Nov 2012 - Nassau Journals
Nov 2012 - Nassau Journals
Nov 2012 - Nassau Journals
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n o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2<br />
of Cranbury-East Windsor
The<br />
The<br />
The local news and information source for<br />
Northern Mercer and Southern Middlesex Counties<br />
A U G U S T 2 0 1 1<br />
A P R I L 1 9 1 1<br />
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1<br />
Brand new to this part of New Jersey, with 15 years of<br />
experience in Monmouth County.<br />
Reaching 36,000 homes every month with local news,<br />
information, and reporters who live in our area!<br />
FREE to every home in the region!<br />
Publishing information about your organization<br />
and what it is doing in the community!<br />
(609) 371-4631<br />
To send your editorial information email:<br />
editorial.thejournal@gmail.com<br />
For advertising infor mation: advertising.thejournal@gmail.com
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 3<br />
Interviewing a Home Grown Ballet<br />
Celebrity: Alexis Branagan Interviews<br />
Stephen Campanella.<br />
What first attracted you to ballet and<br />
to Princeton Ballet School?<br />
At the age of 2, I saw a video of<br />
Baryshnikov dancing in The Nutcracker<br />
and was immediately captivated. I went<br />
to a local dance school at 3, and the<br />
owner directed me to Princeton Ballet<br />
School, the Official School of American<br />
Repertory Ballet, where I was enrolled at<br />
the age of 4.<br />
When did you begin performing in<br />
American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker?<br />
I grew up in West Windsor and<br />
started performing in ARB’s Nutcracker<br />
at age 5. Over my childhood years, I was<br />
a mouse, the youngest boy in the party<br />
scene, and Fritz, Clara’s obnoxious<br />
younger brother; the last of those suited<br />
me perfectly. (Now he dances the role of<br />
Soldier Doll in Act I of Nutcracker.) It<br />
was a wonderful experience on a number<br />
of levels: the thrill of performing in a professional production,<br />
the backstage camaraderie of the children, the early lesson in commitment<br />
of one’s time, effort, and love. It also provided excellent on<br />
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stage experience from a very early age.<br />
Children who perform learn how the<br />
theater works. They are also inspired by<br />
company members, learn how to perform<br />
for an audience, above and beyond<br />
the technique one learns in the classroom.<br />
It is said that practice makes perfect,<br />
and the more you perform, the<br />
better you get at it.<br />
In what ways do you think ARB’s Nutcracker<br />
is a uniquely local tradition?<br />
The Nutcracker forms a uniquely<br />
American tradition, despite the German<br />
origins of the story and the Franco-Russian<br />
origins of the ballet. Almost everywhere<br />
else in the world, The Nutcracker<br />
is performed as just another part of a<br />
ballet company’s repertory; only here is<br />
it an annual holiday tradition with a<br />
special local flair.<br />
ARB has been performing The Nutcracker<br />
in central New Jersey for almost<br />
50 years, with local children joining the<br />
company on stage to dance for local audiences<br />
in venues such as McCarter Theatre<br />
in Princeton and State Theatre in New Brunswick. It has become<br />
a Central Jersey family tradition.<br />
continued on page 14<br />
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PHONE (609) 371-4631 • FAX (732) 431-9379 • WWW.THEJOURNALNJ.COM Support Our Advertisers
4 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
MONMOUTH COUNTY EDITIONS<br />
The Colts Neck Journal<br />
The Holmdel Journal<br />
The Navesink Area Journal<br />
(Including Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Lincroft, Little Silver, Locust,<br />
Middletown, Red Bank, Rumson, Shrewsbury, & Sea Bright)<br />
MERCER AND MIDDLESEX COUNTY EDITIONS<br />
The Journal of Cranbury-East Windsor<br />
(Including the Borough of Hightstown)<br />
The Journal of Plainsboro-West Windsor<br />
The Journal of South Brunswick<br />
(Including Kendall Park, Dayton, and Monmouth Junction)<br />
Vice President/General Manager Josh Gertzog<br />
Art Director (Monmouth) Debra McKenna<br />
Assistant Art Director (Mercer/Middlesex) Lynn Stone<br />
Managing Editor Joanne Colella<br />
Mercer/Middlesex Editor Lori Draz<br />
Office Administration (Monmouth) Nancy Hayes<br />
Marketing Consultants (Monmouth)<br />
Robin Fields Jill Goldbach<br />
Jean Simone Dalesio Debbie Cohen<br />
Marketing Consultants (Mercer/Middlesex)<br />
Kim LaVista Darlene Curiazza<br />
Contributing Writers (Monmouth)<br />
Tony Senk Laura Kolnoski<br />
Les Pierce MaryAnn Miano<br />
Lori Anne Oliwa Jennifer Chauhan<br />
Contributing Writers (Mercer/Middlesex)<br />
Laurel Kornfeld Alice Borowsky<br />
Annie Gonzales Pravin Phillip<br />
Maria Prato<br />
<strong>Nassau</strong> Publications, LLC and <strong>Nassau</strong> <strong>Journals</strong>, LLC are known as<br />
the most respected and recognizable community publications in<br />
the areas we cover. Each month, we deliver high-quality, relevant,<br />
and compelling articles of local interest to our readers, along with<br />
attractive and effective advertising for the hundreds of successful<br />
businesses and professionals who have partnered with us year<br />
after year. Each issue is mailed directly to residences and<br />
businesses throughout each community, and distributed to local<br />
public points of interest.<br />
CONTACT US<br />
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Phone 609.371.4631 Fax 732.431.9379<br />
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Advertising - 13th of month • Editorial - 15th of month<br />
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<strong>Journals</strong>, LLC is not responsible for typographical errors that do not decrease the value of an advertisement.<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
Each month, I use this column to extol the virtues of The<br />
Journal. This month, it’s a little different, because of a<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember event coming up. On <strong>Nov</strong>ember 6, <strong>2012</strong>, I<br />
am going to be doing something that even surpasses reading The<br />
Journal:<br />
Voting.<br />
To some of you, this is a “no brainer.” You<br />
vote in every election, you feel that it’s important<br />
to have your voice heard, and you are proud of<br />
the fact that you have the right to vote in<br />
“land of the free.”<br />
Some of you never vote. You<br />
say “nothing’s going to change,” or<br />
“the candidates are the same,” or,<br />
in some cases, “my vote just<br />
doesn’t matter.” I also hear a lot of<br />
“I don’t have time.”<br />
I have always subscribed to the theory<br />
that if you don’t vote, you lose your right to complain. And since<br />
almost everyone likes to complain, I think it makes sense to vote.<br />
So that’s the easy part. However, do you encourage your<br />
friends and family to vote? What if you know they have different<br />
opinions than you? Do you encourage them in that case?<br />
That’s a little harder. If you are voting for candidate A and<br />
you know your friend favors candidate B, do you still encourage<br />
them to vote? My answer is “yes.” As contrary as that may sound,<br />
I am more concerned about getting as many people as possible<br />
to vote than I am about who gets elected.<br />
The partisanship that pervades our country now makes this<br />
almost a crazy thought. We look at “the other candidate” as almost<br />
anti-American. Yet the fact that he or she is a candidate is<br />
exactly what makes them American. They are part of a free election,<br />
where majority actually rules. You can make your voice<br />
known by voting for one candidate or the other.<br />
Here’s my strategy on picking a candidate to vote for:<br />
1) Be selfish. Which candidates will fight for legislation that<br />
will help me as an individual?<br />
2) Be selfless. Which candidates will fight for legislation<br />
that will benefit the most people?<br />
3) Think about the past. What has worked in the past, and<br />
what might work again?<br />
4) Think about the future. What has changed in our society<br />
that makes the past obsolete no matter how attractive returning<br />
to those days might be?<br />
5) Go with your gut. After these other steps, picking the candidate<br />
is still an emotional choice. Do your homework,<br />
make some educated choices…but then go with what<br />
you feel is “right.” It will be a choice you can live with.<br />
But most importantly, vote. No matter what you think about<br />
the individual candidates of either…or both…major parties, not<br />
casting your vote is a true insult to those who fought to make this<br />
country great. Don’t insult them…and yourself…by staying out<br />
of the fray.<br />
See you at the polls on <strong>Nov</strong>ember 6.<br />
Josh Gertzog<br />
October <strong>2012</strong>
T A B of of<br />
4<br />
7<br />
9<br />
10<br />
12<br />
13<br />
20<br />
21<br />
23<br />
24<br />
26<br />
28<br />
31<br />
32<br />
C<br />
COVER<br />
O<br />
L<br />
E<br />
N<br />
4 message fr from<br />
the publisher<br />
7 apollo apollo lodge lodge cer<br />
cer emony<br />
9 ew boar d of ed meeting<br />
10 day trip<br />
12 dave cook and jay taylor seek r re-election<br />
e-election<br />
13 r epublicans mount challenge for township committee<br />
20 working class<br />
21 business matters<br />
23 meet the candidates<br />
24 hightstown triathalon<br />
26 entertainment corner<br />
28 community yar yard<br />
sale<br />
31 let’ s dish<br />
32 november special events<br />
31<br />
T<br />
E<br />
N<br />
T<br />
With the elections surr surrounding<br />
ounding us, and the holidays just ar<br />
ound<br />
the cornerr,<br />
, r<br />
esidents will still make time to honor those that<br />
served - and serve - our country on V Veterans<br />
eterans Day<br />
, observed<br />
this year on <strong>Nov</strong>ember 12th.<br />
S<br />
27<br />
18<br />
24<br />
7 28
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THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 7<br />
APOLLO LODGE #41 - CORNERSTONE LAYING CEREMONY<br />
By Annie Gonzales<br />
The Hightstown Apollo Masonic Lodge, also known as the<br />
Apollo Lodge #41, led by Worshipful Master Earl C.<br />
Groendyke, conducted their Cornerstone Installation on<br />
October 7. Many were in attendance, including Hightstown Mayor<br />
Steven Kirson and Grand Master of Masons, Most Worshipful Glenn<br />
R. Trautman. The procession was led by Grand Marshal RW Arnold<br />
T. ”Butch” Elliot.<br />
The cornerstone was donated by Corbin Steel and Stone. Engraving<br />
was done by A.L. Duryee & Son, a division of Sutphen Memorials,<br />
and the document box was provided by Michael Sheenan.<br />
Also in attendance were members of the Grange, Hightstown-<br />
East Windsor Lions Club, Rocky Brook Garden Club, and the Hightstown<br />
Bridge Commission. Wonderful live music was provided by<br />
Lauren and Katrina Bragat. For more information on the Apollo<br />
Lodge #41, visit www.nj-freemasons.org.<br />
Dignitaries assemble<br />
Procession Grand Master<br />
Allan White, Glenn R. Trautman,<br />
Earl C. Groendyke<br />
Symbolically applying cement<br />
Glenn R. Trautman, Earl C. Groendyke,<br />
Mayor Steven Kirson<br />
Plaque is placed<br />
Ceremony begins<br />
CRANBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY<br />
FOUNDATION REACHES $1<br />
MILLION MILESTONE<br />
The Cranbury Public Library Foundation reached a milestone<br />
in its capital campaign to raise funds for a new building.<br />
“We have officially crossed the million dollar mark in<br />
funds pledged and saved,” announced Foundation President Patricia<br />
Thomsson. “Residents are coming together as a philanthropic group<br />
to make this happen. About 70 individuals, families, groups, and<br />
businesses have contributed to the campaign so far, sending a message<br />
that Cranbury needs a new public library!”<br />
With two generous pledges committed in the same week, one<br />
from the Friends of the Cranbury Public Library and the other from<br />
1st Constitution Bank (of Cranbury), the funds for the project total<br />
$1,020,000 of the $3.2 million needed to build a new community<br />
library. The township has also shown its support by designating the<br />
land for the new building. In addition, the township committee<br />
passed a resolution endorsing the Foundation’s efforts.<br />
Kirstie Venanzi, Cranbury Public Library Foundation Campaign<br />
Chair, said, “With this project we have a chance to do what Andrew<br />
Carnegie called real and permanent good for our town.“<br />
Lorraine Sedor, acting president of the Friends of the Cranbury<br />
Public Library, said “The Friends support the library’s mission of providing<br />
excellent library service to the residents of our town.”<br />
More than a decade ago, when the Friends group was chartered,<br />
our goal was to augment the Library’s already outstanding array of<br />
offerings. Everyone who has ever stopped by our used book sales,<br />
continued on page 15<br />
PHONE (609) 371-4631 • FAX (732) 431-9379 • WWW.THEJOURNALNJ.COM Support Our Advertisers
8 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
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We find that this time of year a lot of our patients choose to treat<br />
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We Will Never Forget<br />
HICKORY CORNER<br />
LIBRARY BOOK SALE<br />
Remember that best-seller<br />
you’ve been meaning to read<br />
or give as a gift? Now’s the<br />
time to get it! The Friends of the Hickory<br />
Corner Library, Inc., will be holding their<br />
fall book sale on Thursday, Saturday, and<br />
Sunday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 15, 17, and 18, at the<br />
library at 138 Hickory Corner Road, in East Windsor.<br />
The opening two hours on Thursday, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00<br />
p.m. will be open for members of the Friends of the Hickory Corner<br />
Library only. Then the general public will be welcomed for the rest<br />
of the sale.<br />
Browse through hundreds of new and gently-used adult, young<br />
adult, and children’s books, as well as DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and<br />
videotapes.<br />
All items are very reasonably priced. Adult hardcover books are<br />
$1.50, and paperbacks are 50 cents to $1.00. Young adult and children’s<br />
hardcover books are two for $1.00, and paperbacks are three<br />
for $1.00. There will also be some special books priced individually.<br />
Proceeds are used to purchase new materials for the library and<br />
provide special programs for adults and children, including the Summer<br />
Reading Program. Sale hours are Thursday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 15, 6:00<br />
p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 17, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30<br />
p.m. There’s a special BAG SALE on Sunday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 18, from 1:00<br />
p.m. to 4:00 pm, where you can fill a bag for only $4.00.<br />
The Hickory Corner Library is a branch of the Mercer County Library<br />
System.<br />
For more information, email friendshclibrary@gmail.com.<br />
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THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 9<br />
EW SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF<br />
ED MEETING SEPTEMBER 24<br />
By Annie Gonzales<br />
Former Board Member Susan Lloyd was recognized at the September<br />
24 East Windsor School District Board of Education<br />
Meeting. Opening remarks were given by Superintendent Edward<br />
Forsthoffer, who described Lloyd as a “very diligent board member<br />
and consummate professional.” Board President Robert Laverty<br />
thanked Lloyd for 10 years of service on the board, “including the<br />
most tumultuous years ever seen.” Lloyd was then presented a plaque<br />
in grateful recognition of service from 2002 to <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
Lloyd thanked the members of the board. “I am proud of what<br />
the district has become.” She said her hard work was, “done all for<br />
the students. I am grateful to all for the support for the last two years.”<br />
Seven members of the district’s Transportation Department received<br />
special recognition for Perfect Attendance. Transportation Supervisor<br />
Ingrid Reitano stated, ”It takes true dedication. They’re at<br />
work before the lights are on and they’re the first people the children<br />
see.” The Perfect Attendance recipients were:<br />
Emmanuel Babin – Bus Driver<br />
Charles Burt – Bus Driver<br />
Karen De Angelis – Van Attendant<br />
Dianna Moore – Driver<br />
William Power – Bus Driver<br />
Jean Prophete – Bus Driver<br />
Donna Sweeney– Bus Driver<br />
Nine district staff members received special recognition for 25<br />
Years of Service. The recipients were introduced by their fellow teachers.<br />
Gayle Parker, Rogers School Principal, honored Mary Christensen<br />
of Grace N. Rogers Elementary School. Principal Parker said that<br />
Christensen, “created a safe, caring, and all-inclusive child-centered<br />
environment.” Principal Parker said it was an honor to work with a<br />
dedicated professional who is passionate about education.<br />
Principal Parker also honored Mary Ann Wherley of Grace N.<br />
Rogers Elementary School. “She is consistently recognized by all administrators<br />
