Issuu

North’s Jha medals as youngest runner at Meet of Champions

BY JUSTIN FEIL

At the Meet of Champions awards ceremony, the medalists are asked to stand by class.

Agrim Jha was the only sophomore.

The North High School student placed 14th overall in 15 minutes, 58 seconds in the MOC boys final at Holmdel Par k on Nov.15, the youngest runner to place on the boys side and one of only four nonseniors in the top 20.

“It’s a proud moment,” Jha said. “That’s also a really stacked field, and I knew a lot of the guys that were there, so it was

really nice to get a little recognition.”

Jha led the Knights to 10th in the team standings. Junior Paul Wittenberg was 23rd in 16:14, sophomore Rohan Varma was 96th in 17:14, freshman Ashvin Avineni took 116th in 17:32, and sophomore Soham Shah was 128th in 17:46. That left North tied with Morris Knolls, but the Knights took 10th place on a sixth-runner tiebreaker when sophomore Sushanth Karri placed 143rd in 18:10, ahead of Morris Knolls’ sixth finisher. North’s lone senior in the lineup, Veejhay Roy, also beat Morris Knolls’

See JHA, Page 13

Clarksville Road bridge closed indefinitely

BY BILL SANSERVINO

The Clarksville Road bridge in West Windsor remains closed for emergency repairs earlier this month, with no confirmed timeline for reopening, according to local and state officials.

The closure began Nov. 2 after a routine inspection found severe corrosion on several structural elements of the bridge, which crosses over Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor rail line.

The bridge, designated as County Route 638, was shut down between

Meadow Road and Everett Drive to protect public safety.

Detour signs have rerouted drivers through Quakerbridge Road, U.S. Route 1, and Alexander Road, causing major disruptions for local traffic, commuters and emergency vehicles.

“The state DOT is working on it every day,” West Windsor Mayor Hemant Marathe said in a Nov. 17 social media update. “The priority is to open the bridge as soon as possible even in a diminished capacity.”

CLARSKVILLE , Page 4

Finding the perfect tree

Some Christmas tree traditions enjoy a Mercer County origin story

BY BILL SANSERVINO

For New Jersey’s many tree farms, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas bring the crowds they work toward all year — people who come not just to buy a tree, but to take part in something that feels like the official start of the season.

What many don’t know is that Mercer County has bragging rights when it comes to this tradition.

The first commercial Christmas tree

farm in the United States took root in Hamilton Township, where William V. McGalliard began planting Norway spruces in 1901. Hoping to turn rocky farmland into profit, he instead helped spark a holiday custom that swept the nation. He planted 25,000 spruce seedlings and 5,000 saplings from Charles Black of Hightstown. When the first trees matured around 1907, McGalliard sold them for $1 each, long before choosing a tree became the family-centered excursion we know today.

Born in 1857, McGalliard spent his life in White Horse, where he farmed, served on local boards, and built the town’s water works. His blend of entrepreneurship and

See TREE, Page 8

Member s of the WW-P High School North cross country team pose for a photo.

When joint surgery affects more than just you, closer is better. Do it right. Here.

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

stories in your inbox weekly.

It takes just a moment to sign up. Scan this QR code.

Enter your email on our website, communitynews.org, and you’ll be signed up to receive our regular Tuesday summaries of the previous week’s news. (Including content not available in our print edition.)

You can also opt in to our Thursday calendar updates, highlighting the events in the region that weekend and beyond. We’ll see you online!

Marathe said the township, Mercer County, and the N.J. Department of Transportation have already held two planning meetings, with as many as 26 people in attendance.

During the meetings, officials reviewed options for both temporary and long-term solutions.

“In the second meeting we have narrowed down the choices and state DOT is working on coming up with a plan of action to get it open,” Marathe said. “This week’s meeting will be attended by Amtrak as well since the bridge is over rail lines and closure of some tracks will be required during repair.”

The mayor said the DOT is treating the situation as an emergency and intends to proceed rapidly once a plan is finalized, possibly including overnight construction.

He noted that since the bridge was already slated for future reconstruction, some engineering work had already been completed prior to this emergency.

“I expect that after this week’s meeting we will have a plan of action and some timeline for the reopening,” Marathe said.

“I want to acknowledge the county, state DOT and township engineers as they have been working as fast as they can to get the bridge open.”

The bridge is considered a vital north-

south route within West Windsor, and its sudden closure has raised community concerns about traffic congestion, access for emergency services, and long-term infrastructure maintenance.

Township officials have urged patience from residents as the state works with Amtrak to coordinate repair access over the rail corridor. Updates are expected following the next multi-agency meeting this week.

Marathe, Geevers, Charles win in West Windsor election

Incumbent Mayor Hemant Marathe won re-election to a third term in West Windsor’s nonpartisan municipal election on Nov. 4, defeating challenger Sujit Singh by 318 votes.

Marathe received 5,032 votes (51.42%) to Singh’s 4,714 votes (48.17%), according to unofficial results released by the Mercer County Clerk’s Office.

Write-in candidates received 41 votes. A total of 9,787 ballots were cast in the mayoral race.

Marathe’s running mates on the “Proven Leaders for West Windsor” slate also prevailed in the race for two Township Council seats.

Incumbent Council Vice President

Linda Geevers was re-elected with 5,006 votes (26.61%) and Joe Charles, a certified public accountant and first-time candidate, secured the second seat with 4,801 votes (25.53%).

They defeated Singh’s “West Windsor Together” council candidates, Ajay Tomar and Andrew Winters, who received 4,500 votes (23.92%) and 4,460 votes (23.71%) respectively.

Write-in candidates garnered 42 votes in the council contest, where voters could select two names. A total of 18,809 votes were cast.

In a statement to Communitynews. org, Marathe thanked voters and said the results reflect residents’ desire for steady leadership.

“I am thankful to the residents of West Windsor for the trust they have shown in me, Linda Geevers and Joe Charles to be their mayor and council members for another four years,” he said.

“We will continue to listen and be respectful to all suggestions. We will work hard to build a community we all deserve and expect,” Marathe said.

While some absentee and provisional ballots remain to be counted, the results gave the Proven Leaders team a clear edge.

