The Millstone Times October 2018

NJ Hall of Fame Breaks Ground for Home at American Dream Permanent museum to open in summer of 2020 at the Meadowlands

The New Jersey Hall of Fame took a big step toward establishing a permanent home of its own on Wednesday. That’s when the Hall of Fame family, New Jersey elected officials, executives from American Dream and Triple Five Worldwide and other dignitaries took part in the ceremonial groundbreaking for a museum that will honor many of the Garden State’s best and brightest. “The New Jersey Hall of Fame has an exciting vision,” said Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the NJHOF, “and ultimately this museum will be a very proud attraction for New Jerseyans of all ages and families around the world that will be able to experience it in all its greatness.” The Hall of Fame, which celebrated its 10th anniversary with a gala induction ceremony in May, to date has used a mobile museum as its home (850 square feet). To be located on the lower level of the American Dream retail and entertainment complex, the permanent museum will cover 16,000 square feet and feature attractions such as a virtual reality theater and hologram theater. It’s planned opening is to take place in the summer of 2020. “This is a great day for all New Jerseyans, said Steve Edwards, Hall of Fame president. “The New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream will be an exciting museum where we can take great pride in who we are as a people, and have a learning center that will inspire the next generation of Jersey leaders.” The state-of-the-art museum is expected to cost $10 million, of which the Hall of Fame has raised $5.775 million. The cost of admission to the museum is to be determined. The NJHOF home will be located within several minutes of many attractions at American Dream, including Legoland Discovery Center and Sealife Aquarium, a DreamWorks Water Park, a Nickelodeon UniverseTheme Park, Cirque de Soleil and KidZania. An estimated 40 million are expected to visit the American Dream complex annually. The Hall of Fame has entered into a long-term lease at American Dream. Terms were not disclosed. ABOUT THE NJHOF: The Foundation for New Jersey Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization honoring citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey, and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has hosted 10 ceremonies for over 140 notable individuals

and groups in recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame. The NJHOF endeavors to present school children with significant and impactful role models to show that they can, and should, strive for excellence. The NJHOF is thankful for the support of its many sponsors, without which none of its endeavors would be possible. For more information on the NJHOF, its mission and inductees, go to www.njhalloffame.org.

Living in the Future’s Past By Lauren Kolacki

Living in the Future’s Past is an eye-opening documentary intended to expand individual’s perspective on concepts about ourselves and our past. It allows us to explore humanity and our past to look towards a better future. Jeff Bridges, Acad- emy Award Winner, contributes his ideas as a Humanitarian alongside many other scientists and profound thinkers to dig deeper than politics and borders to look under the hood of humanity. To get a better understanding of the film, I spoke with Amy Jacobson, who has been a resident of Millstone for 16 years. Amy was teaching at Rutgers when she first met Susan Kucera. Susan was in the post-production stage of editing Breath of Life at that time. Breath of life is a documentary that reveals why we modern humans are in denial about catastrophes of our own making that could come to pass sooner than we think. The movie provides insightful commentary from the world's greatest evolutionary biologists, one being Robert Trivers. Robert Trivers is an evolutionary biologist who has revolutionized both the natural and social sciences, and who hap-

pened to be Amy Jacobson’s PhD advisor. While Susan visited Rutgers, getting more insight on Robert, she found herself spending a lot of time in Amy’s lab. When working on Living in the Future’s Past, she felt the need for more female voices, Susan knew exactly who to contact and that’s when Amy became involved in Living in the Future’s Past. Amy’s role in the movie is to expand people’s perspective. She says, “Were so busy with what’s going on in our daily lives, we need to look deep and wide. As an Evolutionary Anthropologist, it’s informative when you're looking at a topic, to look across cultures.” We have the ability to take the information we discover and apply it to inform public policy. Living in the Future’s Past discusses how energy takes many forms as it moves through and animates every- thing. How, as we come to understand our true connection to all there is, we will need to redefine our expectations, not as what we will lose, but what we might gain by preparing for something different. Amy has lived in Millstone for 16 years with her husband, Michael Normand, and their four children; Arthur, Emily, Jacob and Gavin. Amy has coached field hockey here in town, served as a den leader for two cub scout dens and has served on the Millstone Board of Education for 10 years and the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education as a Millstone Rep for 6. It’s heartening to watch a local resident be a part of something so informative and inspiring. The movie can be seen in theaters on October 9, 2018 with additional screenings in select locations. For more information visit the website at https://www. livinginthefuturespastfilm.com

82

The Millstone Times

October 2018