Tag: Featured

Lambertville, steeped in charm, offers an eclectic mix of old and new and citywide pride that shines through

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Colette Doudin - Community, Sponsored

Lambertville’s charm is steeped in its Victorian architecture, its eclectic mix of old and new and a citywide pride that shines through every nook and cranny — and there are plenty of them.

Named Jersey’s Best Destination of the Year, Lambertville is a Jersey gem, a Delaware River town that oozes charm, inviting visitors to sample its diverse dining, peruse its art galleries, shop for antiques and other wares and stroll along the river.

“It’s exciting to see the place you live and work awarded the distinction of being New Jersey’s best destination,’’ said Lisa Voorhees, president, Lambertville Chamber of Commerce. “This recognition gives us an opportunity to showcase all we have to offer — the river, towpath, a culinary scene that ranges from fine dining to local places that have been around for decades. There’s art, antiques, shops, a bit of everything.’’

Lambertville hosts one of New Jersey’s most popular events — Shad Fest, set this year for April 22 and 23.

Lambertville’s charm is steeped in its Victorian architecture, its eclectic mix of old and new and a citywide pride that shines through every nook and cranny — and there are plenty of them.

The city boasts a collection of mostly locally owned antique shops, curated boutiques and art galleries. The restaurant scene is sure to delight. Whether it’s a candle-lit dinner or a juicy burger at a local joint, Lambertville has an eatery to please every palate and budget. Wine tasting and breweries are also part of the mix.

Outdoor activities abound. The Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath attracts walkers and bikers who can cycle along the flat, gravel path that runs about 15 miles from Lambertville to Frenchtown.

Visitors feel the affection that people who live and work here have for this small city, a welcome that is palatable whether dining at one of Lambertville’s iconic restaurants or stepping into a small shop to browse.

“It’s a close-knit community,’’ said Voorhees, a Lambertville native. “The businesses work together. They promote and support each other. And that is reflected in how we welcome visitors.’’

Lambertville hosts one of New Jersey’s most popular events — Shad Fest, set this year for April 22 and 23. What began as a showcase for the local art scene has evolved into an award-winning extravaganza of food, art, music, games and, of course, shad — a sweet, salty fish that returns to the Delaware River each spring to spawn before returning to the ocean.

This year promises to be bigger and better than ever, with handcrafted art, jewelry, home goods, music and fun for the whole family.

The festival food court and local restaurants will be serving up the city’s best fare, including the famous shad. Children will find plenty to keep them busy, with games, face painting and other activities. Local musicians will liven the festival on both the streets and in local restaurants.

This year, a portion of the festival’s proceeds will go to support the Lewis family, which has been nurturing the only remaining shad fishery on the Delaware River since 1888. Family members will be on hand to provide shad hauling demonstrations during the festival.

“The Lewis family does so much to protect the fishery and promote Shad Fest,’’ Voorhees said. “We want to support their critical work.’’

Whether you visit Lambertville during Shad Fest or any other time during the year, it’s a destination that will not disappoint.

How to live better, for longer

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Hunter Hulbert - Health

Aging well takes planning and practice, but making those efforts through all stages of this journey we call life can pay off big time down the road. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

We all want to live long, happy lives. But the prospect of aging can feel either far away or too daunting to consider.

Health and wellness experts say, however, that the best way to revel in your golden years is to plan early, making adjustments as you age.

“We can’t just fix things when we turn 65,’’ said Cathy Rowe, executive director, New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well. “You have to think and plan at every stage and age, whether it’s your finances, your health, your housing plan. The more planning we put into our lives, the better position we will be in.’’

Following, experts offer key strategies for various stages of life on the financial, health and social fronts that can improve your chances of living well for a long time.

When it comes to finances, start saving early. If you’re in your 40s, don’t delay. Socking away even small amounts now can pay big dividends later.

“Every dollar you save today is going to be worth 10 times that in the future,’’ Rowe said.

