Hopewell Valley Neighbors February 2018

Hopewell Valley February 2018

Jack of All Trades, Master of Music

Meet Jack Furlong

Cover photo by Benoit Cortet Photography

A community magazine serving the residents of Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough Hopewell Valley

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2

February 2018

Publisher’s Letter

Dear Residents,

F

Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Robin Stachura

Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet Photography www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.com

ebruary marks the beginning of a month many of us associate with love.

With Valentine’s Day in just a few weeks, it is a time for us all to recognize the things in our lives we love and cherish most.

I have so much love for this community of Hopewell Valley. Raising four children of my own here, I have come to see that this place is truly special. This is the place my family will always call home no matter where the world may take us. Here will always be the place we return to.

The dedication to giving back and working hard for the benefit of our neighbors are qualities we see over and over again in the residents of Hopewell Valley. In this issue, the people we have chosen to feature demonstrate an insatiable desire to give back. Their love for Hopewell Valley shines through their selflessness and strong work ethics as they continue to devote their time to the betterment of this extraordinary community. I hope you enjoy reading about them as much as I have enjoyed getting to know their stories.

Publisher Rachel Donington 609-462-6786

Contributing Writers: David Blackwell, NJ DeVico, Lisa Wolff Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com

Feedback/Ideas/Submissions Have feedback, ideas or submissions?

We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are 25th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.

Content Submission Deadlines: Content Due: Edition Date: November 25.............................January December 25...........................February January 25.................................... March February 25.....................................April March 25...........................................May April 25............................................June May 25.............................................. July June 25........................................August July 25...................................September August 25..................................October September 25 ����������������������November October 25............................December Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2018 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Hopewell Valley Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: rdonington@bestversionmedia. com / 609-462-6786.

Hopewell Valley

A

s Rachel mentioned, many of us equate February with red hearts, heartfelt letters, cupids, and, of course, love. It gives us a chance to really think about the things–and the people–we love most. In this issue, you’ll discover a few themes: yes, love, but also dedication, and, of all things, music!

You’ll get to know our featured resident, musician Jack Furlong, through the heartening story of his passion for music, for community, and for helping others, especially those whom he loves most. Later, you’ll read about Barbara Lysenko and her desire to introduce children to music early in life, and how this can benefit them throughout the rest of their lives. Perhaps we can all learn a lesson or two from our neighbors, and take a little time this month to reflect on what we hold closest to our hearts.

Content Coordinator Catherine Bialkowski

Expert Contributors Construction and Home Repair A&E Construction & Design Center | Greg Fontaine – Owner 2479 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ 08534 | 609-737-4425 greg.aeconstruction@gmail.com | www.AEconstructionNJ.com Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial LLC. | Christina Nash – President & CEO 23 Route 31 North, Suite B10, Pennington, NJ 08534 | 609-216-7440 Christina@knoxgrove.com | www.knoxgrovefinancial.com Heating & Cooling Princeton Air Conditioning, Inc. | Adam Czaplinski - Marketing Coordinator 39 Everett Drive, Building D, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 | 609-337-3627 adam.czaplinski@princetonair.com | www.princetonair.com Lawn and Landscaping Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscaping, LLC | Nick Pirone - Owner 1652 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ 08534 609-356-3465 | nick@ce.land | www.ce.land Real Estate Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate | Hopewell Valley 800 Denow Road, Suite N, Pennington, NJ 08534 609-737-9100 | www.glorianilson.com

Resident Feature

Jack is pictured with his mother, Bernadette

Jack of All Trades, Master of Music

How a Few Selfless Decisions Shaped Jack Furlong’s Path

By Catherine Bialkowski | Photos by Benoit Cortet Photography | Photos taken at the 1867 Sanctuary in Ewing.

J

ack Furlong of Hopewell Township has two passions in life: music and baseball. The 34-year-old recording artist loves music and baseball so much that he has created a life for himself that embodies both simultaneously—composer and performer by trade, he has found a way to intertwine his musical career with athletics, founding a nonprofit organization that encourages good sportsmanship for youth on and off the baseball field.

Jack, though, is more than a baseball-loving baritone saxophonist. His dedication—to music, to helping others, to those he loves—enables him to be the kind of citizen Hopewell knows so well, someone who succeeds in making a change in the lives of those around him.

