Urban Agenda Magazine, Holiday 2017 by Witherspoon Media Group

URBAN AGENDA MAGAZINE

Holiday 2017

Painting in a Winter Wonderland: H O L I DAY

The Brandywine River Museum of Art

2017

EVERY VINTAGE GIFT HAS A STORY NAVIDAD NATIVITIES THE SEASON FOR SELF-CARE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS DESTINATION: MILLBURN/SHORT HILLS HOW TO KEEP PETS HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS NOMADIC EXPEDITIONS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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ART DIRECTOR Jeffrey Edward Tryon GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Matthew DiFalco Erica M. Cardenas CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Ilene Dube Wendy Greenberg Stuart Mitchner Laurie Pellichero Wendy Plump Taylor Smith William Uhl ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Robin Broomer ACCOUNT MANAGERS Jennifer Covill Joann Cella Andrea Odezynska Charles R. Plohn Monica Sankey Erin Toto OPERATIONS MANAGER Melissa Bilyeu URBAN AGENDA MAGAZINE Witherspoon Media Group 4438 Route 27 North Kingston, NJ 08528-0125 P: 609.924.5400 F: 609.924.8818 urbanagendamagazine.com Advertising opportunities: 609.924.5400 Media Kit available on urbanagendamagazine.com Subscription information: 609.924.5400 Editorial suggestions: editor@witherspoonmediagroup.com

Urban Agenda Magazine. All rights reserved. Nothing herein may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. To purchase PDF ﬁles or reprints, please call 609.924.5400 or e-mail melissa.bilyeu@witherspoonmediagroup.com. ©2017 Witherspoon Media Group

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HOLIDAY 2017

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CONTENTS

34 (ARS), NY; SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Every Vintage Gift has a Story BY LYNN ADAMS SMI TH

Painting in a Winter Wonderland: The Brandywine River Museum of Art BY I LENE DUBE

The Season for Self- Care BY TAYLOR SMI TH

Nomadic Expeditions: Fields of Dreams, and Sands, and Stars BY WENDY PLUMP

Navidad Nativities BY WENDY GR EENBER G

HOLIDAY 2017

How to Keep Pets Healthy During the Holidays BY TAYLOR SMI TH

44 ———

Urban Pantry 24

Destination: Mil l burn/Short Hil ls BY WI LLI AM UHL

Holiday Gift Guide: Creative Joy

Little Explorer 49

Urban B ooks: Holiday Servings Chez Alice BY STUART MI TCHNER

Holiday Happenings BY LAUR I E PELLI CHER O

On the Cover: A Brandywine Christmas, at The Brandywine River Museum of Art. Photo by Jacques-Jean Tiziou, www.jjtiziou.net

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF NAVIDAD NATIVITIES; NOMADIC EXPEDITIONS; TRANQUILITY DAY SPA; H1912 CARTIER WATCH BY JEFFREY E. TRYON; ANDREW WYETH/ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY

HOLIDAY 2017

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Celebrate in Summit • November 25

Small Business Saturday

Music throughout downtown and kickoff of Shop Summit Passport program

• December 1 5-9pm Celebrate in Summit

Music throughout downtown, horse and carriage rides, hot chocolate at Regal Bank, prize drawings for Shop Summit Passport program Free Babysitting at the Summit YMCA, 5-9pm Pre-registration required: 908.273.3330 ext. 1167

• December 9, 16 & 23 1-4pm Carriages & Carolers

Saturdays: Horse and carriage rides and music throughout downtown ALL EVENTS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC. SPONSORED BY

For more information visit our website or call us.

summitdowntown.org • 908.277.6100

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HOLIDAY 2017

11/15/17 10:43:42 AM

BORREGAARD

Why be Ordinary? Be Extraordinary!

From Fabulous Vintage to Cool Equestrian, Astounding Curiosities, Pearls and Vintage Jewelry, Drinking and Smoking Accessories, Real & Faux Throws and Rugs, Fine Art, Antique Furnishings, Lighting, Curious Objects and so much more! NYC COOL WITHOUT THE ATTITUDE www.borregaardinteriordesign.com @borregaardesign 908-375-8558

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Vintage gifts from H1912, Princeton.

Every Vintage Gift Has A Story By Lynn Adams Smith Photograph by Jeffrey E. Tryon

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GULLWING MOTOR CARS

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In 1984, Newman’s daughter Nell was dating James Cox. One summer day Cox was helping to repair a treehouse on their property, when Newman casually gave him the watch. Cox wore the watch over the years, then decided to sell it and give a portion of the proceeds to The Nell Newman Foundation. Last month, auctioneer and watch specialist Aurel Bacs took the stand at Phillips, an auction house in New York City, and started the bidding at $1 million. After only 12 minutes, the watch sold for a staggering $17,752,500. That sale has excited watch enthusiasts around the world and demonstrates the value of provenance.

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM DESIGN

Back in 1968, Joanne Woodward purchased a Rolex Daytona watch for Paul Newman and had it inscribed “DRIVE CAREFULLY ME.” For the next 16 years, he wore the watch while acting in movies, fly fishing, and racing cars.

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You may not be in the market for a Rolex Daytona, but shopping for a vintage gift can be as exciting as receiving one. To aid in your search for unique and timeless gifts, we have compiled a list of coveted resources throughout the tri-state area.

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THE BEATLES JULIAN GAGE HOME COLLECTION

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JANE CONSIGNMENT

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BEST OF FRANCE ANTIQUES bestoffranceantiques.com Bucks County

NEW YORK VINTAGE

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ARGOSY BOOK STORE

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MID-CENTURY FURNITURE WAREHOUSE

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LOUIS VUITTON

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HOLIDAY 2017 PRINCETON MAGAZINE

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Princeton Mag. 4.4x5.4

George Sotter

Light and Shadow

The Michener Art Museum presents the largest-ever survey of the work of George Sotter (1879–1953), an artist strongly identified with Bucks County. He is best known for his magical winter nocturnes, but his tranquil marines, sunlit landscapes and work in stained glass are equally enchanting.

Fine art and craft at the heart of Division Street in Somerville, NJ www.galleryondivision.com @galleryondivision

Brace’s Cove, n.d., oil on canvas, James A. Michener Art Museum, Gift of Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest.

James A. Michener Art Museum

138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA MichenerArtMuseum.org

Vi s i t o n e o f M o r r i s t o w n ’s h i s t o r i c g e m s … Macculloch hall historical MuseuM Morristown, New Jersey Macculloch Hall, a federal-style brick mansion, was built in 1810 by George and Louisa Macculloch. During the holidays, this historic house and decorative arts museum features the works of Thomas Nast (18401902), the American artist who popularized the image of Santa we have come to know and love. Come see Nast’s original drawings of Santa in a house festively decorated for Christmas.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum • 45 Macculloch Ave. Morristown, NJ 07960 • 973.538.2404 • Maccullochhall.org Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 1-4 pm; Private tours by appointment.

