THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION PAGE 6 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 Smooth as Glass Page 16 Buy-Rite Overhead Doors Page 24 Cadicina Law Page 35 Greater Somerset County YMCA Page 42 Lawyer’s View: Fox Rothschild Page 8 Community News: Impact100 Garden State Page 10 Mary Kooi Mary proudly hails from the Chicago area and happily transplanted to Summit in 2000. She works in the textile and furniture industry as an outside sales representative, servicing the interior design community. Mary has been a student of art most of her life, minoring in Art at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana and earning a BFA in textiles from the Art Institute of Chicago. Mary continues to study under the wonderful instruction of Valeri Larko at the Visual Art Center of New Jersey in Summit and has had the opportunity to travel to Maine, Maryland, the Cape, Italy and Spain with fellow artists to find inspiration for canvases similar to the one displayed here. Mary’s paintings reflect her love of light and color, particularly as reflected in outdoor scenes. Please visit my website to view further paintings at www.artbymarykooi.com. THE CONNECTION MAGAZINES TEAM Donna Reina, Georgeann Agaisse, Heather Silver, Patty Herman, Alicia Singman 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 TheWINNERof the Defined Designed Fake Ad in our November issue is Merry Leblond of Mendham. She won a gift from Advanced Frequency Spa in Hillsborough. 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... Welcome to the Bernards-Ridge Edition; our first issue of the New Year! As we bid farewell to last year, we extend our warmest wishes for a happy New Year filled with abundant blessings and prosperity. In this issue, we invite you to explore the vibrant local businesses in our community. These dedicated entrepreneurs are eager to bring you their unique products and services. By supporting them, you not only contribute to the growth of our neighborhoods but also foster a sense of unity and togetherness. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, our magazine features a special page dedicated to helping you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Discover creative ideas and thoughtful gestures that will make this day of love truly memorable. As Easter approaches early this year, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect on Faith, Love and Joy. Our magazine o ers a curated selection of places where you can find solace and inspiration during this sacred time. Impact100 Garden State is calling all amazing women to join them on their journey towards empowering women’s philanthropy. Read our Community News article to discover how a group of women who donate their time and money to create grants for nonprofits can make such a di erence in the lives of underserved populations. Celeste Campos, vice president of Impact100, shares some of the projects they have worked on recently-truly admirable! What better way to start the New Year than to, “Get O Balance!” Read The Art of Living column by Barry Farber, a best-selling author and an award-winning radio and television host. Clearing the mind, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, and building a mind map are some of Barry’s suggestions towards living a more rewarding life. Our cover art is an oil painting by Mary Kooi of Summit. Entitled Blue Shutters, it is a scene from Casperia, Italy, where Mary started the painting, “plein air” or painting outdoors. She completed this painting at the Visual Art Center of NJ. Her inspiration came from the subject matter, as well as the play of light and color in the landscape. Let us remember to shop local and support the small businesses that form the backbone of our communities. By doing so, we not only uplift our local economy but also create a stronger, more connected community for all. Wishing you a wonderful start to the New Year ahead! Warm regards, Anna Petro A Note From Our Publisher... CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Eileen Barna, Gail Bicknell, Isla Burns, Celeste Campos, Nick Concilio, Barry Farber, Sandra Fava, Carolyn Hanson, Dr. Tanveer A. Janjua, MD, Joanne Kleinle, Dr. Matthew Lanum, Trish Mahoney, Ellyn Mantell, Jenayah Mathis-Minnigan, Dr. Michael Osit, Polina Semeno , CPDT-KA, Robert Shapiro, CPA, ABV, Eric Soloto , Dr. Claudia Tamas VALENTINE’S SECTION Shopping, Dining, Beauty & Events Pages 11-17 Creative Corner Page 14 HOME & DESIGN SECTION Pages 19-28 Home Improvement: TrueLeaf Kitchens Page 22 Hints for the Home-Fair Street Interiors Page 27 Financial Forum: Shapiro CPAs Page 33 Pets’ Corner: My Dogs Got Class Page 34 HEALTH & WELLNESS SECTION Pages 36-44 Mind the Mind Page 36 Health Hotline: Advanced Frequency Energy Spa Page 37 Medical Minutes: Janjua Plastic Surgery Page 38 Medical Minutes: Dr. Matthew Lanum Page 39 The Art of Living Page 40 Health Hotline: NMR Page 44 SENIOR LIVING SECTION Pages 46-48 Slice of Life Page 46 Senior Corner Page 46 WORSHIP PAGE: Faith, Love, Joy Page 49 KIDZ CONNECTION SECTION Pages 50-52 Teen Voice Page 50 Family Adventures Page 53 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Pages 54-55
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