The group campaigned on a message of fiscal restraint, experience, and incremen-

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

SENIOR COMMUNITY EDITOR

Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104)

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

us how much home truly matters Thinking about a fresh start in the new year? Let’s begin the conversation now I’m here to help you navigate every detail so your next move feels seamless, joy ful, and right on time

Justin Feill

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Paul Ligetti

AD LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION

Stephanie Jeronis

Community News Service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

Sports: sports@communitynews.org

Letters: bsanservino@communitynews.org

Website: communityews.org

ACCOUNT SALES EXECUTIVE

Gina Carillo (Ext. 112)

Facebook: facebook.com/CommunityNewsService

X: x.com/_CommunityNews_

17,000 copies of The News are mailed or bulkdistributed to the residences and businesses in Plainsboro and West Windsor 12 times a year.

TO ADVERTISE

call (609) 396-1511, ext. 110 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

tal development focused on preserving the township’s

Geevers, who has served on council since 2005, celebrated the outcome in a statement thanking campaign supporters and highlighting the group’s outreach efforts.

“It was an incredible victory for all three of us. I am honored and grateful to once again have earned a sixth term now on the township Council,” she said.

According to records from the West Windsor Historical Society, Geevers is currently the fourth longest serving of any elected official since 1797.

“We knocked on thousands of doors and had 25 meet and greet gatherings where we listened to our residents and answered each of their questions,” she said. “Now we can take that feedback and make necessary adjustments to address the residents’ needs and concerns.”

Geevers added, “As the election is over, I want you to know that I will continue to represent all residents. Together, we can make our wonderful diverse community the best that it can be.”

Charles said he was grateful for the support he received in his first campaign.

“I would like to thank all the people who did so much to help me during the election process. I look forward to serving our community — now the real work begins!”

Geevers said she looks forward to working alongside her returning and incoming colleagues.

“I’m excited for Mayor Marathe in being re-elected to a third term. He works diligently for our growing community,” she said. “I also look forward to working with Councilman-Elect Joe Charles who I have gotten to know very well over the past year.

“He’ll bring a new skill set to Council. We will work collaboratively with all residents and other elected officials to move us to an even brighter future.”

The slate said in a joint statemen that their supporters “delivered on our message of fiscal responsibility, inclusiveness, and proven leadership to meet the challenges ahead.”

The campaign marked a sharp contrast in vision between the two slates.

Marathe and his team emphasized preserving open space, minimizing housing obligations through careful planning, and limiting large-scale development to Route 1 corridors.

Singh’s team argued for greater transparency, more walkable mixed-use centers, and tighter environmental controls. They also opposed recent warehouse approvals, particularly the Bridge Point 8 project, and called for new approaches to traffic, housing and civic engagement.

Marathe defended his administration’s record on social media engagement, cost controls, and infrastructure improvements.

During the campaign, he noted that the township had kept average tax increases under $10 per household annually while expanding services.

With the election behind them, the Proven Leaders team said they hope to move forward with unity.

“As the election is now over, it’s time we all come together to make our wonderful community the best it can be,” Marathe said.

WW-P’s Dana Krug honored as N.J. School

Board Member of the Year

Dana Krug, a longtime member of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional Board of Education, has been named the 202526 New Jersey School Boards Association Board Member of the Year.

Krug, who also serves as president of the Mercer County School Boards Association, was recognized for her leadership, advocacy and commitment to public education across New Jersey.

“Dana is a board member whose work exemplifies commitment, not only to the education of the children of her commu-

nity, but to public education throughout New Jersey,” said Dr. Timothy Purnell, NJSBA executive director and CEO.

The award was presented Oct. 21 during the NJSBA’s annual Workshop 2025 and followed a surprise announcement Octon . 7 at a West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education meeting.

Krug has lived in West Windsor since 1995 and is serving her fifth term on the school board. Her three children graduated from High School North, each having attended WW-P schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.

She graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, earned a bachelor’s degree in international area studies from Duke University, and holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from The New School University.

Professionally, Krug has worked in advertising, marketing communication and strategy, and marketing systems development.

In the community, she has served as president and chair of the Friends of the West Windsor Library, co-president of the Community Middle School PTSA, and tournament director for the WW-P Babe Ruth State Baseball Tournament.

Krug has chaired each of the district’s three standing committees — Curriculum See KRUG, Page 7

RWJUH Hamilton December Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Dec. 2; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Presented by our oncology nurse navigator and certiﬁed oncology social worker at The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, this support group welcomes those who have received a breast cancer diagnosis in all phases of their journey, and offers participants an opportunity to share personal experiences, helpful resources, and methods of coping with feelings of anxiety and distress. Please call 609.584.2836 to conﬁrm attendance.

COLON HEALTH LECTURE AND TAKE HOME SCREENING KITS

Wednesday, Dec. 3; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Learn about colon health, ways to help mitigate your risk and receive a colon cancer screening test kit to take at home and mail back.

ANGELS AMONG US: GETTING CLEAR GUIDANCE

Wednesday, Dec. 3; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us for a discussion about guardian angels and how we can connect with and receive guidance from them. Fee $15

THE POWER OF FOOD: NUTRITION STRATEGIES FOR DIABETES

Monday, Dec. 8; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 23; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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

TALK SAVES LIVES: AN INTRODUCTION TO SUICIDE PREVENTION

Monday, Dec. 8; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

This suicide prevention education program will review the latest data on suicide in the U.S., current research on factors that contribute to suicidal thoughts, prevention strategies, and ways to seek or offer support during times of crisis. Participants must be 18 years or older.

WII GAMES

Monday, Dec. 8, 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16; 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.

LETTING GO OF CLUTTER

Tuesday, Dec. 9; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

This support group explores how our emotional ties to our “stuff” can create clutter and affect our mood. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.

