support of each other, we seem to make it through,” Heather noted. Williams Syndrome hasn’t stopped Delaney from being a devoted and incredibly talented athlete. She medals in nearly every sport she participates in, including soccer, basketball, equestrian, bowling, track and field, and bocce. Delaney has spoken and presented awards for Special Olympics New Jersey, and she was a Junior Ambassador and model for their American Girl Fundraiser. “Delaney recently joined the CEO of Special Olympics New Jersey, Heather Andersen, on an interview with Steve Adubato that will air this fall on local Public Broadcasting System and FIOS,” her mother noted proudly. At her 8th grade Stepping Up Ceremony this spring, Delaney received
Hopewell Valley
N E I G H B O R S
an award for her kind heart and positive energy. As a freshman at Hopewell Valley Central High School, Delaney is a dedicated member of the Varsity cheer squad and school choir. She won the “Pin it Forward” award at cheer camp this summer for her supportive and encouraging spirit towards others. To say sports is a huge part of their lives would be an understatement. It’s played a significant role in how the O’Connells live and as a special needs family, it provides a bridge to a challenging, but hugely rewarding lifestyle. Delaney’s two brothers have always been incredibly interested in athletics. Kyle, a 7th grader at Timberlane Middle School, does football, wrestling, baseball, and track and field. Jake, a 5th rade STEM program student at Bear Tavern Elementary School, plays on a local ice hockey team, a travel baseball team, and the Hopewell Pop Warner football team. Like his sister, Jake loves to sing and joined the Bear Tavern Treblemakers last year. Sharing their strength with others conquering the battles of Williams Syndrome through volunteer work is truly a rewarding experience for the O’Connells. Utilizing her photography business, Heather is always pleased to take pictures for special needs athletic teams. Heather currently runs a new in-house ice hockey program at Ice Land, in Hamilton Township. She has also been the Tri-State Regional chair for the Williams Syndrome Association for years and co-founded the Special Education Parent-Teacher Association for Hopewell Valley Regional School District. Like her daughter, Heather is actively involved Continued on page 6
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Resident Feature Continued from page 5
in Special Olympics New Jersey. She has coached for the organization for seven years and brought the program to the Hopewell Valley YMCA where she now serves as the HVYMCA Special Olympics Coordinator in addition to being a board member. “The Hopewell Valley YMCA already provides so many services to families in the Hopewell Valley, from child care to sports to safety trainings. Adding Special Olympics programming was the next logical step in expanding our services. We work hard to make our programming available and accessible to everyone. I even help them fundraise so that we can offer camp and program scholarships to families in need of financial assistance. We are always trying to build a stronger community,” Heather shared.
“My boys, Kyle and Jake, are Unified partners for our Hopewell Valley YMCA Special Olympics program,” Heather proudly mentioned. “Jake has been to two Summer Games and medaled in the 4x100 Unified relay and Kyle went to Bowling States on our Unified Bowling team. This past year, Jake helped to organize a day at Bear Tavern Elementary School where he read about Williams Syndrome over the morning announcements and had the school dress in our colors of red, blue, and green.” In this family where everyone has each other’s backs, a supportive, close-knit community like Hopewell Valley is a perfect fit. “The past twelve years in Hopewell have been pretty awesome,” Heather continued. “Surrounding yourself with the right people is so important. Positive people, who take the time to
understand what your family dynamics are and support you, are so critical.” The term spectator sport is not in their vocabulary. It’s all hands on involvement. For Team O’Connell, life is busy on and off the field.
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 2017
Real Estate
Hopewell Valley Market Activity AUGUST SOLDS Address
Beds Baths Sold Price
110 Dunleigh Court 1649 Reed Road 18 Featherbed Lane 8 Bethany Avenue 76 Blackwell Road 64 N Main Street 262 Pennington Harbourton Rd 16 Lafayette Street 2356 Pennington Road 103 Knox Court 47 Haddon Court 103 Ingleside Avenue 28 Washington Avenue 88 Taylor Terrace 50 Nedsland Avenue 302 Washing Cross Penn Rd 221 Concord Place 1004 Pebble Creek Court 6 New Road 218 Pennington Hopewell Rd
2 2 2 4 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 5
1 1 1 1 2 1 1.5 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 1.5 1.5 3.5 2 2.5 2.5 2 2
$131,500 $170,000 $174,000 $178,000 $195,000 $220,000 $270,000 $307,000 $310,000 $336,000 $337,500 $340,000 $349,900 $356,000 $357,000 $359,000 $365,000 $369,000 $375,000 $385,000
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.
