Volume LXXIX, Number 19
Princeton Pro Musica’s Upcoming Concert Reflects Turing’s Accomplishment, Heartbreak . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Younity to Host Annual Awards Dinner May 15. . . 12 Voices Chorale NJ Presents Diverse Classical Requiem Masses . . . . 19 Coming Off Tough Loss To Cornell in Ivy Final, PU Men’s Lax Hosting Towson In NCAA Opener. . . . . 27 With Senior Star Zang Saving Her Best for Last, PHS Girls’ Golf Wins CVC, Sectional Crowns . . . . . 30
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Local Arts Groups Feel the Sting of NEA Cuts A few weeks ago, McCarter Theatre The news was distressing to leaders Center was awaiting delivery on the of the cultural organizations, as much for $35,000 it was to be awarded by the the loss of financial support as for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) message it sends. in support of the play Legacy of Light. “We are disheartened by this shift and Nearby, Princeton University Concerts fear for the many artists, organizations, was looking forward to the $20,000 promised by the federal agency to support its and audiences across the country who depend heavily on federal support to keep Music & Healing series. their programs alive,” Princeton University In Frenchtown, the Roxey Ballet was anticipating the $10,000 the NEA had Concerts Director Marna Seltzer said in allocated for its “Viva Cultura” Cinco de an emailed statement. “We believe the arts are anything but ornamental; they are Mayo festival. This past Friday, these organizations learned that the funding would not be forthcoming. They are among the numerous cultural groups across the nation It was an afternoon of memories, nospromised support that has now been retalgia, storytelling, and celebration, of scinded. As a result, a group of senior oflaughs and a few tears, and an abunficials from the NEA announced Monday dance of wisdom and joy, as the Princeton that they have resigned. African American community celebrated “The NEA is updating its grantmaking BELLE MEADits NJ 08502elders on Sunday, May neighborhood policy priorities to focus funding on proj4 at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP). ects that reflect the nation’s rich artistic A crowd of about 150 overflowed the heritage and creativity, as prioritized by the ACP’s Solley Theater to pay tribute to 14 President,” reads the emailed form letter individuals 90 years old or more, “incredsent to the arts organizations. “Funding is being allocated in a new direction in fur- ible contributors to our community whose therance of the Administration’s agenda. shoulders we all stand on,” as noted by Your project, as noted below, unfortunately Pastor Gregory Smith, who emceed the event. does not align with these priorities.”
an essential part of a thriving, equitable, and beautiful society. They help us heal, connect, empathize, and imagine a more humane future. As funds are cut and/or redirected to reflect political agendas, we risk silencing the voices, stories, and unique creative expressions that help us make sense of the world and one another.” McCarter Theatre has been grappling with cuts in state as well as federal funding this year.
Sustainability, innovation, and teamwork are the central themes of two recent projects at Princeton High School (PHS) — one creating a native wet meadow in a large basin on campus and the other repurposing unused COVID-19 Plexiglass for hands-on learning about DNA replication. “We are in the early stages of designing and implementing a native planting Continued on Page 7 effort as well as improving the site’s functionality for education purposes,” said PHS Science Educator James Smirk in describing PHS’ wet meadow. “In the future the site will be a focal point for our Shirley Satterfield, president of the continued efforts to link our local environWitherspoon-Jackson Historical and ment and our community in the process Cultural Society, which sponsored the of improving sustainability.” event, along with the ACP, introduced the proceedings. The environmental science classes are working with Friends of Herrontown “Welcome to the 90s — I know you Woods (FOHW) to create a native “wet can’t wait to get to your 90s,” said Satprairie” near the parking lot adjacent to terfield, who was described by Smith as the Performing Arts Center. “an amazing caretaker of history for the neighborhood.” The space will be used to conduct environmental science research, act as Satterfield continued, “These are a water management space for the high folks in their 90s who look like they’re in school, and provide a habitat for active their 80s and 50s — wonderful people. Continued on Page 10 plants, insects, and birds. BD 5 | BA 5.5 | Price Upon Request Saturday, April 27th | 8am 9am Two weeks ago Smirk’s environmental This impressive 5000 square foot expanded colonial (2010) emanates all the comforts and conveniences of science students and two FOHW voluntoday’s upscale suburban lifestyle. A perfect floor plan for modern living and the multigenerational household. teers had their first work session of 2025. This exceptional home boasts numerous updates, a first floor bedroom with full bath, home office, finished They weeded out dandelions, installed a basement with an egress window, and a beautiful rear yard with an inviting in-ground pool. tool shed whose roof will feed rain barDONNA M. MURRAY rels, cleaned up trash, andCRS, mapped theASP, SRS, CLHMS e-PRO, Sales Associate, REALTOR® vegetation in the wet meadow. 253 Nassau Street | Princeton, NJ 08540 “We try to be proactive, pulling out agCell: 908.391.8396 | Off.: 609.924.1600 A member of the franchise donna.murray@foxroach.com gressive nonnative plants before they can VIRTUAL TOUR QR CODE system of BHH Affiliates, LLC donnamurrayrealestate.com get established,” wrote FOHW President Steve Hiltner in an email. In a session Donna Murray seed HP.inddof1additional 6/16/23 10:40 AM last week they added For all your real estate needs in 2024. native species to increase diversity in order to feed pollinators in the summer. Several years ago the wet meadow was deepened as part of an effort to reduce flooding along the Walnut Street side of the school. It was first planted with turf grass, but two years ago the school had a contractor plant it with native species. “These complex native plantings can be glorious, but they require ongoing BELLE MEAD NJ 08502 BELLE MEAD NJ 08502 care to keep invasive species from taking over,” said Hiltner, “so we worked DAY OF ACTION: About 250 demonstrators braved the drizzling rain on Sunday, May 4 to gather in Hinds Plaza to out an arrangement where the Friends of Herrontown Woods was hired to work voice their opposition to policies and actions of the Trump administration. The May Day National Day of Action rally, in conjunction with hundreds of rallies across the country from May 1 to 4, including a May 1 Princeton with teachers and students to take care rally organized by Resistencia en Accion New Jersey, was hosted by the Coalition for Peace Action, Indivisible of the plantings.”
Nonagenarians, Friends, and Families Gather to Celebrate, Share, Reminisce
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Carrie Coon Joins Browning, Brahms, Gary Cooper, and Gabby Hayes in This Week’s All-Star Review . . . . . 18 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Books . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . 37 Mailbox. . . . . . . . . 14, 15 Mercer County Top Producers . . . . 20, 21 Mother's Day . . . . . . . 2, 3 New To Us . . . . . . . . . . 26 Obituaries . . . . . . . 35, 36 Performing Arts. . . . . 22, 23 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . . . 8 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . 37 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Topics of the Town . . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Cranbury, Indivisible Princeton, and the Princeton Community Democratic Organization.
Continued on Page 9
(Photo by Donald Gilpin)
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PARTY AT THE PSO: Brandon Tomasello and the Elegance Quartet were on stage at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s April 5 “Rat Pack” themed gala at Jasna Polana. Guests at the fundraiser were formally dressed for the event, which featured cocktails, dinner, and entertainment as well as a raffle and live auction. All funds raised benefit the orchestra’s music, education, and community programs as well as the Princeton Festival.
Topics In Brief
A Community Bulletin Leighton Listens: Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on May 7 at the Ivy Inn, 248 Nassau Street; May 14 at Deliziosos Bakery and Kitchen, 205 Witherspoon Street; May 21 at Ficus Restaurant, 235 Nassau Street; and May 28 at Hinds Plaza. Bike Rodeo 2025: Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Avenue. Kids can bring and ride their own tricycles and bikes through a free “course” set up by the Lawrence Police Department; safety tips, help with mechanical issues, free helmets, and emergency vehicles to explore. Sponsored by Sustainable Lawrence. Sustainablelawrence.org. Learn About Youth Programs: On Friday, May 9 from 5-6 p.m. at Hinds Plaza, Princeton’s Human Services Department provides information about Youth Development programs. Princetonnj.gov. Community Yard Sale: Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at YWCA, 59 Paul Robeson Place. Vendors are needed. Clothing, household goods, toys, and more. Visit ywcaprinceton.org/yardsale. Food Pantry: Arm in Arm’s mobile food pantry is at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike, on Monday afternoons from 2-4 p.m. Fresh produce, eggs, milk, frozen proteins, and quality baked goods as well as canned and boxed items and personal care items are available for those in need, and different social services agencies are on site. Mcl.org. Sustainable Princeton “Lending Library”: Sustainable Princeton offers residents and nonprofits in Princeton the opportunity to borrow sustainable home items such as electric landscape equipment, induction cooktops, and repair tools, for free, for up to two weeks. Visit sustainableprinceton.org for more information. Scholarship Opportunity: The Dr. Esther Wollin Memorial Scholarship Fund is available to Jewish female, full-time students who will be or are already attending Rutgers University and raised by their Jewish mother in a single-parent household in the Princeton Mercer Bucks Community. Eligibility is based on financial need. Submission deadline is June 2. Visit jfcsonline.org or call Joyce at (609) 987-8100. Election Board Workers Needed: The Mercer County Board of Elections is recruiting new workers, who must be registered Mercer County voters or students 1617 years old. Bilingual residents are especially needed. The pay is $300. Apply at mercercounty.org. Summer Registration for Community Pool and More: To sign up for pool membership, camp offerings, and summer programs, visit register.communitypass. net/Princeton.
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MUSIC THAT MATTERS: Princeton Pro Musica, led by Ryan James Brandau, presents “Codebreaker: The Alan TuringOne-Year Story” atSubscription: Richardson $20 Auditorium on May 18. Brandau is shown here leading the chorus and orchestra in a previous performance. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Pro Musica) Two-Year Subscription: $25
Princeton Pro Musica’s Upcoming Concert Reflects Turing’s Accomplishment and Heartbreak Subscription Information: 609.924.5400 ext. 30 or subscriptions@ When Princeton Pro Mu- figures and what they endured witherspoonmediagroup.com
sica’s artistic princetonmagazine.com director Ryan to accomplish them. James Brandau considers There was Annelies, in what kinds of works to pro- 2022, James Whitbourn’s gram for the 100-member work based on the writings symphonic chorus and or- of Anne Frank. Sanctuary chestra, he finds himself re- Road, more recently, drew turning to music written about from the writings of Underthe contributions of historical ground Railroad conductor William Still. On May 18 at 4 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium, the chorus will present Codebreaker: the Alan Turing Stor y, composer James McCarthy’s choral work based on the pioneering British mathematician and logician whose work laid the groundwork for modern computing. Turing, who was gay, committed suicide in 1954 — a time when homosexuality was still a crime in Britain.
and also a bunch of different poems by Oscar Wilde, Sara Teasdale, and others, to give us an access point for the story.” McCar thy wrote Code breaker for a symphonic chorus in the U.K. “The music is something that we can perform well,” Brandau said. “It’s a very appealing combination of movements for chorus and orchestra that have a propulsive and computational quality. We’re reminded that these very first computers that Turing created at Bletchley Park, to process all the code and try and crack the code, actually moved by clicks and dials. Many of the movements in the music have that quality.”
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“We were overwhelmed by the reaction to Annelies,” Brandau said this week, “not just by the degree that audiences engaged in the performance, but by the way they reacted to the auxiliary offerings as well. We are well over 100 musicians gathered on stage, and that’s a powerful instrument. We wanted to do it again — a piece about a real person who went through something and had a piece of music written about it.” Brandau learned of Codebreaker from a colleague, who had heard about the choral work from one of her students. He investigated and was immediately captivated by Turing’s story and the composer’s interpretation. Not to mention the Princeton connection — Turing earned a Ph.D. at Princeton University in 1938. Turing is credited with breaking the German Enigma code in World War II, allowing the British to intercept and interpret key Nazi communications. “In the same way that Annelies didn’t tell the whole story of Anne Frank, this composer [McCarthy] tried to find a few moments in Tu r i ng’s l ife t hat cou ld pr ov i d e a w i n d o w i n to his life and essence,” said Brandau. “He didn’t leave behind reams of diaries or letters and writings, for obvious reasons. So McCarthy gathered some of his personal correspondence,
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Princeton Pro Musica Continued from Preceding Page
Other sections are for chorus only, without the orchestra. “The writing is a beautiful balance of the use of chorus and orchestra, both separately and together,” said Brandau. Events leading up to the performance have included a Zoom book talk based on The Man Who Knew Too Much: Alan Turing and the Invention of the Computer; and a screening at Princeton Public Library of The Imitation Game, the film about Turing that starred B e n e d i c t Cu m b e r b atc h . On the day of the concert, a pre-performance talk at 3 p.m., free with concert tickets, will be led by Scott AuCoin of the University of Alabama School of Music. AuCoin conducted the U.S. premiere of Codebreaker in 2022. “On the one hand, this is a story of super-human a c c o m p l i s h m e n t ,” s a i d Brandau. “On the other hand, it is heartbreaking. It captures both what I have to imagine was an extremely active and energetic mind, and also the heartbreak of Turing’s story. There is this tension between the greatness of what he was able to achieve on behalf of millions of people in this enormous global conflict in the 1940s, and the mundane aspect of his arrest and what that led to in terms of punishment and the outcome at the end of his life.” Visit princetonpromusica. org for ticket information. —Anne Levin
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Question of the Week:
“What safety tips did you learn today?” (Asked Saturday at the Wheels Rodeo at the Municipal Building) (Photos by Thomas Hedges)
Chloe: “You have to wear a helmet. It’s the law.” —Zadie, Colson, and Chloe Dougan, Princeton
State Officially Declares Haitian Heritage Day
Gov. Phil Murphy has designated May 18 as Haitian Heritage Day, it has been announced by Haitian Heritage House in Trenton. “This achievement, led by Haitian Heritage House, is a powerful affirmation of the Haitian community’s cultural significance, generational contributions, and lasting impact throughout the state,” reads a press release from the organization. May 18 is the birth of Haiti’s revolutionary movement and the foundation of the first independent Black republic in the world. It recognizes the enduring legacy, resilience, and civic contributions of Haitian Americans while uplifting their role in shaping New Jersey’s educational, economic, and cultural fabric, according to the release. “This proclamation is more than symbolic — it’s a validation of our history, our identity, and our rightful place in New Jersey’s narrative,” said Dardelle Francois, president of Haitian Heritage House. “It is a moment of immense pride for our families, our youth, and every Haitian New Jerseyan who has worked hard to be seen, heard, and included.” Haitian Heritage House led the initiative for this recognition as part of its broader mission to promote cultural preservation, civic engagement, and socioeconomic advancement for Haitian and Creole-speaking immigrant communities. The organization offers programming in workforce development, housing access, immigrant rights, and cultural education. For more information, visit haitianheritagehouse.org.
Maeve: “It’s more safe to wear a yellow vest that reflects light.” —Maeve and Sam Bunting, Princeton
Hira: “You should avoid riding your bike at night.” —Hira Ullah, Muhammad Ali Ullah, and Naba Sharif, Princeton
Miriam: “You should wear a helmet for bikes and e-scooters.” —Omar Martinez, Miriam Jimenez, Melissa Martinez, and Jose Jimenez, Princeton
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Executive Director Martin Miller said the combined loss, “kind of a one-two punch,” totals more than $200,000. The cuts “impact our dexterity and our ability to really take risks.” “Sadly, McCarter is far from alone in feeling the pain of this loss — artistic institutions across our community and our country are learning of terminated grants to support programs that are underway,” he wrote in an email to subscribers and audience members. Roxey Ballet Artistic Director Mark Roxey, in particular, was baffled by the decision, especially since the message from the NEA lists “projects that elevate the Nation’s HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions” among its new priorities. Roxey is Puerto Rican. “This festival we did is about Hispanic culture,” he said. “I brought in artists from the Bronx, from Mexico, an African drummer from New York — the whole thing was curated to celebrate Hispanic heritage and American culture. It’s just bizarre. There is no rationale or reasoning for why they would have denied us funding.” Roxey learned of the rescinded funding on Friday evening; the planned festival, which charged no admission, took place the following day in New Hope, Pa., for an audience of nearly 300 people.
“I understand you want to make adjustments. But come on, you made a contract with us,” he said. “It’s an agreement, and it’s not fair to take it away after we’ve done everything. While $10,000 won’t bankrupt us, it will put us in the red instead of the black, because we run a tight ship.” The email from the NEA advises arts organizations that they can appeal the decision to rescind funding within seven days “if you believe your project meets one of the agency’s new priorities.” Miller said McCarter will give it a try. “Given the amount of turnover in the NEA staff office, it’s difficult to even know where an appeal would land,” he said. “We will certainly do so, but none of us are very optimistic.” More realistic, the arts groups believe, is the belief that local donors will step up. “It’s been heartening to see the response,” Miller said. “While we’ve had a few messages that were negative, there have been so many who say they so value the work we do, and the mission-driven aspect of it, in terms of serving the community.” Roxey would love to ask President Trump for his views of arts and culture. “Come on, the arts are great for the community, children, and the economy,” he said. “I’d love to hear your point of view, Mr. President.” —Anne Levin
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Contest run by FOPOS is possible by a lead donation ADA-accessible family restMay Programs Abound At Mountain Lakes Preserve currently underway. Creat- from longtime Princeton room facility; the addition
Friends of Princeton Open Space ( FOPOS ) hosts a multitude of programs this month at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, at Mountain Avenue and Route 206. Opportunities to volunteer, nature walks, and special programs at Mountain Lakes House are planned. On Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., “Foraging as Stewardship: Dame’s Rocket” is a hands-on session on how to forage as an act of stewardship. Local experts Matt and Shannon will lead a session in the pollinator garden. Participants can sample a recipe and create a bouquet. Opportunities to help with forest and riparian restoration for such tasks as invasive species removal spring planting, and installing cages around native plants to protect them from deer and beaver browse take place May 10, 14, 21, 24, and 28. On Monday, May 12, creative types of all ages can drop in to make pinecone bird feeders to take home and use in back yards. Native pinecones, sunflower seed butter donated by Whole Earth Center, and birdseed are used in the process. The FOPOS Book Club meets Friday, May 30 from 1-2:30 p.m. at Mountain L akes House to discuss Barbara Kingsolver’s book Prodigal Summer, led by board member and Princeton University writing faculty member Diana Newby. The conversation is followed by a short nature walk. The 10th annual Perspectives on Preservation Photo
ed to showcase the diverse forms of beauty in the preserve and surrounding area, the contest invites professional and amateur photographers to submit entries by October 12. They can have been taken any time of year during the past three years. Fo r e x a c t t i m e s a n d registration, visit fopos.org.
Construction to Begin On Library’s Spark Lab
Renovat ions to cre ate the Myra and Van Williams Spark Lab begin Wednesday, May 7 at Princeton Public Library. An expansion of a multi-purpose room on the library’s third floor, the new STEAM-learning space will feature integrated technology and equipment designed to support learners in grades K-12. The Spark Lab will feature laptop and desktop computers, iPads, sewing machines, a 3D printer bar, woodworking tools, virtual reality and gaming equipment, crafting supplies and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning kits that can accommodate class sizes of up to 12 students at a time. “This expansion helps the library fulfill its mission to provide equitable learning opportunities in our community,” said Executive Director Jennifer Podolsky. “Providing this space, where every child will have the chance to create, discover and increase their knowledge of science and technology, is a great example of how vital the library is to Princeton.” The Spark Lab is made
residents Myra and Van Williams, for whom the space will be named, and several other donors. The Municipality of Princeton is providing funds for tech equipment and supplies. “We are deeply grateful to Myra and Van, the municipality of Princeton and all of the generous donors who helped make this vision a reality,” said Podolsky. Construction is expected to last 15 weeks during which time the library’s family/all-gender restroom will be inaccessible. After additional time to furnish and equip the space, the Spark Lab will open in the fall.
7 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
Local Arts Groups
of ADA access to the site via a walking path; reconfiguration of the existing parking lot to increase ADA parking accommodations; and the installation of native landscaping and fencing surrounding the playground. “I am thrilled that Mercer County will be receiving nearly $1 million allocated under Jake’s Law, which I co-sponsored in the State Assembly, to build a Completely Inclusive Playground at Rosedale Park in Hopewell Tow nsh ip,” s aid Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “Every child, regardless of their ability, deserves the joy that comes from spending time at the playground County Gets Grant with friends and family, and we expect the new Rosedale For Rosedale Park On Friday, April 25, the Park playground to become Murphy administration an- a valued destination for nounced a massive package families across the County.” of projects being funded from the Department of En- Sustainable Princeton vironmental Protection. One Needs Plastics Volunteer Sustainable Princeton is of these projects included Mercer County’s Complete seeking a volunteer to help I nclus ive Playg rou nd at with plastic film recycling. The volunteer will pick up plastic Rosedale Park. Upon completion, the park film collections at the town’s will be completely inclusive, municipal buildings and drop engaging, and ADA-accessi- them off at McCaffrey’s Market ble in a way that supports in Princeton Shopping Center. Anyone with a valid driver’s sensory play and community engagement for children and license is eligible. More than one volunteer may be hired. caretakers of all abilities. The proposed improve- The municipal buildings are at ments include the instal- 1 Monument Drive and 400 lation of accessible play Witherspoon Street. The reequipment and structures, cycling center is behind Mcincluding swings, musical Caffrey’s Market. The pickup would be done play equipment, chimes, a seesaw, and sensory board about twice a month. The muelements; the installation nicipal buildings are usually of shade structures, bench- open between 9 a.m. and 5 es and a quiet play area; p.m. Mondays to Fridays. modifications to the existTo inquire, email info @ ing restroom to create an sustainableprinceton.org.