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AT THE BRANDY YWINE RIVER MUSEUM M OF ART BY ILENE DU UBE In all its starkness, winter was the favorite season of the painter Andrew Wyeth (1917–2009), one of the 20th century’s most popular American painters. Even today, exhibitions of his works draw large crowds to museums. Wyeth described winter as a time when “you feel the bone structure in the landscape—the loneliness of it—the dead feeling...” Wyeth’s landscapes of that season are both placid in their silence and haunting in their feeling of desolation. He has the ability to capture the nuanced shades of white, even when working in watercolor. Writing in The New York Times, Roberta Smith described Wyeth’s landscapes, even those from the other three seasons, as “barren, wintry, usually sunless views of the woods, fields, and solitary houses” that have “provided so much in the way of khaki and olive drab, so little in the way of green grass or blue skies.” His subjects often paralleled those of the great black and white photographers, such as Walker Evans. The Brandywine River Museum of Art celebrates winter in all its glory. A Brandywine Christmas offers everything from one of the world’s most extensive model train displays to carols concerts, a Polar Express read-aloud pajama party, holiday trees lovingly decorated with handmade ornaments, and holiday events and programs for all ages. To round out the experience, the museum is exhibiting a selection of Wyeth’s winter paintings, including snowy scenes, through mid February. “He captures the many shades of snow,” says Curator Audrey Lewis. “This intimate exhibit is a new way of looking at his work, from a family collection that hasn’t been seen often, and not as a group.” ANDREW WYETH (1917-2009), PENNSYLVANIA LANDSCAPE, 1941, TEMPERA ON PANEL, 35 X 47”. BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM OF ART, BEQUEST OF MISS REMSEN YERKES, 1982. © 2017 ANDREW WYETH/ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS), NY

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Wyeth achieved international acclaim while focusing on the land surrounding his homes in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania—just a stone’s throw from the Brandywine River Museum—and in Maine. Surrounded by rural landscapes rich with natural beauty, he learned to look within his internal landscape to fulfill his wanderlust. His father, N.C. Wyeth, who achieved fame illustrating tales of pirate adventures, took him on nature walks and trained him to see with sensitivity and identify with his subject emotionally. He taught him to paint the light and air around the subject, to paint the mystery. “If you want something profound, the American countryside is exactly the place,” the younger Wyeth wrote. He discovered the complexities of the human condition and the fragile line between life and death. Wyeth would spend late spring to late summer in Maine, returning to Chadds Ford for the winter months. His very last painting—titled Goodbye by his widow, Betsy—was executed in Maine. Buckets, boats, boots, cloaks, and other vessels in Wyeth’s paintings leave a memory of absent owners and inhabit a human presence such that they become portraits without having a figure in the painting. Through open windows and doorways, a spirit enters or exits just as the breeze creates billows in the curtain.

Gaining the trust of neighbors, Wyeth would be given the keys to their homes, to enter at will to make sketches or watercolors. Beginning in the 1930s and continuing for more than five decades, the Chadds Ford farm of Karl and Anna Kuerner was at the heart of Andrew Wyeth’s artistic sphere in Pennsylvania. Deeply inspired by the landscape and people, Wyeth created hundreds of drawings, watercolors, and temperas depicting the farm and the Kuerners during these years. “Wyeth had full rein of Kuerner farm, he was allowed to come and go as he pleased, to wander at night,” says Lewis. “They had a relationship that was personal and friendly, based on trust. They accepted him, just as the Olson family did in Maine.” (Wyeth’s most famous painting, Christina’s World, came out of his relationship with the Olson family.) Groundhog Day, painted in 1959, is an example of a painting that is more about what’s not in the painting than what we see on the canvas. The final image consists of a white plate, cup and saucer, and a knife on a white clothed table, wallpaper, and a window to the outside where we see a jagged-tooth log. What started out as a painting of Karl Kuerner and his wife and dog in fact contains none of them. The painting depicts a sunny, peaceful winter kitchen, awaiting the farmer’s return. Karl, the master of the scary dog and

obedient wife, is a fearsome man who eats only with a knife. “He wanted to evoke Karl’s presence through other means,” says Lewis. “It’s a symbolic portrait. His presence is there even though his physical person is not. It is symbolic of his realm, and you can see his world through the kitchen window.” In 1978, Karl is painted on the hill beyond which are the tracks where Wyeth’s father was killed when a train hit his car. Karl’s unclothed body appears to be melting into the season’s last patch of snow, yet also rising. His face bears the peaceful repose of death, and this painting probably refers to Wyeth’s father, as well. “There is an undercurrent of death in his work,” says Lewis. “His subjects alluded to death.” Wyeth worked in graphite, pencil, watercolor, and tempera, a process that involved mixing pigment with egg white and painstaking layering. He was attracted to the medium because of its earthiness, says Lewis. His earlier watercolors, especially those in Maine, were more colorful, with blues and purples, but after his father’s death, Wyeth’s palette grew muted. (Later, toward the end of his life, he returned to color.) A reproduction of Groundhog Day can be seen in the Kuerner Farm, gifted to the Brandywine River Museum of Art by Karl and Anna’s son, Karl Jr., in 1999 and designated a National

Andrew Wyeth gallery at brandywine river museum.

Andrew Wyeth Studio. photo by Carlos Alejandro.

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Andrew Wyeth Studio exterior. photo by Carlos Alejandro.

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critter carolers

Children and their parents experience Brandywine Christmas. photo by Carlos Alejandro.

Historic Landmark in 2011. Tours of the farm, as well as the studios of N.C. Wyeth and Andrew Wyeth, are offered by the museum. Visit www.brandywine.org/museum/tours/studio-tours. To make the most of a visit to the Brandywine River Museum of Art and experience a Brandywine Christmas: The Brandywine River Museum of Art’s model train display, a holiday family favorite since 1972, offers both toy and scale model trains made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line, and others. With more than 1,000 pieces— including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys, all moving along 2,000 feet of track—the annual holiday exhibition of the Brandywine Railroad is one of the largest modular model railroad installations in the world. Critter ornaments that have been handmade using natural materials such as pine cones, acorns, egg shells, flowers, and seed pods, each with its own personality in the shape of cats, dogs, reindeer, bears, angels, and stars, have been a Brandywine tradition for more than 40 years. Sales of these ornaments, made by volunteers, benefit the Volunteers’ Art Purchase Fund, along with art education and programming. The sale begins Thursday, November 30, 5-9PM, and continues December 1, 2, and 3 from 9:30AM-5PM. Critters will also be available for sale in the museum shop from Monday, December 4, through Sunday, January 7, 2018.

Carols Concerts are on Sundays, November 26, December 3, 10, 17, and 31, 1 to 3PM, with international opera singer Peter Campbell, accompanied by pianist Matthew Jewell. Included with museum admission. The Polar Express Read-Aloud Pajama Night takes place Thursday, November 30, 7-8PM. Children are invited to wear pajamas and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies as they delight in Chris Van Allsburg’s book about a trip to the North Pole. Tickets $15 adults; $8 children, includes museum admission. The Children’s Christmas Party is another beloved Brandywine family tradition, this year on Wednesday, December 6, 6-8PM. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy entertainment, costumed characters, face painting, model trains, antique dolls, trees adorned with hundreds of critter ornaments, and Cookie Land! Tickets $15, non-member adults; $5, non-member children ages 3-11; $12, member adults; free for member children and children under age 3. Breakfast with the Trains on Saturdays, December 9 and 16, 8:30-10AM. All aboard as you join a behind-the-scenes visit with the Brandywine Railroad. Discover how the layout, one of the world’s largest, is created and the complicated multitasking it takes to keep everything running. This before-hours event includes a private tour of the trains in action with Brandywine Railroad engineers, with special activities for the youngest train fans and a continental breakfast in the

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photos by Carlos Alejandro

museum’s Millstone Café. Children will receive a Brandywine Railroad souvenir; ages 3 and older accompanied by an adult are welcome. $20 members; $25 non-members. Sing along as folksinger Rick Spencer presents familiar Christmas tunes from the Victorian age for A 19th Century Christmastide on Saturday, December 9, 11AM and 1PM. Included with museum admission. Enjoy early access to the museum’s Brandywine Railroad display during PECO Sensory-Friendly Train Morning on Saturday, January 6, 2018, 8:30-9:30AM. Space is limited and registration is required. Complimentary museum admission. The Terrific Trains family program takes place Saturday, January 6, 2018, 10AM to noon. See the Brandywine Railroad and create a colorful train to display at home. Included with museum admission. The Brandywine River Museum of Art features an extensive collection of American art housed in a 19th-century mill building with a dramatic steel and glass addition overlooking the banks of the Brandywine. The museum is open daily from 9:30AM to 5PM (except Thanksgiving and Christmas day), and is located on Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Admission is $18 for adults; $15 for seniors ages 65 and over; $6 for students and children ages 6 and up; free for children 5 and younger and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art members. For more information, call 610.388.2700 or visit brandywinemuseum.org.

