Author: Michelle Dryden

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Local News

Trenton Junior Chefs focus on healthy food choices

Yazhawn Barlow is the lead chef at recent events in the Trenton Junior Chefs program.
– Provided photo
TRENTON, N.J. — “Let’s go with hummus for the vegetable dip,” says the 19-year-old chef, Yazhawn Barlow recently at a cooking event.

As a participant in the Trenton Junior Chefs (TJC) program, Barlow knows the health differences between a choice of a ranch dip and the all-vegetable chickpeas dip – hummus.

“I am truly amazed and impressed by the knowledge and skills of the youth in the Trenton Junior Chef program,” says Marie Thelusma-Chase, executive director of Shiloh Community Development Corporation.

The TJC program was started in 2015 as a summer pilot program and was a direct response to the youth-related violence in the City of Trenton at that time. It has now evolved, and is funded and supported by the Trenton Health Team (THT) via their Faith in Prevention program and Shiloh Baptist Church members.

This summer, the chefs who are nationally certified as ServSafe food handlers, demonstrated their culinary skills in the community. They catered events such as the Black Issues Convention at Thomas Edison State University, a dinner for the Latin-American Legal Defense Fund, and a barbecue at Princeton Farminary.

“The TJC program is an outstanding career pathway for local youth interested in the hospitality industry that encompasses management, financials, IT, and culinary arts,” states Michael Taylor, VP of Operations at Thompson Hospitality-Johnson & Johnson Account.

For example, Barlow, a culinary arts student at Daylight Twilight program, is the lead junior chef for the Black Issues Convention reception Friday, Sept, 29. He is a product of an exemplary program run by the Trenton School District, where he obtained his ServSafe certification.

“It is truly exciting to see our children acquire these skills that are the fulfillment of the mission of the Trenton School District, which is to ensure our students are prepared to be successful in their choice of career or college. The knowledge, skills and experience acquired by our students in Trenton Junior Chef program prepares them to live productive and successful lives. As Frederick Douglass said, ‘It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men,’” says Trenton Board of Education President, Gene Bouie.

Trenton Junior Chefs and staff seen here. From left to right: (back row) New Jersey Black Issues Convention State Chair Reva Foster, Yazhawn Barlow, Musa Kamara, Bryanna Jackson, Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, Shiloh CDC Executive Director Marie Thelusma-Chase, (front row) Shakira Cáceres
-Provided photo

TJC’s goals are to:
• Ensure that at-risk youth gain valuable skills that will prepare them for their careers and entrepreneurship;
• Empower community members to aim for healthy food choices through local farmers’ markets;
• improve the quality of life for youth that are at risk of conflict with the law;
• and improve participants’ math and literacy skills

This fall, the TJCs will be very busy catering events and shadowing master chefs at local corporate sites. They plan to cater at Isles Fall Fest on October 21. Furthermore, they will start the Faith in Prevention training – a program operated by THT and funded by the New Jersey Department of Health. It encourages healthy lifestyle choices and will ultimately reduce the burden of chronic diseases among communities of faith.

The program uses revenue from events to pay the youth’s stipends and to invest into the program.

It encourages the young chefs to use their knowledge for houses of worship and also as a tool to train their peers about how foods such as hummus have a significant role in developing minds and bodies.

Barlow said that five years from now he plans to come back to the program to show “the younger junior chefs what [he has] learned by showing all the different things that can be done with food…”

He said he learned food is an art form and that healthy foods, which have less salts and sugars, can also taste great.

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Art & Life

Trenton’s Puerto Rican Day Parade returns for National Hispanic Heritage Month

TRENTON, N.J. — Recently, the City of Trenton recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month, which occurs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with the return of the Puerto Rican Day Parade along South Broad and Front streets, and in Mill Hill Park, Trenton.

According to attendees, the parade has been absent from the city for at least four years due to budgetary problems and seemingly lack of participation. However, this year, the turnout was huge and there were vendors, music, food, contests, and plenty of enthusiasm.

George Jones, a resident of Mill Hill District, said the parade had ceased for a few years, “due to the weather and participation. We couldn’t get enough sponsors,” he said.

He added that the heritage is very important, and so it is a good idea to bring it back because Trenton has lost its heritage. He also mentioned that there used to be other parades such as the African and Jamaican parades, and that the kids need to see that we can all come together.

An attendee, Susana Rios, said it has been about four or five years ago since she has been to a Puerto Rican Day Parade in Trenton. She said she was enjoying the music, the vendors and the parade.

Others, such as Erin Lind, said she was also enjoying the return of the parade and was looking forward to the food.

