9-25 HP

Hamilton

tonHamilton Post

PGA pros ready to give golf center a much needed lift

By RiCH FiSHeR

There is a hidden gem that’s starting to glow for golfers in Hamilton Township. It’s a place that has been there all along but, under new operators, is offering more options while becoming family friendly.

Formerly a township-run facility, the Hamilton Township Golf Center is now being operated by L&S Golf Enterprise, which

has brought in quality golf people and made some necessary improvements since taking over in January.

With PGA pros now running the operation, the facility has become more than just a rundown driving range and miniature golf course.

“All the upgrades were necessary,” said Mike Lanzetta, a partner in the operation with Sal Silverstone. “We made sure that

when you come you’re gonna feel welcome and not just an outcast coming to the range. The quality of everything was not up to the standards of the township. They make their parks real nice, their pickleball courts real nice and they felt they needed a new look here.

“Not to fault anybody, but it needed somebody to come in with some revenue and addi-

See GOLF, Page 36

CHOP and change

Mayor Jeff Martin on the state of the township

By JOe eMANSKi

All in all, Hamilton Township has had a pretty good 2025.

Yes, there are major concerns about the state of affairs at Trenton Water Works. Hamilton and the other suburban towns served by the capital city facility continue to seek answers for confounding questions about the shaky operations of the utility.

But when it came time for Mayor Jeff Martin to compose his concise state of the township address, the positives outweighed the negative in a year that has already seen substantial change and growth in town.

The biggest and latest news might just be that Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, or CHOP, has purchased the former AMC Hamilton 24 Theatre on Sloan Avenue with the apparent goal of opening a regional pediatric medical facility on the site.

The news went viral as parents in Hamilton and the surrounding area got excited at the idea of one of a top medical facility coming to town.

“We are certainly excited to be their Central Jersey headquarters. Not only bringing

jobs here locally, but (also) ensuring our children who need the very best medical care can stay right here in Hamilton to get it.”

The Post interviewed Martin a week after he gave his address. He said conversations began with CHOP in late 2024.

“Since AMC closed, I don’t know how many developers we’ve said no to who wanted to build a warehouse there,” he said. “Because of the zoning (on the site), we were able to push back on that. When CHOP came here, they were looking at a bunch of potential sites, and we made a pitch for them to select this one.”

CHOP has not yet revealed exactly what its plans are for the site — not even to township officials.

“We’ve not talked specifics about what (the facility) would include,” Martin told the Post. “But their thought is, the first building they would build as phase one would be a 120,000-square-foot facility. Obviously they’re in for a big commitment and will have a large presence here in town.”

Later in August, the township council declared the CHOP property an area in need of redevelopment, paving the way for CHOP to take the next steps.

In his video address, which clocks in at exactly 9 minutes in length, Martin focused first

See MAYOR, Page 22

Fred York, Sal Silverstone and Mike Lanzetta at the miniature golf course of the Hamilton Township Golf Center, now operated by the trio. (Photo by Rich Fisher.)

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

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

MEGAN S. SEIBER, ESQ. ATTORNEY AT LAW

Estate Planning

Matters

INBOX School board candidates makes their case for election

We, Dina Thornton, Jason McSheene, and Chris Scales, write as candidates for the Hamilton Township school board. Our goal: putting students first. Our combined experiences and passions for public education means we will work to see that all students receive a quality public education.

Dina currently serves as board president. She has led efforts to expand school safety; to improve special education programs; and has supported the district’s partnerships with institutions of higher education that provide college-bound seniors opportunities to get college credit. She serves on the finance and operations

Jason, a biomedical research scientist, strongly advocates for increased access to mental health resources. He champions the advancement of the STEAM curriculum. He advocates for equitable and empathetic approaches to student achievement. He currently

serves on the personnel committee and leads the district and community relations committee.

Chris, a lifelong Hamilton resident and proud product of HTSD, previously served on the board from 2015-2018. He helped pass a crucial referendum for school improvements; championed a fairer budget process; and advocated for more transparency and accountability. He chaired the curriculum and instruction committee during his tenure. Chris is an attorney; he most recently served as chief of staff at the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

As board members in 2017, Scales and Thornton voted to hire the superintendent, bringing stability to the district. We ask for your support this November to keep Hamilton schools moving forward.

Dina Thornton Jason McSheene Christopher F. Scales

Hamilton Post

We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Hamilton Post 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.

Joe Emanski (Ext. 120)

ConTriBuTinG WriTer

ConTriBuTinG ColumniSTS

Peter Dabbene, Thomas Kelly

ad layouT & produCTion

Stacey Micallef (Ext. 131)

Senior aCCounT eXeCuTive

Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

Community News Service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 phone: (609) 396-1511

news: news@communitynews.org

events: events@communitynews.org

Sports: sports@communitynews.org letters: jemanski@communitynews.org

Website: communitynews.org

Facebook: facebook.com/CommunityNewsService X: x.com/_CommunityNews_

40,000 copies of the Hamilton Post are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Hamilton 12 times a year.

TO ADVeRTiSe call (609) 396-1511, ext. 113 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

Proven Leadership, Moving Hamilton Forward!

AROUND TOWN

CHOP acquires former AMC theater space in Hamilton

Hamilton Township has announced the sale of Sloan Avenue property that was formerly occupied by the AMC movie theater to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

CHOP, in collaboration with Hamilton Township and Mercer County, is in the process of creating plans for the redevelopment of the site.

“Hamilton Township is excited to welcome CHOP to town,” Mayor Jeff Martin said in a statement. “As a parent to a young child, I know the concern of every parent for their child’s health, and having CHOP here in our backyard ensures the children of Hamilton will always have easy access to the best possible medical care. It has been great to partner with Mercer County and CHOP to make this first step a reality, and I am looking forward to our continued partnership through the redevelopment process.”

“Mercer County welcomes the news that a world-renowned healthcare institu-

tion like the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is coming to Hamilton Township and Mercer County,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “I was proud to work closely with Mayor Martin and with CHOP to turn an idea into reality and breathe new life into the old AMC site, while bringing good-paying jobs to our community and improving the health of our region’s children.”

“Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia serves children from throughout the region and around the world with the aim to make pediatric care available as close to home as possible,” said CHOP CEO Madeline Bell. “The health of New Jersey’s children is a key component of our overall mission, and we’re looking forward to the future of bringing high-quality care, expanded services and improved convenience to the families of Central New Jersey and the broader region. This step underscores our commitment to ensure healthier futures for all children.”

Reynolds teacher named History Teacher of the Year

A Hamilton Township middle school teacher with deep roots in the community has been recognized as New Jersey’s top history educator for 2025.

Robert Schulte, who teaches at Reynolds Middle School in the Hamilton Township School District, was named the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History 2025 New Jersey History Teacher of the Year.

The award recognizes his two decades of teaching experience and innovative use of primary sources in the classroom.

feature live music, gourmet “Nashville” bites, and entertainment.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at rwjbh.org/ nightinnashville.

RWJUH Hamilton says that the event will support its Patient Assistance Fund, which exists to help ensure that patients do not face financial barriers to critical care, treatment and support services.

“We are incredibly thankful to the development team, event chairs and committee members who are dedicated to making this year’s event a huge success,” says Lisa Breza, chief administrative officer, RWJUH Hamilton.

RWJUH Hamilton to host Nashville-themed evening benefit

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton is preparing to host “A Night in Nashville,” an event the hospital says will benefit local hospital patients. The event is set to take place at The Stone Terrace by John Henry’s in Hamilton Township on Friday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Organizers say that the night will

“I also want to thank all our guests who will be attending, our partners, supports and donors. The generosity of the philanthropic support from this event will directly impact the lives of our patients.”

RWJUH Hamilton held the opening ceremonies for the event by announcing this year’s esteemed honorees, including: physician honoree Dr. Zahid Baig, a member of Hamilton Gastroenterology

See NEWS, Page 8

Trent Jewelers

Dr. Natasha Rockwell Brings Smiles to Guatemala on Service Mission

LOGO: A

Dr. Natasha Rockwell of Rockwell Family Dentistry recently returned from a meaningful dental mission to the remote mountains outside El Progreso, Guatemala, with the nonprofit DIG—Dream. Invest. Grow. (dreaminvestgrow.org). DIG partners with healthcare professionals to bring much-needed services to underserved communities in rural Guatemala.

Traveling hours over rugged terrain to reach The Center of Hope, Dr. Rockwell and her team provided essential dental care to around 250 patients from nearby Mayan villages. Many of these patients, including children and the elderly, had never seen a dentist before and endured long journeys on foot to receive treatment. Over four intensive days, the team performed hundreds of fillings, extractions, and cleanings, transforming lives and relieving chronic pain.

The mission was supported by generous donations from Dental City and SDI, ensuring the team could deliver high-quality care even in challenging conditions.

For Dr. Rockwell—who practices alongside her family at Rockwell Dentistry in Hamilton and Middletown, NJ—it was an experience that deeply reinforced her commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. “This mission was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do: to serve others with skill and heart,” she said.

Schulte

Group for 25 years; community honoree The OPGs (Old Professionals Group), who are all former members of the Young Professionals Group at RWJUH Hamilton; caregiver of the year Connie Moceri, administrative director for patient carecardiovascular services and healthy lives, RWJUH Hamilton.

Also set to be honored is Sean’s Landscaping, the corporate honoree.

Project Grow continues to flourish through hot summer

Project Grow is looking to take advantage of the summer months by continuing hard work and educational plans while gardens flourish and grow.

Throughout the state, Project Grow maintains gardens used for horticultural therapy. Raised garden beds are located at the community garden at Duke Farm in Hillsborough.

In addition to the community garden at Duke Farm, the program maintains accessible beds at several Allies day habilitation programs. The bulk of the work is done at the garden at Mercer County Community College.

Throughout the season, each day program travels to the site at Mercer County

Community College to participate in gardening and learn about the important elements of raising a successful garden. This season, leaders of Project Grow are teaching Allies participants about pollinators, and also discuss ways to fertilize gardens and promote growth in environmentally friendly ways.

“We are looking at environmentally friendly ways to fertilize our gardens,” MaryAnne McMillan, a leader of Allies’ Project Grow.

So far, Allies says, the plants have been doing well while Project Grow participants are able to learn about the relationships present between organisms that live in the garden and working with crafts that tie into garden activities.

Some of these lessons include discussions about the kinds of insects and other life that can be found in a garden.

“During the winter and bad weather, we will spend a lot of time on indoor activities,” Jean D’Amore, and another member of the Project Grow team at Allies, said.

In cases where the weather is difficult to work with but not hazardous, participants are given breaks to cool o in the shade and take in the gardening from a distance.

The harsh weather has been great for productivity in the gardens.

As of July 8, Project Grow has donated

Project Grow staff Frances Pastore, Alex Jaffe and MaryAnne McMillan prepare plant material for planting early in the summer season.

more than 190 pounds of produce to food banks including the Mercer Friends Food Bank, Duke Farms, and the Flemington Food Bank. Allies says that Project Grow owes the success of these beds, particularly the ones at Mercer County Community College, to Nick Stryker, the lead garden farmer at that location.

YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT

YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT

YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT

YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT

YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT

YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT

YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT

Jennifer

Jennifer

1260 Route 33 South

1260 Route 33 South

1260 Route 33 South

Jennifer Woloszyn

Jennifer Woloszyn

the communities of their choice. On the web: alliesnj.org.

which insects decompose organic matter and recycle minerals to support the production of food crops and other plants.

