3-26 EO

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Ewing officials celebrate major ESCC milestone

BY BILL SANSERVINO

Township officials marked a major construction milestone Feb. 18 as the final structural beam was signed and lifted into place at the new Ewing Senior & Community Center.

The topping out ceremony signifies completion of the structural frame of the 70,000-square-foot facility now rising at 999 Lower Ferry Road. Officials expect the new center to open in late 2026.

Township leaders, regional officials and community partners gathered to sign the final beam before it was raised into position above the structure, marking the transition from structural work to interior construction.

Among those offering remarks were Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman; state Sen. Shirley Turner; Council Vice President Sarah Steward; Mercer County Executive Dan Benson; Mercer County Commissioner Chair Terrance Stokes; and DIGroup Architecture President Vincent Myers. Ewing

See ESCC, Page 3

Neuberger caps wrestling career with third Colonial Valley Confernece crown

BY JUSTIN FEIL

Alex Neuberger decided try wrestling to get into better shape for track in eighth grade.

Her priorities shifted after that year.

“Hated track,” she said. “Absolutely loved wrestling.”

She has played other sports at Ewing High School, doing field hockey and flag football as well, but her love for wrestling has only grown over the years. The Blue Devils senior will graduate with three

straight Colonial Valley Conference Girls Tournament individual crowns, the final one won with a pin over Milene Rios Ordonez to capture the 152-pound title at the end of January.

“The tournament’s only been around for three years,” said Ewing coach DJ Zedalis.

“I wish she could have been one of the first four-time champs, but she’s one of the first three-time champs.”

Neuberger is looking to add more accolades with the start of the District 8 tournament at Trenton on March 1 with

qualifiers advancing to the Central Region tournament the next week in East Brunswick and the ultimate goal of a Tournament of Champions berth in Atlantic City on the line if she can finish in the top three at regions.

“I am so starving for it,” Neuberger said. “I wanted to get it the first three years and now we have a district and it’s harder. I really want to get to states this year.”

Last year, she came three wins away from a state berth in regions bowing out in

See NEUBERGER, Page 25

CHILDREN & ADULTS

EHS wrestler Alex

shakes hands with an opponent.

Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann was joined by officials, regional leaders and community partners to celebrate the signing and placement of the final structural beam of the new Ewing Senior & Community Center on Feb. 18, 2026.

Neuberger

RWJUH Hamilton March Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

THE POWER OF FOOD: NUTRITION STRATEGIES FOR DIABETES

Monday, Mar. 9; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Mar. 24; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join Lori Hager, MS, RD, for our monthly series to learn how to manage and control your diabetes through dietary choices. Learn the basics of diabetes and how nutrition affects blood sugar levels. Gain practical tips for meal planning and preparation to control your diabetes.

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Mar. 10; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

If you are considering surgery, are in the process of preparing or have undergone surgery, you are welcome to attend our group. Family, friends and support persons are also welcome. This is a great opportunity to meet others going through the same weight loss journey. We focus on achieving optimal wellness through weight loss surgery. We will discuss different topics on nutrition, exercise and healthy living behaviors.

DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: MODERN ADVANCES IN COLORECTAL CANCER PREVENTION & TREATMENT

Monday, Mar. 16; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join us for an informative lecture on colorectal cancer with Meera Yogarajah, MD, Medical Oncologist, and Rachel Perez, GI Navigator, the Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton. Learn about the importance of early detection, innovative treatments, and lifestyle factors that can reduce your risk. Dinner provided.

PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP

Tuesday, Mar. 17; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Diagnosed with prediabetes? This group is for you to connect with others affected. Share and explore ways to improve lifestyle changes.

PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH PROBLEMS AND CONSERVATIVE TREATMENTS EXPLORED

Thursday, Mar. 19; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

A look at stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overactive bladder, painful intercourse, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and constipation. Learn conservative measures to help manage bladder/ bowel problems, led by Giselle Oriendo, PT, DPT, CLT, of RWJ Rehabilitation Hamilton.

AM I AT RISK? TYPE 2 DIABETES SCREENING.

Sunday, Mar. 22; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Nearly 98 million American adults have prediabetes, and almost 90% are unaware of their condition. Understanding your risk is vital. Register for a Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment. A complimentary A1C screening will be completed for those who score moderate risk or higher.

DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: STRONG SHOULDERS AHEAD

Monday, Mar. 23; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join Michael R. Duch, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, member of the Orthopedic & Spine Institute at RWJUH Hamilton, and member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. Shoulder pain slowing you down? Dr. Duch, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, will provide an

eye-opening session on rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement and bursitis — three common conditions that can impact your day-to-day comfort. Learn what causes them, how they are treated, and the steps you can take to stay strong and mobile. Dinner provided and registration required.

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Mar. 24; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Join the Stroke Support Group at RWJUH Hamilton, a place for survivors and caregivers to build a community. The group will share personal experiences, feelings, recovery strategies, and firsthand information on managing life after stroke. Meetings will be facilitated by two outpatient rehabilitation therapists: Ashley Sarrol Speech- Language Pathologist, and Allyson Panikowski-Berry Occupational Therapist. Survivors and care partners at any stage of recovery are encouraged to attend.

FEED YOUR HEART: COOKING FOR HEART HEALTH

Wednesday, Mar. 25; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join Lori Hager, MS, RD, for our bimonthly heart healthy cooking class. Have some fun learning how to cook nutritious and delicious hearthealthy meals. Explore heart-friendly ingredients and cooking techniques.

WOMAN’S BOOK CLUB: “A VIEW FROM LAKE COMO” BY ADRIANA TRIGIANI

Wednesday, Mar. 25; 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Please come prepared to discuss the book. “A novel about one woman’s quest to build her own life before it’s too late.”

CREATIVE ARTS: JUNK JOURNALING

Wednesday, Mar. 25; 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Junk journaling is a stress reducing activity that allows individuals to express themselves through creativity. This unique way of journaling involves repurposing old items and transforming them into beautiful and personal works of art. Grab some “junk” and get crafty while working on your mental health and wellness.

UNDERSTANDING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS (IEPS & 504 PLANS)

Wednesday, Mar. 25; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The session explains parents’ rights and roles at each stage of the special education process, emphasizing collaboration between families and schools to support student success. Learn about the differences between IEPs and 504 Plans, including who qualifies for each, what supports and accommodations they provide, and how they are developed and reviewed. Parents will gain practical guidance on reading plans, preparing for meetings, advocating for their child, and knowing what to do if concerns arise.

AVOIDING ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS IN THE HOME

Thursday, Mar. 26; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Toxins are all around us: in the air we breathe, the products we use and the food we eat. Learn what these toxins can do to our body and ways to avoid

them and live a cleaner life. MONTHLY HEARING/BALANCE SCREENINGS

Monday, Mar. 30; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. FREE screenings on the last Wednesday of every month! These 15-minute appointments are designed to help assess your hearing health or your balance health/fall risk. To reserve a required appointment time or to learn more, call 609-245-7390, the RWJ Balance & Hearing Center at RWJUH Hamilton, located at 2 Hamilton Health Pl., Hamilton, NJ.

SACRED BREATHWORK

Monday, Mar. 30; 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Sacred Breathwork can help release negative patterns and fears that keep us stuck. Join us for this powerful work. Please bring a yoga mat, low beach chair, blankets or anything else that will make you comfortable. Chairs available as well. $15

WHAT IS AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO HEARING

Tuesday, Mar. 31; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Join Teresa Cole, AuD, of RWJUH Hamilton’s Balance and Hearing Center, where she will discuss what Central Auditory Processing Disorder is and how it relates to hearing loss. Central Auditory Processing Disorder is a deficit in how our brain interprets the sounds we hear. Contrary to common belief, all ages can be impacted by these deficits. All are welcome to join!

*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.

Better Health is a free program for VIP’s 65+ that combines medical education, interesting topics, and fun activities. Join today!

To accommodate more members, Yoga, Meditation, and Chair Yoga have been expanded into a morning session and an afternoon session. Please only register for one meditation and ONE TYPE of yoga on any single day. Multiple registrations will not be honored.

YOGA CLASSES

Tuesday, Mar. 3, 17and 31, 2026; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. OR 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday, Mar. 3, 17 and 31, 2026; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. OR 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, Mar. 3, 17 and 31, 2026; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. OR 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

A SOCIAL HOUR ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS

Wednesday, Mar. 4, 18, 25; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

GENTLE JAZZ CLASS

Wednesday, Mar. 4 & 18; 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH AND LEARN: MOBILITY AND FALL PREVENTION WITH BIANCA ESTROPIA, DO

Thursday, Mar. 5; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Join us as we welcome Bianca Estropia, DO, Geriatrician with the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at RWJBarnabas Health Primary Care in Hamilton, and member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. Learn about the importance of mobility and fall prevention as we age, along with recommended exercises to improve balance.

SOCRATES CAFÉ

Thursday, Mar. 12; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

This class encourages open discussion and the sharing of thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and personal experiences. An unofficial mantra is that we learn best when we ask questions and explore them together. This is a safe and welcoming space where all viewpoints are respected. Come with an open mind, respect for one another, and curiosity about where the conversation may lead.

TAI CHI CLASSES

Thursday, Mar. 12 & 19; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. GAME TIME!

Friday, Mar. 13 & 27; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join us for good wholesome fun – let’s play a game! Sharpen your skills or jump back into something you always enjoyed. Board games will be available, or you are welcome to bring your own.

GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH: DIGITIZED AND AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Thursday, Mar. 19; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

After the legalization of online wagering, the environment around gambling has changed considerably. For many, it is still a fun and harmless pastime. However, the risks for some can lead to severe financial distress, mental health issues and damaged relationships. This presentation will explore the powerful factors behind gambling today, the dangers of addiction and the importance of responsible play.

TO BECOME A BETTER HEALTH MEMBER FOR FREE SCAN THIS QR CODE

INTERGENERATIONAL MEETUP LUNCH AND SOCIAL

Friday, Mar. 20; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

This intergenerational meetup pairs local high school students with seniors for a lively exchange about how daily life differs from “then” to “now.” Participants will swap stories on everything from vintage technology and fashion to how social trends have shifted over the decades.

LUNCH & LEARN: HEALTHY AGING AND MEDICATION SAFETY WITH GABRIELA ALVAREZ, PHARMD, BCPS, BCGP

Thursday, Mar. 26; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Gabriela Alvarez, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, will discuss essential tools to manage prescriptions safely while exploring the core pillars of healthy aging, such as nutrition, physical activity, and social engagement. By combining medication safety with proactive wellness strategies, this session will empower attendees to maintain independence and improve their overall quality of life.

Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call 609-584-5900 to learn more

Business Administrator Aaron T. Watson served as master of ceremonies.

Additional attendees included Council members Kathleen Wollert and Jennifer Keyes-Maloney; County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello; Commissioner Lucylle Walter; Joanne Durham of the Ewing Historic Preservation Society; and representatives from Mercer ARC, Kidsbridge, Ewing Seniors and The College of New Jersey.

Members of the Ewing Fire Department signed the beam before it was lifted into place. Shortly afterward, firefighters were called away to respond to an emergency.

The milestone marked the latest step in a rebuilding effort that began more than three years ago after a catastrophic fivealarm fire in September 2022 destroyed the center’s gymnasium and heavily damaged the remainder of the building. The fire caused a partial roof collapse and was determined to have started in the gym.

The damage rendered the facility unusable. The ESCC and its outdoor amenities were closed indefinitely, and most programs and offices, including Community Affairs and Recreation and the Senior Office, were relocated to the Hollowbrook Community Center.

“My commitment is to rebuild it and rebuild it better than it was,” Mayor Bert

Council Vice President Sarah Steward signs a piece of structural steel from the new Ewing Senior and Community Center.

Steinmann said shortly after the fire.

In early 2023, Steinmann said the township would proceed with a total rebuild rather than attempt to salvage portions of the structure. The building required asbestos remediation prior to demolition to avoid significantly higher disposal costs if the entire site were deemed contaminated.

ESCC, Page 5

We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Ewing Observer is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Current does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. Our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood.

EDITOR

Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104)

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

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When joint

Do it right. Here.

surgery affects

more than just you, closer is better.