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ON THE SIDE SPA, PHOTO BY JOHN KEON.

The Season For Self-Care BY TAYLOR SMITH

The winter season brings heartwarming moments, like time with family and holiday traditions; however, it can also bring unneeded stress. This stress may come in the form of aches and pains, increased anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and weight gain. To combat these common winter ailments, a little self-care is in order. Thankfully, our region offers a plethora of spa services, counseling professionals, and salons where you can melt the blues away. 20

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On The Side Spa, Photos by John Keon.

On The Side Spa in Westfield.

On The Side Spa in Westfield (www.otsnj.com) offers a unique variety of body care treatments. For example, their On The Side Spa Signature Massage includes sweet orange blossom essential oils combined with a deep tissue massage, table stretching, aromatic hot towel wrap, reflexology, and scalp massage. Curious about Energy Work? On The Side Spa offers 60-minute Reiki, Shiatsu, and Craniosacral massage services. Guests remain fully dressed and are asked to wear comfortable clothing. For those not familiar, Reiki aims to restore the body to equilibrium through the transfer of energy. Shiatsu, on the other hand, is based on Chinese acupuncture and involves pressure, stretches and other massage techniques designed to restore the proper form of Qi, or life energy. Craniosacral massage uses gentle, rhythmic pulses around the spine, skull, and surrounding region to clear blockages. This form of treatment is especially beneficial for headache or migraine sufferers. Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center’s Summit location (www.myethosspa.com) is ideal for a mid-winter beautifier. From body contouring and fat reduction to laser hair removal and facial injectable cosmetic procedures, the Ethos Spa team promises to help you look and feel beautiful. According to Ethos, “your aesthetic goals are our top priority and our specialists can customize treatments to help you achieve whatever your heart desires.” Offering services throughout New Jersey, Ethos Spa can also be found in Englewood, Short Hills, Millburn, Morristown, and Westfield, along with Essex, Morris, and Union counties. Visit them for a free consultation.

Does your hair need freshening up? Depasquale at Powder Mill Plaza in Morris Plains (www.depasqualethespa.com) will give you the cut and color you crave. Their team of experts offers partial and full hair painting/ Balayage, corrective color, eyebrow tint, full and partial highlight, glossing, and much more. Their spa services, such as exfoliation and body bronzing, will have you feeling sun-kissed and refreshed. While you’re there, why not get fancy with your manicure? Regular manicures, gel color manicures, CURES anti-aging spa manicure, warm stone manicure, and nail art are just a few of the options. Combat seasonal depression with 30, 45 or 60 minutes in one of the infrared saunas at BRC Day Spa in Fair Lawn (brc-spa. com). According to BRC, “Solocarbon Full Spectrum is an exclusive heating technology with proprietary blends of wavelengths that are fully customizable across the entire infrared spectrum to consistently deliver your desired health result. This unique technology provides near, mid, and far infrared at optimal wavelengths.” Further reinforce the immune system with 30 minutes in BRC’s Himalayan Salt Room. Says BRC, “More commonly known as ‘salt therapy,’ halotherapy is a natural method based on microparticles of crystalline salt nebulized in the atmosphere, which with their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory action are able to reinforce the immune system and eliminate muscular tension and stress. Music, chromotherapy, and aromas complete the wellness offer to be found inside Salis.” Refreshing body scrubs at Tranquility Day Spa & Gift Boutique

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Starr Therapy, Photo by Kyle Weller. Talia Filippelli, therapist and owner of Starr Therapy in Hoboken and Englewood.

(tranquilityday.net) in Bedminster Township use the finest natural ingredients that will “leave your entire body invigorated and glowing.” The Salt & Herbal Body Scrub is a 45-minute deep cleansing herbal body treatment using select sea and mineral salts, with a blend of crushed herbs and essential oils for stress relief. A one-hour treatment includes a Salt & Herbal Hand and Foot Treatment as well. The staff at Valley Integrative Pharmacy (www.valleypharmacyrx.com) at Somerset Hills Shopping Center in Bedminster Township have many recommendations when it comes to mood support, boosting immunity, and maintaining energy levels through the darkest days of winter. V.I.P. maintains their own line of premium supplements and protein powders. During a complimentary consultation, V.I.P. professional practitioners will work with patients to discuss their nutritional and supplemental needs. This information will then be used to create a patient profile, which is helpful for future reference. Starr Therapy (www.starrtherapy.com), in Hoboken and Englewood, provides treatment for anger management, depression, anxiety/ phobias, family issues, trauma, grief, couples counseling, phase of life issues, and more. Talia Filippelli is a therapist and owner of Starr Therapy. She is also a certified personal trainer and certified holistic health coach. On the subject of seasonal mood changes, Filippelli offers some great advice, saying that “the emotional experience of the holiday season can affect your mood and suppress Tranquility Day Spa & Gift Boutique. your immune system.” When asked how a person can combat depression-like symptoms associated with cold weather, increased darkness, and external stress factors, Filippelli suggests to her clients that they first approach the issue from a physical and nutritional angle. In other words, more physical movement, better sleep habits, and nutritional awareness. “Immediately I would tell my clients to cut out soda from their diet and to cut back on sugar and highly-processed foods.” To improve sleep, Filippelli advocates

“no screens 60 minutes prior to bedtime. Screens confuse daylight signals and sleep signals causing your body to behave like it would during waking hours.” Are you experiencing increased heart rate, muscle tension/soreness, and shortness of breath? These are just a few symptoms of heightened anxiety, which are especially common around holiday time as it relates to work-lifefamily balance. Filippelli approaches the problem of increased anxiety by “increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors.” These risk factors may include negative self-talk or feelings of guilt and fear. Protective factors like deep breathing (specifically, belly breathing) will slow down the heart rate and calm a racing mind. “I recommend belly breathing first thing in the morning and late at night,” said Filippelli. A second protective factor is establishing a daily practice of gratitude, naming at least one positive thing that’s happened that day, no matter what. “I have clients who keep a wipe board in their kitchen and they write their daily note of gratitude up on the wipe board for the whole family to see.” This can result in good feelings amongst family members and positive discussions at the dinner table. For those who may be dealing with anger, resentment, or family grudges, Filippelli said that therapy can make the world of a difference. Her approach is two-fold: first, getting the client to understand the consequences of their anger and resentment; second, forgiveness as defined by a releasing of emotional anger in one’s body and mind. “People may not realize the physical toll that harboring anger has on the body. In actuality, grudges harm the person harboring the anger — it doesn’t punish the person we’re angry at.” Other impacts of built-up resentment on the body are increased blood pressure, stress hormones, and raised heart rate. For those who are interested in working through any kind of emotional blockages, Talia Filippelli at Starr Therapy can be reached at 201. 218.7431.

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photo courtesy of Tranquility Day Spa

Tranquility Day Spa & Gift Boutique in Bedminster Township.

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photos courtesy of BRC Day Spa

Amenities at BRC Day Spa in Fair Lawn.

