Fellows takes the reins for HoVal field hockey
By RiCh FisheR
Her husband is a former Hopewell Valley Central High standout quarterback and current Bulldogs assistant. Her mom played at Hopewell under the great Barb Skiba and went on to become a successful field hockey coach at Stuart.
And she, herself, was a star field hockey player at HVCHS before helping The College of New Jersey to a Division III national title.
So was there ever a doubt that the first head varsity job for Alicia Fellows — formerly Wagner — would be as the Bulldogs field hockey coach?
A 2012 graduate, Fellows scored 64 goals in two seasons playing for Pam Edwards, the woman she replaced. HoVal went 35-4 during those campaigns.
how far would you go if they were sick?
“It’s pretty surreal,” Fellows said. “It’s a full-circle moment coming back to Hopewell. It’s a pretty special feeling. Obviously Hopewell Valley runs deep in our blood. I really just wanted to coach at Hopewell and when Pam first called me to see if I wanted to help out as an assistant coach, she said she had a few years left and she was planning to retire.”
So Fellows returned — to a lot of familiar faces.
“Hopewell has been really lucky in a sense of having longevity with coaches,” she said.
“And then you come back and it’s still the same coaches from mom’s era of coaching. They’re all fantastic coaches. It’s been funny going from being a student to seeing it from this side of things now.
“It just felt like it was destined to be. I really can’t picture myself anywhere else but Hopewell.”
Neither can her husband, Austin Fellows, one of HoVal’s all-time greats who quarterbacked the 2013 team to its first state sectional title. And no, they were not high school sweethearts.
“He wishes,” Alicia said with a laugh.
Did he have a crush?
“So he says,” she added playfully. “My cousin worked at We Make (an autism network in Pennington) and Austin works there too. I would go visit and he worked pretty hard to get a first date. He’s living large now.”
The two were married last November — with Sara officiating —- and are expecting a baby girl in December.
Welcome to Capital Health.
“She better play field hockey,” Alicia said. “She’ll have a stick in her hand the moment she comes out. She’ll just have to fol-
See FELLOWS, Page 28
Bugging Out
All in good time: An update from the Hopewell Museum
By eRiC luBell
How might a museum relocate its treasures and archives — all of it, the entire collection — to a secure, harm-free storage space?
That daunting challenge formed Phase One of The Hopewell Museum’s Reimagination initiative. We had launched an ambitious plan to completely
When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we. With a collaborative structure so our doctors can craft a treatment that’s uniquely right for you. With primary care physicians who never schedule an appointment that’s less than 20 minutes. With world-renowned surgeons that are changing cancer treatment.
renovate our 148-year-old Victorian-era brownstone.
Now, after two-plus years of cataloguing, conserving, packing, and moving our rich and rare holdings to an offsite location, the building on East Broad Street has become an architect’s uncluttered canvas, a pleasuretrove of possibility.
“Reimagination: Phase Two” has begun.
The museum will reopen next fall, coinciding with our nation’s 250th anniversary. Until then, we’ll keep you updated on progress, as we implement the new design and develop our future programs.
At the same time, we aim to whet your appetite by showcasing our collection’s outstanding artifacts, and describing how
Because you’d go to the ends of the earth for the people you care about. And we do too.
Mercer County Master Gardeners plan to host the 21st annual Insect Fest on Sept. 6 at the Mercer Educational Gardens. Pictured are gardeners in themed outfits at last year’s Insect Fest: Justine Gray, Amber Dalke, Julie Rauch, Beverly Phillips, Virginia Finley, Barbara Glass and Jacqueline Spadaccini. For more news and events, turn to page 11.
An ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure
Making the case to support the investment in Hopewell schools
By pAmelA lillestOn
Hopewell Valley friends, we have a problem. School infrastructure that keeps our children healthy and safe is in desperate need of replacement. HVAC systems are failing. Roofs are deteriorating. Students are learning in decades-old trailers. At the same time, growing enrollment is straining our classrooms.
These problems are too large and too numerous to be addressed by the school district’s regular operating budget, which must fund day-to-day educational expenses.
The good news is we have a plan: The Hopewell Valley Regional School District will hold a Nov. 4 bond referendum, asking the community to approve funding for school infrastructure projects
and building expansions. The twoquestion proposal would allow the district to make improvements proactively instead of waiting for emergencies that will interrupt student learning and cost more over time due to inflation. If voters approve both referendum questions, state funding will contribute $20.2 million toward the $84.2 million project costs—a big savings.
The quality of our schools is central to the well-being of our students and our community.
The research is clear: When communities invest in basic school infrastructure like plumbing, HVAC, roofs and boilers, children learn more and test better, are less likely to be absent from school, and have better mental and physical health. When we care for our school buildings, we’re not just fixing pipes—we’re laying the foundation for stronger academic outcomes and healthier, more resilient kids. And, the impacts extend far beyond children’s school years. Students whose
schools are adequately funded are more likely to lead productive lives as adults.
The wider community benefits too. Not surprisingly, when communities choose to invest in their schools, local businesses flourish, home values increase, and families prosper in a safe and welcoming environment. A recent study from the nonprofit Washington Center for Equitable Growth estimated that every $1 invested in school facilities yields $3.27 in economic growth — and that’s just the financial benefits.
Delaying this work will come at a cost.
If we don’t act now, here’s what will happen in the short term: Class sizes will increase across the district while our elementary school children continue to learn in cramped, aging trailers. The district will have no choice but to fix roofs and HVAC systems as they fail. Work done on an emergency basis will result in higher costs to taxpayers and far more disruptions to learning. The money for band-aid fixes will likely come from cuts to teacher positions and school
programming. In the long term, we will all feel the social and economic impacts in academic progress, student well-being, and in the desirability and stability of our community.
The future of our community is tightly bound to the future of our schools. In November, voters will have a big decision to make on a bond referendum that has implications for both. Hopewell Valley, let’s choose to make a strategic investment in our schools now as a lasting commitment to the health, safety and stability of this community we love.
pamela lilleston is a social scientist and member of the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education. She writes in her capacity as a private citizen, and not in her capacity as a board member. The commentary was not authorized by or written on behalf of the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education, and solely represents her personal opinions. Links to cited research studies are included in the online version of this commentary.
We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Hopewell Express is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Gazette does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, 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.
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11,000 copies of the Hopewell Express are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Pennington, Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough 12 times a year.
RWJUH Hamilton September Healthy Living / Community Education Programs
ASK THE DIETITIAN
Friday, Sept. 5; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 30; 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Meet with our Registered Dietitian for a 30-minute appointment to discuss your unique nutritional needs.
THE POWER OF FOOD: NUTRITION STRATEGIES FOR DIABETES
Monday, Sept. 8; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 23; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join 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.
WII GAMES
Monday, Sept. 8; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Join RWJ Rehabilitation at RWJUH Hamilton for this fun hour of Wii games and learn about safe mechanics. Mastering body movement is the key to safe living. Play smart, move like a pro, and stay in the game longer!
PARENT ZEN
Monday, Sept. 8; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
This program aims to provide much needed support and community connection for parents. Drawing from personal experiences, Parent Zen offers guidance, relaxation, and connection to help parents navigate the challenges of parenthood.
LETTING GO OF CLUTTER
Tuesday, Sept. 9; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This support group explores how emotional ties to personal “stuff” can
create clutter and affect one’s mood. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.
BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, Sept. 9; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Presented by our oncology nurse navigator and certified oncology social worker at The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, this support group welcomes those who have received a breast cancer diagnosis in all phases of their journey, and offers participants an opportunity to share personal experiences, helpful resources, and methods of coping with feelings of anxiety and distress. Please call 609.584.2836 to confirm attendance.
POLYPHARMACY AWARENESS
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join Shesha Desai. Pharm D., Rph.
BC-ADM, an expert Medication Safety Pharmacist, to learn about the complexities of managing multiple medications and how to manage your own safely.
EVERY DAY COUNTS:
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL SUCCESS
Wednesday, Sept. 17; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join us for a session that will help parents and caregivers uncover the root causes of school absences and explore practical ways to build positive routines, improve school engagement, and support your child’s long-term success.
CRYSTALS FOR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Thursday, Sept. 18; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Learn about crystals and how their soothing energy can help you regain emotional balance and support your well-being. Fee: $15
SACRED BREATHWORK
Monday, Sept. 22; 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Learn about how this modality can help release negative patterns and fears that keep us stuck. Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, or anything else that will make you comfortable. Chairs will be available. Fee: $15
PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP
Tuesday, Sept. 23; 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.
STROKE SUPPORT GROUP
Tuesday, Sept. 23; 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
A place for survivors and caregivers to build a community through shared personal experiences, feelings, and recovery strategies on managing life after a stroke. Join the RWJ Rehab team, Ashley Sarrol, Speech-Language Pathologist, & Allyson PanikowskiBerry, Occupational Therapist. Survivors and care partners at any stage of recovery are encouraged to attend.
FALL MINI MEDICAL SCHOOL
Tuesdays, Sept. 23 - Oct. 28; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join us for this 6-week informative
session on different medical topics. Enhance your knowledge with the variety of specialties and areas of study. All you need to bring is a willingness to learn and have fun.
WOMAN’S BOOK CLUB: THE OVERSTORY BY RICHARD POWERS
Wednesday, Sept. 24; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Please come prepared to discuss this winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction.
MENTAL HEALTH SERIES: POSITIVE SELF-AWARENESS
Wednesday, Sept. 24; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. This psychoeducation group focuses on developing a growth-mindset that will allow you to foster a sense of self-love and acceptance. Join us to dig deep into your life, identify your values, build resilience, and find confidence in your own abilities.
REIKI SHARE
Wednesday, Sept. 24; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
For folks who have been Reiki certified (at any level) to come share the gift with fellow practitioners. Give a session, get a session. Please bring a sheet and small pillow.
WISE WOMEN DISCUSSION GROUP: BACK TO SCHOOL MEMORIES
Thursday., Sept. 25; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join a community of women to discuss relevant topics and find purpose, meaning and community.
WOMEN AND INVESTING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Thursday, Sept. 25; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Women tend to be paid less than men, save less for retirement, and are expected to live longer. For these reasons, women need to prepare and invest more for the future. Learn to achieve financial freedom for yourself and those you love.
FEED YOUR HEART: COOKING FOR HEART HEALTH
Monday, Sept. 29; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join our bimonthly heart-healthy cooking class. Have some fun learning how to cook nutritious and delicious heart-healthy meals. Explore heart-friendly ingredients and cooking techniques.
CREATIVE ARTS: JUNK JOURNALING
Tuesday, Sept. 30; 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Junk journaling is a stress-reducing activity that allows you to express yourself 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.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.
A SOCIAL HOUR ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 10, 17, & 24; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Don’t miss an opportunity to participate in life-changing conversations, listening, learning, and exploring for this time in our lives. Every week is new and something different. Join us on all the dates, two, or even one. It’s your choice. New members are always welcome.