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TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 • 8
Police Blotter Police Seek Help With Hit and Run
The Princeton Police Department is requesting the public’s help in identifying the driver and vehicle involved in a hit and run collision that occurred on Tuesday, March 25, at approximately 5:32 p.m., on South Harrison Street near the marked crosswalk at the D&R Canal Path. According to the Princeton Police Instagram and Facebook, “a pedestrian was struck while crossing in the crosswalk and sustained serious injuries. The vehicle fled the scene, heading northbound on South Harrison Street.” Police state that the vehicle is “believed to be a newer model Subaru Outback with unknown New Jersey registration; black; vertically aligned roof rack; and black rear bumper with a two-tone silver accent below the trunk.” A witness captured an image of the vehicle but despite enhancement efforts, the license plate remains unreadable. If you have any information that could help identify the driver, please contact Ptl. Dante Focarelli at (609) 921-2100. All tips can remain anonymous. ——— On April 29, at 7:32 p.m., patrol officers responded to a business on State Road following a report of a female wearing gray sweatpants, fuzzy slippers, and a black shirt who was allegedly stealing items from the
store. Upon investigation, it was determined that the individual, a 35-year-old female from Martinsville, was taking various miscellaneous items without paying for them and placing them in her bags. She was arrested and taken to police headquarters for processing, and was later transported to the Mercer County Correctional Center. On April 28, at 3:58 a.m., subsequent to a motor vehicle stop for obstructing the passage of other vehicles on Nassau Street, the driver, a 41-year-old male from Rahway, was arrested for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters where he submitted samples of his breath for testing, was processed, charged accordingly, and subsequently released to his friend after being issued motor vehicle summonses and given a court date. On April 27, at 4:15 a.m., subsequent to a motor vehicle stop on Birch Avenue for improper parking and failure to keep right, the driver, a 33-year-old male from Princeton, was found to be driving while intoxicated. He was arrested and transported to police headquar ters for processing. After completing the arrest process, he received summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, failure to keep right, and prohibited parking. He was subsequently released to a sober adult. On April 24, at 2:59 p.m., patrol officers responded to a bank on Nassau Street after receiving a report about
a male attempting to cash a fraudulent check. During the on-scene investigation, the suspect, a 38-year-old male from Greensboro, N.C., was arrested and taken to headquar ters for processing, where he was charged with several offenses, including theft of identity, forgery, hinder ing apprehension, know ingly using a false government-issued driver’s license, possession of a false government-issued ID, and issuing bad checks. He was informed of his charges before being released from police custody. On April 23, at 5:41 p.m., an individual reported that an unknown individual keyed the driver’s side door and fender of her vehicle while she was at work on North Harrison Street. The incident is believed to have occurred between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The estimated cost to repair the scratch is under $500. There are currently no suspects in this case. Unless noted, individuals arrested were later released.
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continued from page one
A Princeton Public Schools (PPS) news bulletin expresses appreciation to the FOHW and the PHS environmental science students for seeding and planting the meadow with a variety of native plants that are uniquely suited to this wet environment. “In contrast to turf grass, these native plants actually help to improve the stormwater management of the basin,” the bulletin states. “Their deep roots act as a sponge, soaking up stormwater and releasing it gradually. They also help pull up water when it is scarce, filter out pollutants, and minimize erosion.” Native plants also have evolved to coexist with local wildlife and the regional climate and soil. They don’t need excess fertilizer or pesticides, and they also help attract birds, butterflies,
and other pollinators and provide food and shelter for wildlife. The basin is maintained by students and community volunteers rather than requiring weekly mowing by staff. A n educational message board, funded by a $2,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey for Schools and the New Jersey Education Association, helps to explain to the community the many benefits of basin naturalization. The grant also provided a set of tools that students use in maintaining the basin. “It’s a joy to work with the kids, giving them tips on how to use the tools, helping them identify the plants and recognize patterns in the distribution of species in the basin,” said Hiltner. “Many of them will have their own homes and yards someday, and if they become familiar with complex native habitats on school grounds, maybe they’ll dig up some of the lawn in those yards and plant natives.”
Upcycling Plexiglass PHS biology teacher Steffanie Shoop and special education teacher Hellanna Koflowitch wanted to make their DNA unit more interactive and accessible, particularly for a visually impaired student in their class, and they wanted to go beyond traditional paper models of nucleotides to create 3D versions that the students could all manipulate. Princeton Middle School de s ig n a nd eng i neer i ng teacher Matt Halfacre had an idea to meet the challenge, and he also had a Glowforge laser cutter, a gift to the IDEAS Center from the Princeton Educational Foundation. Halfacre created prototypes of nucleotide pieces out of balsa wood, and soon had produced several usable models, but some pieces were too fragile and needed sturdier material. “That’s when inspiration struck,” states a PPS news bulletin. “The team saw an opportunity to upcycle unused COVID-19-era Plexiglass dividers into durable, high-quality nucleotide models. By repurposing approximately three square feet of acrylic, he not only solved
the fragility issue but also gave new life to otherwise discarded materials.” Kof l ow i tc h e x p l a i n e d , “These models allowed students to manipulate DNA nucleotides to create a DNA structure and then simulate DNA replication — bringing together kinesthetic, visual, and auditory learning, as students created videos that described these processes.” Halfacre praised the science department for their creative vision, and, as the bulletin states, “It’s clear this collaboration exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary teamwork and sustainability. By combining science, engineering, and a commitment to accessibility, Princeton educators are making a lasting impact — one nucleotide at a time.” Shoop added, “Making sure that teaching is accessible in multiple modalities helps to empower students and makes learning more meaningful. It’s what teaching should be about. So Hellanna and I working with Matt Halfacre is an awesome example of when you work collaboratively you can really help elevate all students’ learning experiences.” —Donald Gilpin
9 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
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RAISING THE TOOLSHED: Princeton High School students, assisted by Friends of Herrontown Woods (FOHW) President Steve Hiltner, lifted a toolshed into place at the PHS wet meadow last week. The toolshed was built by FOHW volunteer Robert Chong out of scavenged wood, and its roof will provide water for rain barrels, which will provide water for watering the plants. (Photo by Inge Regan, FOHW)
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Nonagenarians continued from page one
So that’s why I say, ‘Look for what you’re going to be when you get to 90 years old.’ God bless you all for being here.” For each one of the honorees, a family member or friend delivered a short tribute —biographical and nostalgic, w ith recollections and stories from the past. Nine of the 14 honorees were present and sat in front of a screen with family photos projected on it at center stage during the commentary, after which the family gathered for the presentation of a family heirloom blanket inscribed with names of the recipient and family members. The first honoree and the only one no longer living was Barbara Banks, who died last month at 94. Her granddaughter described her as the “soul of the home” at 191 John Street and “the heart behind every warm memory.” She added, “My Nana had a way of making everyone feel seen, special, and deeply loved, even on her busiest of days.” Five generations of the fam ily were present for the tribute to Hattie Smith Black, 91, as her granddaughter, w it h her ow n granddaughter beside her, described her grandmother as “one of a kind, selfless, giving, always there with a helping hand — she is my favorite lady.” Black worked at Princeton University for 55 years, the last 34 until she retired from the African American Studies Program. John O. Broadway, the third honoree, was described
by his youngest son Curt as “the strongest man you’ll ever meet, guaranteed,” and Curt went on in a poetic tribute to emphasize the “love, patience, and care” that characterize his 90-year-old father. “I’m the luckiest kid that ever lived,” said Curt. Lois Craig, 97, was descr ibed by her niece as “sharp, witty, classy, and still possessing a strong attention to detail — to say that she is a walking, talking, wealth of knowledge would be a total understatement, and she plays a mean game of scrabble and mahjong.” Barbara Flythe, an educ a t o r, c o n s u l t a n t , a n d community justice activist, was unable to attend the event, but was described by a close friend: “She goes through life with gusto, embraces her age fully and enjoys life. Congratulations to Barbara.” “A scholar, an educator, a per for mer, a director, an actor, and a wonderful woman,” is how Satterfield described Cecilia Hodges. Hodges was a professor of English at Princeton University and has performed professionally in many plays, TV shows, and movies. She has directed the Witherspoon Verse Speaking Choir for the past 39 years. The next honorees were Audrey and James “Jimmy” Mack, “a dynamic duo couple,” according to Lance Liverman, who “show nothing but love wherever they go.” Liverman continued, “I’ve s een at f irs t- hand what it means to truly love your community by watching how Audrey and Jimmy Mack have navigated their
way with so many people.” Jimmy was a well-known local barber for more than 60 years. Audrey worked for various companies, and “her passion has been to give back to her community,” Liverman said. Robert J. Rivers did not feel well and could not attend the event, but his granddaughter described him as “one of our hometown heroes, one of the first African Americans to graduate from Princeton University.” She described the challenging times of his childhood in Princeton in the 1930s and 40s. “In a time of profound social change he helped navigate our family through an evolving world with grace and courage. He showed me how to face the world with courage, how to treat others with respect, and how to find pride in where we come from.” Rivers is a surgeon and the first African American to serve on the Princeton University Board of Trustees. Edna Adelaide Rozier, “a beloved member of the Witherspoon-Jackson community whose life continues to be a source of strength, love and inspiration,” according Princeton Councilman Leighton Newlin, who delivered a tribute to her on behalf of her daughter Kim Rozier, could not attend the event. Newlin said, “She dedicated her professional life to serving Princeton’s children, first as a teacher’s assistant and later in the Community Park School cafeteria, where her warm presence and kind heart touched countless young lives.” Dorothy Stevens, described by Smith as “a special gem in
90+ AND COUNTING: The Broadway family — John, center right, described by his son as “the strongest man you’ll ever meet,” — accept their family heirloom blanket at Sunday’s event to “Honor and Celebrate 90+ Years of Sharing Wisdom and Joy” sponsored by the Arts Council of Princeton and Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society. (Photo courtesy of the Arts Council of Princeton) this incredible community,” was a leader of the Young Peoples Division (YPD) of the AME Church, “a trailblazer.” Smith continued, “She instilled a lot of pride in the lives of young people, encouraging them to do their very best and to be Godly people, and I am one of the proud people that she ministered to over the years.” Charles Streater, a Korean War veteran, now living on Clay Street, was described by his second oldest granddaughter. “Without him I don’t know where I would be,” she said. “He has always been there for us, no matter what it is. He has always had us and we’ve always had him.”
Tr a c y Wo o d s , t e l l i n g about her 96 -year- old mother Johnetta Woods, who could not attend the event, mentioned her mother’s memories of watching movies at the Playhouse and Garden theaters, ice skating on Lake Carnegie, and sledding down John Street. One of her favorite childhood activities was riding the Dinky to Princeton Junction. “She is a witness to history, a lifelong testament to resilience, love, and endurance. We’re so lucky to celebrate her and the other elders here today.” Marilyn Yates’ daughter described her mother as a “woman of resilience, dedication, and great strength —
her qualities have fortified her to overcome adversity and discrimination.” Yates served the Princeton University English Department for 38 years. She raised six children, 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. “Today we honor you, Mom, for being the extraordinary woman and mother that God purposed you to be,” her daughter said. Satterfield echoed those words on behalf of all 14 com mu n it y elder s. “ We honor and praise and bless you all, and let’s keep this going,” she said. “This is our tradition.” —Donald Gilpin
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TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 • 12
Younity to Host Annual Awards Dinner Highlighting Justice, Healing, Change Younity (formerly Womanspace) will be honoring two individuals and a local organization whose work manifests “a commitment to justice, healing, and systemic change” at its 29th Annual Awards Dinner on May 15 at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park. Bringing together civic leaders and other supporters to highlight contributions to the safety and empowerment of victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence, the event will recognize Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala, who will receive the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award; Kieran John, who will receive the Edwin W. Schmierer Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service; and the Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF), which will receive the Younity Award for Outstanding Communit y Partner. Proceeds from this Younity fundraiser will support several of the organization’s programs, including crisis intervention, emergency safe housing, counseling, legal advocacy, and prevention education. Ferrell-Zabala, leader for the past two years of Moms Demand Action, an organization focused on ending gun violence, has been a strong advocate for closing legal loopholes that enable abusers to obtain firearms. “W hen gun violence is so deeply connected to domestic violence, we cannot afford to stay silent,” she said, as quoted in a Younity press release. The release points out that firearms are involved in more than half of all intimate partner homicides in the U.S., and the risk of homicide increases fivefold when an abuser has access to a firearm. Ferrell-Zabala continued, “This recognition isn’t just a personal honor — it’s a tribute to the collective work of so
many who are fighting every day for a safer country. I’m accepting this on behalf of every survivor, student, advocate, and community leader who is fighting for a world where no one has to live in fear of gun violence. Thank you to Younity for this recognition of our movement and for sharing our commitment to empower communities — not just to survive, but to thrive.” The Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award honors “a national figure who has used their platform to raise public awareness about domestic and sexual violence and inspire greater community engagement,” according to Younity. Sigmund, who died in 1990, served as a Mercer County freeholder and a Princeton Borough Councilwoman before becoming the mayor of Princeton Borough from 1983 to 1990. In 1977 her vision helped to launch Womanspace, which later became Younity. Kieran John, founder and CEO of Firstlight Pharmaceuticals, has been the leader of Younity’s Communities of Light campaign for several years, helping to raise thousands of dollars, engage local volunteers, and increase awareness about domestic and sexual violence. Communities of Light features a countywide display of candle-like “luminaries” each December. “Making the world better for my family, my community, and others worldwide is just as important as any scientific or business goal I pursue,” said John, a longtime resident of Pennington. T he Volunteer S er v ice Award is named in honor of Ed Schmierer, an attorney and longtime volunteer who served Womanspace for more than 35 years. PACF, honoree for Outstanding Community Partn e r, h a s “s t r e n g t h e n e d Younity’s ability to serve individuals and families in crisis, including children’s ser v ices and prevent ion
pro g ra m s,” t he You n it y press release states. “We are thrilled to be honored by Younity, which has been providing critical supportive services and protecting families in our region for almost 50 years,” said PACF President and CEO Mathieu Nelessen. “In recent years, Younity has been a recipient of grants from our donor advised fund holders, as well as from our Community Impact Grants Fund, the Fund for Women and Girls, the NextGen Giving Circle, and the Bunbury Fund, and we could not be more honored to receive this recognition.” Younity President and CEO Nathalie S. Nelson commented on this year’s award winners. “Each honoree reflects the power of individuals and institutions to drive real change,” she said. “Angela Ferrell-Zabala’s leadership reminds us that the fight to end violence doesn’t stop at awareness — it requires action, courage, and policy change. Kieran John’s leadership unites entire communities in solidarity, and the Princeton Area Community Foundation invests in services that change lives.” She continued, “They all remind us that change happens when we show up, speak out, and support one another. When we come together, we are stronger than abuse.” To l e a r n m o r e a b o u t Younit y, purchase event tickets for the May 15 “evening of impact and action,” and access sponsorship information, visit younitynj. org “News and Events.” —Donald Gilpin
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A DAY OF CELEBRATION: An aerial view of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, which marks Juneteenth on June 21. tours of the Mt. Zion AME in the School of Social SciMuseum’s Juneteenth is About Stories of Freedom Church and the Heritage ence, was presented at a
The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM), Central New Jersey’s only museum sharing the history of African Americans in the region since the trans-Atlantic Slave trade, will hold its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 12 to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The festivities will be held at the Mt. Zion AME Church and historic Reasoner/True House in Skillman. On the agenda are live music, spoken word and theatrical performances, a drum circle, local artisans, storytelling workshops, and museum activities for all ages. Food is an additional highlight. Feat ured performers include the SSAAM Heritage Singers and Band, vocalist and storyteller Keith Spencer, Luna Stage’s The Ground on Which We Stand, and authors/SSAAM founders Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck. The featured exhibition, “The Head that Wears the Crown, explores the past, present, and future of African American women’s headwear, with selections from the museum’s collection and photo por traits of com m u n it y m e mb er s across generations modeling early-to-late 20th century church hats. Guided
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Garden will be given. Scavenger hunts, a story booth to record memories and reflections, and the launch of SSAAM’s Little Free Library of Banned Books are also on the schedule. Admission for adults is $20 online, and $25 at the venue; $10 for children 14 and under online, and $15 at the venue. The SSAAM is located at 189 Hollow Road in Skillman. For more information, visit ssaamuseum.org.
Institute for Advanced Study Announces Faculty Awards
Several faculty members of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), past and present, have been honored in recent months with awards and appointments. Francesca Trivellato, Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the School of Historical Studies, has been made a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, joining a class of nearly 250 recognized for their “expertise and leadership.” Trivellato’s research “has f u ndamentally re shap e d historians’ understanding of early capitalism, crosscultural trade mechanisms, and the development of commercial trust systems,” according to a recent IAS newsletter. Wendy Brown, professor
ceremony in Istanbul with a Sakip Sabanci International Research Award for her contributions to scholarship on the theme of “Realigning Values in a Transforming World Order: What needs preser ving, reevaluating, and redefining?” Edward Witten, professor emeritus in the School of Nat u r a l S cie n ce s, is an honorary fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. He was recognized for his “profou nd cont r ibut ions to contemporary physics, including supersymmetric and topological quantum field theory, string theory, and quantum information theory.” Three scholars from the S chools of Mat hemat ics and Natural Sciences have been named 2025 Breakthrough Prize Foundation laureates: Dennis Gaitsgory, Gerard ‘t Hooft, and John Pardon. Nine IAS scholars, past and incoming, across three schools, won 2025 Guggenheim Fellowships. For more information, visit Ias.edu.
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Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell will be the first and only hospital in the Mercer and Bucks County region to offer histotripsy, a non-invasive treatment option for liver tumors, when the Edison System arrives this summer. Dr. Cataldo Doria, a hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center; Dr. Ajay Choudhri, an interventional radiologist and chairman of the Radiology Department at Capital Health; and Dr. Nikhil Thaker, medical director of Radiation Oncology, lead the team at the Cancer Center’s Liver Center of Excellence that performs histotripsy. This groundbreaking procedure uses advanced imaging and ultrasound energy to destroy targeted tumors in a single outpatient procedure with no cutting or probing. “Capital Health Cancer Center consistently commits to bringing new and promising technologies like this to patients in our area,” said Doria. “Histotripsy destroys targeted tissues without the intense energy of radiation, heat damage from thermal technologies, or incisions or needles from traditional treatments that can damage surrounding healthy structures. The additional benefits of less pain, shorter recovery time, and fewer complicat ions also help ensure patients experience the best possible clinical outcomes.” Histotripsy is a revolutionary non-invasive solution for patients with liver cancer who are not candidates for surgery or may have previously been told their tumors are inoperable. Doria and his team use the histotripsy devices (an ultrasound machine connected to a mobile robotic arm) to deliver pre-
crobubbles at a focal point, which break down and dissolve the diseased liver tumor tissue without piercing the skin. Histotripsy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of liver tumors, and doctors and researchers have studied it for more than 20 years, including clinical trials. There are ongoing studies surrounding the use of histotripsy for treating tumors in the pancreas, brain, prostate, kidney and other areas. As FDA approvals are granted, the team at Capital Health Cancer Center plans to expand their histotripsy program to these new sites. Capital Health Cancer Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, is home to the Liver Center of Excellence as well as other centers of excellence specializing in breast care, lung health, neuro-oncology, pancreatic health, and robotic-assisted surgery. To learn more, visit capitalhealthcancer.org.
our impact in environmental protection, education, and advocacy.” Most recently, Kelly served as director of institutional advancement at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, where she led fundraising, communications, and marketing initiatives during a pivotal period of institutional renewal. Her career has also included senior leadership roles at Notre Dame High School, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Trenton, and The Pennington School, where she built advancement programs and managed multi-million dollar capital campaigns. “I’m honored to join The Watershed Institute at such an exciting moment,” said Kelly. “The organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and community engagement aligns perfectly with my personal and professional values. I look forward to working closely with the team and the broader Watershed community to further its mission and build lasting philanthropic partnerships.”
13 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
Capital Health Offers New cisely targeted treatment. during donor relationships will Ultrasound pulses create mi- be invaluable as we expand Liver Tumor Treatment
WHEELS RODEO: The municipality’s annual event on Saturday at the Municipal Building lot gave attendees the opportunity to meet members of the Princeton Police Department, learn bike safety skills, take a bike safety course, and get fitted for helmets. Food, music, and giveaways were also featured. (Photo by Thomas Hedges)
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Mailbox The views of the letters do not necessarily reflect the views of Town Topics.
