HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy in Far Hills, NJ

It looks like it's the end of an era. The Friendly's in Morrisville has closed its doors for good. I'm sure many locals are sad to see it go.

The restaurant has been on West Trenton Avenue for 40 years, but when one of my co-workers stopped by for a treat on his way home the other day, it was closed.

As of Friday (July 15th) the Facebook page for this location was still being updated but, it was just general pictures of Friendly's ice cream.

The big Friendly's sign has already been taken off of the building and a big red banner is hanging on the front window that reads in part, "After 40 years of serving great food and ice cream, we are closing this location July 5th."

The sign also directs you to the next closest Friendly's location which is on East Lincoln Highway in Langhorne.

There are other locations at Neshaminy Mall, on Street Road in Bensalem, Route 611 in Horsham and one in Mercer County...on Washington Boulevard in Robbinsville (Foxmoor Shopping Center)....Cherry Hill and Marlton too.

Not sure why this location closed, whether it was pandemic related or not, but, I hope this isn't the beginning of the end of this chain.

Friendly's is a classic. It's a great family restaurant where you don't have to worry about your kids being too loud or sitting like soldiers.

We used to take our kids there when they were younger. It's a casual atmosphere with kid-friendly food and fun desserts that keep you going back.

The Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae is my favorite and sooo delicious. I'm going to have to go get one now. Lol.

Must Visit Mini Golf Courses in NJ & PA

Looking to play some mini golf this summer? Don't miss these courses, that PST listeners gave the thumbs up.

On Route 31, near Pennington Quality Market, the mini golf course is beautiful...definitely good for your Instagram. The course isn't too easy or too hard, it's perfect. My family loves playing there. There is some shade for hot summer days, too.

On Lincoln Highway in Fairless Hills, not far from Oxford Valley Mall and Sesame Place, you don't realize how awesome this course is, until you go off the road onto the lush course. The sound of the waterfalls is so relaxing. After golfing, grab some pizza, hot dogs, ice cream or milkshakes. You'll love it there.

Doesn't this look cool? On the boardwalk in Point Pleasant. This is one of the two courses in town. Castaway Cove (shown) and Lighthouse Point are ready to challenge you.

On Route 31 in Ringoes, not far from Hopewell, there are two scenic "World Class Miniature Golf" course. No windmills or clown mouths here, you'll play over the beautifully landscaped grounds. After you play your 18 holes, eat at the cutest red barn right on the property.

Good, old fashioned fun is just what you're crave down the shore. Windmills, lighthouses, and all your favorite mini golf things are at this popular golf spot in Ship Bottom. There have been celebrity sightings as well. Cool. PS...it's cash only, just be prepared.

The Best Coffee Shops in Mercer, Bucks, and Burlington Counties That Aren't Chains

If you're looking for a good cup of coffee, and would rather skip the chains and support a local business, try these places, as recommended by PST listeners.

Located in The Lawrence Shopping Center, this bakery has earned quite a following since it opened just a few years ago...and there coffee is one of the reasons people keep going back.

Located at 750 Cass Street in Trenton, they're open 7 days a week, and offer delivery and a coffee club. They specialize in well-balanced coffee. The owners say a good cup of coffee has balance just like a good life has balance. Stop in to find your balance.

Great Brunch Places in Mercer & Bucks Counties

But first, Brunch. It's so trendy right now. A new PST Poll asked where you like to brunch, locally, and wow, there are a ton of mouthwatering choices. Grab your besties and head to one of these local spots for cocktails and the most delicious food on the weekends. Save your appetite. PS. These are just a few of the great spots in the area...we know there are more....get out there and enjoy them.

It's always a good time for pancakes, especially PJ's famous pancakes. With locations in downtown Princeton, Kingston, West Windsor, Ewing, and Robbinsville, you'll love PJ's extensive menu. The Robbinsville and Ewing locations also have a full bar, so make sure you check out the Brunch cocktails.