When you need relief from joint pain, you want nothing less than the highest level of orthopedic care. At RWJBarnabas Health, you’ll find board-certified surgeons using the latest treatments and technology, including robot-assisted joint replacement and other minimally invasive procedures, with physical therapy right on site. Visit rwjbh.org/ortho to learn more.

Before the fire, the center operated daily from early morning until late evening, serving seniors, youth leagues, recreation programs and community groups. Township officials said the building had already been stretched to capacity, prompting plans for a larger replacement.

Temporary space for programs was secured through partnerships with the Ewing school district, which provided facilities for basketball and indoor soccer, and Fisher Middle School, which hosted summer camps. The Marie Katzenbach School, local churches and The College of New Jersey also assisted in accommodating displaced activities.

In August 2023, township officials announced the receipt of $5 million in state funding for reconstruction, added to the 2023 state budget following requests from state Sen. Shirley Turner and local assembly members.

Architectural renderings prepared by DIGroup Architecture were unveiled at that time, showing exterior concepts for a modernized facility designed to complement the site’s history as the former Trenton Jewish Community Center and its proximity to the Louis Kahn bathhouses.

In December 2024, the Ewing Township Council voted to award a $34 million construction contract to Benjamin R. Harvey Co. of Ocean Township following a competitive bidding process.

Township officials said more than $19 million of the project cost had already been secured through insurance and grants. The council authorized bonding of up to $27 million, though officials have indicated the final borrowing amount is expected to be closer to $20 million. As older bonds retire, new debt associated with the project is expected to replace them, stabilizing overall debt service and minimizing tax impact.

Groundbreaking took place March 5, 2025, marking the formal start of construction. Steinmann described the new facility at that ceremony as a transformation that would provide expanded space for seniors,

youth and community groups.

The new building is designed at approximately 70,000 square feet and will include a larger gymnasium configured as oneand-a-half courts to allow multiple activities simultaneously, an elevated indoor walking track, creative arts spaces, a black box theater, a sound studio, meeting rooms, a café and a banquet hall capable of accommodating approximately 125 to 150 people. An indoor pool was considered but ultimately removed from the design due to size and operational constraints.

The project is being constructed under a Project Labor Agreement to ensure union

ESCC,

NORTH 25 HOUSING

• Newly Renovated Apartments

• On Site Laundry Facility

• 24-Hour Security

• 24-Hour Maintenance

• Senior Transportation and daily activities held

NJ 08618

ESCC continued from Page 3

An architectural redenring of the new Ewing Senior and Community Center.

Page 6

• Design and build: patios,driveways, walkways, steps, porches

• Designed and engineered to never settle, guaranteed!

labor and skilled craftsmanship. DIGroup Architecture is serving as architect, and Remington & Vernick Engineers is acting as owner’s representative.

When completed, township officials say the new Ewing Senior & Community Center will once again serve as a central hub for seniors, families, youth programs and community organizations throughout the township.

Youth of the Year finalists named in Mercer County

Davante G. of Lawrence Township, Mawatta K. of Trenton and Serenity B. of Trenton were named finalists in the 2026 Youth of the Year competition hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County.

The three teens will advance to a live vote on March 5 to determine who will

represent Mercer County at the state competition.

The finalists were selected during a Feb. 19 event at the Club’s Spruce Street Clubhouse in Trenton. Contestants were identified publicly only by their first name and last initial.

Following a review of essays, interviews and speeches, judges chose Davante G., a senior at Lawrence High School; Mawatta K., a junior at Trenton Central High School; and Serenity B., a sophomore at Foundation Academy Collegiate.

The winner will be announced at the 6th Annual Great Futures Celebration at 6 p.m. March 5 at Cobblestone Creek Country Club in Lawrence Township. The selection will be made by live audience vote.

The Youth of the Year program is the premier teen recognition initiative of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. It honors young people who demonstrate academic ESCC continued from Page 5

excellence, leadership, character and service.

Among the competitors were two students from Ewing.

Faith M., 15, of Ewing, is a sophomore at Ewing High School and has been a Club member for four years. She is interested in nursing or the medical field and hopes to attend North Carolina A&T or Spelman College.

“The Club taught me, don’t wait for opportunities, create them,” Faith said.

Souraiya, 15, of Ewing, is also a sophomore at Ewing High School and has been a Club member for one year. She is interested in pediatrics or education and hopes to attend The College of New Jersey or Rutgers University.

“In the end the most important thing to me isn’t just who I am right now, but who I choose to be,” Souraiya said.

Other competitors included Brian O., 16, of Trenton, a junior at Trenton Central High School who is interested in engineering and becoming an FBI agent. He hopes to attend Georgian Court University or Texas A&M.

Jada R., 17, of Trenton, a senior at Foundation Academy Collegiate, is interested in becoming a teacher or biologist and is considering Fairleigh Dickinson University or Mercer County Community College.

Sonnor D., 15, of Trenton, a sophomore at Thrive Charter School, is interested in law and carpentry and hopes to attend Rider University or Rutgers University.

Davante G., 17, of Lawrence Township, has been a Club member for 12 years and is interested in nursing, business and finance. He hopes to attend Rowan University or The College of New Jersey.

“The BGC shaped who I am and prepared me for the future,” Davante shared.

Mawatta K., 16, of Trenton, has been a Club member for six years and is interested in pediatrics and psychology. She hopes to attend Rowan University or Drexel University.

“My experience at the club has afforded me a lot of supportive friendships and opportunities for the future,” Mawatta shared.

Serenity B., 16, of Trenton, has been a Club member for three years and is interested in becoming a writer, author or lawyer. She hopes to attend Howard University or Cornell University.

Inspired by the quote, “The sun will come out tomorrow,” Serenity said she hopes to use her voice to advocate for others and create meaningful change.

“At the Club, we see potential every day,” said Reginald J. Coleman, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County. “But on February 19, we witnessed courage in action. These young leaders stood before a room of adults and spoke with authenticity, confidence, and heart. That is what great futures look like.”

Howell Living History Farm to expand

Mercer County has purchased a 6-acre parcel on Valley Road in Hopewell Township to expand Howell Living History Farm

The acquisition was announced by County Executive Dan Benson who said that the farm is one of Mercer County’s most active historic and educational parks.

Howell Farm is a free, working living history farm where visitors experience rural life as it was at the turn of the 20th century.

The newly acquired property includes a house and historic sheep barn built before the Revolutionary War by local farmer John Smith, whose family settled north of Trenton in the late 1600s. The original tract also included a sawmill that once supplied lumber and fencing materials to the surrounding valley.

County officials said the preservation of this land protects a key portion of the region’s historic and natural landscape and enhances the educational experience at Howell Farm.

Future plans call for extending interactive programming to the new site, including the establishment of a historical sawmill that would serve both as a public educational resource and as a source of HOWELL FARM, Page 8

sustainably harvested wood for use across the county’s park system.

“Growing tourism opportunities is a top priority for Mercer County, and is a big reason why we launched Mercer County’s first ever office of tourism,” Benson said.

“For over 40 years, Howell Living Farm has provided an incredible education and recreation opportunity for guests from all over the state. Expanding Howell Farm’s footprint will only enhance this experience,” he said.

Owned by the County of Mercer and operated by the Mercer County Park Commission with support from the nonprofit Friends of Howell Farm, the site reenacts agricultural life around 1890–1910 through seasonal programming, hands-on activities and demonstrations.

According to the Friends of the Howell Living History Farm, each year, more than 10,000 schoolchildren and roughly 55,000 other visitors participate in demonstrations such as horse-powered plowing, maple sugaring, cider pressing, wheat threshing, corn harvesting and other traditional farm tasks tied to the cycle of the agricultural year.

the farm opened to the public on June 9, 1984, after nearly a decade of preparation by the Mercer County Park Commission and volunteers. Buildings were stabilized,

historic equipment was collected, and agricultural practices from the late 19th and early 20th centuries were restored so visitors could see real farming operations up close.

The farm sits within the Pleasant Valley National Rural Historic District, a historic landscape listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

The district encompasses more than 1,500 acres of farmland, farmhouses, outbuildings and structures that reflect agricultural life in central New Jersey through the 18th and 19th centuries.

Howell Farm’s programming is tied closely to the rhythms of a working farm, with interpreters demonstrating historic tillage, planting, harvesting, animal care and food preparation as weather, soil and seasonal conditions allow. Special events include traditional barn dances, plowing matches, wheat threshing and holidaythemed activities that draw families and history enthusiasts alike.

Admission to the farm is free, and visitors are encouraged to engage directly with farm animals — such as horses, sheep, pigs and chickens — and participate in age-appropriate activities that bring agricultural history to life.

Residents can learn more and view a full schedule of activities by visiting howellfarm.org.

GOODNEWS

March

The Ewing Public Schools June

Adopt-a-Survivor Program BeginsatEwing HighSchool

The Ewing Public Schools

WINTER ATHLETICS CATCH-UP!

EHS Girls Winter Track CVC Champions!

Nearlysixty years since Alliedforcesliberated the Naziconcentration camps,the now elderly survivors ofthe Holocaust are turning toa new generation topreservetheir testimony about their wartime experiences for futuregenerations.

Teacher of the Year Recipients are Honored

Ewing Special Olympics Pickleball

EHS Swimming Makes Big Waves in the Pool This Season!

number. Manyhavemadeittheir mission toeducate the world thatanti-Semitism and racismeasilylead tomurder, and tospeak about the horrors theyand their familiessuffered. Withthe passing oftime, ithas becomeurgenttofind a new generationtocontinue the survivors’mission and telltheir stories after the survivors can nolongerdoso.

The Girls Winter Track and Field Team made history, winning the CVC Championship — the first ever girls indoor track and field CVC team title in school history!

It was an all-around effort with PR’s, season’s bests and some new school records.

OnApril 12, the Adopt-a-Survivor(AAS) program was introducedtothe Trenton areaatEwing HighSchool. Six Holocaust survivors wereadopted bytwelveEwing Highsophomores. The adopted survivors—Moshe Gimlan, VeraGoodkin,Marion Lewin,RuthLubitz, Charles Rojer and JackZaifman— wereoriginallyfromGermany, Czechoslovakia, Polandand Belgium.

Leah Daniels earned two first-place finishes in the 200-meter dash, and 400-meter dash. Leah also placed second in the 55-meter dash, and she anchored the third-place 4x400-meter relay along with Angel Johnson, Faith Settles, and Lynsah Rejouis.

Ewing Special Olympics proudly competed in the Winter Games on Saturday, January 31, 2026. This marked an exciting milestone for Special Olympics New Jersey, as it was the first year athletes competed in pickleball — and to say Ewing Special Olympics made us proud would be an understatement.

The recipients of the 2005 Teacher of the Year

The Ewing High School swimming program continued its steady rise this season, marking its third consecutive year of roster growth and finishing with 19 swimmers representing the Blue Devils in the pool.

a

of the

was a

Angel Johnson was also a double CVC champion, capturing a 1st-place finish in the 55-meter dash and 55-meter hurdles, setting a school record in the 55-meter dash along the way.

Faith Settles had an outstanding all-around performance, finishing 3rd in the 200-meter dash, 5th in the 400-meter dash, and 3rd in the long jump.

The AAS program pairs a survivorwithone or morestudents. The studentsembarkona joint journey withthe survivorthrough discussions about life before, duringand after the Holocaust.Participating studentswillbeabletorepresent the survivorand tellthe survivor’sstory withaccuracyand feeling in the years tocome. Inaddition, eachstudent makes a commitmenttotellthe survivor’sstory ina public venue inthe year2045, a hundred years after the liberationofAuschwitz.

Our athletes and partners demonstrated incredible teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the competition. Their hard work and dedication were evident in every match, and the results speak for themselves. With performances like these, it’s impossible not to be proud of this amazing group of students and young adults.

Ewing High Students Attend Gorbachev Presentation

Pickleball Results:

• Gold: Gabriel Herrington-Volaric & Trevor Hahn

One of the season’s biggest headlines came from junior Zaviya Cameron, who made an immediate impact in her first year with the team. Zaviya broke the school record in the girls 50-meter freestyle, touching the wall in a blazing 25.49 seconds. Her standout performance didn’t stop there, as she went on to place fourth overall in the county in the same event.