Celebrating New Housing in Town and Welcoming More
To the Editor: During my regular visits to Princeton, it is impossible not to notice all the new homes under construction near the Princeton Junction train station. This transit-oriented redevelopment, which alone will provide 132 affordable homes for families in the region, is due in large part to the fair share housing process that has delivered over 20,000 affordable homes across New Jersey since 2015. The housing shortage facing New Jersey — over 200,000 units at least — can sometimes feel overwhelming, but at this train station and all around Princeton, we have visible signs of progress. There’s Avalon Princeton on Harrison which has brought 200 new homes to Princeton, 36 of which are now included in the municipality’s stock of affordable housing, all on what used to be a perpetually empty surface parking lot. There’s the redevelopment on Thanet Road that will provide 221 homes in total, 11 of which will be reserved for low and moderate-income households, including five homes for neighbors with special needs. This development also includes the 100 percent affordable Princeton Senior Living development which will provide 80 homes for our senior residents. There’s the expansion of Princeton Community Village, a landmark site originally built by local affordable housing steward Princeton Community Housing, which will provide an additional 25 homes for neighbors earning low and moderate incomes. These homes would likely not exist without Princeton’s fair share planning and forward-thinking policies, which not only advanced desperately needed affordable housing, but also smart, sustainable growth by redeveloping land that is walkable and accessible to public transit. This is good progress to build upon as Princeton approaches its fourth round of fair share obligations. Thanks to New Jersey’s fair share process, we have an opportunity to do our part by providing critically needed homes in contrast to communities in other states that are building little to no housing whatsoever. Amidst the calamity caused by the federal government, it is important to embrace opportunities where we can make progress. This is one of those opportunities. Consider the many possible sites for more affordable housing and smart growth in Princeton. Think of the underused surface parking lots that could instead host affordable housing for our seniors wishing to age in place. Think of the public transit accessible corridors like Alexander Street by the Princeton train station that could easily accommodate
more housing for households of all incomes without requiring much parking or driving. Think of land owned by public or nonprofit anchor institutions like Princeton University’s Butler Tract that could also accommodate more housing for our neighbors. Princeton residents are fortunate to live in a place teeming with possibilities and room for growth – in population, yes, but also community vitality. This is not a burden – a larger and more diverse population will be a boon for the community. Let’s put our collective energy toward maximizing this opportunity for everyone’s benefit. I encourage you to visit princetongrows.com to find out more about how to get involved in this effort. MATT MLECZKO 2350 Washington Place NE, Washington, D.C. The writer previously served on Princeton’s Affordable Housing Board and is the founder of Princeton GROWS, a volunteer pro-housing advocacy group in town.
emissions to improved health outcomes for our neighbors. But it will take all of us. Here in Princeton, we’re proud to be part of this effort — from volunteers who deliver meals each day, to companies and institutions who are rethinking what they do with excess food. If you’re a local business, school, or food provider, I invite you to reach out and explore how you can be part of this solution. And to our fellow residents, we encourage you to support local and state efforts that treat food as a resource—not waste. Together, we can help New Jersey become a national leader in sustainable, equitable food recovery—with Princeton continuing to show what’s possible when a community comes together to do what’s right. HÉLÈNE LANCTUIT CEO, Share My Meals John Street
To the Editor: On April 23, I had the honor of testifying before the New Jersey Assembly’s Environment and Solid Waste Committee on behalf of Share My Meals and the growing coalition behind meal recovery in our state. We were there to support a trio of legislative proposals that could transform how New Jersey handles surplus food — by making meal recovery, not composting, the first choice for food that is still safe, nourishing, and untouched. It’s a conversation we’ve long needed to have. Every day, institutions across New Jersey — corporate cafeterias, universities, hospitals — discard millions of pounds of perfectly good food. At the same time, right here in our own Princeton community and beyond, too many families are unsure where their next meal will come from. That disconnect is why Share My Meals was created. Since launching our model in Princeton, we’ve grown from a local meal delivery network into the nonprofit leader behind the Meal Recovery Coalition, a statewide partnership of major employers, food service providers, volunteers, and government allies. Together, we’ve already recovered 290,000 meals, prevented 1.6 million pounds of CO2 emissions, and are now poised to scale to 1 million meals annually—with Princeton at the heart of it all. The bills we supported in Trenton — S2426, S200/A1418, and S3889/A5387 — lay the foundation for this scale by requiring counties to plan for food recovery, clarifying date labeling to prevent premature food disposal, and incentivizing reduction on college campuses. This isn’t just environmental policy — it’s climate action, public health, and economic common sense. According to data we presented at the hearing, every $1 invested in meal recovery yields $14 in public benefit—from reduced landfill costs and
gem we have in Stuart Mitchner’s perfectly shaped, weekly article on books in the Town Topics. His annual structure based on the birthdays of authors, mostly corresponding to current publications, allows his broad talents in description, analysis, comparison, and evaluation to operate on the highest level. At the same time, his writing style, so personal and friendly, invites the reader to join him in his unending recollections and new experiences. He keeps us informed about what’s going on in Princeton literary circles, and takes us with him on his new informational sojourns. Sometimes I wish I knew his wife’s name, but that doesn’t stop me from often cutting out his articles for second or more readings. I’m still digesting his discovery of poetry in The Sopranos and Mad Men. In this time of political chaos, Mitchner’s column is particularly salutary. MARILYN ARONBERG LAVIN Maxwell Lane
Writing in Praise of Stuart Mitchner’s Princeton’s Role in a Growing Movement: Weekly Book Review in Town Topics To the Editor: Turning Food Waste into Food Security I write in the hope that everyone in Princeton knows what a
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To the Editor: A third dog off leash in two weeks has prompted me to write a letter to Town Topics. Early on in our relationship, my guide dog was attacked by two dogs who were off leash. It has taken a lot of hard work, and several visits from Seeing Eye instructors, to rebuild her confidence. I especially want to thank my many neighbors, who wanted to see us succeed. They have gone out of their way and are extremely careful not to let their pets interfere with my guide dog, who is essential for my mobility and safety. Walking with my dog and a friend, we recently witnessed a really scary incident on Jefferson Road. A dog raced out of a driveway to attack another dog who was on a leash and doing nothing offensive. The barks and yelps were terrifying. Only by luck were we not directly involved. I don’t know if that dog was injured, but very likely traumatized. The second incident, also on Jefferson, involved a loose dog who menacingly barked at my dog and charged out toward us, but was grabbed by his owner before he reached the sidewalk. In the third, an unleashed dog bounded across Harris Road to get to my dog. It then raced back and forth between us and his owners, totally unresponsive to verbal commands. I popped the Gentle Leader over my dog’s nose to make sure she was under good control, and eventually concluded that this dog was not aggressive. It was having a gay old time playing a game of “you can’t catch me.” A group of people took several minutes to corral him before we could go on our way. While my dog was not physically injured in any of these situations, some guide dogs are unable to work after aggressive encounters and have to retire. If my dog becomes unable to work after too many aggressive encounters and retires, my independence and mobility will be significantly decreased while I wait for another guide dog. The wait could be lengthy because it takes some time until the right match becomes available. Besides Princeton’s leash law, New Jersey’s “Dusty’s Law” provides special protection for guide dogs and other service animals. For the safety of my dog, and everyone’s dogs, please familiarize yourself with this legislation and don’t let your dog be off leash! I really don’t enjoy being the neighborhood shrew, yelling at people to put a leash on their dog and get it under control. If my dog gets jumped again, I’m concerned that she may decide to hang up the harness. SUE TILLETT Moore Street
tive, sustainable long-term housing options might look like, what municipality in this country can? As a town, surely we could explore the private/public partnership that would make this type of housing a reality. To dismiss this out of hand lacks the curiosity and creativity we desperately need at the present time. Yes, Princeton has become unaffordable. There are myriad reasons for this: a university that subsidizes faculty mortgages, a theological seminary that owns a significant number of homes in and around the Mercer Hill district; and not least, a lack of creative foresight. I encourage community members to see this proposed development and the rhetoric about addressing the affordability crisis for what it is: a bait-and-switch proposition. We get 238 units with rents of $6,000/month and a paltry 48 set aside as affordable. It neither affords working families the opportunity for home ownership, nor aids those in need of less expensive options. As a native Princetonian, a former volunteer for Princeton Community Housing, and having had the great good fortune to have been a resident of PCH for three years, no one cares more about making Princeton affordable than I do. Finally, as we see daily in our national politics, I’d remind those who disagree that name-calling is always a substitute for reasoned arguments. CAROLINE CLEAVES Edgehill Street
Proposed Development Would Degrade Area Well-Known and Beloved for its Historical Value
15 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
If the municipal Council in a town like Princeton, with its Nassau Hall to General Washington, a turning point in Dog Owners Need to Keep Their Dogs on Leash endless intellectual, technological, political, and financial the American Revolutionary War. The Hun School was resources, can’t take the time to envision what innova- formerly located on this site, and more recently it served To Avoid Dangerous, Traumatic Situations as part of the campus of the Princeton Theological Seminary, founded in 1812. Of other historical note, Thomas Mann’s brick Georgian house on Stockton Street is a close neighbor, as is Einstein’s former house around the corner on Mercer Street. History, education, and beautiful old buildings are intrinsic parts of Princeton, distinguishing and irreplaceable features that make this town so special, and so desirable. Who wouldn’t want to live here? We fear, however, that this new, high density development, so centrally located, will permanently change and damage the historic and architecturally pleasing character of this part of town. It will also add to the already overloaded and busting-atthe seams infrastructure of Princeton. There are already way too many people living in the area. The roads, etc. cannot take more cars; none of us can tolerate yet more traffic in and around town. We wonder what steps, if any, the developers have taken to protect the historic and architectural integrity of this neighborhood. To disregard hundreds of years of recorded and visible, tangible history, still so remarkably extant here, would deprive future generations of a clear vision of our country in its earliest years. It would degrade an area well-known and beloved for its historical value. BOBBIE BENNETT LAURA BENNETT Cherry Valley Road
Letters to the Editor Policy Town Topics welcomes letters to the Editor, preferably on subjects related to Princeton. Letters must have a valid street address (only the street name will be printed with the writer’s name). Priority will be given to letters that are received for publication no later than Monday noon for publication in that week’s Wednesday edition. Letters must be no longer than 500 words and have no more than four signatures. All letters are subject to editing and to available space. At least a month’s time must pass before another letter from the same writer can be considered for publication. Letters are welcome with views about actions, policies, ordinances, events, performances, buildings, etc. However, we will not publish letters that include content that is, or may be perceived as, negative towards local figures, politicians, or political candidates as individuals. When necessary, letters with negative content may be shared with the person/group in question in order to allow them the courtesy of a response, with the understanding that the communications end there. Letters to the Editor may be submitted, preferably by email, to editor@towntopics.com, or by post to Town Topics, PO Box 125, Kingston, N.J. 08528. Letters submitted via mail must have a valid signature.
To the Editor: We are writing in support of an ad placed in the April 23 issue of Town Topics by six of this nation’s leading historians — Ken Burns, Harold Holzer, Jon Meacham, James McPherson, Sean Wilentz, and Brenda Wineapple — an ad expressing opposition to the current development plans for a site on Stockton Street sold several years ago by the Princeton Theological Seminary. We also oppose this proposed development, both from an historic preservation and present-day quality of life perspective. This swath of land, which sits partially within the Mercer Hill Historic District, is in Princeton’s oldest continuously inhabited, by non-Indigenous persons, neighborhood, and is in one of the most historically important parts of town, an area that, for 300 years, has been characterized by low density, charming and historic dwellings — the kinds of old houses and buildings, of local, regional, and national historical significance, that have drawn people to this renowned university town for decades upon decades. It sits adjacent to the oldest house in Princeton, built around 1684, and is a stone’s throw from Morven, built in the 1750s by Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is just up the road from the battlefield on Mercer Street, site of the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777, and is just west of Nassau Hall, built in 1756 and To the Editor: I’m disheartened that the debate over the proposed high- damaged by fighting between the British and Continental rise luxury apartment complex on Stockton Street has Army during this engagement. British troops surrendered reduced some community members to name-calling, specifically accusing the residents who opposed this development of being NIMBYs. This is a facile and generic epithet, and in this case it is also patently false. Far from opposing affordable housing in our backyard, we want more of it. It’s the proposed project that will worsen the imbalance. Our immediate community of neighbors worked with architects to draft a vision for the plot that would entail less density and 100 percent affordable housing units, as opposed to the minimal 20 percent required by law in the proposed luxury project. The neighborhood plan, while including more total affordable units, intended those units Locally owned and operated since 1991 as a path to home ownership. The plan included state-ofthe art environmental and green technology to address 21st century climate change. Municipal authorities summarily dismissed this plan. Instead, we’re left with the densest development in any residential neighborhood in Princeton — a development that, with its 200- plus car garage and its felling of 200-year-old trees across the site, will badly exacerbate flooding.
Name Calling Has No Place in Debate Over Proposed Apartment Complex on Stockton Street
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Books
Sandweiss Presents New Book, “The Girl in the Middle,” at PPL Mar t ha A . S andweis s, joined in conversation by Esther Schor, presents her new book, The Girl in the Middle: A Recovered History of the American West, on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon
Street. Registration is requested. Register from the librar y events website at princetonlibrary.libnet.info/ event/13047985. In 1868, celebrated Civil War photographer Alexander Gardner traveled to Fort Laramie to document the
federal government’s treaty negotiations with the Lakota and other tribes of the northern plains. Gardner, known for his iconic portrait of Abraham Lincoln and his visceral pictures of the Confederate dead at Antietam, posed six federal peace commissioners with a young Native girl wrapped in a blanket. The hand-labeled prints carefully name each of the men, but the girl is never identified. The Girl in the Middle goes in search of her, and draws readers into the entangled lives of the photographer and his subjects (Princeton University Press, $32). Sandweiss paints a riveting portrait of the turbulent age of Reconstruction and westward expansion. She follows Gardner from his birthplace in Scotland to the American frontier, as his dreams of a utopian future across the Atlantic fall to pieces. She recounts the lives of William S. Harney, a slave-owning Union general who earned the Lakota name “Woman Killer,” and Samuel F. Tappan, an abolitionist who led the investigation into the Sand Creek massacre. She identifies Sophie Mousseau, the girl in Gardner’s photograph, whose life swerved in unexpected directions as American settlers pushed into Indian Country and the federal government confined Native peoples to reservations. Sandweiss is a historian of the U.S., with particular interests in the history of the American West, visual culture, and public history. She is the author or editor of numerous books on American history and photography. Her publications include
Passing Strange: A Gilded Age Tale of Love and Deception across the Color Line, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in History and the National Book Critics Circle Award in Biography, and Print the Legend: Photography and the American West, winner of the Organization of American Historians’ Ray Allen Billington Award for the best book in American frontier history and the William P. Clements Award. Her other works include Laura Gilpin: An Enduring Grace (1986), winner of the George Wittenborn Award for outstanding art book, and the co-edited volume The Oxford History of the American West, winner of the Western Heritage Award and the Caughey Western History Association prize for the outstanding book in western history. Schor, the John J. F. Sherrerd ’52 University Professor and Professor of English at Princeton University is a scholar, biographer, poet and essayist. Her 2006 biography Emma Lazarus won the National Jewish Book Award. She has published t hree b o ok s of p o em s, including The Hills of Holland and Strange Nursery: New and Selected Poems; with poets Meena Alexander and Rita Dove, she is also the co-author of Poems for Sarra, a bilingual collection about the Venetian intellectual Sarra Copia Sullam. Her scholarship includes Bearing the Dead: The British Culture of Mourning from the Enlightenment to Victoria and The Cambridge Companion to Mary Shelley. A cultural historian of the Esperanto movement, her most recent book is Bridge
of Words: Esperanto and the Dream of a Universal Language. Recently she was awarded an NEH/Center for Jewish History Fellowship and a Guggenheim Fellowship to support her research on a biography of the philosopher Horace M. Kallen. She lives in Princeton, New Jersey, and London. The program is presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Local Author Day is May 10 At Princeton Public Library
Princeton Public Library presents its Local Author Day and Author Fair on Saturday, May 10, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at the library, 65 Witherspoon Street, during which local published authors of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry sell and sign their books, and interact with readers on the first floor of the library. Local Author Day brings the local reading and writing communities together with an author fair where published authors from the region are available to talk about their books, writing process and more during the author fair. Presentations on both the business and artistic side of writing are given for writers at
all stages of their craft. Both the author fair and presentations also provide networking opportunities for writers. More information, including a list of participating authors, can be found at princetonlibrary.org/events/local-author-day. In a related event, author Kevin G. Chapman presents a program, Self-Narrating Your Audiobook: Practical Advice from an Indie Author, on Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Register at princetonlibrary. libnet.info/event/12999612. Independent mystery/thriller author Chapman discusses the advantages of having an audiobook version of your work and the nuts and bolts of setting up a home recording “studio.” Chapman will narrate a short segment of text from one of his books and demonstrate live in real time how to record, edit, and master the audio track to meet the standards for publication for Audible and other audiobook retailers. He will share resources and advice to give authors the confidence to try creating an audiobook for their own work. All levels of authors and prospective authors are welcome, and Q&A will follow the presentation. The program will be recorded.
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Sex Is a Spectrum: The Biological Limits of Binary, offers a new paradigm for understanding the biology of sex, drawing on the latest science to explain why the binary view of the sexes is fundamentally flawed. Leading biological anthropologist Agustín Fuentes, a Princeton University professor, will speak about his provocative book on Thursday, May 8 at Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street, at 6 p.m., in conversation with university colleague Catherine Clune-Taylor.
tion of sex, describing the many ways in the animal kingdom of being female, male, or both, according to the publisher (Princeton University Press, $24.95). He presents compelling evidence from the fossil and archaeological record that attests to the diversity of our ancestors’ sexual bonds, gender roles, and family and community structures, and shows how the same holds true in the lived experiences of people today. Fuentes tackles hot-button debates around sports and medicine, explaining why we can
while also embracing a biocultural reality where none of us fits neatly into only one of two categories. Fuentes is professor of anthropology at Princeton University. His books include Race, Monogamy, and Other Lies They Told You: Busting Myths about Human Nature; The Creative Spark: How Imagination Made Humans Exceptional; and Why We Believe: Evolution and the Human Way of Being. Clune-Taylor studies and teaches about the social,
science, technology, and institutions come together to shape people’s lives, and the possibilities for living and dying available to them, specializing in the areas of philosophy of science, feminist theory, philosophy of sex, gender, and sexuality, and bioethics. Her work also intersects with social and political philosophy, and philosophy of race. She is an assistant professor in the Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies at Princeton University, specializing in Feminist Science and Technology Studies.
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Author Lorriane Atkin in Dialogue With Renowned Scholar Stan Katz Aut hor L or raine At k in will discuss her book, Mightier Than the Sword: How Three Obscure Treaties Sanctioned the Enslavement of Millions and the Exploitation of Continents for More Than 400 Years, on Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in the Princeton Public Librar y, 65 Witherspoon Street. She w ill be joined in conversation by renow ned humanities scholar Stan Kat z. Reg istration is requested at princetonlibrary.libnet. info/event/13255679. Mightier Than the Sword: ( FriesenPress, $29.99) offers a perspective on the roots of land d i s p o s s e s s i o n , s l a v e r y, a n d t h e s u b j u g a t i o n of I n d ige nou s p e ople s, re peated themes in histor y still with us today. Documents written hundreds of years ago embody the biases and power strategies of their time, but they still have a long reach through histor y, according to the publisher. Atkin examines three treaties — the Treaty of Tordesillas, the Treaties of Nanking, and the Conference of B erlin — t hat granted permission, or the s anct ioned rat ionale, to decree t hat annihilat ion and confiscation of property was legal and just on five continents. This book will change how one understands today’s events and the continuing influence of historic documents. This fresh perspective offers hope for real change in policy and the societies they shape. A t k i n w r o te Mi g ht i e r Than the Sword with the hope that the reader can d r aw c o n n e c t i o n s f r o m the atrocities of the past as a result of these three
historical documents to the adverse consequences and inequities we live with today. A mother of seven, a grandmother of 12, and a great grandmother, Atkin lives in Princeton. Katz is president emeritus of the American Council of Learned Societies, the U.S. national humanities organization. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1955 w it h a major in E nglish H i s tor y a n d L i te r at u r e. He was trained in British and A mer ican histor y at Harvard , earning a Ph.D. in 1961, and then also attended law school at Harvard. His recent research focuses upon developments in American philanthropy, the relationship of civil society and constitutionalism to democracy, and the relationship of the U.S. to the international human rights regime. He is the editor-inchief of the recently published Oxford International Encyclopedia of Legal History, and the Editor Emeritus of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Devise History of the United States Supreme Court. He also writes about higher education policy, and has published a blog for the Chronicle of Higher Education. He is the co founder and editor of the h i s tor y of p h i l a n t h r op y blog histphil.org. Formerly Class of 1921 Bicentennial Professor of the History of American Law and Liberty at Princeton University, he is a specialist on American le ga l a nd cons t it ut iona l h i s tor y, a n d on p h i la n thropy and non-profit institutions. The program is presented with support from the National Endow ment for the Humanities.
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Fuentes begins by trac- acknowledge that females political, and ethical diBiological Anthropologist ing the origin and evolu- and males are not the same mensions of the ways that Fuentes Speaks at Labyrinth
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BOOK/FILM REVIEW
Voices in Time — A May 7 Gathering
A
fter looking for poetry in actors last week, I’m thinking of a poet who was a compelling actor in his verse and happened to be born on this day, May 7, in 1812. I formed the habit of reading Robert Browning in lonely motel rooms when I was covering college English departments for W.W. Norton in the midsixties. My reading companion was the Norton Anthology of English Literature at a time when Norton’s compact anthologies of English and American lit were being adopted by English Departments from the southland to the heartland. Since I was living on an expense account, most of my salary was going toward a trip to India. Otherwise, I spent my motel life writing a novel narrated by a fantasist obsessed with Browning. Besides filtering semblances of the master into the twisted prose style of my narrator, I read the dramatic monologues aloud, with gusto, especially my favorite “Fra Lippo Lippi,” all 392 lines of it. You can hear James Mason read the whole thing online. It’s magificent, a one-man opera, every nuance, every smirk, every suggestive snort
Robert Browning
Along Comes Brahms Born 21 years after Browning, May 7, 1833, Johannes Brahms caught up with the poet at the finish line on December 2, 1889 in Vienna, when an Edison representative recorded him playing what may have been a Strauss waltz, except that, like Browning, he was so excited that he forgot what he was supposed to play. In the end, again like Browning, he resorted to shouting his name, “Herr Doktor Brahms!” The sound of a piano can be heard, but as a musicologist put it, “any musical value can be charitably described as the product of a pathological imagination.” Gabby Hayes in Dubrovnik On my way west from the trip to India paid for by Norton, I spent two nights in Dubrovnik on the Asiatic coast. It was late May, ten years since the spring of my senior year in high school, an emotional time scored by the “Moonglow Theme” from Picnic, and I was feeling the nostalgia peculiar to memories of home in a foreign land. I had an uncannily clear memory of the streets of the college town
Johannes Brahms
right down to the nightcrawling painter’s farewell: “Your hand, sir, and good-by: no lights, no lights! The street’s hushed, and I know my own way back, Don’t fear me! There’s the gray beginning. Zooks!” Reading for Edison On Browning’s birthday, April 7, 1889, the first recording ever made of a poet reading from his work was barely underway when Browning forgot his lines: “I’m terribly sorry, but I cannot remember my own verses!” Raising his voice in a transatlantic salute to the wizard of Menlo Park and his “wonderful invention,” the old poet declared it a moment he would remember all his life (he had less than a year to live), shouting his name for the ages — “Robert Browning!” — before bellowing three times at the top of his lungs, “Hip-Hip Hooray!” When a group at Edison’s Menlo Park lab listened to the cylinder recording on the first anniversary of Browning’s death, December 12, 1890, someone suggested that this was the first time any voice had been heard from “beyond the grave.”
Gabby Hayes
I grew up in, reliving the walk to the local movie house where every grade school Saturday I saw cowboy matinees, most of them featuring Gabby Hayes, the fleabitten Falstaff to Hopalong Cassidy’s Prince Hal. Never mind Shakespeare. Gabby’s favorite expression was “yer dern tootin,” and he was a good shot (“I’ll perforate that polecat!”). Most of the kids I knew loved the old guy more than the heroes, Hoppy, Roy Rogers, and smarmy Gene Autry. So there I was walking around one night in the exotic port where Game of Thrones would be filmed half a century later when I found myself in front of a small movie theater staring at a poster for Heart of Arizona, with Hopalong Cassidy and Gabby Hayes, who, as the mad genius called Coincidence would have it, was born on May 7, 1885. Not that I knew or cared about such things then. It was enough to see the movie. I almost sat through it twice, just like in the old days when my parents had to pull me out by force.
Then Comes Coop It’s kind of a massive anticlimax after Browning and Brahms and Gabby Hayes. But the fact is that on May 7, 1901, Gary Cooper was born. Before I met my wifeto-be a month and a half after Dubrovnik, Coop was a comedian’s “Yep, nope” cliché. I admired him in High Noon and as Lou Gehrig in Pride of the Yankees, but that was it. I discovered the Cooper of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Design for Living, and Meet John Doe when my wife and I began seeing old movies together. One time when we were trying to define what made him so special, even among the stars of Hollywood’s golden age, my wife said “nobility,” and though no one word would do, it was a good start. Now, given where I began last week’s column, I can add “poetry.” That’s the truth behind the man-of-few-words stereotype. Cooper simply does more with less. Poets don’t win Best Actor Oscars, or Cooper would have won for the scene at the end of Frank Borzage’s Farewell to Arms, where he’s eating a brioche, his wife is dying in childbirth, and he’s praying, under his breath.
