Town Topics Newspaper, January 22, 2025.

Hailed as "Riveting" by the Wall Street Journal, this play tells the true story behind a mysterious album of Nazi-era photographs that arrived on the desk of a US Holocaust Museum archivist. Jan 24 - Feb 9.

The Conversation Series

McCarter has partnered with the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE), to curate a series of post-show discussions with leading ethicists and scholars to discuss the complex issues raised in the play—and consider their relevance for today. Conversations take place directly after the 2pm matinees.

Sunday, January 26

How do you make a play from an album of photographs?

Panelists: Rebecca Erbelding, Historian, US Holocaust Memorial Museum; co-creators Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich.

Saturday, February 1

Sunday, February 2

Why Continue to Study the Holocaust?

Panelists: Rabbi Gil Steinlauf, CJL Executive Director and Jewish Chaplain at Princeton University and Consul General Till Knorn, German Consulate New York.

The Transformation of Norms and Complicity as the New Normal

Panelists: Thorsten Wagner, Exec. Director FASPE and Elizabeth Levy Paluck, Eugene Higgins Professor of Psychology and Public A airs, Princeton University.

Saturday, February 8

The Next Generation: How Do We Deal with the Sins of Our Fathers?

Panelists: David Goldman, Chairman, FASPE and Jonathan Lee Walton, President, Princeton Theological Seminary, moderated by Jill S. Dolan, Annan Professor of English, former Dean of the College, Princeton University.

LOVE IS IN THE SQUARE

with an exclusive shopping experience for two and a private performance by the American Repertory Ballet!

SCAN FOR TICKETS

Wassailing the Trees Is Winter Tradition

Each winter Terhune Orchards follows an ancient Anglo-Saxon tradition of Wassailing the Trees. This year’s event is on Sunday, January 26 from 1-4 p.m. at the farm at 330 Cold Soil Road.

Wassail is an ancient Saxon word that means “health be to you,” and it’s the health of the trees that is celebrated. The custom began in England where many villages relied on the apple harvest. Knowing that the spring buds are on the trees in the winter, it was thought that creating a noisy racket in winter would scare away bad sprits and ensure an excellent harvest in autumn.

Terhune follows this

tradition by opening the apple orchards to visitors in winter with much fanfare to ensure a good harvest in the coming year. Participants will gather under the bare branches of the orchard which are over a century old.

Handsome Molly dancers dressed in traditional dress of black costumes play an important role in the festivities each year. Kingsessing Morris dancers will also be joining in the dancing with their white garb and festive feathers.

Everyone joins in with chanting and music making, toasts of hot cider and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting the words of praise for the New Year. Visitors are urged to bring noisemakers — drums,

whistles, bells, clackers, or put a few pebbles in an empty coffee can with a lid — to drive away the spirits. Afterward, roast marshmallows around a bonfire and have a free cup of our hot apple cider and apple cider donuts.

Spice Punch will perform traditional songs and ballads on the Wine Barn porch.

The wine barn will be open with limited indoor seating and plentiful outdoor seating at the firepits.

The farm store will be open for fresh produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. The Barn Door Café will offer light fare and treats.

The festival is free. Visit terhuneorchards.com or call (609) 924-2310 for more information.

Topics In Brief A Community Bulletin

Disposing of Christmas Trees and Brush : The Department of Public Works is collecting throughout January. Place trees and brush curbside by 7 a.m. on any weekday. Remember to remove all decorations, do not put trees in a bag, and keep vegetative material at least 10 feet away from storm drains.

Leighton Listens: Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on January 22 at Bagel Nook, Princeton Shopping Center; and January 29 at Jammin’ Crepes, Princeton Public Library lobby, 65 Witherspoon Street.

Food Pantry: Arm In Arm’s mobile food pantry is at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike, on Monday afternoons from 2-4 p.m. Fresh produce, eggs, milk, frozen proteins, and quality baked goods as well as canned and boxed items and personal care items are available for those in need, and different social services agencies are on site. Mcl.org.

Sustainable Princeton “Lending Library” : Sustainable Princeton offers residents and nonprofits in Princeton the opportunity to borrow sustainable home items such as electric landscape equipment, induction cooktops, and repair tools, for free, for up to two weeks. Visit sustainableprinceton.org for more information.

Volunteer with Friends of Princeton Open Space: On January 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., work under the guidance of the stewardship team. Fopos.org.

Sourland “Stew Crew”: On February 7 and 17 at 9 a.m., help maintain planted sites, remove invasive plants, and fix fences in the Sourlands. No experience is necessary. RSVP at Stewards@sourland.org.

Celebrate a weekend of love

TAPPING INTO ANCIENT TRADITIONS: The annual Wassailing the Trees celebration at Terhune

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Subscription Information:

609.924.5400 ext. 30 or subscriptions@ witherspoonmediagroup.com princetonmagazine.com

SATURDAY SCIENCE: Jongsoo Yoo, a principal research physicist and deputy head of discovery plasma science at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

the first in a series of seven Science on Saturday lectures featuring a slate of distinguished speakers on a range of topics of current interest.

One-Year Subscription: $20

Two-Year Subscription: $25

Science on Saturday is Underway At Princeton Plasma Physics Lab

Solar flares, quantum computing, microplastic pollution, direct recycling, schizophrenia, the science of polling, and more. Science fans of all ages are gathering on Saturday mornings over the next two months to participate in the 41st year of the Princeton

Subscription Information: 609.924.5400 ext. 30 or subscriptions@ witherspoonmediagroup.com princetonmagazine.com

Plasma Physics Laboratory’s (PPPL) Science on Saturday Lecture Series.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fusion Energy Sciences program, this year’s Science on Saturday series launched on January 18 with a presentation by Jongsoo Yoo, principal research physicist and deputy head of discovery plasma science at PPPL, who focused on the surface of the sun, magnetic reconnection, and the mysterious process behind solar flares.

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TOPICS Of the Town

An enthusiastic crowd of more than 200 — about two-thirds in person, onethird online — attended the event, which ran from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Melvin B. Gottlieb Auditorium in PPPL’s Lyman Spitzer Building at 100 Stellarator Road.

Some families have been attending long enough to include three generations of fans.

“It’s like a family reunion every year, and we love watching the little ones grow up and bring their own families,” said PPPL Science Education Senior Program Manager Deedee Ortiz, who organizes the series.

A show of hands from the audience revealed that many of the audience members were there for the first time, but there were many more who had been coming for five, 10, 20, and even 40 years.

“We love offering Science on Saturday,” said PPPL Head of Public Engagement and Workforce Development Andrew Zwicker, who hosts the program. “Each year we have an amazing lineup of scientists, and it’s always a pleasure seeing our regulars and new audience members.”

Zwicker described the opening lecture as “an enormous success,” with so many in attendance that the PPPL ran out of doughnuts, bagels, and cream cheese. “We’ll be ordering even more for next Saturday,” he added.

Every year the PPPL tries to bring in topics that are of current interest. “We try to get topics that are both scientifically interesting and also on people’s minds,” he

said. “They want to learn more about things we all talk about at the dinner table.”

In commenting on this Saturday’s upcoming session on polling, Zwicker said, “We’ve all been focused on what various polls said and whether they are right or wrong. Monmouth University Professor Patrick Murray leads one of the highest quality national polls, and he’s going to talk about both the science of polling and the art of polling.”

“And on the following Saturday, February 1, “we are going to learn about microplastics,” Zwicker noted. “People are learning that these tiny particles of plastic are everywhere and they

Carney

(PPPL), focuses on solar flares in

(Photo by Elle Starkman/PPPL Communications Department)

PPPL

Continued from Preceding Page are showing up in our brains and our bodies, and fish are consuming them. Plastic pollution is an enormous problem and we’re going to hear from a young inventor [Yidian Liu of PolyGone Systems] who has come up with a system to take microplastics out of our waterways. She’ll describe that to us.”

Featuring distinguished world class speakers on timely, cutting-edge topics, the following Saturdays sessions will include Corey Toler-Franklin of Columbia University on “Quantum-level Spectral Analysis and Deep Learning for Life Science and Biomedical Research,” on February 8; Chao Yan of Princeton NuEnergy and Princeton University on “Eco-friendly and Energy-efficient: The Role of Direct Recycling in Promoting Sustainability,” on February 15; Andrew Houck of the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science on “Will Quantum Computers Solve the World’s Greatest Problems?” on March 1; and Bonnie Firestein of Rutgers University on “Schizophrenia — A Journey Beyond the Brain,” on March 8.

Known as the Ronald E. Hatcher Science on Saturday Lecture Series the program honors the PPPL engineer who hosted the series for many years and died suddenly in 2014.

Zwicker emphasized the importance of science literacy in the 21st century and the value of this popular Science on Saturday series. “Science literacy is always important no matter the year,” he said. “We live in such a technology-driven world, and understanding the world around us is so important for helping us make decisions in our daily personal lives — the food we eat, the medicine we take as we age, as we care for parents or grandparents, as we make sure that our young people are getting the education they need and that they’re prepared for a world where tech drives so many different things. Understanding that world and its impact on our lives is more important today than it has ever been.”

He continued, “That is why in the end we do these lectures. Before each lecture starts I ask three questions of our speakers, which includes what are their hobbies, so that people can see that scientists and engineers have a personal side as well. The goal is to break down any barriers, not just between scientists and the general public, but between science and the general public — to put a human face on all that.”

Science on Saturday visitors can arrive at PPPL beginning at 8:30 for coffee, bagels, and doughnuts. Visit pppl.gov/events/science-saturday for more information.

—Donald Gilpin

forum for the expression of opinions about local and national issues.

Question of the Week:

“What about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and/or his legacy inspires you?”

(Asked Monday at the MLK Jr. Day Community Gathering and Art-Making Workshop at the Arts Council of Princeton) (Photos by Sarah Teo)

“Sometimes we compare ourselves to others and decide we can’t do something based on our background or demographics, but Dr. King allowed people to visualize removing their own boundaries and obstacles to see that they were all equal. I do believe you can do anything you set your mind to do.”

10am-6pm; Sat 8:30am-3:30pm

—Marie Howard, Robbinsville

power of a peaceful protest: trying to get your message across without weapons or harmful action. We have seen that legacy continue since Dr. King’s time. I think it’s important to teach children this in school.”

—Mirka Mendez, Hamilton

Tamara: “I think MLK is such an icon and has inspired me as a woman of color since I was little. We have to remember to keep moving forward, and try to have faith in everybody. This has become a humanity issue. I try to think of the love that he had for his community.”

—Tamara Torres, far right, Trenton, with Alina Dolitsky, Southampton, Pa., and Jane Zamost, Pennington

Lisa: “Every day is a good day to do right.”

- Lisa Burnett with Aaron and Grant, Ewing

“Here There are Blueberries” Leaves Audiences with Profound Questions

and gatherings on their days off is the basis

At performances of the play Here There are Blueberries at McCarter Theatre January 24-February 9, panelists taking part in post-show discussions are as key to the experience as the actors cast in the play.

The drama/detective story by Tectonic Theater Project director Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, inspired by an album of Nazi-era photographs, poses profound questions about ethical issues and human nature. Audiences at past productions by the La Jolla Playhouse and Shakespeare Theatre Company (McCarter’s production kicks off a national tour) have been reluctant to leave their seats once the play comes to an end.

“We have found, over and over, that the people wanted to stay and talk about what they had just seen,” said Kaufman. “They need to process it. That’s why we have the talkbacks.”

The post-show conversations will follow matinees on January 26 and February 1, 2, and 8. They are part of McCarter’s Arts & Ideas program. Panelists will include Consul General Till Knom of the German Consulate in New York; Rabbi Gil Steinlauf of the Center for Jewish Life at Princeton University; Princeton Professor Elizabeth Levy Paluck; Princeton Theological Seminary President Jonathan Lee Walton; Princeton University Professor Jill Dolan; and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum historian Rebecca Erbelding.

Here There are Blueberries concerns a mysterious photo album that showed up on the desk of an archivist at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2007. Its pages are filled with scenes

Friday, January 24. (Photo by Matthew

from the Auschwitz concentration camp — not of the horrific suffering among prisoners; rather of smiling young workers in uniform, relaxing together during their time off.

The photos are, in a sense, selfies from another era.

The laughing young people link arms, dance, and interact. They eat dishes of fresh blueberries. One plays an accordion as others look on, clearly enjoying themselves. Then, presumably, they go back to work and carry out unthinkable things.

“This play explores incredibly profound questions,” said Gronich. “We are engaging the audience in a deep reckoning, exploring the issues of culpability, complacency, and complicity through this historical artifact. It raises serious ethical questions.”

The son of Holocaust survivors, Kaufman knew he had to write a play about the album when he read about its discovery in the New York Times. Along the way, he connected with the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE) program, which allows graduate students to spend two weeks in Germany and Poland visiting Auschwitz and other key sites. FASPE has curated the post-show conversations.

During performances, “Audiences are rapt,” said Gronich. “You can hear a pin drop. Having a talkback session invites everyone as a group to gather in conversation. How do we engage these questions? How do we pursue them in our lives? What are the revelations we’ve just had?”

The play has resonated with high school and college

students, and student matinees at McCarter are nearly full, said Debbie Bisno, McCarter’s director of university and artistic partnerships. “There are high school students really flocking to it,” she said. “The eagerness of educators to share this piece at a time when teaching Holocaust history can be difficult is encouraging to see.”

That pleases the playwrights, who want to reach young audiences. “One of our goals is to engage with a new generation that can see that while there were certainly sociopathic monsters involved, these [in the photo album] were ordinary people.”

The colleagues are also pleased about collaborating with McCarter. “This was the first place for [the Thornton Wilder play] Our Town,” said Kaufman. “That excites me. There is something about that play that asks the question, how do we live together? And there is the sense that this is where this play belongs, in a community where there can be a scholarly conversation and reach a lot of students. McCarter lives at the intersection of art and scholarship.”

The play ends with a call to action, said Gronich. “We all need to take a role in how we tell the history of all the events that make headlines around the world,” she said. “This is a detective story. We’re exploring history in a new and different way. It’s a very compelling story, a way into material that is difficult.”

—Anne Levin

Nominations Sought For “Mensch” Award

Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County has announced the Rose & Louis H. Linowitz Mensch Award, a merit-based honor for deserving Jewish eighth-grade and high school senior students living in Greater Mercer County.

Candidates should exemplify what it means to be a mensch — a person of integrity and honor, a doer of good deeds, and an allaround good person. Students must be nominated by a member of the community such as a rabbi, educator, youth group advisor, secular school guidance counselor, or teacher. Eighth-grade Mensch-In-Training and high school senior Mensch Award winners will receive prizes up to $500 and $3,500 respectively. This is not a need-based scholarship.

Selected winners are required to attend a recognition event to receive their Award on April 1.

Applications are due by February 24. For more information or to nominate a student, visit jfcsonline.org/ awards-scholarships, or call Joyce at (609) 987-8100 ext. 201.

Police Blotter

On January 17, at 12:03 p.m., a patrol was dispatched to police headquarters for the report of a theft by deception. An individual reported that an unknown suspect(s) purported to be his employer’s chief executive officer and requested that the individual purchase 10 eBay gift cards from CVS and 10 eBay gift cards from Walgreens, valued at $200 each. The individual also visited two additional

Walgreens and purchased four Target gift cards and one Apple gift card valued at $250 each. The individual provided the gift card access codes to the unknown suspect(s) via text message, but later realized they had been scammed and, as a result, suffered a total monetary loss of $5,250.

On January 15, at 8:35 p.m., patrols responded to a residence on Clay Street after receiving a 911 call reporting an unwanted person. The caller reported that a 43-year-old Princeton male knocked on the doors and windows of the residence and eventually opened/damaged a rear window and partially entered through same. Following an on-scene investigation, the person was placed under arrest and later charged with Criminal Trespass, Criminal Mischief, and Defiant Trespass. He was transported to police headquarters for processing and was later transported to the Mercer County Correctional Facility.

On January 14, at 12:56 a.m., patrols were dispatched to a business on Hulfish Street in response to a reported shoplifting incident. Upon arrival, officers determined that the suspects had fled the area. Officers canvassed the surrounding area but were unable to locate them. The preliminary investigation revealed that four individuals entered the store, removed clothing from display tables, and placed the items into bags. They then exited the store and fled eastbound on Hulfish Street. Surveillance video indicated that they entered a gray Jeep and departed the area. One is described as a female wearing black pants, a black and white North Face jacket, and black and white shoes. A second suspect is described as a female wearing a matching green/blue shirt

and pants, black boots, and a purse, and appears to have a tattoo on her right hand. A third suspect is described as a female with red hair wearing tan or light pink pants, a black jacket, and black boots, and a fourth is a male wearing a black hooded North Face jacket, black pants, and black and gray New Balance shoes. All were reported to be between 17 and 23 years old. Further investigation revealed that a fifth suspect, a female wearing a white T-shirt, black sweatshirt, pink pants, pink winter hat, and white shoes, was parked in a vehicle in the area. Video surveillance showed her exiting a gray Jeep and urinating in the area prior to the theft occurring. The value of the stolen merchandise was estimated to be approximately $18,820. The incident remains under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On January 14, at 11:48 a.m., patrols were dispatched to Hun Road for the report of a package theft. Patrols made contact with the resident, who stated that a package containing a 13nch MacBook Air with M2 Chip – Starlight, valued at $899, was stolen from the front porch of the residence just after being delivered by a FedEx employee. Patrols canvassed the area for the suspect unsuccessfully. The police department is investigating.

On January 14, at 4:22 p.m., in response to a call for service, a 38-year-old Princeton male was found to be trespassing on Princeton Housing Authority (PHA) property after being advised of his persona non grata status. He was issued a special complaint summons for Defiant Trespass with a notice to appear before the Princeton Municipal Court. Unless noted, individuals arrested were later released.

Each Friday afternoon, we send a roundup of the week’s top stories, breaking news, and upcoming events, right to local inboxes.

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“SELFIES” FROM A SHOCKING SOURCE: The 2007 discovery of a photo album depicting workers from the Auschwitz concentration camp enjoying picnics

of a play opening at McCarter Theatre on

Murphy)

Get the scoop from

Winter Season

mostly young children; and 2,270,000 outpatient clinic visits annually, also mostly young children.

Gronczewski went on to explain, in a January 17 email, that norovirus is a seasonal virus that is highly contagious, with only a small amount able to cause an infection, and that it remains on surfaces and is comparatively resistant to household cleaners. It can transmit easily among close contacts for up to two weeks after an infection occurs.

The symptoms of the norovirus are usually brief, passing within 24 to 48 hours, but they can be harsh, often have an abrupt onset, and include chills, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and non-bloody diarrhea.

“Most people infected recover uneventfully — and just need some time and oral fluids,” Dr. Gronczewski wrote. “Staying hydrated is key to a swift recovery. However some people require emergency care and support at a hospital. Patients with severe illness may need IV hydration and electrolyte correction. Warning signs include high fever with shaking chills, severe abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea. These symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.”

To avoid norovirus and prevent its spread, Grosser recommended frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and disinfecting hightouch surfaces like doorknobs and countertops with a bleach solution or disinfectant that’s effective against norovirus.

“Given that norovirus is very contagious, it’s critical that anyone who feels sick stays home for at least 48 hours after symptoms subside to avoid spreading the virus to others,” Grosser added.

The NJDOH emphasizes the risk of dehydration for people infected with norovirus. “It is important to drink liquids to replace fluid lost when vomiting or diarrhea,” states the NJDOH website.“With more than 20 million cases of gastroenteritis caused by norovirus every year, that means that 1 in every 15 Americans will become ill from norovirus each year.” About 100 outbreaks are reported in New Jersey each year.

Noroviruses can spread quickly in crowded, closed places like long-term care facilities, daycare centers, schools, hotels, summer camps, hospitals, restaurants, and cruise ships —places where people often eat food that is prepared and handled by others, according to NJDOH.

Leafy greens and readyto-eat foods are most commonly involved in norovirus outbreaks. There is no vaccine for norovirus infection and no drug to treat people who get sick from the virus.

Other Health Concerns

Grosser went on to point out other winter health concerns that the Princeton Health Department has been focusing on. He cited a number of flu cases in the area and urged

all residents to practice good hygiene and to get their flu shots if they haven’t already.

“Cold weather and icy conditions also present a higher risk of slips and falls,” he added, “especially for older adults, so it’s important to be cautious heading outdoors in freezing temperatures or after a snowfall.”

In addition to physical health concerns, Grosser also emphasized the potential impact of winter on mental health. “Seasonal affective disorder, or the ‘winter blues,’ can affect many people, so we encourage residents to stay active, get outside when possible, and reach out to mental health services if they’re feeling overwhelmed.”