HOLIDAY CARD MAKING

Wednesday, Dec. 10; 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy a sense of community as we make festive holiday cards. All materials will be provided

SACRED BREATHWORK

Wednesday, Dec. 10; 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Sacred Breathwork can help release negative patterns and fears that keep us stuck. Join us for this powerful

work. Please bring a yoga mat, low beach chair, blankets or anything else that will make you comfortable. Chairs will also be available. Fee $15

DON’T BET YOUR FUTURE

Thursday, Dec. 11; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Gambling is a widespread activity with complex societal impacts. While many view it as a harmless pastime, for some, the risks can lead to severe ﬁnancial distress, mental health issues, and damaged relationships. Our presentation will explore the powerful social factors behind gambling, the dangers of addiction, and the importance of responsible play.

GLOBAL GROOVES: BOLLYWOOD BEATS

Saturday, Dec. 13; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Get ready to move and groove with the vibrant energy of Bollywood dance! Feel the beat, unleash your inner star, and experience the joy and energy of India’s most exciting dance style. No experience needed. Bring your enthusiasm and let the music move you!

PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP

Tuesday, Dec. 16; 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.

DINNER WITH A DOCTOR: THE HIDDEN CONNECTION BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND RESTFUL SLEEP

Tuesday, Dec. 16; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. If you or someone you love snores, wakes up exhausted, or struggles with

daytime sleepiness, you will not want to miss this talk. Join Sean Bradley, DMD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, and his team as they explain how the airway, jaw, and oral structures play a key role in sleep apnea, and how today’s oral sleep appliances can help you breathe easier, sleep deeper, and feel more energized.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

Wednesday, Dec. 17; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Learn how to help heal your body and relax your busy mind.

TEEN AND CHILD SERIES: SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY

Wednesday, Dec. 17; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Technology is a big part of kids’ lives, and this workshop will give them tools to use it wisely. Students will learn how to protect their privacy, recognize unsafe or unkind online behavior, and understand the difference between positive and negative digital choices. The workshop will also encourage them to think before they click and to use social media in healthy, responsible ways.

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Dec. 23; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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. Join the RWJ Rehab team, Ashley

Sarrol,Speech-Language Pathologist, & Allyson Panikowski-Berry, Occupational Therapist. Survivors and care partners at any stage of recovery are encouraged to attend.

HEART-HEALTHY NUTRITION

Monday, Dec. 29; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join our bimonthly nutrition education class. Learn about making dietary choices that support cardiovascular health. Discuss the principles of heart-healthy nutrition. Gain tips for meal planning and preparation. Explore heart-healthy recipes.

CREATIVE ARTS: JUNK JOURNALING

Tuesday, Dec. 30; 2:30 p.m. - 4:00pm

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

SCAN THE QR CODE TO JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

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

YOGA CLASSES

Tuesday, Dec. 2 and 16; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Join us for this gentle yoga class using traditional postures and breathing techniques. Pose modiﬁcations will be offered so that you can conﬁdently participate.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday, Dec. 2 and 16; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Join us for a meditation class that will focus on reducing stress and achieving inner peace. Learn how easy it is to practice meditation whenever you need it most. Beginners welcome.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, Dec. 2 and 16; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Using a chair for seated poses and also for balancing poses, this class is perfect for those who may not have moved their bodies for a while, are recovering from an injury, or have mobility/balancing difficulties. A great place to start practicing yoga to help boost your flexibility, find inner peace, unwind and stretch.

A SOCIAL HOUR ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 10, 17; 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Topics created for you by you. Every week is new and something different. Join us on all the dates, two, or even one. It’s your choice. New members are always welcome.

GENTLE JAZZ CLASS

Wednesday, Dec. 3 &17; 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Join us for a fun gentle jazz class led by one of our Better Health Members, a former Dance Instructor, Norma Barber.

COOKIE DECORATING

Tuesday, Dec. 9; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Join us as a local baker guides us through decorating her already baked from scratch cookies. All supplies included.

that

TAI CHI CLASSES

Thursday, Dec. 11; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tai Chi is recommended for seniors because it improves balance, strengthens muscles in the legs, and increases ﬂexibility and stability in the ankles. It can also help reduce falls and back pain.

CREATE YOUR PERSONAL HOLIDAY WREATH

Monday, Dec. 15; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join us as we spread winter joy through art and innovation. Create a beautiful holiday wreath to take home and enjoy. This fun and hands-on class will help you tap into your inner creativity as you spend time enjoying music, friends, and crafting. All supplies included.

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

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

Thursday, Dec. 18; 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Happy holidays! Whether you come alone to meet new people or to catch up with old friends, join our Better Health Program family for an enjoyable holiday party and to reﬂect on a year well spent. There will be delicious food, festive dancing, and a special singer. Looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!

WHAT WE KEEP

Friday, Dec. 19; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

What keepsakes have you held onto and why? What do they say about your story? What do they represent in your life? Now is the time to bring these cherished items out of the shadows and into the light. Join us as we guide you in reinventing your treasures, turning them into meaningful symbols of the present. Through reﬂection, storytelling, and creative exercises (art and writing), we’ll help you uncover the deep signiﬁcance of what you’ve kept and show you how to integrate your memento in a way that inspires and transforms. Supplies included.

Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit

KRUG continued from Page 5

NJSBA Interim President Karen Cortillino (left), WW-P School Board member Dana Krug, NJSBA executive director/CEO Timothy Purnell, and Barry Walker, vice president of county activities Board Member of the Year Award Presentation on Oct. 21, 2025. and Instruction, Administration and Facilities, and Finance — as well as four negotiations cycles with the West Windsor-Plainsboro Education Association. She has also chaired the district’s negotiations team with the WWPSA service association.

She has earned NJSBA’s Certified Board Member, Master Board Member, and Certified Board Leader credentials.

In her 2023 candidate statement, Krug reflected on her approach to governance and community service.

“Being a West Windsor-Plainsboro school board member is a rewarding responsibility and one that I enjoy,” she said. “Throughout my tenure, I have been grateful to support many families on their children’s educational journeys.”

She said her experience as both a parent and board member has given her perspective on the needs of students and families.

“I understand that children can learn differently, and that the classroom experience should support each child’s learning style,” Krug said. “I’ve helped many parents find the district resources needed to support their children.”

Krug noted that her time on the board has involved guiding the district through major challenges, including a $115 million

referendum, significant weather events, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I take my tremendous responsibility as a West Windsor-Plainsboro school board member seriously,” she said. “I read district documents and policies diligently and engage in dialogue with administration and colleagues to ensure our decisions support our community.”