Gary Cooper
cult” standing guard outside her house block the way, Nora grabs a garden hose “and, without a word, sprays down the interlopers at close range.” As Zoladz points out, Nora was “both broken and strong, explosive and contained. Feelings moved through her fluidly but she stayed as rooted to the earth as an old tree.” Zoladz also quotes Fargo 3’s creator Noah Hawley on Coon’s ability to “scramble gender stereotypes,” a “big reason why he cast her as police chief Gloria Burgle. “I needed someone who could play a female Gary Cooper type.” That sounds like a casual remark, but it’s actually a tremendous compliment. Walt Nails It There appears to be some doubt that Edison recorded Walt Whitman, who was born at the other end of May in 1819. Somehow Edison’s people managed to record Browning in London and Brahms in Vienna, but couldn’t make it downstate to Camden? You can hear for yourself on YouTube. The poet and the composer falter a bit and end up more or less shouting their own names. Leave it to the greatest
Carrie Coon
Admiring Carrie Coon Carrie Coon was born on January 24, not May 7. She’s here because I goofed the spelling of her name in last week’s review (adding an unnecessary “s”), a mistake corrected online but not in print, and I’m glad because it’s given me the excuse I needed to write about an actress my wife and I admired so much in The Leftovers. Certainly poetry had something to do with her unique mixture of force, wit, and charm. We felt about Nora Durst the way you feel about a great character in literature. The character was that rich, full-hearted and forceful, transcending life, death, and improbability, so much so that she above all others gave literary and dramatic credibility to a show that often desperately needed it. Writing on theringer.com (“In Praise of Carrie Coon”), Lindsay Zoladz mentions the first time Nora’s future lover Kevin Garvey goes home with her. When “two imposing members of the Guilty Remnant
Walt Whitman
of all actor-poets to cut through the Edison cylinder surface noise with words that still ring clear today, from “America” (1888): “Centre of equal daughters, equal sons, All, all alike endear’d, grown, ungrown, young or old, Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich, Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love...” The Poetry of the Gallop neglected to mention that the poem Brow ning was reading for Edison (“How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix”) begins with a gallop: “I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three.” If you grew up watching Hopalong Cassidy, you’ll know what I mean by the poetry of the gallop. I experienced that music again last night watching Heart of Arizona on YouTube. Close your eyes and it’s one long dusty melodious medley of horses hooves. Let Browning say it: “Not a word to each other; we kept the great pace, Neck by neck, stride by stride, never changing our place....” —Stuart Mitchner
I
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Voices Chorale NJ Presents Diverse Classical Requiem Masses
ot many performing ensembles have the capability to reinvent themselves. Voices Chorale NJ was founded in the late 1980s as a fully professional vocal ensemble, later adding a “Chorale” to include volunteer singers. The chorus has been through some reconfiguration in the past four decades, both in response to economic challenges and to expand their activities, but one thing that has remained consistent is the dedication of its singers. Voices Chorale NJ currently offers an annual concert series as well as educational programs for the community, all overseen by Artistic Director David A. McConnell. The Chorale presented its closing concert of the season this past weekend, featuring vocal soloists and the Berks Sinfonietta in a performance of a Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart tour de force and a relatively obscure work by a Brazilian contemporary of the Viennese master. Mozart’s setting of the Requiem stands out as a pinnacle of late 18th-century symphonic choral composition, and even in the pre-technology 1700s, it was clear that the influence of the prodigious composer was felt far and wide. On the other side of the world, sacred music in Brazil at that time was heavily influenced by the mass settings of European composers, especially Mozart. On Saturday afternoon at Princeton’s Trinity Church, Voices Chorale NJ paired Mozart’s poignant Requiem with a setting of the same text by a very under-represented Latin American composer. Born in Rio de Janeiro 11 years after Mozart, José Maurício Nunes García sustained a dual career as musician and priest, composing more than 240 surviving works with another possible 170 which have been lost. Nunes García conducted the Brazilian premiere of Mozart’s Requiem, so the coupling of these two pieces was musicologically appropriate and imaginative. Dating from 1816, Nunes García’s own Requiem is rarely heard on either side of the Atlantic. Part of the liturgy since the earliest times of the church, the “Requiem” was standardized in the 16th century to include specific prayers. Composers throughout history have adapted these passages, setting verses in different order, omitting some altogether or interpolating other texts “in honor of the dead.” In Saturday afternoon’s performance, Nunes García’s Requiem began in with a dark color and dramatic vocal lines. Parallels to Mozart’s version were immediate, including motivic steals and similar harmonic progressions. The Voices Chorale singers had the rich music well under control, especially coming to life in the fourth movement “Dies Irae.”
In keeping with the Chorale’s long-time focus on musicians of the future, Artistic Director McConnell shared the podium with the ensemble’s Assistant Conductor Makiah Robinson and Training Conductor Lucas Heredia. McConnell led the chorus with experienced assurance and clarity, while Heredia brought drama to the fire-and-brimstone text of “Dies Irae.” Robinson led multiple movements of the Nunes García work, eliciting a well-blended sound from the Chorale and ending this Requiem decisively. Soloists for this piece were drawn either from the ensemble or its roster of choral scholars, as well as from the professional field. Standout performances were heard from soprano Kymberly Gardner, who delivered the solo “Ingemisco” movement with sensitivity and a clear sound; and soprano Makiah Robinson, showing her skills as singer as well as conductor. In conducting the Mozart Requiem, McConnell began in a reflective tempo, keeping the phrases moving without overromanticizing the music. The quick movements were almost too fast at times, but the chorus had been well prepared and diction was well articulated. Throughout both masses, the Voices Chorale members held up well through what was a great deal of singing, with a very professional approach to the task at hand. The solo quartet for the Requiem was well prepared, with soprano Alexandra Thomas and alto Lauren DeLucia showing themselves to be solid and experienced concert artists. Tenor Aaron Lynch sang with a youthful and light voice, while baritone Lucas Heredia well maneuvered some very low registers. McConnell led the “Recordare” solo quartet movement in a graceful tempo and found drama between the men’s and women’s choral parts in the fearsome yet majestic “Rex tremendae.” Accompanying the chorus was a chamber orchestra suitable to the voices and space of the church, with the strings especially maintaining stylistically light bowing. aturday afternoon’s event showed the depth of the Voices Chorale NJ organization, with choral scholars and up-and-coming conductors taking the stage alongside chorus and orchestra, and a clearly dedicated group of singers at the ensemble’s core. Like all long-standing ensembles, Voices Chorale has likely had its ups and downs in its 35-year history but has emerged with a very solid commitment to high-quality choral performance and music education. —Nancy Plum
S
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MUSIC REVIEW
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Performing Arts
ITALIAN FOLK: Ensemble Sangenito, from Northern Italy, brings an eclectic mix to Christ Congregation Church on May 16. (Photo courtesy of Ensemble Sangenito © Allessandro Erbetta)
CINDERELLA STORY: Princeton Youth Ballet’s upcoming production of “Cinderella” stars Mackenzie Klaus in the title role, partnered by Alastair Donofrio as the Prince.
Princeton Youth Ballet Presents “Cinderella”
Princeton Youth Ballet (PYB) invites the community to celebrate Mother’s Day with its production of Cinderella, choreographed by former Artistic Director Risa Kaplowitz and adapted by current Artistic Director Talin Kenar. Performances, at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center, are Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11 at 4 p.m. The ballet features a cast of more than 60 young artists. Projection backdrops were created by Raymond DeVoe, and bespoke costumes have been reimagined this season by artist Anne Schwantes. The ballet transports the audience to Cinderella’s cottage, a royal ballroom, and an enchanted garden, where amidst songbirds, woodland creatures, and butterflies,
Cinderella, with the help of and skill from the artistic her Fairy Godmother, dis- staff of former professional covers the enduring power dancers to pre-professional of her mother’s love. advanced students and the T he t it le role w i l l b e littlest dancers in the group danced by high school soph- alike is inspirational.” Ci nd e r e lla i s f a m i l y omore Mackenzie Klaus, and the role of the Prince is tak- friendly for audiences 4 en by PYB alumnus Alastair years of age and older. TickDonofrio, a freshman stu- ets are $25 in advance ($30 dent in the Ailey/Fordham at the door). Visit princetonBFA Program in Manhattan. youthballet.org. The company will hold a Founded in 2005 by Susan Jaffe and Kaplowitz, PYB’s raffle for three Diamondmission is to provide pro- pointes pointe shoes (valued fessional-level performance at over $250 each) currently opportunities to talented available for retail purchase young dancers and invite only at the Met Opera Shop. the community to fall in love A portion of the raffle prowith classical ballet. “PYB ceeds will be used to support provides a professional envi- PYB’s community programs ronment for aspiring young and dancer scholarships. dancers to develop artistry and technique,” said Kenar. Folk Music Society “During PYB rehearsals, Presents Trio from Italy 8-year-olds look on as the On Friday, May 16 at 8 most advanced dancers in p.m., the Princeton Folk the company rehearse. The Music Society brings Ent ransm ission of passion semble Sangenito to Christ
Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, for a program mixing the old and the new. Blending ancient melodies and modern rhythms, the trio from northern Italy, was formed in 2000 by the twins Adriano and Caterina Sangineto, children of the well-known harp and psaltery maker Michele Sangineto. Growing up under their father’s influence, the twins developed a natural flair for music. Guitarist and bouzouki p l a y e r J a c o p o Ve n t u r a completes the trio. Arrangements of traditional Celtic and Italian tunes, as well original compositions that reflect diverse influences, including classical, folk, pop, and Gregorian Chant, are on their programs. The trio has performed in Celtic music festivals in Italy, France, Belgium, and Spain. Recently, they appeared in China, representing European musical traditions. Tickets are $25 ($20 for members; $10 for students). Visit princetonfolk.org.
Garden Theatre Hosts Special Film Event
The Garden Theatre will present an evening dedicated to the magic of film projection on May 21 at
7 p.m. with a screening of the documentary Film is Dead. Long Live Film! Beforehand, an antique projector demonst rat ion will be given by the Garden’s Operations Director, Jesse Crooks. The event is free for members of the nonprofit cinema. Film is Dead. Long Live Film! is a tribute to the private film collector. As st udios and distr ibutors neglec te d a nd d isp os e d of countless reels of film throughout the 20th century, these individuals worked in the shadows to preser ve much of cinematic history. The documentary highlights the efforts of some of the most important people in the cause, including the late Lou DiCrescenzo – mentor of the Garden’s own Jesse Crooks, who is also featured in the film. Crooks will be on hand to display a cinematic artifact: an 1898 Edison Projecting Kinetoscope with carbon arc, which was previously held and maintained in DiCrescenzo’s private collection. He will be presenting rare Edison shorts from the 1890s. There are currently two 35m m K inotone projectors stored in the Garden’s
booth, waiting to get back to work. The theater is looking to reinstall these machines so that the community can once again appreciate and enjoy film on film. More details about this process will soon be announced. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at princetongardentheatre.org.
State Theatre Announces 2025-26 Broadway Series
The lineup for State Theatre New Jersey’s 2025-26 Broadway series has been a n nou n ce d by t h e Ne w Brunswick theater, which is located at 15 Livingston Avenue. Tickets are available for those purchasing season tickets, which can be ordered without fees through May 30. O n t h e l i s t a r e Mr s . Doubtfire, November 1 and 2; Kinky Boots, February 27-March 1; Stereophonic, March 27-29; and Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, May 8-10. Also planned are the shows Elf The Musical November 14-16, Richard Thomas in Mark Twain Tonight by Hal Holbrook March 5-6, and Monty Python’s Spamalot June 27-28. Visit stnj.org for tickets and further information.
Ryan J. Br andau Artistic Director
SUNDAY | MAY 18, 2025 | 4:00 pm
CO
DE BRE AKE R
RICHARDSON AUDITORIUM | PRINCETON UNIVERSIT Y
• VISIT PRINCETONPROMUSICA.ORG OR SCAN QR CODE FOR TICKETS • This program is made possible, in part, by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the Mercer County Board of Commissioners, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the Arts
Programs made possible in part by funds from:
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AN
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TS
Persons requiring special assistance or accommodations are asked to contact Princeton Pro Musica two weeks in advance. Call (609) 683-5122 with questions or requests for assistance.
Reflections of a Vibrant Past, a book of poetry by Rev. Gregrory S. Smith, and the Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood, a brief socio-pictorial history by Adam Welch.
www.princetonmagazinestore.com
MUSIC ICONS: Judy Collins, pictured, will perform with Madeleine Peyroux on Saturday, May 10 at State Theatre New Jersey in Nwq Brunswick.
Songs and Stories By Collins and Peyroux
State Theatre New Jersey presents folk legend Judy Collins and jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux on Saturday, May 10 at 8 p.m. Collins has long inspired audiences with vocals, songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. The award-winning singersongwriter is known for her interpretations of traditional
and contemporary folk standards and her own original compositions. Her 55th album, Spellbound, was released in February 2022. O f h e r a l b u m L e t ’s Walk, jazz singer/songwriter Peyroux said, “This music is part of a dialogue. That’s what art is. It’s engagement, community. I believe more than anything in getting together with people and listening to music and conversing. Music is the only way I’ve ever built community.” State Theatre New Jersey is at 15 Livingston Avenue. Visit stnj.org for tickets, which range from $39-$99.
SUMMER ON STAGE: Registration is now open for Tomato Patch Summer Workshops at Mercer County Community College, where students are offered classes in the performing and visual arts, culminating with an Evening of the Arts for family and friends on the last day of each session.
The Tomato Patch summer workshops at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) begin June 30, and registration is now open for all school age students. Now in its 25th year, Tomato Patch is the longestrunning multi-disciplinary visual and performing arts program in central New Jersey. Featuring classes for all school-age students, Tomato Patch is taught by a artists and theater professionals. Unlike other performing arts camps, Tomato Patch Workshops allows students to major in one subject while taking classes in other areas. Classes are offered in Theater, Dance, Music, Visual Art, and Video Production. Students will have the opportunity to choose from one area as a major, with mornings spent in a major class. Afternoons will be spent in elective classes of the student’s choosing. For m e r Tom ato Patch participants have gone on to star on Broadway, on television, and in feature length movies, according to Kitty Getlik, artistic director at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre. And invariably, she said, they credit Tomato Patch in giving them their start. “A s a c o m p r e h e n s i v e workshop in the arts, Tomato Patch focuses on providing a well-grounded, realistic experience, guided by instructors who have worked as artists and as theater professionals,” Getlik said. “This ensures that participants receive a real-world
experience, with a perspective of what a career in the arts has to offer.” For details on the two sessions and a master class for advanced theater students, visit tomatopatch.org. or call (609) 570-3566.
23 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
Registration Open For Summer Arts
McCarter Theatre Tickets On Sale for Next Season
McCarter Theatre Center has an nou nced t hat subscriptions, tickets, and flexible Choose-Your-Own packages for the 2025/26 season are now on sale. The season kicks off with the world premiere of I and You: The Musical, featuring a book by Lauren Gunderson and music and lyrics by Ari Afsar. Directed by McCarter Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and co-produced with Olney Theatre Center, this musical runs from September 13–October 12. Other highlights include Camille A. Brown & Dancers: I AM on Friday, September 26. Brown, a 2025 Tony Award nominee for Gypsy, returns to McCarter with a new work celebrating cultural liberation and imagination through movement. On September 28, G r a m m y Aw a r d w i n n e r and Princeton native Mary Chapin Carpenter shares the stage with songwriter Brandy Clark. The fall lineup also features 300 Paintings, the genre-defying show by comedian and artist Sam Kissajukian. Six new events have just been added to the season, including humorist David Sedaris on Friday, October 3 ; Gram my-w inning
SEASON PLANNED: Humorist David Sedaris is among the performers scheduled for McCarter Theatre’s 2025-26 season. Tickets are now available. (Photo by Anne Fishbein) mandolin is t Chr is T h ile on Saturday, October 18; New Yorker satirist Andy Borowitz on Friday, October 24; dance troupe Step Afrika! on Saturday, October 25; Smash Boom Best Live, the podcast for kids and families, on Sunday, October 26; and Sanctuary – The Power of Resonance and Ritual with Silkroad Ensemble featuring Rhiannon Giddens on Saturday, March 28. M c C a r t e r ’s f l e x i b l e
Choose-Your-Own subscription package offers savings and flexibility—save 10 percent when you pick any three performances, 15 percent on four, and 20 perscent on five or more. All subscribers also receive exclusive benefits, including free ticket exchanges and early access to additional events throughout the season. More events will be announced in the months ahead. For tickets, subscriptions, and the full season lineup, visit mccarter.org.
TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 • 24
Art
“BEING PRESENT:” The photographic artwork of Princeton-based artist Robin Resch will be featured in a dual exhibit with Shirley Kern, on view at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) May 17 through June 14.
“Being Present” Exhibition paintings pull the viewer based visual artist known for PRINCETON ART BAZAAR: The third annual Princeton Art Bazaar presented by the Arts Council in with an immediate inten- her natural portraiture and of Princeton drew a crowd of 8,500+ attendees on Saturday, May 3. Art lovers shopped from Coming to Arts Council The Arts Council of Princeton has announced a twoperson exhibition, “Being P re s ent : E xplorat ion of Abstraction,” featuring the work of Princeton-based artists Robin Resch and Shirley Kern. It will be on view May 17 to June 14 in the Taplin Gallery. “Being Present” explores abstraction through the photographic artwork of Resch and paintings of Kern. They have long been drawn to each other’s work, finding that it resonates mutually in an emotive way that they feel is worth sharing. Resch is interested in conveying the essence of what she experiences. Her work, made in moments of reflection, stillness and contemplation, pulls this essence from light, exploring the energies she perceives through shifts in focus. Her intention is to evoke the emotive experience of being in a certain place and the landscape as we pass through it, an analogy to the fleeting nature of life and the vulnerability of our planet. Kern’s vibrant abstract
sity. She is interested in the realm of possibilities and uses memories of experiences and nature that are fleeting, emerging and evolving naturally as she paints. This intuitive process creates emotion and surprise, allowing for a deeper connection with a sense of aliveness accentuated by the rhythms of music. Rather than expressing the world realistically, they share an interest in exploring other impressions and emotions. Both artists embrace unpredictability, opening themselves to chance. This spontaneous way of working allows colors and shapes to flow into one another, creating a sense of motion and time passing. According to t he A r ts Council, “Being Present” is an invitation to connect and through abstraction to see differently. It reminds us of the value in simply being present, in this moment. A Gallery Opening will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. It is free and open to all. Res ch is a Pr inceton -
her fine-art photography. A graduate alumna of Princeton University, she received her master’s degree in architecture in 2003, which she combined with advanced photographic studies under Emmet Gowin. Her work has been exhibited at Princeton University’s Lucas Gallery, NRG’s headquarters, the Nassau Club, the Arts Council of Princeton, the Pringle Gallery, Design Within Reach, Princeton Project Space, amongst others. Publications include W W D, GQ Italia, the New York Times, Princeton Alumni Weekly, the Rotterdams Dagblad, and Princeton Magazine. Her work is in private collections across the United States and Europe. She has maintained a studio in the heart of Princeton since 2003. In 2012, she was honored to be the exclusive campaign photographer for First Lady Michelle Obama in Princeton. For 2020-2021, she was Artistin-Residence for the Arts Council of Princeton and Princeton University’s Humanities Council. In 2023,
100 makers, enjoyed local beers and live music in the Triumph Beer Garden, and tried their hand at a variety of art-making stations. (Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Princeton)
she was invited by Princeton University to create the official cover art for the 2023 Princeton Reunions. “In my landscape photography I explore the power of nature and the duality of its ephemerality and continuum,” said Resch. “This work is made in moments of reflection, stillness, and contemplation. My intention is to evoke the emotive experience of being in a certain place and the landscape as we pass through it — an analogy to the fleeting nature of life and the vulnerability of our planet.” Kern is an abstract painter residing in Princeton who creates art in her nearby studio in Hopewell. She received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Northern Vermont University. Kern has exhibited her work at Mus e G a l ler y, Ph i ladel phia; Dickinson Hall Gallery, Princeton University; A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, N.Y,; NOHO M55 Gallery, New York City; and more. Her abstract paintings are in many private and corporate collections. Kern said, “I am interested in sharing an artwork that is alive with emotional interest but has no fixed meaning, open to interpretation by all, similar to works of music and poetry.” To learn more about the artists and their work, visit their websites at robinresch. net and shirleykernstudio. com. Also on view at the Arts Council of Princeton: “Instant Gratificationz’ by Bryun Holt is on display May 10-June 14 in the Siegal Gallery. This body of work by Holt is inspired by the 1972 Stanford Marshmallow Experience – a study on delayed gratification that continues to echo in our modern, fast-paced, hyperstimulated world. T hese pieces begin with photographs that capture mo ments of indulgence, thrill, and vice. Holt then manipulates the images digitally, heightening colors, amplifying textures, and distorting WORKS BY KERN AT ACP: Paintings by local artist Shirley Kern can be seen in “BEING PRESENT,” reality to evoke the feeling her joint exhibition with Robin Resch, on view at the Arts Council of Princeton May 17 through of a painting. From there, he returns to tactile process by June 14. A gallery opening will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 3 to 6 p.m.
adding mixed media, paint, and embellishments to the printed surface. “Hours of Homecoming” by artist KimyiBo is on view in the Lower Level Gallery from May 17 to June 12. ’Hours of Homecoming” is conceived as a prayer book, informed by the tradition of the medieval European Books of Hours —a personal devotional text and images used to guide prayer and contemplation throughout the day of medieval Europe. In KimyiBo’s attempt to cre ate an illus t rate d prayer book, she is using the structure of the Hours of Mary as a springboard to launch her imagination. Ar ts Council of Princeton is at 102 Witherspoon Street. For more information, v isit ar tscouncilofprinceton.org or call (609) 924-8777.
Olivia & Leslie Foundation + Johnson Park Student Art Show
Olivia & Leslie Foundation + Johnson Park Student Art Show will be held at the Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, on Saturday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This special event will showcase the artistic achievements of students in the foundation’s Art + Math Program. RSV P at oliviaandlesliefoundation.org/rsvpnj. For more information, visit oliviaandlesliefoundation.org.
