JANUARY 2021 - TRADITIONS AT HAMILTON CROSSING - SENIOR PUBLISHING
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January 2021 TRADITIONS AT HAMILTON CROSSING
MARTIN LUTHER KING
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister and social
activist who played a key role in the American civil rights movement
from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. Inspired by
advocates of nonviolence such as Mahatma Gandhi, King sought
equality for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and
victims of injustice through peaceful protest. He was the driving
force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott
and the March on Washington, which helped bring about such
landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting
Rights Act of 1965. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964
and is remembered each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S.
federal holiday since 1986.
The march culminated in King’s most famous address, known as the
“I Have a Dream” speech, a spirited call for peace and equality that
many consider a masterpiece of rhetoric. Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial–a
monument to the president who a century earlier had brought down the institution of slavery in
the United States—he shared his vision of a future in which “this nation will rise up and live out the
true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'”
The speech and march cemented King’s reputation at home and abroad; later that year he was
named Man of the Year by TIME magazine and in 1964 became the youngest person ever awarded
the Nobel Peace Prize.
On September 20, 1958, King was signing copies of his book “Stride Toward Freedom” in
Blumstein's department store in Harlem when he narrowly escaped death. Izola Curry—a mentally
ill woman who thought that King was conspiring against her with communists—stabbed him in the
chest with a letter opener, which nearly impinged on the aorta. King received first aid by police
officers Al Howard and Philip Romano. Dr. King underwent emergency surgery with three
doctors: Aubre de Lambert Maynard, Emil Naclerio and John W. V. Cordice; he remained
hospitalized for several weeks. Curry was later found mentally incompetent to stand trial.
On the evening of April 4, 1968, King was fatally shot while standing on the balcony of a motel in
Memphis, where he had traveled to support a sanitation workers’ strike. In the wake of his death, a
wave of riots swept major cities across the country, while President Johnson declared a national
day of mourning. James Earl Ray, an escaped convict and known racist, pleaded guilty to the
murder and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. (He later recanted his confession, and gained
some unlikely advocates, including members of the King family, before his death in 1998.)
After years of campaigning by activists, members of Congress and Coretta Scott King, among others,
in 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a U.S. federal holiday in honor of King.
Observed on the third Monday of January, it was first celebrated in 1986.
*Reference Sources from various internet websites
2
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
by Sandy Gallino
Although we are approaching the New Year with uncertainty and apprehension, we can still
look forward to seeing the light beyond this pandemic tunnel. We all miss the many activities,
events, and parties we are used to attending however, by remaining vigilant to the health and
safety guidelines, such as wearing a mask, social distancing and frequently washing your hands,
we will get back to enjoying all of these things once again.
Welcome New Homeowners
Although the pandemic changed many things in our community, eighteen new homeowners
decided to join our Traditions Family in 2020. Please join me in welcoming our new neigh-
bors: Sharon Cleghorn, Verna Everett-Holmes, Carol Kehoe, Salvatore Marcello, Paul Martingale,
Debra Morreale, Mohan and Shashi Narang, Cheryl Palmer, Rajendrakumar Patel, Alma Poksay,
Frederic Rabey, Neil Rudofsky, Geri Shaw, Michael and Deborah Sionne, Sheryl Sporek, Jodi Ste-
phens, Anthony and Rose Valinotti, and Patricia and Roger Wendrzycki. Once our clubhouse
reopens, our Community Relations Committee will be hosting a Meet and Greet evening, for you
to meet the board, each other, and your fellow neighbors for an enjoyable evening.
Announcements, Changes and Friendly Reminders:
• In Order for our community to maintain its status, as an Active Adult 55+ Community, with the
Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, it is extremely imperative, we submit the age verification
form called HOPA ANNUALLY. Along with this form, you will need to attach a copy of your cur-
rent Driver’s License, Passport, or any official document showing your date of birth. In an effort
to avoid confusion, please mark your calendars to submit this form each year during the month
of November. Non compliance may result in fines.