Jennifer Woloszyn

Jennifer Woloszyn

1260 Route 33 South

Woloszyn

Jennifer Woloszyn

Insurance Counselor

Jennifer Woloszyn

Jennifer Woloszyn

Insurance Counselor

Insurance Counselor

Woloszyn

Insurance Counselor

Insurance Counselor

Insurance Counselor

Counselor

Insurance Counselor

During milder days, participants are key parts of carrying out Project Grow’s work. When participants visit, they are able to get hands-on and practice their gardening skills. They might spend their time looking for bugs with a magnifying glass or getng rid of other pests. “We are trying to teach everyone not to be afraid of the things we find in the garden,” McMillan said.

“Our folks have been instrumental in making this a success,” McMillan said.

Grounds For Sculpture will host its annual “Swirl: An Evening of Art and Wine” fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 19, with tour times beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing through 6:40 p.m.

Mercer County Master Gardeners to hold 21st Insect Fest on Sept. 6

Along the way, there will be activities designed to teach children of all ages to appreciate and respect the amazing beauty, diversity, and essential roles of our insect friends.

1260 Route 33 South

Hamilton, NJ 08690

Hamilton, NJ 08690

Hamilton, NJ 08690

1260 Route 33 South Hamilton, NJ 08690

Ph: (609) 631-4286

1260 Route 33 South Hamilton, NJ 08690

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Ph: (609) 631-4286

1260 Route 33 South Hamilton, NJ 08690

Hamilton, NJ 08690

Hamilton, NJ 08690

1260 Route 33 South Hamilton, NJ 08690

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Cell: (609) 337-2366

Cell: (609) 337-2366

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Cell: (609) 337-2366

After harvesting, McMillan and D’Amore use produce to create teas and other treats as an illustrative example of the possibilities created by gardening.

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Cell: (609) 337-2366

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Cell: (609) 337-2366

Cell: (609) 337-2366

Cell: (609) 337-2366

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

Cell: (609) 337-2366

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

jwoloszyn@aca.aaa.com

Cell: (609) 337-2366

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

Three quarters of the known animal species on planet Earth are insects, and Mercer area residents are invited to celebrate their impact on our lives at the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County’s 21st Annual Insect Fest on Saturday, Sept. 6.

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/ Agent/jenniferwoloszyn

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/ Agent/jenniferwoloszyn

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/ Agent/jenniferwoloszyn

Allies, Inc. is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing housing, healthcare, meaningful employment and recrea8onal ac8vi8es to people with special needs in

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/ Agent/jenniferwoloszyn

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/ Agent/jenniferwoloszyn

This year’s activities will include the popular scavenger hunt, “Bugs in Water,” and a Q&A with Rutgers Cooperative Extension horticulturist Justine Gray. Other highlights of the day are set to include Bugs Galore, Native Bees,” Composting, Carnivorous Plants, Crafts, Insect Hunt/Catch and Release, Storytime, and new this year, a station where visitors can create their own “Mosquito Buckets” to take home. The buckets help to control mosquito growth without harming other insects in our eco-system.

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/ Agent/jenniferwoloszyn

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/ Agent/jenniferwoloszyn

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/ Agent/jenniferwoloszyn

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The event will feature hands-on activities designed to teach attendees about the vital role of insects and how they create the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems. The fest will run from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. at the Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road in Hopewell Township. Admission and onsite parking are free.

Attendees are invited to view the demonstration gardens on-site and learn how insects interact with different varieties of plants. Visitors can also learn about various methods of composting, through

Invited partners at this year’s Fest will include: Tulpehaking Nature Center, The Watershed Institute, Isles, Friends for the Abbott Marshlands, NJ Native Plant Society, Mercer County Mosquito Control Commission, Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Rearing Laboratory, Rutgers Residential Insects Lab, Rutgers Center for Vector Biology and a NJ Beekeeper.

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County is a volunteer educational out-

MAIN STREET ALLENTOWN,

Central Jersey Beverage Fest:

new name, and even more drinks to taste

The crowd-pleasing Central Jersey Beer Fest is back this fall with a new name: the Central Jersey Beverage Fest.

The name change does not mean that the annual festival will move away from providing more than 100 local and regional brews for attendees to sample.

Instead, the name change represents the natural growth of the festival, which has come to include not only beer but also local seltzer, wine, spirits, and more. An average of 3,000 people attend the festival each year.

This year’s festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, from noon to 6 p.m., rain or shine. As in past years, the festival will take place at the Festival Grounds of Mercer County Park. Tickets are available online now at cjbeerfest.com. The hour from noon to 1 p.m. is for VIP ticketholders only.

The complete list of breweries, distilleries, meaderies, wineries, and cideries will be released around two weeks before the event. Past participating breweries have included Tindall Road Brewing, Farm Truck Brewing, and Carton Brewing. Distilleries and wineries that have taken part include Wester Son Vodkas and Josh Cellar Wines.

“We changed the name from ‘beer’ to ‘beverage’ to make this festival not only feel more inclusive, but also to better represent what it has become,” said Antonio Carannante of Blend in Hamilton, who is the organizer of the event.

“In any given couple or family or group of friends, there are some people who drink mostly beer or cider and some who drink mostly wine or spirits,” Carannante continued. “At the Central Jersey Beverage Fest, they will all be able to find samples of their

favorite drinks — but they will also be able to taste great local examples of other beverages that they may like more than they think. This is a great opportunity for people to try a little bit of everything.”

There will be a variety of craft vendors on hand, as well as food trucks and food stands to provide nourishment. Local bands, including rock duo Chet and Ari will provide live music. Drink samples are served until 5 p.m., but food service and live music continue through 6 p.m.

“As with past events, we’ll have a strong focus on product education and safety — ‘Drink Responsibly and Have Fun,’” Carannante said.

The festival also supports local nonprofits each year. This year’s nonprofit beneficiaries include Happy Smiles Foundation (happysmilesfoundation. com), What’s My Name Foundation (whatsmyname.org), and the 2025 featured group, Capital K9 Association (capitalk9association.org).

Capital K-9 Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing ballistic body armor and safety equipment for police working dogs. They work toward promoting a positive image of K-9 while educating the public on the necessity and importance of K-9 in modern policing.

No outside food or drink is permitted, but attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. In the event of rain, tents will be set up on the festival grounds for shelter from the weather. Guests must be 21 or older, and organizers recommend using rideshare services, scheduling a ride in advance, or bringing a designated driver.

More details are online at blendbar. com and cjbeerfest.com. Attendees are encouraged to share photos and experiences of the event on social media with the tag #CJBF2025.

reach program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners participate in many volunteer programs throughout the county. For home gardening, plant, turf or insect questions, you can visit the Helpline office at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, 1440 Parkside Ave, Ewing, from Monday through Friday, and speak with a Rutgers Master Gardener volunteer. You can also call (609) 989-6853, or email askthemgs@ mercercounty.org. Visit the website at mercer.njaes.rutgers. edu/garden/ for helpline hours, upcoming events, and more.

‘Swirl’ around Grounds for Sculpture with food and wine on Sept. 19

At the outdoor event, attendees will have a chance to take part

Rossi’s, a staple in Mercer County since 1933, originally in Chambersburg until it relocated to Hamilton in 2014, has strategically been modernizing little by little. Retaining menu favorites from the past, such as its famous Rossiburger, it’s chicken parmigiana and it’s huge salads and, at the same time, changing with the times, both as far as menu offerings and events. Rossi’s changed hands in 2022, and the new owner, Hal Rose, is focused on strategic change. According to Hal, “We have a very modern menu now – from offering smashburgers in addition to our Rossiburger, to nachos, steaks, seafood and great tomato pies. We have a large menu and focus on delivering great food at reasonable prices.” We are aiming to have the “happiest of Happy Hours” in the area. Our Happier Hours are available 3-6pm six days a week (closed on Mondays) and we offer great drink and appetizer discounts. Rossi’s also has popular events like Trivia Tuesdays, Prime Rib Night Wednesdays and Sundays, Poker Night on Wednesdays, the legendary Ernie White performing on Thursdays and a Prix Fixe Menu night on Thursdays with new and creative dishes each week developed by Rossi’s new head chef.

Many weekends there are also bands performing and even an occasional comedy show. Wednesday night is also kids night where kids under 12 eat for only $2.99.

Staying relevant after all these years takes reinvention and Rossi’s is up for the challenge. Web: www.rossisbarandgrill.com

YARDVILLE CYO BACK TO SCHOOL!

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.

Our in-house specialties include:

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• 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 sur-

rounding 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

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

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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

sEctIoN

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

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 as part of their curriculum. In this welcoming and

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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.

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.

Each of the eight workstations has backlit mirrors. All stations have

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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 business started 29 years ago while

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 Movie Events: WICKED, THE

and

Back to school

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.

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 barbers! 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.

Every opportunity. Every voice. Every role.

At Stuart, girls think critically, lead boldly, and embrace learning with purpose and passion.

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.

Schedule a tour or register for an event | stuartschool.org/vist

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 growth. We encourage bold inquiry and meaningful collaboration that prepares students for thoughtful

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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!

the dental difference

Mini Dental Implants:

A True Innovation in Dentistry

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.

If you have any questions about mini dental implants, please call Dr. Kevin Mosmen for a

Dr. Kevin Mos M en of The Den Tal Difference.

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.

VOTE FOR PROVEN LEADERS

Wayne

DeAngelo and Tennille McCoy

are proven leaders that will always fight for the people and not the powerful.

Fighting for property tax relief through StayNJ, which reduces property taxes by up to 50% for most seniors, and by increasing the ANCHOR benefit for homeowners and renters.

Fighting for more affordable health care including expanding prescription drug relief and capping the cost of insulin, EpiPens, and asthma inhalers.

Investing in our future by funding public education and job training and supporting new jobs in renewable energy.

ASSEMBLYMAN WAYNE P.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN TENNILLE R.

on the elephant in the room: the water works.

“One of our main challenges that’s been a headache for me as I know it’s been a headache for you is Trenton Water Works,” he said in his address. “But we are at a crossroads now in determining Trenton Water Works’ future.”

Hamilton, Ewing, Hopewell Township and Lawrence are all suburban customers of the 200-year-old utility, which in the words of DEP commissioner Shawn LaTourette, has seen “decades of disinvestment” result in outdated systems, undermaintained infrastructure and lack of redundancy. (See story, page 24.)

Worrying failures in the past year have included the failure of a Delaware River intake pump that necessitated taking the entire system offline, and the revelation that an employee had engaged in a fraudulent scheme that invalidated the majority of the utility’s water quality reporting.

Martin and the other suburbs, along with the DEP, have been pushing the city to agree to regionalize management of the water works. Trenton City Council, to put it succinctly, is not having it.

Martin told the Post that he hopes that the city will agree to regionalization

voluntarily. But he says the suburban communities have the option to sue to get the city to the table.

“Our hope was always not to go that route, because collaboration is better than forcing that on anybody. But if that’s the only path forward then I can see us doing that,” Martin told the Post.

Martin also addressed recent spikes in energy bills and encouraged residents to take advantage of opportunities to reduce their bills. “I’m sure the shock I experienced when I opened my bill was the same shock you had,” he said in his address.

He mentioned several options residents have to attempt to mitigate their energy costs, including doing home energy audits or having solar panels installed on the roof. He also highlighted community solar, which is a program in which businesses whose buildings have ample roof space agree to have solar panels installed, with the energy collected being made available to the wider community.

