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BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL SECTION STARTS

LaFlamme brings quiet leadership to LHS soccer

how far would you go if they were sick?

BY RICH FISHER

Emily Palombo wants some noise to be made about Caelyn LaFlamme, who may be low-key in terms of publicity but is a huge key to success for the Lawrence High girls soccer team.

“She’s this quiet force,” the Cardinals coach said. “She goes unnoticed sometimes, but she’s really crucial. She never

cares about recognition, but she deserves a lot more than she gets.”

Through her first three seasons, LaFlamme has been a steadying influence at center midfield for Lawrence. She defends well and is a key disruptor in halting an opponent’s transition. When the Cardinals are in possession, the senior keeps the offense moving ahead.

See SOCCER, Page 17

When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we.

Debate rages over future of Trenton Water Works

City officials fight back as state pushes for

BY BILL SANSERVINO

Tensions over the future of Trenton Water Works boiled over in August as city leaders resisted mounting pressure to relinquish sole control of the troubled utility.

The state Department of Environmental Protection says the 200-year-old utility — serving more than 225,000 people in Trenton and four neighboring towns — is teetering on the brink of failure. Officials from the state and

surrounding towns argue it must be restructured.

But city leaders, residents and water employees are pushing back, citing fears of lost autonomy, job security and community control.

TWW serves all of Trenton and Ewing, and portions of Hamilton, Lawrence and Hopewell townships.

The DEP has had a continuous presence at the plant since 2022 under a Unilateral Administrative Order, which gave the state temporary operational oversight.

The regionalization plan calls for the creation of a new public utility that would operate the system.

See TWW, Page 5

LTPS prepares classrooms,

tech and staff for school year

EDITED BY BILL SANSERVINO

While classrooms sit empty during summer break, Lawrence Township Public Schools has remained active behind the scenes, preparing for the start of the 2025–2026 academic year with facility upgrades, staff development, student programming, and enhanced safety training.

Throughout July and August, district staff have been engaged in a wide range of initiatives aimed at ensuring a

smooth and secure start to the school year.

“Even when students are away, the work to support them never stops,” district officials said in a statement. Emergency preparedness remains central to summer operations. Members of the LTPS leadership team completed intensive safety training sessions, including CPR, First Aid, EpiPen administration, Stop the Bleed protocols, and reunification procedures in

See SCHOOLS, Page 8

With a collaborative structure so our doctors can craft a treatment that’s uniquely right for you. With primary care physicians who never schedule an appointment that’s less than 20 minutes. With world-renowned surgeons that are changing cancer treatment.

Because you’d go to the ends of the earth for the people you care about. And we do too.

RWJUH Hamilton September Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

ASK THE DIETITIAN

Friday, Sept. 5; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 26; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 30; 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Meet with our Registered Dietitian for a 30-minute appointment to discuss your unique nutritional needs.

THE POWER OF FOOD: NUTRITION STRATEGIES FOR DIABETES

Monday, Sept. 8; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 23; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join our monthly series to learn how to manage and control your diabetes through dietary choices. Learn the basics of diabetes and how nutrition affects blood sugar levels. Gain practical tips for meal planning and preparation to control your diabetes.

WII GAMES

Monday, Sept. 8; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Join RWJ Rehabilitation at RWJUH Hamilton for this fun hour of Wii games and learn about safe mechanics.

Mastering body movement is the key to safe living. Play smart, move like a pro, and stay in the game longer!

PARENT ZEN

Monday, Sept. 8; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

This program aims to provide much needed support and community connection for parents. Drawing from personal experiences, Parent Zen offers guidance, relaxation, and connection to help parents navigate the challenges of parenthood.

LETTING GO OF CLUTTER

Tuesday, Sept. 9; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

This support group explores how emotional ties to personal “stuff” can

create clutter and affect one’s mood. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Sept. 9; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Presented by our oncology nurse navigator and certified oncology social worker at The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, this support group welcomes those who have received a breast cancer diagnosis in all phases of their journey, and offers participants an opportunity to share personal experiences, helpful resources, and methods of coping with feelings of anxiety and distress. Please call 609.584.2836 to confirm attendance.

POLYPHARMACY AWARENESS

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join Shesha Desai. Pharm D., Rph. BC-ADM, an expert Medication Safety Pharmacist, to learn about the complexities of managing multiple medications and how to manage your own safely.

EVERY DAY COUNTS: SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL SUCCESS

Wednesday, Sept. 17; 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Join us for a session that will help parents and caregivers uncover the root causes of school absences and explore practical ways to build positive routines, improve school engagement, and support your child’s long-term success.

CRYSTALS FOR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Thursday, Sept. 18; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Learn about crystals and how their soothing energy can help you regain emotional balance and support your well-being. Fee: $15

SACRED BREATHWORK

Monday, Sept. 22; 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Learn about how this modality can help release negative patterns and fears that keep us stuck. Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, or anything else that will make you comfortable. Chairs will be available. Fee: $15

PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP

Tuesday, Sept. 23; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Diagnosed with prediabetes? This group is for you to connect with others affected. Share and explore ways to improve lifestyle changes.

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Sept. 23; 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A place for survivors and caregivers to build a community through shared personal experiences, feelings, and recovery strategies on managing life after a stroke. Join the RWJ Rehab team, Ashley Sarrol, Speech-Language Pathologist, & Allyson PanikowskiBerry, Occupational Therapist. Survivors and care partners at any stage of recovery are encouraged to attend.

FALL MINI MEDICAL SCHOOL

Tuesdays, Sept. 23 - Oct. 28; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Join us for this 6-week informative

session on different medical topics. Enhance your knowledge with the variety of specialties and areas of study. All you need to bring is a willingness to learn and have fun.

WOMAN’S BOOK CLUB: THE OVERSTORY BY RICHARD POWERS

Wednesday, Sept. 24; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Please come prepared to discuss this winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction.

MENTAL HEALTH SERIES: POSITIVE SELF-AWARENESS

Wednesday, Sept. 24; 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

This psychoeducation group focuses on developing a growth-mindset that will allow you to foster a sense of self-love and acceptance. Join us to dig deep into your life, identify your values, build resilience, and find confidence in your own abilities.

REIKI SHARE

Wednesday, Sept. 24; 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

For folks who have been Reiki certified (at any level) to come share the gift with fellow practitioners. Give a session, get a session. Please bring a sheet and small pillow.

WISE WOMEN DISCUSSION GROUP: BACK TO SCHOOL MEMORIES

Thursday., Sept. 25; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join a community of women to discuss relevant topics and find purpose, meaning and community.

WOMEN AND INVESTING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Thursday, Sept. 25; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Women tend to be paid less than men, save less for retirement, and are expected to live longer. For these reasons, women need to prepare and invest more for the future. Learn to achieve financial freedom for yourself and those you love.

FEED YOUR HEART: COOKING FOR HEART HEALTH

Monday, Sept. 29; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join our bimonthly heart-healthy cooking class. Have some fun learning how to cook nutritious and delicious heart-healthy meals. Explore heart-friendly ingredients and cooking techniques.

CREATIVE ARTS: JUNK JOURNALING

Tuesday, Sept. 30; 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Junk journaling is a stress-reducing activity that allows you to express yourself through creativity. This unique way of journaling involves repurposing old items and transforming them into beautiful and personal works of art. Grab some “junk” and get crafty while working on your mental health and wellness.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.

A SOCIAL HOUR ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 10, 17, & 24; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Don’t miss an opportunity to participate in life-changing conversations, listening, learning, and exploring for this time in our lives. Every week is new and something different. Join us on all the dates, two, or even one. It’s your choice. New members are always welcome.

GENTLE JAZZ CLASS

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 10, 17 & 24; 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

TAI CHI

Thursday, Sept. 4 & 18; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

YOGA CLASSES

Tuesday, Sept. 9 & 30; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday, Sept. 9 & 30; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, Sept. 9 & 30; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE WELLNESS WALK, RWJUH HAMILTON

Wednesday, Sept. 10; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Grounds for Sculpture welcomes us for their Wellness Walk! Whether you are a fast or slower walker, there will be a group for you. Join us to boost your energy, connect with nature, explore art, and meet new people. Member attendees are invited to enjoy GFS for the remainder of the day. Please only register for one date.

DESSERT & COFFEE WITH MICHAEL R. DUCH, MD, ON HIP & KNEE REPLACEMENTS

Thursday, Sept. 11; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Michael R. Duch, MD, of the Orthopedic & Spine Institute at RWJUH Hamilton, and member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, will provide insights on the comprehensive program at RWJUH Hamilton for knee and hip replacements, as well as guidance of joint replacement from initial consideration, treatment and long-term recovery.

NOURISH YOUR BRAIN: COOKING FOR BRAIN HEALTH

Friday, Sept. 12; 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Have some fun while learning recipes that can help fuel your brain.

AGELESS GRACE, SEATED EXERCISE FOR THE BRAIN & BODY

Thursday, Sept. 18; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

The Better Health Program is introducing Ageless Grace, a practice designed to intentionally nourish the brain-body connection and support overall health and wellbeing. It helps reduce stress, keep the brain agile, and the body responsive. When body, mind and spirit, and emotions are in balance, health and wellbeing become more attainable.

MEMBER FOR FREE SCAN THIS QR CODE

BREAKFAST & LEARN: AGE-FRIENDLY CARE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT RWJUH HAMILTON AND SERVING OLDER ADULTS

Tuesday, Sept. 23; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Meet RWJUH Hamilton’s Emergency Department experts and learn how we are serving our aging community members with evidenced-based care and how it results in improving both psychological and physiological outcomes. Join us to learn about the hospital’s commitment to care excellence for older adults.

GRANDPARENTING: THE GOOD, THE CHALLENGES, AND THE BOUNDARIES

Thursday, Sept. 25; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Courtney Williams, LSW, and Joyce Cantalice, RWJUH Hamilton’s Better Health Manager, are excited to present this program designed to navigate the complex and rewarding world of being a grandparent in today’s multifaceted family landscapes with different parenting styles.

Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or

in the news

Rider joins 10-year mission to map the night sky

In June, the first results from the most ambitious mapping of the night sky in human history finally arrived.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory released detailed images of galaxies, nebulas and thousands of previously undiscovered asteroids.

Gathered over only 10 hours of observations, the photographs were a tiny preview of the observatory’s just launched 10-year mission to produce the most complete map of the universe ever.

Rider University, in Lawrence Township, is part of a global coalition supporting the project, formally known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time.

As part of the LSST Discovery Alliance, Rider joins about 30 other institutions committed to helping the project reach its potential. Participation in the alliance also opens up research opportunities for students.

Dr. John Bochanski, an associate professor and the chair of Rider’s Department of Computer Science and Physics, has been connected to the long-gestating project

size to a Mini Cooper and boasting a resolution of 3.2 billion pixels), the observatory will ultimately create an ultra high-definition time-lapse record of the universe.

The images it captures will create a vast treasure trove of data for scientists to mine. Countless discoveries await, including answers to some of the universe’s biggest mysteries.