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Local News

Hamilton’s public high schools now compete for George O’Gorman Trophy

HAMILTON, N.J. – Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede has started a new athletic tradition among Hamilton’s three public high schools, where they will compete against each other annually to earn the new, distinguished George O’Gorman Trophy.

View of one of Hamilton’s public high schools, Steinert. Steinert H.S. is the winner of the first annual George O’Gorman Trophy.

George O’Gorman is a name synonymous with Hamilton high schools’ sports. As a newspaper sports writer for The Times of Trenton, The Trentonian, the Monitor, and Burlington County Times, he has covered nearly every Hamilton high school athlete and team for about half a century.

Therefore, it is appropriate to dedicate a trophy for excellent Hamilton high school athletic champions to a man who has such a sports legacy with the township and who is also a resident.

“I can’t think of no more deserving individual to receive this particular recognition than George O’Gorman,” explains Mayor Yaede.

“During the past 50 years, he has covered the games, matches and competitions that Hamilton high school athletes and their families will remember throughout their lifetimes. Thanks to his dedication and passion to high school sports, a half of century of amazing memories were recounted in ways in which generations of Hamiltonians will always cherish,” said Mayor Yaede.

During his sports reporting career, O’Gorman covered the gambit of high school sports, including every State track and field championships since 1976. He also covered the Cosmos professional soccer team for 12 years, and the New York Giants (NFL) from 1978-2015.

In addition to his reporting, O’Gorman was a former soccer coach for St. Anthony High School. He also started the Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame. He was a past honoree and recipient of the Trenton Select Man of the Year Award. He was former president of Chambersburg Little League, and recently was a member of Hamilton Township Public Library’s Board of Trustees.

“When you’ve spent over 45 years in a job that never felt like work, you are a very lucky guy. I’ve been that lucky guy,” said O’Gorman.

“Reporting on high school athletics at Hamilton, Steinert and Nottingham has allowed me to compile so many great memories of friendships with coaches, student athletes and administrators who have remained close friends. It’s why five decades covering sports in Hamilton’s three public high schools has been a love – because of all the coaches and athletes who made it happen,” he said.

So, this new competition that Mayor Yaede has started among the public high schools is significant to the schools, to the athletes, and to carry on O’Gorman’s legacy.

The three public high schools track both boys and girls’ sports over the school year, and award the high school athletic program with the most victories in games and matches against their counterparts the George O’Gorman Trophy for that school year.

This year, Steinert High School has achieved the most victories in head-to-head sports competitions against the other two high schools.

Therefore, on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., Steinert High School will accept the first ever O’Gorman Trophy on their home field at halftime during a football game called Friday Night ‘under the lights’ with Notttingham High School.

“Competitions like this are a constructive way to promote the virtues of hard-work, dedication, commitment, and teamwork in our high schools athletes,” says Councilwoman Dina Thornton, who is a former member of the Hamilton Township School Board.

“Through his distinguished career in covering our young adults as they competed through high school athletics, George O’Gorman truly earned the honor of having this competition’s trophy bear his name,” she said.

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Local News

Major movie plans to shoot exclusively in Trenton

TRENTON, N.J. — A new political thriller titled, Enhanced Interrogation, which addresses the current issues of terrorism and torture in America, has plans to be shot in the City of Trenton.

Provided poster for movie, “Enhanced Interrogation” to be shot in Trenton

The film’s producers and screenwriters are Trenton’s own, Daryl Brooks, along with Stephen Martino of Bloch Wall Productions.

These men collaborated with veteran Director Terry R. Wickham of Manta Ray Pictures to create a movie that raises questions of moral and ethical dilemma.

Wickham states that, “Daryl Brooks and Stephen Martino have constructed a controversial story that is incredibly topical in our modern-day society, and asks the potent question of ‘what if’ our country was put in a pressure-cooker situation of the moral dilemma this story raises?”

Even though the movie provokes debate, Brooks decided to make the film in Trenton because he wants to do something positive for the city by bringing excitement and business opportunities here.

In front, Daryl Brooks, and film cast of movie, “Enhanced Interrogation.”
– Provided photo

In addition to asking for support from Trenton’s local businesses, Brooks said, “I wanted to wake people up and to make them think about terrorism and torture in America.”

Enhanced Interrogation is about a foreign-born terrorist who now finds herself legally on American soil, preparing to bring terror and death from her native country to the states. The FBI uncovered her plot for another 9-11 type terrorist attack, but still does not know how, where, or by whom the attack will take place. When standard interrogation methods fail, the decision is left to the president of the United States whether to utilize Abu Ghraib-type torture techniques to obtain the information.