GENTLE JAZZ CLASS
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 10, 17 & 24; 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
TAI CHI
Thursday, Sept. 4 & 18; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
YOGA CLASSES
Tuesday, Sept. 9 & 30; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
MEDITATION CLASSES
Tuesday, Sept. 9 & 30; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
CHAIR YOGA
Tuesday, Sept. 9 & 30; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE WELLNESS WALK, RWJUH HAMILTON
Wednesday, Sept. 10; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 12; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Grounds for Sculpture welcomes us for their Wellness Walk! Whether you are a fast or slower walker, there will be a group for you. Join us to boost your energy, connect with nature, explore art, and meet new people. Member attendees are invited to enjoy GFS for the remainder of the day. Please only register for one date.
DESSERT & COFFEE WITH MICHAEL R. DUCH, MD, ON HIP & KNEE REPLACEMENTS
Thursday, Sept. 11; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Michael R. Duch, MD, of the Orthopedic & Spine Institute at RWJUH Hamilton, and member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, will provide insights on the comprehensive program at RWJUH Hamilton for knee and hip replacements, as well as guidance of joint replacement from initial consideration, treatment and long-term recovery.
NOURISH YOUR BRAIN: COOKING FOR BRAIN HEALTH
Friday, Sept. 12; 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Have some fun while learning recipes that can help fuel your brain.
AGELESS GRACE, SEATED EXERCISE FOR THE BRAIN & BODY
Thursday, Sept. 18; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
The Better Health Program is introducing Ageless Grace, a practice designed to intentionally nourish the brain-body connection and support overall health and wellbeing. It helps reduce stress, keep the brain agile, and the body responsive. When body, mind and spirit, and emotions are in balance, health and wellbeing become more attainable.
TO BECOME A BETTER HEALTH MEMBER FOR FREE SCAN THIS QR CODE
BREAKFAST & LEARN: AGE-FRIENDLY CARE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT RWJUH HAMILTON AND SERVING OLDER ADULTS
Tuesday, Sept. 23; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Meet RWJUH Hamilton’s Emergency Department experts and learn how we are serving our aging community members with evidenced-based care and how it results in improving both psychological and physiological outcomes. Join us to learn about the hospital’s commitment to care excellence for older adults.
GRANDPARENTING: THE GOOD, THE CHALLENGES, AND THE BOUNDARIES
Thursday, Sept. 25; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Courtney Williams, LSW, and Joyce Cantalice, RWJUH Hamilton’s Better Health Manager, are excited to present this program designed to navigate the complex and rewarding world of being a grandparent in today’s multifaceted family landscapes with different parenting styles.
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
Commentary
School board has been fully transparent on referendum
By Alex Reznik
This commentary is an attempt to address some of the questions our esteemed former mayors, Vanessa Sandom and John Hart raised in the most recent issue of the Hopewell Express. However, before I get to my responses, I must express a certain amount of disappointment.
Upon seeing the headline (“Can we offer solutions”), I became excited. The district is certainly facing a tough time with numerous challenges: rapidly rising costs, many (construction, transportation, healthcare) well above the nominal inflation rates; capital improvement; numerous and at times fiscally onerous state mandates; all while subject to the 2% cap in regular budget increases. I was hopeful to
benefit from the mayors’ combined experience in government.
Alas, I found no specific proposals in their commentary. Instead, the commentary is a list of questions and insinuations that the district in not being fully transparent — many raised and responded to numerously over the last several years.
Let’s start with “please provide information without obfuscation or exaggeration.”
In my personal opinion, the district has been doing that.
A detailed presentation listing every project and proposed cost has been reviewed in every board meeting since the district started discussing the referendum. A website providing further detail has been up on the board portal (sites.google.com/hvrsd.org/
hvrsd-vote/home). In every meeting, the board and district administration field questions and suggestions during the public comment. Not from Ms. Sandom or Mr. Hart as I have not seen them at any of our recent meetings.
Furthermore, Ms. Sandom has taken full advantage of the Open Public Records Act to request — and obtain — significant information, per my count making a total of 9 such requests in the last year or so. Considering the information
the district made available publicly and the extensive information provided to Ms. Sandom via the numerous OPRA requests, I am not sure on what basis one can claim that the district is obfuscating.
The mayors also question whether the inflation assumptions the district is making are reasonable. Construction inflation costs have been rising faster than the rate of general inflation — up over 40%. If the mayors have specific grounds to question this estimate, I would love to hear it, but short of specific reasons not to, I, for one, must trust the competence of the district’s architects.
Let’s turn to the question of roofing. As has been stated, the roofs included in this proposal were not included in the last referendum. These roofs are
Restore Balance and Common Ground in the HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
Niederer Jackowski Steven Ed
H Lifelong Hopewell resident (fourth-generation farming family)
H Local small business owner
H Graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School
H TCNJ graduate (degree in Social Sciences & Criminology)
H Retired from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
H Served with the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force and Sheriff’s Tactical Response Team
H Serves as a Mental Health Advocate for first responders and community members
H A 50-year resident of Hopewell
H Served honorably as a US Marine
H Worked in the financial services industry
H Owner of Jack’s Greenhouse and Farm
H Officer of the Trenton Cyrus #5 Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons
H Parent of two daughters who went through the Hopewell school system
On November 4th, vote for COMMUNITY H SERVICE
Roof under repair at Bear Tavern Elementary School. (Photo courtesy of Alex Reznik.)
old; and while some do have warranties lasting into 2026, its worth remembering that this is 2025, the referendum will be voted on late this year and any work would not start until summer of 2026 at the earliest.
Moreover, roof warranties are prorated. Meaning that with a year left on a 25-year warranty, only 4% of the roof value is covered — and only the roof itself is covered. The warranty does not cover damage to what’s under the roof it is fails.
Anyone who wants to know what that damage could be, please ask Bear Tavern parents about their library/media center.
For those of you who are not inclined to just take my word, included is a picture of the substructure under one of these roof sections. Note the damage to the wood. This was discovered incidentally when doing other work and requires immediate repair, which the district will do using our capital reserve because this one can’t wait for 2026.
There are other examples of similar damage, photos of some of them are available on the referendum website. Many of these were shown during the school building tours the district has been conducting over the last several months, as the community members who came out for the tours can testify. Alas, I don’t recall seeing either Ms. Sandom
or Mr. Hart at any of these tours. Not all is lost, however. A tour of the high school will take place before our Sept. 15 meeting. I am looking forward to seeing our former mayors there so that our district staff can answer their questions. Ms. Sandom and Mr. Hart clearly have significant experience addressing the challenges of local public institutions. I, for one, would welcome the contribution of their wisdom. The opportunities for them to help have been numerous. They can come to our meetings, join the tours to see firsthand the state of our school – and yes, make suggestions. Yet they seem to limit their contributions to rehashing the same set of questions, apparently dissatisfied with any of the answers they are given. I sympathize with them; what the district is asking for is significant. Unfortunately, so are the challenges we are facing, and as far as I know the district does not possess a magic wand to simply wave them away.
Alex Reznik is a member of the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education. He writes in his capacity as a private citizen, and not in his capacity as a board member. The commentary was not authorized by or written on behalf of the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education, and solely represents his personal opinions.
&
Start at Hopewell Train Station, 2 Railroad Place
Preview the participating artists & download a map: hopewelltourdesarts.org
Charles Miller
Elle Wyeth
Aurelle Purdy Sprout
Why school district’s bond referendum does not add up
By DAniel OpDyke
Hopewell Valley families are being asked to approve an $87 million school bond referendum. Supporters describe the proposal as essential and fiscally responsible. The documents I obtained through OPRA tell a different story.
The administration says class sizes are growing. Yet the district’s own Utilization Study presentation, prepared by its consultants, reports average class sizes of 16 to 20 in elementary, 20 in middle school, and 22 in high school. The same report compares those figures to Department of Education guidelines of 21 to 23 in elementary, 23 in middle, and 24 in high school. The consultants labeled Hopewell Valley’s class sizes “optimal.” Enrollment projections through 2032 show districtwide capacity of 4,440 against a high projection of 4,028 students. That leaves hundreds of open seats.
At the same time, monthly enrollment reports on BoardDocs present raw headcounts by section, and many elementary classes do show more than
20 students. That difference comes from the way the numbers are presented. The consultant study smooths enrollment into averages across buildings and grades. The enrollment reports reflect the dayto-day variation in individual classrooms. Both sets of numbers are real, but they tell very different stories.
Supporters point to Bear Tavern as a pressure point. The district has admitted that the problem could be relieved by rebalancing students into schools with open seats. At a prior referendum meeting, administrators said this was “unfeasible” because of busing costs, travel time and the risk of upsetting parents. That means space exists, but the administration prefers construction to rezoning.
The same pattern shows up in the facility projects. Roofs at Central High School, Bear Tavern, Toll Gate, and Hopewell Elementary all have sections still under warranty into the 2030s. Preventative maintenance logs show quarterly inspections and work orders document that leaks were patched. OPRA responses confirm the district never
filed warranty claims from 2019 to 2021, and has no internal emails discussing warranties in 2022 or 2023. Rather than using coverage already in place, the district is asking taxpayers to replace those roofs through a bond.
Paving is another example. Asphalt lasts 12 to 15 years. The district wants to bundle paving, sidewalks, curbs and drainage into a 20-year bond. That means residents will still be paying interest on work that has worn out and been replaced once again.
The district also points to comparisons with Princeton and Lawrence, which passed bonds of similar size. Those communities have different demographics and tax bases, and their facilities are not the same as ours. Hopewell Valley deserves analysis based on its own conditions, not on borrowed talking points.
State law does make it difficult for districts to save for long-term capital needs under a 2% tax-levy cap. That does not mean every project on this list is urgent. The referendum now before voters is a mix of deferred maintenance,
short-life projects financed over 20 years and ignored warranty coverage. Everyone agrees that students deserve safe and functional schools. The question is whether this referendum represents responsible planning or simply the easiest political path. The record shows that many of the needs presented as urgent could be addressed through management decisions, warranty enforcement or shorter-term budgeting. Before residents commit to decades of debt, they should demand transparency about the choices that created this proposal. It is not enough to say the cost of inaction is higher than the cost of investment. The community deserves an honest accounting of whether these projects are truly necessary now, whether cheaper alternatives were dismissed, and why active warranties were left on the table.
Our kids deserve safe schools. Our taxpayers deserve honesty. This referendum does not meet that test.
Daniel Opdyke lives in Titusville.
Advanced Non-Invasive Liver Tumor Treatment Arrives at Capital Health Cancer Center
Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is the first and only hospital in the Mercer and Bucks County region to offer histotripsy, a non-invasive treatment option for liver tumors, following the arrival of the Edison System this summer. Dr. Cataldo Doria, a hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center, Dr. Ajay Choudhri, an interventional radiologist and chairman of the Radiology Department at Capital Health, and Dr. Nikhil Thaker, medical director of Radiation Oncology lead the team at the Cancer Center’s Liver Center of Excellence that performs histotripsy.
This groundbreaking procedure uses advanced imaging and ultrasound energy to destroy targeted tumors in a single outpatient procedure with no cutting or probing.