as dedicated, enthusiastic, cooperative, and committed.”<br />
Lori Stein, Melvin H. Kreps Middle School Principal, honored Ellen<br />
Gertel of Kreps Middle School. “Ellen promotes well-being of the<br />
school community; she continues to be a compassionate counselor.”<br />
Principal Stein also honored Harold Cox of Kreps. “His love and<br />
passion for teaching science has inspired students. He remains current<br />
and incorporates new strategies. He inspires in science, and on the<br />
mat as the Wrestling Coach.”<br />
Robert Dias, Perry L. Drew School Principal, honored Lynn Marie<br />
Churchman of Perry L. Drew Elementary School. Churchman taught<br />
third and fourth grade and special education. Principal Dias said that<br />
Churchman “loves helping the children reach their best potential possible.”<br />
She was described as a “passionate gardener,” and she helped<br />
build the Drew School garden. “The result is a wonderful garden that<br />
is still up today,” Principal Dias said.<br />
Alix Arvizu, Hightstown High School Principal, honored Dr.<br />
David Williams of Hightstown High School. Principal Arvizu described<br />
Dr. Williams as “enthusiastically sharing his love for literature.<br />
He has an excellent rapport with students.”<br />
Tekalah Sherrod, Director of Student Services for the district, honored<br />
Iris Landau of Student Services. Sherrod described Landau as<br />
supporting students’ growth for independence and self-advocacy.”<br />
Also receiving awards for 25 Years of Service were Trudy Heisler in<br />
Administration and Maria Rodriguez of Grace N. Rogers Elementary<br />
School. Both were unable to attend the evening’s award presentation.<br />
Board Member Christine Harrington acknowledged the passing<br />
of Jacques A. “Doudou” Chancy, Music Teacher at Grace N. Rogers El-<br />
ementary School. Chancy passed away on September 16, from a heart<br />
attack. Board members described Chancy as a “beloved teacher”.<br />
Superintendent Forsthoffer said that the district received crisis<br />
management training last year to prepare for any unfortunate events.<br />
Superintendent Forsthoffer explained that they did not use the<br />
Chancy’s classroom for the first half of the day after the loss. They<br />
brought in a teacher to fill in, one who had worked in the school distrtict<br />
before. Students received counseling and he said that the staff<br />
and students were excellent.<br />
In lengthy discussion was the policy on Home Schooling and<br />
Equivalent Education Outside the Schools, also called Policy 5270.<br />
Board members posed questions on policy language. They also discussed<br />
policy for the appropriate intervention of the Superintendent<br />
when they receive reports of homeschooled children not receiving an<br />
education. Discussions of this policy will be continued at the next<br />
scheduled Board of Education meeting.<br />
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As the country looks<br />
ahead to next<br />
month’s presidential<br />
elections, this month’s Day<br />
Trip takes a look back at the<br />
lifestyle of a former president,<br />
Franklin Delano Roosevelt,<br />
and his hometown of<br />
Hyde Park, New York.<br />
Located in the northwest<br />
portion of Dutchess<br />
County, just north of Poughkeepsie,<br />
the town is the site<br />
of the FDR estate called<br />
Springwood, now officially<br />
named the Home of Franklin<br />
D. Roosevelt National Historic<br />
Site, which is maintained<br />
by the National Park<br />
Service. Once Roosevelt’s<br />
birthplace and lifelong residence<br />
where he often<br />
hosted distinguished guests<br />
from around the world, the<br />
house is now a popular museum<br />
that offers guests a<br />
glimpse into the wealthy and privileged upbringing<br />
of the future Democratic president. The Franklin<br />
D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum,<br />
America’s first presidential library and the only one<br />
used by a sitting president, is also here in Hyde<br />
Park and is operated by the National Archives. It<br />
houses a vast collection of his personal papers,<br />
books, memorabilia, and other items assembled<br />
from a lifetime of public service. Both the 32nd<br />
U.S. President and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, are<br />
buried at Springwood, in the estate’s rose garden.<br />
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National<br />
Historic Site is open all year, seven days a week (except<br />
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)<br />
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors are only able<br />
to see the Federal-style home itself by guided tour,<br />
but the expansive grounds, trails, and picturesque<br />
gardens are free and open from sunrise to sunset<br />
daily. The FDR Presidential Library and Museum,<br />
also included with admission to the estate, offers<br />
self-guided tours.<br />
Your visit will usually begin at the Henry A.<br />
Wallace Visitor and Education Center, where you<br />
(TOP LEFT) “Springwood,” The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site<br />
(TOP RIGHT) Top Cottage (BOTTOM LEFT) A statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt<br />
and his wife Eleanor greet guests arriving at the visitor center.<br />
(BOTTOM RIGHT) Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site<br />
can watch an introductory film and arrange for both<br />
the guided tours of the historic home – led by<br />
knowledgeable National Park Rangers – and selfguided<br />
tours of the library and museum. At the<br />
easternmost edge of the 300-acre estate is Top Cottage,<br />
a smaller, Dutch colonial-style home that Roosevelt<br />
built as a quiet retreat from the bustle of<br />
Springwood and where he would invite close friends<br />
and political allies to spend time with him. Top Cottage<br />
is open from May through October and is also<br />
available for tours, with shuttles departing from the<br />
visitor center. Val-Kill, a modest structure about two<br />
miles away, was used by Eleanor Roosevelt for her<br />
personal work and became her home after the president’s<br />
death. It is the only National Historic Site<br />
dedicated to a first lady. It is also open for guided<br />
tours from May through October, with the grounds<br />
open year-round from sunrise to sunset.<br />
Visitors are generally advised to plan a minimum<br />
of two and a half hours to tour Springwood, and another<br />
two hours to see Top Cottage. An additional<br />
90 minutes is suggested to devote to Val-Kill.<br />
The historic town of Hyde Park also includes<br />
HYDE PARK, NEW YORK<br />
By Joanne Colella<br />
other notable sites, one of<br />
the most impressive being<br />
the neighboring Vanderbilt<br />
Mansion National Historic<br />
Site. Established as a monument<br />
to an entire era – the<br />
so-called Gilded Age -- the<br />
stunning estate is one of the<br />
few remaining premier examples<br />
of the “country palaces”<br />
built by wealthy industrialists.<br />
Overlooking the east bank of<br />
the Hudson River, the site sits<br />
on 211 acres, with expansive<br />
views, formal gardens, grand<br />
landscaping, natural woodlands,<br />
and numerous structures.<br />
The centerpiece of the<br />
estate is the magnificent 54room<br />
mansion used by Frederick<br />
William Vanderbilt and<br />
his wife Louise as a seasonal<br />
country residence.<br />
Like its famous neighboring<br />
sites, the Vanderbilt<br />
Mansion is open for guided<br />
tours, seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00<br />
p.m. – although times are more limited from <strong>Nov</strong>ember<br />
through April and subject to change, so it’s<br />
wise to check schedules when you plan to visit.<br />
The mansion is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas,<br />
and New Year’s Day. The surrounding grounds are<br />
open every day throughout the year from sunrise<br />
to sunset.<br />
The National Park Service maintains very informative<br />
websites about each of these always<br />
breathtaking, often inspiring destinations. There<br />
are even convenient itineraries available online, offering<br />
advice on how to easily and efficiently plan<br />
your day to take in the entire experience. Reasonably<br />
priced tickets allow access to multiple sites,<br />
and free shuttle buses are available to usher you to<br />
each location.<br />
For more details on how to take your own day<br />
trip back into history, check out these websites:<br />
www.nps.gov/hofr/index.htm,<br />
www.nps.gov/vama/index.htm, www.hydeparkchamber.org/tourism.htm#sites,<br />
and<br />
www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/library/history.html.
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 11<br />
A.F.E.W. FRIENDS NEW YOU<br />
Dallas Casey<br />
Maribel<br />
Snicker Dude<br />
Dallas<br />
Dallas is a little shy and very<br />
independent, a friendly fellow<br />
and a little aloof, but let him get<br />
to know you. Dallas has a very<br />
calm demeanor and a perfect<br />
name for Cowboys fans.<br />
Casey<br />
Dexter<br />
Casey is a happy, energetic,<br />
friendly, very playful dog who doesn’t take his eyes off his handler<br />
while walking. He’s a quick command learner and tends to be very<br />
excitable around other dogs.<br />
Maribel<br />
Maribel, approximately three years old, had been in shelter for<br />
eight months before being put in a foster home. Maribel loves to follow<br />
you around the house, find a place to sit, and watch everything<br />
you do. She’s more of a sit-next-to-you cat rather than a lap cat who<br />
loves a good belly rub and a good stretch. Maribel has a unique feature,<br />
a triangle “goatee” of fur growing out from under her chin.<br />
Snickers<br />
Snickers is a little over five years old, and loves people, kids, and<br />
TV and will sit on the couch or your lap and hang out. Snicker loves<br />
his bed and puts himself into it on his own. He also loves to be<br />
walked and hugged; he loves to run free (on a long leash).<br />
Dexter<br />
Dexter is an eight-year-old golden mix who’s neutered and microchipped.<br />
When his owners separated, the husband took the dog<br />
to South Carolina. Last year a rescue in South Carolina found Dexter<br />
45 miles from the wive’s home…emaciated, attacked, and in need<br />
of stitches. The wife paid to have him taken care of down there and<br />
drove down to bring him home. His former owner is now remarried<br />
with new twins and 3 other children in a small house on a busy road<br />
with no fence. Can you give Dexter the love and attention she feels<br />
she can’t? A nice yard with an area for exercise would be great. He’s<br />
good with kids, cats, and other dogs.<br />
There are many animals up for adoption at Animal Friends for<br />
Education and Welfare. The descriptions above, provided by<br />
(A.F.E.W.), are just a few of the friends waiting to become part of<br />
your family. Interested in adopting a pet? Call (609) 448-5322 or<br />
visit the AFEW website, www.afewpets.org. AFEW also holds adoption<br />
days on Saturdays at Corner Copia Farm Nursery from 10:30<br />
a.m. to 2:00 p.m.<br />
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12 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
DAVID COOK AND JAY TAYLOR SEEK RE-ELECTION<br />
By Pravin J. Philip, Biz4NJ<br />
Dave Cook, Cranbury’s mayor, and Jay Taylor, incumbent<br />
township committee member, are hoping the voters will reelect<br />
them to another term on the Cranbury Township<br />
Committee.<br />
Cook was elected to the mayor position unanimously by his<br />
Democratic and Republican peers. Jay Taylor was first elected as a Republican<br />
and now stands for re-election on the Democratic ticket.<br />
Over the last term, he has served as liaison to a variety of departments,<br />
which, according to him, accounted for 33 percent of Cranbury’s<br />
budget. Jay recently had to retire as the township’s liaison to the Fire<br />
Department after joining the Fire Department.<br />
Mayor Cook: <strong>2012</strong> Version<br />
A financial advisor by trade, Cook had a baptism by fire, when<br />
first elected to the township committee in 2009. In his first year as<br />
mayor, Cranbury’s ratable had shrunk by a sixth. The $300 million in<br />
reduced ratable that fell off the town’s books was a rude awakening.<br />
Given these difficult circumstances and the need for bipartisan<br />
management, Mayor Cook says that he “created an environment for<br />
decision making” that shaved $500,000 off Cranbury’s operating expenses<br />
in three years. He said he did this by looking at fiscal policy,<br />
capital projects, as well as expanding the town’s commercial zones,<br />
and diversifying beyond warehouses, within the framework of Cranbury’s<br />
Master Plan as last updated in 2010. The township committee<br />
he led was also able to preserve 250 acres of open space. The mayor<br />
points out that “open space reduces the need for infrastructure” even<br />
as it “improves quality of life.”<br />
His advice to Cranburians was to “attend budget meetings” even<br />
if it seems like “watching paint dry.” While presiding over two consecutive<br />
budgets that gradually raised taxes, the mayor was, in his words,<br />
Re-elect DAVE COOK<br />
and JAY TAYLOR<br />
Cranbury Township Committee<br />
Success and Experience<br />
• 247 acres of farmland preserved with the<br />
town paying only 17.6 % of the purchase<br />
price<br />
• Decreased budget by half a million dollars<br />
since 2009<br />
• $2 million in debt reduction since 2009<br />
• Sponsored purchase of traffic safety<br />
equipment providing additional driver<br />
and pedestrian safety for residents<br />
Paid for by the Cranbury Democratic Committee<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
forced to look at the “sacred cows,” looking for savings through attrition<br />
in the Police Department as well as reductions in the Municipal<br />
Alliance budget.<br />
In response to charges that taxes were still too high, Cook points<br />
out, “our job is not to come in with a machete and start hacking.”<br />
Jay Taylor Looks to the Political Middle<br />
Like David Cook, Jay Taylor grew up in Cranbury. Unlike the<br />
mayor, however, Jay was elected to township committee on the Republican<br />
ticket. Jay soon developed a bi-partisan view that prompted<br />
him to change party alliances.<br />
“I had some philosophical differences with the Republican Party,”<br />
recounted Jay. “They moved away from me,” not the other way<br />
around. Moving across the aisle, in Jay’s words, was not easy, as his<br />
family had been traditionally Republican. Jay’s father served in the<br />
90’s served on Cranbury’s Township Committee as a Republican.<br />
Cook and Taylor cite other measures they’ve taken to reduce<br />
costs, like merging the positions of Township Administrator and<br />
CFO, renegotiating police contracts, and putting together a 911 contract<br />
with Hightstown that purportedly saved $80,000 per year. Jay<br />
and David also assert that they have achieved even more savings by<br />
reducing an employee in the construction department, removing<br />
medical benefits for future township employees who retire, and consolidating<br />
suppliers.<br />
Both men have taken heat for approving the construction of a<br />
shed, budgeted at over $300,000, to house Public Works Department<br />
vehicles. This is making it harder for future administrations to merge<br />
PWD functions with nearby townships or outsource them to for-profit<br />
providers. Their defense is that the shed will extend the life of expensive<br />
vehicles and allow the township to purchase and store supplies<br />
in greater bulk. It is worth noting that the decision to construct the<br />
shed was opposed by township committee member Dan Mulligan, a<br />
Republican.<br />
Unlike their challengers, both Democratic candidates are not in<br />
favor of outsourcing any more functions of the Public Works Department.<br />
They point out that two Public Works employees currently volunteer<br />
with the Fire Department for an extra dollar per hour added to<br />
their wages. This is especially useful because the township is, according<br />
to them, saving an estimated $125,000 for each employee they would<br />
need to hire to address a recurrent shortage of Fire Department volunteers.<br />
Candidates on both sides have paid lip service to the need to<br />
encourage residents to stay on after their children are educated. The<br />
Republicans talk about reducing costs, and the Democrats have<br />
talked about finding ways to provide more services to seniors. Township<br />
Committee Member Glenn Johnson and Dan Mulligan, the<br />
township committee’s liaison to the Human Services Commission,<br />
are into adding some of the administrative services needed by seniors<br />
to the Recreation Department, which has a part-time employee<br />
who can help.<br />
The inexplicable disconnect here is that while it is the older more<br />
long-term citizens of Cranbury who vote in higher numbers, the township<br />
seems to spend far more of its resources on a school system that<br />
increasingly serves a younger, more transient population. One step in<br />
the right direction is an emerging effort by Cranbury School to engage<br />
more seniors as mentors.<br />
The people of Cranbury, the School Board, and both parties need<br />
to find ways to incentivize families who have benefited from Cranbury’s<br />
schools to put down deeper roots despite the higher taxes.<br />
As Mayor David Cook said, “at the end of the day we’re all Cranburians.”
