February 2021
Joanne Canady-Brown Gingering it Up Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
An exclusive publication for the residents of Lawrence Township
Letter from the Publisher
Expert Contributors
The thing about dreams is that we all have them. Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com
Medical Center RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
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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. The Wilson Family provides affordable dignified services to the families of Hopewell Valley since 1960.
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Wilson-Apple Funeral Home Robert A Wilson, Owner NJ Lic # 2520
609-737-1498
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.©2021 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
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609-392-1039 Serving Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Lawrenceville, Ewing, Peinnington, Titusville, Blawenburg, and Princeton.
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February 2021
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Lawrence Neighbors
The difference is that we don’t all go after them. Some of us let them die or let other people kill them. Some of us spend years just talking about them and making excuses why we won’t pursue them. This month’s featured resident, Joanne Canady-Brown, followed her dream—and it came true. As the owner of the Gingered Peach in Lawrenceville, Joanne was not always a baker. But when she felt her life was not going in a direction that she loved, she took action. We all love a good story about following our dreams, because they almost feel like fairy tales. We love to read about people who did incredible things, and we are comforted by the fact that we could do something like that someday. But so often, we don’t. How many of us have a dream we think will likely never come true? This month, I encourage you to think about your own dreams, even if they feel wildly unrealistic. Ask yourself, “but what if I can?” instead of “what if I fail?” Joanne’s story shows us that we are stronger than we think we are, and capable of almost anything. Please don’t give up on your own dreams—let Joanne’s story inspire you. Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786
February is Black History Month. This month, I encourage you to take the time to learn a bit more about African American history both in our immediate community and in America. Lisa Wolff shares an enlightening article with us about black history in our own community, and I challenge us all to keep digging, keep learning, so that we may come together to celebrate the achievements and recognize the hardships of African American people that have previously been deliberately left out by historians. Rachel mentions having a dream, which reminds me of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and a quote he once shared: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
Local businesses need you more than ever. PLEASE SHOP LOCAL. Our advertisers bring you this publication. Please tell them you saw their ad in Lawrence Neighbors.
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With Love, From Your Valentine Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day By Rachel Donington Every February 14th, across the United States and in other places around the world, cards, candy, and flowers are exchanged between loved ones. We know this day as Valentine’s Day, in the name of Saint Valentine.
Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages. The oldest known valentine was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from?
Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois. In the middle of the 18th century, giving out handwritten notes and other signs of affection was a common Valentine’s Day custom in England.
The Roman Catholic Church recognizes at least three saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One famous legend has it that Valentine was a Roman priest in the third century. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers, he outlawed marriage for young, unattached men in his army. Valentine decided this decree was unjust and continued to perform marriages in secret. When his defiance was discovered, he was imprisoned and later put to death. Some stories say that the young couples, who Valentine had married, gave flowers and letters to Valentine when they visited him in the prison. In a slightly different version of the legend, a martyred Valentine fell in love while in prison with his jailor’s daughter. Before his death, he sent the first ‘valentine’ to her when he wrote a love letter signed ”Your Valentine,” an expression that has been carried down through the ages and still used on cards today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and—most importantly—romantic figure. In 496, Pope Gelasius I set aside February 14 as a day to honor Saint Valentine.
The tradition reached America in the 1840s when Esther Howland, a student at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, decided she could make cards as pretty as the British ones. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures. She founded the New England Valentine Company and began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Argentina, as well as South Korea and the Philippines. Show the love this Valentine’s Day and tell the people in your heart how much they mean to you. And remember, when you sign those Valentine Day cards, the tradition of love and friendship lives on.
