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This spring and summer, enjoy a perfect getaway in the Sussex Skylands

Thrill seekers will enjoy the aerial obstacle courses at Great Gorge’s TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park in Vernon. Image courtesy of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce.

No matter what experience you crave, Sussex County’s Skylands Region has it all.

Whether you’re in search of dynamic outdoor activities, serene spa scenes, relaxing retail opportunities or diverse culinary experiences, Sussex County’s Skylands Region has you covered — and there’s never been a better time to explore all that the scenic area has to offer this spring and summer.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

If you love nature, the Skylands offers a rich playground of opportunity.

“With spring underway, our region comes alive with blooming flowers and trees, warming lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, and all sorts of wildlife throughout our area’s many enjoyable trails, paths, parks and nature preserves,” said Tammie Horsfield, president of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and Sussex Skylands Destination Marketing Organization in Newton. “Among them, enjoy colorful dragonflies and butterflies at Kittatinny Valley State Park in Newton and the park’s Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden.” Springtime birdwatchers will relish the sight of full nests and active parents gathering food for their young at Stokes State Forest in Sandyston/Montague/Frankford and High Point State Park in Wantage/Montague, while the tall cascade of Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will enable a connection to nature like no other.

Enjoy a cruise along Lake Hopatcong on the Miss Lotta from May-October.   Image courtesy of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce.

Lovers of the great outdoors will enjoy the thrill of aerial obstacle courses at Great Gorge’s TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park in Vernon as well as both Mountain Creek’s Zip Tours and its Experience Downhill Package, an all-inclusive downhill mountain biking experience that comes complete with proper equipment, top-notch instruction and access to Mountain Creek’s beginner-friendly terrain.

If fresh, Jersey-grown produce is your interest, head out to any of Sussex County’s many farmers markets, including those located in Sparta, Hopatcong, The Shoppes at Lafayette and at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta beginning this spring. “Garden enthusiasts will enjoy the rainbow of flowers, plants and herbs offered at Sparta Nursery, Ideal Farms in Lafayette and Farmside Gardens in Sussex, the latter of which also offers green workshops on ‘Growing Houseplants,’ ‘Starting a Vegetable Garden,’ ‘Creating Your Own Flower or Herb Porch Pot,’ or even ‘Building a Cut Flower Garden,’” Horsfield said.

If you want to hit the water, head to Lake Hopatcong and book a cruise on the famed “Miss Lotta,” the largest boat on New Jersey’s largest lake. Miss Lotta’s variety of cruises — including brunch, lunch or dinner cruises or any of their themed cruises, including their popular “Studio 54” or “Cigar and Whiskey” cruises — begin in early May and run through the end of October.

Enjoy fine dining in Crystal Springs Resort’s acclaimed Restaurant Latour this season. Image courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort.

Food and Festivals

“Those who enjoy food and beverage-themed outings will love the scene in the Skylands this spring and early summer, as May and June kick off our festival season,” Horsfield said. Among great activities, “don’t miss the Skyland’s Stadium Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival in Augusta on May 6, Crystal Springs Resort’s New Jersey Beer & Food Festival (featuring over 200 brewers!) on June 17, and a celebration of Southern rock and BBQ at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta on June 23-25 through the annual Rock, Ribs, and Ridges Festival.”

“For a more formal culinary experience, enjoy a delicious dinner at the Walpack-based Walpack Inn, which also offers live music, drink specials and a ‘bar bites’ menu during their Sunday Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m.,” Horsfield said. “In the warmer months, The Windlass features lakeside dining right on Lake Hopatcong and The Carriage House is right on Culvers Lake in Frankford,” said Horsfield, who added that Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub’s rooftop bar and the outdoor terrace of St. Moritz Bar & Grill on Lake Mohawk in Sparta are also fantastic dining options.

Crystal Springs Resort’s award-winning Ballyowen golf course welcomes both beginners and experienced players. Image courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort.

Golf and More

If golf is your passion, the 27-hole Farmstead Golf & Country Club in Lafayette and the 18-hole SkyView Golf Club in Sparta both offer attractive natural terrains and engaging and challenging holes.

For a great golfing getaway, enjoy one of six championship-caliber golf courses and accommodations at Crystal Springs Resort, a 4,000-acre destination that features two hotels (Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel), 10 restaurants (including its Crystal Tavern, 4-star Restaurant Latour, and seasonal farm-to-table Chef’s Garden), two spas, and a variety of seasonal activities (such as goat yoga, scenic hikes, fishing, archery, ax throwing, laser clay shooting and more).

“Designed by Robert von Hagge, Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio, Roger Rulewich and others, our six courses offer just the right blend of challenge and variety,” said Michelle Abate, director of Marketing at Crystal Springs Resort. “Our modern Cascades, Zagat-rated Black Bear and award-winning, Celtic-style Ballyowen (rated the No. 1 public golf course in New Jersey!) welcome both beginners and experienced players alike.”

After a long day on the links, visitors can enjoy a range of relaxing massages, rejuvenating facials, herbal therapies and other wellness services at either of the resort’s two award-winning spas (Elements Spa at Minerals Hotel and Reflections Spa at Grand Cascades Lodge). “And don’t miss our Restaurant Latour, a renowned destination which features the best of the Garden State’s bountiful farms and artisan producers as well as an award-winning wine collection,” Abate said.