Area Exhibits Art@Bainbridge, 158 Nassau Street, has “Roberto Lugo: Orange and Black” through July 6. Artmuseum.princeton.edu. Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Still & Wild” May 8 through June 1. An opening reception is on May 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lambertvillearts.com. Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Instant Gratificationz” May 10 through June 14. “Being Present: Exploration of Abstraction”
is on view May 17 through June 14. Artscouncilofprinceton.org. Green Building Center, 67 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Awakenings” through June 20. Greenbuildingcenter.com. Historical Society of Princeton, Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, has “Princeton Reflected: Stories from HSP’s Collection” and “Einstein Salon and Innovator’s Gallery.” Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. Princetonhistory.org. Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution” through December 31, 2026. Mercermuseum.org. Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real” through July 27 and “Judith Schaechter: Super/Natural” through September 14. Michenerartmuseum.org. Milberg Gallery at Firestone Library, Princeton University, has “The Most Formidable Weapon Against Errors: The Sid Lapidus ’59 Collection & the Age of Reason” through June 8. Library.princeton.edu/ lapidus2025. Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, has “Historic Morven: A Window Into America’s Past” (ongoing). Morven.org. The Nassau Club, 6 Mercer Street, has “Held Together” through June 5. Catherinejmartzloff.com. Silva Gallery of Art, Pennington School, 113 West Delaware Avenue, Pennington, has “The Long Ride Home: Black Cowboys in America” through June 6. Pennington.org. Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, has works by Karen Stolper through June 3. Works by Sophie Dennehy are at the 254 Nassau Street location through June 3. Smallworldcoffee.com. Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, 299 Parkside Avenue, Trenton, has “Cultural Connections: Eastern European Artists from the Greater Trenton Area” through June 8. Ellarslie. org. West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, has “Member Show: Your visual Story Through Art” through May 31. Westwindsorarts.org.
Wednesday, May 7 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Final day of the Princeton University Farmers Market, Firestone Library/Chapel Plaza. Fresh produce and ot h e r g o o d s f r om a r e a far mers and businesses. Pumarket@princeton.edu. 11 a.m.-12 : 30 p.m. : Leighton Listens: Councilman L eighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton at The Ivy Inn, 248 Nassau Street. 2 p.m.: A Real Pain is screened at the Lawrence Headquar ters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Register at mcl.org. 7:30 p.m.: Junior and Senior Film Screening pre s e nte d by P r i n ce ton Un iver sit y’s L ew is C en ter for the Arts at Stewart Film Theatre, 185 Nassau Street. Animation, documentary and narrative films made by students. Free. Arts.princeton.edu. Thursday, May 8 10 : 30 a.m.-12 p.m. : People & Stories /Gente y Cuentos holds a weekly event titled Our Common Grou nd : L iterat ure and Poetry in Community with People & Stories at Princeton Public Library, 65 Wit herspoon St reet. Princetonlibrary.libnet.info/ event/13266655. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Princeton Mercer Chamber’s May membership luncheon at Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, 100 College Road East. Speakers Michael Keeler of RevolutionNJ and Ashley Abruzzo of Crossroads of the American Revolution speak about the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. Princetonmercer.org. 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Sips & Bouquet at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Make flower arrangements in the winery. $50 includes flight of Terhune wine, container, and all materials. Terhuneorchards. ticketspice.com/sipsflower. 6 p.m.: Agustin Fuentes discusses his book Sex Is a Spectrum with Princeton University Professor Catherine Clune-Taylor at Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street. Labyrinthbooks.com. 7 p. m . “G r e e n wo o d House Live” at Newtown Sports Training Center, 207 Penns Trail, Newtown, Pa. Bands, food, auction, and more to benefit Greenwood House Senior Healthcare. Greenwoodhouse.org. 7:30 p.m.: Junior and Senior Film Screening pre s e nte d by P r i n ce ton Un iver sit y’s L ew is C en ter for the Arts at Stewart Film Theatre, 185 Nassau Street. Animation, documentary and narrative films made by students. Free. Arts.princeton.edu. Friday, May 9 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild meets at the
Administration Building, Hunterdon County complex, 314 Route 12. Hcrag.org. 7 p.m.: American Repertory Ballet presents ballets with Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban ties: “Paquita,” “The Time That Runs Away” by Stephanie Martinez, and a world premiere with live music by Cuban choreographer Luis Napoles. At New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Nbpac.org. 7-8:30 p.m.: Local Author Day: Self-Narrating Your Audiobook, Practical Advice from an Indie Author at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. independent mystery/thriller author Kevin G. Chapman shares experiences and advice. Princetonlibrary.org. Saturday, May 10 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Mother’s Day Plant / Bake Sale at Billy Joh nson Mou ntain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue. Also includes Costume Jewelry by Jane. Supports Pettoranello Gardens. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: “Pictorials: Presenting Life on Buttons.” New Jersey Button Society Spring Show and Competition, at the Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad, 1396 River Road, Titusville. Free. Newjerseybuttonsociety.com. 9:30 a.m.: Free walk along the Lawrence Hopewell Trail. For meeting point and route, visit lhtrail.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Mother’s Day Carriage Rides at Howell Liv ing H is tory Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Howellfarm.org. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Mother’s Day Planting Make and Take at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Kids pot and decorate a flower for their mothers. $10 per child. Terhuneorchards.com. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Foraging as Stewardship : Dames Roc ket. Nature wa l k a nd har ve s t i ng of this invasive species led by Friends of Princeton Open Space at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue. Fopos.org. 12 - 6 p . m . : S p r i n g Winery Weekend Music at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Music from 1-4 p.m. by Kingston Ridge. From 12-5 p.m., Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend. Terhuneorchards.com. 1-3 p.m.: Land Stewardship Volunteer Session at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue. Led by Friends of Princeton Open Space. Fopos.org. 1: 30 - 4 p. m . : L o c a l Author Day : Author Fair at Princeton Public Librar y, 65 Witherspoon Street. Local published authors of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry sell and sign their books with readers. Princetonlibrary.org.
2 and 7 p.m.: American Reper tor y Ballet presents ballets with Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban ties: “Paquita,” “The Time That Runs Away” by Stephanie Martinez, and a world premiere with live music by Cuban choreographer Luis Napoles. At New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Liv ingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Nbpac.org. 7 p.m.: Aura Polyphonica, New Jersey’s Renaissance Collegium, performs “See, See the Word is Incarnate,” a celebration of Orlando Gibbons at 400 at All Saints Church, 16 All Saints Road. $20 (students $10, children free). Reception to follow. Aurapolyphonica. wixsite.com/music. 7 p.m.: Staged reading of Damned to Marriage by Violet Prete ’25, presented by Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts at Kerr Studio in the Lewis Arts complex. Free. Tickets required. Tickets.princeton.edu. 8 p.m.: Princeton Symphony Orchestra performs at Richardson Auditorium. Pianist Natasha Paremski and the Westminster Symphonic Choir are guest artists. Works by Rachmaninoff, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. Princetonsymphony.org. 8 p.m. : Judy Collins and Madeleine Peyroux perform at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue. $39-$99. Stnj.org. Sunday, May 11 12 - 6 p . m . : S p r i n g Winery Weekend Music at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Music from 1-4 p.m. by Ragtime Relics. From 12-5 p.m., Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend. Terhuneorchards.com. 2 p.m.: American Repertory Ballet presents ballets with Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban ties: “Paquita,” “The Time That Runs Away” by Stephanie Martinez, and a world premiere with live
Starting May 9th
OPENING
The Wedding Banquet CONTINUING
Sinners LIMITED
5/10, 5/11, 5/13
Pride & Prejudice 20th Anniversary! Thursday 5/8
Borderline w/ Paul Robeson House of Princeton Sunday 5/11
Mother’s Day:
Hairspray See website for more details & special events
www.princetongarden.org 160 Nassau St. - Princeton, NJ
music by Cuban choreographer Luis Napoles. At New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Nbpac.org. 4 p.m.: Princeton Symphony Orchestra performs at Richardson Auditorium. Pianist Natasha Paremski and the Westminster Symphonic Choir are guest artists. Works by Rachmaninoff, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. Princetonsymphony.org. Monday, May 12 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Pinecone B ird Feeder : Drop-in Nature Craft at Mountain Lakes House, 57 Mountain Avenue. Handson activity led by Friends of Princeton Open Space. Fopos.org. 7 p. m . : T h e E r n e s t Schwiebert Chapter of Trout Unlimited presents casting instructor Brian Millen on various fly-casting techniques at the D&R Greenway building, 1 Preservation Place. Bring your own fly rod if you have it. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 5 -7 p. m . : Po e t Pa u l Muldoon gives a reading followed by discussion at a fundraiser for the Mary Jacobs Library, at the Present Day Club, 72 Stockton
MAY
St reet. $75. More informat ion at S ave t heM J L @ gmail.com. 7:30 p.m.: Bela Fleck, Edmar Castaneda, and the Antonio Sanchez Trio perform at McCarter’s Matthews Theatre, 91 University Place. Mccarter.org. 7:30 p.m.: Author Lorraine Atkin discusses her book Mightier Than the Sword: How Three Obscure Treaties Sanctioned the Enslavement of Millions and the Exploitation of Continents for More Than 400 Years with Stan Katz at Princeton Public Library, 65 Wit herspoon St reet. Re g i s t r at i o n r e q u e s te d . Princetonlibrary.org. Wednesday, May 14 11 a.m.-12 : 30 p.m. : Leighton Listens: Councilman L eighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton at Deliziosos Bakery and Kitchen, 205 Witherspoon Street. 1- 3 p . m . : We e k d a y Land Stewardship Volunteer Session at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue. Sponsored by Friends of Princeton Open Space. Fopos.org. 6 p.m. : Share My Meals 5th Anniversary
330 COLD SOIL ROAD 330 COLD SOIL ROAD
Celebration, at The Watershed Institute 76 Titus M i l l Ro ad, Pe n n i n g ton. Sharemymeals.org. 7 p.m. : Blade Run ner is screened at the Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, as part of the “Keeping the Score” film series. Gardentheatre.org/score. 7 p.m. : Westminster Choir performs a program covering 400 years of choral music at All Saints Church, 16 All Saints Road. Donald Nally conducts, Eric Plutz plays collaborat ive keyboards, and Frankie Carr plays cello. $25 at the door. Rider.edu/arts. Thursday, May 15 9 -10 : 30 a . m . : Fr e e “Music Together” class at Pr inceton Montessor i School, 487 Cherry Valley Road. Music, move ment, and exploration for ages 18 months to 3 years. Rsvp to tbaskin @ Princetonmontessori.org. 10 a.m.: Meeting of the 55-Plus Club at The Jewish Center, 435 Nassau Street and on Zoom. Dr. Noah A. Goldman, medical director of cancer programs at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, will speak on “The Status of Dx and Rx of Cancer and the new Cancer Center. Free ($5 suggested donation). Princeton55plus.org.
PRINCETON, NJ 08540 PRINCETON, NJ 08540
MOTHER’S MOTHER’S DAY! DAY! 330 COLD SOIL ROAD
25 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
Town Topics | Mark Your Calendar
PRINCETON, NJ 08540
Flowering Baskets, Baskets, Flowering Flowering Baskets, Garden Herbs, Garden Herbs, &Garden PlantedHerbs, Baskets & Baskets & Planted Planted Baskets Terhune Asparagus,
Farm Fresh Produce Terhune Asparagus, Terhune Asparagus, & Baked Goods for Your Farm Fresh Produce FarmCelebration Fresh Produce & & Baked Baked Goods Goods for for Your Your VINEYARD & WINERY Celebration Celebration
Enjoy orchard seating, light fare, farm food tent, and fun for the whole family.
VINEYARD & WINERY VINEYARD &for WINERY WINERY WEEKEND $2 off tastings Moms!
Enjoy seating, LIVE MUSIC $2orchard Off for Moms light Enjoy orchard seating, light fare, farm and fare, farm food food tent, tent, and SUNDAY: Barbara Lin Band
SATURDAY: Bill O’Neal & Andy Koontz
Fun for the whole family,
fun for the family. (609) • www.terhuneorchards.com fun for924-2310 the whole whole family. light fare, open orchard seating. Farm Store 9-6; Winery Sat & Sun 12-5 $2 $2 off off tastings tastings for for Moms! Moms!
LIVE MUSIC 1-4PM LIVE MUSIC LIVEKingston MUSICRidge Saturday: SATURDAY: Bill O’Neal & Andy Koontz SATURDAY: Bill O’Neal & Andy Koontz Sunday: Ragtime Relics SUNDAY: Barbara Lin Band SUNDAY: Barbara Lin Band
(609) (609) 924-2310 924-2310 •• www.terhuneorchards.com www.terhuneorchards.com Farm Store 9-6; Farm Store 9-6; Winery Winery Sat Sat & & Sun Sun 12-5 12-5
TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 • 26
to interact with othServing Adults and Children, Princeton YMCA chance er kids who are out of their life experience. Offers Dynamic and Engaging Youth Programs day-to-day T hey meet new people,
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uring its 110-year history, the Princeton Y MCA has offered a wide-ranging program of activities for the community. Adults and children have benefitted from an amazing number of opportunities — everything from exercise to enrichment to enlightenment.
IT’S NEW To Us
Initially serving as a recreational club for youth and young adults in private homes, it later became a branch of the national YMCA, and moved to 102 Witherspoon Street in 1914. As Princeton YMCA senior director of youth development Lindsey Williams says, “Princeton YMCA has been serving our community for over 110 years, continuing a legacy that began with the YMCA movement more than 151 years ago.” Now located at 59 Paul Robeson Place, in 2022, it became associated with the Greater Somerset County YMCA. “We became part of a larger community,” points out Williams. “This brought even more opportunities and sharing of ideas and meetings with the different Ys.” Special Place Having joined the Princeton YMCA three months ago, Williams brings extensive YMCA background
and years of experience to her new role. During her previous career, she worked in several different YMCAs across the country, as far apart as Hawaii and Connecticut. “The Y movement brought me to Princeton,” she explains. “I’ve always focused on youth programs, and I love working with kids. The Princeton Y is the strongest community YMCA I have been in. Princeton is a wonderful town with so many opportunities and activities. The Princeton Y is very family-oriented and a very special place. It’s a community helping others, and making everyone feel valued.” Serving the community is certainly the priority of the Princeton Y, and this involves everyone from pre-K children to retirees. Whether they enjoy swimming in the large four-lane pool or participating in educational activities, the arts, dance, exercise classes in the fitness center and large gymnasium, Princeton Y members have opportunities for a full range of experiences. Opportunities for families and children are especially important to Williams, and she is looking forward to expanding the existing activities. “ T h e yo u t h pr o g r a m s at the Y give me a chance to work with children and watch them grow and participate in a space that is safe and encouraging. We have great programs, including physical activity, with access to sports, swimming,
g y m nas t ics, and f it nes s programs that promote a healthy lifestyle. In the area of social skills, group activities and camps help children build friendships, teamwork, and communication skills. “After school programs include safe, structured environments that support learning and personal growth. Confidence and leadership programs like youth leadership training and teen mentoring help develop selfesteem. The program also instills lifelong habits with early exposure to fitness. and healthy living encourages long-term well-being.” Family Fun Family events and celebrations are also held, including seasonal gatherings, such as egg hunts, Mother’s Day events, and special Friday Family Fun Nights. “We also have a Parents’ Night Out once a month,” continues Williams. “The kids come to the Y for dinner, a swim in the pool, and activities. It’s a fun night out for the parents.” In addition, she reports, holiday and school break camps are available, offering full day care with structured programming during school holidays. Broadening the horizon for kids is another important aspect of life at the Y, points out Alyssa Roman, Princeton YMCA associate youth development director. “There are always opportunities for children to learn new skills and make new friends. They also have a
We are currently accepting applications for 2025-2026
participate in new activities together with others from different schools, and even different communities.” Williams agrees. “When you join the Y you join a community. So many people can find a purpose for themselves and their children. I’m involved in planning events, rebuilding, and adding new programs and activities. I love working with the staff here helping to do this. They are wonderful people, so dedicated to the Y’s work.” A very important upcoming program is the annual summer camp, from June 23 to August 21. “As we head into summer. we are gearing up for an exciting camp session and awesome family events that bring everyone together for fun, learning, and connection,” reports Williams. Camp Options The five-day weekly camp meets from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, offering a full spectrum of activities for kindergarteners through eighth graders. Before and after camp hours are also available from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. C a mp opt ions i nclude traditional multi-activities and also specialty options. Traditional choices include sports, swimming, dance, and STEM, among others. Specialty options are for first through sixth graders, who want to explore their creat iv it y, also science, art, technology, etc. Other options include gardening, farming, and farm-to-table eating. There are also weekly themes, including sports, technology, and the environment, among others. The camp is held at the Y location, which also offers an extensive outdoor setting with a colorful and imaginative play set, swings, a basketball court, and special gardens. Face-To-Face Campers bring their own lunch, and the Y provides a healthy afternoon snack. Registration is still available, and the camp is accredited by The American Camp Association, which is committed to children’s safety and security. In addition, the program is flexible. Participation can include one week, one month, or the entire summer. Face-to-face interaction for Y members, whether adu lts or children, is a very important concept to Williams and Roman. “There is such great support for the community and an emphasis on interaction with everyone at the Y,” points out Roman. “I really enjoy seeing the kids grow and enjoy themselves and getting to know the other kids face-to-face.” “We have also wonderful support from various organizations, companies, and individuals,” adds Williams. “Guided by our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, the Y is dedicated to giving people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. As the nation’s leading non-profit committed to helping people and communities learn, grow, and thrive, the Y is
BUNNY HOP: The Easter Bunny welcomed children to a special Aquatic Egg Hunt, where hundreds of colorful plastic eggs were floated in the Princeton YMCA’s swimming pool. The children gathered them and then traded them in for prizes.
FUN FOR ALL: “Princeton YMCA is serving the community with heart and vibrant energy! From our amazing Before and After School Care programs to our dynamic Judo Martial Arts classes, we’re proud to offer a wide range of services that support families and build strong confident kids.” Lindsey Williams, Princeton YMCA senior director of youth development (shown here sporting blue facial ornamentation for a recent event) looks forward to welcoming even more children and their families to the Y’s wide-ranging youth programs. dedicated to inspiring positive change near and far. “I feel so lucky to be here,” she continues. “Being part of the Y is my second family. My own children are in the Y program. Here, I can be a mom and a career woman. It is a wonderful opportunity and a special place. We are a mighty team, dedicated, passionate, and here to serve all 4,000 Princeton YMCA members and our vi-
brant community every step of the way.” rinceton YMCA’s general hours are Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information about joining the Y or registering for camp, call (609) 497-9622; visit the website at gscymca.org. —Jean Stratton
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27 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
S ports
Coming Off Tough Loss to Cornell in Ivy Final, PU Men’s Lax Hosting Towson in NCAA Opener
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n 2022, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team caught fire down the stretch, getting an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and making a stirring run to the semifinals. With Princeton having earned an at-large bid to this year’s NCAA tourney, where it will host Towson in a first round contest on May 10, the team’s seniors are looking to come full circle by making a second run to the Final 4. “To get that experience in ’22 helps shape your perspective, it helps shape your team a little bit and the understanding of how hard that was,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. “You know what it takes and what you have to sacrifice day in, day out to get there. You work to get your group there.” Last weekend, the Tigers faced some hard challenges as they competed in the Ivy League postseason tournament in Ithaca, N.Y. On Friday, second-seeded Princeton edged third-seeded Harvard 11-8 in a semifinal contest delayed by two and half hours due to thunderstorms earlier in the day. Two days
later, the Tigers fell 20-15 to top-seeded Cornell in the final as the Big Red stormed past Princeton with a 7-1 fourth quarter. Reflecting on the win over Harvard, Madalon credited his players with keeping their focus as they sat around for hours before hitting the field. “With both teams dealing with it, there was no advantage or disadvantage,” said Madalon. “We just tried to keep the guys focused and concentrating throughout. They did a good job coming out of the gates after that long wait. Our support staff does a great job too, just making sure that our guys are comfortable.” With the rivals tied at 8-8 heading in the fourth quarter, the Princeton defense clamped down as it held the Crimson scoreless over the last 15 minutes of the contest. “I think the D did a really good job going between zone and man,” said Madalon.“It was just trying to keep Harvard at bay and give our offense some breathing room. It was like every time we
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looked at the scoreboard it was tied. The D was just really holding their own, they did a really good job. It was a good defensive game plan too.” In the rematch with Cornell, who had defeated Princeton 15-10 on March 15 in a regular season meeting, the Tigers were planning to play cleaner lacrosse. “We felt that when we came out there the first time we made a few too many mistakes in parts of the game where we normally take a great deal of pride in being clean,” said Madalon. “I think from playing that team twice, they force you into those positions a handful of times. They are a really complete team. That was the story on Sunday. We just made a few too many mistakes. Cornell is a really good team and they make you pay immediately.” Leading 14-10 early in the third quarter, the Tigers couldn’t hold off the highpowered Big Red down the stretch. “It was tough, we couldn’t get a stop,” said Madalon. “It is always possessions. We did get the ball but I don’t think we had as successful offensive possessions as we would have liked. We were just playing too much defense and I think we might have run out of gas a little. They did a good job of putting it on us.” While the loss stung, Madalon praised his players for what they have already accomplished this spring as they head into the NCAA tournament.
FACE TIME: Princeton University men’s lacrosse face-off specialist Andrew McMeekin, right, goes after the ball in a game earlier this season. Last weekend, junior McMeekin starred as Princeton competed in the Ivy League tournament. McMeekin went 31 for 54 on face-offs with 22 ground balls as second-seeded Princeton defeated third-seeded Harvard 11-8 in the semis on Friday before falling 20-15 to top-seeded Cornell in the final on Sunday. The Tigers, now 12-3, received an at-large bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament where it will host Towson in a first round contest on May 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) “They earned an opportunity at a third straight Ivy championship,” said Madalon, who got four goals apiece from Chad Palumbo and Nate Kabiri in the final as they were both selected to the All-Tournament team while face-off man Andrew McMeekin also received that honor after finishing the weekend going 31 for 54 at X and scooping up 22 ground balls. “As a coaching staff, we are proud of this group to fight all the way through. You are ending a regular season and an Ivy season at 12-3. I am very proud of this group. At this point we are looking forward to our second season. We understand that there are no second chances here.”