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 13<br />
CRANBURY’S REPUBLICANS MOUNT CHALLENGE<br />
FOR TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE By Pravin J.Philip<br />
Challengers Cindy Smithers<br />
and Tom Connolly are campaigning<br />
for seats on Cranbury’s<br />
Township Committee. They<br />
promote the national Republican<br />
platform of lower taxes, less regulation,<br />
and more efforts to increase<br />
business opportunities, and thereby<br />
the tax base. As Tom Connolly said at<br />
a recent community meeting, “the<br />
only way we know that the government<br />
is not going to waste your<br />
money, is not to give it to them in the<br />
first place.”<br />
Partisan Affiliations Prevail<br />
At a recent “Meet the Candidate’s”<br />
event on October 10, Phylissanne<br />
Stehn, the Chairperson of the<br />
Republican Party in Cranbury, pointed<br />
out that this year’s younger Republican candidates deserved more encouragement.<br />
However, she observed that it was the older, more partisan<br />
voters, who attended political meetings for the community.<br />
According to the Township Clerk Kathleen Cunnigham, some<br />
1,208, or 44.4, percent of Cranbury’s 2,716 voting worthies are unaffiliated.<br />
Of those with affiliations, 826 identify themselves as Democratic<br />
and 680 say they are Republican. The 5.4 percent advantage the<br />
Democrats have on paper is negligible, given the size of the unaffiliated<br />
voter group.<br />
Also, if primary participation is an indication, the Republicans<br />
appear to have a more enthusiastic base. According to data received<br />
from Tom Connolly, candidates racked up 267 votes together, while<br />
the Democrats had 171 votes between them.<br />
Cindy Smithers<br />
Cindy is a Penn State Graduate with a BS in Labor Relations. She<br />
is a product manager for testing software and publishing reviews of<br />
them. She served as Republican Committeewoman for District One<br />
(of three) in Cranbury. She has lived in Cranbury for over 10 years,<br />
had two children in the school system, and volunteered at various<br />
positions for the Boy Scouts, school, and township. Her husband,<br />
Rob, recently returned from an armed forces tour in Iraq.<br />
Though she supports Republican positions, she is “not looking<br />
at who is Republican or Democrat.”<br />
When asked what changes she would like to make in the way<br />
Cranbury was run, Cindy said, “I will work hard to bring more businesses<br />
into town.” She cited three parcels of commercial property that<br />
have been vacant for a long time. She wants to work harder at finding<br />
businesses that could use vacant properties like that. She feels it is<br />
harder than it should be for businesses to come in, particularly as<br />
variances are difficult.<br />
“I’m business friendly with a fresh perspective.” She also said she<br />
was in favor of “zero-based budgeting,” which questions all expense<br />
heads and builds the budget up from scratch. When asked if she<br />
thought the township committee was doing a bad job, she said, “We<br />
may disagree on specifics, but we are all friends here.”<br />
She was not overly critical of Jay Taylor’s decision to switch parties.<br />
“Jay must have had his reasons for switching,” she says.<br />
She feels that the township needs more female representation,<br />
Cindy Smithers and Tom Connolly<br />
as Susan Goetz is the sole female representative<br />
on the township committee.<br />
She made her point with a slow<br />
smile, “It would be nice to have another<br />
woman on board.”<br />
Tom Connolly<br />
Cindy’s co-challenger is all of 25<br />
years old. He is a graduate of James<br />
Madison University Business School<br />
with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.<br />
During his student days,<br />
Tom says he founded and led the<br />
local chapter of “Adopt a Platoon,”<br />
which supported troops by sending<br />
them care packages.<br />
Tom has lived in Cranbury for 22<br />
years and is a product of the local<br />
school district. He is a manager at the<br />
Westminster Hotel, which he describes<br />
as a “AAA Four Diamond property.” When pressed about his<br />
youth, Connolly pointed out that Abraham Lincoln was elected to<br />
the Illinois General Assembly when he was 25.<br />
Asked what he would do differently if he were elected, Tom said<br />
he “would televise township committee meetings to increase public<br />
participation in township government.” He hoped to fund such an<br />
continued on page 15<br />
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14 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
AMERICAN REPERTORY BALLET continued<br />
Stephen Campanella as Solider Doll - Credit-George Jones<br />
How has ARB’s Nutcracker evolved since you began performing<br />
in it?<br />
It has undergone several overhauls over those 50 years, from a<br />
version choreographed largely by the founder of Princeton Ballet,<br />
Audrée Estey, plus choreography after the original Petipa-Ivanov ballet,<br />
to a version choreographed by the previous artistic director, Graham<br />
Lustig, to yet a third and current version. The current director,<br />
Douglas Martin, brought back the much-loved First Act Party and Battle<br />
scene choreography of Ms. Estey; choreographed much of his own<br />
Snow Scene and Second Act with ARB’s Ballet Mistress, Mary Barton;<br />
and used some of the Petipa-Ivanov choreography.<br />
In a personal note, I am often called to perform in the Party Scene<br />
as the father of the family in which I started out as the youngest boy.<br />
The following students are performing in the Act I Party Scene,<br />
Snow Scene, and/or in an Act II divertissement of ARB’s Nutcracker.<br />
They are all in the American Repertory Ballet Workshop (ARBW),<br />
which is the performance division of Princeton Ballet School’s advanced<br />
levels.<br />
Other local participants in American Repertory Ballet’s rendition<br />
of the Nutcracker Ballet include:<br />
Emmanuelle Farrell, Plainsboro<br />
Marian Farrell, Plainsboro<br />
Sara Garcia, North Brunswick<br />
Kaila Jones, Plainsboro<br />
Imogen Lea, Cranbury<br />
Utka Ozdemir, Plainsboro<br />
Chelsea PeBenito, East Brunswick<br />
Dominique Rafael, East Brunswick<br />
Nina Reyes, Cranbury<br />
Anna Shpilsky, East Brunswick<br />
HIGHTSTOWN HIGH’S GIRLS’<br />
SOCCER<br />
By Rich Fisher<br />
Heading into the <strong>2012</strong> season, Hightstown High girls’ soccer<br />
coach “Doctor” Don Hess had high hopes for an experienced<br />
team coming off a 10-6-3 season.<br />
At mid-season the record stood at 7-4, which was OK but perhaps<br />
not as impressive as folks might have been expecting.<br />
Dig beneath that mark and look at the play of the field, however,<br />
and the Rams were certainly living up to the expectations of Hess and<br />
assistant Ray Griffis.<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
Hightstown was beset by two season-ending injuries before the<br />
year even started and had several players fighting nagging injuries<br />
throughout September and early October.<br />
All four of the Rams losses were by one goal and, with any luck,<br />
Hightstown would have had a glittering record.<br />
But as the leaves began to change in mid-October, Hess felt<br />
things were on the upswing.<br />
“We’re getting most of our players back, and I think things are<br />
going to pick up,” said Doctor Don, who won his 200th career game<br />
to open the season. “This is a great group of girls, I really like these<br />
girls and I want to see them finish with the best record possible and<br />
really have a nice season.”<br />
One of the big keys to this year has been goalie Lisa Jerry, whose<br />
dedication to the program last season was typical of what Hess was<br />
talking about with his players.<br />
As a junior, Jerry was splitting time with senior Erin Sobkowiak.<br />
But when the JV goalie went down with an injury and Hightstown<br />
had no one to take her place, Hess asked Jerry to move down, and<br />
she did so without a complaint.<br />
“She didn’t mind playing down,” Hess said. “The JV finished 13-<br />
0-1. It was a case of either<br />
sending her down or breaking<br />
in a new girl, and I hate to<br />
break in a girl who never<br />
played before because that’s<br />
how people get hurt. So we decided<br />
to send Lisa down. We<br />
could always call her over<br />
from the JV field if we needed<br />
her on varsity.”<br />
The time on JV did not slow<br />
Jerry’s progress. Through this<br />
year’s first 11 games, she had<br />
60 saves and three shutouts.<br />
“She’s been fine,” Hess said.<br />
“She’s been playing well. She’s<br />
Hightstown defenders Becca Cordo (left)<br />
and Cate Douglas have been stellar<br />
alternating between sweeper and stopper<br />
this season.<br />
had some stellar games. Especially<br />
with the high target<br />
shots in the upper 90. She’s<br />
very good at getting her hands<br />
on it. And her punts have<br />
been improving a lot, she has really gotten better.”<br />
Jerry has been helped by the strong defense of Becca Cordo and<br />
Cate Douglas, who switch between stopper and sweeper, depending<br />
on the opponent. Sophomore marking backs Melissa Barnes and<br />
Cristina Tous have also done solid jobs.<br />
A key to the midfield was the return of Erin Daley from injury.<br />
The senior forward/midfielder is the team’s top playmaker, and Hess<br />
felt as she got healthier it would help the offense click better. Lydia<br />
Walsh has also been a force as the opposite side winger.<br />
The big threat up front has been sophomore Dakota Mills, who<br />
had six goals and three assists through 11 games, after debuting on<br />
varsity with eight goals and two assists last year. Alexa Lopez and<br />
Walsh have also been finding the back of the net.<br />
“We have a lot of players contributing; of course they look to<br />
Dakota because she’s a big target and has a good foot,” Hess said.<br />
“I’ve moved her back to halfback just to take the mark off her. People<br />
go after her, she gets taken down a lot, and gets banged up a lot.<br />
“We moved her into the halfback spot to make a run through or<br />
put her into space. She holds the school record in the 200, so she’s<br />
got good speed.”<br />
And with his walking wounded returning slowly but surely, Hess<br />
is hoping for a fast finish to the season as well.
