Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Great Meadows, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Great Meadows, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Great Meadows, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
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Timothy Frederiks wants to go back to college.Before the ink was barely dry on his new five-year contract, Frederiks resigned from his post tonight as the shared superintendent of the ...
Timothy Frederiks wants to go back to college.
Before the ink was barely dry on his new five-year contract, Frederiks resigned from his post tonight as the shared superintendent of the Great Meadows Regional and Allamuchy Township school districts.
He accepted the position in late June.
Frederiks - whose resignation is effective Sept. 30 - said an opportunity to become a full-time faculty member at Centenary College presented itself in the middle of July.
"And it was too good to pass up," he said.
He will be teaching in Centenary's education department and head the college's graduate education program.
"It's something that I wanted to do post my public school life," he said, "And you've got to take the opportunity when it comes around because you don't know when it will come around again."
Frederiks made the decision to leave Great Meadows and Allamuchy with students scheduled to return to classes in three weeks.
"Even though it wasn't good timing for Great Meadows or Allamuchy, it was an offer I couldn't refuse," he said. "And I did think about it for almost a week before I finally said, 'You know what? I have to do it.'"
Joe Mailloux, vice president of the Great Meadows Regional School Board, said the board will explore options when it comes to choosing a new superintendent.
He said officials will consider another shared services agreement with Allamuchy or Hackettstown or interview an interim superintendent for either half a school year or for the entire year.
"We're not in the position at this point to find our own superintendent other than a potentially shared service," Mailloux said.
It would be difficult for Great Meadows to find the superintendent it wants because it's so close to the school year, Malloux said, adding Allamuchy is looking to hire from within at this point. Despite the short time-frame, he said a new superintendent should be in place by Oct. 1.
"We're just not exactly sure where they're coming from at this point," Mailloux said.
While the superintendent in Allamuchy, Fredericks' services were shared with Green Township School District in Sussex County for about two years starting in 2007. Frederiks served as the shared superintendent in Great Meadows and Allamuchy from 2009 to 2011.
In regards to Centenary posting the position just after he had inked the new contract with Great Meadows and Allamuchy, Frederiks said it was a difference in schedules.
"They operate on a little different clock than we do," he said. "What's important in the public schools might not necessarily be important to them, timing-wise, anyway."
First day for staff to report to Great Meadows is Sept. 4. First day for students is Sept. 5.
DALLAS, Pa. — For Heather N. Beleno of Great Meadows, her semester-long internship at Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia in Scranton, Pa., was more than the front door to her future career in marketing. It was the culmination of a months-long experience that brought about a wide range of emotions for the 2011 Misericordia University graduate.It was the beginning of her senior year at Misericordia University and the Hackettstown High School graduate was looking forward to her last year as a ...
DALLAS, Pa. — For Heather N. Beleno of Great Meadows, her semester-long internship at Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia in Scranton, Pa., was more than the front door to her future career in marketing. It was the culmination of a months-long experience that brought about a wide range of emotions for the 2011 Misericordia University graduate.
It was the beginning of her senior year at Misericordia University and the Hackettstown High School graduate was looking forward to her last year as a collegian and the experience she would gain during her spring-semester internship. As she personally researched the positions available in her field, the daughter of Tom and Wendy Beleno could see that her options were plentiful. But in what direction did she want to take her career, she would ask herself during the process? The importance of an internship cannot be understated as employers oftentimes seek new college graduates who have applied their classroom lessons in a real-world setting.
“The current economic environment combined with the heightened level of competition demands that new potential employees be able to contribute right away,’’ says Robert Williams, assistant director of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurship Education at Misericordia University. “The only way for current college students, graduates, to be able to compete is by completing internships.’’
The picture came into focus when she learned her second cousin, Jack Culbertson, 8, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, the most common childhood cancer in the United States. Beleno acted on her own instincts and reached out to comfort the family member. “When I saw that he wrote something on his mom’s Facebook wall about his girlfriends Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, I reached out to many different organizations to try and get anything from them that I could,’’ Beleno says. “I ended up getting him an autographed picture and all of Carrie Underwood’s CDs.’’
Today, Culbertson is successfully fighting the disease and enjoying the many generous gifts his cousin presented him shortly after his diagnosis. The experience also made Beleno’s choice for an internship become crystal clear.