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urban pantry 1. Three Hearts Home: Screen Printed Flour Sack Dish Towel - Black Stag: Old-fashioned white flour sack towel made of 100 percent cotton and hand-printed with water-based ink; $14; www.threeheartshome.com 2. Fat Toad Farm: Traditional Goat’s Milk Caramel, made from simple, all-natural ingredients. Available in Original, Salted Bourbon, Vanilla Bean, or Cold Brew Coffee made with Vermont Artisan Coffee Cold Brew; $14.50; www.threeheartshome.com 3. Set of four Soapstone Napkin Rings: Fair Trade, hand-carved by artisans in Kenya’s Kisii District; $22; www.threeheartshome.com 4. Ceramic Ombre Coffee Mug: Each mug is unique; wheel thrown, dipped and sprayed by hand. Shown with Fair Trade Mpingo Loop Sugar Spoon; Mug $26, Spoon $8; www.threeheartshome.com

5. Everything Noodle Bowl: Wheel thrown and altered to comfortably fit your hand and hold your chopsticks; $28; www.threeheartshome.com

6,7. Rich’s Micro Roast: We roast locally in Hainesport, New Jersey, every day. When you receive your delivery, it is guaranteed fresh. We start with superior, quality beans that are sourced from around the world, environmentally responsible, rainforest certified, organic, and Fair Trade. We roast in small batches based on fluid bed roasting, using clean electricity and hot air. No flame means that it’s environmentally friendly. We have a variety of flavors and offer 12oz Cold Brew, and a brand new Cold Brew Coffee Soda. 609.510.2614; www.richsmicroroast.com

product selection by joann cella

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Spectacular Waterfront custom built in the Riverfront village of New Hope, Bucks County, PA.

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FIELDS OF DREAMS, AND SANDS, AND STARS by Wendy Plump

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Photography courtesy of Nomadic Expeditions

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a dramatic re-interpretation of the notion “If you build it, they will come,” New Jersey resident and contractor Jalsa Urubshurow built a base for his adventure expedition company in Mongolia. He chose the South Gobi Province on the edge of the Gobi Desert—where the Altai Mountains rim the horizon—and put up forty Ger, the traditional felt yurts of Mongolia’s indigenous nomadic tribes. He designed the main lodge in the style of an ancient temple. He quarried local stone and installed local staffers – herders, guides, cooks – because he wanted authenticity in a world greatly in need of it, and, if truth be told, because he demanded the most breathtaking gateway for those visiting his beloved Mongolia, the home of his Kalmyk ancestors. Today, the Three Camel Lodge is one of the world’s top hotels, frequented by archaeologists, filmmakers, National Geographic photographers, Buddhist scholars, luxury travelers, and, Urubshurow is quick to add, “tech-free enthusiasts.” In the summer, 700 wild horses come to drink at the lake nearby. In the winter, an ice pack builds to 100 feet high within walking distance, and you can hike on it. At any time of year, the skies are smeared with more stars than human beings are likely to witness than at any other point on the planet. “My goal was to create luxury travel to Mongolia,” says Urubshurow. “It’s more than a three-star hotel. It’s a five-billion-star hotel.” It is also the base for his firm, Nomadic Expeditions, which runs guided luxury trips to Mongolia and eight other distant countries,

including Myanmar and Bhutan. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Nomadic Expeditions has the distinction of taking clients to some of the world’s last truly wild spaces. Urubshurow describes Mongolia as having “more horses than people,” and a culture that has changed little since the last Ice Age. “Mongolia encompasses a vast territory, with four major mountain ranges, some of them up to 15,000 feet high,” he says from an airport in Mongolia. “We can still drive 1,500 miles across this country and not see a fence. The eastern grasslands of Mongolia are nine times the size of the Serengeti. I like to tell Texans it’s twice the size of Texas, with just three million people. And 30 percent of them still live a nomadic existence. It’s probably the most sparsely populated country in the world. “There is no land ownership out in the country,” Urubshurow adds. “It’s all free range. The families have been grazing the same valleys for five generations. We have an astrophysicist who comes in the summers and gives a 3-D presentation during the day, and then at night we’ll go out into the Gobi and look at some of the darkest skies in the world. I think people will see a code of hospitality in Mongolia unseen in any other place.” Exotica seems to be all of a piece for Urubshurow, the founder of one of the region’s most successful construction businesses, AllTech, based in Monroe Township. He was raised in a Howell Township community of Kalmyk Buddhist refugees who escaped Mongolia and its punishing Communist influences in the 1950s to set up an

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photography courtesy of nomadic expeditions

enclave here in New Jersey. Many of his neighbors were carpenters and builders, so the profession was a natural choice. Urubshurow grew up speaking Mongolian and hearing his father tell stories of his homeland. He founded Nomadic Expeditions to help open up Mongolia to travelers after its peaceful transition to democracy in 1990. Urubshurow, who lives in Brielle, also stewards the country’s ancient sport of hunting with Golden Eagles. He founded the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ulgii Province in Western Mongolia in 1999, now a popular draw for travelers and indigenous peoples alike. The festival commences each October and draws Kazakh tribesmen who compete with their magnificent eagles in tests of speed, agility, and accuracy. And while Nomadic Expeditions kept its distance for the first few years, it now leads trips to the festival and the nearby Hatuugyn Mountain archaeological site, which has one of the country’s best collections of ancient petroglyphs. “In 1998 I went to meet these Kazakhs. Eagle hunting had largely disappeared under the Communists. But for the Kazakhs here, it survived in the farthest-western part of the country. It almost touches Kazakhstan,” says Urubshurow. “We had a few vodkas sitting around with the three elders of the community and I had one of my guides with me. I came up with the idea of having a festival to celebrate this. We’ll be celebrating the 18th year of the festival in October.” The beauty of the sport and the relationship between eagles and their handlers is celebrated in the lush documentary, The Eagle Huntress, about 13-year-old Aisholpan, a young Kazakh who trains as the first female in 12 generations to become an eagle huntress. Released in 2016, the film was nominated for a BAFTA Film Award. Urubshurow appears briefly in the film. “It was my four seconds of fame,” he says.

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About 1,000 clients from all over the world sign on for Nomadic Expeditions trips each year. “Our clients are sophisticated and well-traveled individuals of all ages who seek authentic adventures that offer a blend of history and cultural interaction,” says Nancy DePalma, Nomadic’s marketing and communications manager. The company has 15 full-time staffers in Mongolia, and an additional 50 consultants in Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Siberia, Sri Lanka, and India. They are slotted in as need dictates. Simply reading the titles of the excursions can slake travel fantasies for months on end: “In Search of Dragons and Eagles,” “From Yak to Kayak,” “Ultimate Gobi,” “Adventure Trekking in the Altai Mountains,” and “Winter Festivals of Mongolia.” Clients visit the forests of the Maraat Valley, trek through the Tavan Belchir Gorge, visit Uuld and Kazakh families and the Turkic stone men, visit the Great White Lake of the Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park, and visit northern Jargalant to survey the ruins of the Ariin Huree Monastery. Trips fall into several categories, including active adventures like trekking to Everest Base Camp or hiking through the habitat of the elusive Snow Leopard; cultural or archaeological journeys; tailored trips; quick escapes; and family travel, with trips to the Gobi Desert to see where dinosaur eggs were unearthed just a few decades ago, or to ride horses and camels across the grasslands. One popular 12-day itinerary, for example, starts with clients spinning the prayer wheel at the Gandan Monastery, which Urubshurow calls the “seat of Buddhism”; extends into a national park that is the home of the last remaining species of wild horse; leads to an excursion investigating petroglyphs on a mountaintop in the Havsgait Valley; then hiking through the Gobi’s “singing sands” region; a visit to a local nomadic family’s Ger to help with chores,

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photography courtesy of nomadic expeditions

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photography courtesy of nomadic expeditions

“if you wish”; and ends with a performance of Mongolian dance and traditional “throat singing” in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Urubshurow is quick to credit his staff for the success of the company. They truly know the region, he says, and have considerably more to offer than logistical management. For example, Undraa Buyannemekh, president of Nomadic Expeditions, earned her bachelor’s degree from Urals State University in Russia and holds a master’s in international relations from California State University, Sacramento. Director of Operations Sanjay Saxena is the son of a brigadier general in the Indian Army, has lived all over India, and traveled extensively in the Himalayas as a mountaineer and climber since the age of 15. One of the guides was born in Mongolia and is a former nomadic herder. Another has been working 15 years in the Mongolian tourism industry and leads trips focused on paleontology

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and archaeology. Asked which of the varied trips he most prefers, Urubshurow says he simply likes “really getting out into nature,” and that any of the trips qualify as his favorite in that regard. “You can’t avoid seeing the beauty here. You have an opportunity to go back in time. We tell people who maybe have read about Mongolia or heard things about it that it’s better to see it once than to hear about it a thousand times,” says Urubshurow. “Then, of course, once they come, they realize it’s better to see it 1,000 times than to see it once.” For a brochure or more information on Nomadic Expeditions and its adventure excursions, contact the company at 800.998.6634 or visit the website at www.nomadicexpeditions.com.

