EO Proof 2

WINTER WELLNESS Special Edition see pg 11

JANUARY 2026 FREE

COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG

Independent watchdog spotlights TWW issues Website emerges as key information source amid continued problems InterVieW By BiLL SAnSerVino

Trenton Water Works once again shut down its filtration plant in December after a buildup of frazil ice clogged the raw water intake. It was a failure that mirrored an incident nearly a year earlier, and one that state regulators warned could happen again.

The N.J. Department of Environmental

Protection confirmed the shutdown in a letter to the city on Dec. 12, and advised that customers conserve water.

But the City of Trenton did not immediately notify residents or suburban communities served by the system. A public water conservation advisory wasn’t made until Dec. 18, and that notice did not mention that the treatment plant had been shut down for several hours. The notice has also been printed in an advertisement on Page 2 of this paper.

Frazil ice is a slushy accumulation of tiny, sticky ice crystals that form in super-

cooled, turbulent water (like rivers in winter), appearing as slush or small needles. It can block water intakes by adhering to submerged structures, growing and bridging gaps in screens, effectively clogging water flow into water treatment systems.

Instead of hearing from TWW, many people first learned about the shutdown, the conservation directive and the underlying risks through an independently run Substack blog called From the Mains of Trenton. (trentonwaterworks.substack. com) The blog, which also sends out an email

newsletter, has become a widely read source of information about Trenton Water Works, frequently reporting regulatory correspondence, inspection reports and system vulnerabilities that otherwise go unaddressed publicly.

The website states that it is “dedicated to uncovering the truth behind one of the most urgent — and underreported — public health crises in New Jersey: the slowmotion collapse of Trenton Water Works.”

The blog is essentially the work of one person, Trenton resident Marc LeckingSee TWW, Page 3

Alston ready to guide Ewing girls basketball

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said. “And I feel like last year that’s how I came in. I came in thinking, oh, I gotta do this, I gotta do that for my team, instead of just being a team player and counting on my teammates and knowing that they can help me. So this year I know my teammates, I know what we can do, and I have no worries.”

Ewing opened the season with an encouraging 68-55 win over Notre Dame, the team that defeated them last year in the Colonial Valley Conference tournament championship, the successor to the former Mercer County Tournament.

Ewing had won three straight MCT titles, and the Blue Devils have the balance and See ALSTON, Page 17

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Water Conservation Advisory DECEMBER 18, 2025

What is happening?

During this holiday season, Trenton Water Works (TWW) is asking all customers and service-area residents to conserve water voluntarily until further notice. TWW has issued this request as a precautionary measure due to prolonged cold weather conditions, seasonal operational challenges associated with winter temperatures, and a state drought advisory currently in effect. There is no disruption to water service, and tap water remains safe and available, meeting all regulated and monitored Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

How can customers and service-area residents help?

We encourage customers and service-area residents to prioritize essential water use for drinking and cooking, sanitation and personal hygiene, and fire suppression and emergency needs.

We ask customers and service-area residents to temporarily reduce non-essential water use: washing vehicles, watering lawns and landscaping, filling pools or operating decorative fountains, and running dishwashers or washing machines with partial loads.

Why is this Water Conservation Advisory important?

Extreme cold can affect water infrastructure performance, including the water filtration plant's raw water intake, a physical structure submerged in the Delaware River, and water mains and service lines in TWW's 683-mile distribution system.

TWW's water filtration plant on Route 29 South in Trenton continues to operate normally without disruption to treatment or distribution and is capable of meeting drinking water demand. This Water Conservation Advisory helps ensure system reliability and performance during extreme winter temperatures.

About TWW System Operations TWW plant operators, who are highly qualified and state-licensed, are actively managing winter conditions by monitoring the filtration plant's raw water intake performance, implementing operational protocols approved by state regulators, and maintaining Pennington Avenue Reservoir levels to support system demand.

Questions? Call our Office of Communications and Public Outreach at (609) 989-3033.

OCPO-90 Water Conservation Advisory

2Ewing Observer | Januar y 2026

New Jersey Public Water System Identification Number NJ1111001

TWW continued from Page 1 ton. He says that the mission of his site is to explain what is happening inside the water system, connect regulatory findings that are often scattered across agencies, and give residents the context needed to understand both the immediacy and the long-term implications of continued system failures.

He has also announced that he will be releasing a monthly video focused entirely on Trenton Water Works. Each episode will be published on Substack and distributed across major podcast platforms.

Leckington is no stranger to navigating complicated government issues, a skill developed over years of working within city government and advising public agencies on complex regulatory matters.

He is president of Leckington Advisors LLC, where he assists municipalities, nonprofit organizations and developers with the implementation and administration of HUD entitlement grants, New Jersey’s Uniform Housing Affordability Controls and Fair Share Housing obligations.

His work has included administering more than $200 million in housing and community development grants and authoring best-practice manuals on regulatory compliance.

Prior to launching his firm, Leckington served for seven years as chief of housing

production for the City of Trenton and pre- alarmed him about the system’s condition, viously spent nearly two decades as vice and why he believes public awareness is president of Community Grants & Planning critical to preventing a larger crisis.

Inc., a housing and grants consulting firm.

The interview, which is printed below in For more than 10 years, Leckington has Q&A form, has been edited for length and taught courses at the Rutgers University clarity.

Center for Government SerQ: Let’s start with some vices as part of the Affordable background. Tell me a litHousing Professionals Certle about yourself. tification program. He also A: I grew up in Ewing. serves on the board of the When I was young, my grandAffordable Housing Profesfather was the superintensionals of New Jersey and has dent of the Marie Katzenbach chaired policy and training School for the Deaf in Ewing, initiatives. and when my dad was in VietLeckington has also been nam, I lived at the school in deeply involved in his commuthe superintendent’s house. nity. He serves on the board During my childhood, my of FreedomNJ, a Trentongrandparents used to bring Leckington based nonprofit that provides me over to Cadwalader Park safe places for city youth to to play and feed the animals. skateboard. His personal connection to the Later, in my early 30s, I bought the house area dates back to childhood years when he across the street from the park where I used grew up in Ewing Township and graduated to go as a kid. My wife and I have lived there from Ewing High School. for about 20 years now, and we’ve both been His background, which blends regula- pretty active in the Hiltonia neighborhood. tory experience with many years of civic Q: Before Trenton Water Works involvement, now helps to inform Lecking- became an issue for you, how involved ton’s scrutiny of Trenton Water Works. were you in the community?

In a wide-ranging interview with ComA: I’ve been pretty active, though not munity News Service editor Bill Sanser- always in traditional political ways. I’m a vino, Leckington discussed how he became lifelong skateboarder, and several years involved in covering the utility, what first ago some friends and I started working

on a project to try to build a skate park in Trenton.

That actually goes back to when I was still working for the city. Someone in the economic development department approached me and said there was a property down by the Assunpink Creek that could be a really good skate park site. We ran with it and started talking to the neighborhood in East Trenton to build support.

The first time we went to pitch the idea at a neighborhood meeting, people genuinely didn’t understand what we were talking about. They thought we meant roller skating or ice skating. At one point, someone said there weren’t any skateboarders in their neighborhood.

We left that meeting thinking we were going to make skateboarders in that neighborhood. A few months later, we started holding pop-up skate sessions at a local park. We brought ramps, free skateboards, helmets and food, and taught kids how to skate every Saturday morning. It took off.

Two years later, the same neighborhood group was being shown a concept design for a permanent skate park at that site. One of the people who originally questioned the idea told me about playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater (a skaterboarding video game) with her grandson. That project is now expected to break ground soon.

See TWW, Page 4

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TWW continued from Page 3 That experience showed me how grassroots efforts can succeed even when formal systems move slowly.

Q: So, when did Trenton Water Works first catch your attention?

A: What really triggered my interest was the release of the initial DEP reports last December. The TMF report and the 360 report came out around the same time, and when I started reading them closely, I found the findings unbelievable.

I also started reading coverage by a Jeff Pillets from the New Jersey Vindicator, who was reporting on the issue in depth.

Then Erin Brockovich (the environmental activist portrayed by Julia Roberts in the Academy Award-winning film Erin Brockovich) wrote an editorial in The Trentonian last January that framed the problem as one that required community awareness and engagement.

That really pushed me to dive back into the reports and start sharing what I was finding with neighbors.

Q: At first, how were you sharing that information?

A: It started on a neighborhood email list, mostly in Hiltonia. I would screenshot sections of reports, link to inspection letters and try to explain pieces in plain language.

The list had about 250 people on it, including the mayor (Reed Gusciora).

There was a lot of back and forth. The mayor would sometimes respond and try to dismiss concerns, and I would counter with documentation. It created ongoing discussion, especially throughout last summer.

Q: When did you realize it needed to go beyond that email list?

A: That happened around National Night Out (in August) last summer. People started coming up to me at the event and saying this information needed to be shared more broadly. One person, who had previously worked as a press secretary for DEP and in state government, pulled me aside and told me very directly that I needed to put this out publicly.

She gave me ideas on how to repackage the information and dig deeper. About a week later, the first From the Mains of Trenton post went live.

Q: What was frustrating you most at that point?

A: The thing that bothered me most was that there were world-class consultants producing these reports, and almost no one was paying attention. The information was there, but it wasn’t being explained or connected in a way people could understand.

I felt like someone needed to take all of that technical material and tell the story of what it actually meant for residents.

Q: You started getting feedback once the Substack went live. What kind of response were you seeing early on?

A: At first, it was fairly quiet publicly, but

I would get private messages and emails from people saying, “Keep doing this. This is really helpful.” There weren’t a lot of comments, but there was a lot of one-on-one feedback.

People would tell me they had no idea these reports existed or that DEP had issued certain warnings. That told me there was a real information gap.

Q: You cover a lot of technical material. How do you approach making it understandable?

A: I try to break it into small, digestible pieces. A lot of what DEP releases is written by engineers for other engineers. There’s never really a resident or consumer in mind when those letters and reports are written.

What I do is take something from a report, then find related inspection letters or follow-up correspondence that adds context. Often the most important information is scattered across multiple documents on different parts of the DEP website.

Q: I’ve heard stories when doing my own coverage of Trenton Water Works about people not only being afraid of drinking the water, but even using it for pets or showering. What do you make of that level of concern?

