Somerset Hills, NJ May 2023

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APY is e ective as of 03/22/2023. The APY is accurate as of the latest dividend declaration date. Dividend rates and annual percentage yield are subject to change after the account is opened at our discretion without notice to you. We do not impose a limit on the amount the dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield on your account may change. The dividend rate on your account is determined by the credit union. There is no initial deposit requirement to open this account. There is no minimum balance requirement for this account. Fees could reduce earnings on this account. One account per member allowed.

If your daily balance is $10,000 or less, the dividend rate paid on the entire balance will be 3.92%, with an APY of 4.00%. A dividend rate of 1.00% will be paid only on the portion of your daily balance that is greater than $10,000. The APY for this tier will range from 4.00% to 1.12%, depending on the balance in the account.

Earn 1% Cash Back on up to $1,000 in debit card purchases (point of sale purchases can be either a PIN or signature debit card purchase, including online transactions) each month. Up to $120 cash back per year maximum. Cash back earned each month will be credited to your A nity Cash Back Debit Account by the next month’s statement cycle. ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or cash equivalents, loan payments and account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards.

This o er is only eligible with an A nity Cash Back Debit Account. The A nity Cash Back Debit Account has no minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance requirements. Cash back o er terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Cash back earned may be reported on an IRS 1099 Form, if applicable.

#girlmom

It's no secret that women have played a crucial role in shaping our lives, whether they are our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, girlfriends, friends or mentors. As a mother to four daughters, there is no lack of females around this house! We are a spirited crew, and I’ve taken to using the hashtag #girlmom on my social media posts. People constantly tell my husband that he’s a “lucky man.” While I’m sure they are mostly poking fun at his situation, the truth is, he is blessed to be surrounded by these ladies who take the world by storm. It is literally never a dull moment around here, and while the craziness can certainly get exhausting at times, I wouldn't have it any other way.

With Mother's Day right around the corner, it's a perfect opportunity to show some love and appreciation to all the women in our lives. We often take them for granted, but they truly make our lives richer and more beautiful. Let's celebrate the women who have made an indelible impact on us, from the biological mothers to the mother figures, family members, teachers, friends and neighbors.

One of the best ways to honor the amazing women in our lives is by supporting women-owned businesses in our community. These women are movers and shakers, builders and makers, and they deserve our attention and support. By shopping local and supporting their businesses, we are not only contributing to the local economy but also empowering these women to achieve their dreams.

But it's not just about the businesses. It's about the silent service these women provide to those under their care, their attention to detail and their ability to see beauty in the things that others may overlook. They are both seen and unseen, and their impact on our lives is immeasurable.

So, take a few minutes to reach out to the women in your life who deserve recognition. A simple text, phone call or video call can brighten someone's day and remind them how much they are loved. Let's show some love and appreciation to the amazing women in our lives, not just on Mother's Day but every day.

May 2023

PUBLISHERS

Jake Slowinski | jake.slowinski@citylifestyle.com

Tiffany Slowinski | tiffany.slowinski@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Patti Zielinski | patti.zielinski@citylifestyle.com

MARKET SUPPORT DIRECTOR

Kristin Kosmoski | kristin.kosmoski@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

John-Paul Andronici, Jennifer Borealo, Amiya Harish, Pooja Kara

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Liz Polo (Havana Photography), MuSen Photos by Karen Kwong

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

TIFFANY & JAKE SLOWINSKI, PUBLISHERS @BRIDGEWATER_SOMERSET_HILLS

At press time, 3/25, the low inventory of available homes continues to insulate our towns from market fluctuations. Below is a sample using Basking Ridge. Full reports for Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, and Bridgewater, are updated every month around the 6th, and can be found on my website!

Because we only have two months of numbers at press time, sale prices vary - as you can see, average list changed year over year, and this is due more to the timing of more vs. less expensive homes hitting the market.

Bernards Township, aka Basking Ridge

WE HELP PLAN AND TRANSFORM YOUR SINGLE MOST VALUABLE ASSET INTO SPACES OF YOUR DREAMS, FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY OR YOUR TEAM.

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR DESIGN DREAMS

city scene

1: RWJ University Hospital Somerset and the Bridgewater Commons hosted the Go RED Fashion Show. 2: SCVTHS and RVCC alumna Nicole Gaeta styled hair at New York Fashion Week. 3: Ridge High School’s Competition Cheerleading Team won the medium varsity state championship title. 4: Fiddler's Elbow celebrated Galentine's Day. 5: Music in the Somerset Hills hosted "Fantasies, Fugues, Preludes and Premieres." 6: Fellowship Village resident artists showcased their pieces at the March Art Exhibit. 7: Dr. Valente taught students at Saint James School many fascinating things about teeth.