The statewide community solar program is available to PSE&G rate payers in Hamilton, Martin explained to the Post. “My wife and I are community solar subscribers. The bill I got in August, I saved $60 off my bill because I’m signed off. I’m not saying $60 is going to pay for your car payment or anything, but every

Innio Group facility in Houston. The Innio Group is planning to build a manufacturing center in Hamilton.

bit helps especially in times of rising bills.”

Martin said many people, when they hear about community solar, think it’s too good to be true. “It’s real, it’s legitimate,” he said. “It can help you save money.”

* * *

Martin had more to report on the economic development front than just CHOP in his address. He highlighted the coming of a couple of other big

businesses to town, including the Innio Group, which took a long-term lease at 840 Nottingham Way.

The company, based in Jenbach, Austria, intends to assemble and package engines designed to provide power to data centers, and has pledged to add more than 200 jobs to the Hamilton economy in the next three to five years.

“Whether it’s from the City of Trenton or Hamilton itself, Mercer County historically has had a large manufacturing base. So we’re excited to bring some of those manufacturing jobs back to Hamilton,” Martin told the Post.

Also setting up shop in Hamilton according to Martin is Rivian, the electric automobile manufacturer, which has broken ground on a showroom and repair center at the former Bayer Aspirin site on East State Street.

“They don’t use the term ‘car dealership,’ but for all intents and purposes it will be a new car dealership in Hamilton,” Martin told the Post.

The township continues to make progress as well on the new joint municipal complex and school district headquarters on Whitehorse Mercerville Road. The project is currently on time and on budget, with the township still hoping for a fall 2026 opening.

Martin also revealed that the township

Department of Agriculture has approved three properties either for purchase or for deed restrictions that would limit land use on the properties to farming.

“They haven’t closed on the properties yet, so neither we nor the state are in a position to announce that yet,” Martin said. “Hopefully they’re going to close sometime soon and we’ll be able to announce it.” He added that the deed restrictions had been approved by the state’s agriculture board.

Martin closed his address by announcing that the township is in the early stages of planning its celebration for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

“The very founding of our nation happened right down the street in Philadelphia,” Martin said. “But just as important as it is to celebrate July 4, 2026, which would be the 250th anniversary, we must also plan to celebrate Jan. 2, 2027.

is on the verge of announcing around 70 acres of newly preserved land. He said it is too early to reveal the location of the land, but told the Post that the

That is the day Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army marched from the City of Trenton through Hamilton on to Princeton to again engage with the British. Hamilton stood at the crossroads of the American Revolution, and we must ensure that we not only celebrate the founding of our nation, but (also) Hamilton’s involvement in that war as well.”

Electric auto manufacturer Rivian is bringing a showroom and repair center to East State Street in Hamilton. (Photo courtesy of Rivian.)

REMEMBERING HAMILTON SQUARE

Debate rages over future of Trenton Water Works

By Bill SanServino

Tensions over the future of Trenton Water Works boiled over in August as city leaders resisted mounting pressure to relinquish sole control of the troubled utility.

The state Department of Environmental Protection says the 200-year-old utility — serving more than 225,000 people in Trenton and four neighboring towns — is teetering on the brink of failure. Officials from the state and surrounding towns argue it must be restructured.

But city leaders, residents and water employees are pushing back, citing fears of lost autonomy, job security and community control.

Each member municipality would be represented on the governing board, with voting power proportional to water usage — a model similar to the Ewing-Lawrence Sewage Authority.

DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette appeared before Trenton City Council on Aug. 18 to discuss TWW’s future. He pleaded with Trenton officials to approve a state-supported study of options with an eye toward regionalization.

The meeting descended into a fiery, emotional forum as council members accused LaTourette of strong-arming the city and dismissing their efforts to stabilize the utility.

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 7:00PM

LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOMS 3 & 4.

1 JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO WAY HAMILTON, NJ 08610 FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

TWW serves all of Trenton and Ewing, and portions of Hamilton, Lawrence and Hopewell townships.

The DEP has had a continuous presence at the plant since 2022 under a Unilateral Administrative Order, which gave the state temporary operational oversight.

The regionalization plan calls for the creation of a new public utility that would operate the system.

Some of the reporting in this article is based on a video review of the meeting by the Hamilton Post, which was posted by the City of Trenton.

“This is personal for me,” Councilwoman Teska Frisby told the commissioner, defending the city’s minority workforce at the plant.

“You have beautiful Black people in here,” she said. “You have minorities in here. And they’re doing their things. These

are top-notch quality, certified people. Why not empower us to maintain our water system?”

LaTourette pushed back. “I recognize your passion, but I want to be abundantly clear on this point and for no one to mistake me. Compliance with the law is your obligation, not mine,” he said. “The problem here is not made better because over the last two years the DEP has been helping you.”

He added that the water system’s problem is “deeply systemic and structural. One might say it’s an outgrowth of systemic racism itself.”

“The problem with the decades of disinvestment, is that there is a hole dug so deep that you cannot get yourself out of it.”

He reiterated that the goal is “not to sell off TWW or to take it away from the city, but to help put it on a better footing.”

The commissioner cited years of state oversight, lawsuits and engineering reports showing that the city lacks the technical, managerial and financial capacity to maintain long-term compliance with water safety standards.

“The same cyclical problems arise, and it places the system at continued risk of catastrophic failure,” LaTourette said.

The regionalization plan

The push for regionalization began in earnest in January, when the mayors of Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence and Hopewell issued a joint statement calling the status quo “unsustainable.”

The mayors’ comments came after the DEP released two independent assessments: a Technical, Managerial and Financial Capacity evaluation by H2M Engineers and a 360-degree organizational review by Black & Veatch and American Public Infrastructure.

The assessments, funded by the state, concluded that Trenton Water Works is at “extremely high risk of systemic failure,” citing decades of underinvestment, poor staffing and political interference.

They support the creation of a new regional public utility to modernize the system, stabilize finances, and allow for professionalized, apolitical management.

“Creating a new public utility, with governance that allows for greater operational independence and collaboration across municipalities, is a necessary step forward,” the five mayors wrote.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora has walked a fine line. While he joined the other mayors in supporting a regionalization study, he has repeatedly emphasized that Trenton should retain ownership unless suburban municipalities agree to fair terms.

“TWW is a vital public utility with a 220year legacy of service,” Gusciora said in May. “Its future must reflect the best interests of those it serves.”

Gusciora added that Trenton’s acquisi-

tion of the water system in the 1850s was done through referendum and legislation, and any new governance model should reflect the same democratic process.

But city council has so far resisted.

During the Aug. 18 meeting, Council Vice President Jasi-Mikae Edwards and Councilwoman Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg criticized the DEP for failing to include the council in earlier planning stages.

For its part, the water utility has planned to hold “H2Open” town hall-style forums in order to allow for more public input.

The meetings are scheduled at the Lawrence Township Senior Center on Thursday, Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m. and in Hopewell Township at Stony Brook Elementary School on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Meetings were also held in Trenton on Aug. 25, Ewing on Aug. 26, and Hamilton on Aug. 27.

Support for regionalization from surrounding towns has grown more assertive since the mayors issued their letter. Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann said in April that the system’s structure is unsustainable and must be overhauled.

“This has to happen. It’s got to be regionalized,” Steinmann told the Lawrence Gazette. “The city cannot sustain Trenton Water Works the way it is structured today, and for a lot of reasons.”

What’s next?

Trenton council president Yazminelly Gonzalez said the governing body would meet again to evaluate the proposals and testimony.

LaTourette urged continued involvement. “Engage in a process to design it,” he said. “If you don’t like how that process ends up, don’t vote for it.”

The council has not yet taken formal action. Meanwhile, suburban mayors are continuing to organize and apply pressure.

“I’m hoping to talk to the commissioner soon to see if he has any additional thoughts on it,” said Martin. “I’m hopeful he’ll call the mayors in again.”

Martin said one option is the towns’ lawsuit against Trenton and the TWW, which is currently on hold. He said that they have always preferred collaboration over litigation, but acknowledged that if no other solution emerges, they may pursue that path.

He said other possibilities remain on the table too, including Hamilton building its own water filtration plant or partnering with other municipalities to construct one jointly.

For now, the stalemate continues — and so does the risk.

“The people of the greater Trenton area deserve nothing less than your full and unequivocal commitment to this effort,” LaTourette wrote to city officials in his July 29 letter.

A longer version of this story is available at communitynews.org.

We’re excited to bring the Leisure Care difference to Hamilton Township, where award-winning hospitality-driven care and life-enhancing amenities bring living well and well-being to life.

At Azalea at Hamilton, residents enjoy person-centered independent living, assisted living, and memory care tailored to their needs, preferences, and pace.

Backed by nearly 50 years of experience, Leisure Care communities are designed to inspire confidence, comfort, and joy – for residents and their families alike. Leisure Care has repeatedly earned accolades from U.S. News & World Report, is a Great Place to Work® Certified company, and was named among FORTUNE Best Workplaces in Aging Services.

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.

WHAT’S HAppENING?

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.

monday, SepTemBer 1

Hand made pasta Workshop with meal, Cherry Grove Farm. 11 a.m. Includes meal. Take home ravioli that you make. cherrygrovefarm.com. 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville.

WedneSday, SepTemBer 3

Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 10 a.m. Easy group walk in Roebling Park. Free. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton.

Friday, SepTemBer 5

Sunset Sips & Sounds, Terhune Orchards. 12 p.m. Terhune wine and music. Musical styles range from jazz and blues to folk and rock. Music from 5-8 p.m. Winery open noon-8 p.m. Barn Door Cafe open for dinner and light bites. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton.

live music on the patio - rob messina, Nassau Inn. 6 p.m. 10 Palmer Square W, Princeton.

The Williamsboy, Trenton Tir Na nOg. 9 p.m. 1324 Hamilton Ave, Trenton.

SaTurday, SepTemBer 6

Back to School Science day, Science, Kids and Beyond. 10 a.m. Sun viewing, plasma experiments, chemistry experiments, music, play space and AI photography. sciencekidsandbeyond.com. 2917 East State Street Ext., Hamilton.

First Saturday Wellness Walk, Bordentown Bluffs. 10 a.m. Each First Saturday of the Month, the Friends host a walk to explore a different part of the rich and diverse natural area known as the Abbott Marshlands. abbottmarshlands.org. Stanton Avenue, Bordentown.

Back to School, Howell Living History Farm. 10 a.m. howellfarm.org. 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell.

Fiesta latina, Mercer County Park Festival Grounds. Noon to 7 p.m. A free daylong celebration with live Latin music, dance performances, food vendors and family activities. 1 Hughes Dr., West Windsor.

Fall music Series: electric Stingray, On the Green at Palmer Square. 1 p.m. 40 Nassau Street, Princeton.

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.

Halo pub: music in the alley, Halo Pub. 6 p.m. Live outdoor music. palmersquare.com. 9 Hulfish St, Princeton.

Badshah: The unfinished Tour, CURE Insurance Arena. cureinsurancearena.com. 8 p.m. 81 Hamilton Ave, Trenton.

Sunday, SepTemBer 7

21st annual West Windsor Bike Fest, West Windsor Community Park. 8 a.m. Familyfriendly and adult-only routes. Rides led by West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance. Lunch by Aljons and TripT Foods. Register at wwbikefest.weebly.com. Bernt Midland Boulevard, Windsor. Fiesta latina, Mercer County Park Festival Grounds. Noon to 7 p.m. A free daylong celebration with live Latin music, dance performances, food vendors and family activities. 1 Hughes Dr., West Windsor.