He continued, “The municipality houses Princeton Integrated Behavioral Health at Monument Hall. They offer a range of mental health services to anyone 12 years and older. Medicaid and all insurance plans are accepted, along with those with no insurance.”

Grosser stressed the importance of prevention and staying informed. “We’re committed to providing the community with up-to-date information and ensuring that resources are available to help manage these health challenges,” he said.

—Donald Gilpin

a Princeton tradition!

Glass &

Horticultural Society Previews Flower Show

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) recently hosted a press conference at the Franklin Institute to unveil a first look at the 2025 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, Gardens of Tomorrow. The event featured artistic interpretations of show spaces and exhibits, including the 2025 PHS-designed entrance garden, “Futura Florentia,” alongside a shortlist of new and returning exhibitors, and upcoming activations and events.

The name “Futura Florentia” is meant to capture the idea of flowers as a symbol of the future while evoking growth, beauty, and vitality in a natural, poetic style.

“At the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, our purpose is using horticulture to foster a healthier, more sustainable, more beautiful future,” said Matt Rader, president of the PHS.

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is in its 196th year. For more information and tickets, visit phsonline. org/the-flower-show.

“The 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show, Gardens of Tomorrow, showcases the power of plants, sustainability, and innovation. As a fundraiser, the Flower Show supports PHS’ programs that bring trees, gardens, and beauty into neighborhoods and schools across the city and region while also cultivating the next generation of horticultural leaders. We’re proud to offer a glimpse into the future of the industry while advancing our mission to create a greener, healthier, and more equitable world through gardening.”

GARDEN GLIMPSE: Japanese garden designer Kazuyuki Ishihara will collaborate with Iftikhar Ahmed of Treeline Designz on a two-tiered garden titled “Tomorrow’s Eden – Gardens for a Changing World” at the upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show.

University Art Museum

continued from page one

Steward divided his presentation into what he called “vignettes,” with titles including “History,” “Design,” “Emptying Out,” “Demolition,” and “Construction.” Thinking about space, volume, and color for the new space, staff and the design team looked at museum expansions elsewhere in the world including the Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art, and museums in Hong Kong and on Long Island.

“We learned from things we love and things we don’t love in museums, like visible storage,” said Steward, showing images of glass cases that they found unappealing.

The original plan for the new museum, which was designed by Adjaye Associates, was to close the old one in the spring of 2021. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure in spring of 2020.

“It actually gave us a chance to start earlier, without much visibility,” said Steward. “Many objects were conserved during COVID. We were able to evacuate everything in the old building — 56,000 objects — which is only half of what we have, without damage.”

Demolition was a long process “because of Princeton University’s commitment to sustainability and the re-use of nearly everything” in other projects, said Steward. Construction signified the first application of heavy timber on the campus.

Some of the pieces were so big that they couldn’t be gotten around the traffi c circle on Faculty Road. That involved some reconstruction. “I still maintain that the result will have outweighed the pain,” said Steward.

Newth noted that the museum is currently in the process of moving in some 25,000 objects. “It takes a long time,” he said. “It’s over 80,000 square feet of galleries.”

The project provides an opportunity to design and build new display cases, some of which are embedded into the building; most of which are constructed externally. “It’s very complicated,” said Newth. “Some of the cases are actually in the floor.”

The team of designers, engineers, and other professionals involved in the project come from as far as Scotland and Italy, and as near as Mt. Laurel. Images of the interiors-in-progress showed three wood-clad viewing rooms, one of which will have art on the ceiling.

Art is also on view in the third floor shop and restaurant. “No one will be able to pop in for a quick latte without encountering art,” said Steward.

—Anne Levin

STORY: Leslie Bramlett performs live as Hannah Archer Till, George Washington’s personal cook during the Revolutionary War, as part of the Black History Month events at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum.

Stoutsburg Sourland Museum Marks Black History Month

The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) in Skillman, central New Jersey’s first dedicated Black history museum, has announced a series of special events in honor of Black History Month this February. Programs will include live theatrical performances, a birthday celebration for Frederick Douglass, and a student art and history exhibit.

On Friday, February 7 at 7 p.m., educator and historical reenactor Leslie Bramlett will portray Hannah Archer Till, George Washington’s personal cook during the Revolutionary War, in “Meet Hannah Till,” an original one-woman show at Mt. Zion AME Church, 189 Hollow Road. Tickets are $5. Purchase at ssaamuseum.org/ Hannah-till.

The daughter of an enslaved African American woman and an Oneida Indian man, Till was born into slavery in 1721. In 1777, she was leased to General George Washington as his cook and servant. She and her husband purchased their freedom the next year but continued to work for Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette until the end of the war. She was present at every battle Washington fought during the Revolution.

Bramlett will be present in costume on Saturday, February 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., during the museum’s open house day. She will answer questions and share hands-on activities celebrating African American women of the Revolutionary period. Admission is free.

Mental Health Events at Princeton Public Library

The New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS) has announced a new series of Community Information Sessions this winter, designed to help New Jersey families support their mental health and well-being. One session, “Plan, Act, Achieve: Executive Function Skills for Families,” will take place on February 12 from 7-8 p.m. at Princeton Public Library.

This session will be led by Katherine McGavern, an ADHD coach from Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) of Mercer County. McGavern will focus on practical strategies for helping children develop

executive function skills, such as organization, meeting deadlines, managing procrastination, and creating effective schedules. The presentation will provide insights for parents looking to support their children in navigating these challenges.

“Our goal with these sessions is to offer families valuable tools and knowledge to help manage mental health challenges and enhance everyday functioning,” said Hilary Kruchowy, executive director of NJCTS.

“These local events also foster a sense of community, allowing families to connect, share experiences, and build a network of support.”

The Community Information Sessions will feature a range of expert speakers, including health care

professionals and specialists, who will provide evidence-based strategies for managing various mental health concerns. Each session will also include an opportunity for participants to ask questions and engage with the speakers.

For more information about the upcoming sessions and to learn about additional topics in the series, visit njcts.org/community.

www.towntopics.com

Friday, February 14 is Douglass Day at SSAAM, with an event at the historic Reasoner-True House, 182 Hollow Road, being held from 12-3 p.m. in honor of abolitionist and activist Frederick Douglass’ chosen birthday.

SSAAM staff will guide visitors in a “transcribe-athon” of historical documents from the Library of Congress. Docents will provide tours of the museum and special exhibits inside Mt. Zion AME Church. Participants can contribute to the Library of Congress’s digital archives. Birthday cake will be provided.

Participation is free but pre-registration is required at ssaamuseum.org/ Frederick-douglass-day.

In conjunction with the SSAAM’s observances, a special art and history exhibit from the museum, “Art of the Witness Stones Project,” will be held in the second floor Reading Room at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, throughout February. This exhibit will share the artwork of Timberlane Middle School’s eighth grade students who researched the lives of Friday Truehart, Frost Blackwell, and Nance, three individuals who were enslaved in Central New Jersey during the 18th and 19th centuries. In collaboration with SSAAM and the Witness Stones Project, students created artwork reflecting on the lives of these enslaved people and the legacy of slavery in New Jersey. Admission is free.

For more information about these special events or to learn more about SSAAM, visit SSAAM.org.

A SLAVE’S

Princeton-based arts and humanities initiatives are among the recipients of grants in the most recent round of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Princeton University Concerts (PUC) has received $20,000 from the NEA for its Healing with Music series, while Morven Museum and Garden was granted $25,000 for a project addressing the history of slavery. In addition, Divya Cherian, associate professor of history at Princeton University, has been awarded $60,000 from the NEH for a book project titled Conjured States: Witchcraft and Politics in Western India, 1750-1900.

The grant to Princeton University Concerts is the first in its history. The Healing with Music project, which was launched in 2022, invites audiences to hear from musicians who share their relationship to music during difficult times in their lives, delivered through live performance, live conversation, and filmed interviews.

“This grant award is a historic moment for Princeton University Concerts,” said PUC Director Marna Seltzer, in a press release. “For 131 years, our programming has been mostly made possible by the generosity of our patrons. To have the support of the National Endowment for the Arts for the very first time is not just vital financial reinforcement but also important recognition for the work that we do to expand the impact and accessibility of classical chamber music.”

The funding will support the appearance of Iranian kamancheh player Kayhan Kalhor on Wednesday, February 12 at Richardson Auditorium. Kalhor’s focus is on his dedication to Iranian music through profound loss, anti-Muslim sentiment, and political unrest. He will also participate in a free Live Music Meditation on February 13 at 12:30 p.m., and in concert with the Doos Trio at 6 and 9 p.m.

Dasha Koltunyuk, PUC’s outreach manager and the person who conceived the Healing with Music Series, welcomed the national recognition that the grant brings. “These events, which delve into music’s deep power through a unique and collective concert experience, tap into something essential in today’s world,” she said. “Kayhan Kalhor is a phenomenal artist and human, who has approached his life and art with such an inspiring depth of sensitivity and spirit of hope. We thank the NEA for acknowledging the power of our Healing with Music series and of this artist with their support.”

Like PUC, Morven has never received federal funding before.

“It’s the first time we applied. We felt it was a long shot, but we got it and we are thrilled,” said Elizabeth Allan, the museum’s deputy director and curator.

The grant supports the creation of an inclusive history gallery in a previously empty space. The rotating gallery will showcase new research uncovered in recent years about the people who were enslaved

by the Stockton family, original owners of the home that houses the museum. In addition to research consultant Sharece Blakney, the project includes input from Witherspoon-Jackson historic district resident and historian Shirley Satterfield.

During President Donald Trump’s first term in office, he tried unsuccessfully to get rid of both the NEA and NEH. Now that his second term has begun, the future of both agencies is uncertain. Rhonda DiMascio, Morven’s executive director, will be attending Museum Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. next month.

“This is a tenuous time for folks in the museum field,” said Allan. “Funding like this is essential for places like Morven. None of this would be possible without that support.”

—Anne Levin

Rider Radio Stations Earn Award Nominations

Rider University’s student run radio stations, 107.7 The Bronc WRRC-FM and its online counterpart 107.7 The Bronc Retro WRRC2, have been nominated for a record 11 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Media Awards. This year also marks the third consecutive year that 107.7 The Bronc has been nominated for Best Radio Station (under 10,000 students).

In 2023, the station took home the top honor.

Nominations include Best Morning Show, Best Newscast, Best Sports Play-byPlay (baseball), Best Sports Talk Show, Best Social Media Director, Best Station Promo, Best News Director, Best Station Contest, Best Station Giveaway, Best Radio Station (under 10,000 students): 107.7 The Bronc WRRC-FM, and Best Online/Streaming Radio Station (under 10,000 students): 107.7 The Bronc Retro WRRC2.

“Our students continue to outperform the radio station’s goals and expectations,” said John Mozes, general manager. “I am thrilled to see their hard work get rewarded with these 11 IBS Media Award nominations. Their dedication and passion for broadcast radio can always be heard on The Bronc and The Bronc Retro, but now the entire nation gets to see and hear the extraordinary effort our students put into honing their craft every day at Rider University.”

Established in 1940, IBS stands as the premier nonprofit broadcast organization in the nation, representing

over 1,000 education-affiliated radio stations and webcasters. The awards acknowledge exceptional programming from college and university radio stations across the United States. Winners will be announced during the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems Conference and Media Awards on March 8 in New York City.

107.7 The Bronc is routinely recognized for its outstanding programming. The station has also been nominated for the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for College Radio Station of the Year in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Most recently, 107.7 The Bronc was ranked the No. 9 Best College Radio Station by the Princeton Review.

Preservation of Acreage At Mount Rose Ridge

The Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) has announced the preservation of 28-acre tract of forest in the Mount Rose Ridge. This property, located off of Cleveland Road, expands upon the 387-acre Mount Rose Preserve, creating a total of 415 acres of contiguous permanently preserved open space in Hopewell Valley.

The heart of the Mount Rose Preserve was purchased by New Jersey Conservation Foundation, FoHVOS, Hopewell Township and Mercer County in 2015. Preservation partners have continued to grow and expand upon this public preserve since then.

The Giardino tract is 100 percent wooded; including

forested wetlands and upland forest on a diabase ridge. This intact forest provides essential breeding habitat for songbirds, including Veery and Northern Parula, wetland forest vital to salamanders and frogs, and a safe harbor for rare plant species such as Wild Comfrey.

This preserve is also identified as Core Habitat by NJDEP’s CHANJ program. The CHANJ project, Connecting Habitats Across New Jersey, is aimed to conserve native wildlife populations by creating a statewide landscape of connected preserved lands; allowing for healthy reproduction and creating genetically strong wildlife populations. Core Habitats represent the most important large and intact natural areas within the state, making them a priority for preservation.

“With over 40 percent of Hopewell Township preserved as open space, farmland, or recreation land, the Township Committee is committed to grow this number even further,” said Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters Manning. “We are thankful to work with preservation partners like FoHVOS to make this happen. The addition of these 28 acres to the FoHVOS preserves is a huge benefit to the people and the environment of the Township. We are excited about this property and look forward to continuing to work with FoHVOS for many years to come.”

FoHVOS applied for and received funding from NJDEP Green Acres, Mercer County Open Space Trust Fund and Hopewell Township to make this acquisition possible.

“I’m very pleased that Mercer County could support FoHVOS and Hopewell Township in this expansion of the Mount Rose Preserve,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “Protecting sensitive ecosystems is key to the health of our natural environment, and we’re always looking for new opportunities to add to the more-than 40,000 acres of preserved open space in Mercer County.”

In the future, this land will be accessible for hiking, birdwatching, and passive enjoyment, by way of a foot trail that will connect to a proposed section of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail.

“In addition to being a preserve with excellent conservation quality, it too, will become a public asset for our community,” said Jenn Rogers, FoHVOS executive director. “My hope is that we will be able to create a permanently protected land connection from Mount Rose Preserve to Princeton’s Emerald Necklace in the future.”

RIDER RADIO: Rider student Owen McCarron works in the university’s student radio station.

(Photo by Peter G. Borg/Rider University)

continued from page one

assessed home value of $853,136 would be $222 if only Question 1 passes, $447 if Questions 1 and 2 pass, and $532 if all three questions pass.

The district would receive $19.9 million in state debt service aid if all three questions are approved by the voters, $11.4M if only Question 1 passes, $18.5M if 1 and 2 pass.

School officials have repeatedly emphasized the need for expansion and renovations in order to continue high-quality programming, to maintain class sizes in the elementary schools, and to sustain neighborhood schools as the community grows and the schools accommodate students from more than 1,000 new residential units in the next few years.

“I am truly excited about this upcoming referendum and the ways it will enhance the educational experience for our students,” said Interim Superintendent Kathie Foster last month. “The proposed projects are the result of several years of thoughtful research and planning by our Board. In anticipation of the enrollment growth from new and existing housing, this referendum provides costeffective solutions to expand capacity, renovate common areas, and update facilities to better support our students now and in the future.”

Voters can cast their ballots in person from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28 at one of four Princeton polling locations: Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive; Hook & Ladder Fire House, 27 North Harrison Street.; Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place off Rosedale Road; and the PPS Administration Building, 25 Valley Road.

Sample ballots with assigned polling locations have been mailed to every registered voter. To find out where to vote, residents can also use the state’s polling place search tool at voter.svrs.nj.gov.

Further information on the referendum and voting procedures is available on the county clerk’s website at mercercounty.org. It is still possible to vote by mail, but voters must submit completed applications in person at the Mercer County Clerk’s Office, 209 South Broad Street in Trenton by 3 p.m. Monday, January 27, and completed vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by the election date or deposited in a drop box at Princeton Municipal Building, Princeton University Dinky Station/Wawa, Board of Elections at 930 Spruce Street in Lawrence or at the County Clerk’s Office, 209 Broad Street, Trenton.

—Donald Gilpin

KESTREL CONSERVATION: The Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and Wild Bird Research Group are partnering to expand New Jersey’s American kestrel nesting program.

Conservation Group Joins “Hatch a Hundred” Campaign

The Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) is looking for volunteers to help with efforts to bolster the population of American kestrels, which has been listed since 2012 as a threatened species in New Jersey. A public program will be held on Saturday, January 25 from 2-3:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 3 East Broad Street, Hopewell, to educate and recruit volunteers for the program.

Decades of habitat loss, a decline in suitable nesting sites, and competition from species like the European starling led to a significant decrease in kestrel populations throughout the Northeast. Despite their small size, kestrels play a crucial role as avian predators, consuming grasshoppers, beetles, voles, mice, and occasionally small birds.

The reduction of predator populations can have negative downstream ecosystem effects. Research shows that kestrels help control insect and small mammal populations in agricultural lands and deter birds from fruit orchards, reducing crop losses.

The threatened status of the New Jersey kestrel population indicates that their loss and the subsequent ecological impacts, while not imminent, are possible.

In 2019, FoHVOS spearheaded an initiative to install 50 kestrel nesting boxes across Hopewell Valley. Since then, the local kestrel population has responded with a 400 percent increase in nest box occupancy and significant growth in fledged chicks, from three in 2019 to 61 in 2023. This past season, FoHVOS shattered its own record with two-thirds of its nest boxes hosting kestrels, rearing a total of 81 kestrel chicks. FoHVOS has partnered with Wild Bird Research Group to “Hatch a Hundred” kestrels in 2025. Volunteers

the library at (609) 9249529 extension 1220.

Friday sessions will be held at the Suzanne Patterson Building, behind Monument Hall, the former Princeton Borough Hall, 45 Stockton Street, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To make the required appointment, call (609) 7519699 or visit cmaprinceton. org and type “AARP Free Tax Assistance Appointments” in the search box.

Saturday sessions will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. This is a walk-in location with no appointment necessary. Spanish-speaking translators will be available.

Taxpayers should bring a copy of their 2023 return, and those with a W-2 form their year-end pay stub, if possible.

Other nearby sites are in West Windsor, Lawrence, Hopewell, Ewing, Robbinsville and Plainsboro. Call (888) 227-7669 for more information.

Washington’s Birthday Trivia at Rockingham

The Washington Birthday trivia tours return to Rockingham for the first time in six years on Saturday, February 22, commemorating George Washington’s 293rd birthday.

Washington, retired Continental Army commander in chief and first president of the U.S. will be celebrated at Rockingham, where he spent time, with tours and trivia about his life and times before, during, and after his famous careers. The tours will end with cakes and punch in the kitchen.

Tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the hour (the last tour at 3 p.m.). The Museum Store will also be open. Tour size is limited and reservations are required. Call (609) 683-7132 to reserve. A donation of $5 is suggested.

The regular history of the house will not be emphasized during these special tours, but visitors are always welcome to come for a tour on another day by making a reservation. Rockingham is located on Route 603 (Laurel Avenue/KingstonRocky Hill Road), one mile north of Route 27 in Kingston and one mile south of Route 518 in Rocky Hill. Visit rockingham.net for more information.

Think Global Buy Local

are needed to monitor nest box sites, host a nest box, connect the organization to landowner, and help build boxes. To get more information and register, visit fosvos.org.

Talk on Michaelangelo At Dorothea’s House

On Sunday, February 2 from 5 to 7 p.m., Princeton University Associate Professor of Art and Archaeology Carolina Mangone will give a talk about Michaelangelo’s unfinished sculptures, at Dorothea’s House, 120 John Street. Admission is free. Michelangelo Buonarroti left over half of his marble sculptures — some 26 of his 44 works, ranging from his very first carving to his last — in various unfinished states. Mangone will explore the problem and appeal of these uncompleted works, focusing on a handful of Michelangelo’s sculptures and their relationship to the preparatory arts of drawing and modeling.

Dorothea’s House is located at 120 John Street. Participants are encouraged to bring refreshments to share at a post-program reception. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Visit dorotheashouse.org for more information.

AARP Tax-Aide Offers Free Tax Preparation

The Mercer County AARP Tax-Aide program, which provides free federal and state income tax preparation, will again offer its service at three sites in Princeton on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays beginning February 1 and continuing through mid-April.

The program serves all ages and primarily focuses on taxpayers of low- and moderate income. IRStrained volunteers will prepare and file federal and state tax returns at no cost.

Monday sessions will be held at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments are necessary and may be made by calling

Lawrenceville Resident Shares Appreciation Of Special Section and Efforts in Village

To the Editor:

I was delighted to read the special section in last weeks’ issue [January 15, pages 16 and 17] entitled Lawrence Township News. I moved to Lawrenceville 20 years ago and it was a great decision.

I loved the stories about nationally recognized Joanne Canady-Brown and her wildly popular Ginger Peach Bakery, the energetic Lawrence Education Foundation (raising tons of money for our schools), and Cherry Grove Farm with its barns and animals and its award-winning cheesemaking operations, classes, and workshops.