For More Information

The Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and Sussex Skylands Destination Marketing Organization are located at 120 Hampton House Road in Newton and can be reached by calling 973-579-1811 or visiting sussexskylands.com for travel information. For more information on Crystal Springs Resort (located at 1 Wild Turkey Way in Hamburg) or to book a reservation, visit CSResort.com or call 866-717-9310.

GenPsych helps adolescents in New Jersey struggling with ‘school avoidance’

GenPsych is a provider of premier mental health services that’s been helping clients regain their emotional and physical health in a safe, supportive environment for nearly two decades.

Although the pandemic is technically over, facts on the ground confirm that post-pandemic issues still linger for many adolescents.  According to the New Jersey Department of Education’s most recent School Performance Report (which shares data from the 2021-2022 school year), the incidence of bullying, violence, and harassment in K-12 schools is up, as is the level of chronic absenteeism, defined as missing more than 10% of school days.

It’s a reality that the team from GenPsych — a provider of premier mental health services that’s been helping clients regain their emotional and physical health in a safe, supportive environment for nearly two decades — has witnessed first-hand.  While many socio-economic factors can drive student absenteeism, the prevalence of “school avoidance” has recently been on the rise.

What Is School Avoidance?

“School avoidance — also known as school refusal and school phobia — is flagged when adolescents have missed a significant amount of school, at which point schools refer them to us,” shared Catherine Macken, LPC, senior executive director of GenPsych’s seven New Jersey locations (Livingston, Wayne, Rochelle Park, Brick, Bridgewater, Princeton, and Marlboro).   “Though children sometimes can’t explain why they don’t want to or aren’t going to school and may complain of stomach aches, nausea, dizziness, or other symptoms before school, doctors can often find nothing physically wrong with them, so these issues are mostly related to anxiety.”

School avoidance is estimated to affect as many as 5% of adolescents, especially those aged 13-17, but Macken said that its incidence has definitely ticked up since the pandemic.

“School-aged children missed almost three grades of in-person instruction during the pandemic and got used to being home, so the prospect of going back to the classroom and dealing with new academic and social pressures can cause a lot of fear and anxiety for some students,” she explained.  “Work environments have accommodated adults by allowing many to work from home, but children were expected to go right back to the classroom and pick up where they left off,” she said.  “The fact is, some younger children in first, second, and third grade don’t even know how to be in a classroom because the pandemic occurred at the beginning of their school career.”

School avoidance is estimated to affect as many as 5% of adolescents, especially those aged 13-17.

Knowing The Symptoms

According to Macken, school avoidance can be caused by such factors as problems with other students, difficulty being in a school setting for that long a period, anxiety over using a public bathroom, actual or perceived hostility towards the adolescent by teachers, a fear of failure, and other triggers.

“Symptoms of school avoidance include children complaining that they don’t feel well physically or else engaging in isolating behaviors, such as not talking to their friends or family as much,” Macken said.  “By the same token, children experiencing school avoidance may also have temper tantrums or act out more.  Ultimately, adolescents don’t always have the maturity or language skills to articulate how they feel, so parents need to be attuned.”

Macken said that it’s time for parents to seek care if the behavior becomes a pattern.   “If a child consistently refuses to go to school, a school nurse or counselor is calling several times a week but physical ailments can be ruled out, or the child is putting up a big fight about going to school, it’s time to intervene,” she said.

Using dialectical behavior therapy, GenPsych focuses on ‘distress tolerance’ and ‘emotion regulation’ to help individuals build the skills they need to transition back to a school setting.

A Caring Solution

“GenPsych is a partial-care and intensive outpatient service provider that represents a step down from a hospital and a step up from traditional in-person therapy,” Macken explained.  For the adolescent population, “we offer a six- to eight-week daytime program (either three or five days per week) in which children meet with an individual therapist on a weekly basis as well as a medication management provider (if they choose to pursue the option of medication on a temporary basis), and they also attend group-based therapy for part of each day.  We have our own school, SilverGate Prep, to help adolescents stay up to date on their schoolwork while they’re with us; some of our locations have anywhere from 20-40 students in the program and we typically have one instructor per every 10 students,” she said.

“We also offer a night program for children three times a week, which enables them to attend their school during the day and then join us in the evening for group therapy and medication management,” she said.

Christine Bowman, LCSW, program director for GenPsych’s Adolescent Program in Wayne, confirmed that a number of effective techniques are used to help students build the skills they need to transition back to the school setting.

Using dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), “we focus on teaching those with school anxiety two major categories of skills — ‘distress tolerance’ (e.g., building up the skills to be able to tolerate distress and intense emotions) and ‘emotion regulation’ (e.g., the ability to regulate your mood before it reaches crisis and intense levels),” Bowman shared. “We teach the skills in a group-based setting and assign homework so that participants can practice the skills at home.  We also conduct individual therapy based on a thorough assessment of each child’s situation and what’s causing their school avoidance.”

Bowman said that after participants are discharged from the partial program, they attend GenPsych’s after-school intensive outpatient program (IOP) to continue to work on these skills in a supportive setting where feedback is provided.

“Our program has been incredibly successful for those who are experiencing school anxiety,” Bowman said, “but, of course, any client’s success is dependent on their own level of participation and ability to take and practice the skills they learn outside of the program.”

