Clinton Township Newsletter

1 8 F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com W H A T l i E S A H E A d By Clinton Township Resident Tommy Reynolds It was a beautifully clear, crisp sunny day in the center of the Hunterdon County seat and Flemington was shining brightly this fine day. With the famous "Lindbergh" Courthouse in the background, a stone's throw away some hundred and fifty civic-minded residents of Hunterdon gathered in a bucolic park to close out the 300th Anniversary of their beloved county. The preceding year had been filled with wondrous celebrations of Hunt- erdon's past and present. Led by Marcia Karrow, supported wholeheartedly by the Freeholders and Congressman Leonard Lance, the citizens of this wonderful place were educated, entertained and overjoyed while celebrating the Tricenten- nial of their historic county. Even some of the "lifers", whose families had been in Hunterdon for multiple generations, learned a thing or two. Who knew that when George Washington famously crossed the Dela- ware he landed on the shores of Hunterdon County? The fact that the same voyage today would land him in Mercer County doesn't lessen the pride of every Hunterdon resident. If anything, it means he will always belong to us and it increases the sense of wonderment. The role Hunterdon County played in the Revolutionary War, in our fledgling country telling the British to take a long walk on a short pier is, of course, not limited to Mr. George rowing across an icy river. Numerous feats and accomplishments of Hunterdon residents in the early days of our great republic were highlighted and celebrated throughout the year. As a way of connecting the final dots, just before Christmas the Flem- ington Library invited Anne and Ridley Enslow to sing Christmas Carols that were popular during colonial times. It was a wonderful event as both Anne and Ridley sang beautifully and played their stringed instruments to a tee. The atmosphere was quite enhanced by their dressing in authentic colonial garb of the time. In order to add to and cap off the historical significance of the 300th anniversary, attendees at the Enslow concert were encouraged to write letters describing what life is like in present day Hunterdon County. The letters were collected to be put into a time capsule that will be opened on the 400th anniversary of Hunterdon County. The burying of the time capsule in a park behind the courthouse is what brought the revelers out on December 31, 2014 at high noon, despite it being the coldest day of the early winter. The free hot dogs and chips didn't hurt, but being present at a historic moment in time was most likely the driving force behind the attendance. Oh, to be able to jump into the Rev Jim Ignatowski's Delorean and jump ahead to 2114! One wonders how much Hunterdon will have changed from the present day. Especially since outside of electricity, cars and a bit less open land, it hasn't changed all that much since its founding in 1714. What change it has gone through is considerably less than counties to its east and the world in general. It is one of the charms of Hunterdon that its residents treasure and hold dear to their hearts. The ability to be able to drive down previously unknown country roads was mentioned in one of the letters that were read aloud at the burial ceremony. My eight year old son Liam's letter was read, in which he asked the people of the future, "Do you have flying cars and is Obama still the President?" The imagination and sense of humor of youth can truly be pre- cious. I'm sure everyone reading this has questions about the future they would love to have answered. While trying to downplay one of the many tangled webs he got himself into, George Costanza famously remarked, "You can't stop modern medicine!" Who knows? Maybe someone who is alive today will be at the unearthing of the time capsule in a hundred years. Either way, I hope Hunterdon is still dotted with numerous farms, lots of open space, rolling countryside and people as good-natured as the ones who reside here today. – Tommy REyNoldS G E T f i T f o R A C A u S E According to the American Cancer Society, over one million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Approximately one out of every two American men and one out of every three American women will have some type of cancer during their lifetime. On Saturday, January 31, the Hunterdon Health and Wellness Center in Clinton will host Fit for Cancer from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Fit for Cancer is structured to be a physical challenge, but a safe one. Beating cancer is not a sprint, it's a marathon. There are several events that participants can choose to sign up for by the hour. Participants can sign up for a morning three-hour spin class from 7:30 am – 10:30 am, ($50 registration fee), an afternoon three-hour spin class from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 pm ($50 registration fee), a five-hour spin class from 7:30 am – 12:30 pm ($75 registration fee) or a seven-hour spin class from 7:30 am – 2:30 pm ($100 registration fee). A four-hour dance class will also be offered from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm ($50 registration fee) or aquatics fun from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, which includes pilates and volleyball in the water as well as other activities ($50 registration fee). In addition, Fit for Cancer Yoga will be offered at both Hunterdon Health and Wellness Centers in Clinton and Whitehouse Station on Friday, January 30 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. The registration cost to participate is $50.00. Since this event is a fundraiser for Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, participants can fundraise beyond the participation fee and prizes will be given to the top fundraisers. The top prize is an entertainment basket valued at $500! This is the 10th year Fit for Cancer has been held and the event has raised over $350,000 for Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center since it began. Hunterdon Re- gional Cancer Center is a partner of Fox Chase Cancer Center. Its comprehensive services include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, clinical research, early detection and screening programs, support groups, educational programs, nutrition counsel- ing, psychosocial support, complimentary therapies and cancer risk assessment. Participants do not have to be members of the Hunterdon Health and Wellness Centers in Clinton or Whitehouse Station to take part in Fit for Cancer. All participants will receive a performance shirt and refreshments. The Hunterdon Health and Wellness Center in Clinton is located at 1738 Rte 31 North, Clinton and the Whitehouse Station facility is located at 537 Rte. 22 East, Whitehouse Station. To register for Fit for Cancer, visit, http://fitforcancer.kintera.org or call 908.788.6421 for more information. l A d i E S W H o l o v E W i N E If you enjoy wine, why not spend an evening tasting, learning and meeting new people all at the same time? The Newcomers Club of North Hunterdon is hosting a winemaking demonstration at Grape Finale in Flemington on Thursday, February 12, at 7:30 pm. Owner Lisa van den Woldenberg, who has over a decade of winemaking ex- perience, will guide us through the demonstration. Light appetizers and wines to taste will be provided and there is no cost to attend. All you need to bring is your love of wine! RSVP is not required, but feel free to contact us at nhnewcomers@ yahoo.com or through the Newcomers Club of North Hunterdon Facebook page for more information. Grape Finale is located at 8 Bartles Corner Rd, Suite 107, Flemington. On April 30, the Hunterdon Preparatory School will be celebrating it's 40th Anniversary at its Spring fundraising event, "Outside the Box" at the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station. The Hunterdon Preparatory School, a private day school, has recently relocated to 11 Spencer Lane in Clinton Township (formerly located in Lebanon Township). Established in 1975, the School has enabled thousands of adolescent students to become productive and independent citizens by providing an innovative academic and counseling program. The Hunterdon Preparatory School is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information about the School and the fundraising event, please contact Toby Ray Loyd, Executive Director at 908.832.7200 or visit us online at: www.HunterdonPrep.org. H u N T E R d o N p R E p A R A T o R y S C H o o l "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." –Lao Tzu

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