9-23 PE

BOOKS OF GENIUS

J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER’S PERSONAL LIBRARY, HELD BY PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, OFFERS INSIGHTS INTO THE MAN BEHIND THE ATOM BOMB.

PAGE 6.

PICTURED: J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER AT THE GUEST LODGE, OAK RIDGE, IN FEBRUARY 1946, AS PHOTOGRAPHED BY ED WESTCOTT.

The environment in focus with green-themed fall events, page 4; Back to School special section, see insert.

AROUND TOWN

School supply donations help 268 children

For the past 14 years, the Princeton Human Services Commission, municipal employees, Princeton University, local businesses, organizations, and residents have donated backpacks and school supplies that have benefited many Princeton children. This year, Princeton Human Services was able to provide over 268 students with supplies.

The items were distributed to Princeton Public School children entering kindergarten through sixth grade from low-income families, with extra backpacks and supplies given to students in need entering higher grades.

“Our 14th Annual Backpack and School Supplies Drive was a huge success this year, thanks to the many donors who contributed,” said Department of Human Services Director Rhodalynn Jones. “This is truly a community effort and it’s great to see people come together to ensure our children have adequate supplies as they start a new school year.”

“Human Services has been coordinat-

ing this drive for over a decade, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of all our donors and volunteers that help during supplies distribution,” said Jones.

Princeton Human Services would like to thank Princeton municipal employees, the Human Services Commission, and the many Princeton residents who made individual donations, with special thanks to Mayor Mark Freda, Princeton Council, Princeton University, W.B. Mason, Acendis Pharma, and the Princeton Police Department for their contributions and ongoing support.

“We look forward to continuing the Backpack and School Supplies Drive next year and providing this service to Princeton families in need,” said Jones.

For more information about Princeton Human Services programs, visit www. princetonnj.gov/583/Programs-Drives.

Sara Hastings (Ext. 206) CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rebekah Schroeder

PRODUCTION

Community News Service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News & Letters: hastings@princetoninfo.com

Events: events@communitynews.org

Website: communitynews.org

Facebook: facebook.com/princetonecho

Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

3,000 copies of the Princeton Echo are bulk-distributed to businesses in Princeton 12 times a year.

TO ADVERTISE call (609) 396-1511, ext. 110 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

Balanced

Fall for the environment

Amid a robust crop of events on the fall cultural calendar, a theme emerged: events focused on the environment and our natural surroundings. While a full calendar of events appears online at princetoninfo.com/events, here are some greenthemed highlights.

Love Your Leaves

“Love Your Leaves” is a collaboration between Sustainable Princeton and Morven Museum & Garden. The free interactive workshop is focused on sustainably managing leaves at your home this fall. The event takes place on Sunday, September 10, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Register via EventBrite. www.morven.org

E-Commuter Fest

Sustainable Princeton is also the driving force behind Princeton’s annual E-Commuter Fest, scheduled for Friday, September 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Princeton Shopping Center. In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Friday, September 29. The electric vehicle/low-carbon commuting festival features EV test drives, bike repairs, live music, local organiza-

tions and vendors, a local EV and eBike owner showcase, games, and raffle prizes. The event is free to attend. www.sustainableprinceton.org

Knowledge Is Power

On view at the Arts Council of Princeton from September 9 through 30 is “Our Knowledge Is Power: The Cultures of Beauty and Survival in Isle de Jean Charles, LA and Shishmaref, AK.” The multimedia exhibit by artists Dennis Davis and Chantel Comardelle shares stunning images that showcase the beauty of culture and the price of the climate crisis. An opening reception takes place Saturday, September 9, from 3 to 5 p.m., and an artists’ talk takes place Friday, September 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.

The Art of Migration

The Garden State Watercolor Society’s juried exhibition, “Migration: Movement for Survival,” is on view at the D&R Greenway Land Trust through September 24. GSWS artists created their art to contemplate migration and change. Whether figurative or abstract, realistic, or fanciful, this thoughtful art will inspire and cause

the viewer to think and reflect on the state of the world’s people, wildlife and climate.

A series of poetry workshops, led by local poets in partnership with D&R Greenway, will result in the Poetry Talk-Gallery Walk being presented on Thursday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. An artist demo, by award-winning GSWS artist Ann Greene, takes place Sunday, September 24, from 2 to 4 p.m., as a culmination of the exhibition. www.drgreenway.org.

Poetry on the Farm

Princeton Theological Seminary and EcoTheo Collective invite you to celebrate wonder at the Farminary with the poetry event “Soil and Light,” taking place Thursday through Saturday, September 14 through 16.

The event features poets Camille T. Dungy and Tess Taylor. Dungy’s latest book, “SOIL: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden,” revels in the pleasures and vexations of tending the earth, while bringing to light the traumas and overlooked qualities of gardening while Black. In “Leaning Toward Light: Poems For Gardens & the Hands That Tend Them,” Taylor has assembled the brightest voices in contemporary poetry to sing of flowers and failures

in and beyond the garden.

The event includes a Thursday night welcome dinner, daytime workshops on Friday and Saturday, and a Friday evening reading by the two poets. Register online. www.ptsem.edu

Flora & Fauna at Mountain Lakes

Friends of Princeton Open Space has a full calendar of events focused on the plants and animals that call the Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve home.

The nonprofit hosts two volunteer sessions: During sessions on Saturdays, September 9 and 30, volunteers will remove invasive species found along the preserve’s trails. Register for a shift from 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m.

FOPOS board member Winnie Hughes Spar leads a guided bird walk on Saturday, September 10, from 8 to 10 a.m., to learn about Princeton’s birds and their habits as the fall migration season begins. A different type of bird — the Eastern Screen Owl — is in focus for an evening walk led by South Jersey Wildlife Tours on Saturday, September 23, from 8 to 9:15 p.m. Register online. www.fopos.org/eventsprograms.

FREE UPCOMING HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS

Register by calling 609.394.4153 or register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Class size is limited for in-person events. Please register early. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

CANCERS IN WOMEN + FOCUSING ON SELF-CARE

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting

Learning about cancers of the female reproductive system may reduce your risk and help you identify ways to prevent them, so it’s important to be proactive about your health. DR. JOYCE VARUGHESE, a board certified, fellowship trained gynecologic oncologist, will lead a discussion of the programs available at Capital Health for women undergoing treatment for gynecologic cancers and related health challenges. Nancy McCormack, an internationally certified and registered yoga therapist from the Capital Health Wellness Center, will close the program with a demonstration of gentle yoga stretches.

SAFETY AWARENESS IN AND AROUND YOUR HOME

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Location: Capital Health – Hamilton

1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619

Join Stephanie Kulak, Injury Prevention Coordinator from the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, to learn about the potential dangers in your home that could possibly cause injury. This program for older adults increases awareness of home safety and fall prevention and highlights the newer technology available to help people in the event of a fall.

Reading between the lines of Princeton’s Oppenheimer collection

By Rebekah Schroeder

Theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer’s small, fuchsia pink copy of the Bhagavad Gita is split much like the atom, falling apart at the seams as if emulating the nuclear fission reaction its owner was well acquainted with. But much like someone unsuccessfully tried to piece the book back together with tape, history could never return to the time before the bomb; the Pandora’s box of science had been opened.

Oppenheimer drew particular inspiration from the 700-verse Hindu scripture as director of the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico, where he oversaw the development of nuclear weapons for the Manhattan Project during World War II.

The son of German and secular Jewish parents, Oppenheimer led the program to produce these bombs before other international forces could, a response motivated in part — despite his personal unobservance — by the targeted persecution of his given faith.

When the United States used that technology against Japan in what are still the only two wartime applications of such devices to this day, ending the six-year

conflict, Oppenheimer was named “the father of the atomic bomb.”

Oppenheimer’s life is the subject of Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller “Oppenheimer,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2005 book by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer.”

Even before the film premiered in July, Princeton embraced the Oppenheimer buzz, proud that he spent the last two decades of his life in town while serving as the director of the Institute for Advanced Study, an independent theoretic research and intellectual center where Nolan shot on location.

Princeton University acquired Oppenheimer’s library in the years following his death from throat cancer in 1967, its contents spanning a total of 178 items in 25 boxes with various — and sometimes copious — inscriptions and annotations.

One of these is Oppenheimer’s copy of the Bhagavad Gita, the Sanskrit spiritual text whose title translates to “Song of God.” The visual contrast between the exterior color and his light pencil markings evokes what is arguably Oppenheimer’s

most infamous quote, one that he allegedly recalled from the Bhagavad Gita either while watching the first “Trinity” nuclear test on July 16, 1945, or in a 1965 reflection on the moment the mushroom cloud rose from the desert: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

Emma Sarconi, a reference professional and outreach specialist for special collections at Princeton University’s Firestone Library, co-authored a July article on the Oppenheimer collection alongside Stephen Ferguson, the associate university librarian for external engagement, for the PUL Special Collections blog, “An Open Mind: Robert J. Oppenheimer’s Collection of Books at the Princeton University Library.”

Many of Sarconi’s responsibilities are based in the Reading Room at the Firestone Library on Princeton University’s campus, where she supports researchers and connects them to the collections. She has also worked on special projects like the “Archival Silences Working Group’’ and “Her Book” while overseeing the “Curated Collections” program, an initiative where Princeton University affiliates can produce digital exhibits of their own.