Krug also emphasized the importance of collaboration and continued learning in board service.

“Lifelong learning is important to me,” she said. “Each of my board certifications required participation in NJSBA programs, leadership responsibilities, and a commitment to the mission of school board members in New Jersey.”

As she looked ahead, Krug said she remained focused on statewide advocacy for issues such as school funding, later start times, and teacher recruitment.

“Public education will continue to face challenges in the years ahead, including inequities, social and emotional learning needs, and managing growth,” she said.

“I look forward to working with my board colleagues and the WW-P administration to continue enhancing the educational experience for our students and families,” Krug said.

the Season

HELENE C. FAZIO

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY 10 NASSAU ST, PRINCETON, NJ 08542 O: 609-921-1411 C: 609-658-3277

10 NASSAU ST, PRINCETON, NJ 08542

O: 609-921-1411

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, THE GREATEST GIFT IS FINDING A PLACE TO CALL HOME.

C: 609-658-3277

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, THE GREATEST GIFT IS FINDING A PLACE TO CALL HOME.

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO BUY, SELL, OR MAKE A CHANGE IN THE NEW YEAR, I’M HERE TO GUIDE YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A JOYFUL, MAGICAL HOLIDAY SEASON FILLED WITH WARMTH, CHEER, AND

TREES continued from Page 1 public service helped transform his community, and his unlikely gamble on Christmas trees grew into a nationwide industry.

Though his farm is now the site of Kingston & Kemp Funeral Home, his legacy lives on in the thousands of tree farms across America.

That same spirit of tradition thrives today at Jack’s Nursery & Landscaping in Hopewell Township, where Edward “Jack” Jackowski and his wife, Anita, have spent nearly three decades tending evergreens and greeting generations of returning families.

Jackowski grows Black Hills spruce, Canaan fir, and Norway spruce — species that do well in the clay-rich soil on his Hopewell Township property.

“The Black Hills spruce look like they’d hurt, but they don’t,” he said while feeling the needles on one of the trees. “Regular spruce trees bite. They hurt you. But the Black Hills don’t.”

Jankowski said that while many families choose from Jack’s pre-cut selection, for parents with young children, he often recommends exploring the fields.

“Kids remember running around out here,” he said. “Anybody can go to Home Depot and get a tree. But when kids come out here, they have a ball picking one. They’ll remember that.”

He stresses the importance of a fresh cut before the tree goes into its stand. “We trim a quarter inch off the bottom,” he said. “If the sap hardens, the water can’t go up.”

Once home, he said customers should get the tree into water immediately. “Warm water and sugar is the old trick, but we sell a product called ProLong. It keeps the sap from sealing over.”

Jack’s also sells a limited number of balland-burlap trees for replanting. Four- to five-foot sizes are the most manageable.

“I tell people to dig the hole before Christmas,” he said. “New Jersey weather is crazy. If the ground freezes, that thing’s not going in.”

Weather has shaped many memorable seasons on the farm. “I’ve sold trees in a T-shirt, and I’ve sold them in 35 degrees and raining,” he said. “We’re out there freezing and people still come.”

One year a sudden freeze encased every tree in ice. “We couldn’t even run ’em through the netting,” he said. “I finally told people, ‘There’s the trees — 20 bucks.’ It was that bad.”

But what keeps him going is the people. “I’ve watched kids grow up out here,” he said. “Some were babies the first time they came. Now they’re bringing their kids. It’s tradition.”

After decades working the fields, Jackowski has come to understand trees from the grower’s point of view — how they

behave, how they surprise people, and how families connect with them.

But across New Jersey, other growers see the holiday tree tradition from a broader vantage point, and few know that landscape better than Allison Cole.

Allison Cole, who serves as the executive secretary of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, has seen just about every kind of tree — and every kind of customer — there is.

She said she could usually tell within a few minutes which families wanted a neat, symmetrical fir and which ones would proudly take home something a little wild-looking.

“You’ve got spruces and firs and pines, and they differ in their needles,” said Cole in a past interview with CommunityNews. org. “There are some exotic, off-the-wall varieties, too.”

Her years in the business have taught her that every tree has its own personality. A white pine, with its soft, graceful needles, has a certain elegance — like a dancer twirling in slow motion. The sturdy Colorado blue spruce, meanwhile, has an icy beauty, its steel-blue hue glowing under white lights. But it’s not one to handle carelessly.

“You have to trim that one wearing gloves,” Cole said. “The needles are so sharp even the deer won’t nibble on it.”

Then there are the firs — Douglas, Concolor, and Fraser. Their full branches can hold heavy ornaments, their scent fills a room instantly, and, as Cole said, “they have good needle retention.”

Cole said she sometimes chose her own tree not for perfection but for personality.

“I’ve brought home the tree that was maybe bit by a tractor,” she said with a grin. “I can always make it beautiful.”

Still, practicality matters. “You’d be surprised how many people forget to measure their ceiling,” she said. “They find the perfect tree, bring it home, and then realize they don’t have room for the star or angel on top.”

Like any fashion, tree trends come and go. “Twenty-five years ago everyone wanted Scotch pine,” she said. “Now it’s all about the firs.”

Freshness remains central to her advice.

“It’s much better to go to a local tree farm and either cut it yourself or have it cut for you there,” she said. “That way you know it’s fresh.”

Once home, timing and care are crucial. “Get it into water as soon as possible,” she said. If it needs to sit outside before decorating, she said to keep it in a bucket of water in the garage or on the shaded side of the house.

“I usually give mine a gallon of clean water every day or every other day,” she said. “You just have to see what it needs.”

For some families, the love of Christmas trees goes beyond one holiday season. Many farms sell ball-and-burlap trees with roots still attached, ready to be replanted.

“People like to use them in their landscaping and say, ‘Oh, that was our Christmas tree from a few years ago,’” Cole said. She said real trees remain the environmentally friendly choice. “You may have an artificial tree for 20 years, but when you throw it out, it sits in a landfill forever because you can’t recycle it,” she said.

In New Jersey, the business of Christmas trees is less about competition and more about community. “We’re all friends,” Cole said. “We help each other out.”