Whitney Lewis, EHS Freshman

• Silver: Trent Steever & Tyler French

• Bronze: Delaney Gummel & Parker French

The twelvestudent adoptersare DaveAngebranndt, Tyler Barnes, Annie Cook, Liz Dunham, Emily Everett, CurtisFornarotto, Vildana Hajric, Devon Jones, Jen Meade,Billy O’Callaghan,NikytaSharmaand MelysaWilson.

Karis Crossland earned a 5th place medal in the 55-meter hurdles.

In the field events, Zoey DeSouza earned a 2ndplace finish in shot put, while Jayla Little followed with a strong 4th-place finish. Victoria Seaton also contributed with a 4th-place finish in the triple jump. Congratulations to all of our athletes on this historic accomplishment. Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork made Ewing High School history. Let’s hear it for our CVC Champions!

On April 18, 2005 Ms. Chiavuzzo, Mrs. Walker and 30 Ewing High School freshmen joined several Mercer County high school and college students, and politicians to hear a presentation given by Mikhail Gorbachev at the Sovereign Bank Arena. Gorbachev was the last communist leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. During his term he instituted various policies including his political policy of Glasnost and economic policy

• Gold: Dustin Gilleo & Makai Hill

• Silver: Aaron Smith & Jaden Hanson

• Silver: Trè Turner & Morgan Dwyer

of Perestroika. His policies reopened churches, released political prisoners, and lifted bans on previously censored books.

The 20th anniversary of Perestroika was one of the essential themes of Gorbachev’s presentation. The policy’smain goal was to make the Soviet economic system more efficient. Perestroika involved the transfer of control from the government to the business owners. This policy continued on page A2 continued on page A2

Safety Town

June 30 - July 11

Contact: Jean Conrad

609-538-9800 x1302 for application

• Bronze: Aiden Hodge & Tori Steever

• Silver: Trevon Nelson & Kimberly Nguyen

The Blue Devils also made waves at the CVC Championships, qualifying for the Finals for the first time in several years and sending 12 swimmers to compete — another major milestone for the program. The girls medley relay team of Zaviya Cameron, Kayla Fantauzzi, Sydney Mahan, and Sofia Kandebo delivered a strong showing, finishing second in their heat and earning an impressive eighth-place finish overall in the county.

Have a Happy Summer!!

• Bronze: James Campbell & Morgan French

GoodNews will resume with the September issue of the Observer

Congratulations to all of our athletes and partners on an outstanding Winter Games debut in pickleball. Your effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship continue to make the Ewing community incredibly proud.

On the boys’ side, the relay team of Xander Coston, Richard Velez, Connor LeSage, and Tyler French posted a season-best time of 2:35 in the medley relay, good for 12th place. The boys 400 freestyle relay, featuring Xander Coston, Ethan Knight, Jake MacDuff, and Dylan Rutkowski, also placed 12th in their heat, capping off a competitive performance at counties.

Due to budget restraints NO Summer School Programs will be offered by the Ewing Public Schools during the Summer of 2005.

Awards were honored at

luncheon on April 29th. Jan Fay, 2004 Mercer County Teacher

Year,

guest speaker. 1st row (L to R): Joan Zuckerman, Principal Antheil; Sharon Solomon, Lore; Jan Fay, 2004 Mercer County Teacher of the Year; Inetta Emery, Principal Parkway; Danielle Miller, EHS; Superintendent Ray Broach. 2nd row: Darrell Jackson, Principal FMS; Donna Andreas, Antheil; Don Barnett, FMS; Betsy Turgeon, Parkway; Rodney Logan, Principal EHS.

The Ewing Public Schools

The Ewing Public Schools Announce 2025-2026 Governor’s Educators of the Year

Ewing High School

Sean Hammer: Teacher of the Year

“As an AP Biology teacher, Mr. Hammer delivers a rigorous and intellectually demanding curriculum that challenges students to think critically and pursue academic excellence. He works collaboratively within his department, actively engaging colleagues and advancing conversations around current pedagogy and best practices. His Master’s degree in public health has served as a catalyst for the development and expansion of the Science Department course offerings. Through the implementation of a new elective, Mr. Hammer created an additional avenue for academic readiness — providing students with a vital framework for understanding contemporary issues while opening the door to potential career paths many were previously unaware of.

“To say that Mr. Hammer is involved beyond the classroom would be a significant understatement. His work is driven by a deep commitment to service, and he consistently seeks opportunities to enhance the daily experiences of those around him. He is widely regarded as the go-to resource for questions regarding extracurricular programs and student involvement.” – Lisa Sabo, Principal, EHS

Mya Grimes: Education Specialist of the Year

“Mya Grimes exemplifies professionalism, dedication, and compassion in every aspect of her role. She builds strong, trusting relationships with students and colleagues while consistently maintaining clear and appropriate professional boundaries. Mya has a natural ability to work with the Life Skills population, thoughtfully assessing individual needs and responding with empathy, determination, and care. She encourages students to recognize their strengths and persevere through challenges, fostering confidence, resilience, and growth.

“Mya is intentional in ensuring that a student’s disability is never viewed as a limitation, but rather as one part of their identity — empowering students to meet and often exceed expectations. As an integral member of our special education program, she is deeply valued by students, staff, and administration alike. Collaborating teachers frequently describe her as “wonderful to have in class,” highlighting the positivity, professionalism, and mutual respect that define her work. Mya’s unwavering commitment to excellence makes her highly deserving of this recognition.” – Lisa Sabo, Principal, EHS Motivational quote: “Never be afraid to be your true self.”

Fisher Middle School

Jesse Ambriz: Teacher of the Year

“Jesse Ambriz, a dedicated 23-year veteran teacher, has been nominated for Governor’s Educator of the Year in recognition of his exceptional commitment to students and the broader community. Known for his outstanding instruction and tireless work ethic, Jesse consistently goes above and beyond to support every child’s success. In addition to excelling in the classroom, he has coached multiple sports, building strong relationships and fostering teamwork and resilience in his student-athletes. His impact extends well beyond school walls — he created the “Wash and Learn” initiative in the Ewing community, placing books in laundromats so children in need could access literacy resources while their families washed clothes. Jesse’s leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication make him truly deserving of this honor.” – Dr. Maggy Hanna, Principal, FMS Motivational quote: “A good teacher doesn’t just change a student’s grade – they change their story.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

Antheil Elementary School

Santina Winthrop: Teacher of the Year

“Ms. Winthrop is an exceptional educator whose deep commitment to her students’ academic growth, confidence, and individual needs is evident every day. She consistently goes above and beyond, using creative, differentiated approaches to ensure every student succeeds, while maintaining strong, proactive partnerships with families. Beyond her classroom, her leadership and service to the Antheil community reflect a level of professionalism and dedication that truly exemplifies Teacher of the Year.” – Clifford ‘Kip’ Harrison, Principal, Antheil Motivational quote: “Students may forget what we teach, but they never forget how we made them feel.”

Leah Rodriguez:

Education Specialist of the Year

“Mrs. Rodriguez exemplifies outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to student well-being in her role as Dean of Students and Anti-Bullying Specialist. Through her successful implementation of PBIS and her collaborative work with staff and families, she has helped create a more positive, consistent, and supportive school environment. Her empathy, professionalism, and steady presence make her an invaluable leader who positively impacts every corner of the Antheil community.” – Clifford ‘Kip’ Harrison, Principal, Antheil Motivational quote: “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” – Shakespeare

Lore Elementary School:

Cynthia Campbell: Teacher of the Year

“Mrs. Campbell brings positivity, creativity, and heart into everything she does. Her classroom is a place where students feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. She goes above and beyond for her students, supports her colleagues, mentors future teachers, and builds strong connections with families. Her impact reaches far beyond her classroom and helps shape the culture of our entire school.” – Alicia Mackall, Principal, Lore

Motivational quote: “A dream is a wish your heart makes.” So NEVER stop dreaming! – Disney’s Cinderella

Christine Meekins:

Education Specialist of the Year

“As our Dean of Students, Mrs. Meekins leads with heart, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to our students and staff. Her impact on the entire Ewing community for decades remains unmatched.” – Alicia Mackall, Principal, Lore

Motivational quote: “You must stand for something, or you will fall for anything.”

Parkway Elementary School

Amanda Fenderson: Teacher of the Year

“Mrs. Fenderson embodies the very best of teaching. She leads with purpose and integrity, believing that true inclusion means every child belongs. Through data-driven instruction, strong relationships with students and families, and commitment to equity, she turns challenges into opportunities for growth. Her impact extends beyond her classroom, strengthening our school climate, uplifting colleagues, and making sure every student feels valued and capable of success.” – Michelle Conway, Principal, Parkway

Motivational quote: “In every student, there is a spark. A good teacher turns it into a flame.” – Unknown

Tyler Moses: Education Specialist of the Year

“With strong management skills and an even stronger heart, Mr. Moses builds meaningful relationships by listening to students. He demonstrates a passion for working with our youngest learners, meeting them with patience, creativity, and care. Whether he is teaching, offering support, or walking through the halls with a song to share, he brings joy and connection to every interaction, making students feel seen.” – Michelle Conway, Principal, Parkway

Motivational quote: “No Stress! No Mess!”

The Ewing Public Schools

EHS Senior Spotlight: Meet Gabrielle Damoah Lore School Hosts

If you could use one word to describe yourself, what would that word be? I would describe myself as innovative!

As you look to your future, what is your destiny? My destiny is to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming an Architect. Architecture has always been something I could picture myself doing as a career since my freshman year. I love how architecture is its own broad category with different types that combine Science, Math, and Art to design infrastructures, landscapes, residential, and many more.

Your schedule includes the course, “STEM Creative Design.” Why did you choose this class, and what have you learned so far? I chose to take STEM Creative Design to get some experience in engineering design since there is no specific architecture course provided at Ewing. So far, we’ve constructed our own paper towers to hold a golf ball, designed an alarm clock tailored to a specific person and their own needs, and read the first chapter of Design Through Discovery that covered the functions of design and how many cultures interpret design differently. One surprise I didn’t realize when applying for this course was that it actually gives college credit through TCNJ!

You were also selected to participate in the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP). How has the program shaped your high school career and your future? Over the years, PUPP has really helped me break out of my comfort zone and motivated me to try new things and make an impact in my community.

What is the top reason a Ewing High School freshman should say, “YES,” and make the four-year commitment to participate in PUPP if selected for the program? Believe it or not, I’ve already had some freshmen walk up to me and ask

about the program and application process, and it’s honestly heartwarming that many people are taking an interest in the program and what it has to offer. But if anyone is stuck on whether or not to commit, I’d say make that leap. My top reason why any freshmen admitted into PUPP should say this is that they tell you things about the college process that other people won’t. The opportunities that PUPP provides to its scholars are 100% going to benefit your future.

Do you have a favorite subject? Aside from the horror stories everyone shares about Math, I do consider Math to be my favorite subject, not because I’m perfect at it, but because it challenges me as a student. I’ll admit, AP Calculus has definitely been the hardest course I’ve taken yet, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge.

Who is your favorite teacher and why? I actually have three favorite teachers that I refer to as my Academic Trinity, Ms. Bailey-Williams, Mr. Halpern, and Mr. Ballek! It’s a silly name that I just made up, but it honestly describes how much I learned from each of their classes, and the experience alone was beneficial to my future.

Who or what has positively impacted your life? Growing up, my mother has always been my role model! Her strength and perseverance showed me that anything is possible. Despite working long shifts, she always found time to support me and my siblings. Even though my mother tries to hide her vulnerability to provide a stable life, she continues to put my siblings and me first, teaching me that perseverance means showing up even when things feel overwhelming, and that’s something I’ll never forget. So, mom when you read this, I hope you’re proud of yourself and how far you’ve come because you deserve the best.

What is your favorite quote or book? “Everyone keeps telling me how my story is supposed to go. Nah, Ima do my own thing.” – Miles Morales

Shoe Council – These Shoes are Made for WALKING!