Sarconi explained that anyone, not just

those affiliated with the university, can request to view items from the university’s special collections in the Reading Room

See OPPENHEIMER, Page 8

Emma Sarconi is a reference professional and outreach specialist for special collections at Princeton University’s Firestone Library.

SUCCESS AND SELFSUFFICIENCY IN SESSION

Mercer County Community College will open its new Center for Adult Transition, or CAT, this fall to serve intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in a dual campus, person-centered program that prepares these students for adulthood while empowering them to achieve their own goals.

Image of the West Windsor Campus courtesy of MCCC.

Mercer County Community College to Launch New Center for Adult Transition

BY REBEKAH SCHROEDER

Achievement is a highly personal process that fulfills everyone in different ways, as people cultivate that sense of success through learning, working, giving back, and anything else that aligns with their aspirations.

Mercer County Community College’s Center for Adult Transition, or CAT, is a new state-mandated, county collegebased postsecondary program that takes a “person-centered approach” to serving individuals aged 18 to 24 with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to continue their education in the shift from high school to adulthood.

Students will grow across areas like socialization, safety, and self-sufficiency in a “dual campus experience” fostered in the classroom and community.

According to MCCC materials, the initiative combines coursework and presentations from community service providers on topics like transportation, budgeting, health and wellness, independent living, and more.

The CAT program originated with the

approval of New Jersey Legislature Bill S4211 on January 18, 2022, which established a grant opportunity through the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, or OSHE, to fund 18 County College-Based Centers for Adult Transition at institutions that had applied from across the state, according to an OSHE press release.

As a result of the state investment, OSHE stated that the colleges must run these specialized programs to offer “mentoring, job coaching, skill training, and other appropriate wrap-around services to help secure employment and maintain independent living” for people with IDDs—a range of conditions including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more.

OSHE is now a project partner with MCCC, and the Center for Adult Transition will serve the college on both campuses— the James Kerney Campus at 102 North Broad Street in downtown Trenton and the West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor—to bring programming to a wider audience across the school’s two Mercer County locations.

Dr. Gonzalo Perez is the college’s assistant vice president of academic affairs, focusing on workforce education and inno-

See MCCC, Page 4

Community News Service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: (609) 396-1511

News: news@communitynews.org

Events: events@communitynews.org

Letters: rschroeder@communitynews.org

Website: communitynews.org

Facebook: facebook.com/mercereats

Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

Six09 is inserted into each of Community News Service’s nine hyperlocal monthly publications. Over 125,000 copies are distributed each month in the Greater Mercer County, N.J. area.

tO ADVERtISE

call (609) 396-1511, ext. 110 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org

• Back Pain and Neck Pain

• PRP & Stem Cell Therapy

• Knee Osteoarthritis Injections

• Non-Surgical Orthopedics

• Double Board Certified Pain Management Physician

• Regenerative medicine goes beyond disease management to search for and discover therapies that support the body in repairing, regenerating and restoring itself to a state of well-being.

• What are stem cells? Stem cells are the bank cells within your body that can morph in many different types of cell depending on what your body needs them for. Stem cells are your body’s repair systems.

• What is PRP? PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. PRP is created from a sample of your own blood, which is drawn from the patient and then put into a machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood.

• Am I a candidate for PRP or stem cell therapy? If you have pain due to injury, arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, or any other condition, you are a candidate for cell-based therapy. Whether you are looking to heal from a traumatic injury, or regenerate older or diseased tissues, PRP or cell-based therapy could be something to help you heal and restore lost function and mobility.

Dr. Ronak Patel

From MCCC, Page 2

vation. While he was appointed to oversee the JKC campus in February, he also continues to lead the Division of Lifelong Learning and MercerOnline

Perez stated that MCCC was “very excited” about the grant competition, noting that the college services students with disabilities through the Center for Accessibility Resources, or CAR, and specifically its DREAM Program, which MCCC “used as a launching pad” for the CAT.

without

“CAT expands that opportunity to a larger group of young adults who may not be seeking an immersive classroom experience but are interested in exploring college. Some young adults will benefit from services provided collaboratively. Because of this state funding, a wider range of options is available,” she added.

“We recruit students, give them noncredit or types of workshops and seminars, help with life skills, and really get them prepared for any type of career,” Perez explained, noting that students can focus on a certification, life skills, or take a credit course, depending on their interests.

Although MCCC has many of the necessary facilities, resources, and faculty in place for the program, it is still in active development, according to Perez.

The MCCC CAT program’s new case manager, Kimberly Fisher, is a recent

addition to the team at the Center for Accessibility Resources.

The Burlington County resident has an extensive background in supporting special populations impacted by and experiencing mental illness, substance use, domestic violence, homelessness, food insecurity, and other issues by connecting them with agencies in the area.

While this is her first time applying that experience to an educational setting, she has previously coordinated vocational services and programming for IDD individuals.

In an interview with Community News Service, Fisher said that the CAT program is a partnership between educational institutions like MCCC and nonprofits that offer programming in areas like self-advocacy, incommunity service providers, and the private sector.

“With all those resources coming together [and] collaborating, we’ll really be

able to offer this special population a variety of services and needs based on their individual preferences, choices, [and] goals,” Fisher said. “It’s important for this population to really know what’s out there for them to help them be successful.”

To qualify for the grant, applicants must be between 18 and 24 years old; have graduated high school, regardless of what age they did so; have been identified with an intellectual and/or developmental disability, either while attending a K–12 school system or by a private provider; and live in Mercer County.

While MCCC is still confirming the structure of the program, the “general consensus,” according to Fisher, is to have four-hour classes twice per week, with each session split into coursework and the campus experience.

Lease a Can w/ Cabinet & 1,000 copies Per month As Low As $99 Per month for 36 months roved credit through Canon Financial Services Copiers | Computers & Networks | Printers | Shredders |Mailing Solutions |Facsimile Sales | Service | Supplies | Leasing | Rentals | Free Estimates |Authorized Technicians YEARS ANNIVERSARY Tony Nami Owner/President 1666 Hamilton Ave. Hamilton, NJ 08629 609-584-5252 www.priornami.com NEW Equipment Pre-Owned Equipment Full Scan of Virus, Malware & Spyware Cleanup of all System Temp Files Install Microsoft updates & security patches Optimize and repair system configuration  Hard drive integrity scan  Hard drive and registry file defrag Deal Zone Lease a Canon IR 527if w/ Cabinet & 1,000 copies Per month As Low As $99 Per month for 36 months *w/ approved credit through Canon Financial Services Copiers | Computers & Networks | Printers | Shredders |Mailing Solutions |Facsimile Sales | Service | Supplies | Leasing | Rentals | Free Estimates |Authorized Technicians YEARS ANNIVERSARY Tony Nami Owner/President 1666 Hamilton Ave. Hamilton, NJ 08629 609-584-5252 www.priornami.com NEW Equipment Pre-Owned Equipment Managed Print Services ManagedIT Services Tune  Full Scan of Virus, Malware & Spyware  Cleanup of all System Temp Files  Install Microsoft updates & security patches  Optimize and repair system configuration  Hard drive integrity scan  Hard drive and registry file defrag -Up Includes: Deal Zone

ognizes that the more a person’s path is tailored to their unique situation and strengths, the greater the likelihood they have of making a healthy transition to the next stage of life.

Several students are already committed to the program, which is set to launch in time for the fall 2023 term start date of Tuesday, September 5; this way, students can enroll at the same time as the rest of the college for a shared sense of community.

“If we have an individual that says, ‘Well, I go to college,’ there’s meaning in that. There’s value in that,” Fisher said. “We

want it to be seamless. We want it to be the same experience as others in college, and so as close to that as we can is what we’re aiming for.”

However, Fisher is adamant that although the program is “college-based,” the biggest difference between CAT and traditional MCCC courses is that CAT has no admission deadlines, meaning students can join any time of the year, thus eliminating waitlists that often act as a barrier for support services.

“We get them where they are,” she said, “[In] my experience with community sup-

ports, what I often saw [was that] if there was a wait list for service, that individual typically waited a very long time, and things change in those periods. They either go find something else or they stay at home and isolate by themselves, and so we want to make it very clear that this is open at any given time; whenever people want to join us or need to join us, that door will always be open, regardless of a college semester.”

The semesters are broken into modules that begin with career development and adult employment, an introduction to the opportunities and resources available to students on their respective journeys.

MCCC’s CAT will also give students increased access to community service providers, Fisher continued, with the CAT program “serving as an on-campus resource hub” for coordination with entities such as the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities, or DDD, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, or DVRS.

DVRS manages vocational supports for the Mercer County area, so representatives from the agency will discuss eligibility for employment-based services that may include supported employment, trial work, or job coaching.

Fisher observed that while working as a community provider, she noticed that there was a “gap” in information where students

lost connections to resources during the summer period.

“We find that some of these individuals say, ‘Well, I’ve graduated high school. I’m going to take the summer off. I’ll figure out what I’m going to do later,’ and they often don’t,” Fisher said.

“They don’t remember that connection to the Division of Voc. Rehab., whereas in May [or] June, they might have been interested in those services or those supports for skill training or job coaching, and so we’re hoping maybe to catch some of those individuals and reconnect them back to that specialized service for those vocational supports.”