BRIDGEWATER COMMONS

SOMERSET COUNTY VOCATIONAL & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

MUSIC IN THE SOMERSET HILLS

FIDDLER'S ELBOW

RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING

FELLOWSHIP VILLAGE

SAINT JAMES SCHOOL

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

8-10: Somerset County Business Partnership celebrated International Women’s Day.

Photography by Somerset County Business Partnership

Reach-in closet in White Woodprint finish

t i m e l e s s

INSPIRE

We INSPIRE your child with a unique Reggio Inspired Art & Science Program, DaVinci Kids. There are no limits as we set course for adventures in exploring art and science thematic activities. The MKU student is urged to investigate ideas, formulate hypotheses and create masterpieces!

NURTURE

At Montessori Kids Universe, we NURTURE your child by providing a warm, friendly environment designed to make our students feel at home. Our staff is trained to encourage your child in choosing purposeful and engaging activities intended to foster self-confidence and independence.

We EDUCATE your child using The Montessori Method, the scientifically proven method of teaching by which most early childhood curriculum are compared.

Practicing the Golden Rule

Students at Saint James School Learn Lessons of Caring

ARTICLE BY PATTI ZIELINSKI PHOTOGRAPHY BY DONNA GIOIA VOLPE PHOTOGRAPHY

Many hands — even the smallest — make light work.

The students at Saint James School in Basking Ridge are on a mission to make life a little bit easier for people who can use a boost. Throughout the year, students take on service projects, such as collecting children's clothing, toys for the Bonnie Brae School and blankets for St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, and also join forces for larger, schoolwide efforts.

“When children participate in giving back — especially when they are doing something they enjoy — it becomes a positive experience they want to repeat,” says Suzanne Pasmore, a parent on Saint James’ Home-School Association Board who develops and executes the schoolwide projects.

In her youth, Pasmore had prepared meals for people less fortunate through her church and thought that was the type of project that could be done by children of all ages. While researching organizations, she discovered that The Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) in Somerville accepted hot food. She called the nonprofit, which provides emergency services to people who are homeless or near homeless to enhance their chances of regaining self-sufficiency, and arranged for the schoolchildren to provide meals.

Before launching the project, the teachers spoke to their classes about how their work would benefit people who needed the help. The school also sent information, including SHIP’s website, home to the families.

They selected a recipe with 14 ingredients — creamy beef and pasta shells — and stocked the school’s pantry. Older students in grades 3 to 8 would cook the dinners and students in pre-K through second grade would assemble bags with four Oreos and Chips Ahoy! cookies in each.

Crockpots were placed in 12 classrooms and representatives from each class visited the pantry to select the ingredients and tools like measuring cups and stirring spoons. With their teachers’ help, the students assembled the ingredients and turned the crockpots on to cook. “So, the kids had that experience of the food cooking in their classroom all day,” Pasmore says. “And the whole school smelled like meat sauce. It was glorious.”

Meanwhile, the younger grades busily packed the cookie bags. “These kids — some as young as 3 and 4 — took their jobs seriously and really focused on counting out the cookies,” says Pasmore, whose own children are in pre-K and second grade. “They knew this was important, that they were doing something good.”

Since the school collected more ingredients than needed, they sent home meal kits for families to cook at home.

When everything was counted, the school and families had created 42 trays of food and more than 1,000 bags of cookies. They delivered the meals to SHIP over the course of several days.

“It is important that our students understand that there are people in the world who need help, nourishment, shelter and support. Often, children wonder ‘What does service to those in need look like for someone small like me?’ We provide opportunities for the students to see how their small part can grow into something big — helping many people in need,” says Sue Florendo, the school’s principal. “In our schoolwide service project during Catholic Schools Week, we celebrated each student’s contribution to the greater outcome. They saw that their small part fed many.”

Learn more about the good work being done by Saint James School at sjsbr.org . If you are interested in volunteering to help SHIP, visit ship908.com

Mia Romano, Annabelle Romano, Catherine Pasmore, Warren Pasmore

Providing outstanding customer service is my top priority. I think it’s safe to say that it shows. I believe every client deserves an above-and-beyond standard of excellence when they’re working toward making their vision of home a reality. So rest assured that you can expect white-glove service at every step when you work with me on your mortgage. I also understand that when you find an exceptional property, you want to call it home as soon as possible. So at Embrace, we strive for 30-day closings.

As a team committed to excellence and efficiency, we pride ourselves on seamless service from application to closing. We also do all our own processing and underwriting in-house to our own guidelines, which makes us faster than other lenders.

OFFICE OF DR. PATRICIA SWAINTEK-LAMB

you can do more than just hang on — you can charge forward. Backed by

Cutting-edge technology. And a personalized plan to help you thrive. Don’t just ride it out. Ride with the bull. Ride with Merrill.