A: I don’t blame them at all. When it gets to the point where people don’t want to give the water to their pets, that tells you trust has completely eroded.

If you’re immuno-compromised, there are legitimate reasons to be cautious about showering, especially in the summer. Legionella spreads through mist, not ingestion.

There have been assisted living facilities in the region that dealt with Legionella issues for months.

(Editor’s note: Trenton Water Works has been under state oversight following multiple cases of Legionnaires’ disease — including at least three deaths — linked to its service area since late 2022. The potentially fatal respiratory infection is caused by the Legionella bacteria. DEP investigators found that while water leaving the treatment plant generally met standards, conditions within the aging distribution system created risks for Legionella growth. State reports also identified significant deficiencies in water quality testing and system management during portions of the outbreak period.)

When people realize that their water system has a body count, it fundamentally changes how they think about it.

Although the reports that the water leaving the filtration plant meet standards are technically true, I believe they’re also misleading. That’s not the core problem.

The real problem is what happens after that water leaves the plant. There are 683 miles of pipe in the Trenton Water Works system. Legionella thrives in stagnant water, especially in older infrastructure.

If you’re at the end of a line that doesn’t See TWW, Page 6

RWJUH Hamilton January Healthy Living / Community Education Programs VISION BOARD WORKSHOP

Wednesday, Jan. 7; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

A Vision Board is a physical manifestation of what you would like to be, do, or have for the upcoming year.

Start the New Year off right by setting your intentions for the year ahead. All materials included.

SELF-ESTEEM & DECISION MAKING

Wednesday, Jan. 7; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

This session focuses on helping students aged 12-18, recognize their strengths, build confidence, and practice making positive choices.

They’ll learn how to handle peer pressure, think through decisions, and celebrate their unique qualities. By the end, students will understand that believing in themselves helps them make smart and healthy choices.

ASK THE DIETITIAN

Friday, Jan. 9; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 14; 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Meet with our Registered Dietitian for a 30-minute appointment to discuss your unique nutritional needs.

GET COVERED NJ MARKETPLACE UPDATES

Saturday, Jan. 10; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join this informative presentation to understand health insurance options, recent changes to the Marketplace, and the financial impacts of coverage decisions.

AM I AT RISK? TYPE 2 DIABETES SCREENING

Assessment. Based upon your results, a complimentary A1C screening will be completed.

SOUND HEALING: HIMALAYAN SINGING BOWLS

seed starting techniques. A gardening starter kit will be provided to individuals who attend all three sessions.

CREATIVE ARTS: JUNK JOURNALING

THE POWER OF FOOD: NUTRITION STRATEGIES FOR DIABETES

Step into the stillness of winter and welcome the New Year with a Vibrational Sound Journey. Let the Himalayan singing bowls, shimmering chimes, and other sacred instruments guide you through a landscape of resonance, release, and renewal.

Please bring a yoga mat, blankets, or anything else that makes you comfortable. Fee: $15

FEED YOUR HEART: COOKING FOR HEART HEALTH

Junk journaling is a stress reducing activity that allows individuals to express themselves through creativity.

This unique way of journaling involves repurposing old items and transforming them into beautiful and personal works of art.

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

Tuesday, Jan. 27; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join us to learn how to manage and control your diabetes through dietary choices. Learn the basics of diabetes and how nutrition affects blood sugar levels. Get tips for meal planning and preparation to control your diabetes.

WII GAMES

Monday, Jan. 12; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 23, 27; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.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.

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Jan. 13; 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

If you are considering surgery, are in the process of preparing or have undergone surgery, you are welcome to attend our group. Family, friends and support persons are also welcome.

This is a great opportunity to meet others going through the same weight loss journey. We focus on achieving optimal wellness through weight loss surgery. We will discuss different topics on nutrition, exercise and healthy living behaviors.

Saturday, Jan. 10; 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Come in for a Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Wednesday, Jan. 14; 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

PREDIABETES CONNECT

Tuesday, Jan. 20; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

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

INTERNET SAFETY CLASS

Tuesday, Jan. 20; 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Safeguarding your child’s digital life is crucial in today’s world.

This workshop provides strategies for monitoring online activity and fostering conversations about digital responsibility. Join us to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge needed to help your family navigate the internet safely and confidently.

DIG IN: YOUR GUIDE TO GROWING AND EATING GREEN

Wednesday, Jan. 21; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

This three-part series is designed to go over essentials for a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Learn principles for healthy eating, followed by composting techniques to enrich your soil and reduce waste. The series concludes with a guide to seasonal gardening, including planting compatibility, pest management, and

Monday, Jan. 26; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join our heart healthy cooking class.

Have some fun learning how to cook nutritious and delicious heart-healthy meals. Explore heart-friendly ingredients and cooking techniques.

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Jan. 27; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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

Wednesday, Jan. 28; 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: RECOGNIZING HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES Thursday, Jan. 29; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Heart attacks and strokes can strike without warning. Knowing what to look for can make all the difference. Join Lasanta Horana, MD, Vice President, Medical Staff Leadership, and Chair, Department of Emergency Services at RWJUH Hamilton, to learn how to recognize early signs, lower your risks and protect yourself along with your loved ones. Dinner provided.

WOMAN’S BOOK CLUB: THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY

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Wednesday, Jan. 28; 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Come prepared to discuss this novel of charm, humor and profound insight into the thoughts & feelings we all bury deep within our hearts.

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

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

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

YOGA CLASSES

Tuesday, Jan. 6 and 20, 2026; 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

OR 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday, Jan. 6 and 20, 2026; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

OR 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, Jan. 6 and 20, 2026; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

OR 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

this group is a great place to get to know members and to be part of a weekly program.

GENTLE JAZZ CLASS

Wednesday, Jan. 7 & 28; 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

AGELESS GRACE: SEATED EXERCISE FOR THE BRAIN & BODY Monday, Jan. 12; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 21; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

New to the Better Health Program is 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.

LUNCH & LEARN: MEN’S UROLOGICAL HEALTH, PRESENTED BY BHAVIK MEHTA, APN, MSN, AGNP-C

A SOCIAL HOUR ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS Tuesday, Jan. 13; 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Whether we enjoy casual conversation or share deep discussions about current challenges or obstacles,

Explore common health concerns that affect men, including prostate health, urinary tract conditions, sexual function, and kidney wellness. This class

provides practical information on prevention, early detection, treatment options, healthy lifestyle choices, routine screenings, and effective communication with healthcare providers to support long-term well-being and quality of life.

TAI CHI CLASSES

Thursday, Jan. 15 & 29; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

BREAKFAST AND LEARN: COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR HEARING LOSS, BALANCE, AND TINNITUS WITH AUDIOLOGIST CAITLIN YESIS, AUD, CCC-A Thursday, Jan. 22; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Join us to learn practical tools to improve communication, daily functioning, and confidence.

Topics include enhancing listening environments, using assistive technologies, and applying effective communication techniques with family members, caregivers, and health care providers.

This program promotes inclusion, safety, and quality of life by bridging medical knowledge with supportive, real-world communication practices.

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

BREAKFAST AND LEARN: WOMEN’S UROLOGICAL HEALTH WITH UROLOGIST VITALY ZHOLUDEV, MD Monday, Jan. 26; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

This class is designed to support women over the age of 65 in understanding and managing urological health concerns that commonly arise later in life. Topics include bladder health, pelvic floor changes, urinary tract infections, incontinence, and kidney wellness, with attention to how aging, menopause, and chronic conditions may influence these issues.

INTRODUCTION TO GENEALOGY

Tuesday, Jan. 27; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

If you enjoy being an amateur sleuth, this class will assist you in starting your research into your family history. Genealogy is an exciting hobby that requires persistence and an ability to think outside the box. If you are interested in delving into your family history, this class will enable you to learn some useful tips for conducting research.

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 Januar y 2026 | Ewing Observer5

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a significant distinction.

Q: One of the things you’ve highlighted is how data accuracy problems compounded the Legionella crisis. Can you explain that?

A: During the Legionella outbreak period, it later came out that about 76 percent of the water quality tests used did not meet testing standards. That means regulators and the city were making decisions with flawed data during an active public health crisis.

DEP had warned the city months earlier that conditions existed that could lead to Legionella. A month later, cases began appearing. But if you read the inspection reports, there’s never a moment where those warnings are explicitly connected to what happened.

Q: So, the dots are never connected.

A: Exactly. DEP letters are very clinical and institutional. They’re written for engineers and bureaucrats, not residents.

There’s no effort to explain consequences in plain language or to say, “We told you this would happen.”

Part of what I’m trying to do is take all of those documents and connect them into a coherent story people can understand. So that the “dots” are connected.

Q: How much of your reporting relies on public records from DEP? A: Almost all of it. If it weren’t for DEP’s website, I’d have a fraction of the content.

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TWW continued from Page 4 get flushed regularly, or if you’re in a building or part of a home that doesn’t see a lot of water use, that water can sit for long periods, and that creates risk.

Q: Can you explain how that risk develops?

A: When water is treated with chlorine, it creates byproducts. Those byproducts can actually contribute to Legionella growth when water sits in pipes.

There was a situation in Hopewell that’s a good example. There was a dead-end water line near a shopping center that kept testing positive for Legionella. Eventually, they installed an automatic flusher so the line would clear itself regularly.

If you’re in a building with low water usage, or you turn on a shower that hasn’t been used in months and create a lot of steam, that’s an opportunity for exposure.

Q: Why doesn’t this seem to happen as often in other systems?

A: It does happen elsewhere, but not at this scale. You’ll sometimes hear officials try to compare Trenton’s situation to Legionella outbreaks tied to HVAC systems in other cities. That’s a completely different scenario.

There have been water systems in New Jersey with Legionella issues, but I’m not aware of others that have resulted in deaths in the way Trenton has experienced. That’s

Cala’s

They post inspection reports, correspondence, enforcement actions. The city often says very little, so DEP documents become the primary source of information.

The challenge is that the state’s website isn’t designed to help people connect information. You have to know where to look and how to piece it together.

Q: How do you manage that volume of information?

A: I use AI tools mostly. I’ll upload multiple reports and letters and query them for specific topics. That allows me to pull relevant excerpts quickly and then build a narrative around them.

Without that, it would take a team of researchers to go through everything manually.