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 15<br />
FREE RABIES CLINIC<br />
East Windsor invites all dog and cat owners to a free rabies<br />
clinic on Saturday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00<br />
p.m. at East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 at 51<br />
One Mile Road. A second clinic will be held on Saturday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember<br />
24 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company<br />
No. 2 at 69 Twin Rivers Drive.<br />
Owners will be required to show a certificate of previous rabies<br />
vaccination; otherwise vaccinations of one year duration only will be<br />
provided. For safety, all animals must be properly restrained by leash<br />
or carried. For more information, contact the Animal Control Officer<br />
at (609) 448-5678, ext. 229 or visit www.ewpd.com.<br />
LIBRARY FOUNDATION continued<br />
purchased a house tour luncheon ticket, enjoyed our bake sales, or<br />
worked behind the scenes to make ‘Friends’ successful share in this<br />
notable donation.”<br />
Although the public library has doubled its circulation in the<br />
past decade, and increased the number of visits by about 50 percent,<br />
the size of the library space, which is shared with the Cranbury<br />
School, has not increased in 50 years. In addition, security concerns<br />
have reduced the Library’s usable space while school is in session.<br />
The goal of the capital campaign is to raise funds for a community<br />
building without raising taxes. The operating expenses of the library<br />
are currently funded by township appropriation, about 2<br />
percent of residential taxes, which is regulated by New Jersey Library<br />
Law. “The current appropriation will continue to run the community<br />
library in a new energy-efficient building,” stated Ms. Mullen, the Director<br />
of the Cranbury Public library.<br />
More information about the foundation and their Capital Campaign<br />
can be found at www.CranburyLibraryFoundation.org.<br />
REPUBLICANS MOUNT CHALLENGE continued<br />
initiative through a grant or to arrange the videography by an intern.<br />
He also said he would approach Channel 3, the local Comcast channel,<br />
to see if they would broadcast his video-feed.<br />
Connolly also wants to act proactively to fill any unused warehouse<br />
properties. He advocates holding an open house to bring businesses<br />
into the area.<br />
Both challengers feel there are more ways for the town to be business<br />
friendly, such as fast-track processing of applications.<br />
Cindy feels she would do a better job of listening to businesses<br />
and responding to their needs. Tom cites onerous dumpster regulations<br />
but approves of the improvements to the sign ordinances. He<br />
says, “We need to let business owners run their businesses.”<br />
The Smithers/Connolly ticket feels that taxes could be lower and<br />
that the budgetary reserve need not be as high as it is. Tom felt that<br />
“Denise Marabello (Cranbury’s Business Administrator) calls the<br />
shots.” When reminded that the township needed to maintain a reserve<br />
to keep its AAA rating, Tom retorted that he had spoken to an<br />
S & P Bond Specialist who said that the interest difference between a<br />
AAA and AA bond is 5/100th of a percent.<br />
Both candidates (along with sitting township committee member<br />
and Republican Dan Mulligan) opposed the funding of a Public<br />
Works Department storage barn that would cost $343, 000, as they<br />
did not see the return on the investment. Cindy, a Cranbury school<br />
mom, brings a woman’s perspective to the ticket. Tom’s think being<br />
single will give him more time to spend on his constituents. “I’ve not<br />
had a lot of time to date,” he said.<br />
Both candidates emphasize their enthusiasm and energy, as they<br />
stake their claim against their seasoned opponents. Overall all the<br />
candidates speak well of their opposition which is a testament to<br />
Cranbury’s collegiality.<br />
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16 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
calendar<br />
We Will Never Forget
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 17<br />
calendar<br />
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18 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
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VICTORIAN MOURNING<br />
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Victorian society was fascinated by<br />
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surrounded the etiquette of mourning.<br />
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Berlin work needlepoint used<br />
in memorial motto samplers.<br />
ria’s obsession with the death of her husband,<br />
Prince Albert, and the U.S. Civil<br />
War’s horrendous casualty rate created a<br />
cultural climate in which Americans, particularly<br />
women, embraced many of these<br />
new rules and customs.<br />
In “Fashionably Late—Costumes and<br />
Customs of the Victorian Mourning Period,”<br />
a free exhibit running Sunday after-<br />
noons from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. through <strong>Nov</strong>ember 18, the<br />
Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society has on display dresses,<br />
jewelry, literature, and other historic objects related to Victorian<br />
mourning.<br />
These range from elaborate lace-and-beaded black<br />
gowns, to engraved memorial cards, to a tiny pair of<br />
child’s black kid-leather mourning shoes.<br />
On <strong>Nov</strong>ember 4 at 2:00 p.m., there will be a related<br />
special event co-sponsored by the Cranbury Public Library.<br />
Professional history re-enactor Jane Peters Estes<br />
will present “Grave Matters,” a program offering a<br />
tongue-in-cheek look at customs surrounding death<br />
and dying. Appearing in Victorian costume, Ms. Estes<br />
will talk about mourning customs during the Civil War,<br />
the dying words of famous individuals, and headstone<br />
epitaphs.<br />
For the ongoing museum exhibit, curator Lisa<br />
Beach has pulled items from the museum’s extensive<br />
textile collection, and several local families have made<br />
special loans of some of their own heirlooms. Here are<br />
a few of the unusual mourning customs she discovered<br />
in her research:<br />
For a woman, mourning lasted two years. During<br />
the second year of “half mourning,” it was permissible<br />
to wear gray or purple. Only black was allowed in the<br />
first year.<br />
Etiquette experts were divided on whether it was<br />
necessary for a child to dress in mourning wear, but<br />
capes, bonnets, and shoes that have been passed on<br />
show that some children did so.<br />
Mirrors in households were draped, so the deceased<br />
person’s spirit would not get trapped in the glass.<br />
When mourning<br />
ended, it was considered<br />
bad luck to keep<br />
the clothing, so owners<br />
discarded it or<br />
passed it on.<br />
By the World War I<br />
era the customs had<br />
faded, likely because<br />
there was so much<br />
Mourning gown, bonnet, jewelry,<br />
and wreath<br />
death that mourners chose to move on with their lives<br />
more quickly.<br />
But many of these exquisitely made Victorian objects<br />
have survived.<br />
“For the Victorians, mourning was a time of great<br />
sadness but much beauty as well,” Ms. Beach said.<br />
Visitors may also tour the museum’s other permanent<br />
exhibits, which include five rooms of household<br />
and decorative items and furniture that help depict life<br />
in Cranbury through the ages.<br />
The Cranbury Museum is located at 4 Park Place<br />
East, Cranbury, NJ. Visit www.cranburyhistory.org for<br />
more details.
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 19<br />
LOVE THY SENIOR NEIGHBOR<br />
IN CRANBURY<br />
By Pravin J. Philip, Biz4NJ<br />
On September 24, Catherine Frohbieter, chairwoman of<br />
the Human Services Board of Cranbury appeared before<br />
the Cranbury Township Committee to ask the committee<br />
to “hire a part-time Director to apply for grants, and help run<br />
the various activities held for seniors.”<br />
According to Catherine, the center serves some 75 people,<br />
who attend luncheons once or twice a month. Participants pay<br />
$3.00 for a lunch supplied by Bagel Barn, Teddy’s, or the Cranbury<br />
Inn. The center also holds a seated exercise class on Thursdays at<br />
9:30 a.m. when the school is in session.<br />
Betty Conover, President of the Cranbury Golden Age Neighbors<br />
Club, which has some 70 members who meet in various locations<br />
pointed out that most people are reluctant to accept<br />
responsibility for events and warns, “I’d hate to see it all fall<br />
apart!”<br />
Catherine, the volunteer-in-chief for the Senior Center’s programs<br />
for over three years, intends to retire at the end of the year,<br />
which makes the situation somewhat urgent.<br />
A third non-religious group that serves some 60 seniors is coordinated<br />
by Connie Bauder and other volunteers of the First Presbyterian<br />
Church, who also will drive seniors to meetings. They<br />
organize day trips and have a regular exercise group contracted to<br />
Judith Goetzmann. When asked why more seniors did not use the<br />
Senior Center, Connie<br />
felt that locating<br />
the Senior Center in<br />
a basement without<br />
kitchen facilities<br />
makes it unappealing.<br />
The numbers relating<br />
to seniors are<br />
revealing. The 3,857<br />
people in Cranbury<br />
have a median age<br />
Catherine Frohbieter, Betty Conover<br />
of 46.2, according to<br />
the 2010 census. Of<br />
these, 642, or 17.6 percent, are over 65. These seniors tend to vote<br />
in higher numbers and represent 24 percent of Cranbury’s 2,716<br />
registered voters. The amounts spent by the township on all senior<br />
programs are estimated at $17,000 per year, which is less than the<br />
cost of educating one student.<br />
Over the last several township committee meetings, residents<br />
have repeatedly pointed out that steps need to be taken to keep<br />
older folks in Cranbury after their children have graduated from<br />
school. Senior leaders are disappointed that many residents leave.<br />
Mayor David Cook and the committee have acknowledged the<br />
need to incentivize residents, including seniors, to remain, but the<br />
township is confronted by some hard choices as they grapple with<br />
a tax base that has contracted by $57 million in assessed value in<br />
the last year alone.<br />
Dan Mulligan is the township’s liaison to the Senior Center.<br />
He hopes to work more closely with Catherine Frohbieter and<br />
leaders of Cranbury’s senior community.<br />
MONTHLY CRANBURY<br />
TOWNSHIP REPORT<br />
By Pravin J. Philip, Biz4NJ<br />
On September 24, Marilyn Mullen, Director of the Cranbury<br />
Township Library was presented with a Proclamation supporting<br />
the library’s One Book, One Cranbury fundraising<br />
program for the new library building.<br />
In the Mayor’s Report, David Cook reported on a meeting convened<br />
by Congressman Rush Holt that he had attended on September<br />
24 with representatives from the Department of Transportation.<br />
It included area Mayors who were affected by traffic issues on Route<br />
130. It was noted at this meeting that Liberty Way, behind the warehouses<br />
in the area could be used to siphon of some of the traffic.<br />
There were 8 million square feet and 20 million square feet of warehouse<br />
space in Cranbury and South Brunswick that impacted traffic<br />
on Route 130.<br />
David Cook reported that the township’s Bridge and Dam renovation<br />
project funded by the quality of life grant it had received, was<br />
scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2013. Bill Gittings, local architect<br />
and committee volunteer had recommended that related cosmetic<br />
issues like the look of the garbage cans be also addressed.<br />
Glen Johnson, township committee member reported on a<br />
conversation with Jay Taylor about increasing volunteers at the fire<br />
company.<br />
Taylor reported that Cranbury’s new temporary Electrical Engineer<br />
was costing less (at $30/hour).<br />
In his police report, Mr. Taylor reported that in the past month,<br />
228 summons and 31 speeding tickets had been issued. There were<br />
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20 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
By Marjorie Kavanagh<br />
Owner & President of Panoramic Resumes, LLC<br />
ACING STAR INTERVIEWS<br />
Ever wonder how employers develop their<br />
questions/approach to job interviews? Today it<br />
has become very common for employers to conduct<br />
behavioral-based interviews. This approach<br />
focuses on understanding individual experiences,<br />
prior actions, knowledge, skills, and job-related<br />
abilities as a predictor of future job performance.<br />
The STAR Approach • STAR (Situation. Task.<br />
Actions. Results.) is the format by which job candidates<br />
should respond to behavioral-based questions.<br />
Building a STAR Response • Let’s take a sample behavioral-based<br />
interview question and work through STAR together.<br />
Question: “Can you tell me of a time when you had to deal with a<br />
difficult person?”<br />
Situation: Describe the initial situation that you were challenged<br />
with. Be concise and informative and offer context.<br />
Sample Situation Response: “As team leader, I observed that a team<br />
member was consistently argumentative during meetings and was disruptive<br />
of the group’s progress.”<br />
Task: Define the task you were charged with or self-motivated to<br />
accomplish.<br />
Sample Task Response: “I decided that I needed to have a conversation<br />
with him to determine what, if any, were underlying factors of<br />
his behavior and to see how we can make notable consistent improvements.<br />
My thinking was that, based on our meeting, I would develop<br />
helpful communication strategies for him to practice and employ.”<br />
Action: This component of STAR is the most critical, as you must<br />
demonstrate and highlight the skills and personal abilities that the interview<br />
question is testing. In the context of your response, the focus<br />
must be on what YOU did. No need to get too technical or into the<br />
weeds of the story unless requested by the interviewer. Convey what<br />
you did, how you did it, and why you did it.<br />
Sample Action Response: “I met with him in private and asked him<br />
gently to describe for me what he felt the problem was. By allowing<br />
him to vent, I gave him the opportunity to calm down. I then explained<br />
to him my perspective, emphasizing the need to find a solution<br />
that would work for both of us and our team.<br />
Results: Make sure that you respond to questions with examples<br />
that have positive results! Think of putting results in context. If you<br />
increased sales 15 percent, what does that really mean? What was your<br />
sales goal? Did you achieve it? Exceed it? A 15 percent increase is only<br />
good if you are able to provide context around it.<br />
Sample Results Response: “After our conversation, he thanked me<br />
for listening to him and helping him to better understand the repercussions<br />
of his actions. He learned different strategies to employ when he<br />
is upset, and today he is a productive and collaborative team member.”<br />
To succeed with STAR requires practice. Start by writing down responses<br />
to sample questions in STAR format as above, and then advance<br />
to speaking your answer as one full response. Practice being a STAR!<br />
Marjorie Kavanagh is owner and president of Panoramic Resumes, LLC, a professional<br />
resume writing and job search consulting firm in Colts Neck, New<br />
Jersey. You can e-mail questions to her at Marjorie@PanoramicResumes.com<br />
(USE or visit USUAL www.PanoramicResumes.com.<br />
PHOTO, HEADING, AND BIO AT END)<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
HICKORY CORNER LIBRARY<br />
NOVEMBER ADULT PROGRAMS<br />
Caring for the Caregiver<br />
Every Thursday at 11:00 a.m.<br />
Barbara Stender, Caregiver<br />
Specialist with Trenton<br />
Behavioral Healthcare, will<br />
lead a weekly, educational<br />
support group for caregivers<br />
of seniors with chronic health problems. Registration required.<br />
Meditation for Stress-Free Living<br />
Thursday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 1 and 8, 10:30 a.m.<br />
Umesh Bhatia will discuss the extraordinary effect meditation<br />
can have on your total well-being. You will learn a simple, effective<br />
meditation technique, and will have a chance to practice it during<br />
the program. This is a two-part program. You can come to both or<br />
just one. Registration required.<br />
Life Tools: How to Manage Stress Instead of Stress Managing<br />
You<br />
Wednesday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 7, 7:00 p.m.<br />
Carol Rickard, LCSW, will demonstrate tools that will help you<br />
deal with difficult people, manage your emotions, turn failure into<br />
success and recognize when you are under too much stress. Registration<br />
required.<br />
Friends of the Hickory Corner Library Book Sale<br />
Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 15, 17 & 18<br />
Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Members only<br />
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Open to the public<br />
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.<br />
Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bag sale<br />
Sports-Related Head Injuries in Children<br />
Monday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 19, 7:00 p.m.<br />
Dr. Alicia Brennan, of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia<br />
Newborn and Pediatric Care Unit at the University Medical Center<br />
of Princeton at Plainsboro, will discuss symptoms and treatments<br />
of external and internal sports-related head injuries, signs of a possible<br />
concussion, and prevention. Registration required.<br />
Mystery Book Club<br />
Monday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 19, 7:00 p.m.<br />
The group will be discussing Eight Million Ways to Die by<br />
Lawrence Block. Contact hclmysterybookclub@comcast.net to<br />
register.<br />
Solar Power for Homeowners<br />
Thursday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 29, 7:00 p.m.<br />
This 45-minute seminar will help you understand the benefits<br />
of renewable energy, provides an overview of the different system<br />
solutions, and explains the federal and state incentives. Presented<br />
by Solar & More. Registration required.<br />
Afternoon Movie: The Help<br />
Friday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 30 2:00 p.m.<br />
Skeeter, a southern society girl, returns from college determined<br />
to become a writer, but turns her friends’ lives, and a small Mississippi<br />
town, upside down when she decides to interview the black<br />
women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern<br />
families. PG-13. No registration required.<br />
All programs are open to the public and free of charge. Register<br />
in person, call (609) 448-1330, or register online at www.mcl.org.