Scientists hope Rubin will elucidate the nature of dark energy, a force pushing the universe apart, and dark matter, a theorized form of matter that would explain how galaxies hold together, as well as assist in the search for a potential ninth planet in our solar system.

since he was a graduate student at the University of Washington more than 15 years ago.

“Now that Rubin is functional and working well, it’s a very exciting time,” he said. “There is certainly Nobel Prize-win-

ning potential for this project, which was designed to go after the biggest questions in physics.”

From a mountaintop in Chile, Rubin will scan the sky every night for 10 years. With the world’s largest digital camera (similar in

“There are signs that there might be another planet out there, and if it is, Rubin should be able to see it,” Bochanski said. “That would change how we place ourselves in a galactic context.”

Bochanski is no stranger to searching the vastness of space for new discoveries. In 2015, he led a team that found the most disSee OBSERVATORY, Page 4

SATURDAY 9/27/2025 12PM - 6PM

tant stars ever observed in the Milky Way.

He’s excited about the way LSST has been designed to democratize the data it generates, empowering scientists of all stripes to push knowledge forward.

“I’ll be recruiting undergrads to help with research, and for Rider students interested in data analysis, this will be a great tool,” Bochanski said.

“They will have access to the same data served up to top-tier researchers,” he said. “One of the great things about Rubin is that they’ve put a lot of effort into making sure that many different universities can get involved. Giving a lot of people access to data makes this project special.”

Bochanski’s connection to Rubin also has a personal side. He once met the observatory’s namesake, Vera Rubin, an astronomer who reshaped science’s understanding of the universe with her pioneering discoveries in the 1970s.

After taking inspiration from her, he’s hopeful the $800 million observatory, which was jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, will inspire a new generation of scientists and citizens alike.

“I hope we continue to dream big about answering fundamental questions about our place in the universe,” he said.

Safety Inspector, Witherspoon Meat Market emphasizes transparency, freshness and food safety.

Every cut is hand-selected from local farms that follow humane and sustainable practices. The business aims to support small farms while delivering high-quality meats raised responsibly.

The flagship location is at 65 East Broad Street in Hopewell. Products include ground beef, bone-in New York strip, t-bone, filet mignon, outside skirt, sirloin flap, Vegas strip, chuck roast, and bone organ meats.

Library photo contest to run through Sept. 15

The Mercer County Library System is calling on local amateur photographers to capture the beauty of “Our Vibrant World” for its annual countywide photo contest.

Open to residents and workers in Mercer County, the competition runs through Sept. 15 and offers cash prizes for the top three entries.

Participants may submit one unframed, unmounted 5-by-7-inch photograph printed on matte-finish photo paper to their local branch. Filters, digital retouching and identifying information on the photos are prohibited.

New meat market opens at Trenton Farmers Market

A new vendor offering premium meats and specialty items is set to join the historic Trenton Farmers Market.

Witherspoon Meat Market, will open its second location in the West Wing of the market on Spruce Street. The stand will also offer seafood and specialty eggs.

Founded by a former USDA Consumer

After the submission period closes, each branch will select three photos to advance to a countywide final round judged by a panel of experts. Winners will receive $100 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third.

Results will be announced Oct. 6, followed by a public reception on Oct. 14 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hickory Corner Branch in East Windsor. All contest photos will be displayed for community viewing.

Contest rules and entry forms are available at all branches and on the library’s website, mcl.org.

Each member municipality would be represented on the governing board, with voting power proportional to water usage — a model similar to the Ewing-Lawrence Sewage Authority.

DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette appeared before Trenton City Council on Aug. 18 to discuss TWW’s future. He pleaded with Trenton officials to approve a state-supported study of options with an eye toward regionalization.

The meeting descended into a fiery, emotional forum as council members accused LaTourette of strong-arming the city and dismissing their efforts to stabilize the utility.

Some of the reporting in this article is based on a video review of the meeting by the Lawrence Gazette, which was posted by the City of Trenton.

“This is personal for me,” Councilwoman Teska Frisby told the commissioner, defending the city’s minority workforce at the plant.

“You have beautiful Black people in here,” she said. “You have minorities in here. And they’re doing their things. These are top-notch quality, certified people. Why not empower us to maintain our water system?”

She added: “I don’t want this to feel like a Black Wall Street incident about to happen

to us once again.”

LaTourette pushed back. “I recognize your passion, but I want to be abundantly clear on this point and for no one to mistake me. Compliance with the law is your obligation, not mine,” he said. “The problem here is not made better because over the last two years the DEP has been helping you.”

He added that the water system’s problem is “deeply systemic and structural. One might say it’s an outgrowth of systemic racism itself.”

“The problem with the decades of disinvestment, is that there is a hole dug so deep that you cannot get yourself out of it.”

He reiterated that the goal is “not to sell off TWW or to take it away from the City, but to help put it on a better footing.”

The commissioner cited years of state oversight, lawsuits and engineering reports showing that the city lacks the technical, managerial and financial capacity to maintain long-term compliance with water safety standards.

“The same cyclical problems arise, and it places the system at continued risk of catastrophic failure,” LaTourette said.

The regionalization plan

The push for regionalization began in earnest in January, when the mayors of Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence and

See TWW, Page 6

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Hopewell issued a joint statement calling the status quo “unsustainable.”

The mayors’ comments came after the DEP released two independent assessments: a Technical, Managerial and Financial Capacity evaluation by H2M Engineers and a 360° organizational review by Black & Veatch and American Public Infrastructure.

The assessments, funded by the state, concluded that Trenton Water Works is at “extremely high risk of systemic failure,” citing decades of underinvestment, poor staffing and political interference.

They support the creation of a new regional public utility to modernize the system, stabilize finances, and allow for professionalized, apolitical management.

“Creating a new public utility, with governance that allows for greater operational independence and collaboration across municipalities, is a necessary step forward,” the five mayors wrote.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora has walked a fine line. While he joined the other mayors in supporting a regionalization study, he has repeatedly emphasized that Trenton should retain ownership unless suburban municipalities agree to fair terms.

“TWW is a vital public utility with a 220year legacy of service,” Gusciora said in May. “Its future must reflect the best inter-

nue water main replacement in Ewing. Approved years ago, the project only resumed recently after council gridlock in Trenton delayed progress.

Steinmann said he has already begun working with Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin and others to explore how governance, costs and oversight could be shared. He added that the burden would fall hardest on Trenton and Ewing, the only towns without alternate water sources.

“Lawrence, Hamilton and Hopewell have some options. Not great ones, but at least they have them. We don’t,” Steinmann said.

ests of those it serves.”

Gusciora added that Trenton’s acquisition of the water system in the 1850s was done through referendum and legislation, and any new governance model should reflect the same democratic process.

But City Council has so far resisted.

During the Aug. 18 meeting, Council Vice President Jasi-Mikae Edwards and Councilwoman Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg criticized the DEP for failing to include the council in earlier planning stages.

Others on the dais expressed skepticism

about the financial and political motivations behind the push.

“This plan penalizes Trenton residents for failures that occurred under DEP watch,” said Councilwman Figueroa Kettenburg. “Why now and why us?”

For its part, the water utility has planned to hold “H2Open” town hall-style forums in order to allow for more public input.

The meetings are scheduled at the Lawrence Township Senior Center on Thursday, Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m. and in Hopewell Township at Stony Brook Elementary School on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Meetings were also held in Trenton on Aug. 25, Ewing on Aug. 26, and Hamilton on Aug. 27.

Support for regionalization from surrounding towns has grown more assertive since the mayors issued their letter. Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann said in April that the system’s structure is unsustainable and must be overhauled.

“This has to happen. It’s got to be regionalized,” Steinmann told the Lawrence Gazette. “The city cannot sustain Trenton Water Works the way it is structured today, and for a lot of reasons.”

He pointed to years of delayed capital work, such as the North Olden Ave-

“We are now at a crossroads with Trenton Water Works,” said Martin in a July statement. “I remain hopeful that the city’s leadership will put the public health of 200,000 residents at the forefront of their decision-making process.... I remain ready to act to ensure everyone has reliably clean and safe drinking water.”

Grassroots pushback and a fight for control

A number of Trenton residents fear the city is on the verge of giving away a historic community asset.

A group called the “The Trentonians for Trenton Water Works Committee” says it has collected more than 4,000 signatures against any restructuring effort.

The group has blanketed city streets with billboards reading “Stop Regionalization” and “Stop Mayor Reed Gusciora.” They are holding public forums and urging council members not to yield to pressure from outsiders.

“To any parties or special interest groups who are advocating to take over the water works, we say the residents of Trenton will push back like we always have,” said Robin Vaughn, a former city councilwoman. “We will fight for the right to self-govern.”

Vaughn and others point to a 2010 referendum in which city residents rejected a proposed $80 million sale of the water works to New Jersey American Water by a 4-to-1 margin, despite a $1.2 million PR cam-

paign in favor of the sale.

“It was a real grassroots effort that succeeded because people saw it for what it was — losing control of a vital resource,” said activist Jim Carlucci.

Meanwhile, Trenton resident Marc Leckington has created a website at trentonwaterworks.substack.com called “From the Mains of Trenton.”

The website says it is “dedicated to uncovering the truth behind one of the most urgent — and underreported — public health crises in New Jersey: the slowmotion collapse of Trenton Water Works.”

The site has articles with headlines like: “One Pump Away from Catastrophe,” “When Hostility Replaces Leadership,” and “Is Trenton Water Works Playing Games with Transparency?”

“This is not just a story about rusty pipes or government mismanagement,” the website states. “People’s health and safety — across Trenton and surrounding communities — is being put at risk by a failing utility, a paralyzed City Council, and a chronic lack of leadership.”

In an article titled “ Starving the Water System from the Inside,” Leckington claims that the City of Trenton is siphoning money out of the water system that could otherwise go toward solving its problems.

He cites a report released by the state that says starting in 2022 the City began a new practice of ‘charging’ TWW for services rendered on its behalf. That year, the internal transfer was $1.89 million. In 2023 it grew to $1.97 million.

“On top of that, the City continues to remove $2.65 million every year from TWW revenues to pad its general fund,” he said.

The article states that all totaled, more than $4.5 million is “siphoned out” annually. “To put that in perspective, TWW’s annual budget is about $57 million.”

$1 billion in repairs needed

Despite the recent rancor, few dispute the system’s needs. Officials say Trenton Water Works must undertake at least $1 billion in capital upgrades over the next 10 to 15 years.

These include lead line replacements, upgrades to the central pump station, electrical systems, and a federally noncompliant open-air reservoir.

A long-awaited rate study is underway and could lead to significant price hikes for all users. Trenton Water Works currently charges about a third of what private utilities in nearby towns charge per gallon.

DEP says the city’s inability to access low-interest financing is one of the many reasons a regional public utility would be a better model.

In a strongly worded letter dated July 29, Commissioner LaTourette laid out the DEP’s case in full. The document warned of “ongoing significant risks to water availabil-

ity and public health” and demanded formal commitment from Trenton to participate in the regionalization study.