In Ewing, a Breakfast Burger and some Hangover fries may just hit the spot on a Sunday morning. Lol. Al's also has all of your brunch favorites. Try the Mermaid Mermosa, a Cranberry Orange Mimosa Bellini, or one of their other Brunch cocktails.

What a cute place. LCH proudly serves locally roasted (Buck County) coffee that everyone loves. Make sure to try the French Toast encrusted with Fruity Pebbles...wow...fresh wraps, salads and so much more. Bonus...LCH also has leash holders for four-legged customers. Awww.

The borough of Far Hills recently celebrated its centennial anniversary. Though the municipality comprises only about five miles of Somerset County, each fall it draws thousands of visitors from across the tri-state area. These guests are eager to experience a day at the Far Hills Races, a sporting event that is colloquially known as “The Hunt.”

While the Autumn steeplechase is certainly an annual highlight, Far Hills and the surrounding area have much to offer in the summer months as well. If you’re seeking a quick escape to the country, look no further. Read on for your guide to spending an afternoon exploring historic Far Hills.

The bucolic vibe makes Far Hills feel far away. On the contrary, the borough is incredibly accessible by rail and by road.

There are three train stations (Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack) in the immediate vicinity, with the Far Hills stop conveniently located next to the village center. As soon as you step off of the train, you’ll be stepping into history: the Far Hills Train Station has a place on the national and state Registers of Historic Places. Directly across the street from the Spanish Revival station, designed by architect L.R. Simpson in 1914, are the famous racing grounds.

Direct trains run from Hoboken to Far Hills on weekdays, with a one-way trip totaling roughly an hour and a half. Be sure to check weekend schedules to determine whether a transfer or bus connection is a requirement. If departing from Montclair, there is a transfer at Newark Broad Street, and the trip can take anywhere from an hour forty-five to just over two hours depending on the length of your layover.

By car, the borough is roughly fifty minutes from Hoboken and forty-five minutes from Montclair. It’s a quick and easy drive, with a bulk of the trip spent on I-78. Parking is no problem with large lots at shopping and dining locales.

A Home Decor Destination

The village center hosts many home and design shops sure to pique interest, so if you’re in the process of redecorating a visit to Far Hills is a must. These shops are all located at the seemingly interconnected shopping plazas between 55 US – 202 and De Mun Place, so you can take a leisurely stroll to see each stop. Remember to check store hours before making the trip, as many of the shops close their doors on Sundays.

This interior design firm under Jeffrey Butler Haines provides “design consultation, space planning, interior architecture, and custom furniture design” among other services. The firm has antiques on-site and the team is capable of restoring antiques. Haines himself has been nationally recognized for his work, and clients note that his classic though “not predictable” style has certainly enhanced and elevated their homes, from Nantucket to Vero Beach. You can submit a design request online or plan to walk through the showroom which is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Located just behind Butler’s at Ludlow Square, this shop specializes in outdoor decor and floral design. The owners invite you to come in to “find the perfect gift for a loved one” or take advantage of personalized gardening or outdoor design consultations. If you’re hoping to spruce up your apartment, Classic Home + Garden does carry a line of indoor goods as well. The store is open seven days a week, though Sunday visits require an appointment.

If you’re looking to up the ante with your upcoming party invitations or are in the market for beautiful stationery, Engraved Images is the place to go. The boutique was started by Heidi Pfluger Gammon in 1986 and has since become the destination for custom paper for both individuals and corporate clients in Somerset County. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Next door to Engraved Images, you’ll find a location of Yves Delorme Paris, the international luxury linens vendor. Yves Delorme brands its products as exceptional linens “uniting poetry, audacity, excellence, and Savoir-Faire.” This shop is open Tuesday through Saturday.

In addition to the shops listed above, Branch Home officially made its debut recently, and the homewares store seems to be hitting the ground running. The owners describe the space as “a little cottage filled with beautiful things for your life,” and enjoy highlighting locally sourced products. Branch Home’s website has not yet been finalized, but you can follow along on Instagram for updates.

