Volume LXXIX, Number 11
Contemporary Comedy At McCarter Explores Women in Science . . . . 5 Power of Sports to Shape Female Leaders Is Focus of Conference At Stuart . . . . . . . . . . 8 MC Students Prepare For Science and Engineering Fair . . . . 10 PSO Presents Evening of Music, Dance Traditions, And Percussion . . . . . 15 Kelsey Theatre Presents Oklahoma! . . . . . . . . 16 Peters Extends His Career with Senior Day Outburst As PU Men’s Hoops Routs Penn, Makes Ivy Madness. . 25 Making the Most of its Return Trip to the Rock, PDS Girls’ Hockey Tops Immaculate Heart in State Final . . . . . . . . 30
As Drawn by Henri Matisse In 1921, Composer Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Is The Subject of This Week’s Book Review . . . . . . . 14 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 22 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . 34 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 12 New To Us . . . . . . . . . . 24 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . 33 Performing Arts. . . . . 17, 20 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . . 11 Princeton Home & Design. . 18, 19 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . 34 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Topics of the Town . . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Paul Robeson House Opening is Delayed, Programing Continues The Paul Robeson House of Princeton (PRHP) will not be opening its doors to the public next month, due to delays in raising the funds necessary for completing the restoration project, but the PRHP is carrying on its multifaceted cultural and educational programming as well as its fundraising campaign. PRHP Board President Ben Colbert described the current status of the construction and renovation project that has been ongoing for more than 10 years. “We are in the final phase, but it is a major phase,” he said in a March 10 phone conversation. “The exterior of the building is 99 percent completed.” He noted that there is considerable interior work to be done, including installing of the electrical system. Colbert went on to highlight the broad-based backing that the project has received so far. “We are very fortunate,” he said. “We have had tremendous support from the community. We have invested nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in renovations that we thought were going to cost a couple of thousand. We’ve completely rebuilt the entire structure from its foundations.” Colbert cited contributions from the Mellon Foundation, the Princeton Area Community Foundation, and many other organizations and individuals in Princeton. “We’re proud of what we have accomplished so far,” he added, and he stated that plans for raising additional funds and for cultural and educational programming are moving forward as the PRHP has “continued to keep Robeson’s name in the public eye.” Among the various ongoing activities of the PRHP in honoring the Robeson legacy will be a celebration on Saturday, April 12 at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) of the 127th anniversary of Paul Robeson’s birth, which took place in the house at 110 Witherspoon Street. Presented in partnership with the Witherspoon Jackson Historical and Cultural Society, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the April 12 events, Continued on Page 11
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Council Approves Acquisition of Vacant Land The reading of special proclamations, swearing in of Princeton Fire Department officials, and presentation of several awards drew a standing-room-only crowd to Princeton Council’s meeting Monday evening at Witherspoon Hall. Most of the well-wishers departed once the ceremonies were over and Council got down to government business, which included the passage of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of 25 acres of vacant land, the introduction of the municipal budget for 2025, and several resolutions. A scheduled presentation on the Princeton Community Transit Plan by the consultants Nelson Nygaard was replaced with a brief update by Deputy Administrator Deanna Stockton. Several members of the Princeton Fire Department were presented with awards for their years of service. Sworn in were Fire Chief Adam Kooker, Fire Official Frank D’Amore, and Firefighter David Phillips. Kathryn Korwin was honored with a proclamation on her retirement from the Princeton Health Department, where she has served as Public Health Nurse since 2006. Longtime community activist and Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood
resident Thomas Alfred “Tommy” Parker was given a Community Recognition Award, accepted by his wife and members of his family as he was not well enough to attend. The family was given a standing ovation after the proclamation was read aloud. Before Council voted unanimously to purchase the acreage at 660 and 680 Cherry Valley Road, several members of the public offered remarks in support. Wendy Mager, President of the Friends of
Princeton Open Space (FOPOS), noted that the property is important to wildlife for food, mating, and cover. It is also key to meeting the challenges of climate, flood mitigation, and population level changes. Representing Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, board member and parent Mark Sullivan spoke in favor of the acquisition, as did Mike Pisauro of The Watershed Institute. “It will help preserve the wetlands, to make sure they are better protected,” Continued on Page 9
Mia Sacks Announces Run For Third Term on Council
Princeton Council President Mia Sacks will run for a third term on Princeton Council, she announced this week. The seats on the governing body held by Sacks and Michelle Pirone Lambros are up for grabs in the coming elections. Lambros announced her candidacy for a third term last month. Sacks, a Princeton native, has served on Council since 2020. She has been Council president for the past three years. “My commitment to Princeton has always been about one thing: giving back
to my hometown,” she wrote in an official statement. “For me, this isn’t about politics — it’s about investing in the future of Princeton — which means balancing growth with sustainability; strengthening our infrastructure; ensuring our public school system has the resources in needs; and creating an environment in which small businesses can thrive. Most importantly, it’s about making Princeton a place where our children will want and can afford to return.” Continued on Page 9
TRAILBLAZER: Princeton High senior star wrestler Blasé Mele, holding bracket poster, celebrates with teammates last Saturday after he won the 144-pound final at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) State Wrestling Championships. In so doing, Mele became the first boys’ state champion in PHS history. Joining Mele, from left, are Matt Brophy, Forest Rose, Danny Monga, Cole Rose, Josh Hanan, and Lulu Bahr. For more details on Mele’s triumph, see page 29. (Photo provided by Jess Monzo)
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