“Many learn these skills along the way in life, while others haven’t learned them yet,” Bowman said.  “But just because there was a delay in understanding how to manage these emotions doesn’t mean they can’t be learned and mastered, and that’s where we come in.”

GenPsych’s Adolescent Program offers a number of effective techniques to help students build the skills they need to transition back to the school setting.

Getting Into The Classroom

While Macken encourages parents to truly listen to their kids and speak with their school counselors in situations of school avoidance, she hopes that families will avail themselves of GenPsych’s unique expertise in dealing with school-related stress and anxiety.

“We hope to get as many kids as we can back to school feeling comfortable in that environment and to provide them with the skills and resources they need to do that,” Macken confirmed.  “We offer the building blocks to help solve problems with the hope that clients will continue on their positive journey, and we’re always here to help them when they need us.”

Founded in 2005, GenPsych has seven locations in New Jersey, including Livingston, Wayne, Rochelle Park, Brick, Bridgewater, Princeton, and Marlboro.

If your child is struggling with school, or may be reluctant to go to return to the classroom, GenPsych has the tools to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 855-436-7792 or visit https://genpsych.com/.

Mansion in May opens on May 1 with Three Fields Designer Showhouse and Gardens in the Borough of Mendham

Mansion in May will raise money for Morristown Medical Center. Photo by Dannette Merchant

As the weather turns balmy and you’re beginning to think about spring outings, one place takes center stage: the 2023 Mansion in May, a Designer Showhouse and Gardens in the Borough of Mendham with a name that reflects its green expanse: Three Fields.

The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center presents a splendid showhouse as its signature fundraiser every two (occasionally three) years. Three Fields, where finishing touches are now in place for over 9000 square feet of indoor space and acres of gardens, is one of the premiere examples of its kind in the country. The showhouse and surrounding acres, which may be almost bare in January, are transformed by teams of interior and landscape designers into a magical kind of alchemy. What results are exquisitely designed rooms, from bedroom to library to dressing room, each with its own unique designer imprint, Jersey’s Best is proud to be a media partner of this exciting event.

The mansion is open every day in May and visitors may stroll through 31 different spaces, with names such as “Birds of Paradise” and “Sous les Fleurs.” The stone, brick and tile-roofed French manor-style home, designed by the prominent architect Greville Rickard, was built between 1928-1930. Situated on 36 acres of gently rolling fields and bordering forest, Three Fields combines many architectural elements such as tall, steeply-pitched roofs with dormers, wood casement windows and French doors opening to the green vistas beyond. The home’s façade combines several conjoined structures, as if the house had been added to over time, along with roofs with built-in sags and bumps, all blending together to give the romantic appearance of a centuries-old retreat. Lunch in the cafe and shopping in the boutiques in the adjacent carriage house add to the experience of being in a sequestered country setting.

A team of 14 landscape designers has taken full advantage of the countryside to create gardens that incorporate flowering plants, shrubbery, sculpture and water features, extending from the stone patio and flowing into the fields.

The Women’s Association was fortunate to receive proposals from some of the leading designers in the tri-state area. Many of the interior designers are repeat participants, all with the creativity, vision and inventiveness demanded by this sprawling project. The landscape designers, also often repeat participants, have combined functionality with aestheticism as part of a master plan created by Susan Cohan. She was named Designer of the Year in 2021 by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and exhibited at the Philadelphia Flower Show this year.

Benjamin Mosser, who commissioned the estate, and his family lived at Three Fields for more than 20 years. Mosser was a partner in the Wall Street firm of Clark, Dodge & Co. The original owners sold the estate to Andrew Fletcher and his family in 1949. Both Andrew and his wife, Dorothy, were active participants in Mendham life. He was a Mendham Borough councilman and then mayor for three years while Dorothy was on the board of St. Barnabas Hospital. In the mid-60s, the Fletchers gave Three Fields to the borough and the trust holding the proceeds of the sale of the property continues to benefit the community.

For Three Fields Designer Showhouse and Gardens, a team of 14 landscape designers has taken full advantage of the countryside to create gardens that incorporate flowering plants, shrubbery, sculpture and water features, extending from the stone patio and flowing into the fields. Photo by Dannette Merchant

The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC), now over 400-strong, has for 130 years helped the hospital respond to the changing health care needs of the community. U.S. News and World Report ranks the center as number one in the state. The Association hosts a number of fundraising events and has raised more than $30 million to date for the Medical Center, including $12 million from Mansion in May alone. This year, proceeds from Mansion will go to support the expansion and modernization of the Institute of Bioskills Training and Innovation. The institute allows health care professionals to hone their skills in high-tech and other procedures using simulation training. For more information about WAMMC, visit www.wammc.org.

Mansion in May offers an opportunity to tour the metropolitan area’s preeminent Designer Showhouse and Gardens and more than 20,000 visitors are expected. Tickets are $50, now available online at Mansion in May. Private tours may also be scheduled online.

— Nanci Healy

Bring the family to MetLife Stadium on May 6 for a fun, inspiring day benefiting the Lupus Research Alliance

The 20th annual Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event on Saturday, May 6 at MetLife Stadium is a family-friendly event in which those with lupus can meet others in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

Millions worldwide have a form of lupus — a chronic, complex, and serious disease with few treatments and no cure. To increase awareness of this chronic, long-term disease and raise crucial funds for lupus research programs, the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 9 a.m. at MetLife Stadium.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system, typically responsible for fighting infection, instead attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation, pain and extreme fatigue.

