What is "Barn(yard) Chic"?

Invitation to Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space gala

Lots of excitement is building around the upcoming FoHVOS 30th anniversary gala to be held on September 16^th at the Historic Barn of Glenmoore Farm.  

The enthusiasm is understandable.  Unlike other local fundraisers, our VIP guests will ride a hot air balloon high above Hopewell Valley to view the 7,500+ acres of land FoHVOS has preserved by partnering with landowners, government and other nonprofit organizations.

We will eagerly recognize the many who helped preserve the Valley's character through open space and farmland preservation, and natural resource protection. There will be a Ted Stiles photo montage and we honor the achievements of conservationists, leaders, & partners, working to protect land & support stewardship in the Hopewell Valley including:

Jack Gleeson Environmental Award

Patricia Sziber

Retired FoHVOS Executive Director

FoHVOS Friends Individual Recognition

Paul Pogorzelski

Hopewell Township Administrator/Engineer

FoHVOS Friends Corporate Recognition

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Finally, our auction will feature all local experiences.  Here are just a few examples: 

• A sustainable Double Brook Farm tour & Brick Farm Tavern dinner for four 
• A flight piloted by Paul Pogo around Hopewell Valley for two
• A Unionville Vineyards tour and wine-tasting for ten 
• A "Hidden Hopewell" tour led by historian David Blackwell for six 
• A surprise to be announced by our municipality mayors
• A lunch with wine & Executive Chef Assi La Ponte at Bonne Assiette for four
• A private photo session and portrait 
• and many other opportunities to experience Hopewell Valley!

So the most frequent question we have received about the evening is, "As we enjoy the locally sourced menu, live music, and other festivities, how should we be dressed?"

Our answer: Barnyard Chic

Our team wrestled with the perfect way to suggest a dress code.  "Semi-formal" may be appropriate to demonstrate ample respect for our honorees and the importance of the occasion. Yet, we need to acknowledge that we are hanging out in a barn. 

While "cocktail attire" is fine, guests probably don't want to be donning high heels on the wooden floor boards or through the gravel and grass. Yet "casual" sounded too, uh, casual.

I voiced our labeling dilemma to benevolent extraordinaire and LHT Co-Founder, Eleanor Horne, and without missing a beat she coined Barnyard Chic.

Watch for Barnyard Chic to become a thing around Hopewell Valley and remember you heard it here first!

Late Blog Addition! A reader suggested that Barnyard implies the yard where the animals are and we should call it "Barn Chic" to ensure attendees are dressed to be in an upscale barn.

Barnyard, Barn, or do you have a better idea?

In any case, I'll see you on September 16^th and look forward to seeing you in all your barn(yard) chic splendor.

Forest Bathing in Hopewell Valley

A view from my walk through the Ted Stiles Preserve.

As health care debates abound in the news, preventive medicine should be a focus as it is among the best ways to improve well-being and keep health care costs down.

What are you doing to stay healthy?  We know all the standard advice: Eat healthy. Exercise. Get plenty of sleep.   And to really improve longevity, find ways to reduce stress.

A lesser-known scientifically proven method to improve health is spending time outdoors.  The Japanese refer to the practice as Shinrin-yoku or “Forest bathing.”

Hopewell Valley is particularly conducive to forest bathing since we have an amazing selection of beautifully preserved forest trails from which to choose.

Studies published by Harvard Medical School and the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) confirm each others findings that forest environment exposure: 

• Boosts immune system
• Lowers blood pressure and pulse rates
• Reduces stress hormone production and relieves stress
• Increases focus for both young and old
• Accelerates healing from surgical procedure or sickness
• Improves mood and overall feelings of wellbeing
• Increases stamina
• Improves sleep

These results are contributing to the development of a research field dedicated to forest medicine and may be used as a strategy for preventive medicine. While much has been published about your brain on nature in the past, recent media is reporting the Japanese practice of forest bathing is exploding in the United States and an emerging industry of forest therapy consultants abound.

The key to forest bathing is simply to be mindful. Immersion in the forest will help clear your mind and open your senses to connect with nature.

Many people find the experience meditative and notice their breathing while walking through the forest tuning into the sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes to experience a very visceral reaction of senses to their surroundings.

Reducing stress improves mortality and lowers health care costs.  Incorporating forest therapy is an excellent stress-reduction therapy and couldn’t be easier in Hopewell Valley.

Many Valley dwellers have lived here for years and haven’t explored the bucolic opportunities right in our backyard. There is probably a forest preserve surprisingly close to your home.

Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) is a nonprofit land trust that is dedicated to preserving the Valley's character though open space and farmland preservation, and natural resource protection.

FoHVOS has partnered with landowners, government and other non-profit organizations to preserve and steward thousands of acres of natural forest in Hopewell Valley that are open to the public.

Download our free 36 page Guide to the Walking Trails in the Hopewell Valley (also found at www.fohvos.org.)

Find your own inspiration by exploring the best of the Valley. Visit Pole Farm at Mercer Meadows, Thompson Preserves in Hopewell, the Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain, or the numerous other preserves our Valley has to share.

(Climate) Change begins at home

Native wildflowers replace a manicured detention basin.

Changes in the political landscape have spurred discussions regarding global responsibility for the environment. 

As a result, increased visibility has propelled this issue to center stage and a common bond has formed among disparate groups joining together to actively support our planet.

Dan Pace, MC Planning & FoHVOS Trustee, me, and
Hopewell Twp Mayor Kevin Kuchinski at Science March

In response to intensified environmental fears, marches, teach-Ins, and other activism spontaneously formed throughout the country which led to a heightened sense of community.  I am pictured at right in Trenton at one of the many Science Marches.

While activism raises awareness and leaves participants feeling motivated and inspired, it does little to actually address the issues at hand.

A perk of being the Executive Director of an environmental nonprofit is working and partnering with some of the best and brightest experts in the field to set up programs for outreach and education.

Most people realize that their lifestyle choices (i.e turning off lights, fuel efficient cars, and even food selection) have a big impact on reducing our carbon footprint, reducing pollution, and improving water quality.  Let's hope this new awareness leads us to seek out additional knowledge and education and consider more of our actions through an environmental lens. We all need to do our part.

Consider that this weekend offers many summer kick-off events including garden tours, guided hikes and other outdoor friendly activities. Attend them all and delight in the riches that our Valley offers but prioritize those that provide some education that you can use later to improve the environment.

For example, start with a Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space short tour that features experts who can show you how turn your garden into a sanctuary for native plants.  Check out how Mark and Samantha Bean transformed their backyard into an ecological paradise. They converted their neighborhood detention basin into a thriving meadow and have implemented a number of environmentally beneficial features into their own yard. 

Register to attend the garden tour. Enjoy yourself and make proactive choices to positively impact our environment. Change begins at home.