312 North Main Street 4 325 Watkins Road 3 11 Navesink Drive 3 23 Elm Ridge Road 4 238 Pennington Harbourton Road 4 9 Forrest Hill Road 5 3 Weidel Drive 4 14 Baldwin Street 3 109 Weldon Way 4 14 Larchmont Court 4 16 Vannoy Avenue 4 25 Wyckoff Drive 5 26 Wyckoff Drive 4 1 Fabian Place 4 29 Yard Road 4 4 Kentsdale Drive 4 3 Baldwin Court 4 18 Kentsdale Drive 4 24 Hedgecroft Drive 5 16 Honeybrook Drive 4 7 Timkak Lane 4 104 Murphy Drive 4 14 Lake Baldwin Drive 4 5 North Woods Drive 4 32 Nelson Ridge Road 4 21 Brandon Road 4
2.5 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 & .5 3 2.5 2.5 3 3.5 4.5 2.5 2.5
$425,000 $435,000 $445,000 $445,000 $450,000 $479,900 $530,000 $530,150 $537,500 $550,000 $565,500 $567,000 $572,800 $595,000 $600,000 $609,000 $620,000 $625,000 $629,900 $632,500 $652,000 $680,000 $711,000 $725,000 $739,000 $745,000
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
Hopewell Valley Office 609.737.9100
Love where you live…live where you love!
We are you! We live, work and play here in the Valley. We have raised our children here and have enjoyed life in what feels like small town America. We are active volunteers because we continually want to make a difference and care deeply about this community. Selling Hopewell Valley is easy and selling your home is our passion. River, canal, walking paths, Revolutionary War historical sights, one hour to the ocean and another to the mountains. 55 minutes if you can catch an express train to NYC. Philly, less than an hour by car or train. Convenient to shopping, dining and the Arts. Committed to serving you and experts in our field, we offer sound advice and continued guidance throughout the process of buying or selling.
Your goals are our goals. Let us help you achieve them!
Hopewell Valley
N E I G H B O R S
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Neighborhood Classifieds
NEIGHBORHOOD CLASSIFIEDS Have something to sell or give away? It might be just the thing your neighbor is looking for! To place your free classified, go to www.bestversionmedia. com and click ”Submit Content.” For free listings, ads must be 40 words or less, non-business related. You will receive email confirmation. Political Memorabilia Collector seeks political pin back buttons, ribbons & more, the older the better, such as Teddy & Franklin Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, Jack Kennedy. Also seeks pin back buttons for sports, advertising, and comics. Top dollar paid, contact 609-310-0817. Stereo Rack System by Pioneer For Sale Includes Turntable, Amplifier, CD player, AM/FM receiver, dual Tape Deck, and 2 speakers. Call 609-468-0962.
YOUTH CLASSIFIEDS
Hey Kids! Free Advertising! Be in business for yourself and make a little money – all while helping your neighbors! To place your free classified offering services, go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click ”Submit Content.” Please limit to 40 words. Please be advised that all communication regarding Kids’ Classifieds will be directed through a parent or guardian. Dog Walkers Does your dog need to be walked? Hi, we are 2 brothers who live in downtown Pennington. Whether your dog needs regular walking, a little extra exercise on the weekends, or a few weeks of service, we are happy to help! For details, call me at 609-462-6786.
Pennington Montessori School Premier early childhood education designed to prepare your child not only for school, but for life. § Academic Curriculum § Spanish - Music -
Outdoor Education
§ School year and
full year programs
§ LEED certified facility
§ 6 weeks to 6 years
§ Flexible schedules
§ Summer Camp
§ Before and aftercare
4 Tree Farm Road, Pennington NJ 08534 www.penningtonmontessori.org admissionsinfo@penningtonmontessori.org
Call to schedule a tour! 609-737-1331
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October 2017
Business Profile
Grand Opening A&E Design Center Saturday October 7 By Rachel Donington
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here is a renovation happening in the Hopewell Valley business community. It’s at the new A&E Design Center, located on Route 31 South in Pennington.