Most people with lupus develop the disease between the ages of 15 and 44, and nine out of 10 are women. Many who are diagnosed with lupus suffer from strokes, cardiovascular disease, rashes, and aching joints. For others, there may be no visible symptoms.

Since 2002, the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus, the Lupus Research Alliance’s signature national fundraising program, has raised more than $45 million. Held during May, Lupus Awareness Month, the 2023 New Jersey Walk with Us to Cure Lupus goal is $530,000. Because the Lupus Research Alliance Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of the funds raised from the walk go directly to lupus research programs.

Registration for the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event opens at 9 a.m., with the Walk starting at approximately 10 a.m. The event, with a goal of raising $530,000, is expected to conclude at 11:30 a.m.

Lupus Research Alliance Regional Development Manager Joanne Golombos said the hundreds of participants can expect a fun and inspiring day.

“The Walk is an opportunity for those with lupus to come and meet others in a safe and welcoming atmosphere,” Golombos said. “It’s a family-friendly event held at MetLife Stadium (on the field). Magicians, New York Jets football players, Jets bounce houses, Kids Corral, face painting, company vendors, and grab-and-go refreshments all add up to a morning filled with inspiration and hope.” This year marks the Walk’s 20th anniversary, Golombos noted. The event in East Rutherford started in 2003 in the former Giants Stadium, and has grown at the site to a Walk today involving hundreds at MetLife Stadium.

“These dedicated individuals share their stories and their spirit, while raising awareness of the Lupus Research Alliance mission,” she said.

Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the Walk starts at approximately 10 a.m. The event ends at 11:30 a.m.

The Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event welcomes corporate sponsorships, company Walk teams, friends and family teams, and team fundraising events.

 In order to reach the fundraising goal, ample support is needed.

“We solicit local companies and businesses to commit to corporate sponsorship and recruit employees to build a company Walk team. We also have friends and family teams consisting of walkers who either have lupus or walk in support of someone who does. Most of our teams and individuals commit to the Walk year after year,” Golombos said. “Individuals, teams and businesses can also purchase route markers along the Walk route to honor someone with lupus or show their support for the lupus cause.”

“Lastly, many teams hold fundraising events to support the Walk,” Golombos added. “They can be car washes, bake sales, bowlathons — anything that people enjoy hosting and their friends and family enjoy attending.”

Most people with lupus develop the autoimmune disease between the ages of 15 and 44, and nine out of 10 are women.

For individuals, families or groups who’d like to get involved but aren’t sure how to begin fundraising, the Lupus Research Alliance offers a guide to help get started. Participants who raise $125 or more qualify for an official Walk T-shirt.

Those who are unable to join the Walk on Saturday, May 6, but would still like to support the cause can donate through Walk with Us to Cure Lupus’s website or register as a virtual walker and participate without attending in person.

For more information about the event, visit Walk with Us to Cure Lupus’s Frequenty asked Questions page, call Joanne Golombos at 732-610-2267 or email jgolombos@lupusresearch.org.

RWJBarnabas Health and Players Development Academy unveil RWJUH Somerset Community Field — new turf soccer field in underserved community

From left, Gerry McKeown, boyscCoaching director, Players Development Academy; Daniel Edelman, (PDA Alumni), NY Red Bulls; Anthony O’Donnell, (PDA Alumni) Rutgers Men’s Soccer; Allison Lynch (PDA Alumni) Rutgers Women’s Soccer; Lennix Horsburgh and Amy Navarro, Bound Brook High School; Chris Shoffner, mayor, South Bound Brook; Dominic Longo, Bound Brook councilman; Patrick Delaney, chief administrative officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset; Bill Arnold, executive vice president, RWJBarnabas Health, president, RWJBarnabas Health Southern Region and president and chief executive officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

RWJBarnabas Health and the Players Development Academy (PDA) unveiled Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Community Field, a new mini-turf soccer field at the Tea Street Sports Complex in Bound Brook. Community leaders from Bound Brook and South Bound Brook were joined by leadership from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, RWJBarnabas Health and PDA on March 29 to officially open the field.

As part of the grand opening, a group of PDA Alumni played a mini game with kids in the community.

As part of the grand opening, a group of PDA Alumni, including Daniel Edelman of the New York Red Bulls and Rutgers soccer players Allison Lynch and Anthony O’Donnell played a mini game with kids in the community.

A collaboration between RWJBarnabas Health and Players Development Academy, the PDA Urban Initiative provides premier soccer turf facilities, coaching and playing opportunities to children living in underserved urban communities. Exercise is a crucial component to living healthy lifestyles and is also a great way to improve one’s mental and physical health. This small-sided turf soccer field offers a platform to keep kids from Bound Brook and South Bound Brook active, enjoying the game of soccer, and away from other potential distractions.

With this project completed, the PDA Urban Initiative has now opened six small-sided turf soccer fields in underserved urban communities throughout New Jersey, while reinforcing RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to creating healthier communities.

The PDA Urban Initiative provides premier soccer turf facilities, coaching and playing opportunities to children living in underserved urban communities.