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 21<br />
By Glen J. Dalakian, Sr.<br />
USA…USA…USA<br />
At Olympic Games, political conventions,<br />
and other venues, we can hear the chant “USA…<br />
USA…USA,” which usually rises to a roar and has<br />
a warming impact on most who live in and/or love<br />
this country. But what does “USA” really represent,<br />
and has the meaning of “America” changed?<br />
Our founding fathers may not even recognize<br />
where we are today. Please don’t take my<br />
word for it; look at the facts. The people who<br />
founded this great nation came here because of religious persecution and<br />
for the promise of a better place to live. It was rough going, but they<br />
clearly wanted to leave tyranny behind and start in a land where people<br />
could be free from oppression, especially religious persecutions. As this<br />
“new world” grew and politics started to play a burdening role, the new<br />
America found itself in 13 colonies and beginning to feel the same pressures<br />
as the monarchy they left behind began extending its reach across<br />
thousands of miles.<br />
This predicament (remember “No taxation without representation”)<br />
was unacceptable and unjust. Rights were being squashed and the<br />
colonies fought to rise above the injustices they had left behind. So documents<br />
were written and the idea of a new nation was formed. The Declaration<br />
of Independence was signed, which included critical terms like<br />
“all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with<br />
certain inalienable rights” and the Constitution and Bill of Rights were<br />
put in place to ensure human liberties and dignity.<br />
Our founding fathers (most of whom were business owners) knew<br />
the role divine providence played in their successful breakaway from the<br />
most powerful empire at that time. This is crystal clear in the personal<br />
writings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and<br />
other authors of the greatest documents ever written to forge a new nation.<br />
Our country was founded by, among others, hardworking businessmen<br />
who knew of corruption, persecution, and watching their own<br />
rights (and those of the people around them) being trampled upon, and<br />
did something about it. They risked their lives and wealth and pivoted<br />
at a critical time in history to lead in the right direction, against all odds.<br />
Why all the history here? Quite simply, because we Americans today<br />
still benefit from their sacrifices, and once again, we find ourselves at a<br />
critically pivotal place in the history of the USA. Election Day is almost<br />
upon us and what we do this <strong>Nov</strong>ember will echo for generations. Never<br />
before have I seen our nation in a position where we may deviate so<br />
greatly from what our founders intended and what has made us the greatest<br />
nation in the world. No matter how you intend to vote, you must realize<br />
that this coming election is the most critical in modern history.<br />
So which side has the best ideas to allow capitalism to flourish and<br />
give entrepreneurs the best chance for success in the years to come? There<br />
are two distinctly different philosophies being proposed about the direction<br />
of our society. The question is, will you do your homework, stay<br />
your emotions, take your vote seriously, speak to those around you, and<br />
Raised in a family-owned dry cleaning operation, Glen J. Dalakian, Sr. learned<br />
the power of small business at a young age. After attending Seton Hall University,<br />
he developed a variety of enterprises in the electronics, entertainment, and<br />
retail industries, generating millions of dollars in revenues in niche markets. He<br />
has traveled the country speaking to audiences in the thousands on business<br />
ownership and marketing. He has consulted on numerous projects and is<br />
known for his commitment to God, dedication to his family, and his enthusiasm<br />
for business. Mr. Dalakian is president of the Colts Neck Business Association<br />
and host of Tandem Radio, a Business Talk Show. A writer and consummate<br />
entrepreneur, he is also the president of CSAV Systems. Contact him at<br />
glenjd@tandemradio.com.<br />
check the facts before you vote?<br />
From a business perspective, which path will favor the efforts of<br />
small business and entrepreneurs? Many companies are waiting to see<br />
what happens in <strong>Nov</strong>ember before they solidify their plans. What will<br />
healthcare look like, how will businesses be taxed, what burdens imposed<br />
by government might small businesses be pressured under? As I<br />
have often said, small- to medium-size businesses are the backbone of<br />
our economy, and with the proper environment, they can have the greatest<br />
positive impact on America’s fiscal strength. This is why business owners<br />
have to take a clear stand and then use whatever influence they may<br />
have to encourage others to vote.<br />
The USA needs to continue to be the bastion of hope and the example<br />
of freedom it has been for so long, to so many. Our unique status<br />
has been achieved in part due to the free enterprise system that our form<br />
of capitalism has allowed to flourish. This is one of the many reasons<br />
why so many from around the globe flock to be here in the USA.<br />
Please exercise your right as a US citizen and make the time to vote<br />
on <strong>Nov</strong>ember 6. As leaders, we must also encourage others to do the same.<br />
MOMS CLUB FOR<br />
AT-HOME MOMS<br />
The MOMS Club is an international support group for mothers<br />
who stay home with their children, including those who<br />
have home-based businesses and those who work part-time<br />
but are home with their children during the day. The MOMS Club of<br />
East Windsor/Hightstown is open to all mothers in East Windsor,<br />
Hightstown, Roosevelt, Monroe Township, Jamesburg, and Cranbury.<br />
“With so many mothers working outside the home today, it can<br />
be extremely hard for stay-at-home mothers to meet each other. The<br />
MOMS Club allows at-home mothers to get together in a supportive<br />
atmosphere,” said Lisa Lamberto, president of MOMS Club of East<br />
Windsor/Hightstown. This group is unique not only due to the fact<br />
that it is the only international organization specifically for at-home<br />
mothers, but also because of the wide range of activities allowed<br />
under the MOMS Club banner.<br />
The group hosts monthly socials with interesting guest speakers<br />
for discussions, park play days, special outings, holiday activities, moms’<br />
night out, and service projects benefiting area children or families.<br />
On September 13, the group was privileged to have national<br />
speaker Mr. Alan Robinson speak on preventing children from being<br />
victimized by sexual predators. He is with Project ALERT (“America’s<br />
Law Enforcement Retiree Team”), a division of the National Center for<br />
Missing and Exploited Children and the Adam Walsh Foundation.<br />
Mr. Robinson speaks around the country and is an expert on the<br />
subject of child kidnapping and exploitation as well as educating parents<br />
about safety, prevention, and security tactics. His three-hour presentation,<br />
“Measures to Prevent Your Child From Being Kidnapped,<br />
Abducted and Sexually Exploited” is based upon 25 years of research<br />
and professional expertise and recognized as an invaluable education.<br />
“Mr. Robinson provided the group with the tools to prevent child<br />
abduction, kidnapping, and sexual exploitation as well as sharing information<br />
on the safe use of technology (PCs and cell phones). Mr.<br />
Robinson dispelled common safety myths, while providing skills we<br />
can teach our children to help prevent them from becoming victims.<br />
We even raised over $100 to donate to the National Center for<br />
Missing Children and Exploited Children in his name.”<br />
The MOMS Club network is looking to expand and invites all athome<br />
mothers to join and get the support they deserve.<br />
For more information, call (609) 630-0880, or visit us on the web<br />
at www.momsclubewh.com, or email us at ewhmoms.east@gmail.com.<br />
PHONE (609) 371-4631 • FAX (732) 431-9379 • WWW.THEJOURNALNJ.COM Support Our Advertisers
22 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
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Kindersteps<br />
Lyrical Ly yrical<br />
Pilates<br />
PPointe<br />
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NAL LARGE L LLAR<br />
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SIZE<br />
ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION LLOCA<br />
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REGISTRATION<br />
REGIS STRA TRAATION<br />
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Southfield<br />
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Register<br />
Online:<br />
www.thedancecorner.org www.<br />
thedancecorner.<br />
. org<br />
or<br />
call<br />
(609)799-9677<br />
( 609)<br />
799<br />
9 -9677<br />
This Thanksgiving Come Home to<br />
The Cranbury Inn<br />
Restaurant<br />
A warm, cozy fireplace in a home-like atmosphere<br />
greets you at our elegant Colonial inn steeped<br />
in local history where bringing families and<br />
friends together to celebrate. Est. 1780<br />
Thanksgiving Dinner at Historic<br />
Cranbury Inn<br />
Has Become a Holiday Tradition<br />
<br />
COMPETITION<br />
TEAMS<br />
WWPDC<br />
DANCE<br />
COMPANY CO<br />
M MPAA<br />
NY<br />
SUMMER<br />
DANCE<br />
CAMPS C A AMPS<br />
RESERVATIONS STARTING AT 11 A.M.<br />
Make your reservations early! Call 609-655-5595<br />
See our website for our recipes • www.TheCranburyInn.com<br />
“For your dining pleasure, we’ve added several specialties<br />
to our traditional exquisitely prepared Turkey Dinner<br />
including Filet Mignon, Seared Salmon, and Roast Pork.<br />
We hope you’ll join us for a memorable Thanksgiving!”<br />
...Tom & Gay Ingegneri, Innkeepers<br />
21 S. Main Street • Cranbury, NJ<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
NOVEMBER AT<br />
TWIN RIVERS LIBRARY<br />
Technology One-on-One<br />
By Appointment Only!<br />
Need help with an E-Reader or getting started with Facebook?<br />
Come in for some one-on-one help!<br />
Sahaja Meditation<br />
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.<br />
Sahaja Meditation is a simple, time-honored technique to help<br />
reduce stress and increase focus and wellness. It helps people become<br />
more centered and better balanced.<br />
Knitting and More<br />
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.<br />
Do you like to knit, crochet, embroider, or needlepoint? Come<br />
with a smile—all skill levels welcome!<br />
Footlights<br />
Monday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 19, at 7:00 p.m.<br />
Join the group reading selections from Death of a Salesman by<br />
Arthur Miller<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember is National <strong>Nov</strong>el Writing Month<br />
Come “write” in and find your place to write your novel.<br />
Twin Rivers Writers’ Group (Adults Only)<br />
Saturday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.<br />
Monday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.<br />
Bring five pages of a work-in-progress to discuss with other writers.<br />
Insurance 101 with Margaret<br />
Saturday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 13, at 1:00 p.m.<br />
Learn more on a new topic this month.<br />
Living Rich with Coupons Workshop<br />
Wednesday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 14, at 7:30 p.m.<br />
Living Rich with Coupons is your one-stop source to learn how<br />
to do extreme couponing the right way. The blog provides readers<br />
with resources they need to shop smart so they can get life’s necessities<br />
for a lot less.<br />
Jewish War Veterans<br />
Thursday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 15, at 7:30 p.m.<br />
The Friends of the Twin Rivers Library will be hosting a small<br />
reception for the Jewish War Veterans. We invite the public to stop<br />
in to say thanks to a veteran!<br />
Cover 2 Cover Book Discussion<br />
Thursday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 29, at 7:00 p.m.<br />
The Red Thread by Ann Hood<br />
MERCER COUNTY HOLOCAUST/<br />
GENOCIDE RESOURCE CENTER TO<br />
HOST KRISTALLNACHT<br />
REMEMBRANCE<br />
The public is invited to join the Mercer County Holocaust/<br />
Genocide Resource Center on Tuesday, <strong>Nov</strong>ember 13, at<br />
4:30 p.m., to recall the tragic events of Kristallnacht with<br />
“A Day to Remember: Survivors and Recipes.” MCCC Culinary faculty<br />
member Frank Benowitz will prepare traditional Ashkenazi<br />
dishes while attendees discuss recipes and survivor stories from The<br />
Holocaust Survivor Cookbook.<br />
More information on these and other events is available by calling<br />
(609) 570-3355. The Holocaust/Genocide Resource Center is located<br />
on Mercer’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road,<br />
on the second floor of the library building. For more information,<br />
visit www.mccc.edu/holocaust.