From January to May, Beleno worked to get Make-A-Wish established in its new Scranton office so they could make dreams come true for other children afflicted with life-threatening illnesses. She coordinated outreach efforts with guidance counselors in 11 regional school districts to refer children in-need to the foundation. “The letter campaign was to inform counselors on how to refer a child to the foundation,’’ explains Beleno, who received her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing during Misericordia University’s 85th annual Commencement ceremony in May. “The letter was very successful, as I received responses back from counselors letting me know that they will refer anyone they know of to Make-A-Wish and we also received five referrals.’’
Beleno also assisted the regional branch with fundraising activities, media relations and cultivating new sponsors and benefactors in Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming counties. The overall internship in marketing was important for Beleno because it provided her with the hands-on experience she was seeking and other valuable lessons she will be able to apply in her career.
“Patience was the most valuable lesson I learned from my internship,’’ says Beleno, who gained professional skills, enhanced her communication skills and started to network for future employment during her internship. “I made so many phone calls and sent out so many e-mails. With families having such busy lives, it was hard to get in touch with them.’’
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HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — If you’ve noticed gasoline prices have been going up in the Garden State, you’re not alone.Average gas prices, on the week and the month, have increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia as of Monday. The national average, at $2.72 per gallon, is a 30-cent increase from a month ago and 28 cents more than this time last year, according to a AAA report. It’s the most expensive daily average since August 2019.In New Jersey, the average price for regular gas is $2.85 per gallon...
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — If you’ve noticed gasoline prices have been going up in the Garden State, you’re not alone.
Average gas prices, on the week and the month, have increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia as of Monday. The national average, at $2.72 per gallon, is a 30-cent increase from a month ago and 28 cents more than this time last year, according to a AAA report. It’s the most expensive daily average since August 2019.
In New Jersey, the average price for regular gas is $2.85 per gallon, while midgrade gas is going for a $3.17 average and premium gas for $3.35.
California has the highest average gas price, at $3.68 per gallon as of Monday, while Hawaii, Washington and Nevada are now above a $3-per-gallon average now as well.
Part of the reason for the gas price increase is the winter storm that crippled Texas and much of the American South in February. Twenty-six U.S. refineries were pushed offline, as refinery utilization went from the average 83 percent to 68 percent, AAA reported, citing information from the Energy Information Administration.
The closest cheap fill up in Warren County is the Jersey Gas on Route 46 in Great Meadows offering $2.69 a gallon. Next up is the 76 on Water Street in Belvedere selling at $2.69 and Shell in Columbia are selling at $2.63 a gallon.
For those traveling in the closest cheap fill up in Morris County is the BP at 5569 Berkshire Valley Road in Oak Ridge. They are selling gas at $2.59 a gallon, according to Gas Buddy.com. That price is matched by the Delta on Knoll Road in Boonton. Next up the BP and Enrite in Dover are selling at $2.63 a gallon.
Sussex County has Circle K on Route 23 in Stockholm selling gas at $2.67 followed by the Delta in Stanhope on 183 selling at $2.69 and the 7-11 on Newton Avenue in Branchville selling at $2.67.
“Barring hurricane season, March may bring the most expensive pump prices of 2021,” said Jeanette Casselano McGee, a AAA spokesperson. “While the month is roaring in like a lion, by the end of it we could see some relief at the pump as refineries resume normal operations.”
But it’s not likely to come right away.
The average national gas price could hit $2.80 by the end of March, a AAA projection shows. That could mean an increase of 5 to 10 cents per gallon locally.
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Megan Barrett started having suspicions about the yellow chick when it was 3 weeks old.While the others she’d purchased for her first flock of egg-laying hens were docile, this one was inquisitive and bold, and soon it developed a gorgeous, swooshing tail. Barrett’s three kids loved the bird, but she had a feeling local officials and maybe neighbors would not. Roosters, as the chick was destined to become, are banned in her Maryland county.“Now that she’s a he, she’s got to go,” Barrett said,...
Megan Barrett started having suspicions about the yellow chick when it was 3 weeks old.
While the others she’d purchased for her first flock of egg-laying hens were docile, this one was inquisitive and bold, and soon it developed a gorgeous, swooshing tail. Barrett’s three kids loved the bird, but she had a feeling local officials and maybe neighbors would not. Roosters, as the chick was destined to become, are banned in her Maryland county.