She said the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers’ Association meets throughout the year to share advice, compare species performance, and trade stories from the field.

“It’s a group of people who love what they do,” she said. “We’re all in it for the same reason — because we love trees and we love the holidays.”

That sentiment extends to the public. Buying a tree locally supports small, family-owned farms and turns what could be a chore into a memorable outing.

“You’re not just buying a tree,” Cole said. “You’re making a tradition.”

The Association says it is committed to

keeping that tradition alive for generations. Its members grow, prune, shape, and care for thousands of trees so that each December, families can walk through the fields in search of “the one.”

“People come back year after year,” Cole said. “We see their kids grow up. It’s like being part of their Christmas story.”

And that, in the end, is what keeps Cole and her fellow growers smiling even after long, cold December days in the fields.

“It’s worth it,” she said. “You’re part of something that brings people joy.”

For more information about Jack’s Nursery, go to jacksnurseryandlandscaping. com or call 609-737-0224. For more information, tips, and a list of farms near you, visit njchristmastrees.org.

Area tree farms

Princeton Pike, Lawrence Twp., offers Douglas, Fraser and Concolor firs (and more), handmade wreaths, swags and garlands, plus seasonal family activities. Carroll’s Christmas Tree Farm on Facebook. (609) 647-2623.

Colavita Christmas Tree Farm, 1761 Dolington Rd., Yardley, PA, offers chooseand-cut, pre-cut and balled trees plus a Wreath Barn making fresh wreaths daily with custom décor, along with roping and bows for doorways and mantles. (215) 4933563. colavitachristmastreefarm.com.

Countryview Farm Nursery, 601 Buckelew Ave., Monroe Twp., offers fresh-cut and balled firs & spruces, decorated wreaths, grave blankets and seasonal shrubs; they often feature hot cocoa and Santa visits on select days. (732) 4465141. countryviewfarmnursery.com.

Jack’s Nursery & Landscaping, 10/100 Woosamonsa Rd., Hpewell Township, offers fresh-cut trees (plus a limited selection of uncut nursery trees), poinsettias and greens. (609) 737-0224. jacksnurseryandlandscaping.com.

Keris Tree Farm & Christmas Shop, 848 Route 524, AllentownChoose-and-cut firs/spruces and pre-cut Fraser & Balsam; Christmas shop with handmade ornaments, wreaths and gifts. (609) 259-0720. kerischristmastreefarm.com.

A & M Farm and Garden Center, 1203 US Highway 130, Robbinsville. Ffeatures fresh-cut Christmas trees, custom wreaths, holiday décor, grave blankets, and seasonal gifts for the home and garden. (609) 448-0663. aandmgardencenter. com/winter.

Barclay’s Tree Farm: 35 Orchardside Dr., Cranbury, offers choose-and-cut and a limited selection of pre-cut trees, plus fresh wreaths, stands and local honey. (609) 799-1855. Website: barclaystreefarm. com.

Carroll’s Christmas Tree Farm, 3980

Lazy Susan Tree Farm, 184 Sharon Rd., Robbinsville. Family-run with cutyour-own and pre-cut trees, fresh handmade wreaths, and complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes by the firepit. (609) 208-0784. lazysusantreefarm.com.

Longford Gardens/Makrancy’s, 947 Kuser Rd., Hamilton, has historically sold pre-cut trees and holiday greens at the garden center; current online info is inconsistent. Call ahead to confirm hours and availability. Phone: (609) 981-7667.

YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT

1260 Route 33 South

Jennifer Woloszyn

McLaughlin Tree Farm, 1312 Old York Rd., Robbinsville, offers a selection of choose-and-cut trees with free baling and loading, saws and wagons, hot chocolate & popcorn, handmade wreaths, garland and baked goods. (609) 259-8122. intrees.net

Jennifer Woloszyn

1260 Route 33 South

Jennifer Woloszyn

Counselor

Jennifer Woloszyn

Counselor

Stone Manor Farm (formerly Pleasant Valley), 47 Pleasant Valley Rd., Titusville, offers a classic choose-and-cut experience, specializing in large trees as well. (609) 818-1241. stonemanorfarmnj.com

Hamilton, NJ 08690

1260 Route 33 South

Hamilton, NJ 08690

1260 Route 33 South

1260 Route 33 South Hamilton, NJ 08690

Hamilton, NJ 08690

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Hamilton, NJ 08690

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Simonson Farms (Cranbury/East Windsor) operates several fields, with main locations at 120 Cranbury Neck Rd. and 118/260 Dey Rd. Big species selection, pre-cut at Cranbury Neck Rd., and wagon rides on weekends. (609) 799-0140. simonsonfarms.com

Hamilton, NJ 08690

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Cell: (609) 337-2366

Ph:

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com Insurance Counselor

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Cell: (609) 337-2366

Ph: (609) 631-4286

Cell: (609) 337-2366

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

Cell: (609) 337-2366

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

jwoloszyn@aca.aaa.com

Cell: (609) 337-2366

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

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

jwoloszyn@aaamidatlantic.com

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

http://midatlantic.aaa.com/

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

Spruce Goose Christmas Tree Farm, 194 Bordentown-Georgetown Rd., Chesterfield. Family-run for 30+ years with chooseand-cut firs & spruces, fresh wreaths and on-farm tools/services. (609) 298-2498. sprucegoosefarm.wordpress.com.

Edward and Anita Jackowski at their tree farm in Hopewell Township.

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

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

Finding Calm in a Chaotic World

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

DR. KRISTINA MCGUIRE, a licensed clinical psychologist from Capital Health Behavioral Health Specialists, will discuss strategies to cope with feelings of anger, grief, fear and helplessness related to the sociopolitical environment. Learn how to manage anxiety, set limits, and improve social connections. This discussion will focus on your mental health and not on specific political issues.

Healthy Eating

After the Holidays

Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 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.

sixth finisher when he came through in 146th in 18:20.

“They finished 10th in the state, which is fantastic,” said Knights coach Brian Gould. “It’s a very young team, so we did as much as possible to prepare for this meet, but there’s nothing really like the real thing. So this was a really great experience for them. I think they competed very well. And it’s exciting that it’s such a young group because it was a good day today, but this is kind of just the beginning, I think.”