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 23<br />
CONTRACEPTIVE CHOICES:<br />
THERE IS MORE THAN THE PILL<br />
By Ursula Miguel, CNM<br />
Princeton Midwifery Care/Del Val OB/GYN and Infertility<br />
When we discuss contraceptive choices with our patients,<br />
we look at the total picture and the total<br />
woman: her age, her future childbearing plans, her<br />
medical history, any possible contra-indications to hormonal<br />
birth control methods, her ability to take pills regularly, her menstrual<br />
pattern, and many other factors.<br />
A woman’s health-care provider should also be mindful that<br />
certain birth control choices are not acceptable in certain religious<br />
or cultural groups.<br />
Discussing contraception with a woman involves more than<br />
just giving her a pack of birth control pills and a prescription,<br />
and have her return to the office in three to six months.<br />
After a thorough history and physical exam, as well as a needs<br />
assessment, a discussion should follow about the many different<br />
birth control choices available.<br />
Methods include barrier contraceptives, such as condoms and<br />
diaphragms, intra-uterine devices, such as Mirena and Paragard,<br />
combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only pills, Depo-Provera<br />
injections, patches, rings, sterilization, fertility awareness methods,<br />
and natural family planning. A detailed and intimate discussion<br />
of the woman’s sexuality and the possible effect of her<br />
method on her libido should be included. Last but not least, the<br />
talk will dicuss the option of male contraception, which in many<br />
families might be the most feasible option, especially once the<br />
family is complete.<br />
Some of the hormonal birth control choices, such as oral<br />
contraceptives and rings, have non-contraceptive benefits for the<br />
individual woman, such as decreased blood loss, cramps, improvement<br />
of acne, less hair growth on the face, decreased risk of<br />
ovarian and endometrial cancers, ovarian cysts, and others.<br />
There are other methods that might help to treat dysfunctional<br />
bleeding, such as the levonorgestrel IUD. You can decrease<br />
the number of periods per year by using Seasonale or Seasonique<br />
(84 pills with hormones followed by three to seven days without<br />
hormones).<br />
Informative handouts, as well as anatomical models in the<br />
office to explain the mechanism, will help during the contraceptive<br />
visit. Lots of privacy should be provided, and questions<br />
should be encouraged.<br />
The risks, benefits, and effects of concurrent medication<br />
taken should be explained, along with what happens if the<br />
method is forgotten.<br />
Particularly challenging are the needs of the adolescent patient.<br />
Important topics, such as what constitutes safe sex and how<br />
to get access to emergency contraception, are very important.<br />
Postpartum patients need special counseling. They want to<br />
find out which methods are compatible with breastfeeding.<br />
In a country where the rate of unintended pregnancies remains<br />
quite high, women’s health-care providers should make it<br />
a top priority to counsel women and families on safe, effective,<br />
and accessible birth control.<br />
MEET THE CANDIDATES<br />
By Pravin J. Philip, Biz4NJ<br />
Bobby Marlowe<br />
and the Cranbury<br />
Women’s<br />
Club held a “Meet the<br />
C a n d i d a t e ” n i g h t o n<br />
Wednesday, October 10.<br />
Tom Connolly and<br />
Cindy Smithers sat figuratively<br />
in the Republican corner<br />
while Mayor David<br />
Cook and Jay Taylor represented<br />
the Democratic end of the discussion.<br />
Four Broad Themes were Discussed:<br />
From left: Peter Connolly, Mayor David Cook,<br />
Township Committee Member Jay Taylor,<br />
and Cindy Smithers.<br />
• Budget prep, cost control, and revenue management.<br />
• A competing vision on engaging the voting public.<br />
• Differences of opinion on recent grant application and spending<br />
priorities.<br />
• Outsourcing opportunities and their potential to reduce recurring<br />
costs vs. potential reductions in service.<br />
Budgeting and Revenue Management:<br />
Here, the Republicans advocated for “zero-based budgeting,”<br />
which purportedly builds up budgets from scratch each year. This<br />
approach suggests that all the spending assumptions on line items<br />
would be questioned as well as budgeting decisions based more on<br />
spending levels for each in the past year.<br />
The Democrats, Jay Taylor and Mayor Cook admitted that the<br />
practical exigencies of line-item accounting required them to plan<br />
Delaware Valley OBGYN<br />
& Infertility Group, PC<br />
Princeton IVF<br />
Princeton Midwifery Care<br />
THE LEADERS IN WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE<br />
IN THE PRINCETON AREA<br />
LAWRENCEVILLE<br />
2 Princess Road • Suite C<br />
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648<br />
Phone: 609-896-0777 • FAX: 609-896-3266<br />
EAST WINDSOR<br />
300B Princeton-Hightstown Rd. • Suite 202<br />
East Windsor, NJ 08520<br />
Phone: 609-336-3266 • FAX: 609-443-4506<br />
www.delvalobgyn.com<br />
continued on page 29<br />
PHONE (609) 371-4631 • FAX (732) 431-9379 • WWW.THEJOURNALNJ.COM Support Our Advertisers
24 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
On September 23, over<br />
200 competitors<br />
joined to challenge<br />
their strength at this year’s<br />
Hightstown Triathlon. The<br />
adult triathlon started early, at<br />
7:00 a.m., at the Hightstown<br />
Memorial Park. The course<br />
began at Peddie Lake with a<br />
quarter-mile swim, a 14-mile<br />
bike ride, and a 5K run (3.1<br />
miles). The triathlon for kids up<br />
to 10 years old began at 2:00<br />
p.m. at the Peddie School. Their<br />
course consisted of a 100-yard<br />
swim, a two-mile bike ride, and<br />
a one-mile run. For those aged<br />
11 to 14 years old, the course<br />
consisted of a 200-yard swim, a<br />
four-mile bike ride, and a twomile<br />
run.<br />
Ryan’s Quest, the official charity partner of the <strong>2012</strong> Hightstown<br />
Triathlon, proudly participated to raise awareness for Duchene Muscular<br />
Dystrophy. Members of their team who participated that day<br />
were Dave Schultz (co-founder of Ryan’s Quest), Brad Davis, Todd<br />
Hoagland, Ryan Loesser, Geoff Haines, John Rossi, Chris Herte, Gary<br />
Zuckerman, Marie Murdza, and Jenn Gentilella. For more information<br />
on the non-profit organization, visit www.ryansquest.org.<br />
Seasoned triathloner Jim Burke took on the adult course and<br />
HIGHTSTOWN TRIATHLON<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
By Annie Gonzales<br />
volunteered for the kids’<br />
triathlon. He has been participating<br />
in the local triathlons for<br />
eight years. He said his first<br />
brush with triathlons came literally<br />
by stumbling across one<br />
in action while riding his bike<br />
one day. The course ran right in<br />
front of his Mercer County<br />
home, and he rode along other<br />
bikers during the course. By the<br />
time he came home that day, he<br />
was filled with excitement and<br />
immediately began participating<br />
in triathlons. He hasn’t<br />
stopped since. His two daughters,<br />
14 and 11 years old, also<br />
caught the triathlon fever and<br />
have participated in the Hightstown<br />
triathlon.<br />
The Top Team finisher went<br />
to “Team Coachy Oaks” of Hightstown, timed at a great finish of<br />
1:02:23. For a complete list of results, visit www.hightstowntriathlon.org.<br />
Hightstown Triathlon sponsors included The Brace Place, Bicycle<br />
Rack, A Reason to Smile, Princeton Brain & Spine Care, Molto<br />
Bene, Tavern on the Lake, A+ Athlete Sports Medicine, Kettle Fusion<br />
Dynamics, PNC Bank, Kind Healthy Snacks, and 4 Elements Kettlebell<br />
Fitness.<br />
Pictured are: Race Director Jay Meier, Training Coordinators, Kelli and Brad Davis,<br />
Chris Herte, John Rossi, Julie Dohanic, Geoff Haines, Gary Zuckerman, Dave Schultz,<br />
Todd Hoagland. The children are: Seamus Davis, Declan Davis, Aidan Davis,<br />
and Victoria Ros
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 25<br />
TRIATHALON continued<br />
The Winner is Jason Butch (35), of Manalapan, finished at 59: 06.<br />
SCHOOL BOARD NOTES<br />
By Pravin J. Philip, Biz4NJ<br />
Audited Excellence:<br />
On October 2, Bob Stewart of Inverson & Stewart made a presentation<br />
to the School Board to present the results of his annual<br />
audit. He brought glad tidings of great joy to Joyce Picariello, School<br />
Business Manager and the Cranbury School Board<br />
He reported that the school “was in excellent financial shape”. It<br />
spent $2.1 million less<br />
than expected. Most of<br />
this has been set aside<br />
for specific purposes.<br />
Also the school had received<br />
an additional<br />
$194,000 in state aid<br />
and had spent $240,000<br />
less than budgeted.<br />
Speaking as one who<br />
audited 40 school dis-<br />
Bob Stewart<br />
tricts he pointed out that<br />
other districts often get<br />
into trouble giving back money and then having to raise taxes.<br />
In speaking of the school’s fund balances, he asked his audience<br />
to consider it like one would use a savings account to balance a<br />
household budget.<br />
Of $2.8 million in the School’s Fund Balance he reported that<br />
money was set aside as follows: $720,000 set aside to pay bills;<br />
$280,000 set aside for future tuition payments; $849,000 set aside<br />
for capital projects; $485,000 in capital reserve for the year; $200,000<br />
for maintenance projects; $7, 500 used to balance accounts, and<br />
$331,000 for undesignated emergencies.<br />
He noted three “minor recommendations.” One that involved the<br />
way the payroll agency managed its processes. Another that noted that<br />
documents needed were not provided by the Food Service company.<br />
Security, Safety and HIB:<br />
Dr. Genco reported that a recent security drill at the school had<br />
gone well. Dave Gallagher had supervised and that there was an immediate<br />
feedback loop.<br />
A week of respect connected to the Harassment, Intimidation<br />
and Bullying prevention was reported.<br />
Peer Group Leadership:<br />
A successful first grade puppet show held with peer group leaders<br />
was completely student led.<br />
The school was planning to expand its Peer Leader Program.<br />
Teresa Leary had a “huge following of students who wanted to get<br />
involved in doing good deeds.”<br />
A Grandpal program has been started in the Princeton Public Library.<br />
Grandpals from Cranbury are already volunteering in Princeton.<br />
Safety Saves Money:<br />
The school received a rebate of $2,500 from their insurance company.<br />
This though relatively modest was higher than last year’s rebate.<br />
Cranbury has received an award for safety 10 years in a row.<br />
Innovative Staff Substitutions:<br />
Jennifer Cooke, School Board Member and Chair of the Personnel<br />
Committee presented a practical approach to staff substitutions.<br />
Rather than have various substitutes fill in, the school is trying to reallocate<br />
one substitute to various vacancies as they are scheduled.<br />
The approach serves to minimize the disruption that having to familiarize<br />
various people.<br />
Charter Chatter:<br />
The School Board considers a letter from Linda Greenspan opposing<br />
changes to Charter School legislation. These changes, promoted<br />
by the New Jersey Department of Education are designed to<br />
authorize Virtual Charter Schools, and could favor out of state virtual<br />
charter schools by holding them less accountable than local Charter<br />
Schools. The Policy Blog NJSpotlight.com has more on this at<br />
www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0711/1339/<br />
Proposed Planning Consultants:<br />
Principal Genco also outlined a proposed relationship the consulting<br />
firm PLC Associates, endorsed by the NJ Association of School<br />
Administrators. It is hoped that PLC Associates will help the School<br />
Board and Administration plan strategically for the future.<br />
The first phase of expenditure (and the most expensive) involves<br />
data collection. It would cost $5,200. Dr. Genco assured the group<br />
that the entire planning process would not exceed $10,000.<br />
Board President Lynn Schwarz endorsed the plan recognizing<br />
that the specialized skills that the board did not possess would now<br />
be available.<br />
Extended Hours at the Princeton High Library:<br />
Evelyn Spann, Board Member and Liaison to the Princeton<br />
School Board reported that the High School library is not yet available<br />
to Cranbury School students for an additional two hours after<br />
school. Cranbury pays extra for this with Princeton Schools also contributing.<br />
Ms. Spann said that she would follow up and that this was<br />
an administrative/staffing issue that would soon be resolved.<br />
Poor Communication between Town & Gown<br />
Dr. Genco reported on a recent meeting with the Township Administrator<br />
Denise Marabello. Marabello had requested the school<br />
board to provide a letter of support for their application for a beautification<br />
grant focusing on Main Street.<br />
Evelyn Spann did not support the idea of a letter.<br />
PHONE (609) 371-4631 • FAX (732) 431-9379 • WWW.THEJOURNALNJ.COM Support Our Advertisers
26 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
Ican’t stop thinking about Puerto<br />
Rico since we returned from our<br />
first vacation there last month. The<br />
images, impressions, adventures, and experiences<br />
swirl into a kaleidoscope of contradictions<br />
wrapped in enigmas. The bottom line is - we<br />
would return. While there were extremes of positive<br />
and negative, Puerto Rico beckons you back.<br />
Everyone we met, from tourism professionals<br />
to average citizens, could not have been nicer or<br />
more helpful. Despite occasional language barriers,<br />
we managed to communicate, punctuated by<br />
warm smiles and many utterances of “gracias.”<br />
Examining our timeshare options during<br />
the only week we could escape, I recalled hearing<br />
that Puerto Rico is rarely considered for<br />
Caribbean vacations, “which is a shame because<br />
it has such beautiful beaches.” After ample research,<br />
we booked a week at Club Cala de Palmas in Palmas del Mar,<br />
on the east coast near Humacao. Many web searches and three phone<br />
calls to the resort later, we still couldn’t get a handle on exactly what<br />
to expect. Having a rental car to travel the highways and byways was<br />
essential in getting immersive. Juggling maps on our way out of the airport,<br />
immerse we did.<br />
Look at those mountains! The palm trees! The flowers and birds! The<br />
colorful dwellings! Wow, the rum is cheap. Man, they eat a lot of fried<br />
food here. They have a Walmart! What’s with all the stray cats and dogs?<br />
People here don’t use their blinkers. Where’s the<br />
sign that leads to Route 3? These were only the start<br />
of our Puerto Rican revelations.<br />
One must not need a liquor license to sell<br />
booze, because it was available in every gas station,<br />
market, in-home tavern, and even by the side of<br />
the road. Outside the resorts, beers start at 78 cents.<br />
We spent most of our time away from resorts,<br />
choosing eco-tourist spots and popular local<br />
beaches to sightsee. We quickly learned there is so<br />
much to see and do in Puerto Rico, it would take<br />
several weeks to everything on our list.<br />
Club Cala was fab. Our renovated, comfortable,<br />
functional unit faced a marina; the beach was<br />
a minute’s stroll away. Palmas del Mar is a massive<br />
gated community occupying a mountain rising from the beach. It included<br />
our timeshare and a large rectangular plaza with stores, restaurants,<br />
post office, mini-market, and retail shops topped by apartments.<br />
Within Palmas, there are numerous smaller gated communities, each with<br />
its own name, abode style, security guard, and amenities. Condos, townhouses,<br />
and freestanding homes get more elaborate as you scale the community’s<br />
heights. The compound includes a country club, golf courses,<br />
tennis center, school, and a Wyndham Hotel with a small casino. At the<br />
boatyard, a picturesque cove area has more shops and three quaint restaurants<br />
run by a French chef. Everyone gets around Palmas on golf carts. Security<br />
abounds. The beach was phenomenal and except for Labor Day<br />
weekend, sparsely populated.<br />
Our first night was the last for many Palmas<br />
homeowners preparing to leave. We were invited<br />
to a blow-out fiesta with a live band in the plaza.<br />
Judging by that first night, we thought the whole<br />
week would be one big fiesta, but by the end of<br />
Sunday, most regulars were gone, things got quiet,<br />
and we decided to venture forth. Traveling around<br />
was a sometimes daunting challenge, but we dove<br />
into local life with the same fervor we dove into<br />
snorkeling on the small island of Culebra, over a<br />
coral reef in a national park. Culebra and its famous<br />
Flamenco Beach are known for their exqui-<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
site natural beauty. It took a 50-minute car<br />
trip, a 45-minute ferry voyage and a tenminute<br />
bumpy van ride to get there, but as<br />
Hubby proclaimed, “We found paradise.”<br />
A young guide on the ferry provided helpful<br />
tips. He told us about a place we want to return to<br />
see, the larger out-island of Vieques. There are only<br />
a handful of bioluminescent bays in the world.<br />
Puerto Rico has three of them and one of the<br />
largest is on Vieques. Best viewed on a moonless<br />
evening, a bioluminescent bay houses millions of<br />
organisms that emit a neon-like glow. Scenes from<br />
“Pirates of the Caribbean” were filmed on a small<br />
pristine beach nearby.<br />
Back on the mainland, we toured the beaches<br />
of Luquillo near the Yunque rainforest, where the<br />
local version of a boardwalk is a string of open-air<br />
eateries, most with pool tables, some more graciously<br />
appointed than others. At Gringos Bar & Grill, Maria let us tastetest<br />
their colorful signature original drinks (sans alcohol). Hubby settled<br />
on a local favorite, a fresh coconut cut in front of us with rum added to<br />
the water inside. Two thumbs up.<br />
Back at Palmas, we countered Yogi from Connecticut at the Wyndham’s<br />
Beach Bohio (cabana). He moved to the island 17 years ago “because<br />
of the weather.” A retired electrician who now augments his<br />
retirement by repairing vacation villas when he feels like it, Yogi was an<br />
invaluable source of information. He introduced us to Rey, who has run<br />
the snack shack for 37 years. A few days later, Rey<br />
stayed open late so we could enjoy another serving<br />
of their fabulous Churrasco beef – an ample slab<br />
with sides for $12.75 – a common luscious island<br />
menu item. While the food/drink value everywhere<br />
was fantastic, like most vacations, it’s the people<br />
you meet who enhance your experience and your<br />
memories. Puerto Rico was no exception. Shoutout<br />
to John at the Palmas Beach Club Country<br />
Club, who created an original concoction before<br />
our eyes and named it the “Laura” after overhearing<br />
me utter, “I don’t know what I feel like having,<br />
but something with mango would be nice.”<br />
We now understand why some here say they<br />
would not return there. As one woman we met vacationing<br />
from Kentucky said, “It’s very third-worldy.” Vacant storefronts,<br />
dilapidated homes, uncollected trash, and sometimes primitive conditions<br />
can’t be ignored. We only toured in daylight and spent our evenings in the<br />
Palmas del Mar compound.<br />
On departure day, our flight was bumped up 40 minutes. At the airport,<br />
we learned it was instead moved back 2 ½ hours. It was our only<br />
chance to step on San Juan proper. We hopped in a cab and asked the<br />
driver to take us to the closest beachfront hotel. We stepped out in front<br />
of the Ritz Carlton and into an entirely different Puerto Rican experience.<br />
Ensconced throughout the posh lobby, pool, and beach area were the wellheeled<br />
beautiful people. Buffed boasting men mingled with bejeweled<br />
women wrapped in white plush hotel robes. I almost bumped into one<br />
hot blonde who stopped abruptly to adjust her<br />
false eyelash. As we surveyed the scene, a friendly<br />
young server struck up a conversation, eager to hear<br />
where we had been. After exclaiming approvingly<br />
that we had indeed experienced some of the island’s<br />
gems, he made the statement that best<br />
summed up our Puerto Rican adventure.<br />
“I watch people come here for seven days and<br />
they walk from their room to the pool to the beach<br />
to the bar and back to their room. They get on their<br />
phones and say, ‘I love Puerto Rico.’ They haven’t<br />
even seen Puerto Rico.” We’re glad we did.