Histotripsy is a treatment option for patients who are not candidates for surgery or may have previously been told their tumors are inoperable. Typical candidates have primary or secondary liver tumors or symptomatic benign liver growths.
Dr. Doria and his team use the histotripsy devices (an ultrasound machine connected to a mobile robotic arm) to deliver precisely targeted treatment. Ultrasound pulses create microbubbles at a focal point, which break down and dissolve the diseased liver tumor tissue without piercing the skin. Most tumors can be eliminated within a single treatment session.
Histotripsy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of liver tumors, and compatible with other forms of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. It can also be used to treat metastatic cancer that has
spread to the liver. Doctors and researchers have studied it for more than 20 years (including clinical trials), and there are ongoing studies surrounding the use of histotripsy for treating tumors in the pancreas, brain, prostate, kidney and other areas. As FDA approvals are granted, the team at Capital Health Cancer Center plans to expand their histotripsy program to these new sites.
Capital Health Cancer Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, is home to the Liver Center of Excellence as well as other centers of excellence specializing in breast care, lung health, neuro-oncology, pancreatic health, and roboticassisted surgery.
To learn more about histotripsy, visit capitalhealthcancer.org/histotripsy or call 609.537.6000 to schedule a consultation.
Local Students Awarded Full Scholarships to Rider University Through Capital Health Benefits Program
Capital Health has announced four winners of full-tuition scholarships to Rider University as part of an employee education benefits partnership with the university. The scholarship winners are immediate family members of Capital Health employees and include Sunny Carpinello (accounting), Alannah Eidell (elementary education), Mariah Sabat (elementary education), and Ellie Campbell (Dance). Capital Health’s partnership with Rider launched in October 2020.
“On behalf of Capital Health, I’m thrilled to recognize the 2025 winners of our full-tuition scholarships to Rider University,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “This scholarship program is just one of the many education related benefits and opportunities we offer employees and their families. It’s exciting to be able to help more and more members of our Capital Health family pursue higher education. Congratulations to this year’s winners and our continued best wishes for success in this important step in their education journey.”
Sunny Carpinello of Hamilton, New Jersey is a graduate of Nottingham High School – North. The daughter of Anthony Carpinello and Cristie Carpinello, registered nurse at Capital Health Occupational Health Center, Sunny will study accounting at Rider’s Norm Brodsky College of Business Administration.
Alannah Eidell of Lakehurst, New Jersey is a graduate of Manchester Township High School and is the daughter of Karen Giberson, health information management physician coder at Capital Health Medical Group. Alannah will study elementary education in Rider’s College of Education and Human Services.
Mariah Sabat of Hillsborough, New Jersey is an incoming sophomore at Rider and daughter of Kelly Rosa, ultrasonographer in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. A graduate of Hillsborough High School, Mariah is going to study elementary education with multidisciplinary studies at Rider’s College of Education and Human Services.
Ellie Campbell of Hamilton, New Jersey is a graduate of Hamilton High School – West. Daughter of Tammy Campbell and Glen Campbell, facility director at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Ellie plans to major in dance performance at Rider’s College of Arts and Sciences.
(left to right) Mariah Sabat, Ellie Campbell, Capital Health President and CEO Al Maghazehe, Rider University President John Loyack, Alannah Eidell, Sunny Carpinello.
Recipients of Capital Health’s full-tuition scholarship to Rider University must be new full-time undergraduate, first-time freshman, current undergraduate students, or undergraduate transfer students. Scholarships are awarded for four consecutive years or until the completion of the academic program. Students must be full-time students, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and must be considered a student in good standing by Rider University at all times during their enrollment. To be eligible for the scholarships, candidates or their immediate family members must be full-time, non-union employees of Capital Health for at least one year and meet additional eligibility requirements.
Capital Health’s employee education benefits program also features additional offerings, including a 50% tuition discount agreement with Rider University for non-union employees and their immediate family members (cannot be combined with fulltuition scholarships). This tuition discount program is separate from Capital Health’s tuition reimbursement program, and Capital Health employees may be eligible for both Rider’s tuition discount, and Capital Health’s tuition reimbursement. Capital Health also offers several other programs designed to offer employees, their family, and members of the community opportunities to pursue health care related education, including its own EMT Academy, surgical tech and central sterile processing training programs, and a home health care aide education program.
Movement Disorders Specialist at Capital Health Offers Cutting Edge Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. PD usually presents in people over the age of 50 with early symptoms that are subtle and occur gradually, varying in intensity from patient to patient as the disease progresses.
DR. ALEXANDRE MASON SHARMA, a board certified, fellowship trained movement disorders specialist at Capital Health’s Capital Institute for Neurosciences, offers the latest treatment options for PD, including subcutaneous levodopa pumps for patients in advanced stages of the disease.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that sends messages between the brain and the body that control movement, memory, cognition, and other functions. In patients with PD, the brain cells that make dopamine are slowly dying. Lower dopamine levels cause slower movement, balance issues, tremors, and other symptoms. Levodopa, commonly the first-line medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, helps patients maintain healthier dopamine levels and manage symptoms.
“Levodopa pills are often prescribed to patients in the earlier stages of Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Mason Sharma. “However, as the disease progresses, maintaining stable dopamine levels with pills can be a challenge. Wearable levodopa pumps (about
the size of a smartphone) replace pills entirely, continuously injecting medication under the skin to maintain more consistent dopamine levels throughout the day. No surgery is required, and dosages are tailored to each patient’s needs so they can experience a better quality of life.”
Dr. Mason Sharma received his medical degree at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. After his neurology residency at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, Dr. Mason Sharma completed fellowship training in movement disorders at Medstar Health/Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He has published and presented research in peer-reviewed medical journals and at regional and national conferences.
The Movement Disorders Program at Capital Institute for Neurosciences offers advanced therapies that are personalized for each patient according to their specific diagnosis. In addition to drug therapy like levodopa, individualized treatment options may also include deep brain stimulation and physical, speech, and occupational therapies for complete management of movement disorders.
Dr. Mason Sharma sees patients at office locations in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and Newtown, Pennsylvania. To schedule an appointment, call 609.537.7300 or visit capitalneuro.org for more information.
Women’s Health: Menopause and Gynecological Cancers
Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Location: Zoom Meeting
DR. AMY HARVEY O’KEEFE, a board certified physician from Capital Health OB/GYN, will discuss the common symptoms of menopause and the therapies available for the management of symptoms. DR. MONA SALEH, a fellowship trained gynecologic oncologist from Capital Health Cancer Center, will review signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers and discuss interventions that can reduce your risk.
This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom. Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.
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.
Combatting Social Isolation
as We Age
Monday, October 6, 2025
9:30 a.m. (Breakfast) | 10 a.m. (Program)
Virtual Location: Zoom Meeting
In-Person Location: Capital Health – Hamilton 1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619
Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to changes in health and social connections that can come with aging. Join us to get tips for staying connected, growing your social networks, and improving your physical and mental health. Light breakfast served.
Stop the Bleed
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Location: Capital Health – EMS Education
Mercer Professional Building at Pennington 2480 Pennington Road, Suite 107, Pennington, NJ 08534
When someone is severely bleeding, every second counts! Join instructors from Capital Health’s Emergency Medical Services team for a free class designed for coaches, doctors, nurses, EMS providers, and anyone interested in learning how to control a bleed, an important skill that can save the lives of people who experience serious injuries.
around town
Township: Water Works crisis requires regional solution
The Hopewell Township Committee and Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning say they have been working closely with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin, and other local officials to develop a regional solution for the Trenton Water Works utility, which has been under direct operational oversight by NJDEP since October 2022, yet is still on the brink of catastrophic failure according to independent third-party evaluators hired by NJDEP.
On July 29, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette formally urged the City of Trenton to commit to the process of hiring a regionalization support services provider and begin the process of establishing a regional utility.
That process would ensure that Trenton is fairly compensated for its assets, would protect and invest in the TWW workforce, and would go further to ensure that TWW consistently delivers reliably safe, clean drinking water at
affordable rates.
In his letter, LaTourette detailed several “grave conditions” at the facility:
The roof of Trenton Water Works’ filtration plant is leaking throughout the plant;
The HVAC system is malfunctioning, promoting corrosion of equipment and an unsafe work environment;
The filtration plant intake is only operating at 50% capacity;
The electrical system at the treatment plan is in need of significant repairs;
The central pump station has no backup and is in need of full replacement. Without it, water cannot be supplied to customers;
Ongoing management failures.
TWW provides drinking water to more than 200,000 people living in Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing, Lawrence, and Hopewell Township. Currently more than 50% percent of TWW customers live outside the City of Trenton.
“Our main concern is that all customers served by TWW have clean and safe drinking water,” said Peters-Manning in
Cyclists share a beer and a rest after completing the Sourland Spectacular.
More information is online at the DEP’s website: dep.nj.gov/trentonwater/ potential-impacts-for-consumers.
Hopewell Harvest Fair set to return Sept. 20
Organizers are sowing the seeds for the 37th Annual Hopewell Harvest Fair.
A full day of festivities is planned for Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Hopewell Elementary School grounds in Hopewell Borough. Visitors can expect a full day of community festivities beginning at 9:45 a.m. and continuing through 4 p.m., including an opening ceremony and a Main Stage entertainment schedule featuring local school bands and a variety of musical acts.
Among the highlights are a slate of contests and games, such as a doggie dressup contest and pet parade, a photography contest open to entrants of all ages
a statement. “DEP has determined that TWW is on the brink of catastrophic failure, and the suburban towns deserve a seat at the table. The time for action is now, and we cannot continue with the status quo.”
See NEWS, Page 12
and skill levels, and a fall bake-off inviting amateur bakers to compete for both judges’ awards and a People’s Choice award.
The photography contest digital submission deadline is Sept. 8, with hardcopy submissions accepted through Sept. 12. Details on the contests and how to submit entries are online at the Hopewell Harvest Fair website, hopewellharvestfair.org.
Local food vendors will offer a variety of fare across booths. Committed to take part are America’s Kettle Corn, Anita’s Home Baking, Antimo’s Italian Kitchen, Aunt Martha’s Funnel Cakes, Cataline Empanadas, Frank’s Italian Ices, Madame Cupcake Shop, Peace Pie and Red, White and Boba Tea.
In addition to entertainment and contests, the fair features a Town Square exhibition area for businesses and nonprofits to engage with the community.
There will also be a craft fair featuring more than 20 local and regional crafters and a farmers market with prepared foods, fruits and vegetables on sale from six vendors.
Organizers are recruiting volunteers, and community members are encouraged to help support the event. The fair has a history of raising funds for local
charities and nonprofit groups.
In addition to live music, contests and community exhibitions, the 2025 Hopewell Harvest Fair offers residents and visitors an opportunity to gather in celebration of the season. For details on schedules, volunteer opportunities and contest participation, the public is encouraged to visit the fair’s website. Rain date will be Saturday, Oct. 4. Hopewell Elementary School is at 35 Princeton Ave.
