Every November, my column usually follows a “What I am thankful for” theme.
Early in this year, I notified the FoHVOS executive committee board of my plan to retire, and shared that they should begin succession planning to ensure that they had plenty of notice for a smooth transition. Retiring as the executive director of Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space renders my column theme as particular meaningful.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to give back to our community. Words cannot express how fulfilling it is to work with likeminded folks that help make a dramatic difference.
With each change I’ve made since leaving a lucrative sales career in corporate America to raise my children, I’ve put my energy into projects where there is a strong foundation that I can improve upon.
Oldtimers may remember me from the HVRSD school board. I presided over new initiatives that enriched sustainability and equity. We also added full-day kindergarten, STEM, AP, and athletic opportunities.
When I chose not to run for re-election, I knew that upon my departure, the district had far better academic standing and dramatically upgraded facilities than were there when I first began. As the longest serving school board president, I thought it was time for some fresh leadership.
As I began my next chapter at FoHVOS, I hoped to once again preside over new initiatives that enriched sustainability and equity but with new and different challenges. When I took the reins, FoHVOS had no administrative structure, low revenues, and little name recognition throughout the Hopewell Valley. With a very supportive board, I improved all three conditions and led us through an arduous accreditation process to ensure FoHVOS employed Land Trust Alliance best practices.
FoHVOS subsequently retained grants for our fresh Community Conservation program that improves community lands. Partners helped us through reforestation efforts, adding outdoor learning meadows in every HVRSD school, installing 50 nesting boxes to repopulate threatened kestrels, and subsidized residential programs to provide over 20,000 native plants.
We dramatically expanded our trail network by connecting pieces of preserved land. Hopewell Township has more preserved land and trails than any other municipality in Mercer County.
Finally, this year FoHVOS completed an ambitious strategic plan, which provides a natural opportunity for fresh leadership to guide FoHVOS through its next chapter in growth.
As I step down, I use the same metric I valued at the district. Today, after just shy of seven years at FoHVOS, I am proud to leave the organization in far better condition than I inherited.
A final crowning achievement of my time at FoHVOS includes cofounding a coalition of organizations with a common goal of improving equity, access, and representation on our public lands. This group, now known as The Outdoor Equity Alliance, strives for more people to gain the economic, physical, and mental health benefits that come from being out in nature.
Under FoHVOS fiscal sponsorship, OEA built on FoHVOS internship programs and partners, and developed its own, to grown into a self-sustaining organization. Once I step down from FoHVOS, I will continue as an active board member for the OEA.
So, in closing, I’ll share that I appreciate all the support and encouragement that I have received from this community and I thank you for collaborating to strengthen any impact that I could make in giving back.
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Since it’s November, I’ll also share my gratitude for the foods of the season — especially pie! I’ve always been advocate of supporting local businesses and nonprofits… and having fun doing so.
So, I’d like to take this opportunity share this fun Pie In The Sky Event taking place in Hopewell Valley while raising money for TASK: the First Annual Pie In The Sky Contest and Fundraiser. The event is sponsored by the Mercer-Bucks-Hunterdon and Central Jersey Eateries Facebook Group .
The First Annual Pie In The Sky Contest & Fundraiser is prepped to be an amazing event! Mercer-Bucks-Hunterdon and Central Jersey Eateries Facebook Group is sponsoring an event on Nov. 16 in a secret Hopewell Township location that will be the coolest occasion this holiday season.
Whether you want to enter a pie baking contest, need a tested pie recipe for Thanksgiving, or just want to have a really fun evening that raises funds for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Pie In The Sky is the answer.
How It Works
Thursday before Thanksgiving, local bakers will bring their pie to be judged by a team headed by an expert pastry chef. Once the judges are sequestered, entrants will enjoy catering from local restaurants and play a professionally managed Trivia game. When the game is over, prizes will be awarded for both the trivia game and the pie contest.
Friday before Thanksgiving, the Mercer-Bucks-Hunterdon and Central Jersey Eateries Facebook Group will post professional pictures of the winning pies, along with their recipes.
Important Details
Entre fee and TASK donations: a $25 entry fee will be donated to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. If you bring a frozen turkey, we will waive the entry fee. Your entry fee is reduced to $20 if you bring shelf-stable foods on our list. A generous donor will match the first $1,000 raised in donations. Registration and sign-ups open on Nov. 4.
Judging is Rory Philipson, Culinary Institute of America-trained pastry chef who teaches baking at Mercer County Technical School and owns and prepares desserts for the Blue Bottle Café in Hopewell with her husband Aaron. She is an expert in lattice work and will lead a team of restaurant owners in judging the competition.
The owners of Lady and the Shallot will assemble a beautiful appetizer grazing table. It’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Revere Restaurant is donating a tray of Vodka Rigatoni. Blue Bottle Café will provide coffee service to go with homemade pie samples for dessert.
Entrants will be assembled into teams for our trivia night. Trivia Revolution will host the game. They are amazing. Cool prizes (including first dibs on pie samples!) will be awarded.
The online reveal
On Nov. 17, photographs and winning pie recipes will be shared on the Mercer-Bucks-Hunterdon and Central Jersey Eateries Facebook Group.
Prizes will be gift cards from event sponsors including: Acacia Restaurant, Bitten Kitten, Blue Bottle Café, Candela Brothers Restaurant, Hiro Asian Bistro, The Hopewell Quarry, KK Sweets, Lady and The Shallot, Local Greek, Pulaski Meats, Revere Restaurant, Pennington Bagel, PJ Pancake House, and Rose Boutique.
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