• Vehicle Registration Forms will be due, either when you change vehicles, license plates, add
additional vehicles, etc. to your residence; or annually during the month of February.
• Dryer Vent Cleaning is required for each home in Tradition’s every 2 years. This year and
every two years thereafter, cleaning verification will be due for submission in May (2021, 2023
etc.) Please submit your verification to our Community Manager no later than May 31, 2021 for
compliance.
• Declaration of Homeowner’s Insurance is due for submission annually, during the month
of August. If you make any changes to your policy, which automatically changes your insurance
coverage period, please submit the revised Declaration Page to management. If you are a new
homeowner, please submit your verification of insurance with your closing documents.
• Greenhouse Forms –On October 1st, please register a maximum of 5 plants, when using the
greenhouse. (Space is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis).
• All forms, and/or associated guidelines, are available either on The RMG Website, in the Li-
brary, in the newsletter, on the Tube or by contacting our Manager, Holly Foley.
• Please mark your calendars, on all of the above (various) forms compliance due dates.
• I have asked Holly, to remind you when any forms are due, for submission, by including them
in her monthly newsletter articles. Additionally, I have asked Holly to send a reminder email
blast notification, in the beginning of each month, when forms are due for submission.
Happy New Year and Stay Healthy
Sandy G and your Board of Trustees, Joe, Charlie, Debbie and Gil
3
Community Portfolio Manager
By Holly Foley
Happy New Year to you all! I am sure everyone is anxious to see if 2021
goes in a different direction than 2020 did. Despite all the craziness that
2020 had to bring, I personally had a great year and am looking forward
to what 2021 brings, even if it is more craziness! I feel as though myself,
and so many people that I know both professionally and personally have
become desensitized to the stress, pressure, and changes to their lives. I
know I have, and while it is a good thing because I get through my days
easier, it’s also a bad thing because life really shouldn’t be that way! I per-
sonally realized in 2020 that time is precious and often wasted. So much
time is spent either talking or thinking about the past or worrying over
the future. People are not anywhere near as present as they should be. I
have really been evaluating and applying some changes to how I spend
and optimize my time. I am also working on being more present in a few areas of my life that
are in need of my attention and time. I hope everyone has a great start to the New Year – and I
hope that you spend every second of this year, as present as you can be!
Community Websites
RMG changed the community website platform from AssociationVoice to NabrNetwork in Oc-
tober of 2020. Most of you received a welcome email, notifying you to create an account. The
website provides information on your account, payment history, work orders (does not apply
at Traditions), and violation history. It also provides important association documents, like
all the official governing documents – your Declaration of Covenants & Restrictions, Bylaws,
Public Offering Statement, etc. You can download and print anything you want. There are also
copies of audits, the Reserve Study, and forms to name a few. The site is also interactive with
the ability to post, which I get notified of when someone posts anything, I encourage everyone
to create an account – it can always save you time. A lot of residents call the office to inquire
about their balance or see if their payment cleared. I also receive a lot of calls from residents
who request copies of governing documents for a potential buyer when selling their unit. All
these things and more are available on the community website.
Nabr Network makes it easy and safe for you to receive and share important information with
your Association board, Management Company and neighbors. To join your community on
Nabr Network, please visit https://traditionsathamiltoncrossing.nabrnetwork.com/ and
click “Need to Register?” and complete the steps and questions that follow to create an account.
PLEASE NOTE: Your last name must match with your official HOA documents (normally
name on your deed).
You can also download the app…
iPhone App
Start using Nabr Network on your mobile device today! To download the iPhone app, text nabr
to 59248 or search for "Nabr Network" in the iPhone's App Store.
4
Android App
To download the Android app, text nabr to 59248 or search for "Nabr Network" in the Google
Play Store.