Family Sundays at the nature Center, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Naturalistguided program geared towards families. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton.

a Guided History Table Talk Tour, Washington Crossing State Park. 1:30 p.m. Tour guides, local historians and reenactors will staff a series of tables and stops with images and objects. Visitor Center Museum open from 9 to 4. 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. Proceeds to go to The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Adults only. hopewellfare.com. 65 E Broad St, Hopewell.

monday, SepTemBer 8

FopoS Scavenger Hunt: Wonders of mountain lakes nature preserve, Mountain Lakes House. 12 a.m. 57 Mountain Ave, Princeton.

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. Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 10 a.m. Easy group walk in Roebling Park. Free. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. Felix Jermann Wine dinner, The Peacock Inn and The Perch At Peacock Inn. 6 p.m. Multicourse menu to pair with Felix Jermann’s renowned wines. Menu and wine selections online at peacockinn.com. Tickets $125. Reservations required; call (609) 924-1707 to book. 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton.

THurSday, SepTemBer 11

an elevated evening with young professionals, The Alice Princeton. 5 p.m. Beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music on the roofSee EVENTS, Page 32

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS IN YOUR INBOX WEEKLY!

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the QR code to sign

EVENTS continued from Page 31

top. Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce event geared ages 21-44. princetonmercerchamber.org. 365 Terhune Rd, Princeton. Cash Bingo, Congregation Beth Chaim. 7 p.m. Entry fee $5. Adults only. Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road East, West Windsor, NJ 08550. 329 Village Road E, Windsor.

Friday, SepTemBer 12

Fund for irish Studies: reading by anne enright, James Stewart Film Theater. 4:30 p.m. Award-winning writer Anne Enright reads from her latest novel, The Wren, Free tickets required, available through Prineton University Ticketing tixhelp@princeton.edu or (609) 258-9220. 185 Nassau St., 185 Nassau Street, Princeton. live music on the patio: nuevo Jazz, Nassau Inn. 6 p.m. 10 Palmer Square W, Princeton. dancing in the dark: September dance party, West Windsor Arts. 7:30 p.m. westwindsorarts.org. 952 Alexander Rd, Princeton Junction.

Sō percussion Fall performance, Alexander Hall, Princeton University. 7:30 p.m. Sō Percussion returns to Richardson Auditorium for their fall performance. 68 Nassau St, Princeton.

SaTurday, SepTemBer 13

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. RiverFest and

River Days are now combined for a free day of family fun. 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. www.gofevo.com/event/ Riverfest5. John Fitch Way, Trenton. monthly living History april 2025, Washington Crossing Historic Park. 11 a.m. Historical interpreters and reenactors bring to life various aspects on military life during the American Revolution. This month: artillery. washingtoncrossingpark.org. 1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. Fall Fest, Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Live music, specialty vendors, food and beer garden. lambertvillestation.com. 11 Bridge St, Lambertville.

Fall music Series: The erik daab Trio, On the Green at Palmer Square. 1 p.m. 40 Nassau Street, Princeton.

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.

Halo pub: music in the alley, Halo Pub. 6 p.m. Live outdoor music. palmersquare.com. 9 Hulfish St, Princeton.

The Kathleen parks Band, The Birdhouse Center for the Arts. 8 p.m. 7 North Main Street, Lambertville.

dave & ellen anderson, Trenton Tir Na nOg. 9 p.m. 1324 Hamilton Ave, Trenton.

Sunday, SepTemBer 14

Terhune orchards 50th anniversary apple Day, Terhune Orchards. 10 a.m. Special throwback event celebrating the original

See EVENTS, Page 34

Experience matters.

At Juniper we take great pride in who is on our team. Our people are the key to what makes Juniper the most trusted choice in senior living.

Not only are we fully staffed, but we also consistently exceed state-required staffing levels. We do not use temporary staffing agencies. Employee turnover is low and tenure is long. This perfect combination makes you feel at home.

Stop by and ask a caregiver why we were named a Great Place to Work® for the past four years. Don’t be surprised if you hear, "I’ve felt that way about working at Juniper for many years!”

Juniper Village at Hamilton 1750 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 I 609.439.6859 junipercommunities.com Hamilton.Sales@ junipercommuinties.com

Exciting New Fall Session PROGRAMMING

Discover a world of growth, creativity, and connection at the YMCA! From imaginative preschool programs that spark curiosity and build school-readiness, to youth classes that empower confidence, resilience, and life skills, there’s something for every age and stage. Kids can dive into stories, science, art, and active play; older youth can strengthen leadership, wellness, and independence; and adults can stay active while building community through fitness and recreation. No matter the program, each class is led by caring instructors in a safe, supportive environment — helping every participant learn, thrive, and belong.

PRESCHOOL | Play. Learn. Grow.

Books Alive! ( Ages 3-5 )

Social Butterflies ( Ages 3-5 )

Preschool Science ( Ages 3-5 )

Preschool Mini DaVincis ( Ages 3-5 )

Preschool Step Ahead ( Ages 3-5 )

YOUTH & TEEN | Build Confidence.

Gain Skills. Find Your Spark. Fit & Fun (ages 4-12)

Motivation & Inspiration I & II (ages 9-17)

Life Skills I & II (ages 9-17)

ADULT | Stay Active. Connect. Have Fun.

Adult Intro to Volleyball (Ages 18+)

WedneSday, SepTemBer 17

Terhune Orchards Apple Day. terhuneorchards.com. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. 4th annual Fall Craft Fair, Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Some previous vendors have sold primitives, turned pens, cutting boards, small furniture, soap, candles, jewelry, painted bottles, paintings, crochet, knit and pottery pieces. hjnj.org. 1605 Daniel Bray Highway, Lambertville.

Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 10 a.m. Easy group walk in Roebling Park. Free. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton.

THurSday, SepTemBer 18

Sangria Workshop, Hopewell Valley Vineyards. 11 a.m. Tickets: $30.95. hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. 46 Yard Rd, Pennington. Fall Fest, Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Live music, specialty vendors, food and beer garden. lambertvillestation.com. 11 Bridge St, Lambertville.

Family Sundays at the nature Center, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Naturalistguided program geared towards families. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton.

Fire Cider & Herbal vinegars Workshop, Cherry Grove Farm. 2 p.m. Learn how to make fire cider using fresh local farm ingredients and take home a jar. Children welcome. cherrygrovefarm.com. 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville.

TueSday, SepTemBer 16

mediterra: Tempting Tempranillo Tasting, Mediterra. 6 p.m. Guided taste tour of Tempranillo paired with selected tapas. mediterrarestaurant.com. 29 Hulfish St, Princeton.

open mic with Jerry and John monk, Trenton Tir Na nOg. 8 p.m. trentontirnanog.com. 1324 Hamilton Ave, Trenton.

September Business after Business, Clark Hill PLC. 5 p.m. Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce networking event. princetonmercerchamber.org. 210 Carnegie Center Suite 102, Princeton.

Friday, SepTemBer 19

Swirl: an evening of art and Wine, Grounds For Sculpture. 5 p.m. Guided tours of sculpture garden that include food and wine pairings. groundsforsculpture.org. 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton.

aCp ByoB: Wheel Ceramics, Arts Council of Princeton. 6 p.m. Beginner-friendly intro to wheel ceramics. artscouncilofprinceton. org. 102 Witherspoon St, Princeton.

The Spongebob musical, Mercer County Community College. 8 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

The ebony Hillbillies with princeton Folk music Society, Christ Congregation Church. 8 p.m. Sometimes called “the last AfricanAmerican String Band in America,” princetonfolk.org. 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton.

SaTurday, SepTemBer 20

Open House, The Lewis School of Princeton. 10 a.m. Email info@lewisschool.org or call (609) 924-8120. lewisschool.org. 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton.

Fall music Series: The ravens, On the Green at Palmer Square. 1 p.m. 40 Nassau St,

Princeton.

Hopewell Harvest Fair, Hopewell Elementary School. 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contests, live music and entertainment, games, Kids’ Korner, food vendors, farmers market, over 25 craft vendors. Raindate Oct. 4. hopewellharvestfair.org. 35 Princeton Ave., Hopewell.

autumn Sound Bath, Grounds For Sculpture. 3:30 p.m. Deep, resonating sound vibrations with the goal of eliminating disorder in the mind and body. groundsforsculpture.org. Museum admission included. 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton.

dragonflyBandnJ, River Horse Brewing Company. 5:30 p.m. Dragonfly debuts at 2025 Octoberfest. riverhorse.com. 2 Graphics Dr, Ewing Township.

Halo pub: music in the alley, Halo Pub. 6 p.m. Live outdoor music. palmersquare.com. 9 Hulfish St, Princeton.

The Spongebob musical, Mercer County Community College. 8 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

princeton Tigers Football vs. San diego Toreros Football, Princeton Stadium. 12 a.m. Noon. Faculty Rd, Princeton.

Sunday, SepTemBer 21

Colonial artisans & arms; makers of a nation, The Discovery Center at Point Breeze. 11 a.m. Bordentown Historical Society event. Learn about life in Bordentown just prior to the War for Independence. 101 Park St, Bordentown.

Family Sundays at the nature Center, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Naturalistguided program geared towards families. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton.

Hats off To you Fashion Show extravaganza, Hyatt Regency Princeton. 2 p.m. A fashion show extravaganza. Meal and vendor displays. Organized by Trenton Fortitude Corporation. 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton. The Spongebob musical, Mercer County Community College. 2 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

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

Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 10 a.m. Easy group walk in Roebling Park. Free. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. Family Story Time, Pennington Public Library. 10:30 a.m. In the children’s area. penningtonlibrary.org. 30 N. Main St., Pennington.

THurSday, SepTemBer 25

princeton university Concerts presents Takács String Quartet and Jordan Bak, viola, Alexander Hall. Shows at 6 and 9 p.m. concerts.princeton.edu. 68 Nassau St, Princeton.

Cash Bingo, Congregation Beth Chaim. 7 p.m. Entry fee $5. Adults only. Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road E, Windsor.

Friday, SepTemBer 26

Farmstead Friday, Washington Crossing Historic Park. 11 a.m. Learn about life on the Thompson-Neely Farmstead. Demonstrators will show how the harvest was

preserved for use in the winter months. 1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.

The Spongebob musical, Mercer County Community College. 8 p.m. kelseytheatre. org. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

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 the artists, watch them work and purchase artwork in a variety of media. 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. Portion of proceeds support local nonprofits. cjbeerfest.com. 1638 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor.

The Spongebob musical, Mercer County Community College. Shows at 2 and 8 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

Sunday, SepTemBer 28

Hopewell Tour des Arts, Hopewell Borough Train Station. 11 a.m. Free self-guided tour of area art studios. Meet the artists, watch them work and purchase artwork in a variety of media. Event hub is the Hopewell Train Station. hvartscouncil.org. 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell.

Festival Cultural latino, On the Green at Palmer Square. 1 p.m. Family-friendly af-

ternoon of music, dance, food, and culture on Palmer Square and Hinds Plaza. Live music and dance performances. 40 Nassau Street, Princeton.

Family Sundays at the nature Center, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Naturalistguided program geared towards families. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton.