I also deeply appreciated the story featuring Lawrenceville Main Street (LMS), our decades-old downtown organization. They produce two major arts festivals each year, and weekly concerts in the park throughout the summer, both attended by hundreds. The story also noted our many fine restaurants and shops, including some hot new arrivals.

I’d like to mention one more story — it’s about the LMS’ Landscape Committee. This small group of women put in hundreds of hours of physical labor every year to make our downtown look lovely and inviting. Their hanging baskets all along Main Street — and other planters around town — are filled with gorgeous flowers from May to October, and overflow with evergreens during the winter months. They are watered all summer long by hand almost daily. The evergreen branches are cut by hand from entire trees donated by local nurseries — an arduous task. Extra volunteers from the community help out, and also participate in fall downtown cleanup days.

It takes a village!

ELLEN SAXON

Gordon Avenue, Lawrenceville

Encouraging Community to Invest in PPS and Support All Three Questions on Referendum

To the Editor:

We are writing to voice our support for all three questions in the upcoming school referendum on January 28.

We have lived in Princeton since 2016 and are the parents of four students in the Princeton Public Schools district. During this time, we have watched as Princeton has grown and our Littlebrook community has expanded. The year after our oldest children began at Littlebrook, the computer lab was taken away to allow room for a classroom. Over the next few years, our World Language (Spanish) classroom was converted into a fourth-grade classroom, storage closets were converted into rooms where special education students could be pulled out for additional support, the stage was converted into storage, occupational therapy was conducted in the halls, and students and parents met individually with teachers in the lobby. Last year, our music room was converted into a classroom and music was held on a cart. This year, our pre-k class was moved to Community Park to make way for yet another classroom.

The reason for these changes is simple. Princeton is growing and so is our school enrollment.

While some will say the birthrate in Princeton is down, we’d point out that the size of our community is not one driven by the birthrate but, instead, by a vibrant downtown, by our proximity to two metro areas, by a university that attracts scholars and researchers from around the world, and by a top-notch school district.

When our youngest children started kindergarten during the pandemic (admittedly, when enrollment was lower) there were approximately 40 other students in their grade. Today, in fourth grade, that number has grown to more than 80. Most of these students moved to Princeton in the past four years.

And it appears this growth is only expected to continue.

The Avalon on Thanet Drive, which opened in 2023, has already added approximately 60 students to our school district. A drive past the shopping center shows that that two large apartment complexes will start leasing in the next month or so. An apartment complex on Herrontown Road is anticipated to open in the spring, and Princeton’s Council just approved another project on Stockton Street. The referendum, which provides $89 million in new funding for our schools, will allow for needed capital improvements so that our schools can keep pace with this growth.

Taking a wait-and-see approach does not solve the issue. In fact, kicking the can down the road only ensures that we will be faced with an even more dire situation in a few years when we will undoubtedly need to pay more, possibly without the benefit of state debt service aid.

As such, we encourage the community to invest in Princeton’s public schools and to support all three questions on the January 28 referendum.

CORINNE RYAN AND JONATHAN

BRENNAN Dodds Lane

Referendum Encourages Students to Thrive In Open, Welcoming, and Safe Environment

To the Editor:

My family and I feel very proud and fortunate to call Princeton home for nearly 15 years. With two daughters at the Princeton Charter School, we moved here for the same reasons that many of you find Princeton attractive. Friendly and caring neighbors, a walkable town with proximity to the university, and great schools are just some of Princeton’s most favorable traits. Today, however, one of these attributes is significantly at risk. Without passing all three measures of the referendum, the quality of education in our schools will decline precipitously.

Princeton Public Schools are already over, at, or near capacity in terms of size, and infrastructure is desperately in need of repair. The estimated impact of the referendum per average, assessed Princeton home is less than $11 per week. These funds can provide a life-saving infusion to our schools. By adding capacity across our schools, this referendum extends Princeton’s quality education across current and additional families moving into the area. This referendum enables our teachers to continue inspiring curious minds. This referendum encourages students to thrive in an open, welcoming, and safe environment. Even for residents who don’t have children at PPS, the referendum provides critical value and economic benefit — communities with well-funded schools have stronger home values. The School Board has proposed a thoughtful, cost-effective plan that emphasizes our public schools’ smaller class sizes, a cornerstone of our tremendous public schools and a critical ingredient in academic excellence. It is my sincere hope that we act now to maintain the high-quality academics for which PPS has been recognized at the state and national levels. Please vote “yes” to all three parts of the referendum on January 28.

MANISHI PRASAD

Parent at Princeton Charter School Dodds Lane

Stating Case for a “No” Vote on the Princeton Public Schools Referendum

To the Editor:

Princeton residents are being asked to approve another tax hike for Princeton Public Schools (PPS) through the 2025 referendum. While our schools are vital to the community, this referendum highlights the failures of three key entities — PPS, the municipal Council, and the local Democratic machine — to work together effectively. A “no” vote isn’t about rejecting support for children but about demanding accountability and sustainable governance.

PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) from new apartment developments total over $2.66 million annually. Historically, 50 percent of tax revenue has gone to schools, and PILOT, as a tax payment, should follow the same principle. PPS should receive $1.33 million yearly from this revenue stream, a figure likely to grow over time.

For years, the Council has avoided addressing how PILOT funds will be shared, implying no intention of including PPS. This silence is especially troubling given the Council’s push for high-density housing developments. Refusing to share PILOT revenue only fuels opposition to these projects, as concerns about increased school costs remain unaddressed. Yet the Council has promised PPS nothing, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the shortfall through higher property taxes. Meanwhile, the Council approved $50 million to acquire Westminster Choir College, a property mired in legal disputes, in what appears to be a convoluted attempt to swap land with PPS for its Valley Road property. Instead of tackling urgent financial concerns, the Council plays games with public funds.

critical issue of school funding — something everyone agrees is essential. If they can’t manage this, voters should ask: Why keep electing candidates endorsed by these insiders while rejecting BOE members who advocate for fiscal responsibility?

These three entities — PPS, the Council, and the political machine — should be pillars supporting our schools. Instead, they are bungling the one issue that matters most: education. A “no” vote of the referendum isn’t rejecting school improvements — it’s a necessary delay to demand better governance, PILOT sharing, and accountability. Don’t let them assume taxpayers will always say “yes” without fi xing these issues. Vote “no.”

JUNGLIEN CHEN McComb Road

Supporting “Yes” Votes on Schools Referendum, with Some Quali cations

To the Editor: I support three “yes” votes on the January 28 schools referendum. With some qualifications.

Excellent and inclusive schools are among the most important things that make Princeton great. Having participated in the long-term planning discussions over the past few years, it is clear that our elementary and middle schools are already over-full. Investing now is essential for great schools. It would have been better to have expanded the schools years ago. Although we have had school bonds in recent years, it has been decades since new classrooms were added at the elementary and middle-school levels. We can’t wait any longer.

I understand why some residents are reluctant to give this School Board more money. There have been many missteps in recent years, and we already spend a lot on schools. According to state figures, the Princeton School District spends 20 percent more per student per year than the school districts in Montgomery and West Windsor-Plainsboro. I do not understand why. But voting “no” on new classrooms is not the right response. We need to increase oversight, ensure the right people are on our School Board, and consider further studies on why the operating budget is so high.

Voting “yes” now unlocks millions of dollars of extra money from the state that will otherwise be left on the table. The idea of building a new school somewhere else at some indeterminate time in the future will come too late and cost even more. There are three questions on the schools referendum. I would encourage neighbors to vote “yes” on as many as they feel that they can. All the improvements are necessary, have been carefully considered, and will help keep Princeton a great and desirable place to live.

SAM BUNTING Dempsey Avenue

Asking Town to Pump the Bakes on Harrison Street Traffic Modi cations

To the Editor:

The Municipality of Princeton should pump the brakes on the traffic modifications for North Harrison Street. While some evolution of traffic control on North Harrison may be necessary, the change is off to a bad start.

The new dedicated bicycle lane on North Harrison Street between Valley Road and Terhune Road creates hazards for all. A bicyclist in the bicycle lane who proceeds straight across Terhune Road faces the peril of motorists turning right across the bicyclist’s line of travel. It would be better for that bicyclist to ignore the bicycle lane. Motorists entering the block from various directions encounter a sudden merge from two lanes to one. Drivers in the right lane face an unenviable situation. Choking traffic on North Harrison Street drives traffic onto Ewing Street. We see similar behavior in the vicinity of the (vital) traffic lights at Hamilton Avenue and Nassau Street. Drivers race up and down Linden Lane to dodge these lights, often continuing on Princeton Avenue or Murray Place.

Some natural diversion onto side streets is inevitable. Deliberate restriction on North Harrison Street is not the answer.

LAWREN SMITHLINE Linden Lane

Voting “No” on Referendum Might Be More Costly Than Projected Tax Hike

To the Editor:

PPS leadership has also failed to address inefficiencies that worsen overcrowding and strain budgets. The dual-language program at Community Park Elementary complicates redistricting, making it harder to distribute students efficiently across schools. Additionally, PPS enrolls over 100 children of staff and teachers who reside outside Princeton but does not charge them the $28,000 per-student cost. Furthermore, the send/receive agreement with Cranbury, which brings in 272 students, remains in place. While not the primary issue now, phasing it out could help alleviate overcrowding as younger students from new developments move through the system. These unresolved issues erode trust in PPS’ ability to manage resources responsibly.

Princeton is a one-party state ruled by the Democratic machine. One supposed advantage of one-party dominance is the ability to steamroll decisions and get things done. Yet, even with total control, the politburo can’t seem to get their own members in the Council and Board of Education to resolve the

We write in support of the public schools referendum on January 28. As we learned about the proposals, we found that nearly all voices, both for and against, agreed that children and their education are core to what makes Princeton the treasure it is. This unison heartens us. However, reasonable people can disagree on details. Why now? Why this amount? Why this order? No proposal will satisfy everyone. In the past few months, we’ve arrived at our own answers to these questions. We hope they might help inform yours.

Why now? The public schools are already at or beyond capacity and Princeton is adding ~1,000 new housing units in the next five years with more to follow.

Why this amount? $532/year for the average home is a lot. However, voting no might be more costly. Children will be cared for regardless, only without the benefit of $20M in state aid and with the added overhead of hacked together solutions (more details at princetonk12.org/future).

Why this order? The schools truly function as part of a single system. Relieving pressure on bottlenecks (e.g., Community Park in Question 1) relieves pressure on other schools.

We appreciate the challenge with putting forth any proposal. Trade-offs are made, stances taken, and ultimately, we must decide if we believe in the people who took the time to do the work. We emphatically do and hope others will too.

DANIEL SUO AND LISA YU Herrontown Lane

Maintaining Level of Excellence in Public

Schools is an Investment in the Future

To the Editor:

We have lived in Princeton since 2006. Our older son and younger daughter graduated from Littlebrook Elementary School, John Witherspoon Middle School, and Princeton High School. Our daughter graduated from PHS in 2024. Although we no longer have children attending Princeton Public Schools, we enthusiastically support the upcoming three-question referendum. We want all students to have the same wonderful experiences and opportunities our kids had.

Why is there the need for this referendum? Princeton’s population is growing. Projections indicate that in the next five years, 10 percent of the town’s existing housing stock (at least 1,000 new housing units) will be added, with expected school age student enrollment to rise proportionately. We simply do not have the infrastructure to maintain small class sizes, excellent programming in science and the arts, and basic building needs like an updated HVAC system to meet these increased demands. PHS’ current inefficient HVAC system was last updated more than 20 years ago, and needs replacing. For this update alone, cost savings in energy and maintenance are anticipated to be approximately $200,000 per year.

In order to qualify for the maximum state aid, the referendum proposes renovation, not new construction. If all three questions pass, PPS will receive approximately $20 million from the state, which is about 15 percent of the total cost of proposed projects.

One of the reasons our property taxes are high is to support our first-rate public schools. When the referendum passes, the total cost per average assessed household is $532. This amount per household will translate into over 20 new classrooms, new science labs, improved music and common areas, and strengthened safety features.

Many of us moved to Princeton because of the superb public schools. Maintaining this level of excellence — supporting neighborhood schools, small class sizes, recruiting and keeping talented teachers — is an investment in the future. A bonus is ever-increasing home values.

We were lucky to attend exceptional public schools (Abigail is a proud PHS alum). We understand the valuable services offered by an outstanding public school system, and the opportunities that can be available to every student. Please join us as we vote “yes” on Questions 1, 2, and 3 on January 28.

For more information, please see the excellent and informative link at sites.google.com/princetonk12.org/ppsreferendum-2025/home.

ABIGAIL ROSE AND ADAM SEIDEN Wheatsheaf Lane

Recent PHS Graduate Highlights Need for Jan. 28 Bond Referendum

To the Editor:

As a recent graduate of Princeton High School, I am writing in support of the January 28 bond referendum. The first question of the referendum includes replacement of the PHS HVAC system. From personal experience, this is sorely needed, and I strongly urge a “yes” vote on this question. In case you don’t know: PHS temperature regulation has exactly three settings for the entire building — boiler, nothing, and air conditioner. Some rooms are sweltering under all three settings, and some rooms are frigid under all three settings — and good luck guessing which ones are which from the floor plan. If the PHS HVAC system doesn’t need replacement, I honestly don’t know what does. As to the rest of the referendum, much has already been said, so I will be brief. A lot of new housing is going to be built, including Fourth Round requirements that the school district is barred from considering in its demographics. The medium term is uncertain; demography usually is. But in the long term, there will be substantial growth, and we must plan for it. Vote for the plan you think most prudent in the long term; consider nothing else.

Ak ASH J IM

Princeton High School Class of 2022 Vandeventer Avenue

Letters to the Editor Policy

Town Topics welcomes letters to the Editor, preferably on subjects related to Princeton. Letters must have a valid street address (only the street name will be printed with the writer’s name). Priority will be given to letters that are received for publication no later than Monday noon for publication in that week’s Wednesday edition. Letters must be no longer than 500 words and have no more than four signatures.

All letters are subject to editing and to available space.

At least a month’s time must pass before another letter from the same writer can be considered for publication.

Letters are welcome with views about actions, policies, ordinances, events, performances, buildings, etc. However, we will not publish letters that include content that is, or may be perceived as, negative towards local figures, politicians, or political candidates as individuals.

When necessary, letters with negative content may be shared with the person/group in question in order to allow them the courtesy of a response, with the understanding that the communications end there. Letters to the Editor may be submitted, preferably by email, to editor@towntopics.com, or by post to Town Topics, PO Box 125, Kingston, N.J. 08528. Letters submitted via mail must have a valid signature.

NOTICE TO VOTERS

PRINCETON SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION N.J.S.A 19:12-7 A PRINCETON SCHOOL ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 28th, 2024, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 6:00 A.M. AND 8:00 P.M. FOR THE ELECTION OF:

PUBLIC BOND QUESTION

BOND PROPOSAL QUESTION NO. 1

The Board of Education of Princeton in the County of Mercer, New Jersey is

ditions, renovations, alterations and improvements at Community Park School, including

purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district for such purposes in the

The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the Commissioner of Education

Community Park School). The proposed improvements include $2,789,930 allocated to Community

Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State

with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the

Do you approve this bond proposal?

BOND PROPOSAL QUESTION NO. 2

(This Bond Proposal No. 2 will only go into effect if both Bond Proposal No. 1 and this Bond Proposal No. 2 are approved by the voters at this election.)

The Board of Education of Princeton in the County of Mercer, New Jersey is authorized: (a) to provide additional renovations, alterations and improvements at Princeton High School and additions, renovations, alterations and improvements at Princeton Middle School, including fixtures, furnishings, equipment,

such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district for such purposes in the principal amount of $38,300,000.

The final eligible costs of the projects approved by the Commissioner of Education are $12,610,896 (with $3,050,000 allocated to Princeton High School and $9,560,896 allocated to Princeton Middle School). The proposed improvements include $4,290,000 allocated to Princeton Middle School for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this special election.

Do you approve this bond proposal?

BOND PROPOSAL QUESTION NO. 3

(This Bond Proposal No. 3 will only go into effect if Bond Proposal No. 1, Bond Proposal No. 2 and this Bond Proposal No. 3 all are approved by the voters at this election.)

The Board of Education of Princeton in the County of Mercer, New Jersey is authorized: (a) to provide additions, renovations, alterations and improvements at Littlebrook Elementary School, including fixtures, furnishings, equipment, site work and related work; (b) to appropriate $12,915,000 for such purposes and (c) to issue bonds of the school district for such purposes in the principal amount of $12,915,000.

The final eligible costs of these projects approved by the Commissioner of Education are $2,509,989. The proposed improvements include $2,315,950 for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the project. The Board of Education is authorized to transfer funds among the projects approved at this special election. Do you approve this bond proposal?

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT

If all three bond proposals are approved by the voters at this election, the Board of Education will be authorized to undertake school capital projects for a total cost of $89,120,000 and to issue bonds in the total principal amount of $89,120,000 to fund the projects. The aggregate amount of the final eligible costs of the projects approved by the Commissioner of Education is $37,135,299 (with $19,450,000 allocated to Princeton High School, $9,560,896 allocated to Princeton Middle School, $5,614,414 allocated to Community Park School and $2,509,989 allocated to Littlebrook Elementary School). The proposed improvements include $4,290,000 allocated to Princeton Middle School, $2,789,930 allocated to Community Park School and $2,315,950 allocated to Littlebrook Elementary School for elements in addition to the facilities efficiency standards developed by the Commissioner of Education or not otherwise eligible for State support pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5(g). The State debt service aid percentage will equal 40% of the annual debt service due with respect to the final eligible costs of the projects approved at this election.

2025 PRINCETON SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION POLLING LOCATIONS Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 Polling Locations will be open between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. PRINCETON Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Dr. 1,2,6,7,10,12,14,20

Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Pl 3,4 Princeton Public Schools-Admin Bldg, 25 Valley Rd 5,9,11,19,15,16,17 Hook & Ladder Fire House, 27 North Harrison St 8,13,18 2025 PRINCETON SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION BALLOT DROP BOX LOCATIONS

• Princeton Municipal Building – 400 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ, 08540 (Front of Bldg. facing Witherspoon)

• Princeton University Dinky Station/Wawa - 152 Alexander St., Princeton NJ 08540 (Around the circular drop off area in front of Wawa)

• Board of Elections – 930 Spruce St, Lawrence, NJ 08648

• County Clerk’s Office- Courthouse Annex- 209 S. Broad Street, Trenton, NJ, 08608 (in front)

PURSUANT TO PROVISIONS OF THE VOTING ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED ACT OF 1984, A TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR THE DEAF (TDD) IS MAINTAINED AT THE ELECTION DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, TRENTON, NEW JERSEY. PERSONS WISHING TO UTILIZE THIS SERVICE TO OBTAIN GENERAL VOTER INFORMATION MAY DO SO BY DIALING 1-800-292-0039.

ALL POLLING PLACES IN MERCER COUNTY WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH AUDIO VOTING FOR THE BLIND. VOTERS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY VOTING DUE TO BLINDNESS, DISABILITY, OR AN INABILITY TO READ OR WRITE MAY BRING A PERSON TO ASSIST THEM AT THE POLLS OR MAY ASK FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE POLL WORKERS. SAMPLE BALLOTS ARE MAILED TO EVERY REGISTERED VOTER THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE ELECTION LISTING THE OFFICES, CANDIDATES AND PUBLIC QUESTIONS TO BE VOTED UPON ALONG WITH YOUR ELECTION VOTING DISTRICTS NUMBER AND POLLING LOCATION.

VOTING INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED IN EACH POLLING SITE LISTING PROCEDURES ON:

VOTING BY VOTING MACHINE; PROVISIONAL BALLOTS AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS; IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST TIME REGISTRANTS BY MAIL ONLY; THE CHALLENGE PROCESS IN THE POLLING PLACE AND DO’S AND DON’TS FOR CHALLENGERS; EXIT POLLING; ELECTION OFFENSES: ELECTIONEERING, FRADULENT VOTING AND CONSPIRACY; AVAILABILITY OF VOTER COMPLAINT FORMS AT THE POLLING SITE. UNDER NEW JERSEY LAW YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN PRIVACY, TO HAVE A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO VOTE, TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT BALLOT IF YOU SPOIL THE FIRST TWO.

A “VOTER’S BILL OF RIGHTS” WILL BE PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED AT YOUR POLLING PLACE. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE HAS BEEN VIOLATED IN ANY WAY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY YOUR COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTIONS.