GRIT & GRACE

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSWOMEN SHARE THEIR SECRETS TO LEADERSHIP, OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND NAVIGATING THE ELUSIVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE

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ARTICLE BY PATTI ZIELINSKI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MUSEN PHOTOS BY KAREN KWONG

Hair styling by Hairitage Hair Lounge, Somerville

Candace Kerr

Sunrise Cooling & Heating, Branchburg

sunrisecoolingheating.com

Why You Joined This Business:  My husband, Jon, and I had been working at his parents’ company for a few years and took over in 2021. I do the front office jobs, like human resources, dispatching and marketing.

What Prepared You:  I went to school for psychology and to be a worship pastor, but I learned business while managing properties in Charlotte, N.C.

Biggest Reward:  The relationships we build and how we treat our staff and customers. For example, we send our family Christmas cards to our customers, who are updated on our family dynamic and what we do outside of the business. And our staff knows they can always come to us if they have an issue.

Maintaining Balance:  I have five children: four biological sons and one daughter, who we adopted through foster care. We have a busy life and are highly involved with church. Time management is always an issue but Jon and I tackle that together. He shortened his hours a little bit, and I only work in the office a certain amount of hours. When I go home, my children have my undivided attention. Jon and I don’t bring work home. I will make a list of the things I need to talk to him about when we are at the office. Even though we’re a 24/7 emergency service, we put our family first because if I’m not a healthy mom, I’m certainly not going to be a healthy business owner.

Advice for Female Entrepreneurs: It doesn’t matter where you are in life, how old you are or how long it might have taken you to get to the point of where you’re at, always fight for what your heart desires. If you want to be your own boss, you can’t allow your fears to keep you from pursuing what you truly like to do.

Danielle Hester and daughter, Kaitlin

Danielle Hester

Comfortably Chic, Chester

Why You Launched This Business: I love home décor, shopping local and refinishing furniture. I owned Comfortably Chic — as part of another shop — when I lived in California. When we moved here in 2017, I saw all the great stores on Main Street, but much of the inventory seemed geared to visitors. I wanted to open a store geared only to locals. Not long after I opened, my daughter, Kaitlin, graduated from college and became my partner. Since then, my oldest son and son-in-law, having left their corporate jobs, have partnered with us. Together, we have opened other contemporary boutiques on Main Street: Mercantile on Main, Steam Soapery, Serendipity Toys & Books and Chester Candle Company.

Biggest Challenge:  Competing against online shopping. When you shop local, you invest in your town. It gives you a strong sense of community. When you don’t shop local, the downtown can disappear.

Biggest Reward:  Getting to know our customers and people who come into the store even if they just want our advice.

Maintaining Balance: I have five kids from age 11 to 28 and a grandson. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years. I started off slowly until my youngest kids were in school full-time. I am fortunate now to have a partnership with my older children, who support me when I need to be flexible with work and be there for my younger children. My younger kids now watch me working, and I see their pride as they tell their friends and teachers what their mom does.

Advice for Female Entrepreneurs: If you can afford to do it, do it. Come up with a good plan. Ask yourself if you are willing to lose whatever it is you’re willing to risk. That is the worst that could happen. And the best? You’ll be wildly successful. Go for it!

Laura Clare

Laura Clare Design, Bernardsville

lauraclaredesign.com

Why You Launched This Business: This is a hobby that became a career. I have a degree in horticulture from Cornell University and numerous apprenticeships with well-known designers in and around London, Paris, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and New York. That experience opened my eyes to big events and the floral world. I was working with these bigwigs and thought,  You know what? I can do this for myself. Twenty-three years later, here I am!

This is my love, my passion. I’ve built this business to the point where people trust me. We’re artists and our medium is florals. Mother Nature just never ceases to amaze me.

Signature Touches: We put attention to detail on every level, whether it is adding a Fritillaria or a fiddlehead fern to the arrangement or remembering a wife’s favorite flower.

Maintaining Balance:  I run the business and I also run a household with two kids. It can be stressful, but you can do it if you make time for yourself. You can have a very busy day, then go home, make dinner and help the kids with homework. It’s all doable as long as you are kind to yourself.

Advice for Female Entrepreneurs: If you have a passion for something, follow it. Manifest these ideas. It always will be work but if two-thirds is also enjoyment, you’ll love it. I go to work, smell the flowers — and love it. Maybe I’ll get a thorn in my thumb, but it’s part of the process. Take the leap, follow your heart and the rest will follow.

Gina Walljasper

Floor Coverings International, Morris Plains

bernardsville.floorcoveringsinternational.com

Why You Launched This Business:  For almost 40 years, I excelled in the pharmaceutical industry. My job involved establishing new departments and business processes for manufacturing sites around the world seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals to launch pharmaceutical products in the U.S. market. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. During the pandemic, I was looking for something different and started exploring franchises.

Biggest Challenge:  When you’re the boss and have staff members reporting to you, it’s easy to organize and delegate. But when you’re a new business owner, suddenly you are both the staff and the leadership. You can only delegate to yourself all aspects of running a business, such as accounting, marketing, sales, human resources, and purchasing — the list seems endless.

