If there's one universal truth, it's that all of our bodies begin changing at some point. That's especially true for women who are over the age of 50. One day it seems like we're rolling out of bed with a pep in our step. The next, our emotions are out of control, our weight won't go down, and we constantly have hot flashes. If that sounds like you, don't worry â millions of other women worldwide are going through the same difficulties.
The fact of the matter is these symptoms are part of a natural process women go through. This change, called menopause, marks the end of a woman's ability to reproduce and menstruate. The average age for this to occur is 51, though it officially begins a year after a woman's final period. During this transition to menopause, estrogen and other hormones in a woman's body start to deplete When those hormones deplete, frequent and sometimes severe symptoms can manifest:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be scary for both women and their partners. That makes dealing with a hormone deficiency tricky because many symptoms are tied to nutrition, stress, lack of exercise, and toxins in your body.
However, if you're getting older and dealing with some of the symptoms listed above, have hope. A solution to your hormone problems may be closer than you think. Hormone replacement therapy for women may help correct imbalances caused by menopause. These effective, safe treatments help many women throughout the menopause process and may even help them reclaim their youth.
To live a healthy life, hormone stability is very important for women. That's where the beauty of HRT treatments for women begins to shine because it balances hormones that would otherwise be altered due to menopause.
HRT treatments for women represent a revolutionary step toward living life without the pitfalls of old age. However, at Juventee, we understand that no two women, and by proxy, patients, are the same. That's why our team of doctors and specialists provide personalized treatment options for women, combining holistic treatment, nutrition, fitness plans, and more to supplement our HRT treatments.
Is HRT the answer if you feel exhausted, overweight, and moody? That's the million-dollar question that we're asked almost every day. And to be honest, it's hard to say without a comprehensive exam by an HRT expert at Juventee. What we can say is that when a woman's hormones are better balanced during menopause, she has a much better chance of enjoying life without the crippling symptoms that other women feel.
At Juventee, helping women reclaim their vitality and love of life is our top priority. While some HRT clinics see patients as nothing more than a means to make money, our team is cut from a different cloth.
The key to balancing your hormones and improving your well-being is a process that we have refined over time. The Juventee HRT process consists of a comprehensive review of your health and hormonal status. Our team then customizes your plan and prescribes treatments, procedures, and supplements under the guidance of our local HRT experts.
At Juventee, we want to revitalize your health by promoting balance, energy, intimacy, and beauty. We start by assessing your baseline biomarkers and implementing a personalized plan to help you feel like your younger self. Our in-depth process covers many factors, almost like a web. Each component of that web works in conjunction with others to make up how you feel. If one area is out of sync, women can experience unwanted fluctuations in their weight, energy, emotions, libido, and more. Juventee is committed to evaluating our patient's overall health so that we may bring vitality and happiness to as many aspects of their lives as possible.
We've mentioned all the greatness that can come with an HRT regimen from Juventee, but what exactly are the benefits of HRT for women? Let's take a look.
We Work With
Unlike some HRT clinics, Juventee's HRT programs are carefully crafted and personalized for each patient. There are no cookie-cutter solutions at our office. Instead, we assess each individual's needs and customize treatments to help their bodies as they age. We replace hormones that are deficient and restore them to their physiological state using HRT pellets.
These hormone pellets are prescription hormones inserted under the skin through a simple in-office procedure. Each pellet is about as large as a big grain of rice. Once inserted, our HRT pellets get to work quickly. With this treatment, patients don't have to worry about applying greasy creams or swallowing pills. Instead, our pellets are metabolized by the body. That way, patients don't stress over taking too much or too little.
Remember, at Juventee, our goal isn't just to balance your hormones â it's to completely optimize your health and well-being. You won't ever have to worry about our doctors writing you a prescription and sending you on your way without any additional communication. Instead, we aim to be part of our patient's journey back to health and work with all of our HRT patients to do so.
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with hormone replacement therapy, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen levels, HRT may relieve symptoms of menopause and even optimize bone health.
But that's just the start. At Juventee, our patients report many benefits of taking HRT for women:
If you're ready to feel better and enjoy the vitality of your youth, Juventee is here to help you every step of the way. It all starts with an in-person evaluation, where our team will determine if HRT is right for you.