Once you have installed and logged into the app, please visit your Notification Preferences to
verify or adjust your preferred notification settings. Also, please note that you must have your
mobile phone number entered into your Contact Info in order to receive text / SMS messages.
• Holiday decorations must be taken down no later than 30 days after the holiday.
• Please be sure to read the Pet Rules that are included in the newsletter – violation of pet rules
are one of the most frequently reported to me!
• The clubhouse will remain closed until further notice due to the rise and anticipated rise of
COVID-19 cases. Traditions is a 55+, and the safety of all residents is the number one priority.
It’s also a huge liability to the Association if someone were to get sick and file suit. The Board
and I would be held liable individually as well. All around, the smartest and safest thing to do
was close until things start to get better. We understand some of you are not happy – but unfor-
tunately, not everyone will always be happy with decisions made. Please understand the Board
is doing what is right – and more importantly safe!
To another year together!
Kind Regards,
Holly Foley, CMCA Community Portfolio Manager
RMG, Regency Management Group, Inc.
hfoley@regencymanagementgroup.biz
Main Office Telephone Number: 732-364-5900 Extension 220.
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5
Community Relations
By Phyllis Petty
Happy New Year Everyone, I am sure you are just as happy as I am 2020 is now history. May 2021
bring health and happiness to all of you and your families.
Community Relations is looking forward to the time when the clubhouse reopens, and we can begin
to mingle again. We have many new, surprise ideas, along with our annual events, including Family
Feud Hoagie Night, Pasta and Salad Name that Tune, Pizza, and various appetizer trivia game nights,
cooking and desert contests, health and safety seminars, picnic days at the pool and, much, much
more. We will be rescheduling the Senior AARP Driving Course, as well as the CPR Training Classes.
Our Quilting Group, Tuesday Basters, Canasta and Pinochle players, Book enthusiasts, Chair Yoga,
Mahjong Ladies, Wednesday night poker and Aqua Zumba (when the pool opens) are also ready
and willing to begin as soon as we can safely open. Our various collection campaigns have contin-
ued during this pandemic without the use of the clubhouse. Our pandemic library was a big success,
and will continue after the holidays, if our Hamilton Library decides to cease curbside operations.
Maria Taylor from Shape Up Solutions has graciously offered to continue her free online Chair Yoga
classes, every Friday, at 11 am right from your home throughout our clubhouse closure due to the
pandemic. Simply log onto Facebook, search for Maria (there are quite a few, be sure you have the
correct Maria, from Shape Up Solutions), send Maria a friend request, and you will be able to see
her videos and have your choice of our chair yoga class along with several additional live classes. Be
sure to correspond with Maria and let her know you are enjoying her classes.
Updates:
The Toys for Tots campaign continued beyond the date of publication of this newsletter. As of
December 2nd, our residents donated over 85 toys. We will provide you with the final total in the
February edition of our newsletter.
Seniors helping Seniors Food Campaign also continued beyond the newsletter publication date.
As of December 2nd, a total of 144 nonperishable items were donated by our residents. We will
provide a final total in the next edition of our newsletter.
Santa Visiting Traditions was scheduled for December the 19th. Since the clubhouse was closed
for everyone’s health and safety, Santa was scheduled to wave to the grandchildren, from the safety
of his helper’s vehicle, while driving up, and down our community streets. Hopefully, the weather
cooperated with Santa and his sleigh, and we will have photos to share with you in the February
issue.
Holiday Decorating Judging was scheduled for December 19th. Winners to be announced!
Our agenda for our meeting, at the end of this month, will include suggestions made by our ho-
meowners for: singles nights, afternoon bridge, knitting,
and Catch Five card games.
If you would like to suggest activities, events, games,
seminars, food related evenings, contests or anything
else, other than what we currently offer, please send me
an email to my email address listed below. Please include
your name and information so I may respond to you.