USE OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS ON ELECTION DAY, JANUARY 28th, 2025

IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED VOTER WHO HAS MOVED WITHIN THE COUNTY AND YOU DID NOT NOTIFY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATIONS OF YOUR NEW ADDRESS, YOU WILL BE PERMITTED TO VOTE AT THE ELECTION AS FOLLOWS:

(1) GO TO THE POLLING PLACE FOR THE ELECTION DISTRICT OF YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS (2) TELL POLL WORKERS YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE, BUT HAVE MOVED WITHIN THE COUNTY (3) YOU WILL BE PERMITTED TO VOTE BY PROVISIONAL BALLOT

PROVISIONAL BALLOTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL VOTERS.

CHALLENGES TO MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTING CHALLENGES TO VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS STARTING 12/26/2024 – 02/03/2025. AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS 930 SPRUCE ST, LAWRENCE, NJ 08648. THE BOARD WILL BE IN SESSION TO REVIEW THESE CHALLENGES ALONG WITH OPENING, ACCEPTING AND REJECTING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025 AT 12:00 PM. PLEASE CALL THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO NOTICE YOUR INTENT TO CHALLENGE. PLEASE BRING ANY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND BE PREPARED TO COMPLETE AN AFFIDAVIT FOR EACH CHALLENGE SUBMITTED.

MAIL IN BALLOTS - We will begin opening Mail in Ballots on Saturday, 01/25/25 at

MERCER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS JILL MOYER, CHAIRWOMAN MARTIN J JENNINGS JR ESQ, SECRETARY MARY CORRIGAN, MEMBER CHARLES FARINA, MEMBER PHONE 609-989-6522

Evolutionary

Ecology Couple Discuss

Their New Memoirs at Library Event

The Princeton University evolutionary ecology husband and wife team of Peter R. Grant and B. Rosemary Grant, renowned for their work with Darwin’s finches in the Galápagos, each discusses their recently released memoirs at the Princeton Public Library on Sunday February 2 at 3 p.m. The event is co-presented by

to the theory of evolution by natural selection, a process the Grants observed.

Enchanted by Daphne: The Life of an Evolutionary Naturalist (Princeton University Press, $35) is Peter Grant’s personal account of his remarkable life and career. In this book, he takes readers through his ongoing research in the Ga-

One Step Sideways, Three Steps Forward: One Woman’s Path to Becoming a Biologist (Princeton University Press, $29.95) recounts Rosemary’s journey to the top of evolutionary biology. In this book, she tells the story of her life and unorthodox career, detailing one woman’s solution to the problem of combining professional life with raising a family. She shows the rewards of the joy of working closely with a partner, sharing ideas, disappointments, and successes.

Peter R. Grant is the Class of 1877 Professor of Zoology Emeritus at Princeton University. His books include Ecology and Evolution of Darwin’s Finches B. Rosemary Grant is research scholar emerita at Princeton University. She is the author (with Peter R. Grant) of How and Why Species Multiply. Together, they cowrote 40 Years of Evolution: Darwin’s Finches on Daphne Major Island.

Sash Bischoff Talks About “Sweet Fury: A Novel”

When a beloved actress is cast in a feminist adaptation of a Fitzgerald classic, she finds herself the victim in a deadly game of revenge in which everyone, on screen and off, is playing a part. Author Sash Bischoff talks about her book, Sweet Fury: A Novel, on Thursday, January 30, at 6 p.m. at Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street.

A twisty, thought-provoking novel of construction and deconstruction in conversation with the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and told through the lens of the film industry, Sweet Fury is an incisive and bold critique of America’s deep-rooted misogyny. With this novel,

“ Sweet Fury is a wildly imaginative, very dark romance of a kind that would have shocked F. Scott Fitzgerald, that icon of the Roaring Twenties. Filled with surprises, unpredictable in its denouement, this audacious first novel is a subversive and highly entertaining exploration of the theme of ‘romance’ itself,” writes Joyce Carol Oates Bischoff is a writer and theater director. She has written plays that have been developed at theaters throughout the U.S. As a director, she has worked on Broadway and off Broadway/national tours including Dear Evan Hansen, The Visit, On the Town, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Shrek. She has won the National Arts Award (NFAA) for Acting. Sweet Fury is her first novel.

She will be in conversation with Sheila Kohler, the author of many novels, volumes of short fiction, essays, and a memoir. Her most recent novel is Open Secrets. She has won numerous prizes, including the O. Henry twice, and her work has been included in The Best American Short Stories and Best American Mystery Stories. She has taught at Columbia, Sarah Lawrence, Bennington, and at Princeton since 2007. She will be writer in residence at the American Library in Paris in 2025. This event is cosponsored by Princeton University’s Program in Creative Writing.

Rider Furniture

Musician and author Neko Case will be joined in conversation with writer A.M. Homes to discuss Case’s memoir of a poverty-stricken childhood, obsessive desires, and indispensable friendships. The event, sponsored by Princeton Public Library, Labyrinth Books, and McCarter Theatre, will take place Wednesday, January 29, at 7:30 p.m. in McCarter’s Berlind Theatre. A copy of the book, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You, is included with a ticket purchase. Tickets are available at mccarter.org/

“Where quality still matters.” 4621 Route 27 Kingston, NJ 609-924-0147 riderfurniture.com

Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun 12-5

An Evening with Neko Case in Conversation with A. M. Homes publisher, and a manifesto on how to make space for ourselves in this world, despite the obstacles we face. Case has built a career with her distinctive style and musical versatility. In addition to her numerous critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated solo records, Case is a founding member of The New Pornographers. She authors the newsletter Entering The Lung and is currently composing the musical theater adaptation of an Academy Award-winning motion picture.

A singer, songwriter, music producer, visual artist, and writer, Case has long been revered as one of music’s most influential artists, and her authenticity, lyrical storytelling, and sly wit have endeared her to critics, musicians, and fans. In The Harder I Fight, The More (Grand Central Publishing $30), she traces her evolution from an invisible girl “raised by two dogs and a space heater” in rural Washington state to her improbable emergence as an internationally-acclaimed

This memoir is a rebellious meditation on identity and corruption, according to the

“This is a fierce, funny, moving memoir that will break your heart and patch it back up. Case’s writing is as piercing and beautiful as her gorgeous singing, and will carry you away completely,” writes author Susan Orlean.

A.M. Homes’ most recent book is The Unfolding Her many previous works include This Book Will Save Your Life , winner of the 2013 Orange/Women’s Prize for Fiction, the shortstory collection Days of Awe , and the bestselling memoir, The Mistress’s Daughter. She is a faculty member in the Lewis Center for the Arts Program in Creative Writing.

On David Lynch: “Only When It Is Dark Enough, Can You See the Stars”

There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, “Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole. It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”

—from the announcement of David Lynch’s death

If David Lynch were still delivering daily weather reports on his YouTube channel, and if he’d lived to see Inauguration Day, his January 20 forecast would have ended with his usual cheery, heartfelt “golden sunshine and blue skies all the way” closing line, topped off with a smile and a vigorous salute, regardless of the actual weather in L.A. or D.C. Unfortunately, actual earthly weather in the form of the Santa Ana winds driving the wildfires devastating his city forced the mandatory evacuation of Lynch’s home on the night of Wednesday, January 8. The timing and the circumstances were, as some online bloggers have noted, “Lynchian.” Not only was the director of Mulholland Drive living adjacent to the street that gave his most celebrated film its title, he was homebound, seriously ill with emphysema, and in need of “supplemental oxygen for most activities.” Even though the evacuation order was rescinded the next morning, the damage had apparently been done. Less than a week later, Lynch’s family announced his January 15 death.

Smoking

David Lynch may not have been the master of his fate, but he clearly understood that the cause of his poor health had to do with something more personal than weather. “Smoking was something that I absolutely loved but, in the end, it bit me,” he told Sight and Sound magazine in September 2024. “It was part of the art life for me: the tobacco and the smell of it and lighting things and smoking and going back and sitting back and having a smoke and looking at your work, or thinking about things; nothing like it in this world is so beautiful.... Meanwhile, it’s killing me.”

Lynch made a grisly connection between smoking and death in Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) when the paranormal assassin called the Woodsman repeats the phrase “Gotta Light?” just before crushing the skull of a radio station receptionist and terrorizing a DJ who was playing “My Prayer” by the Platters, a situation not unlike that of Lynch’s radio alter ego the weatherman, who frequently recommends songs, including several by the Platters. In fact “Gotta Light?” is the title Lynch used for The Return’s strongest, strangest, scariest episode.

Remembered on Accuweather

Has the death of an artist ever been reported with the weather news? It happened on January 17 when accuweather. com remembered David Lynch “for his work in film and television and his hundreds of daily Los Angeles weather report videos,” the last of which had been posted on December 16, 2022. As the accuweather notice Lynchenesquely words it, “After that day, the reports disappeared into the ether as mysteriously as they had suddenly begun 940 episodes earlier.”

Having seen only a fraction of those videos, I’m assuming that Lynch usually stuck to the weather, except for his habit of mentioning a song whose lyrics sometimes could be perceived as a sideways reference to the political moment, as on January 6, 2021, when he cited another song by the Platters, “The Great Pretender.” On February 25, 2022, after saying “Today I was thinking about the Ukrainians and the song ‘Roads’ by Portishead,” Lynch directly addresses “Mr. President Putin” about a “hard and fast law of nature ... there’s no escaping it,” which is that “you shall reap what you sow” and “right now you are sowing death and destruction ... and all this death and destruction is gonna come back and visit you. There’s plenty of time, life after life after life, for you to reap what you are sowing.”

January 20

After being quoted out of context in 2018 suggesting that Trump “could have” gone down “as the greatest president in history,” Lynch felt compelled to post an open letter to POTUS that at times strayed into the rhetorical territory of Martin Luther King: “You are causing suffering and division. It’s not too late to turn the ship around. Point our ship toward a bright future for all. You can unite the country. Your soul will sing. Under great loving leadership, no one loses — everybody wins. It’s something I hope you think about and take to heart. All you need to do is treat all the people as you would like to be treated.”

While it’s unlikely that Putin ever got this warning message from the sunglassmasked white-haired man speaking with the authority of a wrathful prophet, thousands of Ukrainians posted their thanks on YouTube. The message of the Portishead song Lynch mentioned still resonates: “Oh, can’t anybody see / We’ve got a war to fight / Never found our way / Regardless of what they say / How can it feel, this wrong? / From this moment / How can it feel, this wrong?”

Coming upon that statement on Martin Luther King Day 2025, I was especially struck by the line “Your soul will sing,” which sent me to a transcript of the “I’ve Been to the Mountain” speech King delivered in Memphis on April 3, 1968, the night before he was killed. Early in the speech he said: “The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around. That’s a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.”

It was somewhat wrenching to read an inadvertent echo of King’s “stars” in a transcript of the 47th president’s inaugural address: “And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.”

In Lynch’s Diner

Now it’s time to join FBI agent Dale Cooper (Kyle McLachlan) at the Twin Peaks diner for “a damn fine cup of coffee” and a slice of to-die-for cherry pie while keeping a line open to other worlds. Lynch sets the scene in his book Catching the Big Fish : Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity (Penguin 2006): “There’s a safety in thinking in a diner. You can have your coffee or your milkshake, and you can go off

into strange dark areas, and always come back to the safety of the diner.”

On Christmas Day 2017, out of the nowhere/somewhere of Twin Peaks world, I was surprised by an email message from FBI agent Dale Cooper/Kyle McLachlan, about my December 20 piece, “Stars Fell on Alabama: David Lynch, Doug Jones, and the Twin Peaks Connection.” Since McLachlan is the central actor in the master’s life’s work, it was almost as good as hearing from David Lynch himself when Coop said “Enjoyed this perspective. Thanks!”

The column in question opened with my reference to Doug Jones beating Roy Moore in Alabama’s special election for the Senate seat once held by Attorney General Jeff (“I refuse to recuse myself”) Sessions, and the connection to the outcome felt by viewers who had lived and died through all 18 episodes of Twin Peaks: The Return waiting for the real Dale Cooper to emerge from his robotic double Dougie Jones. The moment he finally wakes up from an electrocution-driven coma, movingly delivered by the music of Angelo Badalamenti’s Twin Peaks theme, is well worth the wait.

The Return ends with agent Cooper on a mission to nowhere. As he and Laura Palmer’s double (played by the original Laura, Sheryl Lee) stand staring at the house of horrors Laura once lived in, the all-American FBI agent, who knows the Tibetan Book of the Dead by heart, is asking a woman who is about to scream what year it is.

Rather than end by making the obvious connection suggested by The Return — that of a nation standing outside the White House wondering where we’re headed — let’s give the weatherman the last word. In his hybrid biography-memoir Room to Dream (Random House 2018, with Kristine McKenna), David Lynch ends the first chapter about Twin Peaks by observing that although “most people’s lives are filled with mystery, ... things move superfast nowadays and there’s not much time to sit and daydream and notice the mystery. There are fewer and fewer places in the world now where you can see the stars in the night sky, and you’ve got to go a long way out of L.A., to the dry lake beds, to see them now. One time we were out there shooting, ... and at two in the morning we turned off the lights and lay down on the desert floor and just looked up. Trillions of stars. Trillions. It’s so powerful. And because we’re not seeing those stars we’re forgetting how grand the whole show is.”

—Stuart Mitchner

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MUSIC REVIEW

Princeton Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Music Director’s Milestone Birthday

Musical ensembles often observe the significant birthdays of composers of the past or anniversaries of their leaders. Princeton Symphony Orchestra took this idea one step further by celebrating the 60th birthday of Music Director Rossen Milanov earlier in January with presentations of two monumental orchestral works. The concert on the night of Saturday, January 11 at Richardson Auditorium (the program was repeated the following afternoon) brought together Orchestra musicians, conductor Milanov, one of his long-term collaborators, and two of his favorite pieces in the ensemble’s annual Edward T. Cone commemorative events.

Joining Princeton Symphony in Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major was guest soloist Leila Josefowicz, who has played with the Orchestra numerous times in past seasons. A violinist with a solid international reputation, Josefowicz clearly demonstrated a strong connection to both Milanov and the players while showing her own brand of performance fire.

Stravinsky began each movement of this concerto with the same chord, which he called a “passport” to the music. Hesitant to compose a violin concerto because of unfamiliarity with the instrument, Stravinsky turned away from the 19thcentury concept of soloist versus orchestra to create a piece with roots in Johann Sebastian Bach, in which the soloist is “first among equals.” Stravinsky scored the solo violin in chamber groupings which allowed the melodic lines to more effectively stand out. As soloist, Josefowicz played with both passion and clarity against Stravinsky’s trademark rhythmic accompaniment. She leaned into sections of players to make her point clear and shore up her collaborative partnership with the ensemble, continually retaining a solid line of communication with Milanov.

The fourth movement “Capriccio” in particular displayed the most virtuosic writing for the solo violin, with Josefowicz’s quick-moving lines well defined amidst swirling winds. Several Princeton Symphony principals played elegant duets with Josefowicz in this movement, including flutist Sooyun Kim, bassoonist Brad Balliett, hornist Steven Harmon, and concertmaster Basia Danilow. As Josefowicz

drew duet partners into her web of virtuosity, Milanov and the Orchestra effectively maintained the accompanying syncopation, bringing Stravinsky’s neoclassical Concerto to a dynamic close. Milanov chose another personal favorite for the second half of the birthday celebration. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony in B Minor was the composer’s interpretation of Lord Byron’s 1817 “metaphysical drama” of the Faustian noble Manfred and the death of his beloved Astarte. Replete with Swiss Alpine atmosphere and supernatural beings, Byron’s Gothic story came musically to life through Tchaikovsky’s descriptive orchestration and instrumental colors. The Orchestra began the symphony with bass clarinetist Spencer Reese leading the lower winds through an opening movement of despair and grief. Strong brass playing, effective punctuation from percussion and a sense of pathos from the strings successfully conveyed Manfred’s anguish. Throughout the entire work, Reese’s bass clarinet lines added a dark suspenseful character to the orchestral palette. A playful second movement “Vivace” introduced a supernatural fairy appearing to Manfred in a waterfall, with Milanov building tension well as the fairy flitted here and there. A trio of flutes was very present in the orchestration, and a rich melody from the first violin section was gracefully accompanied by harpists André Tarantiles and Margery Fitts. Clarinetist Pascal Archer, oboist Lillian Copeland, and English horn player Michelle Farah added a pastoral atmosphere to the third movement. Milanov especially drove the lower strings in the “con fuoco” infernal chaos of the closing movement, as Reese, together with clarinetists Archer and Katia Waxman, closed Tchaikovsky’s programmatic symphony in ethereal serenity.

Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s annual Edward T. Cone performances commemorate one of Princeton’s great partnerships between music and philanthropy. This year, the evening added the festive element of celebrating Milanov’s birthday, which fortunately for all those at Richardson Auditorium, he chose to share with Princeton.

—Nancy

Plum

Princeton Symphony Orchestra will present its next Classical Series concert on Saturday, February 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 9 at 4 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium. Conducted by Gérard Korsten, this performance will feature music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, including Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with pianist Orli Shaman. Ticket information can be obtained by visiting princetonsymphony.org

A Physician’s Housekeeper Wants to Invent a Joke in “The Clean House”; Offbeat, Poignant Comedy Continues Kelsey’s “Season of Transformations”

Kelsey Theatre is continuing its “Season of Transformations” with The Clean House. Sarah Ruhl’s quirky, bittersweet comedy depicts a married couple — both of whom are physicians — whose Brazilian housekeeper hates to clean house, and dreams of inventing “the funniest joke in the world.”

An arrangement is made whereby the sister of one of the doctors will do the housekeeper’s job of cleaning the couple’s home. This leads to a discovery that upends the couple’s marriage, and necessitates complicated choices and self-examination.

In shows produced by Kelsey earlier this season, the transformation often has been brought about by supernatural elements: a mysterious time loop in Groundhog Day, or fairytale magic in Beauty and the Beast. By contrast, The Clean House presents a transformation that results from a confluence of circumstances that are unusual (and perhaps unlikely), but entirely natural and human.

When The Clean House bends realism, it is to make a poetic statement about the extent to which one person’s actions can be felt by another, sometimes subconsciously or in unexpected ways.

Taking cues from Ruhl’s script, Director Janet Quartarone and Assistant Director Maggie Gronenthal — aided by Dale Simon’s lighting — make copious and effective use of split scenes. In one of these, an object that is thrown in one home lands in another.

These split scenes are an aspect of the play in which Quartarone’s smooth staging particularly shines, giving us heightened insight into the characters, as well as some lovely, tableaux. Quartarone also knows how to use physical distance between characters to convey emotional distance.

The play’s 2004 premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre was followed by a 2006 offBroadway production at Lincoln Center Theatre. The Clean House is a 2005 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Drama.

Matilde, the housekeeper (portrayed by Lisbeth Burgos), opens the play by telling a lengthy joke in Portuguese; this is never translated. In her own monologue, Lane, one of the physicians (Laura McWater), tells the audience that Matilde’s depression prevents her from housecleaning, so she has prescribed drugs for her.

In yet another monologue Lane’s sister Virginia (Laurie Hardy) opines that people who refuse to clean their own houses are insane. Now speaking English, Matilde delivers a second monologue about her personal history. Having recently lost her parents, both of whom were comedians, Matilde has come to America.

While Lane is at work, Virginia — who happens to love housework — offers to clean the house for Matilde, who accepts. While sorting through laundry, Virginia makes a discovery that indicates that Lane’s husband,

Charles (Stan Cahill), is having an affair.

The other woman in Charles’ life is Ana (Jacqueline Booth), a cancer patient of his who is recovering from a mastectomy. Charles tells Lane that Ana is his “ bashert” (soul mate). Although neither Charles nor Lane is Jewish, Charles posits that a Jewish law requires the dissolution of his marriage to Lane.

This past November, a Theatre Intime production of another Ruhl play, Eurydice, was reviewed in these pages. Both plays use the device of dual casting. In The Clean House Matilde’s parents are portrayed, in flashback, by the actors who play Ana and Charles. Booth and Cahill’s (nonverbal) performances for these sequences are graceful and almost ballet-like.

As Matilde tells us about her parents, they mime their actions. Ruhl is adept both at writing strong dialogue and letting movement convey information.

Matilde and Ana form an immediate bond. Ana offers Matilde — who Lane has fired upon learning about the arrangement with Virginia — a job cleaning her home. Eventually, Ana’s cancer returns, necessitating some painful choices by multiple characters. As Matilde comes to a realization about her search for the perfect joke, Ana asks her for a special favor.

Lane, too, must make a crucial decision, one that will require her to overcome her

Fortunately, McWater clearly understands that transformation. Using both standoffish body language and barbed line delivery, McWater depicts Lane as a doctor who has plenty of medical knowledge but limited emotional skills. She seems to neither know, nor particularly care, how to form a real connection with her sister and husband, let alone her maid.

