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New owner, cherished traditions at Rossi’s
This is Sparta! Spartan Bootcamp challenges kids to work hard on physical fitness
By JOe EMansKi
For 90 years, Rossi’s Bar and Grill has carved out a serious reputation for good food and good times — first in Trenton’s Chambersburg section, and since 2014, in Hamilton. The Rossi’s menu features many popular items, but none is as famous as the Rossiburger — regularly featured in Best-inJersey lists published in print and online. Hal Rose never really got to enjoy the Rossi’s experience in its old home at the corner of Morris and Franklin Streets. But the Princeton Junction resident was a frequent customers at Marsilio’s, another classic Chambersburg eatery. There, he got to know Alan Meinster, the owner of Marsilio’s, which has since moved to Ewing. Meinster had been a partner at Rossi’s since the move to Hamilton, along with Mike Rossi, grandson of the restaurant’s founder. Meinster knew from discussions with Rose over the See ROSSI’S, Page 12
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By JOe EMansKi
Jake Alu playing for the Washington Nationals against the New York Mets. The Princeton Day School grad, who grew up in Hamilton, was called up to the Major Leagues for the first time on Aug. 1.
Welcome to the Big Leagues Jake Alu makes debut in ‘The Show’ with Washington Nationals By Rich Fisher
Jake Alu is becoming the Ross Colton of Major League Baseball. Which is pretty cool for the former Princeton Day School baseball teammates. If anyone understands about battling the odds to make it big, it’s Colton. The Robbins-
ville native went from the 118th player taken in the 2016 NHL draft to inking a $4 million deal with the Colorado Avalanche this summer. Ross knows what it takes, and feels Jake has what it takes. Alu finally realized his MLB dream after being called up to the Washington Nationals on Aug. 1 Alu actually got the call three
previous times this season, but lasted no longer than a week in any one stint before being sent back to Triple A Rochester. On Aug. 1, however, he returned to the nation’s capital and has stayed long enough to visit the Smithsonian and see the Lincoln Memorial. Through Aug. 21, the HamilSee ALU, Page 8
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They say that kids today are soft. That too many of them want to be coddled and not enough want to put in the hard work necessary to become better at what they do. That’s what they say. But Bill Hartz isn’t having it. The long-time rec soccer coach isn’t one to coddle anybody. But he says that he has seen with his own eyes that if you challenge kids — motivate them to focus on building their willpower and self belief — they will respond. That’s the basis for Hartz’ Spartan Bootcamp, a physical fitness training program that he has developed over the past decade working with young athletes on the soccer field and, now, on just about any field. Hartz spent the summer working with 175 local children, ranging in age from 6 to 18, to help them build up their physical fitness as well as their mental See SPARTAN, Page 16
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