So, the movie explores much of the history of modern-day radical Islamic terrorism, states Martino.

“Tempers flare as the audience watches the terrorist plot unfold on the big screen. Will they torture her or not? That is the question,” he writes.

Brooks said they hope the movie will be thought provoking.
The film is also proud to feature actors who are from Trenton such as Lance Lopez Sr., Dewane Parker, Nacone Martin, Carter Patterson, and Raina Williamson.

“In the end, we’re very pleased that really talented actors in the city embraced the script and signed up for the film,” states Martino.

Dewane Parker, said given his background as an experienced actor, author, and FBI agent, he was curious about the script and cannot wait to start filming.

The producers plan to release Enhanced Interrogation domestically and internationally in December. They also plan to enter it in most major film festivals across the country and the globe.

At this time, they are seeking monetary support via indiegogo.com and gofundme.com

Categories
Entertainment News

Local actor guest stars on season opener of NBC’s ‘Chicago PD’

HIGHTSTOWN, N.J. — Since 2008 when area resident, Patrick Byas, had his first speaking role on NBC’s Law and Order SVU – Wildlife episode, he has been optimistic about his career as an actor on television’s leading networks such as ABC, CBS, and NBC.

Patrick Byas appears on television leading networks as an actor in crime shows where he plays different roles.
– Provided photo

Byas had been interested in acting since a decade earlier when an actor from the movie, Terminator 2 T-1000, came to his junior high school in 1998 and spoke to his class about his career as an actor.

“From there, it inspired me to become an actor myself,” said Byas. “I understood that it was going to be challenging…but I felt it was going to be a challenge that I can obtain.”

So, Byas has overcame challenges such as learning how to memorize his lines and addressing weight issues, and now he act as Marcus Kelly on the season opener of Chicago PD on NBC, which airs Sept. 27.

While Byas is proud of his many accomplishments of acting in shows on other networks, he is even happier about his role on Chicago PD — that he is guest starring and that he is in some scenes with all the leads.

He is a veteran actor in crime shows, where he would film primarily in New York City, but Chicago PD show has taken him to the Windy City that he describes as “the beautiful and unique city.’’

Chicago PD is from Emmy-Winning producer Dick Wolf. In the show, “District 21 of the Chicago Police Department is composed of the uniformed cops, who deal with street crimes; the Intelligence Unit, which deals with major crimes like drug trafficking and high profile murders,” states the show’s website. Then, there is the tough boss, Sgt. Hank Voight, who is flexible with the rules in order to pursue justice. The story is about how the work on the force and the personal lives of the officers take a toll on their lifestyles and how they struggle to balance the two as they try to do their best in obtaining justice in their city.

Byas said that one of the most exciting thing about filming Chicago PD, was that he got to work with the very accomplished actor, Eriq La Salle, who is known for roles in movies such as ER and Coming to America.

“He’s the first big-time actor who has directed me on a well-known TV show,” said Byas.
Byas guest stars on Chicago PD as a gang lord.

According to him, this role is nothing too new to him because he grew up in the South Bronx where he would see this type of lifestyle up close.

He said he was exposed to harsh lifestyles of those who were trying to make ends meet. This included seeing how gangs interact on a daily basis.

However, he has used his negative experiences to his advantage where he has gained this promising role on Chicago PD, and also shows on other networks.

Along the way, Byas has also met the actor, Wendell Pierce, who he described as “definitely one cool dude.”

He said, “I respect his work as an actor, and it was definitely a great experience to meet him.”

Byas said the other TV networks that he appeared on includes ABC’s Time After Time, Spike Lee’s film, Touched With Fire; CBS’ Blue Blood; NBC’s Person of Interest; Showtime’s, Billions, Cartoon Network’s sitcom, The Jack and Triumph Show, and he also said that he has other films that will release soon.

Byas also said he has made friends with another actor, LaRoyce Hawkins, and discovered they are both young actors, around 30, with similar backgrounds, similar goals and interests.

He is enjoying the business and respecting other actors. In reference to Hawkins, he said, “To see him be under 30 years old and have one of the leads on the show made me appreciate him, his hustle and respect his grind.”

Byas also promised, “There’s no way that I will quit my dreams even though some days might be better than others, but I have a goal that I must reach and I have a lot of people depending on me and believing in me.”

The actor said his character Marcus Kelly, on Chicago PD has a little bit of attitude, and does not really get along with the cops. He said he is not sure if justice is really on his side, especially because of the corrupt system.