The Black Family
Celebrating Black History Month 2021 By Catherine Bialkowski While Carter G. Woodson, an American journalist, author, and historian, was earning his Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and his PhD from Harvard, he was struck by the lack of black representation in the historical texts he was reading. Knowing the whitewashed narrative was not accurate, Woodson worked towards founding what is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) alongside Jesse E. Moorland in 1915. In 1926, the ASALH sponsored what has become known today as Black History Month, choosing February as it encompasses Frederick Douglass’ birthday on the 14th and Abraham Lincoln’s on the 12th. Originally only a week long, the event inspired communities to recognize and celebrate the achievements of African American people throughout history. In 1970, students at Kent State University celebrated the first Black History Month. In 1976, the event became month-long throughout the nation when President Gerald Ford recognized it and urged American citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” In the United Kingdom, Black History month has been celebrated since 1987 under the guidance of Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, Ghanaian journalist, analyst, and activist. In Canada, educational administrator, politician, and advocate for social justice Jean Augustine was the driving force behind the official recognition of Black History Month by the House of Commons in 1995 and the Senate in 2008. In the Republic of Ireland, Black History Month was first recognized in County Cork in 2010. County Cork was a leading center of abolition during the 19th century. Since its beginnings, Black History Month has been a time to acknowledge, remember, and celebrate African American history, recognize its systematic erasure for many years, and work towards uncovering it and celebrating it. In 2018, Instagram launched a Black History Month program with Shavone Charles, featuring a #BlackGirlMagic partnership with Spotify and the #CelebrateBlackCreatives campaign. The program reached more than 19 million followers. The theme for Black History Month 2021 is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, as set by the ASALH. According to ASALH.org, “The black family has been a topic of study in many disciplines—history, literature, the visual arts and film studies, sociology, anthropology, and social policy. Its representation, identity, and diversity have been reverenced, stereotyped, and vilified from the days of slavery to our own time.” This February, please take the time to become educated about African American history, whether that be local, nationwide, or worldwide. In our modern age, we have access to so much information via the internet, television, schools, even our acquaintances. It is time to make sure we identify what was erased from the history books, celebrate African American history in full, and work towards a more inclusive future.
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February 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
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Educational Spotlight
Together on 3 Column by Dr. Jonathan Dauber | Board Member, Lawrence Township Board of Education Article by Joelle D’Angelo | LHS Class of 2021 The thoughts/opinions presented here are Dr. Dauber's and do not necessarily reflect that of the Lawrence Board of Education. "Celebrating education in Lawrence with insight and inspiration; connecting readers to our students, schools and educational community."
“Together; adverb; into companionship or close association.” It is a simple word with a huge impact. Together is a word perfect for the Lawrence girls’ soccer senior class of 2021. Together, they rose to exceed expectations. Together, they were the group of girls with passion, fight and determination that could not be beat. The odds stacked against the Class of 2021 the minute they stepped onto the field their freshman year as they faced 11 seniors fighting for the same glory. The challenge, however, woke them up and they continued to fight for their roles on the team. This challenge would ultimately put them on a path to success over the next four years. After their freshman year, expectations were immediately raised for the girls. Considering how the team’s talent and leadership developed, the girls were expected to succeed, but also faced doubts along the way. Local reporters questioned whether the girls’ soccer program would be able sustain their success after winning a state playoff game for the first time in 17 years the previous season. What reporters did not know was that these seniors were here to make a much bigger mark. In the years to come, more leaders and standout players grew out of the Lawrence girls’ soccer team. While people doubted them, the team was able to make history in their sophomore season. For the first time in program history, the team defeated Steinert High School. With each success, they came together
more and more. Determined to ensure that this tradition of success continued, the team focused on building a culture of teamwork in their junior season. The team learned that it is more important to be good teammates than to focus on winning. New goals focused on the process rather than the result. They knew that coming together and having chemistry would be the most essential aspect to winning. Feeling confident as a team, they prepared to enter their final season. What they did not prepare for, however, was a pandemic. Instead of worrying they would not be able to wear the Lawrence jersey again, the team focused on what they could control. They kept a positive outlook and brought the girls together the best they could, given the circumstances. In their final season, these seniors brought the LHS girls’ soccer program together during a pandemic and found success. This season will forever be remembered, as will the players. The class of 2021 ended with an overall record of 39-29-6, and a CVC record of 17-12-2. The team scored 143 goals in four years and four seniors received state and county recognition. In hindsight, however, the seniors were not driven by accolades or statistics. This senior class was focused on more valuable lessons proven on the field every day. Heart, character and togetherness mended the senior class and Lawrence Girls’ Soccer program creating a mark to last forever. Together on 3! 1, 2, 3...Together!