“Again, we all know, a couple of months into summer break, and people start going to school, or they go to jobs, and you’re home alone, you don’t have your support group, you don’t have your peer group, so what do you do? Really, it just provides for a lot of isolation,” she said. “We don’t want that to happen.”

Instead, Fisher added that CAT can try to reintroduce these young adults to their in-community providers, noting that MCCC has been in contact with just under 100 agencies serving Mercer County to increase their scope of impact, such as the Progressive Center for Independent

Dr. Gonzalo Perez, left, is Mercer County Community College’s assistant vice president of academic affairs, and Kimberly Fisher, right, is a case manager with the institution’s new Center for Adult Transition, or CAT program, designated through a grant and a partnership with the state’s OSHE.

Living, the Arc Family Institute, Caregivers NJ, and Mercer County’s Aging & Disability Resource Connection.

Those enrolled in the program will also have a designated lunch time where they can go to the cafeteria to eat and interact with other students, staff, and faculty. These real-life scenarios will serve as practical exercises to reaffirm what Fisher will be teaching in the classroom.

Fisher wants CAT students to better understand the appropriate boundaries and behaviors for a college or workplace envi-

ronment, which she will convey through role play and modeling exercises. These lessons, besides having interpersonal benefits, are also to educate them on how to identify dangerous or unsafe circumstances, especially because IDD populations are at a higher risk of financial and sexual exploitation, Fisher added.

Semester two concentrates on academic enrichment, providing a course overview of class registration, financial aid, joining clubs, and the differences between credit and non-credit courses, as well as certificate programs.

Fisher explained that if a person learned

609.849.5999

that their local dog shelter needed assistance with marketing materials, they would want to volunteer and practice their computer skills by enrolling in a certification program based around applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Semester three focuses on campus and community engagement, encouraging students to find peer groups on campus based on shared interests and get involved with programs including MCCC’s food pantry, the classical and jazz radio station WWFM, and the Allies Inc. Garden at the West Windsor campus, a partnership with the Hamilton-based nonprofit’s Project Grow farming and horticulture program.

Students will also gain exposure by using the college shuttle to travel between the Trenton and West Windsor campuses, learning how to greet and respond to the driver, introduce themselves, and utilize public transportation while taking advantage of both locations.

Transportation is another “big barrier” for this population, according to Fisher, and MCCC is looking to possibly work with Rutgers University’s New Jersey Travel Independence Program, or NJTIP, to inform this group of students about using public systems.

While West Windsor and Trenton “offer the same services,” she explained, the latter is the larger, “more rural” of the two,

offering soccer fields and other features not present at JKC, giving students chances to meet more people and have “that true college campus experience.”

The CAT Program will also overview Mercer County providers that are largely volunteer-based, such as the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, or TASK, HomeFront, local food banks, and more to connect this population to their community, as Fisher explained.

The fourth semester delves into independent living arrangements and everything it suggests, such as how to pay rent, contact emergency services, and buy groceries.

“We’ll be partnering up with some of

the community providers that offer some of these in-depth independent living structures. They offer recreation, activities, and they can discuss the pros and cons of what is available in Mercer County for living,” Fisher said.

MCCC is continuing to partner with more agencies that cover topics related to independent living and may include providers of residential services, such as group homes and supervised apartments—the latter of which Fisher describes as “a little less restrictive for those individuals that are more independent, that are safety aware, financially aware, and the risk is relatively low for exploitation for them.”

The last semester is self-determination, which Fisher describes as a wraparound exploration of what they covered in the course to enable students to choose whether to pursue employment, volunteer work, a certificate, or other ways to engage and enrich their lives.

“They’ll have all those materials to reflect back on to be able to make a decision that’s based on their wants, their needs, and what they want to do. It’s completely independent,” Fisher said, noting that the individuals will be “empowered to make their own decisions as they continue that transition into adulthood.”

Fisher said that MCCC is currently building this program in a way that prioritizes accessibility with the few-

Eligible students ages 18 to 24 will be able to use the college shuttle system to travel between the James Kerney Campus at 102 North Broad Street in downtown Trenton, opposite page, and the West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor, above.

est obstacles to care—and the greatest autonomy—possible.

She added that what sets the CAT program apart from others is its unique position on a college campus, which offers a built-in system of support to this population as they look to integrate into professional spaces.

“We want to make sure, again, that accommodations are built in and there are zero barriers from day one,” she said, noting that the classrooms are still being fur-

nished with inclusive options.

“If we have an individual [who] perhaps has cerebral palsy and has arm braces, they’re going to need a different seating arrangement than what we have right now,” she said. “If we need those accessibility items, it’s imperative that we have them to meet the needs of everyone.”

Fisher described the request for service form as “barrier-free,” noting that the applications are straightforward, electronic, and go directly to the CAT team, who will then

respond to families as soon as they are able to do so.

“I have been a community provider for years and years. Never did I have exposure to an individual in this population [who] was going to college or had the opportunity to do so,” Fisher said, noting that times are changing to “move away from those congregate settings.”

“They’re truly going individualized and self-directed in that the individual and their family receiving service really have more of a voice now than they ever did—and they should use that voice to have services that are appropriate for them,” she explained. ***

To learn more about the Center for Adult Transition (CAT) or ask questions, email cat@mccc.edu or visit the page on the MCCC website, mccc.edu/student_services_ needs_cat.shtml.

To apply for the CAT program, visit the Request for Service form at forms.office.com/ pages/responsepage.aspx?id=jSYNCfenoEi XZEU1ZUk8nG6HoZ_WrRdMloWC0GM64wNUNVJPVDVXVzdDNkQzR0tKUFVXN1RYVDdOVC4u

For more on the Center for Accessibility Resources (CAR), visit mccc. edu/student_services_needs.shtml or call 609-570-3422

Inclusion Sports Performance Training

Where Children & Adults Strive to Reach Their Highest Potential

Inclusion Sports Performance Training is a welcoming, inclusive place where children and adults strive to reach their highest potential. Through offerings including swimming, gymnastics and a learn to ride bike program, students work with trained and dedicated staff to meet any challenge and make progress. Here kids have the opportunity for social play, recreational movement and early intervention. Coming soon, ISPT will offer after school enrichment programs which will include bussing from Hopewell school district.

Instruction is offered in both group settings and 1:1 private lessons and parent/child classes give parents and kids a chance to learn, bond and interact together in a safe and collaborative setting. ISPT also offers an inclusive summer day camp that puts the focus on healthy movement and development of social skills through theme weeks that encompass fun, play, inclusion and creativity.

At our Ewing location, both verbal and non-verbal students are included through accessible programs including swimming, gymnastics and learn to bike. Swim lessons are private and one-to-one, so kids can focus on learning to swim and respecting the water. Small group gymnastics allow students to gain independence and work on life skills, while parent assisted gymnastics classes are a great introduction for learners who require additional support. Monthly Parents Night Out events give caregivers a muchneeded respite while kids have fun in a safe, supervised and social environment.

The Learn to Ride program offers students a chance to take flight on two wheels through private or small group classes. The fundamental life skill of riding a bike benefits students both mentally and physically and can increase confidence and give families a fun activity they can do together. ISPT has collaborated with Strider

Bikes and their donated balance bikes have helped pave the path to success for so many of our students.

At our new Hopewell location, preschool-aged students run, jump, tumble and play in a safe and inclusive space under the supervision of highly trained staff. Current offerings include Preschool Social Play, Parent/Child in Motion, Tumbling Tykes, Sensory Play and Learn and Open Gym Family Play as well as private lessons. Future offerings will include yoga for kids and families, after school enrichment programs, OT, PT and speech.

ISPT founder and owner Shannon Schafer has over 25 years experience working with the special needs community and is passionate about not only creating an inclusive environment but also about fostering an inclusive community. She has worked with both public and private schools in Mercer county as well as Special Olympics, NJ as a coach for over 20 years and POAC Autism Services.

“I vowed many years ago to make sure parents would have a welcoming and inclusive place to bring their children, a place where possibilities are limitless and that’s what we do at Inclusion Sports Performance Training,” she says.

Visit inclusionsportspt.com for more information or contact us directly at 609 812-2566. Join for an open house at our Hopewell location on Sunday, September 17, 10 a.m. to noon, or at our Ewing location, Sunday, October 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. And be sure to come see us at Hopewell Harvest Fair on Saturday, September 23. See ad, page 15

Back-to-school checklist

The start of the new school year is right around the corner. Parents can ease the big change and alleviate stress by using this back-to-school readiness checklist from the RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health network and the RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group:

Fill out any forms your school has sent home, such as emergency contact and health information forms before school starts.

Inform the school nurse and teachers about medical conditions your child may have, particularly food allergies, asthma, diabetes, and any other conditions that may need to be managed during the school day. Coordinate with the school nurse to administer medications your child might need.

Pack a healthy, balanced lunch with a mix of protein, grains, fruit and vegetables, if possible.

Establish a bedtime routine at least one week before school starts.

Be sure your child has a sturdy backpack with padded shoulder straps and avoid overloading it.

Schedule an appointment

Stay up to date with flu and recommended childhood vaccines. Children 12 and over may also be vaccinated for COVID-19; ask your primary care provider for more information.