“Now that she’s a he, she’s got to go,” Barrett said, before quickly correcting herself. “He’s got to go.”
The unexpected rooster is a conundrum many backyard chicken owners confront because of a simple fact: It is nearly impossible to tell a chicken’s sex until it is weeks, even months old. Hatcheries employ professional “sexers” who make the call after scrutinizing newborns’ downy wings and nether regions, but most companies guarantee that they’ll be right only 90 percent of the time. That means some owners who believe they bought hens end up with roosters. And problems.
The discovery can set up a clash between urban and suburban flock-keepers’ bucolic ideals — a touch of rural charm, the promise of fresh eggs — and the hard realities of local ordinances. It also can set off a hard scramble to find the rooster alternative accommodations.
Many jurisdictions and homeowners’ associations prohibit roosters because of their crowing, despite defenders’ counter-argument that the sound is no more disruptive than a dog barking. Those restrictions, unhappy neighbors and complex flock dynamics can make an unintended rooster a tough problem to solve. Animal shelters and sanctuaries, which are regularly at capacity for roosters, say the birds are often abandoned.
Laura Hall of Derwood, Md., hatched some chicks and bought two others from a petting zoo. She ended up with five roosters in a jurisdiction where only one is allowed, so she found special collars online that promised to stifle the cock-a-doodle-doo-ing. (Rusty, a silkie, had a particularly “ear-throttling crow.”)
The collars performed as advertised, and the birds roamed fairly quietly on what Hall’s children call their “Happyland Farm.” Even so, animal control officers showed up in April and informed her there’d been a noise complaint. They didn’t notice Hall had excess roosters and left after she assured them she was dealing with the volume.
Then a string from one collar wound up wrapped around Rusty’s tongue, so Hall ditched the collars. Then a neighbor contacted her directly.
“I think his words were, ‘Your rooster’s a pain in the a–,’ ” she said.
Realizing she needed to give away the birds, Hall quickly posted ads on online chicken forums. Only after several offers from people who wanted to butcher the birds did she find nearby farm owners who agreed to keep them as pets.
“I never knew there would be so much drama with owning chickens. I mean, goodness me,” she said.
Rooster re-homing, as it is known, is the subject of many desperate pleas on Facebook chicken group pages and backyard poultry websites. Only a few dedicated rooster rescues exist nationwide.
“I could go on and on and tell you so many stories about roosters, and how amazing they are, and their personalities,” said Sarah Forstner, whose rural Central California rescue, Save the Cocks, once sheltered as many as 30 roosters before an injury forced her to scale back. She now considers herself more of a rooster matchmaker and adviser, linking some owners with adopters and counseling others on how to manage crowing or keep multiple roosters — something she says is eminently possible given the right space and personalities.
But she and other advocates say the rooster shuffle reflects a dark side of the seemingly pure backyard chicken trend. Unbeknown to many people, hatcheries typically kill male chicks the day they hatch, usually by grinding them alive, because they do not grow into egg-laying hens and are not the breeds used for meat. Critics say that backyard flock owners’ demand for day-old pullets, or female chicks, leads to more male chicks, being culled or slipping through to eventually wind up in need of homes or dumped.
“It’s really tough, because most of the roosters out there are going to be put down,” Forstner said.
Some suppliers offer free returns for chicks that turn out to be roosters. Crystal Cahill of Great Meadows, N.J., twice took advantage of that sort of deal after buying what she was told were four 7-week-old pullets in November.
One morning in January, Cahill went out to feed her brood, and “I hear, ‘Er-er-er-er-er!’ ” she recalled, doing an admirable impression of the crowing that came from the beak of a lavender Orpington she had named Mary Jane. Cahill was legally allowed to have roosters but did not want them, so she called the chicken farm where she’d bought her birds, and the owner gave her two pullets in exchange for the rooster.
A month later, Cahill’s favorite pullet — Repecca, the one that followed her everywhere and sat on her lap — also began to crow. The farm owner again offered her two pullets in exchange, but Cahill couldn’t part with the bird. Instead, she took one free pullet, bought another as its companion and changed Repecca’s name to Roopecca.
“So I have gone from having four to now having seven,” said Cahill, a retired nurse. “And it was all because of roosters that were not supposed to be roosters.”