Be Well,
Phyllis and the CRC Team
phyllispettycrc@optimum.net
6
Facilities Committee
By Brian Meara
Happy New Year to all my Traditions neighbors and friends! I hope ev-
eryone had a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season. Let’s hope and
pray 2021 is a much better year than 2020. The Social Committee and
Community Relations Committee had almost a year to plan some great
parties and events so I'm sure once this virus is under control we will be
having some great times at our clubhouse and pool once again.
I want to welcome all our new residents that moved into our community
these past 10 months and haven't had a chance to meet many of us be-
cause there were no parties or events and assure you that Traditions is
a great community to live in.
We recently had some cracks, loose corner beads, moisture damaged areas, patched areas and
nail pops in the clubhouse walls and ceilings repaired and painted and they look great. I'm glad
to see our newer pickle board courts got a lot of use this past season. Our horse shoe pits should
be rebuilt by this spring.
If you have plants in the greenhouse please remember to water them and clean up any falling
leaves from your plants .When leaving the greenhouse please make sure you lock the deadbolt
on the door to prevent it from blowing open and getting damaged. The greenhouse is for storing
resident's plants only.
Please check your overhead garage doors every night before going to bed some residents are
leaving them open overnight. Some residents have mentioned to me that they get drafts around
their windows and the problem is usually the window not being properly closed. There is a lip
on the bottom of the top fixed panel and one on the top of the bottom panel. When closing the
bottom panel slightly push in on the top of the panel just before it fully closes so the lips are
inside each other and then lock both latches. This will properly close the window and prevent
drafts. Residents have also mentioned excessive dust inside their house. Changing the furnace
air filter every three months or when it's dirty will help. Also the HVAC duct system should be
professionally cleaned every so many years. Cleaning the ducts will reduce dust in the house,
improve air quality and increase efficiency. Indoor Air Technologies who has an excellent repu-
tation and advertises in Tales of Traditions of-
fers this service.
If you have to go out this winter during stormy
conditions be careful driving or walking, as
snow and ice can be very dangerous. Be safe
and keep warm the next few months. This virus
will pass and life will be back to normal eventu-
ally.
Thanks,
Brian
7
Finance
From Treasurer Charlie Krank
Happy New Year everyone! 2021 just has to be a better year!
I thought I would use this article to describe the bills we pay nearly
every month. They are neither exciting nor surprising. Like most hom-
eowners, the HOA has utility bills, every month, all year long. We pay
Aqua for water usage and water connections at the Clubhouse, pool,
fire sprinklers, and four irrigation pumping stations. These are high-
est in the warmer months, as you would expect, while reduced during
the winter, especially with the Clubhouse closed. We pay electric and
gas bills to PSE&G. These bills are for heat, light, and hot water at the
Clubhouse. There is also electricity supplied to the pumping stations
and the lights around the pond and parking lot. We have a monthly bill
from Optimum for cable and telephone connections and basic service in the Clubhouse. Verizon
charges us each month for the data lines connecting our alarm system to the monitoring com-
pany.
Per our contracts, we pay Regency Management $4,000 each month, and our landscaping and
lawn care company, ALS, $11,960 each month (the payments on this contract are spread evenly
over 12 months). During the warm months, there is a contract for irrigation services at $9,000
annually. During the winter, we have a contract for snow removal. Every month, we pay our-
selves, transferring $25,389 from our operating account into our Reserves account. We have
contracts with Black Lagoon for pond water treatments and installing/removing the aeration
fountain. We pay these bills, about $4,200 annually, during the warm months. Candlewood Man-
agement Service opens, maintains, and closes the pool each summer. Their contract is worth
about $14,000. We pay our independent auditor $3,600 annually for audit services. Our insur-
ances are paid in one lump sum, and will be $31,859 this year. We pay an annual amount, $421,
for alarm monitoring to Brothers Security Plus.