A consistent exercise routine is key to aging well, even if it’s just walking a couple times a week. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

On the health front, it is important to adopt a regular exercise routine early on, said Dr. Clare L. Coda of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group.

“Keep your body active,’’ she advised. “You don’t have to join a gym. Just walking every day or even three times a week helps people live a lot longer.’’

Health care screenings also become critical in our 40s. This includes mammograms, colon cancer screenings and routine blood analysis to look for issues, like high cholesterol and diabetes.

“Starting early can help avoid long-term problems,’’ Coda noted. “For women, annual mammogram screenings start at 40. The newest update for colon cancer screening is to start at 45. It used to be 50. If you catch an abnormality at 45, we can deal with it quickly and you have much more time to focus on the things that make you happy.’’

Colon cancer screenings, mammograms and routine blood analysis are critical to maintaining your health over time. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

The 50s is also a good time to expand your financial planning to include protections such as long-term care insurance and choosing someone to be your medical proxy and hold your power of attorney in case you’re unable to make your own medical and financial decisions.

“Financial planning should include long-term care insurance to help pay for those bills if you need it,’’ Rowe said. “There’s no need to wait until you’re 70.’’

Suitable, affordable housing is key to happiness at any age, but particularly as we get older. The 50s and 60s are a time when many people move into smaller homes or renovate an existing home. So, it is important to consider what your needs may be in your 70s and 80s.

“If you’re doing a renovation, make it age-friendly so it works for you now and 20 to 30 years from now,’’ Rowe said.

On the health care front, the 60s is the time to add bone density scans to your preventable health routine, especially for women age 65 and older.

“The bone scan detects if there are significant enough bony changes,’’ Coda said. “Doctors can add medication to help bone health.’’

Individuals with good social networks live longer and are physically and mentally healthier than people who are isolated.

Weight-bearing activities, like walking, jogging, playing pickleball and using resistance bands, can also help strengthen bones and joints, while reducing the risk of falls, which becomes more likely as people enter their 70s.

“In our 70s and beyond, we’re not as strong as we used to be,’’ Coda said, adding that it’s important to unclutter homes to reduce tripping hazards. “There is a huge role for physical therapy to strengthen the legs and the body in general to help prevent falls.’’

While screening for hearing problems can be done at any age, it is typically recommended when you reach your 70s.

“This can be done with your primary care doctor if they have the capability or with an audiologist,’’ Coda said. “Lack of hearing can lead to people being not as involved in conversations, not as involved in family life. And it’s an easy thing to screen for.’’

The 70s and 80s are often the time when adult children become fearful of their aging parents getting behind the wheel. But driving is key to maintaining the independence that helps older adults feel happy.

Driving is essential to maintaining the independence that helps older adults feel happy. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

AAA offers a toolkit to assist senior drivers, including a defensive driving program, strategies for creating a transportation plan should driving become unsafe and information about driver assistance systems, like blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning and lane keeping assist.

“AAA offers a great program,’’ Rowe added. “There are tools you can get to help you drive safely. You don’t always have to take away the keys.’’

A sharp mind is key to a happy life at any age, and AARP’s Staying Sharp program provides tons of tools to improve brain health. The program is grounded in six pillars of brain health: be social, engage your brain, manage stress, exercise regularly, get a good night’s sleep and eat right.

“Regardless of age, people can lead a lifestyle that supports brain health,’’ said Julie Marte, AARP New Jersey’s associate state director of multicultural outreach. “While AARP focuses on people 50 and older, we make our resources and information available to all.’’

AARP offers its members a host of activities and educational materials to help them keep their brains sharp, including virtual classes in yoga, tai chi and healthy cooking, helping people engage socially while learning healthy habits.

“Studies suggest people with good social networks live longer and are physically and mentally healthier than people who are isolated,’’ Marte said. “AARP New Jersey offers on a monthly basis an array of virtual events open to the community, regardless of age.’’

