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 Wharton, 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 Wharton, 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 Wharton, 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!
866-793-9933
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, New Jersey -- The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is battling a wildfire that began burning in the Wharton State Forest on Sunday.Officials say the flames broke out in the area of Jackson Road near the Atco Dragway in Waterford Township. It has since spread to both Camden and Burlington counties.It was first reported just after 2:45 p.m.The wildfire was 100 acres in size and 0% contained as of Sunday night.Assistant State Fire Warden Bill Donnelly told Action News that residents in the area do n...
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, New Jersey -- The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is battling a wildfire that began burning in the Wharton State Forest on Sunday.
Officials say the flames broke out in the area of Jackson Road near the Atco Dragway in Waterford Township. It has since spread to both Camden and Burlington counties.
It was first reported just after 2:45 p.m.
The wildfire was 100 acres in size and 0% contained as of Sunday night.
Assistant State Fire Warden Bill Donnelly told Action News that residents in the area do not need to be concerned by the flames.
Donnelly also said no injuries were reported and there were no evacuations.
Roughly 40 firefighters were sent into the state forest to try to control the wildfire.
Crews are now in the process of building containment lines to keep it from burning further.
Donnelly hopes to have containment lines up by Monday morning.
"Right now, things are in our favor. The wind has settled down, the sun is in. Basically, the conditions to work in are favorable for us. I don't anticipate any problems with what our plan is," said Donnelly.
He also said there is a contingency plan in place in case of an emergency.
Roads may be closed on Monday while crews work to keep the flames under control.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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WATERFORD - The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has reported "significant progress" in bringing a Wharton State Forest wildfire under control, even as the blaze grew to 1,500 acres and spread from Waterford to Medford and Shamong.As of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the blaze was 85 percent contained, the fire service said.But the agency added, "An observational flight this morning indicated that there are internal pockets of unburned fuel that will continue to burn today."It said no buildings were...
WATERFORD - The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has reported "significant progress" in bringing a Wharton State Forest wildfire under control, even as the blaze grew to 1,500 acres and spread from Waterford to Medford and Shamong.
As of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the blaze was 85 percent contained, the fire service said.
But the agency added, "An observational flight this morning indicated that there are internal pockets of unburned fuel that will continue to burn today."
It said no buildings were threatened by the fire, which had been 75 percent contained at 9:30 p.m. Monday.
The fire's containment area includes forested land in Medford and Shamong and some along Jackson Road in Waterford, where flames broke out Sunday night near the former Atco Dragway.
Jackson Road was closed shortly from Atsion Road to Tremont Avenue before noon Monday and will remain closed until further notice, the fire service said.
No other road closings were expected.
Camden County officials urged motorists to find alternate routes around the fire.
The county's department of public safety was ready "to support the state with any needs they have while they fight this wildfire in Waterford,” County Commissioner Jonathan Young, the agency's liaison, said Monday.
“Nevertheless, and maybe more importantly, we need drivers to stay off Jackson Road in that area, so the firefighters can do their work and (to benefit) the health and welfare anyone entering the area by car.”
Who's failing on air quality in SJ?How is air quality in South Jersey, and what's being done to improve it?
When initially spotted early Sunday night, the fire was estimated at 100 acres along Jackson Road.
By 10 a.m. Monday it had spread to another 400 acres. A few hours later, it had tripled in size.
The Fire Service said crews used "a backfiring operation (Monday) to burn fuel ahead of the main body of fire throughout the day."
The agency said the fire was reported around 5:30 p.m. by its Medford firetower, then was triangulated by the Apple Pie Hill tower in Tabernacle.
Atco Dragway, also on Jackson Road, closed abruptly in mid-July. It announced the shutdown in a Facebook post that gave no reason for the track's demise after 63 years.
Visit https://twitter.com/njdepforestfire for other information.
This story will be updated.
By Mabel PaisAadhitya Raam Ashok, high school musician and composer, is one-of-two award recipients from Wharton Arts, the Garden State’s leading performing arts education organization. Aadhitya Raam Ashok of Edison is the winner of the inaugural Wharton Arts Annual Choral Composition Competition.“As an enthusiastic high school musician and composer, it feels wonderful to win my first choral composition competition with the Wharton Arts Annual Choral Composition Competition. I am grateful for the wo...
By Mabel Pais
Aadhitya Raam Ashok, high school musician and composer, is one-of-two award recipients from Wharton Arts, the Garden State’s leading performing arts education organization. Aadhitya Raam Ashok of Edison is the winner of the inaugural Wharton Arts Annual Choral Composition Competition.