As Lane’s orderly world falls apart around her, McWater lets us see her brusque authority (laced with slight but palpable disdain) give way to pain and frustration. Later, when we hear Lane have a conversation of which we probably would not have believed her to be capable earlier in the play, McWater makes the character’s evolution convincing and satisfying, letting Lane emotionally connect without losing her steeliness.

Hardy’s Virginia is an excellent foil to McWater’s Lane. Where McWater’s staccato movements keep other characters at (often literal) arm’s length, Hardy’s body language is smooth and invites engagement. In similar contrast to McWater’s abrupt line deliveries for Lane, Hardy’s tone of voice is generally warm and unassuming. Hardy and McWater are particularly entertaining in scenes in which Lane and Virginia argue.

Although McWater has to convey the biggest transformation of the show, Cahill and Booth have a task that, arguably, is equally challenging: helping the audience condone the affair — an eyebrow-raising liaison involving a doctor and a patient — between the philandering Charles and the ostensible

“THE CLEAN HOUSE”: Performances are underway for “The Clean House.” Presented by Shakespeare 70 and Kelsey Theatre, and directed by Janet Quartarone with the assistance of Maggie Gronenthal, the play runs through January 26 at Kelsey Theatre. Above, from left: Lane (Laura McWater), a physician, faces a devastating revelation brought about by the actions of her sister Virginia (Laurie Hardy); her husband Charles (Stan Cahill); the mysterious Ana (Jaqueline Booth); and her cleaning lady, Matilde (Lisbeth Burgos), who wants to invent the funniest joke in the world.

“The Clean House” will play at the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor, through January 26. For tickets, show times, and more information call (609) 570-3333 or visit kelsey. mccc.edu..

home wrecker Ana, so that we sympathize with Ana’s plight.

Cahill and Booth accomplish this in two ways: making their characters thoroughly likeable, and having the strong chemistry to convince us that the connection between their characters is grounded not (just) in temporary passion, but in genuine, deeply felt, love. This palpable chemistry also benefits their portrayal of Matilde’s parents.

Cahill depicts Charles as an affable, selfeffacing man who convincingly understands and regrets the pain his actions are causing Lane, and is struggling to come to terms with his own actions and newfound relationship.

Booth portrays Ana as a woman of deep spiritual awareness and determined inner strength that belie the character’s physical pain. Booth’s performance is characterized by deliberate speech that is warm, smooth, and gentle — but always resolutely impassioned.

Burgos is winning as Matilde, the relative outsider to all of the family drama. A housekeeper’s refusal to do her job might test our patience; but Burgos makes her fond memories of her parents, and her resulting quest for the perfect joke, almost spiritual in nature. Burgos successfully balances Matidle’s impish and contemplative sides, and her performances with Hardy and Booth convey the character’s immediate bond with, respectively, Virginia and Ana.

Scenic Artist Angelica Froio sparsely furnishes Lane’s living room to match the character’s brusque, clinical personality: pristine white walls, with a sofa to match. Costume Consultant Jennifer Boutros supports this, outfitting Lane in a white shirt. Notably, Virginia and Charles (both of whom are more affable and better at emotional connection) wear dark blue.

The sound design by Chris Loos helps establish the setting for scenes in which a desperate search for a cure for Ana takes him to Alaska. Foos also enhances the show’s atmosphere by underscoring it with smooth, lively recordings by Brazilian composer and guitarist Domingo Semenzato, along with Astrud Gilberto, João Gilberto and Stan Getz, and Pink Martini, among other artists.

A notable musical selection heard during the show is “Que Sera Sera” (performed by Billianne). “Whatever will be will be — the future’s not ours to see,” the lyrics advise us. This aptly sums up a theme of the play; life, especially goals and relationships, cannot be arranged neatly, in the way that Lane organizes her living room.

Thatis the key irony of the play’s title. Characters discover that the inhabitants of a clean house have messy, complicated lives. As Kelsey’s moving, polished production of The Clean House demonstrates, that discovery can yield wonderful theater.

—Donald H. Sanborn III

We are currently accepting applications for 2025-2026

(Photo by Jake Burbage)

Best of Winter Town Topics

Interested

Interested in skating?

Interested in Ice skating?

Interested in skating?

Princeton Skating Club meets Saturdays and Sundays at the Princeton Day School skating rink, where members enjoy the advantages of a private club designed especially for families and figure skaters.

Princeton Skating Club meets Saturdays and Sundays at the Lisa McGraw Skating Rink at Princeton Day School (650 Great Rd), where members enjoy the advantages of a private club designed especially for families and figure skaters.

Princeton Skating Club meets Saturdays and Sundays at the Lisa McGraw Skating Rink at Princeton Day School (650 Great Rd), where members enjoy the advantages of a private club designed especially for families and figure skaters.

Princeton Skating Club meets Saturdays and Sundays at the Princeton Day School skating rink, where members enjoy the advantages of a private club designed especially for families and figure skaters.

Check out our website where you can learn about membership and group lessons.

Come Skate at Our Open Houses with Free Skate Rentals:

Check out our website where you can learn about membership and group lessons.

Come Skate at Our Open Houses with Free Skate Rentals:

www.princetonskatingclub.org

www.princetonskatingclub.org

Saturday, January 25: 11:45 am - 1:15 pm Sunday, January 26: 2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

Check out our website where you can learn about membership and group lessons.

Check out our website where you can learn about membership and group lessons.

www.princetonskatingclub.org

www.princetonskatingclub.org

CIFELLI

CIFELLI

The Alpine Wines of Pfitscher

Since its establishment in 1861 in the historic center of Montan, the Pfitscher winery has remained a stalwart in South Tyrol’s viticulture. Then in 2011, the family took a bold step forward, embracing modernity and sustainability with the construction of a state-of-the-art winery amidst the lush vineyards. Today, two generations of Pfitschers work harmoniously, infusing their wines with a sense of purity and simplicity. With vineyards situated at high altitudes, these wines benefit from a cool climate, resulting in remarkable expression, finesse, and a distinct identity. Come and experience the exceptional wines that bear the Pfitscher name. For tickets: mediterrarestaurant.com/events/

Performing Arts

and 9

Richardson

Conductor and Pianist

Specialize in Mozart

Pianist Orli Shaham is the soloist with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) on February 8 at 8 p.m. and February 9 at 4 p.m. in an all-Mozart program at Richardson Auditorium.

Ballet music from Idomeneo (excerpts), the Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 453 will be performed. Gérard Korsten, conductor and Mozart specialist, will make his debut with the PSO.

Locals may recall Ms. Shaham from her Baby Got Bach program for children which made its Princeton

in 2016 with So Percussion. She also recorded a piano concerto, Stumble to Grace , by Princeton-based composer Steve Mackey.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Orli Shaham back to Princeton,” said PSO Executive Director Marc Uys. “She is a superb and multi-talented artist. I admire her dedication to the music she performs and her desire to make classical music accessible to younger audiences through live presentations and broadcast media.” Of his fellow South African Korsten, Uys added, “He is an expert conductor, particularly of Mozart. I’m so pleased we are able to bring these two devotees of

Christian Gerhaher Baritone

Gerold Huber Piano

Mozart together. I can’t wait to hear the result of their collaboration.”

Shaham has performed with many of the major orchestras around the world, and has appeared in recital internationally, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. In 2024, Shaham released the final volumes of the complete piano sonatas by Mozart, with the entire collection available as a limited-edition box set. Her discography includes over a dozen titles on Deutsche Gramophone, Sony, Canary Classics and other labels. Shaham is on the piano and chamber music faculty at The Juilliard School. She is artistic director of Pacific Symphony’s chamber series Café Ludwig in California, and is a co-host and creative for the national radio program From the Top Korsten appears as guest conductor with orchestras such as the Adelaide Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, Orchestre National de Lyon, Scottish, and Swedish Chamber Orchestras, as well as the SWR Sinfonieorchester Freiburg. He has conducted over 100 orchestras in 24 countries. He is conductor laureate of Austria’s Symphonieorchester Vorarlberg Bregenz, after his term as principal conductor lasting 13 years. Korsten has also served as principal conductor of the London Mozart Players and was music director of the Orchestra del Teatro Lirico di Cagliari in Sardinia.

Sunday’s concert includes a 3 p.m. pre-concert talk discussing the works to be performed. The talk is free to ticket holders with general seating in Richardson Auditorium. In advance of the concerts, the Princeton Garden Theatre will present the newly restored theatrical release of Amadeus in partnership with the PSO on Thursday, February 6

IRISH INSTRUMENTALISTS: Guitarist Bill O’Neal will perform at the Fanny Parnell Poetry Project’s “Poetry, Politics, and Ms. Parnell,” on Saturday, February 1 at 3 p.m. at Bordentown’s Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks Street. Known for his monthly sessions at Tir na Nog in Trenton, O’Neal will be joined with George Zienowicz, a pipe player and fiddler as well as a neon artist. Admission is free to the program, which will be followed by “Poets and Pints” poetry reading at Bordentown Square Tap and Grill at 4 p.m. Visit oldcityhallprograms@gmail.com for more information.

at 7 p.m. There will be a small ensemble performance immediately prior to the screening.

Visit Princetonsymphony. org for tickets.

Thomas Edison Film Series Presents Special Screening

On February 6 at 7:30 p.m., the Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, in collaboration with the Lewis Center for the Arts, presents a film screening and panel on top award-winning filmmakers and poets living and working in New Jersey. The event is at the James Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau Street. Admission is free.

“Themes and Journeys of Artists and Filmmakers in New Jersey” includes a premiere screening of three award-winning short films from the Thomas Edison Film Festival (TEFF) collection produced, directed and/or performed by the five panelists: writer/director Seyi Peter-Thomas, poet

Cortney Lamar Charleston, filmmaker Moon Molson, filmmaker Yuri Alves, and artist Bimpé Fageyinbo, moderated by TEFF director Jane Steuerwald.

The Lewis Center has partnered with TEFF since 2018 to host the annual premiere screening, scheduled this year for February 28 and March 1 on the Princeton campus and online to highlight award-winning films from the 2025 collection. Visit arts.princeton.edu

Family Matinee Series

The Garden Theatre has announced the spring lineup of the $5 Family Matinee

Princeton’s First Tradition Worship Service Sundays at 11am

The films to be screened are How Do you Raise a Black Child? by PeterThomas in collaboration with Charleston; The Bravest, the Boldest by Molson; and Freedom for Freedom by Alves featuring Fageyinbo. The films are recent additions to the Thomas Edison Film Festival collection. TEFF is an international juried competition celebrating all genres and independent filmmakers across the globe.

For more than 40 years, the festival has been advancing the unique creativity and power of the short film by celebrating stories that shine a light on issues and struggles within contemporary society. The festival was founded in 1981 as Black Maria Film Festival and originally named for Thomas Edison’s West Orange film studio dubbed the “Black Maria” because of its resemblance to the black-box police paddy wagons of the same name. Renamed in 2021, the festival’s relationship to Thomas

Included in the lineup of family-friendly and nostalgic films are American animation along with two live-action tales. All screenings are $5 and are free for members of the nonprofit community.

The screenings begin on January 25 with Adventures of Milo & Otis . Disney’s modern ode to old-school animation, The Princess and the Frog, follows up on February 22. Next the Garden takes audiences back to the silent era on March 22 as Charlie Chaplin entertains at The Circus. Next on April 12 is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh , and on May 17 the big screen becomes a time machine to prehistoric Earth in Don Bluth’s The Land Before Time . The $5 Family Matinee series is underwritten by jaZams, McCarter Theatre Center, Color Me Mine Princeton, and the Princeton Public Library. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 160 Nassau Street, or at princetongardentheatre. org/family.

Preaching Sunday, January 26 is Rev. Dr. Brittany Longsdorf, Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel, Princeton University.

University Chapel Choir with Nicole Aldrich, Director of Chapel Music and Chapel Choir, and with Eric Plutz, University Organist.

ALL MOZART: Pianist Orli Shaham is the soloist at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s program of works by the composer on February 8

at

Auditorium. (Photo by Christian Steiner) debut

Edison’s invention of the motion camera and the kinetoscope and his experimentation with the short film is at the core of the festival.

Bimpé Fageyinbo (Photo courtesy of Yuri Alves)

Lambertville Historical Society

Presents Plein Air Plus Auction

Plein Air Plus, artistic interpretations of historic Lambertville and neighboring river towns, is an annual fundraiser by the Lambertville Historical Society (LHS). This year, it will take place at Rago Arts and Auction Center on Saturday, February 1 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. More than 55 pieces will be featured during the event, held as a silent auction to benefit LHS and the James Marshall House Museum.

All works will be on display and minimum bids will be set. Bidding will close at 6:30 p.m., sharp, with winners announced by 7 p.m. Plein Air Plus will also feature live music by the local band The Lifters, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages. There is a $25 suggested donation, $15 donation for LHS members.

Parking is available in the rear of the Rago building, accessed via Cherry Street. Participating artists include Jennifer Chase, Kathy Schroeher, John Petach, David Ohlerking, Irma Fuhr, Carol Sanzalone, Cindy

Ruenes, Myles Cavanaugh, Helena van Emmerik-Finn, Mark Oliver, Cindy Roesinger, Nancy Lloyd, Nicky Belletier, Bill Donnelly, Johanna Furst, Dave Stahl, Brian O’Leary, Helen Lee Meyers, Kathie Jankauskas, Siri Om Singh, Mary M. Michaels, Debbie Pisacreta, Matt DeProspero, William Martin, Gordon Haas, Martha Wirkijowski, Al Barker, Kelly Sullivan, Michelle Farro, Mark Pullen, Ryan Stark Lilienthal, Ann Thomas, Dyan Law, Annelies van Dommelen, and Stacie Speer Scott. For more information about the participating artists, and to preview their artwork, visit LambertvilleHistoricalSociety.org.

“Manifesting Beloved Community” Exhibit Now at West Windsor Arts

For the fourth consecutive year, West Windsor Arts, in partnership with Art Against Racism, invited artists to present their vision of an equitable and caring world, one not tainted by the misjustices of structural racism. Their artworks are now on display at the arts center in an exhibition called “Manifesting Beloved Community,” inspired

by Martin Luther King Jr.’s global vision of a nonviolent, love-centered world without poverty, hunger and social injustice. Throughout his lifetime, King spoke of a healed planet.

“We are honoring Dr. King’s legacy with this exhibition, which will be on display through March 1,” says Aylin Green, executive director of West Windsor Arts. “Each year, we also sponsor a day of service on the MLK holiday so that volunteers are surrounded by the impactful work of this show as they package donations to be given to local service organizations.”

This year’s esteemed jurors, Isabel and Julio Nazario, share their time between New York City and the thriving artist community of Kingston, N.Y., in the Hudson River Valley. “There are a number of New York artists in this year’s show because of the jurors, but every show is different. The commonality is that there is a great diversity of thought with each show that creates a unique narrative,” said Rhinold Ponder, founder of Art Against Racism, who recommends seeing the

show as a whole, in addition to viewing individual artwork online, for the full impact.

To ensure that everyone can experience the exhibition fully, West Windsor Arts added several enhancements to assist patrons with visual impairments or hearing loss, including an audio tour for a selection of the work, a description of each piece of art that can be accessed online through a QR code, and consideration of optimal viewing for those who use a wheelchair by hanging the show at a lower height. “We want to be as inclusive as possible and promote a positive experience of the show,” said Green.

“More than anything, we want to give people the opportunity to think about ways we can move forward to build a better society,” added Ponder. “At a time when so much seems negative and people feel there isn’t much they can do about it, this exhibition brings us back together through community, and into a space where we support each other.

“‘Manifesting Beloved Community’ reminds us that it takes a wide range of vision and thoughtful consideration to build a healthy society. We need to be open to one another, listen to everyone’s story and be empathetic to our different views.”

“Manifesting Beloved Community” is on view through March 1 at West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor Township. For more information, visit westwindsorarts.org/exhibitions. Continued on Next Page

Design

Featuring gifts that are distinctly Princeton NEW PRODUCTS ADDED WEEKLY!

www.princetonmagazinestore.com

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

PLEIN AIR PLUS: Among several plein air works that will be auctioned to benefit the Lambertville Historical Society and the James Marshall House Museum on February 1 is “Running Dog” by Annelies van Dommelen, shown here.

“WISDOM”: This work by Pat McLean-Smith is featured in “Manifesting Beloved Community,” on view through March 1 at West Windsor Arts in West Windsor Township.

Loominous

Call For Art: 16th Annual TrashedArt Contest

In March and April, art will be displayed for the 16th Annual TrashedArt Contest at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System (MCLS). Patrons will have a chance to view photographs of the artwork and vote for the “People’s Choice” awards in-person at each of the nine branches and virtually on the MCLS’ website. Winners will be announced at the TrashedArt Contest Reception at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m.

“The TrashedArt Contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging our residents to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art,” said County

Executive Dan Benson. “I’m thrilled that Mercer County Libraries can continue to host this contest, and I can’t wait to see what creative works our contestants produce.”

The contest is limited to one entry per artist. Classes or groups may participate only if they register ahead of time. Visit mcl.org/events/ trashedart for details. The library will accept artwork no earlier than Tuesday, February 25 and no later than Tuesday, March 4. Selected artwork will be on display at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch throughout March and April. Adult patrons (ages 14 and up) who live, work, or go to school in Mercer County are eligible to participate.

Entries must be original artwork, no larger than 2.5’ by 2.5’ by 2.5’ and no heavier than 10 pounds Any

art medium is acceptable, so long as a minimum of 75 percent recycled content is used. Some examples of recycled content include metals, paper, rubber, glass (but no sharp shards), plastic, and cloth. A recycled item is anything that has been manufactured and would have otherwise been thrown away. Non-recyclable materials such as glue, paint, tape, etc. are permitted. For the purposes of this contest, natural materials such as rocks, dirt, bones, and sticks are not considered recycled. The Mercer County Library System will not be held responsible for any damage, theft or loss to art entries. Contest entry forms are available online at mcl. org/events/trashedart. All accepted art entries will be publicly displayed at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System.

Photographs of the artwork will be displayed in person at each branch of the Mercer County Library System and virtually on the Mercer County Library System’s website. The photographs will be used for patrons to vote for the “People’s Choice” awards, and to create a virtual gallery which will be shared on the Mercer County Library System’s social media channels and website. To view past virtual galleries, visit the Mercer County Library System’s YouTube Channel or visit mcl.org/events/trashedart. Entries will be anonymously judged by local artists and representatives of the Mercer County Library System on creativity, originality, and artistic merit. Judging will take place at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch before Wednesday, April 9. Grand prize winners in first, second, and third place will

be awarded and announced at the TrashedArt Contest

Reception at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. Winners will have the opportunity to be featured on the MCLS “Behind the Books” podcast and featured on MCLS social media.

For more information about the library’s programs and events, visit mcl.org.

Area Exhibits

Art@Bainbridge, 158 Nassau Street, has “Heléne Aylon: Undercurrent” through February 2. Artmuseum.princeton.edu.

Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Gallery Group Show” through April 6. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lambertvillearts.com.

Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Exploring, Expanding the Connections: The Work of Ben Jones” January 25 through February 22. Artscouncilofprinceton.org.

D&R Greenway Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place, has “When the Land Calls” through February 28 in the Marie L. Matthews Gallery. drgreenway.org.

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, has “Annual Juried Photography Exhibition” through February 2. Gallery14.org.

Gourgaud Gallery, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, has works by

Experience Exceptional Senior Living at

Kathleen Maguire Morolda through January 26. Cranburyartscouncil.org.

Green Building Center, 67 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Trio” through March 3. Greenbuildingcenter.com.

Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, has “Members’ Musings: Light as Material” through February 23, among other exhibits. Groundsforsculpture.org.

Historical Society of Princeton, Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, has “Princeton Reflected: Stories from HSP’s Collection” and “Einstein Salon and Innovator’s Gallery.” Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. Princetonhistory.org

Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, has “Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home,” through March 2. Morven.org.

Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, has oil and acrylic paintings by Tatiana Oles through February 4. Works by Yolanda Zhi are at the 254 Nassau Street location through February 4. Smallworldcoffee.com.

Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, 299 Parkside Avenue, Trenton, has “Charles David Viera: Selected Works 2006-2025” January 24 through March 30. An opening reception is on January 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. Ellarslie.org.

West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, has “Manifesting Beloved Community” through March 1. Westwindsorarts.org.

TRASHED ART CONTEST: Artists and artwork from the TrashedArt 2024 Contest are shown at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System. Art in this year’s contest will be on display in March and April.

