![Some highlights of the week around Trenton [L.A. PARKER PHOTO]](https://njindependents.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Some-highlights-of-the-week-around-Trenton-LA-PARKER-PHOTO.jpg "Some highlights of the week around Trenton [L.A. PARKER PHOTO]")
(Envelope, please).
The L.A. Parker WooHoo Award goes to a collaborative effort that gifted 300 free pairs of new shoes to local residents.
Accepting the distinguished recognition are Pastor John Taylor, Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D-15), political influencer Dave Ponton, former City of Trenton Councilwoman Cordelia Staton, and Xelero Performance InStride Shoes.
The Friendship Baptist Church conference room resembled a department store earlier this week. Going up! Women’s and men’s shoes located on the second floor where a windfall of footwear showed hundreds of shoe boxes.
This shoe giveaway amounted to the familiar — I know a guy plot. Long story short. Daniel Werremeyer, owner of Xelero Performance InStride Shoes located in Hillsborough, received 300 pairs of sneakers. They were supposed to be white but arrived in colors of brown and black. The distributor told Werremeyer to keep the shoes and a replacement shipment would follow. WooHoo!
Werremeyer contacted Pastor Taylor who then called Verrelli. The pair connected with Staton, a member of the Greater Trenton Area Senior Association.
Three-hundred residents now sport new shoes thanks to this generous gift. Please, join me for our celebratory shoutout.
WooHoo!
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It was the best of times. Period.
No other way exists to describe a recent 11-day vacation to Costa Rica with son, Paris, and my woman friend, Laura Mora.
We caught the front end of summer and barnstormed a good portion of the country pressed between Nicaragua and Panama. Memories were made for a lifetime.
As resolutions await 2026, a suggestion here advises readers make plans for a vacation to anywhere. Pack a bag and get away from Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing, etc.
You likely deserve and have earned a break. Don’t over think this — just do it. Buy the ticket, make arrangements and go.
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(The Trentonian/L.A. Parker)
Dateline: Trenton, August 2023. Reached into the annals (there’s a sophomoric joke here) of city infamy for this photo memory.
This guy fielded the job of horse dropping cleanup during the Ecuadorian Parade. Admiration for his preparation and commitment to doody; gloves, broom and close proximity to the horses, but he definitely needed a larger dust pan.
Did you know an average-sized horse produces 50 pounds of manure daily, a massive dump production rivaled only by some politicians.
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Crossed paths with Ewing Twp. Mayor Bert Steinmann and we made plans for an interview to discuss smart growth. Should make similar plans with Hamilton Twp. Mayor Jeff Martin.
Both townships expand with businesses, housing, and arrivals of new families. Make wise decisions or expect issues with education and schools, taxes, traffic, etc. Trenton should have such growth problems but while other New Jersey urban cities receive hundreds of millions being invested in their future, this capital city gets no respect.
One small redevelopment effort in the city causes hysteria and anger. Observe the accompanying photo. The two middle houses in the first block of North Olden Ave. were renovated and look spectacular. Look at the house on the far right.
Makes no sense. Not smart.
(The Trentonian/L.A. Parker)
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(The Trentonian/L.A. Parker)
As departure from a Thanksgiving dinner arrived (the home had no access to NFL games) the divvying of food began.
My female companion, Laura, wrapped a dinner roll, several pieces of corn bread, turkey wing and drumstick in foil. My mind played with the famous Henry David Thoreau offering: If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
A replacement of drummer with drumstick produced a silent chuckle. The expression comes directly from Thoreau’s Walden (1854) and describes someone who thinks and acts independently.
With the arrival and impact of AI, plus, one-think soldiers of cable television news wonks, people being true to their own selves, who can detach from political pack mentality, will enjoy true freedom.
As soul singer James Brown requested, “Give the (drumstick) some.”