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photography courtesy of nomadic expeditions

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New Jersey Realtors® We’ve shown our true colors for 100 years. New Jersey Realtors® is comprised of 48,000 members who’ve pledged to serve their clients with knowledge, experience, and responsibility. It’s this higher standard that separates a Realtor® from any other real estate agent.

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11/21/17 3:06:12 PM

NAVIDAD NATIVITIES Bucks County Company Mines the “True Meaning” of Christmas with One-of-a-Kind Works Michael Stumpf, who has been a photographer, banking executive, ad agency owner, and community leader, cherished his childhood F. W. Woolworth Nativity scene into adulthood. When it fell apart from age, he and his daughter built one of their own design. Some years later, A.J. DiAntonio, who was captivated by Nativity scenes and had amassed an impressive Christmas collection, left a Hollywood production career and returned to the Pennsylvania suburbs where he grew up. The two met four years ago and, for fun, decided to work on a crèche together. Seeing the possibilities, they were as excited as two kids at Christmas. Stumpf’s and DiAntonio’s Navidad Nativities, based in Bucks County, Pa., has tapped into a growing and appreciative market intent on celebrating “the true meaning of Christmas.” BY WENDY GREENBERG The Irish Cathedral Nativity setting is a crumbling cathedral typical of many sites in the counties of Ireland. This nativity can be viewed from all four sides. The carved wood figures are the creation of Ulrich Perathoner in Val Gardena, Italy. The entire scene is lit with individual LED lights that can be dimmed with a control unit in the base of the creche. Signed and dated by the artists. Overall size is 14" x 14" x 16" (height).

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SYNERGISTIC COLLABORATION

It is said that in 1223 in the hills of Umbria, St. Francis of Assisi arranged the first Nativity scene. By the 18th century in Naples, Nativity scenes had come to be known for artistic excellence. The Nativity scene’s role in paying homage to the birth of Jesus Christ has inspired countless scenes worldwide, but on this side of the Atlantic, Stumpf and DiAntonio have elevated the tradition with custom designs, dramatic lighting, and thoughtful artistry. The designing duo work from a pastoral studio called the Sanctuary Atelier behind Stumpf’s Buckingham, Pa., home. There, often to the sound of Christmas music — at anytime of the year —

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for inspiration, each brings his particular skills to the collaboration. “We work well together,” said DiAntonio. “It happens so synergistically. I might be carving a window while Michael is painting a backdrop. We found each other’s niche. We could each do our own designs, but in collaboration it will look better.” Each scene begins with a theme: an Irish cathedral as a tribute to Ireland; the American Southwest; “classic” style, which suggests Roman influence; or Bethlehem, which depicts Judean architecture. Many are custom designs which reflect a family’s persona using Nativity figures from the family itself.

“We design settings that evoke the meaning of the birth of Christ,” DiAntonio said. “There is a symbolism, a purpose, to what we do. Here was a child (Christ) who was born in the most humble of circumstances, who was worshipped by peasants and kings alike, all equal in the eyes of the Lord.” The lighting is dramatic but respectful. “How we light these pieces is important,” explained DiAntonio, who has worked extensively with set designers. For example, he described small LED lighting commonly used in model railroads. “It bounces off the colors of the pieces.” Scenes are enhanced by the small details: gnarled trees made from copper wire or spun hemp, roofs thatched with broom needles,

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backdrops painted by artist Stumpf, small rugs, and carved wood figures with realistic gestures and facial expressions. Attention is paid to architecture like doorways, arches, and rooflines. In addition to their own artistic skills, X-Acto knives, Dremel drills, spackling paste that resembles stucco, and hot glue are essential. Navidad builds about 20 presepios, as they are called in Italy, for collectors, churches, and families each year. DiAntonio and Stumpf travel regularly to Europe to find figurines, and Stumpf has also designed for Fontanini, one of the largest producers of Nativity figures in the world. Each Navidad scene takes about 30 to 40 hours of labor, not including discussion with clients to make each

one personal. They build to size and consider the room in which the final piece will be displayed. The finished scenes, with figures, have ranged in cost from $900 to $10,000.

PROMISING BEGINNINGS

Getting to this point took several decades. Stumpf described what he believes was the beginning. “In the 1980s, we had a Nativity scene from F.W. Woolworth Company,” he said. “It was cardboard with plaster figures, but I used to like changing the look with different lights and moving the figures. When it deteriorated I said to my daughter, ‘let’s build one.’ My great-great-grandfather was an architect, after all.”

At the time, Stumpf, a graduate of Bucks County Community College and a former U.S. Navy photographer, was executive vice president of a regional bank and was living in Riegelsville in rural Bucks County. “I got some rocks and added some local materials, put it on display at the bank, and called it the Bucks County Nativity Scene. People wanted me to build one for them and their friends.” Encouraged by admirers of his scenes, he studied the history and architecture of the Nativity and learned about the pieces made by guilds in the Bavarian and Italian crèche-making regions. Friends Bob and Joyce Byers, who had their own renowned Christmas market at Byers’ Choice in Chalfont, Pa., encouraged him to do more.

“

We design settings that evoke the meaning of the birth of Christ

“

Nativity for a New Century in progress in Atelier Sanctuary studio. All Navidad Nativities are meticulously constructed of wood, and concepts take a substantial amount of time and planning. holiday 2017

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A.J. DiAntonio works on the cloister portion of the Glencairn Museum-inspired Nativity scene.

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By 1988 he had left the bank and founded an ad agency. The crèches took more of his time, and in 1996 he was able to visit the Atlanta Gift Market. “I wandered around and found rather decent Nativity figures but none of the settings were anything to write home about. I said to myself, ‘let’s get serious.’” He pitched his Nativity business story to magazines, and after a 1996 piece in Country Living, a reader got in touch and offered $3,500 for one of the Nativity scenes pictured in the magazine. Hundreds of queries poured in. He began to design buildings for Roman Inc.’s Fontanini division, and began selling through Fontanini’s 5,000-plus stores as well as displaying original work in the Atlanta showrooms. In 1999, representatives of the Vatican contacted Stumpf about designing the official Centennial crèche, but he had to turn it down because of other deadlines. He still shakes his head that he turned down the Vatican. (He also turned down a stint on Martha Stewart’s television show because he didn’t feel ready.) But at a Fort Washington, Pa., holiday show, he sold everything and won a Best in Show award. And, Navidad has a permanent presepio at Byers’ Choice, which was featured for the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis’s visit in 2015.

DIANTONIO’S DRAMATIC INFLUENCE

Stumpf and DiAntonio forged a fast friendship and collaboration. For his part, DiAntonio, with his Hollywood production savvy, further elevated

the dramatic look of the crèches. After graduating from James Madison University, DiAntonio worked in production at the Salt Lake City Olympics and then for Los Angeles’ Dakota Films, which specialized in opening segments (think Billy Crystal’s opening on the Oscar telecast). After 10 years, he said, “I had enough. It was stressful. I was tired.” He happened to have a wide-ranging Christmas collection of nearly 400 Nativities, and met Stumpf at a Nativity event at Byers’ Choice. Shortly after, he moved near Malvern where he grew up. His day job is at a Christmas shop in Chester County. “My obsession is somewhat out of control,” he joked. “I have no idea what spoke to me about it. I couldn’t tell you. My mother had a small papiermâché Nativity made in India and I played with that until several figures crumbled.” He freely admits to his OCD — obsessive Christmas disorder.