LaTourette described deteriorating conditions inside the plant, including “corroded, broken and deteriorating equipment,” makeshift tarp-covered electrical systems, and “standing water” near exposed wires.

He cited four single points of potential catastrophic failure: the filtration plant roof, central pump station, raw intake from the Delaware River, and the electrical system. Failure at any one of these, he said, could halt service to more than 200,000 people.

LaTourette said the DEP would reduce day-to-day operational support and instead pivot toward enforcement and compliance.

“While DEP’s regular presence at TWW over the last two years has helped improve short-term stability, it is plain to see that the status quo is not sustainable,” he wrote.

Following the meeting, TWW spokesman Michael Walker said,“We appreciate the time the Commissioner took to share his perspectives with the City Council, and we are grateful that he got to learn about how we feel with significant passion.”

What’s next?

Council President Yazminelly Gonzalez said the governing body would meet again to evaluate the proposals and testimony.

“We’re going to sort through what we found to be true and not true,” she said.

Councilwoman Jennifer Williams thanked city staff and the commissioner for enduring “four and a half hours on a Monday night.”

LaTourette urged continued involvement. “Engage in a process to design it,” he said. “If you don’t like how that process ends up, don’t vote for it.”

The council has not yet taken formal action. Meanwhile, suburban mayors are continuing to organize and apply pressure.

“I’m hoping to talk to the commissioner soon to see if he has any additional thoughts on it,” said Martin. “I’m hopeful he’ll call the mayors in again.”

Martin said one option is the towns’ lawsuit against Trenton and the TWW, which is currently on hold. He said that they have always preferred collaboration over litigation, but acknowledged that if no other solution emerges, they may pursue that path.

He said other possibilities remain on the table too, including Hamilton building its own water filtration plant or partnering with other municipalities to construct one jointly.

“Hamilton has a border with the Delaware River that we can do intake from, same as the city can,” he said. “Obviously that’s a huge up-front capital expense and not a preferred path forward in the short term. But it could be a viable option in the long term if that’s a route we need to start to explore too.”

See SCHOOLS, Page 8

the event of an off-site evacuation.

“These are measures we hope never to use,” officials said, “but they reflect our continued commitment to student and staff safety.”

Several academic programs are running across the district during the summer months. The Extended School Year (ESY) program provides support for students with individualized needs. In addition, instrumental music lessons and the Eagles program for multilingual learners ensure educational opportunities remain accessible and engaging year-round.

Teachers and educational staff are participating in summer professional development workshops designed to strengthen instructional practices and prepare new curriculum plans. The district is also finalizing plans for its August

New Staff Induction, which will introduce incoming educators to the LTPS community and provide orientation resources to begin the year effectively.

Custodial and maintenance teams have been deep-cleaning classrooms, waxing floors, and completing repairs to ensure schools are ready for students in September.

The technology department has been preparing devices, upgrading classroom tools, and testing systems to support digital learning across the district.

District officials say these summer efforts reflect LTPS’s commitment to maintaining a safe, well-resourced, and student-centered environment.

“LTPS is more than a district—it’s a community dedicated to ensuring that every student and family feels safe, supported, and seen,” the district said.

One Dental Home for the Whole Family

Why Parents Love Hamilton Dental Associates

Between school drop-offs, sports practices, and after-work errands, family life can be busy. When every member of the family has a different provider across town, even basic care like dental checkups can turn into a logistical headache.

That’s why so many Hamilton-area families turn to Hamilton Dental Associates—a place where kids, teens, parents, and even grandparents can get the expert dental care they need all under one roof.

One Location, All Ages, Complete Care. Hamilton Dental Associates isn’t just a pediatric practice—it’s a full-service dental home equipped to care for patients at every stage of life. Whether it’s your child’s first appointment, a braces consultation for your teen, or a cosmetic treatment you’ve been considering, we make it easy to get expert care in one convenient

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location.

Our in-house specialties include:

• Pediatric & adult dentistry

• Orthodontics

• Cosmetic dentistry & whitening

• Periodontics, endodontics & oral surgery

• Custom oral appliances for sleep apnea and more

When the whole family can visit the same practice, it means fewer appointments, more convenience, and less time off work or school.

Consistent Providers, Lifelong Trust. Children — and adults — thrive with consistency. At Hamilton Dental Associates, our patients benefit from seeing familiar faces who understand their history, preferences, and longterm care goals. This continuity helps build confidence, especially in young patients who may be anxious about dental visits.

As your child grows, they can transition seamlessly from pediatric to adult care without the need to change practices. That consistency helps reduce anxiety, strengthens trust, and reinforces stronger long-term dental habits.

Why Families Choose HDA. With

over 50 years of experience serving the Hamilton community and surrounding areas, we’ve earned the trust of multiple generations of local families.

Parents appreciate our:

• Friendly, experienced team of specialists

• Flexible scheduling (including family appointments)

• Kid-focused approach with modern technology

• Personalized care and long-term relationships

From preventive checkups to specialized treatments, we tailor every visit to your family’s needs — making each appointment as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Start the School Year with a Smile. Back-to-school season is the perfect time to get the whole family on track with cleanings and checkups. Let us help simplify your schedule while keeping everyone’s smiles healthy, confident, and bright. Discover why generations of families trust Hamilton Dental Associates as their dental home for life. Call 609586-6603 or visit hamiltondental.com to schedule your family’s next appointment. See ad, page 10

Fall Math Classes Now Enrolling at RSM NJ Schools!

What is the Russian School of Mathematics?

RSM is an award winning, afterschool math program trusted by parents for over 25 years across 80+ locations in North America and three locations in New Jersey. Our unique approach consists of a continuous K-12 curriculum, taught by expert teachers, in a classroom environment of peers who study together year after year. We take pride in ensuring each student learns in an environment that is optimal for them while boosting their intellect, confidence in math, and learning abilities.

Our program offers three levels to serve each child according to their knowledge and ability. In addition to our core program, the competition track is designed for students interested in advanced mathematical topics as well as participating in elite math competitions.

RSM’s curriculum was developed

by a team of academics specializing in mathematics, education, and child development and has been perfected by our internal curriculum department. All of our teachers have a background in mathematics or related fields and a deep passion for the subject. Our extensive training program prepares our teachers

to teach according to our specific methodology. Our teachers guide students to think about mathematics logically and conceptually, building deep connections between concepts, all in a classroom environment that keeps children consistently challenged.

Featured in NPR and the Atlantic

magazine as one of the key players in the “Math Revolution,” and ranked “among the top schools in the world” by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM helps children of all levels build a solid math foundation and develop their criticalthinking and problem-solving skills. As Masha Gershman, the VP of Marketing at RSM, states in her Ted talk “Uncertain Times Call for Certain Math,” advanced mathematics is not only within the grasp of every child but is also a crucial skill for achieving success in any field.

There is no better time to join RSM than in Fall!

To get started, you can reserve your child’s spot by scheduling a 30-minute evaluation. This is the best way to learn more about our program and determine the suitable level for your child.

Our principal will walk you through our curriculum, methodology, and answer any questions you have. During the evaluation, parents will have the opportunity to:

• Discuss your goals for your child’s education;

• Get to know the RSM methodology firsthand as an RSM evaluator guides your child through a series of math problems;

• Receive information about RSM’s curriculum, the program structure, and the three levels of classes that RSM offers;

• Get tuition details, understand the next steps for enrolling your child, and ask any other questions you may have.

Schedule an evaluation for your child to enroll them at RSM NJ branches this Fall!

Explore our NJ locations:

RSM Princeton, 231 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. 732-708-4905. princeton@mathschool.com. www. mathschool.com/locations/princeton

RSM Edison, 3900 Park Avenue, Suite 101, Edison, NJ 08820. 908263-8763. edison@mathschool. com. www.mathschool.com/locations/ edison

RSM Livingston, 388 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039. 862-223-8866. livingston@ mathschool.com. www.mathschool. com/locations/livingston

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‘Matinee Masterpieces’ Headline Kelsey Theatre’s 2025-26 Season

Expanded schedule of matinees to include Saturday, Sunday afternoon performances

Fans of live theater can enjoy added matinee performances all year long, as the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College will present a series of “Matinee Masterpieces” for the entire 2025-26 season.

The Kelsey Theatre, a community resource for the arts in central New Jersey for 53 years, will be offering 2 p.m. matinees both Saturday and Sunday for the upcoming season, while still offering evening shows for guests who prefer a night out at the theater. The 2025-26 season features the work of 10 resident semi-professional theater companies in addition to a student company.

The upcoming season features something for every theater lover, from comedies to dramas — classics to contemporary — including a selection of musicals to suit every taste. Keeping prices affordable is part of Kelsey’s mission, with no ticket price more than $30.

All musicals feature live orchestras, which in the upcoming season include The Sponge Bob Musical, South Pacific, Young Frankenstein, She Loves Me, The Prom, Seussical the Musical, The Little Mermaid, and Stephen Sondheim’s Company. In addition, Kelsey Theatre will feature a variety of comedies, dramas, and holiday shows, including Drop Dead!, Seasonal Allergies,‘Twas the

Night Before Christmas, The Nutcracker, Arms and the Man, Gaslight, Clue Live On Stage!, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The 39 Steps,The Comedy of Errors and a tribute to Jethro Tull’s album “Aqualung” by the Reock & Roll Revue. Interactive movie events include Wicked, The Nightmare Before Christmas, White Christmas, and Encanto.

Conveniently located on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College, Kelsey Theatre’s mission is to enrich and uplift local residents through affordable, high-quality theater productions, arts education programs, and performance opportunities. Season subscriptions now available save up to 45 percent, or pre-order single tickets; visit the website at www.kelseytheatre.org or call 609-570-3333 for more information.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Each year in the United States an estimated 15,780 children aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer.

Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer each year.

Thanks to advances in science, more than 80% of children with cancer now survive five or more years 80%

Leukemia,

lymphoma, and brain tumors are the most common cancers found in children.

Cancer remains the #1 cause of death by disease for children in America.

Approximately 9 kids a week are diagnosed with cancer in NJ.

Approximately 450 families in NJ will hear their child has cancer each year.

Thanks to advances in treatment, including some pioneered by investigators at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health, most children diagnosed with cancer can expect to grow up as healthy adults. Learn more at rwjbh.org/pediatriccancer

Princeton Friends School

Where Curiosity Goes to School

At Princeton Friends School, curiosity is the engine that drives learning. Walk into any classroom — from preschool to 8th grade — and you’re likely to hear questions like, “Why did this happen?” or “How does mechanical energy transfer from a rider to a bike?” But you won’t hear, “Will it be on the test?” That’s because questions are the intellectual currency here, and lightbulbs — not letter grades — are the true payoff. With a time-tested and researchbased progressive educational model, Princeton Friends School allows curiosity to take the lead. Experienced faculty guide children to inquire freely and then synthesize, analyze, imagine, and create. The result is a learning environment that is rigorous in the best sense—demanding of thoughtfulness, creativity, and integrity—while protecting the joy of childhood.