The Grand Opening celebration is Saturday, October 7, from 11am-3pm. The A&E team invites you to stop by the new showroom to meet their designers and material vendors. Light fare will be served. The new Design Center showroom features a full working kitchen with Jenn Air appliances, a full working universal design shower, and retail sales and computer-aided design for:
1 Tile
1 Floor Coverings
1 Lighting
1 Cabinetry
1 Home automation (smart home technology)
1 Counters
1 Millwork
1 Hardware
1 Paint
1 Window treatments
A&E Construction has served the Hopewell Valley area for the past 14-years with award winning home design and construction. Their new Design Center was created to simplify the selection process and provide a one-stop shop for all your home renovation needs. A&E has an extremely talented and friendly staff, a well-outfitted showroom, and have partnered with key suppliers and vendors to make the whole remodeling experience an enjoyable one. So stop by and check out their new space. They are excited to help with your next remodeling project.
Hopewell Valley
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Calendar of Events
October
Every Saturday through mid-November
Pennington Farmers’ Market @Rosedale Mills New Vendors plus weekly ‘Artist in Resident’ sponsored by Hopewell Valley Arts Council. Time: 9am-1pm
Every Wednesday
Story Time! at Pennington Public Library @Pennington Public Library Geared for Children Ages 2-4 years. Time: 11am
Every third week of the month
Pet Adoption @Rosedale Mills Call 609-737-2008 for dates and times.
Tuesday evenings
Hopewell Valley YMCA Adult Co-Ed Volleyball @Timberlane Middle School Main Gym Ages 16 & up Time: 8-10pm
Sun., October 1
10th Annual Hopewell Borough Tour des Arts Self-guided art tours. Pick up maps starting
@Hopewell Train Station. For more information go to http://hopewellarts.com/
1st Sunday Environmental Film Series “How to Let Go of the World and Love All The Things Climate Can’t Change” by Oscar nominated director Josh Fox @Stony Brook Millstone Watershed The Watershed Center, Titus Mill Road Time: 1-3pm
Wed., October 4
Wednesday Nite Out “Anne and Charles Lindbergh – Couple For an Age” Part II Trial of the Century Presented by local historian Jim Davidson @Hopewell Borough Public Library Time: 7pm
SHARE THE DATE
Is your school, organization or charity holding a special event?
Get It On This Calendar!
Email your event announcements to: rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
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October 2017
Calendar of Events Sat., October 7
Wed., October 18
Bike the Lawrence Hopewell Trail River Days Celebration
History Talk — The Delaware & Raritan Canal A Conversation with Canal Author and Historian Linda J. Barth
@Stony Brook Millstone Watershed The Watershed Center, Titus Mill Road Morning refreshments and picnic lunch provided. Adults and Families with children ages 12 & up. Time: 9am-12pm
@ Mercer County Library Hopewell Branch Time: 7-8:30pm Registration required, call 609-737-2610
Fri., October 27
Sun., October 8
After Dark Outdoor Movie Featuring “Hotel Transylvania” Rate PG Sponsored by Pennington Borough Parks & Recreation @ Kunkel Park, King George Road, Pennington Bring a blanket or chair. Time: 7:30pm
Columbus Day All Schools Closed @Hopewell Valley Regional School District
Sun., October 15
Spirits of Hopewell Valley Historical Reenactment of those lived and are buried at Old Methodist Cemetery and Pennington African Cemetery Sponsored by Pennington Public Library and Hopewell Valley Historical Society @ Old Methodist Cemetery, Pennington Titusville Road Time: 2pm Rain date: October 22 at 2pm
Visit www.hopwellvalleyvineyard.com for Artist Listings
Thursday evenings
Live Jazz
Time: 6-10pm
Saturday evenings
Music & Merlot
Pumpkin Carving – Volunteers Needed to Carve Jack O’Lanterns
Time: 6-9pm
@Stony Brook Millstone Watershed The Watershed Center, Titus Mill Road Ages 12 & up. Light refreshments provided. Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Time: 2pm
Sun., October 29
Annual Hopewell Borough Halloween Costume Parade
Mon., October 9
This month at Hopewell Valley Vineyards:
Sponsored by Hopewell Borough Fire Department. Bring pets, decorated bikes and wagons. @Hopewell Train Station Time: Line up at 12:30pm
Hopewell Valley Bulldogs Football: Fri., October 20
Vs. Lenape @Home Time: 7pm
Fri., October 27
Every Sunday
Jazzy Sundays For Hopewell Valley Seniors: Every Monday
Social Bridge @Hopewell Valley Senior Center 62 Reading Ave., Pennington Time: 2-4pm
Every Tuesday
Men’s Billiards Club @Hopewell Valley YMCA 62 South Main Street, Pennington Time: 1-3pm
Every Thursday
Mahjongg @Hopewell Valley Senior Center 2 Reading Ave., Pennington Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Vs. Notre Dame @Home Time: 7pm
CHATTING WITH CHRISTINA
President and CEO of Knox Grove Financial, LLC of Pennington, NJ Hello Hopewell Valley Neighbors!