Sourland Stewards: protecting and restoring local ecosystems
The Sourland Conservancy announced the launch of its new Sourland Stewards recognition program, Certified Sourland Habitat, and the first recipient of the new certification, Ina Sivriver of Hillsborough, New Jersey.
The Certified Sourland Habitat recognition program was created by Hopewell Valley Girl Scout Tabitha Webster as her Girl Scout Gold Award project. The program invites residents to take meaningful action to create a healthy habitat in their backyards and businesses to preserve and protect the unique Sourland Region ecosystem.
“I wanted to empower people to realize that even small actions, like planting
ment in Girl Scouting, recognizing exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and lasting community impact. Fewer than 6% of Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award. Projects must address a real issue, show measurable impact and create lasting change.
Webster just graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School and plans to attend Skidmore College in the fall. During her time at the high school, she was a leader of her school’s environmental club and co-wrote a monthly newsletter about sustainable fashion.
She has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. She started the project in April 2024 when she met with Laurie Cleveland, Sourland Conservancy’s executive director, for the first time. Since then, she has put in over 80 hours of work into the program.
native species or reducing pesticide use, are super important for the environment. I’m so excited to complete my Gold Award with a project that helps protect the Sourlands and inspires others to get involved,” said Webster.
The Gold Award is the highest achieve-
To help make the program a success, Webster enlisted the help of local experts for their advice and feedback. That panel included Juanita Hummel, Ina Sivriver, Kirsi Bhasin, Andrew Plunkett, Rosalind Doremus, Peter Betz, and her project advisor, Laurie Cleveland.
Webster said she hopes that people from all across the region will take part in the program by making simple, sustainable changes at home or in their communities. Web: sourland.org.
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Girl Scout Tabitha Webster, and homeowners Ina and Roman Sivriver.
(Photo by Laurie Cleveland.)
One Dental Home for the Whole Family
Why Parents Love Hamilton Dental Associates
Between school drop-offs, sports practices, and after-work errands, family life can be busy. When every member of the family has a different provider across town, even basic care like dental checkups can turn into a logistical headache.
That’s why so many Hamilton-area families turn to Hamilton Dental Associates—a place where kids, teens, parents, and even grandparents can get the expert dental care they need all under one roof.
One Location, All Ages, Complete Care. Hamilton Dental Associates isn’t just a pediatric practice—it’s a full-service dental home equipped to care for patients at every stage of life. Whether it’s your child’s first appointment, a braces consultation for your teen, or a cosmetic treatment you’ve been considering, we make it easy to get expert care in one convenient location.
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Our in-house specialties include:
• Pediatric & adult dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Cosmetic dentistry & whitening
• Periodontics, endodontics & oral surgery
• Custom oral appliances for sleep apnea and more
When the whole family can visit the same practice, it means fewer appointments, more convenience, and less time off work or school.
Consistent Providers, Lifelong Trust. Children — and adults — thrive with consistency. At Hamilton Dental Associates, our patients benefit from seeing familiar faces who understand their history, preferences, and longterm care goals. This continuity helps build confidence, especially in young patients who may be anxious about dental visits.
As your child grows, they can transition seamlessly from pediatric to adult care without the need to change practices. That consistency helps reduce anxiety, strengthens trust, and reinforces stronger long-term dental habits.
Why Families Choose HDA. With over 50 years of experience serving
the Hamilton community and surrounding areas, we’ve earned the trust of multiple generations of local families.
Parents appreciate our:
• Friendly, experienced team of specialists
• Flexible scheduling (including family appointments)
• Kid-focused approach with modern technology
• Personalized care and long-term relationships
From preventive checkups to specialized treatments, we tailor every visit to your family’s needs — making each appointment as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Start the School Year with a
Smile. Back-to-school season is the perfect time to get the whole family on track with cleanings and checkups. Let us help simplify your schedule while keeping everyone’s smiles healthy, confident, and bright. Discover why generations of families trust Hamilton Dental Associates as their dental home for life. Call 609586-6603 or visit hamiltondental.com to schedule your family’s next appointment. See ad, page 14
Fall Math Classes Now Enrolling at RSM NJ Schools!
What is the Russian School of Mathematics?
RSM is an award winning, afterschool math program trusted by parents for over 25 years across 80+ locations in North America and three locations in New Jersey. 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. We take pride in ensuring each student learns in an environment that is optimal for them while boosting their intellect, confidence in math, and learning abilities.
Our program offers three levels to serve each child according to their knowledge and ability. In addition to our core program, the competition track is designed for students interested in advanced mathematical topics as well as participating in elite math competitions.
RSM’s curriculum was developed
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by a team of academics specializing in mathematics, education, and child development and has been perfected by our internal curriculum department. All of our teachers have a background in mathematics or related fields and a deep passion for the subject. Our extensive training program prepares our teachers
to teach according to our specific methodology. Our teachers guide students to think about mathematics logically and conceptually, building deep connections between concepts, all in a classroom environment that keeps children consistently challenged.
Featured in NPR and the Atlantic
magazine as one of the key players in the “Math Revolution,” and ranked “among the top schools in the world” by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM helps children of all levels build a solid math foundation and develop their criticalthinking and problem-solving skills. As Masha Gershman, the VP of Marketing at RSM, states in her Ted talk “Uncertain Times Call for Certain Math,” advanced mathematics is not only within the grasp of every child but is also a crucial skill for achieving success in any field.
There is no better time to join RSM than in Fall!
To get started, you can reserve your child’s spot by scheduling a 30-minute evaluation. This is the best way to learn more about our program and determine the suitable level for your child.
Our principal will walk you through our curriculum, methodology, and answer any questions you have. During the evaluation, parents will have the opportunity to:
• Discuss your goals for your child’s education;
• Get to know the RSM methodology firsthand as an RSM evaluator guides your child through a series of math problems;
• Receive information about RSM’s curriculum, the program structure, and the three levels of classes that RSM offers;
• Get tuition details, understand the next steps for enrolling your child, and ask any other questions you may have.
Schedule an evaluation for your child to enroll them at RSM NJ branches this Fall!
Explore our NJ locations:
RSM Princeton, 231 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. 732-708-4905. princeton@mathschool.com. www. mathschool.com/locations/princeton
RSM Edison, 3900 Park Avenue, Suite 101, Edison, NJ 08820. 908263-8763. edison@mathschool. com. www.mathschool.com/locations/ edison
RSM Livingston, 388 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039. 862-223-8866. livingston@ mathschool.com. www.mathschool. com/locations/livingston
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‘Matinee Masterpieces’ Headline Kelsey Theatre’s 2025-26 Season
Expanded schedule of matinees to include Saturday, Sunday afternoon performances
Fans of live theater can enjoy added matinee performances all year long, as the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College will present a series of “Matinee Masterpieces” for the entire 2025-26 season.
The Kelsey Theatre, a community resource for the arts in central New Jersey for 53 years, will be offering 2 p.m. matinees both Saturday and Sunday for the upcoming season, while still offering evening shows for guests who prefer a night out at the theater. The 2025-26 season features the work of 10 resident semi-professional theater companies in addition to a student company.
The upcoming season features something for every theater lover, from comedies to dramas — classics to contemporary — including a selection of musicals to suit every taste. Keeping prices affordable is part of Kelsey’s mission, with no ticket price more than $30.
All musicals feature live orchestras, which in the upcoming season include The Sponge Bob Musical, South Pacific, Young Frankenstein, She Loves Me, The Prom, Seussical the Musical, The Little Mermaid, and Stephen Sondheim’s Company. In addition, Kelsey Theatre will feature a variety of comedies, dramas, and holiday shows, including Drop Dead!, Seasonal Allergies,‘Twas the
Night Before Christmas, The Nutcracker, Arms and the Man, Gaslight, Clue Live On Stage!, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The 39 Steps,The Comedy of Errors and a tribute to Jethro Tull’s album “Aqualung” by the Reock & Roll Revue. Interactive movie events include Wicked, The Nightmare Before Christmas, White Christmas, and Encanto.
Conveniently located on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College, Kelsey Theatre’s mission is to enrich and uplift local residents through affordable, high-quality theater productions, arts education programs, and performance opportunities. Season subscriptions now available save up to 45 percent, or pre-order single tickets; visit the website at www.kelseytheatre.org or call 609-570-3333 for more information.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Each year in the United States an estimated 15,780 children aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer.
Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer each year.
Thanks to advances in science, more than 80% of children with cancer now survive five or more years 80%
Leukemia, lymphoma, and brain tumors
are the most common cancers found in children.
Cancer remains the #1 cause of death by disease for children in America.
Approximately 9 kids a week are diagnosed with cancer in NJ.
Approximately 450 families in NJ will hear their child has cancer each year.
Thanks to advances in treatment, including some pioneered by investigators at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health, most children diagnosed with cancer can expect to grow up as healthy adults. Learn more at rwjbh.org/pediatriccancer
Princeton Friends School
Where Curiosity Goes to School
At Princeton Friends School, curiosity is the engine that drives learning. Walk into any classroom — from preschool to 8th grade — and you’re likely to hear questions like, “Why did this happen?” or “How does mechanical energy transfer from a rider to a bike?” But you won’t hear, “Will it be on the test?” That’s because questions are the intellectual currency here, and lightbulbs — not letter grades — are the true payoff.
With a time-tested and researchbased progressive educational model, Princeton Friends School allows curiosity to take the lead. Experienced faculty guide children to inquire freely and then synthesize, analyze, imagine, and create. The result is a learning environment that is rigorous in the best sense—demanding of thoughtfulness, creativity, and integrity—while protecting the joy of childhood.
Where extraordinary outcomes are built on strong childhoods. The school’s graduates go on to become particle physicists, sustainable fashion entrepreneurs, educators, and innovators. They flourish in both private and public high schools and colleges and routinely trace their accomplishments to the Friends foundation on which they were
raised. At PFS, academic, social, and emotional growth are interwoven. Childhood is celebrated, protected, and powerful — full of responsibility and trust, but also delight. By the time they reach middle school, students shine as confident, capable, and eager learners who are well prepared for whatever comes next. Where children discover the wonder of nature. Nature is not a backdrop but an active partner in education at PFS. Students spend abundant time outdoors, using the surrounding woods, gardens, and stream as extended classrooms. One day, middle school scientists may be testing water quality at Stony Brook; the next, preschoolers are harvesting
vegetables from the garden they helped tend. Outdoor education here is both minds-on and hands-on, cultivating resilience, wonder, and care for the natural world.
Where learning is among Friends. With “Friends” at the center of its name and philosophy, Princeton Friends School is rooted in the long and respected tradition of Quaker education. Families of all and no faiths are welcomed into a community where universal values — simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship — guide daily practice. Students learn to listen for truth in their own voices as well as in the voices of others, building the habits of empathy and moral courage that will
serve them for life.
Where students can be themselves and become their best selves. At PFS, children are empowered to be themselves and to grow into their best selves. Academic learning is inseparable from social and emotional growth. Faculty mentor students in self-awareness, confidence, and responsibility. With opportunities for public speaking, leadership, and meaningful responsibility, children develop the agency and independence to thrive. When they graduate, they carry with them not only knowledge and skills but also a moral compass and a mindset for lifelong learning.