Biggest Reward:  In the corporate world, I had global responsibilities. Now, as a local entrepreneur, I am able to give back to the community by providing employment and resources. I’m also a board member for Family & Community Services of Somerset County and the Vice-President of BW Nice in Somerset County. We provide resources to our charity partner Safe+Sound Somerset to help survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence with compassionate, trained professional help.

Advice for Female Entrepreneurs:  If you feel passionate about something and it will make you happy, just do it. Surround yourself with other like-minded women business owners for support. Take the leap of faith. It will not be without risk, stress or worry, but remember you will have all of that if you’re working for someone else or working for yourself. It just comes in different forms. It can be frustrating when you have a setback, but it is rewarding when you succeed. The secret of my success is learning whenever I’ve failed or fell short. Finding ways to make lemonade when life throws you lemons is a blessing in disguise. While the future is bright, it’s nice to occasionally look back to see how far you’ve come.

Message in the Music

The Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women sponsored an essay contest that asked middle and high school students in Somerset County to write about a woman who inspired them in real life. Here, meet two local high school and middle school winners and the women who made an impact on their lives.

“GLORIA CHU” BY AMIYA HARISH

It was the month of August a little over three years ago. To be truly honest, I was quite nervous and almost furious at my mother for taking me to see a new piano teacher. I was happy with my old one. I didn’t need a new teacher. Maybe I rarely practiced, and

MEET THE WINNERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY’S “INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN” ESSAY CONTEST

ARTICLE BY AMIYA HARISH AND POOJA KARA PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIZ POLO, HAVANA PHOTOGRAPHY

Mrs. Oksana and Pooja Kara

I might have been on the verge of quitting. Maybe I didn’t look forward to my lessons, hoping they might be postponed or canceled. But really, I just didn’t want to change things, didn’t want to meet a new person. I was fine. Yet my mom simply ignored my constant protesting and set up a time with Mrs. Gloria Chu. Grudgingly, I walked up the seemingly endless stretch of stairs to her house, utterly unaware of how my life would soon progress.

It has been a while since that day, but now I have nothing more to say than that it was pure luck for me to come across a teacher like Mrs. Chu. Inspiration is not just watching someone in awe. It is watching them in such awe that it sows seeds of motivation for improvement in one’s own life. Each moment I spend in a lesson with Mrs. Chu opens my eyes to what could be a part of my future.

Mrs. Chu has explained how music intertwines both the left and right sides of the brain and activates the same areas of the brain that are used while solving complex mathematical problems. By illustrating the connections between a specific part of piano playing and the hobbies of her students using exceptionally creative analogies, she helps us visualize exactly what we need to do to achieve our goals as pianists. After each lesson, I return home feeling the exigency to practice more and allow my fingers to grasp the next rung of the ladder to success before it slips through my fingers.

Difficult to mold into a few words of definition, inspiration is something that gives us the courage to choose each path we take in our journey of life and motivates us to persevere through the roller coaster of humanity. To me, inspiration is something that makes me look at the world in a new light and gives me the ability to find purpose in my life. But more than this, inspiration is what gives me the grit to push through the struggles I face.

Over the few years I have been learning piano under the instruction of Mrs. Chu, I have come to

realize that piano is more than an art. It encompasses intellectual and physical endurance, hard work and passion … and without one of these pieces of the puzzle, a pianist cannot bring out the true colors of the instrument. Although there will never be a single person who inspires me each day, when I think of a woman outside of my family that fits the description, the one specific person that comes to mind is none other than my piano teacher.

Amiya Harish is an eighth grade student at William Annin Middle School in Basking Ridge.

“MRS. OKSANA” BY POOJA KARA

The sound of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” filled the air, the beautiful music tugging at my very soul. I watched in awe as my piano teacher, Mrs. Oksana, demonstrated the piece for me, her fingers gliding against the piano’s keys. She turned to me with a smile, moving over so I could play.

Mrs. Oksana watched as my eyes scanned the sheet music, my fingers pressing against the familiar warm keys, my heart beating with ambition. Although my playing did not carry the same grace as hers, stumbling forward like a foal learning to walk, I knew that I would improve with Mrs. Oksana’s encouragement and teaching. She showed me how she made the world a better place, and I wanted nothing more than to be just like her, inspiring others into loving the piano as much as she did.

Without a doubt, Mrs. Oksana is one of the most inspirational women in my life. All she wants to do is spread her love of piano throughout her life, inspiring as many children as possible to persevere with their passions, even in times of challenge. As a Ukrainian herself, Mrs. Oksana was devastated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, she dedicated all of her free time to use her gift of playing the piano to raise money for Ukraine through churches and charity events.

Mrs. Oksana carried her passion for the piano into helping Ukrainians, and through her dedication to helping others, she taught me to follow my

“I wanted nothing more than to be just like her, inspiring others into loving the piano as much as she did.”