Those who want to keep their roosters but cannot risk angering the neighbors or alerting authorities might turn to a collar. The most prominent is the $17.95 No Crow collar, which Michigan resident Jim Kusmierski and his wife invented after acquiring a rooster and fearing the folks next door might not approve. It’s made of nylon and mesh — bow tie accessory optional — and it restrains crowing by preventing a rooster from filling a sac in its throat with the air it expels to call out. Kusmierski said they’ve sold more than 50,000 in about five years.
“Hide in plain sight,” the No Crow website reads. “No one will know.”
These days, Gillespie owns a company, Marker 99, that supplies heritage breeds for backyard flocks, and he takes back customers’ unplanned roosters when asked. He said he can usually find new homes for them.
Barrett, who lives in Maryland, bought her chicks from Gillespie. But local law aside, she’s not eager to return her rooster. Her children — ages 2, 3 and 13 — “all love that silly yellow bird,” which they alternately call Boneless or Apple. And the stay-at-home mom doesn’t want him to end up slaughtered or in a cockfighting ring.”He’s our responsibility now, and I’m not about to trade him,” Barrett said. “I just ask him politely when I feed him every morning to please be quiet.”
In today’s fast-paced society, it’s hard to find the time to look up from our screens. And even if you’ve found yourself with a bit of time to breathe, the skies are usually clouded by New York City’s perpetual light. And this is true for most places in and around major cities. Nearly 80 percent of North America is covered in...
In today’s fast-paced society, it’s hard to find the time to look up from our screens. And even if you’ve found yourself with a bit of time to breathe, the skies are usually clouded by New York City’s perpetual light. And this is true for most places in and around major cities. Nearly 80 percent of North America is covered in artificial light. But finding time to slow down and contemplate more than the minute details of our daily lives is surprisingly beneficial, crucial even, to our well being. And just because the city lights cast shadows on the sky, doesn’t mean the stars are impossible to see. It is easy to find the best places to stargaze in New Jersey if you’re up for a drive.
According to research led by the University of Exeter and published in Scientific Reports, only two hours a week spent in nature could improve your mental health. Stargazing in night’s sky will make you feel small, in the greatest possible way. It will afford you a new perspective. One where you don’t need to consistently be tethered to screens or your level of productivity. You might even get to make a few memories. We’re all on this giant rock floating through space for a finite period of time. Try not to miss out on the experience.
If you ever find yourself curious enough to peer into our Universe, this list includes the clearest parts of the Garden State sky. I’ve included the light pollution map that I used to find these parks (the lower the value below the park name, the clearer the sky) so that you can look for some of your own spots as well. Here are the five best places to stargaze in New Jersey, based on light pollution:
Hammonton, NJ Light Pollution: .22
Wharton State Forest is the largest state forest in New Jersey, with over 100,000 acres of land divided between Burlington, Camden, and Atlantic counties. Throughout Wharton are gorgeous views of its lakes, ponds, and fields that give stargazers in New Jersey access to the clean, open sky. In addition, the park also offers tent camping and cabins, for $20 a night and $25 a night for non-residents.
Sussex, NJLight Pollution: .23
Favored among many stargazers, High Point Monument is elevated 1,803 feet above sea level and offers a stunning panorama of the skies in the tri-state area. High Point State Park, in addition to its vast views of forestry and rolling hills, also offers quiet camping grounds for $20 a night, $25 for non-residents.
Tuckerton, NJLight Pollution: .27
Photo courtesy of Kody Dahl
Located in Ocean Township, Bass River State Forest offers several trails bordering its 67-acre Lake Absegami. However, you don’t need to travel down any trails to get to the beach area, which provides an ideal spot to catch a shooting star or two.
Frenchtown, NJ Light pollution: .39
Located in Kingwood Township, adjacent to the Delaware River, this 736-acre park provides several ideal spots to look up into the night sky. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are 11 miles of trails that take hikers through the rolling hills and high meadows of Horseshoe Bend. If you don’t want to travel that far, near the North entrance of the park extends a 7-acre dog run. Horseshoe Bend also preserves multiple fields perfect for setting up a telescope or a blanket. Even the wide parking lots provide a low-polluted view of the stars.
Hewitt, NJLight Pollution: .47
Within Wawayanda State Park, there are multiple trails of all skill levels, leading to extraordinary landscapes within Sussex County. Also located inside the park are lush green fields and small beach areas surrounding Lake Wawayanda. Both are great locations to ponder the vast cosmos.