To schedule an appointment with an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider, please visit rwjbh.org/medicalgroup or call 1-888-724-7123

Let teachers know about conditions that may affect your child’s ability to learn. For example, children with ADHD should be seated in the front of the classroom and children with vision problems should sit near the board.

Your insurance accepted RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group providers accept most major insurances. Medical insurance varies by provider, please call your insurance carrier to verify coverage.

MAKING SMILES FOR LIFE

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute

Treating Pain with PRP and Stem Cell Therapy

Pain.

It gnaws at you. It drains you. It becomes the focus of your life.

Experiencing a few pain-free moments can be euphoric; it makes you realize how long you’ve been living with aches and pain. You might wonder how you can find a solution to relieve the pain and regain your freedom from discomfort.

Dr. Ronak Patel at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute wants you to know there are two new revolutionary answers to pain relief.

Both platelet-rich therapyotherwise known as PRP - and stem cell therapy give patients new hope by using the body’s powerful healing power to accelerate the battle against pain. Dr. Patel has seen incredible success implementing these cuttingedge treatments on hundreds of patients suffering from pain-related issues.

So if you are suffering from any of the ailments below, there’s a lifeline.

• Osteoarthritis

• Rotator cuff tear

• Back pain

• Meniscus tears

• Tennis elbow

• Disc herniations

• Tendonitis

• Neck pain

Here’s the best news: Neither PRP or stem cell therapy involves drug use with side effects or any surgical procedures.

Both PRP and stem cell treatments use the body’s own healing resources to repair diseased or damaged tissue — and the results are quite remarkable.

PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets and growth factors into damaged tissue to stimulate the faster growth of new healthy cells. Platelets are cells that prevent and stop bleeding. If a blood vessel is damaged, the body sends signals to our platelets to get on the job and start the healing. Some call platelets the body’s natural bandage.

So how does PRP therapy work? It’s basically drawing a one small vial of blood from the patient and then using a centrifuge to turn it into a potent and concentrated form of platelets. It is then injected

back into the patient. Think of it as a boost of your own blood — only superpowered.

Recovery time for PRP therapy is far shorter than for surgery. Patients usually experience soreness for a week or so, but the gradual improvement soon begins. Unlike a steroid shot, which gives you immediate relief and quickly wears off, a PRP patient will see pain symptoms improve over a period of months, and up to 80 percent of patients will see relief for up to two years.

Stem cell therapy can be an even more powerful way to harness the body’s healing power. Stem cells are the building blocks for every cell in our body. These powerful cells can be harvested to produce powerful new cells to fight inflammation and disease.

For those suffering from osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy has proven very effective. That’s because the stem cells may help develop new cartilage cells and suppress inflammation. Stem cells can be harvested through a sample of body fat or bone marrow or be harvested from donated umbilical cord tissue.

And yes, you can even augment PRP therapy with stem cell therapy for an even bigger boost!

Stop wondering if you’ll have to live with your pain forever. Contact Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute today at 609-269-4451 or go to www.njpaindoc.com to book an appointment and learn more.

See ad, page 3.

Dr. Irving Djeng

Dr. Lauren Levine

Dr. Kevin Collins

Dr. Deolinda Reverendo

Dr. Michael DeLuca

Dr. Matthew Etter

Dr. Ronak Patel MD

Back to School Stuart Country Day School

Princeton Montessori School

A child-centered approach to learning

Montessori is an innovative, child-centered approach to learning, developed a century ago by Dr. Maria Montessori. The Montessori method fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children in all areas of their development, with a goal of igniting a passion for learning and nurturing the potential in each child. Princeton Montessori School, founded in 1968, is the area’s premier independent, coeducational, Montessori day school for children from infancy through 8th grade, and is fully accredited by the American Montessori Society. Our Infant, Toddler, and Primary programs are joyful learning communities designed to meet the unique developmental needs of each age group. Led by Montessori-credentialed experts, children move into their elementary years as explorers, thinkers, doers, and kind community members. Our Middle School (grades 6-8) is authorized by The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) which ensures our graduates are confident, competent, and well-prepared for success in life. Princeton Montessori School continues to provide children from the greater Princeton area with the very best in Montessori education. Come for a tour! https:// princetonmontessori.org/

487 Cherry Valley Road, Princeton. See ad, page 16

Celebrating 60 Years of Preparing Girls for Lives of Leadership and Service

Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school located in Princeton, is dedicated to the education of girls from kindergarten to Grade 12, alongside a co-ed preschool. Following the Goals and Criteria of the Schools of the Sacred Heart, Stuart's mission is to educate young women to lead lives of leadership and service. This September marks the 60th anniversary of all-girls, Sacred Heart education at Stuart in Princeton, NJ. In 1963, the Society of the Sacred Heart answered the call for a girls’ school that taught their students to thrive with and through God’s love. Today, in our ever-evolving society, Stuart’s mission, and that of girls’ schools, remains as pertinent as ever. Head of School Julia Wall dispels misconceptions about girls’ schools, emphasizing the integral role of a spiritual foundation in shaping leadership development.

Stuart was founded to support the empowerment of women and their spiritual heart center as it applies to God’s love for them. As a Sacred Heart school, guided by five Goals and Criteria, we believe that every child is born with a unique sense of spirituality, and it’s important for kids to know that God loves them however they define their spirituality. Though we’re a Catholic school, we’ve always widely embraced other religions and believe that God is a helpful force in life; reminding kids that they matter and that someone other than their

parents believes that they’re a perfect being, just as they are, worthy of love.

Girls’ schools also often battle misconceptions about their ability to successfully ready girls for college and careers, especially in co-ed spaces. The fact is, you don’t need to have gone to school next to a boy to be fully actualized. Alums tell us that while they were at Stuart, every door was open to them and they had the freedom to establish their own sense of self; they were confident in who they were as people and were then able to bring their authentic self to everyone regardless of their gender. The affinity space of an all-girls school like Stuart prepares students for every social and academic scenario. Our girls not only get placed at top colleges nationwide, most of which are coed settings, but they thrive there and go on to do amazing things across a broad range of industries and organizational settings. By the time they leave us — after 12 years at Stuart or four — our graduates speak with a self-assuredness about their future that is uniquely Stuart.

Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton. www.stuartschool.org. See ad, page 14.

RSM Princeton

Building Powerful Minds Through Mathematics

What is the Russian School of Mathematics?

RSM is an award-winning after school math enrichment program trusted by parents for over 25 years across 75+ locations in North America. Our unique approach consists of a continuous kindergarten to highschool curriculum, taught by expert teachers, in a classroom environment of peers who study together year over year. K-12 students can choose from various classes to prepare them for the school year, math competition courses for additional challenge, or test prep courses.

Fall math classes now enrolling at RSM Princeton!

There is no better time to join RSM than in Fall! Get started by scheduling a free math evaluation for your child or visit our website to see the Fall schedule of classes: www.mathschool.com/locations/princeton. For any questions you might have, please feel free to call us at 732-708-4905 or email us at princeton@mathschool.

com.

An award-winning math program.

Featured in NPR and the Atlantic magazine as one of the key players in the “Math Revolution,” and ranked “among the top schools in the world” by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM helps children of all levels build a solid math foundation and develop their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. As Masha Gershman, the VP of Marketing at RSM, states in her Ted talk “Uncertain Times Call for Certain Math”, advanced mathematics is not only within the grasp of every child but is also a

crucial skill for achieving success in any field.

Our program is built around how a child's mind works

Designed as a continuous program from K-12, our curriculum was developed by our team of academics specializing in mathematics, education, and child development. Our curriculum has continually been perfected by our curriculum department over the last two decades. Three levels for every grade allow us to meet children where they are and place them in an environment suited to them. This ensures that students can begin our program at any time

and be challenged appropriately in an environment of peers.

Talented faculty.

All of our teachers have a background in mathematics or related field and a deep passion for the subject. Our extensive training program prepares our teachers to teach according to our specific methodology. Our teachers guide students to think about mathematics logically and conceptually, building deep connections between concepts, all in a classroom environment that keeps children consistently challenged.

How do I enroll my child?

For every interested student, we offer a free 30-minute math evaluation which is the best way to learn more about our program. An evaluation is an informal conversation with the potential student and his/ her family in order to understand what grade-appropriate math skills the student has before entering RSM. Our principal will walk you through our curriculum, and methodology, and answer any questions you may have.

RSM Princeton, 231 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. 732-708-4905. princeton@mathschool.com. www. mathschool.com/locations/princeton. See ad, page 9.

Classes are designed for all ages to build confidence, artistry, discipline, and foster students’ love of dance. Our world class faculty is dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential, with spacious studios, new state-of-the-art dance floors, and live music. The perfect environment to learn and grow!

Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you.

RWJBarnabas Health has a passion for heart health. We have the largest adult and pediatric cardiac surgery programs in the state, a heart transplant program that’s in the top 15 nationally, the latest technology and medical advancements and hundreds of wellness and prevention programs to strengthen and protect healthy hearts. Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you. Learn more at rwjbh.org/heart

Back to School

St. George Preschool A Safe Place for Growth

At St. George Preschool, we believe that each child has an innate drive for exploring, discovering, communicating, and learning. Our purpose is to provide a safe, warm, and nurturing environment for children to develop this innate drive to the fullest, and become life-long learners. Our goal is to help each child develop his/her individual interests, creativity and potential at their own pace by providing a wide variety of fun and age-appropriate activities and materials. In addition to the developmental goals in the areas of math, language, science, cognitive skills, motor skills, etc., stipulated by the state, the school aims to promote learning skills for life.