In the MOC girls race, Alison Lee concluded her North cross country career in seventh place in 18:00. The senior improved 14 seconds from the Group III state meet and was 27 seconds faster than last year’s MOC when she placed third.

Jha and the Knight boys can hope for similar type improvements for themselves. Jha missed advancing to the MOC last year when he ran 16:57 for 26th in the Group III state meet. After an outstanding track season, Jha has come back and made sizeable jumps to become a state medalist.

“It’s been a really fun season,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of fun working out with my team. We started all the way back in the summer, and our whole group’s been putting in a lot of work for this, so it’s been a lot of fun. Running with Paul has been really great. I’m really grateful to have a teammate like that who I’m able to run with.”

Jha and Wittenberg gave North a huge 1-2 punch all year. They went 1-2 overall as the Knights placed second to Princeton High at the Colonial Valley Conference Championship, and they helped North advance to the MOC while Princeton did not. Then they responded well to an environment that can be tough on first-timers.

“About half the team ran really big PRs,” Gould said. “So they had successes in that regard. And then at the same time, I think every guy learned a lot as well about what it’s like to be running faster than you’ve ever run, but being in 50th place, and how different that is. So it was good in different ways where they came away with PRs, but at the same time, they got really invaluable experience as well.”

It gave the Knights an encouraging finish to the season, and a push toward track season and next year. Jha can build on medaling in his MOC debut.

“For most our team, it was our first time making it to the Meet of Champs, so that was a pretty good achievement for our team as a whole,” Jha said. “And also, individually, my goal going into the race was to break 16. So I was able to do that for the first time, so that was really nice.”

Jha was coming off a freshman year that saw him win the 1,600 and place sec-

ond in the 3,200 meters at the CVC Championships. He ran a personal record of 9:21.64 for the 3,200, not bad for someone that before high school didn’t have much experience above the mile.

“In middle school, we only raced 800 in the 1,600s so growing up, the 16 was my favorite event out of the two of them,” Jha said. “That was the one that I really got an affinity for. And then coming into high school last year, indoor track I never really ran a 3,200. I really got comfortable with the 1,600, it was like, this is my favorite event, but once I started running a 32 outdoors I realized that this is kind of this is kind of fun too.”

It got a lot more fun as he improved. His endurance has increased over the last year, something he knew had to happen for him to be more competitive with the state’s strongest runners.

“I’d say over the summer this year there was a lot more focus on building endurance and really building your base,” he said. “That wasn’t there last year because I was kind of unfamiliar with that whole like building base, getting the miles and that was not something we were familiar with going into it. So I feel like this year there was a different focus. We looked at the offseason differently. I feel like we benefited from that.”

He also benefited from having a season of cross country under his belt. Last year, he was learning the courses and strategies to best attack each. That helped him handle the MOC better. Both the MOC as well as the group meets and the Shore Coaches Invitational are all held at Holmdel.

“The first time I ran the Holmdel Park, I was so surprised,” said Jha of last year. “I’m like, oh my, I don’t believe there’s a hill that is this big for people to run on. I mean, now I’ve got the experience of it. You learn how to run the course. You learn a couple of tricks along the way as well. So I feel like that was like the major difference.”

His success this fall sets him up for a big track season, though the chance to run at cross country regionals after the MOC was going to give him a possible extension of the fall season. Cross country has found a special place for him.

“Before this season, I probably would have said that track is my thing,” Jha said.

“I used to love the 1,600. That was like my favorite event of all time. But I mean, after a while I really kind of started liking cross country because it’s all about you versus everybody else and you’re kind of racing and it’s more also like a team environment. I feel like track just doesn’t have that. But obviously the 1,600 is my favorite event, but I definitely say cross country is growing on me recently.”

MERCER COUNTY

OW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) 2026 PROGRAM BEGINS October 1, 2025

Running in general has grown on Jha. He grew up playing soccer. When he was in sixth grade, his father suggested he run to gain fitness for soccer.

HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) 2026 PROGRAM BEGINS October 1, 2025

Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season began October 1, 2025 and will June 30, 2026. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance: apply?

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season began October 1, 2025 and will continue until June 30, 2026. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive ﬁnancial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance:

MONTHLY INCOME GUIDELINES

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season began October 1, 2025 and will continue until June 30, 2026. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the following income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions may also be eligible to receive cooling assistance: How can I apply?

“Little did I know that over those next three years that I’d start loving running more and more,” Jha said. “And by my eighth grade year, I really started loving it, especially track. And then freshman year in high school, I had so many new experiences, made a lot of new friends, and it was just a lot of fun. I feel like that’s why I’m in it.”

A breakthrough mile race in eighth grade really fueled him to invest his time in running. The Knights have benefited from adding him to the mix in cross country. He’s become a front-runner over his first two seasons, and that’s set up a bright future with big expectations by doing a lot of little things well that add up

* Federal income limits are subject to change during the program year. Please call for incomes above 8 persons.

https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/en-US/

1. Online - https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/en-US/

640 S. Broad St, Trenton NJ, 08611. Appointments are not required at this time. email at: housing@mercercounty.org

2. In person at 640 S. Broad St, Trenton NJ, 08611. Appointments are not required at this time.

3. Contact us via email at: housing@mercercounty.org

appointment with Mercer County LIHEAP by calling the appointment hotline at 609 -337-0933. call 609-989-6858 or email housing@mercercounty.org

4. Schedule an appointment with Mercer County LIHEAP by calling the appointment hotline at 609 -337-0933. You may also call 609-989-6858 or email housing@mercercounty.org

How can I apply?

1. Online - https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/en-US/

Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website: https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/housing-community-development/housing-and-communitydevelopment-programs

County Commissioners

to his significant improvements.

“He’s obviously a very talented kid,” Gould said. “But all these intangibles, he’s a hard worker, he’s coachable, he’s humble, he’s disciplined, he’s got everything necessary to really excel. I think the next two and a half years for him are going to be very exciting.”