Jack credits his affinity for all things music to his mother, Bernadette, who teaches at Toll Gate Grammar School.

“She’s the musical one in the family,” he says. In her youth, Bernadette enjoyed a successful career in acting and singing, even landing a part in the renowned American soap opera All My Children at one point. But she 4

never did play the part—at the time, she was pregnant with Jack, and was too sick to act. Jack goodnaturedly jokes that he ruined her career before he was even born.

“And that’s where I get the genetics for it,” he says.

Blessed with a mathematical brain equipped for making sense of notes and rhythm, Jack began to play the violin in second grade, switching over to saxophone three years later. He has stuck with it ever since, primarily studying and performing jazz.

“When I was growing up, jazz scared me,” he says. The improvisation, the spontaneity, the lack of structure made him nervous. “I used to think I only wanted to be a team player.”

But that mindset changed when he began to approach the end of his high school career, and college loomed in the near future.

“I grew up Catholic, but it wasn’t until just before my 17th birthday when my grandfather died that I began to February 2018

understand what my faith really was,” he says. Jack took this faith—this deep belief that he had a very specific purpose—and used it to figure out what to do with his life.

Resident Feature

Right at the very beginning of his undergraduate years at Lafayette College, Jack “had an inkling” he would be pursuing a career in music, although it took all four years for him to decide it was his life’s passion. “I grew into it, like a pair of shoes,” says Jack.

“Music theory was the only class where I wasn’t falling asleep,” he says—although he explains that might have had something to do with the fact that all of his other courses were in the early morning. Either way, the class was his introduction to music studies as an academic focus. “From that point on, I knew I was going to be a music major.”

“I have been divinely given this gift,” says Jack. “I am on a path.”

Jack’s strong beliefs developed throughout college as well, and the study of theology became something of a hobby. He decided to take on a minor in religious studies.

“I’ve definitely leaned on faith and used it as a foundation to determine what my next move is,” he says.

A time when he used it to determine his next step in life was after college graduation, when he took two years to settle into adult life and decide what course of action to take. After these two years were over, his mother, he says, explained it was time to move out or go to graduate school. “So, I applied to graduate school,” says Jack, who did not believe he would actually get in. But he did—and he went on to earn a Master of Music at William Paterson University.

“I really went with the flow from there,” says Jack.

Since then, he has been a music professor, a teacher of private lessons, a composer, and a performer at weddings and other venues.

“I fully believe I chose the right career,” he says. “I believe that each person is blessed with a certain number of attributes. It’s up to each of us to figure out what those gifts are that we have been given, and how we must use them.”

Jack’s love for music stems from his love for artistic expression. “Music gives us the ability to connect with people not just through words,” he says. “It brings me joy.”

One of the most special parts of Jack’s musical career is the 12-piece orchestra he started. Originally a last-minute gig thrown together for his sister’s wedding in 2014, it has grown immensely since then, becoming a permanent part of Jack’s life. He and his accompanying musicians—featuring saxophones, trumpets, a trombone, a guitar, piano, bass, drums, and vocals— perform at weddings and other special occasions.

Jack’s own mother, Bernadette, shares her singing

Hopewell Valley

Jack, left, with the orchestra’s pianist Sean Gough, center, and Bernadette talent as the female vocalist, and the group continues to receive rave reviews after every performance.

Today, when he’s not on stage with his orchestra, Jack might be performing with his jazz quartet, aptly named The Jack Furlong Quartet, or working with the Hopewell Valley Community of Associated Music Projects (HV CAMP), an organization he founded in order to create more music-making opportunities for residents of the community.

How, then, does Jack’s other love, baseball, come into play?

He’s always loved the sport—a fervent Yankees fan, he played for his college’s Division I team, and he continues to be a high school baseball umpire and recreational coach. But Jack has taken his passion for it one step further. For him, baseball is more than a game.

“It’s not just a competition or entertainment,” he says. “There is a bigger, grander opportunity to gain from playing.”