A Walk in the Park

Despite the listed address, Natirar is a local park made up of hundreds of acres that touches multiple municipalities, including Far Hills. Visitors are welcome to explore the many walking trails and gardens open to the public, all while learning more about the property’s history and mission of “promoting stewardship of land and resources.” Dogs are welcome at Natirar— you’ll find many four-legged visitors running around the main grounds as soon as you drive up. Fishing, too, is a popular activity and is permissible at the Raritan river so long as local guidelines are followed.

Natirar’s upper acres are home to additional delights including a club, farm, and restaurant (which even offers cooking classes). This portion of the property is currently in the process of being developed, so be sure to check in as their offerings expand. Plans include the introduction of private residences and an upscale hotel, to be part of the Pendry group.

Where to Eat

If you need a quick bite to eat following your trip, The Butler’s Pantry is a great option. The space is located within the train station and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner most days. The restaurant is family-owned, and the proprietors take pride in serving “fresh and delicious home-cooked meals that satisfy any craving.”

This vegan juice bar arrived on the scene in September of 2020. The cafe has already become quite popular: the operators have had to extend their hours to meet demand, Bati is now open seven days a week. The menu features a selection of daily breakfast and lunch specials in addition to signature cold-pressed juices and smoothies. And, if you’re looking to detox, the juice bar offers personalized cleanse programs to suit your taste.

Ninety Acres is the public restaurant that sits atop the vast property of Natirar Park, making this an excellent place to dine after a day of exploring the area. The upscale farm-to-table venue does have a dress code, so be sure to bring a change of clothes if you plan to spend the day at the park. The seasonal menu includes diverse individual entrees as well as the option for a classic four-course family-style, prix fixe meal. Ninety Acres is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, and reservations are suggested as seating is limited, though available both indoors and outside.

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Dan Ruhland is not one to follow the rules.

Sure, the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s 2021 trend report says, “White, off-whites, grays and beiges will remain the top color schemes.” But Ruhland has other ideas. The Long Valley–based designer eschews trends, focusing instead on “trying something different.”

We found two recent, one-of-a-kind projects that epitomize Ruhland’s unique take on color.

Blue Beauty in Far Hills

Far Hills homeowner Erica Brennan has a special bond with Dan Ruhland. “I trust him, and he gets me,” she says. So, when Ruhland took on the family’s kitchen renovation, Brennan stepped back and let him run the show. The family of six lived in the basement of their spacious French country-style home for six months—equal parts quarantining and avoiding the chaos of the renovation.

“We busted out the kitchen a week before Covid hit,” says Brennan.

The unveiling was worth the isolation; Ruhland has transformed the cavernous, builder-grade kitchen into a showcase.

“Erica, like everybody, started off wanting a white kitchen,” says Ruhland, “but I suggested we go in a different direction.” His starting point was the bold herringbone-pattern tile backsplash. “Originally, it was going to be the pattern for the entire kitchen, but I switched to using it as an accent behind the cooktop,” he says.

Ruhland then specified a blue-gray subway tile for the remaining areas, installed, like wainscot, from the floor to mid-wall. “Dan talked us into the colorful tile,” says Brennan. Ultimately, she says, “the tile backsplash makes the whole space warmer. It’s stunning.”

Keeping with the blue-gray theme, Ruhland chose a porcelain flooring that resembles wood planks. “It’s absolutely the best thing we did,” says Brennan. The countertop material is concrete: gray on the island and stone around the perimeter. Looking up at the fifth wall, Ruhland painted the lofty ceiling a bold blue to complement the island cabinets and designed beams for architectural interest. “It’s brand-new wood, character grade,” he says. “We added a clear satin stain to emphasize the knots.”