For many women, menopause is a difficult time filled with ups, downs, and hormonal hurdles to overcome. While menopausal issues are well-known by some, other women only know that menopause can affect their hormones. The reality is that going through menopause can mean more than moodiness and hot flashes.
At Juventee, we're big believers that a little knowledge can go a long way. With that in mind, if you're going through menopause or are approaching "that" age, consider these common issues. First, let's examine some alternative causes of menopause beyond age:
The most common reason for menopause is diminished, unbalanced hormones. However, menopause can also result from:
Now that we've examined some of the ways that menopause manifests, let's look at some common problems that females regularly endure:
If you're going through menopause and feel like life is a tiresome burden, you're not alone. Studies show that 15% of women go through depression to some degree during menopause. What many women don't learn is that depression may start much earlier, during perimenopause or even earlier.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, even without perimenopause and menopause as a factor. With that said, keep the following signs in mind. If you notice any, it might be time to speak with a physician:
If you notice any of the signs above, it's important that you understand that you're not weak or broken. You're going through a very normal emotional experience, which may be caused by hormone deficiency. However, with proper treatment from your doctor, depression doesn't have to rule your life.
You don't have to have hormonal imbalances to have mood swings. Indeed, everyone gets moody from time to time. For women going through menopause, however, mood swings can be extreme and happen often. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go together, resulting in unusual emotional changes and even issues like insomnia.
Estrogen production, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, affects serotonin production, which regulates mood. When both hormones are deficient, mood swings can become quite prevalent.
Fortunately, HRT treatments in Leonia, NJ, work wonders for women because they work to regulate hormones like estrogen. With HRT from Juventee, women don't have to settle for the negative consequences that drastic mood swings can cause.
Hot flashes: whether you're a man or a woman, you've probably heard of them. Hot flashes are very common issues associated with menopause and manifest as intense, sudden feelings of heat across the upper body. Some last a few seconds while others last many minutes, making them uncomfortable and inconvenient at all times. A few common symptoms of hot flashes include:
Usually, a lack of estrogen causes hot flashes in menopausal women. Low levels of estrogen negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, or the part of the brain that regulates appetite and body temperature. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to assume incorrectly that the body is too hot. When it does, it dilates a woman's blood vessels to boost blood flow.
Fortunately, most women don't have to settle for the intense, unwanted feelings they endure with hot flashes. HRT pellet treatment from Juventee helps to stabilize hormones which may lessen the effects that hot flashes cause.
Staying healthy and fit is a challenge for anybody living in modern America. For women with hormonal imbalances, however, it's even harder. Weight gain is a concerning issue during menopause, but it can be manageable with a physician-led diet, exercise, and HRT treatments from Juventee.
HRT patients at Juventee benefit from health plans that keep hormones in check, making weight loss a real possibility. But which hormones need to be regulated to help avoid weight gain?
Millions of adults around the U.S. suffer from low sex drive, but that doesn't make it any more embarrassing to talk about. For many women going through pre-menopause and menopause, it's an unfortunate side effect of unbalanced hormones. Thankfully, HRT may help women maintain a healthy libido, even after 50. But what causes lowered sexual desire in women as they age?
The hormones responsible for low libido in females are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, resulting in lowered libido in some women. Lower progesterone production can also cause weight gain, exhaustion, and other symptoms common during menopause. Reduced estrogen levels during menopause may lead to vaginal dryness and even loss of muscle tension.
Testosterone is referred to as a male hormone, but it contributes to important health functionality in women as well. Female testosterone heightens sexual responses and intensifies orgasms. When the ovaries can't produce sufficient levels of testosterone, low sex drive can happen.
The inside of a woman's bones is broken down and rebuilt by bone cells in an ongoing process called remodeling. This process is crucial for maintaining bone strength and health.
However, due to the loss of estrogen during menopause, this important process becomes unbalanced. Less bone is formed, and more bone is broken down. This advanced state of bone loss can be worrying for women, especially if they had an early menopause. With time, women may develop osteoporosis and a greater chance of breaking bones as they age.
Fortunately, HRT for women can actually mimic estrogen and progesterone, which may help prevent bone loss and lower chances of osteoporosis in women. That's huge news for women around the U.S., many of whom are battling early bone loss due to a lack calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients crucial to bone health.