Q: As a reporter, I’ve run into similar challenges trying to translate technical materials. I really worry about making sure that I’m accurate. Do you ever worry about getting something wrong?

A: Absolutely. That’s always a concern.

These are complex systems, and even professionals are still trying to understand certain aspects. I’d rather slow down or hold off on a post than oversimplify something to the point of being inaccurate. Some topics are extremely difficult to explain without expert input.

Orthophosphate and pipe corrosion control is one topic I’ve struggled with, for

example. It’s very technical, and I haven’t yet found a way to explain it simply without involving a scientist.

That’s one reason I’m interested in expanding into longer-form conversations and interviews (the planned video podcast), where there’s more room for nuance.

Q: You’ve been critical of how information is communicated to the public by the city and the state. What’s missing right now?

A: Transparency and context. Residents often learn about problems months after the fact, buried in regulatory letters. People should not be finding out through obscure documents that the water system was compromised weeks earlier. That undermines trust.

Q: How does that lack of trust affect the system overall?

A: Once trust is gone, people stop believing reassurances, even when they’re accurate. That’s where Trenton Water Works is now. People don’t trust what’s coming out of City Hall, so they rely on bottled water, filtration systems and word of mouth. That’s not sustainable.

Q: You’ve said before that people misunderstand the nature of the risk. Can you explain that?

A: Most people think the worst-case scenario is discolored water or a bad smell.

They don’t imagine a situation where the

water simply doesn’t come out of the tap.

That’s the scenario I’m trying to get people to understand. The system is fragile enough that a prolonged shutdown could lead to severe shortages.

Q: How realistic is a scenario where people actually turn on the tap and no water comes out?

A: It’s very realistic. During the most recent frazil ice shutdown, if you read DEP’s letter carefully, you’ll see that the Pennington Reservoir dropped to below normal operating levels while the plant was offline.

Q: Why is the reservoir so critical?

A: The reservoir is noncompliant with federal standards because it’s uncovered.

That’s been known for years. But it also serves as a crucial buffer. When there are power outages or plant shutdowns, that reservoir keeps water flowing. It’s saved the system multiple times, far more often than the public realizes.

During the recent frazil ice shutdown, the reservoir level dropped rapidly. That should alarm people.

At the same time, there were multiple water main breaks across the system, bleeding water continuously.

The interconnections with neighboring systems only supply a fraction of daily demand. I believe it’s about 11 million gallons per day, while average demand is See TWW, Page 8

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TWW continued from Page 7 happen repeatedly, pushing projects back closer to 28 million gallons per day. So months. maybe the system doesn’t go completely That same dysfunction affects Trenton dry, but pressure drops significantly. Show- Water Works projects. ering becomes uncomfortable. Basic use Q: How does that play out when it becomes difficult. comes to TWW? But we’re not far from a scenario where A: Look at the history of RFPs issued to the National Guard is distributing water. support the water utility (Editor’s note: An I don’t think that’s alarmist. I think that’s a RFP, or request for proposals, is a formal docvery real possibility this winter. ument a government agency issues to solicit Q: That’s a level of urgency people bids from qualified firms to perform a specific doesn’t usually worry about when project or service.) they’re thinking about their water. I Many RFP’s have had to be rebid because mean it’s something that is essential to of basic flaws in the original scope of work. life.

Instead of fixing those flaws quickly, the A: Exactly. People assume water will city lets the bid expire and then reissues it, always be there. They may complain about restarting the clock. taste or cost, but they don’t imagine it simThat’s exactly what happened with the ply not working. That’s the mental shift that water intake engineering RFP (Editor’s hasn’t happened yet. note: this would have corrected the frazil ice Q: What’s the long-term plan for the situation). DEP discovered after the fact reservoir? that it hadn’t been given an opportunity to A: The plan is to evenreview the scope and tually decommission it, found an error with it. but not anytime soon.

Eventually, DEP had to ‘We’re not far from write the scope itself.

The city plans to build a concrete water tower Now the city is rejecta scenario where across the street that ing the original proposal the National Guard again and starting over. will replace a portion of its capacity. They’re also Each misstep adds is distributing purchasing land in Hammonths. water. I don’t ilton for another tower, Q: Council is rejectplus two additional sites ing a bid tied to the think that’s elsewhere in the system. intake work?

But none of that is A: Yes. The resolualarmist. I think close. They just closed tion on the agenda for that’s a very real on the Hamilton proptonight’s meeting is to erty. There’s no design reject the sole proposal possibility this work, no permitting, received under the winter.’ no DEP approvals yet. flawed RFP. That proBuilding any one of posal should never have those towers will take been solicited in the first years. place because the scope Q: So the reservoir stays online in didn’t meet DEP’s minimum requirements. the meantime.

DEP flagged that in October. The corA: Yes, and because it’s uncovered, it’s rected RFP wasn’t reissued until December. vulnerable. It’s finished water that has to be That’s lost time, and time is something the treated again as it reenters the system. It’s system doesn’t have. stagnant water, which creates conditions for Q: Is funding for projects also part of bacterial growth, including Legionella. It’s the problem? another example of how the system relies A: No. Funding is not the issue. The city on stopgap solutions rather than long-term is sitting on bond proceeds that haven’t fixes. been drawn down. There are state financQ: You’ve pointed to City Hall repeat- ing programs available. There’s even room edly as a major obstacle. Can you to raise rates further than the 14% rate explain what you mean by that? increase they’re talking about now and still A: When you step back and look at how be below comparable private utilities. projects move through Trenton, it’s clear The problem is staffing and execution. there are systemic problems. From zoning There aren’t enough middle managers. and planning approvals to purchasing and There aren’t enough engineers on staff to procurement, there are multiple opportuni- develop projects internally. That creates ties for delays at every stage. reliance on consultants and slows everyI’ve heard countless stories from develop- thing down. ers who’ve tried to get projects approved in Q: You’ve talked about staffing Trenton. They show up to planning board restrictions. Can you explain that? meetings with their professionals only to A: For years, Trenton required water utilfind the doors locked. The meeting was can- ity employees to live in the city. That made it celed because there’s no quorum. That can extremely difficult to recruit qualified staff.

Mayors respond to latest TWW plant shutdown Following the Dec, 12 shutdown of Trenton Water Works’ filtration plant caused by ice clogging the system’s raw water intake, mayors from several municipalities served by the utility issued a joint statement sharply criticizing the city’s handling of the incident.

The shutdown occurred when frazil ice — a slushy accumulation of ice crystals that forms in supercooled river water — restricted the flow of water into the treatment plant. In a letter to Trenton Water Works, the state Department of Environmental Protection confirmed the outage, warned that the intake was a critical point of failure, and directed the utility to notify customers to conserve water.

Despite that directive, residents and officials in Trenton and the four suburban municipalities served by the system were not immediately informed. A public water conservation advisory was not issued until Dec. 18, nearly a week after the shutdown, and did not disclose that the filtration plant had been offline for several hours.

In response, Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann, Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning, and Hamilton ownship Mayor Jeff Martinreleased the The mayor acknowledged this problem last December (2024) and talked about changing the ordinance. It took months to produce a proposed revision, and when it finally appeared, it was poorly written and then pulled the same night it was introduced.

As of now, there’s been no replacement ordinance. That’s another example of how even acknowledged problems remain unresolved.

Q: What’s your impression of the staff currently working at Trenton Water Works?

A: I actually have a lot of confidence in them. I’ve heard them speak at public forums, and their credentials are impressive. Many could leave tomorrow and earn significantly more elsewhere.

They’re working extraordinary amounts of overtime to keep the system running.

They’re filling gaps created by vacancies.

That dedication is one of the few things that gives me hope.

Q: But you’ve also mentioned issues with past management.

A: Yes. Historically, the water utility was sometimes used as a landing spot for political patronage. That created long-term problems that still echo today. You can’t

following statement.

“If it did not have real world impacts, we would think this is a bad comedy show,” said the mayors.

“Under their current leadership, TWW has failed time and time again. TWW has had roughly one year to figure out its issues as it relates to frazil ice which causes a decrease in the water supply.

“If we weren’t already worried about brown water or legionella; now we again must worry if we even have any water.

“For these, and many other reasons, we call for action by our State legislators in Legislative Districts 14 and 15 to amend the Water Infrastructure Protection Act (WIPA) to allow NJ DEP to determine if a water system faces emergent conditions so that public reformation hearings can be held.

“If the people who are failing to lead are the only ones allowed to determine if a system should be reformed, the cycle of incompetence will only continue.”

“Further, in response to their repeated failures, we will work with the State to explore whether the TWW serviced municipalities can create their own water utility and permanently divorce ourselves of TWW’s incompetence.” fix decades of mismanagement overnight, but you also can’t keep delaying necessary reforms.

Q: You’ve written critically about City Council’s role. What concerns you most?

A: There have been moments where critical operational decisions were politicized.

Several years ago, the mayor was dealing with a hostile city council. Members have questioned why they should approve spending on infrastructure that serves customers outside Trenton.

Those kinds of statements ignore the reality that Trenton Water Works is a regional utility. Decisions like purchasing treatment chemicals or making emergency repairs should never be subject to political leverage.

Q: How does that tie into the governance discussion?

A: It’s one of the reasons regionalization keeps coming up. A different governance structure could insulate operations from political interference and make routine decisions automatic rather than contentious.

Q: Regionalization has become a charged term. How do you approach that conversation?

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TWW continued from Page 9 A: Carefully. The word itself triggers fear.

People assume it means privatization or loss of control. Officials refer to it as “The R word.”

What DEP actually asked for was a study to explore what regionalization could look like. That study was never brought to a vote.

Instead, a different, more limited study was approved that avoids even using the term.

Q: Why do you think there’s such resistance?

A: There’s a lot of distrust and a lot of conspiracy thinking. People worry Trenton will lose its asset or that suburban towns will take over. But those outcomes can be prevented through governance design. You can structure a regional authority so Trenton maintains majority control and privatization is prohibited.

Q: Has that study moved forward?

A: Not in the way DEP originally envisioned. The current study focuses on asset valuation rather than governance. The scope hasn’t been released publicly.

What concerns me is that DEP is now relying on the city to manage the RFP process for a study DEP is funding. Given the city’s track record with procurement, that’s troubling.