The opportunity he describes refers to a chance for both players and fans to learn a lesson about good sportsmanship, and how to treat others with kindness and respect. In 2013, Jack brought this opportunity to life by founding The OSIP (Outstanding Sportsmanship Continued on page 6

5

Resident Feature Continued from page 5

Is Paramount) Foundation, which provides financial assistance to those affected by acts of aggression due to poor sportsmanship while also raising awareness for the necessity of improved sportsmanship throughout all athletics.

The idea for the foundation came to him after he heard about acts of violence, committed by fans of baseball and other sports acting out angrily after their teams lost a game. These unnecessary crimes disturbed him, and prompted him to take action.

scene, and the couple went to the hospital to ensure Katelyn had not been injured. The emergency room doctors believed she had a standard concussion, and she was soon dismissed. A little more than a week later, however, Katelyn appeared to have trouble finding words, and Jack began to worry. They returned to the hospital, and discovered that Katelyn had suffered a diffuse axonal injury, a type of brain trauma. Quickly, Katelyn developed severe speech, eyesight, and hearing problems, as well as internal injuries that affected her ability to feel muscle engagement.

OSIP has slowly but surely started to make an impact.

“When the game is over, let it go,” says Jack, explaining the message he hopes to relay to kids and adults alike. “It’s OK to win and to lose and even to be upset that you lost. But it’s a game. It’s supposed to be fun.”

“I had an instinct to take care of her,” Jack says. For him, there was never a question of how to handle the situation. He quit his job and moved Katelyn, who had to leave work and was unable to drive, into his home immediately thereafter, determined to help her get better.

Outside of music and baseball, Jack’s greatest dedication is to those he loves. Katelyn Mulligan, Jack’s longtime girlfriend, experienced this dedication when she endured a traumatic brain injury in a terrible accident, and Jack gave everything of himself to help her recover.

It was July of 2013, and Jack was playing video games with some friends in South Jersey when he received a call from Katelyn, who was crying on the other end.

3,65x5 in benoit cortet.pdf 1 06/11/2017 15:41 She had been in a car accident. Jack rushed to the

Benoit Cortet PHOTOGRAPHY

benoitcortet.com 917 597 6297

Jack and Katelyn

Katelyn, Jack, and Bernadette share a smile 6

February 2018

Resident Feature “I had a new mission,” says Jack, who dedicated three years of his life to helping Katelyn get her own back. “I would do it all over again, if I had the chance.”

Today, Katelyn has almost completely recovered. She can drive and live on her own again, and has made significant progress since the accident over four years ago. But Jack is still completely involved in helping her improve. “I’m not going to stop fighting this battle until she is 100 percent back to the way she was before her accident, or as close as possible,” he says. When someone you love is in trouble, he explains, there is no hesitation in doing whatever it takes to help the situation.

Clearly, Jack Furlong has put significant purpose into his 34 years of life thus far. His passion for music, his love of baseball, and his fierce devotion to his loved ones is evident through his actions.

“Whatever task that is placed in front of me next is what I’m going to do,” says Jack. “We’ve all been given gifts as a way to make the world a better place.”

Jack’s baritone saxophone To learn more about Jack, to book any of his groups, or to inquire about musical lessons, visit his website, www.jackfurlong.com, or send him an email at jack@ jackfurlong.com. To learn more about OSIP and HV CAMP, visit www.osipfoundation.org and www.hvcamp.org.

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share?

Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact Rachel Donington at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.

Is Myopolis™ Changing the Face of Social Media?

In the wake of frustration that many people have with social media, Myopolis™ could be changing the face of social media. A well-publicized study released last April (Harvard Business Review April 10, 2017) concluded that depression may be linked to social media usage. According to a recent article from CNBC, Facebook admitted usage could be bad for you. The harm stems from reading posts versus interacting with others, which can positively impact your mood.

Anyone who used social media during the last election can attest to the tiring intensity of the political posts. It becomes very uncomfortable when you face the choice of either “unfriending” your relatives and co-workers or building frustration by reading their divisive opinions.

Myopolis™ cracked that code by adding filters to each topic. This allows you to keep your family and co-workers while dumping their politics (or cat videos for that matter).

There are twenty-some filters, including topics such as sports, news, fashion, real estate, and so forth. Additionally, Myopolis™ gives local influencers a powerful platform by ranking the top leaders in each of the categories. The category leaders can increase their influence beyond their own towns and into the state and national levels.