At the same time, we aim to enhance the child’s social, moral, cultural and spiritual growth through group interactions, uplifting stories, cultural events and gentle guidance. Since “a healthy mind is in a healthy body” as the Ancient Greeks said, we provide a huge indoors gym and

a beautiful play ground with regular physical activities.

We offer high quality academic English programs for Preschool (3 years and potty trained) and Pre-K (must be 4 years old by October 1 of school year). Early morning care, after care, and enrichment programs are also available. We are part of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church and state licensed by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family

The Laurel School of Princeton

Designed For The Dyslexic Mind

The Laurel School of Princeton provides an enriched educational experience for students who have dyslexia and related learning differences such as ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and executive function deficits. Laurel School students bring incredible talents, skills and creativity to our program, while being taught by expertly trained, passionate teachers who understand how they learn best, helping them to build on their strengths and achieve academic success.

Services. Our experienced staff has a passion building a foundation for a life-long love of learning. We are truly a family and we treat your children as such. For more information regarding our program, please visit our website.

Saint George Preschool, 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton. 609-5862223. Contact director Angela Gering at director@stgeorgepreschool.org.

See ad, page 16

Instruction is delivered with a multisensory and inquiry-based approach by teachers who have years of experience teaching children with learning differences and are certified to instruct using Orton Gillingham and Wilson Language programs. Our faculty understands that it is critical to intervene as early as possible when children have reading, writing, and math challenges. It is essential to identify the individual needs of each student and provide diagnostic and prescriptive

lessons that ensure success. The Laurel School of Princeton offers an integrative, engaging curriculum that enables our students to develop the confidence to learn and excel.

Laurel understands that some children need more than what conventional teaching systems and traditional public schools can offer. No parent wants to see their child become disconnected; “Kids often come to us with their confidence broken by the school districts, and they feel as though they can’t learn. But their spark quickly returns as

they discover that they can grow and thrive at Laurel,” says the Director of Admissions Amy Deutsch. By placing your child in a holistic educational atmosphere, individualized instruction and guidance will empower him/her to take control of their education and rediscover success.

Please contact Amy Deutsch with questions or to schedule a tour: 609-566-6000, extension 0282 or at adeutsch@thenewgrange.org

The Laurel School, 800 North Road, Hopewell. www.laurelschoolprinceton.org. See ad, page 11

The Rech Center

Celebrating 20 Years

Twenty years is a long time. So much happens in 20 years. You live, you learn, you grow. As The Rech Center celebrates their 20th anniversary, the lessons go way beyond the dance studio! Just ask Kelly Rech, the Founder and Director of The Rech Center for Performing Arts. Kelly shared, “When I first opened the doors to The Rech Center, I envisioned teaching dance and supporting TRC students in becoming the best dancers they could be! What I never expected was the family of dance students over the years who not only have developed a love for dance, but students who have learned so much about who they are and who they want to be in life”!

Of course, The Rech Center offers dance classes in all style of dance for children of all ages, but that isn’t what makes The Rech Center special. Just ask the dancers at TRC or the parents of those students, why they love the The Rech Center!

“I can’t put into words the joy I feel when I see my daughter coming out of the studio after class. I don’t

see that smile after any other activity she is involved with. Thank you for providing such a positive encouraging environment for all of your students”.

“My friends that I dance with at The Rech Center always support me and are truly excited for me when I try and accomplish something new. That makes me feel good”.

According to Kelly, students at The Rech Center not only learn lessons in the studio that will help them become better dancers, but lessons that have molded them into the people they aretoday. As we head into our 20th season, it’s truly been a pleasure to teach so many students who have gone on to dance professionally, who have made dance a part of their college experiences and those who have gone into various careers where they have applied lessons and skills learned at TRC into their professions. As a studio owner, teacher, choreographer and most importantly a parent, Kelly says that is The Rech Centers biggest and most important accomplishment. Having a positive and encouraging influence on her students regardless of their endeavors is priceless.

www.rechcenterdance.com. See ad, page 10

St. George Preschool

Enroll now for the 2023-2024 school year

Classes for 3 year olds and 4 year olds

Potty trained

Full- 1/2 day, early morning drop off, late pick up schedules available

Competitive tuition rates - secure environment indoor gym - outdoor playground - qualified educators

Princeton Ballet School

Beyond technique: Empowering dancers

Princeton Ballet School is the official school of the American Repertory Ballet, celebrating over 65 years of excellence in dance education.

Classes are designed for all ages to build confidence, artistry, discipline, and foster students’ love of dance. Its world class faculty is dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential, with spacious studios, new state-of-the-art dance floors, and live music. The perfect environment to learn and grow.

What Sets the School Apart

St.

1200

www.stgeorgepreschool.org

Angela Gering Director

Call

Founded in 1954 by Audrée Estey, Princeton Ballet School is one of the nation’s finest non-profit dance schools. Many things set Princeton Ballet School apart from the usual dance school, the most important being: its philosophy, its faculty, its affiliation with a professional ballet company, its dedication to live music in the classroom and its facilities.

The School’s Philosophy. Princeton Ballet School is known for nurtur-

ing developing dancers in a safe and progressive way. The school teaches age and developmentally appropriate ballet technique classes from a syllabus that allows younger students more time for movement exploration while providing advanced students with the tools to become professional dancers, if they so choose. As a result, all students develop self-esteem, self-discipline, and a strong fitness level that will provide a powerful edge in any future endeavor.

Outstanding Faculty. Princeton Ballet School has more than 20 specialized faculty members. Many have attained graduate degrees in dance education and have won major teaching awards. All are committed to the school’s philosophy of dance education and to helping students achieve their best. Members of the outstanding faculty have performed professionally with companies including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Cuban National Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet.

Live Music. The school’s ballet classes have live musical accompaniment. This is particularly fun for the children’s classes, where frequent improvisational exercises provide an opportunity for students to interact and

Hamilton Dental Associates

The Importance of Orthodontic Care for Your Children

Growing up makes for a constantly evolving experience for children. Every year they change and grow into the person they are destined to become, and that extends to their oral health. From the first baby tooth to their adult teeth coming in later in their lives, managing your child’s dental health presents unique challenges for parents. With those challenges come a few myths involving childhood tooth development that can impact how you treat your child’s dental health.

Combating Childhood Oral Health Myths.

When you start looking for a pediatric dentist in Hamilton, you want to find one that knows how intensive taking care of your child’s teeth should be. Taking a proactive approach to their dental health can help them avoid more involved procedures down the road — one of the most common myths that lead to your child’s teeth suffering in the long run.

Common Myth #1: Childhood Teeth Will Straighten Out Over Time

One such myth that leads to more complex orthodontic care down the line is that your child’s teeth will straighten out over time. Unfortunately, that is not the case. If their teeth start coming in crooked or off-center, they won’t naturally

Back to School

Where Do Orthodontic Issues Come From?

In most cases, a child’s orthodontic problems stem from their genetics — these issues are inherited from their parents. Additionally, some problems can develop over time based on poor oral hygiene habits they learned from a young age.

Some of these acquired oral health issues include:

• Sucking Their Thumbs

• Mouth Breathing

• Abnormal Swallowing Patterns

• Poor Dental Hygiene

• Irregular Loss of Baby Teeth

• Poor Nutritional Habits

straighten themselves with time.

The space for their teeth to come in doesn’t grow as they mature. If you leave these issues unattended, it could lead to more significant problems.

Common Myth #2: Orthodontic Treatments Are Purely Cosmetic

While most people associate orthodontic treatments with getting braces as a teenager, that procedure does much more than merely straighten teeth to help you look better. Getting your jaw and teeth back into proper alignment has a cascading effect on your oral health. It helps improve your biting, chewing, and even speaking ability.

Common Myth #3: There Is a Right Age for Orthodontic Care

Many parents believes there is a specific age at which it’s appropriate to bring their children in for orthodontic care. The perceived minimum age for a child to receive orthodontic care is around 12-13 or right when they reach high school. However, getting your child such care earlier can help avoid getting braces and fixing issues before they worsen.

In reality, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your children should get an orthodontic checkup no later than age seven. Once they hit that age, their mouth will have a nice balance between their baby and permanent teeth. This window of time allows for an accurate orthodontic evaluation to determine where preventative care is enough or if additional action is required.

However, parents have reason to hope for viable remedies and solutions to most of these issues. You can remedy these acquired problems with the help of successful orthodontic care provided by an experienced pediatric dentist.

Finding a Child Orthodontic You Can Trust

Trusting your child’s teeth and their beautiful smile to a pediatric dentistry practice is something that every parent must come to grips with. Figuring out which childhood orthodontic makes the most sense for your child and their future dental visits becomes critically important. For parents and their children in Hamilton, Hamilton Dental Associates provides them with the experienced pediatric dentists they need to prioritize their oral health as they mature.

Learn more about our pediatric dentistry services and schedule your first appointment today!

See ad, page 10

Sat. 11/04/23

In-person: Rosedale Park Pennington, NJ

Virtual option available.

Participation Options:

-5k in-person -1 mile in-person

-10k in-person -Virtual

collaborate with the staff of professional musicians.