Byas moved to Hightstown in 2000, and graduated from Hightstown High School in 2004. Then, he went to Rutgers University where he studied theater. One of his goals as an actor is to have his own television show.

Categories
Local News

Loose balloons — hazard to power lines

TRENTON, N.J. — Early Saturday afternoon, the Mill Hill District section of downtown Trenton experienced more than an hour of power outage that inconvenienced residents and businesses in the area.

PSE&G electricians arrive at Market Street between South Broad and Jackson streets Saturday to remove balloons from the power lines after they caused a power outage in the Mill Hill District area of downtown Trenton.
– Photo by Michelle Dryden

Shortly after Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) electricians arrived on the scene, they discovered that the cause of the outage were the party balloons made of aluminum-like materials that were hanging on the wires along Market Street between South Broad and Jackson streets.

A PSE&G workman explained that the materials the balloons are made of, ignited with the electricity in the power wires and caused the loud explosion that the folks in the neighborhood heard at the moment of the power outage.

One resident commented that she now realizes how much she is attached to her television and computer because she really wanted the power back on so she can get back to them.

The electricians quickly restored electric service to the neighborhood after removing the balloons from the power lines and then turning back on the power fuse.

Categories
Education

Fraternity presents annual scholarships

TRENTON, N.J. — The Delta Upsilon chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity recently held their Annual Scholarship Recognition Program at Mercer County Community College, (MCCC), in Trenton.

Eleven students along with their parents, and fraternity brothers, attend the annual scholarship award ceremony at Mercer County Community College in Trenton.
– Provided photo

The fraternity usually recognizes between eight to 10 students annually. This year, they awarded scholarships to 11 recipients.

The students were a majority of high school seniors entering college and a few students from MCCC.

“We have been awarding scholarships over 50 years,” states Jeff Sumners, scholarship/education chairman.

He added that the criteria for students obtaining scholarships include a combination of academic honors, extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, and recommendation from their guidance counselors.

The students attend Greater Mercer County public, parochial and private schools.

Delta Upsilon chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity started awarding these scholarships in an effort to support economically challenged children who are interested in pursuing higher education.

According to Sumners, students who earn scholarships usually receive amounts between $500-$1000. They are required to use the funds for books and study materials at college.

The students who received scholarships this year were:
• Khaatim Muhammad from MCCC
• Janet Jackson from MCCC
• Mark Bethea from Hamilton High School West
• Desiree McRay Clark from Ewing High School
• Terrance Stokes II from Ewing High School
• Mehki Harris from Trenton Central High School
• Semaj Willis from Trenton Central High School
• Lynelle Little from Trenton Central High School
• Jonathan Konah from Trenton Central High School
• Chase Lewis from Princeton Day School
• Christopher Sumners from Hun School

Some of these students attended the Delta Upsilon Chapter recognition program with their parents for support.

The Delta Upsilon Scholarship/Education Committee monitors, selects, and awards funds to the deserving youth through their various chapter scholarship initiatives.

Every year, the scholarship chairperson screens the scholarship applicants and awards those the chapter considers worthy candidates at their recognition programs.

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Local News

Summer camp kids get new bikes

HAMILTON, N.J. – Earlier this month, Brenda Cusack, grandmother of two children at the CYO Summer Camp at the Hamilton Bromley Neighborhood Civic Center was patiently waiting to know why she was asked to be there at Bromley Center.

Kids at the CYO Bromley summer camp in Hamilton recently got new bicycles as a surprise. They try out their new bikes as parents, staff, business owners and Mayor stand in the background.
– Photo by Michelle Dryden

“I am here to support my grandkids. They told me to come and my daughter checked to see if I am here, and I am. I come to find out what’s going on. That’s the way it should be. They said come, so I am here,” said Cusack.

Parents and children were in for a big surprise.

More than 50 children and their parents at the CYO Summer Camp at the Bromley Center got a big surprise when camp staff unveiled a nearly $7k effort of 55 brand new bikes with bells and helmets that were sitting under tents outside for each kid.

Several local businesses in the Hamilton area such as Shop Hamilton, Shine and Inspire, Doctors Express, Mixbin Electronics LLC, and others made the purchase and donation of the bikes possible.

CEO and Founder or Mixbin, Cory Zeitzer, said his company that is located across the street in the Studio Park buildings, raised the funds to purchase half of the bikes.

“We decided to donate half the bikes for this event for all the kids to enjoy themselves for the summer, and we hope to continue doing donations to the Bromley Center for the rest of the year and for many years to come,” said Zeitzer.