Where extraordinary outcomes are built on strong childhoods. The school’s graduates go on to become particle physicists, sustainable fashion entrepreneurs, educators, and innovators. They flourish in both private and public high schools and colleges and routinely trace their accomplishments to the Friends foundation on which they were

raised. At PFS, academic, social, and emotional growth are interwoven. Childhood is celebrated, protected, and powerful — full of responsibility and trust, but also delight. By the time they reach middle school, students shine as confident, capable, and eager learners who are well prepared for whatever comes next. Where children discover the wonder of nature. Nature is not a backdrop but an active partner in education at PFS. Students spend abundant time outdoors, using the surrounding woods, gardens, and stream as extended classrooms. One day, middle school scientists may be testing water quality at Stony Brook; the next, preschoolers are harvesting

vegetables from the garden they helped tend. Outdoor education here is both minds-on and hands-on, cultivating resilience, wonder, and care for the natural world.

Where learning is among Friends. With “Friends” at the center of its name and philosophy, Princeton Friends School is rooted in the long and respected tradition of Quaker education. Families of all and no faiths are welcomed into a community where universal values — simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship — guide daily practice. Students learn to listen for truth in their own voices as well as in the voices of others, building the habits of empathy and moral courage that will

serve them for life.

Where students can be themselves and become their best selves. At PFS, children are empowered to be themselves and to grow into their best selves. Academic learning is inseparable from social and emotional growth. Faculty mentor students in self-awareness, confidence, and responsibility. With opportunities for public speaking, leadership, and meaningful responsibility, children develop the agency and independence to thrive. When they graduate, they carry with them not only knowledge and skills but also a moral compass and a mindset for lifelong learning.

Where we are all-in for community. For a small school, community is a big deal. Students are greeted each morning by name. Families connect with one another through cherished traditions like all-school dancing and the annual spring camping trip. Older students mentor younger ones; new students are embraced seamlessly. Diversity of gifts is celebrated, and belonging is a given.

Princeton Friends School is where children love to learn, where community is lived daily, and where graduates are prepared not only for success but for significance. It is, in every sense, where curiosity goes to school.

Princeton Friends School is currently accepting applications for the 2025–26 school year. To learn more, visit www.princetonfriendsschool.org

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Stuart Country Day School

Every Opportunity. Every Voice. Every Role.

Every opportunity. Every voice. Every role. At Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, girls lead with confidence, think with purpose, and embrace learning with joy. As Princeton’s only independent, Catholic all-girls school (K–12), with a co-ed Early School (12 months to 4 years old), Stuart is a place where education becomes transformation.

The search for the right school is a meaningful one. At Stuart, we believe girls deserve an education where they are known, challenged, and supported to achieve at the highest level — academically, socially, and spiritually.

Strong Academics. Every aspect of Stuart is crafted to ignite each student’s intellectual passions and meticulously support them on their academic journey. The highly respected faculty are devoted to knowing each student personally and fostering their unique interests and curiosities. Small classes and thought-provoking electives sharpen minds in a supportive, high-achieving environment, inspiring every student to become a lifelong learner.

Girls Centered. The school is tailored to the way girls learn and grow, from course design to socializing. It creates an environment where girls speak up more often, take on more ambitious

challenges, and show a higher interest in STEM than in co-ed settings. This commitment to all-girls education is more than just a hunch or tradition — it’s backed by compelling data that proves it’s the best way for smart, strong, joyful girls to flourish.

Sacred Heart Values & a Global Network. Stuart is proud to be an independent Catholic girls’ school and part of the Sacred Heart network, which means the community is guided by a set of values: a personal relationship with faith, lifelong curiosity, social justice, community, and personal growth. These values resonate widely in Stuart’s school community, and they are part of what it means to be a wellrounded, thoughtful, and compassionate adult.

This global network of 150+ Sacred Heart schools gives students extraordinary opportunities to experience the world through exchange trips and cross-cultural learning. The common ground of a Sacred Heart education means students connect quickly with peers in places as varied as Sydney, Australia or New Orleans, Louisiana, diving deeply into new cultures and perspectives.

A Community of Belonging. Stuart welcomes students and families from all backgrounds, faiths, and life experiences. As one of the most diverse independent schools in Princeton, Stuart students engage in discussions on ethics and social justice

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as part of their curriculum. In this welcoming and inclusive environment, students are encouraged to be themselves, focus on their goals, and lift each other up. It’s no surprise that Stuart graduates go on to college and beyond with high levels of confidence and self-esteem — as well as a tightknit group of friends for life.

Discover Stuart. This fall, families are invited to see what sets Stuart apart. Meet student leaders, talk with faculty, and experience firsthand how Stuart girls grow into confident scholars and compassionate leaders. To learn more or schedule a visit, go to www.stuartschool.org.

At Stuart, girls are everything to us — because they are everything to the world.

Capital Barbershop Expands

Before walking into this expanded and remodeled barbershop located two doors to the right of the original, one is tempted to think that if you’ve seen one barbershop, you’ve seen them all. Not so. Aside from the red, white and blue twirling pole out front, this barbershop is different!

Owner/barber, Marc Storaci has had a longtime desire to build a location that was intended to dazzle. For years he’s researched existing shops from all over the world to personally design a truly one-of-a-kind barbershop.

The industrial/modern style decor must be seen to be appreciated. It features porcelain subway tile work, granite countertops, and custom wood-trimmed walls. Polished aluminum, stainless steel, and chrome, glitter everywhere. There are techno appointments galore with 10 bigscreen TVs and a streaming video message.

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Each of the eight workstations has backlit mirrors. All stations have computerized logs to efficiently keep track of all who drop in, along with those who were pre-scheduled. Clients settle into the comfortable, extra-roomy, porcelain, and cast-iron

chairs for any style of quality haircut. The beautiful high-tech lighting is state-of-the-art. This barbershop is beyond unique!

Storaci was quick to say that while the eye-catching decor certainly gets

Season Matinee Masterpieces Season Matinee Masterpieces

SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL Shakespeare’s THE COMEDY OF ERRORS Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY PLUS: Interactive Movie Events: WICKED, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, ENCANTO and WHITE CHRISTMAS Holiday Events: ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS… THE NUTCRACKER and more! Series Subscriptions save up to 45%! Call 609-570-3333 to order

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC

The Mel Brooks Musical YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN DROP DEAD SEASONAL ALLERGIES SHE LOVES ME

GB Shaw’s ARMS AND THE MAN GASLIGHT THE PROM CLUE Live Onstage ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST THE 39 STEPS

a lot of attention, all the bells and whistles in the world can’t replace genuine service. Better quality service is the first priority for the barbers at Capital. He explained, “no business is profitable without a sustained volume and there simply won’t be good volume without a quality product. Since our only product is a haircut service, we want to be the best.”

Capital’s barbers not only have deep experience with all styles of men’s and boy’s hair, they’re trained in-house as career service professionals. In fact, Storaci hopes for the uniquely remodeled shop on Scotch Rd to become the example for a franchise offering one day.”

Perhaps best, is that Capital’s menu will feature a pre-COVID price rollback. They’re making an honest effort to ensure that the shop’s service, pricing, sanitation, and comfort is simply the best to be found. And, unlike shops that rush you into the first open barber chair, Capital encourages you to request your favorite barber. Said Storaci, “We want everyone to return happy!”

Marc Storaci’s career in the barber

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American Repertory Ballet Announces Its 2025/26 Season

A beloved performing arts institution for over 70 years, led by Interim Artistic Director Samantha Dunster with Artistic Associate Gillian Murphy and Artist in Residence Ethan Stiefel, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) announces a 2025/26 season that elevates its classic repertoire alongside exciting new works, continuing to strengthen the company’s unique voice within the community. A founding resident company of the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), ARB kicks the season off at its home venue with the return of Stiefel and Johan Kobborg’s lauded GISELLE on October 10-12, 2025, followed by a fairytale premiere of CINDERELLA on March 6-8, 2026, and AMERICANA, a mixed bill of World Premieres and celebrated works on May 1-3, 2026. Additionally, ARB will present an evening of moonlit ballets at the Union County Performing Arts Center’s Festival of the Moon on October 17, 2025, and ARB’s celebrated touring production of THE NUTCRACKER will return for the holiday season November 28 - December 21, 2025 at McCarter Theatre Center, Two River Theater,

and State Theatre New Jersey.

“It will be a ‘season of seasons’ as ARB leans into a haunting October, magical family fun during the holidays, fairytale romance just after Valentine’s Day, and Americana fanfare to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary,” says Executive Director Julie Diana Hench. “We invite audiences of all ages to join us at the theater and make memories together, and to experience the transformative power of the performing arts.”

For more information on ARB’s 2025/26 season, please visit www. arballet.org.

business started 29 years ago while he was a student at NJIT. He explored learning barbering as a way to help with college expenses. While he still has family business interests in food services and investment real estate, somewhere along the line the barber business became his passion. Between his other high-volume barbershop in Hamilton (which conversely features an antique decor) and his newly enlarged modern location at Capital on Scotch Road in Ewing, Storaci currently employs 20 barbers. He said: “I’ve been fortunate to have had numerous successful shops over the years, but when the COVID pandemic hit, we struggled. It significantly changed the hair industry, in general, and it was like playing a chess game to keep all of my employees on board.

Of course, the “help wanted” sign is still always out for professional bar-

bers! At any rate, we’re solidly back in growth mode and are anxiously looking forward to this expansion.”

The Capital group feels confident that their team of barbers share a depth of experience and personal service level that the competition, including the chains, aren’t able to provide. Their current client base is comprised mainly of residents, workers, and students from a broad area. The shop is central to Ewing, Pennington, Hopewell, Titusville, Lambertville, Lawrence, Yardley, TCNJ and Rider University.

Capital Barbershop, 183 Scotch Road Plaza. Walk-ins or appointments. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Accepting cash, credit/debit cards, Venmo, and Apple Pay. For appointments, visit Booksy. com or call 609-403-6147. tbsbarbershops.com.

Girls Are Every Thing.

Every opportunity. Every voice. Every role.

At Stuart, girls think critically, lead boldly, and embrace learning with purpose and passion.

As the only independent, Catholic all-girls school (K–12) in Princeton, NJ—with a co-ed preschool and junior kindergarten—Stuart offers a transformational learning environment where every voice is heard, every opportunity is designed with girls in mind, and every girl knows she has a purpose in this world.

Schedule a tour or register for an event | stuartschool.org/vist

Princeton Day School

Humanity, Creativity, Intellect, Joy, and Stewardship

Join us Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Open Campus Day at Princeton Day School! Walk our 106-acre campus and see our STEAM centers, athletic facilities, arts spaces, garden and apiary in action. Meet our Pre-K through Grade 12 faculty and students who embody our values daily: Humanity, Creativity, Intellect, Joy, and Stewardship.