Jha has other interests. Math is his favorite subject in school. He loves watching sports, and he plays the guitar outside of school. And he still plays pickup soccer with friends, but it’s running that is his top sport now, and running that could see him standing alone among his peers.

“It’s really exciting for next year because me and Paul are probably going to be pretty good returners and we hope that we’ll be pretty high up in the state,” Jha siad. “And it’s just really exciting to have a good group next year again.”

Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website: https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/housing-community-development/housing-and communitydevelopment-programs

Board of County Commissioners

2. In person at 640 S. Broad St, Trenton NJ, 08611. Appointments are not required at this time.

Edward Pattik Housing Director

Daniel Benson, County Executive

3. By email housing@mercercounty.org

County Executive

4. Schedule an appointment with Mercer County LIHEAP by calling the appointment hotline at 609-337-0933. You may also call 609-989-6858 or email housing@mercercounty.org.

Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website: https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/housing-community-

Edward Pattik Housing Director

Daniel Benson,

free online classifieds

Travel Talk with Caryn and Aron Packing Tips

On my last trip, the wheels on my suitcase stopped working! Not easy to traverse through a cruise terminal dragging 50 lbs behind you! So this week, I researched diﬀerent styles of suitcases and purchased a bag that I can check. I will need this in December as I am not a carry on only type of traveler for trips of more than 10 days. And that is tip #1 being sure you having right suitcase for the trip you are taking.

Here are some basic packing tips that will apply to all travel, and then a few additional recommendations for cruising, all-inclusive resorts, and driving trips.

Pick the right suitcase. If you are ﬂying, a lightweight suitcase is critical to ensuring you don’t pay extra fees for an overweight bag. Also, be sure of the dimensions of the suitcase allowed by the airlines for both checked and carry-on bags. International airline carry-on size and rules can diﬀer from US rules.

hotels provide the basic toiletries in travel size packs such as shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. Make sure you bring enough travel size items that will carry you through the entire vacation. Consider a hanging bag which can easily be put behind doors. Also, if flying, remember the 3-1-1 rule – all liquids in your carry-on bag must be below 3.4 oz. and fit in one quart-size seethrough bag. If you have larger liquids, they must be in your checked luggage. This includes when returning home – be sure that if you buy any alcohol, perfume, or other liquids they are in your checked bag or fit in your quart bag

Pack a Day Bag. Great for carrying essentials around the ship, on shore excursions, or just traveling around the town. Plus, use this as your carry-on bag in case your checked bag gets lost or delayed. You can ensure you have at least one change of clothes and the essentials. Include a reﬁllable water bottle as many places no longer have plastic bottles and it’s a great way to ensure you stay hydrated. You can even ﬁnd online great bottle holders so you can be hands free.

Split a suitcase with your Traveling companion. If you are ﬂying with someone else and planning to check a suitcase, put a few outﬁts of yours in their suitcase and vice versa. This way if the airline misplaces a bag, you will still have a few changes of clothing. Unless you want to buy a new wardrobe!

Important Documents and Medicine. Please ensure you pack all important documents, valuables, medicines in your carry on or personal bag. You don’t want to risk losing these items. Also be sure your travel insurance policy number and phone number to call for any issues is easily accessible – in case of lost bags, etc.

Check the destination’s Dress Code. Most cruise lines have detailed dress codes on their website. When in doubt, ask us. Many cruise lines now oﬀer a more simpliﬁed dress code, although some still schedule formal nights, and the number of nights will vary depending upon the length of the cruise. In addition, some restaurants at all-inclusive resorts require long pants for men or other requirements.

Plan your Vacation and Pack accordingly. Are you a lounger or will you be hitting every port ready to walk? Make a list of your activities and pack the additional gear needed so you are not missing out on an opportunity to experience the destination’s culture. Don’t forget to pack comfortable walking shoes.

Toiletries. Most cruise lines, resorts and

As a travel professional, we are your trusted advisor, from the time of our initial meeting, throughout the research, planning and booking process, to the time you leave on your vacation. We are just not an anonymous click on a button and book at trip. We oﬀer you travel tips and guidance throughout the process. But it doesn’t stop there! We are also available 24/7 if you need us while you are travelling. We look forward to welcoming you home and hearing about all the wonderful vacation memories you have created. So, the next time you sit down to discuss your travel vacation plans make sure it is with a travel professional.

There is still time to book your last minute summer and fall travel and now is the time to start planning your winter break getaway. And don’t forget to purchase travel insurance.

Contact us today at 609-750-0807 or cberla@cruiseplanners.com to discuss your travel plans. At Cruise Planners we are Luxury Travel Specialists. We do not charge any additional fees for our vacation planning, and whether you are looking for a Cruise, an AllInclusive Resort Vacation, or a European Land Tour, we will provide you with the exceptional service you should expect from a travel agent. Visit us at www.makingvacationmemories. net to register for either our regular or for our Luxury newsletter to be delivered directly to your inbox and follow us at www.facebook.com/ familycruising. Unlike big online travel sites, Cruise Planners - ABC Family Cruising and Travel delivers the personal touch.

Help save a West Windosr historic cemetery

PAUL LIGETI

WEST WINDSOR CHRONICLES

The Schenck-Covenhoven Cemetery sits about 2,000 feet north of the Route 1–Washington Road traffic circle. Listed as “eligible” for the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of New Jersey’s oldest surviving colonial burial grounds. It holds West Windsor founders, early colonial settlers, and likely Revolutionary War soldiers. However, it has deteriorated after being abandoned generations ago.

The Historical Society of West Windsor plans to rehabilitate it in the years ahead. But we need your support. This is its history—and our vision.

Current conditions

The cemetery features around 130 gravestones, representing between 80 and 100 burials from the 1730s and 1740s to 1941. Most graves face east to west, whereas the surrounding fieldstone wall parallels Route 1 and Washington Road. Its oldest legible gravestone at the time of this writing displays a date of 1746 (for

“M. I.” — individual unknown). With one exception, burials ceased by the 1890s. Families are generally buried together, and several family clusters are scattered throughout.

Although now surrounded by Princeton University’s recently opened (2024) West Windsor Meadows Neighborhood campus, the cemetery is a legally separate “orphaned” plot not owned by any entity. For generations, it served the nearby 18th-century neighborhood of Penns Neck (now centered on Washington Road, east of Route 1).