The Spongebob musical, Mercer County Community College. 2 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

music major recital: Sarah Granholm and nathan Schwed, The College of New Jersey. 4:30 p.m. In the Mildred & Ernest. E. Mayo Concert Hall. Free and open to the public. 2000 Pennington Rd, Trenton. mary Chapin Carpenter w/ Brandy Clark, McCarter Theatre Center. 6 p.m. mccarter. org. 91 University Pl, Princeton. Bach on Hilltop, Hilltop Park. 6:30 p.m. A night of classical and jazz music performed by a local resident in the scenic Hilltop Park. 2nd Street, Bordentown.

TueSday, SepTemBer 30

princeton university Concerts presents abel Selaocoe, Cello, Alexander Hall, Princeton University. Shows at 6 and 9 p.m. Cellist Abel Selaocoe performs new works by composers Michel van der Aa and Ben Nobuto, alongside Selaocoe’s own works. In collaboration with African Music Ensemble. concerts.princeton.edu. 68 Nassau St, Princeton.

Driving Range (32 fully lit and covered stalls)

New & Improved 18-hole Miniature Golf Course

Golf Lessons

PGA Professionals on Site

Hours:

Sun-Tues: 7am - 8pm

Wed- Sat: 7am - 9pm (note: Wed opens @ 10am)

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Take advantage of both private lessons and group clinics o ered by our PGA Professionals (Call us at 609-581-4048 for more details and pricing).

GOLF continued from Page 1

tional funds to correct things. We decided we could make this facility a place for families to come.”

Lanzetta and Silverstone are PGA professionals and long-time friends who played against each other in high school. Both of their dads were teaching pros. Silverstone went to Montgomery and Lanzetta, a 1977 Hightstown High grad, is considered by many the greatest golfer in Rams history.

While Lanzetta spends much of his time running the Mansfield Golf and Learning Center, he and Silverstone are both in on any decision that is made concerning Hamilton. Silverstone, who runs the facility, has managed five other courses dating back to 1987 and he was head pro at Battleground Country Club and Glenwood Country Club.

Silverstone and Fred Zola, another PGA pro, provide the brunt of group and private lessons while Lanzetta will give a lesson on occasion.

was open, customers can now arrive at 7 a.m. and use cash or credit in a machine that will dispense a bucket of balls.

Along with that, improvements are continuously being made on the miniature golf course and driving range.

“We re-did the miniature golf; we upgraded the turf and fixed it up,” Silverstone said. “The first thing we did was put new carpet down and did maintenance on it, and we’re continuing as we go. It’s a beautiful miniature golf course. It’s got a waterfall and three ponds throughout the area. We’ve already done quite a bit and it’s still a work in progress.”

The same goes for the two-tiered driving range, on which the mats have an overhang so rain is not a problem for those wishing to whack a few.

“We’re flattening it out, we’re filling in some of the holes,” Silverstone said. “There are some new mats, new golf balls. That’s the key to a driving range is having good golf balls. We’ll have plenty of new golf balls for a long time.”

5 Justice Samuel A. Alito Way Hamilton, NJ 08619

Our Golf Center is one of Hamilton’s wonderful recreational facilities that o ers great amenities at an a ordable price. Visit Us Today! 609-581-4048

When the new regime took over, there were challenges.

“The facility was pretty run down,” Silverstone said. “We went soup to nuts to make it better.”

A key addition was automated service for the driving range. Whereas previously no one could hit balls unless the facility

Another popular addition was the installment of a new pro shop, which offers “discount pricing for all major manufacturers,” according to Silverstone.

Hamilton celebrity Fred York works part-time at the desk. As an avid golfer he cannot say enough about the facelift.

“I love it here,” York said. “It’s a great

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addition to Hamilton Township. These guys did a great job and I think that this place is gonna be a real asset for people in Hamilton to go and get lessons and play mini-golf.

“The improvements are tremendous in every way. The new golf balls, a pro shop that gives people the opportunity to not have to drive far away to buy quality equipment. They do fittings here, which they don’t do at a lot of places. And just the people who are working here.”

York’s last observation is important, as Lanzetta felt that was one of the most important challenges to be met.

“The immediate thing was to be customer-service-oriented and have the community be able to come and utilize the facility like it should be,” Lanzetta said. “We want to give them the opportunity to buy equipment from somebody local, somebody knowledgeable.

“You now have the idea of coming in and, with us being PGA professionals for a long period of time, we understand the customer service and the customers. We promote golf in all ways – playing-wise, tournaments for juniors and seniors.”

They also provide lessons from teach-

See GOLF, Page 38

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The pro shop at the Hamilton Township Golf Center.

ers who truly know the game and understand how to pass along their knowledge.

“An individual lesson lets them progress along a lot quicker,” Lanzetta said. “Someone new to the game may be a little shy about it, you can get them to understand the fundamentals, and as they work through you’re able to get them involved with playing a lot quicker.

he gives you the equipment that’s proper. In general that’s what we’re trying to do.”

The Hightstown High Hall of Famer is hoping that word of mouth will spread and more folks will start visiting the facility. He is confident they will feel more one than welcome.

“Group lessons are a little more economical, you spend the time explaining aspects of the game along with the teaching part. Maybe you go over some rules, go over the care of a golf course, then go through the different facets of the game -- the putting, the chipping, the bunker, grass hitting, drives, irons.”

The long-range goal is to make the Hamilton Golf Center another family option in the township to go along with the parks, tennis courts and athletic fields.

“A lot of adults are bringing kids into the game of golf sooner,” Lanzetta said. “This gives them a chance to do that with the driving range and the miniature golf course, or junior and adult lessons. This gives young kids a taste of it. They probably hadn’t felt comfortable coming here and doing that but now if they have a question, the PGA pro is here. He answers the questions, he sizes you up ,

“You start to get that camaraderie,” Lanzetta said. “Whether it’s club repair, club hitting, helping their child, getting their wife involved with golf so they could get on the golf course more. Being familyoriented is very big in golf. Some of the country clubs are extremely into family golf. Not all of them are stuck up.”

Silverstone credited Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin for the overall project, saying “he’s a nice man, he’s very happy about this. He’s the one who wanted to upgrade the place and he helped get it going out here.”

Lanzetta added that, “the mayor is thinking this is a wonderful thing we’ve done. He’s come over to see what was done and he’s very satisfied with our relationship with the community.”

A relationship they hope will grow larger and tighter in the coming years.

The Hamilton Township Golf Center is located at 5 Justice Samuel Alito Jr. Way, just past the library. For more information call 609-581-4048.

Web: hamiltonnj.com/golfcenter.

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MERCER COUNTY CONNECTION’S SEPTEMBER 2025 EVENTS

Notary Oath Night

Thursday, September 4, 2025

3:00PM - 7:00PM

The Mercer County Clerk’s office will administer the oath to newly commissioned and renewing Notaries.

To schedule an appointment please call: (609) 989-6466 or email: espagano@mercercounty.org

Lawyers C.A.R.E.

FREE 15-Minutes with an Attorney (VIRTUAL)

Thursday, September 11, 2025

5:00PM - 6:00PM

In collaboration with Mercer County Connection, the Public Education Committee of the Mercer County Bar Association offers FREE 15-minute consultations with an attorney.

*All Lawyers C.A.R.E. meetings will take place virtually via Zoom. *

To register please call (609) 890-9800

For additional information please call (609) 585-6200 or visit www.mercerbar.com

AHA Homebuyer Counseling & Education and Mortgage Default Counseling

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

10:00AM - 1:00PM

Mercer County Connection, in partnership with the Affordable Housing Alliance, provides an opportunity for Mercer County residents who are experiencing difficulties with mortgage payments to speak with a HUD Certified Counselor.

Please call (609) 890-9800 to register.

Mercer County Connection

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SpORTS

Newest CVC coaches set sights on successful seasons

By RiCH FiSHeR

Sean Fitzpatrick was the last coach to guide a Hamilton West boys soccer team to a winning season, all the way back in 2008. He will now try and become the first coach since 2012 to lead Nottingham’s boys team to a plus-.500 mark.

And it will be left to Jon Iorio to end the Hornets 16-year string of losing campaigns.

The township natives are the CVC’s newest head coaches, with Fitzpatrick taking over for Nick Durante at Nottingham while Iorio replaces Simon LaPointe at his alma mater.

When informed of the Northstars long drought, Fitzpatrick turned into Joe Namath with his guarantee.

“That streak ends this year,” he flatly stated. “I ain’t predicting state championships. But I will tell the kids at practice that it’s been 13 years. They’re included in those 13 years; they should have that attitude that the streak ends this year.”

coach and he’s great to work with.”

Durante stepped down after last year because he felt his new job at the Bob Smith Soccer Academy would not allow him to provide full commitment to Nottingham.

“They were looking for a candidate; and lo and behold they had one in the building again,” Fitzpatrick said. “I had said I was done with coaching, but I got the itch again after last year.

“It’s a good group of kids; I love the administration at Nottingham from the principal to the vice-principal to the AD. I thought it was a good situation. It’s nice finally being in the building where you’re coaching (he commuted from Grice to West). It’s amazing how much easier it is.”

Fitzpatrick

Part of the reason for Fitzpatrick’s optimism is he feels that Durante left him with a solid program after Nottingham went 8-12 last year and reached the states. It was the most wins since 2012, and they came after a 1-15 season.

Asked if he had any such bold predictions, Iorio chuckled.

“I know once it gets written down those promises are in stone,” he said. “I’m not gonna promise anything, but I think this is our chance to be better than we’ve been in a long time.”

Fitzpatrick, whose wife Beth is the Notre Dame’s girls’ basketball coach, said that overseeing the Northstars freshman soccer program last year reignited his desire to lead a varsity team.

“Two years ago, I walked out the door and saw the varsity team getting on the bus and I was like, ‘That team is never gonna win a game,’ Fitzpatrick recalled. “They were small, they looked like a deer in headlights. Last year almost all of them were back, and I was like ‘Oh my God, what a jump these kids made.’

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Dan Benson, County Executive

From 2005-09 he steered the Hornets to two winning seasons, three firstround county tournament wins and three state tournament berths. He returned to the pitch as Allentown’s JV coach from 2015-21.

Three years ago he went from teaching at Grice Middle School to Nottingham, and last year was asked to coach the freshman team.

“They were gonna fold that team, so I said I would do it,” Fitzpatrick said. “These things tend to go away, and it’s tough to bring them back, and I thought I’d help out there. I enjoyed it. Nick let me do a lot with the varsity and Mike Suosso was the JV

“I give a lot of credit to Nick Durante and how much work he did finding programs for them. He had them playing three or four days a week (off-season). The improvement was really impressive. He was building up to this year and I think it was pretty unselfish that he stepped away because he couldn’t make 100% commitment.”

Fitzpatrick will welcome back the team’s top two scorers in seniors Herbert Addo (12 goals, 2 assists) and Ridjeanno Valentin (6 goals, 7 assists).

“We have 14 kids returning from last year’s varsity team,” the new coach said. “We had 60-some kids try out and they love soccer. They show up every day to play hard.

“The kids have some high expectations, they think they can do pretty well and I

think they have some potential to do well also. I think our other two levels have done a real nice job of getting kids to progress, so hopefully we can make a jump.”

Fitzpatrick couldn’t help but make the jump back into coaching. It’s still in his blood.

“I thought it was a good time (to return). My youngest daughter is a freshman at Notre Dame. I think the schedule will work out where I’ll get to most of her stuff and we’ll see how it goes. It’s nowhere near as difficult as when I had four running around.”