Princeton Day School cultivates intellectual vitality within a community that values both achievement and

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growth. We encourage bold inquiry and meaningful collaboration that prepares students for thoughtful leadership. Our academic approach develops critical thinking alongside character, fostering students who question assumptions and connect learning to larger purpose. We believe every individual deserves to be known, challenged, and supported as they discover who they’re becoming. Our teachers approach each student with openness, creating an environment where rigorous thinking flourishes alongside personal growth. Experience firsthand how education can prioritize both wisdom and wonder.

Register today at pds.org/visit!

The Dental Difference

Mini Dental Implants: A True Innovation in Dentistry

Mini Dental Implants (MDIs) have changed the face of implant dentistry. Unlike traditional implant placement, where multiple dental visits are often required, MDIs can eliminate the need for extensive surgery. The most common use for MDIs is the stabilization of dentures and overdentures. MDIs firmly anchor the dental prosthesis, which means there is no longer a need to suffer with ill-fitting, loose and ANNOYING dentures!

MDIs are designed to eliminate elaborate bone grafting and to expedite treatment. Traditional implants may require significant bone grafting and a longer recovery period. The latent period allows the anchor of the implant to properly embed itself into the jawbone. The smaller size of MDIs means that no recovery period is possible, and the denture can be fitted the same day.

What are the advantages of MDI placement?

MDIs are a true innovation for people who are reluctant to have invasive dental surgery and who are suffering denture wearers. One significant advantage MDIs have over traditional implants is that they offer a viable treatment choice for patients who have experienced extensive bone loss. Depending on the quality and density of jawbone available at the implant site, four or more of these mini implants may be implanted at one time. The most common use for MDIs is to stabilize a lower denture, however they can be placed anywhere in the mouth.

Other advantages associated with MDIs may include:

• Better smelling breath

• More self-esteem

• Clearer speech

• Easier chewing and biting

• Easier cleaning

• Firmer denture fit

• Good success rate

• Less denture discomfort

• No cutting or sutures

• No need for adhesives or messy bonding agents

• No rotting food beneath the denture

• No slipping or wobbling

• Quick treatment time

• Reduced costs

How are mini dental implants placed?

The whole mini dental implant placement procedure takes approximately one hour. Generally, in the case of lower jaw implants, four to six MDIs will be placed about 5mm apart. Prior to inserting MDIs, Dr. Mosmen will use many diagnostic and planning tools to find the optimal location to implant them.

After placement, a denture will be modified and affixed to the MDIs. The rubber O-ring on each MDI snaps into the designated spot on the denture, and the denture then rests snugly on the gum tissue. MDIs hold the denture comfortably in a tight-fitting way for the lifetime of that implant.

In almost all cases, no stitching is required, and no real discomfort is felt after the procedure. When the denture placement procedure is complete, light eating can be resumed. The denture can be removed and cleaned at will. MDIs enhance the natural beauty of the smile and restore full functionality to the teeth.

If you have any questions about mini dental

Dr. Kevin Mosmen of The Dental Difference.

implants, please call Dr. Kevin Mosmen for a FREE consultation appointment to see if you’re a candidate for this procedure or traditional implants. The Dental Difference. 2131 Route 33, Suite A, Hamilton, NJ 08690. 609-445-3577. www. thedentaldifference.com.

LaFlamme has been a center back for much of her career in travel and club but understands the nuances of her high school position.

“As a central midfielder you have to be really good on both sides of the ball,” she said. “Even if you score a whole bunch of goals, if you can’t track back and defend that’s gonna be a big issue. So you have to be strong offensively and defensively.

“You also need to be able to move on quickly. Things are happening constantly and you’re on both sides of the ball. If you make a bad pass or miss a tackle you gotta be able to move on right away, not think about it, and play hard.”

An awareness of what is unfolding also helps.

“You need great field vision as an attacking midfielder, being able to send the ball to those forwards and wingers and set them up so the whole team can get into the box,” LaFlamme explained.

“And on the defensive side of the ball, you have to read where the other team is attacking, where they’re gonna play, be able to anticipate some of these passes and win them in the middle.”

It’s a lot of responsibility, but LaFlamme has handled it well for three seasons and was voted a team captain last year. Prior to preseason camp, Palombo figured she

would gain the honor again.

“She leads by example and does everything you need her to do as a leader,” the coach said. “It’s definitely comforting having her back. She has the experience, she works hard. I think people are gonna look to her to be a steady, calm force again.”

In explaining what makes LaFlamme a strong twoway player, Palombo said, “She uses her body so well. She’s very good at turning, really good at tackling and with the timing of her tackles. And she has really good vision. She can see the field, take people on. She defends really well.”

Defending is something LaFlamme has done all her life.

In the winter of her freshman year she moved to PDA South, which is her current club. During the club season LaFlamme can usually be found at center back.

Despite her club experience, there were some jitters in ninth grade.

She began playing at age 3 when she joined her cousins in the Lawrence Hamnett program.

“I kind of got thrown in there and stuck with it ever since,” LaFlamme said.

After moving to travel ball with Lawrence in second grade, she played two years in Hopewell travel before joining Next Level Soccer in fourth grade.

“I definitely learned a lot at that club,” LaFlamme said. “That shaped who I am today.”

“When I came in I was super nervous, I was a scared freshman,” LaFlamme admitted. “I didn’t have any expectations of being a varsity starter. My goal was to make varsity. Being able to start was a big bonus. The team was super welcoming and it was a great year being able to play against some girls who are four years older than me and so much bigger than me.”

Asked about her stress level at the time, LaFlamme felt it was “pretty high. I remember being like, ‘Wow you’re a freshman on varsity; go make sure you prove to everybody you deserve to be on this field. You’ve worked super hard to get here so now show up.’”

She doesn’t recall how she played in her debut but “I definitely remember being nervous.”

From the start, Palombo liked what she

saw as LaFlamme started at one of the most important positions on the field and helped the Cards to a 7-7-1 record.

“She was very technical and very physical,” the coach said. “Sometimes freshmen struggle with the physicality, but Caelyn was a force right away. She’s able to play multiple positions, but she has stayed at holding center mid because of how much ground she covers.”

Lawrence improved to 9-8 her sophomore year and 13-9 last season, and her offensive numbers have steadily improved. LaFlamme had two goals and one assist as a freshman, three and three as a sophomore and nine and four as a junior.

Suddenly, she’s a senior.

“It’s a bit surreal,” LaFlamme said. “Senior prep’s been ramping up for me so it’s starting to feel more real. I’m super excited for the season. We have a big chunk of our team coming back. We’re really focused on having another great season. We’re super excited.”

Lawrence returns a number of important players, including senior Becca Boggs (12 goals, 18 assists) and junior Ava Donnelly (11 goals, 7 assists). But it will have to replace the 20 goals supplied by graduate Michaela Little.

“Hopefully everyone can step up to the

See SOCCER, Page 18

challenge,” LaFlamme said.

And that includes the center midfielder.

“I would probably like her to score a little more, and I think she would like to score a little more at times, but she keeps us toward the offensive attack and kind of disrupts the transition so that’s really important,” Palombo said. “She can score; she’s a force on corners. She’s just so strong. I would love to play her at more of an attacking role, but for us it works out best where she’s at.”

LaFlamme admits “I need to get more in the back of the net this year” and will move up when necessary. But she’s happy with her current position.

“I like the versatility of center back and being that last defender and stopping all those goals,” she said. “A lot of people like scoring that last-minute goal; it’s something they look forward to. For me it’s deny, deny, deny. If you’re on a girl all game and she keeps trying to shoot and shoot and you keep winning that ball, it’s something I love. A great feeling.”

Recalling how welcoming the seniors were her freshman year, LaFlamme has tried to be the same way with the incoming players.

“I try to replicate that and be super welcoming and make the team a super fun place where we can all be friends off the

field,” she said, before quickly adding, “but on the field we get the job done.”

LaFlamme puts in a supreme work ethic to succeed at the job. She runs three days per week and hits the gym three other days. Lacrosse, a sport she has played since fifth grade, keeps her in condition during the spring. Every day features some kind of touches with the soccer ball.

“A majority of it I’m out there by myself, getting my reps in, getting on the ball, doing ball work, making sure both feet are comfortable,” she said. “I play with my sister a lot too.”

Quinn LaFlamme is a sophomore who saw varsity time last year, allowing the girls to play on the same team together for the first time.

“That was super exciting for us,” Caelyn said. “There were definitely days we got tired of each other, but it was a lot of fun.”

As hard as she works on the field, LaFlamme puts in equal time off it, as witnessed by a 4.1 weighted GPA. She also volunteers for two weeks in the summer at Safety Town, where she teaches incoming kindergarteners basic safety such as crossing the street, knowing their name and address, calling 911 and riding a bike.

Seasonal jobs include working in the summer as a lifeguard at Ben Frank-

lin Swim Club — where LaFlamme swam in PASDA — and working at Carroll’s Christmas Tree Farm during the holidays.

“I ring people up in the barn and also make a lot of wreaths,” she said. “I wouldn’t tell you I’m super artistic, but I can make a wreath.”

Another time-consuming activity is searching for the right college. LaFlamme has received offers to play at three schools so far and is still waiting to hear from several Division I schools.

“I see her playing center back in college,” Palombo said. “She’s been such a force and plays at such a high level with her club teams. She’s a super competitor.”

LaFlamme is eyeing a career in physical therapy.

“Honestly — knock on wood, cross my fingers — I’ve never had a big injury,” she said. “But I’ve seen other people go through processes like that. It’s a handson job and being able to work with people every day sparked my interest. I know how it’s a science-based major; I’m a big science fan.”

When it comes to making her decision, LaFlamme will not sacrifice academics for soccer. She is hoping to find a school that balances both.

“I always have to remind myself soccer is not forever,” she said. “I’m going to

Advanced Non-Invasive Liver Tumor Treatment Arrives at Capital Health Cancer Center

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is the first and only hospital in the Mercer and Bucks County region to offer histotripsy, a non-invasive treatment option for liver tumors, following the arrival of the Edison System this summer. Dr. Cataldo Doria, a hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center, Dr. Ajay Choudhri, an interventional radiologist and chairman of the Radiology Department at Capital Health, and Dr. Nikhil Thaker, medical director of Radiation Oncology lead the team at the Cancer Center’s Liver Center of Excellence that performs histotripsy.

This groundbreaking procedure uses advanced imaging and ultrasound energy to destroy targeted tumors in a single outpatient procedure with no cutting or probing.

Histotripsy is a treatment option for patients who are not candidates for surgery or may have previously been told their tumors are inoperable. Typical candidates have primary or secondary liver tumors or symptomatic benign liver growths.

Dr. Doria and his team use the histotripsy devices (an ultrasound machine connected to a mobile robotic arm) to deliver precisely targeted treatment. Ultrasound pulses create microbubbles at a focal point, which break down and dissolve the diseased liver tumor tissue without piercing the skin. Most tumors can be eliminated within a single treatment session.