TOWN TOPICS | Mark Your Calendar

Wednesday, January 22

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens. Councilman Leighton Newlin is available to discuss current events with members of the public at the Bagel Nook, Princeton Shopping Center.

3 p.m.: Mutiny on the Bounty is screened at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

6 p.m.: An Evening with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar at Princeton Public Library. The Harvard physician discusses her book The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience. Princetonlibrary.org.

6 p.m.: The Board of Trustees of Princeton Public Library meets at the library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

Thursday, January 23

10 a.m.: Meeting of the 55-Plus Club of Princeton, via Zoom only. Daniel Schulman, author and journalist, will speak on “The Money Kings: The Epic Story of the Jewish Immigrants Who Transformed Wall Street and Shaped Modern America.” Open to all free of charge. A $5 donation is suggested. For payment information and to access the meeting, go princetonol. com/groups/55plus.

6 p.m.: Authors Ulla Berg and Aldo Lauria Santiago discuss their recent publication Latinas/os in New Jersey: Histories, Communities, and Cultures with panelists Kathleen Lopez and Melanie Plasencia at Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street. Labyrinthbooks. com.

7-8:30 p.m.: Talk of the Sourlands: Phrenology and Haiku, Nature’s Seasonal Clock . At The Watershed Institute, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. Naturalist Jeff Hoagland is the speaker. Sourland.org.

Friday, January 24

7:30-11 a.m.: Princeton Mercer Chamber presents the 2025 Central New Jersey Real Estate Forecast, at Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. Princetonmercer.org.

8 p.m.: The Clean House , a play by Sarah Ruhl, at Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $20-$22. Kelsey.mccc.edu.

8 p.m.: The Addams Family musical is at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. $40-$105. Stnj.org.

Saturday, January 25

9:30-11 a.m.: Science on Saturday series at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Lyman Spitzer Building, 100 Stellarator Road; also online. Patrick Murray speaks on “The Science (and ART) of Polling.” Followed by a Q&A. Pppl.gov.

10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Winter Nature Walk through Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, led by Friends of Princeton Open Space. Registration and details at fopos.org/ events-programs 10 a.m.: The Adventures of Milo and Otis is screened at the Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street. $5 (free for members). Princetongardentheatre.org/family

12-5 p.m.: Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Wine, light bites, hot cocoa kits, and music from 1-4 p.m. by Jerry Steele. Terhuneorchards.com.

1-4 p.m.: Chinese New Year Gala at MarketFair mall. Performances, interactive activities for all ages, and more. Free. Worldwiselearning.org.

1-3 p.m.: “Manifesting Beloved Community Art Show” gallery hours at West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road. Free. Westwindsorarts.org.

2 and 8 p.m.: The Addams Family musical is at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. $40-$105. Stnj.org.

4-5 p.m.: Workshop: Introduction to Fencing at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. With Olympian Abdoulaye Thiam. Followed by a Q&A. Princetonlibrary.org.

7 p.m.: The Great Jewish Laugh Off is at The Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street. Comedians Flip Schultz and Elon Altman perform; dessert reception follows. $54. Thejewishcenter.org.

8 p.m.: The Clean House , a play by Sarah Ruhl, at Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $20-$22. Kelsey.mccc.edu.

Sunday, January 26

12-5 p.m.: Winery Weekend Music Series and Wassailing the Apple Trees at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Wine, light bites, hot cocoa kits, and music from 1-4 p.m. by Spiced Punch. Singing, dancing, and playing of primitive instruments, the Handsome Molly Dancers and Kingsessing Morris Dancers perform. Free. Terhuneorchards.com.

1-3 p.m.: Bhagavat Cultural Immersion: Prasadam & Kirtan , at the Princeton YMCA, 59 Pau Robeson Place. Meditation and sanctified vegetarian meal distribution. Free. Bviscs.org.

1-3 p.m.: Lambertville Historical Society presents “A Look Back at the History of Railroads of Lambertville” at the annual meeting of the Lambertville Historical Society, Pittore Justice Center, 25 South Union Street, Lambertville. Free. Lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org.

2 p.m.: The Addams Family musical is at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. $40-$105. Stnj.org.

3 p.m.: The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey Brass Quartet performs “Bach to the Future” at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 801 West State Street, Trenton. Music by Bach, Verdi, Bernstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and more. Capitalphilharmonic.org.

3 and 8 p.m.: The Youth Orchestra of New Jersey’s ensembles perform at Kendall Hall, the College of New Jersey, Ewing. Joining the Symphonic Orchestra at 8 p.m. is Philadelphia Orchestra flutist Patrick Williams. Kenneth Bean conducts. $23-$28. Tcnjcenterforthearts.universitytickets.com.

3-4:15 p.m.: Jersey Transit a cappella ensemble performs jazz standards, reggae, R&B and today’s pop at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

Monday, January 27

Recycling

7:15 p.m.: Voices Chorale NJ holds auditions for all voice parts, especially tenors and basses, just before its 7:30 rehearsal at Music Together, 225 Pennington-Hopewell Road. The spring concert of Mozart’s Requiem is May 3. To schedule an audition, visit VoicesChoraleNJ.org.

Tuesday, January 28

10 a.m.: Read and Explore: Animal Tracks at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Kids read books about animals in winter and make bird feeders to take home. Register online. Terhuneorchards.com.

Wednesday, January 29

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens. Councilman Leighton Newlin is available to discuss current events with members of the public at Jammin’ Crepes, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street.

3 p.m.: The Best Years of our Lives is screened at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

7:30 p.m.: An Evening with Neko Case , at the Berlind Theatre of McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place. The singer/songwriter discusses her memoir The Harder I Fight, the More I Love You with A.M. Homes of Princeton University. Tickets include a signed copy. Registration required. Princetonlibrary.org.

Thursday, January 30

1-4 p.m.: Early Admission Event for Friends of the Lawrence Library Book Sale , 2751 Brunswick Avenue. $5 for general public, $20 for patrons with scanners. Mcl.org.

6 p.m.: Sash Bischoff discusses her book Sweet Fury: A Novel with Sheila Kohler at Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street. Labyrinthbooks.com.

7:30 p.m.: Christian Gerhaher, baritone, performs works by Robert Schumann with Gerold Huber, pianist, at Richardson Auditorium. $30-$50 (students $10). Concerts. princeton.edu.

Friday, January 31

10 a.m.: Friends of the Lawrence Library Book Sale, 2751 Brunswick Avenue. Free. Mcl.org.

7 p.m.: James and the Giant Peach is at Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $18$22. Kelsey.mccc.edu.

8 p.m.: An Evening with Sutton Foster , at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. $39-$69. Stnj.org.

Saturday, February 1

9:30-11 a.m.: Science on Saturday series at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Lyman Spitzer Building, 100 Stellarator Road; also online. Yidian Liu speaks on “Developing Systems for Mitigating Aquatic Microplastic Pollution.” Followed by a Q&A. Pppl.gov.

10 a.m.: Read and Explore: Animal Tracks at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Kids read books about animals in winter and make bird feeders to take

JANUARYFEBRUARY

home. Register online. Terhuneorchards.com.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Friends of the Lawrence Library Book Sale, 2751 Brunswick Avenue. Free. Mcl.org. 12-5 p.m.: Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Wine, light bites, hot cocoa kits, and music from 1-4 p.m. by Jeff Penque. Terhuneorchards.com.

1 and 4 p.m .: James and the Giant Peach is at Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $18-$22. Kelsey.mccc.edu.

1-3 p.m.: Winter Sowing Workshop at D&R Canal State Park/Mapleton Preserve Education Building, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston. Join Master Gardener Lynn Grillo for handson workshop. (609) 6830483 or fpnl.org.

3 p.m.: The Fanny Parnell Poetry Project, at Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks Street. “Poetry, Politics, and Ms. Parnell” is a voice theater presentation with Carol Kehoe as the revolutionary Irish writer. Followed at 4 p.m. by a “Poets and Pints” reading by D. Ryan Lafferty, Todd Evans, and Derrick Owings at Bordentown Square Tap and Grill, 233 Farnsworth Avenue. Free.

S ports

With Lee Coming Through Again in the Clutch, PU Men’s Hoops Edges Columbia in Stunning Rally

Xaivian Lee displayed a flair for the dramatic last weekend for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

On Saturday, junior guard Lee drained a game-winning step back 3-pointer as Princeton edged Dartmouth 8180.

Two days later against visiting Columbia, it was a case of déjà vu as Lee fired in a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in regulation to put Princeton up 69-67 on the way to a 71-67 win, capping a furious comeback as the Tigers rallied from a 20-point deficit.

Afterward, Lee calmly described the play that sent the throng of 3,811 packing Jadwin Gym into an uproar on a day which saw Princeton trailing 33-13 in the first half and 57-38 with 7:46 left in regulation.

“It was drawn up as a keeper for Cade (Caden Pierce) and they both kind of went with him so he made the right read and hit me,” recalled Lee. “I had a good matchup. I missed three of them before on him earlier but I knew I was going to get a clean look and I was bound to hit one. My shot felt pretty good the entire game despite missing every shot pretty much. I just try to shoot each one like I didn’t miss the last one. Obviously making it against Dartmouth gives me a little more confidence in those situation. I try to treat it like the end of one-on-one in our practice and just shoot it like any other shot.”

While the fantastic finish makes the third time this season that Princeton has overcome at least a 15-point deficit to win a game, Lee acknowledged that the Tigers can’t make that a habit.

“We have to stop putting ourselves in that position, I don’t even know how we win that game to be honest,” said Lee who shot 8 of 26 but nearly achieved a triple double as he tallied 19 points with nine rebounds and nine assists. “In those last four or five minutes, we started hitting shots, we started getting stops. In that home gym, we had that energy that carries us a little bit.”

Despite the deficit, Lee and his teammates always believed they would come through with the win.

“It starts from the top, coach (Mitch Henderson) says we are always winning, no matter the situation,” said Lee. “He wasn’t saying that as much today. We always think we are going to win, it is 40 minutes of basketball. I thought it was unlucky that we came out and missed 10 straight threes to start the game. I thought eventually we were going to hit shots.”

Princeton head coach Henderson wasn’t sure what to think after his team’s stunning rally.

“We have no real business winning that game,” said Henderson, whose team improved to 14-4 overall and 3-0 Ivy. “Columbia was just terrific, they were faster than us in every part of the game. We were on our heels,

I don’t know how we won that game.”

At halftime, Henderson tried to remain calm. “There was nothing to get mad about that, I have already done that with this team about 18 times,” said Henderson. “We talk a lot about how you are going to get back in the game. We have plenty of experience with that this season, it is just chip away. That is the message. We are going to have to be really smart about how we go about it.”

While Henderson couldn’t explain exactly how the Tigers overcame Columbia, he pointed to the squad’s camaraderie as a key factor in its ability to deal with adversity.

“We have had some great wins but that one was unbelievable,” said Henderson, who got 21 points from junior forward Pierce in the win with senior guard Blake Peters scoring 14 points, including a pair of clutch 3-pointers down the stretch and two free throws to cap the scoring. “You have to get lucky sometimes. There is something in the air with the way a team treats one another. I think we treat each other well. There are good vibes. They believe they are going to win. We talk about it a lot.”

Henderson got a good vibe from freshman reserve guard Jack Stanton, who was inserted late in the game and turned out to be an unsung hero, nailing a 3-pointer as the Tigers narrowed the Columbia lead to 62-58.

“Jack Stanton hasn’t been playing at all this season, but he is a hell of a player,” said Henderson. “He has got lots of fire and spunk. He came in and he was plus 18. He had two big turnovers and a huge three. He destroys our team every day in practice. I am the knucklehead that doesn’t play him. I was looking for him to do what he does against us and he did it.”

Stanton, for his part, got that message from Henderson as he subbed in with 5:40 left in the game and hit the key 3-pointer minutes later.

“When I got checked in, coach comes up to me and whispers in my ear ‘shoot it,’” said Stanton. “I had to put it up or else I wouldn’t have another chance. I got open, someone set me a good screen and I came off it and saw the rim.”

Stanton was ready to shine when he got his chance. “Every day me and the other freshmen are in the gym early, working out,” said Stanton. “We know that we are not going to play that much but we are just waiting for our time to show. When we are in there, we are going to play our hardest.”

Henderson, for this part, is determined to get his squad to play harder from the start.

“We lack urgency early in games, I have never been through it before with a team,” said Henderson, whose team hosts Cornell (10-6 overall, 2-1 Ivy) on January 25. “We are working hard at it together and we are going to figure it out. It is nice to win these games. I don’t think it is sustainable, but I would rather be lucky than good. We have lots to work on, we have a really good Cornell team coming in on Saturday. It is going to be a hard one.”

While Lee has gotten the message, he also enjoys a little drama when necessary.

“We got bailed out by winning it, I have got a lot to work on,” said Lee. “I think we can be so much better but it is special that we still found a way to win in game like that.”

—Bill Alden

STEPPING UP: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee flies in for a layup during a game earlier this season. Last Monday, junior guard Lee scored a game-clinching 3-pointer in the waning seconds as Princeton rallied from a 20-point deficit to edge Columbia 71-67. Two days earlier, Lee drained the game-winning 3-pointer in an 81-80 win over Dartmouth. The Tigers, now 14-4 overall and 3-0 Ivy League, host Cornell on January 25.

(Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

Nweke Following in Her Sister’s Footsteps, Emerging as a Standout for PU Women’s Hoops

Having been first exposed to the Princeton University women’s basketball team as an 11-year-old, Toby Nweke has been dreaming for years about joining the program.

Nweke started attending games to watch her older sister, Chet ’24, who emerged as a key performer for the Tigers, helping Princeton to win three Ivy League titles.

As a result, Nweke decided that she wanted to follow in her sister’s footsteps.

“My sister is definitely my biggest role model, she is my best friend,” said Nweke. “She just always empowers me.

After starring at Georgetown Visitation Prep, Nweke ended up joining the Princeton program this year.

“I always knew that I wanted to go here especially with the winning culture and the campus, everything is super nice,” said Nweke, a 5’9 native of Woodbine, Md. “I think the first time I set foot on it for myself was my first visit junior year and I just felt super comfortable. I felt like this was the right place for me.”

Last Saturday, Tiger freshman guard Nweke was in the right place at the right time, tallying a career-high 10 points to help Princeton roll to a 63-39 win over visiting Dartmouth before a crowd of 1,111 at Jadwin Gym.

With sophomore guard Fadima Tall sidelined by illness, Nweke sensed she would have a greater role in the contest with the Big Green.

“I feel like with Fadima out, I knew that I was probably going to have a little more opportunities today,”

said Nweke. “Dartmouth has kind of a smaller lineup so I knew sometimes I could elevate and shoot over them. I knew to take advantage of the mismatches.”

Nweke was on target against Dartmouth, hitting 4 of 6 shots from the floor, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range.

“I had a weird feeling today, my shot felt really good,” said Nweke. “Even in shootaround I just felt very comfortable.”

Acknowledging that she hadn’t gained a comfort level early in her debut season for the Tigers, Nweke got some encouragement from her sister.

“In the beginning of the season, when I was feeling pretty shaky, she always let me know that I am a great player and I can do whatever,” said Nweke. “She just gives me confidence.”

While her sibling was more of an inside player, Nweke excels from the perimeter.

“Ever since I was young, I always loved shooting,” said Nweke.

“In high school, that was my main thing. I think coming here a big part of our offense is making outside shots. I knew when I was coming here all I could do was prepare my shot and get it as ready as possible. I have been getting in the extra reps in practice.”

Putting that work into practice, Nweke has learned to pick her spots.

“I have been taking advantage of the defense,” said Nweke. “I notice that sometimes the defense is sitting back on me and they are not putting their hand up so I know that I have

been able to knock down those shots. It is just trusting in myself to be able to do that.”

Princeton head coach Carla Berube liked the defensive effort she got from her players in stifling the Big Green.

“It was good overall, there were times where it could have been better,” said Berube, whose team led 14-7 after the first quarter. “It is a work in progress. For the most part, I think we did a great job in executing the defensive game plan.”

Junior forward Taylor Charles helped spark that effort with career highs in rebounds (7) and blocked shots (5).

“That is what we see from Taylor, she had the opportunity today,” said Berube of Charles, who also matched her career-high with nine points. “I have a lot of confidence in her. She stepped up with Fadima out. I am really proud of her game today.”

Berube was also proud of Nweke’s performance. “That is Toby too, she is certainly a great 3-point shooter,” said Berube. “She gets her feet ready so quickly with eyes to the rim at all times and lets it fly. I thought she did a good job defensively too. So it was a great all-around game for Toby, just gaining confidence as a first year.”

The play of the team’s twin towers, 6’4 junior forward Tabitha Amaze and 6’4 senior forward Parker Hill, gives the Tigers confidence. Against Dartmouth, Amanze tallied eight points with 11 rebounds and three blocked shots with Hill contributing four points, four

rebounds, and one blocked shot.

“It is fun to put them in there together a little bit,” said Berube. “They can crowd each other a little bit in terms of that so it is nice to have our four (power forward) as a 3-point shooter just to create a little more space. Tabby had a great day, I thought she played really well at both ends. She made blocks and did a great job defensively. I feel really good when she is 1-on-1 in the post, she makes really good decisions with the ball. I love playing Parker and Tabby together a little bit.”

Coming off a 7-0 homestand, the Tigers stumbled last Monday night, falling

58-50 at Columbia in moving to 12-5 overall and 3-1 Ivy League.

Heading into the clash with the Lions, Berube knew her team faced a big test.

“We love playing at home, hopefully it gives us a little jump into Monday and the next couple of weekends,” said Berube, whose team plays at Cornell on January 25. “We are excited for the challenge of going up to Columbia on Monday. They are playing great basketball

as we have all seen. They are a little bit different, we are a little bit different.”

In Nweke’s view, the Tigers were in a good place in the wake of the undefeated homestand.

“Being able to win all of the games was really important for us to move on to this away stretch we are having right now,” said Nweke. “We feel super confident in how we are doing and bring that to every game.”

— Bill Alden

District Election Ballot

District No. 4 Township of Franklin, Somerset County February 15, 2025 Polling Place

Kingston FireHouse

8 Heathcote Rd, Kingston

David Weaver

Clerk

To vote for the budget mark a cross (X), plus (+) or check mark with ink or pencil in the place or square at the left of YES or NO.

YES Shall the budget for Fire District No 4, Township of Franklin, for the fiscal year 2025, in the amount of $84,217 00 to be raised by taxes, be approved?

NO

To vote for any person whose name appears on this ballot mark a cross (X), plus (+) or check ( ) mark with ink or pencil in the place or square at the left of the name of such person.

Full Term Vote for Two

Anita M Boschitsch Write-in:

David Weaver Write-in:

A PROPERTY TAX CAP LEVY REFERENDUM QUESTION

"Shall the Board of Commissioners of Fire District Number 4 in the Franklin Township be authorized to increase the 2025 amount to be raised by taxation in the Fire District annual budget, by 20% or $16,826.66 as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.45, notwithstanding that its amount to be raised by taxation will exceed the two percent (2.0%) increase limitation.

Yes No

SISTER ACT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Toby Nweke puts up a shot last Saturday against Dartmouth. Freshman guard Nweke scored a career-high 10 points to help Princeton defeat the Big Green 63-39. Nweke is following in the footsteps of her older sister, Chet ’24, who emerged as a key performer for the Tigers, helping Princeton to win three Ivy League titles. Princeton, which fell 58-50 at Columbia on Monday night to move to 12-5 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, plays at Cornell on January 25.

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Wang Scores 1st Goal to Provide a Highlight

As PU Men’s Hockey Endures 0-2 Weekend

For Brendan Wang, it was a moment that was nearly three years in the making.

Making his 57th appearance for the Princeton University men’s hockey team last Friday night as it hosted Cornell, junior defenseman Wang scored his first career goal as he converted on a power play in the third period.

“You get an opportunity, you have to make the most of it,” said Wang. “Kev (Kevin Anderson) made a great play to me. I kept my head up and took a shot — you have to shoot to score.”

It was a heady moment for Wang to break through with his first goal.

“It is a long time coming, but you don’t do these things on your own,” said Wang. “There is a big support staff behind with teammates, coaches, parents, grandparents, friends, and family.”

While Wang’s goal was a milestone moment, things didn’t go well for Princeton against Cornell. The Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 first period lead on the first career

goal from freshman defenseman Kai Greaves but the Big Red ended up pulling away to a 6-2 victory before a standing-room-only crowd of 2,432 packing Hobey Baker Rink.

“I thought we did a lot of good things, we started out pretty good,” said Wang. “One or two bad bounces and things can go the other way really quick. There was no quit in our group. We all had a strong belief but is just unfortunate the way things turned out.”