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Hopewell Valley

The map view allows users to see Pings (posts) from their own Private Citizens (friends) and the people who they have Citizenships with (people they follow). If you’ve ever wanted to be known as the leader in sports, fashion, real estate or news, now’s your chance.

Myopolis™ is a unique and useful social media platform that restores the peace and creates an environment where you’re in control of what you see and read.

7

Real Estate

Gloria Nilson’s Hopewell Office’s Valley Year End Statistics 0-$100,000

1 Bedroom Home

$100,000- $200,000- $300,000- $400,000- $500,000- $600,000- $700,000- $800,000- $900,000above $200,000 $300,000 $400,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000

2

1

2 Bedroom Home

1

7

15

9

2

3 Bedroom Home

1

10

26

63

33

13

4

3

5

25

39

35

25

15

3

3

4

4

4

5

7

9

7

4

4

7

8

4 Bedroom Home 5 Bedroom Home 6 plus Bedroom Home TOTAL HOMES SOLD

2 2

22

46

102

78

53

36

26

10

Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in this magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.

5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for the Spring Market!

4 First impressions matter! Focus on

curb appeal and make sure the home is decluttered, neat and clean.

4 Tackle that honey-do list. This is the time to repair items that need to be fixed.

4 Eliminating bad scents makes good sense.

4 Stage your home so it is warm and welcoming.

4 Call one of us for the next 5 tips!

Hopewell Valley Office 609.737.9100 8

Lisa LeRay – Sales Associate

lleray@glorianilson.com  609.954.0177

Barbara Facompre – Sales Associate

bfacompre@glorianilson.com  609.731.1189

Gough ”Winn” Thompson – Sales Associate gthompson@glorianilson.com  609.468.3838 Helen ”Sandy” Brown – Broker Sales Associate sbrown@glorianilson.com  609.468.8545 Christine Butrym – Sales Associate

cbutrym@glorianilson.com  609.902.6214

February 2018

Expert Contributor

The Most Important Step to Take Before Beginning the Search for a New Home

By Joelle Lione | Mortgage Loan Originator, HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc.

O

ne of the biggest mistakes people make when beginning the search for a new home is one that often could easily be avoided. Unfortunately, it’s also a mistake that can cost someone the home of their dreams.

When beginning the search for a new home, many buyers don’t think to meet with a mortgage professional for a no-obligation pre-qualification. They often believe that their own mortgage calculations or online apps can give them enough information to start the search.

In some instances, buyers are afraid that meeting with a mortgage professional may bring unwanted pressure or lock them into something too soon. The reality is that nothing could be further from the truth!

A pre-qualification from a mortgage professional, conducted over the phone or in person, can be the key factor in someone finding a dream home or setting themselves up for disappointment later on. Mortgages are not a one-size-fits-all product and estimating the size of the mortgage someone can qualify for goes well beyond the basics of looking at their personal income and the savings they set aside for a down payment.

There are many mortgage options to choose from that online mortgage calculators and related apps don’t consider, including renovation mortgages (what many call fixer upper loans) that can turn outdated properties into dreams come true. A phone call or face-to-face meeting with a detail-oriented mortgage professional can provide an outline of all of the benefits of the different mortgage products and at the same time, help guide the buyer in their search.

During a pre-qualification meeting or phone call, the potential borrower will be able to discuss their personal goals and needs regarding home ownership. This is very important because, again, a mortgage is not a one-size-fits-all product. Someone looking to live in a home for five years, and then potentially sell it or turn it into a rental property, may have very different needs compared to someone looking to plant roots with a new family. This is where a mortgage professional’s expertise can guide home buyers toward the best type of mortgage and rate for their specific situation.

it comes to the home buying process and often times a buyer will miss out on their dream home because someone else had already met with a mortgage professional and had everything in place to move.

There are other benefits that come with being pre-qualified as well. Many individual sellers and realtors want to know that a buyer has been pre-qualified for a mortgage, so they know that they’re not wasting their time meeting with someone who can’t afford the home being shown. A pre-qualification is the buyer’s way of putting their best foot forward and showing they are capable of purchasing the home when the time is right.