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By Leslie Conover | Life & Health Coach, The Ladybug Lands
This time last year most of my clients were talking about New Year’s resolutions gone bad or still in the works. This year however, everyone is talking about getting back to “normal”. I’ve been contemplating what defines normal and what is the new normal. Normal means usual, typical and what’s expected. Clearly nothing has felt like anything resembling normal. Our personal and professional lives have been shaken and it’s hard to find some sense of balance. Even with the vaccine offering hope, we still face much uncertainty. For me, there is no new normal. There is my own normal, which I have been managing to keep somewhat flexible, adjusting to ever changing times. Many people have told me that they just want to go back to their old pre-pandemic lives. But there is no going backwards and even when the pandemic is under control, life will be undoubtedly different. It’s difficult for people to embrace even small changes and we have been tasked to make unthinkable and huge adjustments in our own respective realities. But life is never stagnant and always evolving, so maybe we can learn ways to stay true to ourselves through transitional times. I was very inspired by one client who told me she simply had no choice but to shift her attitude of how she looks at things to adhere to this current environment and social limitations. At age 73 she realized that she still has many untapped desires and talents that she wants to start to explore. This was her pandemic silver lining. So, I challenge my clients to dig a little deeper within themselves to see if they can come up with anything that they learned about themselves in a year that most people just want to forget. Growth happens in good times and difficult times and that is where some hidden opportunities and lessons can be found.
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Some practices that I have cultivated to help navigate through tough times: • Feeling my feelings: the good, the bad and the really bad. I sink into the rawness of them and let them run through me: anger, fear, hurt, exhilaration, frustration, disappointment, confusion, etc. I learned in my counseling classes for coaching that anxiety is a necessary emotion and part of the human condition and if we can learn to accept and manage our anxiety and feelings then they have less power over us.
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experiencing. I realized how many relatable feelings and similar ideas we all share, and it has deepened our connection. • I have appreciated my alone time and solitude in a new meaningful way, and I am more selective with who I do spend my time with. When craving some socialization, I have gotten much more comfortable with facetime or Zoom to connect with friends and family. • Paying it forward. When I focus on giving and not receiving, I get out of my own stuff. It doesn’t even have to be a grand gesture. Kind words or a little extra time for someone who needs to talk. • If I am feeling stuck, I try to push myself to try something new. One of my mottos: “There are no mistakes, just experiences” so if I do not like it, I do not do it again! • When dealing with a situation, I try to “make friends with the enemy” so that I am prepared for any possible outcome and may be disappointed but not devastated. • Practicing self- acceptance. Embracing everything about myself, even the things I consider to be quirky or faulty. • I literally had to give myself permission to binge some shows on Netflix and have to say that it has helped distract me when I have needed a break from the news and a very long and stressful workday. • I love my books, all of them: fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, light and heavy. There is nothing like crawling up in a cozy place into the world of a fabulous novel. • Chocolate, hot cocoa, whiskey, and wine ….in moderation. No need for further explanation. We are all in different places and have each faced our own hardships. Wherever you are I hope that you can find some sense of peace and gratitude in these unprecedented times as well as in your future. Hopefully, we are moving forward to better days but remember that you are stronger and more resilient than you know and have survived and will continue to do so. Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (unknown)
• I have a hard time asking for help, but I have reached out to more friends and professionals for guidance and to share what I have been
Lawrence Neighbors
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Resident Feature
Joanne Canady-Brown Gingering it Up By Catherine Bialkowski | Photos by Benoit Cortet
F
ood has always been a big part of Joanne Canady-Brown’s life, especially during her childhood in a multigenerational household. “It’s how we showed we loved each other,” she says. Whether her family was celebrating, grieving, or just enjoying another day, the preparation and consumption of food was a core part of the routine. “It was the ‘everything’ medium for us.” Joanne’s mother worked two jobs, so her grandmother was home with her and her siblings after school most days. She loved the way her grandmother, Johnnie Nell Branda, cooked. “Growing up with very few resources financially required that we become resourceful,” says Joanne. “She had this really interesting way of cooking where she would go to the cabinet and see what we had and would make magic out of whatever was lying around.” In this way, Johnnie fed eleven mouths night after night. Joanne says that her grandmother’s philosophy towards cooking and food set the tone for her own food identity. Johnnie was from the south; she grew up on a farm and had a different idea of what children could do from some of her family. She knew that children, like her granddaughter Joanne, were capable of learning to cook. Joanne’s grandfather was Italian and also loved to cook, so she formed her own identity (food and otherwise) from a unique background. Joanne has fond memories of her grandmother asking her, “Do you want to make something with me?” The two would take out old cookbooks and a special binder of recipes Johnnie collected over the years and pick out someone to make. No matter how