Current Locations include RWJUH Somerset Community Field at Tea Street Sports Complex in Bound Brook; RWJUH Hamilton Community Field at Bromley Sports Complex in Hamilton; Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Community Field at Kossuth Park & Joyce Kilmer Park in New Brunswick; Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Community Field at Marquis “Bo” Porter Sports Complex in Newark; and Clara Maass Medical Center Community Field at Planseon Playground in Belleville.

Soccer is the global game, and as the popularity is surging in New Jersey and across the U.S., the hope is that access to these fields and new programming will lead to more opportunities from an athletic and academic standpoint for kids living in urban communities. The field is less than 4 miles from PDA.

T-Mobile awarded a $50,000 Hometown Grant to Somerset Health Care Foundation to support the project.

This season, get recharged in Sussex County with girls getaways, retail browsing, spring break options and more

The historic Sterling Hill Mine in Ogdensburg.  Image courtesy of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce

Spring activities abound in New Jersey’s scenic Sussex Skylands Region

With its scenic landscape and plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, New Jersey’s beautiful Sussex Skylands Region is the ultimate destination for fun recreation year-round. And as the seasons transition and winter turns to spring, the Sussex Skylands offer a broad range of attractions that won’t disappoint.

“For those who didn’t feel that they got enough winter activities in this year, Skylands Ice World in Stockholm offers public ice skating time every day as well as its popular ‘Ice Jam’ with music every Friday night from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.,” said Tammie Horsfield, president of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and Sussex Skylands Destination Marketing Organization in Newton.

Given the relatively mild winter New Jersey experienced in 2022-23, “plenty of people continue to enjoy our many trails for hiking and biking, especially since they’re snow- and mud-free at the moment,” Horsfield said. For a fun dual opportunity, “Angry Erik Brewing is located right off the Paulinskill Valley Trail (a 27-mile trail that runs along the Paulins Kill River) outside of Newton and is a favorite stop for hikers.

Il Porto on the Lake Mohawk Boardwalk in Sparta. Image courtesy of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce

“Retail wandering paired with a delicious lunch can be a perfect way to spend an afternoon at this time of the year,” Horsfield noted. “In that regard, Sparta is a wonderful destination — especially the White Deer Plaza area near the quaint Lake Mohawk Boardwalk.” Among the many popular places to dine there, “Il Porto restaurant is centrally situated with a lake view right outside the window, and other great eateries include the St. Moritz Grill & Bar and Krogh’s Restaurant and Brew Pub,” she said. “Enjoy some retail therapy in such unique shops as Garlic & Oil, which specializes in gourmet food and gifts; Nutty Over Sweets candy store; and Get Personal, a custom engraving and embroidery shop which has a ton of great products at very reasonable prices. There’s also Onore, a boutique men’s clothing store, custom clothier and full-service tailor shop that offers beautiful apparel,” she said. “Sparta additionally has a movie theater, a bowling alley, an ice cream shop, and a delightful coffee shop and organic café called Cloveberry.”

For history buffs, “the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg is full of mining history and includes a mine tour,” Horsfield said of the historic facility, which welcomes 40,000 visitors annually and works to preserve artifacts from the town’s genesis as a center of zinc and iron mining activities in the 19th century. “It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind place.”

Gal pals enjoy ‘PJs and Prosecco’ at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg. Image courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort

Explore Crystal Springs Resort

“During the late winter/early spring period, Crystal Springs Resort offers so much for those in need of a getaway,” said Michelle Abate, director of Marketing at Crystal Springs Resorta 4,000-acre destination in Sussex County that features two hotels (Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Hotel), great golfing at six courses, 10 restaurants (including its Crystal Tavern, 4-star Restaurant Latour and seasonal farm-to-table Chef’s Garden), two spas and a variety of seasonal activities.

Among other notable attractions at the resort, “March is officially ‘Girlfriends Getaway Month’ and we invite ladies to gather with their gal pals at the Northeast’s premier destination,” Abate said of the promotion. “Relax at the tropical Biosphere pool at our Grand Cascades Lodge, enjoy deliciously crafted cocktails, enter a true oasis at either of our award-winner spas, and just kick back!” According to Abate, guests can choose from three fun packages: “PJs and Prosecco,” which includes matching PJs for everyone in the party plus one bottle of Prosecco in the room; “Robes and Rosé,” which includes matching floral robes for everyone in the party plus one bottle of rosé in the room; and “Masks and Mimosas,” which includes matching eucalyptus masks for everyone in the party plus one bottle of Prosecco and orange juice for mimosas.

A couple enjoys rock climbing at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg. Image courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort

In addition, ”Our amazing ‘Spring Break Getaway’ runs from March 31 to April 16 and is chock-full of exciting activities from dawn until dusk for all ages,” Abate said. “Among them, guests can enjoy everything from ‘Visits from the Farm’ and ‘Bee Keeper’ talks to goat yoga, scenic hikes, fishing, archery, ax throwing and laser clay shooting. There are packages for overnight stays, but we offer plenty of activities for day visitors, including our popular and fun rock-climbing wall, wine-tasting opportunities from Wednesday through Sunday, our Crystal Cabaret live entertainment series every Saturday, Glice skating, golf, FootGolf and more.

“Whether for an overnight stay or day visit,” Abate concluded, “there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy at our four-season resort.”