The idea for the bikes came about when the executive director of the non-profit organization, Shine and Inspire, Inc., Carol Feldman, said she bought two bikes for kids at a summer party last year and then decided she wanted to buy all the kids bikes.

“Shine and Inspire is based on the premise of ‘paying it forward,’” explains Feldman. “And that is exactly what this effort was all about.”

Feldman thought the idea of the bicycles was a great idea because many of the children do not own one.

She brought her idea to Shop Hamilton and other local businesses that made that mission possible where they were able to purchase the 55 bicycles from a Hamilton-based, local business — Economy Bicycle & Skateboard Shop.

“Time and time again, the members of Shop Hamilton have given back to our community in so many ways. This charitable project, thanks to the idea of Carol Feldman and support from our members, shows exactly what Shop Hamilton is all about,” states Joyce Cantalice, Chairperson of Shop Hamilton.

Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede was present for the children and their parents’ bikes donation surprise.

She said, “This effort illustrates the very best of our community. The generosity of our local businesses and the compassion of our local non-profit organizations never cease to amaze me. Thanks to their combined efforts, today was a very special day for our Bromley summer campers.”

CYO of Mercer County Executive Director, Thomas Mladenetz, also praised the efforts of those involved with the Bromley Center and the bikes surprise.

“We are grateful to the continued support we receive from Mayor Yaede and the Township Council; and we cannot thank Shop Hamilton, Shine and Inspire, and Doctors Express enough for their generosity,” said Mladenetz.

Categories
Local News

Horizon Foundation supports Millhill Corporation with $11k grant

TRENTON, N.J. — The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey recently awarded Millhill Child & Family Development Corporation $11,000 in grant to support its Health Literacy Program.

Left to right: Cynthia H. Oberkofler, Millhill Executive Director, Jeanine Lewars, Horizon BCBSNJ Community Engagement Specialist, Filomena Machleder, Horizon Foundation Program Officer and Tamara Noizy. Millhill Director of Family Support Services during a site visit to Millhill Child & Family Development Corporation.
– Provided photo

The grant will help to provide health education, access to developmental and behavioral health care screenings, as well as public health interventions.

“Millhill is excited to continue our partnership with The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey to bring health and wellness education to our children and families,” explains Nicole Cowan, Millhill’s health literacy coordinator. “We especially look forward to collaborating again this year for our fourth annual health fair in September to provide health information to the Trenton community.”

In addition to providing youth, families and caregivers with health literacy training and tools necessary to leading healthy lives, Millhill also aims to eliminate barriers to education and care.

According to Karen Schoenitz, director of development, barriers to health were identified in a Trenton Health Team Community Needs Assessment in 2013 with an update and addendum in 2016.

“We also witness firsthand the health disparities and challenges our clients experience both accessing health care and they also have a general lack of understanding an education around basic health literacy,” states Schoenitz.

Thus, with the support of its partners, Millhill has expanded its health literacy initiative across core programs including early education, family support and counseling services.

Millhill services and topics include proper medicine use, communicating with your doctor, coping with stress, mental illness, addiction, oral health, technology, community resources and nutrition, among others.

With the support of the Horizon Foundation for NJ, Millhill’s Fourth Annual Health Fair will take place Sept. 29 at 101 Oakland St., Trenton, where they are expecting about 200 children and families.

“The Health Fair is the highlight of our year round health literacy initiatives,” states Schoenitz.

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has been supporting Millhill and its Health Literacy Program since 2014, she said.

She explained that Millhill also benefited last year from capacity building assistance from the foundation’s pervious partnership with The Support Center.

And, NJ Horizon Health volunteers are also assisting in Camp RISE this year, which is Millhill’s summer camp.

The Horizon Foundation for NJ is committed to working with those who can help them to improve health care in the community. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ is the sole member of The Horizon Foundation for NJ. Both are independent licensees of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit www.community.horizonblue.com.

Millhill Child & Family Development Coporation is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping families in the Greater Trenton area. For more information about their programs, visit www.millhillcenter.org or call (609)989-7333.

Categories
Local News

Thousands celebrate Independence Day in Veterans’ Park, Hamilton

HAMILTON, N.J. — Approximately 30 thousand people gathered in Veterans’ Park in Hamilton Monday for the annual Mayor Kelly Yaede July 4th, Independence Day Concert.

The featured music band was The Heartbeats, who kept the crowd dancing for more than three hours. The Mayor and council members welcomed and thanked everyone for attending, and then later got on the dance floor.

The music continued after the speeches and the night ended with dazzling, spectacular fireworks.