The Connections Bridgewater-Somerville Edition June-July-August 2024

THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION PAGE 6 JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2024 A Note From Our Publisher... Amelia Ludwig Title: Girl's Night Out My name is Amelia Ludwig. I am currently enrolled in Mrs. Wezyk’s AP Studio Art and Design class at Bridgewater Raritan High School. I will be attending Penn State University in the Fall of 2024, with a plan to double major in Art Education and Fine Arts. Recently, I received my Girl Scout Gold Award. My project focused on bringing art into a community that did not previously have the opportunity to be creative. I am a member of the National Art Honors Society, National Honors Society, and Thespian Honors Society. My work has been recognized in the National Art Honors Society Newsletter and Juried Art Exhibition. In addition, I received an Honorable Mention in AANJ’s Exhibition at Kean University. Shortly after, I had the same piece featured in the Morris Museum from March to May of 2024. I immersed myself in theater throughout high school as a dancer for the Spring Musicals and Thespian Honors Society shows. Outside of school, I take dance classes every day and perform with many dance teams throughout the year. This is my fifteenth year as a dancer, and I am excited to continue dancing and painting in the future. THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE'S TEAM PUBLISHED BY Donna Reina, Georgeann Agaisse, Heather Silver, Patty Herman, Alicia Singman 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 The Purrrrrrfect Pet Fake Ad in our April issue is Emili Rambus of Somerville. Emili won a git certificate to Mr. Cactus Mexican Grill of Hillsborough/Branchburg. 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 As we embark on summer and the school year comes to a close with graduation season approaching, we are thrilled to bring you a special June issue of the Bridgewater-Somerville Connection. This issue will honor the achievements of the talented students in our community. We have chosen stunning artwork created by students from our very own local school district on the cover. Their artwork serves as a visual representation of the creativity and potential that exists within our local young adults. In addition to highlighting these remarkable students, we want to make your graduation celebrations even more memorable. We have curated a selection of local restaurants that are perfect for hosting graduation dinners, parties and other celebratory gatherings. The businesses in our community are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, o ering unique products, services and experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. We encourage you to support these local gems and discover the hidden treasures they have to o er. In keeping with student achievement and graduation as this issue’s theme, we have chosen student- writer Maxwell Silver’s article as our Teen Voice column. It is apropos for the June issue as he discusses the highs and lows of transitioning from middle school to high school. All rising freshmen will benefit from and relate to his reflections and anticipations. Is your ego getting in the way of having a well-behaved dog? Read Pets’ Corner, “Reasons for Your Dog’s Bad Behavior: Your Ego Vs. Knowledge,” to elucidate the idea of “learning to speak your dog’s language first, before teaching your dog yours.” Dog trainers typically teach the parents first, before training their dog. The author explains that long-lasting outcomes result from education and compassion. The vibrantly colored artwork on our cover is titled, Girl’s Night Out. It is an acrylic painting by Bridgewater-Raritan High School student, Amelia Ludwig. She says her inspiration for the piece is what her belongings usually look like after a fun night out with friends! Amelia explains, “I wanted to capture the staple feeling of girlhood with vivid colors, dreamlike shadows, extreme highlights and a skewed composition.” When you visit any of our featured businesses, please let them know that you discovered them through our magazine. By doing so, you not only support these local establishments, but also help us continue to spread the word about their exceptional products and services. Trust us to be your go-to resource for all things local and small business-related. Please join us in celebrating the beginning of summer and the remarkable local businesses that make our neighborhood shine. Wishing you a summer filled with warmth, joy and countless memories. Sincerely, Anna Petro CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gail Bicknell, ASID, CAPS, Barry Farber, Giulia Grotenhuis, Carolyn Hanson, Joanne Kleinle, Ellyn Mantell, Samantha Musumeci, Dr. Michael Osit, Ryan E. Radwanski MD, Polina Semeno , CPDT-KA, Robert Shapiro, Maxwell Silver, Johanna Wiseman Highlights... 23 Warren County Farmers’ Fair 36 Todd A. Schneiderman, MD FACS Editorials... 8 Financial Forum - Shapiro Financial Group 10 Pets’ Corner - My Dog’s Got Class 12-20 YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER DINING 21-26 22 26 Summer Fun & Finds Slice of Life Family Adventures 31-40 HEALTH & WELLNESS 31 Medical Minutes - Vital Brain & Spine 32 Health Hotline - Community in Crisis 34 Senior Corner 35 The Art of Living – Barry Farber 38 Medical Minutes - Psychiatric & Behavioral Health Solutions 40 Health Hotline - NMR 41-43 KIDZ CONNECTION 43 Teen Voice 44 Mind the Mind 45-49 HOME & DESIGN 46 Hints for the Home - Fair Street Interiors 48 Real Estate Corner 50-51 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 52 Creative Corner 35 38 45-49 46 48 50-51 52 41-43 43 44 31 32 34

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