For More Information

The Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and Sussex Skylands Destination Marketing Organization are located at 120 Hampton House Road in Newton and can be reached by calling 973-579-1811 or visiting sussexskylands.com for travel information. For more information on Crystal Springs Resort, located at 1 Wild Turkey Way in Hamburg, visit TheCrystalSpringsResort.com or call 844-205-1857.

265 million people hitting their heads: Why it’s time to ban the heading technique in soccer

During the heading technique in soccer, a 0.5- to 1-pound soccer ball is hit with the forehead between the eyebrows and scalp hairline while keeping the eyes open to propel the ball to change its direction. During this maneuver, the soccer ball can be traveling up to 20 miles an hour.

By Mark Leitman, MD, FACS

Assistant Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, enjoyed by 265 million people. It is an evolving game from the original codification in 1863, with constant tweaking of the rules. This article presents arguments to again change the rules and ban heading. In this technique, a 0.5- to 1-pound soccer ball is hit with the forehead between the eyebrows and scalp hairline while keeping the eyes open to propel the ball to change its direction, and the mouth is closed to prevent biting of the tongue. During this maneuver, the soccer ball can be traveling up to 20 miles an hour.

I first became aware of the powerful impact the ball can have when I was viewing the game through a steel wire fence. When the ball hit the barrier, the fence kept shaking. Beginners learn heading by starting with an underinflated soccer ball, or a foam ball. This helps the child overcome their natural inherent fear of hitting their head.

Soccer balls Size 4 (medium size) are for ages 8-11, and larger size 5 balls are for ages 12 and above. At practice, the ball is tossed lightly to build the child’s confidence, and practice sessions are kept short to prevent headaches. Heading is often limited to children over age 11. Those ages 11 to 13 year old are limited to a few headers per day, with no more than 30 minutes of heading practice a day. They average about 12 headings per game.

Some coaches recommend “no parent or friend should ever teach heading or throw at the child’s head” and also state that “heading is not inherently dangerous and is actually fun and makes the game most appealing.” I don’t agree. In practice sessions, children hit the ball back-and-forth to each other and are warned to inform the coach if they experience headache, dizziness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision or neck pain. A study has shown that “one in five experience mental health symptoms for up to six months even after a mild head injury.”

A study has shown that ‘one in five experience mental health symptoms for up to six months even after a mild head injury.’

The Brain

The human brain is unique in the known universe and is the only brain that can reason. It reached its present incredible complexity 200,000 years ago, after millions of years of evolution. The human brain contains a 100 billion neuron cells that contribute to a 100 trillion circuits connecting all parts of the brain. This network consists of microscopic nerve fibers crisscrossing in all directions (see below).

The prefrontal part of the brain doesn’t fully mature until 25 years of age and during this time period is most susceptible to damage. This front part of the brain is referred to as the Executive Center and is responsible for intellectual activities, planning for the future, emotional well-being, empathy and other higher functions that distinguish us from other mammals. Each neuron cell has 10,000 branches. Dead cells are not replaced.

The human brain contains a 100 billion neuron cells that contribute to a 100 trillion circuits connecting all parts of the brain. This network consists of microscopic nerve fibers crisscrossing in all directions.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Non-penetrating blows to the head cause a rapid forward or backward movement and shaking of the brain inside the bony skull that results in swelling and tearing of microscopic nerve connections. Symptoms indicative of serious injury (CTE) include headache, dizziness, psychiatric disorders, fatigue, apathy, decreased motivation, changes in eating or sleep habits, emotional lability, changes with speech and personal relationships. Loss of consciousness, even very brief and not remembered, is a hallmark sign of concussion. Symptoms that do not always occur after each hit are referred to as a subconcussive injuries.

In soccer, these asymptomatic cumulative blows can give the player a false sense of security with immediate return to the game. This could set the stage for future dementia. Boxers with CTE referred to as “punch drunk syndrome” may remain asymptomatic for up to 16 years, causing them to return to harm’s way in the ring. Slowly occurring injury to a nerve and its connections results in decrease in the speed of conduction in the nerve, which often goes unnoticed by the player but could result in slowing of mental activity.

Scientists believe that most mental illness from any cause is due to faulty neurotransmitting of chemical messengers at the junction between neurons (synapses). Head trauma could additionally cause physical damage to the synapse or even tear the two cells apart, worsening an existing condition or creating a new one.

The most common cause of concussion in high school athletes is football (of 1 million high school players, 250,000 had concussions last year) followed by girls soccer and then boys soccer. Soccer results in more concussions than wrestling, baseball, basketball and softball combined.

Aggressive soccer players who head the ball up to 124 times in two weeks are 3.5 time more likely to experience concussion symptoms than less frequent headers. Professional soccer players in Scotland also had 3.5 times the incidence of neurodegenerative disease and dementia.

Sports and other types of exercise without head banging is, on the other hand, beneficial in preventing dementia.

Sports injuries are becoming an acceptable practice in the world. In the pursuit of applause, trophies and monetary compensation, players are willing to take risks and play with pain. Sadly, cheering spectators encourage this risky behavior.

Pain often manifested as headache may be treated by physicians or illegally on the street with opioids (oxycodone) and fentanyl. Fentanyl is the driver of drug overdose deaths and accounts for 80% of opioid-related deaths. There is a crisis of drug addiction, which is the No. 1 cause of death in this country (105,000 last year) in people under age 50. Modeling predicts this to increase to half million deaths in the next decade. According to the American Medical Association, 20% of opioid users become addicted in just 10 days.