A second kitchen sink features brass fixtures to coordinate with the cabinet hardware. Photo by Laura Moss

To accommodate the family of six in one open space, Ruhland created a kitchen lounge off to one side. “It’s a comfortable hang-out space where the family can be together when the cook is busy,” he says. Naturally, he focused on the fifth wall in this room too, designing a stunning, white-oak, trayed ceiling.

“Dan has wonderful vision,” says Brennan. “Every part of this kitchen is a showpiece.”

Orange Original in New Vernon

Open shelving reinforces the contemporary farmhouse vibe in this New Vernon home. Photo by Laura Moss

What started off as a renovation of an outdated house took on a life of its own at this New Vernon residence, home to a family of three (who asked to remain anonymous). “Ultimately, we had to tear it down and start fresh,” says Ruhland. The result, he says, is a true modern farmhouse, with bold bursts of orange throughout.

The kitchen is the prime example. “I proposed a green backsplash,” says Ruhland. The homeowner didn’t agree. “She suggested orange,” says Ruhland. “Nobody ever says orange, so I went with it.”

Ruhland selected glossy orange tile in random horizontal shapes, installing them on the wall and behind the open shelving. “The look takes me back to the stately Newport mansions,” he says, “but with a contemporary flair.”

Cabinet finishes are a mix of bright-white and white-and-gray stained white oak. “The flat panels are a very clean look,” he says.

Ruhland jumped at the chance to design an orange kitchen. Photo by Laura Moss

Continuing with the eclectic mix of materials, Ruhland selected a matte-black and copper range, topped with a custom-designed hood. Striking copper-and-mesh pendants echo the look. Countertops are marble; flooring is porcelain. “The flooring is very dynamic, with lots of movement,” says Ruhland. The ceiling he left plain. “There’s so much activity here,” he says. “The ceiling doesn’t need to speak loudly.”

The kitchen’s special features include a large walk-in pantry and a roll-out baking station. “Their daughter loves to bake, so this area really gets used,” says Ruhland. Another unique feature is the counter inset behind the sink. It’s a space for spatula and knife storage, he explains, as well as for potted herbs. “It has a drain connected to the sink drain, so it’s easy to keep them watered,” he says.

The countertop directly behind the sink has knife storage and a self-draining space for fresh herbs. Photo by Laura Moss

Now, the homeowners wake up every day and ponder “how happy they are to live in this house,” says Ruhland.

Dan Ruhland Designs, Long Valley, 347-683-9837.

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It usually takes an ordinary person two to three months to climb Mount Everest, but Dr. Qaisra Saeed, an interventional cardiologist with RWJBarnabas Health, is far from ordinary.

Knowing she couldn't be away from her patients that long, Saeed set out to accomplish the feat in just three weeks.

She did just that.

Climbing mountains is nothing new to Saeed, a resident of Short Hills, who works a Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center within the RWJBarnabas Health system.

"I did a climb last year with a company that did climbs at Mount Everest, and based on how I did last year, they thought that I would be able to climb Mount Everest in three weeks, in a shorter period of time. Because of that, I decided to start training and attempt it," Saeed said.

“I’ve been climbing mountains for several years," Saeed said. "In mountain climbing, Everest was always in the back of my mind. It didn’t always feel to be attainable, but it was always in the back of my mind."

And, thus, the training ? and research ? began.

'January in Jersey is kind of cold'

Saeed researched training practices, and followed the training from a woman in California, who climbed Mount Everest from the Tibet side of the Himalayas in two weeks.

"I went through her training, her diet, all her training up until the climb, and I just really put it in my mind that I was going to do this," the doctor said.

To get her body used to functioning at lower oxygen levels, Saeed slept in a hypoxic tent for two months before her trip.

"Most of the companies recommend that people sleep in these tents to acclimate and make it easier to climb faster. And I also did spend time in the sauna, which is supposed to induce heat shock proteins, which also make you more resistant to hypoxia, or low oxygen levels," Saeed said.

But sleeping in a hypoxic tent was just base camp at the foot of the mountain in Saeed's training.