Q: You’ve said delay increases the risk of privatization. Why? A: Because if the system fails catastrophi-

cally, there won’t be time for studies or careful planning. Emergency legislation could hand the system over to a private utility immediately. If regionalization were pursued proactively, it could take years to implement. We don’t have that luxury if another major failure occurs.

Q: You mentioned the lawsuit filed by the surrounding municipalities.

How does that fit into everything we’ve been talking about?

(Editor’s note: All of the towns served by TWW have filed a lawsuit against the city of Trenton, seeking court intervention over longstanding operational and governance failures at the utility and raising the prospect of structural changes to how the system is managed.)

A: I think the lawsuit is really about pressure. It’s a way for the towns to force movement. It already led to administrative orders from the state, and then a second administrative order after the city failed to complete the first one.

Because the city didn’t comply with either order, the judge allowed discovery to reopen and lifted the stay on the case. We’re in discovery now, and that process alone is going to take a year.

Q: So there’s no quick resolution coming from the courts.

A: No. Even if the case runs its full course, state law doesn’t really provide a

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clear remedy. There’s no statute that allows a court to force regionalization. To do that would likely require new legislation. So even a “win” in court doesn’t magically fix the system. It just keeps pressure on the city and the state.

Q: You’ve also pointed out a lack of responsiveness to DEP directives.

A: That’s one of the most troubling patterns. DEP has repeatedly identified problems and issued requirements. Those requirements are often met with delays, partial compliance or, in some cases, no response at all. If you read DEP’s inspection reports over time, you can see the same issues raised again and again. That’s not because DEP isn’t clear. It’s because the city hasn’t acted.

Q: You’ve said before that the most likely outcome may not be regionalization at all.

A: Unfortunately, yes. I think the most likely outcome, if nothing changes, is privatization. We don’t have the luxury of time. If the system fails in a major way, the response won’t be another study.

It will be emergency legislation that hands the system to a private operator like American Water or Aqua. Those companies have the capacity and resources to step in immediately. That’s what makes them the default option in a crisis.

Q: You’ve talked a lot about public awareness. What are you ultimately trying to accomplish with the website?

A: The goal is to activate people. Most residents don’t realize how close the system is to a real failure. I’m trying to help people understand that possibility, because that’s when people act.

Q: What does that action look like to you?

A: It looks like people showing up. It looks like 500 people at a City Council meeting. It looks like residents in Ewing, Hamilton and Lawrence demanding answers and accountability. Nothing changes in Trenton unless there’s sustained public pressure.

Q: You’ve made an effort to help people engage.

A: Yes. I’ve written posts explaining how

to attend a council meeting, how to sign up to speak, what to expect when you get there. Those things sound basic, but they matter.

I also try to flag upcoming meetings and explain why they’re important. For example, during the most recent plant shutdown, council members learned about it from my Substack, not from the city. That shouldn’t happen.

Q: But you honestly think that a real crisis is what it’s going to take?

A: I hope it doesn’t, but I think that’s the reality. I’d love for a post to go viral, for national attention to descend on the issue, for outside pressure to force action.

But history tells me it’s more likely to take a major disruption — days without water, National Guard trucks on the street — before people fully grasp the stakes.

Q: I’ve heard Some people compare Trenton’s situation to Flint, Michigan.

Is that a fair comparison?

A: No. They’re very different. Flint involved deliberate decisions tied to political and financial interests that poisoned the water supply.

Trenton’s problem is dysfunction, underinvestment, staffing shortages and bureaucratic failure. It’s serious, but it’s solvable.

That distinction matters, because it means there’s still time to fix this if people act.

Q: You allow readers to support the site financially. How does that work?

A: It’s completely voluntary. Paid subscriptions don’t unlock special content. It’s really just a way for people to say they value the work.

I’ve been humbled by the response.

People I don’t even know have signed up for annual subscriptions. It’s reassuring, if nothing else.

Q: Is there anything we haven’t covered that you think is important?

A: Just that this isn’t about fearmongering. It’s about transparency. People deserve to know what’s happening with their water system. Once they understand that, they can decide how to respond.

And that’s really what From the Mains of Trenton is about.

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KURA continued from Page 15 order. But first, a brief description of the fried chicken, fish and much more. bona fides of two of my intrepid dining With more than 600 locations world- companions. Both are deeply knowledgewide, Japan-based Kura Sushi, founded able when it comes to sushi restaurants in 1977, is a major international chain of at all price points, both here and in Japan. revolving sushi restaurants. It has loca- Both are in agreement that Kura gets a tions in Japan, Taiwan, and the United “thumbs up” for the quality of ingredients States. Restaurants in the U.S. are under and fair pricing. the corporate umbrella of Kura Sushi Kura’s imported wasabi, vinegar for USA, established in 2008 as a subsidiary sushi rice, thinly sliced ginger and the of Kura Sushi, Inc. broth used for its miso soup, udon and It should be noted that although Kura’s ramen noodle dishes (made from scratch web site states that each booth seats up daily) earned high praise as well. to six diners, our party of four adults with My other dining companion is a bit of our winter coats and ranging from thin an outlier: allergic to shellfish and thereto average-size fit comfortably, but with fore leery about dining at sushi bars. little room to spare. Another option is Kura’s web site wisely cautions that “Our Kura’s sushi bar, which accommodates 10 restaurants are not allergen or gluten diners. free environments...even when specially Making one’s meal selections is part of ordered, we are unable to guarantee the fun of dining at Kura. that a menu item will be Ordering may be done free of any allergen.” It’s in one of two ways, and also worth noting that in for first-timers must be to a menu that ‘Imagine if you addition experienced to be truly displays images of each appreciated. item on offer, the web site will that Willy Emanating from the thoughtfully lists extenWonka built a kitchen, running down sive nutritional and allereach aisle and separating gen information. sushi factory...’ the rows of booths are My third dining comtwo conveyor belts, one panion bravely soldiered atop the other. The boton, and found the miso tom belt, in continuous motion, carries soup, American Wagyu beef, crispy small dishes of the main selections from chicken and chunks of fresh watermelon Kura’s menu and is constantly replen- immensely satisfying and free of cross ished. Each selection is clearly labeled, contamination. As for me, I can’t fail to and when one approaches that catches mention my enjoyment of the seared scalyour fancy, you unlatch the protective lop with Japanese mayo, seared tuna with cover and pick up the plate. garlic sauce, charbroiled mackerel and For the most part, pricing is a simple soft-shell crab tempura. matter of counting the plates, as each One of my dining companions pointed selection from the lower belt is priced at out that Kura’s motto, “Serving Authentic $4.10, tracked for you automatically as Japanese Cuusine Since 1977,” is techyou deposit each empty plate in a slot at nically true, although menu items such your booth.

California-style and other rolls and New For ordering drinks, udon, ramen, Yor-style cheesecake are clearly additions other side dishes and desserts at various geared to the Western palate. price points (and for summoning waitWhat is perhaps my only quibble is that staff should you need assistance), use the it is not obvious (at least to me) how to video screen above the conveyor belts. keep a running total of how many plates Those special orders may appear in one drops into that slot. It’s just so easy a variety of ways; on the upper Express to take just one more taste-tempting plate Belt (accompanied by an announcement from the conveyor. Perhaps a closer look of their arrival), delivered by a staff mem- at the screen above my booth or the ber, or (for drinks and other spillable Kura’s app addresses that. Rest assured, items) by a robot dubbed “KuraB the I’ll find out on my next visit.

Kurabot” that tirelessly delivers to your Kura Revolving Sushi Bar. 3371 booth, a real treat for kids or the kid in U.S.1, Space 44, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. you. kurasushi.com/locations/lawrencevilleYou’ll notice that I haven’t yet said nj. Phone: 609-286-7577. much about the food at Kura. That’s Hours: Monday through Thursday because, unlike the menus of typical from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and American style restaurants, there are so Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and many menu items, available in so many Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wheelcombinations and permutations, that it chair accessible. Menu items may be would be almost pointless to highlight a ordered for pick-up and delivery through handful of particular preparations. the Kura Sushi App or via order.kurasuA few general observations are in shi.com.

ALSTON continued from Page 1 drive to return to the top this year. In the opener, four players scored in double figures led by Ariana Wadley’s 17 points.

Alston, Analis Maldonado and London Bennett all had 14 points apiece.

“We have a very good team, a very good starting five,” Alston said. “Everyone does a little bit of everything. It’s never just one person doing something. We all contribute. And I feel like we definitely will be better than we were last year.”

Ewing graduated Mekyla Durham and Malayah Miller, who were strong allaround players, but the Blue Devils return their five top points scorers from a year ago, and while Durham and Miller were very good rebounders too, Ewing still has leading rebounder Taylor Williams, Alston and Bennett back, all of whom had more than 100 total rebounds a year ago.

The Blue Devils hope to see improvement in slowing teams down.

“Defensively, when you look at our scores from last year, we put up a lot of points, but we also gave up a lot of points,” said Ewing coach Dan Montferrat. “W bring back all these youngins that now it’s another year of the game speed they’ve caught up to, understanding that your defense sets the tone for your offense and rebounding. There’s been a real concentrated effort in our first, eight or nine practices here of effort in defensive drills and high energy and rebounding drills.”

Alston returns to lead the team with a 12.9 points per game average to go with 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Those numbers represented a huge jump from her 5.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game when she started as a sophomore surrounded by a ton of talent.

“They taught me a lot,” Alston said.

“They taught me how to be a leader. They taught me how to basically be able to do the things I’m doing now for my team.

And that’s lifting them up, making us want to be better. They just taught me how to be a leader.”

Alston feels comfortable as a leader, and with so much back and so much famil-

iarity with her teammates this season, she’s even more comfortable. Bennett was the team’s second-leading scorer last year as a freshman, Williams brings some scoring as well as he rebounding, Wadley returns for her junior year after a solid sophomore campaign and Maldonado is another sophomore who was a solid scoring option in her first year of high school.

They’ve been gelling better this year.

“I feel like everyone’s mindset changed,” Alston said. “We started working more as a team instead of being selfish, passing the ball more, looking for that open person.”

The Blue Devils got a jump on developing more chemistry in a busy offseason.

After going 14-13 last year, 6-1 in the CVC Colonial Division including a regular-season win over Notre Dame, Ewing took advantage of a number of playing opportunities. They played together in the Point Pleasant summer league, the No Boyz Allowed fall league and the Rare Footage Classic in October. Alston has seen a switch flip in the team and a real benefit to how they’re playing together.