Getting two power plays in the third period, Princeton did outshoot Cornell 9-8 over the last 20 minutes of the contest but only had Wang’s goal to show for it.

“On the power plays, we zipped the puck around pretty good there,” said Wang. “Obviously we would have liked to score a little more. That is the way things go sometimes.”

Princeton head coach Ben Syer liked seeing Wang break through with his first goal.

“It was an interesting group we put together there and Brendan Wang just took

an opportunity there,” said Syer. “It was simple and he just ripped it. What gets things going sometimes is the simplicity of things to just get pucks down on the net. I am really happy for him. It is certainly an unbelievable milestone here for him.”

For Syer, facing Cornell was an interesting experience as he spent the previous 13 seasons on the coaching staff of the Big Red.

“I look at it as a great challenge,” said Syer. “You go against a group that has had consistent success and to go against somebody I consider to be a mentor in coach [Mike] Schafer. He forces you to make certain adjustments. He changes his game plan. There is a reason why they have had success, he has been the constant there. To be able to have those challenges is exciting and we hope to be able to find that same consistency for our group.”

Syer acknowledged that the Tigers were plagued by some inconsistent play in the loss to Cornell.

PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL REGISTERED VOTERS OF MERCER COUNTY

You are hereby advised of the following Challenge and Compliant procedures to be used for the Tuesday, January 28 th , 2025 Princeton School Board Election.

(1). Any person attempting to vote may be challenged by a candidate, by the duly authorized challenger for a candidate, a political party, a public question, and/or because the challenger has good cause to believe that the voter is not entitled to vote;

(2). Members of the district board and all duly authorized challengers are prohibited from challenging, delaying or preventing the right to vote of any person because of that person’s race, color, origin of nationality, expected manner of casting a vote or residence in a particular ward, housing complex or section of a municipality or county;

(3). A person who is challenged may seek to establish his or her right to vote by swearing out and signing an affidavit attesting to the voter’s qualifications and/or providing a suitable identifying document for inspection, which may be-but is not limited to- the following: A New Jersey Driver’s License, a sample ballot with the voter’s name and address, an official Federal, State, County, or Municipal document, an utility or telephone bill or tax or rent receipt dated, or a piece of mail postmarked on or after the 30th day before election; a copy of the affidavit shall be given to the challenged voter; the district board shall determine the validity of the challenge by voting on it or pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19: 15-24;

(4). Any person who is challenged by a duly authorized challenger may seek to establish his or her right to vote by swearing out and signing the affidavit and/or providing the proof described in Paragraph (3) above; the district board shall determine the validity of the challenge by voting on it pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19: 15-24;

(5). Any challenger who succeeds in denying a voter the right to vote must sign an affidavit stating the reason why the voter is not entitled to vote and must furnish a copy of the affidavit to the challenged voter; (6). Any person who is denied the right to vote by reason of a successful challenge made at the polls may seek permission to vote by going before the Superior Court in Trenton, New Jersey to seek a court order allowing the person to vote; the applicant should take copies of any affidavits given to him or to her at the polls and any proof submitted at the polls in support of the person’s right to vote; (7). Forms to register complaints about the conduct at an election shall be available at each polling place in the county. This notice is published in accordance with requirements set forth by Title 19:12-9, N.J. State Election Law.

Further information can be obtained from the Superintendent of Elections, 640 South Broad Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08650. Mercer County Superintendent of Elections Office

Walker Worthy, Superintendent of Elections Phone: (609) 989-6750 Email: wworthy@mercercounty.org Mercer County Board of Elections Office

Jill Moyer, Chair

Martin J Jennings Jr. Esq, Board Secretary Charles Farina, Commissioner Mary Corrigan, Commissioner Phone: (609) 989-6522

01/21/25, 01/27/2025

“I thought we were up on the forecheck, we were doing some nice things,” said Syer. “I was really pleased with the way we started. We pride ourselves on details. Tonight I think we got away from it. We got beat off a face-off, we didn’t block a shot and we didn’t do some of our structural stuff that we had been doing fairly well throughout the game.”

A night later, the Tigers did better against Colgate, jumping out to 2-1 and 4-3

leads before falling 6-4 in moving to 6-10-1 overall and 3-8-1 ECAC Hockey.

“We have to really take care of the things that we can control, it starts with 200 feet away from our net,” said Syer, whose team is mired in a six-game losing streak and will look to get back on the winning track when it hosts Bentley for a two-game set on January 25 and 26. “This Colgate team is really going to test our ability to transition and to

get above guys and certainly to be able to handle things around the net as they will get a lot of pucks down to the net.”

In Wang’s view, the Tigers can best handle their business by remaining confident and detail-oriented.

“We need to reset and keep that strong belief that we are a good team and stick to our details,” said Wang.

—Bill Alden

MILESTONE MOMENT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Brendan Wang controls the puck in a 2022 game. Last Friday, junior defenseman Wang scored his first career goal in a 6-2 loss to Cornell. The Tigers, who lost 6-4 to Colgate to move to 6-10-1 overall and 3-8-1 ECAC Hockey, host Bentley for a two-game set on January 25 and 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PU Sports Roundup

PU Women’s Hockey Falls to Colgate

Jennifer Olnowich played well in a losing cause as the No. 13 Princeton University women’s hockey team fell 4-0 to No. 5 Colgate last Saturday.

Senior goalie Olnowich made a career-high 45 saves as the Tigers moved to 13-8 overall and 7-7 ECAC Hockey.

Princeton hosts Brown on January 24 and Yale on January 25.

Princeton Men’s Squash Defeats Columbia 8-1

Producing another superb performance, the secondranked Princeton University men’s squash team defeated No. 8 Columbia 8-1 last Sunday.

The Tigers posted five 3-0 wins in the match as they remained undefeated in Ivy League action, moving to 7-0 overall and 3-0 Ivy.

Princeton will break from dual match play this weekend as its players compete in the College Squash Association (CSA) individual championships from January 25-28 in New York City.

PU Women’s Squash Tops Columbia 7-2

Remaining undefeated in Ivy League action, the No. 2 Princeton University women’s squash team defeated ninth-ranked Columbia 7-2 last Sunday.

The Tigers earned six 3-0 wins as they improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 Ivy.

Princeton will take a break from dual match play this weekend as its players take part in the College Squash Association (CSA) individual championships from January 25-28 in New York City.

PU Men’s Swimming Splits

With Penn State, Virginia Tech

Aidan Wang starred as the Princeton University men’s swimming team went 1-1 in a tri-meet over the weekend at University Park, Pa., defeating Penn State 178-122 but falling 173-127 to Virginia Tech.

Sophomore diver Wang won both the 1-meter and 3-meter events in the competition.

The Tigers, now 8-1, are next in action when they head to New Haven, Conn. to compete in the annual HarvardYale-Princeton meet from January 31-February 1.

PU Women’s Swimming Goes 1-1 in Tri-Meet at Penn State

Heidi Smithwick, Ela Noble, and Charlotte Martinkus picked up wins as the Princeton University women’s swimming team split a tri-meet last weekend at University Park, Pa., defeating Penn State 176.5-121.5 but losing 191109 to Virginia Tech.

Smithwick placed first in the 200-yard butterfly while Noble won the 50 freestyle and Martinkus prevailed in the 1-meter diving event.

The Tigers, now 9-1, return to action when they head to New Haven, Conn., to compete in the annual HarvardYale-Princeton meet from January 31-February 1.

Princeton Men’s Track Shines at Quaker Meet

Earning wins in 10 individual events, the Princeton

University men’s track team excelled at the Quaker Invitational last Saturday in Philadelphia.

Senior Philip Kastner provided a highlight at the competition for Princeton, winning the heptathlon with a total score of 5672, putting him in second all-time in program history. Kastner won the high jump (1.94 meters), shot put (14.58 meters) and pole vault (4.80 meters) on his way to the victory.

The Tigers return to Philadelphia next weekend to compete in the Penn 10 Elite meet on January 25.

PU Women’s Track Competes in Quaker Event

Tessa Mudd and Georgina Scoot delivered superb performances as the Princeton University women’s track team competed at the Quaker Invitational last Saturday in Philadelphia.

Junior Mudd took second in the pole vault in 4.35 meters, the second best mark in program history behind her own leap of 4.39 set at the 2024 Ivy Indoor Heptagonal Championships. Junior Scoot, for her part, placed third in the triple jump in 13.07 meters, besting her own second-best program record of 13.03, set at last year’s Indoor Heps.

In upcoming action, Princeton will be taking part in the Dr. Sander Invitational at the Armory in New York City from January 24-25.

Tiger Men’s Volleyball Loses at Hawaii

Freshman Mason Smith had a team-high 11 kills for the Princeton University men’s volleyball team as it lost 3-0 (17-25, 17-25, 23-25) at No. 4 Hawaii last Friday.

The Tigers, now 0-3, host St Francis at Dillon Gym on January 24 in their home opener.

Princeton Wrestling

Defeats Clarion

A pair of freshmen, MarcAnthony McGowan and Dan Jones, stood out for the Princeton University wrestling team as it defeated Clarion 42-3 last Sunday.

McGowan earned a fall at 125 pounds and Jones followed suit with a pin at 133.

The Tigers, now 4-5 in duals, hosts Rider on January 24 before wrestling at Columbia on January 26 to start its Ivy League campaign.

PU Women’s Golfer Rao Makes Augusta Amateur

Princeton University women’s golf star Catherine Rao has earned an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which will be held from April 2-5.

First played in 2019, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) features an international field made up of the top 72 amateur women’s golfers in the world.

A 54-hole event, the first two rounds are played at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta before the final 18 holes are played at famed Augusta National outside of

Atlanta, Ga., home to The Masters.

Rao is currently the 36thranked women’s amateur golfer in the world in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) and has been ranked as high as No. 33.

She is no stranger to elitelevel amateur golf, having reached quarterfinals in match play of the last two U.S. Women’s Amateurs. In addition, she reached the quarterfinals in match play at the 2023 British Amateur and advanced to the round of 16 at the British Amateur in 2024. In addition, she represented the U.S. in the 2021 Junior Solheim Cup where she went 2-1.

After missing all of 202324 with injury, she returned to Princeton’s lineup this fall and to this point has finished no lower than 14th in the three events she has competed in. She opened the season with a win at the Nittany Lion Invitational followed by a runner-up finish at the Princeton Invitational at Springdale. She concluded the fall portion of her season with a 14th place finish at the Stanford Intercollegiate.

A third-team Golfweek

Magazine Preseason AllAmerican, Rao was the 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-Ivy selection after finishing second at the Ivy League Championship.

Former PU Softball Star McDonald Joining Program’s Coaching Staff

Former Princeton University softball star Ashley McDonald ’23 is returning to the program as an assistant coach.

During her playing career for the Tigers, star catcher/ utility McDonald was a twoyear captain on Ivy League championship teams. In 2022, McDonald led the Ivy League in runners caught stealing (11) and putouts (354) as Princeton won the Ivy title and the Ivy League Championship Series to make the NCAA tournament. Princeton repeated as Ivy champs in her senior year of 2023 and hosted the first edition of the current Ivy League Tournament, making the tournament final.

McDonald earned her bachelor’s degree from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and spent her time since graduation working at AArete Consulting in Chicago as an analyst.

“I am super excited for this opportunity to return to Princeton and be a part of this softball program again,” said McDonald. “My experience as a student-athlete was incredible as we won two Ivy League championships and made an appearance at NCAA regionals my junior year. When this opportunity came up, I kept reflecting on my passion for softball and all that it has given me. I am looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the game and make more dreams come true for aspiring softball players.”

NET GAIN: Tosan Evbuomwan takes the ball to the hoop during a 2023 game in his senior season for the Princeton University men’s basketball team. Last Sunday, Evbuomwan continued his strong start for the Brooklyn Nets, scoring nine points with four rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes off the bench as the Nets fell 127-101 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Evbuomwan, who signed a two-way deal with Brooklyn on January 1, is averaging 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in nine games.

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PHS Boys’ Hockey Rebounds From 1-5 Start,

Opening 2025 Action with 3 Straight Victories

Getting off to a 1-5 start in December action, the Princeton High boys’ hockey team reached a crossroads as it headed into 2025.

“Going into the New Year, we had one practice on the 29th of December,” said PHS head coach Rik Johnson. “I was going to do a lot of evaluation, checking to see where we are at. We lost five in row, the wheels were kind of falling off the bus there. We had good numbers, a lot of guys showed up.”

Showing progress, PHS has been on a roll in 2025, defeating Hamilton Co-op 8-0 on January 7, WW/PSouth 4-2 on January 10 and and Paul VI 4-3 on January 13 in moving to 4-5.

In the view of Johnson, the win over Hamilton Coop gave the Tigers a lift.

“It was at the right time where we needed that,” said Johnson. “It was get the young guys out there and they have been really strong.”

Being more physical has been a key to the recent surge by PHS.

“When we are pressing and have a guy on a forecheck hard, things can go our way,” said Johnson. “If we are playing our game then we are fine. It is just discipline. If we execute and cut down on mistakes, it is really only ourselves that are going to stop them.”

Against Paul VI, senior Noah Vitulli played very well, recording 57 saves in the win.

“The first goal he let in was a stinker,” said Johnson. “It is like he is looking at the ceiling and something gets through him and then the next thing you know he is making those huge Martin

Brodeur saves. He locked it down.”

Undergoing a youth movement which has freshmen sprinkled on the top two forward lines and two first-year players forming a pair on defense has paid dividends.

“Right now the top line is Brendan Beatty (5 goals, 2 assists this season) with Babtiste Demurge (2 goals, 4 assists) and Dylan Hagt (1 goals, 3 assists), those two are freshmen,” said Johnson. “They have been really good, they are really strong. Baptiste has size, he has got speed. He is a big kid. He is cut from the same mold as Brendan, he has that ability where he can go through you or around you. He has a little edge to him, I like that.”

Senior Beatty, who also stars in lacrosse and is a University of Vermont men’s lax commit, has given the Tigers an edge with this leadership.

“In the last game against Paul VI, he had a couple of nice hits that set the tone,” said Johnson. “He is setting the tone in the room as a captain. Brendan has been there for four years so he is a good voice in the room.”

The Tiger second line features juniors Ryan Garlock (2 goals, 4 assists) and Anders Hedin (7 goals, 6 assists) with another freshman, Abe Arshan (2 goals).

“Anders is a big boy and he is using his speed to his advantage,” said Johnson. “His growth spurt is really working in his favor. When he is going, he is going.”

Sophomore Jacob Rosenberg (3 goals, 3 assists) has emerged as an offensive threat playing with sophomore Emil Vecchi (1 goal,

1 assist) and junior Liam Campbell (2 goals, 4 assists).

“Rotenberg is on the third line, he is on the opposite side of Emil and we usually have Liam with them,” said Johnson.

The Tiger defense is anchored by senior captains Jack Zimet (1 assist) and Wyatt Arshan (1 assist) along with freshmen Sam Gibb (1 goal, 3 assists) and Peter Ross (2 assists).

“Our top player would be Jack Zimet, he has been there four years now,” said Johnson, noting another senior star defenseman Ed Zhao is currently sidelined by injury and should be returning to action soon. “I made Wyatt a captain knowing that he was going to be a utility guy I can plug and play anywhere. He played goalie last year one game. He has been on the top line with Jack on defense. Sam and PJ are the second pair.”

In order to keep on the winning track, Johnson believes his players need to keep playing physical and make sure that they have fresh legs when they are on the ice.

“It is pressuring the puck, keeping the puck deep,” said Johnson. “Even things like getting off the ice when you are tired. I tell them when you think you are tired, get off because if you are out there and your wheels are gone and you pop a tire, then we are stuck.”

With PHS facing Hopewell Valley on January 22, Robbinsville on January 24 and South Brunswick on January 27, the Tigers are in a good place.

“The morale is high,” added Johnson. “The vibe is good so it is just building on things and staying positive.”

— Bill Alden

GETTING AFTER IT: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Liam Campbell goes after the puck in a game earlier this season. Junior forward Campbell has helped PHS post three straight wins in 2025 after a 1-5 start. In upcoming action, the Tigers, who moved to 4-5 with a 4-3 win over Paul VI on January 13, will look to keep on the winning track as they face Hopewell Valley on January 22, Robbinsville on January 24 and South Brunswick on January 27 with all three games to be played at the Mercer County Skating Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Game, Giving PHS Girls’ Hoops a Lift in Rough Stretch

For Anna Winters and her teammates on the Princeton High girls’ basketball team, their 45-38 loss to Robbinsville last Thursday proved to be a microcosm of a tough week.

After enjoying a smooth ride in starting 8-2 this season, PHS hit some bumps in the road, falling 52-43 to Notre Dame on January 14 and 52-47 to Monroe last Saturday in addition to the setback to the Ravens.

“I think we came into this game with the wrong mindset that we were going to win,” said junior guard Winters after the loss to Robbinsville which saw PHS jump out to a 13-8 first quarter lead only to get outscored 13-3 in the second. “We also went into that mindset with Notre Dame. We really need to just play as a team, we were all playing individually. It was just messing us up overall.”

In the defeat to Robbinsville, PHS trailed 38-25 heading into the third quarter but trimmed the Ravens’ lead to 40-37 in the waning moments of the game.

“We were just trying to move the ball and set screens for people,” said Winters, who ended up with a team-high 13 points in the loss. “Also our boxing out was rough. We did get it down to three. We had a good comeback at one point.”

In winning eight of their first 10 games this winter, the Tigers were clicking as a unit.

“We started out really well,” said Winters. “We started out playing together playing as a team. We just need to work together more, I think we will get there.”

Winters has worked hard to hone her game. “My confidence level has gone up, my shooting has gotten better,” said Winters, who is averaging 15.2 points a game this season, up from 13.8 last winter. “I played with Team Elevation in AAU over the spring. That was really fun and good. I worked on my ballhandling as well.”

PHS head coach Joe Smiegocki acknowledged that Robbinsville outworked his squad for much of the contest.

“They wanted it more than we did today, they outhustled us,” said Smiegocki. “When we made our run at the beginning of the third quarter and they got 10 offensive rebounds. We just can’t let that happen. We have to go back to the drawing board. We have to make some adjustments offensively.”

While Smiegocki was proud of the way his team rallied in the fourth quarter, it was too little, too late.

“That was good but we have to start like that from the beginning,” said Smiegocki. “We can’t wait until five minutes left in the game down by 15 points to make something happen.”

In reflecting on the defeat, Smiegocki is hoping it will be a wake-up call for his squad.

they

except for the last three or four minutes. Hopefully we do get better from that. Coming into this week, I knew it was a tough week. We have to come out ready to play every single day. We came out ready today but in the second quarter we were just taking three after three after three. I am not saying

In the view of Winters, the Tigers need to bring intensity every minute they are

the

“We need to be hungrier,” said Winters. “We came into the locker room and we just had our heads down. We didn’t want it enough, we could have won.”

—Bill Alden

10am-6pm;

“They are all trying their best, we are all making mistakes as a group,” said Smiegocki. “Hopefully they are disappointed and not happy with their effort

TAKING IT TO THE HOOP: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Anna Winters puts up a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior guard Winters scored 14 points in a losing cause as PHS fell 52-47 to Monroe. The Tigers, who moved to 8-5

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

With Barber Providing Outside Shooting, PDS Girls’ Hoops on an Upward Trajectory

Sophia Rae Barber got off to a rough start as the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team hosted Hamilton West last week.

PDS junior guard Barber scored just two points in the first half of the January 14 contest and ended up on her knees vomiting in a bucket behind the Panther bench just before halftime.

At intermission, Barber started feeling better as she warmed up.

“That wasn’t my best moment,” said Barber noting that she got an upset stomach from eating some fast food earlier in the day. “During halftime, I put a few shots up and I was making shots. I was like come on, why am I making them at halftime and not in the game. That just got me going a little bit.”

In the second half, Barber got going, scoring 14 points to help PDS pull away to a 47-27 win.

“I just kept on shooting, my mentality is just get up as many shots as possible,” said Barber, who drained four 3-pointers on the way to scoring a game-high 16 points.

“That is my primary role on the team to keep on shooting whether I had a bad first half or maybe I did good in the first half but I am not doing so good in the second half. This is probably one of my best games.”

Barber put in a lot of work over the offseason to be at her best this winter.

“Over the summer, I played AAU,” said Barber. “In the fall, I got as many shots up as I could.”

With PDS posting a 3-16 record last winter, Barber likes how the Panthers are getting after it this winter under new head coach Pat Reddington.

“I think the biggest thing is that our new coach really believes in us, you can really feel the shift from last year to this year,” said Barber, who scored nine points to help PDS defeat WW/P-South 34-27 last Friday as it won its third straight game and improved to 7-4. “It is just the energy on the team.”

