The Connections Warren-Watchung Edition Feb 2020

PAGE 6 THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION FEB/MARCH 2020 PUBLISHER Robin Fand 908-903-1799 • Fax 732-667-8488 • Connectionsnj@gmail.com OFFICE MANAGER Anna Petro PRODUCTION COORDINATORS Donna Reina, Jody Varvaro DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING COORDINATOR Prachi Jain ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Patty Herman, Alicia Singman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rosie Battista, Carolyn Hanson, Joanne Kleinle, Rebecca Lu, MD, Ellyn Mantell, Katrino Musto, Dr. Michael Osit, Rachel Ricucci, Dan Rosenberg, Melvin S. Rosh, MD FAAP, Linda Seigelman, Andrea Silvershein, Jill Stolz, Jody Udelsman, Amy Wechsler, Esq., Debbie Vanderbeek Happy New Year to all our readers! We are excited to begin this new decade with our continued promise to being the best community resource for LOCAL shopping, dining, ac- tivities, healthcare and more. Our DIGITAL impressions are increasing while our PRINT magazines continue to inform and engage up- wards of 300K readers. The growing participation in our “Spot The Fake” ad contest, both through our website and via email, attests to our magazines’ popu- larity! PRINT and DIGITAL are two sides of the same media coin. Throughout the last year, our print magazines con- tinued to engage our readers and helped in content re- tention. Digitally, our magazines saw viewer responsiveness reach a new high, especially with our offering of LOCAL coupons by our advertisers and recipes sent in by readers like you! If you are looking to take local trips in and around NJ look up our Family Adventures and Big Apple Bites columns for ideas. Plan ahead for summer camps and activities by viewing our Kid’z Connection Sec- tion as well as our other dedicated sections designed to make the magazines more focused and easier to read! ON THE COVER: Our local cover artist this issue was very special to us. Ralph Garafola’s beautiful paintings have adorned many ‘Connection’ covers over the years. He passed away last spring and we wanted to honor his talent one more time. Ralph used to invite me to his home to view his collection, which showed like being in a gallery. He even gave me a few painting lessons, helping the beginner painter that I am. This oil on can- vas cover piece is entitled “The Lobsterman.” Ralph loved to sail, be at the beach and spend time in Florida. I imagine he enjoyed observing the fishermen and peo- ple who spent their time by the water as well. We will miss Ralph and thank his wonderful wife Carolann for giving us permission to use this marvelous image on our cover. Please read his impressive bio and life remem- brance on page 8. The Connection Magazines provide our READERS with a number of helpful and fun ONLINE selections! THE CONNECTIONS’ RECIPE BOOK: Impress your friends and family with your cooking prowess. Print out easy to use, tried and tested RECIPES! Theconnectionsnj.com/category/recipes/ COUPONS ON THE GO!: Check out our DEALS & STEALS page. Have LOCAL coupons handy exactly when you need them. Theconnectionsnj.com/deals-steals/ THE CONNECTory: Visit our ON-LINE Business Di- rectory for all your local needs. Theconnectionsnj.com/connectory/ SPOT THE FAKE CONTEST: Join our die-hard fans and “play” to win a prize from a local business. Theconnectionsnj.com/spot-the-fake/ SAVE THE DATE: Check out our ON-LINE Calendar with DAILY additions of upcoming events and LOCAL business promotions! Theconnectionsnj.com/my-calendar/ THE CONNECTIONS’ BLOG: Find articles on Health & Wellness, Senior Living, Cutting-Edge Medical Tech- nology, Family, Law, and Travel and more including ex- clusive articles ONLINE ONLY. We are pleased to feature Andy’s article about the ‘Bad Influences’ plaguing our kids today and some practical tips to help them stay away from them. http://www.howtobeadad.com/2017/34629/ symptoms-of-bad-influence-itis? SPOT THE FAKE WINNER: Congratulations to Laura Merizio of Watchung , winner of the November 2019 Warren-Watchung contest! STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY THIS WINTER WITH THE CONNECTION MAGAZINES AND REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL!! Sincerely, Robin Fand, Publisher TABLE OF CONTENTS The Warren-Watchung Connection has a circulation of over 28,000, mailed to residents in Warren, Watchung, Martinsville, Stirling, Gillette, Millington, Green Brook, Basking Ridge, Berkeley Heights, New Providence with bonus circulation to businesses in the mailing area. PUBLISHED BY RBF Consulting LLC • P.O. Box 4081 • Warren, NJ 07059 theconnectionsnj.com THE CONNECTION Warren-Watchung Edition SPOT THE FAKE! Somewhere in this Magazine is a FAKE AD. Spot it and send your answer, name, city and phone number to: Spotthefake@theconnectionsnj.com Subject Line: FAKE or play online at theconnectionsnj.com More than 300 people took part in our Spot The Fake Ad Contest in the November issue. Congratulations to everyone who “spotted” Door Knockers! The winner, selected randomly from a list of all those who entered and provided the correct answer, is Laura Merizio of Watchung. The winner received a gift certificate from Honor Yoga . Ralph Garafola .........................................Page 8 All Children’s Theater ............................Page 14 HudsonWay Immersion School .............Page 15 Bedminster ON-SITE Drapery ................Page 20 Cruise Planners ......................................Page 28 101 Mobility ...........................................Page 30 Lauren Roth-Weichert Realtors .............Page 33 The Rubino OB/GYN Group ..................Page 54 Profiles by Sanford ................................Page 58 Slice of Life Column ..................................Page 10 The Family Lawyer Column .....................Page 12 KID’Z CONNECTION .........................Pages 14-17 Family Adventures Column ......................Page 16 Best Business Tips .....................................Page 18 HOME & DESIGN SECTION ..............Pages 20-27 SPOTLIGHT ON BERKELEY HEIGHTS ...Pages 28-29 SPOTLIGHT ON “SENIORS” SECTION ..Pages 30-33 Senior Corner Column ..............................Page 32 Creative Corner Column ...........................Page 34 DINING OUT SECTION ......................Pages 40-45 GrapesintheGlass ......................................Page 41 A Pinch of Local Flavor .............................Page 42 “Random” Connections Column ..............Page 44 Big Apple Bites Column ............................Page 45 HEALTH & WELLNESS SECTION ......Pages 46-62 Health Hotline - Miracle Ear ....................Page 52 Health Hotline - Warren Oral Surgery ....Page 56 Sleeping Naked After 40 ..........................Page 60 Mind The Mind Column ...........................Page 62 Ask Dr. Mel ................................................Page 64 COMMUNITY CALENDAR ................Pages 66-67 theconnectionsnj.com