THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION PAGE 6 SEPT/OCT/NOV 2025 Angela Marie Franco Title: Caterpillars on Bikes Angela Marie Franco’s career spans over 45 years as an accomplished graphic designer, copywriter and marketer, specializing in corporate communications and branding. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and earned two degrees- magna cum laude - in Graphic Design and Marketing Communications. Her multi-media art is ominous yet whimsical and influenced by her love of works by 1920s German Expressionists, M.C. Escher, Vincent Van Gogh, Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles Rennie MackIntosh. After writing a table manners program for kids with special needs, she expanded her program to teach kids about healthy food choices with hands-on food art and etiquette programs. She now helps adults with intellectual disabilities to become self-sufficient by planning and making healthy meals. Angela wrote and published an instructional book for all ages entitled “The Table Manners Coach” (on amazon.com). Ms. Franco is also a member of the Hunterdon Watercolor Society and the Phillip’s Mill Community Association. Cell (917) 658-7223, email angelamariefranco@gmail.com, Instagram: AMF Design Nation Facebook: Angela Marie Franco 8 Mission In Motion: Natasha Adiga, Knit Crochet 10 Medical Minutes: Performance Ortho 12 Commends: Somerset Valley Players 14-15 BACK-TO-SCHOOL 14 Teen Voice: Constantin Bellmann 16-23 AUTUMN’S ALLURE Shopping, Beauty, & Dining 16 Creative Corner: Carolyn Hanson 17 Commends: Masa Sushi - Branchburg 18 Slice of Life: Ellyn Mantell 20 Family Adventures: Joanne Kleinle 23 Community News: Jewish Family Service 24-26 SENIOR LIVING 24 Commends: All American Assisted Living - Hillsborough 25 Senior Health: ComForCare Home Care 27 Financial Forum: Shapiro CPAs 28-35 HOME & DESIGN 28 Hints for the Home: Fair Street Interiors 32 Real Estate Corner: Johanna Wiseman - RE/MAX 34 Home Improvement: Buy-Rite Overhead Doors 36-45 HEALTH & WELLNESS 36 Health Hotline: Community in Crisis 38 Health Hotline: NMR 39 Relaxation Report: The Now Massage 40 The Art of Living: Barry Farber, Diamond Minds 41 Mind The Mind: Dr. Michael Osit 42 Food For Thought: Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD 43 Senior Corner: Ellyn Mantell 44 Fall In Love With Life: Serafina Perrotto 45 Community Champions: Raritan Valley Habitat For Humanity 46-47 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 48 Community News: Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County THE CONNECTION MAGAZINE'S TEAM PUBLISHED BY Donna Reina, Georgeann Agaisse, Heather Silver, Patty Herman, Alicia Singman, Jeanette Vogel, Pramisa Tamsina 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 Professional Que Standers Fake ad in the June issue is Jennifer Warren of Bridgewater. Jennifer won a gift card to the Bread Cafe Bakery in Green Brook. Next Issue November! Advertising deadline October 24, 2025 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 of the September 2025 issue of The Connection Magazine. As the golden days of summer wind down, we welcome the crisp air and cozy charm of fall. The season brings a refreshing shift…changing leaves, layered sweaters, apple-picking adventures, and pumpkin-flavored everything that fills us with warmth and nostalgia. At The Connection Magazine, we’re embracing the beauty of autumn and all it has to o er. From decorating your home to refreshing your wellness routine, finding thoughtful seasonal gifts, or discovering hidden gems in our community, this issue is your go-to guide for fall inspiration. Be sure to check out our Autumn’s Allure section, filled with seasonal tips, local resources, and services to help you make the most of this time of year. Our Back-to-School section is also here to support students and families as they dive into another successful new school year. As we ease into the season of giving, we also invite you to explore the many nonprofit organizations featured throughout this issue. Fall is a wonderful time to get involved and lend a helping hand, making a di erence close to home and connecting with your local community. Imagine not being able to explain your symptoms to a doctor or read a note from your child’s school? Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County is making a life-long impact on non-English speakers by promoting literacy throughout the community. This non-profit organization provides personalized, goal-focused instruction to adults who struggle to read, write and communicate in English. One need not be a teacher to tutor in this program; volunteers are trained in a 4-week program. Please consider joining the Literacy Volunteers and make a di erence in someone’s life. See the Community News column titled, “Literacy Lasts a Lifetime” for more information. Are you in full “fall-swing” yet? Cooler days, longer nights, sweater weather, and Halloween! Joanne Kleinle shares a fun, festive, and autumnal event in our Family Adventures column. Each year Wagner Farms in Warren celebrates the season with Brite Nites. And it’s also a fundraiser! Show your support and have a magical night out with your little ones, older ones and the whole family, because there is something for everyone to enjoy! The cover art is a wonderful, whimsical painting by Angela Marie Franco. It is a mixed media piece using both acrylic paint and photo images. Appropriately titled, Caterpillars on Bikes makes me wonder where the rainbow-hued, future butterflies are riding to! Angela says of her art, “Everyday of your life is special. If you can view my art and it makes you giggle, I have accomplished my goal to make that moment happy for both of us.” As always, when you visit a business you discovered through The Connection, let them know you saw them here and #TellThemWeSentYou! Wishing you a joyful and inspiring autumn-filled with color, comfort, and community. Warmly, Anna Petro Publisher, The Connection Magazine A Note From Our Publisher... CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Natasha Adiga, Constantin Bellman, Gail Bicknell, Natalia Black, Sabrina & Nick Concilio, Barry Farber, Carolyn Hanson, Joanne Kleinle, Lori Kolodin, Ellyn Mantell, Dr. Joseph Mejia, Naomi Noto, Dr. Michael Osit, Serafina Perrotto, Dr. Vincent Sferra, Robert Shapiro, Johanna Wiseman
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