THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION PAGE 6 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 Arthur Murray Dance Centers Page 13 School of Rock Page 21 Greater Somerset County YMCA Page 29 Buy-Rite Overhead Doors Page 32 Pets’ Corner: My Dogs Got Class Page 8 Roberta Oliver Roberta Oliver is an award-winning watercolor artist living in New Jersey with her husband and two grown children nearby. They often vacation on the west coast of Florida, where Roberta finds inspiration for many of her paintings. Her career path took her away from art, but she always found time to take painting classes at local private art schools and more recently has studied with some of the best watercolor artists in the world. Roberta paints with transparent watercolor in a realistic style. Roberta’s work has been in numerous publications of Splash, The Best of Watercolor at North Light Books and Artist network magazine. Roberta has exhibited in countless juried exhibitions including American Watercolor Society and Transparent Watercolor Society of America. She also received many awards such as the Pathfinder Award from Florida Watercolor Society, Horses Head Award Best in Show at Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club NYC, The Nummie Warga Memorial Award- New Jersey Watercolor Society, Best in Show Garden State Watercolor Society and North East Watercolor Society Excellence Award IV. Roberta is a signature member in the following professional societies: Florida Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, North East Watercolor Society and New Jersey Water Color Society. 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 Design Fake Ad in our November issue is Seth Horvath of Somerville. He won a gift certificate to RetroFitness. 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 Bridgewater-Somerville 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! Please read our Mind the Mind column. Michael Osit writes about the winter blues, which many people unfortunately experience this time of year. Seasonal A ective Disorder (SAD) results from lack of sunshine when the days are dark and the temperatures are cold. Dr. Osit discusses the symptoms of and suggestions for coping with this condition. Cheer up, though, our days are slowly getting brighter! The gentle, a ectionate elephants on our cover were painted by Roberta Oliver. It is entitled, Unbreakable Bond. Roberta lives in NJ and often vacations on the west coast of Florida, where she acquires inspiration for much of her artwork. She is also inspired by nature and all it encompasses. Please visit her website to read her extensive list of accomplishments and to view her art: RobertaOliver.com. 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 Gail Bicknell, Brianna Bridges, Isla Burns, Celeste Campos, Nick Concilio, Barry Farber, Carolyn Hanson, Joanne Kleinle, Matthew Lanum, Trish Mahoney, Ellyn Mantell, Jenayah Mathis-Minnigan, Dr. Michael Osit, Shaina Sherman, Keenan Smout, Dr. Claudia Tamas, Johanna Wiseman VALENTINE’S SECTION Shopping, Dining, Beauty & Events Pages 10-17 Slice of Life Page 12 Family Adventures Page 14 Creative Corner Page 16 Community News: JFS Page 18 KIDZ CONNECTION SECTION Pages 19-21 Teen Voice Page 20 Senior Corner Page 22 HEALTH & WELLNESS SECTION Pages 23-31 Mind the Mind Page 24 Lesson’s from a Life Coach: Brianna’s Best Life Page 25 Health Hotline: NMR Page 26 Health Hotline: Advanced Frequency Energy Spa Page 27 The Art of Living Page 30 Medical Minutes: Dr. Matthew Lanum Page 31 HOME & DESIGN SECTION Pages 32-39 Hints for the Home: Fair Street Interiors Page 34 Real Estate Corner Page 36 WORSHIP PAGE: Faith, Love, Joy Page 40 Community News: Impact100 Garden State Page 41 COMMUNITY CALENDER Pages 42-43
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