PDS has been showing energy at the defensive end. “During practice our coach really preaches defense, most coaches just say play a three-two but they don’t actually teach you how to guard,” said Barber.

PDS head coach Reddington likes the defensive effort he got from his players in the win over Hamilton. “I think the key for us is the defensive end; if we hold teams to 10 points and put up 20 that is the type of game we like to be in,” said Reddington, whose team led 20-10 at halftime. “It was a full team effort and they all locked in and were focused on one common goal which is what we are trying to do. We had a full roster get in there and contribute and help us out and do their job.”

Reddington credited Barber with making a major contribution to the victory.

“She opens everything up for us,” said Reddington of Barber. “They play in that two-three zone so if we are not hitting from the outside it is easy for teams to sit back on us and play defense and really pack it in. So when she hits that, it opens up the

middle for Nandini [Kolli] and Shelby [Ruf] and different girls on the team.”

The pair of senior forwards and co-captains Kolli and Ruf gave the Panthers a good inside presence against the Hornets as Kolli tallied six points and eight rebounds with Ruf chipping in three points and five rebounds.

“I think Nandini sat for maybe three minutes, Shelby doesn’t really come out of games,” said Reddington. “I wanted to put Shelby a little bit more as a ball handler this season. I want a bigger presence against pressure so we can handle the pushing and the more physical play. Her and Nandini have been our leaders from day one. We go as they go.”

Junior point guard Nica Martin helped the team go as well, scoring 10 points with four rebounds and five assists in the win over Hamilton.

“I think the IQ of the game is important and playing the game the right way is important,” said Reddington. “And it all starts with your quarterback of the offense which is our point guard and that has

been Nica. I thought she handled the pressure pretty well. She hit some nice shots too and found some nice plays. She has done a great job for us. We are happy she is here for sure.”

Reddington is happy with the effort he is getting from his players collectively.

“We don’t give up, we don’t quit and that is what is important,” said Reddington, whose team is playing at Trenton Central on January 22 and at Lawrence High on January 23 before hosting Princeton High on January 28. “We have the heart and we stay together throughout the process.We are going to continue to get better every single day which has been the goal. The girls believe in themselves. The goal is to get them being the best versions of themselves and I think that is the trajectory we are going.”

Barber, for her part, believes that PDS is heading in the right direction.

“I think honestly just keep on what we are doing, we are already 5-4 which is way better than last season when we were 3-16,” said Barber. “It is just keep on working and keep on getting better every day at practice.”

Junior Star States Leading the Way for Stuart Hoops But 2-6 Tartans Need

Supporting Cast to Step Up

With the Stuart Country Day School basketball team having lost five of its previous six games as it hosted Hamilton West last Friday, the Tartans came out firing.

Stuart jumped out to a 10-3 first quarter lead as junior star forward Taylor States scored six points and her younger sister, freshman guard Lia, added two.

But in the second quarter, Hamilton outscored the Tartans 12-5 to draw even at 15-15 by halftime.

“We start strong and then the second quarter has been rough this season,” said Stuart head coach Tony Bowman.

Taylor States made things rough on Hamilton scoring 11 points in the second half.

“Taylor is always steadfast, every place we play, they double her and she still scores,” said Bowman. “She gets to do what she wants when she wants, inside and out. She has a shot, she goes to the basket. Bottom line, she is a stud.”

have a shooting machine, we do layup drills and everything. I haven’t seen the fruit of my labor as of yet and I am waiting.”

With Stuart slated to host Haddonfield on January 23 and WW/P-North on January 27, Bowman hopes that his squad can get into a rhythm with more game reps.

“We have got big games for the next week or so and

I think we are going to do well,” said Bowman. “Now we are going to be playing all of the time and I am looking forward to playing some better games. You can play and then you can make quicker adjustments but if you play a game and wait five or six days, it is not the same. You don’t get the same pressure. If you have the same pressure every two or three days, then you are playing, you are rolling, and you can see everything.”

—Bill Alden

Last Friday, junior guard

—Bill Alden

Despite the output from States, who ended up with 19 points and 17 rebounds, the Tartans came up short, falling 35-32 as they moved to 2-6.

Bowman acknowledged that States can’t do it on her own. “She needs a supporting cast who can help her out,” said Bowman. “I need scoring from everyone, everybody has to be a threat. That is the way we teach it and it is not happening so I am going back to the drawing board.”

The younger States gave glimpses of her potential against Hamilton, scoring seven points with four rebounds and two assists.

“I think for Lia, it is growing pains, she had a couple of good games,” said Bowman. “She made some nice plays today but her turnover ratio is too high.”

Looking ahead, Bowman believes that others in the supporting cast will step up.

“Right now I am hopeful but I think I have to be a little more patient to find out who is able to do more than just Taylor,” said Bowman. “We have been drilling, we

nine

to help PDS defeat WW/P-South 34-27 as it won its third straight game. The Panthers, now 7-4, play at Trenton Central on January 22 and at Lawrence High on January 23 before hosting Princeton High on January 28.

December 06, 2025

BOARD OF ELECTIONS PROVISIONAL BALLOT REVIEW

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 10 Et. Seq., the Open Public Meetings Act. Under the Open Public Meeting Act N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(b), a public body may hold a closed or executive session when it is dealing with one of the nine exemptions listed. The Mercer County Board of Elections Provisional, Cure, deficiencies, and Mail in Ballot challenges for the Princeton Special School Referendum Election review will be held 02/11/ 2025 at 12:00pm. At the Board of Elections, 930 Spruce St, Lawrence, NJ 08648. In order to encourage full participation, please submit any requests for accommodation of persons with disabilities to the, Board of Elections, 930 Spruce St, Lawrence, New Jersey 08648 at (609) 989-6522. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990101-336) Mercer County Board of Elections Office

Jill Moyer, Chair

Martin J Jennings Jr. Esq, Board Secretary

Charles Farina, Commissioner Mary Corrigan, Commissioner Phone: (609) 989-6522

DRAWING A CROWD: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Taylor States, right, looks to make an inside move in a game last winter. Last Friday, junior forward States posted a double-double with 19 points and 17 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as Stuart lost 35-32 to Hamilton West. The Tartans, who moved to 2-6 with the loss, host Haddonfield on January 23 and WW/P-North on January 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

SHOOTING STAR: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Sophia Rae Barber dribbles upcourt in a game last season.

Barber scored

points

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Hun Lawrenceville

Boys’ Basketball : Blake Hargrove led the way as Hun defeated Hackensack High 69-59 last Saturday in the Public vs. Private Showcase.

Hargrove scored 29 points to help the Raiders improve to 6-9. Hun hosts the Blair Academy on January 22, plays at the Hill School (Pa.) on January 28, and then hosts College Achieve on January 28.

Girls’ Basketball : Gabby

D’Agostino had a big game in a losing cause as Hun lost 84-58 to the Blair Academy last Saturday. Junior guard

D’Agostino tallied 23 points and six assists for the Raiders, who dropped to 13-3 with the defeat. In upcoming action, Hun hosts the Lawrenceville School on January 22 and then plays at the Hill School (Pa.) on January 25.

Boys’ Hockey : Connor Mulligan scored the lone goal for Hun as it lost 5-1 to Pope John last Monday. The Raiders, who moved to 3-9-2 with the setback, face Malvern Prep (Pa.) on January 22 at the Ice Line Quad Rinks in West Chester, Pa., and Holy Ghost Prep (Pa.) on January 24 at the Grundy Ice Arena in Bristol, Pa.

Girls’ Basketball : Aryana Iyer scored 26 points but it wasn’t enough as Lawrenceville fell 65-53 to the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Saturday. The Big Red, who moved to 1-11 with the loss, play at the Hun School on January 22, at the Pingry School on January 24, and at Payne Senior Technical School on January 27.

Pennington

Boys’ Basketball : Joshua Benka-Coker posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds but it wasn’t enough and Pennington fell 55-52 to Malvern Prep (Pa.) last Saturday. The Red Hawks, who moved to 7-5 with the loss, play at the Peddie School on January 22, at Friends Select (Pa.) on January 25 and at Trenton Central on January 27.

Girls’ Basketball : Suffering its sixth straight defeat, Pennington lost 56-45 to the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Friday. The Red

PDS

Boys’ Basketball : Pulling out a nail-biter, PDS edged South Brunswick 45-40 last Thursday. The Panthers outscored the Vikings 15-10 in the fourth quarter as they improved to 5-6. PDS hosts Lawrence High on January 23 before playing at Princeton High on January 28.

Boys’ Hockey : Wyatt Ewanchyna tallied three assists as PDS lost 9-6 to Christian Brothers Academy last Wednesday. Jake Harrison, Fred Ringblom, Colton Simonds, Hubert Shin, Filip Kacmarsky, Tyler Nevrotski each scored goals in the defeat for the Panthers who moved to 5-4-1. PDS hosts the Lawrenceville School on January 22 and St. Augustine on January 28.

Girls’ Hockey : Getting defeated for the first time this season, PDS fell 2-0 to Morristown Beard on January 14. The Panthers, who moved to 5-1-1 with the setback, play at Westfield on January 24 before hosting Randolph High on January 27.

Boys’ Basketball: Michael Bess Jr. scored 16 points in a losing cause as PHS fell 54-35 to Marlboro last Saturday. The Tigers, who dropped to 2-10 with the defeat, host Trenton Central on January 23, play at Delaware Valley on January 25, and then host Princeton Day School on January 28.

Girls’ Hockey : Taylor Davidson scored the lone goal for PHS as it lost 11-1 to Madison last Wednesday. The Tigers, now 2-4, host Randolph on January 22 and Cranford on January 28 with both games to be played at Hobey Baker Rink. Wrestling : Blase Mele and the Rose brothers, Cole and Forest, excelled as PHS went 1-2 in a quad last Saturday, defeating Trenton 41-29 while losing 48-20 to Robbinsville and 45-31 to Steinert. Senior Mele went 3-0 at 150 pounds while freshman Forest Rose was 3-0 at 106 and senior Cole Rose went 2-0 at 132 and 1-0 at 138. PHS, now 4-8 in duals, will be competing in the Colonial Valley Conference tournament from January 24-25 at Robbinsville High.

Mercer Juniors Rowing

Holding Open House Feb. 26

The Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA)/Mercer Juniors rowing club is holding an open house on February 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Caspersen Rowing Center at 1 South Post Road in Princeton Junction.

The Mercer Juniors program is a nationally competitive rowing club for athletes in grades 9-12. Recent graduates have attended top colleges and universities in the country and Mercer has been represented at the Junior World Championships for four straight years. Those interested in learning more about the open house and the program can log onto rowpnra.org or email coach Jamie Hamp at jhamp@rowpnra.

FLYING HIGH: Princeton High boys’ swimmer David Brophy displays his butterfly form in a recent meet. Senior star and Colgate University commit Brophy has helped PHS go 8-0 in regular season action. The Tiger boys’ and girls’ squads will be competing in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) championship meet

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Obituaries

Katharine Joan Peterken Tate

03/27/1932 – 12/29/2024

Katharine Joan Peterken Tate, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on December 29 after a brief illness. She was 92.

Born in New York City on Easter Sunday 1932, to Katharine Von Elling Peterken and Albert Edward Peterken, she was forever called “Bunny” by her family. She was raised in the Bronx by her aunt and uncle, Frederick and Ann Veit, and attended Walton High School. Summers spent in Winsted, Connecticut, gave her time with her mother and sparked a lifelong affection for the New England landscape and life on a lake. Some of Katharine’s best

memories derived from her years as an honors student at Swarthmore College. After graduating in 1953, she taught at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York and lived for a time in Greenwich Village. While visiting her uncle in Morocco during the summer of 1951, she met Robert Wood Tate, a Swarthmore alumnus who was an engineer in the U.S. Air Force. They reconnected years later and, after a few dates, married in 1956. The family lived in California and Washington, D.C., before settling in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1968 with their five children. There Katharine took on the role of landlady to, among

others, many Princeton graduate students from all over the world. She took up work outside the home when the children were older and in the 1980s became part of the staff of the development office at Princeton University, a position she held for 10 years. Much of her time in subsequent years was devoted to faithfully caring for her aging aunt and uncle. Katharine was an excellent cook and enjoyed bringing people together. One friend recalled, “I have such a vivid memory of her … always welcoming, always putting people at ease, and always curious about others.” Many who lived for a time in the Tate’s Victorian house became lifelong friends. The community she built extended to mid-coast Maine, where the Tates spent summers beginning in the 1970s. In her last year, she was still enjoying living in her summer cabin in the woods.

Until her final days, Katharine was thinking about how to feed family and friends, what new tastes she could enjoy, and how to be a good host, while she was watched over by family members and visited by many of her dear friends.

Katharine is survived by her children Jacques Tate (May, deceased), Anne Tate (Robert Massie), Thomas Tate, Laura Tate Kagel (Martin), and Carol Tate (David Schrayer); her half siblings Nancy Connole (Michael) and James Maguire, nieces Valerie Tate (Gregory Arms) and Louise Tate Hood (Murray); longtime friends François Bontoux and Christine Wüthrich; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Robert Wood Tate.

Laura, and to Janice Stonaker, his law partner, who died of cancer in 2001, and then to Julia Bowers Coale for the past 22 years.

A true gentleman, an understanding and feeling person, practical and effective attorney and problem solver, Joe is an example of the best in true humanism and professionalism. He is greatly loved and missed.

University (home of the Scarlet Knights) in Cultural Anthropology.

Ian’s education stood him in good stead as he progressed through his working life. Teaching gigs at Fordham University, Rutgers University, a stint with the Guggenheim Foundation, and a position as Assistant Publisher of Automobile Quarterly paved the way to a long tenure as a senior executive in both the Human Resources departments of Home Life Insurance Company and the Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company, formed in 1992 when Phoenix and Home Life merged.

earning a PhD at Rutgers

Ian’s passions included skiing, long summer days at the beach, engaging in countless do-it-yourself projects at home in Princeton, and getaways in Vermont and at the Jersey Shore. None however, took precedence over his passion for his spouse of 49 years, Peg Bowers, who survives him.

In addition to Peg, his presence will be sorely missed by

his sister-in-law Helen, her spouse George, his brotherin-law Frank, his nephew Joseph, Joseph’s spouse Hannah, his grandnephew Leo, his longtime bestie Ron, and countless others who miss him dearly.

Perhaps Ian will be most often remembered for his willingness to pitch in and serve as a gentle éminence grise, the moderator of the various and sundry crises that inevitably occur in the course of home and family life. He will also be remembered for his subtle and sometimes surprising flashes of Midwestern wit, never failing to note at family gatherings that “...There are only two kinds of pie that I like ... hot and cold.”

Arrangements are under the direction of MatherHodge Funeral Home. While no funeral service will be conducted, a celebration of Ian’s life will be held at a date to be determined. Memorial donations in Ian’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.

Joseph L. Stonaker

Joseph L. Stonaker, longtime Princeton attorney, died at age 92 on January 17, 2025 at Stonebridge at Montgomery, where he had resided for the past eight years.

Joe Stonaker was born in Princeton, son of Joseph Stonaker and Barbara Cavanaugh Stonaker, and lived in Princeton, except for his education and Navy years, until his move to Stonebridge.

Educated at St. Paul’s School and Princeton High School, Class of 1950, where he was a track team runner and class officer, Stonaker went to Lafayette College on a full track scholarship, graduating in 1954, and then served a two-year term in the U.S. Navy in Guided Missile Research.

With the GI Bill Joe went to Georgetown Law School and came back to Princeton where he practiced law from 1959 until retirement in 2008. Joe was a solo practitioner with a general practice and later representing various townships such as Plainsboro, Cranbury, Lawrence, and West Windsor as well as the Mercer County Planning Board. He was involved with rezoning of those townships from farmland to residential uses with open space and farmland set-asides, setting the current development pattern, and he litigated Affordable Housing matters before New Jersey courts.

Joe was married to Francesca Benson with whom he had two children, David and

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Constance C. Moore

Constance Cook Moore, a native of Princeton, died January 16 at home in Philadelphia after a short illness. She was 92.

She devoted her long life to art, to serving her community, to the Episcopal Church, and to her family and her friends. She was an artist who depicted the world around her in sepia pen-and-ink drawings, and a mother who found constant joy in her family. She loved Cezanne, Puccini, and dressing up for costume parties; she was creative in endless ways from excellent cooking to elaborate and funny handmade birthday cards. She traveled from Morocco to Turkey to Cuba and every year her Christmas card was a drawing of a scene from her adventures.

Throughout her life she believed her own blessings meant she had a responsibility to help others, and doing so is where she found meaning.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Princeton, N.J., she was the daughter of George R. Cook III and Margaretta Roebling Cook of Princeton and Naples, Fla., and a descendant of John A. Roebling, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge. She graduated from Garrison Forest School in Baltimore, Md., and made her debut at the Present Day Club in 1950. Defying her parents’ wish that she go to Katie Gibbs secretarial school, she graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Barnes Foundation, where she studied with Violette de Mazia. She was the widow of Norman C. Moore, Dean of Students at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where she raised her family. There, she acted and created costumes at the college theater, hosted a show on local access TV, and taught classes in parenting skills to women struggling with domestic violence. She picketed George Wallace while pushing a stroller, supported Eugene McCarthy, and boycotted nonunion grapes. She served on the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church and in 1977 was present at the first ordination of a female Episcopal priest. In Philadelphia, where she moved in 1981, she was deeply involved in her Center City neighborhood. A progressive Democrat, she worked at her local polling place every November. At her antiques-filled trinity on Camac Street, she hosted a New Year’s Day party as lengthy as the Mummers Parade. As president of Friends of Louis I.

Kahn Park, she helped lead the park’s renovation from concrete beach to flowerfilled retreat. She was on the board of the Washing ton Square West Civic As sociation and a member of the Diva Committee for the Opera Company of Phila delphia. She served on the board of directors of As sociated Services For the Blind (ASB) for more than 15 years and was a full-time volunteer at Radio Informa tion Center for the Blind, recording newspapers for visually impaired listeners. For her service, she received ASB’s Louis Braille Award in 2011.

Dante B. Nini

During her 40 years as a parishioner at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, where she will be buried in the historic churchyard, she served on the vestry, as a lay reader, and as rector’s warden.

Her husband died in 2002. She is survived by her children Allison (Allan Ells) of Swarthmore, Martha (Kent Gibbons) of New York, Charles (Susan Finch Moore) of Wilson, Wyo., and Patrick (Sandra Jerez) of Seattle, and grandchildren Margot, Charlotte, Adrian, Nate, Katie, Eva, Alexander, and Theo.

A funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s Church, 313 Pine Street, on Saturday, February 8 at 11:30 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to ASB, 919 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or The Friends of Louis I. Kahn Park, P.O. Box 1830, Philadelphia, PA 19105-1830.

Dante B. Nini, 84, of Pennington, passed away peacefully at home, Saturday January 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, the very people who brought him the greatest joy in life. Born in Pettoranello di Molise, Italy, he immigrated to the United States in 1955 on the S.S. Homeric. Dante graduated from Princeton High School (Class of 1960) where he met his wife Judy (Seville), the love of his life. He resided in Princeton, Hopewell, and settled in Pennington. He was a member of St. James Church, Pennington and Roma Eterna of Princeton.

Dante was the proud owner of Dante B. Nini Home Improvements founded in 1978. With an unmatched work ethic and a skilled hand, Dante dedicated his career to earning the respect and trust of clients and colleagues alike.

Dante was an avid gardener, loved to cook, and enjoyed watching sports. Above all, he was a family man. His favorite pastime was being surrounded by the people he loved.

Whether it was a lively holiday gathering, Sunday dinner, or a casual visit, his happiest moments were spent in the company of his family. He never missed an opportunity to share a story or teach a valuable life lesson.

Predeceased by his parents, Albino and Marianna (Antenucci) Nini, in-laws Orville and Elizabeth Seville, sister and brotherin-law Polina and Joseph Ercolano, brother-in-law

Robert Seville Sr., and sonin-law Joseph Vaccaro Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Judy Nini; daughter Denise Vaccaro; son and daughterin-law, Michael and Jodie; sister Cesina (Joe) Mangone; brother Tony (Donna) Nini; sister Mickey (Sam)

Procaccini; grandsons, Steven and fiancé (Brittany) Jamison, Brandon and wife (Kayla), Michael, Ryan; and two great-grandsons, Radik and Liam. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Wilson Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, New Jersey.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 115 East Delaware Avenue, Pennington, New Jersey. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, Hopewell, New Jersey. Condolences are welcome at wilsonapple.com.

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