GLENCAIRN AND MORE

Business began to take off. After creating a very large scene for the Byers’ Choice collection of classic 18th century Neapolitan crèche figures, Stumpf and DiAntonio were invited to visit Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, Pa., where they were inspired by the architecture. “We wanted to tell the story of Glencairn and the Bryn Athyn Cathedral,” said Stumpf. Unveiling their Nativity for the New Century for the museum staff for the World Nativities exhibit, they heard a gasp and applause, and knew they had captured the essence

of the architecture. Glencairn Museum’s World Nativities exhibition presents dozens of three-dimensional Nativity scenes collected from around the world, according to curator Ed Gyllenhaal, who said that, “for many Christians the Nativity scene is a meaningful expression of religious faith, providing a compelling visual focus during the Christmas.” World Nativities shows how artisans adapt the Nativity scene to represent their own spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and regional environments. World Nativities at Glencairn Museum runs from November 24 through January 7, 2018. The Museum is open from daily from noon to 4:30PM; closed December 11-12, and 24-25. There is a suggested $5 donation to World Nativities and a second exhibition, Do You See What I See? Imagery from Nativity Scenes (same dates and times). The future of Navidad Nativities? More of the past. In Italy, it is believed Nativities should be relevant today, Stumpf noted, and he and DiAntonio plan more engaging and dynamic settings that elevate the tradition. They still want to build a Nativity scene inspired by the Church of the Nativity in Jerusalem. And who knows what inspiration their trips to Austria, Germany, and Italy will bring. “The art is important,” says Stumpf. “People and ideas come and go, but art that inspires the heart lasts.” Navidad Nativities can be reached at 215.794.0625 and 267.884.3108, or view work at www.navidadnativities.com.

(LEFT) The Holy Night Stable includes a rock grotto and wooden stable. Figures are approximately 4-5" tall and are crafted in the Italian Alps by the Ulrich Perathoner family. Figures are all created from wood, hand finished and painted; lit with four adjustable LED lights with a hidden control unit in the back of the piece. The overall size of the piece is 28"w x 20"d x 20" h. Signed and dated by the artists. (RIGHT) A.J. DiAntonio working in the studio.

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De st in ati on:

Millburn/ Short Hills T by

william uhl

he Millburn/Short Hills area may be best known for the Mall at Short Hills, and for good reason—it’s just as much a mall as it is a monument to prosperity. Pearl-white hallways are lined end-to-end-to-end with an endless assortment of stores and restaurants. Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton are minutes away from J.Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Gap. Food shops like Godiva, Teavana, and Forty Carrots and specialty stores like Tesla, Brookstone, and Bose pepper the halls with vibrant displays. When shopping turns tiring, attractions like the in-house photographic art gallery YellowKorner and the restaurant Legal Sea Foods provide a relaxing rest. Overnight guests even have a selection of nearby luxury hotels at which to stay. However, there’s more to Millburn and Short Hills than the mall. Millburn, Short Hills, and the surrounding area hold a bevy of natural beauty. Not even 15 minutes away from the mall is its exact counterpart, the South Mountain Reservation. It has over 2,000 acres of primarily wild woods, creeks, and ponds, with hiking trails crisscrossing through the reservation. Deep in the heart of the preserve, hikers can find sights like the eastern ridge, which stands 550 feet above Millburn, or a 25-foot waterfall. The South Mountain Reservation also has an array of man-made attractions, including a dog park, picnic areas, an archery range, and carriage roads for jogging, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Like the reservation’s changing seasons, the Wildflower Sculpture Park constantly transforms itself with a new assortment of sculptures. The sculpture park features artworks that also function as bird habitats, or that call back to the land’s Lenape roots. Adjacent to the reservation is Greenwood Gardens, a 28-acre public garden that mixes artistic gardening styles and plants from across the globe to create an almost otherworldly experience. Italianate garden terraces sit across from allées of London plane trees and Dianthus Kahori from Japan. Dew-dazzled hydrangeas, butterfly-bearing honeysuckle, and brilliantly blue borage flowers are just a few of the fantastical flora around Greenwood Gardens. The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary (CHA) is yet another local natural paradise. CHA focuses on ensuring its 16 acres are lush with New Jersey-indigenous plants. In the spring and fall, volunteers provide food supplies for the migrating birds that take refuge in the arboretum’s trees. Events mix education and entertainment, like “Fantastic Beasts of New Jersey and Where to Find Them,” which looks at lesser-known native critters, or like the Hot Apple Cider Night Hike, which offers Jersey Fresh apple cider alongside a Q&A about local woodland animals. Whether you’ve been walking around the mall or the great outdoors, Millburn and Short Hills have no shortage of restaurants to rest your legs and fill your stomach. Pita on Essex is perfect for a quick and casual bite of falafel or shawarma. Arturo’s Osteria & Pizzeria has a pizza that needs no further advertisement than its savory scent – which you can smell before you even get in the door. Saigon Café dishes out authentic pho, rice noodle with grilled beef, banh mi, and more. Sakura serves late-night Japanese dinner and desert, including bento boxes and green tea ice cream, in a soft, relaxing atmosphere. To cap off an evening of sightseeing and dining, the Paper Mill Playhouse is an excellent venue to rest your legs and escape from the outside world. Founded in 1934, the Playhouse has a storied history of bringing classics like You Can’t Take it With You and The Wizard of Oz to audiences, as well as bringing out new hits like musical comedy The Honeymooners. Regardless of whether you spend the day seeking out great deals or great views, be sure to close the night with New Jersey’s state theater.

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PEOPLE’S STORE ANTIQUES CENTER 28 N Union St, Lambertville, NJ 08530 www.PeoplesStore.net STONE HOUSE ANTIQUES CENTER 3292 Durham Road (Rt. 413) Doylestown, PA 18902) www.StoneHouse1814.com

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11/20/17 4:19:57 PM

CHRISTOPHER PEACOCK 14 Main Street | Millbur n, NJ 07041 973.376.7070 PEACOCKHOME.COM

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PHOTO CREDIT: HUGO JUAREZ

How to Keep Pets Healthy During the Holidays BY TAYLOR SMITH

The winter season poses many potential risks to animal companions, from frigid temperatures to road trips, food, and holiday decorations. We spoke with some well-known area veterinarians to get their advice on what families can do to protect their beloved pets. 44

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PHOTO CREDIT: MORRIS ANIMAL INN PHOTO CREDIT: NORTHSTAR VETS

Dr.

