Romy Toussaint Powerful Beyond Belief
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
An exclusive publication for the residents of Lawrence Township
APRIL 2020
Expert Contributors
Medical Center RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
Lawn and Landscaping Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscaping, LLC
1 Hamilton Way, Hamilton, NJ 08690 609-586-7000 www.rwjbh.org/rwj-university-hospital-hamilton/
Nick Pirone - Owner 1652 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ I 609-356-3465 nick@ce.land I ce.land.com
Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial LLC. Jodi Viaud, Partner & Advisor Bill Stolow, Medicare Specialist 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100, Pennington, NJ 08534 609-216-7440 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com I Info@knoxgrove.com
Home Remodeling Lawrenceville Home Improvement James Russo - Owner 2821 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 0848 609-882-6709 lawrencevillehomeimp.com
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 or at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
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April 2020
Publisher’s Letter
Dear Residents,
Welcome to the premier issue of Lawrence Neighbors magazine. Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
We are very excited to present this new, monthly publication to you. We hope that it provides you with hyper-local content, true community identity, and some thought-provoking local stories and inspiration from our community.
Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com
I am proud to bring you this debut issue of Lawrence Neighbors. The team has worked hard to create a publication celebrating you, the residents of Lawrence Township.
Designer: Dale Ver Voort Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.com 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. ©2020 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com. Lawrence Neighbors
Each month we will introduce you to a member of the Lawrence community. Our very first featured resident is the amazing and passionately powerful Romy Toussaint, whose story I know will inspire you. The passion that Romy has for life, for her family, for yoga, is something we don’t see enough today—her vibrance and joy of life is contagious and teaches us a lesson about finding light in our lives. Romy arrived in the United States from Haiti as a young girl, and it seems she has been sparking wonder wherever she goes ever since. I encourage you to think about what YOU are passionate about. Having a passion can bring purpose and meaning to our lives—it can also bring an unimaginable amount of happiness. It is an honor to share Romy’s story in our 1st issue of Lawrence Neighbors. I look forward to continuing this wonderful endeavor as publisher of Lawrence Neighbors and sharing stories that will inspire you. Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
Welcome to our first issue! Rachel and I are overjoyed to be publishing Lawrence Neighbors. It was such a treat to speak with Romy this month for our first cover story; she has truly inspired me, as I know she will inspire you, too, not only with her personal story but with her passion for yoga as well. I hope you, readers, enjoy this issue; I look forward to creating many more. Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
Our advertisers bring Lawrence Neighbors to you. Be sure to thank them by supporting their businesses. They are experts at what they do. Please Shop Local. And please tell our advertisers you saw their ad in Lawrence Neighbors.
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Business Profile
RWJ University Hospital Hamilton Named ‘Top General Hospital’ By Rachel Donington
Two RWJBarnabas Health facilities have been recognized as Top Hospitals by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. Saint Barnabas Medical Center was recognized as Top Teaching Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton was recognized as a Top General Hospital. Widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors an American hospital can receive, the recognition underscores RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to patient safety and quality. Saint Barnabas Medical Center is one of only 55 Top Teaching Hospitals recognized nationally, and located in our community, RWJUH Hamilton is one of only 37 Top General Hospitals recognized. The Top Hospital Awards come following each of the hospitals’ “A” Hospital Safety Grade, also from the Leapfrog Group.
Leapfrog Hospital Survey compares hospitals’ performance on national standards of patient safety, quality, efficiency and management structures that prevent errors, providing the most comprehensive picture of how patients fare at individual institutions. “We are proud to be honored with the distinction of Top General Hospital,” says Richard Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJUH Hamilton. “RWJUH Hamilton has a strong commitment to patient safety and quality and the recognition from the Leapfrog Group demonstrates our entire staff’s extraordinary dedication to our patients and our community to consistently deliver the highest level of care.”
The data collected also enable hospitals to benchmark their progress toward The Leapfrog Groups’ standards and measure the care they deliver. To learn more about the methodology for Top Hospitals and the full list of 2019 honorees, please visit www.leapfroggroup.org/ Data used to identify Top Hospitals are gathered and publicly reported through the Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The tophospitals.