Where we are all-in for community. For a small school, community is a big deal. Students are greeted each morning by name. Families connect with one another through cherished traditions like all-school dancing and the annual spring camping trip. Older students mentor younger ones; new students are embraced seamlessly. Diversity of gifts is celebrated, and belonging is a given.
Princeton Friends School is where children love to learn, where community is lived daily, and where graduates are prepared not only for success but for significance. It is, in every sense, where curiosity goes to school.
Princeton Friends School is currently accepting applications for the 2025–26 school year. To learn more, visit www.princetonfriendsschool.org
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Stuart Country Day School
Every Opportunity. Every Voice. Every Role.
Every opportunity. Every voice. Every role. At Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, girls lead with confidence, think with purpose, and embrace learning with joy. As Princeton’s only independent, Catholic all-girls school (K–12), with a co-ed Early School (12 months to 4 years old), Stuart is a place where education becomes transformation.
The search for the right school is a meaningful one. At Stuart, we believe girls deserve an education where they are known, challenged, and supported to achieve at the highest level — academically, socially, and spiritually.
Strong Academics. Every aspect of Stuart is crafted to ignite each student’s intellectual passions and meticulously support them on their academic journey. The highly respected faculty are devoted to knowing each student personally and fostering their unique interests and curiosities. Small classes and thought-provoking electives sharpen minds in a supportive, high-achieving environment, inspiring every student to become a lifelong learner.
Girls Centered. The school is tailored to the way girls learn and grow, from course design to socializing. It creates an environment where
girls speak up more often, take on more ambitious challenges, and show a higher interest in STEM than in co-ed settings. This commitment to all-girls education is more than just a hunch or tradition — it’s backed by compelling data that proves it’s the best way for smart, strong, joyful girls to flourish.
Sacred Heart Values & a Global Network. Stuart is proud to be an independent Catholic girls’ school and part of the Sacred Heart network, which means the community is guided by a set of values: a personal relationship with faith, lifelong curiosity, social justice, community, and personal growth. These values resonate widely in Stuart’s school community, and they are part of what it means to be a wellrounded, thoughtful, and compassionate adult.
This global network of 150+ Sacred Heart schools gives students extraordinary opportunities to experience the world through exchange trips and cross-cultural learning. The common ground of a Sacred Heart education means students connect quickly with peers in places as varied as Sydney, Australia or New Orleans, Louisiana, diving deeply into new cultures and perspectives.
A Community of Belonging. Stuart welcomes students and families from all backgrounds, faiths, and life experiences. As one of the most diverse independent schools in Princeton, Stuart students engage in discussions on ethics and social justice
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as part of their curriculum. In this welcoming and inclusive environment, students are encouraged to be themselves, focus on their goals, and lift each other up. It’s no surprise that Stuart graduates go on to college and beyond with high levels of confidence and self-esteem — as well as a tightknit group of friends for life.
Discover Stuart. This fall, families are invited to see what sets Stuart apart. Meet student leaders, talk with faculty, and experience firsthand how Stuart girls grow into confident scholars and compassionate leaders. To learn more or schedule a visit, go to www.stuartschool.org.
At Stuart, girls are everything to us — because they are everything to the world.
Where Service Counts Since 2010
Capital Barbershop Expands
Before walking into this expanded and remodeled barbershop located two doors to the right of the original, one is tempted to think that if you’ve seen one barbershop, you’ve seen them all. Not so. Aside from the red, white and blue twirling pole out front, this barbershop is different!
Owner/barber, Marc Storaci has had a longtime desire to build a location that was intended to dazzle. For years he’s researched existing shops from all over the world to personally design a truly one-of-a-kind barbershop.
The industrial/modern style decor must be seen to be appreciated. It features porcelain subway tile work, granite countertops, and custom wood-trimmed walls. Polished aluminum, stainless steel, and chrome, glitter everywhere. There are techno appointments galore with 10 bigscreen TVs and a streaming video message.
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Each of the eight workstations has backlit mirrors. All stations have computerized logs to efficiently keep track of all who drop in, along with those who were pre-scheduled. Clients settle into the comfortable, extra-roomy, porcelain, and cast-iron
barber chairs for any style of quality haircut. The beautiful high-tech lighting is state-of-the-art. This barbershop is beyond unique!
Storaci was quick to say that while the eye-catching decor certainly gets
a lot of attention, all the bells and whistles in the world can’t replace genuine service. Better quality service is the first priority for the barbers at Capital. He explained, “no business is profitable without a sustained volume and there simply won’t be good volume without a quality product. Since our only product is a haircut service, we want to be the best.”
Capital’s barbers not only have deep experience with all styles of men’s and boy’s hair, they’re trained in-house as career service professionals. In fact, Storaci hopes for the uniquely remodeled shop on Scotch Rd to become the example for a franchise offering one day.”
Perhaps best, is that Capital’s menu will feature a pre-COVID price rollback. They’re making an honest effort to ensure that the shop’s service, pricing, sanitation, and comfort is simply the best to be found. And, unlike shops that rush you into the first open barber chair, Capital encourages you to request your favorite barber. Said Storaci, “We want everyone to return happy!”
Marc Storaci’s career in the barber
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC
The Mel Brooks Musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN DROP DEAD SEASONAL ALLERGIES
SHE LOVES ME
GB Shaw’s ARMS AND THE MAN GASLIGHT THE PROM CLUE Live Onstage ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST THE 39 STEPS
SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL Shakespeare’s THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY PLUS: Interactive
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American Repertory Ballet Announces Its 2025/26 Season
A beloved performing arts institution for over 70 years, led by Interim Artistic Director Samantha Dunster with Artistic Associate Gillian Murphy and Artist in Residence Ethan Stiefel, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) announces a 2025/26 season that elevates its classic repertoire alongside exciting new works, continuing to strengthen the company’s unique voice within the community. A founding resident company of the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), ARB kicks the season off at its home venue with the return of Stiefel and Johan Kobborg’s lauded GISELLE on October 10-12, 2025, followed by a fairytale premiere of CINDERELLA on March 6-8, 2026, and AMERICANA, a mixed bill of World Premieres and celebrated works on May 1-3, 2026. Additionally, ARB will present an evening of moonlit ballets at the Union County Performing Arts Center’s Festival of the Moon on October 17, 2025, and ARB’s celebrated touring production of THE NUTCRACKER will return for the holiday season November 28 - December 21, 2025 at McCarter Theatre Center, Two River Theater,
and State Theatre New Jersey.
“It will be a ‘season of seasons’ as ARB leans into a haunting October, magical family fun during the holidays, fairytale romance just after Valentine’s Day, and Americana fanfare to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary,” says Executive Director Julie Diana Hench. “We invite audiences of all ages to join us at the theater and make memories together, and to experience the transformative power of the performing arts.”
For more information on ARB’s 2025/26 season, please visit www. arballet.org.
business started 29 years ago while he was a student at NJIT. He explored learning barbering as a way to help with college expenses. While he still has family business interests in food services and investment real estate, somewhere along the line the barber business became his passion. Between his other high-volume barbershop in Hamilton (which conversely features an antique decor) and his newly enlarged modern location at Capital on Scotch Road in Ewing, Storaci currently employs 20 barbers. He said: “I’ve been fortunate to have had numerous successful shops over the years, but when the COVID pandemic hit, we struggled. It significantly changed the hair industry, in general, and it was like playing a chess game to keep all of my employees on board.
Of course, the “help wanted” sign is still always out for professional bar-
bers! At any rate, we’re solidly back in growth mode and are anxiously looking forward to this expansion.”
The Capital group feels confident that their team of barbers share a depth of experience and personal service level that the competition, including the chains, aren’t able to provide. Their current client base is comprised mainly of residents, workers, and students from a broad area. The shop is central to Ewing, Pennington, Hopewell, Titusville, Lambertville, Lawrence, Yardley, TCNJ and Rider University.
Capital Barbershop, 183 Scotch Road Plaza. Walk-ins or appointments. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Accepting cash, credit/debit cards, Venmo, and Apple Pay. For appointments, visit Booksy. com or call 609-403-6147. tbsbarbershops.com.
Girls Are Every Thing.
As the only independent, Catholic all-girls school (K–12) in Princeton, NJ—with a co-ed preschool and junior kindergarten—Stuart offers a transformational learning environment where every voice is heard, every opportunity is designed with girls in mind, and every girl knows she has a purpose in this world. Every opportunity. Every voice. Every role. At Stuart, girls think critically, lead boldly, and embrace learning with purpose and passion.
Schedule a tour or register for an event | stuartschool.org/visit
Back to school sPEcIal
Princeton Day School
Humanity, Creativity, Intellect, Joy, and Stewardship
Join us Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Open Campus Day at Princeton Day School! Walk our 106-acre campus and see our STEAM centers, athletic facilities, arts spaces, garden and apiary in action. Meet our Pre-K through Grade 12 faculty and students who embody our values daily: Humanity, Creativity, Intellect, Joy, and Stewardship. Princeton Day School cultivates intellectual vitality within a community that values both achievement and
The Dental Difference
Mini Dental Implants: A True Innovation in Dentistry
growth. We encourage bold inquiry and meaningful collaboration that prepares students for thoughtful leadership. Our academic approach develops critical thinking alongside character, fostering students who question assumptions and connect learning to larger purpose. We believe every individual deserves to be known, challenged, and supported as they discover who they’re becoming. Our teachers approach each student with openness, creating an environment where rigorous thinking flourishes alongside personal growth. Experience firsthand how education can prioritize both wisdom and wonder.
Register today at pds.org/visit!
Mini Dental Implants (MDIs) have changed the face of implant dentistry. Unlike traditional implant placement, where multiple dental visits are often required, MDIs can eliminate the need for extensive surgery. The most common use for MDIs is the stabilization of dentures and overdentures. MDIs firmly anchor the dental prosthesis, which means there is no longer a need to suffer with ill-fitting, loose and ANNOYING dentures!
MDIs are designed to eliminate elaborate bone grafting and to expedite treatment. Traditional implants may require significant bone grafting and a longer recovery period. The latent period allows the anchor of the implant to properly embed itself into the jawbone. The smaller size of MDIs means that no recovery period is possible, and the denture can be fitted the same day.
What are the advantages of MDI placement?
MDIs are a true innovation for people who are reluctant to have invasive dental surgery and who are suffering denture wearers. One significant advantage MDIs have over traditional implants is that they offer a viable treatment choice for patients who have experienced extensive bone loss. Depending on the quality and density of jawbone available at the implant site, four or more of these mini implants may be implanted at one time. The most common use for MDIs is to stabilize a lower denture, however they can be placed anywhere in the mouth.
Other advantages associated with MDIs may include:
• Better smelling breath
• More self-esteem
• Clearer speech
• Easier chewing and biting
• Easier cleaning
• Firmer denture fit
• Good success rate
• Less denture discomfort
• No cutting or sutures
• No need for adhesives or messy bonding agents
• No rotting food beneath the denture
• No slipping or wobbling
• Quick treatment time
• Reduced costs
How are mini dental implants placed?
