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Ar ts & VOL. 68, NO. 23

Friday, June 7, 2024

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Hillsborough middle school student’s artwork Hillsborough Township: selected for Teen Arts travel exhibition Kripa Remesh, an eighth grader at Hillsborough Middle School, is one of two students who were selected to participate in the Teen Arts New Jersey – Visual Arts Traveling Exhibition. Her artwork titled “Blue Portrait” will tour through New Jersey from August 2024 to May 2025. Remesh’s artwork was selected along with Brigid Moffitt, a junior at Bridgewater Raritan High School, with her artwork titled “Exotic.” The Cultural and Heritage Commission celebrated the creative talent of students across Somerset County at their 2024 Teen Arts Festival on May 16. Nearly 900 students and teachers from 12 Somerset County schools attended the activity-filled festival at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), according to a press release through Somerset County. The Somerset County Teen Arts Festival is an annual arts-ineducation program providing the county’s middle school and high school students, aged 13-19, with the opportunity to showcase their

Courtesy of Somerset County

skills across seven artistic disciplines. In addition, students had the opportunity to participate in 28 workshops or masterclasses, taught by talented and diverse artists, that included everything from woodworking and papermaking to acting and dancing. Some popular workshops included: • Talk About Art with the Savannah College of Art & Design – with

Aimee Dolich, senior assistant director of admissions • Handmade Papermaking from Recycled Fabric – with Frontline Arts • Classical Ballet – by the Roxey Ballet Company The festival enlisted the expertise of 34 professional artists, many of whom represent art organizations within Somerset County, to help students embrace their creativ-

Kripa Ramesh, Grade 8; Title of Piece: Brigid Moffitt, Grade 11; Title of Piece: “Blue Portrait;” School: Hillsborough “”Exotic”; School: Bridgewater Raritan Middle School. High School.

ity and artistic strengths, while also providing constructive feedback and recommendations for growth. Students displayed their visual artwork in the RVCC Art Gallery, submitted original film and creative writing samples, and presented over 60 performances in vocal music, instrumental music, dance, and theater. Students that particularly excelled in their artistic discipline and showed immense skill, talent, and creativity were nominated by adjudicators to participate in the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival, held from June 4 to 6 at Middlesex College. The next Teen Arts Festival is scheduled for May 2025. For more information on participating in the festival, contact Festival Coordinator Katie Himics at culturalheritage@co.somerset.nj.us or call (908) 231-7022. The Somerset County Teen Arts Festival is made possible in part by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

‘It’s been a privilege’

Riding For Warriors motorcycle ride kicks off on 10th year

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Air Force veteran Michael Nehlsen is set to lead his 10th annual Riding For Warriors motorcycle ride overseas this August beginning in Geneva, Switzerland benefiting Hope For The Warriors and its Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships programs. Sponsored by Union-based Hillmann Consulting, this year’s motorcycle journey is the Jonn F. Ward Memorial Ride, honoring fallen and deceased heroes. Nehlsen, of Hillsborough Township, will be joined this year by U.S. Marine veteran Maj. Gen. Jim Kessler and his wife, Debbie. The John F. Ward Annual Memorial Ride is honoring World War II veterans in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day while supporting the post9/11 warrior community. Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a foundation of stability, strength, and community for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families, according to a press release through Hope For The Warriors.

Courtesy of Riding for Warriors

Since 2006, Hope For The Warriors has awarded Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships twice a year. The program recognizes and rewards post-9/11 spouses and caregivers for their strength, fidelity and resolve despite adversity as they assume critical roles in the financial wellbeing of their families. The nonprofit has served over 171,000 service members, veterans, military spouses, and caregivers through 10 programs/services focused on providing financial, career and educational stability; physical and emotional strength; and social support that builds community. This includes The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Hope For The Warriors providing confidential, mental health care services. Proceeds from the ride will benefit The Riding For Warriors Scholarship Fund, sponsored by Hillmann Consulting, LLC, and Nehlsen, funding two military spouse and caregiver scholarships for multiple semesters. The goal of the scholarship fund is to award recipients for multiple se-

mesters, allowing them to achieve their educational goals without interruption. The recipients include Laura Hentig, a military spouse and caregiver based in Colorado who is pursuing her Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Also receiving a military spouse and caregiver scholarship is Florida-based military spouse and caregiver Leslie Blankenship, who is pursuing her associates of nursing at Allegany College of Maryland. The 11-day European journey will begin in Geneva, Switzerland, and travel through France with multiple stops, including Macon, Bourges, Le Mans, the D-Day Normandy Beach areas, Mont Saint-Michel, La Rochelle, Lourdes, Montpellier, Lyon, and winding up back in Geneva. “For 10 years, I’ve had the honor of serving my fellow military community through Riding For Warriors while supporting Hope For The Warriors and a variety of its programs,” Nehlsen shared. “From assisting with