We have agreements for “as needed” services for Clubhouse cleaning, extermination services,
landscape repairs, sprinkler repairs, repairs to controls and equipment for the Clubhouse doors,
and legal services. Invoices for these are paid as submitted. Repairs to the Clubhouse, pool, and
common area features are first quoted, and then approved by the Board. Invoices are submitted
by the contractors, matched to the quotes, and then paid.
Next month, I’ll review our Reserves and recent in-
vestments and expenditures.
Charlie
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8
HISTORY OF THE NEW YEAR'S EVE BALL
Revelers began celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square as early as
1904, but it was in 1907 that the New Year's Eve Ball made its maiden de-
scent from the flagpole atop One Times Square. Seven versions of the Ball
have been designed to signal the New Year.
The first New Year's Eve Ball, made of iron and wood and adorned with
one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700
pounds. It was built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr,
and for most of the twentieth century the company he founded, sign maker Artkraft Strauss, was
responsible for lowering the Ball.
As part of the 1907-1908 festivities, waiters in the fabled "lobster palaces" and other deluxe eat-
eries in hotels surrounding Times Square were supplied with battery-powered top hats embla-
zoned with the numbers "1908" fashioned of tiny light bulbs. At the stroke of midnight, they all
"flipped their lids" and the year on their foreheads lit up in conjunction with the numbers "1908"
on the parapet of the Times Tower lighting up to signal the arrival of the new year.
The Ball has been lowered every year since 1907, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943, when
the ceremony was suspended due to the wartime "dimout" of lights in New York City. Neverthe-
less, the crowds still gathered in Times Square in those years and greeted the New Year with
a minute of silence followed by the ringing of chimes from sound trucks parked at the base of
the tower—a harkening-back to the earlier celebrations at Trinity Church, where crowds would
gather to "ring out the old, ring in the new."
In 1920, a 400 pound Ball made entirely of wrought iron replaced the original. In 1955, the
iron Ball was replaced with an aluminum Ball weighing a mere 150 pounds. This aluminum Ball
remained unchanged until the 1980s, when red light bulbs and the addition of a green stem
converted the Ball into an apple for the "I Love New York" marketing campaign from 1981 until
1988. After seven years, the traditional glowing white Ball with white light bulbs and without
the green stem returned to brightly light the sky above Times Square. In 1995, the Ball was up-
graded with aluminum skin, rhinestones, strobes, and computer controls, but the aluminum Ball
was lowered for the last time in 1998.
For Times Square 2000, the millennium celebration at the Crossroads of the World, the New
Year's Eve Ball was completely redesigned by Waterford Crystal and Philips Lighting. The crystal
Ball combined the latest in lighting technology with the most traditional of materials, reminding
us of our past as we gazed into the future and the beginning of a new millennium.
In 2007, for the 100th anniversary of the Times Square Ball Drop tradition, Waterford Crystal
and Philips Lighting crafted a spectacular new LED crystal Ball. The incandescent and halogen
bulbs of the past century were replaced by state-of-the-art Philips Luxeon LED lighting technol-
ogy that dramatically increased the brightness and color capabilities of the Ball.
The beauty and energy efficiency of the Centennial Ball inspired the building owners of One
Times Square to build the permanent Big Ball weighing nearly six tons and twelve feet in diam-
eter. The 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles are illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon LEDs. This
Big Times Square New Year's Eve Ball is now a year-round attraction sparkling above Times
Square in full public view January through December.
9
Scrapbook 10
Memories
11SNOW REMOVAL GUIDELINES
Winter is coming and snow is inevitable.
Please adhere to the following guidelines regarding the safety of our residents and the
process of removing snow in our community expediently and efficiently:
Homeowners requesting a medical priority must have written and approved
documentation on file (please see the form in this newsletter).
Per our Governing Documents snow removal will begin at 2 inches.
All cars must be removed from roadways when requested by management and the
Board via phone blast and email. No vehicles are permitted on the road during a snow
event. Your vehicle will be towed if not removed.