“As an enthusiastic high school musician and composer, it feels wonderful to win my first choral composition competition with the Wharton Arts Annual Choral Composition Competition. I am grateful for the wonderful panel of judges who provided me with useful comments, along with their appreciation for my unique yet powerful music. Having my music featured by a youth choir is a great opportunity for me to gain experience into how young singers might approach my music,” said Aadhitya.
Aadhitya’s winning composition, A Bright Youthful Future, will premiere under the direction of New Jersey Youth Chorus Founder and Music Director, Trish Joyce on Sunday, May 21, at the NJYS spring concert as part of their 30th anniversary celebration.
Winner Aadhitya Raam Ashok, a senior at John P. Stevens High School in Edison, began his musical studies at the age of three in Bergen’s Yamaha Music School where he has been a recipient of the Jeffery Corolla and Frank Calabrese Scholarship for the last six years. He completed the London College of Music Diploma (DipLCM) exams with distinction and has won numerous composition awards, including being a three-time National Finalist in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competition, three-time winner in the Eastern Division of the MTNA competition, and six-time winner in the NJ MTNA Composition competition. He received the Gold Medal in the National Young Maestro Composition Competition across multiple years and was finalist in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) twice consecutively. He placed first in the Golden Key International and National Piano Composition Competition twice consecutively as well. He won the Grand Prize in the Rising Talents Festival. Learn more at aadhityaraam.com.
(Bokyung) Nina Park of Basking Ridge is the other winner of the 2023 New Jersey Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. She received her award on April 30.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)
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NJYC CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY
By Mabel Pais
The New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC) invites all to The Journey (e.givesmart.com/events/vdN), a weekend of festivities on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, to celebrate the Chorus’s 30th Anniversary.
Trish Joyce, Founder and Director of the Chorus, said, “We chose the theme The Journey for this celebration, not just to commemorate the journey the Chorus has been on, but in recognition of and tribute to all of the people who have joined us along the way. Inside our story as an organization are thousands of personal experiences that, taken as a whole, make us who we are today.
Our journey has been filled with dedicated choristers, parents, volunteers, and staff and guided by the vision that children and young singers deserve the opportunity to experience the beauty, passion, and joy of singing. Our north star has been the lifelong friendships made among our singers—connections that weave together a community they call home. Driving us forward on the journey is the power of music and artistry to shape and change lives, and our enduring commitment to cultivating the personal and musical potential of each child with a nurturing spirit, warmth, and acceptance. This is the legacy that we built over the past 30 years, and that we will carry with us on the journey into the future. I can’t wait to see where the path takes us next!”
PROGRAM
The anniversary weekend begins with the NJYC Family Fest on May 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Grove at The Park, 200 Connell Drive in Berkeley Heights. Open to current NJYC families and their guests, as well as alumni and their families, the rain or shine event will feature games and activities, food trucks, and a DJ.
Register in advance to receive a food/beverage voucher to use at the event.
The New Jersey Youth Chorus Legacy Concert on May 20 at 8:00 p.m. at Roundtable Studios at the Park, 200 Connell Drive in Berkeley Heights, will celebrate NJYC’s vibrant past and help sustain the Chorus’s legacy. This cabaret-style fundraiser will feature NJYC alumni, current and former staff, and NJYC choristers from Coriste and Camerata. Dessert Reception to follow. Space is limited for this event and ticket sales will close on May 10.
The public is invited to the New Jersey Youth Chorus Spring Concert & 30th Anniversary Reception on May 21 at 4:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Church located at 22 Lakeside Avenue in Verona, a special anniversary edition of the Chorus’s annual spring concert with performances by all five of NJYC’s ensembles as well as an Alumni Choir comprised of alumni from throughout choirs past, including several members of the original Somerset Hills Children’s Chorus.
The program will feature treasured pieces from throughout the Chorus’s history, including Psalm 23 and Omnia Sol by Z. Randall Stroope, Brothers, Sing On! by Edvard Grieg, Flight Song by Kim André Arnesen, Yo Le Canto Todo Le Dia by David L. Brunner, and new favorites such as Rise Up by Jake Runestad, Where the Light Begins by Susan LaBarr, and Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around by Dr. Rollo Dilworth.
The program will also include the premiere of the 2022-23 Wharton Arts Annual Choral Composition Competition winning piece, A Bright Youthful Future by Aadhitya Raam Ashok.
Following tradition, the program will end with the choir and alumni singing Katie Moran Bart’s Blessing, a piece that has been performed on every spring concert program since the Chorus’s inception thirty years ago.