—Pooja Kara

passion for playing the piano. I followed in her footsteps, performing at piano recitals and winning several outstanding awards, with the hope that one day I would reach the point of being able to also raise funds for those in need with my playing.

Despite Mrs. Oksana’s uplifting and strong exterior, she was broken by the death of her husband. After several heart-related complications, her husband eventually passed, leaving Mrs. Oksana empty and heartbroken. She felt lost; her daughters were miles away, at university, while she was stuck at home, alone and grieving. Although her husband’s death left her distressed, Mrs. Oksana turned to her piano for comfort. She saw hope in her piano, finding solace in Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor. She persevered,

remaining strong as her piano pulled her out of the darkest point of her life. Mrs. Oksana taught me the power of music at that moment, and how impactful it is to emotions, especially sorrow. Before that moment I had never truly understood how doing what you loved could help you so much.

Now, my fingers waltz across the piano to the melody of “Swan Lake,” no longer as clumsy as they once were. The piano hums with the energy of the song, with all the hope and ambition I pour into it. Mrs. Oksana is seated near me, watching. I glance at her. She smiles proudly at my improvement. She had made the world a better place, and I was inspired to be just like her.

Pooja Karan is a junior at Ridge High School.

Amiya Harish and Gloria Chu

“Inspiration is not just watching someone in awe. It is watching them in such awe that it sows seeds of motivation for improvement in one’s own life.”

—Amiya Harish

Mrs. Oksana and Pooja Kara

Celebrate Mom!

Alstede Farms Offers Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes That Celebrate the Glory of Springtime Harvests

There’s something about springtime, fresh eggs and fresh asparagus that is a natural, logical connection. In the 1900s, Asparagus Eggs Mornay was a sought after dish. It’s a simple food made magical by a white sauce made from a roux of flour and milk. Pancetta and Asparagus Strata is the perfect dish if you have food you need to use, like day-old bread. Since it’s a casserole, it’s forgiving: You can throw anything in it. For a sweet touch, the fresh berry salad incorporates whatever berries are in the season, which now are strawberries. Adding peas makes the salad bright, colorful, crunchy and sweet. See what is in season at alstedefarms.com .

ASPARAGUS EGGS MORNAY

INGREDIENTS:

• Fresh parsley, chopped

• 2-3 strips of bacon, cooked, drained and chopped

• 10-12 asparagus spears

• Salt

• Olive oil

• 2/3 c milk, heated

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp flour

• 1/3 c Gruyère

• 2 tbsp parmesan

• 1-2 tbsp white wine

• 2-4 farm-fresh eggs

• 1-2 slices of bread, toasted and cut into small wedges

DIRECTIONS:

Set the oven to 350° F. Prepare the bacon and chopped parsley for garnish and set aside. Clean, trim and steam asparagus until almost fork-tender, about 4-5 minutes. Season with salt. Place the asparagus on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Keep asparagus warm in the oven. Set up a deep skillet to poach eggs. Fill the skillet with 1 inch of water. Set the pan over high heat. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: Heat the milk for 1 minute in the microwave. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour to the butter. Mix to create a roux. Mix in a pinch of salt. Add the warmed milk. Stir until milk starts to thicken. Remove the pan

from the heat and stir in the cheeses. Warm the plates if possible.

Check the water in the skillet. When it is boiling, add a 1/2 tsp of salt and white wine. Lower the heat to simmer. Break eggs into small bowls or cups. Gently turn the eggs into the water, spacing them so that they remain separate. Simmer for 2 minutes for a very runny egg; 3-4 minutes for a more cooked yolk. Boiling longer will hard-cook the yolk. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon. Blot the spoon on a paper towel to be sure that all the water is removed.

While the eggs are cooking, place the sauce back onto very low heat and stir to be sure all the cheese is melted and sauce does not stick to the bottom or burn.

Criss-cross the asparagus spears onto the warm plates. Place an egg or two on top of the asparagus in the center. Drizzle the sauce over the spears and the eggs. Sprinkle and garnish with chopped parsley and bacon. Place toast pieces of choice around the plate.

Serve with extra Parmesan (optional).

Recipe by Jennifer Borealo, Culinary & Educational Specialist

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BOREALO & JOHN-PAUL ANDRONICI

PANCETTA & ASPARAGUS STRATA

INGREDIENTS:

• 8-10 c Italian bread, French baguette or hallah bread loaf

• ¾ lb asparagus

• 3 oz diced pancetta (rendered)

• 8 eggs

• 1 ¼ c heavy cream

• ¾ whole milk

• Salt and pepper

• 2 tsp fresh tarragon

• 4-3 tbsp butter, salted

• 1 ½ c Gruyère (shredded)

• 1/3-1/2 c Parmesan (grated)

DIRECTIONS:

Dice bread into larger crouton size. Lightly toast in batches.Blanch asparagus in salted water. Shock in ice water. Drain. Cut into 2to 3-inch pieces. Dice pancetta, sauté over medium heat until just crisp and drain. Combine egg, heavy cream, whole milk, salt, pepper and tarragon.

Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with a sheet of buttered parchment paper.

Top with ½ of the bread cubes and place the asparagus over the bread. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 of the Gruyère and sprinkle with ½ of the pancetta.

Repeat with the remaining bread, pancetta, asparagus and cheese.  Pour in the remaining cream mixture, making sure all the bread is saturated.

Casserole may be covered and refrigerated overnight.

Bake at 350° F for 35-40 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. (Place a sheet of foil loosely over the top of the pan if the strata is browning too quickly.)

Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe by John-Paul Andronici, Food & Beverage Manager

FRESH BERRY SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

• 8-10 c mixed salad greens

• 2 c sliced fresh strawberries

• 1/4 c red onion, very thinly sliced

• 1 c sugar snap or snow peas, cut in half

• 3/4 c crumbled feta or goat cheese

• 1/2 c toasted, sliced almonds, walnuts or pecans

RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 c extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 tbsp raspberry vinegar

• Juice from 1/2 lime

• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

• Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Tear salad greens into a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime juice and mustard. Pour over the salad ingredients. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe by Jennifer Borealo, Culinary & Educational Specialist

GARDEN TO GLASS

DIY COCKTAILS WITH FRESH HERBS

Nothing says spring like the aroma of fresh cut herbs in a crisp, cold, cocktail. With warmer weather finally here, growing herbs at home can transform your cocktail hour and add a fresh kick to your springtime favorites.

Growing herbs is incredibly easy and can be done in a variety of ways- from a container in a window, to a planter box in the yard. With a container or garden full of fresh herbs, you will be ready to take your cocktails up a notch.

Basil is a bright herb that is easy to grow and perfect for cocktails. Make sure and harvest immediately before mixing drinks and take leaves from the top to ensure a continual harvest. Fresh muddled basil leaves lend a crispness to the Gin Basil Cucumber cocktail.

Sage is easy to grow and does well in containers. The leaves add an earthy freshness to a refreshing cherry infused Bourbon.

Mint is also easy to grow, but give it lots of room, as it likes to spread out and is virtually indestructible in the garden. Mint is a versatile herb but is especially lovely in the Rhubarb Mint Mojito.

Try recreating these refreshing cocktails with herbs grown at home and take your cocktail game to new heights!

ARTICLE BY TARA NORRIS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADALYN SINCLAIR

MR. BROWN INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz. cherry-sage infused Bourbon

• 0.75 oz. apple brandy or apple jack brandy

DIRECTIONS

• Place over an ice ball in an old fashion glass

• Top with ginger beer and garnish with Bordeaux cherries and leaf of sage

RHUBARB MINT MOJITO

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz. white rum

• 1 oz. rhubarb puree (2 cups rhubarb, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water)

• 0.5 oz. fresh lime juice

• 8-10 fresh mint leaves

• soda water

• lemon lime soda

• ice

DIRECTIONS:

• Muddle mint, lime juice, and rhubarb puree in a glass or small cocktail shaker

• Once muddled, add the white rum and ice

• Top with large cocktail shaker and shake for a few seconds

• Remove large shaker and pour everything into a glass

• Top with more ice

• Add soda water and lemon-lime soda (equal parts to your liking)

• Garnish with mint leaf and lime wheel

GIN BASIL CUCUMBER

INGREDIENTS

• 2-3 fresh basil leaves

• 0.5 oz. fresh lime juice

• 0.25 oz. simple syrup

• 2-3 cucumber slices

• 2 oz. gin

• tonic water

DIRECTIONS

• Muddle basil, lime juice, simple syrup and cucumber slices together in a small cocktail shaker

• Add gin and ice to cocktail shaker

• Shake well

• Strain over an ice ball

• Top with tonic water and garnish with basil leaf and a cucumber slice

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KELLER AND SON’S WORK

“GEORGE SO.”

Planting Spring Flowers

Helpful tips for planting spring flowers

Sun-Loving Plants:

Spring is here! We compiled a list of flowers that - depending on your planting zone - can be planted in the season.

Plumbago

Has beautiful dark blue or white flowers on a large shrub of 3 to 5 feet. This tends to freeze down in winter and comes back from roots in the spring.

Hibiscus

The tropical variety will not survive the winters so move those pots inside. The plant can get up to 5 feet tall and there are many different colors and varieties. The perennial varieties will freeze to the ground but come back in the spring. The variety Moy Grande is known as the dinner plate hibiscus. The Texas star hibiscus has beautiful flowers in red or white.

