Thanks, Neighbor
One morning while watching “Higglytown Heroes’ with my daughters, I thought what a fantastic concept of having children appreciate the underdog, like the floor sweeper or window washer. That afternoon, I attended a meeting for Early Beginnings, a program geared toward children 0-3 and parents as teachers first. And the light bulb came on ... here is a room filled with Princeton local heroes.
Lynn Ferrell is a woman who goes above and beyond her job description daily. She does not only offer a wealth of knowledge concerning parenting and local resources, but comforts us when we are down, gives us a shoulder when we need to shed a tear. In my personal experience, Early Beginnings is this diamond in the rough that has yet to be discovered. This program saved me in many ways; being a stay-at-home mother I do not get out much especially without my children. This sometimes causes one to build an emotional wall. Lynn broke that down with her giant heart and warming smile. She introduced me to a whole community of mothers just like me.
Bringing me to my next Princeton local heroes. While attending play group at Early Beginnings, a mother informed me of MOPS — a local group here in Princeton of Mothers of Preschoolers. I had some hesitations but still decided to attend, considering I had nothing to lose. I am so happy that I did go and experience this group for myself. Here was a room full of mothers ready and willing with advice, light conversation, lots of laughs, and most importantly, support. Their message is you are never alone, and it was so refreshing. I have been privileged to meet some wonderful woman who volunteer their time to making us moms in the community feel safe and sane — Elizabeth Arkels, Jennifer Konie, Sara Groeper Edlefson, Sarah Cairns Aley, Andrea Wiggim, Elizabeth Klingenberg, Heather Potts and Pamela Peterson Friel just to name a few.
These are some of my personal Princeton local heroes. They don’t get a medal or trophy for what they do, but they still wake up every morning and put their everything into making their community a better place. When I moved here it was hard feeling like and outsider, but now Princeton is not only my home, it is my family.
Melinda Petit-Homme
Princeton
