Clinton Township Newsletter

5 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 7 Beginner guitar lessons at your home, for all ages. MICHAEL SABATELLA Background / Experience: • NHHS Senior/High Honor Roll • Studied at Hunterdon Academy of the Arts • Took several years of private lessons • Successfully completed AP Music Theory Flexible schedules and rates Call or text: 908.200.5435 GUITAR LESSONS • Before-School Programs • After-School Programs • Kindergarten Wrap-Around • Holiday Full-Day Programs • Vacation Full-Day Programs • Vacation Full-Day Programs • Summer Camps • Clubs • Special Enrichments • Special Events – Julie Fl�nn As a graphic designer and former art director, I pay close attention to branding, marketing and design. I usually appreciate a fresh look and a modern design but, in 2009 when PepsiCo decided to revamp the packaging for their brand of orange juice, T r o p i c a n a , i t j u s t s e e m e d wrong, even to me. I hadn't felt those feelings of brand loyalty since the Coca-Cola Company launched "New Coke" in the spring of 1985. What was wrong with the old Coke? The court of public opinion ruled in my favor in both situations. What I couldn't quite put my finger on was "why?" Why was I so offended by a package redesign for a product that I rarely consume (but my husband does)? The answer is this: the world just keeps changing, and a portion of it is changing in a negative direction. So don't mess with my orange juice. Or my 'old" Coke. The old packaging for Tropicana is quaint, comforting and good in a world that sometimes isn't any of those things. The Clinton Township Newsletter is your Tropicana. We're your "old" CocaCola. I will always try to make the design of the layout and ads look good, but our core values and purpose will remain the same. The Clinton Township Newsletter is community in publication form, and we strive to reflect ALL of what the community of CTNL represents. We try to stay upbeat and positive overall in every issue (except perhaps when Ruth gets ticked off at something and then, even when she's voicing that complaint, she'll (hopefully) make you smile). What I will not allow this publication to do (and Fred wouldn't before me) is to mud-sling, to discuss national politics in a negative fashion (goodness gracious, that's a conversation that would never end), to have any local political spitfest, or to take sides on any given debate. I suppose we dropped that standard a bit when we allowed the ongoing train whistle conversation to happen here but, then again, I love that we are so "Mayberry" that we are discussing the annoyance of train whistles. How blessed are we? For more on that topic, see resident Lori Lasko's letter on page 20 of this issue. Trust me on this, taking the high road isn't easy. We at CTNL have a lot of opinions and we're happy to discuss anything verbally when we run into you locally. But if I allow this publication to take sides or to go negative you, our readers, will quickly decide that this publication is like the redesign of Tropicana, or perhaps like "New" Coke – and you will say no thank you. So with that, in 2018 we will try to remain the publication that you know and have loved for over 35(!) years. By the way, while the failed redesign cost Tropicana more than 50 million dollars (with a sales drop of 20% plus design/advertising expenses), their competitors took advantage of the "Tropicana crisis" and gained the sales lost by Tropicana. Change is good, except when it isn't. May you and your family have a Blessed Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year! www.thebrandingjournal.com/2015/05/what-to-learn-from-tropicanas- packaging-redesign-failure Ruth Keesing has published a revised edition of her booklet "What Do I Do Now?" – a practical guide for surviving the tasks associated with the death of a loved one. It addresses Probating a Will, Social Security, Military Benefits, Funeral Information and other relevant subjects. And, most importantly, What To Do While Everybody is Still Alive. If you're interested in purchasing a copy, email Ruth @ ruth.ella@comcast.net. Also available at the Clinton Book Store! T H E W O r k - F A m I L Y c O n n E c T I O n S u P P O r T S S T u D E n T S , S c H O O L D I S T r I c T S A n D F A m I L I E S Each year, The Work-Family Connection makes donations to the school districts where their before and after school enrichment programs are located. The donations vary based on the needs of the district, but may include things like gift baskets for needy families, school supplies, money towards graduation ceremonies, special events and/or fundraisers for the district. WFC also regularly supports the students and families in our community through financial aid, scholarships and free weeks of summer camp. The Work-Family Connection takes pride in supporting its community and allowing students of all demographics to experience our high- quality enrichment programs and camps. If you have an individual request or donation idea, please contact Christa Claytor at: cclaytor@ theworkfamilyconnection.org.

• Cover