Bougainvillea

These colorful plants can be planted in baskets and pots, not in water-logged or low areas where water might collect. They will grow best when given enough space to spread out, and should be planted in an area that will allow them a minimum of 5-6 hours of sunlight every day. Colors include orange, pink, purple, white, red, tangerine and fuschia to name a few.

Purslane

This is great in baskets for trailing leaves with lots of colors. The bees love it!

Butterfly Weed

This 3 to 4-foot bush is a must for monarch lovers. Monarchs feed on the leaves before making their cocoons. It has beautiful orange and yellow flowers.

Lantana

This is a great hot weather plant that comes in many colors and varieties. Trailing varieties only get about 1 foot tall but can get 3 to 4 feet wide. There are bush varieties that get 4 feet tall and dwarf bushes only get about 2 feet tall. It comes in yellows, purples, reds, oranges, pinks, fuschia, and many others.

Greggs Blue Mist

This fuzzy light blue flower is a butterfly favorite.

Pentas

This is another bee and butterfly favorite that grows about 10 to 12 inches tall. There is a graffiti variety in different colors that works in beds or pots.

Vinca/Periwinkle

This plant comes in upright or trailing varieties. There are many colors to choose from: lavender, white with a red center, peach, white and red pink to strawberry.

Sages

There are many varieties of sage. The Texas sage is a shrub that has beautiful lavender flowers - a favorite for bees. They usually bloom around the time it rains. Henry Duelberg variety is a smaller bush 18 to 20 inches tall with blue stalks of blooms. Russian Sage is a tall silver lacey foliage with light blue flower spikes and grows to 4 feet tall. Deer tend to stay away from most of the sages.

ARTICLE BY LORI HAWKINS

Shade-Loving Plants:

Turk’s Cap

This plant makes a large bush of red or pink flowers. It has low water needs once established and can tolerate drought conditions and hot temperatures. Prune back plant in winter if it gets too leggy.

Impatiens

These need more water than most other plants and come in many colors. They are valued for their vibrant colors, abundant blooms, and tolerance for shade.

Caladiums

With lush multicolored leaves, many larger than the palm of your hand, caladiums have become one of the most popular foliage plants for shady or semi-shady gardens—with many recent introductions being sun tolerant.

The member experience goes beyond golf at Raritan Valley Country Club. It is our rich history, picturesque setting, sense of community, and extensive activities/amenities that make RVCC Somerset County’s premier private country club. As a Troon® managed private club, our members also receive exclusive access to extraordinary golf and lifestyle benefits throughout the world with Troon Privé Privileges!

Make an Impact for Mom

Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life

The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.

This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Take a Flower Arranging Class

Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.

Plan a Spa Day For Her and Her Friends

Mom will truly appreciate you going out of your way to set her up with a massage or facial appointment. Invite her friends along, too!

Craft the Perfect Playlist

Songs about mothers and mom’s favorite songs can come together into the perfect playlist to put on during brunch or dinner. You can either make it for her or take turns being DJ and alternate picks.

Have a Make-Your-Own Pizza Party

DIY pizza: It’s a craft (depending on how artfully you place the toppings), an activity and a meal all at once! Start with basic pizza dough, then everyone gets to add their favorite toppings. Mom gets the first pick, of course.

Hold a Lawn-Game Tournament

Croquet, cornhole, bocce, outdoor Jenga or horseshoes — what’s your family’s game of choice? Split into teams and drum up some friendly rivalry — while soaking in rays — with a backyard challenge. Make it an annual event, and pass around a trophy to the winner each year.

Visit an Amusement Park

For the mom who’s always seeking adventure, a trip to your nearest amusement park will be a welcome surprise. Not only will you be able to treat her to her fill of funnel cakes and caramel corn, but she’ll enjoy all the rides and attractions her heart desires. If you ask us, it’s a win-win.

Have a Backyard BBQ

Sure, backyard barbecues are often associated with Father’s Day, but Mom loves her burgers and dogs, too, so why should Dad get all the fun? If the weather cooperates, fire up the grill!

Make Something Totally Unique

If you do a DIY craft project, write a poem or come up with a silly dance, you know mom will love it because it is 100% you. No one can one-up a one-of-a-kind experience! You can make them for her and present them to her, or involve her in their creation.

Spruce Up The Garden

Gardeners know that Mother’s Day is the perfect time to start planting seeds. Get the whole family outside and dig in the dirt together. Every time she sees them, she’ll be reminded of the special day — it’s the gift that keeps on giving! Some flowers that are fairly easy to maintain include sunflowers, marigolds and sweet peas.

Make Pottery

Not only will you leave with a one-of-a-kind piece, but you’ll also be able to bond as you explore a new activity.

Head to the Farmers Market

There’s nothing like waking up with the sun and going to the farmer’s market on the weekend. Pick fresh produce and discover new favorites with mom, coffee in hand.

Watch Home Movies

Whether this involves digitizing old VHS tapes or getting video files off your phone and onto the TV, dig into the family archives and host a home-movie marathon. She’ll get emotional seeing how much everyone has grown.