"I have a 50-pound backpack I would run with," Saeed said. "I usually run on the treadmill because I started my training in January. I’d get up at like 5:30 to do my running and 5:30 in the morning in January in Jersey is kind of cold. So, I’d run, I’d go to work, I’d come back. I did Tae Kwon Do. I’ve been doing that for more than 10 years and I think that helped me a lot with a lot of my core training. And, also with a lot of the mental training. I think in things like these types of climbs, and these type of trips, probably it’s 60 percent mental. The physical is very important, but there’s a lot of mental aspects to it, that make it possible to do this."

Saeed started training in January year, and began her accelerated climb of Everest on April 29, with Pioneer Adventures.

'I’m going to fall'

Saeed wasn't alone on her climb. She did the climb with G. Lakpa, a Sherpa she had hired and with whom she climbed an 8,000-meter peak the previous year.

"I felt comfortable with him, so I asked him to do the climb with me. So, it was us two. I had some rescue insurance. During those climbs, you have to be very self-sufficient," the doctor said. "At some point, you can get help, but at a certain point, no one may be able to help you. You have your Sherpa who can potentially help you, but really, in these types of situations, you have to be very self-sufficient."

There were some close calls on Saeed's climb.

"Some of them were climbing down the mountain and we were almost out. We were like half an hour from the end of the ice falls, and I was on the last ladder, because you have to do these ladder crossings, and my crampon got stuck in the ladder, and I was halfway across the crevasse, and I panicked immediately."

"When you climb on the ladders, you have to be like one person at a time, you can’t go with anybody, because they’re not very stable and this one was like four ladders strapped together with rope. And I was halfway across. We were coming out. I was almost at the end and my crampon gets stuck. I just panicked. I said, “Oh, my God.” So, I made it all the way up and I’m coming out, I’m going to fall in this crevasse right at the end."

Saeed yelled to her guide Lakpa she was stuck.

"He’s on the other side and he just looks at me. He’s like, ‘Ah, just maybe wiggle your foot, go forward, go back.' You can’t just pull your foot out because you're on this ladder that’s unstable, I would just topple over. I kind of had to step forward, wiggle my foot a little bit, I stepped backwards, wiggled my foot a little bit. I did that for a while. And, finally, my foot got free, and I was able to walk the rest of the way off the ladder."

"I was like, 'Oh, my God, this is just my luck.’ I do the whole climb and then right at the end, I have a problem. But that was very scary because I thought, it figures I made this whole climb and now I’m going to have a problem," Saeed said.

'I really feel like I can handle anything'

Announcing you're going to climb Mount Everest is not something you tell your family and friends every day.

"I didn’t tell my Dad until I came down, because he gets too nervous and he might not want me to do it," Saeed said. "I did tell my Mom and my family, and everybody was, I mean, they were excited for me. I think they were a little nervous. Everybody asked me to be careful. Most people were very supportive because they knew this was something that I wanted to do and I had been training since January so, I was very boring from January to April. I didn’t go out with anybody; I didn’t do anything fun. Anytime I had free time, I was like, 'OK, I have to run, I have to train.' All my free time was really spent to train. So, everybody was really supportive of me.”

But Saeed is not stopping with Mount Everest. Her next goal is climbing K2 in Pakistan, the second highest mountain on Earth.

"I haven’t told my Dad that one either yet. Actually, my Dad is from Pakistan, he was from a village called Khall in Dir in Pakistan. He currently lives in Peshawar, and K2 is the second highest peak, so it’s not the tallest, but it’s actually harder than Mount Everest. I like to challenge myself and I feel like this would be a great challenge."

Most mountaineers consider K2 to be a more difficult climb than Everest.

"It’s supposed to be harder," Saeed said. "It’s a lot more technical and there’s a lot more climbing. I had to re-put up my pull-up bar, I put up my pull-up bar in the doorway in between my kitchen and laundry room. So, I’ve been working on my pull-ups again."

Her accomplishment on the mountain has carried over into Saeed's professional life.