Once the roads have been plowed, your driveways and walkways as well as sidewalks
will be cleared.
Driveways having vehicle(s) parked in them will not be eligible for snow removal.
Once the roads are cleared you may move your car to the Clubhouse Parking Lot so
that your driveway will be cleared.
Make sure that your vehicles are not parked on the street if you plan to be away
during the winter months.
Please remove any lawn ornaments, removable solar lights or planters from areas that
will be shoveled.
It is recommended homeowners keep deicer on hand for safety. Small containers may
be purchased at grocery stores or Home Depot/Lowes.
Please report any damages incurred by the snow contractor the next day to our
Community Manager.
All questions and communications must be directed to our Community Manager Holly
Foley by telephone at 1-732-364-5900 Extension 220 or by sending an email to
hfoley@regencymanagementgroup.biz
12Grounds Committee
By Frank Bennett
Here’s the dirt on the grounds committee!
With the colder weather around the corner, the sprinkler irrigation
lines have been blown out and winterized. This task prevents the
sprinkler piping and pumps from freezing up and breaking.
The Traditions community has been doing their part in securing
their garbage and recyclables on trash day. Let’s carry that right
through the New Year when our recyclables tend to increase.
I’d like to welcome two additional grounds committee members.
Terry Ryan and Ernie Cerino will be great additions to an already
productive team.
Here are just a few of the concerns and issues we’ve been asked to
weigh in on:
- Identifying the leaning and sinking utility boxes
- Placement of No Parking and No Pooping signs (for the dog owners)
- Adding a fence and solar lighting on the paths that lead from Falcon Ct. to Dove Ct. and from
Dove Ct. to Sparrow for safety reasons
- Replacing the faded Hawks towing sign at the main entrance (The law requires this sign to be
in a visible area.)
We’ve asked the Board to purchase a few park benches for around the Traditions complex. These
benches will provide new places to sit and relax after your 5-mile walks around the complex.
ALS has completed their last grass cutting and leaf pickup.
A little note about leaf collections: The leaves are not picked up each week, but there was a com-
plete cleanup of the community this fall so Traditions will look neat and tidy over the winter.
Homeowners need to remember that even though the HOA provides basic grounds services, the
front lawns are private property and the homeowners’ responsibility. The landscaping contract
has never included removing leaves as soon as they fall, just like it does not cover weekly weed-
ing.
Beginning in January the grounds committee will be meeting the 3rd Wednesday of every month
at 7 PM in the clubhouse. Please
feel free to join us. We welcome
all thoughts and suggestions on
any grounds matter.
Happy New Year!
Frank
13Social Committee
by Joan Multop and Gail Bell
Happy New Year!! – The start of a new year always
feels special and the year 2021 will be no different. It
looks like brighter days and easier times are in the fu-
ture. We must proceed with caution but can look for-
ward. We should try to live in the moment, focus on the
positive, try to laugh more and start each day with grat-
itude. Hopefully, in the year ahead we will all collec-
tively celebrate the end of these difficult times!! What a
party we will plan!
Congratulations! – The Social Committee would like to congratulate the following HOA Board
Members on their recent election and others as they assume new positions: Sandy Gallino –
President, Joe Kavalek – Vice-President, Charlie Krank – Treasurer, Debbie Sionne – Secretary
and Gil Phillips – Trustee. We wish you much success as you work for the betterment of the
community.
Social Committee Liaison – We would like to welcome Debbie Sionne as our new liaison. She
is no stranger to us because she has been serving as a member of the Social Committee. In fact,
she worked very hard on our “Italian Festival Celebration”. We look forward to working with
her. She always has a smile and friendly greeting for all.
Activities for the Winter Months – It is important for all of us to strive for meaningful con-
nection with others and keep ourselves busy with activities that make you feel good. Some
suggestions are: set time aside every day to talk to family and friends, try adult coloring books,
reconnect with old friends, read a good book, try a new recipe, watch an uplifting movie, go on-
line and explore potential new vacation destinations for the future, pursue a new hobby and get
some exercise. Comforting routines that include taking care of ourselves physically and socially
are important.