Let us begin to address this problem by helping these trusting kids and banning heading.

The office of Dr. Mark Leitman, eye physician and surgeon, is located at 13 Brunswick Woods Drive, East Brunswick. The office may be contacted at 732-254-9090

Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department completes expansion

Celebrating the Hunterdon Medical Center Emergency Department modernization and expansion are, from left, Joe Colalillo, representing ShopRite of Hunterdon County, operated by the Colalillo family; Assemblyman Roy Freiman; Jeannie Colalillo, ShopRite of Hunterdon County; Hunterdon Health Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kristy Alfano; Hunterdon Health Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services Mary Jo Loughlin; state Sen. Andrew Zwicker; Hunterdon Health Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Schwanda; Hunterdon Medical Center Emergency Department Medical Director Edward Spector, M.D.; Hunterdon Healthcare System Board of Trustees Chair and Hunterdon Medical Center Board of Trustees Chair Ellen Locker; Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renee Robeson; and Hunterdon Health President and CEO Patrick Gavin.

Hunterdon Health recently marked the completion of a major modernization and expansion to Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department. The project added 2,900 square feet of space, which brings increased capacity and capabilities, new state-of-the-art technology and improved operational flow to the Flemington facility, located at 2100 Wescott Drive.

On March 13, hospital leadership and staff, donors, and local and state dignitaries celebrated the expansion’s completion with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The year-long project positively impacts Hunterdon Medical Center’s ability to meet the community’s current and future needs by providing the best in patient-centered emergency care in a modern setting. Patients will begin using the new space in April.

The year-long Emergency Department expansion project positively impacts Hunterdon Medical Center’s ability to meet the community’s current and future needs by providing the best in patient-centered emergency care in a modern setting. Patients will begin using the new space in April.

The Emergency Department expansion includes eight additional flexible-use rooms that can be used for both low acuity and behavioral health patients. The design and layout of these dual-use rooms was created with special attention for the safety, care and well-being of patients with a mental health crisis.

For example, when a room is needed for a behavioral health patient, an automatic “drop down” wall can be activated to safely store away hospital equipment. The eight new rooms also are equipped with cameras that allow staff to monitor patients; the cameras can be turned off when privacy is needed.

Hunterdon Health President and CEO Patrick Gavin notes that the expansion project adds 2,900 square feet of space, which brings increased capacity and capabilities, new state-of-the-art technology and improved operational flow to the Flemington facility.

The Emergency Room expansion will serve to advance the hospital’s delivery of care for members of the community, according to Edward Spector, M.D., medical director, Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department. “By designing new rooms that can be used for psychiatric patients, we will be able to decrease wait times and improve the patient experience in the Emergency Department for everyone — especially our patients experiencing a mental health crisis,” he said.

With the additional eight rooms, Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department will now have 32 private rooms. In addition, the expanded space includes two large nurse stations and a private workspace for Hunterdon Behavioral Health’s Crisis staff.

With the additional eight rooms, Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department will now have 32 private rooms.

 The $3 million expansion was entirely funded by philanthropic support and the state of New Jersey. State Sen. Andrew Zwicker and Assemblyman Roy Freiman were instrumental in securing the funding from the state. “This community deserves an Emergency Department that can provide great care to its patients and this addition will do just that,” Zwicker said.

“Emergency rooms across the country have been seeing increased numbers of patients suffering with mental health” issues, Freiman added. “It’s great to know that we have a facility that can care for them with dignity and compassion in our very own community.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony also recognized the project’s donors, including lead donor ShopRite of Hunterdon County, which is operated by the Colalillo family.

The expanded space includes two large nurse stations and a private workspace for Hunterdon Behavioral Health’s Crisis staff.

In 2022, Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department saw more than 30,000 patients. On average, the busy Emergency Department sees an average of 90 patients each day. Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department is open 24 hours, seven days a week, and serves patients from Hunterdon, Somerset, Warren and Mercer counties, as well as Eastern Pennsylvania.

Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners Deputy Director Jeff Kuhl congratulated all involved with the expansion and thanked Hunterdon Health for its ongoing commitment to the well-being of the community. “Hunterdon Health has been an important part of Hunterdon County since my grandfather was involved in its founding in 1946. The growth in quality of care over the years is something that every Hunterdon County resident can be proud of,” he said.

New Imaging Center Coming Soon

In May, Hunterdon Health will be opening Hunterdon Advanced Imaging — a new, state-of-art imaging suite. Located at the Clinton Health Campus (1738 Route 31 North in Clinton), the facility will offer patients the latest technology in medical imaging including CT scans, 3T MRI, X-rays, 3D mammography, ultrasound and bone density scans.

For My Baby and Me helps change the lives of young mothers

Capital Health’s For My Baby and Me can help mothers get their life back on track.

Pregnancy can be difficult for women who are dealing with addiction. Fortunately, women who enroll in Capital Health’s For My Baby and Me receive medical care through all stages of pregnancy; medication-assisted addiction treatment; peer recovery, relapse prevention counseling and support; housing assistance; transportation; employment services; and child care for dependents.

One of the program’s participants, Deserae, recently discussed the program with NJ Advance Media.