“All those games, all that experience now, even before we hit game one, is big,” Montferrat said. “Because now you’ve seen what it feels like to be in an adverse situation against a really good opponent.

You’ve played with leads, you’ve played down, so all these different scenarios that you get.”

Each year has been an opportunity to learn and grow for Alston. She’ll be counted on as more of a team leader this year, and she helps to set the standard for how the Blue Devils want to play.

“She’s a tone setter with defense and energy and just the passion that she plays with,” Montferrat said. “Offensively, now with all these different players that are comfortable with all these different roles, she gets to facilitate a little bit. She gets to let the game come to her and not feel like, I got to put the team on my back here and go get 20 every night. She can give out another five or eight assists and get some See ALSTON, Page 18

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do so again this winter.

“Her offensive game has really grown,” Montferrat said. “She’s patient, she shows a lot of poise under pressure, she’s strong in her finishes, her shooting has improved too over the offseason. She’s really taking the time to work on those little things in her game we talked a lot about, like her getting to the line and how free throws should be almost automatic for somebody like her and she really took a lot of that constructive criticism and put it to work in the offseason I think she really fine-tuned it.”

Alston is continuing to develop her game as she looks to compete at the next level. After interest from a number of schools, she committed to Hartford, which had some of the most interest in her early led by head coach Jackie Smith.

“It’s a big achievement for me,” Alston said. “I never really thought that I would

be where I am today. And it’s just a blessing that I am. And I’m very excited to play for Hartford next year and be under Coach Smith is just truly a blessing.”

Playing Division I basketball has taken years of work. When Alston was a freshman, she missed part of the season due to injury, but it inspired her to put more time into her game. She returned as a starter on a team with three D1 players and she wondered to herself is she could ever be as good as they were. When a local newspaper commended her for her defense, her confidence rose and she came back in a starring role last year that helped to open the door to her commitment to Hartford. She’s excited for the challenge of the next level after Ewing.

“I know I need to contribute defense,” she said. “The way I attack the basket, I think that could really be a big help, and just bringing my leadership energy to

Hartford.”

Alston and the Blue Devils will have plenty of chances to develop through another challenging schedule. Outside of the CVC, Ewing is taking on some big hitters. They were to play powers like Shore, Trinity Hall and Hillsborough even before the New Year. West Orange, Camden Catholic, Immaculata, Wildwood Catholic, Paterson Eastside, Marlboro and Voorhees all loom in 2026.

“Playing these harder teams makes us play harder and it’s showing us what it’s going to be at the next level because a lot of these teams that we play have people who are going on to the D1 level, D3, D2,” Alston said. “And it’s just a really good experience, even for our lower classmen to get a chance to play against teams like this because all it’s doing is getting you better and getting you prepared for what’s in the future.”

YEARS

ALSTON continued from Page 17 help from everybody all-around.”

Alston is looking forward to a big final season. She’s been developing her game for this year and her future.

“I worked a lot on my shooting, doing my free throws,” she said. “Last year, my free throw percentage wasn’t that good.

I’ve been working on that the most, working on shooting, working on moving off the ball, all of that. Everything just to make myself available for my teammates and to also see my teammates because sometimes I could be a little selfish. But I’ve been working on just passing the ball more, looking for that open person.”

She’s a more complete player than when she came into Ewing. She can lead by example with the way she’s approached each season. She’s learned to handle the demands of each year and elevate her play and she has the tools to

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GOODNEWS June January

2026 The Ewing Public Schools Schools 2005

Adopt-a-Survivor Teacher ofParkway the Year Recipients are Honored GenerousProgram Legacy Donation Enriches Elementary School Library Begins at Ewing High School Elementary School, where Ms. Grant was a teacher, ery Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan or Fireworks Nearly sixty years since Allied forces liberated the Nazi concentration camps, the now elderly survivors of the Holocaust are turning to a new generation to preserve their testimony about their wartime experiences for future generations.

Holocaust survivors are steadily dwindling in number. Many have made it their mission to educate the world that anti-Semitism and racism easily lead to murder, and to speak about the horrors they and their families suffered. With the passing of time, it has become urgent to find a new generation to continue family mission of the beloved former Parkway EltheThe survivors’ and tell their stories after the ementary School librarian, Bernice Mills, affecsurvivors can no longer do so. tionately known12, as “Bernie,” made a very generous On April the Adopt-a-Survivor (AAS) donation to the Parkway School library through the program was introduced to the Trenton area at Ewing Ewing Public Education Foundation.

Ms. Karen High School. Six Holocaust survivors were adopted Grant, current Parkway School Librarian/Media by twelve Ewing High sophomores. The adopted Specialist, is thrilled! The Mills family indicated survivors—Moshe Gimlan, Vera Goodkin, Marion the funds could be used towards a purchase for the Lewin, Ruth Lubitz, Charles Rojer and Jack Zaifman— library that would be of the greatest benefit to all were originally from Germany, Czechoslovakia, Parkway students. Ms. Grant is especially honored Poland and Belgium. to receive these funds in memory of Bernie, as she survivor with one or wasThe the AAS very program librarianpairs whoa first encouraged Ms. more students.

The students embark on a joint journey Grant to enter the field of School Librarianship. with theBernie survivor through discussions about New life Mrs. Mills was born in Trenton, before, during and after the Holocaust.

Participating Jersey, and was a lifelong area resident. She was students willherbehusband, able to represent survivorIndusand married to Jay Mills,the a retired tell the survivor’s story with accuracy and feeling in trial Arts Teacher of the Ewing Public Schools. Tothe years to come.

In addition, each student makes gether, they raised their three successful daughters, aAmy, commitment tell theonsurvivor’s storyright in a here publicin Peg, andtoJenny, Susan Drive venue in the year 2045, a hundred years after town, in the development across from Antheil the Elliberation Auschwitz. ementaryof School.

Bernie earned her Bachelor’s and The twelve student adopters are DaveAngebranndt, Master’s in Education from Trenton State College Tyler Cook, Liz Dunham, Everett, (The Barnes, CollegeAnnie of New Jersey) and wasEmily the proud liCurtis Hajric, Devon brarian Fornarotto, of Parkway Vildana Elementary School for 29Jones, years, Jen Meade, Billy She O’Callaghan, Nikyta and retiring in 1999. wasn’t retired forSharma long before she wasWilson. “scooped up” by the Antheil Melysa continuedElementary on page A2 School principal, Joan Zuckerman, when in need of a librarian. Bernie jumped at the chance to get back into action and 30 into- the pages June July 11 of her favorite children’s books. She taught at Antheil a few days a Contact: Jean Conrad week until June 2011. Bernie had a generous spirit, 609-538-9800 x1302 always thinking of others before herself, and was beloved by bothfor children and staff. It was at Antheil application

Safety Town

and Bernie made their connection through their by Matthew Burgess? What we do know is that she love of books and children. considered reading one of the greatest pastimes and What were some of Bernie’s favorite books? thinks all of us should, too.

When she started her educational career in 1970, Ms. Grant eloquently shared, “I recently had the the books were Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by pleasure of meeting with Bernie’s daughter, Peg William Steig, Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, Sciarrotta, a retired Antheil Elementary School Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, The teacher. Peg reminded me of her mother’s belief that Corduroy Series by Don Freeman, Brown Bear, libraries should be safe spaces for children from all Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. backgrounds to connect, relax with a favorite book, and Eric Carle, Alexander and the Terrible, Hor- and find joy in reading! I share this same belief! As rible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, The a result, we will be using the funds to update the Lorax by Dr. Seuss, and Frog and Toad are Friends library’s current comfortable seating area and add

by Arnold Lobel. In 1992, The Magic Tree House high-interest books to the library collection. Addibook series made its debut on the shelves of the li- tionally, we would like to update the framing of the brary, followed by The Adventures of Captain Un- picture of Bernie and her students that is hanging in derpants in September 1997. When she retired from the space and add some colorful wall art.”

Parkway in 1999, Librarian-favorite elementary On behalf of every Parkway student, Ms. Grant fiction included titles like Susan Fletchers’ Shadow is grateful to receive such a generous donation.

Spinner, Sid Fleischman’s Bandit’s Moon, and J.K. Whenever students ask Ms. Grant about “the lady Rowling’s massive hit Harry Potter and the Cham- in the picture” hanging on the wall, she tells them ber of Secrets, along with the popular series The her name was Bernice Mills. She was a very special Baby-Sitters Club, as2005 librarians diverse school Parkway loved chilThe recipients of the Teacher ofcelebrated the Year Awards were honored at a librarian luncheon onatApril 29th. JanSchool.

Fay, 2004She Mercer County Teacher and of theemerging Year, was a classics. guest speaker.

1st row (L love to R): these Joan Zuckerman, Principal Antheil; Sharon Lore; Jan 2004 is stories Would she dren and inspired them to Solomon, love books.

Ms.Fay, Grant Mercer Children’s County TeacherBooks of the Year; Emery, Parkway; Miller, EHS; Ray Broach. 2nd row: Darrell “Best of Inetta 2025” on Principal the list: Ev- Danielle glad she gets toSuperintendent do the same!

Jackson, Principal FMS; Donna Andreas, Antheil; Don Barnett, FMS; Betsy Turgeon, Parkway; Rodney Logan, Principal EHS.

Ewing High Students Attend Gorbachev Presentation We are Lore, Hear our ROAR! Whitney Lewis, EHS Freshman

On April 18, 2005 Ms. Chiavuzzo, Mrs. Walker of Perestroika. His policies reopened churches, and 30 Ewing High School freshmen joined several released political prisoners, and lifted bans on Mercer County high school and college students, previously censored books.

The 20th anniversary of Perestroika was and politicians to hear a presentation given by one of the essential themes of Gorbachev’s Mikhail Gorbachev at the Sovereign Bank Arena. presentation. The policy’s main goal was to Gorbachev was the last communist leader of the make the Soviet economic system more efficient.

Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. During his Lore students andpolicies staff had a Roar Rally a morning full ofthe energy and of excitement.