If you are considering HRT treatments for women in Leonia, NJ, you need a team of hormone replacement experts by your side. At Juventee, our knowledgeable HRT doctors are ready to help. Our team will answer your initial questions, conduct necessary testing, and craft a customized program designed to alleviate the challenges you're facing as a woman going through menopause.
With a healthy diet, exercise, positive life choices, and hormone replacement therapy, unveiling the new "you" is easier than you might think. Contact our office today to get started on your journey to optimal health and well-being.
NEW!North Jersey Interscholastic ConferenceThe teams below were selected by coaches from the conference, not NJ.com. These teams are independent from NJ.com’s All-State and All-Group teams. Again, these teams are selected by coaches from the conference.ALL-AMERICAN DIVISION1st Team...
NEW!
The teams below were selected by coaches from the conference, not NJ.com. These teams are independent from NJ.com’s All-State and All-Group teams. Again, these teams are selected by coaches from the conference.
1st Team
Essam Assaf, Elmwood Park, Sr.
David Forzani, Elmwood Park, Sr.
Amare’A Devonish, Garfield, Jr.
Ashawn Johnson, Manchester Regional, So.
Adrian Mouzone, Paterson Charter, Sr.
Giovany Figueroa, Paterson Charter, So.
Dewayne Carter, Elmwood Park, Sr.
Ermal Kuci, Lodi, Sr.
Will Ndio, Lodi, Jr.
2nd Team
Cole Mouser, Saddle Brook, Jr.
Jessial Torres, Manchester Regional, Sr.
Ka’Juan Gee, Paterson Charter, Jr.
Ivan Corcino Mejia, Elmwood Park, Sr.
DeAngelo Hibbert, Paterson Charter, Jr.
Kermar DeGroat, Paterson Charter. Sr.
Josue Chicas, Lodi, Sr.
Alex Picinich, Elmwood Park, Sr.
Honorable Mention
Suhbi Kanaan, Manchester Regional, Sr.
Dragan Prentovski, Garfield, Sr.
Elian Tavarez, Elmwood Park, Jr.
Anthony Coiro, Saddle Brook, Sr.
Alvyn Devargas, Lodi, Sr.
Rodney Byrd, Paterson Charter, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Steve Herget, Elmwood Park
1st Team
Mason Mangione, Glen Rock, So.
Luke Famularo, Glen Rock, Sr.
Noah Hu, Glen Rock, Sr.
Ryan McFarlane, Hawthorne, Sr.
Joel Walker, Hawthorne Christian, Jr.
Lucas Genuario, Eastern Christian, Jr.
Jean Italien, Eastern Christian, Sr.
PJ Coffey, Butler, So.
2nd Team
Owen Neubart, Glen Rock, Sr.
Daniel Silver, Glen Rock, Sr.
Pablo Gonzalez, Hawthorne, So.
Dylan Cambian, Hawthorne, Jr.
N’dri Assale, Hawthorne Christian, Jr.
Carter Fowlkes, Eastern Christian, Jr.
Josh Emann, Butler, Sr.
Jack Babich, Pompton Lakes, So.
Honorable Mention
Julian Gonzalez, Hawthorne, Sr.
Brock Burres, Hawthorne Christian, Sr.
Jack McNear, Butler, Sr.
Max Moore, Glen Rock, Sr.
David Kim, Eastern Christian, Sr.
Mike Kurzynski, Pompton Lakes, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Jason Mittelman, Glen Rock
1st Team
Alan Garcia, Ridgefield, Sr.
Jason Marasciulo, Ridgefield, So.
D’Andre Perry, Leonia, Sr.
Makhi Williams, Leonia, Sr.
Jem Marchan, Leonia, Sr.
Daniel Kim, Palisades Park, Sr.
Vincent Arroyo , New Milford, Sr.
Lucas Cruz, Bogota, So.
2nd Team
Nick Pollotta, Ridgefield, Sr.
Aiden Schurr, Leonia, Sr.
Jaden Marchan, Leonia, Jr.
Jesse Gilmore, Leonia, Sr.
Chris Pollotta, Ridgefield, So.
Jean Paul Wiski, Bogota, Jr.
Luis Placido Fana, New Milford, So.
Jaiden Ortiz, New Milford, Jr.
Honorable Mention
Luke Lambert, Palisades Park, Sr.
Brian Cotes, Bogota, Sr.