The whole mini dental implant placement procedure takes approximately one hour. Generally, in the case of lower jaw implants, four to six MDIs will be placed about 5mm apart. Prior to inserting MDIs, Dr. Mosmen will use many diagnostic and planning tools to find the optimal location to implant them.
After placement, a denture will be modified and affixed to the MDIs. The rubber O-ring on each MDI snaps into the designated spot on the denture, and the denture then rests snugly on the gum tissue. MDIs hold the denture comfortably in a tight-fitting way for the lifetime of that implant.
In almost all cases, no stitching is required, and no real discomfort is felt after the procedure. When the denture placement procedure is complete, light eating can be resumed. The denture can be removed and cleaned at will. MDIs enhance the natural beauty of the smile and restore full functionality to the teeth.
Dr. Kevin Mosmen of The Dental Difference.
If you have any questions about mini dental implants, please call Dr. Kevin Mosmen for a FREE consultation appointment to see if you’re a candidate for this procedure or traditional implants. The Dental Difference. 2131 Route 33, Suite A, Hamilton, NJ 08690. 609-445-3577. www. thedentaldifference.com.
With NJ’s highest ranked pediatric orthopedics and urology programs
We are nationally ranked in pediatric orthopedics at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and in pediatric urology at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, and Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. And we’re also New Jersey’s largest provider of children’s healthcare.
From primary care to specialized treatments and therapies and in partnership with Rutgers Health, our Children’s Health network provides outstanding care, advanced research and teaching from renowned physicians and clinicians, with an emphasis on the social determinants of health that help to improve the health and well-being of every child in every community. Learn more at rwjbh.org/ChildrensHealth
Township can move forward with school funding after winning appeal
On Aug. 21, The Superior Court of New Jersey affirmed the decision of a lower court in the lawsuit between Hopewell Township and the boroughs of Pennington and Hopewell.
The boroughs sued the township over its decision to strike a PILOT deal with Lennar Homes, builders of the Hopewell Parc development in the township. The lower court ruled for the township in May 2023, and the Superior Court upheld that decision.
With this ruling, assuming the ruling is not appealed further, the township can now move forward with providing up to $16.1 million in funding for critical improvements at Bear Tavern Elementary School. That funding had been held up while the decision on the appeal was pending.
“We are grateful that the courts have consistently upheld our position,” said Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning in a statement. “This outcome allows us to deliver on our longstanding commitment to our schools and provide students with
the permanent, modern classrooms they deserve.”
The township and the school district say that the funding will eliminate the use of decades-old trailers and create lasting improvements at Bear Tavern.
The Hopewell Township Committee says it will continue to work with the Hopewell Valley Regional School District to move forward with this project.
HoVal Schools: Why Question 2 is staying on referendum ballot
The Hopewell Valley Regional School District said it welcomed a Superior Court ruling Thursday that removed an obstacle to receiving PILOT funding, but reminds the public that a Nov. 4 bond referendum will proceed as planned.
The school board has approved two questions for the November ballot to improve building infrastructure and expand space. Question One includes HVAC and roofing replacements and security enhancements. Question Two covers expansions to accommodate current needs and enrollment growth at Bear Tavern and Toll Gate elementary schools.
Hopewell Township pledged $16.1 million toward the Bear Tavern expansion from a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes)
agreement that is expected to drive enrollment growth. Pennington Borough sued the township over the PILOT contract, with the courts siding with the township in May 2023. The borough appealed, and on Aug. 21, the Superior Court of New Jersey upheld the ruling.
“We continue to appreciate Hopewell Township’s commitment to our students and are happy to hear this good longterm news for Hopewell Valley schools,” assistant superintendent Robert Colavita said in a statement issued by the district. “The November bond referendum, which will provide upfront funding with voter approval, remains the quickest, most certain path to complete the Bear Tavern expansion and improvements that impact all district schools. We expect the PILOT funding to eventually pay down debt service for the Bear Tavern expansion.”
Even if the board wanted to change the Nov. 4 ballot, it would be too late to do so. But district leaders say there are numerous benefits to staying the course.
“We moved forward with the bond referendum because it is the most comprehensive approach to district-wide needs,” said Rosetta Treece, superintendent of schools. “The board has been approved to receive a contribution from the state in the amount of $20.2 million toward the $84.2 million cost of the projects. That’s
in addition to PILOT revenue that also would be used toward debt service. The combination of state aid and PILOT revenue maximizes the funding for school improvements. We are working to arrange meetings with Hopewell Township and Pennington Borough to discuss next steps.”
The district says the reasons to proceed with the bond referendum include:
• $20.2 million in state aid if voters approve both questions.
• Upfront funding to improve schools. There is not yet a confirmed timeline to receive PILOT funding, and an appeal of the court ruling is possible.
• Voter approval of Question Two would fund building additions for both Bear Tavern and Toll Gate schools. PILOT funding would be applied only toward the Bear Tavern project costs.
The funding breakdown for Question
One is: cost — $58.4 million; state aid — $19.9 million; estimated annual tax impact — $248 for Hopewell Borough. $284 for Hopewell Township. $294 for Pennington Borough.
The funding breakdown for Question Two is: cost — $25.8 million; state aid— $333,321; estimated annual tax impact— $164 for Hopewell Borough, $188 for Hopewell Township, $194 for Pennington
See NEWS, Page 24
Borough.
The estimated tax impact does not factor in potential PILOT revenue. The estimates are based on the average assessed value of $408,445 in Hopewell Borough, $477,718 in Hopewell Township and $488,135 in Pennington Borough.
“This is another positive development in the ongoing plan to improve Hopewell Valley schools,” said board president Anita Williams. “With Hopewell Township’s upfront commitment to funding and state aid from a voter-approved bond referendum, we can provide students with the learning environments they need and deserve.”
On the web: hvrsd.org/vote. A virtual town hall on the referendum is scheduled for Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.
Hopewell Tour Des Arts returns Sept. 27-28
The Hopewell Tour Des Arts, hosted by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council, returns for its 18th year on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28.
The event is billed as a weekendlong celebration of the region’s thriving art scene, featuring more than 50 local artists across multiple venues. Admission is free, with donations encouraged to support the tour.
maps, ask questions, and enjoy the One Piece Show: a special exhibition featuring one work from each participating artist.
The tour provides the opportunity for patrons to purchase original art at a wide range of prices. Founded in 2007 by jewelry designer Beth Judge, gallery owner Ruth Morpeth, and designer Sean Mannix of Highland Design Farm, the Hopewell Tour des Arts was created to unite the artist community and foster creativity, collaboration and public engagement.
Hopewell Tour Des Arts 2025 takes place both days from 11 am to 5 pm, rain or shine. On the web: hopewelltourdesarts.org.
Cyclists set to pedal through Sourlands for annual Spectacular
feet of climbing.
The rides look to showcase views of the Sourland Mountain region, while proceeds support the Conservancy’s ongoing effort to restore local forests devastated by the emerald ash borer. The nonprofit says it has planted over 57,000 native trees and shrubs since 2020.
“The Sourlands provide clean water, protect against flooding and offer critical habitat for threatened and endangered species,” said Laurie Cleveland, the Conservancy’s executive director. “Events like this make it possible for us to continue restoration and conservation work.”
Visitors can create their own route, exploring individual studios and group locations, while meeting artists. The 2025 tour showcases a range of styles and media, from painting and sculpture, to jewelry and photography. Live entertainment will be featured at each group location: Highland Design Farm, Hopewell Railroad Station, and Calvary Baptist Church. New this year, the historic Hopewell Train Station will serve as the tour’s welcome center. There visitors can pick up
Riders will take to the hills and trails of the Sourlands on Sept. 13 for the 14th annual Sourland Spectacular, a cycling fundraiser that blends scenic routes with environmental purpose.
The event, organized by the Sourland Conservancy, starts and ends at the Watershed Institute in Pennington. Participants can choose from four routes: a family ride along the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, 27- and 42-mile options, or a 63-mile “metric century” featuring nearly 4,000
The event includes breakfast, stocked rest stops and post-ride lunch featuring pizza from New World Pizza and ice cream from The Bent Spoon. Supportand-gear vehicles will be on hand, and adult riders can enjoy a complimentary beverage, including beer from Lone Eagle Brewing. A reusable water bottle is included with registration.
Early-bird registration has passed. The fee foe entry is $70 for adults, $25 for children. Same-day registration will be available from 7 to 10 a.m. Riders have the option to start their rides any time between 7 and 10, with a shared goal of all riders completing their circuits before lunch.
Details and registration are available at sourlandspectacular.com.
Artist Guy Ciarcia in studio during the Tour Des Arts 2024.
CLOCKS cont. from Page 1
they inform Hopewell Valley’s evolution since pre-settler times.
And there’s no better time to start … than now.
“Since colonial days, having a tall-case clock in your house was a sign that you achieved a certain level of prosperity. And this was true for the landed gentry in New Jersey. These clocks were status symbols and precise timekeepers,” says antiquarian horologist John D. Metcalfe.
Trained at the British Horological Institute, and now with his shop in lower Manhattan, Metcalfe is the go-to “doctor” for a demanding circle of connoisseurs, including the British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and numerous private collectors.
A year ago, he restored Hopewell Museum’s two prized clocks. And recently he helped us disassemble, transport, and reassemble them in storage, during which we took the opportunity to interview and photograph him. His words and insights make up the lion’s share of this article.
The Hopewell Museum’s first clock was made in Bristol, England, around 1780, by master clockmaker George White. In addition to its numerical dial, it features a circular moon-phase calendar and high-water tide-dial.
“Knowing what phase the moon was in
affected country life a good deal,” Metcalfe explains. “For example: when to sow your crops, when you conceive a child — we’re all dependent on the moon phases.
“Tide dials, too. These were mostly done in clocks made by sea ports. That was vital information, to know when you could sail or not. And that of course is related to the moon’s phases.”
“These 18th century clocks have brass dials with silver overlay to make them legible in the dimly lit rooms of colonial America, which of course were lit only by candles and oil lamps,” he continues.
“That silvering effect you see on the face is done by a very thin chemical deposit of reflecting silver, which is then lacquered to stop it tarnishing. It was essential because otherwise you couldn’t read the time in the evening. We forget how dark everything was in the country, especially in an agrarian state like New Jersey.”
Around 1800, Bristol, a port city, had a considerable export business to America. The museum’s Bristol tall-case clock may have arrived here then, when clocks and watches were becoming available and affordable.
Metcalfe suggests an alternative possibility: “The Bristol clock could have been brought over later, by Americans on holiday buying antiques. By the 1920s, English antiques were very fashionable in
in the latest Sheraton style of that period.”
Sheraton style (named after English furniture designer Thomas Sheraton) was neoclassical, the revival of ancient Greek and Roman architectural motifs — columns, pediments, domes. It dominated furniture styles in Europe during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and became the most reproduced style in the United States during the Federal period. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and many American government buildings, including the White House, are prominent examples.