Social Committee Membership – The Social Committee is responsible for planning and co-
ordinating social activities in our Traditions community. New faces and new ideas are always
welcome. If you are interested in attending a Social Committee meeting in the future (when it
is safe for us to meet) and would like to see if it is something you would enjoy, please call Joan
Multop at (609)890-1034 or Gail Bell at (609)647-3861 and we will be glad to include you. In
our meetings we cover a lot of business but also have a lot of fun. There is no need for a com-
mitment. You can just check it out and see if it interests you.
Future Events – When conditions change, we will certainly notify you of any upcoming events
or parties. Each day we get a little closer to when we can all meet again. Please take good care
of yourselves and your loved ones.
Best New Year 2021 Wishes - from Joan Multop, Ann Finnegan, Sharon Lamont and Gail Bell &
your friendly neighborhood Social Committee
14The History of New Year’s Resolutions
The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first peo-
ple to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago.
They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in
honor of the new year—though for them the year began not
in January but in mid-March, when the crops were planted.
During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu,
the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their
loyalty to the reigning king. They also made promises to the
gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had bor-
rowed. These promises could be considered the forerun-
ners of our New Year’s resolutions. If the Babylonians kept
to their word, their (pagan) gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. If not, they
would fall out of the gods’ favor—a place no one wanted to be.
A similar practice occurred in ancient Rome, after the reform-minded emperor Julius Caesar
tinkered with the calendar and established January 1 as the beginning of the new year circa
46 B.C. Named for Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches,
January had special significance for the Romans. Believing that Janus symbolically looked
backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, the Romans offered sacrifices to
the deity and made promises of good conduct for the coming year.
For early Christians, the first day of the new year became the traditional occasion for thinking
about one’s past mistakes and resolving to do and be better in the future. In 1740, the English
clergyman John Wesley, founder of Methodism, created the Covenant Renewal Service, most
commonly held on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Also known as known as watch night
services, they included readings from Scriptures and hymn singing, and served as a spiritual
alternative to the raucous celebrations normally held to celebrate the coming of the new
year. Now popular within evangelical Protestant churches, especially African-American de-
nominations and congregations, watch night services held on New Year’s Eve are often spent
praying and making resolutions for the coming year.
Despite the tradition’s religious roots, New Year’s resolutions today are a mostly secular
practice. Instead of making promises to the gods, most people make resolutions only to
themselves, and focus purely on self-improvement (which may explain why such resolutions
seem so hard to follow through on). According to recent research, while as many as 45 per-
cent of Americans say they usually make New Year’s resolutions, only 8 percent are success-
ful in achieving their goals. But that dismal record probably won’t stop people from making
resolutions anytime soon—after all, we’ve had about 4,000 years of practice.
BY SARAH PRUITT at History.com
https://www.history.com/news/the-history-of-new-years-resolutions
15Traditions at Hamilton Crossing Homeowners Association
Pet Rules & Regulations
ALL Homeowners/Renters of Traditions at Hamilton Crossing are permitted to have two (2) household
pets, which include a combination of cats, dogs, and other common household pets. All pet owners must
abide by the following pet rules:
1. A combination of only two (2) dogs, cats, or other common household pets, in aggregate, may be kept
or harbored in any unit at any time.
2. Pets are not to be kept, bred, or maintained for any commercial purpose.
3. Pets must be housed within the unit.
4. Excessive barking and pet-related noises and nuisances are not permitted.
5. Home owners, residents, guests, and tenants shall not feed or harbor stray cats.
6. Pets cannot be chained, tied, or otherwise secured to the exterior of any unit, any common or limited
common element, including but not limited to: patios, decks, driveways, railings, lampposts, shrubs, trees,
privacy fences, etc.