Michelle Merciadez, Occupational Therapist at Antheil and Parkway, was featured in the January edition of NEA magazine as part of their first ever “Shoe Council.” She was chosen out of thousands of applicants to be one of the 10 members. These members, who are all educators, tested and reviewed a variety of shoes to help find the best options for educational professionals working on their feet throughout the school day. Way to go Michelle for representing Ewing Public Schools!

African American Read-in

On February 10th, New Jersey’s Lt. Governor, Dr. Dale Caldwell, was a guest reader at Lore School’s African American Read-in.

Lore had guest readers from EHS girls basketball and cheerleading teams, TCNJ football teams, Lore student and staff family members, district staff, and more. It was a special day celebrating Black voices and history, which we do all year, but especially in February, for Black History Month.

Former Ewing High School graduate, Class of 2024, and Fisher Middle School alum Te’Yala Delfosse is making big moves as a guard/forward on the University of Michigan women’s basketball team.

On January 22, Michigan took on Rutgers University and secured an impressive 94–60 victory. In attendance was Ms. Jamie Spampinato, one of Te’Yala’s former middle school basketball coaches, who came out to show that the “Fisher Family” is always there to cheer you on.

It’s inspiring to see Ewing students making their dreams come true. We are proud of you, Te’Yala!

Parkway’s 100th Day of School was a fun and exciting celebration for our students and staff! Classrooms were filled with creative activities centered around the number 100, including counting projects, writing challenges, and special themed crafts. Students and Staff enjoyed showing off their “100day” spirit while reflecting on all they have learned so far this year. It was a joyful milestone and a great way to celebrate 100 days of growth at Parkway!

The Ewing Public Schools

Antheil preschooler, Rory Capuano, had a morning to remember when he was proudly escorted to school by the Ewing Township Fire Department! Rory won this exciting opportunity through a raffle held by the Antheil PTO during the Winter Wonderland event. Rory arrived in true VIP style, complete with flashing lights, big smiles, and plenty of excitement. We are incredibly grateful to the Ewing Township Fire Department for helping create such a special memory for Rory and for always supporting our school community.

Fisher Middle School is proud of our Intergenerational Club. The latest gathering included making mini yarn hat ornaments and decorating picture frames and several other activities including a personalized Left Right Story, dice games, and a trivia tournament.

Parkway’s Pancake Breakfast was a wonderful success! On Saturday, February 7th, Parkway welcomed nearly 200 Parkway Panthers, along with staff and family members, for a morning filled with delicious pancakes, fun crafts, and exciting raffles.

Join Us! TCNJ Campus Walk to Fight Suicide

March 2026 Schedule in Ewing Schools

Mar 2-6

Read Across America Week

Antheil - PTO Spring Book Fair

Mar 3 Elementary Schools - Marking Period 3 Parent Progress Reports

Mar 4

Antheil - PTO Literary Festival @ 6:30pm

EHS - S2 T1 Q1 Parent Progress Reports

FMS - Marking Period 3 Parent Progress Reports

Mar 5 EARLY DISMISSAL – Full Day Preschool-Grade 8: Parent Conferences

NO AM Preschool – Antheil, Lore, and Parkway Elementary Schools

NO AM Bridge Preschool – Antheil Elementary School

Mar 9-13

Lore - PTA Spring Book Fair

Parkway - PTA Spring Book Fair

Mar 10 FMS - Marking Period 3 Parent Progress Reports Mailed Home

Parkway - PTA Meeting @ 6:00pm

FMS - FPA Virtual Meeting @ 7:15pm

Mar 11 EHS - Musical Senior Show: In The Heights @ 6:00pm

Mar 12 EHS - Musical: In The Heights @ 7:30pm

Parkway - Family ELA/Math Bingo Night @ 6:30pm

Lore - PTA Family Book Fair Night @ 6:30pm

Antheil - PTO Meeting @ 6:30pm

Mar 13 EHS Musical: In The Heights @ 7:30pm

Antheil - Pictures: 5th Grade & Clubs

Mar 14 EHS - Musical: In The Heights 2:00pm & 7:30pm

Mar 19 FMS - SEL Night

Antheil - Spring Picture Day

Mar 25 FMS - 5th Grade Parent Orientation @ 6:30pm

For questions or information, please contact the Superintendent’s Office:

609-538-9800 ext. 1102 thullings@ewingboe.org www.ewing.k12.nj.us

C A M P S MERCER

“THIS SUMMER IS GOING TO BE GREAT”

Summer CampS 2026 Area camps offer a wide variety of summer options

As the school year winds down and calendars begin to open, families across Mercer County turn their attention to one of summer’s biggest planning decisions: how children will spend their time once classes end.

With dozens of options available locally, this month’s Summer Camps section showcases a wide range of programs offered throughout the region.

The guide helps families compare camp types, schedules and focus areas, making it easier to match a child’s interests with summer availability.

For many households, summer camps strike a balance between structure and freedom, learning and play, supervision and independence.

What was once a single type of day camp experience has evolved into a variety of programs tailored to different interests, ages and schedules. Today’s camps reflect shifting educational priorities and a recognition that children thrive when they can explore what excites them.

Traditional day camps remain a popular choice. These programs typically offer full- or half-day schedules built around outdoor activities, organized games, arts and crafts, and social interaction.

Swimming, team sports and creative projects are often part of the daily routine, giving campers a mix of activity and downtime. For younger children especially, traditional camps provide consistency and opportunities to build social skills in a relaxed setting.

Many traditional camps incorporate themed weeks or rotating activities. One week might focus on outdoor adventure, another on creative arts and another on group challenges.

such as drawing and painting, or on performing arts like theater, music and dance. Campers might rehearse a play, learn new techniques or explore storytelling and creative writing. Many culminate in a showcase or performance for family and friends.

Sports and recreation camps continue to attract families seeking active programs. Some focus on specific sports such as soccer, basketball or swimming, while others introduce campers to a variety of games and fitness activities. Emphasis is often placed on teamwork, sportsmanship and skill development rather than competition alone, creating an inclusive environment for children of all experience levels.

Nature and environmental camps appeal to children who enjoy time outdoors. Taking advantage of local parks and open spaces, these programs may include hiking, wildlife observation, gardening and environmental science projects.

Campers explore ecosystems, learn about conservation and participate in handson activities that promote stewardship while building independence and resilience.

Academic enrichment camps represent another growing category, particularly for older students. These programs may strengthen skills in reading, writing or math, help students prepare for new grade levels or offer advanced topics for those seeking additional challenges. Smaller group settings and interactive projects help keep students engaged.

This approach offers flexibility and allows children to try new experiences without committing to a single focus for the entire summer.

STEM and STEAM camps have grown increasingly popular. These programs emphasize science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through handson, project-based learning.

Specialty camps focus on niche interests such as cooking, maker workshops or leadership development. Multi-interest camps combine elements from several categories, offering rotating schedules that might include art in the morning and sports in the afternoon. Additional options may include overnight programs, adaptive camps, and faith-based offerings.

With so many choices, selecting the right camp often involves balancing a child’s interests with practical considerations such as age range, schedule, session length and cost. Early planning is important, as many programs fill quickly.

Rather than focusing on classroom-style instruction, campers might build simple machines, experiment with chemistry, design structures, or explore coding. Activities encourage collaboration and problemsolving while keeping learning engaging.

Arts and creative camps provide enrichment through expression and performance. Programs may focus on visual arts

Whether families are seeking enrichment, adventure or simply a fun place for children to spend their days, Mercer County area camps reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

For a guide to camps for all ages and interests in Mercer County and beyond, visit mercercamps.com.

Summer CampS 2026

YMCA Camp Mason

Why Camp Matters

For more than 125 years, YMCA Camp Mason has welcomed campers to be a part of our caring, inclusive community. We strive for excellence, relevance and innovation and believe that every child deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Our camp focuses on facilitating a break from technology, encouraging engagement with the natural world, and participating in an assortment of activities aimed at personal development. Our proven programs and caring counselors engage and encourage young people and deliver meaningful and memorable experiences year after year.

We could go on and on about the benefits of YMCA Camp Mason, but our campers say it best!

“I made so many new friends and now I know I can do anything!” – 14 year old girl

Our schedule allows campers to try new things and improve their skills while developing confidence, gaining a sense of independence and having fun! Campers enjoy a varied daily schedule that includes choice activities, group games, swimming and a period of recreation time. The friendships gained from their time at camp last a lifetime.

“I come to camp for all of the great activities.” –13 year old boy

From canoeing to ziplining through the trees to performing at the talent show, there is something for everyone! We offer archery, swimming in our heated pool, boating, arts and crafts, drama, music, a climbing tower, zipline, dance, movie making, basketball and other court sports, a skate boarding park, mountain biking, hiking, aerial silks, yoga and countless other activities. Campers can even sign up for FREE off-site trips to explore our fantastic natural surroundings in the Delaware River Gap National Recreation Area.

“Camp Mason is my home away from home!” –10 year old boy

Campers stay in comfortable cabins with each cabin group determined by age and with two counselors who live alongside the campers, ensuring there is always a caring, watchful eye on your child. Our counselors, from around the US and the world, are professional, trained mentors. We teach and live our values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, integrity and inclusion throughout the camp day.

“At camp I can be myself.” – 11 year old girl 98 percent of our camper parents report that their child felt a sense of belonging at camp, and 93%

of parents indicated that their child’s self-image improved as a result of attending YMCA Camp Mason.

Don’t miss out and join us at YMCA Camp Mason for the BEST SUMMER EVER! If you are ready for your child to out down their phone, thrive, build a positive sense of self, grow in empathy and caring and experience a sense of discovery, then please take a moment to look at our website at www.campmason.org, call 908-362-8217 or email shani@campmason.org for more information or to register.

Summer CampS 2026

Hamilton Area YMCA

More Than a Summer: The Lasting Benefits of Sawmill Summer Camp

At the Hamilton Area YMCA Sawmill Summer Camp, the fun is evident. The pool splashes, the fields buzz with games, and laughter echoes across 50 acres of outdoor adventure. But what makes camp truly powerful isn’t just what children do; it’s who they become.

Camp is a place where kids try new things without the pressure of grades, teams, or comparison. They attempt the climbing wall. They test the deep end. They speak up during group activities. Each small win builds confidence. And that confidence doesn’t stay at camp; it shows up in classrooms, on sports fields, and in everyday life.

Camp gently stretches campers’ comfort zones. Whether organiz-

ing their backpacks, navigating new friendships, or participating in leadership activities as Trailblazers or CITs, campers learn responsibility in ways that feel natural and empowering. With trained staff, low camper-tostaff ratios, and a supportive environment grounded in the YMCA’s core

values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, children are encouraged to grow, knowing they are safe and supported.

Camp fosters authentic connections. Without screens or social media, kids build real friendships through shared experiences such as

team challenges, group games, theme weeks, and creative projects.

They learn how to work as part of a team, resolve conflicts, include others, and lead with empathy. These socialemotional skills are some of the most valuable long-term benefits of camp.

From daily swim time in Mercer County’s largest pool to sports, field games, STEM, and specialty programs, campers are busy and on the move all day long. They build strength, coordination, and endurance while associating physical activity with fun.

Swim lessons, taught by certified instructors, provide life-saving skills that benefit children for years to come.

Camp gives children permission to imagine boldly. Arts and crafts, science experiments, performing arts, specialty sports camps, and themed weeks encourage campers to explore new interests and discover hidden talents. In a space free from fear of failure, creativity thrives.

As campers grow, so do their opportunities. Older campers step into

Summer CampS 2026

leadership roles, participate in community projects, travel on field trips, and even train alongside counselors in our CIT program. They learn what it means to guide others, take initiative, and make a positive impact. Skills that shape future leaders.

For over 20 years, the Hamilton Area YMCA Sawmill Summer Camp has created spaces where every child belongs. Financial assistance is available because we believe camp should be accessible to all families.

When parents drop their children

off at Sawmill, they’re not merely sending them to camp. They’re offering them confidence, independence, enduring friendships, and unforgettable memories, all while fostering healthy habits and leadership skills.

The sunshine fades at the end of August, but the growth lasts all year.