Current homeowners looking to move this year should be sure to get a pre-qualified before they put their home on the market. Many times we see homeowners spend a lot of time getting their home prepared for a sale, but realize later that they may not qualify for a mortgage for the next home they want. This is where a discussion with a mortgage professional can really add value, as they will be able to offer ideas that may make their future dream home more affordable.

As spring is notoriously the season when buyers start shopping for a home, smart buyers will start preparing now, with a mortgage pre-qualification, so they’re one step ahead of the competition when the time is right to make a purchase.

Joelle Lione is a Mortgage Loan Originator for the Shrewsbury office of HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc., one of the largest independent mortgage lenders in the U.S. HomeBridge’s Shrewsbury office is located at 1030 Broad Street. Appointments can be made with Joelle by calling 732-704-1303, or by emailing her directly at jlione@homebridge.com.

However, the most important reason someone should be prequalified before they look at properties is that it will enable them to move quickly when they do find the home of their dreams. It’s a very competitive housing market right now and there are a limited amount of homes available to purchase. Speed is critical when

Hopewell Valley

9

Hopewell Happenings

February 2018

Pet Adoption Days

Fri., February 2

@Rosedale Mills Puppies & Adult Dogs looking for their forever homes Call 609-737-2008 for dates and times

Guided Meditation

@Mercer County Library Hopewell Branch Mira Desai teaches this 5-week guided meditation series. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or mat.

Time: 1-2pm No registration required

Story Time with Ms. Kim! @Pennington Public Library Time: 11am Geared for Children Ages 2-4 years

Thurs., February 1

Color Me Calm – Adult Coloring

@Pennington Public Library Books and supplies available all day

Thurs., February 1

Adult Book Discussion Group - The Absolutist

by John Boyne @Pennington Public Library Time: 2-3pm

We are excited to see what Groundhog Day 2018 will bring!

Sun., February 4

Every Tuesday in February

Every Wednesday in February

Groundhog Day

Documentary Film Screening: Tapped

@Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed This 2009 film on bottled water reveals the truth that some manufacturers are using tap water and shows how much fossil fuels are needed to create plastic water bottles. You will come away never looking at bottled water the same again.

Time: 1-3pm Enjoy free locally sourced, organic popcorn. Free, all ages welcome.

Mon., February 5

Early Dismissal All Schools

@Hopewell Valley Regional School District

Mon., February 5

Family Movie & More: Beauty and the Beast & Chip Craft

@Pennington Public Library Join us for an early school dismissal day.

Create your own Chip craft while enjoying this recent live action rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. Rated PG. Space is limited.

Great fun for the whole family.

Time: 1-4:30pm Bring a blanket or a towel.

Wed., February 7 - 14

Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Cards

@Pennington Public Library For all ages, drop in anytime. Cards and craft supplies provided.

Time: 10am-5pm

Sun., February 11

A Proud Heritage: The African American Contribution to the Sourland Mountains & Surrounding Region

@Pennington Public Library Speakers Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills Time: 3-5pm

Tues., February 13

Too-Busy-For-Books Book Club

@Pennington Public Library For people who barely have time to breathe this Book Club reads nothing longer than 120-pages Time: 7:30pm Call for titles, 737-0404

Wed., February 14

Valentine’s Day!

CHATTING WITH CHRISTINA

President and CEO of Knox Grove Financial, LLC of Pennington, NJ Hello Hopewell Valley Neighbors!

As a Pennington business owner and Hopewell Township resident, I am delighted to contribute to the Hopewell Valley Neighbors Magazine.

Some people feel intimidated when speaking about their financial plan because they find the information too confusing to understand. My goal is to provide easily understood financial information to empower you to make informed decisions about your financial future. Knowledge is Power!

Next issue, I will highlight a question from our readers. Submit your questions via E-Mail: Christina@knoxgrove.com or our Facebook page: KnoxGroveFinancial Wishing You Success,

Christina A. Nash

Christina’s February Tip:

“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it… he who doesn't…pays it.” - Albert Einstein

10

www.KnoxGroveFinancial.com 23 Route 31 N, Suite B10, Pennington, NJ 08534 • 609-216-7440

February 2018

February 2018 Thurs., February 15

nineteen-fifties, Bill was involved in the development of the “Pill.” He will take you back to that time period and lead you through a memorable scientific journey in the making of the “Pill.” What you learn may surprise you.