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 27<br />
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28 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
COMMUNITY YARD SALE<br />
By Annie Gonzales<br />
The 12th Annual Community<br />
Yard Sale, held on September<br />
29, was a great<br />
success thanks to many Hightstown<br />
and East Windsor residents selling<br />
their wares. There were lots of great<br />
finds that included games, antique<br />
furniture, decorative mirrors, sewing<br />
machines, jewelry, locally made<br />
honey, clothes, shoes, blankets, quilts, CDs, records, lamps, and<br />
so much more. Sponsored by the Borough of Hightstown, the yard<br />
sale, headquartered at the Hightstown-Apollo Lodge #41 on Main<br />
Street, was an all-day event. To sign up for next year’s event, visit<br />
www.hightstownborough.com for more information.<br />
Blood drive<br />
First United Methodist Church<br />
Local honey<br />
The Apollo Lodge<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
MONTHLY CRANBURY REPORT continued<br />
39 vehicle crashes within Cranbury limits, 14 arrests, two DUI incidents<br />
and eight warrant arrests. There were seven criminal and one<br />
administrative investigation underway.<br />
Denise Marabello in her Township Administrator’s report said<br />
that the township needed to renegotiate its police dispatch contract<br />
and that sharing services with Hightstown had saved the township<br />
an estimated $110,000. Also there was a sewer main contract with<br />
Monroe that needed to be negotiated.<br />
Catherine Frohbieter, Chair of the Human Services Committee<br />
appeared before the committee with Betty Conover to request additional<br />
help in administering programs for Cranbury seniors. Glenn<br />
Johnson and Dan Mulligan discussed bringing Human Services<br />
under the Recreation Department, as it had a part time staffing<br />
budget. It may also be possible to get the county involved in providing<br />
support services to seniors. Dan Mulligan is the Township Committee’s<br />
liaison to the Human Services Committee.<br />
On October 8, the meeting began by recognizing and commending<br />
the residents who were instrumental in saving the old school<br />
building.<br />
Cited were: Charles & Clara Amend, Donald Armstrong, Bill<br />
Bunting, Jake Cook, Mary Morgan, Magnus Ostergaard, Kate<br />
Shankweiler, Louis Spence, Mahbubeh Stave, Emma Stultz, Stan Tarr,<br />
Barbara Thomsen, and Norman Wright<br />
On September 24 and October 8, the township committee discussed<br />
which projects to include in the township’s annual grant application<br />
to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Bill<br />
Tanner, Township Engineer attended both meetings. He confirmed<br />
that the township could only submit two projects and each must<br />
be a different category of project.<br />
He explained that if a grant were to be approved, it would be for<br />
around $200,000. After a lot of detailed discussion the township<br />
committee opted to apply for two projects, one relating to town beautification<br />
and the other for $560,000 to re-pave 4,800 feet of Cranbury<br />
Brickyard Road that connected Route 130 to Monroe. Tanner<br />
confirmed that the state was very interested in improving connectivity<br />
when awarding road repair grants.<br />
There was a heated discussion from several advocates who felt<br />
Petty Road in Cranbury was a disgrace as well as a potential accident<br />
risk. After visiting Petty Road and speaking to Connie Bauder and<br />
other residents there, Bill Tanner reported that the project there<br />
would involve well over $1 million, and could not even begin without<br />
determining the ownership of easements and also conducting a<br />
drainage study.<br />
The township committee voted to apply for funding for the<br />
Cranbury Brickyard road on October 8. This was not well received<br />
by advocates for Petty Road.<br />
The township committee decided to budget an initial phase of<br />
work on Petty Road in the 2013 budget and hoped to apply for<br />
County funding as well.<br />
Other business on October 8:<br />
A motion to appoint a Township Tax assessor was passed.<br />
Township committee member Susan Goetz reported on a Board<br />
of Health clinic for local pets. There were 99 animals seen of 188<br />
dogs licensed. She reported that last year they had 280 dogs so it was<br />
possible that there were unlicensed dogs in Cranbury or a mass exodus<br />
of canines in the past year.<br />
She felt a survey was called for and proposed that the feasibility<br />
of doing it online be considered first. A database of animal owners<br />
was also to be purchased.<br />
Jay Taylor reported a significant uptick in permit fees with $35,<br />
821 for building, and $16,260 for electrical permits.
THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong> 29<br />
CHECK PRESENTED FOR<br />
VETERANS SERVICES<br />
From left, Leonard J. Roseman, chairman, Middlesex County Improvement<br />
Authority; Jason Conway of Provident Bank, the event’s main sponsor; Middlesex<br />
County College President Joann La Perla-Morales; David Brimmer, director of the<br />
Center for Veterans Services; and Chip Wieczorek of Provident Bank.<br />
The Friends of Middlesex County Charity Golf Classic presented<br />
a check for $2,500 to the Middlesex County College<br />
Center for Veterans Services. This gift will help the<br />
center extend services to military veterans and service members<br />
studying at the college.<br />
HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE FOR THE<br />
GREATER CRANBURY COMMUNITY<br />
The Board of Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury<br />
are organizing a Holiday Food Drive.<br />
“This year, more families than ever before are in need of holiday<br />
food baskets” said Food Drive Co-Chairperson Flo Kremann. “The<br />
church runs a year round food pantry and the number of families<br />
served each month has increased by 40 percent in the last year.”<br />
Items needed for the holiday drive include canned fruits and vegetables,<br />
boxed potatoes, rice, gravy, cereals, cranberry sauce, cake/<br />
muffin mixes, peanut butter, jellies/jams. Items may be dropped off<br />
in collection boxes just inside of Fellowship Hall at the First Presbyterian<br />
Church, 22 South Main Street in Cranbury. The food drive is<br />
going on now through Saturday <strong>Nov</strong>ember 10. Donations received<br />
after the 10th will be used by Skeet’s Pantry.<br />
“Through the generosity of the community and neighboring<br />
churches, we were able to provide over 125 baskets of food last year,”<br />
said Pastor Louis Mitchell. “The Holiday Food Drive and Skeet’s<br />
Pantry are two of our most important missions as a congregation.<br />
Right now the shelves are pretty bare, so we are reaching out to the<br />
community for help.”<br />
To make things even easier, the Cranbury Boy Scouts will distribute<br />
collection bags to homes in Cranbury on Saturday <strong>Nov</strong>ember<br />
3. The bags will be collected the following Saturday and brought to<br />
the church for distribution. Collection boxes will also be setup in the<br />
annex of the Cranbury School.<br />
For additional information on donating food or to offer to volunteer,<br />
please call the church office at (609)395 0897.<br />
CUB SCOUT<br />
TROOP 53<br />
Enterprising boys form East<br />
Windsor Troop 53 out selling<br />
popcorn to raise money.<br />
Scenes such as this were<br />
common throughout the<br />
area in October.<br />
MEET THE CANDIDATES continued<br />
budget to budget, thereby providing for a little more slack even if expenses<br />
on a particular line item had gone down in the previous year.<br />
Both the challengers and the incumbents agreed on the need<br />
to increase ratables, but the Republicans favored a more proactive<br />
approach, while the Democrats pointed to a relatively low five-percent<br />
occupancy rate in warehousing capability.<br />
Engaging the Voting Public:<br />
Tom Connolly’s suggestion to increase community participation<br />
by broadcasting via cable or podcasting meetings on the Internet attracted<br />
spirited comment. Many of the older attendees felt that this<br />
would actually reduce voter participation, as residents would be less<br />
inclined to show up and interact directly with each other and their<br />
representatives. A younger attendee thought the idea would be popular<br />
among younger residents with busy schedules.<br />
Connolly’s co-candidate Cindy Smithers, was in favor of broadcasting<br />
meetings live as it would serve to engage younger voters.<br />
Neither of the incumbent representatives spoke against Tom’s idea,<br />
saying they would look into the issue and possibly explore funding<br />
options with Comcast in the new year.<br />
Petty Road Differences About a Recent Grant Application:<br />
Tom Connolly castigated the incumbents for allegedly making<br />
a hasty decision on which project to seek a Department of Transportation<br />
grant for. He felt that the township committee, at their<br />
October 8 meeting, should have waited for Petty Road residents to<br />
weigh in about their needs.<br />
Connolly’s father Peter Connolly who lived on Petty Road, was<br />
at the committee meeting. The elder Connolly, who described himself<br />
as “possibly the largest tax payer in Cranbury,” felt the Petty<br />
Road residents were justified in seeking repairs to a road that was<br />
both a “traffic hazard and an embarrassment to the entire town.”<br />
The township committee discussed the issue over three consecutive<br />
meetings, and Township Engineer Bill Tanner made alternate<br />
recommendations that were more likely to receive grant funding.<br />
The committee suggested that, though work toward the project<br />
needed to be addressed in the next budget, there were legal and<br />
drainage-related issues that needed to be resolved first.<br />
A Discussion on Shared Services and Outsourcing:<br />
All the candidates disavowed any interest in outsourcing<br />
Cranbury’s Police Department. Cranbury’s is the second smallest<br />
municipality in Middlesex<br />
County.<br />
As for the Public<br />
Works Department, the<br />
Republican challengers<br />
seem willing to outsource<br />
or share more<br />
functions. Also, costs<br />
like the controversial<br />
new storage shed for<br />
The Audience meets the candidates<br />
Public Works Department employees were criticized. Connolly<br />
Pointed out that the township had done just fine for 315 years without<br />
the $300,000+ storage shed.<br />
The incumbents felt that the Public Works employees provided<br />
faster response times and also serviced on the volunteer fire force.<br />
According to Jay Taylor (a recently signed-on volunteer fire fighter),<br />
two staff members receive an extra dollar an hour in their pay for<br />
serving on the undermanned fire company that is staffed by volunteers.<br />
The Public Works Department also manages the township’s<br />
recycling program.<br />
Overall, the meeting served to apprise the voting public on the<br />
issues.<br />
PHONE (609) 371-4631 • FAX (732) 431-9379 • WWW.THEJOURNALNJ.COM Support Our Advertisers
30 THE JOURNAL NOVEMBER <strong>2012</strong><br />
EW HOLDS CLEAN-UP DAY EVENT<br />
AT ETRA LAKE PARK<br />
From left: Sachin Kamat; Clean Communities Committee Chairperson Barry<br />
Fliegelman; Ajay Singh; Rakesh Roushan; Mayor Mironov; Pankaj Kumar<br />
Pawan; Arpan Ray; Krinid Paludiya and Sachin Tela.<br />
East Windsor Township Mayor and Council, in partnership<br />
with the East Windsor Clean Communities Committee,<br />
held a Clean-Up Day event at Etra Lake Park.<br />
Many individuals participated in this community event.<br />
According to Mayor Mironov, “The purpose of this event was<br />
not only to help clean up the largest park area in East Windsor,<br />
but to encourage and instill community pride in residents and<br />
young people about the condition and look of our community.”<br />
PASSING STRANGERS<br />
Written by Jennifer Worringer, Hickory Corner Library<br />
The Hickory Corner Branch of<br />
the Mercer County Library<br />
System is currently displaying<br />
photographs taken in Brazil, Israel, and<br />
Memphis, Tennessee. The collection of<br />
15 photographs, entitled “Passing<br />
Strangers,” was created by photographer<br />
Amber Palecek, who describes<br />
herself as an “artist with wanderlust.”<br />
One of the most striking photos<br />
shows a child running down the stairs<br />
of his house to enter the sunlit street.<br />
Palecek says, “by capturing the fleetingness<br />
of these heartening encounters<br />
through the stillness of photography, I<br />
am able to preserve the moment and<br />
express an innate curiosity for the<br />
world around me.”<br />
“End of Class” by Amber<br />
Palecek<br />
The Palecek collection of photos will remain on display until<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 30.<br />
If you have artwork you would like to display, please contact librarian<br />
Jennifer Worringer at jworring@mcl.org.<br />
The Hickory Corner Library is a branch of the Mercer County<br />
Library System located at 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor.<br />
Please call (609) 448-1330 for more information.<br />
We Will Never Forget<br />
MCCC FASHIONS ITS FUTURE IN A<br />
NEW FACILITY<br />
By Pravin J. Philip, Biz4NJ<br />
On September 27, Mercer County Community College<br />