This summer, give your child more than something to do. Give them something that shapes who they become. To learn more, visit www. hamiltonymca.org/summer-camp/ sawmill-branch-2026

Ewing Recreation Department

Camps & Pools Set for 2026

The Ewing Community Pools System offers two pools for seasonal members and daily patrons. The pools have shaded areas, pool furniture, changing rooms, and shower facilities, and ESCC has a snack bar. The Hollowbrook Pool located at 320 Hollowbrook Drive is scheduled to open on weekends & Memorial Day on Saturday, May 23. Operating hours are, Saturdays, 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday – Friday noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays can be rented for private events, email Raquel at rince@ewingnj.org to schedule an event. The ESCC pool will open on weekends & Memorial Day starting Saturday, May 23, and both pools will open full time starting on Monday, June 17, from noon to 8 p.m. Swim lessons start with evaluations on Saturday, June 13, and space is limited. Senior Swim and Senior Water Aerobics are offered and will start on Monday, June 22; seniors needing assistance registering can register at the Senior Office for

these programs. Online registration for seasonal memberships, swim lessons, and Senior Swim/Water Aerobics is required at ewingnj.org/ recregistration. Labor Day is the last day that the pools will be open.

The Ewing Recreation Summer Camp will run from June 29 – August 22 for grades 1 – 6 and is held on the grounds of the Fisher School and Ewing Sr. & Community Center (ESCC). The hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Early hours are from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and late hours are from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Online registration is required at ewingnj.org/recregistration.

Teen Travel will be for grades 7 –9 and will run from July 1 – August 16. The camp will travel four days a week and stay in Ewing the other day. Campers can participate in day camp on weeks Teen Travel is not being held. Camp also offers a Counselor in Training program for children entering grades 9 and 10.

For more information on these programs call the Ewing Recreation Office at 609-883-1776 x6203. You can also go to ewingnj.org, Community Affairs.

Summer CampS 2026

RSM Princeton

Advance Your Child’s Math Learning This Summer!

Summer math classes at RSM Princeton are now enrolling!

RSM is an award winning, afterschool math enrichment program trusted by parents for over 25 years across 80+ locations in North America. Our unique approach consists of a continuous K-12 curriculum, taught by expert teachers, in a classroom environment of peers who study together year after year.

Featured in NPR and The Atlantic as a key player in the “Math Revolution” and ranked one of the best schools in the world by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM uses the rigorous study of mathematics to develop our students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life.

Why Choose RSM’s Summer Program?

A Program for All Students: RSM offers summer classes for K-12 students looking to strengthen their grasp of the fundamentals, prepare for the upcoming school year, or experience additional challenges.

Prevent Summer Learning Loss: RSM’s program ensures that students retain and strengthen their math knowledge, keeping them on track when they return to school in the fall.

Talented Faculty: All of our teachers have a background in mathematics or a related field and a deep passion for the subject.

Classroom Environment: Students are instructed by an expert teacher leading an interactive lesson in an in-person class environment.

Summer Program Details: The 6-Week Summer Program runs June

22 – July 30, in-person or online, on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. The 3-Week Summer Program runs in person August 3 – 20 Monday through Thursday with no homework.

Summer Math Competition Preparation Classes: Math Competition Preparation classes are designed for students interested in advanced mathematical topics and preparing for elite state, national, and international competitions (Math Kangaroo, MOEMS, AMC 8, 10, 12, USA(J)MO, and more). The program focuses on teaching students how to approach competition-level problems. These classes are available for grades 2 through 10 as 6 or 3-week courses meeting twice per week.

STEAM Program at RSM Edison: We are thrilled to introduce our brand-new Summer STEAM Program, designed for students entering grades K-5. This one-week program is designed to spark curiosity in young learners with hands-on activities in Math, Science, Engineering, Chess, Coding, Dance and Art. There is a new session each week and students can sign up for multiple sessions. There are 5 4-hour classes per week grouped by grade for best learning experience and open to all ability levels.

Summer Chess Classes: Chess makes its debut at RSM Princeton this summer! Not only is it a lot of fun, but it is also a great tool to improve your child’s cognitive development, decision-making, creative, and critical thinking skills. The in-person program meets Monday through Thursday for 3 weeks.

Get Started Today! Visit www. mathschool.com to view the summer schedule for RSM Princeton and other RSM NJ locations and enroll your child today.

Body Language Dance Center

The Stage Is Set for Movement

This summer, the stage is set for movement, music, and memorable classes at Body Language Dance Center, where creativity and community come together under the direction of Travis Breen and Eric McCotter.

Located at 5 Scotch Road in the heart of Ewing, the studio continues to be a vibrant hub for dancers ages 2.5–18. The Summer Dance program features an exciting lineup of classes designed to inspire both new and returning students. From high-energy hip-hop and acro to classical ballet and jazz, each class blends strong technical training with expressive artistry in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Breen and McCotter share a deep passion for dance education and performance excellence. Their leadership emphasizes not only precision and skill development, but also confidence, teamwork, and personal growth. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, explore new styles, and discover their unique voice through movement.

In addition to its recreational classes, Body Language Dance Center is proud to be home to an award-winning competition team that consistently

earns top honors at regional and national events. The team exemplifies dedication, artistry, and sportsmanship, providing dancers with opportunities to grow, perform, and represent the studio with pride.

Classes begin in July, giving students the perfect opportunity to stay active, refine their technique, beginner level through advance, and make the most of their summer break.

Families throughout the community praise Body Language Dance Center for its welcoming atmosphere and dedicated staff. Many students return year after year, drawn by the studio’s commitment to high-quality instruction and positive mentorship.

As the summer season unfolds, Body Language Dance Center remains a place where discipline meets joy — and where every dancer, from beginner to advanced, is empowered to move with confidence and purpose.

Registration for Summer Dance is now open. For more information about class schedules and enrollment, visit BodyLanguageDanceCenter.com or call 609-882-3222.

Summer CampS 2026

D1 Training

Newtown

Building Stronger Athletes and a Stronger Community

Families in the Mercer and Bucks areas seeking structured, coach-led fitness, and athletic development now have a dedicated destination at D1 Training, located just outside Newtown in Langhorne, PA. The facility delivers a sports science-backed approach designed to help youth and adults improve performance, build strength, and develop long-term healthy habits.

Unlike traditional gyms, D1 Training follows a structured model rooted in athletic principles. Each workout is organized around five tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength, core and conditioning, and cool down. This system focuses on training the whole body while supporting safe, consistent progress for participants at every level. The Newtown location is owned by Matt and Tracy Kueny, whose professional backgrounds combine athletic coaching and operational leadership. Matt brings more than 20 years of experience as a Junior Olympic softball coach, guiding high school athletes to refine their skills and pursue higher levels of competition. Tracy has spent 14 years at Princeton University as Senior Financial Manager in the Office of the Dean of the College, overseeing initiatives at one of the nation’s most respected institutions.

Leaping Dog & Sleeping Cat Art Studios

Never a Dull Moment at Art Camp!

Leaping Dog Art Studios and its new second location, Sleeping Cat Art Studios, is a communitycentered art studio providing art classes, art camps, private art lessons, and art parties for both kids and adults in drawing, painting, pottery, and more in downtown Bordentown City.

Unlike a traditional art school with grades and critiques, Leaping Dog & Sleeping Cat offers a more relaxed educational atmosphere, free of judgment, and strives to meet students where they are at in their creative journey and help them to grow as an artist. Their kids Summer Camp program in particular has become a popular choice for local parents since they first opened back in 2014 and are known to fill up fast. What makes their camps special?

For one thing, they always keep camp numbers small (under 15) to make sure that each camper gets individualized attention by caring and talented instructors. Secondly, camp at Leaping Dog, and now Sleeping Cat is never dull! With a full load of artful themes offered throughout the entire ten weeks of summer, instructors and campers alike

For the Kuenys, opening the facility represents both a business venture and a personal mission. As parents of two former college athletes, they understand the preparation and discipline required to compete beyond high school. That perspective shapes how they engage with members and families who walk through the doors.

Programming is organized by age and stage of development, with Rookie training for ages 7 to 11, Developmental for ages 12 to 14, Prep for ages 15 to 18, and adult options. In addition to group sessions, members can choose semi private or one on one coaching. This structure allows individualized attention within a motivating team environment.

Beyond daily training, the owners aim to make an impact in the broader community. They have expressed interest in creating a grant program to support underserved youth athletes who may not otherwise access this type of training. The goal is to expand opportunity while reinforcing the life skills that sports can teach.

D1 Training was founded in 2001 by former NFL player Will Bartholomew and has grown into a national brand with more than 150 locations and many additional facilities in development. Its 5 Star Training System emphasizes total body development and measurable progress rather than short term trends.

For local residents, the facility offers a place where athletes, students, and adults can train with intention and accountability. Coaches work closely with members to set goals, track improvement, and

are always excited to see what new things they get to do and create each day and each week. For example, one day we may be learning to draw faces and another day, we’re making magic wands or potions and creating fantastical creatures out of clay or with paper mache.

While all ceramics or clay-centered camps will be offered at the Leaping Dog location (including “Foodie Clay Camp” and “Pottery Wheel” camps), camps at Sleeping Cat will focus on two-dimensional and performance art related themes including “We Love Music & Theater Art” Camp, Fashion Design Camp, Cartooning and Digital Art Camp and

celebrate milestones. The environment encourages consistency, effort, and confidence, qualities that extend beyond workouts into school, careers, and daily life. As Newtown area families continue to prioritize health and activity, D1 Training Newtown stands as a resource committed to helping individuals reach their potential and sustain active lifestyles for years to come.

With expert coaching, thoughtful programming, and a community minded approach, the facility positions itself as a long term partner in personal fitness, athletic development, and overall wellness for residents throughout the region. Looking ahead.

D1 Training | Newtown, 864 Town Center Drive, Langhorne, Pennsylvania. d1training.com/facility/ newtown.

the eco-friendly, play-based “Cardboard Creations” camp, which are new themes this year.

Summer Camps at Leaping Dog and Sleeping Cat complement each other as “two studios, one creative home,” says director Jennifer Szeto. “Both spaces feel as part of the same studio. Our beloved instructors work at both locations and we are excited to welcome some new, enthusiastic instructors on staff this coming summer for 2026. Our studio is a safe space, a positive space and each summer we cannot wait to meet new campers and welcome back returning campers as one does family. The fact is, many of our campers have been coming and often they come for multiple weeks each summer. We have become like a second home, a creative home for these students, a place where they feel safe in, can meet new friends, try new things, learn new skills, gain confidence and feel inspired.”

Online Registration is now open.

For more info and to find the latest schedule of classes and events, including “Arty Pizza Nights”, “Bookish Art Club” meetings, “Coffee and Crafternoons” and monthly musical performances like Open Mic Nights and Jazz Jams, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leapingdogartstudios or visit their website at www.leapingdogartstudios.com.

Matt and Tracy Kueny with A J Brown from the Eagles.

Summer CampS 2026

Tomato Patch at Kelsey Theatre

Now Registering for Its 53rd Year!

Kelsey Theatre at Mercer is now registering for Tomato Patch!

Now in its 53rd year, Tomato Patch is the longest-running, most successful multi-disciplinary Visual and Performing Arts program in Central New Jersey. Featuring classes for ages 10-18, Tomato Patch is taught by a talented staff of professional artists. Check us out online at www.tomatopatch.org.

Here are some fun things about Tomato Patch:

First: It is truly multi-disciplinary. You choose a major in the morning in either theater, dance, vocal music or visual art and have classes in your

Centercourt

major, then after lunch you have four electives — and you can mix and match between theater, dance, music,

More Than Sports: Summer Fun with a Purpose in Lawrence

Centercourt Club & Sports has become a trusted hub for youth sports in the community, offering year-round training, development programs, and structured leagues for multiple sports across the region. As summer approaches, the facility is inviting parents to take advantage of flexible camp options designed to fit every child’s interests and goals.

The message this season is simple: design summer your way.

Conveniently located in Lawrence Township, Centercourt offers a range of camp experiences that allow families to choose the structure, sport focus, and environment that best fits their child.

For families seeking a well-rounded, highenergy experience, Centercourt’s Multi-Sport Summer Camp delivers action-packed days built around movement, teamwork, and fun. Campers rotate through structured sports sessions including soccer, flag football, wiffle ball and field games, along with team challenges and themed programming. The focus goes beyond simply staying active — it is about building confidence, encouraging sportsmanship, and creating friendships that last well beyond the summer months.