Histotripsy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of liver tumors, and compatible with other forms of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. It can also be used to treat metastatic cancer that has

spread to the liver. Doctors and researchers have studied it for more than 20 years (including clinical trials), and there are ongoing studies surrounding the use of histotripsy for treating tumors in the pancreas, brain, prostate, kidney and other areas. As FDA approvals are granted, the team at Capital Health Cancer Center plans to expand their histotripsy program to these new sites.

Capital Health Cancer Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, is home to the Liver Center of Excellence as well as other centers of excellence specializing in breast care, lung health, neuro-oncology, pancreatic health, and roboticassisted surgery.

To learn more about histotripsy, visit capitalhealthcancer.org/histotripsy or call 609.537.6000 to schedule a consultation.

Local Students Awarded Full Scholarships to Rider University Through Capital Health Benefits Program

Capital Health has announced four winners of full-tuition scholarships to Rider University as part of an employee education benefits partnership with the university. The scholarship winners are immediate family members of Capital Health employees and include Sunny Carpinello (accounting), Alannah Eidell (elementary education), Mariah Sabat (elementary education), and Ellie Campbell (Dance). Capital Health’s partnership with Rider launched in October 2020.

“On behalf of Capital Health, I’m thrilled to recognize the 2025 winners of our full-tuition scholarships to Rider University,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “This scholarship program is just one of the many education related benefits and opportunities we offer employees and their families. It’s exciting to be able to help more and more members of our Capital Health family pursue higher education. Congratulations to this year’s winners and our continued best wishes for success in this important step in their education journey.”

Sunny Carpinello of Hamilton, New Jersey is a graduate of Nottingham High School – North. The daughter of Anthony Carpinello and Cristie Carpinello, registered nurse at Capital Health Occupational Health Center, Sunny will study accounting at Rider’s Norm Brodsky College of Business Administration.

Alannah Eidell of Lakehurst, New Jersey is a graduate of Manchester Township High School and is the daughter of Karen Giberson, health information management physician coder at Capital Health Medical Group. Alannah will study elementary education in Rider’s College of Education and Human Services.

Mariah Sabat of Hillsborough, New Jersey is an incoming sophomore at Rider and daughter of Kelly Rosa, ultrasonographer in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. A graduate of Hillsborough High School, Mariah is going to study elementary education with multidisciplinary studies at Rider’s College of Education and Human Services.

Ellie Campbell of Hamilton, New Jersey is a graduate of Hamilton High School – West. Daughter of Tammy Campbell and Glen Campbell, facility director at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Ellie plans to major in dance performance at Rider’s College of Arts and Sciences.

(left to right) Mariah Sabat, Ellie Campbell, Capital Health President and CEO Al Maghazehe, Rider University President John Loyack, Alannah Eidell, Sunny Carpinello.

Recipients of Capital Health’s full-tuition scholarship to Rider University must be new full-time undergraduate, first-time freshman, current undergraduate students, or undergraduate transfer students. Scholarships are awarded for four consecutive years or until the completion of the academic program. Students must be full-time students, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and must be considered a student in good standing by Rider University at all times during their enrollment. To be eligible for the scholarships, candidates or their immediate family members must be full-time, non-union employees of Capital Health for at least one year and meet additional eligibility requirements.

Capital Health’s employee education benefits program also features additional offerings, including a 50% tuition discount agreement with Rider University for non-union employees and their immediate family members (cannot be combined with fulltuition scholarships). This tuition discount program is separate from Capital Health’s tuition reimbursement program, and Capital Health employees may be eligible for both Rider’s tuition discount, and Capital Health’s tuition reimbursement. Capital Health also offers several other programs designed to offer employees, their family, and members of the community opportunities to pursue health care related education, including its own EMT Academy, surgical tech and central sterile processing training programs, and a home health care aide education program.

Movement Disorders Specialist at Capital Health Offers Cutting Edge Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. PD usually presents in people over the age of 50 with early symptoms that are subtle and occur gradually, varying in intensity from patient to patient as the disease progresses.

DR. ALEXANDRE MASON SHARMA, a board certified, fellowship trained movement disorders specialist at Capital Health’s Capital Institute for Neurosciences, offers the latest treatment options for PD, including subcutaneous levodopa pumps for patients in advanced stages of the disease.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that sends messages between the brain and the body that control movement, memory, cognition, and other functions. In patients with PD, the brain cells that make dopamine are slowly dying. Lower dopamine levels cause slower movement, balance issues, tremors, and other symptoms. Levodopa, commonly the first-line medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, helps patients maintain healthier dopamine levels and manage symptoms.

“Levodopa pills are often prescribed to patients in the earlier stages of Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Mason Sharma. “However, as the disease progresses, maintaining stable dopamine levels with pills can be a challenge. Wearable levodopa pumps (about

the size of a smartphone) replace pills entirely, continuously injecting medication under the skin to maintain more consistent dopamine levels throughout the day. No surgery is required, and dosages are tailored to each patient’s needs so they can experience a better quality of life.”

Dr. Mason Sharma received his medical degree at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. After his neurology residency at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, Dr. Mason Sharma completed fellowship training in movement disorders at Medstar Health/Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He has published and presented research in peer-reviewed medical journals and at regional and national conferences.

The Movement Disorders Program at Capital Institute for Neurosciences offers advanced therapies that are personalized for each patient according to their specific diagnosis. In addition to drug therapy like levodopa, individualized treatment options may also include deep brain stimulation and physical, speech, and occupational therapies for complete management of movement disorders.

Dr. Mason Sharma sees patients at office locations in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and Newtown, Pennsylvania. To schedule an appointment, call 609.537.7300 or visit capitalneuro.org for more information.

Women’s Health: Menopause and Gynecological Cancers

Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

DR. AMY HARVEY O’KEEFE, a board certified physician from Capital Health OB/GYN, will discuss the common symptoms of menopause and the therapies available for the management of symptoms. DR. MONA SALEH, a fellowship trained gynecologic oncologist from Capital Health Cancer Center, will review signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers and discuss interventions that can reduce your risk.

This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom. Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Please register early. Class size is limited. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

Combatting Social Isolation as We Age

Monday, October 6, 2025 9:30 a.m. (Breakfast) | 10 a.m. (Program)

Virtual Location: Zoom Meeting

In-Person Location: Capital Health – Hamilton 1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619

Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to changes in health and social connections that can come with aging. Join us to get tips for staying connected, growing your social networks, and improving your physical and mental health. Light breakfast served.

Stop the Bleed

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 6 – 8 p.m.

Location: Capital Health – EMS Education

Mercer Professional Building at Pennington 2480 Pennington Road, Suite 107, Pennington, NJ 08534

When someone is severely bleeding, every second counts! Join instructors from Capital Health’s Emergency Medical Services team for a free class designed for coaches, doctors, nurses, EMS providers, and anyone interested in learning how to control a bleed, an important skill that can save the lives of people who experience serious injuries.

what’s haPPeninG?

What’s Happening is a selection of events taking place this month in our area. For even more events, go online to our website, communitynews.org/events.

Details below were believed to be accurate at time of publication. We always recommend that you confirm all necessary details when planning to attend an event.

Monday, SepteMber 1

Hand Made pasta Workshop with Meal, Cherry Grove Farm. 11 a.m. Includes meal. Take home ravioli that you make. cherrygrovefarm.com. 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville.

tueSday, SepteMber 2

Kawaii Craft Club: paper Suncatcher, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch. 6:30 p.m. Kawaii is the culture of cuteness in Japan. This month we are making paper suncatchers. For ages 5 and up, with a caregiver to supervise. Registration required. mcl.org. 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence.

WedneSday, SepteMber 3

Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 10 a.m. Easy group walk in Roebling Park. Free. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton.

taG Meeting, Trenton Free Public Library. 5:30 p.m. The Teen Advisory Group meets to discuss the endless possibilities of becom-

ing involved in the library. 120 Academy St, Trenton.

author talk: Hannah nicole Maehrer. 7 p.m. New York Times Bestselling Author and TikTok star. Virtual event. Register online at penningtonlibrary.org.

tHurSday, SepteMber 4

Greenscaping your yard: meadows, rain gardens & native plants, Virtual . 7 p.m. Conversation with expert speakers and Q&A. Register online at penningtonlibrary.org.

Weekday Land Stewardship Volunteer Session, Mountain Lakes House. 12 a.m. Volunteer session at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. 57 Mountain Ave, Princeton.

drop-in upcycle Challenge: autumn Leaves, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch. 1 p.m. The theme for September and October is “autumn leaves” to celebrate fall and create beautiful seasonal decorations for your home. This is a drop-in program. Stop by any time from 1-5 p.m. to participate. mcl.org. 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence.

Friday, SepteMber 5

Sunset Sips & Sounds, Terhune Orchards. 12 p.m. Terhune wine and music. Musical styles range from jazz and blues to folk and rock. Music from 5-8 p.m. Winery open noon-8 p.m. Barn Door Cafe open for dinner and light bites. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton.

Live Music on the patio - rob Messina,

Nassau Inn. 6 p.m. 10 Palmer Square W, Princeton.

Saturday, SepteMber 6

Fiesta Latina, Mercer County Park Festival Grounds. Noon to 6 p.m. A free daylong celebration with live Latin music, dance performances, food vendors and family activities. 1 Hughes Dr., West Windsor.

Forest restoration along Continental Lane, Washington Crossing State Park. 8:45 a.m. Help remove invasive plants to support the restoration of the ecosystem. Meet at the small parking lot just past the park main entrance. Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville.

back to School Science day, Science, Kids and Beyond. 10 a.m. Sun viewing, plasma experiments, chemistry experiments, music, play space and AI photography. sciencekidsandbeyond.com. 2917 East State Street Ext., Hamilton.

back to School, Howell Living History Farm. 10 a.m. howellfarm.org. 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell.

Fall Music Series: electric Stingray, On the Green at Palmer Square. 1 p.m. 40 Nassau Street, Princeton.

dave pettigrew, Grace Community Church of the Nazarene. 5 p.m. An evening of worship, stories and songs. Free. 100 Bull Run Rd, Ewing Township. the Strange brew Crew, Hopewell Valley Vineyards. 5:30 p.m. 46 Yard Rd, Pennington. doG trio on the Loose, Hopewell Fare. 6 p.m. Drums, organ, guitar. Soul Jazz, funk,

standards re-energized. hopewellfare.com. 65 E Broad St, Hopewell.

Halo pub: Music in the alley, Halo Pub. 6 p.m. Live outdoor music. palmersquare.com. 9 Hulfish St, Princeton.

Badshah: The Unfinished Tour, CURE Insurance Arena. cureinsurancearena.com. 8 p.m. 81 Hamilton Ave, Trenton.

Sunday, SepteMber 7

21st Annual West Windsor Bike Fest, West Windsor Community Park. 8 a.m. Familyfriendly and adult-only routes. Rides led by West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance. Lunch by Aljons and TripT Foods. Register at wwbikefest.weebly.com. Bernt Midland Boulevard, Windsor.

Sourdough bread Workshop, Cherry Grove Farm. 9 a.m. Hands-on sourdough bread baking workshop. cherrygrovefarm.com. 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville.