Looking ahead to the NCAA clash with Towson (11-5 overall, 7-0 Coastal Athletic Association), Madalon knows that his squad will have to fight hard to keep its season going. “They are obviously a very good team, a conference champion. They have played some really great teams throughout the season so far,” said Madalon. “They have one of the top players in the country (Mikey Weisshaar- 46 goals, 22 assists). They have a very athletic offense and they are always well coached and physical defensively. There is a lot to focus on this week.” The third-seeded Tigers should get a lift from being
at home with that senior class primed for one last great effort at Class of 52 Stadium. “For us, it is just playing our game,” said Madalon. “We are playing at 52 so it is just getting out and seeing how we can flex our systems to how they best fit this game plan. Any time you get to play another game on your home field for your seniors that is really cool.” —Bill Alden
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is a gamer, in Blake Sets Goal Record for Tiger Women’s Lacrosse big“McKenzie moments she wants the ball,” said Cook of Blake now has 73 goals this But Tigers Fall in Ivy Final, Aim to Rebound in NCAAs who spring, two short of the pro-
L ast Fr iday, McKen zie Blake helped spark a rally for the top-seeded Princeton University women’s lacrosse team as it overcame a 7-3 second quarter deficit to edge fourth-seeded Brown 17-16 at the Class of 1952 Stadium in the Ivy League tournament semifinals. Senior attacker Blake fired in five goals, making history in the process as she scored her 209th goal as a Tiger to break Kyla Sears’ program record for career goals. “That was awesome, it is really cool to leave a legacy at Princeton and hear your name up there with some of the greats,” said Blake, a 5’9 native of Haddonfield. “I have met a lot of girls that are up on that top-10 list so it is really cool to be recognized in that top-10.” On Sunday, as Princeton hosted second-seeded Yale in the Iv y tourney final, Blake scored an early goal as the rivals found themselves knotted at 2-2 midway through the first quarter. T he Bulldogs, though, went on a 6-1 run to build an 8-3 halftime lead but this time the Tigers were unable to overcome a deficit. Princeton narrowed the gap to 8-4 early in the third quarter but never got closer as Yale rolled to a 17-6 win, earning the league’s automatic berth to the upcoming NCAA tournament. “We were expecting a really good game, Yale played really well,” said Blake in assessing the defeat. “I just
think we didn’t show up to be honest. We were expecting a fight and we kind of rolled over a bit and that is how it ended up like that. We didn’t fight back like we did on Friday. On Friday we came back from four goals or something like that but I think that is because we played as a team. Today we didn’t really have that fight in us.” The Tigers, now 14-3, will get the chance to fight another day as they received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they will face Massachusetts (15-3) in a first round contest on May 9 in Baltimore, Md. The victor of that game will face the winner of the Johns Hopkins-Liberty opening round matchup in a second round contest on May 11. In the wake of the disappointing defeat, the Tigers held a postgame playersonly meeting in their team room. “We just talked about how nothing is guaranteed,” said Blake. “The selection show is tonight and if we do get lucky enough to get called, we really have to make some changes in our mentality and just playing together as a team.” P r i nce ton h e ad coach Jenn Cook credited Yale with being the better team on the day in the final. “Yale is an incredibly talented team, they have been highly ranked all year,” said Cook. “They have some a m a z i ng at h le te s. T h e y
are really well coached, we knew today was going to be a battle.” Cook acknowledged that the Tigers committed some uncharacteristic miscues as they dealt with a deluge of Yale goals as a downpour drenched the stadium in the second half. “There were some mental errors regarding our stacking and ball movement offensively,” said Cook. “Defensively there were some moments where weren’t executing our systems. I think we needed to hunt the ball better together off the draw.” As Princeton looked to rally in the second half, the focus was on playing as a unit. “The halftime message was we have to play together,” said Cook. “Our best is when we are playing as a group, not as individuals. I think that is what happened today.” The high-powered Tiger attack never got it together as it couldn’t solve a stifling Bulldog defense. “O u r of fe n s e h as n ot played against a zone defense in t wo and a half w e e k s ,” s a i d C o o k . “ I thought our coaches did a good job of setting them up initially for those looks that we needed to execute and we just didn’t.” Blake did execute over the weekend as she was named t o t h e A l l -To u r n a m e n t team in addition to making program history.
gram’s single-season record, and has upped her career record total to 215. “She does so well, not only handling these pressure situations but making everyone around her better. That is what is so special about her.” L ook ing a head to t he NCAA tourney, Cook knows that her squad will have to play much better to advance past the UMass team that has won 13 straight games and is led by the trio of Kassidy Morris (77 goals, 23 assists), Tessa Shields (51 goals, 31 assists) and Delaney Rodriguez-Shaw (48 goals, 34 assists). “It is a tough lesson to learn right now but it is a new season next weekend,” said Cook, whose attack features Jami MacDonald (49 goals, 28 assists) and Haven Dora (25 goals, 51 assists) in addition to Blake. “The focus is growing and being better and really understanding that we are stronger together when we are playing our systems both offensively and defensively and executing the pieces we know we are going to see.” Blake, for her par t, is confident that the Tigers will come out strong in the NCAA tourney. “We didn’t play as a team today; the defense would make a stop and then we would turn it over on offense or the offense would score a goal and we wouldn’t get the next draw,” said Blake. “We just weren’t stringing
FOR THE RECORD: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player McKenzie Blake, right, looks to get past a Brown defender last Friday in the Ivy League tournament semifinals at Class of 1952 Stadium. Senior attacker Blake fired in five goals in a 17-16 win over the Bears, making history in the process as she scored her 209th goal as a Tiger to break Kyla Sears’ program record for career goals. On Sunday, Blake scored two goals but it wasn’t nearly enough as the top-seeded Tigers fell 17-6 to second-seeded Yale in the Ivy final. Princeton, now 14-3, received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and will face Massachusetts in a firstround contest on May 9 in Baltimore, Md. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) things together like we nor- sucks but I think people will mally do. It is definitely a be hungry after this.” very late point in the season —Bill Alden to be having this lesson. It
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five teams in each regional da Women’s National Team On Saturday, Princeton honors for Matheson, who split a doubleheader, los- seconds off from her Prince- and the low individual not game to be determined. ing 15-1 in the opener be- ton record. She also placed among those five teams will Among her 206 games finished her career as the GregtoPowers 800 in 2:04.51. advance Continuing to dominate the fore prevailing 9-5 in the first in theCracked the 2025 NCAA with Canada’s top national 2007 Ivy Player of the Year. stucco - we restore oldGolf foundations competition, the Princeton nightcap. In upcoming action, the Division I Men’s ChamHIC#13VH10598000 squad, Matheson played in M a t h e s o n g r a d u a t e d HIC#13VH06880500 University women’s lightTiger track athletes will be pionship at Omni La Costa three Olympic Games and fourth on Princeton’s allA day later, senior Jacob COMPLETED OUTDOOR STONE FIREPLACEcompeting in the Ivy League Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, four FIFA World Cups, scor- time points list, scoring 26 weight varsity RECENTLY eight placed Faulkner produced a mound first at the Eastern Sprints gem for the Tigers, going Heptagonal Outdoor Cham- Calif., from May 23-28. ing the goal that delivered goals and adding 26 assists. last Sunday on Lake Quin- all nine innings with eight pionships from May 10-11 in PU Soccer Alumna Matheson Canada the bronze medal at The 26 goals were fifth allsigamond in Worcester, Mass. strikeouts and no walks in New Haven Conn. time when Matheson graduNamed to Canada Soccer HOF the 2012 Olympic Games, ated while she graduated as In winning its fifth straight a 5-2 win. the second of three OlymPrinceton Men’s Tennis Legendar y Princeton gold medal at the competiP r i nce ton, now 11- 30 Falls to Virginia in NCAAs University women’s soccer pics in which Matheson Princeton’s all-time assist leader. tion, Princeton posted a win- overall, will play at HarBattling hard in defeat, alumna Diana Matheson competed. Matheson and the ning time of 6:50.98 over vard on May 7 to make up the Princeton Universit y ’08 has been named to the Canadians followed up the Matheson was part of the the 2,000-meter course with a game postponed on April men’s tennis team fell 4-0 to Canada National Soccer Hall 2012 bronze with another inaugural National Women’s Harvard-Radcliffe taking sec- 13. Dartmouth is currently No. 4 Virginia in the second of Fame. in 2016. Matheson’s 2015 Soccer League (NWSL) seaond in 6:54.91 and Boston in fourth place with an 8-10 round of the NCAA tournaFIFA Women’s World Cup son in 2013, playing for the Matheson, a native of MisUniversity finishing third in league mark with the Tigers ment last Sunday in Charlotteam won the tournament Washington Spirit, and went sissauga, Ontario, helped 6:59.18. on to play with Seattle and title on home soil. and the Crimson knotted at tesville, Va. Canada to t wo Oly mpic then Utah before retiring In addition, the Tigers won 8-12. A t P r i n c e to n , M at h e “UVA was a bit better to- bronze medals after helping from soccer in 2021. We specialize in the Team Points Trophy at Tiger Track Athletes son earned first-team Allday and they jumped out the competition as the varsity Excel at Ellis Invitational to leads in singles,” said four also placed first. One one stone, even two....... head brick, coach Billy Competing at its annual Princeton Princeton will wrap up the Larry Ellis Invitational last Pate. “We did a good job of spring by competing in the In- weekend at Weaver Sta- fighting back and giving our-tiny cracks tercollegiate Rowing Associa- dium, Princeton University selves a chance and we left tion (IRA) National Champi- t rack at hletes produced it all out on court. 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With Senior Star Zang Saving Her Best for Last, PHS Girls’ Golf Wins CVC, Sectional Crowns Jacqueline Zang was the top finisher at the Colonial Valley Conference ( CVC ) Girls Golf Tournament last We d ne s day at Mou ntai n View Golf Club in Ewing. But that wasn’t her biggest joy of the day. Z a ng relishe d w i n n i ng a not h er te a m t it le. T h e Princeton High senior led the Tigers to the CVC tournament title, the reincarnated version of the Mercer Count y Tour nament that t hey’d won t he last t wo years before the event was changed to exclude nonconference prep schools. “It’s just way more fun having a group of people out there that you know are root ing for you and there to support you and t h e g i rl s a r e g r e at a n d w e’r e a l l s u p e r c l o s e ,” said Zang. “So practicing toget her and comp et ing together, it’s just been so much fun.” Zang has enjoyed plenty of individual success. Earlier in the season, she also took top honors in the Lady Bombers Tee- Off Classic and the Red Devil Invitational. T here have of ten been individual triumphs in the offseason as well, but it’s the spring that she really looks forward to because of the team aspect. “In the summer, it’s usually individual,” said Zang. “You’re kind of out there alone, doing your own thing. But with the girls, you’re out there helping each other, and then celebrating with each other
if you do well. And so it’s just a great pillar of support and just a great way to connect with each other.” The PHS girls celebrated plenty over six days. They walloped the competition in the CVC Tournament. They outdistanced runneru p W W / P- S o u t h b y 3 8 strokes. “Overall I was pleased with each individual performance,” said PHS coach Jess Monzo. “I know when I talked with them after the round, some of them were a little upset at themselves, but at the end of the day, they knew as long as they played well that we would take the title home again. It’s kind of a really cool thing that the boys did it the next day too.” After the PHS boys’ team captured their CVC title last Thursday, there was more celebration for the Tiger g irls as t hey cap tured the South Jersey Group A sectional championship at Emerald Golf Links in Egg Harbor Township on Monday. They left no doubt again, posting a score of 314 to defeat second-place Clearview by 41 strokes. This time, it was j u n ior Ky u you n g Chu n g who carded the low score for t he Tigers at 3 - over 74 w ith Zang third af ter shooting a 75. A lice Ye, who has emerged from being their sixth player last year to a consistent No. 3 this spring, was fifth with an 81. Yasna Shahriarian shot a personal-record 84
for eighth place and Shreya Gaekwad, the other senior in t he PHS lineup, took ninth with 85 as they lived up to all their hopes going into it after graduating just one player from their top five last year. “We’re in a good spot to win our first sectional title,” said Monzo after the CVC win. “The girls knew what they needed to do. It’s a tougher course, so they’re not expecting anything craz y. They’re just going to play their game. They’re going to shoot how they shoot. I think some of them looked at the course on li ne a nd s om e of t he holes are pretty wild.” T h e C VC t o u r n a m e n t w in contr ibuted to t heir confidence. Zang shot 3-over 75 to win by three strokes. Chung shot 13 over 85 for fifth place. Ye was a stroke behind at 86 and Gaekwad’s 93 was the final four-player score to count. Each of the Tigers had their ups and downs, but they all ended up contributing to a convincing team win that was largely expected. “G o l f ’s a f u n n y g a m e though,” said Monzo. “It’s not always the expected number one or the higher ranked team that’s going to go out and always win. But they have the capability of doing that, so just telling them to relax and treat every stroke the same way, don’t focus on any negative shots because golf has a ver y big mental aspect
ON COURSE: Members of the Princeton High girls’ golf team enjoy the moment after they placed first at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Championship last Wednesday at the Mountain View Golf Club in Ewing. The Tigers had a winning score of 339, 38 stokes better than runnerup WW/P-South. PHS senior star Jacqueline Zang placed first individually with a three-over 75, three strokes better than second place finisher Charlotte Reid of Allentown. The Tigers went to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Group A Sectional Championship last Monday at McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links in Egg Harbor Township. The Tigers had a winning team score of 314 with Clearview taking second at 345. Pictured, from left, are PHS head coach Jess Monzo, Shreya Gaekwad, Yasna Shahriarian, Jacqueline Zang, Alice Ye, and Kyuyoung Chung. — the mental part of golf where one bad shot w ill lead to several bad shots. So you have to always tell them once you hit it, you can’t worry about that one anymore.” Zang has honed her approach to the game while growing up in the shadow of her sister, Madeleine, who is completing her sophomore year at Penn. They played two years together at Pr inceton, the first with the co-ed team before the school created a girls program when Zang was a sophomore and her sister was a senior. “She’s been so helpful,” said Z ang. “Really she’s like my biggest supporter and my biggest helper. Especially for college golf, she kind of gave me an insight on what it’s like and it helped me decide what I wanted to have in my college golf experience based on what she was experiencing. So it’s just she’s been so helpful with everything.” Zang w ill continue her career at Car neg ie Mel lon University. It’s another oppor tunity to play on a team and her experiences at Princeton have helped shape her joy for the game. S h e’s enj oye d plent y of winning and is hopeful she can bring that same success at the next level. “I’m super, super excited,” said Zang. “One, to meet all the girls on my team, and two, especially to compete for a national title. That was something I really wanted in my college golf experience and I k new Car neg ie Mellon wou ld have a chance at that pretty much the entire time I’ll be there. So I’m super looking forward to seeing how we’ll do in the NCAAs.” Z a n g ’s p r e s e n c e h a s been a boost to the Tigers. They’ve experienced success year after year. They were unbeaten in matches last year, and are unbeaten in tournaments thus far this year, with their only loss all season coming in a r e g u l a r - s e a s on m atch agai ns t a ta lente d L aw renceville School squad. “She’s a fire plug,” said Monzo. “She likes to have fun. She likes to enjoy it, but she does know when she needs to buckle down. She knows how to kind of
flip the switch a little bit and lock in. She was like, ‘I really locked in on the back nine,’ but she’s funny like that. She jokes around. She has a good time. The girls, they’re really close. They have a really good rappor t with each other. And she knows when she needs to step up, and she knows when she needs to lead by example at practice and throughout the day. She’s someone that girls know they can lean on.” Zang is never satisfied with herself. She continues to push to develop her game. While her CVC tournament win was fairly decisive, she was as upset with a quadruple bogey in the round as she was excited about the six birdies she fired. Of particular focus is her shor t game as she works to score even better. “That will definitely help with a few strokes on the course,” said Zang. “Currently I’m doing a bit of s t re ng t h t r a i n i ng to i n crease my distance, which will also help, but I think
the game changer in college will just be the mental side of golf and making sure I’m committed to all my shots because then I know I can play my best golf as long as I’m focused and as long as I trust myself on the course.” T h e r e i s s t i l l a n ot h e r tour nament to play w ith the Tigers. They will head to the girls state championships on May 13 at Raritan Valley Country Club, where Zang shot a 75 last year to finish 13th. PHS was sixth as a team last spring. “I just want to do better than I did last year and really feel like I put together a good round of golf,” said Zang. “In states I feel like I haven’t yet done as well as I should on that course, so I’m hoping this year it’ll be much better.” It’s t he sor t of ending that Zang hopes to have for herself, but also as one lasting memory of her final tournament with the PHS girls’ golf team. —Justin Feil
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While the Princeton High boys’ golf team has featured several new faces on its lineup this spring, there was a key constant in senior star Walter Gumbinger. “One of Walter’s goals was understanding that everyone is new and making them welcome and letting them know the expectations and how the team and the program is,” said PHS head coach Patrick Noone. “When Walter was younger, he was around a core that helped establish that and he did an unbelievable job of passing that on this year.” Wit h G u mbinger lead ing the way, PHS brought an 11-0 record and plenty of confidence into the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Open Championship last Thursday at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course (West) in West Windsor. (It was the inaugural CVC tourney after the Mercer County Tournament was discontinued last year to exclude nonconference prep schools.) “Lucky for us we got off to a good start early,” said Noone. “It got them comfortable. We played a bunch of different kind of games during the season among themselves. I think that really helped.” As PHS competed in the CVC tournament, Gumbinger had a very good day, carding a 3-under 69 to place first by six strokes. Gumbinger’s heroics helped the Tigers win the team title as they posted a winning score of 303, 16 strokes better than runner-up Notre Dame. “Walter has been awesome from the day he walked in four years ago,” said Noone of Gumbinger, a Dickinson College commit. “He is an unbelievable player, he has
had an unbelievable career. It is just his work ethic and his drive. He is so goal-oriented, he wanted it so bad. He really put everything he had into it. It was really awesome to see the fruits of his labor, that was a culmination of what he has done.” In rolling to t he w in, Gumbinger stayed in the moment. “He was really hitting the ball tee to green,” said Noone. “He really just trusted his process. He was extremely patient through his round, he didn’t chase anything. He had a good game plan going in. It was hit the fairways and trust that my swing is what I want it to be.” PHS sophomore Andrew Spies had a very good day as he tied for second with a 75. “Andrew is the definition of a gamer, he just finds a way to get the ball into the hole,” said Noone. “He is super competitive. He doesn’t think about anything. He doesn’t wor r y about his swing, he doesn’t care about what it looks like. He just knows he is going to get the ball into the hole. I think he was 3-over for his first five. He had a nice birdie on his last hole. It was a good way to finish. It was a huge, huge round for him.” The pair of sophomore Phineas Choe and senior Owen Barry rounded out the scoring for the Tigers as Choe carded a 77 and Barry came in at 82. “Ph i n e as i s pr o g r e s s ing, that was the first time he broke 80,” said Noone. “That’s pretty impressive in a county tournament. Owen is a soccer player. He is a state champion and a sectional champion so he is a gamer, too. He is just let me keep doing what I am doing. He is very consistent, hitting fairways and greens.”
over the years. “It is huge, especially with a whole new core this year,” said Noone. “We had a core that won it two years ago, they had a 299. Last year we lost by a few. It is good. It has been a culture that this is where we really want to shine and be playing our best golf.” That culture has been enhanced by support in and out of the school. “The guys at Springdale Golf Club have been unbelievably gracious, it is a very supportive program,” said Noone. “Andrew Gordon, Chris Brock and Jason Barry (a former PHS golf standout) have been great. A lot of the guys work with Jason. The school has been so supportive of the program. I know how excited they all were for Walter. It is really a good thing.” As PHS went on to place eighth in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 Sectional last Monday at the Flanders Valley Golf Course in Flanders, Noone was excited for his players to get more postseason experience. Gumbinger led the way for the Tigers at the event, tying for ninth with a 4-over 76. “G olf is a conf ide nce thing, you have something good and you ride it,” said Noone. “In high school golf especially, it is playing invitationals and playing 18hole tournaments as much as you possibly can. Golf is all about putting yourself in situations. We played some good teams like Wall and Freehold out of conference. We really try to use the schedule to our benefit. Whether you win or lose, the more reps you get, the better.” —Bill Alden
SPOILS OF VICTORY: Members of the Princeton High boys’ golf team show off the T-shirts and plaque they earned for placing first in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Open Championship last Thursday at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course (West) in West Windsor. PHS senior star Walter Gumbinger placed first individually with a three-under 69. The Tigers went on to place eighth in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 Sectional last Monday at the Flanders Valley Golf Course in Flanders. Pictured, from left, are Phineas Choe, Andrew Spies, Kona McAlester, Walter Gumbinger, Owen Barry, and head coach Patrick Noone.
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For Clare Barlag, a pair of ankle injuries last spring ruined her freshman season for the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team. Barlag was limited to some scrimmages in 2024 and appeared in one game before getting sidelined for the rest of the campaign. Looking to make an impact this spring, Barlag was determined to get back to full speed. “It took a lot of work to get everything balanced,” said Barlag. “I think I have gotten a lot quicker and have more flow with my body. My trainers helped me be less sluggish on the field which helped a lot.” Last Wednesday, Barlag was in the flow, scoring a career-high four goals to help PHS top Robbinsville 13-10. Coming off a tough 17-10 loss to Notre Dame on April 28, PHS jumped out to an 8-2 lead over the Ravens. “Things were clicking with our passing, we weren’t having many drops so we were doing really well with that,” said Barlag, who scored one goal in that run. “We were playing good. We wanted to bring energy in this game because in our last game against Notre Dame we got scored on multiple times and we had a letdown.” Things clicked for Barlag in the second half as she tallied three goals to help the Tigers hold off a Robbinsville rally. “I felt frantic in the first quarter so I just decided to erase my thoughts and just take my time and wait for my right angle to shoot,” said Barlag. Barlag’s final goal of the day came early in the fourth quarter on a brilliant feed from Leah Bornstein. “I saw that coming and I just waited to make my cut the right way at the right time so I could get around and get my hands free,” said Barlag. “It helped a lot to wait a sec and then go.” As the season has unfolded, Barlag has been getting into a groove. “It is getting better,” said Barlag, who plays outside of PHS for the Triple Threat Elite club program. “I haven’t played attack in two years but it is good to get back in the flow of shooting and cutting.” The influence of older brother, Braden Barlag, a senior star attacker for the PHS boys’ lax squad, has been an inspiration as she has worked to improve her skills. “I watch all of his games; his speed and flow of his stick and just changing levels of his stick inspired me to do that too,” said Barlag. “We started at the same time. I went to all of his games and it just made me want to keep going harder so I could be as good as him.” PHS head coach Katie Federico liked the way the Tigers started against Robbinsville. “We came out really strong and kept our space,” said Federico. “It was good, quick passing and then just adjusting as the game goes on. They do have a good team and that is what I said to the girls before today. They are a well coached team, they are a scrappy team. It is never an easy game.” Barlag’s strong performance in the game was a plus for the Tigers.