Lose more than just weight. Lose your sleep apnea. The Center for Weight Loss at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, instead of emphasizing short-term goals like reducing the size of your waist, we focus on long-term benefits like reducing your risk of Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension. Beginning with a navigator, every aspect of the program, including bariatric surgery, will be clearly presented so you can make the right choice.
rwjbh.org/weightloss * Results are not guaranteed and may vary by individual
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April 2020
ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH in New Brunswick, RWJUH Somerset in Somerville, RWJUH Hamilton, RWJUH Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and an accountable care organization.
COLD SOIL ROAD, PRINCETON, NJ TRENTON FARMER’S MARKET SPRUCE STREET
FARM FRESH FOR SPRING Farm Fresh Greenhouse Lettuce & Flowering Plants
Lettuce, Flowering Plants, Field Greens, Fresh Cider, Pies, Homemade Baked goods RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 34,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health recently announced a partnership with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration will align RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. About The Leapfrog Group Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.
vvv Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton serves as a leading April 5 – Jerry Steele healthcare provider in our community and throughout the region. We congratulate April 12 – Bunny RWJUH Hamilton for their “A” Hospital Safety Grade Chase and ongoing commitment to April 19 Lindsay patient safety and quality care they deliver to members Ketofsky of our community. Lawrence Neighbors
April 26 – Kara & Corey May 3 – Kite Day Festival Music
Bunny Chase Treasure Hunt April 11 - 12 • 10am - 4pm
Hop into Spring – treasure hunt around the farm with craft activities, fun for the whole family
Terhune Vineyard & Winery Sunday Music Series: Friday-Sunday 12-5pm
April 5 – Jerry Steele April 12 – Bunny Chase April 19 - Lindsay Ketofsky April 26 – Kara & Corey May 3 – Kite Day Festival Music
terhuneorchards.com (609) 924-2310 Farm Store Open Daily 5
Recipe
The Best Brownies Come From a Box and I Will Not Apologize By Rachel Donington
The instructions on the box of Ghirardelli’s dark chocolate brownie mix couldn’t be simpler: Place water, oil, and an egg in a medium bowl and stir until fully mixed. Finally, stir in the brownie mix—and Voilã! All you need is a bowl, a spatula, an 8x8 glass baking dish and these brownies really can’t get any better. As a mom of four kids, I always stock our pantry with boxes of this brownie mix. Not the reasonable 20-ounce package but the 7-pound pack from Costco. Somehow these brownies hit both ends of the spectrum, fudgy and chewy. I don’t know how they do it, but the contrast between the thin crispy-chewy edges and the dense fudgy interior, studded with bittersweet chips, and an ultra-shiny crackly top, is so much more extreme than in any homemade brownie. Jazz them up with these brownie topping ideas
3 Granola: top with your favorite granola 3 Smores: top with chocolate chips and crushed graham crackers. After baking, add marshmallows and broil until browned. I don’t make Ghirardelli’s box mix brownies because they’re easy (which they totally are). I make them because they’re the best. And, my kids would agree too!
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3 Black forest: cherry pie filling + dark chocolate squares 3 Tahini: swirl in raw tahini + sesame seeds (halva optional) 3 Oreo: mix with crushed oreos 3 Salted pretzel: top with pretzels and sea salt flakes, add melted caramel too
You can find the bulk packs at Costco, or Ghirardelli’s Brownie Mix in a variety of selections are available at Pennington Quality Market. Go get a box today!
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Where Children Who Learn Differently Thrive ® April 2020
Healthy Holidays
Why Summer Camp? By Andy Pritikin | Owner and Director of Liberty Lake Day Camp
“Hey Dad,” My teenage daughter beckons, “I was talking to my friend today…” I interrupt her: “Hang on sweetie, were you actually TALKING to your friend?’ Her: “What do you mean?” Me: “I mean, was there sound coming out of your mouth, going into her ear and vice versa?” Her: “Duh, of course not, I never talk on my phone except to you and Mom!”
life. Kids are kept inside when it’s too hot, too cold, too rainy, too icy. We bring them their schoolwork when they forget it at home. We wake them up in the morning, help them with their homework, and then get mad at ourselves for doing it. But at summer camp, their cool camp counselors can tell them to “figure it out” when they have a problem, and the kids usually listen to them without debate. If our children don’t start figuring out things for themselves, and deal with the inevitable challenges of life, we may find them living at home for a very long time, or moving back when things don’t go their way.