The Perestroika involved transfer control from term heSchool instituted various including his with celebration honored the newest Golden Paw Award winners, recognizing students who exemplify what the government to the business owners. This policyit political policy of Glasnost and economic policy means to ROAR at Lore — showing Respect, Ownership, Achievement, and Responsibility each day. The continued on page A2 rally continued with games, the wave, and even a line dance as the school came together to review and Due to budget restraints celebrate their PBIS expectations. Looking ahead, students were pumped to hear about the PBIS events Summer School Programs planned to end the year, including a Muppet movie party,NO a glow dance, and several other surprises deGoodNews will going. resume signed to keep the momentum It was a morning filled with will pride and positivity — a perfect be offered by the reminder of how we ROAR Lore! with atthe September

Have a Happy Summer!! issue of the Observer

Ewing Public Schools during the Summer of 2005.

Januar y 2026 | Good News19

The Ewing Public Schools Service, SymboliSm, and Sacrifice at Pearl Harbor

Math Comes Alive in Parkway’s New Learning Lab This year, Parkway Elementary students stepped into a brand-new Math Learning Lab — an interactive space designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and transform how young learners experience mathematics.

Inside the lab, students turn abstract concepts into meaningful explorations. The children are discovering that math is creative, collaborative, and fun.

The learning lab isn’t just for students—it’s also a hub for teacher growth. Throughout each session, teachers work side-by-side with instructional coaches, trying out new strategies, observing student thinking in real time, and reflecting on ways to strengthen math instruction in their classrooms.

The Math Learning Lab is quickly becoming a community favorite, and its impact is already evident: more engaged students, more empowered teachers, and a school culture that celebrates mathematical discovery.

EHS U.S. History II students learn from Ewing Patriotic Committee volunteers

On Thursday, December 4, members of the Ewing Township Patriotic Committee met with 50 U.S. History II students to commemorate the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and to answer important student questions about the tragedy, military service and volunteerism.

U.S. History II teachers Mrs. Karen Walker, Mr. Brandon Parry and Mr. Jakob Morrissey worked with District Supervisor of Humanities Mr. Brock Mislan to craft an experience which allowed for a hands-on learning experience for their students.

The session was led by Army Colonel Rick Ryczkowski, a Bronze Star recipient who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Navy Command Master Chief Joseph Eppolito. The presenters shared vivid images showing how Ewing Township was a critical manufacturing center for aircraft immediately after the tragedy at Pearl Harbor.

The rich history of Central New Jersey was on display for students to view and examine. Chief Eppolito, himself a Ewing High School graduate, shared, “The Naval Weapons Station Earle was specifically built in Colts Neck to manufacture and load the majority of ammunition in the successful and historic invasion of Normandy.” Colonel Ryczkowski called upon student volunteers to physically demonstrate how island hopping became a successful strategy to retake control of the Pacific, and implored students to serve our community and country in a variety of ways – not just in the military. “Don’t think being a cook is like nothing – I would protect them…a good cook is a huge morale boost for all!”

The duo responded to many student questions, focusing on comparing readiness between Pearl Harbor and modern wars, perspectives on public service, and whether public memory lives on in ceremonies and memorials.

The event was punctuated by words of wisdom from Brigadier General Robert S. Dutko, Sr., and a moving rendition of Taps played by EHS senior Dylan Rutkowski.

20Good News | Januar y 2026

Ewing Township School District Earns Top Safety Honors – Brings $4,500 Back to Classrooms The Ewing Board of Education was proudly recognized on December 3, 2025, at the Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund’s Annual State of the Fund Dinner. For the third consecutive year, our district demonstrated an outstanding commitment to safety, earning three prestigious safety awards and a total of $4,500 in financial incentives that will be reinvested directly into safety measures and staff training.

The awards include: • $500 – Maintaining claim reporting within 1–3 days • $1,500 – Keeping the district’s loss ratio under 50% for the 2024–25 year • $2,500 – Achieving the Fund’s highest distinction: Safety Elite 2 criteria This marks another milestone in Ewing’s longstanding tradition of excellence in school safety.

The district previously earned Safety District of the Year honors for both the 2022–23 and 2023–24 school years and is regularly celebrated by the Burlington County JIF for its proactive approach to protecting students and staff.

The $4,500 in incentive funds will be used to further enhance safety equipment, professional development, and training programs across the district.

Congratulations to the Ewing Board of Education and the entire school community on this welldeserved recognition!

Over at Antheil Elementary School, Ms. Faretty, Ms. Jones, and Ms. Winthrop’s classes got together for some holiday co-op fun. They worked together in small groups to create some life-size gingerbread people, highlighting their creativity and working on their team-building skills. Each team was given a large sheet of brown paper, different shapes, and the tools they needed to create and decorate their gingerbread person as a team. The different grade levels came together to showcase their different abilities and teach each other how to work together.

To commemorate school day number 67 on December 15, 2025, Miss Azzaro’s and Mrs. Kotch’s Antheil third grade class created 6/7 art designs.

The class enjoyed turning the numbers into different objects such as ice cream cones, penguins, pizza, dinosaurs, and other various objects.

The Ewing Public Schools EHS Senior Spotlight: Meet Chaz Gilliard Happy New Year! Do you have a New Year’s resolution for 2026? To live in the moment and be more present.

If you could use one word to describe yourself, what would that word be? Outgoing!

You are a Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP) Scholar. It is required that Scholars and their parents sign a contract to participate in the program. The expectations and guidelines are pretty rigorous, and there is an oath. What were your thoughts when you signed your name to this three-year commitment? At first, I was nervous because it seemed like such a big commitment, but there was another feeling — a feeling of excitement and anticipation for what my future would hold.

Please list your three top takeaways from the PUPP program that have helped you become a better student and person. Never be afraid to take up space, always ask questions, and know that no dream is too big or too small.

Do you have a favorite subject? My favorite subject has always been English, specifically creative writing.

Who is your favorite teacher and why? My favorite teacher would have to be Mr. Hammer. He and I have known each other since my freshman year through the Student Council. He has always been an influential figure in my high school career. He has always pushed me to do more, and I thank him for that.

What activities do you participate in at school?

Quite a few- I am Co-Chair of Spirit and Events for Student Council. The Secretary of National Honor Society, Treasurer of Black Student Alliance, and Executive Council for Key Club. I am also responsible for the revamping of the social media presence of the Ewing Wackos as well as the Class of 2026’s Instagram page.

What is your favorite memory of high school to date? One of my favorites aside from winning Homecoming King was over the summer, when the senior class came together to personalize and paint our parking spots. It was a time where we bonded, soooo many trips to Home Depot!

FMS Celebrates Student Excellence at First Recognition Assembly of the Year Fisher Middle School proudly kicked off its first Recognition Assembly of the 2025–2026 school year, honoring students for their academic success, positive citizenship, and commitment to the school’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) initiative. The program focuses on highlighting and celebrating student accomplishments that reflect the school’s core values.

A remarkable 178 sixth graders, 127 seventh graders, and 132 eighth graders were recognized for their academic achievement during Marking Period 1. Each Honor Student received a Fisher “Honor Student” drawstring bag to commemorate their hard work.

In addition, 440 students were honored as Good Citizens, earning Gold Cards—special tokens that can be used as currency at the school store. These students consistently demonstrate respect, responsibility, and leadership within the school community.

The ceremony opened with a festive musical welcome from the FMS Saxophone Quintet, led by Mr. Silipino and featuring talented student musicians Lydia Adejola, Amir Alicea, Jatniel Arroyo, William “Gryffin” Martens, and Jayden Rigney. Each gradelevel assembly concluded with an impressive rendition of the National Anthem.

Who or what has positively impacted your life? I like to think that everyone who has interacted with me has affected me positively in one way or another.

More specifically, I would credit my family or my village as I call them. My village has been beside me since the beginning. I would love to thank my Mom, Poppop, Gigi, my siblings, Curtis, Canien, and Amiri. I would also love to thank my Grandma Joan and Aunt Donna. They are my village, always front and center.

What are your plans after you graduate from Ewing High School? Attend a four-year university, majoring in Psychology and becoming a Psychologist.

What is your favorite quote? My favorite quote is “People have thrown dirt on my name, others have given it flowers. It’s all a garden to me.”

– Barbara Howard, Abbott Elementary Tell us something about yourself that your peers don’t know… only if you would like to share.

Something that most of my peers probably don’t know about me is that I love to bake. I learned from my great-grandmother when I was young. We have baked together for every holiday ever since.

Antheil PE Cardio Drumming

Student Council President Vanessa Okai addressed her peers, reminding them that “the habits they build today will shape their future,” a message that resonated strongly throughout the day.

Students also had the special opportunity to hear from Fisher alum Davon Reed (Class of 2009), whose professional basketball career and philanthropic efforts continue to inspire. Reed shared a video message created specifically for Fisher students, emphasizing the lifelong value of the school’s SOAR expectations and how he still uses them as an adult.

Fisher Middle School Boys Basketball Team 2008 (Davon Reed, 7th grade, pictured: back row, second player in from the right) Fisher Middle School is proud to celebrate the achievements of its students and looks forward to continued growth and success throughout the school year.

Third graders at Antheil Elementary School had a blast in Physical Education class as students practiced cardio drumming to the song “Golden.” Using stability balls and noodles for drumsticks, students followed rhythmic patterns, played along to the beat, and worked through a full-body movement routine. This activity helped them build coordination, timing, and cardiovascular endurance — all while having fun and staying active. Their energy and teamwork made the gym shine just as brightly as the music!

Januar y 2026 | Good News21

The Ewing Public Schools JANUARY IS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH January 2026 Schedule in Ewing Schools

2026 Ewing Township Board of Education Mr. Daniel L. Angebranndt Mrs. Eve R. Bolden Ms. Elyse Carmichael Henderson Ms. Deborah A. Delutis Mrs. Nicole NW Harris

Ms. Sandra Hereford-Crawley Ms. Sandra L. Herrington Mr. Michael S. Miller Mrs. Jennifer L. Miller

Jan 1

SCHOOL CLOSED – Happy New Year

Jan 2

SCHOOL IS OPEN! Welcome Back to School!

EHS - National Honor Society Coat Drive @ 8am–2pm (Follow signs for the drive-up drop-off location.)