Time: 3-5pm

Hopewell Business Association

@Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn Monthly Meeting Time: 6:30pm Dinner & Networking 6:45pm Speaker 7:15pm Member meeting starts

President’s Day All Schools Closed

@Hopewell Valley Regional School District

Tues., February 20

Winter Break All Schools Closed

Men’s Billiards Club

@Hopewell Valley YMCA 62 South Main Street, Pennington Time: 1-3pm

Every Thursday

Every Sunday

Jazzy Sundays

@Hopewell Township Municipal Building 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd. Time: 10-11am

Thursday evenings

Mahjongg

Active Aging Exercise Class

Time: 2pm

@Hopewell Valley Senior Center 2 Reading Ave., Pennington Time: 1:30-3:30pm

Live Jazz Time: 6-10pm

Wed., February 21

Friday & Saturday evenings

Pennington Business & Professional Association

Music & Merlot

Time: 6-9pm Enjoy Brick Oven Pizza and light fare

Sun., February 25

The Birth Control Pill: An Unforgettable History

@Pennington Public Library Speaker Bill Ducharme, Former Research Technician, Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology. Working in the mid

For Hopewell Valley Seniors: Every Monday

Social Bridge

@Hopewell Valley Senior Center

sPummer ROG R A M

S

@Sourland Coffee 250 South Main Street, Pennington Monthly Meeting Time: 5:45pm

pqmonline.com

Every Tuesday

Visit www.hopwellvalleyvineyard.com for Artist Listings

@Hopewell

When Love Is In The Air, We Make It Easy To Breathe.

62 Reading Ave., Pennington Time: 2-4pm

This month at Hopewell Valley Vineyards:

Mon., February 19

Hopewell Happenings

Register now for camps for ages 10–15!

www.pennington.org/Summer Long Stem Roses Available In Many Colors.

Quality Long Stem Roses.

(Boxed, Wrapped or Professionally Designed)

Charming Designer Bouquets.

Candy, Cards and Balloons.

Great Gifts For Every Budget.

We Deliver 7 Days A Week!

The PQM Bake Shoppe Has Sweet Valentine’s Day Specials.

Valentine “Dinners for Two”

(Fully Cooked and Oven-Ready.)

Available February 12, 13 and 14 Only.

Please, 24-Hour Notice Required.

You’ll Love Our Catered Cuisine Appetizers!

Located At The Corner of Route 31 and Delaware Avenue ● Pennington, NJ 08534 ● (609) 737-0058

Hopewell Valley

11

Our Valley’s Past

A Hopewell Township Marriage

By David Blackwell | Acting Curator of the Hopewell Museum

M

ary Titus was truly the girl next door–to Thomas Blackwell, that is. She was born in 1784 to Solomon and Susannah (Reed) Titus whose circa 1760 house is still standing at 80 Elm Ridge Road (Tigers presently on the gates). Elm Ridge Road was put through six farms in about 1910, running from Pennington-Rocky Hill Road to Carter Road. Three of these farms were historically Blackwell properties, and three were Titus farms.

Mary Titus, known as Polly, lived on the second farm in from Carter Road. The first farm on that eastern end belonged to Ephraim Titus until his death in 1789, when it was sold to John Blackwell, who lived near the western end of the six. He purchased it for his two oldest sons, Thomas, born 1772, and William born 1774. The two boys became farmers there in their own right, using the old Titus house until 1801, when William sold his share for an opportunity to buy the grist mill on the Millstone River at a place still called Blackwells Mills.

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This left Thomas in the position to develop the 150 acres all in his own interest. In 1801, he built the present house on the site, where the owner has a sign that reads “Blackwell Farm.” Meanwhile, next door, on the farm of the old Revolutionary War veteran, Solomon Titus’ daughter, Polly, was now 17.

It is interesting to note that Thomas Blackwell, his brother William at the Mill, and third and fourth brothers Daniel and Andrew, all waited until after 30 to marry, when they had fine farms under several years of cultivation.