Family Sundays at the nature Center, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Naturalist-guided program geared towards families. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton.

a Guided History table talk tour, Washington Crossing State Park. 1:30 p.m. Tour guides, local historians and reenactors will staff a series of tables and stops with images and objects. Visitor Center Museum open from 9 to 4. Phone (609) 737-0623. Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville.

See EVENTS, Page 24

Amy Procaccino

NMLS# 133607 amyp@themoneystore.com (609) 439-6188

Monday, SepteMber 8

FopoS Scavenger Hunt: Wonders of Mountain Lakes nature preserve, Mountain Lakes House. 12 a.m. 57 Mountain Ave, Princeton. tueSday, SepteMber 9

too busy for books book Club, Pennington Public Library. 7:30 p.m. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick. penningtonlibrary.org. 30 N Main St, Pennington.

WedneSday, SepteMber 10

princeton Mercer regional Chamber of Commerce September business before business Virtual Speed networking. 8:30 a.m. Networking over morning coffee. Register at princetonmercerchamber.org.

Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 10 a.m. Easy group walk in Roebling Park. Free. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton.

Felix Jermann Wine dinner, The Peacock Inn and The Perch At Peacock Inn. 6 p.m. Multi-course menu to pair with Felix Jermann’s renowned wines. Menu and wine selections online at peacockinn.com. Tickets $125. Reservations required; call (609) 9241707 to book. 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton.

tHurSday, SepteMber 11

an elevated evening with young profes, The Alice Princeton. 5 p.m. Beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music on the rooftop. Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce event geared ages 21-44. princetonmercerchamber.org. 365 Terhune Rd,

Friday, SepteMber 12

Fund for irish Studies: reading by anne enright, James Stewart Film Theater. 4:30 p.m. Award-winning writer Anne Enright reads from her latest novel, The Wren, Free tickets required, available through Prineton University Ticketing tixhelp@princeton.edu or (609) 258-9220. 185 Nassau St., 185 Nassau Street, Princeton.

Live Music on the patio: nuevo Jazz, Nassau Inn. 6 p.m. 10 Palmer Square W, Princeton. dancing in the dark: September dance party, West Windsor Arts. 7:30 p.m. westwindsorarts.org. 952 Alexander Rd, Princeton Junction.

Sō Percussion Fall Performance, Alexander Hall, Princeton University. 7:30 p.m. Sō Percussion returns to Richardson Auditorium for their fall performance. 68 Nassau St, Princeton.

Saturday, SepteMber 13

terhune orchards 50th anniversary apple day, Terhune Orchards. 10 a.m. Special throwback event celebrating the original Terhune Orchards Apple Day. terhuneorchards. com. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. riverFest 2025 at trenton thunder ballpark, South Riverwalk Park. 11 a.m. RiverFest and River Days are now combined for a free day of family fun. Educational games and exhibits, canoe and boat rides, live music, hay rides, fly fishing demos. Plus ninth annual Trenton Thunder Case’s Pork Roll Eating Championship. www.gofevo.com/event/Riverfest5. John Fitch Way, Trenton. Monthly Living History april 2025, Washington Crossing Historic Park. 11 a.m. Historical interpreters and reenactors bring to life various aspects on military life during the

American Revolution. This month: artillery. washingtoncrossingpark.org. 1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.

Fall Music Series: the erik daab trio, On the Green at Palmer Square. 1 p.m. 40 Nassau Street, Princeton.

the Way Home: poetry and Conversation with yamini pathak, West Windsor Arts. 2:30 p.m. India-born poet Yamini Pathak shares from her forthcoming book Her Mouth A Palace of Lamps. westwindsorarts.org. 952 Alexander Rd, Princeton Junction.

new yacht City, Hopewell Valley Vineyards. 5 p.m. Live yacht music and R&B-inspired music of the 70s and 80s. 46 Yard Rd, Pennington.

Halo pub: Music in the alley, Halo Pub. 6 p.m. Live outdoor music. palmersquare.com. 9 Hulfish St, Princeton.

Sunday, SepteMber 14

Sangria Workshop, Hopewell Valley Vineyards. 11 a.m. Tickets: $30.95. hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. 46 Yard Rd, Pennington.

Family Sundays at the nature Center, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Naturalist-guided program geared towards families. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton.

Fire Cider & Herbal Vinegars Workshop, Cherry Grove Farm. 2 p.m. Learn how to make fire cider using fresh local farm ingredients and take home a jar. Children welcome. cherrygrovefarm.com. 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville.

Monday, SepteMber 15

Sensory Science: owls, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch. 11 a.m. Today’s session is all about owls! Recom-

mended for ages 2-5 years old, with a caregiver. Register. mcl.org. 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence.

tueSday, SepteMber 16

Mediterra: tempting tempranillo tasting, Mediterra. 6 p.m. Guided taste tour of Tempranillo paired with selected tapas. mediterrarestaurant.com. 29 Hulfish St, Princeton.

WedneSday, SepteMber 17

Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 10 a.m. Easy group walk in Roebling Park. Free. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton.

author talk: Gabe Henry. 2 p.m. Virtual event with author of “Our Failed Attempts to Make English Eezier to Spell.” Register at penningtonlibrary.org.

What did We Learn and When did We Learn it, Virtual event. 7 p.m. How different generations of Lawrence citizens answered learned. Presented by Dennis Waters, member of the Mercer County Library Commission. Must register at mcl.org.

tHurSday, SepteMber 18

Lunchtime Gallery Series: Skylands Museum of art, West Windsor Arts. Noon. DIscussion on Skylands Museum of Art with sculptor and founder, Ailene Fields. westwindsorarts.org. 952 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction.

Friday, SepteMber 19

Swirl: an evening of art and Wine, Grounds For Sculpture. 5 p.m. Guided tours of sculpture garden that include food and wine pairings. groundsforsculpture.org. 80 Sculptors

See EVENTS, Page 26

CENTER AT THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL

A gem in the heart of a historic 800-acre campus steeped in tradition, The Learning Center at The Lawrenceville School boasts an idyllic setting for our youngest friends to explore safely, learn eagerly, speak proudly, and make friendships that

Hunger Action Month

Way, Hamilton.

aCp byob: Wheel Ceramics, Arts Council of Princeton. 6 p.m. Beginner-friendly intro to wheel ceramics. artscouncilofprinceton.org. 102 Witherspoon St, Princeton. the Spongebob Musical, Mercer County Community College. 8 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

Saturday, SepteMber 20

Fall Music Series: the ravens, On the Green at Palmer Square. 1 p.m. 40 Nassau St, Princeton.

autumn Sound bath, Grounds For Sculpture. 3:30 p.m. Deep, resonating sound vibrations with the goal of eliminating disorder in the mind and body. groundsforsculpture.org. Museum admission included. 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton.

DragonflyBandNJ, River Horse Brewing Company. 5:30 p.m. Dragonfly debuts at 2025 Octoberfest. riverhorse.com. 2 Graphics Dr, Ewing Township.

Halo pub: Music in the alley, Halo Pub. 6 p.m. Live outdoor music. palmersquare.com. 9 Hulfish St, Princeton.

Hopewell Harvest Fair, Hopewell Elementary School. 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contests, live music and entertainment, games, Kids’ Korner, food vendors, farmers market, over 25 craft vendors. Raindate Oct. 4. hopewellharvestfair.org. 35 Princeton Ave., Hopewell. the Spongebob Musical, Mercer County Community College. 8 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

Sunday, SepteMber 21

Family Sundays at the nature Center, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Natu-

ralist-guided program geared towards families. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton. Hats Off To You Fashion Show Extravaganza, Hyatt Regency Princeton. 2 p.m. A fashion show extravaganza. Meal and vendor displays. Organized by Trenton Fortitude Corporation. 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton. the Spongebob Musical, Mercer County Community College. 2 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

Monday, SepteMber 22

Sensory Science: autumn, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch. 11 a.m. Today’s session is all about autumn! Ages 2-5 years old, with a caregiver. Register. mcl. org. 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence.

tueSday, SepteMber 23

princeton Sound Kitchen presents Mixtape, Taplin Auditorium. 8 p.m. Princeton University graduate student composers present their original compositions. Fine Hall, Princeton.

WedneSday, SepteMber 24

Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 10 a.m. Easy group walk in Roebling Park. Free. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. the real Mae West: Living History. Virtual event. 7 p.m. With educational entertainer Martina Mathisen is hanging up her wigs–but not before bringing Mae West to life one last time, offering insight into the woman behind the legend. Live Q&A will follow the presentation. Must register at penningtonlibrary.org.

tHurSday, SepteMber 25

princeton university Concerts presents

takács String Quartet and Jordan bak, Viola, Alexander Hall. Shows at 6 and 9 p.m. concerts.princeton.edu. 68 Nassau St, Princeton. Cash bingo, Congregation Beth Chaim. 7 p.m. Entry fee $5. Adults only. Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road East, West Windsor, NJ 08550. 329 Village Road E, Windsor.

Friday, SepteMber 26

tea on the Farm, Cherry Grove Farm. 4 p.m. 3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville. Golu extravaganza, West Windsor Arts. 6 p.m. A celebration of Navratri, a traditional South Indian holiday. westwindsorarts.org. 952 Alexander Rd, Princeton Junction. the Spongebob Musical, Mercer County Community College. 8 p.m. kelseytheatre.org. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

Saturday, SepteMber 27

Wheat planting, Wheat Weaving, threshing & baking, Howell Living History Farm. 10 a.m. howellfarm.org. 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell. Hopewell tour des arts, Hopewell Borough Train Station. 11 a.m. Free self-guided tour of area art studios. Meet the artists, watch them work and purchase artwork in a variety of media. Event hub is the Hopewell Train Station. hvartscouncil.org. 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell.

Central Jersey beverage Fest #CJbF2025, Mercer County Park. Noon. Tasting festival of beer, seltzers, wine and spirits. Dozens of local and regional beverages represented. Portion of proceeds support local nonprofits. cjbeerfest.com. 1638 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor.

the Spongebob Musical, Mercer County Community College. Shows at 2 and 8 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

Sunday, SepteMber 28

Hopewell tour des arts, Hopewell Borough Train Station. 11 a.m. Free self-guided tour of area art studios. Meet the artists, watch them work and purchase artwork in a variety of media. Event hub is the Hopewell Train Station. hvartscouncil.org. 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell.

Festival Cultural Latino, On the Green at Palmer Square. 1 p.m. Family-friendly afternoon of music, dance, food, and culture on Palmer Square and Hinds Plaza. Live music and dance performances. 40 Nassau Street, Princeton.

Family Sundays at the nature Center, Tulpehaking Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Naturalist-guided program geared towards families. abbottmarshlands.org. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton.

the Spongebob Musical, Mercer County Community College. 2 p.m. 1200 Old Trenton Rd, Windsor.

Music Major recital: Sarah Granholm and nathan Schwed, The College of New Jersey. 4:30 p.m. In the Mildred & Ernest. E. Mayo Concert Hall. Free and open to the public. 2000 Pennington Rd, Trenton.