Oy. This is where we are at in 2020. The word “talk” has lost its meaning. Communication skills are going the way of the dodo bird, with human interaction being reduced to snaps, selfies, digital acronyms, embarrassing memes, and absurdly entertaining Tik-Toks. Young people are more digitally connected than ever before, while being significantly less personally connected as human beings. Parenting in 2020 is seriously difficult.It takes a level of discipline and commitment that our parents never had to deal with, amainly because of digital devices. What is the antidote? How can parents battle this ever-growing monster, especially during summer vacation when kids have even more free time and boredom to feed their screen addiction? Well, there is an answer, an oasis away from screens, where children actually talk to each other using the ancient art of speech and body language, a step back in time, before digital data began stressing us all out: SUMMER CAMP! Now, there are lots of programs that call themselves “Summer Camp,” and most have their merits, but I’m talking about TRADITIONAL Summer Camp: outdoors with grass, trees, humidity, sunscreen, bugs, and dirt; learning how to swim, and how to hold a baseball/softball bat, a paint brush, and a guitar; where kids muster the courage to talk to strangers, ask for help, climb a rock wall, leap onto a stage or off a zipline platform! Research confirms that today’s children are more emotionally fragile than ever before, unable to cope with adversity. Half of students going off to college aren’t making it to graduation day, yet most parents are on an unwavering mission to protect their children from the hardships of
Lawrence Neighbors
Humans are not born with great social skills. These are skills we learn and practice. As babies, we scream when we are upset, but eventually learn how to express ourselves to our parents and caregivers. Camp is a continuation of that process. Campers are put into challenging situations requiring them to critically think through possible solutions, just like real (adult) life! Sometimes they will overcome obstacles and succeed, and sometimes they will simply fail, which is a super important life lesson, achieved more likely without parental interference. So, consider giving your kids an old-school, summer camp experience that they will learn from and cherish for the rest of their lives; it could end up being the wisest parental investment you ever make.
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Resident Feature
Romy Toussaint Powerful Beyond Belief By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
R
omy Toussaint is a mother, a leader, a teacher, and a citizen of Lawrence Township. Throughout her life she has harbored a deep desire to learn, to grow, and to help others become their best selves. Romy has worked in international relations, hotel management, global education, and fitness, but her most recent passion is conscious leadership: “how to manage your physical, mental, and spiritual energy and show up fully present.” Her professional accomplishments are vast, but she’s known around town, too, in her beloved community of Lawrence, where she has found many friends throughout her life here. Romy first stepped foot in the area on the Fourth of July, having recently arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Haiti, 1,478 miles away. She was in charge of guiding her three younger siblings. She remembers holding onto her brother, awed by the automatic sliding glass door of the airport, something she had never seen before. Their mother was there waiting on the other side of the door, ready to take them home to Lawrenceville. On the drive home, Romy saw fireworks light up the skies of New York City, as if welcoming her to America. She was twelve years old. Romy and her siblings went to school in Princeton, and Romy, the first in her family to go to college, attended the University of Rochester, where she studied international relations. The first time she saw the campus, she fell in love: “It was a beautiful sunny day. Students were out throwing around a frisbee. But I was totally unprepared for the freezing cold once I got there!” she laughs, remembering. Romy had a wonderful four years of college. She played volleyball and ran track, enjoyed her studies, and even met her husband, John, there. “When I first saw him, he looked like my opposite,” she says. But she had a big crush on him. The couple had dates here and there throughout college, and ended up officially dating all of their senior year. They graduated in 1985 and were married in 1988. When Romy first graduated from college, she wanted to be an ambassador. “My father was a congressman in Haiti and my mother was a teacher. I had a dream of going back and doing some good.” Romy soon realized that working in international relations would not work out for her financially, so she turned to hotel management for her first job; she quickly became the assistant manager for a hotel in Somerset. Two years later, a job opened up at International Research and Exchanges Board, a nonprofit organization that specializes in global education and development. The program she worked for sent graduate students and PhD candidate scholars to the former Soviet Union to work on their research. “It was the most satisfying work I’ve ever done,” says Romy. She was there for seven years before she started to work for Educational Testing Service (ETS) in a few different departments before she took a leave of absence upon the birth of her third son. Romy and John have lived in four different locations within Lawrence Township raising their children. It’s a community that has been her home since she first stepped foot into the United States, a