America, and large amounts of 18th century English furniture came over.”
Our second clock was made just down the road, in the early 19th century, a collaboration of two masters: Flemington clockmaker Joakim Hill and cabinetmaker John Scudder of Westfield.
“Curiously enough, New Jersey was far more of a clockmaking center than its neighboring states, far more than New York. Flemington’s Joakim Hill was very prolific, hugely successful, and his are all
“Before the American Revolution, all fashion came from England, from the home country,” Metcalfe says. “But in the 1780s, Mr. Jefferson introduced everyone to French style, and that lasted well into the 19th century. But up until that point, style came from England. All the cabinet makers and the carvers, whether they were German immigrants, French or English, they were all copying from English patent-books of style.”
These handcrafted timepieces continued to be made well into the 19th century and were supplanted only when inexpensive, mass produced clocks from Connecticut made it possible for the average citizen to afford one. The cabinets themselves were splendid exemplars of woodcarving: Note the broken-arch swan-neck pediment with brass finials on either side,
September is Hunger Action Month
Antiquarian horologist John D. Metcalfe.
the arched glass door flanked by fluted pillars. And the case itself features a wonderful mix of inlaid mahogany — Scudder’s signature handiwork.
What time is it? 225 years ago, that question wasn’t an easy one to answer.
“Of course, there was no time standard then,” Metcalfe explains. “The time standard is a fairly recent idea. You could set your clock, perhaps by a sundial. But then that was your local time. You had your local time and other towns had theirs, and it didn’t matter frankly whose time was right — even a half-hour difference between the eastern and western-most towns made little difference.”
“That all changed with telegraphic communication and the railways — and then it became important because there were a number of crashes. And that made America see they had to establish a time standard.”
In fact, a clock in the façade of Bristol’s Corn Exchange Building (18th century) has two minute-hands, one in red, the other in black, just over ten minutes apart. The black hand showed local solar time, the red hand showed railway (or London) time.
“And when it all got standardized, then you no longer needed a clock to have two hands or two dials on it,” Metcalfe says. “Those clocks are highly collectible now, of course.”
A clock is configured to measure nothing less than time itself. And as the philosopher says, time is “the most valuable thing on Earth.” Small wonder that, for centuries, clockmakers employed exacting principles of science and craft to capture time with elegance and precision.
Two cases in point: clocks in the collection of Hopewell Museum.
“In its essentials, the concept driving these two clocks has remained the same for centuries: driven by weights and controlled by a swinging pendulum, which beats seconds. You hear the seconds because the pendulum is attached to a gear’s teeth, called the anchor escapement,” Metcalfe explains.
“And that was the formula that has endured to this day in making of these things. Up until the early 20th century— with the development of quartz clock technology—pendulum clockworks offered the most accurate timekeeping in the world.”
Celebrating time past, preserved.
Restoring antique handiwork, to study and admire.
Reimagining a proud museum, for posterity.
All in good time.
eric lubell is a trustee of the Hopewell Museum.
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low in the footsteps.”
Those imprints start with Sara, who utilized her daughter as an assistant while coaching Stuart field hockey and, for the last two years, with the Bulldogs varsity lacrosse team. Mom feels her daughter’s return is a win-win situation.
“I don’t know if she’s been inspired to do this since day one but she’s definitely looking forward to it and it’s kind of neat,” Wagner said. “It is special and it’s good for everybody.
“She knows the culture. She’ll create her own culture as well. Some of her teachers are still there she’s always been one who’s herself no matter what.”
Fellows was the head JV lacrosse coach for two years before becoming Sara’s assistant. She assisted Edwards in field hockey for three years and acknowledged the chance her former coach provided.
“I am thankful for the time I had at Hopewell and she was my coach so I was thankful I got a coaching opportunity with her,” Fellows said. “She gave me an opportunity to come back so I was appreciative of that.”
Fellows feels the coaching experience she has gotten will be a plus, along with the lessons she learned playing for a national championship team in college.
“To be on a successful team that really
competed, just the practices were super competitive,” she said. “That definitely made us all tougher. I learned a lot of lessons.”
But there is no doubt that her greatest lessons in life — in field hockey and coaching — come from her mom, who she says is the greatest person she knows. Fellows knew in high school that she wanted to emulate Sara.
“Watching her coach when I was younger, I was in awe of it,” Fellows said. “Just the culture she created and how she really had relationships with every single kid. She could tell you about every kid and what was going on with them. It was the type of environment everybody wanted to be around. And she still does it now. I wanted to strive to be like that.
“She really is such a good coach in every aspect. She can put together the best lineup, the best practices, tailor it to everyone and also make them feel super welcome and safe and happy. She makes them grow as people too. If I could just be a fraction of the coach my mom is then I’m happy with that.”
Fellows has quickly seen that head coaching is much more frenetic than being an assistant, where all one has to do is coach. Aside from coaching, there is paperwork, planning and numerous other responsibilities.
develop players into good people and bring so much more to the table,” Fellows said. “It’s so important to have that relationship and rapport with them and just build them along to be better people.”
Wagner feels the best advice she can give her daughter is to just be herself.
“We talk all the time about how every coach is different because we all have different personalities; and you have to be completely you,” Wagner said. “You have to look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and say ‘OK I did the right thing. ‘ I think that’s most important.”
Fellows is going to her mom for plenty of advice in terms of Xs and Os.
“There’s a lot to learn,” said Alicia, who’s a speech therapist at Stony Brook Elementary School. “You have to manage all different things you’re not usually used to doing. I still have the guidance from my mom. I’m learning how to navigate everything and how to implement the best practice plan as possible, putting everybody in the right spots. I’m happy to have her to lean on for that.”
She also has her husband to bounce things off of at the dinner table.
Wagner is impressed by Austin’s grasp of a sport that’s foreign to him. The two women were having an in-depth field hockey conversation in front of the exquarterback when his mother-in-law apologized for freezing him out. Or so she thought.
“He said, ‘No, it’s kind of fun,’” Wagner said. “Then he threw in his two cents of who should play where, and he was right. He was listening to her and she was sort of doubting herself and I’m in the same boat listening to her. I said ‘You keep saying this, so that means the person should be there.’ And Austin is jumping right in.”
The Bulldogs graduated 12 seniors
from last year’s team but Fellows feels she has a “great group of kids” coming back in addition to some hustling freshmen. She understands this will be a developmental year, but still hopes it will be a successful one.
“I realize there’s a little rebuilding and they have to be coached a little bit,” she said. “But obviously I want to win and they want to win too. It’s obvious those girls have it in them. I want them to get better as players and individuals, but we’re here to win.”
Which is something that Fellows has done all her life.
The way she figures, why change now?
Like her mom, Alicia is as concerned with her players as human beings as well as athletes.
“At the varsity level, there is an intensity level you can bring and you can also
“Our conversations are constantly about how practice was, how all the players are, debriefing the games,” Fellows said. “It’s just the norm for us. It’s fun, it’s my favorite part of the day.”
Alicia Fellows is the new head coach of Hopewell Valley varsity field hockey.
(Photo by Mike Schwartz/mssphoto. com)
What’s Happening is a selection of events taking place this month in our area. For even more events, go online to our website, communitynews.org/events. Details below were believed to be accurate at time of publication. We always recommend that you confirm all necessary details when planning to attend an event.
WeDnesDAy, septemBeR 3
Family story time, Pennington Public Library. 10:30 a.m. In the children’s area. penningtonlibrary.org. 30 N. Main St., Pennington. Author talk: hannah nicole maehrer. 7 p.m. Bestselling Author, TikTok star. Virtual event. Register at penningtonlibrary.org.
thuRsDAy, septemBeR 4
Greenscaping your yard: meadows, Rain Gardens & native plants, Virtual. 7 p.m. Conversation with expert speakers and Q&A. Register online at penningtonlibrary.org.
FRiDAy, septemBeR 5
sunset sips & sounds, Terhune Orchards. 12 p.m. Terhune wine and music. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton.
sAtuRDAy, septemBeR 6
Forest Restoration Along Continental lane, Washington Crossing State Park. 8:45 a.m. Help remove invasive plants to support the
restoration of the ecosystem. Meet at the small parking lot just past the park main entrance. Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville.
Back to school, Howell Living History Farm. 10 a.m. howellfarm.org. 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell.
Mercer County Insect Fest, Mercer Educational Gardens. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Master Gardeners of Mercer County live demonstrations, kids activities and more. 431A Federal City Road, Hopewell. the strange Brew Crew, Hopewell Valley Vineyards. 5:30 p.m. 46 Yard Rd, Pennington.
DOG trio On the loose, Hopewell Fare. 6 p.m. Drums, organ, guitar. Soul Jazz, funk, standards re-energized. hopewellfare.com. 65 E Broad St, Hopewell.
sunDAy, septemBeR 7
A Guided history table talk tour, Washington Crossing State Park. 1:30 p.m. Series of tables and stops with images and objects. Phone (609) 737-0623. Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville. Fundraiser for palestine Children’s Relief Fund: Concert and Art Auction, Hopewell Fare. 7 p.m. Music by Carsie Blanton and Dave Butler and Friends. Artwork for purchase. Adults only. hopewellfare.com. 65 E Broad St, Hopewell.
tuesDAy, septemBeR 9
too Busy for Books Book Club, Pennington
Public Library. 7:30 p.m. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick. penningtonlibrary. org. 30 N Main St, Pennington.
WeDnesDAy, septemBeR 10
princeton mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce september Business Before Business Virtual speed networking. 8:30 a.m. Networking over morning coffee. Register at princetonmercerchamber.org.
Family story time, Pennington Public Library. 10:30 a.m. In the children’s area. penningtonlibrary.org. 30 N. Main St., Pennington.
thuRsDAy, septemBeR 11
Adult Book Club, Pennington Public Library. 2 p.m. The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks. 30 N Main St, Pennington. An elevated evening with young professionals, The Alice Princeton. 5 p.m. Ages 21-44. princetonmercerchamber.org. 365 Terhune Rd, Princeton.
FRiDAy, septemBeR 12
Sō Percussion Fall Performance, Alexander Hall, Princeton University. 7:30 p.m. Live music. concerts.princeton.edu. 68 Nassau St, Princeton.
sAtuRDAy, septemBeR 13
Sourland Spectacular, The Watershed Institute. 7 a.m. 27-, 42- and 63-mile bike rides. Fundraiser for Sourland Conservancy. Register at sourlandspectacular.com. 31 Titus Mill Road, Hopewell.
terhune Orchards 50th Anniversary Apple Day, Terhune Orchards. 10 a.m. Special throwback event celebrating the original Terhune Orchards Apple Day. terhuneorchards.com. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. RiverFest 2025 at trenton thunder Ballpark, South Riverwalk Park. 11 a.m. Educational games and exhibits, canoe and boat rides, live music, hay rides, fly fishing demos. Plus ninth annual Trenton Thunder Case’s Pork Roll Eating Championship. gofevo.com/ event/Riverfest5. John Fitch Way, Trenton. new yacht City, Hopewell Valley Vineyards. 5 p.m. Live yacht music and R&B-inspired music of the 70s and 80s. 46 Yard Rd, Pennington.
sunDAy, septemBeR 14
terhune Orchards 50th Anniversary Apple Day, Terhune Orchards. 10 a.m. Special throwback event celebrating the original Terhune Orchards Apple Day. terhuneorchards.com. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. sangria Workshop, Hopewell Valley Vineyards. 11 a.m. Tickets: $30.95. hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. 46 Yard Rd, Pennington.