Facilities. Princeton Ballet School has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Princeton, New Jersey. All locations are wheelchair accessible and feature sprung dance floors and marley from Harlequin Floors. The striking Princeton and Cranbury facilities were designed by the late Ralph

Lerner, an internationally known architect and former Dean of the School of Architecture at Princeton University. The studios in New Brunswick are part of the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2019.

More information: arballet.org/ princeton-ballet-school/. See ad, page 12

Inspire youth to BE GREAT & strive for great futures!

RWJUH Hamilton September Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

HOW AND WHEN TO BE YOUR OWN HEALTH ADVOCATE

Mon., September 11, 11:00am to 12:00pm

Join Lisa Cruser, LPN, Nurse Advocate and owner of Empowering Patients Advocacy Group while she discusses how to navigate the healthcare system, how to ask for and get a second opinion, and how to advocate for yourself and others. FREE

DOES THE RINGING IN YOUR EARS DRIVE YOU CRAZY?

Tue., September, 12; 10:00 to 11:00am

25 million Americans suffer from Tinnitus and sound sensitivity. Join Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., A.B.A. as she discusses the phenomenon of Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity Syndrome and various treatment options for relief.

NO MORE FOOD FIGHTS

Tue., September 12; 10:00 to 11:00am

We are talking about picky eating! Mealtime doesn’t have to be a battle. Let’s explore the most current and effective tactics for healthy & peaceful meals.

WHAT IS THIS PAIN IN THE BUTT?

Wed., September 13; 6:00 to 7:30pm

David Surrey, MD from Rothman Orthopedics will discuss sciatic pain. Find out symptoms and treatment for this common condition. Dinner will be provided.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE CHAKRAS

Thu., September 14; 6:00 to 8:00pm

Chakras are energy centers in our bodies, each corresponding to different traits, illness and times of development. Come explore how we can harness the power of these chakras for good health and vitality!

Michelle Gerdes, Princeton Doula Center, YT200. $15

ASK THE DIETITIAN

Mon., Sept. 18th 2023; 3:00 to 6:00pm

Do you have a question about diet and nutrition? Join a community education dietitian for a one-on-one Q&A. Registration is required. Taryn Krietzman, RDN

FALL MEDICATION SERIES

Wednesdays, September 20 & 27, October 04; 2:00 to 3:00pm

Learn about different classifications of medications in this 5 week series with our Pharmacists and Congestive Heart Failure Coordinator.

Week 1, September 20: Safe Medication administration: Penny Wasylyk, Pharm D. BCPS

Week 2, September 27: Anticoagulants: Safe administration and precautions: Patricia Hafitz, RPh. CACP

Week 3, October 4: Cardiac Meds: Safe administration and precautions: Ann Mancuso, MSN RN CHFN

Week 4, October 11: Diabetes Medications: Safe administration and precautions: Shesha Desai Pharm D. BC-ADM

Week 5, October 18: Pain Medications: Safe administration and precautions: Dave Appel, Pharm D

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

Wed., September 20; 1:00 to 2:00pm

Learn how to rest your body and quiet your mind with the simple (although not always easy) practice of meditation. No experience necessary.

HEALTHRYTHMS® DRUMMING CIRCLE

Wed, September 20; 7:00 to 8:00pm

Join our drumming circle and help drum your cares away. This evidence-based program is shown to reduce blood pressure, calm stress and increase the fun in your life. Drums provided. Fee: $15. Mauri Tyler, CTRS, CMP DANCE

IT OUT!

Wed., September 25; 1:00 to 2:00pm When in doubt, dance it out! Find your rhythm and ease the everyday stresses of life with movement. All ages welcome, no experience required.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX? **VIRTUAL**

Wed., September 26, October 3; 12:00 to 1:00pm

All things seasonal, all the time! Learn what wonderful fruits and vegetable are up to this time of year and how to make them shine! Taryn Krietzman, RDN MANAGING STRESS AND DIABETES

Wed., September 27– 3:00 to 4:00pm

This support group is for people living with diabetes. Learn how to cope with stress and diabetes in a healthy way.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION?

Wed., September 27; 6:00 to 7:30pm

The practice of focused concentration, known as meditation, brings yourself back to the moment over and over again. Explore the benefits of meditation in this informational session with optional demonstration. Matt Masiello, CCH, founder of Esteem Hypnocounseling, will guide the group through this practice.

WISE WOMEN DISCUSSION GROUP

Thu., September 28; 1:30 to 2:30pm

Join a community of women as we discuss relevant topics and find purpose, meaning and community. “Patti McDougall, BSN, RN

COLOR ME HOOPY: HOOLA HOOP FOR FUN AND FITNESS

Thu., September 28; 6:00 to 7:00pm

This is a very popular class, and with good reason; it’s so much fun. Hoola Hooping is so much easier with an “adult sized” hoop and the right instruction. Learn skills and techniques, hoops provided. Angela Reitter, certified Hoop Love Coach and Hoola-Fit Instructor. Fee- $15

THE AARP DRIVING COURSE

Tue., October 2; 9:00am to 3:00pm

Be a safer, better driver. Bring your NJ or PA driver’s license. Fee: $20 for AARP members presenting a valid AARP card; $25 for nonmembers. Cash or check only to AARP.

FALL MINI MEDICAL SCHOOL

Tuesdays, September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; 6-7 p.m.

*Must attend all 8 session to receive certificate of completion *

Week 1; September 12: Gregory Cox, MD, goes through the intricate anatomy of the human eye.

Week 2 September 19: Adam Thompson, DO, will discuss how to guide the body back to health after an injury, through non-surgical alternatives.

Week 3; September 26: Maureen Stevens, DPT, and Ashley Sarrol, MS, CCC-SLP, will be discussing how Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy works in unison with other medical modalities.

Week 4; October 3: Michael Duch, MD, will have you learning visually with various MRI images and how to interpret each.

Week 5; October 10: Marc Levine, MD, goes through the spine and how surgery can enhance your mobility and improve quality of life.

Week 6; October 17: John Dibiase, MD, speaks on Sports Medicine and common injuries that can affect anyone, not just athletes.

Week 7; October 24: Javier Villota, MD, will enlighten you on what travel medicine entails and exactly what is needed when visiting abroad.

Week 8; October 31: Review and diplomas.

Better Health Programs/Complimentary Membership at 65+ Years Old

YOGA CLASSES (BEGINNER’S WELCOME)

Tue., September 5 & 19; 10:00 to 11:00am

MEDITATION CLASSES, Tue., September 19; 11:15 to 11:45am

LET’S TALK, A SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Wed., September 6, 13, 20, & 27; 10:00 to 11:00am

SOCRATES CAFÉ, Wed., September 6; 2:00 to 3:00pm

GAME TIME

Scan the QR code to register and become a member or call 609-584-5900 or email bhprogram@rwjbh.org to learn more.

*Registration and free Membership required to attend the Better Health Programs

Thu., September 7; 2:00 to 3:30pm

THE TREE OF LIFE ART WORKSHOP

Tue., September 12, 1 to 2:30

Here we are ready to start the season of autumn. In this workshop, we will create the tree of life that speaks to you – its colors, branches, production of sprouts and/

or leaves. Bring pictures from magazines, your own photos, the colors you associate with your tree – paints, crayons and colored pencils. We will explore it all in this workshop and gain connection as we embrace this season together with Artist and Healing Art Instructor, Jane Zamost.

MAPS, APPS & YOU

Thu., September 14, 10:00 to 11:00 am

Oh, the places you’ll go when the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association teaches you how to navigate your transportation options. Learn to use technology to get around how and when you want!

TAI CHI CLASS (BEGINNER’S WELCOME)

Thu., September 14 and 28; 1:00 to 2:00pm

SARA ALI, MD, HOSTS A “JEOPARDY PARTY” LUNCH AND LEARN

Fri., September 22; Noon to 1:30pm Tables will compete as teams as we test your

knowledge on things important to our aging community. Don’t panic, this will be fun and interactive and there will even be prizes along with lunch. This program is sponsored by our valued partners, Brookdale Hamilton, Hamilton Grove, Platinum Homecare, and Serenity Hospice.

LEAN ON ME!

Tue., September 26, 11:00am to 12:00pm

As you are aging, are you wondering who to lean on to facilitate discussions about your wishes, providing comfort measures, assisting with legacy projects, writing that last letter to loved ones. An end-of-life doula is a trained and compassionate individual who provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support to individuals and their families helping create an end-of-life plan.

I’m excited for you to meet Sandra Roy, who has dedicated her life to serving the community. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, End-of Life Certification, Life Coach Certification, Clinical Pastoral

Education Certification from RWJBarnabas Health, and is working on her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. This is a program that you do not want to miss.

HELP, I CAN’T GET UP, LEARN HOW TO PREVENT THE FALLS

Thu., September 28; 10:00 to 11:30am

Please join our highly credentialed experts Dr. John DiBiase, Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, Au.D., Maureen Stevens PT, DPT, GCS, Cert. MDT, Senior Physical Therapist, and Anthony Notaroberto, RWJ Fitness Personal Training Manager, when they share with you how to prevent a fall, common injuries, how to strengthen your body, and how to best treat your injuries so that you can successfully continue to enjoy your life. Refreshments will be served.

Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call 609-584-5900 to learn more

*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.

at Firestone Library. Researchers must make reservations for the “Books formerly owned by J. Robert Oppenheimer” collection, which is stored offsite, at least three days in advance.

For a step-by-step guide to the process or any inquiries, see the “Ask Us!” form on the PUL website, library.princeton. edu/special-collections/ask-us.

Gloves are not required to handle objects in the Reading Room unless they are delicate, such as photographs, according to Sarconi, and she recommended that guests wash up and examine them with “clean, dry hands.”

But members of the public who decide to explore how Oppenheimer’s personality and psyche show through his choice of books will find parallels with Sarconi’s own journey as a special collections librarian, where she began “thinking about what the book can tell us as an object, not just as a text,” during her undergraduate years.

Sarconi graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s degree in book and media studies, but after working in publishing, she missed the rarity of special collections libraries. She then earned a master’s degree in library science from Long Island University with a focus on special collections, as well as a master’s degree in English literature from

New York University in a concurrent graduate school program.

“At NYU, I specialized mostly in material written in English, published in the United States and in England after 1800, with a book history lens,” she said. “I’ve always been a big reader, but thinking about the social life of a book really opened up a whole new world to me.”

This could mean exploring questions like, as Sarconi explained, “Who owned this book before it was in my hands here today?’ How was the binding created? Who printed it? Why did they print it? It might be an authorial study; who wrote this book? In what context did they write the book?”

Sarconi received her general librarianship training at NYU’s Bobst Library and worked at the Brooklyn Historical Society, but she also spent a summer in Idaho as the Hemingway in Idaho research fellow, where she worked with the books that the famous author had left behind in his Ketchum home for the Community Library, the public library that acquired the historic Hemingway House and Preserve.

Drawing from her research, Sarconi explained that materials end up in the stewardship of special collections in a multitude of ways, with many items bequeathed by donors, whether their personal belongings or on behalf of another, as well as PUL directly purchasing or holding them.

Oppenheimer’s collection is a “combination” of these factors, she added. Following his death, the books were relocated from his house as director to another on the Institute grounds, where his wife, biologist-botanist Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, lived with the couple’s daughter, nicknamed Toni.

After her mother died a few years later, Toni, a translator who was born in Los Alamos and attended Miss Fine’s School

in Princeton, now known as the Princeton Day School, presumably donated the collection to the Bryn Mawr Book Sale, “an annual scholarship-fundraising event held each spring in Princeton since 1932,” the blog post continued.

Robert Fraser, a former PUL curator of rare books, was requested to counsel on the significance of the collection in terms of its monetary and research value. Fraser understood their relevance and selected books that Alexander Wainwright, then the assistant university librarian for acquisitions, effected the purchase of via the Charles F. Wells Library Fund during the 1973–74 academic year.

The books then remained in storage for a number of years until the early 2000s, when Ferguson, then the head of the department, formally accessioned the materials and created a digitized guide: “Books formerly owned by J. Robert Oppenheimer,” arranged either alphabetically by author or by date of publication, lists each item, a description, and its corresponding call number.

Ferguson approached Sarconi, who comanages the PUL blog at the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library with colleague April Armstrong, about writing the piece before the film’s premiere. Sarconi had not known they even had Oppenheimer’s library until then, but when she started browsing through the content of the boxes, the collection’s diverse range of subject matters, genres, and disciplines conveyed stories that went beyond the pages.

“What really struck me was the variety of material that he had in his library. It wasn’t just these scientific tomes,” she said. “He also had T.S. Eliot and other forms of literature, novels, and poetry, and so this was a person who was broadly curious, and I think that’s really easy to forget when we know a person based on one part of their life.”

While a majority of the books are, no-

tably, gifts to Oppenheimer, some are clearly his personal copies, with the thorough markings to prove it. For example, Oppenheimer’s copy of Albert Einstein’s “The Meaning of Relativity,” a collection of four lectures that had been delivered at Princeton University and published by Princeton University Press, “the first book by Einstein to be produced by an American publisher,” is described as “heavily annotated.”

In contrast to the 2023 movie, which depicts mostly fictitious talks between the two, Einstein and Oppenheimer were more colleagues than friends. Despite their generational, scientific, and political differences, the men developed a greater mutual respect for each other in their later years, particularly after Oppenheimer moved to Princeton in 1947, where Einstein was his colleague at the Institute for Advanced Study until the latter’s death in 1955.

Oppenheimer is most recognized for his scientific and intellectual interests, but his unique position at Los Alamos placed him at the crossroads of politics, history, and philosophy.

For starters, Sarconi described Felix Adler’s “An Ethical Philosophy of Life: Presented in Its Main Outlines” (Oppenheimer 1) as “well-used” and dated as being from 1918, a considerably early point in Oppenheimer’s life, implying that “he held onto this book for a long time.”

Adler was known as the founder of the New York Society for Ethical Culture and the “Ethical Culture Movement,” a humanist philosophy that advocated for social reforms. Oppenheimer, who befriended and romanced members of the Communist Party — never formally identifying as one but being vocal about the causes he supported — likely read Adler’s words sometime in his youth, with Sarconi observing that while this tells us Oppenheimer was “thinking concretely” about ethics in this way, he would still go on to create the atomic bomb.

Sarconi observed that while going through the collection, many of the authors expressed “admiration” for Oppenheimer in their inscriptions, “and some of it is interesting within the context of what they’re thanking him for.”

He even owned historical examinations about the consequences of his actions, she added, referring to D. S. Kothari’s book “Nuclear Explosions and Their Effects,” which indicates “an acknowledgement of his role in this larger story.”

Oppenheimer’s collection is also rich with connections to local Princeton figures like diplomat and Princeton graduate George F. Kennan, the author of “Russia Leaves the War” (Oppenheimer 66), which won the 1957 Pulitzer Prize for History. Another book is from Arthur S. Link, the historian and former profes-

An inside page and the tattered pink cover of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s copy of the Hindu sacred text the Bhagavad Gita.

sor who spent more than three decades chronicling and compiling the documents of Woodrow Wilson — the former president of Princeton University and the United States of America, as well as Governor of New Jersey — into “The Papers of Woodrow Wilson,” published by the Princeton University Press.

In one of those works, “Wilson, Volume II: The New Freedom” (Oppenheimer 85), Link wrote the following: “For J. Robert Oppenheimer, whose service to the nation and mankind perpetuates the ideals of Woodrow Wilson. With the admiration and regard of Arthur S. Link and with his gratitude for the year 1954–1955 at the Institute for Advanced Study, where this book was written.”

Oppenheimer was also a teacher, as shown in his copy of “Introduction to Concepts and Theories in Physical Science” by Gerald James Holton, inscribed with the following quote: “To J.R. Oppenheimer – In appreciation of his interest in the problems of education…this source and reference book for student use attempts to handle the teaching of the historical and philosophical context of elementary physical science without sacrificing the maximum permissible rigor of the scientific material. I shall appreciate your comments.”

True to Oppenheimer’s multilingual abilities, his library features literature in languages other than English, such as German, Swedish, and French. His copy of Erich Auerbach’s famous literary criticism “Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature” (Oppenheimer 5) and another, more worn collection of poems by philosopher and translator Otto Hellinghaus (Oppenheimer 54), both German, demonstrate the dichotomy between the titles he owned.

Once living in Princeton, Oppenheimer attended shows at the McCarter Theater and saw at least one film, a later showing of Jean Renoir’s 1937 anti-war movie “The Grand Illusion,” at the Princeton Garden Theatre, which allegedly brought him to tears.

He owned copies of comedic plays like “The Cocktail Party” by T.S. Eliot, who wrote in his inscription that the piece had been “incubated at the Institute” back when Eliot was a visiting scholar in 1950, and Christopher Fry’s “The Lady’s Not for Burning,” where the playwright signed “To Oppy and Kitty,” evoking Oppenheimer’s nickname.

“A lot of these books are also donated to or inscribed

to Robert and Kitty Oppenheimer, which I think is also a really interesting window into their life as a couple,” Sarconi said. “This book collection tells us that he was not a person [who] stood alone; they were very much a unit to the people who gave these books to him.”

Other works, like “Abraham Lincoln: Complete Works, Comprising His Speeches, Letters, State Papers, and Miscellaneous Writings” (Oppenheimer 82); “Looking Backward, 2000–1887,” a utopian science fiction novel by Edward Bellamy (Oppenheimer 6); and “Poems in Places: A Collection Including Poems for Small Apartments” by Edward Newman Horn (Oppenheimer 58), show “the breadth of this collection,” according to Sarconi.

Circling back to the Hindu scripture, Sarconi added that it seemed like “Oppenheimer’s relationship with the Bhagavad Gita was a lifelong one.” The film, despite using the Bhagavad Gita in a “highly imagined context,” likely “broadened the number of people who maybe know the way in which this one text really affected this

person or was built into their life.”

Oppenheimer never strictly practiced Hinduism but found himself drawn to the philosophies present throughout the Bhagavad Gita, which are explained in relation to his oft-contradictive personality by James Temperton in the WIRED article “‘Now I Am Become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds.’ The Story of Oppenheimer’s Infamous Quote,” from July 21.

Oppenheimer studied at both Harvard and Cambridge before he taught at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also learned Sanskrit to interpret the Bhagavad Gita.