Over NJYC’s thirty years, outstanding performances have ranged from NJPAC and the New Jersey Symphony to Carnegie Hall and the White House; from Ronan Tynan, the Chieftains, and the Celtic Tenors to the Today Show; with the South African Drakensberg Boys Choir to Queen Latifah at the Super Bowl; from regional and national music conferences to various national anthem performances at Citi Field and Madison Square Garden; from Kids for Kids outreach to educator workshops; and domestic and international tours. Through all of these life-changing and unique experiences, NJYC has kept exceptional choral music education at the forefront of its mission, creating space for personal growth and ensemble learning.
Wharton Arts
Wharton Arts’ mission is to offer accessible, high quality performing arts education that sparks personal growth and builds inclusive communities. Wharton Arts’ vision is for a transformative performing arts education in an inclusive community to be accessible for everyone. Wharton Arts is located in Berkeley Heights, New Providence, and Paterson, NJ and reaches students from 12 counties. All of Wharton Arts’ extraordinary teaching artists, faculty members, and conductors hold degrees in their teaching specialty and have been vetted and trained to enable our students to achieve their personal best.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)
Ribbon-Cutting to Mark Completion of 16-Year Preservation MissionWith some fanfare and a ribbon cutting, Wharton Borough will officially complete a 16-year mission to restore one of the most remarkably preserved and unique sections of the famous Morris Canal – and of course, the festivities will be held at the 47th Annual “Canal Day Music & Craft Festival” in Wharton Borough on Aug. 20.The site at Wharton’s Hugh Force Canal Park...
Ribbon-Cutting to Mark Completion of 16-Year Preservation Mission
With some fanfare and a ribbon cutting, Wharton Borough will officially complete a 16-year mission to restore one of the most remarkably preserved and unique sections of the famous Morris Canal – and of course, the festivities will be held at the 47th Annual “Canal Day Music & Craft Festival” in Wharton Borough on Aug. 20.
The site at Wharton’s Hugh Force Canal Park is one of the remaining and best-preserved watered sections of the historic Morris Canal, which was responsible for the economic development of not only the Borough but the entire region 175 years ago. The restoration project, developed with $4.7 million in state and county grants, involves a quarter-mile stretch of the old 102-mile long canal that once linked Phillipsburg and Jersey City.
A lock, by which boats were once elevated or lowered during their journey through sections of the uniquely engineered canal, is being fully restored, along with an adjacent, stone “lock tender’s” house that will become a new museum.
Join the Ribbon Cutting & Fun on August 20, 10:00 a.m.
Hugh Force Canal Park, 180 West Central Ave., Wharton, NJ 07885
The Music & Craft Festival Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The Morris Canal Lock 2 East restoration project was sixteen years in the making. The plan was to make Wharton Borough a destination utilizing remnants from its past glory, and just as this 19th Century waterway was revolutionary with its engineering achievements, the canal site today will produce economic vitality for the Borough nearly 200 years later,” said John Manna, President of the Canal Day Association and project coordinator for Wharton.
“This project focused federal, state, and municipal governments to this end, and we hope to have busloads of school children visit daily to learn about this legacy. You know it's not every day that a piece of history is brought back to life from the past,” Manna added.
“You know it's not every day that a piece of history is brought back to life from the past,” John Manna, President of the Canal Day Association.
It was a multi-year, multi-phase plan funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (over $4 million) the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund
(over $658,000) and the New Jersey Historic Trust (over $88,000). Also key to its success were the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, the Morris County Park Commission, Wharton Borough’s mayors and council members over two decades, and the Canal Society of New Jersey.
“This is absolutely unique. Wharton now has a beautifully restored, quarter-mile segment of the historic Morris Canal, as well as the only operational canal lock on what remains of the entire 102-miles of the old canal. The project also restored one of the few remaining lock-tender houses on the canal. Due to the diligence and hard work of everyone involved from the start, this project is a major success,” said Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shaw, liaison to the county’s Office of Planning and Preservation.
“Wharton wanted this project for many years because it would make Wharton a destination point. Every town council over the years supported the restoration. The Morris Canal created Wharton’s early economy. It built the economy of the entire area. This is about our history, and with the help of so many, we have finally restored a stretch of the canal that includes a working lock, the tender house, a quarter mile of the canal and we even have the pond where boats would float and wait to go through the lock,” said Wharton Mayor William Chegwidden, who also is a high school history teacher.
The Mayor also credited John Manna with initiating the project and spearheading efforts over the past 20 years to get it completed.
Hugh Force Canal Park is also part of the Morris County Park Commission’s West Morris Greenway, a trail system that remains under development and in planning
stages, but eventually will extend into Jefferson Township. Because of its historical significance and unique features, the canal restoration at Hugh Force Canal Park is expected to become an attraction for educational programs, school visits and tourists.