place she will always hold dear. “It’s the variety of people,” she says, on her deeply-rooted love for her hometown. “There’s so much diversity, and we all come together.” Romy and John have four sons, Phillip, Colin, Henry, and Luke. Phil has his own branding and marketing business and was recently on the cover of the Japanese men’s fashion magazine Popeye; Colin is at the University of Cincinnati finishing his PhD; Henry recently graduated from auto mechanic school and dreams of becoming a rally racer; and Luke, having graduated from Lawrence High School, is currently in Berlin learning German, and just released an album of his own music. Romy says John, who is a mortgage banker with a passion for fixing things, and her boys share her deep love of the community. “We’re real townies,” she says. And her extended family all live in Lawrence Township, too. “We’re not allowed to leave!” There is another aspect of Romy’s life, the seed of which was planted in 1992 when she was working as a fitness instructor at a gym and was asked if she’d ever done yoga. She hadn’t. “I have always loved movement,” says Romy. Throughout her life she has played soccer and volleyball and run track, and has been a swimming instructor. Once, a water aerobics instructor didn’t show up to work at the pool, so Romy jumped into the water and taught that class, too. So it was only natural that she should discover yoga, a practice that brings together physical movement of the body and spiritual and mental energy.
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April 2020
Lawrence Neighbors
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Resident Feature The first time Romy tried yoga, she followed a video from start to finish. “The next day, I could barely walk or breathe. I called out sick from work.” She loved the feeling of having done something with her whole body, a deep connection between mind, body, and spirit. “It was something I needed to pursue. I became a student of yoga. I fell in love with it because it’s so much more than just exercise. It forces you to be present and reminds you of who you are.” Romy appreciates the opportunity to go inward, to establish a connection to herself and remind herself of who she is. “We spend a lot of time in this world going outward, meeting demands, going on social media,” she says. Yoga is her time to listen to the quiet around her and meditate. And she’s passionate about educating people about the wholeness of yoga as a practice. “Most people don’t know there’s more than the physical aspect of yoga,” she says. In yoga, there are certain disciplines and principles that guide those who practice it: Be peaceful. Be honest. Be generous. Be moderate. Be clean. Be content. Be disciplined. Be responsible. Surrender to the divine trust. These are among the most important aspects of yoga as a whole; without them, yoga cannot be experienced fully. “They’re the most important part of the whole teaching,” says Romy. “They force you to be incredibly awake, conscious, and aware.” This is what Romy is all about: speaking truth in a loving way about conscious leadership. “That has been my passion lately.” In fact, Romy has her own business that allows her to give public speaking sessions on the topics of yoga, mindfulness, and conscious leadership. “I talk about managing your energy, how to show up present, and finding ease—taking a deep breath,” she says. Romy is the director of the Yoga Program and also teaches yoga classes at Complete Health Yoga, part of Complete Health of Lawrenceville on Franklin Corner Road. Yoga, says Romy, helps her to remember who she is: loving mother, conscious leader, passionate teacher, dedicated citizen of Lawrence Township. She has covered so much ground in her life so far here in this incredible community, and she’s far from done yet. Romy Toussaint’s passion for everything she does is an inspiration; she truly lives life to the fullest.
vvv Please reach out to Romy to find out more about her yoga classes and conscious leadership sessions. You can find her at Complete Health Yoga at Complete Health Lawrenceville located at 136 Franklin Corner Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. Contact Romy at 609-912.0440 ext. 109 or email at info@completehealthyoga.com.
Toussaint-Annand Family
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. 10
April 2020
Resident Feature
Romy and her mother, Bertha
Lawrence Neighbors
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Calendar of Events
Check Out What’s happening in Wed., April 1 April Fool’s Day Also known as All Fool’s Day or Foolish Day, this is a day to play practical jokes and pranks on your friends and family. Wed., April 1 – Fri., April 3 Lawrence Township Public Schools K- 12 Early Dismissal Parent-Teacher Conferences Sat., April 4 Easter Egg Hunt! Princeton United Methodist Church welcomes you to the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Indoor festivities will include music, crafts, refreshments, face painting, and picture taking with the Easter Bunny. Children will hunt for eggs on the lawn (weather permitting) or indoors. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This is a free event and open to the community. @Princeton United Methodist Church, 7 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton Time: 11am-1pm Registration is required as space is limited. If you have any questions, please email pumccyfc@ gmail.com Sun., April 4 Bunny Chase! Celebrate Spring at Terhune Orchards @ Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road Time: 10am-4pm Call 609-924-2310 or visit terhuneorchards.com for more information. Sun., April 5 Palm Sunday Christian observance on the Sunday before Eastermarking the beginning of Holy Week.