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! Quarterly, I will highlight questions from our readers. Submit your questions via E-Mail: info@knoxgrove.com or our Facebook page: KnoxGroveFinancial Each reader that submits a question will automatically be entered in our quarterly drawing for a chance to win a gift certificate to a local Hopewell Valley business. I look forward to chatting with you. Wishing You Success,
Christina A. Nash Hopewell Valley
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Community Events
The Amazing Pumpkin Carve Champion Hopes for Win at Fall Family Fun Event By Mary Galioto
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he third time could be the charm for Pennington resident, artist, and pumpkin carver Curtis May! For two consecutive years, May has claimed Best in Show at the Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s Amazing Pumpkin Carve, and this year, he is hoping for his third win. With 50 talented artists carving 50 gigantic pumpkins at this year’s event, the competition and results are sure to be amazing. May began his pumpkin carving career when he created a portrait of a much-loved custodian at Pennsbury High School in Bucks County, PA, where May is an art teacher. Following an astounding reception, he began carving his own children’s portraits each year on his family’s personal Halloween pumpkins. While he enjoys playful themes, May also likes to bring deeper meaning to his art. “What you do can make a difference in someone’s life,” shared May, whose win last year featured dramatically carved clasped arms around the pumpkin’s circumference, inscribed with the message “Unite for Freedom and Rights.” As self-proclaimed “purist,” May prefers to create images and effects using only the pumpkin, rather than outside materials. When asked what we can expect from him this year, May hinted that there will be a few tricks up his sleeve, but would not divulge specifics. The Amazing Pumpkin Carve is hosted by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council to showcase the talent of local artists and, in its third year, has become a must-not-miss, art-filled weekend of family fun in the heart of the Hopewell Valley. This year, the Amazing Pumpkin Carve will be from Wednesday, October 11 through Sunday, October 15, 2017 at a new location: Woolsey Park in Hopewell Township. In addition to the main attraction — the display tent full of 50 creatively-carved amazing giant pumpkins — the event will also feature plenty of family-friendly fun including evening storytelling around fire pits, a guess-the-weight pumpkin contest, pumpkin painting, a photography show, a kiosk with the history of Hopewell
Township and more! Gaze at the pumpkins and stay to graze on tasty food truck treats. Special events throughout the weekend include Friday night performances of Thriller by The Pennington Studio, a Saturday morning dedication ceremony for the renaming of Woolsey Park and salute Hopewell Valley’s first responders, and the ever popular Hopewell Valley’s Fire Safety Open House on Saturday with fire trucks, safety demonstrations, K-9 dogs, a helicopter landing, and a walk-through fire safety house made out of hay bales. On the last day of the event, Sunday, October 15, the Hopewell Valley Arts Council will auction off the artistic pumpkins, in their varying conditions, giving bidders the chance to own an ephemeral work of art like Curtis May’s!
Join FLUTTER & Party in Pink
OCTOBER 13-18
Friday October 13 between 4 and 8 pm
Flutter is kicking off 2 weeks of shopping and dining in Pennington and Hopewell to raise awareness, inspire hope and support women fighting breast cancer. 20 South Main Street • Pennington, NJ 08534 • 609.737.2236
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October 2017
“It is a great thing that the Arts Council does,” said May. “There isn’t anything like that around here. I like that the Council tries to make it more accessible to the public and moving it to Woolsey Park will make it more so.” The competition’s heating up and there are a lot of other amazing artists who will give defending champion May a run for his money. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate autumn in Hopewell Valley while supporting the many talented artists who call this region home. For more information and the full schedule of all this fantastic fall fun, please check out the Hopewell Valley Arts Council website at www.hvartscouncil.org.