“Clare really had an awesome game today,” said Federico of Barlag, who has now tallied 18 goals and seven assists so far this spring. “In practices, she is always open and and she has a nice strong shot. She was able to put it into play, today was really nice. She was seeing the openings and was able to make them.” PHS displayed a balanced attack against Robbinsville as Bornstein tallied three goals and three assists with Quinn Gallagher chipping in two goals and two assists and Nicki Lee contributing two goals. “Quinn and Leah do a really good job,” said Federico. “Nicki had a couple of goals and had some good passes back there. There is a lot of versatility there on attack which is nice that we can use.” The Tiger defense was keyed by tandem of sophomore Lila Casto and junior Zoie Reynolds. “They are pretty unstoppable. I love watching them play,” said Federico. “Lila was really tough out there today. They just have that aggressiveness in a very composed way and composed manner. Zoie is just such a solid defender.” Sophomore Paige Menapace, who has been sharing time at goalie with junior
31 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
Deluca, made 10 saves Winning the CVC reflects PHS Boys’ Golf Wins CVC Open Championship Sophomore Barlag Getting into a Groove on Attack Olivia against Robbinsville. the consistent excellence the As Gumbinger Takes 1st Individually to Lead the Way PHS program has developed As PHS Girls’ Lax Surges into CVC Quarterfinal Round “Paige had some really
good saves, it is nice that we can interchange her and Liv,” said Federico. With fifth-seeded PHS going on to defeat 12th-seeded Lawrence 16-4 in the opening round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament last Monday to improve to 9-6, Federico believes the win over the Ravens was a major confidence builder. “I think we needed that after Notre Dame and Allentown (an 11-4 loss on April 25),” said Federico, whose team will play at fourth-seeded Hopewell Valley on May 7 in a CVC quarterfinal contest with the victor advancing to the semis on May 9 at Allentown. “Today, we were really able to maintain our composure and hold it throughout the game which was really nice.” In Barlag’s view, the performance against Robbinsville was a step forward. “I think we are going to build on this to make our defense a little more disciplined,” said Barlag. “We have to be a little more with our feet rather than our sticks. On offense, I feel like we did pretty good today with keeping variety of who was scoring.” —Bill Alden
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RAISING THE BAR: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Clare Barlag heads upfield in a game earlier this spring. Last Wednesday, sophomore attacker Barlag scored a career-high four goals to help PHS defeat Robbinsville 13-10. On Monday, Barlag chipped in one goal as fifth-seeded PHS defeated 12thseeded Lawrence 16-4 in the opening round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The Tigers, now 9-6, will play at fourth-seeded Hopewell Valley on May 7 in a CVC quarterfinal contest with the victor advancing to the semis on May 9 at Allentown. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 • 32
would say that of all of their wing and showed me we have really been trying With Kraemer Coming Up Big in His Senior Season, the“I teams, I have been on what it is to help guys. This to emphasize with him. I here for the last four years, year my role is just helping don’t know what the stats show but it seemed like after team is the closest of all out anyone here.” Hun Baseball Looking Strong Headed into Prep A Tourney this of them,” said Kraemer of Kramer will be looking to every ball, he would respond
Playing for Great Britain last summer in the U18 Baseball European Championship in Regensburg, Germany has helped Will Kraemer star this spring for the Hun School baseball team. “I think the European thing definitely helped me a lot, just playing in bigger moments helped me be ready for every single game this year,” said Hun senior shortstop Kraemer. “I took last year as a learning experience. I went though some struggles at the plate. It is my senior year, so it is play with a lot of fun and confidence. I think I have done a pretty good job so far.” Kraemer did a very good job last week in a 12-2 win over Allentown, going 3 for 4 with a triple, four runs, and three RBIs.
“I am in a good groove, this year it has been a lot different as to what pitchers are throwing me,” said Kraemer, reflecting on his performance in the April 29 contest. “The entire coaching staff has been helping me with seeing the ball and seeing spin early. I haven’t seen a lot of fastballs this year so it is being able to take the curve ball the other way. I thought I did a pretty good job today of putting the barrel on the ball. The Raiders haven been putting the barrel on the ball collectively. “We have been working hard all year, we knew the scouting repor t we were going to get today,” said Kraemer. “I think we want to trust our at-bats. We have
been putting barrels on this whole entire season and today they fell off really well. It was good to see the boys top from bottom finish well.” Coming off a 7-3 loss to Seton Hall Prep a day earlier, Hun was primed to get back on the winning track against the Redbirds. “This was a big confidence booster, yesterday we fell short a little bit,” said Kraemer. “This was a good win for us. Later in the week, we have two big Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) games so hopefully that puts us one step closer to winning another MAPL championship.” As Hun has piled up wins this spring, Kraemer believes that the squad’s unity has been a key factor in its success.
the Raiders, who topped the Blair Academy 11-0 last Saturday in improving to 12-5. “I think [it is] the chemistry we have and we really care about each other. I think that is what wins us games when we get into closer games down the stretch in May. We have the pitching staff, the fielders, and the hitters. Everyone is ready to compete.” As a battle-tested senior, Kraemer has looked to enhance that chemistry. “Last year, I think the biggest thing for me was just learning from the whole senior class,” said Kraemer, this is now batting .404 with 24 runs, 21 hits, 16 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. “Guys like Deacon Bowne and Tyler Tucker took me under
WILL TO WIN: Hun School baseball player Will Kraemer takes a cut in a 2024 game. Last week, senior shortstop Kraemer went 3 for 4 with a triple, four runs, and three RBIs to help power Hun to a 12-2 win over Allentown. The Raiders, who topped the Blair Academy 11-0 last Saturday in improving to 12-5, host Archbishop Spalding (Md.) on May 7, play at Poly Prep (N.Y.) on May 9 and then host King’s Christian on May 10. In addition, the Raiders will be starting play in the Prep A state tournament on May 12. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)
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help another team next year as he has committed to attend Pepperdine University and play for its Division I baseball program. “I was thinking about just staying home and going to Penn State but I kind of wanted to look out west,” said Kraemer. “Right when I stepped on campus, I loved coach [Tyler] LeTorre and everything about it. It is a beautiful school, but the reason why I went out there was because of the coaching staff. They want to win and they believe they can do it. I can’t wait to get out there.” Hun head coach Tom Monfiletto loves the work ethic that Kraemer has displayed in becoming a top hitter. “Will is seeing the ball really well, he has been excellent for us,” said Monfiletto. “He has been able to hit all pitches. He is very, very diligent about his at-bats. He keeps a pretty detailed notebook for every at-bat that he has taken and over the years against teams he has played. He puts a lot of work into it, he has really developed into a complete hitter.” The Raiders showed an attention to detail as they rolled to the win over Allentown. “We usually score early, we have been pretty good at that all year,” said Monfiletto. “It is the middle innings where we have trouble. I think there was a little point of emphasis to take advantage of those middle innings. I was happy that we got out to the start that we did but I was even happier that we built on it.” Monfiletto is very happy with junior leadoff hitter John Rossman who went 3 for 4 with a homer, three runs, and three RBIs against Allentown. “The power is nice; he has put a lot of work in and it is showing,” said Monfiletto. “His hard hit ball percentage is very, very high so he has been getting the barrel on the ball pretty frequently. We are trying to get him to be just a little more patient in the leadoff spot because he is a weapon on the bases. But we will take the home runs and the doubles too.” The Raiders got some excellent mound work from junior lefty Aidan Heaphy in the win as he didn’t yield a hit in four innings of work with six strikeouts. “Heaphy was great, he is an expert at getting out of jams, that is for sure,” said Monfiletto. “He started 11 batters off with first pitch strikes which is something
with a strike. That is what we needed out on him and we are obviously going to lean on him big time as the season goes along.” As the season has gone on, Hun has been getting key contributions from a number of players. “Yanni [Moraitis] has been a horse on the mound; TJ Tiff has come on the past couple of games at third base, we really like seeing that,” said Monfiletto. “Antonio [Destribats] has been getting huge hits for us. He had a really clutch hit in the beginning of the game today. When we played Immaculata on Saturday (a 5-0 win) he hit a home run in a really big spot to put us up by three, so he has been excellent. Today was the first outing for Zain [Majeed] on the mound and it looked excellent. Kerrick [Shannon] threw really well the other day. Our pitchers are starting to fully develop.” The Raiders have also developed some grit over the course of the spring. “I think we are a pretty resilient bunch — we are building that as the year is going on and that is probably what I am most happy with,” said Monfiletto. With Hun hosting Archbishop Spalding (Md.) on May 7, playing at Poly Prep (N.Y.) on May 9, and then hosting King’s Christian on May 10 before starting play in the Prep A state tournament on May 12. Monfiletto believes his squad has steeled itself for a big finish. “The focus is that this is an intentionally challenging stretch of games, so hopefully the way that we prepare for games and for the season is going to prepare us for that stretch,” said Monfiletto. “We have had three weeks in a row with four games each week. It is an extremely difficult and challenging stretch with league games and some other really tough opponents too. It is embracing and accepting the challenge. That is the focus.” Kraemer, for his part, is focused on making the most of his last month playing for the Raiders. “I think in the next coupl e of we e k s, w h ate ve r happens, happens ; I will be ready to play my last c o u p l e of g a m e s,” s a i d Kraemer. “It is going to be a little emotional, but at the same time I can’t wait to play with my guys and have one last ride of high school baseball.” —Bill Alden
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Coming into this spring, Jake Beck realized that he would have to shoulder more responsibility for the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team. “I haven’t had the same weapons that I have been playing with, with the older guys like [Brendan] Marino and [Danny] Cano,” said junior attacker/midfielder Beck. “I am definitely stepping into some big shoes. We have had some great guys here so it has been tough.” Beck has stepped up, scoring nine goals with a teamhigh eight assists through the first 11 games this spring. “With the help of my teammates, they have made me better,” said Beck. “I think that just working on what I need to work on, I have just gradually improved.” Displaying that improvement last Thursday, Beck tallied three goals and two assists as sixth-seeded Hun defeated 11th-seeded Oratory Prep 15-1 in the opening round of the Prep state tournament. The Raiders jumped out to a 6-0 second quarter lead to set the tone of the contest. “In the past this season we have let the other teams jump on us first, so by jumping on the other team, we have a really good chance in this playoff run,” said Beck. “We have a tough schedule ahead of us but with this teamwork, we played amazing today.” Beck’s playmaking and finishing has helped the team click. “I love these guys, the more I play with them, the more I love them,” said Beck. “The chemistry is definitely up there. I love feeding. I definitely look up but I have got to get the goals too.” Juggling two sports, Beck scores goals in the winter for the Hun boys’ hockey team. “I have always loved hockey, lacrosse is my first sport,” said Beck, who is looking to play
college lacrosse for a Division I program. “I made that decision because I realized how hard it truly was to go far in hockey. I have always loved it. I just put everything I have into both of them. Whatever the season is, I just work as hard as I can.” Hun head coach Joe Donnelly loved the way his squad took care of business against Oratory Prep. “We are excited, we have been playing some of the top teams in the country and the region,” said Donnelly. “With the competition that we have been playing, one of the biggest things is pressure on defense and moving the ball with some pace. When we really get down to it and play as a unit and we are unselfish and share, we are very successful.” The play of Beck has helped the Raiders come together as a unit. “He sees the game very, very well; he is a super IQ player,” said Donnelly. “He is definitely more of a midfielder for us. But with just how well he sees the field, he is very strong. It has been a huge adjustment for us that we made as a coaching staff to put him back there. We have seen a lot more success out of him and a lot more success from our team as well.” In the win over Oratory Prep, Hun got strong efforts from Alex Famiglietti and Anthony Peterson who each scored four goals. “It is nice; with a brand new coaching staff, we are getting the buy-in now,” said Donnelly, who is the program’s third head coach in the last three seasons. “We have been through a lot. We have been through our challenges, we have been through our opponents. After them cycling through three coaches, it is hard to get everyone all on the same page for what we are
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trying to accomplish. I think right now we are primed to finish the season on a really strong note.” The Raider defense made things hard on Oratory Prep, yielding just a second quarter goal. “The defense was incredible today, O’Brien has been a huge leader for us on and off the field,” said Donnelly. “He is everywhere and he commands the unit. That whole unit is super impressive with Reece Holt, Owen Tallo, Ryan Wright, and then Will Hayes back behind them in goal. Will is an extremely talented goalie. It is defense, we are bound to make mistakes and it’s nice having Will back there to bail us out.” With Hun, who moved to 4-12 with an 8-6 loss to the Perkiomen School (Pa.) last Saturday, playing at thirdseeded Pennington in the Prep quarterfinal round on May 8, Donnelly believes that his squad is primed for a deep run in the tourney. “We love our seeding; we would have wished for something a little bit higher,” said Donnelly. “We think we have the skill level for it but I think we are really attaching to that underdog mindset and attacking every day. I feel like we are really connecting and playing as a unit, that is the biggest thing. We have a lot of very good pieces and everyone is really starting to buy in. Whether it is the offensive side, the defensive side or the clearing, we are playing as one team now.” Beck, for his part, believes that Hun will be a tough out in the tournament. “If you come out here and watch, we look a lot better than the beginning of the season,” said Beck. “I definitely think you will see us at least in the championship.” —Bill Alden
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STEPPING UP: Hun School boys’ lacrosse player Jake Beck, left, heads to goal in a 2024 game. Sat – 4-10:30 · Sun – 4-9 Last Thursday, junior attacker/midfielder Beck tallied three goals with two assists to help sixthMon – 11:30-9 · Tues-Fri – 11:30-10:30 · Sat – 4-10:30 · Sun – 4-9 Now serving gluten-free pizza, pasta, beer & vodka! seeded Hun defeat 11th-seeded Oratory Prep 15-1 in the first round of the Prep state tournament. The Raiders, who moved to 4-12 with an 8-6 loss to the Perkiomen School (Pa.) last Saturday, 339 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08540 339 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08540 play at third-seeded Pennington in the Prep quarterfinal round on May 8. In addition, Hun will be Mon – 11:30-9 · Tues-Fri – 11:30-10:30 ·•Sat – 4-10:30 · Sun – 4-9 (609) 921-8041 • www.contespizzaandbar.com (609) 921-8041 www.contespizzaandbar.com playing at St. Augustine Prep on May 10 in a regular season contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
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TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 • 34
North on May 8 in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament and will be hosting Montclair K imb erley on May 9 in the quarterfinal round of the Prep B state tournament. Girls’ Lacrosse: Natalia Soffer tallied three goals and one assist for ninthseeded PDS as it lost 15-9 to eighth-seeded WW/P-North last Monday in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament. The Panthers, now Baseball : Santino Cig4-8, are next in action when narella and Keegan Fullman they host Gill St. Bernard’s starred as PDS defeated on May 13. Bound Brook 10-0 last Saturday. Cignarella hurled a sixth-inning shutout, getting five strikeouts and giving up just two hits, while Fullman went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs for the Panthers who improved to 5-11. PDS will be playing at MontBaseball: Ryan Richter clair Kimberley in the Prep had a big game but it wasn’t B state quarterfinals on May enough as Pennington fell 8 and at Manville on May 13 12-9 to Hopewell Valley last in a regular season contest. Saturday. Boys’ Lacrosse: Sparked Richter went 3 for 3 with by Hart Nowakoski, PDS de- one run and four RBIs for feated WW/P-South 10-6. the Red Hawks, now 14-3. Senior midfielder Nowakos- Pennington plays at the Hill ki tallied four goals and an School (Pa.) on May 7, hosts assist in the April 29 contest Rutgers Prep on May 8 in as the Panthers improved the quarterfinal round of the to 4-5. In upcoming action, Prep B state tournament, PDS will be hosting WW/P- and then hosts Hightstown
tallied nine goals as the Big Red moved to 10-4. In upcoming action, Lawrenceville hosts Kent Place in the Prep A state semifinals on May 8 and then plays at the Hill School (Pa.) on May 10 Girls’ Lacrosse: Earning and hosts Princeton High on its first win of the season, May 12. Hun defeated the Wilberforce School 22-8 last Monday. The Raiders, now 1-11, will wrap up the season by hosting the Perkiomen School (Pa.) on May 8.
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Lawrenceville Baseball : Chris Trucano starred as Lawrenceville swept a doubleheader against the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Saturday, prevailing 11-10 and 20-1. Trucano went 3-for-7 with four runs and three RBIs on the day for Big Red, now 6-9. Lawrenceville plays at WW/P-South on May 7 and the Perkiomen School (Pa.) on May 10 before starting play in the Prep A state tournament on May 12. Girls’ Lacrosse: L ex ie Koch had a huge game in a losing cause as Lawrenceville fell 17-11 to Pingry last Thursday. Koch
Pennington
JOLLY TIME: Hun School softball junior star Sam Jolly (holding sign) celebrates with her teammates after she got the 100th hit of her high school career last Thursday in a 7-3 win over the Hill School (Pa.). Jolly went 3 for 3 with two runs in the victory. The Raiders, who topped Blair 16-0 last Saturday to improve to 13-1, play at the Germantown Academy (Pa.) on May 10 before starting action in the Prep A state tournament where they are seeded second and will host a semifinal contest on May 13.
on May 10. Boys’ Lacrosse: Running into a buzz saw, Pennington fell 17-1 to the Hill School (Pa.) last Thursday. The Red Hawks, now 4-10, host Hun on May 8 in the quarterfinals of the Prep Baseball: Suffering its state tournament and then sixth straight loss, PHS fell host Cinnaminson in a regular 10-0 to Ewing last Friday. season contest on May 12. The Tigers, who moved to 6-9 with the defeat, play at South Hunterdon on May 12 before hosting South River on May 13. Charlie has been serving the Princeton community for 25 years Softball: Snapping a fourgame losing streak, PHS defeated Peddie 9-1 last Saturday. The Tigers, who improved to 3-9 with victory, host Florence on May 9 before playing at Marlboro on • Residential & Commercial • Copper/Tin/Sheet Metal • Seamless Gutters & Downspouts May 12. Boys’ Lacrosse: Braden • Cedar Shake • Flat Roofs • Gutter Cleaning Barlag scored three goals but • Shingle & Slate Roofs • Built-In Gutters • Roof Maintenance it wasn’t nearly enough as PHS fell 16-5 at Allentown last Saturday. The Tigers, who dropped to 8-6 with the loss, are next in action when LIC#13VH02047300 they host a Colonial Valley Free Estimates • Quality Service • Repair Work Conference (CVC) tournament quarterfinal contest on May 10. Boys’ Tennis: Winning each match in straight sets, PHS defeated Notre Dame 5-0 last Thursday. The Tigers, who improved to 5-1 with the victory, play at Lawrence High on May 8 and at Princeton Day School on May 12.
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Stuart L acrosse : Allison Lee scored two goals as seventhseeded Stuart fell 17-3 to second-seeded MorristownBeard last Monday in the Prep B quarterfinals. The Tartans, now 3-7, play at North Hunterdon on May 9 and at Mount St. Mary on May 12.
Local Sports First Princeton Triathlon Scheduled for June 7
The first-ever Princeton Triathlon is being held on June 7 and will include a super sprint triathlon, super sprint triathlon relay, duathlon, and aquabike which are for all ages 13-and-above along with a youth triathlon event for those ages 7-12. All events start and finish at the Community Park Pool at 380 Witherspoon Street with primary parking at the Community Park School at 372 Witherspoon Street. Packet pickup, check-in and transition opens at 5:30 a.m. on June 7 with warmup opening and pre-race briefing beginning at 6:45 a.m. The triathlon swim start and duathlon run start are slated to start at 7 a.m. For race information and to register, log onto: runsignup.com/Race/ NJ/Princeton/PrincetonTriathlon. All participants will receive a shirt upon checking in on race day along with a medal upon finishing. Beneficiaries of the event are Dare2Tri (a national nonprofit organization that aids disabled athletes), Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, and t he Pr inceton High Triathlon Club.
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Norbert Wetzel Beloved husband, father, g r a n d f at h e r, c o l l e a g u e , teacher and, therapist, Norbert A. Wetzel, ThD, died at his home in Princeton, New Jersey, on April 27, 2025. He was 88 years old. Norbert was born September 16, 1936, in Berlin, Germany, to Dr. Anton Wetzel and Maria (Kübel) Wetzel. During World War II, he spent his childhood in the peaceful village of Fehlheim on his uncle’s farm. After the war, his parents moved to Stuttgart, where Norbert attended gymnasium (high school). He completed a doctorate in Theology at the University of Innsbruck in Austria where his dissertation addressed crisis intervention and suicide prevention. During this period he was also ordained as a Catholic priest. Norbert’s lifelong career of integrating counseling and social justice began shortly thereafter in Frankfurt, where he managed a suicide hotline and provided ongoing counseling. In the late 1960s, he became a leader in the radical priest movement in West Germany, which advocated for a progressive reimagining of the Catholic church. A growing commitment to counseling and frustration with the Catholic church led him to leave the priesthood and to pursue further training in family therapy. In 1975, he attended a postgraduate clinical training program at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in New York City, where he met his partner in love and work, Hinda Winawer, an Ashkenazi Jew from Brooklyn. The couple eventually moved to Princeton and were married in their backyard in 1979. Norb er t’s profe s s iona l career was long and varied, but always dedicated to understanding and supporting people within their bio-psycho-social context. He and Hinda founded the Princeton Family Institute, where Norbert would go on to provide short- and longterm psychotherapy to families, couples, and individuals for over four decades. Later, they founded the Center for Family, Community, and Social Justice, which trained mental health and human ser vices professionals to support and facilitate the development of children, adolescents, and adults within their families and communities in nine school districts across New Jersey. In the context of this work, Norbert developed the Kaleidoscope of Contextual Lenses, a practical tool in his model of Context-Centered Family Systems Therapy, an alternative to positivist linear, biologically-oriented thinking.