Sun., April 5 Liberty Lake Day Camp Eggstravaganza Open House Spring is here and the bunnies are returning to Liberty Lake! Hunt for and paint some Easter eggs, plus enjoy the Rock Wall & Ga-Ga & Tours! For families interested in Summer Camp for Summer 2020, as well as veteran LLDC families. Know someone you think would love Liberty Lake? Bring them along! @ Liberty Lake Day Camp, 1195 FlorenceColumbus Rd, Columbus, NJ 08505 Time: 11am-3pm Mon., April 6 – Fri., April 10 Lawrence Township Public Schools Spring Break All Schools CLOSED
Sat., April 18 Lawrence Hopewell Trail: SATURDAY MORNING WALKING CLUB Please wear proper clothing and footwear for winter / spring conditions. @ Village Park, Bergen Street Time: 9:30am Feel free to contact us with questions at info@ lhtrail.org Sun., April 19 Native Plant Garden Design With Garden Designer Judith K. Robinson @ Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road Time: 1pm Please register terhuneorchards.com/classes
Wed., April 8 – Thurs., April 16 Passover Passover lasts from sundown on April 8, 2020 to sundown on April 16, 2020. Fri., April 10 Good Friday
Tues., April 21 & Sat., April 25 Read and Explore: Composting Join us to talk about turning our “garbage” back into soil. @ Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road Time: 10am Registration is requested. 609-924-2310 or terhuneorchards.com/read-explore-sign-up to register.
Sun., April 12 Easter Sunday Fri., April 17 Lawrence Township Senior Yoga Class The Lawrence Township Office on Aging will be starting a new Series of Yoga classes for seniors 60 and older at the Lawrence Township Senior Center. @ 30 East Darrah Lane Time: 9am Please call the Senior Center for more information at 609-844-7048.
Wed., April 22 Earth Day As a global observance, it sometimes extends to a week-long celebration, aptly named Earth Week. Thurs., April 23 Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day National event in the United States organized by the Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation.
Let us help promote your local event! Please join our Calendar Page by sending us your Event Listing. Open to all Lawrenceville organizations, clubs and local businesses. You can email your submissions to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Call Chris Cline’s team! Chris Cline, Agency Owner See how much you could save on your insurance. Get a free quote today!
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April 2020
Expert Contributor
Welcome Spring! Your Gardening Checklist By Nick Pirone | Cutting Edge Lawn & Landscaping
Now that spring is in full swing, it’s time to spend more time in the garden. The barrenness of winter is replaced with blooming, fragrant flowers and plants, and it’s finally warm enough to take a walk and admire beautiful landscaping.
And finally: Call Nick to help you with your gardening needs—he’s an expert at what he does! You can reach Nick and Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscape at 609-356-3465.
Here’s an April gardening checklist for what you should start to do to ensure your yard thrives all spring and summer long. Do your research on soil: Different plants grow better in different kinds of soil, so make sure you’ve done some reading or spoken to a professional about what type of soil to use for what you’re growing. Stock up on tools: Make sure you have the correct tools on hand to take the best care of your yard so you can prune, rake, dig, and weed easily and quickly. (Make sure tools are sharpened when necessary!) Do some spring cleaning: Throughout winter your yard has probably gathered some unwanted debris from fallen branches to old leaves. Take an afternoon to do a thorough sweep of your yard, clearing it of anything that’s out-of-place. Hook up your hose: The last thing you’d want is to prepare to water your plants, only to find you can’t! Lay down some mulch: Mulch not only helps to minimize weeds, but also helps to keep the soil moist and moderate its temperature. Be sure to pull out any weeds in the area you plan to mulch first. Early planting: Make sure you are keeping track of what you want to plant and the ideal time to do so, so you don’t miss out. A quick Google search on perennials, bulbs, trees, shrubs, and the like will tell you the ideal window of time to start planting.