(MCCC) added a new facility known as “Trenton Hall” at<br />
137 South Broad Street to its sister facility across the street<br />
at 102 North Broad Street, Trenton.<br />
Mark Matzen, the Chair of MCCC’s Board of Trustees, pointed<br />
MCCC opens new Trenton facility<br />
out that the project was all about “giving people the opportunity to<br />
fulfill their dreams.”<br />
Brian Hughes, Mercer County’s Executive, “remembered taking<br />
courses at this community college.” He spoke in his soft slow drawl<br />
of his renowned father, Richard Hughes, and the “Community College<br />
Bill” that “Chief Justice and Governor Hughes” successfully espoused<br />
in 1960.<br />
MCCC President Dr. Patricia C. Donohue said that the college<br />
was “all about learning and student success.” Since she started out<br />
as a math and physics high school teacher, she also represents student<br />
success in her own self. Soon after Dr. Donohue took over the<br />
helm of the college in 2007, she held a series of focus groups, which<br />
gave rise to the board-approved Master Facilities Plan that guides<br />
maintenance, renovation, and development of all college facilities<br />
for the next 20 years.<br />
Included in the new facility are a Fashion Design Laboratory for<br />
students working towards an AAS degree program in Fashion/Apparel<br />
Design. The building also includes a computer class room featuring<br />
modern MAC computers for graphic arts and fashion design,<br />
along with a student lounge, and a visual arts and fashion storefront<br />
gallery. Dignitaries at the ribbon cutting included Karen Kennedy,<br />
Chair of Mercer County College’s Foundation Board; State Senator<br />
Bonnie Coleman Watson; Senior Managers of the College; and a<br />
slew of other dignitaries.<br />
May we see some I. D. ?<br />
CARDED!<br />
The Hickory Corner Branch<br />
of the Mercer County Library<br />
System in East<br />
Windsor celebrated Library Card<br />
Sign-Up Month on Sunday, September<br />
23. The library was happy to<br />
welcome 12 new library card holders<br />
to the library family. Student<br />
volunteers awarded prizes to new<br />
cardholders, and all patrons were<br />
treated to an exciting concert by<br />
Grammy-winning artist Miss Amy.<br />
Children were invited to make<br />
scratch art bookmarks and enjoy refreshments.
Not to worry…I won’t be giving you any advice on how to<br />
behave on your first date with someone you hope is<br />
special. What I will advise you about, though, is if you<br />
are craving something sweet, you CAN find a special treat which is<br />
both good for you and satisfying to your sweet tooth, as well. A<br />
“date” is a fruit not to be resisted!<br />
Where do we find dates? Dates are the seeds of a<br />
palm tree. Many date palm trees do not bear fruit.<br />
Those trees are male. Only female flowers turn into fruit.<br />
Enough male trees must be kept on date plantations to<br />
supply the needed pollen for the female flowers. This<br />
type of tree is called dioecious. Before mechanization,<br />
the date palm was pollinated by hand. Today, pollen<br />
collected from the male flower is mixed with flour and<br />
dusted over the open female flowers.<br />
The date palm (Phoenix dactylifer) has been a friend<br />
of all tropical desert tribes in Africa and the Middle East<br />
(Mesopotamia) for over six thousand years. From the<br />
date palm come hats, lumber, baskets, ropes, furniture,<br />
and many other household items. Every part of the date<br />
palm tree was put into good use, especially in ancient<br />
times.<br />
No other palm tree in the world can grow in the<br />
hostile temperatures that the date palm can stand, such<br />
as arid heat soaring between 100 to 120 degrees. The<br />
climate is usually so dry that the palms must be well<br />
irrigated, though the water is cut off while the fruit is ripening. The<br />
full sweetness and flavor of a date can be developed only when the<br />
plant is thirsty!<br />
The fruit grows in a peculiar way under the leaves of the palm.<br />
It hangs in heavy clusters beneath a tree that can grow as tall as 82<br />
feet. The Arabs have a word for different stages of the fruit: Kimri<br />
means unripe; khalal is the word used for full sized but crunchy fruit;<br />
and when they are rutab, they are ripe and soft. When dates remain<br />
on the tree to dry by the sun, they are said to be in the final tamr<br />
stage of ripening. This is the stage most of us are familiar with,<br />
where they are easily available in our local grocery stores for<br />
purchase for snacking and baking. You will see them labeled as<br />
medjool dates.<br />
The Jews consider the date as one of the seven holy fruits, and<br />
in the Islamic religion, the Prophet Muhammed is quoted to have<br />
said that dates cure many disorders. He urged Muslims to eat the<br />
date and tend the date palm tree.<br />
Many regional Middle Eastern cuisines incorporate dates,<br />
where their intense concentration of natural sugars makes them a<br />
wonderful addition to any cuisine. Use dates for cooking or baking<br />
or as a superb portable snack. Be sure to pick dates that are dense<br />
and moist. Avoid those that form sugar crystals on the outside of<br />
the date, as their flesh will be dry.<br />
Dates are loaded with potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorous,<br />
and magnesium. Dates are very high in carbohydrates, supplying<br />
us with a quick energy boost. What is best of all is that dates taste<br />
delicious and sweet. Once you enjoy your first food experience<br />
with a date, you will certainly want a second “date” with this fruit.<br />
Recipe of the Month<br />
Date Nut Bars<br />
Ingredients & Directions<br />
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix<br />
3/4 cup packed brown sugar<br />
3/4 cup butter, melted<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 cups chopped dates<br />
2 cups chopped walnuts<br />
½ teaspoon cinnamon<br />
½ teaspoon nutmeg<br />
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg,<br />
and brown sugar. Add butter and eggs; beat on low speed<br />
for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Combine<br />
dates and walnuts; stir into batter (batter will be stiff).<br />
Spread into a greased 13-inch x 9-inch baking pan.<br />
Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until edges are golden<br />
brown. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife<br />
around sides of pan to loosen; cool completely before<br />
cutting. Yield: 3 dozen.
NOVEMBER<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 2-11<br />
A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody - “A Little Murder<br />
Never Hurt Anybody” pays homage to the hilarious comedies<br />
of the 1930s and 1940s. As the holiday season approaches,<br />
so, too, do thoughts of family gatherings gone wrong. That’s<br />
the case at the Perry mansion, where bumbling Matthew has<br />
made it his New Year’s resolution to murder his wife, Julia, before<br />
the year is out. But Julia, the family matriarch, vows to<br />
stay alive for her daughter Bunny’s upcoming wedding to the<br />
dashing Donald. As she dodges Matthew’s feeble attempts<br />
to kill her, friends and staff start mysteriously dying all around<br />
them. Is this a murder most foul…or most fouled up? For<br />
showtimes and tickets, visit www.kelseyatmccc.org. $<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 3-4<br />
Coffee and Tea Festival of Atlantic City - Two days of caffeinated<br />
conviviality. There are tastings, lectures, classes,<br />
recipes, and more from the industry’s well-known professionals<br />
and pioneers….and some chocolates and sweet treats,<br />
too, because what goes better with a cup of coffee or tea.<br />
Ballys, 1900 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City. For tickets, events<br />
and more visit www.coffeeandteafetival.com. $<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 4-18<br />
Fashionably Late - Costumes and Customs of Victorian<br />
Mourning and Grave Matters - Victorian society was fascinated<br />
with death and spirituality. The Cranbury Historical and<br />
Preservation Society has on display dresses, jewelry, literature,<br />
and other historic objects related to Victorian mourning,<br />
ranging from elaborate lace-and-beaded black gowns, to engraved<br />
memorial cards, to a tiny pair of child’s black kidleather<br />
mourning shoes.<br />
On <strong>Nov</strong>ember 4 at 2:00 p.m., professional history re-enactor<br />
Jane Peters Estes will present “Grave Matters,” a program<br />
offering a tongue-in-cheek look at customs surrounding<br />
death and dying. Appearing in Victorian costume, Ms. Estes<br />
will talk about mourning customs during the Civil War, the<br />
dying words of famous individuals, and headstone epitaphs.<br />
The exhibit is at the Cranbury Museum, 4 Park Place East,<br />
Cranbury. Check www.cranburyhistory.org or call (609) 655-<br />
2611. FREE<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 9-December 2<br />
Patterns & Meaning: Alan J. Klawans and Andrew Werth<br />
Art Exhibit - Artists’ Gallery presents “Patterns & Meaning,”<br />
an exhibition of the work of local artists Alan J. Klawans (Willow<br />
Grove, PA.) and Andrew Werth (West Windsor). Using the<br />
formal terms of abstraction, such as color, contrast, composition,<br />
and repetition, Klawans and Werth encourage viewers<br />
to explore the relationship between the visual image and<br />
meaning. Andrew Werth celebrates the 100th anniversary of<br />
the birth of mathematician Alan Turing by presenting paintings<br />
that use “Turing Patterns,” based on his influential paper<br />
describing how certain processes in nature could produce<br />
forms like the patterns on zebras and leopards. Artists’<br />
Gallery is located at 18 Bridge Street in the heart of historic<br />
Lambertville. The gallery is open every Friday, Saturday, and<br />
Special Events Calendar<br />
Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information,<br />
visit www.lambertvillearts.com. FREE<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 15<br />
Striving for Balance - The Middlesex Regional Chamber of<br />
Commerce presents an exceptional panel of powerful<br />
women, who will discuss all the topics women face every day<br />
to find balance. Family, work, health, children, finance, and<br />
lots more. Keynote Speaker, author, and Emmy-nominated<br />
journalist Jennifer Lewis-Hall lectures at the luncheon and<br />
there are many breakout sessions. Striving for Balance is<br />
being held at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick, 2 Albany<br />
Street, New Brunswick. For details on speakers, tickets, and<br />
more, visit www.mcrcc.org or call (732) 745-8090. $<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 23-25<br />
The Nutcracker - American Repertory Ballet brings the<br />
magic, beauty, and fantasy of The Nutcracker to the stage<br />
with Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, stunning new sets,<br />
thrilling choreography, and a cast of over 100 performers.<br />
Directed by Company Director Douglas Martin, ARB’s professional<br />
company will be joined by students from Princeton<br />
Ballet School to tell the story of a young girl and how a mysterious<br />
gift brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical<br />
scenes. Whether it’s your first time, an annual tradition, or a<br />
once-in-a-lifetime experience, ARB’s The Nutcracker is a perfect<br />
holiday treat for your entire family to be transported and<br />
inspired at the Matthews Theatre Auditorium at McCarter<br />
Theatre, 91 University Place, Princeton. (609) 258-ARTS<br />
(2787) www.mccarter.org. $$<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 23-25<br />
Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Live at the State Theatre -<br />
School‘s out for summer and anything is possible as Phineas<br />
and Ferb create their biggest invention yet! And, before you<br />
can wonder, “Hey, Where’s Perry?” the beloved pet platypus<br />
shifts to his secret double life as Agent P to foil another one<br />
of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s evil plans. Musical madness abounds<br />
in an escapade so awesome that even Candace can’t help<br />
but join the hilarious hijinks. For tickets and more, visit<br />
www.statetheatrenj.org or call (732) 246-7469. $<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 24<br />
SBHS Project Graduation’s 8th Annual Craft Show -<br />
On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, SBHS Project Graduation<br />
invites you to its 8th Annual Craft Show. The show will<br />
offer something for everyone: jewelry, handbags, clothing,<br />
personal items, gifts for children, home décor, sports memorabilia,<br />
and more, as well as bake sale items and refreshments.<br />
All proceeds will benefit <strong>2012</strong> Project Graduation. In<br />
addition, there will be a Used Clothing Drive on the same<br />
day. Bring wearable and usable clothing for men, women,<br />
and children; shoes; belts and bags; linens; and soft toys.<br />
Project Graduation will receive a donation for the total<br />
poundage that is collected. Please put all items in well-tied<br />
plastic garbage bags. The 8th Annual Craft Fair will be held<br />
at South Brunswick High School, 750 Ridge Road, Monmouth<br />
Junction, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. $2.00