For younger campers, Centercourt’s Pre-K Camp provides a supportive and engaging introduction to group activities. Designed specifically for early learners, the program

visual arts and video.

Second: It culminates in a Festival of The Arts Performance and Gallery

emphasizes age-appropriate skill development, cooperative play, and structured fun in a safe and nurturing environment. It is an ideal first camp experience for families looking to build routine and social confidence before the school year begins. Baseball players have a unique opportunity this summer with Michael Rogers Baseball Camp. Known for his player development expertise and ability to connect with young athletes, Rogers brings a high-level instructional approach. Campers receive focused skill instruction, position-specific training, and game-based learning designed to elevate performance while maintaining

A production of ‘Beetlejuice’ from a previous year’s Tomato Patch Workshop.

Exhibit.

Third: You will make lasting friendships — something we have seen for many years, as you find friends that have a lot in common with you.

Tomato Patch Workshops this summer has 2 sessions:

Session 1 for ages 13-18, June 29July 24 (four weeks).

Session 2 for ages 10-12, July 27-August 13 (3 weeks).

We also feature a Master Class in Acting which is full-day 3 week theater intensive summer program for ages 13-19. July 27-August 14.

The Master Class in Theater culminates in A Night of One Acts! Call 609-570-3566 for more information.

the excitement that makes summer baseball memorable. Baseball camp takes place at Fenton Lane Park in Chesterfield.

Adding to the lineup this year, there are four brand new indoor Volleyball courts, expanding to trainings, league, and Volleyball Camp. As volleyball continues to grow in popularity across the region, Centercourt is proud to introduce enhanced training opportunities and gameplay. Athletes will work on fundamentals, strategy, and team play under experienced coaches, making it an exciting new option for both beginners and experienced players. The best of both worlds, Multi-Sport + Volleyball Combo Camp includes a half day of Volleyball and a half day of Multi-Sport activities.

Additional sport-specific camps, including Softball, Football, and Lacrosse, will be announced soon, giving even more athletes the opportunity to train and compete in a structured summer environment.

What connects all of these programs is Centercourt’s commitment to coach-led instruction and intentional programming. Each session is supervised and thoughtfully designed to promote both athletic development and character growth.

Families are encouraged to explore the full lineup of camp options and secure their spots early, as sessions typically fill quickly. To see all Centercourt Lawrence camp offerings and register, visit www.cntrcrt.com/lawrence-camps.

At Centercourt Lawrence, summer is not one-size-fits-all — it is built around flexibility, development, and community, giving every family the opportunity to design a season that works for them.

Summer CampS 2026

Liberty Lake Day Camp

Marking 25 Years With Expanded Leadership, Safety Initiatives, and Growing Regional Demand

As Liberty Lake Day Camp enters its 25th year serving families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the well-known Bordentown program is marking the milestone with strengthened leadership, expanded safety initiatives, and continued emphasis on inclusion and youth development.

Founded in 2001 by educator and former American Camp Association (ACA) NY/NJ President Andy Pritikin, Liberty Lake Day Camp has grown into one of the region’s most established summer day camps. These 60 shady acres are the summer home base to thousands of campers each season, offering a mix of outdoor recreation, instructional activities, and values-based programming.

“This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate but also to continue raising the bar,” Pritikin said. “The needs of children and families evolve, and we want to grow with them.” If you are looking for more details about “life in the day of a camper”, on December 24, 2025 — Liberty Lake Day Camp announced the release of its 2025 Video Yearbook, highlighting a summer filled with confidence-building programs, meaningful friendships, and personal growth…great video!

Leadership Expansion: A Second Generation Joins the Team. The camp’s 25th anniversary also marks the return of Justin Pritikin, Andy’s

son, to the leadership team. Justin, a former Liberty Lake camper, brings experience in youth programming, staff training, and leadership development.

His professional background includes roles in corporate leadership at lululemon and program oversight at Everwood Day Camp, Liberty Lake’s sister camp in Massachusetts. Justin is also known for his TED Talk on resilience, inspired by his seven-year battle with childhood leukemia. His full biography appears here

“Coming back to Liberty Lake feels like the right moment,” Justin said. “This place shaped me as a child, and I’m honored to contribute to its next chapter.”

Safety Enhancements Remain Central to Camp Operations.

Safety continues to be one of the most scrutinized aspects of youth programs, and Liberty Lake Day Camp has worked to maintain what many parents describe as a “proactive and visible” safety culture.

The camp regularly exceeds New Jersey’s staffing and training requirements, particularly in its waterfront program, where additional certified lifeguards and layered supervision are standard practices. Staff complete multiple rounds of emergency-preparedness training, and daily risk assessments are part of the camp’s routine. A detailed summary of Liberty Lake Day Camp’s safety procedures is available.

“Our philosophy is that safety should be built into every aspect of operation,” Andy Pritikin said. “It’s not a document — it’s a culture.”

Growing Focus on Inclusion and Social-Emotional Support. Alongside traditional activities, Liberty Lake Day Camp has expanded its inclusion and social-emotional programming. Counselors receive training in supporting neurodiverse campers, managing peer interactions, and fostering communication skills. The camp’s long-standing 5-Star Points — Independence, Integrity,

Inspiration, Teamwork, and Friendship — remain at the center of its youthdevelopment model.

“Parents today are looking for camps where their children feel welcome and understood,” Justin said. “We want every child to feel successful here.”

Regional Interest From Both NJ and PA Families. Liberty Lake Day Camp draws campers from Burlington, Mercer, Camden, and Gloucester counties, as well as from across the river in Philadelphia and Bucks County. Many families cite the camp’s leadership, staff stability, and safety practices as deciding factors in enrollment.

Families new to the camp often look for information on schedules, meals, transportation, and program structure.

A resource page answering these questions is available at: libertylakedaycamp.com/liberty-lakeday-camp-top-questions-guides/ Looking Ahead: Planning for the Next 25 Years. As Liberty Lake Day Camp celebrates their 25th anniversary, this milestone also marks its next chapter. Andy and Justin say their focus remains consistent: delivering high-quality programming that helps children grow socially, emotionally, and physically.

“The elements that make camp meaningful have stayed the same,” Andy said. “Children need outdoor experiences, friendship, and opportunities that help them step outside their comfort zone. We’re committed to providing that for the next generation.”

Enrollment for the upcoming summer is currently open, with certain age groups expected to reach capacity based on prior years’ trends. Visit www.libertylakedaycamp.com.

Hamilton Area YMCA

Hamilton Area YMCA

Sawmill Summer Camp 2026

Sawmill Summer Camp 2026

SUN, SMILES &

SUN, SMILES &

10:00 a.m.12:00 p.m. OPEN HOUSES at Sawmill: 3/7 & 3/28

OPEN HOUSES at Sawmill: 3/7 & 3/28

10:00 a.m.12:00 p.m. HOUSES at Sawmill: 3/7 & 3/28

10:00 a.m.12:00 p.m.

REGISTER NOW!

REGISTER NOW!

SAVE UP TO $90 PER WEEK - Camp as low as $316 per week!

SAVE UP TO $90 PER WEEK - Camp as low as $316 per week!

Plus, make convenient monthly payments through May!

Plus, make convenient monthly payments through May!

Day Camp & Specialty Camps providing:

Day Camp & Specialty Camps providing:

50 acres of outdoor space | STEM | sports games | swimming | special events | theme weeks

50 acres of outdoor space | STEM | sports games | swimming | special events | theme weeks

She has experience and motivation to close her final scholastic year on a high note. She’s already won 64 bouts in her career going into districts, including the trio of CVC crowns.

“The amount of work she’s put in since her sophomore year has been tremendous,” Zedalis said. “And if there’s anybody who deserved it more than her, I’d like to see them in the practice room.”

Neuberger worked her way up to being a dominant wrestler for Ewing. She wasn’t as successful in eighth grade in her first CVC middle school tournament. Two years later she started to build her legacy at the high school level, and her early success added to the pressure she felt coming into this season’s tournament. She lived up to her top seeding and expectations, and each year has beaten a different girl for the gold.

“It’s surreal because I wrestled in the CVC tournament in eighth grade and I went 0 and 2 and I remember being so mad,” she said. “And then coming here and it’s just really crazy honestly. To hear, ‘three-time,’ I’m like, ‘Oh wait, that’s me.’ It’s really cool.”

Neuberger has progressed steadily each year, finding a passion for the sport that her father once competed in. She came in as a freshman and wrestled a few boys in her first two years before the girls division became more established. It gave her experience and helped shape her growth as a wrestler.

“I think that’s what really helped her on the girls’ side, kind of seeing the strength and the power of the boys,” Zedalis said. “And then she would get caught with the flexibility of some of the girls. So being able to kind of see both aspects of it, I think really helped her drive to kind of put both together.”

Neuberger became a regular in the weight room over summers. She attended every open practice run by the Ewing volunteers.

“There’s never a time where she wasn’t fully invested into this team and into herself,” Zedalis said. “I think she really focused on technique her junior year. And now this year, everything’s finally coming together for her.”

Working on technique the last two years has made a difference. And her strength from her weight room dedication also helped give her a foundation for success.

“I’m somewhat stronger than a lot of my opponents, so I tend to just outmuscle them,” Neuberger said. “And then when I found another girl just as strong as me, I learned that it did not work. So I’ve really been trying to build up my move vocabulary. Play wrestling really helps because I like situational stuff.”

Neuberger won 16 of her first 20 matches this year. She’s been a key role model for younger Ewing wrestlers, and part of a strong senior group that includes Ray Kamara at 145, Angie Fuentes at 138 and Jaylyn Jared at 132.

“Alex has been great for the underclassmen like Danielle Narmah, who’s had a really impressive showing and is beating some really tough girls and taking some really tough girls to the end,” said Zedalis. “Kayla Kerr, our 235-pounder, she pushes her in practice too, even giving up a lot of weight, but she offers Kayla that speed and agility to make her quicker on her feet. She’s almost like having another coach in the room at this point because she knows just about as much as we know and is able to kind of pick up on the little things that we’re mentioning. So, whenever we’re occupied with the boys or another group of girls and she sees one of her teammates

See NEUBERGER, Page 26

SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST 11am -2pm

Ewing Township, 2 Jake Garzio Dr | Bert H Steinmann, Mayor

struggling, she’ll go over to that group and kind of pinpoint what they’re doing wrong and fix that move to a T.”

Ewing will send its boys into districts the day before the girls. The best chances to place sit with Cephus Horton, a senior who has impressed all season against tough competition, and junior Bryce Whittkop. Their experience has helped a young Ewing boys team grow and districts will give a final chance this season.

“If I show up with seven guys, realistically we’re not going to win a district title,” Zedalis said. “We’re just kind of focusing on the individual aspect right now. And I think we’ve got a shot of having a few guys make some noise and shake some things up.”

Neuberger has tried to help the Ewing wrestling program any way she can. She has dabbled in other sports, but gravitated to wrestling because it provided her

a physical outlet that other sports could not. She even tried jiu jitsu this year and enjoyed that for its physical side. Seeing the girls wrestling program at the school and the sport grow through her years has brightened Neuberger’s experience. She has been a part of so many firsts with the Blue Devils.

“It’s actually amazing because my dream freshman year was to be captain of the girls wrestling team,” she said. “We had a whopping four girls and junior year we had a full lineup and I walked out as captain for our first dual meet and it was insane. Having a team districts, I wrestled at the inaugural CVC, I’m about to wrestle with the inaugural growth districts, and the jamborees, there was the first-ever jamboree my freshman year. I had my first-ever girls match freshman year. It was amazing. It just feels awesome.”

Neuberger’s development on the mat is

a result of her work and desire to learn. It’s the same off it. She is interested in a career in the medical field, and often her curiosity has her doing research on her own about medical questions, not that she has a lot of free time between her school and wrestling commitments and a job as a manager at Five Guys and helping her father’s friend with his woodworking projects and cleaning the shop. When she can, she loves going to beach.

“I just kind of hang out with my friends a lot when I have the time,” she said. “But a lot of the time it’s taken up with sports and work.”