Matthew Del Valle, Leonia, Sr.
Sebastian Botero, Ridgefield, Jr.
Martin Alpar, New Milford, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Mike Branagh, Leonia
1st Team
Damir Stone, St. Mary (Ruth.), Sr.
Luke Gaccione, St. Mary (Ruth.), Jr.
Julian Leveille, St. Mary (Ruth.), Jr.
Anthony Peterson, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.
Jack Baker, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.
Cole Thomas, Becton, Jr.
Adrian Rozon, Becton, So.
Ryan Lagrasta, Wood-Ridge, Sr.
Dariel Gil Polanco, Wallington, Jr.
2nd Team
LJ Falcon, St. Mary (Ruth.), Jr.
Victor Torres, St. Mary (Ruth.), Jr.
Evan Werner, Hasbrouck Heights, Jr.
Eric Barton, Wood-Ridge, Sr.
Owen Caprio, Wood-Ridge, Sr.
Jhamir Soto, Wallington, Sr.
Jasdeep Nagra, Becton, Jr.
Honorable Mention
Caleb Brown, St. Mary (Ruth.), So.
Ryan George, Wood-Ridge, Jr.
Shane Ike, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.
Greg Childers, Becton, Sr.
Filip Lyczko, Wallington, Jr.
Coach of the Year: Brian Gaccione, St. Mary (Ruth.)
1st Team
Edward Burgos, Harrison, Sr.
Anthony Pizzuti, Lyndhurst, Jr.
Matt Slaby, Lyndhurst, Jr.
Jack Spirito, Secaucus, Sr.
Tarik Bicic, Rutherford, Sr.
Jon Michael Santiago, Rutherford, Sr.
Keanu Ray, Weehawken, Sr.
Jack Gobel, Weehawken, Sr.
Jayden Ayala, Weehawken, So.
2nd Team
Tristen Cole, Weehawken, Sr.
Jason Gonzalez, Weehawken, Sr.
Matthew Chin, Rutherford, Sr.
Ahmet Djurkovic, Rutherford, Sr.
Reuben Stokes, Harrison, Jr.
John Underwood, Secaucus, Jr.
Ricky Pizzuti, Lyndhurst, Sr.
Jake Mayer, Lyndhurst, Jr.
Honorable Mention
Ethan Oeckel, Harrison, Sr.
CJ Baillie, Lyndhurst, Jr.
Kyle Villani, North Arlington, Sr.
Christopher Gioia, Rutherford, So.
Kyle Garcia, Secaucus, Sr.
Nehemiah Hernandez , Weehawken, Jr.
Coach of the Year: Jake McNish, Weehawken
1st Team
Ryan Woolbert, Waldwick, Sr.
Matt Post, Waldwick, Sr.
Deron McLaughlin, Park Ridge, Jr.
Matt Garito, Park Ridge, Sr.
Jeremy Lachman, Emerson Boro, Jr.
Talen Zitomer, Cresskill, Sr.
Cody Song, Cresskill, Sr.
Marko Radovich, Cresskill, Jr.
Daniel Fells, Midland Park, Sr.
2nd Team
Andrew DelRey, Waldwick, Fr.
Zach Mallis, Park Ridge, Sr.
Sam Fasola, Park Ridge, Fr.
Ryan Berkowitz, Cresskill, Jr.
Omer Tal, Cresskill, So.
Thomas Maceira, Emerson Boro, Sr.
Matthew Sabatella, Emerson Boro, So.
Honorable Mention
Kamari Cox, Bergen Charter, So.
Jack Hayward, Cresskill, Jr.
Jason Ziemba, Emerson Boro, Jr.
Kyle Martinkus, Midland Park, Sr.
Anthony Walter, Park Ridge, So.
Carson Benvenuto, Waldwick, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Brian Koch, Park Ridge
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, click here.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
You voted, we tallied. Here are the results for (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen Readers' Poll Places to Go, Things to Do and People to Meet categories.How we determined the Best of Bergen winnersBest of Bergen 2023 winnersTo view winners in all four categories, click here.Art Gallery/Museum335 Franklin ...
You voted, we tallied. Here are the results for (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen Readers' Poll Places to Go, Things to Do and People to Meet categories.
To view winners in all four categories, click here.
335 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus; (201) 445-8311, thehermitage.org.