The gravestones vary in size and material. Many are professionally carved, but some were amateur-made. Some are still legible, but many others are eroded, broken, toppled, tilted or sunken below ground. The perimeter wall also shows signs of aging. Yet, the university periodically manages the weeds, and— most importantly—most graves are identified with specific individuals, thanks to various surveys since the 1880s.

Colonial roots

In 1693, William Penn—Pennsylvania’s founder—purchased over 6,500 acres here,

northwest of present-day Penn Lyle Road. He and his sons kept it as an investment property for decades but never lived here. In 1737, they sold it to two Dutchmen from Monmouth County: Garret Schenck and John Van Couwenhoven. That year, the term “Penns Neck” began to appear in writing in reference to this vast territory.

John and Garret divided the land into multiple large estates among their children, who settled here. Over several decades, these colonists established the Penns Neck neighborhood and replaced native forests and meadows with vast farms stretching across the horizon.

They built this family burial ground sometime between 1737 and 1746. The gravestones reveal many surnames: Covenhoven, Cruser, Dye, Hight, Martin, Oppie, Rowland, Schenck, Slayback, Smith, Stout, Van Dyke and Voorhees.

From the early 1800s onward, cemetery ownership passed through the Schenck family, ending in 1849 with Clarissa Schenck. In 1877, a group of neighbors incorporated the Penns Neck Cemetery Association to ensure its upkeep. One of its founding members, Eliza Schenck, had the perimeter fieldstone wall built in 1876. Two

years later, Clarissa formally deeded the burial ground to the association.

Abandonment and maintenance

Although the association’s articles of incorporation called for annual elections, all its original trustees died by the 1930s, and there were so few successors that it dissolved around that time. The cemetery was never deeded to anyone else, and it has remained an “orphaned” site with no legal owner or caretaker.

Over several decades, it became overgrown with saplings and weeds, and its stones eroded and broke. The cemetery was physically isolated from—and increasingly forgotten by— the neighborhood that had created it generations earlier.

In the 1940s, Princeton University purchased the farmland surrounding—but not including—the cemetery. While some restoration efforts occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, the burial ground itself remained largely neglected until 1993, when the Princeton Baptist Church of Penns Neck See CEMETERY, Page 18

154 South Mill Road, West Windsor, NJ

Zigler Music Sunday

609-799-0712 • www.dutchneckpresbyterian.com

All Worship Celebrations are o ered In Person and Virtually Sunday, December 14th 10:30AM

Selections from Mass in G by Ralph Vaughan Williams

Sunday, December 21st 9:30AM

Fourth Sunday of Advent Tuesday, December 23rd 6:15PM

A Christmas Feast- Community Meal

Suggested donation per person is $15.00 and can be made online or at the door. Sign up at dutchneckpresbyterian.com

Wednesday, December 24th

Christmas Eve Celebrations

5:00 PM - Youth-Led Christmas Pageant, Carols and Candle Lighting

9:00 PM - Join us for the Christmas Eve message, music and candle-lighting service.

Zoom with Closed Captioning

To Request the Zoom link contact: pastor@dutchneckpresbyterian.com

Wall repair — including mortar replacement and vegetation removal.

assumed stewardship. Four years later, the cemetery was listed as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

The church cared for it more than anyone had in decades, including recently restoring a portion of the wall. However, limited funding has meant that much more work remains.

Very recently, Princeton University opened a new campus on the surrounding land, replacing farmland with athletic facilities, a parking garage, student housing and more. The orphaned cemetery now stands in sharp contrast to its surroundings. Yet it is right at home— as one of New Jersey’s oldest surviving colonial burial grounds, a historic jewel of West Windsor, and a site deserving of recognition, preservation and respect.

Our vision

In late 2024, the Historical Society of West Windsor—a small, all-volunteer nonprofit—began discussions about preserving the cemetery. After extensive coordination with attorneys, restoration experts, the university and the Princeton Baptist Church, we assumed stewardship in 2025. We have multiple long-term goals:

Gravestone repair — especially for the many broken, tilting or flaking stones that require professional care.

Tree care — removing an overhanging dead tree and assessing the health of two others, in partnership with the university.

Landscaping — weeding, leveling and possibly adding lighting.

Programming — including historic markers, archaeology, research, tours and more.

This project will be expensive and laborintensive. As a small, 100% volunteer-run nonprofit, we are limited by how many donations and volunteers we receive.

So how can you help? By donating or volunteering. It will take a community effort to restore one of our town’s most historic sites for generations to come.

To learn more about this project and how you can help, visit: westwindsorhistory.com/pncem.html)

Thank you for your support.

The Historical Society is an all-volunteer community nonprofit. All of us donate our free time—without pay—to document and promote our town’s rich history. But we need community support to keep this going. If you like what we do, please consider volunteering or donating.

To learn more, visit: westwindsorhistory. com

Paul Ligeti is the president of the Historical Society of West Windsor.

An aerial shot of the The Schenck-Covenhoven Cemetery in West WIndsor. (Photo by Paul Ligeti.)

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.

VACATION RENTAL

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

HELP WANTED

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

FOR SALE

Carpentry Tools? Various carpentry tools for sale. Corded saws, sanders, routers, planers, misc hand tools. Lightly used/like new. Contact John Stanley @609-356-3533.

Antiques for Sale Antiques large and small. Jigsaw puzzles 500 pieces & 1000 pieces. Cash - 609-737-7156

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.

Are you single? Try us first! We are an enjoyable alternative to online dating. Sweet Beginnings Matchmaker, 215-539-2894, www. sweetbeginnings.info.

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

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

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

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

WANTED TO BUY

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

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

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

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

Advertise for $69 a month. For more information call 609-396-1511

We Buy Old Books, Rare Books Also Buying Antiques, Collectibles, Jewelry, Old Postcards, Sports Cards, Pottery, Prints, Paintings, Old Toys, Coins, Stamps, Etc. Appraisals Available. Downsizing/Moving? Call Us!

Larry Feldman (609)658-5213 LarryFeldman51@gmail.com