complicated the recipe was, Johnnie would find a way to make it. She believed that children are told “no” so often, and wanted the kitchen to be a place where they could be told “yes,” even “when I wanted to make a ridiculous recipe we didn’t have ingredients for.” There was great freedom in Johnnie’s approach to food. “One of the first things we baked together was a pineapple upside down cake in a cast iron skillet,” says Joanne. Johnnie would also make it for everyone’s birthdays. For Joanne, this cake is quintessential childhood. Joanne, who worked in corporate America for years before realizing she wasn’t happy with her job, had always kept her love of food with her, but it wasn’t until ten years ago that she followed her dream and opened a bakery of her own. “I came home from work one day and told my fiancé I wanted to quit my job.” Joanne’s fiancé, now husband, Matthew, is an engineer who “believes you can teach yourself anything and work out any problem if you analyze it the right way,” she says. So Joanne, with Matthew’s encouragement, took control of her own destiny, quitting her job, pursuing an MBA part-time, and working multiple jobs to put herself through school. During this time, Joanne and Matthew had gotten married and had their first child, daughter Zoe. One day, as Joanne sat with her infant daughter, she asked herself, “What kind of woman am I going to be for you?” “I sat down with my husband and said, ‘I need to do this now.’” Joanne’s first business venture was Let Them Eat Cake, which closed its doors in 2013 after 18 months. But after a bit of rebrand-
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February 2021
Lawrence Neighbors
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Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton ing and reflecting on her food philosophy, Joanne opened The Gingered Peach in Lawrenceville in 2014. The Gingered Peach, though it sells delicious baked goods, is not a bakery, says Joanne; it’s more than that. She made the conscious decision when preparing to open her new business to leave the word out of the name, not wanting to glamorize any of the toxicity that is sometimes associated with the food industry, but also seeking to make it a space for all people to exist, relax, and enjoy good food. Although a talented baker, Joanne is completely self-taught. Many of her employees at The Gingered Peach have gone to culinary school, and Joanne has learned from their precision and strict adherence to recipes. While this is important, she says (there is a lot of science involved in baking), she has also brought a lot of her grandmother’s philosophy into the way she approaches baking at The Gingered Peach. In fact, the name itself comes from Johnnie: when the pair baked together and realized they didn’t have all the ingredients for a recipe, she would tell Joanne they were simply going to “ginger it up.” “There are certain recipes at The Gingered Peach that aren’t written down,” says Joanne. “So much is found in the exploration.
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Understanding precision is important, but I will never be the baker who says, ‘this is what it is.’” Science, Joanne says, is the foundation for baking, but she will continue to question, substitute, and experiment. She encourages herself and her team: “Let’s challenge ourselves; just because we can afford something, just because we have Amazon, just because we have all the resources at our fingertips—doesn’t mean something is necessary.” In 2018, Joanne became an alumna of the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, an opportunity that provided her with a network of 19 other talented female bakers and chefs. The highly competitive program is a space for women to pitch their own ideas, offer advice to others, and, ultimately, learn from each other. “Having a network of women where you can be you, you can cry if you want to, curse if you want to, share your struggles—is such a gift,” says Joanne. “It’s great to feel supported.”
Best in the U.S. for the 10th time Achieving a Leapfrog A for the 10th time underscores Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton’s commitment as a High Reliability Organization (HRO). Through the concerted effort of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton’s physicians, nurses, staff, volunteers and leadership, patients and families benefit from the highest level of quality care and the safest hospital experience.
When Joanne Canady-Brown quit her corporate job and started the journey towards owning her own bakery, she knew it would not be easy; but The Gingered Peach is proof that with dedication and a belief in one’s aspirations, our dreams are not far out of reach.
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming February 2021 issues! Contact Rachel Donington at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
rwjbh.org/hamilton
22676140 HAMILTON Leapfrog Fall 2020_Mercer Neighbors_7.5x5_m1.indd Lawrence Neighbors
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Recipe
WHAT IS YOUR
WORKING GENIUS?