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Resident Submitted
Change Your Life with Yoga By Catherine Bialkowski
Yoga is a practice of physicality, mentality, and spirituality. Most people know it involves poses of the body and breathing practices to calm the mind and soul, but it also has a rich and sacred history that, once learned, can only strengthen one’s perception of this ancient Hindu practice. Yoga is over 5,000 years old; it was originally developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India. Vedic priests were the first known group to mention yoga in the written word, via sacred texts called the Rig Veda. Yoga did not make its way to the Western world until the 19th and 20th centuries, when yoga masters began to travel this way. In 1893, Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda gave a lecture on yoga at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, which wowed the audience and spurred further interest that gradually increased over the next few decades. Yoga began to gain popularity more quickly in 1947, when Indra Devi, “Mother of Western Yoga,” opened her yoga studio in Hollywood. Since then, this practice has gained hundreds of thousands of dedicated followers and changed many lives for the better. The benefits of yoga are myriad. It can help with weight issues, athletic performance, flexibility, respiration, muscle tone, energy levels, cardio health, concentration, mindfulness, metabolism, and more. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 86% of adults who practice yoga report feeling less stressed, 67% reported better emotional health, 59% reported better sleep, and 82% reported overall improved health. Setting aside time for a yoga session means taking a few moments to be fully present, peaceful, and aware of one’s surroundings and being.
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The wonderful thing about this all-encompassing exercise is that anyone can make it a habit. It is not only for experienced, highly flexible people who can form the poses expertly; yoga can improve anyone’s life! Its gentle movements and inclusion of intentional breathing make it accessible for all body types and ages. It can reduce stress, increase stamina, improve posture, and bring about joy. Another advantage of modern-day yoga is that there is so much information online, from videos to follow along to extensive information on every single pose, so it is easy to give it a try before paying a studio. Take time out of your busy schedule to try out a yoga pose today; close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and let your mind focus on your body’s movements so that you feel grounded and at peace. Yoga just might transform your life.
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April 2020
Did You Know
April Fool! By Rachel Donington
April Fool’s Day occurs every year on April 1st. Also known as All Fool’s Day or Foolish Day, this is a day to play practical jokes and pranks on your friends and family. A tradition that is celebrated in several countries, April Fool’s Day origins remain mysterious until today, and it is unlikely that we will ever know its true history. However, there are a few theories about where this day comes from: In the year of 1582, France officially changed their calendars from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar. It is believed that the news of this change didn’t travel to everyone, and also some people weren’t too happy with the change, thus many continued to celebrate the new year at the end of March into April 1st, instead of on the date that marked the new year, January 1st. These people became the target of many jokes and pranks, and others would begin to mock them when they saw them. The most popular one was that of the “April
Fish”, where a person would have a fish taped to their backs, to symbolize that they were a young and gullible person. Some argue that April Fool’s comes from the festival of Hilaria in Ancient Rome, which took place at the end of March. In these celebrations, people would disguise themselves, and play practical jokes on others, such as sending them on Fool’s Errands, a task that would have no purpose other than to deceive. Others believe that this day originates in the Vernal Equinox, which would mark the arrival of spring. In those days, people thought that Mother Nature was fooling them, with the unpredictable weather that they would receive. In recent times, April Fool’s remains quite a popular day still, with people enjoying taking part in it for a good laugh during this happy day. Even the media, such as newspapers and TV and brands take part in the practical jokes, by reporting fictional news, or
advertising products that don’t exist. In 1989 during a BBC Sports news broadcast, a fake fight could be seen breaking out behind the anchorman. More recently, in 2019 the popular fast food brand McDonald’s announced that they were releasing milkshake sauce for people to dip their fries in, and Starbucks announced a drive-thru for dogs. In 1997 the Museum of Hoaxes was created in San Diego, California, to depict everything to do with deceit, pranking, and joking throughout history. It has a Gallery of April Fool’s Hoaxes dedicated to honoring the jokes played on this day. People like to celebrate this day by pranking their friends and family. Some popular pranks involve children telling their friends their shoelaces are untied, changing sugar for salt, and even putting vaseline on doorknobs, among others. It is common to shout out “April Fool!” at the person who has just been pranked.
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