THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION PAGE 6 APRIL/MAY 2026 8 Financial Forum: Shapiro CPAs 11 Commends: Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum 12 Lawyer’s View: Fox Rothschild 13-14 KIDZ CONNECTION 16 Estate Planning: Norris McLauglin P.A. 17-25 SPRING: SHOPPING, DINING, BEAUTY & EVENTS 20 Creative Corner: Carolyn Hanson 22 Commends: Spoon + Salt 24 Style. Print. Purpose: David J. Marzano 26-27 WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS DIRECTORY 33-35 SENIOR LIVING 33 Senior Corner: Ellyn Mantell 34 Commends: Heath Village 34 Slice of Life: Ellyn Mantell 36-44 HEALTH & WELLNESS 36 Health Hotline: Ellie Mental Health 37 Commends: Envision Health and Fitness 38 Ask the Eye Dr.: Bedminster Eye & Laser Center 40 Mind the Mind: Dr. Michael Osit 42 Health Hotline: Natural Medicine & Rehabilitation 42 A Poet's Playground: Ashwiki Arora 44 Food for Thought: Lori Kolodin 45-52 HOME & DESIGN 47 Hints for the Home: Fair Street Interiors 49 Real Talk: Marie Young 54-55 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 56 HOUSES OF WORSHIP: FAITH, HOPE & JOY Title: Trunkspace Medium: Watercolor on paper Margaret Fanning is a visual artist who works in ink, watercolor, oil, acrylic, gouache, pastel, and mixed media. She earned her BFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Margaret has exhibited internationally, has won multiple awards in juried exhibitions, and her art can be found in private collections throughout the U.S. She lives in Warren, NJ, and is an art instructor at Farmstead Arts in Basking Ridge, NJ, the Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, NJ, and also teaches private lessons. Website: www.margaretfanning.com Instagram: @margaretfanning Email: margaret.fanning.studio@gmail.com THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE'S TEAM PUBLISHED BY Georgeann Agaisse, Heather Silver, Alicia Singman, Jeanette Vogel, Pramisa Timsina The Connection Magazine P.O. Box 4081, Warren, NJ 07059 908-903-1799 | info@theconnectionsnj.com Somewhere in this magazine is aFAKE AD. Spot it and send your answer, along with your name, city or town and phone number to: spotthefake@theconnectionsnj.com or play online at theconnectionsnj.com. The WINNER of theThe Chocolate Detox Center in the February issue is Michelle S of Basking Ridge. Michelle won a gift certificate to Blo Blow Dry Bar in Bernardsville. Next Issue JUNE! Advertising deadline May 11, 2026 SPOT THE FAKE! Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles are the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Connection Magazines. We publish all advertisements, editorials and other content in good faith. We cannot guarantee or accept liability for the accuracy of the claims made by the advertisers. ON OUR COVER Highlights... A Season of Renewal & Celebration Welcome to the Bernards-Ridge edition of our April issue! As the days grow longer and the sunshine begins to warm our neighborhoods again, spring brings with it a wonderful sense of renewal. After the quiet of winter, there is a new energy in the air. People are getting outside, gathering with friends and family, and enjoying everything our communities have to o er. This season is especially meaningful to me personally. This year, Mother’s Day will be a particularly special celebration in my family, as both of my daughters have recently become mothers themselves. Becoming a grandmother has been such a joyful and emotional milestone. Watching my daughters step into motherhood and seeing the bond that is already forming with the next generation reminds me just how powerful and beautiful family connections truly are. Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate those bonds, whether it’s sharing a special brunch or dinner, finding the perfect gift at a local boutique, or giving the special women in your life a day of well-deserved pampering at one of our wonderful local salons and spas. Throughout this issue, you’ll find many local businesses ready to help you make the day truly memorable. We are also proud to feature our Women-Owned Business Directory, highlighting the incredible women who have built, nurtured, and grown businesses right here in our own neighborhoods. As a woman business owner myself, I know firsthand the dedication, perseverance, and passion it takes to build something meaningful. Supporting these businesses means supporting families, dreams, and the strength of our local community. In addition, this issue includes our Houses of Worship: Faith, Hope & Joy section, o ering readers a place to connect with churches and services during the Easter season. For many, this is a meaningful time of reflection, faith, and gathering with loved ones. Our current cover features Trunkspace, a watercolor painting by Margaret Fanning. The piece captures a candid moment of two young girls laughing in the trunk of their father’s car, a scene inspired by the artist’s own childhood memories. It beautifully evokes a sense of wonder and a simpler time that many of us can recall. In this issue, we invite you to read our Health Hotline feature by Dr. Vincent Sferra of Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Sferra explores the vital connection between physical fitness and metabolic health, explaining how these mutually reinforcing components influence energy levels, cognitive health, and long-term quality of life. This spring, get outside, enjoy the sunshine, explore your community, and support the wonderful local businesses that make it thrive. Stay local - and #TellThemWeSentYou! Wishing you a beautiful spring and a very Happy Mother’s Day. All the best, Anna Petro Publisher, The Connection Magazine A Note From Our Publisher... CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ashwiki Arora, Gail Bicknell, James J. Costello Jr., Carolyn Hanson, Dr. John F. Insinga, Joanne Kleinle, Lori Kolodin, Jessica Diamond Lia, Ellyn Mantell, David J. Marzano, Dr. Lawrence V. Najarian, Dr. Lisa Ortenzio, Dr. Michael Osit, Leilani Rose, Dr. Vince Sferra, Robert Shapiro, Eric S. Soloto , Marie Young
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