Jan 5

Board of Education Organization Meeting @ 6pm

Jan 8

Antheil - PTO Meeting @ 6:30pm FMS - Winter Vocal Concert @ 7pm

Jan 13

Parkway - PTA Meeting @ 6pm EHS - Winter Instrumental Concert @ 7pm FMS - FPA Virtual Meeting @ 7:15pm

Jan 15

EHS - Vocal Concert @ 7pm

Jan 19

SCHOOL CLOSED – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

1) Pictured: Mya Grimes, Lisa Sabo, Sean Hammer

Jan 20

Lore - PTA Meeting @ 7pm FMS - Winter Band Concert @ 7pm

Fisher Middle School

Jan 21

EHS - Drama Club ITS Winter Showcase @ 7pm

Jan 22

FMS - Winter Orchestra Concert @ 7pm

2) Pictured: Scott Sheplock, Jesse Ambriz, Dr. Maggy Hanna, Hugh Dwyer

Jan 23

EHS - Grades 9-12 EXAMS Early Dismissal 12:15pm

The Ewing Public Schools Proudly Announce Our Governor Educators of the Year 2025-2026 Ewing High School Sean Hammer – Teacher of the Year Mya Grimes – Education Specialist of the Year

Jesse Ambriz – Teacher of the Year

Antheil Elementary School

Jan 26-30 The Great Kindness Challenge Jan 26

EHS - Grades 9-12 EXAMS Early Dismissal 12:15pm

Jan 27

EHS - Grades 9-12 EXAMS Early Dismissal 12:15pm EHS - End of Semester 1 FMS and Elementary School - End of 2nd Marking Period

Jan 28

Jan 31

Santina Winthrop – Teacher of the Year Leah Rodriquez – Education Specialist of the Year 3) Pictured: Mark Milecki, Leah Rodriquez, Santina Winthrop, Kip Harrison

SCHOOL CLOSED – Grades 6-12 and OBA Early Dismissal Full Day Preschool – Grade 5 NO AM Integrated Preschool (Antheil, Lore, Parkway) NO AM Bridge Preschool (Antheil)

Lore Elementary School Cynthia Campbell – Teacher of the Year Christine Meekins – Education Specialist of the Year

Parkway - PTA Amerikick Parent Night Out @ 6pm

4) Pictured: Dr. Trisha Bogusz, Christine Meekins, Cynthia Campbell, Alicia Mackall

Parkway Elementary School Amanda Fenderson – Teacher of the Year Tyler Moses – Education Specialist of the Year 5) Pictured: Michelle Conway, Amanda Fenderson, Rob Odri 6) Pictured: Rob Odri, Tyler Moses, Michelle Conway

For questions or information, please contact the Superintendent’s Office: 609-538-9800 ext. 1102

www.ewing.k12.nj.us

thullings@ewingboe.org

Design and Layout by Daniella Crescente GoodNews is an official publication of The Ewing Public Schools. ©2026 GoodNews

22Good News | Januar y 2026

Snow days were great!

DJ lived about a mile and a half from my house, so he said, “I’m coming to you.”

I’m glad he did, because I definitely wasn’t BETTING ON BLACK walking that mile and a half. Maybe that’s why he’s an Army veteran and I’m not.

Remember waking up after a snowstorm This guy trekked up Green Lane and and hoping school was canceled for the down Theresa Street through the snow day? We would sit by the radio listening to just to come play video games with me.

New Jersey 101.5 (ding), waiting to hear Here’s where I bring it back to my mom, our school name. like I always do. I kind of have to, because I went to Incarnation, and I swear every this Betting on Black column is her time I turned it on, the station was already masterpiece, and I’m just trying to keep it reading schools that started with “J.” going as best I can.

Come on. Now I had to wait until they got My mom and DJ had a special through the rest of the alphabet and circled relationship. It amazed me that my mom back to the “I’s”? and my best friend would hang out and There was always a school committee watch TV together when I wasn’t even of moms who had to make phone calls to there. The only thing I didn’t love was let each parent know school was canceled, noticing that some of my clothes would go but it never came before New Jersey 101.5. missing.

I don’t know how the radio station always When my mom passed, I asked DJ to got the information before the school did, write something about her. I wanted him but they did. to say a few words at her funeral. There My brother and I would immediately wasn’t really time for it, but he sent me go back to sleep for another two hours. what he wrote. I won’t share the whole Then we would be woken up by our father thing, but this part makes the whole snow saying, “Time to shovel out, boys.” day story make sense.

Ugh. I’d rather go to school and get in “Donnie and I hung out all morning, and trouble for talking during class. around noon we started getting bored being Reluctantly, my brother and I would stuck in the house. So we went outside and throw on all our snow gear and shovel our started messing around. We went into his parents’ house, our grandparents’ house shed and found this small plastic, makeshift across the street, and Aunt Blanche’s scooter-snowboard device. We thought, house next door. You thought school being ‘Where can we ride this thing?’ canceled was fun? Come live at my house.

Unfortunately for the Blacks, there was Before any fun happened, work had to be only a small hill in their backyard. Donnie done. and I got bored with that immediately. So Our other brothers, Jamel and Peyton, what do you think we did? If your guess was who lived right behind us, would help so climbing onto the roof of their house and we could get to sledding at the municipal riding this contraption right off it, you’re building hills sooner. Jamel and Peyton’s right. mom had a Honda CR-V with four-wheel I remember standing on the roof, about drive, so she HAD to drive us to the to push off, when I looked to my right and sledding spot. saw Mom’s car pulling into the driveway.

We would sled back there for hours.

She was coming home from work on her We were serious about sledding, too, lunch break. As she pulled in, she saw me because we always had the newest sled snowboarding off her roof and crashing into contraption. One year, the Sno-Thrasher the side yard. was all the rage, and of course we had four Luckily for us, she was in work clothes and of them. I miss those times. couldn’t trek through the snow to strangle us.

One morning during my senior year Instead, she stood in the driveway screaming of high school, New Jersey 101.5 (ding) at us across the yard. She was totally pissed, announced that Ewing High School was but at the same time, the cool-mom side of closed for the day. My parents’ jobs were her came out, and I remember her trying to not closed, my brother was away at college, hold back her laughter.” and it was just me and my dog, Corky, at Man, I miss those days. It snowed a home. bunch a few days ago, and you better I called my best friend, DJ, on his house believe I was hoping New Jersey 101.5 phone. His parents also had to work, (ding) was going to cancel work for me. and he was bored at home with his dog, Sandy. We both called our parents to see if Donnie Black was born and grew up in Ewing Township. He currently works at radio station we were allowed to hang out. We got the XTU in Philadelphia as a producer, on air pergreen light, with one condition: neither of sonality and promotions director. us was allowed to drive.

DONNIE BLACK

Ewing Recreation January 2026

Ewing Recreation Department and Advisory Board would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!!

Ewing United Indoor Soccer. EUSA will be running indoor soccer at Fisher Middle School on Sundays starting January 11th. Registration is open on the website ewingunitedsoccerassociation.teamsnapsites.com. The league will have instructional division first followed by games. The league is for 4-year-olds up through high school.

Chess Club. Ewing Recreation chess club meets on Wednesday evenings at St. Luke’s Church on Prospect St. Play is from 6:00pm – 10:00pm. Interested participants are welcome to attend or email Bong at bongortiz@

yahoo.com.

Civic Rec Online Registration. The Ewing Recreation Department registration software is Civic Rec. Civic Rec. So, for any program registration you will need to use Civic Rec. To register go to ewingnj. org/RecRegistration.

Our Info. For more information on these or any other programs, you can contact the Recreation Office at 609883-1776 or online at ewingnj. org/departments/communityaffairs.

The Recreation Office is located at Hollowbrook Community Center, Room 208, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Ewing Recreation column is paid content provided

by Ewing Township.

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scottyates727@gmail.com Januar y 2026 | Ewing Observer23

2025 memories: A year in review and a quiz EWING THEN & NOW

This month’s column will once again offer an opportunity to think back on these columns over the past year, and see if anything stuck!

Thus, we start 2026 off with some questions from material from 2025’s columns. If you happened to have read the columns, let’s see what if anything you remember — just for fun! The answers are below.

February’s column highlighted an upcoming program by the Ewing Historic Society, involving the story of

four people and a dog who departed Trenton in 1909 for a historic journey.

Three of the four lived most of their lives in Ewing. Where did the four people go, how did they travel, and why was it significant? *** March’s column featured a circa 1715 Ewing building, with news that a preservation plan has been created for it, as well as efforts to find a sustainable future use for the building. What is the building, and where is it located? *** April’s column began a four-part series about the Ryan Farm, originally located on Pennington Road in Ewing. What kind of farm was the Ryan Farm?

Senior Corner December 2025

ALL PROGRAMS HELD AT HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER, 320 HOLLOWBROOK DRIVE

MONDAYS 10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin 12:30 p.m. Bingo 1 p.m. Jewelry/Craft -Anne’s 1 p.m. Mexican Train TUESDAYS 10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin 12:30 p.m. Bible Study 12:30 p.m. Bingo WEDNESDAYS 9:30 a.m. Knitting/Crochet 10 a.m. Chair Fitness – JoAnna Hopkins 10:30 a.m. Water Color - Ally Lyons Mercer County Library – Ewing Branch 1 p.m. 5-Crown Cards 1 p.m. Chair Yoga – Gioia Fumo-Miranda 2 p.m. Mahjongg – Christine Kamph. Beginners class starts 1/7—1/28.

THURSDAYS 10 a.m. Exercise - Karen Martin 1 p.m. Pinochle - Mercer County Library - Ewing Branch 1 p.m. Rummikub 1 p.m. Balance Class - Bob Kirby 1 p.m. Bid Whist FRIDAYS 9:30 a.m. Line Dancing – Joanne Keephart SENIOR CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION (SCAC): Third Thursday of the month. General Body 10 a.m. — Meeting is open to the public.

CLUBS: (All held in Room #201-202) Live Wires—11 a.m. ( 2nd Thursday of the month) Busy C’s—11 a.m. ( 3rd Tuesday of the month) Club D—11 a.m. (1st Thursday of the month) HB Seniors—1 p.m. (2nd Friday of the month)

Senior Housing: Jan.16 Senior Housing Noon-2p m Lunch/Learn Real Estate scams and much more.. Q&A..

Presented by: Harks Realty & Associates. Register in the Senior Dept. by 1/13.

Senior Medicare Patrol: Jan 30. Out reach Specialist Joel Schneider 1-2 pm. HB Community Room. Become educated on how to protect your self against Medicare/Medicaid fraud. Learn how to navigate your social security and Medicare.