Mary Chapin Carpenter w/ brandy Clark, McCarter Theatre Center. 6 p.m. mccarter. org. 91 University Pl, Princeton.

tueSday, SepteMber 30

princeton university Concerts presents abel Selaocoe, Cello, Alexander Hall, Princeton University. Shows at 6 and 9 p.m. Cellist Abel Selaocoe performs new works by composers Michel van der Aa and Ben Nobuto, alongside Selaocoe’s own fusion of global musical traditions. Presented in collaboration with African Music Ensemble. concerts.princeton.edu. 68 Nassau St, Princeton.

VOTE BY MAIL NOTICE TO PERSONS WANTING MAIL-IN BALLOTS

If you are a qualified and registered voter of Mercer County, New Jersey who wants to vote by mail in the General Election to be held on November 4, 2025, the following applies:

• You must complete the application form below and send it to the county clerk where you reside or write or apply in person to the county clerk where you reside to request a mail-in ballot.

• The name, address, and signature of any person who has assisted you to complete the mail-in ballot application must be provided on the application, and you must sign and date the application.

• No person may serve as an authorized messenger or bearer for more than three qualified voters in an election but a person may serve as such for up to

five qualified voters in an election if those voters are immediate family members residing in the same household as the messenger or bearer.

• No person who is a candidate in the election for which the voter requests a mail-in ballot may provide any assistance in the completion of the ballot or serve as an authorized messenger or bearer.

• A person who applies for a mail-in ballot must submit his or her application so that it is received at least seven days before the election, but such person may request an application in person from the county clerk up to 3 p.m. of the day before the election.

• Voters who want to vote by mail in all future elections will, after their initial request and without further action on their part, be provided with a mail-in

ballot until the voter requests otherwise in writing.

• Application forms may be obtained by applying to the undersigned either in writing or by telephone. Or the application form provided below may be completed and forwarded to the undersigned.

• If you are currently signed up to receive mail-in ballots, but wish to now vote at the polls, either on Election Day or before, in accordance with NJ’s new “Early Voting” law, you must first opt out of vote by mail by notifying the county clerk in writing at the address below. You may find a form for removal from the permanent list on the Mercer County Clerk’s website at https://www.mercercounty.org/ government/county-clerk/elections.

Dated: September 9, 2025, Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County Clerk, 209 S. Broad St., Election Dept., P.O. Box 8068, Trenton, NJ 08650, 609-989-6495

Tips to navigate raising a child with Celiac Disease

Ask The Doctor

lifelong gluten-free diet. While a lifelong gluten-free diet can sound intimidating when gluten is hidden in so many foods, with time and education, it becomes second nature.

our ads in SIX09 section pgs 5 and 7

When your child is diagnosed with celiac disease, your journey together takes an unexpected turn.

Suddenly, everyday routines like family meals, school lunches and birthday parties come with a layer of concern. However, with knowledge and planning, celiac disease can become manageable.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the ingestion of gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine.

For children, this can mean a range of symptoms from abdominal pain and diarrhea to fatigue, irritability, or even delayed growth. While the diagnosis may be overwhelming at first, it is also the key to healing.

The only current treatment is a strict,

Ashwin Agrawal, DO, Medical Director of the Pediatric Celiac Disease Center, part of the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health offers these tips for where a parent can start:

• Family mealtimes become a new opportunity to explore new and fresh ingredients, discover new gluten free cuisines and even develop an appreciation for reading food labels.

labels. This will teach your child to ask questions and make healthy choices.

• Continue to follow-up with your celiac disease team to ensure your child’s disease resolves and that the gluten free diet does not cause vitamin deficiencies. You should also ensure that your child is screened for other autoimmune diseases which can be common with celiac disease.

• Living with a dietary restriction can feel isolating or unfair. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings without judgement. Help your child find joy in the foods they can eat. Surround them with a community that can help them feel understood such as other kids with celiac disease or support groups.

• Together learn how to read food

The Pediatric Celiac Disease Center, at RWJBarnabas Health is the only one of its kind offering multidisciplinary care for children in New Jersey, bringing together celiac experts including the pediatric gastroenterologist, registered dietician, psychologists, and social workers. The center has been recognized by the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (SSCD) and is one of only ten centers with this designation in the United States demonstrating our commitment and excellence in the care of children with celiac disease. Learn more at rwjbh.org/ childrenshealth

Programs at RWJUH Hamilton this month

The following programs are sponsored by RWJUH Hamilton Community Health, open to all and all ages, and the Better Health Program, open to all 65+ years old. All programs take place at the Center for Health & Wellness located at RWJ Fitness

& Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619--unless otherwise noted. View the calendar of programs available online at rwjbh.org/hamiltonprograms, or for more information or to register, call 609-584-5900. Registration is required to attend programs.

MONdAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Mommy & Me Crafting Group (Community Health). 9–10 a.m. Open to children ages 2-5 with a focus on creative expression and build.

Parent Zen (Community Health). 6-7:30 p.m. This program aims to provide much needed support and community connection for parents. Drawing from personal experiences, Parent Zen offers guidance, relaxation, and connection to help parents navigate the challenges of parenthood.

THuRSdAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Polypharmacy Awareness (Community Health). 1-2 p.m. Join Shesha Desai. Pharm D., Rph.BC-ADM, an expert Medication Safety Pharmacist, to learn about the complexities of managing multiple medications and how to manage your own safely.

WEdNESdAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Everyday Counts: Supporting Your Child’s School Success (Community Health). 6-7:30 p.m. Join us for a session that will help parents and caregivers uncover the root causes of school absences and explore practical ways to build positive routines, improve school engagement, and support your child’s long-term success.

TuESdAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Fall Mini Medical School (Community Health) Tuesdays through Oct. 28; 6-7 p.m. Join us for this 6-week informative session on different medical topics. Enhance your knowledge with the variety of specialties and areas of study. All you need to bring is a willingness to learn and have fun.

Wherever your child’s life takes you, we’re there

With NJ’s highest ranked pediatric orthopedics and urology programs

We are nationally ranked in pediatric orthopedics at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and in pediatric urology at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, and Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. And we’re also New Jersey’s largest provider of children’s healthcare.

From primary care to specialized treatments and therapies and in partnership with Rutgers Health, our Children’s Health network provides outstanding care, advanced research and teaching from renowned physicians and clinicians, with an emphasis on the social determinants of health that help to improve the health and well-being of every child in every community. Learn more at rwjbh.org/ChildrensHealth

A vision of growth collaboration, and community engagement

Dr. Klim’s Corner

Robyn A. Klim, Ed.d., LCSW

clarity, and equity in mind.

This past week, I experienced a milestone so many of our Lawrence families have shared — I sent my son off to college. As I watched him take this next big step, I couldn’t help but think of all the teachers, coaches, staff, and community members who shaped him throughout his education. As a mom, I felt the excitement, the pride, and yes, the nerves that come with watching a child step into a new chapter. As a superintendent, it reminded me why our work here in Lawrence matters so deeply. Every decision we make, every goal we set, always comes back to one simple question: What is best for kids?

As I begin this new school year as Superintendent of Lawrence Township Public Schools, I feel deeply honored to lead a district that is already rich with dedication, innovation, and heart.

Our students, families, and staff inspire me every day, and it is with that spirit that I share the goals guiding our work over the next two years. These goals reflect our commitment to continuous improvement, strong instructional leadership, and meaningful community partnership as we move toward potential district realignment.

1. Empowering Instruction Through Data. Our first goal centers on creating a strong, district-wide culture of datadriven teaching and learning. By June 2026, we will have fully implemented a comprehensive data framework that helps teachers use student achievement data to inform instruction and accelerate academic growth.

2. A Unified Professional Development Vision. We are committed to nurturing the incredible talent we already have right here in LTPS. Our second goal is to build a long-term professional development plan that highlights teacher-led learning and strengthens leadership at every level. By 2026, we will launch a multi-year PD model aligned with our Leaders in Learning philosophy — one that includes teacher-led workshops, tandem leadership observations, and structured learning pathways for assistant principals and aspiring administrators. We believe our educators are our greatest resource, and this plan is about empowering them to lead, grow, and inspire one another.

P. Schroth

Kimberly A. Greenberg John Ferner •••

This includes establishing Data & Achievement Teams in every school, building consistent progress monitoring systems, aligning benchmark assessments to growth goals, and sharing effective practices across the district. This initiative moves us beyond simply collecting data — it ensures we are using it with purpose,

3. Deepening Parent Engagement. Finally, we know that students thrive when schools and families work together. Our third goal is to increase parent engagement by offering at least three Parent Academies across the district. These evenings will focus on topics such as curriculum awareness, special education support, school safety, AI in education, and youth wellness. We will also begin a strategic planning process in spring 2026 that invites our families and community members to shape the future of Lawrence Township Public Schools. Your voice will be essential in that work. These goals are ambitious — and intentionally so. They reflect who we are and who we strive to be: a district committed to excellence, equity, connection, and a culture grounded in grace and gratitude. As we move through this school year, may we lead with kindness, assume positive intent, and take time to appreciate one another for the work we do on behalf of children. I look forward to partnering with you as we build a stronger LTPS together. Here’s to a year of learning, collaboration, gratitude, and continued pride in our schools.

CLassiFieD

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VACATION RENTAL

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SERVICES

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Professional Home Organizing Services – Serving Princeton, NJ & Surrounding Areas A professional organizer who helps busy individuals and families reclaim their space— and their peace of mind.Contact Maria | msmariakelly@gmail.com | 347 249 8271

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Advertise for $69 a month. For more information call 609-396-1511

LEGAL SERVICES Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and NJ Taxes, Education Law. House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609-799-4674, 609-721-4358.

Guitar, Ukulele and Drum lessons for all. Call Jane 609 510-1400. $25.00 per lesson.

Emergency child care Emergency child care – need a date? At a loss for child care sometimes? Need a few hours to yourself? Hello, I’m Eileen. I taught preschool for 39 years as well as being a clown. Ages 2 1/2 -6 years. 609-477-4268.

Senior Concierge. Here to assist you. In the home or on the road. Part-time/Day or evening. Holidays and weekends no problem. Very good references. Call Mary Ann, 609-298-4456 Text: 609-6764530. Taking appointments again starting May 1st.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

I Buy Guitars All Musical Instruments in Any Condition: Call Rob at 609-577-3337.

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4theloveofcards, 908-596-0976. allstar115@verizon.net.

Cash paid for World War II Military Items. Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call: 609-658-2996, E-mail: lenny1944x@gmail.com

Cash paid for SELMER SAXOPHONES and other vintage models.609-658-2996 or e-mail lenny1944x@gmail.com

HAPPY HEROES used books looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction, kids series books ( old Hardy boys-Nancy Drew-etc WITH DUSTJACKETS in good shape), Dell Mapbacks - PULP magazines , old role playing stuff, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks old COLLIER’S magazine. Call 609-619-3480 or email happyheroes@gmail.com .