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granting Warrior’s Wishes veterans, to providing higher education scholarships to military spouses and caregivers, it’s been a privilege.” “As the ride continues to provide support to post 9/11 service members, veterans and their families, we must not forget veterans who served in other conflicts. That is why we’ve decided to take the ride overseas to honor WWII veterans in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. I continue to be deeply grateful for all who have served, and it is an honor to support the military community in any way I can.” In nine years, Nehlsen has traveled over 37,000 miles on his motorcycle, raising over $469,000 for Hope For The Warriors’ programs. “Michael never ceases to amaze us with his creative and impactful ways he supports HOPE and the military families that we serve,” said Robin Kelleher, founder and CEO of Hope For The Warriors. “It’s important to never forget all who have served and commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day while paying it forward to post-9/11 military families is outstanding. “The Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship is one of HOPE’s original programs and it’s monumental to see how many spouses and caregivers we’ve served with scholarships thanks to continued support from donors like Michael and Hillman Consulting, LLC.” Key sponsors for Riding For Warriors include Hillmann Consulting, LLC, Bill Nelson, and The Wawa Foundation. For more information on Riding For Warriors or to make a donation, visit hopeforthewarriors. org/ridingforwarriors2024. For more information on Hope For The Warriors, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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Primary election

By KATHY CHANG Managing Editor

Voters in Hillsborough Township went to the polls June 4 to choose candidates to run for an array of municipal and state offices in the Democratic and Republican primaries. Two seats are available for township committee. Two people ran for the committee seat in the Republican primary. Incumbent Shawn Lipani received 1,755 votes and Incumbent Robert Britting Jr. received 1,738 votes. There were 31 write in votes. Two people ran for the committee seat in the Democratic primary. Hermes Vallejo received 1,864 votes and James VanderVliet received 1,840 votes. There were 21 write-in votes. The results listed here reflect what has been posted online by the Somerset County Clerk’s Office as of June 5. The results of the election will remain unofficial until they are certified. The Democratic and Republican candidates will vie for the two township committee seats in the Nov. 5 election.

Hillsborough Township police investigate high-end vehicle thefts

Hillsborough Township Police Chief Mike McMahon urges residents to take proactive measures to safeguard their homes and vehicles against recent thefts. “This includes active security systems, such as alarms, surveillance cameras, and motion-activated lighting, to deter potential burglars,” he said. “The police department is vigorously patrolling neighborhoods, but it is difficult to measure what crimes have been deterred through this process. “As always, we rely on residents to timely report all suspicious activity whenever it is observed.” In recent months, the township has seen an escalation throughout the state in the methods car thieves are willing to use to obtain high-end vehicles, police said. This includes entering homes to obtain vehicle key fobs. Two such incidents occurred in Hillsborough Township where actors allegedly entered a home on Hillsborough Road and Boehm Way for this purpose. There was also an attempt to enter a home on Hendrickson Court. This attempt was thwarted by the homeowner who activated a rear security light scaring off the would-be burglars, police said. The Boehm Way incident occurred in early April where the actors entered the home through an unlocked window. Once inside they located the vehicle key fob and fled See THEFTS, Page 6A HILLSBOROUGH BEACON 421 Route 206 Hillsborough, NJ 08844 609-924-3244 Hillsborough Beacon (USPS 504-120) is published every Friday by Packet Media LLC, 421 Route 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Periodicals postage paid at Hillsborough, NJ 08844 and at additional mailing office. Postmaster send address changes to: Hillsborough Beacon 421 Route 206 Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Mail Subscription Rates The current Automatic Renewal rate is $10.11 and is charged on a quarterly basis. The one year standard rate is $50.93. Out of country rates are available upon request. All advertising published in the Hillsborough Beacon is subject to the applicable rate card, copies of which are available from he advertising department. Hillsborough Beacon reserves the right not to accept an advertiser’s order. Only publication of an advertisement shall constitute ﬁnal acceptance.