By Patrick Lencioni, founder and president, The Table Group
When it comes to work, we all have gifts. Natural, God-given talents that give us energy and allow us to contribute to the success of organizations and teams. We are meant to use those gifts, and it is frustrating, sometimes tragic, when we can’t. Of course, if we don’t know what our gifts are, we can’t be sure that we are using them. Now, in addition to our gifts, we all have limitations—natural areas of deficiency that drain us of our energy and frustrate our ability to contribute to work. Though we can’t always avoid those areas, we are meant to minimize the time we have to spend on those tasks, though again, if we don’t know what those deficiencies are, we can’t minimize them. The Six Types of Working Genius is a model and an assessment tool that allows anyone—CEOs, schoolteachers, factory supervisors, college students—to identify their gifts and limitations so they can maximize their satisfaction and success in any kind of work they do. In thirty minutes, someone can radically alter their day-to-day job fulfillment or even their career direction. What a difference that can make in a person’s life. As it turns out, those six types of genius—Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement and Tenacity—make up
the six required activities for any work endeavor. Whether you’re engaged in running a company, a department, a project, or even a family, all six are necessary ingredients for success. No one person can possibly embody them all, which is why teamwork is so important. Among those six types, everyone has two that we call areas of genius, where we get our joy and energy and have natural ability. We have two that we call areas of frustration, where we get drained of joy and energy and have little natural ability. Then there are two in the middle, areas where we might have some ability, but that are not a source of energy and satisfaction. Imagine if every company, every organization, every team knew the areas of genius, competency and frustration of their people and organized them for success. Imagine if every parent knew those areas of genius for their spouse and children. It’s not an exaggeration to say that there would be more joy and less misery in society. But that has to happen one person at a time and that person might as well be you. What are your areas of genius?
How Sweet It Is
Chocolate Covered Strawberries By Rachel Donington
Despite being one of the easiest (and cheapest) sweet desserts to make, chocolate covered strawberries are one of those fancy, bite-size desserts that everyone loves. They’re beautiful and impressive looking, but they’re incredibly simple. Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a batch of chocolate covered strawberries—and they only take about 20 minutes to make! Ingredients • 10 ounce package Ghirardelli Baking Chips Bittersweet, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate • 2 pounds fresh strawberries leaving stems attached
The Genius of Wonder (W) The natural gift of pondering the possibility of greater potential and opportunity in a given situation. The Genius of Invention (I) The natural gift of creating original and novel ideas and solutions.
Stark & Stark’s Nursing Home Litigation Team fights to recover all that victims deserve. What Are Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?
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Bedsores, also called decubitus ulcers or pressure ulcers
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Falls with injuries and unexplained injuries
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Rapid weight loss or malnutrition
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Dehydration
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Inadequate staffing or poor quality of staff
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Overmedicating patient
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Sudden changes in patient behavior or prognosis
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Staff refusing or delaying visits by family to see resident
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A transfer to hospital for infection, wound care, or malnutrition
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A transfer to wound care clinic for unexplained wounds
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Instructions Start by washing the strawberries and then drying them VERY well. It's so important to completely dry the strawberries because chocolate and water do not work well together! If the strawberries are the least bit wet the chocolate will not stick!
The Genius of Discernment (D) The natural gift of intuitively and instinctively evaluating ideas and situations.
Next pour the milk chocolate chips into a microwaveable bowls. Microwave the chocolate for 30 seconds intervals, removing and stirring at each 30 second interval, until the chocolate has melted. Holding a strawberry by the stem, dip into the chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting the excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Lay the strawberries on prepared baking sheet and allow them to rest until the chocolate has set. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Chill the strawberries until the chocolate sets, about 15 minutes. Also, feel free to add toppings to your chocolate strawberries, like crushed pretzels, nuts, or coconut flakes. Dip them in the topping immediately after you've dipped them in the melted chocolate. Or drizzle with melted white chocolate for a fancy, gourmet look.
FAMILY FARM for 45-YEARS!
The Genius of Galvanizing (G) The natural gift of rallying, inspiring and organizing others to take action. The Genius of Enablement (E) The natural gift of providing encouragement and assistance for an idea or project. The Genius of Tenacity (T) The natural gift of pushing projects or tasks to completion to achieve results. Patrick Lencioni was named in Fortune magazine as one of the “ten new gurus you should know.” His passion for organizations and teams is reflected in his writing, speaking and executive consulting. He is the author of eleven best-selling books.
February 2021
TER�UNE OWN WINE Virtual Wine Tastings
Lawrence Neighbors
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Expert Contributor
• Residential Energy Credit: Did you make home improvements to improve energy efficiency? For example, if you installed a new furnace/heater, insulation, or replaced exterior windows, doors, or your roof, you may be eligible for a credit.
Growing with the Grove
• Credit for Other Dependents (ODC): You may be able to deduct $500 for each dependent you cannot claim under the family tax credit. This would include paying for the care of a parent. There are income limits on this once your AGI reaches $400,000 (filing jointly) or $200,000 (filing single).