"I truly feel that it’s made me more confident. I really feel like I can handle anything. Anything that gets thrown at me, I feel like, ‘Oh, I climbed Mount Everest, this is nothing. I can totally do this.’ Things are much less daunting, and I feel like I’m in a better position, even to advise my patients on exercise regimen, even inspiring them to follow their own goals in their life. I feel like it’s really benefitted me and enabled me to inspire people, my colleagues, my patients, and advise people in general. Especially exercise and training," Saeed said.

Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com.

New Jersey residents pay the highest property taxes in the nation, and the statewide average climbs a little higher each year.

The Garden State’s average property tax bill was $9,284 in 2021, a year-over-year increase of $172.

But there were some homeowners in the state who saw their bills actually decrease last year.

Property taxes are assessed at the local level, and the tax rates and average bills differ widely from one town to the next. And New Jersey is overflowing with towns.

The average property tax bill rose in nearly 90% of the 564 municipalities spread across the state. But residents in 65 New Jersey towns saw a decrease in the average bill, with some falling by as much as eight times the average statewide increase.

Here are the 30 municipalities with the biggest one-year decreases:

30. Woodbury Heights, Gloucester County

2021: $8,099

2020: $8,167

Change: -$68

29. Harrison, Hudson County

2021: $10,126

2020: $10,202

Change: -$76

28. Wrightstown, Burlington County

2021: $4,469

2020: $4,553

Change: -$84

27. Hope, Warren County

2021: $7,676

2020: $7,763

Change: -$87

26. Maywood, Bergen County

2021: $10,062

2020: $10,149

Change: -$87

25. West Cape May, Cape May County

2021:$6,035

2020: $6,128

Change: -$93

24. Franklin, Hunterdon County

2021: $11,265

2020: $11,362

Change: -$97

23. Penns Grove, Salem County

2021: $4,264

2020: $4,361

Change: -$97

22. Liberty, Warren County

2021: $7,195

2020: $7,296

Change: -$101

21. Atlantic City, Atlantic County

2021: $4,792

2020: $4,895

Change: -$103

20. Eagleswood, Ocean County

2021: $6,677

2020: $6,788

Change: -$111

19. Greenwich, Cumberland County

2021: $6,425

2020: $6,543

Change: -$118

18. Brooklawn, Camden County

2021: $4,287

2020: $4,409

Change: -$122

17. Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County

2021: $6,241

2020: $6,368

Change: -$127

16. Totowa, Passaic County

2021: $9,508

2020: $9,667

Change: -$159

15. Washington, Warren County

2021: $7,228

2020: $7,393

Change: -$165

14. River Vale, Bergen County

2021: $15,353

2020: $15,519

Change: -$166

13. Far Hills, Somerset County

2021: $14,493

2020: $14,663

Change: -$170

12. Sparta, Sussex County

2021: $12,416

2020: $12,614

Change: -$198

11. New Brunswick, Middlesex County

2021: $6,490

2020: $6,689

Change: -$199

10. Andover, Sussex County

2021: $6,918

2020: $7,148

Change: -$230

9. Frelinghuysen, Warren County

2021: $7,839

2020: $8,112

Change: -$273

8. Beach Haven, Ocean County

2021: $9,055

2020: $9,340

Change: -$285

7. Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County

2021: $14,823

2020: $15,164

Change: -$341

6. Netcong, Morris County

2021: $8,283

2020: $8,682

Change: -$399

5. Sea Girt, Monmouth County

2021: $13,069

2020: $13,469

Change: -$400

4. Old Tappan, Bergen County

2021: $16,680

2020: $17,159

Change: -$479

3. Upper Saddle River, Bergen County

2021: $18,154

2020: $18,886

Change: -$732

2. Millstone, Somerset County

2021: $7,516

2020: $8,541

Change: -$1,025

1. Rockleigh, Bergen County

2021: $12,769

2020: $14,146

Change: -$1,377

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