Carol Ann Fulmer On Saturday, April 26, 2025, Carol Ann Fulmer passed away after a prolonged illness at Carnegie Senior Living in Princeton, NJ. At age 85, she died peacefully surrounded by her family. Born and raised in Claremont, NH, Carol Ann was a natural caregiver. Her desire to care for others led her to Grace New Haven School of Nursing at Yale where she became known for her intellect, sensitivity, and love of poetry and language. She graduated in 1960 and began her nursing career at Yale New Haven Medical Center in New Haven, CT. Soon her adventurous spirit and thirst for new experiences took her to Denver, CO, where she spent some time at the University of Colorado Medical Center doing research for the National Institutes of Health. In 1962 Carol Ann returned to the East Coast to accept the position of head nurse on the Professors ward at Yale New Haven Medical Center. It was a fortuitous move as
it was at this time she met a pathology resident, fresh out of Yale Medical School, who would become her husband in 1966. A f ter a m ove to New York City and working as assistant to a leading researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, Carol Ann and Dave settled in Princeton, NJ, to start and raise a family. Their three children, Katharine, Elizabeth, and Stephen, arrived in quick succession. Motherhood found Carol Ann immersed in school activities, soccer and football games, horse shows, and too many volunteer duties to count. To many of her children’s friends she became a 2nd mom and the Lambert Drive open door policy found her home full of activity and laughter. As her children became more independent, she began a new career as a travel agent. As travel had always been a passion, this new position opened opportunities for her and her family to enjoy many years of adventures to beautiful beaches, ski towns, exotic locales, and international cultural destinations. When her children grew into adulthood, Carol Ann was thrilled that they all settled in New England. A perennial Red Sox fan, she was able to return to her beloved Fenway Park on many occasions to cheer for her now winning team with a cold beer and a Fenway Frank. Annual family vacations soon grew to include her seven grandchildren who were a constant source of pleasure and wonder. Each summer brought an oceanside holiday on Block Island or Maine where three generations of Fulmers enjoyed time spent together creating indelible and treasured memories. Carol Ann could also be counted on to spoil her grandchildren with her elaborate holiday efforts. Her Easter egg hunts, complete with hundreds of toy filled plastic eggs and her famous “Bunny Cake,” were unparalleled. Threaded throughout were Carol Ann’s sewing skills. She spent countless hours over her sewing machine creating dresses, bags,
and accessories that rivaled those found in high end boutiques. When her children were young, no Easter or Christmas was complete without matching holiday dresses for her daughters. The Princeton class of 1955 was also a lucky beneficiary of her creations where she applied her skills to the design of many class reunion costumes. When the grandchildren began appearing, Carol Ann was thrilled to sew beautiful dresses from vintage Lily Pulitzer fabric for her granddaughters. Carol Ann was an enthusiastic supporter of Dave’s Princeton University class of 1955. For over 35 years she served on the reunion committee. She could often be found at the registration tent during reunions, welcoming classmates and families and assuring that they were decked out in appropriate 1955 apparel and accessories. Carol Ann became an honorary classmate and was awarded the Order of the Claw in 1985. Ever present was Carol Ann’s passion for reading and language. Never without a book, while traveling, nearly a quarter of her packing space was dedicated to paperbacks. No week was complete for Carol A nn without the New York Times Sunday crossword - and don’t even think about beating her at Scrabble. Carol Ann is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, David Hoover Fulmer; her children, Katharine Fulmer of Newburyport, MA; Elizabeth Emery and husband, Richard, of Kennebunk, ME; Stephen Fulmer and wife, Whitney, of Duxbury, MA; and her cherished grandchildren; Helen, Lila, Sam, Charlie, Amelia, William and Madeline who affectionately called her NuNu. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts m ay b e m ad e i n C a r ol Ann’s memory to Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619 (groundsforsculpture.org/ memorials-tributes. Arrangements are under the direction of The MatherHodge Funeral Home.
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Charles A. Stryker III Charles A. Stryker III, 85, died suddenly and peacefully on March 1, 2025, at his Sarasota home. He was born in Princeton, New Jer s ey, on Ja nuar y 14, 1940, to Ann Finnegan and Charlie Stryker. They lived at 6 Fisher Avenue and spanned three generations in Princeton. Charlie graduated from Princeton High School in 1957 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed three years just outside of London and traveled Europe on the RAF Mildenhall basketball team. He was always playing sports, especially baseball and basketball. He was a longtime member of the Harrison Street Athletic Club headed by Bob Smythe. He caught the golf bug caddying at the Princeton Springdale Golf Club. After his four-year Air Force service, he worked and saved to go to college. A Princeton friend, the Reverend Colin L. Leitch, introduced him to Florida State University. At FSU, he majored in International Affairs with a concentration in U.S. history. Working hard, he was able to graduate in less than three years.
A f ter g raduat ing f rom FSU, Charles started his marketing career. He spent 20 years as a sales executive with Xerox Corporation and another six leading Apple’s Florida’s education market. Charles left the corporate world for academia and pursued a M.A. degree in History at the University of South Florida. He spent 15 years teaching U.S. history at Hillsborough Community College and USF. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and influenced many students beyond his subject area with his encouragement and life experiences. Charlie has always been a volunteer with political c ampaig ns and com mu nity projects. He took his civic duties very seriously and made a difference. He mentored students, read to preschoolers, led organizations and served on lifelong learning boards. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dr. Laurey T. Stryker; daughter Nicole Keating and son-in-law Kevin Keating, Orlando, Florida; daughter Erin Lee and sonin-law Allan Lee, Alexandria, Virginia; grandchildren Karly, Kelly; and Conrad; sisters Suzanne Meagher of Yarmouth, Mass., Cathy Brennan and Bob Brennan of Vienna, Va.; brothers Michael Stryker and sisterin-law Barbara Stryker of Houston, Texas; Bill Stryker (deceased) and sister-in-law Kathy Stryker of Malvern, Pennsylvania. He is buried with military honors at the Sarasota National Cemetery.
35 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
Obituaries
In addition to training and counseling, Norbert taught for decades at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. He authored several books and published many professional articles over the years, most recently in 2024. Outside of his work, Norbert was a thinker known for his kind and gentle demeanor, a man who delighted in the small beauties and joys of this imperfect world, including a cardinal at the bird feeder, strong coffee, and good bread. He was an avid bicycle rider who did multiple long-distance cycling rides, including 500 miles in six days in Alaska to support AIDS research. A naturally curious person, Norbert traveled extensively, but particularly loved the alps of Südtirol and Martha’s Vineyard. He was a life-long student of philosophy and lover of classical music. Norbert was predeceased by his parents, his sister, G udu la Wet zel, and h is brother, Dr. Peter Wetzel. He is survived by his wife, Hinda Winawer; his brothers Winfried Wetzel and Dr. Konrad Wetzel; his children and t heir spouses, Er ik Steiner and Tara Grote; Kurt Steiner and Amy Biltekoff; Sarah Winawer-Wetzel and Catherine Deneke (and his grandchildren Noah and Ezra); and Andreas Winawer-Wetzel. He leaves behind a legacy of many grateful students and colleagues. A funeral and remem brance of life was held at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 1, followed by a private burial in Princeton Cemetery and shiva at the family home. Memorial donations may be made to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.
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youngest, Andrea, completed the family and brought even more joy and laughter to their home. At DuPont, Grant’s early years in research yielded several patents bearing his name. He later transitioned into product development management, traveling extensively across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. West Coast to oversee projects that helped shape today’s electronics industry. Grant and Carol enjoyed golf at Springdale in Princeton and at their vacation home in Palm Desert, California. For many years he was fond of playing in local tennis leagues and Friday-night mixed doubles alongside Carol. A lifelong learner, he maintained a vast personal library spanning science, history, religion, and science fiction — and delighted in reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s works aloud to his children. Grant’s greatest pride was his family: his wife Carol; his four children, Kirsten (Kirt), Galen (Mitos), Gavin (Lise), and Andrea (Paul); and 11 grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Annual family gatherings — whether in Europe, Canada,
or across the United States — were eagerly anticipated, and vacations ranging from backpacking in Alaska to rafting the Grand Canyon, hiking Peru’s Inca Trail, safari adventures in Kenya, walking China’s Great Wall, and retracing the footsteps of Jesus in Israel formed a lifetime of shared memories. Over a lifetime of exploration, Grant and Carol visited 29 countries. A devoted Sufi, Grant’s deep spiritual curiosity led him to study multiple faith traditions with compassion and openness. His gentle wisdom, boundless generosity, and warm sense of humor touched all who knew him. He is survived by Carol, his beloved wife of 62 years; his four children and their spouses; and his 11 grandchildren, as well as his two brothers, Kurt ( Lisa) and Dwight (Valya). A celebration of Grant’s life will be held on a later date. He always was looking to explore, to learn, and to love without reservation. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who were fortunate to have shared in his remarkable journey.
AMERICAN FURNITURE EXCHANGE
WANTED
ANTIQUES & USED FURNITURE
609-306-0613 Antiques • Jewelry • Watches • Guitars Cameras • Books • Coins • Artwork Diamonds • Furniture • Unique Items Over 30 Years Experience
Daniel Downs, Owner
D I R E C T O RY O F RELIGIOUS SERVICES SUNDAYS
8:00 am: Holy Communion Rite I 10:30 am: Holy Communion Rite II 5:00 pm: Choral Evensong or Choral Compline The Rev. Paul Jeanes III, Rector The Rev. Canon Dr. Kara Slade, Assoc. Rector 33 Mercer St. Princeton • 609-924-2277 www.trinityprinceton.org
DIVINE LOVE ALWAYS HAS MET AND ALWAYS WILL Mother of God Joy MEET EVERY HUMAN NEED. of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church
904 Cherry Hill Rd • Princeton, NJ 08525 (609) 466-3058 Saturday Vespers 5pm • Sunday Divine Liturgy Pescantified Liturgy Wednesdays during Lent 6pm 930am • www.mogoca.org
To advertise your services in our Directory of Religious Services, contact Jennifer Covill
MARY BAKER EDDY
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Princeton Sunday Service at 10:30 AM
Wednesday Testimony Meeting at 7:30 PM
16 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ
Christian Science Reading Room Mon - Sat, 10 am - 4 pm 178 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ www.csprinceton.org
(609) 924-2200 ext. 31
ONLINE
ONLINE www.towntopics.com
jennifer.covill@witherspoonmediagroup.com
ONLINE
www.towntopics.com
www.towntopics.com
CLASSIFIEDS
To place a classified ad, please call:
Deadline: Noon, Tuesday
tel: (609) 924-2200 x10 • fax: (609) 924-8818 • e-mail: classifieds@towntopics.com YARD SALE + TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIED = GREAT WEEKEND! Put an ad in the TOWN TOPICS to let everyone know! Call (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifieds@towntopics.com DEADLINE: Tues before 12 noon tf HOUSECLEANING: Experienced, English-speaking, great references, reliable with own transportation. Weekly & bi-weekly cleaning. Green cleaning available. Call Susan at (732) 873-3168. 05-28 HOME HEALTH AIDE: 25 years of experience. Available mornings to take care of your loved one, transport to appointments, run errands. I am well known in Princeton. Top care, excellent references. The best! Call (609) 356-2951 or (609) 751-1396. tf LOLIO’S WINDOW WASHING & POWER WASHING: Free estimate. Next day service. Fully insured. Gutter cleaning available. References available upon request. 30 years experience. (609) 271-8860. tf JOE’S LANDSCAPING INC. OF PRINCETON Property Maintenance and Specialty Jobs Commercial/Residential Over 45 Years of Experience • Fully Insured • Free Consultations Email: joeslandscapingprinceton@ gmail.com Text (only): (609) 356-9201 Office: (609) 216-7936 Princeton References • Green Company HIC #13VH07549500 tf HOME REPAIR SPECIALIST: Interior/exterior repairs, carpentry, trim, rotted wood, power washing, painting, deck work, sheet rock/ spackle, gutter & roofing repairs. Punch list is my specialty. 40 years experience. Licensed & insured. Call Creative Woodcraft (609) 586-2130 tf 24/7 PROFESSIONAL NURSES AND AIDES Personal care, nutrition, social activities, support, respite care & family relief. Live-in and live-out in the greater Princeton and other NJ areas. Personal Home Care of Hillsborough (609) 216-5000 or (908) 306-0985 tf TK PAINTING: Interior, exterior. Power-washing, wallpaper removal, plaster repair, deck staining. Renovation of kitchen cabinets. Front door & window refinishing. Excellent references. Free estimates. Call (609) 947-3917. 07-30
ABG CLEANING CO. Leave the cleaning to us! 20 years experience Good references Call us for a free estimate! (609) 651-2259 or (609) 955-1239 05-07
WHAT’S A GREAT GIFT FOR A FORMER PRINCETONIAN?
circulation@towntopics.com
Knotty pine bookcases a specialty!
tf
A Gift Subscription! Call (609) 924-2200, ext 10
YARD SALE +
SKILLMAN FURNITURE CO. 609-924-1881
TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIED = GREAT WEEKEND!
Elevated gardens • Slat tables
Put an ad in the TOWN TOPICS to let everyone know!
Writing desks • Small furniture repair
Call (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifieds@towntopics.com
skillmanfurniture.com skillmanfurnitureco@gmail.com
tf FREE BOOK: Did you attend Camp Arrowhead in the 1960s or 1970s as a child? Contact me for a copy of “Fly-balls and Butterflies” by Robert Borzok and enjoy the memories. (570) 404-2803 or borzok@ptd.net. 05-07
DEADLINE: Tues before 12 noon tf HOUSECLEANING: Experienced, English-speaking, great references, reliable with own transportation. Weekly & bi-weekly cleaning. Green cleaning available. Call Susan at (732) 873-3168.
05-28
PU REUNIONS RENTAL Beautiful location on Lake Carnegie! 1 bed, 1 bath apt, full kitchen. Accomodates 2-4 people. Walk-out patio overlooking lake. Available now! Call for more info and price: (609) 731-6665. 05-07
HOME HEALTH AIDE: 25 years of experience. Available mornings to take care of your loved one, transport to appointments, run errands. I am well known in Princeton. Top care, excellent references. The best! Call (609) 356-2951 or (609) 751-1396.
BUYING: Antiques, paintings, Oriental rugs, coins, clocks, furniture, old toys, military, books, cameras, silver, costume & fine jewelry. Guitars & musical instruments. I buy single items to entire estates. Free appraisals. (609) 306-0613. tf
LOLIO’S WINDOW WASHING & POWER WASHING: Free estimate. Next day service. Fully insured. Gutter cleaning available. References available upon request. 30 years experience. (609) 271-8860.
tf
tf JOE’S LANDSCAPING INC. OF PRINCETON
TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIEDS GET TOP RESULTS!
Property Maintenance and Specialty Jobs
We deliver to ALL of Princeton as well as surrounding areas.
Over 45 Years of Experience • Fully Insured • Free Consultations
(609) 924-2200 ext. 10;
Email: joeslandscapingprinceton@ gmail.com
Commercial/Residential
ESTATE LIQUIDATION SERVICE: I will clean out attics, basements, garages & houses. Single items to entire estates. No job too big or small. In business over 35 years, serving all of Mercer County. Call (609) 306-0613. tf
WE BUY CARS Belle Mead Garage (908) 359-8131 Ask for Chris
TK PAINTING: Interior, exterior. Power-washing, wallpaper removal, plaster repair, deck staining. Renovation of kitchen cabinets. Front door & window refinishing. Excellent references. Free estimates. Call (609) 947-3917. 07-30 ABG CLEANING CO. Leave the cleaning to us! 20 years experience Good references Call us for a free estimate! (609) 651-2259 or (609) 955-1239 05-07 Knotty pine bookcases a specialty! SKILLMAN FURNITURE CO. 609-924-1881
Text (only): (609) 356-9201 Office: (609) 216-7936 Princeton References • Green Company HIC #13VH07549500 tf HOME REPAIR SPECIALIST: Interior/exterior repairs, carpentry, trim, rotted wood, power washing, painting, deck work, sheet rock/ spackle, gutter & roofing repairs. Punch list is my specialty. 40 years experience. Licensed & insured. Call Creative Woodcraft (609) 586-2130
Employment Opportunities in the Princeton Area S&P GLOBAL INC. SEEKS A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER IN PRINCETON, NJ to work as a hands-on mobile developer to create mobile native apps. Telecommuting permitted w/ in normal commuting distance of Princeton, NJ office. REQ: Bach degree in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, or rel IT field plus 5 yrs’ exp w/ Mobile-oriented DevOps Pipelines. The anticipated base salary range for this position is $152,131 to $170,400. Final base salary for this role will be based on the individual’s geographic location, as well as experience level, skill set, training, licenses & certifications. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible for an annual incentive plan. This role is eligible to receive additional S&P Global benefits. For more information on the benefits we provide to our employees, please see: https://spgbenefits.com/benefitsummaries/us. Resume to PeopleMovementSupport@spglobal.com, ref # 315570 (Software Developer). 05-07
Did you forget your at home? Find us on the web from your office!
ONLINE www.towntopics.com
Elevated gardens • Slat tables Writing desks • Small furniture repair skillmanfurniture.com skillmanfurnitureco@gmail.com
tf FREE BOOK: Did you attend Camp Arrowhead in the 1960s or 1970s as a child? Contact me for a copy of “Fly-balls and Butterflies” by Robert Borzok and enjoy the memories. (570) 404-2803 or borzok@ptd.net. 05-07
Whether it’s selling furniture, finding a lost pet, or having a garage sale, TOWN TOPICS is the way to go!
classifieds@towntopics.com
24/7 PROFESSIONAL NURSES AND AIDES Personal care, nutrition, social activities, support, respite care & family relief. Live-in and live-out in the greater Princeton and other NJ areas. Personal Home Care of Hillsborough (609) 216-5000 or (908) 306-0985 tf
PU REUNIONS RENTAL Beautiful location on Lake Carnegie! 1 bed, 1 bath apt, full kitchen. Accomodates 2-4 people. Walk-out patio overlooking lake. Available now! Call for more info and price: (609) 731-6665. 05-07
CARRIER ROUTE AVAILABLE Wednesday morning delivery. If interested, please call 609.924.2200 x 30 or email melissa.bilyeu@towntopics.com
BUYING: Antiques, paintings, Oriental rugs, coins, clocks, furniture, old toys, military, books, cameras, silver, costume & fine jewelry. Guitars & musical instruments. I buy single items to entire estates. Free appraisals. (609) 306-0613. tf TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIEDS GET TOP RESULTS! Whether it’s selling furniture, finding a lost pet, or having a garage sale, TOWN TOPICS is the way to go! We deliver to ALL of Princeton as well as surrounding areas. (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifieds@towntopics.com
An Equal Opportunity Employer 4438 Route 27 North, Kingston, NJ 08528
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WITHERSPOON MEDIA GROUP Advertising Opportunity
Getting Hesitant Buyers
with Beatrice Bloom to Make a Move
SPOTLIGHT ON HIGHTSTOWN/THE WINDSORS Publishing May 28 Your advertisement will reach over 30,000 local readers.
Sellers can play a big role in nudging motivated but hesitant buyers off the fence. First, ensure the home shows at its absolute best—clean, staged, and priced right—so there's no doubt it's worth acting on. Creating a sense of scarcity helps too. If there’s strong interest, let buyers know (truthfully) that other showings are scheduled or that another offer may be coming. In some cases, a small, strategic price reduction—just enough to trigger new alerts or stand out in search filters—can reframe the listing as a fresh opportunity. Even a modest drop can psychologically signal value and urgency, especially if buyers were already emotionally attached but waiting for a sign to act. Pricing can be a powerful motivator when used tactically.
On the buyer side, agents should lean into motivation and mindset. Remind clients why this home sparked their interest and help them visualize living there. Sometimes buyers wait simply because they fear making the wrong decision. A trusted agent can guide them with market data showing how fast similar homes are selling or how rare a find this one is. Walk them through potential outcomes—what happens if they wait and lose the home? What’s the cost of indecision? This isn’t pressure; it’s helping them act in their own best interest, before the opportunity passes.
TO ADVERTISE, PLEASE CONTACT 609.924.2200 or email wmgsales@witherspoonmediagroup.com Town Topics est. 1946 | Princeton’s Weekly Community Newspaper
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Sales Representative/Princeton Residential Specialist, MBA, ECOͲBroker Princeton Office 609Ͳ921Ͳ1900 | 609Ͳ577Ͳ2989(cell) | info@BeatriceBloom.com | BeatriceBloom.com
37 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
Town Topics
TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025 • 38
Did you know…
Your Long-Term Care Policy may cover the cost of an at-home aide, allowing your loved one to remain at home.
Akin Care works with many long-term insurance providers, and we can assist in verifying if you are eligible. Contact us for a free consultation
Family Owned and operated, Princeton-based Provider of In-Home Senior Care (609)994-5320
8 COVENTRY LANE HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP Introducing this beautiful residence, proudly offered for the first time by its original owners. From the moment you enter, the care and pride of ownership are immediately evident. A dramatic two-story foyer sets an elegant tone, inviting you into a home designed for both comfort and sophisticated living. The expansive formal living room flows effortlessly into the family room and also to the dining room, offering a gracious space perfect for hosting memorable gatherings. The sunroom, surrounded by panoramic views of nature, provides a serene retreat — the perfect spot to relax and unwind. The heart of the home, the open-concept kitchen, has been thoughtfully updated with gleaming granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, creating a beautiful and functional space for culinary pursuits. Nearby, the fifth bedroom — currently used as a home office — is ideally situated across from a full bath, offering flexibility for guests with a need for a main-level bedroom. Upstairs, three spacious bedrooms accompany the main suite, which has a generously sized walk-in closet and an ensuite bath with a jacuzzi tub, and separate shower. Outside in the back, you have access to 2 decks — one off the sunroom and one off the breakfast area, that are connected with a lovely walkway. You'll also love the peaceful charm of the frog and lilly pond nestled in the backyard. Major systems have been replaced, including the 2 furnaces (5-6 years), the 2 AC units (5-6 years), and roof (10 years). Set amidst lush landscaping with mature trees and vibrant plantings, every window frames a picturesque view, enhancing the beauty and tranquility of this amazing home. Sellers looking for a July closing date. Also please note square footage listed is estimated. $1,100,000
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist CBGL Certified Luxury Property Specialist Certified Relocation Specialist Licensed in NJ and PA Coldwell Banker Realty 10 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08542 Office (609) 921-1411 | Cell (609) 658-5773
rosarialawlor-newjersey.sites.cbmoxi.com rosaria.lawlor@cbmoves.com
Rosaria Lawlor, CLHMS, CRS, SRS, ABR, SFR Sales Associate
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39 • TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025