Financial Advice from Our Family to Yours
• Lifetime Learning Credit: While this largely covers tuition costs, it can also be used to cover the cost of classes taken to improve or learn new job skills. You do not need to be in a degree program to qualify for the LLC.
By Christina A. Nash, CFP® & Jodi Viaud, CFP®
The Effort is Worth the Savings Unless you have already filed your taxes, which we dare say few of us have, it’s time to start gathering all the documentation you’ll need to simplify the process. Time consuming? Probably, but well worth the effort of keeping your tax bill and stress level low. There are some significant changes related to retirement accounts that you will want to be aware of when you file your tax return for 2020. • SECURE Act: Enacted on 1/1/2020, this bill changed the age you must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from 70-1/2 to 72 (if you turned 70-1/2 after 2019). In addition, as of last year, Traditional IRA account owners are now able to make contributions past age 70-1/2. • CARES Act: Enacted on 3/27/2020, this bill allowed seniors to skip their RMDs in 2020 without being penalized. It also allows up to $100,000 of coronavirus-related payouts from a retirement account without the 10% penalty if you are under 59-1/2. • 401(k) and IRA Contributions: While the maximum contribution to a 401(k) for 2020 was $19,500, individuals 50 and over can contribute an extra $6500 to their 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plans. The annual contribution limit for IRAs was $6000 and those 50 and over can contribute an additional $1000.
• ROTH IRAs: For 2020, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) ceiling was raised from $137,000 to $139,000 for single filers and from $203,000 to $206,00 for joint filers. As well as the familiar tax deductions like retirement contributions, state, local, and property taxes, and mortgage interest paid, there are some deductions and credits that taxpayers often overlook. Please be sure to discuss all deductions and credits with your tax professional. • $300 Charitable Contribution: This is a new above-the-line deduction for 2020 (part of the CARES Act) that can be taken for cash donations, even if you do not itemize your deductions. • Out-of-pocket Costs for Charitable Work: Do you prepare food for a soup kitchen, bake for charity events, or drive a car for a local charity? These and other out-of-pocket costs may be considered deductible charitable contributions. Save your receipts! • Home Office Deduction: If you work from home on a regular basis you may be able to deduct expenses that are directly related to your work. Examples may include rent, repairs, renter’s insurance, or a security system. • Educator Expenses: Teachers who qualify can deduct up to $250 for school supplies they have purchased or job-related professional development courses.
Honesty, Clarity, Trust
• Student Loan Interest Deduction: This allows you to deduct up to $2500 from your taxable income of you paid interest on student loans in 2020. • Child Care Credit: This credit is based on your income and childcare expenses. The maximum amount of childcare expenses allowed is $3,000 for one person and $6,000 for two or more people. The credit is a percentage (ranging from 20% to 35%) of the allowable expenses. Finally, if you received a stimulus check from the government this year, it is not considered taxable income therefore you will not owe tax on it. It is considered a refundable tax credit that could reduce your 2020 tax bill. Whether you’re preparing your own tax return, or working with a trusted CPA, take the time to do your homework – it may save you time and money down the road. We collaborate with many of our clients’ CPAs and tax professionals to ensure their financial plans are aligned with their unique tax situations. Call us today to get started on “Your Path Forward.”
2821 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 882-6709 www.lawrencevillehomeimp.com FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1952 LIC#13VH00230500
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Founding Partner & Financial Adviser
®
Partner & Financial Adviser
Knox Grove Financial, LLC 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 Pennington, NJ 08534 KnoxGroveFinancial.com
vvv Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced
Visit our website today at Christina Nash, CFP® knoxgrovefinancial.com to learn more Founding Partner about how we can enhance your personal and Financial Adviser journey to financial independence.
YOUR PAT H FORWARD
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM
Christina A. Nash, CFP & Jodi Viaud, CFP
As CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™, we go the extra mile to ensure you are as comfortable with the process as you are with the outcome. YOUR PATH FORWARD From Investment Portfolio Management to Comprehensive Living Plans, we work hand in hand with you to develop a financial roadmap that will serve you throughout your lifetime.
DOORS I SIDING I WINDOWS I BLINDS
Jodi Viaud, CFP® Partner and Financial Adviser
To schedule an appointment to talk about your financial future, call our office at 609-216-7440 Knox Grove Financial, LLC | 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 | Pennington, NJ 08534 P: 609-216-7440 | www.knoxgrovefinancial.com Info@knoxgrove.com
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
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