After revitalizing Hamilton over a decade ago, Fitzpatrick is in a similar position at Nottingham. He welcomes the challenge, but does not want to project the idea it’s a challenge.

“I enjoy the underdog role,” he said. “But I definitely embrace being the guy who thinks we can win every game.”

While Fitzpatrick brings experience to Nottingham, the 27-year-old Iorio brings youthful exuberance to the Hornets.

A 2016 West graduate, he played varsity baseball and served as Moe Moceri’s JV coach for four seasons. He has spent the past four seasons as a varsity swim coach, and will enter his third year as head man this winter. In the previous two autumns, he was the JV soccer coach.

the building; these kids know me. Every kid on varsity now I’ve coached.

“Just things like rules, expectations, what I expect, what they expect from me, it’s all out there. When you bring a new regime in a lot of uncertainty comes. The less uncertainty you have with the team, that’s more time you have to focus on the game itself.”

Iorio also knows of the expectations that the Hornets had placed them from the 1960s through the 1980s. His dad played in the 80s, with such stars at Bobby Cummings and Gordon McNeil, when Hamilton was churning out quality tams.

“Mercer County soccer is a big deal, and it’s an honor to have one of the teams,” he said. “I look at it as a privilege. My dad said to bring it back to when he was in high school, when West was a feared team in the area.”

That won’t be easy and Iorio knows it.

“We were always successful with soccer; we won eight to nine games each year,” Iorio said. “I kind of grew with the job, with these kids who are now juniors and seniors. I put a lot of thought into this and realized I wanted to finish it out with them. I heard the freshman class was really exciting too. I felt like it was the perfect fit for me.”

Iorio’s soccer experience is limited to playing in rec leagues, but he thinks that’s an advantage.

“I honestly feel I’m a more effective soccer coach because it didn’t come as naturally to me as baseball did,” Iorio said. “In baseball, I felt I had trouble getting my point across. In soccer I feel more comfortable with it.”

And he wants his players to feel comfortable with their coach, which is something that has not happened in recent years. Since the late Mario Laurenti stepped down after the 2013 season, Hamilton has had four head coaches in 11 seasons.

Iorio realizes how important continuity is to a program. “Especially when you’re dealing with this age group,” he said. “When you have a bunch of different voices, it’s tough. It’s hard enough for them to feel comfortable with one. I’m in

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“It’s a huge challenge,” he said. “We’re in this rut where we’re winning just five to seven games. But we have the talent. We’ve had great kids coming through the school. It’s up to me to turn that into wins.”

Iorio must lay the groundwork to establish a positive culture. He wants to make his guys both quality players and students.

“It’s more than just being a good soccer player,” Iorio said. “We have to be respectful in the building, make sure we’re being responsible for more than just the game. That will result in better team camaraderie and being more responsible on the field. I really think that will turn into wins.”

Iorio was enthused by the fact that nearly 90 players tried out; a number not seen at West in years. He encouraged underclassmen who were cut to play rec or travel ball in order to improve, and to give it another try next year. He hopes the guys he retained will also play more.

“Varsity soccer is too good in this area to just play two or three months out of the year,” he said. “We have summer workouts but it’s not enough. You gotta be out there without me and without the school.”

Iorio feels there is the potential to get on the winning side of the ledger.

“I have four great varsity leaders,” he said. “I’m gonna lean on them. We have some scoring. We’ve struggled with our stamina. In past years we’d get eight to 12 strong minutes from guys and then we’d fall off. We’re deeper this year, I feel my strengths are in areas we need to get better at.”

If a positive outlook counts, things could be on the upswing at Nottingham and West.

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Patriots rising on travel baseball scene, no matter the season

By RiCH FiSHeR

Football may be king, but baseball is still considered America’s Pastime. So it’s fitting that a group of young Americans play their home games in front of those who actually fought for our country.

Now entering their third year, the VFW Patriots are one of the fastest growing travel baseball programs around. Playing in the USABL, the Patriots home base is VFW Post 491 on Fisher Place in Yardville, just down the road from Switlik Park.

The coaches have taken what was a dormant, weed-infested field — once being used for parking at VFW events — and turned it into a quality facility. The Patriots began operation in 2023 with 24 players, and will enter this fall season with six age groups from 7 to 12 that are composed of 140 participants. That number was whittled from 220 who tried out.

“Not because we wanted to cut them, but because we just didn’t have space,” said Joe Fuhrman, who founded the Patriots with Brad Downs.

“There are kids who are begging to get into this program,” said Post 491 Commander Terry Smith, an Air Force vet-

eran. “It shot up out of nowhere.”

The organization is not a nonprofit, but it relies mainly on volunteers and fundraisers. A major event will take place on opening weekend of the fall campaign from Sept. 5-7. Mayor Jeff Martin will throw out the first pitch Friday at 5 p.m., followed by a barbecue while the game is being played.

On Saturday there will be games from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the township donating lights for night games. Action resumes Sunday morning with the final game taking place at 7 p.m. The general public is welcome.

“The beef and beer is one of our biggest fundraisers,” Fuhrman said. “That will help us build a second practice field. Every Patriots team will play that weekend.”

What started as an idea to give travel ball more of a hometown little league feel has blossomed into a happening whenever games are played.

“It’s a cool vibe,” Fuhrman said. “If you’ve ever been to the Hibernians soccer games, it’s the Hibernians version of baseball. You have a bar in centerfield. People are having a few casual beers, we’re all having fun. Music is playing,

people are playing horseshoes. They’re playing volleyball, whif fle ball in left field. And while all that’s happening the game is going on.”

Perhaps the neatest thing is that the veterans immerse themselves into the party.

“We have a quoits league, and the guys playing just enjoy (the baseball),” said Ron Sanchez, a VFW auxiliary member whose stepfather received a purple heart in Vietnam. His brother served in the navy, and son was in the marines. “I think it brings them back to their youth. A lot of them have grandkids playing for our teams.

“We sit in the outfield and we root them on. It doesn’t matter if they win or lose, they’re all winners because they’re out here playing. What those guys have done with our field is incredible from where it started. They have put so much time and effort into the maintenance of it. We can’t be prouder of them.”

Tom Brettell, one of the Patriots original managers, loves the interaction between the vets and the teams. During practices, when coaches are yelling out who’s at each position, the members will yell from their quoits game, “Who’s on

first? What’s on second!” in reference to Abbott and Costello’s classic routine.

“It’s a good vibe back there, it’s a place that people like to go,” Brettell said. “They love us being back there, we love being back there. It’s got a Little League vibe without being Little League.”

And it has a bunch of grown men providing an added rooting section.

“You can literally look out the window or stand on the porch and watch them play,” Smith said. “That field was dormant for years. So now it’s like all this extra energy is floating around. It’s just amazing.”

The operation was hatched in February, 2023 by Fuhrman and Downs — a former Hopewell and TCNJ player now coaching at Allentown High — whose sons are the same age.

“Brad had a bunch of Allentown kids on his team, I was from Hamilton, I had a bunch of Hamilton kids,” Fuhrman said. “We started to see all our kids going to bigger programs so we said ‘Alright lets create a program.’ And we found this partnership with the VFW.”

The field was discovered by Jim Sapia, a Patriots coach. Sapia’s dad, Butch, See STORY, Page 44

Peace of Mind.

is a VFW member who recommended the field to Jim. It was proposed to Sanchez, who presented it to Smith. Sanchez termed it “a no-lose situation for us.”

“When they approached me I said, ‘We don’t have money to run a field. If you want to use my field you can make whatever you want out of it as long as you take care of everything,’” Smith said. “So they took that and ran with it. We have a lot of teams, it’s very enthusiastic.”

Fuhrman and Downs inspected the facility and saw potential. Downs and his father did most of the work on the field while Fuhrman handled the baseball end of things.

“Brad was turning the field over to make sure there was enough dirt on it,” Fuhrman said. “It went from a completely unusable baseball field to one of the nicer skin infields in the area.”

After competing with two teams that first summer, the word began to spread about the “cool” environment. Suddenly, some of Hamilton’s top high school baseball talent from earlier this century began to get involved.

“It’s just unique, we’ve all grown up either playing or coaching together and now here we are together again,” Brettell said. “We have a bunch of kids all playing together. It’s kind of cool. We’re at the

local VFW; there’s this little sandlot field out there with an army tank in the outfield. It’s just so unique.”

Fuhrman was able to recruit former Steinert great CJ Pittaro to serve as head of player development and training during his off-season from playing in the Athletics minor league system. Coaches include former Steinert standouts Fuhrman, Joe D’Andrea, Mike “Moe” Moceri, Frank Sabatino, Danny Mattonelli and Corey Radice, former Hamilton West standouts Brettell, Tom Paglione, Eric Ammirata, Eric Woodrow, Hiram Cartagena and Danny Alexander, and former Hamilton West pitching coach Matt Mayo.

“We’re trying to run a program that simulates Little League baseball. People come to the field at 10 a.m. and they don’t leave until 10 p.m. They hang out all day and watch the teams play,” Fuhrman said. “Any given day we could have 200 at our game because all the veterans are out there too. The post has dollar hot dogs for the kids.”

Fuhrman estimates that about 75 percent of the league is Hamilton players, and there is a large group of Allentown and Robbinsville participants since several of the coaches live in Upper Freehold. For all involved it’s an enjoyable experience beyond baseball.

“The social aspect is great,” Fuhrman

said. “There are discussions with the veterans about what branch of military they served and the guys talk about it. The cool thing is that you have multi generations getting together and talking to each other. Guys in their 60s, 70s and 80s talking to kids eight years old about baseball and the history of the game.”

Smith feels the players are too young to fully understand what the veterans have done for their country, but Brettell noted that some of the older ones can appreciate it. “I don’t know if they get the whole picture, but they know (the vets) represent something bigger going on there than baseball.”

The Patriots name was the brainchild of VFW members, and the uniform col-

ors are — naturally — red white and blue. The entire undertaking is a win-win for both parties.

“This is something this VFW never took advantage of,” Smith said. “We’re really proud of it. And I think they’re very proud to play for us here because they’ve got the uniform, they see a tank out there, they see a torpedo (in front of the building). The whole thing is going on.

“It’s great to see. All these kids have matching outfits, color-coordinated uniforms with the shoes and the bats hanging off them. They look like little armies running around out there.”

Playing at the VFW, what could be more fitting?

CJ Pittaro, shown with VFW Patriots players, serves as head of player development and training when he is not playing minor-league baseball for the Athletics.

Kinter remembered as a most influential JV soccer coach

By RiCH FiSHeR

When soccer fans look back on Steinert’s powerhouse teams of the 1970s and 80s, the coaches who spring to mind are varsity head mentors Mario “Goose” Laurenti and Paul Tessein.

But behind the scenes, the man with a sharp soccer mind and dry wit was helping to shape the state champion-caliber players that those two inherited.

Ted Kinter, who died July 5, served as the Spartans JV coach from 1971-83 and amassed an incredible 172-29-17 record (.789 percentage). He helped develop players who would go on to become All-County, All-State and All-American performers.

For his efforts, the Crosswicks native was inducted into the Mercer County Soccer and Steinert Athletic halls of fame.

As a JV coach!

“He was a big part of player development for the varsity level and all the success of that program,” said Paul “The Haitian” Fink, who played on Kinter’s final team in 1983. “He was a player’s coach. He had a good rapport with everybody on the team. It wasn’t just a few guys. He knew the game. He had a great sense of the game and where to play the players.”