The bottom line is that aging well takes planning and practice, but making those efforts through all stages of this journey we call life can pay off big time down the road.

“If you’re proactive about your health, you can enjoy a long life doing your hobbies, spending time with your family,’’ Coda said. “There is stuff that is out of your control, but there are a lot of things that fall in the preventable realm.’’

For resources, visit aarp.org/nj and njaaw.org.

Nancy Parello writes frequently for NJ Advance Media/Jersey’s Best. A former statehouse reporter, she previously worked for the Associated Press and The Record.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

Made in Jersey: Through drawing, Kervin Andre outlines the untold story of his people

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Hunter Hulbert - Community

Elizabeth artist Kervin Andre hopes to give others a sense of pride, heritage, culture and true knowledge of themselves through his artwork. Photo courtesy of Kervin Andre

As a child growing up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Kervin Andre spent time doodling and reading Marvel comics. He soon realized that every time he wanted to say something, he would reach for his sketchbook.

“There were things I wanted to say verbally and couldn’t express myself,” said Andre, 46, of Elizabeth. “The only way was through paper. It was one of the places where I released anger or frustration or found peace.”

When he came to America with his family at age 15, he noticed a huge gap between the real identity of African Americans and Haitians and what was being portrayed in history books or in the news media. The perspective mostly came from scholars of other ethnic groups, he said.

“How do I tell the history of my people through my lens, through the perspective of me. So, the context of my artwork changed a bit,” he said.

So, once again, he reached for his sketchbook, and began drawing images of men, women and children who showed strength and resilience, and gave what he believed to be a true representation of historical events.

The theme of resilience in the face of adversity comes through Andre’s pieces, and he draws inspiration from situations he encountered in Haiti. Photo courtesy of Kervin Andre

After attending an art show that inspired him to pursue art as a career, Andre, who was working as a retail manager, quit his job and created his own business, AkomicsArt, which showcases his work. He said it was a leap of faith fraught with uncertainty and risks, but one that has paid off.

Aside from an online presence, his work is showcased at New Brunswick’s Above Art Studio and at two lounges: Rebel Lounge in New York City, as well as First Republic in Elizabeth.

The theme of resilience in the face of adversity comes through Andre’s pieces, and he draws inspiration from situations he encountered in Haiti. A devastating earthquake, for example, might lead a person to give up, but he also saw that people always have hope, and that is strength.

“Even with agony and pain, there’s hope. Even if you’re somebody chained up, there’s hope of breaking out of that,” he said. “When you talk about Haiti, a lot of times you hear about the poorest country in the West. That same country helped free South America. There’s good and bad in everything.”

Andre wants people to think of the “before” and “after” in his paintings, the cause and effect.

“When you look at somebody breaking out of bondage, what happened to put them here, and what’s to come?” he said.

Andre uses an African proverb as artistic inspiration: ‘Until the lion has his or her own storyteller, the hunter will always have the best part of the story.’ Photo courtesy of Kervin Andre

Three years ago, Andre published his first book, “Sheroes of the Haitian Revolution,” which shines a light on a few of the women who participated in the Haitian Revolution of 1804. His second book, “The Heroes of the Haitian Revolution,” focuses on showing how the Moors brought culture to Europe when they took over Spain and Portugal.

Andre said he thinks about the quote, “Until the lion has his or her own storyteller, the hunter will always have the best part of the story.” It is from an African proverb.

“If God gave you something, he gave it to you for a reason,” he said. “I want to be a voice for the voiceless. It’s a responsibility to kind of change the narrative in a way.”

To view more of Andre’s work, visit akomicsart.com.

A veteran reporter of The Star-Ledger, where for 21 years she covered news stories and lifestyle features, Carmen Juri is now a high school teacher and freelance writer. She’s also the mother of two teenagers and a globetrotter who loves to cook and attend the theater.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

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