Christopher Garruba of Nassau Animal Hospital, Pet Wellness department. This internationally-recognized pet care facility located at 3440 US-1 in Princeton, said that owners is dedicated to maintaining the health of all daycare and boarding animals should be aware of salted sidewalks and roadways. through attentive and understanding care. Specific meal preparation, “Dogs can slip and fall on the ice just like people and administering medications and supplements, training, engaged playtime, collect ‘ice balls’ between their toes,” he said. “Their daily brushing, and special handling and care are all specialties. paw pads may also become irritated by salt on the Kristen Hedderich, director of pet care operations at Morris Animal Inn, roads. It’s important to said, “The safety and well-being of all pets is our carefully examine your dog’s paws and paw number one priority.” This hands-on facility uses pads after each walk.” an air-handling system with UV light treatment When asked whether all dogs require a to eliminate airborne illnesses such as canine winter sweater or jacket, Dr. Garruba assures cough or canine influenza. Also, hospital-grade that “tiny dogs with a small body mass will cleaning equipment, smoke and fire detection, appreciate a sweater to keep them warm, but and backup generators ensure pet safety. be aware that some dogs are allergic to wool. Outdoor areas are kept clear of snow and ice and Also, dogs should never get soaked in the sleet the indoor facilities are temperature controlled or snow to the point of shivering. A waterproof with soft natural lighting and skylights in every raincoat will help to keep them warm and dry room. Hedderich adds, “We make sure that the during walks in inclement weather.” Morris Animal Inn has the feel of a spa with Animals, like humans, often experience dry soothing background music in every room — it skin during the winter months. The combination is a calm environment for the animals.” of indoor heating and dry air may lead to flaking Grooming services take into account winter of the skin and excessive itching, which is health issues. For example, dogs may receive a known to drive anyone crazy. Concerned owners paw soaking treatment for dry, cracked paw pads should always consult with a veterinarian before or a healthy skin and coat treatment complete treating their dog’s or cat’s dry skin. “Treating NorthStar VETS Dr. Michael Doolen with a guinea pig. with a soothing shampoo and conditioner. dry skin may include supplemental oils in the food, nutritional supplements, Hypoallergenic options are available to pets with allergies or sensitive skin. shampoos, conditioners, or medications,” says Dr. Garruba. “An appointment Nail trim packages and soothing massage enhance pet comfort. with a veterinarian will verify that there is not some underlying illness causing Older pets or animals with arthritis are given special attention, with the dry skin.” frequent short exercises and plenty of quiet time as needed. The majority Morris Animal Inn in Morristown is unlike any other pet care facility of the dogs engage in group play and are organized according to size and because they retain a veterinarian on-call 24 hours a day and a full-time play style.

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PHOTO CREDITS: NORTHSTAR VETS NorthStar VETS Dr. Stacey Rebello.

NorthStar VETS Dr. Stacey Rebello with a tortoise.

NorthStar VETS emergency services.

Cats are given special love and attention with games of toy chase, “story time,” views of the ﬁsh tank, brushing, and quiet lap time. In the Kitty Play Room, cats roam freely with access to climbing and scratching posts, outside views, toys, catnip, and furniture. Pet parents are encouraged to contact Morris Animal Inn as soon as possible when making their holiday plans. Also, Hedderich said that owners are encouraged bring their cat or dog’s favorite items from home, whether it be a special toy or a blanket. These added comforts will decrease any separation anxiety experienced by the pet. To request a reservation, call 973.532.5030 or visit www.morrisanimalinn. com. NorthStar VETS is a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital offering specialty, referral, and surgery services for dogs, cats, exotics, and other animals. Their Central New Jersey location is at 315 Robbinsville-Allentown Road in Robbinsville. All of NorthStar’s veterinarians specialize in a speciﬁc discipline of veterinary medicine including internal medicine, critical care, dentistry, neurology, cardiology, rehabilitation, and more. Dr. Stacey Rebello at NorthStar VETS in Robbinsville advises that pet owners should be particularly careful of what pets are ingesting during the holidays. “Most people know that chocolate is toxic. Ingestion of even small quantities of dark chocolate is likely to result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia (elevated heart rate), cardiac arrhythmia, or even tremors and seizures in larger amounts. Milk chocolate (while dangerous) is much less toxic.” There are also many ingredients in holiday baked goods that pose a threat to animals. “Raisins, which appear in fruit cake and many types of cookies, are of particular concern since the ingestion of even a few can result in irreversible kidney damage,” said Dr. Rebello. “Macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, depression, tremors, and transient weakness to the point of a total inability to walk/move. Lastly, onions and garlic can be toxic in large doses, particularly in cats, and can cause anemia (low red blood cell count).” For indoor pets, including hamsters, guinea pigs and/or certain cats, the ingestion of holiday decorations or tree ornaments is not uncommon, but can pose terrible risks. Dr. Rebello warns that items like tinsel and ribbon can “cause obstruction and damage to the esophagus, stomach, and intestinal tract. And while not an obstruction risk, we also worry about the ingestion of potentially hazardous holiday plants like poinsettias, which can cause

inﬂammation and irritation of the oral cavity, esophagus, and stomach lining and result in nausea, drooling, and vomiting. Meanwhile, other holiday plants like Easter lilies (more common in the spring season) are highly toxic and can result in potentially fatal acute kidney failure.” For those who plan on taking a road trip over winter vacation and bringing their pet along with them, be advised that this can be particularly stressful for animals and their owners. It is helpful to get your pet accustomed to riding in the car ahead of the vacation. Taking brief car rides to a nearby park or around town will acclimate your pet, so that they won’t always associate the car with a trip to the doctor’s ofﬁce. Dr. Rebello adds that “pet-appropriate safety equipment, including crates for cats and small dogs and seat-belt harnesses for larger pets, will ensure their safety in case of an accident.”

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PHOTO CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Safe travels!

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Photo Credit: Hugo Juarez

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URBAN BOOKS

HOLIDAY SERVINGS CHEZ ALICE

BY STUART MITCHNER

mong the holiday season’s crop of new books, most of which are immense, amply-illustrated volumes destined for display, some of this year’s stand-outs feature interesting women, whether photographers like Mary Caperton Morton (Aerial Geology), painters (Women Artists in Paris, 1850-1900), or women of the Old West like Calamity Jane (The Calamitous Life of Martha Jane Cannary), or superstars like Wonder Woman (The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen) and culinary legend Alice Waters, whose modest-sized, compulsively readable best-selling memoir is more suited to bedside than coffee tables. Coming to My Senses: The Making of a Counterculture Cook (Clarkson Potter $27) had me smiling the instant I saw the photograph of the Times Square Automat accompanying the opening chapter. If, like me, you associate Alice Waters with her masterwork Chez Panisse in Berkeley, you may be amused to know that this most charismatic of restauranteurs grew up in Chatham, N.J. and first felt the allure of food in a lost New York landmark. “When I was little,” she writes, “I always wanted to go to the Museum of Natural History and eat at the Automat for my birthday.” The Automat was her favorite because “it felt like an entirely new way to have food” and she could choose what she ate. “Every surface ... was shiny: there was a huge wall of little stainless steel doors, sort of like post office boxes, with windows displaying the food in each one. You put your money in one of the post office box slots, opened the door, and got your dish …. I liked seeing the food before I picked what I wanted—I couldn’t or didn’t read the menu, so being able to see it resonated with me. We’d each go for what we wanted, and then the whole family met back at the table to eat our various dishes together.” She loved being given her own money and being allowed to make her own choices, and she loved putting her money “into that little door.” As she notes, the irony is that Chez Panisse became known for offering just one fixedprice menu each night.

ON THE MOUNTAINTOP Like Alice Waters, Mary Caperton Morton discovered her life’s work as a young girl. In her preface to Aerial Geology: A High-Altitude Tour

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of North America’s Spectacular Volcanoes, Canyons, Glaciers, Lakes, Craters, and Peaks (Timber Press $29.95), she recalls finding a rock covered with seashells in the mountains of West Virginia: “Finding a slice of an ancient ocean floor on a mountaintop forever changed the way I saw the world. I am now a geology writer, an avid traveler, and a mountaineer.” As she puts it, with mountaineering “the higher you go, the more you see. Mountain tops are fantastic classrooms, airplane window seats are even better.” She ends her preface, “I hope this book changes the way you see the world and inspires you to get out and see more of it.” Besides being a freelance science and travel writer and a regular contributor to EARTH magazine, Morton has a blog headed Travels with the Blonde Coyote. In her 10 years as “a road warrior nomad,” she’s hiked in all 50 states and evolved from “a girl who looks up at the mountains to a woman who climbs to the summits.” She now lives at 8,000 feet in Big Sky, Montana.