Fink is the youngest of seven brothers, six of whom played for Kinter (Tom went straight to varsity). Every one of them had a nickname and, at his hilarious Steinert HOF induction speech, just months before his passing, Kinter said “It took me about 10 years to figure out the Finks actually had real names.”

“He was very proud of his accomplishments,” said Ken Kinter, Ted’s oldest son. “At his Steinert induction speech he bragged about how well his players did in soccer and more importantly in life; and about being an honorary member of the Fink family.

said. “When I think about his practices, it was learning how to play less by drills and more by playing; and that you can get points across without shouting, which was kind of popular back in our day. His approach was more calm and cerebral, which had a calm effect on all of us.”

That style made Kinter a quietly powerful instructor, on and off the pitch. Known to Steinert students for his sardonic wit and a resemblance to former big band leader Mitch Miller, he taught for 34 years and headed the school’s English department. Students loved being assigned to his classes, seeing it as an hour of stand-up comedy in the midst of learning.

He was famous for telling his speed reading students to go home and inform their parents at dinner what they learned, saying “They will be so amazed their heads will drop straight down into the mashed potatoes.”

“He didn’t think of it as varsity and JV, he saw himself as a partner of Coach Tessein and they had identical goals for success. As a kid, I didn’t even know there was a distinction. I just thought of both of them as Steinert’s coaches. He kept in touch with former players to the end of his life and often told stories about them.”

Sam Maira, who had a legendary coaching career in South Jersey and currently serves as a Princeton University assistant, played goalie on one of Kinter’s earliest teams in 1973. Upon becoming a coach, Maira drew on Kinter’s wisdom.

“He was a reminder that the game is the teacher,” the former Rutgers ’keeper

“Dad was known for his sense of humor and stories as much as anything,” Ken said. “He loved (humorist) Jean Shepherd. He brought humor to everything he did — in the classroom, on the pitch, at home and at Steinert, where there was a whole crew of cut-ups. He was the life of most parties.

“He also loved giving historical/fictional talks about the Crosswicks area where ‘You can’t make this up’ met ‘I may have made that up.’ Even at the end of his life, he was watching those Dean Martin celebrity roasts and laughing about them.”

Humor, humility and success made Kinter a legend within the halls of Stein-

See KINTER, Page 48

Ted Kinter (center) with Paul Fink and Tommy Fink. (Photo by Phil Fink.)

ert, which is why varsity coach Anthony Tessein and the current Spartan team will honor Ted on Sept. 27 at the 10 a.m. home game with Hamilton West.

“I never met coach Kinter until his time with Steinert soccer had long passed but I hear the stories from the older guys,” Tessein said. “I’m always looking to bring alumni back. We want to honor people who have put in their share of the time and this was an easy one.”

Tessein said that within the “simple celebration,” Steinert will dedicate the day and the game to Kinter, and someone will read about his achievements at halftime. After that, “If someone wants to say something, that’s great,” Tessein said. “It’s a little open ended in that sense.”

According to his obituary, Kinter graduated from Hamilton West and Western Maryland College and was a standout baseball player before embarking on his professional career. An avid bowler, boater and fisherman, Kinter and longtime partner Carol Kish were members of the Brant Beach Yacht Club and spent ample time on Long Beach Island. He had a lifelong love of Crosswicks, giving talks about the area’s history for the Historical Society.

While at Steinert, Kinter advocated for better conditions for students, teachers and staff as a leader in the New Jer-

sey and Hamilton Township educator’s associations.

He is survived by Ken and younger son Jeffrey, daughters-in-law PJ and Karen and grandchildren Jackson and Bryce.

PJ is organizing a memorial on Sep. 7 at Tall Cedars Picnic Grove on Sawmill Road from noon to 5 p.m. Anyone interested in attending should call her at 732-996-0412 or email pjwenger22@gmail.com.

It could be a strong turnout for a guy whose impact is still felt among former players.

“He managed all aspects and left us with great memories,” said Maira, a goalie for the 1975 co-state champions.

“As we moved up to varsity he was the introspective guy that stayed out of the spotlight but was always there for us. The first thing that comes to mind is the wonderful human being he was: kind, compassionate, intelligent.”

Fink, who starred for a 16-2-2 team as a senior, concurred, saying, “He was a good guy. He looked out for us. He was beloved by all of us. He had that great sense of humor and we played for him because he had that great rapport with us.”

The Haitian noted that Kinter, who also coached at the Bronc Soccer School and in Hamilton Rec, would try and work on technique a bit “but it was more that he let us play. He would observe and move

us around to see where our strengths were. And it worked because when guys went to varsity they were playing the same position as they did on JV so he was doing it right.”

Maira could not stress enough how important Kinter’s laid-back style became to his players, who went on to win four state titles as varsity performers.

“His gift was that he let us play, he didn’t get in the way of the game, didn’t complicate it, and kept the joy and fun of playing at the forefront,” Maira said. “We had a lot of very good and ambitious players who wanted to win and wanted to be varsity high school players with college hopes. But we were also 15 and 16 year old goofballs! He was a great role model at a time we certainly needed one.”

And while Kinter always cared and looked out for the young men on his team, he was, of course, partial to the ones he called sons and grandsons.

Though their parents divorced when Ken was 14, “Dad never stopped being a father to my younger brother and I.” He said some of their best times together were the past few years. Ken was diagnosed with leukemia in 2023 and Ted—who died of cancer—was always at his side.

“Imagine watching your 85-year-old father mowing your lawn and fixing things because you can’t,” said Ken, who

has been cancer-free since December 2023. “If I asked for something, it magically appeared.

“When he was diagnosed with cancer, I was grateful to be able to help him in his fight. Even though that fight was brief and didn’t end as we would have liked, I’m grateful to have been there for him as he was for me.”

Ken considered his dad a major inspiration “in pretty much everything I did.” He admired Ted’s seamless blending of teaching and coaching as he used soccer to help learn about and succeed in life.

For Kinter, wins were always secondary. “Apart from his collection of championship jackets, he didn’t talk about being so successful,” Ken said. “I didn’t even know what his winning percentage was. He never spoke of his accomplishments, but spoke of those of the players often. When you think of coaches whose winning percentages approach 80 percent, they are all legends and I never thought of dad at that level until the hall of fame ceremony, which he was very honored by.

“We are all very honored and grateful at how Steinert has reached out and has remembered Dad. It speaks to the Spartan Pride that he was so proud to be a part of.”

And Tessein hopes that pride for what Kinter accomplished will be on full display Sept. 27.

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

THE HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP

ANNOUCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NEWS TO KNOW

Lake Placid, a clown and an abandoned town

THE HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP

Shop Small, Shop Local, Shop Hamilton.

ANNOUCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As you shop this summer please remember to support our local small businesses and our neighbors and friends who own them.

Visit our websites Hamilton-Strong.com and ShopHamiltonNJ.com

Jeannine Cimino Board Chairman Rachel Holland Executive Director

The Hamilton Partnership is proud to announce Jeannine Cimino, as newly elected Chaiman of the Board and Rachel Holland as the newly appointed Executive Director.

Jeannine Cimino Rachel Holland Executive Director

Since 1993, The Hamilton Partnership has worked with community business leaders, government officials, and private decision-makers to deliver services and employment opportunities that are essential to Hamilton Township’s continued success.

The Hamilton Partnership is proud to announce Jeannine Cimino Board and Executive Director.

Congratulations to Jeannine and Rachel, the first females to serve in each of their roles!

I knew it was going to be an unusual vacation because of the clown. Driving on Route 87 North toward upstate New York, my daughter observed from the seat behind me, “There was a clown in that car we just passed.” “In full clown costume?” I inquired, and when she confirmed as much, I decided this was something I had to see for myself. The car in question was a bit of a jalopy, which seemed fitting, and it was traveling slowly in the rightmost of two highway lanes. I got into the right lane myself, figuring I’d slow down and let him catch up, then move aside and allow him to pass, getting a good view in the process.

I was driving a good 20mph below the speed limit, but he was barely gaining on me. Traffic whizzed by in the left lane while I checked in the rear view mirror every few seconds, but no matter how much I slowed down, he seemed to maintain or increase his cushion of ten or fifteen car lengths behind me. I was embroiled in a reverse car chase, and I was losing.

After about ten minutes of me trying to get a look without stopping completely or endangering other motorists, he put his signal on, indicating he’d be getting off at the next exit. It was now or never, so I slowed to what felt like the speed of a brisk jog and watched as his car got closer and closer. As he peeled off to the

exit ramp, I finally made eye contact, and he smiled and waved a big, goofy, clown wave at me. He was alone, wigged, whitefaced and red-nosed, in an old beat-up Jeep, and while having only one clown in a clown car seemed like a violation of the clown code of conduct, the smile and wave were disarming enough that I didn’t report him, even as I envisioned clown police pulling him over and taking him to clown jail.

After a detour that included a rafting trip at the Ausable Chasm (“The Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks”), as well as a hike on the Adirondack Poke-OMoonshine trail and a nerve-wracking climb up the hundred year old fire tower at its summit, we checked into the house we’d rented in Lake Placid, which was also over a hundred years old. (The host of the house, a woman who walked strangely because one leg was shorter than the other, was approaching the century mark, too.)

The house was comfortable, but also a prime setting for a horror movie: a dark, elegant dining room with a long table; a bedroom decorated with creepy dolls; a basement with a huge, ancient boiler that resembled a cremator, plus what looked to be an old coal depository, empty except for a single chair. Most of all, there was the closet we dubbed “The Naughty Room.” The Naughty Room had no windows and a musty odor, but had been furnished with a pink chair, a small pink table, and children’s crayons and coloring books. If that was all there was, it would be easy to envision this

THE HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jeannine Cimino, Chair, William Penn Bank

Source: Unkown

Rachel Holland, Executive Director

Gregory Blair (Emeritus), Nottingham Insurance Co.

Since 1993, The Hamilton Partnership has worked with community business leaders, government officials, and private decision-makers to deliver services and employment opportunities that are essential to Hamilton Township’s continued success.

Hon. Jeff Martin, Mayor, Hamilton Township

Lee Boss, The Mercadien Group

Gerard Fennelly, NAI Fennelly

Congratulations to Jeannine and Rachel, the first females to serve in each of their roles!

Richard Freeman, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton

Frank Lucchesi, PSE&G

Patrick M. Ryan, First Bank

Tom Troy, Sharbell Development Corp.

Since 1993, The Hamilton Partnership has worked with community business leaders, government o cials, and private decision-makers to deliver services and employment opportunities that are essential to Hamilton Township’s continued success. @thehamiltonpartnership @Hamiltonnjstrong #HamiltonNJStrong

THE HAMILTON PARTNERSHIP EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jeannine Cimino, Chair, William Penn Bank

Gerard Fennelly, NAI Fennelly

Richard Freeman, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamilton Frank Lucchesi, PSE&G

Hamilton, NJ 08619

Peter Dabbene CompleX SimpliCiTy

then there was the matter of the graffiti. Illumination provided by a bare bulb with a pull chain showed crayon writing in various colors, overlapping and covering the walls and ceiling. There were lots of names, as one might expect, but also messages like, “SAVE US PLEASE” and “HELP ME.” The pleas of teenagers trapped on a boring family vacation, or creepy mementos of a Mommie Dearest situation that puts the “cruel” in “cruel and unusual” punishment?