Finalists
100 Oakland Ave., Closter; (201) 750-3275, northernvalleysportsacademy.com.
Finalists
216 Forest Ave., Paramus; (201) 336-7275, co.bergen.nj.us.
Finalists
Board and Brush Creative Studio, 119 E. Main St., Ramsey; (201) 466-7222, boardandbrush.com.
Finalists
134 W. Pleasant Ave., Maywood; (201) 845-8543, maywooddancecenter.com.
Finalists
ridgewoodnj.net
Finalists
350 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah; bergencountyhorserescue.org.
Finalists
561 Piermont Road, Demarest; (201) 767-7160, tasoc.org
Finalists
216 Forest Ave., Paramus; (201) 336-7275, co.bergen.nj.us.
Finalists
100 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale; (201) 307-1100, fireandoak.com.
Finalists
449 Rivervale Road, River Vale; (201) 666-1200, edgewoodnj.com.
Finalists
700 Paramus Park, Paramus; (201) 970-4526, glitterandglamspa.com.
Finalists
274 Main St., Hackensack; (201) 343-4169, johnsonlib.org.
Finalists
Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood; (201) 227-1030, bergenpac.org
Finalists
390 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack; (201) 397-1994, amctheatres.com.
Finalists
216 Forest Ave., Paramus; (201) 336-7275, co.bergen.nj.us.
Finalists
350 Engle St., Englewood; (201) 894-3000, englewoodhealth.org.
Finalists
700 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff; (201) 891-1481, sainte-school.org.
Finalists
NJridgewoodjuly4.net
Finalists
Finalists
1man3hearts.com
Finalists
NBC 4 New York
Finalists
Finalists
Finalists
Best Sushi in NJNew Jersey being located so close to the Atlantic Ocean, makes it one of the best spots for sushi in the entire country. Here is a guide to the trendiest and best sushi in NJ, providing the freshest of fish and the most creative menus sure to please your palette and sushi cravings.Shumi Omakase– Ridgewood & Leonia, NJShumi Japanese Cuisine renders world-class Omakase-style sushi in Leonia...
New Jersey being located so close to the Atlantic Ocean, makes it one of the best spots for sushi in the entire country. Here is a guide to the trendiest and best sushi in NJ, providing the freshest of fish and the most creative menus sure to please your palette and sushi cravings.
Shumi Omakase– Ridgewood & Leonia, NJ
Shumi Japanese Cuisine renders world-class Omakase-style sushi in Leonia and Ridgewood, NJ, where a chef-selected tasting menu of seasonal sushi and sashimi is offered. Executive Chef David Seo has 21 years of Japanese cuisine under his culinary belt and has worked with some of New York’s finest Japanese restaurants including Nobu. The restaurant offers a fresh and open atmosphere where sushi lovers and newcomers alike experience sushi in a traditional sense, with all five senses enticed. The Omakase bar provides an intimate experience where you can watch the sushi being prepared along with explanations from the chef. If Omakase is not your thing, there are a ton of other delectable menu items to try such as a variety of ramen, teriyaki entrees, and a plethora of unique sushi rolls including the Shumi Roll- consisting of spicy tuna, topped with caramelized spicy mayo, eel sauce, sushi ebi, scallion, and furikake crunch.
Elite Five Sushi & Grill– Princeton, NJ
Elite Five Sushi & Grill located in Princeton is a BYOB establishment that prides itself on the freshness of its fish, ramen, and a fine selection of grilled meats and seafood with some of the best sushi in NJ. Starting on March 15th, the restaurant will begin to offer limited weekly seating for Omakase Tasting via reservation only. Elite Five is not your typical sushi spot, as they offer more modern fare such as scallop bisque as an appetizer, salad entrees, plates of steak, lamb, duck, and more, along with typical sushi spot menu items like creative rolls and sashimi. There really is something for everyone, seafood lovers and carnivores alike. One eye-catching signature sushi roll is the Ice & Fire Roll- yellowtail tartare, avocado wrapped with pepper tuna, topped with jalapeno, grated fresh wasabi, and white sturgeon caviar, served with yuzu lime sauce. The atmosphere is dimly lit, with an intimate nighttime vibe, but is also just as enjoyable during the day, and can sit at the sushi bar and watch the chef prepare sushi right in front of your eyes.