The lock, also historically known as Bird’s Lock, had been buried long ago when the development of railroads prompted the state to abandon the Morris Canal in 1924. No one was certain what remained of the lock, as so many other locks, prisms and inclines along the 102-mile stretch had been destroyed, repurposed or left to decay over the past century. However, the project revealed not only that the stone walls remained remarkably intact, but the original Mitre gate doors also were found buried at the site so that it was possible to reconstruct exact replicas of the originals, which will be placed on display.
Explore the Canal Day Website for More Information
Project History, Cost and Funding Sources
2006 - NJ Historic Trust and Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund provided grant funding of $87,000. The funds were utilized to create an historic site master plan and feasibility study. Funds were also utilized for determining the condition of the buried lock in which 64 shovel tests and large trenches were made, during which 731 artifacts were retrieved.
2007 - Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund provided a grant of $100,000 to assist with professional services towards the restoration of the lock. The funds were utilized to acquire DEP permitting and approvals.
2008 - NJ Historic Trust granted an award of $50,000 for the preparation of restoration documents for the lock, canal basin, and lock tender’s house. This work included site analysis, environmental permitting, and schematic design, as well as archaeological monitoring.
2010 - The project received Department of Environmental Protection permitting approvals to begin work.
2010 – N.J. Department of Transportation provided a grant totaling $582,000 to excavate Lock 2E and restore the stone walls to grade level.
2011 - Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund provided a construction grant of
$286,450 for the fabrication of wood lock gates, control mechanism, and funding for the construction of the lock walls to their historic elevation.
2015 - Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund provided funding of $117,995 for Mitre Gates.
2016 - Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund provided $27,852 for construction documents.
2017 - Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund provided a grant of $38,790 for design and contract administration for the lock tender’s house construction.
2018 - Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund provided a grant of $38,250 for design and contract administration for the lock construction.
2019 - New Jersey Department of Transportation provided funding of $3,424,800 through their Transportation Alternative Grant Program
PHOTOS
Top Right: Bird's Lock and the "lock tender's" house on the Morris Canal in Wharton as it appears today, with restoration work about finished.
Top Left: The same view of Bird's Lock and the "lock tender's" house on the Morris Canal circa 1900.
Center Right: Bird's Lock and the "lock tender's" house on the Morris Canal today, looking east over the lock.
Center Left: The same eastward view of Bird's Lock, which had remained buried prior to restoration work beginning, and the "lock tender's" house in ruins prior to its restoration.
Center Right: A 1904 photograph of Bird's Lock in action, 20 years before the Morris Canal was decommissioned by the State of New Jersey.
The world's largest beverage bottler has been fined $49,724 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for "serious violations" that could endanger employees at their plant in Wharton.Employees of the Refresco bottling factory and community groups rallied outside the facility on Nov. 15 to demand bet...
The world's largest beverage bottler has been fined $49,724 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for "serious violations" that could endanger employees at their plant in Wharton.
Employees of the Refresco bottling factory and community groups rallied outside the facility on Nov. 15 to demand better working conditions and recognition of their union. A week later, OSHA began a series of inspections at the plant that continued through last week.
An OSHA citation and notification dated May 19 lists four "serious violations" including wet walking surfaces on four occasions, employee exposure to continuous noise levels at 217% of the permissible action level exposure limit, failing to document the basis for determining that all hazards in a permit space had been eliminated, and failure to certify that propane-powered forklift and electric pallet jack operators had been trained and evaluated.
Refresco claims to be the world’s largest independent bottler for retailers and branded beverage companies in Europe and North America, producing more than 30 million liters of drinks per day. It employs about 4,000 workers in 31 facilities, 26 located in the United States,
Workers at Refresco in Wharton bottle and ship beverages such as BodyArmor Sports Drink for Coca-Cola, Gatorade by Pepsi, Juice Bowl, Arizona Iced Tea and Tropicana juices.
A majority of the 250 workers there voted in June to join the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America union. The majority Latino workforce cited unsafe working conditions, treatment by supervisors, low wages and long hours as reasons for starting the union.
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"Refresco is committed to the health and safety of its employees," a Refresco spokesperson stated. "As part of these efforts, the company continues its cooperation with OSHA. Refresco welcomes this opportunity to further review and enhance workplace health and safety at its Wharton facility."
In 2015, OSHA cited the plant for eight serious violations, including two "willful violations" for not providing hearing tests for workers exposed to prolonged noise.
The company has until June 13 to abate the current violations and June 19 to pay the fines, or risk incurring additional penalties, interest and administrative costs.
At the November rally, Anthony Sanchez, a machine operator at Refresco for the last 15 years, said employees were "working in unsafe conditions, with low salaries."
"It's been four months since we had our union election," Sanchez said. "Refresco ran an aggressive anti-union campaign to intimidate and try to silence us and now is refusing to negotiate with our union.”
William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
