THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION PAGE 6 SEPT/OCT/NOV 2026 theconnectionsnj.com 9 Commends: AccuTax Services, LLC 10 Jetsetter’s Journey: Rainbow Travel 12 Community News: Somerset County Sheriff’s Office 13 Lawyer’s View: Fox Rothschild, LLP 14-25 AUTUMN’S ALLURE: EAT, DRINK & CELEBRATE 14 Family Adventures: Joanne Kleinle 15 Fashion Flash: Adams Fine Clothing 16 Community News: Jewish Family Service 18 WINE & DINE DIRECTORY 20 Creative Corner: Carolyn Hanson 21 Commends: Greenwood Gardens 22 Commends: Morristown Festival of Books 26-27 BACK-TO-SCHOOL 26 A Poets Playground: Hamsini T. 26 Teen Voice: Michelle Loia 27 Connection Community Champions: STEMsters 27 Shelf Awareness: Charlotte Mitchell & Ameya Ram 28-41 HOME & DESIGN 28 Commends: Roost & Co 33 Commends: Pheasant Lane Designs 35 Commends: Summit Rug 36 Real Talk: Marie Young 40 Hints for the Home: Fair Street Interiors 42-53 HEALTH & WELLNESS 42 Campers & Caviar: Serafina Valentine 44 Food for Thought: Lori Kolodin 46 Health Hotline: Natural Medicine & Rehabilitation 47 Raising Resilience: Raiffe Counseling, LLC 48 Health Hotline: Balance & Flow Tai Chi Studio 49 Healthy Happens Here: Living Boldly Wellness 50 Ask the Eye Doctor: Bedminster Eye & Laser Center 52 Mind the Mind: Dr. Michael Osit 53 Slice of Life: Ellyn Mantell 54-55 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 56-57 SENIOR LIVING 56 Community News: Heath Village 56 Senior Corner: Ellyn Mantell Joan Park Title: Dinnertime Medium: watercolor Joan Park is a multidisciplinary artist and fine jewelry designer based in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she lives with her husband and their beloved “granddog.” Although she always envisioned a life as an artist, practicality led her to the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned a degree in Jewelry Design. A successful career designing fine bridal and fashion jewelry allowed her to express her creativity while building decades of experience in craftsmanship, composition, and design. In recent years, Joan has returned to painting with renewed passion. Working primarily in watercolor and gouache, she also enjoys exploring oils, acrylics, colored pencils, and pastels. Her paintings draw inspiration from nature, botanical subjects, architecture, moments of quiet whimsy, and everyday scenes that leave a lasting impression. Joan is an active member of New Jersey Arts, West Essex Arts, Ringwood Manor Arts, and the Livingston Arts Associations regularly exhibiting her work throughout the region. Her paintings have received recognition in local and statewide exhibitions, including the New Jersey Conservancy's native bird exhibition at Jersey City's SMUSH Gallery, an Award of Excellence for her architectural watercolor Budapest, and multiple honors in both the Essex County and New Jersey State Senior Citizens Art Exhibitions. Though she briefly stepped away from the jewelry industry, Joan recently returned as a Fine Jewelry Designer for a New York manufacturer, continuing to balance her lifelong passions for fine art and exceptional design.Her work can also be found on Instagram:@joan_of_art1. THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE'S TEAM PUBLISHED BY Georgeann Agaisse, Heather Silver, Alicia Singman, Jeanette Vogel, Kristi Abbey, Max Silver The Connection Magazine P.O. Box 4081, Warren, NJ 07059 908-903-1799 | info@theconnectionsnj.com Somewhere in this magazine is a FAKE 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 Flip Flop Finders in the June issue is Rudy W. of Gladstone. Rudy won a gift certificate to the Inspiration Golf Range in Lyons. Next Issue November! Advertising deadline October 23, 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... It’s hard to believe that summer is already coming to a close. It always seems to go by much too quickly, especially for me, since summer is my favorite time of year! While I’m never quite ready to say goodbye to the long, warm days, there is something special about the arrival of fall. Fall brings us back to familiar routines as children head back to school, schedules fill up, and our days begin to feel a little more structured again. The days grow shorter; the air becomes cooler, and the thing I most look forward to about the season is that first crisp scent of autumn in the air. Soon, the leaves will begin changing into beautiful shades of red, orange and gold, and weekends will be spent picking apples, exploring pumpkin patches, enjoying fall festivals and discovering all that our local communities have to offer. Welcome to the Bernards-Ridge edition of our September issue! Our Autumn’s Allure section is filled with seasonal ideas, tips and resources to help you make the most of this beautiful time of year. You’ll also find plenty of reasons to seek out some of the hidden gems right here in our communities. Read our Back-to-School page featuring teen writers from the community! A Poet’s Playground captures the feeling of heading back to school in poetic verse. Teen Voice describes the mission of its writer, Michelle Loia, in creating The Bloom Project-a nonprofit initiative celebrating disadvantaged teens. And don’t miss, Shelf Awareness. The authors recommend 5 thrillers that are great reads for teens and adults alike. Finally, learn all about STEMsters, in our Community Champions column. Local teen, Iona Nandy, inspires children to gain a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). Our Health & Wellness and Senior sections focus on caring for ourselves and our families, from dental and eye care to mental health awareness and nurturing our bodies, both physically and emotionally. And as we look ahead to the holiday season, our Home & Design section offers inspiration and resources for home improvements, seasonal maintenance and getting your home ready for the busy months ahead. It’s never too early to start! The charming painting on our cover features a gentle tortoise delighting in a sweet afternoon snack. It was painted in watercolor by Joan Park and is titled Dinnertime. She was inspired by a lovable tortoise she followed on social media. She adored his “gentle spirit and unmistakable enthusiasm for hibiscus.” I always learn so much from reading the many articles within the magazine and hope you do so as well! In our Raising Resilience column, Licensed Professional Counselor Daina Raiffe explains that rushing to solve our children’s problems can unintentionally signal to kids that they cannot handle challenges on their own. Instead, true confidence grows when children learn to tolerate uncertainty and cope with difficult situations. This insightful article invites parents to pause, check their own emotional state, and support their children's resilience as classes resume. If you love lighthouses and the mystique that surrounds them, please read our Family Adventures column by Joanne Kleinle. This feature highlights the upcoming “Lighthouse Challenge” along the New Jersey coastline. It is a wonderful activity for all ages, and the perfect reason to extend your shore visits into the fall. I hope you enjoy this issue, support the wonderful local businesses within our pages, and take some time to enjoy everything this beautiful season has to offer. When visiting our featured advertisers, please let them know you discovered them through The Connection Magazine. #TellThemWeSentYou! Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Local. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and colorful autumn! Anna Petro Publisher, The Connection Magazine A Note From Our Publisher... CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gail Bicknell, Lauren Boesch, Ally Gerlach, Carolyn Hanson, Dr. John F. Insinga, Joanne Kleinle, Lori Kolodin, Jessica Diamond Lia, Michelle Loia, Ellyn Mantell, David J. Marzano, Charlotte Mitchell, Katrina Musto, Lawrence V. Najarian, Iona Nandy, Dr. Lisa Ortenzio, Melissa O’Selmo, Dr. Michael Osit, Deanna Quinones, Daina Raiffe, Ameya Ram, William Schievella, Dr. Vince Sferra, Eric S. Solotoff, Hamsini T., Serafina Valentine, Chris Wilson, Marie Young
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