Taka– Asbury Park, NJ
Taka is a restaurant, bar, and lounge located in Asbury Park, specializing in Japanese and seasonally-inspired small plates and cocktails. They have an extensive alcohol list with varieties of sake, wine, draft beers, and unique cocktails such as the Yuzu Drop- made with Vodka, Triple Sec, and Yuzu Puree. Taka has more of an upscale vibe and reinforces the quality of every single dish and level of service. Owner Takahiro Hirai is passionate about serving delicious contemporary Japanese food and providing a wonderful dining experience, whether it be a late-night lounge or family dinner. Taka is sure to deliver a cool ambiance and is only a short walk from the Asbury Park beach. Some interesting menu items include a burger with a Japanese twist including umami ketchup and Japanese mayo, and a New York strip with a miso butter glaze. For sushi lovers, there is an abundance of fresh sushi on the menu, with sashimi of all kinds and interesting rolls guaranteed to please the palette.
Kenko Sushi– Lincoln Park, NJ
If you are someone who enjoys unique sushi and looking for some of the best sushi in NJ, then look no further. Kenko Sushi in Lincoln Park specializes in tons of creative sushi rolls enticing to the eye, layered with all different sauces, crunchy toppings, and fresh fish. They offer family-size platters loaded with their creative rolls, one of the most popular being the Kenko special roll- with a base of spicy tuna, topped with assorted sashimi, scallion, sesame seed, and spicy mayo. They also specialize in assorted drinks including bubble tea, a variety of iced teas, and their very own “Kenko-Ade”, and you can create your own drink of choice. The environment of the restaurant is very cozy, and the service makes you feel like family. Plus, you’ll be sure to leave with an Instagram-worthy picture of this very trendy sushi.
Ryujin Sushi– Bridgewater Township, NJ
Ryujin Sushi of Bridgewater Township boasts some of the trendiest and best sushi in NJ. Known for its modern twist on classic rolls, the freshest quality of fish, and the finest service, customers cannot say enough good things about this newer sushi spot. A chef-tasting menu is available as well as a ton of creative sushi rolls and appetizers- be sure to try the sashimi pizza or the Bridgewater roll which has crunchy spicy tuna, and tempura lobster, topped with avocado. Customers rave that the atmosphere of the restaurant is terrific, and the service provided is top-notch, making it a great spot to spend time with family or friends.
Interested in other fine dining experiences? Be sure to check out the best steakhouses in NJ.
Next month in April, the Allaire Community Farm opens for another season. It’s a farm that rescues animals that help rescue people of all ages.The unique farm sits on 25 acres in Wall Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It’s an organization that rescues all kinds of animals — from horses, donkeys, cows, ducks, goats and more — and removes them from abusive and harmful situations.The animals are slowly integrated into accepting the kind hand of the volunteers that work the farm which allows the anima...
Next month in April, the Allaire Community Farm opens for another season. It’s a farm that rescues animals that help rescue people of all ages.
The unique farm sits on 25 acres in Wall Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It’s an organization that rescues all kinds of animals — from horses, donkeys, cows, ducks, goats and more — and removes them from abusive and harmful situations.
The animals are slowly integrated into accepting the kind hand of the volunteers that work the farm which allows the animals to provide help to those struggling in a hurting world.
They have several programs for kids with a petting zoo, a program of volunteering for children with special needs, a program for those veterans who suffer from PTSD along with therapeutic and standard horseback riding opportunities.
They have a greenhouse that provides fresh vegetables and eggs to those families with family members battling cancer. Families can donate their time and work the farm on weekends or can throw a birthday party at the expansive facility. They are also set up for class trips.
With major increases in stress, PTSD and suicide as a result of the effects of the pandemic, this is a great way to forget about the daily tension and enjoy the company of these fortunate animals. Kids will so appreciate the time that they get to spend with these animals, it truly is very healing and fun.
When I heard of the Allaire Community Farm and checked into their mission and the different programs that they have available and I was pleased to see the number of opportunities that they provide to those who could use a little stress-reducing therapy and even for those who don’t.
They are a 501c3 organization so donations and proceeds are tax deductable. They have plans on developing more programs along with building upgrades and although they are closed during the winter you can still sponsor one of their farm animals.
Come April, make it a point to bring the family to Allaire Community Farm. If you can find it in your heart please support their cause.