WeDnesDAy, septemBeR 17
Family story time, Pennington Public Library. 10:30 a.m. In the children’s area. penningtonlibrary.org. 30 N. Main St., Pennington.
Author talk: Gabe henry. 2 p.m. Virtual event with author of “Our Failed Attempts to Make English Eezier to Spell.” Register at penningtonlibrary.org.
thuRsDAy, septemBeR 18
september Business After Business, Clark Hill PLC. 5 p.m. princetonmercerchamber.org. 210 Carnegie Center Suite 102, Princeton.
sAtuRDAy, septemBeR 20
Hopewell Harvest Fair. 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food, contests, farmers market, craft fair, live entertainment. hopewellharvestfair. org. 35 Princeton Ave., Hopewell.
tuesDAy, septemBeR 23
princeton sound kitchen presents mixtape, Taplin Auditorium. 8 p.m. Princeton University graduate student composers present their original compositions. Fine Hall, Princeton.
WeDnesDAy, sept. 24
Family story time, Pennington Public Library. 10:30 a.m. In the children’s area. penningtonlibrary.org. 30 N. Main St., Pennington. the Real mae West: living history. Virtual event. 7 p.m. With educational entertainer Martina Mathisen. Must register at penningtonlibrary.org.
sAtuRDAy, septemBeR 27
Wheat planting, Wheat Weaving, threshing & Baking, Howell Living History Farm. 10 a.m. howellfarm.org. 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell.
hopewell tour des Arts, Hopewell Borough Train Station. 11 a.m. Free self-guided tour of area art studios. Meet artists, watch them work and purchase artwork. Event hub is the Hopewell Train Station. hvartscouncil.org. 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell. Central Jersey Beverage Fest #CJBF2025, Mercer County Park. Noon. Tasting festival of beer, seltzers, wine and spirits. Dozens of local and regional beverages represented. cjbeerfest.com. 1638 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor.
sunDAy, septemBeR 28
hopewell tour des Arts, Hopewell Borough Train Station. 11 a.m. Free self-guided tour of area art studios. Meet artists, watch them work and purchase artwork. Event hub is the Hopewell Train Station. hvartscouncil.org. 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell.
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Plenty to do and see in Hopewell Valley this September
You may (or may not) have noticed that there was no Happy Valley column in July or August. My amazing summer spent traveling with friends and family also included a digital vacation. I am no longer unplugged, but my reentry has been purposefully slow. Yet, September Happy Valley activities beckon.
As summer comes to a close, I’m back to remind you that autumn is proof that endings can be beautiful.
Fall has always been my favorite season. As a student and parent, I viewed fall as a time for new beginnings and a fresh start to the school year. As an empty nester, I love both the physical transition from hot days to the welcome relief of cool crisp air, as well as the psychological transition from the excitement of travel and holidays to the mental recharge I feel returning to a regular routine.
Judging by the number of upcoming activities scheduled throughout Hopewell Valley, I’m not the only one
looking forward to the abundance of the season. Here are my picks for September:
The month opens with several opportunities to enjoy live music. Last March, I dedicated a column to the Valley’s vibrant music scene and September proves my point.
Start with a bang on the evening of Friday the 5th by listening to Righteous Jolly at Howe Common in Pennington.
Needle Creek will host a beer garden while the Pennington Fire Department sells hot dogs and hamburgers.
Donations will be collected for the Food Pantry.
The following weekend is Hopewell Porchfest. Visiting the 15 porch venues is a great way to walk the neighborhood and make new friends. With such a deep bench, there is music for everyone.
Hopewellporchfest.com has the most complete website of any event listed here and provides the venue map, schedule, and performer lineup.
Fun isn’t reserved for the weekend. Come out to the Friendraiser on Thursday the 18th at Needle Creek Brewery. My generous friends and Hopewell Valley locals, Boxorox, are
jammin and donating cash tips to the Hopewell Valley Food Pantry. They’ll even have dog food truck there!
A Valley tradition that requires no introduction — the Hopewell Harvest Fair is the 20th. In addition to a day of entertainment under their big tent, you’ll find all of your favorite family activities, including hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, children’s games, face-painting, and local food vendors and farmers showcasing their goods.
Plus, there are contests for everyone: a bake-off, homegrown vegetable contest, kids’ art, photography, and even a doggie dress-up contest for our furry family members.
We round out the month with two great events, one that’s been around for 18 years and one that’s brand new but will mostly likely become an annual bash.
Hopewell Tour Des Arts returns with a weekend long celebration of the region’s thriving art scene, featuring more than 50 local artists across multiple venues. Visitors can create their own route, exploring individual studios and group locations, while meeting artists. Along the way, the scenic Sourland Mountains provide a picturesque backdrop.
New this year, the historic Hopewell Train Station will serve as the Tour’s Welcome Center. Visitors can pick up maps, ask questions, and enjoy the One-Piece Show – a special exhibition featuring one work from each participating artist.
Finally, Hopewell Township Park and Recreation Committee brings you Hopewell Food Truck and Music FEASTival. Head over Woolsey Park for live bands, adult beverage garden
and 15 gourmet food trucks. There will also be a vendor shopping village and kid’s activities. Admission is $5 and kids under 10 are free. The township is giving Woolsey Park a major glow up. Check out the town’s new bandshell and feast on music, food, drink and fun!
Those are my September picks and they just scratch the surface of the many opportunities to experience this fall. Get outdoors and enjoy all of the music, culture, and arts of our Happy Valley!
door Equity Alliance and an enthusiast for all things inspiring, generous, and local. Email: lwolffhome@gmail.com.
Graphic by Lisa Wolff.
VOTE BY MAIL NOTICE TO PERSONS WANTING MAIL-IN BALLOTS
If you are a qualified and registered voter of Mercer County, New Jersey who wants to vote by mail in the General Election to be held on November 4, 2025, the following applies:
• You must complete the application form below and send it to the county clerk where you reside or write or apply in person to the county clerk where you reside to request a mail-in ballot.
• The name, address, and signature of any person who has assisted you to complete the mail-in ballot application must be provided on the application, and you must sign and date the application.
• No person may serve as an authorized messenger or bearer for more than three qualified voters in an election but a person may serve as such for up to
five qualified voters in an election if those voters are immediate family members residing in the same household as the messenger or bearer.
• No person who is a candidate in the election for which the voter requests a mail-in ballot may provide any assistance in the completion of the ballot or serve as an authorized messenger or bearer.
• A person who applies for a mail-in ballot must submit his or her application so that it is received at least seven days before the election, but such person may request an application in person from the county clerk up to 3 p.m. of the day before the election.
• Voters who want to vote by mail in all future elections will, after their initial request and without further action on their part, be provided with a mail-in
ballot until the voter requests otherwise in writing.
• Application forms may be obtained by applying to the undersigned either in writing or by telephone. Or the application form provided below may be completed and forwarded to the undersigned.
• If you are currently signed up to receive mail-in ballots, but wish to now vote at the polls, either on Election Day or before, in accordance with NJ’s new “Early Voting” law, you must first opt out of vote by mail by notifying the county clerk in writing at the address below. You may find a form for removal from the permanent list on the Mercer County Clerk’s website at https://www.mercercounty.org/ government/county-clerk/elections.
Dated: September 9, 2025, Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County Clerk, 209 S. Broad St., Election Dept., P.O. Box 8068, Trenton, NJ 08650, 609-989-6495
Bernard A. Campbell, Jr.
Raymond C. Staub
David P. Schroth
Kimberly A. Greenberg
A primer on PILOTs
Kevin D. Kuchinski From the township
Plus affordable housing and educational excellence in Hopewell Valley Schools
My wife Leslie and I have lived in Hopewell Township since 2002 and have been strong advocates for Hopewell Valley’s schools over our time in the Valley. Our four children benefitted from a top-notch public education in HVRSD schools, and we are appreciative of everything the district, its teachers and support team do each and every day on behalf of our residents and their kids.
underway.
We have worked collaboratively with Superintendent Rosetta Treece, Assistant Superintendent Bob Colavita and the school board to effect these solutions and I am grateful that we are now near the finish line.
Additional good financial news on affordable housing
Hopewell Township just received a $5.2 million payment from
Robert
W WILSON APPLE
Strong schools increase property values across Hopewell Valley and make our community stronger. I have also served on the Hopewell Township Committee for the past 11 years, and have strived to work collaboratively with the school district and our partners in Hopewell and Pennington Boroughs.
BeOne Medicines.
Recently, the New Jersey Court of Appeals affirmed a Superior Court ruling that Hopewell Township PILOT agreements (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes) with Lennar Homes were not only proper, but also necessary to meet our municipal obligations on affordable housing. This resolves multiyear litigation.
Importantly, this frees the township to help support a long-overdue expansion at Bear Tavern, getting the children out of trailers and into traditional classrooms. This is a win, no matter how you look at it.
Looking ahead, Hopewell Township will affirmatively approve financing for the proposed expansion and new classrooms at Bear Tavern, using PILOT revenue, so that there is no net impact on taxpayers. We have previously engaged in a joint demographic study with the school district on school-aged kids and enrollment at Hopewell Valley Schools that showed that the district will be below peak levels a decade ago, even with new development.
An updated study, accounting for new development in the Boroughs, is
On a related note, Hopewell Township just received a $5.2 million payment from BeOne Medicines towards our affordable housing trust, which will enable us to reduce prior committee’s debt obligations from Pennytown. BeOne has several approved and pending FDA applications on next generation oncology drugs, and I am thankful they have chosen Hopewell Township, from 160 sites globally, to support these efforts. BeOne has cumulatively invested $800 Million in their new state-of-the-art facilities and will produce high value/low impact products (one Amazon delivery truck can carry enough product for hundreds of patients). Their contribution to the Affordable Housing Trust will not only help us pay off Pennytown as noted, but it also will allow us to meet our Fourth Round Obligation by contributing to adult special needs Group Homes with the Arc Mercer. These group homes give us double affordable housing credits per bedroom, with no impact on the school district.
We are all busy, and sometimes these details slip through the cracks, but I want to thank my partners on the township committee as well as external parties like Lennar and BeOne for the progress we have made. We are grateful for their contributions.
We will have more news to share in next year’s budget, but we anticipate being able to keep the lid on municipal taxes, with the incremental revenue we are now receiving.
If you have questions or suggestions on what else we can do to move the Township forward, please feel to reach out to me at kdkhopewelltwp@gmail.com or (609) 439-8044.
kevin D. kuchinski is a township committee member and finance liaison.
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