But marry they did, and Thomas chose the girl next door in 1807 when she was 23. It was a January 25th wedding. The courtship must have been a tender and patient one, marked with affection. On February 8, soon after the wedding, Polly inscribed a small personal bible to her new husband. It is a plain, well worn little leather bible, measuring seven inches tall, 5 inches wide, and 2 inches thick. Inside the front cover she wrote: Round is the ring that hath no end, So is my love unto you my friend, When this you see remember me, Though many leagues we distant be.

Thomas and Polly lived a long and family-filled life in the house built in 1801. They called their property “Netherwood” because the lane came in from Bayberry Road behind their woods, before there was an Elm Ridge Road. From the front of the house their view was unimpeded over their land down to Stony Brook.

Next door, her father Solomon lived until 1833, when his son Reuben Titus came home to run the farm. Reuben Titus was the father of seven sons.

In 1807, the year of the marriage, Thomas and Mary Blackwell bought another bible–a larger one in which to record the milestones of their family. Thomas first entered the births of his siblings, born from 1772 to 1789, and then their marriages. Next came the births of his own seven children, two boys and five girls from late 1807 until 1822, and their marriages.

Thomas died in 1851, aged 79, typical in his day.

Polly lived until 1856, to about 72. Their younger son John continued on the farm, and entered his own children’s births in the Bible, as did the next two generations, until the farm was sold in 1938. A grandson of Thomas and Polly was Joseph Blackwell, born in 1832, for whom Blackwell Road, south of Pennington, was named.

12

February 2018

Business Profile

The Magic in Early Childhood Music

By Barbara Lysenko | Director and co-founder of Kids’ MusicRound | Director of the Main Street Children’s Choir

O

ver 28 years ago, my husband Mike and I, along with our two toddlers, Michael and Jason, relocated into Hopewell Valley. It has been the most wonderful place to raise children. We settled in quickly and felt very welcomed.

Once acclimated to the area, I decided to bring my passion for music and children into the Hopewell community. Music has been a lifelong love of mine and the many benefits it brings to children are immense. Below are five of many reasons why children in early childhood should be exposed to music.

Developing a love of music.

Starting early before the formal regiment of practicing begins develops the love and passion for music first.

These are the most important ingredients for a lifelong desire for choosing to make music – the joy! For a child, seeing people delighted by music fosters a positive affinity towards it and has a lasting effect.

Feeling happy.

“I don’t sing because I’m happy; I’m happy because I sing.” – William James. Research proves that when listening or singing to music you enjoy, your brain releases dopamine, a “feel-good” neurotransmitter. The joy experienced by all in an early childhood music class is wonderful. Not only are the children smiling, the adults are dancing and playing the rhythm instruments, too!

As an early childhood music educator, I always leave a class happier than when I arrive. Sometimes I feel like it is musical therapy for all! Start singing your favorites songs and feel great.

our youngest children the opportunity to experience all of the social benefits.

Learning at its best.

Music has a huge impact on the development of the whole child. Teaching language, reading, math and routine daily tasks all through music and song helps children retain, remember, learn and develop critical musical skills. How many counting songs and rhymes do you remember? Children safely explore emotions and make-believe play through song. Dancing and moving to music develops large motor skills. Walking is a steady beat. Moving to music is instrumental in developing a child’s internal beat monitor.

Our brains.

We all know there are two sides of our amazing brain.

Music is one of the few activities that lights up both sides of the brain. All of the brain connections for music begin forming at birth. Exposure to joyful music-making early in life solidifies those important connections.

Moms and dads, warm up those voices and start singing the lullabies you remember or learn new ones.

Social fun.

Music creates community, bonds and friendships.

Growing up, I always enjoyed playing music with others. It teaches cooperation and creates a shared learning environment and the pride of accomplishment as a musical team. Early childhood music classes provide

Hopewell Valley

13

Our Community

Hopewell Is for Artists Art Can Touch People

By NJ DeVico

A

lthough Hopewell Valley’s Janis Blayne Paul has been drawing since she was a small child, she pursued an almost two-decade career in architecture. Her fascination with historic preservation and stone carving developed as an architectural undergraduate while attending the University of Florence and University of Rome. One cannot avoid those imposing Italian edifices.