Mercer County Nutrition: Seniors 60 and older or anyone married to a person 60 and older is welcome to participate in the nutrition program. The program is located at Hollowbrook Community Center. A person is asked to donate a $1. Your donation is confidential. A delicious balance meal is served.

REGISTER FOR ALL PROGRAMS AGES 60 AND OLDER EWING RESIDENT S: HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER 2nd Floor Rm# 207 Senior Office, QUESTIONS: 609-883-1776

Senior Corner is paid content by Ewing Township

24Ewing Observer | Januar y 2026

straightforward and easily accomplished, thanks to local guides, plenty of signs pointing the way, and well-paved roads. *** In November, the column focused *** The May column featured the 160 acre on the details of the talk on “After the Ryan Farm and its c.1750 Temple Family Crossing.” True or False: Ewing holds a somewhat significant place in the farmhouse, as well as a dozen or so history of our country, located as it is additional farm and outbuildings.

True or False: All of the farm buildings between the “crossing” and the “battles of Trenton” ,which in turn helped to keep were meticulously and carefully moved the fight for independence alive. when the farmhouse was relocated in Despite countless risks, obstacles and order to perfectly preserve the physical challenges, success was achieved, in part integrity of the farm. due to the strategic splitting of the troops *** in Birmingham (now West Trenton), the True or False: We learned from the coordination of the surprise attack by June column that dairy farming is a Washington, and the dedication of the relatively simple and easy occupation, troops. with little effort and few complications Extra Credit!!: True or False: Ewing involved in ultimately producing an ice should more publicly and proudly cold glass of fresh milk. celebrate its position and role in that *** July- — True or False: The Ryan Farm historic moment! *** continues to provide fresh milk and dairy December’s column offered a list of products to this day. Visitors to the Ryan things to do to learn about and involve Farm Exhibit held at the Temple House yourself with the many historical were able to milk the cows, fork hay up into the hayloft, and haul the manure out happenings in the area at this time of year, including: to the back pasture. a) Patriot’s Week *** b) The Crossing Re-enactments at In August, I announced that this Washington Crossing column will attempt to present some c) The Battle of Princeton history inherent in the upcoming 250th d) RevolutionNJ and TenCrucialDays anniversary celebration, and to share websites perhaps some bits that aren’t as well e) All of the above and MORE! known. What TYPE of history will be Thank you, readers, for following presented? along with me here in the Observer. I a) National wish you all good health, happiness, and b) Local the freedom to enjoy the many blessings c) International we have here in Ewing and beyond as we d) Random move forward into 2026. *** In September, we learned that many Helen Kull is an Advisor with the Ewing English loyalists believed that the Township Historic Preservation Society.

American Rebellion in the 1770s was fueled in part by Presbyterian theology, Answers: and its alignment with: a) Individual freedom b) Self rule c) Religious tolerance d) Opposition to tyranny and the Divine Right of Kings e) All of the above *** October’s column highlighted an upcoming program sponsored by the Ewing Historical Society later in October on the events that occurred immediately following the crossing of the Delaware River by Washington and his troops on Christmas Day, 1776.

True or False: The march from Titusville to Trenton by Washington and his men was anticipated to be fairly a) Soy b) Wheat c) Dairy d) Alpaca

February: They traveled around the world in 1909-1910 primarily in a “Locomobile”, and the driver, Harold Brooks, is credited as being the first sole individual to drive around the world.

March: The William Green Farmhouse, now located on the TCNJ campus April: (c) dairy farm May: False June: False July: False August: (b) Local (and occasional Random tidbits!)

September (e) All of the above October False November True; and (Extra Credit) TRUE! (IMHO) December: (e) All of the above!

HELEN KULL

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Healthy Eating After the Holidays Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting Get back on track after the holidays with DR. KASHIF ANWAR and registered dietitian EMILY SANTORA from Capital Health Metabolic and Weight Loss Center. They’ll share tips for creating healthy eating habits that last, including mindfulness, exercise, and healthy nutrition.

FREE EVENT 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.

Januar y 2026 | Ewing Observer25

capture the courage and compassion of health workers here and across America. To share your thanks or to support our Emergency Response Fund,

When to see a urologist and symptoms to watch for visit rwjbh.org/heroes

And please, for them, stay home and safe.

Group provider, says “the biggest mistake issues may be caused by BPH, they can men make is waiting too long. Symptoms also indicate prostatitis (inflammation like slow urination or waking up multiple or infection) or, less commonly, prostate times at night might seem cancer. Prostatitis, particularly harmless, but they’re often common in younger and Seethe our ads in that the first signs middle-aged men, can cause SIX09 section prostate is under stress. burning with urination, pelvic pgsThe 5 and 7 we evaluate it, The prostate is a small gland with earlier discomfort, difficulty sitting, or a significant impact on men’s health, the easier it is to treat.” pain that radiates to the back especially as they age. While prostate The most common or groin. These symptoms conditions many men prostate-related condition typically do not resolve on their RWJ-104are Heroescommon, Work Here_4.313x11.25_HAM.indd 1 delay 4/17/20 1:21 PM seeking care because they assume urinary is benign prostatic own and often require targeted or pelvic symptoms are simply a normal hyperplasia (BPH), treatment. part of getting older. or enlargement of the “Many men tough it out Early evaluation by a urologist can prostate. BPH is not cancer, or hope the symptoms will make a significant difference in treatment but it can significantly go away, but that can lead to Dr. Vitaly Zholudev options, long-term outcomes, and overall disrupt daily life. complications. Persistent pelvic quality of life.

Symptoms may include: pain, urinary changes, or blood Even mild symptoms can signal the • Difficulty starting in the urine should always early stages of prostate enlargement, urination; be checked by a doctor. These may not inflammation, or, in rare cases, cancer.

• Weak or interrupted urine stream; be emergencies, but they are absolutely Seeking timely evaluation helps ensure • Frequent urination, especially at night; red flags,” explains Vitaly Zholudev, MD, problems are identified before they • Feeling like the bladder doesn’t fully an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group become more serious. empty; provider, a urologist specializing in men’s John Watson, MD, a board-certified • Sudden urgency to urinate; and health. urologist, Section Chief of Urology, • Dribbling after urination.

Warning signs include: Medical Staff Leadership at Robert Wood Men, at any age, experiencing any • Blood in the urine or semen; Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, of these symptoms should make an • Inability to urinate; and an RWJBarnabas Health Medical appointment with a urologist. While these • Severe pain in the lower abdomen; • Unexpected weight loss; • New erectile dysfunction; and •Recurrent urinary tract infections.

These symptoms require prompt evaluation, as they can indicate a more advanced issue.

The good news is that urology has evolved significantly, and most prostate problems can be managed with medications, lifestyle adjustments, or minimally invasive procedures that offer Wants to give you a new quick recovery and long-term relief. career in 12 weeks For men who notice even slight changes in urinary or pelvic function, the safest step • Training by practicing dental team is to consult a urologist. Prompt action • Functioning dental office not only protects prostate health but also supports overall well-being as men age.

• Modern state of the art technology Both Dr. Watson and Dr. Zholudev, • 3 month hybrid program state approved affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson • We provide uniforms, tablet and books.

University Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, see patients Dental assistants are in very at 1 Sheffield Drive, Suite 202A, Columbus. high demand, offer excellent To schedule an appointment or for more work hours, great pay (NJ/PA) information, call (609) 740-0030. average is $25-$30 per hour), Programs at RWJUH and an array of advancement opporunities and certifications.

Hamilton this month

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All support groups take place at the Center for Health & Wellness located at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619--unless otherwise noted. View the entire 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.

Tuesday, January 6

Alzheimer’s Support Group. 2-3 p.m. Also Wednesday, Jan. 21; 6-7 p.m. Support and information for family and friends of people with Alzheimer’s disease. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.

Wednesday, January 7

Caregiver Support Group. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Supportive discussion group for those caring for a loved one who is aging or has a chronic illness-shared experiences can be healing. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.

THursday, January 8

Grief & Loss Support Group. Also Thursday, Jan. 22. 1:30-2:30 p.m. If you have lost a loved one or been separated from your support system, you can find comfort and begin to cope better by interacting with others. A Senior Well-Being Specialist will moderate.

Tuesday, January 13 Bariatric Weight Loss Support Group. 6–7 p.m.

If you are considering surgery, are in the process of preparing for have undergone surgery, you are welcome to attend our group.

Family, friends, and support persons are also welcome. This is a great opportunity to meet others going through the same weight loss journey. We focus on achieving optimal wellness through weight loss surgery. We will discuss different topics on nutrition, exercise, and healthy living behaviors.

Tuesday, January 20

Gynecological Cancer Support Group. 2-3:30 p.m. This program is facilitated by Roberta Weiner, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Certified Oncology Social Worker, at The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton. This support group brings individuals with gynecologic cancer the support, education, and empowerment they need to move along the path to recovery. Topics discussed include coping with the emotional impact of cancer, adjusting to change during and after treatment, and managing concerns about recurrence. *Note, this support group meets at The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, 2575 Klockner Rd., Hamilton, NJ. For more information or to register, call 609-584-6680.

Prediabetes Connect Group. 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.

Tuesday, January 27

Stoke Support Group. 4-5 p.m. The group will share personal experiences, feelings, recovery strategies, and firsthand information on managing a healthy lifestyle after a stroke.

Meetings are facilitated by two outpatient rehabilitation therapists: Ashley Sarrol Speech- Language Pathologist, and Allyson Panikowski-Berry Occupational Therapist, of RWJ Rehabilitation Hamilton. All are welcome at any stage of recovery and encouraged to attend with their loved ones.

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 609-396-1511 ext. 132.

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SERVICES F,D, Mason Contractor, Over 30 years of experience. Brick, Block, Stone, Concrete. No job too large or small. Fully Insured and Licensed. Free Estimates 908-385-5701 Lic#13VH05475900.

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

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 .

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

Work From Home Quick Question...If you could earn an extra $5,000+ per month in as little as 60 days, would you want to know how? Listen to a 3-Minute Recorded Message. Call: (518) 841-1126, Then call Elaine at (640) 202-0791 for a Zoom invite. (Serious Inquiries Only!) Code:CP

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Januar y 2026 | Ewing Observer27

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28Ewing Observer | Januar y 2026