She has been looking at a number of options for next year. Her top priority is a college where she can pursue her interest in the medical field. One of her options is Lehigh, which has a women’s wrestling team.

“It’s the only school I’ve really looked at

where I was interested in the actual school and the wrestling program,” Neuberger said. “Truth being told, I’m not sure what programs have girls things these days.”

Neuberger would love the opportunity to continue to compete in the sport that has meant so much to her. It started out as just a chance to improve her fitness and it’s become something that she’s carried into all parts of her life.

“Wrestling makes everything else feel so much easier,” she said. “It has made me so much stronger and given me so much commitment in everything I do. Every other sport I go to, I think about a wrestling practice. Every time I have to do an assignment, I think about how late a tournament night could be or how MCTs went to like 11:30, I think, the first year. Crazy. Wrestling, as fun as it is, it’s so tough. It just makes everything else feel so much lighter.”

Capital Health Named One of U.S. News & World Report’s

BEST HOSPITALS FOR MATERNITY CARE IN 2026

U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell as a 2026 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study, now in its fifth edition.

Capital Health is one of 27 hospitals in New Jersey and the only hospital in the Greater Mercer County area to earn this recognition. This is the third consecutive year that Capital Health earned a place on the U.S. News High Performing Hospitals list for Maternity Care and the fourth time in five years since U.S. News published its first list of Best Hospitals for Maternity. U.S. News also recognized Capital Health in April 2024 for achieving excellent outcomes for cesarean sections and unexpected newborn complications among black patients.

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, severe unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, and birthing-friendly practices, among other measures.

“Being recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a high performing hospital for the third year in a row—and four out of the five years the study has been published—is an important

honor for our Maternity Services team and our patients at Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell,” said Dr. Kira Przybylko, medical director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Capital Health. “It validates all the hard work our incredible staff does every day at the Josephine Plumeri Birthing Center, and it tells expectant mothers that we consistently provide highest level of care as we help their growing families get off to the healthiest and safest start possible.”

“Hospitals designated as a U.S. News Best Hospital for Maternity Care are national leaders. This recognition means they are consistently hitting crucial patient safety benchmarks compared to other hospitals,” said Jennifer Winston, Ph.D., health data scientist at U.S. News. “It’s a clear signal to expectant parents about where the highest standards of care are being practiced –when parents see this designation, they can be assured they are choosing a hospital dedicated to exceptional, evidence-based maternity care.”

The Maternity Services Program at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell makes up the most complete maternity facility in the area. From routine deliveries to high-risk needs, staff at the Josephine Plumeri Birthing Center at Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell provide a full range of prenatal, obstetrical, postpartum, and neonatal care options so newborns have the greatest chance for a healthy start. The designated Regional Perinatal Center provides neonatal care, including Mercer County’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for at-risk births. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org/maternity.

Capital Health Receives Five-Year Grant Award from Merck Foundation to Launch New Initiative to Improve Cardiovascular Care in Trenton

Capital Health has been awarded a grant through the Collaborative for Equity in Cardiac Care, a five-year initiative funded by the Merck Foundation aimed at enhancing access to high quality, person-centered health care for people living with heart conditions in the United States. As one of 11 awardees in the United States, Capital Health will receive $1.7 million over five years to develop its Cardiac Opportunities for Resilience and Empowerment (CORE) Program as part of its Institute for Urban Care. The program’s goal is to help to close gaps in the delivery of cardiac care to underserved communities in Trenton, New Jersey.

“Capital Health has a long history of working with community partners to address the health care challenges that impact Trenton residents every day,” said Dr. Eric Schwartz, executive director of Capital Health’s Institute for Urban Care and director of the CORE Program. “Our CORE Program aims to connect people living with heart conditions with care providers, community education programs, and guidance for healthy eating, all of which will enable them to better self-manage their heart health.”

Residents in the City of Trenton face a number of systemic barriers and inequities. Life expectancy is 4.4 years less than other measured cities, 26% percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, impacts more than one third (36.1%) of the community.

Through the Merck Foundation’s Collaborative for Equity in Cardiac Care, Capital Health’s CORE Program will build sustainable community partnerships to address barriers to cardiac care and improve outcomes and quality of life for people with heart conditions. Capital Health will work with Trenton Health Team and other community partners to manage and monitor the CORE program.

“Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one cause of death for men and women living in the U.S., and its burden hits under-resourced communities the hardest. By addressing the medical and social needs of people living with heart conditions, the Collaborative for Equity in Cardiac Care will have a significant, lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals and

communities across the country,” said Kalahn Taylor-Clark, vice president and head, Social Impact & Sustainability, Merck.

Capital Health recently opened its new, state-of-the-art Al Maghazehe Heart and Vascular Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, marking a significant expansion that covers 12,650 square feet with three operating rooms: one cardiac surgery room for open-heart procedures, one hybrid operating room, and one catheterization laboratory for interventional procedures. The new center is part of the larger Capital Health Heart and Vascular Institute, which offers comprehensive care with a multi-specialty approach at locations throughout the greater Mercer and Bucks county region.

In addition to Capital Health, Merck Foundation’s program grantees include La Clínica del Pueblo, Public Health Institute/ Population Health Innovation Lab, University of Chicago, UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care, Providence Medical Foundation, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, Zufall Health Center, Georgia State University Research Foundation/ Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement, MedNorth Health Center, and Gallup Community Health.

Capital Health Institute for Urban Care works to advance the health and well-being of Trenton residents by growing and aligning Capital Health’s services with a robust network of community partners in the City of Trenton to improve medical care while overcoming the complex social determinants of health. To learn more about the Institute, visit capitalhealth.org/urbancare.

Capital Thrift Named Best Thrift Store of 2025 in Mercer County

Capital Thrift has been recognized as the Best Thrift Store in Mercer County for 2025. This honor was certified by BusinessRate, an online platform that provides comprehensive performance metrics for businesses against local competitors based on advanced Google review data. Located at 2783 US-1 South in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Capital Thrift is organized and operated by volunteers from Capital Health and Capital Health Foundation. The shop received top honors for excellence in customer satisfaction, brand reputation, and service excellence.

“This recognition is a direct reflection of the dedication, warmth, and commitment of the incredible volunteers who manage and operate Capital Thrift with care and purpose each day,” said Leslie Gibbons, volunteer store manager. “Their efforts not only create a welcoming retail experience but also advance Capital Health’s mission by supporting programs that benefit our patients and community.”

Capital Health Foundation works to raise and steward charitable funds to advance Capital Health’s mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the urban and suburban communities it serves. Through philanthropy, the Foundation partners with corporations, community organizations, community leaders, Capital Health colleagues, and grateful patients and families to drive impact and transform health care in the Mercer and Bucks county region. To learn more about the Capital Health Foundation, or to make a gift of support, visit CapitalHealth.org/Foundation. To learn more about Capital Thrift and for store hours, find them on Facebook at Capital Thrift NJ or call the store at 609.882.4717.

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Please register early. Class size is limited. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Is That Bump a Hernia? A Free Screening Event

Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Location: Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell

NJ PURE Conference Center, One Capital Way, Pennington, NJ 08534

Hernias can affect many areas of the body, often appearing as a bump under the skin in the abdomen or groin and causing varying levels of pain.

If you have pain that affects your ability to perform day-to-day activities and think it might be a hernia, join Dr. Jooyeun Chung, director of Capital Health’s Robotic-Assisted Surgery Program, for a free hernia screening and a discussion of the latest treatment options. Staff will be available to schedule follow-up appointments, as needed. Please wear loose clothing. Registration is required. Visit capitalhealth.org/events to reserve your spot today.

Prediabetes: What It Is and How to Prevent Diabetes

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Prediabetes affects millions of people and often has no clear symptoms, yet it can lead to type 2 diabetes and other health problems if not addressed early. Join Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist LaShanta Dawkins as she explains what prediabetes is, who is at risk, and how it can be detected through simple health screenings.

ADDITIONAL FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS:

LATEST UPDATES ON ATRIAL FIBRILLATION MANAGEMENT

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 6 p.m.

Zoom Meeting

OUR KIDNEYS MATTER: A GUIDE TO CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE Monday, March 30, 2026 | 6 p.m. Zoom Meeting

STOP THE BLEED

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 6 – 8 p.m.

Capital Health EMS Education 2480 Pennington Road, Suite 107 Pennington, NJ 08534

• Basketball

• Outdoor Play

• Arts & Crafts

• Games

• Swimming

Ewing CYO Summer Camp

• Special Guests and In-house programs

June 22nd - August 21st

Activities

•Basketball

• Outdoor Play

• Arts & Crafts • Games

Swimming • Special Guests and   In-house programs

1st grade to register)

Ages 5 - 10

(Must be entering 1st grade to register)

Ewing CYO Preschool

Open daily from 7:30am - 5:30pm.

Full time and part time enrollment available for children ages 2 1/2 to 5 (must be potty trained).

Monday through Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm 320 Hollowbrook Drive

Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are provided.

Curriculum follows the NJ State Preschool Standards.

Senior Corner

March 2026

ALL PROGRAMS HELD AT HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER, 320 HOLLOWBROOK DRIVE

MONDAYS

10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin

1 p.m. Jewelry/Craft -Anne’s

1 p.m. Mexican Train

TUESDAYS

10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin

12:30 p.m. Bible Study

12:30 p.m. Bingo

WEDNESDAYS

9:30 a.m. Knitting/Crochet

10 a.m. Chair Fitness – JoAnna Hopkins

10:30 a.m. Water Color - Ally Lyons Mercer County Library – Ewing Branch

1 p.m. 5-Crown Cards

1 p.m. Chair Yoga – Gioia Fumo-Miranda

2 p.m. Mahjongg – Christine Kamph

THURSDAYS

10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin

1 p.m. Pinochle - Mercer County Library - Ewing Branch

1 p.m. Rummikub

1 p.m. Balance Class - Bob Kirby

1 p.m. Bid Whist

FRIDAYS

9:30 a.m. Line Dancing – Joanne Keephart

SENIOR CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION (SCAC):

Third Thursday of the month. General Body 10 a.m. — Meeting is open to the public.

SOCIAL CLUBS: (All held in Room #201-202)

Live Wires—11 a.m. ( 2nd Thursday of the month)

Busy C’s—11 a.m. ( 3rd Tuesday of the month) Club D—11 a.m. (1st Thursday of the month)

HB Seniors—1 p.m. (2nd Friday of the month)

TAX TIME: Tax help is available at several MCLS– branches by appointments. Visit mcl.org/services/tax-assistance for more information or call Hollowbrook branch 609-883-5914.

COMPUTER CLASS: Computer Learning Center at Hollowbrook Community Center. Learn basic skills one day only March 25, 1-2 PM computer lab. Call to Register 609-883-1199 or visit room 203.

MAHJONGG: Learn to play mahjongg six week beginners class starts 3/18-4/22, Wednesday’s 2-4 p.m.

SENIOR LUNCHEON PROGRAM: Hollowbrook Community Center, March 20, Noon-2 p.m. Performance by Theodore Chletsos “Ted The Tenor.” $ 9 pp/ $ 14 couple / $ 11 non resident.

Mercer County Nutrition: Seniors 60 and older or anyone married to a person 60 and older is welcome to participate in the nutrition program. The program is located at Hollowbrook Community Center. A person is asked to donate a $1. Your donation is confidential. A delicious balance meal is served. REGISTER FOR ALL PROGRAMS AGES 60 AND OLDER EWING RESIDENT S: HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER

2nd Floor Rm# 207 Senior Office, QUESTIONS: 609-883-1776

Senior Corner is paid content by Ewing Township

It gets ugly

HELEN KULL

EWING THEN & NOW

So, last month we left 18th century “Nova Cesaria” (New Jersey) in the midst of a portentous property predicament. I wrote that at the start of the 1700s, “farmers were furious.” Let’s discover why.

In the late 1600s and several decades which followed, English sons (and others) had come to the New World, leaving behind family, friends and familiarity for the promise of opportunity and freedom. From wealthy British landowners and landholders, they purchased parcels of rich, fertile land in this new world on which to live, and on which to make a living. They cleared the land, and raised crops, livestock and families. They created a variety of much-needed goods and services. They purchased and set aside places for worship, for civic activities, and for business. Communities and small villages grew and thrived. For the most part, life was difficult, but good.

controversy, who tried to “adjust” and prove claim to lands. Many locals became quite angry, and the anger later erupted violently at several points.