Her yoga and meditation practice, which Blayne Paul began more than 10 years ago, lead her “to seek a means for creative expression. Stone represented a state of permanence in an ever-changing world which therefore became my ‘canvas.” It wasn’t traditional stand-alone sculpture she “Prancing,” bas-relief was after—not her forte, peacock Blayne Paul admits—but she has been doing stone sculpture using boulders in the landscape. By 2010 her stone carving led to tiles, not only in the traditional definition of a tile, but as a canvas in stone. Using natural stone, such as limestone, sandstone, granite, travertine marble or slate (depending on the project) she etches and carves using a hammer and chisels. Then she adds layers of natural dyes and oils to both the areas that have been carved out and those left untouched, to accentuate the design and enhance the natural qualities of the stone. A stone sealant protects the piece.

“Fiddlehead Fern,” stone benches in a rock garden

Blayne Paul starts every stone with meditation and says, “I get so psyched I could go all night. Creating art is a great escape and contributes to my sanity.”

Blackwell Memorial Home 21 North Main Street, Pennington, NJ 08534

(609) 737-2900

Happy Valentine’s Day 2018!

www.blackwellmh.com • blackwellmem@verizon.net

Elizabeth Blackwell Davis Owner / Lic. Director NJ #2475

Kevin R. Latham

Manager / Lic. Director NJ #4625 / PA #000714

We offer full service funerals, cremations and pre-arrangements.

Continuous Family Service Since 1881 14

February 2018

Our Community One day she realized that not only was her work “meaningful to me—others started to express appreciation.”

This helped to expand her repertoire. Her signature design collection includes nature, mind-body-spirit, athletic, animal and bird-and-butterfly themes. “It’s a way to connect with people,” says Blayne Paul. Creating art that is meaningful and inspiring for others can brighten their spirits. “They resonate with the work and therefore connect with the artist,” explains Blayne Paul.

When asked her favorite artist, Blayne Paul doesn’t limit herself to visual artists: Both Rodin and David Bowie came to mind immediately; she appreciates Frank Lloyd Wright. And Michealangelo must be mentioned: He was a sculptor, painter, architect and poet and “generally an overachiever”— as so many of us would like to be!

NJ DeVico is a contributing writer and artist who lives in Titusville.

Janis Blayne Paul shares her art at karmicstone. houzz.com and on Instagram: #karmic_stone. See her installations at “Design at Dohm Alley” in Princeton, in The Doylestown Historic Cemetery, and bluestone benches with architectural renderings throughout Doylestown. Interior designers and homeowners should visit Galaxy Tile, Princeton and Tile Gallerie in Dublin, PA.

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Hopewell Valley

15

Hopewell Valley 1925

HO2

46 Yard Road Pennington, NJ 609-737-4465

Wine, Food, Music & Friendship

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Valentine's Day In A Dress That Will Take His Breath Away!

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• 2015 Accepted as an Early Decision Candidate to Farleigh Dickinson University “I have faith, stubbornness and an education from The Lewis School that give me confidence.”

Andrew McTigue

Fairleigh Dickinson University Class of 2020 The Lewis School of Princeton, 2011- 2016

“The Lewis School helped me to realize that I should not be afraid to approach success in my own way.

Before attending Lewis, I never thought about success or that it would come easily, if it came at all.”

• 2016 Honors College Preparatory Graduate of The Lewis School • 2017 The Lewis School of Princeton Honor Society Inductee • 2017 Dean’s List at Fairleigh Dickinson University • 2017 Most Valuable Player for Fairleigh Dickinson Cross Country Team • 2017 Honored Alumni Speaker, The Lewis School Athletic Awards Banquet • Awarded a Full FourYear Scholarship to Fairleigh Dickinson University • Accepted to all of his top ten colleges “When I first came to Lewis, I was frustrated by the demands of auditory processing in a lecture situation and by longer written assignments, research and managing the course load in reading. I avoided writing whenever I could. However, the work ethic and teamwork that I learned at Lewis have carried me through as a successful college athlete. I know that the lessons I learned from my teachers and coaches at The Lewis School will stay with me in athletics and in personal successes yet to come.”

53 Bayard Ln, Princeton, NJ 08540 | (609) 924 -8120 | www.lewisschool.org