The former, I’d guess, but despite this strangeness, we found Lake Placid to be very enjoyable. As the site of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, Lake Placid has a deep-rooted and enduring athletic legacy. To prime those of our group who were unfamiliar with the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” we watched the 2004 film Miracle before visiting the Olympic Museum. At nearby Mount Van Hoevenberg, we watched bobsledders practice their starts and learned the ins and outs of “sliding sports” like bobsled, skeleton, and luge. Visiting Lake Placid in summer doesn’t allow for skiing, but it does make some unusual sporting combinations possible, like aquabiking, kayaking, and swimming in Mirror Lake or Lake Placid itself, and just a few hours later ice skating in shorts on the 1932 Olympic rink. We were turned away from participating in a sold-out curling session, an ice sport that apparently fascinates more than just my family. All the more reason to return one day.

The trip, and our activities, got me thinking about some potential—and yes, unusual—Olympic events I’d love to see. Tube Jumping (or Tube Diving) would involve leaping into water and passing through the hole in the center of a common inflatable tube, with points

awarded for vertical and horizontal distance traveled and for minimizing contact with the tube, not to mention style points for flips, twists, etc. The Olympics could also benefit from the addition of Bumper Car Aqua Bikes, Ice Skating Roller Derby, and Challenge Eating, the latter inspired by my fun, filling, but ultimately failed attempt to conquer The Gondola Pasta Challenge—three large chicken cutlets on a bed of pasta and a giant piece of bread, at The Twisted Raven restaurant in Wilmington, New York.

On the way home, the “unusual” theme reared its head again as we visited Frontier Town, a Wild West theme park in North Hudson, NY that was abandoned in 1998. Many of the buildings are still intact, if one allows for a loose interpretation of that term. If an old chapel with moss and bushes growing out of its roof, or deserted covered bridges and stables are your thing, it’s well worth a visit.

The usual blends in as part of everyday life, while the unusual stands out in experience and memory. For example, if that slow-driving clown had reappeared in Frontier Town, it would be highly unusual, and the image might have seared itself into my brain permanently. Thankfully, he didn’t—and for now, it’s back to the “usual” grind.

peter dabbene’s website is peterdabbene.com, and his previous Hamilton Post columns can be read at communitynews.org. He will be reading from his poetry/photo book The Lotus Eater (and Other Poems) on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. at Princeton Makes, 301 N. Harrison St, Princeton NJ, 08540. “The Lotus Eater (and Other Poems)” is available through Amazon.com for $20 (print) or $10 (ebook).

11 questions with painter Lord’Kala Dawson

Thomas Kelly FiGHT in THe muSeum

Lord’kala Dawson paints colorful personal stories. His portraits seem larger than life. His work has aspects of cubism, fauve and surrealism.

The colors, faces and objects depicted, make us more curious about the subjects and the stories behind them.

1. What are you communicating with your art?

My art is a pure expression of my unique perspective, a culmination of my experiences. For me, art is expression in its purest form. I believe that when viewers bring their own experiences to the work, it creates a powerful connection, allowing them to see a reflection of themselves within the art.

How did you get started making art?

I drew a lot as a kid, but by middle school, sports and skateboarding took over, and art became just random doodles on the side of classwork. I did take a couple of classes at Nottingham High School, and my teacher even entered a project into a show, but I honestly didn’t think much of art back then.

The real turning point came in my second year at Mercer. I was pursuing a nursing degree but had a hard time with chemistry, which made me really rethink things. As I tried to figure out what I truly wanted to do, art just naturally came back to me. Doodling at work sparked the idea of a creative major, leading me to switch to digital design, where I took various art courses and eventually found my love for painting.

3. What media do you use and why?

As a mixed-media artist, acrylic and oil paint are the core of my practice. The specific medium I choose for a piece is always driven by the painting’s intended outcome. Acrylics are frequently my go-to

due to their faster drying properties, which complements my workflow. Lately, I’ve been exploring a new technique with watered-down acrylics to achieve abstract marks within my portraiture style.

Your figures and compositions have some mystical personal qualities.

The mystical quality in my art stems from its connection to real experiences and the essence of real people. I don’t simply depict them; I build a dedicated space within the artwork for their stories and spirit to reside and resonate.

5. Where do the ideas come from?

I find inspiration everywhere. My creative process is deeply informed by reference material, which I pull from the world around me. This includes personal experiences, stories, and all types of media I consume, from books and films to television.

Ultimately, I use this intake of informa-

tion and content as the raw material to build my work.

How does your design background come out in your current artwork?

My design background serves as the blueprint for my current artwork. It’s where I developed an understanding of principles like color, composition, and visual balance. These are the elements I consciously apply in my artwork, allowing me to craft the specific aesthetic I aim for in every piece.

Who are some of your influences?

Artists like Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Romare Bearden, and Jacob Lawrence are major influences on my practice. The most significant lesson I’ve drawn from their work is a profound appreciation for versatility and uninhibited creative exploration. Their willingness to experiment with myriad styles

and mediums deeply resonates with my own commitment to never limit my artistic expression.

Do you make preparatory drawings before you paint?

Yes, I often create preparatory drawings before I paint. Sometimes these are digital sketches on an iPad that I then translate into paintings. Other times, I draw directly onto the canvas, using my iPad to map out compositions and color schemes.

What fight/struggle do you have regarding your art?

The biggest fight I have regarding my art is striking a healthy balance across my life. Being a father to two amazing kids and an engaged partner means I’m always aiming to excel in every role. It’s a continuous effort to manage my family commitments, work responsibilities, and dedicated art time so I can truly be my best self as a father, partner, and artist. What is most difficult about being an artist?

While being an artist is the greatest passion in my life, the most significant challenge lies in the absence of a traditional, clear-cut career path. Unlike many professions where the progression is often linear, as an artist, you are entirely responsible for creating and defining your own unique journey.

What is on the horizon? What are you looking forward to?

I have several exciting projects coming up. In the first week of August, I’ll be releasing my first set of limited prints on my website. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to two shows slated for 2026-2027: a solo exhibition, and a unique collaboration with my father, where we will present his written poetry alongside my paintings. Web: khosendesignstudio.com. Instagram: lordkala.

Thomas Kelly is a Hamilton-based artist. On the web: thomaskellyart.com.

Artist Lord’Kala Dawson with two of his portraits.

CLASSIFIED

Booking a classified ad has never been easier! Simply scan the QR code or visit communitynews.org/place_an_ ad. Questions? Call us at 609-3961511 ext. 132.

VACATION RENTAL

Fort Myers Beach, Fl. Dates are still available 1 br condo on beach. Call for details @ 609-577-8244.

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SERVICES

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

Guitar, Ukulele and Drum lessons for all. Call Jane 609 510-1400. $25.00 per lesson.

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

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Emergency child care Emergency child care –need a date? At a loss for child care sometimes? Need a few hours to yourself? Hello, I’m Eileen. I taught preschool for 39 years as well as being a clown. Ages 2 1/2 -6 years. 609-477-4268.

Senior Concierge. Here to assist you. In the home or on the road. Part-time/Day or evening. Holidays and weekends no problem. Very good references. Call Mary Ann, 609-298-4456 Text: 609-676-4530. Taking appointments again starting May 1st.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

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

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

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

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

Tips to navigate raising a child with Celiac Disease

Ask The Doctor

When your child is diagnosed with celiac disease, your journey together takes an unexpected turn.

Suddenly, everyday routines like family meals, school lunches and birthday parties come with a layer of concern. However, with knowledge and planning, celiac disease can become manageable.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the ingestion of gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine.

For children, this can mean a range of symptoms from abdominal pain and diarrhea to fatigue, irritability, or even delayed growth. While the diagnosis may be overwhelming at first, it is also the key to healing.

The only current treatment is a strict,

lifelong gluten-free diet. While a lifelong gluten-free diet can sound intimidating when gluten is hidden in so many foods, with time and education, it becomes second nature.

Ashwin Agrawal, DO, Medical Director of the Pediatric Celiac Disease Center, part of the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health offers these tips for where a parent can start:

• Family mealtimes become a new opportunity to explore new and fresh ingredients, discover new gluten free cuisines and even develop an appreciation for reading food labels.

labels. This will teach your child to ask questions and make healthy choices.

• Continue to follow-up with your celiac disease team to ensure your child’s disease resolves and that the gluten free diet does not cause vitamin deficiencies. You should also ensure that your child is screened for other autoimmune diseases which can be common with celiac disease.

• Living with a dietary restriction can feel isolating or unfair. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings without judgement. Help your child find joy in the foods they can eat. Surround them with a community that can help them feel understood such as other kids with celiac disease or support groups.

• Together learn how to read food

The Pediatric Celiac Disease Center, at RWJBarnabas Health is the only one of its kind offering multidisciplinary care for children in New Jersey, bringing together celiac experts including the pediatric gastroenterologist, registered dietician, psychologists, and social workers. The center has been recognized by the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (SSCD) and is one of only ten centers with this designation in the United States demonstrating our commitment and excellence in the care of children with celiac disease. Learn more at rwjbh.org/ childrenshealth

Programs at RWJUH Hamilton this month

The following programs are sponsored by RWJUH Hamilton Community Health, open to all and all ages, and the Better Health Program, open to all 65+ years old. All programs take place at the Center for Health & Wellness located at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge

David

Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619--unless otherwise noted. View the calendar of programs available online at rwjbh.org/hamiltonprograms, or for more information or to register, call 609-584-5900. Registration is required to attend programs.

Monday, SePteMber 8

Mommy & Me Crafting Group (Community Health). 9–10 a.m. Open to children ages 2-5 with a focus on creative expression and build.

Parent Zen (Community Health). 6-7:30 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.

tHurSday, SePteMber 16

Polypharmacy Awareness (Community Health). 1-2 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.

WedneSday, SePteMber 17

Everyday Counts: Supporting Your Child’s School Success (Community Health). 6-7:30 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.

tueSday, SePteMber 23

Fall Mini Medical School (Community Health) Tuesdays through Oct. 28; 6-7 p.m. Join us for

Scheduled appointments and same day sick

Dr. Anjali Bhandarkar

Alon Baker, DO, FAAP, FACOP • Sonya Boor, MD, FAAP Laura Brandspiegel, MD, FAAP • Stefanie Fiderer, DO, FAAP

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Deferred payment2

1 APR = Annual Percentage Rate. All rates are subject to change without notice and based on credit history. Minimum loan amount of $8,000 required for 60-month terms, $15,000 for 72-month terms and $20,000 for 84-month terms. Payment examples are per $1,000 borrowed for model years 2020 –2025: Rates as low as 5.24% for 84 months = $14.25; as low as 4.99% for 72 months = $16.11; as low as 4.74% for 60 months = $18.76; As low as 4.49% for 48 months = $22.80; as low as 4.24% for 36 months = $29.63; as low as 3.99% for 24 months = $43.42. Other rates and terms available. Member eligibility required. Refinancing available for financing from another lender. Rates are effective August 1st, 2025.

2 Valid on new and used auto loans. Each auto loan closed during this promotion period will make no payments for 90 days. Accepting the terms of “no payment for 90 days offer” will extend the maturity of your loan for at least 90 days but less than 110 days. If accepting the delayed first payment, you will not be eligible for any other skipping/delaying of your payment during this calendar year. Interest will accrue during this period. Payments made through payroll deduction or automatic payment will be deposited into your account for the time you are skipping/delaying your payment. Refinances from existing CU of NJ loans do not qualify. All loans are subject to credit approval. Certain restrictions may apply. This offer can be discontinued at any time.