Recipe of the Month
Halloween Spider Cracker Snacks By Kathleen Hannah, Director @ Pennington Montessori School So many kids have peanut allergies these days that many schools have banned recipes that contain peanuts entirely. If you are looking for a peanut-free Halloween treat that your little one can bring in for his or her class, check out this fun recipe using cream cheese instead of peanut butter. It’s allergy-friendly and delicious! These spiders are a crackup! Ingredients: Round crackers such as Ritz Pretzel sticks Cream cheese, unsalted peanut or almond butter Small dried fruit such as raisins, blueberries or cranberries Instructions: Spread cream cheese, peanut or almond butter (make sure the butter isn’t runny otherwise it won’t hold) on one side of the cracker so that it’s thick enough to secure the pretzels. Break pretzel sticks in half and use 8 halves for legs. On another cracker, spread a light layer of cream cheese, peanut or almond butter so that it can sandwich the other cracker and pretzel sticks together, without moving. Dip two raisins in cream cheese, peanut or almond butter and stick them to the top of one side for eyes.
The Hopewell Valley Arts Council is a growing 501(c) (3) non-profit organization fostering art in the everyday in Hopewell Valley. The Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s The Amazing Pumpkin Carve will be from Wed, Oct 11 - Sun, Oct 15 at Woolsey Park, 221 Washington CrossingPennington Road, Titusville, NJ (next to the Hopewell Township Public Works Building). Entry to the Pumpkin Viewing Tent: Adults $10, Ages 11-18 $5, Under 10 Free.
Serve immediately or within a few hours at the most. Tip: Use more pretzels to create a sun instead of a spider. Tip: If you’re going to use cream cheese, the blocks are too difficult for kids to spread well. Use the kind in a tub. As the premiere early childhood preschool in the Central New Jersey area and licensed by the New Jersey State Division of Children and Families, Pennington Montessori offers exceptional preschool education to children of all backgrounds and provides a solid educational foundation in a safe, nurturing environment to foster the enthusiasm for learning that is innate in every child. Visit Pennington Montessori School’s website at www.penningtonmontessori.org to learn more.
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Hopewell Valley
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Community Events
FoHVOS Come Out to Clean Communities Day Clean Up For Your Favorite Hopewell Valley Organization By Lisa Wolff
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n October 21st Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) will hold its Semi-Annual Clean Communities Day. Would you like to earn money for your favorite non-profit and help our community in the process? It is easy! Thanks to a generous grant and a partnership between FoHVOS and Hopewell Township you can get involved! Here is how it works:
T Get a group together T Email beth@fohvos.org to RSVP with your non-profit
T Meet on October 21 to clean up our town
T A check is sent to your organization More than 150 people representing over 20 groups came out to support Clean Communities day last April! FoHVOS disbursed over $5,000 to local non-profits including the Brownie troop 70380, Boy Scout troop 71, and the Hopewell Valley Lacrosse Team.
Washington Crossing State Park
Revolutionary War Weekend By Bill Marsch
T
he Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville is a treasure for historians, naturalists, recreationalists, and every neighbor who has spent time within its more than 3,500 acres. You may have visited the park for a bike ride, a dog walk, a stream stomp or a soccer game — or for the annual reenactments of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on Christmas day. During the freezing winter months of 1776, morale among General George Washington and his men was low, as they had previously suffered defeat, and chances of victory for the Continental Army seemed small. Washington came up with a bold and risky plan to cross the river on Christmas night, hidden by darkness, and attack Hessian forces in Trenton. Against all odds, on the morning of December 26, the army successfully reached the other side of the river and was victorious. Friends and family alike can enjoy a Revolutionary War Weekend on October 14 and 15. Washington Crossing Park Association is planning a full weekend of activities involving re-enactors, craftspeople, historic authors, and demonstrations of colonial life. This rain-or-shine event will also feature tours of the Johnson Ferry House and a guided look at the Swan Foundation’s unparalleled collection of Revolutionary War artifacts at the Visitor’s Center, as well as activities at the park’s beautiful Nature Center. Visit their website at www.wcpa-nj.org to become a member, sign up for a monthly newsletter, check out the park’s latest activities, or volunteer with gardening. To explore family-friendly activities at Washington Crossing State Park, visit the Meetup site for posts about upcoming hikes, activities and workshops, including the Park’s “Nature Explorer” classes for toddlers and—coming soon—Yoga on the River series. Go to meetup.com/washingtoncrossingstatepark for more information.
Blackwell Memorial Home 21 North Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534
(609) 737-2900
www.blackwellmh.com • blackwellmem@verizon.net
Elizabeth Blackwell Davis Owner / Lic. Director NJ #2475
Kevin R. Latham
Manager / Lic. Director NJ #4625 / PA #000714
We offer full service funerals, cremations and pre-arrangements.