FIRECRACKERS Photographic adventures on a more down-to-earth scale are the subject of Firecrackers: Female Photographers Now (Thames and Hudson $45) by Fiona Rogers and Max Houghton. Established in 2011 in the context of what continues to be “a male-dominated industry,” Firecracker (fire-cracker.org) is an online platform dedicated to supporting female photographers worldwide by showcasing their work in a series of monthly, online gallery features; by organizing events; and by awarding an annual grant to enable a female photographer to fund a project. Building on Firecracker’s foundations, this book brings together the work of more than 30 contemporary photographers from around the world. Each profile explores the photographer’s creative practice, illustrated by photographs that showcase a key project in her career, and a selection that offers a wider view of her work. The images reflect a variety of styles, techniques, and locations—from German Alma Haser’s portraits that use origami to create 3D sculptures within the frame, to Egyptian Laura El-Tantawy’s series on political protest in Cairo. Fiona Rogers is Magnum Photos’ global business development manager, as well as the founder of Firecracker. Max Houghton runs the MA Program in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at London College of Communication, University of the Arts London.

DRAWN TO PARIS Edited by independent curator Laurence Madeline, formerly a curator at the Musée d’Orsay, Women Artists in Paris, 1850-1900 (Yale Univ. Press $65) includes essays by Madeline, Bridget Alsdorf, Jane R. Becker, Joëlle Bolloch, Vibeke Waallan Hansen, and Richard Kendall. Featuring 36 artists from 11 different countries, this lavish, thoughtfully illustrated book includes paintings by Impressionists such as Mary Cassatt and Berthe Morisot, and lesser-known artists like Marie Bashkirtseff, Anna Bilinska-Bohdanowicz, Paula Modersohn-Becker, and Hanna Pauli. In a situation familiar to female photographers a century later, women were “mostly barred from formal artistic education but cleverly navigated the city’s network of ateliers, salons, and galleries.” Essay subjects are the female artist in portraiture, the experiences of Nordic women artists, and the presence of women artists throughout the history of the Paris salon. The striking cover image is from Echo, an 1891 oil on canvas by the Finnish painter Ellen Thesleff (1869-1954).

old Lulu comics), before moving on to crimebusters like Miss Fury, super-spies like Tiffany Sinn, sci-fi pioneers like Gale Allen, and iconic favorites Wonder Woman and Ms. Marvel. According to Library Journal, “the mix of history, pop culture, and a little bit of reference is more akin to a heavily illustrated coffee-table book, allowing for browsing short entries about superheroes such as Wonder Woman and Jessica Jones and cult favorites such as Emily the Strange.” Hope Nicholson is the owner and founder of Bedside Press, and a consulting editor for Margaret Atwood’s Angel Catbird (Dark Horse Comics, 2016). French Writer Christian Perrissin (El Niño, Cape Horn) joins forces with award-winning artist Matthieu Blanchin to tackle the legend of Martha Jane Cannary and her life alongside the likes of Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok in Calamity Jane: The Calamitous Life of Martha Jane Cannary (IDW $29.99), a graphic novel presented in English for the first time. Fans of Robin Weigart’s lusty foul-mouthed Jane in David Milch’s great HBO series Deadwood should enjoy this lengthy, in-depth graphic biography (368 pages) of the prototypical cowgirl, “a bona fide frontierswoman, a professional scout, drunk, and sometime whore, doing whatever it took to stay alive in the hardscrabble days of American expansion.”

ALICE IS HERE! It could only happen in New York, city of the Automat. My wife and I were having lunch at the Union Square Cafe some years ago when we began hearing “She’s here! she’s here!” from the wait staff. A small crowd seemed to be forming around the woman seated at a table to our left. When our waiter came for the order, my wife, a fellow student of Waters at Berkeley, said, “I’ll have whatever Alice is having.”

GRAPHIC WOMEN Hope Nicholson’s The Spectacular Sisterhood of Superwomen: Awesome Female Characters from Comic Book History (Quirk Books $24.95) begins with a tribute to Little Lulu, a beloved character I associate with the era of automats (my wife and I still quote from

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PHOTO BY EMILY T. SCHINDLER Gingerbread Wonderland and Craft Show, Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Feasting with Family & Friends: Christmas in the Ballantine House, Newark Museum

25th Annual Holiday House Tour, Summit

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS BY LAURIE PELLICHERO

Jack Frost is in the air, and the “most wonderful time of the year” is about to begin… Mark your calendar for these festive New Jersey events that celebrate the season: NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 31 Hope for the Holidays Monmouth Museum, Brookdale Community College Campus, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft www.monmouthmuseum.org The Monmouth Museum’s annual juried art exhibition, Hope for the Holidays, is featured through December 31, along with its popular model train display and Artisans Holiday Gift Gallery. A Hope for Holidays Kids Edition is in the Hallway Gallery, and Steve the Magician will put on a Winter Wonderland Magic Show on December 2 at noon. The Monmouth Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM-5PM, Sunday 12-5PM, and Friday 10AM-9PM. DECEMBER 1-JANUARY 7 Feasting with Family & Friends: Christmas in the Ballantine House Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark; Wednesday-Sunday at 2PM www.newarkmuseum.org The Newark Museum‘s National Historic Landmark, the 1885 Ballantine House, offers visitors a taste of how Christmas was celebrated in the Victorian age, as English, German, and Dutch holiday traditions merged into something not so very different from the way the holiday is celebrated in America today. This historicallyaccurate installation lets visitors step back in time to learn about 19th-century life and traditions. DECEMBER 1-10 Gingerbread Wonderland and Craft Show Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 Hanover Avenue, Morris Township; 10AM-4:30PM daily, Fridays until 7:30PM www.arboretumfriends.org Now in its 26th year, Gingerbread Wonderland is a charming exhibit of hundreds of carefully-crafted, edible structures. Past years’ gingerbread models have included Notre Dame Cathedral, Hanukkah menorahs, Japanese temples, Chinese pagodas, and a European castle. A Holiday Craft Show will be held on the weekends during the Gingerbread Wonderland exhibit, featuring handmade items from local crafters. DECEMBER 2-3 Holly Walk Several venues, Morris County; 11AM-4PM www.morristourism.org A Morris County tradition, Holly Walk offers the opportunity to visit six historic sites decorated for the holidays. Visit all six during the course of the weekend, in

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Hope for the Holidays, Monmouth Museum

Holly Walk, Morris County

any order you choose, with one ticket. Stops include the Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall, The Ford Mansion at Morristown National Historical Park, The Schuyler-Hamilton House, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, and The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com. DECEMBER 2-29 40th Annual Festival of Trees Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge; 9AM-4:30PM www.somersetcountyparks.org Get into the holiday spirit with The Festival of Trees, an indoor exhibit of decorated trees by various community groups and individuals. Enjoy live holiday music on select Saturdays and Sundays, and tasty treats in the Snowflake Café on all Saturdays and Sundays. DECEMBER 3 Snowflake Parade and Family Fun Festival Millburn Avenue between Holmes and Spring Streets, Milburn; 1:30-4:30PM www.downtownmillburn.org This year’s Snowflake Parade will feature marching bands, clowns, costumed characters, the Wells Fargo Horse and Carriage and Investors Bank Train. There will also be refreshments after the parade, complimentary photo ops with Santa, and musical entertainment. DECEMBER 7 25th Annual Holiday House Tour Various locations, Summit; 9:30AM - 2:30PM www.reeves-reedarboretum.org The Reeves-Reed Arboretum Holiday House Tour has grown to become one of the premier holiday events in the area, offering a fun and entertaining way to spend a day viewing beautiful homes in Summit that are festively decorated for the season. The tour includes a stop at the Wisner House Holiday Boutique, where shoppers can choose from curated, one-of-a-kind gifts and holiday wreaths and greens created by the Arboretum’s horticultural staff. Holiday Boutique hours are 9AM–4PM and 5PM–8PM.

Snowﬂake Parade, Millburn

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