Check Something Off Her To-Do List

Dad knows - Mom has a to-do list a mile long. Whether it’s tasks around the house or a DIY project, find out what has been nagging Mom and help her cross it off her list by doing it for her!

Make a Memory Book or Scrapbook Together

Before Mother’s Day, go through everybody’s camera rolls and Instagram feeds and choose her favorite photos. Get them printed ahead of time so you can make a memory book. You might just love it so much you make it a yearly tradition.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Fresh Perspectives

MORRIS MUSEUM, 6 NORMANDY HEIGHTS RD., MORRISTOWN

Works by Ridge High School students Jiayue Liu, Dylan Beers, Maori Flores, Cynthia Ku and Yuying Wang were selected for this juried high school art online virtual gallery and curated exhibition hosted by the Morris Museum. See the show at morrismuseum.org.

Mansions in May

THREE FIELDS, 375 CHERRY LANE, MENDHAM

Interior designers and landscape designers bring breathtaking country elegance to Three Fields, a French manor–style home. mansioninmay.org

Right to be Forgotten

SIEMINSKI THEATER CULTURAL ARTS CENTER, 8000 FELLOWSHIP RD., BASKING RIDGE

No one escapes the internet. Intrigue, lies and political double-dealing abound in this compelling new drama about one man’s attempt to erase a youthful indiscretion. sieminskitheater.org

Annual Spring Plant Sale

WAGNER FARM ARBORETUM, 197 MOUNTAIN AVE., WARREN

Ready to garden? Browse annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, vegetables and herbs for the spring growing season. wfafnj.org

Trifecta of Folk

MAYO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 100 SOUTH ST., MORRISTOWN | 3:00 PM

Enjoy three groups from the 1960s Folk Revival: The Kingston Trio, The Brothers Four and The Limeliters. mayoarts.org

SERVICES:

• House Washing

• Pressure and Soft Washing

• Window & Gutter Cleaning

• Roof Washing

• Christmas Lights Installation

SHACKSHINE.COM

A sample of recently sold properties in Somerset Hills

Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Far Hills and Peapack Gladstone

The Best-Kept Secret IN SENIOR

MAY 11TH

Sapphires & Sequins

Fashion Show

HAMILTON FARMS GOLF CLUB, 1040 POTTERSVILLE RD., GLADSTONE | 6:00 PM

Stylist Leslie Patrizio promises to dazzle fashion lovers with spring and summer runway looks from boutiques including White House Bride, Urban Cottage, Boutique Calia and Tessuto Mens Store. sapphiresandsequins.org

MAY 12TH, 19TH AND 26TH

Peony’s Envy Friday

Night Picnics

PEONY’S ENVY, 34 AUTUMN HILL RD., BERNARDSVILLE

The warm weather has arrived! Bring your own picnic, a picnic blanket and enjoy the bloom! peonysenvy.com

MAY 19TH

Free Skin Cancer Screening with Dr. Maria Tempera

10 ANDERSON HILL RD., BERNARDSVILLE | 9:00 AM

In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness

Month, Dr. Patti Swaintek-Lamb has partnered with dermatologist Dr. Maria Tempera to offer FREE comprehensive skin cancer screenings in the Proud To Smile Dentistry office. Register at  https://forms.gle/ mdHyEkaPzJuF8BmBA .

Word is spreading about the allnew, maintenance-free apartments and must-see amenities—within an hour of everyone and everything you love in New York City. It’s retirement Jersey-style.

MAY 20TH

7th Annual Bridgewater Beerfest

SHIMON AND SARA BIRNBAUM

JEWISH COMMUNITY

CENTER, 775 TALAMINI RD., BRIDGEWATER | 4:00 PM

Enjoy selecting from over 40 beers, tequila and bourbon. The event includes live music, beer pong, food trucks, vendors and door prizes. Must be over 21. Receive a $20 discount by using the code Lifestyle. https://ssbjcc.org/ bridgewater-beerfest

MAY 20TH

Barry’s Appliance Annual Grilling Event

BARRY'S APPLIANCE & TV, 565 UNION AVE., BRIDGEWATER | 11:00 AM

Enjoy free food, a free gift with every purchase, a raffle, vendor demonstrations and a DJ.  barrysappliance.com

MAY 29TH

2nd Annual Bernardsville

Car Show & Food Truck Fest

BERNARDS HIGH SCHOOL, 25 OLCOTT AVE., BERNARDSVILLE | 11:00 AM

Spend your Memorial Day admiring classic cars and selecting fare from a variety of food trucks.   downtownbernardsville.org

MAY 29TH

Tour of Somerville

DOWNTOWN SOMERVILLE | 9:00 AM

Professional and elite cyclists compete in the oldest competitive bicycle race in the country.  tourofsomerville.org

Want

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/SomersetHills