Q: How did you learn about the For My Baby and Me program?

Deserae, participant, For My Baby and Me

A:  I heard about For My Baby and Me from my sister Morgan and her social worker. I was trying to escape my situation with the man I was with. I wanted to get away from him and have a nice fresh start with my baby. He was not changing, and he still hasn’t changed.

Q:  How has the program changed your outlook on your substance use/abuse?

A: I thank God that I came to this program. Everything about it helped me gain myself back. It helped me to see clearly and start working hard for me and mine. It helped me mature, and after some time, I realized I was unhappy. I don’t want to be around anyone that uses drugs anymore, and I don’t want any part of it. I feel really strong about it.

Q: What opportunities has the program afforded you as a mother?

A: Of course, For My Baby and Me helped change my future for the better. I see the light now and feel positive; I know everything will be OK. The counselor I worked with in For My Baby and Me was amazing. She helped me work through the confusion I went through. At first, it’s hard to put down the drug, and your brain still says you want it, but your heart tells you no, don’t do it … my future is bright. For My Baby and Me changed my life. I would have probably lost my baby to the system if it wasn’t for this program.

Q: How has For My Baby and Me influenced your day-to-day and your future life plans?

A: There are many benefits. It’s all what you make of it. Nothing can compare to not being depressed anymore and the benefit of waking up, being happy, motivated and healthy. Every day I wake up, I benefit from the chances the program gave me. It will let me go to school and learn a new career path that I wanted to do but never could. But thanks to My Baby and Me, they helped me, so I didn’t have to worry about anything else but school. I didn’t have to worry about bills where I lived; they provided for me so I could concentrate on school.

Q:  What would you say are the overall benefits to a program like For My Baby and Me?

A: Women struggling with addiction … you can live a better life. It is possible to be happy and have a good life and future for you and your baby because no one else matters. You and your baby come first. I would highly recommend this program above any other program. You have a chance to make a difference.

Q: What message would you send to other young woman struggling with addiction?

A: You have a chance at a brand-new life. For My Baby and Me is a calm, safe place for you and your baby to be and for you both to grow. You can only go up from here. You must surrender and let the For My Baby and Me program work with you, guide you and be there for you while you work a few things out. I guarantee you’ll be happy and grateful you did; I am.

For information about Capital Health’s For My Baby and Me program, call 609-256-7801, or visit www.formybabyandme.org.

Supporting expectant and new mothers struggling with substance use

The philosophy that drives For My Baby and Me is driven by providing a holistic approach to addiction and recovery.

Not every woman has a smooth pregnancy, especially those who are dealing with addiction.
Fortunately, women who enroll in Capital Health’s For My Baby and Me receive medical care through all stages of pregnancy; medication-assisted addiction treatment; peer recovery, relapse prevention counseling and support; housing assistance; transportation; employment services; and child care for dependents.

Stacey Negron, MSN, RN, care manager, project evaluator, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton

The program meets a critical need in addictions treatment, because many recovery programs don’t accept pregnant women, who require complex, specialized care.

Stacey Negron, MSN/ RN, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton’s care manager/project evaluator, recently spoke to NJ Advance Media about the For My Baby and Me program.

Q: When was the For My Baby and Me program established, and what population does it serve?

A: The For My Baby and Me Program was established in December 2017, serving women of child-birthing age who are pregnant or postpartum for up to 12 weeks with opioid use disorder (OUD).

Q: What are some of the main challenges faced by the women you assist?

A: Some of the challenges faced by the women we serve begin with stigma, not having access to prenatal care, homelessness, and not having a safe place to reside. Other challenges include access to providers who can treat opioid addiction in pregnancy and access to mental health services.

Q: What services do you provide, and what other organizations are involved in the effort?

A: For My Baby and Me is powered by the efforts of collaboration. Collaboration between Grantor Capital Health and partners. Capital Health provides prenatal and postpartum care, and Rescue Mission conducts outreach and first contact via a hotline to the Program. Catholic Charities operates an intake process for For My Baby and Me and assesses overall needs and Mental Health and Addiction Services. HomeFront provides housing for our young women who are homeless or in an unsafe living environment. While also providing case management services to ensure our women are provided tools for a well-rounded foundation for independent living.

Q: How would you describe the philosophy that guides the For My Baby and Me initiative?

A: The philosophy that drives For My Baby and Me is driven by providing a holistic approach to addiction and recovery. They are promoting health for mom and baby, empowering our women, helping to give birth to the strength that lives within them by meeting them where they are in their journey and providing the support and treatment they need to succeed.

Q: Can you give us an example of how the program has had an impact on a new mother and her child?

A: The most significant impact the program has on mother and baby is unification. The program assists mothers through recovery during pregnancy and significantly increases the chances they can leave the hospital with their babies. Under other circumstances, they would not be able to. Moms who engage in our program postpartum and, after showing compliance, are reunified with their babies. This is the most rewarding part to see.

Q: What is the main message for expectant or new mothers dealing with substance use and other challenges related to housing, income or access to care?

A: The most important message one can give to our new mothers is that “You Are Not Alone.” Regardless of where you’ve been and what you have been through, we have a collaborative team fully dedicated to your healing and success.

For information about Capital Health’s For My Baby and Me program, call 609-256-7801, or visit www.formybabyandme.org.