The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.
To understand Leonia's cultural history, consider the oversized north-facing windows found in local Dutch farmhouses.Beyond them once sat dozens of artists who descended on Leonia starting in the late 1800s. Then a backwater, Leonia offered artists refuge, inspiration and old farmhouses with northern exposures that provided the indirect sunlight coveted by painters for its cool consistency and absence of glare.It also provided access to New York City, which was teeming with economic opportunity. Apart from trains...
To understand Leonia's cultural history, consider the oversized north-facing windows found in local Dutch farmhouses.
Beyond them once sat dozens of artists who descended on Leonia starting in the late 1800s. Then a backwater, Leonia offered artists refuge, inspiration and old farmhouses with northern exposures that provided the indirect sunlight coveted by painters for its cool consistency and absence of glare.
It also provided access to New York City, which was teeming with economic opportunity. Apart from trains to Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal, trolleys regularly ran from Hillside Avenue to the Edgewater ferry docks.
Across three generations, more than 170 artists called Leonia home, said Paul Mattingly, a professor emeritus of history at New York University. Mattingly, who wrote 2019's "An American Art Colony" about Leonia, lived on Brook Terrace until 1984.
Leonia art colony was fully integrated into the greater community. On weekends, artists would welcome their neighbors in for "studio tours," art lessons and occasional spot sales. On weekdays, the artists would frequent local businesses and involve themselves in community politics.
Peter Newell, one of two artists who would establish the Leonia colony's foundation, served as chairman of the town's Board of Health. Nationally known for his illustrations in Harper's Magazine, Newell was similar to many of his fellow Leonia-based artists and their neighbors. He was a modern professional, rather than an eccentric recluse in a paint-spattered smock.
Newell and Ilana Rado West, the second of the two original colony artists, welcomed extended family and friends to Leonia. West rented out her home's north-facing rooms as artists' studios when the family needed money. Other artists likewise converted empty barns and carriage houses to studios. Lessons were taught under Palladian windows in old Dutch farmhouses. Jobs were sourced and shared.
"Most of these artists took on students to pay the bills," Mattingly said. "People became professional artists because they were born in the town."
Being herself:'Just be yourself.' North Jersey cross-country star finding herself on and off the course
At the outset, the colony proved alluring to artists seeking to move from easel art into commercial realms. Officials at New York City universities, publishing houses and corporations were likewise attracted by the colony's reputation.
Long before it attracted Nobel Prize winners including Enrico Fermi and Willard Libby, Leonia had been dubbed the "Athens of the East." That 1890s marketing campaign of the Leonia Heights Land Company sought to lure professors at Columbia University and other high-culture academics to the town. Between 1900 and 1930, Leonia's population increased sixfold, from 800 to 5,350 people. The vast majority were college-educated.
For their part, Newell, West and others helped form a web of informal mentorships among Leonia's potters, lithographers and illustrators, Mattingly said.
Many of the early members of the colony came from the Midwest: Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. "Museums there are filled with Leonia stuff," Mattingly said. "It's not small-time people."
Superintendent resigns:Harrington Park school superintendent resigns for college job
The colony reached its peak of more than 90 artists following World War I and the arrival of Harvey Dunn at his new home at Grand Avenue and Christie Street. Dunn, a South Dakotan whose illustrations were often featured in Collier's Weekly, Scribner's Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post, was the Norman Rockwell of New Jersey, Mattingly said.
"He was the man," Mattingly added. "He was actually better known than Norman Rockwell before Norman Rockwell became Norman Rockwell."
A student of legendary American illustrator Howard Pyle, Dunn teamed with artist Charles Chapman of Sylvan Avenue to open the Leonia School of Illustration in the summer of 1914. The school welcomed a flood of new talent. Many were artists from the Art Students League in Manhattan, where Dunn "taught," though he famously said, "Art cannot be taught, any more than life can be taught."
A creative spirit consumed the town. In 1919, the Players Guild of Leonia set up in the town's Civil War Drill Hall. The guild is the oldest community theater group in New Jersey. "It was a country town coming together around the art," Mattingly said.
Though artists and the colony's history remained part of the community fabric after World War II, the colony itself had disintegrated. Leonia residents' interest in and the fine arts nonetheless permeates the town today, Mattingly saidstill a place that attracts artists.