“Our copy is minimally translated by him. It sounds like he was really relying on the book to offer him counsel in moments of need. The movie certainly, I think, if it doesn’t dive into that entire story, helps you dip your toe into it. It might help people take the next step and Google his relationship and learn more, and then they could come here and see the book — our copy — which was his copy of the book itself” (Oppenheimer 7).

What caught Sarconi’s attention upon seeing Oppenheimer’s copy were two key points: “One, it’s bright pink, which in the Barbenheimer age is a beautiful and wonderful coincidence,” she said, referring to the colloquial shorthand for the dual summer release of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” a pop culture phenomenon where eager cinemagoers attended both premieres in themed outfits.

“But the other thing about it is that it is destroyed, right? This is a book that was extremely well used. A book doesn’t get like this without somebody really opening and closing it quite a lot throughout their lifetime, or its lifetime. You also have these strips of tape across the front that indicate that someone at one point was trying to repair it — that repair did not hold — [and] the front and back boards, as we say, are completely falling off.”

“Once you dive into the book, you can see that there are really light pencil marks throughout, both in the margin and above the text,” she added, noting that they worked with Ellen Ambrosone, a South Asian studies librarian who was able to read Sanskrit somewhat, to see whether the “infamous line” was translated.

“Unfortunately, it is not, because that would be just too perfect, but the fact that he was translating it all is pretty significant,” she said. “I’m really excited that we

See OPPENHEIMER, Page 10

Oppenheimer with Albert Einstein at the Institute for Advanced Study, 1947. Photo by Alfred EisenstaedtThe LIFE Picture Collection - Shutterstock.

have this item, and we’re getting it out there that we have this item so that people can, again, take the time to dig in and think about who Oppenheimer was, what was this book to him, [and] how was he thinking about this book, especially within the context of his work on the atomic bomb?’”

After the United States dropped the nuclear devices developed under Oppenheimer’s leadership on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively, Oppenheimer was deemed a national hero, far removed from the civilians of the impacted nation.

Science and nuclear technology historian Alex Wellerstein is a professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken. In his 2020 Bulletin of Atomic Scientists article, “Counting the Dead at Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” he reviewed reports on the total number of deaths, analyzing the difference between the inconsistent data sources with the following statement: “The United States military estimated that around 70,000 people died at Hiroshima, though later independent estimates argued that the actual number was 140,000 dead. In both cases, the majority of the deaths occurred on the day of the bombing itself, with nearly all of them taking place by the end of 1945.”

Sarconi wanted to acknowledge the whole truth of Oppenheimer’s legacy and the devastation he was directly responsible for as part of the Manhattan Project, keeping the repercussions of this “celebrity quality” in mind throughout writing the blog post.

“I think that you can just learn a lot about a person based on the books that they have, who gave them to

them, and in what context,” Sarconi continued. “When you have this person who is known for this extremely significant thing that they contributed to, it’s easy to forget the effect of that.”

“We don’t know exactly what he thought about what was happening [or] his role in the long arm of history, but we know what his role is in the long arm of history, and on the one hand, you can hold him up as this scientific genius — and he did do something that was scientifically genius — but he also did something that was truly terrible, terror-inspiring, and I think we have to hold both of those things at once,” she explained, especially as it pertains to conversations about “the effect of genius.”

She emphasized that when analyzing Oppenheimer as a person, it is equally crucial to take into account that his innovation bears the scars of the lives lost.

The Mudd Library, the institutional archives of the PUL Special Collections, documents several Japanese responses to the bombings, such as the seven “AtomicBombed Roof Tiles from Hiroshima University,” donated in 2012 by the Association of Hiroshima University for Sending Atomic-Bombed Roof Tiles.

According to the February 2013 Princeton University Archives’ accession announcement by Lynn Durgin, the pieces were recovered from “a river bed near ground zero of the atomic bomb explosion.”

The post continued: “Hiroshima University was decimated in the atomic bomb attack — most of its students and faculty members perished, and its buildings were demolished. In the post-war period, Hiroshima University’s president, Tatsuo Morito, reached out to universities worldwide to help to renew the institution by sending books for its library and saplings to bring its grounds back to life. Princeton was among the schools that responded in 1951 by providing both a book for the library’s collection and a monetary donation for the purchase of a native tree for the campus; and now, in celebration of its 80th anniversary, Hiroshima University is reciprocating by donating these artifacts.”

Rebun Kayo, the chairman of the “Association of Hiroshima University for Sending Atomic-Bombed Roof Tiles” at the time of the donation, stated in an accompanying letter that these “demonstrate the devastation of the inferno that the atomic bomb explosion left,” in which temperatures of approximately 9,032 degrees Fahrenheit “melted the surface of the roof tiles, leaving

a bubbly appearance on them in a matter of a few seconds.”

“Atomic-bombed roof tiles have absorbed [the] blood and body fluids of tens of thousands of people who were inhumanely burned dead,” he continued. “They were burned by the 5000°C heat rays, leaving their skin scorched black, and the functions of their organs [were] destroyed by the radiation. They were desperately seeking water while repeatedly vomiting, bleeding all over their bodies, and throwing up blood. When they finally reached the river in their hour of death, at the end of their strength, they collapsed, only to be washed away in the river.”

Then-president of Hiroshima University, Toshimasa Asahara, also wrote: “The threat of nuclear weapons still exists in many areas of the world. It is our earnest desire, however, that the pain and sadness experienced in Hiroshima not be recreated anywhere else in the world. This wish is not only the wish of those of us living today but represents the silent voices of the 240,000 Hiroshima citizens who perished from the atomic bomb.”

As Japan grappled with its unfathomable loss, Oppenheimer was appointed chairman of the General Advisory Committee to the United States Atomic Energy Commission, where his fears about nuclear proliferation deepened and led him to speak out against the development of the hydrogen bomb.

Although Oppenheimer was praised for his scientific achievements at Los Alamos, his previous communist ties warranted ongoing federal surveillance. During the Red Scare in 1954, the FBI and the Atomic Energy Commission revoked his security clearance, just nine years after he changed the course of history; fittingly, Oppenheimer went on to own a copy of Richard H. Rovere’s “Senator Joe McCarthy” (Oppenheimer 129).

The U.S. Department of Energy, which still operates the facility known as the Los Alamos National Laboratory to this day, vacated the controversial decision in 2022.

Sarconi said there are still many “unanswered questions” about Oppenheimer’s PUL collection, which opens up a world of possibilities for inquisitive minds.

“I hope that in this space and as a librarian, a special collections librarian in particular, where we’re really working with sometimes what we call ‘the building blocks of history,’ there’s certainly bias in this space. We’re doing more and more to try and see people as a whole, the good and the bad, and how they really shaped the world we live in today. The thing about Oppenheimer is that, regardless of whether you think he is a villain or a hero, he dramatically shaped the world we live in today, and so that’s why I think this collection is really important,” she explained. “How can we understand this person [who] was so vital to our modern society?”

As Nolan’s star-studded yet self-aware biopic sets a path for Hollywood awards season, the town that Oppenheimer spent the final years of his life in has been eager to claim the figure as one of its own. But to do so, Princeton must accept the truth about the new era ushered in by his creation, just as Oppenheimer’s collection of books proved that he privately reflected on the consequences of his acts.

To access the “Books formerly owned by J. Robert Oppenheimer” collection, available under call number “Oppenheimer” for on-site viewing in the Firestone Library Reading Room, see the collection’s PUL catalog link online, catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/9941833343506421. The same rules apply to the roof tiles from Hiroshima University, which are stored at the Mudd Library location.

Princeton’s collection includes atomic-bombed roof tiles from Hiroshima University, like the one pictured above.

NOTICE TO PERSONS WANTING MAIL-IN BALLOTS

If you are a qualified and registered voter of Mercer County, New Jersey who wants to vote by mail in the General Election to be held on November 7, 2023, the following applies:

• You must complete the application form below and send it to the county clerk where you reside or write or apply in person to the county clerk where you reside to request a mail-in ballot.

• The name, address, and signature of any person who has assisted you to complete the mail-in ballot application must be provided on the application, and you must sign and date the application.

• No person may serve as an authorized messenger or bearer for more than three qualified voters in an election but a person may serve as such for up to

five qualified voters in an election if those voters are immediate family members residing in the same household as the messenger or bearer.

• No person who is a candidate in the election for which the voter requests a mail-in ballot may provide any assistance in the completion of the ballot or serve as an authorized messenger or bearer.

• A person who applies for a mail-in ballot must submit his or her application so that it is received at least seven days before the election, but such person may request an application in person from the county clerk up to 3 p.m. of the day before the election.

• Voters who want to vote by mail in all future elections will, after their initial request and without

further action on their part, be provided with a mail-in ballot until the voter requests otherwise in writing.

• Application forms may be obtained by applying to the undersigned either in writing or by telephone. Or the application form provided below may be completed and forwarded to the undersigned.

• If you are currently signed up to receive mail-in ballots, but wish to now vote at the polls, either on Election Day or before, in accordance with NJ’s new “Early Voting” law, you must first opt out of vote by mail by notifying the county clerk in writing at the address below. You may find a form for removal from the permanent list on the Mercer County Clerk’s website at https://www.mercercounty.org/ government/county-clerk/elections.