These conflicts over rights to the land lasted for decades. The Coxe family issued over 50 evictions in Hopewell alone in the 1730s. When several families, including that of Nathaniel Moore, banded together to countersue in the mid 1730s, not surprisingly they lost their suit, since the civil courts were filled by other members of the British aristocracy.

Hopewellians were furious, and some attempted to force new tenants off of the lands Coxe had previously taken from them. An ad seeking to find the offenders describes the angry mob as being “besmeared with Blackening, and Armed with Clubs and Sticks in their hands”. The record continues to state that the mob did in a ”...Violent and Riotous Manner break into and enter the said respective Dwelling Houses, and Assault, Beat and Wound” the owner within.

Such incidents continued off and on over the following decade. Although Colonel Coxe passed away, his family continued to challenge and sue for the land. In reaction, the area residents met regularly on town committees to contest what they believed to be a preemption of their rights, and to defend their neighbors and land.

But one of the wealthy British landowning families in New Jersey, the Coxe Family, questioned the nature of the original sale of their vast landholdings in the American colonies. Wealthy aristocrat Daniel Coxe III, living in London, made huge chunks of West Jersey land available for investments by the wealthy Proprietors (land managers). But his son, Colonel Daniel Coxe IV, came to America in 1702 when the proprietorships dissolved to represent his father’s interests. Despite deeds, he eventually brought lawsuits which challenged the individual purchases of land, saying that the Coxe family had “superior title” to the land, and that the individual residents had merely purchased the right to use the land belonging to the land managers, not to own it. Of course this flew in the face of Enlightenment beliefs in individualism, and natural and human rights.

The result was that hundreds of farmers’ and individuals’ families in the Hopewell and Maidenhead areas were charged significant penalties for continuing to keep or “repurchase” their land. Many were unable to make the payments, and left. Some migrated to the south and west, to North Carolina and beyond. Others remained in the area and opted to contest the lawsuits. Adding to the original challenge with the deeds to the land were unscrupulous surveyors, representing both sides of the

As the years progressed, such committee leaders represented the positions of most of the colony, but were only seen as “rioters” by the Provincial government. Several of these leaders were jailed for treason, and other committee members attempted to break into the jails to free them. Because the local colonists sided with the committee members, those in the Provincial government recognized their own weakening power, and consequently passed laws to limit assembly.

All of these conflicts created a deep and long-lasting animosity towards the British aristocracy and Provincial government, particularly in Central NJ. The local committees of neighbors and farmers would unite to become members of the Hunterdon Militia when increasing frustration, anger, injustice and usurpation of rights began to provoke the War for Independence.

Note: Ewing Historic Society advisor Rick Durham will speak on this very topic on Sunday afternoon, March 8 at 2 pm at TCNJ, in Room 113 of the Education Building. Helen Kull is an Advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.

Ewing Recreation

March 2026

Summer jobs. Ewing Recreation Department is accepting application for summer staff for day camp counselors, teen travel counselors, Moody Park Basketball League scorekeepers, maintenance workers. To apply go to ewingnj.org, departments, Human Resources. Anyone interested in lifeguarding can contact American Pools at mhill@ americanpool.com.

Summer camps. Registration is open for summer camps. Register and pay by April 10 and receive a 7% discount. The Ewing Recreation Summer Camp will run from June 29–Aug. 21 for grades 1–6 and is held on the grounds of the Ewing Sr. & Community Center (ESCC) and the rain location is Fisher Middle School. Hours are from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. Early hours are from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and late hours are from 4:30- 6 p.m. Teen Travel will be for grades 7–9 and run from June 29–Aug. 14. Campers can participate in day camp on weeks Teen Travel is not being held. Register at ewingnj.org/RecRegistration

Pools. The Ewing Community Pools System offers two pools for seasonal members and daily patrons. Hollowbrook Pool located at 320 Hollowbrook Drive, is scheduled to open on weekends & Memorial Day on Saturday, May 23. Saturdays are reserved for private parties 1–5 p.m. and is open to the public 5–8 p.m. Operating hours for Sunday–Friday are Noon–8 p.m. Email Raquel at rince@ewingnj.org to schedule an event. The ESCC pool will open on week-

ends & Memorial Day starting Saturday, May 23 and both pools will open full time starting on Monday, June 16 from Noon–8 p.m. Swim lessons start with evaluations on Saturday, June 13 and space is limited. Senior Swim and Senior Water Aerobics are offered and will start on Monday, June 16, seniors register at the Senior Office for these programs. Online registration for the season at ewingnj.org/RecRegistration.

Picnic area permits. Ewing Recreation Department is taking applications for picnic area permits starting March 2, at the following parks, John Watson on Upper Ferry Rd., Higgs Park on Summerset St., Betor Park behind the Municipal building. Email Nancy at npappano@ewingnj.org or contact the office for more information or to reserve a date.

Chess club. Ewing Recreation has a chess club that meets on Wednesday evenings at St. Luke’s Church on Prospect St. Play is from 6 p.m.–10 p.m. Interested participants are welcome to attend or email Bong at bongortiz@yahoo.com.

The Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, has rooms available for rent for small groups to large parties. Kitchen facilities are available.

For more information on these or any other programs you can contact the office at (609) 883-1199 or online at ewingnj.org/ communityaffairs.

The Ewing Recreation column is paid content provided by Ewing Township.

MARCH 2ND

Registration Begins for previous year plot holders @ the office of the Clerk Ewing Municipal Building 2 Jake Garzio Drive

MARCH 16TH

Registration begins for new applicants

Cost - Plots are $5.00 each and you can purchase up to two (2) plots

REQUIREMENTS

• You must be a Ewing Township resident (proof of residency required) NO EXCEPTIONS!!

• You must be present to buy your plots(s).

• You must provide an email address. NO EXCEPTIONS!

PLOT INFORMATION

• Owners of plots in 2025 will have an opportunity to reserve their same plots from the prior year.

• If there are still plots available on April 15, 2026, previous and new owners may purchase additional plots(s). Please call the Clerk’s office at (609)538-7608 to find out if more plots are available.

ABOUT THE GARDENS

The Ewing Community Gardens are located on Whitehead Road Extension in Ewing. They are enclosed in an 8’ deer fence and water sources are available. Half of the plots are organic and no-till. Learn about the Ewing Community Gardens Association at ewingcommunitygardens.wordpress.com

The official opening of the gardens is weather determined and announced later in the season.

For colorectal cancer screening,

Ask The Doctor

See our ads in SIX09 section pgs 5 and 7

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that people with average risk begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45, rather than 50, which was the previous recommendation.

The updated guidelines consider the benefits of early detection and treatment for adults with no personal history or increased risk of the disease.

Meera Yogarajah, M.D., shares more about this change and why it is important. Dr. Yogarajah is at the Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Why did the recommendation change? The diagnosis rates of colorectal cancer have increased in people younger than 50 years of age, by 2.9% per year from 2013 to 2022. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men and women under 50, with deaths rising by 1.1% annually.

These cancers may be associated with poorer outcomes, as they are diagnosed later. In response to this trend, the USPSTF, an independent volunteer group of experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine, reviewed new data and concluded that screening for colorectal cancer in adults who are 45 to 49 years old can be helpful in preventing more people from dying of colorectal cancer.

There are several types of colorectal cancer screening methods including colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, CT colonography and stool-based tests.

Colonoscopy is a highly sensitive screening method which uses a colonoscope to inspect the rectum and entire colon. If your doctor finds polyps, they are removed and sent to a lab for further testing. The advantage of colonoscopy is removal of benign polyps, and this will prevent these polyps from turning into a cancer.

In sigmoidoscopy, the rectum and sigmoid colon are examined using a sigmoidoscope. During sigmoidoscopy, abnormal growths in the rectum and sigmoid colon can be removed for analysis (biopsied). However, only the last 20 percent of the colon is examined.

RWJUH Hamilton support groups this month

The following programs are sponsored by RWJUH Hamilton Community Education, open to all and all ages, and the Better Health Program, open to all 65+ years old. All programs take place at the Center for Health & Wellness located at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton unless otherwise noted. A full calendar of programs is online at rwjbh.org/hamiltonprograms. For for more information or to register, call 609-584-5900 or email communityedham@rwjbh.org. Registration is required to attend these programs.

MONdAy, MARCH 16

What does colorectal cancer screening entail? Colorectal cancer screening tests are used to detect cancer and remove precancerous polyps.

Both polyps and colorectal cancers can bleed, and stool tests check for tiny amounts of blood in feces (stool) that cannot be seen visually. With these tests, stool samples are collected by the patient using a kit, and the samples are returned to the doctor. People who have a positive finding with these tests will need to have a colonoscopy.

Additionally, some newer stool tests rely on detection of DNA from tumors in the stool sample, increasing the accuracy beyond using detection of trace blood alone.

Why is it important to follow these guidelines? According to the American Cancer Society estimated new cases for 2026 include approximately 108,860 cases of colon cancer and 49,990 cases of rectal cancer. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the nation with expected deaths of 55,230 in 2026.

Colorectal cancer usually does not cause any symptoms until it is advanced and starts to spread through the body. Most colorectal cancers can be prevented through screening and testing at regular intervals, leading to detection and removal of polyps.

Colorectal cancer is largely preventable. This is why it is extremely important to follow the recommended guidelines and get an initial screening at 45 years of age for those at average risk or earlier for those at higher risk. Stop colon cancer – get screened! Visit rwjbh.org/colonscreening to make an appointment near you.

Dinner with a Doctor: Colorectal Cancer Prevention & Treatment. 6 –7 p.m. Join us for an informative lecture on colorectal cancer with Meera Yogarajah, MD, Medical Oncologist, and Rachel Perez, GI Navigator, the Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton. Learn about the importance of early detection, innovative treatments, and lifestyle factors that can reduce your risk. Dinner provided and registration required.

THURSdAy, MARCH 19

Pelvic Floor Health Problems and Conservative Treatments Explored. 6 -7:30 p.m. A look at stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overactive bladder, painful Intercourse, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and constipation. Learn conservative measures to help manage bladder/ bowel problems, led by Giselle Oriendo, PT, DPT, CLT, of RWJ Rehabilitation Hamilton.

MONdAy, MARCH 23

Dinner with a Doctor: Strong Shoulders Ahead. 6 –7 p.m. Join Michael R. Duch, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, member of the Orthopedic & Spine Institute at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, and member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. Shoulder pain slowing you down? Dr. Duch, a boardcertified orthopedic surgeon, will provide an eye-opening session on rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement and bursitis — three common conditions that can impact your day-today comfort. Learn what causes them, how they are treated, and the steps you can take to stay strong and mobile. Dinner provided and registration required.

TUESdAy, MARCH 31

What is Auditory Processing Disorder & How it Relates to Hearing. 11 a.m –Noon. Join Teresa Cole, AuD, of RWJUH Hamilton’s Balance and Hearing Center, where she will discuss what Central Auditory Processing Disorder is and how it relates to hearing loss. Central Auditory Processing Disorder is a deficit in how our brain interprets the sounds we hear. Contrary to common belief, all ages can be impacted by these deficits. All are welcome to join!

Dr. Meera Yogarajah

WANTED

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LEGAL SERVICES Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and NJ Taxes, Education Law. House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609-799-4674, 609-721-4358.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

I Buy Guitars All Musical Instruments in Any Condition: Call Rob at 609-577-3337.

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4theloveofcards, 908-596-0976. allstar115@verizon.net.

Cash paid for World War II Military Items. Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call: 609-6582996, E-mail: lenny1944x@gmail.com

Cash paid for SELMER SAXOPHONES and other vintage models.609-658-2996 or e-mail lenny1944x@gmail.com

HAPPY HEROES used books looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction, kids series books ( old Hardy boys-Nancy Drew-etc WITH DUSTJACKETS in good shape), Dell Mapbacks - PULP magazines , old role playing stuff, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks old COLLIER’S magazine. Call 609-619-3480 or email happyheroes@gmail.com .