In a collaborative effort, the Bordentown and Chesterfield townships’ green teams joined forces to give their communities the first Health and Wellness Green Fair on April 26.
by Charley Falkenburg, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Kermit the frog might not think it’s easy, but if he had stopped by the Joseph Lawrence Park on Saturday, he would have discovered just how easy it is to be both green and healthy.
In a collaborative effort, the Bordentown and Chesterfield townships’ green teams joined forces to give their communities the first Health and Wellness Green Fair on April 26. Between health exhibits and their eco-friendly counterparts, people were able to visit and learn from more than 80 vendors.
”If even one of our citizens comes here and gets the information that will help them with their lives, than we’ve done a good job,” said Bordentown Township Mayor Steve Benowitz. “Plus, we want to leave the world at least in the same condition we found it, but hopefully in a better condition for future generations.”
The fair kicked off with a family walk to benefit two local families that have children with chronic illnesses and are plagued by medical expenses.
While participants got their blood pumping to help those children get healthy, others meandered around learning how to be healthier.
To practice what they were preaching, Melissa Maldonada and Dee Griffith, of two Bordentown-based Retro Fitness gyms, were getting their hoola hoop on while explaining Retro’s amenities.
”Fitness is the key to life,” said Melissa Maldonada, as her hoola hoop continued to swirl around her waist.
Members can enjoy a wide selection of exercise machines and equipment and group fitness classes at affordable prices — and they might even see a local government official while they’re there, she said.
”Mayor Benowitz works out at our gym,” added Ms. Maldonada with a smile.
Nearby, the American Lung Association was spreading the word about lung health, people were lining up for free blood pressure assessments and several tables had an array of senior services and programs. One was Bordentown City’s Clare Estate, a dependent and assisted living community.
”We’re a full service campus, which makes us a little different,” explained Alyson Mulryne, the executive director of Clare Estate. “You have to see us to believe us.”
Also a Bordentown City resident, Ms. Mulryne said Clare was the natural next step for the seniors who were born and raised in the city’s tight knit community.
”That speaks volumes to what we are and what we’ve maintained,” she added.
The South Jersey Family Medical Center was also on hand providing insight into all the resources they have for men and women in need whether or not they have insurance.
”We’re open for everyone — no one gets turned away,” said Stephanie Marshall, one of the Burlington County community workers. “This fair is a great way to get that information to them.”
Others perused stands featuring Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, Speech Academy LLC, Eye Care Center of Bordentown and Princeton Homecare. A few people stopped by the Key Club from the Bordentown Regional High School to partake in some grilled organic veggies before looking into workshops offered by Herbalife’s Bootcamp Challenge in Columbus.
”We’re trying to get Burlington County healthy — we have everything for every type of person,” said Carla Donahue, a supervisor at Herbalife.
Ms. Donahue joined the company a year ago and despite two hip replacements, she is 40 pounds lighter and stronger than ever.
”I started doing two push ups against the wall and now I’m up to 40,” she added with a smile. “It takes time, but you do what you can.”
The celebrities of the fair appeared to be Wayne and McShane — two fuzzy Alpacas who were visiting from Windy Farm Alpacas, a family-run farm with 36 animals based in Chesterfield. As a few girls ran over to take some selfies with the llamas, owner Jackie Armiger was nearby selling sweaters, yarns and accessories made of soft alpaca wool.
”We bought the old dairy farm 14 years ago and were wondering what to do with it,” explained Ms. Armiger. “Alpacas were an idea and it became a reality — plus they’re so cute.”
Near the park’s playground, many children clad in iconic orange Home Depot aprons were hammering away and painting birdhouses. There were also several tables from Chesterfield’s Environmental Commission displaying scenic drawings of nature, eco-surveys and an array of animals preserved by taxidermy.
”Here, want to pet it?” asked Martha Veselka, the chair of the CEC, as she held out fox. “We’re showing that there is nature all around you and ways to allow these animals to live.”
In addition, the eco-friendly tables were passing out pamphlets and information on ways that wildlife live, the importance of recycling, plant care and the dangers of pesticides.
”Enjoy the planet and what we have, get outside and you’ll appreciate the outdoors more,” added Ms. Veselka when asked for advice. “And keep your carbon footprint small and don’t generate a lot of garbage.”
There were also solar energy companies, self-defense demonstrations, a model of ruby red Ford Fusion Energi and Evolve for Animals, a pro-vegan education-based organization in New Jersey and New York.
Behind a selection of tofurkey, fresh vegan pizza and chicken-free strips, Neal Sehgal, of North Brunswick, said his mental processing has sped up, his skin cleared and he lost 15 pounds since going vegan four years ago.
”Veganism is the greatest thing you can do for the environment — it is environmentalism,” he added. “Veganism is a panacea for all the world’s woes.”
For allergy woes, Birds and Bees Farm based in Columbus had a variety of raw, organic honeys available.
”Raw honey has a lot of great vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It also has a lot of B vitamins — no pun intended,” explained farm owner and bee keeper Hugh Pribell.
Earlier, Bordentown Township Deputy Mayor Jim Cann, gave Mr. Pribell’s honey stand a thumbs up.
However, the deputy mayor said he was particularly excited about the fair and the teamwork that led to its success. In fact, he hopes to grow it even bigger for next year.
”I have no problem even making it a regional thing, bring Mansfield into it — why not? The more the merrier,” he added. “Some people don’t know what’s available and this is an opportunity to find out what is.”