Continuous Family Service Since 1881 14
October 2017
Community Corner
Hopewell Is for Artists Lucia Stout: More Than Art Appreciation By NJ DeVico
L
ucia Stout has been making art since she was in elementary school. But the Hopewell painter didn’t really get going until 2008, when she embarked on regular Tuesday morning trips to Borough Hall to collect the key to the Hopewell Borough Train Station. That’s where a group of artists meet and work on individual projects. Her weekly e-mail reminder to the group includes a cartoon of a repair man sticking his head into an attic, where several artists are painting and sculpting. “Ma’am,” he tells his client, “It’s worse than I thought; you have an artists’ colony up here!” Her commitment to that colony has yielded experiments with pastel, oil painting and walnut ink works on paper. She makes the sepia ink from walnuts falling from her tree in the autumn. She’ll try any subject matter—and abstracts—but her favorite is landscapes.
It’s also good for your brain: an artist is constantly learning. “It’s intriguing.” Stout reveals she ends up having a relationship with the artwork. At times every artist has a love/hate relationship with a piece, only to find something in front of her without any idea of how it came to be. “It ends up becoming significant.” Stout had trouble committing to a favorite artist when asked. But she admires Van Gogh’s hard work and experimentation which lead to such expressive works; she finds da Vinci’s faces “amazing;” Monet makes her heart beat quickly for their beauty and she could “stare at Bruegel forever.” You can see Stout’s work, along with that of the other Hopewell Valley artists at the Hopewell Borough Train Station on October first, during Hopewell Borough’s annual Tours des Art tour.
NJ DeVico is a contributing writer and artist living in Titusville.
“It keeps you humble; it contains your ego. I’m awestruck by the beautiful complexity of this world,” says Stout. Painting landscapes makes one more observant; you see more and appreciate more so, “It makes you go deeper. Without art, I wouldn’t have that appreciation.”
Did You Know? Interesting facts from Hopewell Valley
By Rachel Donington
S
o wait? Brown University, the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, actually started here in Hopewell Valley? Located in an unadorned white colonial house on Route 518, the building once served as a Baptist parsonage and school established in 1756 called Hopewell Academy. One of its students, James Manning, a New Jerseyman born in Elizabeth and raised in Piscataway, prepared for his religious studies at the Hopewell Academy, the first Baptist educational institution of its kind in America and the place from which today’s Brown University was developed. Manning was the first president of Brown University.
Hopewell Valley
N E I G H B O R S
NJ MASTER HVAC # 19HC0039800, NJ HIC # 13VH002552, NJ MPL # 36BI009964, PA HIC # 001066, MPL LIC. #9964
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Hopewell Valley 1925
N E I G H B O R S
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46 Yard Road Pennington, NJ 609-737-4465
Wine, Food, Music & Friendship
HOPEWELL VALLEY VINEYARDS
Important Phone Numbers Borough of Pennington 30 North Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534 www.penningtonboro.org Administration ...................................................................... 737-0276 Police Department.................................................................737-1679 Pennington Fire Company................................................ 737-0381 Pennington First Aid Squad.............................................737-0478 Public Works...........................................................................737-9440 Hopewell Borough 88 East Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525 www.hopewellboro-nj.us Administration....................................................................... 466-2636 Hopewell Township Police Department.................... 737-3100 Hopewell Borough Fire Department.......................... 466-0600 Public Works........................................................................... 466-0168 Hopewell Township 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road Titusville, NJ 08560 www.hopewelltwsp.org Administration.......................................................................737-0605 Hopewell Township Police Department.................... 737-3100 Union Fire Company & Rescue Squad.......................... 737-1213 Public Works........................................................................... 737-0799
For Emergencies Dial 9-1-1
Visit Our Libraries
The Mercer County Library System Hopewell Branch Library 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-2610 www.mcl.org Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday: 9:30am-9pm Friday and Saturday: 9:30am-5pm Sunday: Closed Hopewell Public Library 3 East Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525 Phone: 609-466-1625 www.redlibrary.org Hours of Operation: Monday-Wednesday: 10am-8pm Thursday: 12pm-8pm, Friday: 12pm-5pm Saturday: 10am-2pm, Sunday: Closed Pennington Public Library 30 North Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534 Phone: 609-737-0276 www.penningtonlibrary.org Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday: 10am-8pm, Friday: 10am-5pm Saturday: 10am-2pm, Sunday: Closed