7. Pets cannot be crated and kept outside.
8. No pets shall be left unattended on decks or patios or permitted to utilize those areas for pet waste
purposes.
9. Each homeowner, resident, guest, tenant keeping any household pet(s) shall indemnify the Association
and its members and hold them harmless against any loss or liability of any kind whatsoever arising from
the keeping of such household pet(s).
10. Homeowners will be held fully responsible for the actions of their pets, including their tenants’ pets.
Home owners will have ten (10) days’ notice to repair or replace damaged property, both common and
private elements. If repairs or replacements are not made within ten days, the Association will make the
repairs and charge the unit owner’s account directly.
11. In no event shall dogs or cats be permitted on the common or limited common elements unattended
or unleashed.
12. Pets must always be accompanied by an adult person and securely controlled by an adequate leash
not more than six (6) feet in length when outdoors. Please note that extendable leashes are not to be
used when walking your pet.
13. It is recommended that any pet that has a history of biting individuals must wear a muzzle when
outdoors for walking purposes.
14. The pet owner must pick up pet waste. Owners must carry an implement for picking up pet waste,
such as plastic bags or a pooper-scooper. Pet waste is to be treated as garbage and is NOT to be dropped
in storm sewers and/or disposed of Clubhouse trash cans, which are within security camera range.
15. Pets are not permitted to urinate on any shrub, tree, or planting on private property.
16. Homeowners who rent their units are permitted to have a “No Pets” clause in their lease with their
tenant.
17. Homeowners are responsible for any fines/violations incurred by their tenant. Unit owners who rent
their units are permitted to add a clause to their lease, indicating that any fines incurred for violations of
the pet rules (as with any other Association rule), are to be reimbursed to the unit owner.
18. Pets must be licensed.
16Hamilton Police Division
2021 Homeowners Monthly
Telephone Numbers
Emergency Police-Fire-Medical............... 911 Meeting Schedule
Police Communications January 27
Non Emergency Dispatcher...............581-4000
February 24
Patrol Shift Commander......................581-4000
Chief of Police.......................................581-4120 March 31
Internal Affairs Unit................................581-4098
April 28
Criminal Investigations Bureau...........581-4008
Narcotics Activity hotline 24 Hour......581-4058 May 26
Records Unit (Reports).........................581-4036
June 30
Crime Prevention Unit..........................581-4033
Neighborhood Watch.........................581-4034 July 28
Community Policing Unit.....................581-4021
September 29
Graffitti Hotline 24 Hour........................581-4021
Educational Services Unit....................581-4028 October 27
Officer Friendly, Dare & Great School November 17
Programs
Meeting times: 6:30 PM
Traffic Enforcement Unit......................581-4024
Traffic Summonses (Court)..................581-4071
Nottingham Fire Department Executive Board Monthly
Emergency Fire.............................................. 911 Meeting Schedule
Non-emergency Station......................890-9834
January 20
February 17
March 24
April 21
May 19
June 23
July 21
August 25
September 22
October 20
November 10
December 15
Meeting times: 2:00 PM
17LOOKING TO Directory
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Board of Trustees
Sandy Gallino……………………....….. President 732-350-5700
Joe Kavalek……………….....…… Vice President
Charlie Krank ……………………….... Treasurer
LOOKING TO
Debbie Sionne……………………....….. Secretary
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Gil Phillips……………………………… Trustee
Newsletter Staff
OR
Editor …………………………….. Sandy Gallino
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Proof Reader ……………….………Cheryl Palmer
Proof Reader …………………………Phyllis Petty
Proof Reader …………………… Barbara Kavalek
DAVID STEPHENS, REALTOR, SRES, ABR
ProofReader…………… . . . . . . . …Carol Ashworth.
Circulation ………. . . . . . Patti Davis & Phyllis Petty Mobile 609-902-2018
davidstephensnj@gmail.com
18
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